Page 446 - Environment

NGT raps NHAI for not maintaining mandatory green cover along highways

The National Green Tribunal Wednesday rapped the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for not maintaining the mandatory green cover along national and state highways, adding that marriage lawns had come up besides the road instead of trees. A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel slammed the NHAI for allowing construction along the highways and said all its policies were only visible on paper. "Why are you (NHAI) allowing construction along the highways? You are not planting trees. All highways have marriage places instead of trees. You are befooling everybody. We also live in the same country. "What you are writing on the paper is fraud. All the things stated in the affidavit are false. Big buildings are overlooking the road. Even a blind person can see. You cannot construct anything within 50 metres," the bench observed. The observations came while hearing a plea filed by NGO Society for Protection of Culture, Heritage, Environment, Traditions and Promotion of ...

Indian astronaut may travel to ISS on board Russia's Soyuz in 2022

Russia may bring an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS) on board a Soyuz spacecraft for a short training mission in 2022, a source in the Russian space industry said.Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in August this year that his country would send a national crew to space on board domestically-developed Gaganyaan spacecraft by 2022, when India celebrates the 75th anniversary of Independence."The Russian side has offered Indian colleagues to conduct a short visit to the ISS. The flight should take place in 2022 before or after India's independent manned space mission. The agreement is expected to be signed in the near future," the source said.

SoftBank to offer ISA members free power from solar plants after 25 years of PPA

Japan's Softbank Group Wednesday said it will provide free power to all members of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) including India after completion of 25 years of that country buying electricity generated from solar cells. "Cost of Solar power generation is much cheaper in India compared to rest of the world. I will give free power from solar power projects after 25 years of PPA (power purchase agreement) to all ISA member countries," said Masayoshi Son, Chief Executive Officer, SoftBank Group, addressing at plenary session of 2nd Global Renewable Energy Investment Meeting and Expo, (REINVEST- 2018) as per a statement. He said, "We are investing in tech and innovation so that we can harness solar energy efficiently to provide free power to children, mothers, communities across the world. It's not a dream, we now have the resources to make this happen." First Assembly of ISA; 2nd IORA (Indian Ocean Rim Association) Renewable Energy Ministerial Meeting and 2nd Global Renewable ...

IRB Infra achieves financial closure for second HAM Project on successive day

IRB Infrastructure Developers has achieved another financial closure, on successive day, for its special purpose vehicle IRB PS Highway Private Ltd., to manage affairs of its second Hybrid Annuity project."This is remarkable achievement for us to financially close two HAM projects on two successive days, which is nothing but the result of our domain expertise, execution capabilities and financial discipline demonstrated over last 20 years," said Chairman and MD, Virendra D. Mhaiskar.Adding to this Mhaiskar said that we are highly obliged to be privileged with such high trust and confidence of lenders in us, even in the present lending environment."Out of three HAM projects of around Rs. 5,500 crores, bagged in March 2018, we have financially closed two and expecting to close the third one soon," he added.IRB PS Highway Private is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) of India's leading and one of the largest Highways Infrastructure developers, IRB Infra, formed and entrusted to undertake ...

Mountaineer Bachendri Pal to lead Mission Gange expedition

India's first woman to scale Mount Everest and chief of Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TASF) Bachendri Pal will lead a 40-member squad on a 1500-km, 27-day 'Mission Gange' rafting expedition along the river Ganga from October 5 to 30. The ambitious mission in partnership with National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) is aimed at creating awareness at grassroots level by cleaning the river and river fronts and educating people about waste management, clean environment and climate change. The team will start its expedition on October 5 from Haridwar traversing through Bijnor, Farukkhabad, Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Buxar and end with a drive in Patna. The expedition team will organise cleaning and awareness drives with the help of local communities, visit schools and other institutions to create awareness around waste management, climate change and Government of India's 'Mission Clean Ganga' (Namami Gange). NMCG will provide support for waste disposal, accommodation, volunteers, ...

IFC extends Rs 1,000 cr green loan to Aditya Birla Finance

International Finance Corporation (IFC), a World Bank group member, Wednesday extended a seven-year long-term loan of Rs 1,000 crore to Aditya Birla Finance (ABFL). ABFL, the NBFC arm of Aditya Birla Capital, would use the proceeds to finance renewable energy projects and help the country move towards its target of 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022. "This is not just about a loan but also about being able to access the expertise that IFC has in this area and together making a small difference to the energy requirements of our country," Aditya Birla Capital's chief executive Ajay Srinivasan, said in a release. The government plans to increase the country's renewable energy capacity to 175 GW, comprising solar, wind, biomass, and small hydro, by 2022. With this funding, IFC would help ABFL develop its renewable energy program by providing longer-tenor financing, knowledge sharing, and setting of standards. IFC brings to the partnership its deep understanding of .

PM Modi receives UN's 'Champion of the Earth' award

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the United Nations 'Champions of the Earth' award, the world body's highest environmental honour, from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres here on Wednesday.On September 26, Prime Minister Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron were recognised in the Policy Leadership category of the Champions of the Earth on the sidelines of the 73rd UN General Assembly in New York.Dedicating his award to all Indians, Prime Minister Modi said that the award recognises a rich culture that has always seen God in nature.He said that the award recognises the Adivasis of India who "love their jungles more than their lives", the fisherman of India who only takes as much is required for sustenance, the farmers whose lives depend on the changing seasons and the women who are mindful about "reuse" and "recycle" and have lived by it every single day."Climate and calamity are directly related to culture, if climate is not the focus of culture, calamity cannot be ...

Modi receives UN Champions of the Earth award, dedicates it to all Indians

In his acceptance speech, the PM said climate and culture are directly related to culture and if climate is not the focus of culture, calamity cannot be prevented

Honour for Indians, says PM on accepting UN award

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the 'United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Champions of the Earth' award from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at an award ceremony here on Wednesday. "It is an honour for Indians", Prime Minister Modi said while mentioning that the award recognises a rich culture that has always seen God in nature.He said that the award recognises the Adivasis of India who "love their jungles more than their lives", the fisherman of India who only take as much is required for sustenance, the farmers whose lives depend on the changing seasons and the women who are mindful about "reuse" and "recycle" and have lived by it every single day."Climate and calamity are directly related to culture; if climate is not the focus of culture, calamity cannot be prevented," Prime Minister Modi said while accepting the award. He further said, "the world is recognising India's dedication towards nature today, but this has been a part of our lifestyle since time ...

Corrected: SoftBank proposes to offer free power to solar alliance

(Corrects to remove extra space in company name in headline, paragraph 1)

MMRCL told to file affidavit on felling of trees for metro car

The Bombay High Court Wednesday directed Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) to file an affidavit stating that it was cutting only those trees at the suburban Aarey Colony for which it has permission. A division bench of acting Chief Justice N H Patil and Justice G S Kulkarni was hearing a petition filed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Preeti Menon and Ruben Mascarenhas against the MMRCL's 'indiscriminate' felling of trees inside the Aarey Colony to pave way for a metro car shed. Advocate Kiran Bagaria, appearing for MMRCL, told the court that only those trees are being cut for which permissions have already been sought. "We will not cut any tree without taking prior permission from the concerned authorities," said Bagaria. The bench directed MMRCL to file an affidavit in two weeks stating so and also submit a schedule of work it plans to undertake in Aarey colony for construction of the Metro car shed. The court, however, refused to pass an order granting an .

Swaraj, Guterres discuss UNSC reforms, climate change

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Wednesday met United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and discussed key issues such as UN Security Council reforms and climate change. Guterres, who arrived here Monday on his maiden visit to India as the head of the world body, also presented Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the UN's Champions of the Earth Award on Wednesday. "Working in close synergy with the highest organ of multilateralism. EAM @SushmaSwaraj welcomed UNSG @antonioguterres. Had productive discussions on issues related to climate change, UNSC reforms and other areas of mutual interest," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted after Swaraj's meeting with Guterres. Guterres' visit coincided with the commencement of events marking the 149th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and he also participated in the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention on Tuesday.

States regularly granting land titles under Forest Rights Act: Tribal Affairs Secy

State governments have been regularly granting land titles to tribal people under the Forest Rights Act and no specific case of violation of the legislation has come to the notice of the Tribal Affairs Ministry, a top official has said, dismissing allegations of delays and irregularities in the process. The ministry monitors the implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, which grants forest-dwelling communities legal titles to land they have been tilling since before 2005. Several NGOs and tribal leaders have alleged that a large number of appeals and claims remain pending before committees formed to look into cases of grant of land titles. Tribal Affairs Ministry secretary Deepak Khandekar said there are three committees at the district, sub-divisional and panchayat levels that look into such cases and political representatives are part of them. "These committees discuss the claims, some of which get approved and ..

Why land degradation in India has increased and how to deal with it

Ahmedabad, Oct 3 (IANS/Mongabay) Land degradation can exacerbate climate change and threaten agricultural productivity, water quality, biodiversity, sustainable development, and the living conditions of humans and wildlife, among other effects. Globally, a third of our land is degraded, affecting three billion people, and it is expected to worsen with rising demand for food.

Adityanath greets Modi on winning UN's highest environmental honour

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Wednesday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was presented the UN's Champions of the Earth Award by United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres in Delhi. In an official statement here, Adityanath said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a clear vision towards environment, which is being praised across the world. It is the result of the efforts of the Prime Minister that India's identity is visible at the global stage. It was owing to his efforts that the United Nations decided to observe June 21 every year as International Yoga Day." Adityanath also said that the government's Swachch Bharat Mission has been praised by the World Health Organization. PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron were jointly awarded the UN's highest environmental honour for their pioneering work in championing the International Solar Alliance and promoting new areas of cooperation on environmental action.

Death of lions in Gir forest extremely serious situation, protect them: SC

A bench headed by Justice Madan B Lokur said, "Lions must be protected. You (government) must find out the reasons and do something to stop it."In last one month, over 21 lions have died in the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, due to various reasons.Hearing a plea relating to preservation of green forests across the country, the bench took into note the media reports, which highlighted the death of lions in Gir Forest in the Amreli district of Gujarat."This is extremely serious. So many lions have died," the bench said while asking the Centre to file a response on the issue.Additional Solicitor General ANS Nadkarni, appearing for the Centre, sought time to file a reply.The Gujarat government also assured the court that necessary action will be taken on the death of lions in Gir forest.The court granted one week time to the governments.

US, Australia ink MoU on energy cooperation

The United States Department of State hosted the first annual US-Australia Energy Security Dialogue here on Tuesday.Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR) Frank R. Fannon and Australia's Department of Environment and Energy Deputy Secretary Rob Heferen led the discussions.Officials from the US Departments of Energy and Interior participated in the dialogue along with an Australian delegation from the Departments of Environment and Energy, Industry, Innovation and Science, Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, and the Embassy of Australia in Washington DC.During the discussions, the officials signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance the existing framework for bilateral cooperation and to strengthen areas of mutual interest in the energy sector, to include promoting regional energy security, encouraging open and competitive markets, ...

Soft Bank proposes to offer free power to solar alliance

(Reuters) - Japan's Soft Bank Group Corp has proposed to offer free electricity, after 25 years, to International Solar Alliance (IS) member-countries that sign power purchase agreements (PAP), Chief Executive Masayoshi Son said at a renewable energy conference in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Honouring PM Modi is a fitting tribute to making our planet clean: Swaraj

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday asserted that honouring Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the United Nations 'Champions of the Earth' award is a fitting recognition of his leadership towards making the planet a cleaner place.On September 26, Prime Minister Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron were recognised in the Policy Leadership category of the world body's highest environmental honour, Champions of the Earth.Addressing in the 'Champions of the Earth' event at Pravasi Bhartiya Kendra here, Swaraj said: "This is a huge and proud moment for India. Prime Minister Modi got this award for his leadership and his tireless contributions in building a clean environment. Prime Minister Modi getting the UN Champions of the Earth award is a fitting recognition of his leadership towards making our world a cleaner place."Hailing the Prime Minister for his vision of a clean environment, the External Affairs Minister recalled that when countries tried to back out from ...

Japanese spacecraft drops observation device onto asteroid

A German-French observation device safely landed on an asteroid on Wednesday after a Japanese spacecraft released it as part of a research effort that could find clues to the origin of the solar system, Japanese space officials said. The Japan Space Exploration Agency said the Mobile Asteroid Surface Scout, or MASCOT, was released from the unmanned spacecraft Hayabusa2 and successfully landed on the asteroid Ryugu. The spacecraft went as close as about 50 meters (160 feet) to the asteroid's surface to release the box-shaped lander. Hayabusa2 has been stationed near the asteroid since June after traveling 280 million kilometers (170 million miles) from Earth. About an hour after the separation, the space agency, known as JAXA, said it had received signals from MASCOT, an indication of its safe landing. JAXA's Hayabusa project manager, Yuichi Tsuda, confirmed the landing at a news conference. The lander's deployment follows the successful landing last month of two MINERVA-II1 jumping ...