Page 450 - Environment
Impossible to build multipolar world without India: UN Chief
United Nations Chief Antonia Guterres on Monday said that it is impossible to build a multipolar world without a relevant contribution from India.Speaking at the inauguration of the UN House here, he said, "India is becoming a fundamental pillar of multilateralism. And at the same time, as we want a multi-polar world, it is impossible to build a multi-polar world without a very relevant role of India. The success of India is largely a success for us all.""I want the UN to be united and to be able to work here to fully support India's government development plans, to fully support India's leadership in relations to climate change, the Sustainable Development Goals and so many other aspects in which today India is showing a leadership role in our planet," he added.The UN Chief's visit coincides with the commencement of events marking the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. During his visit, Guterres will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders and is likely to discuss
CSE assessment finds major gaps in making villages open defecation free
An assessment by an environment policy think tank of 'Swachh Bharat Mission', under which toilets have been built to make villages open defecation free, has found major gaps in the entire process, and said even if India gets ODF status by February 2019, it will not become cleaner. According to the government, by February next year India will lay claim to being an open defecation free nation. The assessment done by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said new toilets will produce one lakh tonne of excreta every day and the big question is disposal of the waste, which if not managed properly, can contaminate land and water, and become a "gigantic" public health problem. The CSE-Down To Earth analysis also found anomalies in the way the toilets have been constructed. The assessment comes as India gets ready to mark the Mahatma's 150th birth anniversary this year with celebrations. Under the government's flagship scheme Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), 76 per cent of India's villages
Let's make Bihar open defecation free by next Gandhi Jayanti: Nitish
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday called for efforts to make the entire state open defecation free (ODF) by Gandhi Jayanti next year. "Let us take a pledge to make the state ODF before October 2, 2019. Work is also in progress to make clean drinking water available to every nook and corner within two years. Ninety per cent of the diseases can be kept at bay if proper sanitation and clean drinking water are ensured," Kumar said a function here on the eve of Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary, The chief minister said the use of polythene would be completely banned in the state by the end of this month and only plastic bags with a thickness of more than 50 microns would be in use. Noting that the consumption of polythene often led to stray cattle falling sick and dying, he also asked the district administration to ensure all cows that were found roaming on the roads unattended should be herded to cow shelters. "And then, if their owners come looking for their cattle, they
'PM Modi recognised for bold environmental leadership at UN'
Secretary of Economic Relations in the Ministry of External Affairs, TS Tirumurti on Monday said that the award conferred by the United Nations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi recognises his environmental leadership at a global level."Award recognises the Prime Minister for his bold environmental leadership on the global stage for his pioneering work in championing International Solar Alliance and promoting new areas of levels of cooperation on environment," Tirumurti said in a press briefing.The MEA personnel further said that the award is a global recognition of the work done by India, particularly in the realm of solar power and renewable energy, adding that this was the first time India received an award in the policy-leadership field.French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Modi were recognised in the Policy Leadership category of the United Nation's Champions of the Earth award, the world body's highest environmental honour, for their pioneering work in championing ...
Haryana to lay emphasis on increasing productivity of coarse cereals
With a view to increasing the foodgrains production in Haryana for 2018-19 under the National Food Security Mission, the state would lay emphasis on increasing the productivity of coarse cereals bajra and jawar, an official statement said. The state would also focus on increasing productivity of commercial crops like sugarcane and cotton, pulses and oilseeds. This was informed in the executive committee meeting of State Food Security Mission held here Monday under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary D S Dhesi, the statement said. Dhesi directed the officers to organise special campaigns for promoting the better agricultural practices and technologies so that farmers can contribute in achieving the objectives of the State and National Food Security Mission. He also said the Irrigation Department and the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department should work with better coordination towards spreading the awareness about the schemes being implemented under the mission. Under the State ...
Das raises Massanjore dam issue at Eastern Regional Council
Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das Monday raised the issue of Massanjore dam at the Eastern Region Council meeting held in Kolkata and sought a satisfactory solution in the interest of his state's farmers. In his speech, Das drew the attention of Union Home Minister and chairman of the council Rajnath Singh, saying the Massanjore Dam is in Jharkhand's Dumka district, but farmers are not getting adequate benefits from it and locals are disappointed. In the interest of the people, a satisfactory solution should be determined, he said. Earlier, an official statement said Das and his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee had agreed to solve the Massanjore dam issue through an official level meeting. They met nearly two months after an impasse broke out over the painting of a part of the dam's wall in the shades of white and blue, the signature colour of the Trinamool Congress, which is headed by Banerjee. Das raised the matter during a meeting in Kolkata where Banerjee was also ...
Impossible to build multipolar world without relevant role of India: UN secy gen
On his maiden visit to India as the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres Monday said it is impossible to build a multipolar world without a very relevant role of India. He also lauded India saying it is becoming a fundamental pillar of multilateralism. "India is becoming a fundamental pillar of multilateralism, and at the same time, as we want a multipolar world, it is impossible to build a multipolar world without a very relevant role of India," Guterres said. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the UN House, Guterres said India is now becoming a global power, and is batting for a comprehensive approach towards development. He said the United Nations should work with India, support its development plans and back its leadership in regard to climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals. Guterres arrived here Monday as the head of the world body and his visit coincides with the commencement of events marking the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The UN
Govt asks CIL to supply rakes to power sector on priority basis
The government has directed Coal India and its subsidiaries to give priority to power plants in fuel supply as plants are grappling with acute coal shortage, an official said. "Coal and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal in a video conference asked Coal India and its arms to prioritise power sector," the official said. The CMDs of all subsidiaries of Coal India (CIL), and the CMD of NTPC along with others were part of the video conference held on September 22, the official said. Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) in a letter said in view of the acute shortage of coal at power plants, it was decided in the meeting that rakes will be loaded only for power plants. After meeting the requirement of power plants, "CPSUs like RINL, Nalco and SAIL (RSP) are to be loaded till the crisis is over", the letter said. A fall in the generation of thermal power, wind and hydro-power due to multiple factors has spiked power rates in spot markets in the last two weeks. Power tariff on Sunday touched a decade ...
Env Min sanctions project for abatement of pollution in Devika, Tawi rivers in J&K
The Environment Ministry has sanctioned a project for abatement of pollution in Devika and Tawi rivers at Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir, which is scheduled for completion by March 2021. The ministry said completion of the project would have a significant and direct beneficial impact in terms of reduction of pollution load on the two rivers and improvement in their water quality. "As full sewerage system will be laid in the town and its entire sewage will be treated, the project will improve the aesthetics and sanitation conditions in Udhampur and support the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan towards ensuring cleanliness in the town," it said. The project has been sanctioned to supplement the state government's efforts in pollution abatement at identified stretches of various rivers through National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) on cost-sharing basis between the Centre and State governments. The total sanctioned cost of the project is Rs 186.74 crore, which will be shared between the Centre and ..
German carmakers to bear most of diesel upgrade costs: minister
BERLIN/HAMBURG (Reuters) - German carmakers are willing to bear most of the cost of upgrading old diesel cars to reduce air pollution in the country's cities, Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer said ahead of make-or-break coalition talks on the issue on Monday.
Coast Guard launching drive to discourage plastic use
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is launching a campaign for voluntary discarding of the use of plastic in all the ICG premises from October 2, an official release said on Monday.
Fly ash from Bihar reach Assam using waterways
A consignment of 1233 tonne of fly ash from Bihar reached the Pandu Inland port here Monday travelling through three waterways route, including the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) said in a statement. In one of the longest hauls in Inland Water Sector (IWT) movement in the country, the consignment completed a month-long voyage from Bihar to Assam through three waterways, the statement said. The 1233 tonne of bagged flyash (by product from National Thermal Power Corporations (NTPC) Kahalgaon power plant, Bihar) had sailed for Pandu Inland Port on September 30 to cover a distance of 2085 km. This is a critical integrated movement through three Waterways NW-1 (river Ganga), the Indo Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route and NW -2, (river Brahmaputra), it said. Two IWAI barges of 1000 tonne capacity each carried the consignment for delivery to Star Cements for use in its cement plant in Guwahati. Fly ash is in huge demand as raw material in
Mamata, Rahgubar resolve to end Massanjore Dam impasse
Chief Minister of Jharkhand Raghubar Das and his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee have resolved to end the Massanjore Dam dispute through official-level meeting. During Eastern Zonal Council meeting in Kolkata on Monday, Das raised the matter in the presence of Banerjee, an official statement read. The meeting, which was chaired by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, was also attended by representatives from Bihar and Odisha. The statement added that the two chief ministers had agreed on solving the issue through dialogue and for which a meeting of officials from both states would be held soon. The two neighbouring states should work together and assist each other, the statement said. Nearly two months ago in early August, West Bengal officials reportedly painted the walls of the dam in Dumka district in Jharkhand in colours of white and blue, which are the party colours of TMC. In retaliation, BJP's youth wing Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) erased the word 'Bengal' from the
Chemical farming contributing to climate change: Vandana Shiva
Environmental activist Vandana Shiva on Monday highlighted the hazards of chemical farming, saying this has generated a lot of problems and is also contributing to climate change. She also called for giving up chemical farming and suggested promoting organic farming to face the challenge. Speaking at a session in the three-day global summit-cum-expo onscience, spirituality and environment which concluded Monday at Abu Road in Sirohi, Shiva said some of the reasons for the climate change were plastic and chemical farming. Citing Punjab, she said chemical farming gave adverse results and many farmers there committed suicide while several others were affected by cancer. She said that all will have to make combined efforts to make farming free from chemicals and toxic substances. Shiva also said that the concept of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family) can be realised with Rajyoga (meditation). Uttar Pradesh's stamp and Civil Aviation minister Nand Gopal Gupta said the country
NGT refuses to entertain plea seeking refund of subsidy given to Maruti's mild hybrids
The National Green Tribunal has refused to entertain a plea seeking refund of incentives given to mild hybrid vehicles of Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) Ltd under the FAME India scheme. A bench headed by Justice R S Rathore said the relief sought in the plea does not involve any substantial issue related to the environment and therefore cannot be heard. "Having considered the relief sought in this case i.e. to direct Respondent No. 3 (Maruti) to deposit the entire amount along with interest of subsidies received from the sale of its vehicles (CIAZ and ERTIGA) with Respondent No. 1 (Centre), we are of the considered opinion that this does not raise any substantial question of environment which arises out of the enactments given in Schedule 1 of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010. "However, the applicant would be at liberty to approach the appropriate forum for redressal of his grievance," the bench said. The tribunal's order came on a plea filed by lawyer Ashwini Kumar seeking directions
No impact on India of US exit from Paris climate deal: Top official
India on Monday asserted that it is not in favour of reopening the Paris accord on Climate Change and said the negotiations on the issue are not facing any adverse impact of the Trump administration pulling out of it.
NMCG initiates cleaning of Yamuna Ghat in Delhi
Kalindi Kunj Ghat on the Yamuna River was cleaned on Monday as part of the Namami Gange project of National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG). The cleanliness drive focused on freeing the Yamuna Ghat of plastic and solid wastes.Director General of NMCG Rajiv Ranjan Mishra took part in the drive alongside his colleague Rozy Agarwal and hundreds of volunteers of NMCG, Swach Bharat Abhiyan, employees of HCL and Union Bank of India among others."Since Kalindi Kunj Ghat is not a cemented one, the process of cleaning it was a little difficult," said Rozy Agarwal , NMCG Executive Director, Finance."Under the leadership of Prime Minister and at his behest, we are carrying out this drives at various Ghats in the country. We are also trying to connect people to these drives. There are several of our stakeholders, like SDMC, HCL, employees of various banks and other volunteers and I would like to thank them for their efforts. These people are walking hand-in-hand with the National Mission for Clean
India won't get ODF status by February 2019: CSE
With India preparing for year-long celebrations from Tuesday to mark Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary on Tuesday a new analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment on Monday called for a drastic reality check about the nation's impending Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.
Paddy procurement begins, stocks yet to arrive
Procurement of paddy officially began in agrarian states Punjab and Haryana on Monday though bare amounts of the crop arrived in the hundreds of grain markets across both states.
Polythene bag ban in Bihar from October 25
The Bihar government on Monday informed the Patna High Court that it will ban all kinds of polythene and plastic bags from October 25 in urban areas of the state and in rural areas from November 25.