Page 479 - Environment
Water scarcity looms in Gujarat with only 74 pc rain so far
Gujarat is staring at water scarcity in coming days as the state has received only 73.87 per cent of average rainfall this monsoon. The silver lining is the storage in Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada, which, the government said, will be enough to meet the state's need for drinking water through the next summer. "The state has received 73.87 per cent rainfall as the monsoon is on the verge of receding," a government release said. The Kutch region has received a mere 26.51 per cent of average rainfall so far, while North Gujarat has received 42.93 per cent, central Gujarat 66.83 per cent, Saurashtra 72.20 per cent and South Gujarat the highest 94.79 per cent. Kutch and North Gujarat are likely to face severe water scarcity this year, officials said. However, Sardar Sarovar Dam is filled up to 125.82 meters, and it can provide drinking water for the entire state till the next summer, the government said. It will also be able to provide water from Narmada Dam for farming ..
Salem-Chennai corridor project still in fluid stage: Centre tells Madras HC
The Centre on Friday submitted in the Madras High Court that there was nothing to prove that it had violated the law on land acquisition for the proposed Salem-Chennai corridor project. Additional Solicitor General G Rajagopalan, who appeared on behalf of the Union government, said the project was still in a "fluid stage." "Nothing will happen as apprehended by the petitioners in connection with the acquisition proceedings," he informed a division bench comprising Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Bhavani Subbaroyan. The bench is hearing a batch of pleas by agriculturists opposing the proposed project and land acquisition proceedings. Referring to a court order, he submitted that there was no connection between land acquisition and environmental clearance. The bench directed the National Highways Authority of India to file a chart as to the steps taken and "the stage at which various assessment/study are as on date." The bench then posted the matter for further hearing on September ...
High-level panel on stressed power assets holds 2nd meet, RBI remains absent
The Power Ministry Friday gave a detailed presentation to a high-level empowered committee on measures to deal with problems of struggling power assets, a source said. "The power ministry today gave a detailed presentation in the second meeting of the High Level Empowered Committee to address the issues of stressed thermal power plants," the source said. Some of the suggestions from bankers, financial institution and senior officials include bring out a payment security mechanism for private power generators, new power purchase agreement with add on incentives like coal linkage and strict instruction to states for timely payment by discoms. The first meeting of the panel was held on August 31, 2018. The panel was constituted by the government, with representatives from the Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Coal and the lenders having major exposure to the power sector on its board on July 29, 2018, to resolve the stress and revive such assets. A
Odisha takes up with WII the demand for shifting of tigress
The Odisha government Friday said that it has taken up with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) the demand of local people for shifting a Royal Bengal tigress which allegedly killed a woman near Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary in Angul district on Wednesday. The tigress was brought from Madhya Pradesh's Bandhavgarh National Park to Satkosia and released into wild on August 17. "We have taken up the matter with the Wildlife Institute of India. We are also waiting for the post-mortem report of the woman. We will abide by the decision of WII. But so far, no decision has been taken to relocate the tigress," Odisha Forest and Environment Minister Bijayshree Routray told reporters. The state government had brought a pair of RBTs, one male and a female from MP, to repopulate big cats at Satkosia Tiger Reserve. The local people alleged that the tigress "Sundari" killed a woman and set on fire two Forest department offices and are demanding the shifting of the tigress. The ...
Animal rights body highlights cruelty to hens through film
An animal protection body has come out with a public awareness film to highlight the extreme cruelty of intensive confinement of egg-laying hens in India. People for Animals (PFA) said the birds are confined in barren wire cages called "battery cages" which provide each bird less space than an A4 size sheet (450 sq cm). It said the birds in battery cages are so overcrowded that they are prevented from spreading their wings, standing up straight or even turning around. In the film, Gauri Maulekhi, Trustee, PFA says all animals deserve a decent quality of life and it is their statutory right. She also demonstrates the importance of having access to a nest box, which is possible in a cage-free environment that allows hens to express one of their essential natural behaviors leading to a happier and healthier flock. The film also pitches support for a movement towards housing egg-laying hens in a cage free environment that would end unnecessary cruelty to hens. "Through the medium of the .
Mamata assures rebuilding of Majerhat bridge in one year
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday assured that the Majerhat Bridge that collapsed earlier this month will be reconstructed within a year.Addressing the media, Banerjee said, "Majerhat Bridge will be demolished completely and a new bridge will be constructed within a year."Holding the Public Works Department (PWD) responsible for the bridge collapse, the chief minister said, "PWD was informed about the condition of Majerhat Bridge in 2016 and was asked to begin maintenance. Since PWD did not start working, the responsibility for the collapse lies with them.""The investigation committee even mentioned metro construction as a reason behind the collapse along with the negligence of PWD. Action will be taken against the guilty," the Chief Minister added.A portion of the Majerhat Bridge collapsed in south Kolkata on September 4, killing three people and injuring several others. On September 5, it came into light that the PWD floated a tender document for the repair work ..
WB govt to demolish Majerhat bridge, construct new one
The Majerhat bridge, a portion of which collapsed last week, will be demolished and a new bridge will be constructed in a year, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Friday. She said there was negligence on the part of some PWD officials and strict action would be taken against them. A section of the over 50-year-old bridge on the arterial Diamond Harbour Road in south Kolkata collapsed on September 4 in which three people lost their lives. "The Majerhat bridge will be demolished and a new bridge will be constructed. We will try to build it within a year," Banerjee told reporters at the state secretariat. She said Chief Secretary Malay Dey submitted a preliminary report which recommended immediate demolition of the existing bridge and construction of a new one. The chief minister said the demolition of the remaining portion of the bridge would start soon. Dey headed a panel formed by the chief minister to find out reasons which led to the collapse of the bridge. The chief
Power Ministry launches energy efficiency labelling of chillers
The Power Ministry Friday launched an ambitious programme on energy efficiency in chillers that consume more than 40 per cent of total energy in commercial buildings. The move can save more than 500 million units of electricity in 2019 along with reduction in green house gas emissions, a Power Ministry statement said. The ministry intends to encourage the deployment of energy-efficient chiller systems, that are used widely in industrial processes. The Chiller Star Labelling Programme has been formulated by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). It envisages providing star rating in terms of its energy performance. Initially, the programme is launched on voluntary basis and will be valid up to December 31, 2020. Power Secretary A K Bhalla emphasised on improving energy efficiency in space-and-process cooling sector, considering the occasion of 24th World Ozone Day and the 31st Anniversary of Montreal Protocol, which will be observed on September 16, 2018. "This initiative will promote .
Mahindra group commits to be carbon neutral by 2040
Farm equipment to aerospace conglomerate Mahindra group Friday said it aims to become carbon neutral by 2040 with focus on energy efficiency and usage of renewable power. The commitment was announced by Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra, who is also the co-chair of the Global Climate Action Summit currently underway in San Francisco, a statement by the group said. Initially, Mahindra had pledged that only its flagship company Mahindra & Mahindra would become carbon neutral by 2040. However, after listening to leaders speak at the summit, he upped the ante on his commitment by extending that pledge to the entire group, it added. "We are doing our part in the global fight against climate change with this ambitious new target. Mahindra will leverage the latest technological advances and its recently announced Carbon Price to work towards being carbon neutral by 2040," he said. The group will work on its carbon neutrality commitment with international non-profit organisation ...
Delhi-Mumbai expressway new route to save Rs 16,000 crore: Gadkari
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday said the government has planned a new road alignment for the Delhi-Mumbai expressway that connects some of the most backward areas in five states and also saves Rs 16,000 crore in land acquisition.
China's Trina Solar launches first PV home kit in India
Trina Solar of China, the largest manufacturer of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels globally and India's biggest supplier, launched its Trinahome product here on Friday as the countrys first solar home kit suitable for use in residences, SME establishments and other places like schools and hospitals.
CM holds meeting with railway officials to discuss projects
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma Friday held a meeting with railway officials to discuss about the two railway projects in the state which have been sanctioned by the Centre. The chief minister held a meeting with North East Frontier Railways (NEF) general manager here about the two projects - Kamalachari to Byrnihat and Byrnihat to Shillong. The chief minister said todays review meeting with the NFR officials was to understand the current status of railways projects in the state, He said, "As of now there were two projects sanctioned by the Centre but both of them are not proceeding now because of local concerns that are there." "We would now discuss with other cabinet colleagues and political parties and take stakeholders into account and then decide how to move forward (with these projects)," he told media persons here. The chief minister stressed on the importance of railways for economic development of the state. "It is something we feel will change the ...
China, Venezuela sign deals on oil, mining, security
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's official visit to China on Friday resulted in the signing of strategic cooperation agreements in the oil, mining, economy, security, technology and health sectors within the framework of the 16th meeting of the China-Venezuelan High-Level Mixed Commission.
IIT Kharagpur, UMass to explore 'blue economy'
IIT Kharagpur and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth have signed a pact for collaborative research, training and exchange of faculty, postdoctoral fellows, students, and academic and research information, an official said on Friday.
Dalmia Cement commits to science-based emissions reductions
India's Dalmia Cement has become the latest company from a heavy emitting sector to join over 130 new corporates that have made science-based emissions reduction commitments since the start of 2018, a 39 per cent increase from the previous year.
GDA faces wrath over felled trees
The Forest Department has lodged a complaint against the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) for illegally felling hundreds of trees in the city forest.
Tech Mahindra, GCAS launch AI challenge to combat climate change
Tech Mahindra, a digital transformation, consulting and business re-engineering services and solutions provider, announced its partnership with the Global Climate Action Summit (GCAS) to launch AI4Action, the first global Artificial Intelligence (AI) challenge aimed at delivering solutions for climate change.The competition will challenge students from schools, colleges, universities and corporates in four major cities - San Francisco, New York, London and New Delhi - to come up with creative, AI-powered applications over the next year that will help tackle climate issues impacting the environment.Tech Mahindra and GCAS will select ten finalists that can demonstrate tangible solutions for climate action. The overall winner must present an actionable idea that can be transformed into a real-world solution in time for the United Nations Climate Summit in 2019."This challenge mobilises some of the brightest minds, utilising the most advanced technology, to imagine - and pursue - ...
Tamil Nadu CM asks Centre to supply 72,000 MT coal daily
Pointing to coal shortage for thermal power generation, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami on Friday urged the central government to supply 72,000 tonnes of coal daily to help the state thermal plants towards optimal electricity generation.
Paddy sowing up 2.27 pc so far; area up in states like K'taka
Area sown to paddy, the main kharif crop, has gone up by 2.27 per cent to 383.34 lakh hectare so far in the 2018-19 kharif season on higher acreage in states like Karnataka, Telangana and Tamil Nadu, as per the Agriculture Ministry's data released Friday. Paddy acreage stood at 374.81 lakh hectare in the year ago period. Kharif sowing begins with the onset of southwest monsoon from June and harvesting starts from October. As per the latest sowing data, higher coverage of paddy area is reported from Telangana, Karnataka, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana, among others. Area sown to oilseeds remained higher at 177.29 lakh hectare so far in the current kharif season as against 171.98 lakh hectare in the year-ago period on increase in sown area in Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Bihar, among other states. However, pulses was sown in an area of 137.41 lakh hectare so far this season, almost close to 138.60 lakh hectare in the same season last year. Coarse cereals were also sown in
Over 3.5mn new vehicle chargers set to electrify world
In major zero emission vehicle infrastructure announcements on Friday at the Global Climate Action Summit (GCAS) here, two of the biggest players have made their largest commitments of over 3.5 million new chargers set to electrify the world by 2025.