Page 487 - Environment
Gadkari urges farmers to make biofuel to replace petrol, diesel
Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday urged the farmers here to make ethanol and use it as a replacement for petrol and diesel.Addressing a public gathering in Durg, the Union Minister said that "We import fuel worth Rs. 8 lakh crore, Rupee value is falling vs Dollar. I have been saying since 15 years that farmers and tribals can make biofuel and fly aircraft. Our new technology can run vehicles on ethanol."He also said that the Petroleum Ministry is setting up five ethanol-making plants in the country for the same."Ethanol will be produced from wood products and segregated municipal waste. Diesel will be available at Rs.50 per litre and petrol alternative at Rs.55 per litre," Gadkari said.Setting a tone for the forthcoming Assembly polls in the state, Gadkari highlighted the initiatives taken by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Government in Chhattisgarh and asked the electorates to make the party victorious again.Fuel prices have been witnessing a ..
Nations lock horns as whalers, opponents meet in Brazil
Pro- and anti-whaling nations locked horns Monday as the International Whaling Commission (IWC) began meeting in Brazil amid outrage over Japan's proposal to end a three-decade moratorium on commercial whale hunting. Brazil's Environment Minister Edson Duarte told the opening session it was "time for progress, not setbacks," reminding delegates of their "duty to give definitive direction to the conservation of cetaceans." Incoming IWC chairman Joji Morishita said the meeting could determine the future of the 89-member intergovernmental body, torn for years by nagging disputes between conservationists and whalers. Morishita told AFP he wants to "change the paradigm to mutual respect from mutual denial," so the IWC can develop "rather than just fighting with each other." But the sides appeared as far apart as ever on the emotive issue of whale hunting as the weeklong meeting got underway in the surfers' paradise of Florianopolis. With southern right whales breaching and spouting huge ...
World must act by 2020 to avoid runaway climate change: UN chief
With 2018 shaping up as the fourth hottest year on record, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Monday that the world must take action in the next two years to avert the disastrous consequences of runaway climate change. "Climate change is the defining issue of our time -- and we are at a defining moment," Guterres said in an address at UN headquarters in New York. "If we do not change course by 2020, we risk missing the point where we can avoid runaway climate change, with disastrous consequences for people and all the natural systems that sustain us," he said. World leaders who signed the Paris agreement on climate change in 2015 committed to a series of measures to limit global temperature rises to less than 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit (two Celsius) and to below 1.5 degrees by the end of the century. But recent studies show the world is off track and likely to miss that target. Guterres called for stronger leadership from politicians, business, scientists and the public to ...
Nuclear energy may see role wane, UN agency says
The UN's nuclear agency on Monday said global capacity for electricity generation through nuclear power may be shrinking over the coming decades. In a new report the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that the sector would face challenges as "ageing reactors are retired and the industry struggles with reduced competitiveness". "Overall, the new projections suggest that nuclear power may struggle to maintain its current place in the world's energy mix," the IAEA said. In its worst case scenario, nuclear power capacity would fall by more than 10 per cent until 2030. Other factors cited as contributing to the squeeze on the sector were the low price of natural gas, the impact of renewable energy sources on electricity prices and the global reaction to the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan. Several countries have announced plans to phase out nuclear power, including Germany and Switzerland, and the IAEA says the industry "faces increased construction times and costs due to ...
California aims to phase out fossil fuels by 2045
California has set a goal of phasing out electricity produced by fossil fuels by 2045 under legislation signed Monday by Gov Jerry Brown. Brown, who has positioned California as a global leader in the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, approved the measure as he prepares to host a summit in San Francisco of climate change leaders from around the world starting Wednesday. The renewable energy measure would require California's utilities to generate 60 per cent of their energy from wind, solar and other specific renewable sources by 2030. That's 10 per cent higher than the current mandate. The goal would then be to use only carbon-free sources to generate electricity by 2045. It's merely a goal, with no mandate or penalty for falling short.
Villagers hold employees of power utility hostage
A state-run electricity company on Monday alleged that around 150 of its employees and their family members have been held hostage by a group of people demanding illegal electricity supply to their villages in Bihar's Aurangabad district. The 150 employees of the Bharatiya Rail Bijlee Company Limited (BRBCL) and their family members are being held hostage in a township since Sunday evening by people of Surar and neighbouring villages, Vishwanath Chandan, NTPC manager (public relations), Patna, told PTI. The BRBCL is a joint venture between the NTPC and Indian Railways, and located in Aurangabad with 1000 MW (4X250MW) capacity. "The electricity generated by the BRBCL is supplied to the railways and Bihar government. Transmission and distribution of the generated power is not in our domain and we can not supply power to any other entity," Chandan said. An FIR was lodged that said the villagers pelted stones, burnt tyres at the main gate of the BRBCL township and cut supplies of ...
Central government transfers 30 officers
The Union government on Monday effected a major reshuffle in the mid-level bureaucracy transferring as many as 30 officers, most of them IAS, in various ministries and departments.
Hryana govt to launch toll free number for farmers: Dhankar
The Haryana government would soon launch a toll free number for farmers where they can inform about damage caused to crops due to natural calamities, Agriculture Minister O P Dhankar said Monday. Dhankar informed the state Assembly while replying to a question of INLD MLA Parminder Singh Dhull. He said that farmers can can inform about damage caused to crops due to natural calamities such as hailstorms and water logging within 48 hours to the concerned Deputy Director Agriculture, Sub Divisional Officer (Civil) or Tehsildar, who would assess the situation and inform the insurance company. Dhankar informed the House that during last three years, claims amounting to Rs 300 crore were received under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), of which the insurance companies provided compensation of about Rs 232 crore to 3 lakh farmers. He said that the PMFBY is proving to be a boon for the farmers. The opposition has been misleading the farmers on crop insurance issue, he added.
Chhattisgarh can become bio-fuel production hub: Gadkari
Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said Monday that Chhattisgarh has immense potential for production of bio-fuel. Addressing a gathering at Charoda in Durg district of the state, he said use of alternative fuels will cut down our dependence on petrol and diesel. Gadkari laid foundation stones of or dedicated total of eight construction works worth Rs 4,251 crore including four fly-overs between Raipur to Durg Monday. "Growth rate of the agriculture sector in Chhattisgarh is very good. Production of rice, wheat, pulses and sugarcane is abundant here, but the state can also emerge as a bio-fuel (production) hub," he said. Bio-fuel produced from jatropha plant in Chhattisgarh was used in the firstbiofuel-powered flight which took off from Dehradun and landed in Delhi recently, he said. The state has immense potential for production of bio-fuel which will create job opportunities for farmers, tribals and forest-dwellers and empower them, he said. A research ...
Hasina, Modi inaugurate rail projects, power supply
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Monday jointly inaugurated the construction works of two railway projects and 500-MW power supply to Bangladesh through video conferencing.
Karnataka CM seeks release of more LPG connections for state scheme
Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy called on Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday and requested him to direct oil marketing companies to release additional LPG connections for a state scheme, which is complementary to the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). In February, the state government had launched the Mukhyamantri Anila Bhagya Yojana (MMABY), but it could not be operationalise then in view of the Assembly polls. Recently, the oil marketing companies (OMCs) have agreed to release one lakh connections each in September and October this year. "To realise the goal of kerosene-free Karnataka, the connection release capacity for MMABY should be increased to 1.5 -2 lakh connections per month, along with the provision to pay the security deposit on behalf of the beneficiaries to the distributors," a release quoted Kumaraswamy as having said in the meeting. He appealed to the Union Minister to give necessary directions to OMCs in this regard. MMABY aims to ...
Flood alert issued for Kishanganj after increase in Mahananda
River Ganga has been flowing above danger mark at Digha Ghat and Gandhi Ghat in the state capital while an "alert" has been issued for Kishanganj town and Pothia block following rise in Mahananda water level. The Ganga is flowing 12 cm above the danger level at Digha Ghat while it was 81 cm above at Gandhi Ghat in Patna, a water resources department bulletin said Monday. The trend shows that the water level is "rising" at Digha Ghat and Gandhi Ghat while it was "steady" at Hathidah (in Patna), Kahalgaon and Bhagalpur, Munger, the bulletin added. The water level of Burhi Gandak is witnessing "rising" trend in Khagaria. Official, however, said that there is no immediate flood threat on Patna. "There is increase in Ganga water level but that is not abrupt increase so far. The water released from Bansagar dam has reached Indrapuri barrage from where water is being released slowly as water level is down in the barrage...There is no immediate flood threat on Patna...We are ...
S.Africa's Cape Town eases water rationing
South Africa's second city Cape Town, battling its worst drought in 100 years, announced Monday that it would ease severe water rationing after significant rains in the region. The Western Cape region had gone without substantial rain for more than three years, forcing Cape Town authorities to slash residential water consumption. "Cape Town's dam levels are nearing 70 per cent of storage capacity due to good rainfall at the beginning of winter and the phenomenal conservation efforts of Capetonians," said Deputy Mayor Ian Neilson. "Water restrictions and the associated tariffs are thus to be conservatively lowered," starting October 1, he said in a statement. Residents can now use 70 litres a day, up from 50 litres. By comparison, a single toilet flush uses nine litres of water and a one-minute-long shower uses 10 litres. Until June, the city which is the seat of parliament and a major tourist draw, had been projected to run out of water as early as July, forcing the closure of ...
Japanese Coast Guard delegation visits India to deepen maritime relation
An eight-member Japanese Coast Guard delegation on Monday visited the Coast Guard Regional Headquarters at Mumbai's Worli with an aim to strengthen ties between the Coast Guards of two maritime countries for better coordination, and joint operations in future.The Coast Guard Region (West) briefed the delegation on coastal security mechanism and their preparedness to tackle maritime emergencies arising especially during monsoon, such as marine oil pollution, grounding of the ship, cyclones, measures taken by the Coast Guard to safeguard the interests of the fishing community, etc.The delegation was led by Coast Guard Superintendent (3rd Grade) Shinsuke Hayama, Commanding Officer, 30th Somalia Dispatch Investigation team. Second Secretary from Embassy of Japan, Takashi Yamashita, was also present.The official Twitter handle of the Indian Coast Guard tweeted, "A Japanese Coast Guard delegation led by Supt Katsuhiko Sugiyama, Commanding Officer, Somalia Dispatch Investigation Team, Piracy
CAI retains cotton crop estimate at 365 lakh bales
The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has retained its August crop estimate for the ongoing crop year 2017-18 at 365 lakh bales, 170 kg each, the same level as the previous month. The total cotton supply up to August 31, was at 407.50 lakh bales, which consists the arrival of 358 lakh bales up to August 31, imports at 13.50 lakh bales and the opening stock at the beginning of the season as October 1, 2017 which was estimated at 36 lakh bales, CAI said in a release here. Further, CAI has estimated cotton consumption for 11 months, from October 2017 to August 2018 at 297 lakh bales, while the shipment of cotton till August 31 2018 has been estimated at 69 lakh bales. The stock at the end of August is estimated at 41.50 lakh bales, including 30.40 lakh bales with textile mills while the remaining 11.10 lakh bales are estimated to be held by Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) and others including MNCs, traders, ginners, among others. CAI has estimated the total cotton supply
Modi, Hasina launch rail, power projects in Bangladesh via video link
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Monday leaders from neighbouring countries should have relations like neighbours who are not bound by protocol. He made these remarks at the joint inauguration of three infrastructure projects in Bangladesh via video conferencing. The three projects were jointly inaugurated by Modi, his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina and chief ministers of West Bengal and Tripura, Mamata Banerjee and Biplab Deb respectively. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Bangladesh counterpart were also present on the occasion. The projects are 500 MW additional power supply from India to Bangladesh through the existing Bheramara (Bangladesh)-Baharampur (India) interconnection; AkhauraAgartala rail link; and rehabilitation of the Kulaura-Shahbazpur section of Bangladesh Railways. Modi recalled that he had met Hasina several times in the recent past, including at the BIMSTEC meeting in Kathmandu, in Shanti Niketan, and during the Commonwealth Summit in ...
E-waste on Ramganga banks: NGT seeks report from UP chief secretary
Irked over non-compliance with its order, the National Green Tribunal directed the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary on Monday to file an affidavit within a month and apprise it about the disposal of e-waste from the banks of the Ramganga river in Moradabad. Observing that the disposal of e-waste is a serious environmental issue, a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel took exception to inaction of the district administration to remove the hazardous waste lying on the river bank. The green panel slammed the authorities and said it was unfortunate that the tribunal's direction remains to be complied with till date. The order came after the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) informed it that a number of sealed e-waste industries were operating illegally in densely-populated residential areas. It also told the bench that the electricity department failed to snap connection of 27 illegal units and the joint inspection team visited the areas in the vicinity of the ...
30 Alexandrine parrots rescued in Jammu, two held
At least 30 Alexandrine parrots, known for their ability to mimic humans, were rescued here when they were being illegally transported from Punjab, a senior wildlife official said Monday. Two smugglers, hailing from Punjab, were arrested while the search for a man who was to receive the consignment for illegal trade was on, wildlife warden, Jammu, Amit Sharma told PTI. All 12 species of parakeets, including the Alexandrine, are protected under Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. Acting on a tip-off, Sharma said a wildlife team intercepted a passenger bus, which had come from Punjab, Sunday night near K C road in the heart of the city and recovered 30 Alexandrine parakeets kept in several cages. The Alexandrine parakeet is listed as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) because of its steep population decline in its native range due to habitat loss, persecution and excessive capture to cater to the demands of the illegal wildlife ...
Wildlife group: Exotic pets trade activity rises on Facebook
A wildlife monitoring group says a research it conducted since 2016 has found a sharp rise in online trading of endangered animals in Thailand through Facebook. The monitoring network TRAFFIC said its researchers found 1,521 animals for sale online in 12 Facebook groups in Thailand in less than a month of monitoring in 2016. The follow-up research on the same 12 groups showed that at least nine were still active in July this year, with one becoming secret, and their overall membership had increased to 203,445 from 106,111. Maethinee Phassaraudomsak, data and research officer for TRAFFIC in Thailand, said in an email Monday that the monitoring "shows how easy it is to carry out this business and market wildlife publicly while staying anonymous and out of reach of authorities." A new report by the group shows screenshots of exotic animals advertised for sale on Facebook. In one example, an unidentified user posted a picture of a rare hornbill bird with a caption saying "a baby ...
WB ready to supply 1000 MW more to Bangladesh, says Mamata
West Bengal government Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday said the state is ready to supply another 1000 MW of electricity to Bangladesh in addition to the current supply of 500 MW to the neighbouring country. She attended a video conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina. "We are already supplying 500 MW of electricity to Bangladesh through Sagardighi (thermal power project). We are also ready to supply another 1000 MW if they (Bangladesh) want. And for the supply, they need the Centre's nod," Banerjee told reporters at the state secretariat. Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb and external ministers of the two countries were also present in the conference, she said. Railway projects of Tripura also came up during the meeting, Banerjee, also the Trinamool Congress supremo, said. She said there were advanced exchange of Durga Puja greetings between herself and Hasina. This year Durga Puja would be celebrated in the ..
