Page 492 - Environment
Indian, Bolivian, Zimbabwean activists unite against climate change
Indian activist Vidya Dinker, Bolivian Martin Vilela and Zimbabwean Mela Chiponda live in different continents but suffer a common problem of climate change, which they denounced before the UN in Bangkok.
Power Min brings Electricity Amendment Bill back on the table
The Power Ministry has sought comments on a revised draft of the Electricity Amendment Bill which seeks to separate carriage and content businesses to enable consumers to switch their power suppliers as they do for telecom services. The feedback on the revised Electricity Amendment Bill 2018 has been sought within 45 days. The draft has been circulated among all related government agencies, departments, regulators, PSUs and industry bodies. According to the draft circulated online, the Electricity Amendment Bill 2014 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 19, 2014 and subsequently referred to Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy. The panel gave its report in September, 2015. The revised bill is now circulated on the basis of recommendations of the panel and consultations. The bill provides for more than one service operator to supply power to a consumer in one distribution area. This will give consumers an option of changing their power supplying company or utility based on
CleanMax to set up rooftop solar project in Pune
CleanMax Solar Friday said it has partnered with Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) to set up 602 kV rooftop solar plant spread across 14 buildings in the campus. The project is expected to generate 8,90,000 kWh of clean energy annually, thereby abating 731 tons of CO2 emission per annum for the next 25 years helping the university save Rs 35.5 lakh per annum on its electricity bills, the company said in a statement. ******************** HRAWI elects Gurbaxish Singh Kohli as president * The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) Friday said it has elected Gurbaxish Singh Kohli as its president at the 68th annual general meeting held in the city. Kohli is the director of Pritam Hotels, HRAWI said in a release here.
Nepal-China finalize landmark Transit Protocol
In a major breakthrough, Nepal and China have finalised the text of the much-awaited protocol of Nepal-China Transit and Transportation Agreement that will allow Nepal to use Chinese ports for third-country trade.
Gadkari offers approvals 'on platter' for electricity-run public transport
The government is ready to give "on a platter" all necessary regulatory clearances to investors ready to run public transport buses on electricity or alternative fuel, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said Friday. Major automobile manufacturers like Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland could also form an operator company on the pattern of London Transport model, the minister proposed while promising to remove regulatory hurdles to give a push to e-vehicles in India. "I will give you all clearances on a platter...clearances have been major hurdle causing delays in projects and resulting in cost overruns... Come forward for public transport system on electricity or alternative fuel," Gadkari said while addressing the Global Mobility Summit here. Gadkari, who heads the Road Transport and Highways departments, said London transport model could easily be adopted in India which lacks public transport buses as state transport corporations were unable to meet the huge demand. He said the segment offers .
DDA's new land pooling policy to build 17 lakh houses
The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has cleared its much-awaited "Land Pooling Policy" which would give the capital 17 lakh houses, out of which over five lakh houses will be provided to the economically weaker sections, an official statement said on Friday.
Switching two-wheelers to electric can cut oil bill by Rs 1.2 lakh crore: NITI Aayog
India can cut its annual oil import bill by some Rs 1.2 lakh crore in the next five to seven years by switching its two-wheelers from internal combustion engine to electric, according to the NITI Aayog.
China signs MOUs with 37 African countries, AU on B&R
China has signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with 37 African countries and the African Union (AU) on jointly developing the Belt and Road, an official said on Friday.
Indian crew capsule star attraction at Bengaluru space expo
The Indian space agency's crew module, that was used and recovered in a 2014 unmanned mission, has been a star attraction at the 6th Bengaluru Space Expo being held here.
Jhakhand announces 50 per cent subsidy on investment in food
Jharkhand government will give a maximum 50 per cent subsidy to investors in the food processing sector, government officials said Friday. This was announced by Industry Secretary Vinay Choubey and Agriculture Secretary Puja Singhal at a press conference here. They said that the state government is inviting investors from the country and abroad for the Global Agriculture Food Summit which will be organised at Khelgaon in Ranchi on November 29 and 30 this year. Choubey said the state has possibilities in the food processing sector and increase in food processing units would increase income of farmers, adding the government is making efforts with commitment to double the income of the farmers. The officials launched brochure of the Global Agriculture Summit, 2018 and website. Stating that the food summit is being organised on a large scale and preparations are underway, Singhal said a meeting has been convened on September 19 in connection with the November 29/30 summit and
GDA to determine unauthorized construction by satellite device
The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) on Friday said it would control unauthorized construction through remote sensing devices and expects its introduction soon after it gets clearance from the state government.
WHO South-East Asia member countries to expedite efforts to control dengue, malaria
Member countries of the WHO South-East Asia, including India, Friday resolved to accelerate efforts to control dengue and malaria which continue to affect the people in the region, the global health body said. It said dengue threatens nearly 1.3 billion people with frequent and large-scale outbreaks and malaria continues to be endemic in the region. The 11 countries in the region also adopted a resolution to prioritize dengue control and malaria elimination. "We need to intensify multi-sectoral approach at the national and grassroots level to reach the most vulnerable and marginalized communities, strengthen surveillance, operationalize cross-border collaboration and most importantly promote vector control," Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia, said. She said this at the 71st Regional Committee session, which concluded here today. The Regional Committee session adopted the 'Delhi Declaration' with member countries committing to make essential medical ..
Pollution regulator issues environmental notices to Coal India
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The pollution regulator for Odisha issued notices to Coal India mines with combined annual capacity of 20 million tonnes over environmental failings, according to a document seen by Reuters on Friday.
Max Bupa launches WeCare initiative to aid Kerala flood victims
Health insurance player, Max Bupa has announced various initiatives and measures to support its customers and partners in Kerala, to cope with the aftermath of the devastating floods.In this critical time, Max Bupa stands by its customers and the Govt. of Kerala to take every step possible to support the flood victims.In compliance with the IRDAI directive/regulatory, Max Bupa has taken swift action to expedite the claims process. All reimbursement claim requests from Kerala are being processed within 48 hours to ensure the customers get timely medical assistance.Further, keeping with Max Bupa's 30 minutes cashless claims promise, all the eligible claims from Kerala are being processed on a cashless basis and on priority. In sync with the latest IRDAI guidelines, Max Bupa will provide 60-days grace period in respect of all health insurance policies due for renewal up to September 30, 2018 in Kerala and flood affected districts in Karnataka.It has also appointed Nodal care officers in .
GSI inks MoU with NRSC-ISRO
Geological Survey of India (GSI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Remote Sensing Centre-Indian Space Research Organisation (NRSC-ISRO) with the objective of utilising the airborne Hyperspectral data to find surface signatures of mineralisation in 14 promising mineralised blocks.
6 feet long python rescued in Agra
A six feet long Indian Rock python was rescued by the Wildlife SOS Rapid Response Unit from the Head Office of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in Uttar Pradesh's Agra on Friday.
Southern Railway clocks 35% rise in Apr-Aug cargo traffic
: Southern Railway handled 35 per cent more cargo in April-August 2018 compared to the same period last year, touching 14.85 million tonnes and surpassing the target set by the Railway Board. In the same period last year, the southern railway handled 11.01 million tonnes. The majority of cargo carried was coal, while raw material for steel plants, iron ore, cement and gypsum were the other products, a press release said. For the first time, Southern Railway carried 10 container rakes of cement sent by cement manufacturer Dalmia Cement from their Ariyalur plant to Tuticorin. Gypsum cargo between the April-August period grew to 0.2 tonnes compared to 0.01 tonnes during the same period last year, the release added.
India, France sign pact to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
India and France have signed an agreement under which three pilot cities-- Nagpur, Kochi and Ahmedabad will be provided support to reduce their Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in urban transport, an official statement said Friday. According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), under the 'Mobilise Your City (MYC)' programme, the European Union will provide 3.5 million euros to help Indian cities reduce their GHG emissions and achieve a "sustainable transport policy". The pact was signed on Thursday evening by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) OSD Mukund Kumar Sinha and Agence Franaise de Developpement (AFD) Regional Director Nicolas Fornage in the presence of HUA minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Ambassador of France in India Alexander Ziegler. "Delighted to receive French Ambassador Alexandre Ziegler & his delegation to my office for the signing of MoU between MoHUA & @AFD_en. Their investment of 3.5 million Euros will help in reducing Green House Gas emissions ..
Sea plane in Chilika likely to cause irrevocable damage: CDA
The Chilika Development Authority (CDA) is opposed to the proposed water aerodrome and sea plane operation in the logoon as it is likely to cause irrevocable damage to the eco-system and livelihood of the population dependent on it. "The cost involved from operation of sea plane seems far outweigh the benefits likely to accrue. Legally it is also not feasible," the CDA said in a report to the state government. Earlier, Odisha govern met had asked the CDA to study the proposal of the Union Civil Aviation Ministry for setting up a water aerodrome and sea plane operation from the lagoon. Stating that the lake is a highly productive eco-system with rich fishery resources sustaining the livelihood of more than two lakh fishermen who live in and around the lake, the report, available with the media, said based on its rich biodiversity and socio-economic importance, Chilika lake is designated as a Ramsar Site in 1981 as wetland of international importance. In the Lake, there ..
Fourth Cement terminal at Cochin Port opens
The fourth cement terminal at Cochin Port in Kerala was opened on Friday when 'Penna Suraksha' carrying 25,000 tonnes of cement from Krishnapatnam arrived here.
