Page 50 - Environment
Parrot world's endangered heavyweight faces new threat
An unprecedented disease outbreak has pushed the critically endangered kakapo, the world's fattest parrot, closer to extinction, New Zealand scientists said Thursday. One of the last kakapo populations on remote Codfish Island has been hit with a fungal respiratory disease called aspergillosis, the Department of Conservation (DOC) said. It said 36 of the parrots were receiving treatment and seven had died, including two adults -- a huge loss for a species which has less than 150 fully grown birds left. "Aspergillosis is having a devastating impact on kakapo," the DOC said in a statement Thursday. The setback comes just weeks after scientists hailed a bumper breeding season for the flightless, nocturnal bird, which was once thought to be extinct. An intense, decades-long conservation effort has seen kakapo numbers slowly rise from a low of about 50 in 1990, and earlier this year there was hope the species was turning the corner. The breeding programme resulted in 249 eggs laid, ...
In jolt to Pawar, govt stops dam water diversion to Baramati
The Maharashtra government has decided to stop diversion of water from a dam to Pune's Baramati area, the bastion of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, and move the supply to some of the state's scarcity-hit areas, an official said Thursday. The decision of the BJP-led state government is being seen in political circles as a jolt to Pawar, who won several times from the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency, which is now held by his daughter Supriya Sule. Till now, some water from the Nira Deoghar dam in Pune was being diverted to Baramati and Indapur (a part of Baramati Lok Sabha constituency). During the recent Lok Sabha poll campaign, BJP leader Ranjit Naik-Nimbalkar raised the issue of distribution of "additional" water to Baramati. Naik-Nimbalkar, who switched over from the Congress and won the Lok Sabha election from Madha seat in Solapur district on BJP's ticket, claimed that Baramati and Indapur were outside the Nira Deoghar dam's "command area". Due to diversion of water to ...
Daily rituals remain unhindered at Somnath Temple amid cyclone alert
Daily rituals and prayers have remained unhindered at Gujarat's renowned Somnath Temple, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, amid the alert issued in view of Cyclone Vayu.Gujarat Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama on Thursday endorsed the decision of the Shiva temple authorities to keep the shrine open despite the alert."Temples cannot be closed. We have requested tourists not to visit, but 'aarti' being performed for decades cannot be stopped. This is a natural phenomenon, only nature can stop it, who are we to stop nature," he told reporters on Thursday.However, despite the warning, many devotees visited the beach temple this morning. The shrine in Gir Somnath district was hit by strong winds while the sea remained very rough.According to the India Meteorological Department, the cyclone changed its trajectory overnight and moved further into the sea, bringing much-needed relief to the people in the coastal areas of Gujarat, where it was earlier predicted to make landfall on ...
US accuses North Korea of breaching UN fuel cap
The United States on Wednesday accused North Korea of violating a UN-imposed ceiling on fuel imports by conducting dozens of ship-to-ship transfers at sea that broke international sanctions.CNN reported that Washington in a report submitted to the United Nations Security Council Sanctions Committee on North Korea also urged more than a dozen other countries to immediately halt fuel shipments to North Korea.The accusations came a day after President Donald Trump said that he received another 'beautiful letter' from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the first since the February summit in Hanoi ended abruptly between the two leaders without finalising a deal.An administration official described the letter as a "birthday greeting." Trump's birthday is on Friday and the official says Kim wished the President good health.The letter also rekindled new hopes on the possibility of future talks between Trump and Kim after the US President last month declared North Korea was "not ready to ...
Trishuli village has no electricity 71 years after India's Independence
The villagers of Trishuli in Balrampur district complained of being forced to live in darkness for the last seven decades despite the availability of electricity poles in the region.There are around 100 houses in Trishuli village. Locals have written to the collector demanding electricity supply."Since the time I was born I have not seen electricity in this village. Leaders come here at the time of elections. They are not willing to do anything for the development here," said a 70-year-old local.Narrating her ordeal Sukbi, a local told ANI, "Without electricity, at night they feel threatened by the scorpions, snakes and other insects."Children in the village are forced to study in the light of lanterns. "Kids are forced to study in the light of lanterns. For that also, they face the issue as there is not enough supply of kerosene in the region. They then burn woods for the light," Rameshwar Pal told ANI.Earlier, locals in a village in Balrampur district had complained of acute water ..
To avoid traffic snarls one-way traffic system implemented in Manali
To combat the problem of hectic traffic jams in Manali, the local administration on Wednesday decided to enforce one-way traffic system in the town from today."A new traffic plan has been prepared, there will be one-way vehicular movement. This planning will be permanent, implemented for the entire year so that locals and tourists get habituated," said SDM Manali, Raman Gharsangi.The move comes after severe traffic jams lasting up to five hours were reported from different parts of the region. The situation has been more troublesome towards Rohtang Pass, as tourists throng the area to enjoy in the snow.
Parched US Southwest gets reprieve as snowmelt fills rivers
A welcome surge of melting snow is pouring out of the Rocky Mountains and into the drought-stricken rivers of the southwestern US. Enough snow fell last winter to delay a water shortage in the region, but the runoff is threatening to push some streams over their banks. Much of Colorado, Utah and Wyoming had above-average snowfall. As it melts, an abundance of water is rushing into the Colorado River, the Rio Grande and other waterways. It's a big change after a desperately dry 2018. Federal officials said last winter there was a better than 50% chance of a shortage in the Colorado River in 2020. That could have meant less water for Arizona, which has low-priority rights. Officials now say the shortage might be put off until after 2021.
Adani wins final approval to begin work on coal mine project in Australia
Indian energy giant Adani on Thursday cleared the last regulatory hurdle to commence the work on its controversial carmichael coal mine project in Australia with the Queensland state authorities approving its groundwater management plan. The final and last approval for the Adani Group's long-delayed billion dollar mega coal mine project came weeks after a surprise election win of Australia's pro-coal ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Scott Morrison. On May 31, Adani won the first approval from the Queensland state government to protect the endangered black-throated finch bird population as part of its crucial environmental plan at the site of its mine project. The mining company is now expected to start construction at the site within days. The State Department of Environment and Science said in a statement that it has approved the most recent version of the plan, which Adani submitted just a day ago. "Adani submitted its most recent version of the plan, addressing the ...
2 Indian research teams win AWS Cloud grants
Two teams from India made it to 21 winning projects that will be awarded $1.5 million worth of cloud services, grants and technical support through the Earth Observation Cloud Credits Programme, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced.
India to land near moon's south pole on Sept 6
Embarking on its second voyage to the moon on July 15, an Indian spacecraft and rover would land near the lunar south pole by September 6 or 7, a top official said on Wednesday.
Odisha: King Cobra rescued from CRPF camp in Rayagada district
A King cobra snake measuring 12 ft height, weighing 30 Kg was rescued on Wednesday from the CRPF Camp Seshakhal of Rayagada district of Odisha.A local snake catcher rescued the King Cobra and handed it over to the forest department. The snake was later taken to the Gumma forest by the forest department where he was released.This species of snake is world's longest venomous snake and is found mainly in South-East Asia. Cobras are usually found in the Rayagada district of Odisha.
CM stresses use of modern technology in building bridges, FoBs
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fandavis Wednesday called for use ofstate-of-the-art technology while building bridges, railway bridges and foot- over bridges in Mumbai to ensure longevity of the structures. He also suggested developing a mobile application to inform people about the bridges where traffic is shut and also about the alternative routes. Fadnavis gave these suggestions while addressing a review meeting about vulnerable bridges in Mumbai. BJP MP Gopal Shetty, MLAs Ashish Shelar, Raj Purohit, Amit Satam, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Pravin Pardeshi and others were present on the occasion. Stating that various authorities were involved in the construction of FoBs in Mumbai, Fadnavis said these structures should not be built just to last for30 to 35years. Instead, construction should be carried out by using latest technologies, so that it lasts for a longer period. Fadnavis directed officials to display boards showing alternative ...
Landslide in Tehri blocks Gangotri highway
The Rishikesh-Gangotri highway remained blocked for over 15 hours Wednesday due to a landslide in Tehri Garhwal's Narendra Nagar after overnight showers. The landslide led to long queues of vehicles stranded on both side of the national highway since 4 am after overnight showers caused a landslide in the hills,said Narendra Nagar's Sub Divisional Magistrate Yukta Mishra. The rubble from the landslide blocked a 100-metre stretch of the road causing a long traffic jam, she said. Though the administration made arrangements to send small vehicles to Rishikesh and Dehradun through Narendra Nagar police training college, heavy vehicles were still stuck on the route giving 'Chardham' pilgrims a tough time, she added. Heavy earth movers and Pokland machines besides tipper trucks are engaged for clearing the road, she said. Dehradun also received drizzle early Wednesday but there was not much respite from the heat as a scorching sun emerged soon after the light rains. The city Wednesday ...
In Haryana, a tubewell connection to those who adopt micro irrigation
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday announced that tubewell connections would be given to those farmers who adopt micro irrigation system for saving water.
Delhi's power demand on Wednesday touches 6904 MW, highest this summer
The peak power demand in Delhi broke all records on Wednesday and touched a high of 6904 MW, with people preferring to stay indoors as the day temperature rose to 41.6 degrees Celsius. Use of air conditioners in summers makes up 50 per cent of Delhi's power demand and electricity bills, a spokesperson of BSES discoms said. Delhi's peak power load touched 6904 MW, the seasons highest, at 3.34 pm on Wednesday. It was 6792 MW at 11:52 pm on Tuesday, he said. "The BSES discoms BRPL and BYPL successfully met the peak power demand of 2951 MW and 1580 MW in their respective areas." Delhi's peak power demand during this summer may clock 7400 MW. Last summers, it had breached the 7000 MW-mark in July, he added.
Ashok Gehlot urges Amarinder Singh to start relining of Ferozepur feeder
Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday has written to the Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh urging him to start the relining work of Ferozepur Feeder at the earliest.With this, the farmers of Gangnahar and Bhakhra canal systems would get enough water.In the letter addressed to Singh, Gehlot wrote, "Ferozepur Feeder line was constructed in the 1960s. Since then, with ageing, the canal got damaged at many places resulting in lowering of its water carrying capacity.""Relining work was urgently required to restore the capacity of this canal and thus improve the supply of water. This would benefit the farmers of Western Rajasthan," the letter stated.The Chief Minister further said the Rajasthan government was firmly committed to work towards the fulfilment of the farmers' hopes of an adequate supply of water.He added, "Recently, relining works of Indira Gandhi Canal Project were completed in a 23-kilometres long stretch and more such repair works would be undertaken
After halting Adani mining work, panel to probe tree cutting
A day after halting mining work by Adani Enterprises in Chhattisgarh, the Congress government in the state Wednesday initiated a probe into alleged illegal felling of trees to construct an approach road in the area. The mining work was stopped after protests by tribals in Dantewada against a contract awarded to Adani Enterprises Ltd to mine iron ore deposits in a hill in the Bailadila range. The state forest department has initiated a probe into alleged illegal felling of trees to construct an approach road in the area, an official said. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel Tuesday ordered a halt to all pre-mining works at the Deposit-13 site in Bailadila hills amid protest by tribals against iron ore excavation, contract for which was given to Adani Enterprises Ltd last year when the BJP was in power in the state. On orders of Baghel, the state forest department has set up a three-member committee to probe the alleged illegal deforestation in the area to make away for an ...
Pollution worse in Indian cities as registered vehicles up by 700 times since 1951: Study
Exposure to toxic vehicular pollution has worsened in India due to staggering pace of motorisation, with the number of registered vehicles going up 700 times from 0.3 million in 1951 to 210 million in 2015, a study has said. The study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) titled 'At The Crossroads' -- has revealed that the growing number of private vehicles without adequate public transport in cities will lock in enormous amounts of pollution and carbon. "Even when vehicles are emerging as a serious source of exposure in cities, solution at a scale has remained a challenge. This is a serious national issue as India is in the grip of a staggering pace of motorisation," it said. "It took 60 years (1951 to 2008) for India to cross the mark of 105 million registered vehicles. But thereafter, the same number was added in a mere six years (200915). The number of vehicles in India has increased 700 times -- from 0.3 million in 1951 to 210 million in 2015," it said. According to the
BEST takes steps to curb incidence of electric shocks, outages
The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Wednesday said it has taken a number of steps, including setting up of fuse control centres, to curb the incidence of electric shocks and power shutdowns during the monsoon. "To cope with the menace of power shutdowns due to the downpour and numerous cases of electric shocks, the BEST has taken not only preventive measures, but also deployed additional staff to attend the complaints promptly. "We have set up several fuse control centers across our jurisdiction," BEST official said. However, it may take longer than usual to restore the electricity supply due to the factors like inaccessibility in water-clogged areas, traffic jams etc, the official added. The BEST has established fuse control centers, where consumers can call round the clock, even on holidays and Sundays, to address the problems of power outage and any other issue related to the power supply faced by the consumers during monsoon. "In order to register .
India to launch second moon mission on July 15
India will launch its second moon mission Chandrayaan-2 on July 15 from Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Pradesh and land its rover on the lunar surface on September 6, a top official said on Wednesday.