Page 506 - Environment
BIMSTEC: Nepal PM calls for eradication of poverty
Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli while addressing the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) summit pressed on the need of eliminating poverty to give people a prosperous future.Oli at the summit called for the implementation of BIMSTEC poverty plan to eradicate poverty.He said, "BIMSTEC is an association of connected countries, connected societies and connected people. In realizing our potential first and foremost we must liberate our people from the clutches of poverty. The dream of prosperity alters if we fail to defeat the darkness of poverty.""The BIMSTEC poverty plan of action must be fully implemented. We must build under progress made in the implementation of millennium development goals and integrate the transformative 2030 agenda for sustainable development. We must ensure that in escalating the economic development, no one is left behind," he added.Further emphasising on the significance of BIMSTEC, he said, "The world is .
Ker assembly adopts resolutions seeking more central funds
The Kerala assembly today adopted a unanimous resolution seeking more funds from the Centre to rebuild the state battered by torrential rains which claimed 483 lives since the onset of the south west monsoon on May 28. The rains had affected over 55 lakh people and left a trail of destruction. With life limping to normalcy, cleaning operations continued in several parts of the state, including worst-hit Kuttanad and Wayanad. More than 60,000 volunteers are engaged in the operations. The House, convened specially to discuss the large-scale destruction, asked the Centre to take a "favourable stand" to make use of the financial and technical support extended by foreign countries and global agencies in rebuilding the state. Earlier, initiating the debate,Vijayan said government would explore the possibility of legal options to avail the funds offered to the state, including that from abroad. His statement assumes significance in the wake of a row over Centre's refusal to ...
ADB to lend $375 mn for irrigation projects in MP
India on Thursday signed a $375 million loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for expanding irrigation networks and system efficiency in Madhya Pradesh.
Deal with solid-waste management seriously, SC tells panel
The Supreme Court on Thursday said it expected an expert committee would be set up to handle the issue of solid-waste management in Delhi to take up the matter seriously and with dedication.
ADB to provide $346 mn for improving Karnataka highways
India on Thursday signed a $346 million loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to finance improvement of over 400 km of state highways that will enhance connectivity and access to economic centres across 12 districts in Karnataka.
Electricity demand grows 7.4 pc in July, thermal PLF lower: ICRA
Rating agency ICRA today said electricity demand growth remains strong in July 2018 at 7.4 per cent but thermal plant load factor moderated by pick up in generation from wind and hydro sources. "The all-India electricity demand grew by 7.4 per cent in July 2018 on a year-on-year (Y-o-Y) basis as per the provisional estimates of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). While the growth moderated from the high of 9.1 per cent reported in June 2018, it continued to remain strong," a statement said. However, the ICRA said that the all-India thermal plant load factor (PLF) or capacity utilisation moderated to 55.5 per cent in July 2018 from 60.7 per cent in June 2018, due to higher generation from wind and hydro sources, leading to backing down of thermal units. Nonetheless, the thermal PLF is higher on a Y-o-Y basis against 54.3 per cent in July 2017. Commenting on the trend, Girishkumar Kadam, Sector Head and Vice President, ICRA Ratings, says, "Apart from a few months in between, the ...
Maintain status quo on redevelopment of 7 south Delhi colonies: HC to NBCC, Centre
The Delhi High Court today directed that status quo be maintained with regard to the redevelopment of seven south Delhi colonies till the Centre reconsiders the environment clearances given to projects in six of them which had involved felling of around 16,500 trees. A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao said it wants to know the outcome of the Centre's review of the clearances before dealing with the matter and directed the central government to submit a report within two weeks about outcome of the reconsideration. The court also declined the interim plea moved by the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) seeking permission to continue with its work at Nauroji Nagar, one of the seven colonies, where a commercial hub, including a World Trade Centre, has been planned. The court was hearing several PILs that have challenged the terms of reference (ToR) and the ECs granted to the housing projects at the seven colonies claiming that it would result in ...
Malaysia takes India to WTO's safeguard committee on solar duty
Malaysia has sought consultations with India under the WTO's safeguard agreement against New Delhi's decision to impose import duty on solar cells, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) said today. The consultations, however, don't fall under the WTO's dispute settlement system. Earlier this month, India had imposed safeguard duty of up to 25 per cent on solar cells imports from China and Malaysia for two years to protect domestic players from steep rise in inbound shipments. However, on August 13, the finance ministry stated that safeguard duty will not be insisted upon on import of solar cells for the "time being" in deference to interim directions passed by the High Court of Orissa. Malaysia has stated that it has a substantial interest as an exporter of the product. "The aim of the consultations is to exchange views and seek clarification regarding the proposed measures and reaching an understanding on ways to achieve the objectives" set out in an article of the WTO Agreement on ...
China issues flood alert in Brahmaputra
China has alerted India about the rising water in river Tsangpo, called Siang in Arunachal Pradesh and Brahmaputra in Assam, leading to possibility of floods in downstream areas, Arunachal Pradesh MP Ninong Ering said today. A senior official of the Union Water Resources Ministry said it was an unprecedented situation on the Chinese side where Tsangpo broke a 150-year record with swollen waters and hence China has shared the information with India. Ering said the communication from China came following heavy rains in that country after which Tsangpo was in spate. "The local authorities told me that the Chinese government has conveyed to Indian government that there is a possibility of floods in parts of Arunachal Pradesh. We have taken the alert seriously and cautioned people," he told PTI. According to a Chinese government report, 9020 cumec of water was discharged into Tsangpo/Brahmaputra river as observed at various stations yesterday. The MP said Siang has been calm till today but
NTPC starts transporting fly ash through waterways
A consignment of fly ash sailed from state-owned NTPC's Kahalgaon thermal power plant in Bihar through waterways today, according to the shipping ministry. The development comes soon after state-owned NTPC stating that it along with Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is exploring the possibility of transporting fly ash through waterways -- from the power giant's Kahalgaon thermal power plant. "In what is one of the longest hauls in Inland Water Sector (IWT) movement in the country, a consignment of bagged fly ash bound for Pandu Inland port in Assam sailed from Kahalgaon in Bihar today," the shipping ministry said in a statement. Marking the commencement of a critical integrated movement through three Waterways, 1,233 tonnes of fly ash - a byproduct from NTPC's Kahalgaon power plant -- was flagged off at Kahalgaon on NW-1, river Ganga for Pandu on NW -2, river Brahmaputra, the ministry said. Fly ash is in huge demand as raw material in cement and brick industry and is also ...
Rajnath promises all help for Kerala, MPs want foreign aid
Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday assured a delegation of Kerala MPs that the Centre will provide all possible help after the delegation said foreign assistance should be allowed to reach the flood-ravaged state.
ADB okays $346 mn loan for road improvement in Karnataka
Asian Development Bank (ADB) today said it has approved USD 346 million loan to finance road improvement across a dozen districts in Karnataka. ADB and the Government of India today signed a USD 346 million loan agreement to finance improvement of over 400 kilometers of state highways that will enhance connectivity and access to economic centres across 12 districts in Karnataka, ADB said in statement. The loan agreement for the Karnataka State Highways Improvement III Project (KSHIP-III) was inked between Sameer Kumar Khare, Joint Secretary in the Finance Ministry and Kenichi Yokoyama, Country Director of ADB's India Resident Mission. "Karnataka needs substantial infrastructure investments to sustain high economic growth and meet its development needs," Khare said. State highways are a key link to population and economic centres and continued development of the state highway network in Karnataka will foster inclusiveness and sustain economic activities, Khare added. ADB said an ...
Hot temperatures lead to lesser productivity at work: Study
The productivity of people drops by 4 per cent per degree when temperatures rise above 27 degrees Celsius in workplaces requiring manual labour, says a study which drew its data from the Indian manufacturing sector. A one-degree increase in the ten-day temperature average raises the probability that a worker will be absent by as much as 5 per cent, it said. The study on the Impact of Temperature on Productivity and Labour Supply: Evidence from Indian Manufacturing was conducted by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago. It also talked about the impact of high temperature on absenteeism at work. "Absenteeism increases in both labour-intensive and automated manufacturing processes," the study said. It said installing air conditioning or other climate control measures in the workplace mitigates productivity declines, but not absenteeism. "The same is not true, however, for absenteeism. Sustained hot temperatures continue to lead to higher rates of absenteeism even when .
City to host global meet on saving Western Ghats in November
A three-day international conference on the Ecological Festival of Western Ghats beginning here from November 30 will discuss steps to protect and preserve the ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The conference would focus on saving the ghats from degradation and destruction, and bring all stakeholders on a single platform, said the city-based Save Western Ghats Movement, its organisers said in a press release. The meet would dwell into reports of Madhav Gadgil Commission and Kasthurirangan Commission on Western Ghats that forest cover in the ghats has reduced to 10 per cent from the stipulated 66 per cent, the release said. It was also decided to invite chief ministers of six States - Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat, the release said, adding that there was plan to invite Union ministers concerned to take part in the conference on its concluding day. The recent floods in Kerala and in parts of Karnatak had helped create awareness among the ...
Asia Rice: India rates dip as rupee flounders; markets eye Philippine boost
BENGALURU (Reuters) - A dip in rice export prices as the rupee plunged failed to stoke fresh demand for the Indian variety this week, but potential orders from the Philippines and elsewhere could provide fresh impetus to markets in Thailand and Vietnam.
Delhi minister calls officials under one roof to speed up work
Delhi Cabinet Minister Gopal Rai on Thursday invited various officials from across the city under one roof at Delhi Secretariat to approve files related to the Village Development Board.
Drought announced in Fiji
Fiji's weather office on Thursday announced a meteorological drought for the country after some parts did not receive rain for 10 weeks.
Tribals' involvement crucial in tackling emissions from deforestation: Vardhan
Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan said today that cooperation of the people living in forest areas, especially tribals, were crucial to implement a strategy for reducing emissions from deforestation. Vardhan, who released the 'National REDD + Strategy India', said it was one of the tools to achieve the country's commitment to the Paris Agreement. It will soon be communicated to the United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC), an official statement said. REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation) aims to achieve climate change mitigation by incentivising forest conservation. The strategy seeks to address drivers of deforestation and forest degradation and also developing a roadmap for enhancement of forest carbon stocks and achieving sustainable management of forests through REDD+ actions. "Harsh Vardhan has emphasised that the cooperation and involvement of the tribals, other forest dwelling people and the society as a whole, is ...
MLA requests govt to stop smuggling of rare medicinal plant
Ruling BJP MLA Tatung Jamoh today raised in the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly the illegal smuggling of Paris Polyphylla, a rare medicinal plant found in several districts of the state. During a Calling Attention motion Jamoh requested the state government to take adequate steps to prevent illegal smuggling of the rare medicinal plant which is enlisted as rare endangered and threatened species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Jamoh informed that the plant, locally known as 'Kala Kochu', has been illegally extracted from various districts of the state and traded by the smugglers at Rs 4,000-5,000 per kg. "The smuggling of the plant by people from outside the state has led to law and order problems in various parts of the state with reports of murder in Upper Siang district in recent times," Jamoh said and urged the government to work out modalities to stop the menace. Paris polyphylla is a member of the family of Melanthiaceae (earlier ...
River Ganga will be completely clean by March 2020: Gadkari
Union minister Nitin Gadkari expressed hope here today that the Ganga river will become completely clean by 2020 considering the pace at which its rejuvenation programme was in progress. He said most of the 221 projects under the Namami Gange Mission worth Rs 22,238 crore are at advanced stages of completion. "Considering the pace at which the works are awarded and getting completed, we are hopeful that by March 2020, river Ganga will be completely clean. It is a difficult task, but we will complete," the Water Resources and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister said. The government's flagship project has progressed well and nearly 70-80 per cent of the work will be completed by March 2019, he added. Gadkari said apart from cleaning the Ganga river, work is also undertaken to clean the tributaries and nallas that flow into the main river. "All these projects are done by private players and I have not given any responsibility to any of the corporations. I cannot depend on the ...
