Page 518 - Environment
Seven persons rescued from swirling waters
Seven persons caught in the swirling waters of Rapi river in Baran district were rescued from tree tops overnight, the police said today. A total of 11 persons were swept away by strong current of Rapi river while they were walking on stone slabs to cross the river. While four of them managed to swim to safety, seven of them caught hold of trees and were rescued from tree tops. Rivers and rivulets in Kota region are swollen and overflowing due to constant rains in the region for the last few days. The 11 persons belonged to the Sahariya tribal community, SHO of Kasbathana Police Station Suryanarayan Singh told reporters. The police was informed around last evening following which officials of the area rushed to the spot. Rescue team from Baran was called and operation initiated, the SHO said.
HC allows MMRCL to carry out Metro III work during night
The Bombay High Court today permitted the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) to carry out construction and other ancillary work for the Metro III project at Cuffe Parade in south Mumbai during night. A division bench of Acting Chief Justice N H Patil and Justice G S Kulkarni, however, asked the MMRCL and the contractor Larsen and Toubro to implement recommendations made by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) on minimising noise pollution. The court was hearing an application filed by the MMRCL, seeking modification of an earlier order of the HC, which prohibited them from carrying out Metro work at Cuffe Parade during night time. The MMRCL had said in its application that it had to carry out important work of tunnel boring, which will have to be done continuously. "The soil and muck that will be dug out can be transported only during the night time so that there is no impact on vehicular traffic," MMRCL's counsel Ashutosh Kumbhakoni had
Tiger cub found dead in Madhya Pradesh
A tiger cub was found dead in the Kanha Tiger Reserve (KTR) near here in Madhya Pradesh, an official said today. The cub, which was just over a year old, was found dead by a patrolling party of the forest department in the beat No. 22 near Chattarpakhna village last evening, said Sandeep Agrawal, wildlife veterinarian, KTR. KTR director L Krishnamurthy and deputy director Anjana Suchita Tirki visited the spot after getting information about the striped animal's death. "The exact cause of the cub's death will be known only after forensic examination of its body parts," Agrawal said. According to the 2014 tiger census report, the reserve, located in Mandla district, housed around 100 tigers.
Odisha Cabinet gives approval for Legislative Council in state
The Odisha government today approved a proposal for setting up a Legislative Council in the state. A proposal in this regard was approved at the Cabinet meeting here presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Parliamentary Affairs Minister B K Aarukha told reporters. A resolution will be brought in the monsoon session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly beginning from September 4 for formation of Odisha Legislative Council, he said. The proposed Legislative Council will have 49 members, the minister said adding that the state will have to spend Rs 35 crore annually for creation of the Vidhan Parishad. The members of the proposed council will get salary and allowance as given to the members of the legislative assembly. As per article 171 clause (1) of the Indian Constitution, the total number of members in the Legislative Council of a state shall not exceed one third of the total number of the members in the Legislative Assembly of that state and the total number of ..
Building a new Kerala: Window of opportunity for government (Comment)
When one of the rulers of Travancore, now a part of the southern Indian state of Kerala, handed over the reins of his territory to Lord Padmanabha, the presiding deity of Thiruvananthapuram, and undertook to take care of it in the Lords name, his idea was that he had assumed even greater responsibility as he was answerable to the Almighty.
How the sea supports human well-being
Scientists have catalogued over 30 ways that the sea supports human well-being, including providing a source of nutrition, supplying raw materials and supporting recreational activities. Researchers from the University of Liverpool in the UK explored the different ways that European seas including North East Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea support and link to human wellbeing. It is known that marine biodiversity supports human wellbeing in many ways and that people benefit from links between the flora and fauna of the sea and the 'ecosystem services'. However, such an extensive catalogue of the links between marine ecosystems and human wellbeing has not previously existed. The study found 31 different ecosystem services, including providing a source of nutrition through supply of seafood, providing raw materials, for example marine plants used in cosmetics, producing oxygen, providing natural flood defences and also providing opportunities for ..
Naveen sanctions over three lakh projects in five months
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has so far sanctioned 3,24,623 projects worth about Rs 793.96 crore under the 'Ama Gaon Ama Bikash Yojana' in the past five months, official sources said. 'Ama Gaon Ama Bikash Yojana' (Our village, Our development), was launched by Patnaik on March 5 this year to reach out to the people in rural areas and involve them in the development process. In a programme yesterday, the chief minister interacted with the people of Khurda, Puri, Kendrapara, Keonjhar, Balangir, Rayagada, Gajapati, Kandhamal and Mayurbhanj districts through video conferencing from the state secretariat. The chief minister listened to the people and wanted to know about their requirements. Based on their demands, he sanctioned projects for 209 gram panchayats (GPs) in these districts. With these sanctions, the chief minister has approved Rs 793.96 crore for 3508 GPs under 155 blocks taking the number of sanctioned projects to 3,24,623 under the 'Ama Gaon Ama Bikash
Isolated Amazonian tribe seen for first time
An isolated Amazonian tribe with no known contact with the outside world has been spotted for the first time by a drone flying over the Brazilian jungle.
Exclusive: Chile says to clamp down on water rights in lithium-rich Salar de Atacama
SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chile is preparing major new restrictions on the extraction of water from the lithium-rich Salar de Atacama salt flats, home to top lithium miners Albemarle and SQM , the head of the country's water authority told Reuters on Thursday.
Horticulture will help economy flourish: Andhra CM
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu opined that horticulture can help the economy flourish while inaugurating a horticulture show 'Udyana 2018' which focused on organic products, and promotion of zero-chemical based natural farming.This comes as the state government announced plans to increase horticulture to 100 lakh acres.During the event, arrangements were made for creating awareness among farmers on smart cultivation, optimum utilization of machines among others.Addressing the gathering at the event, Naidu said that farmers in the state have gained more confidence in profitability of farming, owing to the prioritization of agriculture by the state government. However, he acknowledged that water supply continues to be a problem in the state."Water is a big problem in Andhra Pradesh. Half the state is suffering from floods, half the state suffering from drought. We worked hard to increase the earthen water table in the state, in specific in Rayalaseema region. ...
Insight: Imitate Vaxjo? As heat rises, Swedish city goes green - and thrives
VAXJO, Sweden (Reuters) - Ringed by forests in southern Sweden, the city of Vaxjo is thriving even as it cuts greenhouse gas emissions at rates more typical of economic crashes in recessions or wars.
Sudden water release by TN from Mullaperiyar a reason for floods: Kerala moves SC
The Kerala Government on Thursday told the Supreme Court that the sudden release of water from the Mullaperiyar Dam by the Tamil Nadu government was one of the reasons which caused floods in Kerala which claimed 373 lives and rendered many homeless.Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan-led government on Thursday apprised the top court that the Tamil Nadu Government ignored its request to control water flow from the Mullaperiyar Dam during the floods which aggravated the situation.Earlier this month, concerned over the rising water level in the Mullaperiyar Dam, Vijayan had sought Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E.K. Palaniswami's intervention to draw water from the brimming dam. The Mullaperiyar Dam had reached its full level of 142 feet and the Kerala Government wanted the water level to be at 139 feet.On August 17, the apex court asked Kerala's subcommittee to examine and find out ways to ensure that the water level in the Mullaperiyar Dam won't exceed 139 feet.The top court further ...
Coffee exporters struggle to find ships for Brazil bumper crop
SAO PAULO/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Brazilian coffee exporters are struggling to find shipping capacity to transport a bumper crop from the world's top producer, which could result in supply delays to roasters worldwide.
Olive Ridley turtles smugglers held
Two persons were arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle Olive Ridley turtles at Rajghat railway station in the district today, a forest department official said. Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of Railway Protection Force (RPF) and forest officials conducted a raid at the station and seized 91 turtles from the two. The turtles were being smuggled to West Bengal by the accused when the joint team caught them, Forest Range Officer of Chandipur, Prafulla Kumar Mallick said. The accused were identified as Rabindra Pradhan of Balasore district and Kartik Patra of Midnapur area in West Bengal, he said. Investigation is in progress to ascertain details of the smuggling network involving endangered sea turtles which are procured mainly from Odisha coast line.
450 poisonous snakes rescued by wildlife dept in Gurgaon in 2 months
The Gurgaon wildlife department said it has rescued an "unprecedented" 450 poisonous snakes of different categories in last two months, including some from high-rise apartments. Officials pointed that such a high number of snakes being rescued from residential areas may be linked to very hot summers this year. However, the start of monsoon has given some relief to the residents and the number has come down, they said. "The atmospheric temperature was very high in summer season this year which is considered ideal breeding situation for reptiles. We have rescued majority of the snakes from localities adjoining the Aravalli mountain," said Anil Gadass, the Gurgaon wild life officer and an expert rescuer. "So far, 450 snakes have been rescued in July and August in residential complexes, including high-rise apartments," said Anil Gadass, the Gurgaon wild life officer and an expert rescuer. The reptile is generally cold-blooded by nature and therefore low temperature is uncomfortable for ...
Centre, state depts can work together for Himalayan region's development: NITI
NITI Aayog vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar today said central and state ministries can work together for the development of the Himalayan Region. Kumar was speaking after releasing a report on 'Contributing to Sustainable Development in the Indian Himalayan Region' that focuses on five critical thematic areas for the region. NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said the development of Himalayan Region has so far been unplanned and unscientific. "So, it is extremely important to take into consideration the carrying capacity, for sustainable development of the region," Kant explained. Speaking on the occasion, NITI Aayog member V K Saraswat said that the carrying capacity of major tourist destinations should be taken into consideration.
Will not move SC against Mhadei tribunal award: Goa
The Goa government will not approach the Supreme Court against the Mhadei inter-state water disputes tribunal's award, for fear of an adverse order, state Water Resources Minister Vinod Palienkar said on Thursday.
Swaraj exhorts Indian diaspora to utilise opportunities in India's solar power sector
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today urged the Indian diaspora to utilise opportunities in India in the area of solar power. "Walking the talk on solar alliance! EAM @SushmaSwaraj and other participants at the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas panel discussion on the role of Indian Diaspora in capacity building for affordable solar power (sic)," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. Swaraj's two deputies in the ministry V K Singh and M J Akbar, minister for power and renewable energy R K Singh also participated at the event. "The external affairs minister exhorted the Indian diaspora to utilise opportunities in India in the area of solar power," Kumar said. India has been promoting the use the solar energy in developing countries and was the leading force behind establishment of the International Solar Alliance. Meanwhile, Swaraj also met permanent representatives of various countries to the United Nations during their visit to India.
Mahadayi river water diversion won't affect Goa: Official
Diversion of the Mahadayi river water by Maharashtra and Karnataka won't have any impact on Goa in view of the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) verdict, a state government official said here today. The tribunal recently allowed the two neighbouring states to divert the river water. Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka are locked in a dispute over sharing of the river water. "The quantum of water to be diverted by both the states is negligible. It will not have any environmental impact on Goa as the coastal state is located downstream," said Chetan Pandit who is the Technical Consultant for the Goa government in the MWDT case. He told reporters that the Mahadayi river has 188 TMC of water in its basin, of which 6.37 TMC water has been allowed to be diverted by the MWDT on August 14. Pandit said the MWDT had studied the "flow series" of the river for the last 40 years while delivering the verdict. He said Karnataka and Maharashtra cannot take up any project upstream of the
Bosnian coke maker ordered to halt operations after environmental breaches
SARAJEVO (Reuters) - Bosnian authorities ordered the Balkans' leading metallurgical coke producer to halt operations on Thursday, saying the company had repeatedly breached environmental standards.
