Page 52 - Environment
Mizoram would request Centre & Bangladesh to expedite border
Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga Wednesday said the state government would request the Centre and the Bangladesh government to expedite opening of Indo-Bangladesh border trade at the proposed Kawrpuichhuah border trade centre. Intervening in the discussion on border trade with Bangladesh and Myanmar during Question Hour in the Assembly, Zoramthanga said he has raised the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce as well as with Bangladesh Prime Minister and the ball is in the hands of the leaders of the two neighbouring countries. "I would again personally take up the matter with the new government at the Centre soon," the chief minister said. Talking about the Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) to provide road link to Sittwe port in Myanmar, he said that no works have been executed so far on Myanmar side despite financial aid given by the Indian government, which would definitely delay the project. At least 85.50 per .
Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals restarts Ammonia IV plant at Baroda
Ammonia-IV plant would be initially started at lower loads which would be gradually increased. Subsequently, Urea-II plant would also resume on availability of CO2 gas from Ammonia-IV plant.
Gehlot writes to Punjab CM for relining of Ferozepur feeder
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has written to his Punjab counterpart Amarinder Singh, urging to start the relining of the Ferozepur feeder at the earliest. Farmers dependent on the Gangnahar and Bhakra canal systems will be benefitted by it. Gehlot wrote in a letter to the Punjab chief minister that the Ferozepur feeder, constructed in 1960s, has damaged at many places, resulting in reduction in 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 farmers of Western Rajasthan," Gehlot wrote. He further stated that the Rajasthan government was committed to provide adequate water supply to farmers. Gehlot added that the relining of a 23-km-long stretch of the Indira Gandhi canal was completed recently and more such repair works would be undertaken so that the farmers' demand of adequate water for irrigation purposes could be met without any interruption.
Chandrayaan-2 mission launch on July 15: ISRO
India's second mission to the moon, Chandrayaan-2, would be launched on July 15, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman K Sivan announced on Wednesday. The landing on the moon near the South Pole, an uncharted territory so far, would be on September 6 or 7, Sivan told reporters here, as the Indian space agency is all set to embark on its most complex mission. The launch would take place at 2.51 am on board the GSLV MK-III vehicle from the spaceport of Sriharikota. The ISRO had earlier kept the launch window for the mission from July 9 to July 16. The spacecraft, with a mass of 3.8 tonne, has three modules -- Orbiter, Lander (Vikram) and Rover (Pragyan). Sivan said Orbiter would have eight payloads, Lander three and Rover two. The mission cost of Chandrayaan-2 with regard to the satellite was Rs 603 crore, he noted. The cost of GSLV MK III is Rs 375 crore. According to the ISRO, Orbiter, with scientific payloads, would orbit around the moon. Lander would soft land on the ...
Britain sets deadline for carbon neutrality by 2050
The British government on Wednesday presented draft legislation to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 in what it said would be a first for a major economy. The new target was broadly welcomed across the political spectrum but environmental groups said it would require radical action to decarbonise the entire economy. The deadline is far more ambitious than Britain's current policy of cutting emissions by 80 per cent over the same period and Finance Minister Philip Hammond has reportedly warned it could cost more than 1.0 trillion pounds. The 2050 date will be introduced in existing climate change laws through a piece of legislation known as a statutory instrument that parliament is expected to approve. "As the first country to legislate for long-term climate targets, we can be truly proud of our record in tackling climate change," Prime Minister Theresa May said. In one of her final acts before she steps down next month, she said Britain "must lead the world to a cleaner, ...
Rijiju directs SAI campuses to increase green cover
Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju has directed all Sports Authority of India (SAI) campuses to increase green cover. In a circular issued to the 12 regional SAI centres, the ministry has asked that saplings of trees and bushes indigenous to the region be planted.
Environmentalist raises concerns over wedding of tycoons' son in Auli
A Ghaziabad-based environmentalist has written to Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar expressing concern over the upcoming wedding of the sons of two South Africa-based controversial tycoon brothers in the ski destination of Auli in Uttarakhand.
Britain to intensify fight against climate change
Britain's outgoing prime minister on Wednesday announced plans to eliminate the country's net contribution to climate change by 2050. Theresa May said the plan will be put before Parliament later in the day. The amendment to the 2008 Climate Change Act will intensify Britain's push to drastically reduce carbon emissions. "Standing by is not an option," she said in a statement. "Reaching net zero by 2050 is an ambitious target, but it is crucial that we achieve it to ensure we protect our planet for future generations." She added that Britain was already taking a leading role in fighting climate change. The government's Committee on Climate Change says the change will help public health by reducing air and noise pollution and also help biodiversity. It had urged an urgent upgrade of the government's approach. Carolyn Fairbairn, director-general of the Confederation of British Industry, said the business community backs the government's commitment. "This legislation is the right ...
C'garh: Panel set up to probe tree cutting at Bailadila hill
The Chhattisgarh forest department has set up a three-member committee to probe the alleged illegal deforestation for proposed iron ore mining at deposit no.13 in Bailadila hill range in Dantewada district, an official said Wednesday. Notably, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Tuesday directed immediate halt of cutting of trees at the iron ore deposit no.13 in Bailadila hill range, located in Kirandul area of Dantewada, and other works related to the project amid protests by tribals. "On Baghel's direction, principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF) Rakesh Chaturvedi issued an order to constitute a three-member committee to probe the alleged cutting of trees in the iron ore deposit-13 of the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC)," a public relations official here said. The panel will be headed by additional PCCF (land management) Atul Shukla and will have chief conservator of forest, Jagdalpur Circle, and divisional forest officer, Dantewada division, as its .
Japan sets carbon-neutral goal as UK plans climate laws
Japan has joined Britain in pledging to become carbon neutral later this century, as the world races to prevent catastrophic climate change, but critics blasted Tokyo's plan as unambitious. While Britain on Wednesday outlined plans for fast-track legislation that would reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, Japan's policy only pledges to meet the goal sometime after the middle of the century. Both countries are among the nearly 200 nations that have signed up to the Paris climate agreement, which commits signatories to efforts to cap global warming at "well below" two degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit). Japan's policy, adopted by the cabinet on Tuesday, is expected to be submitted to the United Nations before the country hosts the G20 summit in Osaka later this month. It sets "a carbon-neutral society as the final goal, and seeks to realise it at the earliest possible time in the latter half of this century." But while it says renewable energy -- such as solar and wind -- will ...
Rijiju pushes for 'Clean and Green' SAI campuses
Newly-appointed Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju has directed all Sports Authority of India (SAI) regional centers to plant saplings of trees specific to their areas inside their campuses as part of a 'Clean and Green' campaign. A circular has been issued to all 12 SAI regional centers for holistic development of a 'Clean and Green' sports campus, the body said in a statement. "The result of the plantation drive is expected to be two-pronged - that of increasing the green cover in the campuses, as also nurturing local plants that are shade-giving and fruit-bearing," the SAI stated. "Environment-friendly methods like rainwater harvesting will be used for the upkeep of the green cover," it added. Special awareness workshops will also be organised for athletes training and living at the regional centers to "align them with the 'Clean and Green' mission".
Pondy govt machinery geared up to tackle Nipah: Health
The Puducherry government Wednesday said it was fully geared up to tackle Nipah in the wake of a person from neighbouring Tamil Nadu being admitted with symptoms of the virus here. A 50-year-old man hailing from Cuddalore district in that state, has been admitted to state-run JIPMER with symptoms of fever and encephalitis, health officials said. He had recently returned to his native from Guruvayoor in Kerala, where a case of Nipah has been reported. Director of Health and Family Welfare Services of Puducherry K V Raman told PTI that an emergency review meeting was held by the 'Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP)' on Tuesday. The official also said the fluids collected from the patient have since been sent to the Virology Research Institute in Pune and the test report was awaited. Isolation wards have been set up in the Government Hospital for Chest Diseases, with the help of the Indira Gandhi Government General Hospital and Research Institute to prevent the ..
World's 100 big cities represent 10% global emissions: Study
Consumption-based emissions from nearly 100 of the world's big cities already represent 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, a new study said on Wednesday.
Auckland City declares climate emergency
Auckland city council voted to recognize the urgency for action on climate change by declaring a climate emergency on Wednesday.
North Korea says it's fighting swine fever with quarantine
North Korea said Wednesday it is actively fighting the spread of the highly contagious African swine fever weeks after it reported an outbreak near its border with China. The North's official Rodong Sinmun newspaper said workers around the country were proceeding with "airtight" quarantine efforts to prevent the spread of the disease and ensure safety in livestock production. African swine fever has decimated pig herds in China and other Asian countries. It's harmless to people but is fatal to pigs and has no known cure. There's concern in South Korea that the outbreak in the North could spread across the border. Lee Sang-min, a spokesman for Seoul's Unification Ministry, which deals with inter-Korean affairs, said the North has yet to respond to calls for joint quarantine efforts. The North Korean newspaper said quarantine efforts were focused on disinfecting farms and transport vehicles, restricting visitors, and banning the distribution of food products containing pork. The ...
Will provide clean drinking water to every household by 2024: Gajendra Shekhwat
Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Tuesday asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is committed to providing clean drinking water to every household by the year 2024.Addressing reporters at an interaction in Delhi, Shekhawat said, "We are working with the commitment to provide clean drinking water to every household, by 2024. This is our priority."He also outlined that the availability of water is a concern for the whole world and India."We have the largest human population and livestock population and per capita availability of water is less. The per capita availability of water that we had in 1950 has reduced considerably and is about one-third of that amount whereas the population has become three times. From 5000 litre per capita water availability that we had then, it is nearly 1400 per capita now", Shekhawat added.The Minister also underscored that providing water for every household was one of BJP's poll promises and added that the party will work
Hunter becomes the hunted: Tigers' battle for survival
The death of a tiger in Sariska forest bespeaks a sad story of the royal animal being left on its own to survive amid many threats and challenges in its forest range, raising the need to start another Project Tiger in the country.
Disproportionate assets: ACB raid underway at multiple locations in K'taka
A raid of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is underway at premises of three officials including a professor with regards to an alleged case of disproportionate assets.The ACB is conducting searches at premises of Kallappa M Hosamai, a Professor in Karnataka University, Mahadevappa, an official of Department Of Mines and Geology, Mangaluru and Uday D Chabbi, Assistant Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department in Joida, Uttara Kannada.The raid is underway at Dharwad, Belagavi, Dandeli and two more locations in the state.Further details are awaited.
NIRDPR launches initiative to help rural poor farm holds cope with climate change
For the first time in India, National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR), has launched an initiative to improve the adaptive capacity of the rural poor engaged in farm-based livelihoods to cope with climate change.It seeks to establish a large-scale proof of concept on integrating community-based climate change planning and adaptation by working with climate-smart Community Resource Persons (CRPs) and National Resource Persons (NRPs).The training manual for this 'Sustainable Livelihoods and Adaptation to Climate Change (SLACC)' certificate Course was released by Dr W.R. Reddy, IAS, Director-General, NIRDPR, last week during the first training program for Community Resource Persons (CRPs).The aim of this course is to create a cadre of over 200 certified 'climate-smart' CRPs and over 100 young professionals in villages, who will combat the impact of climate change and secure their livelihood through climate proof planning and adaptations. The cadre will further ..
Initiative to cope with climate change launched
National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) on Tuesday said it has launched an initiative to improve the adaptive capacity of the rural poor engaged in farm-based livelihoods to cope with climate change.
