Page 520 - Environment
NGT fines Gurgaon sewage plant proponent for damaging environment
The National Green Tribunal has slapped an interim fine of Rs 2.5 lakh on the project proponent of Bandhwari sewage treatment plant in Haryana's Gurgaon district for damaging the environment. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel noted that there was no substantial compliance by the project proponent in managing the waste and said that mere statement that compliance will be done in the future was not enough. "Ecogreen Energy Gurgaon Faridabad Pvt Ltd is directed to pay interim compensation of Rs 2.5 lakh for damage to the environment under Section 15(2) of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010. The amount may be deposited with the state pollution control board. "The above amount may have to be increased if any violation continues. We direct the Central Pollution Control Board and state pollution control board to conduct an inspection within four weeks," the bench, also comprising Justice Jawad Rahim, said. The tribunal posted the matter for consideration of ...
Congress wants probe into opening of dam shutters
M.M. Hassan, President of the Congress party in Kerala, on Thursday demanded a judicial probe into what he said was the indiscriminate opening of sluice gates of dams across the state leading to devastating floods.
Govt extends sugar export deadline by 3 mths till Dec
The food ministry today extended the deadline for exporting 2 million tonne of sugar by three months to December as only a fourth of it has been shipped so far. In March, the government had allowed sugar export in view of record domestic output of 32 MT. Mill-wise, Minimum Indicative Export Quotas (MIEQ) were allocated by the ministry in May. "The date of export of MIEQ allocated to sugar mills is extended by three months up to December 31," an official order said. Mills can export either sugar produced in the current 2017-18 season or the next 2018-19 season (October-September), it said. As per the official data, only about 5 lakh tonne sugar has been exported so far. The shipments have been lower due to non-availability of raw sugar which is in demand in the global market. The industry made a representation that it does not have raw sugar for export and requested the ministry to consider extending the deadline so that fresh raw sugar from the 2018-19 cane crop can be produced for ...
Reliance Power Netherlands BV wins international arbitration award of Rs 390 cr
Reliance Power on Thursday said that its subsidiary Reliance Power Netherlands BV has won an international arbitration award of $56 million (Rs 390 crore) against Prestige Capital Holdings and Kokos Jiang.
Govt imposes standard EC conditions for 25 sectors
The government has imposed standard conditions for as many as 25 sectors like steel, coal and oil, seeking environment clearance (EC) for expansion of existing projects or new projects. The government-constituted green panel called Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) assesses the projects and makes recommendations, based on which the Environment Ministry grants the final EC. "In order to bring uniformity on stipulated terms and conditions across the projects and sectors and as a general guidance to EAC as well as project proponents, the ministry has prepared standard conditions for 25 sectors," the Environment Ministry said in a statement. The 25 sectors include iron, steel, cement, coal, petroleum refineries industry, paper and pulp industries, hydro-electric projects, industrial estates, among others. The standard EC conditions will have to be considered by EAC at the time of appraisal of the proposals. EAC after due diligence, can modify, delete and add conditions based on the project
ESA satellite to improve weather forecast launched
The European Space Agency (ESA) has successfully launched a satellite that will measure winds around the globe and help improve weather forecasting. The Earth Explorer Aeolus satellite was launched into polar orbit on a Vega rocket from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, at 21:20 GMT on August 22 (2:50 am Indian Standard Time on August 23). Using revolutionary laser technology, Aeolus will play a key role in our quest to better understand the workings of our atmosphere, the space agency said. Named after Aeolus, who in Greek mythology was appointed 'keeper of the winds', the mission is the fifth in the family of ESA's Earth Explorers, which address the most urgent Earth-science questions of our time. "Aeolus epitomises the essence of an Earth Explorer. It will fill a gap in our knowledge of how the planet functions and demonstrate how cutting-edge technology can be used in space," said Jan Worner, ESA Director General. "Aeolus carries the first instrument of its kind and ...
Air pollution reduces lifespan by over one year: Study
Air pollution shortens people's lives by over a year, say scientists who suggest that better air quality could lead to a significant extension of human lifespan around the world. This is the first time that data on air pollution and lifespan has been studied together in order to examine the global variations in how they affect overall life expectancy. The researchers from University of Texas at Austin in the US looked at outdoor air pollution from particulate matter (PM) smaller than 2.5 microns. These fine particles can enter deep into the lungs, and breathing PM2.5 is associated with increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, respiratory diseases and cancer. PM2.5 pollution comes from power plants, cars and trucks, fires, agriculture and industrial emissions. The team used data from the Global Burden of Disease Study to measure PM2.5 air pollution exposure and its consequences in 185 countries. They then quantified the national impact on life expectancy for each individual country as
European satellite launched to improve weather forecasting
A European satellite was launched into a polar orbit, marking the beginning of a coordinated mission to improve weather forecasts by using new laser technology to measure winds around the globe.
Does air pollution trigger cardiovascular disease?
A study has found that air pollution can lead to cardiovascular diseases.Air pollution, and fine dust, in particular, is responsible for more than four million deaths each year. Almost 60 per cent of deaths occur as a result of heart diseases.The large percentage of deaths from cardiovascular disease has prompted an international group of experts from Germany, England, and the USA to analyse the negative effects of air pollution on vascular function in a review article.Key research questions focused on components of air pollution (particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide) that are particularly damaging to the cardiovascular system and mechanisms that damage the vessels.Professor Thomas Münzel said, "We are especially worried about ultrafine dust. These particles have the size of a virus. When ultrafine matter is inhaled, it immediately enters the bloodstream through the lungs, is taken up by the vessels, and causes local ...
Kerala can seek UN help to rebuild after floods: Tharoor
Kerala government can seek assistance of the United Nations to rebuild the flood-ravaged state, if needed, through organising an 'international reconstruction conference', Thiruvananthapuram MP and former diplomat Shashi Tharoor said on Wednesday.
Noida to get medicinal, herbal garden by November end: Official
A park spreading over 25 acres of land with herbal and medicinal plants is being prepared in Sector 91 of the city, officials said today. The park, being developed on a triangular piece of land at an estimated cost of Rs 23.94 crore by the Noida Authority, will be opened for public in November, they said. It will also have an open amphitheatre, dedicated meditation space, natural lake and water bodies, a food court, and proper parking space for visitors, the Noida Authority officials said. "The work on the project had started in September 2015 and will be completed on November 30 this year," they said. "There will be plants of herbal and medicinal values including neem, imli, baheda, harad, reetha, curry leaves, amla, olives, arjun, bel, and fruit plants like wild guavas, mango, pomegranate, papaya and several others," a senior official said. The official said the plants would be planted along the pathway and in bunches inside the park. "Most of the work has been completed. The work ..
Two cobras rescued in a day in Delhi
A five-foot-long cobra was rescued from Delhi Race Course premises, while another was rescued from the basement of a factory in Bawana's DSIIDC area, a wildlife conservation NGO said today. Both the serpents are currently under observation and will be released in their natural habitat once they are declared fit by veterinarians, Manager of Wildlife SOS Special Projects Wasim Akram said. The NGO was alerted about the presence of a snake in Delhi Race Course premises on Tuesday evening, following which two rescuers were sent to the spot. The cobra was nestled inside a hole and was rescued, the NGO said. Another cobra found amid a pile of storage boxes inside a garment factory in Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) premises, it said. Cobras use their venom primarily to hunt prey like rats, mice and frogs. People get accidentally bitten when they step on the snake or an untrained person attempts to catch or handle these snakes, Kartick Satyanarayan, .
FAME II may retain subsidy for three-wheelers
An inter-ministerial panel will meet here tomorrow to finalise modalities for the second phase of the FAME India scheme, and will consider retaining subsidy for electric three-wheelers to promote clean energy public transportation, sources said. Top officials from departments, including finance, power, road transport and highways and heavy industry will participate in the meeting, and are likely to approve a subsidy outlay of nearly Rs 4,000 crore for the second phase of the scheme, which may be launched in early September. "The second phase of the scheme was earlier expected to entail subsidy for electric buses and setting up of charging infrastructure for all categories of vehicles. "However, the committee has decided to now consider inclusion of electric three-wheelers as well to promote green public transport, a government official told PTI. According to sources, government think tank NITI Aayog is also in favour of providing subsidy to three-wheelers to promote e-mobility in ...
Rain subsides in Odisha, water recedes from low-lying areas
With the weakening of low pressure area over Bay of Bengal, rainfall subsided in Odisha today, bringing relief to people who have been affected by the deluge over the past few days. The meteorological department has ruled out downpour in the state in the next four days. "There is no likelihood of heavy rain in Odisha at least for the next four days as the low pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal has weakened," H R Biswas, the director of meteorological centre in Bhubaneswar, told PTI. Biswas, however, clarified that sporadic rainfall and light showers may continue in some areas, adding that a change in weather condition is likely after August 25. "After August 25, one or two places in Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore and Kendrapara districts may receive intermittent rainfall," he added. The situation in rain-ravaged southern districts of Odisha, particularly Malkangiri, improved considerably today with water receding from the low-lying ...
53 snakes seized in Agra
More than 50 snakes were seized by Forest department officials in a day-long drive to prevent snake charmers from duping 'Shiv bhakts' outside temples across Agra.
How to protect your walls during monsoon
During rainy days, the dampness and moisture together could prove to be disastrous for interiors. There are plenty of solutions that can come to ones rescue to protect ones house.
Crop damage mounts for EU farmers after torrid summer
PARIS (Reuters) - European farmers are counting the cost of a summer heatwave that has shrunk cereal harvests and shrivelled pastures, leaving some farms struggling to survive and shutting the EU out of lucrative export markets.
Invest kerosene subsidy savings in solar lighting: Study
A part of kerosene subsidy savings in India could be invested in helping the vulnerable section of society access clean lighting through off-grid solar lighting technologies, a new study has suggested.
Siemens Gamesa commissions wind-solar hybrid project for NTPC
Siemens Gamesa today said it has commissioned a 3.375 MW wind-solar hybrid pilot power project for NTPC. The wind-solar hybrid project consists was executed in Bijapur district of Karnataka, a company statement said. This is the first pilot renewable energy hybrid project in India that was developed from the engineering design stage by Siemens Gamesa, it said. The project consist of an SG 2.0-114 wind turbine in hybrid with 1.375 MW HiT solar panels. "The integrated approach of hybrid brings in more muscle power for renewable energy projects thus elevating renewables to the status of mainstream energy source for the country," Siemens Gamesa India Ramesh Kymal said.
Mettur dam crosses full level for third time in 30 days
The Mettur dam today crossed the full level of 120 feet, the third time in the last 30 days, officials said. The level now stood at 120.25 feet. With discharge from Karnataka dams dropping, inflow was at 45,000 cusecs at 4 PM, compared to 65,900 cusecs in the morning, they said. The discharge from Mettur was 40,800 cusecs. The discharge from Kabini and KRS reservoir has come down since last night following scanty rains in catchment areas in Karnataka, they said. The water level in Mettur dam reached its maximum of 120 feet on August 11 for a second time since July 23.
