Page 531 - Environment
MP flash floods: 11 dead, over 30 stranded, rescue ops underway
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday informed that efforts are underway to rescue the people stranded in the Sultan Garh Waterfalls in Gwalior's Shivpuri, where 11 youth died after water level increased due to a sudden release of water from a dam.The chief minister took to Twitter and informed that, seven people have been rescued till now. Reportedly around 30 to 40 people are stranded on the spot."Efforts underway to rescue those stranded. I am in touch with rescue teams. Seven people have been rescued till now," he tweeted.Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar also reached the spot to take a stock of the situation.A helicopter is being used to locate the missing people. The Madhya Pradesh police is also present at the spot for the rescue operation.Sultan Garh Waterfalls is a popular picnic spot situated amidst rocks in Shivpuri.
9.26 cr saplings planted in UP on Independence Day
Uttar Pradesh surpassed its own target of planting 9 crore saplings in a single day when by end of Wednesday, 9.26 crore saplings were planted, an official said on Wednesday.
Kerala CM appeals TN counterpart to lower water level in Mullaperiyar dam
Concerned over the rising water level in the Mullaperiyar Dam, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday sought Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E.K. Palaniswami's intervention to draw water from the brimming dam.The Mullaperiyar Dam has reached its full level of 142 feet and Vijayan Government wants the water level to be maintained at 139 feet.Mullaperiyar Dam is one of the dams in Kerala, whose shutters have been opened, to release excess water, following the heavy downpour in the state. The dam is although located in Kerala, but it is operated by Tamil Nadu.Kerala had said the dam was dangerous, but the Tamil Nadu always opposed this. This has always been a contentious issue between both states.Meanwhile, the death toll in the Kerala deluge has increased to 67. Around 85,398 people have taken shelter in the relief camps across the state.India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alert (heavy to very heavy rainfall in most places) for Wayanad, Kozhikode, Kannur, ...
Farmers given Rs 76 cr in 15 years, says Chhattisgarh CM
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Wednesday said farmers in the state have been provided a total of Rs 76 crore over the last 15 years.
1 lakh saplings planted in Noida on I-Day
In a historic first for Noida, the city today witnessed plantation of more than one lakh saplings in a single day as part of the Uttar Pradesh government's afforestation drive, officials said. As many as 1,04,918 saplings were planted during the drive which began at 9 am and went on till 7 pm. With enthusiastic public participation, we exceeded our own target, General Manager, Noida Authority, Rajeev Tyagi told PTI. The Yogi Adityanath government aimed to plant nine crore saplings across the state in a single day to mark the 72nd Independence Day, Noida Authority officials said, adding that the target for Noida Authority was 86,725 saplings. In the 42 years since Noida's formation, no plantation drive of this scale has ever taken place. Our annual plantation target is over four lakh. Today we have achieved 23 per cent of it, Tyagi said. Plant varieties such as jamun, imli (tamarind), kadamba, bel, neem, amla, ashok, kachnar, jacaranda, peepal, pilkhan, maulshree, calendra, tikoma, ...
4 stranded in Yamuna rescued
Four people were safely rescued after they were stranded in the Yamuna river in north Delhi today, officials said. There were two women and as many men who were stranded. Four buffaloes were also stuck in the Yamuna near the Shamshan Ghat in Burari, the officials added. Fifteen people, including three children, were rescued from drowning in the area last month. According to officials, the water level of the Yamuna reached 205.72 metres at 7 pm this evening, against the danger mark of 204.83 metres.
Centre intervenes, eases tension between Kerala, TN over Mullaperiyar Dam
Following timely intervention by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday, the mounting tension between Kerala and Tamil Nadu over the rising water level in Mullaperiyar Dam and its outflow has been resolved, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Increase in infrastructure impacting existence of elephants: UN
The increase in the infrastructure and expanse of the railway network through elephant corridors have severely impacted the existence of elephants, a senior United Nations official said today. Erik Solheim, the executive director of UN Environment, underlined that human and animal conflict had become a serious issue and needed to be addressed. The increase in the infrastructure and expanse of railway network through elephant corridors have severely impacted the existence of elephants and the plastic waste dumped into the forests is finding its way into their stomach, causing serious harm, Solheim said in a video message, while addressing a gathering at the Gaj Mahotsav -- a festival organised to spread awareness on the need to preserve elephants -- here. "Just like humans have the right to passage, so do elephants. India has 101 elephant corridors and we must do whatever it takes to protect and preserve these," the UN official added.
17 Bangladeshi fishermen held for violating maritime boundary
Altogether 17 fishermen from Bangladesh were today arrested in South 24 Parganas district and their trawler impounded, after they entered Indian territory violating the maritime boundary, police said. A group of Indian fishermen in Kultali area caught the Bangladeshis and handed them over to police, they said. The fishermen from Bangladesh claimed that their trawler had become inoperative because of a mechanical failure, and it floated across the maritime boundary owing to strong winds, a police officer said.
Left-wing extremists' influence has come down from 126 to 90 districts: PM
The number of districts affected by left-wing extremism has come down from 126 to 90, and the work on finding a solution to the problem is progressing rapidly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today. In his Independence Day address, Modi said left-wing extremism has been bleeding the country and violent incidents, people fleeing from homes and hiding in forests were a matter of daily occurrence. "However, today because of continuous efforts by our security forces, launching of development projects and efforts to connect the people with national mainstream, left-wing extremism which affected 126 districts has now been reduced to 90 districts.The work on finding a solution to put an end to left-wing extremism from those districts is progressing rapidly," he said.
Analysis: New fuel rules push shipowners to go green with LNG
LONDON (Reuters) - Tough new rules on marine fuel are forcing shipowners to explore liquefied natural gas as a cleaner alternative and ports such as Gibraltar are preparing to offer upgraded refuelling facilities in the shipping industry's biggest shake-up in decades.
Withdraw Compensatory Afforestation Fund rules: Ramesh to Vardhan
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh today urged Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan to withdraw the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Rules, saying the notification issued last week was a "blatant breach" of assurances given by the government in Parliament. In a letter to Vardhan, Ramesh said the CAF Rules were notified without addressing concerns about violation of the Forest Rights Act. "I firmly believe that the present CAF Rules should be withdrawn and put on hold. The least I expect is that solemn assurances given by your distinguished predecessor on the floor of the Rajya Sabha after consensus arrived at the chamber of Arun Jaitley, (then) Finance Minister and Leader of the Rajya Sabha, on July 28, 2016, are honoured in letter and spirit," the former environment minister said. Ramesh also said that he would take up the matter with Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu. "I think this is a fit case of moving a privilege motion against you as well," Ramesh said in his letter to
Indian human space mission to create 15,000 jobs: ISRO chief
The plan to put an Indian into space, on its own, for the first time by 2022 will create as many as 15,000 jobs, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman K. Sivan said on Wednesday.
Safeguard duty row leaves Moser Baer Solar resolution in limbo
The resolution plan for Moser Baer Solar is in limbo as the bidders are awaiting a clarity on the safeguard duty on imported solar cells, which is pending at the Odisha High Court. "Since the matter about the safeguard duty on solar cell imports from China and Malaysia is pending in the Odisha High Court, companies who had expressed interest in Moser Baer Solar are in a wait-and-watch mode," resolution professional Arvind Garg told PTI. He said they had received a decent response, mainly from domestic players even after the extension of deadlines for inviting bids for the assets of the solar cells manufacturing firm. "However, they are now waiting for clarity on the entire issue. Till the court delivers it verdict, we will have to wait," Garg added. On a petition filed by Acme Solar Holdings, the Odisha High Court had on July 23 ordered that the Central government should not issue any notification to impose the duty. The Union revenue department, however, imposed the ...
Babies in prams 60% more exposed to pollution
Do you regularly take your baby out in strollers or prams? Beware, it can expose them up to 60 per cent more pollution, causing potential damage to cognitive abilities and brain development, say researchers, including one of Indian-origin.
Tension brews between Kerala, TN on overflowing Mullaperiyar Dam
The contentious Mullaperiyar Dam issue between Kerala and Tamil Nadu, which is now before the Supreme Court following heavy rains over the past week, is likely to trigger fresh tension between the two states.
Agri export policy on the anvil, on track to double farm income by 2022: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said a new agriculture export policy will be unveiled soon to boost farm income as the government is on track to achieve the target of doubling farmers' income by 2022. Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of 72nd Independence Day, Modi spelt out pro-farm measures taken during four years of his government, the cornerstone being the bold move to fix the minimum support price (MSP) of crops at least 1.5 times of the cost of production. "The demand for higher MSP was pending for years. From farmers to political parties to agriculture experts, everybody was asking about it but nothing happened. We took a bold decision that farmers should get 1.5 times more price than their cost of production and implemented it," he said. The Prime Minister said doubts were cast when he set the target of doubling farm income by 2022 but decisions like increase in price for crops have ensured that the government is on track of meeting the
3 fishermen missing after fishing vessel sinks off Ker coast
Three fishermen from Vypin near here went missing after a fishing boat carrying seven on board sank in rough seas off Alappuzha coast today, official sources said. A Defence spokesperson said a Naval helicopter, launched by the Southern Naval Command, has rescued four others who were on board the ill-fated vessel Anugraha. He said the Coast Guard this morning received information about the fishing vessel "taking in water 12 nautical miles NW" off Alappuzha. Upon receiving information, the Southern Naval Command has diverted INS Kalpeni to the area, he said. A helicopter has also been launched for Search and Rescue, weather permitting, he added. "There were seven people. Four fishermen have been rescued by Naval ALH helicopter and brought back to INS Garuda in Kochi. Three still missing. Dornier aircraft in the area and searching," the spokesperson said in a communication sent out to media here. All of them hailing from Vypin, were taken for medical examination in a ...
NASA's Opportunity Rover remains unreachable due to Mars dust storm
NASA has reportedly not been able to establish contact with the Opportunity Rover - which has been exploring Mars for 14 years - for over two months, due to a global dust storm engulfing the red planet. However, the US space agency has not given up on trying to make contact with the robotic rover. The rover had to undergo an emergency shutdown after the dust storm prevented it from powering itself through its solar panels. Scientists from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory have been attempting to send Opportunity a message command three times a week since then. The last time NASA heard from Opportunity was June 10. "A variety of scientists think early to mid-September might be a time when the skies clear enough that it could recharge," Andrew Good, Mars and Mars technology media relations specialist, told 'Inverse'. The planet-encircling dust storm on Mars is gradually settling. Dust-lifting sites have decreased and surface features are starting to emerge. There are indications that the
Maha govt committed to welfare of farmers, backward classes:CM
The Maharashtra government will push forward various welfare initiatives taken up for farmers and socially backward classes in the state, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said today. The BJP-led government is also committed towards the development of industries in Maharashtra, Fadnavis said after hoisting the national flag at the state secretariat here on the 72nd Independence Day. He lauded the state government's flagship water conservation scheme which, he said, has helped in dealing with water woes of people in 16,000 drough-affected villages. Now, the government intends to provide benefits of this micro-irrigation project, called 'Jalyukt Shivar', to 25,000 more villages, he said. The scheme involves deepening and widening of streams, construction of cement and earthen stop dams, and digging of farm ponds, to make the state free of drought by next year. Fadnavis said the state government has "done well" towards the empowerment of marginalised people and has ...
