Page 532 - Environment
NASA's Opportunity Rover still missing in Martian dust storm
NASA's Opportunity Rover, which has been roaming Mars for nearly 15 years, is missing for two months after getting caught in a massive dust storm, the media reported.
Genoa bridge collapse toll rises to 38: Italy interior minister
The number people of killed during the collapse of a bridge in the Italian port city of Genoa has risen to 38, Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said today. "We're currently at 38 confirmed deaths and some people missing," Salvini, who is also co-deputy prime minister, told reporters on the sidelines of an event in the southern region of Calabria. Salvini is due to arrive in Genoa, on Italy's north-western coast, in the afternoon.
Technology to send astronauts to space already developed: ISRO on Gaganyaan
Technologies that will help in sending an Indian astronaut to space - like human crew module and environment control and life support system - have already been developed, ISRO chairman K Sivan said today. Prior to the actual launch by 2022, the Indian Space Research Organisation will have two unmanned missions and spacecraft will be fired using Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III, Sivan said. "We have already developed the technology like human crew module, environment control and life support system. Before undertaking the launch, we will have two unmanned missions. We will use GLSV Mark-III for this project," Sivan told PTI. His remarks came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in his Independence Day address that India will attempt a manned mission into space by 2022 on board 'Gaganyaan'. If successful, India would be the fourth nation to achieve that feat. Rakesh Sharma, a former IAF pilot, was the first Indian to travel to space. Sharma was a part of Soviet .
India will put man in space for seven days: ISRO Chairman
For the first time, India's space agency is planning to put an Indian astronaut for seven days in space at a cost less than Rs 10,000 crore as part of its manned mission by 2022, ISRO Chairman K. Sivan said on Wednesday.
Babies in strollers exposed to over twice more pollution than adults
Babies in prams can be exposed to up to 60 per cent more pollution than their parents, causing potential damage to their frontal lobe and impacting on their brain development, a study has found. Researchers from the University of Surrey in the UK examined over 160 references to highlight the factors concerning the pollution exposure of babies in prams and associated mitigation strategies. The study, published in the journal Environment International, also investigated different types of prams based on their height, width, and whether they seat one child or two to assess if this impacted on pollution exposure levels. They found that infants in prams breathe in more polluted air since they are positioned between 0.55m and 0.85m above ground level and vehicle exhaust pipes usually sit within 1m above road level. This increases in-pram babies' vulnerability to being exposed to more pollution than adults. The study suggests a range of mitigation actions, including 'active' solutions such ..
China blasts US solar tariffs, takes WTO action
China has blasted US tariffs on solar panel imports, filing a complaint at the World Trade Organization in the latest salvo of the trade battle between the world's two economic giants. US President Donald Trump approved steep tariffs on solar panel imports in January to protect US producers, triggering an outcry from China, South Korea and even protests from the US solar industry. China's commerce ministry accused Washington of erecting trade barriers while subsidising its domestic industry. "While taking protectionist measures against imported photovoltaic products, the US provided subsidies to domestically produced photovoltaics and other renewable energy products," the ministry said in a statement. China lodged its challenge at the WTO on Tuesday, the statement said. The US subsidies have given an unfair advantage to domestic companies and "damaged the legitimate rights and interests of China's renewable energy companies," it said. Beijing said the US measures are suspected of ...
Plastic water bottles, trash grace Red Fort grounds after I-Day celebrations
A number of plastic water bottles and banana peels lay scattered on the grounds of the Red Fort after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day address, despite the government's emphasis on the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Minutes after the event ended, heaps of plastic water bottles could be seen in various enclosures where children and the public were seated, indicating a lack of arrangement for garbage disposal in the 17th century Mughal monument. A few cartons were used as makeshift dustbins which eventually overflowed, forcing school children to throw garbage on the grounds. "Surprisingly, there was no arrangement of dustbins for disposing off water bottles and other trash at such an important event even when the prime minister had been stressing on cleanliness and hygiene," said Namita Srivastava, a teacher who accompanied students for the event. "The entire area looked like a dump yard. I simply fail to understand why they did not make some arrangement for disposal of trash," ..
US state sues Trump Tower over alleged water pollution
The US state of Illinois has filed a lawsuit against the Trump Tower in Chicago, alleging that it was releasing millions of gallons of water into the Chicago River without assessing its impact on pollution.
Cochin Airport shut till Saturday
The Cochin International Airport was on Wednesday closed till Saturday afternoon after water released from the Idukki dam flooded the area.
Modi says agri export policy on the anvil; on track to double farm income by 2022
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 decided that farmers should get 1.5 times more price than their cost of production and implemented the decision," 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 ...
UP bans plastic, thermocol items
The Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday imposed a blanket ban on the manufacture, stocking, sale and transport of all plastic and thermocol items, an official said.
Gaganyaan to take Indian astronaut to space by 2022: PM
An Indian astronaut, be it a man or a woman, will go on a space odyssey by 2022 on board 'Gaganyaan', Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his Independence Day address here. He said when India celebrates 75th year of Independence in 2022, "and if possible even before, an Indian son or daughter" will undertake a manned space mission on board 'Gaganyaan' "carrying the national flag". Chandrayaan-1 was India's first lunar probe. It was launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation in October 2008 and operated until August 2009. Mangalyaan is another Indian space project. The Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also called Mangalyaan, is a space probe orbiting Mars since September 24, 2014.
India to send manned space mission by 2022: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced a manned mission to space by 2022.
Fall Armyworm may threaten food security, livelihoods of millions of farmers in Asia: FAO
An "invasive pest", recently detected in India that devours more than 80 different plant species including many staple crops, could threaten the food security and livelihoods of millions of small-scale farmers in Asia, the Food and Agriculture Organization has warned. Fall Armyworm pest was recently detected in India, marking the first time it has been found in Asia after wrecking havoc in Africa. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) fears it is "highly likely" to spread, with southeast Asia and south China most at risk. The UN agency is offering its expertise to farmers and Governments in the region to help them manage Fall Armyworm. "Fall Armyworm could have a devastating impact on Asia's maize and rice producers - mostly small-scale farmers who depend on their crops for food and to make a living," said Kundhavi Kadiresan, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific. She described the arrival of the pest, which has been moving steadily .
Mhadei water dispute verdict a huge setback for Goa: Congress
Reacting to the Mhadei water dispute verdict, the Congress in Goa has said that it was a big setback for the state and Goenkars.Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president, Girish Chodankar said, "This is in no way a victory of Goa as claimed by the government. In the long run, it will have a huge negative impact on Goa.""It looks like our legal team was struggling to make reality about the letter issued by Goa Chief Minister to Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) B. S. Yeddyurappa along with the party President Amit Shah and others. BJP Government at least should disclose now what was transcribed in that meeting," demanded Chodankar.Further describing the details of the water distribution, Chodankar termed Mhadei River as a lifeline for the Goenkars."The Mhadei river known as lifeline for the Goenkars, has parted away by the order of the Mhadei water disputes tribunal (MWDT) as it has allotted to Karnataka 5.5 thousand million cubic (TMC) including 1.5 TMC for use within ...
Brace for extra-warm weather through 2022: study
Manmade global warming and a natural surge in Earth's surface temperature will join forces to make the next five years exceptionally hot, according to a study published today. The double whammy of climate change and so-called natural variability more than doubles the likelihood of "extreme warm events" in ocean surface waters, creating a dangerous breeding ground for hurricanes and typhoons, they reported in Nature Communications. "This warm phase is reinforcing long-term climate change," lead author Florian Sevellec, a climate scientist at the University of Brest in France, told AFP. "This particular phase is expected to continue for at least five years." Earth's average surface temperature has always fluctuated. Over the last million years, it vacillated roughly every 100,000 years between ice ages and balmy periods warmer than today. Over the last 11,000 years, those variations have become extremely modest, allowing our species to flourish. Manmade climate change -- caused by ...
Afforestation fund act to come into force next month: Minister
The Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Act will be enforced from September 30 after framing of rules and consultations with the stakeholders, Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Tuesday.
JK Agri dept, NSC to set up seed unit at Kathua
Jammu and Kashmir Agriculture department and National Seed Corporation (NSC) today signed an MoU for setting up a seed processing and storage centre in Kathua district of the state. The centre would come as a big relief for farmers of the state as the state agriculture department procured processed seeds from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, an official spokesman said. It will augment quality seed supply to farmers which would be readily available to them in adequate quantity and at the right time, he said. The state is entering in MoU with NSC with the indent for foundation and certified seed production during Kharif and Rabi season of 2019-20 to 2021-22. The MoU will be effective for a lease period of 40 years, the spokesman said.
Now Mullaperiyar dam in Kerala poised for opening
Rain-hit Idduki district in Kerala is bracing for surplussing of Mullaperiyar Dam as officials issued an alert for people living on the Periyar River banks with the water level in the reservoir crossing the 137 feet mark against its maximum of 142 feet today. The Tamil Nadu government, which owns and operates the dam located upstream of Idukki Dam, has informed that it may release water into the Periyar river on the Kerala side from Mullaperiyar reservoir due to high inflows, an official release said. The water level in the Mullaperiyar Dam stood at 137.4 feet. In view of the advice by Tamil Nadu authorities, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has also decided to release more water from Cheruthoni dam, which is part of the Idukki reservoir, it said. People living close to Periyar river banks in Ernakulam, Idukki, and Thrissur have been asked to comply with the directions issued by the Collectors of these districts and move to relief camps, the ...
Mahadayi Bachao Abhiyaan calls tribunal ruling unfortunate
While the Goa government welcomed the verdict by the Mahadayi River Water Dispute Tribunal today, Mahadayi Bachao Abhiyaan (MBA) said it was not in the state's favour. Ending a protracted dispute, the tribunal today ordered that Karnataka will get 13.4 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water from the river, while Goa and Maharashtra will be allowed to use 24 TMC and 1.33 TMC, respectively. Nirmala Sawant, president of MBA, an outfit which has opposed diversion of the river water by neighbouring states from the beginnning, said the verdict was "unfortunate". "The government of Karnataka should not have been allowed to divert water from the basin to Malaprabha," she said. Sawant added that the 1.5 TMC of water which has been allotted for consumption within the basin is not sufficient for farmers living along the river, while a major share will be diverted to the Malaprabha river. Goa's share of 24 TMC water will not suffice for navigational purposes, she said, adding ...
