Page 537 - Environment

Hippo kills Chinese tourist in Kenya

A hippopotamus attacked and killed a Chinese tourist in Kenya over the weekend, according to wildlife authorities.

China designs spacecraft to extend lifespan of satellites

Chinese scientists are designing a new type of spacecraft that can move a de-orbiting satellite back into its intended orbit, thus extending its period of service, media reports said on Monday.

ISRO to celebrate centenary of space pioneer Vikram Sarabhai

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Sunday announced that they would have a year-long centenary programme to honour its legendary founding father and space pioneer, Vikram Sarabhai."We have planned a year-long centenary of the visionary architect of the space programme and our first chairman, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, during 2019-20. A number of space-related activities will be organised nationally and internationally to commemorate the great international scientist," ISRO chairman K.Sivan said in a press conference here.However, the tribute to Sarabhai will start by naming the first Indian moon landing spacecraft of Chandrayaan-2 mission 'Vikram' and it is slated to take place in January 2019.Sivan also revealed that the ISRO is aiming to launch 22 missions next year, while it has also set a target to launch 50 satellites in next three years."We are targeting to launch 22 missions next year. 50 satellites will be launched in next three years. As of now, the launch date of ...

Aamir rules out political foray, says duty-bound for nation

Bollywood actor Aamir Khan today dismissed the possibility of joining politics. He said people like him who are working in the creative fields have a major responsibility towards nation building and making the "social fabric" strong. Khan was addressing a press conference after attending an event organised by his 'Paani Foundation' to declare the 'Watercup' awards. Political leaders cutting across the party lines attended the award distribution ceremony held in Pune in Maharashtra. Paani Foundation is a not-for-profit company set up in 2016 by the team of the TV series Satyamev Jayate to fight drought in rural Maharashtra. It was founded by Aamir Khan and his wife Kiran Rao. Paani Foundation conducts a competition called the 'Satyamev Jayate Water Cup', in which villages compete to win prizes for the best watershed management work. Responding to a query on whether he would enter politics if he is offered a Rajya Sabha berth for his social work, the "Dangal" star replied, "We are

National Wildlife Genetic Resource Bank dedicated to nation

: Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan today dedicated to the nation, the National Wildlife Genetic Resource Bank in the city. "So far, genetic resources from 23 species of Indian wild animals have been collected and preserved. This facility would increase the collection of genetic resources from wildlife through collaboration with zoos in India", an official release quoted him as having said. This facility would also facilitate exchange of genetic material between Indian zoos for maintaining genetic diversity and conservation management made accessible to scientists and wildlife managers for implementing conservation programmes, it said. The Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES) is a dedicated laboratory of the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad and the only institute in the country working towards conservation of endangered wildlife using modern biotechnologies to save endangered wildlife species ..

Arianespace to launch 3 more heavy Indian satellites

Global commercial launch provider Arianespace would launch three more heavy Indian satellites from its rocket port at Kourou in French Guiana over the next 9 months, a top space official said on Sunday.

ISRO preparing on demand SSLV rockets

With an eye on cutting costs and having on demand launch,ISRO today said it was preparing Small Satellite Launch Vehicle rockets to launch payloads in three days with the help of just three to six people. "The interesting aspect of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is that it can be readied on demand with a minimum launch infrastructure," ISRO chairman K Sivan said. He said it takes about 300 to 400 people between 45 to 60 days to prepare major satellite vehicles. But the SSLV would require only 72 hours and three to six people. "We need to integrate the vehicle and launch it. It is innovative and provides an opportunity for commercial launches for other countries. Autonomy is more in this vehicle. Already the vehicle is in the design phase... there is an opportunity for commercial launch," he said. Sivan revealed ISRO's commercial plans during an interaction with reporters on the sidelines of a function to mark the 127th birth anniversary of Dr Vikram Sarabhai, ...

Man trampled to death by elephant in Chhattisgarh's Korba

A 55-year-old man was killed by an elephant in Chhattisgarh's Korba district with officials claiming that the toll in such attacks had now risen to eight in the last two months. Gulab Singh, a resident of Balco area, was trampled to death in a forest near Bundeli village in Rajmagar police station limits last night and his body was recovered in the morning today, an official said. He added that the kin of the deceased had been given Rs 25,000 as compensation and another amount of Rs 3.75 lakh would be released after official formalities were completed. Officials in the area said that eight people had lost their lives in elephant attacks in Korba in the last two months. At least 20 houses and crops standing on an area of 100 hectares had been damaged in such attacks during this period, they added.

Man-animal conflict existential crisis for humans: Prabhu

Union Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu on Sunday said the man-animal conflict was an "existential crisis for humans" rather than animals.

Man-eater tiger kills another victim in Yavatmal

A man from Yavatmal district became the 14th victim of a tiger in the Pandharkawda-Ralegaon forest belt, a Forest official said today. The incident occurred yesterday when Wagoji Raut had gone to his farm in Virgaon village in Yavatmal district, he said. The tiger has created panic among villagers in the forest belt since the last 18 months, despite efforts of the Forest department to trap the man-eater big cat.

Parker Solar Probe launched on seven-year odyssey: NASA

NASA on Sunday said it had launched Parker Solar Probe, the US space agency's historic small car-sized probe, on its seven-year space odyssey that will take it gradually closer to the Sun at 3.8 million miles.

Insight: Israel seeks early re-tender of mining rights to shore up Dead Sea

EIN BOKEK, Israel (Reuters) - The Dead Sea is shrinking at the rate of about a meter a year, leaving behind deserted beaches and sinkholes in a slow-motion environmental disaster.

Innovation award for HP NGO for solar water heating system

Community-based NGO Himalayan Research Group has won the Himachal Pradesh State Innovation Award for 2016-17 for developing a cost-effective mountain solar water heating system.

Situation in flood-affected Kerala 'very serious': Rajnath

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today made an aerial survey of two rain-ravaged districts of Kerala and said the situation in the state was "very serious". He assured the state government of all help from the Centre to meet the challenges posed by the unprecedented floods. The minister was speaking to reporters at the airport here after conducting the aerial survey of Idukki and Ernakulam districts.

Alaska seafood industry braces for China tariff pain

SEWARD, Alaska (Reuters) - Alaska fishermen are used to coping with fickle weather and wild ocean waves. Now they face a new challenge: the United States' trade war with China, which buys $1 billion in Alaskan fish annually, making it the state's top seafood export market.

Vertical Gardens: Noida's big plan to cut down pollution, enhance aesthetics

Taking a cue from China and Italy's vertical forests, Noida has started setting up vertical gardens in a major step to help curb pollution and enhance aesthetics of the city. A vertical garden grows upward (vertically) using a trellis or other support system, rather than on the ground (horizontally). The technique, famous around the world, has also found favour in Indian cities such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and Kochi. Here, these gardens would come up on pillars under the metro rail corridors, elevated roads, flyovers and drains, among other places in the city, Noida Authority officials said. The authority has already come up with vertical gardens at its office in Sector 6, besides one under the Sector 15 flyover the entry point of the city if one comes from Delhi by road. "There are six metro pillars in Sector 15 and we are targeting to complete the work on them by August 15. There are six pillars each in Sector 16 and 18. They are in the process of tenders and we will ...

Dia Mirza launches 'wild anthem'

Actress-producer Dia Mirza, also an activist for clean and green environment, on Sunday unveiled a 'wild anthem' titled "Mere desh ki zameen".

Focus on conservation efforts to avoid man-animal conflict: Prabhu

Man-animal conflict is an existential crisis not for animals, but for human beings, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu said today, and stressed the need to address the root cause behind it. Outlining a few ways how the conflict can be avoided, he said protection of wilderness and forests is necessary to protect any wildlife species. He asserted that there is a need to explain "this existential crisis" to the human population. Prabhu said the human population must urgently focus on optimising conservation efforts. Addressing a gathering to celebrate the World Elephant Day today at the Indira Gandhi Centre for National Arts in New Delhi, the Union minister acknowledged the sacrifice of S Manikandan and his family. Senior IFS officer Manikandan died in March after he was attacked by a wild tusker in Nagarahole Tiger Reserve. Prabhu conferred the "Best Elephant Warrior Award" to Manikandan. The objective behind celebrating the World Elephant Day is to focus attention of ...

India to soon launch space science channel: ISRO

India will soon launch a dedicated space and science television channel to make their benefits reach people across the country, a top official said on Sunday.

Weather alarms highlight need to accelerate low-carbon economY

With India too witnessing a change in its weather patterns, researchers believe climate change may not only challenge the country's conventional development pathways but also pose a serious threat to its economy.