Page 543 - Environment
AP CM sanctions Rs 2,564 cr for development of tribal pockets
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidutoday announced sanctionof Rs 2,564 crore for development of tribal pockets in the state Naidu also announced a new pensionscheme under which tribal folk above the age of 50 will be given pension. Tribal areas were blessed with rich natural resources and clean environment, he said and urged the tribal people to utilise locally available resources to multiply their income. "We would develop Araku and Paderu as healthtourism centres and horticulture hub in the coming days, he said, taking part in theInternational Day of the World's Indigenous People (Adivasi Day) celebrations at Paderu in Vizag Agency. Naidu described Adivasis as "gems of the soil" as they had proved that they were second to none. Earlier, Naidu participated in the 'Grama Darshini' programme at Adarimetta near here and interacted with local people. "My objective is to improvethe mobile phone connectivity and improve the livelihood of the tribal people in the .
12,849 trees cut in Delhi since 2015
In three years, a total of 12,849 trees have been cut in the national capital for various government projects, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday.
1 killed, another missing as intermittent rains continue in U'khand
One person was killed and another went missing in separate incidents in Uttarakhand over the past 24 hours as intermittent showers continued to lash various parts of the state today. An elderly man was killed in Pithoragarh district as he fell into a waterfall after being hit by a boulder rolling down a hillside. The incident took place last evening when Mohan Singh (68) was going to Tomik from Jhapuli, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) here said. In a similar incident in Dharchula area of Pithoragarh district, a porter was swept away by the strong currents of Kali river when he fell into it after being hit by the rubble of a landslip, the SEOC said. The mishap occurred last evening when the porter was going to Nazang from Mangti, it said. A search is being carried out by NDRF, SDRF and police personnel to trace the porter, identified as Dipak Kumar, who is a resident of Galati in Dharchula area, the SEOC said. Meanwhile, the body of one of the two tourists from Kanpur, who .
Higher CO2 levels in cockpit affect pilot's performance
Increased levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the cockpit can directly impair a pilot's ability to perform advanced manoeuvres and manage emergency situations, finds a study.
Cabinet approves MoU with Indonesia for technological cooperation
The Union Cabinet at a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday gave its approval for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Indonesia on scientific and technological cooperation.
India offers welfare schemes 3.5 million tonnes of pulses at subsidised prices
MUMBAI (Reuters) - India will provide 3.5 million tonnes of pulses to welfare schemes at subsidised prices as the world's biggest producer tries to dispose of surplus output.
Biobatteries efficient to combat power wastage
US scientists have developed easy to produce, low-cost, flexible and biodegradable paper-based batteries that are more efficient to combat power wastage, as well as provide an eco-friendly alternative.
Four-foot long monitor lizard rescued
A nearly four-foot long monitor lizard was rescued from the National Technical Research Organisation campus in Delhi, a wildlife conservation NGO said here today. The reptile is currently undergoing treatment for the eye injury, said Wasim Akram, Manager of Wildlife SOS Special Projects. Yesterday, at around 11 pm, a resident alerted the NGO about a distress lizard outside the NTRO staff quarters. She told them the reptile was not able to open its eyes and required help. The NGO said it immediately rushed two trained rescuers to the spot. Monitor lizards are mostly non-offensive but can bite or even use their strong claws in retaliation if threatened or provoked. So, the team had to be cautious while carrying out the rescue operation as they wanted to avoid startling it, said an NGO official. As a result of continuous deforestation and expansion of human habitation these largely misunderstood reptiles are often forced to wander out of their natural habitats in search of food and ...
Rice prices in India hold steady; low rainfall may hurt output
BENGALURU (Reuters) - Rice prices in India held steady this week as concerns over lower production due to below-normal rainfall offset sluggish demand in the world's top rice exporter.
Odisha to pay people returning OMFED packets, plastic bottles
The Odisha government today said it wouuld reward people who returned OMFED plastic containers and empty packets after use from Octiober this year. The government would issue a public notice by the end of August in this regard, it said. The government has been following a directive issued by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to ban use of plastic and polythene containers in the state from October 2. "People will be paid on returning the OMFED (Orissa State Cooperative Milk Producers Federationn) packets and plastic bottles," Forest & Environment Additional Chief Secretary S C Mohapatra told reporters after Chief Secretary A P Padhi discussed the matter at a high-level meeting here today. The meeting also discussed the rules to be framed for plastic ban in Odisha. The plastic packets and bottles will be collected through agents, it said. The state government will give 15 days time to the people for their opinion in this regard while a law to this effect would be enacted .
SC orders closure of 11 resorts in TN elephant corridor
The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Tamil Nadu government to seal or close down within 48 hours the 11 resorts and hotels constructed on an elephant corridor in the Nilgiris in violation of law.
Olympic Committee 'regrets' North Korea sports goods ban
The International Olympic Committee expressed regret today after the United Nations refused to lift a ban on sports goods exports to North Korea. The UN's sanctions committee yesterday approved measures allowing aid groups and UN bodies to gain exemption status from sanctions adopted to end North Korea's nuclear programme. Sporting goods were excluded, however. "The IOC has noted with regret that the United Nations Security Council Sanctions Committee has not granted an exemption on sporting goods for North Korean athletes," the IOC said in a statement. "This makes it more difficult for the IOC to accomplish its mission to bring athletes from all over the world together to promote understanding and friendship regardless of political background or any other differences." The IOC was active in paving the way for isolated North Korea to take part in this year's Winter Olympics, staged in Pyeongchang, South Korea, triggering a thaw in inter-Korean ties.
Japan's crippled Fukushima plant stops selling souvenirs
The operator of Japan's crippled Fukushima nuclear reactors said today it had stopped selling a souvenir at the plant after facing a storm of online criticism saying it was inconsiderate. Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) said it had pulled the plastic folders decorated with six photos of the battered nuclear plant from the shelves of an on-site store. The company started selling the files -- three for 300 yen (USD 2.70) -- from August 1 after receiving a number of requests from workers and visitors wanting a souvenir of their visit. Previously, visitors would take receipts from the store as a souvenir to show family and friends. But the firm suspended sales of the folders yesterday as critics said it was inappropriate to sell a souvenir at the site of the worst nuclear accident in a generation. "I don't understand these guys. This is beyond stupidity," said one Twitter user. "Both sellers and buyers are rotten," said another. A TEPCO spokesman said: "It is true that we received criticism,
NGT forms committee on natural conservation zones
The National Green Tribunal has formed a committee to look into the question whether sub regional plans for protection of Natural Conservation Zones (NCZs) were consistent with the regional plan prepared by the National Capital Region Planning Board. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said the Ministry of Environment and Forests will be the nodal agency of the committee and asked the panel to hold its meeting within one month. The committee will comprise the secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests, secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, chairman, Central Pollution Control Board, National Remote Sensing Centre, Indian Space Research Organisation and secretaries of Urban Development Departments of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi. "Since it is stated on behalf of Haryana that its report will be submitted within one month and the said report may be taken into account. Similar reports may also be furnished by the other states. The ...
NGT grants Vedanta conditional access to its copper smelter
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday granted Vedanta Ltd conditional access to its copper smelter in Tamil Nadu, which was shut down by the state government two months ago on environmental grounds.
JK govt permits engaging private firm for electric meters installation and billing
The Jammu and Kashmir government has accorded sanction for engaging a private company for installation of electricity meters and billing to consumers in the state. "In a significant decision aimed at reducing AT&C losses in the power sector and improving metering, the State Administrative Council (SAC) has accorded sanction to the engagement of the Rural Electricity Corporation Power Distribution Company Limited (RECPDCL) as PIA on nomination basis," an official spokesman said. The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the SAC chaired by Governor N N Vohra here yesterday. As part of the agreement, the company will procure and install 9.25 lakh electronic meters in the rural and urban areas of the state, sanctioned under various schemes at an estimated cost of Rs 282.15 crore. It will also procure and install 2,00,000 smart meters in towns and urban areas of the state at an estimated cost of Rs 126.54 crore. It will undertake operation and maintenance services for the ..
Right knowledge of MGNREGA can bring radical change: UP CM
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said a radical change could happen in the agriculture sector by enhancing farmers' knowledge on the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Gurantee Act (MGNREGA)."We want to combine MGNREGA with farming in such a way that farmers' production increases and they get better return in the market yet their cost of production goes down. There is lack of awareness about MGNREGA in villages. Making the farmers aware about scheme can bring about a radical change in the lives of the poor, farmers and the labourers," Adityanath said while inaugurating a MGNREGA Convergence Workshop here."In 2016-17, only 60-63,000 houses were built under the Pradhanmantri Awas Yojana. After our government came in March 2017, accommodation was provided to 8.85 lakh poor in rural areas," he added.Yogi Adityanath along with the chief ministers of Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, West Bengal and Sikkim are part of a Sub-Group formed by Prime .
Kerala rains: 20 dead, Idukki dam opened after 26 years
At least 20 people died in rain related incidents in Kerala on Thursday.The incessant rains caused rivers in the region to swell, urging the authorities to open the shutters of as many as 22 dams.The inundation has been so severe that the administration was compelled to open the sluice gates of Cheruthoni dam on Idukki reservoir, a first in 26 years.The heavy downpour, caused by annual south-west monsoon, has also hampered several flight operations in the Cochin city."Water is flowing into the operational area of Cochin International Airport (CIAL). The airport may close with short notice, no long-term parking in CIAL and no diversion from other airports will be permitted till further notification," read the statement released by the Airport Director of CIAL.The deluge has ravaged several districts of the state, with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) working in a fire-fighting mode.Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed , "We have sought help from the Army, Navy, Coast
Surya Roshni bags orders worth Rs 115.56 crore
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NITI Aayog and CII Partner on Sustainable Development Goals
The Minister said that in sustainable development three things matter the most: energy, water and circular economy/green industry. To action his 2022 agenda, he mentioned the following: Make quality power available to each household in the country, his ministry is committed to bring down the prices from Rs 8 per unit to about Rs 3.50 per unit. With respect to Discoms, 'we want to pass a law, if any Discom is involved in any loadshedding without any actual breakdowns happening', the law will make it an offence and those Discoms will be penalised'. He said 'we are trying to bring this law come into effect by 1 April 2019'. He mentioned that 'we are coming out with a campaign to keep AC temperatures between 24 and 26 degrees to ensure conservation of energy. Every degree by which you raise the temperature, 6% power is saved.' Subsidies should be given with direct bank benefit transfer to enable the consumer become more responsible.
