Page 548 - Environment
Explainer: Indonesia bets big on biodiesel to limit costs of oil imports
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia plans to require all diesel fuel used in the country contain biodiesel starting next month to boost palm oil consumption, slash fuel imports, and narrow a yawning current account gap.
Gadkari urges Niti Aayog to form policy on material recycling
Union Minister for Road and Transport Nitin Gadkari has urged the Niti Aayog to come up with a policy on material recycling.Addressing the International Conference on "Sustainable Growth Through Material Recycling: Policy Prescriptions" in the national capital, Gadkari on Monday said that converting waste into wealth will bring more than Rs 5 lakh crore in the country."Waste management has huge economic potential in our country and waste to wealth is the need of the hour," he added.The minister further said that recycling will increase growth, create wealth, and generate employment.Speaking at the same conference, Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said that they aim to see double-digit, sustainable growth of the economy.He further said that the government endorses the importance of recycling and firmly believes that it will benefit all major sectors of the Indian economy.
UN backs plan to unblock humanitarian aid to North Korea
The UN Security Council today approved US-drafted measures aimed at ensuring that tough sanctions on North Korea do not impede deliveries of humanitarian aid to the isolated country. Nearly half of North Korea's population - 10 million people - are undernourished, according to UN officials, who have reported a drop in food production last year. UN resolutions specify that sanctions should not affect humanitarian aid, but relief organisations argue that strict trade and banking measures are creating bureaucratic obstacles and slowing down the flow of vital supplies. The United States last month proposed new guidelines to allow aid groups and UN agencies to quickly obtain exemptions from the council committee that oversees implementation of sanctions. After weeks of negotiations, the proposal was approved today. Dutch Deputy UN Ambassador Lise Gregoire-van Haaren, whose country chairs the sanctions committee, said the guidelines will hopefully "provide clarity on delivering humanitarian
Genetics technology could lead to more crops, fresher food
A multinational agricultural company based in Idaho has acquired gene editing licensing rights that could one day be used to help farmers produce more crops and make grocery store offerings such as strawberries, potatoes and avocados stay fresher longer. J R Simplot Company today announced the agreement with DowDuPont Inc. and the Broad Institute of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, developers of the nascent gene editing technology. Simplot is the first agricultural company to receive such a license. "We think this is a transformative technology it's very powerful," said Issi Rozen, chief business officer of the Broad Institute. "We're delighted that Simplot is the first one to take advantage of the licensing." There is no evidence that genetically modified organisms, known as GMOs, are unsafe to eat, but changing the genetic code of foods presents an ethical issue for some. For example McDonald's had declined to use Simplot's genetically engineered ..
Indian Mission in Nepal monitoring situation in Simikot
The Indian Mission in Nepal is monitoring the situation in Simikot in Northern Nepal, where about 200 Indian Pilgrims are stranded for over a month.Speaking to ANI, the spokesperson for the Indian Embassy in Nepal, Roshan Lepcha, said that no flights are being operated due to bad weather conditions."The Embassy's representatives in Simikot, Hilsa and Nepalgunj are continuously monitoring the situation," he added.About 200 Indian pilgrims are stranded in Simikot as commercial flights to and fro Simikot-Nepalgunj are out of operation due to unfavourable condition. The Indian Embassy has acknowledged that it has taken note of the development and is in contact with the stranded pilgrims.The Indian Mission in Nepal on Monday tweeted, "Embassy is aware that about 200 pilgrims stuck in Simikot due to bad weather & are in continual touch with them and their family members. The situation is under control and all stranded pilgrims would be evacuated as soon as the weather clears up."The ...
Farmers demand 6-month power billing cycle for them
A peasants' body here today sought the introduction of a six-month electricity billing cycle for the farmers instead of the present monthly one, saying they were unable to meet the burden every month. The 'Khet Bachao, Kisan Bachao yatra' convenor Nagendra Singh raised the demand during a farmers' meeting here in the district and threatened that the farmers would stop paying the bill if the six-month billing cycle was not introduced for them by August 20. We demand from the government to prepare bills for farmers every six month instead of every month for their convenience. They are not able to deposit the bills every month," he said. The government should take a positive decision on the issue, or else a 'bijli band' agitation would be launched and no farmer would deposit the electricity bill, he said. He said under the yatra, several meetings of farmers were held in nearly 150 villages in Jaipur district in which their issues were discussed.
Guj Cong MLA threatens 'jal samadhi' over Bhadar river
A Congress MLA today threatened to take "jal samadhi" in Bhadar River in Gujarat's Rajkot district claiming that textile dyeing units were polluting it with untreated effluents. MLA Lalit Vasoya, who represents Dhoraji-Upleta seat in Rajkot, met Gujarat Governor O P Kohli and Chief Minister Vijay Rupani at Gandhinagar today to draw their attention to the issue. In his memorandum submitted to them, Vasoya said that untreated toxic waste from textile dyeing units in Jetpur town was being released into Bhadar river which in turn was also polluting the Bhadar-2 Dam. "The Bhadar-2 dam supplies drinking water to Dhoraji. Neither the Rajkot collector nor the officials of Gujarat Pollution Control Board have taken cognisance of this issue despite repeated reminders. If no action is taken now, I will take jal samadhi in the river on August 11," Vasoya claimed. He told PTI that Chief Minister Rupani had assured him, during the meeting today, that officials would look into the ...
MP Urja Vikas Nigam extends deadline for rooftop solar bids after safeguard duty
Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd today said it has extended the deadline for submission of bids for 33 MWp rooftop solar projects to August 17, 2018, against the backdrop of imposition of safeguard duty on solar equipment in July this year. The state government-run corporation has invited bids for rooftop solar projects with 33 MW capacity under the Renewable Energy Services Company (RESCO) mode. Owing to receiving several requests from aspiring participants, the corporation has extended the date from August 9 to August 17, 2018, a statement said. The revised date is due to the recent imposition of Safeguard Duty, the statement clarified, adding that the time will also be utilised to study data of 577 sites available in the data room and to fill 27 different tenders. The corporation in June had said over 60 prospective bidders from across the country had attended the pre-bid meeting. This pre-bid meeting in New Delhi was organized with support from the World Bank, it said. The ...
Griffon vulture rescued from drowning in Yamuna
A Himalayan Griffon vulture was rescued by villagers from drowning into the Yamuna river in Agra today, a wildlife NGO said today. The young raptor trying desperately to stay afloat was seen by villagers near the Bainpur range in Sikandra, said Baiju Raj M V, director conservation projects, Wildlife SOS. After receiving the information, the Forest Department and Wildlife SOS, a wildlife conservation NGO, rushed to the spot. The vulture was undergoing treatment at the Wildlife SOS rescue facility, Baiju said. The Himalayan Griffon vulture is found along the Himalayas and the adjoining Tibetan Plateau, he stated. According to Baiju, the species is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and listed as near threatened in the IUCN Red Data list. Ilayaraja, Wildlife SOS Deputy Director, Veterinary Services, said, "The bird is under mandated medical observation". Once the bird fully recovers its strength, it would be released back into the wilderness for conducive natural ...
Agri lands surrounding protected areas support guilds of wintering bird community: Study
Trees on agricultural lands surrounding a protected forest support multiple guilds of a wintering bird community, a new study has found. The study builds on the premise that while efforts to protect biodiversity in tropical forests have largely relied on establishment of protected areas (PAs), there are limits to how much such areas can expand, a Wildlife Conservation Society India statement said. Thus there is need to also evaluate agricultural land usage for their potential to supplement biodiversity conservation. The results provide insights into the role of mixed agriculturalforest landscapes in the conservation of different facets of biodiversity. The paper, titled "In a tree by the brook, there's a songbird who sings: Woodlands in an agricultural matrix maintain functionality of a wintering bird community", explores the potential of an agricultural landscape in Meghalaya to support a wintering bird community. The study was conducted by Biang La Nam Syiem of WCS India, National .
Orient Cement to expand production capacity
Orient Cement of the CK Birla Group today signed a pact with the Telangana government forexpanding the existing capacity of its plant at an investment of Rs 2,000 crore, said State Minister of IT and Industries K T Ramarao. "I am delighted that Orient Cement is almost doubling their capacity. Cement plantexpansionwill create another few thousands of jobs," the Minister told reporters here. A senior government official said the existing capacity of the cement plant in Devpur was five million tonnes and it would go upto eight million tonnes after the expansion programme. Orient Cement has got the first stage clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for the expansion and final clearance was awaited, an official press release said. The plant was likely to provide direct employment to 4,000 people, apart from generating indirect employment, the release further said.
Australian Parliamentary delegation meets C. Vidyasagar Rao
An Australian Parliamentary delegation met the Governor of Maharashtra C. Vidyasagar Rao on Monday at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai.The delegation was led by Chairman Stuart Robert (Member of the Australian House of Representatives) and comprised Michael Danby, (Member of the Australian House of Representatives), Nola Marino (Member of the Australian House of Representatives)and Tony Huber (Consul General of Australia) in Mumbai were among those present.During the meeting, discussions were held regarding air connectivity between Mumbai and major Australian cities, which, Rao said, would benefit horticulture and tourism sectors in the State. He also sought the cooperation of Australia in establishing a Sports University in Maharashtra.Later, Stuart Robert said Australia has identified 10 key sectors for partnership, including education, agribusiness, tourism, energy, financial services and sports.
Elderly woman, boy among 3 killed by elephants in Chhattisgarh
An elderly woman and a minor boy were among three people trampled to death by wild elephants in two districts of Chhattisgarh, police said today. While the woman, Itwari Bai (60), and the boy, Rohit Kumar (6), were killed by jumbos in Korba district, a man, identified as Laksmi Prasad (37), died in an attack by elephants in Surguja district, they said. Both incidents took place yesterday. In Korba, few families belonging to the Pahadi Korva tribe were shifted from their homes in Futhamuda village to the local anganwadi centre after reports that an elephant has been sighted in the area, Balaco Forest Range (Korba forest division) officer Farukh Siddhiqui said. Last night, two elephants broke the window of the anganwadi building and dragged Itwari and Kumar out with their trunks while they were sleeping and trampled them to death, he said. In the second incident, which took place in the Udaipaur forest range of Surguja district, one Lakshmi Prasad, resident of Lakhanpur ...
Desilt 527 tanks that come under Yettinahole project: CM
Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today directed officials to take up desilting of 527 tanks in five districts that come under the purview of the Yettinahole Project, to increase its storagecapacity. He gave these directions to officials at a meeting convened to discuss the progress ofthe Yettinahole drinking water project,the Chief Minister'soffice said in a statement. Stating that three land acquisition officers' postshave been sanctioned for the project, Kumaraswamyinstructed that they be appointed immediately. He also directed the officers to work out themodalities of acquiring 5,000 acres of land in 21 villages andfor distributing compensation. The Yettinahole Project has been envisaged to draw excess water being drained by west flowing rivers intothe Arabian Sea. Noting that the excess water of Yettinahole river andits five tributaries would be lifted and then channelised through the gravitational pull and pumping method, officials said the districts of ...
Over 100 acres land allocated for energy storage: Andhra CM
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said around 100-150 acres of land has been allocated to develop energy storage facilities in the state.The announcement came at the inauguration of the world's first-ever high energy storage device developed by Bharat Energy storage technology (BEST) earlier in the day.Speaking on the occasion, Naidu said that as part of the second phase of the power sector reforms, priority was being given for alternative energy sources and storage facilities."There is a huge potential for solar energy and no other country can beat India in solar energy. A 1000 MW solar energy plant has been set up in Kurnool district. In addition, solar pump sets were distributed to farmers in Vizianagaram district," he added.Furthermore, the Chief Minister said Amaravati city would be developed as a green city with 50 per cent green cover and renewable energy, keeping in mind the demand for energy storage in agriculture, industries, transport, telecom and disaster ...
Rare Himalayan vulture rescued from drowning in Yamuna
Thanks to watchful villagers in Sikandra area of Agra, a rare juvenile Himalayan Griffon vulture was rescued from drowning in the Yamuna on Monday.
Paper Industry aims to rectify misconceptions about paper usage
Paper industry celebrated Paper Day on August 1 by launching an awareness campaign on environment friendliness of paper as against several alternate materials. The campaign titled "Paper is Green" endeavoured to correct several myths regarding the usage of paper.According to Indian Paper Manufacturers Association (IPMA), paper is perhaps the only material that is biodegradable, renewable, recyclable and sustainable. Increased use of paper and paperboard in education, packaging and sanitation is also much more environment-friendly, and needs to be promoted vigorously. Celebration of Paper Day offered an opportunity to spread the increased relevance of use of paper in present times.During the campaign on Paper Day, paper industry ambassadors reached out to people at market places, parking lots, malls, metro stations and other public places and apprised them about sustainability of paper. Booklets on myths and realities regarding paper were distributed."A myth is being created by certain
Sanitary conditions have improved, claims govt quoting report
The government today quoted a UN report to say that the sanitary conditions had improved in the country, saving the lives of lakhs of children. During the Question Hour in Rajya Sabha, members had asked about the use of soak pits in toilets. One of the members even asked about the poor sanitary conditions finding mention in a UNDP report. Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said a recent report by the UNDP had indicated improvement in the situation. He said the cleanliness levels had shown improvement from 38 per cent to 89 per cent which had led to the saving of lives of as many as three lakh children. Some of the members also suggested a hike in the funds provided for construction of toilets. To this, the minister said the Rs 12,000 provided for toilets was to encourage their construction. He said due to these efforts 421 districts, over 4 lakh villages and 19 states had declared themselves to be open defecation free (ODF). To another query, Minister of ...
L&T Construction bags orders worth Rs 1,296 cr
Industrial conglomerate Larsen and Toubro (L&T) on Monday said its construction arm has bagged contracts worth Rs 1,296 crore for metallurgical and material handling along with water and effluent treatment.
Segregate waste at household level, penalise offenders: SC
Suggesting segregation of solid waste at the household level, the Supreme court on Monday said there should be a penal provision for dealing with those refusing to do so.
