Page 56 - Environment
Social interactions can help slow climate change: Study
Simply talking to your friends about adopting a more planet-friendly diet or avoiding the use of fossil fuels may help fight climate change, scientists say. Researchers from the University of Guelph and University of Waterloo in Canada have developed a new mathematical model that accounts for social processes such as social learning in climate predictions. The study, published in PLoS Computational Biology, shows that including social processes can alter climate change predictions. The findings may help stem or reduce global warming. "Human behaviour affects natural systems including climate, and that climate systems in turn affect behaviour," said Madhur Anand, from University of Guelph. "But social processes are often neglected in climate models," she said. The researchers believe the key to slowing down global warming lies in coupling climate change models with social learning, or understanding how learning from others affects our opinions or actions. For the study, the researchers
Carcass of female elephant found in Odisha
Carcass of a female elephant was found in Pungichua forest in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district, officials said Monday. The highly decomposed carcass of the pachyderm, aged around 11 years, was spotted on Sunday by locals who informed the forest officials, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Baripada, Swayam Mallick said. The DFO along with other officials and a veterinary surgeon visited the site to ascertain the cause of the death. An autopsy was conducted and the carcass was buried under the supervision of the officials, the DFO said adding that the exact cause of the death of the animal will be known after the autopsy report is received.
Locust swarm decimates crops in Sardinia
Millions of locusts have devastated at least 2,000 hectares of crops in Sardinia, Italian farmers union Coldiretti said Monday, with experts calling the invasion the worst in six decades. The most affected areas are Nuoro, Ottana and Orani in the middle of the Mediterranean island, with many areas blanketed by the insects, Coldiretti said in a statement. The locust invasion is the worst in the area in 60 years, local entomologist Ignazio Floris told La Stampa daily. The insect explosion is linked to a sharp rise in temperatures after a relatively cold May, with many of the young insects emerging from uncultivated land. Cultivating land for crops discourages the insects laying their eggs in the autumn and prevents them reaching maturity in the summer warmth. "The locusts emerge on uncultivated land but then they go to cultivated land to eat," said Coldiretti, adding that there is no current solution to the invasion.
Similipal Tiger Reserve to remain closed from June 16
The Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district will remain closed to tourists from June 16 in view of the monsoons, officials said Monday. The date of reopening of the STR and sanctuary will be notified later after the monsoon ends, a press release issued by STR authorities said. The closure of the tiger reserve from mid June to October end every year is a routine affair as road communication gets disrupted due to rains. The STR attracts thousands of domestic as well as international tourists with its varied flora and fauna along with breathtaking waterfalls and vast species of wildlife. STR is globally acclaimed for being home to the Melanistic Royal Bengal Tiger, sources said.
Toxic metals threatening endangered species of eels: Study
The endangered species of European eels is under threat from toxic metals that are polluting the rivers and lakes where they live, a study has found. According to the researchers from University of Saskatchewan (USask) in Canada, eels eat up their own skeleton in their journey to the sprawling grounds where they lay eggs. During this process they divert their energy to the reproductive system. However, the unique process is also concentrating toxic metals in eels' ovaries, researchers said. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), found metals -- such as mercury, copper and other toxic industrial by-products -- in European eels that were about to lay eggs. "Few people realise just how precarious the European eel population is," said Markus Brinkmann, a researcher at USask. There has been a dramatic reduction in the numbers of young eels returning to Europe's rivers, lakes and coastal areas in the past 40 years, to the point that they are now
RPP Infra wins Rs 47 cr contract from BHEL
RPP Infra Projects Monday said it has won a Rs 47.2 crore contract from Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) for structural works of their coal handling plant at Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu. The project is likely to be completed in two years. "RPP Infra Projects is pleased to announce a new order win worth Rs 472 million (Rs 47.2 crore) for BHEL for structural works of their Coal Handling Plant & Ash Handling Plant," the company said in a BSE filing. The project is based in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu and is expected to be completed within 24 months, it said. RPP Infra's order book at the end of the last fiscal stood at Rs 1,944 crore, it said. "The company aims to secure an order inflow of Rs 12,000 million (Rs 1,200 crore) in fiscal 2019-20 and is already at L1 (lowest bidder) status for projects worth Rs 4,802 million (Rs 480 crore)," the filing said.
Despite availability of water, farmers of this village in Udhampur is losing produce
Despite having water in abundance, farmers in the mountainous region of Udhampur are not able to irrigate their produce.The reason behind this irony is the lack of infrastructure. The residents of the region need a canal to divert water directly towards the fields.Over 500 farmers of Nallah Ghoran villagezhere have claimed that their area was worst hit. Local farmers have alleged that they have approached the Irrigation Department several times but they turned a deaf ear towards their woes.Madan Lal, a farmer told ANI, "We have water but there is no canal. If the canal is constructed, then we can irrigate our lands. Whenever we go to the concerned department, they did not listen to our complaint and ask us to come again."Echoing similar sentiments, Sarpanch of Nallah Ghoran Panchayat, Chander Kant said, "Our farmers are suffering because we do not have canals. They will be economically empowered if they have canals to irrigate their lands. We went to the irrigation department several
Nipah scare: Goa minister allays fears over travel to Kerala
Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Monday allayed people's fears about travelling to Kerala in the wake of Nipah virus scare there, saying he himself would be visiting the southern state in next few days. Rane chaired a meeting of the health department officials here to review their preparedness against the virus. "Don't worry, I am going to Kerala in next two to three days. I am not worried about my Kerala visit. The Kerala government has succeeded in restricting the virus to two-three areas only," Rane told reporters after the meeting. "Kerala and Goa are connected through trains and a lot of tourists come from there, so we want to take precautions," he said. The minister said the central government has given a clear-cut protocol to control the spread of Nipah virus and it is being followed by the governments of Kerala and Goa. Rane said an isolation room has been set up at the state-run Goa Medical College and Hospital for any viral infection case detected in the ...
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No need for panic in Goa: Health Minister on Nipah
After reviewing the health scenario in Goa in view of the Nipah outbreak in Kerala, state Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Monday said there is no need for people in Goa to panic.
Depression over southeast and east central Arabian Sea to intensify further
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday said that a depression has formed over the southeast and adjoining Lakshadweep and east-central Arabian Sea which will likely move north-northwestwards and intensify into a cyclonic storm."Latest satellite imageries and surface observations indicate that a depression has formed overSoutheast and adjoining Lakshadweep and East-central Arabian Sea and lay centred at 0530 hrs IST of today, the 10th June, near latitude 11.7degN and longitude 71.0degE, about 200 km west-northwest of Aminidivi (Lakshadweep), 840 km south-southwest of Mumbai (Maharashtra) and 1,020 km south-southeast of Veraval (Gujarat)," said IMD in its bulletin."It is very likely to intensify further into a deep depression during the next 12 hours and into a cyclonic Storm during the subsequent 24 hours. It is likely to move north-northwestwards during next 72 hours," it added.The sea condition is very likely to be rough to very rough over southeast and ...
CPWD to install 'solar trees' in residential complexes of central govt employees
The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has directed its officials to explore the possibility of installing "solar trees" in residential complexes of government employees. The move intends to promote renewable energy and reduce carbon footprint by the CPWD, the prime construction agency of the central government. According to an official, the concept of "solar trees" was first implemented at the National Salt Satyagraha Memorial built by the CPWD at Dandi in Gujarat, and the agency is getting a good response for it. Around 41 "solar trees" have been installed in the memorial complex to meet its energy requirement. "All the field units have been directed to explore the possibility of installation of solar trees in the open area of General Pool Office Accommodation (GPRA) and General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA)," the official said. The agency has asked its officials to install the same after ascertaining the technical feasibility in consultation with the architecture ...
Goa govt to look into demand to declare animals as vermin
The Goa government will look into the demand of farmers to declare certain wild animals as vermin, state forest minister Vijai Sardesai said on Monday. Several farmers from Sattari and Sanguem talukas of Goa have been demanding that animals like monkeys, wild boars and peacocks be declared as vermin (harmful and objectionable) as they were damaging crops, thus causing losses to them. These animals cannot be killed as they are covered under the Wildlife Protection Act. The farmers have demanded that these animals be declared vermin for a certain period of the year. Sardesai said the government will look into the farmers' demand and also study reasons behind these animals venturing into human habitats from the forest areas. "We can't run away from the issue of declaring certain animals as vermin. We have to address the issue as it is concerning the farmers," he told reporters in Margao. The increased plantation of Australian Acacia in forests is leading to wild animals ...
NASA's Mars helicopter testing enters final phase
NASA's Mars Helicopter -- first vehicle in history that will attempt to establish the viability of heavier-than-air vehicles flying on another planet -- has successfully passed key tests, the US space agency said. "Nobody's built a Mars Helicopter before, so we are continuously entering new territory," said MiMi Aung, project manager for the Mars Helicopter at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the US. "Our flight model -- the actual vehicle that will travel to Mars -- has recently passed several important tests," said Aung. In January this year the team had operated the flight model in a simulated Martian environment. Then the helicopter was moved to Lockheed Martin Space in Denver for compatibility testing with the Mars Helicopter Delivery System, which will hold the 1.8-kilogramme spacecraft against the belly of the Mars 2020 rover during launch and interplanetary cruise before deploying it onto the surface of Mars after landing. As a technology demonstrator, the Mars Helicopter ..
Official: Canada to announce ban on single-use plastics
The Canadian government plans to announce it is moving to ban single-use plastics as early as 2021, a senior government official said late Sunday The official said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would make the announcement Monday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly ahead of Monday's news conference. The official said specific items to be banned will be determined based on a science-based review, but they are considering items such as water bottles, plastic bags and straws. The official said Trudeau's government is looking at what the European Union did and drawing inspiration from their model. The European Union parliament overwhelmingly voted in March to impose a wide-ranging ban on single-use plastics to counter pollution from discarded items that end up in waterways and fields. EU member states have given their support but need to vote on the measure for it to go into effect. The EU's measure would affect a range of ...
Tree symbolizing Trump-Macron friendship has died
The photo of Donald Trump and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron planting an oak tree in the garden of the White House symbolized the friendship shown by the two leaders. But relations between them have since frayed -- over issues ranging from Iran to trade -- and the tree, a diplomatic source said this week, did not survive. The French president offered the young oak to Trump on the occasion of a state visit to Washington in 2018, and the two shoveled dirt around it under the watchful eyes of their wives -- and cameras from around the world. It was a symbolic gesture: the tree came from a northern French forest where 2,000 US Marines died during the First World War. But a few days later, the tree was nowhere to be seen, having disappeared into quarantine. "It is a quarantine which is mandatory for any living organism imported into the US," Gerard Araud, then the French ambassador to America, wrote on Twitter, adding that it would be replanted later. But it was never replanted: ...
Cyclone likely to hit Arabian Sea on June 11-12, warns MeT Dept
The Meteorological Department has warned that a cyclone may occur in the Arabian Sea near the West Coast of India between June 11 and 12, Directorate General of Information and Public Relations of Maharashtra said on Sunday.The department has asked the fishermen to avoid entering the sea during this period.The cyclone will be around 300 km away from the coast.Although the cyclone will not hit the state, it will influence the region and gusty winds are likely to lash the region.The Meteorological experts have predicted that monsoon will hit Mumbai along with the Konkan region during this period.The country recently witnessed the destruction caused by Cyclone Fani in states like Odisha and West Bengal.
Six fishermen rescued from sinking vessel off Kerala coast
Six fishermen were rescued from a sinking fishing vessel off Kerala coast Sunday by the Indian Coast Guard. A Defence spokesman said the Coast Guard district headquarters (Kerala and Mahe) received a distress message about a sinking fishing boat, Aachariyamatha, approximately 35 miles off Kollam with six personnel onboard. "Remote Operating Station of the headquarters directed Merchant Vessel Asia Emerald-III in vicinity for assistance and rescue of fishermen. All fishermen were rescued by Indian Coast Guard in coordination with Merchant Vessel Asia Emerald-III," the release said. The vessel is expected to arrive at Kochi tonight along with rescued fishermen, it said. There is no injury exhaustion of rescued fishermen reported. The release further said the directorate of fisheries and state administration were requested to advice all fishermen not to venture out to sea during fishing ban period/ rough weather.
Yogi assures farmers of right price of their produce
Acknowledging farmers' contribution in achieving country's self-sufficiency in food grains, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Sunday sought to assure peasants that they would get the right price for their produce. Addressing the inaugural function of the fourth session of the Million Farmers' School here at Lok Bhawan, the chief minister also assured peasants that his government stands by them and will not let their hard work go in vain. "Life is not about escape or migration, it is about the struggle. The government will not allow your hard work to go in vain," said Adityanath. "We stand by all of you in every situation. It is our responsibility to give you the right price for your produce. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also committed to the upliftment of our farmers," he said. Acknowledging peasants' contribution to the country's economy, he added, "The hard work of the farmers leads to the country's self-sufficiency in food-grains." Comparing the farming sector's ...
Government focusing on doubling farmers' income: CM Yogi Adityanath
After inaugurating the fourth session of 'Million Farmers' School,' an Agriculture Department initiative, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said that he himself monitors the farmer related issues every day and the government is trying to double the income of farmers.Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said: "The fourth session of the Million Farmers' School is starting from today at more than 15,000 centres of 75 districts with an aim to achieve more production. By now, more than 10 lakh farmers have been trained in these schools."While addressing the farmers, the CM said: "The government will not allow your hard work to go in vain. We are standing with all of you in every situation. It is our responsibility to give you the right price for your produce. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also committed to working in favour of our farmers."Asserting that the hard work of farmers leads to self-sufficiency in the food-grains in the country, CM Yogi added: "Remember, five ...
