Page 567 - Environment
Odisha to set up riverine port on Mahanadi river
The Odisha government today approved a proposal for setting up a riverine port on river Mahanadi in Kendrapara district, officials said. The port will come up under the public-private-partnership mode on build, own, operate, share and transfer (BOOST) basis. The proposal was approved at a meeting of the High Level Clearance Authority (HLCA) held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The project would come up at Akhadasali village under Mahakalpada block in Kendrapara district. Official sources said that in response to the Request for Qualification (RFQ) floated for the purpose, four developers have submitted their applications. "It has been decided in the meeting to issue RFQ to all the four applicants to participate in RFQ stage and give in-principle approval to the project, as well as to the Draft RFP, Draft Concession Agreement, Land Lease Agreement," Chief Secretary A P Padhi said. As per the proposal, the port will be set up in two phases. In the
Odisha to issue RFP for Mahanadi riverine port
The Odisha government on Saturday decided to issue a Request for Proposal (RfP) for a port to be set up on Mahanadi river in Kendrapara district.
KTK minister accuses BJP of stoking separatist sentiments
Karnataka Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar today accused BJP of trying to fuel separatist sentiments, as he termed the demand for separate north Karnataka state as a "conspiracy" for political gains. The senior Congress leader also said the coalition government was committed for the all round development of "akhanda Karnataka" (united Karnataka). "There is no question of Congress or JD(S) supportingseparate state demand, it is united Karnataka. BJP is trying to do it. I appeal....this is a progressive state, the statecommands respect at the national and international level," Shivakumar said. Speaking to reporters here, he said "Some people for political gains are speaking about it as they are getting opportunity to speak in front of media. It is a conspiracy todivide the state.I condemn it." Shivakumar's comments comes a day after BJP MLA Sriramulu backed those demanding separate statehood for North Karnataka, but subsequently retracted,saying he never supported ..
Kejriwal opens Barapullah Phase-II elevated road for public
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday inaugurated the much-awaited Phase-II of Barapullah elevated road here, which will reduce the travel time between Sarai Kale Khan and AIIMS by 20 minutes.
Elephant rescued from abandoned well in Odisha
An elephant was rescued from an abandoned well in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district.According to the reports, the elephant accidentally fell into the well which was used for agricultural purpose.Local residents noticed the distressed mammal and alerted the forest officials. Following which two JCB machines were pressed into action and a pathway was dug to help the elephant climb up the well.
Yeddyurappa accuses CM of practising "divide and rule" policy
Accusing Chief Minister H DKumaraswamy of indulging in "divide and rule" policy, Karnataka BJP president B S Yeddyurappa today squarely blamed him for the demand for a separate north Karnataka state. "The BJP is for a united and prosperousKarnataka," the former chief minister said and appealed to the people of north Karnataka not to allow separatist sentiments to take over. "The chief minister is indulging in a divide and rule policy of north and south Karnataka. Congress has to make its stand clear on this as Congress has made Kumaraswamy of JD(S) with 37 MLAs the chief minister," Yeddyurappa told reporters after chairing the state BJP's core committee meeting here. Citing the bandh called in north Karnataka with a demand for a separate state, he said "the complete responsibility for this has to be borne by chief minister Kumaraswamy and the congress party." A day-long bandh has been called by some outfits in 13districts of north Karnataka on August 2 demanding ...
Pune pilgrim killed, three washed away in Himachal flashflood
A woman pilgrim from Pune in Maharashtra was washed away and three other persons were reported missing in a flashflood triggered by heavy rains in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh on Saturday while they were on way to Kinner Kailash, police said.
People being evacuated from low-lying areas
The water level of the Yamuna river has crossed the danger mark and reached 205.20 metres at 5 pm today, prompting authorities to evacuate people from low-lying areas, officials said. The Yamuna water level at the Hathinikund barrage has crossed the danger mark of 90,000 cusec and till 5 pm, 5,03,935 cusec of water was released, they said, adding that with incessant rains, it was expected to rise further. The water level of the Yamuna river at the Old Delhi Railway Bridge rose to 205.20 metres by 5 pm and is expected to rise even further, an official said. "The water level of river Yamuna at Delhi Old Rly Bridge reached at 204.92 metres at 7 am on July 28 (above the warning level) and having rising trend," a statement had said in the morning. An alert was sounded yesterday by the Delhi government after the water level of the Yamuna river crossed the danger mark, an official said. "All executive engineers/sector officers are directed to keep in close contact with the control room in ...
65-year-old woman killed by elephant in C'garh's Raigarh
A 65-year-old woman was trampled to death by an elephant in Chhattisgarhs Raigarh district, an official said today. The body of the woman, identified as Badauni, was recovered today morning close to her native Chhapaldadaara village falling within the Kapu forest range, Divisional Forest Officer (Dharamjaigarh division) Pranay Mishra said. He said that villagers, who had gone to the forests to graze their cattle and were staying in a temporary shed, manage to escape after sensing the presence of an elephant. "Badauni, however, could not escape and was trampled to death. Her body was found this morning by her husband and other villagers," Mishra said. He added that the kin of the deceased had been provided monetary relief of Rs 25,000 while the remaining compensation of Rs 3.75 lakh would be disbursed after formalities are completed within 15 days. Several districts in northern Chhattisgarh, comprising Surguja, Korba, Raigarh, Jashpur and Korea, have seen several ...
Evacuation begins as Yamuna level rises in Delhi
With a flood threat looming large due to a swollen Yamuna river crossing the danger mark in Delhi, authorities on Saturday began to evacuate hundreds of persons affected by the rising water level, officials said.
Flowers showered at Ajmer Dargah to be used as compost
Flowers offered daily at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah in Rajasthan would not go to waste. It will be recycled and used as compost for plants. Two recycling machines, installed by mining company Hindustan Zinc, will churn out around 25 kilograms of compost each from 100-kg flowers. It was inaugurated by Ajmer District Collector Arti Dogra on Thursday. The compost will be used for plants near the rest rooms. Hundreds of flowers are offered daily at the mausoleum of Sufi Saint Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti, which is frequented by lakhs of devotees. "During the rush days, the machines has the capacity to churn out more compost. The operations of the machines will be administered by the dargah committee," Pawan Kaushik, spokesperson of the Hindustan Zinc, said.
Incessant rain hits normal life in U'khand
Incessant rains affected normal life across Uttarakhand today, especially in the hilly areas, where a number of roads were blocked due to landslides and schools remained closed. Jollygrant received a maximum of 145.1 mm of rains, followed by Rishikesh 132.4 mm, Purola in Uttarkashi 110 mm, Roorkee 106 mm Mussoorie 99.5 mm and Dehradun 98.6 mm, the Meteorological (MeT) office here said. It has forecast heavy rains for most parts of the state over the next 72 hours and asked pilgrims visiting the four Himalayan shrines to remain alert. The wall of a school building at Purola in Uttarkashi district collapsed after two days of continuous rains. However, no one was hurt as the government and private schools from class 1-12 were closed as a precautionary measure in view of heavy rains in the district, Uttarkashi Disaster Management Officer Devendra Patwal said. Rubble from landslides has blocked a number of roads in Uttarkashi. The Rishikesh-Gangotri national highway is blocked at Therang, .
Water Resources Ministry rapped by CAG for major project delays, cost overruns
Teesta Barrage, Indira Sagar Poolavaram and Gosikhand irigation projects are among five major water projects having strategic national importance that are way behind the completion mark, despite incurring expenditure over Rs 13,000 crore since 2008, according to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
Seven institutes join hands to develop ornamental fish industry
In an effort to boost the ornamental fish industry, seven fisheries research institutes under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in collabration with the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) launched a project here on Saturday.
Yamuna water level crosses danger mark due to rains
The water level of the Yamuna river has crossed the danger mark and is expected to rise further, prompting authorities to issue advisory to take appropriate measures to avoid flood-like situation, officials said. The Yamuna water level at the Hathinikund barrage has crossed the danger mark of 90,000 cusecs and reached 2.11 lakh cusecs by 9 am. The water level of the Yamuna river at the Delhi Railway Bridge is expected to rise further to 205.40 m from 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm today, according to a statement issued by the East Delhi district administration. "The water level of river Yamuna at Delhi Old Rly Bridge reached at 204.92 metres at 7 AM on July 28 (above the warning level) and having rising trend," it said. An alert was sounded yesterday by the Delhi government after the water level of the Yamuna river crossed the danger mark, an official said. "All the executive engineers/sector officers are directed to keep in close contact with the control room in relation to the discharge, water
Tokyo 2020 organizers say venue delays won't hit test events
Organizers of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics insist construction delays at two key venues will have no impact on preparations for the games, including test events. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced last month construction of the Olympic Aquatics Center and the Sea Forest Waterway will be delayed by two months. This led to media reports organizers would have to reshuffle test event schedules. "A recent media report is causing confusion about Tokyo 2020's test event schedule," said Tokyo 2020 spokesman Masa Takaya. "Despite the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's announcement last month that construction of the Olympic Aquatics Center and the Sea Forest Waterway will be delayed by two months, both the TMG and Tokyo 2020 can confirm that the construction schedule will have no impact on Games preparations or running test events." Takaya said the Sea Forest Waterway, which will host rowing, will be completed in May 2019, allowing for the test event to be carried out in August as currently ..
Health ministry launches National Viral Hepatitis Control programme
A National Viral Hepatitis control programme aimed at eliminating the deadly condition by 2030 was launched today by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with the World Health Organisation. The programme was launched on World Hepatitis Day with an aim to combat viral hepatitis and reduce mortality and morbidity associated with it, Union Health Minister J P Nadda said. Terming it a historic day, he said the programme has been developed in association with all stakeholders who have worked at the grass-root level and has been launched in accordance with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), 2030. According to the SDG, diseases likes AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, neglected tropical diseases, hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases should be eliminated by 2030. Viral hepatitis was included as a focus area in the health related goal Goal 3.3 with world leaders pledging to fight and eliminate it by 2030. Union Minister of State for Health ...
International Tiger Day: What lies ahead for the big cat in the wild, wild world
He is two months old. He is hungry. Scared. He is wondering when his mother is coming back. Gunshot echoes. Maybe she is not. And then, an ominous message that flashes across the TV screen, "Just 1411 left". Back in 2010, the distressed furry little face of Stripey, the tiger cub in Aircel's famous ad campaign "Save Our Tigers" brought the entire nation together. Eight years on, that crisis seems to have been averted. The concentrated efforts of independent activists, government policies, amendments to the Wild Life Protection Act, and rising awareness have helped push the number of the wild cats to 2,226 in 2014, when the last tiger census was held. This International Tiger Day on Sunday, India can take solace in the fact that it remains the nation with largest tiger population. While the number is something to be proud of, experts believe issues such as poaching, receding forest areas and development projects infringing on tiger habitat need to be tackled. If not, we are looking at
BJP MLA supports demand for 'separate' North Karnataka
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA B Sriramulu said he would support the agitation over the demand for a separate state for North Karnataka if the "injustice" currently meted out continues.Sriramulu, who raised the concern in the state assembly as well, said he would lead the agitation in this regard."If injustice continues, then I will lead this agitation for a separate state for north Karnataka. We are not going to sit with our hands tied," he said.The BJP MLA from Molkalmoru also hinted that he would support the bandh called for by some organisations on August 2, demanding a separate state for the region.Sriramulu also claimed that the Kumaraswamy government was ignoring North Karnataka and practicing the politics of partiality.The growing demand of separate statehood came after leaders accused the ruling coalition of doing injustice to North Karnataka in the same budget.
Kyocera develops full-spectrum LED aquarium lighting
Kyocera Corporation announced the development of the world's first full-spectrum LED lighting for aquariums.Kyocera's high-color-rendering LED lighting combines its proprietary violet LEDs and RGB (red, green and blue) phosphors to create lights close to natural sunlight at specific underwater depths.Kyocera's new LED lighting is ideal for growing various water creatures as it reproduces the light close to the natural habitats of corals and water plants. The optical spectrum can also be customised to reproduce the deep blue color for ornamental purposes.The new LED lighting will be available to the Japanese market in the middle of August in four types:-Marine Blue, which reproduces spectrum of sunlight at 2.5m below sea level;-Aqua Blue, which reproduces of sunlight at 11m below sea level;-Natural White, which reproduces similar spectrum of sunlight above ground; and-Deep Blue for ornamental purposesBy combining violet LEDs and RGB phosphor blending technology, Kyocera's ...
