Page 57 - Environment
Maha farmers to sow GM brinjal, cotton seeds to defy ban
Shetkari Sanghatana, a farmers' body in Maharashtra, Sunday said it will sow seeds of genetically modified (GM) brinjal and cotton in a village in Akola district on Monday as a mark of protest against the government's ban on GM crops. Around 5,000 farmers under the aegis of the organisation are expected to gather in Akoli Jahangir village in Akot taluka to plant the transgenic varieties as to protest against the government's ban, its state president Anil Ghanwat said. "It will be a peaceful protest. We will only plant the varieties in the fields. But there is a possibility that the police may arrest us because the cultivation of these varieties crops is banned," he said. The Shetkari Sanghatana is opposed to the ban on GM crops as they are beneficial to farmers, its spokesperson Lalit Bahale said. "Genetically modified seeds are being used all over the world and we have seen that the costs are less, pest attacks are fewer and the yields are higher. They are definitely .
Cyclone likely 300km off Maha coast on Jun 11-12, says govt
A cyclone is likely in the Arabian Sea some 300 kilometres off the country's west coast between June 11-12, a Maharashtra government advisory said Sunday. The cyclone, while not hitting the state, is likely to result in gusty winds and a turbulent sea, Meteorological Department officials said, adding that fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea. Officials said the monsoon is expected to arrive in Konkan and Mumbai regions during this period. The state government has also asked farmers not to rush into sowing as the onset of the south west monsoon has been delayed. After the early showers, the soil needs time to be ready for germination, it said. Monsoon normally arrives in Mumbai by June 7, but it takes another 15 days to completely cover the state.
Aurangabad gets respite from sweltering heat, receives rainfall
Giving much-needed respite to the people from the sweltering heat, the parched land of Marathwada region was swayed by a dust storm and heavy rains on Sunday.People of the state's administrative capital took to the streets to enjoy and get drenched in the downpour.India Metrological Department (IMD) had predicted "generally cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers" for the city today.Even though the maximum temperature touched 41 degree Celsius today, the mercury is likely to drop in the region in the coming days, according to IMD."Partly cloudy sky with possibility of rain or Thunderstorm" is predicted for June 14 and 15.Maharashtra has for long remained under the grip of drought-like-situation. To counter the prevalent issue, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has allocated Rs 30 crore for cloud seeding.
Mangaluru green warriors strive to make city greener
With an aim to bring down the rising temperature and to tackle acute water scarcity, Hani HR, a 7th grade student, along with her team of 'Green Warriors', has launched a mission to plant saplings in and around Mangaluru city.The team consisting of 40 members has been working towards a mission to increase the tree cover in the city.Speaking to ANI, Hani said, "In order to reduce global warming effects, Green Warriors are trying to spread awareness in the society that everyone should plant at least one sapling in their house. We started this initiative three years ago. We used to visit our neighbours with charts and explain to them the aim of our initiative.""Initially we used to buy saplings with our pocket money but gradually our parents also joined the Green Warriors team. Now they also take care to buy and plant saplings regularly," she added.The Green Warriors have planted more than 200 saplings till date.
Punjab to bring 1,000 acres under micro-irrigation
Aiming for sustainable water management, the Punjab government here on Sunday announced that it would promote micro-irrigation of maize on 1,000 acres this season.
Black-crested Bulbul sighted in Dudhwa as experts conduct bird count
The black-crested Bulbul was spotted after several years in Dudhwa as the counting of birds during summer season was held from June 7 to June 9, an official said on Sunday. Field director of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) Ramesh Kumar Pandey told PTI, "Experts from Katarniaghat Foundation, Ruhelkhand Nature Club and WWF-India apart from Dudhwa nature guides visited a number of locations inside Dudhwa National Park and Kishanpur wildlife sanctuary. The experts photographed the winged species and recorded their data." "The data collected by counting teams would be compiled and analysed in next few days to ascertain the number of bird species found in Dudhwa," he added. Pandey informed that during the counting, experts sighted the black-crested Bulbul, which was sighted in Dudhwa after several years. The black-crested Bulbul is a bird species with a black head and deep yellow body. Notably enough, during the winter bird-count, the experts had sighted five new species of birds in Dudhwa which
Project to reduce Mula-Mutha pollution fast-tracked: Javadekar
Union minister Prakash Javadekar Sunday said the Rs 990-crore worth project that aims to reduce the pollution of Mula-Mutha river in Pune has been fast- tracked. Javadekar, who is the Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, was speaking after conducting a review of the 'Project for Pollution Abatement of River Mula Mutha in Pune'. Officials of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), forest department and consultants related to the project were present for the review meeting. "The dream of Pune city is going to be fulfilled soon as the Rs 990-crore project, which aims to reduce the pollution of Mula-Mutha river, has now been fast-tracked," the minister said. Seventy per cent of the first package work of the project in Baner (a suburb in Pune) has been completed and clearance for four packages (involving the construction of Sewage Treatment Plants) will be given in few days, he said. "Once the approval is given, foundation stones will be laid for these four ...
Bangladesh highway blocked as fishermen protest catch ban
Several thousand fishermen blocked Bangladesh's busiest highway Sunday, police said, as protests escalated over a two-month fishing ban in the Bay of Bengal. The fishermen say the 65-day blockade -- intended to replenish fish stocks -- is driving them out of business. Their one-hour protest at the coastal town of Sitakunda caused several kilometres of tailbacks on the main road linking the capital, Dhaka, to the second city of Chittagong. Local police chief Suman Banik said the demonstration by 3,000 fishermen and their families was peaceful "but it caused a huge traffic jam on this busy highway". The demonstrators only cleared the road after a government administrator and a local member of parliament promised to help. The fishing ban runs from May 20 to July 23 and navy and coast guard vessels are patrolling the zone to prevent breaches. Bangladesh frequently bans deep sea fishing and catches in coastal rivers to help stocks, but this is the longest imposed for seas near the coast ...
Monsoon catches up in Kerala; depression over Arabian sea likely
Several parts of Kerala received moderate rainfall on Sunday, a day after the southwest monsoon set in over the state, even as a low pressure area formed over the Arabian Sea. The Meteorological Department said the low pressure was expected to intensify into a depression in the next two days and subsequently, into a cyclone. Forecasting isolated heavy rainfall and squally weather in coastal areas of the state and in Lakshadweep islands, it advised fishermen not to venture into the sea till June 13. A bulletin issued by the department at 3 pm said the low pressure area has formed over the southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining Lakshadweep area and the east-central Arabian Sea under the influence of the cyclone circulation. "It is very likely to concentrate into a depression during the next 48 hours over southeast and the adjoining east-central Arabian Sea. It is very likely to move north-north-westwards and intensify further into a cyclonic storm subsequently," it said. The weather report
Low-pressure area forms in Arabian sea, cyclone likely, says IMD
A low-pressure area has formed over the southeast and adjoining east central Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep area due to the influence of cyclonic circulation in this region, said India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday here."Under the influence of the cyclonic circulation over Lakshadweep area and adjoining Southeast Arabian Sea, a low-pressure area has formed over the southeast and adjoining east central Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep area," said the IMD in a statement.It also predicted that the pressure is expected to move north-northwestwards and intensify further into a cyclonic storm subsequently."Associated cyclonic circulation has extended up to midtropospheric levels and it is very likely to concentrate into a depression during next 48 hours over the southeast and adjoining east central Arabian Sea," it added.It also said that the conditions are favourable for further advance of southwest monsoon in the remaining parts of South Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep and Kerala, some more .
Bedi launches 'Mission Green Puducherry' on 70th b'day
Seeking to increase green cover in the Union Territory, Lt Governor Kiran Bedi Sunday launched 'Mission Green Puducherry,' by planting saplings on the banks of the nearby Kanagan lake, on the occasion of her 70th birthday. She was cheered by the residents of Delarshpet village, who also joined her to make the union territory green. They also extended their birthday greetings. Addressing the residents, the Lt Governor said, "My mission is to make Puducherry green, peaceful and prosperous." She also said as long as she remained the LtGovernor of Puducherry, she would plant saplings every Saturday and Sunday in various localities to ensure a green environment. "Planting of saplings during week ends will be my major activity," she added. The Lt Governor appealed to the people of Puducherry to join the team Raj Nivas and play a proactive role in planting saplings. Territorial Chief Secretary Ashwini Kumar was among those who greeted her.
SAIL gets positive response from Odisha govt on land allocation request: Chief
State-owned steel maker SAIL has received a positive response from the Odisha government on its request of land allocation to set up a coast-based plant in the state, a top company official said. As part of its 50-mtpa expansion plan, SAIL is planning to set up a 3 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) shore-based plant at an estimated cost of over Rs 15,000 crore in Odisha. SAIL had written a letter to the Odisha government for land, its chairman Anil Kumar Chaudhary said. "I am happy to inform you that we have received a response from Principal Secretary, Industries. He has invited us. I (have) received invite very recently," he said, replying to a question related to land availability. A team of officials will be soon sent to Odisha to explore possibility of getting land in coastal area so that the company can set up at least one steel plant in coastal area, the chairman said. As of now none of SAIL's plant is coast-based. On whether the company is looking at the land near Paradip, he ...
NASA offers live view of Mars 2020 rover in making
NASA has installed a webcam that allows the public to get a live, bird's-eye view of its Mars 2020 rover as it takes shape, the US space agency said. The move will allow people to watch as engineers and technicians assemble at and test the rover the NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the US before it embarks next year. "There is so much happening and changing in the clean room, I come here every opportunity I get," said John McNamee of JPL. "It is great that we can share this part of our journey to the Red Planet with the public anytime they want," said McNamee, project manager of Mars 2020. Dubbed "Seeing 2020," the webcam provides the video feed from a viewing gallery above the clean room floor. Viewers can also participate in live webchats with members of JPL's social media team and the Mars 2020 team as they answer questions from the public about the mission. Months of final assembly and testing lie ahead before the Mars 2020 rover is ready to ship to NASA's Kennedy Space Center .
5,000 trawlers banned off Kerala coast for 52 days
Starting Sunday midnight, a 52-day monsoon-trawling ban will be imposed in Kerala's coastal waters for the 31st year in succession. It will prohibit around 5,000 trawl-boats from venturing any closer than 12 nautical miles to stop damage to the breeding process of fish during the season.
5K trawlers to keep off Kerala coast for 52 days
Starting Sunday midnight, a 52-day ban on trawlers will come into effect off the Kerala coast prohibiting around 5,000 of these from venturing closer to the coast as it can hamper the breeding process of the fish.
Kochi: Four suspected of Nipah virus discharged from isolation ward
Scaling down the fear of Nipah virus that gripped Kerala, four suspected cases of Nipah virus who had been kept in the isolation ward at Kalamassery Medical College, have been shifted to the observation ward here on Sunday."Of the 11 suspected cases of Nipah virus who were admitted in the isolation ward at Kalamassery Medical College, four patients have been shifted to the observation ward after their condition improved significantly," Kerala government in its latest health bulletin said.The condition of the seven who are still in the isolation ward is stable. However, over 325 people who are in contact with the virus affected patients are under the surveillance of the doctors, it further said.Various medical experts from the National Institute of Virology (NIV), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and NIMHANS are examining the current situation in the state and are handling the sanitation drive.According to the officials, while Nipah helpline has received 39 calls on ...
Villagers of Melur face acute water crisis
Due to acute water shortage and non-availability of clean drinking water, people of Karungalakudi village in Madurai have to go through a mundane struggle to fetch water in this stifling heat.There has been no monsoon rain in Karungalakudi for the past seven years and almost all the water bodies have dried up. So, the villagers have to walk miles away from their house to fetch water each day to fulfil their daily needs.Facing a heavy paucity of clean drinking water, villagers fetch water from wells containing dirty muddy water or they have to squeeze out ground level water which is also on the verge of drying up.Even the kids of Karungalakudi are forced to travel miles away with their families after they return from school, in order to fill more water containers. Each person carries at least five to seven water containers at a time on their motorcycle or cycle.Women of this village walk barefoot on rough terrains to fetch water for drinking, bathing and cooking food.Due to lack of ...
Sariska loses another big cat as tiger shifted from Ranthambore dies
A tiger has died at the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan's Alwar district, officials said on Sunday. The cause of the animal's death will be ascertained after the post-mortem, which will be conducted later on Sunday, Chief Wildlife Warden Arindam Tomar said. The male tiger, aged around seven-eight years, was shifted to Sariska from the Ranthambhore National Park only two months ago. "The animal was injured, so it was tranquillised on Saturday morning. It walked for nearly two kilometres and collapsed. The post-mortem will be conducted in the presence of experts," Tomar said. The Sariska Tiger Reserve is now left with three tigers, eight tigresses and five tiger cubs.
Tiger dies in Sariska after tranquilization
A tiger died after being tranquillized and treated for a lesion here in Sariska Tiger Reserve on Saturday. Forest official denied any overdose of tranquillizer as the possible cause of death.The collared Tiger identified as ST-16 showed no movement after which forest official reached him and found him dead. Forest official said that ST-16 was tranquillized and treated for a lesion on his right elbow after which he was released in the forest.ST-16 was a male Tiger brought from Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur to Sariska in April. Sariska, which had lost all its tigers more than a decade ago, had been getting the tigers from Ranthambore.However, the officials denied any "overdose" of the tranquillizer as the cause of death of the carnivore."We got to know in the afternoon that there is no movement in ST-16, a team went and found him lying dead. There was a sort of lesion on his right elbow and he was treated for the same after being tranquillized. Normal dose of tranquillizer
World's protected areas failing to safeguard wildlife: Study
The world's protected areas are experiencing major shortfalls in staffing and resources and are therefore failing on a massive scale to safeguard wildlife, a study has found. The analysis looked at more than 2,100 protected areas around the world and found that less than a quarter report having adequate resources in terms of staffing and budget. The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, looked at nearly 12,000 species of terrestrial amphibians, birds, and mammals whose ranges include protected areas and found only four to nine per cent are represented within the borders of the adequately resourced protected areas. "This analysis shows that most protected areas are poorly funded and therefore failing to protect wildlife on a scale sufficient to stave off the global decline in biodiversity," said James Watson of the University of Queensland in Australia. "Nations need to do much more to ensure that protected areas fulfill their role as a major tool to
