Page 579 - Environment
Bihar hikes diesel subsidy by Rs 10 a litre for farmers
The Bihar government today hiked subsidy on diesel by Rs 10 a litre to Rs 50 that will be given to farmers for irrigation purpose in view of the drought-like situation prevailing in the state. Delayed onset of monsoon in Bihar has led to a 48 per cent rainfall deficit so far, officials said. The decision was taken today at a high-level meeting of ministers and officials chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Briefing reporters after the meeting, Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar said that a slew of measures have been taken to tide over the drought-like situation which is looming large over the state. "It has been decided to increase the diesel subsidy for farmers from current Rs 40 to Rs 50 per litre for irrigation purpose. The distribution of diesel subsidy would start from tomorrow (Monday) in the state in order to provide succour to the farmers," Kumar told reporters here. Officials of India Meteorological Department, who were present during the meeting, told the CM that .
Organic certification agency to be set up in Haryana
With a view to promote organic farming in Haryana, an organic certification agency will be set up for grading and authentication of produce near the farms to ensure reliability of products. This decision was taken at a review meeting of various projects chaired by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar here. The chief minister gave directions to the concerned officers to constitute an organic certification agency, which will reach the source -- farms -- and certify to assure the consumer that the product is purely organic. According to an official release, officials said that 20 clusters had been formed in 11 districts of the state where 674 farmers were doing organic farming. Khattar said that more and more farmers should be encouraged for adopting micro irrigation as this would result in saving of water.
Five of family drown in Cauvery river
Five people, including three women of a family were washed away while taking bath in river Cauvery in Salem district, about 120 km from here, today, police said. Despite warning issued by the district administration against venturing into the river, six people entered the river near Reddiyur, some 80 kms from Salem, for taking bath. All of them were washed away in the gushing waters, they said. However, a college student, Thanushree, was rescued by locals on the river bank and rushed to hospital for treatment. Police along with Fire and Rescue Services personnel department searched along the river and retrieved four bodies while a search is on for another one. Salem District Collector, Rohini and senior officials rushed to the spot. The collector had already warned people not to venture into the river, which is in the spate due to heavy inflow of water from Karnataka and also release from Mettur dam.
Himachal aims to tap rainwater to optimize agriculture
Himachal Pradesh is aiming to tap rainwater and use it optimally in agriculture and its allied activities. For this a water conservation project with an estimated cost of Rs 4,751.24 crore has been prepared, a Minister said on Sunday.
Kenyan school children using slingshots to plant trees
School children in Kenya are helping to fight deforestation by planting seeds using slingshots. It's part of an initiative by the company SeedBalls Kenya, which makes and sells seedballs globally. It encourages children to have slingshot competitions using the charcoal-covered seeds instead of stones. About 2 million seedballs have been planted in Kenya in the past year and a half in what has been called "guerrilla gardening." Kenya's government has recognized the threat from deforestation and earlier this year imposed a temporary logging ban that was extended in May by another six months. SeedBalls Kenya recycles coal dust it collects around the capital, Nairobi. It buys the seeds from the Kenya Forest Research Institute.
Heavy rainfall warning in five Bengal districts in 48 hours
The Met officials on Sunday warned of spells of thundershowers accompanied by strong winds in five West Bengal districts even as moderate rain lashed parts of Kolkata and adjoining suburbs since morning.
Tourist inflow takes a toll on Meghalaya's root bridges
Deep in the tropical forests of Meghalaya, an uncharted territory even two decades ago, the aerial root bridges that bear testimony to the ingenuity of Khasis are dying a slow death, overburdened by tourist inflow. The living-root bridges, which surfaced in popular imagination only a few years ago, have now become a hotspot for tourist selfies, say local residents. People come to visit the suspensions bridges regularly, but not much is done to preserve these "botanical architectures", said Morningstar Khongthaw, a resident of Rangthylliang, who along with a group of local youths, has taken up the task of creating awareness on the issue. The root bridges were conceived by the Khasis centuries ago for crossing turbulent streams, especially during the monsoons. The locals trained the roots of fig trees on either side of the river to grow laterally, forming a suspension bridge over a period of 10 to 15 years. Khongthaw, who established Living Roots Foundation here, said ...
'Indoor plants can be engineered to monitor home health'
Indoor plants of the future could be genetically engineered to serve as subtle alarms that when the environment inside our house becomes unhealthy, scientists say. In a study, published in the journal Science, researchers explore the future of houseplants that are aesthetically pleasing and functional sirens of home health. This is not the first time that plants have been proposed as biosensors. Researchers from University of Tennessee in the US point out that to date several environmentally relevant phytosensors have been designed by using biotechnology. In fact, what was once known as genetic engineering has grown into a whole field of study called synthetic biology, which is the design and construction of new biological entities or systems. Several environmentally relevant phytosensors have been designed by using biotechnology, researchers said. In fact, what was once known as genetic engineering has grown into a whole field of study called synthetic biology, which is the design ..
Spend time with nature, Attenborough says as he backs world's biggest butterfly count
Spending time with nature offers "precious breathing space" from modern life, including from the "woes of Brexit", renowned British conservationist Sir David Attenborough said as he appealed to the public to join the world's biggest butterfly count. The big butterfly count is a nationwide survey in the UK aimed at helping to assess the health of the environment. It was launched in 2010 and has rapidly become the world's biggest survey of butterflies. Over 60,000 people took part in 2017, submitting 62,500 counts of butterflies and day-flying moths from across the UK. Backing the unique count, the 92-year-old naturalist said watching butterflies in his garden takes his mind off "the woes of Brexit", referring to the ranging controversy over the UK leaving the 28-member European Union on March 29, 2019. Attenborough said being in nature "offers us all precious breathing space away from the stresses and strains of modern life". "Some of my most memorable experiences have happened when ...
First tender for 1,000-mw solar capacity in DSIR likely in Aug
The first tender for the 1,000-megawatt (mw) solar capacity in the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR) in Gujarat is likely to be issued next month, a senior official has said. The DSIR is proposed to have a 5,000-mw solar park, at an estimated cost of Rs 25,000 crore, and spread across 11,000 hectare. "This is going to be the largest single-location ultra mega solar park of 5,000 mw in the country. We are hopeful of inviting bids for the first 1,000 mw in the next one month," Dholera Industrial City Development Corporation (DICDC) managing director Jai Prakash Shivahare said at a select media interaction here over the weekend. He further said the greenfield project is expected to generate more than 20,000 jobs. Gujarat Power Corporation (GPCL), Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam (GUVNL) and Gujarat Electric Transmission Corporation (GETCO) along with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) are implementing the project. Gujarat principal secretary to the chief minister,
AAI may close deal with Gujarat for Dholera airport by mid-Aug
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is likely to finalise a deal with the Gujarat government by next month for the proposed Rs 2,000 crore Dholera airport, a senior state official said. "We have already sent the proposal to them (AAI) and they have accorded in-principle approval for it. We hope that by mid-August we will be able to finalise it," chief secretary, Gujarat government, Jagdip Narayan Singh told PTI here. The airport is set to come up in greenfield city under the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project at Dholera and will be built over four years. "We are hopeful that the project will also move to the Department of Economic Affairs for further approvals by that time," he added. Speaking about the need for the airport, Singh explained that Ahmedabad already has heavy traffic and needs an alternative. He said Dholera would be the next growth centre for the state, with a need for robust transport infrastructure. "This airport will not just improve ...
Space crunch major hurdle for increasing power distribution network: Officials
Space crunch poses a major challenge in augmentation of the power distribution network in densely-packed unauthorised colonies, and discoms have identified nearly 700 such places in the city, officials said. In a coordinated effort involving the power department of the Delhi government, distribution companies and other stakeholders, land has been made available for installing power infrastructure such as transformers and electric poles, an official of the department said. "Out of the 700 places identified for space crunch, the BSES discoms have managed to get space after working with government authorities and residents," he said. Discoms are joint ventures of the Delhi government with private companies. They have deployed innovative solutions such as 'double decker sub stations' and 'electronic houses' in congested areas to augment the distribution network. Such innovative solutions take 40-50 per cent less space than conventional sub-stations, thus making them ideal for congested ...
Over 3,000 TN fishermen chased away by Lankan Navy
Over 3,000 Tamil Nadu fishermen were allegedly chased away by the Sri Lankan Navy while they were fishing near Katchatheevu, a fishermen association leader said today. The fishermen from this island town had ventured into the sea in 564 boats and were fishing off Katchatheevu islet when the Lankan Naval personnel came to the spot past midnight and allegedly chased them away at gun-point, Tamil Nadu Mechanised Boats Fishermen Association president P Sesuraja said here. Following this, all the fishermen returned to the shore without a catch, he added. He also said the Lankan Navy personnel snapped the nets in 20 boats. Sesuraja said repeated attacks by the island's Navy on Tamil Nadu fishermen have affected their livelihood. He also appealed to the Central and state governments to take steps to find a solution to the long-pending problem of fishermen. On June 28, more than 2,500 fishermen from this island town were allegedly chased away by the Lankan Navy while they were fishing ...
Green panel rejects Bharat Coking Coal's proposal to amend environment clearance
The government's green panel has disapproved amendments to the environment clearance sought by Bharat Coking Coal for its Jharia Coalfields in Jharkhand due to the absence of forest clearance, as per the official document. The company's proposal was to amend the existing environment clearance given for the cluster XI group of mines that has a peak production capacity of 6.6 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) and Moonidih water capacity of 1.6 MTPA. The amendment sought was for change in capacities of individual mines in the cluster and lease hold areas for implementation of the master plan. After examining the proposal, an expert advisory committee (EAC) set up under the Union Environment Ministry disapproved the proposed amendment in the environmental clearance dated August 26, 2013 in view of no forest clearance available for 80.44 hectare of forest land. The committee observed that forest land of 80.44 hectare, being a part of mine lease area and/or mining plan of Moonidih under ...
SPDA seeks complete exemption from safeguard duty on solar equipment
Solar Power Developers Association (SPDA) has sought complete exemption of safeguard duty on solar equipment for ongoing project, saying such a move can jeopardise investments worth Rs one lakh crore and kill thousand of jobs. This comes after the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), in its recent report, recommended imposition of safeguard duty on imports of solar cells/modules into India for a period of two years. This duty would be 25 per cent ad valorem in first year, 20 per cent ad valorem in the first half of second year and 15 per cent ad valorem subsequently. However, the safeguard duty has not been imposed so far. Earlier this year in January, Directorate General of Safeguards (DGS) had recommended imposition of 70 per cent safeguard duty on import of solar equipment. The SPDA has been pleading for keeping solar equipment out of the purview of the proposed safeguard duty, particularly for ongoing projects. In a letter to Commerce Secretary, who is also Chairperson of
Tripura CM visits proposed site in Agartala for setting AIIMS
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Saturday visited Hapania area in the outskirts of Agartala for inspection of the spot to set up All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the state.This is the second spot that the Chief Minister has visited for the purpose. He was accompanied by the Health Minister Sudip Roy Barman, local MLA Ram Prashad Paul and several officials.Recently, Union Health Minister JP Nadda approved the proposal of the Tripura government to set up AIIMS in the state so that people do not have to go out of the state for better treatment."I had seen a land at Bodhjungnagar and here also there is a land which is quite big and moreover, we've sent a proposal from the Tripura government to the Centre so that it can be set up at the earliest," said Deb."Narendra Bhai Modi is working for the northeast in that direction. Now, after spot verification, I will sit with the Health Minister Sudip Roy Barman and other officials including the Health Secretary and ...
Advanced weather forecasting system unveiled at Chandni Chowk
A sophisticated weather forecasting system that will give out real time air quality index, advance forecasts and health advisories, was unveiled here today by Earth Sciences and Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan. SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting), the first of its kind in the country, is located at Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi. A giant LED display will give out real-time air quality index on a 24x7 basis with colour coding along with 72-hour advance forecast, a official statement said. The system was developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune in record time and operationalised by the India Meteorological Department, it said. Addressing a large gathering at Town Hall in Chandni Chowk, Vardhan said based on the air quality index on a particular day, health advisory and related precaution will be notified to prepare people well in advance. The Chandni Chowk air quality station will also measure the Sun's UV-Index and will provide online information
Himachal to buy electricity from small power projects: CM
Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) will purchase power produced by small power projects of up to 25 MW capacity in order to help the producers and attract more investment in energy sector, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said today. The chief minister was speaking while presiding over a seminar on 'Speedy Development of Hydro Electric Projects in Himachal Pradesh'. The event was organised by Bonafide Himachalis Hydro Power Developers and Himalaya Power Producers Association in collaboration with Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Thakur said the state has identified potential of over 27,000 MW, which once fully harnessed have the potential to transform the economy of Himachal Pradesh. Till date only 10,547 MW potential stands harnessed. The state government has set a target to harness about 182 MW potential during the current year by active participation of private and public sectors, for which it was providing several incentives to the power ...
Orient Cement plans to invest Rs 2,000 cr for expansion in Telangana
Orient Cement Ltd, a part of C.K. Birla Group, plans to invest Rs 2,000 crore to expand the capacity of its plant in Telangana, the state government said on Saturday.
Rural heritage conservation will help promote tourism in rural India
Conservation of rural heritage will help promote tourism and development in rural India, a senior official said today. Speaking at the inauguration of the seventh annual general body meeting of the Indian Trust for Rural Heritage and Development (ITRHD) here, Amit Khare, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting hailed the conservation efforts of ITRHD -- an NGO devoted to the preservation of Indian heritage and culture in rural India. Khare highlighted the ITRHD's conservation works of 17th -19th century village of terracotta temples, Maluti, Dumka, in Jharkhand, an official statement said. The Maluti Project was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The project involves conserving 62 temples of the108 temples which were in a dilapidated condition. Khare said such conservation efforts will help not just to enhance tourism in Rural India but also encourage cultural awareness among the locals.
