Page 58 - Environment
PM impressed by solar-powered Kochi airport; Asks high-energy guzzlers to emulate it
Impressed by the fully solar-powered operations at the Cochin International Airport, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said it should be an inspiring model for energy guzzlers and suggested that stadiums can tap the natural resource for achieving power neutrality. During his brief stopover visit on Saturday, Modi hailed the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) for being the world's first fully solar-powered airport, a statement issued by the CIAL said here on Sunday. During a discussion with CIAL Managing Director V J Kurian, the prime minister endorsed the effort in tapping green energy for operating the airport, which has won it the United Nations Champions of the Earth award in 2018, the statement said. The CIAL model of solarisation should inspire all other high-energy consumers, Modi said, adding that the possibilities of laying solar panels at probable locations needed to be explored. He also suggested that the roof of the galleries of stadiums could be used for ...
Power minister positive on achieving 175 GW renewable energy target
Power and New and Renewable Energy Minister Raj Kumar Singh has exuded confidence that the renewable energy target of 175 gigawatt (GW) by 2022 would be achieved. Singh, who took the charge of the ministries in the second term of Modi government, said 80GW of renewable energy has been established while another 24GW is under installation. "The overall renewable energy established capacity has reached 80,000 MW level. 24,000 MW is under installation. For 42,000 MW, bids are at different stages. So, the total is 1,46,000 MW and the target is for 1,75,000 MW (175 GW)," he said. "We will achieve the target," Singh emphasised. Speaking about his priorities, he said the top priority will remain to achieve the targets set by the government. The government has set an ambitious target of installing 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022, which includes 100 GW from solar, 60 GW from wind, 10 GW from bio-power and 5 GW from small hydro-power. Various research reports, however, have cautioned
Taj city's green push: Over 1 cr saplings to be planted this monsoon
Come July-August the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department has announced planting of a record 1.02 crore saplings here to tackle a spike in the air pollution figures in the eco-sensitive Taj Trapezium Zone.
UP: Agra nursery owners upset as plants succumb to heat
The constant heatwave situation in several parts of the country, especially in Uttar Pradesh, is not only affecting the lives of people but also putting the survival of plants in jeopardy. In Agra, many nursery owners are upset as their plants and flowers have succumbed to the scorching heat."I am watering the plants twice and also covering them with a cloth so that they can be protected from the heat. Many flowers and plants got destroyed. I am facing huge losses in the business this season," said Parvesh Bishwa, a nursery owner here."I am facing a lot of issues this summer season as the temperature is very high. All my plants and trees are dying because of the intense heat. I am watering them on a regular basis in order to save them," said another nursery owner.From the past few weeks, dozens of localities in Agra are facing acute water shortage due to extreme heat. The situation is likely to worsen as there is not enough water in the storage tanks. Besides, the shortage of private .
Pressure mounts on aviation industry over climate change
Under pressure from frequent flyers alarmed over climate change, the airline industry says it is "hellbent" on reducing emissions - but the technology needed to drastically reduce its carbon footprint is still out of reach. In recent months climate activists have stepped up efforts to convince travellers to boycott air travel, with Swedish schoolgirl and campaigner Greta Thunberg spearheading the trains-over-planes movement and making "flygskam", or flight shame, a buzzword in the Scandinavian country. "The sector is under considerable pressure," admitted Alexandre de Juniac, chief executive of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), whose members met this week in Seoul. The industry has been under fire over its carbon emissions, which at 285 grams of CO2 emitted per kilometre travelled by a passenger far exceed all other modes of transport. Road transportation follows at 158 and rail travel is at 14, according to European Environment Agency figures. De Juniac said the ...
PM Modi calls upon world communities to unite in fight against terrorism
Terming the State-sponsored terrorism as the biggest threat to the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called upon the world communities to unite in the fight against terrorism and radicalisation.Modi, who was addressing Maldives's parliament -- People's Majlis -- said: "Terrorism is a danger not just for a country but the entire civilisation. State-sponsored terrorism is the biggest threat today. It is important for the world community to come together to fight the challenge of terrorism and radicalisation."Prime Minister Modi began his speech by expressing his gratitude for inviting him to address the parliament, adding that the gesture has touched the hearts of every Indian. His 30 plus minute speech reflected upon three other things -- climate change, ties in Indo-Pacific region, and bilateral relations.Stressing the significance of India-Maldivian ties, Modi said: "Neighborhood First' is our priority. Relations between India and Maldives are older than history. From ..
Manipur: Section 144 imposed in Yaithibi Loukol region
District administration on Saturday imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC in and around the Yathi Loukon region.The orders have been imposed to thwart any adverse law and order situation in view of protest erupting in the area against the development of a Food Park.Some locals of the area have been opposing the establishment of any government project or scheme other than construction of the National Sports University claiming that the land was acquired for construction of the university which is now allegedly shifted to some other place.
No new cases of Nipah virus reported in Kerala: Harsh Vardhan
No new cases of Nipah virus has been reported in Kerala, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said Saturday. A case of Nipah was reported from Kerala's Ernakulum district on June 3 and the condition of the infected college student is stable. The state government has said a total of 318 people, who were in touch with the student, have been kept under observation. Of them, 52 have been put in the high-risk category. Vardhan, who is regularly reviewing the public health measures put in place in Kerala, yesterday assured the state's health minister, K K Shailaja, of all support from the Centre for prevention and management of the disease. "There have been no new cases of Nipah virus disease," he said Saturday. Meanwhile, experts from National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal, are supporting the Kerala's Animal Husbandry Department in investigation. The team has collected samples from livestock and of bat droppings, the health ministry said in a ...
12 deer found dead in C'garh forest, water poisoning suspected
Twelve deer were found dead near a water body in Chhattigsarh's Dhamtari district on Saturday, a forest official said. The incident happened at Mohlai village in Keregaon forest range, around 100 kilometres from state capital Raipur, and it is suspected that the animals died due to water poisoning, said Amitabh Vajpayee, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Dhamtari. Local residents alerted authorities about carcasses of 12 deer lying near a mine filled with water after rainfall in the area recently, he said. He said the water might have been poisoned by some people and autopsy being conducted on the carcasses would provide more details on the cause of death. According to police and forest officials, the murum mine is operated by a contractor of Mohlai village. Officials said the area where the incident happened has been cordoned off to find out if more animals have fallen ill after consuming water from the mine.
US-China trade war sparks worries about rare earth minerals
Rising trade tensions have sparked worries about the 17 rare minerals needed for high-tech products such as robotics, drones and electric cars. China recently raised tariffs to 25 per cent on rare earth exports to the US and has threatened to halt exports altogether after the Trump administration raised tariffs on Chinese products and blacklisted telecommunications giant Huawei. With names like europium, scandium and ytterbium, the bulk of rare earth minerals are extracted from mines in China, where lower wages and lax environmental standards make production cheaper and easier. But trade experts say no one should panic over China's threats to stop exporting the elements to the US. There is a US rare minerals mine in California. Australia, Myanmar and Russia are also top producers of the somewhat obscure minerals.
Bring change in values, approach to mitigate adverse effects of climate change: PM Modi in Maldives
Reiterating India's commitment in fighting environmental degradation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that there is a need to bring change in values and approach to minimise the adverse effects of climate change."It will not be possible to adequately mitigate the adverse effects of climate change without bringing in changes in our values, approach, lifestyle and societies. The ancient Indian belief regards the Earth as our mother and all of us as her children," the Prime Minister said in his address to the Majlis, Parliament of Maldives."If we regard this planet as our mother, we can only respect and conserve it, and cannot harm it. We should also remember that this home, our earth, is the legacy we hold for our future generations in trust, and it is not a property we own," he asserted.Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Maldives- his first bilateral visit after coming back to power. His address to the Maldivian Parliament was one of the major highlights of his two-day ...
World Oceans Day: Bollywood celebs show concern over increasing pollution in oceans
As the world celebrates Oceans Day, several Bollywood stars flooded social media with their concerns over water crisis and pollution in the oceans.Dia Mirza, who is United Nations Environment Goodwill Ambassador for India, posted pictures on her Twitter handle where she can be seen clearing waste from a sea shore. "This World Oceans Day pledge to Beat Plastic Pollution. Refuse the use of Single Use Plastics. Every minute 1 truck of plastics are dumped in our oceans. Our oceans and all life in them provide us life, health, opportunity," she wrote.Alia Bhatt who was last seen in the period drama film 'Kalank' urged her fans to pledge not to pollute oceans with plastic. "On World Oceans Day, let's pledge to protect our oceans from plastic, by giving up on single-use products such as plastic straws, cups, bags, and bottles. Together, let's SEAS the day!"Educating people on the use of plastic and microfibers which cause pollution in rivers and oceans, Juhi Chawla uploaded a small ...
Fifteen monkeys found dead in MP forest after likely water war
In a chilling reminder of how rising temperatures can play havoc with an ecosystem, 15 monkeys have died of heat stroke in a Madhya Pradesh forest after another group apparently denied them access to river. Nine Rhesus monkeys were found dead in Joshi Baba area of Punjapura forest range in Dewas district Thursday. Another six emaciated bodies were found the next day. A group of larger and stronger monkeys, numbering around 60, was found to be 'guarding' the nearby Pouni, a tributary of the Kali Sindh river, divisional forest officer P N Mishra told PTI Saturday. The river had dried up in many places, and according to locals, the group of bigger monkeys was seen chasing away others who tried to drink the water that was left, he said. This stretch of river was only 800 meters away from the spot where the dead monkeys were found, Mishra said. It was likely that the group of bigger monkeys did not allow the deceased ones to drink from the river, he said. The mercury had risen .
Trap placed to capture prowling leopard
A cage has been installed to catch a leopard on the prowl in Madukkarai area on the outskirts of Coimbatore, forest department officials said Saturday. The residents had complained that two dogs and five goats were killed by the leopard over the last 15 days and people were scared to come out after sunset. They claimed that the leopard was found moving along with two cubs and searching for prey in human habitats. The department has kept the trap near a house, from where a dog was taken away by the animal some 10 days ago, department sources said. Another cage with goat as bait will be placed near the trap during night, the sources added.
Cong alleges land scam in Haryana
The Congress Saturday alleged a "land scam" in Haryana's Faridabad claiming that "forested common land" has been illegally acquired by companies associated with Patanjali Group. Patanjali Group could not be immediately reached for comments. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera alleged that the BJP government in Haryana has helped the group in acquiring 400 acres of "forested common land" which can otherwise not be used for either farming or commercial use. He claimed that the state government has ordered consolidation of the land on Aravalli Hill range, though consolidation of holdings is only allowed for agricultural land and not forested land. He alleged that a company with a revenue of Rs 60,000 gave advances worth Rs 15.50 crore to buy the land.
Himachal CM seeks power for diversion for forest land
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Saturday met Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar here and sought special powers for the state to allow diversion of forest land up to five hectares for development projects.
People's happiness country's real wealth: Mungantiwar
Maharashtra minister Sudhir Mungantiwar Saturday said "capita happiness" was as important as "capita income" when it came to evaluating the progress of a country. Speaking at a meeting with owners of multiplexes and single-screen theatres and film personalities on the state government's plan to plant 33 crore trees, Mungantiwar, also minister of forests, claimed satisfaction and happiness in people was the real wealth of a nation. The meeting, attended by MLA Mangalprabhat Lodha, Principal Secretary (Forests) Vikas Kharage among others, also saw Mungantiwar emphasise the need to plant more trees. He asked theatre owners to play videos encouraging tree plantation during every film show. "While evaluating the progress of the country, the concept of capita happiness is as important as capita income. Satisfaction and happiness in people must be considered real wealth," he told the gathering. "If there are no forests, then there is no joy in life. Hence, forest is life," he ..
Himachal CM seeks tribal status for Hatti community
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Saturday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah here and sought granting of tribal status to the Hatti community.
Malaria cases ahead of monsoon;some bureaucrats feel the sting
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched a special drive to destroy mosquito breeding spots ahead of monsoon, a senior official said Saturday. What perhaps prompted the civic body to expedite action is the instances of some state government bureaucrats, including an additional chief secretary, and a legislator, getting infected with the vector-borne disease. Cases of some residents of a housing complex in posh Nariman Point area in south Mumbai suffering from possible malarial fever also came to light in the last two weeks. "This outbreak of malaria has forced our insecticide department to intensify its drive to locate the mosquito breeding spots and to destroy them," the official said. The drive has so far covered the areas around the complex in Nariman Point and the spots near the metro rail construction site. The official, however, denied reports that the spots near the metro rail site have become the breeding grounds for anopheles mosquito--the ...
Talking about energy-efficient things to friend, neighbor can alter climate outcomes
While there have been many predictions about climate change and ways to address the same in the headlines lately, talking to a friend or neighbour about an energy-efficient things and taking initiatives at an individual level could do a much better job in reforming the situation, according to a new study.The findings were published in the Journal 'PLoS Computational Biology'."Human behaviour affects natural systems including climate, and that climate systems, in turn, affect behaviour," said Madhur Anand, senior author."But social processes are often neglected in climate models," she added.The researchers believe much of the answer to solving the problem of climate change, lies in coupling climate change models with social learning, or how learning from others affects our opinions or actions.Anand said, "We've studied everything from pest management to forest sustainability to human disease spread and found that human behaviour is key. So we decided to apply the framework to climate ..
