Page 63 - Environment
Ration shop in Delhi sealed after surprise check
Delhi Minister of Food and Civil Supplies Imran Hussain on Thursday ordered sealing of a ration shop, which was found shut in a surprise inspection in east Delhi.
BS-VI emission norms to be implemented from next year: Javadekar
Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar Thursday said BS-VI emission norms will be implemented from next year which will drastically reduce vehicular pollution. Speaking at a World Environment Day function here, Javadekar said, the Narendra Modi government had decided to switch to BS (Bharat Stage) IV vehicles in 2022 but looking at the poor air situation, it was advanced by four years. He said from 2020 onwards BS-VI compliant vehicles will be available. "Delhi's air began deteriorating in 2007. Narendra Modi government took the challenge with a solution oriented approach. That is why a decision was taken to jump to BS IV fuel vehicles, which were to be shifted to by 2022, fours years in advance. "Now in Delhi and in other places, from 2020 onwards, BS VI fuel will be available and such vehicles will also be prepared for which lot of hard work is required. But it is a commitment and it will be fulfilled. Vehicular pollution will drastically reduce with this effort," he said, ...
The 11th Edition of the GRIHA Summit Will be Co-hosted by UNSW Sydney & GRIHA Council
/ -- Professor Ian Jacobs, UNSW President and Vice-Chancellor and Dr. Ajay Mathur, DG, TERI & President, GRIHA Council, jointly announced the 11th edition of the GRIHA Summit will be co-hosted by UNSW & GRIHA Council in December, 2019 at New Delhi, India inthe presence of Her Excellency Ms Harindher Sidhu, High Commissioner of Australia to India. The 11th edition of India's Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment Council's annual flagship event will, for the second year in a row, be co-hosted with UNSW Sydney in December 2019. The GRIHA Summit brings together experts and consumers to discuss and deliberate on furthering the sustainable habitat agenda in India. It has been recognized as an effective platform for evaluating the environmental performance of a building, holistically over its entire lifecycle, seeking to minimise resource consumption, waste generation and overall ecological/environmental impact of buildings and habitats. Speaking on the announcement, ...
Any decision will be based on our commercial consideration and energy security: India on purchasing oil from Iran
India on Thursday said that any decision on purchasing crude from Iran will be based on its commercial consideration, energy security and national interest."There has not been much change from what I had spoken earlier. The fundamental principle remains that whatever decision we take will be based on commercial consideration, energy security and our national interest," Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said while addressing the weekly press briefing here.Before the Lok Sabha elections, the then External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had said that a decision on purchasing oil from Iran will be taken by the new government after the polls.Asked about the US withdrawal of GSP, the MEA spokesperson remained non-committal and said he would not like comment on the basis of media reports."Discussion within the government and even with the US has taken place on the issue. We get such issues in economic ties and these are resolved mutually," he said when ...
CG intensifies search for missing TN fisherman
The Coast Guard is carrying out extensive search for a fisherman from Tamil Nadu who has gone missing in the deep sea off Kerala coast early this week. According to a defence release Thursday, Coast Guard district headquarters (Kerala and Mahe) received distress message on June 3 about fisherman Anthony Raj, 52, missing from a Tamil Nadu registered Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) catamaran. According to information from the Tamil Nadu government's fisheries department, the catamaran left Cochin harbour early morning of June 3, it said. Indian Coast Guard ship (ICGS) C-162 sailed from Kochi and carried out extensive search in the area. ICGS Rajdoot was also diverted to augment the search operation. In addition, Coast Guard helicopter Chetak was also launched on Tuesday. "Extensive sea-air coordinated search was carried out. However, the marooned fisherman could not be located. All out efforts to locate the missing person is still in progress," the release added.
Yasasu sets a new model for waste to energy plant with Net Metering
South Delhi Municipal Corporation's (SDMC) Punjabi Bagh decentralized waste processing biogas plant is the first plant to install net metering. Till now the net metering concept had been successfully implemented in rooftop solar, this is for the first time wherein a biogas based decentralized waste to energy project is working on the same concept.The concept of Net metering also known as net energy metering, started as a solar incentive that allows users to store energy in the electric grid. When solar panels produce more electricity than needed, that energy is sent to the grid in exchange for credits. Then, at night or other times when solar panels are under producing, one can pull energy from the grid and use these credits to offset the costs of that energy."Incorporation of Net-metering with our decentralized waste processing technology 'Yasasu green' deployed at Punjabi Bagh and Pali Hill, Mumbai, projects gives us an edge, as it will help easy distribution of energy being ...
Delhi's 'bad air' days down by 33 per cent: Javadekar
Air quality in Delhi-NCR has improved and the number of days with "bad" air quality has come down by 33 per cent, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said Thursday. Speaking at an event to mark World Environment Day, which was on June 5, the minister said the situation "is not as bad" as being portrayed in the media. "Media reports are always creating a picture that lakhs of people are dying of air pollution but it is not as bad. Yes pollution is there but efforts are on," Javadekar said. "Number of poor air quality days in Delhi in 2016 used to be 246, and in 2014 they used to be around 300, in 2017 it came down to 213 and now it has come down to 206. I am confident that when 2019 figures will come, the number of poor air quality days will further come down. This is a tremendous success. The days of poor quality air have reduced. It is a significant improvement," he said. He also said that the number of days with 'moderate' to 'good' air quality has increased from 108 in ...
Fresh activities observed around N. Korea's N-plant
Fresh activities have been detected around North Korea's main nuclear complex, housing its uranium enrichment facility, indicating some operations at the plant, a US monitor has said.
Plastic packaging: NGT asks expert panel to probe if more norms needed to restrict its use
The National Green Tribunal has set up an expert committee to probe whether there is a need for further norms to restrict plastic packaging of food products after a plea has sought a ban on it citing health and environment concerns. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel formed the panel which comprises representatives of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Bureau of Indian Standards, Central Pollution Control Board and Directorate General of Health Services. "We are of the opinion that the question whether any further regulatory provisions are required on the subject of restrictions on the packaging by use of plastic material, after the steps already taken, and if so to what extent be examined by an Expert Committee comprising of the representatives of FSSAI, BIS, CPCB and DGHS. "The nodal agency for coordination will be the FSSAI. The committee will be at liberty to coopt any other expert/ institute or individual and furnish its report to this tribunal
Gen VK Singh opens Rs 49 crore Vasundhara flyover
Union Minister of State for Surface Transport Gen (retired) V.K. Singh opened the Vasundhara flyover for public here on Thursday.
RIL's R|Elan 'Fashion For Earth', LFW celebrate World Environment Day with #EarthTee2 theme
Reliance Industries Ltd's (RIL) R|Elan 'Fashion for Earth' in partnership with Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) on Wednesday celebrated 'World Environment Day' with a theme #EarthTee2.The limited-edition #EarthTee2 are made using R|Elan GreenGold - the greenest fabric with the lowest carbon footprint in the world - manufactured by recycling 50,000 PET bottles collected at the recently concluded LFW - Summer Resort '19 edition.The aim of unveiling #EarthTee2 was to create awareness among people to switch to fashion that not only enhances aesthetics but also helps conserve the environment and our planet.As a testimony of encouragement to young innovative designers, the #EarthTee2 has been designed by Yavi, the winner of the highest voted design at the R|Elan(tm) Elle Graduate 2019 contest. Various designers participated in the contest and people voted for Yavi's design, which has been used in #EarthTee2.Whilst elaborating on the designing aspects, Yavi said: "The collection derives inspiration .
Search underway for missing fisherman in Kochi
A search operation is underway for a fisherman missing off Kochi, according to officials.The 52-year-old fisherman has been identified as A. Raj, who hails from Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari district."The fisherman ventured into the sea in a Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) catamaran registered with the state of Tamil Nadu. The catamaran was found adrift with no sign of the fisherman onboard," Vineesh Krishnan, official spokesperson and Deputy Commandant of Indian Coast Guard (ICG), said.He said, "On June 3, the Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), Mumbai received information regarding a missing fisherman from the Fisheries Department of Tamil Nadu. On receiving the information, an interceptor boat of the Indian Coast Guard was immediately sailed out from Kochi to carry out search and rescue operations."ICGS Rajdoot, a Fast Patrol vessel of the ICG which was on a routine surveillance mission, was also diverted to augment the mission. A helicopter, as well as a Dornier aircraft, was launched to
VA Tech WABAG signs concession agreement worth Rs 575 crore
: City-based water treatment player VA Tech WABAG has signed a Rs 575-crore concession agreement under the Namami Gange programme which integrates the efforts to clean and protect the Ganga River in a comprehensive manner. A concession agreement typically refers to a contract between a company and a government that gives the company the right to operate a specific business within the government's jurisdiction, subject to certain terms. The pact was signed recently between the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) and senior officials from WABAG, a press release said. The scope of the contract includes engineering, supply and construction of new sewage treatment plants, renovation and up-gradation of existing sewage treatment plants, rehabilitation of pumping stations in Bally, Arupara and Baranagar areas of Kolkata, the release said. WABAG Head-Global Capital Projects Swadhin Samantaray said, "We are delighted to sign
Strawberry growers in Kashmir expect good sales after bumper crop
Strawberry growers in the scenic Kashmir valley are expecting bumper returns from the crop this season.The harvest, which usually begins in April, was pushed ahead this time owing to rainfall which came as a blessing in disguise boosting the fruit produce. Growers now hope that the high yields are met with equally high demand in the market."This time the produce is really good a little rain and the right weather has helped the produce. If it was too hot the loss would have been more. Strawberry is the first to be harvested, last year we started on 25th April. This year harvesting has been slightly delayed," said a grower.The lush green and red fields of strawberries are a beautiful sight with many growers engrossed in harvesting the fruit.Apples, cherries, grapes, apricots, plums, pomegranates and strawberries from the Valley are not just in demand locally but are exported to many other states and even countries and the prevalent climatic conditions are to credit for the sumptuous ...
NCR's 'poor' air quality days down by 50%: Javadekar
Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Thursday said the government's efforts to control air pollution have led to a decrease in the number of days with 'poor' air quality in the national capital region (NCR) by about 50 per cent in the last four years.
NGT seeks report from DPCC on plea alleging air pollution around Shakurbasti railway station
The National Green Tribunal has sought a report from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) on a plea alleging air pollution around the Shakurbasti railway station here due to loading and unloading of cement. A vacation bench comprising Justice K Ramakrishnan and expert member Nagin Nanda also directed railway officials to submit a report about the activities undertaken in that area. Before going into the matter further, we feel it necessary to get a report from the DPCC who shall inspect the area in question and ascertain genuineness of allegations made and if there is any infractions of any law relating to pollution, then action if any to be taken in this regard in accordance with law. "We also direct station superintendent/terminal manager (CRWC), cement siding at Shakurbasti railway station, New Delhi-110034 and chief goods supervisor, cement siding at railway station, to submit a report as to what are all the activities undertaken by them in that area to prevent the ...
Leopard trapped in well rescued using ladder
A leopard, aged around two-and- a-half years, that had fallen into a 36-feet well in a village in Dahod district of Gujarat was rescued with the help of a makeshift wooden ladder, a forest official said Thursday. The incident took place at Manli village in Limkheda tehsil, about 160 kms from here. The leopard had fallen into the well during the daytime on Wednesday. The forest department prepared a makeshift ladder, using which it came out of the well at night, nearly eight hours later, the official said. "A farmer from a field in Manli village first noticed the leopard. The man threw a wooden stick towards the animal on spotting it. The feline must have fallen into the nearby well while running away from the field," Janaksinh L Zala, deputy conservator of forest Devgadh Bariya circle, said. "Although the well was filled with water, some part of the ground surface was visible above the water and the leopard made himself comfortable there. A large crowd had gathered near .
2 people suspected of having contracted Nipah virus infection hospitalised
After a suspected case of Nipah virus was reported from Ernakulam district of Kerala, two more persons, suffering from high fever, were put under observation at Trivandrum Medical College on Thursday.Their samples have been sent for examination, sources said.On June 4, a 23-old-man had tested positive for Nipah virus infection, which killed 17 people in Kerala last year.As of now, a total of 15 people are under observation in the state.Yesterday, seven people suspected of having contracted the virus were admitted to a hospital in Kochi.Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan had on June 4 said that the Centre had rushed a team of doctors to Kerala for investigation in the wake of the scare of Nipah virus.Vardhan had asserted that he is "very vigorously" following the situation.Nipah virus is transmitted from animals to humans and then spreads through people to people contact, causing respiratory illness.Its symptoms include fever, muscle pain, headache, fever, ...
UAE expats worry over resurfacing of Nipah virus in Kerala
UAE-based expats from Kerala are worried about their families back home while traders and travellers are exercising precaution after a youth was tested positive for the Nipah virus in the state, according to a media report. The deadly Nipah virus resurfaced in Kerala with a 23-year-old male college student contracting the brain damaging disease, a year after it killed 17 people in the state. In all, 311 people from various districts with whom the student from Ernakulam district had interacted were under observation. Sharjah resident Sridevi Rajendran, who happens to be from the same town as the infected victim, said, "he was in the same school as my son. We are very worried about the situation back home and my son is there as well. Since there is no clarity as to where the virus has originated, people are generally tensed." "Large colonies of bats are common in Kerala. Since the virus has been detected, people have become very scared of bats, and there is a general tension in the air.
MEIL Completed Mega Power Infra for KLIP
/ -- India's leading infrastructure company Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd. (MEIL) completed the construction of the largest power supply system for irrigation sector in record time. The power requirement of the prestigious Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project (KLIP) is 4627 megawatts out of which MEIL has taken up the power supply works for about 3057 megawatts and completed on a war footing. This tremendous achievement of executing and completing work within the time frame created a history in power infrastructure. The KLIP is the biggest and largest lift irrigation project in the world which requires maximum power equal to all North Eastern states' power consumption and more than that of the consumption of many states. (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/898155/Kaleshwaram_Power_Supply_System.jpg ) Mr. Pravin Sharad Dixit, Vice President, Power, MEIL stated, "The KLIP power infrastructure includes six 400KV and 220KV substations, 7 KMs of 400 KV XLPE under Ground ...