Page 630 - Environment
India increases grants to $15m to handle global environment crises
Playing a crucial role to mitigate climate change and other environmental challenges across the globe, India on Tuesday announced it will increase for the next four years the money it pays to the Global Environment Facility (GEF), a mechanism to provide grants for environment projects.
Australia buys high-tech drones to monitor South China Sea, Pacific
Australia will invest Aus$7 billion (US$5.2 billion) to develop and buy high-tech US drones for joint military operations and to monitor waters including the South China Sea, it said today. Canberra has been embarking on its largest peacetime naval investment through a massive shipbuilding strategy that includes new submarines, offshore patrol vessels and frigates to shore up its defence capabilities. As part of this, the government will spend Aus$1.4 billion to buy the first of six MQ-4C Triton maritime surveillance drones, with the aircraft to enter service from mid-2023, complementing seven P-8A Poseidon planes currently in use. "Together these aircraft will significantly enhance our anti-submarine warfare and maritime strike capability, as well as our search and rescue capability," Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said in a statement. "This investment will protect our borders and make our region more secure." The drones -- high-altitude, long endurance aircraft that can support ...
Rescue on for boys football team, coach trapped in Thai cave
The Thai authorities on Tuesday are continuing their search and rescue efforts to find 12 children and an adult trapped inside a cave in northern Thailand.
Maharashtra plastic ban: Restaurant delivers food in steel lunch boxes
A restaurant in Pune has started delivering food in steel lunch boxes after the Maharashtra Government imposed a ban on the use of plastic in the state.As part of the initiative taken by the restaurant, the customers are asked to return boxes after the delivery.Those who order take away food at the restaurant are asked to deposit Rs 200 which will be reimbursed on returning the box."We welcome the state government's decision to ban plastic in the state as it's in favour of the environment," Ganesh Shetty, the owner of the restaurant, told ANI.However, Shetty shared that because of the plastic ban a lot of restaurant chains in the state are facing different issues."The government should have provided us some more time to arrange an alternative. Apps like Zomato and Swiggy have stopped working due to lack of delivery options. Customers are also facing inconvenience," he added.On March 23, the Maharashtra government had issued a notification, imposing a ban on the manufacture, use, sale .
China to import cattle from Myanmar
The Myanmar government and the China's Yunan province are planning to finalise an agreement to export cattle to meet rising demand in the Chinese market.China's beef consumption is 8.4 million tonnes per year, according to Beijing.Beijing is expected to allow 14 beef-exporting countries into its domestic market. Myanmar is most likely to be one of them, Myanmar Times reported.China will set up an abattoir near the border town of Nan Kam to check on the cattle that come from Myanmar to ensure they are healthy and fit for consumption."About 5000 live cattle have been exported to China monthly," Myanmar Times quoted U Kyaw Htin, vice chairman of the Myanmar Livestock Federation, as saying."China is now in a trade war with the US, which would be a problem as it imports 6000 metric tonnes (of beef) from the US. Myanmar will have an opportunity, but it has to be aware of neighbouring countries such as Cambodia and Laos which are also in the cattle trade," U Kyaw Htin said.From December 2017
Environment Ministry seeks better pollution management system before winters
The Union Environment Ministry on Monday held meeting with expert institutions including ISRO to discuss the satellite-based measurement for improving air quality information and management ahead of the winters.
Under BJP, AAP, Delhi's green cover depleting rapidly: Congress
The Congress on Monday blamed both the BJP-led Central government and Delhi's AAP government for the decision to chop over 16,000 tres in the national capital, saying the green cover of the city is depleting rapidly under them.
Six dead, Kolkata roads waterlogged following heavy monsoon showers
Five persons died in lightning strikes and one drowned as heavy monsoon showers left various areas of the metropolis and the southern Bengal districts waterlogged on Monday, with the weatherman warning of "heavy to very heavy rainfall" in the northern part of the state over the next five days.
Under BJP, AAP green cover in Delhi depleting rapidly: Ajay Maken
The Congress on Monday blamed both the BJP-led Central government and Delhi's AAP government for the decision to chop over 16,000 tres in the national capital, saying the green cover of the city is depleting rapidly under them.
AP CM asks Centre to release funds for Polavaram project
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu asked the Centre to release fund amounting to Rs 1940 crores spent for Polavaram project by the state government.Naidu has ordered state irrigation minister Devineni Umamaheswar Rao to write a letter to the Centre regarding the same.Meanwhile, while reviewing the progress of Polavaram project construction, the Chief Minister announced that 2050 meters long upstream jet grouting works have been completed.He said that downstream jet grouting works are 77 percent complete and ordered to finish remaining 23 percent works by July 9, 2018.Meanwhile, he also appreciated state irrigation department for winning 19 SKOCH awards. He congratulated irrigation minister, secretary, engineers, officials and all employees of the department for their hard work and endeavours.He said this is a rare and unique achievement that one single department and irrigation department made the state ideal for entire nation with its wonderful performance.He also ...
Expert panel will be set up to use advanced technology to deal with air pollution: Env Ministry
The Environment Ministry said today a committee of experts would be formed to look into the technological advances, including application of satellite-based measurement, to improve air quality and reduce pollution. Every winter smog causes deterioration of air quality, raising the pollution to dangerous levels in the national capital. The ministry said a meeting with expert institutions was held to discuss the application of advanced technologies to deal with the rising air pollution and improve the overall air quality management framework. "An expert group will be constituted, which will provide its recommendation in a month's time on early warning system, including dissemination protocol and application of satellite-based measurement for improving air quality information and management," the ministry said in a statement. "The Department of Science and Technology will take lead on technology interventions for possible use before the onset of winter. They should provide the results of
Majority of cities awarded under cleanliness ranking don't have appropriate systems for processing and disposal of waste: CSE
Cities were awarded under the Swachh Survekshan-2018 for their work on cleaning the city but not on how to process and recycle the waste, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said here today, on the latest cleanliness survey results released by the government. In a statement, CSE's deputy director Chandra Bhushan said, "Majority of the top 50 cities (with population above 1 lakh) are visibly clean, but do not have appropriate systems for processing and disposal. They continue to collect waste and dump it in poorly managed landfills and dumping sites. As per the CSE analysis, most of the cities in the top 50 do not collect segregated waste at source." "In Chandigarh, NDMC (North Delhi Municipal Council), SDMC (South Delhi Municipal Council), Varanasi, Ghaziabad, Greater Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Jabalpur and Jaipur, there is no collection of segregated waste at source. At some places, however, mixed waste is further sorted into different fractions," the CSE said in a statement. It .
Renewable energy certificates to continue face regulatory challenges: Ind-Ra
The renewable energy certificates will continue to face regulatory challenges and obligated entities may prefer to buy clean energy directly, India Ratings and Research said today. "The obligated entities may prefer to continue to buy renewable power directly rather than using renewable energy certificates (DECs), to comply with their renewable power obligations," an India Ratings and Research statement said. India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) believes uncertainties in trading DECs will stay. Solar REC trading was further affected following Central Electricity Regulatory Commission's (CERC) decision to reduce the floor and ceiling price of solar and non-solar RECs in March 2017. In April 2018, Appellate Tribunal of Electricity (APTEL) upheld CERC's decision. The floor and ceiling prices of RECs determined by CERC methodology usually reflect the price discovered through renewable power reverse bids. It said that trading volume in solar renewable energy certificates (RECs) had declined
Sreedharan panel to standardise metro rail projects as per local needs
The committee set up to lay down standards for metro rail systems in the country will recommend indigenous benchmarks on layout of platforms, size of tunnels and disaster management system, the government said today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had yesterday approved setting up of the committee to lay down standards for metro rail systems. The committee will be headed by E Sreedharan, also known as the "Metro Man". There are numerous areas for which indigenous standards need to be formulated, according to a statement issued by the PMO. "These are layout of metro stations, platforms, signage and displays, size of tunnels, fire protection systems, disaster management systems, environment friendly and waste management systems, and standards for solar panels at stations," it said. The indigenous standards will ensure that metro rail sub-systems for all new metro projects conform to the prescribed standards, thus incentivising manufacturers to plan for long term investments in the country
Bihar Guv demands Congress' apology for 'Emergency'
Governor of Bihar, Satyapal Malik on Monday demanded an apology from the Congress for the state of emergency, imposed in the country in 1975.June 25 marks the day when former prime minister Indira Gandhi had declared a state of emergency in the country for a 21-month period from 1975 to 1977."The Congress should apologise for the emergency. After the Sikh riots, Manmohan Singh went to the Golden Temple and apologised, but the Congress is yet to apologise for the emergency. I demand the Congress leadership to apologise to the country," said Malik.He stated that schools should include a chapter about the Emergency, saying that children should know how independence was snatched away from the country."There cannot be another emergency in the future. There was no government during the emergency, a mere two-three people were running the nation. Those people who were oppressed then should remember," he added.The Emergency was officially imposed by the then President, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed ...
Delhi Environment Min endorsed proposals for cutting of trees: LG
Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) Anil Baijal on Monday said the proposals for cutting of trees for the redevelopment of government colonies were duly endorsed by the state Environment Minister Imran Hussain.The Lieutenant Governor further said that he had only concurred with the proposals."An impression is being created in certain sections of media that permissions for tree cutting in case of redevelopment of government colonies have been granted directly by Lt. Governor, despite objections of Minister (Environment) of GNCTD - Imran Hussain. In this regard, it is clarified that the proposals for cutting of trees (in case the area is more than one hectare) are put up to the Lt. Governor only on the basis of recommendations of the Minister (Environment)," the LG office said in an official statement.The LG office said in the cases of tree cutting of redevelopment of Nauroji Nagar and Netaji Nagar, the proposals for felling of trees were duly endorsed by the Environment Minister and Baijal .
Delhi environment minister writes to L-G over felling of trees in South Delhi
Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain today wrote to Lt Governor (L-G) Anil Baijal, demanding that the felling of trees for NBCC construction projects in seven colonies here be immediately halted. His demand comes amid protests over the government's plan to cut nearly 14,000 trees in seven colonies in South Delhi -- Sarojini Nagar, Netaji Nagar, Nauroji Nagar, Kasturba Nagar, Thyagraj Nagar, Srinivaspuri and Mohammadpur. Hussain said the ongoing projects are "liable to be stopped due to violations". "I have written to the Hon'ble LG of Delhi demanding immediate halt to felling of trees for NBCC construction projects till the matter is fully investigated given the seriousness of the entire matter," he said in a tweet. Yesterday, a major protest was held against the decision with locals and activists launching their own 'Chipko Movement' -- a forest conservation movement where people in the 1970s embraced trees to prevent them from being cut down in Uttarakhand (then Uttar ...
India among eight nations gets funds for marine conservation
Eight nations, including India, around the Bay of Bengal were brought together on Monday to develop and agreed programme for ocean governance with a tranche of multi-million dollars through financial institution Global Environment Facility (GEF) to tackle unsustainable fisheries.
Future bids for renewable projects to have 50 pc manufacturing component: R K Singh
Union Power Minister R K Singh today said future bids for renewable projects would have at least 50 per cent manufacturing component for developers. Addressing a business session with President of Seychelles Danny Faure, the new and renewable energy minister said the Centre would also make it obligatory for project developers to manufacture storage system. "We are going to come out with bigger bids but our future bids will be tagged along with manufacturing. We will bid out capacity plus the commitment to manufacture up to 50 per cent of the capacity. That is manufacturing of solar cells," Singh said. The minister further said, "We are also bringing storage. We are going to be one of the biggest markets of storage in the world. We will add storage to the bid gradually. There will also be an obligation to manufacture storage (system) up to a certain percentage. That is the growth trajectory we are targeting." On clean energy in India, he said, "We will add 175 GW of renewable energy by
Delhi government permitted axing of trees, can't stop development: NBCC
In the midst of the raging controversy over the proposed felling of over 16,000 trees in Delhi, the NBCC India Ltd -- a Navratana enterprise, on Monday said it is the Delhi government that has given permission to axe the trees.
