Page 638 - Environment
African wild dogs make comeback at Mozambican wildlife park
The African wild dogs are back. There are just 14 of them, far fewer than those that roamed Mozambique's Gorongosa National Park before the nearly two-decade civil war that started in the 1970s. As up to a million people lost their lives to violence and famine, much of the park's wildlife also was wiped out including the wild dogs, an endangered species vulnerable to snares and disease. Now they have been re-introduced to Gorongosa, carnivores unleashed on plant eaters as part of an intricate conservation project that aims to restore a diverse ecosystem at the southern end of Africa's Great Rift Valley. It's complicated. Architects of the project a joint venture between a non-profit group founded by American philanthropist Greg Carr and the Mozambican government are wrestling with big picture ideas about what restoration even means in a world whose wild places face intensifying pressure from human encroachment and climate change. "We can't go back to what exactly it was," said Marc
CMD, NSIC launches "Harit Saptah"
Ravindra Nath, CMD, NSIC launched "Harit Saptah" on 21st June 2018 wherein Tree Plantation Campaigns are being organised by all NSIC Branch / Zonal offices across the country in association with Industry association and Academic Institutions during the period 21st June 2018 to 27th June 2018.Ravindra Nath, CMD, NSIC stated that Trees provide us with many benefits necessary for survival. They also give us hope and insight, and courage to persevere - even in the harshest conditions. Trees teach us to stay rooted while soaring to great heights. All NSICians must come forward and maintain these saplings so that they give a bright future to the country. The major saplings being planted include Fruit bearing trees, medicinal plants amongst others. Also present on this occasion were P. Udayakumar, Director (P&M) and Shri A. K. Mittal, Director (Finance).
Local bodies directed to dispose of plastic, Maha govt to HC
The Maharashtra government has told the Bombay High Court that it has asked all local authorities to set up a mechanism to arrange the collection, transportation and disposal of banned plastic items and plastic waste. The government had on March 23 issued a notification imposing a ban on manufacture, use, sale, distribution and storage of all plastic materials, including one-time use bags, spoons, plates, PET and PETE bottles and thermocol items. The notification was, however, challenged in HC by plastic, PET bottle and thermocol manufacturers and retail associations on the ground that the ban was arbitrary, bad in law and violated their fundamental right to livelihood. In April, a division bench of Justices A S Oka and Riyaz Chagla refused to stay the notification after observing that the court could not ignore the adverse effects of plastic waste on the environment. The notification gave a period of three months to the manufacturers, distributors and retailers to dispose of the
PM Modi to launch number of projects in poll-bound MP tomorrow
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive here tomorrow on a one-day visit during which he will launch several development projects, an official said today. Modi will dedicate the Mohanpura Irrigation Project in Rajgarh district to the people of the state and also inaugurate several other projects, including an urban transport scheme named 'Sutra Seva" in Indore, a public relations officer (PRO) said. The prime minister will land at Bhopal's Raja Bhoj Airport around 12 pm and then leave for Mohanpura and thereafter to Indore to take part in various programmes, the official said. "The prime minister will dedicate the Mohanpura irrigation project worth Rs 3,866 crore to the people of the state. This project, which includes a dam and a canal system, would benefit 727 villages in Madhya Pradesh," he said. Thereafter, Modi will head to Indore to dedicate the development works worth Rs 4713.75 crore at a programme. He will also felicitate the winners of cleanliness survey -- Swachh ...
Six new spider species named after Enid Blyton characters
Six new species of minute goblin spiders discovered in the diminishing forests of Sri Lanka have been named after fictional characters described by famous English children's writer Enid Blyton. The goblins Bom, Snooky and Tumpy and the brownies Chippy, Snippy and Tiggy made their way from the pages of: "The Goblins Looking-Glass" (1947), "Billy's Little Boats" (1971) and "The Firework Goblins" (1971) to the scientific literature in a quest to shed light on the biodiversity of the island country. As a result of their own adventure, which included sifting through the leaf litter of the local forests, scientists Suresh P Benjamin and Sasanka Ranasinghe of the National Institute of Fundamental Studies in Sri Lanka, described a total of nine goblin spider species in six genera as new to science. Two of these genera are reported for the very first time from outside Australia. With a total of 45 species in 13 genera, the goblin spider fauna in Sri Lanka is already remarkably abundant. ...
Tokyo exhibition focuses on reduction of CO2, saving energy
Tokyo has launched an exhibition to showcase a wide range of environmental technologies and services to overcome various challenges.Energy conservation, renewable energy, heat island technology, and CO2 reduction technologies are most important in global warming countermeasures.A visitor said, "I am working in the construction industry and I think the heavy machinery we use -like dumps- produce a lot of carbon dioxide emissions. When I drive such machinery I always think that it would be better to use new technologies because they lead to the reduction of carbon dioxide."The exhibition includes Japanese-style trailer house. Lighting, air conditioner and other electrical devices are operated by solar energy."Our company is producing a natural energy independent power system. We are exhibiting a trailer house that utilizes the so-called Japan 'Wabi Sabi', by using solar power and electricity storage system. This 'Off-grid', independent supply system concept is all about using indoor ...
Joint session: Pot found growing at Japan MPs' building
Marijuana plants have been found growing at an office building used by lawmakers in Japan, which has some of the strictest drug laws in the developed world, an official said today. The budding crop of four plants was found by a visitor on Thursday growing on the premises of an office building for members of the upper house, an official in charge of maintenance there told AFP. "After we reported it to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, two Tokyo officials visited" and removed the plants, he said. "They said the plants looked to be about two months old," he added. "The officials explained that marijuana seeds can be carried by wind and bird excrement, and they said they will visit us again to ensure" the plants were unrooted completely and hadn't spread. Japan strictly prohibits both hard and soft drugs, and police have in past years arrested sumo wrestlers, musicians, actors and college students for possessing, growing or selling marijuana. In sharp contrast, Canada said this week it ..
Escalating air pollution levels harm city dwellers
With rising incidences of disruptive dust storms across North India and increased abnormal weather phenomena, many cities and suburbs are facing a potent threat to life and activity in a manner that is nothing short of an epidemic.Air pollution is a major cause of life threatening diseases such as stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and chronic and acute respiratory syndromes such as asthma.Ironically, major metropolitan centers such as Mumbai and Delhi, which are the most populous in the country, are also the world's most polluted."World Health Organisation (WHO) data shows that Delhi recorded Particulate Matter 2.5 levels at 143 micrograms per cubic meter, which is 14 times higher than the recommended safe limit. Surrounding areas such as Jaipur and Chandigarh also have PM 2.5 levels well above safe limits. These smaller air particles are particularly dangerous for health because they can enter the lungs more deeply, resulting in asthma, respiratory system inflammation, lung cancers .
How to get happy feet, perfect hair during monsoon
Is your hair out of control? Are your feet unhappy due to the ongoing season? Try using coconut oil and honey masks for your hair, opt for airy footwear to avoid water clogging so that stinky feet are at bay, suggest experts.
Scientists discover 27 new viruses in bees
An evidence of 27 new, previously unknown viruses in bees has been found by a team of international researchers.The finding could now help scientists design certain strategies to prevent the spread of viral pathogens among these important pollinators.The team collected samples of DNA and RNA, which is responsible for the synthesis of proteins, from 12 bee species in nine countries across the world to investigate viruses in bees.Next, they developed a technique that efficiently detected both previously identified and 27 never-seen-before viruses belonging to at least six new families in a single experiment.Research scientist at Bristol Myers Squibb, David Galbraith said, "Despite the importance of bees as pollinators of flowering plants in agricultural and natural landscapes and the importance of viruses to bee health, our understanding of bee viruses is surprisingly limited."Among the new viruses the team identified was one that is similar to a virus that infects plants."It is ...
Loan waiver, free power no lasting solution: Naidu
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said populist measures such as loan waivers and free power would not provide lasting solution to the distressed farmers in the country and sought timely credit at affordable interest rates besides giving latest know-how to them to improve farm productivity.
Reliance Energy to ensure power supply during MMRDA outage
Reliance Energy will take every possible step to ensure that power supply to its consumers in the city suburbs is not disrupted due to the planned outage by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) early on June 24, the company said on Thursday.
China, Nepal sign 14 pacts, including on railway construction
China and Nepal on Thursday signed 14 agreements, including one on railway construction in the Himalayan nation, following a meeting between visiting Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang.
Tiger shifted to Satkosia Tiger Reserve from Kanha in MP
A male Royal Bengal Tiger (RBT) was today brought to Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Odisha's Angul district in a special vehicle from the Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, a senior Forest official said. "One male RBT of less than three years reached Satkosia from Madhy Pradesh. It has been brought as part of the state government's efforts to increase tiger population and maintain bio-diversity in Satkosia reserve," Sandeep Tripathy, principal chief conservator of forests (wild life) told reporters. Tripathy said five more tigers will be brought to Satkosia in different phases. The state government has planned to release tigers in Satkosia reserve to increase tiger population in the state. Though there are two RBTs in Satkosia, both have been old and over 13 years. Sources said the team comprising personnel from Odisha and Madhya Pradesh forest officials left Kanha yesterday with the tiger after tranquillising it. The big cat was brought to Odisha in a special vehicle ...
Salem-Chennai green corridor will affect farmers: CPI leader
The proposed green corridor project from Salem to Chennai is unnecessary as the project would deprive thousands of farmers of their fertile land, secretary of Tamil Nadu unit of CPI R Mutharasan said today. The state government, without discussing with the people and farmers in the area, has already started the process of acquiring the land as a result of which 72,000 farmers would be affected, and cutting down of one lakh coconut trees, Mutharasan told reporters here. Despite such expected losses, the chief minister K Palaniswami was adamant to see the Rs 10,000-crore project through, he said. Moreover, the Communist leader said farmers, social activists like Piyush Manush and Valarmathi were arrested for opposing the highway project and false cases were registered. "There is no freedom of expression for farmers and people in Tamil Nadu and those who raise the issue are branded as anti-socials," he added. Amid opposition, Palaniswami had asserted in the assembly that ...
SC junks plea for restoration of clogged rivers
The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to entertain a plea seeking restoration of the rivers flowing through reserve forests in Uttar Pradesh with their beds overloaded with sand, bajri (gravel), morang and boulder as it questioned the bonafides of the petitioner.
Artificial rain experiment in Solapur in fortnight: Official
Artificial rain experiment will be conducted in Maharashtra's arid Solapur district in the next two weeks under a Ministry of Earth Sciences project, an IITM official said today. A special aeroplane will seed dark clouds with sodium chloride or calcium chloride as part of the experiment. To verify the actual rainfall precipitation, there have been 120 rain gauges deployed in the periphery of 200 kms around Solapur, an official of the Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) said. "It (the experiment) is a part of an ongoing project of the Ministry of Earth Sciences which had earlier collected data and came up with the artificial rainfall project," he said. In 2014-15, the ministry had carried out a detailed cloud mapping drive for the arid region of Maharashtra. A plane equipped with special cameras was used to take flights on daily basis and would reach up to Solapur-Osmanabad districts. "Now, the ministry has decided to go ahead and try artificial ...
Varanasi: Activists performs 'asanas' with masks on to draw attention towards air pollution
To draw attention towards high air pollution levels, a group performed "asanas" at the Shivala Ghat here with masks on their faces at an event held on the International Day of Yoga. All participants had put on masks, not only to prevent themselves from the poor air quality, but also to create awareness among the people, lead campaigner for Climate Agenda Ekta Shekhar told PTI over the phone. Referring to the scientific claims that Yoga can improve oxygen intake, Shekhar said such an activity will not lead to desired results if the air was polluted. The event was held simultaneously in Bengaluru, New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata as well, she said. "Even science has accepted that different asanas and yoga postures are helpful in developing physical capabilities. But, at a time when entire Uttar Pradesh is reeling under high toxicity in the ambient air, it could be harmful for human body to do Yoga in open air. Without thinking over a permanent solution to air pollution, promotion of Yoga ..
TB-hit 10 tuskers relieved of their onerous duty at Amber Fort
Ten elephants, deployed at the Amber Fort here to entertain tourists and give them royal rides, have been relieved of their onerous duty after they were found suffering with tuberculosis. The ten pachyderms, forming a group of 100 others, were found suffering from the energy sapping, infectious disease during their medical examination by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) between December 2017 and March 2018 at Hathi Gaon, following which they were withdrawn from the active duty. A team by AWBI conducted examination of 103 elephants and 10 of them were found with the symptoms of TB, Jaipur Zoo's Deputy Forest Conservator Sudarshan Sharma disclosed it in a letter to the Amber fort superintendent two days back. In his letter dated June 19 today at the Fort, Sharma also asked the fort authorities to stop using the elephants. Amber fort Superintendent Pankaj Dharendra said the use of the sick elephants has been stopped forthwith. The Amber fort is protected monument falling under ...
Union Minister for holistic approach to fight climate change
Human induced changes posed a grave threat to the eco-system and humanity itself and a holistic approach was needed to fight climate change, Union Minister Suresh Prabhu said today. "There was ice age, then there were dinosaurs living in this world. All these were natural changes. But what is happening today is induced by human beings which has a grave threat. Time is running out and we are late in action," he said here at the launch of a book on the subject. Citing various conventions and protocols followed worldwide, the commerce and industries minister urged all stakeholders to adopt a holistic approach to fight the phenomenon. "There is Kyoto protocol, there are agreements on conservation of wetlands, forestry and desertification. All these are fragmented approach. But environment is not a fragmented system, it is all integrated," he said. The book - "The Climate Solution" authored by Mridula Ramesh, stresses on efforts taken in individual capacity to "adapt to" ...
