Page 64 - Environment
Carcass of elephant with tusks missing found in Odisha
Carcass of an elephant with its tusks missing was found inside Kuldiha reserve forest in Odisha's Balasore district, a forest official said on Thursday. The carcass of the tusker, aged around 40 years, was spotted on Wednesday inside the prohibited area of the reserve forest during patrolling by forest guards, the official said. The decomposed body was lying close to the Tenda beat house near Sajnagad under Nilagiri forest division and the elephant was suspected to have been killed by poachers. After getting information a team of forest officials along with a veterinary doctor reached the spot and found that the tusks of the elephant had been extracted by poachers, he said, adding that the animal was believed to have been killed around 10-days ago. A post-mortem was conducted an investigation is on to nab the poachers, the official added.
K'taka: DK Shivakumar offers special prayers for rain
Karnataka water resources minister and Congress leader DK Shivakumar held a Parjanya homa (pooja) at Sri Rishya Shringeshwara temple Chikkamagaluru praying for rain on Thursday.Several districts of the state have been officially declared as drought-ridden.The minister began pooja in the wee hours of Thursday with a couple of purohits.Reportedly, the combined live storage in all four reservoirs of the Cauvery basin -- Krishnaraja Sagar, Kabini, Hemavathi and Harangi -- is 13.93 tmcft as against their full live storage capacity of 104.55 tmcft.To combat the crisis, the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) has also ordered Karnataka to release 9.19 tmcft of water for June from the Biligundlu reservoir on the interstate border to Mettur Dam in Tamil Nadu.
Google to share air quality findings with scientists
As part of a larger effort to track pollution, Google is releasing air quality data for scientists that it collected from California's Bay Area and Central Valley with its Street View cars under Project Air View.
Expats in UAE worried as Nipah virus detected in Kerala
UAE-based Malayalis have expressed concern for their loved ones back home, as a Kerala youth tested positive for the Nipah virus, leading to a number of traders and travellers taking precautionary measures, the media reported.
Embassy Office Parks Continues ESG Initiatives on World Environment Day Across All Its Commercial Parks
/ -- Partners with Lithium Urban Technologies to Introduce e-vehicles to Reduce Carbon Footprint Embassy Office Parks, India's first and only listed REIT, along with the tenant partners have come forth to support multiple environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives on World Environment Day. It has partnered with Lithium Urban Technologies, world's largest electric vehicle commercial fleet operators, to introduce e-vehicles for intra-park commute. These electric vehicles (EV) are powered by renewable energy powered with zero emissions and zero carbon footprint. (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/898493/Embassy_Office_Parks.jpg ) (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/898494/Cyclothon.jpg ) Lithium Urban Technologies will manage all-electric, shared, safe and hosted fleet of e-vehicles that are accessible to park users for movement in and around the commercial parks. This initiative will help in controlling congestion, reduce cost of transportation, reduce noise and .
Maharashtra drought: Ramdev urges people not to waste water
Yoga guru Ramdev on Thursday urged people not to waste water and utilise every drop in the wake of dried water sources in Maharashtra." I request people not to waste water and also urge authorities to make requisite arrangements," he said while speaking to ANI in Mumbai.At present, several isolated pockets of the state are reeling under water scarcity. Locals are struggling to fetch water in the drought-hit areas. The Marathwada and Beed are the worst-hit regions affected due to water scarcity.At present, the government is fulfilling the needs of people by supplying water tankers. Besides, some of the locals are migrating to nearby states.Recently, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena has appealed to the Central government to provide financial aid. The political party, in its mouthpiece Saamana has asked the Centre to take note of 9000 villages in the state where, it said, financial help has not yet reached.The Yoga Guru also lauded the Indian cricket team for beating South Africa in the ...
Seized bombs explode inside Maharashtra Forest Dept office
The office of Maharashtra State Forest Department here got severely damaged after crude bombs seized from poachers exploded inside the office premises on Wednesday morning, police said.According to police, the seized bombs which went-off were used for poaching wild boars and other wild animals.The villagers packed bombs in a way that they exploded when a wild animal chewed it leading to the instant death of the mammal.No causalities were reported.Around 90 seized crude bombs were stored at the Paud office. Furniture including chairs and tables inside the office were badly damaged and the closed shutter of the office was hurled several feet away. The walls of the office also sustained cracks.According to forest officials, an inquiry would be conducted in the matter.
Gujarat first to launch emissions trading
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani here on the World Environment Day on Wednesday launched the country's first emissions trading scheme (ETS) to encourage and incentivize the industrial units to cut air pollution.
Nipah virus: Karnataka govt issues circular to strengthen surveillance
Integrated Disease Surveillance Program, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Services, Karnataka, on Wednesday issued a circular in view of the detection of Nipah virus in Kerala.The circular calls for strengthening the surveillance activity in view of the disease."So far, NiV has infected 477 people and killed 248 since 1998. Outbreaks of Nipah in South Asia have a strong seasonal pattern and a limited geographical range. The case fatality rate of NiV ranges from 40- 70% although it has been as high as 100 per cent in some outbreaks. In 2018, 18 cases and 16 deaths have been reported from Kozhikode and Malappuram districts of Kerala", the circular read.It also cited reports of a 23-year-old student from Kerala being tested positive for the disease while stating that surveillance activity has to be strengthened.The circular has directed that an interdepartmental co-ordination committee meeting be convened immediately including officials from the veterinary department, IMA, and ...
Mahatma Gandhi understood concerns of environment when it was not biggest worries: Indian envoy
Air pollution is one of the biggest killers in India, the country of Mahatma Gandhi who understood the concerns of environment at a time when it was not really the biggest worries that people had, Indian Ambassador to Israel Pavan Kapoor has said. Kapoor on Wednesday joined kindergarten children of Kibbutz Naan (agricultural commune) and other India enthusiasts to plant saplings on the occasion of World Environment Day and to mark the 150th Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. According to experts, there is an urgent need to check air pollution, the theme of the Environment Day this year, as a study claimed it has become a national emergency killing one lakh children under the age of five in India every year. He also dedicated the India-Israel Friendship Grove and unveiled a plaque with quotation with a quotation of the Father of the Nation on the protection of the environment saying, "The earth, the air, the land and the water are not an inheritance from our forefathers but on loan from ...
Documentary on ecological revival at two Karnataka dams screened
Marking the World Environment Day, an environment trust on Wednesday screened a documentary on ecological revival at two dams in Karnataka in order to spread awareness on preserving the natural habitat for native and migratory birds.
India Inc comes up with environment conservation steps
On the Environment Day on Wednesday, Indian corporates joined the bandwagon to take initiatives for environment protection and conservation along with outlining the steps they have taken in that direction so far.
Concession agreement signed for STPs in West Bengal
A concession agreement was signed on Wednesday for the Howrah, Bally and Baranagar and Kamarhati sewage treatment plant (STP) projects under the Centre's Namami Gange initiative, the Jal Shakti Ministry said. The project has been awarded to VA Tech Wabag at a cost of Rs 592 crore. "During the event, a concession agreement was signed for Howrah, Bally and Baranagar and Kamarhati STP projects under Hybrid Annuity based PPP mode for West Bengal," a statement read. These are first set of projects awarded in West Bengal under the concept of 'One City, One Operator' through Hybrid Annuity based PPP mode. The project includes development of three new STPs of total 165 Million Litre Per Day (MLD) capacity -- 65 MLD in Howrah, 40 MLD in Bally and 60 MLD in Baranagar and Kamarhati, respectively. It also includes rehabilitation of existing 22 MLD STP in Bally, laying of 16 kms of sewerage network, rehabilitation of existing pumping stations and associated infrastructure and operation and ...
Tree bank inaugurated on World Environment Day
A tree bank was inaugurated and around 3,000 saplings were planted at different locations of the Jamshedpur steel city on the occasion of the World Environment Day on Wednesday. Divisional Forest Officer (Dalbhum) Dr Abhisekh Kumar inaugurated the tree bank set up by the Jamshedpur Utility and Services Company (Jusco), a 100 per cent subsidiary of the Tata Steel. Tata Steel Vice President Chanakya Choudhary and Jusco Managing Director Tarun Daga were also present at the inauguration. Addressing the gathering, Kumar said the tree bank will help to increase the green cover in and around the steel city. The bank has 10,000 saplings of 13 species, including neem, mango, and palm, the Chief Divisional Manager (PHS) of Jusco, Arun Vidyut, said.
Bancha, the first solar kitchen only village in India
Bancha in Betul district is the first village in India to have zero wooden stoves and almost no use for LPG cylinders with all its 75 houses relying on solar-powered stoves to meet their cooking needs, claims social activist Mohan Nagar."There are places in India where solar plates are used sporadically for cooking, but with the help of a team from IIT Mumbai, a special solar stove was developed. No trees are cut by the villagers now for lighting their stoves. The Central government's decision to choose Bancha has changed has set an example which can be replicated to make other villages smoke and pollution free," Nagar told ANI.Nagar who is also a member of the Bharat-Bharti Shiksha Samiti, an NGO spoke about the role played by the team from IIT Mumbai and thanked Union Minister for Petrol and Energy, Dharmendra Pradhan.He said that the project of installing solar power plates, batteries and stoves in all the 74 houses was started in September 2017 and got completed by December ...
Thousands partake in clean Sabarmati drive
As thousands sweated it out, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani here on the World Environment Day on Wednesday launched a massive five-day Sabarmati river clean-up campaign initiated by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.
From planting saplings to offering free Tulsi seeds cards, Delhi celebrates World Environment Day
From planting saplings to offering free Tulsi seed cards, political leaders in the national capital Wednesday did their bit to inspire people to work towards ensuring a cleaner and greener city on World Environment Day. Congress's Delhi unit president Sheila Dikshit planted a sapling at her Nizamuddin East residence on the occasion and urged everyone to plant at least one sapling each to increase the tree cover here. She said the Congress's city unit will start an extensive tree plantation drive in the national capital on party president Rahul Gandhi's birthday on June 19. Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal appealed to the people to adopt the principle of reuse and recycle. "On this World Environment Day, let's pledge to take measures to reduce air pollution. Let's plant trees, segregate our waste, stop open burning of waste, promote reuse and recycling. Small actions go a long way!" he tweeted. BJP Delhi unit spokesperson Tajinder Bagga announced distribution of one lakh Tulsi seed ...
Tree felling in Tripura: 3 forest officials suspended
The Tripura government has suspended three forest department officers for their alleged failure to stop illegal felling of trees here, a top forest official said on the World Environment Day Wednesday. The three were suspended for dereliction of duty in the illegal felling of 11 trees at Kunjaban government quarter complex area here last month, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Dr Alind Rastogi said. "The Department is trying to make an example out of the Kunjaban tree felling case so that all officers remain cautious," Rastogi told reporters. The three suspended officers are Sadar Sub-Division Range Officer Sujit Chakma, Howrah Beat Officer Bimal Kumar Sharma and Forester Abhijit Acharjee. The High Court of Tripura had also on May 22 directed the state government to submit a comprehensive report on illegal felling of trees at Kunjaban quarter complex. Rastogi said 35,000 to 40,000 saplings were planted as part of celebrating the World Environment Day.
On World Environment Day, school children organise 'UnPlastic Ploggers Run'
On the occasion of World Environment Day, the school going students of Siliguri in association with United Nations Environment Program(UNEP), jointly organised "UnPlastic Ploggers Run" here on Wednesday.More than 300 students were divided into four groups, collected plastic related things from the city and gathered in a single place to make plastic-free city slogans.According to the organisers, they have started the drive against the use of plastic carry bags and other related things."It is found that people use plastic for one time, then throw it on the streets which is very dangerous. So, we want to make people aware that how it is affecting our nature," they said.According to reports, one million plastic drinking bottles are purchased every minute, while up to 5 trillion single-use plastic bags are used worldwide every year.In total, half of all plastic products are designed to be used only once and then thrown away. Researchers estimate that more than 8.3 billion tonnes of plastic
Eastern Naval Command celebrates World Environment Day
The World Environment Day was celebrated by various units and establishments under Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatnam, West Bengal, Odisha and Tamil Nadu with the theme 'Air Pollution' on Wednesday.Environmental protection has been declared as one of the key result areas in Indian Navy and Eastern Naval Command. In order to curb air pollution, the command has instituted various measures to restrict the burning of waste in and around Naval areas, read a statement.In addition, regular plantation drives are conducted on various occasions to ensure naval commitment towards a green and clean environment."In this regard over 10,000 saplings have been planted in the past year by various units under East Naval Command. The headquarters is keeping a close watch on the Ambient Air Quality standards in and around naval units at Visakhapatnam by using portable Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System (AAQMS) and any spike in the air pollution is brought to the notice of Pollution Control Board ..