Page 667 - Environment
Shalimar Works in pact with B'desh firm for making watercrafts
State-owned ship manufacturing company Shalimar Works Ltd today entered into an agreement with Bangladesh shipbuilder Western Marine for manufacturing different types of vessels and watercrafts. The two companies signed the agreement for formation of a special purpose vehicle to develop freight and passenger transportation along National Waterway I comprising rivers Ganga, Hooghly and Bhagirathi. West Bengal Transport minister Suvendu Adhikari said "Shalimar Works has made a financial turnaround and is likely to be on the profit-making path soon." He said the state is giving a lot of importance for the use of waterways as a viable passenger and freight transportation alternative. Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata Toufique Hassan said "the agreement between the two companies is a step towards further deepening of relations between the two countries." He said the agreement will help both the companies financially. Western Marine's managing director Shahnawaz ..
WB lauds Punjab govt's approach to agri, water and power problems
World Bank today offered to sponsor Punjab government's projects for finding comprehensive long-term solutions in critical areas of water, agriculture and power. Punjab was the only state that was talking about an integrated solutions-based approach to the problems relating to water, agriculture and power, said World Bank Country Director India, Junaid Ahmad, who met Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh here along with a delegation. If Punjab wins the challenge of water, energy and agriculture, it would set an example for the world for shifting from narrow based projects to more complex and comprehensive ones, Ahmad said. The chief minister informed the delegation that providing potable water across the state, especially in parts of southern Punjab, was a major challenge as the ground water table was depleting. Pollution of river water had touched alarming levels, he said, adding that industrial and municipal wastes had badly affected the river waters. Capt Amarinder sought ...
Cabinet gives nod to construction of six-lane bridge on Ganga
The Cabinet on Wednesday approved the project for construction of 9.9 km long new 6 - lane bridge across river Ganga on NH - 96 at Phaphamau in Allahabad with the total capital cost of Rs. 1948.25 crore.The construction period for the project is three years and is likely to be completed by December 2021. The new bridge will resolve the traffic congestion on existing old 2 - lane Phaphamau Bridge on NH-96 at Allahabad.The new bridge will also facilitate the large congregation of people at the Holy City of Allahabad during Kumbh, Ardh-Kumbh and other yearly ritual baths at SANGAM in Prayag. This will give a boost to pilgrimage tourism and local economy of Prayag.This new 6-lane bridge will also be beneficial for the Lucknow; Faizabad bound traffic coming from Madhya Pradesh via National Highway - 27 and National Highway - 76 through Naini Bridge.In addition, this project of a new bridge will generate direct employment during construction for about 9.20 lakh man-days.It may be noted that
Rivers may swell after heavy rainfall, Centre warns 5 states
The Union government today warned Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat on India's western coast that heavy rainfall this week may lead to "flash floods" and swelling of rivers originating in the Western Ghats. A forecast by India Meteorological Department indicates that "heavy to very heavy rainfall" is likely at a few places and "extremely heavy fall" at isolated places over Konkan and Goa, central Maharashtra from June 7-12, the Ministry of Water Resources said in an advisory. "Heavy to very heavy rainfall" is likely over coastal Karnataka tomorrow and throughout the state between June 9 and June 11, and at isolated places over Kerala on June 9-10. There is a possibility of rise in water levels in river basins between Tapi and Tadri, Godavari and its tributaries near the west coast, Krishna and its tributaries near the west coast, Cauvery and its tributaries near the west coast and in rivers between Tadri and Kanyakumari, it said. Due to very heavy rainfall forecast in ...
Harsh Vardhan appeals to doctors to make green movement a success like Pulse Polio drive
Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan appealed to doctors today to join the green movement launched by his ministry to make it successful like the Pulse Polio campaign. Urging the medical fraternity to build a social movement around the Green Good Deeds (GGDs), the minister said that ground level works were more important for tackling pollution. "The role of doctors was crucial in success of Pulse Polio campaign and the same is required now for the success of action against environment pollution," he said at a World Environment Day function hosted by the Delhi Medical Association (DMA). Vardhan, who was the president of DMA as well as Health Minister of Delhi in 1994, was credited with the success of Pulse Polio pilot project in the city. The Environment Minister said that during his visits to different parts of the country and interactions with a large number of people, he had sensed that there was willingness among people to work for environment protection. Talking about GGDs, he
Cabinet nod for agreements with four nations for urban development
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the agreements inked by India with four European countries -- France, United Kingdom, Denmark and Netherlands -- on sustainable urban development as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pet 'Smart Cities' project.
2 children test positive of JE, one critical: HP health officials
Two children have tested positive of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Himachal Pradesh and the condition of one of them is serious, health officials said today. However, the disease is confined to a part of Solan district, they said. Teams of the National Institute of Communicable Diseases, National Institute of Virology, Pune, and the National Vector Disease Control Programme have taken samples for further tests. "Six children from Solan district's Dharampur area were brought to the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) here. "Four of them have been discharged. The condition of three-year-old Harshit is critical. The other six-year-old child is progressing well, Senior Medical Superintendent at IGMC, Dr Janak Raj said. "Following reports of the JE outbreak, a health advisory has been issued to the all districts, particularly to those in the state's lower hills, as it is a vector borne disease and spreads where there is prevalence of mosquito," State Programme Officer (Integrated Disease .
Anheuser-Busch Mysore unit starts green energy use, inks pact with Canada's Amp
World's biggest beer giant Anheuser-Busch (AB InBev) today announced that its Mysore unit in Karnataka has started using green energy and a power purchase agreement has been inked with Canadian firm Amp for ten years. The brewery in Mysore, which manufactures beer brands especially Budweiser, Knock out and Beck's Ice, is the company's third unit in the world that will be operated through renewable source. The other two are in the US. "We will source 80 per cent of the electricity requirement of the Mysore unit through renewable source. However, Budweiser will be made using 100 per cent renewable energy," AB InBev APAC South President Jan Craps told reporters here. A long term agreement has been signed for supply of renewable electricity of 3.6 gigawatt hours per year for a period of ten years with Amp, he said. The solar power plant, which is located 60 km away from the Mysore unit, has a capacity to generate 30 MWAC and production has commenced. The company owns 10 breweries in ...
India to soon acquire capacity to launch big satellites
With the Union Cabinet giving its nod to the continuation of GSLV-III programme, India is set to soon acquire capability to launch the 4-tonne class of communication satellites.
PM to dedicate to nation Mohanpura irrigation project in MP on Jun 23
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation an irrigation project at Mohanpura in Rajgarh district of Madhya Pradesh on June 23, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced today. Mohanpura and upcoming Kundulia irrigation projects will collectively irrigate an area of eight lakh acres. "Narendra Modiji will dedicate (to people) an irrigation project at Mohanpura in the district on June 23," Chouhan said at a function here. Mohanpura project has been built on Nevaj river at a cost of Rs 3,200 crore while Kundulia project is being constructed on Parvati river. "These two projects would mitigate the drinking water problem of the region," the chief minister said. Madhya Pradesh is going to polls later this year along with Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. Chouhan said the Congress had only given the slogan of "garibi hatao" but failed to do anything concrete for the poor. "In contrast, we are providing one kg of wheat at Re 1 to the poor," he said. Chouhan also said that his ...
Govt approves Rs 10,000-cr continuation programmes for PSLV, GSLV
The Union government today approved the continuation of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III programmes, together costing more than Rs 10,000 crore, in a move that will help ISRO launch light and heavy-weight satellites. The operationalisation of PSLV, ISRO's most-trusted workhorse, has made India self-reliant in launching satellites for earth observation, disaster management, navigation and space sciences. For heavy satellites, India is helped by the French, which launches its satellites from Kourou in French Guinea in South America. The cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also gave its nod for funding 30 PSLV operational flights under the programme. The PSLV programme is expected to meet the launch requirements of satellites for earth observation, navigation and space sciences and will also ensure the continuity of production by the Indian industry. The fund requirement is Rs 6,131 crore and includes the cost of 30 ...
Bangladesh may bring back 28 percent tax on rice imports: government sources
DHAKA (Reuters) - Bangladesh may impose a 28 percent import tax on rice to support local farmers as production from the summer-sown crop is set to surpass the target, two government officials said on Wednesday.
Govt may launch scheme to provide cost-effective electricity next month
The Rajasthan government is likely to initiate 'Kusum Yojna' to install solar water pumps from next month, with an aim to raise income and provide cost-effective electricity to the farmers. "The Kusum Yojna is likely to start from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan from next month. The scheme is aimed to increase farmers income and provide them cost-effective electricity," Nawal Kishor Gupta, technical manager, Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Limited (RRECL) said. Under the scheme, farmers will be able to install solar water pump set on their fields. They will be able to use the electricity generated from the solar pump and surplus electricity will be transmitted to power grid, he said. Gupta said the corporation is yet to receive the nitty-gritty of the Kusum Scheme such as number of pumps to be installed and project cost. Apart from Kusum Yojna, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) aims to install 7,500 solar water pumps this year through horticulture department, the ...
Haryana bans single-use plastic bottles in offices
The Haryana government on Wednesday announced that it has decided to ban single use plastic bottles in government offices, including departments, boards, corporations and autonomous units in the state.
Bangladesh prepares for second satellite launch: PM
The Bangladeshi government is preparing to launch the country's second satellite following the successful placement of the first one last month.
Punjab has potential of over 1,500 MW solar projects: Minister
Solar power projects of more than 1,500 mega watt can be operated in canals of Punjab, Power Minister G S Kangar said here today. "Mapping has been done on the main canals and there is a potential of more than 1,500 MW for installation of solar power projects in the state," he said. The ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) has sanctioned 100 MW capacity in the country, he said, adding that out of which 20 MW capacity pilot-cum-demonstration project for development of grid connected solar power plants on canal tops has been allotted to Punjab. The Punjab energy development agency (PEDA) has successfully completed and commissioned the entire 20 MW capacity projects allotted to the state, he said. Two projects of 7.50 MW each have been commissioned on Ghaggar branch canal and Ghaggar link canal in March 2018 and two of 2.50 MW each were commissioned on Sidhwan branch canal and Ghaggar branch canal respectively in March 2017, he said.
Centre accepts Rs 876-cr demand for sugarcane farmers, says Punjab minister
Punjab Cooperation Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa today put forth the demand of Rs 876.43 crore for sugarcane farmers of Punjab before Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh. Randhawa claimed that the union minister accepted the demand. The Centre today announced a Rs 8,500-crore package to boost farmers' income by creating a buffer stock for sugar, enhancing ethanol production capacity and fixing a minimum selling price to cut mill losses. During the meeting at Krishi Bhawan, the Punjab minister emphatically raised issues concerning Punjab's farm sector. In a statement, he said he handed over a memorandum to the Union Minister regarding a package of Rs 876.43 crore to sugarcane farmers from Punjab, which included an amount of Rs 298.43 crore for cooperative sugar mills of the state and Rs 578 crore for state's 7 private sugar mills. The Cooperation Minister said the Union Minister informed him that the Cabinet has given green signal to Rs 8,000 crore package for sugarcane ..
Punjab govt bats for judicious use of fertilisers
The Punjab government today directed the agriculture department to intensify the efforts to make farmers aware about the judicious use of fertilisers. Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Viswajeet Khanna said that instructions have been issued to officials of agriculture and farmers welfare department to ensure disseminating requisite information regarding use of fertilisers judiciously at the grassroots level so that the input cost of farmers could be reduced. An awareness campaign should be launched to motivate farmers in this regard by organising Kisan camps, he said. Urging farmers to follow the recommendations being issued by the department time to time in view of ensuing Kharif season, Khanna said that this exercise would be beneficial for the farming fraternity, which would not only ensure the increased yield but also maintain the soil health. The agriculture department has advised farmers that use only recommended dose of fertilisers to get more profit by decrease in cost
French firm& B'luru civic body sign MoU on waste-to-energy
The French Ambassador to India Alexandre Ziegler today underlined the need to treat waste in the most scientific manner in view of India producing 64 million tonnes of waste annually, of which only 30 per cent istreated. Ziegler was speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between French firm 3Wayste and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, the civic body of Bengaluru. The company signed the MoU to conduct a feasibility test onwaste management. It intends to bring in its waste-to-energyplant with a capacity of 500 tonnes atChikkanagamangala on the outskirts of the city. Ziegler said "Today we are dealing with the most important matter. It is a most crucial issue the world faces today. Every year India generates about 64 million tonnes of waste, of which around 30 per cent only is being treated." He said the situation may worsen further, requiring treating of soil, air and water. Ziegler said the French company has a lot of experience and successes in ..
Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Shailesh Vickram Singh set up $150 mn green fund
Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma and venture capitalist Shailesh Vickram Singh have collaborated to set up USD 150 million fund that will invest in startups working in areas like agriculture, renewable energy and e-waste management. The 'Massive Fund' is India's first stage-agnostic, sector-focused and deep science fund that aims to target large problems being faced by humanity in the areas of food and agriculture, air and water pollution, renewable energy, e-waste and plastic among others, a statement said. The fund will raise capital from institutional and high net-worth investors who are aligned with the objective of saving the environment. "This fund will undertake investments in startups, companies and individuals working on the agenda of pollution reduction aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals," it said. The fund aims to build an ecosystem for reducing pollution by partnering with academia, R&D labs, mentors, professionals and venture funds across .
