Page 676 - Environment
Trap set to capture leopard in Valparai
The forest department today set a trap at Valparai in the district to catch a leopard, which had attacked some people and killed some domesticated animals in the past one month. The feline had attacked a woman and a 10-year old boy and also killed some goats and cows after it strayed into Cincona area from the nearby forests last month.. The estate workers had struck work today, demanding that steps be immediatey taken to trap the leopard, following which they placed a cage at a strategic point to trap it, police said.
Spread of Nipah virus controlled,but people should be alert:CM
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today the spread of the Nipah virus, which has so far claimed 16 lives in Kerala,has been controlled, but people should be alert. "There is no alarming situation now. The spread of the virus has been controlled. But people should remain alert," he said. The Chief Minister said wrong messages were being spread in the social media about the Nipah virus, scaring the people and this should end. Vijayan was speaking at an all-party meeting, convened to review steps taken by the government to combat spread of the virus. The Chief Minister said the government would bear the medical expenses of affected families. Ration kits would be distributed to the affected in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts, he added. Leader of the opposition in the assembly Ramesh Chennithala said all the parties fully backed the government's efforts to control the virus. A total of 244 samples have been tested for the Nipah virus so far, of which 18 were ...
J&K to host first-ever 'global investor meet' on hydro-power in July
In a bid to boost the Jammu and Kashmir economy, the Mehbooba Mufti-led government is all set to host in July-end its first ever "global investors meet", aimed at harnessing hydro power potential of 20,000 mega watts in the state. Jammu and Kashmir has exploited only about 16 per cent of the estimated 20,000 MW of hydro-power potential for the past two decades even as the energy demand has been growing gradually, creating a wider demand-supply gap. "I am hosting (first-ever) global investor meet by July-end (in the state to focus on harnessing of the huge hydro power potential of J&K)," Minister for power Sunil Sharma told PTI today. The investors from hydro-power sector from across the world, not from India only, will take part in the meet, he said adding, "We will give a presentation on the hydro power potential of J&K before them". Some of the world's top most hydro-power generation companies are expected to take part in the global investor meet in Srinagar by ...
Haryana bans single-use plastic water bottles in all govt offices
On the eve of World Environment Day, the Haryana government has decided to ban single-use plastic water bottles in all government offices in the state. The decision was taken at a meeting held by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar here today, an official release said. "Now, only multi-use water bottles will be used in all government offices," it said. The chief minister said a five-point programme would be implemented in the state for maintaining ecological balance. "Besides banning single-use plastic water bottles in government offices, the programme includes plantation of 20 lakh saplings, replacing halogen and sodium bulbs and tubelights with LED bulbs in government offices across the state by August 15, digging of 1,000 pits for recharging of groundwater and rain water harvesting in government buildings in 10 municipal corporations within three months, and making Haryana a polythene-free state," he said. The damaged or non-functioning street lights in all the municipal bodies of ..
PM to address global celebrations of World Environment Day
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the global celebrations of World Environment Day 2018 here on Tuesday.Prime Minister will also visit the exhibition set up on the occasion, themed 'Beat Plastic Pollution'.India is the global host nation for the 43rd edition of this event.Environment Ministers, representatives from United Nations and members from various industry bodies will be among the various dignitaries attending the event.PM Modi in the 44th edition of 'Mann Ki Baat' had stated, "On the 5th of June, our nation, India will officially host the World Environment Day Celebrations. This is a very important achievement for India and it is also an acknowledgement as well as recognition of India's growing leadership in the direction of tackling climate change."Further expalining the theme of the celebration, he then said, "I appeal to all of you, that while trying to understand the importance of this theme, we should all ensure that we do not use low grade polythene and low grade
Gurugram engineer sets example in pearl farming
Vinod Yadav, an engineer from here, has set an example in Haryana by cultivating pearls in his backyard, an official said on Monday.
Naval yard sees 11 pc drop of energy consumption after usage of LED lights: Indian Navy
A premier naval yard has achieved a decrease of 11 per cent energy consumption compared to the last financial year and replaced 95 per cent of the conventional street lights with LED lights, the Indian Navy said in a statement today. More than 1,000 lights have been replaced with smart timer-based street lights and 21 MW solar photovoltaic projects have been undertaken with meticulous planning by the Indian Navy towards achieving the Centre's target of 100 GW by 2022 under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM), it added. "One of the premier naval yard has achieved a decrease of 11 per cent in energy consumption compared to the last financial year, it said while 95 per cent of conventional street lights of the repair yards have been replaced with LED lights and over 1,000 have been changed over with smart timer-based street lights," the statement released ahead of the World Environment Day said. It, however, did not name the yard. A Segregated Waste Collection Centre ...
'Percentage of highly polluting industries non compliant with green standards has gone up'
The percentage of highly polluting industries non compliant with environmental standards increased from 10 to 17 between 2010 and 2014, a government report released today said. In 2014, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) identified 3,266 highly polluting industrial units under 17 categories out of which 2,328 are compliant to environmental standards, 571 industries are non compliant, and 367 industries have been closed down, the 'State of Environment Report India 2015' released here said. The increasing number of industries and the continuing non-compliance with the environmental standards were major causes for concern, the report said. A comparative analysis of compliance status of 17 categories of highly polluting industries for the period between 2010-14, indicate that 71 percent of the total industries have adequate pollution control facilities to ensure compliance with regulations, and this trend remains unchanged in the same period, it said. "However, the percentage of ..
Highly polluting industries defying eco-standards: Report
The non-compliance of environment standards among the highly polluting industries in India has increased by over 100 per cent between 2010 and 2014, said a report on Monday.
Imagery of plastic products on screen have 'normalised' its use in real life: Dia Mirza
Imagery of use of plastic products in films and advertisements have "normalised" its injudicious usage by people in real life but several engagement forums are being developed to effect reduction of that imagery, UN Environment's Goodwill Ambassador Dia Mirza said today. The actor-activist also said when iconic film stars and influencers in the film industry refuse to use single-use plastic, "the message goes far and wide". Interacting with reporters at the UN India Office here, she also lauded the efforts of Vadodara-based activist Rajeshwari Singh, who here today completed her 1100-km-long journey on foot from Gujarat to Delhi in 45 days, to spread the message of the "plastic menace" to environment. The activist told reporters that during her travel, spanning multiple states and several cities, she "did not use plastic bottles at all to drink water". "When I stopped by at any rest house, circuit house or even hotels to take rest, people would offer me water in bottles, which I just .
WBPCB calls for banning single-use plastics
The West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) today gave a call for shunning single-use plastics which triggers natural disasters such as flood and pollute the environment. Single-use plastics are used only once before they are thrown away or recycled. These items include plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, soda and water bottles and food packaging materials. "We can't go without plastics but we must stop dumping single-use plastic. We must refuse when vendors give us items in plastic packets which can't be used twice. That should be our resolve on the eve of World Environment Day on June 5," WBPCB Chairman Kalyan Rudra told reporters here. He said the WBPCB will organise a number of functions on World Environment Day tomorrow projecting this objective. "To stop single-use plastics, we need active participation of every citizen as this task cannot be solely accomplished by the government and the WBPCB," Rudra said. He was talking to reporters on the sidelines of a ..
Analysis: Paraguay soybean exports to top Argentina's for first time
ASUNCION (Reuters) - Paraguay is forecast to export more soybeans than neighboring grains powerhouse Argentina for the first time this year as growers in the smaller country push to increase output and fill the supply gap left by a drought on the Argentine Pampas.
PM to address World Environment Day event tomorrow
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will tomorrow address an event marking the World Environment Day whose theme this year is combating plastic pollution. He will also visit the exhibition set up on the occasion at the Rajpath lawns. The theme for this year's World Environment Day is beat plastic pollution'. India is the global host nation for the 43rd edition of the event. Environment ministers, representatives from the United Nations, and members from various industry bodies will be among the various dignitaries attending the event, a statement said. Prime Minister, in his latest edition of Mann Ki Baat' radio programme, had underlined that India being named the official host of the World Environment Day celebrations was a recognition of the country's growing leadership in tackling climate change issues. He had also urged people to shun plastic to protect environment.
Konkan Railway undertakes measures to ensure smooth monsoon
Konkan Railway today said it has implemented various measures to ensure smooth flow of services on the section during upcoming monsoon season. It has completed all the planned safety works on its route from Kolad (after Roha station on Central Railway) to Thokur (before Mangalore station). "About 770 personnel will be patrolling the Konkan Railway route during the monsoon and vulnerable locations will be patrolled round-the-clock, besides stationary watchmen will be deployed for 24 hours at critical locations. Mounted excavators have been kept ready at all nominated points for quick movement in case of any emergency," Konkan Railway said in a statement. It also said that speed restrictions will be imposed at vulnerable locations on the stretch. Konkan Railway said the incidents of boulder falls and soil slip have been reduced significantly in the last 10-12 years due to largescale geo-safety works executed along the railway line. "There has been no major disruption to ...
REC commits USD 1 mn to International Solar Alliance
State-run power sector financier Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) today announced its commitment of USD 1 million to International Solar Alliance (ISA). "In view of the World Environment Day 2018, REC contributed USD one million to the International Solar Alliance (ISA) becoming a corpus contributor," an REC statement said. REC Chairman and Managing Director P V Ramesh handed over the cheque to Interim Director General of ISA Upendra Tripathy in the presence of the Power Minister R K Singh, REC's Director (Technical) S K Gupta and other senior officials from the two organisations. The pact was inked on June 4 at the World Environment Day exhibition at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. Ramesh said, The REC is extremely proud to partner with ISA and promote sustainability through global collaboration, especially with India hosting the World Environment Day this year. The REC finances projects throughout the power sector value chain and has been focussing on increasing its renewable ...
Bhutan to observe World Environment Day by going traffic free
Bhutan will observe Pedestrians' Day to mark the World Environment Day on Tuesday.
BMC allowing indiscriminate felling of trees: Activist to HC
A city-based activist has moved the Bombay High Court alleging that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been permitting indiscriminate felling of trees across the metropolis in the name of pruning and trimming them ahead of monsoons. Activist Zoru Bhatena has sought directions that the civic body be restrained from carrying out itself, or allowing residents to undertake such "trimming" and "hacking" of trees. In his plea, mentioned before a division bench of Justices A S Oka and R I Chagla today, the activist highlighted recent news reports according to which, the BMC granted "blanket permission" to nine public and private bodies to trim trees on their premises for the next three years. Bhatena has urged the bench to stay such permissions and to direct the BMC to trim or fell trees only in accordance with the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees (Amendment) Act. He has also urged the court to ensure that permissions for trimming and pruning of
87% Indians worry about non-recyclable waste's impact on environment
As many as 87 per cent Indians were concerned about the environmental effects of non-recyclable waste which includes plastic packaging, plastic bags and other disposable objects, according to a new survey.
Dia Mirza lauds Taj Mahal Declaration
Actress Dia Mirza is happy that steps are being taken to end disposable, or single use plastic around the Taj Mahal and make upto 500 metres around the historic monument plastic-free under the Taj Declaration on beating plastic pollution.
NGT orders closure of 8 industrial units in Uttarakhand's Sitarganj industrial area
The National Green Tribunal has ordered closure of eight industrial units in Uttarakhand's Sitarganj area after the Central Pollution Control Board found them violating pollution norms. A bench headed by Justice Raghuvendra S Rathore asked the authorities to shut down Gujarat Ambuja Exports Limited, Fleetguard Filters Pvt Ltd, Speciality Industrial Polymers & Coatings Pvt Ltd, Henken Chembond Surface Ace Tech Ltd, Western Consolidated Pvt Ltd, Balaji Action Buildwell Pvt Ltd, Reckitt and Benkiser Unit 1, and Reckitt and Benkiser Unit 2. "We order that all these industries shall be shut down immediately. The Collector, Uddam Singh Nagar and Superintendent of Police as well as Member Secretary state pollution control board shall ensure that all these industries are shut down forthwith," the bench said. The tribunal also directed the CPCB to submit a report with respect to the remaining industries which they have already inspected and submit the analysis report by June 18. It had ...
