Page 678 - Environment
Join fight against plastic pollution, Kerala Gov asks people
Kerala Governor P Sathasivam today appealed to the people of the state to reaffirm their commitment to the protection of nature by joining the global fight against plastic pollution. He issued the appeal in a message on the eve of World Environment Day. 'As India hosts the global World Environment Day celebrations, let us as citizens, take stronger efforts to make the world greener and cleaner by protecting wildlife, planting saplings and limiting the use of plastic," he said.
India among top 5 nations in e-waste generation: Report
India is among the top five e-waste generating countries in the world besides China, the US, Japan and Germany, according to a report. Among states, Maharashtra contributes the largest e-waste of 19.8 per cent but recycles only about 47,810 tonne per annum (TPA), the report released by Assocham and NEC today said ahead of the Environment Day on June 5. Tamil Nadu with e-waste contribution of 13 per cent recycled about 52,427 TPA; Uttar Pradesh (10.1 per cent) recycles about 86,130 TPA; West Bengal (9.8 per cent), Delhi (9.5 per cent ), Karnataka (8.9 per cent), Gujarat (8.8 per cent) and Madhya Pradesh 7.6 per cent. The global volume of e-waste is expected to reach 52.2 million tonne (MT) or 6.8 kg per inhabitant by 2021 from 44.7 MT in 2016 at a compound annual growth rate of 20 per cent, according to the study. Of the total e-waste produced in 2016, only 20 per cent (8.9 MT) is documented to be collected properly and recycled, while there is no record of the remaining, e-waste, ...
Solar energy sector sees 76% jump in job searches in 2014-2017: Report
Renewable energy sector has witnessed an rising appeal among job seekers and the solar energy sector has seen a 76 per cent jump in jobs searches since 2014, says a report. According to a study by job portal Indeed, under the sustainable energy job profiles, searches for solar design engineers, solar project engineers and solar electrical engineers witnessed significant increase. With the introduction of the Central Government's Scheme for the Development of Solar Parks in December 2014, various parts of India have seen the installation of solar plants, making the solar energy sector account for one of the highest generation capacities in the Indian electricity grid. "The solar energy sector has witnessed an increase of 76 per cent in the number of job searches between October 2014 and October 2017," the report said. Incidentally, the wind energy sector, which is largely complementary to solar energy sector in India, saw only a 28 per cent increase in the number of job searches during
Resolving Cauvery issue crucial to K'taka, TN farmers: Kumaraswamy
Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said the Cauvery water issue needs to be resolved after setting aside all differences with Tamil Nadu, as it is important for the welfare of farmers from both the states.Addressing a joint press conference with actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan, Kumaraswamy said there should be no scope for differences between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu."We (Karnataka and Tamil Nadu) have maintained our cordial relationship as brothers and sisters. Whatever the problem is we have to sort it out by not allowing any scope for differences. It is important for the farmers of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu," he said.Echoing a similar stance, Haasan lauded Kumaraswamy for looking into the matter."It (Cauvery Management Board) is being set up. I am happy that here is a chief minister who is looking at it in the same manner. We will like it to be expedited and this attitude is what we are looking forward to. We are sharing the waters, and there is no two ways about it," ...
The planet's pernicious plastic plague peril (Comment) (June 5 is World Environment Day)
Thanks to the wonders of modern industrial technology we are now producing 20 times as much plastic as we were doing in 1964. If the current trend continues, output will double in 20 years and double again by 2050.
Brick kilns in Bihar sans zig-zag tech to be banned from Sept 1: Dy CM
To tackle air pollution, brick kilns in Bihar without green technology will not be allowed to function from September 1, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said here today. Sushil Kumar Modi, who also holds the forest and environment portfolio, said brick kilns which do not have 'zig-zag technology' will be banned. At a state environment ministers' conference here, he said, "For making one lakh bricks, 12 tonne coal is used by traditional brick kilns. The zig-zag technology enables making the same number of bricks by using only 9.9 tonne coal." Hot air coming out of zig-zag kilns following a three times longer path than the straight line in traditional ones, improving heat transfer, enhanced mixing of fuel and air, thereby leading to improved combustion and less consumption of coal. At the conference attended by Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan, Sushil Kumar Modi batted for introducing an online procedure for diversion of forest lands, thus doing away with submitting a ...
Horses 'abused' by Chennai drug company: PETA
Horses and other equines were allegedly abused in a private drug company in Chennai, animal rights group PETA said on Monday.
Case filed against agriculture minister over farmers' protest remark
A case was registered against Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh here on Monday over his remark on the ongoing farmers' strike.The Agriculture Minister had called the 10-day farmer strike, which started on Friday, a mere "media gimmick".Speaking at a press conference in Patna, Singh had said "There are around 12 to 14 crore farmers in the country. It is normal for any farmer's organisation to have 1000-2000 farmers and they have to do something extraordinary to get the media's attention."Earlier today, protesters in Nagpur spilled milk on road against Singh's remark and distributed milk to locals who came up with utensils requesting for it.On June 1, thousands of farmers in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana began the nationwide strike demanding waiver of loans, right price for their crops and implementation of recommendations of Swaminathan Commission.The protests were called to mark the first anniversary of the Mandsaur ...
Punjab farmers continue protest on Day 4, tension in some areas
Tension prevailed in some parts of Punjab as farmers continued their protest for the fourth day and tried to block other farmers and traders from carrying vegetables, fruits and milk to urban areas.
Tackling plastic trash at Rohtang Pass an uphill task (June 5 is World Environment Day)
Tackling trash in the cold, rugged and rocky mountains of the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas -- the origin of one of north India's major rivers, the Beas, and its tributaries -- is becoming an uphill task.
India can achieve environment-related targets in a year if states work together: Harsh Vardhan
Union Minister Harsh Vardhan today said if states work together, the country will achieve all its environment-related targets within a year. Speaking at the state environment ministers' conference here, he said that an emotional attachment with the environment is imperative for its preservation. "We mean business. If all the state environment ministers work together, the country will be at the top of achievements on various environmental parameters," the Environment Minister said. The 'State of Environment Report India 2015' was released by the Vardhan at the conference. Lauding the achievements of the Modi government towards achievements in the field of environment, he said the international community believes India will achieve all its targets before the stipulated time frame. He also claimed that the ministry was delegating powers to states to enable them to work more efficiently for environment preservation and fight pollution. Executive Director, United Nations Environment ...
India among top five countries in e-waste generation: Study
Despite the government's emphasis on Swachch Bharat Abhiyaan and Smart Cities project, India continues to be among the top five countries generating e-waste, an ASSOCHAM-NEC recent study said here on Monday.
Passed benefits of lower power tariff worth Rs 683 cr to discoms: NLC
State-run NLC India Ltd today said it has passed on the benefit of lower power tariff amounting to about Rs 683 crore to distribution firms following reduction in transfer price of lignite. NLC said it has been able to reduce Lignite Transfer Price for captive use by around Rs 300/tonne leading to lowering of power tariff ranging from Rs 0.35 to Rs 0.58 per Kwhr (unit) of electricity from its power plants with effect from April/May 2018. NLC said in a statement that around Rs 683 crore will be passed on by it to the beneficiary Power Distributing Companies in southern region. It said that earlier, with GST roll out from July 1, 2017, as a power generator using lignite from its own mines in the same state, the company passed on the benefit coming from the non-applicability of compensatory cess. This had resulted in reduction of power tariff ranging from Rs 0.45 to Rs 0.75 per Kwhr based on primary fuel consumption in its various power plants. That time around Rs 631 crore benefit (for
Heartfulness Institute to develop rainforest near Hyderabad
The Heartfulness Institute on Monday announced plans to develop a mini-rainforest over 25 acres of land at Kanha Shantivanam, its global headquarters, on the outskirts of Hyderabad.
Cleaning drive initiated in Dal Lake ahead of tourist season
The Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) on Monday initiated a massive mission to clean the famous Dal Lake here.Unbridled growth of weeds particularly in the Hazratbal Basin of the lake is taking a heavy toll on the fragile ecosystem of the water body. The thick growth of lily weeds also hampers the movement of shikaras, which are light, flat-bottomed boats, and affects the overall aesthetic beauty of the lake.The mission, therefore, aims to clear weeds like lily pads, creepers, algae, water plants and other waste material present in the water body.Being one of the most noteworthy tourist destinations, Dal Lake attracts a large number of tourists from across the world every year."It contributes majorly to the economy of the area, having a large number of people depending on it during the tourist season," said Ajaz Ahmed, a local resident.On a related note, peak tourist season in Kashmir started in early May and will subside towards the end of August.
Teri Sign MOU to Set up a Resource Efficiency Cell
MoEFCC, TERI sign MoU to set up a Resource Efficiency Cell at the Ministry:
Haryana govt to restart Bandhwari waste plant: Minister
The Haryana government has decided to restart a waste disposal management plant in the Bandhwari dump yard to treat garbage from Gurgaon and Faridabad, state minister Rao Narbir Singh said. The Haryana government has given the responsibility of operating the plant to a private company, Singh said yesterday. The plant was shut four years ago as it was not capable of handling the amount of waste being generated by the two cities, sources said. Compared to the 1,600 tons of waste generated from Gurgaon and Faridabad everyday, the plant had a capacity to handle just 600 tons a day. "The total investment of this project is Rs 500 crore and the plant will have a capacity to dispose 2,500 tons of waste per day and also generate 25 MW of electricity every 24 hours," Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eco Green Energy Limited Ankit Agrawal said. The Environment and Forest minister claimed that this would be the first of its kind plant in India capable of disposing and segregating waste, and also ...
World saw largest rise in renewable energy capacity in 2017: Report
Renewable power accounted for 70 per cent of net additions to global power generating capacity in 2017, the largest such increase in modern history, a report said on Monday.
NLC India passes benefit of lower tariff to consumers
In addition to the above, earlier with major reforms coming through Government initiatives of GST roll out with effect from 01 July 2017, NLC India , as a power generator using lignite from its own mines in the same state passed on the benefit coming from the non-applicability of compensatory cess which resulted in reduction of Power Tariff ranging from Rs.0.45 to Rs.0.75 per Kwhr based on primary fuel consumption in its various power plants. That time around Rs.631 crore benefit (for nine months) was passed on to user Discoms in southern states as well as in Rajasthan.
Need to skill people working in construction sector: Puri
Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri today underlined the need to support people working in the construction sector though training and skill upgradation. The minister of state for housing and urban affairs said a strong transport system is crucial to building smart cities. He was addressing a multi-stakeholder meet to strategise a roadmap for environmentally-sustainable urban development. The meet was organised as part of the ongoing thematic sessions in the run-up to World Environment Day on June 5. "To truly build smart cities, we need to strengthen the city transport that can support the mass traffic. Further, urban local bodies need to be empowered, and we need a dedicated and trained municipal cadre for the same," he said. According to an official statement, Puri said India will succeed in achieving its Sustainable Development Goals. TERI director general Ajay Mathur said: "With urban growth impacting the environment significantly, there is a need to create a stable policy ...
