Page 685 - Environment
China places 10 seismometers in Indian Ocean
China has successfully placed in the Indian Ocean ten ocean seismometers which are used to measure earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or the use of explosives. China's 49th ocean expedition team on Sunday placed ocean-bottom seismometers in the southwest Indian Ocean, with five more planned, state-run Global Times reported. Fifteen ocean-bottom seismometers will be retrieved in the coming year, Science and Technology Daily reported on Monday. Ocean-bottom seismometers can operate for extended periods of time on the seafloor to gather data from earthquakes and artificial vibrations in the deep sea. Seismometer is used to measure the motion of the ground caused by an earthquake, a volcanic eruption or the use of explosives. The lifespan of a seismometer is from several months to a year, before being retrieved for further research. This is the first time China has placed seismometers in the southwest Indian Ocean's Junhui hydrothermal field, according to Qiu Lei, head of the team's earth ..
Life recovered rapidly at impact site of dino-killing asteroid
Life bounced back within a decade in the crater left behind by the devastating asteroid that smashed into Earth about 66 million years ago and ended the reign of the dinosaurs along with 75 per cent of terrestrial life, scientists say. Researchers from the University of Texas in the US found that the crater was home to sea life less than a decade after impact, and it contained a thriving ecosystem within 30,000 years-a much quicker recovery than other sites around the globe. The findings undermine a theory that recovery at sites closest to the crater is the slowest due to environmental contaminants, such as toxic metals, released by the impact. The evidence suggests that recovery around the world was influenced primarily by local factors, a finding that could have implications for environments rocked by climate change today. "We found life in the crater within a few years of impact, which is really fast, surprisingly fast," said Chris Lowery, a postdoctoral researcher at the ...
Government of India and World Bank signs $500 Million Additional Financing for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Rural Roads Project
The World Bank has supported PMGSY since its inception in 2004. So far it has invested over $1.8 billion in loans and credits mostly in the economically weaker and hill states across North India - Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. It has built and improved about 35,000 km of rural roads and benefited about eight million people with access to all-weather roads.
Is climate change responsible for lightning-ignited fires?
Climate change is responsible for many disasters across the world. A new catastrophe can now be added to the list.According to a study conducted by the Portland State University, fires ignited by lightning have and will likely continue to increase across the Mediterranean and temperate regions in the Southern Hemisphere under a warmer climate.The study examined the observed and forecasted relationship between lightning-ignited fires, rising temperatures across the Southern Hemisphere and natural climate variability in three leading climate drivers that affect weather worldwide: El Niño-La Niña, the Indian Ocean Dipole, and the Southern Annular Mode.El Niño-La Niña, known as ENSO, is the periodic warming and cooling periods of the equatorial eastern and central Pacific Ocean that affects the world's climate the most.The Indian Ocean Dipole, or IOD, is a similar ocean-atmospheric phenomenon characterized by changes in sea-surface temperatures between the eastern and western part of the .
ADB funds $375 mn project for irrigation boost in Madhya Pradesh
Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide USD 375 million (about Rs 2,532 crore) loan for a project to improve irrigation in Madhya Pradesh to help boost farmers' income. The project will expand irrigation networks and system efficiency, ADB said in a statement today. The total cost of the project cost is USD 535.1 million, of which USD 160.71 million will be provided by the government. It is estimated to be completed by September 2025. "Water plays a critical role in India's food production and the welfare of the poor in rural areas," ADB Principal Water Resources Specialist for South Asia Arnaud Cauchois said. "With agriculture under continuous pressure to meet society's needs, given population growth and changing dietary habits, ADB's project will support technical and institutional innovations to produce considerable gains in irrigation water use efficiency," Cauchois said. ADB said about 84 per cent of all water withdrawals are used for agriculture in India, where 42 per cent of .
'Global warming likely to hit poorest regions hardest'
The poorest regions of the world are will bear the worst brunt of climate change if global average surface temperatures reach the 1.5 or 2 degree Celsius limit set by the Paris agreement, a study has found. The wealthiest areas of the world will experience fewer changes, researchers said. The study, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, compares the difference between climate change impacts for wealthy and poor nations. "The results are a stark example of the inequalities that come with global warming," said Andrew King, from the University of Melbourne in Australia. "The richest countries that produced the most emissions are the least affected by heat when average temperatures climb to just 2 degrees Celsius, while poorer nations bear the brunt of changing local climates and the consequences that come with them," said King. The least affected countries include most temperate nations, with the UK coming out ahead of all others. By contrast, the worst affected are in .
Over 120 pregnant minke whales killed in Japan
More than 120 pregnant minke whales were killed during Japan's latest annual hunt off the coast of Antarctica, a new report said.
Japan whale hunt killed 122 pregnant minkes
Japan killed 122 pregnant minke whales during a highly controversial annual whaling expedition that Tokyo defends as scientific research but conservationists call "gruesome and unnecessary." The four-month expedition in the Antarctic ended in March after the fleet killed 333 minke whales, according to a report submitted by Japanese authorities to the International Whaling Commission last month. Of those, 122 were pregnant, according to the Japanese report, with dozens more immature whales among those killed. Humane Society International, a conservationist group, called the figures "a shocking statistic and sad indictment on the cruelty of Japan's whale hunt." "It is further demonstration, if needed, of the truly gruesome and unnecessary nature of whaling operations, especially when non-lethal surveys have been shown to be sufficient for scientific needs," said the group's senior program manager, Alexia Wellbelove. Japan is a signatory to the International Whaling Commission, which has
China invites UN members to utilise its upcoming space station
China has invited all the member states of the United Nations to jointly utilise its future space station expected to be ready by 2022, a move that will allow the entire world to use the orbital station for scientific purposes. The China Space Station (CSS), which is expected to be launched by 2019 and become operational by 2022, will be the world's first space station open for cooperation with all UN member states, official media reported today. China is currently in the process of building it. It is regarded as a rival to the Russia's international space station Mir, currently in orbit. According to Chinese analysts, by 2024, Chinese space station will be the only one in operation as Mir is set to complete its life span by that time. The invitation for all the countries to jointly use the space station further shows China's unwavering belief that outer space is a common home for all humanity rather than a new battlefield, state-run Global Times reported. All countries, regardless of
EU delegation to India to hold series of events on World Environment Day
The Delegation of the European Union to India and EU member states will organise a series of green initiatives here to mark the World Environment Day this year with the theme being Beat Plastic Pollution', officials said today. In this year's theme, a conference on sharing best practices on plastic waste management will be held on June 1 at Vigyan Bhawan. "On June 1, the Embassy of Sweden and Ploggers of India together with the Delegation of the European Union to India (EUD) and other EU Embassies will get together for a 'plogging' event," the EU delegation said in a statement here. Plogging is a Swedish workout trend which combines jogging with picking up waste. Plocka upp' is Swedish for pick up' which combined with the universal word jogging' results in the term plogging', it said. This event will focus on combating plastic pollution and reducing plastic footprint across the EU Member states. Thereafter, on June 5, the EUD and the embassies of the European Union Member States will .
Allow power tariff hike to pass-through environment norms cost: Govt
Coal-based thermal power plants' tariff will rise in coming days because the government has decided to allow pass-through of cost incurred by them for meeting environment norms notified by the environment ministry in December 2015. "...to ensure timely implementation of new environment norms, the central government has decided that the additional cost implication due to installation or upgradation of various emission control systems and its operational cost to meet new environment norms...shall be considered for being made pass through in tariff by the commission," the power ministry said in a letter written to power regulator Central Electricity Regulatory Authority (CERC). The ministry said that the respective thermal power plants may approach the appropriate commission (power regulator) for approval of additional cost on account of this change in law. The ministry also said that the CERC shall develop a mechanism to address impact on tariff and certainty in cost recovery on account
Pond, Waste Water Management Authority to be set up in Hry
The state cabinet today decided to bring an ordinance for setting up the Haryana Pond and Waste Water Management Authority. The Haryana Cabinet, which met here under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, approved the draft ordinance for setting up the authority which would manage all ponds located outside notified forest areas in the state, except those having an area of less than 0.5 acre. The authority would comprise the chief minister as the chairperson, the minister in-charge for irrigation and water resources, and minister in-charge for development and panchayats as senior vice-chairperson. A person of eminence in the field of water resources management will be appointed as executive vice-chairman, an official release said, adding a village pond and waste water management committee will also be set up which will be headed by the sarpanch. Under the ordinance, no person will be allowed to construct any structure on pond land, green belt and catchment areas, ...
'124,000 premature deaths can be avoided if coal-fired plants meet standards'
The implementation of new emission standards for thermal power plants can avoid 124,000 premature deaths every year in India, says a new report suggesting 13 measures to drop pollution levels by 40 per cent.
Govt will complete construction of one lakh double bedroom
Telangana Municipal Administration Minister K T Rama Rao today said the state government would complete the construction of one lakh double bedroom houses for the poor in the city as per the promise made by it to people. According to a state government release, Rao, who held a meeting with officials on the construction of double bedroom houses, said work was going on at a brisk pace at 109 places. Officials informed Rao that construction of approximately 40,000 houses would be completed by next December if the present pace of work continued, it said. They expressed confidence that the construction of remaining houses (60,000) would be completed by June next year, the release added.
Pollution control measures in place: Punjab CM on sugar mill row
After allegations were levelled on a company owned by former Punjab cabinet minister Rana Gurjit Singh for releasing effluents into rivers and drains thereby causing pollution, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday said he would not let pollution damage people's health.Singh said, "We will not let pollution damage the health of the people of Punjab. We have pollution control measures in place; we have 64 pollution control units in Punjab. No water from any industry without being treated will be permitted to flow into rivers"Opposition leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira alleged that effluents being released by sugar mill, Rana Sugars Ltd, are polluting the rivers and contaminating the groundwater to such an extent that it cannot be used for drinking or even irrigation human purposes.He even collected effluent samples which angered the chief minister, who called the act shameless and irresponsible for a leader of the Opposition and termed the act as trespassing.
Eight black bucks die of heat stroke in MP
Eight black bucks were today found to have died of heat stroke in Dewas district of Madhya Pradesh. The herd was found dead in a field on Bhatasa road in Khategaon tehsil, 130 km from the district headquarters, said Sub Divisional Officer (Forests) S L Yadav. Villagers informed forest officials about the dead antelopes. After autopsy, the carcasses were disposed of. Veterinary surgeon Mahesh Suryavanshi, who carried out the autopsies, attributed the deaths to heat stroke, Yadav said. The state is reeling under scorching heat for the last couple of days. The highest maximum temperature of 46.2 degree Celsius was today recorded at Khajuraho.
Pak must not be admitted to NSG: US nuke watchdog
A US-based international nuclear proliferation watchdog today said Pakistan's application to the NSG should not be granted, mainly because of its ongoing illicit nuclear procurements abroad and its refusal to even minimally split its military and civil atomic programmes. This was stated by the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) in a report authored by David Albright, Sarah Burkhard, and Frank Pabian. Pakistan's application to the Nuclear Suppliers Group should not be granted at the present time, ISIS said as it released latest satellite images of the Kahuta nuclear power plant site in Pakistan. Although there are many reasons to refuse its membership, some more obvious reasons include its ongoing illicit nuclear procurements abroad and its refusal to even minimally split its military and civil nuclear programs, it said. The report discusses the purpose and size of the likely enrichment plant at Kahuta and estimates the amount of enriched uranium it could ...
'Tandarust Punjab': Cong govt launches prog to make state healthiest in country
The Punjab government today launched a mission named, 'Tandarust Punjab', with an aim to make the state the healthiest in the country. 'Tandarust Punjab' is envisaged by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh as a holistic initiative to take care of the state's air, water and food quality, thus ensuring a good living environment for the people of Punjab, said an official release. The mission has been evolved as a focused and integrated approach towards creating a healthy Punjab in consultation with all the stakholders to work. The mission title and content were suggested by the farming community, according to an official spokesperson. The mission would have the chief minister as its chairman and the environment minister as vice chairman. Other members would include all ministers concerned, chief secretary and principal secretary (environment) and principal secretary to CM. Secretary (Agriculture) and PPCB chairman KS Pannu has been designated as the Mission Director. A mission task force at ..
Mahakumbh: Centre asks UP govt to clean all 35 drain in Allahabad
Ahead of the 2019 Mahakumbh, the Centre today asked the Uttar Pradesh government to expedite the process of cleaning all 35 drains in Allahabad that meet river Ganga well before the mega religious congregation begins. Director General, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) Rajiv Ranjan Mishra reviewed the progress of projects under Namami Gange programme in UP and requested the state's chief secretary for active involvement of 26 district Ganga committees to be constituted for rejuvenation of the river, a statement by the Ministry of Water Resources and Ganga Rejuvenation said.. While reviewing all 30 sewerage projects being undertaken in UP under Namami Gange programme, the NMCG urged the state government to complete eight of the 10 ongoing projects by December and start work on the remaining sanctioned projects at the earliest, it said. In addition, the UP administration was also asked to complete the repair, rehabilitation and construction work of 87 ghats along the river. During
After Beas spill incident, Amarinder orders crackdown on polluting industries
Reeling under severe criticism after molasses from a mill spilled into the Beas killing several fishes, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today ordered a crackdown on industries and municipalities releasing untreated effluents into the river, officials said. Issuing directives to the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and other concerned departments, the chief minister directed the chief secretary to prepare a comprehensive river cleaning plan with a timeline for its implementation. The government will not allow pollution to damage the health of the people of Punjab at any cost, whether in towns or villages, Singh said in an official release here after chairing a meeting to review the situation after the molasses spill fiasco. Strict action will be taken against all polluting units, as promised in the Vidhan Sabha earlier, he added. Singh asked the state finance department to make necessary finances available for making the existing treatment plants functional and to set up new
