Page 686 - Environment
New study suggests 13 measures that can reduce air pollution by 40 pc
A new study has suggested 13 measures, including reducing emissions from thermal power plants and cutting use of solid fuel in households, which, it said, can reduce air pollution levels by almost 40 per cent and avoid 9 lakh premature deaths in India every year. According to a statement issued by Greenpeace India, the study said the implementation of these measures may also lead to 50-60 per cent reduction of PM2.5 levels across North India, including Delhi during winter, when it spikes. The study was done by Louisiana State University (LSU) and Greenpeace also contributed to it. Greenpeace India said its campaigners - Sunil Dahiya and Lauri Myllyvirta were part of the study particularly in terms of suggesting policy measures. "Based on our results, the policy measures with the largest potential for air quality improvements are reducing emissions from thermal power plants, instituting strong emissions standards for industries, reducing solid fuel use in households, shifting to ...
ISO raises forecast for 2017/18 global sugar surplus
LONDON (Reuters) - The International Sugar Organization (ISO) on Tuesday forecast a global sugar surplus of 10.51 million tonnes in 2017/18, sharply above its previous projection of a 5.15 million tonne surplus.
U'Khand HC asks govt to file report on forest fires
Concerned over incidents of forest fire in the state, the Uttarakhand High Court today asked the state government to file a report on the matter tomorrow. Taking suo motu cognisance of media reports about the gravity of forest fires which have affected thousands of hectares of forest land in the state, the division bench of Chief Justice K M Joseph and Justice Sharad Kumar Sharma asked the state government to file a report on it by Thursday. Advocate MC Pant mentioned forest fires and the destruction caused by them before the court in the course of the day's proceedings citing various newspaper articles published recently to make his point. Recognising the seriousness of the situation, the court decided to treat the matter as a PIL and asked the state government to reply by tomorrow. So far there have been 1,956 incidents of forest fire this season in the state which have destroyed 4,202 hectares of forest land.
North India continues to swelter under heat-wave
There seems to be no immediate respite from the prevailing heat wave conditions for the residents of western Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.But heavy rain is likely at isolated places over Coastal Karnataka, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura on Thursday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a statement.Several parts of the country are also reeling under an intense surge in temperatures. Temperature has already touched the 45-Degree Celcius mark in the national capital, and several other places.But, there could be some relief from the scorching heat soon for the people of Uttar Pradesh, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Bihar and Odisha.Thunderstorms accompanied with squall or gusty winds are forecasted in these places.Dr K. Sathi Devi, scientist, Meteorological Department said, "The onset of Monsoon has arrived three days in advance in Kerala and Lakshadweep, and has also covered some parts of Tamil Nadu. It has advanced further to the ...
World Bank helps Bangladesh expand access to renewable energy
The Bangladesh government has signed a $55 million financing agreement with the World Bank to expand renewable energy uses in rural areas.
India, Indonesia back rules-based and peaceful Indo-Pacific region
India and Indonesia today stressed the importance of a free, open, transparent, rules-based and peaceful Indo-Pacific region, amidst China flexing its military muscles in the strategic East and South China seas. Noting that both India and Indonesia are maritime neighbours and sea faring nations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Joko Widodo issued the Shared Vision of the two countries on Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. The document, the first with any ASEAN country, outlines areas of maritime cooperation and envisages security architecture in the Indo-Pacific region, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. The document, issued after the bilateral talks between Modi and Widodo reiterated the importance of achieving a "free, open, transparent, rules-based, peaceful, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, where sovereignty and territorial integrity, international law, in particular UNCLOS, freedom of navigation and overflight, ...
Govt asks DCs for final settlement of Hirakud land oustees
Odisha Government has asked the district collectors of Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur and Sonepur to take steps for final land settlement of the Hirakud land oustees by June 30. Principal Secretary of Revenue and Disaster Management department, C S Kumar has written a letter to the district collector of Jharsuguda in this regard and forwarded copies of to the collectors of Sambalpur, Bargarh and Sonepur districts for appropriate steps. The matter has to be resolved through field enquiry and concerned officials conducting enquiry shall not exclusively depend on relevant documents, the letter said. More than 200 villages were submerged due to the construction of Hirakud Dam and around 22,000 families were affected, while about 19,000 families were displaced. However, the government provided 287.14 acres homestead and 8468 acres agricultural land to only 2243 families, sources said. No step was taken for rehabilitation of the remaining affected people. In the absence of ...
NMDC, NLC sign pact with Australian firm for R&D
: State-owned National Mineral Development Corporation and NLC India Ltd (formerly Neyveli Lignite Corporation) today signed a pact with Environmental Clean Technologies Ltd, Australia, for setting up a research and development facility in Tamil Nadu. Under the pact, Australia and India would develop low emission iron and steel process through an integrated Coldry-Mamtor plant to be built in India. The MoU was signed in Canberrain the presence of Indian High Commissionerfor Australia, Dr A M Gondane, according to an ASX filing by ECT. The facility would focus on development of innovative technologies in iron and steel-making and a special purpose vehicle (SPV) would be created upon completion of the R&D phase of the project if the results were encouraging for setting up a steel manufacturing unit, the filing said. "We are standing here on this day to sign this agreement to build the pilot plant. If the plant is successful, it can go commercial," said NMDC Director ..
Plea claims inadequate release of water in Narmada damaging environment , NGT issues notice
A plea seeking release of adequate water from the Sardar Sarovar dam to the downstream of Narmada river has led the National Green Tribunal to seek response from the Environment Ministry, Gujarat government and others. The plea claimed that drying up of river bed is causing immense damage to environment, agriculture and local industries. A bench headed by acting Chairperson Justice Jawad Rahim issued notices to the Ministry of Environment and Forests and Water Resources, Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd, Narmada Control Authority, Gujarat government, state pollution control board and others. "Issue notice to the respondents," the bench said while seeking their replies by July 30. The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by Narmada Pradushan Nivaran Samiti and the Bharuch Citizen Council seeking directions to make urgent provision for the release of 1500 cusec from Sardar Sarovar dam for downstream purpose on a daily basis. The petitioners claimed that the river has been reduced to a ...
Soldier dies of suspected Nipah virus infection in Kolkata
A soldier has died here of suspected Nipah virus infection, a Defence spokesman said here on Wednesday.
Nipah infections: Don't blame the bats alone, improve public health
Thiruvanathapuram, May 30 (IANS/Mongabay .com) The Nipah virus (NiV) infection has claimed 14 lives, from Kozhikode and Malappuram districts of Kerala in the month of May.
Dry patches of sand appears in stretches of river Ganga
The rising temperature has taken a toll on the river Ganga in Varanasi as patches of sand are visible in long stretches in midstream after the water started drying up.Despite relevant efforts taken by the Centre, including the approval of a number of projects worth nearly Rs 4,000 crore by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) as part of Ganga rejuvenation programme earlier this year, the condition of the holy river is deteriorating raising concerns for experts."Dams built on Ganga's headstreams in Uttarakhand, canals built along the river, water supply to other states and its exploitation are root causes behind the condition of river Ganga today. We'll have to work seriously. If nothing is done now, then soon it will become a lake. Around 45 crore of the total Indian population is dependent on river Ganga," river expert Dr B.D. Tripathi told ANI.Earlier this month, Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Nitin Gadkari inaugurated a workshop .
Railways rubbishes Kejriwal's claim, says adequate coal supply in Delhi
The Railways on Tuesday rubbished Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's claim that the power plants in the national capital were facing a shortage of coal."Indian Railways is committed to ensuring adequate coal supplies in power plants serving Delhi. Keeping in view the higher power demand in the last few days, supply of rakes for transporting coal to power plants (supplying power to Delhi) has been further stepped up," the Railways said in a statement."During the last 3 days, 7 rakes per day have been supplied to Dadri, 1.7 rakes per day to Badarpur and 3.5 rakes to Jhajhar power plants. Adequate pipeline being is also maintained for these plants for sustained coal supplies. As on date, 55 rakes for these 3 plants were in the pipeline and sufficient quality of coal would continue to be supplied to these power plants," the statement added.Kejriwal had earlier written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the shortage of coal in various power plants in and around Delhi, ...
Tips to avoid indoor air pollution
Indoor air pollution is very much real and it can be five times or more worse than outdoor air pollution. From everyday consumer products and household habits such as paints, pet allergens to cooking gas, can be an additional source of air pollution. So, what now and how do we shield ourselves?
34 Leopards die each year in Rajasthan: report
With an alarming average of 34 leopard deaths every year in Rajasthan , according to a report, as many as 238 big cats have died in the desert state from January 2012 to May 21, 2018. Listed at par with tigers under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972, the population of leopards faces a serious challenge due to various reasons, prominent among those are man-animal conflicts, availability of prey base and road/train accidents. Quoting the report, out of the total deaths that occurred during the above mentioned period, 84 were found dead -- both natural and unnatural -- while 52 were killed in road/train accidents and 31 due to infighting. "24 were killed in seizure and poaching, 19 were killed by villagers, 14 by tiger or other animals whereas electrocution and rescue operations claimed seven deaths each," as per the data of Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI). Till May 21 this year, 23 leopard deaths were recorded. While 11 were found dead, 12 were killed, ...
India, Indonesia for rules-based and peaceful Indo-Pacific region
India and Indonesia today underlined the importance of a free, open, transparent, rules-based and peaceful Indo-Pacific region, amidst China flexing its military muscles in the strategic East and South China Seas. Noting that both India and Indonesia are maritime neighbours and sea faring nations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Joko Widodo issued the Shared Vision of the two countries on Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. The document, the first with any ASEAN country, outlines areas of maritime cooperation and envisages security architecture in the Indo-Pacific region, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. The document reiterated the importance of achieving a "free, open, transparent, rules-based, peaceful, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, where sovereignty and territorial integrity, international law, in particular UNCLOS, freedom of navigation and overflight, sustainable development and an open, free, fair and mutually
Water crisis looming large over Himachal, warn environmentalists
As Shimla faces one of its worst water crises, sending locals on the warpath and making tourists cutting short their stay, environmentalists warn water scarcity not only looms large over the city but the entire Himalayan state.
Permanent HC in Arunachal Pradesh soon: CM
A permanent high court would be set up in Arunachal Pradesh soon, Chief Minister Pema Khandu told a public meeting. A permanent bench of Gauhati High Court was established at Naharlagun and inaugurated by the then Chief Justice A S Anand of the Supreme Court in August, 2000. The chief minister made the announcement on the second day of his visit to Lower Dibang Valley district yesterday, an official release said. On the demand for deploying paramilitary force in Dambuk area to check intrusion of anti-social elements from a neighbouring state, the chief minister said he would hold talks with the state DGP, for the stationing of state police battalion. Khandu said that state government was taking all possible measures to strengthen law and order in the state. Khandu also assured the people that he would take up the Bomjir-Paglam road project with the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), for its inclusion in the highway project. The project in Lower ...
JK govt submits Devika river rejuvenation project to Centre for approval
The Jammu and Kashmir government has submitted a detailed report of the Rs 189 crore Devika river rejuvenation project to the Centre for approval. The detailed project report (DPR) amounting to Rs 189.22 crore has been formulated for the Devika rejuvenation project and submitted for approval to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of India (GOI), District Development Commissioner Ravinder Kumar said. The river holds religious significance as it is revered by Hindus as the sister of river Ganga. Also known as Devika Nagari, it originates from the hilly Suddha Mahadev temple in Udhampur district and flows down towards western Punjab (now in Pakistan) where it merges with the Ravi river. A meeting was held in Udhampur to review the status of the project under the National River Conservation plan. Udhampur MLA Pawan Gupta, District Development Commissioner Ravinder Kumar, Chief Planning Officer Ashok Khajuria, Superintendent Engineer Satinder Singh and other
'Recycled products causing harmful chemicals to appear in everyday items'
Hazardous chemicals such as lead are finding their way into food-contact items and other everyday products because manufacturers are using recycled electrical equipment as a source of black plastic, a study has found. The substances are among those applied to devices, such as laptops and music systems, as flame retardants and pigments but remain within the products when they reach the end of their useful lives. Scientists at the University of Plymouth in the UK have shown that a combination of the growing demand for black plastic and the inefficient sorting of end-of-life electrical equipment is causing contaminated material to be introduced into the recyclate. This is in part because despite black plastics constituting about 15 per cent of the domestic waste stream, this waste material is not readily recycled owing to the low sensitivity of black pigments to near infrared radiation used in conventional plastic sorting facilities. As well as posing a threat to human health, the study .
