Page 701 - Environment
EU opens new investigation into Chinese steel imports
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission has opened an investigation into hot-rolled steel sheet piles imported from China to determine whether they are being dumped in Europe, according to a notice in the EU Official Journal on Thursday.
Limiting warming to 1.5 degree C may save global economy trillions
Failing to limit global warming under 1.5 degree Celsius could cost the world economy tens of trillions of dollars over the next century, Stanford scientists warn. The UN Paris Agreement commits 195 countries to the goal of holding this century's average temperature to two degrees Celsius above levels in the pre-industrial era. It also includes an aspirational goal of pursuing an even more stringent target of limiting temperature rise to 1.5 degrees. To date, the economic benefits of achieving these temperature targets have not been well understood. The three largest economies in the world and almost 90 per cent of the global population benefit economically from limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees instead of two degrees, researchers said. "Over the past century we have already experienced a one-degree increase in global temperature, so achieving the ambitious targets laid out in the Paris Agreement will not be easy or cheap," said Marshall Burke, assistant professor at Stanford ...
Grasping at straws: Pathetic state of biofuels in India (Comment)
For the past several winters, Delhi has drawn global attention for its life-threatening smog levels. This is attributed, in part, to the open burning of biomass residues like paddy straw and stubble in the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana.
Arunachal NGO honoured for conserving wildlife resources
An NGO from West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh has bagged the first prize from the National Bio-diversity Authority (NBA) for its efforts in conserving rare wildlife resources in the area. The NBA, established by the Centre in 2003, honoured the Singchung Bugun Village Community Reserve (SBVCR) with a citation, a memento and a cash prize of Rs one lakh during a function in Hyderabad, an official release said yesterday. The SBVCR has been partnering with the state forest department since 2016 in protecting and conserving the 17 sq km area of Singchung Bugun Village Community Reserve, adjacent to the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary in the district, the release said. Rich in both flora and fauna, with 545 species of birds and various species of plants and animals, the sanctuary is spread over about 217 sq km. The sanctuary is also known for the existence of Bugun Liocichla, a bird species presently found only in the park, it said. The Arunachal Pradesh forest ...
18 dead bats in HP's Nahan causes Nipah virus scare
Amidst the news of the Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala, more than 18 dead bats were discovered on Wednesday in the premises of a government school in Himachal Pradesh's Nahan, triggering a panic among locals.Officers of the Health Department, Animal Husbandry Department and Forest Department arrived at the Burma Papadi School, following a directive from the Deputy Commissioner, and took samples from the dead bats for further investigation.However, the officials denied rumours of fears of the virus as of now.The district's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Sanjay Sharma, although the bats are present in the area every year, this year their numbers are significantly higher."The principal of the school and the students said that bats come here every year, and eventually perish, however, this year, their numbers are far greater than in previous years," Sharma said."We have informed the teachers, students of the school about the virus, its symptoms, preventive measures. We told them to avoid ...
Exclusive: U.S. wants China to approve more biotech crops under trade deal - sources
CHICAGO/BEIJING (Reuters) - The United States is seeking better access for imports of genetically modified crops into China as part of a trade deal currently under discussion between the two sides, said two people familiar with the matter.
Rs 2.04 lakh cr projects sanctioned for smart cities: Centre
Projects worth over Rs 2.04 lakh crore have been sanctioned by the Central government for the Smart Cities Mission since the inception of the project four years ago, an official said on Wednesday.
Guj govt decides against selling domesticated animals in state
In a bid to prevent slaughter of domesticated animals kept in state-owned farms after they past their prime, the Gujarat government today decided not to sell them in auction and will instead shift them to shelters. The government has decided that such animals will now be shifted to 'panjrapoles' (shelters for animals) where they will be taken care off till their natural death. "Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has decided that such not useful animals present in government-owned farms will not be auctioned from now on. Instead they will be sent to panjrapoles," a state government release said. The CM took the decision after various animal organisations submitted representations to the government requesting it to prevent slaughter of such animals after they are sold in auction. "A new government resolution will be issued by state Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Cooperation department in which they will order stopping of the old system of auctioning cattle and instead they will
Raveena Tandon's wildlife photography to be exhibited
Actress Raveena Tandon will showcase her wildlife photographs alongside the works of 75 wildlife photographers for a cause.
Green bodies, Amnesty condemn killing of protestors in Tuticorin
A green body today strongly condemned the killing of innocent anti-Sterlite plant agitators in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin town and said the present situation reflects "complete failure" of environmental governance in the country. Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said people's interests should be looked into over the company's business interests as it recommended permanent closure of the plant along with a plan to decontaminate the site and the surrounding environment. Another green body, Greenpeace, termed the police action "unacceptable" and said it stands in solidarity with the people and communities. At the same time, rights group Amnesty International India said the excessive use of force by the Tamil Nadu police is a "damning indictment" of the state government's determination to crush the protests. A man was killed in fresh police firing on anti-Sterlite plant agitators today, while some others were injured in clashes with security personnel in Tuticorin town, a day after 10
Punjab CM breaks silence, warns against river water pollution
After remaining silent for one week on pollution of Beas waters and resultant death of marine life, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday warned against laxity in dumping of molasses into the river or any leniency.
What steps taken to prevent stubble burning: HC asks Delhi's neighbours
The Delhi High Court today asked the neighbouring states of the national capital what steps they have taken to ensure prevention of stubble burning which it had earlier termed as the "main villain" behind the several pollution levels in the city and adjoining areas. A bench of Justices S Ravindra Bhat and A K Chawla asked the states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan to place before it a status report on the steps taken by them to comply with the court's earlier orders to stop stubble burning. With the direction, the court listed the matter for further hearing on July 25. The bench called for the status report after the court's attention was drawn to its last year's orders on the issue. The court had last year noted that October to January was a "critical period" when the air quality in Delhi is poor due to the weather conditions and stubble burning acted as the "trigger" or the "main villain" leading to deterioration of the situation. The bench was hearing a PIL ...
A new world: Top 10 new species for 2018
Many unknown plants, animals, and microbes have found a way to survive against the odds. Some are discovered and there are many that remain undiscovered and hidden from the human eyes.The Suny College of Environmental Science And Forestry (ESF) has released a list of top 10 new species - the large and small, beautiful and bizarre are among the newly discovered animals, plants, and microbes - for 2018.The large is a majestic tree that towers up to 130 feet (40 m); among the small is a tiny, single-celled protist. The list of science's best discoveries includes a rare great ape and the fossil of a marsupial lion that roamed Australia in the late Oligocene Epoch.There are also two residents of the world's oceans - a fish from the depths of the Pacific Ocean and a bright amphipod from the chilly waters of the Antarctic Ocean.The 11th annual list, compiled by ESF's International Institute for Species Exploration (IISE), also includes a beetle that looks like part of an ant, a plant that ...
Rajasthan orders steps to check Nipah virus
Following deaths due to the Nipah virus reported from Kerala, the Rajasthan government on Wednesday directed health officials and other to take steps to check the spread of the virus in the desert state.
Nipah Virus: Guj may start screening visitors from Kerala if
In the wake of Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala, the Gujarat government has directed its health officials to be vigilant and keep watch on people visiting Gujarat from the southern state. District collectors, development officers, and chief district health officers (CDHOs) have been directed to remain alert, said Mission Director, National Health Mission, Gaurav Dahiya. "Situation in Gujarat is well under control. We have directed the CDHOs to remain observant regarding Nipah virus (outbreak) which is so far limited only to two districts of Kerala," Dahiya said. He said officials have been asked to keep watch on people from Kerala visiting Gujarat and to take immediate measures if they come across any suspected cases. Dahiya said the officials have been directed to get people showing symptoms of the viral infection quarantined without delay. "They have been directed to send blood samples of such patients to Pune laboratory without delay," he added. He said state officials .
Pb minister attacks Sukhbir over compensation to muskmelon farmers
Punjab Revenue and Rehabilitation Minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria today targeted Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal for his "new found love" for farmers and his "ignorance" towards the ground realities. The minister was reacting to Sukhbir's recent allegations that the government had not awarded any compensation nor ordered any girdawari (assessment) of the muskmelon crop damaged due to the hailstorm. "It is not surprising for someone like Sukhbir, otherwise fond of spending time and doing business in seven star hotels only, to come out during election days and shed crocodile tears for the farmers as during the last 10 years (when SAD was in power in Punjab) he never ever stepped into any agricultural field," Sarkaria said. He said, the girdawari was ordered on May 2 itself and it has been conducted in an area of 5,254 acres where muskmelon crops were damaged. The compensation will be paid to the farmers immediately after the model code of conduct, which came in force ...
Molasses leakage: Punjab CM warns against any laxity
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today warned against any laxity or leniency while probing the molasses leakage incident in Beas town and directed the concerned agencies to vigorously pursue legal and penal action against the offenders. The chief minister also sought a detailed report by tomorrow from the Environment Department on the inquiry initiated into the incident, which had damaged Beas river's aquatic life and disturbed the canal-based water supply in the southern districts of Faridkot, Muktsar and Fazilka. According to an official spokesperson, the chief minister had directed the concerned officials to ensure that no leniency is shown against those responsible for the incident. Singh further instructed various agencies probing the matter to expedite their investigations so that the responsibility for the act could be pinned and the guilty could be brought to book at the earliest. The Punjab Pollution Control Board is scheduled to hold a formal hearing into the matter ..
Tughlakabad gas leak: NGT fines Railways for not furnishing data
The National Green Tribunal today slapped a fine of Rs 2 lakh on the Railways for failing to submit information about the capacity of the Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Tughlakabad here where a chemical spill had occured last year. A bench headed by acting Chairperson Justice Jawad Rahim observed that even after the passage of over a year since the incident that had caused a gas leak, the Railways has not yet given the information and complied with its order. Around 480 girl students of the Rani Jhansi School and Government Girls Senior Secondary School, located near the container depot in south Delhi, were hospitalised on May 6 last year after toxic fumes spread in the surrounding areas due to the leakage. Most students, who had complained of irritation in the eyes and breathlessness, were discharged after a few hours but a few had to be kept under observation for a longer time. Today's order came after advocate Om Prakash, appearing for the PSU behemoth, said the Northern Railway ..
Rurban Mission: Rs 586 cr approved for development of 5 clusters
With a view to preserving and nurturing the essence of rural community life under Rurban Mission, a sum of Rs 586 crore has been approved for overall development of five clusters of towns in the districts of Ambala, Jind, Karnal, Fatehabad and Jhajjar in Haryana, an official said today. The amount was approved at a meeting held under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary D S Dhesi for Shyama Prasad Mukherji National Rurban Mission, an official spokesman said here. The money will be spent on providing economic activities, developing skills and local entrepreneurship, infrastructure amenities in the five clusters of towns in the first phase. These include Barara in Ambala district, Uchana Khurd in Jind district, Balla in Karnal district, Samain in Fatehabad district and Badli in Jhajjar district. He said the Central government had sanctioned 10 clusters to be developed in the state in three phases in three years. The aim of the scheme is to transform villages into smart villages, generate
'Hry govt working for revival of Saraswati river'
The Haryana government is working in a mission mode for the revival and rejuvenation of Saraswati river, Art and Cultural Affairs Minister Kavita Jain said today while describing the mythical river as a national heritage of India. The minister made the remarks after the Haryana Sarasvati Heritage Development Board and the state's irrigation and water resources department signed two MoUs to investigate the palaeo-channel, and study hydrological and geomorphological aspects relating to the river. "The state government has now roped in agencies like the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), National Institute of Hydrology and Geological Survey of India (NIH) to speed up work in this direction," Jain said. She exhorted the agencies to take up the MoUs as a mission so as to realise the vision of the state government to give recognition to Saraswati river at international level. It was a matter of pride that Adi Badri in Haryana is the origin point of the river, she said, adding that ..
