Page 728 - Environment
IORA's centre on medicinal plants inaugurated in Lucknow: MEA
The Indian Ocean Rim Association's regional science and technology transfer coordination centre on medicinal plants has been inaugurated in Lucknow, the Ministry of External Affairs said today. It was inaugurated at the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) campus in Lucknow on Monday. The establishment of the Indian Ocean Rim Association--Regional Centre for Science and Technology Transfer (IORA-RCSTT) Coordination Centre follows the signing of an MoU between CSIR-CIMAP and the Tehran based IORA-RCSTT on February 24 in Tehran, the MEA said in a statement. CIMAP is an institute under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Ministry of Science and Technology. With the setting up of the Centre, one of India's IORA initiatives has now been operationalised. The centre would be a useful platform not only to disseminate knowledge of the myriad use and benefits of medicinal plants among the IORA member states, but also help them commercialise their ...
Delegation from Monaco calls on Fadnavis
A delegation from Monaco met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis here today and invited him to participate in the Green Energy Forum Meet in their country scheduled to be held on June 26 and 27. Eric Villalonga, President of Chamber of Renewable Energies and Ecology of Monaco and two other members met Fadnavis at his official residence 'Varsha' in south Mumbai, a release issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said. Villalonga informed Fadnavis that more than 50 countries will participate in the next month's Green Energy Forum meeting. Prior to that, a brainstorming session will be held over the issue of forthcoming challenges and solutions thereon before the energy sector, the release quoted Villalonga as saying. During the meeting, the delegation briefly presented the measures taken on energy production, management and hydroelectricity in Monaco.
SC allows UP Jal Nigam plea to cut 234 trees for water pipelines in Agra
The Supreme Court today allowed a plea filed by the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam seeking its permission to fell 234 trees in Agra for laying new pipelines for water supply in the city. A bench of justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta was told that the central empowered committee (CEC) has given its report in the matter and after conducting site inspection, the panel has agreed on cutting of trees with certain conditions. Senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for the UP Jal Nigam, said that out of a total 130 km, the pipeline has already been laid on 128 km and for the rest 2 km, 234 trees were required to be felled. He said that laying of pipeline would make the Ganga river water reach Agra city and it would be used for drinking purposes. He said that around 2.5 hectare land has been identified for planting around 2,500 trees as part of the compensatory afforestation. The apex court, while allowing the plea, directed the forest department of the state to ensure that the trees planted as
Land degradation to cost global economy $23 tn: UN
The global economy will lose $23 trillion by 2050 through land degradation, a UN review has said.
Punjab, Haryana wheat procurement nearly 208.5 lakh tonnes
Making it another bumper Rabi crop, food grain states Punjab and Haryana have procured over 208.5 lakh tonnes of wheat this season, officials in both states said on Wednesday.
States 'diverting' funds meant for environment protection: SC
The Supreme Court today expressed its displeasure noting that states were "diverting" huge amount of funds, meant for protection of environment and benefit of people, to other purposes like municipal works. A bench of justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta said that around Rs 75,000 crore, including Rs 50,000 crore of the Compensatory Afforestation Funds Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), was lying with governments and asked whether there was any plan to utilise the money. "What are the obligations of a state? It (these funds) is not for opening schools. It is meant for environment, rights of tribals in the villages. What is happening is that the states are diverting these funds to do municipal works and their other obligations," the bench observed. The bench had earlier asked the Centre as to how the huge amount of around Rs 75,000 crore, lying in the form of various funds created on the apex court's orders for protection of the environment, was being utilised. During the ...
Examine Delhi govt's proposal to purchase electric buses: SC to EPCA
The Supreme Court today asked the Environment Pollution Control Authority to examine the Delhi government's proposal for using part of the Rs 999.25 crore collected from environment compensation charge (ECC) to buy semi-low floor fully electric buses to tackle pollution and improve public transport. The Arvind Kejriwal government informed a bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta that Delhi transport minister has directed the utilisation of ECC for the people's benefit by spending it on environmental projects, including the purchase of 960 semi-low floor fully electric buses. "You (EPCA) look into it as to whether it is good or not," the bench said and asked the EPCA to file its report. The counsel for the Delhi government said the proposal was pending for approval of the Cabinet, which was scheduled to meet at the end of this month. In its response filed in the court, the Delhi government said advocate Aparajita Singh, who is assisting the court as an amicus curiae, had told
EU sugar exports may have already peaked - Suedzucker
NEW YORK (Reuters) - European Union exports of sugar since the region abolished production limits may have already hit their peak, as global supplies swell in other key regions, said an executive with
Use of pet coke: SC asks CPCB chairman to appear before it tomorrow
The Supreme Court today directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) chairman to appear before it tomorrow after it was informed that the board was not compiling and uploading the data on the use of pet coke by certain industries in the national capital region (NCR). A bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta was apprised by advocate Aparajita Singh, who is assisting in the matter as an amicus curiae, that the court had earlier allowed the use of pet coke in certain industries after CPCB had assured that it would collect the data about its use and monitor it on a monthly basis. CPCB's counsel said the board had instructed Additional Solicitor General A N S Nadkarni, who is representing the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), about the issue. However, Nadkarni said he has not received any such instructions from the CPCB. "This is a hopeless cause. You call the chairman of CPCB tomorrow," the bench said. The court was hearing a matter related
We will develop our villages: Jharkhand CM's new slogan
Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Wednesday coined a new slogan -- "we will develop our villages" -- for development of villages in the state, officials said.
Soon, Telangana to get electric vehicles
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao, on Wednesday, underlined the importance of using electric vehicles to make Hyderabad a pollution free city.An official release from the Chief Minister's office stated that representatives from China's Build Your Dreams (BYD), an automobile manufacturer, which makes 100 percent electric vehicles, revealed their intentions to the chief minister of establishing a production unit in Hyderabad to manufacture electric vehicles.According to the release, Rao conveyed his approval for the said projects, saying that his government would extend all the help required.The Chief Minister also expressed his concerns over the alarming pollution levels in his city, saying that day-by-day the pollution due to vehicles was on the increase in various towns and cities.He suggested that the only way to control and curb the rising pollution was with the usage of electric vehicles, while claiming that in Telangana the usage of electric vehicles would be taken ..
Datagro sees record two-year world sugar surplus, even as Brazil curbs output
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Brazilian consultancy Datagro on Wednesday said it sees a record two-year global surplus of sugar supplies, citing swelling output in Asia even as millers in top producer Brazil dial back production.
2 tiger poachers arrested; 20 kg of bones and tiger skin recovered
Two tiger poachers were arrested with nearly 20 kilogram of bones and a skin of the wild cat in Uttar Pradesh's Bijnor, a wildlife body today said. The arrests were made after a night-long joint operation conducted by Wildlife SOS and the Special Task Force (STF) of the UP Police, a statement by Wildlife SOS said. "The wildlife conservation NGO in a joint operation with the Special Task Force and forest department intercepted two poachers in possession of wildlife contraband. "The successful anti-poaching operation resulted in recovery of a tiger skin along with tiger bones from Nagina in Bijnor," the statement said. The two tiger poachers have been booked under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The tiger skin measures over 10 feet in length indicating it to be a large male tiger in its prime and weighs about eight kilogram and measures approximately six feet across. The tiger bones weigh nearly 20 kilogram and the contraband is now evidence in this matter, it ...
Lead poisoning killing birds, humans too: UN body
Between 400,000 and 1.5 million waterbirds alone die in Europe annually from ingesting lead and there is a need to phase out lead, a UN body said on Wednesday.
SC concerned on Taj Mahal's condition, slams ASI for not protecting it
"Can algae fly?" This question was posed by the Supreme Court to the Archeological Survey of India which faced its wrath for failure to take steps to protect the iconic Taj Mahal The top court also asked the government whether the ASI needed to be "thrown out of the picture" on protection and preservation of the historic white marble mausoleum. When ASI's counsel contended that algae on the monument was a cause of concern, the bench shot back asking "can algae fly?" and how can algae "reach the top of the structure". The scathing remarks by the top court came after a bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta perused recent photographs of the Taj Mahal and expressed concern over the monument being infested by insects and algae. The top court has been monitoring developments in the area around the monument, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal in 1631, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It had on May 1 expressed concern over the ...
Israeli firm to send experts to Haryana to rehabilitate 8,000 ponds
An Israeli group will send a team of experts to Haryana soon to help find solutions to rehabilitation of 8,000 ponds in villages, waste water recycling and its use for irrigation after treatment, according to a release. The CEO of Israel-based Tahal Group offered assistance during detailed talks with Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in Tel Aviv, the release said. The group has expertise in the field of waste water management, micro irrigation and infrastructure. Tahal Group also has its headquarters in Gurugram, and is executing mega projects across India, the release said. Tahal experts will visit various departments and also guide the Haryana government on master planning for water management, the release said. Totally managed by Indians, Tahal in India works on projects related to climate change, food security, clean water, clean energy and sustainable development and is offering consultancy on many projects, the release said. The group is already offering consultancy on a
Peri-urban farming being implemented in NCR: O P Dhankar
The concept of peri-urban farming is being implemented in the national capital region at a rapid pace to ensure Rs one lakh per acre income to the farmers, Haryana Minister O P Dhankar said today. "This initiative of the State Government would help in realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to double the income of farmers by 2022," the animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries minister said. Dhankar was interacting with Animal Husbandry Minister of Himachal Pradesh Virender Kanwar who called on him at his residence here today, an official release said. Dhankar said that Himachal Pradesh is well known for its apple production. Apart from this, it also has ample opportunities in the field of horticulture and medicinal plants. "The farmers of Himachal Pradesh are selling their products by their own branding and packaging, whereas Haryana farmers are hesitating in selling their produce directly in the markets. The farmers should remove this hesitation and identify the market," ...
Pb, Haryana, Rajasthan asked to use water judiciously
The Bhakra and Beas Management Board (BBMB) today asked Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan to use water judiciously, saying the water inflow into the Bhakra and Pong reservoirs is low this year. A technical committee meeting attended by representatives of the three states was held here to decide about the water release. "We have told partnering states that the level of water was low in Bhakra and Pong dams. Therefore, they should use the water judiciously," a senior official of the BBMB said. The water level in Bhakra dam, built on Sutlej river, was marked at 1,523 feet today, about 10 feet lower than what it was recorded on the same day last year. The water level in Pong dam, built on Beas River, was about eight feet lower than what it was on the same day in 2017. Pong dam's level was recorded at 1,291 feet. Official pointed out that there was 20 to 30 per cent lesser water inflow this year because of decrease in snow melting caused by low temperatures prevailing over upper ...
Shun plastic use, save environment: Harsh Vardhan
Urging people to minimize the use of plastic in everyday life, Union minister Harsh Vardhan today said people of this country should take "active measures" to protect and conserve the ecosystem. The United Nations has entrusted India with the responsibility of hosting the 'World Environment Day' on June 5 with focus on finding alternative to plastic in diffent parts of the globe, the minister said after inaugurating four galleries at the Indian Museum. "The entire world is looking at India with hope as people of this country is known to have shared a unique bond with nature for ages. They are waiting to see us successfully implement the 'Beat Plastic' campaign, which will be launched on the occasion of World Environment Day," the Union minister of science and environment told reporters. During international meets, delegations from different countries propose measures to arrest global warming and climate change but the commitments made are usually "only symbolic" in ...
China's electric car maker BYD and Arsenal sign global sponsorship deal
English Premier League (EPL) side Arsenal and China's electric car maker BYD have signed a global sponsorship deal, it was announced here on Wednesday.
