Page 732 - Environment
Global quantity of plastic in oceans to nearly double to 250
About eight million tonnes of plastic end up in the oceans each year and the global quantity will nearly double to 250 million tonnes by 2025, says a new analysis paper. The new International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) co-authored analysis paper, released recently, warned that the 'plastic soup' contains toxic chemicals, which could pose risks to marine species and humans. It said reliable quantitative estimations of input loads, sources and originating sectors represent a significant knowledge gap, "but it is suggested that every year almost eight million tonnes leak to the ocean." It said estimates are that oceans may already contain over 150 million tonnes of plastic, of which around 250,000 tonnes, fragmented into five trillion plastic pieces, may be floating at the oceans' surface. "It has also been estimated that the global quantity of plastic in the ocean will nearly double to 250 million tonnes by 2025, which likely also represents a pollutant load ..
20 lakh kg of garbage collected from Goa beaches in 16 months
Nearly 20 lakh kg of garbage has been lifted from Goa's beaches in the last 16 months with collection rising considerably since January this year, the agency tasked with cleaning the state's beaches said today. Drishti Marine, the private agency roped in by the state government to clean Goa's seashore, has completed 16 months of service. The agency, which began its work on December 17, 2016, provides manpower and equipment for clearing garbage from the beaches, which are frequented by tourists in large numbers. "From December 17, 2016 to April 15, 2018, the agency has collected and transported 19,90,250 kg of garbage from along the state's coast and cleaned the beaches," Ravi Shankar, CEO of Drishti Marine, told reporters here. The last three-and-a-half months (from January 1 to April 15) witnessed 7,89,968 kg of garbage being collected from the coastal areas of the state, he said. "In comparison, the previous year the garbage collected during the same period ...
Unseasonal snowfall in higher reaches of JK
The high-altitude areas of Chenab valley in Jammu and Kashmir experienced unseasonal snowfall today, engulfing the region in wintry conditions and leaving hundreds of nomadic families, with their livestock, stranded. The snowfall started in the higher reaches of Chenab region, especially in the surroundings of Gandoh and Bhadarwah valley, this morning, officials said. The snowfall followed torrential rains that lashed large parts of Jammu and Kashmir since yesterday, bringing down the mercury by several notches. Fresh snowfall was reported from the Kailash mountain range, Padri Gali, Bhaal Padri, Seoj, Shankh Padar, Rishi Dal, Gau-Peeda, Gan-Thak, Khanni-top, Guldanda, Chattar Galla and Asha Pati Glacier surrounding the Bhadarwah valley, the officials said. They added that Braid Bal, Nehyed Chilly, Sharonth Dhar, Katardhar, Kainthi, Laloo Paani, Kaljugasar, Duggan Top, Goha and Sinthan Top also recieved fresh snowfall. These high-altitude and vast grazing meadows are inhabited by the .
Punjab, Haryana wheat procurement crosses 206 lakh tonnes
Making it another bumper rabi crop, food grain states Punjab and Haryana have procured over 206 lakh tonnes of wheat this season, food and supplies officials in both states said on Monday.
700-km long Hyderloop transportation system proposed in Andhra
Hyperloop Transportation Technologies on Monday proposed to set up the Hyperloop transportation system in Andhra Pradesh connecting Anantapur-Amaravati-Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam as part of 700-800-km-long integrated public transit system.
GMR signs pact with investor Groupto sell off Hydel project
GMR Energy Ltdhas signed a definitive agreement with a consortium of international investor Group for divesting its entire stake in Himtal Hydropower Company Pvt Ltd and its associated transmission company Marsyandgi Transmission Company Pvt Ltd, in Nepal. Sources in GMR Group told PTI that the project is currently under development stage and is expected to be commissioned by 2021-22. According to a filing to bourses yesterday, GMR said it signed the agreement with SCIG International Nepal Hydro Joint Development Company Private Limited, SCIG International limited, Xingcheng International Investment Co. Limited and QYEC International Co. Limited and a Nepal-based Butwal Power Company Limited. GMR Energy, a subsidiary of GMR Infrastructure Ltd, is developing the 600 MW Upper Marsyangdi -2 Hydro Electric Power Project (UMHEP) on the river Marsyangdi in Lamjung and Manang districts of Nepal. A Joint Development Agreement (JDA) has been executed with IFC as co-developer ...
Insect, fungus attack horticultural crops in Nalbari
Horticultural crops in Assam's Nalbari district have been affected by the attacks of a small insect 'Mili bird' followed by 'Sooty mould' fungus, an agricultural scientist said. The attacks have created a black layer on the leaves, flowers and fruits of the infected plants which are gradually becoming weak and drying up, Senior Scientist of Nalbari Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Dr Mridul Deka said here today. Coconut, banana, betel nut and papaya plants are the worst affected by the attack, he said. Mili bird secrete honeydew on the leaves, flowers and fruits which invites the fungi sooty mould. The farmers of the district have urged the state government to take immediate effective steps to control the situation, he said.
Bangladesh signs deal with China to set up coal-based power plant
DHAKA (Reuters) - The state-run Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and China Huadian Hongkong Company Limited (CHDHK) have signed an agreement to form a joint venture company to set up a coal-based power plant with a capacity of 1,320 megawatts, a senior BPDB official said on Monday.
Elephant found dead in Erode district
An elephant was found dead in Anthiyur forest area in the district, forest officials said today. A team of forest officials reached the spot last evening and found the decomposed body of the tusker, after a group of tribals reported a foul smell emanating from the area, they said. The officials said the cause of the death could be ascertained only after conducting an autopsy. On May 5, a 15-year-old female elephant was found dead in the region.
China Premier Li says open to increasing Indonesia palm oil import quota
BOGOR, Indonesia (Reuters) - China is open to increasing its import quota of Indonesian palm oil by at least 500,000 tonnes, Premier Li Keqiang said on Monday, speaking after a meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the country's presidential palace in Bogor.
Basai wetland: NGT directs Haryana to reply on plea against waste dumping in wetland area
The National Green Tribunal has directed the Haryana government to respond to a plea against the alleged dumping of waste at a construction and demolition waste recycling facility that is being built in the catchment area of the Basai wetland at Gurgaon in Haryana. A bench headed by Justice Raghuvendra S Rathore issued notices to the state government and the project proponent of the under construction site and asked them to file replies before May 11. "The counsel for respondent State as well as project proponent pray for short time to file reply. They may do so by the next date of hearing," the bench said. According to the plea filed by NGO Delhi Bird Foundation, the project proponent has the environmental clearance for the plant but it lacks requisite approvals from the Haryana state pollution control board as per the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016. Advocates Ritwick Dutta and Rahul Choudhary, appearing for the NGO, sought an immediate stay on the dumping .
Germany's green power transition holds lessons for India (Energy Feature)
People in Germany's small towns and rural areas are turning to renewable energy in a process that has special lessons for countries like India.
AI-enabled system for 'smart' aqua farming developed
A smartphone-based artificial intelligence (AI) system may help remotely manage aqua farms by monitoring water and temperature conditions through sensors and automatically taking preventive measures. Demonstrated by a multi-national start-up cFog in Andhra Pradesh, the solar powered system could revolutionise the decades-old practice of shrimp farming by allowing farmers to manage their ponds using smartphones. Aqua farming is a collective term used for the practice of raising fish, shrimps or prawns in artificial ponds. To ensure maximum yield, levels of dissolved oxygen, ammonia, pH and temperature need to be constantly monitored. At present, farmers collect water samples and take it to nearby laboratories for testing. "These tests are not accurate. The moment we take water samples in a container, the dissolved oxygen level becomes different from that in the pond," said Sriram Pulagham, who owns a shrimp farm in Anakoderu, a village in Andhra Pradesh's West Godavari district. "As ...
RInfra-Astaldi consortium bags Versova-Bandra Sea Link project
The Reliance Infrastructure Limited and Astaldi S.p.A (Italy) joint venture has bagged the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the prestigious Versova-Bandra Sea Link Project in Mumbai.
Australia pledges cash to help save the koala
Australia unveiled today a US$34 million plan to help bring its koala population back from the brink, following a rapid decline in the furry marsupial's fortunes. The Australian Koala Foundation estimates there may be as few as 43,000 koalas left in the wild, down from a population believed to number more than 10 million prior to European settlement of the continent in 1788. "Koalas are a national treasure," said Gladys Berejiklian, premier of New South Wales state, in announcing her government's conservation plan. "It would be such a shame if this nationally iconic marsupial did not have its future secured." Habitat loss, dog attacks, car strikes, climate change and disease have taken their toll on one of Australia's most recognisable animals. Studies show a 26 per cent decline in the koala population in New South Wales over the last 15-20 years. The state lists the species as "vulnerable", while in other parts of the country they are effectively extinct. Under the Aus$45 million ...
PM's comments on Mahadayi row to confuse K'taka voters: Cong
The Congress in Goa has alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks made in Karnataka on the contentious Mahadayi river issue were to confuse voters on the eve of elections in the neighbouring state. During a poll rally in Karnataka last week, Modi claimed that the then Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, had said during Goa Assembly polls in 2007 that her party was "committed" to not allowing the southern state its share of water. The PM said since the Congress was out of power in Goa, it was instigating the people of Karnataka on the Mahadayi issue and that instead of finding a solution to the dispute, it was referred to a tribunal. Reacting to it, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Girish Chodankar said such statements were being made just before the Karnataka polls to "confuse the voters". "I urge them (BJP leaders) to make a categorical statement within 72 hours, and not to wait till the Karnataka elections are over, if they are serious about this ...
Month-old tiger cubs new favourites in Ranchi's zoo
Three newborn tiger cubs have become the centre of attraction for visitors at Birsa Zoological Park in India's eastern city, Ranchi.Due to an increased footfall, the zoo authority on Sunday installed screens which aired live CCTV footage of the cubs with their mother for the first time. The visitors are not allowed to see the cubs directly, to make sure they are given enough privacy in their early days."One month has passed, and the cubs are growing up so we have installed this big screen outside (the tiger enclosure) so that people can watch the tiger cubs without disturbing them," Principal Chief Conservator, R. N. Singh said.The zoological park previously had three adult tigers- Shiva, Malik, and Anushka- among which, the latter two had three cubs. Both the mother and the cubs are kept under watch to keep them safe and healthy."It is fortunate that we got to see the cubs. Otherwise, it is not possible as no one usually can go so deep in the forest, near a tiger den. Now, we have ..
Odisha: CCTV cameras installed near Gurupriya Bridge
The under-construction Gurupriya Bridge in Odisha's naxal-affected Malkangiri will be under close supervision of the district administration, which is installing CCTV cameras at different locations near the bridge to keep it secure from the naxals.Despite the naxals' efforts to stall the construction of the 910-metre long bridge that will connect the cut-off area to the mainland, it is on its way to near completion, i.e., by May.The construction of the bridge started in 2015 at a cost of Rs 172.58 crore.To ensure the naxals do not disturb the bridge work, at least five BSF camps have also been set up between Chitrakonda and Janbai.The bridge connects Janbai North to Janbai South, which otherwise took seven to eight hours to reach through the waterways from the Balimela ferry point.Sources said construction of the bridge assumes significance, as it is the only means to connect 151 villages of eight Panchayats in the cut-off area which is now surrounded by water from three sides.This ...
Hawaii volcano destroys 21 homes, spews lava 200 feet in air
The number of homes destroyed by Hawaii's Kilauea volcano jumped to 21 today as scientists reported lava spewing more than 61 meters into the air. Some of the more than 1,700 people who evacuated prepared for the possibility they may not return for quite some time. Hawaii officials said the decimated homes were in the Leilani Estates subdivision, where molten rock, toxic gas and steam have been bursting through openings in the ground created by the volcano. Officials updated the number of lost homes after an aerial survey of the subdivision. "That number could change," Hawaii County spokeswoman Janet Snyder said. "This is heartbreaking." Amber Makuakane, 37, a teacher and single mother of two, said her three-bedroom house in Leilani Estates was destroyed by lava. The dwelling was across from a fissure that opened Friday, when "there was some steam rising from all parts of the yard, but everything looked fine," Makuakane said. On Saturday morning, she received alerts from her security .
Modi belittled judiciary, Constitution over Mhadei issue: Goa Congress
The Congress in Goa on Sunday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of belittling the judiciary and the Indian Constitution over the Mhadei inter-state water dispute issue.
