Page 751 - Environment
Snake rescued from Delhi Assembly premises
A five-feet-long snake was rescued on Wednesday from the Delhi Assembly complex here by an animal welfare NGO.
U'khand Guv advocates for green accounting in state, forest growth index
Describing Uttarakhand as the cradleof Indian forestry, Governor K K Paul today advocated for green accounting in the state and introduction of a forest growth index. He also said the Chipko Movement, recognised globally as the first environment conservation movement, had its originsin the hill state. Expressing concern over Greenhouse gas emissions, the governor said a concept ofgreen accounting,on the lines of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), should be introduced as forest growth index. The idea of green accounting is very important fora hill state like Uttarakhand where much depends on the condition of its forests, he said. The governor was addressing a convocation of IFS probationers at the Indira Gandhi National Forestry Academy here. Emphasising on research in the field of forestry, he said it will lead to major changesin the management of forest resources. Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Harsh Vardhan, who also addressed the convocation, asked the ...
NTCA asks Assam to ban mining, stone crushing in Kaziranga
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has written to the Assam government seeking an immediate ban on mining, quarrying and stone crushing in the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong landscape, saying it was seriously affecting the wildlife habitat, including that of tigers. In a letter to the Assam Chief Secretary, NTCA has said that mining and stone crushing activities were seriously hampering the survival and conservation of tiger. The NTCA, a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, also annexed a report regarding mining and said these activities were responsible for drying and siltation of several natural streams and rivulets that flow from Karbi Anglong hills towards the Kaziranga forests. "Considering the destructive impact of quarrying/mining activity, all stone mining/ quarrying and crusher units need to be closed down immediately. If these destructive activities are not stopped immediately, then there is a high risk of Kaziranga National ..
India defends safeguard measures on solar cells opposed by EU, Japan in WTO
India has told a WTO committee that it followed global trade rules while imposing safeguard measures on imported solar cells even as the European Union and Japan have criticised the move. The issue came up at the meeting of the safeguard committee of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva on April 23. "India's preliminary safeguard on imported solar cells drew criticisms from the EU and Japan, which criticized the conduct of the investigation and the initial findings," a Geneva-based trade official said. India stated that it has followed "WTO rules and regulations on the imposition of safeguard measures", the official added. Under the WTO norms, a member country can impose safeguard duty to restrict imports of a product temporarily with an aim to protect domestic industry from an increase in imports of any product which is causing or threatening to cause, serious injury to the industry. In the meeting, the EU has stated that safeguard measures should only be imposed under ...
India, Sao Tome to cooperate in traditional medicine
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved two agreements between India and African island nation Sao Tome and Principe to cooperate in traditional medicine and medicinal plants.
Cabinet approves restructured National Bamboo Mission
CCEA has also approved Empowerment of Executive Committee for formulation of guidelines of the NBM and to make the changes therein, including cost norms for various interventions from time-to-time as per the felt needs and specific recommendations of States, with the approval of Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
Vice Prez bats for incentives to states conserving forests
Raising Uttarakhand's hopes for a "long overdue" green bonus, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu today said the states contributing to forest conservation must be given incentives. "Giving incentives to the states which are making their precious contribution to forest conservation will encourage them to expand the green cover further," said Naidu, addressing the Indian Forest Service probationers during the convocation ceremony at Indira Gandhi National Forestry Academy here. He mooted the idea of extending the incentives even to the local people, besides civic bodies and panchayats for tree plantation and forest conservation. "We have to save the forests for the future generations. If we protect our trees, they will protect us," he said. "Panchayats have a big role to play in conservation of the forest cover and enhancing it. There can be no two opinions on giving them incentives for this," Naidu said. A green bonus in return for its forest conservation endeavours has been a long- pending
MDMK chief files PIL against Sterlite plant
MDMK leader Vaiko today filed a PIL in the Madras High Court here seeking to restrain the Vedanta group's Sterlite Industries copper smelter plant from operating in Tuticorin district, citing environmental concerns. Also, he prayed to the court to direct the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Ministry of Environment and Forests not to extend the licence/clearance to the unit and take immediate steps to close it down. He said if the respondent was allowed to operate or expand the unit, it would affect the people residing in the surrounding areas and hinder agricultural production too. The MDMK chief, who has been staging protests demanding closure of the copper smelter unit at Melavittan, said he had given a representation to the authorities on April 8, 2018 in this regard, but no action had been taken. The PIL comes in the backdrop of protests by locals in and around the plant, demanding its closure on ground that
Cabinet approves restructured National Bamboo Mission
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Wednesday approved Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Bamboo Mission (NBM) under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) during the remaining period of Fourteenth Finance Commission (2018-19 and 2019-20).The Cabinet Committee was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital.The mission is to ensure holistic development of the bamboo sector by addressing complete value chain and establishing effective linkage of producers (farmers) with industry.CCEA has also approved Empowerment of Executive Committee for the formulation of guidelines of the NBM and to make the changes therein, including cost norms for various interventions from time-to-time as per the felt needs and specific recommendations of States, with the approval of Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.The scheme will benefit directly and indirectly the farmers as well as local artisans and associated personnels engaged in the ..
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Sao Tome and Principe on cooperation in the field of Medicinal Plants
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Rice basmati, wheat eases on reduced offtake
Prices of rice basmati and wheat fell by up to Rs 100 per quintal at wholesale grains market today due to reduced offtake against ample stocks position. Traders said besides reduced offtake by stockists, adequate stocks position on increased arrivals from producing belts weighed on rice basmati and wheat prices. In the national capital, rice basmati common and Pusa 1121 variety drifted lower by Rs 100 each to Rs 7,300-7,400 and Rs 6,600-6,700 per quintal, respectively. Non-basmati permal raw, wand, sela and IR-8 also settled lower Rs 2,375-2,400, Rs 2,475-2,525, Rs 3,050-3,150 and Rs 2,025-2,075 from previous levels of Rs 2,400-2,425, Rs 2,500-2,550, Rs 3,100-3,200 and Rs 2,050-2,100 per quintal respectively in line with rice basmati trend. Wheat dara (for mills) too shed Rs 10 to Rs 1740-1745 per quintal. Atta chakki delivery followed suit and traded lower by a similar margin to Rs 1745-1750 per 90 kg. Atta flour mills eased by Rs 10 to Rs 940-950 per 50 kg. Following are today's ...
Cabinet approves MoU between India, African nation in medicinal plants sector
The government today gave an ex-post facto approval for an agreement signed between India and an African island nation, Sao Tome and Principe, to increase cooperation in the field of medicinal Plants. The memorandum of understanding was signed on March 14 this year, an official statement said. The decision was taken in the Union Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here. The MoU assumes significance as there is global increase in traditional and alternative health care systems. It is resulting in world herbal trade which stands at USD 120 billion and is expected to reach USD 7 trillion by 2050, it said. "Moreover, there are large number of medicinal plants, particularly those found in tropical region, which are common to the two countries given similar geo-climatic factors," it added. India is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of biodiversity, having 15 agro-climatic zones. Out of the 17,000-18,000 species of flowering plants, more than 7000 are ...
CCEA approves restructured bamboo mission with outlay of Rs 1,290 cr
The government today approved a restructured National Bamboo Mission (NBM) with an outlay of Rs 1,290 crore for two years, a move aimed at benefiting one lakh farmers, said an official release. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved Centrally Sponsored Scheme of NBM under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) during remaining period of 14th Finance Commission (2018-19 and 2019-20), it said. "An outlay of Rs 1,290 crore (with Rs 950 crore as central share) is provisioned for implementation of the Mission during the remaining period of 14th Finance Commission," the release said. The CCEA meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It also approved empowerment of executive committee for formulation of guidelines of the NBM and to make the changes therein, including cost norms for various interventions as per the "felt needs" and specific recommendations of states. "It is proposed to bring about one lakh hectare area under plantation and it is ...
Hail stone weighing three kilograms sign of climate change-Expert
Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) [India], April 25 (ANI): Hailstones weighing up to three kilograms were recently discovered in Odisha's Mayurbhanj and Balasore districts.Several septuagenarian residents of Bhimdaa village, which is located along the banks of the Gangahara River in Mayurbhanj district, told this correspondent that in their memory they had not seen storms of this kind.They said they the heavy hailstones making holes in asbestos and CGI sheeted roofs, and causing damage to property in several villages. Badasahi block and Remuna experienced the brunt of nature's fury.The possible impact of climate change was also seen in Arunachal Pradesh. This north eastern state is experiencing a severe cold wave since the start of the year. For example, the village of Chambang, criss-crossed by the Rivers Chatey, Peri, Patee and Kurung, has been experiencing heavy snowfall since January 4. Mechuka and Damin also experienced heavy snowfall this year.Earth scientist Professor Trilochan ...
Global wind capacity to rise by more than half in next five years
LONDON (Reuters) - Global wind energy capacity could increase by more than half over the next five years, as costs continue to fall and the market returns to growth at the end of this decade, a report by the Global Wind Energy Council shows.
Renewable energy road map for Sunderban homes
As part of its continued efforts towards sustainable development, WWF India has enabled alternative energy access to a cluster of households at Gosaba block in the Sunderbans. The organization, under its 'Sahasra Jyoti' project, had been working extensively with local communities in the mangrove forest area of West Bengal to provide them cost-effective energy solutions - while reducing the pressure on surrounding environment, a WWFI official said. A solar project at Satjelia Island in the area has already covered five hamlets, he said. "We have installed five micro grids in three phases with the installed capacity of 56.18 kW," senior coordinator-energy access and communities, Climate Change and Energy Programme, Subhro Sen said. The number of establishments covered under the project in Gosaba block included 25 shops, eight institutions and 512 houses, he said, adding that over 2100 individuals have benefitted in the area. "Sixty per cent of the households that got ...
India recalls GSAT-11 satellite for tests from Arianespace's rocket port
The Indian space agency has recalled its communication satellite GSAT-11 from Arianespace's rocket port in Kourou in French Guiana, said Arianespace.
Meghalaya launches mission to increase organic turmeric
The Meghalaya government has launched a mission to register a five-fold increase in the production of Lakadong turmeric, an organic variety grown in the state, to at least 50,000 metric tonne per year in the next five years. It also plans to more than double the crop area from the current 2,577 hectare to 6,070 hectare over the next five years, according to a 'Mission Lakadong' document. Jaintia Hills District is home to one of the finest turmeric varieties in the world and the most famous one being the Lakadong turmeric with the highest curcumin content, according to a study by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Launching the 'Mission Lakadong', Governor Ganga Prasad said yesterday that at least 1,000 farmers currently engaged in the cultivation of the Lakadong turmeric in about 2,500 hectare in Laskein and Thadlaskein blocks are producing about 10,000 metric tonne in a year, he said. "This kind of volume is not sufficient to create a global footprint for our
Need to harness land in a way to avoid adversely affecting its health: Env Min
Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan today emphasised the importance of land as a resource and the need to harness and protect it in a manner that does not adversely affect its health. He also stressed on the critical need to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) by 2030. Under LDN, the amount and quality of land resources, necessary to support ecosystem functions and services and enhance food security, remains stable or increases within specified temporal and spatial scales and ecosystems. The minister was speaking after inaugurating a four-day Asia-Pacific Regional Workshop of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). "Emphasising the importance of land as a resource and the need to protect and harness its resources in a manner that does not adversely affect its health, The minister underlined the critical need to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality by 2030," an official statement said. Harsh Vardhan urged the delegates to transform the workshop into a milestone ..
Rough sea conditions along Karnataka, Kerala, TN & Lakshadweep coasts tomorrow: INCOIS
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services has warned fishermen and residents about "rough to very rough" sea conditions along the coasts of Karnataka, Kerala, southern Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep tomorrow. It has advised fishermen and residents not to venture into the coastal areas. INCOIS, which comes under Ministry of Earth Sciences, issues tsunami alerts for India and neighbouring countries. It has also issued a forecast for "rough sea conditions" along and off the coast of West Bengal, Odisha, north Andhra Pradesh coasts and west coast of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. "Based on the forecast generated by INCOIS, rough to very rough sea conditionsverylikelytoprevailalongandoff Karnataka, Kerala, LakshadweepandsouthTamil Naducoasts," the India Meteorological Department said in an alert. An IMD official said the rough sea conditions are due to "swelling" in the sea. A swell in the context of seas is a series of mechanical waves that propagate along the interface ...
