Page 766 - Environment
BHEL's proposed solar plant stuck in limbo as MP govt keen to
Despite getting the Centre's clearances for the solar power plant that BHEL proposes to set up on its own land on the city outskirts, the project is yet to take off as the Madhya Pradesh government apparently wants to keep the site open for public and political events. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) plans to set up the plant on 50 acres of land at Jamboree Maidan on the outskirts of the state capital. The state-owned power equipment major had sanctioned the Rs 54 crore solar power plant in November 2016 and the deadline set for its completion was March 31, 2017. It had got all permissions in place from the Centre one-and-a-half years back. However, the work is yet to begin in the absence of state government's permission. Jamboree Maidan, a 200 acres of land owned by BHEL, has so far played host to several government programmes attended by senior BJP leaders. This is where Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan took oath of office after the BJP won the assembly ...
Air pollution: DPCC asks PWD to prepare database of construction, demolition waste
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has asked the Public Works Department (PWD) to prepare a proper database of construction and demolition waste generated from its sites and submit an annual report on the same. In a directive issued earlier this month, the pollution controlling panel has also asked the PWD to ensure all construction and demolition waste generated from its sites are stored in such a manner that it does not create air pollution in the city. According to the DPCC, open dumping of construction and demolition waste materials is one of the contributors of air pollution, particularly of PM 10 and PM 2.5 particles, in the national capital. The move comes after a number of complaints were received in the DPCC regarding air pollution generated from dumping of construction and demolition waste materials from various sites belonging to all agencies. In its written direction to the PWD, the DPCC has said the department would collect the construction and demolition waste .
Maharashtra's tribal village gets electricity after 70 years of independence
A Remote tribal village in Amravati's Bulumgavhan in Maharashtra got electrified after 70 years of independence.The initiative has been taken under the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana - 'Saubhagya'.According to reports, around 105 homes have received electricity in the village.One of the villagers said, "It was difficult when there was no electricity, our children could not study after it turned dark. We are very happy now."The village sets an ideal example of collective efforts of the Government administration and villagers.With the population of just over 500, nearest town from the village is at the distance of 112 Km.Rural Development Fellows Scheme under the Government played a key role in the development. The villagers looked rejoiced and filled with enthusiasm with the development.
Civil society groups demand draft forest policy be withdrawn
Civil society activists today demanded that the draft National Forest Policy 2018 be withdrawn and the existing legal frameworks such as the Forest Rights Act (FRA) be implemented properly. Around 140 civil society organizations from around 15 states have written to the Environment Ministry in this regard. The activists said Section 4.8 in the draft National Forest Policy 2018 talks about new legal frameworks but no reference has been made to FRA 2006. "Then comes 4.11 which is about 'harmonization with other policies and laws', which explicitly threatens the edifice of the existing Forest Rights Act. "It says that community forest resources management under the FRA will be addressed as 'participatory forest management' and the same will be addressed through the proposed community forest management mission," they said. "This is one of the most objectionable proposals in the draft policy and it is unclear on what basis this is being proposed," they said.
Guj officials booked for fraudulently availing farm subsidy
Two government officials and four others have been booked for allegedly forging documents of farmers to withdraw almost Rs 1 crore under a government subsidy scheme to build farm ponds, police said. Officials of the Gujarat State Land Development Corporation (GSLDC) here conspired with four private agents to forge documents of as many as 160 farmers from Shehra tehsil and withdraw money given as subsidy to construct "khet talavdi" (farm ponds) for water conservation, police said. As part of a scheme, the Gujarat government provides subsidy of upto 90 per cent to farmers who construct such ponds, officials said. "Mansukh Bariya, a farmer from Khatakpur village here, filed a case against these officials and agents. During investigation, we found that at least 160 farmers from villages in Shehra tehsil were duped in the name of subsidy for construction of farm ponds. The accused withdrew Rs 99.49 lakh," said Shehra police station inspector H V Sisara. Explaining the modus ..
Rs 22 cr illegal cash seized in Karnataka
The Election Commission's surveillance squads and police officials have seized over Rs 22 crore illegal cash since the model code of conduct was put in force on March 27 in poll-bound Karnataka, the state's Chief Electoral Officer said on Saturday.
Power minister inaugurates solar lamp distribution centre in Bihar
Union Minister R K Singh today inaugurated an assembly and distribution centre for solar study lamps at Mahuli village in Arrah and also laid the foundation (remotely) for a photovoltaic module manufacturing plant in Sherghati block of Gaya district (Bihar). Local women Self Help Group (SHG) will assemble solar study lamps in the centre and distribute them to underprivileged students who do not have access to electricity. "Thus the Centre will not only provide kerosene-free affordable illumination to students, but also empower rural women with the skills to assemble, distribute and repair solar lamps," an official statement said. The initiative is part of the central government's scheme of providing 70 lakh solar study lamps in five states, where rural household electrification levels are low. In Bihar, the target is to provide more than 18.84 lakh underprivileged students with solar study lamps. Around 4.57 lakh such lamps have already been distributed to the students. The solar ...
Dilip Buildcon arm executes pact for six-laning of highway in AP
Dilip Buildcon today said its subsidiary has executed a concession agreement with the National Highways Authority of India to undertake the six laning of Anandapuram-Pendurthi Anakapalli section of NH-5 (new NH-16) in Andhra Pradesh under Bharatmala Pariyojana. The bid cost of the NHAI project is Rs 1,959 crore and it will be executed in the hybrid annuity mode by DBL Anandapuram Anakapalli Highways Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dilip Buildcon. In a regulatory filing, Dilip Buildcon said the construction period for the project will be 30 months and a total 50.8 kms will be covered.
Centre clears project to improve facilities at Badrinath
Badrinath will soon boast new and better set of facilities for pilgrims after the Centre today cleared a project worth Rs 39 crore for improving facilities at the Himalayan shrine. A changing room, a canteen, a cloak room, a waiting hall equipped with information counters, a car parking lot and a pathway including a bridge forpedestrians on Bamni nala are also to be constructed within the premises of the Himalayan temple, Tourism Secretary Dilip Jawalkar said. The pedestrian bridge over Bamni nala will be fitted with solar lights and benches will be built on either side of the entire stretch to be called Aastha-path. The changing room will be built near Tapta Kund and Narad Kund besides construction of covered drains and other arrangements for effective waste management, he said. "The amount will be released in five instalments," Jawalkar -- who is also the nodal officer for the project said Thanking the Centre on behalf of the people of Uttarakhand, Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj ...
L-G Baijal inspects Anand Vihar ISBT area
Delhi Lt Governor (L-G) Anil Baijal today suggested that RFID technology be used on vehicles regularly plying through the Anand Vihar ISBT area to reduce stoppage time at entry and exit toll counters. Baijal was in the area to inspect traffic management, parking, encroachment and sanitation issues. Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects, such as vehicles. "He also advised the PWD (Public Works Department) to look into the demands related to re-engineering of roads and flyovers for better traffic movement at the earliest," a release by the L-G's office said. "Besides, he also directed the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) and the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) to remove all encroachments near the entry point of the area and on footpaths to facilitate easy movement of pedestrians," it said. The L-G's visit started with the inspection of the Anand Vihar Continuous Ambient ...
Shramdan- New way to tackle drought in Maharashtra
Abhishek S AwasthiParli Taluka (Maharashtra) [India], Apr. 14 (ANI): In a season of vacation, children and teenagers are participating in a drive called 'Shramdan'.Shramdan is all about donating physical labour to villagers in their respective villages as a measure undertaken for water conversation and accumulation in future to tackle drought.In Shramdan, the villagers dig up trenches, small canals; take up widening and broadening work across river banks. They do it for around three hours in the morning from 6:00 am to 9:00 am and in the evening before sunset.All these villagers do it for a cause to secure their future and they do it completely free. They even undergo training and accordingly a team is formed who plans for their respective villages."40 percent of India's land is irrigable, the figure drops to only 16.57 percent in Maharashtra, and it's a mere 1.72 percent in Parli," Mayank Gandhi, NGO Global Parli of Beed District in Maharashtra."What attracts me towards this drive is
Maharashtra: Villages gear up for 'Water Cup' to tackle drought
In order to fight scarcity of water, a competition-'Water Cup' is being held between several villages in Mahrashtra's Parli town to see who is able to conserve the excess quantity of water.The Water Cup competition is being organised Bollywood Actor, Aamir Khan's NGO, Paani Foundation where they happen to evaluate the villages over a period of 45 days. They also announced a cash reward of Rs 50 lakh for the winner.Kaudgaon Huda, Shrikrishna Nagar Tanda, Shriram Nagar Tanda, Bhilegaon, Mamdapur, Moha, Parchundi, Vaka, Waghala, Vadkhel, Rewali and Maknathpur are the villages inside Parli which have been selected to participate in this unique competition.A tireless work is underway in every village with the help of Earth movers to constructof enough multiple structures in order to ensure that rain water does not flow off and gets conserved.Papnashi river, which was a direct source of water for around six villages in Parli, has dried off. It is being widened and deepened, so that more ..
Dindi project in Telangana named after Vidyasagar Rao
The Telangana government today decided to name Dindi Lift Irrigation scheme in Nalgonda district after late irrigation expert R Vidyasagar Rao. The state government has instructed the Irrigation department to call the project henceforth as R Vidyasagar Rao Dindi Lift Irrigation Scheme, a release from the Chief Minister's office said. "Vidyasagar Rao had highlighted the injustices done to Telangana in the irrigation sector. His life's ambition was to provide safe drinking water to the fluoride-affected Nalgonda district and provide water to the arid lands in the Telangana region," it said. "We are making rapid strides in the irrigation sector in tune with the dreams of Vidyasagar Rao," the release added. It is befitting that the Dindi Lift Irrigation Scheme in his native Nalgonda district is named after him, the release quoted ChiefMinister K Chandrasekhar Rao as saying.
Iran keen to partner Pakistan on CPEC
Iran has expressed keen interest in entering into a partnership with Pakistan to explore possibilities in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which falls under the ambitious One Belt, One Road (OBOR).The remarks were made as Iran's Minister for Roads and Urbanisation Abbas Akhoundi visited Karachi Port Trust (KPT) on Friday along with a high level Iranian delegation, reports the Dawn.Exhibiting interest in transshipment cargo, the visiting minister underscored that Iran is keen to work with Pakistan for inter-connection linkage between Karachi Port and Iranian port city Bandar Abbas.Furthermore, the minister touted the ample space of 204,000 hectares available at Bandar Abbas for promoting transshipment cargo handling facility.Iran is right next to Pakistan geographically having the strategic advantage as both share the ocean waters which will thus help Iran to carry on trade with china as well via Gwadar port (CPEC).On a related note the Iranian delegation took keen interest .
Kazakhstan, India agree to enhance energy cooperation
The current state of cooperation between Kazakhstan and India in the energy sector was assessed and discussed on the sidelines of the recently held 16th International Energy Forum here.According to an Embassy of Kazakhstan release, a delegation from Kazakhstan, led by the Vice-Minister of Energy, M. Mirzagaliyev, held talks with the Indian delegation led by Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan with the assistance of Kazakhstan's Ambassador to India Bulat Sarsenbayev and other embassy officials.The embassy release said that the bilateral component of the talks focussed on "The future of global energy security - transition, technology, trade and investment", as well as how both Kazakhstan and India could enhance their cooperation in the energy sector within the framework of the IEF and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum or GECF.Meetings were also held with the Secretary General of the IEF, Dr. S. Xiansheng and the Secretary General of the GECF Y. Senturin.The IEF is
Is pollution putting you at Alzheimer's, suicide risks?
Smog-filled towns and cities have been linked to increased risks for Alzheimer's and suicide among children and young adults.A University of Montana researcher, Lilian Calderon-Garcidueñas, and her collaborators studied 203 autopsies of Mexico City residents ranging in age from 11 months to 40 years.Metropolitan Mexico City is home to 24 million people exposed daily to concentrations of fine particulate matter and ozone above U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards. The researchers tracked two abnormal proteins that indicate development of Alzheimer's, and they detected the early stages of the disease in babies less than a year old."Alzheimer's disease hallmarks start in childhood in polluted environments, and we must implement effective preventative measures early," said Calderon-Garcidueñas. "It is useless to take reactive actions decades later."The scientists found heightened levels of the two abnormal proteins - hyperphosphorylated tau and beta amyloid - in the brains of ...
Xi Jinping calls for developing Hainan province
China's President Xi Jinping highlighted the need to develop the Hainan province which is also been declared as the Special Economic Zone of the country.During the inspection tour of Hainan on Friday Jinping urged to make full use of environmental advantages an build it to be an international tourism island, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.President Xi underscored advancing reform and opening-up in the southern province of Hainan "from a higher perspective, with a broader vision and greater strength".He further held discussions with experts regarding the importance of boosting the health sector to serve the people.Jinping also visited the Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering under the Chinese Academy of Sciences on Thursday and learned about China's seabed exploration in the Mariana Trench and examined deep-sea research equipment.He said both cities and the countryside should be developed well to reach the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects.
Massachusetts top court rules against Exxon in climate change probe
BOSTON (Reuters) - Massachusetts' top court on Friday rejected Exxon Mobil Corp's bid to block the state's attorney general from obtaining records to investigate whether the company for decades concealed its knowledge of the role fossil fuels play in climate change.
Shipping industry agrees to halve carbon emissions by 2050: IMO
Members of the UN International Maritime Organisation today struck a deal to halve carbon dioxide emissions from shipping by 2050 in a deal that will force the industry to redesign fleets. "The initial strategy envisages for the first time a reduction in total GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions by at least 50 percent by 2050 compared to 2008," the London-based IMO said in a statement.
Over 170 countries agree to reduce shipping emissions by 2050
Over 170 countries, comprising India, on Friday reached a historic agreement in London to reduce shipping carbon dioxide emissions by "at least" 50 per cent on 2008 levels by 2050 with an emphasis on scaling up action to 100 per cent by the mid-century.
