Page 771 - Environment
Maha fishermen to benefit from infra development project:
Fishermen in Mumbai and rest of Maharashtra will benefit from a Rs 415 crore infrastructure development project, Fisheries Minister Mahadev Jankar said today. He attended a presentation of modern boats for Mumbai-based fishermen near Fishermen Colony. "The Union government has sanctioned Rs 415 crore for infrastructure development for fishermen including construction of new jetties for easy handling and transportation of the catch. The funds are sanctioned under the government scheme 'Neelkranti'," said the minister. He said, "HDPE finishing boats, procured from a French company, will be introduced to the fishermen for efficient fishing. The boats are eco-friendly in terms of low fuel consumption and longer durability. These boats have an average life of 20 years, which is much higher than the conventional boats used by the fishermen".
Mumbai Metro to purchase 50 MW solar power from upcoming
Mumbai Metro has assured to purchase 50 MW power from upcoming Vikhran solar plant in Dhule district, a senior Maharashtra government official said today. State Energy department Principal Secretary Arvind Singh said the government had signed an agreement to purchase 50 MW solar power from the plant, to be set up in Dhule district in north Maharashtra. The government, in a bid to strengthen its footing in the renewable energy segment, is planning to set up a 500 MW solar park at Vikhran. "The entire investment in the park will come from private parties. There are two private players who are looking to set up solar power plants in Maharashtra," said Singh, refusing to divulge names of the interested companies. He said Mumbai Metro had given a letter to the Maharashtra State Power Generation Corporation (Mahageneco) and has assured to purchase 50 MW power from the plant. Mumbai Metro is operated by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (all lines except ...
13 farmers encroached upon forest land in Himachal: HC told
As many as 13 farmers have encroached upon more that 20 acres of land in Rohru area here, chief conservator (forests) told the Himachal Pradesh High Court today. The court was informed that the maximum encroachment of 345.54 bigha land had been done by Moti Ram, followed by Ashok Kumar (318.96 bigha ) and Champa Devi (292 bigha). The HC had directed the conservator of forests to file an affidavit and give the names of those farmers who have encroached upon more than five bigha of land. A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Sandeep Sharma asked the divisional forest officer, sub divisional magistrate and tehsildar to file an affidavit within two weeks, giving detailed information about the steps taken to stop encroachment of forest lands. The Himachal Pradesh government told the court that the encroachments on forest land throughout the state were being removed. It said that 102 encroachments had been removed between January 16 and February 15 this year, ...
Govt invites expression of interest for 1 GW offshore wind energy project
The government has invited expression of interest for the country's first offshore wind energy project, in line with its aim of having 5 GW such capacities by 2022. The National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), an autonomous body under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), has called for Expression of Interest' (EoI) for the first offshore wind energy project of India, an MNRE statement said. The global EoI is intended to shortlist prospective offshore wind energy developers for a 1,000 MW (1 GW) offshore wind energy project in Gulf of Khambat, off the coast of Gujarat. The proposed area is located 23-40 km seaward side from Pipavav port. MNRE plans to install at least 5 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2022. As per the National Offshore Wind Energy Policy notified on October, 2015, National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), Chennai is the nodal agency to carry out the necessary studies/surveys before final bidding and act as a single window for facilitating necessary ...
Indian rocket fuelled up for Thursday early morning flight
The stage is all set for India to launch on Thursday its navigation satellite IRNSS-1I from Sriharikota rocket port, a senior Indian space agency official said.
Stakeholder states' views sought on Gujarat's Narmada water demand
The Narmada Control Authority (NCA) has sought the opinion of all the stakeholder states on the Gujarat government's demand to release around 1,500 cubic feet water per second (cusec) on a regular basis.
Naveen approves 32 projects under 'Ama Gaon Ama Vikash Yojana'
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today approved 32 projects to be implemented at a cost of Rs 1.44 crore across four panchayats in as many districts under a state government scheme. The four panchayats are in Koraput, Sambalpur, Jajpur and Ganjam districts and the projects will be implemented under 'Ama Gaon Ama Vikash Yojana', an official said. Out of the 32 projects, 9 would be implemented in Subai gram panchayat of Koraput district at a cost of Rs 39 lakh and as many projects in Rasulpur panchayat of Jajpur district at a cost of Rs 37 lakh, an official statement said. Similarly, 8 projects would be undertaken in Bhojapur gram panchayat of Sambalpur district at a cost of Rs 35 lakh and 6 projects in Babanapur panchayat of Ganjam district at a cost of Rs 33 lakh, it said. The chief minister granted financial assistance while interacting with sarpanchs of these panchayats through video conferencing, it said. The chief minister asked the sarpanchs to ensure timely ...
In draft rules, govt scraps ban on sale of cattle for slaughter
The government has withdrawn a ban on the sale of animals for slaughter in livestock markets across the country, in draft rules pertaining to prevention of cruelty to animals. Once the new rules are notified after consultation with stakeholders, cattle, including cows, can be sold in animal markets, even for slaughter wherever it is legal. The old notification mandated declarations by sellers and buyers that the animals would not be taken for slaughter. The move had drawn widespread criticism. The old notification also had stringent guidelines such as the purchaser of the cattle shall not sell it for slaughtering. Several states had opposed the notification. Kerala approached the Centre raising its concern over the issue. The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court had stayed the notification on livestock market rules. The Supreme Court then stayed the rules in July last year. Such regulations, however, have now been removed from the new draft, which will be notified as 'rules' after ..
11,247 Maha villages turned 'water neutral' in 2 yrs: Fadnavis
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said that 11,247 villages in the state have become 'water neutral' in the last two years under the government's flagship 'Jalkukt Shivar' scheme. He said this year 5,031 villages have been selected to be made water neutral (self-sufficient in water resources) and another 6,200 villages have been identified for 2018-19. The chief minister revealed these figures while interacting with the district collectors and zilla parishad CEOs via video-conferencing. During the interaction, he reviewed the progress of different schemes like Jalyukt Shivar, Farm Pond on Demand, Galmukta Dharan-Galyukt Shivar (silt-free reservoirs, fertile farmland) and Housing for All. Fadnavis directed the officials to complete before June all the necessary work in the villages selected under the 'Jalkukt Shivar' scheme this year. "Rs 1,000 crore will be released tomorrow for the completion of work," he said. Under the Farm Pond on Demand scheme, work .
'Hyderabad can generate 1,730 MW rooftop solar power'
With a potential of 1,730 MW power generation through rooftop solar panels, Hyderabad can become solar champion in India, thereby reduce air pollution by cutting on coal-based power, according to a study.
World Bank approves $55mn for Bangladesh project
The World Bank has approved $55 million to expand the use of clean renewable energy in rural areas of Bangladesh where grid electricity cannot reach easily.
Maha govt defends plastic ban in high court
Justifying its decision to ban plastic goods including the one-time-use carry bags, the Maharashtra government today told the Bombay High Court that plastic waste is a serious environmental hazard which affects the health of human beings and animals. The government, on March 23, imposed a ban on "manufacture, sale, use, distribution and storage" of several plastic goods and materials including polythene bags, plastic plates, cups, spoons and forks, thermocol and PET bottles. It submitted its reply today to four petitions filed by associations of plastic manufacturers and retailers challenging the ban. The affidavit filed by the state environment department said the objective was to protect and improve the environment. "Use of plastic bags, PET bottles and other plastic materials is causing serious environmental hazard and affecting health of human beings and animals. The notification was issued in view of alarming material before the government showing the harming effect of disposal ..
Exxon expects Papua New Guinea LNG project to restart in May
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - ExxonMobil Corp expects to restart production from its Papua New Guinea liquefied natural gas (LNG) project at the start of May after it was shut following an earthquake in February, ExxonMobil LNG Vice President Emma Cochrane said on Wednesday.
Forest police stations in Himachal a failure: CAG
The decision to set up forest police stations or 'van thanas' in Himachal Pradesh to combat organised forest crimes was not planned that resulted in non-utilisation of infrastructure worth Rs 4.04 crore, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has said.
Navigation satellite launch on Thursday, countdown going smoothly
India will early on Thursday launch its IRNSS-1L navigation satellite from the Sriharikota rocket port, Indian space agency officials said.
Pollution in U'khand village: NGT appoints amicus curiae
The National Green Tribunal has appointed a lawyer to assist it on a complaint of the residents of an Uttarakhand village, alleging discharge of untreated chemical effluents in drains by industries located in the vicinity. A bench headed by Justice Raghuvendra S Rathore appointed senior advocate Raj Panjwani and advocate Meera Gopal as amicus curiae in the matter and directed that copies of all the documents should be served to them within three days. "The counsel for State of Uttarakhand and State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand Ltd (SIDCUL) pray for time to file replies. Last opportunity is granted to the respondents to file replies by April 17, 2018 with an advance copy to the amicus curiae," the bench said. The villagers had contended that there was complete violation of environmental laws and pollution norms by a large number of industries at the SIDCUL industrial park, located in the vicinity of village Siddh Garbyang in the Udham Singh Nagar district. Terming .
GE Power completes NTPC's first WFGD unit at Vindhyachal plant
GE Power today announced the completion of first turnkey full flow wet flue gas desulphurization (WFGD) unit at state power giant NTPC's 500 MW Super Thermal Power project site in Vindhyachal, Madhya Pradesh. The FGD installation at Vindhyachal is the first limestone-based WFGD commissioned in an NTPC power plant suitable for continuous operation at 500 MW unit for 100 per cent gas flow, a GE Power statement said. The GE's scope of work in the project includes delivery of the WFGD system for the 1x500 MW pulverized coal-fired boiler unit on full turnkey basis, including designing, engineering, manufacturing, testing, civil works, erection and commissioning. This is a key step towards implementing SOx control systems mandated by India's Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to reduce the emissions of thermal power plants. Andrew DeLeone, Managing Director GE Power India Limited, said, "World over, the economics of power generation have become tighter and ...
Japan team maps 'semi-infinite' rare earth reserves
Japanese researchers have mapped vast reserves of rare earth elements in deep-sea mud, enough to feed global demand on a "semi-infinite basis," according to a fresh study. The deposit, found within Japan's exclusive economic waters, contains more than 16 million tons of the elements needed to build high-tech products from mobile phones to electric vehicles, according to the study, released yesterday in the journal "Scientific Reports." The team, comprised of several universities, businesses and government institutions, surveyed the western Pacific Ocean near Minamitorishima Island, Japan. In a sample area of the mineral-rich region, the team's survey estimated 1.2 million tons of "rare earth oxide" deposited there, said the study, conducted jointly by Yutaro Takaya, researcher with Waseda University and Yasuhiro Kato of the University of Tokyo, among others. The finding extrapolates that a 2,500-square kilometre region off the southern Japanese island should contain 16 million tons of
Female rhino shifted to new area inside Dudhwa National Park
Thirty-four years after the successful rehabilitation of one-horned Indian rhinoceros in Dudhwa National Park, a female rhino was shifted to a new area in the park, officials said today. The female one-horned Indian rhinoceros was shifted from Sonaripur range of the national park to Bhadi Tal in Belrayan range of the park on Tuesday. Three more rhinos are likely to be shifted today. Incidentally, the first rhino rehabilitation programme in the park, located in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri district, was initiated in April 1984, and the second also took place in the same month, forest officials said. The need for an alternate home for the animals in Dudhwa was felt long ago, when the rhino family grew to nearly three dozen in the specially-fenced area of 27 square kilometres in Sonaripur range, Dudhwa. The growing rhino population often resulted in infighting among the animals there. Deputy director of Dudhwa Mahavir Kaujlagi said, "On Tuesday, authorities ...
Bellandur: NGT raps Karnataka govt, forms panel to inspect lakes
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) today slammed the Karnataka government over its action plan on Bengaluru's Bellandur lake and formed a committee to inspect the lakes in the city. A bench headed by NGT acting chairperson Justice Jawad Rahim said the report submitted by the state government was "incorrect and misleading" and was bereft of the actual action taken on the ground. "This is not what we expected from the state authorities. The action plan submitted by the state contains incorrect and misleading information. The report submitted by the state does not convince us. There has been default in compliance of the order of the tribunal. "We are not here just to read files and close them. Compliance of the order has to be done, Do you want us to call the Army for compliance," the bench observed. The green panel, which stopped short of imposing a fine on the state and its instrumentalities, formed a committee comprising senior advocate Raj Panjwani, a professor from Indian Institute ..
