Page 882 - Environment
Vehicular pollution serious, to have impact on generations: SC
The Supreme Court today described the issue of vehicular pollution as "very serious" and a "critical problem" and observed that it would have an impact not only on this generation but also on the children yet to be born. The apex court said the government could not take the issue lightly and directed the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) to file an affidavit, indicating the position as regards the availability of Bharat Stage (BS)-VI emission standard compliant fuel in Delhi. BS-VI emission standard is scheduled to come into force from April 1, 2020 across the country. A bench comprising justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta asked the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) whether any study was conducted on environmental pollution, its effect on the health of people and the cost to deal with it. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) A N S Nadkarni, appearing for the MoEF&CC, said a study was underway and that he would get back to
Contractor playing truant on new Ganderbal hydroelectric
The Jammu and Kashmir government today said it was exploring the options for execution of 93 MW new Ganderbal Hydroelectric Project after the successful bidder, Hindustan Construction Company (HCC), failed to meet the formalities. The Minister of State for Power, Asiea Naqash, in the House said the project was appraised by the Central Environment Authority (CEA) in November 2012 and put to tender on July 18, 2011 for implementation through competitive bidding system. The HCC had emerged as a successful bidder with an evaluated quoted cost of Rs 820.77 crore with an additional rebate of Rs 1.59 crore on evaluated quoted cost. The minister said the matter was accordingly placed before board of directors of JKSPDC in its 72nd meeting held on October 21, 2016 where it was resolved that the matter of award of project may be placed before the state cabinet for consideration. The matter was considered by state cabinet in its meeting on April 28, 2017, where in a cabinet ...
'Gobardhan Yojana' launched to support farmers: Khattar
The Haryana government has launched the 'Gobardhan Yojana' to provide for the sale of organic manure and cow urine with an aim to benefit farmers, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said today. A provision of Rs 11 crore has been made to provide benefits of various projects under this scheme, Khattar said while addressing villagers at a 'Kisan Samman Samaroh' in Nizampur village of Sonipat district. He also distributed cheques of the 'Fasal Bima Yojana' to farmers at the event. Appreciating the Union Budget, the chief minister said it met the expectations, hopes and aspirations of the people. "The Gobardhan Yojana would help in doubling the income of farmers and next time, the MSP would be given with additional benefit of 50 per cent over the cost of production," he said, according to an official release. He said the previous Congress government kept talking about implementing the Swaminathan Commission report, but never did so. "It is the present government which has ...
Leopard with cubs creating panic in Jorhat
A female leopard with two cubs is creating panic in several areas, including the Military Station, in Jorhat town, forcing people to remain alert even during daytime, a forest official said. The animals have injured three women and killed four goats and three dogs since January 30. The leopard and the cubs has been terrorising people in areas such as Surajnagar, Jorhat Military Station, and stretches like Club Road to Mahendra Nagar Open Air jail, and Mission hospital compound to Jorhat Military Station, the official said on condition of anonymity. People of these areas have been forced to remain indoors as soon as darkness falls and remains cautious during daytime. The Forest department has placed a cage to trap the leopard, he said.
Jharkhand to organise Global Agriculture Summit this year: CM
Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das today said the state government would organise Global Agriculture Summit this year on the pattern of Momentum Jharkhand Investors Summit, according to a release. The Global Agriculture Summit would involve scientists, processing experts, innovators and agro-entrepreneurs, said a Birsa Agricultural University (BAU) release quoting Das. Addressing the concluding session of the three-day 'Agrotech 2018 Farmers Fair' at Birsa Agricultural University (BAU), Das said 72 food processing plants were set up during the last three years in Jharkhand, providing jobs to 2,350 youths. Fifty-five such units were being established in the current year also, which would employ about 2500 people, the release said. Das announced that all the villages of Jharkhand including those located in hills and dense forests would be connected by metalled roads by the end of 2019 and electrified by the end of 2018. He said that small water harvesting structures ...
Japan launches world's smallest rocket
In what has been described as "a fantastic achievement", Japan successfully launched a satellite on Saturday using the worlds lightest rocket
Over 20 swans of British Queen 'killed by bird flu'
Over 20 swans from the Queen's flock have died and several more are "dying at the moment" amid fears they have been infected by bird flu, according to a British media report today. Seven of the dead birds have been sent for testing to establish whether avian flu is responsible, the BBC reported. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed it is investigating a suspected finding of avian influenza in wild mute swans in Berkshire. David Barber, the Queen's Swan Marker, said "quite a percentage" of the flock had died. He added: "Bird flu has been going round the country... and unfortunately it's hit Windsor." Barber, who is responsible for the centuries old tradition of carrying out the annual swan census, said staff were monitoring the situation and trying to stop the spread. "There are many swans that have died in the flock at Windsor which is extremely disappointing. "I know there is well over 20 that have gone, and probably 20 still dying at ..
No conclusive data on direct correlation of death, disease
There were no conclusive data to establish direct correlation of death or disease exclusively due to air pollution, the government said today, but asserted it could be one of the "triggering" factors for respiratory ailments and associated diseases. The government also said it has formulated National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) as a long-term, time-bound and national- level strategy to tackle the increasing air pollution problem across the country in a comprehensive manner. Minister of State for Environment Mahesh Sharma informed the Rajya Sabha that effects of air pollution on health are synergistic manifestation of factors which include food habits, occupational habits, socio-economic status, among others. He was replying to a question whether Indians are the worst affected by pollution in the world according to a recent study conducted by Lancet Medical Journal. Sharma said an article titled 'Nations within a nation: Variations in epidemiological transition across the .
Dangerous Level of Air Pollution In Delhi/NCR
The Government has taken several steps to address air pollution which inter alia, include notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards; setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality; introduction of cleaner / alternate fuels like gaseous fuel (CNG, LPG etc.), ethanol blending; launching of National Air Quality Index; universalization of BS-IV from 2017; leap-frogging from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards from 1st April, 2018; notification of Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules; banning of burning of biomass; promotion of public transport network; streamlining the issuance of Pollution Under Control Certificate; issuance of directions under Section 18(1)(b) of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; installation of on-line continuous (24x7) monitoring devices by major industries; collection of Environmental Protection Charge on more than 2000 CC diesel vehicles; ...
Leading ivory trade investigator murdered in Kenya
A world-renowned ivory investigator whose detailed reports contributed to the fight against elephant poaching and the illegal wildlife trade, was killed at his home in Kenya, police said today. Esmond Martin, 75, died after being stabbed at his house in the Nairobi suburb of Langata on Sunday afternoon. "He was found dead in his house and had stab wounds," said a police officer. "An investigation has been launched." Martin, an American who lived in Kenya for decades, focussed on the demand end of the illegal ivory supply chain, describing, quantifying and analysing the Asian ivory markets in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Laos and elsewhere. His groundbreaking investigations are credited with contributing to China's decision to close its legal ivory markets last year, said Paula Kahumbu a leading Kenyan elephant expert and chief executive of Wildlife Direct, a conservation group. "He was one of the most important people at the forefront of exposing the ivory trade, addressing
Use satellite mapping to monitor, protect wetlands: Bombay HC
The Bombay High Court today directed the Maharashtra government to use satellite mapping to monitor and protect wetlands across the state. A bench of Justices Naresh Patil and N W Sambre also summoned the deputy secretary of the state's Ministry of Environment and Forest on February 23, the next date of the hearing, to list down the steps taken to protect the wetlands and mangroves across Maharashtra. The bench also granted two weeks to the state authorities to constitute a 'grievance redressal authority' for dealing with complaints relating to the destruction of wetlands and mangroves. The bench was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) by an NGO, Vanshakti, for saving wetlands and for setting up an appropriate authority to monitor violations. In compliance with a previous high court order, the state government, on December 18, 2013, had issued a government resolution directing all the civic bodies to enforce a ban on reclamation or construction on areas earmarked .
Judge allows departure of Brazilian live cattle ship
A Brazilian judge has ruled that a ship carrying around 27,000 cattle for export in allegedly cruel conditions can leave port -- as removing the animals would cause greater suffering. The appeals court judge made the ruling yesterday, the agriculture ministry said in a statement. The decision overturned a lower court order the previous day for the ship to stay in Sao Paulo's Santos port and for the cattle to be removed and sent back to their original farms. The original judge accepted reports from a vet and a group of animal rights activists that conditions aboard the ship "Nada," which is taking the live cattle for slaughter in Turkey, were badly cramped and unhygienic. But the appeals court judge, Fabio Prieto, wrote that removing the cattle "would prov\oke greater suffering and harm to the animals than if they continue their voyage.
Environmentalists appeal ruling over Norway's Arctic oil
Environmental groups today said they were appealing to Norway's supreme court a ruling allowing the Nordic nation, western Europe's largest oil and gas producer, to grant exploration licenses in the Arctic. In early January, the Oslo district court dismissed a first case by the Norwegian branch of Greenpeace and Natur og Ungdom (Nature and Youth) which had sued the government for granting exploration licenses in the Barents Sea in May 2016. "It is crystal clear that the state is violating the Constitution and our right to a healthy environment by allocating new oil deposits," Natur og Ungdom leader Gaute Eiterjord said in a statement. "The Norwegian oil policy is betraying my generation and threatening our future, which is why we are appealing," he added. The environmentalists accuse Norway of violating a new article of the country's constitution that guarantees since 2014 the right to a healthy environment. But the Oslo court said the state could not be held responsible
Crops in TN's delta region withering due to BJP, alleges DMK
DMK Working President M K Stalin today alleged that standing crops in the Cauvery delta region of the state were withering due to the "indifference," of BJP-led government at the Centre in forming the Cauvery Management Board. The 'BJP regime' was responsible for crops withering in the delta region, he alleged. Stalin, who is the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly said crops would not have been affected had the Centre constituted the Cauvery Management Board following the Supreme Court verdict in this regard. "Since the BJP regime is showing indifference in the matter (constituting the CMB), such a situation has arisen," he told reporters here after inspecting the KRP dam, which breached in November 2017. Stalin was responding to a question on BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan blaming Congress and DMK for Karnataka not releasing Cauvery water. To another query on elephant attacks on people in nearby Shoolagiri, he said the Forest Minister, Dindigul C Srinivasan was ..
Bt cotton doubled production, minimised har by pest: Govt
Since the introduction of Bt cotton in 2002, there has been a "near doubling" of cotton production in the country and the hybrids have also helped to minimise the damages caused by pests like bollworm, the government today said. Union minister Mahesh Sharma's remarks in the Rajya Sabha came in the backdrop of country's Genetically Modified crop regulator Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) recommending the commercial use of GM mustard in a submission to the environment ministry. The GEAC submission has been met with opposition from anti-GM activists. Following this, the government referred the issue back to the GEAC after receiving representations from various stakeholders. In a written reply in the Upper House today, Minister of State for Environment Mahesh Sharma said, "Since the introduction of Bt cotton in 2002, there has been a near doubling of cotton production in the country from 158 lakh bales in 2001-02 to 351 lakh bales in 2016-17, and increase in .
Sustained black carbon emission from aeroplanes can warm
The impact of black carbon, emitted by aeroplanes, on monsoon, glaciers and ozone layer is "uncertain", but its sustained emission could lead to warming of the atmosphere at 10-12 km altitude, the government said today. Minister of State for Environment Mahesh Sharma informed the Rajya Sabha that studies have shown that black carbon emitted by aeroplanes can reach the stratosphere. "As per information provided by the Department of Science and Technology, aeroplanes emit black carbon into the atmosphere. Sustained emission of black carbon from aeroplanes may create a layer of black carbon at around 10 to 12 km altitude and could warm the atmosphere at that level," he said. "However, the impact of black carbon on monsoon, glaciers and ozone layer is quite uncertain," Sharma said. He said there have been laboratory experiments which showed that black carbon can act as a neutral surface for ozone depleting reactions. "However, high altitude balloon experiments simultaneous .
Total to sell 25 percent stake in South African block to Qatar Petroleum
PARIS/DUBAI (Reuters) - Qatar Petroleum said on Monday it had signed an agreement with French oil and gas major Total to acquire a 25 percent stake in an exploration block, offshore South Africa, in a deal that would strengthen Total's ties with the Qatari energy giant.
C'garh Budget session begins with governor's speech
Opposition Congress today raised issues regarding farmers and alleged irregularities in various schemes of the Chhattisgarh government on the first day of the Budget session even as GovernorBalramji Das Tandon delivered his customary address. In his address, the governor lauded the state government's efforts for betterment of villages, poor and farmers. "My government has worked exemplary for the welfare of farmers-villagers and each section of the society including scheduled caste, scheduled tribes and other backward castes. The state government, while keeping the need of people in mind, drafted policies and schemes that benefited children, women, youth, divyang-jan (differently-abled) and senior citizens," Tandon said. He said Chhattisgarh, ruled by the BJP under Chief Minister Raman Singh, has registered a rapid growth in several sectors and has emerged as an ideal state in implementing key welfare schemes. Stressing that reforms in the agriculture sector are a long
Developing 4 Andaman & Nicobar islands gains steam
The Centre's initiative for holistic development of four islands in the Andaman & Nicobar islands has gained steam with the consultant preparing a master plan on them is due to submit its report soon, a top chamber official has said. "NITI Aayog has begun the preparatory process for a Concept Development Plan and detailed Master Plan for the holistic development of four islands in Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Consultants appointed for this purpose visited these Islands. We came to know that the reports are in the final stage of submission to NITI Aayog," Andaman Chamber of Commerce & Industry president Girish Arora told PTI. He said the chamber is also suggesting the government to include Andamans as one of the 10 iconic sites of the country announced in the Union Budget, he said. NITI Aayog has identified Ross & Smith Island, Long Island, Avis Island and Little Andaman as part of NITI Aayog master plan as drivers of tourism and sustainable economic ...
North Korean technicians cross into South for Olympics prep
South Korea says a 23-member advanced team of North Koreans has arrived in South Korea to prepare for the North's participation in the Pyeongchang Games. The South's Unification Ministry, which handles inter- Korean issues, says the North Korean team is mostly made up of technicians. The South's Yonhap news agency says they came with sound, lighting and other systems. The North Koreans' participation is part of a series of conciliatory measures the war-separated rivals took for the Pyeongchang Games. South Korea sees the Olympics as an opportunity to revive meaningful communication with North Korea following an extended period of animosity and diplomatic stalemate over the North's nuclear programme. The Olympics begin Friday. North Korea plans to send hundreds to the games, including athletes, officials, artists and a 230-member cheering group.
