Page 883 - Environment

E-waste on Ramganga banks: NGT imposes Rs 10 lakh environment

The National Green Tribunal today imposed an environment compensation of Rs 10 lakh on the Uttar Pradesh government for failing to take action on disposing e- waste from the banks of the Ramganga river in Moradabad. A bench, headed by Acting NGT Chairperson Justice U D Salvi, took exception over the state government's inaction in the matter and observed that nothing has been done till date. The green panel also imposed an environment compensation on the Moradabad district magistrate. "UP has not placed any office order and nothing has been done till date to dispose the hazardaous e-waste lying on the banks of the river Ramganga. Therefore, we impose environment compensation of Rs 10 lakh on the state of Uttar Pradesh and Rs 50,000 on district magistrate of Moradabad," it said. The NGT directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to submit an action plan for entire Ramganga before February 21, the next date of hearing. The tribunal also noted the submission of the ...

Scientists solve mystery of when flowers originated

A team of scientists from Britain and China has claimed to have solved what Charles Darwin called the "abominable mystery" of when flowers originated.

Oil group Total to sell 25 percent stake in offshore South African block to Qatar Petroleum

PARIS (Reuters) - French oil and gas group Total has agreed to sell a 25 percent stake in the Exploration Block 11B/12B, offshore South Africa, to Qatar Petroleum, in a deal which Total said would strengthen its ties with the Qatari group.

Flowering plants originated 250 million years ago: study

Flowering plants may have originated between 149 and 256 million years ago, according to a study published today. Researchers found that flowering plants are neither as old as suggested by previous molecular studies, nor as young as a literal interpretation of their fossil record. The discrepancy between estimates of flowering plant evolution from molecular data and fossil records has caused much debate. Even English naturalist Charles Darwin described the origin of this group as an 'abominable mystery'", said Jose Barba-Montoya from University College London (UCL) in the UK. "To uncover the key to solving the mystery of when flowers originated, we carefully analysed the genetic make-up of flowering plants, and the rate at which mutations accumulate in their genomes," said Barba-Montoya, lead author of the study published in the journal New Phytologist. The researchers compiled a large collection of genetic data for many flowering plant groups including a dataset of 83 ..

Sanctions New Project to Control Pollution of River Sal at Navelin, Goa

Under the project, around 32 kms of sewers will be laid and sewage treatment plant of 3 million litres per day (MLD) constructed. The project is scheduled for completion by January, 2021.

Jakson in distribution pact with UAE's Al Naboodah Electrics

Energy and engineering solutions firm Jakson Group today announced a strategic partnership with the UAE's Al Naboodah Electrics for the distribution of its solar products in the West Asian market. Al Naboodah Electrics is a part of UAEs conglomerate Al Naboodah Group Enterprises (ANGE). The solar business is one of the fastest growing verticals for Jakson and has presence across the value chain, Jakson Group said in a statement. Its product portfolio includes solar modules, module mounting structures, solar power packs, solar water ROs, solar generators, solar street lights and solar water pumps amongst others. The company said with this partnership, Jakson and Al Naboodah Electrics will look to capitalise on the UAE governments energy plan, which aims to increase clean energy use by 50 per cent by 2050 with solar based power playing a crucial role. Besides the UAE, Jakson has operations in Bangladesh, Nepal, Singapore and several countries in Africa.

Trump to withdraw nomination of environmental pick

The Trump administration plans to withdraw its nomination of Kathleen Hartnett White, a climate change sceptic, to lead the Council on Environmental Quality, a White House official said.

Microplastics threatening giant ocean animals: study

Microplastics in our oceans are posing a significant risk to filter-feeding marine animals like manta rays and whale sharks, especially in pollution hotspots like the Bay of Bengal, scientists have warned. Researchers from Murdoch University in Australia and University of Siena in Italy said that microplastics could be hazardous because they contain toxic chemicals. Plastic-associated chemicals and pollutants can accumulate over decades and alter biological processes in the animals, leading to altered growth, development and reproduction, including reduced fertility, according to the study published in the journal Trends in Ecology & Evolution. While a definitive connection between microplastic ingestion and toxin exposure for filter feeders remains to be confirmed, studies into sea birds and small fish have found a link, said Elitza Germanov, a PhD student at Murdoch University. Marine filter feeders are likely to be at risk because they need to swallow hundreds to .

Govt plans to build rice silos in main growing states

The government will construct high-tech silos for storage of rice in producing states once the technology for the same is fully ready, a senior Food Ministry official said today. At present, pilot projects for rice silos have been undertaken by state-owned Food Corporation of India (FCI) at Kaimur and Buxar in Bihar to test the technology. The West Bengal government has evinced interest for construction of rise silos when the technology for the same is finalised, the official said. Once the technology is established, the central government would like to construct in West Bengal and other rice producing states, the official added. The official further said the construction of silos for wheat is underway. The FCI has awarded contracts to operators for construction of wheat silos with a capacity of 2.5 lakh tonnes at six places in Punjab, Delhi, Bihar, Assam and Karnataka. A storage capacity of 25,000 tonnes at Kotkapura in Punjab has been completed in 2017-18 while ...

Ocean microplastic significant risk to whales: Study

A new study released in Australia on Monday has warned of the dangers microplastics pose to filter-feeding marine animals like manta rays and whales.

PMAY Haryana Demand of 2 lakh houses in 80 statutory towns indicated - total investment envisaged Rs.1743 Crores

The progress of the flagship missions of the 'Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs' shows that while the States have taken a number of steps to implement the various schemes for Urban Development, they all have a potential to do better. Successful implementation of the programs of Government of India would further add to the attraction of these states as a hub for agricultural business and will increase the employment opportunities for the citizens. Shri Hardeep Puri further pointed out that in the management approach of the present central government, the principle of co-operative federalism has been enshrined. In all of its Missions MoHUA approves only the State Plans prepared by the States and releases Central Assistance. All decision-making including final project approvals is in the hand of State Governments, thus providing greater flexibility to the States.

Telangana CM pushes for environment protection

Addressing the need to protect the environment in the capital city of Hyderabad and its neighbouring regions, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has called for the development of forest blocks in the surrounding forest lands.In a meeting at Pragati Bhavan on Sunday, the Chief Minister said that the 1.5 lakh acres of forest land available in the radius of 50 to 60 kilometres around the city should be developed into forest blocks to allow fresh air, and green cover should spread in these areas rapidly.Rao also directed that Musi River Front and Hyderabad Urban Forestry should be developed specially and funds should be spent on the same. The Chief Minister wanted walkway in the Musi River Front like the one in KBR Park.As part of the 'Save Hyderabad' Campaign, he instructed the Chief Secretary, Municipal and Forest Ministers, Chief Conservator of Forests, Chief Advisor to the government Rajiv Sharma, and CMP Principal Secretary S Narsing Rao to visit Hyderabad and its ...

High pollution shuts schools in Tehran

Primary schools will be closed tomorrow in Tehran as thick fog caused by pollution smothers the Iranian capital and most of the surrounding province, local authorities said. They also announced today they would impose traffic restrictions in Tehran, home to 8.5 million inhabitants, allowing cars onto the streets in alternating shifts, depending on their number plates. Similar measures were taken in December when primary schools in Tehran and most of its province were forced to close for several days because of the pollution. Average concentrations of the finest and most hazardous airborne particles hit 144 microgrammes per cubic metre in Tehran yesterday and peaked at 169 in some areas, municipal authorities said. That is far above the World Health Organization's recommended maximum of 25 microgrammes per cubic metre on average over a 24-hour period. The microscopic particles lodge deep in the lungs and are harmful to human health. Local authorities urged the most ...

Environmentalists oppose shifting of PAC battalion to Keetham

Environmentalists in the Taj city have opposed the district administration's move to shift the PAC battalion from the Taj Ganj area to the Keetham protected forest area on the Delhi-Agra national highway. Scores of activists staged a dharna at the "Shahid Smarak" in the Sanjay Place commercial area today to protest the move. Divisional Commissioner Ram Rao had, after a meeting of the district officials last week, indicated that the PAC would be shifted to the Keetham forest area to make way for the Metro Rail yard. The announcement had invited the ire of the local green activists, who have now launched a campaign called "Say No to PAC shifting". Shravan Kumar Singh, the vice-president of the Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society, told PTI, "The Keetham reserve forest area is a sensitive eco zone, which has a bird sanctuary, a bear rescue centre and an elephant rescue centre, apart from the Soor Smarak, a memorial of the blind bard of Braj Bhasha. "The Keetham lake ..

SpaceX's hot new monster rocket ready for first test flight

SpaceX's hot new monster rocket makes its launch debut this week, blasting off from the same pad that hoisted men to the moon a half-century ago. The Falcon Heavy won't surpass NASA's Saturn V moon rocket, still all-time king of the launch circuit. It won't even approach the liftoff might of NASA's space shuttles. But when it departs on its first test flight, as early as Tuesday, the Heavy with its three boosters and 27 engines will be the most powerful working rocket out there today, by a factor of two. Picture SpaceX's frequent-flyer Falcon 9 and its single booster and then times that by three; the Heavy's three first-stage boosters are strapped side by side by side. The Heavy represents serious business for the private space company founded 16 years ago by Elon Musk. With more than 5 million pounds of liftoff thrust, equivalent to 18 747s jetliners, the Heavy will be capable of lifting supersize satellites into orbit and sending spacecraft to the moon, Mars and ...

J'khand CM bats for development of forests

Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das today batted for development of forests to bring about a change in the lives of the poor. "Through this (forest development), a change of life of the poor can be brought about," an official release said, quoting Das. Good marketing and branding of forest produce could benefit one-third of the population of the state, he said, while addressing a convention on protection of forests and wild life. Stating that the state government treasury is for the poor, Das said it is taking all possible efforts to bring a change in their lives. Adivasi Vikas Samiti and Gram Vikas Samiti will be connected with small schemes and development funds would be given to the accounts of the samitis, the chief minister said. By 2019, there would not be any village without concrete roads, he said, adding, the Jharkhand government is constructing 8,000 km of roads Das said the target to provide electricity to every household in the state would be achieved by ...

China seeks to rejuvenate countryside with 2018 rural policy

BEIJING (Reuters) - China wants to modernise its farm sector by 2035 as part of a plan to boost rural incomes and living standards, according to a government policy statement that comes amid growing concern about a widening wealth gap and slowing economy.

Toyota to recall 181,797 cars in China

Toyota will recall 181,797 vehicles over an air bag defect in China.

Efforts being made to locate missing ship off Africa: India

All efforts are being made to trace the merchant ship that went missing near west Africa with 22 Indians onboard, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Sunday.

Forest areas around Hyd need to be developed: T'gana CM

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao today said that there was a need to protect the environment around the fast developing and geographically growing Hyderabad city and its neighbouring regions. The CM, according to an official release, said that there was 1.5 lakh acres of forest land available in a radius of 50 to 60 kilometres around the city and it should be developed into forest blocks for fresh air. Rao instructed the Chief Secretary, Municipal and Forest Ministers, Chief Conservator of Forests, and other senior officials to visit Hyderabad and study its surrounding forest areas to find out what could be done to develop it. "This should be done as part of the "Save Hyderabad" campaign," Rao said. He stated that green cover should spread in these areas rapidly, adding that the Musi riverfront and Hyderabad Urban Forestry should be specially developed and funds should be spent on them, the release said. The release informed that Rao wanted a walkway at the .