Page 89 - Environment
BHEL commissions 2 more units of Kaleshwaram irrigation project in Telangana
State-owned BHEL Tuesday said it has commissioned two more pumping units of Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project in Telangana. The PSU commissioned unit 3 and 4 of 116 MW each. "The pump for each unit is designed to lift 89.16 cumecs (cubic metres per second) of water by 105.5 metres," a company statement said. Developed by Telangana government, the greenfield lift irrigation project is located in Peddapalli district of Telangana. In the project, water shall be lifted from Sripada Yellampalli reservoir to Medaram reservoir and will be used for irrigation and water supply in nearby areas, thereby contributing to the overall development of the area and Telangana. BHEL's scope in the project comprises complete electrical & mechanical (E&M) works including deign, manufacture, supply and supervision of erection and commissioning of seven sets of Vertical Pump-Motor sets along with associated auxiliaries. There are total seven units of 116 MW each in the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation .
Global sea levels could rise more than expected: Study
Global sea levels could rise far more than predicted, due to accelerating melting in Greenland and Antarctica, according to a study. Melting ice sheets in Greenland and the Antarctic, and subsequent sea level rise (SLR) this will cause, is widely recognised as posing a significant threat to coastal communities and ecosystems, said researchers led by the University of Bristol in the UK. Strategies and measures to mitigate and plan for the potential impacts are reliant on scientific projections of future SLR -- conventionally provided using numerical modelling. Such projections remain challenging due to ongoing uncertainty regarding the evolution of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, particularly in response to climate change, according to the study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Using a technique called structured expert judgment (SEJ), researchers asked 22 ice sheet experts to estimate plausible ranges for future sea level rise due to ...
How air pollution affects growth of trees
Air pollution is not just responsible for affecting human health, it can also affect the growth of trees, a recent study suggests.The study was published in the journal, 'Science of the Total Environment'The research, conducted by researchers of a university in Sao Paulo in Brazil, has shown that atmospheric pollutants restrict tree growth and the ecosystem services provided by trees, such as filtering pollution by absorbing airborne metals in their bark, assimilating CO2, reducing the heat island effect by diminishing solar radiation, mitigating stormwater runoff, and controlling humidity."We found that in years when levels of particulate matter in the atmosphere were higher, for example, the trees grew less. As a result, they started later in their lives to provide ecosystem services that play an important role in reducing urban pollution and mitigating or adapting the city to climate change," said Giuliano Maselli Locosselli, one of the researchers and first author on the ...
Converting methane to CO2 may help combat climate change: Study
Converting methane into carbon dioxide could help turn the tide of climate change, according to Stanford scientists who propose that turning one greenhouse gas into another may be a profitable way to combat global warming. While the idea of intentionally releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere may seem counter-intuitive, swapping methane for carbon dioxide is a significant net benefit for the climate, according to the study published in the journal Nature Sustainability. "If perfected, this technology could return the atmosphere to pre-industrial concentrations of methane and other gases," said Rob Jackson from Stanford University in the US. In 2018, methane -- about 60 per cent of which is generated by humans -- reached atmospheric concentrations two and a half times greater than pre-industrial levels, previous studies have shown. Although the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is much greater, methane is 84 times more potent in terms of warming the climate system over ..
Gas layer protecting ocean inside Pluto: Study
An insulating layer of gas beneath Pluto's icy exterior may be protecting a subsurface ocean from freezing, scientists claim. The team from the Hokkaido University in Japan conducted computer simulations covering a timescale of 4.6 billion years, when the solar system began to form. In July 2015, NASA's New Horizons spacecraft flew through Pluto's system, providing the first-ever close-up images of this distant dwarf planet and its moons. The images showed Pluto's unexpected topography, including a white-colored ellipsoidal basin named Sputnik Planitia, located near the equator. Due to its location and topography, scientists believe a subsurface ocean exists beneath the ice shell which is thinned at Sputnik Planitia. However, these observations are contradictory to the age of the dwarf planet because the ocean should have frozen a long time ago and the inner surface of the ice shell facing the ocean should have also been flattened. Researchers at Tokushima University in Japan and the .
Faith is over, filth remains in Prayagraj
Faith is long over and all that remains now are mounds of filth.
J-K: Ujh bridge to become functional soon, locals pleased with speedy completion of project
An under-construction bridge at Ujh river in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district is nearing completion and locals are hailing the progress of the project.According to authorities, the bridge is nearing completion and is likely to be thrown open for public use before the onset of the monsoon season.The residents believe that with the opening of the bridge, their commuting woes would be solved."We are very happy with the progress of the bridge. We have been facing problem to cross Ujh river due to heavy flow of water during monsoon. We are forced to take a longer route which results in wastage of time and money. When the bridge opens, we hope it will solve our commuting woes," a local told ANI.Apart from the locals, the bridge is expected to be a boon for security forces as they can move their convoys and defence instruments to border areas in the state.A total of Rs 44 crore has been earmarked for the construction of the bridge, which has a 1,020-metre length. The project is being ...
Fears as Chinese investment in Australia falls
Chinese investment in Australia has fallen to its lowest level in five years, new research shows, sparking calls for the newly re-elected conservative government to improve its rocky relationship with Beijing. After hitting a peak of Aus$15.8 billion (US$10.4 billion) in 2016, Chinese firms invested Aus$4.8 billion in the country last year, the Australian National University said Monday. Researchers said the amount of cash piled into Australia had been "broadly in line" with China's global activities, except for last year when it fell 50 per cent from Aus$9.6 billion in 2017. The data will fuel concerns that strained political ties between Beijing and Canberra are hurting the economic relationship. "Chinese investment flows offshore have fallen generally in the past year but they have fallen more in Australia," report co-author Peter Drysdale told The Australian newspaper. "It shows there is a problem as the investment relationship is more affected by the political situation. "It is a
Countdown for launch of PSLV-C46 begins
The 25-hour countdown for the launch of earth observation satellite onboard PSLV C-46, began at 4PSLV C-46 will launch the RISAT-2B, a radar imaging earth observatin satellite, from the first launch pad at SHAR Range Sriharikota.Reportedly, PSLV in its 48th mission will carry the 615-kg RISAT-2B into an orbit of 555 km at an inclination of 37 degrees. Notably, this will be the 72nd launch vehicle mission from Shar and 36th launch from the First Launch Pad.In addition, it is the 14th flight of PSLV in the core-alone configuration.In January, PSLV-C44 successfully launched Microsat-R and Kalamsat-V2, in which the fourth stage of the vehicle was used as an orbital platform for experiments.In February also India's communication satellite GSAT-31 was launched successfully from Kourou in French Guiana.
N Korea's letter on cargo ship seizure by US under review: UN
The United Nations on Monday said that the letter sent by North Korea over the United States' seizure of its cargo ship is under review.On May 8, the US Justice Department said it seized Wise Honest, one of North Korea's cargo ships on suspicions of transferring coal and machinery in violation of sanctions imposed on Pyongyang by Washington and the UN.The 17,061-ton bulk carrier was also intercepted by foreign maritime authorities in April last year after being loaded with coal in Nampo, North Korea, the department said in a press release.Following the ship seizure, North Korea's top envoy to the UN, Kim Song, sent a letter to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, last Friday, seeking "urgent measures" against the US' decision and criticising the move as "unlawful and outrageous".Confirming receipt of the letter, Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN chief, said the letter has been "distributed and circulated ", Yonhap reported."We are, obviously, studying the letter as ... it relates
Goa looking at Israel for farming solutions: Vijai Sardesai
Goa is looking at Israel to increase productivity and profitability in the farming sector, Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai said Monday. Sardesai, who is currently on a private trip to Israel along with Goa Forward Party colleagues and state ministers Jayesh Salgaonkar and Vinod Palyekar, was hosted at the prestigious Agricultural Research Organisation, Volcani Center, which is under Israel's ministry of agriculture. Talking to PTI over phone, Sardesai said he discussed the use of cutting edge technologies, like precision farming and agro-nanotechnolgy for food quality enhancement and plant protection, model farms for sustainable farming practices, soil conservation, waste water irrigation, new breeding techniques and new strains of crops among other things, with the Israeli officials. "We also looked at solutions that could improve the quality of life of farmers in Goa, increase their productivity and profitability, while offering all Goemkars (Goans) access to wholesome and safe
FAO urges nations across world to support agroforestry
Montpellier (France), May 20 (IANS/AKI) More robust policy support is needed to reap the benefits of growing trees near crops and livestock, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation said at an agro-forestry summit in France on Monday.
Campaign launched to check wildlife smuggling through airports
UN Environment India and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) on Monday launched an awareness campaign for the protection of wildlife in the backdrop of rising illegal wildlife trade through airports, as per an official statement.
Cyclone-ravaged Odisha seeks donation from foreigners, NRIs
Odisha government Monday sought donations from foreign nationals and NRIs to rebuild the state after cyclone Fani ravaged its coastal districts, resulting in an estimated loss of Rs 12,000 crore. "#Odisha Chief Minister's Relief Fund now accepts donations from foreign nationals, Persons of Indian origin, overseas citizens of India and NRIs," the Chief Minister's Office tweeted. Calling upon all to join hands to rebuild Odisha, the state government said, "Your contribution will heal many lives and also the state." People can donate by visiting cmrfodisha.gov.in/donation/onlinedonation.php. Separate phone lines have also been set up for donors from the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Singapore and UAE, among others. Though the state government has spent more than Rs 6,000 crore in relief and restoration works within a fortnight of the calamity, the Centre has released Rs 1,341 crore so far, an official said. The state government has sought Rs 12,000 crore from the Centre for ..
Mahagenco reports record generation of 10000 MW
Maharashtra electricity generation company, Mahagenco, Monday reported a record generation of 10000 MW. "Mahagenco has for the first time in its history achieved a record generation of 10034 MW from its various sources of power across the state," the state-owned firm said in a statement issued here. While 7577 MW was generated from its thermal capacities, wind energy contributed 270 MW, hydro 2100 MW and solar 119 MW, it said. Currently, the demand for electricity in the state has peaked at 22300 MW due to the rising temperatures. This is met with generation of 17336 MW, which also includes power from private players. Also, the state gets nearly 5357 MW from the central grid.
China builds facial recognition tech for pandas
China is using facial recognition technology to correctly identify individual pandas and keep a track of its national animal.Researchers have built a database with over 120,000 images and 10,000 video clips of giant pandas for precise data on their population, distribution, ages, gender ratio, and birth and deaths of wild pandas, Xinhua reported.The country has budgeted at least USD 1.6 billion to build the Giant Panda National Park. Pandas, due to their low reproductive rate are listed as 'vulnerable' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of threatened species.
Kakrapar nuclear power reactor to be synchronised with grid next week
The first 220 MW nuclear power plant at Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS-1) will be synchronised with the grid next week and power generation will be increased after that, a senior official of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) said.
South Gujarat farmers sending fodder to help cattle herders
A farmers association in south Gujarat has come to the aid of scores of cattle herders, who walked over 350 km from the parched Kutch to Sanand town near here, by providing them 20,000 kg feed daily for their cattle.
China begins sharing hydrological data for Bramhaputra for monsoon season
China has begun sharing hydrological data with India on the Bramhaputra river for this year's monsoon season, a senior Water Resources Ministry official said Monday. It is also expected to start sharing data on the Sutlej river from June 1, the start of monsoon season in the country, the official said. The Brahmaputra originates in China's Tibet and flows into Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. It later drains into the Bay of Bengal through Bangladesh. Sutlej, a tributary of the Indus, also originates in Tibet, and flows into India and then enters Pakistan. China provides data from three hydrological stations Nugesha, Yangcun and Nuxia located on the mainstream of the Bramhaputra, also known as Yarlung Zangbo Data for the Sutlej, also known as the Langqen Zangbo, is provided by the hydrological station at Tsada. The data is necessary for flood management downstream when the rivers swell due to rains. Following the Dokalam stand-off, China had stopped sharing the data on the Bramhaputra ...
No traffic impact assessment done before granting approval to East Kidwai Nagar project: HC
The Delhi High Court on Monday said the city's nodal traffic and transportation authority, UTTIPEC, did not ascertain what would be the impact of redevelopment of East Kidwai Nagar here on the traffic in the surrounding area before granting its approval to the project. Another issue in the redevelopment project that Justice Vibhu Bakhru noted was with regard to the norms followed by the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC), which is carrying out the work, for deciding on parking space to be allocated to government and commercial offices in the area. The court said the norms for government offices would not be applicable to commercial offices, banks and PSUs as was claimed by the NBCC, which is presently applying the parking standard of 1.8 equivalent car space per 100 square feet for government as well as commercial offices. It asked the NBCC to come with a solution to the parking issue on the next date of hearing on May 29. The court also noted that the project did not .