Page 898 - Environment
Coconut falls on 'hard' times in Goa
Once known as a leading grower of coconut in the country, Goa is now witnessing a surge in the prices of this commodity and a growing lack of interest among farmers to cultivate it. A slew of factors, including the lack of manpower to plug the fruit and disinterest among farmers towards this crop, are responsible for coconut slowing going away from the reach of the common man in the coastal state. Figures available with the state agriculture department indicate the tiny state has 25,700 hectares of its area covered under coconut groves. But the rising prices are making the nut unaffordable for the common people. A coconut is sold at a price of Rs 40-50 in the local markets, forcing the state government to announce a scheme to subsidise it. A farmer, Premanand Mhambrey, said multiple factors have contributed to the price rise, including attack of pests like the Eriophyidmites which has affected plantations. "Attack by mites has been affecting the crop for the last 10-12 ..
Asia's oldest arch dam to "screen" laser show on history
The wall of a 555 foot high arch dam in Kerala, the oldest such one in Asia, will soon turn as the screen of a laser show depicting the eventful history of the southern state. The magnificent arch dam in high-range Idukki, the second such dam in the world, is getting ready to turn a tourist hotspot by hosting the laser show on its sprawling wall. If the project becomes a reality, it will be the biggest screen in the world to host such a laser show, official sources said. Located between the huge 'Kuravan' and 'Kurathi' hills across the river Periyar, the 555 foot high and 650 foot wide Idukki dam is considered as a technological marvel. The commercial operations of the power house was commissioned in 1976 by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The Hydel Tourism Department, under the Kerala State Electricity Board, has submitted a detailed project report to the state Tourism Department for the comprehensive development of the dam area, including commencing of the laser .
PM Modi mentions ANI story in 'Mann ki Baat'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday mentioned ANI's story in his monthly radio address, 'Mann Ki Baat', while lauding the women power.Addressing the nation in 'Mann Ki Baat', the Prime Minister praised tribal women of Maoist-hit Chattisgarh's Dantewada, who are becoming self reliant by driving e-rickshaws."I want to appreciate the women of Dantewada in Chhattisgarh. This is a Maoist affected area but the women there are operating e-rickshaws. This is creating opportunities, it is also changing the face of the region and it is also environment friendly," he said.In October 2017, we reported that women drivers hit the roads of Dantewada, one of the most Naxal-hit districts of Chhattisgarh.The Raman Singh-led Government had distributed 51 eco-friendly e-auto rickshaws to women of Self Help Group(SHG).
River conservation: 'Nothing new' in govt's recent decisions,
There is "nothing new" in the recent decision of the environment ministry, which talks about taking a new approach for conservation and rejuvenation of rivers, a network of organisation working in the water sector has claimed. It also alleged that the government had made no efforts to learn from its failures. Union Environment minister Harsh Vardhan, in a recent meeting, had said that a new strategy would be brought for conservation and rejuvenation of major rivers in which water and environment management would be taken up to restore the lost ecology along polluted stretches. "We need to try it (plan) out on a few stretches in the country covering a sub-basin or a catchment area of a river," the minister had said. The ministry had also said that independent institutions such as IITs would be entrusted with the study for preparation and finalisation of river basin management and rejuvenation plan for nine selected stretches. "It (the decision) has been termed as new, but
Activists concerned on rising tiger deaths in MP; govt says
Wildlife activists have expressed concern over what they claim rising number of tiger deaths in Madhya Pradesh, but government officials said the felin's population is on the upswing and poaching incidents are taken seriously. The activists said Madhya Pradesh has recorded the highest number of tiger deaths among the states, while forest department officials insisted there was no negligence on their part in conserving the national animal. One of the activists, Ajay Dubey, has now decided to approach the MP High Court seeking a direction for a probe into the tiger deaths reported in the last two years. Notably, the state lost 32 striped cats due to poaching and other reasons in the last 13 months, as per sources. These included six since January 1, 2018. According to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) data, of the 98 tiger deaths in India in 2017, 26 were reported from Madhya Pradesh. In 2016, 33 tigers died in the state, as per the MP forest department ...
Tiny particles may have huge impact on storms: study
Tiny airborne particles can have a stronger influence on powerful storms than scientists previously predicted, a study has found. The findings, published in the journal Science, describe the effects of aerosols, which can come from urban and industrial air pollution, wildfires and other sources. While scientists have known that aerosols may play an important role in shaping weather and climate, the new study shows that the smallest of particles have an outsized effect. Particles smaller than one-thousandth the width of a human hair can intensify storms, increase the size of clouds and cause more rain to fall. "This result adds to our knowledge of the interactions between aerosols, clouds and precipitation. In areas where aerosols are otherwise limited, such as remote regions of the Amazon rainforest, ultrafine aerosol particles can have a surprisingly strong effect," said Zhanqing Li, from the University of Maryland in the US. "This finding will help us better understand .
Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi lauds 'Mission Clean Morna River'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lauded the 'Mission Clean Morna River', and congratulated people for making it a 'mass movement'.'Mission Clean Morna River', is a campaign launched by people of Akola in Maharashtra to clean the river.The Prime Minister said the Mission clean Morna showed that nothing is impossible.Addressing the nation through the 40th edition of his 'Mann ki Baat' radio programme, Prime Minister Modi said, "Mission Clean Morna' shows that if a person is determined to do something, then nothing is impossible. In this noble work of 'Mission Clean Morna', more than six thousand citizens of Akola, more than 100 NGOs, colleges, students, children, elderly, mothers and sisters participated."He added, "I congratulate people for making 'Clean Morna' mission a mass movement. I came to know that the citizens of Akola had organised a cleanliness campaign to clean the Morna river under the 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan'.
Renewable energy space to see consolidation, some players may
As the renewable energy sector continues to see a big influx of new players, Nidhi Tanti of Suzlon Energy feels there would be a significant consolidation soon even as she advocated for better coordination between the central and state government departments on policies and regulations for this business. Nidhi, who was here along with her father and Suzlon chief Tulsi Tanti to participate in the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting from January 22-26, said the sector is witnessing a good growth and the shift to a new bidding regime for projects has helped improve the things in a big way. Nidhi is currently Vice President and Head of Business Review Committee and New Business at Suzlon and is actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the company founded by her father in 1995. In an interview here, Nidhi told PTI that the renewable space is seeing a lot many good things and the government's focus has helped improve doing business in a big way and the only ...
Tibet to build int'l Tibetan medicinal materials market
Tibet Autonomous Region will build an international trading market for traditional Tibetan medicinal materials, a senior official has said. The market will help to increase income for local people, and expand external exchanges, said Kelsang Yudron, director of the regional food and drug administration. She said two land ports in Xigaze and Ngari passed national assessment for medicinal materials customs clearance last year, which paved the way for international trading, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
Less blooms on Kaas plateau worries authorities, visitors
Once a bed of colourful flora, the famous Kaas plateau in Maharashtra is now witnessing less blooms, worrying officials, tourists and nature lovers alike. The plateau, recognised by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee as a heritage site in 2012, is home to around 350 flowering plants, including some rare and endemic species. With the flowering already going down, a couple of fire incidents last month in the area, causing a damage to the flora at the site in Satara district, has now set off alarm bells for the administration. The state government has thus decided to take up a slew of measures, like better guarding of the place and inviting researchers to study why this picturesque site in the Western Ghats is losing its blooms, which were a big tourist attraction. According to forest officials, human negligence, possibly lit cigarettes, could have caused the twin fires that gutted a portion of the world famous plateau recently. "The forest department, along with a joint ...
12 TN fishermen arrested by Lankan Navy
Twelve Tamil Nadu fishermen were today arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly fishing in their waters near Talaimannar, a fishermen association office-bearer said. The arrest comes shortly after the island nation proposed a draconian legislation banning fishing in its territorial waters by foreign trawlers. The Lankan Navy personnel also seized two boats used by them and snapped the nets of around 50 boats, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Fishermen's Association general secretary NJ Bose said here. The arrested fishermen were from this island and have been taken to nearby Mannar, he added. The fishermen have been charged with fishing not only in Lankan territory but using banned fishing nets which destroyed the sea wealth of their nation, according to information reaching the police here. Police officials said Lankan Navy men were keeping a strict vigil in the Katchatheevu area for the past one week and chased away hundreds of fishermen who were fishing near the ...
Gujarat staring at water crisis this summer
Gujarat is staring at an acute water crisis this summer apparently due to its over dependence on the Narmada Dam to meet all its requirements. Gujarat chief secretary J N Singh recently announced that due to less water available in the Narmada, they will not be able to provide water to industries, and they have asked local bodies to look for alternate sources this summer. The Narmada River catchment areas, mainly in Madhya Pradesh, received less rainfall last monsoon and the western state has got only 45 per cent of water in the Sardar Sarovar Dam than what it gets in normal monsoon years. The state government recently asked farmers to skip sowing summer crops as it would not be able to provide irrigation water. It also plans to cut supply to industries and has asked the administration of cities and villages dependent on the Narmada for drinking purpose to explore local sources. "Yes, we need to change the perception that we are totally dependent on the Sardar Sarovar ...
In reversal, U.S. EPA maintains restriction on Alaska mine project
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In a surprise move, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reversed itself on Friday and maintained restrictions on the proposed Pebble Mine copper and gold mine project in southwest Alaska's Bristol Bay region.
Corrected: In reversal, U.S. EPA maintains restriction on Alaska mine project
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In a surprise move, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reversed itself on Friday and maintained restrictions on the proposed Pebble Mine copper and gold mine project in southwest Alaska's Bristol Bay region.
Trump wishes royal couple well amid uncertain wedding invite
President Donald Trump says Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee, American actress Meghan Markle, look like a "lovely couple" and he doesn't know if he's been invited to their May wedding. Trump also told Britain's ITV News in an interview to be broadcast today that his administration might not withdraw from the Paris climate accord if terms more favourable to the United States are reached, in part because he likes French President Emmanuel Macron. The interviewer, veteran British journalist Piers Morgan, told the US leader that Markle backed Democrat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election and has described Trump as "divisive." "Well, I still hope they're happy," Trump said. The interview was conducted on Thursday during Trump's brief visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. In excerpts released earlier by ITV, the president apologised for retweeting videos made by a British far-right group and said he looked forward to visiting Britain, where he has been
Raje launches 'night tourism' in Jaipur
The first phase of the night tourism project ensuring illumination of the walled city in Rajasthan has been completed and was launched late on Friday night by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, an official said on Saturday.
RK Singh threatens to slit throat of corrupt
Union Minister of State (MoS) for Power R.K. Singh on Saturday threatened to slit throat of corrupt officials.He made the controversial statement, while addressing the special village development campaign organised in his constituency.The Minister told officials that development work in the village would be allotted through transparent tendering system."Only those schemes would be passed which would benefit all. There would be transparency in the tender and construction. My name will be involved in whatever work will be done, so if there is any wrongdoing then I will slit throat of wrongdoer, lodge case against him, and send him to jail," Singh threatened.Senior level officers of the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and other senior officials of different departments were present in the programme.
UP govt to link 60k villages with Start-up India programme
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today said the state government will link 60,000 villages of the state with the Start-up India programme. He made the announcement while addressing the Start-Up Master Class programme held at IIT Kanpur. "The state government will link 60,000 villages of the state with the Start-up India programme and technology will reach the villages, so that the villagers can get employment from their home itself," Adityanath said. He said the villages will be technically-sound and the people will come to know about various public welfare schemes. He urged the IIT students to stay in the country, and contribute to the nation's development. On pollution in the Ganga river, he said, "Ganga passes from here before it reaches Prayagraj (Allahabad). Before the Kumbh fair starts, the river has to be made pollution-free. If the IIT students contribute, then Ganga can be made nirmal (clear)." At Harcourt Butler Technical University, the chief ...
Karnataka ready for talks with Goa on Mahadayi water: Siddaramaiah
Karnataka is ready for talks with Goa on the Mahadayi river water sharing issue to meet the drinking needs of the state's four drought-prone districts, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Saturday.
Two tigers, elephant die in Karnataka, poisoning suspected
Even as the national tiger census-2018 continues, the Bandipur National Park in Karnataka has lost two of its tigers -- a sub-adult male and a female -- and an elephant, officials said on Saturday.
