Page 921 - Environment
Mahadeyi row: Goa to move contempt plea agnst Karnataka in SC
The Goa government will file a contempt petition before the Supreme Court and the Mahadeyi Water Dispute Tribunal against Karnataka for allegedly resuming work on a canal at Kankumbi on a Mahadeyi tributary "in violation" of the apex court order. Goa Water Resources Department Minister Vinod Palyekar said here today that the state would file the contempt petition in the first week of February. Last year, the apex court had ordered Karnataka to stop work on the construction of the canal at Kankumbi, which was aimed at diverting water from the Mahadeyi tributary. Goa has claimed that they have photographic evidence to prove that the work has begun. "The ongoing case before the tribunal would be heard again in the first week of February during which we will file contempt petition before it (tribunal). Similar petition will also be filed before the Supreme Court," Palyekar said. Goa Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma has written to his Karnataka counterpart over the "ongoing ..
Farmers attack, kill leopard with axes to save bullock
Two leopards were killed in separate incidents today, forest department officials said. Officials said that a leopard was killed after farmers attacked it with axes in Lohara village of Umred tehsil here today. The leopard had attacked a bullock, said officials, after which farmers, in an effort to save the bullock, killed the leopard. "Two farmers who were injured by the leopard have been admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital. A case has been registered under the Wildlife Act, 1972 against the farmers who killed the leopard," a forest department official informed. In another incident, a leopard was killed around 10am today after being hit by an unidentified vehicle on National Highway number 6 near Sakoli in Bhandara.
Elephant kills man in the forests of C'garh's Korba area
A 40-year-old man was killed by a wildelephantin Chhattisgarhs Korba district, officials said today. The incident took place late last evening in Kartala forest range when the victim, identified as Kalashram Rathiya, was heading towards Beharchua village on his bicycle, Korba Division Forest Officer (DFO) S Venkatachalam said. Rathiya, a native of Sardukala village, was going to Beharchua to take part in a local festival when he encountered the elephant, the official said. The victim tried to escape but the elephant chased him and hit him with its trunk, leaving Rathiya dead on the spot, the official said. Rathiya's kin have been given an instant relief amount of Rs 25,000 by the forest department, the DFO said. He informed that the movement of a group of elephants has been reported in the area over the last few days and villagers had been advised to be alert. The thick forested northern regions of Chhattisgarh, comprising Surguja, Korba, Raigarh, Jashpur and Korea ...
Experts suggest unconventional ways to reduce man-animal
Re-creating a fear barrier, one- shot contraception and keeping dead animals on jungle tracts for wild carnivores are some of the unconventional measures conservationists and wildlife experts suggest to reduce man- animal conflict. Belinda Wright, executive director of Wildlife Protection Society of India, said conflicts between humans and animals are inevitable, but their level has increased of late mainly due to increasing human encroachments on wildlife habitat. "If the government is serious about protecting India's wildlife, it must stop allowing the continued destruction and divergence of forest lands. This is the root cause behind the conflict," she said. "Forest corridors linking protected areas must be maintained where they exist, or created where they don't. Other measures such as swift delivery of compensation for livestock loss, property damage, or life lost due to conflict are important, but they are not long-term solutions," Wright told PTI. Thailand-based .
Chinese officials find 21 companies violating pollution norms
Chinese pollution inspectors have found problems relating to air quality in 21 companies and construction sites in two days, authorities said today. The air quality inspection teams were sent to check more than 2,100 monitoring spots in 28 cities in the Beijing- Tianjin-Hebei region and neighbouring areas, including Shanxi, Shandong and Henan provinces, according to the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP). On Friday and yesterday, six companies in Hebei province, four in Shanxi and one in Henan failed to implement requirements to suspend or limit production under orange alerts for heavy air pollution, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. Eight construction sites failed to stop the work and two companies were found to have emission levels higher than allowed. China has defined pollution control as one of the "three tough battles" for the next three years, according to the central economic work conference. China has a four-tier colour-coded warning system for ...
In naxal-hit Darbha, coffee aroma to bring winds of change for
The Chhattisgarh government has undertaken an innovative coffee plantation project in Darbha region of insurgency-hit Bastar district in a bid to boost the income of farmers. The cash crop is raised on 20 acres of the government land under the Darbha development block, located around 35 kms away from Jagdalpur district headquarter on an experimental basis by the Jagdalpur horticulture college in collaboration with the Bastar district administration. Jagdalpur district headquarter is located around 350 kms away from here. "During research,the geo-climatic conditionsof Darbha, located at a height of around 654 meters above the sea level and where around 100 mm rainfall occurs in summer, found suitable for growing coffee," Dr Krishna Pal Singh, Horticulture Scientist at the College of Horticulture and Research Station, Jagdalpur, told PTI. He said the regions like Bijapur and Kirandul (Dnatewada) in south Chhattisgarh, and Jashpur (north Chhattisgarh) also have ...
'CSIR-NIO wants to be more self-reliant in FY 2018-19'
With around 30 per cent of its funding coming from non-CSIR sources, Goa-headquartered National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) is hoping to become more self reliant in the next financial year. In a major innovative programme, the world-renowned science institute is researching how sea weeds or other underground flora and fauna can be used for the betterment of mankind and to explore whether they can be used as nutrition, or a drug or as a cosmetic product. "The NIO is relying on the funding made available from CSIR (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research), which the parent body governing us. But we also get the funds from other sources, including private bodies, to the tune of 30 per cent," CSIR-NIO Director Sunil Kumar Singh told PTI recently. He said the CSIR-NIO was executing projects for other government organisations like the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MOES), Ministry of Environment and Forest and the Directorate of BioTechnology (DBT) besides providing ..
Karna carrying work on Mahadayi tributary canal in violation
The ongoing row between Goa and Karnataka over sharing of the Mahadayi river water seems to be escalating with Goa Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma writing to his Karnataka counterpart over the "ongoing work" on a river tributary canal at Kankumbi which, he said is the "violation" of the Supreme Court order. "Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma has written a letter to his Karnataka counterpart pointing out to the violations of the SC directives by resumption of the work on a canal at the Mahadayi tributary (at Kankumbi village)," Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told PTI last evening in Canacona. Karnataka and Goa, the riparian states of the Mahadayi river (known as Mandovi in Goa), have been locked in a bitter battle on sharing of the river water, which originates in Belagavi in the southern state. The matter is pending before the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal. "I don't have the exact contents of the letter with me right now. But we have told Karnataka that they ...
Traders protest against load shedding in PoK
Traders in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), blocked the Neelum Valley road and burnt tyres to show their anger against load shedding and damage of transformers in the area.The protest was called by the Anjuman Tajiran (trade union) in Muzaffarabad as local businessmen have been facing huge losses due to severe power cuts.The protesters raised slogans against the Water and Power Development Authority and Prime Ministers of PoK and Pakistan.The police tried to disperse the protesters forcibly, causing major tension in the area.A protester said, "We have requested the concerned authority, but they are not listening. Since the PML (N) government has come to power, our problems increased manifold".It is ironic that the hub of hydropower generation, PoK suffers long and persistent power outages, ranging from four to 12 hours.As per an estimate, PoK produces roughly 1,500 MW electricity through hydropower but fails to get its total requirement of 400 MW.The people of PoK blame .
SRF gets green nod for Rs 4,800-cr expansion project in Guj
Multi-business entity SRF Ltd has received green nod for expansion of its specialty chemicals, pesticide and fluoro chemicals manufacturing plant at Dahej in Gujarat, which will entail an investment of Rs 4,800 crore, as per the official document. The company wants to increase the production capacity of specialty chemicals, pesticide and fluro chemicals from 1,75,000 tonnes per annum to 5,87,177 tonnes per annum and captive power plant capacity from 25MW to 75 MW at Dahej. In a letter issued to Gurugram-headquartered SRF Ltd, the Union environment ministry said it has given the environment clearance to the company's proposed expansion project in Gujarat with some riders. The clearance has been given after taking into account the recommendations of an expert appraisal committee. The cost of the project is estimated at Rs 4,800 crore, it said. Among conditions specified, SRF Ltd has been asked to take 'consent to establish/operate' for the project from the state pollution .
Odisha's 'Mowgli' has rescued 5000 snakes till date
Odisha state has its very own 'Mowgli', Krushna Chandra Gochhayat alias 'Babu' whose love for animals has led him to rescue more than 5000 snakes, and other animals like elephants, tigers and monkeys.Gochhayat told ANI that his love for animals has been since his childhood days and as a little lad, he never felt scared of animals.Now, as an adult, he is a professional snake rescuer and regularly helps the forest department in rescuing all kinds of animals from poachers who are on the lookout to sell the skins and other body parts of animals."I have rescued all types of animals, not only snakes but also deer, tigers, elephants, birds, leopards, monkeys etc. It gives me great satisfaction to help animals. If animals are not there, then no forest will exist and as a result, humans will cease to exist," Gochhayat said and added, "Whenever I find an injured animal, I get it treated by a doctor and then release it back in the forest. I feel happy when I rescue animals."He treats them to ...
Renewable generation costs continue to fall: IRENA
For new projects commissioned in 2017, electricity costs from renewable power generation have continued to fall significantly compared to the fossil fuels, according to a new report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
Mahavitaran to purchase 1000 MW solar power in 2018
In a move to boost solar energy production in Maharashtra, Mahavitaran, the power transmission company of the state government, is planning to purchase 1000 MW solar power this year. Bids to purchase 1000 MW solar power have been invited at Rs 3 per unit, an Energy department official told PTI over weekend. As compared to solar power, thermal power is sold at Rs 5 per unit, he said. "Currently, the generation of solar power is very minimum compared to traditional energy. This year, the government is planning to boost solar power generation," the official added. States of Rajasthan, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are ahead of Maharashtra in generation of solar power, the official added. At present, the solar power generation in Maharashtra is only 1,000 MW out of which 300 MW is produced by MahaGenco (Maharashtra State Electricity Board Co Limited). Under the Chief Minister's Solar Agri Feeder programme, solar power pumps with the capacity of 7000 MW will be ...
New moth species discovered in Arunachal Pradesh
Researchers have discovered a new species of moth from the Talle Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh. The discovery of the Zygaenid moth was published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa, an international journal on conservation and taxonomy, on December 26 last year. The article was published by Bombay Natural History Society scientist Monsoon Jyoti Gogoi and renowned lepidoptera (study of butterflies and moths) expert J J Young, and state education department employee Punyo Chada. "During a field trip to Talle Wildlife Sanctuary we colleted a torn, deformed moth found to be an undescribed female Elcysma, at an elevation of 1,700m in Ziro. This discovery represents the first record of Elcysma from Arunachal Pradesh," the researchers said. They suggested that the new species, scientifically named Elcysma Ziroensis, be commonly called Apatani Glory, named after a local tribe called Apatani. This species has only been seen during autumn, notably in the month of ...
NASA's cargo spacecraft back down to earth with heavy payload
SpaceX's Dragon cargo spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on Saturday after nearly four weeks in space.
Goa minister uses abusive word for Kannada people, requests media to expunge it
Karnataka has already started diverting water from the Mhadei river which would have otherwise flowed into Goa, its Water Resource Minister Vinod Palienkar said on Saturday, and termed Kannadigas "harami" (illegitimate).
India gets internationally benchmarked forest management certification
The Network for Certification and Conservation of Forests (NCCF), in association with the Indian government, released the country's internationally benchmarked Forest Management Certification Standard here on Saturday.
C'garh CM to lead delegation to Australia to woo investors
Chhattisgarh Chief MinisterRaman Singhwill be leading a delegation to Australia starting Sundaytowoo investors. During the tour from January 14-24, Singh will be visitingMelbourne,Sydney,Perth,Brisbaneas well as other cities, where he will be holding meetings with industrial groups of Australia,officials said. In a statement here, the chief minister said the visit was to attract investments in new sectors in the state which have immense possibilities. These sectors include agriculture and food processing, defence-related materials manufacturing, information technology, electronics and electrical engineering, solar energy and others, the statement informed. Investors will be apprised with the states industry-friendly policies as well as the availability of natural resources, he added. "To fulfill the dreams of Prime Minister Narendra Modis "Make in India", Chhattisgarh government has been taking several steps to encourage "Make in Chhattisgarh" by bringing investments ...
Govt bringing in rapid development in rural infrastructure;
The NDA government is bringing rapid infrastructural development in the rural sector to raise farmers' income and the Prime Minister was prepared to invest more in the agriculture sector and food processing by 2022 to make agriculture more profitable, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said here today. Stating this while delivering the inaugural address at the National Krishik Samaj convention, he said that since the input cost of agriculture was increasing, any amount of subsidy would fall short. He also said farmers' should engage in poultry, animal husbandry and fishing to increase their income. Calling farmers a brave community, he said unlike industry, the agriculturist engages in farming knowing fully well that the sector was not profitable. To protect their interest, the NDA government has been giving insurance benefit even for 30 per cent crop loss, he said. Singh said at least one son of a farmer should engage himself in other sectors, apart from farming. Even ...
Can avail services of retd officials from BSI as consultants:
The services of retired officials who held senior positions in the Botanical Survey of India can be availed by re-engaging them as consultants, the Environment Ministry told a parliamentary panel. The ministry in its action taken report to the department-related parliamentary standing committee on science and technology, environment and forest said it was taking "appropriate action" to maintain availability of talent in the institute. "After retirement of the persons holding senior positions, their services can be availed of by re-engaging them as consultants so that the knowledge acquired and experience gained over the period of time could be utilised at the advantage of BSI," it said in the report tabled in Parliament earlier this month. The ministry also told the panel, chaired by Congress leader Anand Sharma, that it would ensure no compromise was made in the quality of services rendered and core functions of the BSI. The committee was earlier informed that ...
