Page 935 - Environment
Wildlife cartoonist's mantra: Say it with humour
A caricature of an Indian Hive Bee carrying pollen baskets is accompanied with the message, "Carry your own shopping bags". A Bactrian Camel, sauntering with his double hump, advises, "Carry your own water bottles to avoid using plastics".
China to move millions from homes to eradicate poverty
Chinese authorities will move millions of people from their homes across the country as part of President Xi Jinpings goal of eradicating extreme poverty by 2020, a media report said on Sunday.
Saturn's moon Titan sports Earth-like features
Using data from NASA's Cassini spacecraft, astronomers have created a global map of Saturn's moon Titan and found that its geographical features are similar to those seen on the Earth. The map combines all of the Titan topography data from multiple sources. It revealed several new features on Titan, including new mountains, none higher than 700 meters. The map also provides a global view of the highs and lows of Titan's topography, which enabled the scientists to confirm that two locations in the equatorial region of Titan are in fact depressions that could be either ancient, dried seas or cryovolcanic flows. It revealed that Titan is a little bit flatter - more oblate - than was previously known, which suggests there is more variability in the thickness of Titan's crust than previously thought. "The main point of the work was to create a map for use by the scientific community," said Paul Corlies, from Cornell University in the in the US. The data set can be downloaded .
'Captive breeding of Tibetan Antelope will not be helpful'
Captive breeding of the Tibetan Antelope - hunted for their underfur - will neither serve the purpose of conservation nor provide raw material for weavers as they have to be killed to collect wool for making shahtoosh shawls, the Environment ministry has told a parliamentary panel. The ministry's assertion came after the panel recommended that Tibetan Antelope or chiru goats should be conserved and bred and vast tract of land should be utilised for it to provide sustainable livelihood for people of Jammu and Kashmir, which has been a "conflict region for long". The ministry noted that China failed to keep Chiru in captivity due to its poor survival rates after the department related parliamentary standing committee on science and technology, environment and forest mentioned that China and Mongolia were breeding the goats. The animal has long been hunted for their underfur shahtoosh, which is renowned for its quality and has traditionally been transported to Srinagar, ...
28 trains cancelled as fog shrouds Delhi
As fog continued to cover the capital city on Sunday morning, trains services have taken a hit in Delhi and NCR with 73 trains being affected.Owing to poor visibility due to the fog, at least 28 trains have been cancelled, 36 trains are running late, 9 rescheduled.Meanwhile, air pollution levels in Delhi have also raised concerns in the city as prominent pollutant PM 2.5 remained in ' very poor' category in the Lodhi Road area.Yesterday, the national capital experienced its first coldest day of this season with minimum temperature at 4.2 degree Celsius, three notches below the season's average.Visibility at 8.30 a.m. was 400 metres.The Meteorological department has forecast moderate fog in Delhi with visibility likely to remain low. Delhi has been battling air pollution for the past many days further lowering the visibility levels.
Prabhakar expresses concern over scanty rainfall in AP
Communications advisor to Andhra Pradesh Government Parakala Prabhakar on Sunday expressed concern over scanty rainfall in Anantapur.While speaking to ANI, Prabhakar said, "Rainfall has been traditionally less in Anantapur. After Jaisalmer, it is Anantapur, which is under the rain shadow area."He said since the last three years, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and the state government had been addressing the problem squarely."Last year, there was over 20 percent shortage in rainfall. This year, it was 12.5 percent but we managed to register over 20 percent growth in agriculture. It was possible because of the innovative methods that the chief minister has implemented as far as water management is concerned. Our objective is making the state drought proof," he further added.Many states across the country have witnessed drought wreak havoc amongst the farmer populace.The Andhra Pradesh Drought Mitigation Project aims to put an end to their misery.
Temperature may affect pollen colour
Pigmentation of petals has received substantial attention, but not many know about pollen pigmentation.A new Phytologist study of the North American herb Campanula Americana revealed that western populations have darker purple pollen due to extremely high temperatures than eastern populations where white to light-purple pollen is more common.The findings revealed that dark pollen outperforms light pollen under higher temperature and UV rays.Study author Dr Matthew Koski of the University of Virginia said, "In light of global change, temperature stress could be an increasingly important selective agent on pollen pigmentation."According to researchers, differential heat tolerance among pollen colour variants can contribute to geographic variation in pollen pigmentation.Western populations also experience more extreme high temperatures and elevated UV-B irradiance.The research appears in New Phytologist journal.
HC takes note of felling of trees in Ram Nagar
Taking note of news reports on felling of five more trees in Ramnagar area here, the Himachal High Court todaydirectedthe divisional forest officer (Urban) to bepresent onnext date of hearing, January 9. The Councillor of Ram Nagar was also directed to be present. During the hearing, the additional advocate general assured the high courtthat the officer concerned shall visit the spot and take appropriate action, in accordance with the law. A division bench comprising ActingChief Justice Sanjay Karoland Justice Ajay Mohan Goel passed the orders on a petition movedby the people of Ram Nagar. The petitioners had claimed that they were fighting to save the thick forest surrounding the area and alleged that advanced technology was being used to cut down trees within a minute and were being taken away leaving no proof behind. They also alleged that on the midnight of July 13, 2017, some trees were felled, but when a complaint was made in this regard, many were saved from being
Rohingyas' access to balanced diet a major concern: UN study
According to a new United Nations study, most Rohingyas have a limited access to getting a nutritious and balanced diet, despite the fact that more than 90 per cent of them have received emergency food assistance.As per Daily Star, the study was carried out by the Rohingya Emergency Vulnerability Assessment (REVA), in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and Food Security Sector (FSS) between November-December 2017.Farhan Haq, the Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, said: "WFP will scale up its e-voucher programmes in 2018 to reach new arrivals in Cox's Bazar.""Currently, some 90,000 people are enrolled in WFP's e-voucher programmes, under which they receive a monthly amount on a pre-paid debit card, which can be used in allocated shops to buy 19 different foods, including rice, lentils, fresh vegetables, chilis, eggs and dry fish," added Haq.Haq also clarified that the WFP was providing food vouchers to more than 7,00,000 Rohingya refugees.The ..
Adopt simple methods to conserve environment: Javadekar
Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar on Saturday emphasised on adopting simpler steps to protect and conserve the environment.
Odisha for action plan of mining affected areas in 8 districts
The Odisha government today asked different departments to prepare action plan for development of mining-affected areas in eight districts. The direction was issued by chief secretary A P Padhi who presided at a meeting today. It also came a time when the government had collected Rs 8,290 crore as penalty from illegal mining activities. Padhi said the funds collected as mining penalty would be utilized through the Odisha Mineral Bearing Area Development Corporation (OMBADC), a special agency that had been constituted by the state government to usher in development in the affected areas. Of the total target of Rs 17,576 crore, the state government could collect only Rs 8,290 crore from mine owners who were found indulging in illegal mining activities from 2000-2001 to 2010-2011. Padhi said Rs 8,290 crore would be spent through a special purpose vehicle for the development of the areas directly or indirectly hit by the mining activities. As directed by the Supreme Court, ..
Foreign delegates accompany Bedi on bicycles on week-end visit
Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi today had a team of students and faculty of the US based IOWA University besides officials during her visit to neighbouring Kadirkamam village to see the predicament of the Kanagan Eri lake. Bedi visited the site on her bicycleand the nearly 15 foreign delegates also used bicycles to visit the village. The team from the university was here since yesterday as visitors to Raj Nivas, the office of the Lt Governor, and held informal discussions with the Lt Governor, an official source said. Bedi said later in a whatsapp message to media persons that today was her 131st morning week-end visit. She said her intention was to ensure that Kanagan lake should be cleared of the hyacinth and be given a facelift. "I would visit the lake consecutively in the next three Saturdays and dedicate it to the people on February three after a prayer at a local temple situated close to the lake" she said in her message. The Department of Tourism would introduce .
Swaminathan praises Telangana's 24/7 farm power intiative
Eminent agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan has appreciated the Telangana government for supplying power 24 hours a day to farmers in the state. "I am very happy to see your announcement that Telangana will provide farmers with 24/7 power supply. This will be a great boon to the farmers particularly since Telangana is by and large a dry farming state," Swaminathan wrote in a letter addressed to state Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. The letter added that "crop life saving irrigation is vital for the success of agriculture." The letter was released to the media here today. The Telangana government began supplying 24/7 free power to farmers since January 1 this year.
Env ministry seeks improved air connectivity for Gir
The issue of poor air connectivity with Gir National Park in Gujarat has been taken up with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the environment ministry has told a parliamentary panel. The environment ministry stated this in its action taken report to a parliamentary standing committee on science and technology, environment and forest. The ministry has also said that the Gujarat government has also been asked to take action regarding the recommendation of the committee to remove encroachments from around the Park. "Encroachments and construction around the national parks and sanctuaries are in purview of the states. In so far as Gir National Park is concerned, state government of Gujarat has been communicated to take action according the recommendation of the committee. "The ministry has also taken up the matter with Ministry of Civil Aviation regarding poor air connectivity of Gir National Park and requested for improving air connectivity," the Ministry told the panel ...
Haryana to set up 30 mobile shelters for homeless
In the wake of intense cold weather conditions, Haryana government today said that it will set up 30 mobile night shelters in nine cities within a week, a press statement said. It has also set up 103 night shelters across the state for homeless people, it said. Haryana Urban Local Bodies Minister Kavita Jain today said that the department was making adequate arrangements to provide the facility of night shelter in all municipal areas for poor homeless people. She urged social welfare organisations to contribute to better management of the night shelters. Jain said the Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, himself was closely monitoring proper arrangements at these shelters. The municipal administration in 80 cities has made adequate arrangements for mattresses, quilts and blankets after identifying night shelters, she said. Additional arrangements have been sought by the administration in Gurugram, Faridabad, Rohtak, Bahadurgarh, Yamunanagar, Panipat, Sonepat, Panchkula ...
Elegant water shrew spotted in Uttarakhand
A team of researchers in Uttarakhand has found elegant water shrew (Nectogale elegans) for the first time in the western Himalayan region here. The researchers from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, said its presencewas recorded earlierin Indiafrom north Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, but for the first time its presence was registeredin the western Himalayas. The smallest of amphibious mammals, the water shrew, has currently 13 known species in the world. Rarely caught in the fishing nets, whenever reported, these elusive shrews are even tougher to be captured on cameras or visually encountered due to their tendency to hide underwater or river bank vegetation and debris while foraging. The present study is the first distribution record of this species in the western Himalayan region. Earlier, the species in India has been reported only from Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh (with no individual records elsewhere in the country), the team said. It further said ...
Rice basmati extends gains on rising demand
Rice basmati prices advanced by Rs 100 per quintal at the wholesale grains market today on surging demand against tight stocks position due to a fall in supplies from producing belts. However, other grains remained steady in thin trade. Traders said besides soaring demand from retailers as well as rice mills, paucity of stocks on fall in arrivals from producing regions, mainly kept rice basmati prices higher. In the national capital, rice basmati common and Pusa-1121 variety rose further by Rs 100 each to Rs 7,900- 8,000 and Rs 6,500-6,600 per quintal, respectively. Following are today's quotations (in Rs per quintal): Wheat MP (desi) Rs 2,080-2,280, Wheat dara (for mills) Rs 1,800-1,815, Chakki atta (delivery) Rs 1,810-1,815, Atta Rajdhani (10 kg) Rs 260-300, Shakti Bhog (10 kg) Rs 255-290, Roller flour mill Rs 960-970 (50 kg), Maida Rs 990-1,000 (50 kg)and Sooji Rs 1,050-1,060 (50 kg). Basmati rice (Lal Quila) Rs 10,700, Shri Lal Mahal Rs 11,300, Super Basmati Rice Rs ..
Chemical ban helping ozone hole recover: NASA
An international ban on chlorine-containing man-made chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), has resulted in about 20 per cent less ozone depletion, NASA said. CFCs are long-lived chemical compounds that eventually rise into the stratosphere, where they are broken apart by the Sun's ultraviolet radiation, releasing chlorine atoms that go on to destroy ozone molecules. Stratospheric ozone protects life on the planet by absorbing potentially harmful ultraviolet radiation that can cause skin cancer and cataracts, suppress immune systems and damage plant life. "We see very clearly that chlorine from CFCs is going down in the ozone hole, and that less ozone depletion is occurring because of it," said Susan Strahan, from the US space agency. By comparing the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) measurements of hydrochloric acid and nitrous oxide each year, the scientists determined that the total chlorine levels were declining on average by about 0.8 per cent annually. The ...
UP farmers dump potatoes in price protest
After their plea to get a fair price for potatoes went unheard by the Uttar Pradesh government, the farmers on Saturday dumped their produce outside the state assembly building in protest.With the price crashing to Rs 4 per kg, the farmers are demanding a minimum of Rs 10 per kg."If the farmers don't get a fair price for their crops, what would they do? We even had a discussion with the state and the district administration regarding the same, but the result is not visible. We are protesting as they are not listening to our plea", said a farmer.He further expressed his disappointment in the situation and said that the dreadful condition of the farmers raises the question on the entire management."Entire system is sleeping and if the government is not aware of our situation, then it is very sad", he added.Notably, after coming to power in the state, the Yogi Adityanath government decided to fix a minimum support price for potato at Rs 487 per quintal in a bid to encourage the potato ...
CISF takes over security of Uttarakhand's ISRO unit
The CISF has taken over the security of Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), Dehradun, an arm of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), an official said on Saturday.
