Page 944 - Environment
Finnish president calls for bigger role of EU
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto in his New Year's address has deplored the modest role of the European Union (EU) in the world decision making.
AP to launch 'Janmabhoomi-Maa Vooru' tomorrow
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday called on the people to take part in the 'Janmabhoomi-Maa Vooru' programme to be launched tomorrow."Janmabhoomi Maa Ooru is a great havan and everyone should take up this as a social responsibility. This initiative is a clarion call for all the public to come together, join hands and do all works," he said, while addressing a rally here.The 'Janmabhoomi-Maa Vooru' meetings are being organised to get a better understanding of the government's developmental and welfare schemes as well as to seek feedback from the people.The Chief Minister further expressed satisfaction with the set goal achieved by the state in 2017 and said that Andhra Pradesh's vision for irrigation projects yielded result and prevented loss of season."The Pattiseema project saved agriculture sector and we were quite successful in creating awareness in public regarding water management," he said.Emphasising on the power sector, he said that there would be no .
On New Year Day, air pollution on edge of emergency level in
Air pollution in Delhi today stood on the brink of the emergency level due to a rapid build up of particulate matter owing to foggy conditions, even as Delhiites stepped out in large numbers to mark the first day of the New Year. The day's average air quality index (AQI) was at 400, classified as 'very poor' by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). However, it was just one point short of 'severe', the worst AQI in the CPCB index. SAFAR, which has its own monitoring network, recorded 'severe' levels of pollution. SAFAR, which comes under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, said the air quality was worse this January 1, compared to 2016 and 2017. During the previous two years, the foggy days were distributed over a longer period of time, it said in an assessment report. Yesterday, too, the AQI was at 'very poor' level (398). The agency said it was mainly because the spell of dense fog remained concentrated between December 25 and the first week of January this ...
Quarter of land will be drier under 2 C warming: study
More than a quarter of Earth's land surface will become "significantly" drier even if humanity manages to limit global warming to two degrees Celsius, the goal espoused in the Paris Agreement, scientists said today. But if we contain average warming to 1.5 C (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit), this will be limited to about a tenth -- sparing two-thirds of the land projected to parch under 2 C, they concluded in a study published in Nature Climate Change. At 1.5 C, parts of southern Europe, southern Africa, central America, coastal Australia and Southeast Asia -- areas home to more than a fifth of humanity -- "would avoid significant aridification" predicted under 2 C, said study co-author Su-Jong Jeong of the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, China. "Accomplishing 1.5 C would be a meaningful action for reducing the likelihood of aridification and related impacts," he told AFP. Jeong and a team used projections from several climate models, under different ..
River water issue: Withdrawal of Parrikar letter to Yeddyurappa sought
A Goa-based NGO on Monday demanded that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar withdraw his letter to Karnataka BJP leader B.S. Yeddyurappa promising to consider the southern state's demand for drinking water from the Mhadei river on "humanitarian grounds".
GAIL installs India's second largest rooftop solar plant
State-run gas transmission utility GAIL India (GAIL) on Monday said it has commissioned the country's second biggest rooftop solar power plant in Uttar Pradesh.
Army commander reviews situation in north Kashmir
Indian Army's Northern Command chief, Lt Gen D. Anbu on Monday visited forward areas in north Kashmir to review winter preparedness of the forces, defence officials said.
Traffic clogged in central Delhi as revellers flood India Gate
Traffic came to a complete halt and roads were choked with vehicles on central Delhi roads on Monday as more than one lakh revellers gathered at the India Gate to celebrate the New Year.
Cleanliness, drinking water top priorities for CM Jai Ram
To maintain cleanliness and ensure that citizens get pure drinking water, all water tanks would be cleaned twice a year, chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said today. Launching the drinking water reservoirs cleaning campaign from Sanjauli water reservoir here, he said the government was committed to total cleanliness and making 'Swachh Bharat' mission a success. The chief minister said it was necessary to undertake cleanliness drives to keep drinking water safe as most water borne diseases occur because of lacklustre approach as reservoirs or tanks once constructed remained unattended. He directed the irrigation and public health department to undertake regular drives for cleaning of water tanks besides preserving the traditional water resources. He said that most of the villages have been provided drinking water and assured that every kitchen and bathroom would have a tap. Thakur announced that the fare for HRTC taxis run within Shimla town, to IGMC would be reduced. He ...
NLC India commissions 130 MW solar power proj in Neyveli
NLC India Ltd (NLCIL) today commissioned its 130 MW solar power project in Neyveli, Tamil Nadu. "As part of fulfulling its commitment towards the green initiatives...NLCIL has now crossed as significant milestone by commissioning its prestigious 130 MW solar power project on January 1, 2018," the ocmpany said in a filing to the BSE. Coal Secretary Susheel Kumar, who inaugurated the project, said NLCIL was significantly delivering its share in renewable energy arena in line with country's agenda of 175 GW of power genartion capacity from green sources. The 130 MW solar project has been implemented in two blocks of 65 MW each.
Delhi choked with severe-plus air quality on New Years day
Air quality in Delhi and its suburbs was severely toxic on the New Year day with pollution rising to "severe-plus or emergency" levels.
On New Year day, pollution on edge of emergency level in Delhi
Air pollution in the national capital today stood on the brink of emergency level amid dense fog, even as Delhi'ites ventured out in large numbers to mark the first day of the new year. The day's average air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 400, classified as 'very poor' by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Yesterday, too, the AQI has stood at 'very poor' level (398). Firecrackers were burst in many parts of Delhi last night to ring in 2018, contributing further to worsening of the quality. An AQI between 0-50 is considered 'Good', 51-100 'Satisfactory', 101-200 'Moderate', 201-300 'Poor', 301-400 'Very Poor', and 401-500 'Severe'. The PM2.5 and PM10 levels in the city at 6 pm stood at 311 and 471.5 ug/m3 respectively, according to the CPCB. Pollution is considered severe plus or emergency when readings of PM2.5 and PM10 cross 300 and 500 ug/m3, respectively. The corresponding prescribed standards are 60 and 100. The nitrogen dioxide (NO2) level at air ...
Telangana begins 24-hour free power supply to farm sector
Telangana became the first state in the country to supply free 24-hour electricity to the agriculture sector as the scheme came into effect from Monday.
PFC-led lenders to give Rs 11K cr to Ghatampur power plant
State-run Power Finance Corp (PFC) -led consortium will provide a loan of Rs 11,067 crore to 1,980 MW thermal power plant at Ghatampur in Uttar Pradesh. "PFC, as a lead lender, in consortium with Rural Electrification Corp (REC) and State Bank of India (SBI) participated in e-tendering process for funding of debt of Rs 11,067 crore of 3x660 MW coal-based thermal power station being executed by Neyveli Uttar Pradesh Power Limited (NUPPL) in Ghatampur tehsil, Kanpur Nagar, Uttar Pradesh," a PFC statement said. The NUPPL has subsequently awarded LoA (letter of award) to the consortium of the PFC, REC and SBI for providing financial assistance of Rs 11,067 crore for the project and the lenders have given their consent. The NUPPL is a joint venture company of the NLC India Ltd (NLC) and Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (UPRVUNL) for supply of electric power in Uttar Pradesh. The NLC has an installed capacity of 4301 MW with thermal and wind power plants in ...
People in lakhs throng India Gate, cripple traffic
The Delhi Traffic Police was forced to issue an advisory on Monday after people thronged the India Gate lawns in large numbers to celebrate the first day of the new year.Delhi Traffic Police took to Twitter to warn motorists as the massive gathering of people caused huge traffic in Central Delhi."Traffic will remain very heavy near India Gate C-Hexagon due to gathering of more than 1 lakh pedestrian and heavy volume of motorist. No parking available around India Gate. Advised to avoid India Gate and take alternate route," Delhi Traffic Police tweeted.More than 50 traffic police officials were trying to regulate the traffic at India Gate.However at the time of filing this report, heavy traffic jam was also witnessed on all the roads leading to India Gate.
China develops underwater surveillance networks in Indian
China has developed a new underwater surveillance network to help its submarines get a stronger lock on targets while protecting the nation's interests along the maritime Silk Road, which included the Indian Ocean, a media report said today. The system, which has already been launched, works by gathering information about the underwater environment, particularly water temperature and salinity, which the navy can then use to more accurately track target vessels as well as improve navigation and positioning, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported. The project, led by the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), is part of an unprecedented military expansion fuelled by Beijings desire to challenge the US in the world's oceans, the Post said. After years of construction and testing, the new surveillance system was now in the hands of the navy, which reported "good results", the oceanology institute said in its ...
UP CM declares 18 Vantangiya settlements as revenue villages
In a bid to bring the forest-dwelling Vantangiya community into the mainstream, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today declared their 18 settlements as revenue villages and accused the opposition of "befooling the poor and the deprived" for long. The Vantangiya community comprises people brought from Myanmar during the colonial rule to plant trees for afforestation. Adityanath, who, soon after taking over the reins of power in the state, had directed the officials to initiate steps for bringing members of the community to the mainstream, took part in an event in Barhava Chandanchafi village where he also distributed land patta to 3,779 Vantangiya families. "From today the task of extending the benefits of the government schemes to the Vantangiyas has started," he said, adding that besides roads, water and power, health facilities, education and houses will also be provided to the poor. "Those who have been speaking about being in politics for the benefit of ..
Cyclone Ockhi: Families of 25 Kerala fishermen who died get Rs 2.2 mn
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday handed over Rs 2.2 million each to the family of 25 fishermen who died when Cyclone Ockhi struck the southern districts of Kerala on November 30.
GAIL commissions India's second largest rooftop solar plant
State-owned gas utility GAIL India Ltd today said it has commissioned the country's second largest rooftop solar power plant. The firm has installed a 5.76 MWp (Mega Watt peak) solar plant at its petrochemical complex at Pata in Uttar Pradesh, a company statement said. The plant over the roofs of warehouses covers a total area of 65,000 square meters. "With an expected PLF of around 15 per cent annually, over 79 lakh KWh (or units) of electricity is targeted to be generated for captive use of India's largest gas-based petrochemcials plant," it said. Tata Power Solar had in December 2015 commissioned a 12 MW solar rooftop project in Amritsar, which produces more than 150 lakh units of power annually and offset over 19,000 tonne of carbon emissions every year. India is plans to have 40 GW of rooftop photovoltaics (PV) by 2022. This is part of its target of have 175 GW of non-hydro renewables capacity by 2022 (made up of 60 GW onshore wind, 60 GW utility-scale solar, 10 GW .
On New Year, Telangana gifts 24X7 free power supply to farmers
The Telangana government ushered in the New Year today by gifting the farmers 24-hour free power supply for agricultural purposes. Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao described the initiative as a "wonderful victory", according to an official statement. "With 24-hour quality, uninterrupted and free power to the farm sector, Telangana will go down in the history as the first state in the country which is supplying round-the-clock power to all sectors," he said. "Though it was not mentioned in the Telangana Rashtra Samiti's manifesto (during the Assembly elections in 2014) nor it ever made any promise, keeping in view the untold misery of the farmers, it was decided to supply 24-hour free power," the chief minister said. Though round-the-clock power is provided in some other states as well, it is charged. Except Telangana, no other state in the country is giving 24-hour free power supply to the farm sector, he said. Rao congratulated all the officials concerned and said ..
