Page 968 - Environment
Will plug forest areas to stop Maoist influx into Odisha: BSF
BSF Additional Director General Arun Kumar today said forest routes from Chhattishgarh to Odisha and Andhra Pradesh need to be plugged for effective anti-Maoist operation. His remarks came a day after an encounter in cut-off area where a Maoist cadre was gunned down by the BSF jawans. As the security personnel intensify combing operation in Abujhmad forest of Chhattishgarh, the ultras easily sneak into the cut-off area which is encircled by water of Balimela reservoir in three sides. "Once the forest route is plugged, there will be no influx of Maoists from Chhattishgarh to Odisha," Kumar said in Koraput, after visiting yesterday's encounter site in the cut-off area. Replying to a question, the BSF ADG said that there is a need for fibre bullet-proof boats for getting into far-off places within the cut-off area. "The sooner the bridge at Gurupriya is completed connecting cut-off area, more offensive action could be carried out against the Maoists," Kumar said. Stating ...
Govt giving priority to development of industry, agri: CM
Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das today said his government is giving priority to development of industry, agriculture, information technology and tourism sector for the all-round development of the state. Das said his government is determined to eliminate poverty from the state by 2022. The government is working keeping this thought in mind. "The government is making the state a world-class tourist destination by promoting cultural and eco-tourism. This will generate employment and end poverty," an official release said quoting the chief minister. Das said that Chatra districts Itkhori, a confluence site of three religions, is being developed as a world-class tourist destination at the cost of Rs 500 crore. The chief minister said the entire master plan of this area has been prepared, adding the world's tallest (30 metre) Buddhist Prayer Wheel will be built in Itkhori. Now there is a 26-metre high Prayer wheel in Qinghaii of China. Two river fronts, Bhadrakali Ghat ..
India cannot survive on imported food security: Naidu
Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu today called for a collective focus on agriculture as he said India with a population of 130 crore cannot survive on imported food security. He was addressing the 'India Ideas Conclave 2017' here. "I hope the Centre, states and society will focus together, more and more, on agriculture because India with a population of 130 crore cannot survive on imported food security," Naidu said. "We can export (agricultural produce) for the time being but the population is growing," he pointed out. The vice president said agriculture was becoming an unviable pursuit and thus, the aim to double farmers' income by 2022 was a challenge. "People are leaving agriculture and going to other professions. An agriculturist does not want his son to continue with the profession because of uncertain monsoons, natural calamities, market exploitation etc. All this is affecting agriculture," Naidu said. "The prime minister has set a target of doubling farmers income .
Over 71.79 lakh tonnes paddy arrives in Haryana
In Haryana, more than 71.79 lakh tonnes of Paddy has been arrived so far in mandis, as against the arrival of over 69.56 lakh tonnes during the same period of last year. While stating this here today, a spokesman of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department said that out of the total arrival, government procuring agencies have procured over 59.17 lakh tonnes whereas over 12.61 lakh tonnes of paddy is purchased by millers and dealers. He said that more than 27.57 lakh tonnes of paddy has been purchased by the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, over 19.22 lakh tonnes by Hafed, over 6.49 lakh tonnes by the Haryana Warehousing Corporation, over 5.68 lakh tonnes by the Haryana Agro-industries Corporation and 19,667 tonnes by the Food Corporation of India. Giving details of arrival in mandis of different districts, the spokesman said that out of the total arrival, the maximum quantity of paddy has arrived in Karnal which is over 14.68 lakh ...
PM unveils key road, power projects to boost development in NE
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated crucial connectivity and power projects in Mizoram and Meghalaya to accelerate development in the northeastern states, a focus area of his government's Act East Policy. Modi was in the two states during his day-long visit to the northeast today. In Mizoram, he dedicated the 60-MW Tuirial hydropower power project, which makes it the third power-surplus state in the northeast, after Sikkim and Tripura. The project is expected to produce "251 million units" of electricity annually. Announced in 1998 by then Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, it was the first major central government project to be successfully commissioned in Mizoram. Modi said the dam for the project could also be used for improving connectivity in remote villages, fisheries, eco- tourism and as a source of potable water in the region. In Meghalaya, Modi announced Rs 90,000 crore for improving roads and national highways in the northeast over the next two-three ..
Two Supply dept officers placed under suspension
Odisha government today placed two Supply department officers under suspension on charge of dereliction in duty while handing the alleged PDS rice scam in Jharsuguda district, official sources said. The officers who have been suspended were identified as Jharsuguda Civil Supplies Officer (CSO) P D M Khosla and Assistant Civil Supplies Officer (ACSO) S K Guru for their alleged involvement in PDS rice scam. The State Food Commissioner as per the direction of the Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited (OSCSC) suspended the two government officials for negligence and alleged connivance in misappropriation of Rs 8 crore in the name of Bajrangbali Rice Mill Pandaripathar here. The OSCSC had earlier ordered for a special audit of the rice mills accounts after irregularities were detected in the supply of rice. Bajrangbali Rice Mill had received 79,388 quintals of paddy in 2016-17 fiscal. Though the mill was supposed to provide 53,984 quintals of rice for the PDS, the ..
20 Forest personnel injured in attack by timber smugglers
At least 20 forest personnel were injured when timber smugglers attacked them in Ganjam district today. The timber smugglers also damaged two vehicles of the Forest department during the incident that took place in Badagada dense forest, Forest officials said. The incident took place during a raid by a team of around 30 Forest personnel in the jungle to crack down smuggling of timber in the area, said Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Ghumusar South, B K Acharya. The team members, belonging to Badagada and Mohana forest range, were attacked with axe and bamboo sticks by the smugglers, police said. DFO (Berhampur) Asish Kumar Behera also rushed to the area to take stock of the situation and to inquire about the condition of the forest personnel. After getting information about the incident, police personnel from Badagada rushed to the spot to rescue the forest staff. "We rescued the forest personnel from the forest area," said inspector-in-Charge (IIC) of Badagada police ..
Tiger census begins in Anamalai Tiger Reserve
Forest department officials today began the wildlife census in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve in the district. About 200 volunteers are involved in the exercise in the six ranges of the sprawling 958 square km reserve forest, with 300 cameras set up to watch movement of animals. Volunteers are expected to cover about five km per day and collect data following the animal trails and pug marks, department officials said. The winter census will also ascertain the tiger's prey base, they said.
Poacher held with 10 dead migratory birds
Wildlife officials have arrested a poacher and seized 10 dead migratory birds from his possession near Chilika lake in Odisha, forest officials said today. The poacher was caught from Ujad Gopinathpur while trying to flee after hunting 10 Purple Moorhens yesterday, Divisional Forest Officer, Chilika Wildlife Division, Bikash Ranjan Das, said. "We suspect that he killed the migratory birds by poisoning them. We have started an investigation to know the mode of poaching," the DFO said. This is the second incident of poaching near the lake during the migratory season this winter, he said. One poacher was arrested with a dead Gadwall last month, the officer said. Poachers hunt migratory birds for their meat after the winged guests arrive at the lagoon to spend the winter. The meat of such birds is in high demand in Balugaon, Bhubaneswar and Berhampur, the officer said. "We have set up 19 anti-poaching camps to keep an eye on the bird hunters," said the DFO. The security in ..
Mizoram to soon become gateway to SE Asian countries: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the Act East Policy of his government would soon make Mizoram the gateway to the South East Asian countries. The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, linking Aizawl with the Sittwe port in Myanmar, would provide wide-ranging benefits for the state, he said. The development of the Rih-Tiddim road and establishment of numerous rural "haat" (flee markets) along the Mizoram- Myanmar border would also increase the trade volume, Modi said while addressing a public meeting at the Assam Rifles ground here after inaugurating the 60-MW Tuirial hydro-electric power project. The high literacy rate, presence of a large number of English-speaking people and good hospitality could transform Mizoram into a model tourist destination, he said, adding that the Centre was committed to linking all the state capitals in the north-east by rail. Talking of infrastructure schemes in the region, the prime minister said the Centre had launched the .
Record 12,018 MW power supplied in Madhya Pradesh
A record 12,018 MW power was successfully supplied by electricity distribution firms in Madhya Pradesh this morning, a top official said. The state faced a peak demand of 12,018 MW and the same quantity was supplied by power companies operating in MP. This was the highest-ever power supply in the history of the state, he said. The previous highest peak demand was 11,466 MW, recorded on November 11. "We successfully supplied 12,018 MW this morning at around 9 against the demand of that much of electricity uninterruptedly, which is a record in the history of Madhya Pradesh," MP Power Management Company managing director, Sanjay Kumar Shukla told PTI. Shukla, Energy Minister Paras Chand Jain and Principal Secretary (Energy) ICP Keshari congratulated the engineers and other employees of the power companies for this achievement. The surge in energy requirement was due to the growing demand in the agriculture sector, where farmers are being supplied 10 hours of quality power ..
8-yr-old boy killed by leopard in Bahraich
In the second such incident in a month, an eight-year-old boy was allegedly killed by a leopard in the Katarniaghat sanctuary area in the district, a senior forest official said today. Mubin, a resident of Harkhapur village on the periphery of the sanctuary, was playing outside his house last evening when a leopard attacked and killed him, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) GP Singh said. "When the family members started searching for the child, they found the leopard eating the mutilated body of the boy," he said, adding that they drove the big cat away and recovered the body. The DFO said that about 25 days ago, another child was killed by a leopard. "So far, this year, six such deaths have been reported, while over a dozen people have been injured in leopard attacks, the forest official said, adding that Rs 10,000 has been given as immediate financial assistance to the kin of the deceased.
SAIL supplies 70% steel for Mizoram's Tuirial power project
Domestic steel giant SAIL today said it has supplied about 70 per cent of steel for Mizoram's biggest power project -- Tuirial Hydro Electric Power project -- dedicated to the nation today by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. SAIL said it has supplied approximately 5,000 metric tonnes of plates, structural and TMTs for this project including value added steel plates. "Committed to supply and partake in the projects of national development, Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) has supplied around 70 per cent steel for the Tuirial Hydro Electric Power project, Mizoram's biggest power project," the company said in a statement. SAIL is supplying steel for several vital projects in country's north eastern region. "The company supplied around 90 per cent steel for constructing country's longest Dhola-Sadiya bridge in Assam, which was also recently inaugurated," it said. Apart from this, SAIL is supplying steel for projects including Bogibeel Rail-cum-Road bridge, several power ...
Mizoram becomes third power-surplus state in NE: PM Modi
Mizoram had become the third power- surplus state in the north-east after Sikkim and Tripura, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today. He also said the central schemes for the benefit of the north-east had gained momentum and that his government was committed to developing the region. "Today, we celebrate a significant milestone in the history of Mizoram with the completion and dedication of the 60-MW Tuirial hydropower project," the prime minister said, while addressing a public meeting here after inaugurating it. With the commissioning of the project, Mizoram became the third power-surplus state in the north-east, he added. The hydropower project would produce "251 million units" of electrical energy every year and boost the economic development of the state, Modi said. "The completion of this project is a reflection of our commitment to completing the ongoing projects and ushering in a new era of development in the north-east," he added. The Tuirial project, which was ..
Kumaratunga expresses concern over increasing nuclear threat
Former Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga today expressed concern over the "silence" of the international community over increasing threat from nuclear armaments. She was speaking at 'India Ideas Conclave 2017' organised by the India Foundation here. "Recently the nuclear threat has become very serious with North Korea threatening nuclear warfare. Our South Asia region will have to work out a mechanism to manage this aspect because two major powers in our region are nuclear-armed," she said. Referring to the threat emerging from nuclear-armed North Korea, she said some leaders were making all kinds of statements, and "the United Nations (UN) seems helpless". "The other nations are silent," Kumaratunga said. "This is not how the leadership should act at this moment in a world which is enlightened and which is highly technologically advanced and which has every possibility of working together as never before to resolve this kind of issues," she said. "Another ...
150 acre land freed from encroachment, 25 farmers held in UP
The Greater Noida administration today freed 150 acre land of a residential project from encroachment by farmers in Durai village here, an official said today. About 25 farmers have been arrested for obstructing the work, Sub Divisional Magistrate Amit Kumar Singh said. Though builders of Wave Hi-Tech City Apartments had paid compensation to farmers, farmers were protesting and obstructing possession of the land, he said. The builder has won a case related to it at high court and the supreme court, Singh said. "Farmers had no stay order from any court so district administration has no choice but to clear the land from encroachment and hand over the possession to allottee," the SDM said. Today, 150 acre land was cleared of encroachments and handed over to the builder, Singh said. Farmers had sowed crop on 50 bigha land which was also cleared, the SDM said. "The farmers are demanding additional compensation, 10 per cent developed land and 120 square meter plot for landless
Gang engaged in illegal mining busted in UP
Police today claimed to have busted a gang engaged in illegal mining activities in a forest area of village Ajhai here last night. "Three members of the gang were caught and others managed to flee after a raid was conducted after 10.00pm in the forest area of Ajhai," Sub Inspector Chatar Singh said. Four dumper trucks, three JCBs and two tractors were seized from them, Singh added. The arrested members are Meghshyam, Yogesh and Jeet Ram, the SI said.
PAC asks BMC to recover Rs 127 cr from water meter suppliers
In a major set back to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has asked the civic body to recover Rs 127.21 crore from contractors who supplied water meters. It asked the BMC, controlled by the Shiv Sena, to recover this amount in six months. "If the contractors fail to repay the amount, a legal case should be filed against them," the PAC stated in its recommendations. The PAC observed that water meters worth Rs 785 crore were purchased for equitable distributions. It stated that the BMC had purchased 1,27,775 water meters of which only 87,000 meters were deployed as per the plan. When exit conference was held with the BMC officials, 46,918 meters were yet to be deployed, it observed. The PAC also pointed out that the auditor report of the BMC had issued strictures over the water meters not being deployed. The meters had now become very old and thus could not be used anymore, the report stated. "Of the 13 officers who were ...
Sushil Modi asks BJP workers to apprise people of pro-poor
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi today appealed to BJP workers to make people aware of beneficial programmes for dalits and backward classes of the NDA government at the Centre as well in Bihar. The senior BJP leader asked workers to spread awareness about pro-poor schemes of both Centre and the state government while addressing party's state-level office-bearers on the inaugural day of a four-day training camp here, headquarter of Rohtas district. "The Narendra Modi government at the Centre and the BJP-JD(U) government in Bihar are fully devoted to the poor, the weaker sections of the society, the Dalits the OBCs, the EBCs. Schemes of the central and the state governments are largely centred around villages and the poor", Modi said. "BJP workers in the state ought to fan out across villages and tell the people about these pro-poor schemes and our motto of Sabka Sath and Sabka Vikas", he said. In a veiled dig at Lalu Prasad's RJD, Modi said "the lantern is a
Magisterial inquiry ordered into killing of elephants by train
A magisterial inquiry has been ordered today by the Sonitpur district administration into the killing of five elephants by a speeding train on December 10 in the district. Sonitpur Deputy commissioner Manoj Kumar Deka told PTI that he has ordered an inquiry into the incident by senior magistrate Kulen Sarma who will submit the report within a month. He said that there must be encroachment in the nearby forest areas and as a result, the wild elephants have come out from the forests in search of food and water. The incident occurred when a group of seven wild elephants were trying to cross the railway track near Bamgaon Tea garden at Balipara, connecting Rangapara station to Dhalaibil of Biswanath district. The 15617 GuwahatiNaharlagun Intercity express hit the wild elephants, killing five, including a pregnant animal, on the spot.
