Page 2 - Environment Protection

Prez Murmu urges people to take smaller, local steps to protect environment

Highlighting the recent spate of terrible heatwaves in India and frequent extreme weather events around the globe, President Droupadi Murmu asked people on Monday to take smaller and local steps to protect the environment for a better tomorrow. In a note on the social media platform 'X' after visiting the seashore in this temple town, Murmu said oceans and the rich variety of flora and fauna have suffered heavily due to pollution but people living in nature's lap have sustained traditions "that can show us the way". "Inhabitants of coastal areas, for example, know the language of the winds and waves of the sea. Following our ancestors, they worship the sea as God," she said, while suggesting ways to protect and conserve the environment. The President arrived in Odisha on a four-day tour on July 6. "There are places that bring us in closer touch with the essence of life and remind us that we are part of nature. Mountains, forests, rivers and seashores appeal to something deep within

Delhi Govt to grow the city's green cover with plantation drive on July 11

Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday said that two crore saplings were planted in the city in the last four years, against a target of five years set by the government. The tree plantation drive will be expanded with planting of 64 lakh more saplings of various species in the next one year, Rai said during a press conference here. The minister said the Delhi government and its various agencies will kick-start the initiative, which commences with the onset of the monsoon, from Narela on July 11. He emphasised the importance of residents' cooperation in supporting the Delhi government's efforts to increase the city's green cover and said that as part of this campaign, seven lakh saplings will be distributed among citizens free of cost. The first phase of the tree plantation campaign will cover 30 assembly constituencies and will run until August 9, Rai said. During this period, awareness will be raised among the public and free saplings will be distributed, he added. Rai

Cheetah trackers in Kuno refuse to kill goats over religious beliefs

MP's Kuno National Park, home to 26 Cheetahs, employed around 30 villagers of Sheopur as trackers to monitor the big cats

World Environment Day 2024: Date, Theme, History, Importance, Quotes

World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5 to pause, reflect, and take action to protect our amazing planet. 2024 will mark the 30th anniversary as per the UN Convention

As fix for global warming, US scientists try 'sun blocking' to cool Earth

The scientists tested a technique that involves reflecting sunlight back into space in order to cool the Earth

Over half of GCCs in India 'actively' adopting ESG agenda: Report

70% 'actively looking' for technology collaborations to implement ESG norms, says EY

EU must prepare for 'catastrophic' climate change risks: Environment agency

Policymakers need to draw up new plans to address the challenges, the Copenhagen-based body said in its first Europe-wide analysis of climate-related risks

World Wetlands Day 2024: Theme, history, importance, and contribution

World Wetlands Day is a global day devoted to promoting the conservation and sustainable management of wetlands. Wetlands are areas covered by water, either forever or occasionally

Union Cabinet approves Rs 4,797 crore for 'Prithvi Vigyan' scheme

The government on Friday approved "Prithvi Vigyan", an overarching initiative comprising five on-going sub-schemes related to earth sciences, at a cost of Rs 4,797 crore over a five-year period from 2021-26. The Union Cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the proposal of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) to club the sub-schemes. The schemes are "Atmosphere and Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems and Services", "Ocean Services, Modelling Application, Resources and Technology", "Polar Science and Cryosphere Research", "Seismology and Geosciences" and "Research, Education, Training and Outreach". "The overarching scheme of 'Prithvi Vigyan' (PRITHVI) will enable development of integrated multi-disciplinary earth science research and innovative programmes across different MoES institutes," an official statement said. It said these integrated research and development efforts will help in addressing the grand challenges of weather and climat

Restrict missile testing during turtles' nesting season, Odisha urges DRDO

The state government urged the DRDO to restrict missile testing off the Odisha coast in February and March -- the mass nesting season of the endangered olive ridley sea turtles, an official said on Saturday. The Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) has two major missile testing ranges in the state -- Chandipur in Balasore district and the APJ Abdul Kalam Island, formerly Wheeler Island, in Bhadrak district, he said. "It is an annual practice to request the DRDO to restrict testings during this time as these locations are close to the famed Gahirmath sanctuary, which is considered the cradle of olive ridley turtles," the senior official of the state Forest Department said. The DRDO adheres to the state's request every year, he said. At a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary PK Jena on Dember 7, it was also decided to request the DRDO to appoint a nodal officer who will coordinate with the Fisheries Department for protecting the turtles. Lakhs of olive ridley turtles visit

COP28 : Petroleum ministry warns against curbs on hydrocarbon investments

India has until now strongly advocated for a phase-down of all fossil fuels, including oil and gas

Finmin questions rationale for extending FAME scheme beyond current fiscal

The Heavy Industries Ministry proposed an extension to subsidies for EVs under FAME III with a higher allocation for five more years to support the growth of electric and alternate fuel vehicles

Strict action against construction cos violating anti-dust norms: Gopal Rai

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Monday directed officials to take strict action against construction agencies found violating anti-dust norms at Sarai Kale Khan here. As part of the Delhi government's anti-dust campaign, Rai inspected several construction sites in the area and found they did not have a working anti-smog gun, water sprinklers and tin sheds to prevent dust pollution. The minister directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee to issue notice to the project proponents concerned. He said a penalty will be imposed on the violators if they fail to submit a satisfactory reply within 24 hours. Rai Saturday launched a month-long drive to prevent dust pollution in the capital and said strict action will be taken against anyone found violating relevant norms. The Centre's air quality panel on Friday directed authorities in the National Capital Region to enforce a ban on coal usage in hotels and restaurants, and to take punitive measures against polluting industries an

Jharia Master Plan brings down surface fires sites from 77 to 27

The total count of fire sites decreased from 77 to 67 by 2009 and further dropped to 27 by 2021

Refex Group to invest Rs 1,300 cr in unit catering to business travel

Green mobility unit to uses electric vehicles to transport corporate workers

No compensation paid from Environment Relief Fund since 2019: Govt

No compensation has been paid since 2019 from the Environment Relief Fund established in 2008 to aid individuals affected by hazardous substances, the government has said. As of March 31, 2023, the fund has accumulated Rs 1,062 crore, Union Minister of State for Environment Ashiwini Kumar Choubey told the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. "No amount has been disbursed as compensation from the Environment Relief Fund (ERF) since 2019," he said. Instituted under the Public Liability Act, 1991 (PLIA) in the wake of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, the ERF's primary purpose is to offer immediate relief to victims of accidents involving hazardous substances. The PLIA mandates industries handling hazardous materials to mandatorily obtain public liability insurance. Apart from contributions from hazardous industries that opt for insurance under the PLIA, the ERF consists of compensation awarded by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for damage to the environment under Section 24 of the NGT Act, 2010. Choub

Gurgaon residents file plea in SC against jungle safari park in Aravallis

The petitioners said the activities within the Aravalli Hills will harm the ecology and also destroy the wildlife and its habitat in the mountain range

Go Green, Earn Credits: Govt starts Green Credits scheme under Mission LiFE

Mechanism will be implemented in phases. Initially, 2-3 activities from eight sectors are being considered for piloting the Programme. Later, more activities will be added from the selected sectors

Haryana to protect, conserve trees aged over 75 years: Minister Kanwar Pal

Haryana Forest and Environment Minister Kanwar Pal on said that the govt is committed to protecting and conserving the trees which are aged more than 75 years

'Environmental imbalance result of mindless exploitation of resources'

Eminent environmentalist Chandi Prasad Bhatt on Monday said the world suffers from an environmental imbalance because of the "mindless exploitation" of its natural resources in the name of development. A pioneer of the Chipko movement', Bhatt addressed people at a forest and environment promotion camp held at Bachher village on the occasion of World Environment Day. "The whole world is suffering from an environmental imbalance. Mindless and indiscriminate exploitation of resources is being done in the name of so-called development due to which life on earth is in danger," Bhatt said Bhatt who was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2005 underlined the need for collective efforts for saving the environment. Due to environmental imbalance, natural calamities are on the rise and there has been a change in the weather pattern affecting the livelihood of families dependent on agriculture, he said. Basic facilities should be made available to everyone, but alongside this, we should also focus