Mindless manufacture leaves Japan behind
TRADE wars between Japan and USA are common, but now there are major technology wars brewing. And the US companies may be getting an upper hand. Japanese electronics have flooded markets
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UK wants to emit more
But EU rejects its plan
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Timarpur waste management company in Delhi set to revive plant
Timarpur waste management company in Delhi set to revive plant
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Down to Earth
How to get those malfunctioning satellites back home?
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Reinforced
Building code made stronger
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Centre show-cause to 12 firms; talks with Goa on SEZs begin
The Centre has initiated talks with the Goa government regarding the de-notification of three special economic zones (SEZs) in the state, including the 123.2 hectare-Meditab Specialities SEZ planned by pharma major Cipla. The move follows the controversial decision of the state to scrap all SEZs within its territory following widespread public agitations against such tax-free enclaves. The developers of Meditab SEZ have already made investments of over Rs 130 crore in the project. Following a notification in April 2007, Meditab had also committed investments worth Rs 500 crore and imported machinery for its pharma plant. The law ministry has recommended addressing the issue of compensation to SEZ developers if the SEZs are de-notified. Besides Meditab SEZ, the other de-notified SEZs in the state are 20.36-hectare biotech SEZ by Penisula Pharma Research Centre and 105.91-hectare IT/ITeS SEZ by K Raheja Corp. The Centre has also issued show-cause notices to developers of 12 SEZs, which obtained formal and in-principle approvals, in the state, commerce secretary GK Pillai said here on Monday. Pillai heads the board of approval (BoA), the nodal body granting permission for establishing SEZs. "(As regards) all the formal and in-principle approval given to SEZs in Goa, the BoA will issue show-cause notices to them (developers) in the light of the recommendation of the state, following the principle of natural justice,' Pillai said. The developers will be asked why the permission granted to them should not be cancelled. On the 8 SEZ proposals that were forwarded by the state but yet to come before the BoA, Pillai said, the Centre has decided to treat them as "withdrawn'. The state had on December 31, 2007, asked the Centre to scrap all the SEZs citing representations, which said the zones would adversely affect tourism and environment. The state also said it does not have adequate water and electricity for such massive industrial activities. There was also criticism that SEZs will take away scarce land in the state. The Centre has indicated that the state government will have to compensate the developers of the SEZs for the investments made along with the interest amount to avoid litigation and further complications. Officials wonder how the land, acquired for the notified SEZs, would be returned to the original owners. At best, the government can deny the developers the status of SEZ, which entitles them for tax concessions. "Even if the SEZ status is removed, the units will remain in the domestic tariff area,' an official said.
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Black carbon: are the poor easy answers
<p>There has been a growing interest in the issue of black carbon -- light absorbing carbon particles, also called soot in our world. It was earlier believed that these particles cooled the Earth, now scientists say the impact is the reverse. The particles absorb sunlight and warm up the atmosphere and so the earth. Also, deposits on snow, absorb sunlight and so heat and melt the glaciers.
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Vehicular Air Pollution in Colombo
<p><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Vehicular Air Pollution in Colombo</strong></span></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/country/srilanka/vehicular_pollution_hl.jpg" style="width: 530px; height: 300px; border-width: 2px; border-style: solid;" /></p> <p>In Colombo vehicles are responsible for 60% of the air pollution load. The city is falling into the toxic grip of motorization. Colombo is in the grip of deadly dieselisation: the current level of diesel technology and fuel quality represents very special risk, as diesel vehicle fleet is expanding in a maniacal pace. Diesel vehicles are 45% of the total fleet that already use up more than 90% of the diesel fuel. The policy to under tax diesel fuel and maintain a wide gap with petrol prices is largely responsible for this trend in the region.</p>
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WELTEC BIOPOWER Accomplishes Market Entry in Belgium
<div> Biogas Plant to Generate Power and Heat for Textile Industry</div> <div> </div> <div> The Belgian investor and project developer NPG Energy has requested WELTEC BIOPOWER GmbH from Vechta,
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A better option
Asian policymakers need to invest in environmental infrastructure to arrest ecodegradation
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Healthy move, say environmentalists,hegemony, complain states
The Rajasthan and Haryana governments feel threatened by the Centre's move to stop industrial, mining and quarrying activity in the Aravalli region. Environmentalists, on the other hand, applaud the move
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Within the enemy
Humankind faces the most prolonged and worst exposure to pollution within the four walls of its homes indoors where biomass combustion spells a quiet doom for millions. Surprisingly, most research has chosen to ignore this problem in favour of the mor
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To be healthy, wealthy and wise...
...activists must fight for better prevention and health education
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Where development spells misery
For Singrauli residents, each new project has meant another displacement
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Japan: Some home truths about nuclear power
<p>The severe quake that hit Japan earlier this month and the devastating tsunami that followed it were unfortunate. These two events triggered a series of explosions at Fukushima Daiichi and a few other nuclear power installations. The Dept.
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Seeking the right symbol
The widespread and diverse use of gobar in Indian society stands up to every principle of good environmentalism. Cowdung is a waste product. Yet, instead of being looked down upon, it is highly respected
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Struggle for existence
Large scale habitat loss and massive encroachment of the forestland have escalated the instances of wildlife human conflict in recent times
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Pickled power
Hill women, long deprived of any economic rights, have found their independent, confident voice in activities spurred by a welfare group
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The role ahead
They may not seem like much today, but only a fool will undermine the potential of fuel cells
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Getting Greener
I hope our readers will find this report useftd and interesting. We would be delighted to receive their comments on how such an exercise can be improved in the future.