In 2019, the illegal wildlife trade reached staggering levels. Pangolin scales and ivory were being trafficked in massive quantities from Africa to Asia, exposing a network of crime syndicates operating at an industrial scale. The sheer volume of these shipments marked a disturbing milestone, one that revealed the global reach …
Last week, us president and oilman George Bush made his first statement on global warming, which has shocked environmentalists and European governments. But what we must realise is that his position, howsoever Neanderthal, is well calculated, strategic and frankly no different from the earlier us administration. Writing a letter to …
China's Haicheng earthquake on February 5, 1975 is the only earthquake that was accurately predicted. The earthquake measuring 7.3 on Richter scale was predicted on the basis of observations of change in land elevation and groundwater levels. Study of animal behaviours prior to the earthquake was a part of the …
The IPCC report came in for criticism from none other than China, the host of the Shanghai conference. Chinese representatives blamed the forum of ignoring views of scientists who believe global warming is a part of normal climatic fluctuations instead of a consequence of rising carbon dioxide emissions. "The organisation …
To combat air pollution, Hong Kong is going to make some areas of its busy commercial districts into traffic-free zones. Starting from later this year, vehicles will not be allowed to ply in several major roads as per the recommendations made by the transport ministry. The plan would cover popular …
At least 317 cases of killing and trafficking of protected wild animals have been reported in the Guangdong province of China during a recent five-day special inspection campaign. "At least 17,582 wild animals were confiscated during the campaign,' said Zhou Bingnan, deputy secretary-general of the province. According to Zhou, the …
China will invest us $24 billion in environmental protection efforts in the next five years. Five of the world's 10 most polluted cities are located in China, and acid rainfall has been observed in several regions. Environmental degradation can be attributed to 20 years of extensive economic development. "The government …
The Yellow River of China may soon dry up. The reasons behind this are drought, deforestation and mismanagement of water waste. "The situation has worsened significantly since the beginning of the 1980s,' says Cao Mingming, professor of environmental geography at Xibei University located in Xian city. Mingming believes that exploitative …
In order to preserve the marine environment, the Chinese government has decided to safely dispose old or damaged equipment used during offshore oil and gas exploration projects. The country plans to collaborate with other countries to find better solutions to save marine life. "This is being done so that a …
The Chinese government is likely to scrap a us $5.6 billion nuclear power project of Taiwan. The state-run Taiwan Power Company, Taipower has spent us $1.41 billion on the initial construction of the plant in the northern coastal township of Kungliao. Some government officials have stated that calling off the …
An ecofriendly way of waste disposal is being adopted by China. The country is constructing its largest rubbish-burning power plant in Shanghai. The plant is expected to generate 100,000 megawatts of electricity annually by burning 365,000 tonnes of waste. The project will cost us $30.17 million. The plant will discharge …
The Chinese government is becoming more critical and restrictive in evaluating the environmental and biosafety aspects of genetically modified ( gm ) plants. It is setting up a centre for assessing their environmental affects. It will also scrutinise its regulations pertaining to the transgenic crops. China is the first Asian …
To "save' the city of Beijing, Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji has ordered the killing of at least 300,000 cashmere goats in Inner Mongolia for "destroying the forests and causing degradation'. According to government officials, this is leading to desertification, which is spreading towards Beijing at the rate of more …
The Chinese government has agreed to end black-bear farming. Wildlife Conservation Association, a government-affiliated environmental group, and the Sichuan Forestry Department have decided to close bear farms in the Sichuan province and rescue 500 bears in five years. This is a result of a seven-year long campaign by the Jill …
a tidal wave along the Siang river in Arunachal Pradesh has claimed the lives of at least 26 persons. The death toll is expected to rise. The wave has also caused large-scale destruction. Every single bridge on the Siang was destroyed and the sand brought down by the river has …
GARBAGE and oil have choked up the source of Huangpu River in south China. This is bad news for Shanghai, which draws about 80 per cent of its drinking water from the Huangpu. According to state officials, the river water is unsuitable for human consumption. The greatest source of contamination …
The Chinese government's programme to achieve a "visible improvement" in the country's air quality within a span of 18 months, may be fulfilled four months earlier than expected. This is because the suppliers of ultra-low sulphur diesel, which is being imported for the implementation of this programme, have revised their …
two months after a pact on climate change and energy with India, the us has announced the signing of a similar agreement between us ambassador to China, Joseph Prueher, and Madame Zhu Lilan, China's minister of science and technology, in Beijing. "I am particularly pleased that the Chinese government is …
Despite being more expensive than conventionally grown crops, there is a growing preference for organic farming products, especially in the West and China. The primary reason seems to be their potential to push back genetically modified (GM) products. There is little hard evidence as to whether food produced by organic …
Over the years, the use of bio-technology ( bt ) has emerged as a useful means to control crop pests. Because bt produced toxins against the insects, it represents a potential transgenic solution for pest control. The Chinese have put in a lot of effort to develop a virus-resistant variety …
