The global cost of disasters is growing: The economic burden of disasters is intensifying. While the direct costs of disasters averaged $70–80 billion a year between 1970 and 2000, between 2001 and 2020 these annual costs grew significantly to $180–200 billion. But the real cost is far higher. Disaster costs …
A remarkable fact about the recent debate about Singur is that it is so much about land, and so little about cars. Yet a thousand acres of land is really not very much, given that the state has over 1.3 crore acres of cultivated land, and even Mamata Banerjee cannot …
the Andaman and Nicobar administration has decided to open 50 sites in 15 islands to set up environmentally sensitive hotels and beach resorts under the Union territory's 2006 tourism plan. The islands open to bidders are: Neil, Havelock, Little Andaman, North Passage, Peel, Aves Island, Rutland, Baratang, Cinque, Interview, Long …
Differences in the structure of the ocean floor off the coast of Sumatra could explain why the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake created a much larger tsunami than a similar magnitude quake the following year, according to a study.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands are one of the most diverse but fragile Island landscapes where developmental activities have caused serious implications, resulting in loss of habitat and subsequent extinction of species. This study seeks to identify areas with various levels of biological richness using appropriate satellite remote sensing data, human …
The World Health Organisation (WHO) named the Air Force Command Hospital, Bangalore, as their model hospital in 1999. Their hospital waste management (HWM) is an integrated approach consisting essentially of hydroclaving and incineration. An autoclave and microwave is used in disinfection of certain specific instruments and wastes from laboratory and …
After the success of the Mundanmudy project, rcss applied to the Union ministry of non-conventional energy for the dealership of Aditya solar shop, a shop that sells solar equipment in Cochin. Without much trouble, the ministry accepted the request and the shop has been running successfully ever since. Of the …
India has achieved record surplus food production, yet there is no nutrition security for its one billion people -- Projections show India is moving towards negative growth in coarse grain production -- Production of coarse grains is declining as the government promotes only rice and wheat -- Coarse cereals are …
SCIENCE FOR ECOLOGICAL SECURITYThe Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)New Delhihas recently set up a laboratory to monitor pollution. Its aim is to conduct scientific studies and generate public awareness about pesticides and heavy metal contamination of foodwater and soil. It provides scientific services at affordable prices to communities that …
Losing colourFrom central America to Austrelia, from the 2,000-km Great Barrier Ref to the small, reefs in Pacific islets, bleaching takes the life out of corals the world over Corals, the rainforests of the oceans, are dying. Victims of global warming, scientists say 10 per cent of the Earth's coral …
According to a study conducted by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, us, 1998 was the warmest year in 1,200 years . The rate of warming has also been on the rise since the 1970s, says a National Aeronautics and Space Administration study. This gives many scientists reason to believe that …
In the old days, miners carried canaries with them when they went to the shafts to dig out coal. Canaries were to serve as an indicator for the presence of the toxic methane gas in the mines. When the canaries showed any sign of discomfort, miners were forewarned of the …
The relentless drive towards blanket modernisation is proving to be the death knell for six tribes that inhabit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The islands are home to the Great Andamanese, the Onge, the Jarawas, the Sentinelse, the Nicobarese and the Shompens. According to Kalpavriksh, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), a …
THE Andaman & Nicobar islands, with their soft green cover, crystal clear water, thick tropical forests, rich marine ecosystems and ancient tribes almost 2,000 years behind modernity, living in harmony with nature are facing crisis at this point of time in history. The pressure on natural resources from a limited …
THE inky blue waves of the Bay of Bengal wash the shores of one of the most beautiful archipelagos anywhere. But the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar (A&N;) Islands is much more than just a tourist destination. Housing the infamous Cellular Jail, Andaman had once symbolised colonial subjugation. But …
The discovery of a dormant volcano in an undersea ridge flanking the Barren Islands in the Andamans has galvanised the forest and wildlife officials into preparing plans to study the impact on the archipelago's flora and fauna in case the volcano erupts. The existence of the volcano came to light …
WIDESPREAD deforestation and heavy siltation are steadily destroying the beautiful, but ecologically fragile, coral reefs of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. The islands experience high rainfall, 50 per cent to 90 per cent of which runs off into the sea. Bad land use practices result in high turbidity which then …
