Lisbon forest fire toll rises to 14
The death toll from forest fires that have ravaged parts of Portugal has risen to 14 with the death of a pensioner from burns, the Lusa news agency reported.
Mumbai demands ban on soft-drinks
The country's commercial capital began witnessing a vociferous clamour for a ban on the sale of major soft-drink brands, said to be containing pesticides. Some consumer-friendly hotels in south Mumbai began withdrawing the well-known brands in the evening and the Bharatiya Yuva Morcha activists resorted to an agitation in front …
Delhi will remain green city: L-G
The lieutenant-governor of Delhi defended the guidelines for the Delhi Master Plan 2021 and assured that all cares would be taken for providing infrastructure and maintaining the green character of the capital city. Lieutenant-governor Vijai Kapoor defended the recently released Master Plan guidelines and said that these were mere guidelines …
Business as usual for bottled water firms
Six months after the Centre for Science and Environment came out with a report on pesticides in packaged drinking water, the industry has not felt the need to invest in upgraded processes. Contesting the CSE findings, packaged water producers like Bisleri, Coca-Cola and Pepsi said their facilities met World Health …
Change afforestation policy, says samiti
The Himalaya Bachao Samiti has expressed concern over a continuing thurst on raising pine plantations and urged the Forest Department to change its afforestation policy to achieve the twin objectives of soil and water conservation.
Focus on linking rivers
There is wastage of 90 per cent of the Godavari waters flowing into the sea even after irrigating the East and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh. Since much of the Godavari waters go waste, should not the Godavari-Krishna-Cauvery linkage receive the highest priority of governments? Access to water for …
Save trees, conserve water
Major cities should focus efforts and funds on conserving forests that naturally purify their drinking water, saving them from spending billions of dollars on water treatment facilities, a new study shows. The study of 105 big cities by the World Bank and the World Wide Fund for Nature showed that …
Alien weed threatening Kaziranga grassland
Gradual shrinkage of the all-important grassland in this abode of one-horned rhinoceros has thrown up a challenge before the Park authority. It has raised concern in the authority, which is looking for ways to conserve the grassland here. "Although shrinkage of grassland hasn't become an alarming problem yet it is …
Sydney battles roaring bushfires
Thousands of fire-fighters and home owners armed with garden hoses battled bushfires around Sydney on Thursday as helicopters flew blindly in the smoke dumping tonnes of water on flames. Strong winds bringing dry air from the outback fanned the fires for a second day, threatening to realise fears that this …
Indo-Norwegian afforestation plan under way
A Rs 12,000 crore Indo-Norwegian project is being finalised for afforestation, envisaging rehabilitation, development and scientific management of forests in Jammu and Kashmir. Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed discussed this programme with the Norwegian Ambassador Truls Hanevold.
Land allotted for tree plantation in Rajasthan
The Rajasthan Government has allotted 9,101 bighas of land to the State Forest Department for expansion of activities relating to tree plantation in areas adjacent to the Indira Gandhi canal. An official committee appointed to look into allotment of land took the decision after undertaking a joint survey and organising …
'Forest land claims will be settled'
Observing that neither the Union Government nor the Supreme court would come in the way of settling claims of people in forest land, the Centre today said it would act fast on such proposals sent in by the State governments with relevant records. Replying to a calling attention motion moved …
Heat Wave, forest fires wreak havoc across Europe
Twenty five people have perished in a series of raging forest fires that ravaged huge swathes of territory across Spain, Portugal, France and Italy as Europe continues to be in the grip of the worst heat wave since record keeping began 130 years ago.
Forecast thunderstorms add to Canada wildfire fear
Crews battling fierce forest fires in the parched mountains of British Columbia managed to hold their own against the flames, but they kept a nervous eye on the sky for forecast high winds and lightning strikes. The progress against three fires near Kamloops, about 170 miles northeast of Vancouver, has …
Water table goes up
The water levels in the Hyderabad city resevoirs may be precariously low, but the ground water table recorded an increase of 4.15 mt thanks to an excess of 27 per cent rainfall so far this monsoon.
Heat and light
The technology of monitoring and predicting forest is getting better, and the PDA could become the fireman's latest weapon. So far this year, some two and half hectares (6m acres) of North American forest have been consumed by fire, and several fires are still blazing in the west of the …
River management policy draft prepared
The Ministry of Water Resources has prepared the draft of a first-ever 'River Management Policy' to make river control initiatives more effective and to reduce water-induced disasters in the country.
Now, hazard to environment from forest protectors
Notwithstanding the Forest Conservation Act, the protectors of the green wealth are causing existing damage to the forest areas in the Shargeen village located in the periphery of the capital town of Himachal Pradesh.
Develop 'Navgraha Vatika' on Yamuna Banks
Noida authorities have come upon an idea to keep the environment under control and also to keep the society in touch with greenery. Horticulture department have decided to develop a 'Navgraha Vatika' on Yamuna banks. This was declared by the Special Officer-in-charge (Horticulture), Vashumitra Arora.
Forest official-furniture industry nexus in State: report
The furniture industry in Assam is flourishing due to the massive destruction of forests despite the Supreme Court's ban on timer felling. An enquiry conducted by the Commissioner of North Assam Division P P Verma has revealed that according to prima facie evidence, illegal timber from the reserved forest is …
