Parched province
In the arid regions of China, it's not just the residents who suffer from water shortage; local industry goes thirsty too. Economic growth is under threat in the very places the government seeks to encourage it most-the impoverished interior provinces. Even fanatical water conservation efforts are sometimes simply not enough.
FIs try to salvage Pune water project
Financial institutions have launched efforts to salvage the Rs 735 crore Pune water supply project that the Pune Municipal Corporation terminated two weeks ago without assigning any reason.The project was terminated under a clause in the bid document allowing the municipal corporation to annul the contract at its discretion during …
Ozone depletion sets new size record
NASA and NOAA satellites show that the Antarctic ozone thinning covers the largest expanse of territory since the depletion developed in the early 1980s. The measurements were obtained this year between mid-August and early October using the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) instrument aboard NASA's Earth Probe (TOMS -EP) satellite …
M.P. forest guards face 'murder threat'
The Forest Guards in Madhya Pradesh are an extremely demoralised lot these days as they costantly face the threat of murder from illict fellers and poachers. In the last five years, at least 35 forest guards have been killed while on duty in Madhya Pradesh. The number of those killed …
NWB to discuss water policy on Oct. 29
Judicious management and improved performance of the existing water resources sector will be given more emphasis than the development of additional sources, in the new National Water Policy (NWP) being contemplated by the Union Governemnt.The Policy, a draft of which is being circulated to all the States, will be discussed …
Major funds needed to overcome water crisis
In a recently submitted report to the Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board (GIDB), the state's water resources department, painting a grim picture of availability of water in the state over the next 25 years, says that a massive investment of Rs 36. 500 crore would be needed at the current price …
Will it be 'timber' for green logs?
In August, Montaya a Eugene based company in hardwood panels and plywood joined the Certified Forest Products Council, an organization that promotes the purchase of timber harvested in an environmentally sound way - that is, timber from trees cut selectively to allow sustainable, long term harvests. Such voluntary efforts are …
Next stop, home depot
With a record of converting the corporate, the Rainforest Action Network eyes its biggest quarry, Home Depot. Home Depot in US is the mammoth building-supply chain. The protests are the openign slavo in what promises to be a hardball campaign to force the Atlanto based chain to stop selling products …
SC moved for review of ban on old trucks
The All-India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) has filed a petition in the Supreme Court urging a review of its July 28 order banning 15 years-and-above old vehicles from plying on the roads with effect from October 2 this year.
Mill makes first "green" paper
A New York paper mill has just completed its first run of printing and writing paper certifieid to have come from a well-managed forest. The paper, produced by the Lyons Falls Pulp and Paper Mill, is the first prodcued under the National Wildlife Federation's regional SmartWood certification initiative.
Afforestation in Naga hills
The forest department of Nagaland has decided to take up an afforestation programme for the regeneration of degraded forests with the objective of converting such areas to "productive forests."
Japan grants Rs 500 cr. to boost forest wealth
Japan has granted a Rs 500 crore assistance to the state to improve its forest wealth over a period of five years, according to the Tamil Nadu minister of Forests, Mr. Pongalur N. Palanisamy.
Deforestation rate alarming in Nepal
Despite the government's pledge to stop deforestation, timber smuggling across the border and the government's haphazard planning and ineffective policies are leading to the destruction of forests. According to a World Bank Report (1979-1991), deforestation in Nepal has increased at the rate of 1.3 percent each year in the past …
Rural energy development programme in Sindhupalchok
The Rural Energy Development Programme has been launched in Sindhupalchok district of Nepal to use small hydro power as the main infrastructure for the development in the rural areas. The main objective of the programme is to raise living standard and protect the enviornment.
Theft of tendu leaves detected
The much publicised tendu leaf collection in Madhya Pradesh through the primary cooperative societies of tribals and weaker sections has started showing strains. There is also ample evidence to indicate that vested interest with strong political roots may be involved in the large scale theft of tendu leaf and manipulation …
Plan to expedite work on cleaning up Ganga
With a view to expediting a result-oriented work under the National River Conservation Programme (NRCP), the Union Minister for Environment & Forests, Mr. Suresh Prabhu, is proposing to hold a series of meetings with Members of Parliament representing areas covered by the Ganga and the Yamuna Action Plan. The idea …
Restoration of Delhi ridge to be expedited
Possibility of acquiring land falling under green area as per the master Plan 2001, adjacent to the South-Central ridge, to ensure its continuity will be explored. This was decided in a meeting to expedite the restoration process of the Delhi ridge convened by the Lieutenant-governor, Mr Vijau Kapoor, today.
Mafia encroaches on Himachal forest land
Large-scale encroachment of forest land is going on unchecked in the apple belt of Himcahal. These violations are highest in the Shimla district, which along accounts for over half of the total encroachment cases in the entire state. Emboldened and inspired by the local timber mafia, who after occupying and …
Yangtze-to-Yellow tunnels scheme revived
Experts are dusting off old plans to divert the Yangtze which ravaged the south in the summer floods while the north was hit by a drought of the Yellow River. "Considered from a long-term point of view, diversion projects are necessary to supply water to the Yellow River," Liu Changming, …
Afforestation project reduces dust levels
A major ongoing afforestation project has significantly reduced wind and dust levels in Beijing and Tianjin. Recent statistics for Beijing, show that the 16.5 tons of dust deposited per kilometer during 1997 represented a drop of 4.5 tons on the 1986 level. Silt accumulating in the Miyun Reservoir, the capital's …
