Water crisis looms over Ghaziabad as 33 tube-wells fail
The underground water table is drying up. After the failure of monsoon this year, the Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation has identified 33 such tubewell where the water table has gone down by 7 to 10 meters. Hence out of 165 tube-wells operating within Municipal limits 33 have been decalred 'failed'.
After Delhi, UP to go in for CNG
After Delhi, it's time for Uttar Pradesh to shift to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Four cities, Lucknow, Kanpur, Bareilly including Agra, will shift to the CNG-fuelled public transport system in the first phase. Being close to Delhi and constantly in the world's eyes due to the pollution threat to the …
Civilisation existed in Gujarat 9,500 yrs ago
In an underwater survey carried out in the gulf, NIOT scientist discovered a civilisation where people of the early Holocene Age, about 9,500 years before the present era, mixed clay with straw to make bricks for their homes.
Three more Indian sites to get UNESCO heritage status
The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) today announced that it would consider three more Indian cultural sites for the World Heritage Site (WHS) status at a convention to be held in China next week. The sites are Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus, earlier called Victoria Terminus in Mumbai, and …
Call to protect Galle Fort from disintegration
The Galle Fort Heritage Protection Society (GFHPS) (Sri Lanka) has submitted an appeal to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse and Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Minister Vijitha Herath to prevent the disintegration of the historic Galle Fort by foreigners purchasing land within it. Galle Fort is a UNESCO declared World Heritage …
More evidence points to meteor in mass extinction
A recently discovered layer of glassy fragments could only have been made by a meteor slamming into Earth and helps prove such an impact nearly wiped out life on the planet 250 million years ago, scientists said. They outlined what they believe is an ancient crater left by the impact …
Gas prices mute america`s love for big SUVs
Some car buyers are taking diesel-powered Volkswagens for a test drive; others are trading in their sport utility vehicles for family sedans, or opting for a model with a smaller engine. The recent rise in U.S. gasoline prices to record levels has Americans shopping for more fuel-efficient cars, and has …
New archaeological sites discovered
The archaeology and museums department (Pakistan) has discovered 140 archaeological sites and Buddhist monuments in Swabi district, an official said. "These historical sites and cultural wealth belonging to the third century BC to the 18th century AD were discovered during a survey conducted in the area, said Archaeology and Museums …
Cabinet bans wheat export, approves pesticides policy
To curb cross-border movement and smuggling, Pakistan Cabinet decided to impose ban on export of wheat forthwith, and directed the Ministry of Interior and the provincial governments to ensure its enforcement. The Cabinet also directed the Federal and the provincial agencies to safeguard the interests of small growers by eliminating …
AP Govt seeks World Heritage status for historical status for historical sites
The Andhra Pradesh Government will appoint a consultant to project the archaelogical sites of the state before UNESCO to get the World Heritage Status, the State Principal Tourism and Culture Secretary, Ms Chandana Khan, said. Briefing newspersons, she said a committee was formed to look into the matter of applying …
A successful conservation story
The Mehrauli Archaeological Park -- located next door to the Qutab complex is -- probably the "best'' conserved part of the city. A successful collaboration between the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC), the State Department of Archaeology, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Indian National Trust for …
Capital may soon have to recycle waste-water
With no new source of water being envisaged and planned in the near future, residents of the Capital would soon have to 'recycle' waste-water for even meeting their basic daily requirements. Officials working on the Chief Minister's dream of providing drinking water "round the clock'' to the residents of the …
`Haryana has legitimate share in Ravi-Beas waters`
A senior river valley expert, A.N.Malhotra, questioned the views disputing Haryana's claims on Ravi Beas river waters. In a statement issued, Mr. Malhotra asserted that Haryana had a legitimate share in Ravi-Beas waters. In fact, Haryana had a right to be allotted additional water, which the Eradi Tribunal found available …
Chhattisgarh to become Heritage State
Realising that the new State of Chhattisgarh was "full of surprises'' - some three years after it was carved out of Madhya Pradesh - the State Government has started a move to declare it as a Heritage State. A proposal in this regard was recently submitted by the Chhattisgarh Government …
THE WSF PHENOMENON
On most counts the 2004 meeting of the World Social Forum in Mumbai has been a resounding success. The fourth annual meeting drew 80,000 participants and it had representatives from around the world, even if the overwhelming majority came from the host country. The WSF was witness to hundreds of …
Conference asks soft drink MNCs to end water exploitation
The leader of the Confederation Paysanne, the farmers' organisation of France, Jose Bove, has called upon resistance movements to launch a "worldwide struggle against transnational companies which exploit natural resources like water, by making it a priced commodity to make profit".
More Agra monuments could join hall of fame
Some more monuments of Agra may join the United Nations Economic, Social and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) list of World Heritage Monuments apart from the world-famous Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. This shall make Agra the first city in the world with the largest number of World Heritage Monuments. …
That WSF bubble
Discontent can be heady. It can also fuel a colourful roadshow. The World Social Forum has come to Mumbai and an amorphous community of social activists, anti-globalisation polemists, environmental agitationists, cultural conscience keepers and anything-goes anarchists has set up temporary base. Arundhati Roy has strummed the opening tune of anti-imperialism: …
Hampi remains on world heritage endangered list
The 28th convention of the World Heritage Committee held in Suzou City, China, has expressed its appreciation at the measures initiated by the state government to develop Hampi, while deciding to retain Hampi in the endangered list. The state government's action to postpone the construction of the hanging bridge between …
Kotla invaded: ASIs restoration threat to monument
Labourers engaged to restore Firoz Shah Kotla, a protected monument, by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have occupied the 14th century tombs within the complex. Conservationists are outraged but ASI doesn't find anything wrong. For over a month now, the labourers have been using a tomb to stay, cook and …
