Nearly 65% of adults in the Arab region remain excluded from formal financial systems, according to a new report by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). The Annual SDG Review 2025 paints a sobering picture of persistent financial exclusion that is undermining the region’s ability …
The Brazilian government will provide about us $2 million to support research in areas such as therapeutic cloning, which involves using cells and tissues from cloned human embryos to replace those damaged by cancer, heart attacks, car accidents, burns and other kinds of mishaps. The new fund known as the …
A us $108.8 million global fund has been raised to tackle environmental problems and nuclear waste in northwest Russia. At a recent conference in Brussels, the European Commission pledged us $50.33 million for the fund and Russia, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands offered us $10.06 million each. The …
the failure to construct rainwater harvesting structures in individual dwellings and large establishments in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad in Andhra Pradesh could lead to seizure of land by the government. This recent announcement was made by Andhra Pradesh chief minister (cm) N Chandrababu Naidu. The government is …
Indonesia's tropical forests are fast dwindling, courtesy rampant illegal logging. Taking stock of the situation, the country has now imposed a permanent ban on log exports. In October 2001, a joint decree banning exports of logs was passed temporarily. The government discussed the matter with the International Monetary Fund (imf) …
The Supreme Court has suggested that the forested states, which lose revenue because of the ban on felling of trees should be compensated for keeping their forests intact. Protection of the biological hotspots should be the responsibility of the country, says the court, and therefore, if the state protects its …
UPDATE Beached! Non-government organisations get the sinking feeling that the wssd will deliver nothing, after the final preparatory meeting in Bali comes to no good "M r Annan, the Earth Summit is sinking,' alarmed civil society groups wrote to un Secretary General Kofi Annan, after the final preparatory meeting to …
After 30 long years of virtual inaction by the powers that be and a violent struggle by local communities, the fate of the 710-megawatt (mw) Koel Karo hydroelectric project is sealed. Or so it seems, with sources in the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (nhpc) claiming that the project
The Supreme Court gave a green light to the Rs 250-crore Ganga Action Plan (GAP) Phase II. The project, which was held up due to stay orders from courts, will be resumed after a long gap. Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam is all set to launch the project.
Heads of panchayati raj institutions have aggressively set the government a deadline to amend the Indian constitution and implement changes that would forcibly impact and empower Village India. It would give villages control over natural resources like water, minor forest produce and minerals, which at present lies with the state …
extreme measures do work! Like it did for the staff of Valmiki Tiger Reserve who had not been paid their salaries since October last year. As a culmination of their efforts, the Supreme Court has now ordered the Bihar government to pay salaries to its employees at the Valmiki Tiger …
there is no money to conduct an elephant census in Meghalaya. Faced with frequent human-pachyderm conflicts, the state forest department had planned an elephant census last month as part of its elephant conservation programme. However, the project has failed to take off due to paucity of finance. Several conservation schemes …
it is convoluted logic. While the world talks of lowering vehicular pollution and encouraging non-polluting vehicles, the Indian finance minister goes ahead and increases excise duty on cng, the green fuel and yes, the humble bicycle, the most economical and non-polluting mode of travel. Four major bicycle manufacturers, United Cycle …
Going Green Pays The us has agreed to cancel a portion of Peruvian debt following the government's commitment to conserve and maintain its biodiversity and forest areas. The visiting us President George Bush recently signed a pact to this effect with Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo. Under the deal, organisations Conservation …
on march 14, 2002, the Supreme Court (sc) slapped an "exemplary damage' of Rs 10 lakh on Span Motels Private Limited (smpl), a resort in which former Union environment minister Kamal Nath's wife is a major shareholder, for causing environmental degradation by changing the course of Beas river. The judgement …
"WE are aware of the sad plight of most of our towns and cities. This needs to be changed if they have to act as engines of growth, and if they are to provide a healthy environment for our citizens. Hence, we can no longer afford to delay reforms in …
As always , in the run up to Budget 2002-2003, there was much speculation about what the budget would or would not contain, and what finance minister Yashwant Sinha might or might not say in his speech. February 28 has come and gone, and the speculation is over. Budget pundits …
• The Supreme Court has asked the chief secretary of Bihar to file an affidavit regarding the killing of District Forest Officer (DFO) Sanjay Singh by " perhaps those indulging in illegal mining activities'. • Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot is seeking funds from the Union government for the development …
The run-up to the budget is curiously silent on the environment front. But then, if the Union budget of last year, or for that matter the ones preceding it, is anything to go by, it is not surprising. The finance minister may once more end up playing to the corporate …
in an attempt to assist organic farmers, the Union government is intending to clamp one per cent tax on chemical fertilisers. Union minister of state for finance Balasaheb Vikhe Patil recently said that the funds collected through the cess would be utilised to help agriculturists cope with the changes in …
