In this report, ESCAP explores the future of urbanization in Asia and the Pacific, focusing on the dynamic shifts in the region’s urban landscape. It highlights the region’s demographic transformations, including population ageing, and the persistent challenges of urban poverty and inequality. The analysis covers urban areas of all sizes, …
The seasonal wetland which once used to attract a large number of birds from Europe, Siberia and Central Asia has seen a decline, says a study Rapid urbanisation, impetuous management and extensive land-use changes in its catchment area over the past two decades seem to have taken a serious toll …
The Environment Ministry on Wednesday gave clearance to four projects in the city some of which were pending for the past several years. These include a 250 bed hospital at PGI, multi-level parking lot at Sector 17, housing schemes in Sectors 52, 54 and 56 as well as flats at …
Coral reefs facing threat from pollution, dredging and blast fishing A swelling population, land use change, unscientific waste disposal, mining of corals, coastal erosion, and unregulated construction are exerting pressure on the Lakshadweep islands, one of the most sensitive and fragile coastal environments in the country. A study on the …
The government will spend Rs 1,700 crore on up-gradation and expansion of rural link roads, said Punjab Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra on Monday. Rakhra said training would be imparted to Sarpanchs and Panchs at the block-level while Zila Parishad and Block Samiti members would be trained …
A National Housing Policy has been drafted by construction sector experts to strengthen the Janasevana National Housing Initiative, combining decades of expertise in the provision of housing. The National Housing Policy will be officially presented to Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa who will in turn …
Central Groundwater Board report out The large-scale urbanisation has taken its toll on the groundwater resources in the districts falling in the National Capital Region (NCR) of Haryana. While painting a gloomy picture on the exploitation of groundwater, the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has termed 31 zones as “dark …
To understand the core processes and benchmarks that can transform cities into superior places to live and work, McKinsey developed and analyzed a comprehensive database of urban economic, social, and environmental performance indicators. The research included interviewing 30 mayors and other leaders in city governments on four continents and synthesizing …
This report is the outcome of the study on performance evaluation of STPs funded under National River Conservation Plan of Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India carried out by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The report envisages performance evaluation of 152 STPs spread over 15 states in the …
This major regional survey on climate change in Asia, presents the findings from India. It seeks to build a picture of how people live their lives and deal with change, in order to understand their communication needs and help them respond to changes and variations in climate.
An all-India survey on the situation of employment and unemployment in India was carried out as a part of the 66th round of the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) during the period July 2009 - June 2010. This nation-wide enquiry was conducted to provide estimates on various characteristics pertaining to …
The Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link project has got a coastal regulation zone clearance from the ministry of environment and forest (MoEF). The state will now make another attempt to build the bridge. The MoEF cleared MMRDA’s MTHL proposal on July 19, 2013. The clearance is crucial, given the wetland between the …
A list of reservations expressed by CII and FICCI regarding the land Bill. Industry has expressed apprehension on several points in the Land Acquisition Bill, which might be taken for discussion in Parliament on Thursday. The apprehensions cover several aspects, from the definition of ‘project affected’ to the requirement to …
The country saw opening of 3,000 km of new roads (dirt road) in the last three fiscal years (2010-11 to 2012-13). This has taken the total length of strategic and central level road network to 25,241 km. After the construction of 852 fresh roads in last fiscal year, the government …
The Government has taken steps to build a road network connecting 36,000 villages belonging to 14,009 Grama Seva divisions in the country, since 80 percent of the population live in rural and plantation areas, according to Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa. Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa launching the bridge building …
Despite tall claims by the public health department on tackling diseases, Maharashtra has achieved the dubious distinction of recording highest number of dengue deaths in the current year. Of the total 60 deaths, 23 were recorded in Maharashtra, followed by 19 in Kerala, 11 in Karnataka and six in Madhya …
Dengue cases have risen alarmingly across the country this year, with data showing an 80% rise in the disease till July 31 as compared to the same period last year. India has recorded 15,983 dengue cases so far in 2013 as compared to 8,899 cases in the corresponding months last …
The World Bank is providing US$302 million to implement the Second Rural Transport Improvement Project, which will improve around 5,250 km of union parishad and upazilla roads in 26 districts. The project will benefit approximately 22 million people living near roads and waterways that will be rehabilitated and maintained, a …
Around 2,300 trees were fell down whilst widening roads inside Kathmandu Valley within the last two years, said the Department of Roads (DoR) on Tuesday. The authorities chopped down dominant tree species such as oak, elm, beech, maple, fir and mimosa without preparing an environment assessment report prior to felling …
Random construction on the khoai (high and eroded) land at Shantiniketan has damaged the environment and ecological balance of the area, West Bengal Pollution Control Board told the Calcutta High Court Tuesday. The pollution board, through its counsel, advocate Nayan Chand Bihani, submitted a report in the high court stating …
After facing stiff opposition from environmentalists and water activists, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has decided to defer plans to redraw Zone 'O' of the Yamuna riverbed. Senior officials said the authority had discussed the concerns expressed by various individuals and organizations, and the proposal for transferring parts of Zone O …
