Think India Foundation

Not many great Indian bustards left in the wild

The endemic great Indian bustard (GIB) is about to be extinct. It is one of the most magnificent grassland bird. Its can reach more than three feet in height. And only 300-odd birds remain in the wild today. If you visualise, they are just as many as the pigeons feeding on grains near a temple. In the ’60s, they were found in 11 states of our country but now they are restricted to only six states, of which Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka have single digit population. In three states – Gujrat, Maharstara and Andhra Pradesh, the figure is between 25 and 35, each. Only Rajasthan has the largest population of GIBs – about 150 to 170. Experts are saying it is extinct from almost 90 per cent of its former range. If a tiger is perceived as the soul of Indian forest, GIB is the soul of the grassland. But grassland can easily be converted into agricultural lands and, therefore, GIBs are under bigger threat.
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Source : mydigitalfc.com

Designed to kill: Trees versus development

For sustainability and natural balance of the eco-system, forest cover of one-third of land area is considered desirable.

In pre-independent India, green cover was in the vicinity of about 40%. Today, we have depleted it to nearly 23%, most of it under the pretext of development and mainly to cater to ever increasing consumerism. As per quick estimate, human habitation over the globe account for only 6% of surface. The scary part is that even with only 6% space occupied for habitation, we feel the pinch of resource scarcity. It implies that we have perhaps consumed the resources of remaining 94% for sustenance of the six. Read more

Source : dnaindia.com

IIT Bombay students go green

Mumbai : Contrary to the popular perception that IITians do not give enough back to society, students at IIT Bombay have come up with their own unique way of spreading environmental awareness.

With the backing of an institute that boasts of momentous research in the development of eco-friendly technology, these students are willing to step beyond mere academic pursuits. The IIT Bombay Green Campus Initiative was launched a year ago with the objective of transforming the institution of world-class repute into a futuristic model of ecological sustainability and energy efficiency. Read more

Source : dnaindia.com

Resources, implementation bugbears for environment management

Issues concerning the quality of air, water, soil, trees and other environmental and ecological attributes are at the top of the agenda in almost all discussions of our transforming society. However, the economic linkages that these issues deserve are not coming together owing both to India's economic position and individual commitment. As a result, we see a huge environmental and economic imbalance resulting in a slow pace of environmental improvements in the country.

If only intent and the content of policy are taken into account, India's environment should have been on a par with the rest of the developed world as legislations are comparable. Water, air and other waste are expected to be managed effectively and there are obligations to protect the ecology and the environment. However, implementation is far from satisfactory. Read more

Source : articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com

Agencies pass buck as Gurgaon drain raises a stink

Gurgaon : An open drain in the heart of the city, near Richmond Park and Garden Villa in DLF Phase-4, is posing a serious health hazard to residents. Reeking of muck and filth, the pool of stagnant water has become a garbage dumping site, including construction waste, raising serious ecological concerns. It used to be a natural drain flowing from Ghata village (in Aravalli hills) towards NH-8 along the forest bund. 

A portion of 500 metres of the drain has got landlocked between two culverts — one at Sector 27 and other at the entry gate of Excelsior American School — blocking the flow of water. Read more

Source : hindustantimes.com

‘Marshes aren’t wastelands, don’t dump toxic waste there’

Mumbai : Girish Chandwadkar, 32, a Thane resident is passionate about bird photography and visits mangroves in and around Mumbai during holidays.

But lately, Chandwadkar feels that infrastructure projects have rapidly encroached on mangroves around the city. “Today, we are surrounded by an absolute concrete jungle from all sides. Eco-systems like wetlands and mangroves will be remembered only through pictures and videos,” said Chandwadkar, consultant, communication design, Tata Interactive Services. Read more

Source : hindustantimes.com 

‘Marshes can be paradise for city’s birds, marine life’

Mumbai : A three-hour walk around small walkways in the Bhandup wetlands off the Eastern Express Highway on Sunday morning left Nidhi Trivedi, 19, fascinated with the marine eco-system. “The entire mangrove stretch is so pristine,” said Trivedi, a student of Nirmala Niketan College of Social Work,Churchgate. 

As the city gears up to celebrate World Wetlands Day on Thursday, Trivedi’s concern echoes this year’s theme for wetlands: ‘Wetlands and Tourism’. Read more

Source : hindustantimes.com

Watershed programmes for maintaining ecosystem

Kohima (DIPR): The North East Regional review meeting for Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) got under way on January 17, 2012 with Minister for Urban Development Dr. Shurhozelie gracing the inaugural function as the chief guest at the Conference Hall of Directorate of Land Resources, Kohima.

The chief guest said that the Ministry of Rural Development, Department of Land Resources, Government of India in partnership with the state departments of Land Resources has been implementing watershed programme that aims at maintaining the ecosystem services while also meeting livelihood needs through active involvement of the community for more productive and sustainable use of the available resources. He said that the implementation of watershed programmes in Nagaland fits well in to the jhum system and is well accepted by the people. Read more

Source : morungexpress.com

Students of Phokhungri urged to develop unshakeable will power

Dimapur (MExN): The 8th general conference of the Phokhungri Area College Students Union (PACSU) was held at Sütsü village of Phek district from January 6 to 8, 2012 under the theme “Elevating the status.” A press note issued by PACSU President, Thomas Feedhu said that Neihu C. Thur, IAS, Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, Urban Development graced the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest.

In his address to the gathering Thur advised the people, particularly the young college students, to realise who they are and reminded them that they have special purpose in the society that is service to the humanity. He emphasised the need a strong moral character and development of attractive personality. He advised the students that if they read and obey Exodus 20: 1-17 they can never go wrong. He reminded that as per Genesis 1:27, God has created us in His own image and that makes us special creatures. He encouraged the students to extensively develop reading habit. He also encouraged the student to live a strong and develop unshakeable will power and strong determination to achieve success in life. Read more

Source : morungexpress.com

Phokhungri area students asked to conserve Pochury land

DIMAPUR : The 8th general conference of Phokhungri Area College Students Union (PACSU) was held at Sütsü village of Phek district from January 6-8 on the theme “Elevating the status” with Neihu C. Thur, IAS, secretary to the government of Nagaland, urban development as the chief guest.

Thur reminded the students that the Pochury land covered 50% of Phek district and asked them to protect, care, conserve and preserve their land environmentally and ecologically. Read more

Source : nagalandpost.com

‘Development restricted, not banned in eco-fragile zone’

Ahmedabad : The state forest department, which has asked the real estate industry and project developers to follow standard procedure for approval of development in a 10 km radius of a sanctuary, seems to lack clarity.

Developers who have projects in the area are, though, firm in their opinion that if one has obtained permission from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), no one can challenge it. In case any authority is compelled to revoke the permission, then they have to offer an option. Read more

Source : dnaindia.com

Panel: take locals' inputs for demarcating Western Ghats ESZs

KOCHI : Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel recommendation to MoEF

The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) has recommended to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest to provisionally notify the limits of Ecologically Sensitive Zones. It suggested that the final delimitation be carried out with extensive inputs from local communities and local bodies. Read more

Source : thehindu.com

PM rings out bad year with pledge

New Delhi : Good riddance, 2011, be gone for good. To a year that left him looped in the pit of the worst crises of his political life, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today delivered a parting kick, saying it was a time he did not even wish to dwell on.

Manmohan Singh

Underlying his elaborate message sent out to the nation this evening was a palpable yearning that his troubles will expire with the lapsing of the annual calendar, and UPA II will emerge from the wintry mist, its messy slate wiped clean, its future bright and shining. There is a tabula rasa wished in the New Year for which the Prime Minister has a ready script of commandments aimed at inspiring a stable turn to the trembled UPA leaf. Read more

Source : telegraphindia.com

Kalam’s three-point recipe for graft-free India

New Delhi: Even as the ongoing debate about the Lokpal Bill reaches a crescendo, one man believes he has the answer to the malady of corruption that India suffers from. A three-point movement stressing on education, values and the parent-child equation should provide the magic formula, believes former president APJ Abdul Kalam.

"The Lokpal Bill is definitely going to shape a new law to punish or take action against people who indulge in corruption. But the issue is how fast can you take action?" asked India's "missile man". Read more

Source : zeenews.india.com 

Some capital concerns

A city is a cocktail of its ecology, its populace and those who hope to control it. Who influences these factors, and how, determines how equitable and sustainable a city is. A hundred is not old for any city. But since New Delhi is India's prima donna city, it's  turning 100 this year is an opportunity to reflect on what it has to offer to other cities in a rapidly urbanising India.

Delhi's recent history offers four distinct ideas. First, don't poison your plate. Delhi is an ecological mess. The air is overwhelmed with toxic pollutants. The Yamuna, which provides water to Delhi, is also its sewage dump. Our trash, slated to double in the next decade, contaminates our water and soil and emits greenhouse gases. The pivotal green belt, the ridge, has been under assault for years. It's true that thousands of trees have been planted and the expanded public transportation system has been a relief. But this isn't enough. Other cities should plan climate adaptation in ways that include the poor and the rich. They must make public transportation efficient, affordable and safe, decentralise handling of trash and human waste, and incentivise optimum consumption of resources. Read more

Source : hindustantimes.com

Satkosia beckons you

BHUBANESWAR: Good news for nature lovers. Those who want to soak in the serene atmosphere of Satkosia, with the gorgeous Mahanadi flowing by the side, a community-managed nature camp in Chotkei village is all set to challenge the nature lover in you.

This eco-tourism initiative which has been developed under the Orissa Forestry Sector Development Project (OFSDP) with support from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), will be run by the Eco Development Committee (EDC) which has been operating the tented facilities on the river bed of Mahanadi for last several years. Read more

Source : ibnlive.in.com

Hyderabad: How green was my city!

HYDERABAD: In the concrete jungle that the city is, children grow up without even so much as touching a plant, except perhaps at a park once in a blue moon. While one cannot ignore the requirements of development of any urban space, has Hyderabad been able to maintain a balance between ecological and economical concerns? The answer from most officials, activists and citizens is a resounding NO.

Has Hyderabad been able to maintain a balance between ecological and economical concerns?

Mention Hyderabad’s green heritage to him, Haleem Akhter Siddiqui, one of the owners of The Deccan Pen Stores, travels back in time to describe how the city was draped in green just a few decades ago. Born in the 50s, Akhter Siddiqui has spent all his life in the city. He has been a resident of Abids and even to this day, all his brothers stay together in the haveli built by his father in the early 30s. Read more

Source : ibnlive.in.com

Young ecologists to discuss biodiversity issues

Guwahati (PTI) : Young ecologists from across the country would meet here at the IIT Guwahati for a three-day conference on ecology, evolution, animal behaviour and conservation from December 13. 'Young Ecologist Talk and Interact' (YETI) will highlight important biodiversity issues from North-East India and would emphasise the need for increased data sharing to enhance the growth of ecological studies and conservation science in the country, the organisers said in a release.

The conference is being organised by students across the country with support from several organisations, including WWF-India, Nature Conservation Foundation, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment and Aaranyak. Read more

Source : ibnlive.in.com

Sewage to get better treatment in Kochi

KOCHI: The chances of Kochi getting a better sewerage treatment system has brightened with the Corporation deciding to speed up the proceedings to implement the project for the construction of a sewerage treatment plant at Mundamveli.

The project was at a standstill following the Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority’s order to stop the work based on reports that mangroves in the ecologically-sensitive area were axed for construction purpose. But, later the Union Ministry for Environment and Forests gave nod to the project after finding that the Corporation had followed all norms. Read more

Source : ibnlive.in.com

Winged visitors give Assam wetland a miss

GUWAHATI: The winter has set in as the harbinger of bad news for bird lovers in the state. Compared to last year, the arrival of migratory birds at Deepor Beel Bird Sanctuary, 15 km southwest of Guwahati, has been abysmally low this winter. According to experts, increasing pollution and disturbances caused by humans are affecting ecology of the wetland. Deepor Beel is the only wetland in the state on the list of Ramsar sites.

"Last year, by November there were over 5,000 migratory aquatic birds of different species at the beel. This year, November is almost at an end and the number seems to be hovering around a mere 2,000. Some of the species have arrived only recently. I spotted some gadwalls, common teals, a few pairs of ruddy shelducks, common pochards and coots only this month. Last year, these species started arriving much earlier, with the onset of winter," birdwatcher and local guide Lakhan Teron said. Read more

Source : articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Tree planting, a disaster for birds, environment

CHENNAI: “Let’s plant more trees; let’s save the environment” has been the buzzword for scores of city-based non profit organisations, the municipal corporation and other government departments. Ministers, Mayors, NGO leaders and cine actors planting saplings while posing for photographs appear every day in the media. But mindless tree planting may do more harm to the city’s ecology than good, say experts.Planting of more trees could spell disaster to birds and wildlife typical to Chennai’s landscape, says Dr RJ Ranjith Daniels, Managing Trustee of Care Earth Trust, who recalls Chennai’s ecological history to support his argument. “Chennai is a coastal city prone to cyclonic storms and windy weather. Hence, never except perhaps in the pre-history period did Chennai have so many trees,” says Ranjith, an expert ecologist who has figured in many governmental and nongovernmental panels on the subject.

Chennai’s contemporary ecological history, according to Daniels, is categorised by the presence of predominantly large areas of grasslands, open forests, scrub jungles, and mangroves barring a few patches of tree canopy found only in certain pockets like areas near Pallavaram hills and so on. “Most other areas never had so many trees as at present expect a few Palmyra,” he says. Read more

Source : ibnlive.in.com

Lit up with art,music,behold the Yamuna

New Delhi : In the dark, a small stretch of the bank along the otherwise polluted Yamuna resembled an oasis of light. Dotted with installations of objects connected to the river and its fragile ecology, a string of over 1,000 bottles lit with fluorescent LED sticks drew light patterns across the water.

Welcome to the 'Yamuna-Elbe Public Art and Outreach Program', an initiative to connect the river Elbe in Hamburg, Germany, to the Yamuna in Delhi. Read more

Source : dailypioneer.com

‘India needs to rethink the village economy’

WE NEED to put an economic value on the environment. Europe’s $1 trillion rescue package is making the news today but focus on this fact. We are losing $2-$4.5 trillion of natural capital every year through deforestation. A green economy is one that improves human well-being and reduces poverty but does so while also reducing the massive risk factors.

City people see the environment as a luxury because of their consumerist lifestyle — but they’re wrong. If you want to understand a green lifestyle, ask a villager why he resists ‘development’ projects. Unfortunately, we don’t listen to villagers. The number one focus for the Indian economy today should be to rethink the village economy, especially agriculture. We need a judicious mix of local, ecologically- friendly farming methods, and technologies adding to the incomes of the villagers. We cannot merely destroy farmers’ reliance on nature. Read more

Source : tehelka.com

Forest dept to recover 100 ha of Pallikaranai marshland

CHENNAI: As part of the plan to protect the Pallikaranai marshland, officials of various state agencies are discussing ways to reclaim 100 hectares of the marsh from the Chennai Corporation. The ecologically-sensitive area, which adjoins the notified dumping yard at Perungudi in south Chennai, has been deteriorating steadily.

The forest department has been told to take up the paperwork with the civic body. "The reclamation of the 100 hectares will help protect the marshland better along with the already notified reserve forest area," an official told TOI. The government is keen on roping in individuals and firms in the field of wetland restoration to take up a project to revive the marshland on the lines of the Adyar creek. Preliminary talks are on among the municipal administration, revenue and forest departments. Read more

Source : articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com

The impact of ecological limits on population growth

Demographers are predicting that world population will climb to 10 billion this century. But with increasing pressure on water and food supplies will this projected population boom turn into a bust?

This year marks the arrival of the seven billionth human. But with increasing pressure on water and food supplies will this projected population boom turn into a bust? Photograph: Ace stock Ltd/Alamy/Alamy

The hard part about predicting the future, someone once said, is that it hasn't happened yet. So it's a bit curious that so few experts question the received demographic wisdom that the Earth will be home to roughly 9 billion people in 2050 and a stable 10 billion at the century's end. Demographers seem comfortable projecting that life expectancy will keep rising while birth rates drift steadily downward, until human numbers hold steady with 3 billion more people than are alive today. Read more

Source : guardian.co.uk

Action plan on climate change in Manipur

IMPHAL – The draft report on the Manipur State Action Plan on Climate Change, covering sectors like ecosystem, bio-diversity and livelihood sustainability, water resources, agriculture, health, forest, energy, urban planning, resource and development, human resource development, etc., is likely to be published soon.

To finalise the State Action Plan to be implemented with Environment and Ecology Wing of the Government of Manipur as nodal agency, a State-level consultative workshop was held at Hotel Classic here recently. Read more

Source : assamtribune.com

Nandankanan zoo’s green dream shattered

Bhubaneswar : Nandankanan Zoological Park may no more be the perfect stopover for people looking to escape from the city’s concrete jungle.

An affidavit filed by the forest and environment department before the high court last year had said that it had no proposal to declare even an area of one-kilometre around the zoological park as a designated green belt. Read more

 

 

Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Source : telegraphindia.com

Delhi: Man saves wild animals battling for life

New Delhi: India's urban spaces are more than just concrete jungles. They harbour animals like jackals, mongoose and nilgai. But life in a metro can also be tough for these creatures. A porcupine was rescued from an 18-feet well, a wolf snake gave the athletes a scare when it showed up in their rooms during the Commonwealth Games and a nilgai that was injured by speeding traffic. One man, Kartick Satyanarayan has been rescuing and rehabilitating the troubled wild creatures of the capital city for over a decade.

"It's important that we bring more awareness so that they realise that these creatures are not there to bite them or attack them, but they are just performing their ecological role," Kartick said. Read more

Source : ibnlive.in.com

World economy to bear the brunt of climate change

The risks posed by climate change are global and quiet difficult to reverse quickly. The warming of the planet will be gradual, but the frequency and severity of extreme weather events such as intense storms, heat waves, droughts and floods could be abrupt and the consequences will be dramatically felt. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), eighteen heat-waves were reported in India between 1980 and 1998. A heat-wave in 1988 caused 1300 deaths, while another one in 2003 caused more than 3033 deaths.

Heat-waves in South-East Asia cause high mortality among the elderly population of rural areas and outdoor workers of urban areas. Examples are the reported cases of heat-stroke among metal workers as well as the outdoor worker like rickshaw-pullers in Bangladesh and India. Read more

Source : thefinancialexpress-bd.com

Release of draft guidelines for green large area development

Mr Deepak Gupta secretary, ministry of new and renewable energy released the “Draft Guidelines and benchmarks for green large area developments such as townships, neighborhoods, educational and institutional campuses, special economic zones and medical college hospitals.”

The Guidelines have been formulated by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in association with the Association for Research and Development of Sustainable Habitats, ADaRSH. These guidelines will be useful for developing a campus or a township as a “Green Campus/Township”. The Guidelines include details of various incentives which are available under different schemes of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy for deployment of Solar Hot Water Systems, Roof Top PV System, Waste Recycling for Energy Generation, Solar Power Plants etc while constructing green buildings and green campuses. Read more

Source : steelguru.com

CSE starts course on environment and development

PUNE: A certificate course for students, journalists, development communicators has been organised by Centre for Science and Environment ( CSE) this November. The course will involve interaction with some of the country's leading thinkers, academics, activists and development professionals on key environment and development challenges. One can learn from them on ecological rights, natural resource management, food security, climate change and global environmental governance, urban growth, pollution control.

This course is for students and those who aspire to be communication experts with multilaterals and international agencies or journalists. Those pursuing or who have completed Bachelor's degree (any discipline) can apply. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Waterman to hold Ganga Panchayat on Sep 21

VARANASI: Water activist Rajendra Singh, popularly known as the Waterman of India, is going to hold a Ganga sammelan in Sangam City, Allahabad. The convention will be held on September 23 and 24 to discuss strategies to mount pressure on the government for the formulation of a national river policy. But, before the Allahabad convention, a Ganga panchayat will be held in Varanasi on September 21 to motivate people for the cause of the river, Singh told TOI over phone on Wednesday.

"In my view, the all-pervasive corruption in the country has reduced most rivers to mere gutters. Allowing rivers to degrade to sewer is the biggest form of corruption. And, the result of corruption can only be rectified with a disciplined effort, not just money," he said and added the sacred Ganga, which traditionally carried holy water, now transported sewage and toxic effluents. "The government initiated the Ganga cleaning exercise but, despite the huge expenditure, the river has become a bigger conveyor of filth. To restore the status of the Ganga and other rivers there is an urgent need for a well-defined national policy for rivers," he said. Read more

Source : articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com

'B'lore independent home owners indifferent about environment'

Bangalore :

Bangalore's independent home owners display ''apathy'' towards increasing green cover and reducing carbon footprints, according to a study.

Despite intense activism from environmentalists, 82 per cent of Bangalore's homes are not green, which shows their "apathy towards environment," the 5th Biodiversity Conservation India Pvt Ltd (BCIL) Zero Energy Driven (ZED) Eco-Pulse study said. Read more Source : deccanherald.com

 

Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary notified as eco-sensitive zone

Chandigarh : Considering that it is a treasure trove of plant and animal species that have historical, economic and medicinal significance, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has issued a draft notification to make Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary in Haryana an eco-sensitive zone.

The 5,406-hectre sanctuary, which falls in Shivalik foothills, is located at the junction of four states — Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Uttrakhand. It shares boundaries with two protected areas of many states — Rajaji National Park of Uttrakhand in the east and Simbalbarha Wildlife sanctuary in Himachal towards the north. Read more

Source : expressindia.com

Adyar river clean-up part 2 set to roll out

CHENNAI: The de-silting and strengthening of embankments of the Adyar river are set to be taken up in about 300 acres as part of the second phase of the restoration project. Mangrove plantations will also come up along the river to the Thiru-Vi-Ka bridge in Adyar. A consultant is to be appointed shortly.

The Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited (TNUIFSL), the implementing agency, has sought permission from the public works department for access to the estuary. It will also seek coastal regulation zone clearance from the Union ministry of environment and forests. "This marks the closure of the phase-I of the project that saw the creation of the Tholkkapia Poonga (Adyar Poonga)," said a senior government official. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Donate binoculars, promote eco-awareness

Nashik (Maharashtra) : Hoping to promote bird-watching and nature awareness, city-based NGO Nature Forever Society (NFS) has asked people to donate items like binoculars, telescopes, fieldscopes, tripods, GPS systems and guide books which will then be given to eco-organisations facing a resource crunch.

"In India, bird-watching activities or an effective mass-based bird protection movement is hindered by the lack of such basic equipment, which is very expensive, and other information resources," NFS chief Mohammed Dilawar told IANS. Read more

Source : twocircles.net

Report on ecological health of rivers on cards

PUNE: City- based NGOs Jal Biradari and Maharashtra Vikas Kendra will develop an online status report on ecological health of water bodies and about the impact of urbanisation on the Bhima and the Nira rivers. There are also plans to map every village along the Bhima river.

The programme will involve students from colleges and schools, who are residing along the banks of the rivers. They will test the water quality on a regular basis. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Modi calls for eco balance

PATNA: Green buildings are the need of the hour. Today, when natural resources are depleting at an uncontrollable rate and the process of global warming is causing serious imbalance in the environment, we need to think deeply about checking the imbalance, said deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi here on Friday.

He was speaking at the two-day 'eastern zone conference-2011' organized by the Indian Institute of Architects, Bihar and Jharkhand, on the theme 'Green architecture'. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Green homes are the future and Coimbatore must go for it: Architect

COIMBATORE: Although it is difficult to imagine a residential complex that does not depend on local bodies for water or disposal of sewage, there are such buildings that exist, devoid of bricks, concrete blocks, chemical paints, vitrified tiles and ceramic products.

Chandrashekar Hariharan has successfully built green residential complexes in different metros across India. Through his firm Biodiversity Conservation India (BCI), he is planning to introduce this innovative concept in Coimbatore in a big way. Talking to TOI after attending a programme at PSG Institute of Management here, Hariharan said it was about time that Coimbatore took to green homes. Apart from developing a number of green residential complexes across Coimbatore, Hariharan is also planning to introduce the green house concept among developers, planners and the public. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Would Asia’s Largest Sweet lake Wular be Redeemed ?

New Delhi : Wetlands, which perform significant ecological and economic functions, across India are under threat. The Wular lake in Kashmir is no exception. In fact the condition of this huge, awe-inspiring water body of majestic beauty has deteriorated to the extent that former union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said at a seminar, “Wular used to be the largest fresh water lake in Asia. Today it is a piece of green. You can’t see any water. We only see willow trees”.

Image via Wikipedia

Bound by hills in the north-east and north-west and the floodplains of the Jhelum river in south-east and south-west, the Wular constitutes of a large freshwater lake along with associated marshes. The deepest water body in the region, the Wular is drained by the Jhelum river which flows through the Kashmir Valley to join the Indus river downstream. The Ninghal, the Pohru, the Madhumati, the Arin and other small rivulets and streams drain into the lake. Read more

Source : washingtonbanglaradio.com

Pathbreaking conference held to save Powai Lake by NASS

Powai : On 13th August, 2011 the Naushad Ali Sarovar Samvardhini(NASS) – a body constituted for the conservation of urban lakes in Mumbai conducted a Conference at Powai Lake.

The Event was promoted by other Environment Organizations: Maharashtra State Angling Association - (MSAA – Powai); Indian Association of Aquatic Biologists – (IAAB); Maharashtra Nature Park Society – (Sion-Dharavi); Central Institute of Fisheries Education – CIFE (Versova); Young Environmentalists Programme Trust – (Powai); Society for Clean Environment – SOCLEEN, Mumbai. Read more

Source : planetpowai.com

Experts express concern over shrinkage of wetlands in Bihar

PATNA: The Natural and Cultural Development Society (NATCULT) and the Shri Krishna Science Centre (SKSC) jointly organized a workshop on the 'The Wetlands in North Bihar' here on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion, Ashok Ghosh of the department of water management, A N College, Patna, expressed his serious concern over shrinkage of the area of Kabar Lake in Begusarai, an important wetland. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Indian river’s pollution claims more lives than bomb blasts

New Delhi, IRNA -- Indian river ‘Ganga’ claiming more lives than those caused by bomb blasts, said L K Advani expressing concerns over the increasing level of pollution in the river Ganga.

In his latest blog posting, Advani, the leader of the Bhartiya Janata Party, quoted Swami Chidananda Saraswati of Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh, to argue that the pollution in Ganga was a serious matter. Read more

Source : irna.ir

J&K Guv asks Amarnath board to clear garbage within 7 days

Concerned over the mounds of garbage and plastic waste dumped along the Amarnath Yatra routes, Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra has directed the authorities of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) to remove all solid wastes from the yatra routes by August 20.

Vohra, who visited various base camps on Saturday directed R K Goyal, CEO of SASB to ensure that both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes are cleared of all solid waste within a week. Read more

Source : bangaloremirror.com

HC issues notice to PUDA, govt over Badha Lake colony

FAZILKA: The Punjab and Haryana high court has issued a notice to Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) and the state government on a petition filed by a social activist from Fazilka, challenging the process of colonization of Badha Lake wetland in Fazilka, against environmental norms and violating Indus Water Treaty. PUDA plans to sell 8 acres of land in the vicinity of Badha Lake to set up a new colony.

The division bench of the acting Chief Justice, Justice Adarsh Goel and Justice Rajesh Bindal, keeping in view the urgency of the matter as PUDA has already completed the required formalities to auction 56 residential plots in the proposed colony, issued notices. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Sun-driven Ladakh

Leh : When I was visiting home for my summer break this time, it struck me how much sunshine this region received. Straddled by the Karakoram range of the Himalayas and adjacent to the Tibetan plateau, Ladakh is called the ‘roof of the world’.

Here the air is crisp, clear, the mountains stark, mostly covered by snow for major part of the year. But what is brilliant during the summer months is the abundant, bright sunshine reflected from a sky that is spectacularly blue, an incandescent quality that is seen probably only at the heights in which Ladakh exists. Read more

Source : : truthdive.com

Bandipur forest set to become eco-sensitive zone

BANGALORE: Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve would be the first eco-sensitive zone in the state and second in the country once the notification is issued by the Central Ministry of Environment and Forest (MOEF).

Swaminath M H, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) said, “A proposed draft notification has been sent to the Ministry of Environment and Forest. We are expecting the approval and final notification within this week.” After Sultanpur National Park in Gurgaon, Bandipur will be the second national park to be declared as an ecosensitive zone in the country and the first one in the state. Read more

Source : ibnlive.in.com

After poonga, plans afoot to restore Adyar estuary

CHENNAI: The Chennai River Restoration Trust (CRRT) has started the process of getting the coastal regulation zone (CRZ) clearance from the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) for the second phase of restoration of 300 acres of the ecologically-sensitive Adyar estuary. The agency is likely to send the application to the MoEF in a week.

Following high court directions in 2006, Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited came up with the master plan for the creek and estuary. "As there is a specific court order to restore of the ecology of wetlands, CRRT is in the process of sending a proposal for CRZ clearance. We will file the papers in a week," government sources said. This will be subject to the approval of the state government. Read more

Source : articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Another feather in Manas cap - Delhi report classifies Kaziranga as ‘very good’ among tiger reserves

Guwahati : Manas is on a roll.

Weeks after winning back its World Heritage Site tag, the national park has earned the distinction of being classified as a “good” tiger reserve, following the Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of tiger reserves in India exercise carried out by National Tiger Conservation Authority and Wildlife Institute of India.

The report was released in New Delhi today. It reveals that most of the tiger reserves in the Northeast have done well in comparison to earlier reports. Read more

Source : telegraphindia.com

17.56% of Gujarat is a wetland!

We all knew that Nal Sarovar and Thol Lake are havens for migratory birds, but did you know that the southern Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Khambhat, Jamnagar mangroves, coral reefs of Gulf of Kutch, Dharoi reservoir, Ukai reservoir near Surat and Kerly Lagoon in Porbandar were as important destinations for the winged beauty, if not more?

A recently concluded study by Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has given detailed reports with maps, satellite imageries and statistics of the different wetland types in the state and their importance, which includes as many as nine wetland sites from Gujarat in the country’s list of most important wetlands of national importance. Last month, former Union minister of environment and forest Jairam Ramesh released the National Wetland Inventory and Assessment report at SAC. Read more

Source : dnaindia.com