NewsRack: 'Main-Portal-Feed' news in 'iihs_feeds' topic for user servelots

Africa must be proactive about drought, not reactive, says FAO	19.6.2018	Downtoearth
As the continent feels the heat of climate change, it is time it adopts measures to better manage its water and land to build greater resilience to droughts
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China and India’s border dispute is a slow-moving environmental disaster	19.6.2018	Downtoearth
Almost half the world’s population and 20% of its economy depend on Himalayan rivers. China and India’s competition for their headwaters increases this threat
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Mumbai: Centre may form single tribunal to resolve inter-state water disputes	19.6.2018	Free Press Journal: Mumbai
Mumbai: A regional conference of western states on water resources was held in Mumbai on Monday to discuss
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Consumers, private sector crucial for fighting drought, land degradation: UN	19.6.2018	Downtoearth
Currently, policy instruments and investments to promote the spread of sustainable land management technologies are non-existent
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Farmers clash over canal water	19.6.2018	The Tribune
Tribune News Service Muktsar, June 18 As the paddy sowing season is set to start, the incidents of canal water theft are on the rise in the district. Two groups of farmers, reportedly owing allegiance to the Congress, clashed with each other at Gurursar village in Gidderbaha on Monday. One faction has even alleged that the other group even opened fire in the air. Sources said some farmers had installed a water pipeline to get canal water supply, but it led to some dispute between some of them. “They gathered in the morning at a common place and started arguing. Later, one of them fired in the air,” said the sources. Harmeet Singh, a farmer, said, “Bhupinder Singh fired two shots in the air over the water dispute.” On the other hand, Bhupinder Singh said, “Some farmers had blocked the pipeline and threatened me with dire consequences if I try to open it. Now, they are concocting a false story of firing in the air.” Meanwhile, the police have started investigation in this regard. Dharna near Abohar ...
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More farmers face action for early transplantation	19.6.2018	The Tribune
Tribune News Service Jalandhar, June 18 To check the depleting water table under the under "Tandarust Punjab Mission", the Agriculture Department on Monday uprooted more than 4 acres of paddy sown in the district as per the government directives to transplant paddy only after June 20. Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar Varinder Kumar Sharma said 1 acre paddy of Jaspal Singh in Ismailpur village was ploughed by the Agriculture department and 6 kanals of paddy sown by farmer Kuldip Singh was ploughed in Muhem village. Likewise, he said 10 kanal paddy of Swaran Singh in Bhatnura village, 5 kanal paddy of Harwinder Singh in Lubana village and 4 kanal paddy of Ravinder Singh in Bhatnura Lubana village were ploughed on the orders of Assistant Agriculture Officer Gurbhagat Singh. Sharma said the drive against the erring farmers would continue till June 20. The DC said the paddy has been ploughed at the cost of the farmer, as per provisions of the Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act, 2009 for transplanting ...
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‘Losing 24 bn tonnes of fertile soil annually’	19.6.2018	The Tribune
Tribune News Service Ludhiana, June 18 Sixty percent of total crop yield depends mainly on soil health. Therefore, performing soil tests on regular basis could help in improving the soil and boosting crop yield. Dr VK Rampal, deputy director training, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ropar said, “It is estimated that each year 24 billion tonnes of fertile soil is lost due to erosion which is a result of unbalanced soil management. Therefore, proper soil management in the form of soil testing and application of right fertilisers is more efficient and financially justified.” Dr OS Sandhu, assistant professor, soil science, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ropar said, “Soil testing helps to know the exact quality of soil, what essential nutrients it lacks and most importantly can decrease our excessive dependency on chemical fertilisers which are used for enriching the soil.” Dr Sandhu further said testing soil once in a year is an ideal recommendation, but if once a year isn’t feasible then one may be able to increase frequency ...
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Dept destroys paddy at Valipur Kalan	19.6.2018	The Tribune
Tribune News Service Ludhiana, June 18 Taking a swift action against a farmer for defying the government’s order to sow the paddy after June 20, officials of the Agriculture Department on Monday destroyed the paddy transplanted over half- acre land in Valipur Kalan village, under the ‘Tandarust Punjab’ mission to save groundwater of the state. Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO) Dr Baldev Singh said the department’s field teams have got the information that a farmer, Sarwan Singh, of Valipur Kalan village had sown the paddy over half-acre land before June 20 by ignoring the directives of the Punjab Government. He said our teams immediately rushed there and destroyed the paddy as per provisions of the Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act, 2009, for transplanting paddy ahead of the official date. Exhorting the farmers to actively participate in ‘Tandrust Punjab’ mission, he asked the farmers to ensure the transplantation of paddy after the date given by the government which would not only save depleting ...
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Floating barriers can help clean water bodies: Expert	19.6.2018	The Tribune
Tribune News Service Ludhiana, June 18 There is a need for making floating barriers at several points across rivers and canals to finish solid waste debris in the flowing and polluting water bodies of the state. Col Jasjit Singh Gill, a founder member of ‘Let’s Clean Ludhiana Trust’, has come up with an idea to stop the spread and flow of floating debris in Sidhwan canal, near PAU-GADVASU gates, where the large amounts of solid waste gets trapped. Speaking on the need for replicating the model and its installation along rivers and canals, he said, “Barriers are a simple method to stop the flow of solid waste, which is polluting rivers and canals in Punjab.” This barrier was made at the Sidhwan Canal in 2015 to prevent the flow of solid waste further, he added. “Now, this waste is cleaned by the divers looking for coconuts, thermocol sheets and other things. But design of barriers can be improved for self-cleaning system. But barriers can be fitted with scoops and conveyor belt that can bring debris along ...
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Indian plant seed could bring clean water to millions worldwide	19.6.2018	The Tribune
Washington, June 18 Proteins from the Moringa oleifera plant--a tree native to India--can help effectively purify water in developing nations at a low cost, say scientists. The plant--commonly known as the drumstick tree--is cultivated for food and natural oils, and the seeds are already used for a type of rudimentary water purification. However, this traditional means of purification leaves behind high amounts of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from the seeds, allowing bacteria to re-grow after just 24 hours. This leaves only a short window in which the water is drinkable. Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University in the US used sand and plant materials to create a cheap and effective water filtration medium, termed “f-sand”. F-sand was created by extracting the seed proteins from the Moringa oleifera plant, and adhering them to the surface of silica particles, the principal component of sand. It kills microorganisms and reduces turbidity, adhering to particulate and organic matter. These undesirable ...
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Jaisalmer Military Station to get a makeover to become 'smart'	19.6.2018	DNA: Wide Angle
While the state government has taken several initiatives under the Smart city Programme, now it is the Indian Army which has undertaken a similar initiative and started development of a military station. The development is expected to provide major boost to the local economy and aid ecological conservation and balance. The Jaisalmer Military Station is being developed into a Smart Armed Forces Station for which a detailed plan has been formulated in consonance with the eight key areas identified by the Central government for development of Smart Cities. A systematic development of habitat is being undertaken incorporating the concept of Smart Building and Green Building Norms. Some of the unique facilities provided in these dwelling units would be rain water harvesting, centralised garbage disposal system, solar water heater, solar security lights, underground electric cabling, LED lighting system, provision of LPG through pipelines, prepaid electricity and water meters, waste disposal chutes, passenger ...
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Chemical-laden truck falls into canal	19.6.2018	The Tribune
Tribune News Service Hisar, June 18 A truck carrying chemicals fell into the Jui canal, near the Tosham bypass, in Bhiwani district on Monday, triggering panic among residents. The Jui feeder canal supplies water in several villages and residents suspect that toxicity caused by the chemicals mixed in the water could cause harm. An Irrigation Department official rushed to the spot and contacted the truck owner who told him that the truck was laden with antibiotic used for manufacturing medicines and thus is not harmful. The incident took place when driver Hakim lost control over the wheel and the truck fell into the canal. The liquid leaked from the truck and got mixed with the Jui canal water. Manish Chhikara, an SDO of the Irrigation Department, said that he had talked to the truck owner, who told him that it carried antibiotic used for manufacturing medicines. “We have sent samples for lab test,” he added.
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Haryana poor manager of water resources: Niti Aayog	19.6.2018	The Tribune
Tribune News Service Gurugram, June 18 Haryana is one of the poorest manager of water resources and faces the threat of “aqua-calypse”, states the latest report of the Niti Aayog. As per the Composite Water Management Index, Haryana, along with Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, is one of the worst performers with a score of 38 out of 100. Jharkhand is at the bottom with a score of 35. The report on the state-wise performance on parameters of water management ranks Gujarat at number one in reference year 2016-17 with a score of 76, followed by Madhya Pradesh (69) and Andhra Pradesh (68). Interestingly, water-starved Rajasthan has managed a score of 48 owing to its innovative water conservation and management schemes. An analysis of the report brings out that Haryana was the only state to have provided data on rain-fed agriculture, making it the worst performer in that category as well. The state has failed to provide information to the Niti Aayog about a policy and water governance or having notified any law or a ...
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PM to inaugurate 106th Indian Science Congress at LPU	19.6.2018	The Tribune
Lovely Professional University (LPU), Jalandhar, will host the 106th Indian Science Congress on its campus from January 3 to 7, 2019. The event will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The biggest annual congress of research workers from across the world will stimulate scientific research and advancement of science in India. Around 15,000 delegates, including 300 top scientists and Nobel laureates from across the world, are expected to attend the event. The focal theme for this five-day science congress is 'Future India: Science & Technology'. Chenab Valley Power Projects celebrates 8th formation day Chenab Valley Power Projects (P) Ltd. (CVPP) celebrated its 8th formation day on June 13. The organisation was incorporated on this day in 2011 for execution of three hydro-electric projects, namely Pakal Dul (1,000 MW), Kiru (624 MW) and Kwar (540 MW) on Chenab river basin in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir. The formation day functions were organised at its corporate office Jammu, ...
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Make demand for pure water a campaign, says Seechewal	19.6.2018	The Tribune
Tribune News Service Faridkot, June 18 Giving a call to make the demand for pure drinking water a campaign in the next Lok Sabha elections to force all political parties to address the issue, environmentalists, religious persons and social activists on Monday joined hands in Faridkot in the wake of high pollutants spoiling the surface and groundwater in the state. Starting this campaign, Bhai Kanhiya Cancer Roko Sewa Society on Monday invited Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal, the person who is spearheading anti-river pollution drive, using his assiduously cultivated self-help philosophy, Bhai Harpreet Singh, jathedar Takht Damdama Sahib, Dr Pyare Lal Garg, a prominent pediatrician and many others from across the state. “Once known for its prosperity and deriving its name from five rivers (Punj-aab), the state is now losing its prosperity, sheen and water. There is no gain in just criticising political leaders, bureaucrats and the industrialists for messing up our water, it is time for action,” said Balbir ...
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Evict Tibetans from forestland: Residents	19.6.2018	The Tribune
Tribune News Service Mandi, June 18 Residents of Rewalsar town on Monday submitted a memorandum to the district administration seeking the eviction of Tibetans residing in the area from forestland. They alleged that Tibetans had encroached upon vast tracts of forestland and tied their banners on trees. They had also engraved stones with Tibetan language. Laxmender Singh, president of the Mandi Bachao Sangharsh Morcha, said the HC and the NGT had passed orders against encroachment on forestland, but Tibetans near Rewalsar were violating the norms. “Tibetans have erected their banners on a vast track of the Sarkaghat forest area. Huge boulders falling under Pandav Parvat have also been engraved with Chinese and Tibetan slogans,” he added. He questioned the functioning of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board, the Forest Department and the Irrigation and Public Health Department which had “provided “ water and electricity connections for the convenience of Tibetans in the region. “We want the ...
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Flash floods damage houses, crops in Rajouri	19.6.2018	The Tribune
Shyam Sood Rajouri, June 18 Heavy loss to agricultural land, livestock, houses, paddy and maize crops has been reported from Thanamandi subdivision in Rajouri district due to a cloud burst and the consequent flash floods during the past three days. According to an official statement, 70 hectares under maize and 20 hectares under paddy were completely damaged while six houses were damaged and more than 12 were partially damaged in the flash floods. The worst affected villages include Planagar, Lah, Behrote, Sorah and Khablan. In Khablan village, the entire agricultural land and crops have been damaged. A large number of irrigation canals, flood protection works, bundhs and water supply lines have also been washed away in these areas. Many animals were also washed away. The district administration has given an immediate relief of Rs1 lakh to the owners of six houses which were completely damaged. “The Department of Disaster Management is taking up relief and restoration operations on priority and ...
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Mount Everest turns into world’s highest rubbish dump	18.6.2018	The Tribune
Kathmandu, June 17 Decades of commercial mountaineering have turned Mount Everest into the world’s highest rubbish dump as an increasing number of big-spending climbers pay little attention to the ugly footprint they leave behind en route the summit of the 8,848-metre (29,029-foot) peak. “It is disgusting, an eyesore,” Pemba Dorje Sherpa, who has summited Everest 18 times, told AFP. “The mountain is carrying tonnes of waste.” As the number of climbers on the mountain has soared — at least 600 people have scaled the world’s highest peak so far this year alone — the problem has worsened. Melting glaciers caused by global warming are exposing trash that has accumulated on the mountain since Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay made the first successful summit 65 years ago. Pemba shrugs that many just don’t care. Compounding the problem, some officials accept small bribes to turn a blind eye, he said. “There is just not enough monitoring at the high camps to ensure the mountain stays clean,” he said. The ...
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Rules and Laws will not obstruct welfare of villages, poor and farmers: CM	18.6.2018	Central Chronicle » Bhopal
Chronicle Reporter, Bhopal, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan while dedicating the newly constructed building of Medical College at Datia said that he will not let rules and laws obstruct works being carried out for the welfare of villages, poor and farmers. Rules and laws will be amended as per the need. He mentioned that budget […]
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Sterlite typifies all that's wrong with environmental governance in India	18.6.2018	Downtoearth
Sterlite Copper's survival despite being shutdown five times in the past two decades owes much to India's malleable regulatory authorities
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