The Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure is expected to propose a policy that will strike a balance between development and ecological concerns. The policy is being drafted to end a tussle between the ministry of environment and the ministry of coal over the mining issue. The new policy will relax the ‘no-go area’ norms laid down…
Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio has expressed his interest to the environment ministry to raise global awareness to save India’s tigers. According to sources in the ministry, the actor has expressed his interest to play a crucial role in sensitizing the global community to the cause of the Indian tiger. An official stated, ‘DiCaprio plans to…
‘Climate change gets the headline, biodiversity does not get the headlines,’ Jairam Ramesh, environment minister, told PTI as he left New York this weekend after a week of attending environment-related meetings, including those with US climate change negotiator Todd Stern and Chinese environment minister Xie Zhenhua. Ramesh said that the Convention on Biodiversity was as…
‘To meet the challenges of congestion, pollution and fuel consumption, India needs to do better urban planning and management. We need to have a better public transport system that can appeal people and encourage them to minimally use their private vehicles. Absence of mass transport and transit system results in city dwellers depending on private…
‘The phasing out of nearly 100 substances that were being used in refrigerators and air conditioners, and restrictions on aerosols’ use worldwide have stopped the ozone layer from being depleted further. Although it is not yet increasing, it is expected to get its full strength by the middle of this century,’ says a United Nations…
To create environment awareness among students so that they can, in turn, create awareness in the society at large, Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board has come up with a ‘Green School’ project in government schools. Considering that deforestation is one of the major causes for rise in pollution and change in global climate, the state…
About 165 industries that are located along the Ganga on a 450-kilometre stretch between Kannauj and Varanasi have been found violating the pollution norms as they are depositing sewage and industrial waste from factories directly into the river. Doubting the efficiency of the state polution control boards, environment and forest minister Jairam Ramesh has asked…
Following the collision of MSC Chitra MV Khalijia on August 7, that had caused major oil spill in Mumbai harbour, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has claimed damages of three crore rupees to clean up the spill. The other claims in damage to the environment and marine life will be made once National Environmental…
To ensure better implementation of environmental regulations in the country, the government is considering enhancing the penalty and having speedy trials to nail green offenders. To check violations at coastal areas, they might be monitored through satellites. Seeking an amendment in Environment Protection (EP) Act 1986, a draft paper envisaging such stringent rules is being…
To initiate environment-friendly campaigns in India, Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh has appointed Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra as national green ambassador. ‘I have been talking to Priyanka about how she can be a part of environment-friendly campaigns nationally and be involved with projects such as tiger conservation and river cleaning, especially the Ganga…
