General Awareness

ENVIRONMENT - May 2019

May 2019

Nov 07, 2019

NGT Issues Ultimatum To Ban Certain RO systems

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has given "last opportunity" to the Union Environment Ministry to issue notifications pertaining to prohibition on the use of RO (reverse osmosis) systems, which result in wastage of almost 80% of water.
The NGT was referring to an order passed by it in May 2019, where it had directed that "wherever RO is to be permitted, condition of recovery of water to the extent of more than 60% is required".

Xi, Macron Call Climate Pact 'Irreversible' After U.S. pullout

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron declared that the Paris climate pact was "irreversible", showing a united front after Washington formally withdrew from the accord.
The joint declaration came at the end of Mr. Macron's second visit to China, which started in Shanghai and included talks on trade and the Iranian nuclear issue.
The French leader also said that there was a need for dialogue to resolve months of unrest in Hong Kong — ignoring Beijing's prior warning that such sensitive topics should not be on the agenda.
But Mr. Xi and Mr. Macron found common ground on climate change.

Volanic Eruption Creates New Island in Tongan Archipelago

An undersea volcanic eruption in the Tongan archipelago has sunk one island and created another three times larger.
Taaniela Kula, of the Tonga Geological Service, said the new Lateiki island is estimated to be about 100 metres wide and 400 metres long, and is situated about 120 metres west of its submerged predecessor.
It lies between Kao and Late in the Pacific kingdom's northern Ha'apai group of islands.
The upheaval followed an 18-day undersea eruption in October 2019, in an area prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity.

Nov 06, 2019

US tech to Convert Rice Stubble into Biofuel

The United States Trade Development Authority (USTDA) signed up to allocate a grant of $300,000-500,00 to Indian engineering firm, The Virgo Group, to carry out a 'scoping study' for setting up a plant near Bhatinda that will convert the stubble from harvested rice fields into green biofuel.
The scoping study will determine how much biofuel can be extracted from the rice stubble.
Based on the study, Virgo's Bhatinda plant will customise Rapid Thermal Processing technology from Envergent Technologies - a subsidiary of US technology giant Honeywell - to convert agricultural waste into biocrude, reducing air pollution and creating a new fuel source.
The project is being strongly supported by the Punjab government, which signed an agreement with Virgo on February 11, 2019 for facilitating the plant, including with concessional land.
Chief Minister Amarinder Singh himself attended that signing. Also backing the project is US envoy to India, Kenneth Juster, who was at the signing in Bangkok.

BMC Gives Graded Tax Rebates for Waste Processing in Mumbai

The BMC has started rolling out its property tax rebates to housing societies segregating and composting waste and recycling greywater.
The rates vary 5-15% depending on the extent of waste disposal and processing of greywater (all wastewater generated in households or offices from streams without fecal contamination, i.e. all streams except for toilet wastewater).
A committee will be formed in each ward, which would be expected to periodically inspect whether or not a housing society is following rebate conditions. The society's continued eligibility would depend on the panel's report.
The municipal commissioner cleared a proposal in August 2019 to give a 15% property tax rebate to housing societies for segregating their waste, processing wet waste on their premises, disposing dry waste through recyclers, and using harvested rainwater or greywater.
The scheme aims at disciplining citizens with regard to waste disposal and reducing the amount of garbage that piles up at the dumping grounds.
Societies that follow any one criteria will get a 5% rebate in property tax. Those fulfilling two will get a 10% rebate, and those following all three a 15% rebate. While the first two criteria involve waste management, the third pertains to rainwater harvesting or greywater processing.
At every ward, officials from the solid waste department (SWD) have started holding meetings with residents to inform them further about the scheme. The monitoring panels too have started being formed.

Nov 05, 2019

2 Air Purifiers Installed Near Taj Mahal to Combat Pollution

The Agra District Administration has installed two air purifier machines at the gates of the mughal era monument Taj Mahal to combat air pollution in the region.
Sharing details of the initiative, RK Rathi, Executive Engineer, Agra Municipal Corporation said, "An agency has been directed to do mechanised cleaning as well as deploy two air purifying machines at the gates of Taj Mahal. We are taking these measures to combat air pollution and provide relief to large number of tourists who visit here every day".
Taj Mahal is one of 'Seven Wonders of the World' built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and draws millions of tourists from all parts of the world.

Nov 04, 2019

'Red Atlas Map' Unveiled For Flood Mitigation In Chennai

Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu unveiled the 'Red Atlas Action Plan Map,' a first of its kind ready reckoner, prepared by the Ministry of Earth Sciences to aid Tamil Nadu government in effective flood mitigation in Chennai which witnessed the worst deluge in 2015.
The atlas, with probable scenarios for different rainfall periods, aims at flood mitigation, preparedness, operations and management aspects.

Nov 02, 2019

Public Health Emergency Declared In Delhi As Air Quality Breaches Danger Level

A Supreme Court-mandated panel declared a public health emergency in the Delhi-NCR region and banned construction activity till November 5, 2019 as the air quality dipped to "severe-plus" levels and left citizens gasping for breath.
The Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) also banned the bursting of crackers during the winter season.
An AQI between 0-50 is considered 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor' and 401-500 'severe'. Above 500 falls in the 'severe-plus emergency' category.

After India-Germany Meet, Germany Earmarks 1 Billion Dollars For Green Urban Mobility

German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with a business delegation in New Delhi. Addressing the gathering, Ms Merkel said, India and Germany have launched Indo-German Partnership for Green Urban Mobility and a sum of one billion dollars has been earmarked for it.
Both the countries will earmark 200 million Euros to reform bus sector in Tamil Nadu. People facing the menace of pollution in Delhi, will find very good arguments to replace diesel buses with electric buses.

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