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.
Nov 01, 2019
ISA Members Seek Support For Developing Solar Projects In Small Island Nations
Member countries of the International Solar Alliance sought enhanced support from multi-lateral development institutions such as the World Bank to set up solar power projects in small island countries.
This demand was stated at the second International Solar Alliance (ISA) assembly in New Delhi.
The Assembly was attended by the Ministerial delegations of 29 countries that also approved the rules of the ISA.
Delegations from 78 countries are participating in the Assembly. Invitations were sent to all 193 United Nation member countries to participate in the ISA summit. Two countries, Eritrea and St. Kitts & Nevis signed the ISA framework agreement taking the total number of signatories to 83.
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