Manyachiwadi Village Becomes First in Maharashtra to be Powered 100% by Solar Power
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde launched the Solar Village Scheme, an initiative aimed at providing 100 per cent solar-powered electricity to 100 villages, at a function held in Satara. Manyachiwadi, a village in Satara district, became the first village in the state to be electrified 100 per cent by solar power.
"The objective of the government is zero electricity bills for households as part of the PM Suryagarh Muft Bijali Yojana. The aim is to also provide farmers with free power," CM Shinde said in his speech.
Aug 20, 2024
China Approves $31 Billion for 11 New Nuclear Reactors across Five Sites
China approved the construction of 11 new nuclear reactors across five sites, with a total investment of approximately 220 billion yuan ($31 billion). This marks a record number of permits as the government intensifies its reliance on nuclear energy to reduce carbon emissions. The State Council's approval includes reactors in Jiangsu, Shandong, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Guangxi. The construction is expected to take about five years.
State-owned entities such as China General Nuclear Power Corp. (CGN), China National Nuclear Corp. (CNNC), and State Power Investment Corp. are the primary players in these new projects. CGN received approvals for six reactors across three sites, CNNC for three reactors, and State Power Investment Corp. for two units.
Aug 15, 2024
German Scientists Discover Plastic-Eating Fungi for Waste Reduction
Scientists in Germany identified plastic-eating fungi that could offer a glimmer of hope in tackling the problem of millions of tonnes of waste polluting the world's oceans every year.
But they warn that their work is likely to be only a small part of solving plastic pollution, and say there is still a need to reduce food packaging and other debris from entering the environment where it can take decades to degrade.
An analysis at Lake Stechlin in north-eastern Germany into how microfungi thrive on some plastics with no other carbon source to feed on has clearly demonstrated that some of them are capable of degrading synthetic polymers.
Three more Indian Wetlands get Ramsar Tag
Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary, Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu), and Madhya Pradesh's Tawa Reservoir were granted the Ramsar site tag, taking the tally of such wetlands of International Importance to 85 in India, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said.
Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary is an important place for wintering and breeding grounds for migratory birds. It hosts nearly 130 bird species apart from those of reptiles, fish, and plants. Tawa Reservoir was formed by the construction of the Tawa Dam. Kazhuveli is a stopover and breeding ground for about 40,000 migratory birds as well as home to over 200 species.
Aug 13, 2024
Assam Launches Mobile App 'Haati' to Reduce Human-Elephant Conflict
In the Indian state of Assam, where human-elephant encounters have become increasingly dangerous, a new mobile app called Haati was launched to help reduce the number of fatalities arising out of incidents involving wild elephants.
Assam, which is known for its large elephant population, as per reports, has been grappling with rising incidents where both humans and elephants have been killed. The reason behind this is the shrinking habitat and encroachment on the animals' natural corridors.
As per report, the Haati app serves as an early warning system, alerting people when wild elephants are nearby, so they can take necessary precautions and get out of the way.
The app does more than just warn people. It also includes a feature where victims or their families can fill out a form to apply for compensation from the government in cases of injury or death due to elephant attacks.
Aug 12, 2024
Neelakurinji: The Endangered Purple Bloom of the Western Ghats
The Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana), a remarkable flowering shrub native to the montane grasslands of southwest India, was added to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. This iconic plant, known for its mass blooming once every 12 years, was classified as Vulnerable according to the IUCN criteria.
This marks the first time Strobilanthes kunthiana has undergone a Global Red List assessment.
+91-85588-96644
