-PTI VADODARA: A Gujarat-based NGO has alleged that the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill introduced in the Parliament aims at "criminalising" opposition to the genetically modified (GM) food. Suman Sahai, who leads the 'Gene Campaign', an organisation, said that according to this "draconian bill", those creating hurdles in the campaign against the GM food, can get three months of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5 lakh. He was speaking at...

-The Telegraph Imphal: environmentalists and NGOs in Manipur have urged the Union ministry of environment and forests not to give clearance to the Tipaimukh dam project, saying it would destroy the environment and impact lives of the people in and around the dam. The opposition to the project has been renewed following reports that the Centre would take a decision on giving clearance to the project in the next few days. Sources said...

-The Times of India ALLAHABAD: Taking a serious note of indiscriminate encroachment of ponds in the state, which is lowering the water table in the region, the Allahabad High Court has suggested that a special law should be enacted to protect and preserve the ponds, which are not only essential elements of village habitat but also valuable assets for the state. The court observed that a special procedure should be provided in...

-The Business Standard Dehradun: The immediate aftermath of a disaster almost always brings out angry responses. The tragic incident in Uttarakhand is no exception. Many experts, who belong to the "I told you so" camp, have come out with their own causal analysis of the tragedy. While town planners are blaming the rapid expansion of construction activities, naturalists are of the view that the disaster is nature's way of restoring balance...

-The United Nations Without fresh ideas to address rapid urbanization, the number of people living in slums lacking access to basic infrastructure and services such as sanitation, electricity, and health care may skyrocket from one billion at present to three billion by 2050, the United Nations today reported. That wake up call is one of several alarm bells sounded in the UN World Economic and Social Survey 2013, which was launched today...