QUEENSLAND (AUSTRALIA): If you never quite believed government data showing an increase in the country's forest cover, here's research to back your scepticism. While the government claims nearly 5% increase in forest cover from 1997 to 2007, three scientists, two from India and one from Australia, have shown decline in India's natural forest cover by 1.5%-2.7% per year. The government claim is presented in the Forest Survey of India's biennial Status...
More »SEARCH RESULT
Is black carbon affecting the Asian monsoon? by Navin Singh Khadka
Although a normal monsoon has been forecast for South Asia this year, and rains have begun normally in many parts of the region, people are still anxious about the rainy season that lasts for four months. Their anxiety has to do with the uncertainties surrounding the timing of the monsoon in recent years. While the debate continues over the role of climate change, scientists have also been looking at the possible role...
More »Zeroing Ground by Madhavi Tata
Plans for a nuclear plant generate protests Fear factor... * Protests have rocked Srikakulam district, where NPCIL plans a 9,000 MW nuclear plant * The plant will displace people from 12 nearby villages * The project is estimated to cost Rs 1.2 lakh-crore * NPCIL promises a “liberal” resettlement package. Activists counter the proposed plant is a Fukushima-like Environment risk. *** Earlier this year, sustained protests brought nationwide attention to the 2,640...
More »MoEF to take action against Bhopal private medical college by Mahim Pratap Singh
The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has decided to take action against Chirayu Medical College and Hospital, a private medical college in Madhya Pradesh set up inside the catchment area of the historic Upper Lake of Bhopal. In a letter to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan last month, a copy of which is withThe Hindu, Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh informed Mr. Chauhan that since the project had violated...
More »Jairam refers final decision on Mahan coal block to GoM
-The Hindu Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has refused to issue forest clearance to the Mahan coal block in the Singrauli field of Madhya Pradesh, meant for the use of Essar and Hindalco power plants. However, this is not the final rejection. Instead, Mr. Ramesh has merely washed his hands of on the issue and passed the buck to a Group of Ministers to take a final decision. However, he has recommended that...
More »