Monday Feature: Green News and Media Roundup for Week 38, 2011

Weekly environmental news roundup from across different media networks for week 38 (starting September 19), 2011.

1. Delhi Metro earns UN praise, 47 crore in carbon credits

The Delhi Metro has become the world’s first Metro rail and rail-based system to earn carbon credits — Rs 47 crore annually for the next seven years.

2. Forest officials pose danger to forests: Experts

Forest officials are fudging data, hiding facts, sidestepping laws, overlooking violations and finding ways of clearing even projects that are dangerous for forests, three non-official members on the statutory Forest Advisory Committee have told environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan.

3. India wants emission targets under Kyoto Protocol to continue

At the Major Economies Forum meeting currently underway in Washington, India and other developing countries reiterated that an agreement on a second commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol must precede discussions on a “legally binding agreement” which includes all countries.

4. Tradition & history in Puja themes

With Durga Puja celebrations slated to begin in 10 days, preparations are going full steam ahead. Stressing on environment-friendly idols, an increasing number of puja committees have asked for pratima swith natural colours and accessories and dissolvable ornaments.

5. Metro Phase 3: Work to begin in November

Construction work for the proposed 103-km Phase 3 of Delhi Metro will start in November, two months before the Delhi Metro chief E Sreedharan retires from his service.

6. Waste and art – expression beyond mindless frill

Young Indian artists are stretching their creative frontiers to prove art can transcend frilly aesthetic and promote key issues.

7. Government to set up online system by December to check illegal mining

In a move to curb the alarming growth of illegal mining, the government will put in place an online system by December for mandatory registration of all minerals-related transactions in the country.

8. Two years on, govt gets serious about plastic ban

In 2009, Delhi government had banned the use, sale and storage of plastic bags. Two years on , the ban has failed to make any significant dent. The shoddy implementation of the ban has prompted the environment department to propose a blanket ban on all plastic carry bags and covers, including manufacture and import of plastic bags into the city.

9. ‘Blue Delhi’ to fulfil water needs

The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) on Thursday announced a ‘Blue Delhi’ initiative to make the city sustainable in its water requirement. There will be various activities in the initiative, including groundwater recharge, reduction of water wastage and use of treated waste water.

10. No water, power to houses without certificate: MCD

In case you have constructed an additional room illegally or covered the setbacks, get  ready to see days without electricity and water. The MCD will send a report of the same to power distribution companies and the DJB, who will cut the connections.

11. Green buildings seen as $30 bn-market

A host of companies are showing keen interest for environment-friendly construction in India, pushing analysts to project the market size for “green buildings” to grow three-fold from $10 billion to $30 billion in the next four years.