Monday Feature: Green News and Media Roundup for Week 46, 2011

Weekly environmental news roundup from across different media networks for week 46 (starting November 14), 2011.

1. Delhi pavilion celebrates centenary year at Trade Fair

Architect of New Delhi Edward Lutyens strolling in the lawn, “original contractors and builders” Sujan Singh and Sobha Singh deep in discussion, the central legislative assemblies from 1920s to 1940s and the headquarters of the MCD, NDMC and DDA. These are a few of the snapshots displayed at an exhibition in the Delhi pavilion at the 31st India International Trade Fair.

2. Bio-medical waste plant still runs in Sukhdev Vihar

In 2010, the Delhi government had filed an affidavit, saying that it will shift a biomedical waste treatment facility from Sukhdev Vihar to an alternate site by mid-June that year. But no action was taken.

3. India will stick to equity in climate talks: Natarajan

Historical responsibility and equity are at the heart of India’s international climate change stance again. Environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan stated that India would insist on unconditional commitments under Kyoto Protocol II by the developed countries and would not agree to talks on a new legally binding deal at Durban.

4. Ghaziabad emerges world’s second fastest growing city

Indian cities overwhelmingly dominate a new list of the world’s fastest-growing 100 cities in terms of urbanisation, with three leapfrogging to the top 10 and 22 others figuring prominently in a crop of boomtowns usually reserved for those in China.

5. Collegians present their green energy models at international meet

Two student researchers, one from Pune and another from Delhi, presented their green energy models before an international audience in Germany recently.

6. Warm welcome accorded to cyclists

Members of Active Bicyclers Association, who were on a cycle rally from Jammu to New Delhi, were accorded a warm welcome on Friday on their successful return.

7. Jindal Power gets green nod for 2,400 MW plant at Chhattisgarh

Jindal Steel and Power today said its subsidiary Jindal Power has got environmental clearance for construction of 2,400 MW expansion project at Tamnar, Chhattisgarh, from the state environment authority.

8. Farooq Abdullah urges Indian industry to generate power from agro-industrial waste

Renewable energy minister Farooq Abdullah urged private sector to generate electricity from agro-industrial waste to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and combat environment pollution.

9. Power Ministry asks MOEF to fast-track Sarguja coal block clearance

The Power Ministry has asked the Ministry of Environment and Forests to fast-track the process for grant of green clearance to coal mines attached to the 4,000-MW Sarguja ultra-mega power project in Chhattisgarh, failing which the invitation of bids may get further delayed.

10. Is the green Ministry reactive, not pro-active?

A rash of clearance issues with infra projects raises the question of who really is responsible for the delays. Globally and in India, there haven’t been many instances of criminal charges being filed against a corporate for not getting a green clearance before starting a project.

11. Obama asks India, China to wisen up on climate goals

US President Barack Obama on Wednesday tried to make emerging economies like India accountable for the outcome at Durban climate talks.