Monday Feature: Green News and Media Roundup for Week 51, 2011
Weekly environmental news roundup from across different media networks for week 51 (starting December 19), 2011
1. Delhi needs more space, but how?
Delhi is a city caught in the throes of history. On the one hand, it bears the legacy of an aesthetic skyline dotted with low-rise buildings, vast greens and wide roads. On the other, it faces the very real problem of a rapidly growing population and shrinking space.
2. Delhi set to go higher, taller
After mid-rise structures with 12-15 floors that came up in east and west Delhi in the early 90s, the city is now set to get skyscrapers a la Mumbai. Several developers are constructing high-end residential towers of more than 15 floors. The tallest project by Raheja Developers called Raheja Phoenix will have a 51-storey tower.
3. Does higher Delhi mean cheaper flats in NCR?
The reason why real estate in Gurgaon and Noida is flourishing today is because land is scarce and hence expensive in Delhi. But with the Master Plan proposing vertical growth of the Capital resulting in a leap in housing, will prices of Delhi’s tony neighbours be affected? Most experts believe so.
4. Okhla sewage plant kicks off
The 30 million gallons per day Okhla sewage treatment plant was inaugurated on Saturday – two days after work on the interceptor sewage system commenced. A major component of the Yamuna Action Plan-II, the plant will not only treat sewage but will also produce electricity from sludge using biogas system.
5. Parliamentarians rally for ‘Save Our Tigers’ campaign
Over 70 Parliamentarians today came out in support of ‘Save Our Tigers’ campaign and took part in the 2nd JK Tyre Constitution Club of India Car Rally for MPs today.
6. Diesel consumption declines by 26% in Delhi; petrol up by 2.24%
Diesel consumption in the national Capital has declined by a startling 26% in 2010-11 compared to 2009-10, while the city guzzled 2.24% more petrol in the same period. As per the latest Delhi government data, diesel consumption in the city was 8.11 lakh metric tonnes in 2010-11 against10.98 lakh metric tonnes the year before.
7. Japan helping India clean Yamuna: Natarajan
India is getting assistance from Japan for a programme to cleanse the Yamuna river, environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan said Monday.
8. Pollution certificates cost double
The city’s sultry and long summer has had an unusual effect. It has prompted the Delhi government to hike the rate for the pollution under control certificate. The transport department almost doubled the rate to Rs 60 for two/three wheelers, Rs 80 for petrol and CNG four-wheelers, and Rs 100 for diesel vehicles from December 21.
9. Govt not to allow exploitation of dense woods
Government admitted in the Lok Sabha that it could have allowed excessive diversion of forests for mining activities but assured the House that it will strictly adhere to the ‘go and no-go areas” and not permit exploitation of dense woods.
10. Geoscientists to review Ganga basin mngt plan
Eminent geoscientists of the country will assemble here on December 22 and 23 to review the progress made towards the formulation of the Ganga river basin management plan.
11. ICT key to combat climate change, say experts
Information and communications technology (ICT) can play a major role in combating climate change by encouraging adoption of green practices, experts said Thursday.
12. Most of India’s amphibians may go extinct: Biologist
To discover a new species is a huge honour for a biologist. By that yardstick, the achievements of Dr Sathyabhama Das Biju, an amphibian biologist at Delhi University, are staggering. He has discovered 42 species and is in the process of describing another 28, six new genera and one family – all of frogs.
13. Green clearances may be withdrawn for delayed projects: MoEF
With India Inc and various government departments blaming the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) for delaying clearances for developmental projects, the ministry has said that the delay is not on its part but on the part of the industry in starting and completing the projects on time.
14. No binding pacts inked in Durban climate meet: Jayanthi Natarajan
India has not undertaken legally binding commitments to take absolute greenhouse gas emission reduction targets at Durban, Union environment and forests minister Jayanthi Natarajan informed Rajya Sabha on Wednesday in a statement tabled in the house on the recently concluded UN climate negotiations in South Africa.
15. India opposes imposition of blanket green targets on developing nations
India has opposed any attempt to impose universal green targets on developing countries in the name of sustainable development goals.
