Environmental News and Media Roundup for Week 26, 2012
Weekly environmental news roundup from across different media networks for week 25 (starting June 26, 2012) 2012.
1. Dredged silt drips back into Yamuna
The recent dredging exercise at the Okhla barrage to deepen the Okhla pond was welcomed by environmentalists till they figured out that all the silt pulled out was being dumped along the banks and allowed to flow downstream with the river. “For one thing, it is a complete waste of money and time to desilt the river and then allow the silt to flow back into it
2. Water crisis: Malls shut toilets, turn down ACs
The ongoing water crisis that has affected numerous households across the city, has now hit the malls too. Malls such as Select CityWalk, DLF Place, DLF Promenade and Ambience Mall Gurgaon faced a major water shortage over the weekend, so much so that washrooms had to be closed and air-conditioning was severely affected.
3. Power punch: Metro to hike fares
More bad news is in store for inflation-hit Delhiites. Steep hikes in power tariff over the years are likely to soon reflect in Delhi Metro’s fares. “Though no formal decision in this regard has been taken yet, a hike in fares cannot be avoided considering the huge rise in our operating expenditure,” said a senior officer of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. The organisation’s fare fixation committee will take the final call soon, the officer added.
4. Delhi gets its hottest June in five years
You have felt it, now it’s officially confirmed. Soaring temperatures and poor rainfall have made this year’s June the hottest in five years. According to meteorological data, the average maximum temperature this June was 40.7 degrees Celsius. The month, the Met department said, had 27 days when the temperature remained above 40 degrees.
5. Soon, handheld devices for parking slips
The North Delhi Municipal Corporation has decided to make the use of handheld devices to issue parking slips mandatory. The corporation took this step following complaints of overcharging and misuse of parking space by contractors handling its parking lots.
6. Power shock: Tariffs rise 26% for Delhi households
In the steepest hike in recent years, domestic consumers will have to pay almost 26% more for power from July 1, the city’s electricity regulator said on Tuesday while announcing new tariff slabs.
7. Jumbo tragedy: Truck crashes into elephants
A 40-year-old cow elephant was crushed to death and another 35-year-old was injured when a speeding truck rammed them from the rear near Mahamaya Flyover at the Noida-Delhi border on Friday.
