:: Delhi Greens ::

The Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) invites applications for various posts for setting up the Project Preparation & Management Unit (PPMU) for the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA). The Ministry has already received Project Preparation Facility (PPF) from the World Bank in this regard for supporting preparation for the NGRBA.

Suitable candidates for the below mentioned designations will be selected for a period of five years, with a probation period of two years. All positions are based in New Delhi and higher salary will be considered for deserving candidates. Based on the response, suitable candidates will be shortlisted and called for an interview. The positions advertised for are as below:

1. Project Officer (Waste and Waste Water Management)

Educational Qualification: Degree in Civil/ Environmental Engineering, Master’s Degree preferable
Experience & Qualities: 12 years (if Bachelor’s) and 10 years (if Masters) experience in development and management of waste water infrastructure at progressively senior levels.
Salary (per month): Rs. 75,000/- Consolidated

2. Project Officer (Solid Waste Management)

Educational Qualifications: Degree in Civil/ Environmental Engineering, Master’s Degree preferable.
Experience & Qualities: 12 years (if Bachelor’s) and 10 years (if Masters) experience in development and management of solid waste management infrastructure at progressively senior levels.
Salary (per month): Rs. 75,000/- Consolidated

3. Communications Coordinator

Educational Qualification: Essential-Post Graduate in Public Relations/ Political Science. Desirable-Diploma Course in Mass Communication.
Experience & Qualities: 15 years of relevant experience in planning & executing National Communications, out of which 5 years in implementation of similar projects.
Salary (per month): Rs. 1,00,000/- Consolidated

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The two days solar training conducted by Tra  International Ltd. at India Habitat Center and supported by Delhi Greens, concluded as a challenge for all those who attended the workshop. The training witnessed as many as 33 delegates from various industrial sectors, who came under one umbrella of concern, responsibility and the challenge to make a mark in solar business and entrepreneurship and lead the green energy market.

Tra  International Ltd., a growing solar energy consultancy firm, organized its 3rd workshop this year on solar energy to advocate the idea that investment in training for the right audience with the right content and delivery mechanism can be one of the single most significant factor in the success of a transition to Solar Technology. Day one started with a casual networking session over coffee. “On the first day, we will learn about the basics of solar radiance which will be taken ahead by conveying important concepts on how to measure the sizing of plants and the battery, as well as details on how to configure the plant and various technicalities of solar technology”, informed Mr. Gautam Vivek, Deputy General Manager, NTPC.

Mr. Rajeev Kamal, who has just joined GTZ or the German Technical Cooperation, which also works with the Government of India said that the workshop had proved to be a simple way to familiarize himself with solar technologies and would help him venture further into solar energy.

Apart from the sessions on fundamentals of PV, Thermal, designing of PV systems (standalone and Grid Interactive) by Mr. Pankaj Som Chaturvedi, CEO of TRA International, the workshop was also presided by Mr. Darshan Bhatt, Founding Director of CIAM who gave valuable insights to the participants on how one should proceed if one wishes to become an entrepreneur.

More serious issues like Govt. policies and Feasibility, issues on Large Scale Solar and SPV Typical Technology Session (comparison between Thin Film and Crystalline & different  Inverters) were the highlights of the second day training program. Satisfied and applauding the initiative, Mr. Ashish Gaur from Nap Systems said, “I am new in this field and I have started my career in this, so it will definitely help me and my organisation to get better results.”

But the real challenge lies in setting out to implement the acquired knowledge in today’s fast growing renewable energy sector. Handling a cutting-edge solar intelligence and becoming a real time solar entrepreneur is but a long way to venture on, for a better world and to contribute towards saving the fast depleting resources. However taking up the challenge with confidence and much enthusiasm, Monika Sharma, working with Cargo Motors Pvt. Ltd. stated, “This workshop has given me an idea about the points which are necessary for business. So this would surely help me..”

Concluding the session and extending their thanks to all participating delegates, Mr. Pankaj Chaturvedi said, “Solar energy being a new focus area, the level of awareness and knowledge about the same is limited. We understand this constraint and in an attempt to popularize the use of renewable energy and to make professionals competent enough, we conduct these workshops.”

List of participating organizations: Nap Systems, RSB Energy P Ltd., Cargo Motors P Ltd, Sunurban Energy, Chroma Energy P Ltd., Indosolar Ltd., GTZ (Indo-German), Electrotech, 10.  Jain Irrigations, M W Group, Bergen GroupBharat Forge Ltd., DNP Infrastructures Pvt. Ltd., INS e-Solutions Ltd., GEM (Battery, Inverter, UPS), IOCL , AOV Internationl Export House, Anderson Wright International, ALTEL (Aluminium & Telecom Ltd), Thermodynamic Engineers Pvt. Ltd., NTPC Ltd., Fabrico (India) Pvt. Ltd.

This post has been submitted by our SOIP candidate Saloni Tandon.

Previously on Delhi Greens:

• Invite: Solar Training Workshop in Delhi by Tra International
  

The Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) has, under its Medini Puraskar Yojana for promoting writing of books originally in Hindi on Environment and related subjects, e.g. Forests, Wildlife, Pollution and Water Resources, etc. invited entries from Indian authors for the year 2009. Books published between 1st January 2007 and 31st December 2009 and containing at least 100 printed pages would be accepted for consideration for awards.

The prizes for the first, second and third best books are Rs. 31,000/-, Rs. 25,000/- and Rs. 20,000/- respectively. A consolation prize of Rs. 15,000/- has also been allocated for the next best entry. Any book which has already received an award, subsidy or any financial assistance under any similar scheme operated by the Govt. or any other organization would is not eligible for consideration of the said award.

Any Indian author who is eligible can send her/his entries, duly filed in the prescribed proforma available at the MoEF website, along with seven copies of her/his book. The last date for receiving entries is 30th July, 2010. The entries can be mailed to the following address:

Director (OL)
M/O Environment & Forests
Paryavaran Bhawan, Room No. 625
CGO Complex, Lodhi Road
New Delhi – 110003

Well, that’s what many people seem to be reciting during this year’s monsoon. The reason for such a wish being the menace caused by rainfall that leads to traffic havoc and raises people’s irritation level even as it brings down the city’s mercury level.

Since the announcement of our new campaign “Delhi Monsoon 2010”, the graph of excitement and anticipation for this year’s monsoon has been going up and down…down and up. The scanning of news on monsoon and how the city is interacting with the hide and seek game of the monsoon has brought out some interesting facts to study and discuss.

The long-awaited monsoon reached the capital on July 5, Monday after a six-day delay. According to B.P. Yadav, Director of the India Meteorological Department, “even though the city missed its usual monsoon date of June 29, the rainfall for this season will be good.” But the news that flashed across many newspapers in the days that have followed and people’s reaction has varied as to what “good” is expected from the monsoon.

By 7th July news sources across the Internet flashed how Monsoon had knocked out Delhi and Haryana. Heavy rains and windy conditions disrupted operations at the IGI airport for about half an hour. Classic cases of civic negligence came forward with large sections of the busy Aurobindo Marg connecting Central Delhi with Gurgaon and South Delhi caved in after an evening of downpour. The result, both sides of the main road had to be blocked for traffic all the way from AIIMS to IIT-D, leading to massive jams on all the roads in the area. A reputed media agency revealed this to be the result of covering up of a storm-water drain at Gautam Nagar by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) last year.

Problems after problems have been running through most of the news channels on monsoon 2010. Yesterday’s sad news of lives being lost only added to the unfortunate and dismal situation, that is now the monsoon menace in the capital. It is reported that three persons, including a woman, were killed in rain-related incidents as heavy showers lashed the capital in the evening. A woman died due to wall collapse and two men were electrocuted when they came in contact with an electric wire which fell off a pole due to the rains in Chandni Chowk. In yet another incident, a three floored building came down killing the entire family which resided in it.

Few good news were reported related to the monsoon. One being the most common declaration of respite from the killer heat of Delhi. The rest, or if any of it exists, is hardly discussed or talked about. Why the monsoon, for all its blessings, never gets due respect and appreciation skips many a minds just like the rain clouds that skip Delhi so often. Do we ever wonder where all our drinking water is coming from, why we need rain, and the importance of such short lived season as the monsoon in Delhi?

The Delhi government has asked residents of low-lying areas along the Yamuna river bank to remain alert and if possible shift to safer places. 50, 000 cusecs of water may be released from the neighbouring Haryana state as it has been witnessing incessant rains since the past two days. Remembering the Yamuna that has been nothing more but a drain, and for which a cleansing solution is so sought after, a flood on it sounds a bit unimaginable. A natural process of cleaning or rather the natural way a river should be, will be a good eye opening picture for many people in and around Delhi.

Relating the problems to its causes and analyzing the impacts will definitely bring to light many neglected issues that need simple yet urgent solutions in the city. Prevention is always better than cure. This phrase has stood true through all time, and our city planners and authorities need to integrate this wise saying in all developmental planning and throughout the implementation phase. The coming days will bring respite from the heat but are we missing out on the larger picture of such short relief.

Join the Delhi Monsoon 2010 campaign! Treat yourself to many known facts and unknown issues

WWF India is looking for two talented, progressive-minded youths to represent India during its upcoming Youth Tiger Summit at Vladivostok (home to the Amur tiger) in Russia. Starting September 12, 2010, the summit will carry on till September 19, 2010. If you are young, a natural leader and people listen to you, keen on wildlife and nature conservation, dreaming of embarking on an unforgettable journey to tiger land, willing to tell others how important it is to save this magnificent species – the tigers, then this opportunity is for you!

To become a “WWF Tiger Ambassador” one must be:

• Aged between 18 to 22 years old
• Fluent in English, with excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Completed YTS Application form
• Keen on nature conservation, and aware of the problems and ways to save the tiger. Looking to increase their knowledge and change the world for the better.
• In addition to the Summit, the youth tiger ambassadors will participate in a series of events in India e.g. press conferences and those events dedicated to tiger conservation.

Youth Tiger Summit will be a parallel event to the high level tiger summit to be held in St. Petersburg in September 2010 involving the heads of Governments from all tiger range countries, as well as representatives NGOs, private institutions and international agencies.

The Summit delegates will visit the tiger habitat and tiger trails, get first-hand information on the state of the wild population and the necessary measures for its conservation. Delegates will have the opportunity to participate in online learning, meet WWF India staff, learn how to give interviews and engage in public speaking.

To participate download and send in the completed application form (Click to Download) to the address below. The short- listed candidates will be then invited for an interview at WWF-India, Secretariat, New Delhi for the final selection process.

Deadline for submission of application Form is 12 July 2010

For more information contact:

Aarti Khosla / Joseph Vattavaken
Youth Tiger Summit
WWF-India Secretariat
172-B, Lodi Estate
New Delhi-110003

Ph : +91-11-41504814/15
Email: saveourtigers@wwfindia.net

Delhi rendezvous with Monsoon 2010 finally took place in the week starting July 5th and the city has since then given a mixed response to the rains. The Monsoon itself is such that the city is experiencing only intermittent rains with the sun not refusing to give in. It came as a shock to us when the old chaiwallah at Roshanhara Bagh–a not so well kept historical green space in the city–looked up at the sun among the clouds to say, “aajkal ke baadal bhi aajke naujawano ki jawaani ki tarah hi hain. Chadne se pehle hi utar jaate hain.”  While we took that with a pinch of salt, for we wanted to disagree but didn’t know how, we just decided to put the salt in our tea in the best interest of our throats.

The first rain, as we remembered was told to us in our even younger days, settles the dust and impurities from the sky above and should be avoided. Unfortunately, the city’s infrastructure either did not know this, or could not avoid it and part of it crumbled under the Monsoon effect. The first rain may have settled the dust and the impurities, it definitely did “resettle” a lot of other ‘loosely packed’ materials! Other than that, we saw chidlren playing, roadside vendors running for cover, trees washing themselves, cars getting auto-cleaned and amidst all that, a concrete mixing truck which was in the middle of covering a drain, stop and stand aside.

In the coming few days, we would be following the monsoonal rains as they interact with the various facet of the city life as part of the Delhi Monsoon 2010 campaign. We also look forward to hearing your suggestions, comments, feedback and receiving your photographs, stories and bytes. Leave a comment or send it to monsoon2010@delhigreens.org  

Image courtesy Impuri Shimray

The sound of the rain drops tickling and relaxing the mind
The refreshing sweet smell of the wet air after the fall
The dry cleaned green trees and grass soothing the eyes
Cracking silly jokes over tea and its perfect match of pakora
A celebrated way of spending time inside the house

Washing the car as an excuse for getting wet in the rain
Thinking I am too old to play in the rain
While the kids jump and run around the garden
For many it’s a vacation from the heat and the tired city
Buy hundred reasons to enjoy and bath in its bliss

The Monsoon countdown has ended as the first drops of the South-west monsoon hit Delhi’s soil and raised excitement among the citizens. As promised, Delhi Greens kicks off its seasonal celebration “Delhi Monsoon 2010” and extends the invitation to all concerned citizens to be a part of the season-wide study on how the city interacts with the Monsoon, relates to its environmental needs and how a balanced development is critical for the welfare of the citizens as well as for winning the battle against the hazards of large scale environmental degradation.

Delhi Greens is excited to announce some of the highlights to be covered during the “Delhi Monsoon 2010″ insightful celebrations . The following topics will be discussed and we invite you all to share your opinions, thoughts and tips.

• Significance of Monsoon
• Energy saving tips
• Tips to keep house clean & free from insects/reptiles
• Health care tips
• Dos and don’ts during the monsoon
• How to enjoy the monsoon

Send us your write-ups, photographs, ideas and creative expression (or any query whatsoever) to monsoon2010@delhigreens.org

This July, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has taken upon itself the task to clean Delhi city, which is in an excitement rather disturbed state, preparing for the Commonwealth Games 2010. MCD cannot neglect the aesthetic nature of our city and hence the need for necessary beautification. Also, the monsoon cannot be allowed to play spoil sport this year, because this is the year we host the Games.

A sanitation drive by the MCD will cover railway stations, bus stops and major markets  starting  July 1^st and will continue up to the 15^th. Major landmarks in the city which cater to a large population of the city like the Old and New Delhi Railway Stations, Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT), airport, markets, religious places and major road junctions would be cleaned and treated with disinfectants. According to Mayor Prithvi Raj Sawhney, this special awareness program on cleanliness will put together  a five-member team in each zone to check and supervise the sanitation work. The MCD plans to begin its work by visiting every ward from Thursday onwards to supervise the cleanliness program. Special emphasis has been given to sanitation of latrines and urinals in schools and hospitals run by the civic body.

Getting back to the monsoon, this season MCD has a special plan to prevent water logging which is a persistent troublemaker every monsoon. In order to remove debris from drains from several areas in the city, the officials will identify at least one site in each ward where garbage or debris generated from construction can be thrown, so it doesn’t block the drainage. To further counteract the complaints regarding debris due to the CWG related works, which could become a major culprit causing water logging, the Mayor has taken a stand to not to pay contractors till they clean the mess. 600 pumps have been installed across Delhi for the same and one lakh rupees have been allotted for every ward in the city to hire trucks to clean the muck and debris from drains before the monsoon sets in according to MCD House Leader Subhash Arya.

As a concerned citizen, it is our duty to monitor this massive task of cleaning and ensure that every single bit of troublemaker–be it the construction debris blocking the drainage, waste thrown carelessly in the drainage or the man at work responsible for cleaning–is taken care of and the target for cleaning Delhi is achieved not only on papers but in deed as well.

This post is submitted by our SOIP candidate Munmun Chowdhury.