Monday Feature: Green News and Media Roundup for Week 47, 2011
Weekly environmental news roundup from across different media networks for week 47 (starting November 21), 2011.
1. Maruti Suzuki plans more models with CNG options
The country’s largest car-maker Maruti Suzuki India is planning to add more models with environment-friendly CNG option to its existing fleet of five such cars.
2. Congestion tax back on table to check traffic chaos
Years after the Delhi Government spoke about introducing a special tax in parts of the city to check the growing number of vehicles, congestion tax is back on the discussion board.
3. DJB on path to recycle resources
The Delhi Jal Board is aiming at exploring more advanced technologies to harness and reuse its resources like sewage and biogas.
4. DDA constructing over 70,000 flats in capital
Delhi Development Authority is constructing 70,160 flats in various areas of the capital such as Dwarka, Rohini, Narela, Kathputli Colony and Kalkaji Extension, Minister of State for Urban Development Saugata Roy told Lok Sabha today.
5. Rising levels of pollution to trigger dense smog
Once the present foggy conditions settle down, Delhiites will again have to battle with pollution-laden smog. While the temperature is still on the higher side and humidity levels are falling, Met officials and environmentalists say that the conditions are ripe for formation of heavy smog, especially since particulate matter levels have been witnessing a steady increase over the past few months.
6. Encroachment: Sealing scare back to haunt posh locality in Delhi
The spectre of sealing is back to haunt the park. The Supreme Court appointed Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority (EPCA) has ordered that all commercial property running in the park illegally – which includes the Ambassador Hotel – should be sealed by December 1.
7. Treated waste water to help revive Delhi’s greenery
With a number of plants planted along the roadside dying for lack of proper watering, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Friday reviewed their status and issued directions that they be watered properly with treated water.
8. Rich nations make empty pledges in contributing to fast-track climate fund
A fast-track fund of $30 billion from the developed world to the poorest countries was one key trade-off against emerging economies like India accepting international scrutiny of their climate actions at Copenhagen. But two years on, the rich countries have contributed only 1% of the amount ($320 million) against that.
9. Brazil stands by India on climate change stance
India’s strong climate change stance got a boost from Brazil in Durban. The Latin American nation demanded more action from the developed world, and asked for a burden-sharing formula to be worked out before a new global deal is sealed.
