Environmental News and Media Roundup for Week 4, 2013
Weekly environmental news roundup from across different media networks for week 4 (starting January 21, 2013) 2013.
1. Plastic remains in use as ban hangs in balance
Plastic carrybags are back in Delhi markets despite a ban. Though the government maintains the material is banned in the Capital, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, which has the mandate to implement the ban, says it cannot really take action against the offenders.
2. February date for first-ever tree census
The Delhi government has finally set a deadline of February 2013, for the launch of the Capital’s first-ever tree census. The Delhi Preservation of Trees Act came into force in 1994, with a mandate to count trees, but it could never take off despite promises.
3. Solar pump project hit as states ignore Red areas
Lack of action on a solar-based pump project to provide drinking water to 10,000 remote habitations illustrates the indifference being shown by states towards people living in Maoist-affected areas.
4. Makeover time for over 100 road points in city
The Delhi Parks and Garden Society on Monday said about 100 road points, such as those on NH 24 and in Dhaula Kuan, in the Capital have been taken up for landscaping and greenery.
5. Felling clips Jahanpanah City Forest’s green cover
The Jahanpanah City Forest is a lesser-known green cover of South Delhi which acts as lungs for a huge chunk of the Capital’s population. However, this 435-odd acres of pristine greenery is slowly and steadily getting its cover clipped, thanks to felling.
6. Green initiative to save water
Perched on the ridge area, they have faced water woes for years. But now they are looking at clubbing efforts of rainwater harvesting by re-using kitchen wastewater, diverting water from overflowing tanks and sprinklers for watering their parks.
7. Several trees across Delhi and counting
From the central verge on the roads to side curbs, from empty tree guards to open drains, from parks to waste lands, you name it and he has planted a trees there across Delhi and scores of places across India. Till September 30, 2012, swami Prem Parivartan, 45, has planted and facilitated plantation of 1 crore 5 lakh trees, of which 16 lakh are peepal
8. N-E tribals pick up guns to oppose tiger reserve
From joblessness to lack of development, militants in the northeast have fought for several causes over the years. Here’s the latest reason they’re picking up guns — dislike for a proposed tiger reserve. A tribal community in central Assam’s Karbi Anglong district has floated a militant outfit to oppose the creation of the reserve. The outfit has taken shape among Rengmas, a Naga tribe.
9. Ban mining in national parks, tiger reserve areas: Panel
A complete ban on mining activities in areas of national parks, tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries could be on the anvil if the government agrees to the recommendations of a high-level Environment Ministry panel.
10. Union tribal affairs minister V Kishore Chandra Deo firm over tribals’ rights over forestlands
Differing from the Prime Minister’s Office, Union tribal affairs minister V Kishore Chandra Deo has stood firm on tribal rights granted over forestlands through the Forest Rights Act as the government sought more time from the Supreme Court to finalize its position.
