TODAY'S TRENDING ENVIRONMENT NEWS INDIA

New centre for carbon capture, utilisation at IIT Bombay

The Department of Science & Technology (DST) under the Union Ministry of Science and Technology has established the National Centre of Excellence in Carbon Capture and Utilisation (NCOE-CCU) at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay.

This Centre of Excellence explores and unlocks the potential of Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) technologies to set India on the path to achieving its climate goals and commitments.
The Centre’s primary focus of research will involve understanding the role of CO2 in the global climate and mitigation strategies of the CO2 emitted from the industrial and energy sector, ranging from advances in capture technologies to subsequent utilization of captured CO2.

The NCOE-CCU, as per an IIT Bombay statement, is the country’s first such centrally funded by the DST. It was formally sanctioned in December 2021. Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) is a crucial climate change mitigation solution that is constantly advancing in its technology readiness levels for operational feasibility and economic viability.

👉 DTE

Gujarat rescued 1,689 whale sharks in 16 years

Gujarat can take pride in driving the success of a conservation project that has rescued 1,689 whale sharks - the largest fish on earth - from the fishermen's nets in the past 16 years. The highest number of rescues were carried out in the state in 2019-20 when 781 whale sharks were released into the sea.

The Whale Shark Conservation Project, a joint venture of the Gujarat Forest Department, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and Tata Chemicals Ltd (TCL), spreads awareness on the plight of the species and its protected status among the coastal communities in the state. Involvement of community and religious leaders has helped immensely," said a forest official.
The project has turned the fishermen into protectors of the whale shark and brought about a change in their attitude towards the species. When the project began in 2004, there were apprehensions about its execution. In the initial years, a few fishermen agreed to join in. Involvement of community and religious leaders has helped immensely," said a forest official.

Whale sharks, which come to Gujarat coasts from Australian and African waters, were brutally hunted along the shores as their meat is quite popular in China and Europe. On an average 50-60 whale sharks are rescued every year.

Despite action, illegal mining goes on unabated in Mahendragarh: Haryana

The registration of 149 FIRs, seizure of 243 vehicles and recovery of Rs 4 crore in the past 13 months indicate that the mining mafia is still active in the region despite the efforts being made by the district authorities to check this illegal trade.

An inquiry conducted by the mining officials into the cases reveals that locals are involved in illegal mining. Recees are carried out to find out the exact location of patrolling parties with an intention to evade action, said sources.
Illegal mining had resulted in a landslide at Aravali Forest Area in Jainpur village here last month leaving one person dead and several others injured.

The incident forced the district authorities to make extra efforts to tighten the noose around the mafia. Consequently, 11 FIRs were lodged, 22 vehicles were seized and a penalty of Rs 35 lakh was recovered for illegal mining in January alone.

👉 The Tribune

How a water-scarce village in Maharashtra became water-prudent

Kota Jahangir village in Maharashtra’s Jalna district was in the grip of an acute water shortage in the early 2000s. Villages in Bhokardan block created sustainable provisions for drinking water while also managing greywater despite unfavourable non-favourable hydrogeology.

Women and children had to walk miles to fetch drinking water, recalled Bando Sarai, the sarpanch of the village. The decreasing groundwater was also not very healthy for consumption due to high concentration of fluorides.
To tackle water scarcity, the Gram Panchayat formed a village water committee called paani samiti (water committee) in 2006. Women were motivated to participate and in a committee of 21, seven were women, said Fadat, the former sarpanch.

The strategic planning and designing of the water-harvesting structures have made recharge of the groundwater sustainable. The groundwater table has increased to 12-15 m from 18.5 m in the early 2000s. The operation and maintenance of piped water is maintained through the funds of the Gram Panchayat. The technical issues are sorted through coordination of the block officers.

👉 DTE

Implement Ban On Movement Of Vehicles In Tiger Reserve Area: HC

The Madras High Court on Tuesday directed the authorities concerned to strictly enforce from February 10, an order of the Erode district Collector banning movement of motor vehicles in the night on Bannari-Karapallam stretch of the Coimbatore-Bengaluru national highway (NH-948) that runs through the eco-sensitive Satyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR).

The first bench of Acting Chief Justice M N Bhandari and Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy gave the direction, while entertaining a PIL petition from city-based advocate SP Chockalingam, today.
The petition prayed for a direction to the Erode district Collector-cum- Regional Transport Authority to impose complete ban on plying of vehicles from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. and ban of heavy commercial vehicles between 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on the said stretch of NH 948. His interim prayer is for a direction to the authorities to form Forest Highway Patrol teams to regulate traffic in the stretch.

Earlier, the bench was told that the district Collector had issued the notification banning movement of motor vehicles in the night on the stretch, three years ago. But it could not be given effect to, following stiff resistance from the public. The judges indicted the forest officials for not implementing the notification despite a lapse of three years. They should have the spine to enforce the rules. They should not remain as silent spectators. "Are you not taking salary and minting money", the judges asked. They should be held accountable for the death of a vast number of animals in road accidents on the stretch, the bench added.

👉 DTE

BY ENVIRONMENT INDIA

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