Environment

PANAJI: A study by the CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) in the Mandovi and Zuari rivers revealed a stark decline in microplastic (MP) concentrations post-Covid 19 pandemic, showcasing a significant reduction across both dry and wet seasons. This decline highlighted a notable shift in MP size distribution, with larger MPs dominating after the pandemic compared to smaller ones prevalent earlier.“The present study clearly exhibited that due to the reduction of overall anthropogenic activities during the Covid-19 pandemic period, a sharp

GURGAON: From ancient culture to sporting triumphs the Haryana pavilion at India International Trade Fair (IITF) based on the theme “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – Unity by Trade” showcases rich cultural heritage to sporting achievements of the state at international level.It not only showcases artifacts from the historical Rakhi Garhi(Hisar), revealing remnants of the Indus Valley Civilization, but also provides live demonstrations of traditional crafts and pottery.Moreover, the pavilion highlights Haryana’s industrial leap over the past nine years, positioning itself as a

NEW DELHI: There was a huge statement underlying Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appearance in Parliament wearing a sleeveless jacket made of material recycled from plastic bottles early this year. Not only did it show how intrinsic plastic is to our day-to-day lives but also conveyed how we could transition from a “throwaway economy” to a “reuse economy” that would help save resources and simultaneously deal with the growing menace of hazardous waste.Statistics show that 50% of plastic waste in the

New Delhi: There was a huge statement underlying Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appearance in Parliament wearing a sleeveless jacket made of material recycled from plastic bottles early this year. Not only did it show how intrinsic plastic is to our day-to-day lives but also conveyed how we could transition from a “throwaway economy” to a “reuse economy” that would help save resources and simultaneously deal with the growing menace of hazardous waste.Statistics show that 50% of plastic waste in the

COIMBATORE: Heavy rain lashed Coimbatore district on Thursday night, throwing life out of gear. As showers intensified, the river Noyyal overflowed at several places, inundating agricultural fields. With the northeast monsoon intensifying in the district, collector Kranthi Kumar Pati has advised the residents living in houses with mud walls, dilapidated houses and low-lying areas to move to safer places.He also warned the public against going near water bodies to take selfies

LUCKNOW: Poised to become one of the biggest religious capitals of the world, Ayodhya is gearing up to spread an eco-friendly message.The temple town has entered into an agreement with a private company to responsibly use and convert plastic waste generated here into automotive fuel.“The idea is make Ayodhya a totally single-use plastic free city, ” said Ayodhya municipal commissioner Vishal Singh.To make it happen, theAyodhya Municipal Coproration has signed a concession agreement with Bengaluru-based MK Aromatics Limited that runs

NAIROBI: The latest round of negotiations to craft a treaty to end global plastic pollution closed late on Sunday after talks in Nairobi, Kenya, where delegates failed to reach a consensus on how to advance a draft of the agreement after a week of strained negotiations. Environmental advocates criticized the outcome of the weeklong United Nations-led meeting on plastic pollution, saying oil-producing countries successfully employed stalling tactics designed to weaken the agreement. The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for Plastics is mandated

DEHRADUN: At least three people were charred alive after a fire engulfed a tent house on Nawabi Road in Haldwaniin Nainital district on Diwali (Sunday) night around 11.30pm. Those killed in the incident were identified as Ravindra Kumar and Krishan Kumar of Ramnagar and Rohit Puri, a resident of Dhari. Goods worth several lakhs were burnt to ashes.Seeing the flames, the neighbours informed the police, the tent house owner and the fire brigade. Before any help could reach the spot,

NAIROBI: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) will announce next week the five winners of the 2023 Champions of the Earth Award, the UN’s highest environmental honour.The award, now in its 19th year, recognises pioneering leaders from government, civil society, academia, and the private sector for their transformative impacts on the natural world.This year’s awards will honour innovators and initiatives that are helping to tackle plastic pollution, which UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently

Panaji: Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) is set to host the 2nd International Environment & Sustainability Summit, Goa, from February 8 to 10, 2024. GSPCB chairperson Mahesh Patil said that based on the success of the event last year, international organisations such as the World Bank have expressed interest in collaborating with Goa for the 2024 summit.The theme for the upcoming summit is ‘A step to become net zero by 2070’.Patil said that the event will familiarise participants with