The spiritual guru of Tibetans, the Dalai Lama, has called for joint efforts by countries to combat global warming, which, he feels, is the biggest threat to the very existence of our civilisation in the 21st century. He was talking to mediapersons here today.

He said global warming was more dangerous than terrorism and every individual should contribute to preserve the degrading environment.

He said global warming could impact Tibet and also the water supply in South Asia. "We need to show people that this is the reality. We need certain precautions and certain efforts to protect both Tibet and South Asia," he said.

To a question on the dangerous formation of the Parechu lake in Tibet, the Dalai Lama attributed it to global warming.

Earlier, he gave a discourse on the second day at the stadium grounds here.
The Tribune (Chandigarh), 11 June 2006

World leaders must not allow concern for energy security to distract them from taking promised action on global warming, top world scientists said today. Climate change solutions agreed at the G8 summit in Scotland a year ago risked being pushed off the agenda at next month's G8 summit in Russia by worries about security of energy supply, they said.

''One year on from the UK Gleneagles Summit, where the G8 committed to taking action on climate change, this crucial issue must not be allowed to fall by the wayside,'' said Martin Rees, president of the UK's Royal Society.

Rees is a signatory to the statement from the science academies of the G8 and China, Brazil, India and South Africa.

''The G8 must demonstrate that this was a serious pledge by integrating climate concerns with their discussions regarding security of supply,'' he said.

Britain pushed global warming to the top of the agenda during its presidency of the G8 in 2005, eliciting promises of action from some of the world's major polluters.

But energy supply worries have increased as Russia briefly turned off gas supplies in December in a dispute with Ukraine, Iraq's insurgency has escalated as has a nuclear row with Iran, factors that boosted oil prices to record levels.

Environmentalists say the topic has dominated discussions in the lead up to the G8 summit in St Petersberg from July 15-17, pushing a follow-up to the resounding Gleneagles climate change declarations all but off the agenda.

US President George W. Bush, who signed the Gleneagles declaration but has not ratified the Kyoto Protocol on tackling human-caused global warming by cutting carbon dioxide emissions, has called for reduced the US dependence on imported oil. Partly as a result of energy security worries there has been a surge in interest in nuclear power and coal as power sources.

''As some of the most intensive users of energy in the world, the G8 nations bear a special responsibility to help stimulate the clean energy revolution that will deliver economically, environmentally

and socially while ensuring the lights stay on,'' Rees said.
The Tribune (Chandigarh), 15 June 2006

Some species of animals are changing genetically in order to adapt to rapid climate change within the timeframe of just a few generations, scientists said.

Smaller animals in particular that can breed quickly, such as squirrels, some birds and insects, are showing signs of evolving new patterns of behaviour to increase their chances of survival.

Scientists believe that the many of the genetic adaptations are to cope with changes in the length of the seasons rather than the absolute increases in summer temperatures.

Larger animals and species that are slow to reproduce may on the other hand find it difficult to cope with climate change because they cannot adapt genetically as quickly as smaller, more fertile creatures that have rapid lifecycles.

"Studies show that over the past several decades, rapid climate change has led to heritable, genetic changes in animal populations," said Christina Holzapfel, from the University of Oregon in Eugene.

Examples included Canadian red squirrels reproducing earlier in the year, German blackcap birds migrating and arriving earlier at their nesting grounds, and north American mosquitoes living in water-filled leaves of carnivorous plants which can adjust their life cycles to shorter more "southern" day lengths.

William Bradshaw, professor of biology at Oregon, said that global warming is going at a faster rate at more northerly latitudes which is causing longer growing seasons, and less cold stress caused by extreme winter weather.

"Over the past 40 years, animal species have been extending their range toward the poles and populations have been migrating, developing or reproducing earlier," Professor Bradshaw said.

"These expansions and changes have often been attributed to 'phenotypic plasticity', or the ability of individuals to modify their behaviour, morphology or physiology in response to altered environmental conditions," he said.

However, the scientists points out that in addition to these ad-hoc changes in behaviour, there is another type of evolutionary change at the level the genes which is being caused by rapid climate change.

"Phenotypic plasticity is not the whole story. Studies show that over the past several decades, rapid climate change has led to heritable, genetic changes in animal populations," said Dr Holzapfel.

There is bound to be winners and losers in a world where the climate is changing as rapidly as it is in parts of the northern hemisphere, Professor Bradshaw said.

"Small animals with short life cycles and large population sizes will

probably adapt to longer growing seasons and be able to persist," said Professor Bradshaw.

"However, populations of many large animals with longer life cycles and smaller population sizes will experience a decline in population size or be replaced by more southern species," he said.

Writing in the journal Science, the researchers point out that there is little evidence to suggest that animals are changing genetically in order to adapt to the higher summer temperatures associated with climate change.

Dr Holzapfel said that adaptations to changing seasons is likely to come first because this will have a more direct bearing on an individual's breeding potential.

"That is the pattern that is emerging. Questions remain about the relative rates of environmental and evolutionary change," she said.

"However, it is clear that unless the long-term magnitude of rapid change is widely acknowledged and effective steps are taken to mitigate its effects, natural communities that we are familiar with will cease to exist."
The Statesman (Kolkata), 14 June 2006

Droughts and unusually dry conditions in recent years in the subtropical American Southwest and Mediterranean Europe may be related to expansion of the tropics.

But researchers at the University of Utah and the University of Washington do not know yet if the tropical expansion was triggered by natural climate variation or by human-caused phenomena such as depletion of the atmosphere's ozone layer or global warming due to the greenhouse effect.

Atmospheric temperature measurements by U.S. weather satellites indicate Earth's hot, tropical zone has expanded farther from the equator since 1979, a study by the researchers shows, according to a University of Utah press release.

Researchers say the apparent north-south widening of the tropics amounts to 2 degrees of latitude or 140 miles.

The study has been published in the journal Science. "It's a big deal. The tropics may be expanding and getting larger," says study co-author Thomas Reichler, an assistant professor of meteorology at the University of Utah.

"If this is true, it also would mean that subtropical deserts are expanding into heavily populated midlatitude regions."

Reichler said the study makes no conclusion about the cause of the tropical expansion, but is purely observational, based on 1979-2005 measurements by the TIROS-N and NOAA weather satellites. NOAA is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. There has been debate over the interpretation of atmospheric temperature measurements collected by weather satellites.

But Science reported in a May 12 news story (`No Doubt About It, the World Is Warming,' page 825) that scientists with competing views hashed out their differences and now agree the

weather satellite data show warming of the lower atmosphere, or troposphere, which extends from the ground up to 55,000 feet at the equator and 23,000 feet at the poles.

Subtropical jet streams (rivers of air) — one in the Northern Hemisphere and one in the Southern Hemisphere — move west to east and mark the meteorological transition from tropical to subtropical climates.

While the satellite measurements dealt with global averages, the new study shows specifically that Earth's midlatitudes got about 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit warmer during the past 26 years, suggesting there has been a change in the average position of the subtropical jet streams.

"We analysed 26-year-long satellite measurements of atmospheric temperatures and found a distinct and very robust pattern of warming, which suggests that each subtropical jet stream has moved poleward by about 1 degree latitude," Reichler says. "This poleward movement took place over both hemispheres, indicating that the tropics have been widening. "

"One can certainly think of various mechanisms of how global warming-related changes in the atmosphere could induce the changes we see. But it's very speculative at this point. "

Earth has two polar jet streams at polar latitudes, one in each hemisphere, and two subtropical jet streams closer to the equator, also one in each hemisphere.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the polar jet stream generally is found between 30 degrees and 70 degrees north latitude, while the subtropical jet stream generally is confined between 20 degrees and 50 degrees north latitude.

The jet streams, at altitudes of roughly 30,000 feet, are relatively narrow streams or tubes of high-speed air moving generally west-to-east, but in a path that meanders widely in a north-south direction. They represent boundaries between warm, tropical air masses and cooler air closer to the poles.

The average position of each subtropical jet stream marks the location of dry, subtropical desert regions on the land below, such as southwestern United States. But in winter, Pacific cyclones can move along the track of the jet, bringing storms to California.

The study found that while the lower atmosphere or troposphere at midlatitudes got warmer during the past 25 years, the overlying stratosphere got cooler.

The study implies that warmer midlatitude temperatures mean the subtropical jet streams have moved farther from the equator based on the idea that warmer air makes the lower atmosphere, or troposphere, expand and bulge upward.

Thus, warmer midlatitude temperatures create a bulge that pushes the subtropical jet streams toward the poles.

"This pattern of warming in the troposphere where we live and cooling of the stratosphere above may actually cause a change of the jet positions," Reichler says. Global warming might cause tropical expansion another way, he adds.

The El Nino climate phenomenon — characterised by a pool of warm water in the western tropical Pacific moving eastward toward the Americas — often causes warmer, drier summers at midlatitudes.

Other studies have shown tropical sea surface temperatures have warmed during the past 25 years. If ocean warming by El Nino can cause warmer, drier summers, then so should a general increase in tropical ocean temperatures — a possible mechanism for tropical expansion, Reichler says.

The researchers considered the possibility that the 26-year warming trend might be an illusion caused by data from the strong El Nino of 1997, which caused record midlatitude temperatures in 1998.

But the midlatitude warming trend remained even when data from the 1997 El Nino was excluded. If global warming isn't responsible for tropical expansion, another possible cause is the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer due to pollutants such as refrigerant gases.

Ozone loss cools the stratosphere while the troposphere warms — the same pattern from global warming due to greenhouse gases.
The Hindu (New Delhi), 01 June 2006

Nuclear power may have a new dawn, though many wrote it off as a sunset industry. Recently, while speaking at a Pennsylvania nuclear power plant, President Bush focused most strongly on nuclear energy, calling it a source of power that is abundant, affordable, and safe (Environment News Service, May 25, 2006).

The US Energy Policy Act 2005 supports construction of new nuclear plants. It provides loan guarantees, production tax credits, and investment protection for delays beyond the builder's control to build new reactors.

Wall Street appears to be interested in nuclear power. "It is no longer a matter of debate whether there will be new nuclear plants... " "... Now, the discussion has shifted to predictions of how many, where and when," Nuclear Energy Institute, a nuclear lobby group quotes from the March 13 Special Report of the Fitch Ratings Global Power Group.

The Christian Science Monitor (CSM) reported that in most American universities, most nuclear engineering

courses are overbooked. Every seat in the workshops for young professionals who believe in nuclear science and technology is filled.

Edward Mcgaffigan Jr., Commissioner, United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) says that NRC may recruit 350 persons per year for the next foreseeable future to cope up with a `tsunami' of applications for new reactors!

On 16th May this year, British Prime Minister Tony Blair declared that the issue of new nuclear power generation "was back on the agenda with a vengeance."

Canada, China, several European Union countries, India, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, and South Africa have schedules to build or refurbish about two dozen power plants during the next five years. In the U.S. and the U.K., governmental preparations are under way that may lead to 15 new reactor orders by 2007 (Physics Today, February 2006).

Finland is constructing a new reactor. Western Europe is quietly backing

away from planned nuclear phase-outs. France is moving in to construct a new 1,600 MWe Reactor.

Worldwide, nearly 80 per cent of the 441 commercial nuclear reactors currently in operation are more than 15 years old. New reactors will have to replace decommissioned ones to maintain nuclear power's position in the overall energy mix.

Nearer home, Unit 4 of the Tarapur Atomic Power Project, India's largest nuclear power reactor became commercial in December 2005. On May 20 this year, Unit 3 of TAPP went critical. In 2007, five units including the first unit (1,000 MWe) of the Kudankulam Power Project are scheduled to go commercial.

Cracks are developing among environmentalists. They hate nuclear power but like renewables. Sun is not always reliable. Wind, often lazy and slow.

They are unreliable and add totally a small percentage. If we need power that is always available, we have to have it from coal or natural gas or nuclear.

Sir David King, U.K. government's chief scientist warned that global warming is more serious than terrorism. James Lovelock, a well-known Green guru concurred. "We have no time to experiment with visionary energy sources; civilisation is in imminent danger and has to use nuclear — the one safe, available energy source — now or suffer the pain soon to be inflicted by our outraged planet" Lovelock wrote in The Independent. Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth, for whom opposition to nuclear power is an article of faith, rejected his claim. Late Hugh Montefoire, former Bishop of Birmingham, a trustee of Friends of the Earth, quit the agency to support nuclear power.

Greenpeace leader Patrick More and Christine Todd Whitman, former Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency and former Governor, New Jersey, set up the Clean and Safe Energy Coalition to promote nuclear power.

"The only technology ready to fill the gap and stop carbon dioxide loading is nuclear power," Stewart Brand, a founder of the Whole Earth Catalogue wrote in Technology Review (2005).

Wired Magazine noted that even the Union of Concerned Scientists, a well known anti nuclear agency has a growing pro-nuke faction.

According to the magazine, much of the resistance of the Greens to nuclear power will soften if the industry dealt with issues such as proliferation, safety, waste management and the like.
The Hindu (New Delhi), 08 June 2006

A vast system of winds over the Pacific Ocean is getting weak because of global warming which portends ill for worldwide weather systems, including the Indian monsoon, according to a recent study.

A team of US researchers from the University Cooperation for Atmospheric Research in Colorado has found that the Walker circulation, which pushes the Pacific Ocean’s trade winds from east to west, has weakened by 3.5 per cent since the mid-1800s, and may weaken by another 10 per cent by 2100. The circulation, which spans almost half the earth, is named after British physicist Gilbert Walker, who was also the first director-general of the India Meteorological Department. Walker was the first scientist to establish that the Indian monsoon is affected by climate phenomena in other regions.

Fluctuations in the circulation can affect temperatures along the Indonesian coast, a key factor for monsoon rains in India, says M. Rajeevan of the IMD. The Walker circulation also influences EI Nino.

"The Walker circulation is fundamental to climate across the globe," says Gabriel Verchi, the lead author of the study that appeared in the 4 May issue of Nature.

The UCAR scientists used shipboard and land-based data as well as computer models to simulate the past and future performance of the Walker circulation, to find out how much of the effect is due to greenhouse gases emitted as a result of human activity. According to Vecchi, the answer they got was that pretty much all of it was due to global warming. "At least 80 per cent of this is attributable to human activities," he was quoted as saying by Nature.com.

Any drop (slowing down) in the Walker circulation produces an even larger reduction in the wind-forced ocean flow – roughly twice as much in percentage terms for both the observed and projected changes, says Vecchi.
The Statesman (Kolkata), 15 June 2006

The nation’s top climate scientists are giving An Inconvenient Truth, AI Gore’s documentary on global warming, five stars for accuracy.

The former vice president’s movie-replete with the prospect of flooding that leaves much of Shanghai and Calcutta underwater, more and nastier hurricanes, worsening droughts, retreating glaciers and disappearing ice sheets – mostly got the science right, said all 19 climate scientists who had seen the movie or read the book.

The AP contacted more than 100 top climate researchers by e-mail and phone for their opinion. Among those contacted were vocal sceptics of climate change theory. Most scientists had not seen the movie, which is in limited release, or read the book.

But those who have seen it had the same general impression: Gore conveyed the science correctly; the world is getting hotter and it is a manmade catastrophe-in-the-making caused by the burning of fossil fuels.

"Excellent," said William Schlesinger, dean of the Nicholas School of Environment and Earth Sciences at Duke University. "He got all the important material and got it right."

Robert Corell, chairman of the worldwide Arctic Climate Impact Assessment group of scientists, read the book and saw Gore give the presentation that is woven throughout the documentary. "I sat there and I’m amazed at how thorough and accurate," Corell said. "After the presentation I said, ‘AI, I’m absolutely blown away. There’s a lot of details you could get wrong.’ …I could find no error." The tiny errors scientists found were not a big deal, "far, far fewer and less significant than the shortcoming in speeches by the typical politician explaining an issue", said Michael Mac-Cracken, chief scientist at the Climate Institute in Washington.
The Times of India (New Delhi), 29 June 2006

Global warming and rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere could give birth to thick forests, but with more toxic forms of poisonous ivy and other noxious vines, researchers say.

Higher carbon dioxide levels expected in the next 50 years could breed ivies that grow twice as fast, and, unexpectedly, manufacture a nastier form of poison, researchers in the United States have shown.

"It’ll be more dangerous to go in the forest," team leader Jacqueline Mohan of the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, Massachusetts was quoted by Nature magazine as saying. Poison ivy (Toxicodendron ‘radicans), which grows as a shrub or tree-climbing vine, is already the scourge of gardeners and hikers in North America for the excruciating skin rash it can trigger. The plant makes a fatty toxin called urushiol in its leaves.

In the study, Nature says Mohan and her co-workers pumped extra carbon dioxide over three large circular plots of North Carolina pine forest. For six years, the plants inside were exposed to an extra 200 parts per million of the gas over today’s atmospheric concentration of about 380 parts per million, roughly what we might expect from pollution by the middle of this country.

Other research, the magazine says, has suggested that vines tend to grow particularly fast in response to higher carbon dioxide levels and that vines are increasing in abundance all over the planet. Unlike trees, which use extra carbon to grow more wood, vines use it to produce more leaves. The extra leaves help the plant to harvest even more carbon dioxide, the cycle continues and the vines flourish.

Mohan’s experiment sought to check whether the plants shoot up in the wild, as they do in greenhouse experiments.

"Yes, dramatically," was the answer, Nature says.

The poisonous ivies grew at double the rate of plants grown under regular carbon dioxide levels, whereas woody species on average tend to grow around 31 per cent faster.

The elevated levels also created a nastier version of urushiol poison, the team showed.
The Statesman (Kolkata), 06 June 2006

There will be no requiem sung to Lohachara and Suparibhanga on World Environment Day on June 5 this year.

Located in the Sunderbans delta area of West Bengal, these two islands were submerged by the rising sea levels. A few more are facing a threat. In the process, hundreds were displaced from their homes and sought shelter in the four refugee colonies in adjoining Sagar Island.

"The Government of India's disaster management mechanism ignores the implications of slow onset disasters like rise in sea level, and does not provide any compensation for people thus affected," says Prof. Sugata Hazra, Director, School of Oceanographic Studies, Jadavpur University, Kolkata.

The school, which functions as a lead centre for conducting training in Integrated Coastal Zone Management, has been assessing the vulnerability of the Sunderbans area vis-à-vis climate change.

"The Government must address the issue of rise in sea level, which occurs due to global warming, extensive coastal erosion and the fact that the Sunderban delta is a subsiding one," Prof. Hazra adds. "Based on our research, we estimate that about 70,000 people will be rendered homeless by 2050."

A majority of the four million residents of the Sunderbans area, according to Prof. Hazra, lies below the poverty line and lacks access to roads or proper health care facilities. They are vulnerable to diseases like malaria and kala-azar. "The absence of any family planning measure and unchecked cross-border infiltration has resulted in an uninhibited population increase in an area with a very fragile ecosystem," the professor warns.

The increasing salinity of the water, resulting from a decrease in the availability of fresh water downstream, has tested the adaptability of wildlife as well. "The tigers of Sunderban drink saline water, perhaps the only example of its kind in the world," he says.
The Hindu (New Delhi), 05 June 2006

The theme of this year’s observance of World Environment Day, "Don’t Desert Drylands!", reminds us all, in the International Year of Deserts and Desertification, of the importance of caring for the world’s vast areas of arid and semiarid land.

Drylands are found in all regions, cover more than 40 per cent of the Earth and are home to nearly 2 billion people – one-third of the world’s population. For most dryland dwellers, life is hard and the future often precarious. They live on the ecological, economic and social margins. It is essential that we do not neglect them or the fragile habitats on which they depend. Across the planet, poverty, unsustainable land management and climate change are turning drylands into deserts, and desertification in turn exacerbates and leads to poverty. It is estimated that between 10 and 20 per cent of drylands are already degraded. The problem is particularly acute in sub Saharan Africa and South Asia, where dryland degradation is a serious obstacle to eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, and is jeopardizing efforts to ensure environmental sustainability. These goals, which the world’s governments have pledged to achieve by 2015, are essential components of a broader commitment to achieve a more secure future for humankind.

There is also mounting evidence that dryland degradation and competition over increasingly scarce resources can bring communities into conflict. Furthermore, people whose livelihoods and survival depend on drylands are swelling the ranks of environmental and economic refugees who are testing the already stretched resources of towns and cities across the developing world.

Desertification is hard to reverse, but it can be prevented. Protecting and restoring drylands will not only relieve the growing burden on the world’s urban areas, it will contribute to a more peaceful and secure world. It will also help to preserve landscapes and cultures that date back to the dawn of civilization and are an essential part of our cultural heritage.

On this World Environment Day, in the 10^th anniversary year of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, I urge governments and communities everywhere to focus on the

Challenges of life on the desert margins so the people who live there can look forward to a future of peace, health and social progress.
The Times of India (New Delhi), 05 June 2006

Environment literally means surroundings and as such includes all the items which surround us and directly or indirectly affect our lives. It essentially includes Air to breathe. Water to drink and utilize for different chores of our day to day life, the Planet Sun which provides us heat so essential for not only human beings but so many species in and around the Earth - which go to constitute the Biosphere around us conserving the Bio-diversity and protecting us from the cosmic and other harmful rays.

So also the Earth’s satellite Moon which provides us necessary coolness at night to sleep and also protects us from the unwanted excess heat of the Sun which it reflects and in turn gives Earth a soothing glow at night. All these elements go to constitute the Environment Day we are supposed to ponder over all these ingredients to see as to how we can better our Environment. Trees are a boon to the living beings and are the very basis of providing oxygen, without which the living beings just cannot survive.

Oxygen we get from plants and trees who in their process of making their food with the rays of Sun/Light-called Photosynthesis, where the Carbon-di-Oxide from the atmosphere is converted with water into Carbo-Hydrates by the green Chlorophyll and in the process fresh Oxygen is released which supports the life in human beings. Of course in the dark the food formation stops and no oxygen is released and only carbon-di-oxide is left around as other living organism too respire and release Carbon di oxide, besides all the decomposing bacteria do the same in regard to the dead matter. It is one of the reasons why the elders advise not to go near trees at night as all this gas gets accumulated there and some times people faint under one or the other influence.

Besides this there are very many use of trees which include providing greenery, shade from Sun and rain, food, fruits, oils, clothing, housing, water, medicines, conservation, checking erosion of the earth, providing different kind of wood for furniture and other purposes, attracting a variety of Flora and Fauna to please man kind. They provide accommodation and shelter to animals in their trunks, roots or shades. There are 30 odd uses of tree in which they help living beings besides the humans. Trees which are a boon to the man kind are being cut ruthlessly and it is no wonder that air pollution is on the increase day by day as the very source of getting natural pure oxygen is being destroyed. This is where we do not realize the importance of trees and invites troubles for our selves.

So, do not cut any tree but if, per force, you have to cut a tree for some purpose which cannot be avoided, then plant at least ten trees in lieu of one but ensure that all the ten grow into trees after plantation.

Air is also being polluted by the increase in population and the corresponding increase in Garbage and Solid waste, number of Vehicles and their exhausts, construction of roads and buildings in place of cultivation and forests, industrialization etc. All these activities generate heat and are warming up the Globe. In the process the glaciers are receding and the effect has been observed in the levels of Oceans and seas and some of the low Coastal places fear submersion in near future.

Another thing which is haunting the man kind is the widening of the hole in the Ozone cover in the Stratosphere (It extends from 12 to 30 km above the Earth) which protects the Earth from a variety of harmful radiations from outer space. The Ozone layer absorbs potentially harmful UV radiations from the Sun. the main destroyers of the ozone layer are the CFCs (Choloro-fluorohydro-Carbons) and nitrogen oxides from fertilizers and air craft emission occurring high in the troposphere where they are broken up by UV light into chlorine which has a devastating effect on ozone. The rays can cause skin cancer, damage vegetation etc. CFCs are common industrial products used in refrigeration systems, air conditioners etc. So you can imagine how much these items which have become almost daily necessities are spoiling the globe. It would not be a surprise if none day we may have to revert back to our earthen water coolers and mud houses which need no air conditioning to save the ozone layer from getting depleted.

Now let us take the case of water which is another essential life saving item and without drinking which it is not possible to survive, what to say of carrying out other chores of life. To supply pure clean water for drinking is the duty and responsibility of the Govt. Three quarters of the Earth’s crust surface is water, yet the remaining one quarter does not have enough water to meet the requirements of it’s inhabitants. The water is so scare that people have to go miles to fetch water even for drinking and that too may not be pure. In Dehradun itself as per the official figures, the capacity of water works is 90 million litres per day whereas the demand is 105 mid. Out of this too they say, 20mid comes from surface water such as springs and canals and 70 mid is supplied through tube wells. Here too their holding capacity is less as per their overhead and under ground tanks capacity. During summers the tube-well water table drops down considerably and at times becomes alarming when some of them go almost dry due to sinking water levels. There are more than 200 tube-wells and 250 dug wells at Dehradun. Usually trees and other vegetations consolidate water in and around them but those are being removed without thinking about the after effects of those ruthless cuttings and what goods we are depriving ourselves by removing those. Keeping the terrain of Dehradun in mind, it is quite feasible to construct a lake here and store rain water which just flows unused to the rivers around. This can certainly ease the situation. Some time back when the MD of Jal Nigam had come after attending some course abroad he had floated an idea of taking water from Sone rive to give a permanent solution to the water problem of Dehradun but was not taken up for want of funds, but now we understand that the Govt. has approved the project as it would give lasting solution to water problem of the place and attract tourist who avoid coming to Mussoorie and places around due to shortage of water. Inter linking of rivers is being planned in a big way in the country to solve drought and flood situation and this can be one of the item to connect river and get permanent solution to water problem. Meanwhile people should be advised to do water harvesting to collect rain water which goes waste. It can be done by constructing under ground tanks to store rain water for gardening and other purposes. In hills water should be collected in tanks during rainy season by putting pipes around the slanting tin roofs of the houses.

Another thing which strike Tourists when they land at Dehradun is the pollution caused by vehicles and especially Vikram’s and the row of those plying one after the other leaving no place even for the pedestrians to cross over the road. Firstly their numbers have to be reduced to the minimum required so that they may have good business and may think of getting those conservation into battery or CNG operated happily. Most of the time Vikrams run at half their strength, which is uneconomic. Secondly, the vehicles oozing black injurious smoke should be stopped forthwith and fines imposed on offenders. Strictness be used by the RTO to see that pollution checks are regularly got done by all types of vehicles.

Another thing which strikes the eye and also the nose is the Garbage found scattered all over inviting mosquitoes, flies and stray animals who spread it further. Cleanliness of the town gets jeopardized and the plastic bags could be seen flying all over. Thin plastic bags are swallowed by the animals which at times chokes their intestines and becomes fatal. As we all know plastic bags thinner than 20 microns can be recycled and in the process leave some injurious chemicals in those which cannot be removed. These bags are insoluble in water and choke the drains etc. These bags when used to carry eats or connected stuff and are left in those for longer time, the chemicals attacks the items and make those poisonous which are injurious to health. The use of these bags needs to be stopped immediately. No one should accept such bags to carry eatables. Thicker variety of plastic bags can however be used but things should not be allowed to be kept for long and be emptied

as soon as possible. Paper bags be used to eliminate this menace. Cloth bags be used to carry purchases. Traders should help in not keeping thin coloured plastic bags and use only paper bags in lieu. In this way they will be doing lot of good to the society and to themselves too.

Lets all of us start this World Environment day with this little resolve that we will not accept and use paper and cloth bags for the purpose.
The Himachal Times (Dehradun), 05 June, 2006

A United Nations official said climate change is creating a ‘serious negotiation challenge’ for lawmakers around the world and that time is running out to rein in greenhouse-gas output that could cause storms and flooding.

‘‘We have a window of 20 to 30 years to really turn this problem around,’’ Halldor Thorgeirsson, deputy executive secretary for scientific and technological advice at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, told a conference on global policy beyond 2012, today at Chatham House in London.

Mutsuyoshi Nishimura, ambassador for global environment at Japan’s ministry of foreign affairs said he was ‘anxious’ there was little hope of ‘‘arresting climate change with the current set-up’’ of negotiation processes between nations.

‘‘The same old issues are discussed and unresolved issues are postponed as if ample time exists,’’ he said. Gases such as carbon dioxide that trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere are not regulated in the US, the biggest emitter. Carbon dioxide comes from power plants, automobiles and industrial plants. The Bush administration withdrew the US from the Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty that sets limits on emissions of the so-called greenhouse gases.

A UN body earlier this month said the supply of emission credits from projects in developing nations may exceed 1 billion by the end of 2012. Those projects would help curb output of greenhouse gasses blamed for global warming.

The credits, known as certified emission reductions, will be approved by the United Nations through the Clean Development Mechanism of the 1997 Kyoto agreement. The credits can be used for compliance in the European Union emissions trading regime.

International lawmakers need to engage more of the biggest greenhouse-gas polluters, especially the largest 25 emitting nations, which produce 83 % of the world output, Nishimura said. ‘‘We must be reality-driven,’’ he said.
The Financial Express (New Delhi), 27 June 2006

French President Jacques Chirac said environmental issues and global unity will top his agenda at a meeting next month of leaders of the Group of Eight industrial nations.

" G-8 summits should not be a ‘rich people’s club’ but should unite emerging countries and poor countries to establish dialogue and cooperation,’’ he said after meeting with trade unions and non-governmental organisations ahead of the gathering in St. Petersburg, Russia, according to a document distributed by his staff.

Leaders of the nations that account for two-thirds of the global economy agreed last year to double aid to Africa to $50 billion a year by 2010, part of a package of measures aimed at relieving poverty in the world’s poorest countries. Leaders should firm up commitments to fight Aids and other illnesses and to fund education in Africa, he said.

Chirac urged a ‘strong mobilisation’ of world leaders in the fight against climate change, saying he will remind his counterparts of the need to prepare for post-2012 when the Kyoto accord runs out, according to the document. US President George W. Bush in 2001 renounced the Kyoto Protocol setting targets for reducing the emissions of pollutants blamed for global warming, and has refused to discuss such limits. The other G-8 members - France, Britain, Japan, Germany, Italy, Canada and Russia - signed up to Kyoto and are moving ahead with emissions curbs.

At last year’s meeting in Gleneagles, Scotland, chaired by UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, leaders vowed to keep talking about combating global warming, admitting they failed to agree what’s needed to halt climate change. G-8 countries will reach an accord on energy security by their July summit, Andrei Kondakov, head of the economic cooperation department at Russia’s foreign ministry and part of the team planning the summit, said on June 15.

The meeting comes amid Western concerns over the reliability of Russia as an energy supplier following supply cuts to Ukraine in January that caused shortages in Europe. President Vladimir Putin said on June 20 the G-7 nations are cautious about Russian investment in their energy industries.

The G-8 joint declaration is designed to identify the main energy challenges facing the club of rich countries, which includes producers and consumers, and how to deal with them.
The Financial Express (New Delhi), 28 June 2006

U.S. Scientists Back Claim on Climate Change
David Adam

U.S. Scientists have endorsed the contentious findings of a global warming study that showed humans are drastically altering the climate. The U.S. National Academies of Science said the last few decades of the 20th century were the warmest for 400 years. It adds that many parts of the globe were warmer during the past 25 years than during any comparable period over the last 1,000 years. But it had less confidence in more specific claims that the 1990s were the warmest decade, and 1998 the warmest year.

The new report, published on Thursday, focused on the "hockey stick" graph — a reconstruction of average global temperatures over the last 1,000 years that shows a sharp upswing in the late 20th century. The image was produced in 1999 by a team led by climate expert Michael Mann who estimated past temperatures using centuries-old sediments and tree rings.

It seemed to show the rise in global temperatures since the industrial revolution. It became a main factor in the climate change debate but critics said Dr. Mann's techniques were flawed.

Thursday's report, prepared by the National Academies' national research council, said: "The committee found the Mann team's conclusion that warming in the last few decades of the 20th century was unprecedented over the last 1,000 years to be plausible."
The Hindu (New Delhi), 24 June 2006

Strange Days have reached Ny-Alesund, Europe's northernmost research station. Located in Svalbard, Norway, a mere 1,000 km from the North Pole, the centre's scientists have been experiencing increasingly unpredictable weather.

The archipelago should still be gripped by ice and screaming winds. But the conditions on Svalbard are balmy. In May, Vigdis Tverberg of the Norwegian Polar Institute, reported that waters in the Kongsfjorden — the long strip of water that pokes eastwards into mainland Svalbard at Ny-Alesund — were 2 degrees centigrade warmer than a few years ago.

The inference is clear, say researchers. Global warming, driven by increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, is not only increasing air temperatures, it is causing the oceans to warm alarmingly.

Neither is Kongsfjorden unique. According to Mr. Tverberg's colleague, Sebastian Gerland, all the other fjords on this normally ice-locked coastline have remained open, thanks to the startling warming of their waters. Polar ice is not so much dwindling, as scientists once suggested might happen; it is disappearing before our eyes.

For years, scientists have stressed that the Arctic and the Antarctic are the most climatically sensitive parts of our planet. Global warming was always going to hit the poles with disproportionate severity, they said. Now those predictions are being proved correct, not just in the warming waters off Svalbard but also in Greenland and in the disappearing ice sheets of west Antarctica. In the case of Greenland, scientists reported this year that previous estimates of the rate of melting of Greenland's glaciers had been too low and too optimistic in assuming it would take centuries to heat and melt its massive ice shield.

Instead, a study of Greenland's glaciers, uncovered an unexpected effect. As air temperatures have risen — roughly 3 degrees centigrade in the Arctic over the past two decades — the resulting meltwater has poured to the bases of glaciers and acted as a lubricant. Thus the marches to the sea of these great rivers of ice are being accelerated, raising the amount of ice dumped in the Atlantic each year from 100 cubic kilometres in 1996 to 220 cubic kilometres last year.

This will have several profound consequences, say scientists.

For countries such as Holland, a quarter of which currently lies below sea level, for low-lying Bangladesh, and for coral island nations such as the Maldives, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, it is a deeply worrying prospect. All these places will become increasingly vulnerable to massive sea surges sweeping over their strained ocean defences.

It is a grim prospect. Yet there may be even more worrying, more serious effects triggered by the disappearance of the polar ice caps. Those vast sheets of bright, white ice make near-perfect mirrors that shine back 80 per cent of the sunlight that falls on them. Thus they help to keep our planet cool. This measure of reflectivity is known as albedo (from the Latin word for whiteness). A perfect reflector would have an albedo of 1.0, The albedo for polar ice is around 0.8. By contrast, the albedo for seawater is around 0.07.

The difference between these two figures is stark. Ice has one of the highest albedos of any substance on earth, seawater has one of the lowest, so we are replacing our planet's best reflector with one of the worst. The bad news does not stop here, however. There is the issue of the melting of the planet's permafrost, the thick layer of frozen soil covering much of the ground in the high latitudes of the northern hemisphere.

The trouble is that the permafrost acts as a repository for greenhouse gases. One estimate suggests there are 450 billion tonnes of the stuff locked up in the world's permafrost.

These two effects, loss of albedo, and the release of permafrost gases, are known as tipping points. Once passed, reversal becomes nigh impossible. The climate is like a rowing boat. You can tip it and it will return to an even keel. You can tip it again, and once more it will return to its original state. But if you tip just a little too far, it will capsize.

That is the danger the earth now faces: the overturning of our climate system, from its relatively stable, moderate status to one in which we have recreated the climate of the Cretaceous era, when there were crocodiles at the poles and the planet cooked.

The question is: how did the planet reach its current status? More importantly, what can be done to halt our seemingly relentless passage towards the Cretaceous? The answer to the first question is, of course, the easier. It can be traced to the moment, in 1765, when James Watt — wandering across Glasgow Green — conceived of the idea of a separate condenser for the steam engine. Patented in 1769, his invention made steam power feasible and economic. It unleashed the Industrial Age — the burning of the earth's fossil reserves of coal, oil and gas, and the injecting of much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Carbon dioxide — like all other greenhouse gases — absorbs the solar energy that perpetually beats down on our world, holds it, then radiates some back to the earth. The effect is to heat up the atmosphere.

This is not necessarily a bad thing. If there were no greenhouse gases, our world would be a decidedly chilly one, as the pioneering British physicist John Tyndall realised almost 150 years ago. Were it not for heat-trapping gases such as carbon dioxide, solar radiation would be reflected straight back into space. On the other hand, if you get too much of the stuff, problems arise, as is revealed through the example of our sister planet Venus. Although its orbit is relatively close to the earth's, and its size is almost identical, conditions there are as near to hell as you could envisage because its atmosphere is mostly carbon dioxide. The greenhouse effect there generates surface temperatures of 450 degrees centigrade, hot enough to melt lead.

No one is predicting such a fate for the earth, of course. Nevertheless, our world cannot avoid disruption even if it could limit global warming to an increase of only a few degrees. The issue is: how can we mitigate the changes we have unleashed? More importantly, have we the political will to carry out the industrial makeover needed to flatten out that curve of rising carbon emissions before our viability as a species is threatened?

There are many eminent scientists and experts who remain optimistic.

Equally, there are those who feel the prospects for our planet are hopeless. Both are united on one issue, however: no matter how bleak our position, there can be no excuse for inaction.

It is a point stressed by U.S. anthropologist Jared Diamond. In his recent book, Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed, he outlines examples of societies — such as the Vikings in Greenland — who refused to changes their ways and perished as climate change swept their Arctic colonies. By contrast, the people of Tikopia, in the Pacific, who when faced with environmental devastation caused by pigs, their favourite source of protein, that were rooting up and destroying their farmlands, acted with commendable decisiveness. They slaughtered every pig on the island.

Our prospects and our choices may not be quite as stark as that — at least not yet. Indeed, we have many courses of action. We are still in control of our own fates.
The Hindu (New Delhi), 16 June 2006

Britain will talk to India and other countries on climate change.

A British high commission statement stated this here while announcing the appointment of John Ashton, an environmentalist, as a special representative to help enhance international response to climate change.

The post is a new strategic priority for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

According to the statement, Ashton will engage with major developed and developing countries, including India, China, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa, to help drive forward the Gleneagles Dialogue on climate change, clean energy and sustainable development agreed at last year’s G8 Summit.

British Foreign Minister Margaret Beckett was quoted as saying: "Climate change remains the biggest long-term challenge this planet faces today. Its uniquely global danger demands an urgent and sustained international response in which FCO has a key role."

A co-founder of E3G, Ashton has been its chief executive since its inception in 2004. Ashton’s new appointment at director general level will carry the title of ambassador.
The Himachal Times (New Delhi), 10 June 2006

They are helping relay the message that what happens at the poles should be of utmost concern to us all, UN Environment Programme Executive Director Achim Steiner said of the Tara Expenditions and the Arctic Drift project, Tara Arctic 2007-2008.

As part of the International Polar Year that begins in March, 2007, the polar schooner Tara leaves Lorient, France, today for the Arctic where it will be locked in the ice and drift across the region, providing an unprecedented platform for scientific observations and research on how the Arctic environment is changing. Two years ago the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment (ACIA), an unprecedented four-year scientific study by an international team of 300 scientists, provided clear evidence that the Arctic climate is warming rapidly now and, of even greater concern, that much larger changes are projected for the future. ACIA predicted that Arctic vegetation zones and animal species will bee affected. Retreating sea ice is expected to reduce the habitat for polar bears, walrus, ice-inhabiting seals, and marine birds, threatening some species with extinction. Such changes will also affect many indigenous communities who depend on such animals, not only for food, but also as the basis for cultural and social identity, UNEP noted.

And, beyond the region, as Arctic glaciers melt and the permafrost thaws, it will be developing countries, with limited means to adapt to environmental change that suffer most.
The Himachal Times (Dehradun), 13 June 2006

Ambitious plans to build dams and hydro power projects throughout the hills of remote northeast have trodden on some sensitive toes in the troubled region. The Centre and the World Bank say there is enormous potential to tap rivers throughout northeastern states.

The projects could generate around 60,000 MW of power – which is double of the nation’s current hydel output and more than half of today’s total generating capacity – while the country’s demand for energy is growing rapidly.

Project revenues could potentially double the region’s net domestic product and even curb flooding, experts say. But locals fear that tens of thousands of people will be forcibly evicted from their homes, the environment irrevocably damaged, and ancient ways of life imperilled.

In a region where dozens of insurgent groups are active, the Centre knows it needs to tread carefully. It acknowledges the need to improve accountability and transparency, as well as involve local communities, and will hold a workshop in New Delhi on June 25-26 to finalise its plans.

But trust is in short supply. Many people here equate government with corruption and misrule, and have little faith in the authorities’ ability to behave responsibly and sensitively.

"For whose benefits are these projects planned?" asked Himanshu Thakkar of the South Asia Network on Dams. Rivers and People. "All the social and environmental costs would be borne by the people of the region. And if past experience is any guide, these costs are going to be heavy and mostly paid by the poorest, who depend on the natural resources around them."

Fast-flowing rivers running through the Himalayan Mountains of Arunachal Pradesh have developers licking their lips. The state government plans to build 89 dams and hydro projects but locals say they have not been properly consulted.

"The state is auctioning off Arunachal Pradesh without consulting its people," said Bamang Anthony of Arunachal Citizens Rights. "Promoters are talking development. We also want development but we want to know what kind of development they want in our land. There is no transparency." Anthony says the dams will submerge thousands of hectares, including some towns, and displace more than 30,000 people.

The nation’s track record in rehousing the displaced from major development projects leaves little room for confidence. Dam construction could also disturb the fragile ecology of the eastern Himalayas, home to thousands of plant species.

A dam on the Subansiri River threatens one of the last remaining habitats of the endangered Gangetic dolphin, environmentalists say. Dam construction also poses a special risk in one of the most earthquake-prone regions of the world.
The Economic Times (New Delhi), 21 June 2006

Dissenters are losing credibility in the face of overwhelming evidence that man-made effects on climate are for real. Even a detractor like President George W. Bush has admitted the hazards of US "addiction to oil." Scientists who have analysed the effects of global warming on the oceans say that the melting of the Arctic Greenland ice sheets over the past 40 years has added more than 20,000 cubic kilometers of freshwater to the Northern Ocean. The resulting changes threaten to disturb ocean currents such as the Gulf Stream, which transfer heat from the tropics towards the Polar Regions. If this happens, winter temperatures in Europe would fall by several degrees.

A bizarre irony lurks behind the climate change debate. It is not realized that climate change can be often reduced with minimal costs and some-times even profitability. Investments in improving energy efficiency and on renewals can offer rich dividends to companies. Solar cells have started becoming competitive for household electricity generation in villages unconnected by electric grids. Wind electricity generation promises to become the foundation of a new eco-economy. Advances in wind turbine technology have lowered the cost of wind power.

We propose an 11-point action plan PROACTIVATE to combat climate change and regenerate the environment.
P denotes price of all natural capital. Once we are conscious of the cost of the natural capital, we will be tempted to ensure maximum savings.
R is about radically increasing the productivity of natural resources, especially efficiency of the energy usage. We should think how we can leapfrog existing technologies and radically increase efficiency in usage of natural resources.

O is for opting minimalist lifestyles. Americans use 80 tonnes of natural material per person per year even while 80% of the world population cannot fulfill their basic needs. A minimalist life style, while saving environment, ensure there is enough for everyone. A stands for adoption of zero waste and closed loop systems. Paul Hawken, in his book Natural Capitalism, estimates that of the $9 trillion spent every year in the United States, at least $2 trillion is wasted.

According to the World Resources Institute, highway congestion costs $100 billion per year in lost productivity and highway accidents cost society and $150 billion or even more per year, including health care costs, lost productivity, police, judicial, and social services costs. We spend $50 billion a year in health costs because of our dietary choices, $100 billion on polluted air and the list goes on. We need to learn from nature. Nature works in a closed loop system. It is surprising that we fail to minimize costs even when we have the required technologies to achieve them.

C is for capturing carbon dioxide from the air by planting forests. With new technology, carbon dioxide can be collected from concentrated waste streams like emissions from power plants and buried out of harms way in geological formations. T is for turning to renweables and de-carbonisation. To combat climate change, we need to start lowering the rate of usage of fossil fuels the source of 84% of America’s and 75% of the world’s energy.

While the United Nations’ theme for this year’s World Environment Day is ‘Deserts & Desertification’ and the slogan is ‘Don’t Desert Drylands’, closer home it’s all about getting environment-friendly at a much more basic level. If we can start making changes in our own home and office, it won’t be long before the world sees an all-round marked rise in the eco-meter.

Use recycled paper wherever possible. According to Heli Hingarh, owner of Mumbai’s Kewal Kagaz, which has been catering to the corporate world’s handmade paper needs for the last eight years: "People are increasingly becoming aware of the benefits of using eco-friendly materials. Handmade paper, made from cotton fibre culled from rags (recycled waste from the hosiery industry), is 100 per cent wood-free, 100 per cent environment-friendly and has versatile uses. Basic office stationery-from visiting cards to correspondence letterheads to balance sheets to brochures – can be made in handmade paper. We even have a range for computer and laser printouts!" And Hingarh avers that going handmade is not as expensive as most people believe. "Many corporates use alabaster or executive bond paper for printouts anyway. The handmade variety is only marginally more expensive than these. And when you realize that you save two-three tones of green wood with every tonne of regular paper that you replace by handmade paper, the decision comes easily," she says.

Plus, unlike commercial paper, which yellows with age and becomes brittle, handmade paper is sturdy and lasts

much longer. "No wonder several companies in the IT, pharmaceutical and hospitality sectors have already switched over to using handmade variety is only marginally more expensive than these. And when you realize that you save two-three tones of green wood with every tonne of regular paper that you replace by handmade paper, the decision comes easily," she says.

Plus, unlike commercial paper, which yellows with age and becomes brittle, hand-made paper is sturdy and lasts much longer. "No wonder several companies in the IT, pharmaceutical and hospitality sectors have already switched over to using handmade paper to a large extent, as well as gifting eco-friendly stationary and desktop accessories," says Hingarh.

Create an Eco-friendly Workspace
Constructing or renovating the property: According to architect Moayyed Fatehi, the construction of an office building itself can be carried out in an environmentally-sensitive manner. He avers that protecting the surroundings should be a prime concern. "One should ensure that the building site and its environment are not affected adversely by the construction activity. Today, there are so many instances of landslides resulting from hills having been broken to build office spaces. Besides this, hazardous materials should not be used for filling up the site and other things like metal remnants should be cleared away as soon as the work is done," says Fatehi, who recommends the use of a durable material called fly ash instead of commercial bricks and fungi-resistant paint, which contains only 10 per cent chemicals.

Drought, monsoon failure, flash floods and receding water level in local streams are matters of serious concern and need immediate attention. This was stated by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh while inaugurating the Eighth World Congress on Environment Management, which began here last night.

He said the country needed immediate steps to maintain the eco-system, particularly in mountains, as the present scenario was quite alarming.

Over 300 delegates from India and abroad are participating in the three-day congress.

Mr. Virbhadra Singh said the rain pattern in the state had completely changed. The impact of global warming could be easily gauged from the fact that the state had faced flash floods during monsoon and drought conditions in winter, which was not a healthy sign.

Mr. Virbhadra Singh said it was a matter of concern that five major glaciers in the Kinnaur and Lahual-Spiti areas were melting at a fast speed for the past five years. The overflowing of the Parechu lake in Tibet in June last year was also attributed to the melting of glaciers in Tibet, which had caused a huge loss to the state and adversely affected the power generation at the biggest power project in Asia at Nathpa Jhakri .

He said the change in the rain pattern in mountains was an unhealthy sign and the state the Centre should take it seriously.

The substantial increase or decrease in greenhouse gases had induced climate changes within a period of decades, with possibly devastating consequences for several countries.

He said the world energy system was responsible for more than half the anthropogenic gas emissions. As such a majority of the emissions were due to fossil fuel use, representing about 75 per cent of the total energy use.

He cautioned the Union Government over the future of the Bhakhra and Pong dams built at a very high cost since no steps had been taken in past for large-scale energy plantations in its catchment areas as recommended by the state government and environmental agencies from time to time. Their capacity to hold water was falling by the year because of heavy siltation caused by destruction of forests because of execution of power projects.

He said the state alone could not do much and the Union Government should initiate projects to check environmental degradation in the Sutlej and Beas valleys.
The Tribune (Chandigarh), 11 June 2006

Mountain glaciers around the world are melting faster now than at any time in the past 5,000 years because of an unprecedented period of global warming. Ice cores taken from mountains as far apart as the Andes of South America and the Himalayas of Asia have revealed how climate change is leading to a full-scale retreat of the world’s tropical glaciers, according to a study.

Scientists have warned that human activities over the past 100 years may have nudged the global climate beyond a critical threshold which could see most of the highest ice caps disappearing within the near future. Melting glaciers in South America and Asia not only contribute to rising sea levels, they are also vital sources of fresh water for many millions of people who live within their range at lower altitudes, the scientists say.

Led by Lonnie Thompson of Ohio State University, the scientists present three lines of evidence pointing to a dramatic melting of glaciers in both the Andes and the Himalayas: a change in the chemical isotopes of the ice cores, the widespread retreat of glaciers and the uncovering of frozen plant material which has been buried for thousands of years. "These three lines of evidence argue that the present warming and associated glacier retreat are unprecedented in some areas for at least 5,200 years," they write in the journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.

"The ongoing global-scale, rapid retreat of mountain glaciers is not only contributing to global sea-level rise but also threatening fresh water supplies in many of the world’s most populous regions," they say.

Professor Thompson says that the research is based on nearly 50 scientific expeditions over the past three decades to seven mountain glaciers, including the Huascaran and Quelccaya ice caps of Peru, the Sajama ice cap of Bolivia and the Dunde and Puruogangri ice caps of China. "We have a record going back 2,000 years and when you plot it out, you can see the medieval warm period (from 1000 AD to 1300 AD) and the little ice age (from 1600 to 1850)," he says.

"And in that same record, you can clearly see the 20th century and the thing that stands out — whether you look at individual cores or the composite of all seven — is how unusually warm the last 50 years have been. There hasn't been anything like it, not even in the medieval warm period. The fact that the isotope values in the last 50 years have been so unusual means that things are dramatically changing."

The most dramatic evidence comes from 28 sites where the retreating ice has exposed ancient plants that have been frozen and preserved for between 5,000 and 6,000 years by the glacier’s base. "This means that the climate at the ice cap hasn’t been warmer than it is today in the last 5,000 years or more. If it had been, then the plants would have decayed," Professor Thompson says. Some sceptics have suggested that the mountain glaciers are retreating because of a decline in snowfall, or precipitation, rather than rising temperatures. However the study found that in all but one of the sites covered by the research, precipitation had increased over the past century. "That means that the retreat of the ice is driven mainly by rising temperatures," Professor Thompson says. "What this is really telling us is that our climate system is sensitive, it can change abruptly due to either natural or to human forces.

"If what happened 5,000 years ago were to happen today, it would have far-reaching social and economic implications for the entire planet. The take-home message is that global climate can change abruptly, and with 6.5 billion people inhabiting the planet, that’s serious," he adds.
The Statesman (Kolkata), 29 June 2006

According to a Chinese study, a large hole may be developing in the ozone layer over the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The depleted ozone layer area appears to be spread over 2.5 million square kilometres, which is almost three-fourth the size of India, says the study that was published in a recent issue of the Chinese journal, Scientific Report.

It found that ozone concentration in the affected area was 220 Dobson Units from 14-17 December 2003, with a record low of 190 DU (100 DU equals a one-millimetre-thick layer of pure ozone at one standard atmospheric pressure and a temperature of 0° Celsius). The normal range for the thickness of the ozone layer is 300-500 DU. "The decrease of ozone was caused by airflow exchange… When ‘low-ozone’ air currents in the lower atmosphere enter the upper atmosphere, the overall ozone density is reduced," it says. Experts say ozone depletion over Tibet is caused by variations in air circulation due to global warming.

Another study published in the 11 April issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that thunderstorms over Tibet provide the main pathway for water vapour and chemicals to disturb the ozone layer. But some scientists say the problem is not serious. "It does not yet qualify as a regular ozone hole, like the other two over the poles (the Antarctic and the Arctic), as depletion is not that serious," says R P Singh of the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur.
The Statesman (Kolkata), 22 June 2006

The ice sheets of Antarctica—the world’s largest reservoir of fresh water—are shrinking faster than new snow can fall, scientists reported recently in the first comprehensive satellite survey of the entire continent.

Researchers at the University of Colorado determined that between 2002 and 2005 Antarctica lost its ice at a rate of 36 cubic miles a year, rather than growing from heavier snow falls as previous research had predicted. That amount of ice is equivalent to about 30 times the fresh water used by Los Angeles every year.

"It is the first time we can say that if you look at the entire ice sheet, it is losing mass," said geophysicist Isabella Velicogna, whose findings were published online by the journal Science.

Recently, an independent research team at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., reported that the Arctic glaciers of Greenland were melting twice as fast as five years ago, adding an extra 38 cubic miles of fresh water to the Atlantic Ocean every year.

Taken together, the findings suggest that a century of steady increases in global temperatures has altered the seasonal balance of the world’s water cycle. If so, experts say, increasing global temperatures—the 10 warmest years on record all occurred since 1990—may be hastening the demise of the polar ice caps, and estimates of the pace of future sea-level rise could be too low.

By previous calculations, Antarctica’s coastal glaciers shed enough meltwater every year to raise world sea levels by two-tenths of an inch, even as new snow falling in the interior locked up the same amount in the ice cap. The result was that sea level remained essentially the same from year to year.

"A little bit of change in one of these things could throw it all out of balance and, evidently, that is what is going on," said University of Colorado geophysicist John Wahr, who helped analyse the new satellite measurements.

Indeed, portions of the Antarctic coast are 4.5 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than 60 years ago, previous research has shown.

Those same areas have lost an estimated 5,500 square miles of ice in the past 30 years, calving icebergs the size of Belgium and Rhode Island. In 2002, an entire ice shelf collapsed into the sea.

The newest work signals a broader loss across the entire continent — an amount equal to more than 13 per cent of the annual sea-level rise measured in recent years, the researchers said. The shrinkage is concentrated in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, which contains enough fresh water to raise global sea level more than 20 feet.

The researchers based their findings on unique gravity measurements collected by a pair of orbiting satellites, called the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment, launched in 2002.

Eric Rignot at JPL called the gravity measurement technique "a breakthrough" because the satellites allow researchers for the first time to measure changes across immense swaths of Earth’s surface.
The Tribune (Chandigarh), 04 June 2006

More than 13 million deaths annually are due to preventable environmental causes that can be averted by well-targeted interventions, a WHO report has said. The report, "Preventing disease through healthy environments-towards an estimate of the environmental burden of disease" estimates that more than 33 per cent of diseases in children below five years are caused by environmental exposures. Preventing environmental risk can save as many as four million lives a year, mostly in developing countries, it adds.

The report estimates that as much as 24 per cent of global diseases are caused by environmental exposures. Nearly one third of deaths and diseases in the least developed regions are due to environmental causes.

Over 40 per cent of deaths from malaria and an estimated 94 per cent of deaths from diarrhoeal diseases, two of the world's biggest childhood killers, can be prevented through better environment management.

The four main diseases influenced by poor environments are diarrhoea, lower respiratory infections, various forms of unintentional injuries, and malaria.

Measures that can be taken now to reduce the environmental disease burden include the promotion of safe water storage and better hygienic measures, the use of cleaner and safer fuels, increased safety of the built environment, more judicious use and management of toxic substances in the home and workplace and better water resource management.

Diseases with the largest total annual health burden from environmental factors, in terms of death, illness and disability or Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) are Diarrhoea (58 million DALYS per year, 94 per cent of the diarrhoeal burden of disease) largely from unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene, Lower respiratory infections (37 million DALYs per year, 41 per cent of all cases globally) largely from air pollution, indoor and outdoor.
The Tribune (Chandigarh), 18 June 2006

India has emerged world leader in reduction of greenhouse gases by adopting Clean Development Mechanisms (CDMs) in the past two years. It expects to generate Rs 10,000 crore from CDMs by way of carbon credits, Union Environment and Forests Secretary Prodipto Ghosh has said.

Carbon credits are measured in units of certified emission reductions (CERs). Companies gain these credits by adopting cleaner technologies.

Each CER is equivalent to one tonne of carbon dioxide reduction. Companies from developed countries can meet mandated greenhouse gas reduction under the Kyoto protocol by buying carbon credits from other nations.

Mr. Ghosh told reporters here on Tuesday that India invested Rs 17,000 crore in the CDM projects. In the pipeline were over 300 projects, which had to be completed by 2012.

These 300 projects, the largest number in the world, with the closest countries behind India having just 40-50 awaiting clearance, included those in the waste management, forest, power and steel sectors. A World Bank-run capacity building project in India was nearing completion.

At present, India contributed about three per cent of the global greenhouse gases against the global average of 5.2 per cent.

Its carbon credits market saw a rapid increase over the last two years. It had the potential to emerge leader among the developing countries, exploiting the market for CERs and thus helping in arresting global warming through CDMs under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

CDM was one of the three mechanisms envisaged by the Kyoto Protocol in 1997 to check the emission of greenhouse gases.

Developed countries, which have exceeded the levels, can either cut down emissions or borrow or buy carbon credits from developing countries.

For example, the United States accounts for 30 per cent of the global emissions and India, with three per cent, can transfer part of its allowed emissions to the developed countries and earn money.

This it can do by adopting CDMs and accruing carbon credits.
The Hindu (New Delhi), 29 June 2006

The Greenland ice sheet — two miles thick and broad enough to blanket an area the size of Mexico — shapes the world’s weather, matched in influence by only Antarctica in the south. In its heartland, snow that fell a quarter of a million years ago is still preserved. Temperatures dip as low as 86 degrees below zero. From cores of Greenland ice extracted by the National Science Foundation, researchers have identified at least 20 sudden climate changes in the last 110,000 years, in which average temperatures fluctuated as much as 15 degrees in a decade. But this time, it could be the worst.

Should all of the ice sheet ever thaw, the meltwater could raise sea level 21 feet. By 2005, Greenland was beginning to lose more ice volume than anyone had anticipated — an annual loss of up to 52 cubic miles a year — according to more recent satellite gravity measurements. The volume of freshwater ice dumped into the Atlantic Ocean has almost tripled in a decade.

How

The glaciers of Greenland are melting twice as fast as they were five years ago, even as the ice sheets of Antarctica — the world’s largest reservoir of fresh water — also are shrinking, researchers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the University of Kansas reported. The area of seasonal melting was broader last year than in 27 years of record-keeping, University of Colorado climate scientists reported. In early May, temperatures on the ice cap were almost 20 degrees above normal, hovering just below freezing. Last year, there was even a period of melting in December.

Why

Contrary to appearances, the monolith of ice is constantly on the move — on average, at about 1 foot every day. Ice move faster when the surface ice starts to melt. By 1999, the ice stream had almost tripled its speed to about 3 feet a day as the warm water made its way
through thousands of feet of ice to the bedrock — in weeks, not decades or centuries. So much water streamed beneath the ice that in high summer the ice sheet can briefly bulged 2 feet higher, like the crest of a subterranean wave.

University of Texas physicist Ginny Catania pulled an ice-penetrating radar, seeking evidence of any melt holes or drainage crevices that could so quickly channel the hot water of global warming deep into the ice. To her surprise, she detected a maze of tunnels, natural pipes and cracks beneath the unblemished surface.

Since 2002, Greenland’s three largest outlet glaciers have started moving faster, satellite data show. In all, 12 major outlet glaciers drain the ice sheet; setting the pace of its release to the ocean. If they all slide too quickly, perhaps in a few decades, they could collapse suddenly and release the entire ice sheet into the ocean.

The accelerating ice flow will cause a dramatic increase in seismic activity, as the three immense streams of ice shake the earth in their wake.

Already there are ominous signs. Last year alone, the Harvard and Columbia researchers detected as many ice quakes — up to magnitude 5.0 — as the total recorded from 1993 through 1996, with five times as many in the summer as in the winter months.
The Indian Express (New Delhi), 26 June 2006

Mangroves also Emit Greenhouse Gases
Harsh Kabra

What is Indoflux?

It’s a proposed nationwide research project for continuously monitoring GHG emissions using massive flux towers. We have convened a workshop in July with American and Indian experts in trace gas flux studies. In an ongoing programme in the US, towers fitted with sensors successfully provide continuous observations of ecosystem-level exchanges of carbon dioxide (CO2), water, energy and momentum across forest, coastal, oceanic and terrestrial systems. Based on the workshop’s recommendations, India might set up similar towers that will provide data to an interdisciplinary team of biogenochemists, oceanographers, engineers, modellers, etc to help measure gas emissions, understand their impact, evaluate the true potential of remedial systems like forests, and attune policy-making to climate change issues.

How is this related to your research on methane emissions?

In collaboration with the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, we are investigating the potensial of India’s mangrove systems in emission of GHGs like CO2, methane and nitrous oxide. They could also be sinks for such gases. By studying processes such as oxidation, production and emission, we are ascertaining how much of these gases go into the atmosphere and their contributions to climatic changes. Until recently, not much was known about GHG emissions form tropics and sub-tropics, where higher temperatures induce higher GHG production. Mangroves are being advocated in deltaic regions to protect coasts and support fishery. But growing mangroves may not be the final solution in absorbing GHGs. We have found that mangroves, like natural wetlands, also emit methane comparable to anthropogenic or man-made sources.

Does that altogether exculpate human activities?

Not at all! We noticed over a twofold increase in methane emission in ecosystems disturbed by human activities. We found emissions at the month of Chennai’s Adyar River to be much higher than further south along the coast. Liquid wastes dumped into the river emitted several times more methane than in other natural ecosystems. Our study demonstrates that coastal wetlands could be greater GHG sources for the atmosphere if human perturbations continue at the current rate.
The Times of India (New Delhi), 01 June 2006

Changing Face of our Planet
Bindu Shajan Perappadan

National Geographic Channel celebrates World Environment Day with a special TV programme titled "Save Your Planet" this coming Monday. The 17-hour marathon will feature special films that will reflect the changing face of our planet.

These films cover a wide range of topics that are relevant and relatable as they present not only the current degrading scenario of the environment and its effects but also what corrective action needs to be taken and what awaits us in future, giving the presentation a unique 360-degree approach.

Watch the strange transformations taking place around the world because of alien invaders in "Strange Days On Planet Earth". People in New Orleans no longer trust the floor beneath their feet.

Their houses are collapsing under the siege by voracious termite hordes that scientists suspect began their journey half a world away.

Also catch "Troubled Waters" that looks into a series of apparently unconnected crises among animal populations around the world. "Inside Hurricane Katrina" looks into a Category 4 hurricane that hits the land and storms across Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana, leaving in its wake a terrible trail of devastation. Towns all along the coast are destroyed and chaos reigns as some residents flee, countless others hang on for their dear life as the dead float by.

The episode is a minute-by-minute chronology of the events leading up to, including and following Hurricane Katrina. For years it was widely predicted that a catastrophic Category 4 or 5 that storms could devastate the vulnerable city of New Orleans. And yet when the storm came, the world watched. The programme provides a comprehensive visual account of the deadliest hurricane to hit America in more than a century.

Speaking about the programmes, Joy Bhattachariya, Senior Vice-President (Programming) of National Geographic, Channel, India, said: "Our World Environment Day special presentation ‘Save Your Plant’ makes our viewers think again about the fragile world we live in."

‘Save Your Planet’ include films like "A Quiet Revolution" that looks at how small-scale action can make a significant difference to people’s lives across the globe and help conserve the environment; "The One Degree Factor" looks at the impact of global warming on our planet; and "Troubled Waters" examines the problems and remedies related to toxic water bodies.

Other interesting films that form part of the capsule include "Green Car," "Fantastic Plastic", "The Magic Molecules" and "A Future Near You" among others.
The Hindu (New Delhi), 01 June 2006

When discussion veers around to the issue of water shortage, most Indians tend to think in terms of alternate water supply options, says Mumbai-based activist Rudolf D’ souza. "It works till you have so many more rivers that can be tapped or lakes from where water can be sourced. When the water table itself dips

to a record low, that is when the solution which should have been taken up in the first place – regeneration of the water table – is thought of," he adds.

In India’s fastest-growing city, Thane, Ashok Kumar is a resident with an active interest in the water table. He also is an environment engineer with a petroleum major, and has professional as also a personal interest in the abuse of water resources.

"The process of abusing water resources begins with excessive use, doing nothing to regenerate over used water resources, degradation of water through discharge of untreated effluent as also percolation of sewage through the earth to the water table under ground. Urban water distribution systems leave a lot to be desired as there is a large percentage of wastage while distributing water. Finally, leaking taps and lack of treatment plants make up the rest of the picture," he explains.

The solution, feels Rajesh Sharma, Managing Director, Ion Exchange (India) Ltd, is good water management, which is crucial to overcome the water crisis that threatens our country. "It is the need of the hour, if we wish to avoid starvation and political strife, protect the environment and make industrial and human activity sustainable," he says.

"Top priority should be to conserve fresh water through increased seepage and storage through extensive watershed development and rainwater harvesting, implemented as a coordinated effort by the local people with the help of NGOs, jointly with government and the corporate sector," he explains. Giving a simple fiscal quotient to the issue, he points out that it would cost billions of crores to construct water storage equivalent to what even existing forests store.

In terms of water storage, flood control, reduced soil erosion and loss of nutrients, additional agricultural crops, fuel, timber and other produce, the value of India’s forests is immense. Many millions of jobs could be created in nurturing watershed forests to protect rivers, the arteries of agriculture.

Micro irrigation methods such as drip and sprinkler irrigation can tremendously increase area under cultivation, yields and water saving, feels Rajesh Sharma. Creation of small reservoirs, check dams and percolation ponds do not require long lead time, complex technology or large amount of capital; will provide employment for many millions who need not be displaced and can utilize local skills, initiatives and materials, he adds.

From natural water the large rural areas to urban Conservation of water through recycle of Industrial effluent and domestic sewage will reduce use of fresh water by 50%. In semi urban areas still under development it should be mandatory to incorporate water recycle to conserve fresh water.

In Mumbai’s garden suburb of Powal, Niranjan Hiranandani, MD, HIranandani Constructions says the emphasis should be on water recycling and through that extra water generated, further greening. "Water sourced from primary resources, such as bore wells on the premises and piped water supplies usually go down the drain, so it makes sense to have rainwater harvesting to recharge bore wells, while recycling sewage creates more water for washing and gardens, which is the way to go," he adds.

"In a metropolis like Mumbai, as indeed all over the country, piped water supply is subsidized, so it always seems a better alternative to add more resources rather than manage water usage," he explains.

Rajesh Sharma says creating the infrastructure to assure water availability and its sustainable supply for agricultural, industrial and domestic use is a gigantic task. The key ingredients for successful countrywide implementation of water

management programmes and projects are awareness, appropriate technology, training in operation & maintenance, approval mechanisms, finance availability, transparency, and accountability. "No single organization can ensure all of these, especially given the vast scale of the problem and its urgent solution. Only collaborative efforts between public, private and voluntary sectors and particularly community participation, whether in villages or cities, can give results, build faith and provide impetus for replication," he concludes.
The Times of India (New Delhi), 05 June 2006

Carbon Asset Services Company (CAS) of Sweden has completed the first purchase of Certified Emission Reduction (CER) from a sugar company in India.

The Swedish company has made a payment of Rs. 3 crore to Karnataka-based Ugar Sugar Works to acquire CERs after the approval of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) and the European Union. CAS has also entered into a tie-up with 12 to 13 organisations in India to acquire CERs.

As per the Kyoto Protocol, which comes into effect by 2008, the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) by member countries should be reduced. In countries such as India, where the emission levels are within permissible levels, the surplus carbon credits gained by adopting renewable energy projects such as wind, hydro or biomass can be traded with those countries, which do not meet the levels. One CER is equivalent to one tonne of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases (GHG) that are prevented from being released into the atmosphere.

The CERs are of the 16MW baggase-based co-generation project implemented by Ugar Sugar Works. CAS acquired one million tonne of CER in the first transaction, which would be sold to a steel company.

"We are looking at investing about €25 million in acquiring 10-15 million tonne of CER by 2006-12. A majority of this would be used for India," said Niels von Zweigbergk, managing director, CAS, speaking to ET.

This comes at a time when the prices of carbon credits are crashing in the European market. "We are into CER purchase in India, China and South American region.

In India there is a different price expectation, which make it difficult for the buyer. However, there is better knowledge of clean development mechanism (CDM) in India," Mr. Zweigbergk observed. The first CDM project from India that was approved was that of Gujarat Fluorochemicals Limited for destroying the harmful HFC-23 gas before it melts into the atmosphere.

GFL has now signed a deal with various buyers to sell 3 million Certified Emission Reductions every year. Others like Balrampur Chini Mills and the states of Rajasthan and Karnataka have signed a carbon credit purchase agreement with International Finance Corporation.
The Economic Times (New Delhi), 12 June 2006

Under the Kyoto Protocol to the Climate Change Convention, the developed countries (also called Annex-I countries) are committed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2% below their 1990 level (base year). The US and Australia, however, have not signed the Protocol.

For making the process cost-effective, three flexibility mechanisms were introduced in the Protocol. These are joint implementation among developed countries; clean development mechanism (CDM) between developing and developed countries and carbon trading among developed countries. CDM has aroused considerable interests in developing countries like India. CDM, as defined in the Protocol, is to (i) assist developing countries in achieving sustainable development (ii) contribute to the ultimate objective of the Convention, and (iii) assist developed countries to comply with their quantified emission limitation and reduction commitments.

A country like India expects that CDM would facilitate transfer of technologies that would assist in achieving economic wellbeing, environmental wellbeing and technological wellbeing, and would catalyse foreign direct investment through CDM projects between developed countries and India.

India’s pro-active role and enabling environment has made it the most favoured destination for CDM, and since February 16, 2005, when the Kyoto Protocol came into force, CDM opportunities have brightened. Unfortunately, however, practically all the CDM projects approved in India/in the pipeline are unilateral. Foreign investors, particularly from Europe, are very active in buying carbon-credits resulting from emission reductions from such CDM projects.

Greenhouse gases included in the Protocol for certified emission reductions (CERs) are: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, perfluro carbons, hydrofluro carbon and suplphur hezafluoride. So far, 65 CDM projects from India have been registered with the UNFCCC, accounting for 9.1 million tones of carbon dioxide equivalent, and the average price per CER is about eight euro. This will help the trade in carbon, but it is doubtful if this would assist India in achieving sustainable development,

Since COP 11 in Montreal (2005), CDM opportunity in the forestry sector from afforestation and reforestation has opened up. India needs to increase forest cover and the CDM mechanism would help address this. And help India in achieving sustainable development-providing job opportunities, livelihoods, help in conserving biodiversity and moderating climate and greater carbon sequestration that also addresses the objective of the climate change convention.
The Financial Express (New Delhi), 15 June 2006

Carbon, or CO2, units have become, at least in Europe, the most important product in the growing environmental or green markets.

Europe has taken a lead in creating the European Union Emission Trading scheme (EU ETS), a mandatory trading system for CO2 –and a major step toward creating a truly international carbon market. Instead of waiting for Kyoto to come into force in 2008, Europe has set up its own cap and trade scheme that started in January 2005.

Under the EU ETS, 12000 carbon intensive installations in seven different industries have, in total, been allocated approximately 2.2 billion European Union Allowances (EUAs). The EU ETS operates in two Phases – the first Phase between 2005 and 2007 and the second Phase between 2008-12 which coincides with the Kyoto compliance period.

While the EU ETS and the project based credits from Kyoto are the most active areas of trading to date, this is not the entire picture. Of the Kyoto signatories, Japan, Canada and New Zeland are considering implementing schemes of their own. Even outside Kyoto some activity is occurring.

In Australia, the Labour-run state governments are considering banding together to introduce a cap-and-trade scheme over the head of the Liberal Federal government. Similarly, in the US, state-level schemes on both coasts are under development, even in the face of the federal government’s opposition to binding GHG caps. Furthermore, there is a growing US voluntary market for emission reductions through the Chicago Climate

Exchange, which started in 2003.

A significant price correction for EUAs has now occurred in the lead up to the announcement of verified emissions data for 2005 in mid-May 2006. Verified emissions data released in mid-May has now confirmed that the market was actually "long" EUAs to the tune of 70m.. tones CO2 in 2005. This price volatility and apparent over-allocation of permits demonstrates that all carbon trading occurs in a regulatory driven market at the relatively early stages of development. While the market clearly has enormous potential to expand and mature, it was never likely to be a totally smooth ride.

It now transpires that there has been an over allocation of allowances in Phase I of the ETS and the price has fallen dramatically as a result. From 26 April, when reports of verified 2005 emissions from France, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands, were leaked to the market, EUAs fell from a price of euro26.95 euro 13.60 by the end of the week, representing an 13-month low for the December 2006 contract. Further announcements have followed the same trend and on 15 May the Commission announced the market was 63m tones long in 2005.

This has and will continue to depress the price for Phase-I vintage allowances during the entire first period. It is too early to understand fully the longer-term implications of this event other than some increased skepticism of historic and unverified emissions data. One immediate impact will be on the current negotiations for Phase-II National Allocation Plan that are currently being developed.
The Financial Express (New Delhi), 05 June 2006

Corporates in Gujarat are reaping rich dividends by selling carbon credits under the clean development mechanism (CDM) under the Kyoto Protocol agreement. After Gujarat Flourochemicals Ltd and Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Ltd, which recently tied up for selling carbon credits, it is Gujarat NRE Coke which is now preparing itself to start selling carbon credits under the CDM.

The company has tied up with the Delhi-based project developer Senergy Global for selling about 40,000 carbon credits annually for ten years after the registration is done. The total additional revenue generated each year is likely to be in the range of Rs 1.25 crore. "The projection will go up as the rate of carbon credit varies," Arun K. Jagatramka, vice chairman and managing director, Gujarat NRE Coke told ET. The company is also working on a separate CDM project involving power generation using waste heat.

Senergy Global would be assisting Gujarat NRE coke get all the required clearances like host the country approval, validation by international agencies and registration for the company’s wind power project. Gujarat NRE Coke has 21 wind power turbines producing 27 megawatt of power. "The company still has at least seven to eight months before the final registration of the project," sources in the company said.

CDM enables companies in the developing countries to undertake projects helping in sustainable environment development by reducing green house gas (GHG) eroissions calculated in carbon dioxide equivalent and earn carbon credits. The credits could be sold to companies or agencies in the developed world like Europe and Canada according to prevailing market price.

Earlier, Gujarat Flurorchemicals Ltd was the first Indian company to commission its CDM project in February 2006. This project involves the thermal destruction of HFC23, a waste product inevitably generated by the company during the manufacture of HCFC22.
The Economics Time (New Delhi), 27 June 2006

It is not just saving India’s national animal. The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) now wants the defenders of the nation to play greater role in the protection and preservation of the country’s dwindling natural wealth.

A report prepared by the National Forest Commission under the aegis of the MoEF has called for a greater role by the armed forces as well as para-military forces not only to protect forests and wildlife in areas falling under their control, but also to control poaching and illegal trafficking of wildlife and forest products.

According to sources, the matter was also raised in Parliament about a month ago, when the Minister for Environment and Forests had placed a report which mentioned the envisioned role of the armed forces in environment protection on the table of the House.

Management plans need to be prepared for tracts holding substantial natural vegetation and vested with the military, paramilitary and police, the report said, adding that the effort should be to preserve as well as propagate natural vegetation and wildlife.

The report recommended that if any harvesting of forest produce is to be done from areas held with the Army, any surplus should not be sold in the open market, but first offered to neighbouring people under proper supervision.

In forests prone to large-scale violations or insurgency, special protection staff or para-military forces need to be deployed to prevent illicit felling, encroachment, infiltrations, smuggling and poaching, specially on the international borders and in insurgency affected areas, the report said. Army, Navy, Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force and the Border Security Force should also contribute in prevention of smuggling of wildlife products along borders, the report added.

Stating that the Indian armed forces can arrange environmental training programmes for officers and jawans through their Green Governance initiative, the report recommended that an Army training manual on environment be developed in a structured format, which will then form an integral part of Army training.

The Army is now setting up a task force to ensure the security of tigers in various sanctuaries. The Army has been playing a highly active role in environmental protection and ecological rejuvenation and in this backdrop that Army units, formations and establishments have been permitted to become members of various environmental organisations.
The Tribune (Chandigarh), 27 June 2006

The state government has decided to formulate a new environment policy. The ministry of environment, UP, has invited suggestions that could be incorporated in the proposed policy, the rough draft of which is available at the UP Pollution Control Board website.

"Further, the state environment ministry has decided to set up a toll free number through which people could send in their suggestions and register their complaints," said Ujjawal Raman Singh, State Environment Minister while talking to the Hindustan Times after inaugurating a workshop on ‘Legal awareness and

youth participation in environmental compliance and enforcement’ at the Indian Institute of Management-Lucknow (IIM-L) on Sunday.

The workshop organized by the Indian Fulbright Alumni Foundation and jointly sponsored by Public Affairs Section of the US Department of States, American Embassy and IIM-L, is being attended by youths from UP, Uttaranchal, MP, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Jharkhand.

Earlier, speaking as the chief guest, the minister said no government initiative could be successful without public participation.

"It’s true that government officials too on their part lack the basic knowledge about how serious the environment problem is and its ramifications in times to come. I had convened a meeting of officials of various municipal corporations recently and it was clear that they lack even basic awareness on environment and related issues. But, still until and unless people too realize their responsibility all welfare measures would not yield any result," he said.

Singh said the State government now had decided to identify lands in various districts to increase the state’s ever depleting green cover. "We are doing our bit with the resources at our command. I am personally trying my best to create the necessary awareness in this regard," he said.

Talking about public responsibility, the minister said until "user-charges" were levied on the people, there would not be sufficient resources. "People often say that the sewage treatment plant is not functioning. As and when we get complaints, we act on them. But, for solid waste management and other environmental problem, we have to have the support of the people. In developed countries, user-charge is a common thing. Here, the very mention of it would raise eye brows," he added.

Earlier, programme director Prof. Dharmendra S. Sengar from IIM-L, who spent over eight months as senior Fulbright fellow at the George Washington University’s Law School, said, "The next world war would be due to paucity of natural and environmental resources if corrective steps are not initiated."
Hindustan Times (New Delhi), 20 June 2006

Aeroplanes are big polluters of the air we breathe. This fact was sidelined when India joined the world in observing Environment Day on 5 June, shedding a few crocodile tears on the degrading quality of air. The general public forms its opinion on the adverse impact of air pollution by observing petrol- and diesel-driven vehicles leave harmful trails of smoke on the road. But what about the great damage being done by thousands of air turbine fuel (ATF) guzzling aeroplanes that release tonnes hazardous fumes into our biosphere?

Ironically, aircraft and ATF purchased at a staggering cost of billions of dollars from a few industrially advanced countries pollute our air. Like our roads, our skies too are soon going to be congested with flying machines of various types. The number of passenger and freight aircraft flown by private airlines is fast multiplying. Similarly, the Indian Air Force, currently in aircraft acquisition mode, is likely to increase its flying operations in the coming years. This development is going to be a major contributory factor in the destruction of ozone and the accumulation of green house gases in the upper layers of the atmosphere.

It is estimated that one multi-engine passenger aircraft is being added every fortnight to the fleets of India’s domestic carriers that are engaged in cutthroat competition to fly to the remotest corners of the country. Besides, the growing corporate sector, PSUs and state governments have also started operating their own executive jets and helicopters. As a result, the number of aircraft flying the Indian skies has gone up considerably. Here, one must not forget the domain of military aviation, Air Force, Army, Navy and the coast guard, where more than 1,000 fighter jets, transport planes and helicopters are kept aloft in routinely scheduled day and night flying. As per the estimates, the movement of aircraft in Indian airspace is growing at an annual rate of 15 per cent.

Aviation lowers local air quality, especially in the vicinity of airports. This is quite injurious to the health of inhabitants. An aircraft lands in or takes off from Delhi airport every minute and this is when it leaves behind the maximum quantity of polluting gas in addition to causing extreme noise pollution. Besides, planes from domestic and international airlines that fly in circles over airports while they wait for landing clearance eject hundreds of tonnes of foul fumes into the upper layers of the atmosphere.

Moreover, the large-scale expansion of commercial flying in India has brought in additional risks to air traffic safety. It has endangered not only the lives of passengers but also those of people living in the vicinity of airports. This is corroborated by the unfortunate mid-air collision that took place between two passenger jets over Charkhi Dadri in Haryana nearly a decade ago.

Incidentally, kerosene happens to be the principal component of ATF. It is used as a propellant in modern commercial as well as military aircraft. Like other fossil fuels, kerosene produces carbon dioxide and water vapour on combustion. As the combustion process can not be said to be entirely efficient, carbon monoxide and oxygenated organic compounds, that are the products of partial oxidation, are emitted into the upper layers of the atmosphere. Hence, the extremely harmful environmental impact of pollutants left behind by aircraft engine exhaust fumes should be a great cause of concern for enlightened citizens.

The two main emissions of airliners and fighter jets are carbon dioxide and water vapour. Combustion engines also emit a combination of nitrogen dioxide and nitric oxide as well as aerosols. Because planes fly at high altitudes, the effect of these gases and particles is magnified as they are emitted directly into the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere, where they have a direct impact on the atmospheric composition and enhance the concentration of greenhouse gases.

Carbon dioxide is considered to be the most significant of greenhouse gases. Studies have proved that it stays in the atmosphere for about 100 years on an average. This means that the harmful effects of carbon dioxide emissions will be faced even by our coming generations. Currently, it is estimated that 6,000 million tonnes of carbon dioxide are released globally into the atmosphere every year.

Another fallout of the increase in the number of aircraft is contrails that are formed by water vapour and aerosol particles. Contrails, which can often be seen from the ground, are the condensation trails left behind by the exhaust fumes of high-flying aircraft. The emissions from aircraft form ice clouds, which can trap, heat and thus upset the radioactive balance of the atmosphere. Satellite images have shown that in areas where there is heavy air traffic, contrails are produced so frequently that they remain in the atmosphere and generate the formation of cirrus clouds. Both the cirrus clouds and contrails contribute to climate change. They could cause natural disasters and adversely affect human health.

The government, instead of paying mere lip service to anti-pollution activities, should take proactive steps to frame a comprehensive environment policy for India that will also address citizens’ apprehensions regarding the harmful effects of the increase in the number of aircraft in Indian skies as well as in the skies above the adjoining nations. The increasing menace of climate change and global warming caused by rapidly growing commercial and combat flying needs, has to be tackled on a war footing and India must not shy away from seeking international assistance in this regard. The USA, the UK, France and Russia are major manufacturers of airliners, military aircraft and aero-engines. Collaborating with these technologically advanced nations could stem the further degradation of the earth’s atmosphere and save coming generations from catastrophic consequences.
The Statesman (Kolkata), 15 June 2006

Environment is today one of the hottest topics of debate around the world. Right from the man on the street to the academicians in the universities and the politicians in the corridors of power, the topic is discussed and debated by one and all. The rapid industrialization, an ever-increasing population, steep rise in the number of vehicles on roads has led to a worsening of environment in the country.

No doubt rapid industrialization has taken India closer to league of developed nations, but it has also take its toll on the environment and the air and water have borne the maximum brunt of it.

High level of suspended particulate matter is the most prevalent form of air pollution. It is mainly found in cities that act as hubs of industrialization and places where there is large density of vehicles. Concentration of sulphur dioxide, one of the gases released as waste from industries, in atmosphere results in diseases like bronchitis and nose and throat irritation. Petroleum refineries, chemical and iron like unplanned and improper developments without appropriate coastal zone management plans and shipping and sea-based activities leading to oil spills, sludge disposal and petroleum and gas exploration. Growing population is also a major source of worry as it directly effects the environment. An increased population would result in a greater depletion of the natural resources. Rapid urbanization would result in the cutting of forests resulting in desertification of the area. Also lack of forests would result in regional imbalances in the form of poor monsoon. A concentrated effort needs to be made both at the governmental as well as individual level to tackle the growing menace of pollution. More awareness programmes need to be undertaken to make people aware of the impact of pollution on environment and the steps to be taken to contain it. This will go a long way in making the world a much better place to live in.
The Financial Express (New Delhi), 05 June 2006

In a major relief to "green industry" the Haryana State Pollution Control Board has issued instructions to all agencies concerned not to ask for a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the board from such category of industries.

A decision to this effect had been taken in view of the new industrial policy of the state.

He said the agencies included the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam, the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam, the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation, the Haryana Urban Development Authority, the Town and Country Planning Department and the Haryana Financial Corporation.

He said the board had simplified the form for the NOC which would be applicable for all NOC cases as per the new industrial policy. The simplified NOC form was available on the website of the board. The board had also put the NOC status on its website for the benefit of entrepreneurs.
The Tribune (Chandigarh), 21 June 2006

In today’s world, the paramount importance is the challenge of balancing the virtuous desires to improve human welfare and to minimise detrimental environmental consequences.

The biggest challenge today is to meet the shortage of power. Producing clean and green power, without depleting the earth’s limited resources, is a prime responsibility of every power utility. N.H.P.C. is a premier and single largest public sector utility in the field of hydropower generation in India, where production of clean and green power is a tradition. N.H.P.C. is committed for hydropower generation in a sustainable manner, with strong environmental conscience. If we are able to achieve development in an ecologically sustainable manner, the burden on the natural resources would be reduced significantly. There is a need to carry out hydropower planning in a context of environment and resource management and environmental & social issues cannot be viewed in isolation.

In the context of hydropower development, environmental effects have traditionally been equated with negative environmental and socio-economic impacts, which are more high-lighted, ignoring the innumerable beneficial impacts such as flood moderation, irrigation, water supply, recreation opportunities, improved fisheries, overall socio-economic development etc., in addition to Hydropower generation. Infact environmental conditions are improved when water management practices regulate and augment low flows of rivers and streams. Moreover, in view of the threat of global warming due to carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, we have no option but to explore energy sources like hydro which are not dependent upon fossil fuels.

N.H.P.C. aims for minimum destruction and exploitation of natural resources and goes for various conservation measures to counter the negative inescapable impacts on environment. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is undertaken during investigation stage of a project itself to identify probable impacts (positive as well as negative) on environment. Based on the findings of the EIA, proper safe-guards are proposed and implemented. Post-Construction EIA studies are conducted to assess the success of the plans implemented and evaluate the positive changes that have been observed over a period of time after the execution of the mitigation plans.

Massive afforestation has been undertaken over an area of 3163 ha. of degraded/non forest land, in lieu of diversion of 1708 ha of forest land required for six commissioned projects viz Tanakpur, Chamera-I, Chamera-II, Uri, Rangit, Dhauliganga and two under construction projects i.e Dulhasti and Teesta-V. In these eight projects about 87000 trees got affected, against which about 70 lakh trees have been planted.

Green Belt Development around the reservoir periphery is also undertaken to arrest soil erosion which may result into the sedimentation of the reservoir. Beside this, Afforestation is also undertaken under Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) Plan. Integrated approach for various soil conservation measures under CAT plan is adopted. Different species of fuelwood, fodder and horticulture importance are planted under the CAT plan to cater to the needs of local and indigenous people living in the area.

In the rapid pursuit of hydro development, NHPC is very critical about the interest of Project Affected Persons (PAPs) and ensures that the same are adequately protected NHPC plays a key role in the Resettlement & Rehabilitation (R&R) of the displaced families. In order to conserve and propagate the floral species of medicinal and economic significance, NHPC has developed Herbal Parks at its various projects. This also serve in addendum benefit in a way of creating awareness amongst the officials, local residents on the economic / medicinal importance of plants and generates a sense of conservation towards one of the most important natural resources.
The Times of India (New Delhi), 05 June 2006

Sixty per cent of rural India lives in utter poverty, with no electricity. Rural India uses 180 million tonnes of biomass every year for cooking, creating indoor pollution and health hazards. The WHO estimates that 1.5 million deaths per year are caused by pollution from chulha smoke. Making available locally grown clean and renewable cooking and lighting fuel can improve the quality of rural life. Liquid fuels are far superior to solid fuels for cooking because of their clean combustion, higher energy density and existing supply chain convenience. Ethanol is one of the best as it is an excellent substitute for kerosene and burns better, with no particulate output or unpleasant smell. Its combustion is almost as clean as that of LPG.

Ethanol can be produced from any sugary or starchy material and is presently produced world over from sugarcane and corn. However, as the ethanol economy grows, there is a need to produce it from a crop, which uses much less water than sugarcane and also produces food. Sweet-stalk sorghum (jowar) is one such crop. Its earhead produces grain, which can be used for making bread; its sweet stem has nearly the same amount of sugar as in sugarcane and hence the juice can be fermented and used for ethanol production. The bagasse, left after juice extraction, together with leaves is excellent fodder for animals. So from the same piece of land one can get food, fuel and fodder.

Besides, sweet sorghum uses nearly 50 per cent less water than sugarcane to produce the same amount of sugar. It is a four-month crop so farmers can grow two crops per year from the same piece of land. Also the energy output/input ratio of producing ethanol from sweet sorghum is very positive.

The Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) introduced sweet-stalk sorghum in India in late 1960s and has developed the technology for its production and usage as a cooking and lighting fuel. An efficient ethanol cooking stove running on 50 per cent ethanol-water mixture has been developed. This mixture, which can be distilled efficiently in a rudimentary rural distillation unit, is safe and less flammable fuel than pure ethanol. The stove works just like an LPG stove with high and low flame settings. Field-testing shows that rural users like this stove. NARI has also developed a lantern running on ethanol. It burns cleanly without smoke or smell. The ethanol lantern produces light equivalent to that from a 100W bulb. Presently the government is propagating solar lanterns running on PV cells. They use compact fluorescent lamps costing over Rs 2,000, producing light equivalent to that of a 40W incandescent bulb. This light is not

sufficient for children's reading or for doing household work. The CFL lanterns are only twice as efficient as ethanol lanterns when we consider the power plant-to-light efficiency. With a little more R&D, we could make ethanol-based lanterns more efficient than electric lighting. In the absence of grid electricity to most rural areas, liquid fuel lanterns running on ethanol provide an attractive alternative.

To facilitate the use of ethanol for rural households the government should remove excise duty. The cost of ethanol from sweet sorghum after excise duty removal can be as low as Rs 10-14 per litre. The use of ethanol for rural applications will also create great wealth in rural areas in terms of growing crops and producing ethanol from them. It is
estimated that the industry to produce ethanol for such purposes for rural areas can be of the order of Rs 2,00,000 crore a year and can make the ethanol economy 100 times bigger than the present one based on automobile consumption only.

Another unique way in which ethanol can be used for lighting in rural areas is via electricity generation through two-wheelers. For this, existing two-wheelers need to be converted to a hybrid vehicle where the small internal combustion engine running efficiently on ethanol or petrol charges the battery to run the electric motor system. When the vehicle is not running the system can act like a power plant producing electric power. Every two-wheeler can potentially become a mobile power plant.
The Times of India (New Delhi), 09 June 2006

Responding to cue from the head of the Environment Control System, Tata Motors, Principal Secretary, Ground Water & Minor Irrigation Arun Arya said here on Monday that industries sending their effluents into the ground and thereby polluting groundwater would be identified and stern action would be taken against them.

Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar on water conservation and best water management practices, he said that he would gather more information about such industries even as head of the Environment Control System, Tata Motors Shamantak said that there were industries in some parts of the State like Unnao that were boring in the ground and sending their toxic effluents under ground.

Giving statistics, Arya said that a total of 37 blocks in the State had over-exploited ground-water, in 13 the groundwater exploitation situation had reached a critical point, in 88 it was semi-critical while 682 were safe.

Chairman & M.D. E.M.A. India Ltd, Kanpur P.K. Bhargava, who presided over the seminar, said that the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) UP aimed to formulate a task force on water and to work closely with industry to help develop proper models for rain water harvesting, water treatment, conservation of water and means of recharging ground water.

The task force would convene awareness programmes at various places in the State to carry forward the mission and help the industry undertake best water management techniques. The task force would ensure that a minimum of eight industries in UP took up best water management practices.

"We can live without electricity or a house, but can’t live with-out water. In the past we have been negligent about water, but now time has come when we become serious about water conservation," said Bhargava.

Shamantak, through a Power-Point presentation, showed their water management practices.

"We educate our employees and contractors about the importance of water conservation.

"We do regular monitoring to check water leakages, perform occasional leak survey of the facility, have periodic replacement of valves and locking arrangement at the user end, employ water efficiency by using sprinkler irrigation in landscaping, have water recycling plants and do not let polluted water mix with clean water. We have also created ponds by rain water harvesting," he said.
Hindustan Times (New Delhi), 28 June 2006

Nitrogen dioxide pollution in the air can kill people, according to a new study published last week in the European Respiratory Journal. The paper – which was written by Klea Katsouyanni and Evangelia Samoli, professors at the Depatment of Hygiene and Epidemiology at the University of Athens, and several other European researchers – draws on data from 15 European cities and looks at the kind of pollution that is emitted largely by diesel engines. Looking at heart- and lung-related deaths in the days after nitrogen dioxide exposure, Katsouyanni and Samoli found an increase of 10 micrograms of NO2 per cubic meter of air increased deaths from heart and lung conditions by 0.40 percent and 0.38 percent, respectively. Bart Ostro, chief of the California Environmental Protection Agency’s air pollution epidemiology unit, said the paper is "way more suggestive than many other studies" in terms of linking nitrogen dioxide to mortality. He added that although more study is needed, it is one of the reasons California is on the verge of adopting new nitrogen dioxide standards – including a one-hour exposure level – that are stricter than federal regulations. "The effects are so severe, we don’t feel like we can risk being wrong," he said.
The Indian Express (New Delhi), 04 June 2006

Biogas, an ecofriendly alternative to fossil fuels, has been criticised for releasing methane, a greenhouse gas that is 20-25 times worse than carbon dioxide in causing global warming. It was believed that if methane emissions exceed five per cent of biogas produced, then the use of fossil fuels would be preferable. But a new study says biogas would be preferable even if it gave off 10-20 per cent methane emissions — up to four times as high as the earlier estimate.

"This percentage will vary depending on the fossil fuels replaced and the raw materials used (to produce biogas)," says Maria Berglund of Lund University in Sweden, the author of the study.

She says about half of all biogas is produced from manure. But methane emissions from manure can vary widely — by as much as 30 per cent. "One should not draw general conclusions about biogas. The environmental impact depends on what raw material is used and what alternative uses are available for that source material," she adds. All forms of waste treatment have environmental impacts, though in varying degree, but this is seldom mentioned in public debate, Berglund points out.
The Statesman (Kolkata), 22 June 2006

Brazil Set to be Mecca of Bio-Fuel
Nidhi Nath Srinivas

Brazil, may well become the Saudi Arabia of bio fuels. Try as they may, the US and EU can never hope to beat Brazil either in quantity or affordability even 10 years from now. By utilizing a negligible percentage of its farm lands, Brazil can meet 10% of its energy needs. The Big B can also produce it more cheaply than any one else in the world. In fact, Brazilian ethanol can remain competitive even if crude oil falls to $ 39 per barrel.

In contrast, the US and EU need to use anything between three to seven out of every 10 farms to replace the same percentage of its energy requirement. Even then, their ethanol and bio-diesel would be far more expensive than Brazilian home-brewed.

According to new OECD research, by using just 3% of its farms, Brazil can meet 10% of its energy needs. US would need to convert 30% and EU a huge 70% of their farm lands to ensure that one out of every 10 barrels of fuel contains ethanol and bio diesel.

"The three OECD regions, the US, Canada and EU (15) require between 30% and 70% of their respective current crop area if they are to replace 10% of their transport fuel consumption by bio fuels, assuming unchanged production technologies and crop yields, and in the absence of international trade or use of marginal or fallow land. However, only 3% would be required in Brazil due to not only the high ethanol yield per hectare of land but also because of the relatively low per capita fuel consumption in this country," the OECD has stated.

The good news is that China and India stand an equally good chance of producing plenty of bio fuels from a small percentage of land. "Similarly favourable agro-climatic conditions hold for other tropical and subtropical countries as well, countries such as India, China and other Latin American countries in addition to Brazil could also be able to produce bio-fuels which are comparatively cost effective," the OECD has added.

What gives Brazil its biggest edge is cost. Brazilian ethanol will continue to remain competitive against crude oil even if the latter drop to sub-$40/barrel-levels.

"The available data suggest that costs per unit of Brazilian ethanol from sugar cane are fat below those of most other production systems. Consequently, only Brazil would be able to produce ethanol in an economically viable manner with world crude oil prices of around $39," OECD has stated. Brazil is the only
one where ethanol production costs based on sugar cane – are not only below tax-free prices for gasoline, but are only about 70% of the regional supply costs of gasoline.
The Economic Times (New Delhi), 17 June 2006

Wildlife and forest is expected to get a new thrust from the Union government. The Ministry of Environment and Forest has proposed to divide the ministry into two departments – one for wildlife and forest and the other for environment and pollution.

In a proposal submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office and expected to be discussed at the meeting of National Board for Wildlife, headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on Monday, the officials say the emphasis is on conservation and protection of wildlife and forest.

India is one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world and is home to about 30 per cent of wildlife and forest species.

However, because of unsustainable model of development based on large scale industrialization and commercial agriculture has resulted in habitat loss and over-exploitation of natural resources, said the Ministry’s report on Bio-Diversity released earlier this year.

Keeping this in view and recommendation of the National Forest Commission, the ministry’s proposal speaks of the department comprising of officials from the Indian Forest Service (IFS) at the top level to give a professional look. An IAS officer heads the ministry now.

Not only all the Institutions related to forest and wildlife will be vested with the new department, the issues related to service conditions of IFS officers will be dealt by the new department. There will be many new wings in the department like one for public private partnership in view of changing economic and bio-diversity scenario, officials said.

Before the new department is carved out, the officials say, the government wants to restructure IFS on the lines suggested by Prime Minister Singh last year. The PM wanted the services to be more professional and technically sound in view of the changing environment scenario and growing threat on bio-diversity.

One can expect a new department along with restructured IFS by end of this year, officials said. The Cabinet Secretariat will notify the new department.
Hindustan Times (New Delhi), 19 June 2006

Delhi Chief Minister, Mrs. Sheila Dikshit planted saplings in the tree plantation drive organized on the occasion of "World Environment Day" today at Central Ridge.

"We people should concentrate our efforts to expand green cover in Delhi. This concentration should also be in the direction of improving survival rate of sapling by properly looking after plants daily," said Mrs. Dikshit.

"The green cover of Delhi has gone up by 13 times during last eight years. It is now estimated to be around 330 sq. km. In 2003, as per the State Forest Report it was 268 sq km. Around 19 percent of the total geographical area of Delhi is under green cover. The target of tree sapling plantation for 2006-07 is 16.17 lakh," she added. Delhi Environment and Forest minister, Mr. Raj Kumar Chauhan along with various NGOs, corporate, school children and officials from government departments also planted about 300 saplings in the Central Ridge.

"Delhi Government has also been taking appropriate steps for the implementation of the various environment related acts/rules in Delhi for overall upgrading of the Capital’s environment. The concentration of sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide has fallen by 50 per cent and 46 per cent respectively as compared to 1997," informed senior government officers.
The Statesman (Kolkata), 02 June 2006

The state governments and NGOs are undertaking massive tree plantation drives, all with an aim to restore the dwindling forest cover. With deserts and desertification as the focus of the World Environment Day, the National Forest Policy lays down that one third of the area in the country shall be covered by trees.

But according to the forest survey, 2003, only 23.68 per cent of the area is under forest cover. We are still short of the 33 per cent target, said deputy inspector general, ministry of environment and forests, Mr. Sanjay Kumar.

As tree plantation is one of the major interventions which can be undertaken to check environmental degradation, the target is to plant nearly 2.61 million trees, and in that drive, we also plan to involve the locals, said Mr Kumar.

Nearly 50,000 hectares of land in Karnataka is being subjected to afforestation, while Kashmir has put a complete ban on felling of green trees. Haryana has fixed a target of planting 46.75 lakh saplings in Ambala district and Tamil Nadu is planting 83,000 saplings in this one month, agency reports show.

In Kerala, all efforts are being made to restore the mangrove forests. According to the states economic review, 2005, the actual area of the mangrove in the state is estimated to have shrunk to 50 sq km from 700 sq km over the last several decades.

In Punjab, where desertification was a major problem, member secretary of the State Pollution Control Board, Mr. Malwinder Singh says all big mills and distilleries have been directed to plant maximum trees within their limits.

"We are looking at the creation of a comprehensive list for the preservation of the east Kolkata wetlands and have sought reports from municipalities on the status of important water bodies. We also want to plug the gaps in the implementation of the law to preserve them", said Mr. Chatterjee.

In Karnataka, 40-50,000 hectares of degraded forest lands are being afforested. Extensive tree plantation drives are being undertaken by the farmers on their own lands for which the seedlings are supplied by the forest department.
The Statesman (Kolkata), 06 June 2006

The Forest Department Uttaranchal on getting the green signal from centre has issued G.O. for the transfer of forest land in cases of development schemes.

The minister informed this through a release today.

The forest minister Navprabhat has said that till date G.O. for forest land transfer in 285 cases linked to 1201 development scheme have been issued.
The Himachal Times (Dehradun), 30 June 2006

The Mizoram Government has chalked out a plan to utilise its bamboo resources before they flower and perish in the current cycle.

Bamboo (Melocanna baccifera), which grows over more than 6,400 sq km covering a third of the State, has started flowering. This is a phenomenon that occurs once in 50 years across the northeastern region, Mizoram in particular.

According to the Government's year-long promotion plans, the bamboo will be harvested and utilised for the paper industry, including in Bangladesh, and for environment-friendly power stations that run on bamboo. Promoting bamboo-based cottage industries and establishing chipping and pulping units in the small-scale industrial sector are planned too.

Eight bamboo-based industries have been set up at a cost of Rs. 700 lakh. Export promotion industrial parks at Bairabi, Champahai and Tlabung, besides district industry centres are in the pipeline.

"My Government has prepared a blueprint to ensure that all the bamboo will be harvested before the flowering," said Chief Minister Zoramthanga. "We have started constructing bamboo-link roads throughout the forest," which provides access to harvest it." Ropeways have been set up to transport the harvested bamboo.

Industries Department Director Yogaraja said about 8,000 youth would get jobs in the proposed bamboo-pulping industrial units.

A bamboo-power station proposed in Sairang village would use bamboo and bamboo waste to generate electricity, according to Zoram Energy Development Agency (ZEDA) project coordinator Benjamin L. Tlumtea. "This Rs. 2.85 crore project will not only be cost-effective but also eco-friendly," he said. It was designed at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore and Ankur Scientific Energy Technologies.
The Hindu (New Delhi), 03 June 2006

The movement on the border talks between India and China may have been slow but that has not stopped Arunachal Pradesh from seeking to leave the unpleasant past behind. For the first time, the border state is planning to send an official delegation to the neighbouring country for tips on bamboo cultivation.

The Arunachal Pradesh government has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of External Affairs asking for clearance for a five-member delegation that plans to attend a workshop on bamboo cultivation at Hangzhou in southeast China between July 3 and 8. The workshop, organised by the Nanjing Forestry University, is likely to be attended by representatives from Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya.

‘‘Hangzhou is world famous for its success in bamboo plantation and products. Since our state is abundant in bamboo, there are many things that can be learnt from them,’’ said education minister Chowna Mein, who is part of the team. The other members include Irrigation Minister N. Tingkhatra, nodal officer of the State Bamboo Mission G N Sinha and two senior officials of the forest department.

China is claiming 90,000 sq km of territory in the Northeast that includes most of Arunachal Pradesh. The border state, however, has been urging the Centre to upgrade the infrastructure and establish trade marts along the border with the neighbour since there is a huge potential and the entire region would be benefited. It is estimated that 70 per cent of the country’s growing stock of bamboo is in the Northeast that is yet to be properly utilised. An official said that one-fifth of the total area under forests (82 per cent of the state) in Arunachal Pradesh has bamboo, mainly of the dendrocalamus variety.

‘‘Proper utilisation of bamboo can change the face of the state and the adjoining states. Since there is a slim chance of corporate houses investing here to set up industries, it is best to build on the existing resources,’’ the minister said.
The Indian Express (New Delhi), 26 June 2006

The move to allow the private sector to invest in plantations to help restore degraded forest area is a pragmatic acceptance of the fact that public land like public money is often seen as not belonging to anyone and blatantly exploited by nexus of corrupt politicians, pliable bureaucrats and crooked contractor. Which has resulted in a situation where forest produce like bamboo can be accessed by the haves for a fraction of the price a self-employed basket-weaver has to pay! It is an iniquitous system, which sometimes throws up brigands like Veerappan, who, even while meeting the demands of this corrupt nexus, claim to be acting in the tribals’ interests by providing them alternate employment where they live! That Veerappan thrived for so long speaks volumes of the tribals’ faith in a callous state.

The move to invite the private sector to help restore degraded forest area should be seen in the context of the failure of the existing system and the rapid depletion of India’s forest wealth. The rational is that the private sector, unlike the cash-strapped state, has the resources and the organizational skills to regenerate degraded forest land. However, adequate safeguards have to be built into the policy framework to ensure that the benefits accrue to all stakeholders. One way of doing this is to speedily introduce the Scheduled Tribes (Recognition of Forest Rights) Bill and implement the Provision of Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act 1996. Fly by-night operators of the kind who floated dubious money-grows-on-trees schemes should be kept out. Above all, there has to be a structured approach which not just identifies land for private participation but also the appropriate usage. For instance, degraded land abutting sanctuaries could be used to promote sustainable eco-tourism. If Bilt can acquire Malaysia’s SFI and access forest land in Sabah, a policy of encouraging corporate India to work with empowered tribals to regenerate India’s forest wealth should be welcomed!
The Economic Times (New Delhi), 02 June 2006

The nationwide debate on implementation of the Scheduled Tribes (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, which seeks to provide traditional and customary land rights to forest dwelling scheduled tribes has found another voice of support.

Noted environmentalist and a prominent leader of the Chipko Movement, Chandi Prasad Bhatt, who is also a member of the National Forest Commission has sought implementation of the Act as an efficient tool for conservation of forests.

Contrary to NFC recommendation, which term the Act as "harmful to interest of forests and ecological security of the country," Bhatt has sent a dissent note to Prime Minsiter Manmohan Singh voicing support to the legislation.

"Forest dwellers should have a prime stake in management of forests. It is essential to enact and implement the Act for better conservation of forests in the country,"