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As most of us are aware MoEF release a draft notification (classification, packing and labelling of hazardous substance) on July 8th for publc for comments.
http://moef.nic.in/downloads/rules-and-regulations/SO523_E_new.pdf
I read the draft notification. I request to clarify the following
1. As per the Rule 4 " Responsibility of occupier and consigner"
It says Assign one of more hazard class specified in schedule II in acordence with the criteria specified therein; however, I would like to know who will assaign it and how to apply for the same.
2. Do we need to follow the all the rules like UN no, diomond ring and other if we are transporting within India.
Request everyone give inputs.
I'm Looking for Solar Heater for 600 Cu Meter Capacity Pool Heater or otherwise any other technology will economic by capax & Opex which save energy with optimum result.
If any one has detail for same, Pls. do contact at +919016438868 or mail me at e.safe2207@gmail.com
An Energy company is looking for a EHS professional having experience and expertsie for more than 20 years in Environmental clerance and other related issues inlcuding OHS of Thermal / Hydro Power Plant . Location Delhi NCR. Send your CV to prashant_choubey@welspun.com
Blog by Nityanand Jayaraman- cross posted
Is Jairam Ramesh a smooth, cunning and crafty fox? That's what he claimed to be at a journalism school convocation in Chennai on May 3, 2011. Invoking philosopher Isaiah Berlin's spin on an ancient parable called “The fox and the hedgehog,” the Indian environment minister used the metaphors to explain his stance on the environment-growth debate. No other environment minister has spent time or thought on this dilemma, leave alone articulate it. But that is not the only reason why Jairam's thoughts are important. The minister's flourishes to the decade-old neoliberal reformation of the environment ministry, triggered by the 2002 report of the Govindarajan Committee on investment reforms, will probably have the deepest and farthest reaching effects. In a sense, it really matters that we know whether Ramesh is a fox or a hedgehog. Will the Jairam tantra really reconcile the imperatives of environmental sustainability and enduring growth? Or will it come in the business-as-usual package of hurting the environment and less privileged communities?
According to the fable, the fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing. Isaiah Berlin's version eulogises the fox to argue for pluralist views over “hedgehoggy” monism, where the one big story overwhelms and overrides all others.
see more>>
http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/blog/element-doubt-about-jairam-ramesh
Greetings from IDSAsr
Guru Arjan Dev Institute of Development Studies, Amritsar(India) has planned to organize
its 3rd annual seminar on the theme Water Security and Climate Change:
Challenges and Strategies with effect from November 4 to November 6,2011 in the
Conference hall of Guru Nanak Bhawan of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.
Registration is you open for the seminar. You are requested to contribure a well
researched paper on any of the sub theme in global context. Also gave wide publicity to the event.
Look forward to see IEN members here at Amritsar- The City of Golden Temple.
With warm personal regards
Rajasthan has resulted in a rapid depletion in ground water level and deterioration in water quality due to over exploitation. In Rajasthan, owing to meager surface water resource, ground water is only sources of dependence and survival, over 70% irrigation and 95% drinking water supply schemes are based on ground water resources. Availability of surface water is mainly restricted to canal command areas of Indira Gandhi Nahar Project, Chambal and Mahi rivers. To meet the demand, the withdrawal of ground water is more than the recharge to ground water resources. In fact this has created a problem of depletion and deterioration of groundwater level & its quality. Other geo-chemical factors have resulted in increase of hydrochemical parameters viz. salinity, nitrate, and fluoride in ground waters and have adversely affected the lives of inhabitants in general and socio-economic status in particular. The ground water of western, north-east of Rajasthan is facing problem of salinity, sodicity, alkalinity, nitrate and fluoride, whereas central and southern part is generally facing the acute problem of fluoride. High fluoride hazard is found almost all the districts of the state causing diseases fluorosis. Increased use of nitrogenous fertilizers and poor sewerage system in the urban agglomerate has caused high nitrates in aquifer water. Industrial and urban population has further caused deterioration in quality of ground water. Rajasthan has become a serious environmental issue in the field of water quality management and human health. The state second ranks amongst the most endemic fluoride problem areas of the country and shares approximately 10% of the world fluorosis problem.
In Rajasthan, drought and famine stays as unwanted guest almost every alternate tear. Thus water crisis is of acute nature and needs immediate attention of water managers.
Rajasthan is known for its arid climatic conditions and is characterized by low, erratic and unevenly distributed rains causing frequent meteorological, hydrological and agricultural droughts. Quality wise more than 25% of ground water sources have multiple problems,16% have excessive fluorides, 15% have excess nitrates and over 9% have excess salinity, thus leaving nearly 35% sources of potable.
The state is occupied by diversified geo-formations and hydro geological conditions. Ground water occurs in unconsolidated formations, semi consolidated formations and consolidated rock types. Quaternary alluvium, Lathi stand stove, Palana sandstone, Borunda limestone and Jodhpur standstone at places are some of the prominent aquifer system available in the state and are heavily over-exploited. Severe water level declining districts are –Jaipur, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Nagaur, Jodhpur ,Jalore, Pali, Dausa and Barmer.
Factors Responsible for Water Scarcity
- Low Rainfall-Arid climate
- Frequent drought and famine conditions
- Less availability of fresh water
- Deep & declining water levels
- Hard rock area
- Dispersed population
- Undependable energy supply
- Formidable water quality problems
- Lack of water education.
‘Water-Energy Nexus’ is broad label for a set of interactions caused when human start using water and energy. The nexus manifests itself in many ways, revealing substantial trade off and opportunity costs associated with it. Energy production in US and India requires more water than any other industry. Water with density 1000kg/cum requires substantial energy for lifting, transporting, heating and pressurizing.
A carbon footprint is a measurement of green house gases that an individual, organization, event, or product produces or services from ‘cradle to cart”. As of the year 2007, India’s per capita CO2 contribution and ratio of GDP to CO2 emission were reported as 1.2 tonnes/capita/year.
CFP could be considered as one of the tool for evaluating the energy efficiency of the water supply scheme.
CFP of the scheme = SUM of CFP of (source + transmission system + equipments + machineries + treatment + distribution) divided by total volume of water.
This may be arrived for new schemes right from inception stage and also for existing schemes by conducting a suitable energy audit and adoptive measures. In addition to other bench marking criteria for the schemes, CFP may also find a place in final decision making on the scheme and its alternatives.
It is possible to arrive at component wise carbon foot print of all activities, materials, equipments, systems goods and services involved in water supply scheme and its alternatives comparable.
BITING CONCERN: Deaths due to rabies has seen a drastic rise in this year at GH, chennai.
At least 20 people have died of rabies at GH in Chennai city in last 6 months.
The association for prevention and control of Rabies in India will discuss strategies to eliminate rabies by 2020.
will this happen...??? i dont think sooo...the corporation sterilize the animals,give them anti-rabies vaccines and let them out... , i feel they should not let them out either to avoid accidents n bites.
RABIES- A SCARY INFECTION
- rabies virus transmitted from animals to humans through contact with infected saliva via bites or scratches.
- over 55000 people die of rabies every year worldwide.
Preventive Measures
- animal vaccination
- reduction of stray dogs
- preventive immunization.
The association for prevention and control of rabies in India said they would insist on strengthening strsy dog population control and making pet dog licensing mandatory. Also, they will urge the state government to make vaccines accessible and affordable.
will people cooperate for license to keep pets???
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/articlelist/2950623.cms
DEWATS are effective, reliable , cost efficient and custom-made wastewater treatment systems, which are perfectly suited for small to medium size systems(5-1000m3 /d) on community level and for individual users like institutions, hospitals or enterprises(SME). On community level ,DEWATS can be integrated into a sanitation complex, which is operated on pay and use basis, ccreating income opportunities for local personal. DEWATS solutions are not intended to replace but rather to complement centralized systems in applicable areas.
The technical options within DEWATS are based on a modular and partly standardized design. DEWATS is based on basic technical treatment processes:
• Mechanical treatment (sedimentation and flotation) and
• Biological (anaerobic and aerobic) treatment.
The most common DEWATS modules are settlers, biogass settlers, anaerobic baffled reactors (ABR), anaerobic filters(AF), planted gravel filters(PGF) , and polishing ponds. These systems can be designed for individual needs.
Areas of application of DEWATS
• Where individual onsite systems fail and the community cannot afford the cost of a conventional wastewater management system
• Where the community or facility is remote from existing sewers
• Where local water reuse options are available
• Where existing wastewater treatment plant capacity is limited
• The expansion of the existing wastewater collection and treatment facilities would involve unnecessary disruption of the community,
• Where residential density is spare
• Specific wastewater constituents are treated or altered more appropriately at the point of generation.
Merits of DEWATS
• Cost efficient as no or only simplified underground sewer system needed.
• Low running costs and energy savings as no electrical devices needed.
• Minimal O&M needs and costs as lower human resources capacity levels needed.
• Reliable, long lasting and tolerant towards inflow fluctuation.
• High variety of local water, energy and nutrient reuse options.
• No ground water pollution.
• Easy and efficient user involvement and participation; and high user acceptance,
• Applicable on household, cluster and community level.
A large percentage of coastal population is directly dependent on coastal and marine resources like mangroves and other coastal vegetation, agriculture and fisheries for their livelihood. Exploration and exploitation of oil and gas activities in the offshore regions like Godawari, Krishna and Mumbai have resulted in pollution of coastal ecosystems. The problem of fresh water is already acute in coastal regions of Tamilnadu, Gujarat, WestBengal and Orissa due to over extraction of groundwater which has resulted in lowering of groundwater table and salt water intrusion. The lowering of groundwater table has also led to subsidence of coastal land causing high relative sea level rise. Lagoons located across the coastal regions of India tend to be decreasing in area due to silting of sediments and plant growing. Sea-level rise and reduction of river-borne sediments will decelerate delta progradation and wetland renewal. The rich biodiversity is seriously threatened by loss of wetlands due to sea level rise.
Intensive production systems and large scale facilities used to raise high value shrimp, salmon and other premium species has taken a heavy toll on coastal habitats, with mangrove swamps in India, this is being cleared at an alarming rate.
Coastal ecosystems like mangroves , coral reefs provide natural protection to coasts by dissipating considerable wave energy and hence only smaller waves of moderate intensity reach the shore and break
Coastal erosion is caused by forces of nature but very offen accentuated by anthropogenic activities like making of structures on shores.
The fishery resources of India are being depleted by over fishing, excessive use of pesticide, industrial pollution and even construction of coastal structures.
The loss of inshore fish nursery habitats by coastal development, and pollution from land based activities cause significant change to ecosystems supporting fisheries.
The impact of global warming on fisheries will depend on the complicated food chain, which could be disturbed by sea level rise, change in ocean currents and alternation of the mixing layer thickness.
Large scale changes in species composition and zonation in mangrove forests are also expected due to changes in sedimentation and organic accumulation, nature of coastal profile and species interaction.
Hello, my name is Wood Paper. My family trees are throughout the world although, I belong to the area of Western Ghats along the Latitude: 13.217156 and Longitude: 75.000833. My ancestors were rooted to this place and it’s from here my journey started. I was handpicked as the luckiest one when I matured and was processed with water forming a mat like structure. After penance of few days and standing with my fellow fibres in the harsh stream of water, I interwove myself and came out as the thin sheet, which is ready to use.
I also have my cousin’s called Rag paper and Grass paper. Their origins are from different part of the world (nothing interesting for you) and I really adore them. My existence brought a great revolution to the world. I, along with my brother and sisters from all over the world, were used everywhere as time passed. I became the heartbeat, the mode by which human race learnt to develop and grow.
Sometimes I feel proud of the fact that human intelligence could grow because they used me as a learning medium. I can be used to write every single thought and idea that comes to anyone’s mind. This idea at first is like a raw seed which is then sown and spread on my little inter-tangled fibered sheet and later takes a shape of technology and invention.
I am worshipped in some parts of the world like in the region, where I belong to, the land called India. It’s a very vast land with vast population of my lush green forests and even more vast number of human races. There is a notion of sacredness related to me because I am the one who provides them with what they call ‘skiksha’. I am the son of goddess saraswati and i am bestowed with her immense blessings, to educate every single human on earth. And I thoroughly enjoy this role of mine to be honest.
I am also the best friend of all the lovers in the animal world. I have successfully followed my duty in transporting messages written on me so that two hearts can meet. I love it when the divine nib of the pen meets my skin and leaves the mark, which can be read by animal later on. The softness of a pen when rolled over my body and is filled with emotions makes me cheerful and content. Different ink colours on my white skin make humans happy.
I am usually white in colour but there is also a possibility that I can be transformed into many other different colours by adding some chemicals and dyes. They make me look attractive and I am able to flaunt my new colour clothes on the ramp. But sometimes too many of hazardous chemical dyes used tend to harm my soft fibres and effects are seen in my afterlife, this makes me week and sad.
With the new technologies and after the decades of research by the man, the new hi-tech machines were invented, which I could never understand. Printing on me is fast and so many things are possible within few seconds. But I do not anymore feel connected to the real emotions and it is becoming hard for me to understand them. Everything around me in the new century is so mechanical- the hard pointer, the sound of machine and the cartilage ink. This makes me feel not wanted anymore and moreover mostly not cared anymore.
I loathe the change in the attitude of everyone and wish to bring the same old feeling back. I can feel the real end in front of me. I am scared that soon I will be dead and no one will remember how useful I was for every small action such as making toys, packaging material, books, wrapping secrets within me etc. As the electronic world is growing I am forgotten.
The ultimate goal in the design of a deep filter bed used in water treatment is to produce good quality of filtered water. The design parameters are not seen generally linked to the economic aspects of the filter beds. With the advent of dual media filters which produces about twice the quality of water than produced from conventional monomedia beds with equivalent water quality. the initial cost of the dual media filters are on the higher side when compared to the monomedia filters.A lower backwash rate and slower head loss development in the dual media filters make them deliver consistent performance even under extreme conditions of loading.Hence in case of a conventional mano media filter plants with insufficiency in meeting the demand, increased output could be obtained by up rating the plants to duel media filter beds.BY doing so , significant reduction in Capex investment is obtained due to the avoidance of construction of extra conventional filters.
Climatic changes wont be smooth transition to a warmer world.Climate change elements fall into 3 categories:
- melting ice and permafrost.
- climate phenomena like EI Nino and the Gulf stream that influences other elements.
- changing rainfall patterns in the tropical and sub tropics.
Four sets of risks associated with these elements and the impacts:
- Sea level rise
- Unstable monsoon in India
- Drought in Amazonia
- Drought in Southwest North America
http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/23/stories/2011062363550300.htm
Plastic bags are neither a small nor a big issue. Save the trees, Use plastic?
How much more ignorant could people get? Plastic is what is choking up Mother Earth's throat!!!
What is the general intellectual understanding - that jute and cloth bags are for rich people??? What was it like in 1970s and 80s, when to carry plastic was fashionable "English", and jute bags were the sickly indicators of a not so rich/educated person. Is this happening in India, the country where Gandhi imagined the wheel spinning local cotton as the symbol of progress? Where is the supposed feeling of pride in India now? What the hell is happening with our understanding of any issue? :D
You decide!
blog by Shankar Gopalakrishnan
On June 12th, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh made national headlines when he "earnestly appealed" to the Odisha government to avoid force when taking people's land for the POSCO project. He called upon them to respect "dialogue and discussion" and "democratic processes." The Minister's "concern" followed the statements of national Congress leaders condemning the police operation in the area, as the media was filled with images of protesters lying in burning sand, children and women facing off with armed police, and appeals from thousands of people to halt the takeover of 3,000 acres of forest land for POSCO.
But the Minister failed to mention a rather important fact. The law already provides for such a democratic process, and his Ministry is the single biggest reason that those laws are not followed. The result is gross injustice to millions of people across the country, who find that their lands and forests are grabbed for corporate profit (incidentally, let's not call this "development"; in the case of POSCO, for instance, the project will destroy three times as many jobs as it will create and will result in no benefit other than profits to the company).
Let's take a closer look at the process involved. Under section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, "diversion" of forest land, or the use of forest land for "non-forest purposes" (essentially any activity except afforestation) requires the permission of the Environment Ministry. This is the so-called "forest clearance" process. Approximately 23% of the country's land area is recorded as forest; under a 1996 Supreme Court order, all land recorded as forest is subject to the Forest (Conservation) Act. Thus, land use in almost a quarter of the country is technically under the jurisdiction of a single Ministry of the Central government.
These vast areas have millions of people dependent on them for individual cultivation, collection of forest produce and other livelihood activities. In many areas they are also under some form of village management, ranging from the informal forest protection committees in the POSCO area, to the elaborate state-sanctioned Van Panchayats of Uttarakhand, to the entirely community controlled areas of parts of the Northeast.
But unlike most other processes concerned with natural resources - whether it is private land acquisition, the Environmental Impact Assessment process, urban planning, etc. - neither the Forest (Conservation) Act nor its Rules provides for even informing the public, leave alone consulting them, before decisions on diversion of forest land are made. This extreme centralisation of power leads to both absurdity and tragedy. Examples abound: the Lower Subansiri Dam project, where the MoEF has diverted forest land that does not even belong to the government (it is community land); the Polavaram dam, bigger than the Sardar Sarovar project, where more than 250 adivasi villages are to lose their lands and community forests without a word about their rights; and of course POSCO.
Until January 1st, 2008, this was deemed to be legal, despite being grossly unjust. On that date, the Forest Rights Act came into force. The FRA had two critical sets of provisions that affected takeover of forest land. First, it recognised individual and community rights of forest dwellers on forests and forest lands, and explicitly barred (section 4(5)) removal of forest dwellers until the recognition and recording process is complete. Second, and more importantly, the FRA gave communities - and specifically their gram sabhas (assemblies of all village residents) and village institutions - the power to manage and protect forests, biodiversity, water sources and their cultural and natural heritage.
But this clashed headlong with the entire basis of the forest governance regime in the country, under which forests were treated as the private property of the state, to be policed, protected and destroyed as per decisions made by the forest authorities. As a result, despite the fact that it was now engaging in a direct violation of a law, MoEF simply carried on diverting forest land for projects as if the FRA and people's rights did not exist.
Read more>>
http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/blog/posco-one-more-case-forest-land-grab
