Dear Friends,There are so many people who talk about protecting enviornmental and controlling environmental pollution but how many act on this front. Lets become active in this matter
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United Nations University will organize the tenth regular session of its six-week UNU International Courses (UNU-IC) at UNU Centre in Tokyo, Japan, from 10 May through 18 June 2010. The UNU-IC programme is designed for postgraduate students and young professionals (with a college or university degree) in various occupations in Japan and abroad who wish to pursue careers in international fields in public-service or private organizations, including the United Nations, multinational corporations and non-governmental organizations as well as national foreign service organizations. The courses are designed to provide analyses of global issues from both theoretical and empirical perspectives.The UNU International Courses are taught in a cooperative fashion by a team of scholars and practitioners comprising both in-house and outside experts. One of the unique features of the UNU-IC is that many of the practitioners come from United Nations organizations. Another important characteristic is the direct access to teaching faculty and the support provided to course participants by the UNU in-house academic staff who serve as academic counsellors. The UNU-IC also draw on the research projects undertaken at the UNU Centre in Tokyo and at various UNU Research and Training Centres and Programmes (RTC/Ps) located around the world. The courses, though advanced in nature, are open to graduate students and professionals in various occupations who are not necessarily specialists in the fieldPlease click on the link provided belowhttp://www.unu.edu/ic/Read more…
Posted by Ashok Ghosh on October 18, 2009 at 2:32am
Arsenic contaminated aquifers in a 5 km. wide study belt along the banks of river Ganga, in Patna, Bhojpur, Vaishali and Bhagalpur districts of Bihar, are used for both drinking and irrigation purposes. Following an intense detection work by this study group, and subsequent reporting of spread of this contamination to eleven other districts, the authorities initiated several mitigation strategies. But no benefit has been noted in the affected districts, and the total vulnerable population in the study belt itself, is estimated to be over 725,000.Furthermore, complexities arise as the fertile lands are doused with irrigation water from these contaminated aquifers. Arsenic has entered into the food chain of Bihar through irrigation water. Many crop plants and vegetables being grown in rural Bihar has been detected with high arsenic content.The consumption of the arsenic infested food is further increasing the disease burden.A large number of patients with confirmed symptoms of arsenicosis have been detected by our study group.A very alarming recent finding by our research group is the detection of high arsenic content (more than 50 ppb) in the water of River Jaminia – flowing parallel to River Ganga in Bhagalpur district of Bihar.This river merges with Ganga and water from this river is being supplied to urban Bhagalpur without any treatment.Surveys conducted show inherent flaws in the organization of mitigation work, the contributory effect of the state’s population burden, socio-economic backwardness, lack of accountability in implementing different mitigation projects, as well as the failure of the decision makers to seek implementing different mitigation projects, as well as the failure of the decision makers to seek community awareness and cooperation for faster mitigation delivery techniques. Bihar is in the danger of repeating Bengal’s mistakes in tackling the arsenic problem.. Failure of textbook mitigation strategies can be augmented by adoption of innovative schemes. This group has already tested a gravity-based arsenic filter in field with desired results and with minimal expenses. Bioremediation with microbes isolated from soils of Maner [Patna] is also giving positive results.Arsenic contamination in Gangetic belt calls for establishment of a centralized knowledge & research hub, wherein, as per the regional peculiarities of arsenic hotspots’ locations, experience and expertise may act upon health impacts and infiltration of arsenic in food chain.MITIGATION STRATEGIES IN PLACE-The geographical and socio-economic backgrounds of the Ganga-Meghna-Brahmaputra Plains have posed a serious challenge to mitigation techniques. The flood plains subject to annual inundation compel the rural population to migrate seasonally. In Bihar, the largely agricultural population has a very low per capita income, with a few agro-based industries to sustain the state’s economy. Low literacy levels also acted as impediment to any development initiative. As a result, general apathy exists among the affected villagers towards these schemes. Non-existent medical facilities and lack of sanitation & hygiene behaviour are another bane in this rural environment.Following the reports of this study group in 2005, and against the above backdrop the authorities implemented the following measures in different parts of the districts. Rainwater harvesting units –These structures were exclusively installed by Public Health Engineering Department in collaboration with UNICEF, to cope with arsenic contamination in all the districts. It was found that poor construction materials were used due to which the structures are crumbling. Due to absence of regular monitoring and maintenance work , the collected water has bacteriological contamination and decomposition, rendering it unfit for any form of human use. Moreover, remote villages have very few constructed buildings, providing flat roofs for rain water collection. The villagers also cannot accept the idea of drinking rooftop water, and hence have reverted to drinking water from contaminated pumps which according to them “was clean and tastes fresh”.• “Swajaldhara Yojna” plan envisaged provision of piped water from arsenic-free aquifers.in Bhojpur. However, this project was unable to reach its desired target due to poor power supply, theft of pipes and diesel fuel, and lack of follow-up action. It has not been able to stop mass evacuation of villagers suffering from high disease incidence and death rates. Added to this is the social stigma of residing in a known arsenic affected area, which is particularly leading to social ostracization in matrimonial matters.• Restoration of open wells –Also implemented under the state’s water quality monitoring & surveillance program, the old existing wells were renovated, treated and covered for re-use. Again due to lack of water quality monitoring and maintenance, these wells were becoming polluted and defunct. Only a few old wells have been restored, leaving large parts of the villages unattended.• Construction of new Sanitary wells-As per the current implementation strategy, each new well construction is a time consuming process, ranging from 7-15 months. In Maner administrative block [ Patna district] a number of such wells have been under construction for over 12 months. The few completed wells are not being sanitized and has no follow-up monitoring of bacteriological contamination and possible arsenic levels.• Use of domestic arsenic filters-Use of domestic filters that were distributed by NGOs could not been sustained for 2 reasons- firstly, there is no mechanism in place to replace the filter candles; secondly, the villagers are not aware of disposal techniques of the used candles, thereby increasing their exposure risk. Many of them are not aware of the life-span of the filter candles.• No contaminated tubewell has yet been capped in Bihar.The above schemes, though well-conceived could not be sustained due to the following main reasons-• The number of implemented schemes is insufficient for the dense population.• Water quality monitoring units exist at panchayat level, but there is lack of follow-up action and lack of communication between the panchayat, block and state levels. Hence the concept of a decentralised, demand driven water quality initiatives is being compromised.• Failure of the authorities to undertake monitoring and maintenance work in the post-construction phase has rendered the projects defunct.• District-level water quality monitoring laboratories are defunct due to ill-maintenance and lack of trained staff.• There is a lack of awareness and sensitization to arsenic contamination , and lack of ownership among the largely illiterate population. These factors have been the biggest contributory factors towards the absence of public participation in these government schemes. Hence, community mobilisation is the sole answer to proper implementation of these schemes.The need of the hour, therefore, is to recognize the basic impediments in resolving the arsenic crisis, and adopt an innovative holistic approach wherein interdisciplinary expertise is effectively utilized. With this end in view, it is proposed that a multidisciplinary Centre of Excellence for Arsenic Contamination Studies be established at a suitable place within the arsenic affected river plains of India.
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I am in Delhi since September 2008 and worked on surface water pollution in Ghaziabad. Holy River Hindon which is lifeline for about 2 million rural populations, residing in catchment of this river in UP. Ghaziabad is fastest growing industrial city in UP and several hundreds of small scale and large scale industries are situated in this city. The urban population is now double than last decade in this region, which another big issue for ecosystem health.......... During survey i realized that most of industrial waste-water is being discharged without treatment or after partial treatments to adjoined drains which opens lastly into River Hindon or Yamuna. Moreover, ETPs (Effluent treatment plant) installed in individual industrail units are of old designs and are not efficient to remove toxicants (metals, PAHs, phenolics substances, pesticides, and other xenobiotics) from industrial discharges. The similar problem has been seen for CETPs (Common Effluent Treatment Plant) of this industrial zone. More dangerous conditions was in areas where some industries are putting waste-water back to ground layers through deep bore-wells. Air pollution in Ghaziabad is another health hazardous for local residents. Industries are pushing toxicants in lungs of local residents through polluted air.Not only industries but unplanned urbanization, illegal colonization and huge human migration posed extra pressure over the quality of life in this region. Untreated sewerage with high BOD load and toxicants are spoiling ecological quality of local surface water resources. In other words local water resources (Hindon and Yamuna) are now acting as open sewerage lines in this region.Now question is that what is the role of those poor rural people who are consuming hazardous chemicals directly through food or water intakes or through other components of the food chains. Industrialist are earning millions of rupees and pollution authorities have closed their eyes.....who cares the humanity and nature ....our precious natural resources are being spoiled by these greedy industrialist....Who have given the right to industrialist to play with lives of poor rural and urban population.Are you ready to fight for right of those rural people who are paying money for drinking water.....don't surprise it is truth....people are purchasing water for consumption in rural habitations of this region...from water mafias supplying water by tanks....where is basic human rights?....Who will tell to poor people for their rights....
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A leading company with the mandate of setting up over 500 MW of renewable energy capacity in renewable energy in India requires a senior Project Management professional with over 15 yrs + experience in small and medium hydro projects in India to head their Hydro Projects division.The incumbent will be responsible for planning the implementation of a capacity of 100-200 MW of Small and Medium Hydro projects in the country.Qualifications: BE, BTech- Mech/Civil .Should have proven background in Hydro Project Management andImplementing Small and Medium hydro projects. He would be responsible for all aspects of Hydro project implementation through a team of professionals and responsibilities will include getting government clearances, land acquisition , R& R etc. Ex. Government employees with strong exposure to HYDRO project management can also be considered.Remuneration : Will be best in the industry.Please send your detailed resumes mentioning list of projects implimented and managed to jobs@vervetalent.com with "Head Projects-Hydro" mentioned in the subject line.
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The Government of India as a part of its state planning under the eleventh plan is promoting Small and Medium Enterprise to enhance the rural income and ensure rural development. National Afforestation and Eco-development Board as a working body of Ministry of Environment and Forests, is facilitating Joint Forest Management Committees for their sustenance by implementing seven Small and Medium Forest Enterprise pilot projects through its Regional Centres in seven different regions.The Regional Centre, National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, a nodal centre under the Ministry of Environment & Forest, Government of India has motivated, trained and sensitized nearly 1000 tribal men and women in Dhalbhum Forest Development Agency forming about 100 self-help groups. Dhalbhum Forest Development Agency includes nine Joint Forest Management Committees namely Mejogora, Harina, Narayanpur, Roteda, Dhengam, Bhukamdih, Kundrukocha, Ranikudar and Monahdih consisting of 20 villages at Potka Developmental Block in East Singbhum district of Jharkhand. It is situated at a distance of about 60 km to the south of Tatanagar, the industrial city of Jamshedpur. The tribal villagers of this forest fringe area are either small or marginal farmers which cause their dependence on forest for fuel wood, fodder and part of livelihood.The centre prepared them to undertake various activities like Tassar Cultivation leading to silk production, Lac cultivation, Grass mat designer products and Bamboo artifacts production so as to produce saleable products for national and international market. A state level buyers sellers meet was organized at Jamshedpur by the Regional Centre to give the tribal villagers and their produces a nation-wide market exposure and establish convergence with different organizations and sectors like various Government departments for development of funds, Bankers for regular credit flow, Insurance companies for social security, District Rural Development Agency, Jharkhand Tribal Development Society and Corporate Sectors for infrastructure development and marketability of the products.The Joint Co-ordinator of the Regional Centre, National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, Prof. Dr. Asis Mazumdar opined that the whole process under the eleventh Plan, made the initiative of the Regional Centre, a grand success in establishing the first Small and Medium Forest Enterprise in India, at Potka under Dhalbhum Forest Development Agency, East Singhbhum, Jharkhand. The Self-Help Groups of tribal artisans dwelling in the forest fringe villages forming well motivated Joint Forest Management Committees are actively getting involved with Small and Medium Forest Enterprises for preserving and protecting the forest.The Regional Centre has produced a documentary on establishing the first Small and Medium Forest Enterprise in India titled Artistic approach, a film by Susanta Biswas. The documentary got selection for the 8th International Social Communication Cinema Conference organised by Roopkala Kendro, Department of Information & Cultural Affairs, Government of West Bengal in collaboration with Nandan, West Bengal Film Centre.The screening of Artistic approach was held on February 19, 2009, Thursday at 7.30 pm in Nandan as a part of the social communication conference on cinema. Chief Minister Budhadeb Bhattacharjee inaugurated the Eighth International Social Communication Cinema Conference 2009 at Nandan on Sunday, February 15, 2009. Mr Ashok Bhattacharya, Director and CEO Roopkala Kendra, said this event will help bring mass awareness on social developments across the globe, over the years. He asserted that the entry to the shows will be free of cost as the motto is to convey message in the society through screening of the movies.
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Co-authors: Jaya K. Shrestha and Rohini P. Devkota
The Sisdol sanitary landfill site is situated at ward no. 4 of Okharpauwa VDC in Nuwakot district and is bordered by Kolpu Khola to the south from Dhading district and to the south east from Kathmandu district. The present study has been carried out to determine the impact of the leachate contamination on surface water nearby landfill site from December, 2007 to August, 2008. Altogether seven stations were taken viz. six sites for surface water and one for leachate.
It was found that leachate was severelypolluted with most of the physicochemical parameters being higher than the Generic standard (2003) for industrial effluent discharged into inland surface water. Compared to other seasons, the water pollution was less in monsoon season. The surface waters of all the stations are within WHO guideline (1993) and National Drinking Water Quality Guidelines (2062) from pH, TDS, hardness, chloride and nitrate-nitrogen point of view.
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