30-Mar-2017: El Salvador bans metal mining
El Salvador made history by becoming the first country in the world to ban metal mining. Legislators in the water-starved country passed an unanimous vote declaring El Salvador a mining-free territory. The decision was taken due to diminishing water sources from polluting mining projects.
The prohibition ensures the long-term ecological viability of a country already considered one of the most environmentally vulnerable in the world. There's a rising tide of opposition to environmentally destructive projects across Latin America and even partial bans have been implemented in Costa Rica, Argentina and Colombia.
El Salvador is the most densely populated country in Latin America and, while rainfall is plentiful, holding on to the water is a major issue because of unsustainable farming practices and inadequate industrial controls that have led to widespread soil erosion and the almost total destruction of its forests.
The water crisis has steadily deepened since the pro-business Arena Party granted an array of permits for mineral exploration. More than 90% of El Salvador’s surface waters are estimated to be polluted by toxic chemicals, heavy metals and waste matter.
22-Feb-2017: Corbett Tiger Reserve workers get the nod to kill armed poachers
The Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) has issued shoot-at-sight orders against poachers. But the orders were to be carried out only for “self-protection against poachers carrying arms in the core critical tiger habitat zone. Such orders were given by the State Chief Secretary in the past too for the protection of forest department workers.
A five-day anti-poaching operation was initiated following information about suspected movement of poachers.
According to the tiger census data released in 2015, Uttarakhand, with 340 tigers, has the second highest tiger population in the country after Karnataka. According to wildlife experts, the tiger population has gone up in the past two years.
According to the data provided by the Uttarakhand forest department, 112 tigers have died between November 2000 and November 2016. This includes 56 natural deaths, 19 due to fights between the animals, 17 in accidents and six deaths in poaching incidents.
10-Jan-2017: Kerala government should release entire compensation t0 Endosulfan victims
Describing the effects of Endosulfan as “devastating,” the Supreme Court directed the Kerala government to release the entire compensation to over 5,000 victims, mostly newborns, and their families in three months.
Chief Justice said, the State of Kerala can initiate legal proceedings to recover the compensation money from pesticide companies responsible for the production and sale of the highly controversial but cheap agrochemical. The apex court said the State government can also approach the Central government.
Kerala has earmarked over ₹ 180 crore for the payment of compensation to victims, some of whom are terminally ill from the effects of the pesticide which was aerially sprayed on cashew plantations adjoining habitats where the victims are located.
The State has paid cash compensation ranging from ₹ 2 lakh to ₹ 5 lakh to the victims. It said the entire rehabilitation scheme, including a multi-specialty hospital, would cost over ₹ 500 crore.
In 2011, the Supreme Court ordered the immediate ban of Endosulfan while disregarding pleas of over 150 private export companies. It had said “any decision affecting human life, or which may put an individual’s life at risk, must call for the most anxious scrutiny.”
Every industry should look into corporate social responsibility also, you cannot just look at the money. For us cost is not the only point, even if one child suffers we do not want it on our heads. We hope it is the same for you, then Chief Justice of India S.H. Kapadia had told the pesticide manufacturers.