17-Jul-2017: Eco-bridges for the movement of tigers
Telangana State is planning to construct eco-friendly bridges over a canal cutting across the tiger corridor linking the Tadoba-Andheri Tiger Reserve (TATR) in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra with the forests in Telangana’s Kumram Bheem Asifabad district.
The Telangana Irrigation Department has given its consent for the construction of the eco-bridges. Recommendations on the size and locations of the bridges are awaited from the National Board of Wildlife.
The ‘eco-bridges’ will be constructed at key spots along the 72 km-long, and at some places over a kilometre wide. The plan involves laying of fertile soil to grow grass and plants over the structure, so that fragmentation of the reserve forest is camouflaged.
The concept emerged after visits by experts from the Wildlife Board of India and the Wildlife Institute of India. They were concerned about the large-scale destruction of pristine forest along the corridor, which would result in cutting off tiger movement between TATR and Bejjur.
4-Jul-2017: Environment Minister to Lead Plantation Drive to Celebrate Van Mahotsav
Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan will lead a month-long drive to plant saplings to mark Van Mahotsav here starting on July 5. Dr. Harsh Vardhan has advised the people to plant native trees because they readily adapt to local climate, integrate into the eco-system, have a high survival rate and are helpful in supporting local birds, insect and animals.
Recollecting the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s emphasis on ‘Van Dhan’ to enhance the country’s forest-based economy, while improving the biodiversity and living in harmony with nature has been a part of our culture for thousands of years, the Environment Minister requested all States and the people at large, to hold plantation drives during the monsoon season. Dr. Harsh Vardhan also referred to India’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDCs) to create additional Carbon Sink of 2.5 to 3 Billion Tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030, as has been submitted to UNFCCC under the able guidance of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. He added that such goals can be attained only with the active participation of people on a large scale.
Van Mahotsav began in 1950, with a tree plantation drive, in which national leaders participated. The festival of tree plantation was started by Dr. K.M. Munshi, the then Union Minister for Agriculture and Food to create enthusiasm among masses for forest conservation and planting trees. The festival was simultaneously celebrated in other states in India.
Van Mahotsav is usually observed in the first week of July every year and is celebrated on different days in different parts of India. The objective behind celebrating Van Mahotsav is to keep local people involved in plantation drives and spread environmental awareness.
23-May-2017: Environment Ministry and OzonAction, Organize First “Ozone2Climate” Technology Roadshow Post-Kigali Amendment
In a first, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, along with the UN Environment OzonAction’s Compliance Assistance Programme, organized an “Ozone2Climate” Technology Roadshow, post Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, on the sidelines of the South Asia National Ozone Officers Annual Network Meeting – 2017 in Agra. The Roadshow was inaugurated by the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Ajay Narayan Jha. The Technology Roadshow was organized for the first time as part of the annual network meeting for Ozone Officers of South Asia.
“Ozone2Climate Technology Roadshow”, had 13 exhibitors that promoted ozone and climate-friendly alternative technologies to HCFCs and HFCs in the refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) sector. The Technology Roadshow showcased current refrigeration and air conditioning equipment designed to be more energy efficient, hence with a double benefit of saving money for consumers, and with a much lower impact on the environment. Over 200 refrigerant technicians, ozone officers, business representatives and government officials attended the Roadshow.
Head of the United Nations Environment’s OzonAction, Dr. Shamila Nair-Bedouelle, highlighted UNEP’s Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) which provides significant support to Article 5 countries with meeting and sustaining their obligations under the Protocol. “The national ozone officers’ network meetings are a flagship of the CAP and offer a forum for exchange of experience and knowledge transfer among national ozone officers,” she said. Organising O2C Technology Roadshow, along with the network meeting represents an innovative approach by the South Asia network to bring the state-of-the-art technology to the policy makers, she said.
Along with the Technology Roadshow, UN Environment is also organising the annual network meeting for South Asia Ozone Officers from May 23 to 26, 2017. The meeting focused on current policy and technology updates on ozone and climate friendly alternatives to HCFCs and HFCs specifically post-Kigali amendment, linking the HCFC phase out to future HFC phase down, the implications of Kigali amendment for the network countries and challenges and opportunities from a policy and technology perspective.
Delegates from 20 countries and industry visited the 2017 exhibition and this was the first time the Ozone2Climate Technology Roadshow was organised as a part of the annual network meeting globally. The National Ozone Officers (NOOs) from 13 South Asia network countries visited the Technology Roadshow and gained information on state-of-the-art HCFC/HFC alternative technologies.
The Technology Roadshow was attended by leading ozone and climate global technology providers and several industry representatives.