Enviro & Biodiversity | Civilsdaily Not just Water, other depts roped in for Ganga cleanup 1. HRD Ministry– Set up a national­level institution or a university that offers courses on applied river sciences, to creating expertise in cleaning and rejuvenating the Ganga and other rivers. 2. Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation­Prioritise open defecation­free villages along the river and create waste management facilities in those villages. 3. Tourism Ministry– Take steps to minimise pollution by promoting eco­friendly tourism activities. 4. Shipping Ministry– Develop sustainable shipping and river transport infrastructure. 5. Rural Development– Prioritise implementation of PURA (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) programme in villages along the Ganga. 6. AYUSH– Develop conservation plan for medicinal plants in Gangetic region * Ensure medicinal biodiversity. 7. Youth Affairs and Sports– Encourage youth, volunteers and sportspersons to engage in activities related to Ganga cleaning. The Indian Express PM Modi inaugurated the interim Secretariat of the International Solar Alliance PM inaugurated International Solar Alliance (ISA) headquarters and inaugurated the interim Secretariat in National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), Gwalpahari, Gurgaon. 1. GoI has dedicated 5 acre land in NISE campus for the ISA Headquarters and also has contributed Rs 175 crore for ISA corpus fund for initial 5 years. 2. ISA is part of Prime Minister’s vision to bring clean and affordable energy within the reach of all and create a sustainable world. 3. ISA will be dedicated to promotion of solar energy for making solar energy a valuable source of affordable and reliable green and clean energy in 121 member countries. 4. Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA and Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) announced contribution of US $ 1 million each to the ISA corpus fund. PIB France commits €300 million for solar energy 1. French President Francois Hollande committed €300 million over the next 5 years for the global development of solar energy. 2. He said that the real challenge was to attract investments worth a trillion dollars to promote the renewable source. 3. Mr. Hollande said that the Alliance would focus on three broad areas. Pooling together the requests of countries with a huge potential in order to reduce their cost of capital. Opening the markets in order to reduce the cost of investment. Transferring the necessary technology and know­how from developed to developing countries. 1. A “solitary bee” species was recently discovered in the Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve. 2. What makes it distinct from other species of solitary bees is the different patterns of the marks on its face and frontal region. 3. The new species play a significant role in pollination, though it does not produce honey. 4. As bees play an important role in the ecosystem as critical pollinators. 5. Scientists believe that without them, the world would face extinction as food options would become highly limited. What is geocement? 1. Geocement is made out of industrial wastes. 2. It comes in two­part packing – 35 kg Geocement powder and 15 kg Geobinder liquid. 3. Both can be mixed at construction sites like normal cement. 4. It comprises a range of products including geo­binder, geo­powder and geo­concrete (geocrete), is aimed at cutting down carbon emissions by over 80%. Custom Kiran Global Chems unveils ‘green’ cement 1. Kiran Global Chems Ltd. has introduced its indigenously­developed eco­friendly Geocement. 2. This cement will play a role in cutting carbon emission levels while being stronger than Portland cement. 3. For every tonne of cement production, there will be about 800 kg of CO2 emission. But Geocement will help cut emissions. 4. The anti­bacterial properties of the cement can be used for construction of underground seweage pipes and toilets as well. 5. This company is the first one to come out with green cement for commercial use. Custom Begin with a rigorous study Delhi’s odd­even trial was brave, but policy needs good research at design stage. 1. Good evidence on the impact of any public policy requires a willingness to experiment, quality data, and a rigorous study design. 2. That can identify what changes can be attributed to the policy alone. 3. The sources of pollution in Delhi are varied, and so will be the solutions. 4. Odd­even policy is a clear departure from how policymakers have sought to tackle worsening pollution. 5. However, it reflects only one of the potential policy innovations. 6. That need to be carefully designed, piloted and evaluated for impact as well as the costs imposed, until there’s a sustained improvement in Delhi’s air quality. The Indian Express New thrush species found in eastern Himalayas This is the first Indian bird to be named after late Dr. Salim Ali . The Himalayan Forest Thrush calls out in musical notes.— Photo: Craig Brelsford 1. An International team of scientists have found a new species of the thrush in northeastern India and adjacent parts of China. The bird is named Himalayan Forest Thrush. 2. The bird has been named after Dr. Salim Ali in recognition of his huge contribution to the development of modern Indian ornithology and wildlife conservation. 3. The Himalayan Forest Thrush is only the fourth new bird species described from India by modern ornithologists since Independence. 4. The species is distinguished by its musical song. International Solar Alliance set to be operational in 6 months 1. An International Solar Alliance (ISA) is likely to be operational by the middle of 2016. 2. Mr. Modi and François Hollande would lay the foundation stone of the alliance at the National Institute of Solar Energy in Gurgaon. 3. One of the objectives of the alliance is to get $1 trillion investments in the solar sector worldwide by 2030. 4. This will be the first time that India will have the headquarters of an international agency. 5. The International Solar Alliance will become a legal entity after a minimum 25 countries ratify it. Public reluctant to drop diesel for CNG: Centre 1. The Centre remained non­committal on phase out of old diesel fleet to cut air pollution. 2. It blamed the common man’s reluctance to dump diesel for CNG fuel. 3. Govt. pointed out that already 32% of total CNG stock in the Capital were not utilised by the public. 4. The lack of interest may be due to the increased VAT charged, making diesel cheaper than CNG. 5. The court is looking at various measures to solve roadblocks to implement a more effective and accessible public transport system in Delhi and the outskirts. Cabinet approves policy on Promotion of City Compost 1. The Union Cabinet has given its approval for a Policy on Promotion of City Compost. 2. Market development assistance of Rs. 1500/tonne of city compost for scaling up production and consumption of the product. 3. Market development assistance would lower MRP of city compost for farmers. 4. Eco­Mark standard for City Compost would ensure that environment friendly quality product reaches the farmers. 5. Fertilizer companies and marketing entities will also co­market City Compost with chemical fertilizers through their dealers’ network. PIB What is the benefit of promoting of City Compost? 1. Composting can reduce the volume of waste to landfill/dumpsite by converting the waste into useful by­products. 2. Compost from city garbage would not only provide carbon and primary/secondary nutrients to soil but also help in keeping the city clean. 3. It will also prevent production of harmful greenhouse gases (especially methane) and toxic material that pollutes groundwater apart from polluting the environment. 4. City Waste composting would also generate employment in urban areas. PIB Poor Ganga Ganga cleaning project remained an intractable problem due to “bureaucratic quagmire”. 1. Any proposal regarding the Ganga has to satisfy and require the active cooperation of no less than seven to nine departments, both at the Central and state levels 2. The current controversy is about the fate of 6 hydel projects in the Upper Ganga . 3. The environment ministry against the clearly stated position of the water resources ministry has given its nod to five of the six projects in question. 4. It will not only impede the government’s plans of rejuvenating the Ganga. 5. But also smudge the policy clarity that businesses have been demanding in India. The Indian Express Ministry of Shipping initiates Project Green Port 1. The Ministry of Shipping has started ‘Project Green Ports’ which will help in making the major ports across India cleaner and greener. 2. Project Green Ports will have 2 verticals – Green Ports Initiatives’ related to environmental issues and Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan. 3. The Green Port Initiatives include sewage/waste water treatment plants, energy generation from renewable energy sources, prohibition of disposal at sea, improving the quality of harbour wastes etc. 4. Under Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, it has identified few activities with certain time­line to promote cleanliness at the port premises. PIB Let’s know about International Renewable Energy Agency 1. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an intergovernmental organisation that supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future. 2. Abu Dhabi is the headquarter of IRENA. 3. It serves as the principal platform for international cooperation and a centre of excellence on renewable energy. 4. IRENA promotes the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy. Custom Let’s know about SAMAR? 1. The SAMAR, equipped with many sophisticated equipments including 12 sky radiometers. 2. It will study aerosols’ different properties and determine how it impact the climate over a longer period of time. 3. At present, country has to depend on other countries’ research for this purpose.