On windy shores
Since the 1950s and 60s, India s efforts to tap wind energy have seen many ups and downs. The mid 1990s saw a boom, with Tamil Nadu taking the lead in wind power generation. But nothing has moved since
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Energy reclamation
Calvin R Brunner is one of these writers who has his head so - in technical details that he loses sight of "m pactum While his JAmandous Waste nnimina, displays an 1&g knowledge of
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Challenges in Agriculture
Biotechnology issues pose tremendous challenges for developing countries. As a member of the World Trade Organisation, India will have to gear up to protect its biodiversity, the interests of its indigenous communities and their know how
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Miseries galore
It is not just the land that has turned barren in Bichhri - the cattle have also been badly hit. Initially, when effluents flowed through the village, residents were alarmed to see the skin peel
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Time for green gadgets
UNCED has thrown into sharp focus all matters environmental international industry, quick to Catch on to now trends, has started branding its technologies environment friendly and in some cases, started looking for less wasteful ways
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Solar energy is everybody's business
Solar mission is too important to let doubtful dealings hijack it. In public perception the renewable energy sector is a do-good sector that promises environment-friendly and affordable energy. It is
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"Police firing will keep happening"
BABULAL MARANDI was the Union minister of state for environment when he took over as the chief minister of Jharkhand in 2000. In March 2003, he resigned after his cabinet ministers turn against him. Down To Earth spoke to him a few days after his ouster
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Centre show-cause to 12 firms; talks with Goa on SEZs begin
The Centre has initiated talks with the Goa government regarding the de-notification of three special economic zones (SEZs) in the state, including the 123.2 hectare-Meditab Specialities SEZ planned by pharma major Cipla. The move follows the controversial decision of the state to scrap all SEZs within its territory following widespread public agitations against such tax-free enclaves. The developers of Meditab SEZ have already made investments of over Rs 130 crore in the project. Following a notification in April 2007, Meditab had also committed investments worth Rs 500 crore and imported machinery for its pharma plant. The law ministry has recommended addressing the issue of compensation to SEZ developers if the SEZs are de-notified. Besides Meditab SEZ, the other de-notified SEZs in the state are 20.36-hectare biotech SEZ by Penisula Pharma Research Centre and 105.91-hectare IT/ITeS SEZ by K Raheja Corp. The Centre has also issued show-cause notices to developers of 12 SEZs, which obtained formal and in-principle approvals, in the state, commerce secretary GK Pillai said here on Monday. Pillai heads the board of approval (BoA), the nodal body granting permission for establishing SEZs. "(As regards) all the formal and in-principle approval given to SEZs in Goa, the BoA will issue show-cause notices to them (developers) in the light of the recommendation of the state, following the principle of natural justice,' Pillai said. The developers will be asked why the permission granted to them should not be cancelled. On the 8 SEZ proposals that were forwarded by the state but yet to come before the BoA, Pillai said, the Centre has decided to treat them as "withdrawn'. The state had on December 31, 2007, asked the Centre to scrap all the SEZs citing representations, which said the zones would adversely affect tourism and environment. The state also said it does not have adequate water and electricity for such massive industrial activities. There was also criticism that SEZs will take away scarce land in the state. The Centre has indicated that the state government will have to compensate the developers of the SEZs for the investments made along with the interest amount to avoid litigation and further complications. Officials wonder how the land, acquired for the notified SEZs, would be returned to the original owners. At best, the government can deny the developers the status of SEZ, which entitles them for tax concessions. "Even if the SEZ status is removed, the units will remain in the domestic tariff area,' an official said.
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Strong colas and weak governments
When we released our study on pesticides in soft drinks, our objective was clear: we needed action on regulations, which had been stymied because of corporate pressure. What we hadn t anticipated was
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Can business be responsible
Call it paranoia or plain silliness. But it is amazing. The Centre for Science and Environment cse has been studying gas pricing in the country to assess how environmentally acceptable fuels can be
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The power of the zephyr
The government is sowing the wind for energy, attracting investments with the promise of fiscal felicity
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THE KING OF SMALL THINGS
A civil engineer and a farmer, he knows the importance of the relationship between land and water. Small dams are his forte.
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Making hell holes
What slaughter mining and power plants have done to the people and the environment
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Promising water
NDA's promise on water is nothing more than words. And at best it means a lot of valuable taxpayer money literally thrown down the drain
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Within the enemy
Humankind faces the most prolonged and worst exposure to pollution within the four walls of its homes indoors where biomass combustion spells a quiet doom for millions. Surprisingly, most research has chosen to ignore this problem in favour of the mor
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Living dangerously
A study on polychlorinated biphenyls in Russia may throw up some startling findings
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Loggers, environmentalists at loggerheads
By lifting a ban raw wood export and levying a huge tax on it instead, officials in Jakarta have come under fire from both loggers and environmentalists
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Highways of death
High risk levels and pathetically inadequate disaster management plans tar Indian roads as danger zones
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POPs talk
A meeting to eliminate persistent organic pollutants throws up more questions than answers
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Educating the underprivileged
A review of our educational and training policy is desperately needed to educate tribals, the backward classes and the poor