Nalanda farmers set to go global with their veggies

Having been awarded the C3 certificate by Ecocert, a France-based certification body, farmers of Sohdih village in Nalanda have decided to export vegetables to European countries. Sohdih is the first Bihar village to be certified fully organic.

Waste treatment plant dangerous for birds in the Okhla bird sanctuary in Noida

The National Green Tribunal tells the environment department of Uttar Pradesh to find out if emissions from the waste incineration plant located on the UP-Delhi border at Okhla are harmful to the birds and wildlife in the nearby bird sanctuary and national park. Residents of a locality near the plant want it shut as it emits toxic ash.

Weather and soil advisory for farmers on SMS

Kisan Portal, to be launched on July 16, will provide customized and routine information on crop production, marketing, animal rearing, fertilizers and soil tests to farmers by SMS. The service is expected to cover 12 crore farmers in the country.

Orissa government orders closure of illegal mine

In a first, the state government takes action against an iron-ore mine holder for extending mining area beyond permissible limits and operating the mine for six years after expiry of it's lease; suspends two mine inspectors and auctions the already mined ore.

Gujarat High Court says it will not intrude in farmers' suicide cases

The High Court refuses to direct state government to pay compensation to families of farmers who have committed suicide since 2008, citing it as a policy matter. The Court also refuses to order compensation for crop failure to prevent suicide incidents, stating that if people were not happy with government policies, they should exercise their franchise during the election.

This is a roundup of important news from July 8-14, 2013.