UN adopts Minamata Convention

110 nations sign the treaty that bans mercury

UN adopts Minamata Convention that sets to phase out production and use of mercury by 2020. 

World Bank praises MNREGA

The World Development Report 2014 commends the rural employement scheme as a perfect example of economic development and poverty alleviation.

India to soon have bureau of water use efficiency

With an aim to assist major water users to conserve and recycle water, the central government plans to set up Bureau of Water Use Efficiency by March 2014.

23 villages to be submerged in raising Alamatti

1.20 lakh acres of land in Bagalkot and Bijapur districts, Karnataka, to be acquired to increase the height of Alamatti reservoir under the Upper Krishna Project.

ADB to aid in boosting India's clean energy sector

To grant $500 million funds for building transmission system at Bhadla solar park in Rajasthan that will provide clean electricity to the state and national grids.

Govt plans to install bio-toilets in trains by 2022

Indian Railways proposes a ten year plan to replace the existing system of direct discharge toilets with environmental friendly green bio-toilets in all passenger coaches.

Another shock to Adani after Rs. 200 crore fine

Gujarat High Court seeks a comprehensive rehabilitation and re-settlement package for affected villages by Adani project in Mundra block, Kutch district. The package is separate from the Rs 200 crore fine imposed on the company for ecological restoration.

Illegal resorts at Vembanad get demolition notice

Authorities set to demolish the illegal resorts in Kerala within 10 days. The resorts are encroaching the Vembanad lake and violating Coastal Regulation Zone Act.

HC orders bring relief to Karnataka's elephants

Karnataka High Court orders the state government to review the clearnaces given to 70 mini-hydel projects in elephant habitats and corridors in Western Ghats.

NGT wraps up Assam for violating green laws

By allowing heavy traffic movement at National Highway 37 passing through Kaziranga sanctuary, the state government is not only violating the environment and wildlife laws but is also responsible for ruthless killing of animals by vehicles.

Karnataka receives Rs. 5,500 crore for irrigation projects

Under its accelerated irrigation benefit programme, ministry of water resources has sanctioned Rs 4,501 crore and Rs. 2,500 crore for remodeling of Narayanpur left bank canal and Upper Tunga project, respectively.

Oil spill creates trouble for ONGC

Environment ministry orders shutdown of pipeline of Oil and Natural Gas Commission that spilled oil off the Uran coast in Mumbai. Also issues show-cause notice to the oil company.

Karnataka on a mission to expand its forest

Aiming to expand the state's forest cover over the next eight years, the Karanataka government approves implementation of second phase of forest project worth Rs. 1,899.72 crores.

Man-animal conflict rises in J&K

Owing to encroachment of forestland, Jammu & Kashmir witnesses an increase in man-animal conflict. Around 100 people attacked by wild animals in Kupwara district during the last three years.

River water not even fit to wash clothes

Authorities take no action to reduce the pollution of Killi river, in Thiruvananthapuram, on which livelihood of many washermen depends. The washermen complained of untreated sewage and solid waste expelled into the river.  

This is the roundup of important news for October 10 & 11, 2013.