March - May 2012 This fellowship is supported by Jamshedji Tata Trust In 2009-10, 51 tigers were killed in India, in spite of all the conservation programmes, awareness drives and public campaigns to save them. India hosts the majority of the world’s tiger population -- about 1,700 tigers, according to the May 2011 census.
February 21-23, 2012 CSE is orgainisng a training programme exclusively for the CPWD officers from different technical backgrounds. The three day programme aims to deepen the understanding of existing policies, their potential and constraints in promoting efficient use of resources and minimizing waste in buildings. The programme explores the scope of harmonising the policy-driven and market-driven approaches to accelerate the adoption of resource-efficient practices in buildings.
“Reduced Mobility and limited accessibility have become a major problem for India. The problems are exacerbated by inefficient traffic management and poor driving behaviour, aside from the lack of adequate transport facilities and related infrastructure.
February 13, 2012
FSSAI asked to make new rules The Delhi High Court has given the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) a six month period to come out with guidelines on implementing rules to ban junk food in and around schools. The two judge bench gave the order on January 11. The next hearing is scheduled for July 25.
Climate change
Urban waterbodies play an important role in flood control, groundwater recharge and water supply to help cities adapt to climate change effects.
The West Bengal government on December 31 sanctioned funds of rs 6 crore for the cleaning up of the Karala river flowing through Jalpaiguri in the state. The government swung into action after the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute confirmed that presence of abnormally high rate of endosulfan in the Karala river that killed thousands of fish belonging to 33 species. This was reported on November 28.
The Delhi High Court, on December 9, directed both the Centre and Delhi government to devise ways for checking adulteration of vegetables by harmful pesticides. The court set a deadline for to months for both the centre and the state. The court is keen to know exactly at what stage the vegetables are adulterated.
No incineration of toxic waste in Nagpur
Pesticide residues found in food in the European Union fell in 2009 compared with 2008, announced EU's food safety agency on November 8. This, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) added was due to the tightening of safety rules and changes in patterns of pesticide use in Europe.
Curbing use of antibiotics in animal feed can help reduce drug resistance in livestock and humans. But the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) clearly wasn't inclined to do so. On November 7, 2011, USFDA rejected two citizens' petitions seeking ban on use of antibiotics in animal feed or in water for purposes other than treatment of diseases. The petitions also sought withdrawal of approval for most uses of penicillin and tetracyclines in animal feed.