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COVID-19 waste management to reduce impact of pandemic on global environment: UNEP

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): With the outbreak of coronavirus, hospitals, healthcare facilities and individuals are producing more waste than usual, including masks, gloves, gowns and other protective equipment that could be infected with the virus.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has outlined a series of guidelines on how to safely manage the increase of waste produced in response to the crisis and to control releases of harmful chemicals in the atmosphere, land and water.

Reportedly, there is also a large increase in the amount of single use plastics being produced.

When not managed soundly, infected medical waste could be subject to uncontrolled dumping, leading to public health risks, and to open burning or uncontrolled incineration, leading to the release of toxins in the environment and to secondary transmission of diseases to humans. Other wastes can reach water sources and add to river and marine pollution.

UNEP in collaboration with various governments, WHO, UNDP and NGO’s has been working to mitigate the adverse effects on global environment from the increase of waste produced in response to the crisis.

Few of the responses laid down by UNEP are:

– Inventory:
Governments produce an assessment of their national waste management capacity to optimize their utilization and adopt stop-gap solutions during COVID-19. The action will prevent both the spread of contamination and the increase in litter reaching the marine environment.

– 3S methodology:
Sorting, Segregation and Storage. COVID-19 waste should be separated from general medical waste volumes at point of generation. Waste should then be stored to assess waste volumes and allow the development of an appropriate response.

– Air quality and transport:
Air quality has an impact on human and environment health. Countries in a post COVID-19 recovery phase could manage the levels of air pollution not only with waste management solutions and emission control, but also with options for electrical mobility and transport.

– Household and medical waste management strategies:
COVID-19 will increase the consumption of personal care and single-use products, especially in countries with overwhelmed or few healthcare facilities. Countries will require more robust systems for waste segregation, collection and management, and individuals will need guidance on how to safely dispose off the used medical equipment.

-CHK

ECoR carried 45.80 mn tonnes of freight during lockdown

Subrat Kumar Sarangi

Bhubaneswar (NVI): The East Coast Railway (ECoR) zone has carried 48.50 million tonnes (MT) of freight during the nationwide Covid-19 lockdown, from March 22 to June 30, by utilising 12,680 trains.

According to an official statement, ECoR has loaded the highest freight traffic during the 101-day lockdown period.

It has carried 27.06 million tonnes of coal in 7,100 trains from its jurisdiction, said a railways official.

Out of this, 16.14 million tonnes of indigenous coal was loaded from Talcher area in 4,157 trains and 10.92 million tonnes of imported coal from different ports under ECoR jurisdiction was transported to various powerhouses and industries across the country.

Apart from that, ECoR carried 0.95 million tonnes of food grains, especially rice to different states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Jharkhand etc by utilising 333 trains.

1.20 million tonnes of fertilizer was transported to states like UP, Bihar, West Bengal in 470 trains and 279 trains of petroleum products were transported from ECOR jurisdiction towards various places, the statement said.

1268 trains of iron ore, 895 trains of iron and steel products, 41 trains of cement packets were also loaded for various destinations.

In the first financial quarter of 2020-21, the ECoR loaded about 42 million tonnes which is more than 82 per cent, that of the last year in the same period.

Amongst all the zones of Indian Railways, ECoR loaded the highest freight traffic during this period, the official claimed, adding that this was achieved in spite of the lockdown during this entire period.

The statement further said that, various state governments also provided necessary cooperation during this COVID-19, whenever needed.

In essential commodities, Indian Railways carried food grains, fruits and vegetables, milk products, edible oil, sugar and salt, medical equipment and medicine, PPE Kits and other grocery items apart from fertilizer, petroleum products and coal and others.

-RJV/ARK

China removes tents, structures in Galwan as disengagement starts at LAC: Sources

India-China face-off: Core issue is to 'strictly' follow bilateral border pacts, says MEA

New Delhi (NVI): In first signs of withdrawal of Chinese troops along Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh, the PLA has removed tents and dismantled its structures in the Galwan Valley that witnessed a violent face-off between the Indian and Chinese troops on June 15, sources said.

“Disengagement with PLA has started as per agreed terms in the Corps Commander’s meeting,” the sources said while referring to the third military-level talks between the two sides held on June 30 to normalise the situation on India-China border.

According to sources, PLA has stepped back from some friction points in the disputed area. The disengagement  process also comes a day after National Security Advisor Ajit Doval had a telephonic conversation with Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi under the Special Representatives (SR) mechanism on recent developments on the India-China border areas.

The Chinese troops have been seen removing tents and structures at PP14 (Patrolling Point) in Galwan area, sources said, adding that similar movement from the two sides is also expected at the other two standoff sites of PP15 and PP17A in the Hot Springs sector.

“Rearward movement of vehicles of PLA seen at General area Galwan, Hotsprings and Gogra,” they said while adding that there are no details regarding the specific distances the two sides have moved backward and confirmation is only possible after verification.

Sources further said that certain vehicles have also been coming to the location to take the troops towards their side.

In the June 30 Corps Commander level meeting, both sides had emphasised on the need for an “expeditious, phased and stepwise de-escalation” in Ladakh region along the LAC as a priority.

Before June 30 meeting a Chushul border point on the Indian side, the two sides had a military-level engagement earlier on June 6 and 22 at Moldo, which falls on the Chinese side of LAC.

Today’s development also comes three days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited forward areas in Ladakh and boosted the morale of Indian troops deployed in the region. While addressing the Indian Army, Air Force and ITBP soldiers in Nimu, one of the forward locations in Ladakh, the Prime Minister gave a strong message to China that the Indian troops will not hesitate in protecting the motherland as their valour has been demonstrated before the whole world recently (Galwan).

India and China are currently locked in a bitter standoff at multiple locations in Eastern Ladakh, especially after the June 15 violent clash between the Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in which 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives.

-ARK

Chinese city on high alert after cases of Bubonic Plague reported

New Delhi (NVI): A city in northern China sounded an alert after a suspected case of bubonic plague was reported on Sunday.

Bayannur, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, announced a level III warning of plague prevention and control, according to state-run People’s Daily Online.

Bubonic plague is a bacterial disease that is spread by fleas living on wild rodents such as marmots. It can kill an adult in less than 24 hours if not treated in time, according to the World Health Organization. Enditem

The local health authorities of Bayannur have announced that the warning period will continue until the end of 2020.

On July 1, two suspected cases of bubonic plague were reported in Khovd province in western Mongolia which have been confirmed by lab test results, Xinhua news agency reported.

The confirmed cases are of a 27-year-old resident and his 17-year-old brother, who are being treated at two separate hospitals in their province, the news agency further stated.

A total of 146 people who had come into contact with them have been isolated and treated at local hospitals.

The plague was once the world’s most feared disease, but can now be easily treated.

-CHK

Odisha: 4 corona warriors from Ganjam succumb to deadly virus

Representational image

Subrat Kumar Sarangi

Bhubaneswar (NVI): As coronavirus positive cases in Odisha are increasing day by day, four COVID-19 warriors of Ganjam district succumbed to the deadly virus today, taking the overall death toll in the state to 38.

Ganjam is now the worst affected district of the state as Odisha’s Covid tally reaches 9,526.

The four warriors who lost their lives due to the virus have been identified as Bharati Swain, Simanchala Satpathy, P Suresh Kumar, Sudhartha Shankar Padhy.

“We lost our four Covid Warriors. Entire District Administration is with their families. We request all people in Ganjam to follow social distancing norms. By doing this you will help our Covid warriors in fighting this war,” Ganjam district Collector Vijay Amruta Kulange tweeted.

Expressing grief over the loss of four lives, district Collector Vijay Kulange extended sympathies to bereaved family members and told their dedication towards duties will set an example for other Covid-hospitals warriors.

-RJV/ARK

Oxford Topper from Odisha appointed as UN Policy officer

Subrat Kumar Sarangi

Bhubaneswar (NVI): Baisali Mohanty from Odisha, who brought laurels to the state by winning the prestigious award as best graduate student of Oxford University in England has been appointed as Policy Officer of the United Nations.

Baisali, who belongs from Puri in Odisha, took charge of her new assignment on July 1.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik congratulated her yesterday for the prestigious position. In a tweet, the chief minister said that Baisali has joined the illustrious list of Indian women who are breaking many glass ceilings across the world.

“Congratulate Baisali Mohanty on being appointed as United Nations Policy Officer. She joins an illustrious list of Indian women who are breaking many glass ceilings across the world. We wish her the best for her tenure,” the Odisha CM tweeted.

Born in Puri, she is the daughter of eminent poet and author Manasi Pradhan and Ex-Chief Engineer Radha Binod Mohanty. She did her Master’s Degree in International Studies from Oxford University, London in 2016 and was selected to join the International Civil Service of UN.

Baisali did her schooling from sacrament high school, Puri and KIIT International, Bhubaneswar. Then she went to Lady Sriram College, Delhi for graduation and then completed Master’s Degree in International Studies from Oxford University writing her dissertation on Nuclear Diplomacy.

She is a regular writer on Foreign Policy and Security Issues in several International Publications. Baisali is a good Odissi Dancer and has founded an Oxford Odissi Centre too.

-ARK

COVID-19 claims 4 more lives in J&K, toll 136

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): In Jammu and Kashmir, four more people have died due to coronavirus taking the total number of death toll in the Union Territory to 136.

The fresh deaths include a 55-year-old man from Boniyar, Baramulla, a 56-year-old man from Kralpora Budgam, a 90-year-old man from Baramulla and a 54-year-old man from Aloosa, Bandipora.

Farooq Jan, Medical Superintendent at SKIMS Soura hospital said that a 55-year-old man from Boniyar, Baramulla, who tested positive for COVID-19, died today morning. “The patient was suffering from Cardiac problems and other ailments,” he added.

He further added that another Covid-19 causality was of a 56-year-old man from Budgam, who was very sick and was tested positive for the virus.

“The patient was suffering from Bilateral Community acquired Pneumonia and other underlying ailments. He was on dialysis as well,” the doctor said.

Saleem Tak, Medical Superintendent at Chest Diseases Hospital Srinagar, said that a 90-year-old man from Baramulla who was admitted on June 26 died early morning today. “The patient was suffering from hypertension, bilateral pneumonia and cardiac ailments,” he said.

Nazir Choudhary, Medical Superintendent at SMHS hospital Srinagar, said that a patient from Aloosa, Bandipora, who was admitted on June 4, died today morning. “The patient was tested positive for the virus,” he said. “The patient was also suffering from hypertension, bilateral pneumonia and other ailments.”

With four more deaths, the total number of people who have died due to coronavirus in J&K has reached 136, which includes 122 from Kashmir division and 14 from Jammu division.

The government has already declared entire Kashmir as a red zone barring two districts that include Bandipora and Ganderbal given the spurt in Covid related deaths and surge in positive cases.

A senior official in the divisional administration said that government was deliberating whether to enforce lockdown again in the red zone districts or to put in place other measures to contain the spread of virus further.

-CHK

Taj Mahal, other Agra monuments not to re-open as coronavirus cases spurt

Taj Mahal

New Delhi (NVI): Due to rise in number of coronavirus cases, the monuments in Agra – Taj Mahal, Akbar’s Tomb and Fatehpur Sikri – will not re-open from today as they were located in containment or buffer zones for COVID-19.

The development comes after the Union Culture Ministry decided to open all the historical places on July 6 along with other monuments that comes under Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

However on Sunday, the district administration said in a statement that there had been 55 new COVID-19 cases in the past four days and 71 areas have been declared containment zones.

The decision to not re-open these monuments from July 6 was taken during a meeting between the district’s COVID-19 team and the Superintendent Archaeologist of Agra.

Agra administrations would decide on which monuments to open, depending on the list of containment zones and guidelines of the Ministries of Home Affairs and Health.

According to the officials, reopening these monuments will lead to increased movement of tourists and could cause a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in Agra.

-RJV/CHK

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

New Delhi (NVI): India has become the third worst-hit country after surpassing Russia in the total number of coronavirus cases.

The coronavirus cases in the country saw a rise of 24,248 in the last 24 hours, taking the overall tally to 6,97,413, according to Union Health Ministry data.

Meanwhile, the total number of fatalities due to the deadly contagion rose to 19,693 in the country after 425 new fatalities were reported during this period.

Total positive cases in States/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 125

Andhra Pradesh- 18,697

Arunachal Pradesh- 269

Assam- 11,388

Bihar- 11,876

Chandigarh- 466

Chhattisgarh- 3,207

Dadar Nagar Haveli- 26

Delhi- 99,444

Gujarat- 36,037

Goa- 1,761

Haryana– 17,005

Himachal Pradesh- 1,063

Jammu and Kashmir- 8,429

Jharkhand- 2,781

Karnataka- 23,474

Kerala- 5,429

Ladakh- 1,005

Madhya Pradesh- 14,930

Maharashtra- 2,06,619

Manipur- 1,366

Meghalaya- 62

Mizoram- 186

Nagaland- 590

Odisha- 9,070

Puducherry- 802

Punjab- 6,283

Rajasthan- 20,164

Sikkim- 123

Tamil Nadu- 1,11,151

Telangana- 23,902

Tripura- 1,568

Uttarakhand- 3,124

Uttar Pradesh- 27,707

West Bengal – 22,126

State/UT wise total death toll:

Andhra Pradesh- 232

Arunachal Pradesh- 1

Assam- 14

Bihar- 95

Chandigarh- 6

Chhattisgarh- 14

Delhi- 3,067

Goa- 7

Gujarat- 1,943

Haryana- 265

Himachal Pradesh- 11

Jammu and Kashmir- 132

Jharkhand- 19

Karnataka- 372

Kerala- 25

Ladakh- 1

Madhya Pradesh- 608

Maharashtra- 8,822

Meghalaya- 1

Odisha- 36

Puducherry- 12

Punjab- 164

Rajasthan- 456

Tamil Nadu- 1,510

Telangana- 295

Tripura- 1

Uttar Pradesh- 785

Uttarakhand- 42

West Bengal- 757

A total of 4,24,433 people have been cured or discharged from hospitals in India. There are around 2,53,287 active cases currently, according to the Health Ministry.

-CHK

PM pays tribute to SP Mookerjee

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid tributes to the founder of Bharatiya Jan Sangh, Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his birth anniversary, saying he made courageous efforts to further India’s unity.

SP Mookerjee was born on this day in 1901 in then Calcutta.

Taking to twitter, PM Modi wrote, “I bow to Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his Jayanti. A devout patriot, he made exemplary contributions towards India”s development.”

“He made courageous efforts to further India’s unity.His thoughts and ideals give strength to millions across the nation,” the prime minister said.

Mookerjee was a prominent Indian politician, barrister and academician and served as the Minister for Industry and Supply in the Jawaharlal Nehru cabinet but he later resigned from the Nehru’ cabinet.

In 1951, with the help of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), he founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, former to the Bharatiya Janata Party. He breathed his last on June 23, 1953.

-RJV

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