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Ganga rejuvenation: PM pitches for public coop, awareness

Kanpur (NVI): Describing rejuvenation of Ganga as a long-pending challenge for the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the task would require fullest cooperation from the public at large and greater awareness of best practices from cities situated along the banks of national rivers.

He made the remarks while chairing the first meeting of the National Ganga Council, which was attended by Union Ministers concerned besides Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand and Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar.

There was no representative from West Bengal and Jharkhand did not participate because of the ongoing elections and the Model Code of Conduct being in force, according to an official statement.

The Prime Minister, while reviewing the progress of work done and deliberating on various aspects of cleaning Ganga with a focus on ‘swachhta’, ‘aviralta’ and ‘nirmalta’, observed that ‘Maa Ganga is the holiest river on the sub-continent and its rejuvenation should embody a shining example of cooperative federalism.

He said “a lot had been accomplished” since his government took up the ‘Namami Gange’ programme in 2014 as a comprehensive initiative integrating various government efforts and activities with the aim of pollution-abatement, conservation and rejuvenation of Ganga.

“But much more needs to be done,” Modi noted.

“Efficiency of District Ganga Committees should be improved in all districts, in order to provide a effective framework for expeditious implementation of plans,” he told the meeting, according to the statement.

The Prime Minister urged for a holistic thinking process where ‘Namami Gange’ evolves to ‘Arth Ganga’ or a sustainable development model with a focus on economic activities related to Ganga.

As part of this process, farmers should be encouraged to engage in sustainable agriculture practices, including zero budget farming, planting of fruit trees and building plant nurseries on the banks of Ganga.

Priority could be given to women Self Help Groups and ex-servicemen organizations for these programs.

Such practices, along with creation of infrastructure for water sports and development of camp sites, cycling and walking tracks etc, would help to tap the ‘hybrid’ tourism potential of the river basin area- for purposes of religious as well as adventure tourism.

The income generated from encouraging eco-tourism and Ganga wildlife conservation and cruise tourism etc. would help to generate sustainable income streams for cleaning of Ganga.

For monitoring the work progress and activities from various schemes and initiatives under Namami Gange and Arth Ganga, the PM also gave directions for the setting up of a Digital Dashboard where data from villages and urban bodies should be monitored on a daily basis by Niti Ayog and Ministry of Jal Shakti.

He also said that like aspirational districts, all districts bordering Ganga should be made a focus area for monitoring efforts under Namami Gange.

Air services resume at Srinagar Airport

Srinagar (NVI): Flight operations at Srinagar Airport resumed today after remaining suspended for seven days because of fog and heavy snowfall, officials said.

The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which links the Kashmir valley with rest of the country, however, remained closed for the vehicular movement due to snowfall in Jawahar Tunnel area, official said.

The snowfall has led to sharp drop in the temperature across Kashmir.

The higher reaches of Jammu & Kashmir, including the famous ski resort of Gulmarg, received heavy snowfall.

The weather department has issued an ‘orange’ warning for the Union Territory, forecasting moderate to heavy snowfall and rain in the UT.

Healthcare services should be available to adolescents out of clinics: Harsh Vardhan

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Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan.

New Delhi (NVI):  Healthcare providers should take their services out of clinics to adolescents to deal with the increasing problem of teenage pregnancy and other adolescent health issues, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said here today.

He said India has over 253 million adolescents who require nutrition, education, counseling and guidance to ensure their development into healthy adults.

“This group is susceptible to several avoidable health problems such as early and unintended pregnancy, unsafe sex leading to STI/HIV/AIDS, nutritional disorders like malnutrition, anaemia and overweight, alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse, mental health concerns, injuries and violence,” he said.

Vardhan, who was speaking at a workshop ‘Investing in Adolescent Health: Harnessing the Demographic Dividend’, organised jointly by the Health Ministry and Observer Research Foundation (ORF), stressed the need for investment on adolescents in order to leverage India’s demographic dividend.

“The ongoing levels of teenage pregnancies and child marriages in certain pockets across the country is a cause for great concern and taking sexual and reproductive health services out of the clinics to India’s adolescent population will be the way forward,” he added.

The workshop brought together more than 120 delegates, including 30 speakers, from multiple stakeholders like State Governments, not-for-profit organizations, think tanks, UN agencies and international and multilateral agencies.

Disabled people in Kashmir face unfriendly infrastructure in govt offices

By Sameer Ahmad

Srinagar (NVI): Social Welfare Department is supposed to work for the benefit of disabled people but in Kashmir, most of the buildings housing their offices are unfriendly for the physically-handicapped people.

The disabled people find it an uphill task to reach officers and other staffers in the Social Welfare Department as these lack the ramps and handrails, besides being situated upstairs.

According to the 2011 census, the total population of disabled persons in Jammu and Kashmir was 361702.

According to Javaid Ahmad Tak, a representative of National Disability Network (NDN) in Kashmir, Parliament in 2016 passed the ‘Rights of Personal Disabilities bill and it was enacted in Jammu and Kashmir last year through an Ordinance issued by the Governor.

“But we still don’t know whether it was implemented on the ground. The government has left us to the God’s mercy as it does not pay any attention to us,” wheelchair-bound Tak told News Vibes of India (NVI).

The 47-year-old was injured in 1997 during a firing incident in his native village in Anantnag district’s Bijbehara area. His spinal cord was severely damaged in the incident, causing permanent disability to him.

Tak said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on December 3,2015, launched the Accessible India Campaign (AIC) with the objective that old buildings/infrastructure would be renovated to create accessibility for the disabled persons.

In the campaign, the government had identified 25 buildings in each state capital for renovation and constructing of ramps in buildings, instead of stairs.

In 2018, the access audit in Kashmir was completed and the government released Rs 1.44 crore to the social welfare department to create accessibility for the disabled persons in Kashmir, said Tak, who runs an NGO for disabled children.

“Unfortunately, the department has not utilized funds on the ground,” he added.

Talking to NVI, Nisar Ahmad Bhat, Chairman of South Kashmir Handicapped Association said, “We are facing a lot of hardships during our visits to any government office in Kashmir particularly the Social Welfare Department.”

According to the Jammu and Kashmir Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1998, “the government and the local authorities shall, within the limits of their economic capacity and development provide for – a) ramps in public building; b) adaptation of toilets for wheel-chair users; c) Braille symbols and auditory signals in elevators or lifts; d) ramps in hospitals, primary health centers and other medical care and rehabilitation institutions.”

Tak had filed a PIL last year in the High Court, pleading for implementation of the Disability Act in Jammu and Kashmir, utilisation of funds released under the AIC and increase in the disabilities pension from Rs 1000 to Rs 3000.

Taking to NVI, Dr Farhat, Anantnag District Social Welfare Officer, said these ramps should be made compulsory for the disabled persons in every sector.

“Yes, it is right that the disabled persons are facing hardships in Kashmir, not only in government offices but also in private sector too. I heard that the Accessible India Campaign (AIC) funds will be utilized very soon on the ground to create the accessibility infrastructure for personal disabled persons in Kashmir,” Farhat said.

One billion raw sewage flow polluting Ganges: WEF

New Delhi (NVI): More than one billion litres of raw sewage flows every day into India’s most sacred river Ganga, according to a latest study.

The river, which is known as the lifeline for nation, spiritually and economically, is facing several challenges, says the report of the World Economic Forum on Ganga.

The pollution of the river is greatly aggravated with plastic and industrial residue, such as waste water from the leather tanneries that sit on the banks of the Ganges, the report says.

At some places, the river water’s bacteria count reaches 3,000 times the limit declared safe for bathing by the World Health Organization, it says.

The river and its tributaries touch the lives of roughly 500 million people. But having flowed for millennia, today it is reaching its capacity for human and industrial waste, while simultaneously being drained for agriculture and municipal use, the report says.

Unpredictable rains, caused by Climate Change, are increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events like droughts, and leaving the fishermen of the Ganges with dwindling catches.

The most worrying problem facing the river is its increasing depletion of water.

Water for irrigation is being removed faster than the rainy season can replenish it.

The Ganges is being throttled by more than 300 dams and diversions, with many more blocking its tributaries, stopping the natural ebb and flow of the river.

Delhi air quality improves to ‘moderate’ category

New Delhi(NVI): The overall air quality in national capital today has improved significantly from “very poor” to “moderate” category.

According to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR),the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at 132 which falls in the “moderate” category.

The AQI in the Delhi University was in the “moderate” with the PM2.5 of 169, followed by Dhirpur, PUSA, Lodhi Road and Mathura Road with the recorded PM 2.5 count of 183, 125, 104 and 136 respectively which also falls in the “moderate” category.

While, the AQI in Chandini Chowk was recorded in the “poor” category with PM2.5 of 260.

The neighbouring Noida recorded a PM2.5 of 196 which also falls in the “moderate” category, SAFAR added.

An AQI between 0-50 is considered “good”, 51-100 “satisfactory”, 101-200 “moderate”, 201-300 “poor”, 301-400 “very poor” and 401-500 “severe”. An AQI above 500 falls in the “severe plus” category.

Meanwhile, the minimum temperature was recorded at 12 degrees Celsius, two notches below the normal, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Earth was under stress before wipe out of dinosaurs

Washington (NVI): The Earth was under stress before the asteroid impact that wiped out dinosaurs, a new study has found.

Researchers at Northwestern University in the United States found that in the run up to extinction of dinosaurs, the chemistry of Antarctic seashells shifted in response to surge of carbons in oceans.

The study is the first to measure the calcium isotope composition of fossilized clam and snail shells, which date back to the Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction event.

This carbon influx was likely due to long-term eruptions from the Deccan Traps, a 200,000-square-mile volcanic area in India, according to the study.

During the years leading up to the asteroid impact, the Deccan Traps spewed massive amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. The concentration of CO2 acidified the oceans, directly affecting the organisms living there, it said

“Our data suggest that the environment was changing before the asteroid impact,” said Benjamin Linzmeier, the study’s first author.

“Those changes appear to correlate with the eruption of the Deccan Traps.”

“The Earth was clearly under stress before the major mass extinction event,” said Andrew D. Jacobson, a senior author of the study.

New initiatives likely to be launched in power sector tomorrow

New Delhi: The government is likely to launch some initiatives tomorrow on the National Energy Conservation Day organized every year on December 14 with an aim of showcasing India’s achievements in energy efficiency and conservation.

The occasion is also used to highlight the country’s ambition of holistic development as part of overall effort towards climate change mitigation.

Some new initiatives may also be launched by the Ministry of Power tomorrow to mark the day, according to an official press release.

There would also be a display of exhibition on energy efficiency endeavours, showcasing energy profile of India, roadmap of sustainable and holistic approach to national energy efficiency, sustainable heritage by energy efficiency buildings, energy efficient appliances, energy efficiency through demand side management, making MSME sector competent through energy efficiency and raising consciousness for energy conservation.

In order to realize the development goals, India’s energy demand is expected to double between 2013 and 2030, to approximately 1500 million tons of oil equivalent.

The mission of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under the Ministry of Power, is to assist in developing policies and strategies that will help reduce this energy demand by promoting widespread adoption of energy efficiency measures.

The Ministry of Power, through Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), is implementing various policies and schemes, such as PAT Scheme, Standard and Labelling, Energy Conservation Building Codes and Demand Side Management.

These programmes are helpful in achieving significant energy savings and also, in promotion of the efficient use of energy across society, the release said.

Furthermore, the development of Energy Conservation Guidelines and State Energy Efficiency Preparedness Index are complimented within different sectors of Industries and States for implementing the energy efficiency programmes more effectively.

Energy Conservation Building Codes for residential sector are also being developed for curtailing the rising energy demand of the country.

ASSOCHAM opens office in J&K

Jammu/New Delhi (NVI):  Business chamber ASSOCHAM has opened its office at Jammu, with a commitment to partner the government in launch of investment initiatives in the newly-created Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Inaugurating the ASSOCHAM’s J&K office, Lt Governor G C Murmu said his government is keen to organise high-level investment summits on industry and tourism.

He said these global conferences would be organised in close partnership with the industry and asked the ASSOCHAM to be a key partner in reaching out to investors.

Exhorting the industry to look for greater investment opportunities in J&K, Murmu lauded ASSOCHAM’s initiative to open its Jammu office and said all out efforts would be made to ensure a grand success of the planned industry and investment summits.

He said youth of J&K are quite enthusiastic about different Start-Up initiatives of the government in partnership with industry organisations.

In his welcome address, ASSOCHAM President B.K. Goenka said, “During our recent interactions with the Prime Minister, it was very evident that development and employment generation in Jammu & Kashmir is the top agenda among his priorities. In fact, he had asked us what we were doing in Jammu & Kashmir.”

Goenka said that soon after the re-organisation of Jammu & Kashmir in August, the Prime Minister had given a clarion call to the industry to extend its presence in Jammu & Kashmir, a statement issued by ASSOCHAM said.

”It is his belief that the enhanced presence of industry would pave the way for private investment and lead to employment generation and development of Jammu & Kashmir. We at ASSOCHAM believe this is certainly doable,” Goenka added.

 

Odisha Tourism’s Eco Retreat ready for public    

Bhubaneswar (NVI): Beginning tomorrow the Marine Drive Eco Retreat, eastern India’s first glamping festival – glamourous camping – set up at the pristine Ramachandi Beach near the grand Konark Sun Temple, will throw its door open to the revellers. Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik will inaugurate the month-and-a-half long festival.

The Eco Retreat, developed by the Odisha Tourism with the objective to boost the global appeal of the state’s key tourism destinations, has plenty for anyone seeking a unique experience.

Besides a stay in the middle of nature’s bounty in luxury cottages with the hospitality of a five star hotel, the Eco Retreat offers food festival, a beach market, thrilling water sports and mega events for fun-filled evenings.

While laying the context behind the Eco Retreat Tourism Minister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi said that Puri Konark Marine Drive was largely a day tourism destination. Its potential as a premium beach holiday destination was under explored. So we set out to develop a global standard destination.

“Our quest to develop the destination as an experience rich beach tourism hub of global standards was undaunted,” said Panigrahi adding that the Marine Drive Eco Retreat is the product of our ‘relentless efforts’.

According to Odisha Tourism officials theEco Retreat is envisioned as eastern India’s first ‘Glamping’ festival. It isscheduled from December 14 to January 31, 2020.

The Eco Retreat has a full-fledged corporate conferencing facility where 150 participants can be accommodated. It offera unique experience of glamourous camping in luxury cottages, delectable cuisine, beach spa, adventure & water sports activities, nature trails and wholesome day itineraries, cultural evenings and a lot more.

The itinerary also includes early morning nature trails in the Balukhand Sanctuary.

The evenings wont be dull either. Artistes from across India will perform every evening and over the weekends the best of celebrity DJs and Bollywood’s known voices take the stage.

All of which will be accessible to day visitors at affordable entry prices, promises the Odisha Tourism officials. Go check out!

https://ecoretreat.odishatourism.gov.in/

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