Humans are consuming groundwater rapidly: NASA
Data from NASA's Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites has shown that groundwater is depleting fast from the world owing to human consumption. Out of the world's 37 biggest aquifers observed, eight have been classified as 'overstressed', which means that these basins are being sucked dry without water being replenished. The Indus Basin aquifer of India and Pakistan is second among the world's 'overstressed' aquifers.
Himachal successful in implementing climate change mitigation project
Himachal Pradesh becomes the first state in India that has been able to successfully implement the climate change mitigation project under the Kyoto Protocol. The State has earned a financial incentive of Rs 1.93 crore by selling its carbon credits. The project has also been able to show the way to create an efficient link between Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) plantations and Watershed Development with an emphasis on enhancing the livelihood of the local communities.
Heavy rains bring Mumbai to a standstill
Last week, heavy rains caused water-logging and flooding in the commercial capital of the country affecting transport and telecom services severely. However, the city has again resumed its activities, but the water-logging has drawn attention to the Civic Authorities' failure in addressing the issue, despite spending over Rs 2000 crore on cleaning nullah, repairing roads and potholes and improving the drainage system. Even the two new pumping stations inaugurated recently have not been able to prevent water-logging in the city.
Insurance portal launched to help farmers
The Agriculture Minister has launched an insurance portal to help and educate farmers on getting insurance cover. The new portal will allow farmers to enter essential information under the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS), Modified National Insurance Scheme (MNAIS) and Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) and calculate their insurance. It will also provide details of various schemes notified in their areas and the premium applicable.
Himachal Electricity Board lacks trained engineers
Recent accidents in four of Himachal's state-run hydel projects have exposed that the Board lacks trained engineers to ensure proper implementation of Standard Operating Procedures for the safety of the powerhouse, dams and staff. These accidents have incurred huge losses of several crores to the State. However, per HP engineers, the Government was not serious about filling the posts, and lack of trained staff has created pressure among them to perform their technical duties.
This is a roundup of important news from June 16 - 22, 2015. Also read last week's policy matters updates.