Latest news with #MoEFCC
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
BMC gets in-principle approval from Centre for diversion of mangroves for Mumbai Coastal Road (North) Versova-Bhayandar project
Mumbai: In a push for the Mumbai Coastal Road (North) Versova-Bhayandar project, BMC received in-principle approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) for diversion of mangroves on June 19. BMC will now apply to Bombay high court for approval clearance and also seek working permission. It plans to commence on-site work in Aug and complete the coastal road's phase 2 by Dec 2028. Additional municipal commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar reviewed the project on Tuesday. While the coastal road work between Bandra and Versova is being carried out by MSRDC, the Versova-Bhayandar stretch is being undertaken by BMC. The nearly 60km project, which will include interchanges and connectors, elevated roads, bridges, and two tunnels, will extend from Versova, Malad, Malvani, Kandivli, Borivli, Dahisar, and Mira Road to Bhayandar. It will help cut travel time from 90-120 minutes to 15-20. According to a BMC official, the project will permanently impact 8.2 hectares of mangrove area, affecting around 9,000 trees. Additionally, around 68.5 hectares of mangrove area and 36,000 trees, which will be in the project's shadow region, will be impacted only during construction. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo After project completion, these areas will be restored. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai To compensate for the mangrove loss, a comprehensive restoration plan has been prepared by the Mumbai Mangrove Cell, which will oversee its implementation, and BMC will pay for it. While nearly 1.4 lakh mangrove saplings will be planted, the mangrove cell will also undertake afforestation on 31 hectares of land in Bhayandar. BMC will also transfer an equivalent area of non-forest land — 103.7 hectares of land at Vihirgaon in Chandrapur district's Chimur taluka — to the forest department for compensatory afforestation. In Aug 2024, the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) approved the second phase of the Mumbai Coastal Road project linking Versova-Dahisar and Dahisar-Bhayandar. Work orders for the seven packages, including the 22.9km stretch between Versova and Dahisar and the nearly 4.6km Dahisar-Bhayandar Link Road, were issued in Feb last year, but as permissions were pending, contractors did not commence work. As most of the project passes through Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), Maharashtra Maritime Board and MCZMA recommended the project to the Centre in Sept 2024. The MoEFCC granted CRZ nod on Nov 13, 2024. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Ex-bureaucrats warn of conflict of interest in environment panel advising Supreme Court
A group of 60 civil servants has written to the Chief Justice of India expressing concerns about a potential conflict of interest in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC), which advises the Supreme Court on environmental cases. The letter, signed by 60 retired seasoned bureaucrats, pointed out that the CEC does not include an independent expert and is instead composed entirely of government officials, which could influence the outcomes of cases concerning amendments to the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) of 1980. The CEC, which should have five members, is currently made up entirely of former government servants, including retired scientists, rather than including at least one independent expert as required. The letter cast doubt on the integrity of the CEC and stated that 'a CEC which is comprised of officers who had held the highest positions in the MoEFCC, and were closely involved in policy making, can hardly be expected to give independent advice to the Supreme Court, advice that is different from what they gave while they were in the government.' The letter cited a writ petition of 2023 which was filed in the Supreme Court by a group of individuals challenging the Forest Conservation Amendment Act (FCAA), 2023. According to the petition, the Act would promote the decline of forests in India.
Indian Express
a day ago
- General
- Indian Express
Zoological Survey of India's 110-hour hackathon culminates in Kolkata grand finale
Written by Shambhavi Pandey The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) celebrated the grand finale of its 110-hour national hackathon on Monday at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in Kolkata, marking the 110th Foundation Day of the institute. The event was graced by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav as Chief Guest, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), including Sushil Kumar Awasthi, Director General of Forests, Nameeta Prasad, Joint Secretary, and Ramesh Pandey, Additional Director General of Forests. The hackathon, which began on May 22 in honour of the International Day for Biodiversity, saw participation from 305 registered teams across the country. Following three progressive rounds—including regional showcases, a national-level screening, and semi-finals held in Pune on June 9—five teams from Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh, Jodhpur in Rajasthan, Digha in West Bengal, Solan in Himachal Pradesh, and Shillong in Meghalaya qualified to the final round in Kolkata. Welcoming the guests and participants, ZSI Director Dr Dhriti Banerjee said, 'You are already a winner. Innovation in conservation is not a competition to be won only once—it's a lifetime of commitment which needs to be honoured daily.' Applauding the finalists, she emphasised how the hackathon has served as a powerful platform to foster environmental solutions led by youth. MoEFCC Director General of Forests Awasthi echoed her sentiment, calling the event 'a good stage for us to move forward in the field of biodiversity'. He noted that hackathons like these serve as collaborative spaces for professionals and individuals to solve environmental challenges with creativity and determination. In his keynote address, Minister Bhupender Yadav lauded the uniqueness of each team's presentation and highlighted that most of the finalists hailed from remote corners of the country. He referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Mission LiFE campaign launched on World Environment Day 2023, which outlines seven lifestyle changes—from saving water and energy to managing waste and promoting healthy living—as key to sustainable development. 'This country provides its youth with many opportunities,' he said, adding that their involvement in environmental innovation will be crucial to making the vision of a 'Vikasit Bharat' by 2047 come true. The Minister stressed the need to 'link research with policy and the economy', urging deeper collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and technologists. The author is an intern with The Indian Express
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
MoEF expert panel returns Polavaram-Banakacherla link proposal; Andhra Pradesh directed to revise plan after Telangana concerns
HYDERABAD: In a big relief to Telangana and a setback for the Andhra Pradesh govt on the Polavaram-Banakacherla link project (PBLP), the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change's (MoEFCC) expert appraisal committee (EAC) has returned the proposal of the link project to the neighbouring state. The Andhra Pradesh govt has sought approval of the terms of reference (TOR) for conducting an environmental impact assessment and also public hearing for PBLP. With the setback, the Andhra Pradesh govt has to send the proposals afresh to the MoEFCC (river valley and hydroelectric projects) after revising them as per the EAC recommendations. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad The Telangana govt has been opposing the project as it is detrimental to the interests of the state and also the AP govt was taking up the project against the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal Award orders and violation of other laws. Chief minister A Revanth Reddy and irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy had met Union minister of jal shakti CR Patil a few days ago and put for the state's objections. The state govt also conducted an all-party meeting on the Banakacherla issue. The EAC committee at its 33rd meeting discussed the proposal on June 17 and the minutes of the meeting were released on Monday. The members of the committee opined that the proposed scheme aims to divert floodwaters from the Godavari basin (Polavaram Dam) to the water-deficit basins within the state. "The EAC further observed that environmental clearance (EC) for the Indira Sagar Polavaram multipurpose project on the Godavari River, located at Polavaram in AP, was granted by the ministry on Jan 25 2005. However, due to submergence-related issues in Odisha and Chhattisgarh, the matter remains sub-judice," the committee members said. The committee also recommended that the project proponent should comprehensively assess the availability of floodwaters in consultation with the Central Water Commission (CWC). "The EAC also said that several representations have been received via email, alleging that the proposed scheme may be in violation of the Godavari Tribunal Award, 1980. In view of this, it is imperative that the project proponent should approach CWC for examining the inter-state issues and granting necessary clearance/permission before submitting the proposal for framing the TOR for conducting the EIA study," the EAC meeting opined.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Biz stunted due to illegal HT seeds; Nagpur, Wardha dealers call for strike today
Nagpur: Seed dealers in Nagpur and Wardha — both predominantly cotton-growing belts — have called for a strike on Monday alleging that illegal herbicide-tolerant (HT) seeds have eaten away half of their business. HT seeds are genetically engineered to be resistant to glyphosate, a cheap weed killer whose commercial sale awaits a green signal from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The seed buying season is over, and the dealers are left with nearly 50% to 40% of unsold stock. They will now have to run after the seed companies to refund the booking amount. The companies may refund the amount if they relent or adjust it for the coming season, said the traders TOI spoke to. A packet of the authorised BG II seed, which is only effective against the bollworm pest, has MRP of Rs901 a packet. In contrast, farmers paid nearly Rs2,000 for a packet of HT seeds, said the dealers. As per the traders, the HT seeds are illegally grown in the hinterlands of Gujarat and smuggled to Vidarbha. Vijay Chandak, president of Nagpur Agro Dealers Association, said the illegal seeds have completely overshadowed the market. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bring home all new SP160 & get an instant cashback up to ₹5000# Honda Learn More Undo "HT seeds have been the first choice of farmers this time. A massive proliferation of the seeds grown in clandestine farms can also lead to a crisis for the region's farmers. Sold in the grey market, there is no guarantee of the seeds' performance. There are chances that the weed killer may even destroy the cotton seed, and farmers would not be able to claim any compensation from the govt," said Chandak. Ravi Shende, his counterpart in Wardha, also spoke of a similar situation in the district. "The seeds come from Gujarat, where an entire illegal industry seems to operate. The govt must act against it," he said. Farm activist Vijay Jawandhia alleged that a number of operators are simply plucking off the seeds from the HT cotton and packing it to Vidarbha. "Even if grown illegally, the method is to develop a seed through hybridisation. The seeds taken out of the cotton crop can lack the required vigour. Yet, farmers are paying as much as Rs2,000 for a packet of such seeds," he said. Box Shortage of workers to clear weeds The high demand for HT seeds also indicates a labour shortage in the hinterland. It enables the free use of glyphosate-based weed killers on cotton plants, instead of deploying labour to manually clear the weeds. There is also a strong lobby for legalising HT seeds. In 2019, Shetkari Sangathana openly sowed the seeds, challenging the govt to take action. The seeds were developed by Mahyco-Monsanto, which withdrew from the trials, due to which it remains illegal to use. Glyphosate, however, is at present only allowed in non-cropped areas and tea gardens.
