Maharashtra government gets ready to cope with climate change

The Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday cleared an adaptation policy to help the state cope with changing climatic conditions and its adverse impact.
Prepared by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), the policy suggested strict norms to reduce pollution through vehicles in cities, conservation of mangroves, plantation of trees on both the sides of the roads and constructing shelters at specific distances (in case of natural calamities), a policy for treatment of sewage water to reduce demand of drinking water, revival of lakes and reservoirs and proper planning to reduce the carbon footprint in new cities.
It further suggested creating a system to inform people in advance about any prediction of a heavy downpour in cities, long- and short-term plans to deal with constant changes in weather conditions, repairing of khar (tidal) land canals and encourage fishing at such places.
Agro-climate services need to be provided to farmers so that they are aware of changes in weather conditions and pest attacks on crops. Farmers should also be informed about the changing crop pattern and formation of climate-proof villages by adoption of lakes, the policy stated.
It also advocates improving health services at a district level and taking up public awareness programmes on health issues.
The policy was prepared after studying climatic changes and its adverse impact in the state owing to global warming. TERI has also predicted possible changes in climate by 2030, 2050 and 2070 and asked the state to prepare an action plan to deal with these climatic changes in the state.
The policy comprises 70 points, covering all major departments of the state. These departments are expected to prepare a detail proposal based on the suggestions made in the policy and start its implementation, said Satish Gavai, additional chief secretary, state environment department.
The state government has also formed a cell headed by the chief secretary, which will help in coordination among various departments and effective implementation of the policy, Gavai said.
-
Sisodia writes to LG seeking CBI probe in MCD “toll tax scam”, MCD calls allegations baseless
A day after the Aam Aadmi Party alleged mismanagement and corruption in toll tax collection by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, state deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday wrote to lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the matter. AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak made similar allegations on Tuesday.
-
29 teams formed to check, prevent lumpy skin disease spread in Jalandhar
To contain the spread of lumpy skin disease (LSD), 29 teams of veterinary officials have been constituted at sub-division level in Jalandhar for prompt checking and prevention of such cases, if reported, in their respective areas. As per information received from the administration, these teams comprise veterinary officers and inspectors. These teams would immediately visit in case of a report of LSD in their respective areas to diagnose and for administration of preventive vaccination.
-
Stubble burning menace: PPCB to keep tabs on top 10 violating districts
The Punjab Pollution Control Board will keep an eye on top 10 districts, known to be chronic violators and reporting the highest number of paddy residue burning incidents during the Kharif season. PPCB chairman Adarsh Pal Vig said as many 10 districts reported the greatest number of stubble burning cases in 2020 and 2021. “Some of these are Sangrur, Ludhiana, Moga, Patiala and Ferozepur.”
-
Crime in Delhi up by over 8%: Delhi Police data
Cases of crime reported in Delhi till July 15 this year increased by 8.1%, compared to the same period last year, according to statistics shared by the Delhi Police on Wednesday, showing a broad increase across most categories in 2022. In 2021, in fact, a total of 2,485 home burglaries were reported for the entire year. Cases of non-heinous crimes, such as snatching, burglary and vehicle theft, too went up by 8%.
-
Four pistols, 8 magazines seized from Pakistan border in Amritsar
Police have recovered four pistols and their ammunition, believed to be dropped by a drone in the Lopoke area of the district near the India-Pakistan border. A team led by Lopoke police station in-charge Mantej Singh, launched a search operation in the area where the drone was spotted. More than 20 incidents of drone movements and smuggling of weapons and drugs at the Punjab border with Pakistan have been reported in this year.