Diwali was less polluting this time: PPCB

Pollution level on Diwali day has lowered for the first time in a decade in Punjab, except in the industrial town of Ludhiana and Jalandhar, according to data released by the state agency.
Even the Harmandar Sahib or Golden Temple saw less pollution in comparison to previous years, even though it witnesses a grand cracker display. The noise level too came down across the state.
The Punjab pollution Control Board (PPCB) said the younger generation seems to have shown sensitivity towards the environment. “It’s a good sign that for first time in a decade the pollution level has decreased on Diwali day decreased, though it’s still double the permissible limits,” said a PPCB official.
As for the Golden Temple, environmentalist have been appealing to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to observe a green Diwali by holding a laser show instead of firecracker display. But the Sikh body has only limited the use of crackers, saying that tradition dictates use of crackers to celebrate Bandi Chhor Diwas on that day. To its credit, the SGPC used crackers that create less pollution. At the shrine, the level of respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) was at 363 micrograms per cubic metre, compared to 371 last year, but still much higher than the permissible 100.
-
Over 30 people feared dead as boat capsizes in Yamuna, in Banda
Over 30 people were feared drowned when a boat carrying 45 people, including 25 women and children, capsized in the Yamuna, in Banda district, on Thursday. Locals said most people were going to celebrate Raksha Bandhan with their siblings. SHO Marka Hemraj said that four people are confirmed dead while 13 managed to swim to safety, while 28 people are still missing. He said around 45 people were on the boat.
-
World Elephant Day on Friday: A walk with the mighty ones leaves actor awed
Indian actor Jennifer Winget is at the Elephant Conservation & Care Centre, run by wildlife conservation NGO, Wildlife SOS, in Mathura, and will celebrate 'World Elephant Day' there, on Friday. She reached the centre on Thursday. Every year, August 12 is celebrated as World Elephant Day to raise awareness about the world's declining elephant population. Breaking a sweat, Winget helped in creating and distributing enrichments that keep elephants physically and mentally stimulated.
-
SSB busts prostitution racket, rescues 17 women
Mumbai The Social Service Branch of the Mumbai police raided four flats in Navi Mumbai and rescued 17 women who were brought to the city from West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh and forced into prostitution. The SSB has arrested nine people of the syndicate and are looking for two main culprits who were running the prostitution racket for several years.
-
Coastal zone authority seeks report on CIDCO’s auction of CRZ plot
Mumbai Following Hindustan Times reports, the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority has asked City and Industrial Development Corporation, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation and the Thane district administration to submit a report over the proposed auction of a 25,000 square metre plot of land in Nerul. The MCZMA had been instructed earlier this week to probe the matter by the union environment ministry, on the basis of complaints by Navi Mumbai residents.
-
Mob shouts ‘chor chor’, waves shoes at Anubrata Mondal after CBI arrest | Watch
Arrested Trinamool Congress leader Anubrata Mondal on Thursday faced massive sloganeering as a group of protesters surrounded Mr Mondal's while he was being produced in a special CBI court in the cattle smuggling case. Those present at the spot shouted 'chor' (thief), while some waved slippers at him as the TMC leader left the car and made his way to the court with CBI officers.