The Government has announced mass emission standards for motor vehicles manufactured on and after April 1, 2000. The announcement has been notified in the gazette of India.
The Delhi Renewal Plan, had drawn up detailed plans on turning waste into wealth (6000 mt of solid wastes, and 700 g/cubic metre of suspended particles in air, apart from 5000 mt of flyash from the thermal power stations). The lecture was organised by the Embassy of the Federal Republic ofGermany, the Federation of Indo-German Societies in India, and the India International Centre.
DELHI POLLUTION CONTROL PANEL DIRECTIVE TO TRANSPORT CHIEF (Hindu - New Delhi : 12.09.97)
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has issued instructions to the Commissioner (Transport), Delhi Government to ensure that after March 31, 1998, no transport vehicle more than 15 years old shall ply in the National Capital Territory of Delhi and after March 31, 1999, no transport vehicle more than 12 years old shall ply. These instructions were issued by the DPCC here last month in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 20 of the Air Act read with the Government of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests notification dated February 8, 1997 to ensure that standards of emission of air pollutants from automobiles are complied withy in the NCT region. These standards have also been developed with due regard to the quality of air laid down by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) as is contained in section 17 of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act,1981 and are in the exercise of powers conferred under Clause(G) of Sub-Section(1). The Commissioner (Transport) has also been asked to ensure that after March 31, 2001, no medium and heavy vehicle (both passenger and goods vehicles) more than eight years old shall ply in Delhi.
Legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate to promote the development of bio-diesel fuel made in part from oilseeds. The bill would make it possible for bio-diesel to be used in vehicles owned by the Federal Government. In addition, it would recognise bio-diesel as an alternative fuel that can help reach the national goal mandated by Congress of replacing by 2010 a third of the petroleum that the U.S. imports. Bio-diesel fuel is derived from soya beans, other vegetable oils, and leftover cooking oils. When used in a 20 per cent blend with petroleum diesel, fuel reduces visible smoke and fumes and cuts particulate matter by as much as 14 per cent.- AP
A galaxy of judicial luminaries and select activists from across the country will participate in a five-day national workshop begining October 25, on Training in Legal Defence of Environment Protection and Empowerment of Women being organised here by the Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra(RLEK), a Dehra Dun- based NGO. The objectives of the workshop are to create environment awareness at all levels through seminars, conferences and campaigning besides empowering the participants for legal defence by making them literate in relevant laws and prepare them to be vigilant against polluters.
Under an order from Gujarat High Court earlier this month, all the 2,000 odd saree printing units in Jetpur, one of the three major dyeing centres in the country, have been forced to close down, threatening the families of some 50,000 odd workers, for polluting the portable water of Dhoraji town, 18 kilometres downstream, and 22 villages on the way. The flagrant violation finally compelled the High Court to issue its final judgement earlier this month, ordering unconditional closure of all the units forthwith. It also asked the printing industry to deposit one percent of the total turnover in the court if it desired to challenge the order in the Supreme Court. The Government too was forced to honour the directive this time and shutters are now down in all the units.
