Mining - India. 1
1. ArcelorMittal steel projects in India may be delayed. 1
2. UPDATE 1-Indian firms seek safeguard duty on all aluminium.. 2
3. NMDC in Aussie tie-up for coal, ore assets. 3
4. JSW Steel sees local demand firm, cheaper coal contract 3
5. Two firms move court on Ghatkuri 4
6. NMDC Pays Interim Dividend To Govt; Eyes Iron Ore Mines In Africa. 5
Mining – International 6
7. Protecting the environment after mining. 6
8. Central Rand Gold granted new mining rights in SA.. 8
9. New uranium mining group forms. 9
10. Uranium Industry is not a cure to Aboriginal Poverty. 11
11. Minerals processing company provides solution to diamond mine. 11
12. Indigenous Leaders Call For End To Uranium Mining. 13
Other News – India. 14
13. 269 polluting industries closed last year 14
14. Launch of the Centrally Sponsored ‘Integrated Child Protection Scheme’ (ICPS) 15
15. Tiger Population. 16
16. Pollution levels in metropolitan cities. 18
Mining - India
ArcelorMittal steel projects in India may be delayed
Thursday, Feb 26, 2009
PTI reported that ArcelorMittal is likely to overshoot the 2012 deadline to complete the USD 20 billion India project by nearly 2 years due the global economic downturn and delays in securing raw material resources and land.
Mr Vijay Bhatnagar CE O of ArcelorMittal India said that "We can see being delayed by at least 2 years because of the global financial crisis and delays in securing mining rights, land and other regulatory approvals."
As per report, it was earlier planning to start each of its 12 million tonne integrated steel plants in Jharkhand and Orissa by the H1 of 2009 and complete the same by 2012.
However, with industrial downturn taking a toll on steel demand and the company not yet comfortable with raw material resources it has secured so far, it sees the India projects being delayed to 2014.
http://www.yourmetalnews.com/arcelormittal+steel+projects+in+india+may+be+delayed_25194.html
UPDATE 1-Indian firms seek safeguard duty on all aluminium
Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:14am EST
(Adds details, background, analyst's quote and byline)
By Ruchira Singh
MUMBAI, Feb 26 (Reuters) - India's state-run National Aluminium Co Ltd (NALCO) (NALU.BO) said aluminium producers are seeking a safeguard duty on imports from all countries and not just those from China, the company's spokesman said on Thursday.
"Not only NALCO but all primary producers, namely Hindalco Industries (HALC.BO) and Sterlite Industries (STRL.BO), are requesting the government to impose a safeguard duty on primary aluminium coming from any country, not just China," the spokesman, who could not be named due to company policy, said.
Last week, trade secretary G.K. Pillai told reporters India was concerned about the sharp rise in imports from China and was investigating several goods being shipped from there, adding a safeguard duty on aluminium from China would be imposed in one or two weeks. [ID:nBOM438058].
The spokesman said an increasing amount of aluminium was being shipped in from several countries, hurting local producers who were already struggling in a weak market.
India's imports of all types of aluminium in April to December stood at 275,321 tonnes, compared to 377,607 tonnes imported in the entire 2007/08 fiscal year, he said, citing data from International Business Information Services.
At present, India imposes a 5 percent basic duty on imports of primary aluminium, while value-added aluminium, such as rolled products and foils, attracts a duty of over 20 percent, the spokesman said.
India also buys aluminium from the Middle East and southeast Asia, he said.
"Previously the government has supported the sector, and now also they may," said Pawan Burde, senior research analyst for metals and mining at Angel Broking.
"If they do (impose duty), it might be a double-digit one." (Reporting by Ruchira Singh; Editing by John Mair & Mark Williams)
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSBOM13500020090226
NMDC in Aussie tie-up for coal, ore assets
Nandini Goswami
Friday, February 27, 2009 2:31 IST
Kolkata: NMDC Ltd, the largest supplier of iron ore in the country, is said to have entered into an agreement with West Australian mineral resources developer Stirling Resources Ltd to jointly identify and acquire coking coal and iron ore assets in Australia and New Zealand.
The partnership is likely to enable NMDC to use its expertise to tap resources in both the countries. It will also be able to lend its expertise in mineral exploration to the Australian company.
Rana Som, the chairman of NMDC, was unavailable for comment. But corporate and industry sources told DNA Money that NMDC will also have rights for the offtake arrangements for certain projects through this tie-up. Though indications are that this is an agreement, equity participation at a later stage cannot be ruled out, sources hinted.
NMDC, which has expertise in exploration, processing and marketing of minerals in India, had been scouting for investment opportunities in Australia for some time. A joint effort of the two companies could help in evaluating and developing new projects together.
Industry sources said that the Australian mining sector has been going through tough times due to the fall in commodity prices, which has hit the financial viability of projects because of credit squeeze and problems in equity funding. NMDC chairman Rana Som recently went to South Africa to look for opportunities in iron ore mining.
Things are yet to work out, as doing business in Africa is not so easy, said a source on the condition of anonymity. NMDC, which has a small office in Tanzania, is keen on gold exploration in this region.
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1234580
JSW Steel sees local demand firm, cheaper coal contract
Thu Feb 26, 2009 1:38pm IST
MUMBAI (Reuters) - JSW Steel Ltd, India's No.3 producer of the alloy, is witnessing higher demand locally, and will focus on Africa, Middle East, Sri Lanka and Nepal for exports, a senior official told Reuters on Thursday.
The worldwide recession had led to lower buying in U.S. and Europe, traditionally the key export markets for Indian steel makers.
"In India, demand definitely is far better. Worldwide, there is no major improvement," MVS Seshagiri Rao, director-finance, said. "Instead of exporting to Europe and US, we will sell to Africa, Sri Lanka, Nepal and other countries."
Indian steel firms took a big hit on their profits in the Oct-Dec quarter with margins shrinking as sales plunged and raw material prices soared despite falling demand.
JSW posted a loss in the quarter-ending December due to foreign exchange losses, lower sales and higher prices of raw material - coking coal and iron ore - which dented margins.
The company is negotiating for fresh coking coal contracts which are due to be signed in April and the prices may fall by two-third to $100-$120 a tonne from $305 last year, he said.
JSW Steel imports all of its coking coal requirements while it buys iron ore locally.
http://in.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idINIndia-38224620090226
Two firms move court on Ghatkuri
OUR CORRESPONDENT
Battle zone
Ranchi, Feb. 26: The battle for Ghatkuri mines is far from over. Two private firms, adversely hit by Governor Syed Sibtey Razi’s order to restore PSU access to the famed West Singhbhum iron ore reserves by overturning a controversial decision of former chief minister Shibu Soren, have moved court.
While Jamshedpur’s Adhunik Alloy and Power Limited has pleaded against the state government’s inability to hand over the reserves with the stipulated deadline, Abhijeet Infrastructure Limited, Nagpur has filed a contempt petition.
This at a time when state mines secretary Santosh Kumar Satpathy and director (mines) Bipin Bihari Singh are camping in Delhi to try and undo their earlier “mistake” — in an affidavit in the Supreme Court, the state mines department had said it was in favour of allocating a better part of the precious reserves to six private players at the behest of then chief minister Soren.
“Both officials are now discussing the matter with senior counsels M.S. Ganesh and Ratan Kumar Choudhuri who would appear for the state in the Supreme Court,” said a senior mines department official.
The apex court was scheduled to hear on March 2 an intervening petition filed by Tata Steel against the Soren government’s move to allocate Ghatkuri to six private parties.
Three other steel firms — the mighty ArcelorMittal, Roongta Mines and lesser known Bramhi Impex — have already approached the apex court with their independent pleas. Moreover, the state-owned National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) has also petitioned the court.
As for industry mood, the six private players feel “cheated” by the administration’s latest stand, but steel majors believe the only way the government can de-reserve Ghatkuri was by bringing out a proper notification.
But state government sources revealed that the authorities were thinking of allocating Ghatkuri to two PSUs — the Centre-run NMDC and state-managed Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation (JSMDC) in a joint venture.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090227/jsp/jharkhand/story_10598482.jsp
NMDC Pays Interim Dividend To Govt; Eyes Iron Ore Mines In Africa
Submitted by Keshav Seth on Fri, 02/27/2009 - 04:42.
State-run National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) on February 26 paid an interim dividend worth Rs 4.01 billion to the administration.
After getting the cheque from the NMDC chairman, Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan, Union Minister for Steel, Chemicals and Fertilizers, praised the company (NMDC) for its excellent performance.
Mr. Paswan stated that NDMC’s 4 million ton steel plant in Chhattisgarh would come sooner than schedule.
The minister also said that Indian steel segment had a golden period for the last five years and is prepared to confront any slowdown.
Previously, NMDC had declared 103% interim dividend to stockholders.
Moreover, the company is looking for iron ore mines in the African market.
The company said that it has got a couple of offers for forming joint venture with African companies to commence Greenfield mining operations.
While one of the schemes is for a magnetite mine in West Africa, the other is for an iron ore mine in South Africa.
In addition to Africa, NMDC is considering majority stakes in mining properties in Armenia, Australia and Brazil.
On Thursday, shares of the company lost Rs 2.05 at Rs 148.10. The total volume of shares traded at the BSE was 18,653.
http://www.topnews.in/nmdc-pays-interim-dividend-govt-eyes-iron-ore-mines-africa-2132074
Mining – International
Protecting the environment after mining 2009-02-27 10:17:32 By Jan Ajwang
When miners launch their mining equipment into the ground in search for prize minerals, most of them barely think about the land they are cutting through and the possibility of it ever looking as it was or even better after the minerals have long been drained from the land. Instead with one mine exhausted most miners or mining companies for that matter will move on to another for more mineral wealth leaving pits of death and environmental time bombs, waiting to explode and affect the communities living within the vicinity of the once lucrative mining area. According to the United Nations Environment Programme`s Division of Technology Industry and Economics ( UNEP-DTIE) Mining activities can cause severe environmental degradation with negative impacts of mining operations as energy and water consumption, air, water and land pollution, landscape alteration, soil erosion, destruction of river banks, health and safety nuisance. Ideally miners are required to ensure that the land that has been exhausted from mining is rehabilitated or left environmentally sound. While many mining companies in Tanzania barely do this, Tanga Cement Company has made efforts in improving the environment after mining has taken place. The company has rehabilitated two pozzolana quarries in Holili in Kilamanjaro region. ``We wanted to demonstrate that with a little bit of effort, there can be something good after a quarry has been rehabilitated and to show that within the mining industry. If you dig something out of the land, you should also put something back in place in order to preserve the environment,`` says Juerg Fluehmann Managing Director, Tanga Cement Holili village located on the North Eastern slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro near the Kenya Tanzania border and some 300km from Tanga Cement`s plant was rich in Pozzolana which is a key ingredient in making pozzolanic cement. Tanga Cement produces pozzolana cement hence consumed most of the Pozzolana that was quarried from Holili. Holili 1 which is 7,200 square metres was used for mining for six years while Holili 2 at 16000 square meters was used for four years. After an environmental assessment that was done in 2005, the rehabilitation process begun in 2006. ``Before rehabilitation the quarries had sharp drops and there was no vegetation. The mining debris on the quarry floor had to be pushed against the faces and soil had to be pushed over the steep faces and on the debris. The steep faces were also slopped while the drainage channels were cut to stop rain water erosion,`` Kati Kerenge head of communications at Tanga Cement says. With the land leveled, vegetation was re- introduced and tree seedlings were planted. Today there is a difference: ``There are thriving trees and vegetation, reduced dust and soil erosion. The areas have been rehabilitated to land forms consistent with grazing requirements. The planted trees which include mosquito repellent species will be a source of shade, fuel wood, and fresh air. They also demonstrate to the community that trees can change and improve their environment,`` Kerenge adds. Over15, 000 trees and 5,500 sisal plants have been planted in both quarries and the roads in the area have equally been improved. Kerenge says the initiative sought to address critical issues including safety to humans and animal life, to arrest what could have become an environmental liability in the future. This is also part of the company`s environmental policy, on rehabilitation and participation in environmental initiatives. The project was done with support from the community in Holili which not only provided the labour, but was also involved ahead of the rehabilitation project ``We had a very positive response from the community, as we had involved them to know their wishes before planning and starting the rehabilitation work. Indeed it was their desire to see the area rehabilitated,`` she explains. ``Mining activities negatively impact on the environment because of the disfigurement of the land forms as well as the existing pits or burrows resulting from mining. One way to deal with them is through rehabilitation to bring back the land to life. We commend Tanga Cement for its rehabilitation initiatives because it shows others that rehabilitation of former mines is possible,`` says the Director General of the National Environmental Management Council (NEMC) Eng. Bonaventure Baya. Baya says that such environmental initiatives are required of mining companies by law to ensure environmental protection. Besides, mining activities are also expected to be done at the lowest levels of environmental degradation. ``This is something that we recommend needs to be done by all mining companies,`` Baya adds. Kerenge says that the lessons learnt from this project can be shared out by the authorities to other sites that have been abandoned for a long time in other areas. ``We have shown other quarry operators how to care for the environment,`` Kerenge says. Tanzania is well endowed with various minerals and has several mining companies spread across the country making billions in annual profits, yet it is only one or a few that will show a commitment to environmental protection at the expense of the communities within the mining regions as well as the entire nation. Indeed UNEP-DTIE further notes that “Mining has left lasting legacy of abandoned mine sites all over the world, which often continue to have an on-going negative effect on the environment` In Tanzania this can be reversed if mining companies borrowed a leaf from Tanga Cement and showed a human face to their activities by covering up the messes of worn out mines with beautiful vegetation and a hope for a safer environment.
SOURCE: Guardian
http://ippmedia.com/ipp/guardian/2009/02/27/132446.html
Central Rand Gold granted new mining rights in SA
Text Size
By: Creamer Media Reporter
Published on 26th February 2009
JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Gold mining and exploration company Central Rand Gold South Africa (CRGSA) has been granted new-order mining and prospecting rights over seven new tenements, parent company Central Rand Gold (CRG) announced on Thursday.The Department of Minerals and Energy had granted CRGSA the mining rights over the seven tenements on Wednesday and would allow the company to apply for new-order mining rights for the rest of the outstanding tenements under its Section 11 application.The rights included the Consolidated Main Reef, Crown Mines, City Deeps, Langlaagte, Village Main, Robinson Deep and AngloGold Ashanti tenements.This followed on the granting of CRG’s first new-order mining rights for the three tenements, in September.“From an operational point of view, this is a highly positive step forward for us as the contiguous nature of the rights granted will enable us to optimise the development and production schedules over the entire area,” CRG CEO Mike Sullivan said in a statement.The Aim- and JSE-listed CRG poured its first gold in December, only two months after receiving its first new-order mining rights.It was aiming to eventually reach a target production of 100 000 oz/y of gold.CRG had, in February, bought out its black economic empowerment partner in CRGSA, Puno Gold Investments, which previously held a 26% stake in the South African operating subsidiary.
Editor: Mariaan Webb
http://www.miningweekly.com/article/central-rand-gold-granted-new-mining-rights-in-sa-2009-02-26
New uranium mining group forms
By John CranePublished: February 26, 2009
Gregg Vickrey, who was chairman of Southside Concerned Citizens’ Chatham-Pittsylvania County chapter, has split from the anti-uranium mining group and formed a separate organization.
Vickrey is seeking nonprofit status for the Alliance, which he said will expand its reach statewide and nationally in other issues in addition to uranium mining in Pittsylvania County. He said the group’s mission is to help people organize and assert their right to self-governance in the face of corporate assaults on the environment and in communities.
“I feel like we can be more effective operating under the Alliance,” Vickrey said Thursday.
The community activist said he and two others, John Chaney and Deborah Dix, officially started the Alliance on Wednesday. Vickrey said the group will continue to work with SCC in opposing uranium mining in the county.
Virginia Uranium Inc. seeks to mine and mill a 119-million-pound uranium ore deposit six miles northeast of Chatham. Virginia has had a moratorium on uranium mining since the early 1980s.
Jack Dunavant, head of the Halifax-based SCC, said there is no animosity between SCC and the Alliance.
“Gregg felt he could do better under another banner,” Dunavant said. “People have different ideas about how to fight this battle.”
Dunavant added that SCC will team up with the Alliance and other groups on issues affecting the quality of life in Southside.
“We all have the same goal: to prevent uranium mining,” Dunavant said.
SCC, with a membership that’s reached more than 300 people, started in 1982 in Chatham to oppose Marline Corp.’s plans to mine and mill the Coles Hill deposit. The group moved to Halifax in 1983, Dunavant said.
Vickrey said people can access the Alliance’s Web site through the old SCC site, sccchatham.blogspot.com, where they will be directed to the Alliance’s site, thealliance123
.blogspot.com.
Dunavant said he expects to have a separate site for SCC in about 10 days.
People can join the Alliance with a one-time fee of $25 through May 25 and become founding members, Vickrey said. Those joining the organization thereafter will pay a $25 fee annually. Vickrey said he knows of up to 20 people who will join soon and he hopes to grow it further.
“We’ll eventually have as many members as SCC,” Vickrey said.
Regardless of membership, the Alliance’s blog can still be accessed for free, he said.
The Alliance is not an environmental organization, but a rights-based group, he said.
Henry Hurt, a uranium mining supporter and VUI investor, expressed a hope regarding the Alliance not likely to be realized.
“I hope that they will see the promise of our uranium resource,” Hurt said. “I hope they see the light.”
http://www.godanriver.com/gdr/news/local/danville_news/article/new_uranium_mining_group_forms/9364/
Uranium Industry is not a cure to Aboriginal Poverty
From the newswire: FEBRUARY 26, 2009. The Australian Nuclear Free Alliance (ANFA) has dismissed claims by the Australian Uranium Association (AUA) that uranium mining is the solution to systemic Aboriginal disadvantage. The uranium industry's attempt to promote itself as a cure to Aboriginal poverty is in direct conflict to the reality of the Aboriginal experience. Extensive research has shown that mining agreements have not improved life for Aboriginal people - uranium mines mean more problems. The main lasting effect of uranium mining for Aboriginal people is radioactive waste on their country - with no resources to clean up the miner's mess, say the ANFA. Australians are one part of a global assault inflicted by mining corporations and governments who care more about profits than about long term effects on our Nation and our lands."Aboriginal people have been and remain at the sharp end of resistance to the uranium and nuclear industry in Australia and we are not about to be swayed by an industry PR exercise..."
http://perth.indymedia.org/index.php?action=default&featureview=727
Minerals processing company provides solution to diamond mine
27th February 2009
Minerals processing and materials handling equipment supplier Ludowici Africa has provided its Wear-Resist pipes to diamond-miner Debswana’s Orapa diamond mine, in Botswana.
Ludowici Africa GM Mark Houchin says that Wear-Resist may extend the life of mild steel pipes by up to 30 times, where slurry abrasion problems occur.
He explains that the inside of mild steel pipes is lined with a 70% concentration of ceramic beads suspended in an epoxy resin, which extends the life of a pipe.
Houchin adds that the com-pany is in the process of developing a client database for the product and has carried out a number of Wear-Resist installations in South Africa. It has also given quotes to coal mines in Mozambique, as well as to goldfocused mining and exploration company Randgold Resources, which uses the wear-lined pipes in gold mines in Western Africa.
Reflux Classifiers Ludowici Africa was established in 2006 and supplies vibrating feeders, vibrating screens and discharge valves as its heavy capital equipment. Houchin says that the company also offers niche market equipment, such as reflux classifiers, which are used for the beneficiation of fine coal, as well as for recovering tailings on mineral sands and chrome mines.
Ludowici Africa has installed a few reflux classifier trial units and Houchin explains that the new technology separates particles by density difference. The process relies on settling particles in an upward-flowing stream of water, which is created at a distributor plate in the bottom of the reflux classifier.
It also has a set of lamella plates above the feed entry section, which increases the rate of settling of the particles and causes a zone of increased slurry density immediately below the lamella plates.
The lighter particles float on the top and the denser particles sink and accumulate on the distributor plate, which is the shape of an inverted pyramid that allows the denser particles to migrate towards a central discharge port. The rate of the dense particle discharge is controlled by two automated pinch valves.
Houchin explains that on coal mines, the good coal floats to the top of the reflux classifier, while with mineral sands, the heavy particle that sink to the bottom, are the good-quality minerals. He says that the reflux classifier has become popular in Australia and the company is carrying out tests at plants in Africa and he is fairly certain that the reflux classifiers will soon be widely used in African chrome, heavy mineral and coal mines.
Other Products The company also supplies coal centrifuges, vibrating feeders, vibrating screens, panels for screens, polyurethane products and woven wire and other pro-ducts to the mining industry. Houchin says that the company is able to offer a complete, one-stop shop, including capital equipment, consumables and technical support that other companies do not supply.
He says that the company also plans to supply vibrating feeders and screens, as well as coal stockpile discharge valves to coal mines in Botswana. It has supplied its coal stockpile discharge valves to the Goedgevonden coal mine in Witbank, Mpumalanga, and these are currently being commissioned.
Houchin adds that all the products that Ludowici Africa supplies are manufactured in South Africa, with the exception of its Hicom mills, which are manufactured in Australia. He explains that these mills offer ultrafine grinding and are able to reduce the volume of diamond-bearing ores or concentrates without damaging the diamonds.
He says that the mills have been used on diamond-miner De Beers diamond vessels, where they break seashells without damaging the diamonds. He adds that although the mills give good recoveries, the throughput is low and, as a result, not much more than 20 t/h of material can be processed, which is a serious constraint for some applications.
Future Prospects Houchin says
that Ludowici Africa plans to supply its pro-ducts to the entire African continent and to roll out every product that the company offers.
http://www.miningweekly.com/article/mineral-processing-equipment-company-provides-solution-to-diamond-mine-2009-02-27
Indigenous Leaders Call For End To Uranium Mining
February 26, 2009 9:36 p.m. EST
Windsor Genova - AHN News Writer
Takoma Park, MD (AHN) - Indigenous activists and leaders of Native American, Australian aboriginal and Tuareg communities are in Washington, D.C. Friday to press elected officials at Capitol Hill to stop uranium mining.
Leaders of the group said the extraction of uranium ore needed to produce nuclear weapons and fuel for nuclear reactors are being done in indigenous communities contaminating scarce water supply there and causing cancer to Native Americans, aborigines in Australia and Tuaregs in Niger.
Tuareg activist Sidi-Amar Taoua said uranium mining in Niger has devastated its landscape, destroyed the fauna and flora around the mines and contaminated the land, air and water with radioactive dust, gases and liquids.
"The depletion of already scarce water supplies threatens the very survival of the Touareg as well as the local communities around the mines who are already suffering the many illnesses caused by the uranium mines," Taoua said.
Dr. Bruno Chareyron, director of the French investigative lab that has conducted radiological testing at nuclear sites in France and around the world, and actor James Cromwell are backing the group and campaign against uranium mining.
"When my laboratory went to the mining towns in Niger we found radioactive scrap metal from the uranium mill being sold on the city market; uranium contamination of drinking water that exceeded World Health Organization standards; and radioactive tailings from the uranium mill stored in the open air," Chareyron said. "The situation is equally bad in France where tailings have been paved into school playgrounds and parking lots. But the French nuclear corporation, Areva, denies in its own press release that there is any contamination from the Niger mines. This is simply not true."
Meanwhile, a plan to allow uranium mining in New Mexico's Mt. Taylor will be opposed, said Acoma Pueblo spokesman Manuel Pino. "We are not going to let that happen. We will fight that industry tooth and nail to the very end," Pino said.
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7014232932
Other News – India
269 polluting industries closed last year
BS Reporter / New Delhi February 26, 2009, 17:28 IST
The Central Pollution ControlBoard (CPCB) has ordered closure of 269 of the 1,357 industrial units, which had been identied as the worst polluters across the country, last year.
Stating this in the Rajya Sabha, Namo Narian Meena, Minister of State, Environment and Forest, said the CPCB had found the effulents from these industries with Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) load of 100 kg/day or more.
Meena in a written reply to a question raised by A Elavarasan said that the Central and State Pollution Control Boards had given treatment and disposal facilities to 898 industries. He said all these industries had shown encouraging results and were operating satisfactorily.
However, the remaining 190 industries which were also given treatment plants have not been doing well and the authorities were likely to take action against them.
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/269-polluting-industries-closed-last-year/18/03/55808/on
Launch of the Centrally Sponsored ‘Integrated Child Protection Scheme’ (ICPS)
20:19 IS
The Government of India has approved the launch of a comprehensive Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at providing safe and secure environment for the children of the country. This Scheme is to be implemented in the country through the State/UT Governments over the remaining period of the XI Plan on a cost sharing basis between the Centre, States and Non-Governmental Organisations. The objectives of this scheme are to contribute to the improvement in the well being of children in difficult circumstances, as well as to the reduction of vulnerability to situations and actions that lead to abuse, neglect, exploitation, abandonment and separation of children. These will be achieved by: (i) improved access to and quality of child protection services; (ii) raised public awareness about child rights and child protection in India; (iii) clearly articulated responsibilities and enforced accountability for child protection; (iv) established and functioning structures at all Government levels for delivery of statutory and support services to children in difficult circumstances; (v) introduction of operational evidence based monitoring and evaluation. The ICPS will provide preventive, statutory, care and rehabilitation services to all children in need of care and protection or in conflict with law as defined under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 amended in 2006 and any other vulnerable child including but not limited to : children of potentially vulnerable families and families at risk, children of socially excluded groups like migrant families, families living in extreme poverty, lower caste families, families subjected to or affected by discrimination, minorities, children infected and/or affected by HIV/AIDS, orphans, child drug abusers, children of substance abusers, child beggars, trafficked or sexually exploited children, children of prisoners and street and working children. The services that are proposed to be financed under ICPS for strengthening/introduction are : (i) Emergency outreach service through ‘CHILDLINE’; (ii) transitional shelters for children in need in urban and semi-urban areas; (iii) family based non-institutional care through Sponsorship, Foster-care, Adoption and After-care; (iv) institutional services – Shelter homes, Children homes, Observation homes, Special homes, Specialised services for children with special needs; (v) General grant-in-aid for need-based/innovative interventions; (vi) child Tracking System including a website for missing children; (vii) Cradle baby Reception Centre; (viii) Advocacy, public education and communication; (ix) training and capacity building; (x) service delivery structures for the above services at Centre, State and District levels. The Central Government has provided an outlay of Rs.1073 crores during the XI Plan period towards implementation of this scheme. **** AKT/SH/LV
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=48116
Tiger Population
15:23 IST
Rajya Sabha
As per the findings of the recent all India estimation of tiger using the refined methodology, the total country-level population of tiger is 1411 (mid value); the lower and upper limits being 1165 and 1657 respectively. The recent assessment of tiger population is based on determining spatial occupancy of tigers throughout potential tiger forests and sampling such forests using camera traps in a statistical framework. This assessment is not comparable to the earlier total count using pugmarks owing to several shortcomings in the latter. The new findings indicate a poor status of tiger population in areas outside tiger reserves and protected areas. The tiger population, by and large, in tiger reserves and protected areas of such States are viable, while requiring ongoing conservation efforts. The reasons for decline in population of tigers are at Annexure-I.
The details of tiger deaths, including poaching, for the last five years is at Annexure-II.
Project Tiger is an ongoing, focused Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, providing funding support to 17 tiger range States in the country, for in-situ conservation of tiger in the 37 designated tiger reserves. It has put the endangered tiger on an assured path of recovery by saving it from extinction, as revealed by the recent findings of the All India tiger estimation using the refined methodology. This independent report highlights the achievements of Project Tiger by showing that viable tiger population exists only in tiger reserve areas, which are under the jurisdiction of Project Tiger, while the status of outside populations are highly depleted.
Annexure-I
The reasons for decline in population of tigers are
1. Mortality of wild animals due to poaching.
2. Degradation of forest status outside Protected Areas / Tiger Reserves owing to human pressure, livestock pressure, and ecologically unsustainable land uses
3. Fragmentation leading to loss of gene flow from source populations.
4. Mortality of wild animals due to man-animal conflicts.
5. Loss of reproduction owing to disturbance on account of heavily used infrastructure like highways, etc.
6. Lack of adequate protection in outside areas.
7. Loss of forest quality in terms of prey biomass to support large carnivores like tiger and leopard.
8. Insurgency / law and order problems in some tiger reserves / protected areas / forest areas.
Annexure-II
Mortality of tigers (year-wise) as reported by States
Year
Natural (Animals)
Poaching (Animals)
Total (Animals)
2004
17
5
22
2005
13*
4
17
2006
10*
4
14
2007
20*
10
30
2008
10*
4
14
2009
(Till 22.02.2009)
7
2
9
* Includes cases in which Post Mortem report is pending.
Minister of State for the Ministry of Environment and Forests Shri S. Regupathy replied in a written question by Shri Prabhat Jha in Rajya Sabha today.
KP
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=48037
Pollution levels in metropolitan cities
15:28 IST
Rajya Sabha
Pollution levels in metropolitan cities are assessed and monitored by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) under the programmes namely National Air Monitoring Programme (NAMP), Water Quality Monitoring Programme (WQMP) and Inventory of sewage generation and treatment in class-I cities and class-II towns.
The data collected during 2006-2008 indicate that the concentrations of air pollutants like Sulphur dioxide (SO2) and those of Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) except for Kolkata during 2008 are within the prescribed National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The concentrations of Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) have generally exceeded the ambient air quality standards. Data pertaining to major pollutants in four mega cities is provided in Annexure. The Ground Water Quality (GWQ) is monitored in 35 major cities. The levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) and some heavy metals have exceeded the permissible limit in few cities. CPCB is monitoring sewage generation and treatment capacity in 35 major cities. As per CPCB report, the sewage generation in 35 major cities is 15,644 million litres per day (MLD), and whereas, the treatment capacity (in 23 major cities) is 8040 MLD.
There is no model list in prevalence. However, the ambient air quality is monitored with respect to major air pollutants viz., SO2, NOx and RSPM. The ground water quality is monitored with respect to TDS, chloride, sulphate, fluoride, conductivity, bicarbonate alkalinity and micro pollutants such as toxic heavy metals like Iron, lead, Chromium, Nickel and Cadmium.
The Government has taken various steps to control pollution.
Bharat Stage III emission norms have been made applicable in 11 mega cities, namely, National Capital Region, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad/Secunderabad, Kanpur, Pune, Surat and Agra) w.e.f. 01.04.2005 whereas Bharat Stage II emission norms have been made applicable in rest of the country. These norms would be made stricter w.e.f. 01.04.2010.
Pollution Under Control norms for in-use vehicles have been made stricter w.e.f. 01.10.2004
Restriction on the entry of trucks as well as interstate buses during peak traffic timings.
Diversion of all interstate trucks and buses through by-pass roads thereby reducing congestion in the main city.
Augmentation of infrastructure i.e. construction of flyovers, bridges, road networks and broadening of existing roads.
Introduction of Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS) in Delhi for the segregation of the traffic and uniform flow of the traffic.
Restriction on entry of vehicles in very crowded market places like Chandni Chowk & Karol Bagh in Delhi.
Procurement of state-of-art violation detection equipment system like vehicle speed detection cameras etc.
Implementation of bus lane system and automated toll collection for buses.
Regular conduction of mass awareness programme for encouraging public transport system, car pooling & fuel saving tips.
Augmentation of mass rapid transport system (MRTS) all over the country in time-bound manner.
Implementation of emission norms and fuel quality in accordance with the road map of Auto Fuel Policy;
Phasing-out of old vehicles;
Notified emission standards for industries under Environment Protection Act, 1986;
Implementation of Corporate Responsibility on Environment Protection (CREP) in 17-caegories of highly polluting industries;
Introduction of beneficiated coal in thermal power plants;
Introduction of cleaner technology in industries;
Implementation of action plan in 24-critically polluted areas;
Minister of State for the Ministry of Environment and Forests Shri Namo Narain Meena replied in a written question by Shri Avtar Singh Karimpuri and Shri Rajkumar Dhoot in Rajya Sabha today.
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KP
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