If political parties adhere to the directives of ECI, this year India can have eco-friendly Lok Sabha elections
Election Commission of India (ECI) has asked political parties to avoid the use of plastic during the course of election campaigning. The moral code of conduct from ECI says the political parties should try to avoid the use of plastic/polythene in the making of posters, banners, etc. If political parties adhere to the directives of ECI, this year India can have eco-friendly Lok Sabha elections.
Even after the order, the market is flooded with a host of plastic made election campaigning material. The range includes, flags, banners, posters, streamers and so on.
Retired chief environment engineer with UP Pollution Control Board KK Sharma appreciated the EC move but said, "As of now, success of the stand depends on the will of the political parties. Lets hope the stand acts as a deterrent against the non-biodegradable monster-plastic."
Several political parties welcomed the step. The Congress high-command for instance, has directed its members to follow the instruction in letter and spirit. "In wake of the same, we have already placed order for glazed paper flags, buntings and streamers," UP Congress chief, Rita Bahuguna Joshi told TOI over phone.
The move would mean more expenditure on campaigning material as plastic come at much cheaper rates.
The move would mean more expenditure on campaigning material as plastic come at much cheaper rates. Rajesh Kumar who claims to supply election material to ten states said, "the input cost in the material had increased. The effect was obvious on the sale price."
He also took the chance to display a host of paper and cloth-made election material. Kumar has come up with unique replacements. For example: for his Bahujan Samaj Party buyers, suppliers are offering bangles in BSP blue. Those from Samajwadi Party and the Congress have the option of buying paper-made tea-coffee mugs. Women Congress workers may also get tri-colour hairbands and wristbands. Then there are caps and badges for all parties. Flags made of satin cloth are the latest addition in the segment.
Source: Times of India
Monday, March 16, 2009
Renewed Effort by Delhi to save River Yamuna
After the innumerous failed campaigns with billions went wasted, there is one more “Clean Yamuna Campaign” initiated by Delhiites………..
After the innumerous failed attempts, there is one more effort to save India’s one of the most polluted and pious rivers, Yamuna. As per the news report of ANI, hundreds of delhiites, students and environmentalists have come forward in a campaign to save the river from further pollution.
In the last week of February 2009, all the enthusiastic gathered at the Jamia Milia Islamia University’s Ansari Auditorium holding placards and banners and raising slogans in favour of cleaning of the river Yamuna.
ANI writes in its news report, at the function, Tajendra Khanna, Delhi lieutenant Governor urged the residents to unite for the campaign.
He further said that the motive of this campaign was to increase the participation of people in the “Clean Yamuna Campaign”.
He also mentioned that the Supreme Court had given green signal to the 2.5 billion rupees ''Yamuna Action Plan II'' and hoped that in 18 months time, the condition of the river would change.
The Yamuna Action Plan was launched in 1993, with the aim of conserving the river has met with no success despite billions being spent on it.
While 60 per cent of Delhi''s water needs are fulfilled by Yamuna, almost the same percentage of the city''s sewage finds its way into the river.
The national capital alone produces 3.6 billion litre of sewage every day, but due to poor management, less than half of it is effectively treated.
The remaining untreated waste is dumped into the Yamuna River.
After the innumerous failed attempts, there is one more effort to save India’s one of the most polluted and pious rivers, Yamuna. As per the news report of ANI, hundreds of delhiites, students and environmentalists have come forward in a campaign to save the river from further pollution.
In the last week of February 2009, all the enthusiastic gathered at the Jamia Milia Islamia University’s Ansari Auditorium holding placards and banners and raising slogans in favour of cleaning of the river Yamuna.
ANI writes in its news report, at the function, Tajendra Khanna, Delhi lieutenant Governor urged the residents to unite for the campaign.
He further said that the motive of this campaign was to increase the participation of people in the “Clean Yamuna Campaign”.
He also mentioned that the Supreme Court had given green signal to the 2.5 billion rupees ''Yamuna Action Plan II'' and hoped that in 18 months time, the condition of the river would change.
The Yamuna Action Plan was launched in 1993, with the aim of conserving the river has met with no success despite billions being spent on it.
While 60 per cent of Delhi''s water needs are fulfilled by Yamuna, almost the same percentage of the city''s sewage finds its way into the river.
The national capital alone produces 3.6 billion litre of sewage every day, but due to poor management, less than half of it is effectively treated.
The remaining untreated waste is dumped into the Yamuna River.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Impact of Climate Change
Dryland in IndiaPhoto Credit: UNDP
Kavas village, RajasthanPhoto Credit: UNDP
In the past two decades, four islands of Sundarbans - Bedford, Lohachara, Kabasgadi and Suparibhanga - have sunk into the sea and 6,000 families have been made homeless
Map of changes in the thickness of mountain glaciers since 1970. Orange and red colors indicate thinning, blue colors indicate thickening
Satellite image of Gangotri Glacier in India showing its decline since a maximum. It has been noticed that between 1977 and 1990, the Gangotri glacier retreated by as much as 364 meters or about one-third of a kilometer. 
Photo credit: Dunedin Canmore Housing AssociationA project in Slateford in Edinburgh, Scotland, which has built car-free eco-green housing
Photo credit: AkuppaPeople carrying banners and skeletons on the National Climate Change march in London on November 4, 2006
Photo credit: Mark Wolfe/FEMA photoThese images were taken by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in Gulfport, Mississippi, USA, on September 8 2005 and on August 11 2006, during and after the cleanup of debris from around the Memorial Hospital in Gulfport
More than 45 million cubic yards of land-based debris was left in Mississippi by Hurricane Katrina
Photo credit: Benjamin Pender
People carrying banners in the shape of cloud weather symbols on the National Climate Change march and Carnival of Climate Chaos in London on November 4 2006
People carrying banners in the shape of cloud weather symbols on the National Climate Change march and Carnival of Climate Chaos in London on November 4 2006
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