Carcinogenic benzene levels peak in Delhi

Alarmingly high levels of benzene have been reported in Delhi’s air. The levels in some areas like around IGI airport and Civil Lines, exceed the annual standard of 5 microgramme per cubic metre by 2 to 5 times. This is extremely worrying as benzene—a volatile compound of petrol—is a toxic air pollutant and a potent carcinogen. It can be extremely harmful even at trace amounts.

Garbage: Your Problem

There is just too much of it. And all of us contribute liberally every day. But what if the ragpicker doesn't come one day? What if the garbage-collecting truck doesn't arrive? What if... While most of us cover our noses with our handkerchiefs and look the other way, the estimated 30 million tonnes of solid waste that urban India produces each year is creating mountains of problems.

No relief for Lavasa yet

In a setback to Lavasa Corporation, the Bombay High Court has declined its request to stay the stop work order on the construction of the multi-crore township near Pune.

Novel land grab

with protests against land acquisition spreading across the country, state governments have realized that they cannot do without a dialogue with farmers--it's another matter that on most times there is less dialogue and more browbeating. But why does the state acquire land, ostensibly for public good, and then hand it over for private profits. Why cannot the industry directly negotiate with the villagers? Because that is an expensive proposition. So let the government wield its authority and use archaic laws to make way for a convenient entry.

Pune protests Dow research facility

the Maharashtra government has given away about 40 hectares (ha) of grazing land to Dow Chemicals for a research and development facility in Shendi village, 30 km from Pune. Villagers say they were kept in the dark about the Rs 400-crore facility and their dairy business suffered huge losses. Activists say there is no environmental impact assessment report for the project.

Market pulse

Lahu Fale does not have to think twice about market availability, price and transportation when it comes to deciding which crops to grow. Now he and other farmers in Pune's Kolwan Valley can sell their produce in the neighbourhood for a reasonable price. It was not always so. Earlier, the farmers used to wait for prices to rise in faraway markets, and when their produce would begin to rot they would sell in distress.

Industrialisation bringing acid rain to India

there is growing evidence to believe that the incidence of acid rain is increasing in India. Many experts link the phenomenon with increasing industrialisation in the country.

Newspaper pulp to treat zinc

could the old newspapers piling up in the storeroom help treat waste water? Experiments have shown how newspapers can be used to remove heavy metals from industrial waste water.

Logistics giant DHL goes eco-friendly

dhl is set to go green. The logistics company plans to transmute their entire overland fleet to lpg, a more eco-friendly fuel. The company has around 333 vehicles in India and during its first phase of its go-green campaign, the targets to transform 200 vehicles to the lpg mode. The programme has already been launched in Delhi, Kolkata, Pune and Chennai.

Online Traffic guide

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