Call to solve Siliguri pollution problems
Concerned about the rising pollution levels in Siliguri, a voluntary organisation on Tuesday sought measures to be taken against the same. Members of the Green Forum also demanded that authorities concerned
Statesman (Kolkata)
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From garbage to green power
Residents of Howrah may finally heave a sigh of relief as it will not be long before the garbage dump at Belgacchia in Howrah is turned into a green power plant. The Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC) has already prepared the letter of intent (LOI). It will be sent to the state government for approval and then sent to Solid Waste Electricity Company (Selco) International Limited, the company which has bagged the project, for its perusal. An official of the building and planning department of the civic body, said: "The letter has been drafted, it just needs the state government's approval before being sent to Selco. Once LOI reaches Selco, it will then have to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for which we have given them 10 days time. Selco will then have to get clearance from the environment department as well as the Pollution Control Board.' He added that once all these formalities are completed, the memorandum of understanding (MoU) will be signed. At the time of signing of MoU, Selco will be paying Rs 10 lakh to the HMC as guarantee. Selco, the Hyderabad-based company, will then get 18 months time to complete the power plant project. However, it may be granted an extended time of six months if it is unable to complete the project within 18 months, owing to any unavoidable circumstances. The official further added that a power purchase agreement (PPA) will be signed between Selco, HMC and West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency (WBREDA) only when the green plant starts producing electricity. Though the official refused to divulge details of the tariffs the civic body has set to impose on Selco, he said that HMC will be enjoying major benefits. The decision to turn the huge heap of garbage at Belgacchia into a green plant was taken in June last year by WBREDA, HMC and DM. However, it took some months before Selco was chosen for the project, defeating two foreign investors, one each from China and the USA. Mr Imitiaz Ahmed, MMiC (garbage and conservancy), said: "We had invited global tenders and so even foreign companies had shown interest in the project. However, Selco was selected as it had the right expertise and suited the interests of the civic body.' The HMC will supply about 600 metric tons of garbage every day which will generate 6 MW power. The project is the first of its kind in West Bengal.
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Sunukpahari ~ Bankura's new tourist hub
Tourism has become a part of Bankura ever since other parts of the state came to know about places like Jhilimili, Mukutmonipur, Bishnupur. The district has been trying for the past few years to woo the tourists who would be interested in exploring the unique natural beauty of Bankura. Last week a new tourist destination, Sunukpahari was added to the district tourism map.
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Singur cars in June likely
The trial production of the Tata Motors' controversial small car will begin at Singur in June or July to be followed by commercial production around October, Mr Ravi Kant, its managing director, said today after reviewing the progress of the ongoing construction. However, the Trinamul Congress greeted the announcement with a fresh threat that no car would be allowed to roll out of the factory till land is returned to the unwilling farmers who hadn't given their consent to its acquisition by the state government.
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State's model to be emulated by others
At a time when the poor infrastructure of the state's heath department has been constantly inviting criticism from every nook and corner, a model developed in West Bengal to reduce mortality rate of newborns, has been praised and recognised by the United Nations. The newborn care unit model of the state, known as the Purulia model, would be adopted by the other states to bring down children mortality rate under United Nations Millennium Development Goal-IV (UNMDG-IV). Such states include ~ Orissa, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
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Eco-friendly plan for permanent fair ground
Saving the Maidan's green cover from pollution and turning it into the Guild's "permanent fair ground' is possible, provided the state government, the pollution control board and the ordinary book lover unite, city-based environmentalists said. The 32nd Kolkata Book Fair could not be held this year, due to the lack of a "permanent fair ground' and a token book fair is being organised at the Salt Lake stadium in March. Environmentalists think the amount of footfall at the book fair and pollution from vehicles are the two factors harmful to the Maidan's environment.
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Leather factory gutted
KOLKATA, Feb. 17: A three-storeyed leather goods manufacturing unit in Kasba Industrial Estate was completely gutted and leather products worth several lakhs were reduced to ashes in a fire that broke out around 8 am today. However, there were no reports of any injury or casualty. Seventeen fire tenders fought the blaze for more than five hours before bringing it under control.
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FAO team pleased with Nadia Flu control
KRISHNAGAR, Feb 13: A team of invigilators consisting of two members from Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) visited the Krishnagar-I block today, to review the preventive measures taken by the district administration in view of the resent outbreak of Avian Influenza. Dr Mahendra Singh Oberoy, from Kathmandu, Nepal and Dr Subhash Morzaria from Bangkok, Thailand are the two members of FAO, the UN body that concentrates on trans-boundary animal diseases. The current focus of the organisation is on Avian Influenza.
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Drive to wean schoolkids away from tobacco
KOLKATA, Feb. 13: School-going children in West Bengal are more prone to get addicted to tobacco products. Thanks to the lack of awareness among people in these parts about the dangers of tobacco use. This was revealed by a voluntary organisation, West Bengal Voluntary Health Association (WBVHA) this afternoon who have been engaged by the Union health ministry to spread awareness about the ill-effects of tobacco.
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UN experts review flu situation
KOLKATA, Feb. 11: Experts from Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) today visited bird flu-affected areas of the state ahead of the review meeting to be held by the state government to discuss lifting the ban on chicken trading and transportation.
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Saving the Sunderbans
Bali Island (Sundarbans), Feb. 11: With the Sundarbans, the world's largest estuarine delta sinking by 2.5 mm every year, thanks to global warming, the British Deputy High Commission yesterday initiated a program to combat the adverse impacts of climate change.