The construction of the tallest dam in India on river Dibang in Arunachal Pradesh has been delayed. Reason: the promoters of the project, central government owned National Hydro Power Corporation (nhpc), did not submit the proposal, for environmental clearance, in time. The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has now asked for a fresh proposal and a fresh public hearing to get approval of

Vegetarians less bony: Going vegetarian could reduce one

Mixed signals on CMZ The coastal management zone (CMZ) notification proposed in place of the existing coastal regulations seems to be stalled for now. Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh met representatives of fishing communities on July 2 and assured them their concerns will be addressed. But fishers were surprised four days later by a letter from the ministry asking them to attend

No humans in manholes: On June 23, the Madras High Court asked the state to nominate members to a committee to oversee implementation of the court order banning human entry into sewer lines and septic tanks. The committee would comprise members from the water supply and sewerage board and Chennai Corporation. The court also asked the government to invite voluntary and technical organizations

Probir Banerjee, president of citizens

Section 377 of the penal code will apply only to child abuse THE Delhi High Court has de-criminalized consensual gay sex between adults. In its order passed on June 2, the court said Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, relating to unnatural offences, would now apply only to cases of child abuse and rape. The court was hearing a 2001 petition filed by the non-profit, Naz Foundation

Easing traffic the Beijing way impractical for Mumbai says government traffic curbs suggested by the Bombay High Court to reduce congestion in Mumbai has been termed impractical by Maharashtra. On June 10, the court had asked the state to try out a traffic restraint scheme. It entailed private vehicles bearing registration numbers ending in particular digits are kept off the road on certain

Pilgrimage comes to a halt horses, mules and donkeys in Uttarakhand are suffering from flu. The symptoms are the same as in human beings

Chairperson of expert committee on hydro-power projects resigns the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (moef) will change members or heads of expert committees if any conflict of interest is perceived in clearing projects, said union minister Jairam Ramesh. Ramesh said two of the eight expert panels would be reconstituted soon. The two panels clear mining and thermal power

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