The state government has asked the Mahanadi Coalfield Ltd (MCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Ltd (CIL), to pay a fine of Rs 1,306 crore for mining coal without environment clearance in the Ib valley area.

It said, MCL had resorted to illegal extraction of coal in the absence of statutory clearances and therefore, is liable to pay the penalty amount. Earlier, the Deputy Director of Mines (DDM), Sambalpur circle, had issued a demand notice to MCL for payment of Rs 862.58 crore as fine.

In a bid to increase green cover, Odisha government has set a target to undertake plantation in over two lakh hectare ahead of the monsoon at an expenditure of Rs 183 crore.

Reliance Infrastructure has given an assurance to the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) that low hanging power lines that had resulted in the electrocution of 99 elephants in Orissa will b

It is a tiny piece of heaven on the Odisha coast. The Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary is where the world's largest living reptile, the estuarine crocodile, is thriving amidst sylvan surroundings after having been brought back from the brink. But now there is trouble with the reptile population booming, posing a threat to the natural balance.

From a strength of 96 crocodiles in 1976, the population now stands at 1,646. A boat ride in some areas can yield crocodile sightings as frequent as one croc a minute, according to a conservationist.

BHUBANESWAR: Experts have called for inculcation of proper sanitary and personal hygiene habits among children right from their early age to tackle the menace of enteric diseases.

Posco India on Wednesday pressed for handing over of 2,700 acres of land to the company for start of construction of its much hyped project in the state.

The company also scotched all speculation about downsizing the project due to constraints in land acquisition. The speculation had gained ground after the South Korean ambassador, Kim Joong-Keun, who visited the state on May 2, said, Posco would a build a smaller size plant if there is problem in acquiring the full 4,004 acres for the 12 million tonne project.

The 3,000MW NTPC-Kaniha power station which consumes about 55,000 tonne of coal per day has introduced various environment friendly steps to control both water and air pollution strictly as per the norms of state pollution control board.

According to the plant authorities, this ultra modern plant is equipped with electro static precipitator having efficiency of more than 99% for controlling air pollution. The details of emission and environment related data of the plant are scrutinized by government authorities from time to time.

Kendrapada: The World Bank authorities have expressed displeasure over the inordinate delay in handover of the roadside land required for widening of the 106-KM long Cuttack-Chandballi State Highwa

BHUBANESWAR: With patience running thin after a long wait to see its greenfield projects in Odisha and Jharkhand take off, ArcelorMittal seems to have learnt it the hard way that the wait has to be

BHUBANESWAR: With many areas in the Capital city facing water crisis during summer, renovation of ponds and other water bodies has become a necessity.