Air pollution in Jaipur has reached a critical level as a result of growing number of vehicles and resultant congestion. The air quality is affected by rising levels of particulate and nitrogen oxide contamination. Moreover, rapidly growing number of vehicles may undo any gains the Pink City might have made.

These are some of the findings of a new study-cum-citizens' survey conducted by the Centre for Science & Environment which were released at a city-level dialogue organised in association with the Jaipur Development Authority here. The survey found a belief among 88 per cent of Jaipur residents that the city's air pollution levels have worsened.

Jaipur: With the Sariska tiger translocation project bearing fruit in the form of two cubs, the stage is set for Sariska to get three more tigers. In fact, the second phase of the translocation will see the forest department trying to introduce fresh blood into the 866 sq km forest.

“Plans have been finalized for the shifting of three big cats to Sariska. One of the tigress will be from Ranthambore and two more (one male and one female) will be relocated from outside the state. It could either be from Madhya Pradesh or Maharashtra and we are talking to both the states,” says V S Singh, additional chief secretary, environment and forest, government of Rajasthan.

JAIPUR: The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) citizen's survey findings have offered the authorities real-time data to take some urgent steps to check rising pollution levels and encourage walking and cycling as feasible options for residents to travel small distances.

The report stated that 40% residents prefer to walk or cycle to nearby destinations in the city. This is an indication enough for the state to realize that given an option of walker-friendly roads, many would prefer to walk over using private cars to travel.

JAIPUR: With nearly 400 vehicles being added to the city's burgeoning fleet of private cars and commercial vehicles, the level of air population has sharply gone up along with a corresponding rise in the number of people suffering from respiratory problems.

In an alarming report prepared by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the air pollution in Jaipur has reached a critical level. The report also highlighted the deteriorating air quality of Jaipur, and stated that the pollution level is 2.8 times higher than the normal. A citizen's survey conducted by CSE found out that nearly 88% residents of Jaipur believe that the city's air pollution levels have increased. Nearly 94% said the cases of respiratory diseases are on the rise.

JAIPUR: To expedite the completion of the project, the Jaipur Development Authority will provide financial assistance to companies involved in construction of Durgapura elevated road.

With companies facing financial crunch, the project has suffered delay and the deadline has now been extended from July to December 2012. JDA has already changed the deadline thrice.

JAIPUR: The Rajasthan high court has given the state government till October 12 to remove all mobile towers from schools.

First Solar Inc, Mahindra Solar One Pvt. Ltd., and Kiran Energy Solar Power Pvt. Ltd., have signed an agreement for the supply of advanced, thin-film solar modules for two solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants of 50 MW to be set up in Rajasthan.

The two adjacent projects, which together will be one of India’s largest PV installations upon completion, are part of the second batch of utility-scale solar projects concluded under India’s Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (NSM). The NSM aims to install 20,000 MW of new solar electricity generating capacity by 2022.

JAIPUR: The recommendation of the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to increase safety zones (eco-sensitive zones) around wildlife sanctuaries and national parks from 100 meters to 2 km from the park's boundary has not come as a shock. Given the current scenario, this would not make any difference.

The note, prepared by CEC member secretary M K Jiwrajka, and submitted to the SC, has categorized Protected Areas (PAs) in four groups and the safety zone to be notified thereon. It suggests that parks above 500 sq km will be under Category-A and its safety zone will be 2 km from boundary. Similarly, for Category-B (between 200 sq km & 500 sq km) the safety zone may be 1km from boundary.

JAIPUR: As thousands of delegates gather in India for the 11th Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Hyderabad, from 8 - 19 October 2012, a new initiative will be unveiled to help countries meet some of their obligations under the legally-binding treaty whilst also reducing poverty.

It will show how the two seemingly disparate worlds of poverty eradication and biodiversity conservation are linked, and its launch comes ahead of the UN's International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October.

JAIPUR: The " Rozi Roti Adhikar Yatra" (rally for right to food and employment) that was flagged off from Udaipur district on September 30, reached Jaipur on Saturday after traversing through six districts where it created awareness among people to fight for food security for all without distinction on economic criteria.

Several other rallies in the state to demand an effective national food security legislation started from different directions in the state (Barmer, Hanumangarh, Bikaner and Alwar) also reached Jaipur and culminated in a public assembly at Statue Circle.