Karnataka environmentalists have alleged that the state's pollution control board has not dealt firmly with highly polluting industries.

Most of the permits to pollute set up for auction by the US Environmental Protection Agency could not be sold, as the bidding failed to reach the designated minimum price.

"MARBLE, no; water, yes," shouted demonstrators at a recent rally in Kathmandu, demanding an immediate end to quarrying in the Godavari hills of the picturesque valley in which the capital

The proposed energy tax has run into heavy weather in Europe, despite strong backing from Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands.

A private firm, Eastern ANning Ud, is scheduled to boon large scale operations in a sao" already ravaged by several small mining ventures. But skft officials seem blissfully ignorant of the threat.