The Centre for Science and Environment, a New Delhi-based public interest research and advocacy organisation, has called for a public transport strategy for the Northeast.

But co claims it gave up equity in state-owned holding firm for hydel projects on its own

Arunachal Pradesh, the epicentre of hydel power in India, has decided to reverse its contentious decision in 2009 to give 49% equity in its hydro-power corporation to the Naveen Jindal Group. The decision, taken last month, came after a backlash from government departments and other companies having hydel projects in the state against the joint venture, which was a departure from precedent as it effectively gave the Naveen Jindal Group a stake in every upcoming hydel project in Arunachal.

Meeting slated for May 1, makes strong case for hydro to be declared as renewable energy, Jyotiraditya Scindia

Union Power Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia will chair an advisory group on May 1 to discuss the bottlenecks in the development of hydro power projects, falling share of hydro power, delays in environment and forest clearances and high capital costs.
The group, which also includes high-profile private sector players, is expected to make a case for hydro power to be declared renewable energy, by making it obligatory to increase its share to 20 per cent of total generation by the 15th Plan from the present level of 16 per cent.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday presented to Sikkim an award for “extraordinary and innovative” work done by the State’s Rural Management and Development Department.

The Prime Minister presented a medal, a scroll and cash award of Rs 5 lakh to DR Nepal, secretary, Rural Management and Development Department, Sikkim, for exemplary performance of civil servants in the organizational category for year 2011–12, said a statement issued by Sikkim’s principal resident commissioner here.

In the backdrop of two strong earthquakes rocking Sikkim, the capital city of which is witnessing haphazard growth and mushrooming of multi-storey buildings, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) ha

Himachal Pradesh, known for its wide variety of fruit produce, could soon have competition from the faraway state of Sikkim. The former princely state in the northeast is foraying into cultivation of not only exotic items kiwifruit, but also more common varieties like apples, pears, pomegranate, almonds and walnuts.

“Introducing and cultivating kiwifruit and strawberry in this state is one of our success stories,” Dr Ashish Yadav, senior scientist at Indian Council for Agricultural Research’s regional centre, here said. “Given the soil and climatic conditions, there is vast potential for kiwifruit cultivation in Sikkim as also in other areas of the northeast India,” he added.

Arunachal Pradesh bagged an award in the Best State: Campaign Clean India category apart from winning a special prize for Most Innovative use of Information Technology at the National Tourism Awards function here on Monday.

However, none of the other northeastern states could make a mark in the event. Incidentally, two Delhi-based tour operators received awards for their operations in North East.

Gangtok: Sikkim is pushing its tourism envelope with a combination of nature and spirituality to preserve the essence of its Himalayan heritage and make a statement of sustainable growth in this age of manic concretization of the fragile hill environment.

Sample this: Laid out across 23 acres of lush slopes against a startling backdrop of the icy Kanchenjunga and the Maenam hills range in southern Sikkim’s Rabongla district shines the State’s newest tourism address – the Tathagata Tsal or the Buddha Park, nearly 65 km from Gangtok.

Gangtok, Feb 25: Greener, bigger, fresher and more wholesome than elsewhere in the country – that’s how vegetables appear here, in the manicured Saramsa Gardens, the venue of the Sikkim Internation