Varanasi: Groundwater in Varanasi and adjoining areas is contaminated with uranium, according to a study by a group of scientists. The study conducted by G.C. Chowdhary, former Professor at the Geology Department of Banaras Hindu University, and S.K. Agarwal, also a professor of Geology, has shown that the drinking water in the University premises and some other places in the city contains more radioactive uranium than the recommended limit. Samples for the study were collected from 11 tubewells tapping deep aquifers (more than 100 metre deep).

SANGUEM, JULY 13

Aiming to monitor the ambient air quality situation of the State, the Pollution Control Board, Assam has submitted a proposal to the Central Pollution Control Board for installation of 24 new stations, under National Air Quality Monitoring Programme, (NAMP) covering all the district head quarters, including four locations of Special Industrial interest. PCBA already has 11stations to monitor ambient air quality in the state, including four in Guwahati, data from which is being collated into a comprehensive format.

By S Lalitha,Bangalore: After a five-year battle, relief from air and noise pollution might finally be at hand for the residents of Accountant General's Office (AGS) Layout at Arehalli in Uttarahalli Hobli. That is, provided the management of StoveKraft Industries Pvt Ltd, a concern that manufactures aluminium pressure cookers in the vicinity, keeps up its word to relocate in a week's time (by July 9).

Chennai The Madras High Court has directed the Pollution Control Board (PCB) to issue notice to the stone crusher units in the cluster areas in Tirusoolam and Pallavaram near Chennai asking why their units should not be closed down if operated without the consent of the PCB and without complying with the norms laid down by the NEERI, irrespective of their distance from the residential area.

The popular "Jalavihar" on the banks of Hussainsagar lake adjoining the Necklace road has come under the scrutiny. The state government has constituted a three member committee for periodical inspection of the "Jalavihar Project" to avoid possible ecological imbalances due to illegal construction by company in violation of the approved plans. The AP Vigilance Commission has advised the government to conduct periodical inspection.

Mumbai, June 29 With the city topping the list in generating the highest amount of electronic waste in the country, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) along with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) will soon be searching for a landfill site exclusive to treat and dump e-waste as a pilot project.

Ludhiana, June 23 Industry and the Buddah nullah are not the only factors to be blamed for the fish mortality witnessed at Harike Pattan downstream. While teams from the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University have dispatched their separate teams to look into the factors, yet experts say presence of high level of muddy waters in canals, reduction of dissolved oxygen in water, pesticides leeching into canals due to rains or rivalry between fish contractors could also contribute to this kind of mortality.

Sanjeev Ramachandran The Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), which had kicked off measures to encourage manufacturing and service organisations to make sustained efforts to protect environment and control all types of pollution, recently picked the Palakkad plant of United Breweries (UB) Ltd for its State Pollution Control Award for year 2007.

Residents of Maina, Cavrem, Pirla and adjoining villages of Quepem taluka on Saturday vehemently opposed the public hearing of two proposed mines and managed to get the public hearing of one proposed mine cancelled on technical grounds. The Goa Pollution Control Board (GPCB) had fixed three public hearings at the Chandreshwar temple hall at Cotta-Amona in Quepem taluka, to invite public opinion on the proposed renewal of mining leases at Maina and Pirla villages. The meetings were presided over by Additional Collector-II Y B Tavde and Assistant Env. Engineer (GSPCB) Sanjeev Joglekar.