Commercially viable low-on-emission hydrogen fuel cell buses may soon become a regular feature on the roads of metro cities beginning with Delhi. Funded by the Global Environmental Facility project on climatic change, they will form an essential part of the urban mass transit system. The project is to be developed and introduced within a year.

Strict implementation of the Forest Conservation Act, passed in 1980, and the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the biggest buyer of mica, has affected Bihar's trade in the mineral. The number of leases registered for mining by the Department of Mining in Bihar, has come down from 200 to 41.

The misuse of funds to bring relief to Kalahandi, Bolangir and Koraput which have been reeling under famine, has been responsible for the starvation deaths, according to a Parliamentary Committee report.

Coffee production in India is likely to be hit by the failure of showers during the 1998-99 season, according to industry sources.

Cherapunji which has been receiving the highest rainfall in the world is facing acute shortage of potable water.

NTPC, India's number one power generating company, is planning to enter into hydel power generation and non-conventional energy sector, including solar.

The first ever International environment India 98 exhibition, conference and film festival was held in New Delhi. Fifty two organisations from eight countries participated in the exhibition.

A unique management course on effective monitoring of vegetational changes and structural management decisions based on these findings was presented by five institutes led by the Indian Institute of Bio-Social Research and Development. Participants from eight countries completed the three-week course on participatory resource assessment and planning.

A national level seminar on "Forests for People' will be held by the Forest Department to mark 50 years of India's Independence as well as its 150th anniversary.