Cylinder Maintenance

July 17, 2014, 10:36 pm

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Cylinder Maintenance

Correct cylinder maintenance is vital. If grit, dirt, oil or water get into the cylinder valve then safety and/or quality may be compromised.

Valve maintenance

If grit, dirt, oil or water enters the cylinder valve then safety and/or quality may be compromised and gas leakage may occur.
Before assembling regulators and fittings, it is extremely important to ensure there are no particles of dirt in the cylinder outlet.
If a supply of clean compressed air or nitrogen is available this should be used to blow out any loose particles of dirt from the valve sockets.
Please note: eye protection must be worn during this operation.
Where clean compressed air or nitrogen is not available, particles of dirt and residual moisture can be removed by 'cracking' open and immediately closing the valve (otherwise known as 'snifting').
Please note: when 'snifting' you must take the following safety precautions:

always wear eye protection
ensure there is no possible source of ignition within the vicinity
stand clear of the gas stream
on no account deflect the gas stream with the hand or the face
be aware of the potential noise hazard and take precautions if necessary
in the case of high purity gases such as argon, it is recommended that you dry the outlet of the cylinder valve with a clean cloth before snifting
never snift hydrogen as it may ignite spontaneously
never snift toxic gases: instead, carefully inspect the outlet and if there are any signs of dirt, blow it out with a jet of clean compressed air or nitrogen

If the valve outlet contains oil then do not attempt to use the cylinder; it must be returned to BOC.

Avoiding cylinder contamination – backflow

Backflow occurs when air enters a cylinder by flowing through an open valve or an empty cylinder.
Safety hazards can be created if contaminants are allowed to pass back into the cylinder.
Precautions must be taken to ensure that backflow of liquid or gas does not occur either when the cylinder is in use or when it is in store after being emptied.

Preventative measures

To avoid moisture and other contaminants entering the cylinder, the valve must be closed immediately after the gas has been used.
When cylinders are connected to a process in which the process pressure can exceed the cylinder supply pressure, it is extremely important to ensure adequate precautions are taken to avoid backflow in the cylinder.

The following should be observed:

always close the supply cylinder valve when not in use
never leave an empty cylinder connected to a process
never use a cylinder as a receiver for waste gas, liquid or other material
fit preventative equipment

Fit a non-return valve or check valve

This is the simplest and cheapest method of preventing backflow, but it must be considered as the minimum requirement.
These valves require regular maintenance as particulate matter or corrosive conditions can prevent resealing.

Fit an automatic shut-off/isolation-valve

This is activated by a low pressure signal when the supply gas cylinder pressure reaches a level which requires the cylinder to be replaced.
An alarm should normally be incorporated into the system to alert the operator.

What to do if your cylinder becomes contaminated

If you suspect a cylinder has become contaminated, by whatever means or whatever the contamination, you must inform BOC immediately.
Before the cylinder is returned, please ensure that you label the cylinder and provide any relevant information about the known or suspected contamination.
This information is required even if the contaminant, such as water, has been emptied out of the cylinder before return.

Please note:

never let oil or grease touch a cylinder or fittings. Lubrication of cylinder valves and fittings is highly dangerous as well as unnecessary. High pressure oxygen will react violently with grease; it may explode or ignite violently
never use jointing compounds. Do not apply white or red lead, jointing compounds or jointing tape to any cylinders, valves or fittings
oxygen equipment is at most risk from oil and grease: greasy hands, rags and gloves must not come into contact with any part of the cylinder or fittings

normal body oils do not usually cause contamination, but it is a sensible precaution never to touch any surface which is subject to oxygen under pressure

Compressed Gas Cylinder Quiz

Click on the grey button beside the correct answer


1	If the regulator to an oxygen cylinder is difficult to thread, you should:
		Oil the threads
		Return the cylinder or regulator to supplier
		Use a crescent wrench to tighten it
		Use a regulator from a nitrogen cylinder


2	If you find a compressed gas cylinder without a label, you should:
		Make your best guess as to what the gas is, based on cylinder color
		Attach a regulator and test the gas
		Mark the contents "unknown" and return immediately to the supplier
		Segregate in a storage closet until identification can be made safely


3	It is safe to conduct minor repairs on the valves of cylinders containing "harmless" gases.
		True
		False




4	Cylinders may safely be secured by:
		Duct tape
		Bracing the cylinder on two sides by non-movable objects such as a refrigerator and storage bench
		Chains
		All of the above


5	When equipment is left unattended or not operating, cylinder valves should always be:
		Closed
		Left open




6	Oxygen cylinder valves should be opened all the way.
		True
		False




7	Which type of cylinder should never be stored on its side?
		Acetylene
		Helium
		Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
		Oxygen


8	Cylinders containing flammable gases shall not be stored near:
		Areas where electrical sparks might be generated
		Bunsen burners
		Pilot lights
		All of the above


9	It is acceptable to use plastic piping for parts of a high pressure system.
		True
		False




10	Cylinders should never be rolled or dragged
		True
		False

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India facilitates entry into force of Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing

July 17, 2014, 11:26 pm

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India facilitates entry into force of Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing
The Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar today made a suo moto statement on the floor of Lok Sabha regarding India facilitating entry into force of Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing.

The Minister stated that the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing translates and gives practical effect to the equity provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The landmark treaty has received the requisite number of ratifications during India`s Presidency of the Conference of Parties for its entry into force. The Minister congratulated his counterparts for making this happen. The Minister further mentioned that a new era has now ushered in for implementation of CBD that would contribute to achieving sustainable development and a glorious future for all living beings inhabiting our mother Earth.

Ratification of the Nagoya Protocol by 51 Parties to the CBD is also a major step towards achieving the first of the global Aichi Biodiversity Targets (Target 16 that by 2015, the Nagoya Protocol is in force and operational), and that too more than a year before its target date, which is quite unprecedented. The pivotal role played by India in achieving this remarkable feat once again showcases India’s leadership on biodiversity in the global arena.

The Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) will enter into force on 12 October 2014, 90th day of receiving the required 50th instrument of ratification on 14th July 2014.

The Nagoya Protocol was adopted at the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) held in Nagoya in October 2010. The Protocol significantly advances the objective of the Convention on the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources by providing greater legal certainty and transparency for both providers and users of genetic resources including researchers and industry. By promoting the use of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge, and by strengthening the opportunities for fair and equitable sharing of benefits from their use, the Protocol will create incentives to conserve biodiversity, sustainably use its components, and further enhance the contribution of biodiversity to sustainable development and human well-being.

India has been a victim of misappropriation or biopiracy of our genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge, which have been patented in other countries (well known examples include neem and haldi). It is expected that the Nagoya Protocol on ABS which is a key missing pillar of the CBD, would address this concern.

In order to prevent biopiracy, the Government of India in 2002 brought out domestic legislation for ABS, namely, Biological Diversity Act, 2002. After requisite number of ratifications of Nagoya Protocol and its becoming an international law from 12th October, 2014, this will supplement our domestic efforts.

India, having hosted CoP-11 to the CBD in Hyderabad in October 2012, is currently the President of CoP till CoP-12 to be held in Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea in October 2014.

Facilitating early entry into force of this landmark international treaty has been a priority of India as CoP President. Towards this, India has made significant efforts in the last 21 months through political and diplomatic channels.

CP/GV
(Release ID :106871)

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Proposal under consideration for setting up Petroleum and Natural Gas Industry Safety Board

July 17, 2014, 11:28 pm

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Proposal under consideration for setting up Petroleum and Natural Gas Industry Safety Board
The Minister of State (I/C) in the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply today that a separate proposal for setting up of Petroleum & Natural Gas Industry Safety Board (PNGISB) is under consideration in the Ministry.

Gas pipelines are built as per international standards/regulations and the operation and maintenance of the pipelines is also carried out at par with global practices. Gas pipelines are subject to periodic audits by PNGRB/OISD. Safety audits are carried out at regular intervals and the observations during audit are complied with.

In order to ensure safety and security of gas pipelines, various measures are already in place which are being carried out regularly. These include periodical internal cleaning, cathodic protection to prevent external corrosion and intelligent pigging of pipelines to identify internal metal loss, daily foot patrolling in populated/urban centers, periodical technical audit of the pipeline operations and maintenance by authorities such as PNGRB and OISD. Further, after the recent disaster at the GAIL pipeline in Andhra Pradesh, the following actions are being taken by GAIL to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future:

(i) Gas sampling and analysis at source point.

(ii) Undertaking review and benchmarking of standard operating processes with respect to global pipeline operators.

(iii) Creation of pipeline health monitoring group to monitor pipeline integrity and safety.

(iv) Increased frequency of internal cleaning of pipelines.

(v) Intense technical audit of pipeline operations and maintenance by statutory authorities.

(vi) Increased frequency of various pipeline monitoring activities.

Further, recommendations of the Committee constituted to look into the causes of the fire at IOCL’s terminal at Sanganer, Jaipur are being followed by the Oil Marketing Companies. Almost 80% of the recommendations aimed at preventing recurrence of fire accidents in oil and gas installations have been complied with.

****

YKB
(Release ID :106758)

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Gas supply hit after GAIL pipeline blast

July 18, 2014, 11:05 am

≫ Next: Most countries that manufacture fertilizers have introduced regulatory initiatives to reinforce safety over the years

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Gas supply hit after GAIL pipeline blast

Our Bureau

Kakinada, July 18:

Natural gas supply to several industries and power plants in East Godavari district has been affected after the GAIL gas pipeline blast at Nagaram village in East Godavari district on June 27 and most of them have halted production or generation. GAIL has stopped gas supply to Nagarjuna Fertilisers and Chemicals Ltd (NFCL) unit here and also the Spectrum power plant. The NFCL production of 4,600 tonnes of urea per day has been stopped for nearly three weeks. Spectrum as well as Reliance power plant at Samalkot had been affected and they have stopped power generation. As the kharif season is beginning, if the production is not resumed at the NFCL, it may lead to shortage of urea. Power generation at Lanco power plant at Kondapalli near Vijayawada has also been affected for want of gas.

(This article was published on July 18, 2014)

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/gas-supply-hit-after-gail-pipeline-blast/article6225931.ece

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Most countries that manufacture fertilizers have introduced regulatory initiatives to reinforce safety over the years

July 19, 2014, 12:47 am

≫ Next: What you can do to keep you and your family safe at home

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Most countries that manufacture fertilizers have introduced regulatory initiatives to reinforce safety over the years, in particular:

Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) adopted by the United States in 1970. The resulting annual US benchmarking index compares the safety performance of the different fertilizer manufacturers.

Directive (91/115/EEC) and its amendment (93/112/EEC) implemented in the European Community, define the safety information to be given on fertilizer products, as well as the way in which it must be expressed.

Awareness and Preparedness for Emergencies on a Local Level (APELL) is a programme developed by UNEP in conjunction with governments and industry with the purpose of minimizing the occurrence and harmful effects of technological accidents and environmental emergencies.
The strategy of the APELL approach is to identify and create awareness of risks in an industrialized community, to initiate measures for risk reduction and mitigation, and to develop coordinated preparedness between the industry, the local authorities and the local population.

Since 1950, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have shared a common definition of occupational health:

"Occupational health should aim at: the promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations; the prevention amongst workers of departures from health caused by their working conditions; the protection of workers in their employment from risks resulting from factors adverse to health; the placing and maintenance of the worker in an occupational environment adapted to his physiological and psychological capabilities; and, to summarize, the adaptation of work to man and of each man to his job."

Occupational safety and health involves the protection of the safety, health and welfare of people engaged in work or employment. The concept can also be expanded to include the protection of:

co-workers,
family members,
employers,
customers,
suppliers,
nearby communities,
other members of the public who are impacted by industrial activities.
IFA developed a series of 12 principles for use in fertilizer operations globally.

All members shall:
demonstrate leadership and management commitment with regards to safety, security, health and environmental issues in fertilizer production, distribution and sales;
strive for zero harm and adverse environmental impact whilst maintaining a healthy work place for all employees and contractual staff.
All members shall ensure that safety, security, health and environment issues are integrated into their corporate policy and receive the utmost importance and priority;
ensure adequate financial and human resources for continual improvement of safety, security, health and the environment performance.
All members shall comply with local safety, security, health and environmental laws and strive to embrace international laws and best practices as much as possible;
establish and improve their safety, security, health and environmental performance through annual objectives, targets or key performance indicators.
All members shall establish adequate procedures and controls to ensure that safety, security, health and environment are not jeopardized at any time or in any form;
ensure that all employees and contractual staff have the right competence and are adequately trained and informed about safety, security, health and environment related to their specific activities, and shall encourage the participation of employees and contractual staff for further improvements.
All members shall adhere to the principles of hazard and risk assessment in evaluating all their activities to ensure that safety, security, health and environment standards are continually enhanced;
strive to subscribe to safety, security, health and environment management systems that will be subjected to internal and external auditing.
All members shall voluntarily share information with regards to experiences and lessons related to safety, health and the environment with all employees and contractual staff, and with other IFA members, unless under legal constraints or if the information is of proprietary nature;
strive to continually promote safety, security, health and environmental matters to enhance the social responsibility and accountability of the global fertilizer industry.

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What you can do to keep you and your family safe at home

July 19, 2014, 12:56 am

≫ Next: MH17 crash: Ukraine accuses rebels of destroying evidence

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What you can do to keep you and your family safe at home
Keeping your family out of harm’s way is your Number 1 priority. Unfortunately, many of our homes can be dangerous – preventable injuries and deaths continue to rise in homes and communities.
The Council estimates everyday approximately 245 people die of unintentional injuries in homes and communities. In 2007, the six leading causes of unintentional injury death in the U.S. were:

Motor vehicle crashes
Poisonings, including unintentional overdoses
Falls
Choking
Drowning
Fires, flames and smoke

When someone is injured, the effects go beyond that person and extend to family members, friends, neighbors, employers and communities. The key to preventing injuries is making simple changes to your lifestyle - recognizing where most hazards are and how injuries can occur when participating in different activities.
Below are a few of the many strategies to prevent injuries:

Stay off your cell phone when you aredriving. Your safety practices directly influence the safety practices of your children.
Get trained in first aid, CPR and AED online or in a classroom.
Check and if necessary, change the batteries on yoursmoke and carbon monoxide detector.
Properly dispose of unused and expired medications.

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MH17 crash: Ukraine accuses rebels of destroying evidence

July 19, 2014, 8:04 am

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MH17 crash: Ukraine accuses rebels of destroying evidence

of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.

The BBC's Richard Galpin describes "horrific scenes in beautiful fields" where MH17 came down

MH17 crash

Ukraine has accused pro-Russian militiamen at the site of the Malaysia Airlines crash of trying to destroy evidence of an "international crime".

For a second day, OSCE monitors at the scene have had their movements restricted by militiamen.
Reports that bodies have been moved prompted anger from the Netherlands. Most of passengers were Dutch.
The jet was reportedly hit by a missile over a rebel-held area in east Ukraine on Thursday. All 298 people died.
Both Ukraine and the rebels have accused each other of shooting it down.
The Boeing 777 flight MH17 was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. It fell between Krasni Luch in Luhansk region and Shakhtarsk in the neighbouring region of Donetsk.
The passenger list released by Malaysia Airlines shows the plane was carrying 192 Dutch nationals (including one with dual US citizenship), 44 Malaysians (including 15 crew), 27 Australians, 12 Indonesians and 10 Britons (including one with dual South African citizenship), four Germans, four Belgians, three from the Philippines, and one each from Canada and New Zealand.
Pressure on Russia In a statement, the Ukrainian government complained that pro-Russian rebels had removed 38 bodies from the site and taken them to a morgue in the rebel-held city of Donetsk.
The BBC's Richard Galpin, who is at the crash site, says he saw bodies being removed by emergency workers, but it was not clear where they were being taken, nor whether the workers were loyal to the rebels or the government in Kiev.

Rescue workers carry the body of one of the victims. Photo: 19 July 2014

The UN Security Council has called for a full and independent international investigation into the crash

Flowers, teddy bears and a note reading "Remember. Mourn" lie at the crash site. Photo: 19 July 2014

The tragedy has sent shocked the world community

OSCE monitors (right) and a pro-Russian gunman at the crash site. Photo: 19 July 2014

OSCE monitors say pro-Russian gunmen again blocked their access to the wreckage

Analysis: Bridget Kendall, BBC News, Moscow Both Britain and the US are now publicly pointing the finger at rebels in eastern Ukraine and maybe Russia as well.
Both say they think the Malaysian airliner was probably shot down by a missile fired from rebel-held territory - and perhaps with Russian help.
But turn on Russian TV and you enter a parallel universe, where Kiev, not Moscow, is the likely culprit: speculation that Ukrainian jets may have tailed the airliner before it crashed; colourful theories that maybe Ukrainian forces were really trying to target Putin's Presidential jet and got the wrong plane.
The question is which version is shaping President Putin's thinking. And whose opinion will he bear in mind as he decides how to handle this crisis.

Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans, who is visiting Ukraine, said he had been "shocked" by the reported removals.
"As soon as we receive proof, we will not rest until those guilty are put to trial - not only those who pulled the trigger, but also those who made it possible," he said.
The Ukrainian government also said the rebels were trying to transport the plane's wreckage to Russia.
The world community, Ukraine added, must put pressure on Russia to pull back its "terrorists" and allow Ukrainian and international experts to carry out their inquiry.

An armed man stops traffic near the site of the crash of a Malaysia Airlines plane in rebel-held east Ukraine, on 19 July 2014

Access to the crash site is being restricted by armed men

Speaking in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Transport Minister Liow Tiong-Lai said it would be "inhumane" if Malaysian experts would not be given access to the crash site.
He also expressed concern that the site was not properly sealed and could be tampered with.
The monitors from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is now at the crash site.
OSCE spokesman Michael Bociurkiw said access had improved from Friday and that the monitors were seeing parts of the field they had not seen before.
However he added that their movement were still being restricted by the rebels. "We are unarmed civilians, we are not in the position to argue heavily with people with heavy arms," he said.
'Act of terrorism' On Saturday the Russian foreign ministry urged both sides in the Ukrainian conflict "to do everything possible to give international experts access to the aircraft crash".
Earlier, the Russian defence ministry accused the West of waging an information war against Moscow. It challenged Ukraine to produce details of what its anti-aircraft systems were doing at the time of the crash.
Confusion remains as to whether the plane's flight recorders - the so-called black boxes - have been found.
After initial claims that they had been located, and one sent to Russia, a Donetsk separatist leader, Aleksander Borodai said they had been not yet been discovered.
Ukraine's government called Thursday's disaster an "act of terrorism" and released what they say are intercepted phone conversations that proved the plane was shot down by separatists.
Ukrainian officials also said they had evidence Russia military personnel operated a sophisticated Buk missile system that is thought to have been used to shoot down the plane.
The pro-Russian separatists claim a Ukrainian air force jet brought down the airliner.

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Inter-Linking of Rivers

July 19, 2014, 9:37 pm

≫ Next: Death toll from super typhoon Rammasun rises to 17 in China

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Inter-Linking of Rivers

Out of 46 proposals of intra-state links received by National Water Development Agency (NWDA) from nine States, the Burhi Gandak-Noon-Baya-Ganga Link of Bihar, Kosi-Mechi Link of Bihar, Ponnair-Palar Link of Tamil Nadu, Wainganga-Nalganga Link of Maharashtra and Barakar-Damodar-Subernarekha Link of Jharkhand have been taken up for the preparation of DPR by NWDA on the request made by the concerned States. The DPRs of two intra-state links i.e. Burhi Gandak-Noon-Baya-Ganga Link Project and Kosi-Mechi Link Project have been completed and sent to Government of Bihar in December, 2013 and March, 2014 respectively.

Based on the concurrence of the concerned States, three links namely Ken-Betwa Link, Damanganga - Pinjal link and Par-Tapi-Narmada link have been taken up for the preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) by the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) out of 30 interstate links identified under National Perspective Plan (NPP). The DPR for Ken-Betwa Link Project and Damanganga - Pinjal link have been completed by NWDA, and submitted to the concerned States. DPR of Par-Tapi-Narmada link is in various stages of completion. Further, the Hon’ble Supreme Court in its order dated 27.02.2012 has inter-alia directed to take up Ken-Betwa Link Project for implementation at the first instance itself.

Approximately 35 million hectare of additional irrigation potential and 34000 mega watts (MW) hydro power generation are the likely benefits envisaged under NPP apart from the incidental benefits of flood moderation, navigation, drinking water supply, fisheries, salinity and pollution control etc.

The details of objections raised by concerned State Governments for taking up FR/DPR of proposed inter-linking of river projects are as follows:-

S.No.	Name of Link Project	Concerned States	Objections raised
1	Pamba - Achankovil - Vaippar link	Tamil Nadu & Kerala	Kerala Assembly has passed a resolution against taking up of the Link Project (2003)
2	Parbati – Kalisindh – Chambal link	Madhya Pradesh & Rajasthan	Govt. of Madhya Pradesh wants to implement intra-State Links in place of this Link Project.
3	Mahanadi (Manibhadra) – Godavari link	Odisha	Govt. of Odisha is not agreeable to this link Project due to large submergence of Manibhadra dam/reservoir and wants alternate diversion point.
4	Netravati – Hemavati link	Karnataka &TamilNadu	Govt. of Karnataka intends to utilize Netravati water as per its own plan.

Government has constituted a Consensus Group headed by the Chairman, Central Water Commission and Secretaries of Irrigation/Water Resource Departments of the concerned States for arriving at consensus on the links for sharing of the surplus water and preparation of DPR by NWDA. In addition, the issues on the inter-State links are also regularly discussed during the meeting of Governing Body and Society of the NWDA.

This was stated by Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharti in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

Samir/jk

(Release ID :106826)

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Death toll from super typhoon Rammasun rises to 17 in China

July 20, 2014, 9:12 pm

≫ Next: Andhra govt offers 26% stake to Shell in Kakinada project

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Death toll from super typhoon Rammasun rises to 17 in China

Collapsed tree
19 Jul, 2014
inShare
A collapsed tree lies on the street after typhoon Rammasun brings torrential rains and strong wind to the area in Beihai, south China's Guangxi province on July 19, 2014.

The strongest typhoon to hit southern China in more than 40 years, super typhoon Rammasun, made its second landfall on July 18, authorities said.

Riders passes by a ruined banana field after Typhoon Rammasun in Haian Township, Xuwen County, south China's Guangdong Province, July 19, 2014. Rammasun, believed to be the strongest typhoon to hit south China in 41 years, wreaked havoc in western part of Guangdong, where 1,060,000 people were affected and 99,000 people were displaced

Typhoon Rammasun incurs huge economic losses in China
BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Direct economic losses caused by super typhoon Rammasun amounted to 26.55 billion yuan (4.32 billion U.S. dollars) in south China, official figures showed on Sunday.
The strongest typhoon in four decades has ravaged 468,500 hectares of crops and destroyed 37,000 homes in Hainan Province, Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, said the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

Dramatic rescues as fatal super typhoon Rammasun hits China

Firefighters have been rescuing stranded residents as super typhoon Rammasun made landfall in coastal areas of south China. Report by Sophie Foster.

English.news.cn 2014-07-20 23:59:20

• The death toll from super typhoon Rammasun has increased to 17 as of Sunday.

• The latest statistics showed more than 5.57 million people were affected by Rammasun.

• Rammasun caused economic losses of over 10.8 billion yuan to Hainan.

HAIKOU/NANNING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from super typhoon Rammasun has increased to 17 as of Sunday as one more person was confirmed dead in the island province of Hainan.
Rammasun, the strongest typhoon to hit south China in four decades, brought gales and downpours to a number of southern provinces. At least two people are missing, according to local civil affairs authorities.
The latest statistics showed that more than 5.57 million people were affected by Rammasun as it swept dozens of southern coastal cities in Guangdong and Hainan provinces, and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
Eight people, including two government officials who were in a rescue operation, were confirmed dead in Hainan, while nine others are from Guangxi.
The typhoon seriously damaged power and water supplies, telecommunications networks, ports and roads, making rescue work more difficult.
Hainan, where Rammasun made its first landfall on Friday afternoon, suffered the worst damage.
The typhoon destroyed about 51,000 houses and 40,600 hectares of crop, causing economic losses of over 10.8 billion yuan (1.74 billion U.S. dollars), the provincial civil affairs authorities said.
More than 1.13 million households were cut off electricity. After two days of repair work, power supply in the city proper of the provincial capital Haikou was resumed Sunday night.
The local power grid company said power supply would resume in the entire city within three days.
The provincial government has allocated 100 million yuan (16.1 million yuan) to help the worst-hit areas.
As Rammasun moved out of Hainan, all the airports in the island had reopened by Sunday morning. Ferry, rail and bus services have also resumed.
The typhoon, however, scared many tourists who were stranded in the tropical island province.
"Strong gales, two feverish children, no food, no water and no drugs. These are the most terrible things I have suffered in my life," said a woman from Guangxi, who only gave her family name as Su.
Su was among more than 150 tourists stranded for nine hours in buses in Anding County when they were traveling from Sanya to Haikou. Gales were sweeping at 200 km per hour and the bus had to stop.
The tourists called police for help. They were later resettled at a local school and given food and bottled water.
Guangxi, which is still under the spell of the typhoon, has reported a direct economic loss of 1.63 billion yuan (261.63 million U.S. dollars) so far.
Twenty-four trains were suspended for three days starting on Friday in Guangxi, and railway authorities were expecting services to resume Monday.
Rammasun is expected to continue moving northwest at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour, bringing heavy rainfalls to the west of Hainan and Yunnan Province, according to meteorological authorities.

Typhoon Rammasun incurs huge economic losses in China
BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Direct economic losses caused by super typhoon Rammasun amounted to 26.55 billion yuan (4.32 billion U.S. dollars) in south China, official figures showed on Sunday.
The strongest typhoon in four decades has ravaged 468,500 hectares of crops and destroyed 37,000 homes in Hainan Province, Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, said the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

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Andhra govt offers 26% stake to Shell in Kakinada project

July 21, 2014, 8:39 pm

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Andhra govt offers 26% stake to Shell in Kakinada project

PTI | Published: Jul 22 2014, 01:19 IST

Andhra Pradesh government has approved a proposal for offering 26% stake to Europe's largest oil company, Royal Dutch Shell, in a gas project at Kakinada.
The Andhra Pradesh government-owned AP Gas Infrastructure Corporation (APGIC) and state-owned GAIL floated AP Gas Distribution Company (APGDC) have set up a 3.5 million tonnes capacity (expandable up to 10 million tonnes) Floating LNG Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) in the East Coast at Kakinada Deepwater Port.
According to a recent government order, the committee which was set up to look on the issue of allocating stake in the gas project to Shell, has recommended the proposal. APGDC had earlier tied up with the GDF Suez LNG UK Ltd by offering 26% stake in the project.
“The committee also noted that M/s Shell was an international market leader in the Natural Gas and LNG field with vast financial, technical and managerial expertise..", it said. The order also said the JV would benefit from the participation of Shell and that Shell would add overall financial market value to the proposed FSRU Project.
The committee has recommended that Shell may be provided 26% equity in the SPV at par with GDF Suez, it said. The Andhra Pradesh government has sought the opinion of solicitor general of India with regard to the stake offer.
The equity structure of the APGDC will be restructured with APGIC holding 52% equity and GAIL Gas having 48% equity.
"APGDC shall control the composition of the Board of the SPV for which necessary safe guards are to be provided in the shareholders agreement (SHA) to be signed for SPV," the government order further said.

↧

Azaaad

July 21, 2014, 9:32 pm

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Azaaad

1921, Benares(India):

Non-co-operation movement had just been launched under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. A group of supporters were mercilessly subject to severe lathi-charge by a British police-man. A school-going boy, hardly 15 years old, seeing the incident from a distance, could not keep his temper within bounds. He grabbed a stone and, aiming it with perfection, struck the sub-inspector right on his forehead. It started bleeding and another police-man, in order to get hold of the boy, chased him. The boy, however, made his getaway. The police-man, after carrying out a rigorous search at the schools in the neighbourhood, finally located the boy in his room in a Dharamshala. To his surprise, the walls of the little room were totally covered with portraits of Gandhiji, Tilak, LalaLajpat Ray and the likes.

The boy was put in a dark prison which was poorly ventilated. The unbearable cold assisted the police in making the lives of prisoners more miserable, as if it already weren't. In spite of all this, the boy, much different from the boys of his age, was not one to be shaken by such mundane problems. The sub-inspector, expecting the boy to be struck with fear and cold, paid a visit at midnight. He was shocked to see him busy exercising himself, shedding sweat despite the cold.

The next day the boy was produced before the magistrate, Khereghat, who was notorious for awarding cruel punishment to offenders. The boy, seemingly unaware of all this, boldly came to the accused-stand.

"What is your name?", the judge questioned.
"Azad (freedom)", was the bold reply.
Not sensing anything strange, the judge continued, "What is your Father's name?"
"Swadhinata (Independence)", was the immediate reply.
"Place of residence?".
"Jail".
Baffled, the judge proclaimed- "15 lashes by cane". Without any further questioning, he dismissed the case.

15 lashes is something that would make even a brave adult shudder. But the boy remained cool. He was tied to a plank. Sparing just a vest on his tender body, the jailer began the flogging. One after the other, the blows landed, each more devastating than the previous. There were tears in the eyes of the onlookers (the punishment was carried out in the presence of the public, to create fear). But, with every blow, the boy shouted- "Bharat Mata Ki jai", "VandeMataram", "Mahatma GandhijikiJai". His skin peeled out. But, there was no place either for tears or fear. People there were awestruck by his courage and patriotism. Ever since this incident, the boy, ChandrashekharTiwary came to be called as ChandrashekharAzad" or simply "Azad". When he was released, he vowed that he would never be arrested by the British and would die as a free man.

Chandrashekhar was born in Jhabua District of MadhyaPradesh on July 23, 1906. Being inspired by leaders like Gandhiji, he plunged into freedom struggle at the tender age of 15. Deeply pained by the treatment infringed on the Indians by the British, he decided that fighting back with arms was the best solution. He, along with his friends Bhagat Singh, Rajguru became revolutionaries. In order to raise funds for their anti-British activities, the revolutionaries resorted to robbing the rich, sometimes even from their very homes. However, they sent each of them, receipts for the money that had been robbed and each pie of the loot was accounted for. Their amount would be returned after India became free, it was promised. Once, on being questioned by his friend about this practice, Azad replied,
"For me, first comes the freedom of the country. I don't consider the looting of the rich a sin. They grow rich on sucking the blood of the poor. The wealth amassed by them belongs to the country. It is no sin to use this money for the good of the country." There was nothing that he wouldn't do if the country would become free. Attempting to describe his patriotism with mere words would be foolishness.

It had been decided by the revolutionaries that during the process of robbing the rich, none would resort to maltreating, especially when it came to women. But during the second robbery, in which Azad too was involved, a member, overcome by lust, misbehaved with a girl notwithstanding Azad's requests not to do so. Azad shot him dead and then begged the lady's pardon for his colleagues misconduct.

To evade the police, Azad once took refuge at the home of an old widow. On knowing that she was in dire need of money for her daughter's marriage, Azad even requested her to bring him to the police and get the prize-money of Rs 5,000 that he carried on his head, to which the widow refused. When Azad left her home, he left a large part of the money he had.

The influence of the revolutionaries was such that, the owner of a store looted by them, on sensing that it was the handiwork of Azad and his team, asked the police to drop the case (garodia store dacoity).

He was unmarried and lived the austere life of a ‘Brahmachari’, till his last breath. For his ceaseless activities, he was rightly called quick-silver.
In February 1931, a close associate of Azad, in order to claim the price on Azad's head, double-crossed him (as has happened numerous times in our history) and tipped the police about his movements. Having been surrounded by nearly 100 police in a park (which now has a memorial in his name), he fought them single-handed, killing many policemen. When he realised that only the last bullet was left in his pistol and that there was no way to escape the British, he shot himself in the head, thereby keeping up his promise that he would never let the British arrest him, even at the cost of death.

Despite his sacrifice, Azad has sunk into the annals of history without much remembrance. Most school text-books only consider him a "Terrorist", which is highly unfortunate. Our current leaders are in a state of utter confusion. They declare great patriots as "terrorists", whereas, the real terrorists are happily looked upon as 'heroes'. What more.
A certain 'leader' of U.P has proposed to rename a college originally named after Azad, just because she thinks him a "terrorist". The same person can erect statues in her glory, at our expenses, but cannot tolerate a great leader, who sacrificed his life for the country. Isn't it shameful that such are our leaders?

Before I conclude, it is worth mentioning Azad's most popular quote-
“दुश्मनोंकी गोलियों को हम सामनाकरेंगे. आज़ाद रहे हैं, आज़ाद ही रहेंगे ” ( I shall not run away from the bullets of the enemies. Freedom was always mine, it shall always be.)

(Azad's photo after sacrificing himself at Allahabad )

↧

BEAUTIFUL SCENERY

July 22, 2014, 9:27 am

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1. Bagan, Myanmar

Créditos: Martin Sojka

2. Zhangye Danxia Landform en Gansu, China

Créditos: unbelievableinfo.blogspot.it

Créditos: Melinda Chan

3. Li River, China

Créditos: Weerapong Chaipuck

Créditos: Peter Stewart

Créditos: Ed McGowan

4. Meteora, Grecia

Créditos: Darby Sawchuk

5. Salar de Uyuni: Uno de los espejos más grandes del mundo, Bolivia

Créditos: dadi360

6. Montañas Tianzi, China

Créditos: Richard Janecki

7. Isla Santorini, Grecia

Créditos: paowmagazine.com

8. Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Créditos: Randall Collis

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9. Valle Yosemite, USA

Créditos: subcmdr

Créditos: Conrad Casper

10. Parque Hitachi Seaside, Japón

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11. Bosque de Bambú, Japón

Créditos: Yuya Horikawa

12. Petra, Jordán

Créditos: Gloria Castro Salvador

13. Machu Picchu, Perú

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14. Cave in Algarve, Portugal

Créditos: Bruno Carlos

15. Bahía Halong, Vietnam

Créditos: Nic

16. Pamukkale, Turquía

Créditos: Ahmet Sahin

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17. Campos de arroz en Mu Cang Chai, Vietnam

Créditos: Thang Soi

Créditos: Sarawut Intarob

18. Valle Monument, USA

Créditos: Jouni Välkki

19. Mina de Naica, México

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20. Hang Son Doong, Vietnam

21. Venecia, Italia

Créditos: Constantin Gololobov

Créditos: Peter Young

Créditos: holland fotograaf

22. Lago Plitvice, Croacia

Créditos: Manu

Créditos: Jack Brauer

23. Lençóis Maranhenses, Brasil

Créditos: brasilvip.net

24. Bahía Navagio, Greece

Créditos: Johan Björling

25. Provence, Francia

Créditos:: Benh Lieu Song

Créditos: Giovanni Allievi

26. Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabue

Créditos: Vittorio Chiampan

Créditos: Mark Smith

27. Bora Bora, Polinesia Francesa

Créditos: Pierre Lesage

Créditos: David Kosmos Smith

28. Lago Moraine, Canadá

Créditos: Thomas Spinner

29. Campo de Tulipanes en Holanda

Créditos: Allard Schager

Créditos: Normann Szkop

30. Geiranger Fjord, Noruega

Créditos: norwegianfjordtravel.com

31. Mounte Roraima, Venezuela/Brasil/Guyana

Créditos: imgur.com

Créditos: greggoesglobal.com

32. Cueva Vatnajokull Glacier, Islandia

Créditos: orvaratli

33. Cuevas Batu, Malasia

Créditos: Danny Xeero

34. Gásadalur, Islas Faroe

Créditos: Gareth Codd

35. Cañón Antelope, USA

Créditos: CSMphotography

36. Cataratas de Iguazú, Argentina/Brasil

Créditos: vacationadvice101.com

Créditos: leonlagben

37. Pirámides de Giza, Egipto

Créditos: Edward Ewet

Créditos: Dale Johnson

38. Catarata McWay, USA

Créditos: Helena W

39. Cappadocia, Turquía

Créditos: Beng Lieu Song

Créditos: Kani Polat

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National Fertilizer Policy

July 23, 2014, 3:37 am

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National Fertilizer Policy

The Minister for Chemicals & Fertilisers Shri Ananth Kumar has said that Government is considering bringing out a comprehensive National Fertilizer Policy. In reply to a question in Rajya Sabha he said, consultations with industry, Ministries and other stakeholders, on the draft National Chemical Policy, have also been held. Government will take a view on the contents of these Policies and the timing of their release.

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Consideration of Artificial Rainfall/ Cloud Seeding Programmes

July 23, 2014, 4:00 am

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Consideration of Artificial Rainfall/ Cloud Seeding Programmes The Government is not considering artificial rainfall/cloud seeding programmes with the help of State Government and commercial firms after witnessing worst rainfall in June, 2014 in various parts of the country

As things stand today, artificial rain making techniques involving cloud seeding cannot be used for bringing rain clouds to rainfall deficit/drought areas. Such efforts can only induce potential preexisting clouds, already passing over a given place, to produce rain only if organized weather modification intervention becomes successful.

However Earth System Science Organisation – Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (ESSO-IITM) is putting its effort in understanding the rain formation in clouds through studying cloud microphysical characteristics through a research program Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment (CAIPEEX).

Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC) is in touch with ESSO-IITM in preparation of RFP for hiring services for cloud seeding operations. Similarly Karnataka State Agriculture Officials have also consulted ESSO-IITM for planning a possible cloud seeding program.

This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology & Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh in reply to a a written question in the Rajya Sabha today.

******Conversion of Sea Water into Potable Water
The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Earth System Science Organization (ESSO) has indigenously designed, developed and demonstrated desalination plants for conversion of sea water into potable water based on Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) technology. The LTTD is a process under which the warm surface sea water is flash evaporated at low pressure and the vapour is condensed with cold deep sea water. This technology is efficient and found suitable for the Lakshadweep islands

Three LTTD plants have been successfully commissioned in the country, one each at Kavaratti, Minicoy, and Agatti islands of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. The capacity of each of these LTTD plants is 1 lakh liter of potable water per day.

Work has been initiated to set up a prototype LTTD plant with a capacity of generating 2 million litres of potable water per day (2 MLD) at the Tuticorin Thermal Power station, Tamil Nadu. The Lakshadweep Administration requested ESSO-NIOT for setting up similar plants in remaining six islands. ESSO-NIOT has sent a detailed project report to the Lakshadweep Administration in this regard.

The cost per liter of desalination would depend on the technology used and cost of electricity which varies from place to place. According to the cost estimates made by an independent agency for LTTD technology, the operational costs per litre of desalinated potable water is about 61 paise for island based plants. The plants set up at Lakshadweep were funded fully by the Central Government.

This was stated by Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Ministry of Earth Sciences (Independent Charge) Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

*****

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Disposal of Bio-Medical Waste

July 23, 2014, 4:29 am

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Disposal of Bio-Medical Waste
Monitoring of implementation of Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules 1998 amended in 2003 is done by State Pollution Control Board and Pollution Control Committee in Union Territory (UT). As per the information provided by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), it is not correct that Government and other hospitals in the capital city, Delhi lack facilities for disposal of bio-medical waste.

All hospitals have to comply with the provisions of Bio-medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1998(BMW Rules) as amended to date.

DPCC has constituted three committees to decide the cases pertaining to the Authorization under BMW Rules and Consent under Air & Water Act. Besides, inspections are undertaken to ensure that the hospitals in Delhi are complying with BMW Rules, 1998. If any violation in the management of BMW Rules is found, during the inspections, action as per BMW Rules/policy is initiated.

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Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

July 23, 2014, 4:32 am

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Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

Botanical Survey of India (BSI) an organization working under Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, who are mandated for survey of plant diversity of the country; its documentation, including traditional knowledge associated with it at National, Regional, State and Ecosystem level and its conservation in different parts of the country has been carrying out survey and documentation of all plant resources of the country including medicinal / aromatic plants and herbs. The survey is the nodal repository for Reference Plant Collections and at present houses about 3.2 million specimens in its different herbaria, which help in taxonomic characterization and monitoring of species, including medicinal plants. It is estimated that, more than 8,000 species of medicinal herbs and medicinal plants are found in the country.

A study was got conducted by the National Medicinal Plants Board of Department of AYUSH through the Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Tradition (FRLHT), Bangalore. According to the report of study published in year 2008, total traded quantity of medicinal plants in the country was estimated to be about 3.19 lakhs metric tonnes for the year 2005-06. In all, 960 medicinal plants are traded; out of which 178 species have annual consumption of more than 100 metric tonnes (MTs). However, State / UT-wise findings are not available in this regard.

According to the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), no hard core data on the extent of threat to the medicinal plants is readily available. Out of 19156 species of vascular plants (Angiosperms-17817; Gymnosperms – 74; Pteridophytes – 1265), about 70 medicinal and aromatic plants species are threatened due to various anthropogenic activities.

Various measures have already been taken in this direction which includes the following:

· Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) constituent laboratories, namely CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Lucknow; CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu; CSIR-North East Institute of Science & Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Jorhat; and CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bio resource Technology (CSIR-IHBT), Palampur undertake studies related to (i) survey, collection and inventorization of medicinal and aromatic plants from different phytogeographical regions of India; (ii) development of improved varieties; and (iii) development of agro technologies and processing technologies for economically important medicinal and aromatic plants and their value addition. The laboratories are disseminating the technologies among farmers and entrepreneurs through training-cum-demonstration programmes.

· Research Councils working under Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare viz. Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Central Council for Research in Unani Medicines (CCRUM) and Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) have been conducting studies through surveys and explorations to collect information regarding availability of medicinal and aromatic plants / herbs in various States and have documented information in this regard.

· With the purpose of conserving& promoting medicinal plants utilized in the traditional systems of medicines, the Government has set up Medicinal Plants Board vide Resolution notified on 24^th November, 2000 under Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Important functions of the Board include Co-ordination with Ministries / Departments / Organizations / State / UT Government for development of medicinal plants sector.

Following schemes implemented by National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) during 11^thPlan for overall development of medicinal plants sector in the States have so far been continued:

(i) Central Sector Scheme for “Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants”:

Under this Scheme support is provided for undertaking activities on Survey, Inventorization, in-situ conservation, ex-situ conservation / herbal gardens, linkage with JFMCs, Research and Development etc. on Medicinal Plants. Information regarding financial assistance which includes the technical components viz. capacity building of all stakeholders, provided under the Scheme during last three years and the current year, State / UT-wise details is given below:-

Information regarding release of funds to the different States under Central Sector Scheme for Conservation, Development and sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants

(In lakhs)

S.No.	State Name	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
1	Andhra Pradesh	233.11	44.57	194.09	0.00
2	Arunachal Pradesh	48.33	0.00	4.95	0.00
3	Assam	7.44	4.33	28.99	0.00
4	Bihar	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
5	Chhattisgarh	125.98	178.60	374.07	0.00
6	Delhi	111.97	38.80	87.86	25.00
7	Goa	4.78	0.00	0.00	0.00
8	Gujarat	188.55	609.91	133.15	0.00
9	Haryana	47.25	0.00	10.87	0.00
10	Himachal Pradesh	326.98	11.23	40.44	0.00
11	Jammu & Kashmir	15.75	33.38	175.09	16.32
12	Jharkhand	99.67	138.95	0.00	0.00
13	Karnataka	116.32	191.87	281.20	51.58
14	Kerala	507.48	50.54	161.88	0.00
15	Madhya Pradesh	899.37	222.30	1338.91	0.00
16	Maharashtra	519.39	890.95	661.58	197.29
17	Manipur	20.65	16.00	13.00	0.00
18	Meghalaya	5.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
19	Mizoram	4.99	265.35	174.90	0.00
20	Nagaland	139.92	74.22	99.35	5.00
21	Orissa	179.62	2.78	97.10	12.00
22	Punjab	0.00	0.00	39.01	0.00
23	Rajasthan	454.65	597.93	684.36	0.00
24	Sikkim	322.16	177.01	547.38	0.00
25	Tamil Nadu	25.34	16.90	190.27	0.00
26	Tripura	51.50	89.56	0.00	0.00
27	Uttarakhand	179.02	20.64	133.14	29.34
28	Uttar Pradesh	200.30	4.28	188.53	6.00
29	West Bengal	3.00	75.47	109.00	0.00
30	Andaman & Nicobar	0.00	0.00	41.27	0.00
31	Chandigarh	0.00	17.12	5.00	0.00
32	Pondicherry	0.00	0.00	1.80	0.00
	Total	4838.52	3772.69	5817.19	342.53

(ii) Centrally Sponsored Scheme of “National Mission on Medicinal Plants”:

This scheme is primarily aimed at supporting cultivation of medicinal plants on private land with backwards linkages for establishment of nurseries, for supply of quality planting material etc. and forward linkages for post-harvest management, marketing infrastructure, certification etc. in a mission mode. Information regarding financial assistance provided under the Scheme during last three years and the current year, State / UT-wise is details is given below:-

Information regarding release of funds to the different States under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Mission on Medicinal Plants

(In lakhs)

S.No	Name of State	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
1	Andhra Pradesh	512.52	834.32	963.63	Release of funds during the current year is under process
2	Arunachal Pradesh	285.14	0.00	118.65
3	Assam	114.52	162.81	0.00
4	Chhattisgarh	186.96	0.00	0.00
5	Gujarat	47.35	0.00	0.00
6	Haryana	85.46	0.00	171.14
7	Himachal Pradesh	84.3	0.00	97.54
8	Jharkhand	257.61	0.00	0.00
9	Karnataka	0.00	0.00	216.71
10	Kerala	223.17	210.41	264.27
11	Madhya Pradesh	302.93	474.59	395.45
12	Maharashtra	327.08	0.00	682.44
13	Manipur	138.54	57.6	105.96
14	Meghalaya	91.62	0.00	0.00
15	Mizoram	160.12	8.91	18.28
16	Nagaland	181.12	188.47	175.88
17	Orissa	475.58	111	150.66
18	Rajasthan	0.00	0.00	28.87
19	Sikkim	91.1	161.94	137.59
20	Tamil Nadu	961.39	741.5	1022.6698
21	Tripura	84	0.00	0.00
22	Uttar Pradesh	0.00	834.54	424.36
23	Uttarakhand	262.73	0.00	278.86
	Total	4873.24	3786.1	5252.96

The Health Minister stated this in a written reply in the LokSabha here today.

*****

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Problem of Waste Deposits in Space

July 24, 2014, 4:20 am

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Problem of Waste Deposits in Space
India has done studies related to waste deposits in space referred as Space Debris and successfully developed methodologies and software tools. ISRO performs Space Object Proximity Analysis for its operational Low Orbit spacecrafts on a regular basis to assess the collision risk and determine risk mitigation strategies in advance. Collision Avoidance analysis is also carried out to identify the safe lift-off time for launching of satellites from Sriharikota. The growing space debris poses threat to present and future space activities, globally, in terms of collision risk.

ISRO has taken mitigation measures like passivation of spent upper stage of launch vehicles and de-orbiting of non-functional satellites to avoid creation of space debris. ISRO has also undertaken collaborative studies with other space agencies to control and restrict this outer space contamination. India is a active member of Inter Agency Space Debris Co-ordination Committee (IADC) and played a key role in evolving space debris mitigation guidelines formulated by IADC and United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS).

This information was given by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ministry of Science and Technology, M/o Earth Sciences, D/o Atomic Energy and D/o Space Dr. Jitendra Singh in reply to a written question in the Rajya Saha today.

↧

Earthquake Prone Areas

July 24, 2014, 4:35 am

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Earthquake Prone Areas

Earthquake - prone areas of the county have been identified on the basis of scientific inputs relating to seismicity, earthquakes occurred in the past and tectonic setup of the region. Based on these inputs, Bureau of Indian Standards [IS 1893 (Part I):2002], has grouped the country into four seismic zones, viz. Zone-II, -III, -IV and –V. Of these, Zone V is seismically the most active region, while zone II is the least. Broadly, Zone - V comprises entire northeastern India, parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, part of North Bihar and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Zone - IV covers remaining parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, Sikkim, Northern Parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal, parts of Gujarat and small portions of Maharashtra near the west coast and Rajasthan. Zone – III comprises Kerala, Goa, Lakshadweep islands, remaining parts of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and West Bengal, Parts of Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu and Karnataka. Zone - II covers remaining parts of country.

Earth System Science Organization- India Meteorological Department (ESSO-IMD) has installed a number of Seismic and Global Positioning System (GPS) stations across major faults to monitor the seismicity and crustal movement of the Indian subcontinent. ESSO-IMD operates a national network of seismographs to monitor the earthquake activity in the country on 24 X 7 bases. Making use of earthquake records, the magnitude and other source parameters are estimated in an automated mode.

Under the Koyna Deep Borehole programme, studies have been initiated to carry out scientific investigations for deep borehole drilling in the Koyna-Warna region. The investigations include, Seismological, Geophysical (seismic, gravity, magnetic), LIDAR, geomorphology and structural geological studies, apart from a few exploratory boreholes.

ESSO of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has established a National Centre for Seismology (NCS) as an independent organization by separating of seismology activities from IMD. The broad objectives of the Center are as follows:

· Provide earthquake (M:3.0 and above) related information to all user agencies in shortest possible time.

· Provide earthquake hazard and risk related products of specific region, required by various agencies for institutionalizing various preventive measures for design and construction of earthquake resistant structures, land use planning and for enacting building bye-laws towards minimizing damage to property and loss of lives due to earthquakes.

· Carry out research in pure and applied seismology and earthquake precursory phenomena, earthquake processes and modeling.

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Ganga Manthan

July 24, 2014, 6:09 am

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Ganga Manthan A national level consultation in the name of ‘Ganga Manthan’ was organized on July 07, 2014 at New Delhi to facilitate interaction with various stakeholders including policy makers and implementers, academicians, environmentalists, spiritual leaders and NGOs. The event was organized by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), a registered society under Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF), implementing the river Ganga pollution abatement programme under National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA). It was aimed to provide a platform for various stakeholders to come together to discuss the issues and possible solutions to the challenging task of Ganga Rejuvenation. The views expressed by the stakeholders participating in ‘Ganga Manthan’ would be helpful for the preparation of a road map for the preparation of a comprehensive plan to rejuvenate the River Ganga.

A Memorandum of Agreement for 10 years has been signed in 2010 by MoEF and a consortium of seven IITs for preparation of a comprehensive River Basin Management Plan for Ganga. Besides the IITs, National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), Roorkee, Banaras Hindu University, various universities and research institutes are also involved in Ganga River Basin Management Plan (GRBMP). Interim report has been submitted, which is circulated to different ministries, departments and other stakeholders for comments.

For rivers other than Ganga, National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD) in MoEF, which is entrusted with implementation of Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) jointly with the State Governments on a cost-sharing basis, has identified polluted stretches of 40 major rivers in 121 towns spread over 19 States in the country, in which pollution abatement activities are being implemented under NRCP.

Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) have informed that pollution abatement of rivers, including building of toilets etc., is to be undertaken by the State Government/ local bodies concerned, as per their priorities. The role of the Central Government is promotional and to supplement the efforts of the State Govt.

Central Pollution Control Board has inventorised 144 drains discharging wastewater into river Ganga directly. The total wastewater discharge from these drains is 6475 million litres per day (mld) and carrying total Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) load of 426 tonnes/ day.

This was stated by Union Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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Experiments / analyisis with Hazards or Potential Hazards

July 24, 2014, 9:58 am

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Experiments with Hazards or Potential Hazards

By James A. Kaufman | December 06, 2013

Can you identify the hazards that are present? Are they chemical, physical, biological, mechanical, electrical, radiation, noise, stress, or high/low pressure? Those are life’s nine hazards and you should look for them before beginning an experiment.
What kinds of emergency situations can you anticipate? Fires, explosions, electrical shocks, bleeding, burns, cuts, poisonings, slips, trips and falls, spills, extreme weather, medical problems, workplace violence and natural disasters should be considered. What about other medical emergencies and utilities failures? And, everybody’s favorite … a colleague who goes “postal.” Are you prepared to deal with these kind of problems? Do you have written procedures describing what to do?
Do you have the necessary safety equipment and emergency equipment? Deluge showers, eye wash fountains, first aid kits, fire blankets, fire extinguishers, communication system? What about gloves, goggles, and lab coats? What are the generally recognized safety practices that a reasonable person would follow before experimenting? Carefully reading labels and MSDSs is a good beginning. Hand washing when finished is another.
Have you considered reducing the scale of the experiment, substituting a less hazardous chemicals or eliminating the experiment altogether? Teachers/ supervisors need to adjust the experiments so that the health and safety risks involved are appropriate for the facilities, the equipment, the experience of the teacher/ supervisor, and the abilities of the students/employees.
Some organizations, both non-academic and academic, have a hazards review committee and/or process. The function is to try to make reasonably sure that all the issues have been properly considered.
Source: Kaufman, James A., Laboratory Safety Guidelines - Expanded Edition, The Laboratory Safety Institute, www.labsafetyinstitute.org.

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