"Study finds Ganga-Bhagirathi delta slowly disappearing into the sea" - Roundup of the week's news (13-19 August 2012)

Study finds Ganga-Bhagirathi delta slowly disappearing into the sea

A study by noted geographer Prof Kalyan Rudra and funded jointly by the state and central governments has found that the world’s largest delta-the Ganga-Bhagirathi delta- is slowly disappearing into the sea.

Government contemplates penalties on states and imprisonment of chief secretaries for overdrawing power

In a bid to prevent a repeat of the grid failure on two consecutive days-July 30 and July 31-that left thousands of people in the northern and eastern regions without power due to overdrawing by certain states, the power ministry is planning stringent measures. This was stated by Power Minister V. Moily on a television programme.

Chinese Army forces suspension of work on irrigation project in Ladakh

Chinese Army force Jammu and Kashmir government to suspend work on an irrigation project in Leh district of Ladakh division. Under this scheme, water was to be lifted from the Indus River and released in a 3.5km long canal for irrigation purposes and pasture development.

Odisha Pollution Control Board orders closure of Hindalco captive power plant

The Odisha State Pollution Control Board on Saturday ordered closure of the captive power plant (CPP) of Hindalco Industries’ aluminium unit at Hirakud in Sambalpur district in the wake of a breach in the company's ash pond that damaged standing crops in the locality.

RTI International to develop toilets that will convert human waste into fuel

RTI International is to develop toilets that will convert human waste into fuel, leaving behind disinfected water. The project will be undertaken for developing nations through a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Ashtamudi lake in Kerala shrinks to half its size despite being declared Ramsar site

The brackish Ashtamudi lake, one of two Ramsar sites in Kollam district of Kerala, has shrunk to nearly half its original size due to encroachments, sand-mining, dumping of solid waste and hydrocarbon discharge from fishing boats.

Developers slapped notices for extracting groundwater for construction in Gurgaon

The Haryana Town and Country Planning Department has slapped showcause notices on 52 developers for allegedly extracting groundwater using borewells for construction work in Gurgaon. The violators included some major realtors such as DLF, Ansals, Vatika, and Raheja Developers.