India Water Week-2016 to begin from April 4 Israel to be partner country

India Water Week-2016 to begin from April 4 Israel to be partner country

The fourth edition of India Water Week will be observed from 04 to 08 April, 2016. Making this announcement in New Delhi today the Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharti said that the theme for this year’s India Water week is “Water for all: Striving together”. The Minister informed that Israel will be associated as the partner country for this mega event.

Sushri Bharti said the Inaugural session of India Water Week will be followed by Plenary session and Water Resources Ministers conclave on first day.  About 1500 delegates from India and 20 other countries will be attending the conclave.

The Minister informed that the event has been divided into Seminars (eight nos.), Brainstorming sessions (six nos,), Panel Discussions (seven nos.), Case studies (six nos.) and Side Events (five nos.). These events will take place at ITPO, Pragati Maidan. Apart from this, an Exhibition ‘Water Expo-2016’ showcasing the technologies and solutions in water resources sector is also being organised at Hall No. 9, Pragati Maidan for the benefit of delegates.

           

Sushri Bharti said it will be a multi-disciplinary conference enriching the theme with dialogue by national and international community alongwith the exhibition.  Delegates of the event will be immensely benefitted from Israeli experience in efficient management of water resources as well as other national and international experiences. Many reputed National and International Organizations, Research Institutes, Educational Institutions and NGOs from water resources, agriculture, power sectors etc. are participating in the event to share their knowledge and experience in the sector. Most important stakeholder of water, i.e. farmers from different parts of the country are also going to participate in this important event as a part of INPIM Programme on Participatory Irrigation Management and share their experiences.

The Union Water Resources said that the multi-disciplinary dialogue will be addressing the important  initiatives  of the Minister and priority programmes like Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna (PMKSY), Jal Kranti Abhiyan, More crop per drop, Interlinking of Rivers, etc. apart from other important topics such as (a) Water and Health – managing water quality (b) Agriculture and Irrigation (c) Water and Power – hydro and thermal (d) Industrial water efficiency (e) Water supply and sanitation for rural and urban areas (f) Environment, climate change and water resources sector. Sushri Bharti recalled that in Jal Manthan-2 Programme held at New Delhi in February, 2016,

important issues like bridging gap between irrigation potential created and irrigation potential utilised, fast-tracking of 89 AIBP projects under PMKSY, ground water protection and augmentation, National Hydrology Project, etc were discussed in detail. Such issues are also proposed to find important place in discussion during the present event.

Partner country Israel will exclusively organise two sessions viz. (i) Role of Micro Irrigation in existing command and (ii) Israel makes in India – COE’s and commercial success stories, water management. International Commission for Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) has planned to organize first in the series “India Irrigation Forum-2016” as a part of India Water Week-2016.

Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India has been organising India Water Week since 2012 as an international event to focus on water related issues. Three editions of India Water Week have been organised so far in 2012, 2013 and 2015.

India to ratify COP 21 Global Climate Agreement on April 22 - Prakash Javadekar

India to ratify COP 21 Global Climate Agreement on April 22 - Prakash Javadekar

Our thrust is on adopting clean Coal technologies : Piyush Goyal

Reasserting India’s commitment to carbon emission reduction and sustainable development, Union Environment, Forests & Climate Change Minister Mr. Prakash Javadekar today said India, along with 100 other nations would ratify the COP 21 Global Climate Agreement on April 22. COP 21 would be ratified at a high level signing ceremony to be convened at the UN Headquarters in New York. The agreement, negotiated in Paris in December 2015, sets out a global action plan to put the world on track by limiting global warming below 2 degree Celsius.

Speaking at a Symposium “COP 21 – Building Synergies, Shaping Actions” organized in the University of Mumbai, Mr Prakash Javadekar said “all countries have decided to walk the green path as per their common but differentiated responsibilities”. He described the Paris agreement as a victory of multilateralism and the one which helped correct image perception of India. “India was always perceived to be a naysayer and negative in its approach and took a corner seat in most of the international conferences. But in Paris, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the concept of climate justice driving home the message of sustainable development”

Mr. Javadekar said climate change was a reality with 1 degree rise in temperature caused by 150 years of uncontrolled carbon emission by the developed world. He said while 30% of cumulative contribution was that of the United States, 50% by Europe, Canada and other developed world and 10% by China, India was responsible for only 3% carbon emission. The Minister further said “though India is not part of the problem, it wants to be part of the solution. Our commitment is reflected in every programme being pursued by the Government” .

He said India had taken pro-active measures to discourage use of fossil fuels in a bid to reduce carbon foot print by levying Rs 400 per tonne green cess on coal. “If the developed world followed India’s example and levied higher taxes on coal, billions of dollars would accrue to pursue clean energy programmes” he added.

Mr Javadekar said the proposed Compensatory Afforestation Funds Bill 2015, would unlock Rs 40,000 crores of funds for the ‘Green India’ initiative. The Bill, which was referred to a Parliamentary Standing Committee is likely to be passed in the second half of the budget session. Under CAF, funds would be made available to states to take up afforestation programmes, and to increase density of existing forests to substantially boost tree cover in the country.

The Minister also listed out plans to control vehicular pollution by moving to Bharat VI emission norms, policies on waste management, Swachch Bharat initiative, Ganga rejuvenation etc as other measures aimed at sustainable development and containing climate change.

Union Minister of State (IC) for Coal, Power, New & Renewable Energy, Mr Piyush Goyal said his portfolios put him in an awkward situation. “I am a polluter as well as a pollution container”, he said.

Mr. Goyal said India has launched the world’s largest renewable energy programme by scaling up the target for solar energy “The solar energy mission envisaged 20,000 Mw of solar electricity generation by 2022. But this target has been pushed ahead by the Prime Minister to 1,00,000 Mw (1Gw)” Mr. Goyal said his Ministry has already bid out 19,000 Mw of solar energy projects and the installed capacity of 20,000 Mw would be achieved as early as 2017. He however cautioned that all renewable energy programmes will be sustainable only if they become economically viable.

Mr. Goyal said coal, which is available in abundance in India, has its own place in ensuring cheaper energy. “While one is aware of pollution caused by the thermal power plants, their importance cannot be overlooked. Therefore, our thrust is on adopting clean coal technologies” he added.

Mr Goyal lamented lack of commitment of the developed world in fulfilling their obligations. He however asserted that “India’s green energy programmes will be carried out whether we receive support of the western world or not”.

Former Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, Dr Anil Kakodkar, Vice Chancellor of the Mumbai University Dr. Sanjay Deshmukh, DG, TERI, Dr. Ajay Mathur were also prese

Govt defines e-commerce marketplace rules, allows 100% FDI

Govt defines e-commerce marketplace rules, allows 100% FDI
DIPP has also come out with the definition of e-commerce, inventory-based model and marketplace model
The government on Tuesday allowed 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in online retail of goods and services under the so-called “marketplace model” through the automatic route, seeking to legitimize existing businesses of e-commerce companies operating in India.
It also notified new rules which could potentially end the discount wars, much to the disappointment of consumers. This is because the rules now prohibit marketplaces from offering discounts and capping total sales originating from a group company or one vendor at 25%.

This could, however, level the playing field with offline stores, which have witnessed a slump in footfalls corresponding to the increase in e-commerce.
So far, India has allowed 100% foreign investment in business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce but none in retail e-commerce—i.e., business-to-consumer, or B2C.
Even so, Indian e-commerce companies such as Flipkart and Snapdeal have been following the marketplace model—which was not defined—and attracting large foreign investments. Marketplaces essentially act as a platform connecting sellers and buyers.

Sun may produce devastating superflares, say scientists

The Sun is capable of producing monstrous eruptions or ‘superflares’ that can not only break down radio communication and power supplies, but also affect the Earth’s ability to support life, scientists say.

Earth is often struck by solar eruptions, which comprise energetic particles that are hurled away from the Sun into space, where those directed towards the Earth encounter the magnetic field around our planet.

When these eruptions interact with the magnetic field, they cause beautiful auroras.

When the Sun pours out gigantic amounts of hot plasma during large eruptions, the Earth may have severe consequences.

Solar eruptions are, however, nothing compared to the massive eruptions we see on other stars.

Superflares had been a mystery since the Kepler mission discovered them in larger numbers four years ago. The largest observed eruption took place in September 1859, where gigantic amounts of hot plasma from our neighbouring star struck the Earth. Telegraph system worldwide went haywire, and ice core records from Greenland indicate the Earth’s protective ozone layer was damaged by the energetic particles from the solar storm. Researchers from Aarhus University in Denmark used observations of magnetic fields on the surface of almost 100,000 stars to show that these superflares are likely formed via the same mechanism as solar flares.

“The magnetic fields on the surface of stars with superflares are generally stronger than ones on the surface of the Sun,” said Christoffer Karoff from Aarhus University.

However, of all the stars with superflares that researchers analysed, about 10 per cent had a magnetic field with strength similar to, or weaker than, the Sun’s.

Therefore, even though it is not very likely, it is not impossible that the Sun could produce a superflare.

“We certainly did not expect to find superflare stars with magnetic fields as weak as the magnetic fields on the Sun. This opens the possibility that the Sun could generate a superflare,” said Karoff.

If an eruption of this size were to strike Earth today, it would have devastating consequences for not just all electronic equipment but also our atmosphere.

As a result, it will kill of our planet’s ability to support life. Evidence from geological archives has shown that the Sun might have produced a small superflare in 775 AD.

India’s case on its solar policy

The Centre is without doubt justified in saying it will contest the ruling in the World Trade Organisation against India’s policy of local sourcing of components as part of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission. The U.S. had taken to the WTO its case against India’s policy of favouring domestic inputs in solar cells and solar modules, arguing that it amounted to a discriminatory trade practice and distorted the game. The verdict, which came last month, is a setback for India’s Solar Mission, seen as the bedrock of efforts aimed at ensuring energy security and meeting the country’s commitment to the collective global plan to limit global warming. In fact, over the last year India has scaled up its solar power ambitions, with the Narendra Modi government increasing fivefold the target set in 2009 to 100,000 MW. The WTO ruling obviously threatens the financial viability of the plan. India did offer to modify its stand on the issue, and agreed to apply the domestic content requirement only for buying solar panels used for government sector consumption. It even assured Washington that power generated from such subsidised panels would not be sold for commercial use. The U.S., however, did not agree. The challenge before the government is to sort out trade practice concerns in a manner that keeps the Solar Mission firmly on track. How it resolves the issue — and it would be well-advised to avoid standing on ego — will have repercussions not only on the country’s green energy aspirations, but also on its capacity to negotiate sectoral roadblocks to its global-level “Make in India” lobbying.

The trade rift and the WTO ruling on the solar issue have yet again brought to the fore the absurdity of seeking a level playing field in an imperfect, highly unequal world. Nations often raise protection walls in some form or the other to suit their convenience or to further their political interests. The U.S. is no exception. At least nine States in that country have programmes that provide protection to domestic manufacturers. In this inter-connected environment, the challenge really lies in balancing global trade obligations with domestic social compulsions. If the U.S. cannot have other countries engaged in practices that disadvantage American workers and American businesses, as President Barack Obama said, India too cannot wish away the job concerns of its people. By providing a ‘green angle’ to its solar power programme, India has added a new dimension to the ongoing dispute. As countries across the world race to take steps to limit climate change, concerns like these will test international organisations and rule-making to work out solutions that do not obstruct, or even delay, these efforts. The world indeed requires a spirit of accommodative co-existence for the larger global good.

Worst bleaching on record for Great Barrier Reef: scientists

Results based on the aerial surveys of more than 500 coral reefs from Cairns in Australia to Papua New Guinea.

The most pristine section of the Great Barrier Reef is currently experiencing the worst mass bleaching event in its history, with the overwhelming majority of reefs being ranked in the most severe category, Australian scientists warned on Tuesday.

The results are based on the aerial surveys of more than 500 coral reefs from Cairns in Australia to Papua New Guinea.

High bleaching levels

“Almost without exception, every reef we flew across showed consistently high levels of bleaching, from the reef slope right up onto the top of the reef,” said Professor Terry Hughes, convener of the National Coral Bleaching Taskforce.

“We flew for 4000 km in the most pristine parts of the Great Barrier Reef and saw only four reefs that had no bleaching. The severity is much greater than in earlier bleaching events in 2002 or 1998,” said Prof. Hughes.

No idea where it stops

“Even more concerning, we have not yet found the southern limit of the bleaching,” he said.

“We will be conducting further aerial surveys this week in the central Great Barrier Reef to identify where it stops. Thankfully, the southern Reef has dodged a bullet due to cloudy weather that cooled the water temperatures down,” he said.

It is clear from up above

Multiple research vessels and island research stations are also documenting the coral bleaching, with in-water research confirming what is clearly seen from the air, that the majority of reefs north of Cairns are undergoing bleaching and that virtually all species of corals are being affected.

“We could see extensive bleaching even among the most robust ‘massive’ corals,” said James Kerry, Project Manager of the National Coral Bleaching Taskforce, who also participated in the aerial surveys.

Unprecedented phenomenon

“The fact that these hardy species have also turned white shows just how severe summer conditions have become on the northern Great Barrier Reef. Residents we spoke to in Cape York were shocked by what they are seeing, telling us that they had never experienced anything like this before,” said Mr. Kerry.

“Scientists in the water are already reporting up to 50 per cent mortality of bleached corals, but it’s still too early to tell just what the overall outcome will be,” said Prof. Hughes.

Abnormal eco conditions

Coral bleaching occurs when abnormal environmental conditions, like heightened sea temperatures cause corals to expel tiny photosynthetic algae, called ‘zooxanthellae.’

The loss of these colourful algae causes the corals to turn white, and ‘bleach.’ Bleached corals can recover if the temperature drops and zooxanthellae are able to re-colonise them, otherwise the coral may die.

Towards military self-reliance

The Defence Procurement Policy 2016 made public this week is a step forward in increasing the participation of India’s private sector in military manufacturing. It replaces the last DPP unveiled in 2013, and has several recommendations for improving indigenous procurement. The DPP, the governing manual for all defence procurement, was part of a set of military reforms undertaken to address the many deficiencies noticed during the 1999 Kargil war. Since the first one in 2002, the DPP has been revised periodically. The new policy places the highest preference to a newly incorporated procurement class called ‘Buy Indian-IDDM’, with IDDM denoting Indigenous Designed Developed and Manufactured. This category refers to procurement from an Indian vendor, products that are indigenously designed, developed and manufactured with a minimum of 40 per cent local content, or products having 60 per cent indigenous content if not designed and developed within the country. The policy has also liberalised the threshold for offset liabilities for foreign vendors — now the obligation to invest at least 30 per cent of the contract value in India will kick in at Rs.2,000 crore, a significant increase from the previous Rs.300-crore mark. The policy lays stress on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and on “Make in India”. A 10 per cent weightage has been introduced for superior technology, instead of selecting the lowest bidder only in financial terms.

DPP 2016, however, falls far short of the expectations raised by the Narendra Modi government’s ambitious “Make in India” push that aims to transform the country into a global manufacturing hub. India is the world’s largest importer of defence equipment, and indigenising production is key to such a plan. The DPP is noticeable for the absence of Chapter VII, titled ‘Strategic Partners and Partnerships’, which the Defence Minister said would be notified separately. Under Strategic Partnerships, select Indian private companies were to be given preferential status in major defence projects. The inability of the Centre to finalise a credible policy to radically increase indigenous military manufacturing is a sure sign that India will remain heavily dependent on defence imports. Given the country’s robust financial growth, one of its greatest leveraging points is the annual spend on procurement. India has all the necessary prerequisites for a robust military-industrial complex: a diverse private sector, a large base of engineering institutes, and a growing defence budget. The fact that India faces a combination of security threats from both state and non-state actors is an obvious reason why it needs to be self-reliant in military equipment. There is another important reason why India needs an indigenous military-industrial complex: it will significantly reduce the potential for corruption in military procurement. However, the new procurement policy does not inspire hope that domestic defence production will grow sufficiently. It may not be just an irony that the policy has been released as India hosts yet another Defexpo event, in Goa, where global vendors are hawking their war machines to a technologically famished Indian military.