Sinking Sunderbans is a global crisis: Gandhi

Ghoramara island (Sunderbans) Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi on Wednesday visited Ghoramara island in the Sunderbans which is shrinking due to the rising sea-level. Gandhi, who had gone to the island to release a documentary made by a Delhi-based environment group, Centre for Science and Environment, on climate change, said that island is an example of the global environmental crisis. “The problem of global warming faced by the Ghoramara inhabitants is not the state’s problem alone, but a global crisis. Climate change is increasing the sea level and shrinking the island. It is our responsibility to check the situation,” said Gandhi. Ghoramara has shrunk from 9 square kilometres to 4.5 square kilometres in the past 30 years as rising sea level and constant erosion of embankment has already uprooted 7,000 inhabitants leaving another 7,000 in a state of constant fear. During his visit, Gandhi met several residents of the island gave a patient hearing to their problem. He urged the residents of the island not to be scared and to have faith in local bodies and the government. He said a joint initiative of the government, specialists and state entities were required to tackle the problem. “Ghoramara is a sign of global threat. You should not think that people from outside can come and teach you the crisis since you are the ones who are actually facing it and know the ground reality,” said the Governor. “I saw that solar energy is being used by some of the households here which should be utilised further. I urge the mothers of Ghoramara to send their kids not only to school but for further studies and not indulge in child marriage,” he added. Thirty-five-year-old Sadhan Haldar has lost 19 bighas of his land to the sea. He lives with his five-member family on one bigha land as Khasimara area in Ghoramara where he earlier resided is now under water. He had to spend more than Rs 1 lakh to relocate like other villagers. “I had 11 bigha land on Lohachara island which in now under water completely. I lost everything. Now I have relocated to Ghoramara,” said Arun Pramanik.

[http://www.expressindia.com, feruary, 2009]

Arsenic and old toenails

Scientists from Leicester and Nottingham have devised a method for identifying levels of exposure to environmental arsenic – by testing toenail clippings. Arsenic occurs naturally in the environment and people can be exposed to it in several ways. Long term exposure to arsenic is associated with increases in lung, liver, bladder and kidney cancers and skin growths.

The researchers collected toenails and washed and acid digested the samples under microwave irradiation. They then analysed the samples using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The research, published online ahead of print in the Journal of Environmental Monitoring, was carried out with Dr Gawen Jenkin, Department of Geology, University of Leicester. Dr Jenkin said: “This is the first time that the chemical form of the arsenic in the toenails has been measured.

[Source: http://www.hindu.com, February 26, 2009]

Polar research reveals new evidence of global environmental change

Published: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - 09:59 in Earth & Climate
he wide-ranging IPY findings result from more than 160 endorsed science projects assembled from researchers in more than 60 countries. Launched in March 2007, the IPY covers a two-year period to March 2009 to allow for observations during the alternate seasons in both polar regions. A joint project of WMO and ICSU, IPY spearheaded efforts to better monitor and understand the Arctic and Antarctic regions, with international funding support of about US$ 1.2 billion over the two-year period. "The International Polar Year 2007 – 2008 came at a crossroads for the planet's future" said Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General of WMO. "The new evidence resulting from polar research will strengthen the scientific basis on which we build future actions."

Catherine Bréchignac, President of ICSU, adds "the planning for IPY set ambitious goals that have been achieved, and even exceeded, thanks to the tireless efforts, enthusiasm, and imagination of thousands of scientists, working with teachers, artists, and many other collaborators."

IPY has provided a critical boost to polar research during a time in which the global environment is changing faster than ever in human history. It now appears clear that the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are losing mass contributing to sea level rise. Warming in the Antarctic is much more widespread than it was thought prior to the IPY, and it now appears that the rate of ice loss from Greenland is increasing.

Researchers also found that in the Arctic, during the summers of 2007 and 2008, the minimum extent of year-round sea ice decreased to its lowest level since satellite records began 30 years ago. IPY expeditions recorded an unprecedented rate of sea-ice drift in the Arctic as well. Due to global warming, the types and extent of vegetation in the Arctic shifted, affecting grazing animals and hunting.

Other evidence for global warming comes from IPY research vessels that have confirmed above-global-average warming in the Southern Ocean. A freshening of the bottom water near Antarctica is consistent with increased ice melt from Antarctica and could affect ocean circulation. Global warming is thus affecting Antarctica in ways not previously identified.

IPY research has also identified large pools of carbon stored as methane in permafrost. Thawing permafrost threatens to destabilize the stored methane -a greenhouse gas- and send it into the atmosphere. Indeed, IPY researchers along the Siberian coast observed substantial emissions of methane from ocean sediments.

In the area of biodiversity, surveys of the Southern Ocean have uncovered a remarkably rich, colourful and complex range of life. Some species appear to be migrating poleward in response to global warming. Other IPY studies reveal interesting evolutionary trends such as many present-day deep-sea octopuses having originated from common ancestor species that still survive in the Southern Ocean.

IPY has also given atmospheric research new insight. Researchers have discovered that North Atlantic storms are major sources of heat and moisture for the polar regions. Understanding these mechanisms will improve forecasts of the path and intensity of storms. Studies of the ozone hole have benefited from IPY research as well, with new connections identified between the ozone concentrations above Antarctica and wind and storm conditions over the Southern Ocean. This information will improve predictions of climate and ozone depletion.

Many Arctic residents, including indigenous communities, participated in IPY's projects. Over 30 of these projects addressed Arctic social and human science issues, including food security, pollution, and other health issues, and will bring new understanding to addressing these pressing challenges. "IPY has been the catalyst for the development and strengthening of community monitoring networks across the North" said David Carlson, Director of the IPY International Programme Office. "These networks stimulate the information flow among communities and back and forth from science to communities."

IPY leaves as its legacy enhanced observational capacity, stronger links across disciplines and communities, and an energized new generation of polar researchers. "The work begun by IPY must continue", said Mr. Jarraud. "Internationally coordinated action related to the polar regions will still be needed in the next decades," he said. Ms Bréchignac concurs: "This IPY has further strengthened the ICSU-WMO relationship on polar research coordination, and we must continue to assist the scientific community in its quest to understand and predict polar change and its global manifestations at this critical time."

The increased threats posed by climate change make polar research a special priority. The "State of Polar Research" document not only describes some of the striking discoveries during IPY, it also recommends priorities for future action to ensure that society is best informed about ongoing polar change and its likely future evolution and global impacts. A major IPY science conference will take place in Oslo in June 2010.
Source: International Council for Science

[http://esciencenews.com, February 25, 2009]

Indians want smoke-free workplaces

A near unanimous majority of Indians - 99 percent - favour a prohibition of smoking in public places, including workplaces, restaurants and bars, and demand stringent enforcement of rules to check smoking in offices, a survey has found. According to the survey released by Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) Tuesday, majority of people agree that "all workers in India should be protected from exposure to second-hand smoke in workplaces".

A randomly selected sample of 1,026 respondents in four metros of the country - Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata - were interviewed in December last year. "Majority of Indians support prohibition of smoking inside public places, including workplaces, restaurants and bars and an overwhelming 99 percent of Indians strongly favour enforcement of smoke-free rules in work places in order to provide comprehensive protection from second-hand exposure to tobacco smoke," the survey found.

Further, as many as 92 percent of respondents stated that exposure to second-hand smoke constitutes a serious health hazard for non-smokers. In India, smoking in all public places, including workplaces, restaurants and educational institutions, is prohibited according to a regulation by the ministry of health which came into effect Oct 2, 2008.

Commenting on the results of the survey, Bhavna B. Mukhopadhyay, senior director of VHAI, said: "These concerns translate to the very strong belief among Indians that it is the right of customers and employees to breathe smoke-free air in workplaces and public places."

S.S. Shastri, head, department of preventive oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, said: "India has always been faced with the rampant use of tobacco across all sections of society. The general consensus achieved by the survey is a very positive indicator of the sentiments of the public." "It is very heartening to know that Indians recognise the fact that second-hand smoke is a major health hazard, and feel that the ban on smoking in public places should be more strictly enforced," said Shastri.

[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com, February 25, 2009]

North chokes from dense smog

By Bangkokpost.com
A thick haze and dense micro dust particles from bush fires blanketing northern provinces have raised fears air quality in the North is poised to reach danger levels. On Wednesday, the level of dust particles, technically called particulate matter (PM-10), which is a complex mixture of organic and inorganic substances, in several upper northern provinces was found to be beyond an acceptable limit.

It was measured at 201 microgrammes per cubic metre (ug/cu m) in Lampang against a health standard of 120 ug/cu m. The province was the worst hit.The level of PM-10 in Chiang Mai was measured at 129 ug/cu m. In Chiang Rai it was 143 ug/cu m, in Phayao 141 ug/cu m and in Lamphun 137 ug/cu m.Public health authorities in Chiang Mai and Lampang Wednesday warned residents to avoid outdoor exercises as thick smoke and dust particles might cause them to suffer respiratory problems.

The Lampang municipality ordered fire trucks to spray water onto public parks and main roads to reduce the amount of dust.From Feb 1 to 23, a total of 3,169 people in Lampang had sought treatment for respiratory problems. Most patients were children and the elderly, according to health officials.

Somchai Ruengsitthinaruparb, director of the artificial rain centre for the upper north, said the haze situation in the North was almost reaching a crisis because of heavy dust in numerous areas.His Majesty the King has expressed concern over smoke haze and drought in the North and asked the centre to urgently solve the problem.

[Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com, February 25, 2009]

Pollution scare on school-Seven blind students complain of eye infection

Moran(India): For the third time this winter, seven children of Moran Blind School complained of a severe eye infection, accompanied by headaches and fever. A series of tests later, the possible culprit turned out to be — not a virus — but a stone-crushing unit near the school.Alarmed by the recurring infections, the authorities of Jaanamangal Adarsha Andha Bidyalaya, popularly known as Moran Blind School, organised a special medical check-up camp last week for all the wards. A team of doctors and paramedics, led by Dr N. Kalita, the deputy superintendent of the Tiloi community health centre, was dispatched by the office of the joint director of health services, Dibrugarh, to conduct the check-up.“Most of the students are suffering from various airborne diseases which may be because of the pollution in the area. We have prescribed medicines. But if medicines do not work, we may have to refer them for specialised treatment,” Kalita said. Located on the outskirts of Moran town on National Highway 37, the school is just a few feet away from the stone crushing unit, set up on an industrial estate plot owned by the state government.Ever since it became operational last October, the crushing machines run almost round the clock, depending on the availability of electricity. “Since the school is a residential one, noise and dust pollution has become a major concern for not only our school but also the two other schools in the locality,” Pradip Bhatta, the secretary of the governing trust of the school, said.The two other schools affected by the unit are Gyan Banti Middle English School and Phatikachua Chakalia Lower Primary School.Moran Blind School, started by Maj. S.N. Banerjee in 1971, now has 45 students, including 18 girls. Now, his son, actor Victor Banerjee is the chairman of the managing trust and is a frequent visitor to the school.Bhatta said the school has requested industries minister Pradyut Bordoloi to intervene and accordingly, the department cancelled the lease granted to Hira Industries that owns the stone crushing unit.“We have already filed an affidavit in court in this regard stating that the unit is causing inconvenience to students of the blind school. Hopefully, the matter will be resolved soon,” the minister said. The owner of the unit, Mrinmoy Chetia, said he has moved court against cancellation of the lease and an injunction has been obtained till the case is finally disposed of.He said he had all the necessary clearances and would continue to run his business.“However, if the government allots me another plot of land somewhere else which is fit to re-locate the unit, I am ready to shift. It is very unfortunate that the school management preferred to pile political pressure on me instead of discussing the matter for an amicable settlement,” Chetia said.

[http://www.telegraphindia.com, February 25, 2009]

Pollution by Processing Industries: Ministry of Environment and Forests (India)

Lok Sabha
The Government has taken various steps to control pollution being spread by the processing industries. Environmental experts and other agencies including industrial associations are consulted, among others, for prescribing national environmental standards for industries. Six sector specific Committees have been constituted, which also include experts from different fields, to process the grant of environmental clearances. Experts of other agencies like Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR institutions are also involved in various research projects on Clean Technologies and Waste Minimization. The steps are:

(i) Notification of general and industry specific environmental standards.

(ii) Prescribing protocols for Hazardous Wastes management, handling and storage under The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

(iii) Environment Surveillance and inspection of industries by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the concerned State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) to enforce the prescribed norms.

(iv) Issue of directions under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

(v) Mandatory Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) clearance for certain categories of industrial projects.

(vi) Issue of consent under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, mandatory for polluting industries.

(vii) Promotion of establishment of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) and Treatment Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs) by the Government of India.

(viii) Promotion of Clean Technology and Waste Minimization by undertaking research and dissemination.

(ix) Preparation of zoning atlas for siting of industries based on environmental considerations.

(x) Implementation of Corporate Responsibility for Environmental Protection (CREP) through voluntary initiatives by the industries.

Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Shri Namo Narain Meena replied in a written question by Shri Jashubhai Dhanabhai Barad in Lok Sabha today.

[Source: http://pib.nic.in, February 25, 2009]