Reportage
‘Green’ energy projects threaten to wipe off ancient ‘orans’ in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Almost every village and temple in Jaisalmer has an ‘oran’ or a sacred grove believed by many to be the abode of gods. They are also home to many endangered species of trees, birds and other creatures. However, plans are afoot to use the land to set up renewable energy projects, which locals fear might wipe these groves out.
Kamal Singh Sultana
UP ambulance strike Day 3: FIR lodged against head of protesting drivers’ assocn; ambulance services remain affected in most districts
The strike by the ambulance drivers in Uttar Pradesh marked its third day today as the state government and district administrations attempt to thaw the situation. In Kannauj, protesting drivers have handed over vehicle keys. But protests continue in several other districts as patients face hardships to reach health centres.
Gaon Connection
World Hepatitis Day: 40 million Indians infected with viral disease; target is to eliminate Hepatitis C by 2030
Hepatitis claims about 250,000 lives in India every year. The government aims at nation-wide eradication of Hepatitis C by 2030. What are its symptoms? How does it spread? Is it curable? Details here.
Gaon Connection
Kishtwar cloudburst: Deficient rainfall in Kishtwar in monsoon season so far; now heavy rains kill 7
In the southwest monsoon season so far, between June 1 and July 27, Kishtwar district in Jammu & Kashmir reported a rainfall departure of minus 60 per cent. And now a ‘cloudburst’ has triggered flash floods. Climate scientists have been warning against such changing rainfall patterns.
Nidhi Jamwal
An 11-year-old minor girl in Varanasi lies in hospital with cigarette burns and bruises; two people arrested
As per the police’s report to the National Commission for Backward Classes, an enquiry into the case had revealed that the child was kept imprisoned at the home of the employers where she was beaten with iron rods and sustained severe injuries. The child is undergoing treatment at a trauma centre in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Shashwat
Mumbai Metropolitan Region to get its first Ramsar site; Maharashtra to use mangroves to prevent extreme weather events
The Maharashtra Mangrove Cell has proposed the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary as a Ramsar site. The state has also decided to set up an ‘Emerald Necklace’ of mangroves around Mumbai and the MMR to prevent extreme weather events such as flooding.
Gaon Connection
COVID19 vaccination for children likely to begin next month, says Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya
The health minister’s remarks come a month after Centre informed the Delhi High Court that COVID19 vaccines may soon be available for children between 12 and 18 years of age.
Gaon Connection
Day 2 of ambulance strike in Uttar Pradesh, patients and pregnant women struggle to reach health centres
Uttar Pradesh government’s 102 and 108 ambulance services have come to a grinding halt due to strike by the ambulance drivers. Talks between the protesting ambulance drivers and the administration haven’t produced positive results yet. In the tussle between the state and the drivers, patients needing urgent healthcare are facing the brunt.
Gaon Connection
The African swine fever casts its dark shadow on Assam, once again
The infestation of the African swine fever in northeast India in 2020 caused untold damage to thousands of pig farmers. The North East Progressive Pig Farmers Association claimed over one million pigs died last year in Assam alone. The disease is far from under control and many pig farmers fear they will never be able to get back on their feet.
Divendra Singh
Prolonged dry spell period followed by bursts of heavy rainfall is going to be the new normal, warn climate scientists
Experts warn that the extreme weather events, such as Maharashtra floods and Himachal landslides, are expected to rise further in the wake of global warming and climate change as monsoon rainfall patterns have changed in India.