The government on Tuesday informed the Lok Sabha about the expansion of the scope of activities permitted under the rural job guarantee scheme by including 30 new activities. These will supplement agricultural and animal husbandry operations along with flood management and sanitation-related works in rural India.

The Sunderbans Development Board (SDB), under the Sunderbans Affairs Department, has allegedly distributed inferior quality moong dal (split green gram) seeds among local farmers without the required certification from the government agency. Moreover, the quality of moong dal seeds is allegedly inferior. This at a time when the local farmers are still struggling to restore cultivation post-Aila.

When it comes to opting for green initiatives, Puneites seem to develop a lukewarm attitude. That might explain why of the more than 7 lakh properties in the city only 14,805 have availed of green initiatives like rainwater harvesting, vermi-composting, solar lighting and heaters. In 2008, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) announced that owners would get 5 to 10% rebate in property tax if they go for the green initiatives. A 5% rebate would be given if the owner availed of one of the three initiatives and 10% for those going in for two or more initiatives.

SHIMLA: Agriculture sector has got big boost in Himachal Pradesh during the last four years as it is the mainstay of the people. This sector alone has provided direct employment to around 71 percent population of the state. Having allocated 12 percent of its plan resources for agriculture and allied sectors, which is highest in the country, now state government is promoting organic farming in a big way.

The Karnataka Planters' Association (KPA) has sought subsidy for adoption of green technologies for pollution abatement at the estate level in the 12th Five-Year Plan.

“There are flood of new green technologies in the market, we have requested the Coffee Board to include eco pulpers, vermiculture and effluent equipment under the new category of green technologies and offer subsidy to growers,” said Mr Marvin Rodrigues, Chairman, Karnataka Planters' Association (KPA), in a memorandum submitted to the Coffee Board.
Eco pulpers

Rotary Club of Pune Gandhi Bhavan and Rotary Club of Pune Hillside presented an organic fertiliser kit to Sarasbaug Ganapati temple authorities for disposal of nirmalya (floral offering to God) in a proper manner.

The use of the kit would begin after the inauguration by Pune mayor Mohansingh Rajpal.
The temple, governed by Shri Devdeveshwar Sansthan, already has a similar kit, but it is insufficient to handle nirmalya.

Considering that it is a treasure trove of plant and animal species that have historical, economic and medicinal significance, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has issued a draft notification to make Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary in Haryana an eco-sensitive zone.

GUWAHATI, Aug 9 – The State Agriculture Department is working on an ambitious project to spread organic farming with support from the Government of India.
Meanwhile, a programme to prepare the farmers of Golaghat district for organic certification is also on, while the State Government is undertaking 785 demonstration programmes on its own, to spread the knowledge and technology of organic farming of sali paddy among the farmers.

NOIDA: A group of environmentalists has launched a campaign against burning of fallen leaves by sweepers, gardeners and residents.