2 day energy mela on april 17th in gurgaon

April 15- A two day Energy Mela will begin at the Rajiv Gandhi Renewable Energy Park (RGREP), City Centre,  Gurgaon from April 17 to create awareness about renewable energy and energy conservation related issues and facilitate an interface between the technical experts and general public.

While stating this here today, Smt.Sumita Misra, Director, Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency (HAREDA) said that  the Mela would be inaugurated by Mr. Mahender Partap Singh, Power & Renewable Energy Minister, Haryana. 

 

This activity was being organized for the first time in the state to popularize Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation in a most innovative way. The Mela would give an opportunity to students to learn about these issues with fun and frolic, she added.

Giving details of the Mela, she said that puppet shows and street plays on the theme of the Mela, hands on workshops on solar cooking, waste recycling and energy efficiency in homes would be organized. In addition to this, short duration movies on renewable energy, energy conservation and related issues would  be screened to present an overview of these topics to the public in the simplest and interesting way.

She said that on this occasion, an exhibition on energy conservation technologies and on the spot sale of various energy saving and renewable energy devices like CFLs, LED lights, T-5 tubelights, solar cookers, solar water heating systems, solar lantern, solar homelighting systems, etc. on discounted rates would also be organized. A musical evening had also been planned in the evening on April 17. 

Smt Misra said that the Rajiv Gandhi Renewable Energy Park had been set up at a cost of about Rs.2.5 crore by the Haryana Government to create awareness among the masses about the new technologies developed in the area of renewable energy,  demonstrate the working of these technologies through working models & educate students regarding application of various renewable energy sources, energy conservation technologies and their socio-environmental benefits.

The Park had working models of various renewable energy and energy generating devices. The most attractive feature of the Park was that its buildings had been constructed with solar passive design concepts and green roofs which will make the buildings cool in summer and warm in winter. The Park also had an energy information centre to provide advisory services to the public, she added. 

Smt. Misra said that elaborate arrangements had been made for the Mela. She appealed the general public to visit the Mela with their children and avail benefits provided by various companies in the exhibition. 

breeding of peafowl and Chinkara

April 09- Haryana Forest Department has a plan for
conservation breeding of peafowl and Chinkara  in their natural
habitat of village Manethi in district Rewari.

While stating this today, Forest and Wild Life Minister, Capt.Ajay
Singh said that the objective of this plan was to provide the
facilities of the conservation breeding of Peafowl and Chinkara in
enclosures in their natural and undisturbed habitat in Panchayat area
of village Manethi and thereby restocking of these diminishing species
by releasing the increased population from the breeding centre.
Necessary infrastructures for the breeding centre would be built in
the village.

The project of conservation breeding was envisaged twenty years ago, he added.
The Minister said that breeding of Peafowl would be facilitated in
three aviaries with close monitoring by CCTV, whereas the breeding of
Chinkara would be monitored in the enclosures.  Aviaries would be
covered from the top also.  Size of the aviaries would be 40 mx15mx6m

Enclosures and aviaries would be chain-link-wire mess of 12 gauge
with 2”x2” hole.  Height of enclosure would be 10 ft.  Proper record
of breeding, increased population and survival after release would be
maintained at the centre by the Staff.

Mr. Yadav said that one veterinary Doctor would be engaged on
contract basis to look after the health of the animals and giving
treatment to the diseased ones. Breeding centre would be provided with
a deep tubewell and sprinkler set for growing green fodder for the
animals.

The total expenditure of the project for 20 years would be over Rs.
19.85 crore, he added.
Peafowl(Pavo Cristatus), a Pheasant and Chinkara (Gazzella Gazzella)
a antelope live in same type of habitat in semi arid to arid areas in
south west Haryana.  Both likes secluded areas in dry deciduous and
thorn forests free from any type of interference.  These species have
been placed in Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 for
the assured protection.  Once they were in abundance in Aravalis of
Haryana but in recent past their population felled drastically due to
increased infrastructure and biotic interference deep in their
habitat.

An area of about 60 acre of panchayat land will be fenced for the
breeding centre of both the species.  Other reasons of threat are the
changed cropping pattern in the semi-arid areas, conversion of
sandy-hills into plan cultivated land, excess use of chemical spray on
crops and sowing the chemically treated seeds.  Now they are rarely
seen and if the pattern of decrease in population continues, both
species will extinct from Haryana.  There is need for conservation of
these wild species by protecting their natural habitat in controlled
area for their breeding and assured protection.

state compensatory and afforestation fund

March 21- Haryana Government has set up State Compensatory
Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority for protection
and management of natural forests and wildlife sanctuaries,
compensatory afforestation, environmental services and research and
development.

While stating this on the occasion of World Forestry Day, Haryana
Forests and Environment Minister, Capt.Ajay Singh Yadav said that the
Government has decided to set up a conservation centre to preserve the
vanishing species of Chinkara in district Rewari at a cost of Rs 55
lakh. The work to set up conservation centre would commence soon, he
added.

He said that Haryana was the first State where the areas falling in a
radius of five kms from all national parks and wildlife sanctuaries
had been declared as eco-sensitive to protect the wildlife. He urged
the people to plant more trees and said that 1,700 Gram Van Samities
have been constituted for maintenance of forests. While seven per cent
of the total area of the State was under afforestation as per the
Forests Survey of India, the State Forests’ Policy has set a target to
increase it by 10 per cent by 2010 and thereafter, upto 20 per cent as
per the National Forests Policy.

mission green haryana

March 20 – Haryana Government has decided to launch
Mission Green Haryana in the state in which five crore seedlings would
be planted during 2010-11.

In a message issued on the World Forestry Day, Haryana Chief
Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that more than five crore
plants would be made available in the nurseries of the Forest
Department for plantation and free distribution to farmers, public and
institutions during the next financial year. The Forests and tree
cover in Haryana would be increased from seven to ten per cent and a
peacock Breeding Centre, the first of its kind would also be set up in
the state.

He said that the State had developed plantation forests on community
lands and agro-forests on farm lands. The State Forest Department was
making all out efforts in an endeavor to come closer to the National
Forest Policy goal of having at least 33 percent of the total
geographical area of the country under forest and tree cover. In the
current year about 2.7 crore seedlings had been distributed free of
cost to the public, farmers, schools and other institutions and about
2.3 crore plants had been planted by Forest Department, he added.
He said that a State Forest Policy 2006 aimed at increasing the forest
and tree cover in the State from present seven percent to 10 percent
by 2010 and 20 percent eventually in a phased manner. He said that as
many as 28 Herbal Parks, one in each district had been set up. To
bring people closer to nature, an Eco-Tourism project has been started
in the forests of Kalesar, Morni Hills and Sultanpur National Park.
Union Ministry of Tourism had sanctioned Rs. 6.48 crore for
Eco-Tourism activities in the first phase of the project for creation
of infrastructure like log huts, tented accommodation, nature trails
etc. The second phase of the project costing Rs. 1.80 crore had also
been submitted to the Government of India.

The Forest Minister, Capt Ajay Singh Yadav said that the State
Government has set up the State Compensatory Afforestation Fund
Management and Planning Authority (State CAMPA) in accordance with the
guidelines of the Government of India. This Fund would be utilized for
the protection and management of natural forests and wildlife
sanctuaries, compensatory afforestation, environmental services and
research and development. Under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, a
contribution of Rs.187.43 crore had already been made to this fund by
the User agencies against sanctioned proposals.

He said that about 116 ponds in different villages had been
rehabilitated. Tree plantations had also been carried out around the
ponds for their beautification and this work was being continued to
cover more villages during the current year. A new scheme under the
name Clonal Agro-forestry had been started to encourage the
agro-forestry practice on farmlands to bring an overall increase in
tree cover in the State. The main emphasis in the scheme was to raise
plants of commercial value of clonal Eucalyptus and Poplar and
planting them on farmlands of small and marginal farmers. Clonal
propagation facilities had been developed in the state at Seonthi in
district Kurukshetra to raise improved variety of eucalyptus for
increasing productivity. About 180 water harvesting structure had been
established in the Shivaliks to enrich water regime.

He said that on wildlife front, a Vulture Conservation and Breeding
Centre had been established at Bir Shikargaha, Pinjore where efforts
were being made to save the vultures fast getting extinct. Haryana
Forest Department and Bombay Natural History Society had signed a
Memorandum of Understanding for collaboration in conservation and
breeding of vultures till 2019.

He said that an Elephant Rehabilitation and Research centre had been
set up at Bansantour forest in Yamunanagar. The centre would take up
the work of rehabilitation of the sick, injured and rescued elephants
to provide them their natural habitat. Central Government had
sanctioned Rs. 90 lakh for this project. A mini Zoo in Bhiwani had
been renovated and dedicated to Wildlife Conservation and Education.
Rohtak Zoo was also being expanded and renovated from existing area of
16 acres to 44 acres. The Zoo was being modernized and new animal
enclosures were being added to provide better habitat for the wild
animals. A bird Safari had been established in an area of 250 hectares
near Berwala village on Panchkula Morni Road

He said that 1607 Self Help Groups, particularly of the women was
created in rural areas for income generation of the people living
below the poverty line. These Self Help Groups were given proper
training to start their micro-enterprises for self-employment and
income generation. Over 1700 Village Forest Committees had been
constituted in the State for socio-economic empowerment in rural
areas.

He said that Management Information System and Geographical
Information System a significant tool for scientific planning and
management were being developed to improve efficiency in accounts,
administration, forest and wildlife management and personnel
management. Global Positioning Systems were being used for mapping of
forest boundaries, fire affected areas and plantation areas in the
State. Satellite imageries to monitor changes in forest and tree cover
in the State were proposed to be used. All relevant databases would be
generated and regularly updated. All forestry personnel would be
trained in use of these technologies and software in a phased manner.

consultants required in haryana

March 19- Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency
(HAREDA) has invited proposals from consultants/consultancy
organisations for preparing feasibility-cum-detailed project report
based on kitchen and other biodegradable waste for its utilisation in
generating bio gas/power.
While disclosing this here today, Mrs. Sumita Misra, Director,
Department of Renewable Energy and HAREDA , said that detailed tender
documents having scope of work and other terms and conditions could be
obtained from HAREDA office on any working day upto March 29, 2010 by
depositing tender fee of Rs. 1000 in the form of demand draft in
favour Director, HAREDA payable at Chandigarh.

The bids could be submitted by March 30, 2010.

projects in renewable energy

March 7- Haryana Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Renewable Energy, Mr S.S.Prasad said that a six MW small hydro project was nearing completion and would be commissioned by the end of this month whereas work on three other small hydro projects of 4.6 MW was in progress and these were expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Mr Prasad said this during his visit to Chakli village in Morni near here today where he inspected the State’s first 10 kW wind-solar demonstration project.

He interacted with villagers about this project and found that wind-solar hybrid power plants are ideal solution for energy needs of high hilly and wind prone areas. He expressed pleasure on performance and maintenance of the system.

The wind-solar project had been installed by the Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency(HAREDA) in November 2008 at a cost of Rs 34 lakh with financial assistance from the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy(MNRE). The power plant has 6.6 kW power generation from wind energy and 3.4 kW power generation from solar. The power so generated is being supplied to 24 houses of Chakli and Ramsar villages for two lights, one fan and six street lights.

The project has an unique feature that the State Government had not to incur any cost on the system. The developer of the project, M/s Ananda Solar Technologies, has invested Rs14 lakh for the project to demonstrate their technology. The project had an inbuilt five years maintenance contract. To maintain the system through local village level management, a Village Energy Committee (VEC) has been formed. Every house connected with the system is paying Rs.50 per month to the VEC, which is deposited in a bank account of the committee. The amount so deposited till five years would be used to maintain the system after five years. Mr Shayam Sunder, Chairman of the VEC informed that about Rs.16,000 have been deposited. The villagers informed that they are now getting electricity round-the-clock.

Mr Prasad said that the State Government is committed for harnessing all possible renewable energy potential in the State. He said that work on three other small hydro projects of 4.6 MW on augmentation canal at Musapur, Khukni and Gogripur in Karnal was in progress and is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Mr Prasad said that the government is monitoring the progress of the 21 biomass projects of 189 MW and 6 solar power projects of 12 MW capacity. He also inspected the Solar Energy Shop at Main Market Morni being run by Mr Baldev Singh. He said that for success of renewable energy programmes, after sales services are very important. He appreciated the services being provided by the shop.

Earlier Mr Surender Singh, Sarpanch, Morni welcomed Mr Prasad at Chakli. Officers from HAREDA and district administration were also present.

State Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority

Chandigarh, March 3 - The Haryana Government has constituted the State
Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority
(STATE CAMPA), Haryana for the purpose of management of funds.

It will be registered as a Society by the State Government under the
Societies Registration Act, 1860 having its registered office at the
office of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Van Bhawan, sector
6, Panchkula.

State Campa, Haryana will have three bodies, namely - a Governing
Body, a Steering Committee and an Executive Committee.

Chief Minister, Haryana will be the Chairperson of the Governing Body
of the State Campa, Haryana and Minister of Forests, Minister of
Finance, Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Finance), Principal
Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden will be its
Members. Principal Secretary, Forests will be Member Secretary of the
Governing Body. Chief Secretary, Haryana will be the Chairperson of
the Steering Committee and Principal Secretary (Finance), Principal
Secretary (Forests), Chief Wildlife Warden, Conservator of Forests
(FC) and Nodal Officer(FCA), Haryana, representative of Ministry of
Environment and Forests, Government of India, two eminent NGOs
nominated by the State Government for a period of two years will be
its Members. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests will be its Member
Secretary.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Haryana will be the
Chiarperson of the Executive Committee and Additional PCCF (Forestry),
Chief Wildlife Warden, Chief Conservator of Forests (Protection-I),
Chief Conservator of Forests(Protection-II), Conservator of Forests
(Planning), representative of Finance Department not below the rank of
Additional Secretary and two eminent NGOs nominated by the State
Government for a period of two years will be its Members. Conservator
of Forests(FC) and Nodal Officer(FCA) will be its Member Secretary.

State Campa, Haryana will work as an instrument to accelerate
activities relating to conservation of forests and wildlife,
development of infrastructure in these sectors and other allied works,
it will promote conservation, protection,regeneration and management
of forests ; conservation, protection and management of wildlife and
its habitat within and outside Protected Areas including the
consolidation of Protected Areas ; Compensatory Afforestation,
Acquisition of suitable non-forest lands for
afforestation/regeneration to compensate the net loss in forest area,
environmental services, plantation activities outside the forests
including agro-forestry and farm-forestry to enhance the green cover
of the State and forestry research, training and capacity building of
forest officials including other stakeholders involved in the
protection of forests and wildlife.

haryana and rainwater harvesting

Feb 23– The Haryana Environment Minister, Capt. Ajay Singh
Yadav said that Haryana Government was contemplating to set up a Nodal
Centre at Chandigarh and Sub Nodal Centres at district levels so that
the concept of rain harvesting system could be encouraged in the State
for the optimum use of rain water.

These views were expressed by Capt. Yadav while addressing a seminar
organised by Environment Department and Search Foundation on the
concept of green buildings at Gurgaon today.

Capt. Yadav said that with a view to maintain clean and pollution
free environment, the concept of green buildings should be encouraged
so that the problem of water and energy could be overcome in the near
future. He gave a clarion call to the architects and builders that
they should help in a big way to fulfill the dream of green buildings.

While expressing his concern on the increasing pollution, he
maintained that efforts should be made for the permanent solution of
this problem by constructing green buildings which conserve more
resources. He said that it should be ensured that the clearance of
Environment Department should be seek while constructing buildings
over an area of 20,000 sq.mts.
The Environment Minister said that a number of activities were going
on in the State, especially at Gurgaon as it was near the National
Capital Delhi. He stressed the need for optimum conservation of rain
water. He said that the green buildings help us in saving 35 to 40 per
cent energy. Similarly, 30 to 40 per cent water could also be saved by
constructing green buildings.

The Chairman of Haryana State Environment Impact Evaluation
Authority, Mr K.S. Bhoria said that Haryana Government was using green
techniques and efforts were on to promote green buildings so that
environment could be protected.

The President of Search Foundation, Dr Dhiraj Kumar said that during
next 20 years the population of the country would be doubled and in
the same ratio warming and green gas houses would be developed which
were against the environment. He said that Search Foundation would
construct a nodal centre for the use of rain water.

Chairman of Indian Green Buildings Council, Dr Prem Chand Jain
apprised in the seminar about the brief history rating system of green
buildings.

On the occasion, a number of architects, engineers and builders
expressed their views.

vulture and peacock in haryana

February 21– The Haryana Forests Minister, Capt. Ajay
Singh Yadav said that State Government has taken up conservation
breeding programme of vultures and this work was being done in
collaboration with the Bombay Natural History Society.
Capt.Yadav said that three species of vultures belonging to Gyps
genus were being bread in the state of the Art aviaries near Pinjore.
He said that this was an international project where Haryana
government had in collaboration with an NGO and successfully doing
breeding work of endangered birds that have a role in keeping rural
areas clean.

The Forests Minister expressed concern on reducing the population of
vultures throughout the country and said that the number of Indian
vultures had reduced upto 99 per cent. The use of diclofenac had
already been banned for veterinary purpose and efforts should be made
to ban it for other purposes also. He said that special thrust was
also being given for conservation of breeding of Red Junglefowl at
Morni. This species was progenitor of poultry throughout the World.

Capt.Yadav said that with a view to protect the national bird
peacock, the Haryana Government has envisaged a plan to set up
breeding centre over 70 acres of land for preservation of antelopes
and peacocks in district Rewari. He said that it has come to the
notice of the Government that some peacocks were killed in the State
due to electrocution.

The Minister said that to save the national bird peacock, Haryana
Government had chalked out a plan for setting up of a sanctuary and
the proposal for the same had been forwarded to the Union Ministry of
Environment and Forests for its approval. He said that there were
already three small zoos in the state which included Bhiwani, Rohtak
and Kurukshetra.

environment NOC

February 7 - The Haryana Environment Minister, Capt.AjaySingh Yadav said that the State Pollution Control Board was contemplating to set up its offices at all district headquarters besides the online processing of application for providing NoObjection Certificate to the industries for environment clearance.

Capt.Yadav said that four new laboratories would also be set atPanipat, Yamunanagar, Sonipat and Bahadurgarh. It has also beendecided to strengthen and upgrade the existing laboratories in theState, he added.

The Environment Minister said that with a view to provide morefacilities to the entrepreneurs in the State. He maintained if thisprocess of online of No Objection Certificate remained successfulthan other services, namely consent to operate, grant of authorisationand cess collection would also be included in the ambit of onlineservices in due course of time. Mr.Yadav expressed concerned that there was a major threat to theenvironment due to menace of plastic carry bags besides this effortswere on to motivate the farmers against the harmful affects of paddystraw and wheat stubble burning and plastic carry bags. He said thatState Government had also issued revised notification in respect ofplastic carry bags by increase thickness from 30 microns to 40microns. The provision of fine had also been made by giving the powerto the officers of other departments to take cognizance of plasticcarry bags.

state policy on renewable energy sources

Feb 4- Haryana Cabinet which met under the chairmanship ofChief Minister, Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda here today approved theamendments in the State Policy for Promoting Generation of Electricitythrough Renewable Energy Sources.

The amendment will facilitate in considering the proposals of theinvestors who have land & has identified sites for setting up of therenewable energy based power projects. Now, the grid connectivity willbe undertaken as per the orders of the Haryana Electricity RegulatoryCommission / Central Electricity Regulatory Commission or AppellateTribunal for Electricity as modified from time to time. The siteswhich have been identified by the HAREDA, proposals from the investorsshall be considered through competitive bidding route. To ensure thatthe private investor takes effective steps for completion of theprojects, the clause relating to the completion of the project havealso been amended. Now, the investor have to follow the time scheduleas mentioned in the MoU.

Keeping in view the requirements for setting up of rooftop based gridinteractive solar power projects under recently launched JawaharlalNehru National Solar Mission, now there shall be no restriction ongeneration capacity of the project.

ban on polythene bags in haryana

February 2 – The Haryana Government has imposed a complete ban on the use of polythene bags made of virgin or recycled plasticwith a thickness of less than 40 microns and size less than 12 x 18inches in the state.While giving this information here today, Haryana Forests Minister,Capt. Ajay Singh Yadav said that no person would manufacture, stock,distribute, sell or use carry bags made of virgin or recycled plasticof thickness less than 40 microns and size less than 12 x 18 inches inthe state. Besides this, a complete ban had been imposed on use of alltypes of plastic articles such as carry bags (irrespective ofthickness and size), plates, cups, tumblers, spoons, forks and strawwithin the municipal limits of Thanesar/Kurukshetra and Pehowa towns,precincts of Mansa Devi Temple, Panchkula and Sheetla Mata Temple,Gurgaon and Public Parks, Wild Life Sanctuaries and National Parks ofHaryana and Gram Panchayats, Morni as these areas have specialhistorical, religious and ecological significance. The Minister said that a penalty of Rs.25,000 to Rs. 50,000 could beimposed on manufacturing unit if found violating the rules for thefirst offence and if it continues to violate rules, its license can becancelled in addition to confiscating the machinery used. Allmanufacturers should print on each market packet of carry bags as towhether these carry bags are made of ‘recycled material’ and shouldbear clear printing regarding thickness of 40 microns. Similarly, the retailer, vendor and other establishments found to beviolating these directions, could be fined from Rs. 2500 to Rs.5000for use of polythene or plastic carry bags of banned categories forthe first offence and if found violating subsequently their tradelicence can be cancelled. Apart from this, an individual found to belittering public places with plastic bags could be fined ranging inbetween from Rs.250 to Rs.500 per offence, he added.Capt. Yadav said that Haryana State Pollution Control Board would bethe Prescribed Authority for enforcement of these directions. Besidesthis, the concerned Municipal Commissioner, Executive Officer ofMunicipal Corporations/Municipal Committees would also ensure theenforcement of these directions. The Divisional Forest Officerconcerned would be prescribed authority for enforcement of theprovision of these directions in Wild Life Sanctuaries and NationalParks in the state of Haryana falling under their jurisdiction.He said that similarly, District Magistrate, Additional DistrictMagistrate, District Development and Panchayat Officer,Sub-Divisional Magistrate, City Magistrate, Executive Engineer, PublicHealth Engineering department, District Food and Supplies Controller,District Town Planner, Estate Officer, HUDA, Block Development andPanchayat Officer, Tehsildar and Naib-Tehsildar, Revenue department,Scientist-B, HSPCB, Assistant Environmental Engineer, HSPCB andExecutive Officer/Secretary of Municipal Council/Committee are madeprescribed authority for enforcement of the provisions of thesedirections.Capt. Yadav said that the Plastic Industry Associations, through theirmember units shall undertake self-regulatory measures. Religiousworship places, health care centres, hotels/restaurants, educationalinstitutions and other concerned agencies shall ensure strictimplementation of the ban on the use of carry bags made of recycledplastics for storing, carrying, dispensing or packing or foodstuffs.He said that Municipal Corporations and other concerned agencies shallensure necessary measures to create wide publicity of the impacts ofusing plastic carry bags of thickness less than 40 microns and sizeless than 12 x 18 and littering of public places which adverselyaffect the environment and health of human beings, and also thepenalty provisions of these rules, through cinema exhibit slides,electronic/print media etc. The other provisions of the Recycled Plastic Manufacture and UsageRules, 1999 (as amended in 2003) and as amended from time to time bythe Government of India shall remain in force.

LED based street lighting in kalka town

Februrary 1- Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency(HAREDA) has prepared a special and first of its kind project forinstalling the light emitting diode (LED) based street lighting fixtures in the entire municipal area of the Kalka town of Panchkuladistrict.

While disclosing this today, the Power and Renewable Energy Minister,Mr. Mahender Pratap Singh said that the LED project would be completedwithin next four-five months. With the implementation of this project,Kalka town would become India’s first fully LED lit township. The project had already been approved by the Bureau of EnergyEfficiency, Ministry of Power, Government of India. The full projectcost of Rs. 70.16 lakh had been released by the Ministry of Power, headded.

The Minister said that under the project, 50 high pressure sodiumvapor lamps of 250 watts would be replaced with 72 watt LED basedstreet lighting, 60 high pressure sodium vapor lamps of 150 watt wouldbe replaced with 55 watt LED based street lighting and 900conventional 40 W tubelights with 14 W LED based street lights.Besides this, microprocessor based On-Off timer to switch the streetlights at pre-determined time would be installed on all the eightswitching panels. The installed equipments would be warranted forfive years.

As per pre-installation study conducted by the independentconsultant, M/s Dyna spede Integrated System Pvt.Ltd., Banglore,implementation of this project would result in estimated annual savingof two lakhs units of electricity and Rs. 9.25 lakh in energy billsannually. Mrs.Sumita Misra, Director, Renewable Energy Department, Haryana andHAREDA, said that the State Government had made mandatory that all thestreet lighting in all existing and new colonies and town areasnotified by the Urban Local Bodies Department, HUDA Sectors, HSIIDCindustrial estates, housing complexes. colonies and townshipsdeveloped by private/semi-government/autonomous institutions would useenergy efficient street lighting fixtures using T-5 tubelights/lightemitting diode (LED)/ low pressure sodium vapor/high pressure sodiumvapor/induction Arc Lamps.

planting indigenous trees in the state

January 31- The Haryana Government has decided to plantlong-lived indigenous trees, such as- Bar, Pipal, Neem, Jamoa, etc. torestore permanent greenery in the entire State.

While disclosing this today, the Forest Minister, Haryana, Capt.AjaySingh Yadav said that the decision would make a change in the ruralset up, as indigenous trees had been part of traditional life style ofpeople of Haryana. The targets for the next five years’ plantationswould be increased three fold in these categories. He said that the State Government had decided to give a boost to agroforestry in the State with the cooperation of the farmers, as naturalforests in Shivaliks and Aravalis were limited in extent and were alsofacing pressure of development. It had been decided to have a focusedagro forestry institution with Deputy Forest Officer working underDivisional Forests Officer (Territorial) in addition to having acommunity forestry wing that would focus on rehabilitation ofwater-logged sites. Budget allocation for agro forestry would also beincreased by internally mobilising resources and also by providingadditional resources. Seedlings of various species of economically important trees would beplanted on farm land by Forest Department followed by payment ofincentive at Rs two for first year and Rs three for second year afterplanting, he added.

Capt.Yadav said that poplar seedlings already raised by the ForestDepartment for the current year would also be subsidised and sold atRs five per seedling. Eucalyptus species particularly when grown indry areas of the State depletes ground water considering this poplarmight be grown in revering tracks and more of teak seedlings should begrown under agro forestry system. The variety of poplar clones atpresent raised in forest nurseries were a mixture of different clones,which require improvement. In future, only promising clones, such as-Kranti, WSL clones- WSL 22, 29 and 32 would be raised.

chromium poisoning of groundwater in gurgaon

Chandigarh, January 27: The Haryana State Pollution Control Board detected ground water contamination containing excessive amount of Hexavalent chromium and total chromium in Village Sehraul and surrounding areas in June 2009.
While giving this information here today, a spokesman of Haryana State Pollution Control Board said that the villagers of Village Sehraul in their complaint mentioned that M/s Munjal Showa Ltd., P. No. 9-11, Sector-18, Gurgaon had contaminated the sub soil water and the underground water has become unfit for human consumption. A technical team of the Board carried out inspection and also collected sample of M/s Munjal Showa Ltd, Gurgaon, tubewell water of Village Sehraul. The analysis reports revealed that the tubewell water of Village Sehraul contained chromium ranging from 38.12 – 80 milligram per litre against the permissible limit of Nil.
He said that even the tubewell water of M/s Munjal Showa Ltd, Gurgaon were found to be containing Hexavalent chromium as high as 10.87 milligram per litre. The samples of Rain Water Harvesting System were also found containing total chromium as high as 17.517 milligram per litre. Based on the above investigation a show cause notice under section 33-A of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 was issued to the unit on 11.7.2009 and the unit was directed to submit remediation plan alongwith performance bank guarantee of Rs. 5 crore.
The spokesman further informed that M/s Munjal Showa Ltd., Gurgaon submitted the remediation plan alongwith bank guarantee of Rs. 5 crore but the remediation plan was not found in order and deficiencies were conveyed to the unit. The unit was given repeated opportunities to submit proper remediation plan for removal of Hexavalent chromium from the underground water in Village Sehraul and surrounding affected areas along with PERT chart but the unit did not comply with the directions given by the Board. The HSPCB again deputed a technical team for inspection. Technical team inspected the unit on 30.11.09 and also collected samples of tubewells of the unit and tubewells of Village Sehraul along with effluent discharged by the unit. From analysis of samples, it was revealed that unit had not installed additional Effluent Treatment Plant of 1000 Kilo litre per day capacity and also did not submit time bound remediation plan with PERT chart.
He said that the samples collected by the technical team of four tubewells and two soil samples of M/s Munjal Showa Ltd. were found containing excessive Hexavalent chromium. The tubewells of Village Sehraul were also containing excessive Hexavalent chromium. Although the present discharge of the unit through outlet of Effluent Treatment Plant were not found containing Hexavalent chromium. The team reported that the unit had in the past discharged untreated effluent containing Hexavalent chromium through borewells which has resulted in ground water contamination in the surrounding areas as is evident from the results of tubewell samples and soil samples of M/s Munjal Showa Ltd., Gurgaon. No concrete steps were taken by the unit for removal of Hexavalent chromium from the underground water of the surrounding affected area. Consequently the unit was closed by the Board on 31.12.2009.
The spokesman said that M/s Munjal Showa Ltd, submitted an undertaking on 6.1.2010 along with affidavit giving time bound action plan for remediation of under ground water for removal of Hexavalent chromium alongwith PERT chart and time schedule to complete all the work related to remediation upto 31.3.2012. The Board did not accept the proposal of the unit and directed them vide letter dated 7.1.2010 to give stage wise progress indicators to be achieved and to prepare PERT chart and verifiable progress indicators in the form of an affidavit for removal of Hexavalent chromium in the underground water of surrounding affected area.
He said that the unit submitted revised PERT chart with verifiable progress indicators along with remediation plan for removal of Hexavalent chromium vide their affidavit/ undertaking dated 8.1.2010 with time targeted plan to remove Hexavalent chromium 25% by 31.3.2010, 50% by 30.6.2010, 75% by 30.9.2010 and 100% by 31.12.2010 along with under taking for proportionate forfeiture of bank guarantee of Rs. 5 crore in case of non-compliance. M/s Munjal Showa Ltd. was also directed to supply fresh drinking water to the people of Village Sehraul and affected surrounding areas through tankers till the Hexavalent chromium is removed from the under ground water of affected surrounding areas.
Based on the above undertaking and recommendations of the Regional Officer Gurgaon, the closure order was suspended with certain conditions including above said directions. The unit was also suggested to contact the Central Pollution Control Board for adopting latest advanced technology for removal of Hexavalent chromium from the underground water of affected surrounding area. The latest technology of injecting micro- organisms for reduction of Hexavalent chromium in underground water had been tried by the Central Pollution Control Board at Kanpur where such contamination was found, in consultation with US EPA. The trained micro-organisms were procured from Japan. These micro organisms have the potential to reduce Hexavalent Chromium in the sub soil water. Continuous supply of water to the villagers of Village Sehraul is being ensured by the Board besides compliance of above directions issued to the unit.
The Board is taking stringent action against defaulter units in all such cases and ordered closure of 197 units under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and 212 units under the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 during the year 2008-09 and more than 105 units under the Water Act and 80 units under the Air Act during 2009-10. Haryana State Pollution Control Board is endeavoring for providing clean and pollution free environment to the citizen of the State, he added.