Badri Chatterjee

Climate change is here, need to adapt to ways to handle it: Maharashtra environment minister Aaditya Thackeray

As Mumbai became the sixth Indian city earlier this month to be chosen as a member of the C40 cities, state environment minister Aaditya Thackeray in an exclusive interview to HT spoke about the roadmap and strategies to make Mumbai the most active city among the C40 group in South and West Asia region.

20 million people in Mumbai at risk due to cyclones, sea level rise: Study

The study found that the decadal increase in cyclone events had increased six times from two cyclones in 1970-1979 to 12 during 2010-19 that had impact along the Maharashtra coast.

Kharghar-Panvel belt near Mumbai breathes unsafe air for 17 hours a day: Study

The air has suspended particulate matter (PM) of different sizes. Many of these are a complex mixture of dust, pollen, soot and smoke and are hazardous, making them responsible for lower visibility and smog

33 years after being notified, Maharashtra govt appoints WII to reorganise boundaries of Malvan Marine Sanctuary

The final decision was taken during a meeting chaired by chief minister Uddhav Thackeray with Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and various state bodies in the last week of November to discuss the issue

Researchers come up with natural solution to prevent red ants from attacking Olive Ridley turtle nests in Maharashtra

By maintaining a safe distance from the nest, protective layers were carved out sprayed with neem powder

26 wild rusty-spotted kittens reunited with mothers across Maharashtra farms over 6 years

The achievements of the team, part of wild animal conservation group Wildlife SOS, were published in a research paper in the Journal of Threatened Taxa on December 14

Contempt notice to Konkan collectors for failure to transfer mangrove land to Maharashtra forest department

The direction to hand over mangrove areas to the forest department was first issued by the Bombay high court on October 6, 2005. The HC reiterated its order on September 18, 2018

Form sub-committee to verify status of Uran wetlands in National Atlas: Bombay HC-panel to Raigad collector

Maharashtra forms 4 sub-committees to expedite critical wildlife habitat declaration

At present, not just the state, the entire country does not have a single critical wildlife habitat despite guidelines being put in place by the Union environment ministry in January 2018

Mumbai’s Sanjay Gandhi National Park reopens for visitors after 9 months with strict Covid-19 guidelines

On Tuesday, around 300 people visited the park after its reopening

Wolves prefer to stay away from human, shows telemetry study in Maharashtra

For the study, eight wolves were radio-collared in the Vidharbha and western Maharashtra grasslands

Overnight rain in Mumbai brings down temperatures and pollution

Mumbai records season’s coldest day; light rain predicted today

Meanwhile, the pollutant-measuring indicator – air quality index (AQI) – was the best for the week on Sunday at 108 (moderate), according to the System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research

Maharashtra becomes first state in India to get dedicated action plan to protect pangolins

The principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF-wildlife) recently got nod from the state for its proposal to form a study group to prepare a five-year conservation action plan for pangolins

Mumbai: Tankers being used to drain water from Uran wetlands; more security cabins set up at Panje

The techniques were identified by the Bombay high court (HC)-appointed wetland and mangrove grievance redressal committee member Stalin D and environmentalist Nandkumar Pawar

Mumbai’s winter pollution more toxic in 2020; PM2.5 levels 25-30% higher than 2019: CSE

Seven-fold increase in drought events, six-fold rise in frequency of extreme flood events in Maharashtra over 50 years: Study

Mumbai hottest in country on Tuesday, Wednesday

The streak of hot weather continued on Thursday as the night temperature recorded was 5 degrees Celsius above normal, making it the city’s second-highest minimum temperature during December in 10 years.

Maharashtra appoints panel to phase out unsustainable fishing

In 2014-15, a similar state-appointed expert committee had submitted a report against purse seine fishing, detailing its impact along the coastal environment of Maharashtra

Raigad administration says no wetlands in Uran before Bombay HC panel; civic bodies pulled up for failing to restore wetland areas

Cloud cover over Mumbai, unseasonal rainfall unlikely, says IMD

The maximum and minimum temperatures, both in the suburbs and south Mumbai, were above the normal mark

MCZMA nod to reclaim 21 hectare more for Mumbai coastal road project

Proposal was recommended to the Union environment ministry for final clearance after the coastal authority laid down 16 conditions that need compliance by the BMC while commencing reclamation

94 animals, birds rescued during a raid in Mumbai

According to forest officials, 62 Indian rose-ringed parakeets, 12 plum headed parakeets, seven Indian palm squirrels, and 13 albino rabbits were rescued

Maharashtra: Four-acre mangrove patch destroyed near proposed eco park in Uran

At least approximately 1,500 mangrove trees were destroyed after tidal water had been blocked off by locals for captive fish breeding or aqua culture activities

Mumbai sizzles at 36.4° Celsius on second hottest Dec day in 10 years

The minimum and maximum temperature is expected to be in the range of 18 and 34-35 degrees Celsius over the next five days in Mumbai

Maharashtra scraps jetty project to protect turtle nesting beach in Ratnagiri

According to the minutes, the construction of the jetty was completed in 2013-14 without CRZ clearances, and the harbour engineer sought post-facto CRZ approval

Mumbai: Mercury fluctuates from season’s lowest 17.8° to 35.5°C within 9 hrs

However, as the day progressed, warm conditions prevailed indicating a large variation in minimum and maximum temperature.

In a first, Indian bison spotted at Maharashtra’s Dnyanganga Wildlife Sanctuary

Maharashtra pollution board shuts down 4 industries; pulls up civic body over river pollution

An environment group, petitioners before the Supreme Court, flagged violations through three complaints between November 26 and 28

A first in India: Gram sabha at Palghar passes resolution to declare heritage lake a wetland; Maharashtra govt to consider demand

Along with flora-fauna, cultural and historical factors also play a major role in declaring a site a wetland. Archaeological surveys of the lake have showed the presence of an ancient temple and artefacts dating back to 6th century AD