Indian outfit wins UN award for efforts to combat climate change amid COVID-19


SPORTS LIFESTYLE ENTERTAINMENT SPECIALS FEEDS UPCLOSE GALLERY CITIZEN REPORTER DOGRI CORNER Home World Indian outfit wins UN award for efforts to combat climate change amid COVID-19 OCT 28, 2020 UNITED NATIONS: An Indian organisation that leverages tourism and technology to help remote communities access solar energy has won a prestigious UN award for its efforts to combat climate change amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE) is among the winners of the 2020 UN Global Climate Action Award. GHE is one of the world's first organisations using tourism and technology to bring solar energy to remote communities. The recipients of the 2020 United Nations Global Climate Action Awards, announced Tuesday, bring focus to the best examples of what people across the globe are doing "to combat climate change in a year that has cast darkness upon so many." According to a statement on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) website, GHE is the one of the world's first outfit using tourism and technology to bring solar energy to remote communities as recognised by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). In the Hindu Kush Region, there are more than 16 million people without access to basic energy mainly due to their geographic remoteness. GHE conducts "Impact Expeditions" to remote Himalayan villages and uses a portion of the expedition fee to fund the capital cost of the hardware, transportation, installation and training of village-scale solar micro-grids. The micro-grid infrastructure set up by GHE is owned and operated by the community. To date, the GHE has solar electrified more than 131 villages in three regions of India, directly impacting the lives of more than 60,000 villagers. More than 1,300 travellers from 60 different countries have been a part of these expeditions. Enabling livelihood through homestay tourism has generated over USD 114,000 in income for the villages, which represents a 45 per cent increase in the annual household income, the statement said. UNFCCC said this year's award-winning projects demonstrate leadership on climate change by nations, businesses, investors, cities, regions and civil societies as a whole. They range from the Caribbean's only carbon-neutral hotel to the world's first platform fully dedicated to green bonds to the first all-women solar team in Lebanon. Congratulating the winners of the 2020 UN Global Climate Action Awards, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the winners provide tangible proof that climate action is underway around the world. "It is exciting to see these climate solutions, which reinforce my call for decisive leadership on climate change by governments, businesses and cities, and for a green recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. Let us keep pressing ahead to build a more sustainable and equitable future for all," he said. UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa said the last eight months have been a nightmare for many throughout the world. "Covid-19 has altered lives, economies and the nature of business on every continent -- from the largest cities to the smallest villages. It is the most urgent threat facing humanity today, but we cannot forget that climate change is the biggest threat facing humanity over the long term," said Espinosa. Espinosa said the convergence of these two crises has opened a window of opportunity to build forward, to build cities and communities that are safe, healthy, green and sustainable. "Nothing exemplifies this better than the efforts of our 2020 award-winning activities to address climate change." The award announcement is part of the wider effort to mobilise action and ambition as national governments work toward implementing the Paris Climate Change Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. The UN Global Climate Action Awards are spearheaded by the Momentum for Change initiative at UN Climate Change. The projects are recognised as innovative solutions that not only address climate change but also help drive progress on many other sustainable development goals. The 2020 winning activities were selected by an international advisory panel as part of the UN Climate Change's Momentum for Change initiative. "It is crucial we celebrate all actors who are leading the way," said Gabrielle Ginér, Chair of the Advisory Panel. "The recipients of the UN Global Climate Action Awards send a strong political signal to all nations, and through their leadership and creativity, we see essential change." Copyright © Jammu Links News, Source: Jammu Links News
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Global award for Indian conservationist who saved vultures

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Britain's largest nature conservation charity Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has bestowed the prestigious Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Nature Conservation on Ram Jakati for saving India's vultures from certain extinction.

In the 1990's India's vulture population was pushed to the brink of extinction due to the use of the veterinary drug, diclofenac, given to cattle but lethal to vultures feeding on their carcasses.

Use of the drug was so widespread that India's vulture population dropped to just one per cent of what it had been before the use of diclofenac.

Jakati, who was the Chief Wildlife Warden for the Forest Department in Haryana for many years, played a key role in not only getting the drug banned but also establishing a network of sanctuaries, breeding centres and urgent action needed to ensure that vultures did not go extinct before the ban could be implemented.

His work began before the cause of the decline had been identified and his early intervention can be considered a major factor in protecting India's vultures.

He subsequently helped to found SAVE (Saving Asia's Vultures from Extinction), an international partnership that to this day plays a coordination role in the conservation of South Asia's vultures.

The Asian vulture conservation programme is today, 20 years on, a world-leading example of effective conservation delivery.

And an exemplar of what can happen when state and national governments, NGOs, academics and other stakeholders work together with common purpose.

RSPB Chief Executive Beccy Speight said: "The combined climate and nature crisis and the impact of human activity is pushing many once common species to the brink of extinction.

"But around the world people and some governments are fighting back. So I am pleased that we are able to celebrate the vital work of Dr. Jakati. His energy and resolve has prevented the extinction of vultures in India.

"He was a driving force for change and galvanised people, organisations and his government to act before it was too late. His work and the tireless efforts of everyone involved with SAVE are an inspiration that we can make the changes we need before it is too late, that with urgent and united action we can revive our world."

An elated Jakati said: "I am very delighted to receive this prestigious award and deeply humbled by your gesture. I would like to emphasise that we could make rapid progress in vulture conservation in India because we had an excellent team to start with during early 2000.

"I would, therefore, like to accept this award on behalf of that vulture team which laid a solid foundation for work on saving Indian vultures from possible extinction.

"I would especially like to mention the names of Vibhu Prakash and Nikita Prakash of the Bombay Natural History Society, Debbie Pain and Chris Bowden of the RSPB, Rhys Green of Cambridge University and Andrew Cunningham of the Zoological Society of London and Jemima Parry Jones of the International Birds of Prey Centre."

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Immunity against COVID-19 may last for several months: Study

OCT 14, 2020 WASHINGTON: Immunity against COVID-19 may persist for at least five months after being infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, according to a study led by an Indian-origin researcher in the US. The researchers from the University of Arizona studied the production of antibodies from a sample of nearly 6,000 people infected with the novel coronavirus. "We clearly see high-quality antibodies still being produced five to seven months after SARS-CoV-2 infection," said Deepta Bhattacharya, associate professor at the University of Arizona. "Many concerns have been expressed about immunity against COVID-19 not lasting. We used this study to investigate that question and found immunity is stable for at least five months," who led the study, published today in the journal Immunity, alongside Professor Janko Nikolich-Zugich from UArizona. When a virus first infects cells, the immune system deploys short-lived plasma cells that produce antibodies to immediately fight the virus, the researchers explained. Those antibodies appear in blood tests within 14 days of infection, they said. The second stage of the immune response is the creation of long-lived plasma cells, which produce high-quality antibodies that provide lasting immunity, according to the researchers. Bhattacharya and Nikolich-Zugich tracked antibody levels over several months in people who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. They found SARS-CoV-2 antibodies are present in blood tests at viable levels for at least five to seven months, although they believe immunity lasts much longer. "Whether antibodies provide lasting protection against SARS-CoV-2 has been one of the most difficult questions to answer," said UArizona Health Sciences Senior Vice President Michael D Dake. "This research not only has given us the ability to accurately test for antibodies against COVID-19, but also has armed us with the knowledge that lasting immunity is a reality," Dake said. Earlier studies extrapolated antibody production from initial infections and suggested antibody levels drop quickly after infection, providing only short-term immunity. Bhattacharya believes those conclusions focused on short-lived plasma cells and failed to take into account long-lived plasma cells and the high-affinity antibodies they produce. "The latest time-points we tracked in infected individuals were past seven months, so that is the longest period of time we can confirm immunity lasts," Bhattacharya said. He said people who were infected with the first SARS coronavirus, which is the most similar virus to SARS-CoV-2, are still seeing immunity 17 years after infection. "If SARS-CoV-2 is anything like the first one, we expect antibodies to last at least two years, and it would be unlikely for anything much shorter," the scientist added. Copyright © Jammu Links News, Source: Jammu Links News
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ISRO gearing up for rocket launches with Virtual Launch Control Centre

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The Indian space agency ISRO is gearing up for three quick rocket launches carrying domestic and foreign satellites, said a senior official. It has also developed a Virtual Launch Control Centre to test the rocket systems at the rocket port in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh remotely from the Thiruvananthapuram based Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), part of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), he added.

"With Covid-19 pandemic prevailing, the Indian space agency in order to reduce the number of people travelling to Sriharikota, has developed a Virtual Launch Control Centre at VSSC. As a result, the testing of various rocket systems is being done at VSSC," S. Somanath, Director, VSSC, told IANS.

The physical launch control centre is located in the building that houses the Mission Control Centre in Sriharikota and the systems there have been replicated at VSSC in the form of a virtual launch control centre.

"Three rockets are getting ready for launch at the rocket port in Sriharikota viz Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle C49 (PSLV C49), PSLV C50 and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). The first rocket to fly will be the PSLV C49 sometime next month with about 10 satellites. It will be carrying India's RISAT-2BR2 and other commercial satellites lifting off from the first launch pad," Somanath said.

The next one to fly will be PSLV C50 with the GSAT-12R satellite. The rocket is being assembled at Sriharikota with various systems coming from different centres. It will fly from the second launch pad, he added.

"We are targeting PSLV C50 sometime in December. It needs about 30 days to get ready for another launch after one launch," he said.

Presently four Indian satellites are ready for launch viz GISAT, Microsat-2A, GSAT-12R and, RISAT-2BR2. (IANS), Source: https://southasiamonitor.org
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Rules to minimise tests on animals in India circulated

aWith support from the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, the Chemicals and Fertilisers Ministry's Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals has circulated its updated draft of Chemicals (Management and Safety) Rules, 20xx, among stakeholders, that includes provisions to minimise testing on animals.

In India, animals are killed every year while testing the safety of chemicals vis-a-vis human health and environment. In these tests, animals may be forced to consume food or water laced with a chemical, have the chemical pumped into their stomachs, or be forced to inhale the chemical before getting killed.

As the only animal protection group to participate in the stakeholder consultation meeting on May 11 to finalise the draft Rules, PETA India made many recommendations for using reliable and relevant non-animal testing approaches that protect human health and environment, which have since been incorporated in the draft.

To avoid repeat testing, the rules require that existing scientific evidence be considered prior to conducting any new tests and data submitted for the registration of substances in foreign jurisdictions will also be accepted by the Chemical Regulatory Division.

Furthermore, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) non-animal methods must be used to derive the required data, wherever possible, with tests on vertebrates undertaken only as a last resort, as proposed by PETA India.

The person registering a substance will also be required to propose a testing strategy for approval by the division prior to any new test.

The draft rules, which will supersede two existing sets of rules -- The Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1989; and The Chemical Accidents (Emergency Planning, Preparedness and Response) Rules, 1996 -- describe a multifaceted programme to identify and manage risks associated with the use of imported chemicals or those manufactured in India.

"We appreciate the government's step towards modernising the regulatory framework for chemicals, and there are ample opportunities to further minimise tests on animals," said PETA India Research Associate Dr Ankita Pandey.

"The new Rules, once implemented with PETA India's recommendations, will save animals from getting poisoned and killed in unreliable tests. PETA India will continue to work with the Ministry to ensure that the legislations on chemicals are most scientifically advanced in the world and that non-animal testing approaches are used wherever possible."

As proposed by PETA India, further opportunities to minimise tests on animals include implementation of 'one-substance, one-registration' rule that would mandate data-sharing between multiple persons registering the same chemical substance to ensure no duplication of animal tests, if required for registration.

Other steps involve establishment of a non-animal methods unit in addition to many other units under the Rules to provide scientific support to the division by providing regular updates on availability of OECD's valid non-animal methods, and review of technical dossiers and testing proposals.

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