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Business & Commerce

₹ 23.2 Billion Credit to Indian Companies for Solar Rooftops

by Staff Correspondent November 1, 2017

The TrickyScribe: State Bank of India (SBI) and the World Bank, in a much-awaited move, have announced ₹23.2 billion in credit facilities for seven Indian solar companies that will be used to develop grid-connected solar rooftop projects with an aggregate capacity of 575 MW. Tata Renewable, Azure Power, Cleantech Solar, Adani Group, Hinduja Renewables, JSW Energy and Hero Solar Energy are the ones likely to benefit.

Line of credit is being made available under the SBI-World Bank Grid Connected Rooftop Solar PV program. The World Bank will provide the funds to SBI, which will then lend it on to the solar companies. The approval documents were handed to the companies at a solar rooftop conference organized by SBI.

Vertical farming to cut down operating costs

According to SBI Chairman Rajnish Kumar, “Financing is being provided to those with sound technical capacity, relevant experience, and creditworthiness that meet SBI standards.”

SBI has so far funded 43 grid-connected rooftop solar projects worth ₹27.66 billion under the SBI-World Bank Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar PV program. The projects have a combined capacity of 695 MW.

The bank’s renewable energy loan portfolio currently stands at ₹120 billion. Earlier, in May 2016, the World Bank and SBI also signed agreements for a $625 million facility to support India’s grid-connected rooftop solar program.

Government-owned SBI is one of the most active lenders for solar projects in India. In April 2017, the European Investment Bank (EIB) approved an EUR-200 million, 20-year loan for the SBI to help develop large-scale solar projects in India.

AG&P to build 600MW Gas Power Plant in Indonesia

The SBI, in June last, announced that it would provide ₹4 billion to private developers to finance 100 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar projects in India. Funding recipients under this program were expected to include Azure Power, Amplus, and Cleanmax amongst others. The capacity of the projects and programs to be financed ranged from 25 kW to 16 MW.

In June 2017, SBI issued a loan of ₹68.3 million to Azure Power, an Indian solar power producer, to develop grid-connected rooftop solar projects.

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November 1, 2017

Multi-level farming; Credit: Akash Chaurasiya

Vertical farming to cut down operating costs

by Staff Correspondent September 29, 2017

written by Staff Correspondent

The TrickyScribe: One sector that got undermined with the advent of new-age technology and innovation is that of agriculture. People, particularly the talented ones, started migrating to metros in search of better options, jobs!

Then started the story of shrinking farmlands and, subsequent, lack of manpower in the agriculture-sector. The ever-growing population of this vast country kept posing a pressing demand for increase in agricultural produce. People, of course, need food!

At a time when the Indian youth was sceptic of the hardships to be incurred in case one ventures into agriculture, Akash Chaurasiya from Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, decided to expand his family business of Paan (betel leaves) and come up with a scintillating idea of multi-level farming. He is associated with Unnat Krishi Abhiyan Parishad these days.

This idea brought him laurels and Chaurasiya was selected, amongst 578 entries from all across the globe, to pitch his idea in the National Agripreneurs’ Summit held organized by Entrepreneurs Association of India in Mavalankar Hall, Constitution Club of India recently.

Temples of Modern India

Talking to The TrickyScribe, Chaurasiya, an under-grad, said he had no potion for quick success but was firm when it came to the basics. He fondly calls this “organic” farming as no chemicals are involved in the entire process.

Speaking about the need of improvised farming techniques, he said that our ever-growing population can wreak havoc in face of reducing farmlands. Feeding large populations is not that easy, he added, attributing the same to scarcity of water, advent of pests, weeds and climate change.

Elaborating on the methods involved, he said crops like ginger, green vegetables and papaya can be planted on the same plot simultaneously. He said that one can generate annual profit of Rs 4-5 lakh by investing Rs 8 lakh on every acre of land. He said that the method involved very less investments.

Environment & Culture: Aspects of the Same Coin

Total Views: 3,11,620

September 29, 2017

India inching towards its clean energy goals - The TrickyScribe

Business & Commerce Public Health & Nutrition

260 MW Solar Power Project in Gujarat

by Staff Correspondent September 26, 2017

written by Staff Correspondent

The TrickyScribe: Azure Power announced that it has won a 260 MW solar project in an auction conducted by Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL). This is the largest allocation by GUVNL to a solar power developer, 52% of the total allocated capacity of 500 MW announced.

Azure Power, a leading independent solar power producer in India, will provide power for 25 years to GUVNL which has been rated AA- by ICRA, a Moody’s company, at a tariff of Rs 2.67 per kWh. The project will be developed by Azure Power outside a solar park and is likely to be commissioned in 2019.

Azure Power has a history of developing and operating solar power plants under the Gujarat Solar Policy 2009. Some of the first solar projects in India were built in Gujarat given several advantages the state has including high levels of solar radiation, an extensive and stable electric grid network, and the strong credit quality of its discom, GUVNL.

Tenders invited for 200 MW Solar Power at Pavagada

Azure Power developed and is operating India’s first MW-scale distributed solar rooftop project in Gujarat’s state capital city, Gandhinagar. In 2013, World Bank recognized this project as one of the Top 10 public-private partnerships in the Asia Pacific region.

Speaking on this occasion, Inderpreet Wadhwa, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Azure Power said, “Our long history of superior solar power operations in Gujarat right from the inception of Gujarat’s Solar Policy 2009 has contributed to our success of procuring the largest solar power contract auctioned by Gujarat. We are delighted to make a contribution towards the realization of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment towards clean and green energy, through solar power generation.”

It may be mentioned here that Karnataka renewable energy implementing agency, Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL), tendered 200 MW of solar power development project proposed at Pavagada Solar Park.

The solar power developers there signed power purchase agreements with electricity supply companies which are drafted in a way that the escoms get 90% of the power generated from the park, at a bundled tariff ranging between Rs 3.50 and Rs 4.50 a unit. The rates of Azure Power are lesser than the Karnataka project as well.

Total Views: 3,11,980

September 26, 2017

Business & Commerce India

India Post officials bypassing green norms

by Staff Correspondent September 24, 2017

written by Staff Correspondent

Udipt Nidhi | The TrickyScribe: India is shining. India is developing. This development, however, has a price-tag attached to it. Towns are expanding, touching each-others’ boundaries. Inversely proportional to this is the green cover that is shrinking day in and day out.

Cleared land at GPO, Patna

Expanding cities and thereby shrinking greenbelt is the price we pay for this rapid urbanization. Patna, in tandem with the pace in vogue, is no exception. If one sets out on a long drive on Bailey Road, almost the spinal cord of the city’s traffic, they’re likely to find beelines of construction sites thronging the adjoining areas.

Construction is visible. But with this pace, Patna overlooked the natural beauty it already had! The riverine plains adjoining Digha area pose another threat that needs redressal, that too at the earliest.

Still the development of Sanjay Gandhi Biological Garden, eco-park, Buddha Smriti park hold some flora. Those apart, greenery is found abundantly in private or Government holdings.

Recent felling down of trees in the GPO

GPO, Patna

Felling down of trees in the name of beautification has become the order of the day. More than 30 trees faced the wrath of axe in Patna GPO recently. Of these, there were few that were more than a century old.

Volunteers from Tarumitra, a local NGO, planted some trees on the GPO campus back in August, 2002. Father Robert Athickal told The TrickyScribe “assisted by the then Chief Postmaster General, Bihar circle, Patna, Anil Kumar, Tarumitra volunteers planted the saplings.”

Climbers, grasses, bushes and trees were planted on the occasion. Aprajita, Rathi, Vetiveria, Neem, Nirgundi, Ashok and Cybapogon to name a few. “Tarumitra insured routine examinations and inspections and monitored the health of the trees planted,” said coordinator (head), Tarumitra, DN Prasad.

Tarumitra volunteers were apprised of the felling down of the trees on August 29. It was also learnt that no prior permission was taken from the state environment and forest department. This triggered sharp response on part of the local environment enthusiasts.

Series of Protests

Volunteers protested against the deforestation and the exercise was christened as ‘Alvida Vriksha Bandhu’. Candle marches were organized and voices rose.

“A plant takes years to grow and develop into a full-grown tree. On the contrary, it hardly takes a few minutes chopping them down. The threshold is already breached and trees can help restricting pollution thereby improving the environment,” said Father Robert Athickal from Tarumitra. He also alleged that as many as 6,000 trees were chopped down in the last five years.

Tightlipped GPO officials

The GPO locked itself in watertight compartments with the employees and officials, including the top brass, tightlipped on the issue. Chief postmaster general, Bihar circle, Patna, ME Haque was not available for his comments. Running from pillar to post meant nothing but gained experience of refusals, in different forms.

Lastly, deputy chief postmaster, GPO, Patna, Arun Jha responded. He, however, denied the allegation categorically and said “not more than three palm trees were pruned. The rest is exaggeration.”

Even he was reluctant, better to say in want of a better answer, on questions related to felling down of the trees on the GPO campus. On being persuaded further, Jha kept buying time. No concrete answer was given.
Ministerial staff pleading anonymity informed The TrickyScribe that not less than three dozen trees were chopped down.

National Green Tribunal guidelines

The stance of National Green Tribunal in cases of cutting down of tress is immensely stern. The NGT has imposed a blanket ban on the cutting down of trees from forests, parks or even in private or government land holdings across the country without obtaining proper clearances from the authorities concerned.

Total Views: 3,12,220

September 24, 2017

Business & Commerce Geopolitics

Temples of Modern India

by Staff Correspondent September 17, 2017

written by Staff Correspondent

The TrickyScribe: Close on the heels of the Union road, transport and highways ministry nod to the four-lane bridge parallel to Jayaprakash Setu connecting Patna and Saran districts of Bihar, PM Narendra Damodardas Modi dedicated Sardar Sarovar dam built on the Narmada to the nation – 56 years after its foundation was laid by India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

What a coincidence?

Incidentally, the ceremony coincides with the birthday of the incumbent PM. It may be mentioned here that this comes exactly three months after the Narmada Control Authority allowed closure of the dam’s sluice gates so that the water rises to its full height of 138.68 metres from the earlier 121.92 metres thereby increasing the storage capacity to 4.73 million cubic metres (MCM) from the previous 1.27 MCM.

Recent manoeuvres

While the adjoining four states – Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, – stand to gain from the newly-commissioned dam, the BJP is all set to reap its benefits in the poll-bound Gujarat. National Mission for Clean Ganga earlier gave nod to ten projects in Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh worth over Rs 2,000 crore. Another similar project for a proposed Ganga Driveway in Patna is the pipeline as well.

Systematic awareness drives

Stage-wise public-awareness campaigns have kept the issue simmering. Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani in the same context flagged off a two-week long Narmada Mahotsav Yatra in Surendranagar to mark the completion of the dam. The high-end PR-op involved more than 80 Narmada Raths that kept travelling across Gujarat spreading awareness about the importance of the project.

Jal Satyagrah

Medha Patkar, NBA, Credit: Avinash Chanchal

A massive protest ahead of Sunday’s inauguration of Sardar Sarovar Dam project (SSP) in Gujarat by PM Modi was led by Narmada Bachao Andolan activist Medha Patkar, who along with 36 dam affected people have launched a jal satyagraha in the rising waters of Narmada at Chota Barda Ghat in Barwani district of Madhya Pradesh.

Patkar and her supporters started ‘jal satyagraha’ on Friday evening. If NBA activists are to be believed, the water level then was around knee level. By Saturday afternoon, the water level rose to waist level of the protesters.

Environment & Culture: Aspects of the Same Coin

“For us, this inauguration event is ‘Jashn-e-maut’ (celebration of death). While thousands of families here are on the verge of drowning in 214 km stretch of Narmada, there will be celebrations in Gujarat where PM will inaugurate the newly constructed SSP gates. Our demand is that the water level in SSP should not be increased beyond 121 metres until the rehabilitation process is complete,” he said.

Perils of the Jal Satyagrahis, Credit: Avinash Chanchal

The danger mark at Rajghat in Barwani is 123.2 metres. Over the last fortnight, the water level in Narmada rose from 123.6 metres to 129 metres. NBA leaders claimed that at least 30 villages inundated due to the surge in Narmada waters.

Ali said that water has inundated the farms of villagers in nearly 30 villages and submerged some houses at Nisarpur and Chikhalda in Dhar districts.

Impact of external interference

Effects on fishes and other aquatic animals, growth of fish larvae and juveniles are very fast informed a Patna university bio-chemistry researcher, Vyomesh Vibhaw. He said that external interference may prove detrimental for the aquatic life.

Many environmental factors influence growth: temperature, accessible alimentary base and presence of toxicants. The fish increase in both body length and mass under optimum conditions, with sufficient quantities of food at appropriate temperature.

Aquatic organisms, such as fish, accumulate pollutants directly from contaminated water and indirectly via the food chain. Application of chemical fertilizers containing trace of heavy metals causes contamination of fish with these metals.

Bioremediation for Cleaner Ganga

The data of many researches indicate that heavy metals reduce survival and growth of fish larvae. They are also supposed to cause behavioural anomalies.

That apart, any sort of construction work involves the contact of water with PVC, lead, mercury and halogenated flame retardants. Each of these common building components has known health and toxicity problems and can prove deadly under the wrong conditions.

Unhealthy vibrations

Dolphin

Leave full-fledged construction apart, even minor interferences like dredging too are risky when it comes to the aquatic life. Dredging of river bed may be undertaken by the waterways authorities. This damages the fish breeding ground, adversely affecting the fish eating species like gangetic dolphin and gharial, said Deputy Director-cum- Division Head (Species Recovery), Wildlife Trust of India, Samir K Sinha.

Sinha told The TrickyScribe that gharials prefer mid-channel sandy islands for basking. The waterways development activities would destroy such sandy islands which will make the habitats unsuitable for gharials.

The noise emitted by the vessels might also hinder the natural behaviour of dolphins, who communicate through acoustic signals called clicks, said Sinha and added that there would be threats of dolphins being hit by the propellers of the vessels. Noted environmentalist Sunil K Chaudhary too said that aquatic life forms are not used to the vibrations that come bundled with dredging, construction or navigation.

Dredging disturbs the bottom dwelling macroinvertebrates which helps in decomposition of organic matter in the sediment. Dredging will reduce these natural decomposers. Bottom feeder fishes will also get affected. The fishes in the associated Wetlands will also get affected.

Attacking the government’s plan to link rivers across the country, water conservationist Rajendra Singh, noted for his three-decade-long work on water rejuvenation in parts of Alwar, on Friday last dismissed the exercise as a “money-making business”, with potentially severe and irreparable damage to the river-ecosystems.

The Way Ahead!

Water seeks its own level. They say. This, however, would require non-interference on part of the government. The results of projects as ambitious as that of the Damodar Valley Corporation are handy. Let things go with the flow. It works!

Total Views: 3,13,060

September 17, 2017

Business & Commerce India

Increasing use of riverbanks damaging Gharial habitat

by Staff Correspondent August 31, 2017

written by Staff Correspondent

The TrickyScribe: Having started as Patna Botanical Garden, Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park is ninth largest Zoo in India that houses more than 300 species of trees, herbs and shrubs. That apart, it also houses 800 animals of 110 species including tiger, crocodile, Himalayan black bear, gharial, python, Indian rhinoceros, giraffe, zebra, white peacock etc. The 153-acres park also showcases an aquarium with 35 species of fish and a snake house with 32 snakes of five species.

Director, Patna zoo, Nand Kishore had been working in Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park for past sixteen months. Speaking with Udipt Nidhi in an exclusive interview with The TrickyScribe Nand Kishore, a recipient of WWF-PATA Bagh Mitra Award-2014, explained the ongoing programs for the conservation of endangered species. Excerpts:

The TrickyScribe: Zoos form the backbone of conservation and breeding programs besides serving as conservation-education hubs particularly in wake of climate change. How far do you agree that there is a need to elucidate or illustrate a need for conserving our biodiversity in India?

Nand Kishore: India accounts for over seven percent of the world’s recorded species, thousands of animals and nearly half of the world’s aquatic life. Conserving biodiversity is of global significance.

“The Gharial” Critically Endangered Species Crocodile Handmade Jeweled Metal

Rare Animals of India

While remaining attractive places for recreation, zoos contribute to wildlife conservation. It is apparent that the major contribution comes through ex situ actions like education programs and captive breeding and effective management of wildlife. Zoos are getting more involved with in situ conservation these days, predominantly through recovery programs for endangered species in cooperation with government authorities and local communities.

The TrickyScribe: Gharials are endangered in India. Patna zoo holds prominence when it comes to Gharial breeding and has Gharial reserves in the country. Share some vitals of the captive breeding?

Nand Kishore: Gharial is listed as a ‘Critically Endangered’ species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list and falls under ‘Schedule-I’ of Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act. The same can be attributed to the destruction of their habitat. Increasing use of riverbanks for agriculture is a widespread problem throughout the gharial habitat along river Ganga.

Gharials are very shy and wary animals; human interference and livestock grazing disturb gharials in activities like nesting and basketing. Pollution and siltation of rivers are damaging fish stocks upon which gharial depend.

Gharials are hardy creatures, not delicate ones. All they need is an environment suitable for captive breeding and restocking. Like habitat suitability, adequacy of fish stock, minimal conflict with humans and adequate perennial water level.

By-catch mortality taking toll on dolphins

The TrickyScribe: Patna zoo has surplus Gharials, do you release them in the wild?

Nand Kishore: Gharials are released in the river basins in case they are found fit for survival. As many as 12 captive-bred crocodiles were released in the Gandak river near Valmiki Tiger Reserve in Bihar in 2015. The progress of conservation breeding and their eventual release is appreciable.

The TrickyScribe: There has been much noise about the arrival of four new species including Nile Crocodile, Green Anaconda, Royal Python and Rhino Iguana (one male and two females) from Copenhagen Zoo, Denmark that are being bartered against eight Gharials (one male and seven females). What is the status? What arrangements are being made for the survival and longevity of the new inmates?

Nand Kishore: Patna zoo has completed the required paper work needed for this exchange. Danish Government is yet to provide the import license for transference of the said animals. We will have them here in the near future.

Denmark has cold and temperate climate with significant rainfalls. The Indian climate is similar too. The new inmates, therefore, will get acclimatized soon. Thorough examination of their metabolism will be done in accordance with the standard operating procedure. That apart, nutrition levels, aliments and other routine-checkups will also be done.

Planting trees for a safer tomorrow

The TrickyScribe: Pollution has reached to the cells of humans in several forms. How far the penetration of pollution is visible on the animals residing in zoos?

Nand Kishore: Zoo has sufficient greenery with large trees having canopy, small plants and shrubs. Pollution has no visible effects on the wildlife forms here.

The TrickyScribe: Inundation from Chitwan National Park brings along several animals every year during the flood seasons. What is the rescue procedure for them?

Nand Kishore: No rescue is done in the initial phases. The authorities, however, keep an eye on these animals. They get settled on their own. In case they get involved with the humans, we have to conduct the rescue and rehabilitation maneuvers. They are then brought to reserve centres to safeguard their life.

The TrickyScribe: Airport Authority of India, Patna, has recently pruned the tree on the runway. Do we have an alternative for the reduction of this greenery from Patna belt?

Nand Kishore: The runway of Patna airport is one of the shortest in the country. The trees, if not pruned, will make it unfit for larger aircraft. Flights used Phulwari-side earlier that was significantly short. It was needed to increase the tarmac-length for the safety of air passengers.

We are working on the fresh landscaping of the zoo to compensate for the same. Plantation of small plants and shrubs can also help us compensate the loss of green cover.

Total Views: 3,15,100

August 31, 2017

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