World Earth Day…

 

 

Earth Day is a day early each year on which events are held worldwide to increase awareness and appreciation of the Earth's natural environment . Earth Day is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network, and is celebrated in more than 175 countries every year. In 2009, the United Nations designated April 22 International Mother Earth Day. Earth Day is planned for April 22 in all years at least through 2015.

The name and concept of Earth Day was allegedly pioneered by John McConnell in 1969 at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco. Earth Day was first observed on March 21, 1970, the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. This day of nature's equipoise was later sanctioned in a Proclamation signed by Secretary General U Thant at the United Nations where it is observed each year.

About the same time a separate Earth Day was founded by United States Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in first held on April 22, 1970. While this April 22 Earth Day was focused on the United States, an organization launched by Denis Hayes, who was the original national coordinator in 1970, took it international in 1990 and organized events in 141 nations. Numerous communities celebrate Earth Week, an entire week of activities focused on environmental issues.

Today, on April 22, more than one billion people around the globe will participate in Earth Day 2012 and help Mobilize the Earth™. People of all nationalities and backgrounds will voice their appreciation for the planet and demand its protection. Together we will stand united for a sustainable future and call upon individuals, organizations, and governments to do their part.

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New special cover from Odisha…

 

 

Solar Power and Floriculture

Date of Issue : 4 April 2012

 

The Hon,ble Central Minister for New & Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, during his maiden visit to Odisha inaugurated two projects of MGM Group in Tangi Tehsil of Khordha District in the presence of Shri Niranjan Pujari (Hon'ble Minister, Science & Technology), Shri Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak (Hon'ble Minister, Energy), Dr. Prasanna Kumar Patasani (Hon'ble M.P., Bhubaneswar) and Shri Rajendra Kumar Sahoo (Hon'ble M.L.A., Khordha).

The projects include a 1 MW solar power plant established under the Jawaharlal Nehru Solar Mission of Ministry of New & Renewable Energy and a high-tech horticulture and floriculture farm under the National Horticulture Mission. Both projects have commenced commercial operations and have been developed with the support of State Government organisations like Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) and Directorate of Horticulture.

MGM Group is one of Odisha's oldest business houses developing and operating iron ore mines in Sundergarh District and has diversified into steelmaking with an integrated plant of 0.25 million tonnes capacity under development in Dhenkanal District. MGM Group is also supporting the growth of technical education in the State by having established a Chair Professor in Minerals, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology (lIT) Bhubaneswar.

To commemorate the occasion, Dr. Abdullah released a Postal Special Cover of Department of Posts. He expressed his happiness and desired for more such renewable energy and greenhouse projects in the State of Odisha since these are environment friendly, non-polluting and foster green management practices while adding to economic growth.

Sh Suvendu Swain, I.Po.S., Director, Postal Services, Bhubaneswar and Senior Philatelists S/Shri Anil Kumar Dhir, Anup Kumar Raut, Akshya Kuumar Nayak, Ajit Kumar Dash(Secretary, EIPA), Shanti Swarup Rath, Pradip Kumar Mohanty(Secretary,OPA), Mrs. Bijaylaxmi Mohanty, etc. attended the function.

Shri R. L. Mohanty, Chairman of MGM apprised that the Group has floated dedicated subsidiaries to focus on such projects. Other upcoming initiatives of MGM Group include vegetable and fruit cultivation and a 1 MW solar power plant in District of Boudh. The plans include an ambitious vision to have the largest single location banana cultivation in the eastern region of the country as well as to become the largest grower of vegetables and flowers in the State. Shri Mohanty expressed his gratitude to the officials of Department of Agriculture and Department of Science & Technology without whose guidance the projects would not be possible.

 

 : Ajit Dash - Bhubaneswar

Stamps on Green Energy..

 

Date of Issue : 22 March 2012

Green energy stamps by Iceland

Iceland has a unique position when it comes to energy. Icelanders use more energy per capita than any other country. The proportion of renewable energy sources is also unusually high.

In 2008 approximately 80% of the total national energy consumption came from domestic and renewable energy sources. Geothermal heat has been used for heating by 90% of households in the country. Rivers are a great source of energy and Iceland has around 37 hydroelectric power plants and approximately 200 smaller power plants. Landsvirkjun was established for the purpose of constructing power plants providing electricity to heavy industries. Aluminium and related exports account for over 40% of the country's total exports.

Powerful geothermal areas in the South are used both for heating and for vegetable cultivation. These areas account for half of harnessed hydro-energy in the country and about 70% of harnessed geothermal power. With the use of electricity in horticulture farmers have been able to meet domestic demand for tomatoes and cucumbers. Major advances have taken place in horticulture in recent years which means that in ten years tomato-production has increased by 200% and the production of cucumbers doubled.

This stamp issue was designed by Hlynur Olafsson.

: Iceland Post

 

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