Feature Article

The National Highway (NH) -60, part of the government

Isolates of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (Typhi), a human-restricted bacterial pathogen that causes typhoid, show limited genetic variation. We generated whole-genome sequences for 19 Typhi isolates using 454 (Roche) and Solexa (Illumina) technologies. Isolates, including the previously sequenced CT18 and Ty2 isolates, were selected to represent major nodes in the phylogenetic tree. Comparative analysis showed little evidence of purifying selection, antigenic variation or recombination between isolates.

On June 13 when Dr GD Agrawal, the eminent 76-year-old environmental scientist started a fast unto death to protest indiscriminate dam building on the Bhagirathi Ganga river, many wondered whether his gesture would be in vain. The government, by and large, turns a deaf ear to such protests. Two groups, who could not be more unlike each other, took up the cause.

Rajasthan is one of the states that is bestowed with good wind energy potential in the country. Of the 45,000 MW wind energy potential identified by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) sources, 5,400 MW has been assessed for Rajasthan. An assessment by the Centre for Wind Energy Technology (C-WET), Chennai shows that Rajasthan has encouraging wind profile for harnessing wind power.

The proposal to set up a 400 MW capacity hydro electric project in evergreen forests of Western Ghats in Hassan district of Karnataka has met with a lot of opposition from the locals and environmentalists. The Detailed Project Report of the proposal poorly backs up the project with many contentious issues.

The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy of India has announced a scheme on Generation Based Incentive (GBI) for grid connected wind power projects. The announcement comes after a very good response from an incentive scheme for solar power generation.

The Renewables Obligation is part of the country's programme to tackle climate change and to encourage a more sustainable approach to energy consumption.

Spraying plants with the hormone salicylic acid can help them withstand excess salt in the soil, report scientists in Pakistan. External application of the chemical improves the growth of salt-stressed sunflower plants and leads to higher yields.

A campaign by the National Fishworkers

The Kosi river basin in Bihar is facing its biggest flood disaster ever in Independent India, and that disaster has come about completely due to the neglect of the Government of India and the government of Bihar. It is a manmade disaster which could have been avoided.