Latest news with #Mukherjee
Time of India
3 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Pollution-degradation worry for Purulia's Sahebbandh
Purulia: Once a popular wintering ground for migratory waterbirds, Purulia's Sahebbandh now appears severely degraded. The number of waterbirds has dropped drastically, with only a handful of individuals visible during peak winter hours. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Species that were once common at this site — such as gadwall, northern shoveler and ferruginous duck — were conspicuously absent last winter. An artificial wetland situated in the heart of Purulia town, Purulia Sahebbandh is administered by Purulia Municipality. During a recent visit to the site, signs of ecological distress were immediately evident, said Arkajyoti Mukherjee of NGO WINGS. "Numerous dead fish were floating on the water surface — an alarming indication of deteriorating water quality. The air was heavy with a foul, putrid smell, likely resulting from the decomposition of organic matter and low dissolved oxygen levels in the water. These observations reflect a serious decline in the wetland's ecological health, likely caused by untreated wastewater inflows, eutrophication, poor aquatic vegetation management, and increased human encroachment. Immediate restoration measures are urgently needed to prevent further biodiversity loss and to revive Sahebbandh's role as a critical habitat for migratory waterbirds," added Mukherjee, who has been awarded a National Post-Doctoral Fellowship by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation of GoI for working in the field of wetland ecology of Purulia Sahebbandh and Adra Sahebbandh in IIT Kharagpur under the mentorship of Prof Gourav Dhar Bhowmick. According to him, urban development has significantly impacted wetlands worldwide, including Sahebbandh — a historically vital wintering site for migratory waterbirds situated at the intersection of the Central Asian and East Asian–Australasian Flyways. A mid-winter study by Mukherjee from 2013-14 to 2019-20, using the total count method, revealed a sharp decline in both waterbird abundance and species richness. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Waterbird numbers plummeted from 3718 (± 241.2) individuals in 2013-14 to only 163 (± 38.5) in 2019-20, while species richness fell from 59 to 17. Of the species observed, 27 showed statistically significant population declines — eight species experienced severe declines and 19 others declined notably. "Expansion of human settlements and simultaneous loss of croplands — critical nocturnal foraging habitats — were significantly correlated with declining bird numbers. Also, mismanagement of aquatic vegetation, particularly the unchecked growth and clearance of water hyacinth, further reduced habitat quality and food availability," he added. By winter 2025, the situation had worsened, with only 11 species recorded and total bird abundance dropping to a mere 60-70 individuals. "A nearby wintering site, Adra Sahebbandh, has consistently supported stable populations of wintering waterbirds over the recent years,"Mukherjee added. According to him, steps like wastewater management, vegetation restoration, community involvement and governance should be considered to revive the wetland. Purulia Municipality chairman Nabendu Mahali didn't respond to calls made by TOI. Purulia: Once a popular wintering ground for migratory waterbirds, Purulia's Sahebbandh now appears severely degraded. The number of waterbirds has dropped drastically, with only a handful of individuals visible during peak winter hours. Species that were once common at this site — such as gadwall, northern shoveler and ferruginous duck — were conspicuously absent last winter. An artificial wetland situated in the heart of Purulia town, Purulia Sahebbandh is administered by Purulia Municipality. During a recent visit to the site, signs of ecological distress were immediately evident, said Arkajyoti Mukherjee of NGO WINGS. "Numerous dead fish were floating on the water surface — an alarming indication of deteriorating water quality. The air was heavy with a foul, putrid smell, likely resulting from the decomposition of organic matter and low dissolved oxygen levels in the water. These observations reflect a serious decline in the wetland's ecological health, likely caused by untreated wastewater inflows, eutrophication, poor aquatic vegetation management, and increased human encroachment. Immediate restoration measures are urgently needed to prevent further biodiversity loss and to revive Sahebbandh's role as a critical habitat for migratory waterbirds," added Mukherjee, who has been awarded a National Post-Doctoral Fellowship by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation of GoI for working in the field of wetland ecology of Purulia Sahebbandh and Adra Sahebbandh in IIT Kharagpur under the mentorship of Prof Gourav Dhar Bhowmick. According to him, urban development has significantly impacted wetlands worldwide, including Sahebbandh — a historically vital wintering site for migratory waterbirds situated at the intersection of the Central Asian and East Asian–Australasian Flyways. A mid-winter study by Mukherjee from 2013-14 to 2019-20, using the total count method, revealed a sharp decline in both waterbird abundance and species richness. Waterbird numbers plummeted from 3718 (± 241.2) individuals in 2013-14 to only 163 (± 38.5) in 2019-20, while species richness fell from 59 to 17. Of the species observed, 27 showed statistically significant population declines — eight species experienced severe declines and 19 others declined notably. "Expansion of human settlements and simultaneous loss of croplands — critical nocturnal foraging habitats — were significantly correlated with declining bird numbers. Also, mismanagement of aquatic vegetation, particularly the unchecked growth and clearance of water hyacinth, further reduced habitat quality and food availability," he added. By winter 2025, the situation had worsened, with only 11 species recorded and total bird abundance dropping to a mere 60-70 individuals. "A nearby wintering site, Adra Sahebbandh, has consistently supported stable populations of wintering waterbirds over the recent years,"Mukherjee added. According to him, steps like wastewater management, vegetation restoration, community involvement and governance should be considered to revive the wetland. Purulia Municipality chairman Nabendu Mahali didn't respond to calls made by TOI.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Counsellors allay concerns as crash reignites fear of flying
1 2 3 Kolkata: The horrific images of the Ahmedabad crash have left a section of city flyers shaky and unsure about taking a flight. Many scheduled to fly over the next month sought help from psychiatrists and psychologists to overcome their fear of flying. They include those who were always scared to fly, and the Air India crash revived their flying fear. Individuals with a pre-existing fear of flying, technically known as aviophobia, are especially vulnerable to psychological distress after incidents like the Ahmedabad plane crash, said psychologist Soumya Mukherjee. "Such traumatic events can act as powerful triggers, reinforcing their anxiety and intensifying the phobia. I already received frantic calls from a couple who must fly within a week but are mortally scared to do so now. They sought counselling," said Mukherjee. Psychiatrist Jairanjan Ram said since fear of flying is one of the commonest phobias, there would be many now who would try to avoid flying. "I receive two to three such patients every month who were not able to get rid of it despite being frequent flyers. They would be extremely jittery now and anxious to defer their travel," said Ram. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Artsen ontdekken: Het geheim van snel gewichtsverlies Verbrandhetvet Undo He added that one of his patients, a lady from Kolkata, recently suffered a panic attack aboard a private jet while flying to Australia. "It forced the pilot to make an emergency landing," said Ram. Common psychological responses to this crash would be heightened anticipatory fear, avoidance behaviour like refusing to board flights, acute stress symptoms, or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), said Mukherjee. "The sense of lost control and the perception of danger may become deeply embedded in their psyche. As a result, future air travel may feel overwhelmingly threatening or impossible. Therapeutic interventions can be effective in helping individuals rebuild trust and a sense of safety in flying," she said. It is the fear of being stuck in an enclosed space like an aircraft that triggers panic and heightened fear, felt Ram. Those who need to fly within the next few days but developed a phobia may take light sedatives after boarding, said a psychologist. "The other option is to avoid a long flight now and take shorter flights to overcome the fear," he said. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
News18
11-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
'Stop Being Elitist': Sharmistha Mukherjee Slams Congress For Mocking AC Temperature Proposal
Last Updated: Mukherjee responded to the Congress' post, calling it elitist and insensitive, especially when a majority of Indians do not own air conditioners Sharmistha Mukherjee, daughter of former President Pranab Mukherjee, on Wednesday slammed the Congress party for a satirical social media post targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Centre's new AC temperature proposal. The Congress shared a meme on X, showing PM Modi holding a remote control—possibly for a teleprompter—pointed towards a screen. The post was captioned, ' Ghar mein ghus ke temperature set karoonga!" (I will enter your home and set the temperature). This was a satirical twist on Prime Minister's well-known line, ' Ghar mein ghus ke marenge." The Congress's joke was aimed at the central government's recent proposal on air conditioner (AC) temperature, which will encourage citizens to keep their air conditioners set between 24°C and 25°C to help reduce energy consumption during peak summer months. This recommendation comes as several parts of India face record-breaking heatwaves, with temperatures in Delhi and other regions crossing 45°C. Mukherjee, however, did not find the meme appropriate. She responded to the post, calling it elitist and insensitive, especially when a majority of Indians do not own air conditioners. In her reply to the Congress' post, she wrote: 'Not an issue of personal choice but of environment & energy concerns. Other countries 've done it & rightly so! ONE CAN VERY WELL SURVIVE BETWEEN 20-28 degrees. Majority of India don't have ACs." Not an issue of personal choice but of environment & energy concerns. Other countries 've done it & rightly so! ONE CAN VERY WELL SURVIVE BETWEEN 20-28 degrees. Majority of India don't have ACs. Being a national party, stop being so elitist. Don't oppose 4 sake of opposition. — Sharmistha Mukherjee (@Sharmistha_GK) June 11, 2025 Mukherjee, who stepped away from active politics in 2019 and was formerly with the Congress, urged her former party not to be so elitist. 'Being a national party, stop being so elitist. Don't oppose 4 sake of opposition," she added. Mukherjee's remarks come at a time when several parts of the country are reeling under an intense heatwave. The national capital has also been sweltering, with temperatures soaring past 45 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of severe heat conditions and has issued red alerts across multiple states.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Sledgehammer blast mining for iron ore to precision mining with gold, NMDC eyes big critical minerals move
Hyderabad: When India's largest iron ore miner NMDC Ltd made a strategic foray into gold mining in Australia in Nov 2023, the company's managers believed they had nothing new to learn. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now After all, they had been in the mining business for the past six decades. What they didn't anticipate is their traditional blast and grab operation was of no use in gold mining and for the first time, they were forced acquire new skills - the precision of a surgeon needed for vein mining. This new skill is also giving the Navratna PSU specialised knowledge needed for deep-seated critical minerals extraction. Today, NMDC has not only mastered the art of vein mining but is also all set to rake in its first set of profits from mining this precious yellow metal through its Australian arm Legacy Iron Ore Ltd after the initial setbacks. "The last two-three months we have turned around and been cash positive. If things continue the way they are going right now, we should be in the green this year (2025-26)," Amitava Mukherjee, chairman & managing director, NMDC Ltd, told TOI in an exclusive chat recently. Mukherjee said the diversification into gold mining has been a strategic learning curve for the company with its Mt Celia gold mine in Australia, though relatively small in scale, serving as a crucial learning ground. "It was a very conscious forward point. In the last 60 years, we have done bulk mining of iron ore, which is completely different from vein-type, deep-seated mining. When we went ahead with this project, we found we had no expertise in this type of mining," Mukherjee said. Explaining the unique challenges this type of mining poses, he said the gold deposits at Mt Celia have veins as thin as one to two meters, requiring precise extraction techniques. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This is in stark contrast to NMDC's traditional iron ore mining operations, where bulk extraction methods are employed. "In iron ore mining, you would blast from left to right throughout. But in gold mining, blasting has to be absolutely controlled. It has to be precise because all you have is just two meters. The moment you dilute it, the grade drops from 2 gm to 1 gm per tonne," Mukherjee said. "You have to spot it correctly; the size of the equipment has to be very correct. Every aspect of vein mining and deep-seated minerals mining is completely different," he added. He said the decision to start small with Mt Celia, which has reserves of around 8,000 kg (8 tonnes), was conscious. "As a matter of strategic forward thinking we started with a very small gold tenement at Mount Celia. So if we lose, we lose less money. Let's not start with a Rs 1000 crore sort of investment we thought," he explained. The Mt Celia mine currently produces gold ore with grades ranging from 1.5 to 2.1 grams per tonne, which Mukherjee described as "pretty good in gold mining." In FY25, it was able to mine around 350 kg of gold at Mt Celia and expects to produce 1,000 kg in the current financial year. Having mastered precision vein-mining, NMDC is now looking to expand its gold mining portfolio, with several tenements adjacent to Mount Celia under consideration. "We have a lot of gold tenements which are pretty good for us. However, we decided to start with Mount Celia's Blue Peter and Kangaroo Bore pits to gain experience first," Mukherjee said. Apart from Mt Celia, it also has Yilgangi, Yerilla, Patricia North and Sunrise Bore in Australia. W hile acknowledging the initial losses, he said NMDC remains confident about the long-term prospects of its gold mining operations. "I'm not really bothered about that Rs 150 crore or Rs 160 crore losses that we have made. What we've lost, we'll gain next year," Mukherjee stated, emphasising the strategic value over short-term financial results. NMDC, which acquired 50% stake in Legacy Iron Ore in 2011 and has been steadily hiking its stake, currently holds over 90% stake in the Australian company with plans to take this up to 100% over a period of time. NMDC's experience in gold mining is expected to play a crucial role in its future diversification plans, particularly in mining other strategic minerals that require similar precision mining techniques, he indicated. The company views this as a necessary evolution in its mining capabilities that will help it position itself for opportunities in various strategic critical minerals, Mukherjee said, pointing out that minerals like Lithium require the same set of expertise. Gold and lithium are among the 10 key minerals, including critical minerals, that NMDC has decided to focus on. These also include copper, coking coal, nickel, manganese, dolomite, bauxite and cobalt. "As a company we have been mandated by the board to focus on these 10 minerals, which includes our bread and butter iron ore and other critical minerals. We are very clear we are not going to do rare earth minerals," he said. This foray has also meant significant organisational changes within NMDC, including the development of new operational divisions and acquisition of specialised expertise. The company has established a dedicated team for precision mining operations, marking a departure from its traditional bulk mining focus.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
NMDC masters vein mining, now eyes critical minerals extraction
1 2 Hyderabad: When India's largest iron ore miner NMDC Ltd made a strategic foray into gold mining in Australia in Nov 2023, the company's managers believed they had nothing new to learn. After all, they had been in the mining business for the past six decades. What they didn't anticipate is their traditional blast and grab operation was of no use in gold mining and for the first time, they were forced to acquire new skills - the precision of a surgeon needed for vein mining. This new skill is also giving the Navratna PSU specialised knowledge needed for deep-seated critical minerals extraction. Today, NMDC has not only mastered the art of vein mining but is also all set to rake in its first set of profits from mining this precious yellow metal through its Australian arm Legacy Iron Ore Ltd after the initial setbacks. "The last two-three months we have turned around and been cash positive. If things continue the way they are going right now, we should be in the green this year (2025-26)," Amitava Mukherjee, chairman & managing director, NMDC Ltd, told TOI in an exclusive chat recently. Mukherjee said the diversification into gold mining has been a strategic learning curve for the company with its Mt Celia gold mine in Australia, though relatively small in scale, serving as a crucial learning ground. "It was a very conscious forward point. In the last 60 years, we have done bulk mining of iron ore, which is completely different from vein-type, deep-seated mining. When we went ahead with this project, we found we had no expertise in this type of mining," Mukherjee said. Explaining the unique challenges this type of mining poses, he said the gold deposits at Mt Celia have veins as thin as one to two metres, requiring precise extraction techniques. This is in stark contrast to NMDC's traditional iron ore mining operations, where bulk extraction methods are employed. "In iron ore mining, you would blast from left to right throughout. But in gold mining, blasting has to be absolutely controlled. It has to be precise because all you have is just two metres. The moment you dilute it, the grade drops from 2 gm to 1 gm per tonne," Mukherjee said. "You have to spot it correctly; the size of the equipment has to be very correct. Every aspect of vein mining and deep-seated minerals mining is completely different," he added. He said the decision to start small with Mt Celia, which has reserves of around 8,000 kg (8 tonnes), was conscious. "As a matter of strategic forward thinking we started with a very small gold tenement at Mount Celia. So if we lose, we lose less money. Let's not start with a Rs 1,000 crore sort of investment we thought," he explained. The Mt Celia mine currently produces gold ore with grades ranging from 1.5 to 2.1 grams per tonne, which Mukherjee described as "pretty good in gold mining." In FY25, it was able to mine around 350 kg of gold at Mt Celia and expects to produce 1,000 kg in the current financial year. Having mastered precision vein-mining, NMDC is now looking to expand its gold mining portfolio, with several tenements adjacent to Mt Celia under consideration. "We have a lot of gold tenements which are pretty good for us. However, we decided to start with Mount Celia's Blue Peter and Kangaroo Bore pits to gain experience first," Mukherjee said. Apart from Mt Celia, it also has Yilgangi, Yerilla, Patricia North and Sunrise Bore in Australia. W hile acknowledging the initial losses, he said NMDC remains confident about the long-term prospects of its gold mining operations. "I'm not really bothered about that Rs 150 crore or Rs 160 crore losses that we have made. What we've lost, we'll gain next year," Mukherjee stated, emphasising the strategic value over short-term financial results. NMDC, which acquired 50% stake in Legacy Iron Ore in 2011 and has been steadily hiking its stake, currently holds over 90% stake in the Australian company with plans to take this up to 100% over a period of time. NMDC's experience in gold mining is expected to play a crucial role in its future diversification plans, particularly in mining other strategic minerals that require similar precision mining techniques, he indicated. The company views this as a necessary evolution in its mining capabilities that will help it position itself for opportunities in various strategic critical minerals, Mukherjee said, pointing out that minerals like Lithium require the same set of expertise. Gold and lithium are among the 10 key minerals, including critical minerals, that NMDC has decided to focus on. These also include copper, coking coal, nickel, manganese, dolomite, bauxite and cobalt. "As a company we have been mandated by the board to focus on these 10 minerals, which includes our bread and butter iron ore and other critical minerals. We are very clear we are not going to do rare earth minerals," he said. This foray has also meant significant organisational changes within NMDC, including the development of new operational divisions and acquisition of specialised expertise. The company has established a dedicated team for precision mining operations, marking a departure from its traditional bulk mining focus.
