Modi and Obama on Sunday agreed that India and the United States will work together to support India's ambitious climate and energy goals by focusing on air quality and increasing the share of renewables in the energy basket. This partnership is based
on ten specific initiatives, which include broadening the areas for undertaking research in clean energy; addressing urban air quality; expanding policy dialogues and technical work on clean energy and low greenhouse gas emissions technologies; undertaking
demonstration and pilot clean energy projects; and developing cooling solutions to replace hydrocloroflurocarbons (HFCs), which contribute to global warming. Each of the initiatives addresses India's domestic priorities and needs.

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AGRA: With a view to preserve blackbucks in the Akbar tomb premises in Sikandara, the ASI's horticulture department and the state forest department have roped in a wildlife NGO to catch jackals that prey on the animals and deposit them elsewhere in a protected
sanctuary.

Kanchan Singh, ASI chief horticulturist, Agra, said, "Wildlife SOS, which is already a consultant in this initiative to save antelopes, will carry out this jackal relocation programme. The department will pay them a sum of
Rs 4 lakh for this purpose. The work has already started." 

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A high-tension power line being drawn through the Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh has been rerouted to save vultures from electrocution.

A vulture breeding site was recently found in the sanctuary during a recent survey, giving hope that the endangered bird can be brought back from the brink.

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AGRA: An RTI filed by a Greater Noida-based NGO, Social Action for Environment and Forest (SAFE), revealed that more than 27,000 trees would be axed for the construction of the 302.22 km Agra-Lucknow Greenfield expressway.

It also revealed that the nodal authority responsible for the project has already started construction but is yet to take the requisite clearance from the ministry of environment and forest. 

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MUMBAI: Bird lovers from across the city will be coming together for the annual bird race to be held in Mumbai on February 1 this year. This is the 11th edition of the race and will be seeing over 300 people coming participating in it. Organizers said
that over the last two years they have been witnessing an increased number of young enthusiasts join in the event as compared to the earlier years. 

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