Punjab to use drones to keep check on illegal mining
Chandigarh: The Punjab Mining and Geology Department has decided to deploy drones to curb illegal sand mining in the state, officials said on Wednesday. The department may borrow the drones from the state police, they said. “We will soon be using drones (to keep a check on illegal mining) and we hope it will start in next one month or so,” a senior official of the department said on Wednesday. The drones can be deployed to monitor areas where the illegal mining is suspected to be rampant, he said. The Mining and Geology Department which has been hived off from the Industries Department has also decided to keep surveillance on the illegal mining through satellite mapping. “Through geo satellite, a check will also be kept to see whether any mining activity is going on outside the permitted area,” the official said. Illegal mining has been a major challenge for the Congress-led government in Punjab. Last month, the state cabinet came out with a new mining policy, aimed to bring further transparency in the sand mining business. (PTI)
South Western Command to organise Wartech in Jaipur
Jaipur: Over 40 firms from across the country will showcase their latest defence technology related equipments during an expo at Jaipur military station on November 16. South Western Army commander Lieutenant General Cherish Mathson will be the chief guest at the ‘Wartech’ which will be attended by senior officers of the Army and paramilitary forces, defence spokesperson Col Sombit Ghosh said on Wednesday. He said the expo was being organised to provide an opportunity to experience developments in the field of defence and security-related technology and interact with firms dealing with these type of equipment. “The day-long event will see over 40 firms from across the country showcasing their latest products to include radars, electro optical and night vision devices, security-related equipment, communication, fire fighting and humanitarian assistance-related equipment,” he said. Besides the civil firms, the Army units will also be displaying in house ideas and innovations during the expo. “This being the maiden effort of its kind in the Sapta Shakti Command will be the stepping stone for similar and bigger events in the coming years,” he added. (PTI)
Goa govt to develop two heritage tourism circuits
Panaji: In a bid to showcase Goa’s historical sites to the tourists, the state government has started developing two heritage tourism circuits. State Archives and Archaeology Department has been working on creating these tourism circuits in which the visitors would be taken to different historical monuments and architectural landmarks, an official said on Wednesday. “The first circuit will cover the Saptakoteshwar temple at Narve village in Bicholim taluka and the monuments surrounding it, including ancient caves, water tanks, springs, temples and ruins of Jain community settlement,” Varad Sabanis, Assistant Superintendent Archaeologist, told PTI. Saptakoteshwar temple was built on the orders of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji in 1668. It is located 35 kms from Panaji, he said. He said Saptakoteshwar temple restoration work has already begun and it is expected to complete before April next year. “The second tourism circuit would be created in Sankhalim area in north Goa. It will showcase a Jain temple, a Sun temple and memorials of Jain monks,” he said. (PTI)