77 million poisoned by arsenic in Bangladesh

By some estimates, between 35 and 77 million people in Bangladesh have been chronically exposed to arsenic-contaminated water as a result of a catastrophically misguided campaign in the 1970s. Millions of tube wells were drilled in the aim of providing villagers with clean, germ-free water. Many wells were inadvertently dug into shallow layers of soil [...]

Bangladesh jute gets boost from plastic bag backlash

Jute, a vegetable fibre that is spun into coarse threads, was once known as the “golden fibre” of the British Empire when the Indian sub-continent was ruled from London. The material’s long decline was hastened in the 1980s with the advent of synthetic fabrics, but the trend is being reversed due to growing opposition to [...]

Dalai Lama criticises anti-whaling protesters

The Dalai Lama said he supported Sea Shepherd’s goal of preventing whalers from harming the giant sea mammals but added that “their (activities) should be non-violent”. Japan’s annual whale hunt — carried out under a loophole to an international moratorium that allows killing for what it calls scientific research — has long been criticised by [...]

Experts suggest using green strategies to prevent floods

The rooftops of buildings and the space between buildings are some areas that can be used to help prevent floods and save water, said Dr Ole Larsen from the Dansk Hydraulisk Institut-Nanyang Technological University Research Centre and Education Hub. via Channel NewsAsia

The farmer gets $5 a kilo. You pay $69

KEL SHARMAN, a Tasmanian beef farmer, was astonished to find out that meat from a beast he sold for about $5 a kilogram last month was on sale at a Surry Hills butchery this week for $69. “You’re joking,” Mr Sharman said. “I’m in the wrong line of business.” In theory, every piece of meat [...]

Rare Borneo pygmy elephant dies after 2-week struggle

An endangered Borneo pygmy elephant lost its struggle for survival after it was rescued two weeks ago. “She had perforated ulcers in the intestines. It was a tough fight for survival,” Wildlife Department chief senior field veterinarian Dr Sen Nathan said Friday. The orphaned two-year-old female calf died of severe internal bleeding at the Lok [...]

Dredging destroying pygmy elephant, monkey habitat

Sand dredging in a Borneo wildlife sanctuary is threatening the habitats of endangered pygmy elephants and a rare species of monkey, Malaysian activists said Thursday. Sand-laden barges were once again moving up and down rivers in the Kinabatangan wildlife sanctuary in Sabah state on Borneo island, despite having previously been stopped, they said. via Dredging [...]