Action plan to check dengue fever

Kochi: The city Mayor Mercy Williams, District Collector M. Beena and
the District Medical Officer K.T. Ramani, in a meeting on Monday,
decided on an action plan to combat the increasing cases of dengue
fever over the last week. According to the Mayor, fogging and spraying
had been going on intermittently, but will be intensified along with
cleaning drains and premises will be cleaned by cutting overgrown
grass.Dry day will be observed to clean up any stagnant water
collected in mud puddles that breed mosquitoes. Officials of the State
entomology cell will be overseeing the vector surveillance in the city
that will provide the information about high risk areas.Ms. Beena
outlined the cleaning operations according to the instructions of the
Minister of Health P.K. Sreemathy, who had attended a review meeting
here on Sunday.While the health squads under the Corporation Health
Officer will be involved in cleaning up the city, volunteers of
Kudumbashree and the Accredited Social Health Activists under the
National Rural Health Mission will be spreading awareness among the
public to keep the premises free of garbage and not allow water to
collect in small bowls and puddles.The collector will be calling a
meeting of the private hospitals in the city to improve reporting
about dengue fever. Under the existing notification system, only the
Government hospitals provide reports.Under the Information and
Education Campaign, school students will be made aware by training
teachers and by showing a visual campaign using a cartoon character.
Students will also be given pamphlets on the disease. Street plays
will be organised to drive the point home on cleanliness and hygiene
and precautionary measures against mosquito bites.Notices will also be
distributed to households.NRHM has already transferred the funds to
create infrastructure at the General Hospital for improving treatment
facilities and providing mosquito nets, mosquito repellents for
patients, said NRHM district co-ordinator K. V. Beena, who had
participated in the meeting.Deputy Mayor C.K. Manishankar, chairman of
the Corporation Standing Committee on Health, N.A. Mani, Corporation
Secretary Mini Antony, Corporation Health Officer C.G. Elizabeth and
District Medical Officers of Indigenous Medicine and Homoeopathy were
some of the other participants.

The Hindu, 25th November 2008

Project to revitalise Thanneerchal

Thiruvankulam Grama Panchayat and BPCL-Kochi Refinery Limited have
drawn up a project to revitalise the large water resource called
Thanneerchal, located in the middle of the panchayat.With the Kochi
Refinery pumping in Rs. 1 crore for the project and the Panchayat
giving Rs. 30 lakh for the first phase of development of the
Thanneerchal Development Project, FACT Engineering and Design
Organisation (FEDO) has been given the charge to execute the project.
Explaining the project that would cost a total of Rs. 3.5 crore, E. V.
Thankappan, president of the panchayat, said that six of the 13
rivulets around the 10.5 acre lake will be preserved and bridges will
be built over it after the lake is cleaned, dredged and is provided a
granite embankment. This will act as the main water reservoir of the
area during the monsoon.The panchayat had bought the 1.62 acres of
land lying around the lake and plans to develop the surroundings with
walkways and gardens and proper lighting in the next phase of the
development. Since the lake is separated from the Hill Palace Museum
by about 500 metres, the panchayat will be looking for an inflow of
visitors from Hill Palace to the lake. The lure of the water body is
likely to result in tourist inflows to the place, he said. A boating
facility will also be arranged on the lake.FEDO, the consultants for
the project has done the detailed study and will be supervising and
evaluating the project. It has already started preparations to tender
the project. The entire project will be completed in 10 months, said
the Panchayat secretary, Thomas Rajan.M. V. Murali, vice-president of
the panchayat; Chandran Kunnapilly, panchayat member; Basil Benjamin,
chief manager of BPCL-KRL; Jose T. K., FEDO chief manager (projects)
and other officials participated.

The Hindu, 25th November 2008

Kuttanad farmers brace for Puncha cultivation

Paddy farmers in Kuttanad and the district official machinery are
racing against time to catch up with the 'puncha' season, which fell
behind schedule by nearly a month after rains threw preparations off
track in October.The season, which witnesses the largest acreage of
paddy cultivation in the district, with around 25,000-plus hectares in
comparison with the 10,000-plus acreage for the additional and second
round crop, was scheduled to begin by October 15 as per the
agricultural calendar drawn out by the Agriculture Department.However,
incessant rains forced farmers to defer their plans and in some cases,
to start from scratch. The harvest of the 'puncha' crop, if everything
had gone by schedule, would begin in early March, just in time to
avoid summer rains from affecting the ripe crop.With the October rains
playing spoilsport, farmers are now a worried lot and are trying their
best to speed up the preparatory processes. According to Principal
Agriculture Officer P.S. Soman, there was a crucial two-week delay in
over 50 per cent of the padasekharams where sowing was scheduled to
begin by October 15.In areas where the seeds were already sown, rains
submerged the fields, leading to decay of the seeds. The department
had to replace these seeds and farmers have carried out sowing for the
second time. "In areas where sowing was supposed to begin by November
15, there has been a delay of about 10 days. Attempts are on to catch
up with the schedule as fast as possible," Mr. Soman said, adding that
efforts to ensure adequate fertilizers by the first week of December
were on.District Collector V.K. Balakrishnan has forwarded to the
government a proposal for a compensation package to farmers of the
Purakad 'kari' fields who faced losses after the October rains.He said
that the district administration was doing all that was possible to
get the 'puncha' schedule back on track. "Wherever bunds are
necessary, they are being built. If any bunds are breached, they are
being repaired immediately. Farmers will be given all necessary help,"
Mr. Balakrishnan said.

The Hindu, 25th November 2008

Children’s Science Congress

Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Thiruvananthapuram and Navodaya Vidyalaya
Samiti will organize the regional Children's Science Congress at the
Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology here from November 24 to 28.
RGCB Director M.Radhakrishnan Pillai will inaugurate the event.
Science toppers from the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas of Kerala,
Karnataka, Andhra, Pondicherry and Andaman Nicobar Islands will
participate in the congress.

The New Indian Express, 24th November 2008

Huge demand for eco-friendly artefacts

Eco–friendly artefacts made from coconut shell and wood of coconut
palm are becoming highly prized items in the domestic/export market
segment.President of the Kozhikode District Handicrafts Artisans
Cooperative Society Ramadas Taikandi said the situation now was such
that quite often it was not possible to undertake the bulk orders for
items such as coconut shell ice-cream cups, for instance.Items such as
disposable, environment-friendly coconut shell ice-cream cups and
ladles and spoons made of coconut wood are in large demand during
sports matches and other large gatherings within the country as well
as abroad, he said."We now have an order for 50 lakh coconut-wood
spoons to be supplied in a year, from a milk marketing federation in
Bihar," said Mr. Ramdas.The bulk orders, including one from abroad for
one lakh ice-cream cups, cannot be undertaken easily owing to labour
shortage and other difficulties, he said. Power cuts pose a major
problem. The unit does not have adequate infrastructure facilities,
including state-of-the-art machinery, he added.The society's
manufacturing unit in Koyilandy has developed into a prestigious
centre in crafting out artefacts from coconut palm byproducts over the
years.The unit, which was developed in a phased manner, now employs as
many as 20 women on a regular basis, as a self-employment venture.
Besides daily wages, medical, washing and festival allowances are paid
to the women. The unit has been functioning for over 16 years now.The
Handicrafts Ministry under the Government of India and the Coconut
Development Board have provided assistance to sustain the handicrafts
centre. The Union Agriculture Ministry has chipped in with various
assistance schemes.Design development training was provided to the
employees by experts from Hyderabad.However, red-tapism has been a
major obstacle preventing the society from getting various assistance
schemes of the Union government for handicrafts development through
the Kerala Handicrafts Development Corporation, sources alleged.The
handicrafts development society has its origin in the Handicrafts
Development Centre set up in 1938. As part of a revival package, a sum
of Rs.7.5 lakh was sanctioned for the centre in 1995. A site
comprising 3.5 cents of land was bought, though state-of-the-art
machinery was yet to be installed.Self-help groups for manufacturing
the traditional 'Koyilandy' or 'Malabar' hooka have also been
formed.Mr. Ramadas claimed the Koyilandy hooka, along with the coconut
shell artefacts, was now in the process of being accorded the
geographical indication registration by the Chennai-based registration
centre.

The Hindu, 24th November 2008

Fogging, cleaning activities to check dengue fever

As an immediate step to check the spurt of dengue fever, Minister for
Health P.K. Sreemathy has ordered that simultaneous fogging be carried
out in all corporation wards, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday.In a
review meeting held here on Sunday, the Minister also ordered to
organise a 10-day clean-up activity in the Corporation limits as a
follow up of the fogging to clear the area of mosquitoes that spread
the dangerous fever.The Minister has sanctioned Rs.7.10 lakh for the
activity with each of the 71 wards getting Rs.10,000. Apart from the
25 fogging machines of the Corporation, additional equipment provided
by the District Medical Officer will be used for fogging. Every ward
will be provided with a fogging machine each. The Minister said that
the health officials will chart out the action plan on Monday.The
initial phase of the cleaning activity will be monitored by two field
officials in each ward and will be reported to the block co-ordinators
for each ward.Ms. Sreemathy said that nearly 30 additional field
workers would be put on duty to supplement the 120 field staff,
including health inspectors and junior health inspectors, of the
corporation health wing. The Minister said that the cleaning up
activities should be completed by December 15.Besides the awareness
programmes of the District Health authorities, Kudumbashree units will
be pressed into service to spread awareness about disposing garbage in
a healthy and hygienic manner. The households should be able to
dispose the organic waste generated within the premises. Only those
waste that cannot be disposed organically should be taken out, she
said.An isolation ward will be arranged at the General Hospital for
patients with dengue fever, said the Minister.As part of finding an
immediate remedy to the sewage and drainage problem in the hospital,
Rs.6 lakh will be sanctioned from the National Rural Health Mission to
the District Collector, who is the chairperson of the Hospital Welfare
Society, without delay.The Minister said that the government was also
considering to set up a blood separation unit, costing Rs.50-60 lakh,
in the General Hospital to have a full-fledged blood bank at the
hospital.There are only two such units in the district, one in Aluva
Government Hospital and the other at the IMA's Blood Bank. A
separation unit is important as blood platelets are required for the
treatment of dengue fever.The government has plans to renovate the
Government Nursing School and to improve the hostel facilities, she
said. An estimate is being prepared for it.The Minister said that the
government has appointed 1,800 nurses over and above the existing
nursing vacancies to improve the nursing care given to the patients.In
the district alone, there are 135 additional nurses and the General
Hospital has 25 additional nurses, she said.

The Hindu, 24th November 2008

Alert against dengue fever

The District Health authorities have sounded an alert against dengue
fever in the district as at least six confirmed cases were reported
within the last couple of days.There have been about 25 cases of
dengue fever from January to October this year. The District Medical
Officer, K. T. Ramani, has said more fever clinics in various parts of
the district would be opened and have asked the public not to go for
self-medication in case of fever.There were four dengue fever cases
reported from the General Hospital and they came in from Ponnurunni,
Elamakkara, Vaduthala and the city area.Rural areas like Vazakulam,
Varapetty, Piravom have also reported a couple of cases.Vector studies
in the areas and activities reducing the source of breeding mosquitoes
have been intensified, , said Dr. Ramani.The department has planned a
meeting with the Corporation and others this weelk to take stock of
any suspected dengue fever cases.

The Hindu, 23rd November 2008

Students to the rescue of Vellayani Lake

Five students of Mannam Memorial Residential Higher Secondary School,
Neeramankara, submitted a report on their study on conservation of
Vellayani Lake to Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran
recently.The students, Deepthi J, Athira B.P., Jithin V.G., Anoop
Chandran B and Karthik P.R., who are members of the school Eco Club,
undertook the project titled 'Conservation of Vellayani Lake as a
drinking water source' to participate in the National Children's
Science Congress. They conducted surveys, interviews and experiments
of water quality of Vellayani Lake under the guidance of their
teacher, Jayasree. According to their project report, the analysis of
water samples from the lake, conducted at the Government Analyst's
Lab, indicated a high content of iron, ammonia and E-coli bacteria.The
students said that they observed an open drain directly discharging
waste into the lake near Bund Road.The lake is also polluted by runoff
from agricultural fields and nearby areas. Fish culture by the
Fisheries Department had also affected the natural biota of the lake
causing pollution, the students observed.Another factor degrading the
lake was constructional aspects and development works in the name of
tourism. Sand mining is also posing a threat of decrease of
groundwater recharge and increase of turbidity by intervening with the
natural filtering system, the report said. It has also been observed
that the area of the lake, which was 750 ha in 1962, had been reduced
to 397.5 ha by 2005.The students have suggested some solutions to put
an end to the quantitative and qualitative deterioration of the
lake.This includes conducting in-depth studies and preparing lake
conservation and management plans, demarcation of the lake to evacuate
illegal encroachers and sand miners and replacement of roads by
bridges.The project has also been selected for the State Children's
Science Fair.

The Hindu, 22nd November 2008

CZM norms worry fisherfolk

Speakers at a meeting organised here on Friday by the Kerala
Swathantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation (KSMTF) as part of the World
Fisheries Day highlighted the threats faced by the fishermen community
in Kerala and other coastal States. Pannian Ravindran, MP, who
inaugurated the meeting called on the Central government to scrap the
move to replace the Coastal Regulation Zone with the Coastal Zone
Management strategy since it would cause hardships to fisherfolk. He
decried efforts by global players to appropriate marine and coastal
resources. "The government must understand the concerns of the
fishermen who are already facing a threat to their livelihood from
foreign trawlers and big business groups. They should be brought back
to the mainstream of social life," he said.State president of the
KSMTF T. Peter said rapacious real estate groups, tourism ventures,
aquaculture farms, ship breaking units and industrial houses were
vying with each other to appropriate large tracts of coastal belt all
along the country. "The tourism industry has claimed 40 per cent of
the coastal area in Alappuzha. Special Economic Zones pose the biggest
threat to fishermen in Ernakulam. Industries and tourism have
appropriated most of the coastal belt Maharashtra, Goa and
Gujarat".Mr. Peter said the proposed Coastal Zone Management would
spell doom for fisherfolk. He said the UPA government would face a
political setback if it went ahead with the CZM, ignoring the concerns
of the fisherfolk.Referring to the attack on the Ashapura clay factory
in Thiruvananthapuram last week, he said the people in the coastal
belt would resist moves to target them on the incident. He accused the
factory management of misleading the government."We are not against
development. But developmental activities should not affect people's
livelihood," he said.Deputy chief executive of the South Indian
Federation of Fishermen Societies Ansil, former Fisheries joint
director Ravindran Nair and KSMTF leaders Anto Elias, Valerian Isaac
and P.V. Wilson were present.A seminar on CZM and fishworkers was
organised.

The Hindu, 22nd November 2008

CZM norms worry fisherfolk

Speakers at a meeting organised here on Friday by the Kerala
Swathantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation (KSMTF) as part of the World
Fisheries Day highlighted the threats faced by the fishermen community
in Kerala and other coastal States. Pannian Ravindran, MP, who
inaugurated the meeting called on the Central government to scrap the
move to replace the Coastal Regulation Zone with the Coastal Zone
Management strategy since it would cause hardships to fisherfolk. He
decried efforts by global players to appropriate marine and coastal
resources. "The government must understand the concerns of the
fishermen who are already facing a threat to their livelihood from
foreign trawlers and big business groups. They should be brought back
to the mainstream of social life," he said.State president of the
KSMTF T. Peter said rapacious real estate groups, tourism ventures,
aquaculture farms, ship breaking units and industrial houses were
vying with each other to appropriate large tracts of coastal belt all
along the country. "The tourism industry has claimed 40 per cent of
the coastal area in Alappuzha. Special Economic Zones pose the biggest
threat to fishermen in Ernakulam. Industries and tourism have
appropriated most of the coastal belt Maharashtra, Goa and
Gujarat".'Political setback'Mr. Peter said the proposed Coastal Zone
Management would spell doom for fisherfolk. He said the UPA government
would face a political setback if it went ahead with the CZM, ignoring
the concerns of the fisherfolk.Referring to the attack on the Ashapura
clay factory in Thiruvananthapuram last week, he said the people in
the coastal belt would resist moves to target them on the incident. He
accused the factory management of misleading the government. "We are
not against development. But developmental activities should not
affect people's livelihood," he said.Deputy chief executive of the
South Indian Federation of Fishermen Societies Ansil, former Fisheries
joint director Ravindran Nair and KSMTF leaders Anto Elias, Valerian
Isaac and P.V. Wilson were present.A seminar on CZM and fishworkers
was organised.

The Hindu, 22nd November 2008

Project to double State’s rice production by 2011

Agriculture Minister, Mullakkara Ratnakaran, said the government was
planning to launch paddy cultivation in 21,500 hectares of fallow land
across the State as part of the Food Safety Programme in the current
financial year.The Minister was inaugurating a public meeting at St.
Mary's Orthodox Church auditorium at Niranom, after launching paddy
cultivation at Chennamkary paddy fields in the Upper Kuttanad region
of Thiruvalla taluk on Friday.According to him, the State's annual
rice production has been put at only 6.5 lakh tonne against the annual
consumption of 38 lakh tonne.Mr. Ratnakaran said the Food Safety
Programme had been launched with a mission to increase State's paddy
production to 12 lakh tonne by 2011.He said Kerala was the first State
in the country to introduce interest-free farm loans to paddy
cultivators. Moreover, the government had provided insurance cover for
peasants who came forward for paddy cultivation in fallow lands as
part of Food Safety Programme, he added.Mr. Ratnakaran said farming
was part of our culture and the government was on a mission to revive
this culture by upholding the slogan, "all roads lead to paddy
fields."He said children attached to as many as 52 schools in the
State had joined the Food Safety Programme by engaging themselves in
paddy cultivation.The Minister said the government was planning to
launch paddy cultivation in an extent of 1,000 ha fallow land in
Pathanamthitta district this year.Transport Minister Mathew T. Thomas
presided over the meeting. Delivering the keynote address, Dr.
Philipose Mar Chrysostum, senior Metropolitan of Mar Thoma Church,
stressed the need for evolving a positive farming culture.

The Hindu, 22nd November 2008

Steps sought to mitigate impact of climate change

Minister for Water Resources N.K. Premachandran has stressed the need
to formulate an action plan to mitigate the impact of climate change
on vulnerable communities in the State.Inaugurating a workshop
organised in connection with the National Environment Awareness
Campaign by the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the Centre for
Environment Development (CED) here on Thursday, he said Kerala could
ignore climate change only at its peril."The available statistics on
atmospheric temperature variation and greenhouse emissions are
alarming. There is urgent need for intervention to control the
causative factors, which are largely human-induced."The Minister said
the State was also being exposed to extreme climatic conditions like
other parts of the world.The Minister said it would take strong
measures to mitigate the impact of climate change.Executive chairman
of the Information Kerala Mission Prof. M.K.Prasad presided over the
function.Executive director, CED, Babu Ambatt was also present.

The Hindu, 21st November 2008

Kollam to host Kerala Science Congress

A special session on People's Science will be the highlight of the
21st Kerala Science Congress to be held in Kollam from January 28 to
31.A pressnote issued by the Kerala State Council for Science,
Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) said the session was aimed at
providing a forum for public participation. Those who have developed
grassroot innovations and products will get an opportunity to
participate in the 'People's Science.' The participants of the
'People's Science' will be allowed to present their findings or
products through posters, exhibition or demonstration during the
Science Congress.Those who wish to participate may write with the
details of the invention, full address and telephone number to V. Ajit
Prabhu, Principal Scientific Officer, Sasthra Bhavan, Pattom,
Thiruvananthapuram - 4 or visit the web site www.ksc.kerala.gov.in for
more details. The last date for registration of participants in
'People's Science' Congress will be December 15, 2008. Only those
entries selected by an expert panel will be accepted for participation
in the 'People's Science'.

The Hindu, 20th November 2008

Eco group clarifies stance on rubber dam

Pampa Parirakshana Samiti (PPS) secretary Bensi Mathew has alleged
that certain political quarters and a contractors' lobby are issuing
"baseless and defamatory statements" against the organisation in
connection with the proposal to construct a rubber dam in the Pampa at
Aranmula. In a statement on Tuesday, Mr. Mathew condemned the reported
statements of two District Tourism Promotion Council members terming
the samiti general secretary N.K. Sukumaran Nair a 'quack.'Mr. Mathew
claimed that the samiti had played a key role in the inclusion of the
Pampa in the National River Conservation Programme.He recalled that at
a recent meeting that was held at Environmental Resource Centre at
Poovathoor near Aranmula, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister T.K.A.
Nair too had hailed the contribution of the samiti and its founder
general secretary Sukumaran Nair in highlighting the problems faced by
the river.This had ultimately led to the Union government sanctioning
the Pampa Action Plan on the lines of Ganga Action Plan, Mr. Mathew
said.He said the samiti had never opposed construction of a rubber dam
in Pampa.Its opposition was to implementing the project without
conducting proper environmental impact study, he added.

The Hindu, 19th November 2008

Paddy scheme launched at Maniyur

Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran launched on Tuesday a Rs.5.5-crore scheme for making Cherandathur chira in Maniyur fit for paddy cultivation and expressed the hope that by bringing more land under paddy cultivation, the State would be able to considerably ease its rice deficit.Mr. Ratnakaran said that the launching of the scheme in Maniyur was part of a government programme to extend paddy cultivation by 40,000 hectares. With the increase in paddy yield, paddy-based industries would also come up, the Minister said.Emphasising the need to reduce dependence on other States for meeting food requirements of local people, the Minister said the State was spending Rs.500 crore annually to meet its food needs. But he was confident the food deficit could be overcome by 2010. K.P. Kunhammedkutty, president, district panchayat, presided over the function.The Minister also inaugurated the distribution of soil health card scheme in Kozhikode district at a function held at Peruvayal St. Xavier's UP School on Tuesday. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ratnakaran hoped the scheme would help people understand the value of soil better. He said the problems on the food front could be traced to the neglect of soil. Productivity was inextricably linked to health of the soil. Quality of soil also had a bearing on quality of human life, he said.He pointed out that though the average Keralite's life span had increased in recent years, the number of people living with diseases was also rising. As many as 120 soil health cards were distributed at the function. U.C. Raman, MLA, presided.

The Hindu, 19^th November 2008

Experts meet to improve weather forecast

Weather experts are probing ways to make better use of automatic weather stations by linking up various states to provide improved and user-friendly forecast to farmers and the public.Experts from various government agencies and universities are set to meet in Thrissur on November 29 for a user-oriented workshop to thrash out details. Weather experts fro the ISRO, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the Meteorology wing of the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and the Centre for Monsoon Studies (CMS) of the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) will meet the KAU, Thrissur to work out details regarding improved supply of weather inputs.The intended idea is better co-ordination if weather inputs and using available resources to supply hourly weather forecasts in a way that it can be easily grasped by even the layman. In the first phase, inputs from weather stations in Kerala and Tamil Nadu will be pooled. Such inputs can be made public through dedicated website in subsequent stages.Recently the KAU had announced plans for linking up with CMS, ISRO and the IMD to provide 'AgroMet' services in a timely manner to farmers in the state. The idea now is to take it one big step forward.While the number of automatic weather stations  in the country are set to go up in the years ahead, weather prediction mechanics and supporting technological infrastructure, remains something of a mystery to the general public.With public attention called towards climatic changes in the light of global warming, the new set-up is intended to close this gap and bring localiswed forecast of weather a mouse-click away.

The New Indian Express, 19^th November 2008

Plan to improve fish production

The annual fish production from lakes and ponds across the State will be raised to two lakh metric tonnes in the next three years, Minister for Fisheries S. Sarma has said.He was speaking after inaugurating an artificial reef installation project launched by the Department of Fisheries at the Vizhinjam Harbour in the district on Tuesday."Through fisheries clubs in the 700 grama panchayats adjoining coastal areas, we propose to raise the annual inland production," he said. The triangular artificial reef is expected to enhance the quantity of fish by creating a favourable environment, similar to that of a natural reef, for the marine species to breed.Artificial reefs made of mild steel and numbering around 360 will be deployed at five coastal panchayats including Anchuthengu, Kadinamkulam, Karimkulam, Poovar and Kulathoor in the inaugural phase.Based on its effectiveness the reefs, weighing 160 kg, will be deployed in other coastal areas.According to Xavier David, mission coordinator of Agency for Development of Aquaculture Kerala (ADAK), which is implementing the project, enrichment materials such as palm leaves and tyres will be added to the reefs at a later stage to attract fish.Since the reefs will be placed permanently under seawater at a depth of around 30 ft, there is no danger of corrosion. George Mercier, MLA, who presided over the function, said that efforts should be made to bring people working in the fishing industry in the insurance net.The function was attended by P.A. Shaikh Pareed, Director, Fisheries, and Pulluvila Stanley, Chairman, Kerala Fishworkers Welfare Board.

The Hindu, 19^th November 2008

Forum for wetland protection by 2009

Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran said here on Monday that the proposed Wetland Conservation Authority under the State government would come into being in 2009. He was speaking after inaugurating a wastewater treatment plant at the Kozhikode Cooperative Hospital.Mr. Premachandran, who maintained that the responsibility and powers to maintain and manage the wetlands of the respective region should be vested with the State government and not the Centre, said the absence of an exclusive authority with statutory powers had caused confusion in the past. "The rough draft of the bill for the proposed authority is ready and the body having statutory powers would come into being by 2009," he said.Mr. Premachandran, who stated that conservation of wetlands, watersheds and paddy fields were "top priorities" of the government, said only a focussed legislation in this regard would ensure the conservation and proper management of "these priceless assets."Praising the efforts of the Cooperative Hospital management in setting up a state-of-the-art waste water treatment plant at the hospital at a cost of Rs.15 lakh, the Minister said the plant was a "model" for all other industrial units and hospitals in the State. "It is an important step towards the dream of a cleaner city and a cleaner State," he said.Stating that management of waste was one of the major challenges faced by the State, Mr. Premachandran said cities cannot wait till major treatment plants capable of treating the whole waste of the city together become a reality."It might take time; till then, we have to think about small plants like the one commissioned today to make our city a cleaner and a better place to live," he said. Kozhikode Mayor M. Bhaskaran presided over the function. Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM) director K.V. Jayakumar spoke on the occasion.

The Hindu, 18^th November 2008

Kattampally river basin to see tidal action again

 Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran has said that tidal action will be experimentally restored on the Kattampally river basin for two months to change the soil properties of the vast expanse of land that was once under 'Kaipadu' paddy cultivation.The Minister told presspersons here on Monday that an action plan for reviving paddy cultivation in the land lying fallow for four decades had been submitted. The report proposed revival of tidal action in April and May to loosen the soil hardened from prevention of saltwater intrusion.He said the months to restore tidal action would be finalised at a detailed discussion in Thiruvananthapuram in December.The Minister said efforts would be made to revive paddy cultivation in the area in as much hectares as possible. The Kaipad land would be monitored and studied after the experimental restoration of tidal action.He said the Kattampally irrigation project originally envisaged 18 shutters. The existing 13 were inadequate for releasing floodwater. The report proposed construction of five more shutters and bunds wherever saline water was likely to create problem.The report prepared by Rice Mission Coordinator P.V. Balachandran was submitted to the Minister at a meeting of farmers and officials at the Collectorate Conference Hall here.District panchayat president K.K. Narayanan and District Collector Ishita Roy were present.

The Hindu, 18^th November 2008

Kottuli wetland protection will be ensured: Minister

Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran inaugurating a waste water treatment plant installed at the District Cooperative Hospital in Kozhikode.Kozhikode: No project will be allowed to jeopardise the maintenance and preservation of the Kottuli wetlands, one of the vital wetlands of the district, said Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran here on Monday.He was inaugurating a wastewater treatment plant at the District Cooperative Hospital. The plant is part of a series of initiatives to protect the ecologically valuable wetlands at Kottuli in the city. "The government is resolved to preserve its shrinking treasures of water wherever it may be," the Minister said. He said stringent measures would be taken against those who moved ahead with plans or projects that harmed the hygienic existence of the wetlands in violation of the law.The Minister maintained that various projects to clean and revive the historic Canoly Canal were progressing well. The treatment plant at the hospital built at an affordable Rs.15 lakh was a "model" for industrial and other enterprises, such as hospitals and hotels, in the district.Mr. Premachandran urged the industries to prefer "such small and individual plants" without waiting for a mammoth plant to come into being to contain the colossal waste of the city at a single take.

The Hindu, 18^th November 2008

Call for research on medicinal plants

 More research on biodiversity of medicinal and aromatic plants is needed to tap the huge potential of herbal medicine market, U. Srivastava, Assistant Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, has said.Delivering the keynote address at the inaugural session of the national workshop on medicinal and aromatic plants at College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Mr. Srivastava said short growing period and availability of skilled and cheap manpower for growing the crop were the major advantages in the country."A closer coordination among ayurvedic drug producers, farmers and research institutions should be established to ensure high quality of medicinal plant products. More emphasis should be given for indigenous collection of medicinal/aromatic plants," he said.Mr. Srivastava called for developing resistant varieties of plants and plant protection technology using biotechnological approaches. Indian Council of Agricultural Research had earmarked Rs.20 crore for the research on medicinal and aromatic plants during the eleventh plan period, he said. Rajaji Mathew Thomas, MLA, inaugurated the workshop. Over 100 delegates across the county are participating the three-day workshop.

The Hindu, 16^th November 2008

Preventing pollution of Kottuli wetland

A waste water treatment plant constructed as part of a series of measures aimed at protecting the ecologically precious Kottuli wetland, will become operational at the Cooperative Hospital in Kozhikode on Monday.By treating waste generated by the hospital, the treatment plant would prevent entry of hospital waste into Cannoly Canal and Kottuli wetland to a considerable extent.Minister for Water Resources N.K. Premachandran will inaugurate the waste water treatment facility.Earlier, waste from the hospital was being released directly into Cannoly Canal polluting the canal and its neighbourhood when the canal overflows in heavy rain.The plant has a capacity to treat 80,000 litres of waste water and was equipped to reduce level of pollutants to permissible limits, a spokesman for the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM) said here on Saturday.The treatment plant was designed and constructed by Kerala Water Authority (KWA) using the funds received from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests for the management action plan for protection of Kottuli wetland.The Forest Department, State Pollution Control Board, KWA, Fisheries Department, and Corporation of Kozhikode are closely associated with this project which will be executed by the CWRDM.Besides constructing waste water treatment plants, the management action plan drawn up for Kottuli wetland also envisages, mangrove afforestation, planting of a belt of screw pine , fisheries development, de-silting works and de-weeding.Environmental activists have been carrying on a high pitch campaign for effective safeguards to protect Kottuli wetland since it is a major receptacle of flood waters, reducing flooding in rainy reason and is under threat of encroachment.There are complaints that some parts of the 87.04 hectares of wetland has already been grabbed by private agencies.Kottuli wetland receives tidal influx from Kallai and Korapuzha estuaries. It is also home to seven species of mangroves, 20 mangrove associates, 20 species of water birds, 11 species of fishes, one species of prawn, and one species of crab.The inaugural function on Monday would be attended by S. Kaul, Director, Ministry of Environment and Forests, A. Jaythilak, District Collector, K.V. Jayakumar, Executive Director, CWRDM, R. Sasidharan, Chief Engineer, KWA, and Bharathan, president, Cooperative Hospital, besides Mayor M. Bhaskaran who will preside

The Hindu, 16^th November 2008

Variation in bird sightings reported

Climate changes, loss of preferred tree species, habitat degradation and atmospheric pollution have reportedly led to the substantial variation in the number and frequency of sighting of birds in and around the State capital. The Kerala Bird Race 2008 held on Sunday at 10 locations here has highlighted the need for an in-depth survey and site and species specific studies to protect bird population. The bird race, held with the active participation of 78 bird enthusiasts, has highlighted the need for protecting potential bird areas and ensuring the quality of living environment. As many as 34 species of birds were reported from Peroorkada. Non-sighting of the House Sparrow, a common small grey and brown bird, came in as a surprise to the birdwatchers. The Oriental Darter, an endangered and red-listed snake bird, which was earlier reported from Akkulam, was also not sighted. The Crested Honey Buzzard and the Booted Eagle which were not reported previously from Akkulam were spotted. Birdwatchers attributed the dip in the number of birds to an increase in the water level and spread of water hyacinth in Akkulam Lake. Reclamation of wetlands is also a major threat to the avian population of the area. Greater Spotted Eagle, a rare bird of prey, and White Ibis, were sighted at Punchakkary paddy fields in the suburbs. Booted eagle was sighted from Vellayani Lake area. The Arippa forest area, near Kulathuppuzha, was found to have a rich avian diversity. Close to 75 species of birds were sighted there. Important sightings were that of the Black Baza, a bird of prey, the Brown Fish Owl and the Malabar Trogon. There was a considerable increase in the number of Greenish Warblers. Sighting of the Black Bulbul, a forest species comparatively seen in higher altitudes, was reported from the low-lying Chathancode forests foothills of Bonaccord.  The green lung of the capital, the Museum-Zoo premises, had considerable bird diversity with 41 species including the Grey Fronted Green Pigeon, a forest bird. The Grey Headed Fishing Eagle, an indicator for aquatic habitat within forests, was reported from the Kallada reservoir area. The sighting of Black Kites in and around Thenmala caused apprehension as it is a major scavenger species seen in towns and cities. As many as six species of birds of prey were sighted in the grasslands of Ponmudi. Sighting of the Black Caped Kingfisher along the Kallar was the most important sighting. The Bird Race, sponsored by HSBC, was coordinated locally by the WWF and the Warblers & Waders. The participants were grouped in teams of ten and were equipped with binoculars. The Egrets team which surveyed the area in and around Punchakkary paddy fields won the first prize with a sighting of 82 species. The Black Baza team which surveyed Arippa forests won second prize with 75 species. The third place was secured by the Kingfisher team which spotted 66 species. T. Anantha Padmanabhan was the senior-most bird-watcher and Sohaib was the youngest among the lot.

The Hindu, 13^th November 2008

Biofuel from water hyacinth

 Farming a menacing weed may seem preposterous. But, a few years from now, farmers across the State may be cultivating water hyacinth, one of the most invasive and prolific aquatic weeds that threaten to devastate lakes, canals and ponds. On the cards is a project to produce bio ethanol out of the menacing weed that smothers water bodies, chokes other aquatic life, prevents navigation, provides a breeding ground for mosquitoes, fosters water-borne diseases and even interferes with hydropower generation. The Department of Life Sciences, Kannur University, has tied up with the Institute for Research and Development (IRD), Marseille, France, for the project that will convert water hyacinth into biofuel through a natural process. The Indo-French initiative will involve the identification of micro organisms that will produce enzymes to degrade the complex sugars or polysaccharides in the weed. "Biochemical tests have revealed the potential of water hyacinth in the production of bio ethanol, though not on a large scale," said Christopher Augur of IRD."The presence of complex sugars like cellulose and hemicellulose in water hyacinth however inhibits fermentation. The project will seek to identify a fungal strain that will help to break down the polysaccharides into simple sugars through enzymatic action," he told The Hindu. "A decentralised production system would help local communities to generate revenue while getting rid of a menace," Mr. Augur said. Abdulhameed Sabu, Kannur University, said: "Once the technology is developed, we propose to equip cooperatives or self-help groups to harvest and prepare the weeds for production of bio ethanol." The project will be taken up under the Indo French centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research (IFCPAR).

The Hindu, 13^th November 2008

Conditional approval for sand-mining

A meeting of the district-level expert committee on river protection has given conditional approval to resume sand-mining at a ghat in Kalady on Tuesday. The meeting chaired by District Collector M. Beena allowed the resumption of sand-mining at the Kavunkal ghat in Okkal panchayat, provided it did not in any way disturb the ecology of manappuram.A committee comprising of the representatives of revenue, irrigation and police departments and the members of the Kalady Mahadeva Temple protection committee would be formed to decide the limits within which mining would be permitted. The Collector said that a project worth Rs.1.5 crore for the conservation of Sivarathri manappuram has been submitted for approval. Though the ban on sand-mining was lifted early last month, mining at Kavunkal ghat remained banned owing to the protest registered by the temple protection committee.

The Hindu, 13^th November 2008

227 species of birds sighted in bird race

 As many as 227 species of birds were sighted in the Bird Race conducted in the northern districts on November 9 in which 18 teams of birdwatchers participated.The Bird Race, a signature event of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd. (HSBC), in association with the KeraBirder, an Internet mailing group of bird-watchers, and Eco-Media, a Mumbai-based organisation engaged in environment-related activities, was held on Sunday last to commemorate the birth anniversary of late Dr. Salim Ali. In the northern districts, the event was jointly organised by the Malabar Natural History Society (MNHS). It covered almost all habitats from hill areas to coastal areas in the Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kannur and Wayanad districts. Some of the important birding locations observed by the birders participated in the race included the Wayanad wildlife sanctuary, Kadalundi community reserve, Kattampally, Purathur, Kottuli and Mavoor wetlands.The Kannur team comprising Jayan Thomas, an ophthalmologist, and P.C. Rajeevan won the first prize by identifying 140 species in the race.The team in Malappuram led by K.M. Arif and that in Kozhikode led by C.P. Rajan won second and third prizes respectively, MNHS officials informed. Some of the important sightings included Black Bellied tern, Small pratincole, Oriental pratincole, Black stork, Blue throat, Black capped king fisher, Chempallikkundu, Jerdons Baza, Great Black, Wood Pecker, Grey necked Bunting, Greater Spotted eagle, Indian Spotted eagle and Broadbilled Sandpiper.The organisers said that scores of experienced birdwatchers spent the day spotting and identifying birds in the dawn-to-dusk Bird Race event. The bird watchers also learned the finer points of bird watching, they said. The event was organised to create awareness among people about the bird life surrounding the region as well as mobilise support for the conservation of nature and the environment.

The Hindu, 13^th November 2008

Abattoir waste emitting inflammable gas

An inflammable gas emanates from the year-old waste remaining in the two tanks in the City Corporation's abattoir after some of it was let out into the Ashtamudi Lake on Sunday. The escaping gas had pushed out slurry from the tanks on Saturday. People were hospitalised on Sunday after taking ill on inhaling the stench from the waste fin the lake. The odour lingered on Monday.prevails in the area, a residential colony. The residents alleged that the Corporation authorities were passive in finding a solution. The authorities said the situation was serious and went into an emergency session.The State Human Rights Commission registered a case for pollution caused by the abattoir on a complaint lodged by the Paristhiti Samrakshana Ekopana Samithi.The abattoir contractor told the Corporation authorities that he pumped out the waste into the lake because the gas formation could have led to an explosion.The authorities said he failed to treat and convert the waste in the biogas plant. The possibility of converting the gas into electricity was now being explored.George D. Kattil, Leader of the Opposition in the Corporation, alleged apathy by the Corporation. Several lakhs of rupees were spent on the biogas plant; despite this, the whole area was polluted.Mr. Kattil wanted Prasanna Earnest, Chairperson of the Health standing committee of the Corporation, to own moral responsibility and resign. He called for action under the law against the contractor and the officials responsible for the situation.S. Varghese, Member of the Human Rights Commission, directed the Corporation Secretary and Member-Secretary of the Kerala State Pollution Control Board to appear before its next sitting. An urgent report was sought from the Secretary of the Local Self-Government Department.He told The Hindu that the pollution of the lake in this manner was a serious human rights violation. The Corporation appeared to have been consistently averse to human safety and environmental protection. Very often, it was noticed that the Corporation wanted to take decisions and implement them with some sort of vengeance even if that was harmful to the people and the environment.Odanavattom Vijayaprakash, general convener of the samithi, who lodged the complaint, said the abattoir did not follow the rules. He requested the commission to register cases against the Corporation.

The Hindu, 11^th November 2008

Kuttanad reaps a bitter harvest State Trends

Uncertainty can drive anyone crazy.In the paddy fields of Kuttanad, it is this feeling of doubt and insecurity that has been a major concern for the farmer. And this has not been a temporary phenomenon in a State which offers the highest paddy procurement price, Rs.1,100 per quintal, and is the only State that offers interest-free loans for paddy cultivation. For the last two years, there has been no sense of security in Kuttanad, once known as the 'Rice Bowl of Kerala' and only the second place in the world where cultivation is done below mean sea level.Sample this. In March-April, 2007, the region saw the best 'puncha' yield in a decade. From 1,07,500 tonnes the previous season, the yield jumped to 1,37,500 tonnes. Increased use of certified seed varieties such as and spread of mechanisation, from 17 combined harvester machines in 2006 to about 140 of the multi-purpose machines, were cited as the reason. But procurement of the crop was slow, mainly because private rice mills contracted by the State Civil Supplies Department were ill-equipped to handle the increased quantity and to speed up the process. And then, rain struck. Tonnes of harvested paddy exposed to the rain while waiting for procurement germinated.Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, who visited the frustrated farmers, had told The Hindu in an interview then that the loss could be devastating. Hundreds of farmers who had taken loans to cultivate paddy in 22,814 hectares suffered crushing losses. But they were undeterred and went back to the fields for the second round. The high yield story was repeated. The procurement process was better. And then, Kuttanad saw the biggest floods in 16 years and the story of loss too was repeated.In March this year, when the 'puncha' paddy acreage rose to 25,232 hectares and there was a consequent rise in yield, from around three-four tonnes a hectare to five tonnes, untimely summer rain wreaked havoc. The damage to paddy alone was around Rs.70 crore in monetary terms. Financial loss was not the only setback. Four farmers ended their lives in two weeks. One case: Pushkaran, 65, of Edathua, owning a 50-cent paddy field, took three acres on lease for cultivation, a gold loan of Rs.44,465 from the State Cooperative Bank, Oorukari, and another Rs.50,000 through a micro-finance scheme of the Sree Narayana Trust and an informal loan of Rs.8,696. The unexpected summer rain did not allow him to harvest the crop. Pushkaran consumed pesticide on March 28.The rest of the farmers were not discouraged. Their grit and determination have seen the acreage increasing from 7,347 tonnes to 10,000 hectares in the second round of cultivation from May this year. One issue that had plagued farmers during the previous season, the clash between labourer and machine, was solved to a great extent this time with the government itself procuring combined harvester machines through cooperative societies. The government also set up the first of its kind monitoring system to guide the farmer from the sowing stage to the harvest, both at the State-level and the district-level. According to Principal Agriculture Officer P.S. Soman, the yield was set to rise again. A few areas where harvest was over by mid-October reported a rise from five-six tonnes to 6.5 tonnes a hectare. "As assured by the government, financial help, seeds and fertilizer were given to cultivate in fallow land, interest-free loans of over Rs.10 crore were disbursed and availability of machines was ensured. All this created a positive atmosphere, which is why the acreage saw a corresponding increase," he says.But just when the farmers were about to harvest the crop, rain has struck. At least 1,000 hectares of standing crop is already submerged by October 25. Harvested paddy in a few areas has started sprouting as well, yet another story of loss for the fourth consecutive season in succession.A bund breach in the 9,000-acre 'kayal' paddy field and threats of the same in other areas have thrown preparations for the forthcoming 'puncha' round as well into uncertainty. The Thanneermukkom Barrage too continues to be a point of controversy. Uncertainty reigns over whether the bund, set up to prevent saline water intrusion from the Arabian Sea into Kuttanad, should be kept open round the year or how long its shutters should be kept down a year.So, are nature and her allies the biggest enemies of the Kuttanad farmer? Yes and no is how Kuttanad Vikasana Samithi executive director Fr. Thomas Peelianickal replies to that question. "Unpredictable climate is a recent phenomenon. It is proper planning and preparation to tackle this that has been lacking. The Kuttanad Package of the M.S. Swaminathan Commission calls for two storage shelters to protect the harvested crop from rain. But we need paddy shelters all across Kuttanad if the rain has to be effectively tackled. The outer bunds of all the fields can be strengthened and shelters built on them. Labourers can rest in these, store the harvested crop and also protect the hay from rain. The expense for such multi-purpose shelters is nothing compared to the losses if they are not there," points out Fr. Peelianickal, who also feels that the number of combined harvesters is still insufficient."Dr. Swaminathan called for at least 300 of them. Training for local youth to maintain these and job assurance for labourers too has to be ensured. The Supplyco should have its godowns in Kuttanad and start rice mills of its own so that exploitation and follies by private mills are prevented. Such elaborate, well-planned preparations can bring about a dynamic change in Kuttanad," he says.

The Hindu, 10^th   November 2008

Organic farm produce to get certification

Minister for Agriculture Mullakkara Ratnakaran said here on Saturday that the government would promote certification of organic farm produce. Inaugurating the fifth anniversary celebrations of the Organic Bazaar, a monthly market organised by a group of NGOs, he said certification procedures were necessary to ensure a good market for organic crops produced by farmers in Kerala. The Minister said organic farming was emerging as a means to revive the flagging agriculture sector in the State. "The increasing acceptance of organic methods of cultivation among farmers in the State signals the beginning of a 'Return to Nature' trend."Mr. Ratnakaran said organic farming also had the potential to restore lost values which once ensured a harmonious relationship between man and Nature. "The blind craze for profit has destroyed our organic link with the environment. All over the world, communities ravaged by the use of chemicals are now realising the imperative to return to Nature."The Minister said the government would introduce laws and policies to promote organic farming. "More than 50 schools have taken up paddy farming with government support," he said.C. Jayakumar, co-ordinator, Thanal Conservation Action and Information Network, and director Usha also spoke. Farmers who had taken up organic methods of cultivation were honoured at the function. Former president of the Venganoor panchayat Rufus Daniel was also present. Started in 2003 as an experimental venture, the Organic Bazaar offers farmers the chance to sell their produce directly to consumers without middlemen. The products available at the market include vegetables and fruits, cereals, pulses, spices, eggs, honey, processed food, herbal items, soap, bees wax candles, traditional textiles and paper products. According to Mr. Jayakumar, the prices of goods sold through the Organic Bazaar are dictated by a combination of factors like the wholesale and retail market prices and the input costs of farmers. "As many as 72 farmers in the Kovalam, Vizhinjam and Balaramapuram areas regularly supply us with their produce. By bypassing middlemen, the farmers make a greater profit while customers are assured of quality and unmanipulated prices. Today, we sell about 2,000 kg of vegetables every month," he said. The organic manure used by the farmers is produced at the Zero Waste Centre operated by Thanal at Kovalam.

The Hindu, 9^th   November 2008

CESS proposals on preventing slumping remain on paper

It's another tourist season at Varkala, yet the recommendations of the Centre for Earth Science Studies for the protection of the natural seaside cliffs from rapid slumping remain on paper. The share government seems to have turned a blind eye to the threat to life and property, and also the tourism industry. Varkala cliff has been sliding down at a fast rate in the last 40 years, threatened by south-west and north east monsoon, weathering of the slope and geotechnical instability. You can see large boulders sitting ditched from the cliff, waiting to tumble down once the foot s gone due to sea erosion. Since 1967 , the shoreline adjacent the cliffs of weak laterrite rocks have retreated by nearly 25 to 50m. based on the investigations carried out in the area, CESS scientists had proposed a Landuse Control Plan to contain the cliff top edges from slumping.For the long-term stabilization of the cliff, a three-stage action plan had also been proposed. Terracing of the cliff section based n the geo-technical properties of the different layers, artificial generation of beach in the toe-region of the cliff by beach nourishments, submerged breakwater and other location specific coastal engineering structures and regulation of the two small streams to flow into a freshwater swimming pool on the landward side of the beach were the major recommendations. The other major suggestions were a bio-fencing in the cliff-edge, 2-metre walkway adjacent ti the fence, non-mealled pavements so that only auto rickshaws can ply, a buffer zone for all future developments and water-drains in addition to the exiting water pipes. None of the recommendations have been implemented in this fames tourist destination and instead of bio-fencing, the cast-iron fence has rusted out, a fall from which can only mean a plummet to death.

 

The New Indian Express, 9^th November 2008

Logo for Animal Fest 2008 released

District panchayat president Subida Isahaq released the logo for the regional Animal Fest (Onarvu 2008), being organised by the Kerala Animal Husbandry Department from November 22 to 24, at a function here on Wednesday. The three-day fete will have participation from Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam and Malappuram districts. There will be exhibitions and seminars on all days.The participants of the exhibition include Meat Products of India, Kerala Livestock Development Board, Milma, Dairy Development Department, Kudumbasree units, milk societies, cattle feed companies, State government corporations and a number of private companies.

The Hindu, 7th November 2008

Kochi Metro rail project yet to get green signal

Land acquisition and preliminary work for the elevated light-metro rail project proposed for Kochi would have progressed much by now, but for the Union Planning Commission opposing the execution of the project as a joint-venture between the Centre and the State. This leaves the city that is facing maddening traffic snarls with two options – either opt for a public-private partnership (PPP) or increase the percentage of loan to be taken from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). The State Government is opposed to private participation since the cost of commuting would be very high, while a decision on the second option has not been taken. A senior official in the State Transport Department said that the Commission suggested a PPP model, whereas the State Government was keen on the joint-venture project on the lines of metro-rail projects in New Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore. Hyderabad is the only city with metro-rail project in the PPP model. The Government was for the State and Centre pooling in equity in a 15:15 ratio. Similarly, the two entities could pool in funds on a 10:15 ratio for subordinate debts (like land acquisition and tax). The balance 45 per cent amount could be raised as loan from the JBIC. Transport planners say that metro-rail is the sole alternative for Kochi city, which is witnessing a phenomenal growth in traffic because of inadequate public transport. "The 650-odd private city buses cannot carry more than 8,000 passengers every hour per direction of traffic. A study carried out by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in 2005 had found that there would be 13,000 passengers per direction of traffic in Kochi by 2010. This would go up to 24,000 in 2025. The elevated light metro-rail envisaged for Kochi can carry this many passengers on completion and hence is a futuristic and feasible project aimed at decongesting Kochi. The Aluva-Ernakulam-Thripunithura corridor is the most suited since it has the most number of commuters," said an expert with decades of experience in the field. Asserting that the metro-rail is the sole way to overcome the chaotic traffic in Kochi, he said that a bus-rapid-transport system would not be feasible since city roads do not have the width to spare a lane just for buses. "The advantage of metro-rail is that the number of coaches in each train can be increased from the three that has been proposed, to up to nine when there is an increase in passengers during peak hours and festive seasons. This means, the metro would take care of the city's commuting needs for at least another 25 years." Aimed at speeding up the project, the District Administration had prevailed on the State Government to invoke the urgency clause for taking advance possession of the land required. With the Planning Commission opposing the State's proposal on funding, the much-delayed project has been held up further.

The Hindu, 7^th  November 2008

Bird Race

A day long Bird Race will be conducted in the district on Sunday in connection with the birth anniversary celebrations of noted ornithologist Salim Ali. Kottayam Nature Society president B. Sreekumar said that special prizes would be given to those who spot the largest number of birds during the 'race'. There is no entry fee. Contact: 94477 62071.—Staff Reporter

The Hindu, 6^th November 2008

Two watershed projects for Palakkad

Two watershed development projects will be implemented in Vallapuzha village in Ottapalam taluk and Kulakkattukuruzhi in Sreekrishnapuram with a Central allotment of Rs.6 crore.The Vallapuzha watershed project covers a total area of 1,938 hectares, of which 1,800 hectares are treatable land. Of the 3,411 hectares, under the Kulakkattukuruzhi project, 3,200 hectares are treatable.The Vallapuzha project has been allotted an amount of Rs.2.16 crore and the Kulakkattukuruzhi project, an amount of Rs.3.84 crore.Nodal officer of the project C. Jose Varghese, Deputy Director, Agriculture Department, said that the scheme had an integrated approach of community development and implementing self-employment programmes, apart from soil and water conservation. It would cover all farmers in the watersheds taken up for implementation. The two projects were allotted to the district under the National Watershed Development Projects of the Central government for implementation in the 11th Five Year Plan.Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) will be identified for the project in consultation with the State government.The full responsibility of overseeing the watershed projects within the district is with the District Watershed Development Units, which will work in close collaboration with the District Planning Committee.The PIAs would provide the necessary technical guidance to grama panchayats for preparation of development plans for the watersheds through Participatory Rural Appraisal exercises, undertake community organisation and training for the village communities, supervise watershed development activities etc., Mr. Varghese said.A Watershed Development Team (WDT) consisting of officials of the Agriculture, Soil Conservation, Minor Irrigation, Veterinary, and Forest departments will be set up for the implementation of the project.The common guideline for the project, issued by the Central government, says that institutional arrangements at the village level and people's participation should be ensured for the implementation of the project. The Watershed Committees should select self-help groups in the watershed area with the help of Watershed Development Committees (WDC) from amongst poor, small and marginal farmer households, landless, poor agricultural labourers, women, shepherds and Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribes persons.The Watershed Committee should also constitute User Groups in the watershed area with the help of the WDT. The User Groups will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of all assets created under the project in close collaboration with the grama panchayat, the guidelines state.The scheme also envisaged financial assistance for setting up an FM radio station by Prasar Bharathi for broadcasting news and other programmes for local farmers, the nodal officer said.

The Hindu, 6^th November 2008

Project to increase inland fish production

Arrangements are on for the implementation of the 'Matsya Keralam' project which envisages utilisation of inland-water areas for increasing fish production in the State. The initiative, meant to increase food security in the State, is being seen as a way of overcoming the trend of stagnation in the marine fisheries sector. Sources in the Fisheries Department said the current level of exploitation of marine fish stocks had exceeded the maximum sustainable yield level. District and grama panchayat-level steering committees were being constituted in all the districts for the implementation of the project over the next three years beginning 2008-09, they said. As many as 700 grama panchayats will actively participate in the programme which targets to bring 10,000 hectares of inland water areas under fish, prawn and shrimp culture, they said. The project aims at increasing inland fish production from the current 75,000 tonnes to two lakh tonnes over a period of 10 years, they added. Figures provided by the Fisheries Department showed that inland fish production reached a peak share of 13 per cent of the total fish production of the State in 2000-01. It declined since then and remained around 11 per cent during 2002-06. This stands in sharp contrast to the inland fish production at the national level that accounts for 50 per cent of the total fish production. Gifted with rich freshwater resources, the State has a total freshwater area of about 1,60,000 hectares comprising reservoirs, rivers, ponds, tanks, irrigation tanks and other water bodies. An extent of 1500 hectares of ponds and tanks and 2800 hectares of irrigation tanks are under the control of local bodies. There are also 17,000 hectares of kole lands in Thrissur and Malappuram districts; 35,000 hectares of 'padasekharams' in Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts and large brackish-water areas.

The Hindu, 5^th November 2008

Crackdown on sand-mining

Revenue officials on Tuesday launched a crackdown on illegal sand-mining from Vellayani Lake. In a day-long operation, a team led by Sub-Collector K. Biju seized eight country boats used by sand-miners and registered cases against the boat owners and workers involved in sand-mining. Expert divers, cranes and a speed boat belonging to the KTDC were pressed into service to identify the country boats that the sand-miners had submerged to avoid detection.According to Mr. Biju, the district administration had received information that 16 boats were involved in unauthorised sand-mining from the lake bed. "The miners usually sink their boats whenever there is a threat of a crackdown by the authorities. They do this by loading the boats with sand and water as ballast. No floats or markers are used to indicate the coordinates. Once the threat is over, they retrieve the boats and continue their work. We are trying to identify the location of the remaining boats. The operation will continue for the next few days."Local people and mass organisations campaigning for the protection of the lake offered support to the revenue officials. A large crowd turned up at the Kakkamoola bund from where the operation was launched. A police team was also deployed. Traffic along the route had to be diverted. Mr. Biju said the team did not have to face any resistance. "The sand-miners and boat owners had fled the area ever since we stepped up night patrolling along the boundary of the lake in the wake of the death of a teenager due to drowning on Sunday. We have registered cases against them on the basis of reports from officials."While seven of the boats were seized from the banks of the lake near Kakkamoola, one was recovered from Kulangara on the opposite side. "Earlier, an operation like this would have faced organised resistance from the sand-mining mafia. Thanks to the work of committed NGOs, the public have realised the need to oppose the illegal activity," said Rufus Daniel, chairman of the Vellayani Kayal Samrakshana Samithi which has been spearheading a sustained campaign to protect the lake. The Ombudsman for Local Self Government Institutions had on Monday directed the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and the Venganoor and Kalliyoor grama panchayats to ensure that sand-mining is not allowed from the lake.

The Hindu, 5^th November 2008

Gavi tourism causing strain on Tiger reserve

The increasing popularity of Gavi as an off-beat tourist destination has come into serious conflict with the requirements of conservation in Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR)Gavi is Thekkady is its purest form. It has forests, hills, waterfalls and lakes, most of which are largely unexplored. Sensing an opportunity, Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) had begun an innovative eco-tourism programme at Gavi a few years ago. The gamble paid off. The destination was such a big that KFDC was able to offset the losses made by its cardamom plantations in the area. It was thus able to pay the salaries of its Sri Lankan Tamil workers on time. There was a time, not long ago, when these poor refugees had to go without pay for six to eight months.But KFDC's and tourism's gain was conservation's loss. Gavi is a tourist paradise which after PTR was extended to 925 sq.km from 777 sq.km om September 4, 2008 is bordered on all sides by the core area of PTR.Even after PTR was declared as 'critical core area' by National Tiger Conservation Authority, at least 10 jeeps carrying tourist travel every day from Kumily to Gavi through PTR. In addition, an equal number of diesel autorickshaws, with their earsplitting noise, flit to and fro through the reserve. Last month a leopard was killed in PTR. The post-morten report said it was hit by a vehicle.Now, KSRTC too has jumped into the tourism bandwagon. On October 15, it started a Pathanamthitta-Gavi-Kumily service that passes through the inviolate area of PTR, the only mass transport through the area. "We want to promote  this service in a big way", said Pathanamthitta District Transport Officer G.Anil Kumar. Here is his sales pitch. "This is the only bus service that runs through 88km of dense tropical forest. Sit back and enjoy the sight of some of the rarest species of flora and fauna. Moreover, the route passes through the stunningly beautiful catchment areas of Sabarigiti Hydel Project".KSRTC, too has not intimated the Forest Department. This bus enters and re-enters the PTR stretch at a time barred for vehicles, between 6.pm and 8 am.All of a sudden, synergy is at work. KFDC is planning to use the KSRTC service to bring tourists from Kumily to Gayi. "In a jeep, a tourist has to pay rs.1200 for a trip to Gavi and back. But if he/she uses this bus, the cost comes down to less than Rs.80", reasons R.Radhakrishnan, the officer in charge of KFDC's Gavi tourism.According the Forest officials, a project can be classified eco-tourism only of it satisfies certain conditions. One, it should be run by the locals. (the Gavi project is run by KFDC). Two, the income should be ploughed back into the eco-development committees. (KFDC keeps most of the Gavi returns and shares just a small percentage with the locals). Three, there should be zero investment in infrastructure and hardware. (KFDC has a resort name Green Mansions and has employed jeeps for jungle safaris).

The New Indian Express, 4^th November 2008

Migratory birds find a haven at Panamaram

Migratory birds have found a haven in a secluded islet on the Kabani and adjacent ponds at Panamaram in Wayanad district.At the onset of monsoon, flocks of birds reach the bamboo grove on the islet and the riverbanks. It is an exciting scene, especially at dawn and dusk when exquisite birds of varied plumage frolic there.Among them are white ibises, little cormorants and little and median egrets. White ibises and painted storks, a new arrival, are the centre of attraction now.Usually, median egrets are the first visitors, says Jose Mathew, teacher at St. Catherine's Higher Secondary School, Payyampally, and wildlife videographer.Little and large egrets, purple moorhens, whistling teels, night and pond herons, little and large cormorants and finally the white ibises follow, he says.The beautiful purple moorhens are seen throughout the year in the nearby shallow waters, P.A. Vinayan, birdwatcher, says.The birds lay eggs on the bamboo groves. They return with the chicks in October, but this year, most newly hatched white ibises have not returned with their parents as usual, Mr. Mathew says.He said Manoj Balakrishnan, wildlife assistant, Parambikkulam Wildlife Sanctuary, first identified this breeding centre of white ibises (Threskiornis aethiopica) in 2004.Seventeen nests were sighted that year, but in the following year, there were no sightings. Again in 2006, six nests were spotted. Nineteen nests were seen in 2007 and 36 this year, Mr. Mathew says.Breeding of white ibises was recorded at Kumarakom recently, Mr. Balakrishnan told The Hindu on Monday. The breeding centre at Panamaram is a favourite habitat of very rare birds in South India and it must be protected, he added.Mr. Mathew says the Forest Department has not identified the sensitivity of this breeding centre.The sand-mining mafia hunts the birds with country guns and catapults, birdwatchers in the locality say. The excessive use of pesticides in plantain farms nearby is another threat.Year after year, new species of birds arrive here. The Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary near Mysore in Karnataka and the natural habitat are believed to be the reasons for these birds to fly in here.

 

The Hindu, 4^th November 2008

Project to protect Thodupuzha river bank

 Harithavanam, a project to protect the banks of the Thodupuzha river by planting tree saplings, will be launched at a function to be held at Thodupuzha on November 5. A meeting held in this regard by environmental activists, political leaders and municipal councillors decided to protect the river from being encroached upon by individuals.A public forum, 'Janakeeya Koottayma', which has been demanding the protection of the river banks for the past four years, is organising the Harithavanam project supported by non-governmental organisations and environmentalists.It is alleged that vast areas of the riverbank had been encroached by business groups and constructions made in violation of the river protection rules.The Janakeeya Koottayama, which had filed cases before the High Court against the encroachment of the riverbanks by individuals has gained a favourable order, the office-bearers said.The Janakeeya Koottayma has long-term plan to restore the banks of the river and to plant trees and garden plants on its  banks.Environmentalists C. R. Neelakandan, Muriyad Varghese, Swami Ayyappadas and John Peruvanthanam would be attending the meeting to be held at 10 a.m.

The Hindu, 4^th November 2008

Vellayani Lake to be out of bounds for sand-miners

 Ombudsman for Local Self-Government institutions M.R. Hariharan Nair has directed the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and the Venganoor and Kalliyoor grama panchayats to ensure that no licence is issued for sand-mining from Vellayani Lake.Citing media reports about the death of a teenager who fell into an underwater pit caused by sand-mining from the lake on Sunday, Mr. Hariharan directed the local bodies to produce the details of the licences granted for sand-mining in the lake in the past three years. He also directed the local bodies to present details of unauthorised mining and the action taken against the culprits. The order issued by the Ombudsman noted that Vellayani Lake was a freshwater reservoir which provided drinking water to the people in Kovalam, Vizhinjam, Pachalloor,Vellayani and adjoining areas. For this reason, it said, sand-mining from the lake had to be stopped. The order said the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and the two panchayats were equally responsible for maintaining the ecological balance of the lake. The local bodies have also been asked to conduct patrolling with the help of the police to ensure that sand-mining does not take place and to seize boats and sand collected from any location along the lake.The local body authorities have been directed to report on the action taken in these matters by December 29.

The Hindu, 4^th November 2008

Concern over ozone depletion

Ozone depletion could have major implications on the health scenario of the State, Transport Minister Mathew T. Thomas has said.Inaugurating a seminar on the topic 'Montreal protocol and ozone depletion,' here on Sunday, he said that air pollution caused by vehicles was a major hazard, along with other ozone depleting substances. The seminar was jointly organised by the Kerala State Science, Technology and Environment Council and the district wing of the National Green Army.Mr. Thomas said that it was our responsibility to ensure energy security for future generations. It was necessary for each one of us to ensure the energy efficiency of our vehicles, he said. The Minster added that the State government had already initiated a programme to sensitise Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) drivers on energy and environmental issues. "The students and youngsters in our State should also learn to use natural resources optimally, with minimum wastage," he said.Kerala State Science, Technology and Environment Council executive vice-president E.P. Yeshodharan delivered the keynote address at the seminar which was presided over by Ajith Prabhu. Harinarayanan, Ajayakumar, Mohan Kumar and Biju  Kumar participated in the seminar. A painting competition for school students was also held on the sidelines of the seminar.

The Hindu, 3^rd November 2008

Leopard trapped, vigil continues

A seven-year-old male leopard that had spread scare in and around Kallai was finally trapped in the early hours of Friday much to the relief of the local people and Forest Department personnel who had been searching for it.Divisional Forest Officer C.V. Rajan said the leopard was later taken to Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and freed in Marathaga in the Muthanga Forest Range. The DFO said though a leopard had been caught and released in forests far away, the vigil against leopard would continue for a couple of days more. The trap would continue to be kept in the area since the local people feared the mate of the trapped leopard might be around. The leopard got trapped in an iron cage in which a goat was kept as a bait. A group of local people who had set up the trap had been keeping vigil in the area. And they had rushed to the place where the trap was kept on hearing a sound and found the animal trapped inside. The DFO said the animal did not show the restlessness that wild animals trapped in a cage usually displayed when surrounded by people. Going by its behaviour, it appeared that the leopard had been living in the neighbourhood and used to seeing people moving around, he said. Local people began suspecting a leopard was on the prowl in their area after a number of dogs and cats disappeared. A few others also claimed to have seen footprints of the animal.

The Hindu, 1^st November 2008

Project to develop vegetable cultivation in Idukki

The district-level inauguration of Sisirasree, a project of Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council, Keralam, (VFPCK) to supply vegetable saplings for winter cultivation in Kanthallur and Vattavada grama panchayats will be inaugurated at Daivamedu in Vathikudy grama panchyat on Saturday.A vegetable nursery has been developed at Daivamedu to supply saplings and the Sisirasree project is being implemented under the auspices of the Self-Help Group (SHG) at Thopramkudy in association with Amala and Daivamedu SHGs.Explaining the implementation of the project, Vathikudy grama panchayat president told The Hindu on Friday that the saplings belong to the hybrid varieties that had a proven record of success in the prevailing climatic condition. According to him, 25 selected grama panchayats will also set up model vegetable farms under the project.A VFCK official said that the Sisirasree project aimed at the development of vegetable saplings conducive to the climate of the State. The project aims for the spread of vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, carrot, capsicum and beetroot, to more areas.A research wing to develop vegetable saplings is functioning under the VFPCK.The Daivamedu nursery has a large area for growing saplings of cabbage.According to VFPCK sources, cabbages can be grown as inter crops too and four kg of it can be harvested from a single plant within two months. Roshy Augustine, MLA, will inaugurate the project at 12 noon on Saturday at a function to be presided over by Vathikudy grama panchayat president Johny K. Thomas. VFPCK district manager T. V. Arunkumar will explain the details of the project and its implementation. VFPCK Chief Executive Officer T. R. Gopalakrishnan will inaugurate the first sale of the vegetable sapling. The VFPCK plans to develop the saplings for distribution to the farmers in a big way, the sources said.

The Hindu, 1^st November 2008

Campaign to save Vellayani lake

 The Vellayani Kayal Paristhithi Samrakshana Samithi is launching a renewed campaign for the protection of the freshwater lake. A human chain will be formed on November 1 to highlight the need for urgent steps to preserve the water body. Samithi chairman Rufus Daniel, patron Kalliyoor Sreedharan and other leaders told a press conference here on Thursday that the campaign assumed more importance in the light of the proposed international container transhipment terminal at Vizhinjam. They said unchecked sand- mining, land reclamation and construction activities were posing a threat to the lake. "The illegal activities have the blessings of a section of officials, political leaders and the mafia. Forty-four persons have lost their lives in the deep pits dug for sand mining," Mr. Daniel said. The samithi points out that the proposal to harvest the Vellayani lake to meet the drinking water demands of the terminal project and ancillary units would not materialise unless the government took speedy action to check deterioration of the water body. "Almost a third of the area of the lake is in the possession of farmers who have given up cultivation after the Irrigation Department stopped draining their farms. A majority of these farmers are now willing to let the government acquire their land," Mr. Daniel said. "The funds earmarked for the development of the Vizhinjam seaport should be used to compensate the farmers and protect the lake."The leaders also demanded measures to fence the lake and check pollution caused by chemical fertilizers and pesticides used in vegetable farms in the neighbourhood. Mr. Daniel said people from different walks of life would participate in the human chain. M.P. Veerendrakumar, MP, is scheduled to inaugurate the event at the Kakkamoola bund road at 4 p.m. on Saturday. Leaders of various political parties and mass organisations are expected to participate.

The Hindu, 31^st October 2008

Kissan Kerala bags e-content award

Kissan Kerala, an integrated, multi-modal agricultural information system of the Department of Agriculture, Government of Kerala, has bagged the South Asian Manthan Award 2008 for 'Best e-content for Development'. The award is instituted by Digital Empowerment Foundation, World Summit Award-Austria and Centre for E-governance, Government of India. The project was conceptualized and implemented by the Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management Kerala (IIITM-K) for the Department of Agriculture. Kissan Kerala was selected by a 20- member jury from 264 nominations from eight south Asian countries. It bagged the award for its digital contents in agriculture and its multi-modal approach on e-education in the farming sector across Kerala. The project demonstrated the successful integration of various technologies like television, internet, telephone and mobile/SMS for delivering useful content and information to the farmers. It is the only project from Kerala selected for the award. R. Ajith Kumar, project Coordinator, Kissan Kerala, received the award at the South Asian Conclave held at New Delhi. The Kissan Kerala project was presented before the delegates from several South Asian countries. A priority project of the Department of Agriculture, Kissan Kerala has been providing useful information services to the farming community over the last 5 years. Kissan Krishideepam, a weekly television programme produced under the project, has completed 254 regular weeks of telecast through Asianet Channel. An interactive multi-lingual portal www.kissankerala.net provides various online advisory services on demand. Telephonic advisory (toll free call centre services), SMS based advisory and alert services are the major services offered by Kissan Kerala for the farming community.

The Hindu, 31^st October 2008