Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Pollution Can Change Your DNA in 3 Days, Study Suggests
Breathing in polluted air may wreak havoc on our DNA, reprogramming
genes in as few as three days and causing increased rates of cancer
and other diseases.So says a new study that tracked DNA damage in 63
steel-foundry workers in Brescia, Italy, who, under their normal
factory conditions, were exposed to particulate matter. The same
damage may occur in city dwellers exposed to normal air, the
researchers say.Particulate matter includes suspended, tiny bits of
dust, metal, or soot in the air, which can lodge deep in the lungs.
Exposure to the substance has been linked to respiratory diseases,
lung cancer, and heart problems.Scientists know little about how
inhaling particulate matter can cause health problems, according to
lead study author Andrea Baccarelli of the University of Milan.But
they did find that exposed workers' DNA was damaged by a slowed rate
of "methylation," a biological process in which genes are organized
into different chemical groups.
genes in as few as three days and causing increased rates of cancer
and other diseases.So says a new study that tracked DNA damage in 63
steel-foundry workers in Brescia, Italy, who, under their normal
factory conditions, were exposed to particulate matter. The same
damage may occur in city dwellers exposed to normal air, the
researchers say.Particulate matter includes suspended, tiny bits of
dust, metal, or soot in the air, which can lodge deep in the lungs.
Exposure to the substance has been linked to respiratory diseases,
lung cancer, and heart problems.Scientists know little about how
inhaling particulate matter can cause health problems, according to
lead study author Andrea Baccarelli of the University of Milan.But
they did find that exposed workers' DNA was damaged by a slowed rate
of "methylation," a biological process in which genes are organized
into different chemical groups.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/05/090517-pollution-changes-dna.html
Blockbuster Ocean Drugs on the Horizon?
As leads for new drugs on land dry up, medicine hunters are plunging
into the ocean in search of the next blockbuster
pharmaceutical.Harvesting ocean organisms for medicinal
purposes—called marine bioprospecting—has accelerated in recent years
as scientists seek new antibiotics and cancer treatments. Of the 36
known phyla—a taxonomic rank below kingdom—17 occur on land and 34
live in the ocean, making the seas "by far the highest biodiversity
environment on the planet," said William Fenical, distinguished
professor of oceanography and pharmaceutical science at University of
California, San Diego. Close to 25 drugs derived from marine life—such
as bacteria, sponges, and tunicates—are currently in clinical trials.
Fifty percent of drugs made for humans are derived in some way from
nature, Fenical said. But by the 1970s, scientists had realized that
terrestrial microorganisms had been thoroughly explored, prompting a
few early "pioneers" to turn their gaze seaward, Fenical said. These
pioneers were attracted by unique ocean organisms with special
chemical properties not seen on land.For instance, the severe ocean
environments of little to no light and extremely cold temperatures
have given rise to unusual—and mostly unstudied—survival strategies in
ocean creatures, scientists say.Such survival strategies
coincidentally fight diseases in people as well. For instance, some
marine organisms produce population-control compounds that, when given
to a person, work in a similar way: Instead of reducing the number of
offspring, the compounds inhibit the growth of malignant tumors. Many
of the drugs are easily synthesized into molecules in the lab, so that
just a small amount of an organism, such as half a sponge, is all that
needs to be collected.
into the ocean in search of the next blockbuster
pharmaceutical.Harvesting ocean organisms for medicinal
purposes—called marine bioprospecting—has accelerated in recent years
as scientists seek new antibiotics and cancer treatments. Of the 36
known phyla—a taxonomic rank below kingdom—17 occur on land and 34
live in the ocean, making the seas "by far the highest biodiversity
environment on the planet," said William Fenical, distinguished
professor of oceanography and pharmaceutical science at University of
California, San Diego. Close to 25 drugs derived from marine life—such
as bacteria, sponges, and tunicates—are currently in clinical trials.
Fifty percent of drugs made for humans are derived in some way from
nature, Fenical said. But by the 1970s, scientists had realized that
terrestrial microorganisms had been thoroughly explored, prompting a
few early "pioneers" to turn their gaze seaward, Fenical said. These
pioneers were attracted by unique ocean organisms with special
chemical properties not seen on land.For instance, the severe ocean
environments of little to no light and extremely cold temperatures
have given rise to unusual—and mostly unstudied—survival strategies in
ocean creatures, scientists say.Such survival strategies
coincidentally fight diseases in people as well. For instance, some
marine organisms produce population-control compounds that, when given
to a person, work in a similar way: Instead of reducing the number of
offspring, the compounds inhibit the growth of malignant tumors. Many
of the drugs are easily synthesized into molecules in the lab, so that
just a small amount of an organism, such as half a sponge, is all that
needs to be collected.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/05/090514-marine-drugs_2.html
Mystery Ingredient Cleaning Earth's Atmosphere
Mother Nature has a previously unknown cleaning agent that scrubs away
toxic air pollution, scientists have discovered. the existence of the
still mysterious substance has shaken up decades-long assumptions
about our atmosphere's self-cleaning process. Many studies have shown
that trace gases and pollutants in the lowest level of our atmosphere
break down naturally, thanks to molecules called hydroxyl (OH)
radicals. But the breakdown spews out ozone, itself a toxic pollutant
and a greenhouse gas. Not so in China's heavily polluted Pearl River
Delta, where experts were stumped to find lots of OH radicals but
relatively small amounts of resulting ozone. Highly reactive OH
radicals are continually recycled in the atmosphere through reactions
with water vapor and nitric oxide, both naturally present in the air.
Part of nature's self-cleaning mechanism, the reactions break down
trace amounts of pollutants, said study co-author Franz Rohrer, of the
Institute of Chemistry and Dynamics of the Geosphere in Jülich,
Germany. But when the radicals are recycled by nitric oxide, ozone is
created. In the Pearl River region, about 37 miles (60 kilometers)
northwest of Guangzhou (Canton), OH radicals were more concentrated
than in any other place measured by the team worldwide, Rohrer said.
This suggests the existence of another method of recycling OH
radicals—one that occurs without nitric oxide, the team suggests in
this week's Science Express.
Such a process is so unexpected that scientists likely did not have
the right tools with them at the time to measure it, Rohrer said.The
team, led by Rohrer's colleague Andreas Hofzumahaus, plan to test
Chinese air samples in a simulation chamber in their laboratory.If
they can solve the puzzle, the yet unknown ingredient could have a
positive impact on the global atmosphere, Rohrer added.
toxic air pollution, scientists have discovered. the existence of the
still mysterious substance has shaken up decades-long assumptions
about our atmosphere's self-cleaning process. Many studies have shown
that trace gases and pollutants in the lowest level of our atmosphere
break down naturally, thanks to molecules called hydroxyl (OH)
radicals. But the breakdown spews out ozone, itself a toxic pollutant
and a greenhouse gas. Not so in China's heavily polluted Pearl River
Delta, where experts were stumped to find lots of OH radicals but
relatively small amounts of resulting ozone. Highly reactive OH
radicals are continually recycled in the atmosphere through reactions
with water vapor and nitric oxide, both naturally present in the air.
Part of nature's self-cleaning mechanism, the reactions break down
trace amounts of pollutants, said study co-author Franz Rohrer, of the
Institute of Chemistry and Dynamics of the Geosphere in Jülich,
Germany. But when the radicals are recycled by nitric oxide, ozone is
created. In the Pearl River region, about 37 miles (60 kilometers)
northwest of Guangzhou (Canton), OH radicals were more concentrated
than in any other place measured by the team worldwide, Rohrer said.
This suggests the existence of another method of recycling OH
radicals—one that occurs without nitric oxide, the team suggests in
this week's Science Express.
Such a process is so unexpected that scientists likely did not have
the right tools with them at the time to measure it, Rohrer said.The
team, led by Rohrer's colleague Andreas Hofzumahaus, plan to test
Chinese air samples in a simulation chamber in their laboratory.If
they can solve the puzzle, the yet unknown ingredient could have a
positive impact on the global atmosphere, Rohrer added.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/06/090604-air-pollution-self-clean_2.html
High-Rise Farms: The Future of Food?
That's the hope of scientists and architects who are erecting a unique
strategy to feed a swelling population on a planet with finite
farmland. "In another 40 years, there'll be another three billion
people. That's the problem," said Dickson Despommier, a professor of
public health at Columbia University in New York. One solution,
Despommier believes, is to grow everything from salad greens to staple
grains year-round in high-rise buildings at the hearts of urban
centers. This so-called vertical farming could put food within easy
reach for billions of people while reducing carbon emissions from
shipping crops across continents and oceans, he notes. "[The concept]
is based on technologies already in use throughout the world, mainly
high-tech greenhouses," Despommier said. For example, many existing
greenhouses use hydroponics, a technique for growing crops in smaller
spaces using nutrient-enriched water instead of soil. But for now
high-rise farming remains just an idea. One challenge is how to stack
the greenhouses so that layers of crops get enough light to be grown
in a vertical structure, Despommier notes.
strategy to feed a swelling population on a planet with finite
farmland. "In another 40 years, there'll be another three billion
people. That's the problem," said Dickson Despommier, a professor of
public health at Columbia University in New York. One solution,
Despommier believes, is to grow everything from salad greens to staple
grains year-round in high-rise buildings at the hearts of urban
centers. This so-called vertical farming could put food within easy
reach for billions of people while reducing carbon emissions from
shipping crops across continents and oceans, he notes. "[The concept]
is based on technologies already in use throughout the world, mainly
high-tech greenhouses," Despommier said. For example, many existing
greenhouses use hydroponics, a technique for growing crops in smaller
spaces using nutrient-enriched water instead of soil. But for now
high-rise farming remains just an idea. One challenge is how to stack
the greenhouses so that layers of crops get enough light to be grown
in a vertical structure, Despommier notes.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/06/090630-farm-towers-locally-grown.html
Mangrove-dependent Animals Globally Threatened
Substantial numbers of terrestrial vertebrates are restricted to
mangrove forests. Many of these specialized species are listed as
threatened by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
Prospects for mangrove-restricted animals are bleak, because more than
two percent of mangrove forests are lost each year.More than 40
percent of a sample of amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds that
are restricted to mangrove ecosystems are globally threatened with
extinction, according to an assessment published in the July/August
issue of BioScience. The study, by David A. Luther of the University
of Maryland and Russell Greenberg of the Smithsonian Migratory Bird
Center, was based on an extensive literature search and expert
consultations. The conclusions emphasize the vulnerability of animals
that are dependent on a habitat rapidly being lost or degraded through
coastal development, overexploitation, pollution, and changes in sea
level and salinity.
Mangroves, which are salt-tolerant woody plants concentrated along
coastal margins, generally in warm regions, have long been known to
support many species of animals. Hundreds of vertebrates are sometimes
found in mangroves, but Luther and Greenberg concentrated on the 69
terrestrial vertebrate species and subspecies that seem restricted to
mangroves: 48 birds, 14 reptiles, 6 mammals, and 1 amphibian. These
include several species with striking adaptations, such as specialized
glands to excrete salt. The ground foragers among them feed primarily
on crabs, but many of the birds feed on insects. For unclear reasons,
mangrove-restricted species and subspecies are concentrated in Asia
and Australia.Between the early 1980s and 2001, between 19 and 35
percent of the world's mangrove forest area was lost. At this rate of
loss--about 2 percent each year--mangroves could be extinct in 100
years. Only 27 of the terrestrial vertebrates that are dependent on
mangroves have been assessed by the IUCN (International Union for the
Conservation of Nature), and 13 of those are classified as threatened
on the IUCN Red List, Luther and Greenberg report. They urge research
aimed at predicting how continuing changes to mangrove forests are
likely to affect the species found there: such information could guide
attempts to conserve these specialized ecosystems.
mangrove forests. Many of these specialized species are listed as
threatened by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
Prospects for mangrove-restricted animals are bleak, because more than
two percent of mangrove forests are lost each year.More than 40
percent of a sample of amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds that
are restricted to mangrove ecosystems are globally threatened with
extinction, according to an assessment published in the July/August
issue of BioScience. The study, by David A. Luther of the University
of Maryland and Russell Greenberg of the Smithsonian Migratory Bird
Center, was based on an extensive literature search and expert
consultations. The conclusions emphasize the vulnerability of animals
that are dependent on a habitat rapidly being lost or degraded through
coastal development, overexploitation, pollution, and changes in sea
level and salinity.
Mangroves, which are salt-tolerant woody plants concentrated along
coastal margins, generally in warm regions, have long been known to
support many species of animals. Hundreds of vertebrates are sometimes
found in mangroves, but Luther and Greenberg concentrated on the 69
terrestrial vertebrate species and subspecies that seem restricted to
mangroves: 48 birds, 14 reptiles, 6 mammals, and 1 amphibian. These
include several species with striking adaptations, such as specialized
glands to excrete salt. The ground foragers among them feed primarily
on crabs, but many of the birds feed on insects. For unclear reasons,
mangrove-restricted species and subspecies are concentrated in Asia
and Australia.Between the early 1980s and 2001, between 19 and 35
percent of the world's mangrove forest area was lost. At this rate of
loss--about 2 percent each year--mangroves could be extinct in 100
years. Only 27 of the terrestrial vertebrates that are dependent on
mangroves have been assessed by the IUCN (International Union for the
Conservation of Nature), and 13 of those are classified as threatened
on the IUCN Red List, Luther and Greenberg report. They urge research
aimed at predicting how continuing changes to mangrove forests are
likely to affect the species found there: such information could guide
attempts to conserve these specialized ecosystems.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701082905.htm
Ganges Rivr Dolphin Survival Threatened by Oil Exploration
Ganges River Dolphin Survival Threatened by Oil Exploration
Dolphin protected areas must be established if the Ganges River
dolphin is to survive in the Brahmaputra river system, new research
indicates. The study was prompted by the need for accurate dolphin
population data after Oil India Ltd. proposed to start prospecting for
oil along the bed of the Brahmaputra River using air guns and
explosives.Estimates have put the total population of the Ganges River
dolphin, Platanista gangetica gangetica, at around 2,000. Between 240
to 300 of these inhabit the Brahmaputra River system in India,
according to the survey prepared for the International Union for the
Conservation of Nature's Sir Peter Scott Fund. "Our research shows
accidental killing through fisheries bycatch, followed by poaching for
oil, are the major threats to the dolphins of the Brahmaputra river
system," said project leader Abdul Wakid, Ph.D., who conducted the
research with Gill Braulik of the University of St. Andrews' Sea
Mammal Research Unit."Their habitat is also being degraded by human
activities," said Wakid. "Dam building and a proposed seismsic survey
in the Brahmaputra river are potential threats." The Ganges River
Dolphin is found mainly in the Ganges and Brahmaputra river systems in
India and Bangladesh. The study identified eight river sections as
potential protected areas and community-based dolphin conservation as
the best strategy to save the dolphins.Based on high abundance of
dolphins, potential for protection and possibilities for dolphin
ecotourism, eight sections of the river were identified as potential
protected areas and community-based conservation areas.
Dolphin protected areas must be established if the Ganges River
dolphin is to survive in the Brahmaputra river system, new research
indicates. The study was prompted by the need for accurate dolphin
population data after Oil India Ltd. proposed to start prospecting for
oil along the bed of the Brahmaputra River using air guns and
explosives.Estimates have put the total population of the Ganges River
dolphin, Platanista gangetica gangetica, at around 2,000. Between 240
to 300 of these inhabit the Brahmaputra River system in India,
according to the survey prepared for the International Union for the
Conservation of Nature's Sir Peter Scott Fund. "Our research shows
accidental killing through fisheries bycatch, followed by poaching for
oil, are the major threats to the dolphins of the Brahmaputra river
system," said project leader Abdul Wakid, Ph.D., who conducted the
research with Gill Braulik of the University of St. Andrews' Sea
Mammal Research Unit."Their habitat is also being degraded by human
activities," said Wakid. "Dam building and a proposed seismsic survey
in the Brahmaputra river are potential threats." The Ganges River
Dolphin is found mainly in the Ganges and Brahmaputra river systems in
India and Bangladesh. The study identified eight river sections as
potential protected areas and community-based dolphin conservation as
the best strategy to save the dolphins.Based on high abundance of
dolphins, potential for protection and possibilities for dolphin
ecotourism, eight sections of the river were identified as potential
protected areas and community-based conservation areas.
Copyright Environment News Service, ENS, 2009.
Veli, Akkulam lakes to be de-silted soon
A high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan on
Monday decided to expedite steps for de-silting the water
hyacinth-infested Akkulam and Veli lakes in the city. The meeting
decided to utilise the Rs.4.29-crore fund provided by the Union
Ministry of Environment and Forests through the National River
Conservation Directorate for the environmental regeneration of Veli
and Akkulam lakes four years ago. The grant-in aid is lying unutilised
with the Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Project.This is the
first instalment of Central share, which is 70 per cent, for the Rs.
24.36-crore project. The meeting, attended by Minister for Water
Resources N. K. Premachandran and Minister for Law and Parliamentary
Affairs M. Vijayakumar, decided to seek the services of the Kerala
State Maritime Development Corporation and Travancore Cements, a
public sector undertaking, for the de-silting of the two lakes. It was
also decided to remove the sand bar set up for constructing the
Akkulam bridge on the Kazhakuttom-Inchivila NH 47 bypass. Once the
sand bar is removed, boats can move freely from Veli to Akkulam and
back.
The meeting was told that Irrigation Department had awarded the work
for constructing new boat jetties at Veli and Akkulam. It was also
decided to remove an island-like formation, a result of the
accumulation of water hyacinth, near the boat club at Akkulam. An
earlier proposal was to set up an aviary on this structure to attract
tourists. This is being removed as it is a hurdle for boat operations
and facilitates accumulation of water hyacinth.
The meeting also decided to expedite steps to make the Kollam-Kovalam
stretch of the State waterway navigable. It was told that 1,500
families living along the waterway had to be displaced. The work on
the 74-km Kollam-Kovalam and the 348-km Kottapuram-Neeleswaram
stretches of the State waterway needs to be completed to cover the
State from north to south through the waterway. The 205-km long
Kollam-Kottapuram National Waterway III has already been thrown open
to traffic over a year ago.
Monday decided to expedite steps for de-silting the water
hyacinth-infested Akkulam and Veli lakes in the city. The meeting
decided to utilise the Rs.4.29-crore fund provided by the Union
Ministry of Environment and Forests through the National River
Conservation Directorate for the environmental regeneration of Veli
and Akkulam lakes four years ago. The grant-in aid is lying unutilised
with the Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Project.This is the
first instalment of Central share, which is 70 per cent, for the Rs.
24.36-crore project. The meeting, attended by Minister for Water
Resources N. K. Premachandran and Minister for Law and Parliamentary
Affairs M. Vijayakumar, decided to seek the services of the Kerala
State Maritime Development Corporation and Travancore Cements, a
public sector undertaking, for the de-silting of the two lakes. It was
also decided to remove the sand bar set up for constructing the
Akkulam bridge on the Kazhakuttom-Inchivila NH 47 bypass. Once the
sand bar is removed, boats can move freely from Veli to Akkulam and
back.
The meeting was told that Irrigation Department had awarded the work
for constructing new boat jetties at Veli and Akkulam. It was also
decided to remove an island-like formation, a result of the
accumulation of water hyacinth, near the boat club at Akkulam. An
earlier proposal was to set up an aviary on this structure to attract
tourists. This is being removed as it is a hurdle for boat operations
and facilitates accumulation of water hyacinth.
The meeting also decided to expedite steps to make the Kollam-Kovalam
stretch of the State waterway navigable. It was told that 1,500
families living along the waterway had to be displaced. The work on
the 74-km Kollam-Kovalam and the 348-km Kottapuram-Neeleswaram
stretches of the State waterway needs to be completed to cover the
State from north to south through the waterway. The 205-km long
Kollam-Kottapuram National Waterway III has already been thrown open
to traffic over a year ago.
The Hindu, July 21
Kerala campaign to conserve marine biodiversity
The Forest Department is seeking the help of religious leaders to
conserve endangered turtles, dolphins, whale sharks and corals along
the State's 590-km coastline. Official sources said parish priests and
Imams in coastal areas would frequently highlight the need for
preserving the State's marine biodiversity at Sunday sermons and after
Friday prayers.
They would also campaign against the use of destructive methods of
fishing, such as use of depth charges. Fishermen would be told that
turtles ate jelly fish, which were harmful to them, and that coral
reefs formed natural hatcheries for fish. Official sources said the
drive was to counter the poaching and sale of endangered marine
species, chiefly in south Kerala. District Forest Officer,
Thiruvananthapuram, T. Pradeep Kumar, said Kattakada was one of the
main markets for turtle and dolphin meat in the district. In north
Kerala, only turtle eggs were poached. This year, wildlife enforcers
in the district freed two turtles and one dolphin which were
accidentally netted by fishermen. They also booked two persons on the
charge of poaching turtles.
The Forest Department has requested local bodies to erect boards
warning the public against the poaching and sale of endangered marine
species. these boards will carry the photographs of the endangered
species and will be placed at fish landing centres and markets. The
Coast Guard and the police will help the department in its
conservation drive. It has already distributed a handbook on marine
conservation to local law enforcers. The department has sought the
help of the World Wildlife Fund-India, Kerala University's Aquatic
Biology Department and People For Animals, a non-profit organisation
campaigning against cruelty to animals, to document the State's marine
biodiversity, initially along the Varkala-Pozhiyoor coastal stretch in
the district. They will identify turtle nesting sites in south Kerala.
The department is also thinking of starting a turtle hatchery. It will
seek the help of coastal eco development committees and students to
keep the State coastline garbage and pollution free.
conserve endangered turtles, dolphins, whale sharks and corals along
the State's 590-km coastline. Official sources said parish priests and
Imams in coastal areas would frequently highlight the need for
preserving the State's marine biodiversity at Sunday sermons and after
Friday prayers.
They would also campaign against the use of destructive methods of
fishing, such as use of depth charges. Fishermen would be told that
turtles ate jelly fish, which were harmful to them, and that coral
reefs formed natural hatcheries for fish. Official sources said the
drive was to counter the poaching and sale of endangered marine
species, chiefly in south Kerala. District Forest Officer,
Thiruvananthapuram, T. Pradeep Kumar, said Kattakada was one of the
main markets for turtle and dolphin meat in the district. In north
Kerala, only turtle eggs were poached. This year, wildlife enforcers
in the district freed two turtles and one dolphin which were
accidentally netted by fishermen. They also booked two persons on the
charge of poaching turtles.
The Forest Department has requested local bodies to erect boards
warning the public against the poaching and sale of endangered marine
species. these boards will carry the photographs of the endangered
species and will be placed at fish landing centres and markets. The
Coast Guard and the police will help the department in its
conservation drive. It has already distributed a handbook on marine
conservation to local law enforcers. The department has sought the
help of the World Wildlife Fund-India, Kerala University's Aquatic
Biology Department and People For Animals, a non-profit organisation
campaigning against cruelty to animals, to document the State's marine
biodiversity, initially along the Varkala-Pozhiyoor coastal stretch in
the district. They will identify turtle nesting sites in south Kerala.
The department is also thinking of starting a turtle hatchery. It will
seek the help of coastal eco development committees and students to
keep the State coastline garbage and pollution free.
The Hindu, July 20
India unable to accept any legally binding cut in greenhouse gas emissions: Ramesh
India and the United States have agreed to join hands to combat the
threat of climate change and its consequences and forge ahead in
energy efficiency and sustainable development. India has, however,
clarified that it is not in a position now to accept any legally
binding reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton, who discussed climate change with Indian officials at
the ITC Green Building here on Sunday, said she hoped India and the
U.S. would be able to amplify the partnership.
Pointing out that both nations need to take up the responsibility of
clearing up greenhouse gas emissions, Ms. Clinton said: "The United
States does not and will not limit India's economic progress." India's
development was in everyone's interest. Fighting climate change was
both a challenge and an opportunity.Washington believed that there was
a way to eradicate poverty and develop in a sustainable way that would
help to lower the carbon footprint significantly. "We, along with
other developed countries, have contributed significantly to the
problem that we face with climate change. We are hoping that a great
country like India will not make the same mistakes." She expressed
confidence that both India and the U.S. would be successful in
devising a plan to change the way the two countries produced, consumed
and conserved energy.Following a roundtable with Indian officials,
including Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh,
she said the private sector could play a role in sustainable
development.Ms. Clinton, who was accompanied by U.S. special envoy on
climate change Todd Stern, said if all government buildings emulated
the ITC's Green Building, it would help to cut global emission and
save money.She described the building as a "monument," equating it
with such monuments as the India Gate and the Taj Mahal.India should
cut down on its emissions and focus attention on renewable sources of
energy. Between now and 2030, India's greenhouse gas emission was
projected to grow by 50 per cent, she said.Putting forth India's views
on climate change and emissions, Mr. Ramesh said the country's
position was clear, credible and consistent. He scoffed at the
perception that India was running away from mitigation.The government
was ensuring that the economic growth was ecologically sustainable —
the GDP was increasingly seen as Green Domestic Product and not just
Gross Domestic Product. India's comprehensive National Action Plan on
Climate Change was driven primarily by adaptation imperatives, but it
did not neglect what should be done for mitigation.
On India's stand against the Obama administration's proposals for
limits on carbon emissions, he said India was not in a position to
accept any legally binding reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions."India is very conscious of the local impacts of climate
change and will never allow its per capita emissions to exceed those
of the developed countries." Even with an 89 per cent increase in the
Gross Domestic Product every year for the next decade or two, India's
per capita emissions would be well below those of the developed
countries.The Minister also highlighted India's commitment to
combating global warming and cooperation for the success of the
Copenhagen summit in December. It is organised to find a successor to
the Kyoto Protocol that expires in 2012.
threat of climate change and its consequences and forge ahead in
energy efficiency and sustainable development. India has, however,
clarified that it is not in a position now to accept any legally
binding reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton, who discussed climate change with Indian officials at
the ITC Green Building here on Sunday, said she hoped India and the
U.S. would be able to amplify the partnership.
Pointing out that both nations need to take up the responsibility of
clearing up greenhouse gas emissions, Ms. Clinton said: "The United
States does not and will not limit India's economic progress." India's
development was in everyone's interest. Fighting climate change was
both a challenge and an opportunity.Washington believed that there was
a way to eradicate poverty and develop in a sustainable way that would
help to lower the carbon footprint significantly. "We, along with
other developed countries, have contributed significantly to the
problem that we face with climate change. We are hoping that a great
country like India will not make the same mistakes." She expressed
confidence that both India and the U.S. would be successful in
devising a plan to change the way the two countries produced, consumed
and conserved energy.Following a roundtable with Indian officials,
including Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh,
she said the private sector could play a role in sustainable
development.Ms. Clinton, who was accompanied by U.S. special envoy on
climate change Todd Stern, said if all government buildings emulated
the ITC's Green Building, it would help to cut global emission and
save money.She described the building as a "monument," equating it
with such monuments as the India Gate and the Taj Mahal.India should
cut down on its emissions and focus attention on renewable sources of
energy. Between now and 2030, India's greenhouse gas emission was
projected to grow by 50 per cent, she said.Putting forth India's views
on climate change and emissions, Mr. Ramesh said the country's
position was clear, credible and consistent. He scoffed at the
perception that India was running away from mitigation.The government
was ensuring that the economic growth was ecologically sustainable —
the GDP was increasingly seen as Green Domestic Product and not just
Gross Domestic Product. India's comprehensive National Action Plan on
Climate Change was driven primarily by adaptation imperatives, but it
did not neglect what should be done for mitigation.
On India's stand against the Obama administration's proposals for
limits on carbon emissions, he said India was not in a position to
accept any legally binding reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions."India is very conscious of the local impacts of climate
change and will never allow its per capita emissions to exceed those
of the developed countries." Even with an 89 per cent increase in the
Gross Domestic Product every year for the next decade or two, India's
per capita emissions would be well below those of the developed
countries.The Minister also highlighted India's commitment to
combating global warming and cooperation for the success of the
Copenhagen summit in December. It is organised to find a successor to
the Kyoto Protocol that expires in 2012.
The Hindu, July 20
“Irrigation potential under-utilised”
A good 15 per cent of the irrigation potential in the country remains
unutilised primarily because of lack of proper operation and
maintenance and incomplete distribution system.This is the finding by
the Indian Institutes of Management, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Kolkata and
Lucknow, which together inspected 45 major and medium irrigation
projects to suggest appropriate measures for optimally utilising the
irrigation facilities.The IIMs looked into this matter of serious
concern as the utilisation of irrigation potential was limited to 87.2
million hectares against the created irrigation potential of 102.7
million hectares.The five major factors identified for the gap between
the created irrigation potential and its actual utilisation were —
lack of proper operation and maintenance, incomplete distribution
system, non-completion of command area development, changes from the
initially designed cropping pattern and diversion of irrigable land
for other purposes.The report expressed concern over the lack of
proper provision in the budget for the operation and maintenance of
the irrigation system and called for adequate budgetary
support.Non-completion of distributaries and minors was another cause
for non-utilisation of available water resources for irrigation
purposes as was the non-completion of field channels and on-farm
development.
unutilised primarily because of lack of proper operation and
maintenance and incomplete distribution system.This is the finding by
the Indian Institutes of Management, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Kolkata and
Lucknow, which together inspected 45 major and medium irrigation
projects to suggest appropriate measures for optimally utilising the
irrigation facilities.The IIMs looked into this matter of serious
concern as the utilisation of irrigation potential was limited to 87.2
million hectares against the created irrigation potential of 102.7
million hectares.The five major factors identified for the gap between
the created irrigation potential and its actual utilisation were —
lack of proper operation and maintenance, incomplete distribution
system, non-completion of command area development, changes from the
initially designed cropping pattern and diversion of irrigable land
for other purposes.The report expressed concern over the lack of
proper provision in the budget for the operation and maintenance of
the irrigation system and called for adequate budgetary
support.Non-completion of distributaries and minors was another cause
for non-utilisation of available water resources for irrigation
purposes as was the non-completion of field channels and on-farm
development.
The Hindu, July 19
White paper on Himalayan glaciers soon
The Ministry of Environment and Forests will bring out a white paper
on the current state of scientific knowledge on the Himalayan
glaciers.It will establish an institutional mechanism to monitor the
trends and variability of glaciers and study the impact of changes on
the hydrological regime in the region.This was decided at a high-power
meeting of the agencies involved in the Ministry last week which
observed that there was a need to continuously monitor seasonal snow
cover and variability of glaciers. The white paper will be prepared by
V.K. Raina, former Deputy Director-General, Geological Survey of India
(GSI) . The paper will be finalised by August 10 for public debate.The
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has prepared a proposal for
setting up the mechanism in collaboration with the Ministry, and the
Department of Science and Technology which has been accepted.The
initial expenditure on the mechanism will be Rs.3 crore.The experts
told the meeting that there was no conclusive evidence to suggest that
the rate of retreat of the Himalayan glaciers was being caused by
climate change and that the rate of retreat was accelerating, since
the period of observation was short.However, the experts pointed out
that this did not mean that the health of the glaciers was improving
and as evidence suggested that debris accumulation near snouts in some
glaciers was significant.
on the current state of scientific knowledge on the Himalayan
glaciers.It will establish an institutional mechanism to monitor the
trends and variability of glaciers and study the impact of changes on
the hydrological regime in the region.This was decided at a high-power
meeting of the agencies involved in the Ministry last week which
observed that there was a need to continuously monitor seasonal snow
cover and variability of glaciers. The white paper will be prepared by
V.K. Raina, former Deputy Director-General, Geological Survey of India
(GSI) . The paper will be finalised by August 10 for public debate.The
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has prepared a proposal for
setting up the mechanism in collaboration with the Ministry, and the
Department of Science and Technology which has been accepted.The
initial expenditure on the mechanism will be Rs.3 crore.The experts
told the meeting that there was no conclusive evidence to suggest that
the rate of retreat of the Himalayan glaciers was being caused by
climate change and that the rate of retreat was accelerating, since
the period of observation was short.However, the experts pointed out
that this did not mean that the health of the glaciers was improving
and as evidence suggested that debris accumulation near snouts in some
glaciers was significant.
The Hindu, July 19
Indigenous nuclear submarine goes on trial
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will launch India's first indigenous
nuclear-powered submarine at Vishakapatnam for trial on July 26.Andhra
Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy conveyed this to
journalists here on Saturday after meeting Dr. Singh to discuss
various issues pertaining to the State. Top defence and Navy officials
will participate in the programme.The top-secret 'Advanced Technology
Vessel' (ATV) project will re-induct India into the exclusive club of
five countries that operate nuclear submarines, called silent killers
for their extensive ability to remain under water because of
nuclear-powered engines unlike the diesel electric versions that have
to come up to recharge their batteries and thus stand a greater chance
of being spotted. India briefly used a nuclear submarine leased by
Russia from 1988 to 1991. Since then it has been trying to build one
of its own. It has signed an agreement for the transfer of a couple of
nuclear-powered Russian Akula class submarines, one of which is likely
to be inducted by the Indian Navy this year itself. The sea trials are
just the beginning of a difficult testing process for the ATV and are
likely to last two years till it is cleared for operational
duty.Conceived in the 70s, the project became operational in the
mid-80s and while its existence was public knowledge, the government
was in consistent denial about it. At Navy Day press conferences year
after year, the Navy Chiefs denied knowledge about the project.
However, recently Defence Minister A.K. Antony said the project was in
its final stages.According to reports, the submarine might be named
INS Arihant (destroyer of enemies). More than becoming a member of a
group comprising the U.S., Russia, China, France and the U.K., the
nuclear submarine will give India a credible three-leg nuclear
deterrent. India has ground based missiles and aircraft that can
deliver nuclear warheads but needed a nuclear submarine that can slip
under water and emerge to strike at a time and place of its choosing.
nuclear-powered submarine at Vishakapatnam for trial on July 26.Andhra
Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy conveyed this to
journalists here on Saturday after meeting Dr. Singh to discuss
various issues pertaining to the State. Top defence and Navy officials
will participate in the programme.The top-secret 'Advanced Technology
Vessel' (ATV) project will re-induct India into the exclusive club of
five countries that operate nuclear submarines, called silent killers
for their extensive ability to remain under water because of
nuclear-powered engines unlike the diesel electric versions that have
to come up to recharge their batteries and thus stand a greater chance
of being spotted. India briefly used a nuclear submarine leased by
Russia from 1988 to 1991. Since then it has been trying to build one
of its own. It has signed an agreement for the transfer of a couple of
nuclear-powered Russian Akula class submarines, one of which is likely
to be inducted by the Indian Navy this year itself. The sea trials are
just the beginning of a difficult testing process for the ATV and are
likely to last two years till it is cleared for operational
duty.Conceived in the 70s, the project became operational in the
mid-80s and while its existence was public knowledge, the government
was in consistent denial about it. At Navy Day press conferences year
after year, the Navy Chiefs denied knowledge about the project.
However, recently Defence Minister A.K. Antony said the project was in
its final stages.According to reports, the submarine might be named
INS Arihant (destroyer of enemies). More than becoming a member of a
group comprising the U.S., Russia, China, France and the U.K., the
nuclear submarine will give India a credible three-leg nuclear
deterrent. India has ground based missiles and aircraft that can
deliver nuclear warheads but needed a nuclear submarine that can slip
under water and emerge to strike at a time and place of its choosing.
The Hindu, July 19
“Chandrayaan’s first sensor failed much earlier”
Even as the failure of Chandrayaan's 'star sensor' continues to make
news, top officials at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
have revealed that the April 26 snag, announced on Friday, was the
second sensor failure — the first one having occurred "much earlier."
The lunar spacecraft had on board two star sensors, with one as
back-up, to determine the orientation or "attitude" while in orbit.
Although the ISRO maintained that the "spacecraft started
malfunctioning on April 26," necessitating a switch-over to a
contingency gyroscope, it appears that the malfunction had taken place
earlier. At a press conference on Friday, ISRO chief Madhavan Nair
said the star sensor failure was due to "excessive radiation from the
sun." It was detected on May 16. As the sensor could not be recovered
at this stage, the remainder of the two-year mission would be
completed using a gyroscope, an electro-mechanical device that was
used in Indian Remote Sensing satellites. Gyroscopes, however, needed
regular intervention to stabilise their orientation, and the ISRO's
ground stations had begun weekly attitude corrections, the official
said. With the failure of the two star sensors, the number of
technical glitches Chandrayaan has encountered in its eight-month
lunar orbit stands at three — the third being the failure of a Bus
Management Unit, which has been replaced with a back-up unit.
Thermal heating
The Rs.400-crore satellite encountered problems of thermal heating
also. In one instance in January, the temperature within the
spacecraft rose to 80 degrees Celsius, according to another ISRO
official. The optimal temperature for electronic packages and payloads
is zero to 40 degrees. Chandrayaan was launched on October 22 carrying
11 payloads (scientific experiments), including the moon impact probe
that crash-landed on a designated location near the moon's South Pole
in November. Five payloads were developed by international space
agencies, including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) and the European Space Agency.
news, top officials at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
have revealed that the April 26 snag, announced on Friday, was the
second sensor failure — the first one having occurred "much earlier."
The lunar spacecraft had on board two star sensors, with one as
back-up, to determine the orientation or "attitude" while in orbit.
Although the ISRO maintained that the "spacecraft started
malfunctioning on April 26," necessitating a switch-over to a
contingency gyroscope, it appears that the malfunction had taken place
earlier. At a press conference on Friday, ISRO chief Madhavan Nair
said the star sensor failure was due to "excessive radiation from the
sun." It was detected on May 16. As the sensor could not be recovered
at this stage, the remainder of the two-year mission would be
completed using a gyroscope, an electro-mechanical device that was
used in Indian Remote Sensing satellites. Gyroscopes, however, needed
regular intervention to stabilise their orientation, and the ISRO's
ground stations had begun weekly attitude corrections, the official
said. With the failure of the two star sensors, the number of
technical glitches Chandrayaan has encountered in its eight-month
lunar orbit stands at three — the third being the failure of a Bus
Management Unit, which has been replaced with a back-up unit.
Thermal heating
The Rs.400-crore satellite encountered problems of thermal heating
also. In one instance in January, the temperature within the
spacecraft rose to 80 degrees Celsius, according to another ISRO
official. The optimal temperature for electronic packages and payloads
is zero to 40 degrees. Chandrayaan was launched on October 22 carrying
11 payloads (scientific experiments), including the moon impact probe
that crash-landed on a designated location near the moon's South Pole
in November. Five payloads were developed by international space
agencies, including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) and the European Space Agency.
The Hindu, July 19
Rural areas still in grip of viral fever
Kozhikode: Though the heavy rain is expected to contain viral fever as
storm water churns up mosquito-breeding sources, most rural areas in
the district are yet to be fully unshackled from its grip. The office
of District Medical Officer K.M. Noorul Ameen says that on Thursday,
4,818 people sought treatment for different kinds of fever in
government hospitals, including the Government Medical College and the
community health centres, in the district. Health inspectors in the
community health centres say the number of fever cases is falling in
areas where it was reported first. "But the fever seems to be getting
stronger in some new areas," says a health inspector. Mukkom and
Vadakara are among the areas where the number of cases is on the rise,
say health officials. The health authorities and medical experts
suggest that environmental hygiene and preventive measures are crucial
in containing fever. P.K. Sasidharan, Professor and Head of the
Department of Medicine, Government Medical College, Kozhikode, says
only the measures taken by the public at the individual and community
levels to maintain environmental hygiene will help. He says people
should take measures to curb the breeding of mosquitoes and use
devices such as mosquito nets to escape from being bitten. Keeping the
immunity levels intact is crucial in controlling the disease.
The Hindu, July 17
storm water churns up mosquito-breeding sources, most rural areas in
the district are yet to be fully unshackled from its grip. The office
of District Medical Officer K.M. Noorul Ameen says that on Thursday,
4,818 people sought treatment for different kinds of fever in
government hospitals, including the Government Medical College and the
community health centres, in the district. Health inspectors in the
community health centres say the number of fever cases is falling in
areas where it was reported first. "But the fever seems to be getting
stronger in some new areas," says a health inspector. Mukkom and
Vadakara are among the areas where the number of cases is on the rise,
say health officials. The health authorities and medical experts
suggest that environmental hygiene and preventive measures are crucial
in containing fever. P.K. Sasidharan, Professor and Head of the
Department of Medicine, Government Medical College, Kozhikode, says
only the measures taken by the public at the individual and community
levels to maintain environmental hygiene will help. He says people
should take measures to curb the breeding of mosquitoes and use
devices such as mosquito nets to escape from being bitten. Keeping the
immunity levels intact is crucial in controlling the disease.
The Hindu, July 17
Coastal Management Zone draft will be allowed to lapse
Bringing relief to the fishing community which feared displacement,
the government on Friday announced that the draft Coastal Management
Zone (CMZ) Notification, 2008 would be allowed to lapse on July 22.
Instead, the existing Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification,
1991, will be amended to take into account the challenges likely to
arise from climate change-induced sea level rise, and the growing
pressure of population on coastal resources and biodiversity. This
follows the Ministry of Environment and Forests accepting the
recommendations of a four-member expert committee, chaired by
agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan, which reviewed the draft CMZ
notification. Prof. Swaminathan drafted the CMZ document in 2005 and
now recommended that it be abandoned as it had failed to address the
issues of fishermen. "The lives and livelihood of nearly 25 per cent
of our population living within 50 km of the shoreline, as well of the
nearly 10 million fisher-folk, will depend upon the decisions we take
now to develop enforceable regulations for integrated attention to
both ecological and livelihood security," Prof. Swaminathan told
journalists here after handing over the recommendations to Minister of
State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh. Setting out an agenda
for coastal areas, the committee, instituted last month, has also
recommended that the government check violations of the CRZ through
improved space technology-enabled enforcement, strengthened
institutions, and regulatory and legal reforms. It has suggested
introduction of regulations to manage the proliferation of ports along
the coasts with possible impacts on the coastline by considering the
cumulative impact of these developments and a moratorium on new ports.
Effluents disposal
Calling for tighter standards for disposal of effluents into coastal
water so that these waters do not become cheaper alternatives to
inland pollution management, the committee has suggested that issues
of development and redevelopment of Mumbai be resolved. "We have
decided to accept the report of the expert committee and will
introduce new management regimes on the Andaman and Nicobar as well as
Lakshadweep Islands as recommended," Mr. Ramesh said. The committee
wants the government to introduce any new protection regime — such as
for critically vulnerable coastal areas — after understanding the
impact of conservation policies on local communities, particularly
fisher families. "We are contemplating a law to ensure livelihood
security for the fishing community and are in the process of setting
up a National Coastal Zone Management Board and a National Institute
for Sustainable Coastal Zone Management based in Chennai," the
Minister said. Strengthening protection of mangroves, inclusion of a
seaward side to ensure protection from current and future threats and
enhancing research and regulatory capacity at all levels are some
other recommendations. The committee includes Sunita Narain of the
Centre for Science and Environment; Shailesh Nayak, Secretary,
Ministry of Earth Sciences; and J.M.Mauskar, Additional Secretary,
Ministry of Environment and Forests.
the government on Friday announced that the draft Coastal Management
Zone (CMZ) Notification, 2008 would be allowed to lapse on July 22.
Instead, the existing Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification,
1991, will be amended to take into account the challenges likely to
arise from climate change-induced sea level rise, and the growing
pressure of population on coastal resources and biodiversity. This
follows the Ministry of Environment and Forests accepting the
recommendations of a four-member expert committee, chaired by
agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan, which reviewed the draft CMZ
notification. Prof. Swaminathan drafted the CMZ document in 2005 and
now recommended that it be abandoned as it had failed to address the
issues of fishermen. "The lives and livelihood of nearly 25 per cent
of our population living within 50 km of the shoreline, as well of the
nearly 10 million fisher-folk, will depend upon the decisions we take
now to develop enforceable regulations for integrated attention to
both ecological and livelihood security," Prof. Swaminathan told
journalists here after handing over the recommendations to Minister of
State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh. Setting out an agenda
for coastal areas, the committee, instituted last month, has also
recommended that the government check violations of the CRZ through
improved space technology-enabled enforcement, strengthened
institutions, and regulatory and legal reforms. It has suggested
introduction of regulations to manage the proliferation of ports along
the coasts with possible impacts on the coastline by considering the
cumulative impact of these developments and a moratorium on new ports.
Effluents disposal
Calling for tighter standards for disposal of effluents into coastal
water so that these waters do not become cheaper alternatives to
inland pollution management, the committee has suggested that issues
of development and redevelopment of Mumbai be resolved. "We have
decided to accept the report of the expert committee and will
introduce new management regimes on the Andaman and Nicobar as well as
Lakshadweep Islands as recommended," Mr. Ramesh said. The committee
wants the government to introduce any new protection regime — such as
for critically vulnerable coastal areas — after understanding the
impact of conservation policies on local communities, particularly
fisher families. "We are contemplating a law to ensure livelihood
security for the fishing community and are in the process of setting
up a National Coastal Zone Management Board and a National Institute
for Sustainable Coastal Zone Management based in Chennai," the
Minister said. Strengthening protection of mangroves, inclusion of a
seaward side to ensure protection from current and future threats and
enhancing research and regulatory capacity at all levels are some
other recommendations. The committee includes Sunita Narain of the
Centre for Science and Environment; Shailesh Nayak, Secretary,
Ministry of Earth Sciences; and J.M.Mauskar, Additional Secretary,
Ministry of Environment and Forests.
The Hindu, July 18
Landslips hit several places in Wayanad
KALPETTA: Heavy rain in the district in the past three days caused
extensive damage to crops and properties. Revenue officials said two
persons were missing after landslips at Neelimala, near Vaduvanchal,
and Kathanpara, near Rippon, in the district on Thursday. The
officials said nearly 100 landslips occurred at various parts of the
district on Thursday. A 32-member CISF team, comprising the National
Disaster Response Force (NDRF), led by D.S. Rao, inspector executive
of the CISF, reached the district on Thursday to assist in rescue
operations, Additional District Magistrate K. Vijayan, holding charge
of Collector, told The Hindu on Thursday. Another batch of NDRF
personnel would reach here on Friday, he added.
He said the people in 49 villages under the Vythiri, Sulthan Bathery
and Mananthavadi taluks were the worst affected. As many as 46 houses
were destroyed and 379 suffered partial damage in rain-related
calamities. The damage to the houses were estimated at Rs.2,095,000.
The damage to crops was estimated at Rs.5,74,45000 in 666.24 hectares,
sources in the Agriculture Department said. Mr.Vijayan said 3,159
people were shifted to various relief camps in the district. "As many
as 50 relief camps and 14 medical units are functioning in the
district." Workers of Kerala State Electricity Board were trying to
restore the severed power lines.A holiday has been declared for
educational institutions, except professional colleges, in the
district on Friday and Saturday. The officials said rainfall of 255.3
mm was recorded at Vythiri; 194.4 mm at Mananthavadi; and 138 mm at
Sulthan Bathery from 6 a.m. on Wednesday to 6 a.m. on Thursday. The
average rainfall in the district was 19.58 cm on the day. Traffic
between Kozhikode and Bangalore on the NH-212 was disrupted as the
road was inundated at Ponkuzhy near Sulthanbahtery.
extensive damage to crops and properties. Revenue officials said two
persons were missing after landslips at Neelimala, near Vaduvanchal,
and Kathanpara, near Rippon, in the district on Thursday. The
officials said nearly 100 landslips occurred at various parts of the
district on Thursday. A 32-member CISF team, comprising the National
Disaster Response Force (NDRF), led by D.S. Rao, inspector executive
of the CISF, reached the district on Thursday to assist in rescue
operations, Additional District Magistrate K. Vijayan, holding charge
of Collector, told The Hindu on Thursday. Another batch of NDRF
personnel would reach here on Friday, he added.
He said the people in 49 villages under the Vythiri, Sulthan Bathery
and Mananthavadi taluks were the worst affected. As many as 46 houses
were destroyed and 379 suffered partial damage in rain-related
calamities. The damage to the houses were estimated at Rs.2,095,000.
The damage to crops was estimated at Rs.5,74,45000 in 666.24 hectares,
sources in the Agriculture Department said. Mr.Vijayan said 3,159
people were shifted to various relief camps in the district. "As many
as 50 relief camps and 14 medical units are functioning in the
district." Workers of Kerala State Electricity Board were trying to
restore the severed power lines.A holiday has been declared for
educational institutions, except professional colleges, in the
district on Friday and Saturday. The officials said rainfall of 255.3
mm was recorded at Vythiri; 194.4 mm at Mananthavadi; and 138 mm at
Sulthan Bathery from 6 a.m. on Wednesday to 6 a.m. on Thursday. The
average rainfall in the district was 19.58 cm on the day. Traffic
between Kozhikode and Bangalore on the NH-212 was disrupted as the
road was inundated at Ponkuzhy near Sulthanbahtery.
The Hindu, July 17
Concern over forest policy
The Campaign for Survival and Dignity, a national platform of tribal
and forest dwellers organisations, has expressed concern over the
Union government's recent decision to spend huge sums of money
collected in the name of "compensatory afforestation." In a statement
issued here on Thursday, the Campaign said such a policy would
accelerate deforestation and result in destruction of wildlife. It
would institutionalise a system that encouraged use of forests on
payment. It would also displace more tribal people and forest
dwellers. When forests were cleared for changing land use, the locals
were neither informed nor consulted. This would also be the case if
funds were allocated for compensatory plantations, the statement said.
"In both the cases — where forests are destroyed and where
compensatory forests are developed — the people lose their land and
livelihoods." The Campaign said the policy would increase violations
of the Forest Rights Act through illegal eviction of cultivators, as
the Forest Department would rush to access the huge funds coming in
from plantations. Monoculture tree plantation would also cause
environmental damage and biodiversity threats. This would also deny
the State governments and local bodies their rightful share of the
money, the statement said. "A crucial opportunity to make India's
forest management system more environmentally sensitive, transparent,
democratic, and accountable has now been lost."
"Back door deals"
The Campaign said the Ministry had acted in a blatantly
unconstitutional manner, ignoring both Parliament and the State
governments and proceeding through back door deals to ensure easy
access and continued control over the enormous funds. This would only
fuel more deprivation, conflicts and violence in the forest areas,
while accelerating the loss of some of the country's precious
resources, the statement said.
and forest dwellers organisations, has expressed concern over the
Union government's recent decision to spend huge sums of money
collected in the name of "compensatory afforestation." In a statement
issued here on Thursday, the Campaign said such a policy would
accelerate deforestation and result in destruction of wildlife. It
would institutionalise a system that encouraged use of forests on
payment. It would also displace more tribal people and forest
dwellers. When forests were cleared for changing land use, the locals
were neither informed nor consulted. This would also be the case if
funds were allocated for compensatory plantations, the statement said.
"In both the cases — where forests are destroyed and where
compensatory forests are developed — the people lose their land and
livelihoods." The Campaign said the policy would increase violations
of the Forest Rights Act through illegal eviction of cultivators, as
the Forest Department would rush to access the huge funds coming in
from plantations. Monoculture tree plantation would also cause
environmental damage and biodiversity threats. This would also deny
the State governments and local bodies their rightful share of the
money, the statement said. "A crucial opportunity to make India's
forest management system more environmentally sensitive, transparent,
democratic, and accountable has now been lost."
"Back door deals"
The Campaign said the Ministry had acted in a blatantly
unconstitutional manner, ignoring both Parliament and the State
governments and proceeding through back door deals to ensure easy
access and continued control over the enormous funds. This would only
fuel more deprivation, conflicts and violence in the forest areas,
while accelerating the loss of some of the country's precious
resources, the statement said.
The Hindu, July 17
Mud banks in the Pampa to be removed
The Major Irrigation wing of the Water Resources Department has
decided to remove the mud banks that have formed on the riverbed of
the Pampa along the Sree Parthasarathy Temple ghats and in the
racecourse of the Uthrattathi Vallamkali (snake boat regatta) at
Aranmula on a war-footing basis. A team of experts led by Assistant
Executive Engineer (Major Irrigation) Elsy John visited the temple
ghats on Wednesday to take stock of the situation there and to chalk
out an action plan to clear the mud banks that pose a threat to the
smooth conduct of the annual snake boat race and pageantry during the
Onam festival. According to Palliyoda Seva Sanghom (PSS) general
secretary Ratheesh R. Mohan, the Water Resources Department has
assured the PSS leaders that the repair and maintenance of the temple
ghats would be completed in the next two weeks. The official team also
chalked out an action plan for mud bank removal before July 31 when
the annual Vallasadya vazhipadu at the Sree Parthasarathy temple
begins. The decision to clear the obstacles in the racecourse was on
the basis of a memorandum to that effect that was submitted to Water
Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran.
decided to remove the mud banks that have formed on the riverbed of
the Pampa along the Sree Parthasarathy Temple ghats and in the
racecourse of the Uthrattathi Vallamkali (snake boat regatta) at
Aranmula on a war-footing basis. A team of experts led by Assistant
Executive Engineer (Major Irrigation) Elsy John visited the temple
ghats on Wednesday to take stock of the situation there and to chalk
out an action plan to clear the mud banks that pose a threat to the
smooth conduct of the annual snake boat race and pageantry during the
Onam festival. According to Palliyoda Seva Sanghom (PSS) general
secretary Ratheesh R. Mohan, the Water Resources Department has
assured the PSS leaders that the repair and maintenance of the temple
ghats would be completed in the next two weeks. The official team also
chalked out an action plan for mud bank removal before July 31 when
the annual Vallasadya vazhipadu at the Sree Parthasarathy temple
begins. The decision to clear the obstacles in the racecourse was on
the basis of a memorandum to that effect that was submitted to Water
Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran.
The Hindu, July 16
Need water? Save wetlands
The State government must make optimal use of funds for wetlands
conservation, if it is serious about saving its wetlands, S. Kaul,
Director of wetlands division of the Union Ministry of Environments
and Forests, has said. Delay in execution of the Management Action
Plan (MAP) for wetlands would harm Kerala, he added. Dr. Kaul, who is
striving to create awareness in the government on the link between
wetlands and water availability, was in Kozhikode recently to attend a
national seminar on "threats to wetlands" organised by the Centre for
Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM).
Ramsar sites
India, which is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, has
25 "Ramsar sites." Three lakes in Kerala, Vembanad, Ashtamudi and
Sasthamcotta have also been adjudged Ramsar sites. Ramsar sites have
to follow strict international guidelines for wetland conservation and
contravention of it places the Ramsar site under the Montreal Protocol
and results in heavy international pressure on the country to put its
act in order. India now has three sites under the Montreal Protocol.
Recognising the need for a strong institutional mechanism to monitor
wetlands, a steering committee was formed in all States. However MAPs
drawn up by some committees were shoddy and the Ministry is allocating
funds for States to take the help of consultancies. In all, 115
wetlands have been categorised into A, B and C. Category-A wetlands
are monitored by the Union government and they are usually
high-altitude wetlands or trans-boundary wetlands. Category-B wetlands
are under the control of the State government while Category-C is
managed by the district administration.
'Public must chip in'
"The involvement of local communities will complete the circle," Dr.
Kaul says. "Most have pressing needs for which they are tempted to
exploit a wetland. But, communities step in whole-heartedly for
conservation efforts when they are convinced of the reason."
The Hindu, July 16
conservation, if it is serious about saving its wetlands, S. Kaul,
Director of wetlands division of the Union Ministry of Environments
and Forests, has said. Delay in execution of the Management Action
Plan (MAP) for wetlands would harm Kerala, he added. Dr. Kaul, who is
striving to create awareness in the government on the link between
wetlands and water availability, was in Kozhikode recently to attend a
national seminar on "threats to wetlands" organised by the Centre for
Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM).
Ramsar sites
India, which is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, has
25 "Ramsar sites." Three lakes in Kerala, Vembanad, Ashtamudi and
Sasthamcotta have also been adjudged Ramsar sites. Ramsar sites have
to follow strict international guidelines for wetland conservation and
contravention of it places the Ramsar site under the Montreal Protocol
and results in heavy international pressure on the country to put its
act in order. India now has three sites under the Montreal Protocol.
Recognising the need for a strong institutional mechanism to monitor
wetlands, a steering committee was formed in all States. However MAPs
drawn up by some committees were shoddy and the Ministry is allocating
funds for States to take the help of consultancies. In all, 115
wetlands have been categorised into A, B and C. Category-A wetlands
are monitored by the Union government and they are usually
high-altitude wetlands or trans-boundary wetlands. Category-B wetlands
are under the control of the State government while Category-C is
managed by the district administration.
'Public must chip in'
"The involvement of local communities will complete the circle," Dr.
Kaul says. "Most have pressing needs for which they are tempted to
exploit a wetland. But, communities step in whole-heartedly for
conservation efforts when they are convinced of the reason."
The Hindu, July 16
‘Climate change triggering cyclones’
Climatic changes are generating "most intense cyclones" in the Arabian
Sea and upsetting food productivity and availability of drinking water
in many regions. There has been a five-fold increase in the most
intense cyclones in the Arabian Sea since 1995. Cyclones with a wind
speed of more than 100 km an hour are designated as most intense
cyclones, say scientists. A team of researchers who studied the
response of the Arabian Sea to global warming and associated regional
climate shift have concluded that the "signatures of this
climate-shift are also perceptible over the adjacent landmass of India
as progressively warmer winters, and decreased decadal monsoon
rainfall." The climatic changes also have "possible impact on
frequency and intensity of cyclones, summer monsoon rainfall, wheat
production, land vegetation cover and frequency of heat spells." In
the Arabian Sea, cyclones are formed mostly during May-June and
October-November periods. The cyclones during May and June are formed
within the Arabian Sea itself. However, during October and November,
cyclones are mostly formed over the Bay of Bengal and cross over to
the Arabian Sea. The States of Goa, Gujarat and Maharashtra endure
most of the cyclones, scientists said. The study was conducted by a
team of researchers comprising S. Prasanna Kumar, Raj P. Roshin and
Jayu Narvekar of the National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, P.K.
Dinesh Kumar of the Kochi Regional Centre of the Institute, and E.
Vivekanandan of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute,
Kochi. It was observed that there was rainfall deficiency of 71 mm
during 1995-2005 against the deficiency of 8 mm during 1985-1995. This
has direct links to climate changes. The rainfall deficiency will lead
to drinking water crisis and food productivity, said Dr.
Prasannakumar.
Sea and upsetting food productivity and availability of drinking water
in many regions. There has been a five-fold increase in the most
intense cyclones in the Arabian Sea since 1995. Cyclones with a wind
speed of more than 100 km an hour are designated as most intense
cyclones, say scientists. A team of researchers who studied the
response of the Arabian Sea to global warming and associated regional
climate shift have concluded that the "signatures of this
climate-shift are also perceptible over the adjacent landmass of India
as progressively warmer winters, and decreased decadal monsoon
rainfall." The climatic changes also have "possible impact on
frequency and intensity of cyclones, summer monsoon rainfall, wheat
production, land vegetation cover and frequency of heat spells." In
the Arabian Sea, cyclones are formed mostly during May-June and
October-November periods. The cyclones during May and June are formed
within the Arabian Sea itself. However, during October and November,
cyclones are mostly formed over the Bay of Bengal and cross over to
the Arabian Sea. The States of Goa, Gujarat and Maharashtra endure
most of the cyclones, scientists said. The study was conducted by a
team of researchers comprising S. Prasanna Kumar, Raj P. Roshin and
Jayu Narvekar of the National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, P.K.
Dinesh Kumar of the Kochi Regional Centre of the Institute, and E.
Vivekanandan of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute,
Kochi. It was observed that there was rainfall deficiency of 71 mm
during 1995-2005 against the deficiency of 8 mm during 1985-1995. This
has direct links to climate changes. The rainfall deficiency will lead
to drinking water crisis and food productivity, said Dr.
Prasannakumar.
The Hindu, July 14
Waterbodies to be cleared of weeds
Minister for Water Resources N.K. Premachandran informed the Assembly
on Monday that the government had initiated moves to remove the
aquatic weeds choking the lakes, rivers and canals in the State.
Replying to a calling attention motion moved by Kottayam MLA V.N.
Vasavan, he said weed harvesters would be pressed into service to
clear the waterbodies. Mr. Premachandran said the Ministry of
Environment and Forests had cleared a Rs. 15-lakh project for the
purpose. The Kerala Agricultural University had been asked to prepare
a detailed project report.
Desilting of rivers
The Minister said the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation had
proposed a three-year project to desilt and deepen the rivers and
canals in the State and clear them of weeds. Explaining the proposal,
he said panchayats would be entrusted with the work. The weeds removed
from the lake and canals would be converted into compost. The report
had recommended an outlay of Rs. 30 crore for the project, the
Minister added. Earlier moving the motion, Mr. Vasavan highlighted the
need to clear the weed-infested Vembanad lake and surrounding
waterbodies.
on Monday that the government had initiated moves to remove the
aquatic weeds choking the lakes, rivers and canals in the State.
Replying to a calling attention motion moved by Kottayam MLA V.N.
Vasavan, he said weed harvesters would be pressed into service to
clear the waterbodies. Mr. Premachandran said the Ministry of
Environment and Forests had cleared a Rs. 15-lakh project for the
purpose. The Kerala Agricultural University had been asked to prepare
a detailed project report.
Desilting of rivers
The Minister said the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation had
proposed a three-year project to desilt and deepen the rivers and
canals in the State and clear them of weeds. Explaining the proposal,
he said panchayats would be entrusted with the work. The weeds removed
from the lake and canals would be converted into compost. The report
had recommended an outlay of Rs. 30 crore for the project, the
Minister added. Earlier moving the motion, Mr. Vasavan highlighted the
need to clear the weed-infested Vembanad lake and surrounding
waterbodies.
The Hindu, July 14
Seed Village Programme to be launched in Wayanad today
The Seed Village Programme of the Union government to supply quality
seeds at a subsidised price in every district will be launched at
Thirunelly in Wayanad on Tuesday. In the first phase, the programme
will be implemented on 1,000 hectares of land in five districts in the
State. Farmers will be given certified rice seeds and technical
guidance. Eighty kg of seeds needed on an hectare of land will be
provided at Rs.9.50 a kg. The seeds will be procured through the
Krishi Bhavans, Shajan Mathew, Agriculture Officer, Kerala State Seeds
Development Authority, the nodal agency, told The Hindu. As much as
1,860 kg of the Uma variety of rice seeds would be distributed during
the 'nanja' crop season in the district. Mr. Mathew said training
programmes would be held for the farmers at the time of sowing,
flowering and harvesting. O.R. Kelu, president, Thirunelly grama
panchayat, will inaugurate the training on Tuesday
seeds at a subsidised price in every district will be launched at
Thirunelly in Wayanad on Tuesday. In the first phase, the programme
will be implemented on 1,000 hectares of land in five districts in the
State. Farmers will be given certified rice seeds and technical
guidance. Eighty kg of seeds needed on an hectare of land will be
provided at Rs.9.50 a kg. The seeds will be procured through the
Krishi Bhavans, Shajan Mathew, Agriculture Officer, Kerala State Seeds
Development Authority, the nodal agency, told The Hindu. As much as
1,860 kg of the Uma variety of rice seeds would be distributed during
the 'nanja' crop season in the district. Mr. Mathew said training
programmes would be held for the farmers at the time of sowing,
flowering and harvesting. O.R. Kelu, president, Thirunelly grama
panchayat, will inaugurate the training on Tuesday
The Hindu, July 14
Aila to blame for straying of tigers ?
Five incidents of tigers straying into villages in the Sundarbans in
the last six weeks have caused concern among the officials of the
Forest Department. Opinions differ on whether cyclone Aila was
responsible for the behaviour of the tigers. "We have seen that
incidents of [tigers] straying have occurred wherever embankments were
breached," said Atanu Raha, the Principal Chief Conservator of
Forests. "It is possible that the tigers may have become disoriented
as the forests lie inundated, and drifted towards the villages."
According to records of the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve (STR), 11 such
incidents occurred in 2006-07. The number rose to 13 the following
year. In the six weeks since the cyclone struck the region, tigers
have entered inhabited areas five times.
Principal Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), S.B. Mondal denied that
these occurrences were connected to the cyclone. "Instances of tigers
straying into inhabited areas during the monsoon are observed every
year. They are being noticed this year because of the cyclone," he
said. While the straying of tigers might be unrelated to the cyclone,
chances of man-animal conflict increasing in its aftermath were highly
likely, said N.C. Bahuguna, Director STR. "After Aila, people have
lost their livelihood, so are encroaching into the forests in
increasing numbers," he said.
This is true of Bhaben Gayen, a fisherman who was killed and carried
off by a tiger last week while fishing with others in Jharkhali. The
fishermen allegedly entered the restricted area of the forest because
of poor catches elsewhere.
the last six weeks have caused concern among the officials of the
Forest Department. Opinions differ on whether cyclone Aila was
responsible for the behaviour of the tigers. "We have seen that
incidents of [tigers] straying have occurred wherever embankments were
breached," said Atanu Raha, the Principal Chief Conservator of
Forests. "It is possible that the tigers may have become disoriented
as the forests lie inundated, and drifted towards the villages."
According to records of the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve (STR), 11 such
incidents occurred in 2006-07. The number rose to 13 the following
year. In the six weeks since the cyclone struck the region, tigers
have entered inhabited areas five times.
Principal Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), S.B. Mondal denied that
these occurrences were connected to the cyclone. "Instances of tigers
straying into inhabited areas during the monsoon are observed every
year. They are being noticed this year because of the cyclone," he
said. While the straying of tigers might be unrelated to the cyclone,
chances of man-animal conflict increasing in its aftermath were highly
likely, said N.C. Bahuguna, Director STR. "After Aila, people have
lost their livelihood, so are encroaching into the forests in
increasing numbers," he said.
This is true of Bhaben Gayen, a fisherman who was killed and carried
off by a tiger last week while fishing with others in Jharkhali. The
fishermen allegedly entered the restricted area of the forest because
of poor catches elsewhere.
"While the cyclone could be one of the probable reason for these
attacks, it is difficult to know for sure," said Richa Dwivedi, Deputy
Field Director of the Reserve. "A calamity of this kind has happened
after a long time, so we can't even rely on past experiences," she
added.
The Hindu, July 14
Survey on water consumption in city
KOCHI: A survey on the water consumption pattern and number of people
depending on public taps for drinking water will be undertaken soon.
The survey is being planned to generate a baseline data for the 'Water
connection for all' project of the Kochi Corporation, said C.K.
Manisankar, Deputy Mayor of the Kochi Corporation. The Corporation has
promised in its budget to provide piped drinking water connections to
all the families in the city which do not have the connection.
According to the data available with the Corporation, there are 27,996
families in the city who do not have the piped water connection. These
families are banking on the public taps for collecting drinking water
and each family will have to spend up to seven hours for collecting
the water. The civic authorities arrived at these figures using the
data collected by the neighbourhood committees. The administration
needs an authentic and accurate data on the water consumption pattern
and the number of consumers depending on public taps for planning the
project, he said. The Project Engineer and officials concerned have
been asked to complete the paper works for the project.
depending on public taps for drinking water will be undertaken soon.
The survey is being planned to generate a baseline data for the 'Water
connection for all' project of the Kochi Corporation, said C.K.
Manisankar, Deputy Mayor of the Kochi Corporation. The Corporation has
promised in its budget to provide piped drinking water connections to
all the families in the city which do not have the connection.
According to the data available with the Corporation, there are 27,996
families in the city who do not have the piped water connection. These
families are banking on the public taps for collecting drinking water
and each family will have to spend up to seven hours for collecting
the water. The civic authorities arrived at these figures using the
data collected by the neighbourhood committees. The administration
needs an authentic and accurate data on the water consumption pattern
and the number of consumers depending on public taps for planning the
project, he said. The Project Engineer and officials concerned have
been asked to complete the paper works for the project.
The Hindu, July 13
Conduct environment impact study, says council
PALAKKAD: A convention organised by the Malampuzha Dam Protection
Council and other environment organisations called upon the government
to conduct an environment impact assessment study before going ahead
with the move to remove silt from the Malampuzha reservoir. K.P.
Thrivikramji, former head of the Department of Geology, University of
Kerala, who inaugurated the convention, said the removal of sand from
the Malampuzha Dam was not in the interests of the reservoir, but that
of the "sand lobby." He said the decision lacked scientific approach
and was taken with business interests in mind, and would have a far
reaching impact on the environment of the area. The convention was
addressed by the former scientist of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
E.P. Jayaram, S. Shankar of the Kerala Forest Research Institute,
Peechi, Malampuzha Dam Protection Committee vice-president A.
Bhaskaran and secretary P.S. Panikkar, among others.
Council and other environment organisations called upon the government
to conduct an environment impact assessment study before going ahead
with the move to remove silt from the Malampuzha reservoir. K.P.
Thrivikramji, former head of the Department of Geology, University of
Kerala, who inaugurated the convention, said the removal of sand from
the Malampuzha Dam was not in the interests of the reservoir, but that
of the "sand lobby." He said the decision lacked scientific approach
and was taken with business interests in mind, and would have a far
reaching impact on the environment of the area. The convention was
addressed by the former scientist of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
E.P. Jayaram, S. Shankar of the Kerala Forest Research Institute,
Peechi, Malampuzha Dam Protection Committee vice-president A.
Bhaskaran and secretary P.S. Panikkar, among others.
The Hindu, July 12
‘Convert Munnar into organic village’
Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran has called for converting
Munnar into an organic village, producing Munnar brand items there and
exporting them through the Cochin International Airport.
Munnar into an organic village, producing Munnar brand items there and
exporting them through the Cochin International Airport.
The Hindu, July 12
India will do its bit to control emissions: Manmohan Singh
India recognised its responsibility to control its greenhouse gas
emissions and will do its bit, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told
journalists during an interaction on board the special aircraft
bringing him from Rome to New Delhi. In his statements at the Major
Economies Forum summit on energy and climate change, he had said India
was quite alive to the dangers of climate change and in fact climate
change was already taking place. He had also presented India's climate
action plan and outlined the eight national missions to address the
issue.
"Some important gains"
In reply to a question if he saw his second term as Prime Minister as
different from his first, he said it was a continuation of the
journey. The role of the government was to enable the country to get
rid of chronic poverty, ignorance and disease and the government had
made "some important gains" in the last five years. These included
imparting a stronger growth momentum to the economy, inclusive social
and economic development and putting in place social safety nets to
soften the harsh edges of extreme poverty. It was a long and arduous
journey and the challenge was to take full advantage of the
instrumentalities now in place for inclusive growth to plug the
loopholes, reduce leakages and ensure that these instruments become
more effective. In addition, the government would aim at accelerated
growth, more inclusive development and a greater emphasis on rural
development and agriculture. "So it is a continuation of the journey
we undertook for five years with renewed commitment, with renewed
determination even though we must recognise that the international
environment is not as supportive as we had imagined at one time," Dr.
Singh said.
emissions and will do its bit, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told
journalists during an interaction on board the special aircraft
bringing him from Rome to New Delhi. In his statements at the Major
Economies Forum summit on energy and climate change, he had said India
was quite alive to the dangers of climate change and in fact climate
change was already taking place. He had also presented India's climate
action plan and outlined the eight national missions to address the
issue.
"Some important gains"
In reply to a question if he saw his second term as Prime Minister as
different from his first, he said it was a continuation of the
journey. The role of the government was to enable the country to get
rid of chronic poverty, ignorance and disease and the government had
made "some important gains" in the last five years. These included
imparting a stronger growth momentum to the economy, inclusive social
and economic development and putting in place social safety nets to
soften the harsh edges of extreme poverty. It was a long and arduous
journey and the challenge was to take full advantage of the
instrumentalities now in place for inclusive growth to plug the
loopholes, reduce leakages and ensure that these instruments become
more effective. In addition, the government would aim at accelerated
growth, more inclusive development and a greater emphasis on rural
development and agriculture. "So it is a continuation of the journey
we undertook for five years with renewed commitment, with renewed
determination even though we must recognise that the international
environment is not as supportive as we had imagined at one time," Dr.
Singh said.
The Hindu, July 12
Friday, July 24, 2009
Dedicating matsyathavalams to the lake Vembanad
Dear All,
As a remedial intervention to the depleting fishery resources in the
Vembanad Lake, the Lake Protection Forums of Muhamma Panchayath have set up
three fish sanctuaries viz 'matsyathavalam' at the Anchuthaikkal, Kaippuram
and Pallithodu portions of the Lake, with the financial support from ATREE.
Indigenous technology is used to construct these structures .It will help
for the proliferation of fishery resources, providing natural hiding and
breeding places to the fishes. The Lake protection forums wish to dedicate
these 'matsyathavalams' to the lake, as these are common property resources.
Shri. K.C.Venugopal M.P has kindly consented to inaugurate this colorful
function at Shrayithodu region of the Lake, on 25th July 2009, 2 P.M, to be
followed by a half day seminar on 'Responsible fishing'.
On behalf of the Organizing committee we cordially invite you all to
participate and lent your support in protecting this great natural heritage.
Sri N. K. Poovu
Lake Protection Forums
Muhamma Panchayath
Sri Radakrishnan
Vembanad Nature Club,
Muhamma
Dr.Latha Bhaskar
CERC, ATREE,Mullakkal, Alleppey
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Law for river management
The government is ready to consider the proposal for enacting a law
for management of major rivers in the State, Revenue Minister K.P.
Rajendran told the Assembly on Friday. Responding to a calling
attention motion from V.D. Satheesan (Congress), the Revenue Minister
said the matter would be placed before the Assembly Committee on
Environment. The government had created a River Management Fund and
mobilised Rs.66.8 crore over the last three years. Mr. Rajendran
admitted that the government had not been able to conduct sand
auditing as required every three years under existing laws on account
of paucity of staff and equipment.
for management of major rivers in the State, Revenue Minister K.P.
Rajendran told the Assembly on Friday. Responding to a calling
attention motion from V.D. Satheesan (Congress), the Revenue Minister
said the matter would be placed before the Assembly Committee on
Environment. The government had created a River Management Fund and
mobilised Rs.66.8 crore over the last three years. Mr. Rajendran
admitted that the government had not been able to conduct sand
auditing as required every three years under existing laws on account
of paucity of staff and equipment.
The Hindu, July 11
River sand scheme to be extended
The State government proposes to extend the scheme for providing
river sand for construction purposes to the poor at fair price to more
places. At present, it is being done only at Kulathupuzha. River sand
is being supplied to the poor at a fair price through Kalavara, a
joint venture of the Forest Department and the State Nirmithi Kendra.
It is this example that is being replicated elsewhere. The Forest
Department has sought the cooperation of the district units of the
Nirmithi Kendra to supply river sand in the seven districts of
Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur
and Kozhikode. The Kalavara outlets of the Nirmithi Kendra are already
functioning in the districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam,
Kozhikode and Thrissur. They are now engaged in supplying construction
materials like cement and steel to the poor at reduced price. The
government proposes to put the arrangement in place by August 31.
river sand for construction purposes to the poor at fair price to more
places. At present, it is being done only at Kulathupuzha. River sand
is being supplied to the poor at a fair price through Kalavara, a
joint venture of the Forest Department and the State Nirmithi Kendra.
It is this example that is being replicated elsewhere. The Forest
Department has sought the cooperation of the district units of the
Nirmithi Kendra to supply river sand in the seven districts of
Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur
and Kozhikode. The Kalavara outlets of the Nirmithi Kendra are already
functioning in the districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam,
Kozhikode and Thrissur. They are now engaged in supplying construction
materials like cement and steel to the poor at reduced price. The
government proposes to put the arrangement in place by August 31.
The Hindu, July 11
“Modest fillip to climate change negotiations”
Briefing journalists after the Major Economies Forum meeting, Indian
special envoy on climate change Shyam Saran said the declaration would
provide a fillip to the negotiations at Copenhagen, "modest though it
will be."The negotiations on mitigation were the most difficult and
the developing countries could not get the industrial nations to
commit themselves to an intermediate goal of reducing their emissions
by 40 per cent by 2020. Still, the agreement to work towards limiting
the maximum rise in global average temperature to 2 degrees Celsius
over the pre-industrial period was a worthwhile target to aspire
for.From the Indian standpoint, the strong part of the declaration on
the global partnership to develop climate friendly technologies was
"one of the more forward looking parts" of the document. As for the
funding mechanism for the developing countries, the issue was not
addressed in any great detail but there was recognition that the
climate change negotiations would not be successful unless financial
resources were made available to the developing countries.The Green
Fund proposed by Mexico was a forward looking proposal that would be
based on assessed contributions from all countries and provide a
stable source. Still, the pattern and criteria for contributions was
not clear.As for the British proposal outlined by Prime Minister
Gordon Brown, its merit was the specific target of $100 billion set
for 2020 but it would draw financing from the markets and might not be
a stable source as the recent collapse of the carbon markets in Europe
had demonstrated.
special envoy on climate change Shyam Saran said the declaration would
provide a fillip to the negotiations at Copenhagen, "modest though it
will be."The negotiations on mitigation were the most difficult and
the developing countries could not get the industrial nations to
commit themselves to an intermediate goal of reducing their emissions
by 40 per cent by 2020. Still, the agreement to work towards limiting
the maximum rise in global average temperature to 2 degrees Celsius
over the pre-industrial period was a worthwhile target to aspire
for.From the Indian standpoint, the strong part of the declaration on
the global partnership to develop climate friendly technologies was
"one of the more forward looking parts" of the document. As for the
funding mechanism for the developing countries, the issue was not
addressed in any great detail but there was recognition that the
climate change negotiations would not be successful unless financial
resources were made available to the developing countries.The Green
Fund proposed by Mexico was a forward looking proposal that would be
based on assessed contributions from all countries and provide a
stable source. Still, the pattern and criteria for contributions was
not clear.As for the British proposal outlined by Prime Minister
Gordon Brown, its merit was the specific target of $100 billion set
for 2020 but it would draw financing from the markets and might not be
a stable source as the recent collapse of the carbon markets in Europe
had demonstrated.
The Hindu, July 11
G8 blocks ‘full’ nuclear trade with India
Less than a year after the Nuclear Suppliers Group waived its export
rules to allow the sale of nuclear equipment, fuel and technology to
India, the United States has persuaded the G8 to ban the transfer of
enrichment and reprocessing (ENR) items to countries which have not
signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, including India. The
move, which effectively negates the promise of "full" civil nuclear
cooperation lying at the heart of the 2005 India-U.S. nuclear
agreement, took the Indian establishment by surprise with officials
unaware that the G8 was even adopting such a measure at L'Aquila,
Italy. That this was done at a summit in which Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh was an invited guest is likely to add insult to injury when the
full implications of the latest decision fully sink in. The ban,
buried deep within a separate G8 statement on non-proliferation,
commits the eight countries to implement on a "national basis" the
"useful and constructive proposals" on ways of strengthening controls
on ENR items and technology "contained in the NSG's 'clean text'
developed at the 20 November 2008 Consultative Group meeting."
Minimum criteria
Though the "clean text" is not a public document, a senior diplomat
from a G8 country confirmed to The Hindu that the eight countries had
agreed to certain minimum criteria — including adherence to the main
instruments of nonproliferation — as a condition for the sale of
equipment and technology destined for safeguarded ENR activities in a
recipient country. In the run-up to the final NSG plenary on India
last September, Washington sought to get New Delhi to agree that the
nuclear cartel's rule waiver would not cover ENR transfers. But with
the Indian side sticking to its guns, the NSG finally agreed to a
clean exemption allowing nuclear exports of all kinds, including
sensitive fuel-cycle-related items and technologies, provided they
were under safeguards. Under pressure from the Bush administration,
the NSG subsequently debated new ENR rules last November but failed to
evolve a consensus because of opposition from countries like Brazil,
Canada and Spain to restrictions that would go beyond what the NPT
itself provided for. With consensus proving elusive during the recent
June meeting of the 45-nation club, the Obama administration decided
to decouple the question of ENR sales to India from the NSG process —
something the latest G8 agreement on interim implementation of a
national-level ban effectively does. India's ability to purchase
nuclear fuel and reactors from the G8 or NSG countries will be
unaffected by the latest ban. Unless, of course, the new decision
becomes the trigger for attempts to further dilute or qualify the core
bargain contained in the 'India exception' last year.
rules to allow the sale of nuclear equipment, fuel and technology to
India, the United States has persuaded the G8 to ban the transfer of
enrichment and reprocessing (ENR) items to countries which have not
signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, including India. The
move, which effectively negates the promise of "full" civil nuclear
cooperation lying at the heart of the 2005 India-U.S. nuclear
agreement, took the Indian establishment by surprise with officials
unaware that the G8 was even adopting such a measure at L'Aquila,
Italy. That this was done at a summit in which Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh was an invited guest is likely to add insult to injury when the
full implications of the latest decision fully sink in. The ban,
buried deep within a separate G8 statement on non-proliferation,
commits the eight countries to implement on a "national basis" the
"useful and constructive proposals" on ways of strengthening controls
on ENR items and technology "contained in the NSG's 'clean text'
developed at the 20 November 2008 Consultative Group meeting."
Minimum criteria
Though the "clean text" is not a public document, a senior diplomat
from a G8 country confirmed to The Hindu that the eight countries had
agreed to certain minimum criteria — including adherence to the main
instruments of nonproliferation — as a condition for the sale of
equipment and technology destined for safeguarded ENR activities in a
recipient country. In the run-up to the final NSG plenary on India
last September, Washington sought to get New Delhi to agree that the
nuclear cartel's rule waiver would not cover ENR transfers. But with
the Indian side sticking to its guns, the NSG finally agreed to a
clean exemption allowing nuclear exports of all kinds, including
sensitive fuel-cycle-related items and technologies, provided they
were under safeguards. Under pressure from the Bush administration,
the NSG subsequently debated new ENR rules last November but failed to
evolve a consensus because of opposition from countries like Brazil,
Canada and Spain to restrictions that would go beyond what the NPT
itself provided for. With consensus proving elusive during the recent
June meeting of the 45-nation club, the Obama administration decided
to decouple the question of ENR sales to India from the NSG process —
something the latest G8 agreement on interim implementation of a
national-level ban effectively does. India's ability to purchase
nuclear fuel and reactors from the G8 or NSG countries will be
unaffected by the latest ban. Unless, of course, the new decision
becomes the trigger for attempts to further dilute or qualify the core
bargain contained in the 'India exception' last year.
The Hindu, July 11
Vaccines safe: DMO
The District Medical Officer (DMO) has clarified that the vaccines to
be used for mass vaccination against Japanese encephalitis (JE) from
July 15 to August 5 are not date-expired, as was reported in a section
of the media. In a statement issued here on Thursday, the DMO said the
vaccine, SA 14.14.2, despatched by the Centre for the mass vaccination
programme had been imported from China and the expiry date was July
2010. The vaccines are being stored maintaining all cold chain
precautions in the district vaccine store and there is no reason to
doubt the quality or potency of vaccine, he added. A mass vaccination
against JE was carried out in Alappuzha last year and a batch of
leftover vaccines had been brought to the district for use here. The
public can be sure of it that the vaccines being used for the campaign
in the district are from a fresh lot, the statement said.
be used for mass vaccination against Japanese encephalitis (JE) from
July 15 to August 5 are not date-expired, as was reported in a section
of the media. In a statement issued here on Thursday, the DMO said the
vaccine, SA 14.14.2, despatched by the Centre for the mass vaccination
programme had been imported from China and the expiry date was July
2010. The vaccines are being stored maintaining all cold chain
precautions in the district vaccine store and there is no reason to
doubt the quality or potency of vaccine, he added. A mass vaccination
against JE was carried out in Alappuzha last year and a batch of
leftover vaccines had been brought to the district for use here. The
public can be sure of it that the vaccines being used for the campaign
in the district are from a fresh lot, the statement said.
The Hindu, July 10
Monsoon deficit comes down to 17%
A week of vigorous rainfall has helped bring down the monsoon deficit
to 17 per cent in Kerala as on July 8, according to hydrology data
released by India Meteorology Department (IMD) on Thursday. The week
ending July 8 witnessed 24 per cent excess rainfall. Against a normal
of 203.5 mm, the State received an area weighted rainfall of 253.4 mm
during the week. At the district level, rainfall is excess by eight
per cent in Kozhikode. It is close to normal in Alappuzha (minus four
per cent), Kannur (minus one per cent), Ernakulam (minus three per
cent) and Thrissur (minus three per cent). Deficiency is 23 per cent
in Idukki, 17 per cent in Kasaragod, 39 per cent in Kollam, 17 per
cent in Kottayam, 28 per cent in Malappuram, 21 per cent in Palakkad,
18 per cent in Pathanamthitta, 44 per cent in Thiruvananthapuram and
42 per cent in Wayanad. The IMD forecast on Thursday said that the
active spell along the west coast would continue for three or four
days. Numerical weather prediction models also suggested a low
pressure system over the Bay of Bengal by July 12 to prolong the
spell.
to 17 per cent in Kerala as on July 8, according to hydrology data
released by India Meteorology Department (IMD) on Thursday. The week
ending July 8 witnessed 24 per cent excess rainfall. Against a normal
of 203.5 mm, the State received an area weighted rainfall of 253.4 mm
during the week. At the district level, rainfall is excess by eight
per cent in Kozhikode. It is close to normal in Alappuzha (minus four
per cent), Kannur (minus one per cent), Ernakulam (minus three per
cent) and Thrissur (minus three per cent). Deficiency is 23 per cent
in Idukki, 17 per cent in Kasaragod, 39 per cent in Kollam, 17 per
cent in Kottayam, 28 per cent in Malappuram, 21 per cent in Palakkad,
18 per cent in Pathanamthitta, 44 per cent in Thiruvananthapuram and
42 per cent in Wayanad. The IMD forecast on Thursday said that the
active spell along the west coast would continue for three or four
days. Numerical weather prediction models also suggested a low
pressure system over the Bay of Bengal by July 12 to prolong the
spell.
The Hindu, July 10
Vallarpadom terminal by November
The Vallarpadom container transhipment terminal is expected to be
commissioned by November this year, Industries Minister Elamaram Karim
has said. Replying to questions in the Assembly on Thursday, Mr. Karim
said after the commissioning of the terminal, it would help
industrialists in the country to earn annual profit of Rs.600 crore in
terms of exports and imports.
commissioned by November this year, Industries Minister Elamaram Karim
has said. Replying to questions in the Assembly on Thursday, Mr. Karim
said after the commissioning of the terminal, it would help
industrialists in the country to earn annual profit of Rs.600 crore in
terms of exports and imports.
The Hindu, July 10
Sea erosion: call for a lasting solution
As tidal waves continue to wreak havoc in the coastal panchayats of
Chavakkad, residents have demanded a lasting solution for the problem.
Existing sea walls were proving inadequate to protect the shore, said
Ummer Kunji, president of the Kadappuram panchayat, one of the
worst-affected panchyats in the district. "Even after three decades of
effort to protect the shore with sea walls, the 1 km-long shore of the
panchayat had been reduced to just 50 meters," he said. Attempts to
form a green wall with casuarinas are not yielding results as the
lashing tidal waves are uprooting most of them. "A groyne (pulimuttu)
is the permanent solution for sea erosion. Though Kadappuram panchayat
has been progressing in many sectors, sea erosion and related issues
are adversely affecting the panchayats socio-economic development,"
Mr. Kunji pointed out. A groyne is a rigid structure built from the
sea shore that interrupts the water flow and checks sea erosion.
Though a project has been ready to rehabilitate flood victims under
tsunami rehabilitation project, the families are not ready to move
away from their houses along the beach. In Kadappuram panchayat
alone, 100-odd houses are flooded and damaged in this season's rain.
More than 300 coconut trees have been uprooted. On Wednesday, three
houses were damaged in Vadanappilly panchayat. Property worth Rs.43.5
lakh was destroyed in monsoon rain in the district. In all, 243 houses
were partially damaged and 10 totally damaged. Seven persons died and
crops worth Rs.26 lakh were destroyed.
Chavakkad, residents have demanded a lasting solution for the problem.
Existing sea walls were proving inadequate to protect the shore, said
Ummer Kunji, president of the Kadappuram panchayat, one of the
worst-affected panchyats in the district. "Even after three decades of
effort to protect the shore with sea walls, the 1 km-long shore of the
panchayat had been reduced to just 50 meters," he said. Attempts to
form a green wall with casuarinas are not yielding results as the
lashing tidal waves are uprooting most of them. "A groyne (pulimuttu)
is the permanent solution for sea erosion. Though Kadappuram panchayat
has been progressing in many sectors, sea erosion and related issues
are adversely affecting the panchayats socio-economic development,"
Mr. Kunji pointed out. A groyne is a rigid structure built from the
sea shore that interrupts the water flow and checks sea erosion.
Though a project has been ready to rehabilitate flood victims under
tsunami rehabilitation project, the families are not ready to move
away from their houses along the beach. In Kadappuram panchayat
alone, 100-odd houses are flooded and damaged in this season's rain.
More than 300 coconut trees have been uprooted. On Wednesday, three
houses were damaged in Vadanappilly panchayat. Property worth Rs.43.5
lakh was destroyed in monsoon rain in the district. In all, 243 houses
were partially damaged and 10 totally damaged. Seven persons died and
crops worth Rs.26 lakh were destroyed.
The Hindu, July 9
Tribes welcome fishing rights inside reservoir
The adivasis of Kannampady, Memarikudy, Pampadykuzhy and Kozhimala,
the hamlets near the Idukki reservoir, are a happy lot. The
restoration of the fishing right in the reservoir exclusively to the
tribes will help in eliminating poverty, provide them a regular income
and saving the lake from excess exploitation of fish wealth. The
project conceived by the Kerala Adivasi Development Society (KADS) is
still at an early stage of implementation. Raman Thevan, an adivasi
mooppan of Kozhimala, said that the monsoon season is the worst period
with diseases and poverty affecting the tribal people. The main
engagement of the tribes during the season is fishing in the reservoir
as there is depletion in the forest wealth and no other sources of
income. "We have been fishing in the reservoir since the dam was
constructed but unable to compete with non-tribes, many of us
abandoned it," Mr. Thevan said and added that the tribes catch fish by
angling and using small nets. While adivasis continue with their
primitive ways, use of illegal 'thotta' and nets by outsiders goes
unchecked, he said. V.R. Sasi, Kachiyar grama panchayat president,
said that the scheme is a major initiative aimed at uplifting the
tribes which contribute a large section in the panchayat. By
entrusting them with fishing right, illegal entry of outsiders can be
effectively checked, he said. Now the reservoir has a better fish
wealth thanks to the initiatives of non-governmental agencies and the
Fisheries Department in launching various fish varieties in the lake
last year. By entrusting the adivasis with the fishing right, it is
expected that the use of 'thotta' illegally by outsiders will be
checked. In Mullaperiyar lake in Kumily, the fishing right is
exclusively given to the tribal community. "It has been a success
providing additional income to the tribes, said an official at the
PTR.
the hamlets near the Idukki reservoir, are a happy lot. The
restoration of the fishing right in the reservoir exclusively to the
tribes will help in eliminating poverty, provide them a regular income
and saving the lake from excess exploitation of fish wealth. The
project conceived by the Kerala Adivasi Development Society (KADS) is
still at an early stage of implementation. Raman Thevan, an adivasi
mooppan of Kozhimala, said that the monsoon season is the worst period
with diseases and poverty affecting the tribal people. The main
engagement of the tribes during the season is fishing in the reservoir
as there is depletion in the forest wealth and no other sources of
income. "We have been fishing in the reservoir since the dam was
constructed but unable to compete with non-tribes, many of us
abandoned it," Mr. Thevan said and added that the tribes catch fish by
angling and using small nets. While adivasis continue with their
primitive ways, use of illegal 'thotta' and nets by outsiders goes
unchecked, he said. V.R. Sasi, Kachiyar grama panchayat president,
said that the scheme is a major initiative aimed at uplifting the
tribes which contribute a large section in the panchayat. By
entrusting them with fishing right, illegal entry of outsiders can be
effectively checked, he said. Now the reservoir has a better fish
wealth thanks to the initiatives of non-governmental agencies and the
Fisheries Department in launching various fish varieties in the lake
last year. By entrusting the adivasis with the fishing right, it is
expected that the use of 'thotta' illegally by outsiders will be
checked. In Mullaperiyar lake in Kumily, the fishing right is
exclusively given to the tribal community. "It has been a success
providing additional income to the tribes, said an official at the
PTR.
The Hindu, July 9
Project to promote pokkali farming
Kochi: Rs. 2-crore project submitted for the development of pokkali
farming in the district under the food security scheme is under the
consideration of the government. Principal Agriculture Officer S.C.
Philip said this at a meeting of panchayat presidents and
representatives of local padashekhara samithis and agriculture
workers' unions held at the collectorate to discuss ways to develop
pokkali farming in the district.The project envisaged financial
assistance of Rs. 10,000 a hectare to those venturing into pokkali
farming after readying fallow land and Rs. 3,500 a hectare in a season
for those who were already into pokkali farming. Philip said the
target was to bring at least 100 hectares of fallow land under pokkali
farming.
farming in the district under the food security scheme is under the
consideration of the government. Principal Agriculture Officer S.C.
Philip said this at a meeting of panchayat presidents and
representatives of local padashekhara samithis and agriculture
workers' unions held at the collectorate to discuss ways to develop
pokkali farming in the district.The project envisaged financial
assistance of Rs. 10,000 a hectare to those venturing into pokkali
farming after readying fallow land and Rs. 3,500 a hectare in a season
for those who were already into pokkali farming. Philip said the
target was to bring at least 100 hectares of fallow land under pokkali
farming.
The Hindu, July 9
IT Kerala launches Go Green Initiative
Forest Minister Benoy Viswom has stressed the need to plant more trees
as a strategy to offset the impact of global warming. He was
inaugurating a tree-planting campaign as part IT Kerala's Go Green
Initiative on the Technopark campus here. The Minister said that while
global warming during the previous 100 years was only 0.6 degree, it
was estimated to be in the range of 6.6 degrees over the next 100
years. He lauded Technopark for maintaining the premises as one of the
greenest IT parks in the world. The green environment, he said, would
provide relaxing ambience for it professionals on the campus.
as a strategy to offset the impact of global warming. He was
inaugurating a tree-planting campaign as part IT Kerala's Go Green
Initiative on the Technopark campus here. The Minister said that while
global warming during the previous 100 years was only 0.6 degree, it
was estimated to be in the range of 6.6 degrees over the next 100
years. He lauded Technopark for maintaining the premises as one of the
greenest IT parks in the world. The green environment, he said, would
provide relaxing ambience for it professionals on the campus.
The Hindu, July 9
Killer fish on the prowl
The increasing number of African Catfish (Clarias Garipineus), locally
called "African Mushi," appears to be a menace to the indigenous
inland water fauna in Wayanad district, a vital part of Nilgiri
Biosphere Reserve. This fish species is common in all the rivers and
brooks in the district, says Babu Mylambadi, secretary, Wayanad Nature
Protection group. The tribal people at Muthanga who go out for fishing
in Noolpuzha river these days get only this fish species instead of
the native fish varieties, he said. The experience of the tribal
fishermen at Muthanga is not an exceptional case. The main rivers in
the district such as Karapuzha, Narasipuzha, Talipuzha,
Mananthavadipuzha, Panamarampuzha and all other tributaries of Kabani
river have also been facing the same threat. As a result of the
uncontrolled growth of this species, availability of the native fish
varieties has declined, the tribal fishermen says. Fishing provides a
supplement income to the tribal people during the monsoon season when
jobs dry up. There are 53 indigenous species of endemic inland water
fish species identified in the Kabani river in a survey conducted from
2000 to 2005. The unique inland water fish species identified in the
survey include the Giant Mahseer (Torputitora) which are seen only in
Himalayan water bodies, ThonniVala (Silerrus Wayanadencis), Kallemutty
(Kantaka Vidorsalis ), Poovan (Schistura Striatus), Poocha Matsyam
(Glyptothorax Anamalaylensis). Experts say these species are unique in
the Kabani and cannot be seen elsewhere in the world. The increasing
population of the catfish may wipe out the indigenous fish varieties.
Due to the highly destructive nature of this fish, the Central and
State governments had issued orders to annihilate this killer fish in
2000. The rapid spread of the killer fish may adversely affect the
'Matsya Keralam' project in the district, Mr. Babu says.
called "African Mushi," appears to be a menace to the indigenous
inland water fauna in Wayanad district, a vital part of Nilgiri
Biosphere Reserve. This fish species is common in all the rivers and
brooks in the district, says Babu Mylambadi, secretary, Wayanad Nature
Protection group. The tribal people at Muthanga who go out for fishing
in Noolpuzha river these days get only this fish species instead of
the native fish varieties, he said. The experience of the tribal
fishermen at Muthanga is not an exceptional case. The main rivers in
the district such as Karapuzha, Narasipuzha, Talipuzha,
Mananthavadipuzha, Panamarampuzha and all other tributaries of Kabani
river have also been facing the same threat. As a result of the
uncontrolled growth of this species, availability of the native fish
varieties has declined, the tribal fishermen says. Fishing provides a
supplement income to the tribal people during the monsoon season when
jobs dry up. There are 53 indigenous species of endemic inland water
fish species identified in the Kabani river in a survey conducted from
2000 to 2005. The unique inland water fish species identified in the
survey include the Giant Mahseer (Torputitora) which are seen only in
Himalayan water bodies, ThonniVala (Silerrus Wayanadencis), Kallemutty
(Kantaka Vidorsalis ), Poovan (Schistura Striatus), Poocha Matsyam
(Glyptothorax Anamalaylensis). Experts say these species are unique in
the Kabani and cannot be seen elsewhere in the world. The increasing
population of the catfish may wipe out the indigenous fish varieties.
Due to the highly destructive nature of this fish, the Central and
State governments had issued orders to annihilate this killer fish in
2000. The rapid spread of the killer fish may adversely affect the
'Matsya Keralam' project in the district, Mr. Babu says.
The Hindu, July 9
Human sperm created, claim scientists
Scientists have claimed to have created human sperm, which they say
could lead to new treatment for male infertility. The sperm was grown
in a laboratory in Newcastle, England, from embryonic stem cells. Led
by Professor Karim Nayernia, the researchers developed a method of
growing early-stage sperm from human embryonic stem cells by using
retinoic acid, a vitamin A derivative. They found that about 20 per
cent of the cells produced early-stage sperm cells or spermatagonia
and, after further culture, they could see a number of cells continue
to split and divide. The breakthrough, they said, came when some cells
continued to grow, elongating and growing a tail that caused them to
move, and forming recognisable sperm cells. Professor Nayernia of
Newcastle University and the North East England Stem Cell Institute
(Nesci) described the cells as "fully mature, functional" sperm, which
he called In Vitro Derived (IVD) sperm.
'Need better evidence'
Professor Robin Lovell Badge from the U.K.'s Medical Research Council
Institute of Medical Research said, "The findings need much better
evidence that such in-vitro derived sperm are normal." But he added
that any progress by the team "will be very important for research"
and "ultimately, although definitely not yet, fertility treatments."
Professor Nayernia responded by saying that his research paper was
clearly labelled a "proof of principle," which concluded that it was
in its early stages and further research was needed. He said: "We are
not claiming this research is complete but we are saying that we have
found human sperm." He added that his findings would not lead to human
beings being produced "in a dish," but were rather "a way of
investigating why some people are infertile and the reasons behind
it." — © Guardian Newspapers Limited, 2009
could lead to new treatment for male infertility. The sperm was grown
in a laboratory in Newcastle, England, from embryonic stem cells. Led
by Professor Karim Nayernia, the researchers developed a method of
growing early-stage sperm from human embryonic stem cells by using
retinoic acid, a vitamin A derivative. They found that about 20 per
cent of the cells produced early-stage sperm cells or spermatagonia
and, after further culture, they could see a number of cells continue
to split and divide. The breakthrough, they said, came when some cells
continued to grow, elongating and growing a tail that caused them to
move, and forming recognisable sperm cells. Professor Nayernia of
Newcastle University and the North East England Stem Cell Institute
(Nesci) described the cells as "fully mature, functional" sperm, which
he called In Vitro Derived (IVD) sperm.
'Need better evidence'
Professor Robin Lovell Badge from the U.K.'s Medical Research Council
Institute of Medical Research said, "The findings need much better
evidence that such in-vitro derived sperm are normal." But he added
that any progress by the team "will be very important for research"
and "ultimately, although definitely not yet, fertility treatments."
Professor Nayernia responded by saying that his research paper was
clearly labelled a "proof of principle," which concluded that it was
in its early stages and further research was needed. He said: "We are
not claiming this research is complete but we are saying that we have
found human sperm." He added that his findings would not lead to human
beings being produced "in a dish," but were rather "a way of
investigating why some people are infertile and the reasons behind
it." — © Guardian Newspapers Limited, 2009
The Hindu, July 9
Manmohan Singh seeks green technology transfer commitment
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown
on Wednesday discussed ways to push the climate change talks and
strengthen what looks like a weak declaration that may emerge from the
meeting of the Major Economies Forum on Thursday. Much of the
bilateral meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the G8
and G5 summits that lasted 45 minutes was devoted to climate change,
which is perhaps the most critical and divisive issue at the
conference. The Major Economies Forum is planning to give a major
political thrust to the talks, which will conclude at the end of the
year with the Copenhagen summit. Dr. Singh explained to Mr. Brown the
Indian perspective on climate change and also handed him a note
prepared in a question-and-answer form setting out the Indian
position. India expects the industrial nations to come out with a
stronger and specific commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions
as well as the mechanisms to fund the adoption of green technologies
by the developing countries. In addition, it has sought the loosening
of the intellectual property regime to enable developing countries to
obtain green technology without paying high licensing fees. The Prime
Minister also suggested that India and the United Kingdom could
jointly take a leadership role in the development of green technology
projects. He invited the U.K. to participate actively in the New Delhi
conference organised by the United Nations that aims at the creation
of a global platform for climate-friendly technologies. After a brief
one-on-one conversation, the two leaders were joined by National
Security Adviser M. K. Narayanan, special envoy on climate change
Shyam Saran and Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon. This was their
second meeting this year – they met on April 1 on the sidelines of the
G20 summit in London.
on Wednesday discussed ways to push the climate change talks and
strengthen what looks like a weak declaration that may emerge from the
meeting of the Major Economies Forum on Thursday. Much of the
bilateral meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the G8
and G5 summits that lasted 45 minutes was devoted to climate change,
which is perhaps the most critical and divisive issue at the
conference. The Major Economies Forum is planning to give a major
political thrust to the talks, which will conclude at the end of the
year with the Copenhagen summit. Dr. Singh explained to Mr. Brown the
Indian perspective on climate change and also handed him a note
prepared in a question-and-answer form setting out the Indian
position. India expects the industrial nations to come out with a
stronger and specific commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions
as well as the mechanisms to fund the adoption of green technologies
by the developing countries. In addition, it has sought the loosening
of the intellectual property regime to enable developing countries to
obtain green technology without paying high licensing fees. The Prime
Minister also suggested that India and the United Kingdom could
jointly take a leadership role in the development of green technology
projects. He invited the U.K. to participate actively in the New Delhi
conference organised by the United Nations that aims at the creation
of a global platform for climate-friendly technologies. After a brief
one-on-one conversation, the two leaders were joined by National
Security Adviser M. K. Narayanan, special envoy on climate change
Shyam Saran and Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon. This was their
second meeting this year – they met on April 1 on the sidelines of the
G20 summit in London.
The Hindu, July 9
Climate change talks at a critical stage
Preparatory talks at the Major Economies Forum representing the G8
countries and the emerging economies seem to have made only partial
progress, with substantial differences remaining between the G8 and
the developing countries, particularly India and China. These
differences relate to the funding and transfer of technology to reduce
carbon emissions as well as the targets to be set for overall
reduction in emissions.The Major Economies Forum meeting on Thursday
is not a negotiating forum but it is expected to send a strong
political message committing the industrial as well as the developing
nations to reaching a strong and workable agreement on climate change
in Copenhagen in December.
Dispute over base year
The G8 draft declaration, for which the agreement of the emerging
economies was sought at the MEF summit, commits the participants to
reducing greenhouse gases by 50 per cent by 2050, which is the same
target that was agreed upon at the G8 summit in Japan last year. To
achieve that goal, the industrial nations would have to reduce their
emissions by 80 per cent.What the declaration does not commit itself
to is the base year from which the reductions are to be reckoned. The
developing countries, including India and China, as well as the
European nations want to set 1990 as the base year while the United
States, Australia and Japan would push it to 2005.More important for
the developing countries is the mechanism for funding the investment
needed to move to greener production systems and for adaptation.An
estimated $100 billion would be needed to move the developing
countries to a green development mode, and that would include the
expenditure on adaptation to climate change, forestry and changes in
production technologies. The approach of the industrial countries is
that this also represents a business opportunity and the funds could
come through investment from the markets, provided investor-friendly
policies are adopted. For the really needy countries, official
development assistance could provide the funding.The other disputed
area relates to transfer of technology. Much of the current technology
is protected by intellectual property rights and the Indian stand is
that for green technology transfer, a way must be found for the
developing countries to obtain them without payment of high licensing
fees. In the absence of an agreement on how to move towards the goal
of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the final declaration that has
been worked out by the sherpas in the preparatory meetings only
commits the Major Economies Forum countries to limiting the rise in
the average world temperature to 2 degrees over the pre-industrial
times. Whether the leaders meeting at the summit will be able to
improve upon this commitment that is based on the report of the United
Nations Inter-governmental Committee on Climate Change remains to be
seen.
countries and the emerging economies seem to have made only partial
progress, with substantial differences remaining between the G8 and
the developing countries, particularly India and China. These
differences relate to the funding and transfer of technology to reduce
carbon emissions as well as the targets to be set for overall
reduction in emissions.The Major Economies Forum meeting on Thursday
is not a negotiating forum but it is expected to send a strong
political message committing the industrial as well as the developing
nations to reaching a strong and workable agreement on climate change
in Copenhagen in December.
Dispute over base year
The G8 draft declaration, for which the agreement of the emerging
economies was sought at the MEF summit, commits the participants to
reducing greenhouse gases by 50 per cent by 2050, which is the same
target that was agreed upon at the G8 summit in Japan last year. To
achieve that goal, the industrial nations would have to reduce their
emissions by 80 per cent.What the declaration does not commit itself
to is the base year from which the reductions are to be reckoned. The
developing countries, including India and China, as well as the
European nations want to set 1990 as the base year while the United
States, Australia and Japan would push it to 2005.More important for
the developing countries is the mechanism for funding the investment
needed to move to greener production systems and for adaptation.An
estimated $100 billion would be needed to move the developing
countries to a green development mode, and that would include the
expenditure on adaptation to climate change, forestry and changes in
production technologies. The approach of the industrial countries is
that this also represents a business opportunity and the funds could
come through investment from the markets, provided investor-friendly
policies are adopted. For the really needy countries, official
development assistance could provide the funding.The other disputed
area relates to transfer of technology. Much of the current technology
is protected by intellectual property rights and the Indian stand is
that for green technology transfer, a way must be found for the
developing countries to obtain them without payment of high licensing
fees. In the absence of an agreement on how to move towards the goal
of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the final declaration that has
been worked out by the sherpas in the preparatory meetings only
commits the Major Economies Forum countries to limiting the rise in
the average world temperature to 2 degrees over the pre-industrial
times. Whether the leaders meeting at the summit will be able to
improve upon this commitment that is based on the report of the United
Nations Inter-governmental Committee on Climate Change remains to be
seen.
The Hindu, July 9
Coastal villages to be declared as “no plastic zone’
Action will be taken soon to declare coastal villages along Gulf of
Mannar, Rameswaram Island and 21 nearby islands as "no plastic zone,"
said Aruna Basu Sarcar, Chief Conservator of Forests and Director,
Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust (GOMBRT). Speaking to this
newspaper after assuming office as new Director of GOMBRT, she said
that the initiative was important for protecting the environment and
ecology of Gulf of Mannar. As a first step, all coastal villages of
Ramanathapuram and Tuticorin districts, where Eco Development
Committees (EDC) were formed, had been asked to shun plastic bags and
other related products. The EDC members had been asked not to
encourage entry of plastic bags in their villages. All the departments
would be sensitised on the need to do away with plastic.Ms. Sarcar,
who is the first Indian Forest Service officer in Tamil Nadu, said
that 1,000 dust bins would be placed in different parts of Rameswaram
and coastal villages on behalf of GOMBRT. Since a huge sum had been
spent for creating awareness of preserving the ecology of Gulf of
Mannar through street plays and other art forms in the last few years,
from now importance would be given for implementing livelihood
initiatives, health and welfare programmes. A tele tower would be
erected in one of the strategic islands to enhance vigil.
Mannar, Rameswaram Island and 21 nearby islands as "no plastic zone,"
said Aruna Basu Sarcar, Chief Conservator of Forests and Director,
Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust (GOMBRT). Speaking to this
newspaper after assuming office as new Director of GOMBRT, she said
that the initiative was important for protecting the environment and
ecology of Gulf of Mannar. As a first step, all coastal villages of
Ramanathapuram and Tuticorin districts, where Eco Development
Committees (EDC) were formed, had been asked to shun plastic bags and
other related products. The EDC members had been asked not to
encourage entry of plastic bags in their villages. All the departments
would be sensitised on the need to do away with plastic.Ms. Sarcar,
who is the first Indian Forest Service officer in Tamil Nadu, said
that 1,000 dust bins would be placed in different parts of Rameswaram
and coastal villages on behalf of GOMBRT. Since a huge sum had been
spent for creating awareness of preserving the ecology of Gulf of
Mannar through street plays and other art forms in the last few years,
from now importance would be given for implementing livelihood
initiatives, health and welfare programmes. A tele tower would be
erected in one of the strategic islands to enhance vigil.
The Hindu, July 8
G8 meetings to focus on economic crisis and climate change
The G8 meetings provide an opportunity to discuss global issues in an
informal setting and they are not a negotiating forum. Originally
scheduled to be held in La Maddalena in the island of Sardinia, the
venue was shifted to the austere setting of a military training school
in L'Aquila in the middle of the Abruzzo region in central Italy that
was hit by an earthquake on April 6. This move was Italian Prime
Minister Berlusconi's way of showing empathy and bringing the leaders
closer to the people and their concerns. The G8 that started out as an
exclusive club of the industrial nations has over the years expanded
its reach to bring in other countries into the dialogue process. The
major dialogue partners are the G5 countries – Brazil, China, India,
Mexico and South Africa. In addition, Egypt has been invited to this
year's meetings. Australia, Indonesia and South Korea are being
brought into the meetings to constitute the major economies forum
along with the European Commission and the major multilateral
organisations. In all, the leaders meeting in Italy represent 90 per
cent of the world's economy.India sees the G8 as a useful and
effective forum for discussing issues of the global economy and moving
things forward in international institutions. The format of the
meetings is a compromise between the original exclusivity and the
broader expansion of the dialogue.
The Heiligendamm dialogue process between the G8 and the G5 was
started at the summit in Germany in 2007 and focuses on innovation,
including intellectual property rights, investments including ethical
business conduct, energy and economic development. Four working groups
have been appointed to study the issues and they will be submitting
their reports at this summit.
The two major issues to be addressed at this summit will be economic
recovery and climate change. The process of bringing about a greater
coordination of policies to reverse the current downturn and making
regulation more effective that was started at the G20 London summit in
April will be taken forward now even as the G20 Pittsburg summit
approaches later this year.The discussions on climate change at the
meeting of major economies forum — accounting for 80 per cent of the
global carbon emissions — are considered critical in the run-up to the
Copenhagen summit on climate change to be held in December.Several
unresolved issues remain in this area, with the industrial countries
pushing China and India to move to a less polluting path to
development while the developing countries, particularly India, want
the developed world to cut back its emissions sharply — by 40 per cent
below 1990 levels by 2020. While the meetings in Italy are not
expected to resolve all the issues, a strong declaration of political
commitment to move towards an agreement in Copenhagen is expected.In
addition to the summit meetings, Dr. Singh will be holding a series of
bilateral meetings with the leaders who have assembled here.
informal setting and they are not a negotiating forum. Originally
scheduled to be held in La Maddalena in the island of Sardinia, the
venue was shifted to the austere setting of a military training school
in L'Aquila in the middle of the Abruzzo region in central Italy that
was hit by an earthquake on April 6. This move was Italian Prime
Minister Berlusconi's way of showing empathy and bringing the leaders
closer to the people and their concerns. The G8 that started out as an
exclusive club of the industrial nations has over the years expanded
its reach to bring in other countries into the dialogue process. The
major dialogue partners are the G5 countries – Brazil, China, India,
Mexico and South Africa. In addition, Egypt has been invited to this
year's meetings. Australia, Indonesia and South Korea are being
brought into the meetings to constitute the major economies forum
along with the European Commission and the major multilateral
organisations. In all, the leaders meeting in Italy represent 90 per
cent of the world's economy.India sees the G8 as a useful and
effective forum for discussing issues of the global economy and moving
things forward in international institutions. The format of the
meetings is a compromise between the original exclusivity and the
broader expansion of the dialogue.
The Heiligendamm dialogue process between the G8 and the G5 was
started at the summit in Germany in 2007 and focuses on innovation,
including intellectual property rights, investments including ethical
business conduct, energy and economic development. Four working groups
have been appointed to study the issues and they will be submitting
their reports at this summit.
The two major issues to be addressed at this summit will be economic
recovery and climate change. The process of bringing about a greater
coordination of policies to reverse the current downturn and making
regulation more effective that was started at the G20 London summit in
April will be taken forward now even as the G20 Pittsburg summit
approaches later this year.The discussions on climate change at the
meeting of major economies forum — accounting for 80 per cent of the
global carbon emissions — are considered critical in the run-up to the
Copenhagen summit on climate change to be held in December.Several
unresolved issues remain in this area, with the industrial countries
pushing China and India to move to a less polluting path to
development while the developing countries, particularly India, want
the developed world to cut back its emissions sharply — by 40 per cent
below 1990 levels by 2020. While the meetings in Italy are not
expected to resolve all the issues, a strong declaration of political
commitment to move towards an agreement in Copenhagen is expected.In
addition to the summit meetings, Dr. Singh will be holding a series of
bilateral meetings with the leaders who have assembled here.
The Hindu, July 8
Action plan for Japanese encephalitis vaccination
The district health administration officials and the City Corporation
authorities are in the process of drawing up an action plan to carry
out mass vaccination of children against Japanese encephalitis from
July 15 to August 5 in the Corporation areas. The campaign is a
Centrally sponsored programme, being carried out in the districts in
the State in phases, to protect children aged one to 15 from Japanese
encephalitis, a mosquito-borne disease with high fatality. This is a
one-time vaccination intended to give life-long immunity to children.
The vaccine is not included in the routine immunisation schedule and
is not available in the open market. The campaign is targeting 68,000
children in the Corporation area. Corporation Health Officer D.
Srikumar said that 269 vaccination teams would function under 54
supervisors and doctors. The teams would be trained before July 10.
Meetings have been planned with residents' associations, school
parent-teacher associations, anganwadi projects and ward-level health
and sanitation committees to generate public awareness of the
importance of the vaccination.
authorities are in the process of drawing up an action plan to carry
out mass vaccination of children against Japanese encephalitis from
July 15 to August 5 in the Corporation areas. The campaign is a
Centrally sponsored programme, being carried out in the districts in
the State in phases, to protect children aged one to 15 from Japanese
encephalitis, a mosquito-borne disease with high fatality. This is a
one-time vaccination intended to give life-long immunity to children.
The vaccine is not included in the routine immunisation schedule and
is not available in the open market. The campaign is targeting 68,000
children in the Corporation area. Corporation Health Officer D.
Srikumar said that 269 vaccination teams would function under 54
supervisors and doctors. The teams would be trained before July 10.
Meetings have been planned with residents' associations, school
parent-teacher associations, anganwadi projects and ward-level health
and sanitation committees to generate public awareness of the
importance of the vaccination.
The Hindu, July 7
Solar eclipse to be partially visible
The total solar eclipse on July 22 will be partially visible from
here in the morning hours of the day, says a press release from the
Regional Science Centre (RSC) Kozhicode. The eclipse could be seen for
50 minutes and 20.6 seconds starting from 7.15 a.m.According to Mr.
Ramachandran, project coordinator of the RSC and Planetarium, this
would be the longest solar eclipse of the 21st Century and the next
total solar eclipse observable in India would be on March 20,
2034.Last year, the RSC had arranged huge telescopes on the beach here
for the public to view a similar heavenly spectacle."Since the eclipse
begins with the sunrise and also owing to the grim chances of a clear
sky on the day, we haven't made any arrangements this time for the
public to view the celestial event," said an RSC staff member.However,
the RSC authorities have cautioned the public against gazing the sun
with naked eyes during the eclipse. Mr. Ramachandran said proper
filters such as a dark X-ray film should be used for viewing the
phenomenon.
here in the morning hours of the day, says a press release from the
Regional Science Centre (RSC) Kozhicode. The eclipse could be seen for
50 minutes and 20.6 seconds starting from 7.15 a.m.According to Mr.
Ramachandran, project coordinator of the RSC and Planetarium, this
would be the longest solar eclipse of the 21st Century and the next
total solar eclipse observable in India would be on March 20,
2034.Last year, the RSC had arranged huge telescopes on the beach here
for the public to view a similar heavenly spectacle."Since the eclipse
begins with the sunrise and also owing to the grim chances of a clear
sky on the day, we haven't made any arrangements this time for the
public to view the celestial event," said an RSC staff member.However,
the RSC authorities have cautioned the public against gazing the sun
with naked eyes during the eclipse. Mr. Ramachandran said proper
filters such as a dark X-ray film should be used for viewing the
phenomenon.
The Hindu, July 6
Need to save wetlands stressed
Interests of communities dependent on wetlands should be protected
while implementing wetland-conservation programmes, S. Kaul, Director,
Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, said here on Saturday. He
was inaugurating a seminar on 'Wetlands — a threatened landscape'
organised by the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management
(CWRDM) at Kunnamangalam on Saturday. Dr. Kaul said that measures to
protect interests of communities were essential for the success of
wetland conservation programmes. He underlined the need for
capacity-building measures for stakeholders under wetland programmes
as these were necessary to sensitise the people to the values and
functions of wetlands and involve policymakers and planners in the
decision-making process. The Ministry had been doing this by
organising seminars and workshops across the country. He said wetlands
were being threatened by reclamation, drainage, landfills and
overexploitation of nature. Dr. Kaul was critical of research on
wetland conservation that would not supplement action plans and were
repetitive in nature.K.V. Jayakumar, Executive Director, CWRDM, and
other speakers at the seminar spoke of the many activities under way
in the State for conservation and management of wetlands. Such
programmes were being implemented by the CWRDM at Sasthamcotta and
Ashtamudi with the support of the Ministry, the departments of
agriculture, forests, irrigation and soil conservation and the Kerala
Water Authority. A State Wetland Cell headed by the Chief Secretary
had been formed.
The Hindu, July 5
while implementing wetland-conservation programmes, S. Kaul, Director,
Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, said here on Saturday. He
was inaugurating a seminar on 'Wetlands — a threatened landscape'
organised by the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management
(CWRDM) at Kunnamangalam on Saturday. Dr. Kaul said that measures to
protect interests of communities were essential for the success of
wetland conservation programmes. He underlined the need for
capacity-building measures for stakeholders under wetland programmes
as these were necessary to sensitise the people to the values and
functions of wetlands and involve policymakers and planners in the
decision-making process. The Ministry had been doing this by
organising seminars and workshops across the country. He said wetlands
were being threatened by reclamation, drainage, landfills and
overexploitation of nature. Dr. Kaul was critical of research on
wetland conservation that would not supplement action plans and were
repetitive in nature.K.V. Jayakumar, Executive Director, CWRDM, and
other speakers at the seminar spoke of the many activities under way
in the State for conservation and management of wetlands. Such
programmes were being implemented by the CWRDM at Sasthamcotta and
Ashtamudi with the support of the Ministry, the departments of
agriculture, forests, irrigation and soil conservation and the Kerala
Water Authority. A State Wetland Cell headed by the Chief Secretary
had been formed.
The Hindu, July 5
Worms found in baby food
The City Corporation has decided to carry out random inspection of
baby food stocks in retail outlets following reports of a child
falling ill after being fed a popular brand of baby food purchased
from a shop at Pappanamcode. Officials from the Health section of the
Corporation have been directed to collect samples of the content of
the packet and submit it for laboratory analysis. Chairman of the
Health standing committee G.R. Anil said the parents of the child, who
was hospitalised, had later found the baby food infested with mites
and worms. "The sealed packet had a shelf life up to 2010 but we are
not sure whether the worms had found their way into the contents due
to improper storage after it was opened. Health officials have been
asked to collect random samples from across the city," he said. Citing
previous incidents, Mr. Anil said children's foods were found to be
the most prone to adulteration and contamination.He, however, said
that keeping a tab on food products would require a coordinated effort
involving the Department of Health. "The absence of laboratory
facilities here to test food samples is a major impediment to such
efforts," he said.
The Hindu, July 5
baby food stocks in retail outlets following reports of a child
falling ill after being fed a popular brand of baby food purchased
from a shop at Pappanamcode. Officials from the Health section of the
Corporation have been directed to collect samples of the content of
the packet and submit it for laboratory analysis. Chairman of the
Health standing committee G.R. Anil said the parents of the child, who
was hospitalised, had later found the baby food infested with mites
and worms. "The sealed packet had a shelf life up to 2010 but we are
not sure whether the worms had found their way into the contents due
to improper storage after it was opened. Health officials have been
asked to collect random samples from across the city," he said. Citing
previous incidents, Mr. Anil said children's foods were found to be
the most prone to adulteration and contamination.He, however, said
that keeping a tab on food products would require a coordinated effort
involving the Department of Health. "The absence of laboratory
facilities here to test food samples is a major impediment to such
efforts," he said.
The Hindu, July 5
Human development report on Kottayam to be ready soon
The District Human Development Report (DHDR) for Kottayam will be
ready soon. Speaking at consultative workshop organised to discuss the
draft report, K. Narayanan Nair, Director, Centre for Development
Studies, who has been entrusted with the preparation of the DHDR by
the Kerala State Planning Board, said the report aims at understanding
the human development indices of the district in comparison with the
rest of the State, and to highlight the variations across the
sub-regions and socio-economic groups within the district. The draft
report has been organised in nine chapters. One of the findings is
that the proportion of aged people in Kottayam is higher than the
State average. The proportion of 60-plus population is 12.9 per cent
in comparison to the State average of 10.6 per cent. The proportion of
the 0-14 age group is 23.3 per cent. Sex ratio which is favourable to
female, however, shows a different picture when disaggregated. In the
0-9 age group and 10-14 age group males significantly outnumbered
females. The report has drawn a negative relationship between literacy
rate and work participation rate (WPR) among women. Compared to the
figures for the State, less gender discrepancy exists in the level of
effective literacy rate, the report noted and pointed out that this
high literacy rate was not reflected in the work participation. In
fact, in development blocks with a high female literacy rate, female
WPR was found to be less. The chapter on development and disparity
brings out the inequalities in development across the sub regions.
Vaikom taluk comes out as relatively low in prosperity. The taluk tops
the list with residential houses without electricity. In Vaikom block,
26 per cent of the houses do not have power connection. Another
startling finding is that except in two blocks and one municipality,
average number of students per government school was less than 100.
However, wherever teachers had taken the initiative they could
increase the number. The cost of schooling in unaided schools is eight
times the average cost of schooling in government-funded schools.
According to the report, one-fifth of the households live below the
threshold level of poverty. The discussions on Friday highlighted the
shortcomings of the report in shedding more light on plantation
sector, landownership, food security and issue of forex remittance.
However, one of the major bottlenecks highlighted during the
discussions was the reliability of the data.
The Hindu, July 4
ready soon. Speaking at consultative workshop organised to discuss the
draft report, K. Narayanan Nair, Director, Centre for Development
Studies, who has been entrusted with the preparation of the DHDR by
the Kerala State Planning Board, said the report aims at understanding
the human development indices of the district in comparison with the
rest of the State, and to highlight the variations across the
sub-regions and socio-economic groups within the district. The draft
report has been organised in nine chapters. One of the findings is
that the proportion of aged people in Kottayam is higher than the
State average. The proportion of 60-plus population is 12.9 per cent
in comparison to the State average of 10.6 per cent. The proportion of
the 0-14 age group is 23.3 per cent. Sex ratio which is favourable to
female, however, shows a different picture when disaggregated. In the
0-9 age group and 10-14 age group males significantly outnumbered
females. The report has drawn a negative relationship between literacy
rate and work participation rate (WPR) among women. Compared to the
figures for the State, less gender discrepancy exists in the level of
effective literacy rate, the report noted and pointed out that this
high literacy rate was not reflected in the work participation. In
fact, in development blocks with a high female literacy rate, female
WPR was found to be less. The chapter on development and disparity
brings out the inequalities in development across the sub regions.
Vaikom taluk comes out as relatively low in prosperity. The taluk tops
the list with residential houses without electricity. In Vaikom block,
26 per cent of the houses do not have power connection. Another
startling finding is that except in two blocks and one municipality,
average number of students per government school was less than 100.
However, wherever teachers had taken the initiative they could
increase the number. The cost of schooling in unaided schools is eight
times the average cost of schooling in government-funded schools.
According to the report, one-fifth of the households live below the
threshold level of poverty. The discussions on Friday highlighted the
shortcomings of the report in shedding more light on plantation
sector, landownership, food security and issue of forex remittance.
However, one of the major bottlenecks highlighted during the
discussions was the reliability of the data.
The Hindu, July 4
Meet on lake protection
Several decisions for protecting the Ramser-listed freshwater
Sasthamcotta Lake were taken at a meeting called by District Collector
A. Shajahan with various district-level department heads and
environment activists here on Friday.The decisions will be presented
at an ad hoc joint meeting by Minister for Water Resources N.K.
Premachandran and Forest Minister Benoy Viswom in Thiruvananthapuram
on July 10.One of the decisions was that the government should take
steps to constitute a statutory authority for the lake's protection.
Fifty families living on the banks without title deeds should be
rehabilitated elsewhere. The meeting wanted all gutters from
Bharanikavu and the Sasthamcotta market leading to the lake to be
diverted immediately. Steps should be taken to clear the harmful water
hyacinth growth on the lake by July 31. Environmental activists
Odanavattom Vijayaprakas and Ganga Prasad attended.
Sasthamcotta Lake were taken at a meeting called by District Collector
A. Shajahan with various district-level department heads and
environment activists here on Friday.The decisions will be presented
at an ad hoc joint meeting by Minister for Water Resources N.K.
Premachandran and Forest Minister Benoy Viswom in Thiruvananthapuram
on July 10.One of the decisions was that the government should take
steps to constitute a statutory authority for the lake's protection.
Fifty families living on the banks without title deeds should be
rehabilitated elsewhere. The meeting wanted all gutters from
Bharanikavu and the Sasthamcotta market leading to the lake to be
diverted immediately. Steps should be taken to clear the harmful water
hyacinth growth on the lake by July 31. Environmental activists
Odanavattom Vijayaprakas and Ganga Prasad attended.
The Hindu, July 4
Fish waste as plant supplement
Plant growth stimulants from fish waste — it's the new organic way of
farming being attempted at a lab in Kochi. A researcher at the School
of Industrial Fisheries of the Cochin University of Science and
Technology has offered to give 'foliar sprays' developed from fish
waste. Management of fish waste has been difficult in areas like the
Aroor industrial belt and Kochi Corporation. Waste is found dumped on
vacant plots or nearby water bodies. This has led to outbreak of skin
diseases and other health hazards in Chandiroor and its adjoining
areas. It is estimated that the fish processing plants located at
Aroor generate 128 tonnes of waste every day, and Kochi adds another
48.14 tonnes. "The attempt was to create a cost-effective and
eco-friendly way to manage the fish waste, which has been causing
serious health issues," said S. Abhilash, Principal Investigator of
the project. The Science and Society Division of the Department of
Science & Technology, New Delhi, has supported the project.
Foliar sprays are micronutrient mixtures sprayed on plants to
accelerate their growth. The micronutrients are directly absorbed by
the plant through the specialised cells under the leaves. Foliar spray
is developed from fish silage, the liquefied fish protein made by
adding formic acid to fish parts. The spray can be marketed and
promoted as part organic farming, especially among gardening
enthusiasts, said Mr. Abhilash. Cattle feed can also be developed from
the fish silage. Though some companies are marketing foliar sprays at
Rs. 80 for 100 grams, the one developed by the lab could be sold at
half the price, he said. The researchers of the University are trying
the spray on ladies finger plants farmed on the campus. They have also
trained around 100 women in Kuthiyathode for the production of sprays
and cattle feed. Attempts are also made to create a marketing network
for the products.
The Hindu, July 4
farming being attempted at a lab in Kochi. A researcher at the School
of Industrial Fisheries of the Cochin University of Science and
Technology has offered to give 'foliar sprays' developed from fish
waste. Management of fish waste has been difficult in areas like the
Aroor industrial belt and Kochi Corporation. Waste is found dumped on
vacant plots or nearby water bodies. This has led to outbreak of skin
diseases and other health hazards in Chandiroor and its adjoining
areas. It is estimated that the fish processing plants located at
Aroor generate 128 tonnes of waste every day, and Kochi adds another
48.14 tonnes. "The attempt was to create a cost-effective and
eco-friendly way to manage the fish waste, which has been causing
serious health issues," said S. Abhilash, Principal Investigator of
the project. The Science and Society Division of the Department of
Science & Technology, New Delhi, has supported the project.
Foliar sprays are micronutrient mixtures sprayed on plants to
accelerate their growth. The micronutrients are directly absorbed by
the plant through the specialised cells under the leaves. Foliar spray
is developed from fish silage, the liquefied fish protein made by
adding formic acid to fish parts. The spray can be marketed and
promoted as part organic farming, especially among gardening
enthusiasts, said Mr. Abhilash. Cattle feed can also be developed from
the fish silage. Though some companies are marketing foliar sprays at
Rs. 80 for 100 grams, the one developed by the lab could be sold at
half the price, he said. The researchers of the University are trying
the spray on ladies finger plants farmed on the campus. They have also
trained around 100 women in Kuthiyathode for the production of sprays
and cattle feed. Attempts are also made to create a marketing network
for the products.
The Hindu, July 4
Plastic bags as building blocks
World over, civic bodies are grappling with the problem of solid
waste, especially safe disposal of large amounts of plastic waste.
None of the local bodies in Kerala has found a green solution for
plastic waste management in spite of the State government banning the
manufacture, sale and use of plastic carry bags of thickness below 30
microns. Now, the Koyilandy municipality in Kozhikode district is
getting ready to launch a project making use of plastic carry bags to
manufacture plastic bricks for construction of houses. The Science and
Technology Entrepreneurship Development (STED) Project, under the
Department of Science and Technology of the State government, is
providing the technical know-how to the municipality. Already a few
rounds of discussion have been held between STED officials and the
elected representatives of the municipality. The experimental project
will be the first of its kind in the State, says Mohanan Manalil,
project director, STED. The technique is simply to repurpose this
environmentally unfriendly material. Usually, non-biodegradable
plastic is segregated and sold to plastic recycling companies.
However, plastic carry bags accumulate in backyards and junk bins. It
will be these non-recyclable bags that will go into the making of the
bricks, he says. In fact, the use of non-recyclable plastic such as
carry bags is high in the State as in any other part of the globe.
Plastic carry bags, it has been proved, can take nearly 1,500 years to
decompose. The overuse of plastic has caused severe havoc to the
planet. Elucidating the project details, Mr. Manalil says that
non-recyclable plastic waste with thickness ranging from 20 microns to
100 microns will be collected and ground into 10-mm granules. These
granules will then be melted at a temperature of 150 degrees Celsius.
And finally, the liquefied plastic will be thoroughly mixed with baby
metal, giving it a concrete form.
Just as soap is manufactured, cut and packed into fine shape, the new
product is cut into a standardised mould. Thus, the plastic brick is
ready. The simple project has often been displayed at school
exhibitions at the micro level. Today, it is reaching the commercial
stage, he says. The plastic brick requires no cement, no sand and no
plastering. No painting is required for exterior walls and even for
interiors of the house if the occupant is particular of avoiding
frills. Colours can be used according to the taste of the individual,
he adds. Machinery for the brick-manufacturing unit has to be
tailor-made. There are such machine-manufacturing units in Ernakulam
and Thrissur. Talks have been held in this regard with a
Thrissur-based company. Plastic bricks are cost-effective when
compared to cement, hollow, wire-cut and ordinary bricks made at
brick-kilns. Initially, the municipality will have to invest between
Rs.15 lakh and Rs.20 lakh for the project for setting up the
centralised machine unit. The civic body will seek the support of
private entrepreneurs in the successful implementation of the
project.Already, STED has successfully implemented a project with
joint partnership of NATPAC using plastic waste in lieu of bitumen in
construction of roads. More than 10 per cent of the bitumen usually
required has been saved in case of construction of such roads in
Kozhikode city. Apart from developing a technology for safe disposal
of plastic, the project will also generate employment in the region.
Kudumbasree volunteers will be engaged in the segregation of plastic
waste and their services will again be used in the manufacture of
plastic bricks. Besides, the municipality will happily get rid of its
solid-waste problem, says Mr. Manalil.
Recovery unit
All the 41 wards in the municipality will have a source recovery unit
to collect solid waste. The biodegradable waste will be converted into
manure while other waste such as paper will be sent to recycling
units. The plastic waste will be graded, some will be converted into
pellets, which have a market value of Rs.45 a kg, and other into
granules which will be sold at Rs.30 a kg. The non-recyclable plastic
waste, which has no takers, will be used for manufacturing the plastic
bricks, he says. Mr. Manalil says that the civic body has resources
and manpower, thus giving a positive side to the implementation of the
project. It only needs feasible schemes and know-how to fruitfully
implement them. Plastic carry bags can be handy and highly useable in
our daily lives. But their safe disposal has put us in a quandary. Now
a municipality in collaboration with a government agency has come up
with an alternative solution.
The Hindu, July 4
waste, especially safe disposal of large amounts of plastic waste.
None of the local bodies in Kerala has found a green solution for
plastic waste management in spite of the State government banning the
manufacture, sale and use of plastic carry bags of thickness below 30
microns. Now, the Koyilandy municipality in Kozhikode district is
getting ready to launch a project making use of plastic carry bags to
manufacture plastic bricks for construction of houses. The Science and
Technology Entrepreneurship Development (STED) Project, under the
Department of Science and Technology of the State government, is
providing the technical know-how to the municipality. Already a few
rounds of discussion have been held between STED officials and the
elected representatives of the municipality. The experimental project
will be the first of its kind in the State, says Mohanan Manalil,
project director, STED. The technique is simply to repurpose this
environmentally unfriendly material. Usually, non-biodegradable
plastic is segregated and sold to plastic recycling companies.
However, plastic carry bags accumulate in backyards and junk bins. It
will be these non-recyclable bags that will go into the making of the
bricks, he says. In fact, the use of non-recyclable plastic such as
carry bags is high in the State as in any other part of the globe.
Plastic carry bags, it has been proved, can take nearly 1,500 years to
decompose. The overuse of plastic has caused severe havoc to the
planet. Elucidating the project details, Mr. Manalil says that
non-recyclable plastic waste with thickness ranging from 20 microns to
100 microns will be collected and ground into 10-mm granules. These
granules will then be melted at a temperature of 150 degrees Celsius.
And finally, the liquefied plastic will be thoroughly mixed with baby
metal, giving it a concrete form.
Just as soap is manufactured, cut and packed into fine shape, the new
product is cut into a standardised mould. Thus, the plastic brick is
ready. The simple project has often been displayed at school
exhibitions at the micro level. Today, it is reaching the commercial
stage, he says. The plastic brick requires no cement, no sand and no
plastering. No painting is required for exterior walls and even for
interiors of the house if the occupant is particular of avoiding
frills. Colours can be used according to the taste of the individual,
he adds. Machinery for the brick-manufacturing unit has to be
tailor-made. There are such machine-manufacturing units in Ernakulam
and Thrissur. Talks have been held in this regard with a
Thrissur-based company. Plastic bricks are cost-effective when
compared to cement, hollow, wire-cut and ordinary bricks made at
brick-kilns. Initially, the municipality will have to invest between
Rs.15 lakh and Rs.20 lakh for the project for setting up the
centralised machine unit. The civic body will seek the support of
private entrepreneurs in the successful implementation of the
project.Already, STED has successfully implemented a project with
joint partnership of NATPAC using plastic waste in lieu of bitumen in
construction of roads. More than 10 per cent of the bitumen usually
required has been saved in case of construction of such roads in
Kozhikode city. Apart from developing a technology for safe disposal
of plastic, the project will also generate employment in the region.
Kudumbasree volunteers will be engaged in the segregation of plastic
waste and their services will again be used in the manufacture of
plastic bricks. Besides, the municipality will happily get rid of its
solid-waste problem, says Mr. Manalil.
Recovery unit
All the 41 wards in the municipality will have a source recovery unit
to collect solid waste. The biodegradable waste will be converted into
manure while other waste such as paper will be sent to recycling
units. The plastic waste will be graded, some will be converted into
pellets, which have a market value of Rs.45 a kg, and other into
granules which will be sold at Rs.30 a kg. The non-recyclable plastic
waste, which has no takers, will be used for manufacturing the plastic
bricks, he says. Mr. Manalil says that the civic body has resources
and manpower, thus giving a positive side to the implementation of the
project. It only needs feasible schemes and know-how to fruitfully
implement them. Plastic carry bags can be handy and highly useable in
our daily lives. But their safe disposal has put us in a quandary. Now
a municipality in collaboration with a government agency has come up
with an alternative solution.
The Hindu, July 4
Greens plan meet on July 11
Environmental organisations will hold a convention on July 11 at the
Adhithi hall here to discuss the issues related to the government move
to remove silt from the Malampuzha reservoir. The State government had
invited expression of interest from companies for the removal of silt
from the dam. This is a pilot project, said to be the first of its
kind in the country. Organisers said there was apprehension among the
people about the environmental problems that could arise since there
was no environmental impact assessment study conducted before taking
up the project.
Adhithi hall here to discuss the issues related to the government move
to remove silt from the Malampuzha reservoir. The State government had
invited expression of interest from companies for the removal of silt
from the dam. This is a pilot project, said to be the first of its
kind in the country. Organisers said there was apprehension among the
people about the environmental problems that could arise since there
was no environmental impact assessment study conducted before taking
up the project.
The Hindu, July 3
City to host science congress
For the first time, Thiruvananthapuram is going to host the Indian
Science Congress.The 97th science congress under the general
presidentship of G. Madhavan Nair, Chairman, ISRO, will be jointly
hosted by the Indian Space Research Organisation and the University of
Kerala. It will be held from January 3 to 7. The kick-off meeting
towards the final event was held here on Tuesday. It was presided over
by K. Radhakrishnan, Director, VSSC, who is also the chairman of the
local organising committee. G. Madhavan Nair and A. Jayakrishnan,
Vice-Chancellor, University of Kerala, and Education Minister M.A.
Baby were among those who spoke. The ISRO Chairman committed an amount
of Rs.5 crore as ISRO's share in the expenditure for organising the
science congress.
Science Congress.The 97th science congress under the general
presidentship of G. Madhavan Nair, Chairman, ISRO, will be jointly
hosted by the Indian Space Research Organisation and the University of
Kerala. It will be held from January 3 to 7. The kick-off meeting
towards the final event was held here on Tuesday. It was presided over
by K. Radhakrishnan, Director, VSSC, who is also the chairman of the
local organising committee. G. Madhavan Nair and A. Jayakrishnan,
Vice-Chancellor, University of Kerala, and Education Minister M.A.
Baby were among those who spoke. The ISRO Chairman committed an amount
of Rs.5 crore as ISRO's share in the expenditure for organising the
science congress.
The Hindu, July 1
Kerala asked to submit project for cyclone preparedness
Minister of State for Home Mullappally Ramachandran has asked the
Kerala government to submit a Rs.400-crore project to the Centre for
assistance to improve preparedness for cyclones.
Delivering the inaugural address at a National Consultation on
Disaster Management here on Tuesday, he called upon the State
government to submit a detailed project report under the National
Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project. Mr. Ramachandran said the earlier
proposal for a Rs.166 crore project was grossly inadequate to equip
the State for cyclones.He urged the government to seek technical
assistance from scientific institutions like the Indian Institute of
Science, Bangalore, National Institute of Technology, Kozhikode, and
the Government College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram, for
geo-technical investigation and micro-zonation of districts vulnerable
to natural disasters.Steps should be taken for documentation of
traditional best practices in disaster management.The Minister said
efforts were on to identify a location in Kerala for a new battalion
to be raised for the National Disaster Response Force .
Paradigm shift
He said the constitution of the National Disaster Management Authority
and its State-level units had resulted in a paradigm shift from
post-disaster relief and rehabilitation to prevention, mitigation and
preparedness.
Kerala government to submit a Rs.400-crore project to the Centre for
assistance to improve preparedness for cyclones.
Delivering the inaugural address at a National Consultation on
Disaster Management here on Tuesday, he called upon the State
government to submit a detailed project report under the National
Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project. Mr. Ramachandran said the earlier
proposal for a Rs.166 crore project was grossly inadequate to equip
the State for cyclones.He urged the government to seek technical
assistance from scientific institutions like the Indian Institute of
Science, Bangalore, National Institute of Technology, Kozhikode, and
the Government College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram, for
geo-technical investigation and micro-zonation of districts vulnerable
to natural disasters.Steps should be taken for documentation of
traditional best practices in disaster management.The Minister said
efforts were on to identify a location in Kerala for a new battalion
to be raised for the National Disaster Response Force .
Paradigm shift
He said the constitution of the National Disaster Management Authority
and its State-level units had resulted in a paradigm shift from
post-disaster relief and rehabilitation to prevention, mitigation and
preparedness.
The Hindu, July 1
Saturday, July 18, 2009
New plan for water conservation
Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran on Monday announced a
water conservation project for all the 140 Assembly constituency in
the State. It is intended to tackle water shortage in the State.
Replying to a debate on the demand for grants for his department in
the Assembly on Monday, the Minister said the programme would lay
emphasis on tackling pollution of water resources, maintaining the
quality of water and preventing over-exploitation. He proposed an
awareness programme and a plan of action to achieve the objectives. A
meeting of legislators and local body representatives will be held on
July 3 to work out the modalities of the programme.
Mr. Premachandran said the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) would be
divided into projects, supply and maintenance divisions as part of a
revamp. The new divisions would come into being on July 1. The
projects division would deal with the conception and execution of
drinking water projects. He said the Rs.850-crore Special Project
Assisted by Nabard (SPAN), spread over 36 drinking water schemes, was
the government's flagship project in the water resources sector. Out
of the 91 packages under SPAN, benefiting 27 lakh people, 48 had been
approved and the rest would be re-tendered. Admitting to delays, the
Minister said he was in consultation with the PWD and Finance
Ministers to reform the manuals and codes concerned to expedite the
tendering process. The Minister presented an update of various
projects, their revised commission dates and the present status. With
regard to the JBIC scheme, rechristened JICA, local bodies had been
entrusted with the task of restoring the roads that had been dug up.
Under the agreement, it was the responsibility of the contractor to
complete the restoration work, but this had been amended owing to
work-related complaints. He was expecting a Rs.1,000-crore World Bank
scheme for Jalanidhi.
water conservation project for all the 140 Assembly constituency in
the State. It is intended to tackle water shortage in the State.
Replying to a debate on the demand for grants for his department in
the Assembly on Monday, the Minister said the programme would lay
emphasis on tackling pollution of water resources, maintaining the
quality of water and preventing over-exploitation. He proposed an
awareness programme and a plan of action to achieve the objectives. A
meeting of legislators and local body representatives will be held on
July 3 to work out the modalities of the programme.
Mr. Premachandran said the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) would be
divided into projects, supply and maintenance divisions as part of a
revamp. The new divisions would come into being on July 1. The
projects division would deal with the conception and execution of
drinking water projects. He said the Rs.850-crore Special Project
Assisted by Nabard (SPAN), spread over 36 drinking water schemes, was
the government's flagship project in the water resources sector. Out
of the 91 packages under SPAN, benefiting 27 lakh people, 48 had been
approved and the rest would be re-tendered. Admitting to delays, the
Minister said he was in consultation with the PWD and Finance
Ministers to reform the manuals and codes concerned to expedite the
tendering process. The Minister presented an update of various
projects, their revised commission dates and the present status. With
regard to the JBIC scheme, rechristened JICA, local bodies had been
entrusted with the task of restoring the roads that had been dug up.
Under the agreement, it was the responsibility of the contractor to
complete the restoration work, but this had been amended owing to
work-related complaints. He was expecting a Rs.1,000-crore World Bank
scheme for Jalanidhi.
The Hindu, June 30
Western Ghats proposed as heritage site
If UNESCO votes in favour of the Western Ghats while deciding on new
World Heritage Sites in 2010, Kerala will have something to cheer
about. The natural heritage sites of the State, namely the Eravikulam
National Park and adjoining areas, including some Shola forests,
Mathikettan and adjoining reserve forest, the Periyar region,
including Ranni and Konni forest divisions, and the Silent Valley and
neighbouring areas, are there on the tentative list submitted by India
for consideration. No site from Kerala has so far been included on the
World Heritage Site list, though the Mattancherry Palace was proposed
by the Archaeological Survey of India in 1998 for inclusion under the
cultural category.
Tentative list
The tentative list, according to UNESCO, is an inventory of those
properties which each country intends to consider for nomination. The
"States Parties are encouraged to submit in their Tentative Lists,
properties which they consider to be cultural and/or natural heritage
of outstanding universal value and therefore suitable for inscription
on the World Heritage List." Nominations to the list will not be
considered unless the nominated property has already been included on
the tentative list, according to UNESCO. "The nominations made by the
country, including that of the Western Ghats, will come up for
consideration during the meeting of the World Heritage Committee to be
held during early next year," says Jagadish Krishnaswami, a fellow at
the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE).
The proposal for the Western Ghats was first submitted in 2006. Later,
the State governments were asked to prepare detailed dossiers for each
site. ATREE was one of the agencies that supported the Union Ministry
for Environment and Forest, the Wildlife Institute of India and many
State governments in preparing the dossiers for nomination of various
sites.The list was updated last year. The State government submitted
its proposal for including the Western Ghats on the list, he said.
Once a site is declared a World Heritage Site, it will get global
attention and more funds for management. It will make the governments
more committed to the protection of the sites, Mr. Krishnaswami said.
Currently, 27 sites from the country are on the list, including the
Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort, the Ajanta caves and the Kaziranga and
Keladeo national parks.
World Heritage Sites in 2010, Kerala will have something to cheer
about. The natural heritage sites of the State, namely the Eravikulam
National Park and adjoining areas, including some Shola forests,
Mathikettan and adjoining reserve forest, the Periyar region,
including Ranni and Konni forest divisions, and the Silent Valley and
neighbouring areas, are there on the tentative list submitted by India
for consideration. No site from Kerala has so far been included on the
World Heritage Site list, though the Mattancherry Palace was proposed
by the Archaeological Survey of India in 1998 for inclusion under the
cultural category.
Tentative list
The tentative list, according to UNESCO, is an inventory of those
properties which each country intends to consider for nomination. The
"States Parties are encouraged to submit in their Tentative Lists,
properties which they consider to be cultural and/or natural heritage
of outstanding universal value and therefore suitable for inscription
on the World Heritage List." Nominations to the list will not be
considered unless the nominated property has already been included on
the tentative list, according to UNESCO. "The nominations made by the
country, including that of the Western Ghats, will come up for
consideration during the meeting of the World Heritage Committee to be
held during early next year," says Jagadish Krishnaswami, a fellow at
the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE).
The proposal for the Western Ghats was first submitted in 2006. Later,
the State governments were asked to prepare detailed dossiers for each
site. ATREE was one of the agencies that supported the Union Ministry
for Environment and Forest, the Wildlife Institute of India and many
State governments in preparing the dossiers for nomination of various
sites.The list was updated last year. The State government submitted
its proposal for including the Western Ghats on the list, he said.
Once a site is declared a World Heritage Site, it will get global
attention and more funds for management. It will make the governments
more committed to the protection of the sites, Mr. Krishnaswami said.
Currently, 27 sites from the country are on the list, including the
Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort, the Ajanta caves and the Kaziranga and
Keladeo national parks.
The Hindu, June 27
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