Children's science congress begins

KOLLAM: Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran said here on Monday that interest in science from childhood often paved the way for major scientific inventions. He was speaking after inaugurating the 18th two-day State-level National Children's Science Congress-2010 at the Jawahar Bal Bhavan.

The Minister said this year's focal theme of the science congress ‘Land resources: use for prosperity, save for posterity' had much contemporary significance. Even if development in other sectors was delayed, farm development should not be delayed, he said. Kerala could take up cultivation of a variety of crops due to different types of soil, he said. He said Endosulfan was a ‘modern age killer' which should be banned. District Collector Devendrakumar Dhudawat presided. K. Thankappan, executive director of Bal Bhavan, welcomed the gathering.

Source: The Hindu, 30-11-2010

Neyyar dam safe: CESS

Thiruvananthapuram: The fracture in the ground reported from an area near the Neyyar dam is the result of soil dislocation, a localised phenomenon that poses no danger to the dam, scientists from the Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS) reported on Monday.

T. Radhakrishna, Director, CESS, and G. Sankar, scientist, came to the conclusion after visiting the site to study the fracture that had led to concern among the local people. The district administration had shifted two families from the area on Sunday after the crack in the soil started extending.

Rotational slide

Mr. Sankar said the fracture was the result of a rotational slide, a small dislocation confined to the top layer of the soil. “The area between the river and the left bank canal where the fissure had developed is an unstable chunk characterised by reworked soil. Different layers had been added to raise the level of earth here. The heavy rain over the past few days saturated the soil layers, leading to a small dislocation. The cracks seen on the walls of the houses were also caused by the same phenomenon,” he said.

Ruling out the chance of a tremor in the region, the scientists said they had verified seismic data to confirm the fact.

“The small area between the river and the canal is unstable and is prone to another dislocation, especially during rain. There is a possibility that the whole chunk will slip and fall into the river. The residents of these houses are at risk during rain,” Mr. Sankar said.

The scientists said they would submit their report to the Additional District Magistrate on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran visited the area. He had a telephone conversation with the scientists on their analysis.

Source: The Hindu, 30-11-2010

Scientists solve a mystery

KATTAPPANA: Scientists at the Indian Cardamom Research Institute (ICRI) at Myladumpara in Idukki district have found the source of the black stain in clothes that are hung for drying and the leaves of plants at Puttady near here, as sphaerobolus stellatus, also known as cannonball fungi, which grow in deadwood and cattle dung.

The black stain substance was earlier believed to be the result of some kind of ‘tar' rain or a phenomenon caused by rain. After a study conducted at the research institute, it was found that the substance was the spores of fungi which spread to a distant area, hence the name cannonball fungi.

A.K. Vijayan, head of the pathology department at the institute, told The Hindu on Saturday that the fungi are harmless and has the capacity to live up to 12 years in deadwood and cattle dung.

The fungi, however, make stains in clothes, leaves, and painted surfaces when spores are dispersed by the fungi.

Institute director J. Thomas also participated in the research work to identify the fungi.

Source: The Hindu, 28-11-2010

Lake on zoo premises restored

Thiruvananthapuram: Bird-watchers from the city and other places as far as Coimbatore gathered at the Museum grounds here on Saturday to exchange their findings and concerns at the two-day Bird-Watchers Forum, organised jointly by the Directorate of Museum and Zoos and the Forestry Training Centre at Arippa.

The Forum was organised along with the inauguration of the restored lake on the premises of the zoo. K. Udayavarman, Director, Zoo and Museum, said: “The lake is an inseparable component of the city's bird-watching community; hence we decided to conduct the programmes together.”

The group consisted of ornithologists, bird enthusiasts, and newcomers; the majority of them had taken part in the WWF India – Kerala Bird Race on the zoo premises.

One of the main topics of discussion was on birds being a harbinger of the changing characteristics of Nature and human-induced changes in the ecosystem. The forum decided to form a State-wide knowledge-sharing base thus providing a platform for the professionals to publish their work and for amateurs to collect information and clear their doubts.

S. Abu, Superintendent, Natural History Museum, and C. Sushant, ornithologist, were present.

The group later left for the Arippa Forest for trekking, bird-watching and plenary sessions. The forum was organised as part of a project taken up by the Directorate of Museum and Zoo to foster knowledge of biodiversity in the younger generation as part of the International Year of Biodiversity–2010 celebrations.

Earlier, Minister for Culture M.A. Baby inaugurated the Bird Watchers' Forum and the restored lake.

The year-long restoration project was executed by the Centre for Science and Technology for Rural Development (Costford). “By desilting the lake, its holding capacity has increased by almost 1 crore litres,” said Costford architect Shahi Hussain.

To ensure the quality of water, the rainwater is directed to the lake through two stages. It is first collected in a water tank from where it flows to the small lake which acts as a natural filter. The banks of the lake have been strengthened by planting bamboos and grass to prevent soil erosion.

As many as 10,000 fishes — varieties include Grasscrap, Rohu, Mrigal and Catla — have been deposited in the lake to contribute to the natural cleaning process and to attract birds. Two observation decks have been constructed for sightseers. Rain shelters and seats to accommodate 1,000 people are other facilities. Future projects for the zoo include the construction of a fountain and an aviary around the small lake.

Source: The Hindu, 28-11-2010

Biodiversity congress in December

Thiruvananthapuram: A photography exhibition on miniature paintings organised by the National Museum, Delhi, will be one of the highlights of the first Indian Biodiversity Congress (IBC) 2010, beginning here on December 27.

A host of national institutes and research and development organisations across the country have confirmed participation in the five-day event hosted by the University of Kerala on its campus.

The National Natural History Museum, Delhi, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) -India, the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE), the Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT), International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture (ICCOA), M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems (CIKS) and C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer Foundation will be represented at the event.

The Congress is being jointly organised by the Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action (CISSA) in association with the Kerala Biodiversity Board, National Biodiversity Authority, University of Kerala and Navdanya.

An Indian biodiversity expo will showcase India's rich biodiversity heritage. A documentary film festival on biodiversity is another major attraction. A book fair and a national photography competition on biodiversity and people are also being organised along with a national seminar in 12 sessions.

Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh is expected to deliver the keynote address at the inaugural session of the Indian Biodiversity Congress on December 28. He will also inaugurate a civil society meet organised in connection with the IBC.

Source: The Hindu, 29-11-2010

Colourful snails attack cardamom plants

KOCHI: Snails refuse to leave Kerala undisturbed. After the Giant African snails, it is now the turn of Indrella ampulla, a mollusc variety with attractive colours, endemic to the Western Ghats.

The snails have destroyed a large number of cardamom plants in a standalone plantation at Rajakkad, Idukki. The molluscs were found feeding on the flowers and young berries of cardamom plants, leading to considerable economic loss. They were also found to be nocturnal feeders.

Pesticide and fungicide applications and saline spray proved ineffective in controlling the snail population. They first appeared in the plantation of K.C. Chellappan some two months ago. “The snails destroyed the flowers and young berries of cardamom plants in around 15 acres,” said Mr. Chellappan.

“The infestation was controlled to some extent by engaging six workers for a week for manually collecting the snails from plants. The workers collected around 500 kg of snails. Stray animals could be seen on the plants even after the exercise,” he said.

According to T.V. Sajeev, an entomologist at the Kerala Forest Research Institute, Thrissur, what took place in Rajakkad was a unique case of an endemic animal assuming the status of a pest. The mollusc was never considered a pest before. “But the trail of destruction it has left in the plantation warrants its cataloguing as a pest,” he said.

The infestation has thrown up an exceptional challenge as one has to control the population of a species which is found exclusively in the Western Ghats. “Bio-control methods cannot be recommended as it may lead to the destruction of its natural population outside the plantation,” Dr. Sajeev said.

When pesticides were applied, the snail went back into its shell to guard itself from the chemicals. On application of saline water, the snail was found producing a froth through which it moved, thus nullifying the effect of salinity, he said.

The possibility of controlling the infestation using urea spray was being explored, said K. Parameswaran Nair, a marketing official of an agricultural products company in Idukki. “The saline spray cannot be engaged as it would damage the plants,” he said.

“It would be ideal to continue the manual destruction of the snail. The question of engaging any other control measure can be considered at a stage when there is a flare up of its population,” Dr. Sajeev said.

Source: The Hindu, 29-11-2010

Steps to implement ban on Endosulfan

KOCHI: Agriculture Department officials in Ernakulam district have started taking steps to implement the ban on the sale and use of Endosulfan.

The Kerala State Pollution Control Board had last week banned the use of Endosulfan in the State because of the highly toxic insecticide's harmful effects on humans and the environment.

Endosulfan is widely used on tea, coffee and cardamom plantations in Kerala, especially in Idukki district. It is also used on a variety of other crops. Following the Pollution Control Board's directive, the Agriculture Department, which is the ban implementing agency, has asked its district level offices and field units to strictly adhere to the ban.

The Directorate of Agriculture has sent out a circular to the district offices giving details of how to ensure the ban is implemented.

Neena Raphel, deputy director of agriculture, told The Hindu that agriculture officers in the Krishi Bhavans were being instructed to ensure that no farmer sprayed Endosulfan on their crops and that no insecticide dealer sold it.

She said the agriculture officers doubled as insecticide inspectors and that they would inspect the licensed insecticide dealerships.

Source: The Hindu, 27-11-2010

‘Grand naine' gaining popularity

KOLLAM: Banana farmers in the district have started showing much interest in the cultivation of the ‘Grand naine' variety following its popularity as a delicious fruit.

The high-yielding Grand naine variety was introduced to India from Israel seven years ago. But the farmers were reluctant to promote it as they were wary of its acceptance by the consumers. As time passed, they saw the variety as a successful commercial crop.

The demand for the Grand naine bananas is steadily growing in the markets and the farmers are gearing up to meet it, said V. Ajikumar, superintendent of the district panchayat's Kottukkal Farm.

Grand naine in French means “large dwarf” and true to its name, this variety is not very tall but produces bunches that is almost three-fourths its size with each having more than 200 fruits.

Grand naine banana bunches while on the plant closely resembles the Robusta bananas in size and colour. But when they ripen they turn yellow.

Long shelf life

Mr. Ajikumar said the Grand naine bananas have a shelf life which is much longer than the Robusta. While the latter tend to drop from the bunch in two to three days after ripening, the former stay intact on the bunch for more than two weeks after ripening, maintaining their peculiar aroma and taste. It is this quality of the Grand naine which has made them appealing to farmers, markets and consumers.

Mr. Ajikumar said that during the Onam season the bananas fetched Rs.16 a kg for the farmer. With prices of all banana varieties falling now, farmers now sell Grand naines for Rs.10 a kg.

Source: The Hindu, 27-11-2010

Vechur cow gets a lifeline

Thiruvananthapuram: A calf born to a Vechur cow, the smallest cow in the world and a breed listed under the category of ‘Critical Breeds' by the Food and Agriculture Organisation, has created a lot of excitement at Chappath village near Vizhinjam here.

Not just the locals, people are coming from afar too to gaze in wonder at this beautiful white-coloured calf named Devaki and her diminutive mother, Gayathri, both of which are under the care of Santhigram, a voluntary organisation at Chappath.

Hardy breed

Vechur cow, a hardy breed of dwarf cattle indigenous to Kerala, which grows only about a maximum of 100 cm in height, has been generating a lot of interest in recent times following a study report from College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Thrissur that the milk of Vechur cow is rich in beta caseine A2, a milk protein which is protective against diabetes and heart diseases.

There are only about 200 of Vechur cows in the State, almost half of which are being bred by the veterinary college.

The breed would have gone extinct had it not been for a conservation programme that the college launched in 1989.

With all the international attention and recognition it has been receiving, owning a Vechur cow has now become a matter of pride. According to reports, there are only about five Vechur cows in the district.

Vechur cow yields only about three litres of milk daily and the milk has a much higher fat percentage than the milk produced by its cross-bred counterparts.

With the renewed demand for Vechur cows, the veterinary college at Thrissur now gives out Vechur calves bred under its conservation programme to those who submits an application to the college.

Source: The Hindu, 27-11-2010

Action plan sought to protect Pampa

PATHANAMTHITTA: The Kerala State Bio-diversity Board is keen to declare the Pampa river an important biodiversity zone, board chairman R.V. Varma has said.

He was delivering the keynote address at a workshop on ‘biodiversity conservation of Pampa' organised by the Pampa Parirakshana Samiti at the Maramon Retreat Centre at Maramon near Kozhencherry on Thursday.

He said an eco-friendly action plan was the immediate need for biodiversity conservation of the Pampa. The day-long workshop, supported by the board, was aimed at collecting suggestions and proposals from experts as well as mobilising public opinion in this regard.

Mr. Varma said the board would submit a proposal on biodiversity conservation of the Pampa to the government soon.

He said protection of river banks growing indigenous flora should be encouraged. The Biodiversity Board had initiated a programme to monitor fish in all 44 rivers in the State with public participation.

Mr. Varma said the board was of the view that river conservation could be effective and transparent only with the active involvement of the public and local self-government institutions.

Philipose Mar Chrysostum, senior Metropolitan of Mar Thoma Church, inaugurated the workshop. In his address, the Metropolitan lamented the sad state of affairs of the Pampa.

Water in the Pampa, which is regarded as a holy river, has become so polluted that people are even scared to bath in it, he added. Mar Chrysostum stressed the need to protect the river from pollution and degradation without delay.

N.K. Sukumaran Nair, PPS general secretary, Fr. Thomas Peeliyanickal, executive director of the Kuttanad Vikasana Samiti, and K.Sivadasan Nair, MLA, also spoke.

Source: The Hindu, 27-11-2010

Imported parasites to save crops

KOCHI: Three parasitoids imported from Puerto Rico will be released in the State shortly for biologically controlling papaya mealybug infestation. In biological control, natural enemies of pests are introduced to destroy them.

The mealybug infestation has destroyed a wide variety of agriculture and horticulture crops in the country including tapioca, pigeon pea, cotton, okra, tomato, brinjal, teak, silk cotton, jatropha, mulberry and guava. It had also affected rubber and teak plantations in the State.

Last year, the widespread invasion had resulted in huge financial loss.

The infestation subsided this year due to the heavy rain in the State. Once there is a let-up in the rain, agriculture scientists expect a massive outbreak again, said P.V. Balachandran, Director Extension, of the Kerala Agriculture University.

How they thrive

The spread of the mealybug has been reported from Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tripura, presumably due to the movement of infested fruits. “Initially the mealybugs colonise along the veins on the lower side of the papaya leaves and later cover the fruits rendering them unmarketable. Due to the explosive growth of the mealybug populations and the toxins produced, the younger plants are killed outright,” according to a publication from the National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Insects, Bangalore.

The Bureau imported three species with the help of the United States Department of Agriculture-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services.

The parasitoids were also found to be safe to honeybees, silk worms and a host of other predators. Once released and conserved, they will establish naturally and control the papaya mealybug on crops on a long-term basis. They are expected to significantly suppress the papaya mealybug populations within six months to one year.

The Kerala Agriculture University is in the process of multiplying the parasitoids, which will be released in infested sites when rain subsides. The possible areas of high influx are being identified by the experts.

Farmers and general public can also communicate the instances of infestation to the University, said Mr. Balachandran.

T.V. Sajeev, entomologist of the Kerala Forest research Institute, Thrissur, said that chemical pesticides should not be applied on plants to which the parasitoids are released since they will destroy them. The mealybugs have a wax coating which prevents the pesticide from coming into direct contact with its body. But that is not the case with parasitoids, Dr. Sajeev said.

Source: The Hindu, 27-11-2010

Anti-plastic campaign stepped up

Kozhikode: Kozhikode will be the first plastic waste-free district in India by January 26, Republic Day. The first phase of a massive programme to attain this goal ‘Mass Action for Plastic Waste free Kozhikode' (MAP) has been successful and has entered the second phase.

At a meeting with representatives of merchants, marriage hall owners, flex board manufacturers and plastic carry-bag manufacturers here on Thursday, Collector P.B. Salim said the first phase of the project, which included an awareness campaign, was successful.

As a result, schools and other educational institutions would be declared plastic waste-free by December 20.

The second stage involves avoiding disposable plastic products, including glasses, plates, publicity materials and carry-bags.

The process of sensitising the merchants and other target groups started on Thursday.

Similar programmes involving plastic manufacturers, government office heads, environmental and social activists, NSS, NCC, CSS, student police, student Red Cross and political parties will be held soon.

The third stage is to introduce alternative products and the fourth stage a ban on disposable plastic products. In the fifth stage, facilities for systematic collection and recycling of the remaining plastic products will be introduced, the Collector added.

Source: The Hindu, 26-11-2010

EU bans chemical from baby bottles Brussels

A widely used chemical - Bisphenol A - will be banned from baby bottles in the European Union (EU) from the middle of next year, Europe's food safety agency has ruled, according to a spokesman for the European Commission.

Bisphenol A is used in many common products including in tin cans for preservation and food packaging, but there have been concerns it could be harmful to young children.

The ban on production and imports of baby bottles with the chemical will take effect from June 2011.

Source: Deccan Herald, 26-11-2010

Striped hyenas prefer their privacy

BANGALORE: Human presence can affect wildlife behaviour and even alter their basic instincts. A study on striped hyena by a team of Bangalore-based researchers is a case in point. Human presence is indeed affecting the life and habits of the striped hyena in distant Rajasthan.


The study, published in the journal Mammology and undertaken by a team of researchers from NCBS and the Centre for Wildlife Studies, Bangalore chronicles the ways and mannerisms of the striped hyena from India, NCBS researcher Divya Karnad said.


The study, conducted by Priya Singh, Arjun Gopalswamy and Ullas Karanth, involved estimating the population of hyenas in the Kumbalgarh and Esrana regions of Rajasthan. It was based on the hypothesis that hyenas might prefer to den in areas away from humans, particularly when they have cubs, "because they face constant harassment and pressure" in human-dominated landscapes.


To prove the point, researchers installed automatic cameras programmed to take pictures when motion was detected. The cameras were set up both in the protected Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary and in the human-dominated Esrana Forest Range. About 307 sq km within the protected area and 218 sq km in the reserve forest were covered during the study.


Subsequently, more hyenas were spotted in the protected area as compared to the Esrana Reserve Forest, supporting the hypothesis that human harassment was forcing hyenas into the confines of Kumbalgarh.


Also, Karnad points out, hilly terrains, that might support hyena dens, were prominent within Kumbalgarh but there was an abundance of livestock in Esrana.


The findings conclude that though livestock are an important food source for the hyenas, nudging them to live alongside humans, these nocturnal creatures require areas free of human intrusion to survive.


According to the researchers, the scavengers have increasingly begun to depend on carcasses of domestic livestock, resulting in their increased proximity to human habitats. But the fact remains that human presence and harassment affects their behaviour and routine.


Source: Times of India,26-11-2010

Green revolution over, agri yields staring at dead end?

The monsoon bounty this year is expected to put the smiley back on the agriculture output graph. The government has quickly announced a target food grain production of 244.5 million tonnes for 2010-11, 10mt more than the highest till date – 234.47mt achieved in 2008-09. Even in the wake of last year's monsoon failure, wheat production in the rabi cycle breached the 80mt mark for the first time ever.

But are these recent successes signs of a much-needed turnaround or are they temporarily masking a larger crisis in Indian agriculture that has been limiting growth in the medium term and threatening our food security?

A revealing international study that used US satellite data to track year-on-year changes in yields, warns that environmental drivers could be pushing agriculture towards stagnation. The findings indicate that India's Green Revolution may have reached unsustainable levels, at least in some parts of the country, and may hit a wall unless massive policy interventions address the situation.

The paper, Decadal Variations in NDVI and Food Production in India, published earlier this year in the open-access Remote Sensing journal, compares agriculture production in two decades – 1982-92 and 1996-06 – and finds a distinct slowdown in growth rates in the latter decade for both kharif and rabi crops. The study points to two worrying environmental factors, among others, that may explain the low growth during 1996 to 2006 – increasing pressure on groundwater due to unsustainable use and rising temperatures in the subcontinent.

The authors, researchers mostly based in the US, used a measure known as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), which calculates crop yields using satellite data. For the study, year-on-year data from the US meteorological sensor, the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer, was used.

As compared to the previous decade, the study found a 50% drop in growth rates in the kharif season during 1996-2006 and, more alarmingly, almost zero growth in the winter crop (rabi). The slowdown was more pronounced in the main foodgrain producing states in north India and in the central portion of the country.

"Around 30% of the total cropland area of India showed a statistically significant decline in growth rate of greenness index during the rabi season," lead author Cristina Milesi from California State University, Monterey Bay, told TOI.

The rabi slowdown is significant because it's primarily dependent on irrigation, increasingly, groundwater. Not surprisingly, states such as Punjab and Haryana where rabi yields are stagnating, also overlap with regions where groundwater use has reached critical levels. The paper estimates that in the absence of any irrigation, it would require 30% to 150% increase in local annual rainfall to sustain the rate of growth in rabi crops seen during 1982-2002 in large portions of peninsular India.

"Our calculations of increase in crop water demand are greatest over the northwest and central-southern peninsula and coincide to a good approximation with areas mapped as suffering from groundwater overexploitation," the paper notes.

Says K Krishna Kumar, climate scientist at Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology and one of the authors, "What could also be contributing to the fall in growth is accelerated warming since the mid-1990s. Our paper notes that over the past decade, average temperatures have increased by 0.25 degrees Celsius during the kharif season and by 0.6 degrees during rabi. We cite other studies which have linked the recent warming to a potentially reduced rabi crop yield by 6%."

Source: Times of India, 26-11-2010

Drive to ‘detoxify' Kasaragod

Kozhikode: Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran has said that a comprehensive detoxification drive will be undertaken in the Endosulfan-hit Kasaragod district, with special focus on purifying water resources and fields contaminated by pesticides. The drive will formally be launched on December 3, he said, while inaugurating the four-day Malabar Agro Fest-2010 at Swapna Nagari in Kozhikode on Thursday.

Technical and financial support of the Central government would be sought for the successful completion of the drive. “A detailed project report is now being prepared by the State government as part of the efforts to make Kasaragod a pesticide-free district,” he cleared.

According to Mr. Ratnakaran, once the drive was completed Kasaragod would emerge as a model district in pioneering a mass movement against pesticides. Gradually, it would also grab the title of being the first organic district in the State, he claimed.

The Minister asked the Plantation Corporation of Kerala (PCK) to join the rehabilitation drive for Endosulfan victims by announcing their own packages.

The PCK Board should consider the proposal in its forthcoming board meeting, he said.

The Minister also urged the Centre to grant legal powers to the State government to ban the manufacture and trade of highly toxic pesticides.

The State governments should get monitoring powers for making strong interventions in the field, he said.

Source: The Hindu, 26-11-2010

Children's science congress from Monday

KOLLAM: The 18th State-level National Children's Science Congress organised by the National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC) Network, New Delhi, will be held at the Jawahar Bal Bhavan here on November 29 and 30. The focal theme for this year is “Land Resources: use for prosperity, save for posterity.”

The programme will be inaugurated by Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran.

At a special session on the first day, V.P. Balagangadharan, scientist attached to the Vikram Sarabai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, will give a talk on Intellectual Property Rights. A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish, Director of Public Instruction, will deliver the valedictory address on November 30.

State coordinator of the programme K. Thankappan said that the event was supported by the Union government's Science and Technology Department, the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) and the General Education Department of the State.

Prizes, marks

Students in the age group of 14 to 17 can present project papers on the focal theme. Those selected at the district level will participate in the State-level event.

Projects selected for the national-level science congress will be given cash prizes by the KSCSTE. Students who prepare these projects will also be eligible for grace marks for the SSLC and Plus Two exams.

The best two projects at the State level will be presented at the Indian Science Congress to be held at the SRM University campus near Chennai in January. The projects selected for the national-level congress also become eligible to be presented at the Kerala Science Congress to be held at Thiruvananthapuram on January 30.

Source: The Hindu, 26-11-2010

More pesticides to be withdrawn in Kasaragod

KOCHI: In what is perceived to be the firmest steps yet towards combating synthetic pesticides and their impact on human health, the State government has decided to withdraw licences to sell Red and Yellow categories of pesticides in Kasaragod district from December and to establish a state-of-the-art residue-testing laboratory in Palakkad district in six to seven months.

Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran told The Hindu on Thursday that the order to withdraw licences to sell these most dangerous categories of pesticides would be issued on December 3, the global No-Pesticides Use Day.

The Minister said the State government had sought support from the Union government for the withdrawal and as in the case of Endosulfan, it would only be the beginning of a move to take similar steps for the rest of Kerala in a phased manner. The order will empower agriculture officers to check the effectiveness of the withdrawal and entrust them the task to create public awareness.

The Agriculture Department has received a proposal to set up a laboratory facility for testing of vegetables and fruits for pesticide residues in Palakkad district. The laboratory will be in line with the one functioning at the College of Agriculture at Vellayani in Thiruvananthapuram. The Palakkad laboratory is expected to be funded jointly by the State government and the National Horticulture Mission.

Field reports

The move by the State government comes amid field reports that rising prices of vegetables and unprecedented pest attacks are forcing farmers in Kerala to resort to indiscriminate use of pesticides and fungicides across the spectrum of food crops.

The Minister says that Kerala has got into a “pesticide trap.” The comment came in his letter to Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar expressing the State's views on the new Pesticides Management Bill.

Source: The Hindu, 26-10-2010

Air pollution soared during Diwali

PUNE: Diwali celebrations resulted in high levels of air pollution in many parts of the city.

According to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), which continuously monitored the ambient air quality from November 3 to 8, respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) levels were much higher than permissible levels on those days.

The National Air Monitoring Programme identifies four air pollutants viz, sulphur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NO2), suspended particulate matter (SPM) and respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM/PM10). The permissible limit of RSPM/PM10 is 100 ug/m3 as per the ambient air quality monitoring standards. Similarly, the permissible limit for NO2 and SO2 is 80 ug/m3, and that of SPM is 200 ug/m3.

The places monitored for their ambient air quality were Karve road (CAAQMS), the PCMC building, Nal Stop (SNDT), Swargate (police station), Bhosari (MIDC), Swargate, Deccan (Alka chowk), Nal Stop (telephone exchange) and a PCMC area (Talera hospital).

P K Mirashe, Pune regional officer of the MPCB, said, "The ambient air quality of Karve road, Nal Stop, Swargate and PCMC is monitored twice a week on a routine basis. However, during Diwali, we added other locations to this list. On an average, the RSPM concentration exceeded the prescribed standards during the festival. This can be attributed to bursting firecrackers, including aerial crackers and sparklers."

Mirashe said that in all cases, the SO2 concentration was observed to be within the prescribed limit of 80 ug/m3. "However, the concentration of SO2 during Diwali increased as compared to its usual levels ascertained through routine monitoring. Fireworks contain sulphur, which gets oxidized to sulphur dioxide later," he said.

Similarly, in the case of NO2, its concentration was well within the prescribed limit of 80 ug/m3, but was found to be higher this time, than what it is during routine monitoring. "The chemicals present in firecrackers increased the concentration of NO2 in the air," added Mirashe.

On November 3, the level of PM10 was estimated as 117 ug/m3 in Karve road (CAAQMS), 94 ug/m3 near PCMC building and 82 ug/m3 in Bhosari (MIDC). On November 5, the PM10 levels escalated to 123 ug/m3 in Karve road (CAAQMS), 191 ug/m3 near the PCMC building, 241 ug/m3 in Nal Stop (SNDT), 199 ug/m3 in Bhosari (MIDC), 148 ug/m3 in Swargate, 159 ug/m3 in Deccan (Alka Chowk) and 210 ug/m3 in Nal Stop (Telephone exchange).

On November 7, the PM10 levels were found to be 153 ug/m3 on Karve road (CAAQMS), 63 ug/m3 near the PCMC building, 178 ug/m3 in Swargate, 162 ug/m3 in Deccan (Alka Chowk) and 145 ug/m3 in Nal Stop (Telephone exchange).

"The SPM level in the PCMC Talera Hospital area on November 5 was 373 ug/m3. On November 6, it was 275 ug/m3 and on November 7 it was 180 ug/m3," said Mirashe.

Mirashe added that an excess of SO2 and NO2 have a negative impact on health. "Continued or frequent exposure to pollutant concentrations that are typically much higher than those normally found in the ambient air may cause increased incidence of respiratory problems," he said.

Apart from the presence of pollutants, other factors that affect the ambient air quality of an area include weather conditions, wind direction and wind velocity. "Low temperature will affect the dispersal of pollutants, and such a scenario will increase a chemical's concentration in a particular area. Similarly, open spaces and a clear sky allow unhindered dispersal of a pollutant. However, as compared to 2009, the level of pollutants in the air during Diwali has come down," said Mirashe.

Source: Times of India , 11-11-2010

Huge oil spill as ships collide on Hooghly

NURPUR (SOUTH 24 PARGANAS DISTRICT): A cargo vessel on its way to the Kolkata port rammed another such ship bound for Colombo on the Hooghly river here on Tuesday.

Though none of the crew was injured, both vessels suffered extensive damage and a large quantity of oil spilled into the river as a result of the collision.

Registered in Bahamas, Green Valley collided with Tiger Spring — registered in Gibraltar and coming from Singapore — around 12 noon. while trying to pass through the narrow Hooghly Point, which is the confluence of the Hooghly and the Rupnarayan rivers. Both were carrying non-hazardous cargo, according to Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) officials.

While Green Valley was taken to the Diamond Harbour for repairs, the 6000-tonne Tiger Spring with 422 containers was left stranded here. The portion where the Tiger Spring got rammed has been completely damaged with the containers precariously hanging over water.

Senior KoPT officials, however, ruled out any possibility of the Tiger Spring's sinking. Ship movement on the route, too, remained unaffected.

Local residents said the ship had tilted immediately after the collision. A thick film of black oil the crew was forced to offload was seen floating around the ship, sparking fears of an environmental hazard.

Union Minister of State for Shipping Mukul Ray, however, did not attach much importance to the spill, saying that oil dumped by the crew was “nominal” and “is not a serious matter.” Members of the 22-strong-crew of Tiger Spring were seen taking stock of the damage.

According to KoPT officials, the spot — also known as blind point — poses a challenge to pilots of all vessels passing through the region as it witnesses very strong currents. Moreover, due to heavy deposits of silt over the years, the western channel of the Hooghly here has become unfit for navigation — leaving just the eastern channel open for ship movement.

Source: The Hindu, 24-11-2010

Tigers could be extinct in 12 years if unprotected

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia: Wild tigers could become extinct in 12 years if countries where they still roam fail to take quick action to protect their habitats and step up the fight against poaching, global wildlife experts told a ``tiger summit'' Sunday.

The World Wildlife Fund and other experts say only about 3,200 tigers remain in the wild, a dramatic plunge from an estimated 100,000 a century ago.

James Leape, director general of the World Wildlife Fund, told the meeting in St. Petersburg that if the proper protective measures aren't taken, tigers may disappear by 2022, the next Chinese calendar year of the tiger.

Their habitat is being destroyed by forest cutting and construction, and they are a valuable trophy for poachers who want their skins and body parts prized in Chinese traditional medicine.

The summit approved a wide-ranging program with the goal of doubling the world's tiger population in the wild by 2022 backed by governments of the 13 countries that still have tiger populations: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam and Russia.

The Global Tiger Recovery Program estimates the countries will need about $350 million in outside funding in the first five years of the 12-year plan. The summit will be seeking donor commitments to help governments finance conservation measures.

``For most people tigers are one of the wonders of the world,'' Leape told The Associated Press. ``In the end, the tigers are the inspiration and the flagship for much broader efforts to conserve forests and grasslands.''

The program aims to protect tiger habitats, eradicate poaching, smuggling, and illegal trade of tigers and their parts, and also create incentives for local communities to engage them in helping protect the big cats.

The summit, which runs through Wednesday, is hosted by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who has used encounters with tigers and other wild animals to bolster his image. It's driven by the Global Tiger Initiative which was launched two years ago by World Bank President Robert Zoellick.

Leape said that along with a stronger action against poaching, it's necessary to set up specialized reserves for tigers and restore and conserve forests outside them to let tigers expand.

``And you have to find a way to make it work for the local communities so that they would be partners in tigers conservation and benefit from them,'' Leape said.

``To save tigers you need to save the forests, grasslands and lots of other species,'' he added. ``But at the same time you are also conserving the foundations of the societies who live there. Their economy depends very much on the food, water and materials they get from those forests.''

About 30 percent of the program's cost would go toward suppressing the poaching of tigers and of the animals they prey on.

Russia's Natural Resources Minister Yuri Trutnev said that Russia and China will create a protected area for tigers alongside their border and pool resources to combat poaching.

Leape said that for some of the nations involved outside financing would be essential to fulfill the goals.

``We need to see signficant commitment by the multilateral and bilateral indsitutions like the Global Environment Facility and the World Bank plus individual governments like the U.S. and Germany,'' Leape told the AP.

For advocates, saving tigers has implications far beyond the emotional appeal of preserving a graceful and majestic animal.

``Wild tigers are not only a symbol of all that is splendid, mystical and powerful about nature,'' the Global Tiger Initiative said in a statement. ``The loss of tigers and degradation of their ecosystems would inevitably result in a historic, cultural, spiritual, and environmental catastrophe for the tiger range countries.''

Three of the nine tiger subspecies _ the Bali, Javan, and Caspian _ already have become extinct in the past 70 years.

Much has been done recently to try to save tigers, but conservation groups say their numbers and habitats have continued to fall, by 40 percent in the past decade alone.

In part, that decline is because conservation efforts have been increasingly diverse and often aimed at improving habitats outside protected areas where tigers can breed, according to a study published in September in the Popular Library of Science Biology journal.

Putin has done much to draw attention to tigers' plight. During a visit to a wildlife preserve in 2008, he shot a female tiger with a tranquilizer gun and helped place a transmitter around her neck as part of a program to track the rare cats.

Later in the year, Putin was given a 2-month-old female Siberian tiger for his birthday. State television showed him at his home gently petting the cub, which was curled up in a wicker basket with a tiger-print cushion. The tiger now lives in a zoo in southern Russia.

Source: Times of India , 22-11-2010

As sea level rises, Chennai areas face submersion threat

CHENNAI: Imagine a Chennai city where well-known, low-lying residential areas Velachery, Madipaakkam and Kotturpuram may permanently be submerged by sea water. The Napier bridge may be seen rising directly out of the sea, while the mouth of the river Cooum is pushed inland to open into the sea before the Napier Bridge. Island Grounds may cease to exist. This is a picture painted by environmental experts on the grim scenario that might confront Chennai if the sea level rises by one metre.

With over 70% of the population living along the coast, the displacement of human population may be massive. Says Professor J S Mani of the Ocean Engineering department in IIT Madras: ''The only solution is that the government must plan well in advance and decongest the coastal areas.''

There is a general consensus among ocean scientists that the sea level may rise by as much as one metre in the next 50 years. While the reports vary in their projections of the speed of the rise, it is commonly concluded that a significant rise in the sea level would occur during the later years of the 21st century.

Experts point out that Chennai, as a low-lying area with an average height of 2 metres above mean sea level, is likely to face several changes. The Coromandel coast comprises a series of sand dunes along the shoreline after the beach. This area is of higher elevation. The elevation decreases further inland.

Source: Times of India , 22-11-2010

Indian scientific mission hoists Tricolour at South Pole New Delhi

Almost three decades after unfurling the Indian Flag in Antarctica, an eight-member scientific team hoisted the Tricolour at the South Pole at 1310 hours on Monday, firmly establishing India’s presence in the icy continent.

“I am on top of the world though actually I am at the bottom of the world. There is nothing here except miles and miles of snow everywhere,” team leader Rasik Rabindra said jubilantly over his Iridium satellite phone, hours after reaching the South Pole.

The 62-year-old glaciologist , who came out from his tent to use his satellite phone, said temperature at the southern-most point of the planet was hovering around minus 70 degrees Celsius. Rabindra heads the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research in Goa.

The team took almost 10 days to reach the pole from Maitri—the Indian station on the edge of the continent—traversing about 2,350 km through an icy terrain. The scientists encountered five crevasses en route to the pole and collected ice cores and scientific data.

However, science was not the real objective behind India’s maiden expedition to the South Pole. It is the global geopolitics.

Antarctica is one of the world’s biggest reserve for natural resources, which nobody can access at the moment due to the United Nations Antarctic Treaty that describes it as the common heritage for the mankind.

But the international treaty will be open and up for negotiation in 2040. And countries are trying to anticipate what kind of conditions may come up when discussion starts on on resource sharing. A presence at the South Pole could be one such condition.

Antarctica holds 75 per cent of the world’s fresh water. It is also estimated to hold very large deposits of minerals, oil (about 45,000 million barrels and roughly 115 trillion cubic feet of gas) and coal (about 11 per cent of the world’s total deposits).

Since a lot is at stake, India is not willing to leave a blank at the South Pole. But it does not have any plan to go again.

“We may not have another South Pole expedition in near future,” said Shailesh Nayak, secretary in the ministry of earth sciences that has been conducting Antarctica expeditions since 1981.

Even though an Indian Navy team reached the South Pole two years ago and an Army team is on its way to reach the pole on January 15, these are considered “adventure sports” and may not add any value to Indian’s claim on the negotiation table.

The Indian expedition was undertaken at a time when the polar region has sunlight for 24 hours. The team will start their return journey on Wednesday and hope to reach Maitri on the first week of December.

Source: Deccan Herald, 22-11-2010

Roads to Gir sanctuary to be closed during nights

GANDHINAGAR: The Gujarat government has decided to close all the roads passing through the Gir national sanctuary — the only abode of the Asiatic Lions — during the nights.

The decision, according to the State Forest and Environment Department Principal Secretary, S. K. Nanda, is to ensure the safety of the lions and other animals in the Gir forest in view of numerous cases of accidents and killing or injuring the animals by the speeding vehicles.

1500 sq km area

Spread over about 1,500 square kilometre area including about 900 sq. km of area of protected forest zone, the Gir has 411 Asiatic Lions, including about 300 inside the protected zone, as per the latest lion census, besides numerous other animals. The animals move freely in the nights frequently becoming victims of passing vehicles while crossing the roads.

About 10 important roads pass through the Gir forest connecting Junagadh with Amreli, Sasan with Talala, Visavadar with Dhari and several other small and medium towns on the periphery of the sanctuary area. According to one estimate, about 600 vehicles pass through the Gir forest every night, many of them at high speed.

Besides endangering the safety of the animals, the speeding vehicles also cause environment and noise pollution, disrupting the peace of the animals.

Speed-breakers

Mr. Nanda said in addition to banning vehicular traffic through the forest in the nights, the government had also constructed speed-breakers at regular intervals to ensure that even during the day hours, the vehicles could not rush beyond 40 kilometre per hour speed. He said steps would be taken to ensure that the entrance to all the roads passing through the Gir forest were closed at sunset to be opened only after sunrise the next day.

However, only in case of emergencies, the vehicles would be given special permission to pass through the sanctuary area in the nights, he said.

Similar attempts were made in the past also to restrict vehicular traffic through the forest areas in the nights but could not be implemented due to stiff opposition from the people in the villages living within the sanctuary area.

The trading community in the peripheral areas also opposed any such move because the distances between any two points increase by about 50 to over 100 kilometre if they had to skirt around the sanctuary zone for the transshipment of the goods.

But this time the government was “serious” and would not bow down to the local pressures, the Forest Department sources said.

Source: The Hindu, 23-11-2010

Interpretation centre at Vanaparvam park

Kozhikode: The Forest Department will set up a temporary interpretation centre at the Vanaparvam bio-diversity park, near Kakkavayal, ahead of its formal opening on January 15.

The temporary centre is being set up to provide comprehensive information to visitors on the rare species of plants and herbs under conservation.

The department plans to build a bamboo house in the project area and use it as the official interpretation centre till the opening of a permanent structure.

The services of trained Vana Samrakshana Samithi members and forest staff will be utilised for the functioning of the centre and conducting awareness sessions for the visitors.

Tenders

Efforts are on to float tenders on November 30 for the construction of the permanent interpretation centre. The department hopes that the proposed building will be ready within two years.

Divisional Forest Officer Joseph Thomas said the interpretation centre would play a vital role in enlightening visitors through seminars and presentations on the rich bio-diversity of the region. The services offered by the centre would be useful to students and researchers interested in conducting in-depth studies on rare plants, he said.

At present, nearly 2,300 species of plants, the majority of them belonging to the Rare, Endemic and Threatened (RET) category, are conserved at the park. ‘Somalata' ( Sarcostemma acidum), a medicinal plant that grows in the high altitudes of the Himalayas, is one such species.

Official figures show that nearly 150 species of herbal plants, 23 species of bamboo saplings and 20 species of orchids grow under the ‘Vanaparvam' initiative. The interpretation centre will enable the visitors to learn about the importance of these plants and their medicinal value through focussed sessions and reference material.

Along with the conservation initiatives, the department also plans to bring out a comprehensive register listing the biological treasures at the park.

Mr. Thomas said the register, prepared with the assistance of the Zoological Survey of India and researchers from the Malabar Botanical Garden, the Swaminathan Foundation and the Malabar Natural History Society, would be ready in two months.

Funds

For developing the 111.4-hectare park into a tourist destination, the Ministry of Forest has sanctioned Rs.96 lakh, of which Rs.40 lakh will be spent for completing the first phase.

A butterfly park will be the main attraction of the project on completion.

Source: The Hindu, 23-11-2010

Zoology exhibition to showcase rare specimens

Kozhikode: As part of the observance of International Year of Biodiversity, the Zoology Department of Malabar Christian College here will organise a three-day zoology exhibition titled ‘Zoo Spectra' from November 24 to 26 on the campus. District Collector P.B. Salim will open it.

At a press conference here on Monday, Mary Anitha, Head of the Department of Zoology, said the exhibition would feature a number of rare specimens related to the lifecycle of man, animals, birds and insects. “The purpose of the programme is to kindle the interest of students in basic science,” she said.

The exhibition would offer opportunity for the visitors to see the various stages of the growth of human embryo. A photo exhibition would also be organised to enlighten viewers on the history of Indian biodiversity, she added.

Lambert Kishore and Sachin P. James, faculty members, said the specimens of rare stick insects, butterflies and light-producing bugs would be the main attractions of the exhibition.

Altogether 500 species of different insects would be displayed at the exhibition, they added.
College manager P.S. Ebenezer was also present at the press meet.

Source: The Hindu, 23-11-2010

First planet from another galaxy 'discovered'

London: Astronomers have discovered what they claim is the first planet from another galaxy.

A team at Germany's Max Planck Institute for Astronomy has found the planet, called HIP 13044 b, around a star which seems to be an interloper from another galaxy - by the way its gravity caused its host star to wobble.

Curiously, the star also contains fewer heavy elements -- thought to be needed to build planets -- than any other planet-hosting star yet discovered, the 'New Scientist' reported.

The planet, which is 1.25 times as massive as Jupiter, lies 2300 light years from Earth and orbits a bloated, ageing star slightly less massive than the sun.The host star, called HIP 13044, is a member of a group of stars called the Helmi stream that have unusual, elongated orbits that bring them far above and below the disc of the galaxy where sun and most other Milky Way stars reside.

The Helmi stars are thought to be remnants of a small galaxy torn apart by the Milky Way some 6 billion to 9 billion years ago.

"This cosmic merger has brought an extragalactic planet within our reach," said team member Rainer Klemen

In addition to its unusual origins, the host star is puzzling because it has fewer elements heavier than hydrogen and helium than any other star known to host a planet. Its light spectrum suggests it has just 10 per cent as much iron as the previous record holder, and only 1 per cent as much as the sun, say the astronomers.

Planets are thought to form from discs of gas and dust left over from the formation of the parent star. In the prevailing theory of planet formation, called core accretion, dust grains stick together to form rocky worlds, and some of these rocky bodies then grow massive enough to attract surrounding gas, becoming gas giants like Jupiter.

Dust is made up of heavy elements, so stars depleted in these elements would have a hard time making planets in this scenario.

"This suggests the planet formed another way," said Alan Boss of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, DC, who was not a member of the team.

He added: "The fact that the star is also likely to have come from somewhere other than the disc of our galaxy makes it even more remarkable, and supports the suspicion that planetary systems are rife in the universe."

Source: Deccan Herald , 19-11-2010

New cactus species poses a threat

KOCHI: A thorny invader is spreading its roots in some parts of Kerala and posing a threat to the local flora and fauna. Cylindropuntia ramosissima, a species of cactus, believed to be a native of Northern Mexico, has been located at Attappady area of Palakkad district.

A three-member team of the Kerala Forest Research Institute, Thrissur, consisting of K. V. Sankaran, director of the institute, T. V. Sajeev, scientist and T. A. Suresh, research scholar, indentified the weed during a survey conducted across the State for invasive weeds and trees.

The spiny weed is mainly seen in the dry areas of south western United States and northern Mexico.

Researchers say the weed is used as a hedge plant to protect agricultural land from wild animals, and came into the State from Tamil Nadu.

The hedges of this spiny plant can even stop marauding wild elephants from attacking farm lands. It is believed that the species might have been introduced in the country as a garden plant.

Though the distribution of the plants is very restricted, people from other parts of the State were found collecting them to be used as hedge plants elsewhere. Local population has been sensitised about the risk factors involved, and the need to restrict its spread, said Dr. Sajeev.

The researchers believe that the plant was introduced in Attappady area nearly a decade ago as the plants found in the area are almost seven-metre tall.

Local people reported that the thorns were very poisonous. The reverse barbs on the thorns make it easy to grab on, and hence it is difficult to remove once it pierces through the skin.

This weed spreads in open areas, including the flanks of the roads replacing native flora and fauna. Vegetative propagation is the main source of reproduction, researchers said.

Source: The Hindu, 20-11-2010

Endosulfan residue found in water source

KALPETTA: Scientists of the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM), Kozhikode, found the residue of Endosulfan in a drinking water source at Payyampally near Mananthavadi in the district.

The scientists found residue of pesticides such as Endosulfan alpha and Aldrine in a water sample collected from a well at Payyampalli by the Executive Engineer, Kerala Water Authority, as per the direction of N. Prasanth, sub collector, Wayanad, on November 25, 2009.

A set of seven water samples, collected from different drinking water sources in Mananthavadi taluk, were analysed by the scientists.

Source: The Hindu, 13-11-2010

Herbal park to be opened for public on January 15

Kozhikode: ‘Vanaparvam,' a herbal park for the conservation of rare and endangered species of plants coming up at Kakkavayal under the Kozhikode Forest Division, will be opened for the public on January 15.

Addressing presspersons after holding discussions with forest officials at the park on Wednesday, Forest Minister Benoy Viswom said the service of Vana Samrakshana Samithis and families residing in the region would be sought to protect the park, which houses around 150 species of priced medicinal plants.

The conservation park, coming up in an area of 111.4 hectares, has now around 2,300 newly planted saplings of various species.

An interpretation centre will be set up by March next year.

Small bamboo gardens, butterfly park, orchidarium with 75 wild species of orchids, trek path, suspension bridges and a check-dam across a nearby river are to come up in the project area. The government has sanctioned Rs.40 lakh to complete the first phase of project.

According to officials, it is proposed to spend a total of Rs.96 lakh for the completion of the project within two years.

The Forest Department has initiated steps to complete an exclusive biodiversity register for the park collaborating with the Zoological Survey of India.

Source: The Hindu, 11-11-2010

Eight more tiger reserves likely in the country

NEW DELHI: “We are looking at setting up eight more reserves as part of the tiger conservation efforts,” Union Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh said here on Friday. “The new reserves would include one in the Satyamangalam forests in Tamil Nadu, besides Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa."

The national tiger census report should also be available in within the next 15 days, he said speaking at a function held at WWF-India here, ahead of the International Tiger Forum, which is being hosted by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin at St. Petersburg from November 21 to 24.

The Minister introduced India's Youth Tiger Ambassadors who will represent the country at the International Youth Summit being held alongside the high-level government meeting on tiger conservation. The Forum will commit conservation and rehabilitation of tigers to global action.The Youth Summit will take place from November 19 to 24 at Vladivostok, home to the Amur Tiger. The involvement of youth at this important meeting is aimed at drawing attention to the importance of tiger conservation. WWF-India has selected students Anusha Shankar and Devanshu Sood to represent India at the summit.

They will be part of a delegation comprising representatives from all tiger ranges countries. The youth ambassadors will visit Siberian tiger trails and get a first-hand account of the state of wild tiger populations in Russia and measures being taken for their conservation. They will also develop a youth declaration on conservation, which will be presented to the Tiger Forum via videoconference between Vladivostok and St. Petersburg.

Before embarking on their journey to Russia, both tiger ambassadors signed a pledge, in the presence of Mr. Ramesh, of support to the cause of conservation. Anusha Shankar, a student of M.Sc Ecology and Environmental Science at Pondicherry University, said: “The natural world has always fascinated me. I decided long ago to pursue this passion professionally.

The Youth Tiger Summit is a great opportunity for me to contribute to tiger conservation.”

Source: The Hindu, 13-11-2010

Biodiversity park to abut on airport

Nedumbassery: Four hectares of forest land on the western periphery of the airport here is set to get a facelift with the completion of a biodiversity park, Suvarnodhyanam, in January.

Forest Minister Benoy Viswom, who, along with a team of officials, inspected the area on Sunday, said the major eco-tourism spot would be thrown open to visitors on Republic Day.

The park would have basic facilities and the surrounding ecosystem would be toned up.

The park has been included in the annual plan for 2010-11 and the Forest Department has been taking up works for eco-friendly tourism.

Artistically designed plants and trees, including canes and bamboos, will provide a green canopy to the park. A butterfly park and natural and artificial waterbodies will be developed. Two huts will be erected using natural materials. An inspection bungalow and a plant nursery will come up.

The authorities are proposing an entry fee to be spent on forest conservation.The Forest Department received the land from Cochin International Airport Ltd. in return for two hectares near the Thattekkadu forest division.

Combined with a golf course set among the panoramic background of the Western Ghats, the area is expected to be a big draw not merely for domestic tourists but also for foreigners using the airport.

Source: The Hindu, 15-11-2010

Rare bird species sighted in survey

Kozhikode: Several rare species of birds, including a few Red-headed Vultures, were spotted during a dawn-to-dusk bird race organised by a collective of environmental organisations in association with Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd. (HSBC) in Malabar on Sunday.

The bird race organised to commemorate the birth anniversary of Salim Ali, Bird Man of India, was held simultaneously in two other cities besides Kozhikode in the State.

More than 260 species of birds, including some globally threatened genus, were spotted during the race. Red-headed Vulture, Wayanad Laughing Thrush, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Shaheen Falcon, Turn Stone, Rosy Starling and Malabar Trogon were some of the rare birds spotted during the survey.

As many as18 teams, comprising four members representing different northern districts of the State, participated in the event. The Malabar Natural History Society (MNHS) took the lead in conducting the event.

The teams reached their destinations on time to ensure that they started out the race right away from the identified hotspots at 6 a.m.

The teams spent the entire day logging details of the birds roaming across the identified areas. They also made it an occasion to learn about the finer aspects of bird watching from experts.

The teams met at a venue in Kozhikode for dinner and shared their experiences. The participants included children, young enthusiasts, teachers, social activists and nature lovers.

They covered regions from the Western Ghats to the coast exploring almost all the known habitats. It included hotspots such as the Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kadalundy Estuary, Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Ezhimala Wetland, Porathur Estuary in Malappuram, Nilambur Forest, Janakikkad forest and the Muzhuppilangadu beach.

Prizes were given to the team which spotted the maximum number of species. The team which sighted the rarest bird got an award. The first prize was grabbed by N.R. Anoop and team of Wayanad - it spotted 186 species of birds.

The second prize was won by Dr.Jayan Thomas and team of Kannur district with 123 species and the third prize by a Kannur team represented by Sasidharan Manekara with 117 species.

Red-headed Vulture, which is included in the ‘Red-data Book' of globally threatened species, was spotted by Vishnudas and team from Wayanad. It was also declared as the bird of the day.

Besides HSBC, Kerala Birder, an internet mailing group of bird watchers, Yuhina Eco-Media, the Mumbai-based organisation specialising in natural history and environment-related activities, and the MNHS were the organisers of the event.

Source: The Hindu, 16-11-2010

Avifauna at risk, finds bird survey

The vast tracts of wetlands in central Kerala have been witnessing a considerable increase in the arrival of birds that use kole fields and small water bodies in dry lands as their habitats.

According to an initial survey of the Kerala Bird Race-2010, the Painted Stork and Glossy Ibis that live in the wetlands of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have been spotted in large numbers in central Kerala.

“Since the birds are considered as an indicator species, the large-scale presence of these species could be seen as an indication of the water bodies in central Kerala drying up'', said P.O. Nameer, head of the wildlife department in the Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur.

The day-long race conducted in the major bird habitats to spot the avifauna in and around central Kerala, also threw light on the developmental onslaught that is increasingly posing a threat to the existence of the avifauna.

The most interesting finding from the Ernakulam zone was the spotting of a Malabar Pied Hornbill in the low-lying evergreen forest area of the Athirapally region.

Indicating a change in the ecology, the commonly found variety of house sparrows has been declining at an alarming rate over the years.

The other birds that were least spotted during the race included the Night Cranes, Purple Moorhen and the Tailor Bird.

Based on the results of the survey last year, the organisers of the event made a representation to the authorities on the decline of the house sparrows. On the basis of this, a scheme has been implemented for conserving the species which envisages establishing nest boxes in and around Thrissur for facilitating breeding by the bird.


As many as 130-odd birders divided into 31 teams covered an area extending from the kole fields in Thrissur to the birding hotspots in Kottayam and Alappuzha districts, looking for birds. The race was followed by a get-together of the participants at a hotel near Nedumbassery to interact with one another and recount their day's experiences. Prizes were given to the teams which spotted the most number of birds.

At the session, V.A. Sunil Kumar, M.L.A, was presented with an award in absentia for the efforts to preserve the ecology of the kole lands in Thrissur, which has been facing threats from the land mafia.

The event was held as part of commemorating the birthday of renowned ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali on November 12.

Transport Minister Jose Thettayil inaugurated the evening session at which the chief forest conservator B.S. Corrie; environmental activist Sunjoy Monga; and P.O. Nameer spoke. The event was organised by Kerala Birder, an Internet discussion forum for the bird aficionados in association with the HSBC Bank.

Source: The Hindu, 16-11-2010

Crab invasion in Kollam

KOLLAM: Fishermen along the Kollam coast had a prize catch on Tuesday, without even venturing into the sea.

A swarm of 3 spot sea crabs scrambled out of the sea along the coast, from Eravipuram to Tangasseri Harbour, that day. The phenomenon continued well into Wednesday afternoon.

The 3 spot crabs ( portunus sanguinolentus) are edible and are even exported. Upon sighting the crabs, the fishing community, sensing a windfall, flocked to the beach. Huge quantities were there to be picked for the markets and to be shared with friends and relatives.

Some enterprising youngsters wanted to catch the crabs from the sea itself and moved to the waters with scoop nets. They too had a rich haul. Even senior fishermen of the area do not recall a precedent. Last year, red crabs, which are inedible, had crawled out of the sea.
However, marine biologists are wary about the development.

They fear that anaerobic conditions in the sea could have forced these crustaceans to flee to the shore in desperate search for oxygen.

At times, oxygen gets depleted at an alarming rate in vast areas of the sea bed, creating dead zones.

This causes the ‘jubilee phenomenon' wherein dwellers of deep sea like crabs, shrimps and eels teem along the waters edge.

Fishermen of the area said that by Wednesday evening, the phenomenon had subsided.

Source: The Hindu,18-11-2010

Experts predict warmer days and less rain for Kerala

KOCHI: Reduced rain fall, increased atmospheric temperature and flooding due to rising sea level await the Western Ghats and Kerala in the next 20 years.

These predictions form part of a report prepared by the Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment (INCCA) on the possible impact of climate change.

If the sea level rises by one metre, 169 sq km of the coastal region surrounding Kochi will be inundated. Since the region covers the backwaters, a lot of inland areas far from the coast but adjacent to the tidal creeks, backwaters and lakes will be inundated. This will cause considerable increase in the total area of inundation, the report said.

The other two regions assessed for a similar impact are Nagapattinam and Paradip. The estimate showed that 4.2 sq km of Nagapattinam and 478 sq km for Paradip will be inundated. Studies have indicated that sea level rise along the Indian coast is to the tune of 1.3 mm a year.

The minimum atmospheric temperature in the Western Ghats region may rise by 2 to 4.5 degree Celsius. The Karnataka part of the ghats will experience minimum increase.

The temperature in the region bordering Kerala is likely to rise by 1 to 3 degree Celsius, the report predicted.

The number of rainy days is likely to decrease along the entire western coast, including in the Western Ghats.

Though productivity of irrigated rice is likely to decrease by 4 per cent in most of the areas of the Western Ghats, those rice fields in southern Karnataka and northern-most districts of Kerala may witness an increase in production.

Coconut yield is projected to increase by up to 30 per cent in the majority of the farmed region.

In the fisheries sector, an increase in catches of oil sardine during the post-southwest monsoon along the Kerala coast has been predicted due to the elevated sea surface temperature, favourable wind and higher chlorophyll concentration during southwest monsoon.

Source: The Hindu,18-11-2010

A feather in the cap of city zoo

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The nesting of Little Grebe, a small water bird, was reported for the first time in south Kerala, on the zoo premises here, during the fourth HSBC BirdRace on Sunday.

The nesting was spotted near the pond inside the zoo during the race, held in seven locations in and around the city, in which 62 birdwatchers, aged between 10 and 70 years, participated. It has been revealed that the museum-zoo compound, the capital's lung space, has considerable bird diversity.

Though the area is a habitat for house sparrow, not even one was sighted, hinting at the decline of this species due to non-availability of food in the city.

Oriental Darter, the endangered and red listed snake bird also has a good population here and the team observed 11 nests with chicks.

Peroorkada, Akkulam wetlands, Punchakari paddy fields-Vellayani Lake and surrounding areas, Arippa–Palode, Chathancode–Vithura, Neyyar Dam-Kottoor and Kallar-Ponmudi were the other sites for the dawn-to-dusk event in the city.

Seven teams

The participants were grouped into seven teams and given binoculars and bird log books. An expert bird watcher accompanied each team. The bird race was coordinated locally by WWF-India, Kerala State Office and Warblers & Waders. Thirty-one species of birds were reported from Peroorkada.

The wetland of the city, Akkulam, was a total disappointment. Only eight species, including Reef Egret, could be sighted. Last year, 61 species were reported from here. Reclamation, construction activities and pollution has led to a complete eviction of water birds like cormorants, darters and ducks from the lake.

Common Kestrel and Black naped Monarch Blue Flycatcher were the important sightings from Kallar-Ponmudi.

The fresh water lake, Vellayani and the paddy fields of Punchakkari provided sighting of rare species like Red necked Falcon and Black capped Kingfisher. Marsh Harrier, Chestnut Bittern and Small Pratincole were the other important sightings.

Back Baza team which surveyed the Arippa Forests won the first prize with a sighting of 87 species. Team Osprey, which studied the Punchakkary paddy fields and Vellayani Lake won the second prize, spotting 70 species. Team Honey Buzzard, who was at the Neyyar Dam-Kottur area won the third prize with 58 species.

The Orange-breasted green pigeon, reported from the zoo premises, was declared the Bird of the Day. A. K. Sivakumar, Coordinator of the Bird Race and Education Officer of WWF-India, and C. Sushanthkumar, Executive Member, Warblers and Waders, were in the judging panel.

In all, 139 species were spotted during the day's event. O. M. Mathew, the oldest participant, and Baby Salini Anil, the youngest, were also given awards. Minister for Forest and Housing Benoy Viswom, who was the chief guest at the valedictory, gave away the prizes.

Source: The Hindu,18-11-2010

Scientists create “mini Big Bang”

London: The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) has succeeded in creating a miniature version of the Big Bang by smashing stripped-down lead atoms together.

The reaction created temperatures a million times hotter than the Sun's core. Such temperatures have not been reached since the first billionth of a second following the Big Bang, which many scientists say was the beginning of the universe.

This was expected to cause atomic particles such as protons and neutrons to melt, producing a “soup” of matter in a state previously unseen on earth.

Scientists, including British particle physicists, will now study the particles in the hope of discovering what holds atoms together and gives them their mass, reports the Telegraph.

The collisions were produced by firing lead ions — atoms with their electrons removed — at incredible speeds in opposite directions around the LHC's underground tunnel at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, near Geneva.

The heavyweight particle collisions follow seven months of experiments crashing protons — which are 200 times lighter than lead ions — at near-light speeds.

“We are thrilled with the achievement. The collisions generated mini Big Bangs and the highest temperatures and densities ever achieved in an experiment,” said David Evans, of Birmingham University, U.K. “This process took place in a safe, controlled environment generating incredibly hot and dense subatomic fireballs with temperatures of over ten trillion degrees — a million times hotter than the centre of the Sun,” he added. The experiment went ahead despite warnings by a group called Heavy Ion Alert that it could trigger a catastrophic chain reaction that might destroy the earth.LHC scientists dismissed it.

Source: The Hindu, 9-11-2010

Weather data on the Web

Kozhikode: It is now possible to follow weather data emanating from meteorological observatories (MO) on the Web. This has been made possible by installing sophisticated automatic weather stations.

Such a facility was installed at the meteorological observatory of the Indian Meteorological Department here. The automatic weather station, commissioned near the Kozhikode Beach on Thursday, is one of the 15 such facilities being installed across the State, P.S. Biju, meteorologist, Thiruvananthapuram centre, told The Hindu.

Another station, 12th in the State, will be commissioned at Nilambur on Friday. While the U.S.-made equipment is used in five observatories – Thiruvananthapuram, Kottarakkara, Kayamkulam, Thavannur and Peelicode - equipment made in India is installed at the other stations.

With the commissioning of this facility, it is possible to access latest weather data on the internet by logging on to imdaws.com.

The automatic weather station is faster and more accurate than the manual system. It gathers weather data, transmits the information via Insat 3 satellite to the earth station in Pune. From the earth station, the data get uploaded on to the website, all within an hour.

The upgrading of the monitoring facility will benefit fishermen, disaster management personnel and insurance firms which need weather data to settle crop insurance claims.

The new facility is part of a programme to elevate to world standards weather data collection facilities in the country.

Work on installing the more sophisticated Doppler weather radars that can forecast weather in the next two hours has started in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Mangalore.

Source:The Hindu,10-11-2010

Conservationists worried over safety as endangered Olive Ridleys arrive

BHUBANESWAR: With the endangered Olive Ridley turtles already reaching the coastal waters at Gahirmatha, concern over their safety has begun to worry conservationists.

Since decades carcasses of the sea turtles lying along the Odisha coast, especially close to their mass nestling sites at Gahirmatha marine sanctuary and mouths of Rushikulya and Devi rivers, have been common sight. This year, too, wildlife activists feel things would be no different, notwithstanding the state government's claims of having adopted numerous measures to protect the large reptiles.

The sea turtles, according to senior scientist (state wildlife) C S Kar, have started arriving at the shallow coastal waters in the Odisha's coast to keep their annual date for mass nestling (also called arribada), which normally starts in late October and continues till March. Odisha coast is considered the only place apart from Costa Rica to witness mass nesting by Olive Ridleys (some nestling also takes place in Mexico).

Conservationist groups, in tune with the over decade old trend, predict a sad story: around 10,000 of these endangered guests are sure to perish. "At least 8,000 to 10,000 turtles are washed ashore every year. The putrefying bodies of Olive Ridleys are usually seen at Satbhaya, Konark, Devi river mouth and Kujang coast. Not even God can save them," said secretary, Wildlife Society of Odisha, Biswajit Mohanty.

According to conservationists and government officials, the major reason for turtle casualty is the use of fishing nets and lack of enforcement of legal provisions. "Despite a Supreme Court guideline in 2004, intensive trawling activities continue unabated. Though it is legally mandatory the vessels refuse to use turtle excluder device (TED), a simple metallic implement which can help turtles escape without causing loss to fish catch. The government and NGOs a few years back even distributed 3000 TEDs free of cost. Yet, the trawlers have not fitted those, leading to turtles getting trapped and killed," pointed out a senior wildlife officer.

Environmental bodies, including Greenpeace and People for Animals, have been repeatedly raising concern over the high mortality of Ridleys, listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Mohanty, who is coordinator of Operation Kacchapa, said at least 1.5 lakh dead turtles have been counted on the Odisha coast since the last 15 years. "This does not include at least twice the number washed away to deep sea," he added.

Principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife), P N Padhi, however, discounted the allegation. "We count the carcasses every year and during the turn of the millennium the annual mortality figure has sharply declined, from between 10,000 and 15,000 to between 3000 and 5000. Each year we set up a large number of onshore camps for turtle safety."

"Between five lakh to 10 lakh turtles come to the state every year. Can a casualty rate of 0.5 to one per cent be considered high?" Padhi asked, adding, "When such a large number of turtles arrive it would be foolish to claim that there can be zero casualties. But we are taking requisite steps to protect them."

State forest and environment secretary Arabinda Behera said the government is doing all that is necessary to ensure a "safe" journey for the turtles. "We will certainly try to curb casualty of Olive Ridleys to the maximum extent and also ensure they get conducive environment for nestling," Behera said.

The state government, incidentally, has since the last few years made a special budgetary head for protection of turtles and also planned to establish a sea turtle research centre at Rushikulya river mouth. "The government has been taking certain measures to curb turtle mortality and banning fishing by mechanized boats (up to 10 km from the shoreline) and trawlers (up 20 km) from November to May," an officer said.

Conservationists are, however, far from convinced and worried over the massive dredging operations for a port at Dhamra (about 12 km from the mass nesting site at Nasi Island) besides proposals for ports at Astaranga and Palur. "All the three mass nesting sites on Odisha coast are now in danger because of proposed ports. Since turtle nesting beaches are fragile and can be easily lost due to natural reasons like cyclones and tsunamis, hence it is important that all the three mass nesting sites on Odisha coast be preserved so that if one is lost the turtles still have a chance to use the other beaches. Else, Odisha will meet the same fate as Mexico, which were deserted by turtles in the 1960s because of trawling," Mohanty warned.

Source: Times of India, 9-11-2010

Eradicate snails before summer, suggests expert

KOCHI: The eradication of Giant African Snails should be completed before summer as they would go into hibernation by the time, an expert report has said.

Once they hibernate, they cannot be lured out with baits, said a report by T.V. Sajeev, an entomologist of the Forest Health Division of the Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi. The report was submitted to the Ombudsman for local self-government institutions. The institute was asked to study the infestation of the snail in Kerala, particularly in Konni.

The mollusc can go to summer sleep up to three years during extreme drought, sealing itself into its shell secretion of a cal carious compound that dries on contact with air.

The practice of using metaldehyde, a pesticide, and common salt to kill the snail will leave adverse impact on terrestrial and aquatic fauna. Excessive use of common salt alters the soil chemistry making it unfit for agriculture, the report said.

Snails should not be consumed as it is an intermediate vector of the rat lungworm which causes eosinophilic meningitis in humans. It also plays host to aeromonas hydrophila, a pathogen found in hosts with weak immune system.

Vehicles moving out from the area should be thoroughly checked for making sure that it is not accidentally transported to new locations. The snails collected using protective gloves can be destroyed using tobacco decoction and copper sulphate mixture. Baits can be set in the evenings using cabbage leaves, it was suggested.

The mollusc, Achatina Fulica Bowtich, is a native of coastal East Africa. It is an invasive species which has escaped from its naturally distributed area and invaded many parts of the world.

The Global Invasive Species Database managed by the Invasive Species Specialist Group of the International Union for Conservation of Nature has ranked it second in the list of world's 100 worst invaders.

Even though the creatures thrive in humid and warm conditions, they are highly adaptable to dry and cooler climates. They hibernate 10 to 15 cm deep in soft soil during less favourable conditions for up to one year, the report said.

The snails might have reached Kerala in the 1970s. Its presence was first reported from Palakkad. At present, most of the districts, including Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Kollam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargod, have at least one location with snail infestation, it was reported.

The infestation in Konni is quite high requiring urgent efforts to reduce its population. The wells in the area are contaminated by the snail excreta. Vomiting tendency, giddiness and irritation were reported by the people who handled the snail. Its empty shells have become breeding sites of mosquitoes too, it was reported.

Source: The Hindu, 9-11-2010

Climate change: India to host 48-nation talks

India has once again taken an initiative to break the impasse on climate change. Ahead of the Cancun meet, it will host ‘informal’ talks between ministers from 48 nations to build a consensus on the contentious global mechanism for transfer of environmentally-sound technologies and matching funds to countries that would be most hit by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC).

The Ministerial Dialogue would focus on ‘concrete questions’ to promote understanding and work towards consensus building on establishing an International Technology Mechanism and a Financial Mechanism to cover the extra costs that developing countries would suffer on switching to expensive but climate-friendly technologies being pushed under the UNFCC.

“The goal of the roundtable is to enable ministers to assess the options from a practical and operational perspective, and channel political guidance into areas where it would be most strategic with a view to facilitate agreement at COP 16 (16th Conference of Parties) in Cancun,” says the concept note for the meet.

Source : Indian Express, 3-11-2010

New ginger species in Western Ghats

Thrissur: A new species of wild ginger has been discovered in the Western Ghats.

Scientists P. Sujanapal of the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation and N.Sasidharan of the Kerala Forest Research Institute discovered the new species, named Zingiber Anamalayanum (Zingiberaceae), in the Nelliyampathy and Anamalai hills in the Western Ghats.

The species, found in grasslands that are 1,400-1,650 metres above sea level, has been termed rare. It flowers between May and August. Fruits mature between July and November.

The Nordic Journal of Botany (Volume 28, Issue 3), an international journal that publishes studies of relevance to the botanical biodiversity on earth, has reported the discovery.

“Research needs to be carried out about the edible and medicinal values of the new species,” says Dr. Sujanapal.

The Western Ghats is home to different species of gingers (Zingiber), turmeric (Curcuma) and pepper (Piper). As many as 156 species of the genus Zingiber are found in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Burma, China, Japan, Malaysia and Queensland. Most of the species occur in the Indo-Chinese Peninsula and southern China. In the Indian subcontinent, the North-East and the Western Ghats report Zingiber diversity.

“During our study of the flora of the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, a few specimens of Zingiber were collected from the grasslands. We compared them with all the recorded Zingiber species of the Indo-Malaysian region. The specimen did not match any of the already reported species,” adds Mr. Sujanapal.

He points out the need for preserving the new species. “Human activity causes destruction of its habitat,” he says.

Source :The Hindu, 5-11-2010

‘Blue tigers' light up Thenmala butterfly park

KOLLAM: The Thenmala Butterfly Safari Park is hosting hundreds of blue tiger ( Tirumala septentrionis) butterflies these days, in the process attracting a surge of tourists too.

Though blue tigers are common in Kerala, they are generally seen as solitary fliers. A huge cluster, swarming around host trees, as seen in the park, is a rarity. They seem least perturbed by visitors and are quite at home in the park. Though not in huge numbers, the common crow butterflies are keeping the visitors company.

According to the park authorities, the migratory blue tigers arrive here during this time of the year. Where it is not raining, they hover around crotalaria plants, whose leaves provide them with nourishment.

The 3.5-hectare park shelters around 40 species of butterflies. Even the rare autumn leaf butterfly was sighted there.

Natural habitat

A project of the Tourist Department, the park was set up by the Kerala Forest Research Institute.

The park is in fact a simulation of the butterflies' natural habitat. Nectar and host plants, suiting the needs of various species of butterflies, have been planted in the park. Here, the visitor can also learn about the lifecycle and other aspects of the butterflies.

Source :The Hindu, 5-11-2010