The Government has launched a project to clean up the polluted Parvathy Puthanar canal and the downstream areas of Karamana River. An amount of Rs.4 crore has been earmarked for the project, which involves dredging and opening up the sandbar to let out the polluted water from the canal.
The operation was launched at the Cheriyamuttam coast in Poonthura under the programme to revive the Kovalam-Kollam section of the National Waterway. The Irrigation department is using mechanized equipment to cut open the sandbar. Coastal erosion and the heavy metal pollution of the canal had made life miserable fro the residents. The contamination of the scenic backwaters poses a threat to the tourism industry in the area.
(The Hindu, 15th April 2007)
Friday, May 11, 2007
Project launched to clean Parvathy Puthanar
Tiger monitoring protocol to be introduced in Thekkady
Periyar Tiger reserve (PTR) will introduce integrated tiger monitoring protocol by which monitoring of tigers will become a daily affair. Under the protocol, an integrated effort involving camera traps, observation of pugmarks, reading of direct tiger sighting using Global Positioning System(GPS) and monitoring of the prey base of tigers will be made to keep track of the big cat.
The Wildlife Institute of India had suggested introduction of the protocol, which will be introduced after the first monsoon showers, said Padma Mahanti, Deputy Director, PTR. The PTR recently procured 40 camera traps for observing the tigers. Once the camera traps are installed, the entire stretch of the reserve will be covered. Ten camera traps have already been installed. A tiger monitoring team comprisisng 12 tribal yopuths belonging to Mannan, Paliya and Ooralis have been trained in installing camera traps and the GPS. There are indications that tiger population might be go up in PTR. According to the last census the population can be between 36 and 40 in the PTR.
(The Hindu, 9th April 2007)
Tiger monitoring protocol to be introduced in Thekkady
Periyar Tiger reserve (PTR) will introduce integrated tiger monitoring protocol by which monitoring of tigers will become a daily affair. Under the protocol, an integrated effort involving camera traps, observation of pugmarks, reading of direct tiger sighting using Global Positioning System(GPS) and monitoring of the prey base of tigers will be made to keep track of the big cat.
The Wildlife Institute of India had suggested introduction of the protocol, which will be introduced after the first monsoon showers, said Padma Mahanti, Deputy Director, PTR. The PTR recently procured 40 camera traps for observing the tigers. Once the camera traps are installed, the entire stretch of the reserve will be covered. Ten camera traps have already been installed. A tiger monitoring team comprisisng 12 tribal yopuths belonging to Mannan, Paliya and Ooralis have been trained in installing camera traps and the GPS. There are indications that tiger population might be go up in PTR. According to the last census the population can be between 36 and 40 in the PTR.
(The Hindu, 9th April 2007)
Is Gir going the Sariska way
Gir Sanctuary is on the way as Sariska in Rajasthan, the heaven of tiger, the recent census shows. Wide spread poaching is the latest challenge for Gir sanctuary, it seems to hunted six lions in their den in the past 23 days, with skinned carcasses, missing claws and bones.
According to 2005 census, total number of living Asiatic Lions stands at 359. Nineteen lions have died since May 2005. Already marred by problems including widespread dispersion-with total 94 lions located in revenue area, staff shortage, in adequate equipment, open wells and electrifying fences - poaching is the latest challenging for Gir Sanctuary. Security too is one of the major concerns. As many as seven highways run into more than 100km a 15km meter gauge train tack and several roads pass through the sanctuary. Also entry to pilgrimage places like Kankai and Tulsishyam is unchecked.
(The New Indian Express, 3rd April, 2007)