Water pollution poses threat to public life

THE PERIYAR Tiger Reserve (PTR) is one of the best maintained sanctuaries in the country. Yet big cats in the sanctuary are in danger, while sambars and wild boars are falling prey to the highly polluted water of the Periyar Lake.Forest dossiers show that 16 sambars,which had consumed the lake water, died of water-borne diseases during the past six months. But sources told the website's newspaper that the polluted water had claimed over 40 sambars and an equal number of boar. Coupled with this, the solid waste in the Kumaly town and surrounding areas endangers their life.

The postmortem examination showed that the deceased animals' guts contained plastic waste and old cloth.The major chunk of the waste generated in Kumaly town,which has no well-developed drainage system, reaches Periyar Lake through the canal running across the town. Kumaly panchayat president M S Vasu said that Kumaly town produced 1500-2000 tonnes of solid waste in a normal day and during the Sabarimala season this shot up to 5000 tonnes.At present, there is no system to scientifically dispose of the waste. It is dumped in a yard near the town. The water supplied in the town and Forest Department quarters is drawn from the point where the waste reaches lake.

Slaughterhouses-all operated illegally-hotels and resorts in the tourism town throw their waste into the lake. Sambars and such animals drink water from this point. When the deer contract water borne diseases, tigers and leopards which prey on them are also affected. So all the wildlife in the sanctuary is prone to the disaster caused by pollution in the lake. Officials suspect that the elephant and the antelope which died of anthrax in the sanctuary a year back may have got the disease from the polluted lake water.

The pollution level has worsened this year because Tamil Nadu which received good rains is not taking water from the Mullaperiyar dam and waste in the lake is accumulating.Though the situation is grave, the Health Department has not initiated any step to combat the pollution due to lack of funds.Since the polluted lake water is supplied untreated in the town and forest quarters, chances are high of an outbreak of disease in the town.

New Indian Express, April19, 2008

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Plastic bottle chemical may be harmful

A chemical in some plastic food and drink packaging including baby bottles may be tied to early puberty and prostate and breast cancer, the US government said.

Based on draft findings by the National Toxicology Program, part of the US National Institutes of Health, senior congressional Democrats asked the Food and Drug Administration to reconsider its view that the chemical bisphenol A is safe in products for use by infants and children. The chemical, also called BPA, is used in many baby bottles and the plastic lining of cans of infant formula. The National Toxicology Program went further than previous US government statements on possible health risks from BPA. It said: "There is some concern for neural and behavioural effects in foetuses, infants and children at current human exposures." The findings expressed concern about exposure in these populations, "based on effects in the prostate gland, mammary gland, and an earlier age for puberty in females."

Republican John Dingell, a Michigan Democrat and chairman of the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, said the draft cast doubt on the FDA's position that BPA was safe."I hope the FDA is willing to reconsider their position on BPA for the safety of our infants and children," he said. The National Toxicology Programme said laboratory rodents exposed to BPA levels similar to human exposures developed precancerous lesions in the prostate and mammary glands, among other things.

Bisphenol A is used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins and can be found in food and drink packaging as well as compact discs and some medical devices. Some dental sealants or composites contain it as well. The National Toxicology Program expressed "negligible concern" that exposure of pregnant women to BPA causes foetal or neonatal death, birth defects or reduced birth weight and growth in babies. It also had "negligible concern" that exposure causes reproductive problems in adults. The American Chemistry Council industry group said the conclusions confirmed that human exposure to bisphenol A is extremely low and noted no direct evidence that exposure adversely affects reproduction or development in humans.

In Canada, the Globe and Mail newspaper said the Canadian health ministry was ready to declare BPA a dangerous substance, making it the first regulatory body in the world to reach such a determination. The newspaper said the ministry could announce the decision as soon as Wednesday. Environmental activists long have warned about health concerns regarding the chemical. They praised the draft findings of the National Toxicology Program, which cited more potential worries about the chemical than did a panel of experts that advised the program last year. "NTP's decision corrects the scientific record. It reflects a significant body of science showing that BPA may play a larger role than previously thought in a host of common health problems," Anila Jacob of the Environmental Working Group said in a statement.

Business Line, April 17, 2008

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Poor climatic conditions hit cardamom

Global warming skims mist off from the hills in Idukki district, the spices capital of the country. Climatic-sensitive crops like cardamom and pepper may wither away with heating up of the earth. The rising temperature has changed the climate over the Western Ghats. Now the area experiences almost torrential rain, which was earlier sprinkled with drizzlings and then it follows long dry spell. The extreme change of climate is detrimental to the cardamom crop. Nearly 20 to 25 percent of the plants had to be replanted in recent years. Vadi Raj, head of Spices Board research station at Pampadumpara, said that the past 30 years temperature chart kept at the station showed an average rise of 0.2 to 0.4 degree Celsius every year. As the temperature has risen, the mist over Udumpanchola amd Santhanpara, where the cardamom yield is the highest , is thinning. Triggering a drastic fall in output, says K K Devasiya, president, Idukki Cardamom Growers Association. Interestingly, the loss of Udumpanchla and Santhanpara has become the gain of chinnakanal and Bisonvalley. Until recently, cardamom did not grow in these high mist areas. But now the climate in the high altitude terrain has become highly conducive for the cardamom crop. The vagaries of nature have cast shadow over the yield. It came down to 700 tonnes in this year from 9000 tonnes last year. Over 70 percent of cardamom crop comes from Idukki. And 90 percent of the country's production is consumed domestically. The same applies to pepper also. Drizzling following a dry spell is the ideal climate for pepper crop.

 
The New Indian Express, 16^th April 2008

State to generate more energy from wind

The State which has already entered the wind energy generation sector is set to improve its position in it. More windmills are to be commissioned at Agali while a new project at Ramakkalmedu is nearing completion. Four windmill machines are in final stages of installation at Agali, where the State government had given sanction to Suzlon, a company engaged in wind power generation, for the project. These machines will be commissioned by the end of April, according to top officials associated with the project. Seven wind mills have already been commissioned by Suzlon at the site where studies had established the feasibility of the project. The windmill project is being completed in accordance with the guidelines of the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission. ANERT was the nodal agency appointed by the State government to give technical sanction for the project. The power generated at the station is being connected to the KSEB sub-station at Agali. The company plans generation of 20 MW electricity at Agali from the 33 windmills of 600 KW capacity each. Thirteen machines have already been sold to entrepreneurs and trade groups. Eight of them have been bought by Kerala-based firms which include a jewellery firm, an umbrella manufacturer and steel entrepreneur. Five machines have been purchased by a Mumbai-based entrepreneur. Two more windmills are in the process of installation. The remaining machines will be installed upon receipt of orders from companies and entrepreneurs.

The windmill project at Ramakkalmedu, being set up by Vestas, is also nearing commissioning stage, according to sources. A few of the windmills are to be commissioned there soon. Apart from contributing to the strengthening of the power position of the State, the windmill projects will add a new phase in power production through internationally accepted renewable energy generation processes that reduce carbon content in the environment. The power generated at the windmill stations is being purchased by the KSEB as per an agreement with the investor, valid for 20 years. Accordingly, the power purchase rate is Rs.3.14 per unit. The meter reading is to be taken every month. The due date of payment will be the 10th day after the billing date. If the KSEB does not pay the amount due within 60 days from the date of billing, it will have to pay penalty at 15 per cent per annum. If the KSEB pays the amount promptly, then a rebate of 2 per cent shall be given to it by the windmill owner.

The Hindu, April 15, 2008

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