Kochi: Keeping decibels in check
Last year, the sound decibels at Pallimukku and Kundanoor Junctions recorded 106 decibels, nearly double the permissible levels. KOCHI: Last year, the sound decibels at Pallimukku and Kundanoor Junctions
New Indian Express (Kochi)
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LNG project: Kerala CM announces relief to land owners
The state government has decided to give adequate compensation to the land owners as part of laying the underground pipelines by the Gas Authority of India (GAIL) for the LNG project. Announcing the Cabinet decisions here on Tuesday, the Chief Minister added that though land will not be acquired for the project, compensation would be given. Directions in this regard have been given to the District Collectors, he said. The government has also decided to issue land to families of 310 fishermen of the Neyyattinkara taluk in Thiruvananthapuram.
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GIS atlases to help in better management of forests
In a major step towards adopting a scientific approach in the maintenance of forests in state, the Forests and Wildlife Department has prepared GIS atlases on three wildlife divisions in the state. The scheme to provide a single mapping platform to the five other wildlife divisions will be completed by the month-end, officials said. The department embarked on the Herculean task of preparing GIS atlases on its 11 wildlife divisions and 25 territories in January, 2012. ‘’Master copies of the atlases on Thiruvananthapuram, Thenmala and Punalur divisions have been prepared besides one prepared on Konni division earlier.
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Rs 71 lakh to boost dairy sector
Aimed at achieving 15 per cent growth in milk production in the district, the Department of Animal Husbandry has formulated a `71 lakh initiative for setting up dairy farms and milk shed development projects. A Rs 27.03 lakh project has also been formulated to promote fodder crop cultivation, said Dairy Development Board deputy director V Unni. Financial assistance will be provided to those who are ready to set up farm units
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New endosulfan victims’ list dashes hopes of patients
The re-categorised list of endosulfan victims in 11 panchayats of the district has shattered the hopes of many patients, who were under the impression that the government’s decision to pay the compensation recommended by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) would end their woes to some extent. The rehabilitation package, though not a rightful compensation for many who cannot even get out of their beds, could have been a relief. Janu Naik, 64, who committed suicide by consuming poison at his residence in Bellur on Monday, was one among them. According to health officials who knew Janu Naik, he was very disappointed to know that his name was not included in the fresh list.
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Increase in tiger population raises risk of poaching
The increased tiger population in the three states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the last census is seen as the result of better conservation efforts. But now, some of the tiger reserves and sanctuaries in these regions are facing increased threat from the poacher gangs, which were until now very much active in other parts of the country. After the recent arrest of a poaching gang near the BRT Tiger Reserve in Karnataka and the arrest of an Odisha native from Muthanga in Kerala for allegedly entering the forest region without permission, officials now suspect that hardcore tiger poachers and gangs are shifting their focus to the southern part of the country,
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Guidelines issued to protect ecologically sensitive areas
The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has issued the first draft of guidelines related to minimising the adverse impact of linear infrastructure intrusions such as roads and power lines on natural and biodiversity-sensitive areas in the country. The document was prepared by the standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife and the final draft of the guidelines is likely to be issued in two months time after receiving the public feedback. The document presents a framework and an overall policy based on priority - prevention, realignment, restoration, and mitigation for the existing as well as new projects related to roads and power lines in natural areas.
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Climate change: Time now for the action plan
With climate change becoming a reality for our world to contend with, a highly detailed assessment of the likely impacts of this phenomenon in Kochi will be undertaken soon by the project partners of the
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Cherunelli estate notified as reserve forest, HC told
The Forest Department on Friday submitted before the Kerala High Court that the Cherunelli estate in the Nelliampathy forest region has been notified as reserve forests. According to the state, 296 acres are notified as reserve forest. The state further submitted that in an order dated January 20, 2006, the state had made it clear that any transfer of lease land by way of assignment lease or gift attracts the Forest Conservation Act, and hence lessees cannot have any absolute right to transfer the forest land to strangers.
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Blanket ban on plastic needed in Sabarimala: HC to government
The Kerala High Court on Friday directed the state government to take steps for a complete ban of plastic and sale of materials which are not biodegradable at Sabarimala Sannidhanam. “All beverages in plastic bottles, including aerated, and snacks in plastic covers should be banned,” the court said. The court had suggested that no articles of food other than ‘kanji’ (rice gruel) and necessary side dishes need to be provided in connection with the Sabarimala festivities and monthly pujas. Following the order no objections have come from any quarters till now, the Devaswom Bench said.
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Study on climate change to focus on Kochi
The second phase of the project to assess the impact of climate changes in target cities in India, including Kochi will be launched soon. A stakeholder meeting will be convened in Kochi on Tuesday to discuss the timelines, status and next steps for the project. The major objectives of the meeting also include detailed discussions on the climate projections for Kochi and the impact of changing climate on the urban systems here. The project ‘Asian Cities Adapt: Impacts of Climate Change in Target Cities in India and the Philippines and Local Adaptation Strategies,’ is implemented jointly by International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) European Secretariat, CLEI South Asia and ICLEI South East Asia.