Category Archives: Green Initiatives/ Environment

Nature Forum initiated to study biodiversity, document flora and fauna

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Nature

Environment and nature enthusiasts in the city convened at the Gandhi Memorial Museum premises here on Saturday to initiate the ‘Madurai Nature Forum’, a collective of NGOs and individuals working for environmental causes in the city.

The forum plans to conduct an extensive study of the biodiversity in the district over the next six months and document the flora and fauna. The biodiversity study, which will have a special focus on birds and the disappearing water ecosystems in the district, will begin on October 26 with a study of the Samanatham tank and the migratory birds which flock to the spot during the monsoons.

Speaking at the launch of the forum, District Forest Officer Nihar Ranjan said that a forum and study like this would not only help people know about the unexplored biodiversity in the district, but would also motivate people to conserve their surroundings.

“As many of the forest areas in the district are unexplored, the forest department will cooperate and help organise treks for enthusiasts who wish to document the biodiversity there,” he said, at the event.

D. Raveendran of Iragugal Naturalists Association said that the study would seek to create awareness among many people who remain oblivious to their surroundings or the harm they might be causing to the environment. The members of the forum further made a mention of villages in the country which had celebrated a cracker-free Deepavali to protect birds in the area and urged the people to follow more such initiatives to conserve the biodiversity.

Badri Narayanan, an avid bird watcher, spoke about the variety of birds in the district with a powerpoint presentation showcasing the various species of birds he had photographed in the district.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> TamilNadu / by Staff Reporter / Madurai – October 26th, 2014

Singanallur Boat House to be renovated in 15 days

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Nature

Coimbatore :

The Singanallur Lake that was once a hub for various migratory birds and accommodated a boat house will be restored to its previous grandeur within 15 days. The lake was closed for public usage 5 years back and the boat house was also closed down. The Mayor, Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Executive Engineers and other higher officials at the corporation inspected the lake. Several labourers were employed to remove water hyacinth from the lake.

The engineers have also contracted a private company to renovate the boat house.

“I have instructed the officials to clean up the tank and renovate it within 15 days. We have also planned to have a cafeteria and a children’s play area in the boat house for recreational purpose,” said P Rajkumar, Mayor.

Once a popular attraction in the city, it was frequented by families and college students for boating and recreation. There have been several attempts in the past for cleaning the tank but hyacinth grew quickly even after cleaning it. Environmentalists said that even if the hyacinth is removed, the lake cannot be restored unless untreated sewage water is dumped into it. “The hyacinth has been growing there for years and due to its roots and seeds in the water, it will continue to grow. Hyacinth grows only in dirty water. So it is the hyacinth that cleans the sewage and drainage that is being dumped into the lake. If hyacinth is removed, the lake might start to stink. Only if they treat the water before directing it to the lakes, the problem can be solved,” said C Yogananthan, Environmentalist.

“We understand that sewage water is causing the growth of hyacinth and so I have strictly instructed the officials to stop sewage water entering into the lake. That will be the first step in restoring it,” said Rajkumar.

The engineers in charge for the restoration of the lake and renovation of the boat house said that the work will be completed as soon as possible. “After the renovation, we will go out to tender for the boats,” said T Gnanavel, South Zone Executive Engineer.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore / by Komal Gautham, TNN / October 17th, 2014

Irula tribals in Thanikandi soon to take up agriculture

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Nature

Coimbatore :

Irula tribals of Thanikandi hamlet abutting the Western Ghats near Narasipuram in Coimbatore district would soon be tilling large tracts of land for cultivation.

The residents of the village who earn paltry sums as daily wage labourers would now be roped into an agricultural federation under the World Bank funded Pudhu Vaazhvu Thittam through which they would take up cultivation. Coimbatore collector Archana Patnaik visited the hamlet on Tuesday and inspected the land identified for cultivation by the tribals.

“A stretch of 96 acres of forest settlement land has been identified for this purpose. The tribals have rights to enjoy the land but cannot sell it,” said Philips Ilayaraja, district project manager, Pudhu Vaazhvu. There are 64 Irula families in Thanikandi who will benefit from this scheme.

Philips said that some of the tribals in Thanikandi had tried their hand in agriculture two decades ago but dropped it due to various reasons. They started going out as daily wage labourers but the pay was very poor. The traditional means of livelihood, that of selling forest produce, also became difficult and unsustainable due to the increasing incidence of elephant movement in the locality.

“The tribals would commence cultivation once the shrubbery in the identified land is cleared,” Philips said.

This Pudhu Vaazhvu scheme has been extended to Thanikandi after its success when implemented on a pilot basis in Thondamuthur. The scheme was introduced in 13 hamlets comprising 850 families in the block a year ago at a cost of Rs55L. Cultivation has begun in 298 acres of forest land provided to them.

Archana Patnaik visited Saadivayal, one of the villages were tribals have started cultivation and inquired about the progress made regarding the project. The tribal women said they were cultivating brinjal, lady’s finger, onion, paddy and cotton. We are using organic manure only,” one of the women told the collector. The women said that they sell their produce at the Boluvampatti vegetable market.

Patnaik assured the tribals that all support from the government would be provided to them in this venture.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore / TNN / October 15th, 2014

Agro Foundation hails move to set up 100 soil testing labs

Green Initiatives/ Environment, Nature, Science & Technologies

Focus on soil health, farmers producer organisations, credit for joint farming groups, technology-driven second green revolution with focus on higher productivity are some of the positives of Union Budget 2014–15, hailed S.S. Rajsekar, managing trustee of Chennai- based NGO, National Agro Foundation. “I am happy that these areas attracted the attention of the government which NAF has successfully demonstrated and has been advocating over a decade.” He said the government’s move to establish 100 soil testing laboratories was a clear direction in improving the farm productivity which would help trigger 4 per cent growth in agriculture sector.

Appreciating the holistic approach in farm sector with creation of Agri Tech Infrastructure Fund, National Adaptation Fund and Price Stabilization Fund, increased allocation in rural infrastructure development, warehouse infrastructure and irrigation; he was optimistic that these efforts would stabilise prices and would be a boon for farmers. However, coordination between the Centre and the State governments in delivery would be the key for desired results, he said. The NAF established by late C Subramaniam, the architect of India’s Green Revolution; has been working with a “Soil to Market” approach to usher in second green revolution.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Tamil Nadu / by Special Correspondent / Chennai – July 11th, 2014

GenNext of fireworks business believes in doing it the scientific way

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Science & Technologies

Chennai :

It’s been happening across business India – traditional, family-run enterprises dispatching their offspring to business schools to power old engines with new tricks of the trade. Sivakasi’s dynastic pyrotechnic industry is no different. Firecracker manufacturers, who for years learnt rudimentary chemistry by watching and learning from their fathers on the factory floor, are now assisted by their children, whose understanding of chemical reactions is not empirical alone, but also theoretical.

“More third-generation scions with training in analytical chemistry and chemical engineering have been entering the industry,” says G Abiruben, president of Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers Association. “In fact, many are actively opting for higher education in chemistry.”

The mom-and-pop enterprise that is the Indian fireworks industry stands to benefit greatly from the scientific knowhow young blood brings. “My dad knew of people who had an edge as they studied chemical engineering before taking over the business, so he encouraged me to do the same,” says 29-year-old Deepak Amarnath, whose time on the factory floor at Ravindra Fireworks had anyway sparked an interest in chemistry.

He proceeded to Chennai’s Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, and transposed his learning to the family business.

“I understood the importance of testing for purity when purchasing chemicals. Several accidents might have occurred because of impurities. I insisted on sending samples to a chemical testing lab,” says Amarnath, who even installed an R&D lab of his own, but couldn’t sustain it beyond a year for want of trained technicians.

Amarnath believes the Indian fireworks industry is currently going through the same creative churn it did in the mid-90s when the stock-in-trade maroons (firecrackers and bombs) made room for ‘fancies’ or ariel fireworks.

Apparently, it was an explosives officer in Sivakasi who gave manufacturers the formula for ariels. Each manufacturer then improvised on the formula to produce new effects through trial and error.

The new crop wants to minimize the error in trials. “We know which chemicals react vigorously with each other under what conditions,” Amarnath points out. An example is the industry’s replication of Chinese fireworks. Indian-made fireworks use aluminum powder as fuel, while the Chinese use potassium perchlorate, which is friction-sensitive and has an ignition temperature of 530 degrees Celsius, much lower than the 850 degrees Celsius ignition temperature of aluminum powder. If potassium perchlorate is used here and not handled appropriately it could lead to an explosion.

Safe disposal is also an important lesson put to practice. “You’re not supposed to douse with water in some situations, or it can aggravate the reaction,” Amarnath cautions.

D Mathan, a chemical engineer who serves as director at Lima Fireworks (of brand Dragon), rues the fact that many new manufacturers don’t even understand the nature and liability of chemicals and simply combine them as per recipes downloaded from the internet. “Earlier manufacturers worked with fewer chemicals because their range of products was smaller, like the 100 Mala – a small cylindrical paper tube filled with bursting charge, which was a mixture of sulphur, aluminium and potassium nitrate, sealed at the bottom and top with mud, with a fuse inserted,” Mathan says. “As fireworks got more complex, issuing myriad light and sound effects, over 100 different chemicals were being used. Chemicals behave well in laboratories because they’re handled carefully and in small quantities. When handled outdoors they can be unsafe, particularly those that are friction-sensitive,” he says.

Incidentally, not everyone learns from the Internet. Manufacturers have also been going straight to the masters – the Chinese, inventors of fireworks and the world’s biggest manufacturers (with an annual domestic and export market pegged at Rs 80,000 crore). They visit Chinese firework factories, buy their technologies and machines, and pay for their technicians to come to India and hold master classes.

Gen Next is keen to innovate and improve safety standards and the quality of their wares. “My education has taught me methods and systems to minimize the accident rate,” says Amarnath. This young gun says he wants to prioritize safety first before developing new products like smokeless and fragrant fireworks.

According to Mathan, technicians in China hold diplomas and degrees in fireworks engineering. “Sadly, we don’t even have an R&D centre devoted to fireworks in India,” he rues. But Amarnath is hopeful. “One person alone can’t change the industry,” he says. But, as more youngsters push for research and development, he believes the firework industry will see new light.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / by Joeanna Rebello , TNN / October 22nd, 2014

Kudankulam farmer sows groundnut developed by BARC

Green Initiatives/ Environment, Nature, Science & Technologies

Tirunelveli :

A farmer at Kudankulam in Tiruneveli district, where two nuclear reactors are situated, seems to be impressed by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre’s contribution to agriculture. The farmer, T Selvaraj, on Thursday began to sow the TG37A type groundnut developed by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).

In June last, BARC invited a couple of progressive farmers, including Selvaraj, to the Palayamkottai prison where the inmates had sown the TG37A groundnut. The prison inmates sowed the groundnut in March and reaped the harvest in June.

Impressed by the successful cultivation at the prison, Selvaraj approached the BARC scientists. He was given 180kg of groundnuts to cultivate.

Selvaraj said he was planning to cultivate it in a one-hectare field. The sowing will continue for three days.

“I am convinced that this will give me good yields,” he said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai / by J. Arokiaraj, TNN / October 09th, 2014

NGO spreads awareness on maintenance of rock sculptures

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence

Madurai :

Green Walk, an NGO recently conducted a nature walk aimed at creating awareness about ancient rock sculptures in the district by holding a ‘rock fest’ at the foothills of Samanar hills in Keelakuyilkudi.

According to Muthukrishnan, the organiser, people in Madurai are not aware about the existence of rock sculptures in 40 locations, for which lots need to be done.

“Today, people consider the historic caves and rock sculptures as places to enjoy their drinks and litter the vicinity. We need to first educate the people and enlighten them with importance of Tamil scripts inscribed by our forefathers. Importance of such rock sculptures must be spread as people view these great rocks as mere slabs of granite worth only for paving pavements and floors,” he said.

Till 13 years ago, people carried out quarrying work at Samanar hills which has sculptures of Thirthankaras and Mahavira. “Such rock sculptures hold water beneath them and quarry work disturbs the ecosystem and thereby people need to know the importance of the inscription of Samanar hills,” said Muthukrishnan.

Theodore Baskaran, an environmental thinker said, “Samanar hills has a rare ‘Vattezhuthu’ inscription which dates back to the third century BC. People need to understand its importance and not neglect this historical place in Madurai.”

According to the archaeological expert S Santhalingam, after the advent of Saivism in Madurai the Jains sought refuge in Samanar hills, where they created sculptures of Thirthankaras and Mahavira, for worship.

Diana Jayanth, a professor of Aachi International School in Usilampatti said, “About 50 students from schools in and around Madurai participated in the heritage walk. Parents are playing a vital role in sending their children to such walks since it is important for the students to know the various historic places and its significance.” She has penned a poem on these important ancient structures through which students can be updated and hopes it will work towards the protection of these ancient sculptures which are invaluable.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai / TNN / October 07th, 2014

“Preserve Madurai’s history”

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Nature, Records, All
C. Santhalingam, retired archaelogist, speaking at the '' Rock Festival" organised by Green Walk at Samanar hillock near Keelakuyilkudi in Madurai on Sunday.Photo: R. Ashok
C. Santhalingam, retired archaelogist, speaking at the ” Rock Festival” organised by Green Walk at Samanar hillock near Keelakuyilkudi in Madurai on Sunday.Photo: R. Ashok

Nearly 500 nature lovers and history enthusiasts converged at Samanar hillock on the way to Keelakuyilkudi on Sunday despite the rain for ‘Rock Fest,’ organised by the Green Walk team to mark their 40th exercise.

Retired archaeologist C. Santhalingam explained the historical significance of Jain remnants at Chettipudavu. He said it was important to spread the historical and traditional accounts of Madurai to every person. “It will not be possible to excavate places within the city to trace remnants of forts and other prominent sites. Therefore, we should conserve the sites around the city,” he said.

According to him, places such as Kazhugu Malai, an 8th century hillock, and Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple that eulogise the history of the ancient city, should be protected.

Writer N. Murugesa Pandian said it was necessary to protect Tamil traditions, culture and language. “Such gatherings and explorations are important to study the richness of our past,” he said.

Environmental thinker Theodore Baskaran explained how Jain inscriptions had engravings on the lives of the common men. “Until World War II, a lot of interest was shown in studying inscriptions that contained details of former kings in order to trace history. When people wanted to know about the common man, Jain inscriptions and ‘Nadukal’ were studied,” he said.

Mr. Baskaran said such gatherings gave people an insight into happenings in the outside world. “These activities create sensitivity in people, particularly among students,” he added.

A. Muthukrishnan, founder of Madurai Green, noted that people in villages showed more concern in protecting natural resources and historical sites.

Geologist Christopher Jeyakaran released ‘History of Madura-Voyage into Jaina Antiquity,” an English translation of a book titled ‘Madura Varalaaru.’

The third edition of ‘Madura Varalaaru’ was also released. Various activities were organised for children.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Madurai / by Staff Reporter / Madurai – September 29th, 2014

Samba Ryots Stick to Tradition

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Nature

RyotsCF29sept2014

Nagapattinam :

Ever tried traditional rice, the one that looks brownish-red? It may taste a bit different but it has immense health benefits. In fact, the biggest consumers of traditional rice breeds are private super specialty hospitals across major cities, which cater to dietary needs of patients, predominantly diabetics.

Besides health benefits, the breeds – Maapillai Samba, Kavuni, Garudan Samba, Thanga Samba and Samba Mosanam – are said to be drought-resistant and can also survive excessive rainfall. That works like an insurance cover, isn’t it?

To cater to the growing demand, farmers here this year have expanded the acreage under traditional rice by about 600 acres. While the last season witnessed about 1,200 acres of traditional rice cultivation in Nagapattinam district, the figure would go up to 1,800 acres this Samba season.

Farmers say traditional paddy breeds do not seek high amounts of water, as they utilise moisture content in the air for growth.

According to Jayaraman, State coordinator of Save Our Rice campaign, “Thalainayar, Valivalam and Thirukuvazhai localities of Nagapattinam district have witnessed farmers opting for traditional paddy varieties. Since there is good demand for traditional rice such as Maapilai Samba, farmers are comfortable cultivating them.” About 20 kg of seeds are required per acre for traditional paddy cultivation for harvesting as much as 1,500 kg. Traditional rice fetches a market price of over Rs 62 per kg, which is decidedly more that the conventional rice you normally consume at home. It is the higher value for effort that draws farmers towards its cultivation.

Just as Maapilai Samba faces a huge demand from diabetics, the ‘Kavuni’ breed is supposed to fortify the immune system. “Super specialty hospitals at Chennai and Tiruchy are procuring traditional rice varieties from us. It is the hefty procurement prices that encourages other farmers to take up traditional paddy cultivation,” Jayaraman adds.

While cultivation cost for traditional paddy per acre is around Rs 6,000, it is about Rs 15,000 per acre for conventional paddy such as CR-1009 and other ADT paddy varieties. Traditional crops also keep weeds in check, as they grow taller than weeds, thus depriving them of sunlight.

As many as 63 traditional varieties, including Poonkar, Maapillai Samba, Kavuni and Thengapoo Samba are cultivated in the delta districts. Farmers say they get seeds for traditional paddy through links with their counterparts across the delta districts.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by S Deepak Karthik / September 29th, 2014

Tiger census brings together an eclectic group of people

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Nature, Records, All

Udhagamandalam :

The All India Tiger Census 2013-2014 held in the three divisions of the Nilgiri forests and the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), brought together a varied group of people, many of them participating for the first time in the tiger census.

A large section of the volunteers are members of different NGOs involved in wildlife activities and students of the forest college and wildlife zoology. A few of them had participated in the census previously and wanted to experience the thrill of it again. People from across the board participated including software engineers, fashion designers, business men and even journalists.

The seven-day tiger census started with a training programme on December 16 in Ooty. The volunteers were transported to their respective allotted beats in the forest areas on the same evening.

The breathtaking and exciting field survey started at 6.30 am on December 17 on the transect lines in all the beats in the three divisions of the Nilgiris forest as well in the MTR. The following five days included activities such as carnivore sign survey, ungulate encounter rate, vegetation and human interference and pellet counts of herbivores.

S Sathesh Premnath, a senior software engineer from Coimbatore, who is attending the census for the first time, said, “It was a fascinating experience. I was completely bowled over by the sense of adventure in spotting indirect signs and direct sightings of animals like elephants and gaurs. The census made me more aware of my social responsibility.”

For Karthick, a business man from Chennai, who is a wildlife enthusiast and has visited several forests and tiger reserves in India, the census was a great learning experience. “It is very exhilarating just wandering the forest searching for signs of carnivores and once in a while actually spotting a wild animal,” he said.

R Parameshwari, a first year student of Wildlife Zoology in the Ooty Government Arts College said, “On the first day of survey I was actually afraid to enter the reserve forest. But the forest staff encouraged me and were very supportive. I soon forget about my fear and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, despite the rough terrain we had to cover”.

Dr. K. Bharanidharan, assistant professor of the Wildlife Department in the Forestry College and Research Centre in Mettupalayam said, “Around 36 students from our college participated in the census in MTR. Though theoretically they are familiar with the wildlife subject, nothing can beat hands-on experience”.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore / by Shantha Thiagarajan, TNN / December 23rd, 2013