Category Archives: Green Initiatives/ Environment

Orient Green opts for group captive power in biomass

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Nature

Chennai : 

Orient Green Power Company is consolidating its biomass power generation business with a sharper focus on group captive power generation.

The wind and biomass-based renewable power company has informed the BSE that it will sell a 10-MW biomass power unit in Pollachi in Tamil Nadu to its subsidiary to enable the unit tap the group captive market to sell power to private sector consumers.

Under the group captive scheme, customers will own at least 26 per cent of the equity stake and consume more than half the power generated.

Company officials said Orient Green has 10 biomass power generation units totalling over 86 MW of power generating capacity. The Pollachi unit is the third power plant to opt for group captive as opposed to selling power to the state utility. One of the expected advantages is timely payment from private sector consumers.

An additional 20 MW is coming up in Kolhapur through a joint venture.

Biomass, or wood-based and agro-waste, fuel costs about ₹1.5-3 a kg and up to 2.5 kg of fuel is needed to generate a unit of electricity. In Tamil Nadu tariff levels range around ₹6.50-7 a unit, according to an investor presentation by the company.

Orient Green has over 500 MW of renewable energy capacity, with more than 420 MW of wind power projects.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Companies / The Hindu Bureau / Chennai – April 08th, 2014

In Tiruvallur, pulse farming takes root

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Nature
Farmers of five blocks in the district have brought more land under rice fallow-crop cultivation in a bid to increase production./ Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam / The Hindu
Farmers of five blocks in the district have brought more land under rice fallow-crop cultivation in a bid to increase production./ Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam / The Hindu

For the past two months, farmers of five blocks in Tiruvallur have been working hard to double the output of pulses in the district.

The farmers of Minjur, Cholavaram, Gummidipoondi, Ellapuram and Tiruvallur blocks have brought more land under rice fallow-crop cultivation. In this method, seeds of pulses, including green gram, are sown a few days before the paddy harvest and the seeds germinate due to the little moisture that is retained in the soil.

A total of 12,303 hectares of land are under pulse cultivation in the district, of which 6,500 are under rice fallow-crop cultivation, an increase of 2,000 hectares from last year. The farmers have set themselves a target of 1.20 lakh tonnes of pulses as against 70,000 tonnes last year.

According to an agricultural officer, rice fallow-crop cultivation would help double production. The farmers take care to leave about three-fourths of a foot of paddy stubble so that the saplings of the pulses are not harmed. This is an 80-day crop; during the period, farmers spray the plants with DAP twice.

According to officials in the agricultural department, these villages, which are known for paddy cultivation, are also taking up pulses due to government intervention. “Pulses do not need much care and there is no need to plough the fields in this method. We provide them five kg of free DAP per acre,” said an agricultural officer.

The department has been encouraging more farmers to take to this intermediate crop as it does not require much water and the spraying of DAP will also help increase the yield, the official explained, adding that the production was expected to go up from the usual 500-600 kilos per hectare to one tonne per hectare.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Deepa H. Ramakrishnan / Chennai – April 01st, 2014

Erode farmers promote use of biogas

Green Initiatives/ Environment, Nature, Science & Technologies

Coimbatore :

A farmers’ organisation in Erode held a demonstration using a tractor and a motor cycle powered by biogas at a city college. Around 200 farmers attended the demonstration and some even tried their hand in operating the exhibits on Sunday. The purpose of the demo is to encourage the use of biogas, one participant said.

A tractor and a two-wheeler powered through methane were exhibited at the college grounds. Their tanks were removed and modified for the purpose. Methane gas used was extracted from vegetable and animal wastes. To pump the gas requires expensive equipment costing Rs20lakh. As this was not available an extra can was fixed with the gas for the purpose of demonstration.

C Nallasamy, secretary of the Federation of Tamil Nadu Farmers Association said that they had come up with this demonstration so that the public could know that there is an alternative to petroleum. “Methane gas as well as ethanol can be used to substitute petroleum. This will decrease air pollution,” he said. This is also beneficial to farmers as they can get better prices for their agricultural produce, he added.

Dr P Ayyappan, a retired pharmacologist with the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), who designed the vehicles said that they had used 100 percent methane for the two-wheeler and 80% for the tractor.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore / TNN / March 24th, 2014

TNAU to help govt for spreading organic farming

Education, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Nature

Coimbatore :

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) will act as knowledge partner for the state organic farming policy. The draft of the policy which was released recently, will be implemented after Lok Sabha elections in the state. As per the draft, the varsity will be responsible for identifying possible areas where organic farming could be practiced and other farming related activities. The draft policy which was released a month ago will help streamline the various policies associated with the organic farming.

TNAU vice-chancellor K Ramasamy said the varsity will associate in identifying suitable places for organic farming in the state. “Places like Tirunelveli and Gobichettipalayam in Coimbatore have already organic farms under private owneship. We will identify suitable places for farmers in other places also,” he said. Apart from this, the varsity will also help in providing a support system for those interested, including subsidies, seed supply and training. There is a growing demand for organic products. Millet-based products are having a high demand with most of them being sold like hot cakes,” he said. With a proper orientation, organic products can get a better market and consumer base, he said.

TNAU now provides certification for organic farmers. Once fertilisers and pesticides are stopped, it would take three to five years for a farm land to get rid of these chemicals and be eligible for certification. In these are areas the university will provide a stable support system for farmers during the transition period.

A clear policy could help farmers overcome some of the common problems they face while shifting into organic farming. One of the major challenges the organic farmers face is the increase in prices when compared to regular crops. Moreover, organic farming demands more manual labour. There have been instances where many farmers who shifted to organic farming could not find markets and abandoned the practice later. Experts say unless there is a government support in terms of subsidies for seeds and small machinery, farmers may not be able to find the farming profitable. A clear policy is expected to address many of these challenges.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore / TNN / March 23rd, 2014

Social entrepreneurship beckons, say experts

Business & Economy, Education, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Nature

Social entrepreneurship has gained cultural acceptance as a career path, established social entrepreneurs told a gathering of students at an ‘unconvention’ organised at IIT-Madras on Saturday.

Speakers at the event organised by Villgro, a city-based rural enterprise incubation centre, noted there was a never-like-before culture of embracing entrepreneurship and a growing number of investors willing to invest in such ventures.

Villgro’s CEO and founder Paul Basil laid out a simple mantra for students to follow: “India is the world’s lab; solve it here, then globalise it.”

Social entrepreneurs at the unconvention — a networking meeting that does not rigidly follow the rules of traditional conventions —included P. Srinivasan, co-founder and chairman of Jeevan Stem Cell and Blood Bank, K. Thiruvengada Krishnan, chief consultant of cornea and refractive services, Aravind Eye Care System, and Ravi Sarogi, co-founder of Uniphore Software Systems.

Dr. Thiruvengada Krishnan, in his presentation about Aravind Eye Hospital, outlined the founder Govindapa Venkatasamy’s vision of taking affordable eye care to the masses.

He pointed out that although the hospital ran several charitable projects such as provision of free spectacles and conducting of free surgeries in rural areas, they still made considerable profits because of their non-subsidised healthcare. He added that social enterprise could adopt a hybrid model that combined ‘not-for-profit’ and ‘for-profit’ operations.

Villgro welcomes social entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas for programmes. For more details, interested persons can visit www.villgro.org

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai> Events / by Special Correspondent / Chennai – March 16th, 2014

Nature enthusiasts trek to Kutladampatti waterfalls

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

A.V. Vaigai Ratna, a Class VI student of TVS Matriculation Higher Secondary School here, chose a different way to spend her Sunday.

Instead of just playing with her friends as she usually does every week, Ratna chose to participate in the 22nd Tree Walk, organised by Madurai Green, an environmental organisation, and Dhan Foundation, to Kutladampatti waterfalls near Vadipatti.

As she heard D. Stephen, Assistant Professor of Botany, The American College, speak about more than 40 species of trees, Ratna returned home determined to safeguard trees in and around her home. “Whatever Mr.Stephen said about trees, especially cluster fig and jamun trees, was very interesting. I also liked the trek up to the waterfalls,” she said.

More than 50 nature enthusiasts, including 10 children, took part in the trekking. Mr.Stephen identified usilai, neem, kal aal, itchi, cluster fig, Indian elm, neikottan, ponga, jamun and kattu elimchai trees among others and explained their significance and benefits.

“Punga trees are ecologically prominent as they support insects. There is a symbiotic association between the tree and the insects,” he pointed out. “The cluster fig trees provide food for monkeys and birds. They support the wildlife,” he added.

R. Alagumani, an advocate of the Madras High Court bench here, said, “It was astonishing to hear that certain trees support at least 40 species of birds and animals. There is only a little forest cover in Madurai and it needs to be conserved properly.”

“Getting to know the medicinal values of different trees was great. The walk made us understand that each tree has great value and is useful. I will pass on whatever (details) I heard here to others,” said Mercy Daniel Rajasekaran, who took part in the walk for the first time.

Ranjitham, Principal of St. Teresa Teacher’s Training Institute, is a regular at the walks organised by Madurai Green as she thinks it helps her remain physically fit. “I have taken part in 20 tree walks. I get to know about the medicinal value and other values of the trees,” she said.

N. Chidambaram, founder of Madurai Green, M.P. Vasimalai, Executive Director of Dhan Foundation, and R. Duraipandi, Forest Range Officer, Sholavandan, were also present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Madurai / by M. Vandhana / Madurai – March 17th, 2014

Enjoy uninterrupted power sans inverters, the way retired Madurai professor does

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

Madurai :

Power cuts and poor voltage have been a regular feature, troubling both residents and industrialists alike in the region. When inverter sales are booming due to erratic supply, a retired electrical and electronics professor here is enjoying uninterrupted power supply without using one. This is possible by making use of basic direct current (DC) from solar power and batteries. The advantages of this scientifically well-proven concept, now tried by P S Kannan, is that power will be available uninterrupted and that without incurring high electricity charges.

Though, low DC power is more efficient than alternating current (AC) is the common system world over for power distribution is AC due to its transmission efficiencies. Kannan has made his home immune from power vagaries by using solar panels and batteries. He uses minimum AC-based grid supply during night.

“Solar power is DC and the power stored in batteries is also DC. I use DC power for running electronic equipment at home without using an inverter. Most electrical appliances and electronic gadgets can be used with DC power. Running a DC system along with the common AC system eliminates the need of inverters, the method is useful to avoid sine-wave problem in inverters. Battery life will be high and there is no transmission loss,” Kannan said.

An inverter converts AC into DC which is enough to run a few lights and fans or other low-power devices.

All electronic equipment/devices available in market can directly be powered using 180 to 280 volts of DC sources, instead of 230-volt AC sources required for normal operation, Kannan explained. Thus television, personal computers, tube lights with electronic ballast, CFL lights, mobile chargers, DVD players, digital set top boxes, electronic table and ceiling fans can be operated with a DC source, say solar batteries, without using an inverter drawing power from AC sources, like typical power grids, he said.

“The problem of using inverter is that it depends on power supply in the main grid. It affects the quality of power supply at home. In turn, the grid is affected when more number of inverters is used by power consumers,” Kannan said while stressing on the disadvantages of AC system.

To exploit the advantages of DC power, one has to invest in a solar system which is available between Rs 30,000 to 70,000. “My objective is to sensitise public about the option of an uninterrupted power system without using inverter,” he said.

R N Karunanidhi, a former colleague of Kannan, said they have installed it in a colleague’s home. One model is installed in a private engineering college for research and development. “I am working on using DC for induction stoves. If it succeeds, it can be very useful for cooking with solar power and ideal for places like forests and remote areas without electricity,” Kannan added.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai / by J. Arockiaraj / March 12th, 2014

Budding entrepreneurs take the stage at IIT-M

Business & Economy, Education, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Science & Technologies
IIT-M students who designed the Amrutdhara water project. (Right) Glow-in-the-dark notebooks by Pizzamutiny
IIT-M students who designed the Amrutdhara water project. (Right) Glow-in-the-dark notebooks by Pizzamutiny

From T-shirts and paper cups to unmanned aerial vehicles, the students of IIT-Madras seem to have left no stone unturned in their attempt to don the entrepreneurial cap.  Some of the projects were put up by the students at the recently concluded Entrepreneurship Week held at the institution.

One of the most ambitious of projects was the Amrutdhara project, taken by an IIT-M student along with two other business partners. The mandate of the venture is simple: Do away with plastic bottles.

“Every year, millions of tonnes of plastic waste get accumulated due to the use of plastic bottles. Many of these plastic water bottles do not provide quality drinking water too. Reports show that many of them are of the same quality as tap water. Despite this, people are forced to buy it,” said Sandeep.

It is to put an end to this that the three-member team came up with the Amrutdhara project. Under the venture, a water filtration outlet is provided at public places where people can buy water at a cost of `3-`5 per litre. But unlike the plastic bottles, the water is provided in glasses that are washed and dried on site.

“The set up will also sell refillable bottles and provide real time analysis of the quality. If the water quality goes down a particular level, the machine will automatically shut down,” says Sandeep.

The economics of the project lies in the fact that even with the most state-of-the-art treatment system with reverse osmosis and membranes, the cost of treatment of water to package is estimated at 25 p per litre. The project, which won the runners-up title at the Indian Institute for Human Settlements’ (IIHS) National Students Challenge is now in the final stages of talks with the Puducherry government.

If bottled water is a menace, so are plastic cups. Mechanical engineering students of the IIT have come up with a project that would not only make selling paper cups profitable for the seller but also for the buyer!

“The idea is simple. Each paper cup will be printed with an advertisement. It will also have certain mobile numbers allotted by the advertiser. When the buyer sends a text to that number, he can avail discounts or other offers. So what we have is a win-win situation. Since we get to make profit through the advertisement, we sell the cups at half the price of normal cups to canteens or other sellers while for the buyers of the cup, it could mean getting discounts and offers,” says Nikhlesh, the second-year student who is part of the Admen company that took up the project.

The project has already fetched a turnover of `75,000 in 15 days, after being implemented 10 city colleges and an IT park.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Amritha KR – Chennai / March 20th, 2014

Book on soil fertility status of TN released

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

A book on soil fertility status of  Tamil Nadu , documented by Tamil Nadu Agricltural University, has been released for benefit of various stakeholders in the agriculture sector.

To document soil fertility status of nine selected districts of high fertilizer consumption viz Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Salem, Erode, Tiruchirapalli and Coimbatore,3,600 soil samples were collected from small, medium and large farm holdings, TNAU Vice-Chancello K Ramasamy said in a release here today.

The samples were analyzed for 12 parameters, including electrical conductivity, organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and the thematics maps depicting the soil fertility status were generated using GIS, he said.

The book titled ‘GPS and GIS Based soil fertility appraisal for selected districts in Tamil Nadu- a Monograph,’ was released by Sandeep Saxena, Agriculture Production Commissioner and Principal Secretary (Agriculture), on March four, he said.

Monograph is a precious documentation and would serve as an appropriate tool for macro level planning and soil health maintenance in Tamil Nadu, he added.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> PTI Stories> National> News / by Press Trust of India / Coimbatore – March 06th, 2014

Solar fish drier at Vellaipatti commissioned

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Science & Technologies
TO ENSURE HYGIENE: Solar fish drier being commissioned at Vellaipatti near Tuticorin on Friday./ Photo: N. Rajesh / The Hindu
TO ENSURE HYGIENE: Solar fish drier being commissioned at Vellaipatti near Tuticorin on Friday./ Photo: N. Rajesh / The Hindu

“Venture is expected to improve livelihood of SHG members”

To prepare dry fish in a hygienic manner, a solar fish drier was commissioned at Vellaipatti near here on Friday.

As drying of fishes was being done in an unhygienic way by spreading them on the ground, the district administration had given its nod for the installation of a solar fish drier at a cost of Rs. 1.70 lakh under District Innovative Fund.

Accordingly, the drier has been installed in Vellaipatti under Keezha Arasadi Panchayat near Tuticorin and was formally commissioned by A. Bella, Project Director, District Rural Development Agency, on Friday.

The drier will be maintained by Sarojini Self-Help Group members of Vellaipatti.

When fishes are dried in an open place, it will not be a hygienic product due to contamination by vermin, dust particles, sand, bacteria and other harmful contaminants and not fit for safe consumption.

At the same time, drying fishes with the help of solar drier is an easy, cost-effective and hygienic and the product will be free from all contaminants.

Since the 20-odd SHGs at Vellaipatti were already involved in the production of fish, prawn and crabpickle and mending fishnet, the solar fish drier was sanctioned to this coastal village.

“Fishes dried in this method can easily be sold through shops, exhibitions and even be exported. Ultimately, this venture will improve the livelihood of SHG members,” Ms. Bella said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Madurai / by Special Correspondent / Tuticorin – March 01st, 2014