You could soon spend the day fishing at Chetput lake and relaxing on its banks. The fisheries department and the corporation are working on a plan to turn the lake in the heart of the city into a boating and fishing centre.
People can bring their own fishing poles or rent them and park themselves on the dock for a while. “They will have to release the fish they catch back into the lake after taking a photograph. Fishing is on a CPR basis — catch, picture and release. The whole sport and thrill should be about the catch,” said a fisheries department official. “We will provide bait like small fishes, worms and caterpillars,” said the official.
Nine months ago, the state government announced a 42-crore makeover for the lake. Though the water remains blackish after the clean-up, officials and consultants are happy with the work. “We have been asked to create an eco-friendly fishing spot-cum-sports park,” said a senior corporation official in charge of the project. “We plan to introduce boating for recreation on the eastern side of the park. Around 70% of the water will be dedicated to it,” he said.
Until now, people from the city interested in a boating trip had to drive all the way to Muttukadu on East Coast Road or to Pulicat.
The area surrounding the lake will have a food court with sea food, a children’s play area and park, a walking and jogging track and a multi-level parking lot for 60 cars and 100 two-wheelers.
The government plans an angler’s dock on the Spurtank Road side of the lake. The fisheries department will start farming two omnivorous species – karimeen (etro fish) and Pangasius – for angling. “We need fish species that are carnivorous or omnivorous, so that they get attracted to the bait,” said the official.
The lake now has three omnivorous species – tilapia, snakehead fish and catfish – of which only tilapia is easily seen. “Snakehead fish and catfish can be caught in summer when the lake’s depth reduces to seven feet,” said an employee of the department. “We need to increase their population through farming.”
The lake spread over 42,570 sqm is home to many herbivorous varieties of freshwater fish like carp like rohu, mrigal and anabus, ornamental fish like gourami, and small fish like gambusia.
Until now, the lake and its surrounding area, spread over 65,235 sqm hectares, were used as a dumpyard and a sewer. “After it was cleaned, we can see the greenery around the lake and the water clearly after two decades,” said Nikkita Talreja, 24, a wedding planner who lives in Chetpet. “Earlier, swarms of mosquitoes would descend on the area every evening because of the filthy lake.”
Though tenders for the project are to be floated within a fortnight, officials admit they have a challenge on their hands to improve the quality of water. “Before we start planting fish seeds, which are baby fish bought from the hatcheries, we should try oxygenating the water a little more,” said another fisheries department official. “We should make the soil and water a little more organic. We should also aerate the water through fountains to keep it circling and prevent stagnation,” she said.
The water in the lake stagnates and smells because it has no outlet. “The corporation has promised to construct stormwater drains leading in and out of the lake,” said the official. A compound wall is to be constructed where the lake borders Chetpet slum and Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital to prevent dumping of garbage and hospital waste. “They are the main culprits behind the pollution. An eco-friendly area can be achieved only if garbage dumping stops,” added the official.
source: http://www.economictimes.indiatimes.com / The Economic Times / ET Home> Environment> Flora & Fauna / by Pratiksha Ramkumar, TNN / December 19th, 2013
The Hindu Heavy rain continued for the second day on Friday in Thanjavur and Tiruvarur. / Photo: B. Velankanni Raj / The Hindu
Thanjavur and Tiruvarur districts continued to experience heavy rain for the second day on Friday.
“We have received less than normal rainfall so far under the northeast monsoon. So, the welcome rain is good for both samba and thaladi crops,” officials said. Samba and thaladi have been raised on nearly 2.50 lakh hectares in both districts.
Thanjavur town experienced the maximum rainfall of 42.8 mm in Thanjavur district in the last 24 hours that ended at 8 a.m. on Friday. The other chief amounts of rainfall recorded in the district are:
In Tiruvarur district, Kodaval received the maximum rainfall of 55.6 mm during the same period, followed by Tiruvarur 25.4; Valangaiman 25.2; Needamangalam 20; Nannilam 18.4; Tiruthuraipoondi 13.4; Pandavaiyar head 13.4; Muthupettai 11.6.
Sirkazhi recorded the maximum rainfall of 27.2 mm in Nagapattinam district, followed by Anaikarachathiram 25.5; Tirupoondi 24.4; Nagapattinam 19.8; Mayiladuthurai 19.6; Thalaignayar 18.8; Manalmedu 15.8; Vedaranyam 9; Tarangampadi 5.
In Perambalur district, Venbavur recorded 21 mm, Thazhuthazai 12 mm; Chettikulam 9 mm; and Padalur 7 mm.
Karur district received a total of 222.60 mm rainfall during the same period. The chief amount of rainfall (in mm) recorded in major centres across the district are Palaviduthi 30, Mylampatti 27, Kadavur and Anaipalayam 25 each, Aravakurichi 21.6, Panjapatti 21, Thogamalai 19, K. Paramathi 12.6, Karur town 12.4, Krishnarayapuram 12, Mayanur 10 and Kulithalai 7 mm.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Tamil Nadu / by Special Correspondent / Thanjavur – December 14th, 2013
A two-day banana festival is scheduled to be held during December 14-15 at the Codissia Trade Fair Complex here.
Second edition
This is the second edition of the event. “It is being mooted at the State-level to promote development of certain agricultural commodities specific to the State. Banana has been identified as the nodal crop for the State owing to the quantum of production and the distinctive varieties of this so-called ‘poor man’s fruit,” farm varsity Vice-Chancellor Ramasamy said.
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University incidentally is the knowledge partner to this event.
The mela is being organised by the Tamil Nadu Banana Growers Federation in association with the Confederation of Indian Industry.
Around 3,000 farmers are expected to attend this event, a CII spokesperson said.
The Vice-Chancellor said that there were 128 varieties of banana, but less than 50 per cent of these were alive. All of these, including value-added products from banana fruit, by-products from banana fibre, psuedostem and leaves will be showcased during the two-day mela, he said.
“The University works with farmers and develops technology. One such technology was developed in 1998 for banana and given to the farmers.
“The President of Tamil Nadu Banana Growers Federation A.P. Karuppaiah improvised this and went for cold storage and ripening chamber to increase the shelf-life of the fruit. The State Government approved transfer of this technology to five different locations. “The Department is now keen to develop cold storage chain along the Theni-Chennai, Madurai-Tuticorin route,” he added.
Ripening chamber
“While cold storage chain is important, we also need ripening chamber. There are about 18 such chambers at present. The Department is planning to add a dozen chambers in and around Chennai, connecting all directions. The State is envisioning at least one cold storage chain and ripening chamber in every district during this Plan period. We want to take this to every village shandy in five years,” he added.
source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> News> National / by The Hindu Bureau / Coimbatore – December 09th, 2013
Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, E M Sundarsana Natchiappan, addressing at a seminar on coconut development in Pudukottai. / by Special Arrangement / The Hindu
Union Minister tells farmers to emulate their counterparts in Pollachi
The Coir Board of India is satisfied over the potential of coconut production in Pudukottai district and all efforts will be taken to provide subsidy and other benefits being implemented through the Board, said E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industries.
Delivering the keynote address at the day-long state-level seminar-cum-exhibition on “coconut development” organised jointly by the Coir Board of India, the Pudukottai District Coconut Farmers’ Federation, and the Aranthangi Coconut Farmers Association here on Saturday, Mr. Sudarsana Natchiappan said that the board, after a survey, had identified the potential of the district in coconut production. He appealed to the coconut farmers to fully utilise the subsidy-based programmes being implemented by the board. Every farmer would get an annual subsidy of Rs. 17,500 a hectare for two years and fertilizers would be supplied to farmers.
With a view to tapping the potential of coconut largely available in this belt, the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industries would set up a coconut and coir handicrafts design centre in Karaikudi. The modalities were worked out in this regard, he said.
Hemachandran, Deputy Director of Coir Board of India, Kochi, explained the steps taken by the board after realising the potential of Pudukottai district in coconut production. He appealed to farmers to emulate the example of Pollachi where the producers got prospective returns and ensured quality in produce.
G.S. Dhanapathy, District Chairman of Farmers Forum of India, said the objective of the seminar was to evolve ways and means for value addition in coconut products and for promoting export.
Speakers from various government departments explained the agricultural inputs, subsidy, and compensation being provided by the Union and State governments to coconut growers.
An exhibition was organised as part of the seminar. Mechanisation in coconut cultivation was explained to the visiting coconut growers. It sought to sensitise the visitors on marketing coconut and value-added produce.
A large number of coconut farmers from across the State participated in the seminar.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Tiruchirapalli / by Special Correspondent / Aranthangi – December 01st, 2013
On the dark roofs of old, derelict temples hang these nocturnal mammals, oblivious to the buzz during day. As sun sets, they leave their abode and chart their path using their echolocation instincts. The seemingly insignificant bird, however, plays a pivotal role in agrarian ecology as it can check the growth of pests. However, the habitat of temple bats is in danger as many old temples are being renovated across the southern region.
The number of bats residing in temples has fallen drastically from 4,166 to hardly 2,000 within one year, says a recent study carried out by M Mathivanan, a member of Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology (ATREE), and two foreign volunteers. The previous study was carried out a year back. Most of the 61 temples visited by the team in Tirunelveli and Tuticorin, were a century to a millennia old.
“Lot of renovation is carried out in temple towers. This is destroying the habitat of temple bats. They leave as the once-dark spaces are illuminated after renovation and the rough surface where they perch is polished. It is difficult to hang from smooth ceilings and bright light scares them,” Mathivanan explained.
Experts said disappearance of bats will definitely impact agriculture. “Every bat consumes approximately 600 insects per hour and most bat species feed on insects. They play a crucial role in controlling pests in the field and environment in general,” said R Marimuthu of Zoo Outreach Organisation. “The fruit-eating bats on the other hand are crucial for pollination. The seeds are germinated better in their guts, hence they help in reviving forest species,” he pointed out.
Till a few decades back farmers used bat droppings as nutrients for chilly cultivation, the study noted. Rakshamuthu, a farmer of Ayansingampatti, said they used to collect the droppings from forests as well as temples. “Bat droppings should be mixed with cow dung as using the former alone would prove to be an overdose for plants due to its nutrient profusion. One sack of droppings will be enough for one acre and it was used predominantly in chilly cultivation. The practice disappeared with the usage of modern chemical fertilisers,” the old farmer recalled.
ATREE has decided to test bat droppings in agriculture. “We are testing it on paddy because most chilly farms in this region have been turned into paddy fields,” Mathivanan said.
Though temples need timely renovation, conservationists advocated that bat habitats could still be saved by avoiding lights on renovated towers. Further, bat houses could be established near agricultural fields so that they stay near the fields, helping pollination and pest control. “Considering the contribution of bats to ecology, we have decided to promote awareness on the need to conserve temple bats and their habitat in the region. We hope using bat droppings in paddy cultivation will yield good results,” Mathivanan added.
Factfile:
* The bat species found in temples: Schneider’s leaf-nosed bat (Hipposideros speoris), Greater False Vampire Bat (Megaderma iyra), Leschenault’s rousette (Rousettus leschenaultii), Black-bearded tomb bat (Taphozous melanopogon) and Egyptian free-tailed bat (Tadarida aegyptiaca)
* Leschenault’s rousette is a fruit-eating one, while the rest are insectivores
* Insectivorous bats help to check growth of pests, while fruit-eating bats help in pollination and germination
* The number of temple bats declined by half in the last two years – from 4,116 to 2,000
* Study covered 61 temples in Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai> Renovation / by J. Arockiaraj, TNN / December 03rd, 2013
Wildlife officials at the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park (GoMMNP) are coming out with a turtle conservation plan to protect turtle species and their nesting sites in the coastal region. The national park is home to a variety of species like Olive Ridley, Green, Leatherback and Hawksbill turtles and the entire coastal region of Ramanathapuram, Tuticorin and Tirunelveli falling in the Gulf of Mannar are their nesting grounds. While the Leatherback and Hawksbill are critically endangered, the Green and Olive Ridley turtles fall under the endangered and vulnerable categories, respectively as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Though found in good numbers once, the exhaustive fishing activities and coastal establishments and poaching threaten these marine species and the proper conservation plan will be beneficial to save them, wildlife officials from the national park said. Deepak S Bilgi, wildlife warden of GoMMNP said that the conservation plan will work towards conserving the turtles as well as their nesting sites. The restoration of the beaches where they nest and deploying anti-poaching watchers will be part of the plan, he said. They are also planning a hatchery for the turtle eggs and if the funding permits they will come out with that also, Bilgi added. “The conservation plan is in final stages and it would be implemented shortly,” he said.
Wildlife officials said that Arichalmunai, Dhanushkodi, Pamban and Kanirajapuram beaches in Ramanathapuram district and Vaipparu area of Tuticorin district are usually found to be the nesting grounds though the conservation plan will undertake further studies on the nesting sites. While the fishing activities pose danger to the adults, the eggs suffer poaching by humans and feral dogs on the beaches. Though poaching of adults have been reported in the region the number of such incidents has come down over the period, the officials added.
Meanwhile, conservationists stressed on creating awareness among the fishing folk. S Bharathidasan of Arulagam, a Coimbatore-based wildlife NGO who has worked in Tirunelveli beaches on turtle conservation between 2006 and 2010 said the fisher folk should be sensitised on using turtle excluder in their fishing gear. “The turtles are poached predominantly for their meat. Though there is awareness on poaching and the number of incidents declining, the real need is to save the turtles being caught in fishing gear. They drown and get killed once they entangled in the nets. Even if the fishermen discard them upon pulling the nets, the turtles would have been dead by then,” he explained. “In such cases, using turtle excluder will help conservation measures and the awareness among the fishermen to use it should be given more thrust,” he opined.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai> Olive Ridley / by J. Arockiaraj, TNN / November 29th, 2013
To ensure a continuous supply of fresh vegetables to urban markets, the State Horticulture Department will set up 40 collection centres and 100 retail outlets in Coimbatore and Chennai.
Speaking to Express on the sidelines of Farm to Fork: Challenges and Opportunities in Indian Agribusiness & Food Processing Industry, organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry here, Satyabrata Sahoo, State commissioner, Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Agriculture Department said that the State government had sought expression of interest from aggregators or private entrepreneurs for setting up 16 collections centres.
The aim is to create a forward linkage from rural to urban areas.
He said that Chennai and Coimbatore would have 50 retail outlets each under the scheme.
The move will ensure an assured income to farmers in rural areas adjoining the cities. Clusters of farmers will be formed to supply produce to a society run by the farmers at the district level.
Private entrepreneurs or aggregators will be engaged to collect, sort, grade and pack the produce at their location and supply it to retail outlets in the city. This scheme will be implemented as a public private partnership, he said.
Sahoo said that rooftop gardening would soon be implemented in the State in 12,000 places.
“We have called for tenders,” he added.
Nine thousand of these will be taken up in the city while 3,000 rooftops in Coimbatore will be converted into gardens.
Earlier, addressing the gathering, Michael Carter, Australian Trade commissioner said that Australia’s Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Department of Biotechnology, had entered into a `148 million partnership to help stamp out iron-deficiency anaemia, a major cause of maternal death during childbirth.
The project will see new strains of iron-rich bananas.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Education> Student / by Express News Service – Chennai / November 28th, 2013
A first aid kit for snake bite at Adventure Shoppe in Coimbatore / Photo: K. Ananthan / The Hindu
Nature enthusiast A. Sivakumar speaks to K. Jeshi on how hitting the outdoors brings alive the conservationist in every traveller
He spends weekends in the company of birds, butterflies and Nature. He goes trekking in Wayanad, Mudumalai and the Niligiris and believes enjoying Nature is the first step in conservation. “You take ownership and want to give something back,” says A. Sivakumar.
He enrolled as a member of Salim Ali Naturalist Forum (SANF) for bird watching. During an outing, he realised that trekkers often sourced camping and trekking equipment from other States. That’s when he got the idea of starting Adventure Shoppe. It stocks equipment for camping and trekking, riding, racing and wildlife management, and has compact travel kits and accessories. “We want to encourage people to travel more. The idea is to kindle the conservationist in every traveller,” says Sivakumar.
Initially, orders were hard to come by. Sivakumar persisted, personally meeting forest officials, wildlife and Nature enthusiasts, birders and conservationists. “The word spread. My first order was for 10 sleeping bags for the Forest Department,” he recalls.
Slowly, he was approached for providing equipment (carabiner, hooks, climbing rope and body harness) for windmill installations and cleaning of high-rises. Sivakumar explored wildlife management equipment and introduced a range of camera traps. “The Forest Department uses it to record wildlife. Recently, it also helped them arrest a poacher,” he points out.
A camera trap at Adventure Shoppe in Coimbatore / Photo: K. Ananthan / The Hindu
What’s new?
All the products are imported from the U.S. and South East Asian countries. “Selecting the right product, supplier and brand makes up 70 per cent of our work. We go in for CE-certified products as we are dealing with lives. Hundreds of products hit the market every day and we keep a watch on what’s new.” There is stiff online competition, but credibility keeps us going, he says. This wildlife enthusiast has also supplied 5,000 snake bite first-aid kits to 240 battalions of the CRPF. “In 2010, we got just five kits because we weren’t sure about the product. The former Director-General K. Vijayakumar saw the product on our website. They found the product useful. In fact, the kit saved the life of one of my friends Rajkumar, who worked as honorary wildlife warden of Nagarhole.”
Sivakumar’s clientele is spread across the country and includes conservationists, racers, riders, climbers, trekkers and corporate houses, besides Government departments. Recently, he supplied multi-function watches for Indian Air Force pilots. They track heart beat, altitude, latitude, longitude and work as a barometer.
At the shop
He walks me down his shop in Fun Republic. There are temperature-specific sleeping bags (that can keep you comfortable even at minus five degrees!), infra red and no-flash camera traps, scuba-diving accessories, archery equipment, fishing accessories, racing suit for riders, backpacks…. There is also a mini refrigerator, Swiss knife, riding luggage for bikers, universal dynamo charger for cell phones, gloves, boots and helmets. The latest addition is wildlife T-shirts.
A.Sivakumar of Adventure Shoppe / Photo: K. Ananthan / The Hindu
He says there is great potential for his products in Coimbatore. “People from here often travel to the Himalayas and Rishikesh. They buy water-proof shoes, hiking poles and winter clothing. They also buy compact travel accessories such as foldable chairs, cots and a multi-fuel cooking stove that works on petrol, diesel or kerosene.”
In the pipeline are plans to launch a no-flash camera traps for home security and a life straw with an inbuilt filter. It ensures that the water trekkers drink from any open body is instantly filtered.
Sivakumar says weekend travel has taken off in a big way. So has dirt biking. “Customers ask for helmets that cost Rs. 40,000 or more. They are aware and prioritise on safety.”
He also helps travellers makes the transition to conservation. “I tell them that photographing Nature alone won’t do. They should stay connected with Nature, observe and conserve. It helps them stay stress free.” Sivakumar follows what he preaches. He takes off on his Royal Enfield 500 cc bike during the weekends. “I am a biker and a conservationist,” he smiles.
Trekking essentials
Good footwear, sleeping bag, compass or GPS, first-aid kit, camping tents, backpacks, water bottles, rain coats, protective gear, multi-fuel stove. “One has to go prepared inside a forest. You need to wear protective shoes to avoid ankle injury. Carry sleeping bags to protect yourself from lizards, snakes, and insects. A pepper spray works as self-defence, and also distracts elephants and bears.”
Camps for children
Sivakumar and a couple of friends have started Iternis that arranges two-day, two-night treks and nature camps for children and adults. Call: 9843222000.
To know more, visit: www.adventureshoppe.com
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by K. Jeshi / Coimbatore – November 21st, 2013
If habits die hard, then good habits must be inculcated in kids from impressionable ages. This was the thinking behind the distribution of baby toilets made of plastic to 65 people in the first phase of the scheme, said Trichy Corporation may A Jaya.
Distributing the baby toilets to the parents at the corporation office, Jaya said this was part of the government’s commitment to make the state open defecation-free by 2015. In the rural areas, the government was implementing a host of measures to underline hygiene education for effective behaviour change under the total sanitation campaign (TSC), but it was the first time baby toilets were distributed in the city.
“In the corporation and municipal limits, as many as 30% of the people still defecate in the open and at the least the children from the stage of infants must be taught against defecating in the open. Hence, the scheme is introduced by the state government,” said V P Thandapani, corporation commissioner.
Known as ‘mini-toilets’ the portable plastic pieces would be provided in higher number to cover all those who needed them, said Dhandapani. “This is to inculcate the habit of using the toilets at home, so that they do not think of defecating in the open,” he explained. Research proves that the children could be brought to such a good habit within a matter of a week, he further said.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City>Trichy / TNN / November 19th, 2013
On the occasion of World Diabetes day, the city municipal corporation opened its herbal canteen service at the main office complex of the corporation. Specifically meant to serve healthy and nutritious meals the herbal canteen at the corporation is expected to be a great relief for hundreds of visitors and employees working at the corporation main office.
“The menu was fixed after ensuring the nutritional content of the food. Members of selected self help groups will operate the centre and our officials will monitor it,” said G Latha, commissioner, Coimbatore municipal corporation.
The herbal canteen will serve soup varieties from 11.am to 12.30 am at Rs10 per serving. Lunch time is from 12.30 to 2.30 pm during which limited meals and various variety rice would be served for Rs40 and Rs20 respectively. Evening snacks would be available from 4pm to 6pm at a rate of Rs10 per plate. Items include Navadhanya Adai, Vazhapoo Vadai and other savouries. The canteen will also serve various varieties of herbal and organic teas.
“We have supplied utensils and other facilities to the women entrusted with the canteen and they will pay us Rs750 daily. We will also fix a salary for them,” Latha added.
The corporation has spent around Rs 2.76 lakh on the herbal canteen and was reportedly planning to give it on a monthly rent of Rs5000 but now it is exploring possibility of lowering the rent. The canteen would be managed by 14 members of Sri Ganga Yamuna Womens SHG from Kurichi.
“The corporation has given us the facilities to operate the canteen. We will purchase the ingredients and other items required from the open market,” said P Pushpavalli, an SHG member.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore / by TNN / November 15th, 2013
