Shore cleanup steps up in Kanniyakumari as container from sunken MSC Elsa III washes ashore
A team of senior officials from several departments, including the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), oversaw the recovery of the container and the removal of debris, as part of the shore cleaning activities on Friday. Volunteers from various agencies, including MSC Marine Engineering Resources Centre (MERC) in Porbandar, Gujarat, were involved.
Eight Navy officers, led by a commander, joined the recovery efforts, while officials from the Gujarat Marine Police took part in a consultation meeting with Kanniyakumari collector Alagumeena.
Incidentally, teak wood logs and raw cashews, among other products washed ashore at Chinnavilai in Kanniyakumari coast on Friday, resulting in people gathering along the shore to collect cashews. Sources said various kinds of cargo, including large quantities of nurdles (tiny microplastics), wooden logs, cast iron rods and bags of cashew nuts, have been washing up on the shores between Neerodi and Kadiyapattinam fishing hamlets for the past four days.
Seeking cooperation from the public, the collector urged them not to handle the nurdles. The district administration has taken precautionary measures as per the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) issued by Kerala state disaster management department.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
CBSE: 75% attendance for students non-negotiable
Ranchi: City schools are now focusing on starting awareness campaigns for parents about the 75% compulsory school attendance rule for their children, in line with the latest directive issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In its standard operating procedure (SOP) for all affiliated institutes, CBSE emphasised strict adherence to attendance norms, especially for Class X and XII students appearing for board examinations. Experts said the SOP mandates that schools must inform students and their parents about the attendance policies and consequences from the beginning of an academic session. Moreover, schools are required to contact parents of irregular students frequently and formally notify them through post or email if the attendance drops below the required benchmark. The board may send inspection teams to conduct surprise checks in schools towards achieving this goal, the experts said. These checks will involve examination of attendance registers, which must bear the signatures of both class teachers and principals. Any discrepancy could result in the cancellation of a student's board exam or even revocation of the school's affiliation under the CBSE norms. While the 75% attendance rule remains non-negotiable, CBSE has listed exemptions for students facing genuine circumstances such as prolonged illness, bereavement, participation in national sports tournaments, or family emergencies. Students seeking relaxation must submit documentary proof to the CBSE regional office. As a step to inform the parents, schools used parent-teacher meetings (PTMs) as platforms to reinforce the importance of attendance and explain the possible consequences. "We counsel students about attendance requirements at the beginning of the session and during PTMs. If a student remains absent frequently, it is the teacher's responsibility to contact parents. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now We will continue to strictly adhere to the board's guidelines," said Rajesh Pillai, the principal of Kerali School. Similarly, the principal of Gurunanak Higher Secondary School, Sumit Kaur, said, "This is not a one-time effort; it's a continuous and ongoing process in our school. We regularly conduct awareness drives, counselling sessions, and follow-up measures."
The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
Waterbodies for immersion of Vinayaka idols notified
The district administration has announced that Vinayaka idols installed as part of the Vinayaka Chathurthi celebrations should be immersed in four inland waterbodies and the sea. Disclosing this in a press release, Collector B. Priyanka Pankajam has said that the idols shall be immersed in Cauvery, Veeracholan and Vadavaru rivers and the Grand Anicut Canal and in the sea after the celebrations. She also exhorted the Vinayaka Chathurthi Celebration Committees to install the idols conferring with the instructions issued with respect to the preparation of the Vinayaka idols by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and to use only biodegradable materials in the festival.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
Guidelines issued for Vinayaga Chaturthi celebration in Erode
Ahead of Vinayaga Chaturthi celebration on August 27, the district administration has issued strict guidelines for idol immersion, urging the public to celebrate the festival in an environmentally responsible manner. In a release, Collector S. Kandasamy emphasised the importance of protecting water bodies, which are vital sources of drinking water. Citizens have been requested to immerse idols only at designated sites notified for each district and to follow the guidelines laid down by the Central Pollution Control Board, available on the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board website ( The release stated that only idols made of biodegradable, and eco-friendly materials will be permitted for immersion. The use of Plaster of Paris, plastic, polystyrene, and other non-degradable materials is strictly prohibited. Furthermore, only dried flowers and natural tree resins may be used for decoration. Toxic paints, dyes, and chemical-based ornamentation are banned. Instead, artisans and the public are encouraged to use natural, water-based, and non-toxic dyes, along with reusable decorative clothing made from natural fabrics. The use of single-use plastic and polystyrene in the making or decoration of idols and pandals is also banned. Straw and other biodegradable materials should be used instead. The Collector appealed to the public to uphold the State's rich tradition of environmental stewardship by ensuring that this year's celebrations are both pollution-free and sustainable.
