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New Indian Express
3 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Earth-filling for Kodungaiyur WTE plant angers residents
CHENNAI: The Federation of North Chennai Residential Welfare Associations (FNCRWA) has urged Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) Mayor R Priya to immediately halt the ongoing earth-filling activities near the Kodungaiyur dumpyard, at the proposed site for Rs 3,450-crore waste-to-energy (WTE) plant. In a letter, FNCRWA president T K Shanmugam highlighted that the 75-acre project site is ecologically sensitive wetland and the ongoing earth-filling activities without public consultation, also demean public concerns. The letter recalled a 5-km human chain protest led by the association held on May 25 involving 10,000 residents opposing the plant over health and environmental concerns. It also noted that Palluyir Trust flagged the presence of 54 bird species in the proposed site, urging conservation of the wetland. On May 27, the GCC's solid waste management department had reportedly written to the association that the WTE project would proceed only after public consultation and environmental clearance. However, FNCRWA alleged that GCC has begun earth-filling without consultation, calling it a betrayal and illegal. The federation warned the project could worsen monsoon flooding risks for over 10 lakh residents. Instead, they are now ready to propose the green Chennai initiatives for handling solid waste across the city. The residents requested to convert the 350-acre area, including the 275-acre dumpyard, into an ecological park, libraries and public infrastructure after biomining. The WTE plant is slated to process 2,100 tonnes of waste daily and generate 21 MW of power. Protest held in May 10,000 residents had staged a 5-km human chain protest on May 25 opposing the waste-to-energy plant over health and environmental concerns
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Hubballi SHG wins UN award
Hubballi: The Bibi Fatima Self-Help Group (SHG) from Teertha village in Kundgol taluk, Dharwad district, was honoured with the Equator Initiative Award given by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), an award often referred to as the Nobel Prize for biodiversity conservation. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Sahaja Samruddha, a mentoring organisation for the SHG, said in a press release that this year's award selection was based on the theme 'Women and Youth Leadership for Nature-Based Climate Action'. Around 700 competitors from 103 countries participated in the selection process. Representing India, the Bibi Fatima SHG was chosen for this prestigious recognition alongside organisations from Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Indonesia, Kenya, Tanzania, Papua New Guinea, and Ecuador. The award includes a cash prize of USD 10,000, approximately Rs 8.5 lakh, the release said. Part of the Sahaja Samrudha network, this women's group has made remarkable achievements in areas like implementing eco-friendly farming practices in rainfed lands, managing community seed banks, ensuring food and nutrition security, promoting millet cultivation, and running a millet processing unit, to value addition and marketing. Notably, in about 30 villages, the group successfully revived millet-based mixed cropping systems through natural farming methods. Formed in 2018 in Teertha village by just 15 women, the Bibi Fatima SHG began its journey with the aim of improving the livelihoods of small and marginal farming families through sustainable agriculture. They introduced millet-based mixed cropping on rainfed farms, empowered women, promoted climate-resilient farming systems, practised livestock rearing and horticulture, and popularised millets at the village level. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This work simultaneously ensured both nutritional security and income stability. When challenges arose in millet processing, under the guidance of Sahaja Samrudha and with support from the Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad, and CROPS4HD, they set up a millet processing unit, entirely managed by women. Selco Foundation provided a solar-powered electricity system for the unit. The Bibi Fatima SHG prioritised the conservation of indigenous crop varieties that can withstand climate extremes, safeguarding hundreds of millet varieties. They also established a community seed bank to distribute these seeds free of cost to interested farmers. During both kharif and rabi seasons, the group participates in seed fairs organised annually by Sahaja Samrudha in surrounding villages, distributing quintals of indigenous seeds to organic farmers. Additionally, using solar-powered machinery, the group produces value-added millet products such as rotis and vermicelli, which are supplied to consumers. Members also actively participate in awareness campaigns in urban and semi-urban areas to promote chemical-free food products, winning consumer appreciation with their traditional recipes and snacks. Through initiatives such as on-farm biodiversity conservation in dryland areas, farmers' markets, and sustainable agriculture practices, the Bibi Fatima SHG has improved the economic status of women from small and marginal farming households. It is also promoting rural, agriculture-based enterprises in collaboration with Devadhanya Farmer Producer Company.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Dip in demand for khadi flags worries makers
Bagalkot: Tulasigeri Khadi Gramodyoga Kendra (TKGK) in Bagalkot district is a unit of Bengeri Khadi Gramodyoga Kendra of Hubballi which has earned fame for making khadi cloth for national flags. It is in trouble following a decline in the sale of flags made of khadi cloth this year. The kendra in Hubballi is the largest producer of flags made of khadi, which is sourced from TKGK. During the 75th year of Independence Day celebration, the central govt announced 'Har Ghar Tiranga' programme asking the people of India to hoist the tricolour atop their houses to mark the national festival. Considering that the demand for national flags will be huge and there will be acute shortage of flags made of khadi cloth, the govt amended the Flag Code of India to allow for the use of machine-made and polyester flags, expanding the materials allowed for the national flag beyond just hand-spun and hand-woven khadi. These changes were implemented through amendments in 2021 and 2022. Things would have been different had the permission to use machine-made and polyester flags been just for one year. But the permanent permission has resulted in a sharp dip in demand for flags made of khadi, rubbing salt on the weavers' wounds. According to the flag-makers, the demand for khadi flags has declined by 75%. The rural women in Tulasigeri and surrounding towns and villages were earning their livelihood by making the yarn and weaving khadi cloth. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This new air conditioner cools down a room in just seconds News of the Discovery Undo by Taboola by Taboola As many as 150 families were dependent on this. People in Muranal, Seemikeri, Gaddanakeri, Jalihal and Belur used to prepare yarn and supply them to the Tulasigeri centre. Khadi Gramodyoga Sangha was paying Rs 35.2 as wages for weaving 1 metre of cloth, while the weavers got Rs 7 per metre as an incentive from the government, thus earning Rs 42.2 per metre. The weavers require one hour to weave 1 metre of cloth, and they used to work for 10 hours a day. After slogging for several hours, the weavers would get an average of Rs 5,000 per month. TKGK secretary Shivanand Mathapati said the government, which speaks of 'Make in India', 'Swadeshi' and 'Vocal for Local', should support these weavers. The amendment to the flag code has come as a curse to weavers, he rued. Bengeri kendra used to sell khadi flags worth Rs 3.5 crore every year, but that is a thing of the past now. Mathapati said the sale is not crossing Rs 50 lakh mark. The kendra has also not received Rs 4 crore which should have come from the govt as the incentive for the last four years. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
