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The Hindu
5 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Greening programmes mark World Environment Day celebrations in Kochi
Planting of saplings, setting up of mini forests and green islets marked World Environment Day celebrations held in Ernakulam on Thursday. At a programme held in the headquarters of the Varapuzha Archdiocese here, Archbishop of Varapuzha Joseph Kalathiparambil handed over saplings of vetiver to Kochi Mayor M. Anilkumar. The saplings will be planted at the dumping site of the civic body at Brahmapuram, where biomining was carried out to remove waste heaps, according to a release issued here. The Mayor also inaugurated the clean-up and environmental initiatives of the Varapuzha Archdiocese on the occasion. The Maradu municipal authorities initiated works to set up a green islet comprising fruit trees to mark Environment Day celebrations. It was set up up near the material collection facility near the 16th division in the municipality. Antony Ashanparambil, chairperson, planted various fruit tree saplings. District Collector N.S.K Umesh inaugurated the green islet project at nearly four cents on the civil station premises at Kakkanad by planting saplings. Traditional fruit trees will be planted at the site as part of the joint project involving the district administration, Haritha Keralam Mission, Thrikkakara municipality and Rotary Club. 'Changathikkoru Maram' (a tree for a friend) project was inaugurated at the Don Bosco Senior Secondary School here as part of a programme organised by the Haritha Keralam Mission and the Kochi Corporation. Students exchanged tree saplings as part of the green initiative. 'YouCanHeal', a dashboard app by students of computer applications and recognised by the Department of Environment and Climate Change and the Kochi Corporation, was launched at a programme held at the St. Teresa's College here. The theme of the event, organised by the Bhoomitra Sena Club, Department of Zoology and NSS Unit 41, was 'Beat Plastic Pollution and Promote Renewable Energy'.
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Social forestry wing to halt tree saplings distribution this year as govt. cuts fund
A green tradition cut short. On June 5 every year, the heart-warming sight of schoolchildren proudly carrying saplings back home – gifted by the Forest department's social forestry wing on World Environment Day – has come to be a renowned tradition. However, this year, the project will be shelved owing to the denial of funding for the initiative. According to sources, the social forestry wing has been distributing tree saplings on Environment Day to schools and other institutions, aiming to encourage green cover. But for the first time this year, the government didn't allot fund for the project, resulting in its suspension. The social forestry wing has distributed almost 20 lakh saplings across the State over the years. According to officials, last year over 60,000 trees were distributed in Idukki alone. 'The prices are ₹23 for small saplings and ₹55 for big saplings. Guava, gooseberry, pomegranate, rambutan, teak, Dalbergia latifolia (rosewood), and sandal saplings are distributed free of cost. But this year, there is no such free tree sapling distribution. Recently, the social forestry wing produced fruit tree saplings and received wide acceptance,' said an official. According to officials, the wing has already produced nearly 3 lakh fruit and tree saplings for the sale this year. 'The tree saplings cannot be distributed free of cost for students or other institutions without a special order from the government,' said officials. Meanwhile, Forest department officials reveal that the Chief Minister had allotted ₹5.60 crore for producing nearly one crore tree saplings by November this year and will distribute them the same month. The project will be implemented through the Haritha Keralam Mission. The Forest department has already started initiatives for producing 20 lakh tree saplings for the special project, said officials.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Review meeting highlights progress of major development projects in Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram: A regional review meeting led by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan was held on Thursday to strengthen development and welfare activities. The current status of the activities was analysed and suggestions for achieving comprehensive development were proposed during the meeting. Seven major projects were evaluated, including Life Mission, local road renovation project, extreme poverty eradication project , Aardram, Vidyakiranam, Waste-Free Kerala and Haritha Keralam Mission. According to the meeting, in Thiruvananthapuram district, more than 1 lakh families are eligible for the Life Mission project . Among these 55,903 houses were completed and the officials reported that they expect to complete 80.11% houses by Aug. The local road renovation project has listed 328 roads, with technical approval granted for 220 roads. T by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esta nueva alarma con cámara es casi regalada en La Plata (ver precio) Verisure Más información Undo he extreme poverty eradication project in the state capital includes 7,278 families, with 5,493 families (79%) successfully lifted out of poverty. The number is expected to increase to 6,210 (85%) within the next three months. Under the project, 196 out of 352 families that only required a house have been provided with one. Additionally, 81 out of 380 families needing both land and a house have been accommodated. Housing renovation for 294 out of 524 families has been completed, with the goal to complete all by Aug, the officials said. Under the Vidyakiranam project, infrastructure development has been completed in 47 schools. Construction is ongoing in 79 schools. The comprehensive quality education project is being implemented in 1,000 schools in the district. The meeting also analysed the doorstep garbage collection rate in the district, which is currently at 80.84%. The meeting also discussed the Amayizhanjan canal renovation and the double chamber incinerator project in Varkala which is expected to be commissioned by May 31. As per the meeting, under the Haritha Keralam Mission, 22 local self-govt institutions in the district have published water budgets (availability and usage in a specific area). So far, 511 mini green islands have been established. The district has 12 tourist centres and 94 towns declared as green. Mapping and data collection of the 33-km stretch of the Thottiyar in Pothencode has been completed, the meeting stated.
The Hindu
15-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Neelakurinji biodiversity learning festival
A three-day-long Neelakurinji biodiversity learning festival for schoolchildren will begin at the Neelakurinji biodiversity knowledge centre on the premises of Government High School, Adimaly, in Idukki on Friday. The festival begins with a friendly nature drawing. According to officials, the 60-odd participants of the camp are winners of district-level quiz contests organised by the Haritha Keralam Mission. The learning festival will be held at Adimaly in connection with the International Day for Biological Diversity. Officials said the project aimed to create awareness among students about biodiversity and the importance of preserving it. The festival also includes visits to the Neelakurinji biodiversity knowledge centre, travel to Munnar, birdwatching, butterfly monitoring, Eravikulam National Park (ENP), the Mattuppetty Indo-Swiss project, and classes with environmental experts.
The Hindu
14-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Over 5,000 offices in Ernakulam accorded green status
A total of over 5,000 government, quasi-government offices, and public sector units in Ernaklulam have been awarded 'A+/A' grade based on the green status rating issued by the Haritha Keralam Mission (HKM), according to official sources. The performance was evaluated based on an assessment form prepared by the HKM, which included parameters such as solid waste management, cleanliness, e-waste disposal, and compliance with the green protocol. The project was part of the 'Waste-free Nava Keralam' campaign of the government. Of the 5,152 government, quasi-government offices, and public sector units that were shortlisted for the green rating, 5,044 achieved the status, according to the latest estimates. They include the offices of various government departments, local bodies, banks, and public sector units. Besides the key evaluation criteria, additional factors like water and energy conservation, and rainwater harvesting projects were also considered in the grading process. The institutions had set up separate bins to collect plastic, paper, and organic waste. They had also conducted awareness sessions and workshops to spread the message of adhering to the provisions under the green protocol prescribed by the mission. The institutions were encouraged to refrain from using banned plastic products and install systems to dispose of organic waste as well as liquid waste. They were also instructed to have clean toilets and ensure availability of clean water. The mission had stressed the need to stick to the green codes of conduct that focussed on waste reduction, source separation, and the use of eco-friendly alternatives. The institutions were also rated on the basis of the upkeep of premises and steps taken to maintain a clean and hygienic environment, including public spaces and sanitation facilities.
