Latest news with #Kozhikode-based
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
Rare migratory bird sighted on Kappad beach five years ago identified as Caspian Gull
Kozhikode-based ornithologist Abdulla Paleri has reported the sighting of a rare migratory bird for the first time in Kerala. The Caspian Gull, which often migrates to northwest India during winter, was sighted on Kappad beach in Kozhikode in February 2020. But it took Mr. Paleri five years to confirm the species and realise that it was indeed quite a miracle to find such a bird in Kerala. 'The Caspian Gull, usually found in Central Asia, visits northwestern India, such as Gujarat, in winter. It was sighted in Goa only once and never again in south India until this time,' Mr. Paleri said, adding that the bird must have straggled to Goa and Kerala, for which no specific reason has been identified. The Caspian Gull is very difficult to identify since it closely resembles the Steppe Gull, which regularly visits the Kerala coast every year. Hence, it was initially confusing for Mr. Paleri to notice minor variations in the nature of the species, such as the shape of the head and beak. He uploaded the images he had taken to the international community of gull experts for identification. After several months, two of the experts, Joachin Bertrand and Lou Bertalan, commented that it could be the Caspian Gull, considering features such as its wings, posture, and legs. Mr. Paleri further uploaded the images to eBird, an online platform for birders all over the world. Subsequently, two internationally acclaimed ornithologists Oscar Campbell and Hans Larsson confirmed it as a bird from the Caspian Gull species, and no expert has challenged the findings in the past five years. 'It usually migrates in very small groups. This one may have straggled off,' Mr. Paleri said. A straggler is a bird that irregularly goes off its normal migratory route or ground. The Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans) is one of the rarest gulls to be seen in India. They move from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea, then to southern and eastern Kazakhstan and western China. They winter in Asia and Africa, he added.
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Climate
- The Hindu
CWRDM suggests clearing waterways, smarter dam operations to combat monsoon fury
The Kozhikode-based Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM), an agency under the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, has suggested both long-term and short-term measures to address the consequences of the early onset of the monsoon in Kerala. CWRDM officials told The Hindu on Sunday (June 1) that immediate steps should include clearing waterways—especially small streams within river systems; intelligent and timely operation of dams, check dams, and other flow-regulating structures; avoiding harvesting and storing large volumes of water in upper reaches; and preventing soil or land disturbances in sloping areas. The CWRDM also recommended marking/geo-tagging and surveillance of accident-prone waterlogged zones near schools and roads; avoiding the mixing of waste or wastewater with drinking water sources; using boiled water for drinking; testing the quality of drinking water in waterlogged areas; and closely monitoring and acting on warnings issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the State Disaster Management Authority, and other government agencies. Long-term strategies suggested by the agency include an accurate and precise model, a software-based mobile app or a user interface to get weather prediction and a short-term weather forecast. The agency also emphasised the need for systems to enable the timely and efficient dissemination of information and warnings to the public. Other proposals include involving citizens in rain and river monitoring; deploying trained disaster management teams in hotspot areas; issuing advance guidance on dos and don'ts during disasters; and marking safe zones for immediate evacuation. This year, Kerala experienced an early onset of the Southwest Monsoon on May 24. The earliest recorded onset during this period occurred in 1990, when the monsoon arrived on May 18. The early arrival this year was accompanied by intense rainfall during the last week of May. According to data from the CWRDM meteorological station in Kozhikode, the region recorded 620 mm of rainfall between May 24 and May 31, which amounts to approximately 27.78% of the seasonal monsoon average of 2,228 mm. Each day in this period saw over 60 mm of rainfall until May 30, resulting in saturated soil, localised flooding, and waterlogging in low-lying areas. Analysing historical patterns, CWRDM officials noted that early monsoon onsets have often been associated with above-normal seasonal rainfall. In nearly 70% of the years with early onset, Kerala received above-average total monsoon rainfall. If this trend continues, 2025 could be heading for an above-average monsoon—provided rainfall remains consistent during the mid and late phases of the season. These evolving trends highlight the urgent need for improved forecasting tools, real-time rainfall monitoring, and adaptive planning strategies, the officials said. The CWRDM officials also pointed out a growing concern: the increasing frequency of short-duration, high-intensity rainfall events, often followed by extended dry spells. While such patterns keep the average seasonal rainfall stable, they redistribute it unevenly over time, increasing the risk of flash floods and rainfall-induced landslides, particularly in hilly and urban areas. These extreme events place mounting pressure on infrastructure, strain water management systems, and challenge the resilience of the agricultural sector, they added.
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Family and community key to Schizophrenia recovery, say experts
Experts at the schizophrenia awareness programme organised by the Kozhikode-based Chetana Centre for Neuropsychiatric Rehabilitation, in observance of World Schizophrenia Day on Saturday (May 24), stressed the importance of family and community in recovery, especially in the context of rising drug abuse and digital media addiction among youth. The event was conducted in collaboration with several organisations, including Thanal Suicide Prevention Centre, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Committee for Emotional Well-being and Suicide Prevention, the Indian Psychiatric Society (Kerala State Branch), the Composite Regional Centre for Persons with Disabilities, and the Calicut Psychiatry Guild. Focussing on the causes of schizophrenia, Dr. Arun Gopalakrishnan, consultant psychiatrist at Isha Mind Care, pointed out the role of epigenetics and chemical imbalances in the brain and the fluctuations in the levels of serotonin and dopamine. 'The onset of the disorder is usually between the ages of 15 and 55, but can occur earlier or later,' Dr. Gopalakrishnan said. He added that the symptoms of schizophrenia included withdrawal tendencies, hallucinations, random disorganised speech and illusions. Early detection and treatment would help to cure the disease completely, highlighting that 20-30% of patients fully recover, Dr. Gopalakrishnan said. Dr. P. N. Suresh Kumar, convener of the Indian Medical Association's Committee for Emotional Wellbeing and Suicide Prevention, said that hospital-centred, institution-based, community-based, and non-residential rehabilitation, which provided opportunities to schizophrenia patients based on their aptitude and ability, helped in their recovery. Dr. Roshan Bijili, director of the Composite Regional Centre for Persons With Disabilities, emphasised the need to treat schizophrenia like any other medical condition. M.K. Raghavan, MP, inaugurated the programme. Dr. A.K. Abdul Khader, vice chairman of the Thanal Foundation Trust, presided over the session. K.C. Hariharan, administrator, Chetana; DR. V. Rajmohan V., editor of Kerala Journal of Psychiatry; Dr. Susheel K., president of Calicut Psychiatry Guild; and Dr. Rajagopalan Puthusserri, administrator, Thanal Suicide Prevention Centre, took part in the event. The programme also featured the staging of 'Aakashakazhchakal', written by M. V. Suresh Babu and directed by Vijayan Kanthoor. The play staged by Sradha, Kozhikode, portrays the experiences of a person living with schizophrenia, including the person's hallucinations of being attacked, evoking empathy in the audience and raising awareness.
The Hindu
07-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
‘CWRDM can take up environmental impact studies of river valley projects'
The Kozhikode-based Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM), an autonomous research institution under the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology, and Environment (KSCSTE), will now be able to conduct independent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies for hydroelectric and irrigation projects. This follows the accreditation of the agency by the National Accreditation Board for Education and Training (NABET). According to CWRDM officials, the agency is the only one specifically accredited for river valley projects. So far, external private agencies had been roped in for the purpose. 'EIA is basically for reflecting the concerns of the people in an area where a proposed project is coming up. Being a government agency with over 40 years of experience in water-related research, we will be able to bring more credibility to the study,' a senior official said on Wednesday (May 7, 2025). The agency would now be able to evaluate the environmental concerns associated with large-scale water infrastructure projects, ensuring ecological balance while meeting developmental needs, the official added. The CWRDM has also become one of the five institutions in Kerala that can carry out EIA studies. Manoj P. Samuel, executive director of CWRDM, said that the NABET accreditation was a recognition of the agency's scientific integrity and technical capability. 'We can now formally contribute to safeguarding environmental concerns through EIA studies for various government projects across Kerala and other States,' he added. The CWRDM officials also claimed that the efforts would be to integrate environmental sensitivity into Kerala's water resource planning and management, at a time when the State is witnessing rapid infrastructure development and climate-related challenges. A release quoting A. Sabu, member secretary, KSCSTE, said that the accreditation was a significant milestone not just for CWRDM, but for Kerala as well. 'It empowers us to ensure that the growing water infrastructure projects are aligned with environmental sustainability. The CWRDM's legacy in water research and public service strengthens the state's capacity for data-driven, environmentally conscious development,' he added.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
No political decision to revive Athirappilly project: Kerala power minister Krishnankutty
1 2 3 4 5 T'puram: Power minister K Krishnankutty said the govt has not taken any policy decision to go ahead with the Athirappilly hydel power project . KSEB is only trying to explore the project site's tourism potential without directly pushing the 163MW controversial hydel project, he said. The minister told TOI that KSEB was exploring the possibility of setting up a couple of weirs, diverting water from the upper regions of the proposed Athirappilly hydel project site and that it was not for electricity generation purposes. "The weirs would help ensure the Athirappilly waterfall remains a year-round spectacle, increasing tourism attraction. The board is only exploring such possibilities to convince the local public regarding the proposed hydel project's sustainable nature," Krishnankutty said. KSEB chairman and managing director Biju Prabhakar has taken the initiative to explore the tourism potential of the Athirappilly project site and nearby areas and engaged a Kozhikode-based agency, Environment Architecture and Human Settlements (C-EARTH), to submit a report on the same. The move, however, is seen as yet another attempt to push the Athirappilly project through the backdoor. Following the queries raised by TOI over the proposed move, the KSEB CMD's office issued a press statement, saying that the move was indeed to explore the tourism potential along with the proposed hydel power project. Prabhakar stated the criticism raised against the project was totally unfounded and the dam would boost tourism and avoid flooding of the Chalakudy river. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Highest Earning College Majors—2025 Edition Best Paying Degrees | Search Ads Learn More Undo The successive govts were unable to go ahead with the Athirappilly power project on account of the protests from greens as well as political parties, including CPI. Since the KSEB move is to increase the project's acceptability, it doesn't require any political clearance from the govt, Krishnankutty said, adding that Kerala should explore more options to utilise the abundant hydel potential of the state if it wants to get out of the over-reliance on power from other states.
