Latest news with #PawankumarG.Giriyappanavar
The Hindu
22-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Book on snake awareness and bite prevention released in Coimbatore
The Wildlife and Nature Conservation Trust (WNCT) has brought out a 28-page educational publication titled 'Knowing Snakes and Making Coimbatore Snakebite-Free', aimed at enhancing public understanding of snakes and promoting coexistence through scientifically grounded information. The book was formally released on Monday at the Coimbatore Collectorate by District Collector Pawankumar G. Giriyappanavar; Venkatesh, Field Director, Anamalai Tiger Reserve and Conservator of Forests, Coimbatore Circle; former District Forest Officer Badhrasamy; and Forest Range Officer Thirumurugan. M. Sirajdeen, coordinator of WNCT and author of the book, told The Hindu the book provided information on the 'big four' venomous snakes, visual identification methods, first response after a snakebite, and measures to minimise encounters, particularly in residential and agricultural settings. It also included safety protocols for labourers under the 100-day employment scheme, who were more vulnerable to snakebites. 'Our outreach will prioritise rural communities and educational institutions,' he said. 'While human-wildlife conflict often centres on large mammals, snakebites cause nearly 50,000 deaths annually in India. This book aims to bridge knowledge gaps, reduce fear, and highlight the ecological importance of snakes.' The book, currently available in Tamil, will be distributed free of cost to government libraries, Primary Health Centres, and schools. An English edition is planned. WNCT intends to expand the initiative across Tamil Nadu following its rollout in Coimbatore.
The Hindu
30-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Development of Pollachi Coconut Cluster by National Horticulture Board at a cost of ₹250 crore on anvil
The Horticulture Department has unveiled a ₹250-crore Central government project for development of Pollachi Coconut Cluster, entailing ₹100-crore subsidy, under three verticals: pre-production and production; post-harvest management and value addition; and logistics, marketing and branding. The project is to be implemented under the Cluster Development Programme (CDP) of National Horticulture Board, Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare. Entities eligible for becoming Implementing Agency (ies) include Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs/ FPCs) and their federations, cooperatives/societies, partnership firms, proprietorship firms, companies, State Agriculture and Marketing Boards and Federations and other Public Sector entities of Central/State Governments. The Tamil Nadu Horticulture Development Agency (TANHODA), as the Cluster Development Agency (CDA) has invited proposals for implementation of Cluster Development Programme for Pollachi Coconut Cluster through online portal ( before June 25, 2025. The information was shared by the Deputy Director of Horticulture P. Siddharthan with a gathering of farmers at the start of the agriculture grievances redress meeting chaired by the District Collector Pawankumar G. Giriyappanavar on Friday. Further information on the programme and on the procedure for submitting the 'Call for Proposals' could be sourced from the websites: and Mr. Siddharthan said guidance could be obtained from Assistant Directors of Horticulture at Anamalai (Ph.9865905505), Pollachi North (9488226159) and Pollachi South (9443059186) The Union Ministry has identified 55 horticulture clusters of which Pollachi is one among the 12 clusters selected for pilot launch. The Pollachi Coconut Cluster falls under the mega category of cluster, based on the area parameter - more than 15,000 hectares - for financial assistance up to ₹100 crore. Earlier in the day, a mobile soil testing station sanctioned for Coimbatore under National Agriculture Development Programme was flagged off by the District Collector. The mobile soil testing laboratory costing ₹ 75 lakh will be utilised to conduct 12 camps per month - three per week - at villages, Joint Director of Agriculture Krishnaveni said. Through the camps, farmers will be provided with guidance to utilise fertilizers suiting the soil conditions for increasing crop yield and return on investment. Soil health cards will be provided to the farmers on the very day of testing. A fee of ₹ 30 will be charged for each sample analysis. Villages brought under Kalaignarin All Village Integrated Agriculture Development Programme (KAVIADP) will be accorded priority.
