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The Hindu
10 hours ago
- General
- The Hindu
Plantation drive to be taken up at Nandyal, Kurnool and Anantapur districts on June 5
Nandyal, Kurnool and Anantapur district administrations have planned a massive plantation drive on June 5 (Thursday), on the occasion of World Environment Day. Nandyal District Collector Rajakumari Ganiya said that 1 lakh saplings have to be planted in the gram panchayats, with at least 200 to 250 saplings in each of the 489 gram panchayats in the district. Similarly, 30 saplings should be planted in each of the 1,300 government schools in the district, he added. Another 1,000 saplings should be planted in the 21 government colleges in the district, she instructed the Education Department officials. Ms. Rajakunari Ganiya also said that a total of 5,000 saplings should be planted in the social welfare, tribal welfare, BC, and minority welfare hostels in the district. The officials of Industries, Pollution Control Board and Mining departments were asked to plant a total of 15,000 saplings. The Nandyal Collector asked the District Water Management Authority (DWMA) officials to plant 30,000 saplings at the places where MGNREGA works are being taken up. The district Forest officials were asked to plant 40,000 saplings, while the Agriculture, Horticulture and Irrigation departments were asked to take up plantation drive on canal bunds and boundaries of agriculture fields. 'The Housing Department officials should plant one sapling each in front of every house in the government housing colonies, and 20,000 saplings in total. Similarly, 10,000 saplings should be planted in the Collectorate and other government offices,' Ms Rajakumari Ganiya said. The Collector also asked officials to plant 5,000 saplings in the guest houses of Roads and Buildings, Panchayat Raj and National Highway Authority departments. The officials were asked to take steps for planting 75,000 saplings in the private educational institutions. In Anantapur, a district-level plantation drive will be held at Nagaravanam in Pampanuru of Atmakuru mandal, which will be attended by Collector Vinod Kumar V. The district has set a target of planting 3.85 lakh saplings. The Social Forestry Department has made available 12.25 lakh saplings for distribution at 14 forest nurseries in the district. Meanwhile, Kurnool district administration has set a target of planting 4.20 lakh saplings across the district and has asked all the departments to participate in the plantation drive at open places in their office premises. A total of 5 lakh saplings will be available at the seven forest nurseries in the district.
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
PoP Ganesha idol ban in Belagavi opposed by artisans
Belagavi: In a proactive move to safeguard natural waterbodies, the Belagavi district administration imposed an early and strict ban on the preparation and sale of plaster of paris (PoP) Ganesha idols ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, which is scheduled in August. Ganesh Chaturthi, celebrated on a grand scale in Belagavi, involves the installation and immersion of thousands of Ganesha idols across the city and district. Concerned about the environmental impact of PoP idols, the administration directed artisans to switch to eco-friendly materials and use only natural colours in idol decoration. Deputy commissioner Mohammad Roshan recently held a meeting with local idol makers, urging them to comply with the guidelines issued by the Pollution Control Board. Following this, the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) scheduled a separate meeting with city-based idol makers for Thursday, to reinforce the directive. "We have planned the meeting with the idol makers on Thursday, after which an official notification banning PoP idols will be issued," confirmed Hanumant Kaladagi, environmental engineer at the BCC. However, the move drew criticism from local artisans. Members of the Belgaum Murtikar Sanghatana, an association of idol makers, expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the administration's blanket ban does not consider the unique situation in Belagavi. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "In Belagavi, all Ganesha idols are immersed in artificial tanks, and not in natural waterbodies. So, there is no threat of pollution to lakes, wells, or streams," argued a member. The ban particularly impacts the manufacture of large-sized idols, which are predominantly made from PoP. Over 80 mandals annually install grand Ganesha idols in public places for the 10-day festival, culminating in a massive procession and immersion on the 11th day. Idol makers contend that crafting such large-scale idols from clay is often impractical due to their weight and propensity to develop cracks, which is considered inauspicious. PoP idols, in contrast, are lighter and more durable.
New Indian Express
7 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Fire breaks out in containers from capsized vessel washed ashore at Kerala's Shakthikulangar
KOLLAM: A fire broke out in containers that had washed ashore from the capsized cargo vessel MSC Elsa, which capsized near Kochi last week. The blaze reportedly ignited during a gas-cutting operation to remove thermocol-like materials lodged between the containers. Smoke was first noticed when the gas cutter was in use, quickly escalating into flames. Strong sea winds helped the fire spread, but a major disaster was averted thanks to the swift response of the fire force personnel present on-site. "A total of 11 containers were ashore at the Shakthikulangara coast. A couple of containers were joined together; it was planned to separate them after removing the joint parts. Some containers have thermocol-type substances between them," said a source in the district administration. "There was a clear-cut instruction from the district administration against using gas cutting for removing thermocol. Fortunately, the fire was doused by the fire force officials who were present at the spot. No one has also reported injured," the source added. Containers that drifted ashore along Shakthikulangara, Cheriazikal, and Parimanam coasts are being lifted using cranes, cut into smaller pieces, and transported by lorries to the port. Materials scattered along the shore are also being cleared with the assistance of the Pollution Control Board and the police.
India Today
28-05-2025
- General
- India Today
Kerala looks at fresh plan over coastal safety after Liberian cargo ship sinking
Following a Liberian cargo ship capsizing off the Kerala coast, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan directed a high-level meeting of experts and officials to assess the situation and draw up an emergency response ship, which was carrying over 640 containers, including some with hazardous chemicals, has triggered concerns about environmental damage and coastal a statement, the Chief Minister's Office said the government's top priorities are public safety, environmental protection, and safeguarding the fishing Dr. Murali Thummarukudy, a globally reputed disaster and chemical risk expert, led the discussions alongside senior officials from the State Disaster Management Authority, Pollution Control Board, and experts from departments that deal with maritime meeting also saw participation from global specialists such as Dr Olof Leiden (former professor, World Maritime University), Shanthakumar (environmental impact economics expert), and Dr Babu Pillai (petroleum chemical analysis expert).Containers from the sunken Liberian vessel started washing up along the Kerala coast, particularly in Alappuzha and Kollam, on May 26. At least 29 containers had surfaced, many of them empty, but some reportedly containing plastic granules and others marked as hazardous. One such substance, calcium carbide, can release highly flammable acetylene gas when in contact with have imposed a strict fishing ban in a 20-nautical-mile radius around the wreck site. Coastal local bodies and fishermen have been issued advisories on handling unusual materials or containers that may wash ashore. Rapid response teams led by the Pollution Control Board are on standby, and oil booms are being deployed near estuaries in anticipation of a tackle the surge of plastic particles washing up along the coast, volunteers are being stationed every 100 meters for cleanup drives, backed by drone surveillance. Fire and police personnel are coordinating operations, with clear safety guidelines in place for InMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Kerala
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Alappuzha on alert after ship containers wash ashore
Coastal areas in Alappuzha are on alert after containers from the capsized ship MSC ELSA 3 started washing ashore. On Monday, two containers washed up at Tharayilkadavu near Arattupuzha. Agriculture Minister P. Prasad, District Collector Alex Varghese and other officials visited the area and reviewed the situation. Mr. Prasad said the materials in the two containers had been identified as cotton. 'The inspection by Customs officials has confirmed the containers contain non-hazardous materials. Steps have been taken to remove the containers and their contents quickly. Machinery and vehicles required for the removal are being brought in. There is no cause for concern. The containers will be shifted to the Kollam yard,' Mr. Prasad said. The State government has issued a high alert as some of the containers on the ship reportedly contain hazardous cargo. The Minister said the alert was issued to ensure that the public does not come into contact with any dangerous materials. 'There are no hazardous materials in the containers that have washed ashore so far. But we should remain vigilant, as more containers are floating in the sea and could wash ashore,' Mr. Prasad said. The Pollution Control Board has initiated measures to handle any oil spills from the ship that might reach the coast. 'Due to concerns about an oil spill in the sea, an emergency meeting was convened on Sunday. An advisory has been issued to coastal grama panchayats in the district. Officials from the Revenue, Fisheries, and Local-Self Government departments will jointly oversee the response. Public announcements using loudspeakers are also being made to alert coastal residents,' the Minister said. Mr. Prasad said that steps had been taken to prevent the oil slick from spreading to other waterbodies through estuaries. 'Water samples have been collected and the Pollution Control Board is conducting tests,' he added.
