Latest news with #SARPA
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Climate
- The Hindu
Ernakulam Public Health Committee moots measures to tackle monsoon-related diseases
The Ernakulam Public Health Committee has recommended stringent action as per the provisions of the Kerala Public Health Act in connection with the control measures initiated against the spread of infectious diseases with the onset of the southwest monsoon. A review of the situation pointed out the possibility of a spike in Hepatitis A and dengue cases. The authorities have asked enforcement agencies and local bodies to take action against those responsible for the distribution of contaminated drinking water in tankers. Transporters should possess the required licences/permits from the Department of Food Safety and other related departments. The committee stressed the need to create awareness among the public to keep their premises clean and avoid situation that may result in an increase in infectious diseases. People living in flood-hit regions and involved in relief and clean-up operations should take doxycycline tablets as a preventive measure based on health workers' advice. Those working in waterlogged areas should also take the medicine, besides taking proper safety measures to avoid infection, according to the health authorities. With the increase in COVID-19 cases, the public can adopt preventive measures including wearing masks and avoiding interaction with others after developing symptoms. Local bodies have also been told to ensure that water sources, including wells in apartment complexes and houses, are chlorinated at regular intervals. Forest department officials said that the school authorities in the district may download the SARPA mobile app to get the contact details of volunteers who have been trained in snake rescue operations. The suggestion was made considering the possibility of snakes entering campuses in the rainy season.
Barnama
20-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Sarawak Formulates Master Plan To Drive Strategic Port Development In The State
KUCHING, May 20 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development is currently formulating a comprehensive Sarawak Port Master Plan to provide strategic direction for port development across the state, in line with the cluster growth policy for the northern, central, and southern regions. Its Deputy Minister, Datuk Majang Renggi, said a port advisor and a task force have been appointed to lead the development of the master plan, gathering input from key stakeholders and benchmarking against international best practices. Replying to a question from Johnny Pang Leong Ming (GPS-Tanjong Batu) at the Sarawak Assembly sitting here, today, Majang said the role of the port advisor and taskforce was also to ensure that the state ports are well-positioned to drive long-term economic development and enhance regional competitiveness. 'The master plan will outline strategic initiatives and development priorities upon its completion and will be aligned with the roles of the forthcoming Sarawak Port Authority. This aims to streamline port governance by consolidating the functions of existing port authorities under a single centralised entity," he said. He said the ministry will engage closely with key stakeholders, including state agencies, existing port authorities, terminal operators and industry players to ensure the master plan reflects the unique role and requirements of each port. He added that this engagement, along with data analysis and site assessment, will help tailor development strategies that are both locally responsive and regionally competitive. To a supplementary question from Pang, Majang said the proposed new Sarawak Port Authority (SARPA), established following the passing of the Sarawak Ports Authority Bill, 2024, will serve as the central regulatory body for all ports across the state, replacing the current individual port authorities. 'SARPA will have ownership of the Sarawak Port Master Plan and have responsibility for policy making, the regulation, and to harmonise development efforts, and ensure consistent governance, efficiency and align with Sarawak's long-term economic goals,' he added. -- BERNAMA
Powys County Times
11-05-2025
- Powys County Times
More passengers leads to services call on Cambrian Line
A rail users group has called for more services to run through Powys by pointing to passenger numbers close to pre-pandemic levels. SARPA, the rail user group for the Cambrian Railway Lines, says figures show that the numbers using the lines are now at 98 per cent of the levels recorded before the Covid-19 pandemic. The group said passenger numbers are now expected to reach their highest point in recent history during the coming years, and are calling on Transport for Wales to increase services on the lines between Aberystwyth, Shrewsbury and Pwllheli. Dr Jeff Smith, the chair of SARPA, said: 'It's wonderful to see increased use of the railway, and this is what we need to see more of for environmental, economic, social, community and linguistic reasons. "If the service was to improve, increasing the number of trains, increasing the number of carriages and improving reliability, we could see passenger numbers growing faster still. "By introducing a full hourly service on the Cambrian Main Line, as has been promised since 1999, the line can have a very successful future. "The recent increase in passenger numbers is to be welcomed and Transport for Wales now have a golden opportunity to provide for the increasing demand for rail journeys and spark even more growth." In January Transport for Wales said it was investing in new trains on the line, and that operational work to allow more trains should be completed later this year. Plans for hourly railway service between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth, from March 2026, will now run every hour only during the summer under plans announced last year, but a 4.30pm train from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth will run year-round..
The Hindu
01-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Chennai to soon get application to report snake, wildlife sightings
Soon, if you spot a snake or encounter any wildlife in distress in Chennai, help will be just a click away. The Tamil Nadu Forest Department is planning to set up a dedicated mobile application that will allow the public to report sightings and request immediate rescue assistance. This is to streamline what has, so far been, a largely manual process. Chennai sees around 20 calls every day for snake rescues, and the numbers rise significantly during monsoon and summer. Though many snakes are spotted across the city, only four species are venomous. To address these incidents efficiently, the Forest Department has already established a robust network of trained snake rescuers. The proposed app aims at taking this initiative further by standardising response mechanisms and making them more accessible to the public. Consultation meeting In a recent consultation meeting held in Chennai, nearly 20 snake rescuers and representatives from various non-governmental organisations came together to discuss the challenges and needs on the ground. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force) Srinivas Reddy and Chief Wildlife Warden Rakesh Kumar Dogra, who gathered feedback from the stakeholders to decide on the course of the app, attended the session. Though not directly modelled on it, the app is conceptually similar to the SARPA, a mobile platform used in Kerala for coordinating snake rescues. Manish Meena, Wildlife Warden, Chennai, said that the meeting was held to formalise rescue and relief operations with insights from the persons working on ground. Gnaneswar Ch, project lead at the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust said that all the snake rescuers agreed the application would be useful and shared their suggestions. According to officials, the app will undergo a trial phase as a six-month pilot project. In June, it is planned to provide formal training to rescuers and implement standard operating guidelines to ensure a uniform response across all cases. If successful, the initiative will be gradually expanded to other districts in Tamil Nadu.
