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Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Kerala government to tackle nurdles washed ashore
The Kerala government on Wednesday announced the deployment of volunteers and drone surveys to get rid of plastic pellets, also known as nurdles, which were found in large quantities across the coastal areas of Thiruvananthapuram after a Liberia-flagged cargo vessel sank off the coast of Kerala earlier this week. The nurdles were likely being transported among other cargo items on the vessel and are suspected to have broken out of the containers when they fell into the sea, officials aware of the matter said. Nurdles are foundational material in the manufacture of a wide range of plastic products and white in colour. According to A Biju Kumar, a senior professor in the department of aquatic biology and fisheries at the University of Kerala, the nurdles are manufactured in small sizes as they can be melted and moulded into manufacturing a range of plastic products. Activists and environmental experts flagged its impact on marine life and habitats. 'Nurdles look like fish eggs and are easily consumed by fish, turtles, and seabirds, leading to intestinal blockages and starvation. It can result in habitat contamination by accumulating in sand and estuaries. Among long-term impacts, nurdles absorb pollutants from seawater becoming toxic pellets. Over time, nurdles break into micro and nano plastics, entering food chains and human diets,' Kumar wrote in a post on Facebook. The CM said in a statement that civil defence volunteers would be deputed to clear away the plastic pellets from the coast. 'Action is being taken in view of the environmental damage that can be caused by the plastic nurdles. Every 100 metres, there would be volunteers to clear the waste away. Drone surveys would also be done to ensure that the coast is rid of the waste. Officials from the police, fire and rescue service and pollution control board have been appointed to oversee the cleaning work. The supervisors must ensure that the volunteers complete the task safely without any hazards,' he said. Lija Bose, the vice-president of the Anchuthengu panchayat, told HT that the pellets in massive quantities have lined up the nearly 5.5 kilometres of the coastline in her panchayat. 'It's granular in size and therefore extremely hard to remove from the coast. As per the directions of the government, we have deputed a few volunteers who will start the work on Thursday. We have been asked to transfer the pellets along with the sand into containers so that it can be filtered later. It is a massive challenge,' she said. The CM also convened a meeting of the top environmental experts, district collectors and bureaucrats to discuss the possible environmental impact of the scattering of the hazardous cargo materials and the oil spill caused by the capsizing of the Liberia-flagged cargo vessel. The decisions taken at the meeting are not known yet.
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
Plastic pellets found on Kerala coast after shipwreck pose serious environmental impact, warn experts
Tiny plastic pellets (nurdles) found on beaches in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala following the sinking of the container vessel MSC ELSA3 could have serious implications for the marine and coastal ecosystems and humans, warn experts. While not inherently toxic, the pellets remain a dangerous pollutant. Their short- and long-term impacts include habitat contamination and their breaking up into micro and nano plastics and entering the food chain, according to A. Biju Kumar, Senior Professor, Marine Monitoring Lab, Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, University of Kerala. The 'nurdle spill' on Kerala's coast is a wake-up call for India's coastal management, shipping safety, and marine conservation, Dr. Biju Kumar said on Wednesday (May 28, 2025) after conducting field verifications at the Varkala and Kochu Veli beaches in Thiruvananthapuram. 'While the crew of the MSC ELSA3 were safely rescued, the ocean remains at risk,' he said, describing this as the first major incident of plastic nurdle landings in India caused by a shipwreck. Global plastic chain Classified as primary microplastics, these pellets and are between from 1 mm to 5 mm in diameter. They constitute a major component in the global plastic chain. According to Dr. Biju Kumar, the pellets found in Kochu Veli are mostly low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). They are the most commonly used material for manufacturing products such as plastic bags and films, flexible tubing, coatings for paper cartons and cables, detergent bottles, hard plastic containers, pipes and crates. They are also used in packaging material, household goods, electronics and automotive parts and medical equipment. LDPE is quite difficult to recycle, he said. Every year, millions of tonnes of these tiny pellets are transported across the globe. The Liberian-flagged MSC ELSA3 had capsized and sunk in the Arabian Sea off Kochi over the last weekend (May 24 and May 25). Its cargo consisted of 643 containers, including 13 laden with hazardous cargo. Several of the containers washed ashore in the coastal districts of Kerala in the days that followed, triggering concern. For Thiruvananthapuram, the immediate response should include manual beach clean-ups and using specialised equipment such as floating booms, nets and sifting tools for containing the spread of the nurdles and collection, according to Dr. Biju Kumar. Other measures include advising local communities not to handle such plastic pellets. Additionally, the shipping company should be held accountable for the spill and made to finance the clean-up, he said. Following the shipwreck off Kochi, the Kerala government had placed the nine coastal districts of Kerala on alert. It had also announced plans to constitute two separate rapid response teams under the Factories and Boilers department and the State Pollution Control Board in the nine districts for handling oil spills and containers that wash ashore.
India.com
20-05-2025
- India.com
10 Facts About Thiruvananthapuram City You Must Know
Apart from being the capital city of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram is a vivid combination of new and old traditions and culture. The city is situated in the southwest coast of India and has stunning views, rich history, and an array of historical sites. Below are some amazing facts about the city that every traveler, history lover, or fun explorer should know. 1. The Name Has Religious Significance In Malayalam, the term 'Thiruvananthapuram' means the city of Anantha. The word comes from Anantha Padmanabha, which a formation of Lord Vishnu, who is resting on the serpent called Anantha. The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, one of the most affluent temples in the world, is also located here and is known for its significance. 2. Home to One of the Richest Temples in the World Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is known for its religious value, but it also serves as a massive temple in India. The temple has an intense dom of power. In 2011, vaults of the temple were opened and gold, artifacts and a lot more was valued into several billions of dollars. This gigantic discovery gained a lot of attention globally and had a huge impact on India's history and culture. 3. An Evergreen City with Beautiful Beaches Thiruvananthapuram is called the 'Evergreen City of India' which is a gift from Mahatma Gandhi. It is a paradise for nature lovers because of its beautiful greenery, rolling hills, beaches like Kovalam and Shanghumugham. Kovalam beach is also famous for its crown shaped coastline which brings tourists from all over the world. 4. The First City in Kerala with a Planned Layout Thiruvananthapuram at first was a planned city under the domain of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal in the early years of the 19th century. The layout of the city is unique among other Indian cities because it shows colonial influences mixed with traditional Kerala architecture. Slowly over the years major institutions like University of Kerala, Technopark were established over time. 5. The First IT Park in Non Metro Areas of India Technopark, located in Kazhakuttom, is the first technology park built in non metropolitan areas of India opened in 1991. It has now transformed into a center for IT firms, Startups and innovation. With its vast campuses and modern equipment, Technopark is a big contributor to the economic growth and job opportunities in kerala. 6. Cultural Hub with Artistic Traditions Thiruvananthapuram is famous for its art, music, and dances from Kerala. The city conducts many cultural festivals during the year, especially the well known Navratri Mandala Vilakku in the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. These are also promoted through educational institutions like Kerala Kalamandalam which specializes in various forms of classical performing arts such as Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, and Ottamthullal. 7. Educational Excellence The city has some of the most important educational institutions in the country. Examples include University of Kerala, College of Engineering Trivandrum (CET), and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). There are other reasons why the schools are very popular among students from all parts of the country, adding to the city's reputation as an educational hub. 8. Gateway to Backwaters and Wildlife Sanctuaries Thiruvananthapuram is the gateway to the backwaters and wildlife sanctuaries of kerala. Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary is just a short drive away and is home to a rich variety of plants and animals, including elephants, tigers, and leopards. Other than that, Poovar Island is only reachable by boat rides through calm backwaters, showcasing some of Kerala's beautiful scenery. 9. Scientific Legacy As one of the major scientific cities of India, the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) is based in Thiruvananthapuram. The visionary Indian space program director Vikram Sarabhai's work center is capable of advanced technology development for India's satellite and launch vehicles, which puts the city within the limits of aerospace research internationally. 10. A Blend of History and Modernity Tourism in Thiruvananthapuram has a special place for historic features waiting to be appreciated alongside areas of modern growth. The British-era Napier Museum is not only accompanied by educational infrastructure such as shopping malls and multi theaters, but is also flanked by modern architectural feats. The former royal estate Kanakakunnu Palace has been transformed to serve as a host for cultural exhibits depicting the city's vitality. Conclusion An important and economically advanced city, Thiruvananthapuram is the best representation of the state of Kerala. With roots extending deep into temples of the olden days and being home to numerous tech businesses and educational institutes, the city is an epitome of contradiction and advancement. Be it deep diving into the cultural heritage, relaxing on the scenic beaches or sightseeing the architectural brilliance, tourists are bound to get an unrivaled experience from the capital city.
The Hindu
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Admission to former SFI leader: HC directive to Kerala University to confirm the provisional appointment of Principal
The Kerala High Court has directed the University of Kerala to confirm the provisional approval of appointment of Muhammed Thaha as Principal of MSM College, Kayamkulam. The university had earlier withdrawn its approval following lapses detected in connection with the admission given to former SFI leader Nikhil Thomas for course based on a fake degree certificate. The provisional approval was given on an interim directive of the High Court. Justice N. Nagaresh observed that assuming that there is negligence on the part of the petitioner, an isolated instance of negligence as alleged against the petitioner cannot be a reason to decline approval to the appointment of the petitioner as Principal which was made after a due selection process. The allegation against the petitioner was that when RTI applications on the degree certificate submitted by former SFI leader were received by the petitioner who was the then Public Information Officer, he had not taken care to verify the authenticity of the degree certificate. The petitioner acted negligently in not cross-verifying the documents.. The petitioner also said that the former SFI leader was admitted to the PG Course on January 28,2022 when Bhadrakumari was the Principal of the College. The petitioner being an Associate Professor in Arabic, had no role whatsoever in the admission of the student. However, the petitioner was issued a show-cause notice on September 05, 2023 by the management. The university thereafter decided to withdraw the approval granted to the petitioner as Principal.
The Hindu
09-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Five-day expert panel meet on fundamental English-Malayalam glossary of commerce concludes
A five-day expert committee meeting on the preparation of the fundamental English-Malayalam glossary of commerce concluded on Friday. Organised by the Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology (CSTT) under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, in collaboration with the Department of Commerce, University of Kerala, the meeting was held at the Srinivasa Ramanujan Conference Hall, CLIF, Kariavattom campus. The meeting, which ran from May 5 to 9, marked significant progress in the development of the glossary, which encompasses 3,837 technical commerce terms, according to a statement issued here. The participating experts termed the creation of the Malayalam commerce glossary a big step forward for commerce education in regional languages, particularly for students across Kerala and Malayali students from other parts of India and around the world. Coordinated initiative The initiative was coordinated by Inderdeep Singh from CSTT. Biju A.V., Associate Professor of Commerce, University of Kerala, served as the local convener and expert contributor for the glossary. Other panel members are Biju T., Head of the Department of Commerce, University of Kerala; Ajeesh A., Assistant Professor, Govinda Pai Memorial Government College, Manjeswaram; Naduvattom Gopalakrishnan, former Deputy Director of Collegiate Education and Honorary Professor at the International School of Dravidian Linguistics; and L. Darwin, Assistant Professor and Head, Department of Linguistics, University of Kerala.
