Experts say it is nextto impossible to implement theparty’s poll promise

This year State may get two as Centre plans to develop only 20 cities

Work on linking Tamiraparani, Karumeniyar and Nambiyar to benefit drought-prone areas on Tirunelveli and Tuticorin is slowing gaining momentum.

Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) has recommended the expansion of Meghamalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Theni district to boost conservation in the southern Western Ghats.

Sewage outfall into river to be diverted to existing network before opening of sand bar

Eco-restoration of Adyar creek and estuary, on 300 acres, is likely to take off soon. Stipulating four conditions, the Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) has recommended coastal regulation zone (CRZ) clearance for the project.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests has laid down a Standard Operating Procedure to deal with emergencies arising out of straying of tigers into human habitations.

In a directive to all Heads of Forest Forces and Chief Wildlife Wardens in Tiger Range States, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has asked them to translate the SOP in regional languages and circulate it widely among the field staff for guidance.

Provides one last opportunity for States to give site-specific proposals

A decade after the National Board for Wildlife envisaged declaring areas within 10 km of the boundary of national parks and sanctuaries as eco-sensitive zones, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has given one last opportunity to all the States to submit site-specific proposals by February 15. In a letter to the Chief Wildlife Wardens of all the States, Vivek Saxena, Deputy Inspector General, Wildlife, Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has said the progress in declaring eco-sensitive zones was far from satisfactory despite the Ministry issuing guidelines in February 2011 itself.

Deferring environmental clearance (EC) for a thermal power plant of M/s Chettinad Power Corporation Limited at Tarangambadi Taluk in Nagapattinam district, the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has asked the project proponent to submit a detailed report on the impact on Olive Ridley turtles, including a data collected during the nesting season to be vetted by a competent authority.

It has also asked for the submission of a long-term plan for sustainable preservation of the turtles and its implementation by a competent institute and a para-wise response to the order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) regarding the turtles, fly-ash and archaeological importance of the site.

Industrialists planning to start polluting units in four districts of the State are unable to get the Consent to Establish (CTE) from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) as the government is not willing to relax norms.

According to TNPCB sources, the board has not taken any decision on the demand from industrialists to set up new units, including dyeing and fabric units, in Karur, Tirupur, Erode and Namakkal towns where water pollution has been a problem for a decade and more.

Environment and Forests Ministry panel stipulates 8 conditions

After three years, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has granted environmental and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance for the establishment of a captive jetty for the 4,000 MW Ultra Mega Thermal Power Project at Cheyyur in Kancheepuram district. Stipulating eight conditions, the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) on CRZ clearances has finally given the nod for the captive jetty at Panayiyur for handling coal to be imported for the plant. The jetty will be located five km away from the project site.