KOCHI: Interest groups holding contradictory views on the impacts of the proposed Athirappilly hydel power project will battle it out before the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) on Saturday.

The WGEEP, appointed by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, has been asked to look into and give recommendations on the project.

Evidence is piling up showing the aerial spraying of Endosulfan in Kasaragod district by the Plantation Corporation of Kerala not only caused deleterious health effects but also impoverished the local population.

The State-owned Corporation is yet to offer any relief, though it has agreed to follow government directive in respect of sharing some of the remediation costs with government.

Saf

In a bid to popularise environment-friendly technology options at the grassroots, the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) is joining hands with the Local Self-government Department to set up a network of Green Technology Centres across the State.

The units, to be modelled on the lines of Akshaya centres, will provide technical support and maintenance for promot

KATTAPPANA: The wildfire that destroyed 10 hectares of grasslands in Koottakal and Choriyanthandu areas of the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary was brought under control on Monday by the joint efforts of forest officials, activists of the Eco-Development Committee (EDC) and a Fire and Rescue team from Cheruthoni.

According to official estimates, four hectares at Kootakal and six hectares at Choriyanth

The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) appointed by the Ministry of Environment and Forests is scheduled to visit Athirappilly on January 29 and seek the opinion of people's representatives on the proposed hydroelectric project.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, V.S.

A people's convention against the use of Endosulfan decided to strengthen the ongoing agitation demanding a nation-wide ban on the pesticide.

P. J.

It is around 8.30 a.m. The sun is up, but there is still some nip in the air as the breeze from the lake wafts landward. The glistening pitch-dark water is a ravishing sight.

On Thursday, the water treatment plant in Aluva near here suspended its operations for more than five hours during the early hours of the day after finding a considerable rise in salinity levels that had reached the magnitude of 1,700 p.p.m (particles per million).

A delay in constructing a temporary bund in Purappillykkavu near Paravoor to prevent the intrusion of salinity in the Periyar is po

Caricatures, many a time, act as satires on various raging issues that engulf the world. However, at times, they act as a medium of introspection as well.

The awareness programme that is being organised by the Kerala Cartoon Academy has set out on a unique mission.

Exotic fish varieties will not be introduced in reservoirs as part of the reservoir fisheries programme, said P. Krishnaiah, Chief Executive Officer, National Fisheries Development Board.

Talking to mediapersons here on the sidelines of the Asian-Pacific Aquaculture and giant prawn conference, Mr.