It will be very unwise on the part of Kerala to ask public sector institutions to do research on genetically modified (GM) crops, the former chairman of the Kerala State Biodiversity Board V.S.

Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran has said that earth-regenerating farming systems should be developed in the State.

He was addressing a meeting at Pazhuvil, near here, on Monday to launch a 10-year project drawn up by the Kerala Agricultural University and State Forest Department for the protection of biodiversity of kole lands.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-aided Rs.295 crore Meenad drinking water scheme of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) will be commissioned by Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan during the first week of February. The scheme will cover 13 grama panchayats and the Paravur municipal area in Kollam district.

As part of a pre-commissioning exercise, Water Resources Minister N.K.

The district is inching closer to the achievement of total sanitation with all its grama panchayats ensured of Nirmal Gram Puraskar instituted by the Union Ministry for Rural Development. The award is given for achievements in the field of sanitation.

Since its institution four years ago, the grama panchayats and block panchayats in the district have been winning the award one after another.

The government is considering a ban on red (extremely toxic) and yellow (highly toxic) categories of pesticides in phases against the background of mounting protests against pesticides in the State, especially in Kasaragod and Idukki districts.

Initially, the ban will apply to sensitive and biodiversity-rich areas and areas where pesticide use is intense.

However, there would not be an immed

The Kerala Women's Commission has recommended to the State government to pass a resolution or to frame laws, if necessary, to make pre-marital HIV testing compulsory in the State. The Commission's recommendation, which has been listed prominently in its latest annual report, was forwarded to the government following a sample study conducted in the State in 2009-10, its chairperson D.

Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy on Monday asked the State government to adopt the families of Endosulfan victims who are leading a prolonged life of misery and trauma, saying that providing mere medical facilities to the affected was not sufficient.

Say the MoEF has not kept its word on provisions of Act
Fish workers warn of agitation

Endosulfan liberally used in cardamom plantations
Victim of pesticides:A boy suffering from cerebral palsy near Balagram in Idukki district.

VS says government committed to restoring encroached land Beginning of a campaign: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan inaugurating a function organised to make the declaration of 17,066.49 acres of Kanan Devan Hills as reserved forest in Munnar on Friday. Minister for Forest Benoy Viswom, Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran and poet Sugathakumari are also seen. – MUNNAR: Chief Minister V.S.