V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai, executive vice-president, Kerala State Council for Science Technology and Environment (KSCSTE), inaugurated a one-day workshop on Conservation of Rivers and Lakes organised here on Thursday by the Pampa Parirakshana Samithy (PPS), in association with Kuttanad Vikasana Samithy (KVS) and Alappuzha Press Club.

Mr. Pillai said that the problems regarding the conservation of water bodies were as well known as the solutions. Experts and resources were also available. The only problem was to decide who would take up the initiative and how to go about the process.

PANJIM: After initiating the project at the Verna Industrial Estate, the State government has now proposed to initiate rain water harvesting and ground water recharging in two more industrial estates, the planning and execution of which will begin this year.

According to a knowledge paper released during the Investor’s Forum, last week, Pilerne and Kundaim industrial estates are been identified by government for initiating the projects.

Water scarcity may be a thing of the past in nearly 20 villages around Nallatur in Tiruvallur district. As part of its efforts to recharge depleting groundwater resources, the Water Resources Department (WRD) has proposed to construct another check-dam in Nallatur across the Kosasthalaiyar River.

The check-dam, which would store water that drains into the sea, would also help irrigation in the surrounding areas. The proposed facility would supply water to an additional 225 hectares of lands.

Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash on Sunday directed District Collector P.M. Ali Asgar Pasha to take stern action against illegal sand-mining from the Bharathapuzha in Shoranur.

Besides illegal sand-mining, hundreds of acres of the riverbed, dried up during the summer, has been converted into vegetable farms. The authorities have not yet taken any action against this.

Raising the issue during the zero hour in the Lok Sabha on Monday, AIADMK member from Pollachi K. Sugumar said that Karnataka was also trying to divert the flow of the river to its territory depriving of the benefit to Tamil Nadu.

The construction of the check dam and diversion of water of Thenpennai by the Karnataka Government would affect Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram and Cuddalore districts in his State, he said.Karnataka had not communicated to Tamil Nadu about the proposal and also had not sought its consent.

A day after demanding a meeting of the Cauvery River Water Authority, Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa on Sunday urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to ask Karnataka to stop “forthwith the execution of any check dams or diversion structures across the Pennaiyar river”.

“I understand the government of Karnataka has proposed to construct check dams and diversion structures across the Pennaiyar river, which is causing great alarm and apprehension in Tamil Nadu

SC nod can lead to production of 6-7 mt from 49 category A, B mines

The shortage of iron ore in Karnataka is likely to ease by July, as regular mining is expected to resume in a couple of months from now. The Supreme Court-appointed authorities are preparing reclamation and rehabilitation (R&R) plans, stoking hopes of an end to the stalemate. Once the apex court approves the plans, mining can resume in 49 leases of 50-hectares and above falling under the A and B category mines in the districts of Bellary, Chitradurga and Tumkur.

The political endeavour under the Saranda Action Plan (SAP) — not just to bring the government closer to the local tribal population but also to give them a stake in the democratic set-up and unfet