The contentious issue of land acquisition for industry cannot be resolved justly without a "precautionary principle' approach that respects livelihood rights. GOING by the number and intensity of protests against displacement under way in numerous States, land acquisition for industrial, mining and infrastructure projects has become India's single most contentious issue. Land is now the main site of struggle as popular movements confront predatory capital, which can only accumulate through dispossession. At stake are thousands of square kilometres of land on which at least a few million livelihoods depend. For instance, the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) which have received formal or "in-principle' approval will alone need over 2,000 square kilometre. If the even larger swathes typically involved in mining leases, plots earmarked for industry, and areas claimed by highway development, and above all, by suburban housing

chlorine gas leaked from a chemical factory at Udumalpet in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu recently. This led to at least 351 people, including 197 women and children, suffering from vomiting

All foundries located in the primary residential area of Coimbatore city were told to close down immediately by the green bench of the Madras High Court on March 8. The court directed the state

A motorised device to uproot weeds

THENI: With high potential for wind power generation and availability of large tracts of open land and an excellent climate, several new companies, including foreign wind power units, have been thronging the district for setting up of windmills.

Such an overwhelming enthusiasm has resulted in sharp increase in the number of wind power units in the district.

The total number of functioning wi

Coimbatore: Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited in association with The Hindu organised an awareness rally to mark the oil conservation fortnight.

The observance started off with the administration of an oil conservation pledge to the students, followed by a quiz.