R.

Rs. 15 for domestic consumers, Villupuram and Kanyakumari districts to be covered initially

In an effort to promote energy efficiency, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco), now at the centre of the public ire for unprecedented load shedding, will soon approach domestic consumers and hut dwellers to supply compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) in exchange forconventional incandescent bulbs (in Tamil, gundu bulbs).

Wild boar should be removed from the list as it was causing extensive damage to crop: Minister

The second meeting of the State Biodiversity Board held here on Friday reviewed the action taken so far on the decisions arrived at the previous meeting in Chennai and the proposed formation of biodiversity management committees in local bodies across the State. Forest Minister K.T. Pachamal, who presided over the meeting, said that committees might be constituted in districts after holding a discussion with the ministers representing the district.

MADURAI: Farmers in Kanyakumari district are desperate to save their crops which are withering fast, due to lack of water and the water level in Pechiparai, one of the major dams in the district, i

The State Government (Department of Forest) has sent a proposal to the Ministry of Environment and Forests on allotting 20,000 hectares of forestland to convert it into a tiger sanctuary in Kanyakumari district.

However, it is objected to by farmers as well as Kani tribes as the formation of the tiger sanctuary will definitely affect their livelihood. According to a cross section of farmers who depend on agriculture, particularly cash crops, say that the conversion will disastrously affect the lives of more than 5 lakh people who are dependent on this forestland and hence, they have demanded the immediate cancellation of the proposed project.

The debate over nuclear energy will go on, but the issue with the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) is one of the several illegalities on which it is founded.

In 1988, India inked the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant deal with the former Soviet Union. Two key elements in it were: the highly dangerous and toxic “Spent Nuclear Fuel” (SNF) would be shipped back to the Soviet Union; and the massive volumes of fresh water required to cool the plant would be supplied from Pechiparai dam, in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu. The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) formally granted approval on May 9, 1989 on this basis. But there was no further progress until 1997.

A sea-based agitation against the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project passed off peacefully on Monday, with around 700 boats, including 150 mechanised vessels, carrying more than 3,000 fishermen participating in the protest.

With black flags fluttering on their boats, protesters raised slogans against the ready-to-be-commissioned nuclear complex and the Central and State governments.

Madurai, 7 Oct: Stepping up their protest against the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant, People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE), spearheading the stir, would lay siege to the sea at about 5

Department of Forestry has begun pilot work, says V-C

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), along with other stakeholders, will help in executing the State government’s East Coast Development Project, TNAU vice-chancellor K. Ramasamy said here on Thursday. Addressing mediapersons after assuming charge on August 27, the Vice-Chancellor said the five-year project would focus on increasing the green cover on the east coast of the State – a stretch of 1,006 km – from Kanyakumari to Chennai. Speaking to The Hindu later, he said the project involved a multi-pronged approach and included tank modernisation at a cost of Rs. 1,596 crore and increasing green cover at a cost of Rs. 672 crore.