THRISSUR: There is no dearth of examples to substantiate the observations made the other day by Sukumar Azhikode - 'expert opinions are often untrue, farce' - while inaugurating dharna against the proposed Athirappilly hydroelectric project here.

An example is the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on the project which was carried out by Water and Power Consultency Services Private Limited (WAPCOS), Hariyana.

The Kerala State Electricity Board had assigned the study to WAPCOS on October 8, 2002 and the consultants submitted the study report to KSEB next year.

J. Venkatesan

Existing Cauvery basin irrigation area not protected: Tamil Nadu

Karnataka questions Tribunal's methodology

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday posted for final hearing in November three special leave petitions filed by Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala challenging the final award passed by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal on February 5, 2007. The Union Territory of Puducherry, which is also a party to the dispute, has not filed an SLP.

PALAKKAD: The grama panchayats should prepare plans for the development of watersheds in their respective areas and seek approval if they want it to be implemented under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), according to District Collector K S Sreenivas.

Each watershed area should be considered as a unit and agriculture, irrigation, animal husbandry and social forestry activities should be undertaken jointly so that productivity is increased.

WADAKKANCHERRY: Kalamandalam Vice- Chancellor K G Poulose has called upon the people of Kerala to protect rivers in the state.

Speaking at a discussion on

For the development of the wetland eco-system in Kerala

Part of a rehabilitation package for farmers in suicide-prone areas

Development programmes to be as per Swaminathan panel recommendations

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Thursday gave in-principle approval for providing financial support for the development of the Kuttanad wetland eco-system in Kerala as part of a rehabilitation package for farmers in suicide-prone districts of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
Praveen Bose / Bangalore July 25, 2008, 0:04 IST

Rural women battling fumes and smoke from burning of biomass like wood, crop waste and animal dung during cooking may soon get some respite.

Envirofit International, an US-based non-profit organisation, has introduced a range of clean-burning and biomass-based cooking stoves , which are reaching homes in rural Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

High procurement: Good strategy or bad arithmetic, examines KP Prabhakaran Nair, agricultural scientist based in Kerala

PATHANAMTHITTA: District Collector P C Sanalkumar said on Wednesday that a task force was set up to check the spread of Hepatitis A in the district.

Addressing a meeting to discuss measures to control the spread of Hepatitis A, the Collector said that as part of the programme, water sources would be chlorinated. To ensure the successful implementation of the preventive measures, the assistance of health workers, voluntary agencies, Literacy Mission and Kudumbasree Mission would be utilised.

THIRUVANANTHAPURA: The Water Policy-2008 announced by the LDF Government on Monday envisages provisions like 'polluter pays' for preventing water pollution. Those who pollute water will be made to pay a fine according under the policy. Another thrust area of the policy tabled by Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran in the Assembly on Monday, is the announcement of recycle and reuse policy for drainage water.

PALAKKAD: The technical advisory committee of the Central Water Commission has approved a Rs 30 crore scheme for the extension and modernisation of the Kanhirapuzha irrigation canal.

The project had been included under the Prime Ministers' agriculture package for drought-hit areas. The State Government has also accorded the financial concurrence so that the Rs 30 crore modernisation scheme secures the investment clearance of the Planning Commission.