Kakinada, Sept. 10: There has been a sharp decline in the number of sea turtles in the coastal areas and there are fears that proposed coastal corridor may drive them to extinction. As such, the rapid industrialisation along the coast, poaching and consumption of eggs and meat are posing a huge threat to the sea turtles, including the rare Olive Ridley species. A large number of turtles also die after being trapped in the nets of fishing trawlers and big mechanised boats.

Nellore, Sept. 8: Poor and downtrodden people living in Nelatoor, Krishnapatnam, Sembunithopu, Nakkalamitta and Ayyavarikandriga in Muthhukur mandal are struggling for survival after 4,500 acre land in the area was handed over to Reliance Power and AP Genco for setting up thermal power plants.

While alternative arrangements are being made to shift people from small habitations like Nakkalamitta, Ayyavarikandriga and Sembunithopu in the wake of acquisition of villages apart from lands, there is no word from authorities with regard to major villages like Nelatoor and Krishnapatnam.

Visakhapatnam, Sept. 7: An expert study has revealed that groundwater in the coastal areas of the state is slowly turning salty. Unless urgent remedial action is taken, the farmers of the area would face crop failure and attendant financial crisis. The hydro geochemistry study was conducted by a group from the environmental science department of the Gitam University.

Nellore, July 22: Potti Sri Ramulu Nellore district is not only famous for rice but also for mosquitoes. In fact, the hea-dquarters town, Nellore can be termed as a breeding centre for mosquitoes thanks to more than 10 irrigation canals and scores of open drains passing through it.

Visakhapatnam, July 16: The state secretary of CPI, Dr K. Narayana, said that their party was opposing the state government's proposal to develop Coastal Corridor between Itchapuram in Srikakulam district and Tada in Nellore district and launched a pro-CPI test campaign in this regard to create awareness among those living in the coastal areas about the ill effects of the proposal.

HYDERABAD: Water will be released from Telugu Ganga project in Andhra Pradesh to Chennai from mid-August. The exact date of release of water will be finalised after a joint meeting of officials from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to be held soon.

Nellore, July 7: Two more Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are likely to come up at Muttukur and Chillakur in Potti Sri Ramulu Nellore district. The Surveypalli legislator, Mr Adala Prabhakar Reddy, has revealed this while addressing a meeting at Paturuvarikandriga in Muttukur mandal on Monday.

ANDHRA'S LONG MARCH Ch Prashanth Reddy / Hyderabad June 27, 2008, 0:04 IST With six major power projects involving an investment of over Rs 35,000 crore in the offing, Krishnapatnam, hitherto a remote and neglected area in Nellore district of southern Andhra Pradesh, is fast emerging as a power generation hub. The Union government has termed it the next "red hot zone", with a concentration of thermal power projects, like at Korba in Chhattisgarh.

Publicity given for the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 to educate the STs on their rights on forest land became a nuisance for the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA). ITDA organised street plays with the help of Jana Vignana Vedika cultural troops to highlight the Act in the areas close to forest. Many people including vested interests are making a beeline to the ITDA office everyday to stake a claim on forest land though they are no way concerned and not eligible under the Act.

The state government on Wednesday decided to continue the controversial cloud seeding operations for another five years. Tenders have been called to select the company which will conduct the operations. A top official said that there was actually no scientific reason for continuing the programme but added that there was