The proposed Arun III dam in Nepal has come under fire. The World Bank's newly established investigation panel, which deals with complaints from people adversely affected by the Bank's projects, has received a formal complaint -- its first -- on the dam. A group of NGOs in Nepal charge the hydel project of going against the Bank's policies and procedures, according to a Financial Times report. NGOs say that the high-cost project could lead to cuts in health and social services programmes, and the construction of a 122 km road to the dam site would have adverse environmental effects, the report adds.

The Sri Lankan elephant faces extinction. Spokespersons for the Wild Life and Nature Protection Society, quoted in a Panos report, say that 94 elephants were killed last year, apart from the 70-odd elephants that die annually of more natural causes. Wildlife experts such as Jayantha Jayewardene, the author of The Sri Lankan Elephant, attribute the decline to development programmes which have lead to human encroachment upon elephant habitats. In Sri Lanka, more elephants are killed when they stray into human settlements than from poaching.

Pollution in the Karachi Fish Harbour has reached mind- boggling proportions, reports The Dawn. All year round, the Lyari river carries wastes from the industries in the Sindh industrial estate to the harbour. The effluents comprise wastes from pharmaceutical, textile, chemical, tanning and petrochemical industries. After remaining in the harbour for some time, the effluent enters the sea through the Manora channel, wreaking havoc on the marine resources of the country.