Accent on creating jobs for rural people in Cuddalore - Newindpress

Accent on creating jobs for rural people in Cuddalore


An ambitious scheme aimed at generating employment opportunities in the rural landscape will be launched in the backward coastal district shortly, according to official sources.

The National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme will also be introduced in Villupuram, Nagapattinam, Tiruvannamalai, Sivaganga and Dindigul.

The government will allot over Rs 60 crore a year for the project. As per the scheme, the elected panchayat president and the local body will act as a nodal agency for implementing the scheme.

The local body will provide employment to members of a family, which requires a job, for 100 days a year.

The family members will have to enroll their names with the local body. Works such as desilting of lakes, irrigation channels, and strengthening of river bunds, canals and lakes will be undertaken as part of the project.

Work relating to tree plantation will also be taken up under the scheme. The government has banned the use of giant machines in the work.

The families, which have enrolled their names, but not received the employment in a year, are entitled to receive unemployment allowance.

The scheme had been introduced in Rajasthan and Maharashtra recently. The project would go a long way in eradicating poverty in the rural terrain, the sources said.

Tsunami fundraisers' medical centre joy - This Is Hertfordshire

Tsunami fundraisers' medical centre joy
By Aaron Bateman

PEOPLE living in Indian villages practically washed away by last year's devastating tsunami will soon be receiving treatment at a medical centre named after St Albans.

Building work is poised to start on the project which is the brainchild of a group of St Albans residents who raised almost £30,000 at a charity ball in March.

Paul and Nadine Gibbon of Battlefield Road, together with fellow organisers Jez and Kerry Day and Bob and Inez Rosen, have spent the intervening period narrowing down a series of charitable projects before deciding on the St Albans Medical Centre in the Cuddalore district of south-east India.

Paul said: "One of the people we met was a lady called Lorraine Page who was a Macmillan nurse on secondment in Cuddalore when the tsunami hit.

"She became so involved with the community and the relief effort there and her work took on a new direction.

"When she gave us her presentation about what's needed in the area we knew it was the right project for us becaue she was so down to earth and passionate.

"We had several really slick presentations from larger organisations but they already have some major backing.

"We were just really taken with Lorraine's grassroots' approach."

The money raised from the ball will cover the building costs and pay for a team of health workers and a doctor for at least three years.

Nadine explained that once the initial money runs out further events will be planned to ensure that the centre is a permanent one.

She added: "This is just phase one and we will do what it takes to keep the centre up and running.

"The ball may well become a bi-annual event so we can keep the fund topped up.

"We don't intend this to be a one-off and we're not going to just walk away after three years."

About 250 people were killed in Cuddalore while thousands more were injured or made homeless by the Boxing Day tsunami and relief efforts are still being hampered by ongoing flooding in the district.

Dozens of families in the area are still living in temporary accommodation.

The medical centre is expected to serve 28 villages when it opens.

5,000 saplings planted along Cuddalore coast - Newindpress

5,000 saplings planted along Cuddalore coast

In an effort to raise green belt along the coast and protect the people residing in the region, Isha Foundation has planted 5,000 saplings in six coastal hamlets in the district.

The programme was inaugurated by District Collector Gagandeep Singh Bedi at Periyakuppam.

The fishing community people, including children, school students and women, participated in the programme and planted saplings along the 6-km long coastline. Volunteers of Isha Yoga Centre, Coimbatore, also took part in the event.

As many as 60 varieties of saplings were planted at Periyakuppam, Pettodai, Ayyampettai and Nanjalingampettai.

The programme was organised by Project Green Hands of Isha Foundation.

Mangroves protect villages in India's Pichavaram area - People's Daily Online,Beijing

Mangroves protect villages in India's Pichavaram area


It was mangroves that saved thousands of lives in five hamlets of Pichavaram area in South India's Cuddalore district on Dec. 26 last year.

While the waters headed straight for a kill, the mangroves stood guard, and took the impact of the killer waves, shielding the villages from them. And today, with little fish at sea, fishermen are fishing in the same mangrove areas and making their livelihood.

According to Cuddalore District Collector Bedi, five of the 17 villages were saved by the mangroves.

These villages have a total of 1,228 families. When waves struck, the mangroves cut down the volume and speed of water, saving thousands of lives and property.

Liyakash Ali Khan, a village administrative officer in Pichavaram area, said that the damage could have been severe had mangroves not covered the villages. "The remaining 11 which had no mangroves suffered severe damages to life and property," he says.

In fact, the mangrove trees themselves did not suffer serious damage either. Only a few trees got uprooted, securing the inner areas. Also, many fishermen at sea rushed and took shelter in the mangroves.

what bliss have the mangroves been? Well, compare the five villages to the remaining unprotected Pichavaram villages and you can see the difference.

Hundreds of lives have been lost in the area. One of the villages, Pillumedu, alone lost 30 children and 13 adults, another neighboring village lost about 150 people. Other villages also lost dozens of lives. Their shelters were washed away and they lost their homes, livestock and livelihood.

Groundnut fields also suffered some damage in unprotected areas. Now, the Cuddalore administration and non-governmental organizations are busy reconstructing lives of affected Pichavaram areas while people from the protected ones look on and thank the mangroves for saving their lives.

Pichavaram, India's mangroves area, has 16 varieties of angiosperms and attracts tourists from all over the country.

Tsunami-hit villagers await Vivek Oberoi's return - WebIndia

Tsunami-hit villagers await Vivek Oberoi's return

Actor Vivek Oberoi is a real life hero for Devanampattinam, a fishing village in Tamil Nadu where he helped villagers find the rhythm of life after last year's disastrous tsunami.

Squatting on the cemented floor of his hut built by Vivek soon after the Dec 26, 2004, disaster, Velumurgan, 16, told IANS: "The actor helped us stand up when we were down. He promised to help us start walking again."

The teenager quickly added: "But Vivek never came back again."

Following the devastation in the village, 10 km away from Cuddalore town, Vivek built 100 huts at a location nearly two kilometres away from the coast under his project called "Hope".

The administration has also built 200 huts at the same location.

A total of some 2,500 people live in these huts, most of which have palm leaves for roofs. The others have cemented sheets as roofing and steel sheets as walls.

Muthuraman, the district coordinator for the NGO Mata Amritanandamayi Math, which has been associated with the rehabilitation work, said: "Vivek completed the first two stages of rehabilitation work quickly. First relief and rescue and, second, providing temporary shelter.

"He also wanted to be involved in the third stage - to provide livelihood support and permanent shelter.

"But he left his work half done because of his clash with the state government and interference of others engaged in rehabilitation work. Seeing him attracting attention, they wanted him away from the place as soon as possible."

The government had accused Vivek of drawing "maximum publicity" for doing "nothing tangible".

Following that, the Bollywood star moved his housing project to neighbouring Pondicherry, where he recently completed reconstruction of nearly 100 dwellings.

In Cuddalore district, where around 500 people perished in the tsunami waves, the administration has still not been able to complete the 642 brick-and-mortar houses it undertook for construction.

These are expected to be ready by the middle of January - in time for the Pongal festival.

Admitting that rains had seriously hampered the construction of permanent shelters, Cuddalore district collector Gagandeep Singh Bedi said: "We are racing against time to complete the houses."

Many villagers, while being grateful to Vivek, are not happy with the palm leaf roofs.

"This is not sufficient to prevent rain water from seeping into our huts. When it rains, we go to a nearby temple," said 45-year-old Umaya, who sent her daughter Bhubaneswari, 22, to stay with her brother in Chennai because of the difficult living conditions in the village.

Though the government-built huts seem better, the low ground level makes them unsuitable during monsoon.

Anpalagan, 70, said: "These huts look solid comparatively. But when it rains, water enters because of their low ground level. It creates water-logging because of the way they have been made."

Tsunami anniversary: United, Cuddalore stands - Newindpress

Tsunami anniversary: United, Cuddalore stands

Silent processions, tree planting, inauguration of memorials and inter-faith prayers will mark the first anniversary of the December 26 Black Sunday when the tsunami took more than 640 human lives and destroyed the livelihood of thousands in Cuddalore.

The district administration has made arrangements to set up six stalls on Silver Beach here to market products made by tsunami-affected women through self-help groups from December 23 to 26.

On December 26, saplings will be planted at MGR Thittu, Parangipettai and C Pudupettai in memory of the dead. Memorial pillars and gardens will be opened in Ayyampettai, MGR Thittu, C Pudukuppam, C Pudupettai, Kumarapettai, Samiarpettai and Devanampattinam. A silent procession will be taken out by villagers from affected hamlets. Authorities will hand over 20 FRP boats to 100 beneficiaries.

An inter-faith prayer meeting, photo exhibition, relay torch march from Pondicherry, yoga and karate demonstrations will also be held.

An enterprising man has decided to swim from Pondicherry to Cuddalore with his hands tied to express solidarity. A candle lighting ceremony will be held at Devanampattinam in the evening.

Good Samaritans: Tsunami bridges caste divide - NDTV

Good Samaritans: Tsunami bridges caste divide

MGR Thittu was a beautiful little island on the Bay of Bengal till it was devastated by the tsunami.

Sixty-four people were killed and the island was reduced to rubble.

In the caste ridden district of Tamil Nadu where there are deep divides and recurring tension between communities, it was the poor dalit farmers in the neighbouring village who came to the rescue of the more prosperous fishing community.

They provided them with food, shelter and clothing and helped them begin a new life in temporary government shelters.

Time to reciprocate

The recent floods in Cuddalore provided tsunami survivors an opportunity to reciprocate.

When the villagers who helped them during the tsunami were marooned in the floodwaters, the fishing community swung into action.

They rescued over a thousand villagers with the help of boats and provided them with all the essential supplies till the waters receded.

"Even though people look at the caste first, they forgot all the differences and saved us and looked after us in a humane way," said a tsunami survivor.

Joy of giving

The district administration will soon convert this island in ruins into a tsunami museum and these remains will certainly tell a new story of the new bridges of friendship.

The tsunami rendered thousands of people homeless. While many of their basic requirements have not been met even after one year, it has had a different impact on the people who lived in picture perfect post card setting.

They have become more generous and have discovered the joy of giving, even while they themselves are at the receiving end.

Second blow for India's tsunami victims: heavy monsoon rains - Pravda

Second blow for India's tsunami victims: heavy monsoon rains

Rows of new shining fiber boats sit on the beach. The hapless fishermen look agonizingly at the rough sea. Less than a year after the devastating tsunami, the worst monsoon rains and floods in 100 years have hit southern Tamil Nadu state, slowing recovery efforts and stamping on morale. "It's nature's second blow to us," says Natrajan, a fisherman in Cuddalore district, who uses only one name.

The heavy downpours began in October, ending five years of drought in Tamil Nadu, but the water seems to be chasing millions of people along the coastline, compounding their misery when they're already struggling to overcome the trauma of the Dec. 26 tsunami. The tsunami killed some 648 people in Cuddalore. The official death toll across India was 10,749. Another 5,640 people, mostly in the Andaman and Nicobar islands, are listed as missing, presumed dead.

The tsunami also sucked away the fishermen's boats and nets and destroyed their homes, leaving thousands with nowhere to live and no means of working. After sitting idle for four months, the Cuddalore fishermen received 1,500 new reinforced plastic and wooden boats from aid agencies. At first, their catches were good, even beyond the pre-tsunami yield, says Gagandeep Singh Bedi, the top district official. But for the past two and a half months, the catch has been extremely small because heavy rain and storms have kept the fishermen on land.

The fishermen are hoping that the January-March season, which often brings prawns, squid and expensive varieties of fish, will mean good profits from exports to Europe. For now, though, they're just waiting out the rain. The latest monsoon deluges have killed 430 people and left a half million homeless in Tamil Nadu alone. The wet season, which began in October, typically runs until the first week of January.

Twenty-two of the state's 30 districts have been hit by monsoon floods, including Cuddalore and Nagapattinam, the districts also worst-hit by the tsunami. Cuddalore has received 13.45 centimeters (5.30 inches) of rain since October, more than double the annual average, according to the Madras Meteorological Department.

The rains have also slowed efforts to move tsunami survivors into permanent housing, meaning that thousands of people are forced to continue living in water-logged temporary shelters with dirt floors and walls made of corrugated cardboard.

State authorities had planned to hand over 1,200 newly built homes to tsunami survivors in Cuddalore district to mark a year since the disaster next Monday, but the rains have delayed that plan by at least five weeks, Bedi said, reports the AP.

Arko Datta's pic during Gujarath riots

Arko Datta who won the World Press Photo Award 2004 for his photograph taken in Cuddalore during tsunami had won the award once earlier in 2002 for his photographs covering Gujarath riots.Here is the pic which got him the award earlier.

Tsunami changes tribals' life for better -NDTV

Tsunami changes tribals' life for better

Cuddalore rocks Chinese media

Here post this message because of the source of the news being unusual.Xinhua - Chinese media gaint reported the following.

Cyclone alert issued in South Indian Cuddalore

India's meteorological department issued a cyclone alert in South India's Cuddalore district Monday, and predicted heavy rains in Chennai and northern areas of Tamil Nadu over the next two days.

The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is likely to cross Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu and reach Andhra Pradesh by Tuesday morning.

Squalls are expected in coastal areas of Tamil Nadu. The administration is taking all measures to ensure that no untoward incident, like Sunday's stampede, happens, news channel Doordarshan reported here.

At least 43 people died on Sunday at a government school in a stampede that happened when people, who had gathered there to collect flood relief-materials, started running around to take shelter from rain.

Heavy rains recently lashed and flooded Chennai and surrounding areas causing residents to suffer greatly.

Rs.101 crore allocated for Cuddalore

Central Government has allocated Rs 101 crore for developing Cuddalore.This fund will also be used to recharge the ground water.

Others news on Cuddalore

Tamil Nadu government tops in tsunami response - NewKerala

SOS Children's Village sponsors new homes for Cuddalore's tsunami affected

TSUNAMI A YEAR ON -DailyRecord

From DailyRecord

TSUNAMI A YEAR ON : THE WAVE TOOK TEH BABY. SHE WAS A MONTH OLD, WE HADN'T NAMED HER YET

DAY TWO LAST BOXING Day the world watched in horror as a monster wave crashed into the coast lines of South East Asia killing over 220,000 people. A year on Daily Record writer Brian McIver returned to some of the worst affected areas with Scottish charity SCIAF. Yesterday he told you how the survivors of a small fishing village, many of whom have lost family members and friends to the Tsunami, have rebuilt their lives

By Brian Mciver In India

AMID the shards of broken boats and crooked branches on the beaches of Cuddalore, sits a small shack house which has been cut in half and now lies open to the mercy of the sea.

Young fisherman Kalaimaran stands outside the shack gathering wood for repairs, and points to the leaves of a coconut tree standing a good 30 feet high next to what remains of his family home.

"The wavewas taller than that tree," he says. Nearby, a tired and sad looking man called Garandhar and his friend Neelam are standing ontwowooden slats they are shoving out to sea, an elderly woman further down the road is carrying large bowls of cementup a ladder while a young girl is fretting around a shiny piece of sari cloth.

This is how life is moving on for the survivors of the Boxing Day tsunami which devastated parts of Asia last year - the people here work hard so they don't have time to stop and dwell on what, and who, they have lost.

In the area of Cuddalore in south-east India, hundreds of farming and fishing community families saw relatives disappear when the water washed over the beach, smashing homes and destroying fields and fishing nets.

More than 600 people in this small community died on December 26 last year as the knock-on effect from the Sumatran earthquake displaced 10,000 square kilometres of sea bed and created the deadliest tidal wave in living memory.

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It washed over every coastline on the Indian Ocean perimeter with tremendous speed - killing thousands of people in Indonesia,Thailand, Sri Lanka and India.

And as the first anniversary of the terrible tragedy approaches, the Daily Record joined Scots overseas aid agency SCIAF to visit the worst affected areas in India, where a total of 8010 people were killed on the mainland.

The parts of India worst affected were in the regions of Kerela, Andra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, where areas like Cuddalore saw entire ways of life and generations of families washed away.

And that is never more evident than on the beach town of Devanampattinam when you look at the home of 27-year-old fisherman Kalaimaran.

He was working when the tsunami hit. Luckily, he managed to escape, but saw the impact of the wave when it hit the beach and saw his house destroyed, killing his mother Lakshmi.

He said: "I saw everyone running away when the wave hit.

"Now, this is all that is left of my house but my mother was inside it when the tsunami came. I never saw her again.

"I have been living in what is left of the house because I have nowhere else to go.

"I hope to get a new house because I cannot sleep living this close to the sea any more."

Kalaimaran is just one of the people hoping to benefit from a new housing project he helped build which is to be opened by Boxing Day this year.

Here, local people mix with labourers, and men and women work together to try to rebuild their town.

Just along the road from Kalaimaran's home, fishermen Garandhar and Neelam are launching their catamaran fishing boat, which is basically two large logs of wood stuck together, which they sail out to sea to throw their nets and hope for a catch.

Since the tsunami, they have been spending more and more time on the water because they say the fish stock has dwindled following the disaster.

But it's not the fishing problems that bothers these men.Neelam lost his sister, while Garandhar can't even offer prayers for the name of his lost relative. He said: "My wife was holding our one month old granddaughter when the tsunami hit land.

"The wave washed the baby away out to sea.We had not even given her a name yet.

"Nothing has been the same since that day. We are all terrified of the sea now."

Although there could be no community on earth which could cope with a 30 foot wall of fast moving water, the parts of India which have been affected were already among the poorest and most vulnerable areas in the region.

The heat is almost unbearable in this part of the world, and stray dogs and goats roam through the small mud dried streets and lanes of the smallest towns.

Every building or home here shows the scars of the tsunami, as do the people of the coastlines who are all still mourning their lost friends and relatives.

Families live in small wooden houses and survive by fishing and selling their catch at market, or by farming the land and growing vegetables and herbs.

Any spare money goes towards educating the children and there are very rarely any insurance policies, contingency plans or pots of rupees in case of an emergency.

So when the wave destroyed homes and people's way of life, people were left homeless with nothing but whatever they could grab at a second's notice and no means of making any kind of living.

But farmer Salthyvani, 48, is now back working on her farm after some charitable intervention, and she said she is very grateful to Scots for their help and donations.

She said: "We had nothing left after the tsunami, but we received a lot of help from around the world andwe are all very grateful to the people of Scotland for helping us when we needed it most.

"I was on my farm when the tsunami came, it was higher than the trees in the fields, and I broke my leg trying to run away with my children.

"Our fields were destroyed because the salt water killed the crops, but with help, we are now fertilising the land again and have crops of jasmine and onions to sell at market."

Local farm girl Suleka was one of the lucky children who had left the town to get an education in the nearest city Chennai, and was studying for her final exams last December when she got news of her family.

The wave had washed inland to her family farm and killed her grandfather Kathguarayon while her father Ramonatha was also caught in the wave. He was impaled on an onrushing branch and was hospitalised for weeks.

The family's tragedy, along with their salinated crops, meant the 18-year-old girl had to return home.

Although she later sat - and passed - her exams, she had to give up her place in further education to look after her family.

And Suleka is one of the people who has benefited directly from some of the millions of pounds raised by Scots to help with the relief and recovery effort.

Scottish aid agency SCIAF directed £2.2m of funds to the tsunami hit countries, and their sister network Caritas India used some of that to open up training and counselling centres in this area.

Suleka is one of the success stories of the rehabilitation programme. She was traumatised by what happened to her family, but she enrolled in local textile classes to learn tailoring and is now hoping to start her own business.

Suleka said: "The tsunami was one of the worst things you could ever imagine happening to your family.

"I lost my grandfather and thought my own father would die too.

"I found it very hard to cope with what had happened, but I now join the other women of the village for textile classes.

"Everyone here lost someone in the tsunami so we talk to each other about it, and share our stories. It has been like therapy for all of us, and it has really helped me to come to terms with what happened.

"And I am now learning to be a tailor so I can support my family and start my own business.

"My family tried to get me into an arranged marriage to help, but I want to do this myself."

#To help support the work of SCIAF, you can find out more or donate by calling 0141 354 5555 or visiting www.sciaf.org.uk

Courtesy:DailyRecord UK

Cuddalore floods-a historical perspective

Today THE HINDU published an article titled 'Cuddalore floods-a historical perspective' .Good work by A.V.Ragunathan.

Welcome move

Thiruvallur,Kanchipuram and Chennai district administrations are fast removing encroachments.Especially Thiruvallur district administrattion is doing a good job.Almost 5 buildings occuping around 7 acres of a deemed university were demolished and still the demolition continues for the second day.This is a bold step forward.Days when encroachers taking shelter of judicial system are gone.Courts started realising the seriousness of the issue and turns hard againt encroachers.

Things should not stop with this.They have occupied the land and brought agony to public.They must be made to hold the liability.I dont think any such law provision exists in India to make encroachers liable for their illegal activity.Even if there exists one none of the governments or administrations makes use of it.Like Polluter Pays Principle there must be Encroacher Pays Principle.If governments or judicial system has soft corner towards them its equivalent to encouraging them.

In India it is common sight to see encroachers reoccuping land within few days or even hours after the enviction.This reflects the ineffectiveness of the entire system.

Even interesting is the case if the public land is occupied for religious needs.Some argue that demolishing such occupied structures hits the religious sentiments of the people.Certain group of organisations always to ready to back such arguers.Even distressing were the verdicts of the courts in such cases.

In Cuddalore the situation is much the same.There are several instances where encroachers have transfered government property into their own.Particularly in Nellikuppam Road most shops and work-shops between Hospital Road and Semandalam are on such occupied land.Most of these shops were inundated a few weeks back.
There is a proposal to rise and strengthen the bunds on Gedilam river and to construct a new road over that.So the present situation can be well utilised by the district administration to remove those encroachments and kick start the proposed project.Let us see how the Collector Mr.GanadeepSingh Bedi handles this.

Flowers-Beach Road 1

Vinyl Chloride not an explosive ??

In the previous post you would see Chemplast claiming Vinyl Cholride is not an explosive or carcinogenic.This is ridiculous.It is a well established fact that vinyl chloride is carcinogenic.Below I have pasted some of the health hazards caused by vinyl chloride from AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCE AND DISEASE REGISTRY

• At room temperature, vinyl chloride is a colorless, highly flammable, potentially explosive gas.
• The primary target of vinyl chloride acute exposure is the CNS. Signs and symptoms include dizziness, ataxia, inebriation, fatigue, numbness and tingling of the extremities, visual disturbances, coma, and death.
• Chronic exposure can cause permanent liver injury and liver cancer, neurologic or behavioral symptoms, and changes to the skin and bones of the hand.

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Inhalation

Inhalation is the primary route of exposure, and vinyl chloride is readily absorbed from the lungs. Its odor threshold is too high to provide an adequate warning of hazardous concentrations. The odor of vinyl chloride becomes detectable at around 3,000 ppm and the OSHA PEL is 1 ppm (8-hour TWA). Therefore, workers can be overexposed to vinyl chloride without being aware of its presence. A 5-minute exposure to airborne concentrations of 8,000 ppm can cause dizziness. As airborne levels increase to 20,000 ppm, effects can include drowsiness, loss of coordination, visual and auditory abnormalities, disorientation, nausea, headache, and burning or tingling of the extremities. Exposure to higher concentrations of vinyl chloride for longer durations can cause death, presumably due to central nervous system (CNS) and respiratory depression. The gas is heavier than air and can cause asphyxiation in poorly ventilated or enclosed spaces.

Children exposed to the same levels of vinyl chloride as adults may receive a larger dose because they have greater lung surface area:body weight ratios and increased minute volumes:weight ratios. In addition, they may be exposed to higher levels than adults in the same location because of their short stature and the higher levels of vinyl chloride found nearer to the ground.

Respiratory

Vinyl chloride gas inhalation can cause mild respiratory tract irritation, wheezing, and chemical bronchitis. These effects are transient and resolve quickly following removal from exposure. Death may result from respiratory depression.

Carcinogenicity

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have classified vinyl chloride as a known human carcinogen. Vinyl chloride has caused angiosarcoma of the liver in heavily exposed.

Reproductive and Developmental Effects

Vinyl chloride is included in Reproductive and Developmental Toxicants, a 1991 report published by the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) that lists 30 chemicals of concern because of widely acknowledged reproductive and developmental consequences. However, there is no conclusive evidence of reproductive or developmental effects in humans. A few case reports describe decreased libido or fertility in men with chronic occupational exposure, and some animal studies also support this finding. Some studies in experimental animals have reported developmental toxicity associated with high-dose exposures, but vinyl chloride is not considered a developmental toxicant.

Special consideration regarding the exposure of pregnant women is warranted, since vinyl chloride has been shown to be a genotoxin; thus, medical counseling is recommended for the acutely exposed pregnant women.

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For more information log on to http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/MHMI/mmg20.html

In the following posts I will bring in more details from a report by Dr.Mark Chernaik

Chemplast clarifies ?

I have pasted the following news report from New Today

Chemplast clarifies on news report

Chemplast Sanmar Limited has clarified that the proposed new PVC Project at Cuddalore SIPCOT would not affect health or cause pollution hazards as claimed by community groups and environmentalists.

Following the news report that appeared on News Today dated 9 December, the company claimed the project clearance had been given by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests only after taking into consideration the observation made in the public hearing and the apprehensions raised by some of the environmental groups.

The company maintains that there is no violation of the EIA notification 1994, as the setting up of the de-salination plant and captive power plant in the plan as per the direction of the Technical Committees had been approved only after assessing their impact.

The company also denied Vinly Chloride Monomer is not an explosive or carcinogenic. Chemplast further said it was not correct to state that International Finance Corporation (IFC) abandoned the project on the basis of the opposition to the project at the public hearing in Cuddalore.

It added that due to delay in getting the approvals, the company requested IFC to put the project on hold.

The last public hearing conducted in Cuddalore was on 7 June, 2002. After that the company relocated its proposal to setup its new PVC plant to Krishnapatnam in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh. In 1999, the Sernmankuppam Panchayat, within the jurisdiction of which SIPCOT Phase II lies, passed a resolution prohibiting the setting up of polluting or water-intensive industries in that complex.

People Condemn Govt. Nod to Chemplast's Poison Plastic Factory

Contributed by Mr.Nityanand Jayaraman

People Condemn Govt. Nod to Chemplast's Poison Plastic Factory

Environmental and community groups have condemned the clearance granted by the Union Ministry of Environment & Forests to Chemplast Sanmar's controversial proposal to set up a PVC factory in SIPCOT Cuddalore. Cuddalore residents and environmental groups have said they will fight the proposal in the courts and in public fora. PVC is a poison plastic whose production, usage and disposal are associated with the release of a variety of life-threatening poisons including dioxins and furans.

The project clearance is illegal for a variety of reasons, including the fact that the decision was taken based on an outdated Environmental Impact Assessment prepared using 1999 data. The EIA is fundamentally flawed, and the project has several new components whose environmental impacts have neither been assessed nor understood. A desalination plant and a captive power plant have been added to the project. Both have significant environmental impacts, but neither have been assessed for their impacts, in violation of the EIA Notification, 1994. Additionally, the factory will use explosive and carcinogenic Vinyl Chloride Monomer (VCM) as raw material and will be located adjacent to a rocket fuel manufacturing facility. A mishap in one factory could snowball into a major disaster owing to the proximity of the two factories storing large quantities of explosive chemicals to residential areas.

The proposal was initially mooted in 2002. But the company relocated its proposal to Krishnapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, after Cuddalore residents expressed their opposition to the factory at a Government-held public hearing and forced one of the project financiers, the International Finance Corporation, to abandon the project. Krishnapatnam villagers too rejected Chemplast after a delegation visited Mettur to see first-hand the company's track record. Until late 2004, the company was unable to secure permission from the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board. In April 2005, the project proposal was revived in Tamilnadu, and the Government granted it a "No Objection Certificate" without consulting with public despite the project's history of rejections by communities.

Chemplast is a major polluter with a poor track record of environmental compliance. In July 2005, the Indian People's Tribunal chaired by Justice (Retd) Akbar B. Kadri of the Madras High Court found the company's Mettur facilities guilty of discharging toxic effluents into the Kaveri, degrading several thousand acres of farmland, contaminating groundwater and affecting the health of villagers and workers.

The decisions by the State Government and the Ministry of Environment & Forests shows how all political parties are united when it comes to supporting corporations and ignoring the sentiments of local communities. Pollution-impacted villagers in Cuddalore have pleaded for a ban on the setting up of polluting factories in SIPCOT owing to the over-polluted nature of the industrial estate and its location within residential areas. Indeed, the State Human Rights Commission, the Indian People's Tribunal, leaders of various political parties including the PMK, MDMK, and the local DMK MLA Mr. Pugazhenthi have conveyed their opposition to the setting up of polluting units in SIPCOT. The factory has been approved despite resolutions against such units by the Panchayat and the Panchayat Union. However, rather than clean up the region and make it safe for residents, the Government has announced plans to relocate several more polluting units including dyeing and tanning units to SIPCOT Cuddalore.

Contact details:
(In Chennai) Shweta Narayan 9444024315/ Nityanand Jayaraman 9444082401
M. Nizamudeen in Cuddalore 9443231978

Website: http://www.sipcotcuddalore.com/

Flood Update -- Cuddalore

Contributed by Mr.Nityanand Jayaraman

Just as life is limping back to normal in the flood-hit areas of Cuddalore and Chennai, yet another "severe depression" -- named Fanoos -- is poised in the Bay of Bengal southeast of Chennai, threatening to make landfall somewhere between Nagapattinam and Chennai, i.e. Cuddalore. In Cuddalore, AID-India and Cuddalore District Consumer Protection Organisation are liaising with the SIPCOT Area Community Environmental Monitors to distribute relief material to those hardest hit by the floods.

In the vicinity of the SIPCOT Chemical industrial area, Sonnanchavadi and Semmankuppam villages were worst hit. Some houses in Sangolikuppam and Eachangadu were marginally affected. Our relief efforts, therefore, focused on these villages.

Sonnanchavadi registered 100 percent damage. All 90 households were severely damaged or had several feet of standing water inside. Sonnanchavadi is a fishing village, and among the poorest in the region. Many of the huts could not withstand the onslaught of nature's fury. The families were staying in temporary shelters, in temples, the local school and houses outside that were not severely damaged. Over the last few days, people repaired some of the houses to allow them to return home. However, if Fanoos hits again, the villagers are likely to be out in the water once again. The school, where SACEM workshops are usually held, is totally washed out. This village is likely to require concerted near-term assistance, because most of the families are below-poverty line, and are unlikely to recover anytime soon given that fishing has not returned to normal yet. According to SACEM member and fisherman S. Pugazhenthi, Uppanar river is heavily silted up. As a result, fish catch has dwindled. Those who venture out to fish barely make Rs. 20 for a day's fishing. "It will take a few weeks after the rains stop for the tide to flush out the silt, and only then will fishing return to normal," says Pugazhenthi. Less than a year ago, Sonnanchavadi fishermen lost gear and craft to the Tsunami.

In Semmankuppam, a far better-off farming village, many houses had at least 2 feet of water. Farmers have suffered extensive crop damage, and some have lost entire year's stock of provisions in the water. Nearly 4000 acres of standing crops belonging to Semmankuppam farmers have been destroyed. According to SACEM member S. Ramanathan, the Government has surveyed the crop loss, and there is talk of distribution of compensation of Rs. 8000/acre by the State Government. Also, it is rumoured that on 10 December, interim relief of Rs. 1000 will be distributed.

Relief Distributed
Thanks to contributions from AID-India, AID-Austin, AID-Bay Area and Denny Larson of Global Community Monitor, 1385 packs containing 10 kg rice, 1240 packs of 1-litre cooking oil, and 800 blankets were distributed on a priority basis to those hardest hit.

All 90 families in Sonnanchavadi, including 3 that did not have a ration card, received complete packs containing rice, oil and blankets. In Semmankuppam, 690 kits containing rice, oil and blankets were reached to affected residents from Thachan Colony, Mettu Semmankupam and Semmankuppam village.

In Sangolikuppam, a multi-community village, only 30 huts were affected, and only marginally. However, given that many of the residents here too are at or below poverty level, it was decided to distribute smaller packs -- containing 5 kg rice and 1 litre oil -- to all 465 households.

In Eachangadu, only rice packets were distributed to 145 households.

Besides those living in the villages, we had identified stray families ostracised by the villages and living in the peripheries. About 10 such families were also given blankets. Rice and other provisions will be delivered in a couple of days.

Eachangadu -- 145 families. Only rice.

10 blankets -- People outside villages. Monday or Tuesday.

History:Central Prison, Cuddalore

This Prison was constructed during the year 1865.During the year 1986 this Prison was classified as Prison for Habitual Prison offenders. Once again this Prison was converted as casual Prison during the year 1996. The National poet Mahakavi Subramaniya Bharathiyar was confined during freedom struggle from 20.11.1918 to 14.12.1918. The authorised accommodation of this Prison is 723.

Source http://education.vsnl.com/imdchennai/info_cyc.htm

Image source: https://afweather.afwa.af.mil/images/satellite/IGMSIR01_L.GIF

Plastics in marine ecosystem

I could see a lot of plastic materials and poly-ethene papers being carried into the sea by rivers during the recent flooding.These plastic papers detoriate agricultural productivity and have several other adverse effects on land ecosystem.Until recently I have never imagined what effect it would have on marine ecosystem.It dont think much research work had been carried out in this area.Any such a research work would be too expensive for any government or NGO.One simple thing we can do is reduce the usage of plastic.

CYCLONE WARNING FROM MET DEPT.

The Cyclonic storm (FANOOS) over Southwest Bay of Bengal moved slightly westwards and lies centred at 1430hrs IST of 09th December at about 300 Kilometres East of Nagapattinam. It is likely to intensify further and move in a west northwesterly direction and cross North Tamilnadu coast between Chennai and Nagapattinam by tomorrow noon the 10th December
Source http://education.vsnl.com/imdchennai/info_cyc.htm

Photo source: https://afweather.afwa.af.mil/images/satellite/IGMSIR01_L.GIF

Chemplast-Sanmar Cuddalore PVC plant cleared

Ministry for Environment and Forests (MoEF) has given the clearance for a Rs. 400 crore PVC (poly vinyl chloride) plant to be set up by the Chemplast-Sanmar Group at Cuddalore.The ground-breaking ceremony will be on March 2006.

Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and the MoEF said that they were satified with the precautions taken by the promoters.

There were lots of protest againt the project by various environmental groups and local people.Scientists have spoted out various flaws in the proposed design.They have also pointed out various shortcomings in 'Environmental Impact Assesment (EIA) for the PVC plant'.

The feedstock for the PVC plant will be vinyl chloride monomer(VCM).VCM is carcinogenic compound. The initial production will be for 1.40 lakh tonnes.The production will be stepped up to 1.70 lakh tonnes on a later stage.

Chemplast puts that the unit will be a "zero discharge unit"(certainly not going to be the case).It adds that it will not use ground water but setup a desalination plant to process seawater. An 8 MW power plant will be part of the Cuddalore complex, to come up in the SIPCOT industrial
estate.

Palm in Silver Beach

Sea water surges inwards in Silver Bay Area

The photo you see here was taken a few days before the flooding. Now due to the slight rise in water level after flooding in Gedila the sandscape is completely under water.

All these chairs are washed away. There were similar chair arrangements before the tsunami. But shore looked bare after it. Collector Mr.GagandeepSingh Bedi must have taken much effort to get the chairs from donors. But everything is lost for the second time.

Anyway beach without these chairs will be even more beautiful. To me beaches should be a place untouched by any sort of human interference. In recent years there has been many (so called) developments in the Silver Beach Area. Sandscape of the beaches should left without any sort of construction work. Beaches are beautiful by itself one cannot make it more beautiful.

TN floods: Kalam assures support-NDTV

The following news item was originally from NDTV on 29th of November


President A P J Abdul Kalam assured Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa of the Centre's support to the state in coping with the flood situation.

He also said he will undertake an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas of Cuddalore district on December 1.

Welcoming his visit and the assurance of support from the President, the Chief Minister told Kalam that she would make a detailed presentation to him on the flood situation.

She also promised to make available details of the extent of damage caused to property and crops and the relief operations undertaken by her government. (PTI)

© NDTV 2005

Cuddalore battles incessant rains-NDTV

The following news item was originally from NDTV on 29th of November

For a district that literally means 'town by the sea', Cuddalore is completely at sea battling the merciless rain god.

Take for example, the 5,000 villagers in Perampet, for whom water is now associated with death, destruction, disease and misery.

Three thousand hectares of cultivable land, where farmers grew paddy, drumsticks, flowers and bananas, have been under water since 25 October.

Three spells of heavy rainfall have meant that the water had no chance to dry up. "People are just managing to save their lives. We have lost crops, cattle and fishing nets," says a villager.

Grim situation

Three villages ahead of Perampet have been cut off for several days now and boats are the only lifeline left. And the situation is pretty much the same even closer to the district headquarters.

"We have lost all our household goods. We have just managed to come out alive," explains a villager who belongs to the Alapakkam panchayat.

Relief supplies are being brought in to the affected areas but with thousands of people rendered homeless, it is an uphill task for the district administration.

"During tsunami we had to attend to only 50 villages but in these floods, the administration's focus is on a large area of 420 villages of which 383 are affected in a big way,'' said Gagandeep Singh, Collector, Cuddalore.

Cuddalore suffers every time there is heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu's catchment areas because five major rivers pass through the district before flowing into the sea. But geography alone cannot be a crime to push Cuddalore on to the road.

© NDTV 2005

Over 100,000 people affected by rains in south India, World Vision responds-ReliefWeb

New item from ReliefWeb

Over 100,000 people have been made homeless in southern Tamil Nadu after the heaviest rains in 50 years lashed the area.

The worst devastation occurred in Cuddalore district where 500 villages have been left under water and most parts are without power. News channel NDTV reported that six lakes in the area are overflowing.

Authorities have reportedly evacuated around 100,000 people and distributed food packets to survivors. If the weather improves, authorities say it will take at least 10 days for the water to recede. The army is expected to help with rescue and relief work.

World Vision Emergency Response and Disaster Mitigation Director Franklin Joseph reported that, "Apart from the Cuddalore and Nagapattinam tsunami locations, four other ADPs [World Vision Area Development Programs] in Tamil Nadu are affected by the floods." These include Mannargudi, Karikudi , Usilampatty and Perambalur ADPs.

World Vision staff whose homes were also affected by flooding are struggling to provide relief in the target areas. "We are using the self-help groups and village development committees to carry out the relief," reported Christabel Albert, Associate Director, Chennai. "Accessibility is the main problem now. Even our staff are stranded and they are not able to reach the communities for a situation assessment."

Community development coordinators who live in the communities arranged the initial supply of food packets and biscuits. "External aid is needed to respond to a situation of this magnitude," said Christabel.

Reporting from the flood affected villages of Perambalur where World Vision works through the Perambalur ADP, Program Manager Vani Victor said that the team had helped close to 6,000 families with food over the last two days. "We are concentrating on the most affected villages, and are looking at providing dry food by tomorrow," she said.

While the situation is not so grim in Usilampatty ADP, located in Madurai district, eight target villages are under water. All community members (nearly 300 families) from these villages are now sheltered in community halls and schools.

Assistance has been provided in coordination with the government. Over 200 bed sheets along with medicines have been provided to evacuated families.

In the tsunami-affected areas, World Vision India Tsunami Response Team are responding to the needs of the villages affected by the floods.

"We are looking at a coordinated effort in consultation with the government in each of these locations," said Franklin Joseph.

© 2004 ReliefWeb

Sea water surges inwards in Silver Beach

As a large quantity of water enters into the sea from Gadilam river sea water surges inwards in Silver Beach area.There is no reason to worry as the water will recede back in a week time but what is really amazing is that only a few feet of coast left.Most of the chairs in the beach are washed only a few left.I will get the photos if time permits.

Kalam's visit

President Abdul Kalam visited the flood affected parts of the Cuddalore district yesterday.He later addressed the student of IITM and attended various other functions in Chennai and Vellore.

President Abdul Kalam visiting Cuddalore

President A.P.J.Abdul Kalam visiting Cuddalore tommorow to asess the flood situation here.He is visiting the flood affected parts of Cuddalore district on his way to Chennai from Trichy.

Cuddalore flooding round up

After a long break I am updating the blog due to unusual scenario here.

Since the onset of the monsoon there has been three consecutive floods in Cuddalore district last proving fatal.Massive flooding in almost all parts of Cuddalore district has caused severe damage to life and property.This is the second large scale disaster in a years time.Many hamlets which were worst hit by tsunami are also affected by recent floodings.Gadilam and Then Pannai in Cuddalore and Coleeron in southern part of the district flooded inundating the surrounding area.

Flood water of Then Pennai raised atleast 15 feet above the normal level submerging the lowlying areas like Uppalavadi,Thazhalnguda(badly affected by tsunami) and also the north bank of the river.

Similarly was the condition of Gadilam.Furiousity was even greater here.River was flowing in its full capacity thus betraying the occupants.Several garages and shops in Nellikupam High Road were flooded completely.Most among them are encroachers of the river bank.I could barely see tops of the lorries there.

Coleeron was carrying mammoth quantity of water.Probably this time it carried highest amount of water in recorded history.

Veeranam lake nearly reached its full capacity.The water level was maintained below 46feet(recall the bunds of the tank was raised as a part of New Veeranam Project to provide drinking water for Chennai).A large amount of water was opened into Vellar.At a certain stage the water from Vellar started entering into the tank on opening the shutters to worsen the situation.

Excess outlet water from the lake and Coleeron inundated several parts of the district like Chidambaram,Sathiyathope,Kattumanarkoil and Parengipettai.
Water level in Sathiyathope was said to be soo high that water even reached the first floor of houses whose ground floor was already submerged.It was here district collector Mr.GanandeepSingh Bedi got trapped while on rescue opertation.Later Coast Guard helicopter rescued him.

Now after a week the flood water is slowly receding.Cuddalore, the headquaters is as normal.But places like Chidambaram are still surrounded by water.Human bodies and that of animal are found scattered in decayed state in this area.The situation is far worst that people start fleeding their homes.There is a greater chance for outbreak of infectious diseases.But the Cuddalore district administration is taking no chances.But magnitude of the disaster proves a real challenge.Military personnel called in.Military doctors treats people in worst affected areas.The situation is gradually improving and it would take atleast a few weeks for things get back to normal.

FLOOD SITUATION IN GADILUM AND PENNAR RIVERS

The water flowing in these two rivers is alarming.The following is the situation witnessed today morning 24/11/2005 at 10.00 a.m.
In the pennar bridge (Pondy – Cuddalore Road)

The water level is such that it is touching nearly 6 feet upto the ceiling level of the old bridge which is parallel to the new bridge.
In Gadilum - Kammiampet new bridge (Kammiampet - Semmandalam Road)

The level as is such that its is only 2 feet nearer to the ceiling of the new bridge.

Water release from Sattanur dam which is expected to be increased is expected to aggravate the flood situation in river pennar.

World Vision Asia Tsunami Response - Oct/Nov Update

Here I paste you a part of the Oct/Nov Update from World Vision

World Vision Asia Tsunami Response - Oct/Nov Update

India Program Update Working in the following areas: Tamil Nadu – Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Kanyakumari, Chennai/Kalpuakkam; Pondicherry; Kerala – Kollam/Alleppy; Andhra Pradesh - Machilipatnam, Narsapur and Singarayakonda; Andaman and Nicobar islands Gender and Health · More than 2000 hygiene kits distributed in the Andamans and Cuddalore. · Dental and medical camps conducted in Chennai and post-natal care provided to mothers in the Andamans, Nagapattinam and Cuddalore. · Elderly women targeted with supplementary feeding in Cuddalore. · Water management training conducted in Chennai and Nagapattinam. · Health awareness programmes provided to more than 100 individuals in Cuddalore, Kerala and Pondicherry. Infrastructure · Infrastructure recovery is gaining pace with 100 permanent houses handed over in Kerala. Construction work has also started in Cuddalore, Kanyakumari, Andhra Pradesh, Nagapattinam, and Pondicherry. · A foundation stone laid for construction of a new school in Cuddalore. · Playground equipment installed in the Andamans. · Drainage repair undertaken in 150 transitional shelters in Nagapattinam. · A Child Friendly Space is under construction in Cuddalore. · Maintenance work conducted for 625 transitional shelters in Nagapattinam. Economic Recovery · More than 50 boats donated in Pondicherry and the Andamans; over 200 people receive fishing nets and tackles. · Cash for Work programs benefit 1,057 families in Chennai and the Andamans. · 870 sewing machines distributed in the Andamans and 163 women attend tailoring classes. · Livestock (cows, goats and buffaloes) provided to 118 families in Cuddalore and Narsapur. · Traders provided with shop supplies in Nagapattinam. · Training in book keeping, driving, engine mechanics and computer applications conducted. Community Rehabilitation · 124 families provided resettlement kits (including cooking utensils, buckets, plastic containers, torch lights, water filter, pillows, mugs) in the Andamans. · School supplies (school bags, shoes, pencils, etc) distributed in the Andamans and Pondicherry. · Sandals and monsoon kits distributed in Cuddalore. · Nearly 4000 people benefit from sports and recreational activities such as zoo visits, puppet shows and music events in Chennai, Cuddalore, Kanyakumari and Kerala · Supported tuition fees for 600 school children in Kanyakumari. · Chennai children participated in a creative workshop and a child protection committee formed.full story>>

Sight and hope restored in Cuddalore - ReliefWeb

Sight and hope restored in Cuddalore

Baltimore, November 3, 2005 -- "Believe it or not, many opportunities and much good have come from the tsunami," said Dr. Thiru Krishnan, an optometrist and eye surgeon who works at a monthly clinic for hypertension and diabetes screening, nutrition education, and blindness prevention in Pondicherry. The clinic is run by ADEPT (the Academy for Disaster Management, Education and Training), a program of Lutheran World Relief's long-time partner, UELCI (United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India). ADEPT increased their capacity and expanded the clinic after the tsunami to respond to the many medical and psycho-social needs of area villagers.

Inside the clinic is a festival-like atmosphere as hundreds of men, women and children moved from station to station. In one area, villagers could receive a comprehensive eye exam and recommendations for glasses, treatment or surgery. In another, three young women -- new volunteers -- educated their peers about nutrition and the value of high-protein, low-cost foods. Across the courtyard, older men and women had their blood pressure tested and received information about hypertension and how to avoid or control it. Finally, in another corner of the courtyard, young nurses screened patients for diabetes and educated those who had been previously diagnosed about how to eat right or how to administer their own insulin.

As visitors from LWR walked through the clinic, one doctor and one patient stood out from the rest of the crowd. Dr. Krishnan's enthusiasm for his work was unmistakable. As he walked the group through the clinic, he introduced them to many patients and offered stories of sight corrected, sight given and eye-related diseases overcome.

"I could work many places in this country or in the world but none would be as exciting as working here," he told LWR President, Kathryn Wolford. When Wolford asked him why he enjoyed his work at the clinic so much, he responded, "Nowhere could the need be as great as here. Many of the patients at this clinic lost everything to the tsunami -- their family members, their homes, their ability to work, their communities and their sense of safety." He continued, "In the face of such great losses, it is our duty to give something back to these people. I am honored to be able to give even a few of them the gift of sight, clear vision or a future without blindness. I am a very lucky man."

Dr. Krishnan excitedly introduced one of his post-tsunami patients, Sevaramun. Before the tsunami, Sevaramun, a 60-year old man with white hair, had suffered for four years with failing sight due to advanced cataracts on both eyes. Sevaramun had lost his wife and children in the tsunami and therefore had lost the people who could serve as his eyes on the world.

A little over two months ago, he attended an ADEPT clinic and talked to the doctor about his cataracts. At first, Sevaramun was too scared to have the surgery the doctor recommended but, over time, the doctor gained his trust and the surgery was scheduled.

Now, only 3 weeks after surgery, the doctor and Sevaramun excitedly demonstrated that sight had been restored to the previously cataract-clouded eye. Sevaramun covered his bad eye with one hand and the doctor had him call out how many fingers he was holding up and had him read a sign on the wall far across the room. Both doctor and patient displayed a contagious enthusiasm at the sight regained through this relatively simple surgery that would have usually been impossible for most villagers to obtain.

Life is bittersweet for Sevaramun, who has regained some of his sight but still suffers from the aching loss of his family, his house, and his ability to earn a living. In spite of his loses, Sevaramun spoke positively about his future. Now that he has seen, literally, how cataract surgery restored his sight, he will allow Dr. Krishnan to operate to remove the cataract from his other eye next month.

Before the LWR delegation left, Sevaramun told them that he had gained something from the Doctor and the ADEPT clinic that he thought he had lost forever: hope.

© 2005 ReliefWeb

Narrow point in Hospital Road

A narrow point in the Hospital Road leading into Chitoor-Cuddalore High Road.

As you see merely a bus can pass though.This is one of the busiest road and this narrow point posses a threat especially to two whellers.The space available on the left side can be well utilized to expand the road at this point.

On opposite side you could see a temple occupying much of the space meant for road.This temple can be relocated elsewhere to provide more room for the traffic.

The Asian Tsunami: A Protective Role for Coastal Vegetation -with graphic details

The graphics here shows how far the tsunami waves penetrated in areas where there were no coastal vegetation.

Take a look at the image. Dark green shows dense costal forest/tree cover. Light green shows open tree vegetation. Blue with dots show inundated regions, and red shows damaged regions.

There is NO overlap between the greens, and the red and blue. Basically, the costal forest areas suffered almost no damage.

The data speaks for itself. (Science, Vol 310, Issue 5748, 643)

The Asian Tsunami: A Protective Role for Coastal Vegetation - Science

Below I have pasted the full text of an interesting article I came across in US Newswire.

'The Asian Tsunami: A Protective Role for Coastal Vegetation'
by
Finn Danielsen, Mikael K. Sørensen, Mette F. Olwig, Vaithilingam Selvam, Faizal Parish, Neil D. Burgess, Tetsuya Hiraishi, Vagarappa M. Karunagaran, Michael S. Rasmussen, Lars B. Hansen, Alfredo Quarto, Nyoman Suryadiputra

originally published in Science .The summary of the findings is found in Newswire's article.

New Science Study: Mangroves Shielded Communities Against Tsunami

To: National Desk, Environment Reporter

Contact: Tom Lalley of the World Wildlife Fund, 202-997-0899 or tom.lalley@wwfus.org

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27 /U.S. Newswire/ -- A new study released today in the journal "Science" shows that areas buffered by coastal forests, like mangroves, were strikingly less damaged by the 2004 tsunami than areas without tree vegetation. This is believed to be the first peer-reviewed empirical and field-based study to document a clear link between coastal vegetation and protection from the tsunami. The study was undertaken by a large research team, comprising ecologists, a botanist, geographers, a forester, and a tsunami wave engineer, from seven nations.

"The tsunami left a horrific human tragedy in its wake but also some lessons. Among them is the tremendous importance of mangroves, which are one of the world's most threatened tropical ecosystems," said Faizal Parish, director of the Global Environment Centre in Malaysia and co-author. "While no one could have prevented the tsunami, we can use this experience to prevent some of the destruction future events will cause."

The study's authors used before and after satellite photographs of the Cuddalore District in southeastern India and surveys on the ground to reach their conclusions. The study confirms earlier laboratory experiments which have shown that 30 trees per 100 square meters may reduce the maximum flow of a tsunami by more than 90 percent.

The Cuddalore District provided a unique experimental setting to test the benefits of coastal forests against the tsunami. The shoreline there is relatively straight and the beach profile is relatively uniform. It also contains stretches of vegetated and non-vegetated areas and there are well-documented cloud-free pre- and post-tsunami satellite images.

"Coastal vegetation could probably not have protected against catastrophic destruction in areas of maximum tsunami intensity. In less hard hit areas, however, this study shows very clearly that areas with trees suffered less destruction than areas without trees," said Finn Danielsen, director at the Nordic Agency for Development and Ecology in Denmark and lead author.

While the study adds another important example to the list of key life support services provided by natural wetlands, the study's authors caution against blanket tree-planting programs. While in some cases these programs are useful to restore deforested areas, they can be counterproductive if beach ecology is disrupted. Some countries affected by the tsunami have initiated tree planting programs without fully considering their ecological impact.

Five of the villages examined in the study include two on the coast and three behind mangroves. The villages on the coast were completely destroyed, whereas those behind the mangrove suffered no destruction even though other areas unshielded by vegetation at the same distance from the coast were damaged. The study concluded that the forested areas protected the villages from tsunami damage by reducing the energy of waves.

"The sorrow I feel over the tsunami is magnified by the knowledge that a great deal of destruction could have been avoided," said Selvam Vaithilingam, programme director with the M.S. Swaminathan Foundation in Chennai, India and co-author. "In the five countries most affected by the tsunami, human activities reduced the area of mangroves by 26 percent between 1980 and 2000."

Although the study only looked at the 2004 tsunami, the study's authors say that the lessons from the tsunami are transferable to other extreme coastal events, such as storms. While tsunamis are relatively rare events, coastal storms occur many times every year and create significant destruction.

"Just as the degradation of wetlands in Louisiana almost certainly increased Hurricane Katrina's destructive powers, the degradation of mangroves in India magnified the tsunami's destruction," said Neil Burgess, a conservation specialist with World Wildlife Fund and a co-author. "Mangroves provide a valuable ecological service to the communities they protect."

Along with providing a buffer for tsunamis and storms, conserving or replanting mangroves also enhances fisheries and forestry production, benefits that man-made coastal protection structures do not provide. Mangroves and other coastal vegetation can be replanted relatively inexpensively. Mangroves are however suitable for planting only in certain locations where tidal currents and wave actions are not too strong, such as in former mangrove areas, behind coastal mudflats, in river estuaries and lagoons. . Elsewhere, the conservation of dune ecosystems or green belts of beach forest trees could fulfil the same protective role.

In response to the tsunami a number of organizations coordinated by the Malaysian based non-governmental organization Global Environment Centre have developed a Coastal Greenbelt Initiative to share experiences and resources between groups involved in rehabilitation of coastlines.

"Since the tsunami we have been working to help local communities to rebuild their lives and reestablish coastal vegetation in the areas affected by the tsunami in Aceh," said Nyoman Suryadiputra from Wetlands International-Indonesia and co-author of the study. "Local community members strongly support this action as they realize that areas with intact vegetation were less damaged."

The new "Science" study was funded by Solstice Foundation, Denmark.

Courtesy: US Newswire

History:Cuddalore under British Regime

Europeans started establishing their business settlements in Indian coast ever since 17th century.In the eastern coast French establised their business settlements in Pondichéry and British established their settelements and business establishments in Cuddalore.

Later British started ruling the region and they built several forts.Fort St.David was the first fort built by British.Robert Clive,who laid a strong foundation for British rule in Indian subcontinent used St.David Fort as the centre for his military operations.

Fort St.David: Fort St.David was built in 1653 A.D. by Elihu Yale.The fort was strengthened on 1693,1698,1702,1725,1740 and on 1745.

Until 1758 Cuddalore was the capital to South Indian terrioties which was under British control then.British ruled a greater part of South India(entire Tamil Nadu,parts of present Andra Pradesh,Kerala and Karnataka) from this fort(St.David).

The fort was attacked by French in 1758.It was after this attack St.David Fort lost its political importance.The operational power was shifted to Fort St.George,Madras. Even today the post office in Devanampattinam (popularly know as Silver Beach) uses the rubberstamp with Ft. St.David embossed in it.

Garden House: The present official residence of Cuddalore District Collector was then know as Garden House.It was then the residence of Robert Clive.The roof of the Garden House was built without steel and wood.It was built using only bricks and slaked lime.It bears testimony of the later medival architecture.St.David fort was also built using the same ingredients and techniques.

The large vacant space next to Garden House which now know Chevalier Shivaji Arangam or Manajai Nagar Ground was an esplanade then.British used to have esplanades near their fortresses.

Brookes Pet: Brookes Pet is half a kilometer from present Vandipalayam.It was named after Henry Brookes who ruled between 1767 and 1769.

Cumming Pet: The area to north of Thriupathiripuliyur is know as Cumming Pet.It was named after William Cumming who ruled the region from 1778.Cumming Pet was once a place meant for washermen.On 1798 Tipu Sultan-The King of Mysore invaded Cumming Pet and the settelements there cleared on the invasion.

Cuddalore Old Town(O.T.) Present day Cuddalore O.T. was know as Islamabad during the Mughal period.Even today the majority of the people in Cuddalore O.T. follow islam. Cuddalore O.T. has one of the oldest and biggest mosque in South India.The mosque and most of the houses there(still) were built in Persian style.Until 1866 District Collectorate,Cuddalore Municipal Office and other administartive offices were in present Cuddalore O.T..In 1866 all these offices were shifted to Manjai Nagar.It was only after the shift in 1866 the term Cuddalore OT and Cuddalore NT (NewTown) came into existance.Still there are several streets and localities named after popular British rulers.Clive street,Wellington street are some to name.

Gadilam Castle: Nawab Umdat-ul-Umara built Gadilam Castle in 18th century.Gadilam Castle was located to the North of Gadilam river.It was bulit excatly in the place where the present Brindhavan Hotel is located.

Capper Hills: Capper Hills was named after Francis Capper who was the Captian till 1796.He resided in a palace in there.British buit a prison in the Capper Hills.Freedom fighters like Barathiar and other prisoners of war were imprisoned there.

Bristish educational instition: In 1717 St.David school was started in Cuddalore O.T. to educate the children of East India Company.On 1886 a college was started in its premises.The college was named after St.Joseph.It is one of the earliest schools in India which follows Western education system.

Roads named after British like Napier Road,Lawrence Road,Imperial Road and streets like Clive street,Wellington street, business establishments like Panpari market and Parry's House remains a reminder of the British rule here.

Uneasy calm in Cuddalore

As the cyclone is expected to cross the coast tonight,uneasy calm prevails in Cuddalore.Most of the streets looks deserted.Despite being festive season even active shopping areas looks deserted.
There is some considerable activity in Panpari market area.People are hasting home after buying essential commodities.
Strong winds which were blowing up for the past few hours are also down.Things seems as if something big upto come.

Pity is the state of the tsunami victims who still remain in make-shift camps.

Bye for now,gonna charge my batteries.I will keep updating the blog if have got the power and connection right.

Scanty rainfall in Cuddalore-potential threat

Though entire Tamil Nadu and other parts of South-India are receiving heavy rainfalls Cuddalore has received a very little rainfall till date.Rainfall here is 64% lesser than normal.If Cuddalore remains to be hotter than its surrounding areas there is a greater risk of pulling-in cyclonic clouds.

Cyclone warning for Cuddalore

Met. department has issued warnings of cyclone.Fishermen in Cuddalore are advised not to venture into the sea.People of low lying coastal areas like Devanampattinam,Thazhlanguda,Suba Uppalavadi (all three are badly affected by tsunami) are being shifted to other areas as a precautionary measure.

A huge quatity of water is flowing in Gadilam and Then Pannai rivers.Backflow of water from the sea into the rivers supposedly posing more threat that the flood itself. District admistration and the police department has issued warings to people in other lowlying areas (along the river) of possible flood and they are advised to shift to safer areas.

Crash-averter gets crashed

The crashaverter at the south end of Cuddalore-Chennai bypass road.

Cuddalore preparing for monsoon

Cuddalore is preparing for the monsoon ahead.One the major problems faced by the Municipal Corporations across India is water stagnation in the roads interupting the flow of traffic.

As a per-emptive measure,to faciliate the free flow of rain water Cuddalore Municipal Corporation is removing sludges from the drainages across Cuddalore.But the work is not without flaws.Removed sludges are not cleared immediately and it remain along the drainage for several days making it uneasy for the passerby.

It would be of good if the drainage construction work in Hospital Road is completed before the onset of the monsoon.

P.T.Usha in Cuddalore

Couple of days back P.T.Usha was in Cuddalore for selecting girl athletes for Project Suvarna a sport-centred initiative of the Fair & Lovely Foundation.Selected athletes get an opportunity to be trained by Usha at Usha School Athletics,Calicut.

The selection trials was proposed to be held at Madurai, Coimbatore and Cuddalore and Chennai.

The selection was already held in Chennai.It is really encouraging to know there were 750 participants from Cuddalore as againt 500 in Chennai which is atleast 20 times larger in terms of area and 25 times larger in terms of population.She said many athletes could not shine for want of proper coaching and sponsorship.She was amazed by the huge participation here.

The selected girls from each city would be given kits worth Rs. 5,000 and would be made to train under their coach for certain period of time and their progress would be monitored.

Expanding urban areas and environmental impact

In recent months there has been unprecedented heavy rains in urban areas.Few months back Mumbai received heavy rain which is a record high (nearly 100cm in 24hrs).This is an extreme case.Met. records say this is the highest in past 90 years.Few days back there has been heavy downpours in Chennai(>25cm in 24hrs).Again this is the highest in the decade.

Why rains target urban areas? Researchers in Spain has got the answer.They say it is the concrete structures that bring such heavy rainfall to urban.They are now planning to built concrete structures on the outskirts of the towns in the dry ares of Spain.

In Indian cities ever increasing concrete structures bring extremely heavy rainfall.Indian cities are poorly planned to manage anything of this sort.If alternatives are not taken we will be seeing the pictures like this year after year.

PVC factory soo poisonous!!

There had been strong opposition and protests againt seeting up a PVC plant in Cuddalore SIPCOT area. I never realized how hazardous PVC would be until I read the news item `Poison factory' takes the life of one more worker'.

Cuddalore Municipal Park

Railway Ministry's medal for bravery

Railway Protection Force (RPF) constable B Deshi, attached to the Chennai Division of the RPF, has been selected for Railway Minister's medal for bravery for the year 2005.

Mr.Deshi is a native of Cuddalore.Mr Deshi was selected for saving the life of four persons at Devanampatnam seashore in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, during the Tsunami on December 26 last.

It is said that Cuddalore District Collector Mr. Gagan Deep Singh Bedi wrote a letter to RPF Inspector General, Chennai, lauding the bravery of Mr Deshi for his courage and the IG recomended Mr Deshi's name for Railway Minister's Bravery medal, the sources said adding that the medal also carried a cash reward of Rs 20,000.

Women's needs in Tsunami affected communities-ReliefWeb

ReliefWeb has come up with an article about the women in Cuddalore district.The article Women's need in Tsunami affected communities posted on 9th October 2005 brings the sufferings of women in tsunami affected regions into picture.Please make use of the link.I'm unable get you even parts of the article because of copy right restrictions.

Park outside Cuddalore General Hospital

Short lived the fortune of the park outside Cuddalore General Hospital.Setting up this park was one of the earliest measures taken by the District Administrator Mr.Gagandeep Singh Bedi to beautify Cuddalore.In less than a years time the park has gone unattended.Now even the potective structures are broken.









The park was setup and maintained (?) by Tagros Chemicals.The park once used to be watered regularly.As you see,the arrow pointing the hose-pipe (which was used to water the plants there) remains unattended for months together.


Now the lawn there became a resting ground for the auto-rickshaw drivers of the nearby auto stand.They convene there for a gossip.

In few months time remaining plants and the lawn will dry up and the demolished structures will remain to tell the story of a glorious past.

Plight of archeological sites and antiquities?

The death tool has crossed 30000 mark after a devastating earthquake in Pakistan.Bulidings and roads are broken apart.Both local and foregin news agencies are concentrating on the coverage of rescue operations.Non till now (to my knowledge) reported about the archeological sites and buildings.

Indus Valley is a cradle for one of the world's oldest civilizations.Also there are sculptures of Budhhist period in NWFP and in Afganistan (one such was demolished my Talibans).The plight of them after the earthquake are unknow.

Also the plight of museums and antiquities remains a mystrey. Importance must be given to protect these the acheological treasures.If proper care is not taken certain section of people (who well know the value of antiquities in world market) would loot everything they could (as happend in Baghdad).