Uppanar Pollution: Fishermen report fish with diseases, suspect illegal discharges into the river - SACEM
Cuddalore, 22 January 2009: Fishermen in Uppanar have reported increased incidents of catching fishes with diseases. According to SACEM monitor and fisherman from Sangolikuppam S. Pugazendhi many fishes of a local variety 'Madava' are being noticed with burnt skin and blisters. This damage in the fish is being noticed for about a month in the entire stretch of the Uppanar. The fishermen suspect increase in the illegal effluent discharge by the industries into the river as the main reason for such occurrence.
According to the fishermen 'Madava' is a bottom dwelling fish and it lives very close to the river bed. The sediments in Uppanar are visibly polluted and that is the main reason for the diseases in the fish.
This is not the first time fishermen are reporting such incidents. Fishermen have brought the issue of diseases in the fish and declining catch due to pollution to the notice of the authorities and general public several years ago. They are still waiting for concrete actions by the authorities that would change their situation for better.
The fishermen and SACEM monitors have filed a formal complaint with the District Collector, Fisheries Department and the Pollution Control Board on this latest incident.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Vilvanagar roads in bad shape
Despite being one the most infuential locality politically, roads in Vilva:nagar are in a very bad shape. Off course, at this point almost every single street in Cuddalore is unfit to use because of the underground drainage construction. But the roads in Vilva:nagar has always been worser than in other parts of the town.
Streets connecting Vilva:nagar with Iraajaambaal :nagar
Residents of the place use the road connecting Vilva:nagar Housing Broad apartments and Hospital Road as this road is unfit for vehicles. As is the case on any normal day, one can imagine the plight of these people on rainy days. I lost my hope and returned back home when I tried to go to interior of Vilva:nagar two months back when monsoon was at its peak. One could barely see anything in road during night (I am not sure if there are street lights, but definitely not enough in number).
Road connecting Vilva:nagar with Hospital Road
Garbage clearance is another thing to worry about. I wonder if municipal workers collect garbage from this place. Streets of Vilva:nagar are mini dump yards.
Garbage heap in Goavindhasaami :Nagar
Garbage heap and clogged drain water in Goavindhasaami :Nagar
No matter of how politically influential people are, and how important a locality is in deciding the electoral outcomes. If there are not going to fight for their needs nothing is going to change.
Streets connecting Vilva:nagar with Iraajaambaal :nagar
Residents of the place use the road connecting Vilva:nagar Housing Broad apartments and Hospital Road as this road is unfit for vehicles. As is the case on any normal day, one can imagine the plight of these people on rainy days. I lost my hope and returned back home when I tried to go to interior of Vilva:nagar two months back when monsoon was at its peak. One could barely see anything in road during night (I am not sure if there are street lights, but definitely not enough in number).
Road connecting Vilva:nagar with Hospital Road
Garbage clearance is another thing to worry about. I wonder if municipal workers collect garbage from this place. Streets of Vilva:nagar are mini dump yards.
Garbage heap in Goavindhasaami :Nagar
Garbage heap and clogged drain water in Goavindhasaami :NagarNo matter of how politically influential people are, and how important a locality is in deciding the electoral outcomes. If there are not going to fight for their needs nothing is going to change.
Friday, January 16, 2009
New traffic signals
It is rare to see any sort of visible developments in Cuddalore roads these days. I was surprised to see new traffic signals at all important junction in Cuddalore - more importantly - these were installed all at once.
Town Hall junction:
Imperial Road - Lawrence Road junction:
Collectorate junction:
Arcot Woodlands junction:
Town Hall junction:
Imperial Road - Lawrence Road junction:
Collectorate junction:
Arcot Woodlands junction:
Marine aquarium in Cuddalore
Marine aquarium in Cuddalore boasts of over 70 unique fishes - The Hindu
A.V. Ragunathan
It has been established at Subbarayalu Children’s Park at a cost of Rs. 29 lakh
CUDDALORE: Cuddalore town can now boast of a modern marine aquarium with at least 70 colourful and unique fishes . These are found in the depths of the Bay of Bengal off Cuddalore and Parangipettai areas.
Established at the Subbarayalu Children’s Park here, the aquarium has been set up by the Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology of Annamamali University and the Cuddalore Municipal Corporation at the cost of Rs. 29 lakh.
While the civic body has constructed the building, the Marine Biology Centre has provided technical back-up such as selection of fish, glass tanks, interior set up, feed, etc.
G. Sankar, Senior Lecturer in the centre, told The Hindu that cost-wise, a marine aquarium would be 10 to 15 times higher than a fresh water aquarium.
Moreover, the marine species could survive only on select feed and in the right ecological condition.
Drainage aspect in the tanks should also be properly taken care of to enable each species live its full life span, which ranged from six months to seven years.
For instance, the species on display - including sea lion, koran angel (that has markings likened to Urdu letters on the tail), star fish, sea animal, parrot fish, ora, sail fish, blue damsel, cat fish, banner fish, sea horse of various hues, lobsters, crabs, clone fish and cow fish - had unique food habits.
Based on research, the feed had been prepared and supplied. Running a marine aquarium was an expert’s job. Mr. Sankar said that the Marine Biology Centre, as per the agreement, would run the aquarium for one year.
During the period, it would train the municipal staff on how to maintain the tanks and feed the fish.
He further said that each species was endowed with interesting characteristics and behavioural pattern that were arresting and educative. Mr. Sankar also said that special arrangements had been made to keep seawater in the tanks, each could hold 2,500 litres, for four months in the right condition.
The feed alone would cost about Rs. 300 a day, besides the upkeep of the tanks. Hence, a nominal entrance fee was being collected for maintaining the aquarium. In course of time, the local body would fix the right kind of fee, he added.
A.V. Ragunathan
It has been established at Subbarayalu Children’s Park at a cost of Rs. 29 lakh
CUDDALORE: Cuddalore town can now boast of a modern marine aquarium with at least 70 colourful and unique fishes . These are found in the depths of the Bay of Bengal off Cuddalore and Parangipettai areas.
Established at the Subbarayalu Children’s Park here, the aquarium has been set up by the Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology of Annamamali University and the Cuddalore Municipal Corporation at the cost of Rs. 29 lakh.
While the civic body has constructed the building, the Marine Biology Centre has provided technical back-up such as selection of fish, glass tanks, interior set up, feed, etc.
G. Sankar, Senior Lecturer in the centre, told The Hindu that cost-wise, a marine aquarium would be 10 to 15 times higher than a fresh water aquarium.
Moreover, the marine species could survive only on select feed and in the right ecological condition.
Drainage aspect in the tanks should also be properly taken care of to enable each species live its full life span, which ranged from six months to seven years.
For instance, the species on display - including sea lion, koran angel (that has markings likened to Urdu letters on the tail), star fish, sea animal, parrot fish, ora, sail fish, blue damsel, cat fish, banner fish, sea horse of various hues, lobsters, crabs, clone fish and cow fish - had unique food habits.
Based on research, the feed had been prepared and supplied. Running a marine aquarium was an expert’s job. Mr. Sankar said that the Marine Biology Centre, as per the agreement, would run the aquarium for one year.
During the period, it would train the municipal staff on how to maintain the tanks and feed the fish.
He further said that each species was endowed with interesting characteristics and behavioural pattern that were arresting and educative. Mr. Sankar also said that special arrangements had been made to keep seawater in the tanks, each could hold 2,500 litres, for four months in the right condition.
The feed alone would cost about Rs. 300 a day, besides the upkeep of the tanks. Hence, a nominal entrance fee was being collected for maintaining the aquarium. In course of time, the local body would fix the right kind of fee, he added.
Walking towards solution to recurring flood problem in Cuddalore district
Walking towards solution to recurring flood problem - The Hindu
A.V. Ragunathan
Rajendra Ratnoo and his entourage visited 70 vulnerable villages and covered 500 km
CUDDALORE: A marathon “Water Walk” undertaken by Collector Rajendra Ratnoo has given a glimmer of hope to citizens who have long been longing for a solution to the recurring flood problem.
The Cyclone Nisha in November last year left behind a trail of devastation in the district, particularly in tail-end delta region of Chidambaram, Kattumannarkoil, Kumaratchi and Kurinjipadi blocks.
A large number of people participated in the walk organised by Mr. Ratnoo, and shared their views. The village elders, leaders of farmers and elected representatives did the mapping of the water sources and courses on the floor with charcoal and chalks, and explained in detail how the floods could be tamed.
During the exercise that lasted from December 17 to 30, the Collector and his entourage visited 70 vulnerable villages and covered a total distance of 500 km, of which they trekked about 100 km by foot.
Mr. Ratnoo told The Hindu on Thursday that he had obtained valuable inputs from people who had given him an insight into the ways and means of controlling floods in a cost-effective manner. Their suggestions would be translated into workable projects with technical back up of the Revenue, Agriculture, Horticulture, Highways and Public Works Departments.
The Collector had formulated projects such as Aruvamukku, Karuvattu Odai and construction of a canal linking Manavaikkal to Koleroon. Implementation of theses projects would safeguard a majority of areas, he claimed.
Mr. Ratnoo also assured them of construction of a bridge across the Manavaikkal at Saravarajanpettai (estimated to cost Rs 1.25 crore), Thirunaraiyur bridge (Rs 25 lakh), widening and deepening of the Khan Sahib canal (Rs. 8 crore), repairing the Ponneri sluices (Rs. 40 lakh), deepening of the Wellington tank (Rs. 20 crore), a bridge across the Vellai to link Thittakudi with Ariyalur (Rs 8.13 crore) and scores of other works on culverts and roads
A consolidated report would be sent to the Cabinet Sub-Committee on flood control, headed by Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin, within a fortnight seeking approval for the projects, Mr Ratnoo added.
A.V. Ragunathan
Rajendra Ratnoo and his entourage visited 70 vulnerable villages and covered 500 km
CUDDALORE: A marathon “Water Walk” undertaken by Collector Rajendra Ratnoo has given a glimmer of hope to citizens who have long been longing for a solution to the recurring flood problem.
The Cyclone Nisha in November last year left behind a trail of devastation in the district, particularly in tail-end delta region of Chidambaram, Kattumannarkoil, Kumaratchi and Kurinjipadi blocks.
A large number of people participated in the walk organised by Mr. Ratnoo, and shared their views. The village elders, leaders of farmers and elected representatives did the mapping of the water sources and courses on the floor with charcoal and chalks, and explained in detail how the floods could be tamed.
During the exercise that lasted from December 17 to 30, the Collector and his entourage visited 70 vulnerable villages and covered a total distance of 500 km, of which they trekked about 100 km by foot.
Mr. Ratnoo told The Hindu on Thursday that he had obtained valuable inputs from people who had given him an insight into the ways and means of controlling floods in a cost-effective manner. Their suggestions would be translated into workable projects with technical back up of the Revenue, Agriculture, Horticulture, Highways and Public Works Departments.
The Collector had formulated projects such as Aruvamukku, Karuvattu Odai and construction of a canal linking Manavaikkal to Koleroon. Implementation of theses projects would safeguard a majority of areas, he claimed.
Mr. Ratnoo also assured them of construction of a bridge across the Manavaikkal at Saravarajanpettai (estimated to cost Rs 1.25 crore), Thirunaraiyur bridge (Rs 25 lakh), widening and deepening of the Khan Sahib canal (Rs. 8 crore), repairing the Ponneri sluices (Rs. 40 lakh), deepening of the Wellington tank (Rs. 20 crore), a bridge across the Vellai to link Thittakudi with Ariyalur (Rs 8.13 crore) and scores of other works on culverts and roads
A consolidated report would be sent to the Cabinet Sub-Committee on flood control, headed by Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin, within a fortnight seeking approval for the projects, Mr Ratnoo added.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Government Museum, Cuddalore
Here is a blog post I came across recently
GOVERNMENT MUSEUM, CUDDALORE
Address:
Curator,
Government Museum,
19, Hospital Road,
Cuddalore – 607 001.
The Government Museum, Cuddalore was established in the year 1989. A Sculpture Garden in the Museum welcomes the visitors. In this sculputure garden Sivalinga, Nandhi, Vishnu, monkey scuptures, Narashima, Surya and Chandikeswara are displayed. The development of Tamil script, dinosaur model and a model of Kali sculpture made of Fibre glass are kept in the entrance of the building.
The stone sculptures like Subramanya, Surya, Navanitha
Krishna, Dakshinamurthi, Bhairava, Virabhadra, and
Saptamatrika sculptures are best examples to the sculptural wealth of our ancestors. Bronze images of Ganesa, Vishnu, Nataraja, Somaskanda, Krishna are displayed in the Bronze Gallery.
In the first floor Kattunaickkan Tribal materials, Stone
Age tools, Musical Instruments, Agricultural implements of Kalvarayan hill tribes are displayed.
Natural History specimens include South Indian Timbers,
Fibres, Swan, Bear, Lizard and Snakes. Wood fossils and Ammonite fossils are also on display.
This Museum collection represents history, culture, flora
and fauna of the district. Imparting knowledge to researchers, students and public through popular lectures, exhibitions
and training programmes form part of educational activities.
Source
GOVERNMENT MUSEUM, CUDDALORE
Address:
Curator,
Government Museum,
19, Hospital Road,
Cuddalore – 607 001.
The Government Museum, Cuddalore was established in the year 1989. A Sculpture Garden in the Museum welcomes the visitors. In this sculputure garden Sivalinga, Nandhi, Vishnu, monkey scuptures, Narashima, Surya and Chandikeswara are displayed. The development of Tamil script, dinosaur model and a model of Kali sculpture made of Fibre glass are kept in the entrance of the building.
The stone sculptures like Subramanya, Surya, Navanitha
Krishna, Dakshinamurthi, Bhairava, Virabhadra, and
Saptamatrika sculptures are best examples to the sculptural wealth of our ancestors. Bronze images of Ganesa, Vishnu, Nataraja, Somaskanda, Krishna are displayed in the Bronze Gallery.
In the first floor Kattunaickkan Tribal materials, Stone
Age tools, Musical Instruments, Agricultural implements of Kalvarayan hill tribes are displayed.
Natural History specimens include South Indian Timbers,
Fibres, Swan, Bear, Lizard and Snakes. Wood fossils and Ammonite fossils are also on display.
This Museum collection represents history, culture, flora
and fauna of the district. Imparting knowledge to researchers, students and public through popular lectures, exhibitions
and training programmes form part of educational activities.
Source
Power Plans
Power Plans - BusinessWorld
Tata Power Trading Co., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Power Company, has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Chennai-based Spice Energy group to purchase the entire output from its upcoming 2,000-MW power project in Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu. “We are setting up a coal-based thermal power plant and have concluded the PPA with Tata Power,” says D. Sundararajan, CEO of SRM Energy, a Spice Energy group company.
Tata Power Trading Co., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Power Company, has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Chennai-based Spice Energy group to purchase the entire output from its upcoming 2,000-MW power project in Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu. “We are setting up a coal-based thermal power plant and have concluded the PPA with Tata Power,” says D. Sundararajan, CEO of SRM Energy, a Spice Energy group company.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Worn-Out roads
Lawrence Road and Hospital Road - two prominent roads in the town are completely worn out. It has been at least three years since the road was laid last time. Hospital Road stretch between GH and Semma'ndalam is in a very bad state and poses to be a risk especially for the two-wheelers.
Hospital Road near the west end of GH
Hospital Road near the west end of GHThursday, January 08, 2009
Fishermen protest
Fishermen protest - The Hindu
Special Correspondent
CUDDALORE:A section of fishermen owing allegiance to the Tamilaga Meenavar Peravai abstained from fishing on Sunday, urging the Centre to repeal the Coastal Management Regulation Act because it felt that it would be detrimental to the interests of the coastal community .
Special Correspondent
CUDDALORE:A section of fishermen owing allegiance to the Tamilaga Meenavar Peravai abstained from fishing on Sunday, urging the Centre to repeal the Coastal Management Regulation Act because it felt that it would be detrimental to the interests of the coastal community .
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Stop industries, hotels and resorts on the shores
Fishermen urge Centre to repeal Coastal Zone Management Act - The Hindu
Special Correspondent
CUDDALORE: The Meenavar Viduthalai Vengaigal, a fishermen’s organisation, has urged the Centre to repeal the Coastal Zone Management Act. because it felt that it would be detrimental to the interests of the coastal community.
At a public rally held here on Sunday the organisation, headed by founder president R.Mangaiyarselvan and general secretary P.Ekambaram, passed a resolution in this regard.
In another resolution it called upon the authorities not to allow any industries, hotels and resorts to come up on the shores.
ST status
It sought Scheduled Tribe status for fishermen, speedy renovation of the Cuddalore port, fishing rights on the Indian Ocean unhindered by maritime boundary, higher subsidy for diesel and loan waiver.
‘Stop military assistance’
The organisation appealed to the Centre to stop any sort of military assistance to Sri Lanka whose armed forces were gunning down the Tamil Nadu fishermen and the Eelam Tamils.
It also called for setting up of a fishermen property protection board.
Special Correspondent
CUDDALORE: The Meenavar Viduthalai Vengaigal, a fishermen’s organisation, has urged the Centre to repeal the Coastal Zone Management Act. because it felt that it would be detrimental to the interests of the coastal community.
At a public rally held here on Sunday the organisation, headed by founder president R.Mangaiyarselvan and general secretary P.Ekambaram, passed a resolution in this regard.
In another resolution it called upon the authorities not to allow any industries, hotels and resorts to come up on the shores.
ST status
It sought Scheduled Tribe status for fishermen, speedy renovation of the Cuddalore port, fishing rights on the Indian Ocean unhindered by maritime boundary, higher subsidy for diesel and loan waiver.
‘Stop military assistance’
The organisation appealed to the Centre to stop any sort of military assistance to Sri Lanka whose armed forces were gunning down the Tamil Nadu fishermen and the Eelam Tamils.
It also called for setting up of a fishermen property protection board.
Cuddalore police plan special cell - The Hindu
It will look into reasons for acquittal in grave crimes
CUDDALORE: Superintendent of Police (Cuddalore district) Pradip Kumar has said that a special cell will be formed soon to look into reasons for acquittal of cases in grave crimes full story>>
- Traffic regulations, reduction in number of road accidents to get priority
- Grave crime detection rate is 81 per cent, property recovery rate 80 per cent
CUDDALORE: Superintendent of Police (Cuddalore district) Pradip Kumar has said that a special cell will be formed soon to look into reasons for acquittal of cases in grave crimes full story>>
Action sought against erring SIPCOT units
Action sought against erring SIPCOT units - The Hindu
Special Correspondent
Several units operating in violation of Environmental Protection Act,says report
CUDDALORE: The SIPCOT Area Community Environmental Monitoring (SACEM), an organisation formed by the locals, has alleged that most of the units in the SIPCOT Industrial Estate here were operating in violation of the Environmental Protection Act and pollution control norms.
In its report, “Ground truths II: Status of hazardous wastes and pollution in SIPCOT chemical estate,” released to the press here on Tuesday, the organisation said that at least eight units were set up without the “consent to establish,” 22 were operating without valid licence under the Air and
Water Acts and five were functioning without obtaining the Costal Regulatory Zone clearance.
The SACEM had already submitted its first report in 2005 to the Supreme Court monitoring committee on hazardous waste. However, owing to laxity on part of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board officials, the condition in the industrial estate had deteriorated, it noted.
Hence, the SACEM urged the authorities to initiate legal action against the erring units, make it mandatory for the units to disclose the manner of their operation and impart training among health officials and police personnel on the implementation of environmental rules.
Special Correspondent
Several units operating in violation of Environmental Protection Act,says report
CUDDALORE: The SIPCOT Area Community Environmental Monitoring (SACEM), an organisation formed by the locals, has alleged that most of the units in the SIPCOT Industrial Estate here were operating in violation of the Environmental Protection Act and pollution control norms.
In its report, “Ground truths II: Status of hazardous wastes and pollution in SIPCOT chemical estate,” released to the press here on Tuesday, the organisation said that at least eight units were set up without the “consent to establish,” 22 were operating without valid licence under the Air and
Water Acts and five were functioning without obtaining the Costal Regulatory Zone clearance.
The SACEM had already submitted its first report in 2005 to the Supreme Court monitoring committee on hazardous waste. However, owing to laxity on part of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board officials, the condition in the industrial estate had deteriorated, it noted.
Hence, the SACEM urged the authorities to initiate legal action against the erring units, make it mandatory for the units to disclose the manner of their operation and impart training among health officials and police personnel on the implementation of environmental rules.
SPIC Discharges Effluent into the Eachangadu Canal; No Action by TNPCB - SACEM
Pharmaceuticals have been caught discharging effluent illegally into the Eachangadu canal full story>>
Elephant scared seeing camel !
Elephant runs amok, causes panic - The Hindu
Special Correspondent
CUDDALORE: An elephant ran amok on the main streets of Cuddalore town on Monday, creating panic among the people.
It was found running from the Silver Beach, through the Beach Road and Pudupalayam Main Road, a distance of four km, with two mahouts on the trail. The road-users ran for cover.
The lorry driver, who was transporting the elephant from Puducherry where it was taken for a function, chased the animal in the vehicle. It finally entered a compound near the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board office. On information, the police and Fire and Rescue Service personnel gathered there in strength and helped the mahouts tame the elephant. With a great deal of difficulty, they forced the elephant to get onto the lorry.
Rajkumar of Swamimalai had sent the elephant, Shyamala (18), to Puducherry. On the way back, the mahouts took it to the Silver Beach.
Seeing a pair of camels on the seashore, the elephant got scared and started running, a mahout said. Later, the animal resumed its journey to its owner’s place.
Special Correspondent
CUDDALORE: An elephant ran amok on the main streets of Cuddalore town on Monday, creating panic among the people.
It was found running from the Silver Beach, through the Beach Road and Pudupalayam Main Road, a distance of four km, with two mahouts on the trail. The road-users ran for cover.
The lorry driver, who was transporting the elephant from Puducherry where it was taken for a function, chased the animal in the vehicle. It finally entered a compound near the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board office. On information, the police and Fire and Rescue Service personnel gathered there in strength and helped the mahouts tame the elephant. With a great deal of difficulty, they forced the elephant to get onto the lorry.
Rajkumar of Swamimalai had sent the elephant, Shyamala (18), to Puducherry. On the way back, the mahouts took it to the Silver Beach.
Seeing a pair of camels on the seashore, the elephant got scared and started running, a mahout said. Later, the animal resumed its journey to its owner’s place.
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