Debate on Climate Shifts to Issue of Irreparable Change
Some Experts on Global Warming Foresee 'Tipping Point' When It Is Too Late to Act
By Juliet Eilperin Washington Post Staff WriterSunday, January 29, 2006;
Now that most scientists agree human activity is causing Earth to warm, the central debate has shifted to whether climate change is progressing so rapidly that, within decades, humans may be helpless to slow or reverse the trend.
This "tipping point" scenario has begun to consume many prominent researchers in the United States and abroad, because the answer could determine how drastically countries need to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in the coming years. While scientists remain uncertain when such a point might occur, many say it is urgent that policymakers cut global carbon dioxide emissions in half over the next 50 years or risk the triggering of changes that would be irreversible full story>>
Monday, January 30, 2006
Sunday, January 22, 2006
IT park in Cuddalore
Minister of Communications & IT, Mr.Dhayanithi Maran has announced his proposal of starting an IT park in Cuddalore. The announcement came as a pleasant surprise.Now its the work of the district administration to kick-start the land acquisition process.If we are slow in this we may loose it Pondicherry.Cuddalore will not get such yet another offer for developement anytime soon.
The acquisition has to be really fast for as the election date is much closer EC will order to freeze all the developement works.As there is no open land inside Cuddalore town itself there are four choices along four outskirts.
North end must be a bad choice because a developement there will greatly help Pondicherry rather than Cuddalore.
I dont see Thiruvanthipuram road as a bright choice because it may not lead to contiguous developement of the nearby areas(I mean developements will seize after a certain limit because of the geographical nature of the area).
Two other choices can be one near Sellankuppam that is to the south of Imperial Road and the other along Nellikuppam Highway.
This is a never again offer for Cuddalore.We must get it at any cost.
The acquisition has to be really fast for as the election date is much closer EC will order to freeze all the developement works.As there is no open land inside Cuddalore town itself there are four choices along four outskirts.
North end must be a bad choice because a developement there will greatly help Pondicherry rather than Cuddalore.
I dont see Thiruvanthipuram road as a bright choice because it may not lead to contiguous developement of the nearby areas(I mean developements will seize after a certain limit because of the geographical nature of the area).
Two other choices can be one near Sellankuppam that is to the south of Imperial Road and the other along Nellikuppam Highway.
This is a never again offer for Cuddalore.We must get it at any cost.
Tsunami memorial in Cuddalore
While some of towns worst affected by tsunami had already constructed a tsunami memorial Cuddalore is yet to have one. On December 26th 2005 ground breaking ceremony for a tsunami memorial (mandapam) was held. Mandapams has closed ceiling. And the site selected was the place exactly where police outpost stood earlier. In my view it will be hiding the beautiful shore for visitor just arriving. It is from the place just below the present high mast lamp people can have a wider view of seashore with beautiful blue water lining.
Instead a Callanish type pillar will add to the beauty of the view. Recall tsunami occurred on a full moon day. The pillars to be built can be arranged in such a way so that the light enters the sanctum of the arrangement on every last full moon day of the year.
A random picture of Callanish I got on search.
Instead a Callanish type pillar will add to the beauty of the view. Recall tsunami occurred on a full moon day. The pillars to be built can be arranged in such a way so that the light enters the sanctum of the arrangement on every last full moon day of the year.
A random picture of Callanish I got on search.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Will animals be kept off?
Couple of weeks back Traffic Police here issued an warning and a message of caution to the people who leave their animals to roam about in the streets of Cuddalore.The message was that,Cuddalore Traffic police will confiscate any animals roaming about the streets and will heavily fine the owner of the animals.
This warning was welcomed by a greater section of the population.If implemented the traffic flow will never again be interupted by the animals (esp. cow).
Let us see how effectively the rule will be implemented.
Also see: Grazing at the middle of the road
This warning was welcomed by a greater section of the population.If implemented the traffic flow will never again be interupted by the animals (esp. cow).
Let us see how effectively the rule will be implemented.
Also see: Grazing at the middle of the road
You may remember me reporting the destruction caused while laying fibers for landline by a telecom gaint (AIRTEL destroys pedestrian foothpath).
Especially the concrete flooring between the road and padestrian footpath were competely destroyed in eitherside of the Lawrence Road.
There were some reconstruction of these cement flooring between the Durai Plaza and the old exit point of the Bus Stand.But the same did not happen starting from Hotel Vasantha Bhavan upto the railway level crossing or on the otherside of the Lawrence Road (i.e.) from Railway Autorickshaw stand to upto east end of Lawrence Road.
This strip is mud filled at some points.It is untidy and greatly resembles a drainage at certain other points.
Even at the places where reconstruction took place,no proper provision were made for rain water to reach the drainage system underneath the platform.The holes which are supposed to take raing water are either completely blocked by concrete or merely visible.
If proper corrective measures arent taken a great deal of money spent there will be in vain.
Especially the concrete flooring between the road and padestrian footpath were competely destroyed in eitherside of the Lawrence Road.
There were some reconstruction of these cement flooring between the Durai Plaza and the old exit point of the Bus Stand.But the same did not happen starting from Hotel Vasantha Bhavan upto the railway level crossing or on the otherside of the Lawrence Road (i.e.) from Railway Autorickshaw stand to upto east end of Lawrence Road.
This strip is mud filled at some points.It is untidy and greatly resembles a drainage at certain other points.
Even at the places where reconstruction took place,no proper provision were made for rain water to reach the drainage system underneath the platform.The holes which are supposed to take raing water are either completely blocked by concrete or merely visible.
If proper corrective measures arent taken a great deal of money spent there will be in vain.
Road extension-Imperial Road
North end of the Imperial Road is also being extended.This is a bold step forward.Extension at this point must have been an challenging task for the administrator,for the taxi drivers there must have greatly resisted any such move.
Broadening road at this point will greatly helpfull in reducing congestion especially during peak hours.Vehicles going towards Cuddalore Old Town will now be able to move with ease without having to waist for a signal for the vehicles going towards Bus Stand.
Broadening road at this point will greatly helpfull in reducing congestion especially during peak hours.Vehicles going towards Cuddalore Old Town will now be able to move with ease without having to waist for a signal for the vehicles going towards Bus Stand.
Barathi Road extension
The much awaited Barathi Road extension is underway.The entire stretch of the road starting from Nethaji Road right upto Imperial Road is being extended.The road is greatly extended near Town Hall and in front of Saint Annes school.Hope bus stop at these two points will be pushed away from the road to ease the traffic flow.But the space in between Cuddalore Municipal Office and the Bank of Baroda is left untouched.The large drainage opening there remains untidy as ever.
I expected even greater extension in front of Post Office.This is one of the dangerous point to ride in.Large trees there can be removed considering the safety of the people.Another reason for this point being soo dangerous apart from the narrowness is,buses either rush here at a great speed or stop to pick up the passenger.
Coming back to the extension process though the entire process is slow it makes a steady progress unlike the drainage construction in Hospital Road.
Also see:
Barathi road extension
I expected even greater extension in front of Post Office.This is one of the dangerous point to ride in.Large trees there can be removed considering the safety of the people.Another reason for this point being soo dangerous apart from the narrowness is,buses either rush here at a great speed or stop to pick up the passenger.
Coming back to the extension process though the entire process is slow it makes a steady progress unlike the drainage construction in Hospital Road.
Also see:
Barathi road extension
Monday, January 09, 2006
Cuddalore villagers confront Pollution Control Board - SACEM
Mettur, Cuddalore villagers confront Pollution Control Board on controversial PVC project
More than 100 representatives from pollution impacted communities in Mettur and Cuddalore today presented a petition to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board. The delegation of farmers, fisherfolks and residents petition highlighted the PCB’s failure to check major environmental violations by Chemplast Sanmar’s PVC plant in Mettur Dam and asked for reasons for clearing the company’s 40,000 tonne/year PVC proposal in Cuddalore despite massive public opposition and many expert recommendations against it. After failing to approve the project for three years in light of public opposition and technical irregularities, the Tamilnadu Government has curiously revived the proposal in this election year. Following its failure in Tamilnadu, Chemplast tried to set it up in Krishnapatnam, Andhrapradesh, but was unable to secure permission from the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board owing to massive opposition. PVC is a poison plastic whose production, usage and disposal are associated with the release of deadly environmental poisons such as dioxins and furans.
community residents
Chemplast’s existing facility in Mettur, Salem, has caused tremendous harm to life and environment during its operation in the past 50 years. In July 2003, the Indian People's Tribunal released a report of a public hearing panel chaired by Justice (Retd) Akbar Kadri of the Madras High Court that looked into allegations of pollution and human rights violations by Chemplast Sanmar's operations in Mettur. The panel found that "Chemplast Sanmar. . .have caused irreparable damage to humans and the environment." An earlier Tribunal headed by Justice (Retd) S. Kanakaraj in 2003 had looked into Chemplast's proposal to set up a PVC factory in SIPCOT Cuddalore. This panel too had recommended against the setting up of the PVC factory in Cuddalore on grounds that SIPCOT is already over-polluted and that PVC is a dangerous product whose production, usage and disposal are associated with the release of deadly environmental poisons such as dioxins and furans
"It is unfortunate that agencies such as TNPCB that are meant to protect public health and environment are hand-in-glove with polluters like Chemplast. Instead of addressing the long-standing complaints of Mettur residents against the pollution caused by Chemplast, the TNPCB has permitted the company to threaten the lives of SIPCOT residents who are already reeling under the effects of pollution from existing chemical industries in the estate," said M. Matheswaran of West Gonur Farmers' Welfare Association from Mettur Dam
The permission granted is patently illegal, unscientific and arbitrary as it does not consider the pollution caused by new components added to the proposal such as a desalination plant and a power plant. At the very least, a new Environmental Impact Asssessment and public hearing ought to be held, residents said. The company plans to import Vinyl Chloride Monomer, a carcinogenic and explosive raw material, by installing a marine terminal and a 3.5 km long pipeline that will run through Chitrapettai, Tammanampettai, Nochikkadu and Semmankuppam passing through sensitive sand-dunes and vulnerable residential areas. Fisherfolk from the Tsunami-hit coastal villages near SIPCOT Cuddalore said that they will not allow the company's pipeline and marine terminal because they have no confidence in the Government's will to regulate polluters
Several bodies and political leaders, including the Semmankuppam Panchayat, the Cuddalore district Panchayat Union, the Cuddalore MLA E. Pugazhenthi, the PMK leader Dr. Ramadoss, the State Human Rights Commission and NEERI have stated that no more polluting industries should be located in SIPCOT Cuddalore.
Exposing Chemplast's lies that the project has the blessings of local communities, representatives from Semmankuppam, Sangolikuppam, Sonnanchavadi, Nochikkadu, Eachangadu, Rasapettai, Chitrapettai and Tammanampettai in Cuddalore, along with Mettur residents occupied the TNPCB head office in Guindy in order to appeal to the authorities to reject the PVC plant. They said that they are prepared for a long-drawn out agitation against the Government's policy of systematically targeting SIPCOT residents with proposals for polluting industries.
For more details contact:
Shweta Narayan: 9444024315
Visit: http://www.sipcotcuddalore.com/
More than 100 representatives from pollution impacted communities in Mettur and Cuddalore today presented a petition to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board. The delegation of farmers, fisherfolks and residents petition highlighted the PCB’s failure to check major environmental violations by Chemplast Sanmar’s PVC plant in Mettur Dam and asked for reasons for clearing the company’s 40,000 tonne/year PVC proposal in Cuddalore despite massive public opposition and many expert recommendations against it. After failing to approve the project for three years in light of public opposition and technical irregularities, the Tamilnadu Government has curiously revived the proposal in this election year. Following its failure in Tamilnadu, Chemplast tried to set it up in Krishnapatnam, Andhrapradesh, but was unable to secure permission from the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board owing to massive opposition. PVC is a poison plastic whose production, usage and disposal are associated with the release of deadly environmental poisons such as dioxins and furans.
community residents
Chemplast’s existing facility in Mettur, Salem, has caused tremendous harm to life and environment during its operation in the past 50 years. In July 2003, the Indian People's Tribunal released a report of a public hearing panel chaired by Justice (Retd) Akbar Kadri of the Madras High Court that looked into allegations of pollution and human rights violations by Chemplast Sanmar's operations in Mettur. The panel found that "Chemplast Sanmar. . .have caused irreparable damage to humans and the environment." An earlier Tribunal headed by Justice (Retd) S. Kanakaraj in 2003 had looked into Chemplast's proposal to set up a PVC factory in SIPCOT Cuddalore. This panel too had recommended against the setting up of the PVC factory in Cuddalore on grounds that SIPCOT is already over-polluted and that PVC is a dangerous product whose production, usage and disposal are associated with the release of deadly environmental poisons such as dioxins and furans
"It is unfortunate that agencies such as TNPCB that are meant to protect public health and environment are hand-in-glove with polluters like Chemplast. Instead of addressing the long-standing complaints of Mettur residents against the pollution caused by Chemplast, the TNPCB has permitted the company to threaten the lives of SIPCOT residents who are already reeling under the effects of pollution from existing chemical industries in the estate," said M. Matheswaran of West Gonur Farmers' Welfare Association from Mettur Dam
The permission granted is patently illegal, unscientific and arbitrary as it does not consider the pollution caused by new components added to the proposal such as a desalination plant and a power plant. At the very least, a new Environmental Impact Asssessment and public hearing ought to be held, residents said. The company plans to import Vinyl Chloride Monomer, a carcinogenic and explosive raw material, by installing a marine terminal and a 3.5 km long pipeline that will run through Chitrapettai, Tammanampettai, Nochikkadu and Semmankuppam passing through sensitive sand-dunes and vulnerable residential areas. Fisherfolk from the Tsunami-hit coastal villages near SIPCOT Cuddalore said that they will not allow the company's pipeline and marine terminal because they have no confidence in the Government's will to regulate polluters
Several bodies and political leaders, including the Semmankuppam Panchayat, the Cuddalore district Panchayat Union, the Cuddalore MLA E. Pugazhenthi, the PMK leader Dr. Ramadoss, the State Human Rights Commission and NEERI have stated that no more polluting industries should be located in SIPCOT Cuddalore.
Exposing Chemplast's lies that the project has the blessings of local communities, representatives from Semmankuppam, Sangolikuppam, Sonnanchavadi, Nochikkadu, Eachangadu, Rasapettai, Chitrapettai and Tammanampettai in Cuddalore, along with Mettur residents occupied the TNPCB head office in Guindy in order to appeal to the authorities to reject the PVC plant. They said that they are prepared for a long-drawn out agitation against the Government's policy of systematically targeting SIPCOT residents with proposals for polluting industries.
For more details contact:
Shweta Narayan: 9444024315
Visit: http://www.sipcotcuddalore.com/
Petition to TNPCB to check pollution - ChennaiOnline
Petition to TNPCB to check pollution
More than 100 persons consisting of farmers, fishermen and other residents of Mettur and Cuddalore today handed over a petition to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) demanding action against environmental violations in their areas.
The petition alleged that TNPCB had failed to check the pollution caused by Chemplast Sanmar's PVC plant at Mettur in Salem district.
The group questioned the board's decision to clear Chemplast's proposal to set up PVC plant with 40,000 tonnes annual production in Cuddalore, despite massive public opposition and expert recommendations against it.
Chemplast's existing facility at Mettur had caused tremendous harm to life and environment during the past 50 years, the group alleged in the petition.
PVC is a poison plastic and its production, usage and disposal are associated with the release of deadly environmental poisons such as dioxins and furans. The permission granted to Chemplast is apparently illegal, unscientific and arbitrary as it does not consider checking the pollution caused by new components added to the proposal, it claimed.
Copyright © 2006, Chennai Interactive Business Services (P) Ltd
More than 100 persons consisting of farmers, fishermen and other residents of Mettur and Cuddalore today handed over a petition to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) demanding action against environmental violations in their areas.
The petition alleged that TNPCB had failed to check the pollution caused by Chemplast Sanmar's PVC plant at Mettur in Salem district.
The group questioned the board's decision to clear Chemplast's proposal to set up PVC plant with 40,000 tonnes annual production in Cuddalore, despite massive public opposition and expert recommendations against it.
Chemplast's existing facility at Mettur had caused tremendous harm to life and environment during the past 50 years, the group alleged in the petition.
PVC is a poison plastic and its production, usage and disposal are associated with the release of deadly environmental poisons such as dioxins and furans. The permission granted to Chemplast is apparently illegal, unscientific and arbitrary as it does not consider checking the pollution caused by new components added to the proposal, it claimed.
Copyright © 2006, Chennai Interactive Business Services (P) Ltd
Cuddalore gets Rs.843 mn in tsunami aid - NewKerala
NewKerala reported that Cuddalore gets Rs.843 mn in tsunami aid in its issue dated Nov. 01 2005 full story>>
World Bank funds Cuddalore
World Bank has funded to improve the drinking water supply in Cuddalore Municipality.Asian Developement Bank also funds to built bridges in tsunami affected areas of Cuddalore.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
COMPEX 2006 - EXPO in Pondicherry
The Information Technology Traders Association (ITTA) of Pondicherry is set to hold Compex 2006 expo from January 6-8, 2006 at Jayarama Kalyana Mantap.
There would be about 50 participants in the exhibition, both members and non-members, and there would be no entry fee whatsoever for participation.
There would be about 50 participants in the exhibition, both members and non-members, and there would be no entry fee whatsoever for participation.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
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.
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.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
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.
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.
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.
Monday, December 26, 2005
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.
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.
Saturday, December 24, 2005
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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