Once a source of fresh water for irrigation, Kadaperi lake is now rapidly degrading

Due to unchecked pollution, abetted by government agencies, a sprawling water body in Tambaram is under siege. The Kadaperi Lake in West Tambaram, has fallen a victim to pollution caused by unchecked discharge of grey water and sullage from homes and commercial establishments, as well as effluents from the Tambaram Depot of the Metropolitan Transport Corporation.

New Delhi The Planning Commission today approved a plan outlay of Rs 14,000 crore for Punjab during 2012-13, an increase of 12 per cent compared to the previous fiscal.

The state outlay was finalised by Commission's Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister of Punjab Prakash Singh Badal in a meeting here.

Environmental activists Monday threatened to take to the streets if the government did not come out with “concrete measures” to save the “dying” Ganga by May 20. “So many protests have taken place over the issue before but little has come of it... we have decided to launch a mass campaign from Varanasi from May 21 if the government does not come up with a concrete programme by May 20,” said Magsaysay winner “Waterman” Rajendra Singh.

Announcing the “Ganga Ganga Mukti Sangram”, Singh accused the Centre of ignoring the plight of the river.

Cutting across political lines, Lok Sabha members on Monday joined hands to demand immediate intervention by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to save the Ganga and make it pollution-free at the earliest. Initiating the debate, SP member Rewati Raman Singh demanded dismantling of all man-made dams on the Ganga. “I demand that the Prime Minister should intervene to save the Ganga which is not just a river but our lifeline and part of our culture,” he said.

NONGSTOIN: People of Mawthadraishan Block in West Khasi Hills district have opposed the district administration’s decision to issue ‘no objection certificate’ (NOC) to set up cook mine factory at Madan Riewblei.

A public meeting was held recently here where people voiced their opposition to the administration’s decision. The meeting, convened by the Synjuk Nongsynshar Shnong of Umiap area, was attended by members of FKJGP, West Khasi Hills Students’ Union (WKHSU) and Senglongkmie, Headman of the area.

Union Minister of Environment and Forests, Jayanthi Natarajan, came under attack from the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, for failing to save the Ganga and the Himalayas, but Speaker Meira Kumar reposed faith in her.

During the discussion on the steps taken by the government to protect the Ganga from pollution, and the Himalayas from ruthless exploitation, most Opposition members attacked the Congress, and were critical of the Environment Minister.

Middlemen identify landowners and pay them to get consent

About a week ago, the residents of villages in Anamalai Panchayat Union that border Kerala got hold of four lorries that were about to dump wastes alongside roads and in farms. They took up the issue with the district authorities and this led the Anamalai police to register a case.

Government agencies yet to take action to protect the 60-acre lake

Residents of Keelkattalai are shocked and angry over the dumping of construction rubble into the Keelkattalai lake over the past few days. The lake, one of the few precious water bodies that hasn't, until now, been damaged by encroachment and pollution, presents a serene view to people travelling on the Pallavaram – Thoraipakkam Radial Road, say residents of Gandhi Nagar. Spread over 60 acres,

Around 30 per cent of the groundwater resource in the state is unfit for both drinking and agriculture, a fact that has sparked concern in the groundwater department authorities since water sources in the state are receding at an alarming rate. Salinity and fluoride contamination are the main reasons for the water becoming unsuitable for irrigation and drinking. Dr K. Venugopal, joint director, groundwater department, said that there are as many as 36 saline mandals and a huge area with high flourine content in water, posing health hazards due to fluorosis.