Bench directs PWD to file a status report by April 24

A public interest litigation petition has been filed in the Madras High Court Bench here seeking a direction to forbear the Public Works Department (PWD) and Collectors of Karur, Tiruchi, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur districts from quarrying sand along the stretches of rivers Cauvery and Kollidam.

Various organisations in support of organic farming urged the Centre and the State government to ban the genetically modified seeds in the country and state. A resolution to this effect was passed at the meeting organised to mark international day of opposition to genetically modified crops here on Monday. The meeting was jointly organised by Thalanmai Uzhavar Iyakkam, Thamizhar Desiya Iyakkam, Thamizhaga Iyarkai Uzhavar Iyakkam, and AITUC.

Collector visits the completed revetment wall and ramp at Punavasal village

Flood prevention works taken up along the Kollidam river in Thanjavur district by the Public Works Department (PWD) are nearing completion. The works were started in October 2010. Out of the total works taken up at a cost of Rs. 106.22 crore, works to the tune of Rs. 93.34 crore have been finished so far. The rest will be completed before the end of March.

CHENNAI: With a view to checking rain water from flowing into the sea and storing water received from Krishna River for the residents of Chennai and its surrounding areas, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Tuesday ordered the creation of a new reservoir in Tiruvallur district by merging Kannankottai and Thervoykandigai lakes at an expenditure of Rs 330 crore.

An extent of 1,252.47 acres of land, including 560.05 acres of government land, will be acquired for the project and the new reservoir will be in place within two years.

The State government has sanctioned works, estimated to cost around Rs.11.49 crore, for the artificial recharge of groundwater.

They cover the formation of subsurface dykes, percolation ponds, check dams and recharge shafts/ tube wells. A release on Tuesday stated that Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had approved the proposals.

It will be taken under rural employment guarantee scheme

The State Rural Development Department has planned to remove encroachment on scores of water bodies, falling under its jurisdiction, and restore the storage of the water bodies to their original capacity.

As part of popularising Conservation Agriculture (CA) technologies, Soil and Water Management Research Institute (SWMRI) of the Tamil Nadu Agriculture University here organised Direct Seeded Harvest day at Kuruvadipatti village recently.

Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) harvester machine was used at the field of Mr.Asaithambi. DSR is the best mechanical practice to conserve water, labour and other input use during rice production.

Programme organised by IOB and NABARD
Twenty progressive farmers from Thanjavur, Ariyalur, Tiruvarur and Cuddalore districts participated in a training on fresh water carp farming and ornamental fish culture here recently. The programme was organised by the Indian Overseas Bank, and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

The State government will implement a Rs.450-crore special tourism development project for the beautification of tourist centres and improvement of basic facilities along the east coast corridor and southern tourist circuit, Tourism Minister Gokula Indira told the Assembly on Tuesday.