Hundreds march to Kerala assembly complex against waste

On a 35-km march, hundreds of protesters, including tribals, reached the Assembly complex here Wednesday raising slogans against the government's proposed decision to set up a 'waste-to-electricity' plant at Peringamala in Agasthyamala, a biodiversity hotspot.

The march began on December 3 from Peringamala, which is one of the six locations in Kerala identified for waste-to-energy projects.

The project site is surrounded by forest land and also houses a tribal settlement on one side.

Peringamala, 35 km from Thiruvanathapuram, and nearby areas are part of the Western Ghats and in the foothills of Agasthyamala, which is under under UNESCO's world list of biosphere reserves.

"The proposed plant would be eco-friendly and trees will be planted around and gardens will be set up.

The plant will use modern technology to manage the solid waste as per the current rules and regulations," Minister for Town Planning and Rural Development A C Moideen told the Assembly Wednesday.

However, local residents and nature lovers, who were marching for last two days, were not ready to buy this government version.

"We have heard all sorts of explanations like this. Instead of finding some place where there are no ecological concerns, the authorities have selected Peringamala, where the adjacent areas are rich with flora and fauna," wildlife photographer Sali Pangode told PTI.

He said the government has identified the land for the waste-to-energy plant bordering the Chittar river.

"The river merges with various other small rivers before reaching the sea and in between there are around 38 drinking water projects. The waste plant is going to affect all," the photographer said.

Wildlife enthusiast Praveen Muraleedharan said the area is home to the Great Indian Hornbill, Nilgiri Tahr, tigers and elephants.

"The Agasthya hills and its valleys are itself an ecosystem. It's home to the Great Indian Hornbill which is listed as vulnerable because of its decreasing population. The area is one among the 12 biodiversity hotspots in the world," he said.

He also said the proposed plant is located at a 'Myristica swamp', which are the most endangered forest ecosystems in India.

Myristica swamps are a type of freshwater swamp forest and occur on either side of 'first order streams.' 

A field study by a team of ornithologists had earlier noted that the area is home to rare species of birds, bees and butterflies.

When contacted, State pollution control board chairman K Sajeevan said the board has received a complaint on the matter and sent notice to the people concerned for hearing next week.
The protests have been going on for around 150 days in which local residents and the tribes are agitating against the proposed plant.

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Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary is a Perfect Place For Spotting The Elephant

Established in 1976 by Sanjay Gandhi, Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary is spread across an area of 195 square kilometre in the city of Jamshedpur in Jharkhand. The sanctuary lies in the catchment area of Subarnarekha River offering a great habitat for wildlife to exist. Exploring the pristine ecosystem surrounded with dense forests, rare wildlife, and lush hills can make for a relaxing vacation.

If you’re forever enamoured by the idea of giant elephants amidst dense forests, then this is the place for you. You could easily run amok them and have a great time capturing them on camera; Dalma gives you the scope of being free around wildlife. There’s a lot of other rare species like the big-eared pachyderms, leopard, barking deer, deer, sloth bear, and giant squirrel that you will find here.

There’s also an ancient Lord Shiva Temple inside the sanctuary which holds great importance among the locals. People from all walks of life visit the temple to offer prayers on the occasion of Mahashivratri. After the shrine, you can also visit the Dalma Mai Shrine after whom this sanctuary has been named.

If you’re a hardcore wildlife enthusiast and want information related to all the flora and fauna of the region, head to the Museum- cum-Interpretation Centre at Makula Kocha. It has been established to promote the biological and zoological research of the vegetation and species of the sanctuary.

Try and stay at the bamboo huts in Makula Kocha. It’ll be an experience to be in the lap of nature, surrounded by an abundance of flora. There are single bamboo huts as well as plush cottages that you could choose from.

The best time to visit is between October and March because the temperature (26 degree celsius) is just right to explore the sanctuary during the day. At night, the temperature drops to 11 degree celsius; nice and chilly to huddle around with a hot drink in hand.

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Popular jumbo joyride terminated

Betla National Park in Palamau, a major attraction for wildlife enthusiasts in east India, has withdrawn its popular elephant ride with immediate effect, citing a Supreme Court order.

Deputy director (north division) of Palamau Tiger Reserve in Betla park Anil Kumar Mishra said the rides had been terminated from October 21.

“The Supreme Court recently asked all wildlife sanctuaries and national parks across the country to stop the practice. Hence, we have closed our elephant ride for tourists,” he said.

Asked if the decision would affect revenue of the national park, Mishra added that they would have to assess the same after November-December, the two months that witnessed highest footfall.

Until Saturday, Juhi was the lone elephant that offered tourists a Betla safari. She made two 30-minute trips every morning with half a dozen tourists each time.

Mishra conceded that the female jumbo, who was now 60 years old, should gave retired quite sometime back.

“She is ageing and her health is fragile. Since the elephant ride was very popular among Betla visitors, we had no option until now,” he said.

According to a tracker, Juhi’s companion Anarkali died two years ago and that left the elephant in deep shock, which again was responsible for her failing health.

“Juhi had refused food for two days and broke a boundary wall in sheer grief,” he recalled.

Betla National Park has four captive elephants — Rakhi, Sita, Kaal Bhairav and Murugan — besides Juhi. Sita, Kaal Bhairav and Murugan were brought from Karnataka in March-end. Sita and Kaal Bhairav were training to be tourist rides until the ban.

Mishra said three of quintet would now be used for patrolling. “Rakhi and Murugan are too young. They will need more training before they can patrol the park. The others will man the park,” he elaborated.

Sources, however, expressed doubts given the fragile health of both Juhi and Sita, the latter having suffered a bout of foot-and-mouth disease a few weeks ago.

Mishra admitted that Sita had needed medical attention. “She lost weight and had to be put on antibiotics and multivitamins. She has irritable bowel syndrome and suffers from an upset stomach every now and then. She is a lactating mother too. She breastfeeds her calf Murugan. All this has taken a toll on her health,” he said.

The official hinted at acute dearth of funds for the animals.

“There is no separate food fund for these five elephants. The ranger and foresters manage with great difficulties. They often beg
and borrow food with no cash in hand. The expenses are spiralling. The matter has been brought to the notice of senior officials in Ranchi,” Mishra added.

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