By SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Mar 29: In no time city would turn another Chennai if immediate remedial steps are not taken with the reports of salt-water intrusion into the groundwater coming in from some parts of the city and rural belt. Recently the residents of coastal battery, near collectorate, Kota Veedhi, the Old Post Office and Port areas in I town. Mulakuddu and Nagarapalem, besides, parts of Thagarapuvalasa in the rural areas were surprised to taste water of saline nature instead of fresh groundwater. Chennai is known for its saltwater intrusion two decades ago. The Chennai people have gone in for much groundwater pumping and did not follow the artificial recharge to groundwater. This caused the city a major damage. The people there are now not getting freshwater from the ground. “We were surprised to get saltwater from our well in our backyard instead of freshwater. We never used municipal tap water as our well water tasted good. It was never like this before” said Ramu a resident of coastal battery. Experts pointed out that the saltwater intrusion was due to excess pumping of groundwater and no scope for recharge of the groundwater. Urbanisation has given people a modern outlook in every aspect, including their homes. And there is no space to recharge the groundwater in the houses with every household plastering its compounds in tiles or cement. In advancing places like Vizag, it is natural the water demands remain on the rise and the growing urban populace affects availability of water and depletion in its quality. When freshwater is withdrawn at a faster rate than it can be replenished, a water table draw down sets in with a resulting decrease in the overall hydrostatic pressure. And when this happens near an ocean shoreline, the saltwater from the sea intrudes into the freshwater aquifer. The result is that freshwater supply continues getting saltwater contaminated. “Reckless extraction and overexploitation of very small quantities of groundwater causes a rapid depletion and deterioration in its quantity and quality. Though we have not received any specific complaint about the saltwater intrusion but the coastal battery area is affected with this,” said Ground Water Department deputy director, D Bhima Sankar Rao. Groundwater usage in the district, and in the City, is 34 per cent on the whole. So there is an urgent need to take steps to recharge the groundwater to avoid the impending threat of saltwater intrusion spreading to other areas, he added. The Ground Water Department has been suggesting the local bodies to insist on setting up of recharge structures during constructions of commercial buildings, residential complexes and industrial houses. Once saltwater intrusion takes place, one cannot replace the eventuality. It will persist forever. “One way Visakhapatnam is fortunate due to the hills surrounding the city. These hills protect groundwater. The City residents need to adopt artificial recharge. Awareness of this is essential, and rainwater harvesting needs be followed,” said the senior official. Groundwater can be recharged with rooftop rainwater or even storm run off harvesting through a recharge pit, a recharge trench, tube well and recharge well.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
Poultry sector in trouble
By SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Mar 5: Corporate culture and the entry of someinternational players into poultry recently has left thousands of farmersjobless in the three districts of north Andhra. It’s not the Bird Flu butthe entry of MNCs in this sector made 300 poultry farms in north Andhraclose their business.It is estimated that more than 4,000 people, who were dependant on thesefarms till recently, have now turned agricultural labourers to eke outtheir living. The new companies are offering chicken and other poultryproducts at cheaper rates with the newly introduced Integrated system bythem in the farming. “The age old private poultry farming vanishedcompletely. The ancient structure of poultry industry like farmersinvesting for farming and rearing the bird is gone. These big players andinternational firms have disturbed this trend. They are investing moneyand getting bulk work done on contract basis. Now thousands of poultryworkers and farmers are on roads,” said BroMark district president PSeshagiri Rao.Apart from the getting work done on contract basis these big players areadaopting-alluring techniques to encourage traders to sell more and morechicken and other poultry products. These companies are offering trips toforeign countries like Singapore, Malaysia and others, gold coins if theylift 2,000 to 3,000 kilos of chicken each day. These traders are buyingchicken in larger quantities at lesser prices and supplying it to smallershops at competitive prices at which these petty farmers are unable tosupply. “Its not the bird flu scare that affected the poultry industry inthese three districts but unhealthy trend of farming on contract basis,bulk purchases, branding the product, integrated system adapted by somebig players as part of their corporate culture that entered in the fieldand some international players getting in spoiled the entire industry. Noone is coming forward to help us. Our repeated pleas to the governmentfalling on deaf ears, ” said Rao.“I don’t mind whether the chicken is from a private farmer or supplied bya MNC I just see the benefits I get out of it. Apart from good money Ihave an opportunity to visit foreign countries, which I dreamt of them.That’s how I’m selling their chicken,” said a chicken trader who justreturned from a junket to Singapore organized by a Corporate Houserecently.
Visakhapatnam, Mar 5: Corporate culture and the entry of someinternational players into poultry recently has left thousands of farmersjobless in the three districts of north Andhra. It’s not the Bird Flu butthe entry of MNCs in this sector made 300 poultry farms in north Andhraclose their business.It is estimated that more than 4,000 people, who were dependant on thesefarms till recently, have now turned agricultural labourers to eke outtheir living. The new companies are offering chicken and other poultryproducts at cheaper rates with the newly introduced Integrated system bythem in the farming. “The age old private poultry farming vanishedcompletely. The ancient structure of poultry industry like farmersinvesting for farming and rearing the bird is gone. These big players andinternational firms have disturbed this trend. They are investing moneyand getting bulk work done on contract basis. Now thousands of poultryworkers and farmers are on roads,” said BroMark district president PSeshagiri Rao.Apart from the getting work done on contract basis these big players areadaopting-alluring techniques to encourage traders to sell more and morechicken and other poultry products. These companies are offering trips toforeign countries like Singapore, Malaysia and others, gold coins if theylift 2,000 to 3,000 kilos of chicken each day. These traders are buyingchicken in larger quantities at lesser prices and supplying it to smallershops at competitive prices at which these petty farmers are unable tosupply. “Its not the bird flu scare that affected the poultry industry inthese three districts but unhealthy trend of farming on contract basis,bulk purchases, branding the product, integrated system adapted by somebig players as part of their corporate culture that entered in the fieldand some international players getting in spoiled the entire industry. Noone is coming forward to help us. Our repeated pleas to the governmentfalling on deaf ears, ” said Rao.“I don’t mind whether the chicken is from a private farmer or supplied bya MNC I just see the benefits I get out of it. Apart from good money Ihave an opportunity to visit foreign countries, which I dreamt of them.That’s how I’m selling their chicken,” said a chicken trader who justreturned from a junket to Singapore organized by a Corporate Houserecently.
Vizagites ready to ride the waves at Rushikonda
SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Mar 14: If you have always envied surfboard enthusiasts who seem to tame the waves of the sea with their skilful maneuvering but don't quite find the beaches of Vizag as appealing as those of Miami or Hawaii or our own beach paradise Goa, a pleasant surprise awaits you. Regulars at the Rushikonda beach did a double take at the rare sight of a surfer riding the majestic waves. Vizag, known as the jewel on the Coromandel Coast will soon turn a Hawaii, the place known for sea surfing if the sport taken in full swing.
For the adventure freaks of Vizag, Lebahian Sebastian from Reunion Island, a French province, brings the perfect ocean adventure -sea surfing at Rushikonda beach. The beach is considered as one of the best places for sea surfing in the world.
"Wow this is a wonderful place for surfing. I have been to Hawaii, Mauritius and many other places and Rushikonda stands out as ideal for sea surfing. It's the clean sand surface here that makes surfing exciting and easy. Besides, it is safer than many other places since there are no sharp edged rocks and rough surfaces," says Lebihan Sebastian who runs Oxbow Surf School in the island in the Indian Ocean near Mauritius.
Sebastian and his wife Lebihan Marine chose to spend a five-week holiday on Rushikonda beach after they came to know about the place from some sea surfing enthusiasts on the Internet. Now they wish to give surfing lessons to some of the locals to promote the sport.
The couple has started a sea surfing demonstration camp in association with Visakha Water Sports Club for the benefit of Vizagites on Friday and the camp will be on till March 20. The adrenaline rush that surfing promises is something else altogether, says the couple.
"Surfing is fun and adventurous. It's easy too. Just take a surfboard, tie the leash, get out and hit the waves. You feel like you are flying in the air above the waters while going by the waves. And the cool breeze here, the serene beauty surrounded by hills give a pleasant and natural pristine experience," Sebastian says. Sebastian's wife Marine adds that until 10 years ago, sea surfers in their island were only a few hundred but now they are in thousands. "The 80km stretch of sea coast of our island has now became crowded. We were in search for another best sea surfing destination and a friend from France suggested Rushikonda. This is indeed one of the best beaches I have seen in India and across the globe," says Marine.
When asked what a person needs to start riding the waves, Sebastian says, "Swimming experience and little bit of confidence with enthusiasm to do something thrilling are enough to hit the waves with a surfboard. We feel like floating on the waters while going into the sea to catch the 11th or 12th wave, which has the power to carry the sea surfers. After that it's like flying in the air."
" I feel like I have conquered the sea by riding the waves. I am on top of the world," says Gabiale, a Standard 11 student who just learnt surfing from Sebastian. The sea surfing master who has many international accolades in the sport also manufactures sea surfboards at his island. He gave two surfboards to the local club.
"Some of our boys are already well-trained, courtesy Sebastian. They will pass on these lessons to other local enthusiasts, says Prof NAV Reddy of the Visakha Water Sports Club. The organisers are now planning to conduct more such camps in future. "I know Rushikonda has always that potential to have water sports. If slowly, sea surfing activity catches up here in no time Rushikonda would become perfect global destination for this activity," says Vinay, who works for a local BPO.
“A French team already identified Mangamaripeta and Rushikonda beaches as best places for sea surfing. Mangamaripeta has the 800mts wave, the longest world” says Visakha Valley school principal, Sharada Reddy, an water sports enthusiast. Earlier the sea was dotted with only fishing boats but now slowly hobie catboats, sea kayaks are being seen and latest the surfboards.
Visakhapatnam, Mar 14: If you have always envied surfboard enthusiasts who seem to tame the waves of the sea with their skilful maneuvering but don't quite find the beaches of Vizag as appealing as those of Miami or Hawaii or our own beach paradise Goa, a pleasant surprise awaits you. Regulars at the Rushikonda beach did a double take at the rare sight of a surfer riding the majestic waves. Vizag, known as the jewel on the Coromandel Coast will soon turn a Hawaii, the place known for sea surfing if the sport taken in full swing.
For the adventure freaks of Vizag, Lebahian Sebastian from Reunion Island, a French province, brings the perfect ocean adventure -sea surfing at Rushikonda beach. The beach is considered as one of the best places for sea surfing in the world.
"Wow this is a wonderful place for surfing. I have been to Hawaii, Mauritius and many other places and Rushikonda stands out as ideal for sea surfing. It's the clean sand surface here that makes surfing exciting and easy. Besides, it is safer than many other places since there are no sharp edged rocks and rough surfaces," says Lebihan Sebastian who runs Oxbow Surf School in the island in the Indian Ocean near Mauritius.
Sebastian and his wife Lebihan Marine chose to spend a five-week holiday on Rushikonda beach after they came to know about the place from some sea surfing enthusiasts on the Internet. Now they wish to give surfing lessons to some of the locals to promote the sport.
The couple has started a sea surfing demonstration camp in association with Visakha Water Sports Club for the benefit of Vizagites on Friday and the camp will be on till March 20. The adrenaline rush that surfing promises is something else altogether, says the couple.
"Surfing is fun and adventurous. It's easy too. Just take a surfboard, tie the leash, get out and hit the waves. You feel like you are flying in the air above the waters while going by the waves. And the cool breeze here, the serene beauty surrounded by hills give a pleasant and natural pristine experience," Sebastian says. Sebastian's wife Marine adds that until 10 years ago, sea surfers in their island were only a few hundred but now they are in thousands. "The 80km stretch of sea coast of our island has now became crowded. We were in search for another best sea surfing destination and a friend from France suggested Rushikonda. This is indeed one of the best beaches I have seen in India and across the globe," says Marine.
When asked what a person needs to start riding the waves, Sebastian says, "Swimming experience and little bit of confidence with enthusiasm to do something thrilling are enough to hit the waves with a surfboard. We feel like floating on the waters while going into the sea to catch the 11th or 12th wave, which has the power to carry the sea surfers. After that it's like flying in the air."
" I feel like I have conquered the sea by riding the waves. I am on top of the world," says Gabiale, a Standard 11 student who just learnt surfing from Sebastian. The sea surfing master who has many international accolades in the sport also manufactures sea surfboards at his island. He gave two surfboards to the local club.
"Some of our boys are already well-trained, courtesy Sebastian. They will pass on these lessons to other local enthusiasts, says Prof NAV Reddy of the Visakha Water Sports Club. The organisers are now planning to conduct more such camps in future. "I know Rushikonda has always that potential to have water sports. If slowly, sea surfing activity catches up here in no time Rushikonda would become perfect global destination for this activity," says Vinay, who works for a local BPO.
“A French team already identified Mangamaripeta and Rushikonda beaches as best places for sea surfing. Mangamaripeta has the 800mts wave, the longest world” says Visakha Valley school principal, Sharada Reddy, an water sports enthusiast. Earlier the sea was dotted with only fishing boats but now slowly hobie catboats, sea kayaks are being seen and latest the surfboards.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Left jittery after Maoist threat
BY SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Mar 7: The CPI Maoists' allies in principle, the cadresof CPI and CPM in the district were whiplashed into action this week, by adevelopment not seen in nearly a decade after they received an ultimatumfrom CPI Maoist East Division Committee Secretary Jagadish. The EastDivision Committee comprises the extremists teams of East Godavari,Visakhapatnamm Vizianagaram and Srikakulam part of the Andhra OrissaBorder Zonal Committee (AOBZC ).The letter was a shock to the leftist leaders, who had been thought to bewell away from the Maoists' bite. The letter was addressed to CPI MLADemudu representing Chintapalli Agency assembly constituency, Koyyuru MPPB Ramarajyam and G K Veedhi Sarpanch K Balaram of CPM. The message wasclearly a chastisement to the leaders, accusing them of 'lackingdedication in the cause', and diluting essential principles that protectedthe people. A more dangerous accusation was that the leaders wereresponsible for the increase in surrenders that were taking place, andthat the movement was being diluted by the lack of their enthusiasm.In the comprehensive warning, two issues were raised by Jagadish - Bauxitemining and the not taking up agitations against the arrests of innocenttribals by the police branding them as sympathizers of naxals. Accordingto the letter, the local leaders had been sitting on the Bauxite issue fortoo long without proactive measures, while the government has been pilingon the necessary procedures towards the mining and the setting up ofaluminium refineries.In fact, the leaders themselves had admitted that the fight against mininghad been sidetracked by other issues for a spell. Jagadish claimed thatseveral local innocents were being held by police, and that the victimswere later branded sympathizers. He urged the Left to take up cudgelsagainst the police in this regard. Soon after the warnings the CPIdistrict unit under the aegis of the Chintapalli MLA Demudu laid siege theRDO office in Narsipatnam demanding the police to stop arresting innocenttribals branding them as naxal sympathizers. The Leftists are panic as theMaoists are on a killing spree since a few months.In just a period of three months the extremists killed 10 tribals for‘working’ in compliance with police and encouraging tribals. “It is truethat they have sent a warning asking us to take up issues seriously. Wewould definitely take up the bauxite issues and others seriously. This islike a jolt for us in recent times. Until now they have targeted andkilled only other political party leaders,” confessed a senior CPI leaderof Andhra. On the part of CPM they have launched a fresh series of ‘padayatras’ opposing the bauxite mining in the Agency areas on Monday.They vowed to intensify the agitation further in the coming days. Eightyears ago, CPI State council member Meka Suribabu, CPI District CommitteeMember K V Subbarao and CPI District Committee Member Nooki Naidu werekilled by Maoists at intervals of a year. The ghosts of these incidentshave begun to haunt those in power, and left activities have received astrong shot in the arm.
Visakhapatnam, Mar 7: The CPI Maoists' allies in principle, the cadresof CPI and CPM in the district were whiplashed into action this week, by adevelopment not seen in nearly a decade after they received an ultimatumfrom CPI Maoist East Division Committee Secretary Jagadish. The EastDivision Committee comprises the extremists teams of East Godavari,Visakhapatnamm Vizianagaram and Srikakulam part of the Andhra OrissaBorder Zonal Committee (AOBZC ).The letter was a shock to the leftist leaders, who had been thought to bewell away from the Maoists' bite. The letter was addressed to CPI MLADemudu representing Chintapalli Agency assembly constituency, Koyyuru MPPB Ramarajyam and G K Veedhi Sarpanch K Balaram of CPM. The message wasclearly a chastisement to the leaders, accusing them of 'lackingdedication in the cause', and diluting essential principles that protectedthe people. A more dangerous accusation was that the leaders wereresponsible for the increase in surrenders that were taking place, andthat the movement was being diluted by the lack of their enthusiasm.In the comprehensive warning, two issues were raised by Jagadish - Bauxitemining and the not taking up agitations against the arrests of innocenttribals by the police branding them as sympathizers of naxals. Accordingto the letter, the local leaders had been sitting on the Bauxite issue fortoo long without proactive measures, while the government has been pilingon the necessary procedures towards the mining and the setting up ofaluminium refineries.In fact, the leaders themselves had admitted that the fight against mininghad been sidetracked by other issues for a spell. Jagadish claimed thatseveral local innocents were being held by police, and that the victimswere later branded sympathizers. He urged the Left to take up cudgelsagainst the police in this regard. Soon after the warnings the CPIdistrict unit under the aegis of the Chintapalli MLA Demudu laid siege theRDO office in Narsipatnam demanding the police to stop arresting innocenttribals branding them as naxal sympathizers. The Leftists are panic as theMaoists are on a killing spree since a few months.In just a period of three months the extremists killed 10 tribals for‘working’ in compliance with police and encouraging tribals. “It is truethat they have sent a warning asking us to take up issues seriously. Wewould definitely take up the bauxite issues and others seriously. This islike a jolt for us in recent times. Until now they have targeted andkilled only other political party leaders,” confessed a senior CPI leaderof Andhra. On the part of CPM they have launched a fresh series of ‘padayatras’ opposing the bauxite mining in the Agency areas on Monday.They vowed to intensify the agitation further in the coming days. Eightyears ago, CPI State council member Meka Suribabu, CPI District CommitteeMember K V Subbarao and CPI District Committee Member Nooki Naidu werekilled by Maoists at intervals of a year. The ghosts of these incidentshave begun to haunt those in power, and left activities have received astrong shot in the arm.
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