Latest news with #Prosopisjuliflora
New Indian Express
08-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
WRD steps in as sewage pollutes 100-acre pond in TN's Cheyur village
TIRUPPUR: A severe case of water pollution has come to light in Cheyur village in Tiruppur. A 100-acre pond here which is relied on for drinking water needs and agriculture has become unusable with the mixing of sewage. The Water Resources Department (WRD) is now planning to send a proposal to prevent the influx of sewage into the pond following a petition filed on behalf of the public to the 'Mudhalvarin Mugavari' department. K Balraj, a farmer of Cheyur village, said, "The pond belonging to the WRD is on the Kunnathur road. It is a major source of water for our village, nearby villages, farmlands, and settlements within a radius of about 5 km. Although the pond benefits from the Athikadavu- Avinashi project, it currently has very low water storage. As there is not inadequate water flow in the Bhavani River, there is no water supply to our pond through the project." "As sewage from local settlements enters the pond the groundwater in our village and nearby villages has been polluted. The water sometimes smells bad. People use borewell water for drinking, agriculture, and livestock. We have sent a petition to the Mudhalvarin Mugavari department, urging the government to take action to prevent sewage from mixing in the pond." K Ramasamy, another farmer from the village, said, "The pond is currently lacking adequate maintenance. A major part of the pond is occupied by Seemai Karuvelam (Prosopis juliflora). The government should take appropriate steps to remove this invasive plant and properly maintain the pond. The boundaries of the pond need to be redefined. Some places on the banks are occupied." K Arul Azhagan, Executive Engineer of WRD, said, "Appropriate measures will be taken to remove Prosopis juliflora from the pond and prevent sewage from mixing with it. A proposal in this regard will be prepared soon and sent to the head of the department."
The Hindu
05-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Book on turning Prosopis juliflora to a resource of value
A book exploring viable means to turn the menace of Prosopis juliflora, a rapidly proliferating weed locally known as seemai karuvelam into a resource of some value was recently brought out at the Pondicherry University. P. Prakash Babu, Vice-Chancellor, Pondicherry University, while formally releasing the book, expressed hope that the work would stimulate and catalyse global efforts towards controlling and utilising Prosopis juliflora. The book Prosopis juliflora: Attributes, Impact, Utilization summarises the findings of an exhaustive work by a research team led by S. A. Abbasi, a former professor, on finding economically viable ways of utilising Prosopis juliflora so that its standing biomass can be turned into a resource. The publication (Elsevier and Academic Press) has references to findings of other researchers across the world. According to a press release, Prosopis juliflora has emerged as the world's most domineering and harmful of weeds. India is among the countries that have been very seriously hit by this menace, asit growing uncontrollably in several States, causing great harm. Deleterious impact In the Puducherry-Tamil Nadu region too, the plant is seen growing almost everywhere, rampantly colonising new areas at the expense of diverse vegetation. The invasive plant also possesses negative allelopathy due to which itplant species from its vicinity and monopolise the space. In fact, such has been its deleterious impact that in 2022 writ petitions were filed in the Madras High Court to direct the government to intervene.
New Indian Express
02-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Uppalapadu Sanctuary to become conservation reserve
GUNTUR: Uppalapadu Bird Sanctuary in Guntur district, a cherished haven for migratory birds from across continents, is set to receive a significant ecological boost as authorities move to notify it as a 'Conservation Reserve' under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. District In-Charge Collector A Bhargav Teja directed forest officials to finalise the proposal following community consultations and inter-departmental approvals. The declaration is expected to not only bring legal recognition but also ensure sustained ecological protection and funding support. Spanning 9.5 acres, the freshwater lake in Uppalapadu hosts thousands of birds each year between October and March. Nearly 30,000 birds of over 25 species-including spot-billed pelicans, painted storks, openbill storks, white ibises, and glossy ibises - migrate from as far as Siberia, Eastern Europe, Australia, and Myanmar to escape harsh winters and breed in the sanctuary. Speaking to TNIE, District Forest Officer M Hima Shailaja said the lake is dotted with 14 vegetated mounds spread across two acres, which serve as nesting grounds. 'The mounds are mostly covered with Prosopis juliflora, but the trees are deteriorating due to increased bird activity. We're planning replantation to improve the green cover,' she explained. To support nesting, 14 artificial perching stands have been installed. 'Though we've been conserving the habitat with community support for over two decades, the site lacked legal recognition. The move to designate it as a Conservation Reserve will finally formalise the sanctuary's protection,' she added.
The Hindu
30-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Farmers seek water release
The need to desilt and deepen waterbodies, release water for the double crop region and tackle pest infestation was stressed at the farmers grievance redress meeting held at the Collectorate on Friday. At the meeting presided over by Madurai Collector M.S. Sangeetha, the farmers said that water from Mullaperiyar dam should be released for irrigating the first crop of the double crop region. The farmers urged the authorities to desilt and deepen the waterbodies for storage of more water. They also complained about encroachments on the waterbodies. They urged the authorities to remove encroachments and the need to conduct a survey to ascertain the extent of the waterbodies to remove the encroachments. The Collector told the Water Resources Department officials to take up the survey to ascertain the extent of the waterbodies in the district. The farmers also sought the removal of Prosopis juliflora (seemai karuvelam) trees from waterbodies. The Collector instructed the authorities to look into the issue and also initiate necessary steps to auction them. The farmers complained about pest infestation and diseases affecting the crops. They sought appropriate compensation for crop loss. The Collector instructed the officials to look into the issue.
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Close to 5,000 saplings planted on Kallankadu forest growing steadily
About 5,000 saplings which were planted at Kallankadu forest block in Rameswaram island in the last rainy season under the Green Tamil Nadu Mission Forest Department have witnessed a steady growth owing to the water storage mechanisms and utilisation of local people for maintenance. As the Prosopis juliflora (Seemai Karuvelam) trees are invasive species, a removal drive has become a buzz word in the entire State. The vacant lands left after the removal of the invasive plants were thought to be reused for increasing the forest cover, said S. Hemalatha, District Forest Officer, Ramanathapuram. More than any other district, the excess growth of invasive species in Ramanathapuram district - reeling under an acute water shortage for several years - has become the major reason for the dehydration observed in the land, she added. By removing Prosopis juliflora and planting the native species on the land, the groundwater recharge would significantly improve in addition to improving the biodiversity of the area, she noted. 'While the removal of the species was carried out by many districts, the planting of saplings on the barren land was an initiative taken by the forest department under the Green Tamil Nadu Mission,' Ms. Hemalatha observed. Speaking about the earmarked area for ecological reforestation at Kallankadu main forest block in Rameswaram island, she said that on the 50 hectares, which was found with a dense growth of Prosopis juliflora, and after clearance with the assistance of Mangadu village women, about 5,000 native variety species were planted in the area. 'As the saplings were grown to a certain stage for about one year in a nursery, the growth and adaptation of the plants would be better when transformed to the land,' she noted. On water supply to the plants, Ms. Hemalatha said that many mini wells were kept ready in the area to store rainwater and once the water supply through the rain stops, the stored water would be utilised for the plants. With a remuneration, the nearby village women were given the responsibility to water and maintain the plants till the plants reached a certain height, she said. In addition, the women would also be monitoring the regrowth of Prosopis juliflora and regularly clearing them, she added. In a similar way, on 22 hectares of land from Rameswaram to Danushkodi, under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) mechanism, about 7,000 saplings were planted in a similar way, she stated. In Sayalkudi too, on 7 hectares of land, 2,000 saplings had been planted, she added.
