Latest news with #KarnatakaMiningEnvironmentRestorationCorporation
Deccan Herald
6 days ago
- Health
- Deccan Herald
Karnataka to administer HPV vaccination to 37,470 girls
Karnataka will administer Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to 37,470 eligible girls in eight taluks of Tumakuru, Bellary, Chitradurga and Vijayanagar districts at a cost of Rs 4.74 crore, the health department said on Wednesday. It was proposed in the Budget 2025, that Rs 9 crore will be allocated in the first phase of the project to administer HPV vaccine to 14-year-old girls in 20 taluks of the mine-affected and Kalyan Karnataka regions. A proposal in this regard was approved by Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Corporation (KMERC) in a meeting held on June 5, the department said in a government order. As per the government order issued on Wednesday, 14-year-old girls from economically backward families in the identified eight taluks, with Priority Household (PHH) Ration cards, will be administered the vaccine in the first phase. The required vaccines will be procured through Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (KSMSCL) and implemented by the Vaccine Division of the Health and Family Welfare Department in accordance with the provisions of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act 1999, stated the order. The order also noted that although HPV has more than 200 strains, some of the more dangerous viruses like HPV 16 AND 18 are associated with cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the second highest cause of death among women in the country, and vaccination is the only way to tackle the cancer caused by the HPV virus, explained the order.
India Today
6 days ago
- Business
- India Today
Karnataka proposes penguin park in Mysuru, hikes entry fee at two zoos by 20%
Karnataka Forest, Environment and Zoology Minister Eshwar B Khandre on Thursday directed officials to submit a proposal to establish a dedicated Penguin Park at Karanji Lake in Mysuru, replacing the existing aquarium structure adjacent to the Mysuru the 159th Administrative Board meeting of the Karnataka Zoo Authority at Vikasa Soudha in Bengaluru, the Minister said the aquarium building was found suitable for housing a penguin habitat, based on expert opinion. He instructed that a formal proposal be submitted without the meeting, the minister outlined a broader roadmap for upgrading zoo infrastructure, boosting tourism, and improving financial sustainability. He said modern facilities and the introduction of new wildlife species would help increase footfall. To support this, he asked officials to explore exchange programmes with international zoos. Khandre added that all zoos in the state must aim to become financially self-reliant within five years by managing their own revenue and expenditure. The minister also emphasised the need to use funds from the Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Corporation (KMERC) for the development of zoos in districts affected by mining activities. As part of this initiative, Rs 2 crore was sanctioned for improvements at the Davangere Bidar, a unique aviary and exotic bird park is being planned, and Khandre directed the preparation of a detailed project report for the same. He allocated Rs 20 crore for the proposed to a proposal by the Zoo Authority to increase ticket prices by 50 per cent at Mysuru's Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens and Bengaluru's Bannerghatta Zoo due to rising costs of animal care and staff salaries, the Minister said such a steep hike was not justified. Instead, he approved a 20 per cent increase in entry fee at both zoos, while keeping safari ticket prices also laid out guidelines to enhance the visitor experience across zoos and biological parks in the state. These included the provision of clean drinking water, well-maintained rest areas, separate restrooms for men and women, and improved sanitation and infrastructure, especially catering to both domestic and foreign reiterated a strict ban on single-use plastics, instructing that no such material should be permitted inside zoo or park premises under any circumstances.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Karnataka
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
State to begin HPV vaccination drive for 14-year-old girls in mining-affected districts
To prevent cervical cancer, Karnataka's Health Department will soon launch a vaccination drive to administer the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to 14-year-old girls in mining-affected districts. A government order to this effect was issued on Tuesday. The initiative, announced in the State's 2025–26 budget, follows recommendations by an expert committee to provide two doses of the HPV vaccine to girls aged 9 years to 14 years as a preventive measure against cervical cancer. According to the G.O., the vaccination drive will begin in eight taluks across four mining-affected districts. The programme covers the taluks of Gubbi, Chikkanayakanahalli, and Tiptur in Tumakuru district; Sandur in Ballari; Holalkere, Hosadurga, and Molakalmuru in Chitradurga; and Hosapete in Vijayanagara. A grant of ₹4.74 crore has been sanctioned through the Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Corporation (KMERC) for the campaign, with the cost of each dose fixed at ₹1,260. The department has identified 37,470 eligible beneficiaries. The vaccine will be administered to girls enrolled in government and aided schools as well as to out-of-school girls. To avail themselves of the vaccine, beneficiaries are required to possess a Below Poverty Line (BPL) ration card.
