Latest news with #WRO
The Hindu
18-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Conservationists lament damage to wetland caused by dumping silt from Ooty lake
The Water Resources Organisation (WRO) has been accused of destroying a key part of the wetland surrounding the Ooty lake by dumping silt from the lakebed. Conservationists who visited the site said the entire wetland complex surrounding the lake is at risk of complete devastation. 'It was only last year that the Salem division of Southern Railways destroyed another portion of a wetland surrounding the lake by constructing a parking facility. Now it seems to be the turn of the WRO,' said G. Janardhanan, president of the Ooty Public Awareness Association. He said that the government continued to have little regard for protecting wetlands, with major projects, including adventure park facilities already being constructed around the Ooty lake. The WRO is currently conducting a clean-up and desilting of the Ooty Lake, with conservationists stating that the wing, operating under the Public Works Department (PWD) was causing irreversible damage to the wetland ecosystem, home to multiple species of birds and small mammals as well as unique wetland flora. N. Mohanraj, a Nilgiris-based conservationist, said that plans to expand the bus stand adjoining the wetland were thwarted a few years ago, citing potential impacts to biodiversity and also due to increase of flooding risk within the town. Mr. Mohanraj said that the wetland acts as a sponge during spells of heavy rain, absorbing excess water from the Ooty lake that would otherwise flood low-lying areas of the town. 'The wetland acts as a swamp-cum-reservoir that reduces flooding. Dumping silt from the lake will fundamentally change it for the worse and reduce its ability to absorb water during rain,' he said, adding that the slurry should be dumped elsewhere where it does not impact biodiversity and fragile ecosystems. When contacted, sources in the Fisheries Department said that they were not given any prior notice of the dumping of waste from the Ooty lake. 'Due to the dumping by the WRO, our farms have become non-operational. We have raised our objections with the district administration which promised to take action,' said an official who requested anonymity. Conservationists said that damage done to the wetland would take years to reverse. The WRO's unscientific approach towards desilting the Ooty lake was destroying biodiversity both within the lake as well as wetlands around its perimeter. When contacted, Ddistrict Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru said that was no permission was granted to the WRO to dump silt in the wetland. She said that the WRO had ceased dumping the silt in May of this year, and that she had sought an explanation from the department for the same. 'They have also assured us that once the rain stops and the soil dries, they would remove the silt and transport it to Theetukkal (dump yard),' said the Collector.
New Indian Express
06-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Palacode farmers demand swift completion of Jarthalav-Pulikarai canal project
DHARMAPURI: The long wait of the farmers in Palacode taluk for the completion of the Jarthalav-Pulikarai canal interlinking projects continues. Frustrated, they again urged the Public Works Department (WRO) to hasten its completion. The project is crucial for improving the water table in Palacode taluk, farmers stated. The project was proposed in 2019 to divert water from the Jarthalav lake in Krishnagiri to more than 16 lakes in Palacode taluk to improve groundwater recharge. Farmers stated that the implementation of the project is crucial for cultivation of sugarcane and other crops in the drought-prone areas. However, only 70% of the work has been completed. Speaking to TNIE, K Subramaniyan, a Palacode-based farmer, said, "There has been no progress on the project for the past one year. One of the reasons is the delay in digging canals. Most of the project falls in hilly terrain, and poor planning has delayed the project. Primarily because they have not considered the hills and the rocks in the planned canal". Another farmer, R Murugesan from Palacode, said, "The project is a must now. Be it sugarcane, turmeric, or tomato cultivation, water is the key, and this project is key for water management. We need it now. Immediate efforts must be taken to implement the scheme". When TNIE reached out to PWD(WRO) staff, they said, "Works are being conducted and efforts are being taken to clear the rocks. We are also considering a controlled explosion to loosen the rocks and speed up the works".
New Indian Express
27-06-2025
- Climate
- New Indian Express
Flood alert in Hogenakkal after outflow from Kabini, KRS dams
DHARMAPURI: Dharmapuri District Collector R Sadeesh on Thursday issued a flood alert and called for a temporary ban on all tourism activities in Hogenakkal as the water inflow into the River Cauvery began rising the previous day with the release of water from the Kabini and KRS dams in Karnataka. The water level in the river at Hogenakkal gradually rose due to the abrupt release of over 55,000 cusecs of water from these dams. The water level which was 18,000 cusecs at 6 am rose to 45,000 cusecs by Thursday evening. Anticipating further rise, Collector Sadheesh issued a ban on tourism till further notice. Meanwhile, farmers have started urging the Dharmapuri district administration and the state government to take steps to implement the Cauvery Surplus Water Project whereby excess water would be diverted to lakes and ponds across the district. Speaking to TNIE, R Sugumaran, a farmer from Pennagaram, said, "Despite the Cauvery flowing right through our district, it serves no purpose to the farmers here. Due to the terrain, we can only watch as the water gets drained into the seas. For nearly a decade, we have been urging the Tamil Nadu government to implement the Cauvery Surplus Water Project that would potentially improve every aspect of Dharmapuri's development. No action has been taken yet." Another farmer, S Mariappan from Dharmapuri, said, "The Cauvery Surplus Water Project has been opposed by farmers in the delta districts citing impact on paddy production. Under this project, we only need flood water which otherwise drains into the sea; at most, we need 3 to 3.5 TMC of water to replenish our lakes. Presently, farmers are abandoning their fields and taking up labour jobs as they don't have sufficient water for farming. So we urge the state government to implement the project". Meanwhile, an official in the PWD (WRO) said, "We cannot comment on the matter related to policy decisions."
Observer
15-06-2025
- Science
- Observer
Robotics initiative makes waves on national stage
A volunteer-led Robotics Education Initiative has made waves on the national stage by clinching second place at the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) — Oman National Qualifiers 2025, in the RoboMission Junior Category for ages from 11 to 15. The community Robotics Education Initiative which rocketed to the National Podium at WRO Oman 2025 is the result of the relentless efforts of a group of people who geared the young minds into the world of robotics and marks a shining example of what community, commitment and creativity can achieve when united by purpose. The winning team, ROBOMINDS, featured three bright young minds including Nusrat Mohiuddin, aged 12, Muhammed Narmawala, 13, and Muhammed Shahul Hameed, 14. Launched on May 2, the Robotics Initiative was born from a simple but bold purpose to increase access to high-end technologies among students. Speaking to the Observer, Aleem Mohiudheen, the lead volunteer and the architect of the initiative, attributed the secret formula of success to the students for their dedication and to the community members. 'This resounding success is proof that with focus and hard work, communities can achieve wonders — even in a short span,' he said. 'We encourage all communities — across Oman and around the world — to replicate this model. The Darsait Robotics Volunteer Team is ready to support and guide anyone who shares this vision.' The initiative was supported by a passionate team of volunteers including Shakil Narmawala, Ubaid Ur Rahman, Shiraz Khan, Sanif Danyal and several others who dedicated their time and expertise in mentoring the students.
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
KESUMA calls on employers to uphold workers' rights
BUTTERWORTH: Employers, including government agencies, companies, industries, and individuals, have been urged to protect workers' rights and avoid any conduct which may result in exploitation or forced labour. Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) deputy secretary-general (Operations) Sutekno Ahmad Belon said that exploitation and forced labour are no longer just labour or legal matters, but global humanitarian issues which every employer must take seriously. 'It also directly affects the country's reputation and international trade relations. For instance, the issuance of Withhold Release Orders (WRO) by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), on products linked to forced labour, is a very serious measure. 'Therefore, addressing this issue requires collective effort, and the implementation of the National Action Plan on Forced Labour (NAPFL) 2021-2025, jointly led by the National Strategy Office - Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (NSO MAPO) and Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM) - demonstrates the country's unified commitment to eradicating forced labour,' he said. He said this to reporters, after officiating the Prevention of Labour Exploitation: Towards Zero Forced Labour 2030 Seminar, which was attended by more than 300 employers from various sectors, in Penang, today. He added that the one-day seminar aimed to raise awareness on labour issues and forced labour, as well as to strengthen cooperation between the government, industry, and civil society in creating workplaces free from exploitation. He said that the seminar also focused on critical issues such as forced labour, compliance with labour laws, and the challenges faced by industries in ensuring justice and workers' welfare. Sutekno added that there are 11 indicators of forced labour, including workers being confined or restricted, wages being withheld or illegally deducted, workers being threatened, forced to work overtime without pay, and workers not having access to their own documents. Forced labour remains a challenge, because Malaysia, as an active player in global trade, hosts a large number of foreign workers, creating opportunities for exploitation if monitoring is not strict. He noted that Malaysia is currently ranked at Tier 2 in the United States Department of State's 2024 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report but aims to reach Tier 1 by 2030.
