Chilika lagoon named as 'Destination Flyways' by UN

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation designates Chilika lagoon, Odisha's biodiversity hotspot, as 'Destination Flyways', for being a sustainable and resilient abode for migratory birds. The UN's body arm will aid Chilika Development Authority in developing and implementing strategies for migratory birds' protection through building innovative tourism and livelihood products in the region.

Cochin estuary highest in toxicity: study

A study by researchers in Cochin University indicates that Cochin estuary high in concentration of insecticides in the world. The entire study area in the estuary was laden with 1087 nanograms per gram of contaminants in 2011, which is well above the sediment quality guidelines prescribed by the United States and Canada. Some of the organochlorine insecticides found among the contaminants are the ones listed for elimination from the world or have been restricted under Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

Kaladera farmers blame Coca-Cola unit for dried wells

Farmers in Kaladera, Jaipur, accuse the bottling plant of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverage for drawing excessive amount of groundwater, which has caused a drastic decline in the block's water table. The plant claims to have recharged nine times the amount of groundwater it has extracted through rainwater harvesting. However, authorities observe the intensive use of groundwater for agriculture as the prime reason for the rapid drop in water table almost everywhere in Rajasthan.

Brahmaputra erosion renders 4000 homeless

River Brahmaputra erodes several villages in Dhubri district, Assam, rendering 4000 people homeless in Airkata-Fakiraganj. The erosion has washed away more than 500 acres of cultivable lands, 150 semi-RCC house buildings, 800 CL Sheet and thatched huts. The affected people have demanded that the government take up flood mitigation measures to spare Fakiraganj from disappearing into the river bed.

Andhra water plants violate norms

Thousands of non-ISI purified water units in Andhra Pradesh have been selling unlicensed and untested water across the state. The civic authorities throw the blame on the Food Control Department that permits selling of purified water in all parts of Anantapur. The flouting of norms is causing the government to lose out on crores of rupees in the form of taxes and license fees. 

This is a weekly roundup of important news from  January 19-25, 2014. Also read last week's policy matters updates.