Media & Environment

Eco Club of PSG CAS is happy to celebrate World Wetlands Day on February 1 ( Friday) at Sathyam Hall, PSG CAS from 10 am - 12 noon. Since Feb.2 is a holiday for the campus ( Official World Wetlands Day), we are making it a day earlier.

Environmental Activist from Salem - Mr.Piyush Manush is the Chief Guest for the event. He is known for his Speak Out Salem initiative and Cleaning the Mookaneri Lake in Salem with Public support. He was even imprisoned when he fought an almost lonely battle against mighty MNC mining corporates in his area. He will share his experiences with the Stundent community at PSG CAS.

All persons who are interested in Nature, Wildlife and Wetland Conservation are invited for this two hours event. Entry is Free. The event is conducted at Sathyam Hall (First floor in the main block).

Again I welcome you all for the event.                       

World Wetlands Day Celebration  Schedule

09.15:  Registration

09.25:  Welcome Address: M.Deepika, Secretary, Eco Club

09.30:  Photo presentation on ‘WETLAND BIRDS’ by Harish V [ I BSc Vis Comm] 

09.45:  Screening of the Documentary  ‘Heavy Fish’ produced by Save Coimbatore Wetlands Coordinator Mohanraj.K

10.00:  Releasing of United Nations World Wetlands Day Poster - Year of Water Cooperation by Mr.Nandagopalan.N.C, Secretary, PSG CAS

10.05:  Presidential address: Mr.Nandagopalan.N.C, Secretary, PSG CAS. 

 10.15:  Introduction of the Chief Guest by C.R.Jayaprakash, (Staff Coordinator, Eco Club)

10.20:  Lecture on the importance to Conserve the Wetlands by Mr. Piyush Manush, Wetlands Conservationist, Salem.

11.00:  Discussion/Interaction with Mr.Piyush.

11.15: Vote of  thanks by Hari Prakash.K ( I MSc -SS).

Report on the event by Jaanu.S and Roshni

 World Wetlands Day event conducted by Eco Club, PSG CAS on February 1, 2013

”Profit can be made even by sustaining with nature”, was Piyush Manush’s dominant opinion during his hour-long address at the Eco Club, PSG CAS’s celebration of the World Wetlands Day, on the first of February. It was a rapid fire session, with no beating about the bush attached to it.

The event started sharply at 9.15 am with a note of welcome by Deepika.M, the Secretary of the club, and a showcase of wetland birds by Harish.V, wildlife photography enthusiast and first year Visual Communication student. It was immediately succeeded by the screening of ‘Heavy Fish’, a documentary on the decaying wetlands of Coimbatore made by Save Coimbatore Wetlands Coordinator K.Mohanraj.

After a brief address on the importance of wetlands by college secretary Mr N.C. Nandagopalan, club coordinator Prof. Jayaprakash introduced the man of the moment, Piyush Manush, farmer/ activist and green entrepreneur. Simply clad in a loose white shirt and baggy trousers, the young man’s appearance completely deluded one from realising the firebrand that he is.

But then, Mr Piyush took the dais to deliver one of the most powerful speeches that any of the assembled students would have ever heard in their lifetimes. Speaking on the wetlands of Tamilnadu and the destruction caused to them by strip mining and industrial efflux, he delved deep into the quagmire of corruption and governmental indifference surrounding the issue. His account of corporate greed and the proof he presented of such mindless plundering in the wetlands touched many a raw nerve among those gathered.

Animatedly emphasising on how profit can be made even through creating nature by means of biogas production and the like, he made several points worthy of debate.

Mr Piyush then took several questions from the charged-up students, who all pledged to contribute their parts to the conservation of wetlands. As Nikitha, a second year economics student observed, ”Our tears won’t fill up the empty lakes in future.” On that sombre but moving note, the event came to an end. Piyush Manush was, by now, everyone’s hero.

Images in

http://www.crjayaprakash.com/photography/index.php/Eco-Club/WorldWetlandsDay2013

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Creating Emotional Bonding Between Humans and Animals

 An Environmental Film Festival at PSG College of Arts and Science

On January 24 (Thursday), 2013 @ Sangamam Hall from 9.30 am – 4.30 pm

Organised by Eco Club, PSG CAS with support from Animal Rescuers, Coimbatore
as a part of Coimbatore Vizha 2013

SCHEDULE:
09:30 – 10.00: Registration & Inauguration
10:00 – 1145: The Cove (2009) Directed by Louie Psihoyos
11:45 – 1205: Tea Break
12:05 – 1300: Plastic Cow – Produced by Karuna Society for Nature and Animals
13:00 – 1400: Lunch Break
14:00 – 1430: The Last Dance – Produced by the Discovery Channel
14:30 – The Big Year (2011) Directed by David Frankell
16.25: Vote of thanks.

For details, contact
Prof. C.R.Jayaprakash ( Eco Club) : 9894259100
Mr.Joseph ( Animal Rescuers): 98653 21276.

Entry Free. Open to Public.

Dress code: Formals & Smart Casuals.
About the films
The Cove: Academy Award Winner for Best Documentary of 2009, the film follows an elite team of activists, film makers and free divers as they embark on a covert mission to penetrate a remote and hidden cove in Taiji, Japan, shining a light on a dark and deadly secret. Utilizing state-of-the-art techniques, including hidden microphones and cameras in fake rocks, the team uncovers how this small seaside village serves as a horrifying microcosm of massive ecological crimes happening worldwide. The result is a provocative mix of investigative journalism, eco-adventure and arresting imagery, adding up to an unforgettable story that has inspired audiences worldwide to action. The film is directed by Louie Psihoyos and produced by Paula DuPré Pesmen and Fisher Stevens. The film is written by Mark Monroe. The executive producer is Jim Clark and the co-producer is Olivia Ahnemann.
Plastic Cow: This documentary film looks at the impact of our almost complete dependence on plastic bags, which we use and discard carelessly every day, often to dispose our garbage and kitchen waste. Not only are these bags a huge environmental threat, they end-up in the stomachs of many animal and here it portrays the life of Cows. Owing to their complex digestive systems, these bags, which they consume whole for the food they contain, get trapped inside their stomachs forever and, eventually, lead to painful death. An Altair Films production for Karuna Society for Animals and Nature and Philip wollen, Winsome Constance Kindness Trust.

The Last Dance features a Success Story from Discovery Channel about Wildlife SOS that works in collaboration with Indian Government and the enforcement agencies to curb poaching of bear cubs and help eradicate the cruel and barbaric practice of Dancing Bears.
The Big Year is a 2011 comedy Film  starring Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson are at a crossroads — one is experiencing a mid-life crisis, another a late-life crisis, and the third, a far from ordinary no-life crisis. Two bird enthusiasts try to defeat the cocky, cutthroat world record holder in a year-long bird-spotting competition. From David Frankel, the director of The Devil Wears Prada and Marley & Me, comes a sophisticated comedy about three friendly rivals who, tired of being ruled by obligations and responsibilities, dedicate a year of their lives to following their dreams. Their big year takes them on a cross-country journey of wild and life-changing adventures.

Report: Representatives from Coimbatore Nature Society, Wild Wing Society, OSAI, Hindusthan College of Arts and Science, PSG College of Technology, Avinashilingam University, Amritha University, Nilgiri Wildlife and Environment Association, Siruthuli, Coimbatore Photography Club, Saraswathi Thiyagaraja College, Pollachi participated in the event by honouring our web based invitation. Dinamalar and Daily Thanthi representatives attended it for their news perspective.

In all 220 attended this event.

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CONSERVING WETLANDS OF COIMBATORE

   Keerthana Maheswaran

This is an awareness program conducted by the Eco Club of PSG CAS at Sangamam hall on August 8, 2012.

Introduction:
This programme was successfully lead by our team leader Mr.C.R. Jayaprakash who was patient, generous, kind hearted and the man of great will. The one who loves nature very much and dedicating his works to nature whole heartedly. Our club members too are joining him.

About the Chief guest:
The chief guest of this program is Mr.Umesh Marudhachalam, the nature loving man. He is not special and he is also a common man like us - but the difference between him and us is the feel for nature and public responsibility. Like us, he too is a student,  at Sri Krishna College of Engineering and Technology.

ABOUT WETLANDS OF COIMBATORE:
Coimbatore is the second largest city of Tamil Nadu. The Noyyal river originates from this place in  Vellingiri hills. There are 31 wetlands in Coimbatore. But only 28 wetlands can been identified now. 8 of them are only filled with water, even that too with polluted drainage water. Yet these wetlands are the main source of water for bore wells. Even many schools and colleges are built near wetlands without knowing their importance and causes. The electricity cables are permitted by the government in the midst of wetlands.

LIFE BASED ON WETLANDS:

Wetlands are a heaven for birds. Normally the trees like karu velan are grown inside the wetlands which are a home for birds. These trees are neither too tall, nor too short, they are medium in size.
In early days these trees were seen more and so the birds also nested there. Now they have been uprooted in the name of dredging.

Wetlands are getting spoiled due to :
Dumping of wastes.
The wastes like building rubbles, glass, ceramics, plastics, cookery products etc., are dumped in abundance.
The wetlands near temples are get more polluted.
Small shops and factories dealing with chemicals, dyes spoil the water and the entire place too.
Since these wastes makes the place unhygienic, birds are also affected. Fish inside the tank also gets affected.

Remedies:
Seeking the government interference and motivate them to implement necessary policies.
Fencing  the area
Clearing the small shops around the area.
Restrict the dumping of wastes.
Leaking of chemical wastes into the wetlands should  be prohibited.
Conducting awareness programme about the use of wetlands on its present position.

CONCLUSION:

To protect our society we should act first and fast. Let us follow self discipline first.

R.K.Niveditha ( III BSc Zoology) and Harish (I BSc Visual Communication) made a presentation on their Birding program at Narasipuram.

Suganya ( I BCom) conducted a mini quiz.

Prof. L.Ramaraj excited the audience with his story telling abilities. His presentation made many students to join the habitat - street play team of PSG CAS.

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Coimbatore Press Club keeping pace with changing times

Roshni Karthikeyan, I MJMC, PSGCAS.

The Coimbatore Press Club (CPC) which was formed in 1995 as a Journalist Welfare Trust mainly to fight against the social evils is updating itself and keeping pace with the fast growing society.

This Club which is the association of various media people in the city, is making itself more conspicuous especially to the community of students and people interested in the field of Journalism- both print and broadcast.

Although the Club registers only people already working in the field of Mass Media, the aim of the Club is to also encourage students and upcoming professionals to enter the field. In order to make this goal come true, the Club has taken its first initiative this year by means of announcing a Photography Competition, ‘Inaivizhi 2012’, for students doing Media Studies over all colleges in the city. The competition is to be held on the 18th and 19th of August, 2012 at the PSGIM Conventional Hall, in celebrating the ‘World Photography Day’. A workshop is also conducted as a kind of a reach out programme to enable students gain some interest in photography.  Mr. Ratan Kumar, the Treasurer of the Club, said, “This is the first time we are organising such a competition and we hope to do the like in the future.” He also added that, “The club has launched a website that contains details about the inception of the club, its governing members, executive members, etc. along with details of upcoming Press Meets, and other news regarding the Club.”
On the whole, the Club intends to maintain an interactive setup with and between its members by not only updating itself with the technological changes happening in the society, but also improving the connections with the community of students who intend to enter the field sooner or later.

More on COIMBATORE PRESS CLUB

Archana Manivannan, I MJMC, PSG CAS
In Coimbatore there are many  press clubs, but Coimbatore Press Club is old and gold.
The Coimbatore press club was started at 1995. It was started by senior members from the print and electronic media. Besides, the club voices the right of expression and brings various government welfare measures accessible to the beneficiaries. In 1995 this club had only 16 members,  now ( July 2012) it has more than 180 members. Coimbatore press club conducted various medical camps and helped in students education too.

As the club is an association of intellectuals from the field of journalism, it often conducts symposiums on various topics of social interest. Coimbatore Press Club conducts press meets, inviting people from all the walks of the society. Coimbatore Press Club also conducts various meetings to stress social and religious harmony.
Every year they conduct election to select the governing members. The present office bearers are:  S.Kamalakannan - President,  C.Sujay Anand and B.Kinggam are the vice presidents, K. Rathan kumar -  Treasurer. Velusamy is the General secretary.
The press council members are divided into three categories. Ordinary, Associated and Guest members. Full time journalists are ordinary members .Part time and freelancers are associated members. Retired journalists, media professors are guest members.
Address: Coimbatore Press Club, 
No.5, Corporation Shopping Complex,
 Upplilipalayam, Avinashi Road,
 Coimbatore-641018.
 Ph: 0422 - 2303077. 
e-mail: [email protected]   
web: www.coimbatorepressclub.com

17 year old Coimbatore Press Club nascent for students!
The city’s press club serves little purpose for the freshers; concentrates on the working journalists.
Anusha Venkat, Coimbatore

July 31, 2o12.

The Coimbatore Press Club (CPC) that serves to be a refreshing community for all the journalists across Coimbatore, serves little purpose for the budding journalists of the city. Since the time of their establishment in the year 1995, CPC has been working for the unity and safety of all the members of the press.
“We give membership only to those journalists who are working as reporters or camera men and who come under the ‘Working Journalist Act 1955’. Students who are working as interns cannot be members of this press club,” said the Treasurer of the club, Mr.Ratan Kumar who is working as a camera person for Lotus News.
The press club is organizing a photography competition in the near future for which they have invited many colleges across the city. This however is their first initiative to encourage cub journalists. “We have organized many programmes in the past for the family members of the journalists who are members in this club. This time we came together to organize a photography competition for students from all educational backgrounds whose work would be judged by eminent people from the industry,” added the Treasurer.
The club mainly functions to conduct press meets and to add some rejoice for the media persons, giving them a slight break from their hectic schedules.  But it might be even more beneficial if budding journalists are given exposure with the help of the experiences of the club members!

Objectives of the club

 Mohammed Ashik, I MJMC

The main Objective of this club is to work towards the upliftment and welfare of the society. For the welfare of the families of media persons, Coimbatore Press Club is conducting medical camps in association with the leading hospitals of Coimbatore.

Other activities of the club are to conduct symposiums on related to social interest.
During election campaigns, Coimbatore Press Club records the poll promises made by contestants from different political parties by bringing them together as common.

The duties of Coimbatore Press Club also includes, conducting press meets. Inviting people from all religions and castes, Coimbatore Press Club also conducts various meetings to develop social and religious culture. They provide their press club room for rent as a measure to help the needy and the people who wants to reach the media.

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Conserving Coimbatore Wetlands

A must attend symposium for citizens who are involved in conserving Coimbatore

Animal rescuers group in association with Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History is organising its Second symposium on Animal Welfare and Conservation at Nirmala College for Women, Coimbatore on January 24 and 25, 2012.

This event aims to travel across the country, creating a platform for the people and the scientific community to interact, assess and address the issues related to animal welfare and conservation at the local level.
Bridging animal welfare organisations and restoring urban wetlands are two important subjects which are to be addressed in this event.

Important speakers and topics

What is Conservation and Animal Welfare ?

DR.B.A.Daniel, Scientist, Zoological Outreach Organisation, Cbe.

Captive Elephants: Implications for Conservation and a Road Map for Resolution


Dr. Shiela Rao, Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA), Bangalore

Elephant Conflicts in Coimbatore

Mr. Mohanraj, WWF – India

Measurable Impacts and the Conservation Activities

Dr. R. Tolstoy, Associate Professor, PSG Institute of Medical Science and Research, Coimbatore

Assessing and Addressing the Animal Problems of Coimbatore

Mr. Arpan Sharma, Convener, FIAPO

Why Urban Wetlands are important
What will happen if it is not given importance?

Dr. Parikshit Gautam, Director – Freshwater & Wetlands Programme, WWF India

Urban Wetlands – Human-Health Perspective

Dr. S. Muralidharan, Principal Scientist – Ecotoxicology, SACON

Urban Metabolism: Water, Space and Biodiversity in Coimbatore

Mr. Kiran Rajashekariah, WWF India.

How wetlands can be conserved – Regulations – What are the types involved in it
Merits and demerits of each – Overview of Step by step official procedures

Mr. Leo F. Saldanha, Environment Support Group, Bangalore

Urban Wetland Restoration – The Success Stories

Mr. Piyush Manush, Salem Citizens Forum, Salem
Representatives of Siruthuli and Save Coimbatore Wetlands

Status of Coimbatore Urban Wetlands -   Assessment Techniques – Stepping stones and Commitments


Dr. Goldin Quadros, Senior Scientist – Wetlands.

1.Poster Competition

A. Campaigning for Animals / Animal Welfare
B. Present Scenario of Urban Wetlands
Guidelines:
Students are expected to bring-in their prepared posters and submit the same before 09:15 hrs on 24th January 2012 at Registration Desk. POSTER SHOULD SPEAK FOR THEM-SELVES. Size: – A0/A1. Participants can be individual/Groups and can use any sort of paints / pictures / newspaper clippings / materials. All the participants will be recognized with  the certificate and the best three innovative posters will be awarded.

———————————————————————————————–

2. Pen Down Your Strategies Contest
Get registered ans we will provide the details of the concerns associated with the given topic. Example ” The Rose – ringed Parakeet is a Wild Bird and has been included in the Schedule IV of Indian Wildlife Act 1972 but still it is been kept in a cruel manner (very small cages) as a pet in many houses”. If needed, we will even introduce to the experts in the subjects to help sharpening your thoughts. Brainstorm yourself and Write down the strategies for dealing with these problems, practically…
A. Rose – ringed Parakeet – Retrieve the Deprived Freedom
B. Urban Wetlands – Rising Threats and Realistic Solutions

For further detalis login

www.animalrescuers.in
or call the Organising Secretary in

95855 21276  or 9791189318

Meet you at the event !

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Dear nature enthusiast,

Eco Club of PSG College of Arts and Science (PSG CAS)  is happy to announce its release of 2012 Wildlife Calendar.

This single sheet, one side printed calendar measures 22 X 16 inches in size and can be used a poster too. It is printed multi colour on a 130 GSM glossy paper.

Contrasting shades of Light and Darkness is the central theme. It denotes Wildlife’s tolerance and Man’s ignorance.

First image is a poster created by Haripriya Krishnamurthy, a final year student of BSc Visual Communication at DG Vaishnava College, Arumbakkam, Chennai. She submitted this poster for the Wildlife Conservation Society sponsored Media training program conducted in the beginning of 2011. This image is captioned SAVE TIGER.

Second image is that of a pair of Sambar deer in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Nilgiris, captured in an early morning. This image is captioned SAVE FOREST.

Both the images have bright yellow light, halo lighting and darkness around them depicting the situation of our forests.

500 copies of this Calendar/Poster will be  distributed free of cost to nature enthusiasts who register their request in the Comments box below. It will be distributed on January 4, Wednesday, 2012 at N.D. Hall, SIEMA Buildings which is near Thomas Park Bus Stop ( to the left of Baskin Robbins Ice Cream Parlour and ICICI Regional Branch Office) at the eastern side of Race Course, Coimbatore from 6.00  - 7.30 pm.

Eco Club of PSG CAS  is organising a power point presentation on The Winged visitors at Coimbatore at this venue as a part of Coimbatore Vizha - 2012 organised by the Young Indians ( YI) of Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) Coimbatore Chapter. All the nature enthusiasts who attend this slide show will be offered a copy of the Calendar/Poster.

This slide show will highlight the importance and need to conserve the local and inland migratory birds which are seen in the Coimbatore Corporation controlled wetlands.

Image of the Calendar in

http://crjayaprakash.com/photography/main.php/Eco-Club/calender.jpg.html

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Dear friends,

We all are aware about the winged visitors of Coimbatore. These birds - Pelicans, Painted storks etc., have arrived in smaller numbers this year is a worrying factor for us.

The problem of pollution, exploitation and encroachment is the deterring factor. The efforts of NGO’s - to fight for the visitors is gaining pace in Coimbatore. It was the scientific reports of SACON which helped us to prevent commercial exploitations.

Now to strengthen the documentation, their International Conference will help us to conserve the migratory as well as the local birds which depend on our 800 year old heritage structres.

Your participation in the International Conference is welcome. I am submitting the  following message from SACON for your consideration and I am forwarding this message as my personal option.

SACON is organizing an International Congress on Indian Ornithology during 19-23 November 2011 at Coimbatore. (The brochure which contains a brief on the Congress and various symposia envisaged, can be accessed in the conference website (www.iciosacon.in) also for more details).

The Congress would offer a platform for sharing experiences of researchers, conservationists and policy makers from India and abroad, to take stock of the knowledge base, to identify gaps and to deliberate upon strategies for conservation of birds and their habitats. Senior Wild-lifers, scientists and Protected Area Managers would attend the congress. Scientists from 25 states in India and many countries abroad have already submitted their finding for presentation in this conference. We expect about 300 wildlife scientists from India and abroad converging to Coimbatore during the period.

Apart from the scientific deliberations, SACON want to conduct this programme as an event of Coimbatore, where people at large of Coimbatore will also have a role in it. We are planning an exhibition showcasing the wealth of birds and other wildlife in India for the general public in connection with this occasion. This will create environmental awareness among public particularly among thousands of school and college students who are expected to visit the exhibition.

In connection with the conference we are planning to publish a symposium souvenir which will be released during the programme and it will contain scholarly articles from leading scientists and conservationists in India and abroad with messages national leaders and legendary personalities in the field. This souvenir also will be uploaded in the websites and will reach all over the world. We anticipate your support for this cause in the form of a sponsorship / complementary advertisement of your firm in the souvenir. The cheque/DD may be given in favour of The Director, SACON payable at Coimbatore. Those who are willing to contribute may please send the DD within one week in the address below.

Advt. Tariff for souvenir
Full page colour          : Rs. 20,000 Full page             B/W                 : Rs. 10,000
Half page colour         : Rs. 10,000 Half page            B/W                 : Rs. 5,000

Anticipating to receive your positive response at the earliest.

With regards

Dr. P.Pramod
Organising Secretary, ICIO-2011
&
Senior Scientist,
Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History,
Anaikatty.P.O
Coimbatore
India 641108
Phone 91 422 2657101
(m) 9443167773

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Press note by Organising Secretary of Tamil Nadu Green Movement, Mr.A.Rangarajan

The 2nd M Krishnan Memorial Lecture on 29th and 30th June, 2011,PSGIM, Coimbatore

The commemorative event of the 2nd M Krishnan Memorial Lecture will be held at the PSG Institute of Management, Coimbatore on 30th Jun2011 TNA Perumal will  deliver the lecture.

M Krishnan (1912-1996) was one of India’s pioneering Wildlife Photographers and  a Chronicler of Nature. His  column ‘Country Notebook’ in The Statesman of Calcutta appeared for 46 years, from 1950 to 1996, without a single break , making it perhaps, the longest personal column ever to have been written in the history of Indian Journalism.

His book,‘ India’s Wildlife from 1959-1970’, published by BNHS was the result of his 11 years of intense field research and survey in India’s forests.  Krishnan was a gifted artist as well and all this made him a Versatile Naturalist.  Krishnan assembled his own cameras and lenses and made his own prints to exacting standards. The many worlds of M Krishnan included Tamil Literature and he was particularly fond of recalling authentic nature in Tamil literature.

Krishnan, authored two more books- ‘Nights and Days’ and ‘Jungle and the Backyard’.  And after his passing away, an anthology of selected writings were put together and was published under the title of ‘Nature’s Spokesman: M Krishnan and Indian Wildlife’. And in 2006 ‘Eye in the Jungle’ appeared carrying some of Krishnan’s memorable Wildlife Photographs alongside a few selected writings of his. From out of Krishnan’s Tamil writings, two anthologies namely Mazhai Kalamum Kuyil Osaiyum and Pravaikal Ulagam have been published posthumously.
TNA Perumal is an associate of M Krishnan and a  noted Wild Life Photographer himself. He is a master of black and white photography with several international photo awards to his credit.
On the 29th and 30th at the same venue a Photo –Exhibition of Black and White Wild Life Photos will be put on display. Around 150 pictures of rare quality would be on display. It is hoped that the younger generation can see and learn the value of our Natural Heritage. A Heritage that is not only very central to our ecology and material survival but as something that is a great source of aesthetic appeal and artistic insight.
At this occasion a Tribute Talk in honour of the great Elephant Doctor and Wild Life Veterinarian Dr. V Krishnamurthy (1923-2002) His contribution to our knowledge of elephants is monumental.  He served as a forest veterinarian with the Tamilnadu Forest department and was consulted internationally in various areas of elephant medicine and ecology.   His determined post mortem efforts even on elephants that have decomposed considerably and in inaccessible terrain to ascertain the cause of their death, his contribution to the health of elephants in captivity and his surgery and treatment on elephants are seen as seminal contributions.  Dr. Krishnamurthy’s extensive field life resulted in papers that were published in  renowned journals such as ‘Nature’.

A recent Tamil short story based on the life of Dr. Krishnamurthy by Jeyamohan has found great appeal amongst readers. Dr Kalaivanan, the current Mudumalai Forest Veterinarian will deliver the Tribute Talk.
At this occasion two of Tamilnadu Green Movement’s Publications namely, The Booklet that includes the First M Krishnan Memorial lecture delivered by JC Daniel of BNHS at IIT Chennai and Jeyamohan’s short story based on the life of Dr. Krishnamurthy, along with its English translation will be released.

Details of the Programme, timing etc. can be seen in the attached Programme Invitation.
A Rangarajan
On Behalf of M Krishnan Memorial Lecture Orgnaising Committee
And
TamilNadu Green Movement.

Glad news for nature enthusiasts - The second M.Krishnan Memorial Lecture is hoisted by Tamil Nadu Green Movement at PSG Institute of Management on June 30, 2011.

This lecture is delivered by another legend in Wildlife Photography, Mr.T.N.A.Perumal. This lecture starts at 6.30 PM sharp at the Convention Hall of PSGIM (the tall building adjacent to Sarvajana Hr. Sec. School and exactly opposite to the PSG Tech campus).

The feast does not end here. Before this event, our young and energetic Wildlife Veterinarian, Dr. N.Kalaivanan ( Mudumalai Tiger Reserve) will present a lecture on another Wildlife savior , the elephant doctor - Dr.V.Krishnamurthy. The topic - Dedication beyond the call of Duty. This event starts at the same hall by 5.15 PM.

If you want more, then you can also come early for we are making arrangements to display 140 rare pictures shot by T.N.A. Perumal and M.Krishnan. This is for the first time in Coimbatore ( at least in the past two decades) a display of the rare images shot by the veterans are arranged for public viewership. All the pictures are in Black and White which stands as a symbol of standard and hard work.

Other two legends in Wildlife Photography, Mr. Maruthachalam ( Photo Centre ) and K.Jayaraman ( Macro) are working on displaying these rare shots as a honour to the Wildlife Photography.

This photo exhibition starts a day before itself, at the Ground floor - Yoga Hall of PSGIM. Photo Exhibition is from 10.30 AM to 5.30 PM on both days.

How to attend?

All the nature enthusiasts are welcome to attend the event on both days. To relish the photographs and avoid the last minute rush, I would request you to come on the first day itself. We have other surprise resource persons for you.

The Lecture hall could accommodate only 120 persons - so please inform about your arrival on allocation of seats and get seated by 5 PM on  June 30, 2011.

Entry is free. The event is conducted in an academic institution on working days. Hence Dress Code is FORMAL.

Meet you there…

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Tamil Nadu a Wetlands rich state but Coimbatore a Wetland poor district

Coimbatore is known for its innovation and entrepreneurship. It has grown as a commercial hub on its own. These facts are known for all. But the National Wetland Atlas has cornered out Coimbatore makes us think that this city has only commercial  interests but not conservation interest.

The proof - Ahmedabad based Space Application Centre (SAC) which is a part of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in its National Wetlands Atlas has pointed out that Puducherry and Tamil Nadu as wetland rich states since they have 12.88% and 6.92 % of geographical areas under wetlands respectively.

In Lakshwadeep islands the area is an astonishing 96.12%.

In Tamil Nadu, the drought prone Ramanathapuram district has the highest percentage of 18.5 while Coimbatore, the industrial stalwart has a shocking 1.08%.

In terms of total wetland area, Kancheepuram leads with 80,445 hectares and the other spoiled district, Chennai has only  917 hectares.

In Tamil Nadu lake/pond, and tank/pond are the dominant wetland types with a share of 61 %.

Kancheepuram, Ramanathapuram, Pudukottai, Sivaganga, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, Nagapattinam have over 50,000 hectares of wetlands.

There are about 4,369 natural lakes and ponds in TN with a total area of 3.16 lakh hectares. 19, 342 man made tanks and ponds are worth an area of 2.37 lakh hectares.

Source: B. Aravind Kumar, (a Correspondent from The Hindu who has space for Conservation, Nature and Wildlife in his mind), The Hindu, Coimbatore, June 13, 2011, page 4).

Inference: The 9 tanks in and around Coimbatore city was constructed some 800 years back. Now one tank, Ammankulam has totally disappeared and concrete jungle has come up in that place ( Even those high rise structures have tilted towards earth because of loose soil is a different story).

8 tanks were desilted few years back by an NGO, Siruthuli. But now almost all of them are encroached with hutments, water hyacinth and building debris. Thanks to another party pooper to Coimbatore - Chemmozhi Maanadu -officials permitted to dump highway waste into the already disappearing tanks. Vote bank politics is so strong that none in the town can take any action against the encroachments.

All the 8 tanks are heavily polluted because of industrial waste and these tanks drive out effluents into another abandonded mother - River Noyyal.

Informed and elite Coimbatore citizens are eager to see their Airport expanded so that the city may see a speedy development leading to a surge in their real estate values, but hardly few care for the cause of the diminishing cultural landscapes  and the kidneys of mother earth- the wetlands.

Of late entertainment industry too is involved in devastating these wetlands. Coimbatore administrators wanted to beautify the 8 tanks with Rs.124 Crore project money. They appointed some exotic consultants who were keen to install massage centres, health resorts, spa and  dancing fountains. The consultants also cracked a joke by saying that these centres would help the endemic and end endangered Western Ghats birds.

We have failed to realise that it is not just the humans, but even the migratory birds which flock in thousands are going to be affected because of our greed for money through the exploitation of land and natural resources. Painted stocks, Spot billed pelicans are sighted in these wetlands in hundreds every year and their numbers are declining too.

Already Darters and Cormorants are out of the Sulur tank after adventure sports washed up their habitat recently.

The Air, Water and Land was already found polluted in a part of Coimbatore according to a recent survey by another government agency. While we are planning for an extended Coimbatore, is it not time to think of these aspects ?

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Contemplate Art Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition organized by New Delhi’s prestigious Gallery Nature Morte showcasing the works of six emerging artists, evidence of the exciting diversity that is available to Indian artists today.

CONTEMPLATE ART GALLERY and NATURE MORTE
presents
“Anthology of Styles”
by
Archana Hande
Bassist Kumar
Dileep Sharma
Jayanta Roy
Nidhi Agarwal
Ramakrishna Behera

Exhibition: 10th March - 19th March, 2011
at
contemplate:
# 338, 1st floor, Above Rajshree Ford showroom,
Avanashi Road, Peelamedu,
Coimbatore

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