-The Hindu     Erode (Tamil Nadu): Farmers here believe the BJP Government's commitment to link agriculture to Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) would result in revival of village economy in the long run. Several public works, particularly those aimed at strengthening water bodies, and improving ecological balance, under the programme are already agriculture linked. The works include digging new agriculture ponds, renovating existing ones and other small water bodies, cleaning...

-The Times of India   Terrace gardens are the next big thing in Nashik. With people aiming to not only beautify their place but also spread the message of organic farming, this has caught the fancy of most Nashikiites. Thirty-four-year-old Sandeep Chavan has made a 150 sq feet terrace garden at his place and focuses on organic farming. He even gets visitors who take his advice on farming. "One can easily grow the...

-The Times of India   NEW DELHI: Delhi appears to be more environment conscious than Mumbai and Pune as Delhiites largely would like the government to prioritize environmental protection over its development objectives. An environment survey, conducted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) across eight cities, on Tuesday revealed that over 50 per cent of respondents in the national Capital favour prioritizing environment over development as against 44 per cent of...

-The Hindu   450 families at the mercy of private tankers heave a sigh of relief RAMANATHAPURAM (Tamil Nadu): Commissioning of a desalination plant has not only eased drinking water scarcity but also enhanced its quality to the people of Mullimunai, a coastal village. As the village could not benefit from the Cauvery Combined Drinking Water Supply Scheme, about 450 families were left at the mercy of private tankers, who sold water at the...

-Mid Day   A visit to the APMC in Vashi revealed that calcium carbide - referred to as ‘carpet' by traders - which is known to cause cancer, food poisoning, nausea etc - is being used indiscriminately to ripen the fruit faster, so as to increase sales Think before you sink your teeth into those juicy, delicious mangoes. For, they could have been ripened artificially using calcium carbide, a deadly chemical that is...