TNPL will take efforts to develop pulpwood plantation in the effluent water affected lands on the Noyyal river bank

Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited (TNPL) will take efforts to develop pulpwood plantation in the effluent water affected lands on the Noyyal river bank in Tirupur, Erode and Karur Districts. As the first step the company will select salt tolerant pulpwood species and raise pulpwood planation on trial basis in 1000 acres.

The plantation to be raised under scienctifc method, can improved the soil fertiliting and conver the barent lands into cultivable lands incourse of time.

T K Ramachandran Managing Director TNPL said, the company will pay Rs 4000 per acre a year for six yeas as lease rental to the farmers participating in the scheme. After six years, the farmers at their option can renew the agreement. On successful implementation the scheme will be extended by 3000-5000 acres every year.

Dyeing hub pollutes area, kills itself

An 84-year old farmer’s court injunction has converted a booming export hub into a ghost town, causing exports to plummet and businesses to relocate.

Dressed in a loincloth, a frail-looking 84-year-old AP Kandaswamy, who is a farmer and also the president of the Noyyal River Ayacutdars Protection Association, greets us with a glass of water from his well. “Don’t drink it. Just taste it,” he warns. “Drinking can be harmful for your health.” Kandaswamy takes us to his farm and shows us what remains of it. “I had 1,400 coconut trees, now none remain,” he says. “There are some with fruits, but we don’t sell them, as they can be harmful for anyone who consumes them,” he adds.

Farmers allege that the manufacturers yet completely stopped operations. “In spite of the Court order, there are still some units that continue to dye. Last week, a team from Chennai visited and sealed few units after they found that they were still dyeing,” says Kandaswamy.

A P Kandaswamy, President, Noyyal Ayacutdars Protection Association