Tortoise hunting going hide and seek in Mandya region

Non-vegetarian freaks who delight in feasting on the flesh of endangered species of birds and animals, have now found a safe place to eat tortoise meat. Muthathi forest range, Induvalu in Mandya and K Shettahalli forest range in Srirangapatna have become favourite spots to eat lip smacking tortoise meat which belongs to species 'Indian fresh water terrapins'.

The poachers hunt wild tortoises found in nearby ponds, canals and bank of the rivers, which are then killed and sold to the relishers after the flesh is grilled on fire. Medium sized tortoises weighing around 5 to 10 kgs are found abundantly in these forest regions, and are most sought after for its medicinal value and taste. The tortoise are not suitable for export, but locally there is good demand for its flesh.

According to sources, quite a good number of foreigners visit the forest ranges, and there is demand for tortoise meat. The haunters sell the meat to the resorts they are tied up, as it fetches good money.

These tortoises emit a peculiar body odour which can be smelt even at a distance of 100 meters. Tracing this scent, poachers hunt down these tortoises. The soft skin of the tortoises is then cut open and roasted on fire. As soon as the hunters approach these tortoises they withdraw their heads inside the hard external shell that covers their body. The cruel hunters smash the tortoise body by dropping heavy stones on them.

Speaking to Express, Senior Forest officer, who dint wished to be named said that few years ago at Srirangapatna they had arrested poachers with 200 tortoise. The poachers diverting the river water into the huge pot holes created by sand dredgers along river Carvery in Srirangapatna and luring with food had hunting around 200 turtles.

'Primary diet of tortoise is they eat other animal waste, putting waste and diverting water they will be trapped easily. While, some use net, and some pot holes created by sand excavation. If no action is being taken to stop this act, the endangered species will soon have to be included under the extinct list,' added the officer.

When contacted, officials of the Department of Forests spoke of their helplessness to tackle the menace owing to the shortage of staff, which has turned out to be a big challenge for the forest department officials to protect wild life.
DCF Vasntah Reddy of Muthathi forest range said that appropriate action will be taken against the culprits. While, Mandya DFO Ramalinge Gowda said: 'Watchers have been deputed at Induvalu. Listed under the endangered species we are inquiring over the issue. The photos clearly indicated that it is indeed the flesh of tortoise, but the species cant be identified, as its completely burnt.'

Containing he informed that as there were several paddy field nurseries located in the vicinity of the Induvala forest ranges, it has become easy for the poachers to sneak in and hunt tortoises.

'Indian fresh water terrapins'

D Rajkumar of the Wildlife Conservation Foundation looking at the photograph said that these tortoise are Indian fresh water terrapins or Indian black turtle (Melanochelys trijuga) found commonly through out India. Three lines found on the Carapace of the Trijuga, that is on the upper shield of the body.

'It is hunted using nets and by luring the animal using animal waste and droppings on which usually all terrapins feed. River water will be diverted using bunds and lured by hunters using food baits. Hunted for its soft meat and sold in the market stating that it has aphrodisiac values.'

'Protected under the Wildlife protection act , Classified as near threatened in IUCN red list. it is particularly threatened by hunting for its meat which is considered as delicacy and also due to pet trade,' he added. 

Varuna Hobli to get its first Farmers Producers Organisatgion

The newly constituted Farmers Producers Organisation (FPO) will soon become a boon for small and marginal farmers in days to come. 

With the State already reeling under severe drought and farmers facing unprecedented hard-ships due to crop failure, by enrolling as member of FPO, farmers will be assured of getting money for their agricultural produces.

Officials of Horticulture Department in association with International Competent Center for Organic Agriculture are all set to establish 13 FPOs at Bengalru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Mandya, Ramnagar, Mysuru and Chamarajanagar. In all, 58 FPOs will be established in the State in due course of time.

Once the company comes into existence it will be tied up with an external agency for marketing their produce. They will made aware of the latest technologies that have been developed and introduce them to methods of growing crops using less water like drip irrigation, rain water harvesting and judicious use of pesticides and much more. Grass root level meetings are being held in villages to educate farmers of this new setup.

Thousand farmers upon paying Rs 1000 each can become a stake holder and for every Rs 10 lakh collected, Government will provide an equity amount of Rs 10 lakh. The money will help the farmers continue farming in times of crisis. All the seeds, pesticides, fertilisers, and other materials required for the agriculture will be provided through the company.

In Mysuru district, Varuna Hobli, Hullahalli in Nanjangud Taluk and Huseenapura at Hunsur Taluk are the three places included in the list to set up FPO. Selection of a target group of 1000 farmers in the Varuna hobli is completed, whereas in other taluks the completion is nearing.

In about a month the FPO at Varuna will be registered. They can directly place order and purchase required farm equipments, packaging materials and much more.

ICCOA Project Manager said that they will be motivating farmers to switch over to organic cultivation than following the traditional cultivation and this FPO setup will immensely benefit farmers.

Senior Assistant Director of Horticulture Anand said that in two months a FPO in every district will be registered, and farmers can make use of various programmes.

The cultural capital is slowly changing down the years

Gone are the days when Mysuru was showcased as 'pensioner’s paradise', a 'sleeping city'. The cultural capital has slowly but steadily changing down the years and no wonder Mysuru will become twin city of Bengaluru in couple of years.

With the city having already accepted the mall culture, most of the big showrooms and their branches have appeared in prominent places across the city. Night life has become alive down the years. Especially the students, IT/BT employees, and other blue collar workers who visit multiplex theatres set up in big malls watch late night shows screened after 10 pm.

As the Cabinet passes model law that malls, cinemas, shops and establishments can be opened for 24x7, it might generate more employment for people to work in Malls, and private taxi services. Quite a good number of girls, specially students who were going for part time job after college hours, will also have good scope to get employed for night shifts in malls.

CII Chairperson Dr N Muthukumar said: “The city is growing fast. This is the good time for investors. The land rates has not dropped in Mysuru, whereas in most cities the it has fallen. Whereas, connectivity is the biggest problem, as one has to travel five hours to reach Bengaluru Airport. Nice roads has to be connected to Hyderbad Road which helps lot and logistics problems can be addressed. With proposed International Airport to come up in a distance of 120 kms from Mysuru, we hope the scenario will change drastically.”

Suresh Kumar Jain, General Secretary Mysore Industries Association said: “Mysuru being a tier two city, is growing good. Though there is a global recession, new industries are coming in Mysuru. No lands are available for industrialists at Kadakola, Korgalli, Hebbal. Adakanahalli, and Kadakola second stage few lands are available. A German based company to invest Rs 100 crores in automotive, and Asian Paints are coming in big way. This are all good signs for the development of city, and creates good job opportunity, attracting youngsters even from neighbouring states.”

'Improved connectivity, good infrastructure, salubrious climate, and most big companies and corporates are evincing keen interest to invest in Mysuru or shift their bases permanently here. All major IT companies, such as Wipro, Infosys, Excel Soft and others have their presence here, while several other IT/BT companies have been well settled for the past decade. Many apartments and Vilas which are coming up are also being constructed keeping the interest of IT people', say Builders.

“The city is slowly transforming into another big city and might end has an another metropolis in the coming decade. The crowd is more during weekends as all restaurants, malls, hotels can be found crowded late in the night. With the decision of cabinet, even our duty in night increases,” says an senior Police officer.

55-year-old Auto Driver Ravikumar said: “The culture and lifestyle of Mysuru has surprisingly changed to a great extent. Earlier it was hard to find people after 8.30 pm. Now we see people even upto as late as 1.30 am. Cab culture is also becoming popular among citizens, indicating threat to our business.”

Maharani's College Student Rajeshwari who works for part time at beauty parlour said: 'The move of government will generate more employment for youngsters. With family problems its inevitable for me to work and will try job in any Malls, so that will have enough time to even concentrate on my studies and get better salary.'

What attracting investors

Apart from being a famous tourist spot, Mysuru is also an epicenter for Education with international students from all over the world enrolled in well-established schools and colleges. Lot of good education institutions have emerged down the years. This cleanest city familiar as a yoga hub, many foreign students from across the world are also coming to learn music, yoga. Doubling of track between Mysuru and Bengaluru; proposed six lane of road connectivity between Mysuru-Bengaluru has brought more enthusiasm among those who are waiting to shift from Bangalore.

Highlights

* Night life has become active in sleeping city Mysuru

* The city is growing fast and is the good time for investors

* No lands available for Industrial sectors

* Lot of scope for entrepreneurs

* Citizens seek connection of Nice roads to Hyderbad Road

Theme park to educate public about rural development schemes

 A Theme Park is coming up in Chamarajanagar to educate general public about rural development schemes and conservation of forests and wildlife. 25 models have been exhibited in a park opposite to Zilla Panchayat Meeting Hall spread across 15 guntas.These models depict various issues such as attires or traditional dresses worn by villagers, information about MGNREGA, Happy Farmers Family, Gram Sabha meetings, Water Scheme, Gram Panchayat One concept, rural services for the village, mini water scheme, Swatch Bharath Abhiyana, steps taken to make district free of open defecation and the usefulness of owning toilets and information about several other programmes of both State and Central government.With Chamarajanagar having 52 per cent forest cover, a concept of 'Vana Devathe' (Goddesses of Forest) has been depicted, to spread the message of conserving forests, prevent cutting trees and save wild lives. Artiste Ramesh accompanied with 12 other artistes from Tamil Nadu has created the models. The park will be inaugurated by the end of this month.Using some of the models exhibited during Mysuru Dasara, the Chamarajanagar Zilla Panchayat decided to rearrange the models, and came out with a novel Theme Park idea, which is said to be first of its kind in State.Zilla Panchayat CEO Dr KH Narasimhamurthy says the theme park will be useful to educate people, as well as officials about the various government schemes.'District Resource Center will be inaugurated soon where SHGs, rural women, beneficiaries of NAREGA and officers will be trained. The theme park helps them to have an overview of the programmes implemented by the government for rural development. By observing the models people will understand better about GP one, Swatch Bharath , conservation of water and other schemes,' he opined.'Government had spent nearly Rs 13.5 lakhs to erect stalls at Dasara. The models were created using cement cast spending Rs 11 lakh. While the remaining money was spent for creating the theme park. This will be a novel idea for other districts to follow and educate people,' he opines.Artiste Ramesh says: 'If the officials think of displaying cement models during dasara, in the coming days the models can be reused to display the same in city parks to enhance the beauty of gardens. If made out of fiber or PoP it cant be used for long time.' 

23 children rescued from Railways Child Protection Committee

Children who runaway from houses become easy prey for human

traffickers. People involved in this illegal business find it easy to

watch for such children at Railway Stations and Bus Stands. They are later trained in anti-social activities which earns them money.

In order provide care and protection for such runaway children found on Railway platforms and prevent them falling into the clutches of the child traffickers, a special committee has been formed called Child Protection Committee of Southern Western Railways. It has rescued 23 runaway children since September 2014 in Mysuru division of SWR.

While 15 of them have been sent back to their parents, the remaining are being housed in NGOs and other rehabilitation centers. A team comprising of five members functioning at Mysuru, Hassan, Arsikere, Chikjajur and Davangere stations will be keep a regular vigil over the movements of such children wandering in railway platforms. On finding them, the officials will approach the children and collect their details.

Team's task

Children runaway from homes for petty issues with parents and most of them invariably come to railway station to catch a train to escape from their hometown. The team's task is to counsel such children and ensure they return back to their parents. Those children whose whereabouts cannot be traced will be rehabilitated at the designated NGOs.

The team also keeps an eye on the 'Look out Notice' (Missing Child) advertisements carried in the newspapers which will help them easily identify such runaway children, while making all efforts to make them reach their parents safely. This apart, the team also provides counseling for the parents and inform them about child rearing. This initiative of Railways to safeguard and rehabilitate runaway children has been receiving good appreciation from many quarters.

V Channamallikarjuna, Divisional Security Commissioner, SWR Mysore Division said that children of different age groups have been traced and rehabilitated.

'There is need to creating public awareness about protection of such children. The public if they spot any such child, should immediately alert the officers, so they can be rescued and rehabilitated. A 24x7 helpline number 182 has also been launched for the protection of passengers, especially women and children,' he added. 

Parushuram, Founder of Odanadi Seva Samsthe, working for the rescue, rehabilitation and empowerment of trafficked and sexually exploited women and children said that it is essential to provide a separate bogie with child rescue team in trains leaving to Mumbai and Delhi, as most of the children are transported to this two cities.

'Presently children found on platforms are being rescued. Whereas,

traffickers take away children in a very systematic way and operate very secretly. Railway cops should keep eye on such groups. The child should be quizzed about his background and whether he is accompanied by any of his family member. Frequent announcements about human trafficking should be made. As a result large number of human trafficking cases can be curbed,' he suggested.

Statistics of Child Rescued

* Runway children:

Mysuru (5); Davangere (5); Shivamogga (3), Hassan (5), each from

Kasargod, Chikkamagaluru, Ramanagar, Ballari and Bengaluru.

* Rescued at: Davangere Railway Station (10); Mysuru (2); Hassan (4); Arasikere (3); Sakleshpura (1); Shivamogga (3).

Highlights

* 23 children have been rescued since September 2014

* 15 children have been sent back with parents

* Child Activists say dedicated bogie for the protection of children

is required in trains leaving to Mumbai and Delhi.

Eco-friendly bricks made on spot catching up in Mysuru

A new trend of eco-friendly bricks making on spot using the soil available in your site has been introduce by Architect Rajesh Kumar Jain. Adopting the technology from South Africa, he has got assembled the machine in Delhi, and is making bricks using the soil available in the sites, there by motivating residents to step towards green initiatives.

This interlocking stabilized mud blocks are produced on site utilizing sandy soil available. “Burnt bricks need lot of fuel. By adopting latest technologies we can save fuel to higher extent. The mud bricks can be used in wide spread and we can save nature, as well as health by adopting eco-friendly methods,” says Rajesh.

“There is no need of plastering or mortar cement for this bricks.

The bricks are plaster less, paint less, no need of curing and houses can be constructed using less sand. Mason's job is also reduced. The thermal controls in interiors, which helps to save energy, and reduce usage of fans, Acs.

“An average per hour 100 to 120 bricks can be made. Sandy soil is suitable to make bricks. It will be added with cement and left for queering for 21 days. In some places the soil is not suitable, and we get mud from outside and make bricks on spot. Already seven houses have been constructed using the bricks in last few months,” says Rajesh.

 Software engineer turns entrepreneur 

A 34-year-old an software engineer who was earning handful of salary has quit a job last year, and has turned entrepreneur.

Padmanabhana, a native of Bengaluru who has done in BE in computer science and M.Tech in Engineering Management out of passion quit the job which fetched a handsome salary. He decided to produce eco-friendly garden articles, pots, coco peat, organic manure, etc, coconut coir productions.

In the last one year he has toured Karnataka, Tamil Nadu obtaining details of artisans who are making mud potteries, coir products and kora grass handicrafts. He imports most of the products from Tamil Nadu, and other districts. Naming 'Econet' his brand he is networking people and promoting them to purchase eco-friendly coir products such as plates, pots, mats, and much more. In future he wants to come with an Bamboo Structure houses and promote residents to build root top houses, gardens out of bamboo.

The duo have exhibited their products at the MyGreen 2016, an exclusive exhibition of eco friendly products and life styles, organised by Builders' Association of India.

For a change, some govt schools are giving private ones run for money

While the government is mulling to open model schools for every gram panchayat, a group of concerned citizens are silently working on improving the strength of the schools and have succeeded in networking 700 schools in eight districts, attracting hundreds of parents to voluntarily enroll their wards for these Government run schools.

Giving a tough fight for private run schools, as many as 130 schools in Mandya, 165 in Tumkur, 66 in Hassan, 93 in Kolar, 115 in Chikkabalapur, 41 in Ballari, 35 in Koppal and 55 in Raichur districts are creating a new revolution. There are instances whereseveral government schools have stopped admissions due to over capacity something unheard of in modern times.

The strength of the century-old Government Model Higher Primary School in KR Pet which was just 110 in 2014-15, has now crossed 650 and still admissions are going on. In the same way, other government schools in Madahalli, Malavalli Taluk has seen a sudden jump in admissions by 170 children from 22 previous years. These examples are just a tip of iceberg taken out of a study of 700 schools.

Thanks for the initiative of volunteers of All India forum for Right to Education, along with teachers, alumni of the schools and a few concerned citizens who joining together are striving hard to improve the intakes of the schools by chalking out several initiatives.

Makkala Mane has been set up in this schools where admissions are done for LKG/UKG. Minimum four teachers and care takers are being appointed. A well trained English teacher is also being appointed to the schools to teach primary school children. Even local graduates have been roped in the village to take classes for subjects in their free time. Computers, smart classes have been introduced, which has impressed many villagers.

Updating Committee has been constituted where lecturers, BEO, education department officials, parents, school heads will be inducted as committee members. After holding discussion with parents, teachers at the School Development and Monitoring Committee, plans will be chalked out to improve the strength. The funds are being raised by the government officials, alumni and concerned citizens. The Committee members in the schools will maintain the accounts about the materials being donated, and money spent for the welfare of the schools.

'Our efforts to improve the schools has yielded good reults. Infact we are sending back parents stating that the admission for LKG has crossed 80,” these were the general words when contacted few schools head masters.

KR Pet Government Model Higher Primary School Head Master Suresh said: Villagers from surrounding villages are thronging to our school seeking admission, with overwhelming response we have stopped the admissions. For LKG we have received 108 admissions and UKG 100 admissions. Already 423 students have been enrolled from 1st to 7th standard, and still some students are waiting for TC. Four teachers are being deputed and salary is being paid by the Committee.

Pandavapura Assistant Commissioner Dr HL Nagaraj said that the response for government schools has gone up in schools shortlisted by the forum. We are also concentrating on centenary schools such as Fresh Rocks Schools in Pandavapura and Higher Primary School at Lakshmi Sagar, Pandavapura, which has less strength.

KR Pet Block Education Officer ST Javaregowda said that Uniforms, books and all other facilities on the lines of private schools are being given to the children at free of cost. There is a drastic rise in strength of the schools, networked through Forum and the strength has come down in surrounding  private schools. 

Parents Anitha and Madappa from Malavalli who have enrolled their wards to the schools said: 'In a drastic way, lot of changes has took place in the school down the years. We have enrolled one kid for LKG from this year, and another for 3rd standard taking TC from a private school. Discipline, uniform and other facilities are been taken care.'

'We are raising funds at our risk from public only with the good intention to improve the school strength. Donors provide physical amenities to the children, including books, desks, and are taking initiative to construct toilets,' said Mutturaj, State Convenor of Forum.

What should be done:

As per the research carried out by the Forum, Citing Indiscipline and non availability proper amenities parents are reluctant to admit their wards for government schools and this is a major drawback. 

“Maximum support needed by government is not given. New buildings with sophisticated rooms should be constructed. Kitchen room, sports room, up gradation of play ground is needed. By improving infrastructure, facilities strength can be increased. If government provided sufficient support, we definitely enroll to the government school,” says Ramachandra concerned citizens.

Association member and lecturer Vasu said: 'We have shortlisted 2500 government schools in State to improve the strength by next year, of which already we have covered 700. By distributing leaflets we are conducting campaign. An average 12,000 old students are being brought under one plat form at KR Pet School, and an donation of more than Rs 7 lakh has been collected.'

How schools are selected:

Neglected schools particularly where people were frustrated with rudeness of private schools but still were interested to enroll wards for such schools were chosen. The people form a network and intimate about such schools.

Browntop millet catching up among farmers in State

Due to drought many farmers in State are getting into cultivation of Browntop millet (Koralu), apart from the traditional cultivation of tobacco, paddy, sugarcane.  An average 5 tonnes of seeds have been distributed to farmers in State this year. Neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh State farmers are also showing interest to grow this rare millet. The crop has turned boon for farmers who had left their lands barren without rain and reservoirs going dry.    

Mandya Farmer Boregowda said: 'I obtained good yield in my first harvesting and have sow seeds for second time. Farmers are visiting my field to study and grow the crop in their barren lands. Marketing linkage and familarising crop is much needed.'  

Sunanda, widow of a tobacco farmer in Periyapatna said: 'The crop is drought resistant and can be cultivated in any weather round the year. Even in the moisture of paddy land the crop can be grown and suitable for any climate. Have decided to replace this crop with the tobacco.'  

HD Kot farmer Channaraya said: “Is a great choice for less fertile soil. Good for straw production; for soil erosion and weed control. Have grown this crop under tamarind trees shades. For an acre we can obtain minimum 4 quintal of crop and water is not needed.'   

NGO Sahaja Samrudha, an revival of traditional crops and seed knowledge is promoting farmers to grow this crop in large extent and providing marketing linkage. Founder Krishna Prasad opined that 'Climate change severely affecting the agricultural activities across country. This crops are grown largely in Africa and Asian countries. CFTRI should promote farmers to grow millets, and do research on this crops. An kg of rice can be sold for Rs 20 to 25,' he added. 

Dr Khadar who conducts Millets Awareness Programmes said, hundreds of farmers including from neighbouring states are showing interest to grow this crop. “Its rich in essential nutrients. And very source of natural fibers, incomparably to any other whole grain. Oats has 11 per cent dietary fiber, whereas this crop as 17 per cent. The roti prepared out of it can be preserved for more than a month.  Good for diabetic and cancer patients,” he added.    

Benefits 

* Rich in dietary fiber compared to Oats 

* Can be grown under tree shades, dry land, rain-fed crop 

* Boon for mango, coconut, sapota growers 

* Good for diabetic and cancer patients

* Short term crop (3.5 months) and suitable for any climate 

* Rice sold for Rs 20 to 25 per kg 

MM hills to be developed on the lines of Tirupati

Male Mahadeshwara Hills in Kollegala Taluk, Chamarajanagar District to become another important pilgrim shrine in the South. To attract more number of devotees from across country, the temple being modernised by the Male Mahadeshwara Temple Development Authority (MMTDA) on the lines Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).

The temple authorities have visited Shirdi, Tirupathi and a couple of other prominent temples in neighbouring States, to study the management techniques and infrastructure employed there. Some of attractive and innovative ideals will be implemented at MM Hills to improve the infrastructure and make it more tourist friendly.

The Authority to develop install Solar Power Plant, 100 feet statue of Mahadeshwara, Wireless high resolution CCTV cameras, parking facility, beautiful garden and much more. Antaragange, where devotees take holy dip will be developed on the lines of Tirupathi Kalyani at the Cost of Rs 4.75 crores. Toilets, Drinking water and other basic facility have been provided.

Around 7,000 devotees visit daily and on special occasion devotees throng in large to the hill shrine. The temple remains open between 3 am and 10 pm. For security purpose 12 high resolution HD wireless CCTV cameras, similar to the ones used by the Defence have been installed at different locations at a cost of Rs 89 lakhs. It is being installed for the first time in the State for the shrine, claims Authority. The camera covers 360 degree radius with zooming for a kilo meter, which helps to capture the vehicle numbers and movements easily.

In all there are 77 hill shrines in the region covered by deciduous forest, of which seven are major ones. One can enter the hill shrine through Kollegal Gate or Palar Gate and four cameras have been installed in the place. While others have been installed at prominent places.

A solar power plant to generate one Mega Watt of power will be installed spread across five acres of land. The temple requirement is 0.7 mega watt and, the excess 0.3 mega watt of power generated will be sold to KPTCL. The survey of the project has been completed and works will be taken up at a cost of Rs 5 crore.

This apart, a statue of 100 feet Lord Mahadeshwara will be placed at Deepada Vaddu located at a distance of two kilometers from the main temple. Artistes from Gadag will sculpt the statue. Garden, meditation hall, parking lot and other basic facilities will be provided all spread across 40 acres of land in the hill. Foundation stone will be laid next month, and will be a another tourist destination for those visit the hill.

Manuwacharya, Assistant Engineer of Authority said: “Following threat from the terrorists, Police Department had instructed to install cameras in a month, and we have placed 12 cameras. Several development works have been planned and works will commence by next month.”

"Rangamandira will be constructed at the cost of Rs 4.50 crores and Waste Disposal Unit, at the cost of Rs 40 lakh. The revenue generated from the temple is Rs 57 crores," he added.  

No calls, only whatsapp, say Mysuru corporators

 Social networking sites has come as a blessing for residents of several areas in city to draw the attention of elected representatives towards their problems.

Residents simply click a photo of the problem in their vicinity and upload it to a Whatsapp group for corrective action by the corporator. The Corporators in turn instruct the concerned MCC officials to attend to the problem immediately and ensure the complaint is resolved. 

This move of corporators has brought immense relief to the citizenry, as they need not wait for days at stretch to get their complaints redressed. Even Corporators seem relaxed as they were finding difficult to attend their phone calls.

Corporators JS Jagadish and D Nagabhushan have created 15-18 groups in areas which falls under their wards and make sure their complaints are attended at the earliest.  

Sharadadevi Resident Vimala says: “Earlier, it was quite challenging to register complaints as most of the time phones were not attended, and Corporators were not accessible. The watsappgroup has helped us lot to get our problems solved. The vacant site close to my house was cleaned immediately acting on the complaint. More over, it helps to know our neighbours."

Ward 22 Corporator JS Jagadish who monitors 17 Whatsapp groups says: “We have received lot of appreciation from the residents as we respond to their complaints effectively. On an average I receive around 5 to 15 complaints daily as 17 layouts come under my ward.” 

'Even the groups are used to intimate if there is water / power problem in our locality, and residents circulate messages seeking blood, any helps required. This is creating a good bondage between us,' he opines. 

Ward 34 Corporator Nagabhushan who receives around 12 to 15 complaints said: 'For the past eight months I am using Whatsapp and over this period I have received quite a number of complaints. I immediately instruct my officials to attend the complaints. After the complaints are attended they acknowledgme with a 'thanks'. This new technological tool has indeed saved me a lot of time.'

“We are using Whatsapp to the maximum extent to hear grievances and attend complaints. We have roped persons to go through the messages daily. Majority of the complaints are attended to within a couple of hours, while road works and others are delayed. Potholes are filled with mud as a short time measure and later it will be fixed,” added the duo.

Most of the complaints received by the residents are related to civic issues such as blockages of drains, pig menace, water leakage, unattended pot holes, pruning of roadside trees, drinking water-power problem, garbage collection, maintenance of parks, cleaning vacant sites, and non-functioning streetlights. 

An edible oil to keep you slim and young

 
Sedentary life style of modern times is the main cause for more number of people to become obese leading to various health problems. Keeping this in mind, CFTRI has developed a new kind of edible oil which reduces accumulation of subcutaneous fats in the body.   

Named as DAG Oil (Diecyl Glycerol), this slim oil has been successfully experimented on lab rats and the results are encouraging where no fat accumulation was observed in the trials.   

Indians are more genetically prone to heart related ailments, especially strokes, because of the rich fat foods they consume, the Slim Oil will surely be a boon for the people. People who are habituated to consuming foods prepared using oils or relish eating fried foods, can henceforth try this new oil made of naturally available ingredients, that not only removes the already accumulated fat in the body but also doesn't allow any new fat to accumulate.     

This DAG oil has been prepared by combining rice bran oil and sunflower oil. The oil is low in calories and non-coagulating by nature. Scientists opine that the oil has many favourable qualities and can be consumed by all section of the society as it is very beneficial for health. 

Whenever excess oil that is consumed is converted into fat and is accumulated in body. By using the DAG oil, the obese population can become slim. The oil can be consumed directly and also be used for cooking, but is not suitable for deep frying, which is the only drawback.  The oil doesn't have an appeasing colour, but has certain inherent components which reduces cholesterol in the blood and improves skin texture and imparts other health benefits.   

Dr AG Gopala Krishna, Chief Scientist, Traditional Food and Sensory Science Department, CSIR-CFTRI, who has been working to develop this technology for the past two years said that change in life style has lead to increasing obesity and has become cause of concern. 

'This DIG Oil has been invented to improve the health of the population who are obese. It is rich is Tocotrienols (unsatuarated Vitamin E) and also Squalene a compound that  nourishes the skin and keeps it young along with Phsytosters components, which is beneficial for our health. It took nearly two years to develop this technology and also test in the laboratory,' he added. 

'The new cooking oil, if it becomes popular, may become a big business resulting in a production of 10 to 15 lakh tons per annum estimated to be about Rs 15,000 crores in the next couple of years. Soon the industries will be provided the technology for the manufacturing process, though initially it will be around Rs 200 liters per day.       

Traffic violators be-aware, cops land up at your door step

Traffic violators be-aware. Henceforth think twice before violating traffic rules or trying to escape from a traffic cop who signals you to stop, as the traffic department is closely monitoring your every movement with the CCTVs installed at strategic points along the major thoroughfares in the city.

Each of your violation will be recorded and the moment the total number of violations crosses 20, cops will land up at your door step. Over the past one month traffic cops have taken up a drive to trace out and visit the houses of such repeated offenders to collect fines.

About 1177 traffic violators who have violated rules for more than 20 times have been traced and fines from more than 160 offenders has been collected from five traffic divisions in the city.

82 CCTV cameras have been installed and soon another hundred higher-resolution cameras will be installed all over the city. The CCTV footage and snaps taken by the traffic police personnel will be transmitted to Traffic Commanding Center. In due course notices will be issued based on the number of violations. In case, the vehicle is sold then the new owner has to clear the pending dues.

Traffic police personnel are booking thousands of people every month for various kinds of traffic rule violations. Minimum of Rs 60 lakh of fine is being collected every month from the violators of traffic rules in city. This new drive will further boost the revenue of the department and is expected to leave a strict message for repeated offenders.

KR Traffic Division Police Inspector NC Nagegowda said that fines are being collected even from tourists. The vehicles owners are being traced, and noticed is sent to the concerned RTO. In turn they dispatch to the concerned traffic division and fines will be collected for not wearing seat belts, violating traffic rules, parking in No Parking zones and for other traffic violations.

A senior traffic officer said: 'Most traffic violators turn back and drive away avoiding cops. Even if they escape from our clutches, their movements will be traced through CCTV footages, and notices will be slapped. If they are found to be violating the rules repeatedly, then we land at their door step to collect fine.'

“We have trace the houses of few traffic violators and have collected fine. The drive will be intensified in days to come. After completion of 20 people violating the traffic, we trace offenders who have violated rules for 15 times, 10 times. The process will be continuous. Repeated traffic rules offender will be created awareness to ensure he follows the traffic rules,” added the cop.

Swamy who has paid fine for violating rules 20 time said: 'I purchased the vehicle recently and the previous owner had violated the rules. But, was unfortunate had to pay fine of Rs 2,000.' 

Now track the progress of tree planted sitting in your drawing room

Now track the progress of tree you have planted with an 'Interactive Web portal www.odpmysore.org/plantree, sitting anywhere in the corner of the world.

Organisation for the Development of People has began movement 'Plantree', to create awareness on Environment and Ecology among populace and motivate people in large to plant trees. Forest Department and Companies, corporate, Small and Medium Enterprises, general public have extended support to this innovative way.

Through this portal one can register to sponsor a plant, obtain GPS code and track the progress of the tree. Through the technical support of 'SIPSS Global India Pvt Limited', a sponsors of plant can interact and study the progress of tree.

ODP Director Rev Fr Staney D Almeda said: 'Most of them plant saplings, and will be curious to know the progress of plant. With the provided GPS code one can track the status of the plant easily.'

'The plantation will be made in different cycle as per the registration made. To ensure the authenticity of this programme of Sustainable avenue plantation we will be sharing GPS coordinates of the plant, the name of the sponsors will be imprinted on the fencing of that particular tree planted.'

ODP Technical Officer Sreegith said that 'we are marking the location of the tree, and share the location to the sponsor. The sapling planted will be fixed up with GPS certification. It help to ensure the growth of the plant, and they can witness the growth of the plant.'

This apart, an electronic certificate will be provided to acknowledge contribution of the person for encouraging this noble cause to mitigate the climate change and build a clean, green space and best place to live in for us and for future generation, he added.

The web portal also provides platform to share the ideas, place articles in the blog regarding Natural Resource Management. In the last few years, ODP has planted 11,38,050 numbers of Forestry Plants and 3,67,041 Numbers horticulture Plants in district. This “Web portal” will be official launched on June 17, as part of the World Environment Day.