The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Development bodies to exchange ideas

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 22, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Development bodies to exchange ideas

Staff Reporter

`It is community's responsibility to replenish natural resources' `It is the community's responsibility to replenish environmental resources to compensate for what it takes from it.'

CHENNAI: Communities involved in development programmes in Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts got together on Thursday to exchange ideas and talk about their experiences in different fields of work.

Under the banner of Exnora International, the community-based organisations celebrated social and environmental service rejuvenation day in association with Sri Krishna Sweets.

Presentations

Presentations on the activities of Friends of Beach Exnora, Water Bodies Exnora, Park Exnora, Rail Passengers Exnora, Traffic Planning Exnora, and a host of other service organisations formed the highlight of the programme.

Satyanarayanan of Friends of Beach Exnora said that lifeguards at the Besant Nagar Beach had saved about 60 lives. Under its turtle conservation programme, the group had successfully sent back to the sea 6,700 Olive Ridley hatchlings in the past three years.

V.E. Subramanian of Water Bodies Protection Exnora pointed out the several problems threatening the existence of lakes located in and around Chennai. He suggested drawing up of an inventory of the lakes, removal of encroachments and preventing pollution of water bodies. Legislation mandating provisions for water bodies in residential layouts and declaring all water bodies as protected area were necessary.

U.P. Prakasham of Traffic Planning Exnora suggested vertical traffic loops — a combination of a flyover and a subway — at busy intersections where either a flyover or a subway was not feasible.

Naina Shah, vice-president of Exnora International, outlined the initiatives of the organisation in wastewater treatment in Chennai and Tiruchi in association with BORDA, a German NGO.

Sudha Seshaiyan and M.B. Nirmal, founder, Exnora International, spoke.

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