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Reader's Mail

Vanishing hills

Sand is one of the most important items needed in any kind of construction work. Since decades, people have been using the naturally available river sand for the purpose. Owing to the exorbitant utilisation of the river sand, the availability of it has dwindled, leading to its shortage. Above all, over exploitation of it continues to destroy the environment of the river basin. Deterioration of various environmental factors combined with the shortage of river sand compelled to look for alternative sources.

A few alternative sources of sand include the exploitation of sand from palaeoriver channels, rock crushed sand, marine sand, import of sand from other States, etc. Severe shortage of sand compels the dealers to embark on any method, and as a result, the environmental consequences are ignored. Unfortunately, certain responsible quarters too follow suit.

Since long, the use of rock crushed sand has been in use in many other States. The physiographical and geological formations in such areas, particularly in the Deccan plateau region, facilitate plenty of rock raw materials for sand production. The environment of those regions appears relatively less affected in the short run due to the vastness of the region and the peculiar nature of the availability of rock formations.

The geological formations and the physiography of Kerala are not conducive to copy the same methodology here. The main rock formations in Kerala expose primarily in the Western Ghats on the east and in a few traverses which run east-west. These hill ranges are one of the main determining factors in our environment, mostly the monsoons, besides other factors like geo, bio, hydro, climatic, eustatic, isostatic, etc. The present trend in exploiting the hill ranges for sand production is definitely going to put our environment topsy-turvy. It will be disastrous if it is taken up merely for certain benefits.

Those who advocate rock sand as the alternative source for construction work here never had pointed out the source of rock. If they go ahead with the idea, our hills will disappear in the near future, and will result in losing the regular monsoons.

Break in the Western Ghats at the Palghat Gap demonstrates the poor effect of monsoons on the western side. The area also experiences hot wind from the east and these effects are due to the non-existence of mountains there. This clearly demonstrates the necessity and importance of mountains to safeguard our environment.

Prof. P. Rajendran

Department of History

University of Kerala

Kariavattom

Power tariff

As the monsoon has been vigorous over Kerala for the past one week, all major reservoirs in the State have been full. Water level in the dams has been close to the maximum. Consequently, the authorities have increased the power generation in the entire hydroelectric projects.

In Idukki, the power generation has been increased manifold. Last time when power tariff was hiked owing to lull in the monsoon, the authorities had promised that the tariff hike would be reversed when the dam is filled with sufficient quantity of water.

The Government should now keep its promise as the production of electricity has increased. This will be a great relief to the poor public who are already overloaded with the soaring prices of all essential commodities consequent on the steep hike in the petrol and diesel prices in the recent times.

Bal Payyannur

P&T Quarters

Kesavadasapuram

Core banking

The confusion and inefficiency in the implementation of core banking system in several banks in Kerala have caused great financial hindrance and breakdown in business transactions. Collection of cheque amounts is delayed inordinately causing immense loss to the business people and others. The system of smooth running of business transactions is hindered. So, the banks have to expedite the transition to core banking without any further delay.

V.C. Emmanuel

Kottayam

Department of History

University of Kerala

Kariavattom

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