Suchindram Theroor Wetland
- Suchindrum Theroor Wetland complex is part of the Suchindrum-Theroor Manakkudy Conservation Reserve.
- One of the two Ramsar sites in Kanniyakumari district.(Another one – Vembannur Wetland Complex)
- It is declared an Important Bird Area (IBA) and lies at the southern tip of the Central Asian flyway of migratory birds.
- Home to Birds: Hosts species like black-headed ibises, egrets, little egrets, cattle egrets, grey herons, little cormorants, night herons, painted storks, and pelicans.
- Copper plate inscriptions from the 9th century mention Pasumkulam, Venchikulam, Nedumarthukulam, Perumkulam, Elemchikulam and Konadunkulam.
- Tamil Nadu has 20 Ramsar sites, which is the highest number in India.
Oil spill crisis management plan
- The Government of Kerala has decided to prepare a comprehensive Oil Spill Crisis Management Plan to prevent and mitigate the impact of oil spills along its coastline.
- Kerala has a 590-km-long coastline along the west coast of India.
- The plan will be aligned with the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOSDCP).
- Kerala, following Tamil Nadu’s example, is developing an oil spill crisis management plan under Defence Ministry guidance.
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Defence (MoD) (For handling crises arising out of the spill of oil and hazardous substances at sea)
Tamil Nadu State Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (TN-SOS-DCP)
- Introduced in January 2024 following an oil spill in Ennore, Thiruvallur district.
- Goal: To prevent and mitigate the impact of future oil spills and restore contaminated habitats.
- Very High-Risk: Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Gulf of Mannar islands, Thiruvallur
- High-Risk: Kanniyakumari and Chennai
- The plan focuses on 15 sensitive zones, which need special attention and quick action if an oil spill happens.Nodal Agency: Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority (TNSDMA)
Indian Efforts for Oil Spill Management
- National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOS-DCP)
- The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is responsible for maintaining and implementing the Plan.
- It was promulgated in 1996 and revised in 2015.
- Merchant Shipping Act, 1958:
- Grants the government authority to enforce compliance with shipping regulations to prevent oil spills.
Control Measures for Oil Spills
- Bioremediation: Using microorganisms to remove toxins (e.g., TERI’s Oil Zapper bacteria).
- Oil Booms: Floating barriers to contain spills.
- Dispersants: Chemicals sprayed to aid natural oil breakdown.
‘Nalam Kaakum Stalin’ Scheme
- The scheme was launched in July 2021
- It operates under the direct control of the Chief Minister
- It is a scheme launched by the Government of Tamil Nadu to protect the welfare of the public and resolve immediate issues and demands.
- Purpose: To directly listen to the problems of the people and find solutions. To ensure that government departments are functioning effectively. The aim is to increase the trust of the administration by interacting directly with the people.
Tamil Nadu tops in higher education
- Tamil Nadu is the state with the highest number of higher education graduates in India, the Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister has said.
- The pass percentage in higher education in India is 28.
- But this percentage has gradually increased to 45.69 in Tamil Nadu and now it is 75 percent.
- Tamil Nadu Initiatives: Naan Mudhalvan Scheme, Educational Innovation and Development Project, Pudumaipenn Project, Tamil Pudhuvan Project, Kalloori Kanavu Project, Free education for first generation graduates.
