The Hindu : Front Page : Mini observatory set up in Pudukottai

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Tuesday, Jun 30, 2009
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Mini observatory set up in Pudukottai

Staff Reporter

PUDUKOTTAI: To provide vital data on climate and related information to the farmers, the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation has set up a mini observatory at Thalinji in Iluppur taluk in the district.

The observatory, set up at an expenditure of Rs.80,000 under the JRD Eco-Technology programme of the foundation, forms part of its Community-Managed Bio-industrial Watersheds for Sustainable Use of Natural Resources and Enhanced Livelihood currently being executed in and around Iluppur.

The observatory provides all important data to the farmers ranging from the maximum and minimum temperature of the day, humidity percentage in the morning and in the evening daily and wind velocity.

The Single Stevenson Screen holds the maximum and minimum thermometers, suspended horizontally for measuring the maximum and minimum temperatures daily. The wet and dry bulbs, suspended vertically, measures the humidity.

The Rain Gauge and the Cup anemometer have also been set up for recording the rainfall level and wind velocity respectively. It also has been provided with the Grass Minimum Thermometer for measuring temperature at the ground level. “The mini observatory, to be declared open shortly, will be owned by the community. Training on reading and registering the recordings has been imparted to select villagers besides the panchayat clerk,” says Programme Co-ordinator and Principal Scientist M. Nageswaran.

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