It is strange that a Minister in Tamil Nadu, while floating a peculiar idea, forgot simple physics when he wanted to beat the sun: his failure to factor in another natural force, wind (“After thermocol fiasco, Minister plans plastic balls experiment”, April 23). Why others did not bring it to his notice that the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board has classified thermocol as a hazardous waste is stranger still. It is shocking that the Minister ignored the fact that he was attempting to contain evaporation in Vaigai dam. This is not a tank or a well that can be covered. Did he spare a thought for the public money squandered? Can he or his party compensate for this loss?
G. Venkatakuppuswamy,
Bengaluru
The Minister’s move to now try and use plastic shade balls is bizarre to say the least. Did he seek the guidance of a scientific institution on the pros and cons of an unknown experiment? We should not use the argument of such methods being used in advanced countries when we hardly know anything about their impact here before extensive testing. If we go ahead with the plan without taking into account our tropical conditions, there is the danger of even the available water getting polluted. One only wishes that the government had taken up desilting on a war footing earlier to increase reservoir storage levels, and which could have averted a precarious water situation now.
V. Subramanian,
Chennai
The experiment is a disaster and an example of ‘non-application of mind’ by those at the highest level. These strange experiments may only end up harming the river’s ecology and in turn affecting people. It is time Tamil Nadu revives the directive on rainwater harvesting.
Anmol Gulecha,
Chennai
