Thursday, March 17, 2011

Video of muddy mess as tsunami waves swallow homes, villages in Japan

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Sunday, January 2, 2011

Kerala TRAVEL GUIDE

Kerala

 

Kerala a state in Southern 

India is known as a tropical paradise of waving palms and wide sandy beaches. It is a narrow strip of coastal territory that slopes down the Western Ghats in a cascade of lush green vegetation, and reaches to the Arabian sea. Kerala borders the states of Tamil Nadu to the east and Karnataka to the north. It is also known for its backwaters, mountains, coconuts, spices and art forms like Kathakali and Mohini Attam. It is the most literate state in India, and a land of great religiosity, where you can find Hindu temples, mosques, churches, and even synagogues. With world class tourist sporting options, ayurvedic spas and treatments, eco-tourism initiatives, a large number of visit options ranging from beautiful high altitude blue mountains to pristine rain forests to golden sun-sand beaches and an enormous range of accommodation, Kerala has much to offer the visitor.

Regions

 

Malabar
famous for its heritage, spices, textiles and food, Malabar is one of the India's most notable historical regions
Central Kerala
the largest urban agglomeration of Kochi, the cultural heart of Kerala-Thrissur, and food basket of Kerala-Palakkad are located here
Central Travancore
Kerala's backwaters, and the land of churches, latex and literacy
Northern Travancore
known for its mountains and hill stations, and plantations of spices, tea and coffee
Southern Travancore
home to the capital city and various monuments, large temples, churches, and sporting events


Cities

  • Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) — The capital and the largest city in Kerala, famous for its beaches, historical monuments and parks. The city is also famous for being a major IT hub as well as home of several top universities and research centers.
  • Alapuzha (Alleppey) — heartland of Kerala Backwaters with natural maze of canals criss-cross the city, leading to it being called the Venice of the East. The biggest boat race in India for the Nehru Trophy happens here every August.
  • Kochi (Cochin) — The commercial capital of Kerala, the gateway of Kerala and the second largest city of Kerala with unlimited shopping options.
  • Kannur — A historical town famous for its strong heritage, political movements, forts and beaches.
  • Kollam (Quilon) — A commercial town famous for its cashew & coir industries, surrounded by backwaters and lakes.
  • Kottayam — known for its latex, literacy and letters and as major educational centre.
  • Kozhikode (Calicut) — Most prominant city of Malabar area,where Vasco da Gamma landed for the first time in India, and one of the world's oldest thriving trade centres. A very clean city known for its friendly inhabitants.
  • Munnar — one of the most untouched hill stations in India, with misty blue mountains and colonial bungalows
  • Thrissur (Trichur) — the cultural capital of Kerala and also famous for jewellery shops and silk sarees. 

Other destinations

 




Climate

Kerala, being very close to equator, has a tropical climate. Kerala experiences heavy rains almost throughout the year, and is one of the wettest areas in the earth.
Kerala has three distinct seasons:
  • Summer lasts from from mid-February to mid-May. The tropical sun is really hot and temperatures can go up to 35°C in the afternoons.
  • The monsoon is in place from mid-May until early September. The North-East Monsoon winds bring heavy showers.
  • Winter is mild and lasts from about mid-October to early February. Heavy rains occur from the last week of September until until early November, due to the retreat of the South-East monsoon. There is no snow in Kerala, although it is quite cold and misty in the mountain regions.
When in Kerala, carry an umbrella no matter what time of the year it is. You can be caught in a sudden shower in summer which will leave you drenched if you are unprepared. The Kerala sun coupled with high rate of humidity can be unforgiving in the summer months.
The temperature averages around:
  • 28°C - 36°C daytime, 24°C - 30°C at night in summer seasons of March, April
  • 20°C - 28°C daytime, 18°C - 25°C at night for the rest of the year
Temperatures may drop down to 10°C or sometimes even little below during Winter seasons (November, December) in Hilly areas of Western ghats, especially at popular hill-stations like Munnar and Wynad etc, which results a misty days and freezing nights coupled with light cold showers. However in other places, the temperatures never drop below 15°C.
Recently summers have become hotter. Though the maximum temperature on summers has never risen higher than 38°C, the rising humidity has made recent summers difficult. The height of the Kerala summer is normally between mid-March and May. Wear only light loose cotton clothes during this season. Consider a trip to hilly areas where the temperatures never exceed 26°C.
Kerala experiences mild winds throughout most of the year.

Backwaters

  • Backwaters of Kerala are a maze of lagoons criss-crossed with rivers, shallow pools and canals, all separated from the sea by a narrow strip of sand banks. Backwaters are present throughout the state but Alappuzha and Kottayam are most notable in this regard.
  • The annual Vallam Kali boat races take place in the backwaters. The boats are large wooden canoes that can accommodate 60 to 100 rowers. The most famous race is for the Nehru Trophy Vallam Kalli, held on the second Saturday of August as a tribute to the former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru who had a keen interest in this sport. 

Mountains

  • The Blue Mountains of the Western Ghats, popularly known as Nilgiris, are close to Trivandrum and there are numerous hill stations in thise area. The most popular is Munnar, the honeymoon capital of the state. The highest peak of the Western Ghats is located at Anamudi (2,695 metres) and is good for trekking. The area is also home to several sanctuaries and forest reserve areas.
  • There are more than two dozen waterfalls, both large and small, with numerous rapids and springs. The largest fallwaters are at Athirampally, where three milky waterfalls fall at great speed. 

Beaches

Kerala has 650 km of coastline and numerous beaches. Some of the more notable are:
  • Kovalam Beach near Trivandrum has a good bathing area, clean environment and plenty of accomodation. This was a centre of Hippy counter-culture in sixties, and is today well known for hedonistic beach parties.
  • Cherai Beach near Kochi city has a large golden sand beach.
  • Alapuzha Beach and Kollam Beach are both well known for beach sports and tournaments.
  • Kozhikode Beach is where Vasco da Gama first landed in India, marking the start of European colonisation and the Age of Discovery.
  • Varkala Beach near Kollam A long cliff makes the beach more natural (no restaurant behind you). long beach with a natural spring.
  • Muzhappilangadu near Kannur A long drive in beach in Kannur district with lush greenery around. This beach has a naturally clean and closely packed sand which makes it drivable. Beach is very long 4-5 km and is a pleasant place to spend time.
Lots of adventure activities like para gliding/ para sailing etc. are arranged in this beach regularly.



Get in 

By plane

There are three airports in Kerala, with flights to domestic and international destinations: Kozhikode, Kochi(Nedumbassery) and Thiruvananthapuram. The airports have several carriers operating international flights around the world.
Kochi International Airport (COK) is the largest airport with regular flight connections to most of the Middle East Southeast Asia. Europe and US bound passengers need to transit in the Middle East or Mumbai. Regular charter flights from London, New York and Moscow operate to Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram.
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV) has regular connections to most of parts of India, as well as to the Middle East and elsewhere in Asia .
Kozhikode International Airport (CCJ) is a new airport with limited international connects others than to the Middle East.
There are 20 to 25 international carriers offering flights to Kerala. Apart from international carriers, Air India, Jet Airways, Kingfisher offers international connections from Kochi. Domestic destinations accessible by direct flights from these airports include Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Agatti, Hyderabad,Mangalore,Goa and Delhi. There are daily, some bi-daily flights to most of the Indian cities from airports in Kochi and Trivandrum.

By train

Indian Railways [3] operates several trains to, from and within Kerala. Trains into Kerala start from neighbouring states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Long-haul direct train services from cities like Delhi and Mumbai are also available.
Log on to the Indian Railways booking site [4] to book tickets online or you can walk up to any railway station to book tickets between any two destinations in India.
Be aware that trains are the most popular method of transport and almost all trains in Kerala originate or terminate in Thiruvananthapuram or Ernakulam, and are usually heavily booked. Buy your tickets as early as possible. Another option is using Tatkal. You pay double, but have a chance of getting a seat. Tatkal is an emergency service, hence its booking is open just 48 hours before departure. Some travel agents have authorized booking quotas for certain trains.
Recently, the luxury tourist train The Golden Chariot has introduced a South Indian Rail Tour, which includes many parts of Kerala. This is a good option for those who want to visit the South Indian states on as tight schedule. The train starts from Bangalore and covers Chennai, Pondicherry, Trichy, Madurai, Trivandrum, Alapuzha, Kochi and back to Bangalore. The 7 night/8 day package tour, costs US$3,000-7,000 depending upon the class taken.

By bus

Inter-state private and government buses operates between neighboring states. Usually the journey is performed in the night so that you can escape the heat of the day. The most common inter-state bus is Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC-Karnataka) with daily bus from most of Major cities of Kerala to Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore. Tamil Nadu State Bus like SETC also operates regularly from Kerala. Kerala's State bus- KRSTC-Kerala do have regular Ordinary bus to most of nearby places in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. KRSTC-Kerala also operates a few Volvo AC bus to Bangalore and Coimbatore.
However Private bus players to operate more buses than Govt options. Most of them are well maintained. Kallada, Shama, KPN are the major Bus players, though recently Raj National and few others have entered with Pan India operations. Kallada, KPN, Shama etc have regular buses to Bangalore, Chennai and many other places in Tamil Nadu as well as Karnataka on various times
It is recommended that you consider booking long distance bus tickets on "Air Conditioned Volvo buses" operated by all operators as the quality of the other buses vary significantly.

By road

Kerala is well connected by National Highways:
Most of the NH roads are dual carriageways. As vehicle density is very high in Kerala, accidents are common[5]. You must be extra cautious while driving here.

By ferry

Kochi is a major cruise port and a large international cruise terminal is under construction. Once completed, regular cruises will be operated from Kochi. A regular luxury Cruise between Colombo, Male and Kochi is now operational. Some private players have regular cruises from Mumbai and Goa to Kochi, included in their package. All Lakshadweep bound cruises originate in Kochi and make return trips.
Also private yachts and other sea going boats regularly call at Kochi.


Get around

Kerala is quite well connected with all modes of transport. The flat southern side is better connected than mountainous north.

By train

Trains are good for long distance travel within the state. Most trains are long distance trains with stops at many of Kerala's stations. Short distance trains are mainly intercity passenger trains, connecting only major cities like Kochi, Trivandrum, Palakkad, Alapuzha, Kollam, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Kannur and Thrissur. The main Intercity trains are:
  • Jana Shatabdi Express connecting Kozhikode to Trivandrum via Cochin, Alleppey, Kollam.
  • Mangalore-Trivandrum Express which covers almost all major metros of Kerala on its west coast.
  • Ernakulam-Thiruvananthapuram Intercity- very popular option for regular commuters working in these two cities and some cities inbetween.
  • Ernakulam-Alleppey Passenger.
  • Ernakulam-Kayakulam Passenger.
  • Ernakulam-Kottayam Passenger.
  • Shornur-Trivandrum Venad Intercity Express.
  • Ernakulam-Kollam Passenger.
  • Palakkad-Trivandrum Amrita Express.
  • Shornur-Ernakulam Passenger.
  • Ernakulam-Guruvayur Passenger.
  • Kannur-Ernakulam Intercity Express.
Note: Express trains are relatively faster, as they stop only at major stations and gets priority in event of crossing. Passenger trains stops at all stations in a route and can be held-up in event of an express train crossing, thus takes longer time. However latter is good option, if one needs to align at small village or town stations, not catered by express trains.

By car

Roads remain the primary popular options. Almost each nook and corner of the state is connected by road. The primary roads are NH 47, NH 49, NH 17 and NH 212 which all National Highways. The NH 47 is one of most busiest as it connects Kochi and Trivandrum. The traditional primary road is MC Road, which covers on the most scenic places in south Kerala. However NH 47 cut the time at least by 1 hour for a travel between Kochi and Trivandrum.
State Highways connect to almost all parts of Kerala. Most of the SH are Bi-lane roads. Due to heavy rains, its common to see potholes in most of roads. Some of the wettest areas like Alleppey, Kottayam, Iddukki etc have extremely damaged roads.

By bus

Bus transport is most popular transport to travel within Kerala and ideal for budget conscious travellers. Kerala has an excellent public bus system operated by both government-owned Kerala State Road Transport Corp (KSRTC-Kerala) and various private operators. All fares are determined by Transport Department and uniform across the state in accordance to nature of buses. Typically, there are 4 class of buses, all are non air-conditioned;
  • Ordinary (ORD) which is a basic, no-frills services with covering short and medium distance areas with stoppages at all legal stops in its authorized route. The minimum fare is Rs 2.50 with 42 paise for every Km
  • Fast Passenger (FP) is better service covering large distances with limited stops, only at main villages or towns. Also known as Limited Stop Bus with initials LP/FP marked in red in its route board. The minimum fare is Rs 3.00 with 50 paise for every Km
  • Super Fast (SF), also known as express services, connects major towns and district headquarters with limited stop only at major towns in its route. The minimum fare is Rs 6.00 with 50 paise per Km
  • Deluxe Express (LF), also known as Lightening Fast, is a strictly point-to-point services, connecting major cities with technical stops only in major cities. This services uses larger air-bus with good suspension and comfortable cushion seats. The minimum fare is Rs 20 with 65 paise for every Km
KSRTC brands SF and LF as Malabar for all North Kerala services and Venad for all South Kerala services.
Apart from above services, air-conditioned buses also operate, mainly between metros and cities, known as Garuda and Hi-tech Services, where premium Volvo buses are used. Minimum fares starts from Rs 50 with 75 paise to Rs 1 for every Km, depending upon bus type.
While KSRTC has different liveries for each of class of service (Red for Ordinary, Green for FP, Blue-White for SF and LF), private operators has no uniform liveries and paint according to their choice. Check at route board, to know the class of service. All KSRTC buses have its own Bus depots or stations in major towns and villages and stops only at those stops that displays its logo. Whereas private buses do stop at any convenient part of towns and villages, though in few cities it has its own private bus stands and stations. Check with locals, to know where each class of bus operates. There is no route numbering for buses in Kerala. Most of the buses are crowded and must beware of pick-pockets.

By air

Helicopter and Air-taxi services are available between Kochi and Trivandrum and can used to connect these two major metros with District Headquarters. However its a very expensive option.
There is no Intra-City Train/Metro services now in any Kerala city, though Kochi is going to start a Metro Service soon, likewise Trivandrum is proposing a Skybus and Rapid BRT option. A proposal for Intra City Rail for Kochi is also proposed. Dedicated Inter-city Rail called MEMU will start within October 2010 between Kochi and Kollam.



.........so   please   visit   dazzling   Gods own country............


RE REPORTED BY,, 

Jasim mubarak pk,  student of msc industrial fisheries cusat ,cochin

 

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Friday, December 3, 2010

FISH AND HUMAN NUTRITION

FISH AND HUMAN NUTRITION

INTRODUCTION
Fish  makes  a  vital  contribution  to  the  survival  and  health  of  a  significant  portion  of  the  world’s
population.  Fish  is  especially  important  in  the  developing  world.  In  some  of  Asia’s  poorest  countries
(Bangladesh,  Cambodia)  people  derive  as  much  as  75%  of  their  daily  protein  from  fish.  In  West  Africa
fish accounts for 30% of animal protein intake, and this number would be larger if the poor could afford
to buy more. 
Often referred to as “rich food for poor people,” fish provides essential nourishment, especially quality
proteins and fats (macronutrients), vitamins and minerals (micronutrients). Second, for those involved in
fisheries,  aquaculture  and  fish  trade,  fish  is  a  source  of  income  which  can  be  used  to  purchase  other
additional food items. Though this brief emphasizes the former, fish contributes to food security as an
important  accompaniment  to  rice‐based  diets  in  Asia  and  maize‐  and  cassava‐based  diets  in  Africa,
though  its  consumption  there  is  decreasing.  Fish  supply  in  Africa  has  been  declining  for  a  number  of
reasons while the demand has increased due to the rise in population. Strategies to increase fish supply
are being promoted globally.
Malnutrition  is  still  a  problem  in  many  countries  particularly  in  Africa.  It  is  estimated  that  47  million
children under five years old are stunted in sub‐Saharan Africa whereas in eastern and southern Africa
the figure stands at 24 million. Micronutrient deficiencies of vitamin A, iron and iodine are also of public
health  concern  in  the  whole  African  region.  Their  consequences  include  nutritional  blindness,  poor
learning  capabilities,  poor  growth  and  increased  morbidity  and  mortality  rates.  Development  and
agricultural programmes including fisheries and aquaculture which mainstream nutrition issues can go a
long way in alleviating the problem of malnutrition in this part of the world as well as in other countries.

FISH AND MACRONUTRIENTS
Proteins
Proteins are important for growth and development of the body, maintenance and repairing of worn out
tissues  and  for  production  of  enzymes  and  hormones  required  for  many  body  processes.  The
importance of fish in providing easily digested protein of high biological value is well documented. In the
past  this  has  served  as  a  justification  for  promoting  fisheries  and  aquaculture  activities  in  several
countries. On a fresh‐weight basis, fish contains a good quantity of protein, about 18‐20%, and contains
all the eight essential amino acids including the sulphur‐containing lysine, methionine, and cysteine. As
most maize‐based diets lack these compounds, rural households in Africa dependent on maize greatly
benefit  by  increasing  their  fish  consumption.  Fish  also  complements  cassava‐based  diets  which  are
generally low in protein.
Fats
The fat content of fish varies depending on the species as well as the season but, in general, fish have
less fat than red meats. The fat content ranges from 0.2% to 25%. However, fats from fatty fish species
contain  the  polyunsaturated  fatty  acids  (PUFAs)  namely  EPA  (eicosapentaenoic  acid)  and  DHA
(docosahexaenoic acid) (omega 3 fatty acids) which are essential for proper growth of children and are
not  associated  with  the  occurrence  of  cardiovascular  diseases  such  as  coronary  heart  disease.  In
pregnant  women,  the  presence  of  PUFAs  in  their  diets  has  been  associated  with  proper  brain
development  among  unborn  babies.  In  other  studies,  omega  3  fatty  acids  have  also  been  associated
with reduced risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight. The fat also contributes to energy supplies
and assists in the proper absorption of fat soluble vitamins namely A, D, E, and K.
 
FISH AND MICRONUTRIENTS
Vitamins
Fish  is  a  rich  source  of  vitamins,  particularly  vitamins  A  and  D  from  fatty  species,  as  well  as  thiamin,
riboflavin and niacin (vitamins B1, B2 and B3). Vitamin A from fish is more readily available to the body
than from plant foods. Vitamin A is required for normal vision and for bone growth. Fatty fish contains
more vitamin A than lean species. Studies have shown that mortality is reduced for children under five
with a good vitamin A status. As sun drying destroys most of the available vitamin A better processing
methods are required to preserve this vitamin.
Vitamin D present in fish liver and oils is crucial for bone growth since it is essential for the absorption
and metabolism of calcium. Thiamin, niacin and riboflavin are important for energy metabolism. If eaten
fresh, fish also contains a little vitamin C which is important for proper healing of wounds, normal health
of body tissues and aids in the absorption of iron in the human body.

Minerals
The minerals present in fish include iron, calcium, zinc, iodine (from marine fish), phosphorus, selenium
and fluorine. These minerals are highly ‘bioavailable’ meaning that they are easily absorbed by the body.
Iron is important in the synthesis of hemoglobin in red blood cells which is important for transporting
oxygen to all parts of the body. Iron deficiency is associated with anemia, impaired brain function and in
infants is associated with poor learning ability and poor behavior. Due to its role in the immune system,
its deficiency may also be associated with increased risk of infection.
Calcium is required for strong bones (formation and mineralization) and for the normal functioning of
muscles and the nervous system. It is also important in the blood clotting process. Vitamin D is required
for its proper absorption. The intake of calcium, phosphorus and fluorine is higher when small fish are
eaten  with  their  bones  rather  than  when  the  fish  bones  are  discarded.  Deficiency  of  calcium  may  be
associated  with  rickets  in  young  children  and  osteomalacia  (softening  of  bones)  in  adults  and  older
people. Fluorine is also important for strong bones and teeth.
Zinc  is  required  for  most  body  processes  as  it  occurs  together  with  proteins  in  essential  enzymes
required for metabolism. Zinc plays an important role in growth and development as well in the proper
functioning of the immune system and for a healthy skin. Zinc deficiency is associated with poor growth,
skin problems and loss of hair among other problems.
Iodine, present in seafood, is important for hormones that regulate body metabolism and in children it is
required  for  growth  and  normal  mental  development.  A  deficiency  of  iodine  may  lead  to  goiter
(enlarged thyroid gland) and mental retardation in children.
It is evident that fish contribute more to people’s diets than just the high quality protein they are so well
known for. Fish should therefore be an integral component of the diet, preventing malnutrition by
making these macro‐ and micro‐nutrients readily available to the body.

FISH AND FEEDING YOUNG CHILDREN
Fish  is  soft,  easy  to  cook  and  more  easily  digested  than  meat  so  even  young  children  can  be  fed  fish,
contributing  to  improved  nutrient  intake.  Fish  can  also  be  used  as  complementary  foods  especially  in
paste  or  powder  form.  These  products  can  be  used  to  enrich  the  maize‐  and  cassava‐based  porridges
that are normally consumed by young children in rural communities, especially in Africa. However, the
challenge is to develop acceptable fishery products to use as complementary foods for young children as
similar attempts failed in the 1980s and 1990s. Older children can consume fish without any problems
and if well cooked they can benefit tremendously from the small fish that are such an excellent source
of calcium and fluorine—elements crucial for the development of strong bones and teeth in the young.


FISH AND HIV/AIDS
The World Health Authority estimates that people living with HIV survive up to eight years longer if they
have a good, varied diet. Not only is overall health improved, but the efficacy of antiretroviral drugs
appears to be enhanced. Fish can contribute significantly to the nutritional regime of those living with
HIV particularly in terms of the high quality protein and micronutrients that fish provide in a readily
accessible form.
 
THE WAY FORWARD
Realizing  the  importance  of  fish  to  human  nutrition,  in  addition  to  its  role  in  reducing  poverty  and
hunger,  The  WorldFish  Center  will  be  strengthening  its  aquaculture  and  fisheries  programmes  by
mainstreaming nutrition in its community‐based projects. This will ensure a greater impact by improving
the nutritional status of households, particularly those with young children. Research will be undertaken
to gain a better understanding of the role of fish in decreasing malnutrition and improving the health of
the sick. This will also ensure that WorldFish Center programmes contribute to Millennium Development
Goal 4 (reducing child mortality by two thirds by 2015) since high malnutrition levels are associated with
increased child mortality rates.


REPORTED BY,,,,,,,, 
Jasim mubarack pk
MSc Industrial Fisheries
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