Temples to treat own waste

tnn | Nov 9, 2018, 12.30 AM IST

Coimbatore: The garbage yard behind the Perur Temple may disappear soon, thanks to the ambitious ‘Green Cover Project’ of the Hindu religious and charitable endowments (HR&CE) department.
The department plans to implement the project at 40,000-odd temples across Tamil Nadu. It aims to treat all forms of garbage on the temple premises.

As many 100 HR&CE staff working in temples across Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Tirupur, Namakkal, Erode, Dharmapuri and Salem underwent training at the Sree Ayyappan Seva Sangam here on Thursday on how to identify biodegradable and non-degradable waste and what can be recycled. “The project is the brainchild of HR&CE commissioner TK Ramachandran. We have tied up with Exnora International to find ways to handle temple waste,” project head BR Ashok said.

All temples will be provided with at least two large garbage bins under the project. “We want to start source segregation as the first step. The main wastes generated at temples are flowers, paper sachets, dhonai on which prasadam is served, coconuts, fruits, food waste generated by devotees, waste water from the temple and toilets. We want to create awareness among devotees about disposing biodegradable waste like food, flowers and fruits into the specific bin. Waste water will be treated in treatment plants. Coconuts will be used to make products. Dhonai will be shredded and composted,” Ashok told TOI.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/temples-to-treat-own-waste/articleshow/66549617.cms

TN Tourism to launch 10 special tour packages

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation Limited will soon launch 10 special tour packages in an attempt to give tourists visiting Tamil Nadu a chance to experience religious architecture and soak them in divine fervour in Hindu religious sites in the state. 

Carrying forward the idea of launching a one-day tour to all important temples in the state as announced by Tamil Nadu Tourism Minister Gokula Indira in the state Assembly last year, TTDCL has come up with 10 special packages that includes visits to notable religious sites in the state. 

The packages include a tour to nine Nagarathar temples in Sivaganga district -Illaiyathangudi, Illupaikudi,Iranikoil, Mathur, Nemam, Pillaiyarpatti, Soorakudi, Vairavankovil, and Velangudi temples near Karaikudi. 

Another tour includes visit to Divya Desam temples in Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur districts and a tour to Thirukkadaiyur temple in Nagapattinam district. 

TTDCL also has tours to Yelagiri Hills and Kolli Hills for those interested in hiking and trekking. 

Another interesting package in the bouquet of tours is exclusively organised around places that held importance during the nation's freedom struggle. 

Named 'Freedom Fighters' Circuit Tour,' it takes tourists around places associated with the freedom struggle and memorials and birthplaces of freedom fighters from the state. 

These packages will be launched this month, going by the government order passed on February 29 in this regard, TTDC sources said. 

PTI 
http://zeenews.india.com/news/tamil-nadu/tn-tourism-to-launch-10-special-tour-packages_761698.html