Sambalpur, Climate change is finally taking a toll on farmers, particularly the marginal ones, whose vegetable crops have been badly affected by the delayed onset of winter. Although winter sets in around Durga Puja every year, this year even after the end of Kartik Purnima, there is no sign of cold and chill.

BALANGIR: Failure of National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) is the main reason for largescale migration of people from Balangir district to other states in search of work. Western Orissa NREGA consortium, which was formed in 2006 comprising eight NGOs, revealed this in its report which was made public recently at a meeting here.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests today announced the takeover of Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary under Project Tiger Programme. Along with seven other protected forest areas, Satkosia has been brought into the fold of Project Tiger as was decided earlier.

The global economic crisis has affected the seafood industries in the State as a result shrimp farmers of the coastal belt are in a dilemma whether to take up shrimp cultivation or not this year due to fall in prices of shrimp in international market.

The Coast Guard started

BERHAMPUR: With the onset of winter, feathered guests from Siberia, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and central Europe have started arriving in the picturesque Nalabana Bird Sanctuary in the Chilika lake. The twittering of the avian species started last week and since then over 20,000 birds have descended on the Nalabana island so far, according to the wildlife sources.

It was 1995-96 when elections were round the corner, a development saga christened KBK or Kalahandi, Balangir and Koraput Plan was unveiled. Its newer version Revised Long Term Action Plan (RLTAP) for the eight KBK comprising undivided Koraput, Balangir and Kalahandi districts was brought in 1998-99 in a sub-plan mode.

NABARANGPUR: Spectre of a drought-like situation haunts farmers in this predominantly tribal district due to insufficient rains during the recent kharif season. Being an agrarian district, 90 percent population here depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Bereft of irrigation facilities, the farming community largely depend on rains for agriculture.

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has sought third phase socio-economic development loan of $ 250 million from the World Bank.

KENDRAPARA: Around 29 villages inhabited by 35,000 villagers within Bhitarakanika National Park have no proper road communication system, thanks to government indifference. Due to this reason, villagers, who mostly depend on agriculture and pisciculture, find it difficult to sell their products, particularly perishable items.