Nal Sarovar bird sanctuary is a beautiful lake situated in the districts of Ahmedabad and Surendranagar in the State of Gujarat in India. It is a natural sweet water lake with many small islets. For long it has been a haven for both birds and nature lovers. It is a winter home for many migratory birds from Central Asia, Europe and Siberia and India. The NalSarovar Bird Sanctuary is very popular among the tourists who visit Gujarat and local Gujarati Bird and Nature lovers.
Birds like Greater Flamingos, Lesser Flamingos, Geese, verities of Ducks, Open-bill stork, Glossy ibis, Coots, Cranes, pelicans and many other birds visit this sanctuary during monsoon and winter. Community of fisherman live in some of the villages on the isles of the lake. These fisherman live of the income earned by taking the visiting tourists for a boat ride in the lake. But recently the truth came to light that these fishermen also indulge in the illegal activities of fishing and poaching. The news was brought to light by Times of India. I read the two articles and it saddened me. I had always heard stories from visitors that the numbers of birds at Nal Sarovar had decreased but now I also know its cause.
Although there is ban on fishing, it has not stopped the fishermen and tribal’s living in and around the sanctuary for fishing. The TOI report says that 1055 fishing nets have been found and recovered from the area. That itself says it all. If the number of fishes in the lake go down, the number of birds visiting the lake will also go down. And according to the reports there is more, these fishermen and villagers kill birds while fishing at night. These birds especially the flamingos are killed for their meat and is considered a delicacy. The officials themselves seem to have stated to Times of India that they are
aware of this illegal fishing and poaching and according to them little is being done to put a stop this illegal activities. The forest team here is also understaffed.
I personally think that people should express their anguish against the destruction of nature and cruelty towards the birds openly so that the government and world can hear it. It will ultimately also affect the eco-system diversely. I think the least we can do for the nature and saving it is to support these cause by voicing our thoughts in support of the people who are fighting for it.
The original reports:
16 Jul
Destroying Nature: Will Nal Sarovar be able to sustain poaching & illegal fishing for long.
13 Aug
Why Must Small Children Carry Heavy School Bags
We all believe & know that children are the future. Thus the children should be groomed and educated properly. Indians are unto the mark when it comes to educating their children. Everyone wants their children to go to the best schools they can afford and have the best of education. Each and every one of Indian parents want their child to be the topper. To achieve this they pressurize their child right from the preschool stage . Schools on their part put pressure on these children so that they can boast to have the best result records to show to the world and advertise it for their gains.
Today many children face psychological problems. Few of the parents come to know about the problem of their child in the form of a disturbed child or angry child but mostly problems of a child goes unnoticed. Apart from this an Indian child is also facing a severe problem of physical burden in the form of carrying heavy school bags every day of their life. By rule a child can only carry 10 to 15 percent of his\her body weight. But it seems that they carry much more then that in the form of their school bags everyday to their schools. In a recent article written in The Times Of India it was stated that most of the school students carried around 30 percent of their body weight in these school bags everyday.
If a child is regularly forced to bear such burden they will have many kinds of problems. The child will be facing problems like backache, headache, ligament tear. Heavy bags tend to put pressure on discs between vertebrae which causes back-pain. Constant load on spine among with a bad standing posture can cause lower back-pain is what the doctor says. How can you expect a child to stand in a correct posture when he or she is carrying such a burden every day of his or her schooling life. In the article of The Times Of India, orthopaedic surgeons Dr Tejal Patel and Dr Dinesh Agarwal have stated that repeated load on the neck, or cervical area can lead to headache and giddiness. Many doctors all over the world have stated that carrying heavy burden in the form of school bags can turn these children into humpbacks.
Child should carry only 3.5 kg. in class 1 & 2. In class 7 & 8 a child should carry about 9kg. weight at most. According to the rule at any given time child should be carrying only 10 to 15 percent of his or her body weight. After these facts came to my knowledge I was very disturbed. In our country there is a law against child labor. I think the law of against child labor has been around for quite a while but the schools are making the child carry very heavy school bags everyday. Isn’t this a sophisticated kind of child labor. The big question is why are the parents allowing it. I think they want to make a winner out of their children at any cost [ even at the cost their child becoming a humpback].
There are many articles being written in Newspapers in an effort to bring this problem to light. Many doctors also trying to make the parents realize what problems their child are facing. But the big question is do we all [ parents, teachers, institutes,schools and citizens ] as a society care to acknowledge this problem and try to rectify it. We should thank The Times Of India, The Hindu and other news papers who try to bring such an important problem to the knowledge of our sleepy society. I hope these newspapers do a regular follow up of these problems of the problems of our children until they are rectified.
Links:
The Times Of India : Ahmedabad
6 Jul
Tiger Will Again Roam in Sariska
Tiger released at Sariska.
Sariska was once a place where people from all over came to see the magnificent beast. At one time Sariska had many Tigers. But sadly due to poaching the tigers vanished from Sariska. According to the reports of 2005 there was not a single big cat [tiger] left in Sariska. I was happy to hear that the tiger will once again roam in the Sariska sanctuary.
Tigress released at Sariska.
In fact on Saurday 28th. June, the first phase of re-establishing the tigers in Sariska was implemented successfully. From among the three male tigers which had been selected, a young male Tiger had been tranquilized, caged and then transported to Sariska. Sanctuary area from Ranthambor Sanctuary by airlifting the cage. The operation was successfully completed by afternoon and the male tiger was roaming in Sariska after a long time. According to the news the tiger has adopted well to the new environment and it has also made its first kill. As is well known tigers are very territorial and so during the initial period the tiger will be kept in an 2 hector enclosure which will be very much alike the original place. When the tiger has completely settled and adopted to the new environment it will be released in the wild. The tiger has been radio collared through which it will be monitored 24 hours. In fact on Friday 4th. July a female tigress was also brought to Sariska and successfully released in another enclosure near the first one. The tigress was selected as a mate for the male tiger and the pair will be released in the wild after a few weeks. Let’s hope and pray that the project for breeding and re-establishing tigers in Sariska Sanctuary is a complete success.
Original Stories:
The Times of India – First Male Tiger released.
The Times of India – Tigress released .
23 Mar
SAVE THE GANGES RIVER DOLPHINS
Most of us know about River Ganga or Ganges. It is one of the biggest river of India and considered to be the holiest of rivers. Most of us from India have visited and taken a dip in the holy waters of riverGanges. But do we know that Ganges is the home to fresh water Dolphin. Few of us know that Fresh Water Dolphins [ Platanista gangetica ] live in Ganges have been there for ages.
The Ganges River Dolphin or Susu as locally known are found in the Ganges, Bhramaputra , and some other rivers in India, Bangladesh and Nepal. They are also know as blind Dolphins as they do not have lens in their eyes. According to the Hindu mythology as we all know the River Ganges came down from the heaven and from that time the River Dolphins have been a part of the Ganges. The river Dolphin was revered and considered to be a very sacred fish even in the third century BC. during the time of Emperor Ashoka. It was one of the worlds first protected species, as it was protected under a special status given by Emperor Ashoka. Today the River Dolphin is an endangered species, there are many reasons to the reduction of its population. The construction of many barrages and dams is one of the reasons as it has divided and restricted the colony of dolphins. The main reason is pollution. We all know that river Ganges is polluted but do little about it. Fishing is another reason for the decrease in dolphin’s population. As the river dolphin is blind it cannot see the nets and get easily tangled into them. Their habitat is degrading and so are they.
The River dolphins have a chance in form of “Dr Sandeep Behera “The Dolphin Man”. Dr Sandeep Behera is the Freshwater Programme Coordinator for WWF – India. He is know among the local villagers as the Dolphin Man. Dr. Sandeep has worked tirelessly for the last 13 years to try an save the Ganges River Dolphins.
In particular his work has been focused on the 164 km. stretch of river between Bijnor and Narora. This area is about 200 km. from New Delhi. He has been able to persuade the local government to put an ban on commercial fishing and sand mining among the river banks. Due to his involvement and research we now know that as like canaries sent down mines to warn of toxic gases the dolphins in our rivers can also warn of polluted water. A major threat to the Ganges river dolphin has been the extensive damming of rivers for irrigation and electricity generation, which isolates populations and prevents seasonal migration. Other threats include chemical pollution, boat traffic, hunting and human disturbance. This species has also been hunted at times for oil, fish bait and food by local people.
Well, now we know that such a beautiful species is in danger we should help in whatever way we can to make things better and try to save them form getting extinct. It is sad to know that the river dolphin which we in India considered to be a heavenly being and had revered it is near extinction. It is already protected under the wild life act. But unless we the people of India will not co-operate and help there is a limit to which the Government or WWF can do. Stop commercial fishing, stop using soaps and other things while taking a dip at Ganges, stop using the river as a dustbin and if we want to do more the WWF and The Dolphin Man are there to guide us.
Links:
* Swimming blindly down the Ganges
*Ganges River dolphin
*Conserving the Ganges River Dolphin and improving livelihoods
* The Red List of Threatened Species
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9 Mar
SAVE THE TIGERS – The Last Stand
India has been home to Tigers for a very long time. If one has seen a Tiger they are just awed by the beauty, power and aura of the magnificent beast. Tigers were found all over India and still as many as 16 States of India are home to the Tigers. The latest census report released on 12th. February, 2008 by the Government of India reports that there are only 1411 tigers left. The population of the Tiger has been reduced by nearly 50% and that too in a period of 6 to 7 years. It is time that emergency and drastic steps are taken to save the pride of jungle and pride of India from becoming extinct.
[ The above picture shows the tiger population of India 2008 with figures, as on Panda.org. click on the image. ]
The causes of the fast decrease in the Tiger population are well known both by the government and common people. The increasing pressure on Tiger habitats due to agriculture, industrialization and degradation and fragmentation of natural habitats, forests and natural grasslands are one of the main reasons for the decrease of Tiger population and for that matter all wildlife in India. The immediate effect of this is lack of natural food and habitat causes the wild animals to come out of the forest area. This tends to increase the conflicts between the humans and animals. The other reason for the population decrease is Poaching, which has been on rise recently. There is a slogan I have been hearing for quit some time, ” If the buying stops, the selling will stop”. I think the rich people who are the only one who can afford buying the skins for their fancies are probably deaf, as they cannot seem to hear the slogan.
The poaching problem should be dealt with strictly by the Government of India and the concerned State Governments. The Forest Department of India is severely understaffed and they do not have the modern weapons and technology to protect the Forest areas. The laws for the animal protection should be revised. The poachers should be shot dead on sight. How can a forest guard armed with a stick [danda] or an outdated rifle fight the heavily armed poachers to protect the animals. It is time the Government of India acts urgently. The people of India should also join hands to save the Tiger. NDTV India has started a campaign to save the Tigers, please help the cause by signing the petition, please go to the link below to sign the petition online and help the Tiger.
Other links for more information on Tiger Saving projects are:
* WWF
* The WILDLIFE PROTECTION SOCIETY OF INDIA (WPSI)
PLEASE IF YOU HAVE ANY SYMPATHY GO TO THE ABOVE LINKS AND HELP SAVE THE TIGER.
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1 Mar
INCIDENT WHICH DEFIS NATURE : ANIMAL Vs. HUMAN
In a shocking incident which took place in the Garo hills of Meghalaya, a man was killed and devoured by a wild elephant. As per the report a man who came in the way of the herd was killed and devoured by the elephant.
The incident had taken place nearly a month ago and the same was confirmed by the Principal ChiefConservator of forests of Meghalaya, VK Nautiyal, who had been to Delhi for a conference of top forest officials in the country. He said that it was not normal for an elephant to eat a man. And had added that it was unlikely that the animal would develop a taste for blood or turn into a carnivore.
Elephants are strictly herbivores and usually eat grass. There have been many incidents where-in conflicts between human and elephants have taken place in which elephants have known to rampage, trample or batter humans to death. There have also been many incidents where elephants have entered farms and destroy huts and crops but there has never been an recorded incident of an elephant eating a human being.
This is surely an incident which defies nature.
23 Oct
Twist of Fate
Everyday we hear stories and reports about the wild animals being killed by the poachers. Sometimes its elephants, sometimes its tigers and rhinos being poached and killed by human poachers. But a report shows that their was a twist of fate at Kaziranga National Park in India, where a notorious poacher was killed by a female rhino. This news came to light after the range officer after hearing rumors did some thorough investigations.
A notorious poacher named Gaonbura Rongfar was killed by a female rhino. The poacher among with another person had entered the park at night for poaching of the endangered animal. But there was a twist of fate and the enraged adult female rhino who was there among with her calf, killed Gaonbura Rongfar. The other poacher managed to escape with his life. The person who had escaped managed to give the news of Gaonbura Rongfar to his family through a local person. But the news of Gaonbura Rongfar’s death was kept secret by his family due to the circumstance of the death. It was only after the through investigation of the range officer and questioning of the family did they confessed the truth. Gaonbura had connections with several killings of endangered animals, he had been arrested in 2003 but as usual due to lack of evidence he was allowed to go free.
Why can’t people stop this madness of killing animals. The heading for the original article at the link below is very true, “The Hunter becomes the Hunted”. Although the mother rhino killed the poacher in self defense, I think it is the silent justice of God’s will.
13 Oct
Navratri is here & People in millions coming for darsan of Goddess Maa Ashapura
The temple of Goddess Ashapura is situated in the village of ”Matanamadh”, in Lakpath taluka of Kutch district in the State of Gujarat in India. According to the Gujarati calendar it is now the time of the nine day festival known as “Navratri” or “Navratra” which in english means nine nights. This navratri festval is dedicated to Mataji or Goddess [ Goddess Amba ]. During this navratri festival dance known as “Garba” take place for nine nights in which both men and women take part to dance to the tunes of traditional music and songs dedicated to the Goddess. During this nine days navratra festival many religious activities take place and people bring small earthen pots to their home and light diva and do puja of Goddess at sunrise and sunset and at night do “Ras-Garba” dance to show devotion the Goddess.
During this nine days people also show their devotion to ‘Mataji” or Goddess by visiting various famous shrine of Goddess’s. It is during this nine day navratra festival that the road going towards the ancient and revered shrine of Goddess Ashapura in Matanamadh comes to life. 2,00,000/3,00,000 people start walking towards the temple. People walk a distance of 350 KM. to show their devotion towards the Goddess. They go on foot from their cities and villages on food, walking for days. They cover on an average about 50 km per day. Starting at a distance of about 200 KM. from the Shrine of Goddess Ashapura, camps are set up on the roads at every 50 km or so by the volunteers to cater all the needs of devotees who come walking by, like food, sleeping tents, tea & snacks. and provide doctors and warm water for massaging tired Padyatri [ people travelling on foot ]. Devotees claim that lots of miracles happen. There have been reported incidents which claim the a person had come to Goddess Ashapura for darshan in wheel-chair and after the darsan of Goddess he was completely cured. He came for the darsan of Goddess Ashapura next year in Navratra walking all the way to shrine. To know more about the Holy ancient shrine of Goddess Ashapura click the link below.
Click here to go to website of Goddess Ashapura.
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14 Aug
Nokia Recalls Faulty Battery
In an advisory release on its website Nokia has stated that its battery BL-5C which have been used between 2005 – 2006 are faulty. Out of the total production of 300 million batteries, 4.5 million batteres manufactured by Matsushita Battery Industrial Co. Ltd. of Japan have the problem of overheating and some burst when overcharged. Over 100 incidents have been stated world-wide regarding BL-5C batteries.
Nokia and Matsushita will be replacing these battery if the customer wishes to do so. If our mobile has a BL-5C battery we can check whether it needs to be replaced or not by checking it at the Nokia advisory page. It can be checked by entering the battery identification number. It is a 26 character id. number and can be found just above the ‘Made in Japan’. Lets hope our battery identification number is not in the advisory list of the 4.5 million batteries. And if by chance it is in the advisory list, lets hope it gets replaced soon. You can find all the details at Nokia Website.
9 Aug
Ban of Elephants in Mumbai
The government has put a ban on allowing domesticated or pet elephants to be walked around the streets of Mumbai. This was win situation for the animal rights activists who had been raising voice against the cruelty and abuse to the elephants. And I agree that it was very abusive towards the beautiful giants to make them walk the busy roads of Mumbai city. The Mahouts or the elephant owners use these poor giants for begging for them. They are used in marriages where they are used to carry Grooms and seen as status symbols. They are used in ceremonies during festivals. Rest of the time they have to walk down the busy mumbai streets full of traffic and pollution begging from mumbaites. Some offer money and some fruits which is collected by the elephants by their trunks and handed over to its mahavat or owner who is sitting on the back of the animal. It is a shame to see these gentle and beautiful giants turned into beggers by their mahavats making them collect money and fruits offered by people for them while themselves sitting on there back shamelessely. The elephants do not even get proper food even though they are the sole bread-earners for the entire mahavat family. The ban was a most necessary and welcome move. But still the same abuse and cruelty is going on everywhere in India. But anyway its a good begining.
The World Around Me 