Tag: Forests

India and Bhutan on Air quality, Climate change, Forests, Natural resources, renewable energy sources and wildlife

 A delegation from the Royal Government of Bhutan, headed by Mr Gem Tshering, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Government of Bhutan met Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and discussed issues related to air quality, climate change, forests, natural resources, wildlife and renewable energy.

Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh thanked the Bhutanese Minister on joining the International Big Cat Alliance, a global initiative of India. He stated that both countries share same geography, ecosystem, as well as common values of democracy. He further stated that climate change is a common concern for both the countries.

Mr. Tshering informed about successfully hosting the Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscape Conference in April 2024 in Paro. He stated that Bhutan is already a carbon negative country and obtains its major share of energy from hydropower.

Both sides agreed to work together in the areas of climate change, air quality, forest, wildlife management, and capacity building in the field of environment and climate change. India suggested to hold the Joint Working Group Meeting.

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HUMAN SOCIETY IS MAKING THE MISTAKE OF FORGETTING THE IMPORTANCE OF FORESTS

 Human society is making the mistake of forgetting the importance of forests. Forests are life givers. The reality is that forests have preserved life on earth, said the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu while addressing the officer trainees of Indian Forest Service (2022 batch) at their convocation ceremony at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Dehradun today (April 24, 2024).

The President said that today we talk about the Anthropocene Age, which is the period of human-centric development. During this period, disastrous results have emerged along with development. Unsustainable exploitation of resources has brought humanity to a point where the standards of development have to be re-evaluated. She stressed on the importance of understanding that we are not the owners of the earth’s resources, but we are trustees. Our priorities should be ecocentric along with anthropocentric. In fact, only by being ecocentric we will be able to be truly anthropocentric, she stated.

The President said that in many parts of the world the loss of forest resources has occurred very rapidly. Destruction of forests is in a way – destruction of humanity. It is a well known fact that conservation of earth’s biodiversity and natural beauty is a very important task which we have to do very quickly.

The President said that human life can be saved from the crisis through conservation and promotion of forests and wildlife. We can repair the damage at a faster pace with the help of Science and Technology. For example, the Miyawaki Method is being adopted in many places. Artificial Intelligence can help in identifying suitable areas for afforestation and area specific tree species. She stated that there is a need to assess various such options and develop solutions suitable to the geographical conditions of India.

The President said that the chariot of development has two wheels – tradition and modernity. Today human society is bearing the brunt of many environmental problems. One of the main reasons for this is a special type of modernity, the root of which is the exploitation of nature. Traditional knowledge is neglected in this process.

The President said that tribal society has made the eternal laws of nature the basis of their life. People of this society conserve nature. But, under the impulse of unbalanced modernity, some people consider the tribal community and their collective wisdom primitive. Tribal society has no role in climate change but the burden of its ill effects is disproportionately more on them.

The President said that it is very important to understand the importance of the knowledge accumulated by tribal society over centuries and use it to improve the environment. She stated that their collective wisdom can help us move forward on an ecologically sustainable, ethically desirable and socially justifiable path. She stressed that we will have to unlearn many misconceptions and relearn from the ideals of a balanced lifestyle of the tribal society. We have to move forward with the spirit of climate justice.

The President said that the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries increased the demand for timber and other forest products. New rules, regulations and methods of forest use were adopted to cope with the demand. To implement such rules and regulations, the Imperial Forest Service, the predecessor service of the Indian Forest Service, was formed. The mandate of that service was not to protect the tribal society and forest wealth. Their mandate was to promote the objectives of the British Raj by exploiting India’s forest resources to the maximum.

Referring to the mass hunting of wild animals during the British period, the President said that when she visits museums where animal skins or severed heads adorn the walls, she feels that those exhibits are telling the story of the decline of human civilization.

The President said that she was confident that the officers of the Indian Forest Service had become completely free from the colonial mentality and outlook of the former Imperial Forest Service. She stated that IFS officers not only have to conserve and augment India’s natural resources but also use the traditional knowledge in the interest of humanity. They have to protect the forest wealth by synchronizing modernity and tradition and advancing the interests of the people whose life is based on forests. By doing this, they will be able to make a contribution that is truly inclusive and congenial to the environment.

The President said that the Indian Forest Service has given many officers to the country who have done unparalleled work for the environment. IFS officers such as Shri P. Srinivas, Shri Sanjay Kumar Singh, Shri S. Manikandan have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. She urged the officer trainees to make such officers their role models and mentors and move forward on the ideals shown by them.

The President urged IFS officers to spend time among the tribal people in the field and earn their affection and trust. She said that they should learn from the good practices of the tribal society. She also urged them to take ownership of their responsibilities and become a role model.

Click here to see the President’s speech in Hindi.

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Gaura Devi who played an important role in Chipko Movement.

Credit- Chipko Heritage

Gaura Devi (1925 – 1991) was a social activist and a rural women community leader from Uttarakhand, India who played an important role in the Chipko movement in 1970’s .
Gaura Devi was born in 1925 in a village named Lata of Chamoli district in the state of Uttarakhand. She got married at very young age, afer her marraige she moved to a nearby village named Reni by the Alaknanda River. At the age of 22 she was a widow with a child. After her husband death she moved to a new village which was near to the border of Indo-Tibet.

Credit- Medium

An environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna initially started the Chipko Movement . Gaura Devi became the leader of the Chipko movement in 1974. Gaura Devi was elected to lead the Mahila Mangal Dal (Women’s Welfare Association) in the wake of the Chipko movement. The organization worked towards protecting the forests of the community. On March 25, 1974, she learned from a young girl of the village that a local loggers of the village were logging a tree near the village. People in the village of Reni were told the news that according to government new policy, the government would pay compensation to the people for the land used by the army . Gaura Devi and 27 other women decide to take action against the loggers. She confronted the loggers and demanded that the men shoot her instead of cutting down trees, and she described the forest as “vandevta” (the jungle god) and her maika (mother’s house). Eventually, for the next three or four days Gaura Devi along with other village women’s protect the trees by hugging the trees , despite the insults and intimidation of the armed loggers,she was able to stop the logger’s work . After seeing the bravery of Gaura Devi and other village women’s how they protect the trees who are the important part of thier life other villagers from different villages joined the action with her . After this incident, the Uttar Pradesh government set up a specialized committee to investigate logging issues, and the logging company withdrew its subordinates from Reni. The Commission stated that the Reni Forest is an ecologically sensitive area where trees should not be logged. The Uttar Pradesh government who was in power of that area at that has since banned all logging in areas over 1150 km² for 10 years.

Credit- Medium

Some other important activist who played an important role in Chipko Andolan or Chipko movement along side Gaura Devi were :
Suraksha Devi, Sudesha Devi, Bachni Devi and Chandi Bhatt, Virushka Devi and others.

Gaura Devi passed away in July 1991, at the age of 66 in Reni village Chamoli.

“Ecology is permanent economy “

-Sunderlal Bahuguna

What is Afforestation and Its Benefits?

AFFORESTATION

Forests provide the clean air, water, and food grains that organisms need to survive in the world. There are no lives without forests. So in this article we will look at the benefits of these forests and their current status.

The Source of Life is Forests

It is a scientific fact that only living things on earth live in the solar family, and that this is because only air and water exist on earth. The fact is that all living things on earth can survive, even though researchers are still researching whether the planets have enough air and water to sustain life. This air contains gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. Organisms all absorb oxygen and release carbon dioxide. At the same time, plants absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, and provide clean air for organisms to live.

The Source of Water is Forests

Water is essential for human beings and living beings. This water is available to us through rainfall. Where it rains is mostly in the forests. It rains because of the forests. There are no trees in the deserts. So no rain. There are plenty of trees in the hills. So it rains generously. It is the forests that pour rainwater into the earth and give us groundwater.

Shade Trees and Forests 

Living beings rest in the shade of a tree as they travel from one place to another. That is why all the kings planted trees on both sides of the roads.

Forests That Prevent Soil Erosion

When it rains and the water flows away, the soil is washed away. Thus residential areas are devastated. But soil erosion is largely prevented as the roots of the trees cling to the soil. 

Forests to Help the Home

In addition to the above, trees are also used for building doors, tables, beds, and shelves for humans to live in.

Trees That Provide Food and Medicine

The fruits of the trees are used as food for humans and animals. The leaves, bark, roots, fruits and pods of many trees are also used medicinally. The water that falls on some plants and falls on us is also used as medicine. 

Disadvantages of deforestation 

Today forests are being massively destroyed in the name of civilization. Deforestation to build apartments. This causes erosion and many lives are lost. Decreased rainfall leads to drought, famine and starvation. Man has to wander for drinking water. 

So we will plant trees, grow forests and see resources to live healthily and happily in the world of organisms.

2020-21: Fires, Heat and Rains

2020 started with forest fires in Canada, Brazil and bush fires across Australian coast, causing the death of at least two billion animals.

Tourism Australia Bites Back On 'Viral Bushfire Misinformation'
The Australian Bush fires

Come 2021, Greek, Turkish and Italian people experienced one of the hottest summers in history in 2021. In the Hellenic Republic of Greece, the temperatures reached 45 degree Celsius on 4th August. While this might be a pretty regularly recorded temperature in the tropic, the Balkans and the Anatolian peninsula recording such temperatures is worrisome. The temperatures led to a spontaneous spread of forest fires in and across Europe, Canada and Turkey – and people across the globe shared the plight of Turkey on social media since Turkey is not habitual with these fires and hence lacks the number of helicopters and jets to control these fires.

Sicily wildfires, August 2021
Turkey battles wildfires for 6th day, EU to send planes
Turkish Wildfires have been unprecedented for the country

China recorded floods it had never seen in the last 50 years of its history in 2021. A very worst form of excessive rainfalls was recorded in central and western Europe in July 2021 with countries like Germany completely overwhelmed by floods. This is in addition to the already burning Amazons and even Asian countries recording instances of Forest fires in a time not traditionally identified with the same. Russia and Finland and US are also heading towards a quite imminent diplomatic crisis given that the Arctic has already lost more than 50% of its ice opening up the once frozen Tundra and permafrost to petroleum and uranium explorations with the obvious geopolitical control over the area being a chief topic of contention.

Arctic cold war: climate change has ignited a new polar power struggle
Climate change has ignited a new proxy struggle for the domination of the ocean.
Climate change: Polar bears could be lost by 2100 - BBC News
These might be one of the last generation of the polar bears.

China and India claim to have planted at least a billion trees in the last 5 years with China keen on developing technologies that are associated with building forest towns – a human enclosure built within an artificial forest as the future of dwelling. France announced a closing of all its coal plants 2 years ahead of schedule. But is that all? Global statistics show a massive increase in demand for coal in 2020 and ’21.

Liuzhou Forest City | Stefano Boeri Architetti
The Liuzhou city might be the first forest city on the planet.

The images of environment recovering due to COVID might be fairly short lived.

World Nature Conservation Day 2021

“Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help, shall all be saved.”

– Jane Goodall

Introduction

Every year July 28th is celebrated as World Nature Conservation Day. This is to raise awareness to protect the planet we live on, our Mother Earth. The meaning of conservation is carefully using valuable natural substances that exist in limited amounts to make certain that they will be available for as long a time as possible. The practice of not using resources carefully has also led to the extinction of many species. Conservation will help in the growth of biological, economic, cultural, and recreational values. Non-conservation for so many years has also resulted in Climate change which we know is affecting the planet in many negative ways.

Significance

It is important to recognize that we need nature for our survival, if we let that go, it will disturb the environment which will then disturb the climate harming the harvests and the well-being of all humans. Not just that, we also need nature for all the non-renewable resources we keep using for our industries. Celebration of this day recognizes the importance of a healthy environment which is the foundation of a stable and productive society, it ensures the well-being of present and future generations. The aim of this day is to introspect on how we Homo sapiens are exploiting nature and the effects we are facing because of it, such as global warming, natural disaster, increased temperature, and various diseases. 

Theme for this year

The theme for this year’s World Nature Conservation Day is “Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet”. This theme highlights the importance of co-existing with nature.

Forests are often underestimated and looked upon as just a source of wood, but it is important to know their importance. We greatly depend on forests for our survival, be it the air we breathe or the wood we use. Forests provide habitat for animals and also a livelihood for humans, it also offers watershed protection. Forests help in preventing soil erosion and help in the mitigation of climate change. Over 2 billion people rely on forests for shelter, livelihoods, water, food, and fuel security. Forests are home to over 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity and 60 million indigenous people. Forests provide jobs for more than 13 million people across the world. They are the second-largest storehouses of carbon which is very important to solve the issue of global warming and to reach the goals described in the Paris Agreement.

Things to do to Conserve Nature

Cut Down on plastic use – Although the use of plastic is convenient for us, it is non-biodegradable and leaves its trace for a very long time, it not only stays in the environment but also impacts other species, like choking animals and birds because of plastic.

Save Electricity – Electricity is produced by using non-renewable resources. If we control how much electricity we use, and don’t waste it, less non-renewable resources will be used. The creation of electricity produces extra carbon waste which increases global warming. 

Save Water – Wasting water is resulting in decreasing levels of drinking water. Not only that but it also creates a lot of energy to treat, pump, and heat water. We should use water judiciously. 

Recycle-Reuse – Following the practice of recycling and reusing will help in reducing the amount of waste we create.

Conclusion

We have learnt about the importance of nature and its conservation above. It is high time to realize the importance of following this practice as we are in deep waters already. This summer the world has experienced nature’s wrath all across, floods in China and Europe, high temperatures in Canada, the US, and the UK. The last few years have seen a rise in forest fires and if this isn’t warning enough of the damage we have caused, then we’re just waiting for a big disaster to hit us.

References

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO SAVE TIGER

We have often come across various initiatives raised by many conservationist with the title of SAVE TIGERS. There are also many rigid laws formed by the government to protect Tigers. Have you ever wondered that why this ferocious feline needs protection and is so important that has many acts in the Constitution of India for its protection as well as has a huge fan following which wants this animal to be saved. Well the very first reason which may across any Indian’s mind is that – it is our national animal, our pride and we ought to protect it. The reason is very absolute but there is more to it. Read this blog completely to know how this ferocious predator acts as a climate regulator and a job provider to many , maybe indirectly if not directly.

Tiger known by the scientific name of Panthera tigris is one of the most endangered species of the world today. Known for its strength and agility which makes it the apex predator in the ecosystem, today the existence of this species has reduced to just 4000 big cats all over the world from the huge number of 1,00,000 which used to be a century ago. IUCN(The International Union for Conservation of Nature) has recognized 9 subspecies of the big cats out of which 3 are critically endangered while the other six are almost extinct.

Why is Tiger important for our existence?

  • Tigers are considered to be the indicators of Ecological wellness as they are the dominant predators of the ecosystem. They mainly hunt on herbivores keeping their number in check . The decrease in the number of tigers can lead to the increase in the number of herbivores and ultimately if the tigers get completely extinct there will be no check on the population of herbivores which will disrupt the ecological balance proving extremely fatal for the entire living species on the earth. The forests which acts as climate regulator and controller will be destroyed by the herbivores as they will eat all the plants and trees. Also, forests help in maintaining the carbon storage value in the atmosphere. Keeping in adherence with the above point , the loss of green cover for this particular reason will lead to the increase in the carbon value thus destroying earth. For example- Forests protected for Amur tigers in Russia reserves around 130,000 tonnes of carbon per year which is equivalent to the carbon produced by over 25000 cars per year.
  • We all know forests are the natural regulators of climate helping to keep every compound of atmosphere in check. Due to globalization we have already lost a large area of forest cover which has lead to several problems such as global warming. Also , since tigers need a large green cover for their habitat, it has also become important to save their habitat which in turn will save atleast some of the forest cover . It has also been noted that protected forests generate cleaner water and regulate the flow of water. While the cloud forests increase the flow of water flowing in rivers passing through the protected tiger habitats , the humid forests decrease the flow, hence maintaining the flow of water, the absence of which could lead to floods or drought conditions in several areas.
  • Apart from the indirect ecological service that the tigers provide by preserving forests, they also generate employment and promotes industrialization . The forests in Tiger habitats are a home for large number of medicinal plants ,other animals , forest products such as timber and provides employment opportunity to many people who work to access the forest commodities . The tiger habitats also attracts a large number of tourists which gives more job and increase the tourism sector.

The population of big cats in India

Since India houses almost 70 percent of the total tiger population of the world at a time , we had to play the important role in tiger conservation. Keeping which in mind the Government of India had started “Project Tiger” in 1972 with the aim to conserve the big cats. India has managed to maintain a number of almost 2800 big cats by converting many forests into protected Tiger reserves. India has more than 50 tiger reserves today.

Do the problem ends here? No, it does’ not. This blog was just a small effort to let people know the actual reasons behind tiger conservation and to create awareness that ” no tigers, no forests, no life”.

21/03 – Forest+Poetry

” I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree “

Forest is of course the best poem ever. And what’s better than celebrating the beauty of both; the forests & the poems, on the same day. The starting lines of the blog & the March 21 , both relate the forests to the poetry. Yes, today is the day for the aesthetic, the day to celebrate beauty. Today is the international day of forest & also the world poetry day.

Let’s first talk about the history of the day.

The International Day of Forests (IDF) was proclaimed by The United Nations General Assembly on March 21st 2012.The Day celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests.This day is an effort to attain the SDG 15. Each year , on this day, countries are encouraged to undertake efforts to organize activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns. The theme for the year 2021 is “Forest  restoration : a path to recovery and well-being.”

During UNESCO’s 30th session which was held in Paris in 1999, the decision to proclaim March 21st as World Poetry Day was taken. The Day is celebrated to recognize ability of poetry to capture the creative spirit of the human mind.One of the main objectives of the Day is to support linguistic diversity through poetic expression and to offer endangered languages the opportunity to be heard within their communities. The day is celebrated to encourage every art form.

March 21st , is the day to celebrate the confluence of two beautiful arts, one by God & one by human.

Ps : For all those who’re in search of a poem, the forest could become the one. And for all those who’re in love with forests, poetry could express the feeling of pure love.🌿🌺💚✍️

Let Nature beam… Please Go Green..🌿🍃

🕊️ May the peace prevail on our Earth. May the hope abide in our Hearts. 🕊️

Happy Reading…🙂