Ecology and Environment

Author: Hartman de Souza Art: Jessica Schnabel Content Courtesy: Himal Southasian

Where there is water, there is probably ore beneath.

Having trekked several times to Paikdev’s spring to gulp water pouring out of the moss-covered iron mouth, one would think the mysteries of the journey would fade. But, if anything, they have become more poignant – sitting here at this shrine to the snake deity of the Velip community in the village of Maina, in Goa’s Quepem District. It is here, amidst thousands of hectares of rolling forests, in the foothills of the Western Ghats, home to countless perennial springs and streams, wildlife and more, that a strange conglomeration of mining companies, politicians and real-estate developers are sharpening their collective sword. These activities were already afoot a year ago, with mining operations systematically destroying forests, because, as the government in Panjim stated at the time, the iron ore was needed by New Delhi to keep its nine-percent growth rate on track. This year, the message is no different.

The Vembanad estuarine system, the largest of its kind on the west coast of India is known to be abundantly enriched with diverse fishery resources, providing feeding, spawning and rearing areas for a very large proportion of commercial (fin) fish and shellfish. However, ecosystem health of the Vembanad wetlands is alarmingly declining due to a variety of reasons - obstruction of river courses, sand mining & habitat destruction, loss of riparian canopy cover, encroachment, pollution and unethical fishing practices. Reduced summer flow due to drying up of rivers and pollution hazards from agro-chemicals and sewage also lead to mass mortality of fishes. Depletion of fishery resources has changed this ‘inland fish basket’ to an ‘inland wastebasket’, driving the fisherfolk, the primary stakeholders of the lake into a livelihood crisis.

Organizers: Indian River Network (IRN) Lawyer Forum, National Law School of India University and Tamil Nadu Environmental Council Lawyer Forum

Venue: Malligai Farm - Bennangur, (Near Bangalore), Tamil Nadu

Description:

We are happy to inform that a training programme for south Indian Lawyers involved in environmental activities will be conducted by the Resource persons from National Law school of India University with materials and valuable certificate for the participants and by eminent faculties from NGO's.

Article Courtesy: Funds for NGOs.org

“The Ramsar Small Grants Fund (SGF) was established in 1990 as a mechanism to assist developing countries and those with economies in transition in implementing the Convention and to support the conservation and wise use of wetland resources, with a strong human and social dimension. From 1991 to 2008 the Fund has provided a total of 7.5 million Swiss Francs to 227 projects from 108 countries, providing up to 40,000 Swiss francs (about US$32,000) per project.”

Organizer: Environmental Synergies in Development

Venue: Mantri Classic Hall. ST Bed

Description:

Organizers: IYCN (Indian  Youth Climate Network), Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir, J&K Bank, Department of Environment and Remote Sensing, and Jammu and Kashmir State Pollution Control Board

Topic: The conference will invite experts and speakers to talk about existing environmental problems in the Jammu and Kashmir region and possible eco-solutions that meet local needs will be provided by the Green Solution Fair.

Venue: Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Center in Srinagar

This presentation describes the effort of Indo Rama, Butibori in carrying out production of polyester yarns, fiber and chips in an environmentally conscious manner and its work in conserving and harvesting water in its industrial processes and premises. In particular, it discusses the clean technologies used in production such as –

• Reduction in steam consumption at PSF Plant and in CP (through use of Zimmer technology-based glycol ejector)
• Reduction of drift losses in cooling towers by replacement of eliminators
• Conversion of condensate to flash steam and its reuse in boilers

This brief by Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) acknowledges that climate, water and agriculture are the three important factors that are facing severe crisis in recent years and argues that it is necessary to recognise that these three factors cannot be viewed in isolation, but as converging, interdependent and interconnected factors.

The convergence of these three factors means that solutions to the crisis cannot be found in isolation, but need to be complementary, that move away from dominant industrial agricultural models, to models that are sustainable and just.

SIMPLE & EFFECTIVE Method to increase WATER to east flowing RIVERS of SOUTH INDIA.

WESTERN GHATS are the mighty walls created by the nature.