Considered as an inspiration for the myth of mermaids and sirens, the dugong is a species of sea cows found through the warm latitudes of the Indian and western Pacific oceans.

With an average life span of 70 years, these large animals, often reaching lengths of more than 13 feet, are the only existing species of herbivorous mammals that live exclusively in the sea.  Dugongs primarily graze on sea grasses and therefore, spend most of their time on the sea grass beds. They reproduce via internal fertilization and give birth to large young, which they nurse for almost 18 months. Dugongs are very social creatures often occurring in either mother and calf pairs or herds of up to 200 individuals. Though they resemble whales and dolphins morphologically, they are believed to be descendants of land mammals and are actually one of the closest living relatives of the elephants.

Even though adult dugongs do not have any natural predators, however, the juveniles are sometimes eaten by saltwater crocodiles, killer whales and large, coastal sharks. The dugongs communicate with each other using sound and vision. Much like dolphins, dugongs use chirps, whistles and barks and other sounds that echo underwater for communication.

Dugongs have been hunted for their meat, oil, skin and bones over the years and bought by people for extremely high prices under the impression that they will reduce the body temperature. Once abundant in the Indian waters, dugong population has now reduced to about 200 individuals and is believed to be continuously declining in its number and range.  Considered as ‘vulnerable’ by the IUCN, the dugong has some or complete legal protection throughout most of its range, but is still hunted in some places and is threatened by habitat destruction, collision with boats, and accidental capture in fisheries targeting other species throughout most of its range. World Dugong Day is observed on May 28 every year to raise awareness about this important species which continues to fight for its survival.

Without careful management of the human activities that threaten the dugong, it will surely follow the path of extinction just like its close relative the Steller’s sea cow which was hunted to extinction in the 1700s.

Most dams are built to store water to compensate for fluctuations in river flow, thereby providing a measure of human control over water resources, or to raise the level of water upstream to either increase hydraulic head or enable diversion of water into a canal. The creation of storage and head allows dams to generate electricity; to supply water for agriculture, industries, and municipalities; to mitigate flooding; and to assist river navigation. However, the environmental costs far outweigh the benefits.

Environmental problems caused by dams include:

1. Soil Erosion

Dams hold back the sediment load that is normally found in a river flow, thus depriving the downstream of fertile soil. In order to make up for the sediments, the downstream water erodes its channels and banks. This lowering of the riverbed threatens vegetation and wildlife.

• Species Extinction

Many fish species rely on the ability to move about freely in a river to seek food or to return to the place they were born. The vast majority of large dams do not include proper bypass systems for these animals, interfering with their life cycles and sometimes driving the species to extinction. Migratory species are the worst affected in this scenario. The reproduction of migrating fishes is also hindered by the floods that harm the egg beds.

• Spread of Disease

Dam reservoirs in tropical areas become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, snails and flies due to their slow movement. These vectors are responsible for spreading malaria, Schistosomiasis and river blindness. Dams may also cause increases in water sourced illnesses like typhus, typhoid and cholera.

• Changes to Earth’s Rotation

Large dams cause changes to the earth’s rotation because of the shift of water weight from oceans to reservoirs. Due to the number of dams which have been built, the Earth’s daily rotation has apparently sped up eight-millionths of a second since the 1950s.

• Sedimentation

Sedimentation is the process by which larger sediments in water entering a reservoir are deposited at its upper end forming a delta and steadily raising the level of the upper reaches of the reservoir. This results in flooding.

• Salinisation

The arid and semi-arid areas are incapable of handling large amounts of water brought by irrigation. Irrigation water has more saline content and adds more salt to the system leading to the increase of salinization. Changes in the salt regime can affect the entire ecosystem and disrupts breeding of fishes.

• Changes in Water Quality

The temperature of water, salt and oxygen distribution may change vertically as a consequence of reservoir formation. The water quality will also be changed seriously as a result of drainage water returning from irrigation which contains fertilisers. This results in algal blooms which suck the oxygen out of the water, making the water acidic and potentially harmful to people and animals.

• Increase in Earthquakes

Some increase in earthquakes may be there because of the filling of big dam reservoirs.

• Changes in Climate

As reservoirs fill, upstream forests are flooded, eliminating their function as carbon sinks. As the drowned vegetation decomposes, decaying plants in manmade reservoirs release methane, which is a powerful greenhouse gas.

1. Increased Evaporation

Since more surface area of the water gets exposed to the sun, reservoirs result in much more evaporation than the natural flow of the river before that dam existed.

Although dams do represent a renewable source of energy, these manmade structures are far from green. Solar, wind and geothermal energies should be explored as alternatives to hydroelectricity which is a bane not only for the environment but also for the people living downstream the dams.

2020. A year of turmoil. A year of endless mishaps. A year of infinite lessons. One lesson which we all have learnt, irrespective of our origin, race or gender, is that nature never forgets. That the Earth is not for ours to abuse and disrespect. That we are nothing without her, but she would be fine even without us.

Humans have been polluting the Earth ever since the “Industrial Era”, all because we wanted to make our lives easier. Faster transport, cheaper materials and what not. Our greeds were uncontrollable. We were so blinded by our needs that we couldn’t see how badly we were treating the Earth. And even when we did realize it, the damage was too gruesome to solve easily, or so we thought.

However, this year, when all of us were confined to our homes, not only did we notice an improvement in the air quality (due to negligible usage of automobiles) but we also noticed significant changes in the surroundings; the birds were chirping, the rivers were becoming cleaner and the animals were roaming around carefree. All this happened only because we weren’t there to destroy it. This speaks volumes on how deeply we impact the Earth and how solving environmental issues might be a bit difficult in the beginning, but isn’t entirely impossible.

So, with this thought, let’s move towards a greater year. Let’s make 2021 a year of new traditions. It’s high time we start thinking about the environment too. Let us incorporate at least one goal in our resolutions, dedicated towards the betterment of the Earth. Reduce water wastage, plant 5 trees, refuse plastics, recycle clothes. Anything which would be possible at an individual level. Not only will this benefit the Earth but also help us realize that this is our home, and we need to take care of it. Let us all vouch to do better, to be better. This new year let’s work together and make the Earth a better place.

Let’s Adopt these 21 Sustainable Practices this new year

1. Purchase a Reusable Water Bottle

Disposable water bottles have a carbon footprint of almost 800g of carbon dioxide and if thrown in landfills, they can even have a greater negative effect. By investing in a reusable water bottle, not only will you reduce your carbon footprint and help reduce pollution, but you will also save a lot of money in the long run.

1. Use Rechargeable Batteries

Rechargeable batteries have up to 32 times less impact on the environment and 28 times less potential impact on climate change than disposable batteries. They might be a little expensive but they save on cost by reducing the need to frequently purchase new ones.

1. Start Recycling

The easiest and the most impactful way to quickly and easily reduce your carbon footprint is recycling. It eliminates the need for production of new materials and also cuts the need for those materials to be transported, thereby reducing a lot of greenhouse gas emissions.

1. Upcycle More, Purchase Less

Try to repurpose old products into new, useful things and showcase your creative side while cutting costs and saving the environment.

1. Say “No” to Plastic Straws

Plastic straws are one of the main ocean pollutants and are ingested by marine life. Instead, you can look for more environment friendly options such as stainless steel or a bamboo straw.

1. Carry a Reusable Shopping Bag

Plastic bags are consumed by unaware wildlife, causing harm and even death. Whales are being found with plastic bags in their stomachs. Sea turtles are also mistaking plastic bags for food. Shopping with reusable bags everywhere you shop is a simple way to reduce ocean pollution and prevent these deaths. It also helps you reduce consumption, prevent deforestation, and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

1. Composting at Home

When you compost, you’re putting valuable nutrients back into the soil and creating nutrient-rich mulch for use in gardening. Composting reduces greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide and you end up with a beautiful garden.

1. Volunteer for an organization/important cause

Try to volunteer for a cause you feel is important and utilize your free time by working for something beneficial to the society.

1. Spend More Time Outdoors in Nature

Spending time outdoors makes us feel good and improves our health. So try to spend as much time as possible in nature and rejuvenate yourself.

1. Opt for Reusable Over Single- and One-Use As Much As Possible

Most of our plastic ends up in landfills, our oceans and waterways, and the environment. Plastics do not biodegrade. Instead they slowly break down into smaller pieces of plastic called microplastics which may enter the food chain and accumulate in our body over the years. 

1. Quit Cigarettes 

Not only cigarettes are extremely harmful for your health, cigarette butts contain chemicals that contaminate our waterways and ground soil and harm our wildlife. Quit cigarettes and save your life and the lives of those around you.

1. Quit Carbonated Beverages (Coke,  Pepsi) 

Carbonated beverages are not only bad for your body but also for the environment.  Companies such as Coca Cola have been accused of depleting many water resources and thus affecting local agriculture. So try and quit carbonated beverages this year and save your body as well as the environment.

1. Say no to fast fashion

The fashion industry is the second-most polluting industry in the world, after the oil industry. Cheap fashion also supports the petroleum-based, highly toxic synthetic fabric and dye industry, and uses tons of fossil fuels during farming, manufacturing and shipping. This year, consider whether you need any new clothes at all, and if so, only buy what you need.

1. Start feeding one stray animal around you

Try to take care of at least one stray animal around you. You can always start by feeding it.

1. Plant 5 Trees this year

To make the air around you purer, plant a few trees and take care of them as they grow.

1. Pick Up One Piece Of Litter Each Day 

Try to help keep your surroundings clean and green by picking just a piece of litter you see each day.

1. Buy Only Local & Regional Produce 

The transportation of goods is a huge source of greenhouse gas emissions. When you reduce the distance that a product needs to travel, you reduce the amount of gasoline that is burned during transport. Also, try buying fresh, organic food fruits, vegetables, and eggs whenever possible. Visiting your local farmer’s market is great for your health and the planet’s. By shopping locally, you will also be supporting local businesses and making the economy stronger.

1. Reduce paper towel/ tissue usage instead carry a handkerchief 

Try to reduce deforestation by making a contribution as small ass  giving up paper towels and tissues for handkerchiefs. Not only are they environment friendly but will also save money in the longer run.

1. Spread the knowledge, educate your friends empower them to create change

Try to create awareness about the environment around you and what better way than to start with your family and friends. If everyone contributes even a little, it can lead to a huge positive impact on the environment.

1. Unplug from Gadget once in a while

Try to keep that phone aside just for a few hours on a weekend and reconnect with yourself and nature.

1. Reduce meat consumption

Reducing your meat consumption is probably one of the best things you can do for your planet this year. Raising livestock creates as much greenhouse gas emissions as all vehicle emissions combined. Reducing the amount of animal products you consume can make a huge difference in your personal carbon footprint.

On march 24^th, 1989 the oil tanker Exxon Valdez struck Bligh Reef in the Prince William Sound region of Alaska to begin one of the biggest maritime fatalities at that time. The tanker slammed into the reef around 12am local time releasing 10.8 million gallons of oil into waters of Prince William Sound as the hull of the vessel was torn open in the accident. Around the same time, Bioremediation was gaining traction as an effective method for oil clean-ups. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Exxon Corporation, both began testing different compounds regarding bioremediation and these tests looked quite promising. The technique involved adding fertilizers to enhance the growth of naturally occurring bacteria which have the ability to degrade certain toxic hydrocarbons present in the oil.  From 1989 to 1990, more than 100,000 pounds of fertilizer was applied with more than 2000 applications in the affected areas. The result being that fertilizer degraded nearly all oil compounds by mid-1992 thus cleaning the water body.

Bioremediation and Biodegradation are often interchangeable terms. Our Biosphere has an enormous distribution of microorganisms that can grow in a wide range of environmental conditions. The versatility of such organisms can be exploited to remove or degrade contaminants, pollutants and toxins from soil and water. Certain microorganism have the ability to digest, convert, utilise or modify toxic pollutants and obtain energy or produce biomass in return. This process of using live organisms for degradation of toxicants from environment is called Bioremediation.  Human activities produces an enormous variety of toxic by-products which if left untreated can cause destruction to ecosystems. The technique of Bioremediation can help us retrieve polluted soil and water. The living organisms used in this technique are actually natural decomposers. Since the beginning of time, nature has been correcting itself. But the intensity of pollution caused by human activities has overpowered nature’s ability to self-heal. Thankfully, advancements in Science and technology has resulted in the discovery of an environmental friendly technique to remediate ecosystems that have been destroyed. There has been cases like the one mentioned above where highly contaminated sites have become toxin free using bioremediation. 

How does Bioremediation works? The process stimulates microbes to use toxic contaminants as their source of food and energy. These microbes are already present in the contaminated environment but it usually takes many years for the area to remediate naturally. Through human intervention the activity of these microorganisms can be enhanced. In cases where the microbes are low in number or nearly absent, Bioremediation can be introduced by adding fungi or bacteria that can be mixed with soil or water. This process is called Bio-augmentation, which works in highly effective manner to clean up the toxicants. For Bioremediation to work effectively following conditions are required-

1.       Optimum temperature for microbes to flourish

2.       A pH ration from 6.5 to 7.5

3.       Microbial contaminants that provide fuel for food and energy

4.       Water in form of soil moisture content or in liquid form

5.       Nutrients like nitrogen, sulphur, potassium and phosphorus for microbial growth.

6.       Oxygen and carbon for degradation and energy source.

When all the conditions are in balance, microbes can grow at an enormous rate. However, if optimum conditions are lacking, microbes can die altogether and the contaminants remain in the environment till they are naturally rectified. Oxygen plays a highly important role in Bioremediation as it is required for biological degradation. Microbes are mainly of two types- ones that thrive on air (Aerobic) and others which don’t (Anaerobic). Aerobic conditions are very commonly used in bioremediation. Anaerobic are rarely used, especially in highly contaminated sites like mining areas. This technique also requires precise monitoring.

Bioremediation can be done either in-situ, or ex-situ. In-situ means that bioremediation is done right where the site has been contaminated. In ex-situ, contaminants are taken to remote or isolated treatment location. Ex-situ treatment requires a lot of physical work from removing the contaminants and displacing them to treatment sites. Further there is a chance of contaminating another site during transportation. In-situ is therefore preferred bioremediation method with a less amount of physical work and prevents the spreading or spilling of contaminants through trucking or pumping. Thanks technological advancements today that we can treat polluted sites without any ex-situ measures. 

 The process of biological remediation starts with analysis of polluted sites. The site is then isolated and residential microbes are characterized like what kind of microbes exist in the site and what are needed for decontamination. The activity of these microbes and their interactions with contaminants are observed by scientists in labs to develop a field plan. After the research is done properly, bioremediation is implemented and constantly monitored while making any adjustments if required. 

In America today, Bioremediation is the main choice for contaminated site recovery. From accidental chemical spills to petroleum stations, industrial sites, landfills and farms are all excellent candidates for biological remediation. In India, we still have research going on for bioremediation techniques though many polluted sites have also been biologically remediated. One of the biggest advantage of Bioremediation is reduced impact on ecosystems. It works for organic pathogens, arsenic, fluoride, nitrate, volatile organic compounds, metals and many other pollutants like ammonia and phosphates. It’s effective for cleaning insecticides and herbicides, as well as saltwater intrusion into aquifers. As long as human activities continue to threaten our natural environment, this invaluable technique will help us reclaim our polluted soil and water. 

The word ‘Biotechnology’ may seem quite modern but we humans have been using biotechnology since the dawn of civilization. The yeast used for making bread, the fermentation technique for breweries, cheese, yoghurt making and the algae used for baking of cakes and pastries are all a part of biotechnological process used since ancient times. Selective breeding of plants and animals were carried out in past to produce domesticated varieties without the knowledge of conventional Biotechnology. 40 years ago, nobody knew that you can transfer the gene of one organism to another one’s genome Today people think that biotechnology is all about manipulating DNA, but it’s actually more than that. From production of food, farming, and pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology has been incorporated in our lives since more than a decade. It all began with the breakthrough discovery of the structure of DNA by Watson and Crick. The knowledge that DNA carries the genetic information paved a way to new techniques that allowed the manipulation of DNA according to human needs.

Soon after, cloning experiments and genetic engineering followed. Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer became the first scientists to transplant genes from one living organism to another. They made the first genetically modified organism- a bacteria resistant to antibiotic Kanamycin in the year 1973. This was the birth of recombinant DNA technology. Later this technique was used for the production of Human Insulin- the first commercially available biotechnological product. Since then major progress has been made within the areas of Biotechnology especially in medical sector which raises highest number of both ethical and legal issues. 

A genetically modified organism (GMO) is one whose genetic material is artificially modified to change its characteristic in some way or the other. Genetic material of any desired species can be transferred to another species of plant or animals. Introduction of a foreign gene into an organism can result in various outcomes that can be either beneficial or harmful because the pattern of gene expression gets altered. 

Most of the GMO’s are produced mainly for laboratory and research purposes. These are model animals used to study the function of specific genes and how they affect health and diseases. Example- mice, pigs, bats, rabbits, birds etc. Some GMO organisms are produced for human consumption. Atlantic salmon has been genetically engineered to mature faster and US Food and drug administration has stated that these fish are safe to eat. Atlantic salmon was engineered by AquaBounty technologies by introducing two sequences of DNA into these Salmons- the first sequence codes the growth hormone and the second sequence activates the growth hormone year round, the result being that fishes now develop at a dramatically increased rate.

 The first genetically engineered plant introduced around mid-1900’s was Tobacco. Today, more than 90% of commercially available corn, soyabean and sugar beets are genetically modified. The genetic engineering has led to higher yield, resistant to pests and diseases, longer shelf life, and even great taste. It has also reduced the use of chemical pesticides by farmers and it is cost effective for consumers. Thus genetically modified (GM) crops are kinder to environment and economically beneficial. 

The only problem with genetically engineered organism is that they are not a natural creation. Inserting genes of one organism into another can lead to possible allergies and deaths. This has led to ethical issues in biotechnology. If a GMO escapes, it can introduce engineered genes into wild populations which we definitely don’t want. GMO can cause genetic pollution if released in wild. Uncontrolled gene flow can affect genetic diversity. If an introduced gene is advantageous than a naturally occurring one, then it can be replaced easily in environment. This gene will multiply rapidly than the natural genes and soon replace the wild relatives. 

Although there is a little evidence that GMO’s have impacted our genetic diversity today but scientists are aware of the potential influence that genetically engineered organisms have on our biodiversity. Therefore ongoing research and investigations are focused more on how to prevent crossbreeding and spreading of GMO’s. AquaBounty’s Salmon was a concern for scientists due to its uncontrolled growth. Now the issue was that what if Salmon escaped into the wild? To prevent this from happening, AquaBounty uses both physical and Biological method of containment. The Salmon are all females grown in land based tanks and are sterile due to increased chromosomal number. Such approaches and innovative ideas can be used in future to prevent the unwanted spread of GMO’s. 

In India, the only approved GM crop till date is BT cotton, which has resistance towards Lepidoptera order of insects like butterfly and moths. The area under BT cotton has increased in India from 0.29 lakh hectares in 2002-2003 to 117.47 lakh hectares in 2019-2020.  Other GM varieties of crops like corn, maize, brinjal etc available are available around the world but not in our country because these GM crops are banned. Genetically Engineered Approval Committee (GEAC) has been set up in India under the ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change, to regulate the use, manufacture, storage, export, import of hazardous organisms especially genetically engineered ones.

So far
there has been no evidence of harm by the consumption of genetically engineered
crops. They have definitely helped our farmers to protect the yield from
insects and weed. GMO food provides better nutrition and are engineered to
contain compounds good for health. In future, GMO’s are likely to play and
important role in biomedical research too. However, the tough question still
remains- how long can we prevent the spread of GMO’s to the natural
environment? Do let us know what you think about it. 

Around 2 million years back, the early humans started migrating from African continent carrying along with them, parasites, pathogens and domesticated animals to other places around the world. Thus, modern humans colonized the entire planet and can be considered amongst the most successful invasive species of all time.

Invasive species also called as alien species are non-native species of plants and animals that invade or are deliberately introduced in an area. Such species may modify or disrupt the ecosystem that it colonizes. All non-native species are invasive for example food crops like rice, wheat and tomatoes grown in the United States are not native to the region. Human activities always form a major pathway for species of microbes, plants and animals to invade new habitats.

Every species on this planet is adapted to a particular environmental condition. A species can only thrive in a new surrounding when it possess evolutionary adaptions for that environment or it has built-in competitive advantage over the native species, i.e it will compete with the native species for the same resources and eventually win, and if the new surrounding lacks natural predator of the species then they are likely to survive easily. Invasive species have a high rate of reproduction, shorter life cycles, they produce more seeds, better dispersal techniques and germinate very easily. All of these conditions can make any species successfully invade a new area. 

Some species are often introduced deliberately as a form of pest control. These introduced species multiply too quickly and become invasive. For example in 1945, five cats were introduced to Marion Island, a part of South Africa in the southern Indian Ocean. The cats were introduced as pest control for mice. By 1977, about 3,400 cats were living on the island, endangering the local bird population.

Invasive species thrive because they compete with native species for food source. Bighead and silver carp are two large species of fish that escaped from fish farms in the 1990s and are now common in the Missouri River of North America. These fish feed on plankton, tiny organisms floating in the water. Many native fish species, such as paddlefish, also feed on plankton. The feeding cycle of the paddlefish is however slower than that of the carp. This has resulted in less food for paddlefish and more for carp thereby decreasing the population of paddlefish. Invasive predator species will outnumber the prey population and thus eliminate them from the ecosystem which further disturbs the balance in nature. Many times an invasive species may also serve as vectors for various diseases spreading parasites and pathogens in new areas. They cause huge economic losses when they invade agricultural and pastoral lands.

Water Hyacinth created a havoc in West Bengal. Also known as ‘Bengal terror’, ‘blue devil’, and ‘noxious species’, it was mainly introduced in our country as an ornamental plant but soon made its way to almost every water body. It directly affects irrigation, hydroelectric generation and drastically reduces the fish population and production of aquatic crops like chestnut, lotus. It also increases the risk of disease conditions caused by mosquitoes. Known for its beautiful violet flowers, it literally chokes the life out of lakes, ponds and clogs waterways.

Another commonly seen invasive species in our country is Lantana camara. Introduced in India around 1805-1810 by the British colonizers as an ornamental plant, Lantana has successfully invaded most parts of our country today. It is proven that Lantana prevents the growth of native species of plants on which herbivores thrive. Herbivores cannot consume Lantana because of certain chemical properties, this has further led to human-wildlife conflict in some parts of our country. Lantana infested habitats have seen a specific decline in the population of birds which feed on ground like Pheasants, tree pie, doves etc. It also damages the soil organisms and repel the insect fauna that forms the diet of many bird species.

Prosopis juliflora is another top invader in our country. It was introduced in India to serve as a fuel wood requirement in the rural areas. A recent study has shown that apart from threatening the local plant species this tree is also affecting the nesting success of birds.

Parthenium hysterophorus also known as congress grass is a highly invasive herb. This alien has invaded almost all Indian states, which has resulted in yield losses of up to 40% in several crops and 90% drop on forage production. It causes health problems too. Direct/indirect contact can cause skin allergies in people. This grass is toxic for livestock too.

Though there has been a confusion regarding the exact number, a 2017 study states that more than 200 invasive species occur in India. This makes our country one of the region with the highest number of invasive flora. Siam weed, Mexican devil (Ageratina adenophora) and mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) are other notorious invasive species in India.

Can Invasive species be removed? Yes they can be eradicated by mechanical methods like cutting, burning or uprooting. Water hyacinth is removed from water bodies mechanically. Biological control is also used in several states of India eg: Mexican beetle (Zygogramma bicolorata) that feeds on Parthenium. However, these methods have met little success. To prevent the seeds from dispersing and further germinating, you can clean your clothes every time you go out and even clean your pets regularly. Awareness is needed amongst agriculturalists, horticulturalists and people who do gardening or even own nursery, about the affects of invasive species and the problems caused by them.

On, 11th september, 1730 363 Bishnois from Jodhpur were massacred in Khejarali by Rajasthan’s Maharaja Abhay Singh while they were trying to protect Khejri trees from cutting down which are considered scared in their community. Amrita Devi and her three daughters offered their heads instead of trees. They were beheaded by the army of Abhay Singh. This can be called as the start of first Chipko movement in India. Following the decapitation of Amrita Devi, 359 more Bishnoi people died protecting their sacred trees.
To commemorate the day of this Bishnoi Massacre, National Forest Martyrs day is observed on this day each year in India.
Today, we want you to remember the sacrifices of Bishnoi community and thousands of forest management people serving and guarding the wildlife and trees in the remote corners of our country. From the deep forests of Uttrakhand to the mangroves of sundarbans and the barren lands of Jaisalmer, walking on foot, in cold and heat, patrolling day and night, with no internet or connection with the world, risking their lives every second in presence of dangerous Wild animals. Remember them. They are our Forest Soldiers.
Let’s acknowledge the importance of trees in our lives, Forests are the lungs of our planet and wildlife maintains the balance in our ecosystem. It took a global Pandemic for us to understand that we cannot meddle with nature because it always has the upper hand.

Human-beings are addicted to plastic. Plastic has been a part of our lives since the 19^th century but it wasn’t until 1980’s that it made its way in every household on earth. Who knew that accidentally discovered Polyethylene which would go on to become the most used material in the world will come at a huge environmental price- one that we’ll be paying off for years.

Single-use Plastics are most commonly found in our homes. Simply put, single-use plastics are those plastic materials that are meant for disposing off after a single usage, that means they are use and throw goods- like polythene bags, drinking bottle, bottle caps, wrappers, straws, plastic sachets, plastic cutleries, Styrofoam cups or plates and stirrers, etc.  Plastics are non-biodegradable that means they cannot be decomposed naturally and may take thousands of years to disintegrate. Over time, heat and sun slowly break down plastic to smaller and smaller pieces until they become micro-plastic. Did you know that the microbeads used in facial scrubs and micro fibers in polyester clothing are also microplastic! Not more than 5mm long, microplastics make their way to rivers and oceans, they get eaten up by small fishes and wildlife. After entering their digestive systems, microplastics are known to cause fatal intestinal blockages, punctured organs and various health related problems. 

Some plastics are known to have chemicals that can result in endocrine disruption causing hormonal imbalance in humans. Endocrine disruptors are chemicals linked with development, reproductive, brain, immune and other problems. Plastics can also result in reproductive problems like infertility and cancer. An example of this is Pthalate DHEP, which is added to shower curtains and garden hoses was found to be a probable human carcinogen by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Our natural water bodies are one thing which are affected most by single use plastic waste including streets and roads. People in rural areas have a habit of dumping their waste in nearby water bodies. Plastic on street and roads often gets washed away during heavy rainfall to a nearby river and stream thereby polluting them. A study in 2015 showed that between 4.8 million to 12.7 million metric tons of plastic make their way to oceans via people living within 30 miles of a coast. This pollution is majorly dominated by single-use plastic waste. One thing that most of the countries lack is efficient management of plastic waste. India generates 25,950 tons of plastic waste everyday but collects only 60% of it. The rest 40% adds up to land and water pollution.

Animals bear the burden of human garbage which infiltrates their habitat. Whales, birds and small fishes have been found with their stomach full of plastic. Research has shown that nearly every sea bird on earth is eating plastic (almost 90% of them). The plastic found in their stomach includes bags, bottle caps, synthetic fibers from clothing and microplastics. Large birds like Albatross inadvertently eat plastic floating on water because they fish by skimming their beaks across the top of the water bodies. Parakeet auklets, living in Northern Pacific near Alaska are susceptible towards eating plastic and so are petrels and shearwaters which live on off-shore islands. The health effects of plastic on birds is devastating and eventually they die.

Studies have shown that techniques required for plastic production contributes to green-house gas emissions. From drilling for plastic’s source to clearing of forests and wetlands for the same, leads to leakage of methane, and loss of biodiversity including the loss of trees that would’ve otherwise sequestered carbon. Therefore it is one contributing factor to climate change. One of the most greenhouse gas intensive industries in the manufacturing sector are refineries where crude oil is turned into plastic.

Any environment crisis be it climate change or pollution, impacts vulnerable communities first. The plastic that doesn’t end up in oceans will be recycled after being transported from high-income countries to developing countries. Rural communities particularly in South-East Asia are literally drowning in trash. Plastic doesn’t just pollute and contaminate the land but during incerination releases toxic fumes that results in skin rashes and cancer in community people. WWF has also claimed that a person could be consuming 5 grams of plastic every week.

New initiatives by companies– Introducing bottle bill laws by companies is a sustainable method of waste management. Bottle bills (also known as container deposit laws) are proven method of capturing beverage bottles and cans for recycling. The refund value of the container (usually 5 or 10 cents) provides a monetary incentive to customers to return the container for recycling. Mc Donald’s replaced its plastic straws for paper in United Kingdom and Ireland. Starbucks has done the same and Disney has refrained using Single use plastic straw in their theme parks etc. In India too, many shops and super-marts have stopped the use of plastic bags and straws. People are shifting towards sustainable habits by using paper, jute and cloth bags in many cities.

Will plastic ban work? Indeed it will, by preventing tons of plastic from entering the water bodies. Not only it will reduce pollution, the demand for plastic will lessen the burden on environment that ultimately leads to global climate change. It will force the companies to think of new innovation and ideas.

How can one get rid of single-use plastic? Each individual can make a difference by doing simple things like buying a reusable water bottle or using paper straws. The massive protests against the plastic led to ban of single-use plastics in as many as 120 countries. A common question which arises is that can we reuse single-use plastics? We may use plastic bags but repetitive usage of single-use plastic can release harmful chemicals.
Below we have mentioned few tips that can help you avoid the use of Single-use plastics-

1. Always carry your own reusable water bottles. Always!
2. Use alternatives of plastic straws, cutleries, plates in restaurants or hotels.
3. Buy in bulk, avoid buying packaged food. You can buy online too to avoid carbon foot print, or you can walk/bicycle to your grocery store.
4. And most importantly, your voice matters! Speak out in support of local plastic ban, write/tweet/call or send letters to your favourite brands or companies asking them to switch from plastic towards sustainability or using recycled products.

How is Climate Change going to affect us?

Thomas Newcomen, a British an ironmonger invented the first widely used steam engine in 1712 that paved a way to the industrial revolution. Since then human ambition has known no bounds. We have achieved marvels in technology and medical science. But, at what cost?

Not long ago we all saw our favorite actor Leonardo Di Caprio standing high with pride holding the black lady on one hand and addressing the audience about climate change at his Oscar speech. We saw the young Swedish school girl Greta Thunberg protesting outside the parliament being ferociously angry at our leaders and We have seen millions of people across the globe joining the biggest climate protest but we are yet to observe the governments across the world coming together to stand up against climate change.

 Climate Change is not a new concept. The fact is that Earth’s climate has been changing since the advent of time. We came across last ice age around 2.5 million years ago and since then our planet’s climate has been stable up until recently. Earth’s climate has increased more than 1 ahrenheit during the 20^th century and twice that in sensitive parts of Arctic. While 1-2 degrees may not seem a big deal, it is surely an unusual event in the recent history of our planet. The gradual change in climate over the period of millions of years has been recorded in the geological and evolutionary history of our planet. So what happens over a period of millions of years is happening within our lifespan due to human activities and even if 1-2 degrees may seem less, it can cause an immense damage to our environment because that stability ratio has now been disturbed. Take it like this- in the last ice age the temperatures were only 5-9 degrees cooler than today! So now, you can imagine how even 2 degrees can affect us.

How evident is climate change? Well, the recent example is the locust attack in parts of our country, where scientists stated that increased frequency of these attacks this year was due to changing climate. Warming of oceans, increased frequency of cyclones over the sea have led to high flooding in one part of the world, like we observed in Assam this year and drought in the other. Researchers have also confirmed that the 2019 Australian wildfires that took lives of billions of animals and displaced as many was 30% more extreme due to human induced climate change. They even said that it was one ‘worst wildfire disasters’ in modern human history. It is true that the world is warming and events like this is likely to occur on our planet whether we are ready or not.

We all know that burning of fossil fuels and greenhouse gases in our atmosphere has shaped this warming trend. In fact the last five years were the hottest in our planet since the onset of Industrial revolution. Other signs of this disturbing trend observed by scientists are -distribution of ice, salinity levels and ocean temperatures. If we talk about ice distribution, ice is changing everywhere on Earth. Since 1970’s we have lost 75% of the volume of arctic summer sea ice. It’s a big reason for us to worry because what happens in arctic does not stay there. In fact, ’what’s at stake in Arctic is actually the future of humanity itself’ as said by Gail Whiteman. This is because Arctic affects the jet stream causing extreme weather all over the world. Just like the Amazon Rain Forest is the lung of our planet, the Arctic is our circulatory system, which feeds the global climate change. A new study has also confirmed that the Permafrost is thawing due to melting of Arctic ice, which is releasing a massive amount of carbon in the atmosphere in form of methane and carbon di oxide. A quarter of northern hemisphere is covered in permafrost (a ground that has been frozen continuously for two or more years) which includes regions of Siberia, Alaska, Greenland and Canada. When solidified, the microbial decomposition of organic matter is stalled, and carbon compounds stay in the ground.  However, melting permafrost releases double the amount of carbon that is currently in the atmosphere which in turn warms our planet through greenhouse effect. Thus, everything in Arctic is happening in a feedback loop. When white ice melts, dark patches of oceans appears which absorbs more heat and melts more ice in return.  As ocean is warming, currents are disrupting weather patterns around the world and what we see is its after effects like increased flooding, coastal soil erosion, fisheries being affected, increased frequency of cyclones. Not just that, polar bears are wandering off to land in search of food, causing man-animal conflict and Walrus species are losing their home. Who can forget the picture of a polar bear stranded on an ice floe that made rounds on the internet- a symbol of how humans have caused destruction on this planet due to global warming.

Many glaciers around the world are also melting rapidly adding to rising sea levels. This is again increasing coastal erosion, hurricanes, and typhoons. The Greenland ice sheet and Antarctic one is the largest contributor to the increasing sea level. Right now Greenland ice sheet is contributing to 20% of increased sea level.  This glacial melt is further changing the circulation pattern and influencing ocean currents of the Atlantic too.  Researchers have also predicted now that the first arctic summer without ice is coming in just 15 years since our ancestors left Africa.

The Covid-19 pandemic has already wreaked havoc in our planet taking as many as 7,60,000 lives. Now scientists have said that as climate crisis will progress, we are more certainly to see viruses and bacteria remerging from the ice, that were dormant there for millions of years. While this may seem as a movie plot, it is indeed not erroneous. Permafrost and ice is a good preserver of viruses because it is cold and lacks oxygen. Scientist have even discovered evidence for the same- 1918 Spanish flu in corpses buried in mass graves in Alaska and small pox and bubonic plaque in Sibera where they have uncovered the RNA fragments of the viruses. It is highly possible that these viruses will be unleashed when the ice melts.

What can we do? Each and every individual can help by taking measures to reduce their carbon footprint. We can write to our leaders and safeguard our communities against the impending danger we will face if we don’t change our lifestyle. It is imperative that climate crisis will be resolved in a matter of few years given the priorities of our leaders and we are going to observe many dangerous viruses and immense loss if we don’t take an action now. We are looking at a future where we need to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and also prepare ourselves for the impact of climate change.

Being vegan may seem very appealing to some but to follow vegan diet is quite an arduous journey. The term ‘Vegan’ was coined by Donald Watson, an Animal Rights Activist in the year 1940 who stated that animals should not be hurt for food and other purposes. Some people follow a simple vegan diet, avoid all animal products such as dairy, meat, honey, eggs and fish. Then there are ethical vegans who try to exclude all forms of animal exploitation from their lifestyle which maybe out of belief or religion. Ethical vegans avoid wearing or buying clothes made of wool or leather or even products from company that carry out animal testing. The key factor for turning vegan is mainly for the Prevention of animal exploitation. However, there is a huge list of reasons explaining why turning vegan is the right choice.

Each Vegan spares 30 lives per year. Animals in the food industry are abused, mutilated, crammed and slaughtered. 99% of animals spend their lives confined in small spaces of farms where their condition is far more than worse. Around the world more than 150 million farm animals are killed each day. Therefore, avoiding animal products is most evidently standing up against animal cruelty.

Vegan diet contains all nutrients that our body needs, which most of us wrongly believe that it doesn’t. It also reduces your chances to cancer and development of type 2 Diabetes. It reduces blood pressure level and lowers cholesterol. Plant based diet will increase your metabolism and help burn calories 16% faster on an average than meat eaters after first few hours of the meat.

 Apart from this, Factory farming contributes to deforestation, pollution, greenhouse gas emission and water shortages. Production of meat places a heavy burden on environment- the amount of grain required to feed the animals is causing deforestation, habitat loss and species extinction. However, Considerable lower quantity of crops and water is required to sustain Vegan diet. Therefore, Veganism is great for environment.  Many people today are aware about sustainability and are leading towards a greener life. Avoiding animal meat is suggested to lower carbon footprint of an individual and is sustainable. (The amount of carbon dioxide released by an individual in the atmosphere as a result of their daily activities)

A plant based diet requires one-third of land needed to support a meat and dairy diet. Rising population is leading towards socio-economic and environmental chaos. Most of the people are unable to afford daily meal. Research shows that additional 4 billion humans can be fed if we grow our crops directly for human consumption rather than feeding them to farm animals and then consuming those animals.  Thus, Veganism can curb World hunger!

Overfishing, pollution and climate change is ruining marine ecosystem. Scientists predict fishless oceans by 2048 unless we change our feeding habits. Thus, Veganism can save oceans!

It is easy to believe that the meat we eat is ethical and the animals we eat have lived a full happy life. But this is not true. All living creatures fear death just like we do. No matter how lovingly they are treated when they are alive, they experience same fear when it comes to slaughter.

why vegetarian isn’t enough? The suffering of dairy and egg industry animals is often less publicized than farm animal’s suffering. In our country, both vegetarians and non-vegetarians are heavy consumers of dairy products. But most of you don’t know the harsh reality behind the plight of dairy animals.

Mahatma Gandhi was disgusted when he learnt about ‘cow-blowing’, a traditional practice where air is forcibly blown into cow’s vagina to stimulate milk production. However, this isn’t the worst practice used in India. To keep mothers lactating, a make-shift calf is kept next to them using dead calves head stuffed with hay to create a dummy and fool them into giving milk. The cows continue give milk and calves either die or are sold. They are also artificially inseminated to produce milk throughout the year and are slaughtered prematurely if they fail to produce milk. Male calves are of no use to dairy farmer so they are killed. Gandhi in his autobiography vowed to never consume products of such perverse violence.

If reading above paragraphs has motivated you and you’re contemplating turning Vegan but have no idea how to do it then we at RAKSHA aim to provide you with basic vegan products details in Jaipur and across India. First of all, every time you shop or order food remember that you can choose to help an animal. You can see the label and ingredients used in the edibles. If the product contains dairy, eggs or sea food, it would be mentioned in the list. You’ll be surprised to know that animal derivatives lurk in simplest of products, from cookies to cosmetics, so check before you buy. Here is a list of some common ingredients in packaged food products or restaurants in India that will help you know whether the food product is vegan or not-

Source: Vegan first

Scanning these non-vegan ingredients will get you closer towards veganism.

Following is a list of Meat Alternatives-

1. Tofu- It contains low calorie protein, easily available in market
2. Soya Protein- an inexpensive edible which is very easy to prepare
3. Oat flakes- can be used to prepare cutlets, ideal source of zinc and iron and easily available in market.
4. Black beans- are quiet rich in protein and easily available in market.
5. Pea protein- contains lot of iron and protein and they are low on carbohydrates and fat. They are found as combination of vegetables, and spices.
6. Seitan/Wheat protein- is contained in wheat. It is easy to prepare and it has same consistency as meat.
7. Tempeh- is made from fermented soya beans and it traditional Indonesian food.

There are vegan alternatives of dairy products too like-

1. Soya Milk- most popular and very easy to find in the market. It is made from soyabeans, and has as much protein as cows’ milk with a great source of vitamin D and calcium. Also, it is not even costly! Recommended brand- Silk, Staeta, Sofit
2. Almond Milk- it is a tasty, nutty flavor, and is soya-free for vegans who have allergic reactions to soya. Also, You can easily make it at home! Recommended brand- Silk, Raw Pressery, Good Mylk
3. Coconut milk- made from meat of coconut. Recommended brand- Dabur hommade
4. Other alternatives are Hemp, Cashew, oats and rice milk.
5. Cashew cheese

Our volunteer Dr. Divolka who is also an expert in Cashew cheeses shares home made recipes of Vegan products and snacks. You can check out her profile divolka_gyanjee on instagram for further details.

One of our volunteer also runs a page on Instagram- juneshoes.in where they sell vegan shoes i.e shoes devoid of any form of animal cruelty. Most of the food products are available online or even at general stores. Vegan options are becoming vast and trending on social media platforms nowadays. You can find so many people online who are promoting and supporting veganism including famous celebrities like Beyonce, Ellen, Shahid Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, etc. You may need to take supplements initially when you switch to veganism, and you can consult any dietician or nutritionist for the same.  If any day you decide to turn vegan, remember how many animals lives you are saving in return and hold unto that.  While switching to veganism will be difficult for you initially but remember that with a little strength nothing is impossible. We at RAKSHA are determined to help you with any queries. Let us know what you feel like in the comments section below.

Process of EIA and how the new draft is going to affect us

Environmental laws in any country helps in securing and protecting our natural resources and biodiversity. A potential of Environmental law is Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), which is the process of giving the environment clearances to any proposed project after evaluating its likely environmental impact. It takes into account the socio-economic, cultural, human health impact of the project.

EIA is a simple balance between environment and development. Human activities if left unchecked, can do irreparable damages to the environment. EIA not only helps in regulating the repercussions of human activities on the environment but also supports ‘Precautionary principle’ of environmental sustainability i.e if there is a suspicion that a particular activity or project will have a disastrous consequence on the environment then it is better not to do that project. Therefore, EIA is a decision-making tool which represents the best combination of economic and environmental costs and benefits. 

EIA was first introduced in the USA around the 1970s. The Indian experience with EIA began not more than 20 years ago when the planning commission asked the department of science and technology to examine the river-valley projects around 1976-77. Until 1994, the environmental clearance was an administrative decision and lacked legislative support. It was on January 1994, when the then Union Ministry of Environment and Forests under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 enacted an EIA notification making Environmental Clearances (EC) mandatory for every project listed under schedule 1 of the notification. Since then there have been 12 amendments made in the EIA notification of 1994. 2006 notification is the most recent one. Projects like mining, thermal power plants, river-valley, infrastructure- roads, highways, ports, airports, harbors, etc.) and industries too have to get a prior Environmental Clearance before their initiation.

The EIA process includes 8 steps listed below in brief-

1.     Screening- The first stage of EIA determines whether the proposed project requires an EIA or not and if it does then what is the level of assessment required.

2.     Scoping- Identification of key issues and impacts that needs to be investigated further. The time limit and boundary of the project is determined in this stage.

3.     Impact Analysis- Identification and evaluation of likely environmental and social impacts of the project and its significance.

4.     Mitigation- This is a recommended step for reducing or avoiding the potentially adverse environmental consequences of the proposed project.

5.     Reporting- The result of EIA is presented in the form of a report to the decision-makers and other parties.

6.     Decision making- This stage decides whether the project has to be approved, denied, or needs any other changes.

7.     Post monitoring- This stage comes after the project has been authorized to check if the impacts of the project do not exceed the legal standards and the mitigation strategies are implemented in the manner described in the EIA report.

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate change (MoEF&CC) proposed a draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification which seeks to replace the current notification of 2006. The environmentalists across our country has criticized the draft notification on the grounds of transparency and dilution of the EIA process. The main issues pertaining to the draft notification that is bothering people around our country are-

1.     The new draft allows Post-facto approval for projects. That means the clearance can be given to a proposed project even if they have started their construction. If any damage is done to the environment then they would be fined but what our decision-makers have failed to understand is that money cannot repair the harm that has already been done to the environment. The post-facto approval also stands against the ‘precautionary principle’ of environmental sustainability.

2.     The draft notification has reduced the Public consultation process from 30 days to 20 days. An EIA report does not go to the decision-makers directly but it first goes to public, so that if common people have any objection regarding a particular project, for example, a highway project, then they can reject it. Reducing the time for public hearing makes the whole EIA process ambiguous. There will be no proper time to present views, suggestions, and ideas for a project.

3.     Compliance Report issue– The present notification requires the project proponent to submit a report every six months showing that they have been carrying out their project on the basis of which they were granted the allowance. The new draft however if released will change this time period from 6 months to one year. So, the proponent will have to submit the report once a year. During this extended time period, any damage to the environment could go unnoticed.

4.     Bypassing EIA Process– The draft notification will allow the central government to categorize certain projects as ‘strategic’. Now, if a project is termed as strategic then no information related to such projects shall be placed in the public domain.

5.     Further, the draft has extremely narrowed the definitions of certain terms like ‘eco-sensitive zones’ and the number of projects or activities that do not require EIA has also been increased.

The dilution of the EIA process and public consultation is against the principles of sustainable development. India has been a part of many international treaties and conferences pertaining to environment and sustainability. This new EIA draft contradicts the international obligations of our country. Further, it will lack credibility. Our leaders have to realize that damages done to the environment cannot be compensated in the form of money. The whole world is suffering today because we have taken our environment for granted. It is time we raise our voices against the undemocratic evasion of Environmental responsibility. As a concerned citizen, you can write an email to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and speak up against the new draft or you can directly write to the Honorable minister Prakash Javedekar showing concerns about the new EIA process. The public hearing time is till 11^th August so we don’t have much time left and we need to act fast.

Also, let us know what you feel about the draft notification 2020 in the comment section.

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