By Nabeel A. Khan
Noida, Oct 20 (IANS) A couple here who runs a news and information portal wants Indians to observe Jan 30 next year as 'no driving day'.
On that day, Ranjan Kaplish and Padma Pegu expect people to give up their sedentary habits and either walk or cycle down to nearby destinations and use public transport to reach faraway places.
This, they say, will help preserve precious fuel and conserve the environment.
The pair believes that this one small step taken by the people would go a long way in facilitating "societal transformation" necessary for sustainable development.
According to the founders of the initiative, within a week of their call, at least 100 people from all over the country have committed themselves to the cause on their website CauseBecause (www.causebecause.com).
To register, one has to go to the website and press the 'I commit' button, and share his/her name, email ID and vehicle number (the last one is optional).
According to Ranjan and Padma, the initiative is picking up not just on their website but on social media platforms as well.
For instance, at least 420 people on Twitter and 230 on Facebook are following the developments at CauseBecause.
The idea struck the couple running a portal on 'development and sustainability' when the two were tossing ideas on how to evolve a concept that would involve the people at large.
Although last year's UN summit in Copenhagen that discussed climate change collapsed, many lesser-informed people around the world realised the significance of environment conservation and the harm of global warming.
Similar concepts have seen a success in South Korea, Malaysia and China, but participation was not voluntary in those countries, as those were government-enforced initiatives.
In India it is estimated that 70 percent of air pollution is caused by vehicles. Exhaust from vehicles has risen eight-fold over levels 20 years ago.
The green enthusiasts believe that such steps by civil society can make a difference.
In November 2009, India revised its national ambient air quality standards and made them equivalent to the European level, exceeding even the standard prevalent in the US.
Nevertheless, air quality has been worsening in big cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.
Ranjan Kaplish, who monitors his website closely, says: "If a considerable number of people commit, the day will also test the efficiency of the public transport system."
He says the campaign at present is being spread via word of mouth.
"We are confident that as Jan 30 approaches, we'll be able to see near about 50,000 people committing to keep their vehicles off road," he says.
The comments made by individuals on the campaign are encouraging.
Meghna from Delhi says: "It's the least I can contribute as a citizen of this country." Dasmesh Singh, Chandigarh, says: "It will be great to see roads with people either cycling or walking... though that seems like a dream."
(Nabeel A. Khan can be contacted at nabeel.k@ians.in)
Showing posts with label Nature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nature. Show all posts
3.12.09
Varanasi makes noise about noise pollution
VARANASI: If you are in Varanasi, you are advised not to make too much noise.
Until a few weeks ago, no case relating to noise pollution had ever been registered in the city, but the racket has finally woken the authorities who have filed six cases in the past one week.
The sixth case was registered against Chotelal Gupta, the owner of a flour mill on Tuesday for causing noise pollution in a residential area after 10 p.m.
Confirming the incident, a police officer at the Cantonment Police station, said: "Yes we have registered a case on Tuesday against Chotelal Gupta for causing noise pollution. We received complaints from people in Lamhi locality against Chotelal Gupta who was running a flour mill in this residential area."
Superintendent of Police (Varanasi) Vijay Bhushan, told IANS: "We are quite strict about noise pollution which is causing so many problems for people and also creating a serious law and order problem." The awareness about noise pollution in Varansi has come after efforts by NGO Satya Foundation which has run a number of awareness programmes.
In many parts of Varanasi, including in police stations, posters have been put up about noise pollution. "In fact, the whole city is flooded with pamphlets, posters and banners urging people to not to use loudspeaker, live bands, loud music and firecrackers after 10 p.m. in the name of religion and tradition," Chetan Upadhyaya, secretary, Satya Foundation told
"I am quite happy with the public support and I am very surprised to receive calls and complaints from people even outside the state. We respond to each and every complaint and rely mainly on awareness rather than legal action. Only in cases of stubborn noise offenders, we take help from the state machinery". Upadhyaya said.
Until a few weeks ago, no case relating to noise pollution had ever been registered in the city, but the racket has finally woken the authorities who have filed six cases in the past one week.
The sixth case was registered against Chotelal Gupta, the owner of a flour mill on Tuesday for causing noise pollution in a residential area after 10 p.m.
Confirming the incident, a police officer at the Cantonment Police station, said: "Yes we have registered a case on Tuesday against Chotelal Gupta for causing noise pollution. We received complaints from people in Lamhi locality against Chotelal Gupta who was running a flour mill in this residential area."
Superintendent of Police (Varanasi) Vijay Bhushan, told IANS: "We are quite strict about noise pollution which is causing so many problems for people and also creating a serious law and order problem." The awareness about noise pollution in Varansi has come after efforts by NGO Satya Foundation which has run a number of awareness programmes.
In many parts of Varanasi, including in police stations, posters have been put up about noise pollution. "In fact, the whole city is flooded with pamphlets, posters and banners urging people to not to use loudspeaker, live bands, loud music and firecrackers after 10 p.m. in the name of religion and tradition," Chetan Upadhyaya, secretary, Satya Foundation told
"I am quite happy with the public support and I am very surprised to receive calls and complaints from people even outside the state. We respond to each and every complaint and rely mainly on awareness rather than legal action. Only in cases of stubborn noise offenders, we take help from the state machinery". Upadhyaya said.
14.4.09
Illegal trade in endangered birds flourishes in Delhi
By Deepak Upadhyay and Nabeel A. Khan
New Delhi, Feb 19 (IANS) Hundreds of colourful parakeets, pretty canaries, menacing falcons and other endangered birds can be found in the national capital - not in zoos or forested areas but in the cages of illegal bird sellers who openly flout laws to make a quick buck.
"If there is demand, there will be supply. Several ministers and big people come here to buy these birds. This keeps us going despite seizures and prohibitory laws," a bird seller near Jama Masjid told IANS on condition of anonymity. Jama Masjid in Old Delhi is just one of the several places in and around the capital where laws are flouted to sell endangered birds. Behind the Red Fort, at INA Market, Moolchand crossing, Minto Road and Noida's Sector 18 market, many vendors flaunt the birds without fear. "I have broken several cameras.
If you want the same thing to happen to you then go ahead and take pictures," threatened a bird seller in Noida's Atta Market but didn't attempt to hide his illegal wares, which included the rare macquacaca. "The root cause of this business flourishing is that the wildlife inspectors who seize the endangered birds show only the less important birds in court, allowing the illegal sellers to be let off after a meagre fine of Rs.100," said Ashok Kumar, a trustee of the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI). The illegal vendors usually sell each parakeet for Rs.40-50, but those wanting talking birds have to shell out Rs.500. A falcon can cost as much as Rs.20,000 depending upon the breed, while owls are priced only marginally lower.
The pretty hill mynahs are sold for about Rs.2,500. According to Kumar, endangered birds worth hundreds of thousands of rupees are smuggled into Delhi every day from Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. "On any given day, around 50,000 birds are brought here - mostly parakeets, mynahs, munias, bulbuls, koels, hill mynahs, canaries and eagles," he said. "The rose-ringed parakeet, which is a talking species, is much in demand. Then come other parakeet varieties like Alexandrian and red-breasted species. The black-headed munia and finches are also widely traded," Kumar added. Some birds are kept as status symbols since they are very expensive and exotic. However, many are also bought for religious, superstitious and medicinal reasons. The claws and feathers of birds like great-horned owls, pariah kites and even bats are used by those who believe in sorcery. Kumar feels that the present laws are inadequate to prevent trade in endangered birds. According to him, the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) need to be strengthened to ensure that the lovely winged creatures do not become extinct and are free to fly.
Follow the links
http://www.hinduonnet.com/holnus/008200902190911.htm
http://www.intoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23817§ionid=8&secid=47&Itemid=1
New Delhi, Feb 19 (IANS) Hundreds of colourful parakeets, pretty canaries, menacing falcons and other endangered birds can be found in the national capital - not in zoos or forested areas but in the cages of illegal bird sellers who openly flout laws to make a quick buck.
"If there is demand, there will be supply. Several ministers and big people come here to buy these birds. This keeps us going despite seizures and prohibitory laws," a bird seller near Jama Masjid told IANS on condition of anonymity. Jama Masjid in Old Delhi is just one of the several places in and around the capital where laws are flouted to sell endangered birds. Behind the Red Fort, at INA Market, Moolchand crossing, Minto Road and Noida's Sector 18 market, many vendors flaunt the birds without fear. "I have broken several cameras.
If you want the same thing to happen to you then go ahead and take pictures," threatened a bird seller in Noida's Atta Market but didn't attempt to hide his illegal wares, which included the rare macquacaca. "The root cause of this business flourishing is that the wildlife inspectors who seize the endangered birds show only the less important birds in court, allowing the illegal sellers to be let off after a meagre fine of Rs.100," said Ashok Kumar, a trustee of the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI). The illegal vendors usually sell each parakeet for Rs.40-50, but those wanting talking birds have to shell out Rs.500. A falcon can cost as much as Rs.20,000 depending upon the breed, while owls are priced only marginally lower.
The pretty hill mynahs are sold for about Rs.2,500. According to Kumar, endangered birds worth hundreds of thousands of rupees are smuggled into Delhi every day from Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. "On any given day, around 50,000 birds are brought here - mostly parakeets, mynahs, munias, bulbuls, koels, hill mynahs, canaries and eagles," he said. "The rose-ringed parakeet, which is a talking species, is much in demand. Then come other parakeet varieties like Alexandrian and red-breasted species. The black-headed munia and finches are also widely traded," Kumar added. Some birds are kept as status symbols since they are very expensive and exotic. However, many are also bought for religious, superstitious and medicinal reasons. The claws and feathers of birds like great-horned owls, pariah kites and even bats are used by those who believe in sorcery. Kumar feels that the present laws are inadequate to prevent trade in endangered birds. According to him, the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) need to be strengthened to ensure that the lovely winged creatures do not become extinct and are free to fly.
Follow the links
http://www.hinduonnet.com/holnus/008200902190911.htm
http://www.intoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23817§ionid=8&secid=47&Itemid=1
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