Riverlinking Project
There is a new petition calling for bilateral talks between India and Bangladesh to address issues around the Riverlinking Project on the Mukto-mona website (an online assembly of freethinkers and humanists). You can read the petition, and sign it should you so wish, at this link:

Rainwater harvesting to go big in Tihar jail.
The Asian Age, 23 September 2003
The entire 400-acre Tihar Jail complex is all set to go the rainwater harvesting way. With the groundwater level up by almost two metres in 'jail number 4 where two harvesting units were set up last year, the jail authorities now see the technique as a long-term solution to fight water woes. Moreover, the complex will shift to this environment-friendly method of conservation with the assistance of the prisoners. And to make this happen a training programme, organized in the jail complex on 22 September, saw experts from the Delhi-based NGO, CSE (Center for Science and Environment) introduce 53 inmates to the benefits of rainwater harvesting.

Conservation of Dal Lake.
The Hindu Business Line, 24 September 2003.
In its effort to get adequate funds for the conservation of the world famous Dal Lake, the Jammu and Kashmir government is working towards getting the water body declared as a world heritage project.

JPC on pesticides in soft drinks to cover milk, tea and juices too.
The Financial Express, 17 September 2003
At its first meeting, the JPC (Joint Parliamentary Committee), set up to probe allegations of high levels of pesticides in soft drinks, has decided to have three full-time advisors to guide , the committee on the 'technical' aspects of the issue. The 15-member committee headed by Nationalist Congress Party President, Mr Sharad Pawar has also invited various parties including the ministries of food processing, agriculture and health; Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Agency; Bureau of Indian Standards, and the Delhi-based CSE to make their presentations on the issue on 9 October, when the JPC is scheduled to hold its second meeting. Giving details about the deliberations of its first meeting, Mr Pawar said that even though the probe, as per the 'terms of the reference', would cover all beverages including milk, tea, and juices; topmost priority of the probe would be to decide the method of detection of pesticide contamination and the permissible quantity in all beverages. 'Everything has some level of pesticide residue in it but the issue is to set a limit as to how much can be a health hazard, he argued. The JPC will also study the cost implication of the new standards.

JPC seeks induction of experts: pesticides in soft drinks.
The Hindu Business Line, 17 September 2003.
The JPC under Mr Sharad Pawar, probing the ongoing pesticides-in-soft drinks controversy and for suggesting suitable health safety standards for all beverages, has sought the induction of three distinguished retired scientists as 'full-time advisors' to facilitate its enquiry. 'This is a highly technical subject, which cannot be dealt with solely by the Members of Parliament. Keeping this in view, we have asked the Lok Sabha Speaker, Mr Manohar Joshi, to allow us to induct the three scientists who are recognized experts in this area, Mr Pawar told the media, after the first meeting of the JPC held on 16 September. Mr Pawar said that the terms of reference given to the JPC were not just confined to report whether the CSE's recent findings regarding pesticide residues in soft drinks were correct or not, but also to suggest criteria for evolving suitable standards for soft drinks, fruit juice, and other beverages where water is the main constituent.

Beware fish lovers: mercury is spicing your curry.
The Pioneer,19 September2003.
The industrial are as of India might be 'leaking' high levels of mercury into water bodies a study on the toxicity shows. An alarm has also been sounded for seafood-lovers that fish from Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai have also shown high levels of contamination. A small drop of the shiny liquid in a lake is good enough to contaminate the waters. If consumed in excess quantities, methyl mercury consumption can cause mental disorder and retardation of mental growth in children. A national mercury assessment by Delhi-based Toxic Links shows that high levels of mercury has been found in the waters of Singrauli, Bhopal, Delhi, and industrial areas of Gujarat. Fish samples in Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai have also shown high levels of mercury, the NGO said in its study released recently. The villain of the story is the flourishing chlor-alkali industry, which produces chlorine and soda ash-two of the basic substances in industrial manufacturing. The study estimates that over 150 tonnes of mercury is released by the industry, widely believed to be the most polluting. Unlike, say in Europe, where 'leakage' of mercury is controlled at 1.5%, in India it is over 70%.

Kerala unit developing bioreactor to treat complex waste water.
The Hindu Business LineJ 17 September 2003.
The Wastewater Technology Programme at the RRL- T (Regional Research Laboratory Thiruvananthapuram) is developing a BFBR (buoyant filter bioreactor) in an attempt to enhance the loading rate and treatment efficiency of complex waste water in anaerobic reactors. The BFBR is able to decouple biomass and insoluble COD (chemical oxygen demand) retention time from hydraulic retention time by means of a granular filter bed made of buoyant polystyrene beads, according to Dr Ajit Haridas, who heads the Environment Technology Programme at RRL- T. The development of modern high-rate anaerobic waste water treatment reactors, like the Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket, fixed-film and fluidized bed reactors, have made anaerobic digestion the most competitive treatment technology for high- and medium-strength biodegradable waste waters. However, all modern high-rate anaerobic reactor systems have severely reduced capacity for treating waste water with insoluble and complex organic substrates, usually termed complex waste water. Such effluents are discharged by several industries including dairies, slaughterhouses, palm oil mills, food and fruit processing plants. Although of low-strength, municipal sewage is also complex waste water because a substantial fraction of its COD is present in insoluble form. Various reactor designs differ by the method by which the hydraulic retention time is decoupled from biomass retention time. It is assumed implicitly in many of the anaerobic reactor designs that the rate-limiting step of the anaerobic mineralization process is the conversion of volatile fatty acids to methane. The assumption is valid for many simple soluble organic substrates, whereas for complex effluents, the rate-limiting steps are most often hydrolysis and solubilization of insoluble substrates. Therefore, insoluble substrates should be retained in the reactor long enough for hydrolysis and solubization. In other words, a,complex effluent high-rate anaerobic reactor requires the decoupling of insoluble COD retention time from hydraulic retention.

4500 African plant species could be endangered, botanists say
Environment News Network, 24 September 2003.
Widespread deforestation and an ever-increasing demand for agricultural land threaten thousands of plant species in Africa, some of the world's leading botanists warned. As many as 4500 of Africa's rare species of flowering plants - the continent has 45 000 documented plant species, one-fifth of the world's flora - are at risk, speakers at the 17th meeting of the Association for the Taxonomic Studies of the Flora of Tropical Africa said. Scientists presenting papers at the five-day gathering say some species may be lost even before they are discovered.
http://www.enn.com

UN-backed ecosystem assessment panel release first report.
UN Wire, 25 September 2003.
The four-year, $21 million Millennium Ecosystem Assessment - designed by the UN Development Program, the UN Environment Program, the World Bank and other organizations and launched in June 2001 - yesterday released its first report, presenting the methodology scientists will use to assess the situation of ecosystems worldwide. Ecosystems and human well-being, the first in a series of 11 reports, describes the framework that is being used by the 500 scientists from 70 countries participating in the assessment. Overall, the assessment has the goal to analyse current conditions and trends of ecosystems and their association to human well-being, hence suggestions can be made to better conserve and exploit the natural resources available.
http://www.unwire.org
http://www.millenniumassessment.org
http://www.millenniumassessment.org/2/products. aspx

Ratifying Kyoto Protocol must meet Russia's interest.
Xinhuanet, 29 September 2003.
Russian president, Mr Vladimir Putin did not give an anticipated hint to ratify the Kyoto Protocol while opening a major climate conference recently, just stressing that the decision should be linked to his country's national interests. Acknowledging the insistent call for Russia's sooner ratification of the Kyoto treaty (on reduc-ing the emission of greenhouse gases), the president told the International Conference on Climate Change that his government is thoroughly looking into this issue and studying the whole range of problems connected to it. A decision will be made after this work is over. This decision will undoubtedly meet Russia's national interests,' Mr Putin said, as quoted by the Interfax news agency. The Kyoto Protocol, signed by 159 countries in the Japanese city of Kyoto in 1997, obliges industrialized countries to reduce the level of harmful effusions that result in the socalled greenhouse effect by 5.2% of 1990 levels in 2008-2012. Under a complex weighing system, the treaty cannot come into force until Russia, responsible for 17% of the world's CO2 emissions, ratifies the deal. http://news.xinhuanet.com

Rs. 179 project formulated for Wular Lake in J&K
Wular to get lease of life under project
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 10
An integrated Rs 179-crore project to restore the Wular lake has been formulated by the Jammu and Kashmir government. The largest fresh water lake in Asia is situated about 35 km from here.

Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed discussed the features of the project and measures required to conserve the water body in the valley at a high-level meeting held here yesterday. He called for prioritising various components of the 10- year project formulated for the conservation of the water body, which has been declared as a site under the Ramsar convention.

Mufti Sayeed said, besides funds from the Central Government, possibilities need to be explored to arrange external funding.

He emphasised that the people of the adjoining areas should be made aware about the objectives of the Wular lake development project and be involved in it a big way.

The Chief Minister ordered the Deputy Commissioner concerned not to allow any plantation in and around the lake. He said steps should also be taken to demarcate the area of the lake and asked the revenue, wildlife, environment and other concerned agencies to work in a coordinated manner for the purpose. He also ordered the issuing of the notification regarding the declaring of the lake as a site under the Ramsar convention.

The project envisages the protection of the lake body, correct land usage and flood control strategy, proper sewage disposal, etc.

A presentation on the status, management and conservation of the lake was also arranged on the occasion, highlighting the reasons for the shrinking of the lake area and steps required to restore it

C/o Kalpavriksh
Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa,
908 Deccan Gymkhana,
Pune 411004
India
Tel: + 91 20 5654239 / 5675450
Fax: 5654239
Email: pankajs@vsnl.com

110 Years of National Geographic Magazine, at the Touch of a Key
Clearance Sale: Two Great Products for Rs. 3500/- only.
The Complete  National Geographic Magazine 110 years  32 CD -ROMs Set 1888 onwards
Captivating Pictures/Articles on nature, people, places, and events that have shaped our world

The National Geographic Magazine has been the symbol of exploration and knowledge.This venerated magazine has not only reposted but also sponsored pioneering explorations and expeditions. Tap this vast bank of knowledge, with the tap of a few keys on the computer!

  a.. An ultimate resource and reference tool with thorough and incisive articles.
  b..  Ideal for schoolwork, research, casual reading etc.
  c.. Rich in travel ideas and creative sections.
  d..  Flexible and easy to use. You can browse, search, view or print anything you fancy.
  e..  182,000 photos and illustrations. 9,400 fascinating articles
  f.. 100 years of classic advertisements
Plus +   
The world's reference standard for over 230 years is now the world standard for your computer. Encyclopædia Britannica 2002 Deluxe Edition CD-ROM, the all-in-one resource featuring a comprehensive, visually-enhanced encyclopedia, plus dictionary and world atlas.
 Please write back with contact numbers for further details.
 Sunil

INDIA MAKES A MARK, YET NEEDS NEW CONSERVATION DIRECTIONS BACK HOME!

  Over 100 Indian participants at the recently concluded 5th World Parks Congress (8-17th September, Durban), made a major impact in taking the world of wildlife conservation towards new directions…and now need to translate these new directions back home. On the occasion of Wildlife Week, we would urge central and state governments to:

    1.. Provide a much greater thrust towards involving adivasi and local communities in wildlife protected areas,
    2.. Recognise the diverse conservation initiatives taken by such communities themselves, traditionally or in recent times.
    3.. Ensure that protected areas and community conserved areas are free of destructive industrial and commercial pressures, including mining, dams, and industries.   The World Parks Congress (WPC), organised by the World Conservation Union (IUCN), was the biggest ever gathering on wildlife conservation. It brought together over 3000 professionals and practitioners from over 100 countries. Named "Benefits Beyond Boundaries", the WPC focused on how protected areas should be managed within the larger landscape and how they should much more centrally involve local communities.

  An exciting feature of the WPC was that over 200 representatives of indigenous peoples, adivasis, nomadic peoples, and other local communities were themselves present to recount their experiences. Such a large presence is unique in the history of conservation conferences. There were about 10 such representatives from India.

  Indian officials, community members, NGOs, and other experts made several presentations and contributed actively to the WPC discussions. 

One of the major topics of discussion at this Congress was the relationship of local people with the areas set aside for conservation of  wild biodiversity (legally called Protected Areas). Discussions on this issue were coordinated by a team of Indians who are part of an international network looking at Indigenous/Local Communities, Equity, and Protected Areas
(also called TILCEPA). TILCEPA is an expert group set up by IUCN, and is coordinated by Kalpavriksh, Pune.

One unique outcome of the Congress was the recognition of Community Conserved Areas, i.e. initiatives of protecting natural ecosystems and species by indigenous, tribal and local communities. To demonstrate the success of conservation by or/and with the local communities many examples were presented from across the World. India was represented by community
members from Maharashtra, Uttaranchal, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Sikkim, who also presented case studies of how their communities are successfully conserving biodiversity. Forest officials made presentations on ecodevelopment initiatives involving communities. 

The WPC resulted in the following outputs:

1.. Durban Accord and Action Plan: A statement on the outcomes of the discussions, and actions to be taken in next ten years. 
2.. Message to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (Signatory countries under CBD are meeting early next year to discuss issues of  protected areas in the 7th Conference of Parties). CBD is an International agreement that binds all nations to take appropriate actions to protect the biological diversity in their respective countries. 
3.. 33 Recommendations on diverse topics including governance of protected areas, capacity-building of managers of protected areas, mining in ecologically sensitive areas, poverty and protected areas, financing conservation initiatives, evaluating management effectiveness of protected area management, and so on.

In order to translate the outcomes of the Congress into action in India and ensure the future of wildlife and local communities, we would urge that the central and state governments follow up on the following key recommendations from the Parks Congress:

1.. Recognising that biodiversity conservation has a much longer history than government declared protected areas; in particular that traditional ecosystem management systems of adivasi, nomadic, and other local communities have helped to conserve biodiversity on land and in seas. 
2.. Recognising Community Conserved Areas (CCA) as a legitimate and effective means of conservation. CCAs are areas of bio-diversity significance being conserved by tribals, nomadic communities, and other local people. These include village irrigation tanks and watersheds, marine and fisheries reserves, sacred forests, grasslands and ponds, etc. CCAs conserve critical biodiversity elements, fill in geographic gaps in conservation coverage, and provide cultural, livelihood, and ecological security to millions of people.
3.. Moving towards more participatory systems of management of existing government-designated protected areas (where currently numerous conflicts exist between the residing people and management authorities). This would mean involvement of local people fully and equitably in decisions related to protected areas and their management. 
4.. Ensuring that conservation efforts in the country are not at the expense of legitimate rights and sense of responsibility of local people. Where such rights have been impacted then ensuring that compensations are paid.
5.. Recognising that biologically rich areas are also rich in cultural diversity. Many sites of cultural importance such as sacred mountains and forests, are currently under threat and need to be protected along with the cultural practices of conservation.
6.. More equitably distributing the costs and benefits of establishment and management of protected areas, through securing local livelihoods and revenues, reducing property and life damage by wildlife, and encouraging ecologically and culturally sensitive tourism that is controlled by communities. This could also become an effective means of reducing poverty and malnutrition currently facing many tribal and rural communities. 
7.. Specially focusing on the needs of unprivileged sections, including nomadic communities, adivasis, landless, and marginal
farmers/fisherfolk/pastoralists. In particular women and youth within these.
8.. Promoting positive linkages between sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation, especially building on traditional biodiverse farming, pastoralism, and fisheries, that help to maintain and conserve nature:
9.. Understanding and facilitating ecosystem and community-based approaches to livelihood security and sustainable development, as an alternative to the destructive path of development that is dominant today.   For further details, contact:

Ashish Kothari, ashishkothari@nda.vsnl.net.in; Neema Pathak, natrails@vsnl.com; Manisha Sheth-Gutman, shethgutman@satyam.net.in; Tasneem Balasinorwala, tilcepa@vsnl.net.

  Kalpavriksh - Environment Action Group
  Apt. 5 Shree Datta Krupa
  908 Deccan Gymkhana
  Pune 411004, India
  Tel: 91-20-5675450
  Tel/fax: 91-20-5654239

The Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee has called upon the people to increase their participation at all levels for the success of the strategy in Wildlife conservation. The Prime Minister pointed to the imperative to increase Participation of each local community in protection of its surroundings as a distinctive protected area is with the participation of Panchayati Raj Institutions. Speaking at the First meeting of the National Board for Wildlife, here today, Shri Vajpayee called for  people-centered conservation' approaches with the participation of all stakeholder groups in decision-making. The Prime Minister also stressed the need to increase coordination among various ministries, departments and State Governments. Expressing his concern on the activities of wildlife criminals, Shri Vajpayee said that though legal provisions to tackle poaching and illegal trade of wildlife are in place, what is lacking is their effective enforcement and in this context, called upon the enforcement agencies to perform their duty with utmost diligence. 

Following is the full text of the PM's speech on the occasion:

"I am pleased to be with all of you at this first meeting of the National Board for Wildlife. Let me, at the outset, congratulate the Ministry of Environment and Forests and all others associated with wildlife conservation. I am happy that much progress has been made in implementing the Wildlife Action Plan, which we adopted in January 2002. 

However, much more needs to be done, and with greater speed. The Action Plan needs to be implemented in its letter and spirit. This awareness is reflected in the extensive agenda drawn up for today's meeting.  Wildlife is a fundamental component of our ecosystem. It has the same right to share in the various resources on our planet as we humans do. It is irrational and preposterous for humans to think that this planet belongs exclusively to us alone. We cannot behave as if the survival or extinction of other animal species and living beings is of no concern to us. If we do so, we will be putting our own well-being and survival at risk.

As a thinking animal, man has a special responsibility towards Planet Earth and its inhabitants. A reputed science writer has captured this thought well: "All organisms are bound together by the genetic unity of life. They have descended from the same distant ancestral life form. Because of this it is correct to say that, if the biosphere as a whole is the body, we humans are the mind. Thus, our place in nature, viewed from an ethical perspective, is to think about the creation and to protect the living planet."

India's religious and cultural traditions are distinguished for their strong recognition of this kinship between man and the animal world. Almost all our gods and goddesses have an animal or a bird as a companion. The message of Emperor Ashoka is perhaps the first ever written testimony for the conservation of wildlife on the earth. This precious civilisational legacy that we have inherited should enlighten and guide our wildlife conservation strategy.

We in India have also inherited a unique and rich ecological diversity in the form of forests, grasslands, wetlands, mountains, desert and marine ecosystems. These provide shelter to a large number of fauna and flora that meet the essential needs of the poor and rich as well. Protection of this bio-diversity is not only our ethical responsibility. It is also necessary for our sustainable economic development.

Unfortunately, we have not yet mastered the imperatives of sustainable development. We have not been able to arrest the decline in the ecological status of wildlife in our country. The radical changes associated with development have brought many species of wild plants and animals to the brink of extinction. We have witnessed the permanent loss of many valuable species including cheetah, the best-known sprinter of our grasslands. This is not to say that our intervention strategies have not worked. The Asiatic lion would have become extinct but for the timely intervention by the then rulers of Junagadh. Subsequently, many species including tiger, elephant, crocodile and rhino were revived due to the timely legislative and administrative efforts of the government supported by several able and dedicated conservationists.

As you are well aware, this is the 30th anniversary of Project Tiger. India has reason to be proud of the fact that, despite dire predictions, the future of the tiger is reasonably secure within our borders. Our efforts in this regard have also been appreciated by the international community.

An important landmark in our conservation efforts was the recent amendment to the Wild Life Protection Act. It has been widely welcomed as a vast improvement on the older legislation. It has established a statutory National Board with the
Specific mandate of guaranteeing protection to the biodiversity in an effective and sustainable manner. We have also established a National Forest Commission, As promised in the last meeting of the Board.

As the newly constituted National Board and its proposed Standing Committee begin their new journey, it is necessary to sharpen our understanding of some of The critical issues in wildlife conservation. Firstly, for our strategy to succeed, we must recognize the urgent need to increase people's participation at all levels, but especially at the last mile. We should recognize that the best  protectors of wildlife are the communities living in or near the natural habitat of wildlife. Experience has shown beyond any doubt that the policing approach alone cannot do the job. What is needed is to create an economic stake for the communities to participate in - even take responsibility for –wildlife conservation.

It is imperative that each local community, with the participation of Panchayati Raj Institutions, identifies, manages and protects its surroundings as a distinctive protected area. Local communities possess useful traditional knowledge, but they may not have the requisite modern knowledge. Therefore, we should vastly increase our efforts to encourage active contribution from non governmental organizations and experts. NGOs and experts can also greatly assist the local communities in launching a platform for business partnership with the industries for marketing the processed and semi-processed natural products and provide livelihood to the rural youth. Indeed, we should place a high priority on working with NGOs to implement all the objectives and strategies of the  Wildlife Action Plan.

Similarly, India offers many attractions for nature tourism and wildlife tourism. This rapidly growing industry also provides employment and livelihood Opportunities to local people. Of course, while promoting nature tourism and wildlife tourism, we should keep in mind the needs of their sustainability.

The point I wish to drive home is that we need 'people-centered conservation' approaches with the participation of all stakeholder groups in decision-making. While there is an urgent need to safeguard protected areas, it is equally
Important to demonstrate the economic benefits of protected areas for people living in and around them. This will ensure a golden bridge connecting our cultural ethos and economic benefit, creating a win-win situation for both people and the protected areas.

The second point I would like to stress is the need to increase coordination among various ministries, departments, and State Governments. The Ministries of Environment and Forests, Agriculture, Rural Development, Water Resources, Tribal Welfare, Tourism and Culture, along with their counterparts in States, have to recognize their joint responsibility in developing innovative strategies for biodiversity conservation.

In our last meeting, I had heard a good presentation from a representative of the Army describing the contribution that our security forces can make to Wildlife conservation, especially in border and disturbed areas. The Navy too can contribute much to our efforts at conserving our marine biodiversity. Protection of marine and coastal ecosystems is fundamental to the sustainable development of coastal communities as they provide a range of food products and immense opportunities for tourism. Conserving marine biodiversity should be our priority for the next decade.

There are many exceptionally beautiful marine habitats that qualify for inclusion in World Heritage Sites and Biosphere Reserves. Inclusion of such  sites on the international map will greatly help in integrating conservation and
management of cultural, natural and indigenous areas within the context of tourism development. I congratulate Shri Baalu for having taken a number of  initiatives for protecting the endangered marine species and for setting up the Marine Biodiversity Institute at Kanyakumari.

A subject of great concern to all of us is the activities of wildlife criminals. India has been one of the prime targets of nternational crime syndicates who take advantage of the poverty in wildlife areas and instigate poor people to Commit crimes for the benefit of rich international consumers. Our wildlife has Suffered severe threats and decimation at their hands. We have adequate legal
provisions to tackle poaching and illegal trade of wildlife and its derivatives. What is lacking is their effective enforcement. Enforcement agencies of the central and state governments must perform their duty with utmost diligence.

During the last meeting of the Indian Board for Wild Life, I had urged all State governments to ensure that the restrictions imposed on recruitment of field staff for protected areas to be relaxed and all existing vacancies filled up. This needs to be followed up. The Ministry of Environment & Forests on its part should further strengthen its ongoing initiatives and forge links with enforcement agencies, dedicated NGOs and international bodies to inflict severe punishment on criminal elements.

Before I conclude, I would like the Board and its Standing Committee to draw up workable and time bound schemes to advance the mandate assigned to them. In doing so, they should draw on both the Ministry's own positive experience so far as well as the useful lessons learnt in other countries.

I extend my best wishes to everyone present for very meaningful deliberations. Last but not the least, my hearty congratulations to the award winners.