NatureNews for the week ending September 05, 2006. To subscribe to NatureNews, please write to Library.
NatureNews
NatureNews - A WWF digest of environment news on the Internet
Climate Change & Energy
Shifts On Climate Change - Rich Countries Would Like Poorer Countries To Cut Emissions
There is a growing mismatch between the words and deeds of affluent industrialized countries on the subject of climate change. While joining the rest of the world in calling for enhanced action on climate change, they are failing to meet even their existing responsibilities. They are pressing developing countries to accept new commitments, while shrugging off and retreating from their own commitments. The facts speak for themselves. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (agreed upon in 1992) called upon the developed countries to restore their greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2000 and, thereafter, progressively reduce their emissions in order to avert global warming. In gross disregard of these provisions, the total greenhouse gas emissions of the developed countries actually increased between 2000 and 2005 (the latest year for which figures are available). For more: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080901/jsp/opinion/story_9755499.jsp
India more vulnerable to climate change: UNIDO
Climate change is likely to have a much greater impact on India than other countries in similar positions, according to an assessment by the South Asia regional office of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). A UNIDO spokesperson said the extra impact on India was due to a "unique combination of its geography, diverse population characteristics and extremely high dependence on fossil fuels". India's dependence on fossil fuels such as coal and oil for energy generation and transport “could lead to heavy environmental, social and regulatory costs, causing a drain on the nation’s resources as a direct impact of Climate Change over the next century”, says the assessment report. For more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Earth/Climate_India_vulnerable/
articleshow/3440265.cms
Marine & Oceans
Sanctuaries unable to protect Indian coral reefs
Many of the sanctuaries for coral reefs in the Indian Ocean are unable to protect the reefs from the worst of climate change, a team of international scientists has warned. The sanctuaries are in the wrong places and far too small, they have found. While effective in protecting local fish, they may not be of much help in enabling reefs to recover from major coral bleaching events caused by ocean warming, the scientists said. Their study on corals is the largest of its kind, covering 66 sites in seven countries in the Indian Ocean and spanning over a decade. The findings were published in the journal PLoS ONE. For more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Earth/Flora__Fauna/
Sanctuaries_unable_to_protect_Indian_coral_reefs/
articleshow/3416930.cms
Beach erosion threatens turtle sites in Orissa
The fast pace of beach erosion along the Orissa coast is threatening the precious nesting grounds of sea turtles, says a wildlife activist while pointing out that new ports may add to the problem. "Orissa is home to more than 50 per cent of the world's turtle population. The state needs to protect the nesting beaches which are now threatened by beach erosion that may force the turtles to abandon the state for ever," Biswajit Mohanty, secretary, Wildlife Society of Orissa, said. Orissa’s beaches have turtle nesting sites at the mouth of the Devi river, Rushikulya river and the Gahirmatha coast. The state is the biggest nesting site of rare Olive Ridley turtles. For more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Earth/Flora__Fauna/Beach_erosion_
threatens_turtle_sites_in_Orissa/articleshow/3397455.cms
Pollution & Toxics
India third biggest Co2 emitter in world, says data
India is the third biggest emitter of carbon dioxide in the world, with state-owned NTPC topping the list of companies belching out the deadly gas, according to new data released by a Washington-based think tank that advocated an “energy revolution” based on solar power. The Center for Global Development (CGD) said India figured third in the list of biggest Co2 emitters through power generation after China and the United States. When contacted, NTPC officials in Delhi said: “We are among the most efficient producers of power using fossil fuels. NTPC is the second best in the world, emitting only 800 grams of Co2 per kwh of electricity generation.” For more: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/01/stories/2008090153410900.htm
Delhi an e-waste dumping yard? Delhi, which is already reeling under high pollution, has now to deal with another environmental challenge - e-wastes. According to an industry lobby's estimate, over 2,000 trucks dump around 12,000 tonnes of e-waste in the city per day. "Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka generate over 25,000 tonnes of e-waste per day through various industrial activities and dump around 50 per cent of it at different places in Delhi, particularly at Turkeman Gate, Shastri Park, Loni, Seelampur and Mandavali," Sajjan Jindal, president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham), said. For more: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Earth/DelhiE-waste_dumping_yard/articleshow/3379242.cms
IT companies prefer backyard e-waste traders to authorised recyclers
Bangalore’s innumerable IT and related companies produce 11,000 tonnes of e-waste every year. But most of this finds its way to backyard recyclers in the by-lanes of Bangalore — and very little goes to the authorised e-waste managers who are competent to neutralise the waste. Bangalore has three recyclers recognised by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. But, “sadly, IT companies are under no obligation to manage their waste because India does not have legislation for e-waste,” said P. Parthasarathy, Director, E-Parisara Pvt. Ltd., one of the three authorised recyclers. For more: http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/23/stories/2008082350020100.htm
Wildlife & Endangered Species
Wildlife racket through Internet networking sites busted
A gang using the Orkut and other popular networking sites for illegal wildlife trade was busted in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut town, and threatened wildlife, including a rare albino civet, were seized alive, officials said. Two gang members were arrested from the Lalkurti locality of the town and many threatened wildlife, including peacocks, parakeets and a rare albino civet cat were seized alive. This may be the first case in the country linked with Internet wildlife trade. Officials said members of the gang used the Orkut networking site for meeting new customers as well as to close deals with existing clients in the Middle East and Europe. A team of Uttar Pradesh’s special task force and the forest department conducted the raid, after Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), an NGO, alerted the officials. For more: http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/wildlife-racket-through-internet-networking-sites-busted_10088995.html
Ganesha's Tears. Here are some interesting cross-border nuggets gleaned from the news media over the last few months
One: Wild elephant migration from Karnataka to Goa and Maharashtra is termed ‘unnatural’ and Goa seeks Maharashtra’s help to drive the animals back. When Goa starts the operation it finds that its efforts to drive back the elephants have been hampered by trenches dug on the Maharashtra side to prevent the animals from entering that state. Goan authorities are asking Project Elephant authorities to intervene and ask Maharashtra to behave. Two: Elephants that had ‘strayed’ from Orissa into Andhra Pradesh in late 2007 were termed ‘rogue’, and huge efforts were made to force them to return. Two of the animals were even darted, drugged and carried back to their home state. One died almost immediately, most probably due to an overdose of the drug used on it. Three: Bangladesh authorities want India to ‘take back’ the 100-odd elephants that have moved across the international border from Meghalaya. They have threatened that the animals might otherwise be killed. Four: The Nepal Government is reinforcing the border with India in north Bengal with low-voltage electric wires to prevent herds of elephants from crossing over along their traditional migratory routes. Reading news like this gives you a sense of the tragi-comic drama being played out across elephant territory in the subcontinent. Elephants crossing borders seems to generate human theatre of the most absurd kind. How else can one explain a country asking another to take back ‘its’ elephants, or one minister complaining to a counterpart in a neighbouring state that his elephants are causing trouble? If these guys are to be believed, wild elephants are waiting for us to issue them notices and will soon begin indicating their movement patterns so we can stay out of their way. Ganesha, it would seem, is a god from a completely different planet. It is ironic that a state like Maharashtra, for instance, which proudly showcases its celebrations of the elephant-headed god, has no space for, or acceptance of, the living embodiment of that loved and revered deity. Human-wildlife conflict is a very real and problematic part of life in large parts of the subcontinent. No one can deny that. Nor will anyone argue that the situation on the ground is simple. The case of human-elephant conflict, in particular, is extremely protracted and complex. For more: http://www.tehelka.com/story_main40.asp?filename=Op300808change.asp
Ivory demand leads to elephant decimation
Almost 10 per cent of elephants have been killed in Congo's troubled Virunga National Park by armed groups, soldiers, and poachers, allegedly driven by rising Chinese demand for ivory. Surveys carried out in the 1960s found 2,889 elephants in the park. By 2006 that number had dropped to 400. Just two years later, it's estimated there are as few as half that number. According to a report in National Geographic News, the announcement raises fears that elephants could disappear forever from Africa's oldest and largest national park, which has recently made headlines for its gorilla murders. For more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Earth/Flora__Fauna/Ivory_demand_
leads_to_elephant_decimation/articleshow/3426107.cms
Ghana elephants show UN deforestation headache
Rising elephant numbers in a protected forest park in Ghana are angering farmers whose crops are being raided in an unwanted side-effect of a plan to slow deforestation. Locals in Afiaso, a village of 620 people in southern Ghana with no electricity nor running water, grumble that they are seeing limited benefits from agreeing to cooperate in protecting Kakum National Park forest, which starts 2 km (1 mile) away. "We used to cut down a lot of trees to plant cocoa. Cutting down trees used to be normal," chief Nana Opare Ababio, 47, told reporters sitting with the village elders as children danced and banged drums alongside. On racks, cocoa beans dried in the sun. For more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Earth/Flora__Fauna/Ghana_elephants_
show_UN_deforestation_headache/articleshow/3409975.cms
Modi seeks funds from Centre for lions
Gujarat Wild Life Advisory Board has in a unanimous resolution demanded funds from the Central government for lion conservation. The resolution demanded that the Centre should take up lion conservation on the lines of Project Tiger. The board in the resolution also said the Centre has been neglecting the lion conservation programme. Chief Minister Narendra Modi also called on the board members to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and make a representation to allocate funds for lion conservation. The board has also decided to form Gujarat Wildlife Internet Society and to organize programmes to educate tourists coming to the state. It has decided to use various channels to create awareness about various birds and animal species spotted in various sanctuaries of the state. The board cleared the Greater Gir project which will be a comprehensive project for conservation of rare Asiatic lions in the area outside the Gir Sanctuary. Officials said that under this project, various areas where there is a sizeable lion population will be declared as sanctuaries. For more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Ahmedabad/Modi_seeks_funds_from_
Centre_for_lions_/articleshow/3434642.cms
Insects
India's Conservationists Bugged About Growing Insect Poaching
Conservationists in South Asia are raising an alarm about a growing illegal trade in insects. VOA Correspondent Steve Herman reports from New Delhi that some exotic species, bought from unsuspecting village children for a couple of coins, can fetch big money overseas. Poaching of tigers, lions and rhinos in Asia is a well-publicized problem. But now conservationists are expressing concern about smaller wildlife being caught in a criminal net. Many of the region's insects are being killed to satisfy a demand for beautiful and rare bugs encased in plastic key chains and paperweights or enclosed in greeting cards. Extracts of some beetles are used in traditional medicines in parts of Asia and Latin America. Some of the insect species, dead or alive, can fetch thousands of dollars from wealthy international collectors. Although only a few criminal cases of insect poaching are filed in India every year, wildlife experts here believe the total illegal trade is quite large. Analysts say smugglers can be in possession of thousands of insects. "The illegal trade in butterflies or insects is becoming one of the major booming businesses," explained Khalid Pasha, the India coordinator for the wildlife trade monitoring network, TRAFFIC. For more: http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-08-26-voa18.cfm
Birds
Owl trade profits poachers - Night bird sold for up to a lakh across borders
For smugglers, owl trafficking has become one of the profitable businesses these days. With each of the owl fetching as much as Rs 1 lakh, the nocturnal creature is almost on the threshold of being endangered. The state forests, environment and wildlife department has sounded a red alert to all foresters keep a sharp look on poachers and smugglers of owls, said chief wildlife warden A.K. Singh. Owls are in great demand in the global market with several countries using them for alternative medicine and also for research work. For more: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080813/jsp/jharkhand/story_9686945.jsp
Winged visitors start flocking at Bharatpur
After a prolonged dryspell, winged visitors of many different hues have started returning to the Bharatpur bird sanctuary in Rajasthan following monsoon rains in the northern region that have brought much needed water to the area. The chirping birds are now building their nests in various areas following the good rainfall, said the latest reports at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). However, wildlife experts have asked the Rajasthan government to take all remedial steps that include sufficient water supply to meet the demands of the UNESCO, which has threatened to put the sanctuary in the danger list of world heritage sites following the prolonged dryspell during the past several years. For more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Earth/Flora__Fauna/Winged_visitors_
start_flocking_at_Bharatpur/articleshow/3431301.cms
30 peacocks found dead in 5 days near Pune; probe on
Clueless forest officials probing the deaths of as many as 28 peacocks in Ranjangaon were confronted by fresh finding of the bird plumage, suggestive of two more deaths, taking the toll in the last five days to 30. The forest officer probing the episode that has baffled the villagers and bird lovers, D G Raut said that peacock feathers had been recovered at Shikrapur in the latest incident even as forensic test results on the viscera of the 28 dead peacocks were being awaited by the department. Ranjangaon is known for a traditionally high population of peacocks as well as the famous Swayambhu Ganesh temple in Maharashtra. It made news when on August 22, villagers in the region discovered the bodies of 17 peacocks, followed by ten more the next day and another one on Sunday. For more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Earth/Flora__Fauna/30_peacocks_
found_dead_in_5_days_near_Pune_probe_on/articleshow/3411501.cms
Wetlands, Rivers & Water
Waiting For Management. Ghodaghodi Lake is situated in Kailali of Far Western Nepal and listed in Ramsar Site in 2003
The wetland provides refuge to globally significant biodiversity resources including tiger, wild elephants and red-crowned roofed turtle. Adjoining forests and the wetland jointly act as a wildlife corridor between the low land Terai and the Churia. The lake has also great religious and legendary values. There is a shrine to the Ghodaghodi deity where indigenous Tharu celebrate a traditional festival (Agan Panchami) by worshiping and offering animals during the month of December. Likewise, there are several legends related to the origin of the Ghodaghodi Lake. Some 1500 households around the lake depend on the wetland ecosystem for supporting their subsistence needs. As the Lake provides benefits to the various stakeholders that ranges from national to international level, early intervention for conserving the wetland is necessary. If the Lake is managed scientifically, it helps in conserving the globally significant biodiversity resources on the one hand and on the other contributes to diversifying livelihood opportunities of wetland dependent local communities, ultimately supporting regional and national economy of the country. As the Lake has superlative natural, historical, and cultural values, it creates an opportunity for promoting eco-tourism. Ecotourism development leads to address the issues of sustainable biodiversity conservation and livelihood improvement of local communities. Similarly, there are various ethno-medicinal plants, which also contribute to local income and employment opportunities. For more: http://www.gorkhapatra.org.np/detail.php?article_id=5414&cat_id=10
AWARD
IUCN award for Indian scientist
S.D. Biju has won the Sabin Award for Amphibian Conservation, instituted by the Amphibian Specialist Group of the IUCN. Dr. Biju, who now leads a research group at the University of Delhi as an Associate Professor, gets it for his contributions to amphibian conservation and research in the Western Ghats over the last 15 years, University of Delhi said in a press release. The award includes $25,000. An IUCN newsletter refers to his “extreme dedication to discovering and conserving the amphibian fauna of the rapidly vanishing Western Ghats biodiversity spot... often using his personal earnings to fund his explorations.” For more: http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/20/stories/2008082053672200.htm
EVENTS
Representing Climate Change: Ecology, Media and the Arts; 15 - 17 October 2008; Cambridge, United Kingdom; http://www.crassh.cam.ac.uk/events/546/
Corporate Social Responsibility and environment ; 27 - 28 October 2008; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; http://www.crdp.umontreal.ca/colloque_environnement/
Energy for Sustainable Development; 11 - 13 November 2008; Karachi, Pakistan; http://www.dawoodcollege.edu.pk/conference.html
International conference on environmental ethics education; 16 - 17 November 2008; Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India; http://www.aaebhu.com
World Biodiversity Congress; 9 - 12 December 2008; Chiang Mai, Thailand; E-mail: sivaram900_AT_gmail.com
First Global Summit on Sustainable Development and Biodiversity; 10 - 13 December 2008; Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India; http://www.gloss2008.com
Shifts On Climate Change - Rich Countries Would Like Poorer Countries To Cut Emissions
There is a growing mismatch between the words and deeds of affluent industrialized countries on the subject of climate change. While joining the rest of the world in calling for enhanced action on climate change, they are failing to meet even their existing responsibilities. They are pressing developing countries to accept new commitments, while shrugging off and retreating from their own commitments. The facts speak for themselves. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (agreed upon in 1992) called upon the developed countries to restore their greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2000 and, thereafter, progressively reduce their emissions in order to avert global warming. In gross disregard of these provisions, the total greenhouse gas emissions of the developed countries actually increased between 2000 and 2005 (the latest year for which figures are available). For more: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080901/jsp/opinion/story_9755499.jsp
India more vulnerable to climate change: UNIDO
Climate change is likely to have a much greater impact on India than other countries in similar positions, according to an assessment by the South Asia regional office of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). A UNIDO spokesperson said the extra impact on India was due to a "unique combination of its geography, diverse population characteristics and extremely high dependence on fossil fuels". India's dependence on fossil fuels such as coal and oil for energy generation and transport “could lead to heavy environmental, social and regulatory costs, causing a drain on the nation’s resources as a direct impact of Climate Change over the next century”, says the assessment report. For more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Earth/Climate_India_vulnerable/
articleshow/3440265.cms
Marine & Oceans
Sanctuaries unable to protect Indian coral reefs
Many of the sanctuaries for coral reefs in the Indian Ocean are unable to protect the reefs from the worst of climate change, a team of international scientists has warned. The sanctuaries are in the wrong places and far too small, they have found. While effective in protecting local fish, they may not be of much help in enabling reefs to recover from major coral bleaching events caused by ocean warming, the scientists said. Their study on corals is the largest of its kind, covering 66 sites in seven countries in the Indian Ocean and spanning over a decade. The findings were published in the journal PLoS ONE. For more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Earth/Flora__Fauna/
Sanctuaries_unable_to_protect_Indian_coral_reefs/
articleshow/3416930.cms
Beach erosion threatens turtle sites in Orissa
The fast pace of beach erosion along the Orissa coast is threatening the precious nesting grounds of sea turtles, says a wildlife activist while pointing out that new ports may add to the problem. "Orissa is home to more than 50 per cent of the world's turtle population. The state needs to protect the nesting beaches which are now threatened by beach erosion that may force the turtles to abandon the state for ever," Biswajit Mohanty, secretary, Wildlife Society of Orissa, said. Orissa’s beaches have turtle nesting sites at the mouth of the Devi river, Rushikulya river and the Gahirmatha coast. The state is the biggest nesting site of rare Olive Ridley turtles. For more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Earth/Flora__Fauna/Beach_erosion_
threatens_turtle_sites_in_Orissa/articleshow/3397455.cms
Pollution & Toxics
India third biggest Co2 emitter in world, says data
India is the third biggest emitter of carbon dioxide in the world, with state-owned NTPC topping the list of companies belching out the deadly gas, according to new data released by a Washington-based think tank that advocated an “energy revolution” based on solar power. The Center for Global Development (CGD) said India figured third in the list of biggest Co2 emitters through power generation after China and the United States. When contacted, NTPC officials in Delhi said: “We are among the most efficient producers of power using fossil fuels. NTPC is the second best in the world, emitting only 800 grams of Co2 per kwh of electricity generation.” For more: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/01/stories/2008090153410900.htm
Delhi an e-waste dumping yard? Delhi, which is already reeling under high pollution, has now to deal with another environmental challenge - e-wastes. According to an industry lobby's estimate, over 2,000 trucks dump around 12,000 tonnes of e-waste in the city per day. "Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka generate over 25,000 tonnes of e-waste per day through various industrial activities and dump around 50 per cent of it at different places in Delhi, particularly at Turkeman Gate, Shastri Park, Loni, Seelampur and Mandavali," Sajjan Jindal, president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham), said. For more: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Earth/DelhiE-waste_dumping_yard/articleshow/3379242.cms
IT companies prefer backyard e-waste traders to authorised recyclers
Bangalore’s innumerable IT and related companies produce 11,000 tonnes of e-waste every year. But most of this finds its way to backyard recyclers in the by-lanes of Bangalore — and very little goes to the authorised e-waste managers who are competent to neutralise the waste. Bangalore has three recyclers recognised by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. But, “sadly, IT companies are under no obligation to manage their waste because India does not have legislation for e-waste,” said P. Parthasarathy, Director, E-Parisara Pvt. Ltd., one of the three authorised recyclers. For more: http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/23/stories/2008082350020100.htm
Wildlife & Endangered Species
Wildlife racket through Internet networking sites busted
A gang using the Orkut and other popular networking sites for illegal wildlife trade was busted in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut town, and threatened wildlife, including a rare albino civet, were seized alive, officials said. Two gang members were arrested from the Lalkurti locality of the town and many threatened wildlife, including peacocks, parakeets and a rare albino civet cat were seized alive. This may be the first case in the country linked with Internet wildlife trade. Officials said members of the gang used the Orkut networking site for meeting new customers as well as to close deals with existing clients in the Middle East and Europe. A team of Uttar Pradesh’s special task force and the forest department conducted the raid, after Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), an NGO, alerted the officials. For more: http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/wildlife-racket-through-internet-networking-sites-busted_10088995.html
Ganesha's Tears. Here are some interesting cross-border nuggets gleaned from the news media over the last few months
One: Wild elephant migration from Karnataka to Goa and Maharashtra is termed ‘unnatural’ and Goa seeks Maharashtra’s help to drive the animals back. When Goa starts the operation it finds that its efforts to drive back the elephants have been hampered by trenches dug on the Maharashtra side to prevent the animals from entering that state. Goan authorities are asking Project Elephant authorities to intervene and ask Maharashtra to behave. Two: Elephants that had ‘strayed’ from Orissa into Andhra Pradesh in late 2007 were termed ‘rogue’, and huge efforts were made to force them to return. Two of the animals were even darted, drugged and carried back to their home state. One died almost immediately, most probably due to an overdose of the drug used on it. Three: Bangladesh authorities want India to ‘take back’ the 100-odd elephants that have moved across the international border from Meghalaya. They have threatened that the animals might otherwise be killed. Four: The Nepal Government is reinforcing the border with India in north Bengal with low-voltage electric wires to prevent herds of elephants from crossing over along their traditional migratory routes. Reading news like this gives you a sense of the tragi-comic drama being played out across elephant territory in the subcontinent. Elephants crossing borders seems to generate human theatre of the most absurd kind. How else can one explain a country asking another to take back ‘its’ elephants, or one minister complaining to a counterpart in a neighbouring state that his elephants are causing trouble? If these guys are to be believed, wild elephants are waiting for us to issue them notices and will soon begin indicating their movement patterns so we can stay out of their way. Ganesha, it would seem, is a god from a completely different planet. It is ironic that a state like Maharashtra, for instance, which proudly showcases its celebrations of the elephant-headed god, has no space for, or acceptance of, the living embodiment of that loved and revered deity. Human-wildlife conflict is a very real and problematic part of life in large parts of the subcontinent. No one can deny that. Nor will anyone argue that the situation on the ground is simple. The case of human-elephant conflict, in particular, is extremely protracted and complex. For more: http://www.tehelka.com/story_main40.asp?filename=Op300808change.asp
Ivory demand leads to elephant decimation
Almost 10 per cent of elephants have been killed in Congo's troubled Virunga National Park by armed groups, soldiers, and poachers, allegedly driven by rising Chinese demand for ivory. Surveys carried out in the 1960s found 2,889 elephants in the park. By 2006 that number had dropped to 400. Just two years later, it's estimated there are as few as half that number. According to a report in National Geographic News, the announcement raises fears that elephants could disappear forever from Africa's oldest and largest national park, which has recently made headlines for its gorilla murders. For more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Earth/Flora__Fauna/Ivory_demand_
leads_to_elephant_decimation/articleshow/3426107.cms
Ghana elephants show UN deforestation headache
Rising elephant numbers in a protected forest park in Ghana are angering farmers whose crops are being raided in an unwanted side-effect of a plan to slow deforestation. Locals in Afiaso, a village of 620 people in southern Ghana with no electricity nor running water, grumble that they are seeing limited benefits from agreeing to cooperate in protecting Kakum National Park forest, which starts 2 km (1 mile) away. "We used to cut down a lot of trees to plant cocoa. Cutting down trees used to be normal," chief Nana Opare Ababio, 47, told reporters sitting with the village elders as children danced and banged drums alongside. On racks, cocoa beans dried in the sun. For more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Earth/Flora__Fauna/Ghana_elephants_
show_UN_deforestation_headache/articleshow/3409975.cms
Modi seeks funds from Centre for lions
Gujarat Wild Life Advisory Board has in a unanimous resolution demanded funds from the Central government for lion conservation. The resolution demanded that the Centre should take up lion conservation on the lines of Project Tiger. The board in the resolution also said the Centre has been neglecting the lion conservation programme. Chief Minister Narendra Modi also called on the board members to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and make a representation to allocate funds for lion conservation. The board has also decided to form Gujarat Wildlife Internet Society and to organize programmes to educate tourists coming to the state. It has decided to use various channels to create awareness about various birds and animal species spotted in various sanctuaries of the state. The board cleared the Greater Gir project which will be a comprehensive project for conservation of rare Asiatic lions in the area outside the Gir Sanctuary. Officials said that under this project, various areas where there is a sizeable lion population will be declared as sanctuaries. For more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Ahmedabad/Modi_seeks_funds_from_
Centre_for_lions_/articleshow/3434642.cms
Insects
India's Conservationists Bugged About Growing Insect Poaching
Conservationists in South Asia are raising an alarm about a growing illegal trade in insects. VOA Correspondent Steve Herman reports from New Delhi that some exotic species, bought from unsuspecting village children for a couple of coins, can fetch big money overseas. Poaching of tigers, lions and rhinos in Asia is a well-publicized problem. But now conservationists are expressing concern about smaller wildlife being caught in a criminal net. Many of the region's insects are being killed to satisfy a demand for beautiful and rare bugs encased in plastic key chains and paperweights or enclosed in greeting cards. Extracts of some beetles are used in traditional medicines in parts of Asia and Latin America. Some of the insect species, dead or alive, can fetch thousands of dollars from wealthy international collectors. Although only a few criminal cases of insect poaching are filed in India every year, wildlife experts here believe the total illegal trade is quite large. Analysts say smugglers can be in possession of thousands of insects. "The illegal trade in butterflies or insects is becoming one of the major booming businesses," explained Khalid Pasha, the India coordinator for the wildlife trade monitoring network, TRAFFIC. For more: http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-08-26-voa18.cfm
Birds
Owl trade profits poachers - Night bird sold for up to a lakh across borders
For smugglers, owl trafficking has become one of the profitable businesses these days. With each of the owl fetching as much as Rs 1 lakh, the nocturnal creature is almost on the threshold of being endangered. The state forests, environment and wildlife department has sounded a red alert to all foresters keep a sharp look on poachers and smugglers of owls, said chief wildlife warden A.K. Singh. Owls are in great demand in the global market with several countries using them for alternative medicine and also for research work. For more: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080813/jsp/jharkhand/story_9686945.jsp
Winged visitors start flocking at Bharatpur
After a prolonged dryspell, winged visitors of many different hues have started returning to the Bharatpur bird sanctuary in Rajasthan following monsoon rains in the northern region that have brought much needed water to the area. The chirping birds are now building their nests in various areas following the good rainfall, said the latest reports at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). However, wildlife experts have asked the Rajasthan government to take all remedial steps that include sufficient water supply to meet the demands of the UNESCO, which has threatened to put the sanctuary in the danger list of world heritage sites following the prolonged dryspell during the past several years. For more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Earth/Flora__Fauna/Winged_visitors_
start_flocking_at_Bharatpur/articleshow/3431301.cms
30 peacocks found dead in 5 days near Pune; probe on
Clueless forest officials probing the deaths of as many as 28 peacocks in Ranjangaon were confronted by fresh finding of the bird plumage, suggestive of two more deaths, taking the toll in the last five days to 30. The forest officer probing the episode that has baffled the villagers and bird lovers, D G Raut said that peacock feathers had been recovered at Shikrapur in the latest incident even as forensic test results on the viscera of the 28 dead peacocks were being awaited by the department. Ranjangaon is known for a traditionally high population of peacocks as well as the famous Swayambhu Ganesh temple in Maharashtra. It made news when on August 22, villagers in the region discovered the bodies of 17 peacocks, followed by ten more the next day and another one on Sunday. For more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Earth/Flora__Fauna/30_peacocks_
found_dead_in_5_days_near_Pune_probe_on/articleshow/3411501.cms
Wetlands, Rivers & Water
Waiting For Management. Ghodaghodi Lake is situated in Kailali of Far Western Nepal and listed in Ramsar Site in 2003
The wetland provides refuge to globally significant biodiversity resources including tiger, wild elephants and red-crowned roofed turtle. Adjoining forests and the wetland jointly act as a wildlife corridor between the low land Terai and the Churia. The lake has also great religious and legendary values. There is a shrine to the Ghodaghodi deity where indigenous Tharu celebrate a traditional festival (Agan Panchami) by worshiping and offering animals during the month of December. Likewise, there are several legends related to the origin of the Ghodaghodi Lake. Some 1500 households around the lake depend on the wetland ecosystem for supporting their subsistence needs. As the Lake provides benefits to the various stakeholders that ranges from national to international level, early intervention for conserving the wetland is necessary. If the Lake is managed scientifically, it helps in conserving the globally significant biodiversity resources on the one hand and on the other contributes to diversifying livelihood opportunities of wetland dependent local communities, ultimately supporting regional and national economy of the country. As the Lake has superlative natural, historical, and cultural values, it creates an opportunity for promoting eco-tourism. Ecotourism development leads to address the issues of sustainable biodiversity conservation and livelihood improvement of local communities. Similarly, there are various ethno-medicinal plants, which also contribute to local income and employment opportunities. For more: http://www.gorkhapatra.org.np/detail.php?article_id=5414&cat_id=10
AWARD
IUCN award for Indian scientist
S.D. Biju has won the Sabin Award for Amphibian Conservation, instituted by the Amphibian Specialist Group of the IUCN. Dr. Biju, who now leads a research group at the University of Delhi as an Associate Professor, gets it for his contributions to amphibian conservation and research in the Western Ghats over the last 15 years, University of Delhi said in a press release. The award includes $25,000. An IUCN newsletter refers to his “extreme dedication to discovering and conserving the amphibian fauna of the rapidly vanishing Western Ghats biodiversity spot... often using his personal earnings to fund his explorations.” For more: http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/20/stories/2008082053672200.htm
EVENTS
Representing Climate Change: Ecology, Media and the Arts; 15 - 17 October 2008; Cambridge, United Kingdom; http://www.crassh.cam.ac.uk/events/546/
Corporate Social Responsibility and environment ; 27 - 28 October 2008; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; http://www.crdp.umontreal.ca/colloque_environnement/
Energy for Sustainable Development; 11 - 13 November 2008; Karachi, Pakistan; http://www.dawoodcollege.edu.pk/conference.html
International conference on environmental ethics education; 16 - 17 November 2008; Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India; http://www.aaebhu.com
World Biodiversity Congress; 9 - 12 December 2008; Chiang Mai, Thailand; E-mail: sivaram900_AT_gmail.com
First Global Summit on Sustainable Development and Biodiversity; 10 - 13 December 2008; Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India; http://www.gloss2008.com
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