Resolutions for the Environment

Hi everyone. Its good to be back after a long break.
There were several reasons for it. Foremost amongst them, the sense of achievement (not something great actually), on reaching the 100-post mark. Then, there was the realization that it would soon be 22 years that I have spent in making a career in a city, away from the small town where I studied and spent my childhood and school days. Also, the fact that this year my son started junior college made me remember my college days. Time seems to have really flown by. Reminds me of the lyrics, Funny how it feels just like yesterday - (Bad Company).
 

In the lifetime of Earth, twenty years is a blip on the radar, a blink of the eye-lids - here today, gone tomorrow. But the sad fact remains; reckless human development has lead to environment degradation of such massive scale that the world as we know it today would no longer be the same in the next twenty years. 
 

Fewer bird sightings

There has been an overall decrease in the variety and number of bird sightings this winter.

Personally, I have noticed that there have been no sightings of the green bee-eater this year in Thane. Thirty years ago, I distinctly recollect hundreds of noisy birds roosting for the night on rain trees (in Hutti Gold Mines). One factor behind the reduced numbers of bee-eaters could be illegal sand mining by the sand mafia all over India. As the bee eaters nest by tunneling in sandy river banks, the destruction of nesting sites can seriously affect their population. Consider then, there could be innumerable such instances of habitat destruction, threatening the very existence of other birds and animals. This is a very grim scenario.

These photographs of the Green Bee-eater are from my archive:

Silver lining in the dark clouds: I spotted a Shikra:

Five minutes to midnight

 
Although not all claims made by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) lead by Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, the more recent one about being “five minutes from midnight”, can be taken at face value, we are witness to very rapid destruction of the natural environment. Large tracts of forest land is lost to construction of human habitats or agriculture (Maharashtra lost more than 2,100 sq km of forest area in past 2 decades – TOI, Dec 26, 2013). This means No more walks in the woods – (Eagles).
 

Long term consequences of such continued human activity on the Earth’s ecosystem would be very hard to predict. Some scientists point to the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide, melting of ice-caps and unpredictable world-wide weather [(Mass power cuts continue in US and Canada after storm- BBC, Dec 26, 2013), (Storms return to batter UK as thousands without power – BBC, Dec 27, 2013), (Super typhoon Haiyan in Philippines), and (Cyclone Phailin in Orissa)], as incontrovertible evidence that the climate is adversely affected. 

An increase in the frequency and ferocity of storms is predicted as we near the threshold of no return. The changes brought about by humans are difficult to reverse and development will of course, continue without pause – until the threshold is breached.
 

Resolutions for the New Year 

 

Each one of us, in our limited life-times, must play our part in mitigating the environmental destruction of Earth. Make it a better place, for you and me - (Michael Jackson).

So, here are some New Year resolutions that we can practice.
Avoid carbonated drinks: since many of the manufacturers utilize ground water for bottling
Reduce plastics: use cloth bags for shopping; prefer glass bottles over plastic ones, wherever available
Save water: reduce water consumption by using a low flush toilet tank
Stop treating the earth as an open air garbage bin: don’t throw waste onto the railway tracks / streets / highways
Stop polluting the water bodies: don’t dispose floral waste into our rivers and creeks
Save electricity: use solar power for house-hold lighting few hours every day, if you can afford it.
Use rechargeable batteries: stop using disposable batteries manufactured by those responsible for India’s worst human and environmental tragedy. Bhopal, 1984: Do you remember?
Shop for items manufactured by environment friendly companies (those with ISO 14000 certification), wherever such alternative exists
Plant a tree: you can do this in your society garden
Save electricity: switch off all appliances from the plug-points. If you use an AC, set the thermostat at 24°C
Save fuel: If you commute to office using a bike / car, use public transport once a month.

Readers who wish contribute their environment friendly resolutions are welcome to do so.

Help save the environment and make it a better place.

Grey Squirrel

Not so deep in a not-so-remote forest, a bunch of squirrels noisily look to climb a tree, looking for fruits and nuts to eat. The forest floor is littered with a layer of leaves. Every animal, however small, cannot avoid making sounds while treading. The climb is not very difficult for these swift creatures.

The squirrels proceed to the higher branches, for the lower ones have already been cleared of the fruit and nut by other members of their genus. Effortlessly, like practiced acrobats, the squirrels maneuver over the branches and reach their goal—nuts, their favorite food. Munching delightedly, they keep looking around furtively. Within days, the tree is bare of nuts.

Tiny though they are, squirrels can be very quick on their feet. They are usually shy creatures, and stay away from any intruders, especially cats and dogs, which are always trying to catch them. An amazing sight to watch while they scale near-vertical tree-trunks, they may also choose to stay still for a while to ensure no one else is around.

Being extremely wary, squirrels bound away to the safety of trees the moment they spot anything coming towards them, including birds. However, occasionally, they may become brave, and start looking for food to eat even when there are crows prowling nearby. Aggressive squirrels often take on the crows, loudly squeaking with their tails upturned.  They'll probably never become so bold in front of humans though, since we have practically cut off ourselves from Nature and only occasionally venture outside.

Squirrels prefer to live in peaceful environments. They are seen infrequently, as are other wild creatures, during festivals dominated by sound pollution—Diwali.

Indian epic Ramayan, mentions that squirrels received the white stripes on their backs from Lord Ram as a token of appreciation. They had helped the king build a rock bridge over the sea to modern-day Sri Lanka. 

We ought to learn from these little animals that however small our contribution, it counts. It is only important to have belief in oneself and confidence that only good will happen—quite contrary to Murphy's Law. 

Lets make a small start to protect our environment.

Pariah Kite

The Pariah Kite is a large brown bird, with streaks of white all over the body, black patches across its wings and a sharp, hooked beak. 

Very common throughout the country, it is usually spotted in large numbers near municipal garbage dumps and in the vicinity of abattoirs, feeding on discarded waste, rodents, small birds and lizards. It has exceptional skills in flying, swooping down to pick up discarded food or waste with its strong talons and easily evading pursuit by noisy crows. 

 

Photo courtesy: Upendra Chandratreya

It is one of the few birds (and the only raptor) which has adapted extremely well to human habitation, others being the common crow, house sparrow and mynah.

Its presence can be identified by its shrill and high pitched call. In flight, it has a distinct angular wing silhouette and forked tail.

Best place to spot:
In the evening, along Saket road near police grounds and near Thane jail.

RRRR
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover: Save our environment

Sustainable Development

Is Sustainable development possible in India?

 
Today, as India continues on its way towards achieving better standards for all its citizens, we tend to forget that development cannot take place without due consideration of the environment.

As more areas are opened up for industries, housing and infrastructure development, the industrial lobby is riding rough-shod over environmental concerns raised by NGOs and wildlife activists. There is a tendency to overlook most, if not all, of the issues that affect the environment and wildlife survival, by those who are responsible for implementing policies. This begins with lopsided planning of infrastructure and industrial projects. These projects often get the necessary approvals from all regulatory bodies by appropriate lobbying, greasing of palms and political backing. If and when activists object to such projects, they (the projects) are referred to the judiciary, which can turn out to be a long drawn process. Highly paid lawyers then ensure that the industry’s point of view is explained in a manner that makes the activists appear as obstacles or hindrances to development of the society and the down-trodden. The sons-of-soil argument is forwarded for offering jobs to the affected persons and a compromise formula worked out. 

And when the project is promoted by the government itself, you can understand how effective the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) can be in its objections to the project. Does anyone remember what happened to Mr. Jairam Ramesh?

The recent news of the apex court’s approval for the passage of the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) through the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, is one such example.

The apex court, in good faith, has taken into consideration the project authorities’ commitment towards mitigation of the adverse effects of the corridor on the wildlife and has suggested several measures during the construction phase.  

Sanjay Gandhi National Park
The SGNP, for people who are not aware, forms an important green belt within Mumbai city’s boundaries and is connected to Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. Dispersal of wildlife between SGNP and TWS is critical to ensure that gene pool diversity is maintained and the animals do not in-breed. The dedicated double freight corridor will connect Vadodara with JNPT, cutting off the dispersal route between SGNP and TWS for small mammals. (Refer article in TOI, dated Sep 09, 2013).
As the article rightly points out, remedial measures mentioned by DFC, such as high fencing and under-passes for the animals may be poorly designed or may not even be constructed. Just think about it: would the animals use under-passes over which huge double-decker freight trains move to and fro, at high speeds and short intervals? The scenario is unnerving even for humans.

The fact that the wild life reserves are under attack is also evident from the reported construction of a Viscose Fibers factory in the close vicinity of Karnala Bird Sanctuary, without obtaining necessary clearances. Now, do you require any further elaboration on how this case too shall proceed?

Five minutes to midnight
Can the earth’s ecosystem sustain such unplanned and unrestricted development?
R.K. Pachauri, head of the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) speaking in Delhi mentioned “we have five minutes to midnight” for fighting against environmental disaster.
The rate at which India is moving, it would be more appropriate to say, “Two minutes to midnight”, (Iron Maiden).

The extent to which we are polluting the environment can be seen from the attached photographs. The Thane creek, stretching from Kalwa bridge right up to Vashi, is littered with garbage (includes plastic bags, bottles, thermocole plates and glasses, items from Ganesh immersion and construction debris in polythene fiber bags). 

It is time to stop this degradation. As we pray to Vignahartha (Lord Ganesh) to remove obstacles in our path to success, let us ensure that we do not displease Dharti Mata (Mother Earth).

The earth does not belong to us; we belong to the earth

Black Winged Stilt

The Black-winged stilt is a wader and one of the most easily recognizable birds amongst the several species of water birds. It is very common; large numbers can be spotted in the backwaters and creeks surrounding Mumbai and Thane. It is slightly smaller than the common crow, with black wings and white body. It has a slender bill and very long, thin, red-colored legs, which almost make it appear as if it were standing on stilts.
Female differs from the male in being dark brown and white.

Its long legs allow wading into deep water near sand banks and mudflats, and the long beak is effectively used to explore the murky depths for aquatic creatures like snails and mollusks. When it takes flight, the head, neck and legs are outstretched, the legs often skimming just over water, causing ripples across the water surface.

Seen here along with the Pied Avocet (middle) and Bar tailed Godwit

Location: Bhandup mangroves

Crested Serpent Eagle

Eagles are the largest raptors (birds of prey). In flight or while resting, they look magnificent and are a sight to behold. 

The Crested Serpent Eagle is just one of the numerous species seen in India. It inhabits thickly wooded forests in the plains and hills, often near water bodies. From a well chosen perch high up on a tall tree near forest clearings, it keeps vigil for its prey which includes snakes, hare, jungle fowl, partridges and other small birds. It grabs the prey in a swift swoop; the sharp talons and hooked beak do the rest in immobilizing the prey.

It is slightly larger than the common pariah kite, dark brown overall with white streaks on the chest and abdomen. It has a small crest on the head (not seen in these photographs). A distinguishing feature is bare yellow portion between the eyes and the beak and also the yellow eyes.
Sexes are alike. 

Photo courtesy: Upendra Chandratreya
Location: Bandhavgarh

Spare the trees

The road from Ambadi to Shirsad forms part of the highway connecting Mumbai to Ahmedabad. From Shirsad, a smaller road connects to the Nasik-Mumbai highway. For about 20 kilometers between Shirsad and Ambadi, the road is covered with a green canopy of over 300 gulmohur, mango, rain-trees and banyan trees. Motorists traveling along the road are truly privileged and never fail to appreciate the far-sighted vision of unknown road engineers (or foresters) responsible for it. Over a period of time, these trees have grown bigger and stronger, some of them with a girth of more than one hundred centimeters, providing shade and shelter to all wild creatures and mere mortals like us. But with time, as traffic along the route increased many fold, there arose a need to widen the road from the present two lanes to a four-laned carriageway.

Trees - first targets of road widening
As it usually happens in India, the responsibility must have been assigned to some city-based bureaucrat, who proposed that the widening be done on the existing alignment. In other words, the trees would have to make way for tar or concrete road laid by the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation. A more short-sighted proposal would be harder for even primary school children to come up with. Trees lining the roads are always the first targets for any road widening projects in India. We have seen this all over the country, including projects undertaken for metro-rail/mono-rail construction. Encroachments and illegal constructions, very often belonging to the political class and local land mafia, are most conveniently spared the stick (I mean the earth-movers). In many instances, the mafia working hand-in-glove with corrupt officials or talathis, construct a small religious structure (temple, mosque, cross) overnight, which makes it next to impossible to demolish them. Even if they are demolished by some upright official, she/he would face the combined forces of the political class and be forced on the backfoot. Look at what has happened to Durga. 

Land of Gods?
In the land of Rama, Krishna, Allah, Jesus and the Buddha, the politicians have become all powerful forces, fearing neither Gods nor the rule of the law. I am reminded of the song by Indian Ocean: Zara rukh ja re bandhe, zara tham ja re bandhe….(from the movie Black Friday, it can be loosely translated as: Oh brother, stop breaking the law and fear the Lord!)

Trees, without any political protection are ruthlessly hacked down, leading to loss of habitat for our feathered friends. Irreparable damage is done to the soil and the surrounding micro-environment. Presence of trees acts like a natural sieve, allowing rain water to seep into the ground, recharging natural aquifiers and increasing ground water table. Trees also prevent excessive evaporation of moisture from the soil surface, an important factor in maintaining soil quality in hot and dry climatic conditions. 

Native species - a better choice

A significant point to be considered is that native tree species are better suited in ensuring soil stability than non-native or foreign species. Hence, deforestation cannot be compensated by planting non-native species, like subabul or eucalyptus. Experts have opined that reckless replacement of pine trees with golden oaks/silver oaks has been a major cause for the recent landslides and soil erosion in Uttarakhand. Pine needles form a thick bed on the forest floor allowing water seepage, preventing erosion and loss of topsoil.

Well, environmentalists, relax! The good news in the paper yesterday (TOI, 03.08.2013) is that the local development authority, MMRDA, has issued a stop-work notice to the Vasai-Virar Corporation and the permission to cut trees withdrawn. A new alignment has been proposed for four-laning the road – certainly a small victory for the green brigade and hopefully one of many more to come.

Go green, save paper, save our trees

White Cheeked Barbet

Not commonly seen in these regions, the White-cheeked barbet is an arboreal bird, inhabiting thickly wooded forests. Reported sightings are from Karnala and Phansad. Due to its overall green and dull brown appearance, it cannot be easily spotted in the upper reaches of leafy environs.

It is about the size of the common myna, with green body parts and streaked white and brown on the head, neck and chest. It can be identified from its thick beak and white protruding cheek parts and large black eyes.

The barbet’s large beak makes it convenient for it to feed on berries and small fruits of the banyan and fig trees. Sexes are alike and share all nesting duties. 

 

The nest is a hole, high up in the recesses of large trees, away from prying human eyes. Not many such places are left in India, which makes very essential that we preserve our natural heritage.

Location: Thekkady

Natural Calamities

Bird Behavior before Natural Calamities
Can studying bird behavior lead to the prediction of natural calamities? And can localized industrialization lead to extinction of some species?

Reported evidence suggests that birds have an inborn or inherent connection with nature. There have been instances of unusual behavior in birds before natural calamities have struck. Observations include birds abandoning their nests; hens not laying eggs; and crows gathering together in the middle of the night—all for no plausible reason. However,  scientific evidence linking bird behavior to changes in weather and atmospheric conditions has not been documented.

Could it be possible that birds and animals can really predict or sense approaching disasters?

Earthquakes

Birds, because of their geomagnetic sensitivity (which helps them in their migratory routes), may be able to sense minute changes in the geological movement of the tectonic plates. These changes result in abnormal behavior in birds. This kind of tectonic activity causes large flocks of birds to take to flight in middle of the night, or nocturnal birds to come out of hiding during bright daylight. They get excited and some of them die. 

Evidence indicates that sparrows are particularly sensitive to radio waves which may be emitted during earthquakes. They respond by chirping continuously (they do not twitter as they do normally) and edgily, and by taking short swift flights in large flocks. Cocks and hens try to get onto higher ground. Cocks begin to crow while hens lay defective eggs. Some birds like ducks stay away from water and become aggressive while others like seagulls fly away from water bodies. Birds such as parakeets may die.

Rainfall

Birds may be able to detect rapid changes in atmospheric pressure and humidity levels with the help of their extremely sensitive organs. They might, hence, be able to predict regional occurrences of rainfall and thunderstorms.

Can localized industrial activities and deforestation affect survival of species?

Human intervention in the environment can adversely affect the inborn abilities and survival instincts of birds and animals by interfering with their senses. For example, atmospheric pollution can cause birds to get disoriented during long migrations. This is something which happens with the best of our modern communication systems and highly trained personnel!

It is possible that destruction of local habitats on migratory pathways, which the birds depend on during migration, can eventually lead to extinction of particular species. Some species, like the crow and pigeon, have adapted very well to human habitations, but this is not always the case.

More studies are required before we can have a definitive answer to this question. What is beyond doubt is that natural calamities are due to adverse effects of human activities on the ecosystem.

The time to act is fast disappearing. Unless drastic efforts are made to protect the environment, the very survival of our future generations will be be at the mercy of Mother Nature.

Spot-winged Tit or Spot-winged Crested Tit
Location: Bandavgarh, Madhya Pradesh
Courtesy: Upendra Chandratreya

Rain

Today, when it rains, have a good look out of your window. Don't ask yourself what you are looking at. Ask yourself what you are seeing. If you are a true nature-lover, though you may be looking at a polluted roadside, crammed with vehicles, you will see how the rain has cleansed the atmosphere—how it has washed off part of the haze in the air and formed a magnificent rainbow.

Look a little beyond the hustle and bustle that forms a part of the lives of almost all of us: the rainy season is the best time of the year to connect with nature. Most people just look upon the rain as something to be avoided (so as to stay dry). But that is not so. In fact, this season is the best time to find how closely you share this world with a huge number of plant, bird and animal varieties.

The unique location of India has gifted this country with a variety of species, plant, bird and animal. From the Himalayas guarding the northern part of the country to the 7,517 kilometer-long coastline, India is home to diverse classes of organisms. In fact, five percent of all the documented species of the world are in India.

Now, you may ask - what is five percent? Just a small number? Five percent of the entire world's species means five out of every hundred species, and there are approximately 1.8 million known kinds of organisms classified till date.

No part of the Indian subcontinent is possible to be imagined without birds. There will always be birds everywhere. At this time of the year, bird activity is high (though not the highest) because of the easy availability of food and water. When it is pouring heavily, many birds can be seen sheltering in trees.

Birdwatching is recommended if your job stresses you out, because it is proven that this hobby aids stress management. The near-perfect coloring of some birds can potentially take one's mind of the pressures of life and refresh the mind and body. Apart from the common pigeons, crows and mynas, there are several exotic birds that that one can see almost every day, like the golden oriole and coppersmith. These birds are also fairly common, but city people would probably think otherwise, because city life leaves people with almost no time to stand and stare.
There are more than 1200 species of birds in India. So, even if you went on a birdwatching trip every week, you could be assured of peace of mind for twenty-five years. There are so many birds to choose from that one can never hope to get tired of watching them. After all, they were created by Nature. And they may, in all probability, be our closest link to Nature.

We have witnessed the massive loss of life and property in the recent natural calamity that has befallen our fellow countrymen in Uttarakhand. Our prayers are with them. The tragedy is largely attributed to the greed of a few unscrupulous people, excessive urbanization and an uncaring administration. 

Lets us do our best towards conserving nature and that we do not cross the threshold beyond which we have no control over nature's wrath. 

 

Plumbeous Redstart - male (top) and female

Picture courtesy: Upendra Chandratreya

Malabar Grey Hornbill

The Hornbill is a large bird, about the size of a Pariah Kite. It is dark-grey in color, with a large bill well suited for picking up berries from banyan or peepul trees. 

There are two sub-species of the Grey Hornbill. The species found in the heavy rainfall regions of the Western Ghat regions is the Malabar Grey Hornbill, while that found in other lightly wooded regions is the Indian Grey Hornbill. The Indian Grey hornbill has a small projection over its bill, which is lacking in the Malabar species.

Habits

It is an arboreal bird found throughout the country, in lightly wooded regions. It moves by hopping over tree branches in search of berries and fruits, often stretching upside down while picking up fruits with its long bill. It also feeds on small lizards and mice. It nests in small tree hollows, with the female walled up with mud and bird droppings during incubation. The male provides for it until the young birds are hatched and the nest is broken open.

Sexes are alike.

Photograph location: Thekkady

Save water, save lives

Periyar Lake

Periyar lake is located within the Periyar National Park, or Periyar Tiger Reserve, as it is commonly called. The lake was artificially created by building the Mullaperiyar dam across Periyar river, in what was originally a river valley covered with forests. 

Tree stumps of the submerged forest can be seen even today, although most have been cleared to create a waterway for the tourist boats. During the summer, the lake is more of river, snaking through the valley surrounded by thick evergreen forests. 

The boat rides are good and provide a safe way watching wildlife. However, ticket sales can be better managed. Tickets are sold on first-come basis. This creates a lot of confusion, as there is rush towards the counters, where one has to fill a form with your name and age, before the tickets can be bought. Also, the best seats for viewing wildlife are on the upper deck of the boat, but you are not permitted to select seats and may be allotted seats on the lower deck if you are unlucky. 

Both, the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) and Kerala Forest Department (KFD) operate boat services for tourists. The KTDC boats are better maintained and faster than KFD boats – a good 10 minutes faster. But, you would be better off seated on the KFD boat. That’s because the KTDC boats have rows of 4 seats and are not suitable for those stuck in the middle, while KFD boats only have 2 seats in each row. 

The faster speed also negates the very purpose of the ride – watching and photographing wildlife. On the day of our visit, a herd of elephants emerged from the forest towards the end of the ride, a sight the KTDC tourists missed, as they had already disembarked and exited from the area.  Suggestion: the KTDC counter is on the left and KFD counter is on the right.

The best time to take the boat ride is in the morning at 0730. At this time, it is not too hot and the weather is pleasant. It is also the time when one can spot several wild animals as they emerge to quench their thirst. We were lucky and could spot several birds, sambar (deer), wild boar, bison (Indian Gaur) and elephants.

Snake-bird or Darter

Indian Cormorant

A general observation

One is sure to notice that the forest reserves are well maintained. This is because the ban on use of plastics is strictly enforced by the Forest Department. May be we should hand over civic administration duties in the cities to the foresters.

Keep our surroundings clean; reduce use of plastic - save the environment from further deterioration.

Green Pigeon

April is not a good month to for bird watching as it is very hot and dry during this period. However, if you plan to spot birds at any of the nearby areas, an early morning trip is the best bet.

We reached Karnala Bird Sanctuary (KBS) at around 6.45 a.m, much before it got crowded with the trekking groups moving towards the fort. KBS is around 30 km from Thane / Mumbai on the Goa highway. At this time of the year, after the spring season, most of trees appear fresh and green due to sprouting of new leaves. Very soon, they will turn dry and dusty owing to the summer heat, until the arrival of the rains. As we walked about in the sanctuary, we noticed that the grass and undergrowth in some parts of the sanctuary on the path towards the fort, was burnt dry. The forest personnel were unable to explain the cause of the fire though it was almost next to the rest-house. Unless it was done deliberately to stimulate growth of grass, one hopes the department takes all preventive measures to avoid such fires.

Birds spotted: Pampadour Green Pigeon, Golden-fronted Leaf bird, Racket-tailed Drongo and caught a glimpse of a large raptor, which could not be identified.
 
I have no idea why the Pampadour Green Pigeon was so strangely named. It is an arboreal bird and keeps to upper reaches of fruit or berry trees, and is not easily spotted.
Status: Uncommon

Golden-fronted Leaf bird: Status: common and frequently spotted.

Plastic-free zone
The sanctuary is a plastic-free zone, which is monitored by the forest department. This makes one wonder - if regulations can be implemented in such areas, why cannot the same be done in the city? Unless existing regulations regarding ban of thin plastics (less than 50 micron thickness) are enforced strongly, and awareness is created among the citizens, the use of plastics will continue unabated.