tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36851018633147953022024-03-13T08:39:08.845+05:30The Green Umbrellaabout Plants & Trees and their Green WorldGopanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262180253268786258noreply@blogger.comBlogger139125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685101863314795302.post-41647872816701878282012-09-22T17:02:00.000+05:302012-09-22T17:02:06.297+05:30"What of thee I dig out, let that quickly grow over, Let me not hit thy vitals, or thy heart"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<strong>Man And Environment</strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Smt. Indira Gandhi, late Prime
Minister of India, Plenary Session of United Nations Conference on Human
Environment, Stockholm 14th June, 1972 </span></strong><br />
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br />
It is indeed an honour to address this Conference-in itself a fresh expression
of the spirit which created the United Nations-concern for the present and
future welfare of humanity. It does not aim merely at securing limited
agreements but at establishing peace and harmony in life-among all races and
with Nature. This gathering represents man's earnest endeavour to understand
his own condition and to prolong his tenancy of this planet. A vast amount of
detailed preparatory work has gone into the convening of this Conference guided
by the dynamic personality of Mr. Maurice Strong the Secretary General. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I have had the good
fortune of growing up with a sense of kinship with nature in all its
manifestations. Birds, plants, stones were companions and, sleeping under the
star-strewn sky, I became familiar with the names and movements of the
constellations. But my deep interest in this our `only earth' was not for
itself but as a fit home for man. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
One cannot be truly
human and civilized unless one looks upon not only all fellow-men but all
creation with the eyes of a friend. Throughout India, edicts carved on rocks and
iron pillars are reminders that 22 centuries ago the Emperor Ashoka defined a
King's duty as not merely to protect citizens and punish wrongdoers but also to
preserve animal life and forest trees. Ashoka was the first and perhaps the only
monarch until very recently, to forbid the killing of a large number of species
of animals for sport or food, foreshadowing some of the concerns of this
Conference. He went further, regretting the carnage of his military conquests
and enjoining upon his successors to find "their only pleasure in the
peace that comes through righteousness". </div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Along with the rest
of mankind, we in India--in
spite of Ashoka have been guilty of wanton disregard for the sources of our
sustenance. We share you concern at the rapid deterioration of flora and fauna.
Some of our own wildlife has been wiped out, miles of forests with beautiful
old trees, mute witnesses of history, have been destroyed. Even though our
industrial development is in its infancy, and at its most difficult stage, we
are taking various steps to deal with incipient environmental imbalances. The
more so because of our concern for the human being--a species which is also
imperiled. In poverty he is threatened by malnutrition and disease, in weakness
by war, in richness by the pollution brought about by his own prosperity. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
It is said that in
country after country, progress should become synonymous with an assault on
nature. We who are a part of nature and dependent on her for very need, speak
constantly about "exploiting" nature. When the highest mountain in
the world was climber in 1953, Jawaharlal Nehru objected to the phrase
"conquest of Everest" which he thought was arrogant. It is surprising
that this lack of consideration and the constant need to prove one's
superiority should be projected onto our treatment of our fellowmen? I remember
Edward Thompson, a British writer and a good friend of India, once
telling Mr. Gandhi that wildlife was fast disappearing. Remarked the
Mahatma--"It is decreasing in the jungles but it is increasing in the
town". </div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
We are gathered here
under the aegis of the United Nations. We are supposed to belong to the same
family sharing common traits and impelled by the same basic desires, yet we
inhabit a divided world. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
How can it be otherwise?
There is still no recognition of the equality of man or respect for him as an
individual. In matters of colour and race, religion and custom, society is
governed by prejudice. Tensions arise because of man's aggressiveness and
notions of superiority. The power of the big stick prevails and it is used not
in favour of fair play or beauty, but to chase imaginary windmills--to assume
the right to interfere in the affairs of others, and to arrogate authority for
action which would not normally be allowed. Many of the advanced countries of
today have reached their present affluence by their domination over other races
and countries, the exploitation of their own natural resources. They got a head
start through sheer ruthlessness, undisturbed by feelings of compassion or by
abstract theories of freedom, equality or justice. The stirrings of demands for
the political rights of citizens, and the economic rights of the toiler came
after considerable advance had been made. The riches and the labour of the colonized
countries played no small part in the industrialization and prosperity of the
West. Now, as we struggle to create a better life for our people, it is in
vastly different circumstances, for obviously in today's eagle-eyed
watchfulness we cannot indulge in such practices even for a worthwhile purpose.
We are bound by our own ideals. We owe allegiance to the principles of the
rights of workers and the norms enshrined in the charters of international
organizations. Above all we are answerable to the millions of politically
awakened citizens in our countries. All these make progress costlier and more
complicated. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
On the one hand the
rich look askance at our continuing poverty--on the other, they warn us against
their own methods. We do not wish to impoverish the environment any further and
yet we cannot for a moment forget the grim poverty of large numbers of people.
Are not poverty and need the greatest polluters? For instance, unless we are in
a position to provide employment and purchasing power for the daily necessities
of the tribal people and those who live in or around our jungles, we cannot
prevent them from combing the forest for food and livelihood; from poaching and
from despoiling the vegetation. When they themselves feel deprived, how can we
urge the preservation of animals? How can we speak to those who live in
villages and in slums about keeping the oceans, the rivers and the air clean
when their own lives are contaminated at the source? The environment cannot be
improved in conditions of poverty. Nor can poverty be eradicated without the
use of science and technology. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Must there be
conflict between technology and a truly better world or between enlightenment
of the spirit and a higher standard of living? Foreigners sometimes ask what to
us seems a very strange question, whether progress in India would not mean diminishing of
her spirituality or her values. Is spiritual quality so superficial as to be
dependent upon the lack of material comfort? As a country we are not more or
less spiritual than any other but traditionally our people have respected the
spirit of detachment and renunciation. Historically, our great spiritual
discoveries were made during periods of comparative affluence. The doctrines of
detachment from possessions were developed not as rationalization of
deprivation but to prevent comfort and ease from dulling the senses.
Spirituality means the enrichment of the spirit, the strengthening of ones
inner resources and the stretching of one's range of experience. It is the
ability to be still in the midst of activity and vibrantly alive in moments of
calm; to separate the essence from circumstances; to accept joy and sorrow with
some equanimity. Perception and compassion are the marks of true spirituality. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I am reminded of an
incident in one of our tribal areas. The vociferous demand of elder tribal
chiefs that their customs should be left undisturbed found support from noted
anthropologists. In its anxiety that the majority should not submerge the many
ethnic, racial and cultural groups in our country, the Government of India
largely accepted this advice. I was amongst those who entirely approved.
However, a visit to remote part of our north-east frontier brought me in touch
with a different point of view-the protest of the younger elements that while
the rest of India
was on the way to modernization they were being preserved as museum pieces.
Could we not say the same to the affluent nations? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
For the last quarter
of a century, we have been engaged in an enterprise unparalled in human history--the
provision of basic needs to one-sixth of mankind within the span of one or two
generations. When we launched on that effort our early planners had more than
the usual gaps to fill. There was not enough data and no helpful books. No
guidance could be sought from the experience of other countries whose
conditions--political, economic, social and technological--were altogether
different. Planning in the sense we were innovating, had never been used in the
context of a mixed economy. But we could not wait. The need to improve the
conditions of our people was pressing. Planning and action, the improvement of
data leading to better planning and better action, all this was a continuous
and overlapping process. Our industrialization tended to follow the paths which
the more advanced countries had traversed earlier. With the advance of the 60's
and particularly during the last five years, we have encountered a bewildering
collection of problems, some due to our shortcomings but many inherent in the
process and in existing attitudes. The feeling is growing that we should
re-order our priorities and move away from the single-dimensional model which
has viewed growth from certain limited angles, which seems to have given a
higher place to things rather than to persons and which has increased our wants
rather than our enjoyment. We should have a more comprehensive approach to
life, centred on man not as a statistic but an individual with many sides to
his personality. The solution of these problems cannot be isolated phenomena of
marginal importance but must be an integral part of the unfolding of the very
process of development. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
The extreme forms in
which questions of population or environmental pollution are posed, obscure the
total view of political, economic and social situations. The Government of
India is one of the few which has an officially sponsored programme of family
planning and this is making some progress. We believe that planned families
will make for a healthier and more conscious population. But we know also that
no programme of population control can be effective without education and
without a visible rise in the standard of living. Our own programmes have
succeeded in the urban or semi-urban areas. To the very poor, every child is an
earner and a helper. We ar experimenting with new approaches and the family
planning programme is being combined with those of maternity and child welfare,
nutrition and development in general. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
It is an
over--simplification to blame all the world's problems on increasing
population. Countries with but a small fraction of the world population consume
the bulk of the world's production of minerals, fossil fuels and so on. Thus we
see that when it comes to the depletion of natural resources and environmental
pollution, the increase of one inhabitant in an affluent country, at his level
of living, is equivalent to an increase of many Asian, Africans or Latin
Americans at their current material levels of living. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
The inherent
conflict is not between conservation and development, but between environment
and reckless exploitation of man and earth in the name of efficiency.
Historians tell us that the modern age began with the will to freedom of the
individual. And the individual came to believe that he had rights with no corresponding
obligations. The man who got ahead was the one who commanded admiration. No
questions were asked as to the methods employed or the price which others had
to pay. The industrial civilization has promoted the concept of the efficient
man, he whose entire energies are concentrated on producing more in a given
unit of time and from a given unit of manpower. Groups or individuals who are
less competitive and according to this test, less efficient are regarded as
lesser breeds--for example the older civilizations, the black and brown
peoples, women and certain professions. Obsolescence is built into production,
and efficiency is based on the creation of goods which are not really needed
and which cannot be disposed of when discarded. What price such efficiency now,
and is not recklessness a more appropriate term for such a behaviour? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
All the `isms' of
the modern age--even those which in theory disown the private profit
principle--assume that man's cardinal interest is acquisition. The profit
motive, individual or collectives, seems to overshadow all else. This
overriding concern with self and Today is the basic cause of the ecological
crisis. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Pollution is not a
technical problem. The fault lies not in science and technology as such but in
the sense of values of the contemporary world which ignores the rights of
others and is oblivious of the longer perspective. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
There are grave
misgivings that the discussion on ecology may be designed to distract attention
from the problems of war and poverty. We have to prove to the disinherited
majority of the world that ecology and conservation will not work against their
interest but will bring an improvement in their lives. To withhold technology
from them would deprive them of vast resources of energy and knowledge. This is
no longer feasible not will it be acceptable. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
The environmental
problems of developing countries are not the side effects of excessive
industrialization but reflect the inadequacy of development. The rich countries
may look upon development as the cause of environmental destruction, but to us
it is one of the primary means of improving the environment for living, or
providing food, water, sanitation and shelter; of making the deserts green and
the mountains habitable. The research and perseverance of dedicated people have
given us an insight which is likely to play an important part in the shaping of
our future plans. We see that however much man hankers after material goods,
they can never give him full satisfaction. Thus the higher standard of living
must be achieved without alienating people from their heritage and without
despoiling nature of its beauty, freshness and purity so essential to our
lives. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
The most urgent and
basic question is that of peace. Nothing is so pointless as modern warfare.
Nothing destroys so instantly, so completely as the diabolic weapons which not
only kill but maim and deform the living and the yet to be born; which poison
the land, leaving long trails of ugliness, barrenness and hopeless desolation.
What ecological projects can survive a war? The Prime Minister of Sweden, Mr.
Olof Palme, has already drawn the attention of the Conference to this in
powerful words. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
It is clear that the
environmental crisis which is confronting the world, will profoundly alter the
future destiny or our planet. No one among us, whatever our status, strength or
circumstance can remain unaffected. The process of change challenges present
international policies. Will the growing awareness of "one earth" and
"one environment' guide us to the concept of "one humanity"?
Will there be a more equitable sharing of environmental costs and greater
international interest in the accelerated progress of the less developed world?
Or, will it remain confined to a narrow concern, based on exclusive self-sufficiency?
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
The first essays in
narrowing economic and technological disparities have not succeeded because the
policies of aid were made to subserve the equations of power. We hope that the
renewed emphasis on self-reliance, brought a about by the change in the climate
for aid, will also promote search for new criteria of human satisfaction. In
the meantime, the ecological crises should not add to the burdens of the weaker
nations by introducing new considerations in the political and trade policies
of rich nations. It would be ironic if the fight against pollution were to be
converted into another business, out of which a few companies, corporations, or
nations would make profits at the cost of the many. Here is a branch of
experimentation and discovery in which scientist of all nations should take
interest. They should ensure that their findings are available to all nations,
unrestricted by patents. I am glad that the Conference has given thought on
this aspect of the problem. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Life is one and the
world is one, and all these questions are inter-linked. The population
explosion; poverty; ignorance and disease, the pollution of our surroundings,
the stockpiling of nuclear weapons and biological and chemical agents of
destruction are all parts of a vicious circle. Each is important and urgent but
dealing with them one by one would be wasted effort. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
It serves little
purpose to dwell on the past or to apportion blame, no one of us is blameless.
If some are able to dominate over others, it is at least partially due to the
weakness, the lack of unity and the temptation of gaining some advantage on the
part of those who submit. If the prosperous have been exploiting the needy, can
we honestly claim that in our own societies people do not take advantage of the
weaker sections? We must re-evaluate the fundamentals on which our respective
civic societies are based and the ideals by which they are sustained. If there
is to be a change of heart, a change of direction and methods of functioning,
it is not an organization or a country-no matter how well intentioned--which
can achieve it. While each country must deal with that aspect of the problem
which is most relevant to it, it is obvious that all countries must unite in an
overall endeavour. There is no alternative to a cooperative approach on a
global scale to the entire spectrum of our problems. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I have referred to
some problems which seem to me to be the underlying causes of the present
crises in our civilization. This is not in the expectation that this Conference
can achieve miracles or solve all the world's difficulties, but in the hope
that the opinions of each national will be kept in focus, that these problems
will be viewed in perspective and each project devised as part of the whole. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
On a previous
occasion I have spoken of the unfinished revolution in our countries I am now
convinced that this can be taken to its culmination when it is accompanied by a
revolution in social thinking. In 1968 at the 14th General Conference of UNESCO
the Indian delegation, along with others, proposed a new and major programme
entitled "a design for living". This is essential to grasp the full
implications of technical advance and its impact on different sections and
groups. We do not want to put the clock back or resign ourselves to a
simplistic natural state. We want new directions in the wiser use of the
knowledge and tools with which science has equipped us. And this cannot be just
one upsurge but a continuous search into cause and effect and an unending
effort to match technology with higher levels of thinking. We must concern
ourselves not only with the kind of world we want but also with what kind of
man should inhabit it. Surely we do not desire a society divided into those who
condition and those who are conditioned. We want thinking people capable of
spontaneous self-directed activity, people who are interested and interesting,
and who are imbued with compassion and concern for others. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
It will not be easy
for large societies to change their style of living. They cannot be coerced to
do so, nor can governmental action suffice. People can be motivated and urged
to participate in better alternatives. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
It has been my
experience that people who are at cross purposes with nature are cynical about
mankind and ill-at-ease with themselves. Modern man must re-establish an
unbroken link with nature and with life. He must again learn to invoke the
energy of growing things and to recognize, as did the ancients in India centuries
ago, that one can take from the Earth and the atmosphere only so much as one
puts back into them. In their hymn to Earth, the sages of the Atharva Veda
chanted-I quote, <strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">"What of thee I dig out, let that quickly grow
over, Let me not hit thy vitals, or thy heart". </span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
So can man himself
be vital and of good heart and conscious of his responsibility.</div>
</div>
Gopanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262180253268786258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685101863314795302.post-36733129907222482412012-07-16T14:26:00.002+05:302012-07-16T14:31:51.639+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJFzRL_vFFw/UAPWTrqnjUI/AAAAAAAAAvU/TdxNjT9y_VI/s1600/Yucca+filamentosa+in+bloom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJFzRL_vFFw/UAPWTrqnjUI/AAAAAAAAAvU/TdxNjT9y_VI/s400/Yucca+filamentosa+in+bloom.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Yucca filamentosa </b></i></span>(Source PRS, Vazhakulam of KAU)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yucca filamentosa</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">,
commonly called Adam’s Needle flowered two weeks back at Vazhakulam, the Pineapple City, near Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam
district, Kerala state, India. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">According to Dr. P P Joy, t</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">his Mexican plant is
originally a medium sized evergreen ornamental shrub belonging to the family
Agavaceae.The plant perishes after fruiting. </span></span></div>Gopanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262180253268786258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685101863314795302.post-36843364627650804622012-06-25T17:25:00.004+05:302012-06-25T17:25:39.301+05:30Environment Day blues<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sitting on the sidelines and listening to my friends speaking about June 5 and its significance, I was left pondering over the possible reaction of the young minds who sat on the KAU school floor. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QQxFaI1VmSs/T-hQY5WF2ZI/AAAAAAAAAvA/LTFHqx4IPmc/s1600/Photo0097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QQxFaI1VmSs/T-hQY5WF2ZI/AAAAAAAAAvA/LTFHqx4IPmc/s400/Photo0097.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Our tomorrow's are safe in their hands</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, on the hands and brains of these young children, <i>our future generation</i>, lies the future of Earth, our India. It was very good that we chose to speak and make these young generation do a bit on this year's World Environment Day. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Apart from giving them a rough idea about what is June 5 and its importance, we also coaxed them to plant a few tree seedlings, not just on the school premises but also in their neighbourhoods. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We also did conduct a Biodiversity Photo Exhibition which I believe helped these young one's to further hone their understanding about nature, natural resources and the need for adopting sustainable lifestyles. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Catching them young, this time, seemed to be a very fulfilling activity. </span></div>Gopanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262180253268786258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685101863314795302.post-91067219367576208532012-04-30T14:52:00.003+05:302012-04-30T14:52:30.555+05:30Laloor continued...........<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DXaMwm0xYQo/T55THWEEEOI/AAAAAAAAAuk/Fy7aaKKXeGs/s1600/PC120029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DXaMwm0xYQo/T55THWEEEOI/AAAAAAAAAuk/Fy7aaKKXeGs/s400/PC120029.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Plastic and plastic only....at the processing plant</b></td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EwmyOBPa-CQ/T55TLDCF0EI/AAAAAAAAAus/6pMZj4A67qo/s1600/PC120032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EwmyOBPa-CQ/T55TLDCF0EI/AAAAAAAAAus/6pMZj4A67qo/s400/PC120032.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Imported, as if it is scarce here!!!</b></td></tr>
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These are two photos from the Laloor dumpyard. The source of plastic is not only national, but international too. <br />
<br />
Now, what can a forester do? I am constantly pricked Vasu chettan's anxiety about the <i>moral responsibility</i> of experts and institutions. He has shades of our Gandhiji. My GOD, what would had happened if Gandhiji and other greats (including those faceless and nameless ones) had not recognized this moral responsibility while we were enslaved by the British? <br />
<br />
Vasu chettan was particularly anxious about the impending SW monsoon (which is quite heavy in Thrissur) which will hit in 30-35 days time. The rain water will create "point source pollution" in the neighbourhood wells. Sub surface lateral flow and leaching losses of all kinds of materials is a reality that will compound the miseries for this locality. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z0GSushyYy8/T55U2b-XaFI/AAAAAAAAAu0/XNKP1xIjCJQ/s1600/PC120055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z0GSushyYy8/T55U2b-XaFI/AAAAAAAAAu0/XNKP1xIjCJQ/s400/PC120055.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The boundary between the plastic mountain and wall can have a vegetative belt</b></td></tr>
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I could go only to one side of the mountain. To mitigate or rather slow down the magnitude of sub-surface lateral flow and leaching losses, I suggest planting fast growing short rotation trees like <i>Eucalypts</i> or exotic <i>Acacia</i> (mangium or auriculiformis). I am quite aware of the concern of the environmentalists about these exotic species. I am also no lover of this two species either. But, at Laloor, our objective is simple and plain. We need to have some species that grows rapidly, suck up water (polluted one) and possibly, phyto-remediate too. These two species can do that (no confirmation on phyto-remediation). Moreover, these species also have a market as pulpwood (our HNL at Velloor can purchase it under their "Gate Purchase scheme"). If Eucalypts is chosen, it can be worked under the coppice system. This vegetative belt can either be of trees alone or can be a silvo-pasture (with Vetiver alias <i>Ramacham</i>). So apart from being a possible arrester of <i>point source pollution</i>, the aroma of Eucalypts sp. and Vetiver can ameliorate the environment and also provide some seed money for Laloor upliftment through the sale of pulpwood. <br />
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This forestry solution is just a stop-gap arrangement for arresting the water pollutants for the Laloorians. But worth a try, isnt it?<br />
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<br /></div>Gopanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262180253268786258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685101863314795302.post-90428703291705618882012-04-28T10:01:00.002+05:302012-04-28T10:01:18.462+05:30Height of civic irresponsibility?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HCJKU_7VW2M/T5tqsAK68rI/AAAAAAAAAuM/tbx3GaBH034/s1600/PC120046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HCJKU_7VW2M/T5tqsAK68rI/AAAAAAAAAuM/tbx3GaBH034/s400/PC120046.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The citizenry is responsible! </b></td></tr>
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We went of Laloor, in Thrissur, Kerala infamous as the dump yard of urban Thrissur. Set up in 1942 (according to Vasu chettan), this once-a-small-yard is now a mountain of plastic waste and what not.<br />
<br />
I am no expert in waste disposal. But the stroll around Laloor brings up some basic questions.<br />
<br />
1. The wastes in Laloor are coming from small and big houses, firms and institutions. There is now sufficient awareness that plastic is non-biodegradable and its production and usage is banned. Then, how come the plastic is still coming to the dustbins and then find its way to Laloor? So, are not the people who put the plastic waste into their dustbins the first culprits? Why cant the garbage collectors who notice these plastic waste and whoo can identify the source admonish the violators? When plastic is banned and there is an official call for its recycling, the primary responsibility of the citizens is to go for zero-wastage!<br />
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2. The level of awareness about the perils of plastic is still low, it seems. That is why it is still being thrown out. As the saying goes, "civilization starts from the mothers lap". Targeting women (children must be encouraged to accompany their mother) for creating awareness about plastic is one simple, but very effective method. As homemakers, they take it up as their responsibility to clean the household garbage. They can make a huge difference by not allowing plastic in and out of their home. <br />
<br />
3. The junk food culture is also responsible for this packing material and so wastage. Any packaged food item, starting with our simple meals, is full of plastic or other not-so-easily-biodegradable material. After eating this outside-food, we squeeze and crush the package material and dump it. Have you noticed that, when we cook food at home, are we generating any wastage? Yes, of course, some onion peels, this or that, all, biodegradable. Take a small piece of used newspaper (or paper bag) and collect all this bio-degradable stuff and put it in your dustbin. No problem. <br />
<br />
4. In forestry, there was once a time when the govt gave licenses to forest based companies without checking whether they have the ability to get the raw materials. The companies after getting sanction started pestering the govt for entry into forest land and harvesting the bamboos and clearing the forest for cultivating the trees suitable for their firm. This created a havoc and the govt came up with a new policy which says that licenses will be given only if the firm can convince that there is an assured supply of raw materials. Likewise, the govt must ensure that the builders (flats and villas) set up a garbage disposal mechanism at their own expenses. let us stop the throw-away-culture. <br />
<br />
4. If we dont know how to dispose off the waste we create without harm to anyone, avoid creating it. <br />
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Still, I have no idea how this Laloor waste mountain can be razed by not hurting anyone!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g8YeoknXpcY/T5tw1GMb7JI/AAAAAAAAAuY/vjNguR3Iy0E/s1600/PC120018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g8YeoknXpcY/T5tw1GMb7JI/AAAAAAAAAuY/vjNguR3Iy0E/s400/PC120018.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Gopanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262180253268786258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685101863314795302.post-14620753608145914232012-04-21T16:24:00.000+05:302012-04-21T16:24:44.925+05:30“Prakruti Rakshati Rakshita” (“Nature Protects if She is Protected”)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--G5PNcpmf2Q/T5KQzN_FIQI/AAAAAAAAAuE/yNjwNG2j_JE/s1600/Logo+and+Slogan+for+CoP-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--G5PNcpmf2Q/T5KQzN_FIQI/AAAAAAAAAuE/yNjwNG2j_JE/s320/Logo+and+Slogan+for+CoP-11.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
“Prakruti Rakshati Rakshita” (“Nature Protects if She is Protected”) is the slogan of the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to be held at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre in the State of Andhra Pradesh, India, from 1 to 19 October 2012.<br />
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Ms Jayanthi Natarajan, Minister of Environment and Forests of India, stated that the reverence for biodiversity is deep-rooted in Indian culture. Conservation of biodiversity is a national imperative for India since livelihoods of millions of our people is dependent on it. </div>Gopanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262180253268786258noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685101863314795302.post-17375398095696155722012-03-27T14:42:00.001+05:302012-03-27T14:42:51.465+05:30The Hindu : NATIONAL / KERALA : Of shared ecological riches<a href="http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article3249523.ece#.T3GEeKzHgV8.blogger">The Hindu : NATIONAL / KERALA : Of shared ecological riches</a><br />
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A rare fern discovered in Sri Lanka in 1950 by a British botanist has been located for the first time in the southern part of the Western Ghats in India, lending credence to the theory that the two neighbouring countries were once part of the same landmass.Gopanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262180253268786258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685101863314795302.post-34021707170779676342012-03-01T12:50:00.000+05:302012-03-01T12:50:29.449+05:30The Hindu : NATIONAL / KERALA : Back to the Stone Age, anyone?<a href="http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2940643.ece#.T08ihBLZURY.blogger">The Hindu : NATIONAL / KERALA : Back to the Stone Age, anyone?</a><br /><br />I think there is lot of "food for thought' in this. Though I dont think we can do away completely with technologies, we must find time and introspect the ways with which these technologies are harming us and the environment. Our tomorrows should be bright and sunny and healthy as well.Gopanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262180253268786258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685101863314795302.post-54752680277171188262012-01-31T11:09:00.000+05:302012-01-31T11:09:05.645+05:30Taxing times for taxonomy<a href="http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/Taxing+times+taxonomy/6028252/story.html?cid=megadrop_story">Taxing times for taxonomy</a>Gopanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262180253268786258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685101863314795302.post-80405685306784352682012-01-24T16:44:00.000+05:302012-01-24T16:44:39.649+05:30Assassinated: A Green Umbrella<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f1UgixhBazY/Tx6NAkRBu5I/AAAAAAAAAtc/wqsds_x8A7E/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f1UgixhBazY/Tx6NAkRBu5I/AAAAAAAAAtc/wqsds_x8A7E/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Mercilessly grounded? </b></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pcBQbF1Ry14/Tx6NZQcUpUI/AAAAAAAAAtk/ucNlVFahVIE/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pcBQbF1Ry14/Tx6NZQcUpUI/AAAAAAAAAtk/ucNlVFahVIE/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">One un-appealing component (for whom?) makes way </span></b></td></tr>
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<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Trees are the green lungs of the universe. Their green umbrellas protect us by taking up the threat from the Sun and Rain GODS. In their dangling branches and in the innumerable crevices in the bole, they provide refuge for a diversity of organisms. Large and microscopic.</span></div><br />
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</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand tempests and floods. <u>But even HE cannot save them from fools</u></i> (John Muir)</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Neither, could I. </span></div></div>Gopanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262180253268786258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685101863314795302.post-10747082018547667512012-01-07T16:48:00.000+05:302012-01-07T16:48:40.879+05:30Happy New Year<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Six days have gone since 2011 left!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sitting through the seminar presentations on climate change, I am left wondering where are we headed <i>vis a vis </i>our sustainable lifestyles are concerned. The world and people continues to be fast paced and is in an urge to make the best of the available opportunities. With little regard to the consequences of their action, people are now carried away by the ad "1 second can change your life"! So, plunder and exploitation has become the order of the day. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Man must accommodate other living creatures in his midst, if at all he thinks to survive on this planet for some more time. Nature has produced a lot of diversity not without a purpose. Every creation has got a role, be it a mosquito, dog, a weed, a virus or an elephant. Nature has also designed limits for every species through the prey-predator concept. If the number of one species get out of hand, a pest or a disease is automatically brought in to balance. This rule is also applicable to humans. And every biological creation will meet its biological end. After all, extinction is a biological reality. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">In this new year, let us remain vigilant and ensure that the diversity, what ever is left remaining, is conserved and allowed to be populated. Let us lead a more sustainable life,by conserving water, by polluting less and learning to say NO to things which we can avoid buying. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let us also plant more number of trees in the freely available community spaces in our neighborhood. Let us build a small garden in our home. Let us enjoy the birds, the bees and the butterflies. Let us conserve our wells, ponds and playgrounds. Let us say NO to plastic carry bags and other useless stuff made out of this, no matter even if it is being sold at Rs. 10 or not. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">More importantly, let us prod our young generation to take time off from their "virtual and mobile world" and be amongst the natural wonders. The real world is much fanciful than what they see in NGC, AP or Discovery channels. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have a wonderful and productive 2012 and more............ </span></div><br />
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</div>Gopanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262180253268786258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685101863314795302.post-71172238131240602322011-11-23T16:38:00.000+05:302011-11-23T16:38:09.495+05:30Return of the dragon: Homegardens of Kerala<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-size: large;">The agriculturists of Kerala have been playing GOD for some time now...increasing crop diversity by releasing new crop varieties by conventional breeding, then trying again using "bio-technologies". Hunger has been addressed to a large level. Thanks Borlaug and his followers....But chemical agriculture soon showed us how correct Rachel Carson is.......I had a revelation some time back. Our AF is the only viable and long term answer. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Now, in this era of C emissions and REDD+, the onus is on conservation and organic products. But long back itself, our dining table has been invaded among others, by the once rare "english vegetables". Now our breakfast menu is stuffed with corn flakes, noodles....we select only "cool season" vegetables! The flower of the plantain and the petiole of the <i>Colocasia</i> sp..what is that? A few decades back, pazhankanji (1day old rice porridge) and mango pickles were a breakfast delicacy. That was when Kerala was a big homegarden. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">That mixed dense assemblages of a horde of herbs, shrubs and trees along with livestock and domestic birds rendered a typical aura to our ancestral home. We lived in a jungle, right? We lived off this jungle..yup...Our women did not even go to the markets....they were not there then. There was also no need to shop (we did not have so many shops anywhere, just a few tea stalls and an odd grocery shop) except perhaps getting Sodium chloride. Our homegarden had everything. Jack, mango and other fruit trees provided us fructose. The coconut was our <i>Kalpavriksham</i>, what not could it give! Milk could be drank directly from the udder (a bit preposterous, I know). Go around and hunt down the egss, for you know not where she would have laid it. Once in a while, the cock would appear in either curry or roasted form to satisfy our fetish for exercising our own canine (<i>parotta</i> was not "invented" then, nor was beef fry so frequently available). Our homegarden was a big treasure pool. There were many species as our ladies were mini Linnaeuses. They just stocked everything. Just go around, grab something and we have an organic and sumptuous meal. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">With the break down of the joint family system and with the gulf boom, came our passion for nuclear families. We started a "building culture". With it came land fragmentation, the homegardens were cleared and we killed our trees, animals and birds. We threw away our dioscorias. And went to built the supermarkets and shopped for Maggi, Milma and Lays. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And now we want organic products. We want food security. We sit in the classrooms and wonder the multi-functionality of our extinct homegardens! They were really wonderful practical farming systems. We must wonder at the ingenuity of our forefathers and the culinary skills of our grandmothers.Our homegardens were such a rich and varied sustainable system which kept us away from the shops and hospitals. Through various ecosystem services like varied food products, small timber, manure, clean air and water. A great micro-climate, devoid of pollutants. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It is time for this dragon to return. </span><br />
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</div>Gopanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262180253268786258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685101863314795302.post-40785958248510596122011-10-11T17:10:00.000+05:302011-10-11T17:10:57.012+05:30wild, but very beautiful..................<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">We are slowly losing some of our very wonderful flowers to land based developmental activities. In the eyes of the new messiahs of development, every bit of "greenery", if left fallow, is land left waste(d). These lands has to converted, they say....But how far do they know that some of these plants will be lost for ever? Or even if we know, are we planning the re-location of such plant species? Nope. <br />
<br />
But such lands will be harbouring many tens or hundreds of different kinds of plants. Some very useful medicine plants. Some with very beautiful flowers. Maybe some we still do not know about..some we thought had long gone....<br />
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Flowers are the most beautiful of plant organs. Through their flashy designs and structures they attract pollinators and also facilitate the propagation of their self. The fruits also later become the food of some other organisms.<br />
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The Kerala landscape is also fast losing some its very beautiful plants like these.............<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fd7rqImeyN8/TpQo8YQ3pnI/AAAAAAAAAqo/F4L-57vec8Y/s1600/A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fd7rqImeyN8/TpQo8YQ3pnI/AAAAAAAAAqo/F4L-57vec8Y/s400/A.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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</style> <![endif]--> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Rauvolfia tetraphylla</i><span> </span>or Pambukolli</b></span></div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DgUkU8DqI1Q/TpQpCsiZ0VI/AAAAAAAAAq4/dBcwRyI4mDs/s1600/C.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DgUkU8DqI1Q/TpQpCsiZ0VI/AAAAAAAAAq4/dBcwRyI4mDs/s400/C.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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</style> <![endif]--> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Rauvolfia tetraphylla</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or Pambukolli</b></div></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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</style> <![endif]--> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Clerodendrum infortunatum<span> </span></i><span></span>or Peruku</b></span></div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JtbsL1Rchuc/TpQpIvWiFCI/AAAAAAAAArI/0cydGwflb3E/s1600/E.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JtbsL1Rchuc/TpQpIvWiFCI/AAAAAAAAArI/0cydGwflb3E/s400/E.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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</style> <![endif]--> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>Clerodendrum infortunatum</i><span> </span>or Peruku</b></span></div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TBgY1Nm7k54/TpQpL6e9YTI/AAAAAAAAArQ/Se8_LW32J94/s1600/F.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TBgY1Nm7k54/TpQpL6e9YTI/AAAAAAAAArQ/Se8_LW32J94/s400/F.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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</style> <![endif]--> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Helicteres isora </b></i><b>or Edampiri-valampiri</b></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table> </div>Gopanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262180253268786258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685101863314795302.post-24744327037849261882011-10-05T11:23:00.000+05:302011-10-05T11:23:26.196+05:30Survival of the fittest...............<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Plants perhaps are the most resilient of living things....As "victims of their own environment" they cannot just "run" away from the dangers posed by an approaching herbivore, a fire, insect or pathogen! We and other animals can just move away and find a safe haven somewhere.<br />
<br />
Plants are resilient and can survive by adaptation....Given a bit of favourable environment, they just unleash themselves...here are some faithful followers of Darwin's Law No. III..<br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fR1jTPw-zSk/TovvRx-MVHI/AAAAAAAAAqU/2bmjvE3w-xk/s1600/S1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fR1jTPw-zSk/TovvRx-MVHI/AAAAAAAAAqU/2bmjvE3w-xk/s400/S1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>the small bit of soil amidst the bitumen is enough...........</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Na57K1PNlU/TovvWqgG4ZI/AAAAAAAAAqY/VWEh-2DRFLY/s1600/s2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Na57K1PNlU/TovvWqgG4ZI/AAAAAAAAAqY/VWEh-2DRFLY/s400/s2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Macranga peltata..</i>the true colonizer!</b> the rocks have been there for some time...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WNVD_K-qV4o/TovvdAnj_-I/AAAAAAAAAqc/92-yxg068FU/s1600/s5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WNVD_K-qV4o/TovvdAnj_-I/AAAAAAAAAqc/92-yxg068FU/s400/s5.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>wow....resilient indeed.......</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ti4mb1CXY4/TovvgEgIFmI/AAAAAAAAAqg/pW2-ClOevKU/s1600/s3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ti4mb1CXY4/TovvgEgIFmI/AAAAAAAAAqg/pW2-ClOevKU/s400/s3.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>those boulders are about a meter in height..yet!</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iM-0UfGbdzg/Tovvj-pBfhI/AAAAAAAAAqk/nUXNFpW79Cg/s1600/s4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iM-0UfGbdzg/Tovvj-pBfhI/AAAAAAAAAqk/nUXNFpW79Cg/s400/s4.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>this time, the <i>Trema orientalis</i> shows its colonizing and survival abilities</b></td></tr>
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<br />
</div>Gopanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262180253268786258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685101863314795302.post-5988146185234583902011-09-24T16:46:00.000+05:302011-09-24T16:46:37.111+05:30Mukkuti is back................<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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</style> <![endif]--> <div class="MsoNormal">This year the rains did not water down its intensity even in <i>Chingam</i>. In Thrissur it was raining cats and dogs! High intensity rains. The rain GOD had little respect for the old saying <i>Chingathil mazha chinunghi chinunghi</i>!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">What could be the reason for the little flash floods in my courtyard in <i>Chingam</i> ? Climate change?????</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Rains has also delayed the flowers. <i>Chingam</i>, in which our state festival <i>ONAM</i> falls, was not at its green best. For floral carpets, Mallus now shop the flowers. Gone are those days when one just scavenge the homestead for a floral bounty.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Now that the sun is out, the enchanting <i>Mukkuti</i> (<i>Biophytum reinwardtii</i>) is out from nowhere and is at its very best. It has virtually run amok in my courtyard. And the small yellow flowers are a real delight, creating a green and yellow carpet. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GI8I3_GHwnk/Tn27CIn5DVI/AAAAAAAAAqM/FKpXFAcxYkY/s1600/M.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GI8I3_GHwnk/Tn27CIn5DVI/AAAAAAAAAqM/FKpXFAcxYkY/s400/M.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Mukkuti</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-41QLSF65nMU/Tn27IVovONI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/QV1P1P2W7gE/s1600/M1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-41QLSF65nMU/Tn27IVovONI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/QV1P1P2W7gE/s400/M1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Nature's carpet!</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"> Hope the <i>Mukkuti </i>will remain forever!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div>Gopanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262180253268786258noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685101863314795302.post-40336311528182000812011-09-20T09:37:00.000+05:302011-09-20T09:37:32.913+05:30the green side....II<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Continuing.....There are many more +ve benefits, from of course, the side of the environment.<br />
<br />
The attendance in offices and other public utility buildings would have been wafer thin! No fans, No ACs, No lights, No computers....we saved a lot of energy during the hartal day (People staying back in their homes will ensure that these equipments are not being indiscriminately used-<i>After all they themselves have to shoulder the bills!</i>). So, lot of energy has been conserved!!!!! <br />
<br />
Vehicles off the road -No sound pollution (Indians are crazy about honking, blaring. The craziest horns could probably be found here only. Use your horn to terrorize, this seems to be an Indian motto)<br />
<br />
Now, just quoting one rather infamous (there are lot, you know) grey area: People would have enjoyed the lay off with lot of meat and spirit! In terms of consumption of these two, <i>Keralites</i> have left everyone behind! </div>Gopanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262180253268786258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685101863314795302.post-37207806820850584792011-09-19T12:42:00.000+05:302011-09-19T12:42:09.310+05:30The green side of hartal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is hartal today in Kerala.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What is Hartal? According to Wikipedia, it is mass protest often involving a total shutdown of workplaces, offices, shops etc etc...Today there is motor vehicle hartal in Kerala. The roads of Kerala are free (supposed to be free) of vehicles. How much free (%) will be known by evening only after the media conducts research and <i>break the news</i> to us to ponder? In any case, 80% of the vehicles will remain idle today. Economists will have a busy day, analyzing the loss of precious man hours and potential impact on the BSE and NSE and the like. Wasted man hours, slump in net productivity, blah blah blah...... </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">But the environment is more hale and green today. According to NATPAC, t<span>he motor vehicle population in Kerala, which was around 2 lakhs in 1980, has almost doubled every 5 to 6 years. There are about 60 lakh registered motor vehicles in the state of which 25,000 are stage carriages (bus services). 63 percent of the vehicles are two wheelers. Around 5 lakh vehicles are now added on the state roads every year! Aping the Americans as a neo-fuel guzzling society, are we? </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><br />
</span></span></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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</style> <![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">NATPAC also admits that the t<span>ransport sector in Kerala contributes a major share of carbon emissions and thereby a challenge to climate change!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>That is why I said, that the environment is much clean and green today. Due to a forced lay off, the emission levels from the roads of Kerala are at the lowest possible levels. I salute the hartal lobbyists. What for? Just for keeping off the vehicles from emitting CFCs. Thanks. Though the Ozone Day (Sep 16) passed without anyone noticing it, today's hartal call turned out to be a nice opportunity for some very practical action.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Are our <i>greens</i> listening? </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Also tomorrow, I hope to <i>eat</i> the morning dailies without going through the embarrassment, pain and desperation of reading about road accidents related mortality. They are now far too numerous and frequent in Kerala. Are our policies encouraging indiscriminate buying of vehicles? Is this practice a nice one in the long run? Few years back, there was one car in the neighbourhood. A few lucky ones had two wheelers. Now every house has 2-3 vehicles! Apart from the mounting cases of physical mortality, who is going to answer the problem of increasing C emissions? </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">As we sit idle in our homes, let us think of these. As individuals, let us think how to be more C neutral in future. Let us give our children a more green and C free world. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div>Gopanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262180253268786258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685101863314795302.post-71137279036165187132011-08-11T10:17:00.000+05:302011-08-11T10:17:37.655+05:30Kew views: Why does plant diversity matter?<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZLC1kapyBjI?fs=1" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="295" width="480"></iframe>Gopanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262180253268786258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685101863314795302.post-24811981952374950592011-07-16T16:22:00.000+05:302011-07-16T16:22:05.050+05:30some of the plants which caught my recent imagination..........<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wqfeKMX1Sys/TiFpcXYf_EI/AAAAAAAAApA/oTwKCtwi8_U/s1600/Allium+cepa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wqfeKMX1Sys/TiFpcXYf_EI/AAAAAAAAApA/oTwKCtwi8_U/s320/Allium+cepa.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Oh..this you know our onion <i>Allium cepa</i></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QF3BFkgacW0/TiFpwmW0rEI/AAAAAAAAApE/2zMhcX8QwAY/s1600/Flueggea+leucopyrus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QF3BFkgacW0/TiFpwmW0rEI/AAAAAAAAApE/2zMhcX8QwAY/s320/Flueggea+leucopyrus.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>This is really an Euphorbean beauty.....<i>Flueggea leucopyrus</i> see the white globes!!!!!!</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XTv6tlv7hTw/TiFqYB2nq4I/AAAAAAAAApI/KaQymbfHgfo/s1600/Pothos+scandens.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XTv6tlv7hTw/TiFqYB2nq4I/AAAAAAAAApI/KaQymbfHgfo/s320/Pothos+scandens.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The snake of forest...<i>Pothos scandens</i> ...this plant trails the bole....watch the fruit</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N9HvxmaX9G4/TiFqxmwW9HI/AAAAAAAAApM/aEhLOJOHJ10/s1600/Nymphaea+rubra.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N9HvxmaX9G4/TiFqxmwW9HI/AAAAAAAAApM/aEhLOJOHJ10/s320/Nymphaea+rubra.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>beautiful, lovely..what not is this gem of the waterbodies...............<i>Nymphaea rubra</i></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nrKogDSDvuI/TiFrTQO-8dI/AAAAAAAAApQ/bqShpgwKYU4/s1600/PC210004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nrKogDSDvuI/TiFrTQO-8dI/AAAAAAAAApQ/bqShpgwKYU4/s320/PC210004.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Changing the fabric is <i>Terminalia arjuna</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Gopanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262180253268786258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685101863314795302.post-21508415092373166482011-07-05T22:37:00.000+05:302011-07-05T22:37:31.989+05:30the great plastic debate continues.......<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">My further thoughts......Banning will not work...People will just ignore and continue to defy it....Moreover it is not at all practical..there are many authorized and un-authorized manufacturing units of diverse plastic goods. But this sector is the bread and butter of lot of families.<br />
<br />
The only way out is to dissuade people from using plastic. Ask them to reduce their dependence on plastic. Education or awareness creation is the key factor here....all educated people should volunteer to speak on this issue....For a plastic banishment to materialise let us focus our attention on schools..let teachers be educated on the perils of the indiscriminate use of plastic. Let them then pass on the message to their school children. Let this be a "take home" message. The parents will listen to their children. Leave it to the kids, they know how to influence their parents!<br />
<br />
The next target group should be women. It is because it is this group that goes for shopping! Let them carry non plastic bags to the shops. If plastic bag has to be used, let them re-cycle it. Since being an influential member of the household, they can play a crucial role in the plastic banishing campaign. A plastic free civilization ( a generation too) can emerge from the lap of the mothers! <br />
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Of late there are way side vendors who sell all kinds of cheap plastic goods at throw away prices. We all fall for it. These cheap things can only be thrown away after a couple of uses! This only contributes to the mounting plastic waste hillock! Let us stop this business. Let these people sell something else. I now hear that our traders are going to China and importing such cheaply available plastic items! Plz stop this practice.....<br />
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Why not we create an environment monitoring mechanism at the panchayath/municipality or corporation level in our state? Let one of the councilors be the ombudsman of this mechanism. <br />
<br />
I am just back from Lalur, infamous for its garbage mounts...On my way back I also visited a vegetable shop in Mannuthy...The vendor did not give the vegetables in a plastic carry bag..he wrapped everything in used newsprint. The ban is on....Let it continue for ever...... <br />
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</div>Gopanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262180253268786258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685101863314795302.post-80017718873359826302011-07-02T16:46:00.000+05:302011-07-02T16:46:49.538+05:30Ban(ish) plastic carrybags<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">In Thrissur and elsewhere, there is going to be a ban on plastic carry bags.....I doubt how effective this will turn out to be....10 years ago, i tried to educate the traders at Ambalavayal, Wayanad on the ill effects of its unscrupulous use. I have to get back to see if it is still around...Though the use of black coloured carry bags are banned for carrying food items, I think I am seeing it almost everywhere. White, transparent or black, it is the convenience that ordinary people look for...<br />
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So, will ban help? Nope...ban will work, if we can banish this thing from the mindsets....Educate and encourage people to REMEMBER to carry bags (cloth, plastic (yes, one which will stay for atleast 5 years), paper etc etc each time they shop. Politely decline the offer of a carry bag every time you shop. Erect big posters near traffic signals about the perils of reckless plastic use and wastage.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OgvNB5sr0QI/Tg79TNRo5eI/AAAAAAAAAo8/0doudYhqHQM/s1600/Vkanni_12%252613+Mar+2011+048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OgvNB5sr0QI/Tg79TNRo5eI/AAAAAAAAAo8/0doudYhqHQM/s400/Vkanni_12%252613+Mar+2011+048.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is now becoming a very common scene </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>My train stopped a few kms (in that usual place) before Ernakulam station...One loses count of the plastic bottled strewn there.....As citizens what is our responsibility towards Earth?<br />
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Yup...extinction is a biological reality...and man is preparing the ground for that!<br />
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</div>Gopanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262180253268786258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685101863314795302.post-29619748690361551972011-07-02T16:32:00.000+05:302011-07-02T16:32:30.265+05:303rd Luckins C Babu Memorial Lecture “MISTLETOES”<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">3 years gone by since LCB left...my interest in the GREEN UMBRELLAS he instilled will remain as long as my brain stays healthy....We used to joke how lucky Luckins sir was! A man, maybe, who thought that nothing can go wrong.....anyway he showed the courage to do some unconventional things...May his soul rest in peace...But no doubt, he was a gifted plantist...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a94k6KwUIEo/Tg750DjF_8I/AAAAAAAAAo4/qz8qJqGk0rk/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a94k6KwUIEo/Tg750DjF_8I/AAAAAAAAAo4/qz8qJqGk0rk/s320/1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">He is remembered all time.........</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Taxonomy is the artful discipline of biology.....I want more and more young fellas to come forward and follow this discipline as a passion. Let these young fellas teach others the art of identification.....</div>Gopanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262180253268786258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685101863314795302.post-21798081609169818582011-06-22T11:16:00.000+05:302011-06-22T11:16:31.628+05:30yellow mangroves rediscovered at Kollam<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Locally known as <i>Ankandal, Ceriops tagal </i>has been reported to be re-discovered in Kollam district of Kerala state. Wonderful find indeed<i>!</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
Hats off to V.K. Madhusudhanan for his keen eyes. The mangroves are the wonderful and distinct "GREEN UMBRELLA"s that shelter our waterbodies. For the amateur, the magrove forest may look like "any other weed growth" to be out-rightly felled. Many square kilometers have already been axed. So, please hold it, this vegetation harbours many unique species (like this yellow mangrove which has been re-discovered)-some known, some yet to be noticed by science. Not just plant species, maybe fishes, other kinds of animals etc etc. The re-discovery of <i>C. tagal</i> will enthuse researchers of various disciplines to visit the mangrove areas in Kollam and elsewhere. Let us hope that such visits will not go in vain. <br />
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Read more at <a href="http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/22/stories/2011062253420500.htm">http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/22/stories/2011062253420500.htm</a> </div>Gopanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262180253268786258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685101863314795302.post-45836846951192899662011-06-17T16:58:00.000+05:302011-06-17T16:58:21.039+05:30Alapuzzha_itz the real Venice<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MjYwt4YaJO8/Tfs0ESyk9AI/AAAAAAAAAow/p1jNlOKVIdQ/s1600/P1290087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MjYwt4YaJO8/Tfs0ESyk9AI/AAAAAAAAAow/p1jNlOKVIdQ/s320/P1290087.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>with with Sabu and Jr in <i>Vaada thodu</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Take it from me..Alapuzha is the real Venice of the east...but for its clogged waterways....Sabu told me that these <i>Thodukal </i>used to be very wonderful some time back...KC had done so much to retrieve its beauty, but thanks to Alapuzhites negligence, Nature has struck back.<br />
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What not did I see..water hyacinths, a lot of <i>paayal</i> (fortunately my knowledge of aquatic plants is narrow, otherwise I would have thrown a few Latins around) and of course our plastic waste..Yup...under the dark, this is the best place to just throw your dirt....No wonder, me and Shiny were taken for a ride by the mosquitoes of Gujarathi Street!<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">Excuse my ignorance, the clogged waterways may look like a good green surface, but this is not good...a watercourse is getting killed....Not just the beauty but in Kerala, this means of transport has a long and chequered past. I am cross with the Alapuzhites for ignoring this beutiful place. If <i>Valiya Divanji </i>is to re-appear, he would be crying hoarse. <i></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="MsoNormal">Biological control of these aquatic weeds is not an impossible preposition...a targeted research program can definitely yield results.. and there is no dearth of biologists and aquatic experts in this district...<i>It is only a matter of a solid will.</i></div><i> </i> <br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">One of the my many joys of visiting Venice is simply walking through the streets and canals..same is the case with Alapuzha.Let us revive that in our own Venice. We can even think of floating a few gondolas. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_QnsIRV2e4o/Tfs5BaUpJ-I/AAAAAAAAAo0/I7_Q3shyvhI/s1600/P5210320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_QnsIRV2e4o/Tfs5BaUpJ-I/AAAAAAAAAo0/I7_Q3shyvhI/s320/P5210320.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>This is how Venice looks like....Alapuzha can equal this</b></td></tr>
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</div></div>Gopanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262180253268786258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685101863314795302.post-54845417408157789562011-06-13T10:24:00.000+05:302011-06-13T10:24:57.711+05:30Global Warming: Tree is the answer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><i><i>A one-man mission in Palakkad has planted 2.5 lakh trees in 11 years....This is really awesome..I dont have words to describe this effort of this wonderful human being who has opened so many GREEN UMBRELLAS in our midst.</i></i><br />
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<i><i><a href="http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/13/stories/2011061360640400.htm">http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/13/stories/2011061360640400.htm</a> </i></i><br />
<i><i><br />
</i></i><br />
<i><i>I was driving through Thiruvella taluk yesterday.....the monsoon has painted more green into our landscape. I had a feeling that while the Almighty was carrying the green colour, it accidentally fell over Kerala. So green and lovely...thanks to all those who still retain the greenery amidst us. </i></i><br />
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<i><i>Hats off to you, Mr. Balakrishnan...Thanks too. May your tribe increase. </i></i></div>Gopanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02262180253268786258noreply@blogger.com0