If you spot clean roads around La Martiniere Girls College and a no-polythene zone in zoo, the credit for it goes to Rehana Ali. It was Rehana’s dedication and positive approach that has brought about a small but imperative change.
Rehana, who teaches at La Martiniere Girls College, formed community, ‘Protection of Environment and Animals’, 18 years back. Since then she has pursued her mission with ant-like persistence. Pointing out people for littering the roads or taking students to clean them, she has made several efforts to keep the road and surroundings clean. “It is because of my profession that I do not hesitate in accosting people. Whenever I see anyone throwing wrappers on the streets, I ask them not to do so,” she shares.
Besides raising awareness among her students, Rehana also encourages them to join the noble cause. Every week, all students of the school deposit two paper bags, which are then collectively sent to the zoo. For more than a decade now, Rehana has been supplying paper bags with the participation of her students.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / March 05th, 2015
A canvas bag on his shoulders and a motorbike bedecked with posters and messages for afforestation, 45-year-old Lucknowite Chandra Bushan Tiwari has been on a mission to plant fruit-bearing trees across the country. On January 26, 2006, Tiwari had set himself the target of planting 1 lakh saplings along the river Gomti. By September 2014, he had achieved the task of seeding 96,000 trees.
Sowing peepal, gular, jamun, neem, banyan and other flower- and fruit-bearing trees, Tiwari, who was a teacher at Kendriya Vidyalaya, left his profession for the cause. He started teaching children of daily wage labourers, educating them about the ecosystem. “Lucknow used to be a city of gardens, but all that is left now is stones. We have spoiled the ecological balance and it is us who have to work to get that back.”
Raising 700 trees around the Gomti basin at Baikunth Dham, Khatu Shyam Ghat, Shani temple, Hanuman Setu, Kudiya Ghat and around Chandrika Devi temple, Tiwari circumnavigates the city with plants and seeds along with him at all times, gifting them to people
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Yusra Husain / March 15th, 2015
Lucknow-based Indian Forest Service officer, Sujoy Banerjee, has been conferred green warrior award by the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) for his efforts to save alligator population in the National Chambal Sanctuary and working towards the protection of wildlife.
The award was given to Banerjee in New Delhi on Monday. The award is an extension of work done by RBS through RBS Foundation India in the field of environment and wildlife conservation.
Conferring the award, RBS said it “recognizes the commendable work done in conservation of wildlife, natural resource management, environment protection, human lives and property” by Banerjee while serving as deputy conservator of forests at the National Chambal Wildlife Division.
Speaking to TOI, Banerjee said conservation of wildlife is a regular process that can’t be completed in toto. “Caring for wildlife is a sustained effort and natural habitats are at serious risks these days. Illegal activity in protected areas, lack of awareness among the villagers residing nearby the area along with degrading environmental conditions are some of the serious pointers that we need to protect and preserve wildlife,” he said. Banerjee added that illegal mining and fishing in the protected areas are the two main causes of concern for wildlife conservationists.
On the award, Brijesh Mehra, country executive India at RBS, said, “The dedication of the numerous nominees and winners of the Earth Heroes Awards is truly inspiring. They are actually making a difference to our vital environs. We believe that collective efforts of government, organisations and local communities can place a higher emphasis on environmental protection and spread awareness.”
Commending the help offered by his team at the vast wildlife habitat, Banerjee said only a few people work round the clock in shifts to protect and preserve the natural habitat of the near-extinct flora and fauna. “Alligators or their meat, skin and other parts are not directly used for any purpose. They are killed because they come in conflict with humans who try to illegally smuggle sands from the protected area. Also, many alligators get caught in the fishing nets and the illegal fishermen kill them without any motive,” he said.
During 2012-13, 55 nests of the alligator species were protected by the team of 41 conservationists which resulted in more than alligators being added to the wild. They also protected 74 nests of the critically endangered Red Crowned Roof Turtle.
Banerjee is currently posted in Noida and is working on a tree height measuring instrument ‘Sujoy’s altimeter’ which is under commercial production. Also, he is working on a new method of mitigating human-elephant conflict called the “chilly cracker technique”, which is currently under field trial.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Jayanta Deka, TNN / November 03rd, 2014
The three-day Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Mela conducted by Chandra Shekhar Azad Agriculture University concluded on Friday. More than 30,000 farmers from different villages participated in the fair and gained knowledge about latest agricultural techniques.
During the closing ceremony, textile minister Shiv Kumar Beria said that organic fertilizers, seeds and other technologically advanced farming equipment should be provided at low cost to farmers for better yield. “India is an agricultural country. It is must that farmers are provided necessary equipment at a low cost. Farmers should also look towards animal husbandry,” Beria said. Kalyanpur MLA Satish Nigam was also present.
The highlight of the event was ‘Krishak Conference’ that gave a platform to farmers to discuss their farm and crop related problems with agricultural scientists and got useful tips. During the conference, the farmers also shared their beneficial experiences with others. A quiz session for farmers was also organised and the winners got prizes. As many as 92 stalls were set up that included 20 stalls by different departments of the university.
CSA vice-chancellor Munna Singh highlighted the achievements of the university in terms of education and research work. He asked farmers to adopt crop diversification and integrated farming system.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Kanpur / TNN / November 01st, 2014
Tortured by her in-laws for dowry, Tabassum was thrown out of the house with her six months old son, she decided to not give up.
Tabassum Bano riding the e-riskshaw – Mohammad Anas
Tabassum Bano decided to fight and not surrender despite facing so many hardships some years back. She had been tortured physically and mentally by her in-laws for dowry, she was thrown out of the house with her six months old son, but Bano didn’t give up. She braved all the difficulties and challenges of her life. Confident and self dependent, Bano has set an example of courage as the first female e-rickshaw driver of Allahabad.
“I came to Allahabad in the year 2005. My family lives in a small village Narsimhagarh in Pratapgarh. One year after marriage, my in-laws started torturing me for more dowry. My son was just six months old at that time. One day they even took my clothes off and threw me out of the house. Tired of their torture, I had even thought of committing suicide, but my child gave me the reason to live and fight,” Bano broke into tears as she narrated her life story to iamin.
“Finally, I decided to get divorce from my husband and made up my mind to come to Allahabad and start a new life. With just two rupees in hand and my son in my arms, I began my journey from Pratapgarh by foot and reached Allahabad after walking 50 kilometres. Once when I wa at new Yamuna bridge, out of hunger, my son started crying uncontrollably and I became restless and helpless in this unknown city. An old man saw us and brought us to Sister Sheeba Jones. My life changed since that day,” said Bano who lives in a rented room at Teliyarganj colony in Allahabad with her son.
Bano gives the credit to Sister Sheeba for changing her life. “Sister Sheeba first taught me how to ride a scooty and then four-wheelers.” Besides riding the e-rickshaw, Bano also works as a maid in houses to bear her expenses of her family members.
Yes, apart from her own son, Bano is taking care of six other members of the family. “After my brother-in-law’s death, I took care of my sister and her three children. My brother died in the year 2011 and his daughter is also my responsibility. There is no male member in our family. I take care of my old mother too,” said Bano.
Besides work, Bano who was an illiterate before coming to Allahabad started studying and cleared class X examination. Her son Abdullah studies in a reputed English school in the city. “I want a better life for my son so, I work hard to send him in a good English medium school.”
Sharing her experience as a female e-rickshaw driver, Bano asserted, “I want to change people’s attitude towards women. There are different types of people in our society. Some people stare at me awkwardly while some praise and encourage me. I want to show that women are strong and can face challenges.”
Bano also uses her scooty to carry people. She sometimes drops school children to their homes free of cost in her e-rickshaw. Tabassum is surely an inspiration for women in the country.
source: http://www.iamin.in / I am in DNA of Allahabad / Home> Allahabad> Trending News / by Mohammad Anas, Edited by : Longjam Dineshwori/ Tuesday – October 21st, 2014
The G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology in Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, today honored its former student, United States Chief Agricultural Negotiator Ambassador Islam A. Siddiqui, with an honorary degree of Doctor of Science. The degree was conferred upon Ambassador Siddiqui in recognition of his contributions to agricultural research and development, as well as agricultural trade policy development and his work’s influence on world agriculture.
“I feel humbled and honored at the same time to be receiving this honorary degree of Doctor of Science. Thousands of agricultural scientists, engineers, and veterinarians graduating from Pantnagar and sister universities provided the foot soldiers to make the Green Revolution a reality. This massive technology transfer of modern agricultural practices – combining education, research, and extension — turned India from a net food importing country to a food exporting nation. As a student of the first batch of this great institution when it opened its doors 51 years ago, I had not imagined in my wildest dreams that one day I would receive this prestigious award.”
Ambassador Siddiqui was born in Haldwani, Uttar Pradesh and attended G.B. Pant University before taking a scholarship at the University of Illinois in the United States. Throughout his career, he has advocated for international cooperation, technology transfer, capacity building, and new technology development to achieve food security in the 21st century.
source: http://www.newdelhi.usembassy.gov / Embassy of the United States, New Delhi, India / Home> News & Events> Press Releases / New Delhi – May 20th, 2011
In order to promote eco-friendly textile, particularly in handloom sector, ‘Green Textile Consultation’ has been started by Human Welfare Association, in collaboration with European Commission, Trade-Craft and All India Artisans Craft Welfare Association (AIACWA), New Delhi. The first consultation, under the banner of ‘Going Green’ was held on Thursday.
According to organisers, most weavers are not getting true value of their labour due to lack of specific branding. The weavers can get benefit in global market because of the concept of green textile, which was based on organic and natural colours and hand embroidery. They are demanding to link it with ‘Green Mark’ as a symbol of authenticity of the Indian handloom products.
“Chinese handloom machines are capturing the market and snatching the livelihood of traditional weavers, but if Green Mark is considered by the government, it will prove to be beneficial for weavers,” said Rajni Kant of HWA. Another aspect of ‘Going Green’ is that the artisans and weavers, who are involved in the handloom and craft sectors, also get attached with carbon credit. The use of natural things will not cause harm to the environment and through it, weavers can increase their financial stability. The powerlooms, using electricity and fuels for machines, pollute the environment by emitting carbon, while handloom sector does not use such polluting elements so they must be paid for saving the environment. He said that the Going Green concept has been launched in Lucknow, which is widely known for chikan embroidery and Varanasi known for its silk sarees. This programme already exists in Rajasthan.
According to Ravi Karka of AIACWA, Going Green project is a new initiative in Varanasi that will help the Banarasi handloom weavers in international market. Mayank Trivedi, research coordinator of AIACWA said that in the first phase, 5,000 weavers and craftsmen would be linked directly with the project.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Varanasi / August 21st, 2014
Varanasi, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi represents in the Lok Sabha, will be developed into a ‘smart city’ by using the experience of Kyoto, the ‘smart city’ of Japan, under a pact signed here on Saturday.
A partner city MoU was signed by Indian ambassador Deepa Wadhwa and Kyoto mayor Daisaka Kadokawa at a ceremony witnessed by Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe.
The MoU, which was signed soon after Modi’s arrival here on a five-day visit, provides for cooperation in heritage conservation, city modernization and cooperation in the fields of art, culture and academics, external affairs ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin told reporters.
This will serve as framework for smart heritage city programme between the two countries, he added.
Kyoto, which is a heritage city with Buddhist culture, provides special symbolism to the visit as the Prime Minister has the vision of “rejuvenating” Indian cities.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> India / PTI / August 30th, 2014
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in its updated ‘Red list’ has featured three birds of UP West – the red-headed falcon, the woolly-necked stork and the Himalayan griffon. The last of these migrates to West UP in winter.
These birds have been added to the list of endangered species recently released on IUCN website. The list is based on the studies jointly conducted by the Bombay Natural History Society and Bird Life International, based in UK.
Rajat Bhargava, ornithologist and senior scientist, BNHS, said, “The inclusion in the list means these birds have now entered the threatened zone. Out of these three birds, the Himalayan griffon is an occasional visitor during winter.”
This year, 172 birds from India are in the endangered list, seven more than the 165 listed last year. “The main reason for the dwindling population of these birds is the shrinking grasslands and wetlands, the natural habitats of these species. Industrial activity and use of chemicals in agricultural processes also threaten these birds”, Bhargava said.
The Himalayan griffon, a species in vulture, has been hit by the use of the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac, administered to livestock, on which the vultures feed. The increased number of crows and stray dogs, that also feed on carcasses, threaten the vultures.
Birdlife International is the official agency responsible for preparing the IUCN Red List of globally threatened birds. This was earlier done once in three years. The list is now revised every year.
Caption: Woolly-necked stork is seen during winters in cultivation and marshy areas of Meerut. It feeds on lizards, frogs, crabs and large insects.
Caption: Red-headed falcon prefers open country with wide cultivated plain along with groups of trees, groves and villages, and avoids dense forest. Pairs usually hunt in concert by driving prey (small birds, rodents and lizards) out from leafy branches.
Caption: Himalayan griffon is among the largest birds, a species of vulture, and perches on rocks and makes a rattling sound when descending on a carcass. They feed on old carcasses, sometimes waiting for a couple of days near a dead animal.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Meerut / by Sandeep Rai, TNN / August 09th, 2014
You need not look far for your next holiday. The state government is now offering eco-tourism packages in selected sanctuaries including the Nawabganj bird sanctuary.
At the start of the tourist season in October, there will be eco-tourism packages for Sandi (Hardoi), Katarniaghat, Chuka (Pilibhit) and Samaspur (Rae Bareli). Bookings of rest houses will be made online, making the allotment process fair.
“We plan to first equip a few centres will all tourist facilities,” said forest corporation MD Iqbal Singh. The forest department’s website has information on different categories of eco-tourism packages. It also has sections for nature lovers and eco-tourism sites in the state.
Uttar Pradesh has one national park, 11 wildlife and 24 bird sanctuaries but eco-tourism has been limited to Dudhwa National Park and a few locations around it. The state has never had an eco-tourism policy.
On Tuesday, the Cabinet approved an eco-tourism policy with four guiding principles: conserving environment, developing community-based tourism, developing partnership with the private sector and creating and upgrading infrastructure facilities for tourists in wildlife sanctuaries.
The forest department has tied up with an NGO to promote ?environment education’, also a part of eco-tourism. A conservator-level officer has been appointed only for promoting eco-tourism.
“It also aims at gainful employment of local people,” said the official. Locals, mostly rural folks, will be encourages to play hosts or guides to tourists and will be paid for the services.
Potential eco-tourism sites in UP
Katarniaghat on Gerua river in Bahraich; Chuka ghat in Pilibhit on Sharda dam; Chambal ravines in Agra; Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary in Unnao; Chandraprabha Rajdari waterfalls and Deodari waterfalls in Varanasi; Sarsainawar Sarus Sanctuary in Etawah; Sandi Bird Sanctuary in Hardoi; Noida Bird Sanctuary and Kalpi river cruise in Yamuna in Jalaun
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / August 09th, 2014
