:: Delhi Greens ::

The first Delhi University Green Youth Summit

Prakriti, the Environment Society of Delhi College of Arts and Commerce (DCAC), University of Delhi and Delhi Greens cordially invite your College’s environment, ecology, nature, wildlife and sustainable development societies and clubs to the 1st ever Delhi University Green Youth Summit. The summit shall strive to unleash the green power of the youth of the University of Delhi.

Date: 26, February 2009 (Thursday)
Time: 10.00 AM onwards
Venue: Auditorium, Delhi College of Arts and Commerce, Netaji Nagar, Delhi – 110023

SCHEDULE

- 10.30 to 11.00 AM: Opening Session
- 11.00 to 12.30 PM: Inaugural Lecture by Dunu Roy of Hazard Center
- 12.30 to 01.00 PM: Refreshments
- 01.00 to 04.00 PM: The Green Round Table
- 04.00 to 04.30 PM: Closing Session

For further information, please contact:

Aastha Kukreti : 9873124937
Anukampa Gupta : 9873298475
Petal Chandhok : 9891500321

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE!

“Slum Dog Millionaire” sweeps eight Oscars accepting and recreating the genera of Hindi Films for an English speaking global audience. In his second acceptance speech(for Jai Ho!) Rahman said to a rapt audience “The essence of the film is about optimism and the power of hope. All my life I had a choice of hate or love. I chose love and I am here”

India has arrived when every one is talking of an Indian film. What makes this film special is nothing stopped the producer from making the film. When child actors could not be found, it was made using real life children to shape the characters. Credit was given when they deserved it and no pretences were made to make them something else than they were. The context and real life situation that was needed to make the film real was used. Every one who helped make the film was used to make it and duly acknowledged. It captured the city the way it was and the way it was not, with no-frills. Yet it was so optimistic and hopeful, for all those in the city who had no where to look.

It is this same exact solidarity and oneness that is the foundation on which the future of our cities is constructed. As years go by the number of Urban cities is going to rise in India, by 2020 we are expecting more than half our population to be urban. The first step is to register and identify who these communities are and start meeting them more regularly, so that there is a face and a name to the Resident Welfare Associations. The step in the right direction were the formation of Resident Welfare Association meetings with the municipal ward officials as the Chief Minister had initiated and put a structure to it.

Delhi Bird is organizing the Big Bird Day on February 22nd, 2009 (Sunday)

Big Bird Day is an annual event of one of the most active bird watching community in the country. It’s the day when we celebrate the rich birdlife that enlivens our city and the surrounding areas while simultaneously spreading a conservation message.

Like every year, at least 10 or more teams will start birding at different places around Delhi and then carry on to any other place at a pace and rhythm that suits each team. Jointly, by the end of the day, we would try to watch as many species as possible within and around Delhi. At day’s end, we would tabulate the list of each team and arrive at the total number of species collectively seen during the day. In 2006 the count was 236, and 2007 total was 188.

The places that are going to be covered are: Yamuna, Khadar, Sanjay Van, Ridge, Yamuna Bio Diversity Park, Delhi Zoo, Gardens, Asola, Tughlakabad, Dadri, Sultanpur, Basai, KG Wetlands, Sonipat, Aravali Biodiversity Park, Hauz Khas Lake, JNU, Najafgarh Drain, Bhindawas, Sonipat and anywhere else that you may desire.

Each team will start in the morning at a pre-determined place as per the list below. From there the team would then go to the next place of their choice. Anyone can join any team for the walk for the whole day or for as long as is convenient to each.

The team leaders and the starting points are mentioned below:

• BHINDAWAS : Dr. Chetna Sharma along with Gita Goswami will be coordinating the event at Bhindawas. Suresh Sharma will also be there Coordinate with Dr Chetna (Mobile 09896434283) and/or Gita (mobile 09815615776)
• SONIPAT : Gaggu (Mobile 09729896707)
• DADRI Wetlands : Wing Commander Sethi /Anand Arya (Please coordinate with Mr. Sethi: Mobile 9810134504)
• KG Wetlands : Anshuman Verma (Confirm meeting point with Anshuman. Mobile 9818550438)
• SULTANPUR : Abhijit Menon-Sen (Meeting at Sultanpur main gate at 6.45 am. Mobile 9811107990)
• JNU : Dr. Surya Prakash (Meet at the main gate of JNU at 6.30 am. Mobile 9810408330)
• Okhla Biodiversity Park : Dr Vinod Gupta (Meet at the Banyan by the River at 6.45 am) Mobile 9810234829
• Univesrity of Delhi (North Campus), Kamla Nehru Ridge : Govind (Meet at the Vishwavidyalaya Metro Station at 6.45 AM) Mobile: 9811147754
• YAMUNA BIODIVERSITY PARK : Faiyaz Khudsar, (Please coordinate with Faiyaz at 9810511552).
• BASAI : Kanwar B Singh (Meet at the temple at Basai at 06.30 am. Mobile no. of KB: 9868947003)
• NAJAFGARH DRAIN : Lt Col. Jaideep Chanda / Sajit (Coordinate with Jaideep at mob. 9968656643)
• Team WWF (Schools Kids) : Lodi Garden, Zoo and then the Yamuna (Meet at the WWF Office). Details will be posted separetly.

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There is a bridge in Lodhi Gardens and there is a plaque that declares that this bridge was constructed in 1556 by Akbar’s minister over a tributary of Yamuna river that used to flow from here toward what is now known as South Delhi. The river since has changed its course and there is no water under the bridge. This is a typical example of what happened in the past when mitigative actions of bounding the river sides of the tributary were not taken, and the river changed its course.  Of course the context was that density of population was low, therefore the infrastructure damage that a river would cause due to course change was manageable. While mitigation is ideal, adaptation in the short run is necessary to cope with the floods that may happen in the course of climate change.

Recently on 15th Febrary 2009 Indian Express carried an article on what happened to Kosi River that caused tremendous inundation and flooding in Bihar a few months back and how the engineers fixed the breach. The impact of damages and devastation due to floods is described very vividly in Solution Exchange for Disaster Management Community this week, by a person working for an NGO and I quote “I recently went to Bihar as part of a team to assess the situation in Madhepura and Supaul, the two districts worst affected by the flood caused by a breach in the Kosi river dam. Based on our observations, we are designing the intervention strategies for restoring livelihoods for these areas. Some of our observations are:

• The poorest of the poor are still displaced and don’t have a place to live hence are desperately hoping for some help from either the government or NGOs or both. 
• Most of the areas, even after three months are still inundated making agriculture virtually impossible.
• The river at many places has deposited sand and silt thereby making the land infertile; according to the community not much can be grown on such land.
• People have lost most of their cattle and there is no fodder and safe drinking water for the surviving ones leading to more cattle deaths.
• The people who traditionally migrate to other states for work, cannot do so as they do not have a place (home) where they can leave their family.
• The work under the NREGA has not yet started due to inundation of the whole area.
• Some of the traditional crafts existing with the community are related to bamboo works and making mattresses out of hay.
• Caste continues to determine the livelihood options available to the community
• Jute is grown extensively in the area but there are few opportunities available for value addition”

This is an issue with the Himalayan rivers, including our own Yamuna and Ganga servicing Delhi. This could happen to Delhi. Are we prepared?

Image Courtesy Socrious

The idea of GAIA 2009: a two day festival aiming to bring together all eco-clubs from colleges and universities across Delhi in order to empower the existing eco-clubs, share stories, build capacity and also inspire to initiate the formation of eco-clubs where there are none.

Date(s): 18th and 19th of February (Wed, Thu)
Time: 1000 am onwards
Venue: Auditorium, School of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi

All are welcome. Please contact your college/department’s Eco-Club incharge who would have already been contacted by now. Entry is through eco-clubs.

The Event is supported by the Department of Environment, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, WWR-India, 350.org, Earth Saviour, Toxics Link and Indian Oil.

For more information and to register, write to contact@delhigreens.org. You can also call Ankush (9910069054)

We had a hail storm yesterday, caused by something called ‘Western Disturbance’. There was very loud and very frightening thunder and lightening. Very strong wind that were blowing since 9.30 -10 pm and then the rain started around 3 am and lasted till almost 5 am. This is an annual event that happens around mid February once a year. If it is cold enough and we are lucky we can collect hail and enjoy the last bit of winter that will soon change into a hot and dry summer within a month.

For all of us who stay in houses, this is a routine occurrence, a minor inconvenience when the electricity may go off and we will have to carry an extra woolen to work or school. But can you imagine what it is like for the small number of people who sleep on the streets and have no homes for shelter, not even a with tin roofs and brick or stone walls to go to. Some are seen to take shelter on railway platforms, and some are seen near religious places where there is an assembly area. But that too has a cost. Only those who can afford to pay an ‘informal’ rent, to who ever is in charge can go to these public places. Where do they go who have no money or are too vulnerable or sick to walk? I don’t know.

In this context I want to share with you my experience from the neighborhood of United Community Church in New Haven Connecticut, in America. That Church has a United Community centre that has an office and three class rooms and a large Hall. Here at the community centre they had a preschool and a day care centre through the 5 days of the week. On Friday there is a soup kitchen where anyone can get a bowl of soup free of cost. Once every three months during the change of season there is a jumble sale of second hand consumer goods and clothes, at half price. Every time there was a heavy snow storm there would be a night shelter for those who needed it.

With global warming these extreme weather conditions are likely to increase in frequency. I share with you, what is possible in case of climate change. Could we not each of us, in our immediate neighborhood identify such spaces and enroll the owners into taking these mitigative measures. It will not cost much, it will only take the willingness on part of us to be a community and take care of our less fortunate members.

United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) announces 2009-2010 Fulbright-Nehru Environmental Leadership Program (FNELP) fellowships and invites applications from interested mid-level Indian environment professionals in public/private sector or non-governmental organizations. The purpose of the FNELP Program will combine short-term practical training/internship with opportunities for networking with American counterpart organizations. Selected fellows will be placed at US environmental public/private or non-governmental organizations, academic institutions or research centers and environment related government agencies.

Selected fellows will come into grant status during the academic year 2009-2010 between August 2009-May 2010.

Application deadline for Indian candidates is February 15, 2009.

Interested applicants can obtain details including application materials from any of USIEF offices or its website www.usief.org.in

ox•y•mo•ron  n. A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined. For example: deafening silence, mournful optimist, blank copy.

Some “experts” would want to add the phrase sustainable development to the above list of examples. Such critics of the concept of sustainable development also suggest that it should instead be termed as “sustainable de-growth”, since they believe that environment and development (or growth) are antithetical to each other; that is, environment degradation is the price that needs to be paid if development is to be achieved.

Deteriorating environment is often linked with increasing economic activity, requiring deforestation, energy consumption etc. “Development” is usually held responsible for environmental damage, while environmentalists are accused of being “anti-development”! Even a popular economic concept, such as the “Environmental Kuznets’ Curve” suggests that environment degradation increases, with an initial rise in per-capita income, and later decreases with further development.

However, to view environment and development as antagonistic terms is to have a very narrow viewpoint. Once the perspective is broadened, development and environment can be seen as complementing each other.
Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but in the indefinite future.

In other words, development that meets the needs of current generation without compromising the needs of future generations is termed as sustainable development (as defined by the Brundtland Commission). Thus, when development is viewed in terms of “quality of life” and not mere “numbers”, the complementarity between environment and development comes to the fore.

To refute the notion that environment degradation is a necessary condition for growth and development, I suggest two propositions, which assert that environment and development can, and should exist simultaneously.

Firstly, development can help conserve environment. Thus, both growth and environment conservation can be achieved together.

Constructive intervention can help enhance the quality of environment; and development facilitates constructive intervention. Thus, development can not be provided as Read the rest of this entry »

Seeking Divine Intervention In a Global Crisis

An International Conference on “Combating Challenges of Climate Change” was organised by the SEW (Scientific and Engineering Wing) of Prajapati Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vidyalaya: an International organisation working towards global peace and harmony through spiritualismconcluded today at the Vigyan Bhavan.

The program was inaugurated by Mr. Kapil Sibal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences. Mr. Sibal began his address to the gathering by highlighting the direct link between the present economic crisis and global warming. The critical issue of climate change cannot be tackled without taking economic crisis into the consideration. He also talked about global food crisis as one of the major impacts of climate change.
 
He further stated that though we need to change our lifestyle, we should also accept that no one is really ready to change at the same time. The solution thus lies in Science and Technology which alone can allow people to live the life they want in a sustainable manner, by ensuring the incorporation of  green technologies. He also addressed the solar energy capacity and the agricultural waste to energy capacity of the India and the key role these can play in mitigating climate change. He emphasized the implementation of low cost solutions in our villages and the need to investigate and come up with community based solutions thus ensuring civil society is empowered to combat climate change.

Other issues like polluters pays principle, promoting public transport, carbon sequestration, waste to energy approach were also highlighted in the fight against climate change. Mr. Sibal also pointed out that one fifth of the world’s population consumes four fifth of the resources” thus indicating an urgent need towards ensuring equity.

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GERES (Groupe Energies Renouvelables, Environnement et Solidarités), a recognised international French NGO, in partnership with the European Union, GTZ (German Technical Cooperation), ADEME (French Environment and Energy Management Agency), and Fondation Ensemble, is organising a Regional Seminar on the Challenge of Development in Energy-Related Projects and Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in the Cold Regions of Asia to be held from April 21th to 24th 2009 in Leh, India.

The objectives of this seminar are:

• to share strategies, expertise and field experience on energy and climate change issues;
• to formulate a series of concrete recommendations in terms of policy and methodology;
• to initiate a community of practice among the key players of the Region

Click here to Download the official brochure

Further information can be found at : http://india.geres.eu/seminar.php

Summary and Motivation

Populations of high altitude mountains and cold desert areas of Asia face very harsh living conditions and are among the most vulnerable in the world. Physically isolated, marginalised, with limited access to natural resources, an important number of people still rely on traditional energy resources -mainly biomass- that sometimes lead to the deterioration of this fragile environment.

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