:: Delhi Greens ::

The North East Center for Environment Education & Research (NECEER), Imphal in association with Department of Biotechnology, Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi Greens and World Institute of Nature, Pune invite concerned citizens to the Enviro Lecture Series, a quarterly lecture series starting from September 2010 in Delhi. Academicians, scientists, researchers and experts/activists will deliver lectures on different issues of Environment and Biodiversity of the country especially with respect to Northeast India.

Northeast India is the most biodiversity rich region in the country and comprises eight states, viz. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. It occupies 7.7% of India’s total geographical area supporting 50% of the flora (approx 8000 species), of which 31.58% (approx 2526 species) is endemic. Due to this presence of large number of endangered and endemic species, the region is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot.

The region is yet to be explored thoroughly and efforts need to be made to  connect it with the rest of the country. Time has come to create a platform where Northeast India can showcase its diversity and for the rest of the country to know Northeast India. Enviro Lecture Series is thus one such initiative in the right direction. The lecture series will highlight the biodiversity richness of the region, characterize the ecotourism potential of the region and the spell out the threats due to the changing climate in the region. The participants will get an opportunity to know in details the mystical and enchanting land of Northeast India.

Know North East India

Date: 19th September, 2010 (Sunday)
Time: 10 am to 3 pm
Venue: Auditorium, Faculty of Engineering & Technology, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi

Registration Form | Last date of registration: 5th September 2010

• All participants will receive participation certificate and NECEER’s new publication BioDiverse.
• 100 participants will be selected for the September lecture (from registered candidates).

The topics for the September Lecture Series include Wildlife of NE India, Plant Diversity of NE India, GIS and RS in Wildlife Conservation, Biodiversity Conservation & Political instability in NE, Climate Change and Northeast India and Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity of NE.

For further information, contact: neceer.imp(at)gmail.com

Image courtesy NECEER

Previously on Delhi Greens:

• Save Loktak Lake Campaign Begins in Delhi and Imphal
• March 7th, 2010: Save Loktak Lake Campaign

India Cyclothon 2010 is a mass participation cycling event for professional, amateur and casual bikers. The event intends to promote the cause of cycling and its various benefits, namely heightened environment consciousness and health. BSA Hercules India Cyclothon is the only excuse you need to get up and go have fun on your bike!

Whether it’s traffic-free mass participation rides through our cities or cycling as a competitive sport to encourage excellence among the best in the country, Sport18’s India Cyclothon presents opportunities for elite and amateur cyclists, for beginners, children, families and even institutions to express their solidarity for a cause by saddling up and cycling in traffic-free mass participation rides in urban areas.

Date: Sunday, 29th August 2010

Venue: Free Church, Sansad Marg

Junior Ride: 07:30 hours
FICCI Corporate Ride 07:45 hours
Amateur Ride: 07:55 Hours
LG Green Ride: 08:10 Hours

Now in its third edition, after a successful run in Bengaluru (5867 attendants) and Mumbai (6271), the Cyclothon’s, as it is popularly called, Delhi leg is scheduled for Sunday, 29th August 2010. The event has four categories: LG Green Ride, FICCI Corporate Ride, FICCI Amateur Ride and Junior Ride.

The University Community for Democracy (UCD), an independent forum setup to speak out against the shrinking democratic space has initiating a relay hunger strike from 9 am to 9 pm, starting 12th August, 2010. This is taking place at  Arts Faculty Main gate (Opp. Science Faculty), North Campus. Each day there will be five people (teachers, students and researchers) who will be on a hunger strike, as well as many others who will sit in solidarity with them.

The UCD has been challenging a number of decisions taken by both Delhi University and the Delhi Government with regard to the Commonwealth Games 2010 for over a month now. The Forum is deeply concerned by the gross violations of rights that the city has witnessed in the name of the Games and condemns the irresponsible manner in which Delhi is being prepared for this mega- event.

For the organization of the CWG 2010 in October, the University of Delhi authorities has had the university hostels vacated for using as guest rooms during the Games. The hostels are now being renovated for the Games and are out of bound for students. This has caused immense worry and discomfort for the students, especially the girl candidates for whom its not just about finding alternate suitable accommodation but also their safety and security.

The issue is even more intense for the fact that the Games have come with a lot of controversy, scams and irresponsibility. There is no other bright side that we are now looking forward to. There is no pride left in sacrificing for the country for the success of the Games, for there is nothing left to feel proud of. On the contrary, the Games have become the most embarrassing international incidence for the country, that came just a week before India’s Independence Day.

Toxics Link and India International Centre (IIC) invite entries from green film makers for “Quotes from the Earth”, an environmental film festival. Its time again for green filmmakers to show that they care for the environment, want and will make a difference! The Environment Film Festival, 2010 will be held on 4th-5th Dec 2010 at India International Centre, New Delhi. The films should be in and around the environmental milieu and be able to bring to the fore a subject/issue/concern on it. The films should preferably be recent, however a film from the past not gained much public attention but deserves it is an amiss. Of the entries, the films to be screened will be selected by a panel that includes experts from the field.

Quotes from the earth is a discursive platform to highlight the environmental challenges at the national and international level through films which happen to be one of the most powerful medium of communication and discussion. Since 2004, “Quotes from the Earth” has been an attempt to highlight the environmental challenges faced by people not only in India but also at the international diaspora,with a focus on water, hunger, survival, climate change, livelihood and so forth. With a plethora of films screened and thematic discussions gathering eminent academicians, vibrant activists and dedicated filmmakers the focus of the film festival since its inception has been to generate awareness and it is strictly non-commercial.

Interested Film makers should in your entries with the completed application form latest by 1st of September 2010. For further information and to download the application form, click here to visit Quotes for the Earth 2010 website.

Previously on Delhi Greens:

• Quotes from the Earth 2008: Environmental Film Festival
  

Advit Foundation invites the citizens of Delhi and Gurgaon to come together and join hands in support of the carbon offsetting plantation programme carried out with the Delhi Metro near MG Road Metro Station, Gurgaon. The programme is meant to develop and enhance the green belt under the Gurgaon Metro track.

Date: 8th August, 2010 (Sunday)
Time: 8 am
Venue: MG Road Metro Station (in front of City Center Mall)

While the green cover of Delhi has reportedly enhanced in the past decade, rampant urbanization and urban sprawl in the satellite towns has led to a considerable decrease in number and diversity of trees there. However, in order to sustain a healthy NCR, it is critical to address this issue at the earliest and promote the development of city parks and forests in the NCR in line with the pace of green work in the NCT.

For more information and to participate, contact mathangi@advit.org or 9868202906.

The Ladakh Ecological Development Group (LEDeG) in collaboration with Bremen Overseas Research & Development Association (BORDA), Germany has been promoting environmental friendly Decentralised Renewable Energy Systems (DERES) for the past 20 years in the Western Himalayas. So far 57 Community-based Micro Hydro Power Units (CMHPU) have been installed by LEDeG in extreme and isolated mountainous regions.

Micro Hydro Power has tremendous potential to solve the rural electrication problems in India in a decentralized manner. However, at present not many organizations in India have the capacity and necessary skills for implementation, installation and management of community based Micro Hydro Power Units. LEDeG, in collaboration with Consortium of DEWATS Dissemination (CDD) Society, Bangalore and Bremen Overseas Research Development Association (BORDA), Germany, for the second time is organizing a 7 days residential training programme to transfer skills necessary for planning, implementation and management of community based micro hydro power units.

Date(s): 30th August 2010 to 5th September 2010
Venue: LEDeG Campus at Leh

The training aims at systematic transfer of knowledge and skills required for planning, implementation and management of successful community based Micro Hydro Power Units. The training involves lectures, presentations, practical workshops, and site visits. Medium of teaching is English though Hindi can be incorporated if necessary.

• Download Application Form
• LEDeG Brochure on the Training

Fees: The course fee is Rs. 12,000/- (Rupees Twelve Thousand only/-). The course fee includes the local travel expenses within Ladakh, accommodation, lunch, dinner, refreshments, and course materials. This does not include participants travel expenses to/ from the venue.

Last Date for Applying: 15th August, 2010

For further information, please contact:

Pranai Thapa
Project Coordinator for Renewable Energy Promotions
Ladakh Ecological Development Group Karzoo, Leh (Ladakh) – 194101
INDIA Phone:  +91. 1982. 253221 / 252284
E-mail: mail@ledeg.org, pranai@ledeg.org
Website: www.ledeg.org

Previously on Delhi Greens:

• International Training on Micro Hydro Power Units in Ladakh & Kargil

Studies over the last 60 years show an alarmingly high rate of coronary heart disease and premature heart disease among Indians. The trend was first observed in the late 1950s, but unfortunately little has been done since then to reverse it. We are now witnessing the spread of an epidemic across the South Asian region and India is right in the middle of it.

It is estimated that Indians are nearly four times more susceptible to heart attacks than Caucasians, with 25% of attacks happening to people under the age of 40, unheard of in other populations. Among urban Indians, incidence of heart problems is 12%, while it’s just 5% in the US, even though we know we’ve always known them to eat more “fast-food”!

So, what have we done to deserve this? Is it the lack of regular physical activity? Poor blood cholesterol levels? Stress? Poor eating habits? No body really knows. There are many possibilities. One of them could even be our genetic predisposition to heart diseases. Perhaps then, it is in our genes. However, one thing is for sure. Whatever it may be, the much more pronounced cases in urban India is surely a result of unhealthy living, exposure to pollution, stress at work in the paced up urban lifestyle and indulgence in bad habits like smoking, etc. All that is certainly aggravating the tendency of our body to fall ill and prey to this deadly disease. However still, we may be born with the problem, but we certainly do not have to live with it.

Apollo Hospitals and The Times of India have been running the Billion Hearts Beating campaign, in an attempt to raise awareness on the issue and motivate people to take the pledge for a healthy lifestyle. They’ve zeroed on seven risk factors which, if addressed, can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease – even reverse it! These are: Smoking, Cholesterol, Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Sedentary Lifestyle, Unhealthy eating, Stress. A majority of these are urban lifestyle induced problems that can be tackled with conscious attempts.

Thousands have taken the pledge and have vowed to exercise more, quit smoking, check what they eat and so on. A more progressive and healthy India is only possible with healthy individuals, all “good at heart”! Take the pledge! Click here so you can contribute better for India’s development.

Young Ecologists Talk & Interact (YETI) is a first-of-its-kind conference for students and researchers working in the discipline of ecology in India. YETI is unique in being organized entirely by student volunteers from across the country. The event is meant to serve as a friendly, inspiring platform for early-career ecologists to present and discuss their work, exchange ideas and strike up collaborations with contemporaries from across the country.

Following the success of first YETI last year, the 2010 YETI (Second Conference) is also being organized in Bangalore and it is hoped that the YETI conference will travel to other parts of the country.

Date of Conference: 5 – 7th October, 2010
Venue: Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore

Who can participate: Researchers pursuing a Ph.D./Masters degree/Post-Doc/working as project assistants or affiliates at institutions, universities, non-government and other organizations involved in ecological research across India are invited to participate in YETI by presenting their work either through talks, speed talk-cum-posters or posters. Anyone interested in ecology is also welcome to attend YETI.

Registration fees: Registered participants will be requested to pay a sum of Rs. 500/- at the venue during the event. Only outstation registered participants who are presenting their work at YETI will be provided accommodation free of cost.

Abstract submission deadline: 15th August, 2010.
Participation and registration deadline: 1st October, 2010.

Click here for futher details and to apply.

Though FOOD is a basic, integral part of our life by which we seek to keep ourselves alive, it is something that we hardly give any deep thought to – how is food being produced, by what technologies and with what implications, who is controlling decisions around food production and consumption with what reasons, what role can we play etc., are all questions that we hardly mull over! These are global questions faced by every person who lives on this Planet.

Are we walking into neatly laid traps where we cannot exercise democratic choices of knowing and deciding on what we are eating, how food will get produced and what food will get produced and how it will finally reach us? Is this trap a part of the profiteering plans of large multi-national corporations and are we willingly walking into the trap? Are “modern agricultural technologies” even able to sustain the lives of the millions of farmers feeding us and helping them stay alive? Are there no alternatives to the current ways of producing and consuming food?

Through a 3 day ‘Filmy Feast’ festival being hosted by the India Habitat Centre in collaboration with Youth for Safe Food, all concerned citizens are invited to get some food for thought! on the politics of food production and agri-technologies. You would also be able to meet experts on the subject and film makers during the film festival.

Date: 29th, 30th and 31st July, 2010
Time: 7 pm (two films slotted for screening each day evening)
Venue: India Habitat Center, Lodhi Road, New Delhi

Download: Filmy Feast Festival Invitation

Some of the emerging issues around Food include food safety, a citizen’s Right To Informed Choice and Right To Know what s/he is consuming which could be violated by the entry of technologies like Genetic Engineering in our food and farming systems.

Previously on Delhi Greens:

• Invite: Indian People Tribunal on GM and Bt Brinjal
• 30th January: A Nation wide Fast to Protect Our Food Sovereignty

The Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) invites applications for various posts for setting up the Project Preparation & Management Unit (PPMU) for the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA). The Ministry has already received Project Preparation Facility (PPF) from the World Bank in this regard for supporting preparation for the NGRBA.

Suitable candidates for the below mentioned designations will be selected for a period of five years, with a probation period of two years. All positions are based in New Delhi and higher salary will be considered for deserving candidates. Based on the response, suitable candidates will be shortlisted and called for an interview. The positions advertised for are as below:

1. Project Officer (Waste and Waste Water Management)

Educational Qualification: Degree in Civil/ Environmental Engineering, Master’s Degree preferable
Experience & Qualities: 12 years (if Bachelor’s) and 10 years (if Masters) experience in development and management of waste water infrastructure at progressively senior levels.
Salary (per month): Rs. 75,000/- Consolidated

2. Project Officer (Solid Waste Management)

Educational Qualifications: Degree in Civil/ Environmental Engineering, Master’s Degree preferable.
Experience & Qualities: 12 years (if Bachelor’s) and 10 years (if Masters) experience in development and management of solid waste management infrastructure at progressively senior levels.
Salary (per month): Rs. 75,000/- Consolidated

3. Communications Coordinator

Educational Qualification: Essential-Post Graduate in Public Relations/ Political Science. Desirable-Diploma Course in Mass Communication.
Experience & Qualities: 15 years of relevant experience in planning & executing National Communications, out of which 5 years in implementation of similar projects.
Salary (per month): Rs. 1,00,000/- Consolidated

Read the rest of this entry »