Dear Friends,
You are cordially invited for a talk by Dr. Dan Brockington, Visiting Fellow at ATREE, affiliated with Institute for Development Policy and Management, The University of Manchester, U.K. on "Powerful Evnironmentalisms. Celebrity, Conservation and Capitalism" as per the schedule below
Date: 14th March 08 (Friday)
Time: 4.30 pm
Venue: ATREE terrace
Rgds
Kalpana Prasanna
Human Resources Officer,ATREE
email:kalpana@atree.org
================================================================
Here's Dan to tell you about his talk
There is a growing phenomenon in conservation:its creation of, and alliances with celebrities.
It is not new but celebrities are becoming increasingly important for making conservation work. But they also affect the type of conservation supported and can quite fundamentally affect popular relationships with nature which have been the driving force of so much grass roots conservation work.
In this talk I explore the phenomenon of celebrity conservation movements.
I examine:
- the forces driving the celebrification of conservation, and the general proliferation of celebrity of which it is part,
- which celebrities are getting involved in conservation,
- how people win fame for their conservation activity, and
- the work of charismatic and powerful individuals who operate behind the ranks of the celebretariat.
I will then discuss the consequences of celebrity conservation, considering:
- the sort of world which celebrity endorsement and famous conservationists promote, and
- the longer term implications for conservation of relationships with nature which are mediated by celebrities.
I will also be showing never-before-seen pictures of Salman Khan, SRK, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Sting, Robert Redford, Amitabh Bachchan, Elle MacPherson and Colonel John Blashford-Snell.
But you can close your eyes when I do.
You can contact Dr Dan Brockington at the address mentioned below:
Institute for Development Policy and Management,
School of Environment and Development,
Arthur Lewis Building,
The University of Manchester,
Oxford Road,Manchester,
M13 9PL, United Kingdom
http://www.sed.manchester.ac.uk/idpm/staff/brockington_daniel.htm
email: daniel.brockington@manchester.ac.uk
Phone: +44 161 275 3233
Fax: +44-161-275-0421
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
Orchids of the North East
Orchids of the North East, this is the topic of Dr Shashidhar Sastry's exciting new book.
Here,we share with you some lovely photographs taken by him.
Noble Dendrobium
Dendrobium nobile
It is one of the most popular and colorful Dendrobiums of the north east. It is found in eastern Himalayas, Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland and Sikkim. This beautiful orchid can also be seen in Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand and Myanmar.
Fragrant flowers arise from upper nodes of canes, either with leaves or devoid of leaves.The flowers are about 3 inches in width and are arranged in groups of 2-3. Typically, the flowers have white petals tinged with mauve or rose at the tips and maroon in the central parts.
The plants thrive well in cool and dry conditions.Waterlogging and excessive use of fertilizers must be avoided.
Nun’s Orchid
Phaius tankervilleae (Aiton)Bl.
It is a large terrestrial orchid with palm like leaves. The inflorescence is almost three feet tall. The flowers are fragrant and bloom sequentially in attractive colour combinations, often with a pinkish tinge at the tip of each petal.
The plant grows well in places with plenty of shade and adequate moisture.
Paphiopedilum insigne (Lindl.)Pfitz.
Areas in North East India, Bangladesh and Nepal that are.rich in organic litter or have limestone outcrops are places where you can see this plant thriving.
It is a small to medium sized, orchid. The flowers have a shiny, waxy appearance with undulating petals and a slipper shaped lip that looks very attractive.
This plant flowers in winter, often with a single flower and sometimes even two and thrives on organically enriched soil.This species is widely used to produce hybrids.
Paphiopedilum villosum (Lindl.) Pfitz
This unusual orchid is found in Assam and Meghalaya in the north-east. Outside India, the plant can be seen growing well in Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
This orchid is best described as a terrestrial ‘paph’ with leaves that are linear, with green and purple spots near the base. The flowers are large, long, terminal and colored an interesting mix of green, yellow, crimson and orange shades.
The plant flowers in winter and thrives in soil that is enriched with humus. It grows well in regions with high rainfall.
Paphiopedilum fairreanum (Lindl) Stein.
You can see this orchid growing well by the edge of river banks as small clumps in soils rich in humus or in limestone outcrops in the eastern Himalayas and Bhutan.
This orchid is one of the green leaved ‘paphs’ and is named after Fairrie in Liverpool, England.
Solitary flowers, striking in appearance,with dorsal sepals that have lines and netting and a lip that is green and violet with purple veins are the distinguishing features of this orchid.
Farmer's Dendrobium
Dendrobium farmerii
It is a pendulous epiphyte.The pseudobulb is four angled with three to four leaves at the apex. The dense, cylindrical racemose inflorescence, often 15-20 cm long, with a bunch of twenty to thirty flowers arising from the node of canes look striking. Flowers last for a short period and the plants flower best after a long spell of dry weather. This lovely orchid is found in the eastern Himalayas,Assam,Manipur, Khasi and Naga hills.
Shoe-Lip Dendrobium
Dendrobium crepidatum Lindl & Paxt
It's generally found in Eastern Himalayas and north east India, especially, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur. The orchid can also be seen growing well in China, Bangladesh, Myanmar,Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.
This is a beautiful epiphyte, at times pendant, with long lasting, mildly fragrant, purple flowers, arranged in bunches of one to four. The orchid grows well at elevations of 500 to 2000 metres.
Text and Photocredits: Dr. K. Shashidhar Sastry
If you would like to know more about orchids of the north-east, you can write to him at the address mentioned below:
Dr.K.S.Shashidhar, IFS,
Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden,
Nagaland Forest Department
Forest Colony, Dimapur, Nagaland - 797 112
or email him at kss70@hotmail.com
Note: The images published here may not be used either for personal or commercial use without the written consent of Dr K.S.Shashidhar
Here,we share with you some lovely photographs taken by him.
Noble Dendrobium
Dendrobium nobile
It is one of the most popular and colorful Dendrobiums of the north east. It is found in eastern Himalayas, Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland and Sikkim. This beautiful orchid can also be seen in Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand and Myanmar.
Fragrant flowers arise from upper nodes of canes, either with leaves or devoid of leaves.The flowers are about 3 inches in width and are arranged in groups of 2-3. Typically, the flowers have white petals tinged with mauve or rose at the tips and maroon in the central parts.
The plants thrive well in cool and dry conditions.Waterlogging and excessive use of fertilizers must be avoided.
Nun’s Orchid
Phaius tankervilleae (Aiton)Bl.
It is a large terrestrial orchid with palm like leaves. The inflorescence is almost three feet tall. The flowers are fragrant and bloom sequentially in attractive colour combinations, often with a pinkish tinge at the tip of each petal.
The plant grows well in places with plenty of shade and adequate moisture.
Paphiopedilum insigne (Lindl.)Pfitz.
Areas in North East India, Bangladesh and Nepal that are.rich in organic litter or have limestone outcrops are places where you can see this plant thriving.
It is a small to medium sized, orchid. The flowers have a shiny, waxy appearance with undulating petals and a slipper shaped lip that looks very attractive.
This plant flowers in winter, often with a single flower and sometimes even two and thrives on organically enriched soil.This species is widely used to produce hybrids.
Paphiopedilum villosum (Lindl.) Pfitz
This unusual orchid is found in Assam and Meghalaya in the north-east. Outside India, the plant can be seen growing well in Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
This orchid is best described as a terrestrial ‘paph’ with leaves that are linear, with green and purple spots near the base. The flowers are large, long, terminal and colored an interesting mix of green, yellow, crimson and orange shades.
The plant flowers in winter and thrives in soil that is enriched with humus. It grows well in regions with high rainfall.
Paphiopedilum fairreanum (Lindl) Stein.
You can see this orchid growing well by the edge of river banks as small clumps in soils rich in humus or in limestone outcrops in the eastern Himalayas and Bhutan.
This orchid is one of the green leaved ‘paphs’ and is named after Fairrie in Liverpool, England.
Solitary flowers, striking in appearance,with dorsal sepals that have lines and netting and a lip that is green and violet with purple veins are the distinguishing features of this orchid.
Farmer's Dendrobium
Dendrobium farmerii
It is a pendulous epiphyte.The pseudobulb is four angled with three to four leaves at the apex. The dense, cylindrical racemose inflorescence, often 15-20 cm long, with a bunch of twenty to thirty flowers arising from the node of canes look striking. Flowers last for a short period and the plants flower best after a long spell of dry weather. This lovely orchid is found in the eastern Himalayas,Assam,Manipur, Khasi and Naga hills.
Shoe-Lip Dendrobium
Dendrobium crepidatum Lindl & Paxt
It's generally found in Eastern Himalayas and north east India, especially, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur. The orchid can also be seen growing well in China, Bangladesh, Myanmar,Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.
This is a beautiful epiphyte, at times pendant, with long lasting, mildly fragrant, purple flowers, arranged in bunches of one to four. The orchid grows well at elevations of 500 to 2000 metres.
Text and Photocredits: Dr. K. Shashidhar Sastry
If you would like to know more about orchids of the north-east, you can write to him at the address mentioned below:
Dr.K.S.Shashidhar, IFS,
Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden,
Nagaland Forest Department
Forest Colony, Dimapur, Nagaland - 797 112
or email him at kss70@hotmail.com
Note: The images published here may not be used either for personal or commercial use without the written consent of Dr K.S.Shashidhar
Friday, February 15, 2008
Are India's biodiversity laws too restrictive?
Dr Priyadarsanan Dharma Rajan believes so.
Check out this link for more details:
http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=4218&language=1
Check out this link for more details:
http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=4218&language=1
Saturday, December 8, 2007
UN Climate Change Conference - Dec 3rd -14th
Access the video archive here at: http://www.un.org/webcast/unfccc/2007/index.asp
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
4th ICEE Concludes with Ahmedabad Declaration
The 4th International Conference on Environmental Education for Sustainable Development concluded last week with a dynamic Declaration that was painstakingly crafted by a core team that worked very hard, spending sleepless nights, crafting the draft. You can read the Ahmedabad Declaration here at http://www.tbilisiplus30.org/Declaration.pdf.
The participants from different working sessions got together to draft a set of recommendations. All the recommendations made by different working groups will be published as a book.
Presentations made by some of the speakers during the plenary sessions and other sessions are available here at: http://www.tbilisiplus30.org/Speaker%20ppt.html.
The conference had nearly 1200 participants from 80 countries.
The participants from different working sessions got together to draft a set of recommendations. All the recommendations made by different working groups will be published as a book.
Presentations made by some of the speakers during the plenary sessions and other sessions are available here at: http://www.tbilisiplus30.org/Speaker%20ppt.html.
The conference had nearly 1200 participants from 80 countries.
Eco-Informatics Centre carries out a study on biodiversity awareness in Bangalore Schools
The Eco-Informatics Centre carried out a study on Biodiversity awareness in Bangalore schools and presented the findings at the 4th International Conference on Environmental Education for Sustainable Development. The presentation was made in the Working Session titled, 'Teacher Education: A Crucial Contribution to the UNDESD' that was jointly coordinated by Prof Charles Hopkins and Dr M J Ravindranath.
The study had 118 teachers and 223 students participating
The Study revealed that:
50% of teachers were interested in learning & using creative techniques for EE
75% of teachers not familiar with India specific EE & biodiversity related resources online
53% of students found environment science interesting but 47% of students found EVS boring, difficult or not fun to learn
The study had 118 teachers and 223 students participating
The Study revealed that:
50% of teachers were interested in learning & using creative techniques for EE
75% of teachers not familiar with India specific EE & biodiversity related resources online
53% of students found environment science interesting but 47% of students found EVS boring, difficult or not fun to learn
Friday, November 16, 2007
Research Position: Tsunami Modeling
Suitable candidates with very high research motivation in the field of tsunami modeling are invited to attend the Walk-in-interview along with their CV and supportive certificates on 23rd November 2007 at 9:30 AM in the Department of Applied Geology, Guindy Campus (Opp: to Gandhi Mandapam), University of Madras, Chennai.
The post is a temporary position (up to March 2008) in the Ministry of Earth Sciences funded research project entitled “Establishment of National Early Warning System for Tsunami & Storm Surges in Indian Ocean” .
Selected candidates need to undertake fieldwork along coastal areas of India.
No TA/DA will be given for attending the interview.
For more details please contact:
Dr. R. R. Krishnamurthy
Senior Lecturer in Applied Geology
Scientific Officer to the Vice-Chancellor &
Adjunct Faculty in Center for Ocean and Coastal Studies
University of Madras
Post Bag # 5327, Chennai 600 025
Tel: 0091-44-22531786
email:rrkrishnamurthy@gmail.com
Fax: 0091-44-24961561 (or) 22352870
Mobile: (91) 9840123142
TRINet: Tsunami Rehab Information Network
www.trinet.in
The post is a temporary position (up to March 2008) in the Ministry of Earth Sciences funded research project entitled “Establishment of National Early Warning System for Tsunami & Storm Surges in Indian Ocean” .
Selected candidates need to undertake fieldwork along coastal areas of India.
No TA/DA will be given for attending the interview.
For more details please contact:
Dr. R. R. Krishnamurthy
Senior Lecturer in Applied Geology
Scientific Officer to the Vice-Chancellor &
Adjunct Faculty in Center for Ocean and Coastal Studies
University of Madras
Post Bag # 5327, Chennai 600 025
Tel: 0091-44-22531786
email:rrkrishnamurthy@gmail.com
Fax: 0091-44-24961561 (or) 22352870
Mobile: (91) 9840123142
TRINet: Tsunami Rehab Information Network
www.trinet.in
Get to Interact With Dr Ramaswamy R Iyer on Nov 21st
Dear Friends,
Arghyam cordially invites you for an interaction session with Dr. Ramaswamy R Iyer where he will talk about his new book "Towards Water Wisdom - Limits, Justice, Harmony" on November 21st, 2007.
The Event Schedule and Venue are as follows:
Time: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Tea : 4:30 - 5:00pm
Talk : 5:00 – 5:30pm
Interaction: 5:30 - 6:30pm
Venue: The Aeronautical Society of India, Suranjandas Road, Opp: HAL Engine Division,
New Tippasandra Post, Off Old Madras Road,
Behind Fuscos School, Bangalore: 560075
Ph: 080 25297159
RSVP is mandatory. Kindly RSVP to Nirmala at (080) 41698941-42 or nirmala@arghyam.org.
Regards,
Sunita Nadhamuni
CEO, Arghyam
Bangalore
Enough water, safe water....always and for all
Mobile: 09343718064 / Office: (080) 41698941/42
Email: sunita@arghyam.org, info@arghyam.org
Websites: www.arghyam.org, www.indiawaterportal.org
Here are some details about the book:
Towards Water Wisdom - Limits, Justice, Harmony
Authored by: Ramaswamy R Iyer
Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi
________________________________________
Description:
There is a widespread view that a water crisis is looming. Towards Water Wisdom: Limits, Justice, Harmony stresses the need for an urgent and radical transformation of our thinking on water management. The first section evaluates the water scene in India, redefining the projected crisis as one of mismanagement more than scarcity. It calls for a shift from supply-side engineering to restraining the increase in demand, for conservation and more equitable management.
The second and third sections deal with water-related conflict, including detailed discussions of the Indus Treaty, Baglihar, the Cauvery disputes and rehabilitation problems in the Narmada Valley. Conflicting rights are juxtaposed: the fundamental right to water, contractual rights of corporations, economic use rights of irrigators and industries, the advocacy of property rights by the World Bank, and neoliberal economists. The analysis points to the emergence of water markets.
The fourth section examines the inadequacies of water laws and policies and the changes that are necessary. The fifth section presents national water concerns in other South Asian countries. At the international/global level, it deconstructs several notions and prescriptions currently in vogue, and takes note of significant new thinking. Finally, the author widens the perspective beyond water to the total system of which it is a part, and draws attention to a dynamic world scenario that makes a change in our thinking imperative.
Reviews:• This authoritative and timely book will help to replace heat with light in dealing with water issues…this extraordinarily valuable contribution will make a significant impact on contemporary discussions on water conflicts. - M.S. Swaminathan
• The author must be congratulated for integrating the various issues under the important phrase in the title, [Towards] Water Wisdom, based on fundamental ethical principles of human dignity and equality, of water being a common good and participation by all concerned in its management. - M.G.K. Menon
• This book stresses the need for an urgent and radical transformation of our thinking on water management.
(e Social Science www.esocialsciences.com/booksinfo/bookdetails.asp?bookid=32 )
• Towards Water Wisdom makes a fervent plea for an urgent and radical transformation of our thinking on water. The author redefines the projected water crisis as one of mismanagement rather than scarcity, and calls for a more equitable, harmonious and sustainable management of the resource - Water Digest, Aug 15, 2007
• This is not a book therefore that has neat solutions to a massive global challenge of which the water crisis is only a part. Indeed its purpose is to convey a complexity that eludes easy solutions. According to the author, development can theoretically at least be informed by sanity, balance and wisdom; technology too could be benign. But can this transformation take place in a world where the challenge of environmental protection is global, but where any plan of action must tie together initiatives from the community upwards? - The Hindu, Tuesday, Sep 25, 2007
Arghyam cordially invites you for an interaction session with Dr. Ramaswamy R Iyer where he will talk about his new book "Towards Water Wisdom - Limits, Justice, Harmony" on November 21st, 2007.
The Event Schedule and Venue are as follows:
Time: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Tea : 4:30 - 5:00pm
Talk : 5:00 – 5:30pm
Interaction: 5:30 - 6:30pm
Venue: The Aeronautical Society of India, Suranjandas Road, Opp: HAL Engine Division,
New Tippasandra Post, Off Old Madras Road,
Behind Fuscos School, Bangalore: 560075
Ph: 080 25297159
RSVP is mandatory. Kindly RSVP to Nirmala at (080) 41698941-42 or nirmala@arghyam.org.
Regards,
Sunita Nadhamuni
CEO, Arghyam
Bangalore
Enough water, safe water....always and for all
Mobile: 09343718064 / Office: (080) 41698941/42
Email: sunita@arghyam.org, info@arghyam.org
Websites: www.arghyam.org, www.indiawaterportal.org
Here are some details about the book:
Towards Water Wisdom - Limits, Justice, Harmony
Authored by: Ramaswamy R Iyer
Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi
________________________________________
Description:
There is a widespread view that a water crisis is looming. Towards Water Wisdom: Limits, Justice, Harmony stresses the need for an urgent and radical transformation of our thinking on water management. The first section evaluates the water scene in India, redefining the projected crisis as one of mismanagement more than scarcity. It calls for a shift from supply-side engineering to restraining the increase in demand, for conservation and more equitable management.
The second and third sections deal with water-related conflict, including detailed discussions of the Indus Treaty, Baglihar, the Cauvery disputes and rehabilitation problems in the Narmada Valley. Conflicting rights are juxtaposed: the fundamental right to water, contractual rights of corporations, economic use rights of irrigators and industries, the advocacy of property rights by the World Bank, and neoliberal economists. The analysis points to the emergence of water markets.
The fourth section examines the inadequacies of water laws and policies and the changes that are necessary. The fifth section presents national water concerns in other South Asian countries. At the international/global level, it deconstructs several notions and prescriptions currently in vogue, and takes note of significant new thinking. Finally, the author widens the perspective beyond water to the total system of which it is a part, and draws attention to a dynamic world scenario that makes a change in our thinking imperative.
Reviews:• This authoritative and timely book will help to replace heat with light in dealing with water issues…this extraordinarily valuable contribution will make a significant impact on contemporary discussions on water conflicts. - M.S. Swaminathan
• The author must be congratulated for integrating the various issues under the important phrase in the title, [Towards] Water Wisdom, based on fundamental ethical principles of human dignity and equality, of water being a common good and participation by all concerned in its management. - M.G.K. Menon
• This book stresses the need for an urgent and radical transformation of our thinking on water management.
(e Social Science www.esocialsciences.com/booksinfo/bookdetails.asp?bookid=32 )
• Towards Water Wisdom makes a fervent plea for an urgent and radical transformation of our thinking on water. The author redefines the projected water crisis as one of mismanagement rather than scarcity, and calls for a more equitable, harmonious and sustainable management of the resource - Water Digest, Aug 15, 2007
• This is not a book therefore that has neat solutions to a massive global challenge of which the water crisis is only a part. Indeed its purpose is to convey a complexity that eludes easy solutions. According to the author, development can theoretically at least be informed by sanity, balance and wisdom; technology too could be benign. But can this transformation take place in a world where the challenge of environmental protection is global, but where any plan of action must tie together initiatives from the community upwards? - The Hindu, Tuesday, Sep 25, 2007
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