Conservation: Our Urban Footprints

 Exploratory Zeal or Human Greed 

Being an extremely mobile species with intelligence and thought we have explored and invaded every nook and corner of the World. Unfortunately our thoughts and intelligent approach as been vitiated and overpowered by greed and lust. Animal Kingdom does not understand these vitriolic virtues because it cannot think beyond the existential limits set for it by nature. We humans appear as aliens with no existential fear, and thus hell-bent upon the destruction of nature. Are we eventually planning to settle in colonies on other planets or will our actions lead to the imperative? This may be yet unclear, but our escape from Earth is definite...perhaps much before the expiry of the Sun.      

We have not been killed by curiosity rather we have been murdered and plundered due to it. Our greed does know no end, and our desire to amass is unique to us in this animal kingdom. We run after comfort and material wealth, and now automation all this has come about through the exploitation of finite natural resources chiefly minerals and fossil fuels. 

Not a Rat Race this It is Human Madness 

There is a weak effort to contain and balance the carbon emissions and the resultant pollution. Alternate energy perhaps would fetch redemption one day.  Global warming is spreading like wildfire and so is the pandemic. It is free for all in absence of pragmatic World order. The quasi-governmental bodies on a global scale are an abject failure or at best existing for their namesake. The impact of various pacts between Nations is not very productive and the energy consumption is on a disastrous scale. This is not a rat race, on the contrary, an example of extreme human madness, we should stop maligning creature which lives within the biological limits set by nature.    

We are not lacking in desire to preserve the globe and prevent further extinction including that of the human species. We are just entangled in a race for destruction within and a callous approach that time and again rings a bell that everything is not okay. In order to outdo each other, we are taking steps in spite of constraints. Nuclear proliferation is one fine example.  Destruction of nature is more internecine than the threat of a nuclear war which so far has been easily constrained due to fear of retaliation. 

Understanding extinction requires an understanding of many facets of life since nature does not retaliate like in the case of nuclear war rather it becomes ineffective and incapable of supporting life. This will become a reality if we continue to damage life-supporting systems.  

In countries like India, it was the indiscriminate land use pattern that destroyed precious ecosystems. The agricultural expansion though with good intent has destroyed millions of square miles of natural land that had remained untouched besides the early human encroachment which was severely restrictive. Commercial farming and wood logging the World over is proving to be disastrous but go on unabated destroying our green lungs. It is the main reason for species extinction on a global scale. 

From hunters, we turned hunter-gatherers and then nomadic pastorals before settling down as agrarian communities. We saw another World order as industrialization became the mainstay of our economies. The last two phases have been instrumental in damaging the Earth the most. But the destruction continues unabated with equal vigor in the contemporary era. Now urbanization in remote areas has become imperative. 

Expanding Urban Footprint

The linear movement of humanity has been most invasive thanks to recent technological developments and the race for a wealthier status not only among the elites but for the masses as well. We have been reckless in pursuing our objectives totally neglecting the impact our actions carried forward. Prime ecosystems and niche habitats have been pounded by hammer persistently. 

Romantic Illusions 

This coexistence of humans in conformity with nature is at best a romantic illusion. India being an old civilization we dwell in many such romantic illusions at times adulterating the pragmatic approach. The crux of this article is to change our approach as regards infrastructure development and agrarian practices and thus stem the rot. 

Whence polluting industries are discouraged regarding the procurement of extensive, land the resistance is simply a threat perception that it could unsettle traditional economic practices existing for centuries, but in severely degraded land with no muscle for regeneration industries provide a better option for economic revival dying agrarian practices. This is applicable in overpopulated and poor countries like India. Why this is being advocated as an alternative? This question arises as we have severely eroded most of our natural lands, and the ecology is damaged beyond repair in such places...there is no choice.   

Containing Urbanization to Save The Tiger         

We are living in a country that was introduced to sound conservation ethos, and that played a vital role in the preservation of whatever remains. But there is a conflict that prevails. Can we regenerate severely damaged ecosystems in urban areas? or Lend them to Industry while greater importance is accorded to intact ecosystems. This approach will certainly prevent the extinction of key species including the tiger. 

Tiger

This big cat is highly sensitive to its environment and human intrusion, like few other species. An unwarranted change in the food chain, human intrusions, and invasions, the virulent epidemics can lead to a certain extinction of the big cat. Animals like the swamp deer are highly susceptible to habitat change and human intrusions as well. And we have seen this happen. Most of the species on Earth need a human-less environment and we should respect this by staying away from sensitive ecosystems. Over or unsustainable fishing is one example of how we are eroding aquatic ecosystems amid terrible food shortages. 

Protective Area Concept  

The protective area concept is proven to be a boon for species survival, especially the inviolate areas. Wildlife conservationists or environmentalists should study how efficiently this is being managed in India. The species are being protected and are breeding well besides the benefit of regulated tourism is raising the local economy in a commendable manner.  Local sentinels play a key role in the protection of the species and income from inheritance is most welcomed. The tiger reserves have set a fine example where tourism income from the park is fetching revenue for conservation and benefiting the local communities immensely.    

But PAs can be susceptible to human greed and political infringement. Some politicians are least sensitive to environmental concerns due to greed for a vote and thus register policies that please the vote bank. These islands created in India are heaven for sensitive species as resource banks. The day PAs are de-notified it will be disastrous. Many among the political setups are totally oblivious of environmental concerns and this can happen whence they come to rule the roost. The perception is not chimerical mind you!          

But can we release more land for the predator's survival?  

This is a testing proposition, especially for the dispensations that come at the helm from time to time. Dense human populations are a major threat to the environment, unfortunately, they can also destabilize ruling dispensations. Need I say more...     

If we have to prevent further extinction in the country we have to measure the impact of every step forward. Micro-urbanization is a major threat since most of the remaining ecosystems thrive in remote, less populated places. But changes are inevitable in economic practices in this age. But can we create an eco-friendly industry, encourage local craftsmanship, and instill an eco-friendly residential design and architecture. Even minor forest produce can be productive outside the PAs in the periphery.  

Rabid urbanization is difficult to control in towns and major cities but in the case of remote settlements, we should seriously consider the ecological impact of infrastructure development. There has to be a plan in place that differentiates action plans for places on basis of their ecological importance. There exists no such necessary segregation as far as I know.    

We cannot develop using a single linear approach, alternatives indigenous perhaps, and setting up limitations in the outer rings is the possible answer. This is being actively under consideration in India, and some steps have already been implemented.  Let us hope we will witness better implementation during our lifetime and leave enough of these islands to provide us with fresh air, water, and natural foods for our progeny. Biodiversity is essential for our survival least we forget. !       

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Uday Works as Freelance Naturalist and Blogs on conservation, tigers, and environmental issues.

He also provides SEO and Website Content in English. He teaches Digital Marketing in Jabalpur in summer.

He can be contacted at:

Mail: pateluday90@hotmail.com
 Mob: 09755089323

             

Conservation : Lets Begin Counting Environmental Assets

Nature Conservation & Infrastructure Development  

This was an area of least concern even during Asoka's reign. He set rules and deep compassion was expressed in order to prevent mis-utilization of our environmental assets may be on ideological grounds but nevertheless. 

Nature worship or the veneration of living and nonliving entities in this country was not because of misplaced logic  - Nature is God's creation. Even Vedas preached nature conservation albeit much on rational grounds, though many fail to recognize these journals based on scientific logic with social and ideological inclinations. These are a gift from our ancestors who explored the correct pathways for our existence on Earth.  

The Vedas set conservation ethos rolling in this country and so did the practice of Hinduism a nature centrist ecosystem of beliefs that is the heart and soul of the believers. The conservation ethos set during earlier times reflects on our character subtly but is most needed now after the devastating ravage that happened in the last few centuries more so in recent times.        

Contingency prevails like never before in India, with the emergence of new socioeconomic order that is hell-bent on relentless infrastructure development a phenomenon that strips natural lands (remaining) till they are barren nonliving entities with scarred faces. Unproductive elements spew venom and are life-threatening. The lost equilibrium could take decades to rejuvenate if so desired. 

For us, the definition of an environmental asset is limited to major chunks of forests in the shape of National Parks, tiger reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries. Paradoxically though created on the right grounds they tend to limit our vision as well. But we must get rid of myopia and consider wastelands, scrub and thorn forests, deserts, wetlands, niche ecosystems, and grasslands all as productive. These too comprise of living and nonliving entities and are extremely valuable assets. The size or span is inconsequential, but we must consider them as valuable units and thus tend to preserve them. Yes, even the wild floral patch and a pool in your confines. 

But staying aloof does not exonerate the common man since we should act as pressure groups or prevent damage to such entities in our confines. Conservation onus should not be seen as that of dispensations alone...we are equally responsible. Urbanization is the greatest threat, and we do not peek into the damage an irresponsible approach does to the land. We are part of these projects directly or indirectly and we can ameliorate them. Voicing your opinion in any form except violence is an imperative that every citizen should follow. Though the legislation is passed in the assemblies we must set the corrective pathways in motion in order to influence proper decisions. In a democracy casting votes is not enough right to speak up and criticize without resorting to sedition is within our legal framework.       

For ruling dispensations that come and go infrastructure development is the key to remaining in power in the guise of easing life, and alleviating poverty thus offering a better standard of living howsoever artificial. Our greatest environmental assets are not limited to protected areas and biosphere reserves they are everywhere big and small. But we fail to recognize them as an entity, and thus weaken pressure to be imposed in order to prevent damage before the axe strikes.   

In this new order much influenced by the Western growth paradigm, we fail to recognize the irreversible instance of loss of nature that has evolved since life became feasible on Earth. We are mired in an irreversible development process that has taken an evolutionary impetus at the behest of man.    

This criticism is difficult to withhold since infrastructure development albeit inimical to nature in most cases is a must for civilizations aiming to achieve economic prosperity and modern living of comfort and haste. 

The world cannot come to a stop and we cannot continue to live in a stone age. But with human evolution, we continue to change for the better, especially in the growth of our mental faculties. Unfortunately, the latter has not helped us much in moving forward without damage to the precious resources and ecosystems on Earth. On the contrary, we are shooting past every yardstick in expressive haste without looking back to notice the spoils left behind. The continuing extinctions on Earth is vindictive. 

Only phenomenon like global warming has put some of us on alert but then who cares besides laying down principals that aim at stopping further disaster. It may have set the ball rolling but do we have to wait for an anomaly to strike before we set systems in motion to prevent further deterioration. This would mean it is too late. This also means catastrophe in making and that Armageddon is real. Our style of functioning has made the threat of major conflicts a reality and we have stored enough nuclear arsenal to blow us all to smithereens. Pandemics are threats that are in existence because of our follies. 

              

Perhaps we could begin with rationalizing infrastructural development and see obstacles not as imperatives to be removed or stripped but more so as inviolate. We have already implemented this in practice with the initiation of tiger conservation and the setting up of protected areas in the country. We are far ahead of civilizations that are devoid of conservation literature or ideological leaning on the preservation of life and the environment as a whole. 

A Nation that zealously venerates cows not only on grounds of compassion but also for their economic rewards past and present should apply the same logic to all environmental assets and label them as inviolate. Maneuvering will certainly become the tough and quick answers to our development goals may be thwarted but then we will move the right way.  The aim should be to avoid damage to the assets and find ways of forward movement the right way. If we do not future generations are sure to pay the price for our folly. To some especially in the ruling fraternity, this protectionism may sound illogical but if we do take the difficult road to development we will be building structures, not at the cost of our fragile ecosystems, and setting an example for the World to follow.     

Uday Works as Freelance Naturalist and Blogs on conservation, tigers, and environmental issues.

He also provides SEO and Website Content in English.

He can be contacted at:

Mail: pateluday90@hotmail.com
 Mob: 09755089323

                    

Rewildling India an Aid to Heal Nature

Whence Project Tiger was launched the majestic beast came to life for sooner or later it would be a success. It has worked, and the population of tigers in India is rising albeit gradually. But in between lot is happening that is discouraging to the conservationists and the well-wishers of the environment.  

After years of degradation of our ecosystems primarily for resources, a contingency has arisen. The battered systems are being subject to an irrevocable degraded status. The demand for timber, burgeoning settlements, and clearance for agriculture besides the biotic pressure created by ever-growing livestock has wreaked havoc on our ecosystems since population increase has skyrocketed in India. Now as the new paradigm sets in the 21st Century the development mantra of ever-changing ruling dispensations in the Center and State is challenging the stabilization that had taken place in the last few decades.         

The urgency to suddenly become a developed state with an ever-rising and robust economy is throwing caution to the winds. Even in spite of the successful tiger conservation program at the helm, the changing population dynamics of big cats are asking for more land in the tiger reserves. This idea of man-animal coexistence in the buffer is at best chimerical. The rising instances of man-animal conflict narrate a sordid saga of failed land management in the country. 

In an overpopulated country like India with most of the population living under impoverished circumstances, development urgency can be understood. But then what are we going to achieve by subjecting the precious ecosystems to denudation, and ill-planned developmental practices like stripping off land to make way for facilitating linear development that cuts through our forests and changes the flow of our rivers. Without any ecological studies to justify the present and future impact on the environment and the well-being of the ecosystem as a whole we are certainly heading for a disaster.   

Since the turn of this century, development goals are being conceived and shaped keeping the Western Scale as a model. But is this going to work, is the haste sustainable? When it comes to engineering precious natural lands to make way for urbanization, dams, factories, roads, and highways we are throwing caution to the wind, and the warnings by ecologists are shunned as a cry wolf syndrome. The legal framework too somehow bends in favor of allowing the disastrous structural changes on some rationale or another.                

If we look at the long-term scenario not much is going to change irrespective of who is at the helm of governance. The voices promoting caution, rising protests, and warnings eventually drown in the rising crescendo of an economic revolution that the country is seeking since independence.

Before the roar turns into a whimper we should be searching for alternatives that can be promoted as people's initiatives perhaps supported by the NGOs and other concerned organizations.      

In rewilding lies the answer using endemic floral and fauna. This is easier said than done taking into account the pressures on land and the complexities of living systems that support the preservation and conservation of species on Earth. This should come about with the repair of degraded ecosystems by planting endemic floral elements and rejuvenating wildlife by conserving or reintroducing locally extinct life forms. 

As a matter of fact, this is what our PAs or protected areas are doing quite successfully. But as regards Government initiatives there is a limit thanks to the populist nature of our democracy. Initiatives outside the PAs will never take birth or even if they do the half heart implementation will not benefit the degraded and fragile ecosystems. This is not entirely true here the discussion is about enhancing public participation not unduly criticize the Governmental initiatives. 

Plantation has been carried out on large scale in the country and the change from creating mono-cultures like in the past to stress upon endemic species is definitely encouraging. The translocation of wild species from places of reasonable abundance to other destinations in order to reestablish extinct populations or to balance scarce populations in order to boost breeding has been done by the administration quite successfully. These rewilding initiatives have come about as a silver lining in the clouds but much is to desire. How we come out of the stone age and yet retain and sustain our resources is a matter that needs dire attention. This would require the ruling dispensations to be more attentive to public discourse on environmental matters. This would help extricate us from a clueless and disastrous developmental approach that would not be sustainable and harm our environment in totality. I am not talking here about committee members most of whom are yes Sir people in it for name, fame, and associated privileges. India does not lack apolitical, committed conservationists and people conscious of sustainable practices that would preserve our ecosystems for eternity and prevent environmental degradation.         

We will have to curb our commercial instincts which like most Nations are at their peak. Licensing for extreme commercial gains irrationally without any study is against the principle of rational utilization of crucial resources. Unchecked and ill-planned activities like mining, and exploitation of fossil fuels like oil and coal will be disastrous and we are already paying a price due to resultant global warming. 

Public participation is the crux of alternative conservation practices. In India, there are individuals and NGOs who have already laid fine examples of what we as people can do albeit in a limited manner. 

In India, a section of bureaucracy works in complete isolation and even has a discretionary attitude towards the public. This could be described as a colonial approach that long after independence still persists. We as a people should be part of our policies shaping the country and insuring safeguards that would make life much more secure and contended for our future generations.         

India is a wise old country in the last five thousand years or more we have ingrained lot many virtues thanks to Vedic civilization and one of them is conservation ethos. In our blind rush for wealth, we should not sacrifice the principles valued by our sages and wise men. There is hope for there is within every India still present the Vedic ethos.  Earth! Water! Fire! Long Live India!               

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Uday Works as Freelance Naturalist and Blogs on conservation, tigers, and environmental issues. 

He also provides SEO and Website Content in English.

Uday Teaches Internet Marketing Classes in his hometown in Jabalpur in Summer.  

He can be contacted at: 

pateluday90@hotmail.com

                    

Ecosystem Development: Saving The Sink Population of Tigers

Tiger conservation in India has expanded beyond the perspective of protected areas. Though PAs with inviolate space dedicated to other life forms are the best means to protect the source population of the big cats and will remain relevant for a long long time to come, the tiger's realm is an ever-expanding phenomenon. 

With the success of contemporary conservation practices and the increasing population of this tertiary predator, the paradigm is rapidly changing conservation needs and technology employed. This will challenge the approach and capabilities of wildlife managers and planners in our country. 

The recent induction (news) of funds into corridor development is one fine step for our Government. But will it be finely and boldly executed remains to be seen? Hopefully, there will be some curbs on liner development as well which intersect our reserves and natural lands. The creation of wildlife passages or corridors is a must to save and prevent inbreeding among migratory species. But for this purpose relocation of the human population has to take place which requires political will besides facing stiff opposition that will accrue from many quarters.   

Indian Tiger 

The tiger is a territorial animal and in case of the dearth of space or conflict it becomes peripatetic and thanks to recent findings a good one at that. Well, what this means is that the buck does not stop here at the core or in critical tiger habitats. The predator's realm is an ever-expanding one. 

As a naturalist, I have noticed local migration of tigers displaced by territorial conflicts now enhanced by expanding population. Hence in many cases pertaining to the disappearance of tigers, the reason is not internecine fights leading to death or an act of poaching. In order to avoid bloodshed the loser simply migrates to neighboring forests away from the core. 

In the neighboring region forests classified as buffers or reserves offer a stressful ecosystem to survive and mind you many of the displaced animals are not old but are capable of breeding and surviving their full lives. This is where the problems arise thanks to ensuing man-animal conflicts. But this is not the end of the story ....space is. 

Man-animal conflicts that result in a direct attack on humans are less compared to the acrimony generated due to the killing of livestock. The general feeling of insecurity instigated by the predator's presence further compounds the problem where this animal had lost ground earlier.

The vermin concept flouted during the Raj still infects our minds. 

The latter two are responsible for the poisoning of the big cats in the buffer. Electrocuting small games in the periphery of the reserves often leads to the death of this apex species. 

With increasing urbanization and infrastructure development, the metapopulation of big cats in tiger landscape and distant reserve forests are coming under severe stress. In the modern mind space, increased intolerance of carnivores in India is bound to take place unless the conservation ethos is rekindled. This concept of man-animal harmony is at best chimerical in the material world where the beast needs inviolate space and has no equity. 

Unlike in the periphery of tiger reserves where tourism income flows directly to the local populace the survival of dispersing metapopulation is difficult in areas devoid of connected income. Wildlife and ecosystems cannot survive without the sympathy of the local human population. It is difficult to curb the exploitation of reserve forests and killing of other life forms, and yes prevent man-animal conflicts, by implementing the law in isolation.    

If conservation practices result in the increase and spatial expansion of the big cat, problems compounding conservation practices will be enhanced. This gives rise to many questions?

Do we have the will to save this critically endangered species?

Does the country have the required political will to take the right measures to put aside appeasement and developmental urgencies?

Are we willing to further safeguard forests outside protected areas and prevent encroachment and poaching?

Will ecosystem development take place in habitats, not under the purview of protected areas?

Tigers need space and protection. A population increase that will extract the species from the brink will depend upon their survival in both PAs and outside. A comprehensive approach is therefore required from the Center and States not forgetting institutions involved in conservation research and practices.    

And we the people of India should also support it!

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Uday works as a naturalist and loves to write about conservation. 

Contact: pateluday90@hotmail.com

Mobile: 09755089323

  

Tiger Conservation: Urban Assault

Rising urbanization all over the World is seen as a gauge in a positive perspective...a gleaming example of development. 

An article on the UNDP website terms mega cities as centers of learning, culture, and innovation. Besides this, it surmises that these population silos are wealth/resource generators and production centers, and therefore of immense importance to human settlements connected with them. It also mentions that these silos boost holistic progress, look after the well-being of the societies, address poverty, tackle pollution, and create infrastructure.  This is UNDPs own view of urbanization which many may not agree with.

Urban Ghetto

Chaotic Traffic

The Rat Race

This is a constricted perspective of human development indices because we do not seek more pliable alternatives. The article does mention the poor quality of urban development that creates economic disparities, pollution, further poverty, hardship, and diseases, and most of them are environmental disasters. 

We all have realized this anomaly prevailing in the major cities bursting at the seams due to overpopulation and unchecked migration from suburbs, smaller towns, and now deep interiors. 

Yes, we all know this except the developers and those who reap huge benefits in terms of political agenda and the businesses amassing wealth. These are the privileged ones that unfortunately take to the helm and become city planners, developers, ruling politicians, esteemed citizens, and active propagandists that never fail to advocate reckless urbanization at any cost.  

The fall out of urbanized ghettos is limited to their surroundings and to some extent to the neighborhoods. 

Think carefully! 

In order to sustain one infrastructure another extended or connected is required...and then another till the network pathway leads to the deep interiors where our rural societies subsist on the bare minimum with rational utilization of natural resources, and where most of our tiger reserves or natural places are. 

The last leg is the micro-urban center greatly susceptible to unplanned and unchecked development or linear development to be precise. It is these micro-urban centers that eventually continue to expand haphazardly denuding and eventually swallowing the reserves.   

Over looked and accorded lesser importance our tiger reserves or other ecosystems are most susceptible to this developmental threat. The phenomenon is universal pan India and is rapid. 

In Project Tiger we have an ambitious tiger conservation program that is experiencing daylight at the moment...but the impending space constriction and environmental degradation due to rapid development is going to hinder the progress in time to come. 

We are so enamored by modern development as we see in this World that we have forgotten to set limits and checks which are of utmost importance. Though the inviolate core areas are safe at the moment, the stress is on the buffer (surroundings) where the stringent policy of protection and no commercial construction should be well in place. The region surrounding the core faces huge biotic pressure from human intrusion and livestock, and the forests are nowhere secure with wood logging and sporadic poaching. The settlements here are subject to expansion and the agricultural practices are old age with low yield. An alternative more environmentally friendly alternative for agriculture should be looked for as soon as possible. One solution is to promote the nonwood handicraft industry since some communities have proficient artisans. This is being done in many places but needs greater impetus.    

The vision of wildlife and humans subsisting in harmony living in the same space  is at best romantic and purely chimerical. This idea defies practicality in modern times with limited span of ravaged forests and grasslands. Some wild animals are too sensitive to thrive along with humans anyway. And then we know the ways of contemporary human society.   

At many tiger reserves due to peer pressure, tigers move into the buffer, and some have become permanent residents. With a sparse prey base, weak crown cover, and increasing tiger population the problems are further compounded.

Munna Tiger With Kill _ Gopal Desai 

Meanwhile, the urban assault continues relentlessly with no possibility of stoppage. This is a challenge that wildlife managers and the field staff will face till some mitigating measures are put in place.

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Uday freelances as a naturalist and loves to write on tiger conservation and environmental issues.
Contact: pateluday90@hotmail.com
09755089323

Tiger Conservation Threats & History of Linear Development in India

When the British conquered India the exploitation was mostly of resources. They were physically perhaps not as brutal as the earlier invaders which were looters, Mogul megalomaniacs, bigots and usurpers. They did not sack the local populace resorting to senseless killings, rape, loot and forced conversions. Those were times of colonization and there was a purpose! 

The Raj was a manifestation of an advanced and comparatively modern civilization shaped by the industrial world of Europe. The natives were no match for them and the subjugation was complete. 

The disparity that prevailed was absolute because the Sahibs were contemporary with overpowering cultural traits, elite, educated, and yielded power that came easily with their superior force. The governance was aided by employment of  natives in various disciplines and the satraps due to whom a handful of them could easily rule over India. They had mastered structured governance in their domain, albeit India too had a structure in place being a Vedic civilization dating five thousand year but we were helpless in front of such overbearing. During the Raj, the rulers writ ran large. 

Coming straight to the point in order to exploit the natural resources better, an infrastructure was required to be put in place. With a technology considered modern in those times, they invaded the hinterland all over. This was the culmination of disastrous unplanned infrastructure building were  only thing that mattered was reaching and unearthing the natural resources and dispatching them to their homeland. 

The aim was extracting maximum economic benefit of having a jewel in the crown - a subjugated civilization that was enormously rich in natural wealth and yet timid and impoverished. With modern infrastructure in place, the enslaved country was being milked incessantly.

In post independent India we benefited from the infrastructure created by the British...and till this day we are following in the footsteps of our erstwhile masters. Though the rulers have left in the year 1947 we are still living with the slave mentality which we inherited during centuries of foreign subjugation.  

We have lost our original ethos and our civilization is badly corrupted by traits of external civilizations that at the most has made us submissive and adaptable babus.  

Post independent India, the incursion into our hinterlands became linear development a contemporary terminology that describes invasion of our lands in lieu of development. We have not hesitated to emulate our erstwhile rulers by doing exactly what they did. 

In this assault on our natural spaces we are empowered to a great extent by education in foreign language and rigidly following the Western ethos, a civilization parasitism that is simply incomprehensible and irrelevant till this day.      

1. During the Raj we had lost a large chunk of our natural spaces, and denudation and plantation of commercially viable species had already altered the remaining forever. When the rulers left, we did everything that they should not have done. And we still continue...the linear development that is taking a heavy toll of our tiger reserves, National Parks and other ecosystems continues unabated.  

The tiger is on verge of extinction so are many other species, we have no count of how many species that have become extinct, and the extent to which our forests have been denuded. Tigers need inviolate space to breed and live. But is there more space for them in this country? How many big cats does our land mass can support? Will development impact or alter our tiger reserves negatively? These are the questions conservationists are raising. 

Our geography has changed and become non-viable, climate change is affecting us badly with greater  ferocity every year, carbon footprints are enlarging every year, heat, water shortage, pollution and other life threatening factors are on increase. Yet we are in race for development that we perceive is good for us. 

Linear infrastructure development creates opening and easy accessibility to remote regions which were in an inviolate state since evolution due to inaccessibility. This impacts the linear connectivity and prevents corridor formations or makes existing corridors non-viable. Overall habitat loss and or fragmentation of our ecosystems can happen as a result of intrusion. Intruding humans can also cause problems like damage to the fragile species web of life, poaching and wood logging besides according access to foreign or alien species to overpower. Wind erosion and fires can be deadly and so can be territorial changes brought about by man. 

India is on a spree of infrastructural development, and the haste can prevent or discourage the alternative, a less damaging methodology.  The impetus on road building, new settlements, urbanization and extraction of natural resources, power projects, dams etc are  like a death knell for species survival and conservation of our natural spaces.   

It is imperative for the Nation to develop sound policies that in spite of infrastructural development circumvent or safe guards our natural spaces and preserves crucial resources besides creating a harmonious environment good enough for our well being and maintain an equilibrium.
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Uday works as a naturalist in India and writes on tigers and their conservation.
Contact: pateluday90@hotmail.com
9755089323

Tiger Conservation - Urbanization The Deadly Menace

Minimizing Destruction of Our Natural Lands

It keeps spreading its tentacles all around, and you cannot blame anyone except us. You cannot blame the politicians, planners, and developers. Anyway, they do not plan they just fulfill. It is we who have multiplied like rats and taken over our natural lands which the Earth had nourished for centuries right from the day evolution came into the picture.

Skyscrapers

Traffic congestion

People who read history of civilizations know that towns and cities will come and go but now in their wake they will leave back ravaged lands that may take eons to recover. In order to settle thousands of families, cities, towns, villages keep on spreading without planning and with total disregard for nature. A builder least admires an eco-niche in the neighbourhood nor does he feel guilty of placing concrete structures over them stifling microcosm of life forever. In fact we are so impressed by concrete structures that we concrete everything around us even natural gardens, wild bushes, small jungles, beautiful lakes and ponds where in lot of organisms and avian life depends upon the natural embankments and depth as well. 

Our eyes glow brightly when we see magnificent edifices the concrete structures embracing our towns and cities. That is development! (Sic). When the structures start to decay we continue living there, a stoic and helpless attitude that we have developed as a matter of consequence.

Cities are rotting, there is water shortage, dirt, smog, and pollution living conditions are like hell. Deadly pollution thanks to smoke-belching industries, cars uncountable, congestion, drying lakes and water bodies polluted to the brim, and overall the looming climate change ...there you have it! Slowly you come to understand what is unplanned development that damages the environment and invites disease, mental disorder, and more.

The ill-planned overwhelming urbanization is taking over the remaining natural lands in all settlements now from metros to even small towns. The latter come under the scanner of infrastructure development in the forms of rail lines, highways, and dams. This affects wildlife and can be disastrous for endangered species like the tiger, lion, and elephant to mention a few.

Tiger

Grasslands + Forests

The sharp reduction in the number of tigers in India has been mainly due to the loss of habitat. Tigers need specialized habitats that only dense forests containing untouched wilderness can offer. Unfortunately in India forests have been converted to agricultural fields, and industrial belts, ravaged by mines, and now urbanization is creeping into even small places auguring a dark future. If we do not reduce our carbon footprints global warming can become serious and sustenance of life may not be possible. Hence we humans are also at risk and perhaps face extinction too?

Where will the buck stop nobody knows? Man-animal conflicts, extinction of species, water shortages due to the destruction of rivers, and due to climate change all are a result of man's total disregard for nature conservation.

We should consider the destruction of nature as an impending disaster, and accord importance to its preservation. In governance this should be a major issue there should be debates and discussions on this. But this does not happen people are not aware or simply do not care, and politicians take advantage and do not take environmental issues into consideration except accord some lip service.

What future awaits our gen next? What about climate change knocking at our doorsteps? What are we doing to minimize fossil fuel consumption? What are we doing to stop the production of pollutants, toxins, and hazardous chemicals? All this should be taken into account during the political discourse? Is it being done? Ask yourself, write or raise your voice before it is too late.

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Uday works as a naturalist in India and blogs on environmental and conservation issues.
Contact: pateluday90@hotmail.com

Tiger Conservation The Human Conundrum

This period of April and May were months of extreme upheaval in India as the nation was embroiled in a contentious parliamentary poll. The largest democracy naturally conducts the largest exercise at the hustings. The highlight of parliamentary elections in the country was of course the virulent campaigns that began and ended with unending fervor. The aftermath ended in a reverberating but gradually quietening atmosphere as the results were declared and winners took their seats.

For all political parties in India the propaganda revolves around many populist issues, but completely neglects the conservation and environmental issues though as a matter of principle they are ingrained in our policies albeit executed with scant regard.

The first to inculcate the order of nature and wildlife conservation in India where the Vedic literature, but we have conveniently forgotten them, the scientific journals have been relegated to the background as forgotten and inconsequential parts of our history.

The conservation ethos were carried forward by Asoka the Great, and after centuries of continuous destruction, we had a leader in Smt. Indira Gandhi rejuvenated conservation practices by inducting laws that mattered. The tiger and the ecosystem as a whole were the major beneficiaries of steps taken during her governance. Her zealous pursuit of protecting India's heritage was effective in conserving whatever was left. But after her sad demise no one stepped into her shoes. 

In midst of the mind-boggling exercise, one issue as always took a complete back seat for nowhere was there a mention of environment and nature in a country where multitudinous masses live. All through the campaigning, there was the worst kind of slander that included personal jibes, insults, and revelations all at the lowest level possible.

Forget about the environment and our remaining natural heritage no issues of serious nature were ever brought forth or discussed. That is how the prospects irrespective of their drawing treat their subjects - gullible, downtrodden, ignorant, and living in the stone age. The appeal for the vote is more of a tamasha, steeped in loud promises of piquant favors, charismatic chest-thumping, and yes development.   

After the hustings, all promises are forgotten except the development mantra which all parties think will offer a permanent majority in the parliament for decades. All the time the mantra of development was aimed at more than one billion people a promise if rightly fulfilled could lead to betterment of living conditions and emancipation from abject poverty the large populace is steeped in.   

The goggle-eyed voters could understand the mantra of development very well but the related issues were not even in the picture. The emancipation that was promised was all that mattered - a panacea for all that ails society.

Where would the succor come from with deteriorating climatic conditions, abject shortage of water, and a badly polluted environment without the proper mix of air? The water shortage is a serious matter that should concern one and all especially those at the helm of governance.

We are constantly hurting our ecosystems (rivers, forests, deserts, grasslands) that deliver clean and fresh air, large tracts of forests are being decimated for linear development for highways, settlements and infrastructure expansion. Mining woes are not being mitigated at all. Environmental clearances are taking place in a jiffy with no serious thought to impending disasters, industrial belts and deadly polluting mega industries are taking their toll in this country with ever-increasing haste.

Species endangerment is taking place in the blink of an eye. A large number of species have already been lost. Does all this not matter? Aren't the participants of the democratic process the citizens not entitled to enlightenment as to what safeguards are being put in place that would prevent further depredation. Should not they be revealed during the poll propaganda? Who bothers? 

Human-centric development has always been the core practice of ruling polities with abject disregard for nature. This has been a global phenomenon and cuts across the vast spectrum of political establishments everywhere. India is not alone in this disastrous way of governance, we are in tandem with the World.

But ironically this does not alarm us. Nature is our life support system but we have taken it for granted. A denuded patch of forest does not raise eyebrows as it should hence climate change in its worst form is imminent.

A radical shift has to take place among the rulers as to how development and urbanization should be carried out. All the hindrances which are genuine should be respected and alternatives found. You cannot write off a strip of forest just to aid a highway or an industrial area. But this is happening and slowly we are destroying our green lungs and precious habitats which will augur climate change to the extreme.

The effect of our haste will result in an environmental condition that would make species survival  (including man) extremely difficult. The tiger has been the worst sufferer being an indicator species sitting at the top of the food chain we cannot let it go. Proper development policies without damaging the ecosystems, and keeping in mind the environmental consequences are imperative we should change over to.

For every step we take towards so-called development we have to keep its impact on nature all the time. The institutions in India will play a major role in safeguarding our environment in times to come. Provided there is the necessary radical shift in our perspective and a less destructive paradigm sets in. 

The public should play an important role as a watchdog and be conscious about social ills like exponential population growth which has to be brought down. Not only as tourists, but we should also reduce the biotic pressures on our surroundings in day-to-day living with a responsible lifestyle.

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Uday works as a naturalist at Kanha National Park in India.
He often writes on conservation issues as a blogger.
He can be contacted:
pateluday90@hotmail.com
09755089323

Tiger Conservation: It is Development That Counts

Environmental Overview

India is on the threshold of becoming an economically developed Nation on Earth. One among the few who rule the Earth. The sordid saga of a reckless developmental spree of those already at the helm is narrated without mentioning the large-scale damage done to the local environment and the plundering of crucial natural resources embedded in Mother Earth.

Development in terms of economy and infrastructure is the yardstick that denotes the success of ruling dispensations in India and elsewhere. In the country, the narrative is on the upswing with most of the discussion centered around growth and development.

Do we state the growth indices without keeping an eye on the amount of destruction we are causing? A highly developed India could burden the coming generations to clear the environmental debt that we leave in the wake. Should not we be concerned? 

Development is imperative but not without paying heed to environmental concerns some of which may appear trivial but could have a major negative impact in time to come.

In India, the worry lies in the large-scale destruction of our remaining natural lands and ill-conceived usage of our natural resources.

India is a signatory to the Convention of Biological Diversity a multilateral treaty for the preservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of resources, and sharing of genetic resources in a fair and equitable manner.

Another landmark that was legislated in the year nineteen seventy-two was the Wildlife Protection Act. The creation of protected areas was within the purview of this Act...and so home and protection were accorded to all life forms in the country. The 1988 Forest Policy lays a strong focus on conservation while other acts for Environment Protection were passed in the year 1986 and subsequently the Foreign Act 1992 for regulating International trade in biodiversity elements.   

The country has a number of regulatory bodies that govern actions that oversee future implications of ongoing or planned processes.  The Hon. Supreme Court of India plays an active role in environmental issues by presenting its own interpretation and hence through its directives it influences policies that contain environmental concerns. The aim of the highest courts through intervention in governance area is to redress the failures of the Government and other regulatory bodies in discharging their Constitutional and statutory obligations. There are proponents and critics as regards Hon. Supreme Court's interjection in these matters but albeit this is an entirely different matter the court's interjection is seen in a positive light by many.   

It should be noted that a large number of PILs regarding myriads of environmental issues have been filed by NGOs and individuals thus exhibiting faith in the judiciary as a whole

The Government Ministry MOEF

Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change is panned India mother of all institutions that are concerned with the environment, forests, and climate change. It is the prime body that issues statutory orders in case of environmental clearances hence is the most important element that could impact the environment and associated wilderness in multiple ways. 

It is responsible for providing clearances and impact assessment, as well it governs the National Parks of India. It oversees forest policies and programs implemented in the country. It is also a nodal agency for many International conventions and programs affecting India.  The Ministry has multifarious roles but the crux of bringing this into the picture is that it can bar or give a go-ahead to the controversial exploitation of resources through mining, exploitation, and development of remaining natural lands and related issues.

In short MOEF a ministerial body is the face of the ruling dispensation, obviously, through MOEF it can accord direction to actions concerning our environment conservation strategy.

Our Concerns & The Tiger & Human Centric Policies 

The concern that dominates the conservation circles is a quick appraisal of permission granted for mining, land acquisition for developmental projects, dissecting habitats like forests for roads, and other related projects.

This is the crux of conservation practices in India wherein policies that disregard environmental concerns can be hastened through to promote perceived developmental and infrastructure benefits. In many instances whence development projects are seen as imperative clearances are granted without a second thought. Concerns for habitats and the consecutive impact on prevailing ecosystems take a back seat.     

It required that governance should be very cautious towards activities that degrade crucial habitats and eventually are environmental hazards. These habitats support ecosystems or the complex web of life of the critically endangered species Bengal tiger as well as other life forms struggling to survive in the country. This also means the imperatives are looked into from the perspective of the highest offices in India. For developmental projects alternatives present should come into the picture.

Shortage of space for endangered species like tigers is obvious and land use patterns should be looked into. A large chunk of forest, grassland, and river habitats have been lost to reckless ventures into agriculture in earlier times. More productive agrarian practices should be developed and encouraged which utilize fewer expanses of land. This also applies to industrial practices and rapidly expanding settlements, especially in our urban areas.   

It is quite a matter of concern that an increase in the tiger population would also require an increase in inviolate protected areas if we have to preserve the animal that is a matter of our National Pride. This calls for equitable and fair translocation policies. Since certain areas will be required to clear human habitations in order to reduce man-animal conflict (elephant migration) and accord home to locally endangered species. (Similarly, the Lion should be trans-located to suitable habitats which have been developed in recent times.)

Tiger: Pic Uday Patel 

The Great Mahatma 

When Mahatma Gandhi conceived of Ram Rajya he was not being rightist or denying secular credentials as many construed.  With an emphasis on nonviolence and the cottage industry he certainly had an approach toward development that would be been highly concerned about environmental issues. That would have meant a paradigm shift from the Western Style of development we are recklessly emulating.

Perhaps he could have found answers to our woes? He was down to Earth, simple, and would not have been influenced by the vote banks of India. 

Development: Is this not an issue?

I happened to pick up a book by Samar Singh a conservationist of repute titled "Conserving India's Natural Heritage". In his book he sketches the depredation of our natural lands and the conservation action that is taking place after realization. He rightly eulogizes our erstwhile PM Smt. Indira Gandhi for her committed approach to nature conservation. Because of her courage to plan, implement, intervene, prevent and impose such that many life forms and natural lands received a breather perhaps for eternity.          

In order to up the development scale we are reckless in our approach - the destruction of natural lands goes on. Be it greedy development, one sided human rights activities, sheer disregard for habitats...whatever. The Earth belongs to all life forms...how much space is being accorded to them...are we the judge?  

Indian Rhino

Langur

Tigress with cubs

Common Kingfisher

Vine Snake

Photo Credits: Dharmagiri - Jungle Home Pench.

The foreward by Shri M.S. Swaminathan acts as an eye opener. He writes that "Conservation is development and the basic support systems have to be seen as integrated whole". 

How many do?

Reckless development or exploitation of crucial natural resources resulting in depredation is nothing but  harakiri a genocide virtually. The brunt of dilapidated ecosystems and the cost incurred there in will be paid by the coming generations.  We have to learn to preserve our natural lands and also recover or return them back to a preserved state by action and policies and not by speech.  

Sustainable development means harnessing our resource for renewed availability and not one time go. The economic upliftment and empowerment of masses should not be at the cost of crucial life support systems. Already overburdened Earth with one species growing unchecked is devastating ecosystems all over. 

But all this rationality seems irrational to those committed to unchecked development resulting in depletion of crucial resources and gene pools which will be lost for eternity. 

.Give space to other life forms please