Nagpur

roars

for Waghpur

What would you prefer to do if you have just 2 days off and you desperately want to leave for a countryside? Most of us would enjoy a trip to a national reserve or a wildlife sanctuary.

And what would it be without the sight of that big, majestic, stripped beast which makes ones jaw drop? Many would even go to the extent of faking to have witnessed a family of tigers just inches away(nah…that’s too much) okay…feet away from their car. But for those who’ve done this- tigers are solitary animals, they don’t roam about in families on the roads!!!!

According to the national tiger population census in 2010 the tiger population in India is estimated to be approximately 1411 to 1706. Out of this enormous number about 169 are reported to be in Maharashtra. And a large chunk of this amounting to 148 tigers are reported to be in the reserves around Nagpur. This is a considerable increase from 103 tigers in 2006.

The increase in tiger numbers in Tadoba, Sahiyadri-Sindhudurg, Nagjira –Navegaon and Bor is a hope to all the tiger conservationists and Nagpurians.

Recently Times of India in association with Alag Angle an NGO for the cause of tiger conservation and promoting tourism in Nagpur. The name was then aptly given –“NAGPUR ROARS FOR WAGHPUR”. The motion was made public by organizing a meet in front of Maharajbagh zoo from the 1st to 3rd April. Nagpurkars from all strata of society and crossing all age bars lend their hands to paint their resolution in beautiful art forms on the Maharajbagh Zoo wall extending from the variety square to the Mahrajbagh gate.

Leading artist from Alag Angle started on 1st April and on the 3rd Nagpurkars joined the fest and painted their hearts out.

The passion of the Nagpurkars was rewarded at last when the chief minister of Maharashtra Prithviraj Chavan took the initiative of raising the point strongly in the parliament.

Much has been done but more remains…. As the tiger population strengthens, like the determination of the people, there is hope that one day soon enough Nagpur would be declared as India’s tiger capital.

Till then keep roaring Nagpur!!!

Visit to Dattapur, Wardha

      Do you still remember the terms Ecology, Sustainable living, Environment, Non-Conventional energy etcetera? Yes, the very terms that we've heard in our Environmental Education (E. Ed) classes years ago. The ones we all listened to half heartedly yet studied because it was a compulsory subject. And the rare moments when we paid attention in class, we often wondered if what we were doing for the environment was enough? Sure, we might at times switch off lights when we remember, lessen the use of plastic bags, plant more trees or worry about the melting of icebergs. We DO care about the environment, but is it really enough? And sure, the E.Ed classes did teach us various eco-friendly methods but didn’t we wonder at that time if those were really practical and implementable?

      When we got the chance to visit Dattapur, we expected it to be nothing more than a boring field visit. But we were startled to see all our doubts reduced to dust. Nestled amidst the greenery on the Nagpur road was this place, Dattapur which had “Centre of Science for Villagers” (CSV). Well that was the most exciting thing about that place, “Science” & “Villagers” coming together!

      As we stepped in there, a row of red and white houses caught our attention and that was what we were most curious about. And after strolling around on our own for sometime, we found the supervisor of that place who gave us a detailed excursion of the place.

How about a house that would be cool in the excessive Wardha Heat and warm in the cold besides being strong enough despite using locally available material & yet Cost-Effective? We also came to know that those red and white houses we were pondering at, were actually a part of the “Ecological Housing” scheme.

      For a sunny, rural dominated and underexploited area like Wardha, the energy requirements as in electricity, cooking gas etc are high but not within everyone’s reach. At such a time, non conventional energy resources like “Agro waste chulha”, “Solar energy” as used in 'cookers', 'water heaters' and a 'street lighting system' that utilised solar energy and a  “biogas plant” come to the rescue which in addition to the above advantages are also more efficient than the conventionally used energy resources.

      They also employed “Watershed Management”, “Organic farming” that developing 'herbal pest repellants', 'bio fertilizers' and 'modern nursery' techniques, “Forest resource management” using an architectural pattern of plantation with a higher productivity, “Rain water harvesting” and units for ‘food processing’, ‘natural dyeing’, ‘herbal cosmetics’ and ‘medicinal & aromatic herb processing’. In addition to being eco-friendly these practices also provide employment to a large population which contributes in solving a major problem of the country .

      Apart from this, Dattapur also has a bunch of “Rural Industries” which manufacture 'irrigation pipes', 'magan (smokeless) chulhas', 'sheetal pot' (poor man’s fridge), 'banana boards' which can be used in walls and roofs, 'honey collection' and agricultural tools like 'steel bullock carts'.

      The “Total sanitation project” was another highlight which was an initiative taken by Mahatma Gandhi & is now being carried forward by the CSV team which involves management of human, animal & agricultural solid waste & water. This has been extended to a “Sanitation Park” which serves as a brainwave for initiation of similar projects in the country.

      In view of the bright prospective that this place offers, it has now turned into a major “Training Centre” which is being sponsored by the govt. Of India, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNDP etc.

      After all this, we could only think of the benefits that these practices would have, had they been implemented on a larger scale i.e. for a booming urban society. And now realizing the essence of that “Additional” subject E. Ed. of school times, which though being really boring  then, taught us the most “Cutting-edge” details about Environment in THEORY & Dattapur is an excellent example of its IMPLEMENTATION.  

THE STORY OF A TREE

For tree plantation , one day I went

Met trees, the angels that god has sent

“Help us , help thee” is what they said

“Don’t follow the path of our ancestoirs tread.”

We know they helped us from birth to death,

They give us life with every birth,

Live to let live is what they follow,

All sins of mankind they do swallow,

All our life we gave them nothing,

But they continued to flower every spring,

Come on friends, lets come together,

And plant an angel every weather.

Friends, this is the message I learnt from tree plantation!

Neha Joshi, 2011 Batch

Start Saving Today

1)Power down computers and monitors

Turn off your computers and monitors when they are not being used. Contrary to popular beliefs, turning them on and off will not cause damage

2)Take showers

Take short showers instead of baths . The amount of water used and heated is significantly less for a shower . Don't forget to close the taps while brushing or shaving.

3)Avoid carelessness

Close air conditioners and heaters in unused rooms . No need to cool or warm areas that people are not in!

4)One time investment

When shopping for a new appliance invest in energy star. Energy star appliances are not by any means cheap ,but the upfront cost will pay for it self ten fold in the amount of energy you will be saving over time.

5)On the move – Drive smart

Keep the drive slow and safe. Driving at 65 miles per hour rather than 55 miles per hour reduces fuel economy by about 2 miles per gallon. Unnecessary speed ups , slowdowns and stops, decrease fuel.

6)Beware of overcharging

We all seem to have about a million chargers lying around. Mobile phone chargers, camera chargers, MP3 player chargers etc. Instead of leaving them in the outlet in 24/7, plug them in only when they are needed. These little energy ferneries use power whenever they are plugged in, regardless of whether they are charging batteries or not.

7)Switch off the lights

When being  the last to leave a room turn out the lights .IT will always be saving energy with few exceptions also saving money.

8)Heat or cool the living / work space – not the world

Does the building have enough insulation? Older homes and buildings probably don’t .Windows are also an area where energy costs are moving from their desired purpose to change the temperature of the outside air .

9)Each one plant one

Everyone should plant a tree at least one just in order to return our mother nature what we snatch from her.

10)Make  all this a habit

Habits are those things  that we do without thinking . Developing a habit takes time. at first it may take some constant thoughts and reminders. By spending time considering your actions and doing things to save energy each day ,these actions will become a habit.

TREE PLANTATION

EXPERIENCES of 2011 BATCH –

We were warmly welcomed in our college JNMC . An event of tree plantation was organized . it was a great experience as it was one of the most auspicious activity to start with. It symbolized the start of our now life and prosperity . It was really an unforgettable experience for all of us. We were unfamiliar with each other and the surroundings.

It was a pleasant day . we all gathered and went to the health club . It was drizzling and the whole area was muddy . it was really amusing to see all of us struggling with mud.

 Then we were provided with small banana trees which we planted.

We had a photo session too Capturing all the excitement and happiness of the day. That day I interacted with all of my batch mates, made new friends and contributed to the environment too..

Its  feels really nice to go there and  watch those trees grow and flourish.

I am waiting for the day when it will give us bananas J

 - Tanvi 2k10  

In these modern times of industrialization and globalization , there is large scale deforestation . coming from a big city , where pollution is a major cause for concern . I always wanted to study in place with a lot of greenery , fresh air and pollution free environment. And I got this chance when I came here It was our first day in college and tree plantation was the best way to start it. we were taken to the health club for the task . I was mesmerized by the beauty of the place.

We were given saplings to plant. I still feel lucky that I did it. It was the first time when I engaged myself in such an activity. We without being bothered about our clothes enjoyed putting our hands in the mud and got dirty.

The health club area still remains our favorite area in the campus. When we want some fresh air, some good advice we take a stroll in the health club area . the tree plantation is a very good initiative taken by our college and probably the best way to start a new session into this noble profession.

- S. Shruti 2k10

Just as a new bud blooms to spread its fragrance in the beautiful world .. so fresh.. so cheerful.. yet so unaware of the ambience around.. the same were we when came to this beautiful land of sawangi.

An induction program was organized by the dpt. Of anatomy so that we get oriented to the environment . a part of this program was the tree plantation

It was 7 July 2010. A very enthusiastic morning with drizzling dews as blessings from above . we gathered near health club . it was beautiful. Then we were provided with saplings to plant. that was soothing activity to heart and soul  and made us realize our vision .

- Purvee Agrawal