Indian Wildlife Club Forum

Environment Awareness Gaia's Garden - A Tribute to the Beauty We Have Lost Posted by Chinmaya Dunster on September 07, 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkcP3YsSEr4 Using paintings of vanished species and my own music I hope I can touch a few hearts to care for the threatened beauty around us. Read More View Comments \| Post Comment
Environment Awareness Kids and environment Posted by Susan Sharma on September 06, 2011 Why Is America's Youth Staying Indoors? •80 percent said it was uncomfortable to be outdoors due to things like bugs and heat •62 percent said they did not have transportation to natural areas, and •61 percent said there were not natural areas near their homes. Read an interesting article at the link http://www.nature.org/newsfeatures/kids-in-nature/kids-in-nature-poll.xml?src=gp Read More View Comments \| Post Comment
Environment Awareness Wetlands not wastelands Posted by Susan Sharma on September 02, 2011 ........."This is where policy gets practice fundamentally and fatally wrong. This is not useless wasteland as the revenue office described it when it gave it to the thermal power company at a pittance. This is highly productive land, both in terms of its ecological functions and economic uses. But we cannot see it or won’t because it is not in our interest. Just consider. This dead swamp is a living sponge, which soaks water, reducing the intensity of floods; the delicately maintained freshwater balance reduces the advance of salinity, which would infiltrate groundwater and ruin drinking water sources. This is a living ecosystem. It plays critical life functions................... -Sunita Narain Read more at the link http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/lessons-kakarapalli Read More View Comments \| Post Comment
Bird Sanctuaries Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary Posted by Sharad Agrawal on September 02, 2011 Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary near Bassi in Chittorgarh district of Rajasthan, India. 5 kilometers from the Bassi Fort Palace. 1.5 hours of small journey from nearest Airport Maharana Pratap Air Port , Dabok , udaipur It covers an area of 15,290 hectares and was established in 1988. It has series of tableland, gentle slopes and vast stretches of large lakes, water channels of which penetrate into the forest. Placed itself at the backdrop of lush green forests of Vindhyachal ranges, it is a noticeable wild life protection place, providing a natural habitat for varied species of wild life. Orai dam and Bassi dam form part of this nice wildlife sanctuary. Antelopes, Leopards, mongoose and wild boar are some of animals inhabit the sanctuary. Many migratory birds are spotted in the seasons. No doubt, it’s a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Our one day experience to sanctuary was mind blogging ..as per photography level it was quite challenging that day because of heavy clouds.. 01. Rock Eagle Owl or Bengal Eagle Owl (Bubo bengalensis) 02. Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker (Dinopium benghalense ) 03. Savanna Nightjar, Caprimulgus affinis...ID nor confirmed.. 04. Indian Pitta, Pitta brachyura 05. Jungle cat (Felis chaus) 06. Blue Bull 07. White-eyed Buzzard (Butastur teesa) 08. Painted Spurfowl (Galloperdix lunulata) 09. Black Francolin, Francolinus francolinus 10. Black-headed Cuckoo-shrike (Coracina melanoptera) 11. Asian Paradise-flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi) 12. Oriental White-eye, Zosterops palpebrosus 13. Knob-billed Duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos) 14. Lesser Whistling Duck 15. Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala) 16. Asian Openbill Stork, Anastomus oscitans 17. Asian Brown Flycatcher, Muscicapa dauurica 18. Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus) 19. Rufous Treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda) 20. Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia) 21. Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) 22. Shikra (Accipiter badius) 23. Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) 24. Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Pterocles exustus 25. Brown Fish-owl (Bubo zeylonensis or Ketupa zeylonensis) 22. Oriental Honey Buzzard, Pernis ptilorhynchus 23. Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela) 24. Plum-headed Parakeet (Psittacula cyanocephala) 25. Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) 26. Indian Peafowl or Blue Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) 27. Rufous-tailed Lark (Ammomanes phoenicura) 28. Common Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis 29. White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) 30. Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus) 31. Spotted Owlet (Athene brama) & ETC ETC ETC... Last not least KING OF SAARNA( LEOPARD) from Rishiraj Deval... For snaps from sanctuary plz look at the link bellow http://www.indianaturewatch.net/view_cat.php?tag=BASSI%20WILDLIFE%20SANCTUARY For more details on BASSI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY plz call shri Rishiraj Deval ..his cell no. are +91 7891100000 Regards & regrets for mistakes Sharad Agrawal with many more to explore yet.. Read More View Comments \| Post Comment
Bio-Diversity Vultures in our eco system Posted by Susan Sharma on August 29, 2011 Vultures in our eco system "They process certain bacteria and fungi present in carcasses, which otherwise form spores when brought in contact with a healthy human or animal, and become almost immortal. In the absence of vultures, dogs end up eating the dead animals and the bacteria spreads thereafter. " Dr. Vibhu Prakash Here is a link to a comprehensive article on vultures in our eco system, which makes for fascinating reading The title is "India's Vanishing Vultures" written by Meera Subramanian in the Virginia Quarterly Review http://www.vqronline.org/articles/2011/spring/subramanian-vultures/ Read More View Comments \| Post Comment
Bird Sanctuaries bhandhavgarh.. Posted by ashish on August 27, 2011 i was go to bhandhavgarh it was so good... Read More View Comments \| Post Comment
Environment Awareness Sounds in a National Park Posted by Susan Sharma on August 24, 2011 Sounds in a National park ............The impact of noise on wildlife ranging from birds to whales to elk has been a growing focus of scientific study. Increasing evidence suggests that animals in natural settings modify their behavior, though sometimes only briefly, in response to human commotion.......... One of the first things that a visitor to Muir Woods National Monument sees is a monitor that measures sound levels..... Once the diesel engines had been stilled, visitors began falling into line, heeding a subtle signal that human noises are superfluous here. But some of the signals are hardly subtle: signs posted near Cathedral Grove in the heart of the park call for silence. Near the entrance to the food and gift shop close to the park’s entrance, a decibel meter measures the sound of a visitor’s voice. Read more at the link http://tinyurl.com/3h4qn2o http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/22/science/earth/22sound.html?_r=1&ref=nationalparkservice Read More View Comments \| Post Comment
Bio-Diversity Contribution of Pollinator-Mediated Crops to Nutrients in the Human Food Supply Posted by Susan Sharma on August 22, 2011 "The contribution of nutrients from animal pollinated world crops has not previously been evaluated as a biophysical measure for the value of pollination services. This study evaluates the nutritional composition of animal-pollinated world crops. We calculated pollinator dependent and independent proportions of different nutrients of world crops, employing FAO data for crop production, USDA data for nutritional composition, and pollinator dependency data according to Klein et al. (2007). Crop plants that depend fully or partially on animal pollinators contain more than 90% of vitamin C, the whole quantity of Lycopene and almost the full quantity of the antioxidants β-cryptoxanthin and β-tocopherol, the majority of the lipid, vitamin A and related carotenoids, calcium and fluoride, and a large portion of folic acid. Ongoing pollinator decline may thus exacerbate current difficulties of providing a nutritionally adequate diet for the global human population." Citation: Eilers EJ, Kremen C, Smith Greenleaf S, Garber AK, Klein A-M (2011) Contribution of Pollinator-Mediated Crops to Nutrients in the Human Food Supply. PLoS ONE 6(6): e21363. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0021363 Read more at #PLoS: Contribution of Pollinator-Mediated Crops to Nutrients in the Human Food Supply http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0021363 Read More View Comments \| Post Comment
Nature Heals Bhatti Mine Sanctuary-The tale of a new forest Posted by Susan Sharma on August 22, 2011 Bhatti Mine Sanctuary-The tale of a new forest " ....Twenty years ago, Bhatti, located on the south-eastern part of the southern ridge of the Aravali range .. was a ruin that had been plundered for its red silica and sandstone. in 1991, fearing further loss of green cover, the Delhi state government, with the help of a Supreme court order, stopped mining in the area. .....A new threat cropped up last year when the Municipal Corporation of Delhi said it wanted to use Bhatti Mines as a landfill site, a move scotched by the courts. Read more http://epaper.livemint.com/ArticleImage.aspx?article=22_08_2011_024_002&mode=1 Read More View Comments \| Post Comment
Travel Our role towards nature as a "Traveler" Posted by BABIT GURUNG on August 21, 2011 Our role as a "TRAVELER" towards nature. Everyone is known to the destructive change the world is acquiring, "Global warming" a hot topic, so hot that hardly someone cares about it. Different protocols, associations, organisations are formed on daily basis to stop the environmental hazardous change, But if taken as a true perspective, it seldom works or is working, cause the world requires individual responsibility with their own respective roles, be it directly or indirectly. The question now arises that " How responsible I am in saving the true existence of nature? ". Well the motivation mercury may rise and pump to burst the narrow glassy walls around you. But in today's world of globalization and high technology you may not enjoy the liberty beneath you to leave the revolving chair, the artificial cool air you breathe, the maple wood flooring, new luxurious car and profitable projects and ventures to lie down on the soft grass under the open blue sky and inhaling the cascaded breeze of wild blossoms. Now you run along with the pages of calender on your table and schedule the dates for a leave. The leaves are approved and you plan for the nearest hill station, sea beach or an exotic place to refresh your life. When you reach the same spot, you had visited during your honeymoon period, you and your spouse are shocked!. The beautiful road has lost its memorable glimpse through the window pane of your car. Shops and malls with their praiseworthy architecture has replaced the lusciousness of flowery sprinkle on the green carpet of grass. The friendly bows and greetings of natives have changed to commercial hypocritical salute from an urbanized face. Perished are the sun- tanned and wrinkled faces of the people who accompanied the place and its beauty. You complain, reveal your disappointment, spend your budget and return unsatisfied and again join your world sweeping the beautiful memories of the place. Now you make a decision to visit a new spot or place on your next vacation as if the world will never end. As I said world needs individual responsibility towards it as it has provided us with individual space to live. So what is our responsibility as a traveler or how our impalpable effort can bring a slight change for the betterment of ecological balance. How to become a Eco-Traveler or Eco-Tourist? Unknowingly a little change on the travelling tips may become a huge contribution to save the nature. If not for the full year, lets volunteer just for few days during the vacation as a traveler in saving the environment of a foreign place. The place which heals the wounds and stress of whole years tiresome routine work and pressure. So enjoy the beauty of nature along with letting the beauty exist....forever for you. Here are the simple voluntarily actions or decisions which certainly will count your role in the aid for saving nature. 1. Make your tour plans concentrating on a single destination for as many days you have planned for exploring. "Rolling stone seldom gather moss", Don't be a rolling stone or a window watcher, enjoying the beauty of a place from the window of your car, Changing destination spots frequently. Many people travel like watching a movie completing the whole life story in two hours, they want to visit as many spots as possible in their short leave period, its like sitting in a jet plane and completing the tour of whole world in less time. A place always has more to learn and enjoy than just reaching there. Enjoy the culture, tradition, superstitious beliefs, regional food, local unexplored spots, domestic and wild animals, agricultural products, regional religious places, the history and many more. You can always take the help of the local people regarding this, every person in this world likes to show the best part of his or her own place because every one loves his or her own birthplace. 2. Select a hotel, resort, camp or any place for lodging mostly owned or serviced by the local inhabitant of the place. A true traveler or a nature lover doesn't seek for luxury as these are the things which the traveler leaves behind for a break, for a change, physically and mentally. Where is the change if the kind of food, hospitality, language, faces, roofs and floors, walls and gardens, furniture and accessories are all the same you have left behind. Experience the difference in every thing in your surroundings which can only be felt in a local inhabitant's shelter. 3. Respect the natural beauty, religion, cleanliness and even the superstitious belief of the place. Every traveler has a thirst for new experience of a new world. Its like amalgamation of different colors of nature. Your contribution towards the ecological balance requires a feeling of relation with that particular place. In order to create this feeling you need to feel like it's your own birthplace, you follow the same religion, drink the same water, and believe what the region believes, I remember a place where landslides were frequent and it was a reign of terror for the locals, so they decided to construct a temple right on the spot where landslide took place. As a matter of fact the landslides stopped, well, precisely not due to the temple but the surrounding trees, herbs and shrubs which were now saved and planted more as people considered that place a chastened place and stopped cutting trees for firewood which now was an unforgivable sin for them. So don't be an alien trying to conquer the place in stead of enjoying the place and build a bond of love with the place, then you'll realize it's not just a tourist-spot but a whole world for you. 4. Be a Guest not a buyer. Imagine a customer at your business outlet who wants to buy everything you have displayed including your furnitures and show pieces as well, as those are also placed at the outlet. It's the same being a traveler, you don't buy the services and expect it to be worthed exactly what you paid. You cant buy true hospitality and respect. Don't be materialistic,instead be emotional, remember you're not a patient who has come to be cured physically, you have come to refresh every junk in your mind and memory to feel lively again. 5. Avoid buying the products which is polluting the environment of that place from the local shop. It may sound crazy but let me describe in details. People have built some eating and drinking habits which are urbanized, like plastic packed edibles and drinks. Ever thought deeply! why a place gets exploited if it turns into a hub for tourists? Well, because people carry their habits with them. They search for the same item which is found in their own place. As a result of this addiction local people of rural areas realize it and start selling these goods in their own shops and outlets only because tourists demand it. Whereas the local people hardly consume or buy these goods. So most of the pollution is caused by these empty cans and packets, and because of lack of proper sub-ordination system, which may be strict in urban areas, the garbage starts growing making the place dirty and polluted. But if no tourists buy these products from local shop then they won't import it because of lack of demand and thus the place remains clean as it is forever. "Fluffy tit" BUTTERFLY "Things don't change, we change our way of looking things, that's all" About Me BABIT GURUNG ( Member- Samsing Chauthary NGO) Social worker( nature conservation, environment and sustainable livelihood under social welfare) Blog- samsingchauthary.blogspot.com contact: 9475332231, 7384083137 email: chauthary@gmail.com Read More View Comments \| Post Comment

Posted by Chinmaya Dunster on September 07, 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkcP3YsSEr4
Using paintings of vanished species and my own music I hope I can touch a few hearts to care for the threatened beauty around us.

View Comments | Post Comment

Kids and environment

Posted by Susan Sharma on September 06, 2011

Why Is America's Youth Staying Indoors?

•80 percent said it was uncomfortable to be outdoors due to things like bugs and heat
•62 percent said they did not have transportation to natural areas, and
•61 percent said there were not natural areas near their homes.

Read an interesting article at the link

http://www.nature.org/newsfeatures/kids-in-nature/kids-in-nature-poll.xml?src=gp

View Comments | Post Comment

Environment Awareness

Wetlands not wastelands

Posted by Susan Sharma on September 02, 2011

........."This is where policy gets practice fundamentally and fatally wrong. This is not useless wasteland as the revenue office described it when it gave it to the thermal power company at a pittance. This is highly productive land, both in terms of its ecological functions and economic uses. But we cannot see it or won’t because it is not in our interest.

Just consider. This dead swamp is a living sponge, which soaks water, reducing the intensity of floods; the delicately maintained freshwater balance reduces the advance of salinity, which would infiltrate groundwater and ruin drinking water sources. This is a living ecosystem. It plays critical life functions...................

-Sunita Narain
Read more at the link http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/lessons-kakarapalli

View Comments | Post Comment

Bird Sanctuaries

Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary

Posted by Sharad Agrawal on September 02, 2011

Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary near Bassi in Chittorgarh district of Rajasthan, India.

5 kilometers from the Bassi Fort Palace.

1.5 hours of small journey from nearest Airport Maharana Pratap Air Port , Dabok , udaipur

It covers an area of 15,290 hectares and was established in 1988.

It has series of tableland, gentle slopes and vast stretches of large lakes, water channels of which penetrate into the forest.

Placed itself at the backdrop of lush green forests of Vindhyachal ranges, it is a noticeable wild life protection place, providing a natural habitat for varied species of wild life.

Orai dam and Bassi dam form part of this nice wildlife sanctuary. Antelopes, Leopards, mongoose and wild boar are some of animals inhabit the sanctuary.

Many migratory birds are spotted in the seasons.

No doubt, it’s a haven for wildlife enthusiasts.

Our one day experience to sanctuary was mind blogging ..as per photography level it was quite challenging that day because of heavy clouds..

01. Rock Eagle Owl or Bengal Eagle Owl (Bubo bengalensis)

02. Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker (Dinopium benghalense )

03. Savanna Nightjar, Caprimulgus affinis...ID nor confirmed..

04. Indian Pitta, Pitta brachyura

05. Jungle cat (Felis chaus)

06. Blue Bull

07. White-eyed Buzzard (Butastur teesa)

08. Painted Spurfowl (Galloperdix lunulata)

09. Black Francolin, Francolinus francolinus

10. Black-headed Cuckoo-shrike (Coracina melanoptera)

11. Asian Paradise-flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi)

12. Oriental White-eye, Zosterops palpebrosus

13. Knob-billed Duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos)

14. Lesser Whistling Duck

15. Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala)

16. Asian Openbill Stork, Anastomus oscitans

17. Asian Brown Flycatcher, Muscicapa dauurica

18. Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus)

19. Rufous Treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda)

20. Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia)

21. Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer)

22. Shikra (Accipiter badius)

23. Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)

24. Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Pterocles exustus

25. Brown Fish-owl (Bubo zeylonensis or Ketupa zeylonensis)

22. Oriental Honey Buzzard, Pernis ptilorhynchus

23. Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela)

24. Plum-headed Parakeet (Psittacula cyanocephala)

25. Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri)

26. Indian Peafowl or Blue Peafowl (Pavo cristatus)

27. Rufous-tailed Lark (Ammomanes phoenicura)

28. Common Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis

29. White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis)

30. Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus)

31. Spotted Owlet (Athene brama)

& ETC ETC ETC...

Last not least KING OF SAARNA( LEOPARD) from Rishiraj Deval...

For snaps from sanctuary plz look at the link bellow

http://www.indianaturewatch.net/view_cat.php?tag=BASSI%20WILDLIFE%20SANCTUARY

For more details on BASSI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY plz call shri Rishiraj Deval ..his cell no. are +91 7891100000

Regards & regrets for mistakes

Sharad Agrawal

with many more to explore yet..

View Comments | Post Comment

Bio-Diversity

Vultures in our eco system

Posted by Susan Sharma on August 29, 2011

Vultures in our eco system
"They process certain bacteria and fungi present in carcasses, which otherwise form spores when brought in contact with a healthy human or animal, and become almost immortal. In the absence of vultures, dogs end up eating the dead animals and the bacteria spreads thereafter. " Dr. Vibhu Prakash

Here is a link to a comprehensive article on vultures in our eco system, which makes for fascinating reading

The title is "India's Vanishing Vultures" written by Meera Subramanian in the Virginia Quarterly Review

http://www.vqronline.org/articles/2011/spring/subramanian-vultures/

View Comments | Post Comment

Bird Sanctuaries

bhandhavgarh..

Posted by ashish on August 27, 2011

i was go to bhandhavgarh it was so good...

View Comments | Post Comment

Environment Awareness

Sounds in a National Park

Posted by Susan Sharma on August 24, 2011

Sounds in a National park

............The impact of noise on wildlife ranging from birds to whales to elk has been a growing focus of scientific study. Increasing evidence suggests that animals in natural settings modify their behavior, though sometimes only briefly, in response to human commotion..........

One of the first things that a visitor to Muir Woods National Monument sees is a monitor that measures sound levels.....

Once the diesel engines had been stilled, visitors began falling into line, heeding a subtle signal that human noises are superfluous here.

But some of the signals are hardly subtle: signs posted near Cathedral Grove in the heart of the park call for silence. Near the entrance to the food and gift shop close to the park’s entrance, a decibel meter measures the sound of a visitor’s voice.

Read more at the link http://tinyurl.com/3h4qn2o

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/22/science/earth/22sound.html?_r=1&ref=nationalparkservice

View Comments | Post Comment

Bio-Diversity

Contribution of Pollinator-Mediated Crops to Nutrients in the Human Food Supply

Posted by Susan Sharma on August 22, 2011

"The contribution of nutrients from animal pollinated world crops has not previously been evaluated as a biophysical measure for the value of pollination services. This study evaluates the nutritional composition of animal-pollinated world crops. We calculated pollinator dependent and independent proportions of different nutrients of world crops, employing FAO data for crop production, USDA data for nutritional composition, and pollinator dependency data according to Klein et al. (2007). Crop plants that depend fully or partially on animal pollinators contain more than 90% of vitamin C, the whole quantity of Lycopene and almost the full quantity of the antioxidants β-cryptoxanthin and β-tocopherol, the majority of the lipid, vitamin A and related carotenoids, calcium and fluoride, and a large portion of folic acid. Ongoing pollinator decline may thus exacerbate current difficulties of providing a nutritionally adequate diet for the global human population."

Citation: Eilers EJ, Kremen C, Smith Greenleaf S, Garber AK, Klein A-M (2011) Contribution of Pollinator-Mediated Crops to Nutrients in the Human Food Supply. PLoS ONE 6(6): e21363. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0021363

Nature Heals

Bhatti Mine Sanctuary-The tale of a new forest

Posted by Susan Sharma on August 22, 2011

Bhatti Mine Sanctuary-The tale of a new forest
" ....Twenty years ago, Bhatti, located on the south-eastern part of the southern ridge of the Aravali range .. was a ruin that had been plundered for its red silica and sandstone. in 1991, fearing further loss of green cover, the Delhi state government, with the help of a Supreme court order, stopped mining in the area. .....A new threat cropped up last year when the Municipal Corporation of Delhi said it wanted to use Bhatti Mines as a landfill site, a move scotched by the courts.

http://epaper.livemint.com/ArticleImage.aspx?article=22_08_2011_024_002&mode=1

View Comments | Post Comment

Travel

Our role towards nature as a "Traveler"

Posted by BABIT GURUNG on August 21, 2011

Our role as a "TRAVELER" towards nature.

Everyone is known to the destructive change the world is acquiring, "Global warming" a hot topic, so hot that hardly someone cares about it. Different protocols, associations, organisations are formed on daily basis to stop the environmental hazardous change, But if taken as a true perspective, it seldom works or is working, cause the world requires individual responsibility with their own respective roles, be it directly or indirectly. The question now arises that " How responsible I am in saving the true existence of nature? ". Well the motivation mercury may rise and pump to burst the narrow glassy walls around you. But in today's world of globalization and high technology you may not enjoy the liberty beneath you to leave the revolving chair, the artificial cool air you breathe, the maple wood flooring, new luxurious car and profitable projects and ventures to lie down on the soft grass under the open blue sky and inhaling the cascaded breeze of wild blossoms.

Now you run along with the pages of calender on your table and schedule the dates for a leave. The leaves are approved and you plan for the nearest hill station, sea beach or an exotic place to refresh your life. When you reach the same spot, you had visited during your honeymoon period, you and your spouse are shocked!. The beautiful road has lost its memorable glimpse through the window pane of your car. Shops and malls with their praiseworthy architecture has replaced the lusciousness of flowery sprinkle on the green carpet of grass. The friendly bows and greetings of natives have changed to commercial hypocritical salute from an urbanized face. Perished are the sun- tanned and wrinkled faces of the people who accompanied the place and its beauty. You complain, reveal your disappointment, spend your budget and return unsatisfied and again join your world sweeping the beautiful memories of the place. Now you make a decision to visit a new spot or place on your next vacation as if the world will never end.

As I said world needs individual responsibility towards it as it has provided us with individual space to live.
So what is our responsibility as a traveler or how our impalpable effort can bring a slight change for the betterment of ecological balance. How to become a Eco-Traveler or Eco-Tourist? Unknowingly a little change on the travelling tips may become a huge contribution to save the nature. If not for the full year, lets volunteer just for few days during the vacation as a traveler in saving the environment of a foreign place. The place which heals the wounds and stress of whole years tiresome routine work and pressure. So enjoy the beauty of nature along with letting the beauty exist....forever for you.

Here are the simple voluntarily actions or decisions which certainly will count your role in the aid for saving nature.

1. Make your tour plans concentrating on a single destination for as many days you have planned for exploring.

"Rolling stone seldom gather moss", Don't be a rolling stone or a window watcher, enjoying the beauty of a place from the window of your car, Changing destination spots frequently. Many people travel like watching a movie completing the whole life story in two hours, they want to visit as many spots as possible in their short leave period, its like sitting in a jet plane and completing the tour of whole world in less time. A place always has more to learn and enjoy than just reaching there. Enjoy the culture, tradition, superstitious beliefs, regional food, local unexplored spots, domestic and wild animals, agricultural products, regional religious places, the history and many more. You can always take the help of the local people regarding this, every person in this world likes to show the best part of his or her own place because every one loves his or her own birthplace.

2. Select a hotel, resort, camp or any place for lodging mostly owned or serviced by the local inhabitant of the place.

A true traveler or a nature lover doesn't seek for luxury as these are the things which the traveler leaves behind for a break, for a change, physically and mentally. Where is the change if the kind of food, hospitality, language, faces, roofs and floors, walls and gardens, furniture and accessories are all the same you have left behind. Experience the difference in every thing in your surroundings which can only be felt in a local inhabitant's shelter.

3. Respect the natural beauty, religion, cleanliness and even the superstitious belief of the place.

Every traveler has a thirst for new experience of a new world. Its like amalgamation of different colors of nature. Your contribution towards the ecological balance requires a feeling of relation with that particular place. In order to create this feeling you need to feel like it's your own birthplace, you follow the same religion, drink the same water, and believe what the region believes, I remember a place where landslides were frequent and it was a reign of terror for the locals, so they decided to construct a temple right on the spot where landslide took place. As a matter of fact the landslides stopped, well, precisely not due to the temple but the surrounding trees, herbs and shrubs which were now saved and planted more as people considered that place a chastened place and stopped cutting trees for firewood which now was an unforgivable sin for them. So don't be an alien trying to conquer the place in stead of enjoying the place and build a bond of love with the place, then you'll realize it's not just a tourist-spot but a whole world for you.

4. Be a Guest not a buyer.
Imagine a customer at your business outlet who wants to buy everything you have displayed including your furnitures and show pieces as well, as those are also placed at the outlet. It's the same being a traveler, you don't buy the services and expect it to be worthed exactly what you paid. You cant buy true hospitality and respect. Don't be materialistic,instead be emotional, remember you're not a patient who has come to be cured physically, you have come to refresh every junk in your mind and memory to feel lively again.

5. Avoid buying the products which is polluting the environment of that place from the local shop.

It may sound crazy but let me describe in details. People have built some eating and drinking habits which are urbanized, like plastic packed edibles and drinks. Ever thought deeply! why a place gets exploited if it turns into a hub for tourists? Well, because people carry their habits with them. They search for the same item which is found in their own place. As a result of this addiction local people of rural areas realize it and start selling these goods in their own shops and outlets only because tourists demand it. Whereas the local people hardly consume or buy these goods. So most of the pollution is caused by these empty cans and packets, and because of lack of proper sub-ordination system, which may be strict in urban areas, the garbage starts growing making the place dirty and polluted. But if no tourists buy these products from local shop then they won't import it because of lack of demand and thus the place remains clean as it is forever.

"Fluffy tit"
BUTTERFLY

"Things don't change, we change our way of looking things, that's all"

About Me

BABIT GURUNG ( Member- Samsing Chauthary NGO): Social worker( nature conservation, environment and sustainable livelihood under social welfare)

Blog- samsingchauthary.blogspot.com
contact: 9475332231, 7384083137
email: chauthary@gmail.com

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