Adithya on Kasthuri TV's reality show - Citizen Impact

LIFE was contacted by members of Kasthuri TV's reality show 'Citizen Impact' to participate in a discussion on the situation of trees and pollution in Bangalore. Dr Adithya was able to make time to attend this discussion as the invited guest, which was conducted last Thursday at Kanteerawa Studio in Mahalakshmipuram. The show aired on 29th May, 2012 between 9-10 pm. 

The citizen leaders, chosen through rounds of elimination in this reality show, had tried sell saplings and plants at nominal prices to locals in Bangalore and had received mixed responses. They shared their experiences and reflected on them. It was commonly agreed by the attendees that Bangalore's situation of greenery and pollution are critical, and needs efforts from each individuals. The host also brought to notice the dwindling of sparrows. Adithya discussed the lack of evidence on why this phenomenon has occurred, and discussed the possibility of mobile radiations and change in architecture in this occurrence. Adithya additionally commented on the need for sensitivity towards the environment as a first step towards environmental preservation. There was also discussion on the health impacts of pollution and loss of greenery. Suggestions were made on how individuals could use bird baths and bird feeds to improve chances of getting visited by sparrows, and also on use of space by planting roof-top vegetable gardens. The host also brought up the issue of development through road-widening and metro construction which has impacted greenery in Bangalore.

Adithya added that there is a need for increased efforts from an individual and from a community front. Involvement of corporates in greening efforts through corporate social responsibility wings was welcomed, but more serious followup of these initiatives is needed. 

The attendees also pledged to improve greenery in their homes and neighbourhoods and encourage the planting and maintenance of saplings and gardens. LIFE has accepted the request to help the citizen leaders in the efforts towards planting saplings to improve green cover in Bangalore. Plants were distributed to all those in attendance by the hosts.

Great energy and interest was noticed among the selected citizen leaders and the audience.  There is a need for such energetic programmes to help sensitise the wider audience.





 
 

Tree plantation at Gunjur social forest with EMC

Life has conducted tree plantation event at Gunjur social forest with sponsorship from EMC.

The event was conducted on May 22nd and 23rd with participation of more than 50 volunteers along with the Joy of giving week program. Also, this marked 1st tree plantation event in the Forest department Bengaluru, East and South Zone.

Plantation was conducted at Gunjur Social forest with guidance and support from RFO Ganesh V planting with variety of native saplings like, Neem, Honge, Fig, jumbu nerale, Naaye nerale and hippe species. These species were selected to promote local biodiversity to support various birds like Drangos, Cormorants,  egrets, cranes, red vented bulbuls, barn owl, kingfishers, green bee eaters, Ashley prinia, cuckoos, bees and insects. It is important to have a man made social forest along the city outskirts to provide natural habitats.

A demo was given to each batch of volunteers and encouraged to plant further, 200 pits were dug and was a easy task for the team to organize themselves. Each pit was moistened for easy penetration for the roots with a bucket of water, sapling were tied to pole ensure grow vertically, and then pit was closed by making small water collection area around the sapling during rain.

Once planting is done, watering will be done to all the saplings. Further, pictures will be uploaded in Google Picasa in the link mentioned below.

Team work was exhibited and female volunteers have done their physical task indeed well. We had interesting conversation with various question on events, eco consciousness to understand aspects on biodiversity.

On the 1st day around 80 saplings were planted and on the 2nd day remaining saplings were planted.

Ganesh V; RFO, KFD officials; Nagaraja and Balakrishna, Gopal; Forest guard, Shivananje Gowda; helper were present and coordinated.

From EMC around 50 volunteers (names not recorded) with key coordinators like Divya Sen, Prince Benjamin and Lath Swamy were present.

Thanks to EMC for sponsoring the event at the right time which is beginning of monsoons..

Pictures have been uploaded in this link. You may need to login with your Gmail account to access the pictures.

https://picasaweb.google.com/114236028723925235629/Gunjur

Water Hyacinth

Water Hyacinth is an ornamental aquatic plant, introduced to India by British in 1900s. Now if you think any lakes overpopulated by weeds, mostly it is by these invasive plants. These are free floating plants and with green glossy thick leave and 6 petals lavender colored flowers. These can double their population in a fortnight!

Most of the birds lay eggs on these leaves thinking that can support the eggs, but it does not! If not controlled, Hyacinth will cover lakes and blocks water flow, blocks sun light and reduce oxygen in water thus killing aquatics and imbalances natural lifecycle in manmade lakes. Kerala backwaters, Bellandur Lake are notable examples.

Per a survey conducted by Bangalore University, Bellandur Lake contains highest level of heavy metals. This is due the Hyacinth has a capacity to absorb Cr, Cd, Co, Hg and Ni.

If utilized judiciously industrial water pollution can be controlled. This improves nitrification of soil. These are used for cattle food, bags, ropes made from fibers and biogas production.

These can be controlled by herbicides or plant shredding machine and BBMP is spending huge tax payer’s money to conserve the lakes.

Financial Donor list


Levine Lawrence
Harshavardhan G

Swapna SB
Geometric Software Employees
Shankinr Kumaresh
Naveen T
Balaj
Manjunath Adiga
Hamsa
raghavan
Adithya P
Amith Guptha
Jagadeesh
Divya Haritsa
Shrishail K
Anand Gothe
Arun
Tejaswini
Sharavan purohit
Amith Guptha
Vikas Chand
Abhishek shetty
Venkat
Sudarshan Muralidharappa
Nilesh jain
Nagaraj
Anand
Amogh
Neha agarwal
Urmila
Gunarathinam Mahalingam
Yashwanth Banakar
Adithya Veer Singh

Native trees

Native species are those that occur in the region in which they evolved. Plants evolve over geologic time in response to physical and biotic processes characteristic of a region: the climate, soils, timing of rainfall, drought, and frost; and interactions with the other species inhabiting the local community. Thus native plants possess certain traits that make them uniquely adapted to local conditions, providing a practical and ecologically valuable alternative for landscaping, conservation and restoration projects, and as livestock forage. In addition, native plants can match the finest cultivated plants in beauty, while often surpassing non-natives in ruggedness and resistance to drought, insects and disease. 
Ex: Mango, Amla, Champka, Arjuna, Jamun, Chandana, bel, Shivani, Guggula etc...

Singpore Cherry tree

Gasagase mara or commonly known as Singapore cherry is native of Central America.
These fast growing trees now commonly adapted on road sides in India due to its wide shade area yet grown shortly up to 30 feet which adapts to various soil conditions and draught resistant . More people like for its car parking shade in Bengaluru :). The fruit attracts sparrows, flower peckers, bee eaters and fruit bats. Children enjoy ripened red fruit throughout the year.
The tree associated with its place and hence the name Singapore cherry or Panama tree or Jamaican cherry
The fruits are commercial crop in South America and used for tea, juice, Jam, antiseptic etc.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus or Fever tree or Gum tree is an Australian native and varieties count for 700 and more. Has been used commercially and in medicines since 1800 due to Britishers introducing outside Oz. Introduced in India by Tippu Sultan on basement of Nandi Hills, 1790 and in 1843 introduced at Nilgiri hills, Tamilnadu.

It has excellent remedy for respiratory related illness along with properties of anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, anti-oxidant and expectorant properties. Eucalyptus is used as infusion tea with medical supervision. Children under age 6 should not be consumed internally.

Many Indian state governments promoted during 1960-80 to meet demand for paper industry and replacing low value natural forests. These grow very fast in years and send vast network of roots and used in marshy areas to reduce swamps and thus, Malaria. Wood has great value as fire woods and Australia is famous for its forest fires due to these.

Lots of researches were done in 1984 near Hosakote for beliefs and summarized as
-No depletion in water table due to Eucalyptus
-Does not consume more water than a typical tree
-Slight reduction in soil nutrition
-Due to monoculture, affects bio diversity and wild life.

Contrary to above, Karnataka government has passed bill in 1984 to plant in barren lands only due to concerns by farmers and to plant in area with 500-750mm rainfall.

ECO Deepavali

Deepavali, the festival light is celebrated with lighting of small lamps filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. From darkness unto light — the light that empowers us to commit ourselves to good deeds, that which brings us closer to divinity.
Made as “Diwali” by Britishers, as they want to have their way. Still South Indians call as Deepavali.

Indian businessmen were starting their financial year in olden days on this date. The 5 day festival also remarks celebrating demon Naraka killed by Krishna, return of Rama to Ayodhya, worshiping goddess Lakshmi and Kaali, Krishna saving living hood by lifting Govardhana Mountain and Vishnu saving earth from King Bali in order.
Though the celebration done on different places on different dates, the essence is same- to rejoice in inner light (Atma). Also, celebrated in south east Asian countries.

Crackers were introduced in year 1900 since; with a technical reason of fumes produced by crackers will kill mosquitoes and insects after monsoon. And also, making noise make more of celebration and joy or show off in now a days. Contrary to they original reason of festival, crackers are the big and inevitable part of the festival.

Some of the toxic substances found in crackers are compounds of Lead, sulfur, zinc, Cadmium, Magnesium, Copper and Sodium and their affects.

Suspended Particulate -->Matter Asthma, cancer, restrictive lung diseases, pneumoconiosis
Respirable Particulate -->Matter Respiratory illness (chronic bronchitis and asthma), heart 
diseases 
Sulfur Dioxide(SO2) -->Eye burning, headache, respiratory problems like pulmonary 
emphysema, cancer, heart diseases 
Nitrous Oxides --> Lung irritation, chest tightness, viral infection, airway
Resistance

Air and sound pollution prolonged for certain days by using fire crackers. Asthma patients will suffer more and your pets are frightened. 

Do your bit to conserve our Mother earth!

Few tips to go eco-friendly:
--Instead of individual celebration with fireworks prefer community celebration, which also bring oneness.
--Select an area far from hospitals and best is the open ground.
--Look out for noise limit on the cartoon. Prefer less than 80 dB.
--Use diyas, instead of using power consuming electricity lit lamps.
--Cut down tempting shopping list. Excess consumerism consumes raw materials.
--Share the excess left over with underprivileged people while in good condition.
--Go for eco-friendly, recycled, re-usable decorations.
--Try eco-friendly, organic gifts.
--Ask for eco-friendly (reduced effect to environment) crackers and buy from licensee. Heard few are selling Indian made, economical and eco-friendly crackers athttp://www.jagrancityplus.com/city-news/bbmp-identifies-designated-places-for-sale-of-crackers_1319185785.html
--Many firework manufacturer employees child labor, do not support child labor.http://ngopost.org/story/happy-diwali-child-labor-sivakasi

Some safety tips:
-Keep a pail of water to extinguish fire
-Do not wear loose, synthetic cloths.
-Do not inhale smoke.
-Keep first aid handy.
-A nearest hospital address.
-Supervise children during fireworks

Wishing you Happy and Deepavali

Makara sankranthi

Samudhra vasane devi, parvatha sthana mandithe,
Vishnu pathni namasthubhyam pada sparsam kshamasva mae.

Meaning: Salutations to you consort of Lord Vishnu,
Who is clothed by oceans,
And is adorned prettily by the mountains,
Pardon me mother, for setting my foot on you.


Sankranthi is a festival of harvest . Makar Sankranti’ is one of the important festivals celebrated all over India. It is an auspicious occasion which is celebrated with great devotion, enthusiasm and joy.

Acknowledge the sacredness of Earth and all life.
Nature is a creative force worthy of respect, even veneration. Each year
at harvest time, agrarian communities all over India celebrate this festival with enthusiastic abandon. They dance, fly kites, sing and exchange gifts in a grand thanksgiving celebration. It is also a time to thank mother earth and the only way to thank her is to do our part to preserve it for our future.

Sankranti or Sat Kranti which means 'good movement' is the migration of sun from one zodiac to another. Makar Sankranti is the day when the Sun begins its northward journey (Uttarayana) and enters the sign of Makar (the Capricorn) from the Tropic of Cancer. It marks the transition of the Sun from Dhanu rashi (Sagittarius) to Makar rashi (Capricorn).
The day is also of special significance, because on this day, the day and night are of equal hours.

The increased use of glass coated Manja (string) for kite flying injures & kills several birds every year.
It is harmful for people also.
Race with Ox are common and the question is really need thee kind of cruel sports?

Eco friendly tips for first day celebration


Clean your homes, collect all the unwanted and worn out, broken items. Get crafty and turn the thrash into a funky stuff. Else and drop them at your nearest recycling center.
Clearing house of unwanted stuff clears away stale, negative energy and brings an influx of dynamic blessings into the home. Time for clearing the mind and focus on Refuse Reduce Reuse Recycle Recraft


Have fun on second day too?
Use rice flour to make kolam or rangoli on the floor.Rangoli is meant to feed ants.
Try some designs depicting Moon and the Sun in a chariot. Prayers are offered to the Sun,
who lights our lives and our houses
tooo with offerings of freshly
harvested sugarcane and vegetables.


What happens on the third day?
Hindus offer thanks to  cattle, the farmer’s
gracious helpers. Bulls and cows are lovingly
adorned with cowrie shells, embroidered
shawls, colorful ropes and bells.
They are fed sweet rice and sugar cane.



How is the final day celebrated?
"Ancestors and wildlife are venerated.
You can help animals by simply giving a call to the wildlife NGOs working in your city to treat or to relocate them if they are injured.

It is a day for picnic outings and family visits.
Remember never use Plastic or disposable containers, instead use tiffin carriers to pack your lunch

ECO Christmas

     Holidays brings the best of us every year. But they also bring what seems like an environmentalist's worst nightmare and practically adding more waste to Earth: 
-tons of extra garbage, 
-millions of chopped-down trees, 
-megawatts of flashing lights. 
with a little effort, everything from holiday gift-giving to light-stringing can celebrated with minimal impact to environment too. 
Growing excess consumerism keeps only few companies happy as you buy what they want you to buy. Rampant advertisements, convincing you to buy their products, no matter if the are relevant to christmas or no. Loads of decoratives sold are cheap disposables and soon find their way to the bins. Challenge yourself to live without it for at least 2 weeks. Believe me you will not even remmeber the stuff you once found useful.

     This Christmas, lets make Planet friendly decisions. Start to rethink the way you want to celebrate the spirit of holidays. For it does not come from malls or media but from withing you.
     The noise and glitter of the malls have killed the real spirit of festival inside us, we have stopped being creative, you spend the most precious gift  in malls shopping and then in the billing counter "a part of your life". The time spent in the malls which keeps you away from your family can never be purchased back.
Shifting to a simpler and Greener Christmas will make you a happy tighter family.
The best thing around any Christmas tree is your family. Its they who make the festival happier. 


Greener ideas for Christmas:
1) Lights

• Use LED lights on year Christmas tree, they consumes less electricity and still looks nicer and good for environment and inexpensive. Also when you go to bed, remember to turn off the Christmas lights to conserve energy.
• Many people light candles during the holidays, instead of using a regular petroleum wax candle, get a soy wax candle, it last 3 times as long, is 90% better for the environment, and if you spill the melted wax it is easier to clean.

Fun fact: The first known electrically illuminated Christmas tree was the creation of Edward H. Johnson, an associate of inventor Thomas Edison. While he was vice president of the Edison Electric Light Company, a predecessor of today's Con Edison electric utility, he had Christmas tree light bulbs especially made for him. He proudly displayed his Christmas tree, which was hand-wired with 80 red, white and blue electric incandescent light bulbs the size of walnuts, on December 22, 1882 at his home on Fifth Avenue in New York City.

2)Tree

• Use a potted Christmas tree- Rather than buying a real tree thats been cut down, transported and then thrown away, purchase a large potted plant or small tree that can be used each year as your evergreen Christmas tree.Once it grows too big for the pot, just plant it.
• Rent a tree-Find a place to rent the trees.These trees are grown in pots, you can rent them and then return them when you are finished. Once the tree has grown big enough it is planted. 
• Purchase an artificial tree that can be reused for many years.

3)Decorations

• REFUSE to buy ornaments
• REUSE the ones you have, or even better
• RECREATE ... Make some. A fun family project to do, make it out of materials which was going to thrash can or out of nature it's always fun to make things at a family time. 
• Last with ornaments, if you feel you MUST buy some ornaments, buy recycled material ornaments from stores near you.
• Recycle all that is not reusable, if its natural decoration its even better they will not go to bin instead yo your garden compost.

4) Gift wrap 

• Wrap LESS or just don't wrap. If you wrap less presents it reduce the amount of trash. 
• Use recycled wrapping paper, brown paper (which you can recycle), or newspaper to wrap your presents.
• Careful when you you unwrap your presents, as we will use the wrapping paper,box, ribbons next year. Keep them in a box safe in your home until next Christmas.
• Try Furoshiki an eco-friendly wrapping cloth, versatile wraps almost everything. Using techniques similar to origami, it can be used for gift wrapping, grocery shopping or simply as decor. Choose from a wide variety of sizes and designs to complement your lifestyle.  It is reusable and multipurpose. 

5) Food

• When cooking Christmas lunch, keep lids on your saucepans - your sprouts will cook quicker and you will be saving energy too.
• Avoid keeping the oven door open when you check your food.
• Don't cook too much, let the spare food coll before going to fridge as this will help save energy.
• Christmas dishes can be a nightmare but waiting until you have a full load in the dishwasher and using a low energy or economy programme will help keep costs down.

6)E-cards

• E-cards are an inexpensive way to holiday greetings.
• If you really need to buy one, then buy the cards made out of recycled paper and soy ink.

7)Recycle everything

• Look for your local shops or supermarkets for recycling trees, fancy gift wraps, decorative's etc.

8)Shopping

• Santa's aren't suggesting you don’t give your loved ones presents this year. But why not make one or two of them, trade with friends, or buy locally. Think about the products you’re buying – what they’re made of, where they came from, how they got from there to here… and whether they’re actually going to make someone any happier.