Ahimsa, A Way of Life
Thursday February 1 2007 16:42 IST
Priya M Menon
More than six years ago, Purnima Toolsidass, an animal welfare activist, was amazed when she received an email from the Winsome Constance Kindness Trust in Australia. The sender was entrepreuner-turned- humanitarian Philip Wollen.
``I don't know how Phil got to know of us, but he wrote saying he is interested in supporting our activities,'' says Purnima, Trustee, Compassionate Crusaders Trust and People For Animals Kolkata,. ``Maybe he had read about our managing trustee, Debasis Chakrabarti, who is well-known. A number of foreign trusts as well as individuals support us and maybe Phil heard about us from one of his contacts.''
The first donation he sent, about Rs one lakh, came just in time as the organisation was in debt with the suppliers of medicine and fuel. ``We were worried they would not extend out credit,'' says Purnima. ``He is an exceptionally rare, kind and generous person who speaks out against cruelty and exploitation and I hope at least a few emulate his noble example.''
This is but one of the numerous instances when Wollen has lent a helping hand to many a worthy cause in India.
What makes Wollen's Trust unique is the way it functions. Organisations cannot apply for a grant. Instead, Philip and Trix network with about 9,000 people across the globe to gather information about little-known organisations.
``We call them low cost probes,'' says Wollen. For instance, if he wants to know about a shelter being run in some remote corner of India, he would have one of his friends in the area casually check it out for him. For such people, like Purnima, it is pretty much like `` a bolt from the blue'' when they get a letter from the Trust, informing them that they have been awarded a grant and asking for their bank account number. `` It is very demeaning for them to have to ask,'' says Wollen. ``And also heartening to think that someone in the West has heard about them.'' All the grants are unconditional and the Trust never asks for reports or micromanage the groups.
Wollen has been named Australian of the Year 2007 by the state of Victoria and has also featured in the Queen's Birthday Honours list in 2005. But he has his roots firmly entrenched in India.
This ``boy from Bangalore'' who migrated to Australia at the age of 18 is the founder of the Winsome Constance Kindness Trust that works for animals, children and the environment. Of the 350-odd groups that the Trust supports the world over, 55 of them are based in India. ``India is truly the jewel in our crown,'' says Wollen, also the chief patron of Visakha SPCA in Bangalore.
In Chennai recently with wife Trix to attend the Asia for Animals Conference 2007, Wollen was busy doing what he does best - using his money efficiently to support a just cause. This time round, he is trying to create an umbrella organisation for the numerous animal welfare organisations in India.
``There are so many animal welfare groups in India, but they don't speak with one voice,'' says Wollen. What he envisions is an organisation which will provide information about animal welfare issues, highlight problems, lobby with the government, write for newspapers, and promote vegetarianism. Wollen is willing to spend Rs three lakhs per annum on the project and support it for five years.
The zeal and enthusiasm with which he talks about his projects is infectious. What emerges is the picture of a man who has combined his sense of business with the vision of a more humane world.
True to character, Wollen's recent visit to India has been peppered with acts of kindness, bringing a ray of hope to many. In Bangalore, Wollen looked up former classmate George Wadforth (who has acted in movies like Lagaan, in which he played the umpire, a policeman and an English gentleman in a ballroom sequence). ``He was blind, poor and barefoot, living in a tiny room near a vegetable shop that he could only crawl into,'' says Wollen, a former student of Bishop Cotton Boys' School who was meeting Wadforth after 40 years. Moved by Wadforth's plight the Wollens met the entire expenses of George's eye surgery.
His compassion has also brought some solace to seven-year-old Ravi who lost his legs after being hit by a lorry. Wollen, who met the surgeon, paid the hospital bill of Rs 2.5 lakh. ``His father earns just Rs 1,500 a month,'' says Wollen, who is in constant touch with Ravi's social worker, Sylvia Sharma.
Wollen is quick to act once he identifies a worthy cause. And expects the same of others. Visiting an orphanage in Bangalore, he realised that they were very cramped for space. ``All they wanted was a bag of rice but I saw that they needed to double their size,'' says Wollen. He agreed to give the Rs 10 lakh required, provided they began building the very same day.
Wollen's Indian connection goes back a long way. ``Four or five generations of my family have lived in India; in fact we believe that my grandfather was born in Chennai though we cannot figure out where,'' he says. ``My uncle MSD Wollen was Chief Air Marshal and retired as the chairman of HAL.'' Wollen himself spent the first 18 years of his life in Bangalore.
After migrating to Australia, Wollen made his mark specialising in the ``Wall Street kind of business''. By the age of 35, he was the most head hunted executive in Australia. At 38, he was voted the best entrepreneur. On his 40th birthday, Wollen, then VP of Citibank, took the decision that would change his life from being merely successful to being ``significant''. After visiting a slaughterhouse, the merchant banker decided to give up the world of mergers and acquisitions and devote himself to humanitarian causes. He established the Winsome Constance Kindness Trust (named after his mother and grandmother). The mission statement of the Trust is ``to promote kindness towards all other living beings and enshrine it as a recognisable trait in the Australian character and culture.
The Trust builds schools, clinics, orphanages and shelters. ``We don't fundraise,'' says Wollen, who wants to ``give everything away before I die with warm hands''.
All the work of the Trust is done by Wollen and Trix, for whom early mornings and late evenings are part of a typical working day as they often work two time zones. ``We get about 400 e-mails a day,'' says Trix, who has also designed the Trust's website.
The duo is also quick to act in times of crisis. When the Tsunami struck in 2004, Philip and Trix raced from Adelaide to Melbourne to give instructions to their bankers. ``We were too far away to help physically but money is always needed for labour, food and transportation,'' says Wollen, who sent more than a crore to India in the first 48 hours.
A staunch vegan, for Wollen the most beautiful word ever written is - ahimsa. Trix visits the kitchen of every Indian hotel they stay in - to take lessons in vegan cooking from the chefs.
More than anything else, Wollen hopes that other wealthy people will emulate his model. And the website tries to achieve just that, providing a list of organisations that work for non human animals as well as human animals that they hold in high esteem, proclaiming: We strongly recommend them to philanthropists who are serious about getting maximum "bang for their buck". We have satisfied ourselves that these groups are in it for the "long haul". Consequently, they are ideal candidates to receive bequests under the wills of philanthropic people.
``Wealthy people (in business and the professions) don't have the time, experience or the knowledge which we have. So they trust us to do the hard investigative work on the ground,'' he says. ``They believe that if I am putting my own money into a project, I would not be doing it lightly. So they follow my lead. They ask us to recommend a list of quality groups.''
Some of the groups that have been selected so far include Animals Asia Foundation (China Moon Bears), Society for the Protection of Animal Rights in Egypt (SPARE), Animed Arad (Shelter in Romania), Leo Tolstoy CETA (The Ukraine), Beirut for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Lebanon), Save a Dog Scheme (Australia) and Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (anti-whaling in Antarctica) .
Wollen also hopes to get the Indian diaspora to support Indian groups. ``But Indians in Australia have been parsimonious in supporting causes back home. And some of them are very well off,'' says Wollen, never one to mince his words. ``The Jews, Italians and Greeks have done it very well. I admire them greatly.''
Let them fly
Wollen's Kindness House in Melbourne, provides modern office facilities for about 150 NGOs from all over the world. Wollen has just one demand - that the people who work there ``do not consume animals on its premises''. At the entrance of Kindness House is a large bird cage whose bars have been ripped open, the edges painted red. On one side is a couple of lines from William Blake's Auguries of Innocence:
A robin redbreast in a cage
Puts all heaven in a rage
On the other side is the tenet that Wollen firmly believes in: In their capacity to feel fear, pain, hunger and thirst, a pig is a dog is a bear is a boy.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Cebu
The Queen of the South
Priya M Menon travels to Cebu in the Philippines, where the temperature is high and the prices low
At Cebu, the oldest city in the Philippines, there wait pristine white beaches, sparkling clear water, the smell of golden-yellow mangoes, and the strains of the guitar. But before it all — as soon as you step out of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, in fact — there is the intense, intense heat.
As we make our sweaty way to the Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort, a short drive away from the airport on Mactan island, the colourful jeepneys catch our eye. The most popular means of public transportation, jeepneys were originally made from US military jeeps left over from World War II.
Two bridges — the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge and the Marcelo B Fernan Bridge — connect Mactan to Cebu, the Queen of the South. Both islands are rich in history, and we have arrived at a most opportune moment. On April 27, 1521, Ferdinand Magellan was slain by the chieftain of Mactan island, Lapu-Lapu, who is considered the first Filipino hero — you even have a fish called Lapu-Lapu! Every April 27, the historic Battle of Mactan is re-enacted in a spectacular manner at Magellan Bay. This year, the arrival of the President drew a crowd teeming by the bay, braving the blazing sun.
Driving into Cebu, the cradle of Christianity in the country, we visit Magellan’s Cross. The original cross has been encased in a protective wooden cross, as believers chipped away pieces to take away with them.
We drive through busy Colon Street, the oldest in the Philippines, to another relic of the Spanish colonial period — Fort San Pedro, built in 1565 to protect the Spanish from the pirates. Cebu has a sizeable Chinese population. In the exclusive Beverly Hills area is the Taoist Temple set amidst picturesque surroundings.
After a day steeped in history, back in Mactan, we decide to go island hopping. If you are a water-baby, then this Diving Mecca of the South is paradise. You can go para sailing, scuba diving, snorkelling, windsurfing... Even if you are not a good swimmer, your guides will help you snorkel and take in the underwater delights, as I come to discover. All beach resorts have packages that you can choose from, and diving and snorkelling gear is available for hire.
Eating on the islands is an experience in itself, with only the freshest of sea food gracing your plate. If you are adventurous, then you have a delectable variety — from raw oysters dipped in vinegar to ostrich meat. The popular Filipino delicacy, however, is the lechon (roasted pig).
Here, a word of warning to vegetarians. Carry your own food, as the very concept of vegetarianism is quite alien in the Philippines, though a variety of cuisines, like Thai, Japanese, Italian and Korean, is available. Before you reach out for even the dessert, cross check. But you do have the affirmedly vegetarian Halo-Halo. Made of crushed ice, a mix of fruits and ice cream, it is a meal in itself. And, of course, the delicious, juicy mangoes. Cebu’s dried mangoes (similar to our aam papdi) are popular all over the world.
If you have the time, you must visit Mactan’s guitar factories, especially the famous Allegro guitar factory, where you get handcrafted guitars. For cheaper souvenirs, small guitars are available everywhere on the streets. You can pick a little one for just 80 pesos. Also, talking of cheap options, we discover that Cebu is a place where you can shop to your heart’s content without straining your budget. Even the enormous malls, like SM City, offer you shoes, clothing, bags, island souvenirs and much more at bargain prices.
Getting there
If you are travelling to Cebu, Singapore Airlines flies daily to Singapore from Chennai. Connection flights are available from Singapore to Cebu. The economy class return airfare will cost about Rs 26,890, not including taxes and surcharges.
There are direct flights to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport from key cities in the Philippines, like Manila. The flight from Manila takes about an hour. You can also travel to Cebu from Manila by sea. The journey takes about 22 hours. An airport tax of 200 pesos has to be paid at the Manila and Cebu airports. Log on to www.wowphilippines.com.ph or www.cvis.net.ph/dotr7 for more information.
Priya M Menon travels to Cebu in the Philippines, where the temperature is high and the prices low
At Cebu, the oldest city in the Philippines, there wait pristine white beaches, sparkling clear water, the smell of golden-yellow mangoes, and the strains of the guitar. But before it all — as soon as you step out of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, in fact — there is the intense, intense heat.
As we make our sweaty way to the Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort, a short drive away from the airport on Mactan island, the colourful jeepneys catch our eye. The most popular means of public transportation, jeepneys were originally made from US military jeeps left over from World War II.
Two bridges — the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge and the Marcelo B Fernan Bridge — connect Mactan to Cebu, the Queen of the South. Both islands are rich in history, and we have arrived at a most opportune moment. On April 27, 1521, Ferdinand Magellan was slain by the chieftain of Mactan island, Lapu-Lapu, who is considered the first Filipino hero — you even have a fish called Lapu-Lapu! Every April 27, the historic Battle of Mactan is re-enacted in a spectacular manner at Magellan Bay. This year, the arrival of the President drew a crowd teeming by the bay, braving the blazing sun.
Driving into Cebu, the cradle of Christianity in the country, we visit Magellan’s Cross. The original cross has been encased in a protective wooden cross, as believers chipped away pieces to take away with them.
We drive through busy Colon Street, the oldest in the Philippines, to another relic of the Spanish colonial period — Fort San Pedro, built in 1565 to protect the Spanish from the pirates. Cebu has a sizeable Chinese population. In the exclusive Beverly Hills area is the Taoist Temple set amidst picturesque surroundings.
After a day steeped in history, back in Mactan, we decide to go island hopping. If you are a water-baby, then this Diving Mecca of the South is paradise. You can go para sailing, scuba diving, snorkelling, windsurfing... Even if you are not a good swimmer, your guides will help you snorkel and take in the underwater delights, as I come to discover. All beach resorts have packages that you can choose from, and diving and snorkelling gear is available for hire.
Eating on the islands is an experience in itself, with only the freshest of sea food gracing your plate. If you are adventurous, then you have a delectable variety — from raw oysters dipped in vinegar to ostrich meat. The popular Filipino delicacy, however, is the lechon (roasted pig).
Here, a word of warning to vegetarians. Carry your own food, as the very concept of vegetarianism is quite alien in the Philippines, though a variety of cuisines, like Thai, Japanese, Italian and Korean, is available. Before you reach out for even the dessert, cross check. But you do have the affirmedly vegetarian Halo-Halo. Made of crushed ice, a mix of fruits and ice cream, it is a meal in itself. And, of course, the delicious, juicy mangoes. Cebu’s dried mangoes (similar to our aam papdi) are popular all over the world.
If you have the time, you must visit Mactan’s guitar factories, especially the famous Allegro guitar factory, where you get handcrafted guitars. For cheaper souvenirs, small guitars are available everywhere on the streets. You can pick a little one for just 80 pesos. Also, talking of cheap options, we discover that Cebu is a place where you can shop to your heart’s content without straining your budget. Even the enormous malls, like SM City, offer you shoes, clothing, bags, island souvenirs and much more at bargain prices.
Getting there
If you are travelling to Cebu, Singapore Airlines flies daily to Singapore from Chennai. Connection flights are available from Singapore to Cebu. The economy class return airfare will cost about Rs 26,890, not including taxes and surcharges.
There are direct flights to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport from key cities in the Philippines, like Manila. The flight from Manila takes about an hour. You can also travel to Cebu from Manila by sea. The journey takes about 22 hours. An airport tax of 200 pesos has to be paid at the Manila and Cebu airports. Log on to www.wowphilippines.com.ph or www.cvis.net.ph/dotr7 for more information.
War and peace in Lanka
War and peace in Lanka
Saturday May 5 2007 14:58 IST
Priya M Menon
The scorching sun beats down on the dusty village roads. But the people who line the streets are oblivious to the heat. There is a sense of gaiety in the air. Women and children rush out of their homes, splashing mugfulls of water at the marathon runners as they pass by, bare torsos glistening with sweat.
Though the New Year has long since dawned, festivities are still on in Habarana, with every village conducting sporting events and even beauty contests. As I watch the smiling, happy faces and soak in the relaxed atmosphere, it is difficult to believe that I am in a country torn by civil strife.
We arrive in Colombo just a couple of days after the New Year (April 14). It’s been less than a month since LTTE’s first aerial strike on Katunayake Air Force Base near the Bhandarnaike international airport. Habarana, in Anuradhapura district, is a four hour drive from Colombo, cutting through a lush green landscape.
Late in the evening, we check into Chaaya Village, a sprawling resort that blends into its rich natural surroundings. The open lounge and bar area are filled with cricket enthusiasts. But people are more excited about another international media event — the Abhi-Ash wedding. Once they realise we are Indian journalists, we are deluged with questions about the famous couple.
Sri Lankan cuisine — with red rice, string hoppers and spicy potato curry and pittu (what we know as puttu) — only serves to reinforce the impression of being in Kerala, another tourists’ paradise. Except that the hotel staff here wonder whether they’ll have a steady stream of tourists. ‘‘The travel advisories of many countries now warn against travelling to Sri Lanka,’’ they rue. Soon after the first aerial attack, Australia issued a strict warning against travelling to the island.
Habarana is in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, which links the ancient capitals of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kandy. Next morning, we are up with the sun, heading for Sigiriya, a world heritage site just a short drive from the hotel.
We wander through the ruins to the base of the 370 m tall rock on which the magnificent fortress was built by King Kashyapa in the fifth century. The climb is long and arduous, but enough incentives along the way keep us going. Like the beautiful, if faded, frescoes atop the winding staircase. The last steep flight of stairs, which narrows to a rather fragile iron staircase, is through the Lion Gate, so called because the entrance was formerly through the mouth of a stone lion. Today, only the massive paws remain. The view from the summit is breathtaking, encompassing the remnants of the royal pool and palace, the throne, walkways and gardens. In the afternoon, we are off to view the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, another world heritage site. After the destruction of Anuradhapura, it was the capital of Sri Lanka from 11 AD to 13 AD.
The next day, we head for the spice gardens of Matale. At 9 New Paradise Spice Garden, Mohammed Nisthar, the manager, welcomes us with a delicious drink of cocoa milk laced with red banana extract, before leading us through the garden, challenging us to identify an aromatic leaf or a little berry.
Nisthar is insistent that we try a massage. And as he eases the pain from our aching limbs, we get a glimpse into lives that have been altered by the ugly face of terrorism. ‘‘About 70 families depend on this garden for their livelihood,’’ says Nisthar. ‘‘Earlier, about 20-25 tours would visit our garden every month, but now we are lucky if we get one.’’
The spice gardens have their own cure for everything — be it migraine or a low sex drive. Besides the aromatic sandalwood and lotus oil perfumes, the herbal hair removing cream and ‘‘slim drops’’ are star attractions. Any of these will burn a hole in your budget, though.
We then head towards the hill town of Kandy. As dusk falls, we make our way to the Dalada Maligawa or Temple of the Tooth, just in time for the special puja — amidst heavy security. Understandable, as the shrine, which houses the scared tooth of Buddha, was bombed by terrorists in 1998, damaging its façade and roof.
The next day, we reluctantly leave behind Kandy’s cool environs and embark on the long drive to Colombo. Green hillsides and fresh mountain air rapidly give way to dusty roads, concrete and numerous check posts.
Our first impression of Colombo is that of a ghost city. At 5.30 pm the streets are deserted except for the stray pedestrian hurrying home. Armed guards are posted every few yards. The shops have all downed their shutters; a little ahead, the huge poster of an exaggeratedly voluptuous woman succeeds in attracting a few to a rundown little theatre.
But by 9.30 the next morning, the city is brimming with life. We drive by the highly guarded beach, with coast guard boats whizzing by on the horizon. On a Saturday morning, people crowd the steps of a famous shopping mall, House of Fashions, waiting for it to open. The clothes, especially cottons, are cheap. If you have a higher budget you must definitely drop into Odel and Barefoot.
Everywhere around you, the streets fill up with people, enjoying the weekend. And as we leave, we are struck once again by the spirit of the people who live here; people who have learned to make their peace in times of war.
Budget holiday
If you’re on a tight budget, check out the packages of SriLankan Holidays, the leisure arm of SriLankan Airlines, which start from Rs 9,999. Rates include return economy class airfares, inclusive of taxes, airport transfers, and accommodation. Valid till May 31, 2007. More details at www.srilankan-holidays.com
Saturday May 5 2007 14:58 IST
Priya M Menon
The scorching sun beats down on the dusty village roads. But the people who line the streets are oblivious to the heat. There is a sense of gaiety in the air. Women and children rush out of their homes, splashing mugfulls of water at the marathon runners as they pass by, bare torsos glistening with sweat.
Though the New Year has long since dawned, festivities are still on in Habarana, with every village conducting sporting events and even beauty contests. As I watch the smiling, happy faces and soak in the relaxed atmosphere, it is difficult to believe that I am in a country torn by civil strife.
We arrive in Colombo just a couple of days after the New Year (April 14). It’s been less than a month since LTTE’s first aerial strike on Katunayake Air Force Base near the Bhandarnaike international airport. Habarana, in Anuradhapura district, is a four hour drive from Colombo, cutting through a lush green landscape.
Late in the evening, we check into Chaaya Village, a sprawling resort that blends into its rich natural surroundings. The open lounge and bar area are filled with cricket enthusiasts. But people are more excited about another international media event — the Abhi-Ash wedding. Once they realise we are Indian journalists, we are deluged with questions about the famous couple.
Sri Lankan cuisine — with red rice, string hoppers and spicy potato curry and pittu (what we know as puttu) — only serves to reinforce the impression of being in Kerala, another tourists’ paradise. Except that the hotel staff here wonder whether they’ll have a steady stream of tourists. ‘‘The travel advisories of many countries now warn against travelling to Sri Lanka,’’ they rue. Soon after the first aerial attack, Australia issued a strict warning against travelling to the island.
Habarana is in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, which links the ancient capitals of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kandy. Next morning, we are up with the sun, heading for Sigiriya, a world heritage site just a short drive from the hotel.
We wander through the ruins to the base of the 370 m tall rock on which the magnificent fortress was built by King Kashyapa in the fifth century. The climb is long and arduous, but enough incentives along the way keep us going. Like the beautiful, if faded, frescoes atop the winding staircase. The last steep flight of stairs, which narrows to a rather fragile iron staircase, is through the Lion Gate, so called because the entrance was formerly through the mouth of a stone lion. Today, only the massive paws remain. The view from the summit is breathtaking, encompassing the remnants of the royal pool and palace, the throne, walkways and gardens. In the afternoon, we are off to view the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, another world heritage site. After the destruction of Anuradhapura, it was the capital of Sri Lanka from 11 AD to 13 AD.
The next day, we head for the spice gardens of Matale. At 9 New Paradise Spice Garden, Mohammed Nisthar, the manager, welcomes us with a delicious drink of cocoa milk laced with red banana extract, before leading us through the garden, challenging us to identify an aromatic leaf or a little berry.
Nisthar is insistent that we try a massage. And as he eases the pain from our aching limbs, we get a glimpse into lives that have been altered by the ugly face of terrorism. ‘‘About 70 families depend on this garden for their livelihood,’’ says Nisthar. ‘‘Earlier, about 20-25 tours would visit our garden every month, but now we are lucky if we get one.’’
The spice gardens have their own cure for everything — be it migraine or a low sex drive. Besides the aromatic sandalwood and lotus oil perfumes, the herbal hair removing cream and ‘‘slim drops’’ are star attractions. Any of these will burn a hole in your budget, though.
We then head towards the hill town of Kandy. As dusk falls, we make our way to the Dalada Maligawa or Temple of the Tooth, just in time for the special puja — amidst heavy security. Understandable, as the shrine, which houses the scared tooth of Buddha, was bombed by terrorists in 1998, damaging its façade and roof.
The next day, we reluctantly leave behind Kandy’s cool environs and embark on the long drive to Colombo. Green hillsides and fresh mountain air rapidly give way to dusty roads, concrete and numerous check posts.
Our first impression of Colombo is that of a ghost city. At 5.30 pm the streets are deserted except for the stray pedestrian hurrying home. Armed guards are posted every few yards. The shops have all downed their shutters; a little ahead, the huge poster of an exaggeratedly voluptuous woman succeeds in attracting a few to a rundown little theatre.
But by 9.30 the next morning, the city is brimming with life. We drive by the highly guarded beach, with coast guard boats whizzing by on the horizon. On a Saturday morning, people crowd the steps of a famous shopping mall, House of Fashions, waiting for it to open. The clothes, especially cottons, are cheap. If you have a higher budget you must definitely drop into Odel and Barefoot.
Everywhere around you, the streets fill up with people, enjoying the weekend. And as we leave, we are struck once again by the spirit of the people who live here; people who have learned to make their peace in times of war.
Budget holiday
If you’re on a tight budget, check out the packages of SriLankan Holidays, the leisure arm of SriLankan Airlines, which start from Rs 9,999. Rates include return economy class airfares, inclusive of taxes, airport transfers, and accommodation. Valid till May 31, 2007. More details at www.srilankan-holidays.com
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
People power
Friday July 13 2007 14:35 IST
Priya M Menon
As cities grow, lush greenery makes way for urban concrete jungles. That’s true of any Indian city today. We are losing our green spaces, the ‘lungs’ of any city that are vital for our existence. And the rate at which trees are being cut down, has made it imperative for us to take prompt action.Just recently, the Madras High Court directed the Chennai Corporation to plant 50 saplings for every tree it fells, irrespective of the purpose. It has also been asked to plant 50 saplings of ‘sitespecific’ species in case the transplanted saplings die or decay.This directive was on a PIL filed by a concerned citizen D Vijaya Bhaskaran of Alwarpet, against the proposed felling of trees along the arterial roads in the city. An inspiring instance of what each one of us can do for the environment.Yet another fine example of citizen’s effort can be seen in New Delhi where a number of concerned citizens have come together to fight to protect what they believe is precious.‘Trees for Delhi’ is a coalition of a group of concerned citizens and environmental NGOs. It has been campaigning to put a stop to the thousands of trees being cut in Delhi. The current focus, however, is to save the trees that are marked for felling for the construction of the first phase of the High Capacity Bus Service (HCBS) in South-Central Delhi. On June 5, World Environment Day, they also organized a public protest against anti-environment city planning.To highlight the need to stop mindless development, they have some hard facts for you. Just consider: -Despite the 33% green cover recommended under the National Forest Policy, Delhi’s tree cover is only at a 10.2% mark. -Today, even though Delhi’s green cover is way below the prescribed mark, 35,000 trees have already been cut down for the metro, flyovers and various road widening projects. -Another 2,100 trees are to be cut for the High Capacity Bus Service for just a 14km stretch.Green spaces are the lungs of any city. Did you know that just an acre of healthy trees can produce enough oxygen for 18 people per day? Trees also help combat air pollution, prevent soil erosion, reduce noise pollution and can also decrease energy costs by reducing heating and cooling costs.It is easy to conclude that fewer trees mean an adverse impact on human health. For instance, hotter summers and a rise in breathing ailments like asthma.Do we have an alternative? Yes, say environmentalists. According to them, rigorous traffic management would definitely be a great step, for it means that then you needn’t widen the road to accommodate more lanes.Trees for Delhi is also working to stop the felling of trees in Sundar Nursery, which houses at least 114 species of rare and unusual trees. This citizen’s initiative is one that can be emulated by each one of us, no matter in which part of the country we live in. What matters is that we care enough to take act. For, ultimately, that’s what will make a difference.
Friday July 13 2007 14:35 IST
Priya M Menon
As cities grow, lush greenery makes way for urban concrete jungles. That’s true of any Indian city today. We are losing our green spaces, the ‘lungs’ of any city that are vital for our existence. And the rate at which trees are being cut down, has made it imperative for us to take prompt action.Just recently, the Madras High Court directed the Chennai Corporation to plant 50 saplings for every tree it fells, irrespective of the purpose. It has also been asked to plant 50 saplings of ‘sitespecific’ species in case the transplanted saplings die or decay.This directive was on a PIL filed by a concerned citizen D Vijaya Bhaskaran of Alwarpet, against the proposed felling of trees along the arterial roads in the city. An inspiring instance of what each one of us can do for the environment.Yet another fine example of citizen’s effort can be seen in New Delhi where a number of concerned citizens have come together to fight to protect what they believe is precious.‘Trees for Delhi’ is a coalition of a group of concerned citizens and environmental NGOs. It has been campaigning to put a stop to the thousands of trees being cut in Delhi. The current focus, however, is to save the trees that are marked for felling for the construction of the first phase of the High Capacity Bus Service (HCBS) in South-Central Delhi. On June 5, World Environment Day, they also organized a public protest against anti-environment city planning.To highlight the need to stop mindless development, they have some hard facts for you. Just consider: -Despite the 33% green cover recommended under the National Forest Policy, Delhi’s tree cover is only at a 10.2% mark. -Today, even though Delhi’s green cover is way below the prescribed mark, 35,000 trees have already been cut down for the metro, flyovers and various road widening projects. -Another 2,100 trees are to be cut for the High Capacity Bus Service for just a 14km stretch.Green spaces are the lungs of any city. Did you know that just an acre of healthy trees can produce enough oxygen for 18 people per day? Trees also help combat air pollution, prevent soil erosion, reduce noise pollution and can also decrease energy costs by reducing heating and cooling costs.It is easy to conclude that fewer trees mean an adverse impact on human health. For instance, hotter summers and a rise in breathing ailments like asthma.Do we have an alternative? Yes, say environmentalists. According to them, rigorous traffic management would definitely be a great step, for it means that then you needn’t widen the road to accommodate more lanes.Trees for Delhi is also working to stop the felling of trees in Sundar Nursery, which houses at least 114 species of rare and unusual trees. This citizen’s initiative is one that can be emulated by each one of us, no matter in which part of the country we live in. What matters is that we care enough to take act. For, ultimately, that’s what will make a difference.
Gay. So what?
Gay. So what?
Friday July 6 2007 15:19 IST
Priya M Menon
In June 2007, Baljit Kaur and Rajwinder Kaur of Amritsar made headlines when they tied the knot despite violent opposition from their families. “We love each other and will die for each other,” the women declared. They’ve threatened to run away to Canada if the families continued to be difficult and in the meanwhile, plan to start a family of their own — by adopting a child.
Baljit and Rajwinder are yet another example of a lesbian couple who have dared to defy social norms and a legal system that criminalises homosexuality. In 2006, Wetka Polang (30) and Melka Nilsa (22) of Orissa actually managed to get their union blessed by their community. Wetka and Melka, day labourers who belong to the Kandha tribe, got married in a traditional ceremony presided over by a Kandha priest after paying a fine — a barrel of country liquor, a pair of oxen, a sack of rice — and hosted a family feast.
“They wanted to prove that they can live without the help of men. They also love each other very much. So we decided to forgive them,” said village elder Melka Powla.
These are rare yet defining instances of defiance in a society which still hesitates to talk about sex and where homosexuality is a crime, courtesy Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. In a social setting where same sex love often leads to social ostracisation, police harassment and even suicide, members of this hitherto silent community are now making their voice heard.
Last year, Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil of Rajpipla, Gujarat, drew international media attention when he publicly declared himself to be a homosexual. “I wanted to open a Pandora’s box,” says Manvendra. “That could have happened if only there is some controversy. I thought an Indian prince openly talking about his sexuality would make news.” And it did. His effigy was burnt and the royal family threatened to disinherit him. Though it was legally impossible, the resulting controversy triggered national debate on homosexuals and their rights.
Interestingly, it is the emergence of AIDS in India that has enabled public discussion about homosexuality. "The HIV/AIDS issue has flushed homosexuality out of the closet," says Sunil Menon, founder member of Sahodaran, an organisation in Chennai that works with MSM (men having sex with men).
Aditya Bondopadhyay, legal advisor to Naz Foundation International (NFI), a London-based NGO that helps set up and support community-based NGO's working with MSM, agrees. “It was recognised by the state that HIV is a problem and MSM are a high-risk group,” he says. “Groups initially started low-key, just spreading awareness, but soon realised that they cannot do it without addressing rights issues. For instance, if someone wanted to visit a drop-in centre, they had to be confident that police would not haul them up.”
This does not mean that there has been no backlash. In July 2001, four HIV/ AIDS prevention workers from Naz Foundation and Bharosa Trust, Lucknow, who work with MSM groups were arrested by the Lucknow police, sparking off a controversy. "In a way it is a milestone that helped the movement in India as it motivated all groups in India to come out and protest; it proved that Section 377 is a law that needs to go," says Aditya.
The Internet is another factor that has helped fuel change. “There are e-groups and discussion forums,” says Aditya. "Gay Bombay, a yahoo group, is now the largest group with over 16,000 members from India. This helps rope in professionals like doctors and lawyers from within the community.”
Today, all over India, there are a number of groups that offer support, counselling and also focus on rights issues. But “coming out” is still a sensitive issue which can have far-reaching consequences.
First of all, you have to come to terms with your own sexuality. “You need to have access to information and interact with other people with similar feelings and behaviour,” says Sunil. “Most people know they are gay but suppress it for they will not get any support from the family.”
The burden of living a lie can take its toll. “I did get married,” says Prince Manvendra. “I thought I could become straight, that was my understanding of my sexuality in those days.” The marriage didn’t last and they divorced soon after.
In 1997, he established the Lakshya Trust, a community-based organisation, which has been working in the HIV/AIDS sector since 2001. In 2002, Manvendra suffered a nervous breakdown. “The burden of lying to everyone was too much,” says Manvendra. “I was hospitalised and first spoke about my sexuality to my psychiatrist who told my parents."
Coming out publicly can change your life forever. For Dr Hoshang Merchant, who teaches at the Hyderabad Central University (HCU), it was loss of his inheritance. “But I got my freedom,” he says. His open sexual orientation got him “kicked out of 17 houses in 11 months.” “I was also kicked out of my job as a Reader at Pune University when they realised I am gay; in seven years I changed 11 jobs,” says Hoshang, editor of Yaraana, the first anothology of Gay Indian Literature published by Penguin in 1999.
That’s why coming out is advisable only if you are independent, especially financially. All the more so if you are a woman. “Where is a girl to go if she is disowned by her family?” asks Malobika, founder-member of Sappho, which was established in 1999 as an emotional support provider group for lesbians. “Coming out is still a very big deal.” In West Bengal, a young girl was tonsured recently for displaying “man-like” behaviour.
Sappho, which runs helplines from 10 am to 9 pm, has more than 200 members now. “Many of the spouses of women who contact us have no idea of their dual life,” she says. “Some of them just want our help and stay in touch over the phone or by mail as they say their husbands are wonderful and don't want to leave them.”
“In India it is fine to be gay or lesbian as long as you don’t ask for identity, validation and legitimacy,” says leading gay activist Ashok Row Kavi. “It is ok to be a gay man as long as it doesn't threaten the family.”
He established the Humsafar Trust in Mumbai in April 1994 to reach out to the gay population. He also published the Bombay Dost, one of the oldest gay publications in Mumbai, to serve as a platform for sexual minorities. Though it wound up a few years ago, Kavi is thinking of reviving it, maybe make it web-based with an annual print edition.
According to Sylvester Merchant of Lakshya Trust, even today, discrimination is largely due to ignorance. “For instance, many people think all homosexuals are pedophiles,” he says.
But attitudes to sex and sexuality are changing. Kavi cites the example of a young boy who likes to dress up like a girl. “It is really admirable how his mother is handling it,” says Kavi. “She has explained his behaviour to the school which is also sensitised and learning to cope.”
Even on the professional front, policies are becoming more liberal. “With MNCs coming to India and Indian companies becoming multinationals, today discrimination cannot be made on grounds of sexuality,” says Aditya.
Hoshang teaches a pioneering gay literature course in HCU, the second such course in India. The First Annual LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) film festival organised recently in Kolkata by Sappho for Equality and Pratyay Gender Trust, was a huge success.
Says Malobika: “We got an irate father-in-law who was very upset about his daughter-in-law being a lesbian. Though he was a doctor, he thought it was a disease. We counselled him, and when he left two and a half hours later, it was after donating Rs 200. The woman continues to stay with her in-laws.”
A thorn in the flesh
Section 377 of the IPC states that: “Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature, with any man, woman, or animal shall be punishable with imprisonment for life or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years and shall also be liable to fine.”
This law, which was first passed in England in the 16th century to criminalise homosexuality, was adopted by the British for India, when the Indian Penal Code was enacted in 1860. It was repealed in England in 1967 but is still in effect in India though it there is an ongoing campaign to repeal it. The Law Commission of India, in its 172nd report (on review of rape laws), recommended its repeal.
In September 2006, more than 100 celebrities like Nobel laureate economist Amartya Sen, Booker prizewinner Arundhati Roy and writer Vikram Seth signed an open letter protesting against Section 377. The letter said the law had been used to “systematically persecute, blackmail, arrest and terrorise sexual minorities.”
Friday July 6 2007 15:19 IST
Priya M Menon
In June 2007, Baljit Kaur and Rajwinder Kaur of Amritsar made headlines when they tied the knot despite violent opposition from their families. “We love each other and will die for each other,” the women declared. They’ve threatened to run away to Canada if the families continued to be difficult and in the meanwhile, plan to start a family of their own — by adopting a child.
Baljit and Rajwinder are yet another example of a lesbian couple who have dared to defy social norms and a legal system that criminalises homosexuality. In 2006, Wetka Polang (30) and Melka Nilsa (22) of Orissa actually managed to get their union blessed by their community. Wetka and Melka, day labourers who belong to the Kandha tribe, got married in a traditional ceremony presided over by a Kandha priest after paying a fine — a barrel of country liquor, a pair of oxen, a sack of rice — and hosted a family feast.
“They wanted to prove that they can live without the help of men. They also love each other very much. So we decided to forgive them,” said village elder Melka Powla.
These are rare yet defining instances of defiance in a society which still hesitates to talk about sex and where homosexuality is a crime, courtesy Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. In a social setting where same sex love often leads to social ostracisation, police harassment and even suicide, members of this hitherto silent community are now making their voice heard.
Last year, Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil of Rajpipla, Gujarat, drew international media attention when he publicly declared himself to be a homosexual. “I wanted to open a Pandora’s box,” says Manvendra. “That could have happened if only there is some controversy. I thought an Indian prince openly talking about his sexuality would make news.” And it did. His effigy was burnt and the royal family threatened to disinherit him. Though it was legally impossible, the resulting controversy triggered national debate on homosexuals and their rights.
Interestingly, it is the emergence of AIDS in India that has enabled public discussion about homosexuality. "The HIV/AIDS issue has flushed homosexuality out of the closet," says Sunil Menon, founder member of Sahodaran, an organisation in Chennai that works with MSM (men having sex with men).
Aditya Bondopadhyay, legal advisor to Naz Foundation International (NFI), a London-based NGO that helps set up and support community-based NGO's working with MSM, agrees. “It was recognised by the state that HIV is a problem and MSM are a high-risk group,” he says. “Groups initially started low-key, just spreading awareness, but soon realised that they cannot do it without addressing rights issues. For instance, if someone wanted to visit a drop-in centre, they had to be confident that police would not haul them up.”
This does not mean that there has been no backlash. In July 2001, four HIV/ AIDS prevention workers from Naz Foundation and Bharosa Trust, Lucknow, who work with MSM groups were arrested by the Lucknow police, sparking off a controversy. "In a way it is a milestone that helped the movement in India as it motivated all groups in India to come out and protest; it proved that Section 377 is a law that needs to go," says Aditya.
The Internet is another factor that has helped fuel change. “There are e-groups and discussion forums,” says Aditya. "Gay Bombay, a yahoo group, is now the largest group with over 16,000 members from India. This helps rope in professionals like doctors and lawyers from within the community.”
Today, all over India, there are a number of groups that offer support, counselling and also focus on rights issues. But “coming out” is still a sensitive issue which can have far-reaching consequences.
First of all, you have to come to terms with your own sexuality. “You need to have access to information and interact with other people with similar feelings and behaviour,” says Sunil. “Most people know they are gay but suppress it for they will not get any support from the family.”
The burden of living a lie can take its toll. “I did get married,” says Prince Manvendra. “I thought I could become straight, that was my understanding of my sexuality in those days.” The marriage didn’t last and they divorced soon after.
In 1997, he established the Lakshya Trust, a community-based organisation, which has been working in the HIV/AIDS sector since 2001. In 2002, Manvendra suffered a nervous breakdown. “The burden of lying to everyone was too much,” says Manvendra. “I was hospitalised and first spoke about my sexuality to my psychiatrist who told my parents."
Coming out publicly can change your life forever. For Dr Hoshang Merchant, who teaches at the Hyderabad Central University (HCU), it was loss of his inheritance. “But I got my freedom,” he says. His open sexual orientation got him “kicked out of 17 houses in 11 months.” “I was also kicked out of my job as a Reader at Pune University when they realised I am gay; in seven years I changed 11 jobs,” says Hoshang, editor of Yaraana, the first anothology of Gay Indian Literature published by Penguin in 1999.
That’s why coming out is advisable only if you are independent, especially financially. All the more so if you are a woman. “Where is a girl to go if she is disowned by her family?” asks Malobika, founder-member of Sappho, which was established in 1999 as an emotional support provider group for lesbians. “Coming out is still a very big deal.” In West Bengal, a young girl was tonsured recently for displaying “man-like” behaviour.
Sappho, which runs helplines from 10 am to 9 pm, has more than 200 members now. “Many of the spouses of women who contact us have no idea of their dual life,” she says. “Some of them just want our help and stay in touch over the phone or by mail as they say their husbands are wonderful and don't want to leave them.”
“In India it is fine to be gay or lesbian as long as you don’t ask for identity, validation and legitimacy,” says leading gay activist Ashok Row Kavi. “It is ok to be a gay man as long as it doesn't threaten the family.”
He established the Humsafar Trust in Mumbai in April 1994 to reach out to the gay population. He also published the Bombay Dost, one of the oldest gay publications in Mumbai, to serve as a platform for sexual minorities. Though it wound up a few years ago, Kavi is thinking of reviving it, maybe make it web-based with an annual print edition.
According to Sylvester Merchant of Lakshya Trust, even today, discrimination is largely due to ignorance. “For instance, many people think all homosexuals are pedophiles,” he says.
But attitudes to sex and sexuality are changing. Kavi cites the example of a young boy who likes to dress up like a girl. “It is really admirable how his mother is handling it,” says Kavi. “She has explained his behaviour to the school which is also sensitised and learning to cope.”
Even on the professional front, policies are becoming more liberal. “With MNCs coming to India and Indian companies becoming multinationals, today discrimination cannot be made on grounds of sexuality,” says Aditya.
Hoshang teaches a pioneering gay literature course in HCU, the second such course in India. The First Annual LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) film festival organised recently in Kolkata by Sappho for Equality and Pratyay Gender Trust, was a huge success.
Says Malobika: “We got an irate father-in-law who was very upset about his daughter-in-law being a lesbian. Though he was a doctor, he thought it was a disease. We counselled him, and when he left two and a half hours later, it was after donating Rs 200. The woman continues to stay with her in-laws.”
A thorn in the flesh
Section 377 of the IPC states that: “Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature, with any man, woman, or animal shall be punishable with imprisonment for life or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years and shall also be liable to fine.”
This law, which was first passed in England in the 16th century to criminalise homosexuality, was adopted by the British for India, when the Indian Penal Code was enacted in 1860. It was repealed in England in 1967 but is still in effect in India though it there is an ongoing campaign to repeal it. The Law Commission of India, in its 172nd report (on review of rape laws), recommended its repeal.
In September 2006, more than 100 celebrities like Nobel laureate economist Amartya Sen, Booker prizewinner Arundhati Roy and writer Vikram Seth signed an open letter protesting against Section 377. The letter said the law had been used to “systematically persecute, blackmail, arrest and terrorise sexual minorities.”
Save the tiger, sell it
Thursday June 28 2007 20:29 IST
Priya M Menon
At the 171-nation UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) which concluded at The Hague on June 15, China was criticised for reviewing a 1993 ban on domestic trade in tiger parts for fear that any sales could drive wild cats to extinction. Many nations, including India, Russia, Nepal, Bhutan and the United States, feel that “any domestic Chinese sales would simply encourage poachers to cash in and shoot remaining tigers in the wild around Asia”.
However, even as the Convention was being held, members of the Sustainable Development Network (SDN) strongly urged delegates to reconsider the ban on sale of tiger parts. An international coalition of think tanks and NGOs, SDN argues that trade in certified farmed tiger parts could meet existing and future demand, thereby reducing pressure on wild tigers.
Despite the scepticism of conservationists worldwide, Barun Mitra, head of the Liberty Institute in New Delhi, and founding member of SDN, argues that legalising trade would go a long way towards conserving this highly endangered species. Besides alleviating the poverty of people living near forest areas.
China and CITES
“The CITES resolution can be read very differently,” says Mitra. “The resolution actually accepts China’s role in captive breeding for the cause of conservation, which is what China and India had agreed to in 1995.” But since then we couldn’t progress since environmentalists and conservationists said that captive breeding has no role in tiger conservation, he adds.
Secondly, the resolution says that China should restrict captive breeding for purpose of conservation and not commerce. “CITES is a convention that governs international trade in flora and fauna, particularly endangered species. China, so far, has not sought to reopen trade in tiger parts, domestic or international,” says Mitra. “China is only seeking to review all aspects of tiger conservation. Also, breeding and trade in tiger or their parts for the domestic Chinese market, if decided, is outside the purview of CITES.”
‘‘When trade is outlawed, only outlaws trade’’
Making the trade in these products illegal has only driven it underground, states Mitra. The artificial scarcity created by trade restrictions in turn raises prices, providing criminals with incentives to smuggle animals and animal parts. “In India, you can get someone to kill a tiger for as little as 50 dollars” he says. “But the effort of getting the tiger bones from India to Tibet to China is Herculean and by the time it reaches China, one kg of tiger bone will fetch 1,000 dollars.”
Crocs and conservation
“The best illustration of a large carnivorous animal being saved from extinction because of ranching and farming are crocodiles,” says Mitra. “Crocodile farming has become very big business and about 2.9 million worth of crocodile skin is imported to Europe from all over the world every year to meet the demand of the fashion industry.” This massively reduces the pressure on wild crocs. In 1971, all of the world’s 23 species of crocodile were classified as endangered; now, the eight farmed species are no longer threatened and populations of eight other species have recovered.
People power
Many poor people living near forest areas have no stake in the environmental resources in their neighbourhood. By recognising their rights to forest and wildlife, we can give them an incentive to manage these resources in a sustainable manner, says Mitra.
He points out that the breeding facilities would have to necessarily be in rural or forest areas, and could open up opportunities for employment, or related activities. For instance, if the tiger is to be bred, then there has to be a large chain of industries like poultry or pig farms, to feed the tigers. Many of the tiger breeding facilities could themselves become tourist attractions.
By legalising trade, we will also reduce or eliminate the pressure from poachers, because small-scale poachers and smugglers cannot compete with legal commercial operators. So the wildlife areas would become more economically viable, making eco-tourism, etc, more attractive. Thus providing further economic opportunities for the rural population. “In the US, wildlife and outdoor recreation, which includes, fishing, bird watching, nature trail, hunting, etc. generated economic activities worth US $ 120 billion in 2006,” says Mitra. “Just think what a biodiversity rich country like India can do if we can find a way of capitalising on our natural resources.”
In the eye of the storm
Though the Government of India and most NGOs have been against his proposals, Mitra holds that while he has heard a lot of emotional responses, he is yet to hear substantive criticism. This idea is quite counter-intuitive, says Mitra. But there is hardly a species, under the umbrella of commerce, which has gone extinct, from cattle to crocodiles.
Thursday June 28 2007 20:29 IST
Priya M Menon
At the 171-nation UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) which concluded at The Hague on June 15, China was criticised for reviewing a 1993 ban on domestic trade in tiger parts for fear that any sales could drive wild cats to extinction. Many nations, including India, Russia, Nepal, Bhutan and the United States, feel that “any domestic Chinese sales would simply encourage poachers to cash in and shoot remaining tigers in the wild around Asia”.
However, even as the Convention was being held, members of the Sustainable Development Network (SDN) strongly urged delegates to reconsider the ban on sale of tiger parts. An international coalition of think tanks and NGOs, SDN argues that trade in certified farmed tiger parts could meet existing and future demand, thereby reducing pressure on wild tigers.
Despite the scepticism of conservationists worldwide, Barun Mitra, head of the Liberty Institute in New Delhi, and founding member of SDN, argues that legalising trade would go a long way towards conserving this highly endangered species. Besides alleviating the poverty of people living near forest areas.
China and CITES
“The CITES resolution can be read very differently,” says Mitra. “The resolution actually accepts China’s role in captive breeding for the cause of conservation, which is what China and India had agreed to in 1995.” But since then we couldn’t progress since environmentalists and conservationists said that captive breeding has no role in tiger conservation, he adds.
Secondly, the resolution says that China should restrict captive breeding for purpose of conservation and not commerce. “CITES is a convention that governs international trade in flora and fauna, particularly endangered species. China, so far, has not sought to reopen trade in tiger parts, domestic or international,” says Mitra. “China is only seeking to review all aspects of tiger conservation. Also, breeding and trade in tiger or their parts for the domestic Chinese market, if decided, is outside the purview of CITES.”
‘‘When trade is outlawed, only outlaws trade’’
Making the trade in these products illegal has only driven it underground, states Mitra. The artificial scarcity created by trade restrictions in turn raises prices, providing criminals with incentives to smuggle animals and animal parts. “In India, you can get someone to kill a tiger for as little as 50 dollars” he says. “But the effort of getting the tiger bones from India to Tibet to China is Herculean and by the time it reaches China, one kg of tiger bone will fetch 1,000 dollars.”
Crocs and conservation
“The best illustration of a large carnivorous animal being saved from extinction because of ranching and farming are crocodiles,” says Mitra. “Crocodile farming has become very big business and about 2.9 million worth of crocodile skin is imported to Europe from all over the world every year to meet the demand of the fashion industry.” This massively reduces the pressure on wild crocs. In 1971, all of the world’s 23 species of crocodile were classified as endangered; now, the eight farmed species are no longer threatened and populations of eight other species have recovered.
People power
Many poor people living near forest areas have no stake in the environmental resources in their neighbourhood. By recognising their rights to forest and wildlife, we can give them an incentive to manage these resources in a sustainable manner, says Mitra.
He points out that the breeding facilities would have to necessarily be in rural or forest areas, and could open up opportunities for employment, or related activities. For instance, if the tiger is to be bred, then there has to be a large chain of industries like poultry or pig farms, to feed the tigers. Many of the tiger breeding facilities could themselves become tourist attractions.
By legalising trade, we will also reduce or eliminate the pressure from poachers, because small-scale poachers and smugglers cannot compete with legal commercial operators. So the wildlife areas would become more economically viable, making eco-tourism, etc, more attractive. Thus providing further economic opportunities for the rural population. “In the US, wildlife and outdoor recreation, which includes, fishing, bird watching, nature trail, hunting, etc. generated economic activities worth US $ 120 billion in 2006,” says Mitra. “Just think what a biodiversity rich country like India can do if we can find a way of capitalising on our natural resources.”
In the eye of the storm
Though the Government of India and most NGOs have been against his proposals, Mitra holds that while he has heard a lot of emotional responses, he is yet to hear substantive criticism. This idea is quite counter-intuitive, says Mitra. But there is hardly a species, under the umbrella of commerce, which has gone extinct, from cattle to crocodiles.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)