DFO Kinnaur spoke about the forest and wild life wealth of the area and possible impact of climate change. Chairperson of Mahila Kalyan Parishad apprised about the conservation related work being done by the NGO. She congratulated district administration for banning the low grade polythene carry bags thus helping in keeping the area free from polythene nuisance. Speaking on the occasion, the PCCF mentioned about the beauty of the area which he emphasized was because of the less disturbed environment of the area. He however cautioned about the major threat of glacial retreat in the Himalayas in general and in Kinnaur in particular.The speakers also mentioned about the ways to minimize the climate change and environment friendly lifestyles.

Children beautifully expressed their perceptions and concerns about the theme “Melting Ice- A Hot Topic” through colours and crayons. The poster making competition was conducted in two categories – ‘group A’ for students from standards 9-12 and ‘group B’ for 6-8. A panel of judges judged the posters and the winners were given prizes by DDE, Kinnaur. A film by Philip Cayford ‘The Last Show on Earth’ was screened on this occasion followed by a discussion in the local context.

Average air temperature increase of 1⁰ Celsius in the Himalayas has been recorded since 1970s. Sixty seven per cent of the Himalayan glaciers are retreating at a startling rate mainly attributed to the climate change. The glacial area has decreased from 173 to 140 sq km during the period 2001-2004 in Baspa basin in Kinnaur district. The average temperature recorded in Kinnaur from 1991-1995 was 19.8⁰ C; 1996-2000 20.1⁰ C and 2001-2004 21.6 ⁰ C. The increase is much higher during the last five years.

Celebrations at Baramulla, Jammu & Kashmir

In Himachal Pradesh CEE Himalaya collaborated with Paryavaran Avam Gramin Vikas Sansthan (PAGVS) from Solan and MDV Jeev Sewa Sansthan, Dhyarighat to celebrate IBD. The celebrations were held in the premise of MDV Jeev Sewa Sansthan at Dhyarighat situated between Solan and Shimla, in HP. More than 30 people representing local NGOs, village panchayat members, women groups, villagers and youth participated in the celebrations. The participants were told about the local environmental issues and the work done by MDV Jeev Sewa Saansthan in this field. The resource persons spoke about the importance of the biodiversity, goods and ecological services provided by biodiversity rich ecosystems, loss of 30% of the world’s biodiversity and future threats to it, rapid rate of biodiversity loss because of anthropogenic sources, ecological footprint, climate change and related issues and, the need for right kind of education inculcating environment friendly attitudes.

In Uttarakhand, IBD was celebrated with the students from local schools. The programme was organized in collaboration with the local NGO Sanyon ka Sangathan and was held at Saraswati Vidya Mandir, Bhowali. Approximately 150 students from three local schools representing 6-12 standards and the teachers participated in the programmes. Students were briefed about IBD and the need to celebrate it; importance of biodiversity and threats to it due to global climate change. A drawing competition was organized on the theme “Biodiversity and climate change” in two groups comprising of students from class 6-8 and 9-12. The winners of both categories were given away prizes for their excellence, creativity and moral boost up. Students also grabbed the opportunity to express their views and possible measures to save the degrading environment. The Bhowali branch of National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) organized an exhibition on local biodiversity of grains, pulses, medicinal and aromatic plants. A senior scientist from the institute also apprised the students for collection, storage and preservation and its importance for future. Sub-divisional Forest Officer, Nainital spoke about the forest biodiversity, various wrong practices that harm the forest biodiversity and the need of participatory approach. The day concluded with a prayer to thank God for providing this beautiful world. 

World Wetlands Day 2007 celebration in the Indian Himalayan Region
http://ramsar.org/wwd/7/wwd2007_reports.htm#national

CEE Himalaya an initiative of the Centre for Environment Education (CEE) observed the World Wetlands Day 2007 in two Indian Himalayan states – Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarankhand. Details of celebrations are being are being provided in the following sections.

World Wetlands Day 2007in Uttarakhand
CEE Himalaya collaborated with G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development (GBPIHED) and Uttarakhand Lakes Development Authority organized a 1-day programme on 2 February 2007 at Vikas Bhawan, Bhimtal in Uttarakhand. Bhimtal is surrounded by many lakes like Bhim Tal, Talli Tal, Malli Tal, Naukuchia Tal, Sat Tal, Nal Damyanti etc. and therefore a very suitable site for celebrating World Wetland Day. Representatives from Lakes Development Authority, local NGOs, teachers, students, village Sarpanchs, panchayat members and representatives and concerned citizens attended the programme.

Dr. B.P. Kothyari of GBPIHED extended a welcome to the participants and Dr. R.C. Sundriyal provided details of the community development and natural resources regeneration project being implementing by the same institute in Bhimtal area in 6 Van Panchayats. Dr. Abdhesh Gangwar of CEE talked about the history and importance of World Wetlands Day. Mr. Shivpuri an environmentalist was the Chairperson and Dr. P.C. Mahanta, Director, National Research Centre on Cold Water Fisheries of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) at Bhimtal was the guest of honor on the occasion. Dr. Mahanta gave the keynote presentation on the prospects of cold water fisheries in India especially the mountain areas.

The Indian Ichthyo fauna enlists about 2165 species, one of the richest resources consisting 11% of the world fish germplasm. Fishes are declining in the areas of their natural abundance some are at the verge of extinction due to various anthropogenic stresses. There is a strong necessity to evolve suitable conservation measures to check this declining trend. 

In India a  total of 327 fish species have been evaluated, of which 18 are data deficient; 13 fall under ‘lower risk-least concern’ category; 67 under ‘lower risk-near threatened’ category; 82 vulnerable and 98 endangered; 47 critically endangered; 1 extinct in the wild and 1 extinct. Coldwater fishery resources present diversified fish fauna in different hill regions comprising about 258 fish species from Indian uplands of which 203 are recorded from the Himalayas while 91 form Deccan plateau. The coldwater fisheries play an important role in the socio-economic life of the people dwelling in the mountainous zones of the country.

“Wetlands” are the areas which are neither fully terrestrial nor fully aquatic. In India these vary from the majestic Wullar Lake of Kashmir, Chilka of Orissa or Loktak of Manipur to shallow & unimpressive depressions which may hold water may be only for a few weeks in a year. Wetlands purify water and therefore are described as “the kidneys of the landscape”. They are also described as “biological supermarkets” because of their natural resources.

Wetlands are important source of fish. Global catch from inland fisheries was 9.2 million metric tons in 2004. Inland capture fisheries are a lifeline in many countries as a source of income and an immediate protein supply for local people. Aquaculture and inland capture fisheries provide valuable nutrition to many of the 26 landlocked countries that are considered low-income-food-deficit countries.

The future for wetlands is in the hands of all people, not just those who hold the power at government level. Everyone must take responsibility for the state of the environment. As we move towards the 21st century, it remains to be seen whether the current efforts to bring ordinary people into the mainstream of wetland conservation can play a significant role in rescuing the world’s wetlands from the ravages of human mismanagement.

The participants also shared their concerns during the day.

World Wetlands Day 2007in Kashmir
Another celebration was organised at Sopore town near the famous Wular Lake in the Kasmir valley, considered to be the largest freshwater lake of Asia. Wular Lake has been designated as Ramsar site the “Wetland of International Importance” by Government of India. The Lake is fed by snow and rain fed streams, rivulets and rivers originating from the great Himalayas on the eastern edge of the Kashmir Valley and the Pir Panjal range extending along the south western parts. River Jehlum is another important source of Wular. The Wular Lake is presently under increasing pressure from over exploitation of its resources, conversion to other land uses through drainage engineering schemes, fertile farmland or buried under refuse tips, pollution and degradation of catchments.

The objective of celebration was to sensitize the local fishermen about the importance of the wetlands for the lives of humans in general and about the Wular Lake in particular. The thrust was on the conservation and wise use of wetlands towards achieving sustainable development.
 
About 80 fishermen from Sopore area who fish in Wular Lake and earn their livelihood from it attended the event. They were apprised of the importance of wetlands both for their goods and services. They were also briefed about various threats to wetlands and the corrective measures required. The participants also raised their concerns during the programme.

Wular Lake once was considered largest lake in Asia with an area of 200 sq km about 100 years ago which now is estimated only to 24 sq km. Local people directly depend on it for fish, fodder, variety if fruits and vegetables etc. It contributes to the State and National economy. Fish population has decreased because of pollution, over fishing and degradation of water quality. Many native fish species have become extinct and only one variety of fish is now found in the Lake.

Various  human activities leading to wetland degradation and loss includes drainage, dredging and stream channelization, deposition of fill material, diking and damming, tilling for crop production, levees, logging, mining, construction, runoff, air and water pollutants, changing nutrient levels, releasing toxic chemicals, introducing innovative species and grazing by domestic animals were discussed. The natural threats to the wetland loss and degradation are erosion, subsidence, sea level rise, droughts, hurricanes and other storms.

Some of the preventive measures suggested to the fishermen include:

• Fishing of small size fishes should be avoided to let them grow bigger and have a sustainable fishery.
• Extraction of fodder from the Lake should be controlled.
• Proper solid waste management should be implemented.

Some important concerns that were raised by the participant fishermen community are:

• Government should not issue fresh licenses for fishing
• People from fishermen community should be employed in Fisheries Department
• New fish catching technologies should be provided and improved fish seed should be introduced
• Subsidies should be given on timber for making boats
• Fishermen community being poor should be given concessions and subsidies
• Lake should be dug up to increase depth for holding extra water and check against drying up

International Mountain Day 2006 Celebration
http://www.fao.org/mnts/intl_mountain_news_en.asp
CEE Himalaya celebrated the International Mountain Day 2006 on 11^th December 2006 at Town Hall, Lagama, Uri, District Baramulla, J&K. One day seminar was organized on the theme “Managing Mountain Biodiversity for Better Lives” wherein 50 people from the villages of Bugna, Lachhipora, Lagama, Noorkhah and Uri in Baramulla district participated with great enthusiasm. Besides the village people, the officials of the J&K Forest Department, Geology and Mining departments and NGOs working on earthquake rehabilitation in the area also attended the event.

 

The participants were given a brief history of International Mountain day.  They were apprised of the importance of mountains for the life on earth, the rich natural resource wealth including the biodiversity and the role of mountain community in conserving those. The Divisional Forest Officer, Jhelum valley told the participants about the evolution of mountains on this earth like the Great Himalayan Mountain which he reminded was a new fold mountain.  The increase in the disturbances in the mountains had increased the fragility of the mountains throughout the world. He gave a detailed account of the biodiversity of the region. Range Officer, Uri gave a detailed account of initiatives taken by the forest department and appealed to the participants to participate in afforestation programmes. Representative of Agha Khan Foundation, a NGO involved in earthquake rehabilitation, through the example of two mountain ranges on either side of the village Shahdara of Uri tehsil explained that on the mountain range without vegetation villagers faced several problems landslides, soil erosion etc.

 

Rafiq Hussain, Sarpanch of Noorkhah-Bugna Village while deliberating on the occasion mentioned “Humne socha ki NGOs khali relief dete hain par CEE Himalaya ek aisi tanjeem hai jo relief dene ke sath sath hame hamare mahol ko saaf rakhne ki tarkeeb bhi sikhati hai (we thought NGOs provide just relief but CEE Himalaya is an organization that also makes us aware of the immediate environment and issues concerning us). He raised concern about overgrazing of the grasslands deteriorating the mountain ecosystem, mining of gypsum in Noorkhah-Bugna sector leading to water pollution and deteriorating health of public in the area, stone quarrying, illegal timber extraction and subsequent deforestation.  The DFO answered to some of the issues raised by the participants.

 

Snow Leopard Conservatrion

Under CEE & WII collaborative education project “Hardy Mountains: Fragile Environment” to support Snow Leopard conservation, 5 numbers of 1-day teacher training workshops in Ladakh, 3 in Leh district and 2 in Kargil district. The workshops were aimed at creating awareness about the significance of snow leopard as an indicator species of the well being of high altitude mountain ecosystem and to press upon the need to conserve the species and its habitat.  The target audiences of the workshops were school teachers, personal of the Zonal Education Office and other resource persons.

 

More than 134 school teachers from about 110 Government Schools and other resource persons from the Nyoma, Durbuk, Khaltsi education zones in Leh district and Kargil and Sankoo education zones of the Kargil district participated in the workshops held between 6.11.06 to 13.11.06. Besides school teachers people from wildlife, education and other walks of life also took part in the workshops.

 

                                                   

World Ozone Day 2006 Celebration
World Ozone Day was celebrated at Government High School, Gingle, District Baramulla, J&K to create awareness about the importance of ozone layer and raise alarm about ozone depletion and the consequences of it; to emphasize the need to protect ozone layer by avoiding use of ozone depleting substances and using alternative ozone friendly substances. 110 students from 5 schools of Chandanwari Education Zone participated in various activities like On spot painting competition, Quiz competition, Rally organised

The programme started with a welcome address by the ZEO, Chandanwari. Headmaster, Government High School, Gingle in his address briefed upon the basic facts related to ozone layer and its importance. Mr. Altaf Mughal, teacher of the KAD Public School spoke on the environmental crises and its possible consequences in future due to the increasing human interference.

Rally
A rally was taken out from the school through the market and township. The students raised the slogans and carried banners/placards displaying awareness messages relevant to the occasion. Short speeches were made for the public at different points on the route of the rally.

The students and teachers showed great enthusiasm and wanted to participate in more such events. The programme came to an end with prize distribution and vote of thanks from the CEE Himalaya.

Children busy painting

ZEO Candanwari addressing the student

Education for Sustainable Development in Mountain Regions (18-19 January 2005)

Capacity building workshop for women in Uttaranchal

About 150 women belonging to 14 villages from Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (NDBR) participated in the two-day residential workshop held between 4-5 May 2005 at Joshimath. These included both tribal and non tribal women, Gram Pradhans, leaders of Mahila Mangal Dals and Van Panchayats and members of SHGs. In addition, representatives of local NGOs, journalists and locals engaged in the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants also participated in the workshop.  Scientists gave the technical knowledge about the cultivation of NTFP resources and its scope in the region. Women were also briefed about the importance of traditional crops and need to cultivate those. Seeds of traditional crops that have become rare these days were displayed. The workshop was interactive and participatory. Women from each village presented their expectations from the workshop. They also presented local folk songs describing nature and plants. Participants interacted with the scientists to get answers to their queries about scope, marketing, technical aspects of cultivation of medicinal plants.  Game ‘Web of Life’ was played with the women to make them aware of interdependence. At the end of workshop women from each village gave in writing the steps they would take up after returning to conserve the NTFPs.

Dal Women Speak about their Environmental Concerns
Women shared their concerns about poor sanitation and infrastructure in the colonies inside Dal Lake. After the heavy rains in the valley some of these areas got flooded and people were suffering from water born diseases like diarrhea, dysentery, and other stomach ailments, skin infections and eye ailments but there was no medical relief. CEE Himalaya conducted health, hygiene and sanitation awareness campaign in the colonies of Dal dwellers between July 25-29, 2005.

To sensitize the residents about the grave problems of water pollution and related health & hygiene issues, CEE Himalaya is doing a project by addressing the community with special focus on the women with support from Mridula Sarabhai Foundation, Ahmedabad.  Through this project, Dal women are being organized and educated on health, hygiene, water and sanitation issues. Relevant education material in Urdu language is being developed for dissemination. Concerned agencies responsible for catering the civic amenities to the lake dwellers are also being involved. Appropriate technologies related to waste management and water purification are being demonstrated and popularized.

NGO Consultation Meet on Education for Sustainable Development
Dachigam National Park, J&K NGO consultation meet was held on 27th July 2005 at Dachigam National Park, J&K, to apprise the NGOs of CEE’s initiatives in the Kashmir Valley and to identify the EE needs and partners for future collaboration. Above forty participants representing nineteen NGOs were present on the occasion in spite of a strike call given by Hurriyat on the same day. Chief Wildlife Warden J&K Dr. CM Seth was the chief guest on the occasion.  NGOs from the valley shared  their work and  discussed the possibilities of convergences and collaboration. Many NGOs got the opportunity to know about strengths and expertise available with in the valley. NGOs from the valley need to come forward  to initiate sustainable programmes. A documentary on ‘Hangul’ prepared by the department was also screened on the occasion.

Teachers Training in Schools of District Kargil
A series of workshops were organized during the end of August and September 1st week 2005 for teachers at Kargil, Drass, Panikhar, Padum. The workshops aimed at creating awareness about the significance of snow leopard as an indicator species of the well being of high altitude mountain ecosystem and to press upon the need to conserve the species and its habitat.  A healthy mountain ecosystem supporting healthy population of Snow Leopard will ensure good quality of environment and in turn a good quality of life of the local people.

During the workshops it was emphasized that teaching and learning needs to be made interesting both for teacher and student. Awareness about local environment should be created. Environmental education (EE) is teaching about the environment through the environment and for the benefit of the environment. EE is not about gaining knowledge but inculcating right attitude. 

The set of four posters on Snow Leopard were explained to the participants. Various activities that teachers could plan to make children aware of local environment and wildlife were explained. Teachers were told not to imitate the activities same way but to adapt them to their situation and requirement. Green games were played to help teachers understand the art of designing activities on the concepts/ themes they want to teach. Activities need no resources and can be conducted in side as well as outside the class. They make teaching learning interesting and involve students actively in the process of learning.  How teachers can involve students in doing small scale conservation projects was explained.

Traveling Film Festivals in Uttaranchal & Leh

Students and teachers commit to work for keeping their environment clean and healthy during the Traveling Film Festivals (TFFs) at Leh, Ladakh and Uttaranchal. Films related to sustainable development and eco friendly technologies from around the world were screened at Srinagar (Garhwal), Pipalkoti and Joshimath in Uttaranchal and Leh, Ladakh. Above 1200 participants including students, teachers, NGOs, women, youth panchayat members and government officials watched these films and discussed the ways to improve/conserve the local environment.

Students got an opportunity to discuss about the environmental issues and suitability of various eco-friendly technologies being used in various parts of the world for sustainable development through the traveling film festivals.

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