Hartman writes: Hi, I have just received a mail from River Research Centre Kerala < [email protected]>, who are organizing a very interesting meeting. Details below for those concerned about the Western Ghats:
Dear Friend, We are contacting you because we are aware of your concern for our environment. We are all passing through difficult times. The global economic meltdown and the security threat to the nation are headline news in the media. But the far more insidious and less publicised disintegration of the environment of our country must be taken note of by us and responded to. While we are obsessed about GDP, industrial growth rate and so on, the very foundations of our existence are in jeopardy. Officially in India the global climate change is only an academic topic but already it is clear how disastrous the summer of 2009 would be. Forest fires are burning everywhere. Rivers are drying up and reservoirs are empty. Yet in the name of development, the environmental security of our country is further undermined by us. We are inviting you to participate in a two day get together at Muthanga Forest Dormitory in Wayanad during the 14th and 15th March 2009. The topic of our discussion would be the state of the largest chunk of contiguous forests around the Nilgiris most of which fall within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Incidentally this is the most important live catchment of Cauvery River, the lifeline for millions in South India. The state of health of this landscape is best indicated by the status of wild elephants. This extraordinary rich mosaic of ecosystems and wild species of which the elephant is an important representative is under disastrous pressure. Uncontrolled human ingress in the name of ecotourism, conflicts between farmers and wild animals, drought and forest fires are all damaging this area more and more over the years. We have to sit together and chalk out actions to the best of our ability to counter this. It is not only the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve but all the natural systems, common property resources and survival means for the million of people in this subcontinent that is under increasing destructive pressure. We have to get involved, do whatever we can. Silence now is collaboration. A group of concerned people from Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are assembling at Muthanga. The get together will be from 14th forenoon and we will wind up our discussions by evening on the 15th. Awaiting you at Muthanga, With regards, N.Badusha ( 04936 270222) For Wayanad Prakriti Samrakshana Samiti Jayachandran (09443050401) Tamil Nadu Green Movement Manjunath: Wilderness Club
