=================================== CSE's Fortnightly News Bulletin (May 18, 2013) ===================================
In the year 2002, when Down To Earth was marking 10 years of its existence, Sunita Narain had written "we need to try harder to find nuggets of hope. It is easy to point to problems. Difficult to believe in solutions." Several stories in the magazine's latest issue are results of that continuing search for hope -- be it Pune waste pickers' efforts towards safe disposal of sanitary napkins, or a Madhya Pradesh farmer's innovative use of discarded saline bottles to irrigate fields. And it's not just stories. We remain committed to analysing common issues in an uncommon manner. To looking beyond the story and asking questions -- often uncomfortable ones -- as we have done in the latest cover on mining in the country. There's much more from the magazine, of course. The edit on our latest book on food and biodiversity (apt enough for a fortnight which celebrates May 22 as International Day for Biodiversity). Features, news, special reports, science stories.... and Web DTE. And a host of training courses, meetings and publications. Read on, enjoy and do get back to us. Your feedback keeps us going. =================================================================== Follow Sunita Narain on Twitter at Sunita Narain@sunitanar You can follow Down To Earth on iPad, Google+, Facebook and Twitter. Just scroll down to see the details. To subscribe to this newsletter, or any of our other newsletters, please click on http://cseindia.my2.in/cseindia/?p=subscribe Note, our other exclsuive newsletters cover subjects such as rainwater harvesting, air pollution, health, climate change, renewable energy and environmental governance. To unsubscribe from this newsletter, just click http://www.cseindia.org/content/please-enter-your-email-id-unsubscribe-cse-newsletter If you have any questions or concerns about newsletter subscription, please contact Vikas Khanna at [email protected] ==================================== EDITORIAL: In celebration of biodiversity by Sunita Narain ==================================== Food is personal. We know that. What we often don’t realise is that food is also more than personal. It is also about culture and, most importantly, about biodiversity. We often do not think how the flora and fauna around us make up our culture. We do not think that food diversity, indeed cultural diversity, is linked to diversity in the biological world. As a result, we often do not value this biodiversity that grows in the farm, the forest and the lake and the ocean. Each region of India, indeed the world, is diverse in its food habits. It has its own recipes; it cooks with different ingredients; it eats differently. This is not an accident. Every region, for instance, has its own rice variety. Many of these come with medicinal properties. Most are specific to the ecosystem they grow in. If the region is drought-prone, the variety survives in tough conditions, like Kayame rice of Karnataka. The Orkaima, Pokkali and Kuttadan varieties found in low-lying districts of Kerala are salt- resistant, hence suitable to grow in seawater. In the highlands of the same state, another rice variety is grown: Navara (in Palakkad), which has medicinal properties and has received the Geographical Indication Certificate in 2007. This richness of variety resulted in culinary methods that were equally diverse and equally rich. Bengal, for instance, has a tradition of cooking different rice in different seasons. This is food and culture. If biodiversity disappears we will lose the food wealth on our plates. Food will become impersonal. It will become a sterile package designed for universal size and taste. This is what is happening today, where food comes in plastic cans. We have to join the dots. Food biodiversity needs our care and attention. With monocultures taking over, the only biodiversity that will remain will be stored inside the cold and controlled environments of gene pool laboratories. It will not flourish in the living world around us. The world that gives us life and the joy of living. Consider makhana, the seed of a member of the water-lily family. The plant grows in the multitude of lakes and ponds that once made up the flood plains of north India. The water bodies were crucial for survival in this region destroyed periodically by rivers that bring water, silt and sorrow. The ecosystem was built by channelling the water of swollen rivers into ponds. This took away the pain of the flood. It provided for storage of water and, in turn, recharged groundwater, giving economic life to agriculture. But most importantly, the wetland gave alternative sources of food. One of which is the protein-rich akhana. Once the ponds are gone, the plant will not survive. Our source of food will be lost. One more taste will be forgotten. One may argue that biodiversity does not need the ecosystem. It can be cultivated and can still be available to us. That is indeed possible. After all, potato originated in far away lands of South America. It was brought to India not so long ago by the Portuguese rulers and is now an essential part of our cuisine. We cannot imagine food without potato. Yet we miss the biodiversity of potato that gives South American food its richness and, indeed, its health. We cannot imitate nature. We cannot manufacture biodiversity. But we can choose to live with it. We can value it in the wild and in the farm. We can savour its taste and smell. This is joy of living. This is what we must not lose. Ever. It is for this reason that the Centre for Science and Environment and Down To Earth decided to put together a compendium of recipes that originate in different regions and plants. The book, titled First Food, puts together this taste of India’s biodiversity into recipes and information about food and its source. It is an attempt to celebrate the knowledge of plant and their properties; how to best cook them to bring out their flavours and smells. This is lived and living biodiversity. The emphasis is on appreciating the science and art of nature. If we can make nature part of our lives again, make the connection between what we eat and why we eat it, then we can also safeguard this resource for tomorrow. But if we lose the knowledge and culture of our local cuisines then we lose more than their taste and smell. We lose nature. We hope this book will get people to share our passion for food that brings back this connection—between our stomach, kitchen, health and the world around us. Otherwise, diversity in the wild will be lost. We have to remember that it cannot be protected unless we celebrate it in our lives. - To post your comments on this editorial online, please visit http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/celebration-biodiversity - To share this editorial, please click on the following Facebook: http://bit.ly/10aHdTQ Twitter: http://bit.ly/Z2CQeX Google+: http://bit.ly/108RwEK ========================= MORE FROM DOWN TO EARTH ========================= Cover story: Chaos in the iron age On April 18, 2013, the Supreme court lifted the mining ban on 90 iron mines in Bellary, Chitradurga and Tumkur with certain conditions. But is the Bellary formula the right template for the rest of the country? http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/chaos-iron-age Special Report: Public Deprived System The country’s 76 million poor have been denied the right to claim subsidised foodgrain under PDS http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/public-deprived-system Special Report: Become iron woman, eat veggies As government fails to tackle anaemia, NGOs in Maharashtra help women increase haemoglobin by raising kitchen gardens http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/become-iron-woman-eat-veggies Special Report: Kicking up a stink Waste pickers in Pune force corporates and the municipality to address safe disposal of sanitary napkins http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/kicking-stink Features: Auroville’s alternative galaxy How a township has set high standards for eco-friendly living http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/auroville-s-alternative-galaxy Features: So much to give A village in Kerala, encouraged by its progressive library, leads the way in organ donation http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/so-much-give Features: Vital drip A farmer in Madhya Pradesh uses discarded saline bottles to irrigate fields http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/vital-drip Interview: A reliable HIV self-test In an email conversation with Nitika Pant Pai, assistant professor, the department of medicine, McGill University, Canada, on acceptability of home tests for HIV/AIDS http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/reliable-hiv-self-test Interview: It’s a demographic disaster Edited excerts of an interview with Ashish Bose, and his delightful anecdotes about his encounters with prime ministers, lesser ministers and bureaucrats on the population issue. http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/it-s-demographic-disaster Interview: ‘BRAI will benefit both private and public sectors’ In conversation with V Ram Kaundinya, chairperson, ABLE-AG, about the introduction of of the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/brai-will-benefit-both-private-and-public-sectors Crosscurrents: Mirage of a river Is restoration of the Sabarmati the way to go? http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/mirage-river Science and Technology: Water’s ways Study confirms link between rainfall and riverbed erosion http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/water-s-ways Science and Technology: Drug booster Anti-fungal medicine can make malaria drugs deadlier http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/drug-booster News: Stage set for GM crops Centre hastily tables Bill on biotech regulation in Parliament http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/stage-set-gm-crops News: Choked on salt Illegal salt making threatens Sambhar Lake’s ecology http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/choked-salt News: 309,000 infants die on first day India tops global list of first day deaths of infants; chronic malnourishment blamed http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/309000-infants-die-first-day News: Old demons remain, new emerge Developing nations warn any move to reinterpret UNFCCC will be counterproductive http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/old-demons-remain-new-emerge Patently Absurd: A Rather Ridiculous Gap Clothing giant Gap’s trademark infringement notice to an NGO selling products made from recycled waste is a curious case http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/rather-ridiculous-gap - Down to Earth on your iPad: For more information and ordering please visit us at: http://www.magzter.com/IN/Society-for-Environmental-Comm/Down-To-Earth/Technology/ - Down to Earth on Google+: Please "+1" at: https://plus.google.com/106293307783638713083 - Down to Earth on Facebook and Twitter: Do follow us, share, comment, and discuss and stay in constant touch with our reporters on: www.facebook.com/down2earthindia and twitter@downtoearthindia. =============================================== Web DTE =============================================== - DTE 20 Years: Has Panchayati Raj deepened democracy http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/panchayatiraj - Blog: My god v your resource Recent Supreme Court order in Vedanta case holds hope for tribal community life http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/my-god-v-your-resource - Blogs: Kumbh karma It took a trip to Harvard for the Uttar Pradesh top brass to realize that back home their house was not in order http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/kumbh-karma - Photo Gallery: Mirage of Kumbh http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/dont-congratulate-us - Book review: For the love of butterflies http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/love-butterflies =========================== On India Environment Portal =========================== - Get weekly updates from India Environment Portal Subscribe to weekly newsletter from the India Environment Portal for an update on environment and development from the region every week. http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/newsletter/india - Editor's Pick Check out Editor's Pick for a selection of top stories on environment http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/content/editors-pick - Browse and research in your language India Environment Portal is now available in Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Kannada, Urdu and several other languages too. Select the language of your choice, browse and research. - India Environment Portal is on Facebook and Twitter. Do follow, share, comment, and discuss at http://www.facebook.com/pages/indiaenvironmentportal/228015872817 and https://twitter.com/indiaenvportal For more details or any assistance, contact Kiran Pandey at [email protected], [email protected] ============================================= LEARNING WITH CSE Courses offered by Anil Agarwal Green College ============================================= BUILDING BETTER: Certificate Course for Sustainable Building Practices and Policies Date: June 3-7 , 2013 Last date for applying: May 25, 2013 Course module: - Understand sustainability by deconstructing green building sector - Design - Technologies and equipments options for energy efficient buildings, intelligent water management - Emerging building related policies and regulations and policies and more. - Case studies and examples from across the country. - Field trip Course contact : Disha Singh Sustainable Building Programme Centre for Science and Environment 41, Tughlakabad Institutional Area, New Delhi- 62 Tel: +91 11 29951110 ,29951124 (Ext-250) Mob: +91 9650584179; Email: [email protected] or visit: http://www.cseindia.org/content/building-better-certificate-course-sustainable-building-practices-and-policies ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Short-Term Training Programme on SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT Date: June 3-7, 2013 Last date for applying: May 29, 2013 Course module: - Exposure to aspects of SIA, from theory to applications - Integrated approach for addressing SIA and EIA process - from scoping, data collection to impact assessment as well as the role of public consultations - Knowledge on review of SIA reports and identification of strengths and weaknesses - Post SIA monitoring - Procedure for institutional strengthening and capacity building - Experience sharing on national and international best practices in SIA Course contact: Swati Singh Sambyal, Industry & Environment Unit, Centre for Science and Environment Tel: + 91-11-29955124/ 6110, Extension: 281, Fax: + 91-11-29955879 Mob. No.: +91 9910496283 E-mail: [email protected] or visit: http://www.cseindia.org/content/cse%E2%80%99s-short-term-training-programme-social-impact-assessment-0 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Short-Term Training Programme on HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT Date: June 24-28, 2013 Last date for applying: June 18, 2013 Course module: - Exposure to the status of hazardous waste in India - Characterisation, recycle and reuse of hazardous waste - Understanding of hazardous waste management governing laws in the country - Better understanding of the environmental and social impacts of hazardous waste - Design of a landfill site, incineration and best practices involved - Good practices involved in the management of hazardous waste - National and international best practices Course contact: Swati Singh Sambyal, Industry & Environment Unit, Centre for Science and Environment Tel: + 91-11-29955124/ 6110, Extension: 281, Fax: + 91-11-29955879 Mob. No.: +91 9910496283 E-mail: [email protected] or visit: http://www.cseindia.org/content/eia-training-programme-understanding-eiafrom-screening-decision-making-0 ================================== UPDATES FROM OUR PROGRAMME UNITS ================================== Chandigarh City Dialogue on Air Quality and Transportation Challenge: An Agenda for Action May 24, 2013 Part of the city action plan, this meet will discuss critical issues of air quality management, public health protection, and the challenges of public transport and congestion. For registration, kindly get in touch with Ruchita Bansal at [email protected]/09899416984 For more details, please visit http://cseindia.org/content/chandigarh-city-dialogue-air-quality-and-transportation-challenge-agenda-action ----------------------------------------------------------- Rainwater Harvesting Technical Support Every Friday between 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm, CSE provides detailed technical guidance to interested individuals, RWAs and institutions to implement rainwater harvesting. This technical assistance is provided at CSE’s office at 41, Tughlakabad Institutional Area, New Delhi. For details, see http://www.cseindia.org/content/catch-rainwater-solve-your-water-problems ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Technical Advice: Decentralised Wastewater Treatment Systems Every second and fourth Friday, meet our experts at CSE, 41, Tughlaqabad Institutional Area for guidance on planning and designing these systems. For details, contact Deblina at [email protected] or call her on 9899596661. ==================================== The CSE Store ==================================== New books: - First Food: A Taste of India's Biodiversity. A compendium of traditional recipes and culinary wisdom from various parts of India - Catch Water Where It Falls A comprehensive ready-to-use toolkit for urban rainwater harvesting - Reinvent, Recycle, Reuse A toolkit for decentralised wastewater management - Going Remote and Facing the Sun A set of two reports on the state of the Indian solar power sector. - Environment Profiles -- Steel Companies of India Profiles of 21 major steel plants, which were involved in CSE's Green Rating Project for the Indian iron and steel sector, containing detailed information on design, technology, operations, pollution control, environment management and stakeholders' perceptions for each plant. For details or for placing an order, contact Ramachandran (9810641996 / [email protected]). ================== About this e-mail ================== You are receiving this newsletter because you have asked to be included in our list, attended a CSE event or requested information. CSE is an independent, public interest organization that was established in 1982 by Anil Agarwal, a pioneer of India's environmental movement. CSE's mandate is to research, communicate and promote sustainable development with equity, participation and democracy. _______________________________________________ -------------- next part -------------- _______________________________________________
