Abnormal is the NEW NORMAL

 This blog frequently updates and alarms the readers with the relevant facts and figures about the prevailing state of our natural environment. 

Sustainable Resolutions

Resolutions are often made keeping one's personal growth and development in mind. But what about the holistic resolutions that cater to the wellbeing of our planet and society?

A broad list of such resolutions for Sustainable Living:

• This year, #NoMatterWhat, I will segregate my household waste. The chances are pretty high that the segregated waste would be recycled or upcycled into something meaningful, thereby promoting a circular economy. 
• This year, #NoMatterWhat, I will make sure to reduce food wastage during parties, weddings and food distribution programs. I will try to distribute the extra food with the needy communities. 
• This year, #NoMatterWhat, I will plant and protect the native trees. 

Citizen science and engagement for climate action

This is not a fiction story. It's about how one can meaningfully engage in our day to day lives and bring about positive change for the betterment of the planet and society. 

Out of the three broad P's (i.e. People, Planet, Profit), it's quite evident that our focus has always been towards maximizing Profit (Economy), but can we make a conscious choice towards safeguarding the Planet (Ecology) and People (Society). Many of us may not like the equation, but the time has come to consider the planet OVER & ABOVE profit. 

The story goes like.... 

One fine day while returning home, I noticed a chopped tree near the main road. I could have preferred to neglect the incident. But then I took interest in it. Many of us may neglect it. Even I used to neglect such incidences earlier, but not now!

I noticed the site carefully and observed that the tree was chopped manually. I enquired the nearby street vendors and shopkeepers about the fallen tree. It was surprising to note that the tree was cut overnight, because the shopkeeper told that the big tree was there while closing the shop at night but it was fallen when he opened the shop in the morning. When I further talked to the shopkeepers and people near the site, I came to know that the tree was chopped because it was disturbing the visibility of the newly placed advertisement board. 

In order to improve the overall look and feel of the advertisement board, the innocent tree was killed (rather murdered) brutally. I wondered whether killing an age old tree for the newly placed advertisement board justified? Who should have the right to live - living tree or an artificial advertisement board? Whose worth & value is more - the tree which provides oxygen, shade etc for free or the advertisement board which misleads people with commercial advertisements? 

Surprisingly, the tree was cut without permission and the fact that it was cut overnight reflects the ulterior motives of the concerned person. The big fallen tree also resulted in destroying the newly placed dustbins. Isn't it a damage to the public property along with destruction of natural wealth? 

I was utterly disturbed by the incident. I immediately clicked the pictures, the least I could do and shared it on Twitter by taggig the local authorities. But I didn't got any response. Then I shared the pictures on one of the WhatsApp group which has nature lovers, activists, and local media representatives. The pictures were also forwarded to the Garden Superintendent who is in charge for handling all such incidents. I tried to effectively engage all the concerned stakeholders in the conversation.

To my surprise, the public administration and the local media took an active interest in it. Even the local activists and nature lovers raised voices to highlight the incident. The garden superintendent subsequently filed a complaint to the police under "Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Preservation of Trees Act" and "Prevention of Damage to Pubic Property Act".

I got some relief as the incident was noticed and the accused may get punished, but I am equally disturbed by the fact that we lost one precious life. The big tree lost its life for a meagre advertisement board. 

I sincerely hope that the accused get strict punishment as per the law. Acknowledging such incidents and punishing the accused also sends a strong signal and message in the society to prevent similar incidents in future. 

When I look back, I thought I could have easily preferred to skip/neglect the incident and say "Kya farak padta hai?". But then I realised "Farak toh padta hai" and if each one of us actively engage and remain vigilant in our localities/cities then "Ek ek ke karne se bahot farak pad sakta hai". Let us act and be a little kind to safeguard the natural heritage of our planet. 

In and Around Nagpur

Though Nagpur is popularly known for Oranges and Tigers, there are some lesser-known and under-highlighted places near Nagpur which are worth exploring. A list of places falling on one such route from Nagpur to Wardha are as follows: 

• Khadki Hanuman Temple and famous aaloo bhajiya near the temple.
• Seloo Ganesh Temple, which is one of the Ashtavinayak of the Vidarbha region
• Pavnar Ashram of Vinoba Bhave 
• Gandhi Ashram at Sevagram (There are good facilities to stay at this historic place)
• Magan Sangrahalaya at Wardha 
• Food at rasoi restaurent in Wardha Famous Goras Pak Bhandar biscuits of Wardha. 

It would hardly take two days to cover all these places, but the experiences gained by studying these places are worth the time and money.