NATURE

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BLOODY B*STARDS

From being a serious contender for the title of India's 'National Bird' (strongly supported by Salim Ali, the 'Birdman of India') to ending up declared 'Extinct' (with less than 150 left in the wild), the journey of the Great Indian Bustards has been regrettably tragic. Recent surveys indicate that three iconic wildlife species in India- Indian Cheetah, pink-headed duck, and the Great Indian Bustard- have gone extinct over the last century, due to desertification (overuse of pesticides and insecticides, conversion of forest cover to agricultural land, unregulated development) and deforestation.

For details, visit: https://www.firstpost.com/tech/science/three-iconic-species-endemic-to-india-gone-extinct-due-to-desertification-researchers-7320651.html.
https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/the-battle-to-save-the-great-indian-bustard-1573259-2019-07-25

Here's a fun fact: During the selection process of the national bird, its name was dropped in favour of the Indian peacock. One reason was the potential for being misspelt.

PAPER TIGERS

Recent investigations suggest that the population figure of tigers (as disclosed by the Govt. of India) may have been overestimated by as much as 16%.

For details, visit:
https://thewire.in/environment/tiger-population-survey-indian-express

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/tiger-count-up-but-official-photos-show-one-in-seven-could-just-be-a-paper-tiger-6011560/

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/09/20/paper-tigers-indias-big-cat-surveys-reporting-numbers/

TITANIC- POLAR BEAR STYLE

COMING SOON!!!!
Starring Momma Bear, Kid Bear, Global Warming, and Icebergs (Guest Appearance)
"Gripping performances that will melt your hearts" - The Chimes of India

On a serious note, the situation is horribly grim (some fear it's irreversible). A recent article stated that Greenland lost roughly 11 billion tons of ice in just a single day. For details, visit:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/11-billion-tons-of-ice-melted-greenland-just-one-day/

AAREY FOREST

Aarey Forest in Mumbai is about to fall prey to so-called 'Development'. We should not be surprised though. This is not the first time that EIA reports have been blatantly ignored. Hopefully, the voices raised by concerned citizens would help save the forest, its biodiversity, and in the process, the city itself !!!

For details, please read: https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/cover-story/cutting-aarey-trees-can-lead-to-floods-at-airport-in-heavy-rain/articleshow/70968625.cms

THE STATE OF OUR SEAS

Marine litter is a menace that has severely disturbed the intricate links of the fragile aquatic ecosystem. Unregulated dumping of human-related waste and by-products (both biodegradable and otherwise) has caused disproportionate variations in the composition of the ecosystem, leading to extinction / exodus of species, and destruction of rich habitats like the coral reefs.

As per NOAA (https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/deadzone.html), hypoxic zones are areas in the ocean where the oxygen concentration is so low that animals can suffocate and die, and as a result are often called "dead zones." Runoffs from farms and cities drains into rivers, which utlimately meet the sea. This runoff contains an overabundance of nutrients from fertilisers, wastewater treatment plants, and other sources. The term “dead zone” is apt, since most marine life either dies, or, if they are mobile such as fish, leave the area. Habitats that would normally be teeming with life become, essentially, biological deserts.

Not only is this harmful for the environment, and ultimately for the humankind as a whole, this phenomenon is also affecting the livelihoods of millions of coastal fishing folks across the world, who solely depend on the catches from the shallow waters for sustenance.

This piece was done during a workshop in Kochi, Kerala, to raise awareness about the menaces of marine litter, and to avoid use of plastic.

CAMARADERIE

The existing system of mindless trawling is severely damaging the balance of aquatic ecosystem. But, ever-increasing demands have to be met at any cost. So, well.

The theme for the 3rd day of Inktober is 'Bait'. Thought of inking a hypothetical demonstration of unusual camaraderie between the numerous hungry mouths and the doomed, petrified food!!!

In hindsight, fighting against a trawling net is difficult. Taking on a single fishing line has higher probability for success.

PIED-PIPERS

Day 7 theme of Inktober 2019 is 'Enchanted''. Well, given the reactions of some of my well-read, learned friends, no other word comes to my mind. Under the spell of 'Development' casted by the corporates and the ruling class, they seem totally enchanted.

Reminds me of the story of the pied-piper, with a crooked twist, of course.

A GAME OF 'DEVELOPMENT'

Deeply saddened by today's development around the Aarey forest. Why is that, time and again, we blatantly ignore the significance of the natural resources, and ruthlessly remove them in the name of 'Development'... Haven't we realised yet that this invariably leads to disaster!!!

If I may be realistic, it is fair to say that the city of Mumbai, after getting rid of the precious wetlands, is already dead. What we are witnessing now, through the destruction of the last remaining forest cover, is the burial process. But this mindless growth is kind of a global phenomenon now. Remember the fire in the Amazon??

The theme for the 5th day of Inktober 2019 is 'Build'. Well, that is what is happening all around. By removing trees and biodiversity, and replacing them with more concrete and 'cosmetic' landscape.

POLAR BEAR INVASION

Earlier this year (2019), around 50 Polar Bears made their way into a Russian town. Alterations in their natural habitat (such as thinning of ice, lack of prey, etc.) are forcing these giants to leave the Arctic and wander towards human settlements. Perhaps in search of food, or shelter, or both.

For details, please visit: https://time.com/5526741/polar-bears-russia/