CGR’S CNN NATURE NEWS

Vol. 3, No.5 February 2021

Editorial Congratulations to Joe Biden who took oath as the 46th President of the United States and Kamala Harris sworn in as the nation's first female Vice-President and person of South Asian descent to hold the role. We look forward that the new administration will have a positive vision towards environmental protection and caring perspective for mother earth. As the most influential nation, US will have major impact on the outlook of all other nations towards climate change, sustainable development. We wish a new paradigm sets in for earth system governance.

Many countries approved covid vaccine and started vaccination. We hope that it will be effective to counter the challenge from the pandemic. Farmers protest continues and somewhat disturbing incidents took place in Delhi on republic day. We wish soon a convincing solution will resolve the issue.

Earth Centre is at the finishing stage. As a culmination to the competitions on rural primary health, holistic education and digital Inside… earth reel CGR organized webinars and Webinar on rural primary health 2 unveiled the results in the presence of Unveiling of digital earthreel 3 renowned personalities. A plantation Webinar on holistic school education 4 programme was facilitated for Palle Palle Prakruthivanam at Ekkareddyguda 5 Prakruthivanam at Ekkareddyguda in Chevalla Other updates 6 mandal. Eastern Ghats Environment Outlook World Wetlands Day 9 book was dispatched to all the Member of Ansel Adams 10 Parliament in the region.

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Webinar on rural primary health , Second year Medico Health is the most important indicator of respectively. development and wellbeing of the In the category for general entries the people. Sustainable Development Goal winner is Ms. B Vedavathi, no. 3 aspires to “Ensure healthy lives and Secunderabad, Second prize goes to Mr Shambulingaiah, H.M. Bellary, Asst promote well-being for all at all ages” As Professor, S S Collage of Pharmacy, third part of SDG series Council for Green prize shared by two Dr M. Suresh Babu, Revolution in association with Family State President, Praja Science Vedika, Planning association of - Hyderabad Hyderabad and Dr K. Bhavana Raj, Asst. has conducted Article writing Professor, Hyderabad. Best wishes to the competition on Rural Primary Health in winners and participants in the two categories. Organizers received competition. articles from all over India. The jury The competition and the webinar was scrutinized the articles and shortlisted co-ordinated by Mr Yashwanth, CGR the articles for prizes. The results were announced in a webinar on 19th January 2021 through a webinar. Dr. Padmaja, Chief Medical Officer GHMC was the chief guest on the occasion. Other guest and speakers include Dr. Ambuja Choranur, President, FPAI Hyderabad, Dr. P. Balamba, Eminent Health Specialist, Dr. Priya Kumari, Faculty Nizam College, Dr. Kameshwari Vinjamuri, Life HRG, Sri. K. Laxma Reddy, Founder CGR, Dr. Maheshwar, Scientists NIN, Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy, Director, The Earth centre, CGR, Dr Surya Prakash Vinjamuri, Co-Founder, Life HRG. Medical professionals, journalists, social workers and others have joined in this webinar and prize distribution ceremony. The winner of the competition for

Category of medical professionals are Ms. Pragya Shikha, first year medico, and second and third are Ms. P Sai Sree, First year Medico and Ms. Tanisha Bhatnagar,

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Unveiling of digital earth reel goes to Himagiri Nandan V of Kendriya CGR in collaboration with Earth Day Vidyalaya, Kasaragod, Kerala. Network organized a webinar on 27th Congratulations to all the winners and January 2021 to unveil the winners of participants in the programme. The Digital Earth Reel-2020, a competition of competition and the webinar was co- short films organized for children on ordinated by Mr Yashwanth, CGR environment. This competition brought in impressive ideas from all over the country. The winning films were announced in the presence of distinguished speakers and participants. Sri C. Umamaheswar Rao, Eminent Film Director was the chief guest on the occasion. Other guests include Shri Kalp Sanghvi, Animation Film Maker, Ms. Karuna Singh, Regional Director, Asia and Country Director, India, Earth Day Network, Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy, Director, Earth Centre. The programme was moderated by Ms. Neela Majumdar, Senior Manager, Earth Day Network. Mr Yashwant, CGR co-ordinated the programme. The details of winners as follow… Age Group 10-16 years: 1st Prize to Ananya Kohli, Arushi Polamraju, Diyuti Jain from Bal Bharati Public School, New Delhi, 2nd Prize goes to Anamika and Harshita, Aksips 41, Chandigarh, 3rd Prize to Gaurika Kumar and Srishti Tripathi, Kendriya Vidyalaya, New Delhi. Age Group 17 to 21: 1st Prize goes to Pranav Choudhury of Lakshmipat Singhania Academy, Kolkata, West

Bengal.2nd Prize goes to Ashna Raj,

Harshita Sharma, Kritika Tantia, Prottasha D'cruze, Reema Gangadharan of Loreto House, Kolkata, West Bengal, 3rd Prize

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Webinar on holistic school competition and the webinar was co- education ordinated by Mr Yashwanth, CGR. Education is the key instrument for the future of the human societies. Sustainable Development Goal 4 states to “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” CGR in collaboration with Vandemataram Foundation organized article writing competition on holistic school education. The received articles were scrutinized and results were announced through a webinar organized on 28th January 2021. Sri V. Chinaveerabhadrudu, IAS was the chief guest on the occasion. The speakers in the webinar were Dr N. Upender Reddy, Advisor, Centre for Innovations in Public Systems (CIPS), Sri B. Manmadha Reddy, Commissioner of SSC Board (Retd.), Former Member, TSPSC, Dr N. Jagan, Asst. Professor, Indira Priyadarshini Women’s Degree College, Hyderabad, Sri K. Lela Laxma Reddy, President, CGR, Sri K. Laxma Reddy, Founder, CGR. The programme was moderated by Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy, Director, Earth Centre. The winners In the category of English; fist prize goes to Dr K. Vijaya Kumari, Trivandrum, second prize to Ms Anisha Mahapatra and third place goes to Ms

Sudha Prasad. In telugu category the winner is Mr B. Mallaiah, Warangal, second place is for Mr G. Raj, Hyderabad and third place is for Ms. Venkata Ramana from Bangalore. The

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Palle Prakurthivanam at Ekkarddyguda CGR facilitated the plantation for Palle Prakuthivanam nature park at Ekkareddyguda village, mandal, district, on 29th January 2021. The programme was sponsored by H&R Block Pvt Limited.

Villagers, CGR members, and volunteers from the mandal have participated in the programme. On a total … saplings of verities…. were planted for this nature park. Mr. M. Matsyavardhan Reddy, from CGR facilitated the programme.

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Other updates

PRESENTING EASTERN GHATS ENVIRONMENT OUTLOOK TO SRI POTHUGANTI RAMULU, HONORABLE MEMBER OF CONGRATULATION TO MS. SRINIDHI, FACULTY, PARLIAMENT, NAGARKURNOOL AND MEMBER TELANGANA FOREST COLLAGE AND MEMBER CGR FOR PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITTEE, SCIENCE, RECEIVING PCCF AWARD FROM SMT R. SHOBHA, PCCF, TH ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE, GOVT. OF INDIA ON 9TH TELANGANA ON 26 JANUARY 2021 JANUARY 2021

CGR TEAM HAS VISITED AKSHARAVANAM CENTRE OF VANDEMATARAM FOUNDATION FOR THE OCCASION OF ITS 15 YEARS CELEBRATIONS AT ITS PREMISES IN KALWAKURTHY IN NAGAR KURNOOL DISTRICT ORGANIZED PRESENTING EASTERN GHATS ENVIRONMENT OUTLOOK TO DURING 12TH TO 17 JANUARY 2021. CONGATULATION TO SRI N. UTTAM KUMAR REDDY, PRESIDENT, TPCC AND AKSHARAVANAM-VMF TEAM AND BEST WISHES FOR THE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, NALGONDA ON 21ST JANUARY ITS JOURNEY AHEAD. 2021

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PLANTATION PROGRAMME BY ROBINHOOD ARMY VOLUNTARY TEEM IN HYDERABAD FACILITATED BY CGR ON THE OCCASION OF 72 REPUBLIC DAY. THE PROGRMME WAS CARRIED OUT ON 26TH -27TH JANUARY 2021. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TEAM AND APPRECIATION TO MR VIKAS, WHO HAVE CO-ORDINATED THE PROGRAMME

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HRITHA VARADHI, A COLLABERATIVE GREEN VILLAGE PROGRAMME IS FACILITATED BY CGR SINCE 2020. AS PART OF THIS INITIATIVE SEED OF OF LOCAL TREE SPECIES ARE PROVIDED BY TO THE HARITHA VARADHI TEAM AT EARTH ST DR N. SAI BHASKAR REDDY, DIRECTOR, EARTH CENTRE, CENTRE ANMASPALLY ON 31 JANUARY 2021. THE SEEDS CGR PRESENTING A BAG OF SEEDS TO THE HARITHA ARE INTENDED TO RAISE VILLAGE NURSERIES FOR THE VARADHI TEAM PURPOSE OF PROMOTING IDEAL GREEN VILLAGES. SMT K, LEELA LAXMA REDDY PRESENTING CGR GREEN CALENDERS ALONG WITH SEEDS TO THE TEAM. THE PROGRAMME IS PROPOSED FOR VILLAGES I.E, BHAIRAPOOR AND CHERKUR IN VELDANDA MANDAL, AKUTHOTAPALLY IN AMANGAL MANDAL, ARUKAPALLY AND ANNEBOYINI PALLY IN MANDAL. FROM CGR THE PROGRAMME IS BEING CO-ORDINATED BY MR M. MATSYAVARDHAN REDDY

SEASON IN SWING, FULL BLOOM OF MANGO FLOWERING AT EARTH CENTRE ANMASPALLY, (PHOTO COURTRSY BY M.MATSYAVARDHAN REDDY)

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World Wetlands Day The 2021 campaign highlights the February 2 contribution of wetlands to the quantity Wetlands are land areas that are and quality of freshwater on our planet. saturated or flooded with water either Water and wetlands are connected in an permanently or seasonally. These are the inseparable co-existence that is vital to prominent ecosystems on earth with life, our wellbeing and the health of our immense ecological, hydrological, planet. Let us pledge to save wetlands. economic and spiritual significance. Inland wetlands include marshes, ponds, lakes, fens, rivers, floodplains, and swamps. Coastal wetlands include saltwater marshes, estuaries, mangroves, lagoons and even coral reefs. Fishponds, rice paddies, and saltpans are human- CHILIKA LAKE, ODISHA made wetlands. February 2 each year is observed as World Wetlands Day to raise global awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and our planet. This day also marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. KOLLERU LAKE ANDHRA PRADESH Every year an important issue is focused pertaining to the wetlands. Every year the day is observed on an important theme on these important ecosystems. This year’s theme “Wetlands and Water” shines a spotlight on wetlands as a source of freshwater and encourages actions to restore them and stop their loss. We are facing a growing freshwater crisis that threatens people and our planet. We use more freshwater than nature can replenish, and we are PULICAT LAKE, ANDHRA PRADESH destroying the ecosystem that water and all life depend on most – Wetlands.

CGR’s Nature News Vol. 3, No. 5 February 2021 (No.29)

Ansel Adams He is known for his captivating black- and-white images of the wilderness landscapes in American west. He was a life-long advocate for environmental conservation, and his photographic practice was deeply entwined with this advocacy. Ansel Easton Adams was Born on 20th February 1902. At age 12, he was given his first camera during his first visit to Yosemite National Park. He developed his early photographic work as a member of the Sierra Club. He was later contracted with the United States Department of the Interior to make photographs of national parks. For his work and his persistent advocacy, which helped expand the ANSEL ADAMS PREPARING FOR A SCENIC CAPTURE IN SOME National Park system, he was awarded BACKCOUNTRY IN 1950 the Presidential Medal of Freedom in Adams was a key advisor in establishing 1980. the photography department at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, an important landmark in securing photography's institutional legitimacy. He was instrumental in founding Aperture a famous photographic magazine, and co-founded the Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona. In his autobiography, Adams expressed his concern about Americans' loss of TETONS AND THE SNAKE RIVER, IDAHO (1942) connection to nature in the course of industrialization and the exploitation of the land's natural resources. He stated, "We all know the tragedy of the dustbowls, the cruel unforgivable erosions of the soil, the depletion of fish or game, and the shrinking of the noble ______10 CGR’s Nature News Vol. 3, No. 5 February 2021 (No.29)

forests. And we know that such catastrophes shrivel the spirit of the people... The wilderness is pushed back, man is everywhere. Solitude, so vital to the individual man, is almost nowhere”. Adams died on 22 April 1984, at age 82. He His ashes were scattered on the Half Dome at Yosemite National Park. His photographs and life continues to inspire nature photography, conservation, preservation of wilderness, environmental protection. (Image GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MONTANA (1942) courtesy: wikimediacommons

HALF DOME, YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA CARLSBAD CAVERNS NATIONAL PARK," NEW MEXICO (1927) (1942)

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Our inspiration, confidence and courage… BEST WISHES TO OUR BELOVED PROFESSOR K. PURUSHOTHAM REDDY SIR ON HIS BIRTH DAY ON 14TH FEBRUAY 2021

ADVISORS: PROF. K. PURUSHOTHAM REDDY, SHRI. G. NARAYAN RAO, SMT K. LEELA LAXMA REDDY, & SHRI R. DILEEP REDDY AND DR K. THULSI RAO EDITOR: DR N. SAI BHASKAR REDDY, SUB-EDITOR: C. UMAMAHESWAR REDDY

PUBLISHED BY: COUNCIL FOR GREEN REVOLUTION (CGR), 1448, ROAD NO. 12, BANJARA GREEN COLONY, BANJARA HILLS, HYDERABAD, TELANGANA, INDIA- 5000 034. WORKING CAMPUS: THE EARTH CENTRE #8-189/4. KONGARA RAVIRYAL, EXIT NO. 13, ORR, MAHESHWARAM MANDAL, RANGAREDDY DISTRICT-501510, TELANGANA, INDIA MOBILE: 96769 57000, E-MAIL: [email protected], WWW.CGRINDIA.ORG

CGR’s Nature News Vol. 3, No. 5 February 2021 (No.29)