1 Eco News, Vol. 18, No. 3 October - December 2012 C.P.R. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTRE

Established in 1989 ✯ Goa ✯ Karnataka ✯ 1980 - The C.P. Ramaswami Aiyar ✯ Kerala Foundation starts nature education for ✯ Maharashtra teachers and students. ✯ Orissa ✯ 1989 - C.P.R. Environmental ✯ Tamilnadu Education Centre (CPREEC) established ✯ Puducherry jointly by the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the C.P. Ramaswami NGO Network Aiyar Foundation as a Centre of Excellence of the Ministry of CPREEC has an extensive network of about Environment and Forests. Government 600 NGOs. All educational programmes are of India. carried out in partnership with select NGOs, Universities, Colleges and Schools. Our Mission Publications ✯ To increase knowledge, awareness and interest among the public about the ✯ Activity and information books and environment in all its aspects pamphlets for children ✯ To develop resource materials for ✯ Environmental training guides and kits environmental education and for teachers awareness raising ✯ Researched Publications ✯ To conduct training programmes for a ✯ Colourful and informative posters wide cross-section of people ✯ ECONEWS - A quarterly magazine ✯ To take up environmental projects for ✯ Indian Journal of Environmental demonstration and research Education, a peer-reviewed journal Our Activities Exhibitions

✯ Training and awareness raising CPREEC designs three new exhibitions ✯ Awareness to and through action every year and has a bank of mobile ✯ Awareness programmes in ecological- exhibitions that travel all over India. ly fragile areas ✯ Conservation of the ecological heri- Environmental Education tage ✯ Research and surveys ✯ Green Schools of India (GSI) ✯ Generation of resource materials ✯ Training programmes for Teachers ✯ Exhibitions ✯ Training programmes for School and ✯ Courses, seminars and symposia College Students ✯ Environmental Law Education Facilities Special Projects ✯ Environmental Laboratory ✯ Library ✯ National Green Corps (NGC) ✯ Computer Division ✯ Biomedical Waste ✯ Publications Division ✯ Biodiversity Conservation Geographical Spread Research and Surveys

CPREEC’s activities extend to ✯ Sustainable Technologies ✯ Surveys of Natural Resources ✯ Andaman & Nicobar Islands ✯ Socio-Economic Surveys ✯ Andhra Pradesh ✯ Lab to Field Technology Transfer

2 Eco News, Vol. 18, No. 3 October - December 2012 This is a special issue The following articles have been put celebrating 50 years of the together by the staff members of creation of the Animals CPREEC. Since our earlier issues have Welfare Board of in India covered biodiversity and wildlife, we which came into existence in 1962, have deliberately omitted our wildlife following the enactment of the friends of the forest. Prevention of Act (1960). Animals are a part of our “Factory Farming” and “Genetic environment, but while the Engineering and Animal Suffering” disappearing tiger, lion and elephant touch upon two important and abnormal are part of the public discourse, the issues of contemporary cruelty to animals which take place behind walls millions of animals suffering on factory of silence and ignorance. “Invasive and farms, the cruelties of the slaughter Alien Animal Species in the Andaman houses, the disappearing diversity of & Nicobar Islands” discusses the domestic animal species, the agonies effects of introduced species on the of cattle packed into lorries and island’s environment. “The Sacred transported over long distances to an Cow” tells us that the cow is sacred agonizing death and many more issues only in name, while “The Declining are a part of the public silence over Deccani Sheep” is about the survival inconvenient issues. of an individual breed. “Issues of in India” discusses problems Traditionally, Indians grazed cattle, of rabies and slaughter houses. sheep and goats over vast stretches of pasture land designated for that The Todas are one of the ancient purpose by village elders. Hens and indigenous tribes of India who were chicken ran around the backyard while buffalo herders and worshippers who the rooster was the village doubtful title never killed their animals or ate buffalo of “broiler chicken”. The cow who gave meat. “Sacred Buffaloes of the Todas” milk continued to live after her milking laments their disappearance as years were over, and she died a natural grasslands are used to cultivate exotic death. Bullocks that ploughed the field commercial tree species. or pulled the cart were never sold once their productive years were over. All Finally, “Kindness to Animals in that has changed. Ancient Tamilnadu” reminds us that Tamil literature, especially the CPR Environmental Education Centre writings of Thiruvalluvar, promoted (CPREEC) has always been sensitive to kindness to animals by example and precept. How such a culture with such animal issues. We serve only an ancient and beautiful tradition could vegetarian food in our programmes. We promote (bull tying), a form of have been talking about animal welfare bull fighting, today is beyond my to teachers and students and including comprehension. it in our curricula and text books. Our campus overflows with birds, squirrels, dogs, cats and even occasional Nanditha Krishna monkeys, snakes and palm civets. Editor

3 Eco News, Vol. 18, No. 3 October - December 2012 Contents

Kindness to Animals in Ancient Tamil Nadu ...... 5

The Sacred Buffalo of The Todas ...... 8

Genetic Engeneering and Animal Suffereing ...... 10

Invasive Alien Animal Species of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands ...... 13

Sacred Cow ...... 15

The Declining Deccan Sheep ...... 16

Issues of Animal Welfare in India ...... 19

The Ethics of Factory Farming ...... 22

Kindness Kids ...... 25

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C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre is a Centre of Excellence of the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India, established jointly by the Ministry and the C.P. Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation.

The Centre has been set up to increase consciousness and knowledge about the environment and the major environmental problems facing the country today. It has been conducting a variety of programmes to spread awareness and interest among the public, including, teachers, students, voluntary workers, educators, farmers, women and youth, on all aspects of the environment and ecology, with the purpose of promoting conservation of nature and natural resources.

4 Eco News, Vol. 18, No. 3 October - December 2012 Kindness to Animals in Ancient Tamil Nadu

M. Amirthalingam

During the past couple of decades, the One day, Chibi - a Chola king - sat in the world has become increasingly aware of garden of his palace. Suddenly, a wounded the harmful effects of industrialization and dove fell on his lap. He handed over the the consequent destruction of biodiversity. dove to his servants and ordered them to There has been a growing realization that give it proper treatment. A few minutes later, a hunter appeared on the scene we share this planet along with myriad searching for the dove which he had shot. forms of life and that we have no right to He realized that the King was in possession disturb the balance of nature. In ancient of the dove. He requested the King to times, too, this awareness was prevalent. hand over the dove. But the king did not “How can one, who eats the flesh of others want to give up the dove. The hunter then to swell his flesh, show compassion?” told the King that the meat of the dove asked Tiruvalluvar in his Tirukkural (251). was his only food for that day. However, All the great religions of the world have the King being compassionate wanted to extolled the virtue of non-violence and save the life of the dove. He was also kindness towards animals. In our own desirous of dissuading the hunter from country, the emperor Ashoka gave up his policy of animals. Hence, he eating meat after becoming a Buddhist. cut of a portion of his own flesh which In more recent times, Mahatma Gandhi was equal to the weight of the dove and gave it to the hunter. The hunter was was a shining example of non-violence and abashed by this act of the king and the protection of the rights of the animals, regretted his violent actions. This story especially the cow. Recent medical can be referred to in the Cilappathikaaram. research has also proved that a vegetarian diet promotes longevity and health. In There is another story about a Chola King this connection, I have cited a few named Manuneethi Cholan. This king was examples from Tamil literature.

Courtesy: Courtesy: httpwww.flickr.comphotosbalajijegan httpinterestingindianravi.blogspot.in 2632832945sizesoinphotostream 2010_10_01_archive.html

5 Eco News, Vol. 18, No. 3 October - December 2012 famous for meting out justice. He had In another legend, the Tamil Velir King installed a bell in his palace. Any aggrieved named Vaiyaavik Kopperum Pekan was party who wanted justice could ring this renowned as one of the seven great bell. The King would then hear the case patrons and philanthropists. The great and deliver justice. One day, it so poet Paranar was a contemporary of this happened that the King’s only son, while King. The poet has sung about the King riding a chariot, knocked down a calf, and Pekan. His poem speaks of an incident the calf died. Seeing this, the mother cow that occurred when the King was touring went to the palace and rang the bell of his country. The King saw a peacock justice. The King came out of the palace shivering in the rain. Being compassionate, and was surprised to see an animal ringing he immediately removed his gold laced silk the bell. However, such was the King’s robe and wrapped it around the peacock devotion to justice that he followed the (Purananooru, 145 of Paranar). “With your animal to the spot where the calf had been elephants in rut, with your proud horses, killed. Grasping the situation, the King with your fame that does not fade, Pekan, ordered that his own son should be run you who gave your cloak to the dark over by a chariot so that proper justice mindless peacock, because it was could be rendered1. shivering in the cold” (The Four hundred songs of war and wisdom, p. 91). This can be referred in Cillappathikaram as Aavin kadaimani uhuneer nenjusudath Such was the rule of law in ancient times than Arumperar puthalvanai aaliyin that Tamil poets like Silappadikaram, madithon (20:54-55); Manimegalai (3:22); Kamban and Manikkavasagan have the king defends the whole world; and written about the time when the tiger justice, when administered without defect, would not attack the deer. Both the tiger defends the king (Thirukkural -547); and deer would even drink from the same Heaven is the help of the helpless lake, such was the harmony between (Palamoli - 3). This incident is also referred them. to in the Puranaanooru (37, 39, 43, 46). Over two thousand years ago, the great The Thirukkural (72) states that “Those Tamil philosopher Thiruvallur said who are destitute of love appropriate all they have to themselves; but those who manuyir ombi arulalvarku illenba possess love consider even their bones as tannuyir anjum vinai belonging to others”. This story also appears in the Kamba Ramayanam (65:7 “The wise say that the evils which his soul & 7:355); Kalingathupparani (93); Rajaraja would dread will never come upon the man Cholan Ulaa (5-6); Kulothunga Cholan Ulaa who exercises kindness and protects the (17); and Vikirama Cholan Ulaa (10-11). life of other creatures” (Thirukkural, 244).

In Puranaanooru (9), it is stated that Kollan pulalai maruthaanaik kaikoopi whenever the warriors prepare themselves Ella uyirum thozhum for battle, they have to make an announcement. The announcement is as “All creatures will join hands together and follows: “Since the war is going to worship him who has never taken away commence on such and such a day, cows, life nor eaten flesh” (Thirukkural, 260). priests, animals, couples who have no issue, ladies, patients, and aged people Onnaenatan unarndavai tunnamai are asked to go safe places”. Vendum pirangan seyal

6 Eco News, Vol. 18, No. 3 October - December 2012 “Let not man consent to do those things If the crows caw, it is certain guests will to another which he knows will cause come to the house. I attribute it to their sorrow” (Thirukkural, 316).(Those who strong sense of smell. When women make have realised what is suffering Must special dishes for guests, the good smell refrain from inflicting it on others). spreads and attracts the crows. They are (Thirukkural, 32. 316). intelligent enough to call their friends to share the food”. Crows are used as And, as a warning, symbols for sharing in Tamil literature.

Noyellam noyseydar melvam noyseyyar “Crows do not conceal their prey, but will Noyinmai vendu pavar call out to other crows to share the food. Wealth will be with those who show a “Sorrow will come upon those who cause similar disposition towards their relatives” pain to others; therefore, those who desire (Thirukkural, 527). to be free from sorrow should give no pain to others” (Thirukkural, 320) Conclusion

Respecting this sentiment would certainly In this article I have tried to highlight the improve the lives of domestic animals and ethical principle of justice and compassion the chances of survival of India’s towards animals from the background of endangered wildlife. The Sangam Tamil Tamil literature and culture. This should poet Uruththirankannan also says that the help students of Tamil Nadu to develop parrots in Brahmins’ houses recite the kindness and justice to all animals on the Vedas. They repeat it because the basis of their culture and tradition. Brahmins recite it every day (Perumpanaatruppadai: lines 300-301). In ancient days, many followed the principle: “Pirapokkum Ella Uirkkum” (all When three great Tamil kings laid siege are born equal – encapsulates the Tamil to King Pari’s 300 towns, Kapilar trained ethos) and this manifested itself as acts the parrots to bring the grains into Pari’s of kindness and love. The generosity and territory. The poets Avvaiyar and Nakkirar kindness of the king is evident from this were all praise for Kapilar for this help act. (Akam -303 and 78). The ancient Indians were renowned for Narrinai gives the information about their profound respect for other forms of parrots calling a girl in affectionate terms creation. Unless we, in this modern age, even after she left home. The poem is restore this ancient virtue and realize our about a girl who has eloped with her lover. inherent harmony with nature and the The girl’s mother says that love is beautiful. biological diversity of creation, the animals However, when she sees her daughter’s will remain sacred in name only. friends playing with their toys, tears come to her eyes. The parrot also calls for the Reference. girl (Narrinai – 143). 1. Panchapakesh Ayyar, A.S., 1947, Ainkurunooru (391), Kurunthokai (210) by Kovalan and Kannaki: the story of the Kakaipatiniyar: “Crows are attributed with ‘Silappadikaram’ Re-told, p.128, The the power of predicting arrival of guests. Alliance Company, Mylapore, Chennai.

7 Eco News, Vol. 18, No. 3 October - December 2012 The Sacred Buffalo of The Todas

M. Kumaravelu

The Nilgiris are the abode of tribes and fetch them a handsome income. Generally, rich tribal culture as all the six primitive the buffaloes are allowed to spend the day tribes in the state - Todas, Kotas, Irulas, near the habitations and, during the night Kurumbas, Paniyas and Kattunayakans - time, they are allowed to enter the nearby have been living here from ancient times, grasslands for grazing. The dung collected thus making the hills the home of tribal from the pen is sold to the farmers nearby. wealth. They never sell the buffaloes for meat. The milk products are sold to the local Co-operative Milk Societies and some Entirely pastoral in nature, the lives of quantity to other milk traders. Though in the Todas are interwoven with the yesteryears the Toda economy revolved buffaloes which they consider sacred. The around milk and other products from the Todas obtain grains from the neighbouring buffaloes, in recent times they have tribes and indigenous people as they started taking up cultivation activities and generally do not practice agriculture. They the educated few have started working in rear buffaloes for milk products and not government departments. for meat. “Toda economic life for centuries has revolved around their handsome herds A study by the Tribal Research Centre, of long-horned, short-legged and rather Ooty (2007) says that around 62 percent ferocious buffaloes” (Anthony R Walker). among the Todas rear buffaloes. While milk It is understood that there are two sects products from domestic buffaloes are being of buffaloes; one is the sacred/temple sold, the milk products from sacred buffaloes (Posther) and the domestic buffaloes are used only for rituals in the buffaloes (Puthirr). The sacred buffaloes temples. are kept under the control of temple priests and domestic buffaloes are under Social value the care of the Toda tribesmen. The sacred buffaloes are milked by the priests; the All the Toda settlements encompass traditional huts along with a buffalo pen, milk product is used in the temples for a separate calf pen and a traditional temple the lighting of lamps and the food surrounded by vast grassland and Shola requirements of the priests. It is forests. Each Toda family owns domestic interesting to note that the Toda women buffaloes (Puthirr). The Toda mothers use are never allowed to rear or milk the the buffalo milk as the main ingredient buffaloes. for making butter, ghee, etc. Churning is carried out only by the men. Milk from Economic value the domestic animals is never used in the temple rituals. They use bamboo sticks The Todas and buffaloes are inseparable for preparing butter and butter milk. even in today’s cyber era. The buffaloes Rarely do they use the earthen pot are an important component in the Toda produced by the neighboring Kota tribes. economy. The milk products and dung The milk products, particularly the butter

8 Eco News, Vol. 18, No. 3 October - December 2012 and ghee are used for external use, the upper plateau of the Nilgiris. All the applying on the body and hair for making six places have either a conical temple or the unique hair style of the Toda women. a traditional half cylindrical temple. Each place had a herd of buffalo during the mid- Sacred value nineteenth century. Now all the six places are abandoned and simultaneously, the The Todas believe that the buffaloes are worship of the sacred buffaloes was created by the goddess Teikirzi, or the “goddess of the mountains”. They believe stopped. These abandoned buffaloes that the buffaloes are fellow-beings which became feral and were let into the forest are blessed by the Hindu deities called areas. Panja-Pandavas, and also Nanjundeswara of Nanjangud (Karnataka). During the The Todas are unique in that they are various rituals and functions, the buffaloes probably either the only or among the few are donated to the temple. While vegetarian tribes in the world. Except for dedicating the buffaloes to the temples, the single buffalo sacrificed at the death the animals are driven through a stone of a priest, buffaloes are never killed by circle (Nurthkursh). Particularly, when a the Todas. Toda woman gives birth to a child, one or more buffaloes are donated as an act of remembrance. The donated buffalo herd Conclusion is maintained as temple animals (Posthirr) by the priests. The priests churn the milk In recent times, the owning of large herds and prepare ghee for lighting the lamps at of buffaloes has been on the decline. With the temple. The other milk products are the change in the cultural ethos, used by the priests for their food. It is particularly conversion to other religions important to note that every Toda temple like Christianity, the importance of rearing contains a carved imitation of the buffalo’s buffaloes has lost its importance. horn as a sacred symbol. Christian Todas do not believe that the buffaloes are sacred. However, the other Among the rituals, the rituals related to death are the most important in Toda sects of the Todas still have faith and culture and the buffalo plays a big role in believe in the buffalo cult. this ritual. When the Toda priest of a temple dies, the cremation can take place The Todas do not practice stall feeding; only after a buffalo is sacrificed. This they require a vast stretch of grassland ceremony is called as a “green funeral”; for the buffaloes to graze. Changes in and after a few days, the relics of the burnt lifestyle, decrease of pasture lands due to body are collected. This ritual is called “dry various factors like afforestation in funeral”. grasslands and the submerging of the grasslands due to hydro-electrical projects The sacrificed buffalo and other ornaments have made a great impact on the rearing and a utensil are placed near the body of the deceased before cremation. The Todas of buffaloes. Vast stretch of grass lands believe that by this sacrifice, the deceased have now been occupied by exotic plant soul will reach the other world and live species such as the eucalyptus and wattle, with the buffalo and the other articles scotch broom, lantana, etc., Many Toda dedicated during the green funeral. The grass lands have been leased out to other Todas have 6 important sacred places on community cultivators.

9 Eco News, Vol. 18, No. 3 October - December 2012 Apart from all these factors, Toda buffaloes 2. Walker R. Anthony, 1986. The Toda of are seen in many hamlets (mundh) even South India: A New Look, Hindustan today. Out of fear and reverence the Publishing Corporation, Delhi. Todas still rear buffaloes. 3. Hockings Paul, 1989, Blue Mountains- The Ethnography and Biogeography of a Reference: South Indian Region, Oxford University Press, Delhi. 1. Francis, W, 1908. The Nilgiris (Madras District Gazetteers), Asian Educational 4. Interview with Mr Pothili Kuttan of Services, Madras. Karsh (Kandal) mundh.

Genetic Engeneering and Animal Suffereing U. Thirunavukkarasu

Genetic Engineering supporting protein/hormone like insulin is generated for the sick and needy. At Genetic engineering is the process of the same time, genetic engineering has inserting ‘desirable characteristic-carrying created chickens with four legs and no DNAs or genetic materials’ into the host wings; goats with spider genes secrete silk animal genome. It also refers to a range of with its milk. Transgenic engineering also technologies used to manipulate the has its darker side wherein pain and genetic makeup of animals and plants suffering are caused to the animal hosts. across species boundaries to create ‘new genetically variant’ organisms. The Transgenic Animals and Animal Farming manipulation of genetic material may be Farm animals are thus subjected to for the purpose of improved disease unlimited suffering in the process of resistance, more yield, colour, milk, meat, genetic engineering (Compassion in enzyme, or protein. World Farming Trust (CIWF). The profit-making animal farming and The Darker Side of Genetic Engineering pharmaceutical industries aim for higher yields - more milk, more meat - and ignore Human genes are inserted into bacteria, the pain of the host animals involved in it. monkey genes are manipulated with genes Pigs are born with weak legs, chicken of mice. The use of genetically modified without wings, animals with damaged organisms has thus grown manifold since internal organs, etc. In the race to create the introduction of this technology. All this more ‘profitable new farming animals’, the is possible because of the biotechnological pain and suffering of the victims is largely tools available today. Genetic engineering ignored by the technocrats of genetic has positive sides, wherein a life engineering.

10 Eco News, Vol. 18, No. 3 October - December 2012 Animal Suffering Genetic Engineering - Boon or Bane?

The journey to produce desirable ‘animal Genetic engineering was once thought to products’ by using biotechnological tools be a great boon for medicine and other creates untold suffering to generations of sectors. Unfortunately, there are many breeds before the final transgenic surprises that arise out of the process of organism is created. “Dolly” might be the experimentation. Even the technocrats successful cloned sheep, but several and scientists involved are caught often generations of sheep have suffered to times unaware by their own actions. arrive at ‘Dolly- the cloned sheep’. For every successful genetically modified Traumatic Experiences of Transgenic organism, there are hundreds of deaths. Animals The unsuccessful ones or ‘invalids’ are destroyed to maintain the purity of the Transgenic engineering has made animal strains. There are untold stories about suffering multifold in recent times. The surgeries, invasive procedures to harvest sufferings are many, the mental trauma eggs, embryo extractions and is unimaginable. Here are a few examples: implantations on the experimental animals New health problems: Transgenic during the process of creating genetically engineering may create new health modified organisms. Even worse, the problems among subjects of scientific profit-oriented animal farming industry intervention. Re-engineering of genomic tries to satisfy the customer by creating composition may also create new sets of ‘designer animals’. health and disease combinations and immune response to it. The existing The method of creating genetically veterinary or animal science may not give modified organisms may be by pronuclear proper clues to the scientists involved microinjection, gene targeting in about the ‘new health risks’. embryonic stem (ES) cells or blastocyst microinjection. Unfortunately, however, Developmental abnormalities: The the procedure adopted is highly invasive process of creating new breeds and and painful to the animals. breeding stocks also throws up new developmental abnormalities among the Pharmaceutical Farming subject animals.

Through pharmaceutical farming, whole Pleiotrpism: Expression of single or flocks and herds of non-human animals multiple genes on the animal’s phenotype are used as living laboratories to produce may actually increase animal suffering. medicines, nutrients, hormones and enzymes. This technique is being widely Disease resistance and vulnerability: used to generate supportive medicines Animals have to lead their lives with co- and nutritional supplements for human habiting organisms and fellow species. The beings. The growing need for medicines aim of producing disease resistant variety and exploration in transgenic sciences will of species may open up the organism’s further intensify the pain and suffering of genome, thus making it vulnerable to other the hapless animal victims. diseases in the real life environment.

11 Eco News, Vol. 18, No. 3 October - December 2012 Genetic disorders: Transgenic ♦ The bio-centric ethical stand point engineering sometime throws up new believes that nature has better genetic disorders because of ‘new genomic tools to select and alter the species combinations’. Diabetic mice were cured composition rather than tampering by when the gene for human insulin was genetic engineering by human inserted into its genome, but the mice died beings. later due to excess of insulin. Inbreeding ♦ The process of evolution over many and breeding among defective generations millennia has selected, combined, may add to the problem. invented and re-engineered many life forms and destroyed many. Production-related diseases: The Meddling with the evolutionary aspiration to get more yields from living process is wasteful and destructive. animals in terms of milk, egg, fur and other body fluids may force excessive strain on There are many sociological, psychological, religious and ethical the animals. Stressed out animals suffer concerns over the use of animal life forms and contract diseases due to their low in genetic engineering. In April 1996, immunity and resistance. “Grace” - a transgenic goat with the potential of secreting an anti-cancer drug Ethical issues of animals in genetical - was born. Later, in 1997 “Rosie” - a engineering transgenic calf that produced milk containing necessary nutrients for Use of animals in genetic engineering premature infants - was created. procedures is an issue of controversy right is a new transgenic from its inception. science, where compatible vital organs are cultured and transplanted to human ♦ Use of transgenic technologies in recipients from other host animals (pigs). industrialised animal farming and The birth of “Dolly” - the first cloned pharmaceutical sector rakes up the mammalian sheep - opened up new vistas issue of ‘commercialisation of life in genetic engineering. While recognizing forms’ and treating them as the need for opening up new avenues of ‘commodities’. The reverence for life explorations in science, surely we can find is lost in the process. a way of doing so without causing unimaginable suffering to our fellow living ♦ There is a wide resentment among beings. many about combining and crossing over the species barrier artificially by References: a scientific procedure. 1. www.euroveg.eu ♦ The process of altering the genetic composition of any animal is 2. www.wikipeadia.org considered unethical in many countries 3. www.ucsusa.org

♦ It is also unethical to create 4. www.journals.elsevierhealth.com diseased animals and thus cause suffering. 5. www.dikseo.teimes.gr

12 Eco News, Vol. 18, No. 3 October - December 2012 Invasive Alien Animal Species of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

A. Gopal

Invasive alien species are plants, animals, Introduction of non-native species (also pathogens and other organisms that are known as “alien” or “exotic” species), non-native to an ecosystem and which may deliberately or accidentally, has been cause economic or environmental harm or a major threat to biological diversity worldwide as the introduced species adversely affect human health. In have often flourished at the cost of the particular, they adversely impact native species. India’s biodiversity, too, biodiversity, including decline or has been affected by the introduction elimination of native species - through of alien species. competition, predation, or transmission of pathogens - and disrupt the local Scenario of Andaman and Nicobar ecosystems and its functions. islands

Invasive alien species introduced and/or Several exotic animals and plants spread outside their natural habitats have introduced in the Andaman and affected native biodiversity in almost every Nicobar Islands are posing a threat to the local species of fauna and flora. ecosystem type on earth and are one of the greatest threats to biodiversity. Since Spotted Deer (Axis axis) the 17th century, invasive alien species have contributed to nearly 40% of all Introduced in 1920, these animals have animal extinctions for which the cause is spread all over the North, Middle and known (CBD, 2006). South Andaman Islands, including the islands close to the coast. Recent Causes and Impacts of Invasive Alien studies shows the damage done by Species these deer. In areas where they were found, the regeneration of forest trees Globalization has resulted in greater trade, was found to be very low. transport, travel and tourism, all of which Take for example Ross Island, near Port can facilitate the introduction and spread Blair. The deer population on this island of species that are not native to an area. If a new habitat is similar enough to a species’ native habitat, it may survive and reproduce. For a species to become invasive, it must successfully out-compete native organisms for food and habitat, spread through its new environment, increase its population and harm ecosystems in its introduced range. Most countries are grappling with complex and costly invasive species problems.

13 Eco News, Vol. 18, No. 3 October - December 2012 has gone unchecked. The natural islands. They have been observed digging vegetation has been almost completely up sea turtle nests on beaches and are a eliminated. There are very few tall trees serious cause of mortality to nesting adult left. Extensive signs of soil erosion can turtles, which are hunted as they come be seen all over the island, as there is no ashore to lay eggs. The killing of turtles vegetation cover to hold the soil. This by feral dogs has been observed on most photo shows the condition of the small of the nesting beaches of the islands where part of the Biological Park, Chidiyatapu. dog populations have established themselves. Barking Deer Muntiacusmuntjak Cattle (Bos Taurus) This was introduced along with the spotted deer. Small populations are also Herds of cattle have been observed in found on Middle Andaman. Barking deer almost all the islands. They damage the affect native vegetation in the same way native vegetation. as the spotted deer.

Elephant (Elephas maximus) Goat (Capra hircus)

About 50 animals were let loose on These were introduced on Barren Island Interview Island when a private timber in the last century and are now advertised company folded up in the 1960s. Now feral as a unique species, since they are on the Interview Islands, there are some supposed to survive on salt water. This more animals that have gone feral on the claim appears to have been an attention- North Andaman Island itself. The earlier grabber to attract tourists. The vegetation study had documented the reduction in cover on Barren Island has been obviously the amount of cane and screw-pine affected by goats. (Pandanus tectorius) available on Interview Island; the latest study found that these Conclusion had disappeared almost totally. A large number of trees have been debarked by Invasive species damage native species in elephants on Interview Island. different ways. Some may directly out- compete natives — for nutrients, light or Cat (Felis catus) water, in the case of plants, or for food, shelter or nesting sites among animals. It was initially brought as a pet, possibly Alternatively, an invader may so alter the to control rats and mice. It has gone feral local environment that the site is no longer in a number of places. It has been suitable for the natives. observed to feed on the nestlings of endemic birds and is likely to pose a serious threat to some species. Reference

Dog (Canis familiaris) 1. Prashanth Mohanraj, Veenakumari K., A.K. Bandyopadhyay, 1999. Perilous Dogs were introduced by the British. The Aliens, Central Agricultural Research aborigines use them regularly for hunting Institute, Port Blair. and those who settled here use them as household pets. Dogs have gone feral in 2. The Convention on Biological several places in the Andaman and Nicobar Diversity, 2006.

14 Eco News, Vol. 18, No. 3 October - December 2012 Sacred Cow

Pradeepta Nayak

India is the second most populated other half used for fuel. Dung is collected country in the world. It is home to more from the open street and cattle pens and cattle than any other country. The cow is made into cakes which are dried and stored considered sacred by the Hindus; there and later used as cooking fuel. People sell is a belief that the worship of the cow dried cow dung cake to earn money to buy cleanses the body and purifies the soul. food for their families. Cow dung is used Krishna, one of the most popular deities in gobar gas plants to produce CH4 gases of the Hindu pantheon is a god of mercy for cooking and lighting the house. and childhood. He was a cowherd and a Basically, it is an environment friendly gas. divine charioteer. Cow dung is also mixed with water to make The products of the cow include milk, a paste which is used as flooring material urine, dung, curds and butter. The five and wall cover almost in every ritual. It is products (pancagavya) of the cow – milk, also as a tilak- a ritual mark on the curds, ghee, butter, urine and dung - are forehead. In ancient times, people believed used in puja (worship) as well as in rites that God will happy if cow dung is used of extreme penance. The milk of the family for the flooring and wall covering of their cow nourishes children as they grow up. houses for “Pabitram”. Scientifically, it has They supply the essential vitamins and some antibiotic properties that kill harmful nutrients required by growing bacteria and micro-organisms. children.Cow’s milk is beneficial for healthy bones, dental health and obesity reduction The cow gives us so many things, both in children as also protection from thyroid directly and indirectly. For this reason it and the protection of the heart. India is has been conferred a sacred status. The the largest producer of milk in the world. cow is honoured at least once a year on This has been achieved through a Rakshya bandhan day or Gopastami in programme of cross breeding. India, USA, Odisha and other states also. On this China and Italy are the top producers and auspicious day, a “Cow Holiday” is consumers of cow and buffalo milk. observed and, early in the morning, cows are washed and decorated with flowers Cow urine is used as a bio-fertilizer and and offered cake, fruit, and grain and bio-pesticide which is mixed with other worshiped as God. compounds because of its antibiotic properties and hence used as a medicine. Nowadays, modernization and the growing Similarly, cow dung (gobar) is a major need for food has resulted in the reduction source of energy for households of the cow population. It is estimated that throughout India. About half of the usable about 20 million cattle die every year in cow dung in India is used as fertilizer; the India. Not all die natural deaths. Large

15 Eco News, Vol. 18, No. 3 October - December 2012 numbers of cattle are slaughtered by the amount of milk, buttermilk and curds. leather industry. They are often Most Indian dishes are prepared with transported to slaughter houses in ghee, butter and other products which inhuman conditions. Every day thousands come from cows. Hence, it is not advisable of cows are transported from Andhra to slaughter cows which are the source of Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh food for the majority of the population. to Kerala, West Bengal and to Bangladesh. The protection of the cow means the Bangladesh is the largest exporter of beef. protection of an important animal species There are some other reasons for the which is an economic asset to the country. decrease in the cow population in India – The use of chemical fertilizers may often (1) Intensive use of leather products lead to cancer, diabetics and other such as belts, bags, shoes, diseases. Organic compost is the viable watchbands, combs, and jackets, alternative. It is in the interests of the etc. coming generations that the cow is (2) Increase in the consumption of non- protected, both as an economic asset as vegetarian food. well as source of nutritious food. The last (3) Farmers turning to cattle grazing century has seen the disappearance of rather than cultivation. numerous species from the face of the (4) Lack of grazing land for cattle. earth. Let not the same fate over take the cow. Man’s greed has resulted in the The ancient Hindu scriptures have disappearance of many species and living prescribed various punishments for beings from the planet. Let not our greed “Gohatya” or killing of a cow. An inscription blind us to our basic nature of dating back to A.D. 465 equates killing a humaneness. Our existence on this cow with killing a Brahmin who is related planet depends equally on the co-existence to “Brahma”. There are some rules and of various other living beings with whom regulations adapted to protect the sacred we share the earth. Let us not exterminate cow. In March 1994, the Indian them. Parliament approved a bill banning the slaughter of cows and the sale and Reference possession of beef. Those arrested for possession of beef faced prison sentences 1. http://factsanddetails.com/asian. up to five years. Hindus consume a large php?itemid=2629&catid=64&subcatid=413

The Declining Deccan Sheep K. Venkataratnam

Andhra Pradesh has the largest sheep Karnataka and Maharashtra. The breed population in South India (2.5 crores as is spread over the greater part of the in 2007), of which approximately 40% central peninsular region, comprising the are of the Deccani breed. This implies semi-arid areas of Maharashtra, Andhra that Andhra Pradesh has the largest Pradesh and Karnataka. It covers the major population of Deccani sheep, followed by part of Maharashtra (especially the

16 Eco News, Vol. 18, No. 3 October - December 2012 Pune Division); parts of Kurnool, 7) Mechanisation, intensification of Mehaboobnagar, Nalgonda, Nizamabad, agriculture, and over use of Anantpur, Warangal and the entire chemicals, pesticides. districts of Medak, Rangareddy, and 8) Increase in the irrigation area in Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh; and Bidar, dry land tracts and the changes in Bijapur, Gulbarga, and Raichur districts cropping patterns. in Karnataka. It is reared under 9) Decrease in crop residues in migratory, semi- migratory and sedentary harvested fields and change over to systems by shepherding communities non-food crops, resulting in a such as the Golla, Kuruma, Kuruba and decline of natural available fodder Dhangar. The sheep were formerly used as also crop-residues. by these communities for meat, manure 10)Deep ploughing which destroys and wool. natural fodder seeds and removes them from the soil. Lantana, But due to the following reasons the parthenium and other non-edible Deccani sheep population is said to be on species have colonized degraded a drastic declining trend in AP. soils. The overall impact has been a decline of fodder. 1) Cross-breeding with many other 11)Declining quality of fodder resulting breeds, primarily as a result of in reduced milk yield, manure output, inappropriate breeding policies. To reduction of body weight, increased date, the Deccani breed has been susceptibility to disease, and therefore incompletely understood. There are expenses on purchase of vitamins, only a few original species of the tonics, etc. have increased. breed available in the state. 12)Reduction in the earlier tradition 2) Collapse in the traditional wool of penning animals on agricultural markets, triggered again by larger lands in the same village, as a macro-policy reforms. result of which the duration of 3) No encouragement from the migration has increased. Government, military and public 13) Since the tradition of allocation of sectors in terms of purchasing panchayat lands for grazing by the woolen blankets and other panchayat has all but disappeared, by-products. the owners are forced to lease land 4) In terms of quantity of meat, this for grazing. breed is inferior compared to the 14) Youngsters from traditional sheep Nellore variety. Farmers find this rearing families exhibit lack of variety not commercially viable interest in engaging in their when compared to the Nellore ones. traditional profession in the 5) The targeting of “sheep lands” absence of profitability and scope for (which are the grazing grounds for betterment in their lives. sheep and are carelessly referred 15) Not much availability of loans for to as wastelands) for setting up the the sector. Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and 16)The Andhra Pradesh government creating bio-diesel plantations. has taken some initiatives to 6) Increase in cultivable lands and increase the population of this decreasing grazing lands. variety and through some NGOs has

17 Eco News, Vol. 18, No. 3 October - December 2012 launched some schemes like time that the study is concluded / intensive ram / lamb rearing for completed. quality meat production. 4) There should be minimum 17) The AP government also proposes to interference in the current launch another scheme for rams breeding practices followed by the this year. These will be tested at shepherds/ a community till such the National Research Centre on time that the study generates the Meat, Hyderabad. data and establishes the inbreeding 18) Despite several interventions by the levels. government, the Deccani sheep 5) To expand the Network Project on breed is on a declining trend. Sheep Improvement and Conservation for the Deccani Sheep. Experts suggest several measures to 6) All the stakeholders should be improve the quality of the Deccani involved. sheep: 7) Assigning/selling lands for housing, construction of factories, etc (non agriculture) needs to be restricted. If lands need to be assigned, they need to be assigned to shepherd organizations, which they can use in ways that further their sheep rearing livelihood. There should be re-allocation of land in villages for grazing through policy changes (where possible and feasible). 8) Analysis of soils and investigation of their status for mineral deficiencies and plan cropping and ecological agriculture interventions to correct these imbalances. 1) There is urgent need to clearly 9) Analysis of the water to determine describe and profile the Deccan its quality and plan interventions breed both in terms of its morphological where need to restore watering characteristics, basic production sources and their quality. and reproduction traits and 10)Schemes like NREG need to molecular characteristics.There is consider the enhancement of fodder a need to review the State breeding trees, grasses and plants. policies/strategies/interventions 11)Adequate medical and health for the Deccan Breed thus far. insurance facilities to be provided. 2) Nature breeding strategy and policy 12)Good marketing facilities to be for Deccan areas should be defined provided. based on the baseline data generated 13) Establishing of research stations for as also take on board the needs and sheep. aspirations of the shepherding communities who have traditionally Reference & source: reared these breeds and depend on it for their livelihood. 1) www.anthra.Org. 3) There should be a complete halt to 2) www.National Research Centre on introducing new strains or breeds Meat, Govt of India. from outside the region till such 3) Experts from the sector.

18 Eco News, Vol. 18, No. 3 October - December 2012 Issues of Animal Welfare in India

Dr. T. Sundaramoorthy

Introduction ♦ Regular Grant for 2900 Animal Welfare Organisations India covers only 2.4 % of the total ♦ Grant for shelter houses surface area of the world. However, it ♦ Grant for animal birth control and contains about 8% of the total biological immunization of stray dogs diversity of the world. The country is the second largest populated country ♦ Grant of the provision of ambulance in the world. Traditionally, Indians services for animals in distress have always maintained strong affinity ♦ Grant of relief to animals during towards animals and their welfare. natural calamities This is partly due to the religious beliefs of the people. Concern for animals and The schemes which were initiated for the their protection is deeply rooted in the welfare of animals during the 11th plan Indian psyche. Now, there is a deep period are being continued during the 12th concern about the depletion of wildlife plan. The government is planning to reduce and biodiversity in the country. The Government of India are seized of the the number of plan schemes and to bring matter and have taken various all the various schemes under one scheme proactive steps to preserve the same. called the Animal Welfare Scheme. The Various laws have been enacted to idea is to bring about better coordination ensure the preservation and between the various departments conservation of wildlife and biodiversity. handling this subject. The following thrust Chief among them is the Wild Life areas have been identified for special (Protection) Act (WLPA) enacted in 1972. attention. Animal Welfare ♦ Animal Birth Control and Animal Welfare has been brought under Immunization. the Ministry of Environment & Forests ♦ Sterilization of stray dogs up to a (MoEF). It requires coordination minimum of 70% of the stray dog between various Ministries, namely population. Dept. of , Dairying ♦ Sterilization of specific species of and Fisheries (DAHD&F), Ministry of monkeys in selected areas up to a Health, Ministry of Urban Development, minimum 70% of the population of Ministry of Rural Development, along such monkeys in such areas. with the MoEF. Matters concerning ♦ Adopting a participatory approach to Animal Welfare are dealt with by the resolving the man-animal conflict. MoEF through the Animal Welfare ♦ Convergence of schemes of related Board of India (AWBI), which is a Ministries / departments for corporate body constituted under contributing to the cause of animal section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty welfare. to Animals Act (1960). ♦ Capacity building of key players, Various schemes presently implemented i.e., NGOs, AWOs, civic bodies, are: veterinarians.

19 Eco News, Vol. 18, No. 3 October - December 2012 ♦ Better management of slaughter canine rabies, but now appears to have -houses. far fewer human rabies deaths than ♦ Better management of gaushalas. Pakistan (5,000); China (2,400); Indonesia (900 to 5,000) and Bangladesh (2,000). Capacity building The drastic reduction in estimated human rabies deaths in India suggests that rabies At present, the NGOs / AWOs / SPCAs/ is much less a public health scourge than Civic bodies involved in carrying out ABC is widely believed, and has been much more programmes are facing problems in the vulnerable to eradication with a concerted efficient conduct of the programmes due push to vaccinate street dogs. An expert to lack of availability of trained group recommended that the scheme veterinarians and para vets in surgical ‘Animal Birth Control and Immunization protocols for the sterilization of stray dogs. of Stray Dogs’ be renamed as the “Animal There is a limited availability of well trained Birth Control and Immunization Scheme”, dog catchers with the civic bodies. This is so that it is not limited to the treatment of one of the main causes that limits the stray dogs only. scope of the ABC programmes in India. This needs to be rectified. Monkeys are also the carriers of rabies and co-habit with humans. The two kinds The various issues related to animal of monkeys, namely rhesus macaques welfare and some of the steps taken by (Macaca mulatta) and Hanuman langurs the Government of India are summarized (Semnopithecus entellus) share food and below: space with humans, both in rural and urban areas, and are often in conflict with Rabies control the humans. The problems due to monkeys are very acute in several states. The main vector of rabies in India is the In the case of monkeys, the Rhesus Birth dog. More than 98% deaths take place Control Programme initiated by the Wildlife consequent to bites of rabid dogs mostly Wing of the Forest Department of in the rural areas. The awareness level Himachal Pradesh needs to be expanded and facilities for post exposure anti-rabies to set up a National Training Centre for treatment are inadequate. The World the sterilization of monkeys and also for Health Organisation (WHO) has also the training of vets / para-vets of all the repeatedly recommended controlling the states. population of dogs through intensive ABC/ AR programmes by which at least 70% of The expert group recommended that in the dog population should be vaccinated. order to ensure complete elimination of The number of dog bites in the country is rabies from the country, the Ministry about 17.4 million every year. The cost of should formulate a “National Rabies treatment for both man and animals Control Mission”. amounts to Rs. 410 crores per year. Slaughter houses Presenting the latest statistics in the Lok Sabha, Shri Gulam Nabi Azad, the then Abuse of animals at auctions and slaughter Minister for Health, said that only 223 houses is common. According to human rabies deaths were recorded in Department of animal husbandry, India in 2011. India had long been thought Ministry of Agriculture (2006), there are to lead the world in human deaths from over 5500 registered slaughter houses in

20 Eco News, Vol. 18, No. 3 October - December 2012 the country. This figure may have grown NGOs/ Gaushalas and SPCAs. However, in the last 5 years. There are also several lack of funds and man power is a big illegal slaughter houses. In order to constraint and should be addressed if the comply with the requirements under the schemes are to be brought to fruition. Prevention of Cruelty (Slaughter House) Although some of the States have Rules, and the directions issued by the constituted Animal Welfare Boards at the Hon’ble Apex Court, the Board is required State level, there is a need to have such Boards in all the States. Moreover, as per to undertake inspections of slaughter a Supreme Court direction, and as per the houses frequently. In order to ensure this, Prevention of Cruelty (Establishment of the Board would require adequate Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to resources and qualified manpower. Animals) Rules, SPCAs have to be established in all districts of the States. Inspection of slaughter houses has to be ensured as mandated by the Hon’ble Shelterhouses / Gaushalas Supreme Court of India and as required by the Prevention of Cruelty (Slaughter The Ministry, with the help of the Board, House) Rules. This is absolutely should prepare an action plan with the imperative in order to ensure humane, objective of establishing shelter houses hygienic slaughter that meet world in each district of the country by providing standards. The expert group priority to non-covered and partially recommended that retired veterinary covered regions. As funding will always practitioners and other volunteers should remain a constraint, the help of corporate be engaged on a reasonable remuneration bodies could also be brought in so as to for this purpose. make this scheme an all embracing one.

Convergence of schemes of different National Institute of Animal Welfare ministries The Institute needs to undertake research projects on subjects related to animal Necessary financial resources for the birth control, clinical surgery, medicine, eradication of rabies may be pooled from etc., related to animal welfare. The the following Ministries. They are: Institute must also strive for affiliation with other Universities / Institutions; both Ministry of Environment and Forests ♦ national and International to conduct ♦ Department of Animal Husbandry, various courses related to animal welfare. Dairying and Fisheries The Institute is also expected to produce ♦ Ministry of Health useful material for extensive information, ♦ Ministry of Urban Development and education, and communication (IEC) ♦ Ministry of Rural Development activities to promote the concept of animal welfare. Animal Welfare Board of India Committee for the Purpose of Control The AWBI is the only body assisting the and Supervision on Experiments on MoEF at the national level. Besides Animals (CPCSEA) controlling rabies and the population of stray dogs, the Board releases funds for The CPCSEA has the mandate of the various schemes as also to the 2900 supervising experiments on animals. The

21 Eco News, Vol. 18, No. 3 October - December 2012 expert group recommended that the Conclusion committee should also develop linkages with other stakeholders, for example The Twelfth Plan needs to take greater cognizance of animal welfare issues; not various Government Departments / only the MoEF but also by ministries such Research Organizations so as to broaden as Human Resource Development, both the scope of the welfare measures. The formal and non-formal sectors, etc. committee can also play an important role Enforcement of animal welfare laws is in advising the NIAW in developing IEC essential. material and undertaking activities to promote the concept of animal welfare in Source: Ministry of Environment & experimental / laboratory animals. Forests, Government of India.

The Ethics of Factory Farming

R. Sabesh

Introduction Loss of livelihood for the local farming community, environmental impact and Factory farming is the practice of raising human health risks are other issues. In animals for food using intensive production this industrialized and materialistic world, methods to increase the profits. This type animals are often treated like a commodity of farming is characterized by high stocking to make money, without considering the densities of animals in close confinement. well being of such animals. The majority of the animals which are raised for food, milk and meat live under Factory farming – Issues and concerns miserable conditions such as confinement in dark, overcrowded cages, battery cages, The concept of factory farming began some undergo excessive injection of hormones time during 1940s. In those days the and antibiotics, debeaking, tail docking greatest problem faced in raising these and several other cruelties. Such animals animals indoor was the spread of spend their entire lives under miserable contagious diseases. To control those conditions until they are slaughtered. diseases, antibiotics were used; farmers Different methods of factory farming found that factory farming was profitable techniques are practiced all around the and they started using several chemicals world. There is a continuing debate over and mechanized gadgets. Unfortunately, the benefits, risks, ethics and this trend of mass production has resulted sustainability of factory farming. The in incredible pain and suffering for the issues include the efficiency of food animals. Animals raised in factory farms production, animal welfare, and whether are full of antibiotics, hormones and other such practices are essential for feeding chemicals. In the food industry, animals the ever growing global human population. are considered as food producing

22 Eco News, Vol. 18, No. 3 October - December 2012 machines that are confined to very small bars of their cages and die because they cages with metal bars, without proper cannot access food and water. Studies of ventilation and live their lives in artificial the exponential growth of industrial animal lighting or in darkness. agriculture in developing countries indicate the threat to the sustainability of In developing countries like India, factory both rural populations and traditional food farming under intensive animal agriculture production systems. According to the devastates the livelihoods of local farmers, International Food Policy Research destroying the traditional rural and Institute (IFPRI), countries in Latin cultural practices. The dependence on America, Asia and Africa will be the world’s antibiotics, hormones and other chemicals leading producers of meat and other animal makes food supply insecure and causes products in future, with intensive animal significant environmental and health agriculture as the predominant production hazards. Factory farming is increasing at method. an alarming rate, particularly in developing countries, and is really a cause for Battery hens are prone to osteoporosis concern. and bone fractures. Their bones are brittle because of over-production of eggs and The time has come for the international lack of exercise. Several scientific studies development community to face and tackle have proved that towards the end of the the problem of factory farming as an egg-laying phase, a combination of high integral part of its poverty alleviation work. calcium demand for egg production and a Governments, the development sector and lack of exercise can lead to osteoporosis. NGOs need to recognize the burning This can occur in all housing systems for issues caused by factory farming. They egg laying hens, but it is particularly should use all the resources at their prevalent in battery cages. disposal to campaign for animal welfare, environmental protection, rural livelihood Animal Welfare- Role of Civil Society security and also to educate all stakeholders and the general public about The solution is to avoid non-vegetarian this subject. food and choose healthy vegetarian food. This does not contribute to animal Poultry Industry and Battery Cages suffering: the public must be educated about animal welfare. Generally hens are crowded into battery cages to maximize profits Battery cages Ask questions. Find out whether the typically measure between 16 to 22 inches; products you buy come from a farm that bird with wingspans of 32 inches are never uses intensive confinement practices or a be able to spread their wings in their life farm which allows the animals to access time. Cages are stacked in rows on top of fresh air, good quality feeds. Find out each other, so that thousands of birds can whether they have been produced locally be housed under one small roof. The wire or have been transported from thousands floors are sloped so that the eggs roll out of kilometers away. Always read labels. of the cages. Birds sometimes fall out of Enquire whether the product contains cages and are stuck between cages or get artificial growth hormones or genetically their heads or limbs stuck between the engineered ingredients? As consumers,

23 Eco News, Vol. 18, No. 3 October - December 2012 we have a great source of power with us and switchover to a vegetarian food as one and we can choose to buy food materials of the best ways to overcome this issue. produced by known farms where the animals are raised in humane conditions References duly certified by the concerned authorities. Also, encourage hoteliers to 1. Delgado, C., Rosegrant, M., Steinfeld, make a big difference by buying fresh, H., Ehui, S, and C. Courboiset, 1999. locally grown products from small scale ‘ to 2020: The Next Food farmers. Support local food suppliers. We Revolution, Food Agriculture and the can do this by purchasing food produced Environment discussion paper No. 28, by the local farming community to support Washington DC, International Food Policy local farms. Research Institute, Rome, FAO and Nairobi, International Livestock Research Local varieties of crops and livestock Institute, Washington DC. raised by natural farming methods are very healthy and resistant to climatic 2. Danielle Nierenberg, 2005. Happier fluctuations. Farmers generally use Meals: Rethinking the Global Meat traditional breeds of animals that have Industry. World watch Paper 121: 5 better resistance to disease and local parasites. They do not allow the routine 3. Duram, Leslie A. 2010. Encyclopedia use of chemicals such as antibiotics and of Organic, Sustainable, and Local Food. hormones to control infection and to boost p. 139. ABC-CLIO. productivity. Food and livestock developed naturally and humanely through natural 4. Hickman, Martin, 2008. The true cost farming, hence it is safer for humans and of cheap chicken, The Independent, better for the environment. London.

Conclusion 5. Turner, J., 2006. “Growth Environmental indicators of pesticides Farm animals are after all living beings leaching”, US Dept. of Agriculture Natural capable of feeling pain and sufferings. Resource Conservation- Service of Global Factory farming under the industrialized Animal Agriculture, World Society for the agriculture practices treats them as little Protection of Animals. more than meat, egg and milk-making machines. In India even though Several 6. United Poultry Concerns, 2004. Animal welfare laws are in place but the ‘Austrian Parliament Votes Unanimously reality is that animals are being abused to Ban Battery Cages!’. Retrieved 24 May, and suffering from several forms of 2007, http://www.upc-online. org/ cruelties. The welfare of animals often battery-_ hens/52804austria.htm loses out to the economic interests of large corporate bodies which promote and profit 7. Winter, 1995. from this type of farming method. The – Swiss Ban on Battery Cages: A Success general public should realize this issue Story for Hens and Farmers.

24 Eco News, Vol. 18, No. 3 October - December 2012 Kindness Kids

Kindness Kids is a project sponsored by the Winsome Constance Trust, Australia To sensitize the younger generation about and the C.P. Ramaswami Aiyar the realities of modern meat production Foundation to teach children about the and dairy farming and its impacts on the importance of kindness to animals and the environment, THE C.P. RAMASWAMI link between their food and the AIYAR FOUNDATION (CPRAF) has environment. The focus is on animal initiated a programme titled KINDNESS suffering, how a vegetarian diet improves KIDS, sponsored by THE WINSOME human health and well-being, and the CONSTANCE KINDNESS TRUST, links between food choices and AUSTRALIA. environmental impact. Objectives Introduction Man depends on animals for various ♦ To educate the students about purposes. Right from the morning cup of Human-Animal relationships. coffee to milk at night we use various animal based products. But are we treating ♦ Their links between food production those animals in a humane way? Every and environment. year thousands of animals are breed and To reduce animal suffering. tortured for milk and killed for meat. ♦ Animal farming today has become a big ♦ To highlight the benefits of business and most animals are treated as . profit-making machines, not as living- beings capable of feeling pain and fear. To Target Audience maximize profits and reduce costs, chickens, pigs and cows are packed in School Students from classes VI – VIII crowded conditions, which make it impossible for them to even stretch their Locations wings or legs. They are deprived of normal environment, food and feed. But most of ♦ Chennai us are unaware of these appalling ♦ Hyderabad conditions, given the fact that we a smiling ♦ Tirupathi cow on our milk sachets or a winking, ♦ Mysore happy looking hen on our egg cases. Nor ♦ Ooty do we realize the staggering effects that animal-based diets and intensive farming Benefits have on the environment – water scarcity, water pollution, deforestation, Learn a lifelong message of Kindness and desertification and global warming, to compassion towards animals and fellow name a few. beings.

25 Eco News, Vol. 18, No. 3 October - December 2012 ♦ Transition in due course of time in Resource Materials for the Project traditions, habits etc. ♦ Eating up the world ♦ Play a vital role to gain the support of ♦ Animals in distress the masses for vegetarianism ♦ Pledge Cards ♦ Badges Strategies of the Project ♦ Wallpapers

The Kindness Kids program is planned in For Education Officers three phases. They are as follows:

Phase I- Planning & Preperation CDs on

Phase II- Orientation for teachers and ♦ Eating up the world students ♦ Animals in distress

Phase III- Organization of competitions and For Free Distribution to Teachers giving away prizes CD containing … Planning & Preparatory Phase

During the planning phase, the brain ♦ Eating up the world storming sessions were held to devise ♦ Animals in destress the strategy for the project with the ♦ Wallpaper preparation of the resource materials ♦ How to become a Kindness Champ/ that includes the Power Point Kindness Ambassador presentations, activities for the children and other publications that imbibes the For Free Distribution to Students message of Kindness and compassion to kids. The work break down structures has ♦ Pamphlet on “EATING UP THE been prepared for the project so as to WORLD” attain the tangible result. ♦ Pledge Card To test the concept and to know the mind set of the students on the theme, CPRAF Kindness Kids Orientation Programme did the Field testing for the programme. for Students On that note, The KINDNESS KIDS programme team members conducted The programme gained a great response school orientation programmes in from the students and teachers of many Chennai, Hyderabad and Tirupathi. They Schools in Chennai, Hyderabad and distributed resource materials that would Tirupathi. The PowerPoint presentations help them to create awareness at the “Eating up the world and Animals in student community level. distress” were screened. Students enthusiastically listened to it and were Mediums of Instruction very interactive. They were given a set of ♦ English activities to be carried out in order to win ♦ Telugu the KINDNESS CHAMP and KINDNESS ♦ Tamil AMBASSADOR AWARDS.

26 Eco News, Vol. 18, No. 3 October - December 2012 Environment Quarterly

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CPR Convention Centre is an excellent multipurpose center, the perfect place to host seminars, meetings and conferences. It has a fully air- conditioned hall with modern interiors and comprehensive meeting and banquet facilities designed to accommodate up to 200 guests (theatre style).

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28 Eco News, Vol. 18, No. 3 October - December 2012