Organic Growth Vol 14 & 15 Organic Growth Vol 14 & 15

Our Vanishing Forests

What is a Forest? Is it simply, as million years ago, and humans only is that “we can’t survive on forests, science defines it, an area of dominant 11.7 thousand years ago. To put that we need crops and grains to sustain vegetation and acts as habitation into context, if the time since forests our food systems”. However, I posit for flora and fauna?Somehow this appeared is one year, humans have that the answer need not be one or definition though technical fails to only existed for 17 minutes. Yet, we the other. Much like most major capture the complexity of a forest. have already had an irrevocable challenges the solutions must be as Much like this scientific definition we impact on these species which existed nuanced as the challenge is complex. as communities, organizations and for eons millions of years before us. In this case the answer may lie in the nations often discount forests as being In fact, over the years forested land has harnessing of the best of both worlds. simply, “a collection of vegetation”. been so beneficial to the arability of the One answer may lie in Agroforestry, Forests are complex systems made soil that in our quest for higher returns a system of land management which of a multitude of layers and species, we have tamed teeming forests to involves the simultaneous cultivation so when we destroy these forests promote monoculture. Over the years of farm crops and trees. we create a rippling effect across we added numerous chemicals and While we have established that the ecosystems. How then do we revive pesticides to eke out greater yields, forest has multiple layers there such a complex habitat?The answer to now however, we are reaping the are 4 identified layers which aid this is much more than simply planting adverse impacts of this trend. As the the regeneration, the forest floor, 1000s of saplings of the same species arability of the land reduces we have understory, emergent layer and on world environment day because the also seen a greater incidence of pests canopy layer. Each of these layers result of such planting is a plantation, and chemical resistant weeds which provides a specific service in the not a forest. are reducing the yields. Water sources ecosystem of the forest and plays In the timeline of evolution of the Earth, have dried up or been contaminated host to a diverse sampling of animals, scientists believe that the first forests and the soil leeched of its nutrients. insects, etc. The interactions between began appearing approximately 350 The common rebuttal to this trend the flora and fauna of the forests form 2 Organic Growth Vol 14 & 15

forests we are creating a natural asset which has value well beyond the existence of the trees within it. Now we must ask ourselves why a tree in such a forest is less valuable than a tree as a piece of furniture? Apart from the obvious benefits like food, fruits, shade and soil integrity these forests also provide benefits such as carbon sequestration, fresh oxygen, rain water harvesting and other which we are still unable to account for quantitively. If the trees in the forest provide so many services what is their value? Can we put a price tag on it? More importantly, should we put a price on these services and how do we find metrics to better convey the intrinsic value of our forests? Today, about 27% of the earth is covered with forests but the rate at which we are consuming is having an adverse effect on our natural Figure 1. Stratification of Vegetation resources. Humanity now needs of 1.7 self- contained ecosystems which impact on the natural ecosystem while Earths to accommodate the current contribute to the well-being of all providing better living conditions for level of consumption. India has about the species within and surrounding the communities living in these areas. 21% forest cover, down from 33% at forests. Using agroforestry we can use The availability of such diverse independence. One major reason for these layers to grow endemic species, forest habitats can also give rise to this pattern of hyper consumption is wild foods and fruits, and timber and the way we measure value, economic building material yielding plants. This variety of plants value has become our default as a This variety of plants preserves the standard of value measurement. integrity and diversity of the forest preserves the integrity While this is adequate as a measure while making it a valuable asset for and diversity of the of short term gains, we tend to forget the communities residing besides forest while making that economic value doesn’t take these forests. This comes with added it a valuable asset into account the real costs of doing benefits of keeping the soil healthy, for the communities business. sheltering animals and preventing residing besides these Globalization has further bolstered them from coming into conflict with the focus on economic value as the humans, preventing soil erosion and forests standard for measuring success and also creating fresh water catchments benefit while discounting the social and for both the humans and animals sustainable, nature-based economies environmental costs of doing business inhabiting the ecosystems. which promote the handlooms, globally. When purchasing a product, In adopting these models we will handicrafts, clothing and cuisines its price doesn’t reflect the fossil fuels also promote the availability of of the forest fringe communities used from manufacturing to shipping, sustainable construction materials which rely on the availability of these the trees felled or natural resources such as bamboo and timber and endemic materials, thus allowing for contaminated. This false valuation has hence, hopefully create sustainable flourishing micro economies. created a narrative which puts Human infrastructure surrounding these When you think about it, by encouraging aspirations and Environmental assets forested areas, thereby reducing our the sustenance of these teeming on opposite ends of the spectrum. 3 Organic Growth Vol 14 & 15

We need to change the way we value example, it has the maximum amount located is home to a wealth of natural our natural assets and promote a new of forest cover in the region, with over and cultural diversity. We constantly model of interdependent growth. This 60% of the states land area under explore ways in which not only to isn’t impossible, in fact it is the only green cover. Communities have preserve and enhance natural richness way to continue to innovate at the resided and lived with this biodiversity but also to showcase it to the world pace we have been doing so in the for generations, yet the state struggles through our products. The Spice Park past decades. economically. How can we justify this focuses on bringing the rich flavours of the region to the world in a way which Japan, the world’s second most paradox when we understand that optimizes land use but also seeks to industrialized country, forests cover regions like this form the lungs of reduce the impacts of manufacturing 67% of the land area. This clearly the country? through renewable energy, rainwater debunks the myth that we have built We need to change our perspective harvesting and waste management. which pits human development & on the importance of Nature and industrialization against the increase focus on building Natural Capital by We are also fortunate to be surrounded in Natural Capital. The adhere to the understanding and calculating the true by inspiring eco entrepreneurs in the philosophy of Satochi-satoyama, economic value of these forests. We Eastern Himalayas, who have already recognized this important fact and are where people and enjoy the blessings also need to stimulate nature-based doing encouraging work in building of nature in a sustainable manner economies and interdependent living. economies by enhancing the nature through the cyclic use of natural Assam being the most developed assets of the region. resources around their villages. state in the region has lost much of Through this philosophy, human its green cover in pursuit of traditional Some such entrepreneurs are, the intervention has in fact added to the economics and needs to step away communities in Bhairabkunda,who biodiversity richness of the regions from its monoculture practices and are securing their natural assets through community participation and cyclically humans have enjoyed polluting industries to enhance the beginning with a habitat restoration the fruits of the nature they co- climate for building more sustainable of 800 ha+ of depleted forest land. This exist with. This is the very kind of agricultural practices, promote the restoration has further led to growth interdependence we need to adopt culture within the state and join hands in new economies for eco-tourism in especially in the northeast of India with the rest of the northeastern states the region. Inspired by this another where we still have access to a wide to focus on creating more sustainable set of 12 villages in the Udalguri sampling of biodiversity in most states economic drivers. district, adjacent to the Khalingduar save Assam. The Eastern Himalayas where many Reserve Forest have begun a habitat Let’s take Arunachal Pradesh for of the Amalgamated Plantations are

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restoration of 500 ha of land. with the environment. Inspired by their towards building an interdependent Arindam Dasgupta of Assam launched efforts in securing our natural assets future. Tambul Plates Marketing Pvt. Ltd. we must focus on how we can play our While the impacts of vanishing to promote eco friendly dinnerware part not only in supporting their efforts forests may be felt more acutely by made from Areca nut palm leaves. His but also in playing our parts. those residing besides the forest, initiative has helped in the training of At Amalgamated Plantations we are city dwellers are already seeing 1000+ individuals and even introduced already exploring ways in which our similar impacts extending to urban solar power in villages where electricity presence in the region can increase areas, businesses are seeing large was intermittent. His efforts along with the impact on sustainability both of fluctuations in their supply chain. the communities who work there and those of his network of producers and To create a paradigm shift we need the way we conduct our business. suppliers have aided in a burgeoning to change the way we think, consume For instance, in the years since our industry which has increased the sales and conserve. Much like every layer of Hathikuli has focused on completely and selling prices for the suppliers and the forest, from the forest floor to the organic growing we have seen thriving manufacturers in the value chain. canopy, plays an important role in the populations of new birds, animal and functioning of the ecosystem, everyone It is through efforts like these that we insect species. We are focusing our from global business and governance will be able to change the paradigm efforts on the wellbeing of our worker leaders to the grassroots communities of depletion into one which not communities and exploring holistic play an important role transforming only promotes flourishing forest welfare through services such as ecosystems but also innovation and better housing, healthcare, education, our culture to one of economic assets entrepreneurship. These communities child welfare, etc. We realise that is to one of Natural Capital. and entrepreneurs are paving the way contingent upon all levels of society, Ranjit Barthakur, Chairman, in how we think about our relationship businesses and government to work APPL Foundation

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Renal failure Calcutta’s wetland and urban waste management The problem of managing urban the widespread expansion of horseless Lake, usually with erroneous dating. waste has existed evocatively, called modes of urban transport - electric The truth of the matter is that faced ‘destructors’ - and the growth of trams and underground railways; with the same problem of urban an urban waste-based economy cars and buses powered by the waste management and disposal (marvellously sketched, for example, internal combustion engine - saved that confronted all growing cities, the in Charles Dickens’s Our Mutual major Western cities from drowning administrators of Calcutta Corporation Friend, especially in the figure of in horse s**t. But other kinds of waste remembered a zamindar who was the “Golden Dustman”, NoddyBoffin) continued to pile up. successfully growing vegetables on became increasingly common. This is when we can turn our gaze garbage near Patna and Bankipur, Yet, in 1894, The Times of London eastwards, towards the “second city and got in touch with him for help in predicted, “In 50 years, every street in of Empire” and a forgotten unsung disposing of Calcutta’s mountainous London will be buried under nine feet hero named Bhabanath Sen. There is pile of refuse. Thus it was that in of manure,” something that came to no separate entry on Bhabanath Sen 1879 Bhabanath Sen was allotted a be known as “The Great Horse Manure (1835-1914) in Wikipedia, that first port 20-year lease on the Dhapa Square Crisis”, while the first international of call for all seekers after information, Mile, which the government had urban planning conference, hosted in except for stray references to the acquired in 1865 and freed of taxes New York in 1898, broke up early in street named after him in Baghbazar in perpetuity through a “Crown Grant” despair over the seemingly intractable and the fact of his having leased a for the purpose of using it as a place problem of horse dung. Fortunately, parcel of land in what is now Salt for the disposal of Calcutta’s garbage. 6 Organic Growth Vol 14 & 15

Sen thus had a tax-free tract of land, of its ecological importance and revenues annually for their continued leased quite cheaply, where he carried “provides the framework for national maintenance. What we have now is an out experiments in growing vegetables action and international cooperation urban waste-treatment system which, on garbage and cultivating fish using for the conservation and wise use of far from costing money, actually waste water purified through a natural wetlands and their resources”, to contributes to the city’s revenues by process using sunshine and human quote from the homepage of Ramsar providing employment to thousands, labour. In the process, Bhabanath [www.ramsar.org]. I wonder how many not to speak of plentiful cheap fish and Sen succeeded in creating the world’s of us realize, as we hurriedly roll up vegetables to its residents. largest natural urban waste recycling our car windows to avoid the smell That the East Calcutta Wetlands were system - one that has no parallel on our way to Salt Lake, that we are designated a Ramsar site in 2002 is anywhere else. He transformed, passing a Ramsar site? Wetlands largely due to the efforts of Ghosh, along with his army of cultivators whose Ramsar Information Sheet who has campaigned tirelessly for and pisciculturists (many of whom describes them as “well known over what the Guardian recently described he had brought over from Bihar), “the the world for their multiple uses”; as “a miracle”. Way back in 1991, I art, science, and engineering, of trash where “the resource recovery systems was privileged to assist Dhrubo-da, as management in the contemporary developed by the local people... using I call him, to prepare a fact-booklet on history of cities”. These last words are waste water from the city is the these wetlands called The Wetlands by Dhrubajyoti Ghosh, the engineer- largest in the world”? The granting of Calcutta: Sustainable Development turned-ecologist, who has done more of Ramsar status, although it focuses or Real Estate Takeover?. Sadly, to bring this unique example of urban international attention on wetlands, a quarter-century later, the same waste management to the world’s carries with it no legal guarantees for spectre continues to haunt the future notice than anyone else over the last their protection, and the wetlands to of these wetlands. three decades and more. the east of Calcutta have to depend To be fair, and thanks to the efforts Ramsar is a popular sea resort in Iran, on public awareness and government of people like Ghosh, organizations where the Convention on Wetlands action for their continued existence, like People United for Better Living of International Importance was and the vital function they play, not in Calcutta and interventions by the adopted in 1971, with 90 per cent least as our city’s ‘kidneys’. Were they Calcutta High Court, the government of UN member states eventually to disappear, the alternative/s - waste- of West Bengal has been forced to becoming “contracting parties” to recycling and sewage-treatment provide some guarantees to protect what is commonly called the Ramsar plants and so on - would not only be the wetlands and preserve them Convention. Granting the status of a enormously expensive, but would drain for their vital ecological functions. Ramsar site on a wetland is recognition a substantial proportion of the city’s Recently, following the death of Kalyani

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Mondal, a waste picker in February crops and fish, but also in order to in the mouth, difficulty sleeping, 2015, the West Bengal government prevent further encroachment by land- seizures, coma - this is a partial list has granted official recognition to ravenous real-estate lobbies and their of what can happen to a person whose the waste-pickers of Dhapa, most of associated ‘syndicates’, which are only kidneys fail and who gradually moves them women, who perform the vital too ready, willing and able to cock their from health to increasing degrees of task of separating the garbage to collective snook at efforts to preserve illness to loss of bodily functions to make possible the realization of the the land-use pattern of the wetlands, seizures to coma to death.Now imagine modern mantra of waste management, whether by civil society or legal fiat. what will happen if an entire city were ‘reduce-reuse-recycle’. Such long- Vomiting and diarrhoea leading to to go through this process, passing overdue recognition makes possible from health to the final cessation social benefits such as insurance dehydration, nausea, weight loss, and provision for provident funds for itching, bone damage, muscle cramps, of all metabolic activity. This is the these unrecognized heroes of waste abnormal heart rhythms, paralysis, immediate spectre that haunts the city management: a small step in the shortness of breath, pain, anaemia, that this newspaper is published from, right direction. But a great deal still feeling tired and/or weak, memory and the worst of it is no one seems to remains to be done, not just for those problems, difficulty concentrating, care, or even be aware, that this is who work in the wetlands, growing dizziness, appetite loss, a bad taste happening. Right here and right now.

DR. SAMANTAK DAS

Dr. Samantak Das is Faculty Member, Project E-QUAL, Jadavpur University and member, Joint Working Group in Human Ecology. He is Professor & Head, Department of Comparative Literature, Jadavpur University and Joint Coordinator of the Rabindranath Studies Centre.

Apart from his academic work, he has for long been involved in voluntary work in rural West Bengal, primarily in the areas of education and training for self-employment.

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Depletion of Flora and Fauna And Creatures Great & Small in North – East India

“Here is your coun- Eastern Region with East India, and which support diverse flora and fauna try Cherish these natural separates Sikkim from the Seven and several crop species . Reserves wonders, cherish the natu- Sister States. The region shares more of petroleum and natural gas in the ral resources, cherish the than 4,500 kilometers (2,800 miles ) of region are estimated to constitute a history and romance as a sa- international border with China (Tibet fifth of India’s total potential. cred heritage, for your chil- Region) in the north, Myanmar in the The region’s high rainfall, averaging dren and your children’s chil- east, Bangladesh in the southwest, around 10,000 millimeters (390 inches dren. Do not let selfish men and Bhutan to the northwest. The rain) and above, creates problems of or greedy interests skin your region comprises an area of 262,230 ecosystem, high seismic activity, and country of its beauty, its riches square kilometers ( 8 % of India ) . floods. or its romance.” The Northeast region can be World Wildlife Fund has identified the - Theodore Roosevelt - (26th Presi- categorized into the Eastern Himalaya, entire Eastern Himalayas as a priority dent of the USA from 1901 to 1909 ) the Patkai and the Brahmaputra and Global Eco region . Conservation North-East India is the eastern- the Barak valley plains. Northeast International has categorized the most region of India . It comprises India (at the confluence of Indo- Eastern Himalaya Hotspot , which Eight contiguous Seven Sister States Malayan, Indo-Chinese) has a initially covered the states of (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, predominantly humid sub-tropical Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Darjeeling Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and climate with hot, humid summers, Hills, Bhutan, and Southern China, to Tripura), and the Himalayan state severe monsoons, and mild winters. the Indo Burma (Hotspot) which now of Sikkim. The Siliguri Corridor in Along with the west coast of India, this includes all the eight states of North- West Bengal, with a width of 21 to region has some of the Indian sub- East India, along with the neighboring 40 kilometers connects the North continent’s last remaining rain forests, countries of Bhutan, southern China

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and Myanmar. The population and been reported from Sikkim . Although the highest diversity is reported diversity of the region’s birds largely jhum cultivation, a traditional system from the states of Arunachal reflects the diversity of habitats of agriculture, is often cited as a Pradesh (5000 species) and Sikkim associated with a wide altitudinal reason for the loss of forest cover of (4500 species) amongst the North range. North East India supports some the region, this primary agricultural Eastern States. of the highest bird diversities in the economic activity practiced by local • According to the Botanical Orient, with about 850 bird species. tribes supported the cultivation of 35 Survey of India, 10 percent of the The Eastern Himalaya and the Assam varieties of crops. The region is rich in flowering plants in the country plains have been identified as an medicinal plants and many other rare are endangered. Of the 1500 Endemic Bird Area by the Royal Society and endangered plants . endangered floral species, 800 are for Protection of Birds . . The region’s The following figures highlight the reported from North East India. lowland and moist-to-wet tropical biodiversity significance of the region • Most of the North Eastern states evergreen forests are considered to be • 51 forest types are found in the have more than 60% of their area the northernmost limit of true tropical region, broadly classified into under forest cover, a minimum rainforests in the world . six major types — tropical moist suggested coverage for the hill Flora of North- East India : deciduous forests, tropical semi states in the country in order to The region has been identified by evergreen forests, tropical wet protect from erosion.As the Indian Council of Agricultural evergreen forests, subtropical • Northeast India has 64% of the Research as a center of rice forests, temperate forests and total geographical area under germplasm . The National Bureau alpine forests. forest cover and it is often quoted of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), • Out of the nine important vegetation that it continues to be a forest India, has highlighted the region as types of India, six are found in the surplus region . being rich in wild relatives of crop North Eastern region. • North East India is a part of Indo- plants. It is the center of origin of • These forests harbor 8,000 out Burma ‘hotspot’. The hotspot is the citrus fruits. Two primitive variety of of 15,000 species of flowering world’s second largest, next only to maize, Sikkim Primitive 1 and 2, have plants. In floral species richness, the Mediterranean basin, with an

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area 2,206,000 square kilometers species, three endangered species, pheasant, Western tragopan are found (852,000 square Miles ) among the and 14 vulnerable species of birds here, along with some of Asia’s largest 25 identified Hot Spots . are in this EBA. and most endangered birds such as Fauna of The North –East : Biodiversity Hotspot : The Eastern the Himalayan vulture and White- bellied heron . The International Council for Bird Himalayan hotspot has nearly 163 The Himalayas are home to over Preservation, UK identified the Assam globally threatened species including 300 species of mammals, a dozen of plains and the Eastern Himalaya as an the One-horned Rhinoceros , the Wild which are endemic. Mammals like the Endemic Bird Area (EBA) . The EBA Asian Water buffalo and in all 45 Golden langur, The Himalayan tahr, has an area of 220,000 km2following mammals, 50 birds, 17 reptiles, 12 the pygmy hog, Langurs, Asiatic wild the Himalayan range in the countries amphibians, 3 invertebrate and 36 dogs, sloth bears, Gaurs, Muntjac, of Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Nepal, plant species . The Relict Dragonfly Sambar, Snow leopard, Black bear, Myanmar and the Indian states is an endangered species found here Blue sheep , Takin, the Gangetic of Sikkim, northern West Bengal, with the only other species in the dolphin, wild water buffalo, swamp Arunachal Pradesh, southern Assam, genus being found in Japan. deer call the Himalayan ranged their Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya and There are an estimated 10,000 species home. The only endemic genus in Mizoram. Because of a southward of plants in the Himalayas, of which the hotspot is the Namadapha flying occurrence of this mountain range one-third are endemic and found squirrel which is critically endangered in comparison to other Himalayan nowhere else in the world . Many plant and is described only from a single ranges, this region has a distinctly species are found even in the highest specimen from Namdapha National different climate, with warmer mean reaches of the Himalayan mountains. Park . Among the 34 hotspots of the temperatures and fewer days with For example, a plant species was world, two have been identified in frost, and much higher rainfall. This found at an altitude of 6300 meters India - The Eastern Himalayas and the has resulted in the occurrence of a rich in northwestern Himalayas . A few Western Ghats. These are particularly array of restricted-range bird species. threatened endemic bird species rich in floral wealth and endemism, More than two critically endangered such as the Himalayan Quail, Cheer not only in flowering plants but also 11 Organic Growth Vol 14 & 15

reptiles, amphibians, butterflies and facing severe habitat loss—including For example, after independence India mammals. the endangered Hoolock gibbon, lost forest area in the following manner Deforestation in the Himalayas musk deer, and Himalayan monal 1) 4696 million hectares forest land to pheasant—are most at risk. non-forestry purposes, 2) 0.07 million Massive, unreported deforestation in the Himalaya mountain forests may His team based their findings on hectares to illegal encroachment, 3) push tigers, rhinos, rare birds, and high-resolution satellite images of 4.37 million hectares to cultivation, other wildlife to extinction, a new study the Indian Himalaya, which suggest 0.518 million hectares to river valley warns.Based on an analysis of regional the region has lost 15 percent of its projects, 4) 0.141 million hectares to satellite images, Indian scientists say forest cover since the 1970s. industries and townships, and 5) 0.061 almost a quarter of the species unique Guided by current deforestation rates, million hectares to transmission lines to the Himalaya could vanish by 2100. the authors calculated that two-thirds and roads. At least 35 animal species and 366 of the region’s dense forest will To conserve forest areas, the plants may disappear unless urgent disappear by 2100.They further predict government launched Joint forest action is taken to conserve the that by century’s end forests will cover management and Social forestry remaining forests . just 10 percent of the Indian Himalaya. schemes, with some success. The Himalayas are recognized as one Over the last 30 years in India , the People living in the rural and forestry the world’s biodiversity hotspots— area under forest cover has decreased areas should be sensitized to the zones unusually abundant in species. steadily, as forests have been cleared damage done to their surroundings The mountain range runs along for agriculture, industry, housing, and by the felling of trees. They should India’s northern border with China other development activities like the be encouraged to cut branches, twigs and stretches east through Nepal construction of roads, railways, and and leaves of the trees for their daily and Bhutan . Research published last hydroelectric plants. requirements. Horticulture as an year in the journal Science concluded Since the beginning of civilization, as alternative source of income should that the region’s watersheds are seen from the Indus Valley Civilization, be encouraged. biologically richer than the Amazon’s. people have been clearing land for All this, collectively, would halt But authors of a new study in the agriculture to meet the food needs the depletion of forest cover. In journal Biodiversity and Conservation of the ever-growing population. order to conserve the forest cover, say Himalayan deforestation Most forest communities follow a the concerned governments have threatens “catastrophic losses of method of slash and burn or shifting initiated number of socially relevant, unique biodiversity.”Lead author cultivation, known as Jhum in the environmentally friendly activities Maharaj Pandit of the University of Indian subcontinent is more common to develop a variety of forests like, Delhi says those species already in the hilly regions.. Agroforestry, Social forestry, Farm

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forestry, Community forestry, Planting of trees on the sides of the Zambezi River, and spread into Extension forestry etc. Farmers in roads, canals and railways, along Zimbabwe. Political instability and India grow agricultural crops, rear with planting on wastelands is known wars have greatly hampered rhino animals, plants and certain trees on as ‘Extension’ Forestry, increasing conservation work in Africa, notably their land, often on the boundary area. the boundaries of forests. Under in Angola, Rwanda, Somalia and Social forestry also aims at raising this project there has been creation Sudan. This situation has exacerbated plantations by the common man of wood lots in the village common threats such as trade in rhino horn, so as to meet the growing demand lands, government wastelands and increased poaching due to poverty. for timber, fuel wood, fodder etc., and panchayat lands. Schemes for Today, black rhinos remain Critically thereby reducing the pressure on the afforesting degraded government Endangered because of rising demand traditional forest area. This concept forests that are close to villages are for rhino horn, which has driven of village forests to meet the needs being carried out all over the country. poaching to record levels. A recent of the rural people is not new. It has Half of India’s wildlife in danger of increase in poaching in South Africa existed through the centuries all over extinction: Living Planet Report 2016 threatens to erase our conservation the country but it is now given a new With wildlife disappearing at an success. The increase is driven by a character. “unprecedented” pace across the growing demand from some Asian Farm Forestry is of two types may world, the Living Planet Report 2016 consumers, particularly in Vietnam, be considered under Social forestry identifies India as an ecological black for folk remedies containing rhino Programmes. The two types are both spot where around half of the wildlife horn. In 2014, a total of 1,215 rhinos commercial and non-commercial lives in the danger of being wiped out. were poached in South Africa – a 21 farm forestry. In commercial farm Story of the The Black Rhino which is percent increase from the previous forestry, individual farmers are being Critically Endagered . year. encouraged to plant trees on their own Black rhinos have two horns, and Factors Responsible for the Depletion farmland to meet the domestic needs occasionally a third small posterior of Flora and Fauna of the family. horn. The front horn is longer than The Asiatic Cheetah became extinct The government has the responsibility the rear which makes them lucrative in India in 1952. The Himalayan Yew, of providing seedlings, fertilizer targets for the illegal trade in rhino a medicinal plant found in Himachal but the community has to take horn. Between 1970 and 1992, 96 Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh. responsibility of protecting the percent of Africa’s remaining black The bark, needles and roots of this trees. Some communities manage rhinos were killed. A wave of poaching plant yield a substance used to treat the plantations sensibly and in a for rhino horn rippled through Kenya several types of cancer. Today, over sustainable manner so that the and Tanzania, continued south through exploitation has endangered the village continues to benefit. Zambia’s Luangwa Valley as far as species.

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The main reason for the depletion India, while Chir Pine plantations in of environmental degradation and the of fauna is excessive hunting and Himalayas have greatly reduced the hardest hit by these are the poorest. poaching. Forests and wetlands are natural oak and rhododendron forests. The flora and fauna of India are under natural habitats of animals and the Factors like environmental pollution severe threat, and require immediate destruction of these has resulted in and forest fires lead to a depletion measures of conservation. the depletion of our wildlife. Over- of both our flora and fauna. The WHY CONSERVATION OF FLORA & exploitation of forests has resulted in environmental factors that lead to a FAUNA IS NEEDED decline in biodiversity are caused by the depletion of flora. Deforestation is Flora is basically the plant life that inequitable consumption of resources one of the main causes of the depletion is present in a particular region or and inequitable responsibility borne of flora. In colonial India vast stretches habitat or at a particular time and for the well-being of the environment. of natural forests were destroyed for fauna is the animal life that is present the expansion of railways, agriculture, However, the responsibility for the in a particular region or habitat or at a commercial farming and mining. protection and conservation of the particular time. Biodiversity is a very Overgrazing by cattle herds also leads environment is not shared by people large topic and somewhat difficult to to large-scale destruction of pastures in proportion with the resources that define adequately in only a sentence and natural forests. Enrichment they consume. or two. In the very simplest terms, plantation is the practice of replacing Women have to walk long distances “biodiversity” means the diversity different species of trees in an area to collect food and firewood which of life on our planet, which includes by a single commercially valuable leads to neglect of their children and genetic diversity, species diversity, species. Teak plantations have household. Natural calamities like and habitat diversity. Diversity can damaged the natural forests in south droughts and floods are also a result be defined as the number of different

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items and their relative frequency. For increase in the extinction rate of flora, serves as an insurance policy for the biological diversity, these items are fauna etc. all over world including future. organized at many levels, ranging from India and so now, conservation of Flora and Fauna in India complete ecosystems to the chemical biological diversity is of paramount India is one of the world’s richest structures that are the molecular importance to the survival of man. countries in terms of its vast array basis of heredity. Thus, the term Conservation of biological diversity of biological diversity, and has nearly encompasses different ecosystems, leads to conservation of essential 8 per cent of the total number of species, genes, and their relative ecological diversity to preserve the species in the world (estimated to be abundance.” The area of flora, fauna continuity of food chains. The genetic 1.6 million). and biodiversity is quite interrelated. diversity of plants and animals is Flora and fauna forms a major part preserved. It ensures the sustainable Flora & Fauna in India of biodiversity. utilization of life support systems on Fauna More than India is a land of varied flora, fauna earth. It provides a vast knowledge 81,000 species and biodiversity. India is one of the of potential use to the scientific Flora More than twelve mega-diverse nations of the community. A reservoir of wild animals 47,000 species World. Two of India’s great mountain and plants is preserved, thus enabling Indigenous About 15,000 ranges, the Eastern Himalayas and the them to be introduced, if need be, in flowering plants species Western Ghats have been designated the surrounding areas. Biological Endangered About 10% among the world’s eighteen ‘hotspots’ diversity provides immediate benefits wild flora of biodiversity. But In the last few to the society such as recreation and Endangered About 20% decades we have seen a steady tourism. Biodiversity conservation mammals 15 Organic Growth Vol 14 & 15

List of Critically Endangered Species: development projects have also for women. Cheetah, pink-headed Duck, Mountain contributed significantly to the loss Deforestation induced flood and Quail, Forest Spotted Owl, madhucha of forests. Over 5,000 sq km of forest draught result in economic misery insignis (wild mahua), hubbardia was cleared for river valley projects for the poor. since 1951. heptaneuron (a grass species) Deforestation also leads to loss of Mining: Mining has also caused large Number of Endangered Species: 79 cultural diversity. The marginalized scale depletion of flora and fauna species of mammals, 44 of birds, people who had been traditionally in many areas. For example; the 15 of reptiles, and 3 of amphibians, dependent on forest for sustenance ongoing dolomite mining is seriously 1,500 plant species are considered are now forced to look for other threatening the Buxa Tiger Reserve endangered. sources of livelihood. In order to in West Bengal. Vanishing Forests do so, they are uprooted from their Unequal Access to Resources: Social traditional habitat and culture. Forest cover 637,293 sq km inequality is another major factor to (19.39% of total depletion of flora and fauna. The rich Conservation is often looked as being geographic area) people consume much more than the against Human Development .This Dense forest 11.48% poor and thus cause a higher degree False Dichotomy has Resulted in Opne forest 7.76% of environmental damage. Behavior that Divides Conservationists and Human Development into Mangrove 0.15% Social Effect of Forest Resource Causes of Depletion of Flora and Depletion: Two Opposite camps that forces Fauna: Stakeholders to take sides instead of In many societies, it is the women Collaborating Together to Design More Agricultural Expansion: According to who are responsible for collection of sustainable solutions . Continuing on the Forest Survey of India, over 262,000 fuel, fodder, water and other basic this Path will cause a Breakdown in sq km of forest area was converted into subsistence needs. Depletion of these Natural and Man-made ecosystems. agricultural land in India between 1951 resources means women need to work and 1980. Moreover, a substantial part harder to collect those resources. At “The Earth provides enough to of the tribal belts has been deforested some places, women may have to walk satisfy every man’s needs, but not or degraded by shifting cultivation. more than 10 km to collect firewood. every man’s greed .” Development Projects: Large scale This causes serious health problems -“Mahatma Gandhi”

Arvind Awasthi Arvind Awasthi has 34 Years’ Experience in the Tea Estates of Kerala , Dooars ( West Bengal ) and Assam and Joined Tata Finlay in 1983 . He is at Present Senior Manager sustainability & Certifications with Amalgamated Plantations Pvt. Ltd. based at Guwahati. He spends his free time in reading and Trying to Decipher (Though Without Much Success ) the Indian Equity Markets. Mail: [email protected]

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Community Participation in Biodiversity Conservation Balipara Foundation, Assam, India

Organisation Profile: Since 2007, efforts in implementing these concepts a huge discrepancy between where the Balipara Foundation has initiated to create strong rural areas which are world’s conservation resources are experiments in ecological protection socially and economically mobile. concentrated and where the greatest and restoration of the Eastern Introduction: “The developed nations threats to biodiversity are projected to Himalayan Region through the concept are where the world’s wealth is come from future global change,” said of NaturenomicsTM. The journey to concentrated, but they are not the Walter Jetz, an assistant professor of execute our vision of Conserving and future battlegrounds for conservation.” biological sciences at UC San Diego, Preserving the Natural Heritage of A study by the University of California, who headed the study. the Eastern Himalayas has evolved published in the journal Proceedings Take the Eastern Himalayas, a through a series of innovative project of the Royal Society, found that many “Cradle of Speciation”, as an example. prototypes for conservation through of the regions that face the greatest Although it is one of the richest areas interdependence. habitat change in relation to the in the world for biological diversity, Abstract: Biodiversity conservation amount of land currently protected it is also one of poorest regions in projects have largely failed to integrate are in globally threatened and endemic terms of economic development. the interests of local communities, species-rich developing tropical These landscapes, besides being of thereby alienating the largest group nations that have the fewest resources global conservation significance due of shareholders. This paper briefly for conservation. Conversely, many of to their unique and rich diversity, discusses the factors that have limited the temperate regions of the planet are also home to some of the most local participation and describes with an already expansive network impoverished communities in the why conservation organizations of reserves are in countries with world. Such regions are particularly need to integrate the concepts of the greatest financial resources for vulnerable due to their ecological social mobility into the conservation conservation efforts, but comparatively fragility and economic marginality. narrative. Further, we describe our less biodiversity under threat. “There’s The majority of people living in the

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Eastern Himalayas are dependent to biodiversity. “Countries like time domestic service, 0.23 percent on the goods and services provided India, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan with have rag picking, 1.61 percent non- by the biologically rich ecosystems medium-low HDI and rich biodiversity, agricultural own enterprise and landscapes. The consequences are the conservation battle grounds • Only 9.68 percent have salaried job. of biodiversity loss are likely to be the of the future” Only 4.6 percent of the households greatest for the poor and marginalised India’s Forest Communities “Biodiversity surveyed paid income tax or people who depend almost exclusively havens/hot-spots cannot survive as professional tax. on natural resources. Poverty, poor stand-alone islands surrounded by • A high 74.5 percent of the households infrastructure (roads, electricity, unfulfilled human aspirations.” 275 said the monthly income of their water supply, education and health million (World Bank, 2006) to 350-400 highest earning member is less care services, communication, and million (MoEF, 2009) people in India live than Rs 5,000. irrigation), reliance on subsistence around its 76.5 Million Ha of forests. • 35.73 percent were illiterates. farming and forest products for That is 21-30% of the total population of Percentage of people who had done livelihoods, substandard health 1.3 Billion. These communities, besides graduation or higher studies stood indicators and other indicators of being among the most impoverished at lowly 3.45 percent. underdevelopment make the and marginalized in the country, are • 56 percent have no land. 40 percent Eastern Himalayas more vulnerable also the ones that will decide the fate of the total rural land is unirrigated. to biodiversity threats as the local of its bio-diversity. capacity to adapt is inadequate. The Socio Economic and Caste Survey • 80 percent households do not have access to piped water delivery India (primarily the North Eastern of Rural India 2011 highlights the states) contributes 52% of the total following points: • 35 percent households incur land area of the Eastern Himalayas. • 51.14 percent of families have Catastrophic Health Expenditure India is ranked 131 out of 188 countries manual casual labour as main (CHE- defined as health by UNDP’s Human Development Index, source of income. Agriculture is expenditure that threatens a besides also being regions where main source of income for 30.10 household’s capacity to maintain density of population is among the percent. As much as 2.5 percent a basic standard of living). highest globally and so are threats of families have part-time or full- The Challenge to conserve biodiversity

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is great, but the greater challenge autonomy, guaranteeing rights to Project (IEDP) and Conservation is to empower the people that have harvest, promoting knowledge, of Biodiversity (CoB) in India in the the opportunity to do so- the Forest awarding cash compensation and 1990s that covered nine PA sites in Fringe communities. Community encouraging tourism. A variety of nine different states (World Bank Participation in Conservation terms have been used to describe 1996, Sharma et al. 2004, Annamalai The traditional conservation practices these efforts to reconcile protected 2004, World Bank 2007). The objective were largely preservationist in nature, area management with local needs of this project was to establish which is thought to have resulted in and aspirations (Mc Shane and Wells committed grass root organizations deteriorating relationships between 2004). Integrated Conservation and such as Village Forest Committees officials and local communities Development Project or Programme (VFC). The VFCs were to involve local (Kothari et al 2000). The critique (ICDP) was seen as a collective people in conservation, promote of protectionism that emerged in description for site-based conservation conservation awareness among the 1980s has spawned an array of with social or economic development local communities, reduce resource conservation strategies that promote, goals, including community-based dependency on Forests and create to various degrees, the welfare and conservation, eco-development and alternative source of livelihood. Most cooperation of the people living in other approaches. A main component of the objectives of the programmes and around protected areas. Such of ICDP is eco-development, which were to be implemented through grass strategies provide a mix of conservation has two main thrusts: improvement root village institutions such as Eco- and development objectives and of Protected Area (PA) management Development Committee (EDC) and employ a range of tactics, such as and the involvement of local people in Village Forest Council (VFC). providing appropriate development that management (World Bank 1996). However, an independent objective, opportunities, emphasizing local Under the aegis of ICDP, the World process-based trend analysis, carried community involvement, adopting Bank funded two eco-development out by Gubbi 2006 found that the IEDP shared management, ensuring local projects -India Eco-Development has made little impact as a rural 19 Organic Growth Vol 14 & 15

development project and that evidence organizations motivating& organizing livelihood was entirely lacking to determine its locals to participate in their plans of Communities under socio-economic impact as a conservation project. “conservation at all costs”. The World stress, as most forest fringe While Conservation organizations Bank’s interpretation of the extent of a communities are, have neither the have imbibed the term “community community’sparticipation, as pointed time nor the inclination to entertain conservation” into their vocabulary out below, is very limiting and short- thoughts of biodiversity threats. Theirs and project proposals, actually sighted. is a day-to-day struggle to manage involving communities over the long 1. A main component of ICDPs is eco- basic amenities such as food & water. term has proved to be difficult. Our development which has two main Education and health are considered forests are much worse off today than thrusts: improvement of Protected luxuries. they were a few years ago, human- Area (PA) management and the Incentivizing Communities to animal conflict is on the rise and many involvement of local people in that Participate through Social Mobility. The more species are under threat. The management (World Bank 1996). ideal form of community participation primary reason for this is that while 2. The objective of ICDP was to establish would be voluntary in nature, local communities were extended an committed grass root organizations rather than being achieved through invitation to participate in the “saving” such as Village Forest Committees motivation and predictions of the of forests & biodiversity, they were not (VFC). The VFCs were to involve apocalypse. Ensuring socio-economic “incentivized” to do so. local people in conservation, security to forest communities will Rethinking Community Participation in promote conservation awareness empower and enable communities Conservation Community participation among local communities, reduce to not just participate, but more in conservation programs cannot be resource dependency on Forests importantly, contribute towards limited to the transaction of conservation and create alternative source of conservation. Conservation Projects

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today categorize local communities as industrialization. All of these aspects development and invest in projects “beneficiaries”. It makes sense only are directly or indirectly connected that help balance ecological &social over the short-term.The long-term with one’s income. A better education, outcomes. The primary objectives of objective is for these communities a key component for social mobility, the 7-year program are as follows: to become “owners” of conservation enables the population to aspire for • A 500 hector afforestation project, projects. Therefore, the objectives of better jobs and better jobs mean led by the community. 12 forest conservation projects & programs higher incomes. Industrialisation of fringe communities coming will have to include proportionate societies was and is largely associated together, organizing themselves as elements of social mobility together with large-scale production centre the Khalingduar Eco Development with species protection & habitat – thereby creating more jobs – and Committee (EDC) and undertaking restoration. therefore, a higher income. a 6 year project to reforest 500 Social Mobility: Social Mobility is The Prototype: The above concepts Hectors of land by planting 1 defined as the movement of people, and ideas are being developed into million saplings. families or other categories of people implementable projects in the Udalguri • Tackling Human-Elephant between different social strata. District of Assam, India. Located on Conflict through reforms to Inevitably, in the modern age, social the Indo-Bhutan border, the “scenic” compensation policy, building mobility is intrinsically linked to Udalguri landscape is one the worst resilience and tolerance towards economic mobility, which boils down to effected Human-Elephant Conflict conflict situations and co-designing the basic income of an individual or a regions in India. But the more pertinent household. Various factors have been issues are accessibility to water, prevention methods and systems associated with upward social mobility health and education infrastructure. • Revitalizing the “non-performing” – most important of which are access Titled the “Udalguri Landscape social assets of water, education & to basic amenities (education, water, Mission”, the programs endeavor is health to create drivers for social health) urbanization, modernization, to identify drivers for conservation & mobility. 21 Organic Growth Vol 14 & 15

• An ‘exit strategy’ based on strong Centre for Integrated Mountain Balipara Foundation. 2015.

grassroots individual leaders and Development Kathmandu, Nepal Khurana, I. Sen R and Jain Shilpi. community organizations. 3. Livelihood of local communities 8. NaturenomicsTM Volume 1-6 By For more information on Balipara and forest degradation in India: Foundation’s workon Social Mobility/ issues for REDD+. TERI Naturenomics Team Rural Futures please visit: http:// 4. Unlocking Opportunities for 9. Assam - Accelerating Economic ulm.elephantcountry.org/ Forest- Dependent People in India. Growth and Poverty Reduction References: Agriculture and Rural Development Through Climate Change Strategies 1. Perspectives and attitudes of Sector Unit South Asia Region forest fringe villagers towards 5. Climate Change Impacts and (Primarily Mitigation, Supported Vulnerability in the Eastern forests, forest protection and a by Adaptation) – Concept Note. livelihood based conservation. Himalayas. MacArthur Foundation Globally Managed Services Allwin Jesudasan 6. Wild food plants of Mishing tribe- 2. Biodiversity in the Himalayas – An ethnobotanical survey. Tropical 10. Indo-Myan Biodiversity Park – Plant Research 3(1), 221-223. 2016. Trends, Perception and Impacts of Concept Note. Balipara Foundation. Climate Change. Eklabya Sharma, Dutta, G. Baruah, G. and Devi, A. Karma Tse-ring, Nakul Chettri 7. Reflections on Managing Water 11. Himalayas: Mountains of Life. and Arun Shrestha. International Earth’s Greatest Natural Resource. Kamal Bawa and Sandesh Kadur

Robin Eastment’s interests lie in understanding the dynamics of human aspirations and the role of people’s allegiances to political, economical & cultural ideologies vis-à-vis conservation. His primary aim is to apply these insights into Balipara Foundation’s conservation plans.

Saurav Malhotra is working with communities in Assam to rebuild degraded Asian Elephant habitats through the creation of alternative livelihoods and building assets for local communities. Saurav is also interested in using technology to create awareness about all things science and human rights.

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From Farm to Table What the Future of Organic Farming Should Look Like in India Leadership needs to be taken in pushing for industrialised farming organic food production and order to craft organic policies around post-independence. The progress consumption historically has been the farmers, environment but also that has been made since that time through a lens of environmental the end user – men and women put- has been taken forward primarily conservation and harmony. From this ting produce on their tables. by civil society organisations, entre- ecological viewpoint, the foundation The buzz around organic food is preneurs, and individuals. Through for organic food policies has been heating up, with an increasing num- independent businesses, farmers’ shaped with a zeroed-in focus on the ber of farmers turning to growing markets, informal education, and growth of plants. Even the FSSAI’s food without chemicals or pesti- infrastructure building, Indian citi- draft regulation that was presented cides. Coupled with a grassroots zens have been supplying and meet- at the end of June 2017 speaks of the social movement by young and old ing the demands of the domestic literal growing of organic produce – alike to demand organic food, and a organic market without any strong, the process of the seed to become proactive base making access to or- substantial and holistic national a fruit or vegetable or grain and ganics possible, it seems that we are certification or policies towards the maintaining that those inputs are only in the beginning of India’s move sector. While the Indian government organic. This part of the process towards a modern organic market- has taken steps recently in bringing is absolutely critical in making an place. A recent TechSci report fore- organic farming closer to policy with organic product, there is no doubt casts that India’s organic food mar- the National Programme for Organ- about that. Yet a fully organic product ket is set to grow by 25% over the ic Production (NPOP), there are still doesn’t just end when the plant has next 4 years, with a Yes Bank report significant holes when addressing done its job and say, the mango, is stating that India’s organic food sec- the entire supply chain – the prima- picked from the branch. That organic tor will increase from a current esti- ry one being that the entire supply mango has to then be put in a basket, mate of Euro 370 million to Euro 10 chain has to be foolproof in ensuring stored, wrapped, shipped and stored billion by 2025. Essentially, from the that the food is genuinely organic again before it gets even to the from the dedicated farmers to the start, it has been fringe actors and kitchens of our organic customer. hungry consumers. social movements that have been Those that are aware of cultivation driving for food to be grown natural- Organic- There’s More To It practices know that the storage and ly, while government policy was still The government’s approach towards processing of the produce are just as

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important as the growing stage.What lines to be 100% organic. It can transportation, and storage of fresh often happens is that while a be held as an example of what can produce needs to be addressed in company calls itself organic and has happen when (state) government this government’s initiative in order a mango grown organically, which is policy actually prioritises organic, to be successful. technically true, they still may spray but it has also revealed significant As highlighted by Down to Earth the mango with chemicals after obstacles that are faced when the magazine in April of this year, it’s been plucked to ripen it faster entire organic supply chain system without addressing these issues, and protect it from rotting before is not viewed holistically. Sufficient the farmers are finding it harder it reaches the store. If it is grown farmer education on methods to and harder to market and sell their organically, but then sprayed with grow organically and management produce in Sikkim. If policies can be chemicals while in transport – can of disease and pests seem to be crafted that bring in these extended it still be organic? This is a critical challenging to many of the farmers. aspects of the organic supply chain, area that needs strengthening On top of that, G V Ramanjaneyulu, there are benefits across the board in policies and monitoring by the executive director of the Centre for the farmers, the communities government- whether national or for Sustainable Agriculture in and the consumer. state – has to take into accountwhen Telangana, highlights especially how Filling the Gap For Now One way of drafting regulation. the Sikkim government needs to mitigating uncertainty in the storing It Isn’t Always Easy support the second stage of organic and processing of organics, in lieu of Sikkim has become the torchbearer food management. government policy, is to be certified for state governments in India Specifically, Ramanjaneyulu by a third party company saying that by mandating farming within its speaks about how the collection, your post-growing processes are

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still in line with the organic method. vegetables are delivered to your chapter in organic food production, Bureau Veritas, headquartered in house from the farm within 12 hours, attention needs to be paid towards France and accredited for European, so the need for storage maintenance, producing food that is in line with US and Japanese certification, is i.e. chemicals, is reduced. These the health of the buyer. Policy needs one company that provides this type are all still actions that individual to cast a wider net to take into of verification in India to companies companies are taking in an effort to account the multi stage process of like I Say Organic, based in New be prudent for the health of organic food production beyond the farm. Delhi. Bureau Veritas ensures that consumers. Yet for the organic Equipping farmers with not only companies truly organic, what industry to grow and keep up with knowledge for growing, but also they market as organic meets all the knowledge of how to maintain demands, it needs to broaden, the norms for organic production, produce organically is essential categorize and classify the different verifies that the warehouses are to creating a fully organic supply nuances within organic produce and not fumigated with chemicals, that chain. Leadership needs to be taken have regulation to fill the gaps that storage sticks to organic standards, in order to craft organic policies exist. hygiene standards are maintained, around the farmers, environment but and the workforce is making certain Let’s Make It Better: As an also the end user – men and women that the produce is chemical-free overarching body, the government putting produce on their tables. To all the way to the consumer’s plate. will have to verify with certainty that explore a wide range of fresh organic Easy Taaza, based out of Bangalore, which is coming into people’s hands produce and learn more about how is trying a different approach where is what they have actually asked and where it’s grown, log on to a limited type of organic fruits and for – 100% organic. For the next www.isayorganic.com. 25 Organic Growth Vol 14 & 15

JADHAV “MOLAI” PAYENG THE FOREST MAN OF INDIA

Padma Shri Jadav “Molai” Payeng a large number of snakes that had He not only looked after the plants, is a Mishing tribe environmental died due to excessive heat after but continued to plant more trees on activist and forestry worker from floods washed them onto the tree- his own, in an effort to transform the Jorhat, India. Over the course of less sandbar. That is when he area into a forest. planted around 20 bamboo seedlings several decades, he planted and The forest, which came to be known on the sandbar. He started working tended trees on a sandbar of the as Molai forest, now houses Bengal on the forest in 1979 when the social river Brahmaputra turning it into tigers, Indian rhinoceros, and over forestry division of Golaghat district a forest reserve. The forest, called 100 deer and rabbits. Molai forest launched a scheme of tree plantation Molai forest after him, is located is also home to apes and several on 200 hectares at Aruna Chapori near Kokilamukh of Jorhat, Assam, varieties of birds, including a large situated at a distance of 5 km from India and encompasses an area of number of vultures. There are Kokilamukh in Jorhat district. Molai about 1,360 acres / 550 hectares. In several thousand trees, including was one of the labourers who worked 2015, he was honoured with Padma in that project which was completed valcol, arjun, ejar, goldmohur, koroi, Shri. after five years. He chose to stay moj and himolu. Bamboo covers an Career: back after the completion of the area of over 300 hectares. In 1979, Payeng, then 16, encountered project even after other workers left. A herd of around 100 elephants 26 Organic Growth Vol 14 & 15

regularly visits the forest every year in search of a herd of 115 elephants visited the site. and generally stay for around six that had retreated into the forest In 2013, poachers tried to kill the after damaging property in the months. They have given birth to 10 rhinos staying in the forest but village of Aruna Chapori, which is calves in the forest in recent years. failed in their attempt due to Molai about 1.5 km from the forest. The His efforts became known to the officials were surprised to see such who alerted department officials. authorities in 2008, when forest a large and dense forest and since Officials promptly seized various department officials went to the area then the department has regularly articles used by the poachers to trap

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the animals. his farm and sells the milk for his 22 April 2012 for his remarkable Molai is ready to manage the forest livelihood, which is his only source achievement. He shared his in a better way and to go to other of income. In an interview from 2012, experience of creating a forest in an he revealed that he has lost around places of the state to start a similar interactive session, where Magsaysay 100 of his cows and buffaloes to the venture. Now his aim is to spread his Award winner Rajendra Singh and tigers in the forest, but blames the JNU vice-chancellor Sudhir Kumar forest to another sand bar inside of people who carry out large scale Sopory were present. Sopory named Brahmaputra . encroachment and destruction of Jadav Payeng as “Forest Man of Personal life: forests as the root cause of the plight India”. In the month of October 2013, Jadav Payeng belongs to a tribe of wild animals. he was honoured at Indian Institute called “Mishing” in Assam, India. Honours: of Forest Management during their He lives in a small hut in the forest. Jadav Payeng was honoured at a annual event Coalescence. In 2015, Binita, his wife, and his 3 children public function arranged by the he was honoured with Padma Shri, (two sons and a daughter) accompany School of Environmental Sciences, the fourth highest civilian award in him. He has cattle and buffalo on Jawaharlal Nehru University on India.

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A Couple who dared to be different

Anil and Pamela Malhotra are responsible for a beautiful wildlife sanctuary.

Anil and Pamela Malhotra met and do their own bit to conserve the reclaiming forests. married in the United States over wildlife,” says Pamela. After looking for land to purchase, 4 decades ago and moved to India They bought around 55 acres of in 1991 they settled on a 55-acre in 1986. They were appalled at the unused and unarable land from plot down south in Brahmagiri, a flagrant abuse of Nature while on the farmers who were for various mountain range in the Western a visit to India when Anil’s father reasons not using in Kodagu district Ghats. The land was a mess, Anil, 75, passed away. of Karnataka. In fact, they chose and Pamela 64, say that the owner The duo have since spent over 20 Kodagu because it is the micro wanted to sell it because he could no years buying up wasteland farmers hotspot of bio diversity in the entire longer grow on it. no longer wanted; now elephants, planet,” says Pamela. This was for them a sign from above… tigers and leopards roam free Jadav Payeng, the “forest man” the beginning of the transformation there. Anil and Pamela Malhotra are of Assam has created 1360 acres of brown to green, orchestrated responsible for a beautiful wildlife of dense forests around the river by Mother Nature into what is now sanctuary. island of Majuli. Like him Anil and “The problem is, we expect the Pamela Malhotra who together are the Save Animals Initiative (SAI) government to do everything. Like- creating what is likely India’s first Sanctuary. minded people, NGOs and other private wildlife sanctuary of almost This is a dynamic endeavor and agencies should purchase land and 300acres arresting deforesting and the couple keep purchasing land 29 Organic Growth Vol 14 & 15

The sanctuary also has a river flowing in the heart which meets the water needs of the animals.

The sanctuary also hosts animals like Hyena, Sambhar and Bengal Tigers

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A family of elephants are frequent visitors of this sanctuary. as it becomes available, most of it tigers, leopards, deer, snakes, birds A veritable garden of Eden with a agricultural acreage that has been and hundreds of other animals abide. river flowing through to truly balance stripped of its ability to support the Naturalists, scientists and visitors the flora, fauna and bring an aquatic farmer owners. come to do research on animals as balance to the sanctuary. As of now, the SAI Sanctuary boasts well as the hundreds of indigenous We hail the efforts of this amazing some 300 acres of beautiful bio- trees and plants or to relax in the two couple, their efforts and their diverse rainforest where elephants, eco- tourist cottages altruistic enterprise.

The dense forest cover 31 Organic Growth Vol 14 & 15

ORGANIC NEWS World Scenario • Optimizing feeding is necessary to http://organic-market.info/news-in-brief- • Organic is only one ingredient in recipe maintain milk production in organic and-reports-article/germany-organic-land- for sustainable food future herds reaches-record-level.html https://www.sciencedaily.com/ https://www.sciencedaily.com/ • Switzerland: record year for organics releases/2017/03/170310142337.htm releases/2017/06/170615120557.htm http://organic-market.info/news-in-brief- • Tanzania: Organic Farming Gains • Microbes rule in ‘knee-high tropical and-reports-article/switzerland-record-year- Popularity rainforests’ for-organics.html http://ofai.org/2017/07/tanzania-organic- https://www.sciencedaily.com/ • Germany: 4.4 billion euros turnover with farming-gains-popularity/ releases/2017/01/170112141402.htm “No Genetic Engineering” food • Hunger for organic food continues to • Australia’s appetite for organics at http://organic-market.info/news-in-brief- grow record levels: New organic market report and-reports-article/germany-4-4-billion- https://www.google.co.in/ http://www.organic-world.net/index/news- euros-turnover-with-no-genetic-engineering- organic-world/article/2071.html food.html • Germany: organic land reaches record • The True Value of Sustainable Foods level http://www.ecoviaint.com/r1405/

INDIAN SCENARIO • Karnataka Organic Farming Policy 2017 • Himachal promoting organic farming in http://www.dnaindia.com/delhi/ http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/ a big way report-a-class-act-start-up-repurposes- content/444216/karnataka-organic-farming- http://ofai.org/2017/07/himachal- containers-2421269 policy-2017/ promoting-organic-farming-in-a-big-way/ • HP to bring 2,00 hectares under organic farming, develop 200 bio-villages • How Tribals Are Making Eco-Friendly • Curd Fertiliser Reducing Farming Costs in & Cheap Furniture Using Weed That Bihar https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rc t=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4& Otherwise Destroys Forests http://ofai.org/2017/07/curd-fertiliser- cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiMu- http://www.thebetterindia.com/108323/ reducing-farming-costs-in-bihar/ ue6rfVAhUIu7wKHf-EAOAQqOcBCDMw maya-mahajan-eco-friendly-furniture-from- • Uttarakhand to pass Organic Farming Aw&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftimesofindia. lantana-weed/ Act indiatimes.com%2Fcity%2Fshimla%2Fhp- • Going Grocery Shopping? These Organic http://ofai.org/2017/07/uttarakhand-to- to-bring-2k-hectares-under-organic-farming- Thelas Ensure That Farmers Get Best pass-organic-farming-act/ develop-200-bio-villages%2Farticleshow%2 Prices Too! F59837898.s&usg=AFQjCNGiDGa0hwBAG • PAU establishes new school of organic http://www.thebetterindia.com/104160/ AGZVlix7Fms76pOUA farming trutrade-organic-thelawala-naveen-seri/ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ • Organic Farmer in Kerala growing 100 ludhiana/pau-establishes-new-school-of- plant species on an acre organic-farming/articleshow/58946506.cms http://ofai.org/2017/08/organic-farmer-in- • A class act: Start-up repurposes kerala-growing-100-plant-species-on-an- containers acre/ 32 Organic Growth Vol 14 & 15

NORTH-EAST SCENARIO • Assam strengthen ties with Japan for making Northeast India as ‘Organic hub’ of the country https://thenortheasttoday.com/assam-strengthen-ties-with-japan-for-making-northeast-india-as-organic-hub-of-the-country/ • NE set to be global organic agriculture hub https://www.google.co.in/url?sa =t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0 ahUKEwiyqOPjr rjVAhUFqY 8KHVPtBOYQFgg6MAI&url =http%3A% 2F%2 Ftim esofindia.indiatim es.com%2Fcity%2Fguwahati%2Fne-set-to-be-g lobal- organic-agr iculture-hu b%2Farticleshow%2F58022211.cms&usg=AFQjCNFg35 FLM0yS2FOrieLMVVRb4UWBgQ • Meghalaya to become organic state by 2020 https://www.nelive.in/meghalaya/news/meghalaya-become-organic-state-2020 • In Assam, PM says Northeast can be hub of organic farming https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rct= j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3& cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiRne-vsrjVAhXBwI8K HcegBDoQFggyMAI &url=http%3A %2F%2Fwww.a sianage.com%2Findia%2Fall-india%2F260517%2Faim-for-an-evergreen -revolution- in-assam-pm-lays-foundation-stone-of-farming-institute.html&usg=AFQjCNH6eKuixCgaMu7eTWdaar0ejUfu9w • Sikkim’s organic revolution at risk as local consumers fail to buy into project https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rct =j&q=&esrc= s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved= 0ahUKEwj-sOzCt7jVAhUOSY8KHbdSD X8QFggsMAE&url= https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fglobal-development%2F2017%2Fjan%2F31%2Fsikkim-india-organic- revolution-at -risk-as-local-consumers-fail-to-buy-into-project&usg= AFQjCNGU-6GgJmx4EQ-UYJmZpMMNdz3klQ • Organic farming starts paying dividends in Sikkim https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj-sOzCt7jVAhUOSY8KHbdSDX8 QFgg6MAM&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.villagesquare.in%2F2017%2F03%2F13%2Forganic-farming-starts-paying-dividends-sikkim%2F &usg=AFQjCNH7q6dlEbQ7mX1kVWmS4G1Pspv2IQ • Sikkim: Organic chilly farming proves a boon for local farmers https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj-sOzCt7jVAhUOSY8KHbdSDX 8QtwIISDAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftimesofindia.indiatimes.com%2Fvideos%2Fnews%2Fsikkim-organic-chilly-farming-proves-a-boon-for- local-farmers%2Fvideoshow%2F57978103.cms&usg=AFQjCNH908uDKpvXaR2NFPs4g57_CL3TaQ

33 Organic Growth Vol 14 & 15

ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL- KAZIRANGA

34 Organic Growth Vol 14 & 15

Photo-feature by Rajeeb Dey

35 Organic Growth Vol 14 & 15 An area of natural forest the size of a soccer field is cut down every two seconds!

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