Find attached the notification published by the Department of Environment, Government of Delhi, for the use of plastic carry bags in the National Capital territory of Delhi. This notification is due to be published in The Delhi Gazette Extra-ordinary Part IV.

Thank You Delhi for planting 1 Million Trees.

A very special THANK YOU to all of the citizens, NGOs, schools, corporates and government departments of DELHI who wholeheartedly took part in the drive and planted ONE MILLION Trees during the monsoon season.

Rain drops when fall on the earth,
Little lives then take birth.
A seed, a plant comes alive
Energises our own dear earth.

Its mother earth who always gives
Every life that on it lives.
She should live healthy and alive,
Then only we can survive.

So spare a moment, listen to her plea,
Take as much as you need
But give her just one tree.

~ By Kiron Wadhera

We all know that trees give us shade, protect us from wind and rain, provide homes for birds and squirrels, and much more. We can’t even imagine a city without trees. So be a part of the initiative to plant trees and save our environment. So, our present and future can breathe easy and fresh. Follow us on Twitter : www.twitter.com/greenleapdelhi

Every minute about fifty acres of rain forest are destroyed and some twenty-five species become extinct. Deforestation is the process of converting forested land into non-forest sites that are ideal for crop raising, urbanization and industrialization. Deforestation is a serious concept and it has serious effects to the surroundings. Looming consequences such as loss of various forms of life that inhabit the planet, destruction of forest-based-societies and climatic disruption are eminent dangers which all of us need to acknowledge.

What drives humans to deplete this precious ecosystem? The causes of rapid tropical deforestationare many and often interconnected. The unprecedented increase in human population during recent years has brought excessive land under agriculture, housing, roads etc, and increased biotic pressure on native forests. The uncontrolled felling and lopping of trees for firewood and leaf fodder, firing of ground vegetation for domestication of animals, livestock grazing and harvesting of ground vegetation for forage are some of the factors responsible for the exploitation of forests and emergence of disturbed forests.

Why should anyone care if some plants, animals, mushrooms, and microorganisms perish? Continuous efforts are being made by some anxious animal lovers to protect the endangered species of wildlife as well as those that are on the verge of extinction and thus save the world from running out its green heritage. To promote wildlife awareness among people, the Indian government has started various natural projects and programs such as Project Tiger, Nature Camps and Jungle Lodges. These projects not only help to preserve our natural heritage, but encourage eco-tourism as well. Project Tiger was formed in 1972 and launched on the 1st April 1973 at Corbett National Park.Project Elephant, a centrally sponsored scheme, was launched in February 1992 to provide financial and technical support to major elephant bearing states in India for protection of elephants, their habitats and corridors.

Wildlife is important for four main reasons:
a) Animals help in balancing our ecosystem, food chain and acts as a food for us.So, it is really a shame for us to destroy their habitat.

b) By their unique way of existence, wild creatures enhance the natural beauty of the earth.

c) The financial value of wild species is important to the economies of several nations, as it provides many valuable substances like wood and other plant products, fibers, meat and other foods, and skins and furs.

d) Wildlife helps in maintaining the balanced living systems of earth, which consequently ensures survival of life.

Deforestation should be ceased as over the longer term, deforestation of tropical rainforests can have a broader impact, affecting global climate and biodiversity. These changes are more difficult to observe and forecast from local effects, since they take place over a longer time scale and can be difficult to measure.

For hundreds of years, the climate on earth has gone through great changes. The changes are caused by many activities that have occurred and are presently occurring on earth. The burning of fossil fuels- coal, natural gas, and oil- are constantly adding carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In addition, industries are producing more chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), nitrous oxide and methane, which are all greenhouse gases. The effect of emissions of such gases is called as Greenhouse effect.Because there are more and more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, more heat is trapped which makes the Earth warmer and this is known as GLOBAL WARMING.

With more heat trapped on Earth, the planet will become warmer, which means the weather all over Earth will change. For example, summers will get hotter, and winters too. This may seem a good idea, but the conditions we are living in are perfect for life, and a great rise in temperature could be terrible for us and for any other living thing on Earth. At the moment, it is difficult for scientists to say how big the changes will be and where the worse effects will occur. In various parts of the world, the effects will be different, there may be many storms, floods and drought, but we do not know which areas of the world will be affected. All over the world, these weather changes will affect the kind of crop that can be grown. Plants, animals and even people may find it difficult to survive in different conditions.

Higher temperatures will make the water of the seas and oceans expand. Ice melting in the Antarctic and Greenland will flow into the sea. Throughout the world, millions of people and areas of land will be at danger from flooding. Many people will have to leave their homes and large areas of farmland will be ruined because of floods.The changes in the weather will affect the types of crops grown in different parts of the world. Some crops, such as wheat and rice grow better in higher temperatures, but other plants, such as maize and sugarcane do not. Changes in the amount of rainfall will also affect how many plants grow. The effect of any change in weather on plant growth, may lead to some countries not having enough food and ultimately this greenhouse could prove disastrous for the whole world.

It is our responsibility to save our Mother Earth by doing our bit- Use buses and trains instead of cars as they can carry a lot more people in one journey, try walking or cycling as it does not create any pollution, turn off lights when they are not needed; Less electricity will need to be produced and so less coal, oil and gas will have to be burnt in power stations, which means less air pollution and less carbon dioxide!

Ozone is a natural trace component of the atmosphere. It is created continuously through the action of sunlight and oxygen in the upper atmosphere. For millions of years ozone has been protecting the earth by absorbing ultraviolet or poisonous radiation from the sun. This poisoning of the Earth’s ozone layer is increasingly attracting worldwide concern for the global environment and the health effects of life on the Planet Earth. As the ozone layer is getting thinner and thinner more and more harmful UV rays are passing into our atmosphere. These rays cause cancer, cataracts, and lowered immunity to diseases. In recent years, scientists have sounded alarms internationally about the depletion of the ozone layer, citing chemical pollution as the major cause.

There is not just one particular cause for the ozone’s depletion; the accumulation of different pollutants into our ozone layer has all added up and equaled a worldwide problem. Man-made chemicals, fossil fuels, industrial wastes, and automobile exhaust all pose a threat to the earth’s ozone. Scientists were concerned when they discovered in the 1970s that chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs. These CFCs were used as solvents, refrigerants, aerosol propellants, and to blow foam plastics. For this reason, the use of CFCs in aerosols has been banned everywhere. Other chemicals, such as bromine halocarbons, as well as nitrous oxides from fertilizers, may also attack the ozone layer. Nitrogen oxides and methane are also compounds which adversely affect the stratosphere’s ozone. It is given off by cow’s dung, marshes, landfills, and garbage dumps.

What Can We Do? There are many ways individuals can slow the rate of ozone depletion, through careful product purchasing of appliances that do use ozone depleting substances. Immediately repair any leaks in your refrigerator and make sure all CFCs are recovered and properly recycled before any refrigerator is scrapped. Avoid buying all products that contain Ozone depleting substances such as: carbon tetrachloride in dry-cleaning agents, halons found in fire extinguishers, methyl chloroform in degreasers and propellants, and anything insulated in Styrofoam. Consider alternatives to air conditioning systems in your houses, such as: insulating your homes, install fan cooling systems, apply coats of reflective seal on your roof to keep heat out, and vents hot attic spaces to get hot air out of your homes. Ensure maintenance of your cars air conditioning systems so that no Freon leaks.

In conclusion, the protection and conservation of our ozone is vital for the continuation of all biological systems and life forms on earth. If we decide to let things go on the way they are, extinction will start with the marine ecosystems, and then the plants will start to die out, the animals will starve or die of diseases and eventually the universe will come to an end.

Photographs of “Plant a tree this monsoon” drive event at Police Sports Ground Kingsway Camp by Mr. Keshav Chandra. So be a part of the initiative to plant trees and save our environment. Follow us on http://www.facebook.com/GreenLeapDelhi

To view more photographers visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/greenleapdelhi/sets/72157627382748294/

The world is too much with us. Late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers.
Little do we see in Nature that is ours – William Wordsworth

God created nature and then created man to preside over it. So the relationship between man and nature was established by God at the creation. Interaction between man and nature is part of the general harmony and the stability of the world. God created both nature and man for each other, but today, the harmony which was supposed to be there is lost somewhere. Man is no more fascinated to the calming beauty of nature as the hi-tech world has overpowered his senses.

Nature is a store house of joy and pleasure. It is an ever flowing fountain of divine beauty. The flowing rivulets, the dancing winds, the smiling flowers and the lofty mountains are only some of these beauties. God created everything for man to entice him to admire the inexplicable and enigmatic charisma of nature. The fruitful trees teach us to be humble; the mountains teach us to be firm; the flowers teach us to smile and blossom even when we are surrounded by the thorns of the challenges in life.

Beauties of nature are infinite. But unfortunately, today’s man is too much engrossed in worldly pursuits. He is too busy to discover the beauties of nature. He has no time to listen to the singing of the birds, to watch the clouds moving majestically across the sky or to play with the dancing beauties of nature. He does not look at the starry heavens; he is dead to admire the beauty of a rainbow in the sky. He has sold away his heart and soul to god of wealth, superficial beauty, and the imitated motorized lifestyle.

Man and nature are a manifestation of God and there is a kinship between both of them. Love of nature is, therefore, natural in man. A man who does not listen to ever sensational music of nature is a big loser because he refuses to recognize God who is all powerful and all pervading.

So let us love God by admiring His innate creation while listening to the music of nature and plant trees this monsoon during the Green Leap Delhi drive of planting a million trees.

Trees have been called the structural elements of the ecosystem and are attached to each and every type of organism available in some or the other way.During the past several decades, changes in the global climatic pattern have become evident and have attracted much attention from both the general public and the professional environmental organizations.

Amid widespread illegal cutting of trees, the government’s decision to extend the period of ban is, indeed, a welcome step. Systematic destruction of forest resources across the country has posed a serious threat to environment and our very survival. Though the government ban on cutting trees remains in force since 1990, an ever-increasing number of unscrupulous people are felling trees with impunity. In many cases, the concerned authorities take development projects on lands having many old trees at the site. They cut the trees while implementing the projects and sell those for personal gains.
Any person who fells a tree, can be convicted with imprisonment which may extend to one year or with fine which may extend to Rs1,000 or both under ENFORCEMENT OF INDIAN FOREST ACT, 1927. However a forest offence under the said Act can be compounded by paying value of forest produce or compensation which may extend to Rs. 10,000 or both.

WHEN YOU SEE A TREE BEING CUT OR PRUNED AND WANT TO SAVE IT

1. Challenge the person cutting or pruning the tree. If they have ‘permission’ from the forestdepartment, ask for the original copy of it which will have the forest officer’s signatures.

2. Ask the persons to stop cutting till the original ‘permission’ is brought to you. If theyrefuse to show you the original permission or fail altogether to show any permission, thenyou can safely ask them to stop immediately, if they do not, then dial 100 and call thenearest PCR.

3. A permissionis valid only for 30 days from the date of itsissue. If the date is beyond the 30-days duration, then the permission is invalid and is illegal,unless accompanied by an extension warrant. With this information, when the police vanturns up, you can get the tree-cutting work stopped with immediate effect.

4. If, however, you are shown the original ‘permission’ and its validity is intact, then you cancheck up on the persons executing the ‘permission’, whether they belong to the agency orare employed by the actual grantee of the ‘permission’. If the persons are really authorizedby the grantee or are the grantee themselves, in that case, you cannot do anythingimmediately.

5. If you do not have the courage to walk up to the tree being cut or pruned, you can simply call100 and the Tree Helpline (23378513) of the forest department.

6. Under the tree laws, in normal conditions, even cutting of a single branch of any tree is illegalif done without permission. However, if a tree or its branches are in an imminent conditionof falling or have already crashed, then after being photographed, the tree or the branches can beremoved and the forest office has to be informed of the action with photographic proofwithin 24 hours of the action.