Celebrating Environment with Neha Sinha (Report)
Session: Celebrating Environment
Speaker: Neha Sinha
Date: 05 June 2021 (World Environment Day)
Time: 5:00 to 6:30 PM
Recommended books:
1) 'Wild and Wilful' by Neha Sinha
2) 'Leopard Dairies' Sanjay Gubbi
The Political Science Association commemorated World Environment Day by hosting a session 'Celebrating Environment' with Neha Sinha.
Ms. Neha Sinha is a conservation biologist, an author and a columnist. She works at BNHS heading conservation and policy. She has won the 2017 Wildlife Service Award and recently published a book named 'Wild and Wilful' in February 2021.
Environmental conservation and government policies are closely associated with each other. The speaker highlighted various aspects such as the laws mentioned in the Indian constitution for ensuring the protection of forest lands and wildlife. For example, a leopard is a wild animal that requires land and food to survive but when the forests start shrinking these predators have no choice but to enter into human settlements. Many incidents like that of Ganga, the Elephant who entered into the tea estate of Assam was chased by the people and died along with her baby in a railway accident.
Animals v/s Us and the Real Politik
When the governments make development plans which potentially endanger the wildlife by constructing railways tracks, roads/ highways through forests such human-animal conflicts arise. The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 was enacted to protect wild animals and plants. This Act includes provisions for the protection of plants and animals, hunting, harvesting and various other ancillary matters connected thereto. It is always a matter of species, land and livelihood. The Public Trust Doctrine is also a landmark judgement that follows the principle that; certain resources are preserved for public use, and the government is required to maintain them for the public's reasonable use. According to the Doctrine of Public Trust, the State is the trustee of all national resources which are by nature meant for public use and enjoyment.
Other laws and acts which help this cause are the Forest (Conservation) Act of 1980, the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974. LIFE is an organization that concentrated on research and advocacy.
Even a single tree can support various species and ecosystems. The speakers' observation of the semal tree and the variety of bird species it supports like the Green Beater, Collared Dove, Red Ibis tells us a lot about wildlife and habitat. Spottings of Humpback dolphins in the Arabian Sea near the Mumbai coast is also very surprising given the amount of sewage that is let into the sea.
Migration patterns of birds.
Not only land, but wildlife also required safe air spaces and corridors. Researchers and scientists use the technique of tagging and satellite mapping which helps them to understand the migration route of birds. These birds cross countries and sometimes continents as well. An example of satellite mapping could be tracking the movement of the Stepper Eagle. The Northern Shoveler tagged in Odisha in 2018 was later tagged in Uzbekistan, the Terek Sandpiper travels between the Gulf of Kachch and Pakistan, the Curlew Sandpiper between Navi Mumbai and the saltpans in Tainjin, China. During such ardous flights birds comes may across several obstructions like electrocution, poisoning, poaching or even threat from other animals. One such endangered species was the Amur Falcon which travels from Mongolia to South Africa via India. This was recorded as the longest migration for any falcon. Ms. Neha Sinha shared her experience of working in Nagaland along with the locals to protect the species of Amur Falcon which were being hunted. She presses on the fact that it's the community which saved the birds and they were just channel of guidance to the people.
Who owns the Land?
Various clashes arise between development and conservation. One such being at the Nicobar islands - Galathea Sanctuary (made for the protection of this species) which boasts of a seacoast with sloping beaches and deep waters which attracts the Leatherback turtles, the largest of all living sea turtles in the world. The location not only favours the sea turtles, but is also favourable for seaports putting the wildlife at risk. Hence, politics and conservation are closely knit wherein the political decisions can directly influence the environment.
Viewing nature through the lens of curiosity will make us aware of the infinite beauty hidden in it. Brainwashing or dictating people's choices is not the correct way of solving a problem, but educating the people about the dangers of harming the environment and guiding them through it helps in finding solutions. As the environment consists of various aspects like people, livelihood, climate, economy, culture, politics etc.. considering all these points becomes necessary.
What can WE do as individuals?
One doesn't need to hold specific degrees or qualifications for protecting the environment. Participating in influencing decisions through social media channels etc. can be helpful, eg: the EIA or the Aarey colony movement.
Food habits and wildlife conservation is an important topic discussed these days. According to the speaker, looking down upon others food habits isn't the right thing to do. The case of Amur Falcons in Nagaland where the speaker had worked for their protection joined hands with the locals, explained to them that their actions might endanger the existence of the species. Consumption should be done in sustainable ways, like the consumption of domestic animals.
To protect and nourish the environment is everyone's responsibility. On this note, Neha Sinha ends the session with "You don't need to be a conservation biologist to conserve nature".
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Report drafted by PSA's Secretary Disha Waingankar (TY Political Science).
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