(Green) Journey of a Lifetime

The plane landed with a bump, as I looked out of the window at buildings that looked so exotic. My feet paused for a while before they stepped for the first time on a land which was not mine; but eventually it happened in style as I thought about the two weeks that would follow.

I was at Beijing, not for the Olympics, but to attend the ‘Chinese Green Journey’ organized by the British Council (BC), China for which four Climate Change Awareness Ambassadors from each zone of India were selected, and I was the lucky one from West India. My colleagues from India included Aditya Kumar from Delhi, Angshuman Hazarika from Guwahati and Agastya Muthanna from Bangalore. All of us were dead tired after the three long air journeys we went through to reach our destination. Outside the airport we were received by Sophie Lashford from British Council, China and a student at the Cambridge University, who would lead us for the next fifteen days. After a brief rest at the hotel, Sophie and Steve Lipscombe (another British working with BC, China) took us for dinner to Hard Rock Café where we met our colleagues from Hong Kong. Next day onwards our Green Journey began in full swing and here’s an account of what we did in each of the cities we visited.

Beijing- On 14th July, young ambassadors (YAs) from different cities of China namely; Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Chengdu and Guangdong (province) arrived at the hotel and we had lunch together. We Indians had our first Peking Duck, a speciality of Beijing. Despite getting a lot of help from Chan Yuk Pui (English name- Kurt), my HK friend, my first experience of handling the chopsticks turned into a huge failure. In the evening, Mrs. Rebecca Nadin and Mr. Robin Rickard briefed us about the Green Journey programme; which was followed by a few educational games which we were to play with the public, the next day. The following morning, we visited the National Climate Centre, where Prof. Zhong, Chief Scientist, gave us a lecture on climate change and Madamme Zhou from the Beijing Green Olympics committee gave a presentation on the Green Olympics. After this we had a vegetarian eco-lunch and left for the Beijing Planetarium. At the planetarium, we played games on ‘Food Mile’ and a ‘Complete the sentence’ game and distributed eco-friendly pencils. Whichever city we went to, we carried our ‘Green Tree’ with us. People were asked to cut paper (British Council office papers which were re-used) in the form of leaves, write down their opinion about Climate Change and stick them on the ‘tree’. The Food Mile game which made people aware about how imported food items damage the environment was my favourite. In the evening we did some shopping at the Silk Market and later dined at Pizza Hut. After dinner I came across an Arctic fox muffler and a Snow leopard fur coat on sale at a supermarket for 3000 yuan and 50000 yuan respectively! My first tryst with China’s illegal wildlife trade. (for more on this issue read next article)
On 16th July, we visited the energy-efficient building of Tsinghua University and went to Beijing’s most popular tourist attraction- the Tiananmen Square and the adjoining Forbidden City. The monuments at the Forbidden City showcase Chinese architecture at its best.

Shanghai- We reached Shanghai by train on the morning of 17th July and straightaway headed for the BC office for a press conference. YAs from different places shared their opinions about Beijing with the media. Angshuman represented India. At noon, we visited the eco-building at Xinzhuang Industrial Park. There was a guided tour at the eco-building and a presentation explaining the eco-friendly features of the building. In the evening we left for Chong Ming island, which is an hour’s ride from Shanghai by ferry. Next day, 18th July, was my seventeenth birthday, and one I can never forget. Early morning we visited Chong Ming Dongtan Nature Reserve, a wetland committed to the protection of migratory birds. Though it was not the right season for twitching, walking on the marshes and watching crabs and mudskippers had its own fun. A perfect start to my birthday! At the head office of the nature reserve, we watched a documentary on bird conservation. The big problem with the film- it was in Chinese without English sub-titles! At noon, we ferried back to Shanghai. It was dinner time and little did I know that there was a surprise in store for me! Post dinner, two birthday cakes awaited to be cut by Chan Kai Lap (Kenny from HK who was the other birthday boy!) and I. According to Chinese culture, if you eat noodles on your birthday, your life becomes as long as a strand of noodles. So, following the tradition, Kenny and I ate noodles too! It was a special day, which I celebrated with my special friends.
On 19th July, we collected tips on environmental protection form the people of Shanghai at East Nanjing Road and distributed eco-friendly pencils.

Chongqing- We reached Chongqing at around 19.00 hours on 20th July after a tiring 29-hour train journey. Next morning we had a grand media conference at Intercontinental Hotel. The event, that became the start attraction was our eco-fashion show. Girls from our gang looked pretty as they walked on the ramp, dressed in costumes made out of recycled materials. The very next day, the news appeared in many local dailies. Thereafter we visited the Haishi Eco-park, once a barren wasteland, which is now a stunningly beautiful landscape, all thanks to its creator. Planting trees in that amazingly beautiful park delighted us all. The dinner of that day is worth mentioning. ‘Hot Pot’, Chongqing’s speciality has a huge ‘pot’ filled with boiling hot, spicy curry. Chicken, pork, beef, mushrooms and vegetables have to dipped first into the curry and the into sesame oil. What next? Put it straight into your mouth and say, “Yummy!”
The demonstrative eco-farmland (where we went the following day) which uses methane as its prime source of electricity and the sewage treatment plant provided us with a good learning experience. After working throughout the day, one seeks entertainment too. So there we were, partying at Man Jiang Hong, a floating restaurant on the Yangtze River. We played games, sang songs and had loads of fun!
On 23rd July, before we bade goodbye to Chongqing, we attended a lecture at the Chongqing CDM Centre. Just a few minutes after the lecture began; all I saw with my sleepy eyes was a bunch of sleeping chinkies! To add to our agony, the lecture was in Chinese! So I did not have to think twice before dozing off!

Guangzhou- On 24th July, at noon we arrived at Guangzhou and after having lunch we moved to the BC office (need I mention the purpose of visit?). The media had gathered in good numbers. BC staff briefed the media about the Green Journey programme and ex-YAs from Guangzhou shared their experiences with us. Interviewers moved here and there taking our interviews. I was interviewed by Guangzhou TV and Guangzhou English Channel. To introduce the concept of Food Mile to the press, we organized a group-fruit salad-making competition. Next day we visited the Likeng Waste Incineration Plant which is the only facility in Guangzhou that incinerates waste to produce electricity; and attended a lecture on rising sea level and its effects on Guangzhou. On our way to the Likeng Plant, I saw restaurants openly selling snake meat, turtle meat and reef fishes. The people of China need to be alerted of the adverse effects, these delicacies have on eco-systems.
Next day, we traveled to Dongguan (approx. 2 hours drive) by bus to visit the Guanyin Mountain Tree Museum which gives an insight of past climate records and its effects on the natural vegetation of South China. Thereafter we left for Hong Kong which is another 2-hour from Dongguan by road.

Hong Kong- On 26th July, a grand dinner at the Mandarin Oriental welcomed us to Hong Kong. Vietnamese Spring Roll, Butter-garlic Chicken wings, Salmons…Ah! It was so yummy!
27th July was the best day of the Green Journey. It was an activity day at Ark Eden on Lantau Island. Ark Eden is an eco-cottage in the making and its owners, Mrs. Jenny and Mr. Dave are two very dynamic people. They are old but still too young! Mrs. Jenny taught us about the native and exotic trees of Lantau and asked us to jot down methods for using oil judiciously in order to avoid an oil crisis in future; while Mr. Dave imparted his knowledge of composting and resource management. Later, at noon we trekked to the top of a hill to plant a few native trees.
Next day, we attended lectures and presentations at the Hong Kong Observatory, City University of Hong Kong and CLP’s Castle Peak Power Station. All the slideshows were interesting, though they all provided nearly the same facts. In the evening, we went to Hong Kong Wetland Park, which has excellent facilities for educating the public about the importance of wetlands and other eco-systems.
The following day was the last day of our Green Journey, yet our activities went on with inexhaustible spirit. In the morning, we paid a visit to Lamma Power Station, the only wind power station of Hong Kong. From noon to evening we had our last press conference (where I represented India) and the final debriefing at the BC office. Thereafter we left for ‘The Peak’ for a final get-together and a farewell dinner. For us Indians it was a very special dinner. The reason being; they served us Tandoori Chicken! Obviously, it was nothing close to our authentic Indian taste but we still relished it. It was fun to watch our Chinese friends eat the chicken and naan with forks and knives. It was a happy ending to our 15-day long, but still too short, Green Journey.

Next morning, on the flight, I woke up from sleep when I heard the attendant say, “Chinese Tea”. It was my last tryst with China; and as I finished the second cup (!), all my memories attached with China- memories of my dear Chinese friends who had been so friendly and helpful; memories of Sophie, our funny, loving and caring group leader; memories of Zhao Jie, our friendly and affectionate tour guide; memories of Michael (who was with us at Chongqing) who taught us how to eat the Hot Pot; and of course of Steve with whom we Indians had our first Chinese Tea. All these special people find a special place in my heart.

For more photographs log on to http://picasaweb.google.com/rohitchak77

China- A Threat to Wildlife

China is renowned worldwide for its illegal trade in wildlife products. Goods from all around the world are supplied to Chinese markets, where they fetch a high price. The sale of wildlife products poses a serious threat to eco-systems and is a cause of immense concern for wildlife conservationists across the globe. My trip to China, revealed just a bit of the so many anti-wildlife activities that happen each day in China.
These make-up brushes made of mink hair (as told to me by the saleswoman) were being sold at Beijing’s famous ‘Silk Market’. Minks belong to the family of weasles and are poached for their fur which is used to make coats.

The most horrifying of all my revelations. These coats were for sale in a popular and also probably the oldest supermarket in Beijing. I took these photographs secretively with my mobile phone. I have no clue about the first one (top left), but the second coat (bottom) is undoubtedly an authentic Snow leopard fur coat, which cost a booming 50000 yuan (approximately 3 lakh INR). It is most probable that the Snow leopard has been shot somewhere in the Indian Himalayas and smuggled into China. The third photograph (top right) shows a dead Arctic fox, costing 3000 yuan (approx. 18000 INR) which is worn as a muffler!

Hill Mynas are birds found in the Inidan Subcontinent and South-east Asia. Their excellent ability to mimic calls makes them vulnerable to poachers who cage them and earn a good income by smuggling them to China and South-east Asia.
This is why I hate the food of South China. Restaurants in Guangzhou openly sell snake meat, turtle meat, reef fishes and corals. The photograph on the top left (please click on image to enlarge) shows a few snakes kept in an aquarium, ready to be chopped for 500 yuan! The image to the right (please click on image to enlarge) is of the menu card of President Hotel, Guangzhou. Bird’s nest (obtained from nests of Cave Swiftlets & Edible-nest Swiftlets) and Shark fin soup are popular Chinese delicacies. For the shark fin coup, sharks are caught in large numbers. Their fins are chopped off and they are dumped back into the sea. Once the fin is gone, the shark loses its ability to swim, and dies within minutes. The increasing demand for shark fin soup in Chinese restaurants has made many species of sharks endangered (including the Whale Shark). At the Bangkok airport, a packet containing 6 roasted Bird's nests cost 8400 baht (over 10000 INR)! The photograph to the right is of a coral polyp, which is another delicacy in China. If coral bleaching and pollution weren't enough, here comes another threat to the most fragile eco-system in the world!

Although it’s not illegal to sell sea cucumber soup(left) and octopus meat(right) ; personally I’m against it as I have a feeling that it disturbs the underwater eco-system. Sea cucumbers caught in the Andamans, are illegally smuggled into China through the Nathu-la Pass.

With the illegal trade flourishing and extreme lack of awareness among Chinese citizens, there’s little hope of survival for our wildlife. Snow leopards, tigers, rhinos; all have already become (highly) endangered because of the trade. Sharks lie on the edge. Poaching marine turtles for meat or capturing them as pets is strictly banned; yet China doesn’t care!

I don’t have the right to blame everything on China, as people from every country (India included) contribute to the prospering of the trade, either by poaching or by consuming illegal products. It’s a problem of global concern. But together we all can make a difference. By boycotting tiger skins, bones and claws; by boycotting the snow leopard coat hanging in that wardrobe; by boycotting that shark fin soup…indeed, we can make a difference! No other message, apart from this one, being propagated by the TV channel Animal Planet describes our role in putting an end to the wildlife trade…
“If the buying stops, the killing can too!"

Postscript- My dear Chinese friends, please dont mind my words. Feel free to post your comments / compliments, your views, your opinions about this article. If you disagree with any of the points mentioned in the article you may write to me or post it on the comments section of my blog.

Seasoned Singers

Come summer and the forest becomes a music room! Melodious voices coming from all directions, but nothing visible. After spending hours looking for that ‘Melody Queen’ (like the hero of an old Hindi film searching for the heroine singing the song!) you finally find it (or sometimes you don’t and simply give up the search) hidden deep in the canopy or foliage; partly visible. And surprisingly, its not a ‘Melody Queen’; it’s a ‘Melody King’. Yes it’s a male cuckoo. After spending an utterly silent winter, these seasonal as well as seasoned singers sing their love songs, originally composed by them, throughout the summer and monsoon months.

Cuckoos are extremely secretive birds but their enchanting voices drive any birdwatcher crazy. Some species closely resemble one another, making them difficult to separate in the field. But all have their own unique calls and in their world there are no ‘copy cats’ (mimics in other words). Cuckoos are parasitic, that is they lay their eggs on other birds’ nests. The fact that koels lay their eggs on the nests of crows is known to all.

Getting back to the musical tale; the cuckoo that you are most likely to hear, sitting in your houses is the Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopacea). The all-black male has a sweet ‘ku-ooo... ku-ooo’ call which is repeated continuously in the summer months. The female, on the other hand, has a harsh and ‘domineering’ voice. Unlike other cuckoos, this species is not difficult to find and can be heard throughout the year (others are silent in winter). Another cuckoo, that you might find near your houses is the Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis), locally called Bhardwaj. It is a large, aggressive looking and non-parasitic (builds a nest of its own) cuckoo with a heavy booming voice. Though shy, it is commonly seen and heard (often in winters). Its chestnut wings contrasting with its black body give it a well-deserved name- Crow pheasant.

The Common Hawk Cuckoo (Hierococcyx varius) is commonly heard in forests and well-wooded areas, but is not easily seen. More active in monsoon (when it often comes to the open to make a ‘guest appearance’), this bird is thought to be an indicator of the wet season. Its call can be described as a musical ‘pee-pee-ah…pee-pee-ah’ (interpreted as ‘brain-fever…brain-fever’, hence the common name Brainfever bird) which rises to a crescendo, slides down and the initial lines are repeated. Last summer when I was in Maneybhanjang in Sikkim as a part of an excursion, I used to wake up at four in the morning to do my ‘business’. It was then when another cuckoo, the Large Hawk (Hierococcyx sparverioides), a slightly larger cousin of the Common Hawk Cuckoo, would entertain me in that isolated hill city. Its call is similar to the Common Hawk, but breaks off suddenly while coming down the crescendo. That guy would keep me glued to the loo!

The Pied Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus) is a black and white bird, with a short crest, which migrates to most of the country in summer. It is easily seen in wooded areas and sometimes even close to habitations. Its musical whistle, ‘piu-pi-pi-pi-piu’, repeated continuously, is a delight to the ears.

The Eurasian Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) is perhaps the bird from which the name ‘cuckoo’ has been derived. Its call, a plain ‘cuck-oo…cuck-oo’ is repeated monotonously. My very first sighting of this bird has been most memorable. It happened when my brother, I and another friend of ours; all three of whom were new to birding, had set off to Telangkhedi Lake in Nagpur. Suddenly this bird emerged from nowhere and left us with wide mouths and scratchy heads as we tried to identify it. But in the very next moment, the bird said “cuck-oo” and flitted away. Our doubt was resolved! Its more secretive cousin, and my personal favourite- the Indian Cuckoo (C. micropterus) is the most melodious of all the cuckoos I have heard so far. Its call can be interpreted in many ways (like ‘crossword-puzzle’ by Dr. Salim Ali) When I went to Pench Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra to volunteer for the waterhole census, I spent the entire night listening to this bird and the Common Hawk Cuckoo. One gave me a ‘brain fever’, while the other cured it! I also saw a male courting a female at dusk from a close range; and that is when I realized how loud cuckoos actually are.

So far I have seen only two more cuckoos in my life- the Drongo Cuckoo (Surniculus lugubris) and Grey-bellied Cuckoo (Cacomantis passerinus). The Drongo Cuckoo is a special bird for all those lucky Nagpurians who had seen it at the Botanical Garden as it was a new record for our city. Its melodious whistle- ‘pi-pi-pi-pi-pip’, a collection of ascending notes is constantly uttered. I still remember the day when one of these birds, without any ‘stage phobia’ gave us a live performance. We gathered under it and recorded its call with our cell phones. Now it has become a famous ringtone! On the other hand, the Grey-bellied Cuckoo’s call is a loud ‘pee-pipeee’ in a somewhat complaining tone.

As winter ceases to recede, there is a lot of music in store for the next season. Thinking about the months to come, my enthusiasm goes high with the hope of seeing and hearing more of those musical tunes and their rightful owners. With an inborn singing talent, cuckoos indeed are wonders of the natural world.

'Flights' to Vidarbha

Note: This article is for an essay-writing competition organised by Nisarg. The topic is 'Winter migrants coming to Vidarbha- a study'. I've modified the essay into an article to upload it on my blog. Though a poor piece of literature, the content could be useful for birdwatchers.

Life on earth is a challenge for all living creatures. From the tiniest of insects to the largest of whales, all animals face several difficulties throughout their lives; but nevertheless, they adjust, they adapt to the situations and fight back. As winter approaches, life becomes difficult for many mammals because of a sudden decrease in food supplies. Hence to protect themselves from the winter chill, some mammals grow a winter coat; others store food in advance, while the rest go in for hibernation. Birds can do none of these. Therefore in winter, birds leave their breeding grounds in search for warmer climes with adequate food supply. This is called migration; an interesting adaptation to survive the challenges of life.
The Vidarbha district, with its large and small wildlife sanctuaries and national parks and green cities like Nagpur, plays host to plenty of winter migrants. Different birds prefer different habitats. The following is a report on the winter migrants coming to Vidarbha, on the basis of their habitats-

Forest & Secondary Growth- Birds like the flycatchers favour lightly wooded areas. The migratory flycatchers found in Vidarbha are Asian Brown Flycatcher (Muscicapa daurica), Red-throated Flycatcher (Ficedula parva) and Verditer Flycatcher (Eumyias thalassina), and another flycatcher, the Grey-headed Canary (Culicicapa ceylonensis), reported recently from Seminary Hills in Nagpur could passibly be a winter vagrant to the region. The Ashy Drongo (Dicrurus leucophaeus) is another winter migrant; a breeder in the Himalayas and North-eastern India, is commonly seen in forests and well-wooded areas of Vidarbha. The Oriental Turtle Dove (Streptopilia orientalis), an uncommon winter migrant to this part can also be seen along forest edges and wooded regions (usually near water bodies). The Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) is essentially an open forest raptor. Warblers like the Greenish Warbler (Phylloscopus trochiloides), Common Chiffchaff (P. collybita) and Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca) are also found in lightly wooded areas. The Blue-capped Rock Thrush (Monticola cinclorhynchus), a bird of dense, moist forest, was recorded in Seminary Hills on 7th October ’07. It could be on passage to Western Ghats, which is its regular wintering range.

Wetlands & Marshes- Wetlands attract the highest densities and species of migratory birds, of which ducks are the star attraction. Migratory ducks like the Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula), Common Pochard (A. ferina), Ferruginous Pochard (A. nyroca) Red-crested Pochard (Rhodonessa rufina), Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea), Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata), Northern Pintail (A. acuta), Gadwall (A. strepera), Common Teal (A. crecca), Garganey (A. querquedula) and Eurasian Wigeon (A. penelope) can be found here. Northern Shovelers, Tufted Ducks and Common Pochards are the earliest to arrive, while Garganey make a late arrival (usually in late December- early January) along with Ferruginous Pochards; a near threatened bird that is now rarely seen in Vidarbha. The Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus), a summer migrant and breeder in Ladakh, migrates down south in winters and is seen in large lakes. Many species of waders also migrate to the wetlands of Vidarbha. These include Common Redshank (Tringa totanus), Common Greenshank (T. nebularia), Green Sandpiper (T. ochropus), Wood Sandpiper (T. glareola), Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos), Little Stint (Calidris minuta) and Temminck’s Stint (C. temminckii). Among the widespread but rarely encountered snipes, possibly 3 species occur in Vidarbha- Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago), Pintail Snipe (G. stenura) and Jack Snipe (Lymnocryptes minimus). Snipes are essentially marsh dwellers and are difficult to look for. The Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) which arrives just after the monsoon is an uncommon winterer to this region. The Black Stork (Ciconia nigra), a rare bird, is commonly seen in Pench National Park. Where there is prey, there are predators. The large congregations of waterfowl attract raptors like the Eurasian Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) which specializes in hunting ducks and waders. Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus), which have nearly a worldwide distribution, are exclusively fish-eaters are a common sight in lakes and reservoirs. Great Crested Grebes (Podiceps cristatus) and Whiskered Terns (Childonias hybridus) are uncommon migrants to Vidarbha. Brown-headed Gulls (Larus brunnicephalus) had straggled to Nagpur in November ’07. Among the warblers, the Blyth’s Reed (Acrocephalus dumetorum), Clamorous Reed (A. stentorius) and Paddyfield Warbler (A. agricola) are found in reedbeds. 2 species of wagtails- Citrine (Motacilla citreola) and Yellow wagtail (M. flava) are exclusively found near lakes and jheels. The Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), a resident in the Himalayas, spends the winter mainly around water bodies. Over thousands of these tiny birds can be seen perched on the wires above Telangkhedi Lake.

Open country & Scrub- Dry, arid terrain is most suitable for larks and certain species of pipits. The Greater Short-toed Lark (Calandrella brachydactyla) is the only migratory lark to be found here, though its status in Vidarbha is poorly known. Kamptee could be a potential habitat to see this species. Kamptee is a pipit hub, housing 3 migratory species- Tawny (Anthus campestris), Long-billed (A. similis) and Tree Pipit (A. trivialis); of which the Long-billed Pipit breeds locally and possibly migrates to Vidarbha in winter. Larks and pipits are an easy prey to the Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), which migrates from the Himalayas. Another migrant from the Himalayas, Tibet and further north is the race- lineatus of Black Kite (Milvus migrans), commonly named Black-eared Kite (M. m. lineatus). This wintering sub-species outnumbers the local populations in Vidarbha. The Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus) is another open country raptor. Other migratory birds, characteristic of this habitat are Common Rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus), Common Stonechat (Saxicola torquata), Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius) and Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus), a rare migrant to this part of the country.

Grassland & Cultivation- Grassland eco-systems are primarily dominated by the harriers. 3 grassland species occur in Vidarbha- Montagu’s (Circus pygargus), Pallid (C. macrourus) and Pied Harrier (C. melanoleucos). All these are rarely seen in Vidarbha; infact the Pied Harrier has been recorded only thrice from this region! More research needs to be done on the status of these raptors in Vidarbha. The Blyth’s Pipit (Anthus godlewskii) is a rare migrant, whose status also remains unknown, though there have been sight records. Cultivations give a perfect hiding place for Common Quails (Coturnix coturnix) apart from providing prey to Common (Strunus vulgaris) and Rosy Starlings (S. roseus) and Black Redstarts (Phoenicurus ochruros). 2 species of buntings supposedly occur in Vidarbha but their status demands confirmation.

Vidarbha attracts over 70 species of migratory birds, yet their future looks bleak. There are countless threats to their survival, of which global warming and habitat destruction top the list. Climate change, a consequence of global warming, has changed patterns of bird migration. Untimely migration can adversely affect breeding behaviour. For example, I once saw a Wood Sandpiper in breeding plumage at Ambazari Lake on 20th May. Habitat destruction, like degradation of wetlands has affected many migratory waterfowl. Poaching of waterfowl, mainly ducks is another constant threat. Destruction of grasslands and use of pesticides has had negative impacts of grassland birds, particularly the Pallid Harrier, which is now endangered. Unplanned development on open country has disturbed the eco-systems existing there.
With so many problems to tackle, action must be taken immediately. Each and every individual’s contribution is needed to fight the climate change crisis. Awareness is the need of the hour. People must be educated about the phenomenon of bird migration and how it is being affected by global warming. Scientific researches and periodic bird surveys would help devise improvised methods for conserving habitats and protecting birdlife. Poaching, overfishing and the use of pesticides need to be controlled.
At this moment, every small step towards conservation matters a great deal. We must act immediately to ensure that our present does not become a thing of the past.

Climate Change Crisis in India

Note: The following article was written by me for a competition organised by the British Council, named 'Indian Climate Champion, 2008', an initiative to combat the crisis of climate change.

In an era of unabated and unplanned development, there is greatest possibility of the environment being irreversibly affected. One such crisis which has created a worldwide impact is global warming. With a sudden rise in temperatures throughout the world, climates have changed drastically, endangering the existence of each and every life form on earth. Here we look into climate change issues related to India.

Cause of the crisis- The primary cause of global warming is the increased emission of greenhouse gases particularly carbon dioxide and methane from automobiles, industries, burning of biomass etc. which has led to the depletion of ozone layer and has formed a ‘blanket’ for the outgoing ultraviolet rays causing a rise in temperature. In India, overpopulation and bursting fire crackers during Diwali are of major concern. More people mean more space to live in, which is supplemented by deforestation. As per the universally known fact that plants inhale carbon dioxide and release oxygen, it is easily understood that less number of trees means more carbon dioxide going to the atmosphere. Hence deforestation is another cause of climate change. From energy consumption to population explosion; virtually everything around us contributes a bit to global warming.

Impact on India- Rising temperatures throughout the world is being accompanied by the degradation of permafrost (the area covered by ice & snow). The most significant depletion is being observed in the polar regions posing a threat to Polar bears (among the first mammals to be recognized as endangered by IUCN because of global warming), several species of Penguins and the Red Knot (a critically endangered bird). Similar is the case with the Himalayan ranges. Melting of ice and Himalayan glaciers is a grave danger to the survival of Himalayan endemics (species with a range restricted to the Himalayas) and other life forms including human beings. Of all, the Snow leopard has been worst affected. Glaciers are an important source of perennial water supply. Melting of Himalayan glaciers will lead to acute water shortage, and lives of the people dwelling in the Ganges floodplains will be at risk. Glaciers like the Pindari glacier have already receded by over three-fourths of their original range. Like the increase in sea levels due to melting of polar ice caps, melting of Himalayan glaciers has caused a rise in water levels of inland drainage systems, which might submerge vast areas of land (for example, the Sunderbans delta is being threatened by rise in levels of the Ganges’ waters). Powerful floods along major river systems are an aftermath of the rise in water level. Heavy rains in western Maharashtra and contrastingly, poor rainfall in regions like Cherrapunji are similar symptoms. This suggests that the monsoon pattern in India itself is undergoing an erratic change.
The Indian coastline and island groups share the same plight as that of the Sunderbans and adjoining areas. It is estimated that by 2012, most of our coastal cities including Mumbai (already experienced a devastating flood off late) and Chennai (affected by the 2004 tsunami) will be submerged by the tremendous increase in sea levels.
Amphibian populations have reduced while an increase in the numbers of antigens and viruses has been observed. Amphibians breathe partially through their skin, hence any fluctuation in local environment affects local populations. On the other hand, rising temperatures provide a hospitable climate for antigens and viruses to perpetuate. This has led to a rise in diseases all over the world.

Role of NGOs- The role of Non-governmental Organizations in tackling global warming has been of great importance. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) enforced the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) instead of unleaded petrol in metropolitan cities like New Delhi to reduce vehicular pollution. Sanctuary magazine has played a major role in spreading awareness through interesting articles and through its ‘Kids for Tigers’ programme. It has also organized a Climate Change Photography Contest in association with Worldwide Fund for Wildlife (WWF), India, Hewlett-Packard and ABN-Amro Bank with the motive of spreading awareness, as photographs are considered to be an effective conservation tool. Greenpeace, Indian and Bombay Natural History Society have been instrumental in promoting the use of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), which consume less energy compared to incandescent bulbs. Other local organizations are also working for the same cause at the grassroot level; for instance a Mumbai-based organization had recently organized an hour’s power cut in the city to reduce energy consumption.
The work of NGOs in tackling the crisis is commendable; but it may not have the required effects unless individuals support the cause and contribute their bit. At the grassroot level, we, as individuals can take small steps like conserving water, paper and electricity; supporting the use of renewable energy, replacing incandescent bulbs with CFLs, and most importantly- protecting our forests as they act as major carbon sinks. The 3 Rs- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle are also to be implemented. Such small steps by all of us can have a significant impact. Afterall, ‘if a lot of us do a little, a lot gets done’.

The Fauna of Nagpur (2007)- A Field Report

The year 2007 began with the second half of the winter session of birding. The endangered Comb Ducks (Sarkidiornis melanotos) were seen at Telangkhedi Lake. Waders were plentiful at Ambazari Lake. The race- melanogrisea of Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) arrived in this season in good numbers.

In Feb, Rohan Chakravarty photographed a Black Eagle (Ictinaetus malayensis) in flight at Bor Dharan, about 50 kms from Nagpur. This was a significant record, with photographic evidence of a bird rarely seen in Central India. Another sighting of his that needs special mention is of a Rufous Sibia (Heterophasia capistrata) at Bor WLS. Unfortunately no photographic evidence is available. Later, on 17th Feb, Rohan Chakravarty, Jay Kulkarni & Azar Ali saw a fight between a Little Pied (Ficedula westermanni) and a Red-throated Flycatcher (Ficedula parva) at Kamptee Cantonment. Again, photograph of the Little Pied Flycatcher, which is another new record for the region is lacking. On 18th Feb, a juvenile Laggar Falcon (Falco jugger) and a Tawny Pipit (Anthus campestris) were seen at Kamptee, both of which are local rarities. A pair of Eurasian Marsh Harriers (Circus aeruginosus) had spent the winter at the lake in Kamptee. It was common to see them attack waterfowl at the lake. A Blue-winged Leafbird (Chloropsis cochinchinensis) and a Grey Nightjar (Caprimulgus indicus) were seen at Kamptee Cantt. A pair of Black Ibises (Pseudibis papilossa) was seen at a field in Kamptee.

In early March an immature Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala) was photographed at Sonegaon Lake by Anurag Ghatole. At the camp adjoining Jhilpi Lake, many Savanna Nightjars (Caprimulgus affinis) were seen hawking insects with Microchiropterans [Pipistrellus ceylonicus (?) & Pipistrellus coromandra]. The next morning, Grey Junglefowls (Gallus sonneratii) were heard. Jay Kulkarni and Rohit Chakravarty saw a male Crested Bunting (Melophus lathami). A solitary Long-billed Pipit (Anthus similis) was photographed at the campsite. This was the first photographic record of the species for Nagpur. In late March, egg-incubation of the Indian Courser (Cursorius coromandelicus) was observed at Kamptee by Rohan Chakravarty & Azar Ali.

On 8th April, a Laggar Falcon was seen for the second time at Kamptee. Early in April, Anurag Ghatole reported the hatching of the eggs of the Courser and the emerging of 2 young ones. On 21st April, at around 9.30 pm, Rohan & Rohit Chakravarty saw a dead Common Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) at Seminary Hills. On 22nd April, flocks of Yellow Wagtail races- thunbergi & zaissanensis were seen at Telangkhedi Lake. Kamptee was revisited on 29th April, and this time a Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis) was photographed by Rohit Chakravarty at a farmhouse; giving a proper documented record of the species. A pair of Asian Paradise Flycatchers (Terpsiphone paradisi) and an Ashy Drongo (Dicrurus leucophaeus) were also seen.

On 20th May, a Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola) in breeding plumage, was seen at Ambazari Lake. Chestnut-tailed Starlings (Sturnus malabaricus) were seen in plenty.

On 3rd June, the first Pied Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus) of the season was recorded from Telangkhedi Lake. A Common Ratsnake (Ptyas mucosus) was seen near the Citrus sinensis plantations. Flocks of Large Grey Babblers (Turdoides malcolmi) were seen on 3rd & 10th June. A pair of Blue-winged Leafbirds was also seen. On 16th June, the termites flew out for the first time and atleast 2 mating pairs of Common Indian Toads (Bufo melanostictus) were observed. On 17th June, the first breeding male Baya Weavers (Ploceus philippinus) were seen building nests on Phoenix dactylifera. An injured Fulvous Fruit Bat (Rousettus leschnaulti) was rescued at Sitabuldi by Pritish Panke, which was handed over to N-Nats. On 24th June, Nagpur recorded its first Drongo Cuckoo (Surniculus lugubris) from Botanical Garden. Also a Grey-bellied Cuckoo (Cacomantis passerinus) was photographed for the first time. Eurasian Cuckoos (Cuculus canorus) were seen/heard regularly at Telangkhedi Lake. On 25th June, termites flew out another time and many juvenile and sub-adult Black Kites (Milvus migrans) were observed feeding on them at Seminary Hills. A Black-lored Tit (Parus xanthogenys), another local rarity, was photographed at Seminary Hills. Many mating pairs of Bull Frogs (Hoplobatrachus tigerinus) were recorded on the same day. 2 geckos- Hemidactylus brooki & H. leschnaulti (?) were also seen at Botanical Garden. Velvet mites were common in the monsoon.

On 1st July, the Drongo Cuckoo numbers had multiplied at Botanical Garden to about 7, with reports of around 4-5 males and 2-3 females. They were last seen at Botanical Garden on 5th July. Drongo Cuckoos were later heard near Jhilpi Lake on 15th July. At Jhilpi Lake, Grey Junglefowls were heard again and a dung pile left by a Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) was found. An Indian Cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus) was also seen. Partly-metamorphosised tadpoles of Burrowing Frog (Tomopterna breviceps) were seen at a short stream. Immature White-eyed Buzzards (Butastur teesa) were observed courting.

In August, at Botanical Garden, a juvenile Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach) was observed for 3 weeks. On 5th Aug, Bronzeback Treesnakes (Dendrelaphis tristis) were seen twice and on 12th Aug, a Trinket Snake (Elaphe helena) was seen near the fountain. Checkered Keelbacks (Xenochrophis piscator) were common in the ‘Kingfisher Pond’. A Burrowing Frog was seen at the fountain. A solitary Yellow Bittern (Ixobrychus sinensis) would be seen in flight after every 10 minutes, from the viewpoint. Nesting colonies of Baya Weavers were observed on Albizia procera & Roystonea regia and individual nests were seen on Ficus religiosa & Acacia nilotica. Shrikes preferred Bauhinia racemosa for nesting. August ended with a visit to Kamptee, which yielded rare sights of a Rock Eagle-Owl (Bubo bengalensis) & an Indian Fox (Vulpes bengalensis) both of which were photographed for the first time.


September began with the discovery of a nest of Spotted Owlets (Athene brama) at Telangkhedi Road and a sighting of the Rock Eagle-Owl at Botanical Garden. Male Baya Weavers were observed feeding the newly nest-independent juveniles. The Roystonea regia nesting colony had become inactive. The Eagle-Owl was again seen on 2nd Sept. An active nest of a Plain Prinia (Prinia inornata) was observed. In the first week of Sept, Swapnil Kuldiwar photographed a Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela) at MIDC, Ambazari. On 9th Sept, 2 Indian Nightjars (Caprimulgus asiaticus) were photographed at MIDC. A moth, Pseudomicronia coelata of the family Uraniidae was photographed at MIDC, which turned out to be a new record for the city. The area had a good population of Syke’s Larks (Galerida deva), Indian Bushlarks (Mirafra erythroptera) & Large Grey Babblers. By mid-Sept, Common Kestrels (Falco tinnunculus), Greenish Warblers (Phylloscopus trochiloides), Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) and Black-eared Kites (Milvus migrans lineatus) had arrived. On 30th Sept, a Short-nosed Fruit Bat (Cynopterus sphinx) was rescued at Anant Nagar.

On 7th Oct, a roost of a Barn Owl (Tyto alba) was discovered at Botanical Garden and the Rock Eagle-Owl of Telangkhedi was seen by Ambarish & Rohit Chakravarty. Shishir Dongre & Dr. Abheek Ghosh recorded the first Blue-capped Rock Thrush (Monticola cinclorhynchus) for Nagpur from Japanese Garden. Verditer Flycatchers (Eumyias thalassina) were seen by Neeraj Gade & Swapnil Kuldiwar at Seminary Hills & MIDC, Ambazari. A Whiskered Tern (Childonias hybridus) was seen at Ambazari Lake by Rohan Chakravarty & Pallavi Talware on 7th Oct. Other migrants seen on that day were Eurasian Wryneck (Jynx torquilla) & Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) at Botanical Garden & Telangkhedi; Northern Shovelers (Anas clypeata) at Ambazari Lake and Ashy Drongo at Maharaj Bagh. On 21st Oct, many Eurasian Thick-knees (Burhinus oedicnemus) were seen at Telangkhedi. Nest-building of the Black-headed Cuckooshrike on ornamental Bambusa vulgaris was seen. Nests of Paper wasps (Polistes sp.) & Dwarf bees (Apis florea) were observed on B. vulgaris.

Early in Nov, a male Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius) and an albino Jungle Babbler (Turdoides striatus) were photographed at Kamptee by Rohan Chakravarty. Meanwhile, Common Pochards (Aythya ferina) & Tufted Ducks (Aythya fuligula) had arrived at Ambazari Lake. A Blyth’s Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus dumetorum) was also seen and a solitary Brown-headed Gull (Larus brunnicephalus) had straggled to Ambazari; which was the first gull to be seen in the city in 9 years. The next day a Eurasian Wryneck was photographed by Rohan Chakravarty at Ambazari. On 12th Nov, a Leafbird pair was again observed at Telangkhedi and a juvenile Bonelli’s Eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus); a bird rarely seen in the city was also recorded. Early in the month, an Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) was seen at Sonegaon Lake and later on 13th Nov, another was seen at Telangkhedi. A juvenile Common Hawk Cuckoo (Hierococcyx varius) was observed for 2 weeks and a Checkered Keelback was found in a well at Botanical Garden.

December was a bonanza month for Ambazari Lake. On 6th Nov, Neeraj Gade & Ruchik Pande recorded the first Pied Harrier (Circus melanoleucos) from Ambazari. The next day, Nagpur saw its first Jerdon’s Bushlark (Mirafra affinis). A sighting of an Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) still awaits confirmation. On 8th Nov, 2 more new records were added to the list- a Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus) & a Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus). An Osprey was regularly observed. Ambazari attracted the largest number of waterfowl including species like Ruddy Shelducks (Tadorna ferruginea), Gadwalls (Anas strepera), Red-crested Pochards (Rhodonessa rufina), Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope) & near-threatened birds like Darters (Anhinga melanogaster) & Black-headed Ibises (Threskiornis melanocephalus). Great Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) were also seen. Wild Pigs (Sus scrofa) were common around the lake. The year ended on a happy note with a final visit to Botanical Garden, where a Spectacled Cobra (Naja naja) & a 6ft long Rock Python (Python molurus) were seen.


For additional information about the sightings of the year, following links could be useful-
http://www.dropshots.com/rohitchak_77
http://www.dropshots.com/rohitchak77
http://picasaweb.google.com/rohitchak77