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How people’s movement transformed a 380-acre mining wasteland into a thriving ecological park, now internationally recognized as India's first OECM site.

From Wasteland to Wonderland: how people’s movement transformed a 380-acre mining site into urban forest

How people&rsquo;s movement transformed a 380-acre mining wasteland into a thriving ecological park, now internationally recognized as India's first OECM site.

Every day, we have 24 hours... 24 hours to change the world. With the Power of Choice.
In the hustle and bustle of this suburb bordering India&rsquo;s capital New Delhi, a small group of passionate people come together under the banner of &lsquo;I Am Gurgaon&rsquo; to create something not thought before.
What this group saw, was a wasteland, a mining site for 40 years, and... they dared to dream. These 'I am Gurgaon,' members collaborated with government and corporate entities of this satellite town, and established a partnership to rebuild this 380 acres of land. They approached the municipal corporation with a visionary proposal transforming the area into:
<ul>
<li>Butterfly park</li>
<li>Herbal garden</li>
<li>Rock garden</li>
<li>Forest land</li>
</ul>
In 2004, India&rsquo;s apex court banned mining activities within 25 kilometers of Delhi, and hope dawned for this place which was once ecologically scarred due to years of mining and stone crushing. Planting duties were handed over to the Haryana Forest Development Corporation.
Today, this park is home to over 90,000 trees, over 160 bird species, and countless other forms of life.
If you look closely, you can still find traces of the past... of mining of quartzite, sand, and mica, but now... it's a city of forests.
But it wasn&rsquo;t all smooth sailing...
After the forests flourished, in 2018 a plan was drafted to connect a highway from Jaipur to a key road in Gurugaon cutting right through the heart of the park. This would have killed the forest.
1. The forest that generates 7.07% of Delhi-NCR&rsquo;s oxygen demand. 2. The forest that sequesters 9,107 tonnes of carbon. 3. The forest that contains species that store the most amount of Co2 (Butea monosperma, Terminalia arjuna) 4. The Forest that acts as a green barrier for the capital city.
But the members of &lsquo;I Am Gurgaon&rsquo; wouldn&rsquo;t let that happen. Over 1,500 people stood up and said... 'NO ROAD THROUGH ARAVALLI BIODIVERSITY PARK' And just like that, the plan was shelved.
These revolutionary 'urban rewilders' showed what a people&rsquo;s movement can achieve. They looked at a land stripped of life and poured their hearts into bringing it back.
Recently, this park received a new honour. The International Union for Conservation of Nature recognized it as the first Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures site in India.
Officials say the OECM tag, does not bring any legal or financial implications, but designates the area as a biodiversity hotspot on the international map. They get benefits in terms of reputation.
So, these revolutionary &lsquo;urban rewilders&rsquo; showed what a people's movement can achieve.Turning a once barren landscape into a vibrant green jewel.
Also Watch:<a href="https://www.editorji.com/lifestyle-news/health/air-pollution-may-reduce-delhi-residents-life-expectancy-here-s-a-dietary-guideline-to-help-combat-it-1724923803017"> Air pollution may reduce Delhi residents' life expectancy, here's a dietary guideline to help combat it</a>

World Environment Day is celebrated every year on June 5th to spread awareness about our environment. Here are some tips you must adapt to save our environment. 

World Environment Day 2024: Here are a few simple steps you can take for a sustainable future

World environment day is celebrated every year on June 5th to spread awareness about our environment. Here are some tips you must adapt to save our environment. 

<h2>World environment day is celebrated every year on June 5th to spread awareness about our environment. Here are some tips you must adapt to save our environment.&nbsp;</h2>

World Environment Day, celebrated annually on June 5th, raises global awareness about environmental protection and the urgent need for sustainable practices. This day encourages individuals and communities to take action towards conserving nature and promoting eco-friendly habits. Together, we can make a significant impact in preserving our planet for future generations.
This year, the theme of World Environment Day is - Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience.&nbsp;
<h3>Tips to save the environment&nbsp;</h3>
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Minimize waste by reducing consumption, reusing items, and recycling materials whenever possible.
Conserve Water: Fix leaks, use water-saving fixtures, and practice mindful water usage to reduce water wastage.
Plant Trees: Increase green cover by planting trees and supporting reforestation efforts.
Use Eco-Friendly Products: Opt for products that are biodegradable, non-toxic, and made from sustainable materials.
Save Energy: Use energy-efficient appliances, switch to LED bulbs, and unplug devices when not in use to conserve electricity.
Limit Plastic Use: Avoid single-use plastics, use reusable bags, bottles, and containers, and support plastic-free initiatives.
Opt for Sustainable Transportation: Use public transport, carpool, cycle, or walk to reduce carbon emissions from vehicles.
Support Renewable Energy: Advocate for and invest in renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydro power.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/lifestyle-news/food/what-is-the-difference-between-expiry-date-and-best-before-date-fssai-explains-1717395984337">What is the difference between 'Expiry date' and 'Best before date' on food labels? FSSAI explains</a>

The Pune Municipal Corporation has refuted the protestors' claims and has claimed that the objective of the project is to protect the river bank on both the sides from flood.

Explained: what is the 'Chipko movement redux' in Pune all about?

The Pune Municipal Corporation has refuted the protestors' claims and has claimed that the objective of the project is to protect the river bank on both the sides from flood.

Placards, beats of drums, slogans, tree-hugging - scenes from Maharashtra's Pune where people are staging a 'Chipko movement' like demonstration against the city's River Front Development (RFD) project.
The demonstrators, which include both locals and environmental activists, are citing the disastrous effects of cutting down thousands of trees along the 44-km stretch of Pune's river bank.
The project which aims at the rejuvenation of Mula and Mutha rivers along with building new sewage treatment plants was inaugurated by PM Modi in March last year.
Activists claim that flood levels of the Mula and Mutha rivers would rise by five feet due to the project as the width of the water course is being reduced.
The Pune Municipal Corporation has refuted the protestors' claims and said that the objective of the project is to protect the river bank on both the sides from flood.
(with PTI inputs)

Plastics entering the world's oceans have surged since 2005 and could nearly triple by 2040.

Over 171 trillion plastic pieces floating in oceans, reveals study 

Plastics entering the world's oceans have surged since 2005 and could nearly triple by 2040. Find out more.

A new study found that the world's oceans are polluted by nearly 170 trillion pieces of plastic.
The study looked at surface-level plastic pollution data from 11,777 ocean stations in six major marine regions from 1979 to 2019.
Led by the 5 Gyres Institute, the research claimed that plastic production could nearly triple by 2040 if no further action is taken.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/lifestyle-news/environment/food-waste-far-worse-than-plastic-pollution-here-s-why-1655374447512">Food waste far worse than plastic pollution, here's why!&nbsp;</a>

The problem of too much plastic packaging will not be solved without addressing its evil twin that is food waste.

Not just plastic pollution, food waste is far worst for environment: Analysis

Food waste far worst than plastic pollution, here's why! 

Plastic pollution has been a major factor for climate change but this problem can't be solved without addressing its larger twin; food waste.

Plastic pollution has been a major factor for climate change but this problem can't be solved without addressing its larger twin; food waste.
As per reports, the United States, China and Brazil are responsible for a staggering 44.6 per cent of all the world&rsquo;s plastic packaging and the majority of it is wrapped around food.
If we look at the UN data, 20 to 30 per cent of food produced is wasted. Pertinently, that the environmental problems connected to food are larger than the ones plastic packaging causes. The food humans consume is responsible for 21 to 37 per cent of global climate change.
Consumers mostly waste packaged food because it has gone bad or has expired. Plastic packaging is used to preserve food, but it contributes to food waste. Hence, there is a need to consider food and its packaging as a unit.&nbsp; The issue of food waste cannot be solved in isolation from the issue of plastic packaging. Better serving instructions or smaller packaging could save tonnes of foods from being wasted and therefore reduce food waste. The problems clearly is entwined.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/lifestyle-news/health/from-childhood-to-old-age-the-long-term-effects-of-pollution-on-brainpower-1637487108895">From childhood to old-age: The long-term effects of pollution on brainpower</a>
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A wildlife biologist, Barman leads the "Hargila Army", an all-female grassroots conservation movement dedicated to protecting the Greater Adjutant Stork from extinction.

Indian wildlife biologist honoured with UN’s highest environmental award

Indian wildlife biologist Dr Purnima Devi Barman is among the honourees of this year's Champions of the Earth award, the UN's highest environmental honour, accorded for their transformative action to prevent, halt and reverse ecosystem degradation.

A wildlife biologist, Barman leads the "Hargila Army", an all-female grassroots conservation movement dedicated to protecting the Greater Adjutant Stork from extinction.

Indian wildlife biologist Dr Purnima Devi Barman is among the honourees of this year's Champions of the Earth award, the UN's highest environmental honour, accorded for their transformative action to prevent, halt and reverse ecosystem degradation.
Barman has been honoured with the UN Environment Programme&rsquo;s (UNEP) 2022 Champions of the Earth award in the Entrepreneurial Vision category.
A wildlife biologist, Barman leads the "Hargila Army", an all-female grassroots conservation movement dedicated to protecting the Greater Adjutant Stork from extinction. The women create and sell textiles with motifs of the bird, helping to raise awareness about the species while building their own financial independence.
Barman is also Senior Project Manager of the Avifauna Research and Conservation Division, Aaranyak.
The UNEP website said that at the age of five, Barman was sent to live with her grandmother on the banks of the Brahmaputra River in Assam. "Separated from her parents and siblings, the girl became inconsolable. To distract her, Barman&rsquo;s grandmother, a farmer, started taking her to nearby paddy fields and wetlands to teach her about the birds there." "I saw storks and many other species. She taught me bird songs. She asked me to sing for the egrets and the storks. I fell in love with the birds,&rdquo; said Barman, who has devoted much of her career to saving the endangered greater adjutant stork, the second-rarest stork species in the world.
"Barman&rsquo;s pioneering conservation work has empowered thousands of women, creating entrepreneurs and improving livelihoods while bringing the greater adjutant stork back from the brink of extinction,&rdquo; said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.
"Dr Barman&rsquo;s work has shown that conflict between humans and wildlife can be resolved to the benefit of all. By highlighting the damaging impact that the loss of wetlands has had on the species who feed and breed on them, she reminds us of the importance of protecting and restoring ecosystems." According to information on the UNEP website, to protect the stork, Barman knew she had to change perceptions of the bird, known locally as &ldquo;hargila&rdquo; in Assamese (meaning &ldquo;bone swallower&rdquo;) and mobilised a group of village women to help her.
Today the &ldquo;Hargila Army&rdquo; consists of over 10,000 women. They protect nesting sites, rehabilitate injured storks which have fallen from their nests and arrange &ldquo;baby showers&rdquo; to celebrate the arrival of newborn chicks. The greater adjutant stork regularly features in folk songs, poems, festivals and plays.
Since Barman started her conservation programme, the number of nests in the villages of Dadara, Pachariya, and Singimari in Kamrup District have risen from 28 to more than 250, making this the largest breeding colony of greater adjutant storks in the world, UNEP said.
"In 2017, Barman began building tall bamboo nesting platforms for the endangered birds to hatch their eggs. Her efforts were rewarded a couple of years later when the first greater adjutant stork chicks were hatched on these experimental platforms,&rdquo; it added.
Barman said on the UNEP website that one of her biggest rewards has been the sense of pride that has been instilled in the Hargila Army and she hopes their success will inspire the next generation of conservationists to pursue their dreams.
"Being a woman working in conservation in a male-dominated society is challenging but the Hargila Army has shown how women can make a difference,&rdquo; she said.
UNEP said that since its inception in 2005, the annual Champions of the Earth award has been awarded to trailblazers at the forefront of efforts to protect our natural world. It is the UN&rsquo;s highest environmental honour. To date, the award has recognised 111 laureates: 26 world leaders, 69 individuals and 16 organisations. This year a record 2,200 nominations from around the world were received.
Also watch: <a href="World%20Environment%20Day%20is%20celebrated%20on%20June%205%20each%20year.%20This%20year,%20the%20campaign%20focuses%20on%20&lsquo;Living%20sustainably%20in%20harmony%20with%20nature&rsquo;.">World Environment Day 2022: Follow the 3R&rsquo;s to do your bit for the environment&nbsp;</a>
The other honourees include Arcenciel (Lebanon); Constantino (Tino) Aucca Chutas (Peru); Sir Partha Dasgupta of the United Kingdom and Cecile Bibiane Ndjebet (Cameroon).

COP27 has been significant for an agreement has been secured for Loss and Damage funding arrangements including setting up a loss and damage fund says Union Environment Minister, Bhupender Yadav

India welcomes 'Loss & Damage Fund' at the conclusion of 'Historic COP'

COP27 has been significant for an agreement has been secured for Loss and Damage funding arrangements including setting up a loss and damage fund says Union Environment Minister, Bhupender Yadav

India on Sunday called as historic the UN climate summit in Egypt for securing an agreement on establishing a fund to address loss and damage due to climate change-induced disasters, saying "the world has waited far too long for this".&nbsp;
Making an intervention in the closing plenary of COP27, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav also said the world should not burden farmers with mitigation (reducing emissions of greenhouse gases) responsibilities.
"You are presiding over a historic COP where agreement has been secured for loss and damage funding arrangements including setting up a loss and damage fund. The world has waited far too long for this. We congratulate you on your untiring efforts to evolve consensus," Yadav said addressing the Egyptian presidency.
A fund to address loss and damage, which refers to destruction caused by climate change-induced disasters, was a long-pending demand of poor and developing countries, including India, and the key element at this year's UN climate summit.The success of the talks hinged on progress on this track.
Developed nations, particularly the US, had been opposing this new fund over fears that it would hold them legally liable for massive damages caused by climate change.
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On the establishment of a four-year work program on climate action in agriculture and food security at COP27, Yadav said agriculture, the mainstay of livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers, will be hard hit from climate change. &nbsp;"So, we should not burden them with mitigation responsibilities. Indeed, India has kept mitigation in agriculture out of its NDCs (national plans to achieve Paris Agreement goals of limiting warming to 1.5 degree Celsius)," he said.
Opposing the efforts to extend the scope of mitigation to agriculture at COP27, India had Thursday said that rich nations do not want to reduce emissions by changing their lifestyles and are "searching for cheaper solutions abroad".
Agriculture accounts for around 17 percent of India's GDP and is the primary source of livelihood for about 58 per cent of its population.

Phool and Kheyti are among 15 worldwide projects in the running to receive a GBP 1 million award at the second annual Earthshot Prize awards ceremony next month.

Two Indian projects among finalists for Prince William’s Earthshot Prize

A floral waste project which converts flowers dispersed into the river Ganga into sustainable leather called Fleather and a greenhouse-in-a-box solution for small farmers are among this year’s finalists from India for Prince William’s Earthshot Prize, dubbed the Eco Oscars.

Phool and Kheyti are among 15 worldwide projects in the running to receive a GBP 1 million award at the second annual Earthshot Prize awards ceremony next month.

A floral waste project which converts flowers dispersed into the river Ganga into sustainable leather called Fleather and a greenhouse-in-a-box solution for small farmers are among this year&rsquo;s finalists from India for Prince William&rsquo;s Earthshot Prize, dubbed the Eco Oscars.
Phool and Kheyti are among 15 worldwide projects in the running to receive a GBP 1 million award at the second annual Earthshot Prize awards ceremony next month.
The 2022 shortlist, which covers groundbreaking solutions to the biggest environmental challenges, follows last year&rsquo;s winning project from Delhi &ndash; Vidyut Mohan led Takachar, which won the prize in the &ldquo;Clean our Air&rdquo; category for its cheap technology innovation to convert crop residues into sellable bio-products.
&ldquo;The innovators, leaders, and visionaries that make up our 2022 Earthshot finalists prove there are many reasons to be optimistic about the future of our planet,&rdquo; said Prince William on Thursday.
&ldquo;They are directing their time, energy, and talent towards bold solutions with the power to not only solve our planet&rsquo;s greatest environmental challenges, but to create healthier, more prosperous, and more sustainable communities for generations to come,&rdquo; he said.
Phool was born in Uttar Pradesh soon after the festival of Makar Sankranti in 2015 when Founder and CEO Ankit Agarwal saw local temples dumping used flowers into the water, their pesticide coating poisoning the Ganga river.
&ldquo;We began life with a simple idea: to clean up India&rsquo;s holiest river. In the process, we&rsquo;ve discovered a material growing on our factory floor that could one day replace animal leather for good. Sometimes ground-breaking ideas come from unlikely situations, and we want to thank the Earthshot Prize for recognising ours,&rdquo; said Agarwal.
Also Watch| <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/british-indian-author-wins-gordon-burn-prize-for-book-on-london-bridge-terror-work-1666145790660">British Indian author wins Gordon Burn Prize for book on London Bridge terror work</a>
At first, Phool collected the floral waste and turned it into incense sticks. As they did, a thick mat-like substance began to grow over the unused fibres lying on their factory floor. This mat, they realised, could be turned into a sustainable alternative to environmentally damaging animal and plastic leather &ndash; now called the new material Fleather.
The company today employs over 163 female &ldquo;flowercyclers&rdquo; from the Dalit community to collect waste flowers and in time, they hope to employ 5,000.
&ldquo;With agreements to supply to fashion giants, that ambition is justified. Seven years ago, Ankit Agarwal saw worshippers poisoning their holy river. Today, Fleather has turned the tide, cleaning the river and helping those who worship it too,&rdquo; the Earthshot Prize notes on Phool -- shortlisted in the &ldquo;Build a Waste-Free World&rdquo; category.
Kheyti Co-founder and CEO Kaushik Kappagantulu launched his Telangana startup to help some of India&rsquo;s nearly 100 million small-hold farmers among the poorest people on the planet and the most affected by climate change.
Kheyti's Greenhouse-in-a-Box offers shelter from unpredictable elements and destructive pests and the startup also trains and supports farmers to ensure their greenhouse is as effective as possible.
&ldquo;The world depends on its small-hold farmers and yet their lives are amongst the hardest on earth. Our Greenhouse-in-a-Box is empowering farmers in India today. The steps we have already taken at Kheyti are now building to change farmers&rsquo; lives at scale,&rdquo; said Kappagantulu, who has been shortlisted in the "Protect and Restore Nature" category.
Five winners from the 15 worldwide projects will be announced in Boston next month, each receiving GBP 1 million to develop their projects.

UK man grows world's most dangerous plant that results in suicidal tendencies

UK man grows world's most 'dangerous plant' that leads to suicidal tendencies

Daniel Emlyn Jones has grown Gympie-gympie at his home in a cage which has a danger sign implying to avoid any skin contact with the dangerous plant.

Daniel Emlyn Jones has grown Gympie-gympie at his home in a cage which has a danger sign implying to avoid any skin contact with the dangerous plant.

A UK-based man has grown world's most 'dangerous plant', which has stinging capacity so intense that it can lead to months of agony and even suicide.
Daniel Emlyn Jones has grown Gympie-gympie at his home in a cage which has a danger sign implying to avoid any skin contact with the dangerous plant.
UK daily The Independent reported that Jones grew the shurb that is also known as Australian stinging tree at home to promote as such plants are interesting specimens.
Gympie-gympie gives sensations of hot burns or electrocution when touched.
The side-effects of getting in contact with the plant can continue for weeks, or even months resulting in sneezing fits, allergies, and rashes.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/uk-unveils-sikh-soldier-s-statue-to-honour-services-during-ww1-1667296774427">UK unveils Sikh soldier's statue to honour services during WW1</a>

Watch: activists throw soup over Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' painting

Environmental protesters on Friday threw tomato soup over Vincent van Gogh's "Sunflowers" painting at the London's National Gallery, in the latest "direct-action" stunt targeting works of art.

Just Stop Oil aims to end UK government involvement in oil and gas and has mounted a series of high-profile protests.

Environmental protesters on Friday threw tomato soup over Vincent van Gogh's "Sunflowers" painting at the London's National Gallery, in the latest "direct-action" stunt targeting works of art.
The gallery said the protesters caused "minor damage to the frame but the painting is unharmed".
Just Stop Oil aims to end UK government involvement in oil and gas and has mounted a series of high-profile protests.
London's Metropolitan Police said its officers arrested two protesters from the group for criminal damage and aggravated trespass after they "threw a substance over a painting" at the gallery on Trafalgar Square and glued themselves to a wall just after 11 am (1000 GMT).
Police said they had unglued the protesters and taken them to a central London police station.
The National Gallery said the two protesters "appeared to glue themselves to the wall adjacent to Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers'" and threw a "red substance" at the painting. The room was cleared of visitors and police called, it added.
A video posted on Twitter by the Guardian newspaper's environment correspondent Damien Gayle and retweeted by the eco-activism group shows two women wearing T-shirts with the slogan "Just Stop Oil" lobbing cans of soup at the iconic painting.
After glueing themselves to the wall, one of the activists shouts: "What is worth more, art or life?"
"Are you more concerned about the protection of a painting or the protection of our planet and people?" she asks.
In the video, someone can be heard yelling "oh my God" as the soup hits the canvas, and another person shouts "Security?" while soup drips from the frame onto the floor.
Just Stop Oil said in a statement its activists threw two cans of Heinz Tomato soup over the painting to demand the UK government halt all new oil and gas projects.
It later tweeted that the protest's message was "Choose life over art".
"Human creativity and brilliance is on show in this gallery, yet our heritage is being destroyed by our Government's failure to act on the climate and cost of living crisis," the group said.
Also Watch| <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/video-climate-activists-glue-hands-to-sandro-botticelli-s-15th-century-masterpiece-1658654831562">Video: climate activists glue hands to Sandro Botticelli's 15th century masterpiece</a>
The activist group said the painting has an estimated value of $84.2 million.
The National Gallery on its website says the signed painting from 1888 was acquired by the gallery in 1924.
It is one of five versions of "Sunflowers" on public display in museums and galleries across the world. Van Gogh created seven in total.&nbsp;
The gallery called the works "among Van Gogh's most iconic and best-loved works".
The attack came a week after Britain's Home Secretary Suella Braverman issued a threat to direct-action protesters who she said were using "guerrilla tactics" to bring "chaos and misery" to the public.
"Whether you're Just Stop Oil, Insulate Britain or Extinction Rebellion, you cross a line when you break the law -- and that's why we'll keep putting you behind bars," she said.
Just Stop Oil has previously targeted several other famous paintings with glue attacks.
In June, two activists glued their hands to the frame of van Gogh's painting "Peach Trees in Blossom" at the Courtauld Gallery in London.
In July, supporters glued their hands to the frame of British painter John Constable's "The Hay Wain" at the National Gallery.
They first taped over the canvas with a "reimagined version" of the bucolic scene, showing the landscape covered in pollution, dotted with wildfires and overflown by aircraft.
In the same month, they glued themselves to a full-scale copy of Leonardo Da Vinci's "The Last Supper" at the Royal Academy in London.
In recent days, Just Stop Oil has held multiple protests blocking highways.
Met Police Commissioner Mark Rowley said of the protests that he was "frustrated so many officers are being taken away from tackling issues that matter most to communities."

Mass strandings of pilot whales are reasonably common in New Zealand, especially during the summer months.

477 whales die in New Zealand after being stranded

477 pilot whales have died after stranding themselves on two remote New Zealand beaches over recent days, officials say.

Mass strandings of pilot whales are reasonably common in New Zealand, especially during the summer months.

477 pilot whales have died after stranding themselves on two remote New Zealand beaches over recent days, officials say.
None of the stranded whales could be refloated and all either died naturally or were euthanised in a &ldquo;heartbreaking&rdquo; loss, said Daren Grover, the general manager of Project Jonah, a nonprofit group which helps rescue whales.
The whales beached themselves on the Chatham Islands, which are home to about 600 people and located about 800 kilometers east of New Zealand's main islands.
The Department of Conservation said 232 whales stranded themselves Friday at Tupuangi Beach and another 245 at Waihere Bay on Monday.
The deaths come two weeks after about 200 pilot whales died in Australia after stranding themselves on a remote Tasmanian beach.
&ldquo;These events are tough, challenging situations,&rdquo; the Department of Conservation wrote in a Facebook post.
&ldquo;Although they are natural occurrences, they are still sad and difficult for those helping.&rdquo; Grover said the remote location and presence of sharks in the surrounding waters meant they couldn't mobilise volunteers to try to refloat the whales as they have in past stranding events.
&ldquo;We do not actively refloat whales on the Chatham Islands due to the risk of shark attack to humans and the whales themselves, so euthanasia was the kindest option,&rdquo; said Dave Lundquist, a technical marine advisor for the conservation department.
Mass strandings of pilot whales are reasonably common in New Zealand, especially during the summer months.
Scientists don't know exactly what causes the whales to strand, although it appears their location systems can get confused by gently sloping sandy beaches.
Grover said there is a lot of food for the whales around the Chatham Islands, and as they swim closer to land, they would quickly find themselves going from very deep to shallow water.
&ldquo;They rely on their echolocation and yet it doesn't tell them that they are running out of water,&rdquo; Grover said.
&ldquo;They come closer and closer to shore and become disoriented. The tide can then drop from below them and before they know it, they're stranded on the beach.&rdquo; Because of the remote location of the beaches, the whale carcasses won't be buried or towed out to sea, as is often the case, but instead will be left to decompose, Grover said.
&ldquo;Nature is a great recycler and all the energy stored within the bodies of all the whales will be returned to nature quite quickly,&rdquo; he said.

A record amount of seaweed has invaded the Atlantic Ocean this year, smothering Caribbean shorelines from Puerto Rico to Barbados as tons of brown algae kill wildlife, choke the tourism industry and release toxic gasses.
More than 24 million tons of sargassum blanketed the Atlantic in June, up from 18.8 million tons in May, according to a monthly report published by the University of South Florida's Optical Oceanography Lab that noted "a new historical record."
July saw no decrease of algae in the Caribbean.
Scientists say more research is needed to determine why sargassum levels in the region are reaching record highs, but the United Nations' Caribbean Environment Program noted that possible factors include a rise in water temperatures as a result of climate change and nitrogen-laden fertilizers and sewage waste fuelling algae blooms.
In a phone interview, Lisa Krimsky, a researcher and faculty member with Florida Sea Grant and a water resources regional specialized agent at University of Florida told the Associated Press that 2022 has been the worst year on record.
She said large masses of seaweed have a severe environmental impact, with decaying algae altering water temperatures and the pH balance as well as leading to declines in seagrass, coral reef and sponge populations.
Barbados has been especially hard hit since flying fish make up 60% of the island's annual landed catch, according to the University of the West Indies.
Activists are also concerned about the plight of endangered turtles, with some dying entangled in the water or unable to lay their eggs given the mat of algae covering the sand.
The so-called "golden tide" also has hit humans hard.
Marlon Jones, a resident of Long Beach on the south coast of Barbados said that "the stench is unbearable, especially at night."
Meanwhile, the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden declared a federal emergency after the U.S. Virgin Islands warned last month of "unusually high amounts" of sargassum affecting water production at a desalination plant near St. Croix that is now struggling to meet demand amid a drought.
Experts first noted large amounts of sargassum in the Caribbean Sea in 2011 some scientists believe were created by stronger than normal winds and currents.
The problem has worsened as clumps near the Sargasso Sea in the north Atlantic Ocean multiplied across the region fueled by nutrients and strong sunlight.
As the carpet of brown algae spreads over the Caribbean islands, it is expected to have a great impact on the important tourism industry, which is still recovering after the two years of COVID pandemic.

Explained in 60 seconds: what is choking Caribbean shores

A record amount of seaweed has invaded the Atlantic Ocean this year, smothering Caribbean shorelines from Puerto Rico to Barbados as tons of brown algae kill wildlife, choke the tourism industry and release toxic gasses.

More than 24 million tons of sargassum blanketed the Atlantic in June, up from 18.8 million tons in May, according to a monthly report.&nbsp;

A record amount of seaweed has invaded the Atlantic Ocean this year, smothering Caribbean shorelines from Puerto Rico to Barbados as tons of brown algae kill wildlife, choke the tourism industry and release toxic gasses.
More than 24 million tons of sargassum blanketed the Atlantic in June, up from 18.8 million tons in May, according to a monthly report published by the University of South Florida's Optical Oceanography Lab that noted "a new historical record."
July saw no decrease of algae in the Caribbean.
Scientists say more research is needed to determine why sargassum levels in the region are reaching record highs, but the United Nations' Caribbean Environment Program noted that possible factors include a rise in water temperatures as a result of climate change and nitrogen-laden fertilizers and sewage waste fuelling algae blooms.
In a phone interview, Lisa Krimsky, a researcher and faculty member with Florida Sea Grant and a water resources regional specialized agent at University of Florida told the Associated Press that 2022 has been the worst year on record.
She said large masses of seaweed have a severe environmental impact, with decaying algae altering water temperatures and the pH balance as well as leading to declines in seagrass, coral reef and sponge populations.
Barbados has been especially hard hit since flying fish make up 60% of the island's annual landed catch, according to the University of the West Indies.
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Activists are also concerned about the plight of endangered turtles, with some dying entangled in the water or unable to lay their eggs given the mat of algae covering the sand.
The so-called "golden tide" also has hit humans hard.
Marlon Jones, a resident of Long Beach on the south coast of Barbados said that "the stench is unbearable, especially at night."
Meanwhile, the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden declared a federal emergency after the U.S. Virgin Islands warned last month of "unusually high amounts" of sargassum affecting water production at a desalination plant near St. Croix that is now struggling to meet demand amid a drought.
Experts first noted large amounts of sargassum in the Caribbean Sea in 2011 some scientists believe were created by stronger than normal winds and currents.
The problem has worsened as clumps near the Sargasso Sea in the north Atlantic Ocean multiplied across the region fueled by nutrients and strong sunlight.
As the carpet of brown algae spreads over the Caribbean islands, it is expected to have a great impact on the important tourism industry, which is still recovering after the two years of COVID pandemic.

In a mass die-off, thousands of dead fish are showing up along the Oder River that runs between Poland and Germany. 

Mystery shrouds death of thousands of fish in Oder River

Laboratory tests done on river samples in both countries have detected high levels of salinity but no mercury poisioning has been found so far.

In a mass die-off, thousands of dead fish are showing up along the Oder River that runs between Poland and Germany.&nbsp;
Laboratory tests done on river samples in both countries have detected high levels of salinity but no mercury poisioning has been found so far. Comprehensive toxicology studies are, however, still under way in Poland, reported Al Jazeera.&nbsp;
The German government has flagged an environmental catastrophe and advised people to avoid the river, reported BBC.
Meanwhile, authorities in both countries have been reportedly accused by environmental activists of failing to work together to resolve the issue.
On Friday, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki sacked a pair of environmental officials over their handling of the incident, reported BBC.
He also attributed the phenomenon to the dumping of huge amounts of chemical waste into the river causing&nbsp; 'environmental damage so severe it would take years for the waterway to recover.'
The Oder River runs from the Czech Republic to the border between Poland and Germany before flowing into the Baltic Sea.
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Squeezed for time the juice and milkshake market is literally grasping at straws as the beverage makers face a severe deadline to ban plastic straws by July 1. So essentially from the popular Frooty, Appy, Chaas to all juice boxes are not allowed to have a disposable plastic straw starting next month. 
Not equipped to make this shift due to lack of infrastructure and cost economics, the FMCG majors are now pleading with the government for a deadline for environment friendly push. And the demand is high and not easy to fulfill - Amul needs 10-12 lakh plastic straws daily.
The company along with Parle Agro, which owns popular brands such as Frooti and Appy, too has urged the government to extend the deadline to implement the ban on plastic straws by six months. 
"There is no infrastructure at present in India to be able to produce the quantum of straws required for the industry. We have started importing paper straws to ensure the new rules are met by its deadline. However, importing is not a sustainable option," Parle Agro CEO Schauna Chauhan said.
She further said, "The percentage increase in the cost for importing polylactic acid (PLA) and paper straws goes up by 259 per cent and 278 per cent respectively. The economics just does not match up for a Rs 10 product.
Leading dairy cooperative Amul has already written to the environment ministry earlier this month seeking postponement of the ban on plastic straws by one year due to lack of adequate availability of paper straws in the domestic as well as international markets.

Grasping at straws! Juice boxes face big problems, squeezed by deadline

Tetra pack beverage makers are set to face a big issue as the plastic straw is going to be banned effective July 1, 2022.

Grasping at straws! Juice boxes face big problems

Plastic straws banned from July 1, industry not ready for change.&nbsp;

Squeezed for a time the juice and milkshake market is literally grasping at straws as the beverage makers face a severe deadline to ban plastic straws by July 1. So essentially from the popular Frooty, Appy, Chaas to all juice boxes are not allowed to have a disposable plastic straw starting next month.&nbsp;
Not equipped to make this shift due to lack of infrastructure and cost economics, the FMCG majors are now pleading with the government for a deadline for environment friendly push.&nbsp; And the demand is high and not easy to fulfil - Amul needs 10-12 lakh plastic straws daily.
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The company along with Parle Agro, which owns popular brands such as Frooti and Appy, too has urged the government to extend the deadline to implement the ban on plastic straws by six months.&nbsp;
"There is no infrastructure at present in India to be able to produce the quantum of straws required for the industry. We have started importing paper straws to ensure the new rules are met by the deadline. However, importing is not a sustainable option," Parle Agro CEO Schauna Chauhan said.
She further said, "The percentage increase in the cost for importing polylactic acid (PLA) and paper straws goes up by 259 per cent and 278 per cent respectively. The economics just does not match up for a Rs 10 product.
Leading dairy cooperative Amul has already written to the environment ministry earlier this month seeking postponement of the ban on plastic straws by one year due to lack of adequate availability of paper straws in the domestic as well as international markets.

Heatwave is sweeping across Europe with temperatures rising the most since the start if the centry for some. From France, UK, Spain to Italy heat alerts and measures are being imposed to restrict 'exposure and impact.'Temperatures in France have mounted all week and passed 37 degrees prompting the Macron govt to now banning all outdoor events like concerts and public gatherings in parts of France. Deja vu of the deadly heat wave in 2003 that killed about 15,000 people is making the French government take drastic steps early such as shutting schools early as well. But France is not alone as it faces record breaking temperatures.  In the UK, temperatures are expected to reach 33C in southern England, while a level three heat-health alert has been issued for London. In Spain, which has just experienced its hottest May since the beginning of the century, temperatures are forecast to hit highs of 43 degress and forest fires are already starting to flare up. And across in Italy viral images of it's largest river, the Po,  'disappearing' is making the nation face serious drought conditions. Water is so low in large stretches  that locals can walk through the middle of the expanse of sand and wartime shipwrecks are resurfacing.

Heatwave across Europe: Rivers dry in Italy, France bans outdoor events

From France, UK, Spain to Italy heat alerts and measures are being imposed to restrict 'exposure and impact' as temperatures rise to record-setting levels 

Spain, Italy and the UK are also experiencing high temperatures.

Heatwave is sweeping across Europe with temperatures rising the most since the start if the centry for some. From France, UK, Spain to Italy heat alerts and measures are being imposed to restrict 'exposure and impact.' Temperatures in France have mounted all week and passed 37 degrees prompting the Macron govt to now banning all outdoor events like concerts and public gatherings in parts of France. Deja vu of the deadly heat wave in 2003 that killed about 15,000 people is making the French government take drastic steps early such as shutting schools early as well.&nbsp; But France is not alone as it faces record breaking temperatures.&nbsp; In the UK, temperatures are expected to reach 33C in southern England, while a level three heat-health alert has been issued for London. In Spain, which has just experienced its hottest May since the beginning of the century, temperatures are forecast to hit highs of 43 degress and forest fires are already starting to flare up.&nbsp; And across in Italy viral images of it's largest river, the Po, 'disappearing' is making the nation face serious drought conditions. Water is so low in large stretches that locals can walk through the middle of the expanse of sand and wartime shipwrecks are resurfacing.

World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5 each year. This year, the campaign focuses on ‘Living sustainably in harmony with nature’.

World Environment Day 2022: Follow the 3R’s to do your bit for the environment 

World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5 each year. This year, the campaign focuses on &lsquo;Living sustainably in harmony with nature&rsquo;.

World Environment Day is observed on June 5 every year. This day is celebrated to promote awareness about the urgent need to protect and conserve the environment. It also throws light on how various practices such as the use of plastic, illegal wildlife trade, pollution, global warming, etc are harmful for the environment.&nbsp;
The campaign slogan for this year is &lsquo;Only One Earth&rsquo; and it focuses on &lsquo;Living sustainably in harmony with nature&rsquo;. So, do your bit for the environment by following the 3R&rsquo;s- Recycle, Reduce and Reuse.
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Recycle&nbsp;
Instead of throwing away any unused items, recycle them as new products. This can include plastic, paper, glass, cardboard items, etc. This will help significantly in reducing the generation of waste.&nbsp;
Reduce&nbsp;
The making of new products involves a variety of materials and leads to waste generation and pollution. Turn off the lights when not in use and reduce the use of items that are made with non-biodegradable materials such as plastic.&nbsp;&nbsp;
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Reuse&nbsp;
Resist the urge to discard any product after using it. Reuse those items for the same purpose or utilise them in any other suitable way and be environmentally aware by doing your bit.&nbsp;

‘Only One Earth’ is a powerful anthem that is penned by Swanand Kirkire and is a joint effort of Bhamla Foundation and Hungama Digital Media Entertainment Pvt Ltd. 

World Environment Day 2022: ‘Only One Earth’ anthem recently unveiled to celebrate the occasion

&lsquo;Only One Earth&rsquo; is a powerful anthem that is penned by Swanand Kirkire and is a joint effort of Bhamla Foundation and Hungama Digital Media Entertainment Pvt Ltd.&nbsp;

World Environment Day is observed on June 5 each year. To celebrate this day,&nbsp;Bhamla Foundation, an organisation working to address health, environment and cleanliness issues, and Hungama Digital Media Entertainment Pvt Ltd, announced a new musical anthem titled &lsquo;Only One Earth&rsquo;.
This powerful anthem which was recently&nbsp;unveiled at a press conference is penned by Swanand Kirkire, sung by Shaan, B Praak, Salim Merchant, Darshan Raval, Shankar Mahadevan, Tulsi Kumar, Ananya Birla, Bhoomi Trivedi, and Akriti Kakkar.
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The anthem encourages a harmonious association with nature through sustainable lifestyle. The campaign is supported by the United Nations Environment Programme, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and dignitaries across politics, environment, and entertainment.&nbsp;Bharat Ratna awardee and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar is the brand ambassador of this campaign.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Speaking about the journey for environmental welfare so far, Asif Bhamla, President, Bhamla Foundation, said, 'Keeping sentiments stronger than ever to protect mother Nature, the foundation presents &lsquo;Only One Earth&rsquo; through a musical message with the potential to encourage the masses. The current global campaign highlights the importance of ecological conservation across national borders.'
Composer and singer Shaan said, 'It is the duty of every human being to protect the environment. It is indeed a great opportunity to create music that supports this great cause.
Having collaborated with Bhamla Foundation and Hungama on this cause previously, I am excited about the energy and resolve &lsquo;Only One Earth&rsquo; brings in with an amazing line-up of singers. I&rsquo;m confident that the song will touch countless hearts.'&nbsp;
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Lyricist Swanand Kirkire said, 'One can&rsquo;t emphasise the need to think for our environment and act on it, thanks to global warming. Time and again, I have been fortunate to share my concerns for the world through songs I&rsquo;ve written for the foundation. &lsquo;Only One Earth&rsquo; binds countless people to the united resolve of saving our planet.'

With 3 educational degrees, Aaliya Mir was already an overachiever, but she wanted something more from life. So, she obtained a diploma, and became a wildlife conservationist - saving animals, and breaking glass ceilings at the same time.
Aaliya is from Srinagar, and is a graduate in Science and Education, and post-graduate in Mathematics. But her calling lay elsewhere. She also has a diploma in Disaster Management with specific emphasis on animal health, and has been working with Wildlife SOS since 2002.
She met Wildlife SOS' founders in Delhi, and inspired by the case of a black bear being killed in a village, joined the cause. She started as a volunteer and then began undertaking diverse projects in Jammu and Kashmir.
She heads WSOS' conservation programme in the Union Territory, which is home to diverse, including the Hangul stag. Aaliya, an expert at handling human-reptile conflicts, is specially fascinated by snakes, calling them victims of ignorance.
Apart from her work rescuing wild animals, Aaliya also works as an educationist, spreading awareness through workshops.
Aaliya's husband, a wildlife veterinarian, fully supports her in her cause.

Fascinated by snakes, inspired by bear's murder: meet Aaliya Mir, Kashmiri wildlife conservationist

With 3 educational degrees, Aaliya Mir was already an overachiever, but she wanted something more from life. So, she obtained a diploma, and became a wildlife conservationist.

With 3 educational degrees, Aaliya Mir was already an overachiever, but she wanted something more from life. So, she obtained a diploma, and became a wildlife conservationist - saving animals, and breaking glass ceilings at the same time.
Aaliya is from Srinagar, and is a graduate in Science and Education, and post-graduate in Mathematics. But her calling lay elsewhere. She also has a diploma in Disaster Management with specific emphasis on animal health, and has been working with Wildlife SOS since 2002.
She met Wildlife SOS' founders in Delhi, and inspired by the case of a black bear being killed in a village, joined the cause. She started as a volunteer and then began undertaking diverse projects in Jammu and Kashmir.
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She heads WSOS' conservation programme in the Union Territory, which is home to diverse, including the Hangul stag. Aaliya, an expert at handling human-reptile conflicts, is specially fascinated by snakes, calling them victims of ignorance.
Apart from her work rescuing wild animals, Aaliya also works as an educationist, spreading awareness through workshops.
Aaliya's husband, a wildlife veterinarian, fully supports her in her cause.

World Earth Day is observed annually on April 22nd to acknowledge climate change and spread awareness about the same. 

World Earth Day 2022: 'Invest in our planet'

World Earth Day&nbsp;is observed annually on April 22&nbsp;
Protect the&nbsp;mother earth&nbsp;for future generations
World Earth Day&nbsp;was first observed in 1970
People&nbsp;plant trees, clean roads &amp; beaches
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

World Earth Day is observed annually on April 22nd to acknowledge climate change and spread awareness about the same all.

World Earth Day is observed on April 22nd every year to acknowledge climate change and environmental issues like biodiversity loss, increasing pollution and deforestation, among others.
The&nbsp;theme for Earth Day 2022 is 'Invest in our planet'. It is a reminder for mankind to protect the mother earth and its species and make Earth a better place for future generations.&nbsp;
World Earth Day marks the anniversary of the Modern Environmental Movement, which started in 1970. People observe this day by planting trees, cleaning roads, beaches and conducting various programs to adopt ways for sustainable living.
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Since the eruption started on September 19, authorities have declared more than 20,000 acres (8,200 hectares) between the Cumbre Vieja volcano and the Atlantic Ocean off

La Palma volcano buries homes, fields in ash 

La Palma volcano has engulfed thousands of acres lush land and over 7000 people have been evacuated so far. Here's a ground report.

In Spain, La Palma&nbsp;volcano has engulfed thousands of acres&nbsp;lush land since its eruption in September. Since the eruption started authorities have declared more than 20,000 acres between the Cumbre Vieja volcano and the Atlantic Ocean off-limits.&nbsp;Only police, soldiers and scientists are allowed to move freely in the exclusion zone.&nbsp; The quick relocation of more than 7,000 people has prevented the loss of human life.&nbsp;&nbsp; Now, evacuated residents line up in cars and trucks on the zone's edge, awaiting permission to make escorted trips home to rescue their dearest possessions, or at least see their endangered properties.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Inside the exclusion zone, there is destruction by lava as well as burial in a sepulcher of black snow. The ash is jettisoned thousands of meters into the sky, but the heaviest, thickest particles eventually give way to gravity. They accumulate into banks that slowly cover doors, pour into windows, make rooftops sag.

La Palma&nbsp;volcano engulfed thousands of acres&nbsp;lush land previously approximated an earthly paradise for both residents and visitors.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Since the eruption started on September 19, authorities have declared more than 20,000 acres (8,200 hectares) between the Cumbre Vieja volcano and the Atlantic Ocean off-limits. Only police, soldiers and scientists are allowed to move freely in the exclusion zone, which cuts La Palma&rsquo;s western shore in two.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The lush land previously approximated an earthly paradise for both residents and visitors. Spaniards and other Europeans spent vacations or retired there to be near the sea, while locals harvested banana trees in the semitropical warmth of Spain&rsquo;s Canary Islands.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Now, evacuated residents line up in cars and trucks on the zone's edge, awaiting permission to make escorted trips home to rescue their dearest possessions, or at least see their endangered properties.&nbsp;
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Human time and geological time were brought into sync by the volcano. What once seemed a given - the land beneath people's feet - becomes as fluid and unpredictable as the lives the eruption threw into tumult. The creep of the lava, the buildup of ash, are matched by the growing anguish of the men and women whose way of life is being erased.&nbsp; A child&rsquo;s swing. A fountain in a courtyard. A tray of glasses abandoned under the duress of escape. All will disappear as a blizzard of dark ash blows from a volcano on La&nbsp;Palma island&nbsp;and drifts to the ground inch by inch, foot by foot.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Inside the exclusion zone, there is destruction by lava as well as burial in a sepulcher of black snow. A living room furnished with a hammock sits empty in the final hours before an implacable tongue of molten rock crushes an entire house.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Whether the end comes from lava or from ash, homes and fields located below the Cumbre Vieja volcano face annihilation in slow motion.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Silence would reign in the exclusion zone if it weren&rsquo;t for what residents have named &ldquo;the beast.&rdquo; The volcano&rsquo;s constant roar makes conversation almost impossible, nearly drowns out both the barking of abandoned dogs and the murmur of a flock of pigeons circling the sky in search of a coop that no longer exists.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The ash is jettisoned thousands of meters into the sky, but the heaviest, thickest particles eventually give way to gravity. They accumulate into banks that slowly cover doors, pour into windows, make rooftops sag. Some particles are so big that when they pummel a car roof or the fronds of a banana tree, it sounds like hail.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Entire houses, right up the chimney, whole forests, right up to the canopy, the ash erases the distinguishing features of the landscape.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The quick relocation of more than 7,000 people has prevented the loss of human life. At cemeteries, though, the occupants go through a second burial by ash, a burial that will wipe away the markers that note the place where they were put to rest.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Yet amid the apocalypse, there are moments for the sublime to emerge. The colors that remain gain in their brilliance against the new ebony backdrop.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A small shrub, shaken clean, becomes a luminous green globe, a sponge pulled from a coral reef, an orb from an alien world.&nbsp;

environment

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