SPITTING – An Environmental Abuse

1. Spitting like smoking is a nuisance, pollutant and an enormous health hazard.

2. Spitting dirties our roads, corridors, staircases and corners of pubic places.

3. It’s a revolting sight, not only the action but the noise generate by some while spitting  can make the onlooker nauseated.

4. Spit carries the germs of deadly communicable diseases.

5. The most common cause of death in India is still Tuberculosis.  By spitting everywhere we spread the diseases exponentially.  However clean and hygiene conscious we may be, we tend to carry the germs home to our children with our footwear and clothes.

6. Tuberculosis bacteria is fast becoming resistant to  drugs  and TB infection is fatal in large number of cases.

7. A huge sum of health budget is spent on cure of tuberculosis and other communicable diseases.        

8. A simple approach of self discipline could go a long way in containing the disease and saving millions of rupees.

So, let us take a pledge-

We will

1.      NEVER spit in public places.

2.      Educate our children about the wrongs of spitting.

3.      Have the courage to stop others from spitting.

4.      Encourage the installation of spit bins at regular intervals.

Printed by Inner Wheel Club of Gangtok in public interests.

(Inner wheel is the 2^nd largest Women Organization in the world with more than one lakh members spread over 96 countries.  Inner wheel club of Gantok meets at Hotel Norkhill on ever 1^st and 3^rd Friday at 5.30 pm.

Source: 5^th June 2004 

Gushiani set to be eco paradise

          The streams in the valley, which the private sector companies had been eyeing to set up their micro and mini hydel power proejcts have got a rude shock, following the government's decision not to consider any of the application Sources said applications had been received to set up power projects at Palchan, Tirthan - I and Tirthan - II, Pradhi, Banogi and Bather --but there was resentment from people, as it was felt that natural environs would be damaged. They wrote to the government stating that the region is perhaps the only area left in the state, where rainbow and spotted trout still abound naturally and that as the projects are coming up on streams and not rivers, the ecology of the area could be devastated.

Sources said the Valley is close to the Great Himalayan Park where wildlife abounds and the animals move freely. The construction of various projects would mean the movement of heavy vehicles, dynamiting of mountain to make roads and destruction of forest in search of wood and perhaps meat which would have disturbed the wildlife. This threat perception explains why the government has decided to promote tourism rather than letting power projects ruin the ecology.

TIMES NEWS NETWORK, FRIDAY JUNE 04,2004

Nalsarovar to be new eco-tourism site

         Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited (TCGL) is planning a Rs 221.5 crore eco-tourism project around the 15 km periphery of the wetland. The corporation would go an extra mile to sign MoUs with Uttar Pradesh, Goa and Maharashtra tourism boards to increase domestic tourist inflow into the state. The project outlay involves an ecozone, a nature park, golf course, eco-resort, education park and transportation facility for tourists from Ahmedabad. The tourism corporation plans to hand each of these projects to private developers. They would be responsible to devise an integrated plan for the project which involves a development plan, management and marketing of individual projects. The eco-zone will be spread over an area of 600 acres and would provide ample space for the 210 species of migratory birds that visit the lake during winter months, generally between late October and early February. The birds that normally visit the lake include jacanas, moorhens, coots, grebe, ducks, flamingos, pelicans, geese, cranes, storks, ibises, spoonbill, wading birds, swallows, fishing eagles, osprey and harriers to name a few. "We have also proposed a nocturnal animal zone, with night safaris for tourists. An 18-hole golf course for corporate guests, NRIs and foreign tourists is also being planned for the eco-activity zone. Not only this, an exclusive eco-resort with food courts, along with five star luxury facilities, almost 15 km from the lake, to accommodate NRIs and foreign tourists will also be set up after roping in private developers. Even the 250-odd boats would be upgraded with noiseless propeller system so that any activity on the lake does not disturb birds, " says a senior official of the TCGL. An education, interpretation and research institution on ecology would be provided on the project area. This centre would be built and managed with the help of academic institution, NGOs and government agencies. The entertainment zone, on the other hand, would provide eco-friendly recreational avenues like boating, angling and camping on the fringes.The zone, which would be located away from the eco-zone, will have a 'tourist village' with accommodation and entertainment facilities. The project estimates Rs 30 crore for the development of the eco-zone, Rs 25 crore for the nature park, Rs 50 crore each for the golf course and the eco resort. Boating facilities having a communication system will account for Rs 25 crore. A wildlife research centre and an educational park for children have been allocated an estimated Rs 3.5 crore. The entertainment zone, which involves a number of investment opportunities, involves a total allocation of Rs 31.5 crore. The TCGL estimates a five time increase in tourist inflow once the eco-zone is developed. At present, Nalsarovar has almost one lakh visitors who specially come to see the winter birds. A majority of them, according to one tourism department official, are students. "We estimate 3,000 to 5,000 tourists a day once the eco-zone and the entertainment zone comes up in the area," says another tourism department official. "We would sign MoUs with tourism boards of Maharashtra , Goa and UP to attract more tourists from these states. We would have special transportation facilities for them. Being 60 km from Ahmedabad, Nalsarovar is the best available option for any adventure lover who lands in the city," says TCGL managing director Rajiv Gupta.