Penelope Gan | Photo Blog just some cl!cks by me …
Posts Tagged ‘Environment & Ecology’
Tsunami Photo Museum – a visual memory
After 7 years since the Tsunami devastated the coast of Sri Lanka taking over 50,000 lives with thousands more injured, displaced and left to reconcile with their memories and nurse their scars, businesses, infrastructure and lives have been rebuilt. However, the signs of destruction that had taken the nation by surprise are still there … none more prominently showcase than the Tsunami Museum in Telwatta, Sri Lanka.
Stilt Fishermen – Tsunami Survivors
Situated 144km from Colombo, Weligama is famed for its stilt fishermen and the islet of Taprobane which houses the dream house of the Frencg Count de Mauny. A poverty stricken belt of the Southern coastal line of Sri Lanka, 15% of Weligama was destroyed during the December 2004 Tsunami. Jaya and his father are the only survival of their family continues with life and tradition as a fisherman and coconut plantation owner in this idyllic town.
Dambulla Cave Temple
The largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, the Dambulla Cave Temple was built by King Valagamba upon his return to the throne in Anuradapura kingdom as a gratitude to the monks of Dambulla who protected him from enemies during his 14 years in exile at the caves. With a total of 160 statues and murals covering an area of 2,100 m² the Dambulla Cave Temple has a rich history that dates back to the 7th century BC.
Oranges – from the Haouz Plains to Marrakech
Being a major orange producing region, the Haouz Plains that surrounds Marrakech provides the city with abundance oranges that are characteristics of orange juice carts in Djamaa el Fna. Being a predominantly Muslim nation, the Moroccans have created a variety of some of the freshest natural fruit juices and shakes that are nutritious, refreshing and affordable.
A Sustainable Future for Argan Oil and Widows
Known for their medicinal, nutritional and cosmetic properties, argan pits have been processed long before the Phoenicians arrived and continues to be in demand today. Processed by widows, divorcees and unmarried single mothers in the Little Atlas Region of Morocco the formation of women cooperatives that works within a biosphere protected in UNESCO, has given a renewed lease of life for both the women and Argan trees.
Reflections: Yamuna River
Despite it’s “clear blue” coloration, the Yamuna is one of the most polluted rivers in the world, especially around New Delhi, which dumps about 58% of its waste into the river. With nearly 57 million people dependent on the Yamuna waters which accounts for 70% of Delhi’s water supply, the government has spend nearly $500 million on clean up efforts and over Rs 1,700 crore to control pollution since the 1990s with little success.
The ‘Gathering’ of Sri Lankan Elephants
The ‘Gathering’ is a stunning natural phenomenon of wild Sri Lankan elephants ‘coming together’ as a coalescing herd from Wasgomuwa Park to as far off as Kantale on the receding shores of the Minneriya Tank during the dry season to feed towards its need of about 100 litters of water per day per adult elephant.
Domesticated Dromedary
The one hump camel – dromedary – have been domesticated from as far back as 4000 BC for its versatile usage that range from transportation, milk, dung, hair, skin and even meat by conquerors and nomadic pastroralists. Today, they are widely used in the tourism industry despite its ill-tempered temperament.
Great One Horned Rhinoceros
At a rate where more than 90 percent of the world’s rhinoceros have decimated over the past 40 years due to illegal rhino horn trade, and the stakes stacked up against them, will the Great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros be a unicorn for future generations?
Dar Debbagh – Tannery Gate
The primitive tanning processes applied by the tanneries in Dar Debbagh uses a lot of water and generates large quantity of effluent that is detrimental to the waterways. However, steeped with legend, century old customs and a flourishing flow of tourism dollars, the practice that dates back to antiquity is unlikely to stop.
Lives as Brahmaputra Dies
Scientist predicts that the Brahmaputra and other Himalayan rivers flowing through Northeast India will stop flowing within the next 5 decades if the soaring global warming temperature is not arrested. This will cut off one-sixth of humanity’s water source; affecting over 400 million people’s lives in China, India and Bangladesh.
Miracle Healer or Merciless Killer
Endangered species from Africa’s forests are laid out for local buyers seeking sex boosters, spiritual and physical cures and exotic food while skins of jungle cats and reptiles are to Western buyers in UNESCO enlisted Djemaa el Fna. Can a membership with CITES curb illegal wildlife trade in Morocco? Or will culture, spiritual practices of the medicine man prevail?
Survival : Men vs. Cow
Urban poverty is a massive and growing issue, but it is often poorly understood, underestimated and unrecognised. Being the most populous city in Uttar Pradesh, Agra – the home of the grandiose Taj Mahal -has most of its 1.69 million people living under the poverty line and ‘homeless’. As resettlement projects takes place in Mumbai and Delhi, will Agra benefit from its experience?
Raising Darchor
Projecting serenity by day and a ghostly effect under a moonlite night, the Darchor is a vertical Tibetan prayer flag raised annually during the Tuosui’ ceremony to spread good will and compassion to all. As such, they are often found high above ground levels such as rooftops and mountain passes to ensure the unobstructed wind passes over their surfaces thereby purifying the air with mantras.
Jama Masjid + Feathered Friends
Whilst the pigeons in Jama Masjid are free, a stark reality occurs just hundreds of meters away at the Jama Masjid bird market and across the road behind the Red Fort at INA Market; feathered species of all kinds are cooped up waiting for an exchange of swabs of rupees for their lives and freedom. Although the Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972 exist, enforcement is lacking.
The Homeless, Rural India and COP15
While buzz is on the leaked draft, disarray climate talks that threatens international unity and speculations on India and China’s move at COP 15, there is a stark difference on the ground: playing catch-up, re-thinking energy development strategy and focusing on key drivers for transition right through the grass root levels.