| About CAF |
| |
|
|
 |
|
| About us > Cause of the Quarter |
 |
 |
|
| Wildlife and Environment Conservation |
|
The steady growth and emergence of human beings as the most dominant species among all other species of animals has posed a threat to the wildlife and the ecosystem is the constantly growing deforestation, poaching and negligence towards wildlife and environment.
Globally, uncontrolled growth of population, urbanization and industrialization, expansion and massive intensification of agriculture has resulted in not just the destruction of forests but a major upheaval in the ecosystem.
It is estimated that the country’s population will increase to about 1.26 billion by the year 2016. The projected population indicates that India will be the first most populous country in the world and China will be ranking second in the year 2050
Environment
Population growth and economic development are contributing to many serious environmental calamities in India. These include heavy pressure on land, land degradation, forests, habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity. Changing consumption patterns have led to rising demand for energy. The final outcomes of this are air pollution, global warming, climate change, water scarcity and water pollution.
Major environmental issues are:
- Forest and Agricultural land degradation
- Resource depletion (water, mineral, forest, sand, rocks etc.,)
- Environmental degradation
- Public Health
- Loss of Biodiversity
- Loss of resilience in ecosystems
- Livelihood Security for the Poor.
India having 18% of the world's population on 2.4% of world's total area has greatly increased the pressure on its natural resources. Water shortages, soil exhaustion and erosion, deforestation, air and water pollution afflicts many areas.
For Legislation on Environment Conservation in India
Click :http://envfor.nic.in/legis/legis.html
Wildlife Conservation
The forest cover in India occupies a total area of about 3.29 million sq. km. that contains floral and faunal species, mammals, reptiles, insects and birds. There are 571 sanctuaries and reserve parks that are protected by the Indian Government, mainly meant for the protection of the extinct species of animals and birds. Predators, Carnivores and Herbivores, - all are equally important to maintain the vital ecological processes as nutrient and water cycling.
Recent extinctions
The exploitation of land and forest resources by humans along with hunting and trapping for food and sport has led to the extinction of many species in India in recent times.
These species include
- Indian/ Asiatic Cheetah
- Javan Rhinoceros
- Sumatran Rhinoceros.
- Pink-headed Duck
- Himalayan Quail
For Critically Endangered Species:
Click : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_endangered_species_in_India
Important Wildlife Conservation Sites in India
- Bandhavgarh National Park
This is where the white Tigers of Rewa were discovered .It has some of the few surviving preserved wild pockets of Madhya Pradesh of what were once splendid forests that extended across the whole of Central India.
- Corbett National Park, U.P.
Corbett is India's first national park spread along the banks of the Ramganga River, in the foothills of the Himalayas.
- Gir National Park & Sanctuary, Gujarat
The sole surviving natural habitat of the Asiatic Lions. Popularly known as Sasangir, this national park has some of the most diverse wild attractions and natural surroundings.
- Kaziranga National Park
The land of Rhino is counted among the two major wild pockets, the only surviving habitats of this prehistoric survivor in India.
- Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary
Probably the most visited park in India, Sariska was also a hunting reserve previously just like other national parks in India. The reserve was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1958 and came under the "Project Tiger" as a tiger reserve in 1979.
- Sundarbans National Park
Known as the largest estuarine delta in the world, this tiger land vibrates with countless forms of colourful life.
- Velvadhar Blackbuck Sanctuary, Gujarat
- Wild Ass Sanctuary, Gujarat
- Dachigam National Park, J&K
- Manas Tiger Reserve, Assam
- Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala
- Kanha National Park
The steps taken by the Government for the protection of wildlife and to prevent the killing of wild animals, inter alia, include the following:
- Threatened species of wildlife are included in the Schedules of the Wildlife (Protection), Act, 1972, thereby according them the highest degree of protection.
- The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 has been amended from time to time and made more stringent against wildlife related offences.
- A network of Protected Areas has been established to conserve wildlife and their habitats including rare animals.
- Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been set up to check illegal trade in wildlife and its products.
- The State/ UT Governments have been requested to strengthen the field formations and intensify patrolling in and around wildlife rich areas.
- Financial and technical assistance is extended to the State/UT Governments under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes, viz, ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats’, ‘Project Tiger’ and ‘Project Elephant’ for providing better protection and conservation of wildlife.
- Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme – ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats’, a new component has been added for initiating ‘Recovery Programme for critically endangered species and their habitats” during the 11th five year plan period.
External Links
Legislation from Government of India, Ministry of Environment & Forests
|
|
| Empowering Persons with Disability by encouraging Education and promoting Livelihood |
|
Disability is often regarded as both a reason and a result of poverty. About 80% of the world's population of people with disabilities lives in low-income countries and experience social and economic disadvantages.
Relatively limited access to education and information adds to the prevalent social stigma and increases the scope of marginalization.
According to the statistics collated by the Registrar-General of India, based on the 2001 census, nearly 2.13% of the country's population i.e. 21.9 million people in the country are disabled. According to very conservative estimates, 6 per cent of India's population has one disability or the other. This means that there are over 6 crore people in India with disabilities.[1]
Poverty limits contact to well-being and rehabilitation services. Developmental initiatives, especially in a country like ours ignore the need of people with disabilities. The UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities emphasizes the importance of mainstreaming disability issues for sustainable development. Attention to health and its social determinants are essential to promote and protect the health of people with disabilities and for greater fulfillment of human rights.
A country's growth is largely reflected in the development of its marginalized segments and for India, a segment of society as large as our disabled population cannot be excluded from the social and economic mainstream.
CAF has been working for the last ten years on the cause of disability in India. We work closely with NGOs working within the space by providing for services, training, care, rehabilitation, equal opportunities and equal rights for physically and mentally disabled people |
|
| Back |
|
|
