We cannot adapt to climate change without changing how we use land. Land acquisition so far has been based solely on enriching a few pockets. That results in over-exploitation of natural resources, and many people, especially marginalized communities and indigenous people, get victimized in the process.
As climate change begins to impact the availability of natural resources and the viability of land, conflicts may arise. Strong institutions and robust policies are needed to reduce the risk of conflicts.
We need land for conservation, relocating people, shelters, and other purposes. We must also learn how to share the land more harmoniously with nature and other people.
Username: Nachima Published on 2024-12-13 05:55:09 ID NUMBER: 126837
This quick-growing tree is often used for hedges or privacy screens and looks incredible in backyards. Leyland cypress (Cupressus × leylandii) typically has attractive blue-green foliage, but some cultivars are more yellow in color, says Abdi. It's susceptible to a wide range of pests, so it may be higher maintenance than other fast-growing evergreens.
Zone: 6 to 10
Mature size: 60 to 70 feet tall x 10 to 15 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; tolerates a range of soil conditions
Situated in the heart of the town and covering an area of about half a square mile this palace is a two-storied mansion having a mixed architecture with three domes, the central one being 86 feet high. The construction of this beautiful, well-balanced royal palace was undertaken in 1899 and completed in 1901 at a cost of a little over Rs 10 lakhs. The two large tanks on two sides with the approach road in between them and the well-laid out gardens around the palace with water courses and fountains patterned on the Mughal gardens have added beauty to it. The main block of the palace covers about 80 acres and contains halls like the Throne Room, the Durbar Hall, Library, Study, the Reception Hall, etc. which were furnished with objects of art, curios, chandeliers, etc. A few old manuscripts, books, artistic hand I crafts, musical instruments and some old armouries like (lie historical sword presented to Govinda Manikya by Sultan Suja were some of the many collections that were once on display in different rooms of the palace. A few more blocks, viz., Swet Mahal used as the guest-house, the Banquet Hall, Lal Mahal etc. were subsequently constructed. The palace has been acquired by the state government and now houses the Legislative Assembly, besides a few government offices. This is going to be made states national museum as per the agreement by ATTF, when Assembly hall would be shifted to new Assembly hall being constructed at new capital complex in Khejur bagan.
The Fort City, Vellore is at the banks of Palar river. the iconic Vellore Fort was built in the 16th century by the Vijaynagar kings. Tipu Sultan’s family was housed here during the British rule. Apart from the fort, there are many places to visit in Vellore.
Days needed to visit: 2 days.
Tourist Spots
Vellore Fort
Srilakshmi Golden Temple
Jalakandeswarar Temple
Vainu Bappu Observatory Yelagiri Delhi Gate (Vellore)
Formerly named as Madras, the capital city of Tamil Nnadu, Chennai is the most visited tourist place in Tamil Nadu. It is the frontline of cultural, economical, social, commercial and industrial development in South India.
Days needed to visit chennai: 2-3 days.
Tourist Spots:
Marina Beach
The Huddleston Gardens Of Theosophical Society
Semmozhi Poonga
Arignar Anna Zoological Park
Kapaleeswarar Temple
Pulicat Lake
Connemara Public Library
Breezy Beach National Art Gallery
Little Mount Shrine
Kanyakumari is the utmost point downwards from where one can get by land along the Indian coast; it is situated at the South tip of mainland India where Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean join together creating breathtaking vistas. Get amazed by the sunrise/sunset from Vivekananda Rock Memorial or Thiruvalluvar Statue this experience will remain in your memory forever! Additionally, there are some historical attractions like Padmanabhapuram Palace or an ancient temple dedicated to Devi Kanya Kumari.
New Zealand's giant flightless bird
New Zealand’s largest birds probably became extinct within one hundred years of humans first arriving in New Zealand, around 1300 A.D.. However, there were unsubstantiated sightings of moa by whalers and sealers into the 18th and even 19th centuries. Moa were a family of eleven species of flightless birds that were only found within New Zealand. The largest species grew up to 3.7 m (12 ft) tall and weight up to 230 kg (510 lb) – no wonder they were hunted by Maori! They were the only wingless birds known to have existed – even their cousin the flightless kiwi still has little vestigial wings hidden under its feathers. Prior to their extinction, they were the dominant plant-eater in New Zealand’s forests and only had one predator, Haast’s Eagle; the largest eagle ever known to exist and also the victim of extinction following the demise of the moa to hunting by Maori.
Photo by Sciencemag.org
Kiwi were long regarded as the closest relative to the moa, but recent studies suggest that either the Australia emu and cassowary or tinamous birds from South America are likely the closest cousins. Female moa grew considerably larger than their mates and weighed almost three times as much, in some cases. Although most images of reconstructed moa skeletons or artists’ impressions of the birds show them standing upright, it is likely that they actually moved along with their head out in front, just like a kiwi does. Despite almost always being portrayed as giants, some species of Moa were actually significantly smaller, much shorter than the height of a person, and some possibly as small as chickens!
Of course, completely lacking wings the question has been asked “how did the moa get to the islands of New Zealand”. It’s thought most likely that moa were already roaming New Zealand prior to it breaking away from the super-continent of Gondwana about 80 million year ago.
Many moa bones, eggs (including over 30 whole eggs), feathers, dehydrated skin and nesting materials have been found from a number of caves and other locations around New Zealand, in particular from the dry Central Otago region.
Elephant expert claimed that “genetic memory” of elephants lasts for five generations and that explains the sudden appearance of the giant mammals in areas where they have never been seen before.
Understanding the elephant and taking measures will make it easier to find a solution to the elephant-man conflict. “Elephants tell us what cannot be easily said,” said Anand Shinde of Trunk Call the Wildlife Foundation while speaking at an event organised at Madkholkar College in Chandgad, Kolhapur (Maharashtra) on the occasion of World Earth Day being celebrated on 22nd April. He shared his experiences about pacifying an elephant named Gajraj, who had killed three people in the sanctuary at Tadoba, as well as his other experiences.
He explained the nature, behaviour, mental state of the elephant is very similar to that of a human being and elephants easily express feelings of love, anger, laughter, mockery, etc. “If we want to preserve this very intelligent animal that has very sharp senses which can recognize odors up to seven kilometers away and communicate with each other for up to seven kilometers through sound waves that the human ear cannot hear, it will take at least five years for the efforts we start today to succeed.”
Shinde further said that we should remember that we will be safe in our homes only when the elephant is safe in its home and that the genetic memory of elephants lasts for five generations. That’s why in some areas where there was never an elephant in the past, elephants suddenly appear and we are surprised. In such a situation, it is likely that earlier generations of elephants lived there, and the present generations of elephants are traversing that area using the genetic memory of geography of that area, but we are unaware of that.
Trunk Call the Wildlife Foundation is implementing an elephant conservation programme in 70 villages, including 50 villages provided by the Maharashtra Forest Department and another 20 villages that have joined it on their own. Apart from elephant conservation, the biggest part of the programme is to educate people about elephants and bisons. For the past 20 years, the main part of the programme has been to give elephants an elephant’s corridor, restore their food chain that has ended, and secure their habitat, rather than bursting crackers, planting bio fences and blocking the elephant’s path through trenches. The organization and the forest department will continue to strive for the next few years to help reduce the conflict between elephants and humans.
Kerala, God’s own country is known for greenery and scenic beauty making it one of the top destination spots in the world. Kerala is derived from the word “Kera” meaning Coconut and “Alam “ meaning land. Thus Kerala is known as the Land of Coconut trees. Kerala is the leading producer of coconut and it contributes 45% of India’s coconut.
Popularly known as “Kalpa Vriksham” each part of coconut trees have many uses. The leaves are used to make sheds, baskets and crafts etc. The husk used to make coir which is one of the leading industry of Kerala. The shell of the coconut is used for crafts, to make ladles and spoons. Coconut oil is one of the most used cooking oil in Kerala. Of course, coconut is the main ingredient of every Kerala dish. Thus every part of the tree is used in a way or another. Here we are listing the main industry related to coconut.
In our series of letters from African writers, Nigerian journalist and novelist Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani writes about the throne reserved for the Queen of England in the West African state.
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