Distance Education Course in Environment Management at IISc, Bengaluru.

Link
http://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in

Introduction
For last 2-3 years I had been looking for a short term course to learn about 'environment related concepts'. I looked at local organisations- BNHS, IIT-B, NMIMS, Mumbai University, Pune University and a few NGOs in Mumbai and Pune- none offered anything. (Bachelors, Masters and Phd are available). I wanted a course that was short, not too demanding (because I already have a packed schedule) yet thorough and intellectually engaging. I also needed someone credible to teach/ be in- charge of this course. 'Environment Management'- Distance Education Programme by Dr T V Ramachandra of Indian Institute of Science, fit the bill.

Costs
The course is headquartered in Bangalore- so I had to travel for the contact programme and could not expect to avail freely of reference material from library/ regular interpersonal contact with faculty.  Thus even if the course fee was an extremely cheap Rs 15000/- , eventually the expenses came to 3 times of that. But still, it was worth every paisa and more.

Faculty
Dr TV Ramachandra (DRTVR) is the course coordinator and in charge. Dr T V R is an accomplished environmentalist. Other than having excellent academic credentials, he has several publications in prestigious journals and is a successful environment activist, too. Dr Harish Bhat's lectures are very engaging and informative. Dr TVR invites guest faculty and student lectures, which are also veryhigh quality.

Course Format
Sir is a very good teacher- a visionary one- the way he has thought out and implemented this course is quite amazing- there is  good reference material, reading list, interesting lectures- plus a wonderful mix of students from different backgrounds. Every student even gets a chance to polish skills of reading, writing, asking questions, summarising, giving opinion, presenting, chairing sessions, group discussion, leading and following. All in all- very ideal for all- round development of every individual student- in addition to giving knowledge about environment.

The assesments are thus all- round. There is constant evaluation by watchful faculty, plus assignments, projects and 2 exams.

Facilities
The IISc campus and fieled- trip sites are also very appropriate. The calm, cool atmosphere is conducive to relaxed learning. Sir also proved to be a very good host- as all arrangement for accommodation and food very excellent, overall. I never got a chance to visit library. But my course mates did and were happy- they also got good inputs from Sir's Department and colleagues.

Classmates
Every batch is bound to be different. Our batch of 2014- I think was among the best. As a Psychiatrist I know that it is quite unusual for 40 people, from competitive backgrounds to get along well. But we bonded very well. I found my course- mates to be very intelligent, decent and I learnt a lot of things from them. We also had a wonderful time, otherwise. The class mainly consisted of engineers and architects and IT professionals.

Course Level
Actually, I felt I was delving much too deep into certain technical concepts- more than I cared for. This was because I was looking for an 'introductory course' and was getting more like a 'professional one'. Nevertheless with persistent, gentle but firm encouragement from Sir I was able to take the subject in the right spirit and eventually complete the course.

Relevance

I have no doubt that my course mates from engineering and architecture backgrounds have found the course very relevant and achieved value-addition to their professions. I feel very lucky that I was able to do this course. But I admit that it was tough to concentrate on a subject that did not directly deal with humans. Very few people from the medical/ social science background may choose to do this course because of its very ‘engineering’ and ‘non human’ feel.This  is the only drawback of the course.

 A significant number of medical, social science and managerial professionals need to be given concepts of environment management. As they deal directly with people they can influence policies or formulate plans. And many are eager to know. So till such a time as an introductory- level course becomes available, I would recommend this course to them.

I sincerely wish that the Maharashtra Government and MCGM deputes at least 3-4 people from their Departments every year to this course.  It is really good and will benefit Maharashtra enormously.

Friends of MCGM

Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai or MCGM (BMC- earlier) is tasked with maintenance and repair of public properties and provision of civic services in Mumbai. My impression is: it has a huge, complicated and dirty responsibility- and manages reasonably well. There is scope for improvement on every front, but altogether they keep the city in working condition most of the times.

Most people in Vile Parle East who have interacted with the local ward office people in Gundavli have found the response within tolerable limits. Vile Parle East has a very significant number of 'active' citizens who visit the MCGM just to improve their surroundings- parks, open spaces, roads, healthcare, etc I should call them all 'Friends of MCGM'. F-MCGM are united by their positive attitude, perseverance and ability to 'get things done'. One such group helped to improve Sathe Udyan on Park Road about 6-7 years ago.

I think F-MCGM is a role many Parlekars can take up. A simple thing is to use the 'complaint system' more frequently. Through this we can be the 'eyes and ears' of MCGM. It works like this: as you go about your tasks daily, you may notice a pothole/ broken footpath/ overhanging dangerous tree branch...anything that needs attention. Log into http://www.mcgm.gov.in/; go to complaints section and inform MCGM about what you have seen. Save the complaint number and track its status. My experience is that mostly the MCGM takes cognizance and deals with the issue. Of course, they do it at sarkari speed only- and sometimes you will have to put the same complaint several times to get it addressed. But the time and effort required is so miniscule and the results so gratifying that it is worth doing.

One feature of the complaint system is that the complainant has to put in detail their name, address, phone and email. Now, for some mysterious reason, Parlekars are intimidated by the prospect of doing this. They would rather prefer to make anonymous complaints. I cannot understand this Psychology- but can reassure that no problem results from giving the details. Just sometimes the repairman may phone you to get the exact location of the problem. It just helps the MCGM do their task better. So this need not put anyone off making the complaints.

I just wish the MCGM adds an optional feature of posting photo of the problem. It will help the workmen to better visualise and even locate the problem. I hope they do it. And I hope the numbers of F-MCGM increases. 

BIRDS IN VILE PARLE EAST

THIS POST HAS LOT OF PHOTOS. NONE OF THE PHOTOS ARE TAKEN BY ME. I GIVE FULL CREDIT TO ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHERS.


Parlekars are lucky to have a fair number of bird species residing and visiting them regularly.

1. House Sparrow- spread all over Parle
   
2. Red vented Bulbul- in wooded areas
   
3. Magpie Robin- seen singing blissfully from tops of buildings or tall trees. Now is the time they have started. Sometimes it is difficult for me to do consultations as I am distracted by their lovely voices and perfect melodies
   
4. Rose ringed Parakeet- rumbuctious groups making a racket in the early mornings 
   
5. Kite- Unsually nest on tall coconut trees.
   
6. House Crow- Well we know they are everywhere
7. Rock Pigeons-
   
8. Barn Owl- Flat faced, beige coloured- usually live under flyover- visit residential areas at night

9. 

   Barn Owl

10. 
    
11. Purple rumped sunbird- The forenoon visitor to all balconies with blooms. Commonly mistaken for 'hummingbird' by Parlekars

    

    male sunbird
    
    

    1. 

       female subird
       

12. Greater Coucal- Some lucky buildings with old trees surrounded by bushes and quiet shaded areas. Thought to be 'lucky' to spot them
    
13. White breasted King fisher- Near some old wells. I have only heard calls, never seen one
14. White spotted/ browed fan tail flycatcher- Pretty little active bird- chirping- hopping from branch to branch with tail spread out like a fan. Spotted at height of about 1st-2nd floor of buildings on leafy trees
15. Scaly breasted munia- I dontknow whether they live here. But I have seen them frequently swinging on high wires or thin branches
    
16. Cuckoo- Both male and female. Parlekars find them irksome because of their habit of singing loudly starting at 4 am at the peak of summer holidays. It is notable that I did not hear any call in market area, and the calls have perceptibly decreased from near my home. In fact last season I did not hear a single 'jugalbandi' between competing Cuckoos though I spent almost the whole 4 months in Parle only
17. Copper smith barbet- This absolutely ravishing beauty with a red spot above the beak and a helmet-like design on head is out now- eating the plentiful fruits of Banyan trees. 3 days ago I counted a dozen of them on the Banyan tree outside my balcony. Their tuk-tuk has not yet started that much
18. Common Myna- I am observing these birds more often now
19. Tailorbird- Usually found in bushes- Parle does not have much bush. I have always noted these birds on high branches outside my window on 5th floor or even higher- and my husband was really surprised that a 'bush-bird' had come so high. I also wonder where it nests

Migrant species

1. Golden Oriole- winter migrant . Described earlier
2. Pied crested cuckoo- heralding monsoon. I have seen only once- 8 years ago. Incidentally it was the time I was expecting my son

More images will be added later

Kitchen Waste Composting- Bucket method

Following is a description of kitchen waste composting method. Contributed by Mr Aniruddh Deshpande. He practically does it at his house.

Two Stage Anaerobic Composting ( Bucket Composting)

Purpose of anaerobic composting – After composting aerobically ( in presence of air) for years,
I  realised that , I needed a more convenient and faster  method for managing the kitchen waste.
Here is the composting method which is not only faster and more convenient but it also generates far
superior quality compost.

The process in details –
You ll need –
‐‐‐‐ 2 same size buckets with lids
‐‐‐‐Anaerobic   Inoculation powder

Procedure:

1. Take 2 buckets (dustbins) with lids. This is a bucket in bucket. Drill  8 to 10 holes of 5mm  to 10mm diameter spaced randomly at the bottom of the inner bucket. ( The size and number of the holes  is not critical.)
2. The outer  bucket is as‐it‐is and used for collecting the excess liquid coming out of the inner bucket.
3. Start filing the inner bucket with daily kitchen waste.  
4. Every time , on top of it , sprinkle 2 tea spoons of inoculation powder. ( so that it covers the top layer.) Cover the lid tightly after each filling. 
5. Keep on filing and compacting the contents , till the bucket is full to about 1 inch below the rim. Keep the bucket  aside and closed , for about 10 days.
6.  Every 2 days drain the liquid collected in the outer bucket. 
7. This liquid is excellent plant manure after diluting with twice the amount of water.
8. After 10 days, the contents of the inner bucket are mixed with old compost or soil.
9.  In about 25 days , the contents transform into  good , black soil with refreshing  aroma.
10. In the mean while, Start filling the second buckets set .
11. The End product ‐ Compost.

****Photos will be uploaded shortly

For more information contact Aniruddh K Deshpande ‐ +919702048655  or akdsolar@gmail.com

*****
His comment about different methods of composting

"For wet waste, composting being a natural process, - all roads ll lead to it. We are merely trying the most convenient way to facilitate the natural process.
Vermi compost though is the best process, is not the most convenient. It is laborious to keep the worms alive.

Hence I finally shifted to this method. It is indeed amazing to find the amount of wet waste that can be handled /managed in so little space, little efforts and no time. On top of that,� all wet waste can be put into this-� veg, non veg (incl fish) , cooked, uncooked,� dairy, cut, un-cut. No rules. Lemon, orange rinds ,Maize cobs etc."

Brochure with Photos

What's your level?

I have sat through medical conferences where each specialist tries to convince the audience that diseases of his/ her speciality are very important, are being neglected and need more and urgent attention. Thus health problems and their importance becomes a function of who is talking at the moment.

But environment concerns are different. It is not about one's point of view. Environment affects all of us. Worse still; one person's actions can harm someone else, even several kilometers or countries away. Environment is for everyone- and the concerns belong to all of us. But each one of us will have to find a 'level' depending on one's knowledge, personality style and time that can be set aside.

Purposeful Environment damager- In my estimation this must be a very hypothetical person- a person who willfuly and knowingly damages environment.

Environment Indifferent- These people do not really know the concepts neither care for the environment or nature. Their idea of a lovely day out could be driving to the mall round the corner in their AC SUV, eating out of disposables over there, having a few ice creams on the way back- the left overs discharged on the road and come back home to sleep under 3 blankets in AC comfort at 14C when ambient temperature is around 20C. Another example is of people who visit Byculla Zoo and sneak in plastic bottles and chips 'for the kids'- they harass the animals by throwing stones and promptly throw the bottles into the crocodile pond (of course- when no one is looking).

Environment neutral- These people know a bit about the environment. They will usually respond to being fined for carrying plastic into National Park. They want to avoid trouble- to themselves and by chance to the environment. They may not consciously think about environment or could be confused about things like 'whether to use plastic cups or paper cups?', but will not persevere to find the answer. Rules and enforcement will work here.

Environment conscious- These people are usually well informed. They will make sure to throw stuff only in dust-bin, talk softly in forest areas and call the fire department if a crow in stuck in manja. But they cannot do without disposables, SUVs and ACs in winter.

Environment friendly- These people will take the trouble of thawing the milk before boiling it to save energy (or better still- not to boil- as pasteurised milk does not need boiling). Items like solar cookers, solar lamps, home compost kits, bicycles, battery powered cars, etc may be found with them. They are quite conversant with terms like STP, Birding, bio diversity and may have even done some or other course related to environment and its management

Environment activism- These people tell others, teach others- particularly they like to engage with 'authorities and establishment'. They write letters, take out marches, petitions and even file PILs to save environment.

Environmental terrorist- The most extreme form of environmentalism. Indicated by acts like sabotaging websites, causing physical harm, etc to obstruct anti- environment activities.

So who are you? At what level is your environmentalism?

Parle’s problems with garbage collection

Kachra- Kundi

The (very) old method of garbage disposal in Vile Parle East was through ‘kachra-kundi’ system. In this Parlekars would dump all their waste in a corner of their property. The dump was accessible to the outside through a small window in the compound wall and was surrounded by a short wall forming ‘kachra-kundi’. The garbage collector would empty this dump. Houses never had a dust-bin, as everything was periodically carried to the dump.  This system was okay when each property had few people and garbage generated was not much. But in the last several years this system has been stopped in favour of door-to-door collection of garbage. Kachra-kundis are still seen in some areas; I am not sure municipality has allowed it continued use.  (Need to check this)

Opening of kachra kundi

Now Parlekars put out their unsegregated garbage outside the door, from where it is collected by building cleaning staff. They convey it to society gates and the MCGM- appointed dumper collects the waste. I think all this waste goes to the landfill somewhere. (need to check all this). It is possible for some Parlekars to believe that the problem of garbage ends here. But that is not so.

 Firstly, many Parlekars are unable to get their garbage together before the cleaning staff comes to the door. On Sundays particularly- Parlekars wake up late by which time the collector is gone- and as it is ‘weekly cleaning day’ for many- they put out their garbage later. Some are brazen enough to fling it outside the window. I have been hit by one such projectile emerging from 2^nd floor of Dhotre-niwas on Tilak Mandir Road about 7 years ago. And one more emerging from a Bungalow on Ram Mandir Road, which is now re developed to form the ‘Sapphire’ building. So some Parlekars cannot seem to decide how to deal with their garbage after the cleaning staff and dumper have gone.

The opposite problem happens with Lokmanya Seva Sangh. Their cleaning is done much before the dumper arrives- so their staff leave all garbage bins, full to the brim, on the street behind their property. By the time the dumper arrives all manner of crows, insects, dogs, cats, rats and rag-pickers have gone through the garbage and spread it everywhere- A huge nuisance for neighbours and garbage collecting staff.

Bins on Tilak Mandir Road

Most streets in Parle East are quite narrow.  Many large cars are parked on the roads. I see that very large dumpers are sent for waste collection (Need to check why, smaller ones are available).  To avoid the dumper from scratching the cars, they are parked astride the already narrow footpaths. So now there is no place for the pedestrians to walk, particularly when the streets are full of traffic. And dumpers on the road cause traffic jams. They also drop garbage on the road while they move. Dumpers are also reported to be involved in major accidents- though nothing has yet been reported from Parle. Dumpers going around the serene streets of Parle cause air pollution due to the noise and smoke.

Cars on footpath

Garbage fallen off dumper

Traffic jam due to dumper 

Traffic jam due to dumper 1

So is it really that Parlekars problem with garbage has been solved with door-to-door collection and landfill tipping? Is it not important that garbage is still lying around, flung out of windows, encouraging vermin? And is it okay to allow a large dumper to occupy the street for a good part of everyday? Well, well……….

WHY PARLEKARS CUT TREES?

Nowadays people are not very clear if the trees near their houses really give them anything. More specifically each of us wants to know if 'this particular tree' gives 'me' something that 'I cannot buy'. Therefore now in Parle trees are being cut for following reasons:

1. Crows or owls or bats sit on trees and make a noise. Besides it unlucky to see them.

2. Dust from road settles on the leaves and then blows into the house

3. Trees feed the 'male' mosquito. And female mosquitoes bite humans. So to reduce mosquito menace male mosquitoes should be removed

4. Leaf litter makes our compound look ugly

5. Fallen fruit attract ants which get into my Merc/ Toyota/ Honda

6. My personal balcony garden does not get sunlight

7. My professional board or shop name plate gets obscured

8. A twig or fruit or bird shit may fall on me or my car

9. Someone slipped on fallen fruit and had fracture.

10. I cannot see my child's school van from my window

11. Yes- many trees are also cut for development- such as building new structures.

But more trees are cut down bu ordinary common Parlekars labouring under the belief that trees are troubling them in some way

WHAT HAS NATURE EVER DONE FOR US?

Title- WHAT HAS NATURE EVER DONE FOR US?

            Does Money Really Grow on Trees

Author- TONY JUNIPER

Type- Non fiction

Pages- 336

“Why should we preserve nature?” is a question every person needs to be clear about. Some people are much concerned about the financial output from everything. They cannot somehow see the sense in keeping forests (or rivers or streams and such other natural ecosystems) as they are- they would rather cut them and sell the land, wood and species for hard cash. This book provides an argument for not doing so. Good part is: the book is a recent publication and we do not have to suffer outdated statistics.

Through discussion of several examples, the author has explained ‘ecological services’ provided and their economic value. So it will make sound sense for someone to own a forest, but keep it as it is. This is not just for the flora and fauna on that land, it can deliver real financial benefit to the owner. So this is a very simple book on environmental economics.

It is a very good book for everyone interested in the subject. It is written in simple language and has provided examples from all over the world. So everybody can relate to the discussion. The book is of optimum length to be able to deliver understanding of the topic without stretching the discussion to boredom.

I am looking forward to a book explaining the benefit of maintaining urban ecology. If there is already such a book, I want to know about it.