As I cook I thought…

Amrith has fallen asleep and I decide to cook for dinner. His nap time is the best time for me to finish chores which require no intervention.

I peep into the vegetable section of the fridge, pick up the greens and get ready to prepare curry out of them. Somehow, I feel no hurry and go through the cooking at a slow pace. Different thoughts come into my mind as I go about chopping, whisking or stirring.

From time to time, I look at what’s being cooked and enjoy the brilliant green of the curry, the smell of the sautéed onions and garlic, all the while only hoping for an excellent output.The recipe I am trying is purely out of my imagination with inspiration from different recipes, ofcourse.

As I stir the ingredients wishing them not to burn at the bottom, I realize, how much of emotions and thoughts get into a dish. Somehow, the happiness or frustration, peace of mind or sorrow transcends into the food. So much so, that, when the food is served, it is not just the physical ingredients that comes on the platter but also an aura of emotions, thoughts and wishes. I find this thought provoking and beautiful… I carefully add lime juice in and turn off the stove. I give it a taste and it’s good.

I also realize that this is what I love about cooking, letting emotions and thoughts to come out in full bloom. But I abhor days when I am sick or tired and don’t want to cook but have to… Now that’s a bitter twist to it. J

Aren't Scavengers Better?

Human, as I heard somewhere, is the one and only species which has the ability to save all other species on this earth. Infact they are busy trying to find living species on other planets as well to save them too!

Yesterday’s (13th Feb 2008) news paper came out with heart breaking news for all those nature, wildlife and animal lovers. Even after huge investments and developing 28 reserve forests we are not able to save our National Animal, one of the most majestic inhabitants of the forests, which is now facing a threat of extinction!!!

It was quite disturbing for me. It stirred up a lot of questions in my mind as to how and what I can do to make some difference. Aren’t we bothered about this? Can’t we do something to make a difference? Are we only worried about making more and more money every day and save it for tomorrow without using it today? Do we really have a tomorrow to use those savings?

While browsing through the paper today, something caught my eyes! I felt disgusted! I said vultures are better! At least being a scavenger they play a major role in the ecosystem. We humans, have we lost all our senses? Are we up for making money with anything and everything that comes on our way!

Yesterday’s tiger census report may not have made any change in the minds of those lakhs of people who had a hearty laugh saying the “tigers are screwed!”, but it looks like it did opened up an opportunity for a few to make some quick bucks on the name of this “screwed up” animal! Today the same paper, which gave a huge importance to the census report by publishing it on the front page, has these Advertisements for the readers.

May be these advertisements are in the best interests of the readers. Any interested reader can contact on the numbers mentioned and pay $$$$ mentioned to see those few of our National Animals that are left in the wild!

What I really felt is even vultures or hyenas won’t be so quick to scavenge!!!

Hats off to you Human! The so called one and only species, which has the ability to save “all other species on earth as well as other planet” !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Further read! Info from: CNN-IBN

http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/58772/1411-tigers-left-in-the-wild-in-india-census.html
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/1411-tigers-left-in-the-wild-in-india-census/58772-3.html

Project tiger was started in 1973 to save the dwindling populations of tigers.Many years and many Tiger Censuses later there doesn't seem to be much to write home about.This in spite of the fact that the number of tiger reserves has tripled since Project Tiger began. The 2006 tiger Census reveals that:

* In 1972, a year before Project Tiger began there were 1,827 tigers in India.
* In 1997 the Tiger Census showed that there were 3,507 tigers.
* And in 2006 the official estimate of the number of tigers is 1,411 only.

A look at some broad trendsTiger Sanctuaries like Corbett National Park in Uttaranchal and Bandipur, and Nagarhole in Karnataka are safe havens with the number of tigers in these areas remaining more or less the same.Central and Western India was supposed to be a safe haven for tigers, but the latest Tiger Census shows that the number of Tigers in Madhya Pradesh have almost halved in the last five-six years.Sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh like Panna and Kanha and even Melghat in Maharashtra have witnessed a drastic reduction in the number of tigers.Present situation

* Today there are 28 tiger reserves in the country spread across 17 states.
* Central India once best habitat for tigers has noted sharp decline as per latest reports.
* New methodology for counting tigers was introduced in 2006 using camera traps.
* As per last census in 2002 tigers were estimated to be 3500.
* After poaching outbreak in Sariska all tigers were wiped out here.

What the states say?
Madhya Pradesh
2002 – 710
2006 – 300
Orissa
2002 – 173
2006 - 45
Maharashtra
2002 – 238
2006 - 103
Andhra Pradesh
2002 - 192
2006 – 95
Chattisgarh
2002 – 227
2006 – 26
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I am only a part of Earth!!!

Photo Courtesy: Australia Zoo

Until a couple of years back, topics like Environment, it's Conservation and harmful effects of pollution were just boring essays. I used to find the topics extremely dry and I was plainly disinterested. Why, for that matter none of the most interesting programs on animals, their habitat or their lifecycle interested me.

A series of events changed my life and my way of looking at things. An article in The Reader's Digest about Steve Irwin and his passion for wildlife was one such event. The one thing I earned from the article was the long lost connectivity with Nature, our very own Mother Nature who creates and sustains us. I began to watch more and more animal diaries on television. These alien like creatures were no longer strange to me.
I once visited a wildlife festival conducted in town. There I had a chance to watch some of the wildlife videos shot by researchers. The experience brought me awareness of the animals that I didn't even know existed.

The need to conserve our environment is only getting stronger. The question is not about the survival of animals alone. It is a challenge for the survival of the living race.
Dinosaurs got extinct because of natural circumstances. Today, most of the wild animals that I learnt about, as a kid, are facing the threat of extinction. It is sad but true, we have only been, the most selfish creatures on the planet. Our definition of luxury and comfort has not only leaded to our destruction but has devastated the lives of all other species.

I hope we realize and help people realize that we are only a part of the planet and need to co-exist with our fellow creatures.

Don't wait until tomorrow, when you can act now!

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Some Tiget Facts (Info courtesy - Animal Planet)

The tiger is the largest member of the cat family. A symbol of wildlife conservation, it is a majestic animal with an orange coat, black stripes and white markings. It lives in tropical forests, where it is usually solitary and nocturnal. Its range once extended to Eastern Europe, but it now lives in scattered populations in southern and eastern Asia. It is threatened by poaching, habitat loss and loss of prey species.

IUCN Status: Endangered
USFWS Status: Endangered
Major Threat: Poaching, habitat loss and loss of prey species
Habitat: Various habitats including rain forest, deciduous forest and coniferous forest
Location: Southern and eastern Asia
Diet: Mainly large, hooved animals
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