God loved the b…

God loved the birds and invented trees.  Man loved the birds and invented cages.  ~Jacques Deval, Afin de vivre bel et bien

In Kerala there are around 750 elephants in captivity. To boast the tagline of “God’s own country”, Kerala, rich in temples, culture, arts, crafts and  festivals can be pretty cruel to Elephants. 

The just concluded season of festivals (known as Pooram, Vela, Ratholsavam) in Northern and Central Kerala which began during January and which lasts till early May has witnessed a more than usual hot and dry season. This doesn’t stop the organisers of this festivals from making the lives of captive elephants any more comfortable. 

The elephants are adorned with rich ornaments, is made to walk long distances on asphalt during middle of the day under the sun. These elephants also acts as carriage for 3 or 4 men. Soon, they will be made to witness thumping noises of intoxicated men, loud percussion and soon (vedikettu) crackers which will make 4th of July feel like a weekend party.

There are laws and regulations protecting animals, but to nobody’s notice. The cruel treatment paves way for elephants reaching musth (madness) which results them raging violent beings often resulting in property and human loss.  This season also was witness to many such bouts and these violent acts are available as videos on popular services like YouTube showing murder by these creatures only reacting to continual torture. The continual madness bouts of elephants haven’t made any change in the authorities stand fearing backlash from the community.

-FP

P.S: Elephants are intelligent beings having a brain mass to body mass ratio higher than Human beings.

Elephants in Kerala: A Bleak Picture

God loved the birds and invented trees.  Man loved the birds and invented cages.  ~Jacques Deval, Afin de vivre bel et bien

In Kerala there are around 750 elephants in captivity. To boast the tagline of “God’s own country”, Kerala, rich in temples, culture, arts, crafts and  festivals can be pretty cruel to Elephants.

The just concluded season of festivals (known as Pooram, Vela, Ratholsavam) in Northern and Central Kerala which began during January and which lasts till early May has witnessed a more than usual hot and dry season. This doesn’t stop the organisers of this festivals from making the lives of captive elephants any more comfortable. 

The elephants are adorned with rich ornaments, is made to walk long distances on asphalt during middle of the day under the sun. These elephants also acts as carriage for 3 or 4 men. Soon, they will be made to witness thumping noises of intoxicated men, loud percussion and soon (vedikettu) crackers which will make 4th of July feel like a weekend party.

There are laws and regulations protecting animals, but to nobody’s notice. The cruel treatment paves way for elephants reaching musth (madness) which results them raging violent beings often resulting in property and human loss.  This season also was witness to many such bouts and these violent acts are available as videos on popular services like YouTube showing murder by these creatures only reacting to continual torture. The continual madness bouts of elephants haven’t made any change in the authorities stand fearing backlash from the community.

-FP

P.S: Elephants are intelligent beings having a brain mass to body mass ratio higher than Human beings.

Vegetarianism- A sustainability view.

Vegetarianism or any food habit stems from cultural cues. The culinary habits are so cultural that it tends to evolve along with the community. The cultural effect with respect to food habits stems from availability, taboo, religion, climate, geography, companionship, etc.

In the Globalized world of today, the BIG industries are eliminating the obstacles of availability, taboo and with that rest of the team. This is very much evident in the eating habits of low-income or an ignorant American family. The livestock industry has made the American people love Beef, Hog and chicken like never before and this is slowly spreading to the rest of the world(Evolution of culture).

I am going to concentrate on the ill effects of Non-vegetarianism to vouch for being vegetarian.

Livestock Industry: The livestock industry follows the following path.

First Step

• Arable Land + Water + Petro based Fertilizers and Pesticides + Patented Seeds =Corn + Pollution + no seeds to replant.

Corn is the hero- The Corn is subsidized by the Govt of USA, so the BIG industries buy corn to feed Cows( which cannot digest it without antibiotics, hormones), feed farmed fishes like Tilapia and other livestock. The corn farmer makes no money out of this, but the giant corporations. The subsidized corn makes two important stuff cheap 1)soft drinks 2)Livestock feed, [also this subsidization and mass production followed by export to Latin America throws Mexican farmers out of job forcing them to illegally migrate to US, creating further problems.]

A small list of uses from Corn [LINK]

Also the chemicals used on the farm-field gets washed off to water bodies, bio-accumulating and then poisoning anything that consumes it. Also polluting any organic farms downriver.

The Next step

• Corn + Water + Livestock(Cows, Hogs, Chicken) + Abominable conditions(No sunlight, Standing on feces, Chickens eating chicken remnants~Cannibalism) + Industrial slaughtering[Unsanitary(to meet efficiency) + unethical(for few)] = Cheap (Beef,Chicken,Pepperoni etc.) + Obese consumers with numerous diseases and an unsustainable world.

I mentioned Cheap, but is it really cheap?

In each and every step ‘Petroleum based vehicles’ are used for transfer of seeds, Corn, Fertilizers, Chemicals, Livestock, Animal waste and finally finished industrial food. The costs of water(634 gallons of water is required for a single hamburger), fuel, labor and other transportation costs are hidden as it is stolen from the tax in terms of subsidies which are in fact HUGE. The environmental costs are completely hidden and are unaccounted for. A United Nations report suggests that the efficiency of meat production is low even if it is carried out in an organic manner (considering food produced by consumption), but this unsustainable means of production are unimaginably worse for the environment.

Also, this Livestock industry not only contributes CO₂ but also nitrous oxides and methane (not to mention unclean and unhealthy workplaces).

Once Humans consume it, What then?

The food consumed at a higher level in a food chain is bland, inefficient, and contains higher percentages of toxic metals like cadmium, mercury etc. The fat rich food also consumed along with oil, may be fries and soft drinks result in dumping of huge amount of Fat in human body. A condition widely known as Obesity arises. Read more about it in the Stanford hospital website.

-Fragile Prints

P.S: Nothing written in this post is new or out of the world. Just wanted to celebrate me being a vegetarian.

For further reading : 101 reasons to be a vegetarian.

The Extinction: A simple outline

It is estimated that over 99% of all species that ever lived are extinct.

Extinction occurs by different means, the term ‘Extinction’ referred by governments, conservation groups and NGOs are different from the scientific community. The scientific community even tries to make certain species extinct (Small pox, Polio virus, species of Mosquitoes by genetic coding). So, we have to be careful of the terminology. Ever since, life started on earth, species are evolving and going extinct almost simultaneously. Even then, the term extinction which reaches the board room is of very small percentage of species generally those species which comes under the category of Birds, Mammals and fish.

Let us broadly categorize the whole extinction phenomena,

• Genetic Pollution (A hybrid causing a pure bred species to go extinct)
• Natural disasters
• Extra terrestrial (Meteorites)
• Competition for food, Lack of prey, Too many predators etc (Survival of the fittest, case)

• Human intervention( Global warming, Pollution, Habitat loss, Over exploitation, Nuclear disaster, Genetic accidental experimentation.)

The first four have been happening for millions of years, and the last one, few people in the scientific community call it the Sixth extinction,  is the serious issue here, it has been happening since the industrial revolution and needs check.

What we are interested in is the extinction which are happening with human intervention which can be categorized broadly into two

• Over exploitation
  • Hunting,
  • Fishing
• Habitat loss
  • Toxic pollution
  • Habitat destruction
  • Introduction of new species(predators, food competitors)

When it reaches the boardroom, the advocates of environmental groups face the grave task of intangibility of the effects created by human beings in terms of Global warming, toxic pollution, habitat loss etc.

A Tasmanian tiger, extinct {The photo is under Public domain}

The tangible cases of over exploitation are considered and once the agencies step into action mostly it is too late  for the species to viably bounce back and reproduce and sustain or the habitat is under a different nation’s control which has no concern for environment.

Links:

The following link shows the numbers of extinct species under various category.

http://extinctanimals.petermaas.nl/

Following link shows the list of species which are extinct in the wild and are present only in captivity.

http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/search

Therein is the tragedy. Each man is locked into a system that compels him to increase his herd without limit—in a world that is limited. Ruin is the destination toward which all men rush, each pursuing his own interest in a society that believes in the freedom of the commons.”

  -Garret Hardin, 1968.

As I mentioned earlier, the term extinction which reaches the board room is of very small percentage of species generally those species which comes under the category of Birds, Mammals and fish. Where as we should be worried about various fruit, vegetable and other edible plants species as well. The nature should be abundant with diversity. The complexity of nature is its beauty. All the more one tries to simplify our fragile nature, the more trouble one will have to face.

Well, As an individual one cannot stop extinction, let alone mass extinction. However you have the choice of how you live your life in a sustainable, eco-friendly manner.

Water and its potability.

Water is termed as blue gold, well many analysts and cynics have predicted that the next great war is going to be fought for it.. The dams are built. Civilizations thrive alongside its great carriers. Rain is regarded as the sign of fertility. No amount of prose or poem is sufficient for this gem of a compound.

How do you use it? Rather, the question should be,

How ‘sensibly’ do you use it?

“Snow melt water from Gallatin Valley, Bozeman, MT, USA”

Well, you have heard lots of stuff to use water sensibly. I am also going to plead a bit more to use it wisely while taking shower, washing dishes, doing laundry and so on. More than that, I want you to say ‘No’ to bottled water, Get a Camelbak, get Nalgene or any durable bottle which you can reuse for years. It will save you lots of money, but more importantly it is vital for survival and sustainability.

But, Don’t reduce the amount of water you drink. Stay Hydrated 😉

Always carry a bottle of water when you are on commute. Going back country? get a filtration system or at least, Iodine pills, its a cheap and light-weight way to get water drinkable. Remember stay hydrated all the time.

If it’s dry weather, you may not feel the need or thirst, but your internal organs are actually drying out. Help them. If its humid, you may not pee, because you are sweating. Drink more. Stay Hydrated.

Did I tell you not to buy bottled water, Not convincing enough?? Follow the link.

storyofstuff.org/bottledwater/

and hear the story in its best manner, may be you have already seen it, but its always good to watch and share it again.

“I yearn to see a time when I don’t have to see the non biodegradable waste lying next to life and its immense possibilities. Kerala, India”

-FP

Sun Glasses

Sunglasses are an important part when you are outside “Out of home”. Whether you are out hitting a trail running, hitting snow during winter, or just relaxing out there in the sun.

 

Two important things to look on a sunglass.

 

1)Frame

 

You want a very good thermoplastic frame, which can take high impact collisions, handle temperature extremes, scratch resistant. And while doing all this, it should be lightweight too. Also, it should fit snugly. The other important part of frame is the ‘hinges’, most sunglasses fail there, it should be very durable. Then there are fancy stuff like, gap next to the eye brow, even though its fancy, its highly effective, during high humid sweat inducing workouts. Other stuff is the nose pad. While I don’t have much trouble regarding that, few people consider it very important. The fitting next to the ear should also be considered.

 

Never buy frames online, as you need to try it on before deciding, Hit a store and buy, If you are really ‘cheap’, check the model and buy it online. (its not worth it!)

 

2) Lenses.

 

Make sure you have a frame which allows interchangeable lenses. So you can just have a frame you love and go for different lenses. I own two different lenses, One which is polarized. Polarized lenses may be costly, but its worthy. It cuts glare and is good on eyes. The picture clarity is definitely better than ‘naked eye’. Then comes, a lens for low-light or no-light conditions, this lens won’t be polarized and is not required. Sometimes I feel it shows the world in a brighter way than naked eye. It is ideal for running in rugged conditions, where you want to see a sharp rock on your path.

Also the lenses can be lightweight, scratch proof and all. If you are too jumpy, you may need a sports band. do I need to tell you that.. !

 

 

I own a Native Hardtop XP with two mentioned lenses and I love it. I use it for virtually everything. Mostly the polarized one, unless I am out running in very cloudy conditions. It is very rugged and is long lasting.

 

 

 

 

What do you wear and what do you feel about it ? Comment below.!

 

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Verbs, as the cliche goes…. Just Do It

Run, Walk, Hike, Swim, Bike, Camp, Dance, Climb, Ski, Skateboard, Rappel, Boulder, Canoe, Travel, Surf, Hunt, Fish, Kayak, Shoot, Jump, Dive, Snowboard, Snowshoe, Explore, Canyoneer, Cave, Paddle, Backpack, Celebrate, Fly fish, Ice climb, Educate, Enjoy.. and while doing it and in its aftermath Live…!

Bread and Butter of a camper

Campers rely lot on camp fire, more than the light, it is loved for the heat. Even though it has the smoke, the ash and sometimes full of pain to keep it going. It is loved and cherished by everyone who has mastered it.

Purpose of this blog

Man is an interesting being, he ponders his existence on one hand and destroys his origins in his other. He is an irony in himself. He being a complex being is hard to explain with the help of language let alone in a single post. 

 

My idea is not to explain anything. but, to do something, However, small it may be, in a direction of probable consequence in a direction based on my beliefs and ideals.

 

My ideal is a sustainable utopia. However, improbable that may sound, there are strong driving forces inside me which will take me there, in that direction.

 

The goal is to educate and empower the masses to understand and appreciate the fragile and beautiful biosphere. 

 

In that regard, I have this posterous page and a Facebook page to gain an audience and thus create a medium to share my thoughts. And in future perform tangible actions.

 

Let’s preserve and protect.