We distributed about 450 plant saplings to residents of Velsao Panchayat area and nearby. Occassion graced by Sarpanch of Velsao, Ex Sarpanch of Velsao Laurance and Father of Velsao Church.
The Rotary Club of Dabolim, in association with Young Indians (Yi) Goa Chapter, organised a free distribution of plant & tree saplings at the Chicalim Panchayat on Sunday, 18th July ’10. Nearly 500 saplings were distributed to the people of Chicalim and surrounding areas. The saplings included trees like Gulmohar, Cassia Fistula, Neem, Ashoka as well as fruit bearing trees like Mango, Guava, Jamun, Almond, Kokum and Custard Apple. Even decorative plants like Ixora, Golden Duranda and Hibiscus were among the saplings distributed.
The programme also included a Green Exhibition cum Sale of eco-friendly products. Green Essentials, Panaji and Earthworm Ecostore, Porvorim exhibited various products ranging from natural insect repellents and floor cleaners to products like jams, honey and organic plant seeds. Also on display was a vermi-composting unit designed and manufactured by Zarhak Moulders, Verna. The Goa Energy Development Association (GEDA) had showcased the different uses of solar energy and the benefits of the same.
The programme received an over-whelming response from the public and the Club plans to repeat a similar event in the future. The programme was efficiently co-ordinated by Club Secretary, Rtn Amit Tapadia and Rtn Jennifer Lewis e Kamat under the able guidance of Club President, Rtn Avez Mohidin and along with other club members.
Mormugao Municipality along with Rotary Club of Dabolim are taking the initiative forward to promote an Eco friendly holi. We helped organize a demonstration to make eco friendly holi colours from material available at home.
Mormugao Municipality along with Rotary Club of Dabolim are taking the initiative forward to promote an Eco friendly holi. Natural colours are now available at Vasco. In a letter to the MMC chairperson, Mr Shekhar Khadapkar, a member of the Patanjali Yog Samithi (PYS), Mr Sharad Chopdekar, who is also a councillor and former MMC chairperson and Mr Amit Bandekar, secretary of Rotary Club of Dabolim, have requested to provide assistance to promote healthy and environmentally safe Holi festival. The PYS has decided to have a demonstration of eco-friendly colours, which is made up of leaves and flowers ahead of the Holi celebration in Vasco. The PYS will also demonstrate colours made from chana dal, toor dal and various other household commodities.
The festival of colours that marks the celebration of the spring season is just round the corner. On March 1 everyone will onto the streets to have some fun with colours.
Are we really aware that we are actually playing with some carcinogenic substances? According to experts some of these colours which are easily available in the market contain carcinogens like mercury sulphite, aluminium bromide, etc that are known to cause renal failure, eye allergies, puffiness, temporary blindness, dermatitis and even skin cancer. The ‘gulals’ or dry colours contain a toxic colorant and a base of asbestos or silica. The heavy metals in these can cause asthma, skin diseases and adversely affect the eyes. However now there is no need to panic as the solution is just one store away. The eco-store, Earthworm at Porvorim is now busy packing some eco-friendly colours that will broaden your happiness while playing with colours. They have now tied up with eCoexist; a Pune based social enterprise which promotes eco-sensitive products through socially sensitive means. “We are promoting Rang Dulaar—a range of natural Holi colours that are completely free of chemical content. Prepared by the Vanastree, a collective of women from the Malnad region and packaged by the prisoners of Yeroda jail in Maharashtra these colours generate income to less privileged groups of people” states Nirmal Kulkarni of Earthworm. Another interesting part is that these jail inmates make the colours from the dry and flowers that are thrown out after being offered to God. These colours are also obtained from food products like turmeric, cocum, lemon juice, spinach, hibiscus, tulsi (basil), henna, indigo, harda (terminalia chebula), glyricidea, nirgudi and other local leaves, with rice flour being used as a filler. Rang Dulaar colours are available in five dry colours—red, yellow, orange, blue and green and are priced between Rs 20 to Rs 100.
“There are simple ways to make these colours at home too. These can be made by mixing turmeric and besan (yellow), boiled marigold or palash flowers (yellow), soaked pomegranate peels (liquid yellow colour), sliced beetroot soaked in water ( deep pink), dried and powdered henna leaves ( orange-red paste) mixed with water, etc” states their campaign.
American novelist, Chuck Palanhiuk said, "When did the future switch from being a promise to being a threat?" Simple words with a lot to think about. One of the major threats that we face today is that of global warming. It is not entirely possible to reverse the damage that has already been done but we can do our best to preserve what we have. It is our responsibility to provide a cleaner and greener world for the generations to come. The Rotary Club of Dabolim Goa, as a part of its "heal the earth - together" programme is promoting and celebrating a non-toxic and eco-friendly holi. For this, we are using Rang Dulaar Natural Holi Colours, which are made on a base of turmeric and contain no chemical content. Additionally, these colours, include an element of recycled flowers collected from the nirmalya which is produced during Ganesh Chaturthi. Colours that are commercially available are usually industrial dyes that are not meant for human use. These contain toxic heavy metals that can cause serious health problems. Rang Dulaar colours are completely non-toxic, totally non polluting and wash off easily. They are available in five colours, red, yellow, orange, green and black. They are soft to touch and carry an aroma of turmeric. Rang Dulaar is a product of e-Coexist, a social enterprise that promotes natural and recycled products. The Rotary Club of Dabolim Goa is supporting their efforts and aims at making these colours a household name. The colours are being made available to you at the original cost itself. We do not have any mark-up on the price of the product. We urge you to join in our efforts to save the planet and enjoy a safe holi!
350 is the most important number in the world -it’s what scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
On 24th October 2009, people all over the world will take a stand for a safe climate future. In over 2300 actions covering almost every country in the world, there will be big rallies in big cities, and incredible creative actions across the globe: mountain climbers on our highest peaks with banners, underwater demonstrations in island nations threatened by sea level rise, churches and mosques and synagogues and ashrams engaged in symbolic action, star athletes organizing mass bike rides–and hundreds upon hundreds of community events to raise awareness of the need for urgent action. These events will be photographed with the number 350 in the background and be part of a gigantic visual petition at the UN Climate Negotiations in Copenhagen in December 2009.
We organised a “Free Tree & Plant Saplings Distribution Camp” in association with the Village Panchayat of Chicalim.
Saplings of plants like jackfruit, tamarind, kokum, guava, rain tree, peltophorum, bayo, bougainvillea, custard apple, neem, jamun, etc. were distributed free of cost. In addition to these, there were a variety of garden plants available for distribution.
The Club also simultaneously organized a “Green Products Exhibition”. This included a display of various eco-friendly products and other organic products like manures, seeds, EM, insect repellents, etc. by Green Goa Works (Mapusa), Earthworm (Porvorim) and Green Essentials (Panjim).
The Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) also exhibited appliances such as solar cookers, solar pumps, solar TVs. These appliances can be operated by using renewable energy resources such as Solar Thermal, Solar Photovoltaic, Wind Energy and Biomass Energy.
We celebrated World Earth Day in 2009 by distributing glass bottles marked ‘Battery Collection Bottles’ among our club members. This was done by participating in GoaCan’s Battery Waste Collection Drive – The Consumer Household Battery Collection Drive is a micro example of how Segregation At Source (SAS) can help Protect the Environment.
When batteries are disposed in garbage, heavy metals like cadmium, cobalt, copper, zinc, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, and lithium leach from the batteries that are deposited in landfills. This contaminates soil and water. All of these elements are potentially harmful to humans and the environment. For example, cadmium can cause lung damage, kidney disease, and death, and lead can damage the kidneys, nervous system, and reproductive system. Lead poisoning is also commonly diagnosed in cattle, and the death rate can be close to 20 percent. One of the more popular rechargeable batteries, nickel-cadmium, is also one of the most environmentally harmful. Besides the presence of cadmium, NiCd batteries, as well as nickel-metal hydride batteries, contain cobalt, which can cause asthma and pneumonia and is considered a possible human carcinogen. Even lithium, another element used in some rechargeable batteries and considered a more environmentally benign substance, can produce acid rain when present in salt form and is a suspected kidney and liver toxicant.
Also Read: Rechargeable batteries can be big danger
Update (Feb 2010): The 2009-10 District Governor Rtn. Gurudatta D. Bhakta has appreciated this project during his official visit to our club.
Clinton Vaz talked on “Ideas for Environmentalism & Wildlife Activism in Goa“.
Vaz, aged 27 is a self employed environmental consultant based in Goa. In 2005, he was appointed as a consultant in waste management for the Corporation of the City of Panaji where he offers his services till date. In his free time, he conducts waste management workshops or manages his two e-groups based on Goa’s wildlife and environment.
Vaz talked of the separating and treating different types of waste differently, and eco-friendly options to treat wet waste in your own backyard or community.
American novelist, Chuck Palanhiuk said, “When did the future switch from being a promise to being a threat?”
