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GANGES DOLPHIN AND ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS

As living in India this is one of the most important ethical dilemmas I would like to consider. This can be categorized under threat to native species. This Ganges dolphin was officially discovered in 1801 around the globe. But now their population is limited in the southern part of Asia mainly found in Ganga and Indus river tributaries. The Ganges river dolphin can only live in freshwater and is essentially blind. They hunt by emitting ultrasonic sounds. Their scientific name is Platanista gangetica, and they weigh around 330-374 pounds.

Now the question is how this single species is connected to all three environmental ethics?  (land ethics, deep ecology and ecofeminism)

The first case according to Land ethics: which was developed by Aldo Leopold in his book “A Sand Country Almanac” in 1949. And he quotes “a thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise”. And the most important thing he says is we need to change from “conquerors of the land community to plain member and citizen of the land”. Technically land includes all biotic community so it even includes Ganges dolphin. Many people are still being conquerors by hunting Ganges dolphin and even poaching (illegal) takes place. And there is a lack of coordinated conservation plan, lack of awareness, and continuing anthropogenic pressure. So, this is totally against the principles of land ethics, we’re not respecting them, conserving them and we’re not changing into a member of the community where the dolphins belong. There is no sight of integrity, stability, and beauty.

The second case according to deep ecology: which was coined by Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess in the early ’70s. He said that “humans should respect nature and value the inherent worth of all life forms”. There are 8 important principles of Deep ecology and I would like to compare with the main ones. It says “humans have no right to reduce this richness and diversity except to satisfy vital need” – but here dolphins are being killed for non-vital needs illegally. Another principle says “present human interference with the non-human world is excessive and the situation is rapidly worsening” – this is so true that we human beings are possessing the biggest threat to the dolphins. Bycatch which refers to dolphins caught in fishing nets accidentally, industrial, agricultural, and human pollution is leading to serious habitat degradation. Each year, 9000 tons of pesticides and 6 million tons of fertilizers are used in the vicinity of the river. This toxic chemical can directly harm them. Infrastructure is another major issue where dams were built and this led to the separation of species where it disturbs breeding cycle and migration. This all is due to excessive human interference which should be reduced and as the principle says “even the human population should be decreased” for the better world tomorrow. This is one of the most controversial statement. I believe there is no need for a decrease in population to conserve dolphins but a basic moral sense and awareness is required.

The 6th principle calls for an action “policies must, therefore, be changed” and the 8th principles call for commitment “humans have an obligation directly or indirectly to participate in the attempt to implement the necessary changes”. So, the positive side according to this each principle is there have been initiatives taken to protect and conserve the Ganges dolphin. The World Wild Fund – India works as guardians for Ganges dolphin and IUCN listed as endangered species, the government of India declared Ganges dolphins as the national aquatic animal in 2009, which means it should be protected in any case. The best part is this doesn’t come under shallow ecology. As there is a drastic change in policy and in India many people have started to think about the protection of these dolphins in recent times, so as the deep ecology suggests there is a redesign of society’s value to respect and value nature, independent of its use to humans.

The third case according to Ecofeminism: which was coined by Francoise D’ Eaubone in 1974 during the time of the cold war between America and Russia. It was also in the era of the beginning of feminism in general, environment consciousness, and debate of social and economical principles of society. In simple words, ecofeminism means women = nature. The basic idea of ecofeminism is to respect the life forms, avoid every kind of discrimination and domination, emphasize the importance of inter-relationships between humans, non-humans, and the earth, technology development should not be the main purpose and live in balance with nature to ensure the future. In the case of these dolphins, they’re being ruthlessly poached and killed, dominated, and oppressed by the human being in the same way women are. Childbirth considered a link between women and nature, so in the same way, the birth of new dolphins should be considered and appreciated. The hunting of dolphins is against the values and principles of ecofeminism so it’s time to respect all biotic living as well as women. In India, there were several movements related to ecofeminism such as the Narmada movement, Chipko movement, and Gandhian non-violent tradition which express equality, social justice, and environmental prevention. so, as living in the land of morals it’s important to even follow the ethics of ecofeminism.

“when you’re doing the right thing for the earth, she gives you great company

Vandana Shiva
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CONQUERORS TO MEMBERS

“I think having land and not ruining, it is the most beautiful art that anybody could ever want”

ANDY WARHOL

There is nothing such as right and wrong, what is right for one is wrong for others and what is wrong for one is right to another. The question arises now, then why we need ethics if nothing is right and wrong? What is the whole concept?

Ethics plays a significant role and it states some things to be right and if we learn to interpret things positively about the present and future, we find a solution and once we find a solution, we can understand what we do in present is good or bad, right or wrong. So, ethics are a general moral sense of right and wrong. There is an important ethics which we all forgot in our busy life.

Land ethics was introduced by Aldo Leopold in his book “A sand country Almanac” in 1947. He is known as the father of wildlife conservation in the U.S and a great ecologist. He quotes this line in the book that “a thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise.” He believes that land is a community and we’re members who are part of them. This ethics directs every member to treat each other with due respect in the community. Land ethics expands the term community to include not only humans but all others part of biotic things such as soil, water, plants, and animals so this is what he called land collectively.

Now we are living in an anthropocentric world where nature is dominated by humans. We human beings (members) became a threat to the community (land). High time to realize and change from conquerors of the land community to plain member and citizen of the land.

The biotic pyramid is also known as the land pyramid which is facing threats. The major problems are, change in the composition of flora and fauna, substitution of native species by domestic, agricultural overdraft on the soil, the transport of animals/plants, and changes in water bodies. If this continues the environment is going to collapse soon and the day is not so far.

To change this, we need to ask two basic questions to ourselves. First, can the land adjust itself to a new order? And second if not what can be done to protect the community? Now we need to apply the idea of land ethics to figure out if the problems are right or wrong? It’s wrong as the fundamental idea of land ethics is to protect the land community and these problems sounds otherwise.

The following are the basic steps to conserve land: secure key habitats to preserve the biodiversity of our native plants and animals, keep water bodies clean, save the existing farmlands so that every community can relish healthy and locally grown food, recommending green guidelines, allocating a common garbage collection area along with simple compositing system and creating green belts which is nothing but planting saplings. People give excuses of space problems but micro-greens can be planted by everyone as it requires less sunshine and can be even grown on tables. 

The operation of land ethics is the same as any ethics; social approbation for right action and social disapproval for wrong actions. So, here we need to lose our greed and become a plain member of land by respecting it as a community including all biotic organisms. “Remember we need to leave a green planet to our future generations not only an economy with the great growth rate.”

BE ANTI-RACIST

We studied so much about racism the way many great leaders fought for getting equal rights. Many people have shed their blood and lost their lives in the March towards equality. Which we all thought came to end and peace prevails.

But it’s 21st century we’re still hearing the three words repeatedly “I can’t breathe”, this will be the end or will this continue?

We’re living in a society where discrimination and racism is everywhere based on all aspects and it is rooted. So, let’s not just be non-racist but it’s time to be vocally anti-racist.

“I’ve a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their character”

Martin Luther King

IS IT NOT CRUEL TO STUFF CRACKERS INSIDE PINEAPPLE?

Vakratunda Mahakaaya, Suryakoti Samaprabha, Nirvighnam Kuru Mey Deva, Sarva Kaaryeshu Sarvada

SANSKRIT SLOKA

This is a sloka (prayer script) on lord Ganesh chanted by people all around India and mainly by Hindus. This sloka means: I pray to Lord Ganesha who is a symbol of purity, present everywhere, who is glowing with spiritual splendor, the one who represents calm and happiness and who can destroy all obstacles in our spiritual and worldly path. So, we believe lord Ganesh (elephants are worshiped as Ganesh) can help us overcome all obstacles but technically now human beings became a big obstacle and threat to them by killing them. It’s not a matter of religion but a matter of humanity VS cruelty.

Many of you from different places may not know what happened with an elephant in India. So, there was a pregnant elephant that left the silent valley in Pallakad, Kerala and came wandering into the nearby village. Some cruel local from the village offered the elephant a pineapple stuffed with crackers but the innocent creature didn’t know about this it ate the pineapple and died in a river nearby with pain as the cracker burst inside its mouth and even the baby died.

How greedy we humans are turning day by day everything has a limit. Was it necessary to harm that beautiful creature just for its tusk and skin or was it just a cruel act. In this world, I thought only human beings are not safe but even animals are not safe. It’s hard to know we’re living with monsters and devil next to us, (don’t get offended it’s the truth).

It’s necessary to punish the people who did this I believe law and this universe won’t spare them. Can you imagine how much the elephant would have suffered from pain and how the baby would? At least the baby didn’t get a chance to live in this cruel world. It’s a humble request that don’t harm animals. Not only this incident but many such cases are taking place somewhere even now. It’s not necessary to help animals the utmost you can do is not to hurt them.

THE LOVE FOR ALL LIVING CREATURES IS THE MOST NOBLE ATTRIBUTE OF MAN. 
– Charles Darwin.

GRATITUDE AND LIFE

  • We’re running in this human race, for success, happiness, and many things. How many of us are happy about where we are now? How many of us realize we missed many important things in life by going behind the things which are not important.
  •  Can you all rewind the happiest moments in your life and cherish them I know it’s amazing right. Can you all show some gratitude to the life we are living now!
  •  Gratitude is the first step towards happiness and success. On these hard times let’s all show some gratitude to our life and to the things which made us happy. Let us thank the sunshine, moonlight, chill breeze, spring, autumn evenings, winter, our first milestone, parents and loved ones.
  •  It’s high time to show gratitude to the things which we all are taking for granted in life. You all know tomorrow you’re going to wake up, autumn is approaching, and Christmas is bringing us full of joy and happiness.
  • We know things that are going to happen and we believe in them. At the time, in the same way, take a moment to see how far you have already come near to your goals and keep believing like Christmas, like autumn it will come one day and you are going to accept the success with full happiness and show your gratitude towards it.

HOW BUSHFIRES RESULTED IN AUSTRALIAN ECONOMY OVER YEARS?

Bushfires in Australia have occurred many times and helped in shaping the continent. The most destructive fires are caused by extremely high temperatures, low relative humidity, and strong winds. The bushfire occurred in 1851 – black Thursday bushfire, 1926 – Gippsland fires and black Sunday, 1939- black Friday, 1967- black Tuesday, 1983- ash Wednesday, 2006- December bushfire, 2009- black Saturday. (Note:- 2019-20 bushfire season will be focused keenly in my next write-up)

 Australian mammalogist and paleontologist Tim Flannery mentioned in his book ‘The future eaters’ that fire is one of the important factors at work in the Australian environment. This helped in the evolution of a variety of mechanisms for plants to survive. Even bushfire results in the epicormic shoot which means a growth of a dormant bud, and lignotubers a woody swelling of the root grown by some plant as a protection against destruction of the plant stem caused by fire. The fires are caused by both natural phenomenon and humans. Aborigines in many regions set fire to grasslands in hope of producing lusher grass, clearing grasslands for hunting, and clear tracks through dense vegetation. This is a traditional practice by them known as fire-stick farming which even resulted in the growth of bush potatoes. Gamba grass imported into Queensland which presents a much greater fire fuel hazard.

1851 black Thursday bushfire: occurred due to heavy drought (1850) which caused extreme heat and it is even believed that a couple of bullock drivers left the logs burning which set fire to the dry grass. The unpleasant fire spread from Victoria to northern Tasmania turning day into night. This fire burnt 5 million hectares it resulted in the loss of 1million sheep and thousands of cattle and 12 lives. It was the time where the discovery of gold was going on in many parts of Australia. In 1851 at Victoria on 1st July there was the discovery of gold and some believe that due to bushfire as the land got cleared it was possible. To be more précised the gold was discovered in Ballarat which is located in Victoria’s mainland. They accompanied two tonnes of gold per week and increased financial capital for Melbourne. 

1926 Gippsland and black Sunday: this bushfire occurred between 26 January to 10 March 1926 in Victoria. It swept across Gippsland on 14th February. Black Sunday alone claimed the death of 31 and by the end of Gippsland fire 60 people were killed with 700 injured, 1000 buildings. It was the post-war period and Australia was facing inflation and large debt as they stimulated money supply to fund its war supply and the growth rate was slow and average around 2.7%. And this huge loss of forest due to the bushfire resulted in another drawback for the Australian economy.

1939 black Friday bushfire: this is one of the most devastating bushfires in Australia which resulted in burning whole summer and ash fall far to New Zealand. This fire is not only because of drought and dry but even human causes are involved like burning of grass to clear tracks, lightning campfires, inappropriate sawmill operations, and domestic fires. This bushfire led to the loss of 71 lives, 1300 homes, 69 sawmills were burned and 3700 buildings were destroyed. Around 575000 hectares of reserved forest and 780,000 hectares of forested crown land was burned. In the areas where the fires were intense the soil was burned to a high degree and dept that it took decades for them to restore their chemistry. Large tree hollows and other important habitats for mammals and birds, including the Lead beater’s possum and powerful owl, were destroyed when the mature mountain ash forests burned. Water bodies were filled with dirt and ash. It was even a recovery period for the Australian economy from the great depression.

1967 black Tuesday or Tasmanian bushfires: this occurred on 7 February 1967 one of the deadliest bushfires experienced by Tasmania. The late winter and early spring of 1966 led to a lush growth of vegetation. The hot weather began early by February which led to vegetation dry out and bushfire started. The cost resulted in 64 lives, 900 injured people, 7000 became homeless, 2640 lands were burnt and $40 million total damage was incurred. Agriculture was affected as thousands of chicken and sheep were killed among other livestock. This even resulted in economic boon as $34 million was injected into the economy and mostly from commonwealth grant and loans 14.4 million, insurance recoveries over $10 million, and distribution from public relief fund $5.1 million and other funds.

Ash Wednesday 1983: these bushfires occurred on 16 February 1983 caused by a drought which lasted for 10 months which left the eastern Australian forest dry. The most disastrous factor in the Ash Wednesday fires occurred just before nightfall when a fierce and dry wind change swept across South Australia and Victoria. This abruptly changed the direction and dramatically increased the intensity of the fires. This resulted in the death of 75 people, more than 3000 properties have been destroyed, and livestock loss came around 340,000 sheep and 18000 cattle. The fires damaged valuable timber in State forests with losses of around $50 million. Park and forest offices and firefighting equipment were lost. The fires burned the vegetation that protects the soil. After the fires, there was further damage through soil erosion affecting streams and water catchments. The total damage was estimated at $400 million and over around $1.2 billion in 2015.

2006 December bushfire: from 2006 – 2007 Victoria experienced an adverse fire that was ignited by a lightning strike in Victorian Alps and the fire was contained on 7 February 2007 after 69 days. The loss was estimated around 1.3 million hectares in which 60% was public land and 40% was private land, 100 plus buildings were destroyed, 5 lives, 1400 were injured, 400 people from St John hospital provided medical assistance, 11 new Zealand firefighters were injured, 66000 stock was the loss, electricity supply at Melbourne was cut as the power lines were disrupted. The contribution of forestry to agriculture resulted in less proportion after the bushfire as many flora and timber were lost.

2009 Black Saturday bushfire: this was one of the worst bushfires in Australia which resulted in the death of 173 people. This was ignited on and around 7 February 2009 by natural cause due to the summer heat. Agriculture impact was highest with 25%, fatalities 22%, residential buildings 21%, the total benefit was $2 billion in which half of them were received from the insurance industry and donation 19%. Wine export accounts for a major portion in agriculture contribution of Australia, but major grapes were spoiled through smoke taint. So, it took Athem years and measures to overcome the loss.

Reference:  Australia department of agriculture, Forest fire management Victoria, Australian istitute for disaster resilience, Australian institute of criminology, wikipedia.