EcoWarrior - Mr. Yoganathan from Marudhamalai, Coimbatore

Mr.Yoganathan, bus conductor from Coimbatore has planted more than 50,000 trees and created Environmental awareness in Tamilnadu especially among students and children.
He had been recognized for this achievement by Indian Government and was awarded "Eco-Warrior Award".
Mr. Yoganathan with his award - (www.dinamalar.com)

I had personally heard of his work from team members in Pollachi.

Good work Mr. Yoganathan.

Bharathiar University - Environmental Science Department - Near Marudhamalai - This is where I did my M.Phil degree and we planted these trees as small saplings during that time (1991):








Makesh Karuppiah, Ph.D
Environmental Scientist

Going Green and Environmental Awareness Catching Up

Going Green and Green Awareness Catching up:

The future is SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Dockers Pants made up of Cocono fabrics:

Coconut Fibers

The site indicates that Cocona fabrics provide comfort while utilizing natural technology.

Natural Dockers was as comfortable as other Dockers. Also saw some nature awareness from a.n.a clothing with words like "Hug a Tree" in shirts.

We are moving towards sustainable Green awareness world, which is a good sign.

Green Clothes:
Green JCPenney

In India:

Read a headline on 07/07/2008:
Collector for steps to enhance green cover of Annamalai hills - The Hindu:
TIRUVANNAMALAI: The district administration will take steps to provide green cover to the 2,170-metre high Annamalai hills in the Tiruvannamalai town, according to Collector M. Rajendran.

Mr. Rajendran, who climbed up the hills on Saturday to assess the vegetation, told reporters that a project on “greening the hills” was launched in 2001. Based on the project, steps would be taken shortly to increase the green cover by planting more saplings.

Of the 933.77-hectares on the hills, 699.03 hectares were under the control of the Forest Department and 234.74 hectares under the Revenue Department.

Some areas on the hills had less vegetation and some had no trees.

The growth of the trees had been affected by excessive heat conditions prevailing in the town.

The Collector suggested that tea gardens could be raised on 40 to 50 hectares of land in Thenimalai area.

The hills abounded in herbal plants, including single-leaf lotus, garlic, Keezhanelli, sambrani, vettiver and nannari.

Wild animals such as black-faced monkey and wild fowls are also found on the hills.

Steps would be taken to provide thick vegetation cover by planting saplings, sowing seeds and growing grafts, he said.

Forest Department and Revenue officials accompanied the Collector.





Also take a quiz on E-Wastes:

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/01/high-tech-trash/trash-quiz-interactive

MakeSH

Rich & Poor

Rich: Diamond studed IPL Trophy:

Poor: A Village boy's hurt leg by playing cricket without shoes:


My View: With all the profits IPL made, they should atlease provide shoes, gloves and equipments to the underpriviliged children who play cricket in villages of the corresponding teams (Chennai Super Kings - to Tamilnadu Village schools, Rajasthan Royals - to Rajasthan Village Schools, something like that).

One more photo: Poverty leading to this - Child dangerously playing with a venomous Cobra to make money:(www.dinakaran.com)



makeSH

Hero or Zero

Excellent piece of video for building the future.
My Suggestions:
We need to build the school infrastructures with at least basic needs even in rural areas.
Create more awareness in education, environment and sustainability.
I have seen rural young children walking in hot tar road without any footware for miles to get education.
People with God given higher living conditions must provide these basic necessities for unpriviliged children.
Praying to God to give this good mentality to everyone.

Question to the authorities:
How will these children get their education with the basic necessities such as food, shelter, clothing and footware, etc? (If these things are provided, then they will have interest in going to school instead of working as child labourer).

Hard Working Children
makeSH

Chemical used to make non-stick coatings may be harmful to health - research

One more example of a chemical which might show effects after long term usage:

Source: Environment News Service (ENS) Published May 14, 2008:

A chemical, perfluorooctanoic acid, used to make non-stick coating for pots and pans, food wrappers and stain-resistant fabrics may harm the immune system, liver and thyroid and cause higher cholesterol in children, according to the initial findings of a study of 69,000 people who live near a DuPont manufacturing plant. The health effects observed in the study population in West Virginia and Ohio are believed to have been caused by exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid, PFOA, also known as C8, released from the DuPont plant in Washington, West Virginia. PFOA is one of a class of perfluorinated chemicals used to make Teflon coating and other nonstick products, oil-resistant paper packaging and stain-resistant fabrics.

Info of PFOA in EPA website:

http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/pfoa/pubs/pfoainfo.htm#long

PFOA is very persistent in the environment and was being found at very low levels both in the environment and in the blood of the general U.S. population. Studies indicated that PFOA can cause developmental and other adverse effects in laboratory animals. PFOA also appears to remain in the human body for a long time. All of these factors, taken together, prompted the Agency to investigate whether PFOA might pose a risk to human health and the environment at the levels currently being found, or at levels that might be reached in the future as more PFOA continues to be released into the environment.

More info on PFOA in Wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfluorooctanoic_acid

MakeSH

EA PROJECT

Phase I:
Land :The proposed land is in Puravipalayam a well-known place near Pollachi, situated in the foothills of Western Ghats of South India bordering the neighbor state Kerala. EnviroApps Inc (EA) will utilize this land for the Bio-model prototype project. The land has been used primarily for agricultural purpose. Pesticides and Insecticides have been consistently used in this land. Geographical Information System (GIS) will be used after purchasing the land to digitalize the land for this study with the help of local GIS engineers. Fencing will be done using recycled materials along with plants, which help in the hydrological cycle. Local resources from schools, colleges will be given an opportunity to plant these saplings to create an environmental awareness in the area. The future necessity in one of the most populated countries like India is sustainable growth. These students will be taught on the principles of sustainable development and environmental cleanliness, which they would spread to the society and build the future India with environmental awareness. A temple is adjacent to this land, which can be accessed for praying and meditation.
Land treatment:
Chemical levels will be measured in the soil simultaneously during fencing. EnviroApps Inc. Land TreatmentTM will be given. Chemical levels will be measured after each treatment. When the level comes to the normal limits, further models of the projects will be carried out. During this process, local resources will be used (such as University, College level Biology, Computer and Environmental Sciences students).
Phase II:
Rain Water Harvesting, Water Systems & Water Treatment Plants:
Rainwater harvesting will be done using recycling model with focus on ground water replenishment, hydrological cycle using plants and trees. We already have implemented rainwater harvest projects in Indian villages, successfully. Water treatment will have Primary (Physical), Secondary (Biological) and Tertiary Treatments (Experienced Civil, Structural, Environmental & Electrical engineers will be used as resources).

Plant, Dairy Products & Green House Development:
Medicinal plants will be planted during this phase in the low cost green houses. Cattle will be grown primarily for the dairy products (strictly not for meat). EnviroApps Inc will focus on Environmental Health issues also. Diabetes and Cholesterol issues are the major problem in India. Quality dairy products such as Milk and organic nutritional products will be produced (Food and Nutrition degree students will be utilized in this project).
Phase III:
Eco Tour: Eco Tour will be one of our products that will create Environmental Awareness. People with biology

knowledge will be used as Eco-tour guides. We are situated in the foothills of naturally diversified Anamalai hills. The Indira Gandhi Wildlife sanctuary has a wide range of rich fauna and flora. Several activities such as Elephant ride, boating, trekking, bird and animal watching will be part of the Eco-tour along with natural farm visit. Small but comfortable vehicles with expert drivers will be used for traveling. Currently EA Eco-tour consists of five vehicles and will be increased as the business grows. These vehicles will be used for creating environmental awareness also.
Green Colony & Resorts:
After achieving success in the Phase I and Phase II, EA will begin constructing the Green Colony  (where all aged people including old can live in Nature) and Resorts. Four building blocks of each will be initially built with a swimming pool. Recycled materials will be used as much as possible for the construction. Energy will be generated from natural resources such as wind, solar, and bio-energy.
Sustainable Research Institute:
Even though Sustainable Research Institute is mentioned as the last phase of this project, the research will be starting from Phase I of the project. Each and every aspect of the project will be documented and the outcome of the project will be published in International refereed journals. This institute will focus on sustainable development with great emphasis on Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Civil and Structural Engineering, Biological Sciences and Information Technology. Equal opportunity will be given in this institute. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle concepts will be followed in every aspects of the project.
This Sustainable Bio-Model Land development project will be the pilot model that will be implemented in various parts of the world according to the prevailing conditions.

Makesh Karuppiah, Ph.D

Pictures of the land for EA Sustainable Land Development Project

Following are the pictures of land for the EA Sustainable Technology and Land Development Project: