Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from EnviroApps

It is that time of the year when everyone should enjoy peace,  festivities and happiness. Year end holidays bring lots of positiveness. It is end of the year, let us put all the things behind and look for a bright future.

From our group we wish - Happy Holidays and Happy New Year:

EnviroApps - Environment & Information Technology

Environment - EA FARMS - Sustainable Organic Natural Agriculture - EA Farms Facebook

                        Farm Startup - Steps for people to start a farm

Information Technology - EAPHARMICS - electronic stability testing and analysis software for pharmaceutical companies

                                          EA DATA DEN - Database and IT Training

Environment & Information Technology - ZoomVin - creating environmental areas and presenting it digitally to create environmental awareness.

                                          Birds | Butterflies | Flowers | Nature

I stress to share your positive knowledge to others and guide them to better life.

I pray for peace and prosperity all over the World.

Once again Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.

Makesh Karuppiah, PhD
Environmental Scientist and Information Technologist.

ZoomVin - Creating Environmental Niche and Photography

Recently we created ZoomVin website:

What we do in this site is - we create environmental awareness. How do we do that - We create a real world environmental niche for birds and butterflies by planting trees and flowering plants. Also by properly placing bird feeders and baths we attract birds. They are fun to watch and we capture them in our camera. Through zoomvin we want to share the world these beautiful pictures in the form of digital media.

Birds: 

Butterflies:

Roses and Flowers:

Nature:

See and enjoy these books (pictures). You can also create your own environment and attract them and capture those wonderful moments. These are small environments where these many birds visits. We have a created a bigger niche at EA FARMS and lots of different birds visit. It is also a sustainable land development project.

Everglades Alligator Importance

Protecting the Everglades:

Beautiful Everglades - Coot Bay

Question and Answer written by a 5th grader - Sharing her view on Importance of Alligator for survival of Everglades

Question – What would happen if there were no alligators left in the Everglades?

Answer:

Snap! Snap! In the one and only Florida Everglades, the sharp sound of an alligator rapidly snapping up its caught prey, is relatively common. One is left to think of what would happen if the beautifully wild everglades lost all of its plentiful reptilian alligators. The answer to that question may just be determinable.

First of all, without alligators, many vital habitats would not even exist. They create deep depressions that eventually fill to the brim with a mixture of salt and freshwater to form brackish water. The holes become residences for marine life such as young bonefish and shrimp. Also, there are abundant aquatic animals that are attracted to these holes during the dry season, which lasts from December to April. The depressions provide refuge for them when the winter becomes frigid and extremely dry. Additionally, endangered species use the alligator’s valuable holes to lay their eggs. More of the species can then survive in the Everglades. Without alligators, these species would be in severe danger of extinction.

-

Secondly, without alligators, the food chain would be out of balance. Say that a type of fish eats grasses and algae in a mangrove swamp.  Then an American alligator eats the fish. This is a quick example of the food web. Without the alligators as the predators of the fish, the fish would become over populated. Alligators are essential to the national park for the reason of regulating the steady flow of petite food consumers such as fish, turtles, small –scale birds, and reptiles. The circle of life requires all plants and animals to be in order, and without alligators, we would have too much of one thing and too little of another. The Everglades is in dire need of the alligator’s predatory services in its ecosystem. 

Finally the American alligator is considered a cornerstone species in the national park. Without the reptiles, the diverse ecosystem could not survive. The Everglades would just be an ordinary plot of land. The nesting of alligators is necessary for peat formation. Without peat, many animals and especially plants would not exist in the park. Also, alligator holes fill with brackish waters I(that was mentioned in my essay before) which produce crucial areas for vegetation to grow. If alligators completely diminish, the Everglades would lose it uniqueness.

As you can see, alligators are probably one of the most precious animals for this natural park. Habitats, food chains and the formation of the Everglades depend on this one species. If the Everglades lost of all of its alligators, it wouldn’t exist, but thankfully, there are still a lot of them left!

Her poem about Bird's spot while on 4th grade.

Apart from alligator importance,

It is  incomprehensible to read about killings of fellow human beings all over the World.
Praying and hoping for positive, peaceful and prosperous 2015 -
Happy New Year.

Yes on 1 Florida - The Water and Land Conservation Amendment

Every time you visit a national park or even a national preserve, you have think of the greats such as John Muir, President Roosevelt and many other visionaries who had saved these lands for us.
Every inch of these lands is beauty to watch. When you enter them, it is pristine, you breath the fresh air and have fun in the nature.
I can't even think of disturbing these saved land.
Now in Florida to save these Lands and Water - we have to vote Yes on 1 - The Water and Land Conservation Amendment.



 Voting Yes on this Amendment 1 will give us opportunity to enjoy these preserved lands and water bodies. We should preserve these lands for the future generations to benefit, as we did.
If we don't the future generations would have to see these lands only in pictures.

I have traveled to different countries and as the years go by, there are only concrete jungles. Green forests, lands and water bodies are degraded everywhere. When you step out, you breathe dust and soot from the vehicle exhausts and have to drink contaminated water. So it is important to save these remaining lands and water bodies.

Think of these environments -

A beautiful serene view of Lake Russell, FL 

    Pristine lands with trees, plants, serene rivers, lakes, stream, birds, butterflies, animals and fresh air to breath and

    Sterile lands with concrete buildings, polluted water bodies, depleting aquifers and particulates to breath

Which one you would choose from the above to live in. I would go with the first one.

I will also work on the second one as an Environmental Scientist to slowly make it as the first one. However, just to restore the native plants, it would take 40 years or more.

It is very difficult to restore the environment after damage, since the natural process takes so long. I researched on Chesapeake Bay environmental issues and after more than 18 years felt happy knowing that it is getting better. All those efforts of restoration have been fruitful.

Vote Yes on 1 - The Water and Land Conservation Amendment - more info

So apart from party boundaries, let us all vote Yes on 1 - The Water and Land Conservation Amendment ( Note - without any additional tax burden ) in the coming Florida November 4th election to save these these precious Waters and Land, which will save all its inhabitants and more.

The Good Result and the best news for future generations:

Makesh Karuppiah, Ph.D
Environmental Scientist

Eco-Justice for Whales, Animals and Eradicate War, Racism from the face of Mother Earth

It is very hard to comprehend that 30 whales had been hunted this year, especially if you follow and practice eco-justice.

Over the years I have been successful with help of my team, in creating eco-friendly land systems, sustainable agricultural lands and eco-friendly backyards.

Wonderful to see - Birds sharing food 

We feel ultimate happiness when we see a small bird feeding from our backyard and hence it is very hard to read that whales, tigers, rhinos and other wild animals are hunted just for the wrong reasons.

Beautiful and Huge Whales - wonderful to watch 

(I could not even believe humans killing 30 of them).

Majestic Rhinos

Most of my life I was non-vegetarian and it took a while for me to understand the environment, ecosystems and religious systems to become a vegetarian. If I can change that way, I hope and pray that others can change or at least move towards the change (From 30 whales to 0 whales hunting, It would be great).

A beautiful young soft Chicken

(How could people boil hundreds of them alive?)

If I could not comprehend whale killing, how can I comprehend human killing by means of war. I cannot believe, even in the 21st century we are having so many wars and did not learn a thing from the past. My dear brothers and sisters from all over Globe, please learn from the past and live together peacefully. There are so many positive things to do on this great Mother Earth. Kick the negativeness out and move forward.

Also I was surprised to see that racism exists in twenty first century. Again I could not comprehend that we still need boards to display 'say no to racism' in football (soccer) world cup matches.

We all know the outer color is due to the environment we (and previous generations) are (were) exposed to and the inner blood color is the same. I hope and pray racism gets eradicated soon from Mother Earth. We all should focus on tolerating each other, live peacefully, harmoniously, follow eco-justice for animals and elevate the nature of human kind.

Wherever you are, do whatever good you can, with whatever you have

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
          -- by Great President Theodore Roosevelt

President Roosevelt, was a key person, involved in saving several National Parks and Wildlife Refuges.
Last weekend, I  had the privilege to visit the America's first wildlife refuge that was created in 1903 - Pelican Island Wildlife Refuge to save wildlife.

Pelican Island 

American White Pelican in Pelican Island wildlife refuge

Birds are important part of environment and play an important role in many ways.
National Parks and Wildlife Refuges are very important for these birds to survive.

Some of the birds in this refuge

Ibis group in the Tree

 Anhinga

Grey Heron

 Osprey with fish

Hawk

 Red Winged

Leaders should follow his footsteps to preserve the remaining forests and wildlife areas for the betterment of environment.

If we follow President Roosevelt and do what you can, with what you have and where you are (Good and Positive deeds) at least something (good) will happen. For example:

Couple of years ago we had this free cherry tree from a tree giveaway program. We planted this tree in our backyard.

Free Cherry Plum Tree Sapling

This year it gave us wonderful cherry plum fruits.

It also added aesthetics to our backyard and helped bringing in wonderful songs birds to our backyard.

I am also proud that the people I trained have gotten into real world jobs. Hope they help others to get the jobs as they did.

I had followed President's words by creating beautiful environment for the birds in my own backyard and trained people in Information Technology to get real time jobs.

So wherever you are -  Do whatever good you can, with what you have and where you are, it is going to create a wonderful society.

EARTH DAY 2014 Beautiful Visitors and Praying for Peace

EARTH DAY 2014

 “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed.”

“What we are doing to the forests of the world is but a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and to one another.”

“The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

“Poverty is the worst form of violence. Recall the face of the poorest and weakest man you have seen, and ask yourself if this step you contemplate is going to be any use to him.”

“If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children.”

“Always aim at complete harmony of thought and word and deed. Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well. ”

― Quotes from Mahatma Gandhi

“Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.”

“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.”

“In every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks.”

“Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world.”

― Quotes from John Muir 

I love environment. Nature always fascinated and fascinates me. When I see greenery, chirping birds, wonderful animals, grand trees, water bodies, and mountains (all the nature), I feel happy from my soul. Good that I could complete a PhD in Environmental Sciences. I have been involved in Environmental Sciences from my under graduate degree and worked on several projects including EAFARMS.

 Earth day 1988 - Demonstration of Pollutants affecting Environment

Some Visitors to my place on Earth day 2014:

Beautiful Male Red Cardinal

Dove Quenching Thirst

 Dove waiting for Food

Old Duck

 Duck Couple

Mom and Daughter (Sand Hill Cranes)

Turtle

Yellow Warbler

I was glad to see all of them. It was fulfilling Earth Day 2014. Had a wonderful bike ride.

Hope and Pray that we will move way ahead and Positively Progress in our Environmental Projects. 

Already so many tragedies happened this year in the world. Praying for all of the victims and their families.  

Another prayer - Need peace all over the World. Let us pray for the peace. 

MOTHER EARTH is RICH and can provide for everyone. 

We should learn from the past, move ahead peacefully and pass our Earth as a safe and wonderful place to live,  for our future generations. 

Makesh Karuppiah on Earth Day, 2014

The Birds’ Spot

The Birds’ Spot

                I survey the quaint, calm landscape of my backyard,

With my eyes shining full of jubilance.

I stop and look at a cozy area,

 somehow more intriguing than the rest.

Why not investigate? I curiously thought.

My ponderings swirled in and around my mind.

Then, quickly and suddenly!

An idea struck the spot!

It’s almost too good to be true, but

The area’s perfect for a dear family of birds.

They chirp all day long joyfully, uttering their carefree comments,

As if nothing else mattered in the world.

The soft, lush grass,

And the crunchy vegetation would be the floor.

The broad, emerald leaves of the majestic oak,

Intertwined with gossamer threads of spider silk,

Is surely the canopy.

Here comes the parasite chandelier,

Looking exactly like an old man’s beard.

Now here’s the main part!

The unique and glorious birdfeeder, along with a rustic birdbath,

Take up the oasis in hardworking life.

Mouthwatering grain and refreshing, luscious water,

Is probably a good meal or snack.

Oh, how soothing it must be!

Set against a backdrop of sun and trees.

It’s a birds’ dining room, fit for royalty!

I shove out all the other needless thoughts,

They won’t spoil or ruin my mood.

    Even though my imaginative idea is too good to be true.    

     

     

                        ---- by AK (Poem by my 4th grade daughter)

( We Love Birds in our Backyard )