From the Green Mans Desk...

I
have
always
thought it interesting that at the start
of June the month
in which the new
academic year begins we celebrate
World Environment
Day. This celebration should not only draw our attention back
to the environment, but also remind us that
focusing on environmental protection
should form an important part of our academic programme. I firmly believe that we
cannot consider ourselves educated persons if we are not aware of the environmental issues around us and are not motivated
to actually address them.
Talking about environmental issues, Mumbai is definitely facing a host of them at the
present moment. Destruction of our green
cover, poor solid waste management, rising
air pollution, water contamination, and rapid loss of open spaces are problems that
stare us in the face every day. To highlight
these concerns, a human chain was held
at Juhu on 4th June, the eve of World Environment Day. Several environmental organizations, citizens groups, nature lovers
and social activists participated in this
demonstration. It was heartening to see the
passion and the commitment of so many
ordinary citizens towards protecting and
improving our citys environment.
And with the new scholastic year beginning, its also time to launch a new edition
of the Green Schools Campaign!
The
GreenLine team is busy putting together
exciting plans for the year ahead! And
these plans will be unveiled on 5th July, the
day we inaugurate the Seventh Edition of
the Green Schools Campaign with the
Teachers Orientation Workshop. Yes, we
are looking forward to a fascinating green
year together!

Inside this issue

Facts on the illegal

wildlife trade.

Watch a video on
what water has to
say to us!

Pictures on our
contribution to the
Oceans
ecosystem.

EnviroNews

Copyright 2016 GreenLine. All rights reserved.

01

The theme of this years World Environment

Day was the Illegal Trade in Wildlife. Here
are some interesting facts on the Wildlife
Trade.

The illegal wildlife trade ranks

fourth, right after drugs, human
trafficking and the weapons
trade.

40% of Asias 50,000 elephants

are thought to live in captivity
today.

More than One Million Pangolins have been traded in the

past 10 years.

An average of 3 rhinos are

poached everyday.

Its a 400-year old practice in India to take sloth bears from the
wild, pierce their muzzle and
train them to perform dances.

Copyright 2016 GreenLine. All rights reserved.

02

WATCH THE VIDEO

The theme for this years Green school Campaign is Water.
Heres a link to a video by Conservation International where water speaks to
us.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwV9OYeGN88

Because the oceans resources werent enough, we decided to add some

more!
The sea shore reveals a fraction of the resources the ocean harbors. Here are
photographs taken at Bordi Beach, revealing our contribution to the oceans
ecosystem.

Copyright 2016 GreenLine. All rights reserved.

03

AN ISLAND WITHOUT SALT

The ingredient that seasons the food we eat, is a source of livelihood for
many and is an essential component of Mumbais ecosystem.
Salt-pans are found at places like Bhandup, Vasai, Virar and Chembur
among others. They are now being considered as potential instruments
for the States development agenda. Saltpan land is proposed to be diverted for residential and other infrastructural projects.

PEOPLE WORKING IN SALTPANS AT BHANDUP PUMPING STATION

They act as buffers against floods, and are thus of great importance to
an island city like Mumbai. Saltpans also support small ecosystems
comprising fishes, birds and plants among others. They, thereby, season urban areas with a touch of nature. Many environmental experts
have highlighted the importance of saltpans. Further, if saltpan land is
diverted, it will cramp the already congested city of Mumbai.
The white mountains of salt we often fail to acknowledge as we travel
through the city are metaphors for the silent and protective role played
by saltpans in preventing our island city from succumbing to floods.

-Vinita Rodrigues

Copyright 2016 GreenLine. All rights reserved.

04

Comic Strip Rustle the leaf

Beauty in a way unknown

-Vinita Rodrigues

It emerged as a shoot,
Exhaled oxygen,
And inhaled CO2.
It nourished the tree,
And was a shade for many.
Then it grew withered and old
And fell to the floor.
It died giving life,
Enriching the soil that helped it
survive.
It lay there all withered and old,
But decayed gracefully,
Signifying beauty in a way unknown.

Copyright 2016 GreenLine. All rights reserved.

05

QUIZ TIME
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Where are the largest number of

Tiger reserves in India located?
What is the species of endangered Rhino in India?
What used to be available free of costclean, pure and plenty and
is now packaged in plastic and sold at a price?
20% of the world's unfrozen fresh water is in a single lake. Where is
it located?
When is World Water Day celebrated?

ANSWERS
1.

MADHYA PRADESH

2.

GREATER ONE HORNED RHINOCEROS

3.

WATER

4.

RUSSIA (LAKE BAIKAL)

5.

22nd MARCH

Copyright 2016 GreenLine. All rights reserved.

06

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