Photo credits: Jithin Vijay
The Tibetan Golden Temple is situated in Kushalnagar Mysore, in the state of Karnataka. It is the second largest Tibetan settlement outside of Tibet and China. The Golden Temple is the main attraction in Kushalnagar; its walls are adorned with colourful paintings depicting gods and demons from Buddhist mythology. Continue reading
A Greenpeace protest juxtaposed the drowning of some of the world’s most iconic structures with Cancun, Mexico’s, rising skyline. Juan Barreto/AFP/Getty Images
After this recent story, we maybe are just more aware of this theme and watching for it, or else there is something sticky about it:
Climate Change: A Time For Humor, A Time For Action
Outskirts of Bangalore, Karnataka
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Munnar is a popular tourist destination in Kerala, attracting many people mesmerized by its manicured tea gardens and unique biodiversity. The region holds the largest tea plantations in India. In the nineteenth century, the British Resident of the Travancore Kingdom, John Daniel Munro, visited Munnar and had a great interest in the plantations. Continue reading
The Xandari Resort, located just 4 miles north of downtown San Jose, was commended in the prestigious Forbes magazine and recommended to his readers as an excellent hotel for business or tourism. publication specializing in business and lifestyle, described place as a piece of mountain paradise and a clear example of the culture of “pure life.” Author is an experienced travel journalist who was especially impressed by the hotel’s philosophy, focused 100% sustainability and well-being of their guests . Xandari According to the manager, is the people that makes this resort special.
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
First Holy Communion is traditionally the most important and holiest festive occasion in a Latin and Roman Catholic family. It is the first time that a person receives the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, which involves the consumption of consecrated drinking wine and consecrated bread. Most children receive their First Holy Communion when they are 8 to 10 years old. Special white dresses are worn the celebrate the event. Continue reading
Steven Pinker is a Johnstone Family Professor in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University. He is pictured in his home in Boston. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
We have noted his thoughts on the work of others, including unflattering thoughts, but until now we have not had the opportunity to point our attention to the man himself, so thanks to Harvard magazine for the occasion to do so:
‘What could be more interesting than how the mind works?’
Steven Pinker’s history of thought
Steven Pinker follows Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot, Martha Minow, and E.O. Wilson in the Experience series, interviews with Harvard faculty members covering the reasons they became teachers and scholars, and the personal journeys, missteps included, behind their professional success. Interviews with Melissa Franklin, Stephen Greenblatt, Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, Helen Vendler, and Walter Willett will appear in coming weeks. Continue reading
Where there’s smoke, there’s ire
Thanks to the Economist magazine for this update on a set of laws that have not been able to keep up with the pace of development:
Environmental protection
Green teeth
The government amends its environmental law
AT LAST year’s annual session of the National People’s Congress, China’s legislature, Li Keqiang, the prime minister, said the notoriously bad air quality in Chinese cities made him “quite upset”.
I am not 100% certain that laughter is an antidote to anything, but every now and then it seems like the only option. HOW TO LAUGH AT CLIMATE CHANGE, by Michelle Nijhuis, had its intended effect on me:
Government funding for Hanging Rock will support the upkeep of picnic areas, wetlands and protection of plant and animal life. Photograph: John Crook/AAP
Fans of Peter Weir will be inclined to heed the call, if they can, to help ensure Hanging Rock is not spoiled:
Controversial plans to build a tourist resort at Victoria’s Hanging Rock have been scrapped after the state government committed $250,000 a year to maintain the landmark.
The funding, announced on Friday, will fund the upkeep of trails and signs along the rock, as well as the nearby picnic areas, wetlands and protection of plant and animal life. Planning protections in the area would be strengthened to shield the area from “inappropriate development in the long-term”, the Victorian planning minister, Matthew Guy, said.
Plans by the Macedon Ranges shire council to build a 100-room resort, eco-cabins, a “nature-focused adventure facility” and a day spa near the unique volcanic rock formation had divided the small community north-west of Melbourne. Continue reading
Thanks to Conservation, a magazine published by the University of Washington, for this fascinating article on the invasive species known all too well by those of us based in Kerala’s backwaters:
The scene at Florida’s Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge in Kings Bay last October would have been familiar to anyone who has ever engaged in the battle to control the spread of invasive plants. Eager volunteers scurried about the shoreline of this manatee wintering ground, carting large plastic bins stuffed with water hyacinth, a notorious aquatic weed that’s caused headaches on five continents. Closer inspection, however, would have revealed the activity to be anything but business as usual: instead of hauling water hyacinth outof the bay, the conservationists were putting it back in—almost 4,300 gallons’ worth by day’s end. Continue reading
Photo credits: Jithin Vijay
An easy to make Kerala original, Sambaram is a spicey, refreshing drink perfect for a hot summer climate. Traditionally used as a welcome drink in all Kerala homes, it is also served at the end of Kerala fest which helps in improving the digestion. Continue reading
Photo credits: Dileep
In some places of Kerala ferries are more popular and easier then road transport. The Alapuzha-Cochin region is interconnected with regularly used Junkar ferries that move vehicles and people across the extensive series of water bodies with back waters, lagoons and rivers making travel by ferry an effective services . Continue reading
Outskirts of Bangalore, Karnataka
Maybe it’s already happened to you in years past: you walk into your garage, ready to take your first bike ride of the year now that it’s finally warm enough, but you lift your old helmet only to find that it is full of moss, leaves, and twigs. What?! You may think it’s a late April Fool’s joke, but actually it is the product of a lot of hard work by a small cavity-nesting bird that has found a safe place to put their home. Depending on where you live, it could be any number of species, but the most common by far are the Carolina Wren and House Wren.
Clockwise from top left, submissions are by Joe Hoelscher, David Hutchinson, Mike Smith, and Sophie Lyon.
Photo credits: Renuka Menon
Kodaikanal is the one of Tamil Nadu’s famous hill stations. With an altitude of about 2200 meters above sea level and coversing an area of 2150 sq km, it is the most popular tourist destination in South India due to it’s lush, green surroundings and beautiful lake with boating and angling facilities. Continue reading
Turenscape Qiaoyuan Wetland Park in Tianjin, China, has terraced ponds that incorporate designed experiments to monitor benefits.
We watch for stories about innovative approaches to fixing things in the natural environment, wherever those stories may be found.
And whatever name they may be given.
Thanks to Yale360 for their ongoing attention, including this recent article:
Rebuilding the Natural World: A Shift in Ecological Restoration
From forests in Queens to wetlands in China, planners and scientists are promoting a new approach that incorporates experiments into landscape restoration projects to determine what works to the long-term benefit of nature and what does not.
Organikos 