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Vanishing forests and Orangutans
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Planting fruit trees can go a long way in minimising the damage done to forests
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HOMELESS Chopping trees has been directly linked to decrease in ape populations
Last week, Dr. Corera, a retired veterinarian from Malaysia, brought us sad news about the vanishing habitat of the Orangutans. Having worked with rescued apes at a Malaysian zoo, he volunteered to help Blue Cross. He was like an angel sent from heaven in answer to our prayers. Listening to his story, we sympathised and contemplated on where all the forests have gone despite all the environmental knowledge?
As I peeked and peered through furniture shop windows, enticing shoppers to buy "Original Burma Teak" the damage became obvious! In an age where we have sufficient alternatives to timber for furniture and can totally avoid chopping down forests, we are running out of excuses. But then, who cares about the Orangutans?
It's not just about the Orangutans. Wangari Mathia, the Nobel prize winner from Kenya, who was responsible for the green revolution and planting of 30 million trees, rightly explains: "Who are we as humans to use up everything on this planet with no concern for the future generations? When we talk about trees and ask people to save forests, no one listens. But if we say, `here is a fruit tree, plant it and it will feed your children', then every mother will listen and respond."
The destroyed forests cannot be brought back. They were thousands of years old and held the key to our survival. But we can plant fruit trees to sustain our children and their children, and the children of the birds and animals. So acting locally, at Blue Cross, we have initiated a nursery of fruit trees to plant this monsoon. If you have space for a pit measuring 3ft X 3ft X 3ft in dimension beside your home, come and take a sapling. Watch over it for a year and thereafter it will watch over you and sustain your children.
A tree that lives for 50 years generates Rs. 5.3 lakh worth of oxygen, recycles Rs. 6.4 lakh worth of fertility and soil erosion, creates Rs. 10.5 lakh worth of air pollution control and Rs. 5.3 lakh worth of shelter for birds and animals. Besides, it provides food, flowers, fodder, medicine and timber. So when a tree falls the nation looses Rs. 32 lakh and mourns the death of a friend. (This information is from the Hyderabad Nurseries Consortium catalogue.)
So even if no one cares about Orangutans or apes, we certainly cannot afford to use, buy or sell timber furniture anymore. Until next time, do opt for metal, fabric or stone to decorate your home and leave the trees alone.
AMALA AKKINENI
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