TRAFFIC India/WWF latest developments and publication

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Dear all,

The latest issue of TRAFFIC post is now out for circulation.

Please write if you desire a copy in PDF format.

Contents include :

Dear all

Greetings from TRAFFIC India.

I am sending you the next issue of our newsletter, *TRAFFIC Post *. The key

highlights of the newsletter are:

 

*TRAFFIC India update: *

1. “Tigernet”-India’s first consolidated database on Tiger mortality and

crime launched

2. India’s wildlife law enforcement gets a boost with the launch of

TRAFFIC’s latest Handbook

3. TRAFFIC India helps poachers surrender

<http://www.traffic.org/home/2009/12/4/traffic-india-helps-poachers-surrender.ht\

ml>

4. Forest and police officials in Bhopal receive training on wildlife

enforcement

5. Karnataka begins implementing sustainable practices for collection of

medicinal and aromatic plants

 

*CITES Update: *

 

1. Conservation of Asian Big Cats to be discussed at CITES CoP 15

 

*OUTPOST: *

 

1. China’s call for increased conservation efforts

<http://www.traffic.org/home/2010/1/27/china-calls-for-increased-tiger-conservat\

ion-efforts.html>marks

the beginning of the Chinese Year of the Tiger 2010

2. Asian countries pledge to double Tiger numbers by 2022

<http://www.traffic.org/home/2010/1/29/asian-countries-pledge-to-double-tiger-nu\

mbers-by-2022.html>

3. International enforcement agencies to tackle wildlife trade in concerted

moves

 

*INFOCUS: *

 

1. Red Alert Red Sanders

 

*TRAFFIC Alert: Latest news on illegal wildlife trade in India *

 

For any queries or comments, please feel free to write to me at

dchhabra or call me at 011-41504786.

 

Thank you

Dilpreet B. Chhabra

Communications Officer

TRAFFIC India

 

Also WWF launched Earth Hour 2010 yesterday with Delhi Chief Minister Shiela

Dixit and actor Abhishek Bachhaan inaugurating the campaign. Photos

available. Mr Bachaan's lauded WWF's initiative and expressed his support

for the organisation's work. His sister Shweta endorses WWF's River Dolphin

conservation project. Press items below.

 

Regards

 

Programme Officer

TRAFFIC India

WWF India Secretariat

172-B, Lodi Estate, N.Delhi 110003, India

Tel: +91-11-41504786, Fax: +91-11-43516200

Visit us at " www.traffic.org "

 

TRAFFIC- the wildlife trade monitoring network- is a joint programme of WWF

and IUCN-The World Conservation Union. It works to ensure that trade in wild

plants and animals is not a threat to conservation of nature.

 

*India to switch off lights on March 27, 2010- 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm

 

New Delhi:* Chief Minister of Delhi Smt. Sheila Dikshit and Abhishek

Bachchan launched WWF’s Earth Hour 2010 at a press conference organized at

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) office in New Delhi. . Earth Hour is a WWF

initiative where citizens around the globe show their support for action on

climate change by turning off lights for one hour. This year the switch off

is being observed on March 27, 2010, from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm.

 

As a concerned individuals for the planet, Abhishek along with Smt Sheila

Dikshit lit the ‘candle of hope’ encouraging citizens of India to ‘switch

on’ their minds and showcase solidarity and commitment towards climate

change and energy conservation by ‘switching off’ the lights for one

hour.They were joined by Ravi Singh, CEO of WWF India. Earth Hour 2010 is

expected to be a culmination of over one billion people around the globe, in

more than 6000 cities and towns worldwide, turning off lights and showing

support for action on climate change.

 

Gracing the occasion, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi Sheila Dikshit said

''Delhi was the lead city for Earth Hour 2009 when India joined this global

campaign. Several historical buildings, office complexes, RWAs, shopping

centers and hotels switched off in support, resulting in close to 600 MW

power saving in Delhi alone. I hope that Delhi along with other cities

across the country will take Earth Hour to newer heights by generating

larger savings and sending a strong message nationally and globally,

stressing the need to shift to a sustainable and low carbon development

path.''

 

Speaking to the press, Abhishek said “As responsible citizens of this

planet, it is extremely crucial for us to address the colossal problem of

climate change through ensuring responsible action and adopting a

sustainable way of life. Earth Hour is one such platform and a people’s

campaign that goes beyond national, regional, economic and cultural

differences. It is important that Earth Hour 2010 should not be viewed as

just another cause. We need to make this a movement to demonstrate our

support for action on climate change by showing the world that actions such

as those taken up at the ‘individual level’ like adopting an energy saving

attitude and being more efficient in the use of energy can play a

significant role in curbing greenhouse gas emissions that are eventually

responsible for global warming”

 

“It is a matter of pride for me that I am associated with this prestigious

campaign. It’s time that we take a collective pledge to ‘switch on’ our

minds and take one simple step to ‘switch off the lights’ on March 27, 2010

from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm”. Abhishek added.

 

Mr. Ravi Singh, Secretary General and CEO, WWF-India, said, “Earth Hour 2009

was the largest climate action in history. It was heartening to receive

tremendous support for the campaign from all sections of the society all

across India it symbolized the aspirations and willingness of our citizens

to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle. We hope the campaign this year will

cross greater boundaries and inspire several more millions of our citizens

to take decisive and collective action towards protecting our environment.”

 

India joined the Earth Hour campaign in 2009 by committing the support of

two main cities, Delhi and Mumbai. Five million people in India alone

switched off on that day. Fifty six Indian cities participated in the

campaign. India saved 1000MW of power in that one hour with 600MW of energy

saving in Delhi alone From the icons of history like Qutub Minar, Red Fort,

and Humanyun’s Tomb and Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus to the symbols of modern

India- hotels, cinema complexes and shopping malls, all showcased commitment

towards the cause and switched off the lights for that one hour.

 

*For more information:*

Shaila Sam

Sr. Manager - Communications

WWF-India

E-mail: ssam

M: +91-9899886682

 

*Shweta Bachchan is 'Dolphin Ambassador' *

 

BAHARAICH (UP): Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachhan's daughter Ms Shweta

would be giving a 'save dolphin' message in a film being made on the water

animal whose number has come down to under 2,000.

 

Convenor of the World Wide Fund, Fresh Water and Wetlands Programme Mr

Sandeep Behra said here that Ms Shewta had been made the 'dolphin

ambassador' for India. The shooting of a film on this water animal got

underway at the Katarnia Ghat wild life sanctu ary near here and it is being

made by South Africa-based Back-to-Back production company.

 

Mr Behra said that the shooting of the film had started at the Gerua River

in the sanctuary on November 20. He said the World Wide Fund had undertaken

several concrete programmes to save this rare animal from extinction and the

film was a step in this di rection.

 

Mr Behra said the film, which is likely to be completed in the next six

months, would be aired on the National Geographic channel and other national

and international channels. According to Mr Behra, the producer of the film

Mr Herman is himself an exper t cameraman and has already made 400 films. -

PTI

 

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blnus/18241106.htm