Vicious hobbies on the rise
Published January 13, 2010 | 
In the Monday morning madness when people were running behind buses and office goers jostling for that extra space to inch their way through the milling crowd, this sight arrested my attention. On the footpath leading to a busy junction in Cochin a young boy was sitting under the shade of a huge rain tree with many tiny colorful chirping birds and parrots in tiny cages. These hapless creatures were put up for sale for rupees twenty per pair.
Curious onlookers gathered around the boy, some where haggling and some were taking a closer look at the specimens put on display. The boy was boasting that these birds were procured from the hill ranges. It was when a customer asked whether these birds will be able to survive the hot and sultry climate and the pollution of the cities. The boy admitted that some of these birds will die as he lunged at his top voice to attract more customers.
The birds were fluttering their wings and crying in panic and were making all attempts to free themselves from the confines of the dingy cages and suddenly someone informed the wild life department so that these birds can be released back into the wild. It is an irony that men have not only encroached into the forests but also are putting the original inhabitants of the wild on sale! It is high time that we put an end to the brutal killings and maiming of these mute animals in the name of hobby. A leopard skin will look best on the animal and not in your living room so next time when you scout for an ivory sculpture to deck up your showcase, remember that man and his vicious hobbies have pushed many animals into extinction and now the time has come to follow the golden rule of “Live and let live” to make this world a better place to live not only for us but also for the future generations!
Live and let live
Published November 8, 2008 | This world would have been a dreary and lifeless space without the early morning chirping of birds and the pleasant cuckoo calls. These birds of all possible hues and shades greatly add up to the milieu of the world we live. If you are an ardent bird watcher, here is an interesting piece of information.
In order to create awareness about the various species of birds and to encourage budding bird watchers, KeralaBirder in association with HSBC and Yuhina Eco Media is organising the HSBC Bird Race. Yuhina Eco Media is an organisation based in Mumbai with special interests in natural history and environmental activities.
KeralaBirder,an online mailing community of bird-watchers, is organising the Bird Race in Kerala on November 9 in connection with the birth anniversary of the famous ornithologist, Dr. Salim Ali, better known as the “Birdman of India”. This race is the only one of its kind that is conducted in multiple locations on the same day. The race will be held in different locations like Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Thrissur and Kozhikode simultaneously.
It is a day long programme, which is expected to attract both seasoned and novice birdwatchers to spend the day identifying and recording bird species. The day will conclude with a interactive session over dinner where the participants share their experiences. No matter whether bird watching is your profession, a way of life or a well cherished hobby , this event is just the right place to be in to express your love for these winged beauties. Events such as this assume graeter significance these days when most of the bird species are facing extinction due to poaching and habitat loss. Take a pledge to protect the environment and its exceptional flora and fauna for a better and beautiful future .