Indian Wildlife Club Ezine (May, 2014)

Ecological-Literacy Course

INTACH

10^th-13^th June 2014

Introduction: Accordingto Fritjof Capra, “in the coming decades, the survival of humanity willdepend on our ecological literacy – our ability to understand the basicprinciples of ecology and to live accordingly. This means that eco-literacymust become a critical skill for politicians, business leaders, andprofessionals in all spheres, and should be the most important part ofeducation at all levels – from primary and secondary schools to colleges,universities, and the continuing education and training of professionals.”

David W. Orr has statedthat the goal of ecological literacy is “built on the recognition that thedisorder of ecosystems reflects a prior disorder of mind, making it a centralconcern to those institutions that purport to improve minds. In other words,the ecological crisis is in every way a crisis of education”.

Ø  Eco-literacyleads to an understanding of the workings of the natural world around us andthe manner in which free eco-system services, which sustain the planet, areavailable to human communities.

Ø  Eco-literacyenables citizens to appreciate the sustainability implication of publicdecisions and the environmental issues involved which are made on their behalf so as to provide informed feedback todecision makers and public representatives

Ø  Eco-literacyleads to informed decision making at all levels – be it individual, socialgroup or community, public administrators, institutional and business decision makers

Objective:Through this course INTACH seeks to equip concernedcitizens, decision makers and administrators with an ecological perspective,understanding of the interconnected working of eco-systems and the resultanteco-system services, with a view:

• To enable members of the general public understand ecological implications of governmental decision making and actions of large institutional and corporate entities, understand the language of experts, enable intelligent participation in public debates, encourage public stewardship of the commons.
• To enable ecologically informed decisions by public and private entities which enable a balance between development needs with ecological concerns and sustaining free eco-system services from nature.

TargetAudience: Citizens, mid-level administrators from government sector, educationists,CSR personnel, NGO representatives.

Venue: IndianNational Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), 71, Lodhi estate,multipurpose hall.

Course Date: 10^th – 13^thJune, 2014 (Last date for registration 30^th May 2014)

Course fee:

·       Rs. 3000.00 (Indiannationals-Students, NGOs, Public) [20 %less for INTACH members and employees, 30 % less for full-time students]

·       US $ 200.00 (Foreignnationals)

·       For GovernmentOfficials - Rs. 7,500.00 [early bird discount 25% upto 10 May/14]

SCHEDULE

Day 4- 13^th June 2014:Field visit either to Aravalli Biodiversity Park or Yamuna Biodiversity Park.

Short Training Programme on Urban Lakesand Wetlands

25^th-27^th June2014

Lack of understanding of thelake eco-system is leading to the decline of lakes falling in our urban areas.Lakes bring the joys of nature to urbanites, other than providing recreationaland psychological relief, acting as biodiversity habitats as well asgroundwater recharge zones. Today, these lakes are highly polluted eyesores,often emitting foul odour, and while vast sums are spent on theirbeautification the core issue of lake management remains a puzzle to thestakeholders.

Objective: Through this course INTACH seeks to provide the participantsan understanding of the lake eco-system, the analysis and diagnosis of problemsassociated with it and the methods of remediation for maintaining a healthylake eco-system.

Target Audience:Concerned citizens [who can put informed pressure on decision makers] and playa role as citizen scientists in the management and monitoring of lakes,environmentalists who can take up the cause of these commons at various fora,mid-level urban administrators and urban planners who can integrate theunderstanding of lakes in their strategic decision making.

Venue:Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), 71, Lodhi Estate,New Delhi 110003.

Dates: 25^thJune to 27^th June 2014

Arrangements:Study material, refreshments, lunch, field visits would be arranged by INTACHwhile inter-city travel and local stay arrangements are to be taken care of bythe participants.

Course fee:

·       Rs.3000.00 (Indian nationals-Students, NGOs, Public) [20 % less for INTACH members and employees, 30 %less for full-time students]

·       US$ 200.00 (Foreign nationals)

·       ForGovernment Officials - Rs. 7,500.00 [early bird discount 25%upto 10 May/14]

Course Content

Module 1- Introduction

Wetlands, landscape features found in almost all parts of the world, areknown as ‘‘the kidneys of the landscape’’ and ‘‘ecological supermarkets’’ tobring attention to the important values they provide. Although many cultureshave lived among and even depended on wetlands for centuries, the modernhistory of wetlands is fraught with misunderstanding and fear. Wetlands havebeen destroyed at alarming rates throughout the developed and developingworlds. Now, as their many values are being recognized, wetland conservationand protection have become the norm in many parts of the world. Wetlands haveproperties that are not adequately covered by present terrestrial and aquaticecology, making a case for wetland science as a unique discipline encompassingmany fields, including terrestrial and aquatic ecology, chemistry, hydrology,and engineering. Wetland management, as the applied side of wetland science,requires an understanding of the scientific aspects of wetlands.

1.     The value of wetlands

2.      Issues & Threats to wetlands

3.     Wetlands and lakes: definition

4.     Understanding Lake Ecology I- Physical

a.      Lake variability

b.     Light

c.      Density

d.     Stratification

5.     Understanding Lake Ecology II- Chemical

a.      General lake chemistry

b.     Dissolved oxygen

c.      Nutrients

                                                              i.     Eutrophication (introduction in relation tonutrients)

6.     Understanding Lake Ecology III- Biological

a.      Lake Zones

b.     Food web

c.      Primary producers

d.     Algal succession

e.      Consumers/ decomposers

f.       Trophic status

7.     Ecology of tropical wetlands

a.       Wetland Types

b.      Types of Wetland Vegetation

c.       Vegetation Dynamics

Module 2- Urban Wetlands/ lakes

According to United Nation’s World Urbanization Prospect’s database, in1950 about 30% population was urbanized, in 2010 50% and it is expected to be70% in 2050. In India, corresponding figures are, 17% in 1950, 30% in 2010,expected to be 55% by 2050. With rapid urbanisation, more land area isdeveloped around present urban agglomerations as well as new areas areurbanised to accommodate larger populations moving out of rural areas.

This module focuses on:

1.     Urban Wetlands

2.     Effect of urbanisation on wetlands: Eutrophication

3.     Urban water shed & runoff

4.     Hydrology & water budget

Module 3- Conservation of urban lakes

Withincreasingly rapid urbanization, wetlands are being threatened in two principleways:

·       Through direct conversion of wetlands, whether plannedor unplanned, to urban areas, leading to acute problems associated withpolluted drainage, direct habitat loss, overexploitation of wetland plants andanimals by urban and peri‐urban residentsand the increased prevalence of non‐native invasive species; and

·       Through the watershed‐related impacts of urban development, including increased demands forwater, increasing diffuse and point source pollution and the need for greateragricultural production to support the burgeoning urban population.

This module focuses on:

1.      Importance/ Benefits of conserving urban lakes

a.      Surface and ground water

b.     Urban Heat Islands

c.      Biodiversity

d.     Health benefits

Module 4- Wetland Management

1.      Introduction to wetland management?

2.     Integrated wetlandecosystem management

3.     Lake Laws and Rules

4.     Approachesin conservation and management of urban lakes

5.     CaseStudies

a.     HauzKhas

b.     Nainital

c.      Bhopal lakes

d.     Kankaria Lake

Field Visit: Hauz/ Palam/Okhla/Bhalswa/YamunaBiodiversity Park

PROGRAM

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3