environment – VAGABOND IMAGES

Quenching the thirst and keeping nature alive

Upendra SwamiJune 1, 2020573 Views4

So after the double rainbow delight of Sunday in the national capital, tempers were again on rise in the sky on Monday. However, it was never close to the sweltering heat that we had early last week when the temperatures crossed 46 degree celsius. Still, hot and humid days are not over and this weather makes you thirsty all the time… and, these birds as well. Isn’t it! A call for the water or the partner! Actually this is the weather and these are the images that make you wonder how essential are these little things to be done around our city homes to keep the nature around live and chirping! These birds which give us joy in our balcony views daily, need to quench thirst as well in this peak summer. What, when there is no open water puddle or pool for them? These little pots a...

IndiaNews

A win for the green at Chilika

Upendra SwamiSeptember 13, 2018303 Views3

Its a win for the environmental cause. It is also a slap in face for all those who promote mindless fancy projects in name of tourist promotions. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has been forced cancel the water aerodrome project at the Chilika lagoon following objections from various quarter. However in a face saver it has offered to develop the project in Odisha if the state government provides it with an alternative site. Chilika, the second largest brackish water lake in the world, covers Khurda, Puri and Ganjam districts of Odisha. Situated at the mouth of the Daya River, Chilika is rich in biodiversity and a major tourist attraction in the state. A colony of flamingos at Chilika AAI chairman Guruprasad Mohapatra said: "Following a request from the state government...

AdventureIndia

Why travelling to Yamunotri is just not a pilgrimage!

Upendra SwamiJune 12, 2018544 Views6

When the District Tourism Officer of Uttarkashi, Prakash Singh Khatri told me that before taking us to Sayanachatti rest house in the evening, he wants to take us to a majestic waterfalls, enroute Yamunotri, which is hardly visited by anyone, I was thrilled. There were two reasons to get excited, having been to Kempty Falls in the morning, I desperately wanted to see some real waterfalls. Secondly, I wanted to explore the non-mythological aspects of this fantastic valley. That was also the brief for us during Uttarakhand Tourism’s first ever Blogger Bus in the state. Yamunotri has got all sort of mythological importance. It is indeed known as the source of river Yamuna. Although the actual source of river lies somewhere 14 kms up in the mountains, river Yamuna is worship...

AdventureIndia

World Environment Day: Where even the source is threatened

Upendra SwamiJune 5, 2018231 Views4

How often when we talk talk of polluing rivers we discuss about the ways big cities are pushing their dirt into it. While talking about rivers, we cherish, how pure the rivers are at their source and then get polluted down the stream. In that sense, it was indeed painful to see the source of one of our most sacred rivers Yamuna at Yamunotri. It was pristine all around--weather, nature and the faith, but the condition of river was not at all that healthy. We have probably ourselves to blame. Problem is, we are unwittingly perhaps encouraging what should have been discouraged downrightly. With the increasing connectivity, increasing number of travellers all the stops on the way are being converted into mini city hubs. With hundreds of buses coming daily during the Yatra time, we can ...

IndiaPhotogallery

Earliest sacrificers for sake of environment!

Upendra SwamiJune 5, 2016322 Views6

On the World Environment Day, one of the most inspiring stories of environment protection. Story of one of those rare incidents in the world, when people sacrificed their lives for the sake of the environment. A story that happened more than hundred years ago before the famed 'Chipko Movement' of Uttarakhand led by legendary Sundarlal Bahuguna. This particular story is from area just bordering India's great Thar Desert in Rajasthan. This story is from close to Jodhpur, from a place made famous by that infamous episode of Bollywood actor Salman Khan and others hunting a black buck and then finding themselves under the wrong side of law. A place where sights like this are common and so pleasing- This is story of Khejadi Kalan, a village 25 kms from Jodhpur on the Sardarsamand road ...

IndiaNewsPhotogallery

Milking a lake and killing it too!

Upendra SwamiMarch 17, 2016778 Views11

Its the story of the 'goose that laid the golden egg'. Quite similar to my earlier post on Hills: Don't we need them anymore. But irony is, while the earlier story was about a place some distance from Delhi, this one is right from the heart of the capital. This too is about something equally crucial or perhaps more in the immediate future. This also had a bit more of emotional connect as it relates to the place which I visit almost daily. Another fact that it is also the place, where I had some of my very memorable photographs. So this was the scene yesterday (image below), that saddened me and prompted me to write about it. And honestly, I had thought about writing on this a number of times earlier as well, but couldn't muster the will. As could be made out, this image and the imag

AdventureIndiaNews

Millions of Amur Falcons return to Doyang

Upendra SwamiNovember 17, 2015510 Views1

Two tagged falcons complete two rounds from Mongolia to South Africa As two of the three Amur falcons tagged with satellite tracking chips last year returned to the north-eastern Indian state of Nagaland, central government has now decided to develop Doyang Lake as an ecotourism spot for bird-watchers across the world to have a wonderful and rare sight of Amur Falcons. Doyang lake is famous as a roosting site for longest travelling raptors Amur Falcons. They come every year at Doyang lake during their flight from Mongolia to South Africa. Pangti is now Amur Falcon capital of world The two falcons - named Naga and Pangti – tagged in 2013 have already done two rounds from Mongolia to South Africa via Nagaland and have again returned to Nagaland this year. Amur falcons, weigh just 15

IndiaNews

Biggest elephant capture operation in decades

Upendra SwamiFebruary 1, 2014555 Views2

Karnataka state in south India has initiated ground work for the biggest operation to capture wild elephants in the country. Forest officials have held talks with experts from Africa and within the country to begin trans-locating a heard of 25 to 30 elephants in the district of Hassan,225 km from Bangalore. " The operation will take place early next week" a forest official said. But many environmentalists are already crying foul over this attempt. Farmers have been complaining for more than two years seeking action against the elephants who often go on rampage destroying crops. More than 25 people have died due to elephant attacks in recent years in what experts call human-elephant conflict zone. The High Court has given its nod for the capture of these elephants. The last such ope...