The first Dolphin community reserve at river Hoogly, West Bengal, India

West Bengal will be soon boasting the India’s first community reserve to protect the endangered dolphins. The dolphin reserve will come up at Hoogly, a 500 km long stretch of the Ganges. West Bengal has initiated this move to protect the endangered Gangetic River Dolphins. The decision to this effect was taken by the State Wildlife Board.

The State Chief Wildlife Warden, Azam Zaidi said that a community reserve is proposed between Malda and the Sunderbans in the Hoogly River and a committee has been formed to examine how best this can be achieved. All stakeholders will be taken on board in this venture, and a framework will be ready within a year.

The WWF (World Wide Fund) reports that the Ganges River Dolphin or Susu is found primarily in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of India, Nepal and Bangladesh.

Declared as National Aquatic Animal in 2010, Ganges River Dolphin has been hunted almost to extinction and today only about 2,000 remains. The Ganges River Dolphin is often termed as the Tiger of The Ganges, it is an indicator animal and has the same importance as the tiger in a forest ecosystem. The Forest Department is also conducting a census to estimate the population of the Dolphins in the Ganges and the Brahmaputra river system.

Main causes of the decimation of the Dolphin population include indiscriminate killing, fragmentation of habitat due to unbridled human activities that include construction of barrages, and dams.

Pollution is also a major cause of large scale death of the Dolphin population.
The river also is a sole source of income for hundreds of fisherman, and they have lived for hundreds of years. The forest officials were aware of this fact and were quick to reassure that every measure will be taken to protect these fishermen and their livelihood.

Eco Friendly Ganesh

Ecoexist brings you Ganesh idols made from natural clay, painted with turmeric, geroo and multani mitti. These can be immersed in a bucket of water in your house and used to water plants. Idols made from plaster of paris and chemical paints contain heavy metals and are harmful to the ecosystem. There are also wide range of accessories made natural materials like shola pith and cloth. These have been made by challenged adults and help them earn an additional income.

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with great devotion all over India. People bring home murtis (Idols) of Lord Ganesha and celebrate the festival by worshiping the Lord in a special way for a day and a half, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days or 11 days depending on the family tradition and commitment of each individual.

On the last day of worship the idol is taken out in a colourful and musical procession to be immersed traditionally at a beach.

This is one of the most popular festivals in the Country. There are several reasons for this. Ganpati is after all a popular God. His blessings are invoked at most religious ceremonies as He is the one who can remove all obstacles to success. He is the giver of fortune and can help to avoid natural calamities.

Ganpati, the god of wisdom and the benevolent deity of the dynasty of Peshwas who ruled Maharashtra inculcating a special culture in the state. Ganpati is the herald of auspicious beginnings and is the beloved deity of all.

Wish you a Happy and a Blessed Ganesh Chaturthi 2015!
                                                                       
                                                        || Ganpati Bappa Morya ||

Tourism & Culture of Jammu and Kashmir

Tourism has formed as an important part of the Kashmiri economy. The tourism economy in the Kashmir valley was worst hit. However, the holy shrines of Jammu and the Buddhist monasteries of Ladakh continue to remain popular pilgrimage and tourism destinations. Every year, thousands of Hindu pilgrims visit holy shrines of Vaishno Devi and Amarnath, which has had significant impact on the state's economy. It was estimated in 2007 that the Vaishno Devi yatra contributed ₹4.75 billion to the local economy annually a few years ago. The contribution would be much more now as the numbers of visitors have increased considerably. Foreign tourists have been slower to return. The British government still advises against all travel to Jammu and Kashmir with the exception of the cities of Jammu and Srinagar, travel between these two cities on the Jammu-Srinagar highway, and the region of Ladakh.

Besides Kashmir, Jammu region too has a lot of tourism potential. There are various places in Jammu which are worth seeing. Bhau Fort in Jammu city is the major attraction centre for the tourists visiting the city. Bage-e-Bahu is the another tourist destination. Aquarium established by the fisheries department is being visited by many these days. Jammu is being majorly visited by the tourist from across the India as a pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi. Mata Vaishno Devi is located on the trikuta hills which is around 40 to 45 km away from Jammu City. Approximately 10 million Pilgrims visit this holy place every year.

Tourism in the Kashmir valley has rebounded in recent years, and in 2009, the state became one of the top tourist destinations of India. Gulmarg, one of the most popular ski resort destinations in India, is also home to the world's highest green golf course. However, the decrease in violence in the state has boosted the state's economy and tourism It was reported that more than a million tourists visited Kashmir in 2011.


Culture of Jammu and Kashmir

Ladakh is famous for its unique Indo-Tibetan culture. Chanting in Sanskrit and Tibetan language forms an integral part of Ladakh's Buddhist lifestyle. Annual masked dance festivals, weaving and archery are an important part of traditional life in Ladakh. Ladakhi food has much in common with Tibetan food, the most prominent foods being thukpa, noodle soup; and tsampa, known in Ladakhi as Ngampe, roasted barley flour. Typical garb includes gonchas of velvet, elaborately embroidered waistcoats and boots, and gonads or hats. People adorned with gold and silver ornaments and turquoise headgears throng the streets during Ladakhi festivals.

The Dumhal is a famous dance in the Kashmir Valley, performed by men of the Wattal region. The women perform the Rouff, another traditional folk dance. Kashmir has been noted for its fine arts for centuries, including poetry and handicrafts. Shikaras, traditional small wooden boats, and houseboats are a common feature in lakes and rivers across the Valley.

The Constitution of India does not allow people from regions other than Jammu and Kashmir to purchase land in the state. As a consequence, houseboats became popular among those who were unable to purchase land in the Valley and has now become an integral part of the Kashmiri lifestyle.

Ganesh Chaturthi - The festival of India

About Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesha Chaturthi is the Hindu festival celebrated in honour of the god Ganesha, the elephant-headed, remover of obstacles and the god of beginnings and wisdom. The festival, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is observed in the  month of Bhaadrapada. The date usually falls between August and September. The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Anant Chaturdashi. This festival involves establishing clay statues of Ganesha in pandals also know as mandap made on temporary basis, which are worshipped for ten days with different variety of herbal leaves, plants. These are immersed at the end of the festival in a body of water such as a lake, along with the Idol. After adding herbal and medicated plants and leaves(patri) in lakes, the water in the lake becomes purified. This was in practice because, in early days people used to drink lake water, and to protect people from infections and viral diseases especially in this season, this tradition was introduced. Some Hindus also install the clay images of Ganesha in their homes. It is believed that Ganesha bestows his presence on earth for all his devotees during this festival.

Origin of Ganesh Chaturthi

The festival was celebrated as a public event since the days of Maratha King Shivaji. However, the public festival as celebrated in Maharashtra today, was introduced by Bhausaheb Laxman Javale in 1892 by installing first Sarvajanik Ganesh idol- Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati, Bhudwar Peth, in Pune. 1st meeting regarding starting the Sarvajanik Ganesh utsav took place under the leadership of Bhausaheb Laxman Javale at his residence at Bhudwar Peth  now known as Bhau Rangari Bhavan. In 1893 Lokmany Tilak praised the concept of Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav in Kesari Newspaper. In 1894 Nationalist Leader Lokmany Tilak installed Ganesh idol in Kesari wada, Pune too and started preaching Ganesh Utsav Lokmanya Tilak.

It is celebrated by Hindus located across the world in countries such as Nepal, Canada, Mauritius, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and many more.

Story of Lord Ganesha

Traditional Ganesha Hindu stories tell of Lord Ganesha, son of goddess Parvati, who is consort of Shiva. Parvati created Ganesha out of sandalwood paste that she used for her bath and breathed life into the figure. She then set him the task of guarding her door while she bathed. Lord Shiva, who had gone out, returned and as Ganesha didn't know him, didn't allow him to enter. Lord Shiva became enraged by this and asked his follower Ganas to teach the child some manners. Ganesha who was very powerful, being born of Parvati, the embodiment of Shakti, defeated Shiva's followers and declared that nobody was allowed to enter while his mother was bathing.

The sage of heavens, Narada along with the Saptarishis sensed the growing turmoil and went to appease the boy with no results. Angered, the king of Gods, Indra attacked the boy with his entire heavenly army but even they didn't stand a chance. By then, this issue had become a matter of pride for Shiva. Angry Shiva severed the head of the child. Parvati seeing this became enraged. Seeing Parvati in anger Shiva promised that her son will be alive again. The devas searched for the head of dead person facing North, but they found only the head of a dead elephant. They brought the head of the elephant and Shiva fixed it on the child's body and brought him back to life. Lord Shiva also declared that from this day the boy would be called Ganesha.
He is also known as Sukhakarta means ‘harbinger of happiness’ and Dukhaharta means ‘dispeller of distress’

Ganesh Chaturthi In Mumbai

Ganesh Chaturthi us celebrated with great joy across Mumbai. Huge Ganesha Idols are installed for 11 days. Worship in form of singing know as aarti is performed for 11 days. The well know areas in Mumbai such as Girgaon, Lalbaug and Parel are the origin of establishment of Ganesh Idols from early days. In Mumbai, Keshavji Naik Chawl also know as Girgaon Chawl was the initial place where the Ganesh idol was inastalled by a freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak.
People praise Ganesh by saying Ganpati Bappa Morya.