June - 2009
Dear Nature Lovers,
Happy environment day !

We shared some ‘Ecologically Sensitive Sites’ through last few calendars, which needs protection and conservation. There is always ‘What next ?’… Well…“Small actions make wonders”. Everybody’s contribution is important, so lets start…

Monsoon is at doorsteps… and so is the urge for plantations. But, just check… are they native ? Do you know that Australian acacia, Subabhul, Gliricidia, Eucalyptus, Gulmohar, Peltoforum, and many more are not of Indian origin, & they have negative impacts on our ecosystems. Planting any tree will not help ecosystems much. So, lets prefer NATIVE plants… for plantation, for landscaping, for avenues… They deserve to be preserved !

Regards,
Ketaki & Manasi.

Our calendar for May 09 could not be sent to some of you due to server problems. Its uploaded on our website. We are extremely sorry for inconvenience.

Our Land… Our Plants…

NATIVE plants… the plants that are naturally evolved in an area. Native / wild / Indigenous plants are most suitable for plantations as they are adapted to the soil, climate, & rainfall. Umbar is always associated with water while Kusum grows happily on rocky slopes, Karvi establishes quickly on barren slopes, Pimpal accepts even a cracked wall, Surangi needs thick shade… we have tremendous diversity in plants, be it trees, shrubs, climbers, herbs or grasses. They have different needs to grow but once established will serve the living beings with oxygen, shade, food, medicines,… the list is endless.

Organisms have very specific needs for growth & spread. Plants & animals have co-evolved with time & with changing environmental conditions, to adapt and grow successfully into viable populations. Plants have strong associations with local wildlife by providing them food, shelter, appropriate nesting sites, in turn getting essential services like pollination, seed dispersal. Human activities are altering these conditions very fast, not giving them a chance to change, so species extinction is increasing day by day. Habitats need to be conserved for survival of those species & plants are the base for any food chain… only producers on this earth….
Many times, our own wild plants are removed since they are not directly useful to human beings. But some of them could be very rare, endemic, or threatened. Nothing is unwanted in nature ! Native plants… big or small… need to be protected, propagated & planted.

'Grow Natives' - A smallest action towards conservation 'Plant a Native tree' ... this monsoon!

* Photograph contains Palas, a profusely flowering tree.
* Save the inserted calendar image and set it as desktop background for your computer monitor.
Please Note -
This Email is a part of awareness campaign initiated by oikos, Pune.
Write to us for your valuable feedback. oikos have been sending 'Desktop calendars' since January '06 with various themes, which can be downloaded from website.
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June Calendar Click on the image to enlarge
oikos for ecological services
Ph. 020-65289576

Web: www.oikos.in