The stray dog is in the news of late! It has become a controversial subject. A heated debate is currently shaking the social media and the media industry. When an animal is in the news, it goes without saying that Menaka Gandhi or PETA will also be in the news. Whether in Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, or Maharashtra, incidents of dogs attacking kids or the elderly have become common. Why are such incidents increasing as days pass on? Who is to blame? On August 11, the Supreme Court issued Suo Motu orders regarding incidents involving stray dogs in Delhi. The court directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to relocate these dogs to shelters and pounds within eight weeks of the order. Following this, a three-judge bench reserved its decision on the pleas related to the directive on August 14, amid public outrage over the situation. The court is concerned that the precious human life is in jeopardy. Parents of innocent children who fell victim to the outrage of dog bites and the civil society want effective action. On the contrary, the animal activists are interested in protecting the voiceless animals. The dilemma is to find an effective solution and deliver justice to all. Is providing shelter a feasible solution for the entire country? It appears that even courts do not consider the questions of feasibility and pass orders on knee-jerk reactions. The stray dog enthusiasts also do not seem to take cognizance of the deaths of the kids all over the country.

In the ecological pyramid, humans occupy the top position. Decisions made by man impact flora, fauna, and natural resources. Certainly, stray dogs cannot decide to do birth control, sterilization, or any preventive measures within their limited scope of the 5 senses. It is the rationale of man that can change the situation.  According to the Animal Husbandry Department’s report of November 2023, there are approximately 1.53 crore (15.3 million) stray dogs roaming the streets in India. As Menaka Gandhi says, it is not feasible to house all stray dogs in pounds. However, nothing prevents policymakers from planning a multipronged approach that encompasses all strategies, such as sterilization, isolating ferocious dogs, awareness creation, encouraging private dog homes, etc. The local municipalities must take prompt action. Feeding the stray dogs is not a sin. It is imperative for dog feeders to assume the added responsibility of identifying dogs exhibiting undesirable behaviour and to notify the appropriate authorities for their rehabilitation. Pet owners often invest significant amounts of money in their pet dogs; therefore, it is worth considering why they do not adopt at least one stray dog. It is hoped that sound judgment will prevail among individuals within society.

STOP PRESS: On Aug 22nd, SC has ruled that its Aug 11th Order is paused and a more balanced & pragmatic verdict is given. Pleased to inform that our editorial suggestions are almost similar to the verdict

‘All that glitters is not gold, but plastic’

I am confident that my new proverb sounds clear and loud. I have the right to mention this, as I was discharged from the ICU. My two-night nightmare was not about the tubes that connected me to the digital screens. At least once in a lifetime, any human being, like me, is subject to the medical ordeals invariably followed by the insurance tortures, and I am not an exception. A sudden hospitalization requires you to first go to the emergency ward, then ICU, and then the general ward before you are dumped into a wheelchair to bid farewell with a due date for post-hospitalization follow-up. By that time, you would be exhausted physically, mentally, and monetarily. The purpose of my writing here is not to share my pains or gains. And my ailment was not a big deal for me, but to my shattered family. Conscious, I looked around to see what was happening in ICU. As someone who is environmentally conscious, I was particularly struck by the use of plastic wraps, gloves, syringes, bandages, swabs, and needles, as well as the overwhelming number of disposable wraps for various medical items handled by the staff. And yes, this was in addition to food packages, spoons, plastic straws etc, which are banned in the outside world under the SUP category. This is not the first time I’ve seen an ICU, I must admit that the outlook of hospitals has undergone a significant change. From a single hospital, a substantial amount of disposable waste is generated; consider the impact of thousands of hospitals in every city! As I thought a plastic audit was needed, a nurse came to assist in my daily routines, put on gloves, and in a few minutes, dumped it in the dustbin. Perhaps she might have dumped about 100 pairs of gloves on that day for patients. As usual, I am reminded of the golden era of the 20^th century when hospitals were filled with stainless steel utensils, scissors, and knives, in the clinics and operation theatres. Where have they vanished now? Even 10 years back, the ICUs were not like this. It is not that we do not want technology advancements? But are we progressing sustainably? In the outside world, we are vociferous when someone uses a PET bottle. Here in a hospital, are we following SUP norms? Are the medical fraternity aware of how much plastic they dispose of without any sensitization? It is important to recognize that infectious medical waste requires careful disposal, often necessitating incineration in specific circumstances. In addition to managing these unavoidable waste types, conducting a plastic waste audit in hospitals can be highly advantageous. This approach helps to minimize the use of disposable items while maximizing the use of reusable alternatives, ultimately contributing to more sustainable waste management practices.

‘It is so easy, just remove 0, what is a great magic in it?’

Yes, I can hear some whispers. Once you’ve read this editorial, you will agree that this truly is magic. For the Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority (KTCDA),it is, of course, a simple trick, not a big magic. For the common man, it is a shock, when they read in newspapers that the mandatory buffer area, which was originally 30 meters from the waterbodies and canals, may become 3 meters at the stroke of a pen. According to the NGT, the buffer zone for lakes is 75 meters. For lakes or tanks, it was further reduced to 30 meters for lakes by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in 2019. The present proposal to reduce the buffer area further.

Once known as Lake City, Bengaluru has been a witness to many onslaughts by the real estate mafia, who have been instrumental in the disappearance of 1000s of stormwater drains (SWDs) and canals (kaluve in Kannada). Most of the Rajakaluve (bigger canals) have been reduced to sewage drains. Majestic Bus Stand is situated on Dharmambudhi Lake. Many lakes have given way to stadiums, sports complexes, and residential layouts to date. A handful of lakes left out are also under threat. Instead of saving them, the present proposal is going to be a slow poison, if implemented. Most of the canals are there only on maps, not in reality.  Understanding the rationale behind such move is difficult. According to some viewpoints, smaller lakes require a larger buffer since the vulnerability is high. Buffer areas must not be used for roads or construction purposes but left as it is for ecosystem development.   It has also been suggested that the modifications are intended solely for the development of public utilities. However, proponents of this reduction must clearly explain how they will maintain ecological balance and ensure that the ‘reclaimed’ buffer areas do not become targets for the real estate mafia. KTCDA should conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) by an expert panel and then enforce the proposal as per their advice.

So, by this time, you might have realized the secret of the magic.

International Tiger Day (also known as Global Tiger Day) is celebrated every year on 29 July to raise awareness about tiger conservation and the urgent need to preserve their natural habitats. The day highlights ongoing threats such as poaching, habitat loss, and human-animal conflict that have led to a sharp decline in the global tiger population. Approximately 5,574 wild tigers remain worldwide, based on the Global Tiger Forum’s 2023 estimate, out of which India proudly houses 3,682 wild tigers. There are tigers in captivity also. India’s tiger population represents 75% of the world’s total, yet they occupy only 18% of the global land available for their survival. In many areas, humans are sharing the land with animals, which increases the likelihood of conflicts between them. While we Indians may take pride in having the largest tiger population, it is concerning that the forest area housing them is diminishing. During a recent workshop for children, I asked the participants if they had ever seen a tiger. Almost all of them nodded in agreement. Most had seen tigers in circuses and zoos, or through pictures and films. While encountering a tiger in its natural habitat is uncommon, it is clear that their population is declining. Ecotourism has brought both excitement and challenges to the world of wildlife. Unfortunately, the surge in crowded safaris and the exuberance of tourists can intrude on the natural privacy that these majestic animals need. During one safari, a tigress was observed moving casually despite the presence of numerous jeeps nearby. The jeep drivers communicated with each other to inform their peers about tiger sightings, leading to a situation where almost 100 jeeps surrounded the animal. Despite the activity around her, the tigress fell asleep, showing no signs of aggression towards the surrounding vehicles and their occupants. As the world celebrates International Tiger Day, it is essential to ensure that these animals are effectively protected. The maximum lifespan of a tiger is 20 years, and if we ignore the conservation efforts for a few year, we are sure to downgrade the animal to the ‘critically endangered’ category. Then tiger “nahi zinda hoga”