Save Ram Setu by Rebellion 2013/03/24 13:52
[i]Via e-mail: manmohan@sansad.nic.in
Fax: 91-11-23019545 / 91-11-23016857[/i]
Dear Dr. Manmohan Singh(Current PM of india):
petition to Designate the Gulf of Mannar as a UNESCO World Heritage Mixed Natural and Cultural Site.
The Gulf of Mannar World Heritage Site campaign welcomes the report of the expert committee headed by Dr. R.K. Pachauri as a substantial breakthrough in our continuing efforts to urge the Government of India to abandon the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project (SSCP) and ensure that the Gulf of Mannar is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage mixed Natural and Cultural Site.
The Pachauri report states that an alternative route for the controversial Sethusamudram project is not economically and ecologically feasible and confirms that the project is too risky and poses an ecological threat to the Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere.
The report also reflects many of our oft-repeated warnings and contentions that a decision to continue with the SSCP means dredging and destroying one of the worlds few remaining ecological hotspots. Therefore, to create a shipping canal in that fragile region would be an environmental disaster and a crime against nature. We reiterate again that the SSCP is a threat to the sensitive Eco region and a huge risk, no matter what route you pursue. We demand that it should be immediately abandoned.
The undersigned believe it would be massively ironic, contradictory, and scandalous, for the Government of India to ignore the Pachauri report that confirms the infeasibility of the SSCP. It further validates what we have asserted all along that the shipping lanes will cause oil spills and marine pollution in the area which will harm the rare corals and thousands of marine turtles and rare sea animals such as the dugongs. The region will be irrevocably blemished and mankind will lose forever this precious biodiversity hotspot.
What is highly contradictory is that as a mark of its commitment to biodiversity conservation, India will be hosting the eleventh Conference of Parties (COP11) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in October 2012 at Hyderabad, where top world leaders and experts will contemplate ways to save the earths biodiversity and environment. The slogan selected by your government is, Prakruti Rakshti Rakshxta Nature Protects if She is Protected. Nothing could be more diametrically opposed to sustaining the value of this slogan than the environmental assaults that the SSCP will unleash in the Gulf of Mannar. That is where the dredging will take place, rapidly devastating a region of rare beauty, vibrant soft-coral reefs, numerous endangered species, and traditional sustainable cultures and livelihoods.
The Resolutions we made at our November 2008 meeting at the Linnean Society in London Resolutions delivered to your office - confirm the unanimous agreement among political, religious and scientific communities in India and abroad, that the SSCP is an ill-conceived venture with the potential to destroy permanently the unique and fragile marine ecology of the Gulf of Mannar (See attached: The London Resolution on the Gulf of Mannar as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Linnean Society of London, 25-26 November 2008).
Detailed studies conducted by international organizations such as the IUCN recognize the Gulf of Mannar as an international priority site for many reasons its biophysical and ecological uniqueness; the fact it is home to many rare and endangered biodiversity; its economic, social and cultural value; its national and global significance.....(continued..)
[i]Via e-mail: manmohan@sansad.nic.in
Fax: 91-11-23019545 / 91-11-23016857[/i]
Dear Dr. Manmohan Singh(Current PM of india):
petition to Designate the Gulf of Mannar as a UNESCO World Heritage Mixed Natural and Cultural Site.
The Gulf of Mannar World Heritage Site campaign welcomes the report of the expert committee headed by Dr. R.K. Pachauri as a substantial breakthrough in our continuing efforts to urge the Government of India to abandon the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project (SSCP) and ensure that the Gulf of Mannar is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage mixed Natural and Cultural Site.
The Pachauri report states that an alternative route for the controversial Sethusamudram project is not economically and ecologically feasible and confirms that the project is too risky and poses an ecological threat to the Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere.
The report also reflects many of our oft-repeated warnings and contentions that a decision to continue with the SSCP means dredging and destroying one of the worlds few remaining ecological hotspots. Therefore, to create a shipping canal in that fragile region would be an environmental disaster and a crime against nature. We reiterate again that the SSCP is a threat to the sensitive Eco region and a huge risk, no matter what route you pursue. We demand that it should be immediately abandoned.
The undersigned believe it would be massively ironic, contradictory, and scandalous, for the Government of India to ignore the Pachauri report that confirms the infeasibility of the SSCP. It further validates what we have asserted all along that the shipping lanes will cause oil spills and marine pollution in the area which will harm the rare corals and thousands of marine turtles and rare sea animals such as the dugongs. The region will be irrevocably blemished and mankind will lose forever this precious biodiversity hotspot.
What is highly contradictory is that as a mark of its commitment to biodiversity conservation, India will be hosting the eleventh Conference of Parties (COP11) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in October 2012 at Hyderabad, where top world leaders and experts will contemplate ways to save the earths biodiversity and environment. The slogan selected by your government is, Prakruti Rakshti Rakshxta Nature Protects if She is Protected. Nothing could be more diametrically opposed to sustaining the value of this slogan than the environmental assaults that the SSCP will unleash in the Gulf of Mannar. That is where the dredging will take place, rapidly devastating a region of rare beauty, vibrant soft-coral reefs, numerous endangered species, and traditional sustainable cultures and livelihoods.
The Resolutions we made at our November 2008 meeting at the Linnean Society in London Resolutions delivered to your office - confirm the unanimous agreement among political, religious and scientific communities in India and abroad, that the SSCP is an ill-conceived venture with the potential to destroy permanently the unique and fragile marine ecology of the Gulf of Mannar (See attached: The London Resolution on the Gulf of Mannar as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Linnean Society of London, 25-26 November 2008).
Detailed studies conducted by international organizations such as the IUCN recognize the Gulf of Mannar as an international priority site for many reasons its biophysical and ecological uniqueness; the fact it is home to many rare and endangered biodiversity; its economic, social and cultural value; its national and global significance.....(continued..)
Rebellion 2013/03/24 13:53
The Gulf of Mannar which includes Ram Sethu also known as Adams Bridge fulfills the criteria and requirements set forth in the World Heritage Convention for designation as a World Heritage Site. This designation would assist in the protection of this first marine biosphere reserve in all of South and Southeast Asia located on the southeastern tip of India in the state of Tamil Nadu, in the Indo-Pacific region.
Moreover, India is a Member of the UN Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (also known as CMS or Bonn Convention), which protects the endangered species of the Gulf of Mannar. According to the principles of this Convention, "Members should strive towards strictly protecting these animals, conserving or restoring the habitats in which they live, mitigating obstacles to migration and controlling other factors that might endanger them." Should your Government decide to go ahead with the SSCP, India would be in violation of the principles of the Convention.
The area is already under severe stress due to increasing number of industries on the coast. Some of these like the Tuticorin Thermal Power Station and the Dhrangadhra Chemical and Tuticorin Salt Marine Chemicals have been discharging ash and effluents, thus adversely affecting the sea grasses and coral ecosystem in the vicinity.
Moreover, Biosphere Reserves are protected areas representative of a unique environment and are internationally recognized under UNESCO MAB Program (Man and Biosphere) for their value in Conservation and Management of Natural resources through scientific research and monitoring to support sustainable development of resources.
When the Government of India set aside the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere, a unique marine environmental ecosystem as South Asias largest marine protected area in 1989, it was in recognition of the value of preserving one of the worlds few pristine natural areas. The designation of World Heritage Site will add to that distinction.
As concerned citizens of the world we are united in the belief we must preserve our natural heritage and safeguard the environment around us for future generations. Setting aside the Gulf of Mannar as a World Heritage Site would preserve in perpetuity its unique, fragile and diverse ecosystems, coral reef biodiversity, habitats and communities of flora and fauna, as well as areas of Indian cultural significance. World Heritage Site status would provide additional safeguards for religious and cultural sites and give a protective buffer around the Gulf of Mannar, safeguarding the foraging grounds of the marine life it sustains.
The Gulf of Mannar which includes Ram Sethu also known as Adams Bridge fulfills the criteria and requirements set forth in the World Heritage Convention for designation as a World Heritage Site. This designation would assist in the protection of this first marine biosphere reserve in all of South and Southeast Asia located on the southeastern tip of India in the state of Tamil Nadu, in the Indo-Pacific region.
Moreover, India is a Member of the UN Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (also known as CMS or Bonn Convention), which protects the endangered species of the Gulf of Mannar. According to the principles of this Convention, "Members should strive towards strictly protecting these animals, conserving or restoring the habitats in which they live, mitigating obstacles to migration and controlling other factors that might endanger them." Should your Government decide to go ahead with the SSCP, India would be in violation of the principles of the Convention.
The area is already under severe stress due to increasing number of industries on the coast. Some of these like the Tuticorin Thermal Power Station and the Dhrangadhra Chemical and Tuticorin Salt Marine Chemicals have been discharging ash and effluents, thus adversely affecting the sea grasses and coral ecosystem in the vicinity.
Moreover, Biosphere Reserves are protected areas representative of a unique environment and are internationally recognized under UNESCO MAB Program (Man and Biosphere) for their value in Conservation and Management of Natural resources through scientific research and monitoring to support sustainable development of resources.
When the Government of India set aside the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere, a unique marine environmental ecosystem as South Asias largest marine protected area in 1989, it was in recognition of the value of preserving one of the worlds few pristine natural areas. The designation of World Heritage Site will add to that distinction.
As concerned citizens of the world we are united in the belief we must preserve our natural heritage and safeguard the environment around us for future generations. Setting aside the Gulf of Mannar as a World Heritage Site would preserve in perpetuity its unique, fragile and diverse ecosystems, coral reef biodiversity, habitats and communities of flora and fauna, as well as areas of Indian cultural significance. World Heritage Site status would provide additional safeguards for religious and cultural sites and give a protective buffer around the Gulf of Mannar, safeguarding the foraging grounds of the marine life it sustains.
Rebellion 2013/03/24 13:54
Dr. Manmohan Singh, please look into your own heart and decide that the Green Turtles and Dugongs of the Gulf of Mannar will always have one perfect home, where their newborns can enter the world as Mother Nature intended -- wild and free. The plight of our Planet MUST be taken into account for the future generations who shall inherit what's left of the environment.
While this may be a real moment of political courage, it will be paying dividends for generations to come. It's not just for the country, but frankly, for the whole of humanity. It is our sincere belief that the Gulf of Mannar embodies World Heritage and Indian ideals of stewardship of natural and cultural heritage in an area of international significance. Without a doubt, the Gulf of Mannar is an ideal candidate to become a World Heritage Site. Please see attached: THE GULF OF MANNAR - NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE CRITERIA OF OUTSTANDING UNIVERSAL VALUE
We urge you to take action to leave a legacy of reinvigorated hope on saving our fragile environment. Please don't let the extinction of sea turtles or the devastation of the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere be a part of your legacy. You need to do all that is possible to protect our precious natural resources. Please take a leadership role to nominate the Gulf of Mannar as a World Heritage Site and ensure the future of one of the earths last remaining biodiversity hotspots.
Thank you for your attention.
The Gulf of Mannar World Heritage Site Campaign
Dr. Manmohan Singh, please look into your own heart and decide that the Green Turtles and Dugongs of the Gulf of Mannar will always have one perfect home, where their newborns can enter the world as Mother Nature intended -- wild and free. The plight of our Planet MUST be taken into account for the future generations who shall inherit what's left of the environment.
While this may be a real moment of political courage, it will be paying dividends for generations to come. It's not just for the country, but frankly, for the whole of humanity. It is our sincere belief that the Gulf of Mannar embodies World Heritage and Indian ideals of stewardship of natural and cultural heritage in an area of international significance. Without a doubt, the Gulf of Mannar is an ideal candidate to become a World Heritage Site. Please see attached: THE GULF OF MANNAR - NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE CRITERIA OF OUTSTANDING UNIVERSAL VALUE
We urge you to take action to leave a legacy of reinvigorated hope on saving our fragile environment. Please don't let the extinction of sea turtles or the devastation of the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere be a part of your legacy. You need to do all that is possible to protect our precious natural resources. Please take a leadership role to nominate the Gulf of Mannar as a World Heritage Site and ensure the future of one of the earths last remaining biodiversity hotspots.
Thank you for your attention.
The Gulf of Mannar World Heritage Site Campaign
boring-
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