Summary
Chapter-6
Exploring the World Through Shrikant Uncle’s Lens: A Tale of Wildlife and Cultures
Reuniting with Shrikant Uncle
Renuka’s excitement soared as Shrikant Uncle, a seasoned wildlife photographer, returned home after four months of globetrotting. His adventures in capturing the essence of wildlife and diverse cultures fueled Renuka’s early fascination with nature, sparked by the captivating images in books.
Shared Basic Needs Across Cultures
Amidst pictures of people from deserts, frozen lands, and rainforests, Renuka noticed the diversity in appearance. “They may look different, but they share the same basic needs of life – food, clothing, and shelter,” explained Shrikant Uncle. He emphasized the universal nature of human experiences, from play and quarrels to helping families and living close to nature.
Life in the Amazon Basin: Nature’s Extravaganza
Geographical Overview
Venturing into the Amazon Basin, nestled close to the equator, the Amazon River meanders from west to east, draining portions of Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Columbia, and Venezuela. The equatorial region ensures a hot and wet climate throughout the year.
Rivers, Tributaries, and Cultural Trivia
The Amazon’s tributaries weave a complex network, forming the world’s largest river basin. Intriguingly, Spanish explorers named it ‘Amazon’ after encountering tribes resembling fierce Amazonian women warriors from ancient Roman tales.
Climate and Rainforests
The equatorial climate brings relentless rain, fostering lush rainforests. These dense canopies, where sunlight struggles to reach the ground, harbor a rich variety of flora and fauna. Orchids and bromeliads thrive, creating a unique ecosystem.
Fauna Diversity
The rainforest is a treasure trove of exotic fauna, from vibrant toucans and hummingbirds to monkeys, sloths, and ant-eating tapirs. Reptiles like crocodiles, snakes, and pythons add to the biodiversity, while the rivers team with the notorious Piranha fish.
Challenges and Transformations
While rainforests provide resources for livelihoods, human activities like ‘slash and burn agriculture’ pose threats. The introduction of highways in 1970 opened up the heart of the forest, leading to the displacement of indigenous populations and gradual environmental degradation.
Do You Know? Bromeliads are special plants that store water in their leaves. Animals like frogs use these pockets of water for laying their eggs.
Life in the Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin: A Tapestry of Plains and Hills
Geographical Diversity
Turning our attention to the Ganga-Brahmaputra basin, encompassing the plains, hills, and the Sundarbans delta, the region lies within the subtropical zone, blessed with fertile plains and inhospitable mountains.
Agriculture and Population Density
Agriculture dominates the plains, with paddy as the main crop, supported by the fertile soil and abundant water supply. The high population density in the plains contrasts with sparser settlements in the challenging mountain terrain.
Vegetation and Wildlife
Tropical deciduous trees and mangrove forests adorn the plains and deltas, while coniferous trees thrive in cooler mountain regions. The basin boasts diverse wildlife, from elephants and tigers to rhinoceros and dolphins, symbolizing the health of rivers.
Urbanization and Environmental Challenges
Urban centers like Allahabad, Kanpur, and Kolkata have flourished along the Ganga, contributing to river pollution. While transport infrastructure thrives, developmental activities jeopardize the ecological balance, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices.
Do You Know? Terraces are built on steep slopes to create flat surfaces on which crops are grown. The slope is removed so that water does not run off rapidly.
Preserving Nature’s Wonders: Calls for Action
Conservation Efforts and Initiatives
The destruction of the Amazon rainforest and environmental challenges in the Ganga-Brahmaputra basin underscore the urgency of conservation. Initiatives like the “Swachh Bharat Mission” and “Namami Ganga Programme” in India aim to address sanitation issues and conserve the Ganga.
Promoting Sustainable Tourism
As we marvel at the wonders of the Amazon and the Ganga-Brahmaputra basin, sustainable tourism becomes crucial. From the Taj Mahal to wildlife sanctuaries, responsible tourism can contribute to the preservation of these natural and cultural marvels.
Glossary
- Tributaries are smaller rivers that join the main river. Together, the main river and all its tributaries create a river basin or catchment area. Notably, the Amazon Basin stands as the largest river basin globally.
- Slash and Burn Agriculture is a farming method involving the clearing of land by slashing or cutting down trees and bushes. Subsequently, the cleared vegetation is burned, releasing nutrients into the soil. The land is cultivated for a few years until soil fertility diminishes, prompting the farmers to abandon it and clear a new patch for cultivation. This cycle helps restore soil fertility as young trees grow in the previously used field
- Population Density: The number of persons that live in one square kilometer of an area.
Did You Know? The Ganga and Brahmaputra Rivers Harbor the Susu Dolphin
In the pristine waters of the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers, a unique dolphin species, locally known as Susu or blind dolphin, thrives. The presence of Susu dolphins is a vital indicator of river health. Unfortunately, the untreated discharge of industrial and urban wastes, rich in harmful chemicals, poses a severe threat to the survival of these dolphins. Urgent measures are required to address this environmental challenge and safeguard the delicate balance of these river ecosystems.
Swachh Bharat Mission was launched by the Prime Minister of India on October 2, 2014, to expedite universal sanitation coverage and prioritize the focus on sanitation.
The “Namami Ganga” Program has been launched to conserve the River Ganga.
Conclusion: A Shared Responsibility for Our Planet
In the tales of the Amazon and the Ganga-Brahmaputra basin, we find a common thread – the delicate dance between human activities and nature’s bounty. As we celebrate diversity and explore the wonders of our planet, let’s embrace the responsibility to preserve and protect these ecosystems for future generations.