As I watched these crows quenching their thirst from a dripping tap, I realised that the usual sources of water would have dried up. For over two weeks we have not had any rains although, we are in the monsoon season for this region. If it continues to be so, this will be third year in succession, Vellore would had less than fifty percent of the rainfall.
I have noticed bird bath outside some houses, which is a thoughtful act considering that the CMC campus has hundreds of birds.
Vellore is surrounded by hills on three sides, which some say is one reason why Vellore has been chronically rain starved. The hills were bare earlier with very little vegetation, with most of it drying up in summer. But there was an earnest effort to plant trees and most of the hills surrounding Vellore have trees at a few feet high, which promises a better future to reduce the heat, the rocky mountain emit during summer. The day temperature is around 42 degrees celsius on an average.
I remember seeing an overhead tank overflowing in another educational campus recently. In a few minutes scores of birds gathered around the pool of water. The watch man told me that these birds were regular visitors as the pump operator allows the overhead tank to overflow for a few minutes for the sake of the the plants in the small garden and birds.
Most houses in this campus, use the water draining form the wash basins to water the garden. The recycled water is the man source for watering acres of lawns and the potted plants. The water harvesting system has been only partially successful. Most of the water used in the hospital and college is brought in tankers from close by areas. So water is a precious commodity in this campus. I wish there was more efforts to conserve water and educate the users to practice austerity while using water.
I noticed that, if we close the tap while applying soap on the hands , we can save two to three litres of water! If we close the shower while applying soap during bath we can save put seven litres of water! If we can wash the dishes with half open tap we will save water considerably. If we wash the car with mugs of water instead of washing with running water from a pipe, we save litres of water.
How much more we need to pay attention to maintain balance in the ecological system i! We have had flood in several parts of northern India last month and near drought conditions in some other parts.
We had severe cyclone devastating land and homes recently in Philippines, Japan, China, India, etc. The nature seems to be in a fury.
Humans, given the charge to ‘subdue’ the earth have overdone it unmindful of the ecological balance and the created order! We could be better stewards!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
I have noticed bird bath outside some houses, which is a thoughtful act considering that the CMC campus has hundreds of birds.
Vellore is surrounded by hills on three sides, which some say is one reason why Vellore has been chronically rain starved. The hills were bare earlier with very little vegetation, with most of it drying up in summer. But there was an earnest effort to plant trees and most of the hills surrounding Vellore have trees at a few feet high, which promises a better future to reduce the heat, the rocky mountain emit during summer. The day temperature is around 42 degrees celsius on an average.
I remember seeing an overhead tank overflowing in another educational campus recently. In a few minutes scores of birds gathered around the pool of water. The watch man told me that these birds were regular visitors as the pump operator allows the overhead tank to overflow for a few minutes for the sake of the the plants in the small garden and birds.
Most houses in this campus, use the water draining form the wash basins to water the garden. The recycled water is the man source for watering acres of lawns and the potted plants. The water harvesting system has been only partially successful. Most of the water used in the hospital and college is brought in tankers from close by areas. So water is a precious commodity in this campus. I wish there was more efforts to conserve water and educate the users to practice austerity while using water.
I noticed that, if we close the tap while applying soap on the hands , we can save two to three litres of water! If we close the shower while applying soap during bath we can save put seven litres of water! If we can wash the dishes with half open tap we will save water considerably. If we wash the car with mugs of water instead of washing with running water from a pipe, we save litres of water.
How much more we need to pay attention to maintain balance in the ecological system i! We have had flood in several parts of northern India last month and near drought conditions in some other parts.
We had severe cyclone devastating land and homes recently in Philippines, Japan, China, India, etc. The nature seems to be in a fury.
Humans, given the charge to ‘subdue’ the earth have overdone it unmindful of the ecological balance and the created order! We could be better stewards!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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