DIIR Disseminates Info on Tibet’s Environmental Issues to TCV Schools at Ladakh
[Friday, 23 July 2010, 2:30 p.m.]
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| Schoolchildren at SOS TCV Angling School listen to the environmental researcher from the Department of Information during a talk on Tibet’s wildlife/Photos:EDD/DIIR |
Dharamshala:
Why is Yartsa Gunbu so expensive? What can we do to stop the
environmental destruction in Tibet? The Tibetan students’ concern and
curiosity about the ongoing exploitation of Tibet’s environment is
clearly shown in questions raised by them.
As part of the
environmental awareness programme marking the 75th birthday of His
Holiness the Dalai Lama, two environmental researchers from the
Environment and Development Desk (EDD) of the Department of Information
and International Relations disseminated information on Tibet’s
environment and development issues at SOS TCV schools at Choglamsar and
Agling, Ladakh.
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| A school girl holds Tibet’s wildlife postcard distributed by the Environment and Development Desk of DIIR |
The
researchers, Chokyi and Jigme Norbu, had to organised two separate
sessions due to large number of students. The first session was
conducted for class VII and VIII on 20 July and another for class IX
and X on 21 July 2010.
On 22 July, the EDD researchers spoke to students from class VI to VIII at SOS TCV Agling School.
The
researchers touched on crucial environment issues of Tibet. The whole
session was divided into two parts. In the first part, they imparted
information on climate change on the Tibetan Plateau and construction
of dams on Tibetan rivers. A documentary film titled ‘Sustained
Development, China’s Design for Tibet’ was shown between the sessions.
In the second session students were educated on exploitation of natural resources in Tibet and Tibetan grassland and nomads.
The
talks were followed by quiz session in order to test the students’
knowledge about the topics discussed on Tibet’s environment. Tibet
wildlife postcards created by EDD were presented to students who gave
correct answers.
The students were also educated on the status
of wildlife of Tibet, particularly Tibetan antelope (Pantholops
hodgsonii), which is an endangered animal and found in Ladakh region.
EDD urged students to alert their parents about illegal trade of
Shahtoosh and Yartsa Gunbu (Cordyceps sinensis) that are smuggled
through Ladakh.
In their efforts to educate every member of the
community about the crucial environment issues of Tibet, the
researchers said they would not miss the opportunity to meet with
school teachers, staff and home parents for an interactive session on
24 July.
–Report filed by EDD researchers from Ladakh
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