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50 per cent of Indian pet parents prefer online vet consultations: Study
A recent survey titled ‘Pawrents 2.0’, conducted by Supertails, a tech-enabled pet-care startup sheds light on the state of pet healthcare in India. The evolving pet parenting landscape in India has now fueled remarkable growth in pet healthcare. India is home to over 32 million pets, and the Indian pet healthcare industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.17 per cent, with the potential to reach up to INR 7000 crore. However, the country has only 5,000 - 7,000 companion veterinarians, resulting in a ratio of just one vet for every 5,000 pets. This significant gap in the ratio underscored the essential role of tele-consultations in bridging this gap. It will help people gain access to expert veterinarians for their fur babies. The growing awareness of Indian pet parents has led to increased demand for specialised services and a surge in veterinary clinics and pet insurance offerings. The survey received data from over 400 pet parents and the results revealed that 50 per cent of Indian pet parents have an inclination towards online vet consultations due to the convenience and accessibility they offer. The report emphasises the pet care challenges faced by India’s pet-parenting community and the significance of online veterinary health consultations. A call for improved access to online consultations38 per cent of Indian pet parents are not satisfied with the current veterinary consultations and are continuously looking for alternative choices to provide better care for their fur babies. With the number of Gen Z pet parents consistently rising in India, online avenues for pet consultations have opened up giving pet parents easy access to veterinary services. However, only 16 per cent of pet parents in India avail of online veterinary consultations at the moment. This number is set to rise in the future as 51 per cent of pet parents from Tier I cities expressed the desire to use online veterinary consultations, along with 33 per cent of pet parents from Tier 2 and 3 cities. This emphasises the growing demand for convenient and cost-effective online consultation options, particularly in Tier I cities. Aman Tekriwal, co-founder, Supertails, emphasised the importance of these findings, stating, "The insights from this survey shed light on the challenges faced by India’s pet-parenting community, particularly those seeking healthcare for their pets. It is evident that pawrents often encounter difficulties due to limited resources. Even though there are online services available for pet healthcare, many pawrents are unaware of it and hence feel the inadequacy of pet healthcare in India. This survey reveals the importance of creating awareness on online veterinary consultations and pet healthcare as there is a huge scope for pet care brands to solve the issues being faced by pet parents in India." The importance of regular veterinary careIn a country where pets are now beloved members of the family, access to quality pet healthcare is paramount. However, the survey shows that only 35 per cent of dog parents adhere to regular 3-month check-ups, compared to 32 per cent of cat parents. This highlights the critical need for pet parents to recognise the importance of regular veterinary consultations for the overall well-being of their furry companions. The data also revealed that 49 per cent of pet parents tend to overlook the importance of timely deworming for their furry friends. This oversight underscores a critical need for pet parents to understand and prioritise the significance of regular deworming. Similarly, around 41 per cent of pet parents occasionally forget to ensure that their pets receive their vaccinations as scheduled. These statistics serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing need for education and awareness initiatives regarding essential pet healthcare practices, particularly emphasising the vital roles of both deworming and vaccinations in ensuring the overall well-being of our cherished animal companions. Major health concerns for pet parentsIn India, pets often contend with various health issues, and pet parents are actively engaged in addressing their furry companions' well-being. Data insights reveal that a notable 51 per cent of pets encounter skin and fur issues, underscoring the prevalence of dermatological concerns among our animal companions. Pet parents are keenly attentive to their pets' coat health, recognising that it can serve as a crucial indicator of underlying health conditions. Additionally, a substantial 36 per cent of pets in India face gastrointestinal challenges, prompting responsible pet parents to seek veterinary care promptly. Digestive health is paramount for pets' comfort and vitality, and these attentive pet owners understand the critical importance of timely medical intervention to address their pets' stomach issues. These insights provide valuable perspectives on the prevalent health concerns pets face in India and the proactive measures pet parents take to ensure their furry friend's well-being.Challenges of pet parents with veterinary care30 per cent of pet parents complained about facing challenges with the accessibility of veterinary services in their respective areas. Over 85-90 per cent of concerns with pets can be solved online when provided a dedicated 1-1 conversation with a qualified and trained vet. This discrepancy emphasises the necessity of raising awareness about the importance of preventive online pet care to ensure a long and healthy life for fur babies. The data also points to the perception of high veterinary costs among pet parents, with 48 per cent of respondents in Tier I cities expressing concern, along with 36per cent from Tier II and Tier III cities. These concerns underscore the importance of making veterinary care more accessible and affordable for pet parents across the country. Also Read: Why sneaker culture in India has taken Gen Z and millennials by storm
27 September,2023 01:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
How remote and hybrid work can significantly cut carbon footprint
Remote work can actually result in 54 per cent lower carbon footprint compared with onsite work, a new study has shown. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that hybrid workers who work from home two to four days per week can reduce their carbon footprint by 11 per cent to 29 per cent, but working from home one day per week is cutting carbon footprint by only 2 per cent. The study, conducted by researchers at Cornell University and Microsoft, used survey data and modelling to incorporate factors sometimes overlooked when calculating carbon footprint, including residential energy use based on time-use allocation, non-commute distance and mode of transportation, communications device usage, number of household members and office configuration, such as seat sharing and building size. “Remote work is not zero carbon, and the benefits of hybrid work are not perfectly linear,” said study senior author Fengqi You, a professor in energy systems engineering at Cornell. The study found that seat sharing among hybrid workers under full-building attendance can reduce carbon footprint by 28 per cent. Hybrid workers tend to commute farther than onsite workers due to differences in housing choices. According to the study, effects of remote and hybrid work on communications technologies such as computer, phone and internet usage have negligible impacts on overall carbon footprint. “Remote and hybrid work shows great potential for reducing carbon footprint, but what behaviours should these companies and other policy makers be encouraged to maximise the benefits?” said Longqi Yang, principal applied research manager at Microsoft and corresponding author of the study. “Globally, every person, every country and every sector has these kinds of opportunities with remote work. How could the combined benefits change the whole world? That's something we really want to advance our understanding of,” said Yanqiu Tao, the study’s first author. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
20 September,2023 12:28 PM IST | San Francisco | IANS
Air pollution reducing honey bees' ability to find flowers: Study
A research team comprising the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and the Universities of Birmingham, Reading, Surrey and Southern Queensland, found that ozone substantially changes the size and scent of floral odour plumes given off by flowers and that it reduced honey bees' ability to recognise odours by up to 90% from just a few metres away. Ground-level ozone typically forms when nitrogen oxide emissions from vehicles and industrial processes react with volatile organic compounds emitted from vegetation in the presence of sunlight. Professor Christian Pfrang from the University of Birmingham who collaborated on the research said: “Our study provides robust evidence that the changes due to ground-level ozone on floral scent cause pollinators to struggle to carry out their crucial role in the natural environment also with implications for food security.”The findings suggest that ozone is likely to be having a negative impact on wildflower abundance and crop yields. International research has already established that ozone has a negative impact on food production because it damages plant growth. Dr Ben Langford, an atmospheric scientist at UKCEH who led the study said: "Some 75% of our food crops and nearly 90% of wild flowering plants depend, to some extent, upon animal pollination, particularly by insects. Therefore, understanding what adversely affects pollination, and how, is essential to helping us preserve the critical services that we reply upon for production of food, textiles, biofuels and medicines, for example.” The researchers used a 30-m wind tunnel at Surrey University to monitor how the size and shape of odour plumes changed in the presence of ozone. As well as decreasing the size of the odour plume the scientists found that the scent of the plume changed substantially as certain compounds reacted away much faster than others. honey bees were trained to recognise the same odour blend and then exposed to the new, ozone-modified odours. Pollinating insects use floral odours to find flowers and learn to associate their unique blend of chemical compounds with the amount of nectar it provides, allowing them to locate the same species in the future.The research showed that towards the centre of plumes, 52% of honey bees recognised an odour at 6 metres, decreasing to 38% at 12 m. At the edge of plumes, which degraded more quickly, 32% of honey bees recognised a flower from 6 m away and just a tenth of the insects from 12 m away. The study indicates that ozone could also affect insects’ other odour-controlled behaviours such as attracting a mate. The research was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation, and was published in the journal Environmental Pollution. Professor Christian Pfrang concluded: “We know that air pollution has a detrimental effect on human health, biodiversity and the climate, but now we can see how it prevents bees and other pollinating insects from carrying out their key job. This should act as a wake-up call to take action on air pollution and help safeguard food production and biodiversity for the future."
13 September,2023 12:02 PM IST | Washington | ANI
Elon Musk: Climate change will not end the world as is being propagated
As the G20 nations urged the world to double down on efforts to address climate change during the weekend, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has said climate change will not end the world as is being propagated. Reacting to a follower who posted that 14-year-olds are being told climate change is going to end the world as we know it and essentially nothing can be done, Musk replied that climate change definitely will not end the world as we know it. However, “we shouldn’t be complacent about changing the chemical constituency of our atmosphere & oceans,” the billionaire stressed. “If people keep pushing hard, humanity will solve the sustainable energy problem in time,” Musk added. Musk had earlier claimed that farming has no major effect on the climate, which drew flak from the scientific and agriculture communities. In June this year, he posted: “Overwhelmingly, the risk of climate change is due to moving billions of tons of carbon from deep underground into the atmosphere”. “Over time, if we keep doing this, the chemical makeup of our atmosphere will change enough to induce meaningful climate change”. In the just-concluded G20 Summit in New Delhi, the participating nations committed to urgently accelerate their actions to address environmental crises and challenges including climate change. The G20 nations also reiterated their commitment to achieve global net zero GHG emissions/carbon neutrality by or around mid-century. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
12 September,2023 10:35 AM IST | New Delhi | IANS
Like to party? Reduce plastic waste and do it the environment-friendly way
“We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children." This age-old adage is the driving force behind Rahul Singh’s party waste-management initiative. By offering waste bags and cutlery made from corn starch, palm leaves and sugarcane, he is motivating households and event organisers to celebrate in a conscious manner. To give you a little context: An average Indian household generates 11 kg of plastic waste every year, which amounts to around 9.4 million tons of plastic waste every year. Given the excessive trash generated during social gatherings, one often turns unmindful of their plastic footprint. To turn this carnage into an opportunity – Singh has devised a paradigm shift in how we party. Here are environment-friendly alternatives to plastic and non-biodegradable materials for households to reduce their plastic waste. Party packs made from palm leaves: Classic party pack: The classic party Pack is designed to enhance gatherings with an eco-friendly touch. Made from palm leaves, this pack includes plates, cups, and cutlery, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional single-use tableware. Elegant dinner party pack: Elevate your dinner parties with the elegant dinner party pack, carefully curated to provide an upscale dining experience without compromising on sustainability. This pack includes elegantly designed palm leaf plates, glasses, and cutlery, making dinner gatherings both sophisticated and environmentally responsible. Kids' party pack: Celebrate your little one's special day with kids' party pack, ensuring that fun and sustainability go hand in hand. This pack includes 100 per cent plant-based palm leaf plates, cups, and child-friendly cutlery, making it easy to host an eco-conscious and enjoyable children's party, without worrying about having to do the dishes later. Outdoor picnic pack: The outdoor picnic pack offers a convenient solution for outdoor picnics. This pack includes palm leaf plates, sturdy cups, and cutlery, all of which are compostable and plastic-free. With this pack, one can relish your outdoor adventures while leaving no plastic waste behind. Customisable party pack: Choose from a variety of palm leaf plates, cups, and cutlery to create a pack that suits a unique celebration. The pack includes planet-safe, tree-free, plastic-free, paper-free, and chemical-free tableware, allowing you to make an environment-conscious choice without compromise. Compostable bags made from corn starch: Multi-pack compostable bags: These bags offer a convenient and eco-friendly solution for everyday waste disposal. Crafted from sustainably sourced corn starch, these bags are designed to seamlessly integrate into waste segregation practices. Their durability ensures that they can hold a variety of waste items, from food scraps to paper waste. After use, simply dispose of them in a composting bin, where they will naturally break down, leaving no harmful residue behind. Tall kitchen compost bags: Designed to fit standard tall kitchen bins, these bags are the perfect sustainable alternative to traditional plastic bin liners. These bags are made from corn starch, making them fully compostable and 100 per cent plant-based. Their sturdy construction ensures leak resistance and durability, while their compostable nature ensures that they contribute positively to the environment, leaving no trace behind. Bath compost bags: Even in the bathroom, one can make an environmentally conscious choice with bath compost bags. Crafted from corn starch, these compost bags are ideal for collecting items like used tissues, cotton balls, and other bathroom waste. With a sturdy build and a leak-resistant texture, these bags help to store all the waste, without letting the odour out. Small item compost bags: These bags are perfect for collecting and disposing of small waste items responsibly. Whether it's disposing of tea bags, coffee grounds, or food scraps, these bags are here to hold all the trash without harming the environment. Outdoor compost bags: For outdoor waste collection, our Outdoor Compost Bags are an excellent choice. Made from corn starch, these bags are rugged enough to withstand outdoor conditions while remaining environmentally friendly. They are designed to hold yard waste, grass clippings, and other outdoor debris, offering a sustainable way to manage your outdoor spaces.
11 September,2023 04:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
ReReeti Foundation releases handbook to help museums adopt sustainable practices
Founded in 2022 by ReReeti Foundation, Indian Museums Against Climate Change (IMACC) is the Indian international hub of Culture Declares Emergency (CDE), which is a growing global movement of people in arts and culture who believe that the cultural sector can take the lead in creating a regenerative future that protects the planet. In its second year of establishment, IMACC is launching the ‘Sustainable Practices: Handbook for Museums in India’, a manual which will guide museums across the country in adopting sustainable practices in their operations, on September 14. This handbook is an extension of the work that CDE and IMACC have been doing at the intersection of climate and culture and the gaps in sustainability that exist in the museum sector. It has been created by Urban Morph and ReReeti Foundation, as part of the larger Culture Declares Emergency movement. The handbook attempts to handhold the museums of India in their journeys in becoming sustainable spaces. It compiles relevant information with regards to numerous vendors across exhibitions, events, and regular operations within a museum in India. The aim of this handbook is to help museums select environmentally responsible vendors, promote ethical sourcing, reduce carbon footprint, and ensure social and environmental sustainability throughout the process. Furthermore, the handbook provides a step-by-step guide for museums to reach their goal of becoming carbon neutral. The handbook also provides tools for creating a procurement sustainability policy. It focuses on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 11, 12, and 13 - sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, and climate action. The handbook comes at a time of utmost importance since there hasn't previously been a comprehensive document catering to museum sustainability in India - most of the information available is scattered and rarely addresses the challenges in the museum context. The handbook will be launched online (via Zoom) at the panel discussion ‘Culture of Sustainability and Sustainability in Culture’. Consisting of three panelists from diverse backgrounds and a wide range of expertise, the event will address questions like what does a sustainable museum mean for India? What are the kinds of wastes that are created at large scale cultural and professional events in India, and how can these be managed? What is the role of culture in advocating for sustainability, and how do we as cultural practitioners and museum professionals own it? What goes into creating a sustainability handbook for the museum sector? What lies ahead in our work in the cultural sector towards combating this crisis? Following are the details of the panel discussion: Date: September 14 Time: 4 pm Platform: Zoom Language: EnglishRegistration Form: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMvduyrrT8sG92cifLfF7cGeSRYMACbHQto Panelists: Wilma Rodrigues, Saahas Zero WasteSubbaiah TS, Urban MorphBridget McKenzie, Climate Museum UK Moderator: Tejshvi Jain, ReReeti Foundation
11 September,2023 10:34 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
4 pet-friendly cafes in Mumbai you can visit
While we all love to hang out with our friends at cafes in Mumbai, we are left with no choice but to leave our furry friends back at home. Now, enjoy a meal with your pet too and give them a delectable meal at these pet-friendly cafes in Mumbai. 1. The Light House CafeIt’s not just your ordinary coffee shop; it's a perfect spot for pet lovers and their furry companions. Nestled in a cosy corner of the city, this pet-friendly cafe welcomes four-legged friends with open arms, making it the perfect destination for pet owners looking to enjoy a delightful meal or a cup of their favourite brew in the company of their beloved pets. The charming outdoor seating area provides a relaxed atmosphere. 2. Cafe Pefe, AndheriIt's the perfect place for pets and humans to dine together. When you walk into Cafe Pefe, you're immediately greeted by the pets and humans. Very few cafes in Mumbai are as inclusive and welcoming to pets as this one. Café Pefe has been a pet salon and store for a long time, and the adjacent cafe adds even more charm to the moment. They have both an outdoor and an indoor seating area where pets are welcome. You can order pizza, pasta, and even dessert for your pets. They also have a human menu; we recommend the bum-chick-a-bum pizza. 3. Once Upon a Dine, KharOnce Upon a Dine is a cosy cafe located in Khar that serves a delicious mix of continental, italian and cafe food. Once Upon a Dine has a keto menu as well and welcomes pets so that your best friend doesn’t have to wait for you at home. Once here, you can munch on mixed green and burrata salad, garlic bread with cheese, a Cuddle on the Beach mocktail, juices, grilled steak, chicken, pizza, non-vegetarian food and seafood. 4. Madeira and Mime, PowaiMadeira & Mime is a pet-friendly bar and café where you can get your favourite beverages and finger foods served exclusively by speech and hearing-impaired staff. Hang out with your colleagues or just pals, or have a casual meal with your family. Enjoy themed music every evening. Mucchadwala cocktails, paan-flavoured vodka-based drinks and Mutton Kolkata Roll with egg are some suggestions.
07 September,2023 04:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
India's warming climate to triple groundwater depletion rates in the country
Rising temperatures may triple the rate of groundwater loss in India by 2080, further threatening the country's food and water security, according to a study. The study, published online in the journal Science Advances, showed that farmers in India have adapted to warming temperatures by intensifying the withdrawal of groundwater used for irrigation. If the trend continues, the rate of groundwater loss could triple. Reduced water availability in India due to groundwater depletion and climate change could threaten the livelihoods of more than one-third of the country's 1.4 billion residents. "We find that farmers are already increasing irrigation use in response to warming temperatures, an adaptation strategy that has not been accounted for in previous projections of groundwater depletion in India," said Meha Jain, Assistant Professor at University of Michigan's School for Environment and Sustainability. "This is of concern, given that India is the world's largest consumer of groundwater and is a critical resource for the regional and global food supply," Jain said. India is the second-largest global producer of common cereal grains including rice and wheat. The study analysed historical data on groundwater levels, climate and crop water stress to look for recent changes in withdrawal rates due to warming. The researchers also used temperature and precipitation projections from 10 climate models to estimate future rates of groundwater loss across India. The new study also takes into account the fact that warmer temperatures may increase water demand from stressed crops, which in turn may lead to increased irrigation by farmers. Previous studies have shown that climate change could decrease the yield of staple Indian crops by up to 20 per cent by mid-century. At the same time, the country's groundwater is being depleted at an alarming rate, primarily because of water withdrawal for irrigation. The research team also found that warming temperatures coupled with declining winter precipitation more than offset added groundwater recharge from increased monsoon precipitation, resulting in accelerated groundwater declines. Across various climate-change scenarios, their estimates of groundwater-level declines between 2041 and 2080 were more than three times current depletion rates, on average. "Using our model estimates, we project that under a business-as-usual scenario, warming temperatures may triple groundwater depletion rates in the future and expand groundwater depletion hotspots to include south and central India," said lead author Nishan Bhattarai of the Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability at the University of Oklahoma. Bhattarai, formerly a postdoctoral researcher in Jain's lab, suggested strong "policies and interventions to conserve groundwater", without which "warming temperatures will likely amplify India's already existing groundwater depletion problem, further challenging India's food and water security in the face of climate change". This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
02 September,2023 01:32 PM IST | New York | IANS
Mindspace REIT creates unique Bio-Sonification Zone at its campus in Airoli
Mindspace Business Parks REIT creates a first-of-its-kind Bio-Sonification Zone in its business park at its campus in Airoli. This zone aims to offer employees at the business park a genuinely transformative method for relaxation and meditation. It allows individuals to immerse themselves in the serene biorhythms of living plants, providing a tranquil escape during their midday work breaks. Through the bio-sonification technique, sounds of 15 different species of plants have been recorded and converted into relaxing soundscapes. This initiative fits in perfectly with Mindspace Business Park REIT’s larger purpose ‘to build sustainable ecosystems’. The business has invested in technology that measures variations in conductivity of a plant, graphs those variations as a wave, and translates the wave into pitch. By routing these pitches into different sound sets, one can experience the activities of plants in the form of music. Each sound set is unique, some are relaxing, some energising, and some allowing for a raw expressive sound. The music generated by the plants is further converted into QR codes, displayed on the plants for visitors to scan and listen to, anytime they visit. This project has met with enormous enthusiasm, with over 2500 scans on the QR codes being garnered since unveiling. In addition to the calming effects, a normalisation of blood pressure levels was recorded in a group of people listening to the music generated by the plants. With the help of the in-house paramedic, blood pressure tests were conducted on employees before and after listening to the music, yielding considerable improvements. The company said in a statement, “We are firmly committed to driving holistic value for the environment and communities, by integrating an ESG-led approach into business. The implementation of the Bio-Sonification zone at our campus is another initiative towards delivering enduring experiences and is an innovative route towards promoting health and wellbeing for tenants. This initiative weaves seamlessly with our larger endeavor of shaping world class business districts, while creating responsibly built, engaging, community-based ecosystems.” List of plants include, Aglaonema, Diffenbachia, Bird Nest Fern, Poinsettia, Philodendron, Raphis Palm, Syngonium, Song Of India, Sansiveria, Sansevieria, Banyan Tree, Mango Tree, Tusli Plant, Areca Palm and Golden Bamboo.
31 August,2023 03:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
International Dog Day 2023: How this Mumbai NGO is taking care of stray animals
Mumbai has many stray dogs on its streets, which are taken care of by locals. These dogs are adorable but may often be at the receiving end when they get into accidents with vehicles or are hurt by those who fear them. At such times, it may often become a task to treat them ourselves and that is when it is easier to seek help from city-based NGOs working for their welfare. This is especially important when they need immediate medical attention. Every year, animal lovers around the world celebrate 'International Dog Day' on August 26 to raise awareness about the need to adopt dogs, care for them, and help them in times of need. In India, stray dogs are a very common sight, but are unfortunately not welcome by all, and thus tend to hurt them as we have seen over the last few years. It is at such times that they need help. Keeping this in mind, Global Payments, a payments technology company has tied up with Awaaz – Voice of Stray Animals, one of the NGOs that people reach out to in Mumbai for stray dogs and animals. They have sponsored an animal-exclusive ambulance and veterinary service to aid them in helping stray animals that need treatment. In a chat with mid-day.com, Krishnaraja Tantri, vice president (South & Southeast Asia), Global Payments, shares, “Stray dogs do not receive proper human care, and suffer from food deprivation, hygiene issues and contagious diseases. Without proper human guidance, they get hit by moving vehicles, and in retaliation, they bite pedestrians or bikers. This situation deepens the misconception between humans and the little paws.” While changing the mindset of people may take time, the ambulance, which is scheduled to be operational from next week will help people reach out in times of need. Initiatives to help stray dogs and other animals In the past, the payments technology company has collaborated to address the issue of stray dog overpopulation by sterilising them to curb their population. Apart from aiming to cater to injured or sick dogs, they will also be helping other stray furry animals like cats, rabbits, and birds in times of need. So, it wasn’t long before they recognised the need to treat animals quickly, as they need attention just as fast as human beings do. Tantri says the introduction of an ambulance service has become imperative in a city like Mumbai, which has a large stray dog population. “This vital addition enables us to swiftly transport sick or injured dogs, meeting their urgent medical needs,” he adds. Amit Pathak, founder of Awaaz - Voice of Stray Animals, says people can reach out for help on their centralised number +91 79000 94345. "We are also quite active on social media and many people reach our team through this medium," he shares. Started in 2017, Pathak including his seven-member team has been providing their services actively in the western suburbs of Mumbai. In the process, they have helped over 10,000 stray dogs since then through their different initiatives and one of the most popular ones is that of the reflective collar. He shares, “We have collared more than 500 dogs till now. A few collars have also been handed over to animal lovers and feeders. The collars were put on dogs covering Santacruz East, Andheri, Goregaon, Jogeshwari, Malad, and Kandivali too. We have collars in stock, and we distribute to people at large on request.” While the reflective collars have been helpful, especially when it turns dark, and the dogs are roaming the streets, one must realise that it is also important to stop when they see stray animals so that they don’t get injured. While there are some who hit and run, there are other concerned dog and animal lovers, who not only believe in stopping but also raising awareness about it. To support such people, the Awaaz team even started a campaign called ‘I Brake for Paws’ to inculcate safe driving habits in people. “We distributed stickers all over India and many animal lovers reached out to us to get more of such stickers. It was a simple campaign to spread awareness about safe driving. We are planning to ramp up this project. We have also created a mascot ‘Pinki’ and will be using her voice to create awareness.”
26 August,2023 05:59 PM IST | Mumbai | Nascimento Pinto
BMC's plastic ban in Mumbai: 8 environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic
Yet again, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has tightened its grip on plastic ban in Mumbai. Under the new ban, plastic bags of all sizes, pouches, containers, bowls, bottles of less than 200 ml plastic, single-use plastic plates, and glasses are all banned. As reported by Mid-day Online, the penalty structure involves a Rs 5,000 fine for first-time offenders, followed by a Rs 10,000 fine for repeat offenders. For individuals who violate this prohibition for a third time, the penalty is set at Rs 25,000 along with a three-month imprisonment. This calls for an urgent switch to sustainable alternatives to everyday plastic products that we use. Monica Arora, PR SPOC, Amala Earth, says, “It is important to connect consumers with eco-friendly brands and make it easier for those seeking eco-friendly alternatives, to make mindful choices”. Making mindful choices that benefit the environment and contribute towards building a better Earth for our future generation is the need of the hour. Arora says, “Single-use plastic, that is non-biodegradable, ends up in landfills contributing heavily to soil and water pollution globally. For sustainable brands that offer citizens environment-friendly alternatives, the idea is to create a world where we leave a healthier environment for future generations”. Arora shares a list of sustainable alternatives you can switch to: 1. Use a cloth tote bag instead of a plastic bag when you step out for shopping. 2. Ditch the plastic toothbrushes we have been using for decades and switch to toothbrushes made from bamboo. 3. If you are a yoga practitioner who uses a synthetic plastic yoga mat, opt for an organic linen yoga mat instead. 4. Comb your hair with a wooden comb instead of a plastic one. 5. For your little ones, use cotton diapers that are not just environment-friendly but also soft on the skin. 6. The same applies to organic menstrual pads. Besides being free from plastic, these pads also help in reducing exposure to toxic chemicals. 7. Switch to using bamboo or wooden cutlery instead of using plastic ones. 8. Use copper or glass water bottles instead of using any kind of plastic bottles. Also Read: Raksha Bandhan 2023: Easy guide to buying the perfect rakhi for your brother
21 August,2023 01:41 PM IST | Mumbai | Aakanksha Ahire