Mount Snowdon

AwimAway have launched their first official fundraising event 'Trek 4a Cheque' in continuation of Harish Kohli's independent charitable ventures. Join Harish and the AwimAway team on an adventure to Snowdonia in north Wales and follow Harish to the summit of the tallest mountain in England and Wales- Mount Snowdon.
Get sponsored for the challenge and help to raise money for two fantastic children's charities, one at home- 'Sophie's Appeal', and one abroad- 'A Wa Po'.
Trek 4a Cheque to Mt Snowdon is on Saturday September 5th 2009. AwimAway have organised coach travel and basic accommodation to cost a total of £34. All information can be found at AwimAway.com- send in your sign-up form today to secure your place as spaces are limited.

Canadian Seal Hunt

Canada’s controversial annual seal hunt has begun in Newfoundland and the Gulf of St. Lawrence whilst Animal Rights Activists and international bodies have continued to rally against imported seal products.
According to MSNBC news, the groups claim that the hunt is ‘cruel, difficult to monitor, ravages the seal population and doesn't provide a lot of money for sealers’. Even though it remains ‘the largest marine mammal hunt in the world’, it is claimed that the seal industry is ‘dying’ and thus ‘change is due’.
The hunt is defended by sealers and the Fisheries departments as a ‘good source of income for isolated fishing communities, humane and well-managed’.
Currently, the total allowable catch for the year is set to 280,000. In 2006 the 335,000 catch brought in around $25 million. The seal blubber is mostly used for oil, and seal pelts are generally used for the fashion industry in Norway, Russia and China
The Netherlands, Belgium and the USA ban seal products, many European Union countries do not import Canadian seal products, and Russia has recently stated it will ban baby-seal hunting

Dubai guides beahviour

Last weekend Dubai announced its new guidelines for public behaviour, in an attempt to further balance the native culture and values with the recent insurgence of western tourism, norms and behaviour.
Although not yet law, media outlets detailed the list of no-no’s- covering dancing and playing loud music in public, pubic displays of romantic affection, dress codes (especially for women), swearing, and drinking alcohol outside licensed premises.
Dubai holds a unique position in the contemporary world: it is the place where a conservative Islamic East meets a liberal West. Dubai has often been the centre of controversy as it struggles to contend with the mix of cultures and public behaviour whilst representing itself as ‘the place to be’ for western tourism and enterprise. Recent headlines have centred on a British couples’ prosecution for having sex on a Dubai beach, and, offence has been taken to the more revealing dress of visitors.
It is unlikely that the restrictions will have any impact on the many resorts and nightclubs of Dubai.

“Smallest Whale Shark Ever Recorded”

Whale sharks frequent the east coast of the Philipines in December through to May- they are placid creatures that can grow to the size of a bus.
Thus, maritime officials and activists in Pilar were astounded when they rescued one the size of a forearm. Dubbed “arguably the smallest living whale shark in recorded history”, the 15-inch-long animal may be an indication that the coastline is a birthing ground for the species. If this is found to be true, the WWF have suggested that such ‘spawning grounds’ could become protected. Very little is known about whale sharks breeding and few baby whale sharks have ever been found.

Cuban Restrictions Relaxed

U.S. Congress yesterday passed a bill that relaxes some of the previous restrictions placed on the communist island of Cuba. As soon as Obama signs it into law, Cubans will be better able to import agricultural and medical goods, and Cuban-Americans will be able to visit their families in Cuba for longer than 2 weeks, and annually as opposed to once every 3 years.
The Cuban exile community in Miami received the news with mixed reactions- with many welcoming the move toward closer relations with Washington, and other anti-communists opposing the relaxation of sanctions.

Dalai Lama reflects on deaths in Tibet

The Dalai Lama marked the 50 year anniversary of Tibetan uprising against Chinese control with a solemn speech from his base in Dharamsala, India. The Tibetan spiritual leader stated that his people live in ‘constant fear’ of the ‘suspicious’ Chinese authorities, with Tibetan culture and identity under great threat of extinction. He reflected on, and paid tribute to, the hundreds of thousands of Tibetan people who have lost their lives since the Chinese communist troops took control of Tibet in 1950. He urged his people that justice will prevail if they to continue to follow the ‘The Middle Way’ and seek political autonomy through non-violent protest, negotiation and other peaceful means.
The Dalai Lama has been considered something of a ‘dangerous separatist obsessed with independence’ by Beijing- with only yesterday the Chinese President Hu Jinatao making a reference to the political issues in Tibet, calling for a “sturdy Great Wall against separatism”.

Mosque bombed in Sri Lanka

Ten people were killed and three government ministers were injured today when a bomb exploded outside a mosque in the town of Akuressa, southern Sri Lanka. The blast occurred during the Islamic celebration of Mawlid, where many civilians and government officials were present to commemorate the prophet Mohammed’s birthday.
The explosion is being regarded as a Tamil Tigers suicide bomber attack, suggested to be a reaction to governmental action in the northeast of the country- the routing-out of the Tamil Tigers from their last stronghold.
The Tamil Tigers have been engaged in fighting for an Independent state for the Tamil minority since 1983.
Tamil Tiger spokespeople have not yet been available for comment.

Thailand visas temporarily free

From March 4th 2009 to June 4th 2009, travellers to Thailand will not have to pay for a visa.
In an attempt to boost tourism and in reaction to the global economic crisis and recent political protests, Thailand will not be charging visa fees for this temporary period.

Marine life marooned in Tasmania

According to a report published today by The Times newspaper, conservationists in Australia have deemed the stranding of 200 whales and dolphins on Naracoopa Beach in Tasmania, ‘suspicious’.
Wildlife rescue teams and local people were able to save and return to the ocean, 54 whales and five dolphins, though the remainder of the 192 creatures had died before the rescue teams could reach them.
A thorough enquiry into the mass stranding has been requested by conservationists due to fears that the root cause may be human disturbance, citing ‘industrial activity’ and the ‘use of military sonar devices’ as prime suspects.
Another possibility to the cause of the marooned animals is climate change - with the changes in water temperature causing whales and dolphins to divert from their usual routes and travel into ‘unchartered territory’, namely near to unknown coastlines.
However, mass stranding may be linked to group behaviour, and the ‘follow the leader’ psychology of these species. It may simply be a natural event, the result of a ‘navigational error’.
The Times continues to state that Tasmania may account for 80% of all Australian strandings, with four significant incidents having occurred in recent months.

Brazil's Carnival 2009

On Saturday 21st of Feb Brazil’s 2009 carnival began in what has commonly become known as the ‘Carnival Capital of the World’. The streets of Rio de Janeiro were decorated in vibrant colour and alive with the sounds of the Samba.
The festivities permeate almost every residency and business in the vicinity, people turning out in their droves to celebrate the final big party before Lent begins tomorrow on Ash Wednesday. The carnival represents a climax of debauchery, a final binge of self-indulgent pleasure which ends on ‘Fat Tuesday’ (today) , 40 days before Easter, thus a day before abstinence from ‘pleasures of the flesh’ begins.
For 4 days carnival- goers dress in outrageously-loud glittering, feathered costumes and swing their hips to the Capoeira, while the bands belt out the traditional energising sounds that the procession has become infamous for. The celebrations are said to attract around 500,000 foreign visitors per year, and is the most popular festival for the residents of Rio. The carnival is rich in Brazilian culture artistically revered, and is often considered as the ‘greatest carnival in the world’.

Elephant rumbles signal hope

The unique natural phenomena exhibited by elephants- the ability to communicate through seismic social calls, otherwise known as ‘rumbles’ in the ground- has been harnessed by Zoologists in Namibia and could be used to save the species.
They found that bull elephants responded directly and intensely to a simulation of the rumbles produced by a female in a state of sexual readiness (which only happens once every 5 years). The bulls changed direction and headed for the origin of the artificially created ground vibrations.
The experiment has been an exciting development and could indicate a tool for keeping elephants, and farmlands, safe. The animals are often considered something of a pest to farmers in Africa- elephants are often found trampling on crops and breaking water installations, which can lead to them being shot. The findings could also be employed to assist bringing stray elephants back within the boundaries of Etosha National Park.

Eco-Friendly at Lalibela Game Reserve

Location: South Africa’s Eastern Cape

Mark’s Camp has been built with minimum impact on the surrounding vegetation. A team of people have eradicated alien vegetation. Land and vegetation rehabilitation is high on the list of priorities with old farmland restored to its original state.

Tree Tops considers water and electricity conservation a priority. The staff at Tree Tops practise conserving these natural resources without compromising quality. Tree found naturally in the area have been planted on raised platforms to minimise sand impact.

Lentaba Lodge recycles old Sneezeweed fence posts from farm fences found on the property before it became a game reserve. The posts are used for walkway railings, balconies and verandas in the lodge. Other natural materials and stones found on the property have also been used.

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