Tie a rakhi for Planet Earth

Its Rakshabandhan on Monday. For those who celebrate it, there are two choices. The first is to see what's on the wrist. Often, Rakhi ingredients are non-recyclable ? foam, tinsel and toxic dyes, some of which leach on to the skin.

Its Rakshabandhan on Monday. For those who celebrate it, there are two choices. The first is to see what's on the wrist. Often, Rakhi ingredients are non-recyclable — foam, tinsel and toxic dyes, some of which leach on to the skin.

Then there's the macro-perspective. When everyone tells you to shop till you drop today, think of one issue — consumption. Over-consumption is one of the biggest problems we face. By consuming recklessly, we are digging out the earth, killing our seas and skies.

Think simply of what most of take for granted. Herbal products, pharma or otherwise. We imagine herbal means safe and benign, environmentally.  This is really true. A herbal product could cause reactions.

But equally, when the medicinal or cosmetic properties of a plant are seen to be commercially viable, the resource is over-exploited. In Kerala, there is widespread concern that several plant species are exported for commercial ventures despite the fact that it's virtually impossible to use them on a global scale without destroying bio-diversity.

Think of the real message of Rakshabandhan — to protect the Earth from our consumptive selves. So, if you plan to tie a Rakhi today, tie two instead: one for the Earth.

HIL factory closed

A few weeks ago, Earth Watch mentioned a fire in HIL's Eloor plant in Kerala that narrowly avoided a Bhopal-like tragedy.

The good news is that the SC monitoring committee on hazardous wastes carried out an inspection of the factory and proclaimed that it should be closed.

(If you feel for Planet Earth, write to earthwatch1@rediffmail.com)