Condom on a Tree

02/06/2002 0 Comments read Features, Health & Science, Indigenous

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 02.06.2002 (Women’s Feature Service): In the remote Western Australian town of Fitzroy Crossing, an innovative scheme has helped in promoting safe sex amongst the Aboriginal community – hanging condoms on trees.

Working on the ‘community knows best’ principle, Nindilingarri Cultural Health Service (NCHS), a grassroots organization, began placing condoms in 300 cm-long PVC pipes and hanging them with wire hooks on river gum and eucalyptus trees – unique condom dispensers. The local people congregate for their evening drink and socializing under these trees. Eight containers were hung at Crossing Inn and another eight a few kilometres away – the two traditional meeting grounds for the community.

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The Tasmanian Tiger’s controversial comeback

31/05/2002 0 Comments read Environment & Development

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 31.05.2002 (IPS): Scientists at the Australian Museum here were visibly jubilant when they announced recently that they are closer to resurrecting the Tasmanian tiger from extinction through cloning, but other scientists and environmentalists have greeted the news with more sobriety.

Indeed, many are raising questions about the multimillion-dollar project, including whether or not it will help in biodiversity conservation in Australia.

Although these experts concede that the cloning is a “breakthrough”, they argue that conventional conservation deserves more time, energy and resources than it is getting right now, and that technology should be directed towards preserving endangered species, not extinct mammals.

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The thrill of tiger sighting: Kanha National Park

29/11/2001 4 Comments read Environment & Development, Travel

By Neena Bhandari

Kanha (Madhya Pradesh, India) 29.11.2001 (Sydney Morning Herald): As a child I would snuggle into my father’s arms in the “watch towers” strategically positioned in wildlife sanctuaries, and watch a tiger devour its bait. We would wait for hours in the thick of the night, straining our ears to hear that familiar ruffle of leaves caused by a stealthy predator.

Over the years the practise of baiting tigers for viewing has been discontinued, but encounters with big cats are not uncommon in the 27 tiger reserves of India, where this threatened species has learnt to live with man and vehicles.

Watching a proud tigress stretching with three playful cubs frolicking around her, or a majestic tiger enjoying a siesta, slowly turning to stretch a paw and yawn, are images I have grown up with. Having had the opportunity to see tigers at close quarters in sanctuaries from Ranthambore in the west to Sunderbans in the east, Corbett in the north to Periyar in the south, the experience that sticks with me is the Kanha National Park in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.

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