ECOCLUB Blogs™

CAMAT [Chitral Association for Mountain Area Tourism] celebrated International Climatic Day of Action, Oct 24, 2009 in the Kalash valley of Rumbor, district Chitral with a philosophy of ‘think globally, act locally’ in mind. The theme of the day was “The Impacts of Global Warming on the Kalash Communities”. Kalash ECOCLUB, school students, local leadership and woman representatives participated. The day was observed in about 170 countries around the world aimed at awareness raising regarding the impacts of global warming on the natural environment and ecology that is likely to cast negative impacts on all organisms living on the planet earth. The participants felt proud in being part of the noble cause being celebrated around the world on Oct 24, 2009.In the meantime, they recorded their apprehension that the natural environment of the Kalash valleys—Rumbor, Burmborate and Birir—is certainly threatened due to climatic changes leading to longer summers, short autumns and short winters characterized by comparatively less snowfall and its early melting.Mr Saifullah, the Kalash community leader and social activist, discussed the significance of natural environment, forest belt and alpine meadow for the traditional culture of the communities in the valleys. It was pointed out that the population of goat—the religious...

Join us in Crete for an exciting series of seminars:April 19 - 25, 2010: Celebration of the International Year of BiodiversityFor avid outdoor adventurers and organic food lovers. Join us in celebrating the fascinating geology, botany and cultural-culinary heritage of Crete. May 24-29, 2010: The Magnificent West and Cuisine from the Ground UpDiscover Crete's natural beauty and organic food production along with cooking demos and classes.Before we head to the kitchen, we’ll meet the people that produce our excellent ingredients. Space is very limited. Contact CCS for more information. www.cookingincrete.com

A video received from ECOCLUB.com Lodge Members Pousada El Nagual, near Rio de Janeiro

Italy receives tens of millions of foreign visitors every year.This is what they may be seeing, if they visit the historic port city of Messina in Sicily:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8291187.stmA - by account of their on-camera statement' anti-immigrant 'national guard' patrolling the streets, which is 'legal', and comprised of 'volunteers'. The creation of such street patrols was a measure passed through parliament in July, proposed by a far-right party which is a government partner, and it was heavily criticised at the time by the Vatican, the Opposition and Human Rights groups. The same party had even proposed segregated trains in Milan!A chilling reminder of how fascism gained strength as a movement under a previous global financial crisis in the 1930s. And a wrong, far-right turn, at a key crossroad of the Mediterranean.The irony, lost in history, being that Messina was created by foreign settlers back in the 8th c. BCE.But if city authorities do not wish foreigners, why should they get any foreign tourists?And let's better not start discussing whether a former TV stripper (remember who owns TV in Italy) is suitably qualified to become a Minister for Tourism, especially when she is caught on video giving the fascist salute.

From The Nation Magazine, September 21, 2009 IssueA series of articles on food safety, production, environmental issueshttp://www.thenation.com/doc/20090921The question is -- when will this info sink in? If sustainable organic farmers continue to struggle, how long can they wait for everyone to support their work?

It is a bright morning on July 9, 2007 at the end of the Shandur polo festival that with a group of 6 people we start from Shandur over Chamarkand Pass to participate in the Broghil festival and to continue our trek over Darkhot pass further on to the Yasin valley. After night stay at the Chamarkand pass (4328m), we manage to get to the village Chapali (2500m), 8 kilometer north to Mastuj. This village is acknowledged for its traditional folksingers, folkdancers, solo sitar players and vocalists. We stay with Mr Akhtar Murad Khan, whose house perches atop the mountain overlooking the village.The next morning we have a thorough visit to have glimpses of the women activities in handicraft, cooking and the rest of the household chore. We observe several women harvesting wheat crops. Many more are occupied with weaving traditional woolen carpet, goat-hair carpet and embroidered women cap. Every house we visit, we are warmly welcomed and presented with cherry and mulberry besides tea. Some of the group members buy the local woolen carpets and embroidered women caps. In the late afternoon we arrange a big cultural event in the wide orchard under the cool shadow of the fruit-bearing trees,,...

From Biodiversity International - 2009 AwardsPanagiotis Sainatoudis is the coordinator of Peliti, one of the most important non governmental organizations in Greece whose aim is to rescue and distribute local crop varieties to growers. Peliti (‘oak tree’ in the Pontic Greek dialect) also deals with the registration of native rural animals. To date, roughly 1,500 varieties of vegetables, cereals etc. have been collected and distributed to approximately 30,000 amateur and professional farmers around Greece. Peliti also oversees an annual Pan Hellenic Feast for the exchange of local varieties.The full story: http://www.bioversityinternational.org/new...iterranean.htmlPeliti's website: www.peliti.gr

Joel Salatin, farmer, author and lecturer, is honored as a Heinz Award recipient for creating alternative, environmentally-friendly farming techniques, spawning a movement towards local, sustainable agriculture that has been replicated by family farms around the country. Mr. Salatin has developed a new paradigm for agriculture by successfully challenging the commercial production of chicken and beef by food industry giants. His pioneering agricultural practices inextricably and beautifully interweave a food system with the land and have been embraced by farmers nationally. At Polyface Farm, Mr. Salatin’s 550 acres of rolling Virginia hills in the Central Shenandoah Valley, he raises beef, sheep, chickens, pigs, rabbits and turkeys in a complex rotation based on the intricate relationships of these animals to one another and to the grass that is at the basis of the farm’s food chain. The full article: http://www.heinzawards.net/recipients/joel_salatin

Hi everybody, please visit the following website link to know about ecotourism in Chitral, northern Pakistan:http://www.yourtravelchoice.org/2009/08/co...atives-chitral/http://www.whl.travel/blog/?p=1751#more-1751You can please arrange your lifetime trip to have the glimpses of the prestine natural environment and traditional culture in the Hindu Kush region.Thanks for your time!

Crete, Greece, August 27, 2009: Crete’s Culinary Sanctuaries, the award-winning educational travel program noted for best practices in Responsible Travel, will offer a blueprint for implementing similar programs from October 11-18, 2009, for professionals in tourism, conservation, agriculture, and the culinary arts. Attendees will travel with specialists to historic sites and villages, organic farms and nature reserves for presentations on heritage preservation, and building mutually beneficial relations between local populations and the tourist trade. CCS Founder, Nikki Rose, says “Crete is blessed with fascinating history, natural beauty and excellent fresh food. There is much to celebrate and protect. The roots of the Mediterranean Diet originated in Crete. CCS programs help to support people striving to preserve their lifestyle and share their valuable knowledge in mutually beneficial ways.” CCS Seminars include organic olive oil and wine tastings, cooking demos, botanical hikes, traditional music and other activities celebrating Crete's distinctive heritage. Doctors, nutritionists, chefs, farmers, ecologists, anthropologists, travel agents, journalists, students, history and food enthusiasts have joined CCS programs. Their collected feedback confirms that participating in programs that protect Crete’s heritage is an enjoyable and enriching experience. Global interest in sustainability includes tourism and foodservice. People involved with traditional trades, conservation, sustainable organic...