Back in the U.S. in my real life, I am involved in a group of folks that are working to cut our carbon footprints, so I am becoming much more aware of environmental issues and choices.
Here are some random related comments --
This is such a beautiful place, here at about 7000 feet in the first range of the Himalayas, in an area of protected forest, but of course it is not immune to the pressures of modern civilization. The city of Dehra Dun, that lies at the foot of the mountains here, has grown tremendously now that it is the seat of government for Uttarkhand. If you look out at the lights at night, it seems like almost three fourths of the Dun valley is filled with lights, and these continue on up into the hills as if Mussoorie and Landaur are now just suburbs of Dehra.
Electricity: All electric outlets have switches so there is less chance of wasting 'phantom' power. At the YWCA where I stay in Delhi, one has to insert one's room key in a special slot for the small hot-water geyser or the air conditioner to work.
Here in the hills, at least this week, the power has been going off a dozen or so times a day, and then the School's generator kicks in ... likely run on diesel.
Water: Right now there is adequate water, but that changes through the seasons. The typical way of bathing in India is with a 'bucket bath,' which uses much less water than a shower. Put a bucket under the tap and run the hot water until it gets hot, then add in cold as needed. With a half-bucket one can get a decent cleaning; with a full bucket one can wash thick hair or have enough water left to wash out some clothes. Pour a couple of mugs of water over the body, soap it up, and then rinse.
Plastics: In my last posting I complained about all of the plastic laying about. There are spots here on the hillsides that have become dumping grounds for plastic. Not good!
Sewer: Landaur is building a sewage treatment facility! The edges of Tehri Road are being dug up and pipes installed. The facility is to be built below 'New Road' about half way between Woodstock and Wynberg-Allen schools. It will be very interesting to see if it actually gets built and works as intended.
Right now most sewage likely goes down the mountain into the local streams, or into cesspits or possibly septic tanks.
Here are some random related comments --
This is such a beautiful place, here at about 7000 feet in the first range of the Himalayas, in an area of protected forest, but of course it is not immune to the pressures of modern civilization. The city of Dehra Dun, that lies at the foot of the mountains here, has grown tremendously now that it is the seat of government for Uttarkhand. If you look out at the lights at night, it seems like almost three fourths of the Dun valley is filled with lights, and these continue on up into the hills as if Mussoorie and Landaur are now just suburbs of Dehra.
Electricity: All electric outlets have switches so there is less chance of wasting 'phantom' power. At the YWCA where I stay in Delhi, one has to insert one's room key in a special slot for the small hot-water geyser or the air conditioner to work.
Water: Right now there is adequate water, but that changes through the seasons. The typical way of bathing in India is with a 'bucket bath,' which uses much less water than a shower. Put a bucket under the tap and run the hot water until it gets hot, then add in cold as needed. With a half-bucket one can get a decent cleaning; with a full bucket one can wash thick hair or have enough water left to wash out some clothes. Pour a couple of mugs of water over the body, soap it up, and then rinse.
Plastics: In my last posting I complained about all of the plastic laying about. There are spots here on the hillsides that have become dumping grounds for plastic. Not good!
Sewer: Landaur is building a sewage treatment facility! The edges of Tehri Road are being dug up and pipes installed. The facility is to be built below 'New Road' about half way between Woodstock and Wynberg-Allen schools. It will be very interesting to see if it actually gets built and works as intended.
