Press Release---TEAM Honours Wild Life with Pillar and New Books
Contacts:
Tsering Yangkey: 94187-91168, Tashi Lhamo: 94180-13910, TEAM Office: 1892-226085
29th Dec. 2007, Dharamsala: Today Tesi Environmental Awareness Movement (TEAM) inaugurates a special 14 feet-tall pillar at the Lhagyal Ri near His Holiness the Dalai Lama's temple, to remember all the wildlife who had lost their lives for human consumption and to acknowledge with honour those Tibetans who burned their possessions made from endangered species pelts after His Holiness' appeal. TEAM will also release the Tibetan translation of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which is an international treaty that was adopted in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 and entered into force on this day in 1993. The main goals of the Convention are: conservation of biodiversity, sustainable usage of its components; and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources.
The
granite and marble pillar with inscriptions in both Tibetan and English
contains within it 1,008 tsa tsa (votive tablets) made of clay mixed with
ground parts of donated endangered species products such as skins of tiger,
leopard, otter, fox, lynx, and ivory. The pillar was built with financial
support from the Rowell Fund of the International Campaign for Tibet.
The words on the pillar are also prayers for the protection of the endangered
species:
For the well-being of Mother Earth - holder of all life forms; for all its inhabitants in general; and particularly to protect the endangered species from the brink of extinction, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has issued a special appeal to all Tibetans to abstain from using the products of species facing extinction. Following His Holiness' appeal, Tibetans inside Tibet and in exile destroyed their highly treasured possessions made from endangered species and pledged never to use them again. This selfless act by the Tibetan people is an important milestone in environmental protection - worthy of admiration, remembrance and a source of inspiration for people the world over. Remembering the countless endangered species that have died for us, we pray that all human beings be guided by the compassion of the Noble One to live harmoniously with Mother Nature.
The inauguration ceremony will include the lighting of 108 butter-lamps, propitiation of the deities of the four realms (earth, water, air, and fire) through incense ritual, singing of a traditional Tibetan song on behalf of wildlife, consecration of the pillar, performance of the Council of All Beings by TCV students, speeches from the Chief Guest and TEAM's head and finally Tibetan traditional sweet rice and butter tea will be served to everyone at the function. As well TEAM will present its first ever Environmental Service Award to Ama Karlo, currently a resident of the Tibetan Elderly Peoples' Hostel in McLeod Ganj, for her lifelong dedication and commitment for a healthy environment. (for Karlo's biography, go to www.ecotibet.org/ awards/karlo.html
Ms. Tsering Yangkey, TEAM's Head said, "The words of His Holiness the Dalai Lama have inspired many Tibetans to a new understanding and care for biological diversity. This environmental awakening is truly an historical event that TEAM hopes will set a precedent for greater dedication from communities and authorities all over the world to enforce stricter protection of endangered species". She added, "This pillar stands there to inspire and motivate all those who have the opportunity to read it while circumambulating His Holiness' residence and the main temple".
TEAM is a non-profit Tibetan environmental organisation established with a mission to revive the ecological consciousness of the Tibetan people. One of its core aims is to educate Tibetans about the plight of endangered species and to put an end to the Tibetan people’s use of endangered species products.
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