TEAM in South India

In 2008 TEAM visited South Indian Tibetan settlements twice, January 1-30 and 21 July to 14 August, to promote environmental awareness among the Tibetan people. Workshops and talks were given to the people of Dhondenling in Kollegal; Rabgyalling in Hunsur; Lugsum Samdupling and Dekyi Larso in Bylakuppe; and Doeguling in Mungod. The workshops were well attended and received excellent evaluation from all sectors including settlement officers, monastic communities and public. They all requested us to visit at least once every year

During the workshops the following presentations, all in Tibetan, were made:

1. PowerPoint Presentations:
• Environmental Issues and Concerns
• Waste management
• Global Warming
• Organic farming
• Biodiversity Conservation
• Harmful effects of using PVC churn for making Tibetan tea
• Nitrate problem in Drinking Water
• Ill-effects of Styrofoam cups and plates.
2. Documentaries
• Trashing Asia: E-Waste dumping in China and its harmful effects on health and environment.
• The slow poisoning of India: Adverse effects of chemical farming in India.
3. Publication Distribution (all in Tibetan):
• Harmful effects of using PVC tea Churn
• Nitrate contamination in Drinking water
• Environmental and Health Hazards of Styrofoam products
• Solutions to garbage problems
• Hazardous effect of plastic waste
• Garbage life-cycle Poster
• Endangered species poster: Tiger

Although we made presentations on all the above-mentioned topics, yet the main focuses were proper waste management and importance of organic farming. Since all our presentations were made in Tibetan, it made a good impact on the common Tibetans. Many of them poured us with appreciative comments and every settlement wanted us back at least once a year.