More tree hugging!

A Peepal tree at the Yamuna Kumbha Mela site, dedicated to my

Grampa, James William McComb, planted by Friends of Vrindavan, directed by
Jagannath Poddar. at Yamuna River, Vrindavan.
By the grace of Jagannath Poddar Ji, director ofFriends of Vrindavan, it was such an
honor to dedicate this tree & un-pave paradise and put up an indigenous tree

Fb asked me "How are you celebrating Earth Day?"

I feel like it's been Earth Month ~ and deeply grateful for the service I have been
able to perform for Braja Bhumi (the sacred Earth of Vrindavan). It only makes me
more sensitive to how much more there is to do to protect our Earth heritage:
culture, eco-systems, humans, cows, monkeys, parrots & peacocks... The sacred
rivers, veins of life of our Mother, Yamuna Maharani, Ganga Devi... and every clear
water way that ripples heart emoticon
Many deep bows to the Earth and to those who empower my Seva:

One of the greatest gifts in Vrindavan was getting the privilege to perform this Sari
Seva, made possible by YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS, in partnership with Kulimela
Association, and by the facilitation, translation and loving guidance of Nirguna Devi
Ji.
This seva is growing in love and affection, as I get to recognize the wise faces of the
Nepali Ladies Ashram.
Almost ANY WOMAN KNOWS THE JOY OF A NEW GARMENT, but these ladies were
definitely happy to receive a fresh, cotton sari as the heat envelops India like an
oven! Saris are more expensive than the winter shawls, but we were still able to
distribute over 50 garments, some white, some colorful, some sacred yellow threads
~ all a gift from the heart heart emoticon

Our Tree plantation drive of the season begins unofficially, as one of our longtime
supporter K.D. Devi Dasi planted the Tamal trees with her own hands. She
wasinvolved in the whole process of the tree planting. The occasion auspicious too.
Today is Vaishakhi, the Durgashtami, the Bengali New Year and the Ambedkar
Jayanti. We respect your love for the trees of Vrindavan K.D.

Braj bliss to get my hands dirty in the sacred Braj Raj, sacred soil of Vrindavan.
Planting a baby Tamal tree, fertilized with compost from flowers of Krishna Balarama

Temple, on Bhaktivedanta Marg in loving memory of my Grandmother, Judy Lillian

Ivy McComb ~
By the grace of Jagannath Poddar Ji, director of Friends of Vrindavan, it was such an
honor to dedicate this tree & un-pave paradise and put up an indigenous tree.

I can't describe the heart-swelling pride & joy I feel about these trees. 4 years ago,
in the wake of the loss of my grandfather, I scraped the money together to respond
to the call for tree sponsorship. In loving memory and names of my Grampa, my
brother Bala Gopal, and Karnamrita's dear mother, Kunti Devi, I sent money for 4
trees. With my donation funds, instead of just 4, Friends of Vrindavan, directed by
Jagannath Poddar, the gardener, Moolchand, planted 14 indigenous trees (including
the Tamal trees at the FOV headquarters)!!!
The first tree here is a baby Banyan and the second is a Peepal tree at the Yamuna
Kumbha Mela site. I am in love with this tangible Braja Bhumi Seva and look forward
to more!!!

4 year old Banyan, planted by Friends of Vrindavan Gardener, Moolchand, at the

Yamuna Kumbha Mela site.
Mention Shubham Hotel
VRINDAVAN DHAM
GARBAGE CRISIS

Garbage and plastic waste is choking the life out of Vrindavan.

Non-degradable plastic bags are poisoning the cows and clogging up the streets.
At least 100 cows are estimated to die everyday in India as a result of eating
discarded plastic bags.
Plastic not only affects the wellbeing of cattle, but also the people who consume
their milk from those cattle that are allowed to roam free during the day and return
to their owners in the evenings.
Polymers in plastic are a carcinogen (a cancer causing agent), when consumed by
animals or humans.

India generates 60 million tons of waste every year. The landfills of most Indian
cities and towns are overflowing, with no space to accommodate fresh garbage
waste.
The reason why most landfill sites are over-flowing is because the current waste
disposal system is flawed. The segregation of biodegradable waste from nonbiodegradable waste is not done properly. This problem in Vrindavan is a matter of
real urgency and can be sorted out only with the cooperation of all of us.
In addition, at many landfill sites, due to the lack of an effective waste recycling
system, solid waste is burned without segregating bio-degradable waste from nonbiodegradable waste. This leads to the release of toxic gases that cause acute
respiratory diseases and environmental degradation.

WHEN ORGANIC WASTE IS MIXED WITH RECYCLABLES, IT BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE TO

SEGREGATE

Before thinking of cleaning up Vrindavan, we need to sort out a concrete waste

management system that ensures segregation and recycling. We need to process
everything that can be processed and dump only the residue or inert in the landfill.
If most countries in the world are managing waste effectively, why cant we?
I suggest that ashrams and temples in Vrindavan become a role model for waste
segregation and recycling.

RECYCLING CAN BE DONE BY FOLLOWING VERY SIMPLE GUIDELINES

Separate organic waste from recyclables

Never put food or organic waste into plastic bags

Separate toilet waste from all recyclables

Create clear recycling guidelines in each temple or ashram community

Schedule a weekly time for recyclable waste to be collected

Garbage should never be thrown on the streets or street containers

Segregation of waste should occur at home, before the waste is collected (In
that way its easy for the waste pickers to take the recyclable garbage and sell it in
recycling markets

Vision
Vrindavan- Clean & Green
Aims and priorities
1.

Garbage free streets

2.

Eradication of child labour in landfills

3.

Improving the life quality of local cows

4.

Hygienic sewage system

5.

Traffic and noise control