How To Achieve Self-Sufficiency

It is 'we' who need to initiate things for our own cause; to secure our today and improve our tomorrow without being dependent on any external source.

Here's a quick guide on how to get one step closer to a sustainable living.

First, let's understand what does it mean to become self-sufficient. It is a state of being independent where you no longer need any aid, support, and assistance from anyone else other than yourself to survive and sustain. So, you self-govern yourself because you have all the resources required to lead a happy life. When you achieve the state, you become mentally stress-free (to a large extent), and economically independent.

Now, let's get back to the point, "How to achieve self-sufficiency?" As mentioned earlier, it all starts from within. You need to explore the possibilities of what can you do depending on your abilities and resources available. To start a sustainable living, you need not to step out of your home in search of help. You are the power person and your home is your happy lab.

Start from doing little things, as simple as plant your own vegetables in your own garden and save the useful seeds for future planting, begin rain water harvesting by preserving it naturally, begin worm farming to produce great fertilizers, raise dairy cows to get your daily dairy products, cut tree branches to build your home furniture, use solar panels to meet your home energy requirements, do fishing if you love to, value the effectiveness of renewable resources instead of relying on non-renewable resources.

These are just a few of the many ways self-sufficiency can be achieved. It will take time in understanding, analysing, and practicing these activities, but it will earn you a complete sense of certainty with every passing day.

Practicing the above-mentioned things relieves you from being dependent on any external source. Like when you plant trees, raise cows or begin rain water harvesting, you are no longer dependent on shop or municipality. While you become self-sufficient, you do your bit in improving the ecology. For example, without throwing away the dinner leftovers, when you use them into the worm compost for worm farming, worms eat these; make great fertilizers as well as help in maintaining ecological balance. Thereby, by becoming self-sufficient, you are improving your abilities to raise and grow your own stuffs as well as helping in maintaining an ideal environment where we can breathe trouble-free.

However, is it practical enough to say you can grow all your foods on your own? Do you have enough time and resource to live your daily life without taking anyone's help? Perhaps, this is where the difference between self reliance and self-sufficiency comes. That's the topic of our next article. Don't miss reading.

The Largest Mangrove Forest Of The World

A forest is mainly large areas of land thickly covered with trees. Mangroves on the other hand are tropical trees that grow in mud or at the edge of rivers and have roots that are above ground. Mangrove forest is thus generally forests composed of mainly mangrove tree species. A forest is one of the natural features that make countries natural features and add up to the country's flourish in the amount of green cover. Forests are a great resource as they are a source of fuel, timber, bark and many other useful products and raw materials.

The Sunderland, which is recognized the largest mangrove forest of the world. It is located in the southwest part of an Asian country known as Bangladesh in the greater Khulna district. The forest is also shared by the India republic, though in a very small part. The forest covers an area of about 38,000 square kilometers of land. It is actually a large block of littoral forests put together to form one massive thick forest.

The largest mangrove forest in the world has its greatest beauty lying in its surrounding which is quite rare and unique. Forests are good water catchment areas.The Sundarbans is a part of the world's largest delta formed by rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghan. Many streams, rivers and estuaries have enhanced the charm of the largest mangrove forest in the world.

The lofty tree tops form a complete full well formed canopy that goes unbroken throughout the forest. As you get to the tree trunks your attention is caught by the works of high and ebb tides marked on the soil and them.

Despite being naturally beautiful the largest mangrove forest in the world it is also a habitat to many wild animals that attract a great deal of both national and international tourists to the area and the country in general. The Sundarbans is not only the world's largest mangrove forest but generally a wildlife sanctuary. It is the home to one of the big five animals of the world; the world's famous Royal Bengal Tiger. It also has other animals like the spotted deer, salt water crocodiles, jungle fowl, wild boar, king cobras and many more. Thousands of migrating flying ducks fly over the area and further into the serene natural beauty of the largest mangrove forest of world. The forest has over 260 bird species recorded in it. It has not less than 50 species of reptiles and eight amphibian species. The gangetic river dolphin is found in most of its rivers.

Due to availability of many fish species in the rivers, the gypsy fishing families have also settled in the world's largest mangrove forest making it their home. However not all parts of the biggest forest are suitable for settlement as about a third of the forest is covered with watery marshy areas.

Threats to the Galapagos Environment

The Galapagos Islands, located 1000km off the coast of Ecuador, have been known for their pristine environment and unique wildlife. These remote islands have been privileged with the seclusion that has allowed ecosystems to evolve in a rare and unmatched way.

However, today the islands are experiencing the effects of extreme weather events, introduced species, a fast-growing population and exploding tourism.

The endemic species to the Galapagos have survived in harmony for hundreds of years. In fact, as Darwin noted many species have become so secluded that they have evolved and adapted to the environments of individual islands. Darwin noticed this particularly with the Galapagos Finch, a bird whose beak, color, and size is different on each island.

Today, you can see a large yellow land iguana on one island and a smaller, grayish land iguana on a different island. Recently, however, new species have been introduced to the islands and are disrupting the harmony of the endemic animals.

Rats, goats, and wild dogs are among these species brought to the islands by humans. On Isabela Island, for example, some hundreds of thousands of goats are destroying the tortoise population.

Another threat to the preservation of the islands is overpopulation. Humans have been living on the islands since the early 1800s, but recently the population among several of the islands has exploded.

The four inhabited islands of Isabela, Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, and Floreana are now home to over 40,000 people. Although human settlement is restricted to only 3% of the islands (97% of the archipelago is protected by the National Park), the effect that this growing population has on the islands is becoming perilous.

As the Galapagos Islands gain popularity, more and more visitors grace the archipelago each year. While tourism is a booming industry in the islands, it is also taking its toll on the environment. With airplanes landing and departing the islands' four airports daily, yachts and cruises transporting tourists daily from island to island, and the hundreds of thousands of tourists trekking through the pristine landscape the wear and tear on the islands is increasing.

Extreme weather events have also taken a toll on the wildlife and environment. "El Niño" affects the islands every few years, raising the water temperature and increasing rainfall. Adverse effects of this phenomenon are perilous to marine life.

These threats to the Galapagos environment have become a serious issue and several organizations have now made it their mission to pursue Galapagos conservation projects. The Inter-institutional Committee for the Management and Control of Introduced Species, or CIMEI, is dedicated to controlling domestic animals and introduced species.

In efforts to address the increasing population, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa and the Ecuadorian government is working on legislation to restrict immigration. So far the government has implemented new travel regulations and begun requiring "visas" for Ecuadorians visiting the islands.

The tourist traffic to the islands is also being regulated. An entrance fee for the Galapagos National Park ranging from $6 for Ecuadorian citizens to $100 for most foreigners is required upon arrival to the islands. Additionally, travelers entering the Galapagos must purchase a Transit Control Card for a fee of $10, which contains a chip, a barcode, and an identifying photograph registering information about the traveler. This card allows the Galapagos National Park to track the number of guests on the island at any given time.

The Galapagos is a natural treasure; however, the beauty of these enchanted islands is in danger of being tarnished.

Read more about conservation efforts before planning your trip to Galapagos. Inquire with trip advisors now to see how to collaborate with the sustainable tourism effort and options for your environmentally friendly trip.

The Galapagos National Park and other organizations are working hard to preserve the integrity, beauty, and immaculacy of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. We can expect to see tighter regulations on immigration and tourism in the near future as measures are taken to protect the islands.