Book Review

 

CITES: Endangered  Species on Stamps

By M.Lokeswara Rao IFS (Retd.)

CITES : Endangered Species on Stamps By M. Lokeswara Rao Pages : 130: paperback Size A5 : Publisher : The Write Order Publications : ISBN : 978-93-5776-681-4 Price :Rs. 1399 : Author can be contacted at email: madirajul@gmail.com Whatsapp :9436215175

"CITES : Endangered Species on Stamps"

Plants and animals are the essential parts of life on the Earth; it is important to conserve them and save them from getting extinct, maintaining their optimal population that helps in enriching the biodiversity or the richness of flora and fauna worldwide. Deforestation or cutting down trees is considered one of the major problems associated with the conservation of plants and animals. 

CITES, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, also known as the Washington Convention a multilateral treaty to protect endangered plants and animals from the threats of international trade. It was drafted as a result of a resolution adopted in 1963 at a meeting of members of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The convention was opened for signature in 1973 and CITES entered into force on 1 July 1975.

Its aim is to ensure that international trade (import/export) in specimens of animals and plants included under CITES, does not threaten the survival of the species in the wild. This is achieved via a system of permits and certificates. CITES affords varying degrees of protection to more than 38,000 species.

Over 38,700 species, including roughly 5,950 species of animals and 32,800 species of plants, are protected by CITES against over-exploitation through international trade. They are listed in the three CITES appendices. The species are grouped in the appendices according to how threatened they are by international trade. They include some whole groups, such as primates, cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), sea turtles, parrots, corals, cacti, and orchids.

Since 1993, the CITES Secretariat has worked with the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) to produce an annual series of 12 stamps animals and plants included in Cites Appendices. This series is published in Geneva, New York and Vienna with special Postmarks for First Day Covers.

UNPA has been issuing stamps to celebrate many varied forms of wild fauna and flora, to raise awareness about the multitude of benefits that conservation provides to people.

 

The book "CITES Endangered Species on Stamps" gives details about the CITES convention. There are 360 images of the stamps released by the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) from 1993 to 2023, and stamps with the CITES logo released by Poland, Chile, and Japan for endangered species day and first day covers were shown in the book. A total of 421 philatelic materials were used in the book.

The book gives the following chapters in detail :

1.    Cites Endangered species Stamps

2.    CITES Endangered Species Stamps from 1993-2023

3.    Endangered Species Day

4.    New Biodiversity Framework

The book is very comprehensive with technical details. It will be an asset for Foresters, Naturalists, Wildlife lovers, environmentalists, Students and Thematic stamp collectors especially those making specialised collection on endangered species of flora and fauna. I recommend this book for libraires of Colleges, Environment, Wildlife and Forest Institutes as well as for stamp lovers as the author has explained endangered species through number of postage stamps issued on CITES endangered species.

 

About the Author

M Lokeswara Rao worked as a Civil Servant, belongs to the 1983 batch of Indian Forest service and retired as Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, in Nagaland, India. He has held different positions in the Government of India, Worked as Advisor Green Highways, National Highways Authority India, Ministry of Surface Transport, and Govt. of India and as Director (Protect Our Species), and Earth Day Network., Environment Education from Jordan college, Glasgow UK and from the International Centre for Conservation Education Guiting Power, Cheltenham, UK and Policy studies from Syracuse University USA.

Worked on various projects for Forest Development agencies, Green India Mission, Wildlife Habitat projects, species recovery programme of Amur Falcon, He has organised many environmental awareness programmes. UNESCO Consultant for identification of Biosphere Reserves in Nagaland. Consultant with Community Forestry International USA. Involved in various documentaries making namely Amur Falcon, Elephants etc. He received the biodiversity award, Tiger land film Festival for his work on Amur Falcon.

His hobbies are Painting and Philately.  He exhibited his painting The Buddha Great in New Delhi, Bangalore and Various parts of the country.  He received a number of awards in National and International Philatelic Exhibitions for his exhibits Orchids, Buddhism, Buddhist Mudras, Post office postal cancellation on Penny Red, Lady slipper Orchids, Buddhist Dances and for his literature exhibit book  “Buddhism on Stamps” and for his different articles appeared in different magazines in India and abroad.

He authored different research papers and authored books “Plant Biodiversity of World ``Buddhism on Stamps”, “Himalayan Birds on Stamps” and “CITES Endangered Species on Stamps “based on Philately and “Conservation through Forest Conservation Act”. His articles appeared in different magazines and Newspapers in India and abroad. His articles on philately appeared in National and International Magazines and Newspapers.

 

 - Jeevan Jyoti

International Day of Forests

 

21 March - International Day of Forests

International Day of Forests is observed on March 21st annually to spread awareness about the importance of all types of forests. The theme for 2023 is "Forests and health.” A special cancellation was issued by Karnataka Postal Circle on World Forestry Day.

Image Courtesy : Praveen Shatry, Bangalore, Pan India Postal Pictorial Place Cancellations

New Special Covers from Karnataka

 

International Day of Forests : 21 March 2022 : Malleswaram

Special Cover – KTK-35-2022 - International Day of Forests.

International Day of Forests (IOF) is celebrated on 21st March every year. The theme of IOF 2022 is "Forests and sustainable production and consumption" .

For millions of people across the world, wood helps provide safe drinking water, food and shelter, but wood can do much more and is a renewable resource when forests are managed sustainably. This special cover is released to commemorate International Day of Forests 2022.

National Fire Service Week : 14 April 2022 : D.R.College

Special Cover – KTK-36-2022 – National Fire Service Week.

National Fire Service week is observed from 14th to 20th April in honour of the exemplary courage and incredible commitment exhibited by firefighters. On 14th April 1944,66 brave firemen sacrificed their lives during the rescue operation on board the freighter SS Stikine at Mumbai. India Post pays homage to such brave firefighters.

- Suresh R., Bangalore email : suresh.hobbies@gmail.com

New Stamps from India - Children's day

Children's Day

Date of Issue : 14 November 2019

On the occasion of Children's Day  Two commemorative postage stamps were issued   by India Post.

Karnataka Special Cover - KTK/70/2019 - International day of Forests 

International Day of Forests is celebrated worldwide on 21 st March in order to increase the public awareness among communities about the values, significance and contributions of the forests to balance the life cycle on the earth.

- Suresh R, Bangalore

Woodlands of UK on new stamps by Royal Mail

Date of Issue :  13 August 2019

Six Special Stamps featuring inspirational images capturing the character and beauty of forests across the UK – including national parks and woodlands cared for by the Forestry Commission, which celebrates its centenary in September 2019.

The stamps are so beautiful and an asset for every stamp collector. The  images on stamps are marvellous. Any nature lover would fall in love with the beauty of these stamps !

The diverse beauty of UK's wonderful woodlands is captured in these six Special Stamps featuring captivating scenes of picturesque locations.

Two First Class stamps, two £1.55 stamps and two £1.60 stamps presented as vertical se-tenant pairs.

Glen Affric Inverness-shire, Scotland: Forest and mountain meet to create the perfect Highland scene. First Class.

Westonbirt Gloucestershire, England: The autumn shades of The National Arboretum’s Acer Glade. First Class.

Sherwood Forest Nottinghamshire, England: Morning light illuminates the celebrated setting of mythical tales. £1.55.

Coed y Brenin Gwynedd, Wales: This jewel in the crown of Snowdonia boasts spectacular scenic trails. £1.55.

Glenariff Forest County Antrim, Northern Ireland: The Waterfall Walk’s elevated boardwalks lead to dramatic views. £1.60.

Kielder Forest Northumberland, England: Wildlife thrives among the trees of the UK’s largest human-made forest. £1.60

Special Covers on Gass Forest Museum and Insect Museum, Coimbatore

Gass Forest Museum

Two special Covers were released on 4th and 5th December at Coimbatore  featuring India's First Insect Museum and Gass Forest Museum, Coimbatore.

Gass Forest Museum

The Gass Forest Museum was established by Horace Archibald Gass, a British Forest Officer in 1902. This is the oldest forest museum in our Country located in forest campus of Institute of Forest Genetics & Tree Breeding (lFGTB) Coimbatore. The museum houses a rich collection of specimens on wildlife and all important timber species found in India. The museum also has collections of seeds, barks, roots, wide range of useful and harmful insects, rock samples and minerals of forests.

India's first Insect Museum

India's first Insect Museum

India's first Insect museum was established in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. The museum was commissioned in the year 2013 and was completed by 2017. Insects collected since 1900s are housed here. The museum showcases a rich diversity of insects from all over the country as never seen before. 

The museum aims to create interest and scientific curiosity about the world of insects among students, the torch bearers of science. It serves as a reference point on insect identification for researchers. It is an all-know-about insect knowledge hub for the general public. Farmers also will be benefited with the knowledge on crop pests, their damage symptoms and the beneficial nature of insects.

-Suresh.R, Bengaluru

New Special Cover from Dehradum..

19th Commonwealth Forestry Conference, 3 -7 April 2017 FRI Dehradun

A Special Cover on 19th Commonwealth Forestry Conference (3-7 April 2017) was released at FRI, Dehradun on 5th April 2017. 

Special Cover on International Day of Forests..

21 March - International Day of Forests

Malleshwaram - 21 March 2017

International Day of Forests is celebrated worldwide on 21st March in order to increase the public awareness among communities about the values, significance and contributions of the forests to balance the life cycle on the earth. 

- Suresh.R

Bengaluru

XIV World Forestry Congress, Durban

 

 

Date of Issue : 7 September 2015

World Forestry Congress , Durban

This month in September , the World Forestry Congress was held in South Africa for the first time. Hosted by the South African Government, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the XIV World Forestry Congress took place in Durban from 7 to 11 September. The main theme for this year’s congress was “Forests and people: investing in a sustainable future”.

New stamps in a souvenir sheet issue  by South African Post  aims to raise awareness of the environment and especially forests that are the lungs of our planet.The set of five stamps was designed by Annemarie Wessels, who worked closely with the DAFF. The stamps cover the main topics of discussion at the congress, such as transforming livelihoods and forest governance, as well as indigenous forest plants, trees and animals.

Stamp 1: Transforming livelihoods

Forests sustain small and medium enterprises such as small arts and crafts businesses and entrepreneurs and recreational activities such as tree canopy tours, hiking, biking, and sightseeing.

Stamp 2 Forest products

Logs are harvested from a forest plantation. Almost all timber products in South Africa are produced in forest plantations, thus limiting the pressure of timber harvesting on natural forests.

Stamp 3: Forest governance

Monitoring forest ecosystems and produce through science and research such as measuring growth of seven-week ferns.

Stamp 4: Forest dwellers (conservation): Indigenous forest dwellers from different South African regions

Indigenous animals found in South Africa’s natural forests, such as:

Samango monkey (Cercophitecus mitis)

Knysna Dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion damaranum)

Blue Duiker (Philantomba monticola)

Emperor Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio ophidicephalus zuluensis)

Other forest animals include doves, bush pigs, leopards and elephants.

Stamp 5 : Forest flora and fungi

This stamp features a forest recovering after forest fires showing examples of indigenous plants, flowers, fungi and trees.

Outeniqua yellow wood (Podocarpus falcatus)

James flower(Plectranthus fruticosus)

Falling star lilies(Streptocarpus candidus)

Tropical Cinnabar bracket fungi (Pycnoporus sanguineus)

Lepiota mushrooms (Lepiota species).

Forests are essential to life on our planet and are a source of income and livelihood to many. They provide mitigation and adaption to climate change, adequate supplies of fresh water, biodiversity in nature, food and shelter for humans and animals. Yet this life-sustaining resource is under unprecedented pressure from people, climate and competing socio-economic demands.

The World Forestry Congress was first held in Rome in 1926, and has since become the largest and most significant gathering of the world’s forest sector. Held every six years, its objectives are to inform, direct and influence international action in forestry; to elevate the sector’s role in global development and to project a new vision for the future. This congress was crucial, as the world was entering a new development era with the post-2015 sustainable development goals.

New Special Covers

 

A Special commemorative cover on "Golden Chariot _ an unforgettable journey with myriad experiences" was released on 2nd April 2015 at Meghdoot Auditorium , Bengaluru GPO. This special commemorative cover depicting the Golden Chariot has been brought out by Karnataka Postal Circle in coordination with the Department of Tourism, Govt., of Karnataka.

- Suresh Rao, Bangalore : email : suresh.hobbies@gmail.com

 

 

Special Cover on 150 Years of Forestry in India – 21st March 2015

A Special Cover was released at Seoni on the occasion of 150 years of forestry in India and in the memory of "Father of Indian Forestry" Dr. Dietrich Brandis on 21st March 2015.

Forestry in India is a significant rural industry and a major environmental resource. India is one of the ten most forest-rich countries of the world along with the Russian Federation, Brazil, Canada, United States of America, China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Australia, Indonesia and Sudan.

Sir Dietrich Brandis, KCIE, FRS (b. March 31, 1824 – d. May 28, 1907) was a German forester who worked with the British Imperial Forestry Service in colonial India. He is considered the father of tropical forestry. His major concern was to prevent further degradation of forests in the country, for which, he formulated the Forest Act, 1865, which was later amended in 1878 and 1927. He served as IGF for 20 years, during which time he successfully laid foundations for putting the country’s forest resources under scientific management under an independent forest administration. Appreciating the need for forestry research and training, he took positive actions by setting up research and training facilities at Dehra Dun. He was officially recognised as Companion of the Indian Empire in 1878.

Special Cover on Pench Tiger Reserve, Seoni – 20th March 2015

A Special Cover on Pench Tiger Reserve, Seoni, Madhya Pradesh was released on 20th March 2015 by Madhya Pradesh Postal Circle at the function held at Turia Gate of Pench Tiger Reserve, Seoni. This event was held as a part of World Forestry Day celebrations.

Pench National park, nestling in the lower southern reaches of the satpuda hills is named after Pench river, meandering through the park from north to south. It is located on the southern boundary of Madhya Pradesh, bordering Maharashtra, in the districts of Seoni and Chhindwara. Pench National Park, comprising of 758 SQ Kms, out of which a core area of 299 sq km of Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park and the Mowgli Pench Sanctuary and remaining 464 sq km of pench national park is the buffer area. The area of the present tiger reserve has a glorious history. A description of its natural wealth and richness occurs in Ain-i-Akbari. Pench Tiger Reserve and its neighbourhood is the original setting of Rudyard Kipling's most famous work, The Jungle Book.

Courtesy – Indian Philately Digest

New Special Cover

 

13th Silviculture Conference, FRI Dehradun

A special cover was released on 24 November 2014 at Forest Research Institute (FRI) Dehradun, during the 13th Silviculture Conference (24-28 Nov. 2014) to mark the 150 years of organised Forestry in India (1864-2014). The special cover/cancellation was designed by noted  philatelists  Mr Abhai Mishra and Mr Rajesh Verma.

Garhwal Post - 29 November 2014

Courtesy : Abhai Mishra - Dehradun

Stamp on Parangalitsa Reserve, Bulgaria

 

The Bulgarian Post has issued a stamp sheet dedicated to the Parangalitsa Reserve in Bulgaria.

The Parangalitsa Reserve, which is located on the southwest slope of the Rila Mountains, covers an area of 1,509 hectares. In March, 1977, the reserve was added to the list of biospheres recognized by UNESCO under the auspices of its "People and Biospheres" program. The name of the reserve comes from the Greek word "parangalos", which means "forbidden".

Parangalitsa is home to one of the oldest spruce forests in Europe. The trees there are on average over 200 years old. The forests offer favorable conditions for the growth of more than 290 species of larger flora and a wide range of fauna, many of which are listed in Bulgaria's Red Book of endangered and protected species

Club News

TV programme  on stamp designer - Sankha Samanta

A programme ' Surkhiyon se pare' on noted Indian stamp designer Sankha Samanta’s work and a feature how he designs Postage Stamps will be telecast on 11th November Sunday 5.30 PM...DD Lok sabha TV. Mr Sankha Samants has designed many Indian stamps . Pigeon and Sparrow Minisheet is one of his best stamp designs !!

 

World Conservation Congress : Jeju 2012

 

World Conservation Congress Jeju 2012 - stamp from South Korea

The South Korean Post has issued a stamp to commemorate the "World Conservation Congress", the environmental Olympics of the global village, which was held for 10 days from September 6th to 15th, 2012 on Jeju Island, Korea's ecological repository.

The World Conservation Congress is a forum where experts from various sectors such as government organizations, NGOs, academia, corporations, media, etc. convene to contemplate and confer about solutions to major environmental problems facing the earth where we live.

This round of Congress  held on Jeju Island, was  participated by  approx. 10,000 people  from approximately 180 countries.

Korean post has issued a commemorative stamp featuring green sprouts and the Congress emblem.

 

Manuel Antonio National Park of Costa Rica

Date of Issue : 6 July 2012

The Correos de Costa Rica has issued a stamp within the international series titled "National Parks 2012". The stamp is dedicated to the Manuel Antonio National Park of Costa Rica.

Manuel Antonio National Park is a small National Park in the Central Pacific Conservation Area located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, just south of the city of Quepos, Puntarenas, and 132 km (82 mi) from the national capital of San Jose. Established in 1972 with an area enumerating 4,014 acres (16.24 km2) (the smallest of any Costa Rican national park), it is the destination of as many as 150,000 visitors annually and well known for its beautiful beaches and hiking trails. In 2011, Manuel Antonio was listed by Forbes among the world's 12 most beautiful national parks.

Mushrooms on new Polish stamps…

 

Mushrooms in Polish Forests

 

Hi !

Here is a beautiful miniature sheet to be issued by Polish Post on 31st August 2012 featuring Mushrooms in Polish Forests. The stamps are in se-tenant form giving a beautiful view of forests. The FDC will be issued in two different beautiful designs . Besides beautiful design of the cover Polish Post has selected a wonderful design for the First Day cancellation which also features mushrooms in lovely basket. Kudos to the designer of stamps covers and cancellations. Its lovely and  beyond compare !! Just Magnificent !! I would certainly like to have these beautiful stamps in my collection !!

Date of Issue : 31 August 2012

The Pine forests of Poland are full of flora and fauna, wild mushrooms, fruits and berries much of which is dried and or preserved and harvested annually by local polish families as essential homemade food supplies for the cold and often harsh long winters ahead.

 

These highly sort after mushrooms really are a blessing to so many Polish families in Poland. They are a magical source of wild food and income. These mushrooms appear as if by magic early in the mornings when most of us are still asleep all except the avid mushroom hunters who wrap up in layers upon layers of wooly clothes and a jacket topped of with a knitted woolen hat. To Search for the world best tasting mushrooms known as Borowki in Poland and highly regarding by top chefs around the world.

These mushrooms are lovingly collected preserving the natural environment in which they are found and air dried on strings to preserve the flavor and texture. Once the mushrooms have thoroughly dried the often elderly and female mushroom hunters proceed to the local markets or roadsides and wait for hours just to sell the string mushrooms to passers by. This money is used by the families to buy much needed fuel and food for the harsh winter months to follow. A truly magical tradition preserved and maintained in this truly romantic region of eastern Poland.

 

Some interesting facts about mushrooms

Mushrooms are one of the most mysterious kingdoms of living organisms. Once in the past they were referred to the lower plant-forms, but it is proved today: mushroom combines both the plant and the animal characteristics. Consistence of chitin, urea formation, sexual reproduction and heterotrophic exchange type rank mushrooms to animals.

There are lots of mushroom species: their amount exceeds 100 of thousands, and biologists regularly discover new ones. The most mushroom places of the world are the Europe and the Northern America, and the majority of species, especially edible, is represented on the territory of Russia.

The whole science - mycology makes the study of mushrooms and the application sphere of each species is very wide. Mouldy mushrooms are used in microbiological and pharmaceutical industries for production of vitamins, antibiotics and enzymes.

Edible mushrooms having relatively big fruit body are used in cookery for cooking of nourishing, protein-rich dishes. Palatability of some rare species is so good, that they are sold by the piece on European auctions. It first of all concerns white truffles.

Boletus (Borowiki) mushroom is considered to be the king of all forest mushrooms in Europe not only by its size, but also by amazing flavor.It is interesting, that lots of mushrooms in Russia are named according to places of their habitat; it seems to be for search simplification. Boletus grows in the piny wood, Aspen mushroom under the aspen, Birch mushroom under the birch, Honey Fungus on the stub and so on.

These names reveal that mushrooms were very popular even in the Ancient Europe and they were one of the food sources. It is not surprising, because mushrooms stand on the second place after meat on protein consistence, it apparently can be explained by their characteristic. Among other things, one more special property of mushrooms is widely used today they can accumulate radiation and remove it out from the organism.

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My Recent Covers…

 

From Latvia

Moricsala Reserve - The oldest nature reserve in Latvia

"The oldest nature reserve in Latvia – the Moricsala Reserve – is almost closed to visitors and can be visited only with a special permit issued by Slītere National Park administration. The reserve is located in Kurzeme, on the lake of Usma, and occupies a small part of the lake gulfs and two islands – Moricsala (the island gained its name from the son of the Sachsen Prince-elector August, later French Marshal Moriz, who was hiding on the island with a small military unit of Russian troops in 1727) and the Big Alder Isle (Lielā Alkšņu sala). The area of the reserve is 802 ha and has been recognised as a Natura 2000 territory. There is exceedingly rich flora and fauna on Moricsala:  409 species of vascular plants, 157 species of moss, 338 species of mushrooms, 82 species of lichens, more than 40 species of birds and 320 species of butterflies. More than 100 species are considered rare and endangered, not only in Latvia, but also in many other European countries. Moricsala is notable for the fact that, for the last couple 100 years, there have been no human economic activities, thus giving the island a unique and rarely seen wild woodland landscape. "

 

"100 years Moricsala Reserve (the island Moritz),"   On the envelope the words: on a little sheet - 100 years of conservation, and under it - to observe, learn, take care! On the stamp: Reserve Moricsala - 100.

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Card issued by   Ministry of Conservation &  Environment, Latvia

Thanks to E.N. Limanski – Riga , Latvia 

Cover from Germany

Wolfgang Beyer - Germany