Virtual Propagation

And while people draw attention with a few clicks and posts claiming it to be a tool towards awareness,does this really help? A 24 year old Computer professional Aditya Bansode has tried delving into the roots by volunteering for tiger census for the conservation of tigers and the like. He says “The picture is clear,it is everyday that we contribute to the crisis of Global warming by taking out out cars,not switching off the electric appliances,and by not paying attention to that either. So if my signing a petition can rectify the mistake that I do everyday,it wont hurt”.

An animal lover and conservationist Arnold Naronha who works as a freelance wildlife photographer,and with the World Wildlife Fund India,is of the opinion is that if there’s something that if one truly wants to help,the way is to find the source of such emails and messages posted on the networking sites “I blog regularly about the kind of work that is done by WWF India. People following me on twitter who are interested to do something can contact me anytime they want,but the chain emails that are sent out seem to me as redundant. People think that by signing this petitions,they have done their part,which is not fair.”

Monica Bhamgara (38) just dismisses all the mails as bulk. “I never sign on any of the emails,I think you can do your part just by saving electricity and reduce the pollution. Maybe all this has suddenly caught up with the younger generation since they are taken in by the amount of exposure that the internet gives,maybe it is a matter of the cool quotient for some,but most do it in an attempt to feel a little less guilty of what we are doing to the environment”,she says practically.

The Save the Tiger campaign by the National Tiger Conservation Authority of the Government of India,was advertised extensively through all mediums and was one of the big hits in the recent past. It was a complete campaign with all the necessary information and gave the people to believe that they can actually make a difference. There are other reliable internet sites like greenpeace.com or the WWF India website which can be trusted for their environmental initiatives in addition to the innumerable pages and campaigns on social networking sites .

Maithili Chitale,a BA student says,“These messages may or may not be redundant but the fact that the stuff they talk about,is happening cannot be denied. So we shouldn’t disregard that and if in doubt,should do out own bit of research to get into the channel. I believe that voluntary work is a good way to get the feel of the ground reality. I work for an organisation that works for the rehabilitation of street animals. So I think I am doing my little bit.”