Environmental Missions Prayer Digest

January 2014

In 2004, the High Court in India demanded what the politicians could not accomplish. Air pollution had become so intolerable in the nation's capital of New Delhi, that the Court demanded a wholescale shifting of industry to across the river Yamuna and ordered all auto-rickshaws, buses, and taxi cabs to convert over to compressed natural gas (CNG). The program worked. New Delhi became a healthier, more pleasant place.

My family and I have just returned from a three-week visit to our old home in India. By all accounts, the breathable air space of 2004 has been used up, and air pollution is worse than ever. Seventy-five percent of the problem is the 7.2 million cars which are now on the road in the capital. A commonly used U.S. standard for air pollution (measuring PM10 and PM2.5 micron levels) calls a level above 201 "very unhealthy" and above 301 "hazardous to health." Last December, the month we were in India, pollution levels ranged from 400-500. While winter is always the most threatening season, annual averages, such as in 2010, were at 249.

Pollution is making the news in India. It's also making its way into campaign speeches, which is a promising sign. In 2014, India will conduct a national election and early indications are that the long-standing (Congress Party-led) government will be swept from power. The front runner for Prime Minister, the BJP's Narendra Modi, was in Varanasi last month, the site of this month's Prayer Digest focus on the Gangetic River Dolphin. Considered a conservative Hindu party, part of Modi's campaign appeal was "Let's clean the River Ganga."

A BJP-led government will likely further shut the door on gospel preaching, but new environmental partnerships could push that door open wider than ever before. May the Lord give his Church compassionate hearts and creative minds as we love those who breathe the air and drink the water of India.

Link: WSJ: Five Things to Know About Delhi's Air Pollution

Photo: flickr.com/CC: Wayan Vota

Ganges River Dolphin blindly searches for survival

Environmental missionaries seek to assist WWF in helping this uniquely marvelous, but seriously endangered, creature of God's imaginativity

It's hard to get a photo of these elusive creatures.

These are from Bangladesh where they are locally called "shushuk."

From the roof of our old home on the banks of the Ganges River, we used to watch for hours and catch the occasional glimpse of a Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica) surfacing. They are a remarkable creature. They are blind, so they hunt by sonar. Although mentioned in writing by Pliny the Elder in 71 A.D., it was not until 1968 that the River Dolphin was identified as "the first known side-swimming cetacean." A IUCN red-listed endangered species, there are perhaps 1500 still surviving in the world. The Indian government has enacted protections, but some fishermen reportedly are still catching the dolphin and cutting it up as bait for use in catching other species. The dolphins require deep pools for habitat, so silting of the river and lower water levels are also a conservation issue.

Please pray:

1. that the Lord who so marvelously created the Ganges River Dolphin will also marvelously preserve it for his glory.

2. that God will bless and strengthen the efforts of WWF India as they concentrate on a 165 km stretch of river habitat between Bijnor and Narora.

3. for a team of believers in North India, led by B. & L., who are trying to figure out how best to launch a possible conservation effort. Please pray for wisdom for Eden Vigil as we provide advice and technical assistance.

4. for the Kewat people, "boatmen" in Varanasi, that a new identity in Christ would include becoming "river keepers" of the Ganges.

And from the section above:

1. "Father, you who love the people of New Delhi, protect them and help them once again to clean up the air they breathe."

2. "Father, you who raise up governments (Dan. 2:21), please give leaders to India who will treat Christians, the gospel, the air, and the Ganges with respect."

Links: WWF on Ganges River Dolphin, Scientific paper on Platanista gangetica

Photo: Flikr.com/CC: BBC World Service

Lowell's book-- now available at missionbooks.org (click here)

to read a summary by Missio Nexus,

and to listen to an author interview,

click here

Thank you for praying in 2014,
as you love Christ and his created.

Happy New Year

Lowell Bliss
Eden Vigil

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