Robber fly - Nature photographer Thomas Shahan specializes in amazing portraits of tiny insects. It isn't easy. Shahan says that this Robber Fly (Holcocephala fusca), for instance, is "skittish" and doesn't like its picture taken.

Nature by Numbers (Video)

"The Greater Akashic System" – July 15, 2012 (Kryon Channelling by Lee Caroll) (Subjects: Lightworkers, Intent, To meet God, Past lives, Universe/Galaxy, Earth, Pleiadians, Souls Reincarnate, Invention: Measure Quantum state in 3D, Recalibrates, Multi-Dimensional/Divine, Akashic System to change to new system, Before religion changed the system, DNA, Old system react to Karma, New system react to intent now for next life, Animals (around humans) reincarnate again, This Animal want to come back to the same human, Akashic Inheritance, Reincarnate as Family, Other Planets, Global Unity … etc.)

Question: Dear Kryon: I live in Spain. I am sorry if I will ask you a question you might have already answered, but the translations of your books are very slow and I might not have gathered all information you have already given. I am quite concerned about abandoned animals. It seems that many people buy animals for their children and as soon as they grow, they set them out somewhere. Recently I had the occasion to see a small kitten in the middle of the street. I did not immediately react, since I could have stopped and taken it, without getting out of the car. So, I went on and at the first occasion I could turn, I went back to see if I could take the kitten, but it was to late, somebody had already killed it. This happened some month ago, but I still feel very sorry for that kitten. I just would like to know, what kind of entity are these animals and how does this fit in our world. Are these entities which choose this kind of life, like we do choose our kind of Human life? I see so many abandoned animals and every time I see one, my heart aches... I would like to know more about them.

Answer: Dear one, indeed the answer has been given, but let us give it again so you all understand. Animals are here on earth for three (3) reasons.

(1) The balance of biological life. . . the circle of energy that is needed for you to exist in what you call "nature."

(2) To be harvested. Yes, it's true. Many exist for your sustenance, and this is appropriate. It is a harmony between Human and animal, and always has. Remember the buffalo that willingly came into the indigenous tribes to be sacrificed when called? These are stories that you should examine again. The inappropriateness of today's culture is how these precious creatures are treated. Did you know that if there was an honoring ceremony at their death, they would nourish you better? Did you know that there is ceremony that could benefit all of humanity in this way. Perhaps it's time you saw it.

(3) To be loved and to love. For many cultures, animals serve as surrogate children, loved and taken care of. It gives Humans a chance to show compassion when they need it, and to have unconditional love when they need it. This is extremely important to many, and provides balance and centering for many.

Do animals know all this? At a basic level, they do. Not in the way you "know," but in a cellular awareness they understand that they are here in service to planet earth. If you honor them in all three instances, then balance will be the result. Your feelings about their treatment is important. Temper your reactions with the spiritual logic of their appropriateness and their service to humanity. Honor them in all three cases.

Dian Fossey's birthday celebrated with a Google doodle

Dian Fossey's birthday celebrated with a Google doodle
American zoologist played by Sigourney Weaver in the film Gorillas in the Mist would have been 82 on Thursday (16 January 2014)

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Tea export share may fall, but income rise

The Jakarta Post | Sat, 02/14/2009 11:01 AM

More tea please!: Tea pickers working at Tambaksari tea plantation in Subang, West Java. Indonesia foresees a decline in its share of the global export tea market in 2009 due to stagnation in the production capacity of the industry, the Indonesia Tea Board (BTI) said on Friday. ANTARA/REZZA ESTILY.

The Indonesia Tea Board (DTI) forecasts a potential decline in Indonesia’s share of the global tea market this year given flat output due to declining prices and the increasing conversion rate of tea plantations.

“We rank sixth in the world for tea exports today, but it’s very possible that we’re going to be the seventh by the end of 2009,” DTI production department head Insyaf Malik said during a press conference on the upcoming tea and coffee exhibition on Friday.

“Our market share has been declining since 2003. Back then we had around 5 percent of market share while today we can only secure around 3.9 percent,” said Malik.

Indonesia markets around 60 percent of its tea production capacity to the international market with around 51 percent of exports destined to Europe and Russia.

Malik argued the decline in the share was primarily attributable to stagnant output.

“While global tea production is constantly increasing, our production has remained at around 150,000 tons per year during the last five years,” he said.

DTI data shows the flat output is caused by a combination of factors, including fluctuations in tea prices, which discourage farmers to plant the crop, and increasing conversion of tea plantations for industrial and property use.

This is evident as the plantation area has shrunk to 133,000 hectares last year from 136.000 hectares in 2006, according to the DTI.

“The industry players seem reluctant to invest in area expansion because, frankly, the tea business has not been very profitable in the last five years,” Malik said.

However, Malik is upbeat that the industry could increase the value of exports despite flat output.

“We believe that because of potential increases in the prices for the commodity, export value is likely to reach US$140 million this year from $135 million last year,” he said.

Output is forecast to reach as much as 153,000 tons this year. But if there is a drought then output will only reach 145,000 tons, according to Malik.

However, DTI marketing and promotion head Tridjoko Subandrio said the country’s tea industry would face other stiff challenges with the planned signing of a free trade agreement between the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) with India during the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Thailand on Feb. 27.

“From our point of view, the deal is more like a challenge rather than an opportunity,” Subandrio said.

As the second largest tea exporter after China, India is one of the main competitors in the global tea market for Indonesia.

Subandrio said that DTI would encourage tea producers to focus more on increasing production for domestic consumption.

“Our research shows that an Indonesian only consumes 300 grams of tea per year. We should find ways to promote tea as a lifestyle product and hopefully we can increase local consumption to up to 600 grams per head per year,” he said.

“We also hope that the government would reduce tea imports from other countries.” (hdt)

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