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)

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

RI to become world`s largest cocoa producer

Antara News, Wed, February 02 2011

A farmer picks cocoa at the Rangkahpawon plantation in Kediri, East Java.
(Antara Photo/Arief Priyono)


Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Having the ability to produce cocoa beans in large quantities, Indonesia is ready to set aside Ivory Coast as the world`s largest producer and exporter.

For the last 20 years Indonesia was the world`s third largest cocoa producer after Ivory Coast and Ghana, contributing export earnings in excess of US $1.4 billion per year.

In the late 1980s cocoa growing began seriously in the regions of Sulawesi island, and considerably lifted the fortune of cocoa-growing communities over the next two decades.

Therefore, West Sulawesi Governor Anwar Adnan Saleh in the provincial city of Mamuju said on Wednesday that he remained optimistic Indonesia would become the world`s largest coca producer and exporter.

In mid 2008, the Indonesian Government announced a large national program for revitalization of the cocoa industry,known as Gernas Pro Kakao.

"Since the announcement of Gernas Pro Kakao program, I remain optimistic that West Sulawesi is able to turn Indonesia into the largest cocoa producing country," Governor Anwar Adnan said in Mamuju.

He said the program was intended to replace up to 70,000 hectares of cocoa, rehabilitate another 140,000 hectares and intensify farming on 300,000 hectares - bringing the total planted area to around 900,000 hectares of productive cocoa.

The West Sulawesi governor said Ivory Coast at present was the world`s largest cocoa producing country while Indonesia is on the third place, but he was optimistic that the latter will be the first in years to come.

Therefore, in his presentation on national cocoa revitalization program at the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas), Governor Anwar asked that the ongoing program since 2008 be continued until 2014.

"The Gernas Pro Kakao program has a target to improve the production and quality of the commodity to exceed Ivory Coast in 2014," the governor said.

He said West Sulawesi provincial government planned to step up cocoa production every year but it was hampered by the limited amount of budget from the central government.

In 2009 West Sulawesi produced 40,000 tons of cocoa but the production declined in 2010 following the reduction of budget from the central government.

According to the West Sulawesi governor, 80 percent of national cocoa production came from eastern Indonesian regions while the rest come from other provinces such as Bali, East Nusa Tenggara, and Aceh.

Vice Minister of Trade Mahendra Siregar also said Indonesia has a great opportunity to be the largest cocoa producer in the world for its ability to produce cocoa beans in large enough quantities.

According to him, cocoa is the third largest contributor to exports in the exports of agricultural products group.

As the number three producer in the world`s largest cocoa after Ivory Coast and Ghana, he said Indonesia should increase its production of the commodity.

He said that besides boosting the production, the quality of Indonesian cocoa should also be improved because commodity had special characteristics that were not owned by another country.

Indonesia has earlier exported about 80 percent of its cocoa beans, but with the imposition of the export tax, exports could be cut for domestic grinders.

The government hopes that in 2011 its exports of cocoa beans would drop from 80 percent to 50 percent.

The government has since April 1, 2010 imposed a 15 percent tax on cacao bean exports in order to boost local processing industry and increase the added value of farmers cacao production.

About 93 percent of Indonesia`s 1.5 million hectares of cocoa plantations are owned by smallholders.

Since the imposition of the regulation last April, several cacao processing companies have also planned to expand as of 2011 so that next year production of processed cacao is projected to rise to 300,000 tons or they would be able to process almost 50 percent of total national cacao bean production.

According to the Indonesian Cocoa Association, the cocoa bean exports from Indonesia`s main growing region of Sulawesi island increased 2.1 percent last year.

The shipments from the world`s third biggest producer of the chocolate ingredient rose to 280,708 metric tons in 2010 from 274,887 metric tons in 2009, according to data from the association.

"Cocoa output in 2010 didn`t increase much because rainy weather disrupted harvests, and shipments were delayed," Indonesian Cocoa Association spokesman Zulhefy Sikumbang has said.

Sulawesi accounts for about 75 percent of total output and overseas sales of the commodity from the Southeast Asian nation.

Therefore the West Sulawesi governor said the province would continue to maintain its cocoa production as national commodity and to develop it to increase the national economic growth.

He said the cocoa plant would be included into 18 categories of superior commodities to step up the national economic growth.

"The central government earlier did not include cocoa into

18 categories of superior seed plants to be nationally developed in an effort to step up national economic growth," Anwar said.

But he added that West Sulawesi provincial government would maintain cocoa and continue to develop it as a mainstay commodity in this country.

The governor said that following the Indonesian government announcement of a large national program for the revitalization of cocoa industry, known as Gernas Pro Kakao, around 25 provinces in 2011 would implement the program.

"We are optimistic that the Gernas Pro Kakao program for all cocoa production areas in Sulawesi island and almost all eastern Indonesian regions will make Indonesia the world`s largest cocoa producing country," Governor Anwar Adnan Saleh said.

Editor: Aditia Maruli

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