Date of Issue – 15 June 2012
Hi !
Here is a beautiful set for EUROPA 2012, being issued today by Gibraltar Post . The set completely conveys the message of this year’s Europa Theme, “ Visit ”….It’s a magnificent set and sure to liked by those who love Travel & Tourism and of course a wonderful set for my collection ….
This is all for Today..Till Next Post…Have A Great Time !!
The Europa 2012 stamp issue ‘Visit Gibraltar’ showcases the iconic, world famous Rock of Gibraltar. Situated at the meeting place of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea the majestic limestone Rock of Gibraltar was known in ancient times as one of the ‘Pillars of Hercules’ standing majestically across the Strait of Gibraltar alongside the southern pillar that rises in the continent of Africa.
The 10p and 44p stamps depict magnificent aerial views of the rock, city area and harbour where the most famous cruise liners dock throughout the year. The 42p stamp features the Moorish Castle’s Tower of Homage medieval fortification located in the Upper Rock Nature Reserve believed to have been built in AD 711.
The 54p stamp features the Trinity lighthouse at Europa Point, the most southern location of Gibraltar, looking out towards the continent of Africa. The 51p stamp features the impressive St. Michael’s Cave also located in the Upper Rock Nature Reserve. Its numerous stalactites and stalagmites continue to be formed by an accumulation of traces of dissolved rock deposited by water dripping from the ground above. The 66p stamp features Eliott’s Column located at the beautiful Alameda Botanical Gardens.
FDC
George Augustus Eliott, 1st Baron Heathfield has his place sealed in Gibraltar history for his successful defence of the Gibraltar garrison and fortress during the Great Siege of Gibraltar, which lasted between 1779 and 1783 during the American War of Independence.
From our Readers….
Sanjiv Jain from Dehradun shares here two private covers prepared by him on “Save Sparrow…”
‘Save sparrows for nature’s balance’
TNN Mar 21, 2012, 07.19AM IST
At a time when the population of sparrows is fast declining due to loss of their habitats, city-based bird lovers are striving hard to save them from extinction. On the occasion of World Sparrow Day on March 20, the bird watchers in the city urged people to contribute their bit in saving the little bird from getting extinct.
Gita Randhawa, a bird lover, was excited to see a full flock of sparrows at Ganga Barrage on the eve of World Sparrows Day. "Lot of people feed sparrows at Ganga Barrage which is very amazing because this shows that the awareness has increased among them towards the little bird. I am hopeful that the number of sparrows would increase if this trend continues," said Gita while talking to TOI. Captain Praveen Chopra, another bird lover, was of the view that in old houses, sparrows used to find some space to build their nests, but in the new pattern of architecture, it is not possible. This has reduced their numbers drastically.
Chopra also said that people can contribute their bit in saving this tiny, beautiful creature so that its chirpy voice could be heard in the verandas and at perches. Gita said, "People should keep bowls of water on the terrace and windows to save sparrows from dying due to thirst during peak summer season. Also people should sprinkle bajra in an open veranda to attract sparrows. These efforts can save this bird from getting extinct." It is worth mentioning here that increased use of pesticides in the fields, change in the pattern of buildings being made and gardens missing from the houses have become the main factors why the number of sparrows has declined sharply in the past few years.
Also, the release of radiation from the mobile and the TV towers has also been a cause of death of sparrows. Meanwhile, on the occasion of World Sparrow Day, the authorities of Kanpur zoo had put up a photo exhibition on sparrows and other birds.
The purpose of the exhibition was to inform visitors about sparrows and their ecological importance. Talking to TOI, K Praveen Rao, director, Kanpur zoo, expressed concern over the declining number of the little bird. Rao said there is a dire need to save sparrows from getting extinct. He said that if sparrows are not saved, the ecological balance would get disturbed as these birds feed on seeds and small insects and maintain the nature's balance. Rao also highlighted that the release of carbon monoxide from automobiles has also become a reason for the death of birds in large numbers. This needs to be curbed to save them, said Rao further.
