ECOSENSORIUM: A blog dedicated to Environment

Issues Ailing Jharkhand

2012-02-11T00:16:00.006+05:30

An article by Latika Mishra

Amid cheers from the crowd and many unattended issues, Jharkhand celebrated its 12th statehood day in november, last year. Many schemes were announced and eight mega projects were inaugurated with a hope for a better tomorrow. With a will to make women empowered the theme declared for the year was ‘Bitiya-Varsh’.

In the eleventh year of the formation of the state scores of issues continue to hamper the speed of the development in the state. The issues range from the everyday scams that surface in the news, poverty, hunger and malnutrition that doom the health, maoist activities that create unnecessary terror resulting into the loss of armed forces and infrastructure.

With a vow to eradicate corruption from the political machinery, Chief Minister Arjun Munda assured the execution of the project within the set time frame. But four days after the celebration yet another scam: Jatropha cultivation scam appeared in the news.

Arjun Munda - Chief Minister of Jharkhand

In absence of skill-training women in the rural areas are forced to migrate to cities and many times out of state to work as construction, mining and stone workers, domestic servants and agricultural labours. It is needed that more self help groups would emerge that could help them in binding to their home districts, that could check illicit trafficking of girls and women and children being victims of forced labour.

Poverty is the basic cause of all social vices. Low average per capita is associated with a high degree of income inequality. Disparity of income distribution between the rural and urban areas in the state is startling and this accounts from the high incidence of poverty in the rural areas. Equitable distribution of resources and income is needed to bridge the gap.

Garhwa and Palamau are districts in which impoverished families forced to eat roots due to the drought have been in the news last year. This year too fluoride in water that caused fluorosis was in news and led the union minister Jairam Ramesh to intervene into the scene. Being a mineral rich state, unwanted minerals in the groundwater used for drinking purpose is a common problem here.

Worsened situation of women in the state add to the plight of Infant and Childcare in the rural and backward areas of the state. Cases of alcoholism and domestic violence prevalent among tribal men ruin the family most often and the responsibility to eek out livelihood burdens woman folk that further worsens the infant and childcare in the state. It has been proved that tying of infants on backs hamper their development and thereby health.

Newspapers report that cases of AIDS and Malaria are on rise in the state. Existing superstitions also block the health care services in the state. Many deny the free service of the sahiya in-lieu of the suspicion regarding the quality of the medicines that are provided free of cost.

Still half of the population is illiterate in the state. Mid-day meal scheme is carried out to pull out idle minds out of the doors of their houses but the results to speak of success are yet to be noticed.

The over exploitation of fossil-fuel is due to the coal mafia active in the state. Despite the state being mineral rich agriculture continues to be the mainstay of the locals here. Jharkhand is the largest producer of lac and lac-cultivation has the potential to aid to the economy of the villagers as it can be carried alongside. Chattisgarh has emerged as the leading producer of lac despite the presence of NINGR (National Institute of Natural Gums and Resins), their policy is needed to be understood. Other allied agricultural activities needs encouragement at the block level that can act as subsistence in case of droughts.

Declining forest belt due to illegal tree felling is alarming due to climate concerns of the day. This is happening due to alleged association of forest officials and mafia that operate together behind the screen.

Illegal land acquiring practices that have been prevailing in the region from time immemorial result into displacement of the original inhabitants, in absence of any legal document to prove ownership. Due to absence of laws, the possible fear reins the minds of locals regarding possible risks after displacement: landlessness, homelessness, food insecurity, increased morbidity and mortality, loss of access of common property and social disarticulation. Industries are prevented from establishing their foothold in the state due to displacement issues blocks high investment flow, rising employment opportunities and increasing service based sectors.

The state was carved with rosy dreams for bright future of the tribals. But the slow rate of development presents a picture of sorry state of affairs in the state.

Many languages are on the verge of extinction for the failure of recording the words and discord on the choice of scripts between the native speakers. The linguistics authorities across the world needs to be alienated and consulted.

Human Rights have been denied to the tribals from a long time by the ‘sadans’ that have settled here. Overexploitation, bonded labour, child-labour continue to exist despite the stern laws that have been enacted off-late. Children of lower background are denied basic rights and are forced to work in hotels, motels and other industries.

From the sports point of view, Jharkhand has promising potential in its youth to act as sport professionals, as evident from the National Games 2011 and sportspersons need encouragement. But media reports that they are harassed by the officials and their job recruitment is delayed often.

The state has undergone a rapid change in the past decade as the old machinery of the then existing Bihar has been uprooted and Jharkhand has recently started functioning from the lower level after the long waited parliamentary elections. The ailing issues of Jharkhand can be dealt only by proper publicizing in the incoming years.

Key Words: Jharkhand,statehood, Arjun Munda,landlessness, displacement, tribal

Need of political and administrative will for sustainable development

2012-02-07T19:50:00.001+05:30

The most quoted definition of sustainable development, since the 1^st Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 in which 182 countries adopted Agenda 21, is -the development that “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. In other words - Sustainable development is about striking the right balance between economic development, social equity and environmental protection. For the road transport industry, meeting this objective translates into the challenge of satisfying market demands at the lowest economic, social and environmental cost possible.

Sustainable development is about striking the right balance between economic development, social equity and environmental protection. For the road transport industry, meeting this objective translates into the challenge of satisfying market demands at the lowest economic, social and environmental cost possible.

Image - The Sustainable Development

Sustainable Development in a country can be brought about by incorporating needs of common man and environment in the economic and political agenda of that country. It is the government of a country which remains directly responsible for a number of things like-

1.Making policies, plans etc. and conducting various programmes for development;

2.Enactment of laws for the welfare of societies, protection of environment and enforcement of these laws;

3.Making assessment regarding the status of the health of environment, ascertaining the decline in the natural resources, assessing the levels of pollution in its different segments and setting of standards;

4.Evaluating natural resources and their contribution in the development of economy and society;

5.Regulating and monitoring activities of industries, companies etc. towards the good of society and environment.

The above mentioned responsibilities of the government demand strong political and administrative will that are essentially the primary means for developing nations to achieve sustainable development. The politics and administration must consider the balance and repair of the environment and share of common man in environmental resources instead of considering only the development of industries and mega projects of modern development.

The sustainable development calls for empowerment, participation, cooperation, equity, security and long term sustainability for all the people in a society. All of these can only be acquired if the constituent components in politics and administration – the mechanisms, institutions and processes, through which citizens articulate their interests and exercise their rights-, are transparent and accountable. In Indian case, the country has the democratic form of government. It holds parliamentary elections. But at local government level and at the political level too, there are no democratic processes or representative systems. For example, the rural poor have no platform within the public sector to exercise their rights, or to raise objections to the detrimental practices of more powerful individuals such as industrialists, landlords, contractors, influential people, mafias etc.

Political and Administrative will have a key role in meeting the aims and objectives of sustainable development in a country. The economic and political agenda must incorporate the needs of the common man and environment. The political and administration must consider the balance and repair of environment and share of the common man in environmental resources instead of caring for the development of industries and mega projects of development. For development to sustain, it is essential that environment is protected, societies are developed, violence and crime are controlled and basic requirements of common people are fulfilled adequately.

According to a report on the Millennium Development Goals-

“As the new millennium opened, 1.1 billion people had no access to safe water, and 2.4 billion lacked access to improved sanitation – making up one sixth and two fifths of the world’s population respectively. The international community has pledged to halve both these proportions by 2015. If these targets are to be met in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean – taking population increase into account – the number of people served by water supply must increase by 1.6 billion (32 per cent) and those served by sanitation by 2.2 billion (59 per cent). The Global Water Partnership estimates that an additional $30 billion needs to be spent each year – $17 billion of it on sanitation. Policy-makers need to overcome a series of hurdles if they are to bridge the resource gap and make sure that the international targets become reality”.

India, in which political system is unstable, any programme of sustainable development cannot be implemented in full spirit. However, in this country, the rest of social development needs to escalate and economic growth needs to be backed by sustainable development. The Government of India has taken a number of steps for the development of rural poor. It has increased allocation for the social sector in the Union Budget 2008. The ambitious Bharat Nirman Programme aims at strong attempt to enhance rural infrastructure by 30 percent. The Government has earmarked US$ 2.68 billion for rural road scheme to link all villages. One-third seats have been reserved in local bodies like gram or village panchayats, municipalities, city cooperatives and district bodies of the 28, 00,000 elected representatives. In India, 970,000 are women. This figure is greater than the sum of elected women representatives across the world.

Human activities have never been favorable to the environment. The Indian constitution lays emphasis on the harmonious development of nature. Several acts and rules have been framed by the government to protect the environment from the pollution of air, water, land and wildlife. Pollution control boards have been set up at the central and state levels to enforce the implementation of these laws with the cooperation of the local administration. But the lack of political and administrative will has been the basic hurdle in the way of implementing laws. However with the intervention of honorable Supreme Court of India and initiatives from the public, environmental laws are being enforced and violators are being punished in the different parts of the country now.

Key Words:Agenda-21, economic and political agenda, millennial development goal
Image Credit IRU

Haryana Agriculture University to develop new wheat variety

2012-02-06T09:18:00.000+05:30

Wheat crop

Inadequate irrigation resources and changing climatic conditions has been affecting agricultural productivity since long.

Recent projections for the demand of food grains by 2020 are 30 to 35 percent and this can be managed by protecting natural resources like water for irrigation and shrinking land for irrigation.

Scientists have been trying to develop crop varieties that may produce sufficient food grains even in the adverse climatic conditions.

Wheat is grown on more land area than any other commercial crop and is the most important staple food for humans. World trade in wheat is greater than for all other crops combined. Globally, wheat is the leading source of vegetable protein in human food, having higher protein content than either maize (corn) or rice, the other major cereals. In terms of total production tonnages used for food, it is currently second to rice as the main human food crop and ahead of maize, after allowing for maize's more extensive use in animal feeds.

Wheat producing zones of India

Since wheat is main crop, efforts are being made to increase its production in any way. In current conditions scientists are thinking to have such varieties of wheat that can be cultivated in short time, that have resistance to rising temperature and that may have high productivity.

Scientists of Chowdhary Charan Singh University Haryana, India have signed an agreement with National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources for evaluation of Germ Plasm.

Key Words : agriculture, climatic change, wheat production, Haryana

Photo credit map -krishiseva.com

Efforts to protect State Bird of Rajasthan, India

2012-02-06T00:36:00.003+05:30

Concern over globally threatened Great Indian Bustard

Rajasthan Forest Department has planned to survey population of globally threatened Great Indian Bustard, the State Bird of Rajasthan, from February 14, 2012 in technical association with Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF).

The survey is to cover four districts of Rajasthan comprising Jaisalmer, Barmer, Jodhpur, and Bikaner. A village named Sonkalia in Ajmer has been included especially in the survey. It has been reported that the survey is to receive support from local NGOs, individual volunteers and Border Security Force of India.

The Great Indian Bustard is considered to be critically endangered species. The desert region of Rajasthan especially accounts for maximum population of the Great Indian Bustard. The bird has been listed in the Red Data Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). As per reports, it has been planned to count the bird in the desert terrain of Rajasthan in the second week of February 2012.

The Great Indian Bustard

Taxonomically known as Ardeotis nigriceps, the Great Indian Bustard has been estimated to be less than 500 in number in India. It is found in the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat besides Rajasthan. The principal reason behind falling number of the Great Indian Bustard has been reported to be hunting, habitat loss, changing pattern of land use and urbanization.

Some of important places in the desert having population of these birds in Rajasthan are Phalodi, Pokhran, Baap, Diyatra, Mohangarh, and Ramgarh. The birds are to be counted in the desert by volunteers astride camels- reports The Hindu (Jan. 31, 2012). The methodologies of counting the bird will be line transect method, i.e. counting of birds from one point to the other point. As per the reports the Thar desert of Rajasthan accounts for maximum population of the bird. These birds are especially found in the Jaisalmer district of the desert. The authorities have included Bikaner for the first time for the census of these birds in view of good chances of availability of birds there.

The status of population of the Great Indian Bustard and its habitat was already discussed in a workshop held in Delhi in the last week of December. It is expected that 80 to 100 birds may be found in Jaisalmer alone. It has been planned to rationalize the territory of the desert by Defense Forces and Oil Exploration Units. Prior to the commencement of the survey workshops have been exposed to be conducted in Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner. The methodologies, as per reports, have already been finalized one month before. It is hoped that the current survey will be much more comprehensive than the entire surveys conducted in the past.

The IUCN site states - The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) has been uplisted to Critically Endangered, the highest level of threat. Hunting, disturbance, habitat loss and fragmentation have all conspired to reduce this magnificent species to perhaps as few as 250 individuals.

Standing a metre in height and weighing in at nearly 15 kg, the Great Indian Bustard was once widespread across the grasslands of India and Pakistan but is now restricted to small and isolated fragments of remaining habitat.

“In an ever more crowded world, species that need lots of space, such as the Great Indian Bustard, are losing out. However, we are the ones who lose in the long run, as the services that nature provides us start to disappear,” said Dr Leon Bennun, BirdLife’s Director of Science and Policy.This year’s update brings the total number of threatened bird species to 1,253, an alarming 13% of the world total.

Key Words :Great Indian Bustard, Rajasthan,IUCN, disappear, threatened

Image Credit Flikr

Biological hazards due to ionizing and non-ionizing radiations

2012-02-05T21:58:00.000+05:30

High doses of radiations may produce serious consequences in the environment that lead to dangerously hazardous conditions. By radiation hazards in the present context we mean the biological effects of radiations, radionuclides and radioactive fallout. As we know that radiations have been classified into ionizing and Non-ionizing categories, the biological impacts of these radiations are being mentioned here separately.

A. Biological Hazards due to Ionizing Radiations

Various ionizing radiations are electrons, positrons, alpha particles, Gamma rays and X-rays. Some nuclides may affect externally and may cause superficial injury. On the other hand there are nuclides like Beta particles or X-rays that penetrate deeply and cause seriously hazardous effects on skin and tissues. One or more atomic nuclei, identifiable as being of the same element by having the same number of protons and same energy content, are called as nuclides. This term was coined during the mid-20th century. The Biological effects of ionising radiations are mentioned below.

(i). Accumulation in the Critical body organs: These radiations accumulate in the critical organs of our bodies like liver, thyroid gland, spleen, lungs and bone marrow. For example bone and adjacent bone marrow are body organs vulnerable to plutonium, radium, and strontium. Radio Iodine collects in the thyroid gland.

(ii). Hazards due to Nuclear Fall out: The deposition of airborne radio active contaminants on earth due to nuclear testing, explosions, and war bombing is called as nuclear fall out. It allows the radio active isotopes to join food chains through different media and to accumulate in the vital parts of living bodies.Strontium-90 is the hazardous nuclide which accumulates in high concentration in the skeleton of higher animals for many years. These radiations cause serious injuries and cancers, Leukaemia and the like diseases.

(iii). Hazards due to Long Lived Radioisotopes: The long lived radioisotopes cause most serious hazards in human bodies due to the fact that they persist there for very long periods. Such types of radioisotopes like caesium-137, strontium-90, and plutonium-239, if contained in the radioactive fall out are sure to enter the bodies of humans, animals (both fresh water and marine) and plants through the natural food chains. The fall out of Iodin-131 can be easily detected out of the food chains. This radioisotope emits beta and gamma rays and it can cause thyroid cancer and various types of metabolic disturbances especially in children if absorbed in high doses.

(iv). Major Radiation Injuries in Human Beings: In Human Beings injuries caused due to radioisotopes can be divided into two broad categories – Somatic and Genetic.

Somatic injuries pertain to the injuries in human bodies, whereas Genetic injuries are Genetic Effects that pertain to the injuries, alterations, translocations, dislocations and mutations of genetic materials like chromosomes, genes and DNAs. These may also include death of cells, alterations in the pattern of cell division, and damage to genes or the Genetic Mutation.

Mutation is the sudden, permanent and heritable change in the body of an organism due to the exposure of some radiation or effects of some chemicals. Genetic mutation occurs when the form or structure of a gene is changed permanently to produce genetic defects. A disease known as the ‘sickle- cell’ anaemia is also caused by genetic mutation. The Genetic Mutation due to radiations is the nuclear event in which nucleotide sequence of Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid is altered and a new sequence is passed on to the off springs to produce different types of defects in the offspring.

In fact, Mutation is the genetic event that causes sudden heritable changes in individuals. During 19th century Rutherford had proposed that one element can be transmutated into some other element. The word transmutation relates to a complete transformation of a substance or an element. In the present context radiological mutations can cause a complete transformation of an element thereby making it more harmful to life.

Somatic Effects of exposure to radiations usually occur for shorter periods like the inhibition of cell division. But there are some somatic effects of exposure to radiations that occur years or decades after the exposure of radiation. The radiation induced cancer comes under this category. Still, there are stochastic and non-stochastic types of somatic effects of radiations. The stochastic effects are those for which no threshold dose is known to exist where as the non-stochastic effects are those which occur only in response to the exposure to some considerable dose of radiation, like skin cancer.

Some major examples of the effects of radiations on body organs are- skin injuries, deaths of blood forming cells of the bone marrow, ulcerations of gastrointestinal tract, sterility in men and women, opacity or damage to eye lens, damage to brain and sensory organs, radiation sickness, alterations in growth and development of embryos, incidence of different types of cancers, and shortening of life pawn etc.

B. Biological Hazards due to Non- Ionizing Radiations

The effects of non-ionizing radiations are summarized below-

(i). Effects of visible and Ultra Violet light: The Ultra Violet light contained in the sun light is more intense and hazardous. These rays are highly toxic below the wavelength of 2200 angstroms. The UV rays of these wavelengths are highly absorbed by nucleic acids of cells that are the main constituents of the genetic material. These rays are mutagenic and due to this characteristic these may cause skin cancer on exposure. These rays are also emitted out from mercury vapour, xenon, and hydrogen arc lamps.

(ii). Photodynamic Actions: Light sensitivity causes a number of diseases in animals and also in human beings. Intense light may cause blisters on parts of body exposed to sunlight. This disease is called as hydroa. This disease is caused due to the presence of a light sensitive compound called as porphyrin which remains present in the skin. A number of chemical substances that are synthesized in the skin make cells light- sensitive. These chemicals are called as photodynamic substances and the adverse action of light due to these substances is called as Photodynamic actions.

Some important photodynamic substances are Rose Bengal, hematoporphyrin, and phylloerythrin. These photodynamic pigments cause several diseases in many of our domestic animals when they ingest plants containing these toxic and fluorescent substances. A disease known as phagopyrism is produced in animals when they eat buck weeds. The disease Xeroderma pigmentosum, which is somewhat a heritable disease, is caused by lesions of nucleic acids produced due to the action of UVlight on exposed skin. The cells that lack nucleic acid essential for repairing nucleic acid lesions (a genetic defect), develop tumours that finally leads to death at an early age.

(iii). Effect on Development: Light has profound effects on growth and spatial orientation of plants. On the other hand the presence of illumination modifies cellular activities in plants. Here is an important example in support of this fact. Some species of blue green algae carry out photosynthesis in the presence of light but the process of cell division stops in that condition. The Chromatophores found in the skins of Chameleons, Frogs and Octopuses can change colour under the influence of light.

(iv). Effects on Eyes: The wavelength of light which causes sun burn can cause inflammation of the cornea of human eye also. The Ultra violet radiations cause cataracts of the eye lens. This condition originates when the protein of which the eye lens is made up of, is denatured due to the exposure to UV rays. Visual pigments of eye are bleached by large doses of visual and infra red light. This accident is called as sun blindness and it is an irreversible process. Abnormal sensitivity to light causes Photophobia in human beings. It is a condition when reflex movement of the iris and the reflex dilation of the blood vessels of conjunctiva lead to eye-pain. Workers who are exposed to atomic flashes need to wear protective glasses in order to escape conditions like these.

The exposure to radiations may cause permanent damage to life and property. A nuclear reactor accident took place in 1896 in Chernobyl, Ukraine, which killed at least 31 people and forced more than 200, 000 people to vacate and relocate. A number of chemical and radiological accidents, and also a large number of marine accidents have been reported through history that has proved serious hazards from time to time. But, we are not concerned with the discussion about those hazardous accidents as they are covered under disasters.

Key Words :Hazard,ionizing, exposure, radiation, Chernobyl, accidents

Preservatives Used in Common Food items & their Prescribed Quantities

2012-02-02T22:23:00.001+05:30

Chemical substances that are added to food products for their preservation are called as additives. These substances keep the products safe against being spoilt and do not alter their taste. About 3000 chemical substances have so far been approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for their applications as direct additives. Nowadays, Benzoic acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sulphur dioxide and Sodium metabisulphite are popularly used as food additives. These substances include artificial sweeteners (such as Aspartame and Saccharin), fat replacement agents such as simplesse , colours(FD & C Yellow No-5) that are used in beverages, ice- creams, cereals and other foods.

Additives and preservatives encourage us to keep agricultural produce for longer period. On the other hand they help us in preparing many types delicious items.

Following table presents brief information regarding different edible items prepared and canned for sale in the markets.

Key Words : additives, preservatives

The Hindu Photojournalist recieves Cannon Wild Clicks award

2012-02-01T00:56:00.006+05:30

Nature Wanderers recently organised an on the spot Wildlife Photography Contest at Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India from January 26 to 29, 2012.

As many as 36 Photographers participated in the contest. A picture by K. R. Deepak, Special News Photographer of The Hindu, English daily won the “Cannon Wild Clicks” award for his on the spot photography of the “Marching Ants”. Here is the photograph which was published in the January 30, 2012 issue of The Hindu. Let us congratulate the great photographer.

Nature Wanderers is India’s pioneering organisation of young nature enthusiasts that aims to spread awareness about environmental conservation through innovative means, primarily photography.

Image : The Marching Ants

Key Words:Cannon, Wild, Clicks,deepak

Photo Credit : The Hindu (30.01.2012)

The concept of sustainability and the sustainable environment

2012-01-31T23:24:00.001+05:30

The World Commission on Environment and Development (WECD) reported in 1987 –‘the present decade (1980s) has been marked by a retreat from social concerns. Scientists bring to our attention urgent but complex problems bearing on our survival: a warming globe, threats to the earth’s ozone layer, deserts consuming agricultural land. We respond by demanding more details, and by assigning the problems to institutions ill equipped to cope with them.’

The decade of 1980s observed a number of new discoveries like-

(i) Measurement of the size of ozone hole by British Researchers in 1985,

(ii)The U.S. Government’s Report entitled Global-2000, recognized that species extinction was threatening biodiversity,

(iii) Adoption of World Charter for Nature by the General Assembly of United Nations (1982) ,made clear that environment and development were interdependent, and

(iv) The realization of intrinsic values of Species and Ecosystems through the World Charter for Nature (1982).

In spite of these developments the decade of 1980s experienced severe industrial accidents that left permanent marks on environment and human health.

Some examples are mentioned below-
A. The leakage of the Methyl Iso Cynate (MIC) in 1984 from one of the Union Carbide’s plants located in Bhopal, India killed 3000 people and 2000 injured .

B. Up to one million people died of hunger in Ethiopia during the same year.

C.The world’s worst nuclear accident occurred when a reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, exploded in the Ukrainian Republic of Soviet Union.

D. The spill of 50 million Litres of oil from Exxon Valdez super tanker into Alaska’s Prince William in 1989 reflected that even the remotest areas on the globe are unsafe due to human activities.

A World Industry Conference was organized in 1984 by United Nations in Canada. It was the first attempt to provide a code of conduct for sound management in the business sector. As a result of this the concept of Sustainable Development and Eco- friendly Technology was introduced in the development area.

To make the environment sustainable, a number of measures are necessary to be taken up by the people and government across the globe. Some of these measures are- use of efficient and eco-friendly technologies, sustainable use of resources and adoption of indigenous practices like keeping of sacred groves.

It is being felt that the process of modern development id defective one. It is creating various types of stresses on the environment due to which a number of local, regional and global problems have emerged out that challenge the existence of human beings and other organisms on this planet.

Some of the created due to stress caused on environment by modern developments are being listed below-

(1) Destruction of forests.

(2) Falling underground water table.

(3) Rise in global temperature and climate change.

(4) Extinction of animal and plant species.

(5) Large scale migration of people.

(6) Great financial inequality.

(7) Reduction in the means of livelihood for the poor.

(8) Scarcity of food.

(9) Increasing number of disaster.

Besides above mentioned problems the process of modern development is creating economic inequalities. In view of these problems it is thought that the current process of development cannot go for long. That means it is unsustainable.

Keeping in mind the unsustainable nature of modern development, scientists and environmentalists the world over has thought out a new model of development called as sustainable development.

Such a new model of development which benefits every individual, safeguards environmental rights of every citizen and which may keep the natural environment in a perfectly balanced state is called as sustainable development.

Key Words:WECD, sustainability, sustainable development, co-friendly technology

Congestion in urban environment

2012-01-30T21:59:00.000+05:30

Housing is a great problem in urban areas. As crops fail, the rural economy is damaged. More and more people from village areas migrate to cities in search of jobs. Being poor, they cannot afford high rent for houses in cities. As a result they settle on unclaimed government or public land, abandoned railway huts and even on areas near monuments. They bring their families and construct houses there. Thus slums are developed in urban areas.

People in slums live under unhygienic conditions and remain prone to a number of diseases and epidemics. Most of those who live in rented houses live as singles. They make groups, take a small area or a room on rent and spend nights in crowded conditions. All these conditions explain the congestion in urban areas.

Agricultural green lands in sub-urban areas are being utilized for construction of houses and industrial buildings. Many green areas; pastures; wet lands; water bodies like ponds and lakes; community parks etc. that provided open space to cities have been reclaimed for building apartments to accommodate the exploding urban populations.

The explosion of population has given birth to the Apartment Culture and severe congestion. In big cities, large number of men, women and children live in very unsanitary conditions in a very short area. In good locations even animals get comparatively more areas for their living and movements. Such types of human habitations further create new problems of spread of diseases, corruption and crime of various types. The United Nations Organisation observed the World Habitat Day on October 6, 2004 and asked the governments on the global level to improve the conditions of slum dwellers. Since then, the World Habitat Day is celebrated the world over on October, 6.

Key Words: slums, agriculture, apartment, UNO

An example of Joint Forest Management from Nagaland, India

2012-01-29T22:18:00.000+05:30

Situated in the North –East region of the Indian Union, Nagaland is a unique state in terms of its topography, soils, forests, wildlife and other resources of environment. The management of the natural resources of the state is mostly vested with the public as these have been considered to be the common property.

Accordingly, the people had framed their own social norms, rules and regulations for the utilization of natural resources. As per the ‘Nagaland: State of Environment’- report-2001, approximately 8, 62,930 ha of area is occupied by forests in this state. Of this, about 11.7 percent of the forests are accounted for the Government.

It has been reported that both the reserved and the community owned forests have been exploited unscientifically and haphazardly since a long time and even the sanctuaries and parks have never been free from encroachment. But now the farmers, who were ones blamed for disturbing the ecology of their areas through Jhoom cultivation, have started a revolution by planting trees in their fields along with their crops.

People’s participation and involvement in the development and protection of natural forests have been envisaged in the National Forest Policy of India. In the Policy Document it is stated that the Forest Communities should be motivated to identify themselves with the development and protection of forests from which they derive fuel wood, fodder, and small timber such as house building materials etc. On March 5th 1997, a Joint Forest Management Programme was launched by the Government of Nagaland and the people vide Notification No. FR-153/80(Vol.-III).

Following are the aims of Joint Forest Management in Nagaland

The objectives of the Joint Forest Management in Nagaland are mentioned below.
1. Creation, management and protection of plantations along mountain slopes and in areas where trees are in lesser density or in Jhoom Fields.
2. Acheiving the Ecological needs coherent to sustainable productivity of wood and other non- timber forest resources.
3. Weaning away the land owning communities from Shifting Cultivation or the Jhoom cultivation by adopting an alternative.
4. Productive utilization of the degraded Jhoom- land thereby checking soil erosion.
5. Conservation of biodiversity through People’s Actions.
6. Creation and generation of Forest Based Economy for villages.

Community JFM Committees

As per the Resolution on Joint Forest Management (JFM) in Nagaland, Joint Forest Management Committees have been formed in all the districts of the state. The Record of some of the Community- Forest Management Committees are Kohima-08,Mokokchung -33, Tuensang-30, Wokha-34, Doyang- 09, Zunheboto- 37, Mon- 19, Peren -12

In different divisions also, more committees have been formed for the protection and regeneration of forests. Trainings are being given to officials and community members on various aspects of JFM by the Departments of Forests/ Agriculture/ Horticulture/ Village Development Boards etc.

Some of the important aspects of Joint Forest Management on which trainings are being imparted to officials and community members are -

1. Theoretical background of JFM;
2. The method for micro-planning through Participatory Rural Appraisal;
3. Various issues such as gender equality, equity in distribution of resources;
4. Resolution of conflicts arising out during community based management of forests and distribution of forest resources.

Key Words : joint forest management, committees, community, Nagaland

Wildlife Parks and Sanctuaries of the North- east India

2012-01-28T22:28:00.000+05:30

There are a total of twelve megadiversity regions in the world and India is one of them. Hundreds of biodiversity zones (about more than 1000) are located here and there in the world. Out of this number about 200 zones are considered to be very rich, very rare or most distinctive. These zones are called as Biodiversity Hot Spots or Global 200.

The Biodiversity Hotspots in India are mostly located in the North Eastern India and in the Western Ghats. These areas are considered as the world’s richest biodiversity areas. This is the reason why the government of India is opening an Institute of Biodiversity in Arunachal Pradesh. Phytogeographically the North –east including he seven sister states, form a distinct biodiversity zone.

It is estimated that out of 9000 plant species 3500 are endemic to this zone. At least 55 flowering plants that are endemic to this zone are recognized as rare for example the Pitcher Plants (Nepenthes khasiana). About 554 species of Orchids , 5 species of canes , 22 species of bamboo, 50 species of different medicinal plants and 47 species of Conifers. The fauna of Nagaland include 106 species of mammals including 9species of insectivorous, 34 species of bats, 12 species of rodents, 7 species of primates, o1 species of Pangolin, 34 species of carnivores, 01 sp. of elephants, 7 species of angulates etc. This state is the host of more than 400 species of birds. About seven new species of birds have been identified in the wild since 2001.

Nagaland has a Zoological Park in Kohima where some of the rarest species of different animals including birds are being cared and developed. Next comes the Intaki National park which was notified in the year 1975. It is spread in the area of 202sq. km which is 1.22% of the area of the state. Some of the important animals found here are Hoolock Baboon which is the only gibbon found in India; elephant; tiger; mithun, sambhar, wild dog and sloth bear.

The important Wildlife Sanctuaries of Nagaland include Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary, Pulie badge Wildlife Sanctuary; Rangapahar Wildlife Sanctuary; and Ghosu Bird Sanctuary. The Ghosu bird sanctuary is unique of its type due to the fact that it is fully maintained by local communities.It is located at a distance of 8 km from Zunheboto district. It is a habitat of more than 20 species of endangered birds.Hunting and poaching is completely stopped here by villagers.Satoic Range is a natural habitat of Blythii Tragopan, a rare but the State Bird of Nagaland is at the verge of extinction.

Image : Pitcher plant

Key Words : North-east, parks, sanctuaries, satoic range,extinct,

An innovation in agriculture by Angami Tribals of Nagaland

2012-01-28T22:04:00.001+05:30

So far, we are well acquainted that the leguminous plants are able to fix nitrogen of the atmosphere as they host Nitrogen Fixing bacteria called as Rhizobium in their root nodules. Have you ever heard of a non- leguminous tree that possesses nitrogen fixing bacteria in it its root nodules? The first strange thing that comes to our way is that even a non- leguminous plant can have nodules on its roots; and the second strange thing is the act of Nitrogen Fixation by such a plant or tree.

Image : The Alder Tree

Well, it is true. There is a tree called as Alder i.e. Alnus nepalensis, which extensively grows in Himalayas and that it is a non- leguminous tree, and that it contains root nodules that host nitrogen fixing bacteria. The Angami, Chakhasang, Chang, Yimchounger, and Konyak tribes of Nagaland identified the property of alder tree many- many years ago and started planting it in their Jhoom- Cultivation plots.

Since it had been very difficult for slope dwelling tribal farmers of Nagaland to leave their traditional system of cultivation, they remained trying to stabilize it at lower cycles and to make it environment friendly. The tribal people living in Knononome or the Khonoma village finally succeeded in finding out a viable solution. They learnt the nitrogen fixing property of the alder tree. They started growing crops of maize, millets, potatoes, chilies, pumpkins and barley etc. by enhancing soil fertility by planting alder trees in their Jhoom plots. Alder grows well in the altitude ranging from 800 to 3000m.Besides improving soil fertility for growing crops, alder tree also supplies timber, furniture and fuel wood.

The alder tree is chopped or pollarded within a period of 6 to 8 years after which the trunk sprouts into new and delicate shoots that are called as coppices. After proper pollarding, one alder tree is capable of giving birth to 100 to 200 coppices but only five to six coppices are left for regeneration. Rest of the coppices are cut and mixed into the soil along with their leaves that forms very good manure for the soil and future crop. The cultivation of crops is done after chopping the alder tree till the new branches come out and develop good coppices within a period of two to three years. After that, a new plot with alder trees is selected for cultivation. Thus the trend set by the people of tribal villages, especially the Angamis who are masters of cutting excellent terraces, shows that traditional systems are extremely important even in the current age of science and technology. The Ecological rationality of traditional practices still remains valid in the present context. Here one point needs special reference -

One of the prime goals of the alder plantation project in Nagaland, is to bring women into the process of Agricultural decision making while augmenting their traditional roles as farm labourers.Now, Angami women in Khonoma are preparing their own nurseries of alder saplings. Afterwards, the Nagaland Environmental Protection and Economic Development (NEPED) project was started for the development of this type of farming using alder trees by the assistance of the Canadian International Development Agency through the Indian Canada Environment Facility.

Key Words : Angami Tribals,Nagaland, alder, NEPED

Land degradation in Nagaland, India

2012-01-28T21:54:00.000+05:30

Major parts of the land of Nagaland are made of shale dominant rocks. These rocks always remain prone to soil erosion. High intensity monsoon showers form the rainfall pattern in this area. But, this type of rainfall pattern encourages soil erosion and land slides. The unstable geography of the land causes morphological changes in land and affects the socio-economic conditions of the naga people.

The factors responsible for land degradation in Nagaland have been categorizes as natural and human factors. The natural factors include: the Nature of soil and the Pattern of rainfall. The Human Causes of land degradation include following factors –

1.Rapid Growth of Human Population
2.Improper Utilization of land and Land Resources
3.Absence of Land Use Policy
4.Growing Urbanization and Deforestation

Some important causes of Deforestation in Nagaland are –
1.Unsustainable use of firewood
2.Shifting Cultivation
3.Non-adoption of Soil Conservation Measures in proper ways in certain areas of Nagaland
4.Encroachment into Forest Land for agriculture and settlements
5.Frequent Forest Fires in different localities, and
6.Overgrazing along hill slopes by cattle.
Key Words: Nagaland, shale, monsoon, urbanization, forest fires

Walnuts lower cholesterol- level in blood

2012-01-24T21:49:00.001+05:30

Scientists have discovered that walnuts contain good percentage of anti-oxidants. Eating 7 to 10 walnuts per day can help ward off diseases, slowing ageing process and lower cholesterol levels in blood.

The researchers from the University of Scranton, Pennsylvania have found that walnuts contain very high levels of Polyphenol which is an anti-oxidant. It can protect the body from tissue- damaging molecules. After conducting tests on nine commonly eaten types of nuts they found that walnuts contained the most Polyphenol than others. According to the scientists, walnuts rank above Brazil nuts. Here are some more facts about walnuts being presented by earlier researches.

Walnuts are a rich source of omega-3 fat, alpha- linolenic acid. It improves artery function after a meal containing high fat level. A study by Spanish researchers Cortes B, Nunez I and J Am Coll Cardiol, walnuts may be more important than olive oil in Mediterranean- type food as it can promote the health of hearth.

Walnuts are important for our brain too. It is because of omega-3 fats found in them. Structurally, our brain is more than 60 per cent fat and omega-3 fats are essential for the working of brain cells.

According to a study- “Epidemiological studies in various countries including the U.S. suggest a connection between increased rates of depression and decreased omega-3 consumption, and in children, the relationship between low dietary intake of omega-3 fats and ADHD has begun to be studied. A recent Purdue University study showed that kids low in omega-3 essential fatty acids are significantly more likely to be hyperactive, have learning disorders, and to display behavioral problems. In the Purdue study, a greater number of behavioral problems temper tantrums, and sleep problems were reported in subjects with lower total omega-3 fatty acid concentrations. More learning and health problems were also found in the children in the study who had lower total omega-3 fatty acid concentrations.”

1. Walnut : green fruits

Over 2,000 scientific studies have demonstrated the wide range of problems associated with omega-3 deficiencies. The American diet is almost devoid of omega-3s, except for nuts, such as walnuts, seeds and cold-water fish. In fact, researchers believe that about 60% of Americans are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, and about 20% have so little that test methods cannot even detect any in their blood.

2. walnuts: dried fruits

It has also been found by researchers that omega-3 fats prevent gall bladder diseases and gall- bladder stones. Thus intake of walnuts in desired quantity may help protect gall bladder from stones and diseases.

Walnuts have also been reported to contain bio-available melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone produced in our body by the Pineal gland which induces or regulates sleep. Thus eating walnuts on regular basis can help prevent sleep-disorders also.

According to a research - “Melatonin can help improve sleep for night shift workers and people suffering from jet lag, but maintaining healthy levels of this hormone is important for everyone over the age of 40 since the amount of melatonin produced by the human body decreases significantly as we age, and this decrease in antioxidant protection may be related to the development of free radical-related diseases later in life.”

It has also been reported that - … by helping the body resist oxidative stress (free radical damage), walnuts may help reduce the risk of cancer and delay or reduce the severity of cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease. Walnuts, best known as a heart-healthy nut, are also a rich source of another highly cardio-protective nutrient: omega-3-fatty acids, so Reiter and his team will next investigate possible synergy between walnuts' omega-3 fats and melatonin. To us at the World's Healthiest Foods, this sounds familiar theme in Nature's symphony in which whole, wholesome foods each provide a wealth of nutrients whose harmony promotes our optimal health.

Key Words: omega-3 fats, Polyphenol, cholesterol, anti-oxidant

Image Credit: 1.graduallygreener.worldpress.com, 2.anut.com

World’s smallest frog found in the forest of Papua New Guinea

2012-01-23T21:48:00.002+05:30

Researchers Chris Austin and his colleagues of Louisiana Sate University have discovered a new frog species in the tropical forests of Papua New Guinea which is said to be the smallest vertebrate ever found.
The newly discovered frog measures just 7.7mm in length from nose to butt. It has red and black spots on its body.

The new frog species was discovered while Chris Austin and his colleagues were on a three-month long field trip to the Pacific island. According to the scientist, as per the reports the new frogs inhabit leaf-litter found on the floor of the tropical rain forest.
The miniature frogs newly discovered by the U.S. scientists are named as Paedophryne amanuensis. This title has been taken over from the title of the smallest vertebrate an acidic swamp dwelling fish from Indonesia which was called as Paedocypris progenetica.
A report in Live Science revealed that the ecology of these miniature frogs is yet to be studied by the scientists. However, it has been reported that they probably eat small invertebrates (animals without back bone) living in the leaf litter.

Frogs remain camouflaged among leaves of the forest floor. They have evolved calls that resemble those of insects. So it is hard to spot frogs in the forest litter. It is reported that the frogs of New Guinea are incredibly loud at night. Chris Louisiana has been reported to say that his team tried to record the sound of those tiny frogs for which they triangulated to where those calls were coming from and for this they looked through the leaf litter also.

The scientists grabbed a handful of leaf litter and kept it in a plastic bag. And it was from the plastic bag that tiny frogs came out. BBC reports that that the Paedophryne genus was identified recently and it consists of a number of tiny species found in different segments of eastern region of the forest of Papua New Guinea.

Earlier, the title of “the world’s smallest frog” was bestowed on the Brazilian golden frog(Brachycephalus didactylus). Until now, the smallest vertebrate has been a fish. The male angler fish of Photocorymus spiniceps is just over 6mm long. Species like this smallest vertebrate can also be found in Madagascar.

Key Words: smallest frog, Papua New Guinea, Louisiana,
Image Credit : womansindia.com

Why do we need to conserve water?

2012-01-22T22:00:00.000+05:30

According to the National Water Policy – 1987, water is a scarce and precious resource to be developed and conserved on an integrated and environmentally sound basis. The Planning Commission of India has estimated that the annual water flow in our rivers is 1869 cubic kilometres of water out of which we can use 550cubic kilometres of water which accounts for 30 percent only. The remaining 70 percent either goes to the sea wasted or causes floods enroute. We are facing irrigation problems from thousands of years due to water logging, salting or silting.

There is an urgent need of water conservation because of the facts mentioned below-

-Water is the most essential substance for life processes. It is essential for drinking, bathing, cooking, irrigation, industry, and for the survival of plants and animals.

-The global supply of water is uneven. Due to this, many parts of the world frequently suffer from water crisis, drought, and crop-failure.

-Most of our fresh water sources like ground water, reservoirs, rivers etc. are under increasing environmental stress. This stress on water is caused due to overuse, water pollution and degradation of ecosystems.

-According to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), some 80 countries of the world suffered from serious water- crisis up to mid-1990s.The World Water Council in its report of the year2000, stated that the demand for water use is expected to increase by 40 per cent by the year 2020. The agriculture will require 17 per cent more water for producing food for our growing population by that time.

-About1.1 billion people in the world lack access to safe drinking water. The surface and ground water has been contaminated by toxic chemicals, wastes, and pathogens. Poor water supply and problems of water sanitation are causing the spread of many water borne diseases in many parts of Asia and Africa. Some of these diseases are- cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, eye infections, scabies, trachoma, ascariasis etc. According to a report of the UNEP, about 3 million people in Africa die due to water borne diseases.

-Dumping of toxic wastes has polluted ground water through seepage. Landfill sites too, contribute a lot in the pollution of the underground water. Secondly, the overuse and misuse of ground water is causing the depletion of water table in many parts of the country.

Key Words: Environmental Policy,UNEP, floods

What are Green House Gases?

2012-01-22T21:15:00.000+05:30

Gases that help in causing green house effect are called as green house gases (GHGs). These gases either occur naturally or are produced on earth due to human activities of burning fossil fuel and bio-mass.

One of the most abundant naturally occurring green house gases is the water vapour. Other green house gases are carbon dioxide, methane, Nitrous oxide, Trifluoromethyl sulphur pentafluoride and hydrochlorofluorocarbons. It is since 1700s, that a substantial increase in the concentration of green house gases has occurred in the atmosphere.

•Water Vapour: It accounts for about 60 to 70 percent of the natural green house effect. Its level in the atmosphere rises with the increasing global warming adding up further to the green house effect.

•Carbon dioxide: It is released into atmosphere through decay or burning of organic substances and through volcanic eruptions. It circulates in the atmosphere through carbon cycle. A good part of carbon dioxide is utilised through photosynthesis and major part of it is absorbed by oceans, rivers and lakes. But, in the modern age of industrialization and increasing automobile exhausts the concentration of carbon dioxide is increasing faster than the earth’s natural capacity of assimilation. It has been assessed that the level of CO2 in the atmosphere has risen by more than 30 percent since 1750.Currently, the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere is about 370 parts per million (ppm). It accounts for more than 60 percent of the additional green house effect.

•Methane: This gas is produced through various sources like decomposing organic substances, coal mining, production and transport of other fossil fuels etc. Its concentration in the atmosphere has become more than double since 1750. Scientists are of the opinion that it is an extremely effective heat trapping gas. One molecule of methane is 20 times more efficient in terms of trapping infrared radiation than a molecule of carbon dioxide.

•Nitrous Oxide: This gas is released into the atmosphere by burning of fossil fuels, automobile exhaust, decomposition of nitrogenous fertilizers in the soil etc. Its level in the atmosphere has risen by 17 percent since 1750.This gas has a capacity of trapping heat 300 times more effectively than carbon dioxide. It can stay in the atmosphere for about 100 years.

•Fluorinated Compounds: Compounds comprising CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) and HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) are man- made compounds called as fluorinated compounds. These compounds are used in a variety of manufacturing processes. Each molecule of these synthetic compounds is many thousand times more effective in trapping infrared radiations than a single molecule of carbon dioxide.CFCs were first synthesized in 1928. Since then these were widely used in the manufacture of aerosol sprays, blowing agents for foams, packing materials, as solvents and as refrigerants. By 1992 an amendment in the Montreal Protocol was made to ban these compounds worldwide. However, the HFCs compounds do not contain chlorine and stay in the atmosphere only for a short time. Hence, these are regarded as safe for various applications.

•Trifluoromethyl sulphur pentafluoride: This compound was not reported before 2000. Each molecule of this industrially produced compound can trap heat more effectively than all the other gases known to cause green house effect.

Key Words : fossil fuel , bio-mass, concentration, Montreal Protocol

Japanese Quail breeding centre to be set up in Bikaner (Rajasthan),India

2012-01-21T23:37:00.001+05:30

The Central Avian Research Centre Bareilly (U.P.) has designated a network programme on diversified poultry species. Under this programme, a new breeding centre has been planned to be set up in Rajasthan University of Veterinary Science, Bikaner (India).

The promotion of Japanese quail (Coturnix quail ) production, as per the research centre is to be started in Bikaner in view of generating income of the rural people together with supplementing the animal protein. It is considered that quail is an important bird for research and education. It is important to note that promotion of poultry, fisheries etc. has been in the agenda of the government in view of supplementing food production through agriculture. Poultry eaters may supplement their food with the animal protein and the pressure for meet on poultry may thus be bifurcated.

Image 1 Japanese quail

It is reported that the quail farming is picking up in a big way at the International level now a day. Still, the awareness about quail farming is very low in India, though Japanese quail would prove an alternative to poultry in the country.

It is again important to note that hunting and killing of wild Indian quail (Coturnix coturnix) has been banned in India in view of their limiting numbers. As such, introduction of Japanese quail has been considered to be a better option on a conservation point of view also.

Image 2 Indian quail

The centre has reported that poultry eggs and meet available in the markets are not adequate in amount and number to meet the increasing demand of food. Rajasthan imports eggs from Andhra Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab. Thus quail farming in the state is thought to compensate the demand of poultry.

Image 3 Eggs of quail

The Avian Research Institute proposes the purchase of 5000 quails in the first phase of the programme. The institute is planning to offer training programmes to farmers in quail farming. The manure from quails has been reported to have highest fertilizer efficiency.

Japanese quail is more resistant to different poultry diseases. In view of this fact, many quail farms have already been established in the country.

Key Words: Japanese quail, Avian Research Centre, Bareilly, eggs, meet, fertilizers, poultry

Image Credit : Image 1- orientalbirdimages.org, Image 2 - indianbirdsphotography.blogspot.com

Reduction of pollution: Principles and guidelines

2012-01-20T22:17:00.001+05:30

Following principles and guidelines have been accepted for the control of different types of pollutions-

1. Prevention of entry into the environment: According to this principle pollutants are checked at the point of their origin and are not allowed to enter into the environment by the application of specific devices.

2. Isolation: By isolation, we mean putting out or segregating pollutants at the point of their release or production. Such isolated pollutants should then be dumped at specific locations as per scientific guidelines adopted by pollution control agencies. Some of these pollutants can be recycled and reused for example reuse of fly-ash for making bricks.

3. Conversion from highly toxic to lesser harmful product: We can not stop industrial processes simply because they cause pollutions. However we can reduce the toxicity or harmfulness of pollutants by applying bio- chemical technologies. A number of catalysts are introduced to reduce the toxicity of chemical pollutants produced during industrial processes.

4. Alternatives: These are safer substances used on the place of substances that cause hazards. For example bio- pesticides like oil of Neem and extract of garlic, are better alternatives to synthetic chemical pesticides.

5. Destruction: The chemical pollutants that are proved to be toxic, and are difficult to be substituted by safer ones- need to be blocked from further release and then destroyed in a safe and prescribed scientific manner. Advanced and Environment Friendly Incineration Technology is a good option for reduction of pollution through destruction.

6. Awareness: Matters pertaining to good citizenship, environmental consciousness and preventive methods must be explained to the common man, so that he may try to perform his duties with a high degree of civic sense. These awareness programmes can be conducted through different media like radios, TVs. seminars, demonstrations, documentary films, pamphlets, display of hoardings, banners and plays like street theatres or nukkar nataks etc.

7. Public Participation:The word ‘public participation’ means ‘sharing in common’ or ‘doing together’. In environmental context, it means, the involvement of the local public in solving their local environmental problems. It does not mean, people working under the planning and decisions of government agencies- it is rather bottom up approach. With joint efforts, people identify their problems, make plans to resolve them and then to implement them.

8. Environmental Education: Environmental Education has been made a compulsory subject for studies at schools, colleges and other institutions. This is the most effective tool for the control of pollution and conservation of environment on grass- root level.

9. Self Restraint – A Habit: The greed of luxury and comfort initiates the production of newer and newer products. More and more products carry more and more wastes in different forms like wrapping materials, plastic carry bags, chemical preservatives (in cases of food materials) etc. When these products are used up, their wrappings and other associated and useless materials coming to the homes of consumers are thrown out carelessly. These thrown out materials create the problem of pollution. Overuse of materials that are not important for our health and development impose burden on the family budget. These are the reasons why our thinkers and philosophers preached on self restraint. Thus it is important now that conservation should be made a habit.

10. Support to Professional Conservation Groups: The state and central governments should provide subsidies for conservation of environment and pollution control works being carried out by professional groups.

11. Legislative and Tax Measures: The existing laws for pollution control should be enforced properly so as to abate pollution. Industries doing eco-friendly works like recycling of wastes, regeneration of forest and production of pollution free technologies should receive tax –concession from the government.

Any big problem cannot be solved without planning and strong efforts. The pollution of environment is certainly a big problem. So planning for its control is very necessary.

Key Words : principles, guidelines, pollution control, self restraint, planning

Reducing pollution and improving environment

2012-01-20T21:51:00.003+05:30

It is the unthinkable huge magnitude of all the ill effects of pollution and its ever increasing nature, which has forced the whole of humanity to do a great deal of serous thinking about its attitude towards the relationships with the natural environment.

Now, every individual needs to re-orient its life style, re-shape its earlier thinking and realize that the crisis emerged out of pollutions in different spheres of the natural environment may threaten the whole life on this planet.

With more and more people, there are - more and more sewage, more solid waste, more fuel being burnt, more use of fertilizers and pesticides to produce more food etc. Currently, on an average, a city of one million people requires 1800 mt of food, 2700 mt of coal, 2500 mt of oil, 2400 mt of natural gas and 900 mt of motor fuel every day for its people. In turn, the inhabitants of the city produce 1800 mt of garbage, 4, 50,000 mt of sewage, 50 billion Litres of waste water, 400 mt of Carbon monoxide, 135 mt each of Sulphur dioxide and particulate matter and 90 mt each of Nitrogen dioxide and Hydrocarbons per day. The number of cities with population of one million and above runs into thousands and thousands. Even in India, the number of such cities has gone above the number of 120.How much the pollution will all these cities be creating in near future and what may be the consequences of so much of pollution on local, regional, national and global levels?

Under the environmental conditions detailed above, the human society at present is being faced with two important challenges: -
1. Protection of the quality of the existing environment from further deterioration and,
2. Gradual restoration of the quality of its living resources.

Both of these will involve managing situations causing undesirable risks, abatement of all the risks and improvements in the existing quality of environment by- characterising the risks scientifically, and implementing the appropriate options that are hopefully acceptable solutions to all the parties concerned. Thus formulation of sound strategies is needed for a sound management of the natural environment which incorporates the reduction of pollution and the improvement of the natural environment. This is what we are going to study in this chapter.

Key Words: Pollution, fertilizers, pesticides, hydrocarbons, restoration

Effects of Global Warming on Agriculture

2012-01-18T23:30:00.001+05:30

Our demands for more and more food are rising on day by day due to increasing human population. The supply of food mainly comes from agriculture. But the increasing temperature followed by changes in climatic conditions due to global warming is sure to damage it.

Image 1 cropped area

Global warming may cause drought and outbreak of insects. Both of these conditions are damaging to agriculture. Higher temperature accelerates the maturation of earlier disease causing agents and their vectors. All these conditions cause damage to and failure of crops.

Climatic factors like temperature, wind, relative humidity, rain fall etc. have direct effects on agriculture. Since global warming is changing the global climates, adverse changes in agriculture and its production is bound to occur. On the other hand changing frequencies of natural disasters such as floods,tornado, cyclones, hurricanes, landslides, mud-flows etc. tend to vanish out our crops besides causing great losses to life and property. Hail storms, wind storms and also, fog and mist cause serious damages to our crops each year. In many parts of India, farmers go on demonstration and road jams demanding compensations from the government whenever their crops are damaged due to any of these reasons.

Image 2 Tornado

Image 3

In a democratic country the government is formed by the people themselves. On the other hand, climate change is a global tragedy the responsibilities of which go in everyone’s share. However, since the climate is changing, agriculture is sure to be damaged and such incidents are bound to follow because every one wants to live.In some states people go on strike or road jams when their crops are damaged due to natural calamities and demand relief from governments.

Key Word : global warming,climate change, human population,fog, tornado
Image Credit : Image 3 dailymail.co.uk

Environmental Impact Assessment and its roles

2012-01-18T00:37:00.000+05:30

The assessment of all possible effects on environment of an area due to the establishment of a plant, an industry, a developmental project or due to modernization of an old factory is called as Environmental Impact Assessment or EAS.

In today’s modern societies, the progress of a country is judged by the status of development or the economic progress. For this, different new plants and factories have to be set up and the old ones have to be modernized and expanded to increase production. All this is almost a must for every country, underdeveloped or developed.

The problem arises only when these developmental activities damage the natural equilibrium of our environment. So, some sort of statutory regulations have to be prescribed and strictly enforced to ensure nil or minimum damage to the environment of that particular area.

There are following steps of Environment Impact Assessment -
-    Monitoring and sampling of pollutants,
-    Quantitative and qualitative analysis of pollutants
-    Complete study to assess every possible damage due to exposure to pollutants emitted or discharged from the plant, factory or industry

The scientific process of taking care of quality of air, water, soil etc through testing, measuring, observing and evaluating various pollution levels is called as monitoring. Sampling is the process of collection of samples of air, water and soil for various types of tests of pollution around some fixed parameters. After testing the pollution quantitative and qualitative analysis of data obtained through various tests are done and compared with the standards or acceptable levels fixed earlier. On this basis as assessment regarding the risk or damage to environment caused by a plant, factory or industrial unit is made.

Principal aims of Environmental Monitoring are -
-    to establish a baseline of exposure, to provide an estimate of the levels of pollutants in specific environmental compartments to which the general population is exposed
-    To know whether the level of particular pollutant in the specific environment, correlate to a suspected source of contamination, if so, to identify the contribution of the source
-    To estimate the changes in the levels of various pollutants in the specific environments

Role of environmental Impact Assessment
The EIA is carried out as per the guidelines fixed by the Ministry of Environment and Forest itself. It covers -
-    Any possible chance of land degradation, due to the project or the industry
-    Extent of forest clearance and measures of regeneration
-    Types of pollution, due to project or industry and measures for its abatement
-    Extent of problem of displacement of local inhabitants of that area and measures for their rehabilitation
-    Probable or acute loss of biodiversity, in the affected areas
-    Probability of health hazard that may occur due to emission and/ or discharge of toxic pollutants
-    The analysis of risk that may be caused due to the above
-    Provisions for the management of hazardous situations
-    Method of waste management already in use or to be taken up after installation is completed

The emission and discharge of pollutants from industrial units can create heavy pollution of air, water and soil. The study of Environmental Impacts of these pollutants is carried out on a regular basis for a better appreciation and management of the environment.

A comprehensive plan made for the overall assessment of impact of emission and discharge of pollutants into environment and its control measures is called as Environmental Management Plan or EMP.

Key Words : EAS, sampling, testing, monitoring, pollutants, EMP

What is Value Education?

2012-01-17T00:10:00.001+05:30

Our beliefs about what is right and wrong and what is important in life are called as value.

As regards value education, education in values and education towards the inculcation of values is called as value education. The value education is a universal process which is intrinsic to all the learning and educational activities, whether at home or in a school.

The Times of India, Hyderabad Edition in its issue of Nov. 18, 2001 had written - … values are those principles or standards, which help to better the quality of life. Values codify the dos and don'ts of behaviour. They form the basics of character formation and personality development. the values that spring from within or the core of the heart, like love, compassion, sympathy, empathy, tolerance, etc. lay the foundation for the external practiced values like honesty, discipline, punctuality and loyalty. the most important to remember is that "values are priceless, while valuables are priced." in today's fast paced competitive world, man seems to have compromised on his values, integrity and character, in a bid to earn, use and possess more and more of material wealth. as a result, we see rampant corruption, unlawful activities, inhuman behaviour and immoral consumption, which is slowly breaking the very structure of our society, nation and the world. Therefore, there is an urgent need to re-introduce value based spiritual education dealing specifically with human values", to redesign the fabric of our educational system.

There are different categories of values such as - Universal Values, Cultural Values or Ethnic Values, and Individual or Personal Values.

Universal values are values that can be experienced as life, joy, brotherhood, love, compassion, service, truth, bliss etc. Cultural values are values that are concerned with right and wrong, good and bad, customs and behaviour etc.These values generally mean to maintain social order. These are usually reflected in language, social hierarchy, aesthetics, education, ethics, philosophy, law, economics and social institutions like family etc. Our private principles which are concerned with our personality and individual experiences are called as individual or personal values. These values are shaped by our parents and teachers, and … yes books.

These are the universal values that remain for ever. Teaching of Islam, Christianity and other religions contain universal values as they remain for ever. These values are true in all the ages. Values shape our lives, lead us towards peace, development and success. Values shape our personality and behaviour as well. These lead us on right path and towards right goals. A valueless life cares for nothing.

Human activities of overuse and misuse of natural resources, throwing away of waste on roads, producing high pitched sound through sound systems, blowing loud horns on busy roads, creating all types of pollutions, causing damage to forest and wildlife, terrorizing others for the sake of spoilt interest are examples of activities caused by such persons who live valueless lives. Hence, value education is most important in the present age. This is the reason why more emphasis is being laid down on value education across the world.

According to the National Council of Educational Research and Training - Value education is a process of education. This means that it is a process of inducing learning. Learning is not a passive process of absorption. It involves thinking, reflecting, questioning, feeling, doing, caring, experiencing. Value education, accordingly, is not a process of authoritarian indoctrination of dogmas, exhortation or propaganda. Nor is it the direct inculcation of a body of pre-determined 'right' values in the learners through didactic approaches. The goal is not to promote passive conformity and blind obedience to whatever values are passed on, but to encourage critical and reflective thinking, rational choice and responsible behaviour, respecting the autonomy of the learner. When we are 'value educating', we are putting the learners in situations that enable them to think, to reason, to question, to reflect, to care, to feel concern, to act. The purpose is to trigger discussions and reflections, and to generate creative responses to value situations. Value education is also education in the sense that it is education for 'becoming '. It is concerned with the development of the total personality of the individual— intellectual, social, emotional, aesthetic, moral and spiritual. It involves developing sensitivity to the good, the right and the beautiful, ability to choose the right values in accordance with the highest ideals of life and internalizing and realizing them in thought and action. As such the process calls into play all human faculties—knowing, feeling and doing. Not only should the learner be enabled to know the right and the good, but also to care, to feel the appropriate emotions, concern and commitment and exercise the will to do the right thing. In other words, to 'value educate’ is to develop rational critical thinking, to educate the emotions, to cultivate the imagination, to strengthen will and to train character of the learner.

Key Words: value, religion, cultural, ethnic, wildlife

Efficiency in production, utilization and transportation of energy

2012-01-15T23:36:00.001+05:30

Efficiency in Production Increasing efficiency in energy production relates to the production of energy with minimum wastage of the resource used for the production of energy. Energy is usually produced by Thermal Power and Hydel Power plants, upto greater extent. These plants consume large amounts of coal for generating heat so as to boil water, produce steam and run turbines to produce electricity. Here the defects may be found with the boilers and blades of turbines. For this, the design of boilers should be such that minimum heat is absorbed by them for the production of maximum steam. The designs of the blades of steam turbines should be modernized so as to produce the maximum out put. In metallurgical plants, the furnaces should be modernized so as to consume less coal by allowing complete combustion, and to produce more heat while consuming less coal. In a nut shell, such improvements are to be made that allow maximum out put of energy by using minimum amounts of resources.

The potential of power generation from co-generation in India is more than 29000 MW. Mainly the bagasse based co-generation is principally promoted in this country. Since India is the largest producer of sugar in the world. Today, such technologies have been developed that help in the production of two useful forms of energy from the same source. It is called as co-generation.

Most of the energy input is lost as waste heat from production and distribution systems. The waste heat from coal fired boilers or other boilers of industries can be used in running turbines and generating electricity. In modern times, agriculture waste like bagasse is utilized in the co-generation of electricity. The application of modern technologies reduces pollution and lowers the cost of production. Such technologies reduce pollution and lower the cost of production. Such technologies are adopted by industrialists so as to increase profit.

Efficiency in Utilization

The efficiency in transmission and distribution of energy is most important for the conservation of energy, especially the electricity. The conditions of transformers and transmission lines remain very poor in some countries of the world. The leakage of electricity, burning of supply wires and transformers due to carelessness and mismanagement are common incidents observed mostly in developing countries. Illegal use of energy and non-payments of bills are great hurdles in the ways of conservation and even proper utilization of energy. These are to be eradicated by the government and the law enforcement agencies. In many of the Indian cities equipments like transformers, supply wires, fittings and even the electric poles remain in very dangerous and vulnerable conditions. Most of these remain out dated or expired. This is the reason why we experience frequent interruption in electric supplies during rainy days and windy weathers.

In India, the Electricity Act came into force on the 10 June 2003. With the enactment of this act, all the other pre-existing Acts such as the Indian Electricity Act, 1910, the Electricity (supply) Act, 1948, and the Electricity Regulatory Commission Act, 1998 stand repealed. The Central Government of India notified Electricity Rules, 2005 on 8 June 2005. These rules contain provisions that relate to captive generating Plants, Consumer redressal Forums and Ombudsman, Tariff of Generating Companies, etc. ‘Nine removal of Difficulties Orders regarding inclusion of measures to control theft in Electricity Supply Code, etc. have been issued by the government under Section 183 of the Electricity Act,2003.(Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India- 2007).

In most of the houses, it is seen that less care is offered towards judicious use of energy. In many of the kitchens stoves are left burning the gas even when nothing is placed on them for cooking. Many people leave their TV sets, fans and lights on even when nobody remains there in the rooms. These wastages cumulatively account for amounts of energy wasted regularly. Hence, under the present conditions of shortages of energy resources, it is most essential to correct habits and ensure judicious distribution, transmission and utilization of energy both at the micro- and mega- levels.

Efficiency in transportation

The Transportation Sector of energy consumption incorporates all the vehicles used for personal or freight transportation. Approximately 70 per cent of the energy used in this sector is consumed by petrol powered vehicles. About 20 per cent of transport including trains, merchant ships, trucks etc. is powered by diesel. The remaining 10 percent of the fuel is consumed by air traffic. The compressed natural gas is also used as transportation fuel. Coal is also used in transport directly in steam vehicles and boats.

Alternative to fossil fuel – run vehicles are electric vehicles and electric boats that use batteries or non-hydrogen fuel cells. The fuel cell operated mini-cars are also running on roads today.

Most of the old model engines and machines use only a small fraction of energy available in fuel. For example, a car engine uses only 20 per cent of the energy contained in petrol. As per records, even the most efficient power plants use 40 per cent of their fuel into electricity.

Now, scientists and engineers across the world are developing more efficient methods of using energy in transportation. They are designing more efficient transport systems to reduce the loss of energy.

In transportation sector, the efficiency can also be enhanced by mass transportation through automobile. The technologists across the world have been improving the efficiencies of the conventional internal combustion engines and further improvements are also expected by reducing the weight of vehicles using new materials.

The Hybrid vehicles allow the engines run more efficiently by re-gaining energy from braking and by possessing arrangements for turning their engines off when idle in traffic. Ceramic and diesel engines improved technologically can improve mileage. Electric vehicles like Maglev and trolleybuses have been proved to be more efficient during use.

The efficiency of transportation fuel has also been increased through the adoption of newer technologies. Some chemical processes can convert carbon and hydrogen in coal, natural gas, plant and animal biomass, and organic wastes into short hydrocarbons suitable as transportation fuels. Some of these fuels are- Fischer-tropsch diesel, methanol, and dimethyl ether or syngas. Today, South Africa is solving most of its fuel problem by producing diesel from coal.

Carbon dioxide of the atmosphere can be utilized for converting it into hydrocarbons by the application of solar energy through the process of photosynthesis. Different types of biofuel are being produced today such as biodiesel, alcohol fuel etc. Growing Jatropha, Pongamia and Jojoba etc. plants, extracting oil from their seeds and using the oil as biofuel either on the place of diesel or mixing it with diesel, is being encouraged by the Government of India. Other countries too, are encouraging cultivation of biodiesel plants. An important example in this direction is the cultivation of Jatropha, being done in Zambia, for a biodiesel firm based in U.K.

The utilization of energy has almost doubled every 20 years since 1900. Causes of this growth in the utilization of energy comprise following factors-

(i) growth of population

(ii) growth of labour force

(iii) increase in the wealth

(iv) Energy using inventions

(v) Products consuming large amounts of energy in their manufacturing processes,

(vi) Non-fuel uses of fossil fuels.

The human population has been rising at a very fast rate. However, the rate of consumption of energy remained much faster. The life style and the standard of living improved and now people became capable of keeping conveniences demanding more and more energy for their operation. The aluminium, plastics, other metals and alloys that demand more energy in their processing came into wide spread use. Together with the increasing rate of development and industrialization, the labour force also increased and the increasing production encouraged the wealth to accumulate with majority of people. In the mean time scientists remained inventing energy consuming devices that reached to human homes for greater comfort and development. A number of products started to be made in industries that demand greater amounts of energy. On the other hand the non-fuel uses of fossil fuel also increased considerably. Now, it was very important that the efficiency of utilization of already available energy could be raised through appropriate practices.

Ways of increasing efficiency of energy utilization

Some of the important ways of increasing the efficiency of utilization of energy are being mentioned below.

1. Application of fluorescent lamps, efficient engines and insulators.

2. Construction of Zero-energy buildings (ZEB).

The Zero Energy Building is a term applied to a building with a net energy consumption of zero over a typical year. The level of Zero Energy Consumption is acquired by constructing such buildings and living in these buildings where the energy provided by on site renewable energy sources is equal to the energy utilized in the building. Though the concept and status of zero energy building are not common in developing countries like India, it is gaining popularity in these countries also.

3. Recovery of energy from waste hot water and warm wind by the use of heat exchangers.

4. Recovery of energy from hydrocarbon waste through hydrocarbon production through Pyrolysis.

5. Making modifications in existing power plants.

6. Applications of co-generation techniques in power plants.

7. The applications of passive solar, light emitting diodes should be made in zero energy buildings to replace the use of common bulbs.

8. Going for public transport instead of moving in private cars.

9. Use of bicycles for short distances.

10. Developing new and renewable energy and avoiding the use of fossil fuels.

11. Adopting the practice of Energy Efficient Landscaping: This incorporates planting trees for shades, planting wind breaks to slow down the speed of wind near buildings (it prevents heat loss), wall sheltering by the use of shrubbery or vines, earth sheltering, and drought resistant plantation in arid areas.

12. The applications of Solar Energy Chimneys and Solar Energy Towers.

Key Words :Efficiency, transportation,utilization, hydrocarbons, Jatropha

Air Pollution from diesel vehicles

2012-01-15T22:27:00.002+05:30

Automobiles such as cars and other motorised vehicles consume fossil fuels like diesel and petrol. These fuels produce several types of pollutants on combustion inside engines of these vehicles.

Diesel is the most required fossil fuel in the transport industry today. It is widely used in heavy duty engines of trucks, trains, marine transport, DG Sets etc. The popularity of diesel engines has increased up to greater extent both due to its efficiency and long service life as compared to petrol (gasoline) engines.

Emissions due to burning of diesel contain less carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide but more oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter. The exhaust due to burning of diesel is a complex mixture of both the particulate and gaseous components. The size of particulate matter contained in the diesel exhaust ranges from 0.05 to 1.00 micrometer. Particulates of such small size easily enter into the respiratory system and get deposited in the air ways and alveoli. These particulates are able to absorb different hydrocarbons including carcinogenic (cancer causing) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitro- PAHs that are of serious concern for human health. The components of diesel exhaust undergo atmospheric transformation and become more potent mutagens and carcinogens.

It is evident from latest researches that the cancer potency of diesel vehicles is more than double the same of gasoline vehicles in India. The carcinogenic effects of diesel particulates is 24 times greater than that of Gasoline and 84 times greater than that of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India has restricted the use of commercial diesel driven vehicles in Delhi due to its harmful effects. Starting from 1 April 2001 it has been made mandatory to use only compressed natural GAS in all transport buses in Delhi.

Key Words : diesel, gasoline,PAH, CNG, Delhi

TUSU - the festival of paying homage to the brave lady warrior

2012-01-15T10:08:00.001+05:30

TUSU is an important festival of Panch-pargana area of Jharkhand state of India. Songs and music contribute a lot to the celebration of this festival.

TUSU starts with the installation of Tusu - idol on the occasion of Agahan - Sankranti, falling at the juncture of November and December months. The idol of Tusu is merged into water on Poush- Sankranti, falling at the juncture of December and January.

The Tusu-idol is installed in a pre-defined house of the village. Girls of the village assemble at a place in the village and sing songs of Tusu.

The origin place of this festival is considered as Satighat on the bank of the river Swarna Rekha in Jharkhand. A fair is organised there on the day of Makar Sankranti. This place is located half kilometer south of the confluence of Swarna Rekha, Radhu and Kanchi rivers.

What is TUSU?
According to social recognitions, there was a beautiful girl of a poor Kurmi family. The beauty of the girl was gradually recognised across the whole state and at last the King of the area also came to know about the girl. Impressed by the beauty of the girl he framed a strategy to catch her.

Once when the whole state was passing through a tragic calamity, farmers of the area became too hard up to pay the agricultural tax to the king. The king doubled the tax and started charging it from the poor farmers. Tusu organised the farmers of the area and marched ahead. A fierce battle was fought between the farmers and the army of the king. Thousands of farmers were killed in the battle. Farmers were defeated and the soldiers of the king tried to trap Tusu for him. Tusu jumped into the flooded river and disappeared. The festival TUSU is celebrated in the memory of the sacrifice of that young, brave and beautiful girl. The society pays homage to the brave girl by disposing her idol into the river after a long worship.

Celebration of TUSU
Unmarried girls of villages install idols of Tusu in earthen plates on the first day of Poush month or January. Balls of rice, cow dung along with flowers etc are placed in the plate. Big idols are also installed at certain places. The idol of Tusu is worshipped by lighting lamps and offering flowers. Tusu is worshipped traditional methods and welcomed by singing different traditional songs. The Tusu fair goes on for hours in every night. Girls worship Tusu every evening for the whole month and on the end day, the idol of Tusu is merged into water.

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Key Words: Tusu, girls, Swarna Rekha, Kanchi, fair

Photo credit: Image 1 Sanatanu Bose; Image 2 netindia.in

Earthquakes: impacts and management

2012-01-14T22:52:00.002+05:30

Sudden release of stresses built up in the earth’s crust cause shaking of the earth- surface. It is called as earthquake. The earth quake may range from mild tremor to a large scale movement of earth causing extensive damage over a wide area. The location of the epicenter is expressed by latitude and longitude.

The intensity of an earthquake is measured on Richter scale, which was devised in 1935 by Charles Richter of California Institute of Technology, U.S.A. An earthquake measuring more than 5 on Richter scale (usually 7 and above) causes great damage. The place of origin of an earthquake is called as its focus or the hypocenter where as the point on the earth surface vertically above the Focus is called as Epicenter. Earthquakes cause physical, biological, economic and environmental damages. The intensity of an earthquake is calculated through Mercalli Scale, by assessing the damage caused by an earthquake. This Scale was invented by an Italian Seismographer named Giuseppe Mercalli in 1902.

How do earth quakes originate?
The surface of the earth is made up of huge rocks, called as plates. These plates remain moving slowly. Some times their movement is gradual. At other times, plates get locked with each other. Thus the energy created by their movements remains accumulated at a certain place. When the accumulation of this energy grows stronger, the plates break free and snap into a new position. The vibration thus produced causes plates to develop cracks, shake and fall. The fractures thus caused, in the crust of the earth are called as faults. If all the stress has not been cleared, more after shocks or trembling can occur in the fault zone. The point on the earth’s surface which is directly above the Seismic Focus of the quake is called as epicenter.

Impacts of earthquakes
•Since, earthquakes cause shaking and trembling of earth crust, they cause big buildings to fall down. As a result hundreds of people and cattle are crushed to death. Earthquakes cause heavy losses of properties also.
•Earthquakes can destroy everything causing total devastation.
•Buildings are shifted off foundations, ground cracks up, and underground pipelines are damaged.
•Earthquakes cause land slides in hilly areas, and Damage to lines of communications electricity supply.
•Bridges and roads are damaged badly and rail-lines are twisted out of shape.
•Earthquakes generated by undersea tremors create towering walls of water having great powers of destruction. In Japanese language, these strong waves are called as TSUNAMIS.

Management and Mitigation of Earth Quakes
These strategies comprise main and community based activities mentioned below-
•Contractors and developers of building constructions must follow norms fixed for buildings. Buildings must not be built on soft soils.
•Buildings should not be constructed in vulnerable areas and those that have already been built in such areas should be strengthened properly.
•Use of standard quality building materials and following Indian Standards Codes for building constructions should be kept on priority.
•Human habitations at high risk zones should be shifted elsewhere.
•People should be made aware of dos and don’ts about earthquakes and important lifeline buildings should be strengthened to accommodate people after the earth quake. Hospitals and Fire services should be upgraded.
•Community should be prepared and educated for mitigating impacts of earthquakes.
•Community based Earthquake Risk Management Projects should be developed. Retrofitting of school buildings and other important buildings, purchase of Emergency Response Equipments etc. should be the principal activities of such projects.

Key Words : disaster, earthquake, risk, management, risk zones

Makar Sankranti and associated festivals of India

2012-01-14T22:33:00.002+05:30

The occasion of Makar Sankranti is reflected in many forms through different Indian festivals falling in winter. All these forms of the Makar Sankranti celebrations reflect different cultures, rituals and festivities. Principally, the Makar Sankranti is important for bathing in sacred waters and helping the poor by donating something to them, but the specific forms of this festival in different parts of India enhance its importance. Some important forms of this festival celebrated in different parts of the country are being introduced here.

LOHADI

Lohadi is basically celebrated in Haryana and Punjab states of India. People offer til, jaggery, rice and heated maize on the occasion of this festival. These things are together called as Tilchowri. People distribute groundnuts, and preparations containing till as main ingredient. Brides move from home to home singing songs of Lohadi. This festival is considered to be more important for new brides and infants. People eat vegetables of mustard leaves and the bread of maize flour.

PONGAL

People of Tamilnadu celebrate Makar Sankranti in the form of Pongal for four days. The first day is called Bhogi- Pongal, the second day is called as Surya-Pongal, the third day is called as Mattoo- Pongal or Kenu -Pongal and the 4^th day is called as Kanya -Pongal.

The garbage of the locality is collected and burnt on the first day. Thus the festival of Pongal starts with sanitation of the locality. Goddess Laxmi is worshipped on the second day and the “cattle - wealth” is worshipped on the 3^rd day. After taking bath, Khir is cooked in a clay pot in the open campus. This dish is called as Pongal. After it, the sun God is worshipped and the Pongal is distributed as Prasad. Daughters are especially welcomed and respected on this day.

A Festival of Bathing and Offerings

Makar Sankranti is celebrated as a festival of “Dan” or donations in Uttar Pradesh of India. In Allahabad, this festival is known a Magh- Mela. The Magh- Mela in Allahabad starts on 14^th January every year. The whole state of Uttar Pradesh calls this festival as Khichadi. Eating Khichadi and distributing it is more important on this day. A fair is organised every year on the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati for the whole month of Magh.

DHUDHUTIYAR

This festival is celebrated as “Uttarayani” in Uttarakhand state. Like eastern Uttar Pradesh, it is known as Khichadi in Garhwal too. This festival is known as Dhudhutia in local Kumauni language. A special dish known as Dhudhutia is prepared on this day. It is kept for the next day for feeding crows.

SOHARAI OF SANTHALS

The Santhals of Jharkhand are nature worshippers by nature and behaviour. They celebrate every festival with dance, songs and music taking nature and its components as Gods and Goddesses. Every festival of Santhals is meant for expressing gratitude to nature for its protection and blessings. All of their festivals are based on trust and respect for nature.

Santhals love and respect their cattle wealth and offer special treatments like washing, oiling, and decorating them on this day. The Soharai festival is especially devoted to the cattle wealth of Santhals. Santhals inhabiting Dumka and adjacent areas celebrate Soharai on 14^th January. The festival starts a week ago. Cattle, ancestors, crop- fields and Sun are worshipped and groups of young ladies and boys move from door to door singing songs of the festival. Dances and sound of mandar (specific musical instrument of tribals) declare the onset of this festival.

MAKAR SANKRANTI - The Festival of the Sun-Worship

The tradition of daily worship of sun in Indian Sun-culture has been continuous since epic period. The Uttarayan Parva or the Makar Sankranti in India is celebrated as the worship of sun. In stories related to Lord Rama of Hindus we see the reference of daily sun -worship by him. According to Hindu religious texts Rama was Suryavanshi and king Bhagirath too was of the same section. King Bhagirath had brought Ganga to the earth for gaining Moksha for his ancestors. The concept of Moksha in Hindu mythology means getting rid of birth and death. The day on which Ganga appeared on the earth near the Ashram of Kapil Muni was the day of Makar Sankranti when the sacred water of Ganga passed through the area where the ancestors of Bhagirath used to live, and the ancestors of Bhagirath got Moksha. On that day king Bhagirath had worshipped his ancestors by offering Akshat or unbroken rice, til and the sacred water of the Ganga. Since then, the tradition of bathing in the sacred water of Ganga River on Magh Sankranti and offering to ancestors on the day of Makar Sankranti is very popular among Hindus.

The sun enters into Makar Rashi on this day. The Sankranti or a revolutionary change occurs in the external world as well as in the internal environment of living beings on this day. The inner sun of a man, according to the Hindu mythology, is “atma” or the spirit. The external kranti is commonly seen in the form of violence in which power is utilized but the spiritual kranti means for the good of all the creatures inhabiting this planet. The message of Makar Sankranti is - let everyone live together, let everyone earn his/ her living without any obstacle, whatever we gain through our good deeds should contribute to our power and energy.

The sun is symbolic to the divinity inside human beings. The sun is the symbol of knowledge, intelligence and spiritual light. It enlightens the whole world. Makar Sankranti is the festival which is celebrated by Hindus to develop this type of awareness and alertness. It is the festival of increasing the intensity of energy of the sun inside every human being. As the sun in the sky gets sometimes covered by clouds, the sun inside human beings too gets often covered by Kama, krodh and ahamkar (sex, anger and pride). The external sun rises and sets, but the sun inside human beings never passes through these phases.

Key Words : Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Soharai, Hindu- tribal festivals

National Programme on Improved Chulhas (NPIC)

2012-01-13T22:29:00.004+05:30

Lots of pollutants are produced by burning of wood and biomass (like dung cakes and agricultural wastes) in traditional chulhas (stoves) in rural areas. On the other hand, lots of wood is burnt to produce very less calories of energy. Thus, very much wood and energy is wasted due to incomplete combustion.

During 1984—85, Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (MNES), Govt. of India launched a National Programme on Improved CHULHAS (NPIC) in view of conservation of wood-fuel and reduction of smoke from kitchens of rural India. Improved chulhas are wood-stoves designed through continuous research. The traditional chulhas have an efficiency of only 8 to 10 per cent whereas improved chulhas have a minimum thermal efficiency of 20 to 25 per cent. Thus, an improved chulha produces more energy and consumes less wood without producing much smoke and ash.

The National Programme on Improved Chulha had popularised only durable chulhas having a potential life span of at least 5 years, and provided with a chimney. The reasons for disseminating only such chulhas is that the improved chulhas are costlier than the traditional chulhas and therefore they have to last longer than the average life of just two years of a typical mud chulha, and that the harmful flue gases and smoke are taken out of the house by a chimney.

Because these models are costly, NPIC provides a subsidy to their users. There are however several other chulhas that are being offered outside the NPIC by chulha entrepreneurs and potters in Maharashtra. Some of the popular models are Laxmi, Parvati, Grihalaxmi and Bhagyalaxmi. They are generally made of unburnt clay, but the same models can also be fired or made by using cement concrete.

An improve wood-stove ensures quality and durability of improved chulhas, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced ISI marking scheme on these chulhas. About 35.2 million improved wood stoves have been installed in rural homes so far.

Key Words : MNES, Improved Chulhas, Kitchen

Forests in India

2012-01-13T22:00:00.001+05:30

The extensive tract of land covered with naturally growing trees and undergrowth, sometimes intermingled with pastures is called as a Forest.

Buddha has defined forest as- ‘peculiar organism of unlimited kindness and benevolence that makes no demand for its sustenance and extends generously the products of its life activity; it offers protection to all beings, offering shade to the axe man who destroys it.’

A forest is a big natural ecosystem comprising numerous producers, consumers and decomposers alongwith non-living components. It is a renewable resource and wealth of the country. The forest cover in India is 6, 75,538 sq. km which constitutes 20.55%of its total geographic area. As per the “State of Forest Report” 2001, the mangrove cover of India occupies an area of 4,482 sq. km which is 0.14% of the geographic area. Madhya Pradesh, the state of India, accounts for the largest forest cover of the country (20.68 percent) which is followed by Arunachal Pradesh (10.08 percent), Orissa (7.38 percent), Maharashtra (7 percent), and Andhra Pradesh (6.94 percent). These seven states of north eastern India constitute 25.70 percent of the total forest cover of India

Importance of Forests
(i)Forests provide timber for building and furniture besides providing raw materials for various types of industries like paper.
(ii)Forests serve as habitat for numerous types of organisms besides providing fodder to cattle.
(iii) Forests provide protection from adverse effects of solar radiations and regulate water cycle as well as temperature.
(iv) Forests maintain gaseous balance of O2- CO2.
(v) Forests provide valuable herbs and fruits of commercial importance.
(vi) Forests check soil erosion, floods, landslides, desertification etc. and help in causing rains.
(vii) Forests provide various medicines and chemicals like resins, gums, alkaloids etc.

Degradation of Forests
Widespread damage to forests and depletion of vegetation is being caused by various human activities of cutting trees, overgrazing by cattle, conversion of forest land into crop land and pollutions. Vast tracts of forests are destroyed every year through different natural and human induced calamities across the globe. Some of these calamities are forest fires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, landslides, avalanches and cyclones. Forest fires may be (i) Surface fires (burning of undergrowth and dead materials on the floor of the forest), (ii) ground fires (fire burns roots and oily materials on the ground), (iii) Crown fires (burning of canopies of trees) and (iv) Fire storms (intense forest fire covering very large area).

India formulated its ‘Forest Policy’ in 1894 which was revised in 1952 and again revised in 1988. Protection, conservation and development of forests of India are the main focal objectives of this policy.
The aims of Indian Forest Policy are-
(i)Maintenance of environmental stability through preservation and restoration of ecological balance.
(ii)Conservation of natural heritage.
(iii)Check on soil erosion and denudation in the catchment areas of rivers.
(iv)Check on desertification and extension of sand along coastal areas.
(v)Increasing forest cover upto minimum 80% of the total geographic area of the country through massive Afforestation and social forestry programmes.
(vi)Steps to increase fuel wood, fodder, minor-forest produce for tribal and ruralpopulations etc.

The Govt. of India initiated Joint Forest Management (JFM) in 1990, by issuing guidelines to involve the village community in the development and protection of vanishing forests on share-basis. Till 2005, 1 7.83 million hectares of forest area wasbrought under the Joint Forest Management (JFM) programme.

Key Words : Forest, Forest Policy, Joint Forest Management

Human Rights - not just the human subject

2012-01-12T22:39:00.000+05:30

The concept of human rights in the world took shape during the World War II (1939 - 1945) when Nazis reportedly murdered millions of people - men, women and children, including Jews and others. Those incidents shook the world and most of the nations of the world and most of the nations started crying for the sake of humanity.

Those were the dark days of the world history. Four allied nations of the world namely China, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic(USSR), the United Kingdom(U.K.) and the United States stood up to organise the world community t search some device to safeguard humanity. Thus, the United Nations’ Organisation took shape in 1945.

After two years of the organisation of the United Nations, its Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) formed a Commission on Human Rights with Eleanor Roosevelt as its first chairperson. It was during her time in the United Nations that she remained chairperson of the committee that drafted and approved the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. President Truman called her the First Lady of the World in tribute to her achievements for Human Rights. The commission adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948. This event marked the birth of modern Human Rights Movement across the world.

Image- Eleanor Roosevelt

The “Human Rights” is not just the human subject. Rather, it is more an environmental subject. Just as we consider all the plants and trees, all the microbes and animals, as most important components of our Natural Environment, we must consider all the human beings equally important component of the natural environment. Just as the existence and development of all the plants, animals and microorganisms is essential, the existence and development of human beings are equally essential for the existence of environment on this planet. On the other hand, since human beings are developed and scientifically powerful, it is their duty to protect and preserve all the fellow components of this planet and not to harm even the tiniest creature of this planet in any way. This is what we call as Environmental Ethics.

A moral, legal or environmental claim to live, to have or receive something, or to behave in a particular way is called as “Right”. It relates to all living beings that share this unique planet which is also called as the Mother Earth. In this light, all humans too have moral, legal or environmental claim to live, to have or to get share in natural resources or to behave in a particular way … is called as Human Right.

Key Words: Human Rights, Environmental Subject,Environmental Ethics, Eleanor Roosevelt

Image Credit:americangallery.worldpress.com

What is incineration?

2012-01-10T20:35:00.002+05:30

Burning under controlled conditions is called as incineration.

Burning of waste under controlled conditions is a rather quick method of solid waste disposal especially in crowded cities. The heat so produced, may be utilized for some useful purposes. Ashes left after burning are hardly 8 to 10 percent of the total mass of the waste material.

Burning of waste may either be done in the presence of air or in its absence. Burning in the absence of air is called as Pyrolysis where as burning in the presence of air is just called as incineration.

An incinerator in its simplest form consists of a furnace which is provided for feeding the solid waste into the furnace. The burnt ash is taken out through the ash door.

Incineration is a preferred choice for the biomedical waste because it eliminates infectious organisms due to very high temperature ranging from 7500c to 980 0c. Secondly, it is very economic process due to the fact that a suitable landfill site for the disposal of biomedical waste is hard to find and it often takes a high charge in the transportation of these wastes.

There are two types of incinerators - Batch type, and Continuous feed type incinerators. The batch type incinerator is a simple device operated manually. A complete combustion in this type of incinerator does not take place and the temperature produced due to burning of waste does not remain in a uniform range.

Most of incinerators in use today are of continuous type. These incinerators are fitted with large storage bins, automatic feed hoppers, varied types of moving grates and ash discharge systems so that a uniform temperature of 750c to 980oc is maintained for combustion. These incinerators are fitted with pollution control devices such as gas scrubbers and electrostatic precipitators.

The use of water walls in the combustion chambers is a recent modification in incinerator. The water wall consists of vertically arranged boiler tubes of steel through which water is circulated. The water, heated in these ways is used in steam generation. At the same time water used in incinerator acts as a coolant. The heat produced through burning of wastes in incineration is also used for space heating, power generation, de-salination etc.

Incinerators of general type have many undesirable effects like release of particulate, smokes and gases like carbon dioxide. Most often many toxic substances like dioxins, heavy metals and compounds of chlorine etc. are also emitted out from incinerators.

Key Words:Pyrolysis,infectious, scrubbers, electrostatic precipitators, water walls, dioxins,

Considerations in the management of waste

2012-01-09T23:44:00.002+05:30

All the developed and developing countries generate waste. According to an estimate, U.S. alone generates about 410, ooo tonnes of solid waste whereas U. K. generates about 50,000 tonnes of solid waste per day. About 3000 tonnes of solid waste per day are transported to landfill sites in Delhi, the National Capital of India. The estimates of solid waste generated per day in other big cities of India like Bangalore, Allahabad, Kolkata and Mumbai are 8000, 1280, 3150 and 6050 tonnes respectively.

With the throw away concept of the modern life style, generation of waste has been consistently increasing both in quantity and complexity. Our municipalities and Municipal corporations are spending about 10% of their total budget for the clearance and disposal of solid waste. Municipal corporations in many Indian cities are taking help of Non- government Organisations. These NGOs collect waste from door to door and dispose at some place designated by the municipal corporations themselves. They take minor charges from the house owners on monthly basis. But in most of the cases no process of recycling of these wastes is being adopted and the waste is dumped at landfill sites. At landfill sites too, no proper process of land filling is adopted by concerned NGOs or municipal corporations.

Heaps of accumulated solid waste decomposing, and produce harmful gases that pollute the air around community habitations. A number of bacteria, fungi and viruses develop at these places. Flies, insects, rodents etc. visit these stinking heaps and take germs of different types of diseases to human habitations. During rains, the rain water may take a part of these heaps to our water bodies and cause water pollution. Some times, all this leads to the break out of epidemic and other health hazard. During monsoon seasons many deadly diseases use to spread in many Indian cities. Many big cities of India have drains that don’t have any destinations. On the other hand many drains in these cities get choked due to filling of solid wastes in them. During rains these drains overflow and send out the filth contained in them to flow on roads.

Economics is another consideration in choosing the method of waste disposal. The method chosen has to suite a particular situation, must be scientifically correct and feasible, besides being most economic among various alternatives.

The volume of waste to be disposed is another consideration. When in huge quantities we can not depend on natural decomposition by microbes, as it is a time consuming process. Under these conditions commercial or mass scale techniques, using latest technologies are to be adopted. Simple incineration, as it is adopted by some municipal corporations and hospitals is very harmful to the health of local environment. Unless equipped with advanced techniques, incineration is not advisable.

Some liquid wastes like synthetic fabric colours or dyes, cause serious pollution due to their non-biodegradable nature. Use of organic pigments can be substituted on their places. Dyes are also discharged by pulp and paper mills. Presence of arsenic a waste pollutant has been reported by many researchers. This arsenic comes out from abandoned coal mines during rains and joins rivers passing through them. Tanneries release seriously toxic effluents that join local food-chains. Rag- picking children visit waste dumping sites very frequently. They don’t have the knowledge of nature and bad impacts of wastes and become easy prey to many diseases.

Key Words: Solidwaste, management,microbes,coalmines,decomposition, incineration

Image credit: 1. dmfyp.blogspot.com, 2.thehindu, 3.detomix

Waste and its Management

2012-01-08T21:02:00.002+05:30

Anything which is no longer needed for use and is often thrown away carelessly may be called as waste. Wastes are generated through various sources like domestic, industrial, agricultural, commercial, municipal etc. Wastes from these sources contaminate air, water and land from where they affect the health of the biosphere.

Waste accumulated in environmental media are affecting the biosphere by direct mixing and altering their natural quality and by moving in the biosphere through bio-geo-chemical cycles and food chains operating in nature.

Accumulation of waste in the environmental media affects the environment by following ways -

· By spoiling the landscape

· By causing different types of pollution

· By causing health hazard

· By damaging terrestrial and aquatic life

The accumulation of waste in the environment causes loss to economy, interrupts bio-geo-chemical cycles, and damages historical monuments. So, it is important to reduce the existing levels of pollutants, checking them at source, fitting of pollution control devices in industries and regular monitoring of environmental quality. All these activities and many more are together called as waste management. In brief, the process of dealing with waste is called as waste management.

The practice of control and reduction in future, the generation of waste, their safe disposal through re-use, renovation, recycle, energy generation or through any useful activity, is called as waste management.

Waste Management is necessary -

· to ensure good community health and to raise the life standards of individuals,

· to protect and promote resources of environment for present and future generations, and

· to preserve qualities of natural resources and to protect the diversity of life.

Key Words: waste, accumulation, management, hazard, disposal, energy generation

picture credit - Education Times

Human Rights and Environment

2012-01-08T19:42:00.005+05:30

The first ever declaration of Principles on Human Rights and Environment on International Level was drafted on 16^th May 1994 by a group of international experts on United Nations at Geneva. The draft declaration is the first ‘international instrument’ which addresses the relation between human rights and environment.

The draft declaration is the first ‘International Instrument’ which addresses the relation between human rights and the environment. The draft declaration on Human Rights and Environment contains altogether 27 principles that have been grouped under five parts.

The first part contains four principles. It makes provisions of human rights to an ecologically sound environment, sustainable development, peace and right to secure healthy and ecologically sound environment. This part also makes provisions of human rights to freedom from all types of discrimination and right to equitable sharing of environment by present generation without impairing the rights of future generations.

The second part includes right to freedom from pollution, protection of natural resources, highest attainable standard of health, safe healthy food and adequate water, safe and healthy working environment, adequate housing and sound living conditions. This part also includes human rights to timely assistance in the events of all types of disasters, sustainable use of natural resources for all purposes, preservation of unique sites and rights of indigenous people on land, territories and natural resources to maintain their traditional ways of life.

Part third is a group of principles for human rights and environment makes provision of rights to information concerning environment, right to hold and express opinions and dissemination of ideas, right to education of human and environmental rights, right to participate in planning and decision making activities concerning environment, right to make association for environmental protection and right to judicial and administrative redressal of cases related to environmental harm.

Part four is the group of principles for human rights and environment and it relates to duty to protect and preserve environment, duty to avoid using the environment as means of war, duty to respect international laws pertaining to environment.

Part five is the group of principles that empowers all persons to be entitled to a social and international order so as to realize rights of declaration.

Significance of Human Rights

1. Growth of a nation depends on the growth and all round development of its citizens. The growth and all round development of citizens are possible only when the constitution of the nation provides them all the human rights required for these purposes.

2. Human rights support the process of development of a country. These are human rights which facilitate and encourage development on sustainable basis.

3. Human rights support citizens to think freely on social, national and environmental problems and search out all possible remedies.

4. Provision of human rights makes citizens free to take decisions and to shape up their life styles for better environmental conditions.

5. Human rights ensure a healthy and pollution free environment to its citizens.

Key Words:Human Rights,International Instrument,international, Geneva,

Farmers' strike in West Bengal, India

2012-01-06T22:08:00.002+05:30

Most farmers in the West Bengal have resorted to distress sales of paddy after the autumn harvest this year.

To highlight the plight of farmers inn West Bengal, peasant organisations of four Left parties had called a statewide agriculture strike on the anniversary of the 1946 Tebhaga Movement.

The strike received response across the state as per reports from the state unit of All India Kisan Sabha. Farmers blamed the policies of the Centre and state governments that have led to the farmers not even recovering their input costs from their produce.

Farmers in West Bengal have been bound to sell the yield of paddy at rates much below the minimum support price fixed by the centre. Prices in the market were too low that farmers did not want to through good money on transport cost. Hence, many farmers discarded their crops.

The input costs of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and labour have all shot up substantially this year. On the other hand, farmers are not even being paid the rates they were paid last year.

Reports say that since various agencies involved in the procurement of paddy including organisations like the West Bengal State Cooperative Marketing Federation do not purchase paddy, farmers across the state are being forced to sell their paddy in distress sales.

The Food Corporation of India is buying rice from rice mills in which middle men have the final say, as per reports, about the prices of the produce. Farmers have reportedly told that corruption in the procurement systems at several rice mills meant that farmers were being paid between Rs. 450 to 510 per sack of paddy instead of Rs. 648 that had been fixed by the government.

Key Words: West Bengal, farmers, West Bengal State Cooperative Marketing Federation

Plant trees - at least twenty five to become a primary member of JDU

2012-01-05T22:00:00.002+05:30

In an attempt to strengthen the Green Bihar Campaign of his party, Nitish Kumar, the head of the Janata Dal United and the Chief Minister of Bihar has linked tree-plantation with the Primary Membership of the party.

It has been reported that one who wishes to join Janata Dal United, must come with a valid proof of having planted at least twenty five trees along with other documents. Men in urban areas may use internet for providing proofs of their tree plantation work while those in rural areas may have to post photographs of planting trees in a given format.

Earlier, the last date for applying for the primary membership of the party was 31^st December 2011, but in view of expected delay in sending the proofs of having planted at least twenty five trees, the party has extended the date up to 15^th of January 2012.

Nitish Kumar, the Head of the party and the Chief Minister of Bihar has also planted trees on the occasion of death anniversary of his mother in Kalyan Bigaha village. Earlier, Mr. Kumar had made it compulsory for all the officers of the state (as more as 400,000) to plant trees - at least one sapling each to increase the state’s green cover to 15% in the next five years.

Key Words : JDU,plantation, primary membership, Kalyan Bigha

Seminar on bio-agriculture organized in Ranchi

2011-12-25T22:44:00.001+05:30

“If you call “mother” to the earth, protect it” said Vandana Shiva while she was speaking in the state level seminar organised jointly by National Agricultural and Rural Development Bank and Jharkhand Vaikalpic Vikash Manch in Hotel Ashoka on December 21, 2011. The seminar was organised on the topic “Bio-agriculture”. Opposing chemical based agriculture, Shiva emphasized on bio- agriculture stressing that it only can protect the fertility of soil.

Dr. Vandana Shiva informed that out of two lakh indigenous varieties of paddy, only 30 were left in the fields of Jharkhand. Foreign companied wish that Indian farmers should stop saving indigenous seeds and should purchase seeds from markets. Thus they are trying to make farmers dependent on them and companies may remain able to guide them at their will.

Dr. Shiva reportedly stressed that confusion was being created on bio-agriculture and chemical based agriculture was projected as the only method of increasing productivity. Global reports revealed that chemical based agriculture could not yield more for long. It consumes water ten times more than the bio-agriculture. She further told Punjab state of India was facing the consequences of chemical based agriculture. She told that it was the result of chemical based agriculture that wheat does not contain protein and carrot does not have taste.

Supporting Dr. Shiva, Satyanand Batul, the Minister of Agriculture, Government of Jharkhand said that Jharkhand would try its best to promote bio-agriculture and would make farmers aware bout it. She told that farmers would be connected to bio-agriculture through programmes at blocks and districts levels.

A.K.Singh, secretary of Department of Agriculture told that bio-agriculture was started in five hundred acres in the first phase. This time the planning aimed for a large scale and state bio-mission was launched for it. Now the scheme was to connect about 13000 farmers. Mr. Singh reportedly stressed that 78 NGOs had come forward and these were to be trained in two phases. The programme also aimed to encourage cultivation species as well. The aim was to cultivate Turmeric, ginger, coriander, garlic and other medicinal plants during the current phase. A number of farmers too interacted during the seminar and shared their experiences.

According to the latest issue of Bio-agriculture newsletter - Over the last 40 years many agricultural research organisations have made studies of organic and bio-dynamic agriculture that show the potential of these farming methods to be a major part of the solution to global climate change.

Again and again these studies have shown that over long periods of time and under many different conditions, organic and bio-dynamic farming practices continually sequester large amounts of measurable carbon into the soil. They also show that conventional chemical based agriculture degrades the land and thus reduces soil carbon over the long term.

Most of this scientific research was done before global warming was ever an issue. It was done primarily to increase our knowledge of these farming methods and their sustainability.

Under the name of bio-agriculture (an inclusive term for organic and bio-dynamic farming methods) Erwin Berney has made it his work to bring together this research and do an in-depth study of its implications to climate change. Dr Jonathan Banks and Hamish Mackay have collaborated in this.

The results are extremely encouraging.

By using bio-agricultural farming methods the world could not only meet its emissions reduction targets, but can also seriously think about becoming carbon neutral. In addition to this the study reveals many other benefits of these farming methods. From extra income for farmers – paid carbon credits for sequestering CO2, to reversing land degradation and thus helping to ensure food security for the rapidly growing world population. Compared to other emission reduction solutions bio-agriculture is low cost and easy to implement.

Key Words: seminar, Hotel Ashoka, Jharkhand, bio-agriculture, chemical-based agriculture, NGOs

Worshing Peepal tree in the evening

2011-12-24T21:45:00.000+05:30

An ancient sacred grove at Baradeo in Azamgarh U.P.

2011-12-24T21:39:00.001+05:30

Here are images of Baradeo, an ancient place of worship, in Azamgarh city of U.P., India

Observe and Comment

Not because forests have gone ...

2011-12-23T23:14:00.000+05:30

Not because forests have gone and trees are rare ... they tend to survey our buildings and take away what they like ...

... Towards final destination

2011-11-27T00:14:00.001+05:30

We no longer wish to live in your world ...

Can this boy alone force us to move towards death? ...

Image 1

Image2

The survival instinct ...

2011-11-26T23:58:00.001+05:30

See and Comment ...

Image 1

Image2

See ! what humans have made me?

2011-11-26T23:25:00.002+05:30

Humans can do anything to derive their livelihood.

Not alone plants, animals too are used, if not killed, by him in various strange ways.

Even the name of God is used to divert sentiments to pay ...

Write your own opinion about the images below -

Ministry allows traditional sand mining in coastal areas

2011-11-14T22:14:00.002+05:30

The government has now permitted traditional coastal communities to remove sand bars in rivers and estuaries by manual methods. The sand mining in coastal areas was earlier banned by the government in view of protection of the coastal and marine environment and the protection of aquatic flora and fauna against extinction.

Builders, as per reports, have been demanding opening of sand mining in coastal areas in order to reduce their costs, but it has been firmly opposed by environmentalists. The proposal came from the side of government of Karnataka and the Ministry of Environment and Forest has at last decided to allow sand mining in all 11 coastal states and Union Territories under certain conditions through traditional ways. Though quantity, area and time restrictions have been made and emphasized while allowing traditional sand mining and provisions of monitoring of track changes through satellite images and GPS has also been made, even a lay man can understand the problems that may arise in future.

The word traditional mining is expected to open doors towards the stage for non-traditional powers to perform the act in traditional dresses. Water, if once allowed leaking; it makes its own broad ways for easy flow. However, provisions of organising committees of fishing communities, scientific expert etc. under the district collector for issuing permit has been made by the government and everything is to depend now on the efficiency and performance of the committee.

The traditional sand mining, as well as mechanised and large scale sand mining have been damaging the coastal environment since long, however, large scale mechanized mining has done considerable damage to environments. Now it may be a hard task to control mechanized miners against mining in the name of traditional. A district collector, if willing to protect the environment can alone do a considerable job, but in case he has a little favour towards builders or professional sand miners, it is not sure that the committee of poor fishing community members and the humble science expert can develop sufficient strength to check him. Secondly, it is of less hope that a district collector may wait for the committee members to come and advice him. Yes, it can traditionally be accepted that the committee members can be made to sign the decision already taken by the officer either in the good of environment or not. A single sentence printed in the report of the Hindu dated 11^th November is sufficient to point towards the future - “The government has opened a hole in the ban against sand mining in coastal areas”.

Image : Coastal Care

Key Words : coastal area, sand mining, fishing community, traditional sand mining

Carbon dioxide build -up in atmosphere killing marine organisms

2011-11-13T08:44:00.000+05:30

Oceans of the world are going acidic due to heavy build up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It is feared that it may cause catastrophic effects on marine life. The acidic water has the potency of reacting with shells of mollusks found in seas. It can cause dangerous impacts on the lives of other organisms as well.

Scientists are of the opinion that the corrosive sea water will dissolve the shells of tiny marine snails and reduce the coral reefs to rubble. They have informed that the chemistry of oceans is changing to a state that has not occurred from thousands of years. The changing pH of oceans will slow down or stop the process of shell building. It will decrease the process of reef building also.

It has been reported that acidity of oceans has increased about 30% since concentration of carbon dioxide started increasing in the atmosphere many years back. Scientists predict that that the increase of concentration of concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere may go up to 150% if current trend of emission continues. It will cause further increase in the acidity of oceans. The organisms most directly affected by the acidity will be those building hard shells of calcium carbonate. Numerous corals, marine snails and crust building algae fall under this category.

Key Words: mollusks, catastrophic, marine life, crust building algae

Environmental Information System in India

2011-10-27T21:32:00.002+05:30

The Ministry of Environment and Forest has established a network of 78 Subject Specific and State Related Centres called as Environmental Information Centres (ENVIS). The Environmental Information System was established by the Government of India as a plan Programme in December 1982.The Ministry coordinates activities of all the ENVIS-Network Partners to make ENVIS a web-enabled Comprehensive Information System. The focus of ENVIS is to provide Environmental Information to decision makers, policy planners, scientists and engineers, research workers, etc. all over the country. Under the focus of the Environmental Information System, the National Efforts are integrated to ensure the collection, collation, storage, retrieval and dissemination of Environmental Information to all concerned.

The major Objectives, both Long Term and Short Term, of the Environmental information System are mentioned below.

1. LONG-TERM OBJECTIVES

· to build up a repository and dissemination centre in Environmental Science and Engineering;

· to gear up the modern technologies of acquisition, processing, storage, retrieval and dissemination of information of environmental nature; and

· to support and promote research, development and innovation in environmental information technology.

2. SHORT-TERM OBJECTIVES

· to provide national environmental information service relevant to present needs and capable of development to meet the future needs of the users, originators, processors and disseminators of information;

· to build up storage, retrieval and dissemination capabilities with the ultimate objectives of disseminating information speedily to the users;

· to promote, national and international cooperation and liaison for exchange of environment related information;

· to promote, support and assist education and personnel training programmes designed to enhance environmental information processing and utilization capabilities;

· to promote exchange of information amongst developing countries.

Key Words: ENVIS, Government of India, information, international cooperation

State Government now ready to conserve indigenous breeds of cattle in Jharkhand

2011-10-26T18:41:00.002+05:30

The National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources has planned to conduct a survey of indigenous cattle species in different districts of Jharkhand as per the prescribed standards. The survey has been planned in view of assessing the stratus of vanishing species of cattle in the country. It is important to note that species of indigenous cattle are vanishing in the state due to preference s to hybrid species, and sale of cattle by farmers to meet traders and cattle meet exporters. Long lines of cows, buffaloes, calves etc escorted by two- three cyclists, can still seen frequently along roads going towards places unknown to a common man. Another reason behind reducing the number of cattle of indigenous breeds is hybridization.

http://www.ecosensorium.org/2009/12/urgency-of-protection-and-propagation.html

As per the directives of the bureau, the state Government is inclined to conserve species of indigenous cattle. These cattle species are to be identified through the survey. The first phase of the programme has been planned to cover seven districts of the state - Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Palamu, Hajaribagh, Dhanbad, Deoghar, and Dumka in the 5 blocks of each of these districts. At least 100animals of any one species in a village are to be identified and conserved under the plan.

Monitoring Committees

The plant of conservation of indigenous breeds of cattle in Jharkhand is to be implemented by the state Government’s Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries. Committees on district and state levels are to be organised for a successful implementation and monitoring. The state level committee will comprise director of animal husbandry as President and Deputy Director Planning, and three experts from each of the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Ranchi Veterinary College- Kanke, as its members. The committee will review the work of districts after an interval of every 2 months. On district level, the committee will comprise District Animal Husbandry Officer as President and two veterinary doctors as members. This committee will review the survey work done on the block level. The state government will spend rupees sixty lakh on the survey of cattle.

Key Words : indigenous breeds, Jharkhand, Hybrid, Ranchi, Kanke, animal husbandry

757 species enlisted for protection under Federal Law - thanks to the efforts of Center for Biological Diversity

2011-09-10T21:48:00.001+05:30

The Center for Biological Diversity, Tucson got approved an agreement to move 757 animal and plant species towards Federal Protection. The organisation has struck a “historic legal settlement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service” on July 12, 2011.In this way; hundreds of “imperiled plants and animals” have been included in the list of Endangered Species under the Endangered Species Act of America. As per the Center, the Endangered Species Act is America’s strongest environmental law and the surest way to save species threatened with extinction.

A Press Release by the Center for Biological Diversity reports –

The agreement caps a decade-long effort by the Center’s scientists, attorneys and activists to safeguard 1,000 of America’s most imperiled, least protected species including the walrus, wolverine, Mexican grey wolf, fisher, New England cottontail rabbit, three species of sage grouse, scarlet Hawaiian honeycreeper, California golden trout, Miami blue butterfly, Rio Grande cutthroat trout, 403 southeastern river-dependent species, 42 Great basin spring snails and 32 Pacific Northwest mollusks.

Kierán Suckling, the Executive Director of the Center for Biological Diversity, in an email message has informed the author about it. In his own words - here's great news to start your weekend: A federal judge has just approved the Center for Biological Diversity's landmark agreement to move 757 of the country's most imperiled, least protected species toward protection. The judge's signature today makes the historic agreement the Center reached with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service official and legally binding. And it's the latest step in a decade-long effort at the Center to get vital federal protection for hundreds of America's most vulnerable plants and animals. All of them now have a fresh shot of survival. We couldn't have done this without you and your support, so thank you and join us in celebrating this important moment.

Here is a copy of the Press Release taken from the website of the organisation for quick reference in the public interest and in the interest of those imperiled species that are under legal protection under one of the world’s strongest Act.

For Immediate Release, September 9, 2011

Contact: Noah Greenwald, (503) 484-7495

Court Approves Historic Agreement to Speed Endangered Species Act Protection for 757 Imperiled Species Walrus, Wolverine, Albatross, Fisher, Mexican Gray Wolf, Sage Grouse,
Golden Trout Among Those Fast-tracked for Protection.

TUCSON, Ariz. — A federal judge today approved a landmark legal agreement between the Center for Biological Diversity and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requiring the agency to make initial or final decisions on whether to add hundreds of imperiled plants and animals to the federal endangered species list by 2018. The court also approved an agreement with another conservation group that it had previously blocked based on legal opposition from the Center.

“The court’s approval today will allow this historic agreement to move forward, speeding protection for as many as 757 of America’s most imperiled species,” said Noah Greenwald, endangered species director at the Center. “The historic agreement gives species like the Pacific walrus, American wolverine and California golden trout a shot at survival.”

The Center wrote scientific listing petitions and/or filed lawsuits to protect the 757 species as part of its decade-long campaign to safeguard 1,000 of America’s most imperiled, least protected species. Spanning every taxonomic group, the species protected by the agreement include 26 birds, 31 mammals, 67 fish, 22 reptiles, 33 amphibians, 197 plants and 381 invertebrates.

“With approval of the agreement, species from across the nation will be protected,” said Greenwald. “Habitat destruction, climate change, invasive species and other factors are pushing species toward extinction in all 50 states, and this agreement will help turn the tide.”

Individual species included in the agreement include the walrus, wolverine, Mexican gray wolf, New England cottontail rabbit, three species of sage grouse, scarlet Hawaiian honeycreeper (‘i‘iwi), California golden trout and Rio Grande cutthroat trout — as well as 403 southeastern river-dependent species, 42 Great Basin spring snails and 32 Pacific Northwest mollusks.

The agreement, formalized today with the judge’s approval, was signed by the Center and the Fish and Wildlife Service on July 12. Already dozens of species have been proposed for listing, including the Miami blue butterfly, one of the rarest butterflies in the United States.

While the agreement encompasses nearly all the species on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s official list of “candidates” for Endangered Species Act protection, two-thirds of the species in the agreement (499) are not on the list. This corresponds with the conclusion of numerous scientists and scientific societies that the extinction crisis is vastly greater than existing federal priority systems and budgets.

“The Endangered Species Act specifically allows scientists, conservationists and others to submit petitions to protect species,” said Greenwald. “These petitions play a critical role in identifying species in need and help the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with the ever-expanding task of protecting species threatened with extinction.”

The species in the agreement occur in all 50 states and several Pacific island territories. The top three states in the agreement are Alabama, Georgia and Florida, with 149, 121 and 115 species respectively. Hawaii has 70, Nevada 54, California 51, Washington 36, Arizona 31, Oregon 24, Texas 22 and New Mexico 18.

An interactive map and a full list of the 757 species broken down by state, taxonomy, name and schedule of protection are available on the Website of the Center of the Biological Diversity www.Biological Diversity.org.

Highlighted species are below.

Species Highlights

American wolverine: A bear-like carnivore, the American wolverine is the largest member of the weasel family. It lives in mountainous areas of the West, where it depends on late-spring snowpacks for denning. The primary threats to its existence are shrinking snowpacks related to global warming, excessive trapping and harassment by snowmobiles.

The Center for Biological Diversity and allies petitioned to list the wolverine as an endangered species in 1994. It was placed on the candidate list in 2010. Under the agreement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will propose it for protection (or determine it does not qualify) in 2013 and finalize the decision in 2014 if warranted.

Pacific walrus: A large, ice-loving, tusk-bearing pinniped, the Pacific walrus plays a major role in the culture and religion of many northern peoples. Like the polar bear, it is threatened by the rapid and accelerating loss of Arctic sea ice and oil drilling.

The Center for Biological Diversity petitioned to list it as an endangered species in 2007. It was placed on the candidate list in 2011. Under the agreement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will propose it for protection (or determine it does not qualify) in 2017 and finalize the decision in 2018 if warranted.

Mexican gray wolf: Exterminated from, then reintroduced to the Southwest, the Mexican gray wolf lives in remote forests and mountains along the Arizona-New Mexico border. It is threatened by legal and illegal killing, which has hampered the federal recovery program, keeping the species down to 50 wild animals.

The Center for Biological Diversity and allies petitioned to list it as an endangered species separate from other wolves in 2009. It is not on the candidate list. Under the agreement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will propose it for protection (or determine it does not qualify) in 2012 and finalize the decision in 2013 if warranted.

Black-footed albatross: A large, dark-plumed seabird that lives in northwestern Hawaii, the black-footed albatross is threatened by longline swordfish fisheries, which kill it as bycatch.

The Center for Biological Diversity and allies petitioned to list this albatross as an endangered species in 2004. It is not on the candidate list.Under the agreement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will propose it for protection, determine it does not qualify, or find that it is warranted but precluded for protection in 2011.

Rio Grande cutthroat trout: Characterized by deep crimson slashes on its throat — hence the name “cutthroat” — the Rio Grande cutthroat is New Mexico’s state fish. It formerly occurred throughout high-elevation streams in the Rio Grande Basin of New Mexico and southern Colorado. Logging, road building, grazing, pollution and exotic species have pushed it to the brink of extinction.

The Center for Biological Diversity petitioned to list it as an endangered species in 1998. It was placed on the candidate list in 2008. Under the agreement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will propose it for protection (or determine it does not qualify) in 2014 and finalize the decision in 2015 if warranted.

403 Southeast aquatic species: The southeastern United States contains the richest aquatic biodiversity in the nation, harboring 62 percent of the country’s fish species (493 species), 91 percent of its mussels (269 species) and 48 percent of its dragonflies and damselflies (241 species). Unfortunately the wholesale destruction, diversion, pollution and development of the Southeast’s rivers have made the region America’s aquatic extinction capital.

In 2010, the Center for Biological Diversity completed a 1,145-page, peer-reviewed petition to list 403 Southeast aquatic species as endangered, including the Florida sand hill crane, McGillivray’s seaside sparrow, Alabama map turtle, Oklahoma salamander, West Virginia spring salamander, Tennessee cave salamander, Black Warrior waterdog, Cape Sable orchid, clam-shell orchid, Florida bog frog, Lower Florida Keys striped mud turtle, eastern black rail and streamside salamander.

Only 18 of southeast aquatic species are on the candidate list. Under the agreement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will issue initial listing decisions on all 403 plants and animals in 2011.
Pacific fisher: A cat-like relative of minks and otters, the fisher is the only animal that regularly preys on porcupines. It lives in old-growth forests in California, Oregon and Washington, where it is threatened by logging.

The Center for Biological Diversity petitioned to list the fisher as an endangered species in 2000. It was placed on the candidate list in 2004.Under the agreement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will propose it for protection (or determine it does not qualify) in 2014 and finalize the decision in 2015 if warranted.

Cactus ferruginous pygmy owl: A tiny desert raptor, active in the daytime, the cactus ferruginous pygmy owl lives in southern Arizona and northern Mexico. It is threatened by urban sprawl and nearly extirpated from Arizona.

The Center for Biological Diversity petitioned to list it as an endangered species in 1992. It was protected in 1997, then delisted on technical grounds in 2006. The Center repetitioned to protect it in 2007. It is not on the candidate list. Under the agreement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will propose it for protection (or determine it does not qualify) in 2011 and finalize the decision in 2012 if warranted.

42 Great Basin springsnails: Living in isolated springs of the Great Basin and Mojave deserts, springsnails play important ecological roles cycling nutrients, filtering water and providing food to other animals. Many are threatened by a Southern Nevada Water Authority plan to pump remote, desert groundwater to Las Vegas.

In 2009, the Center for Biological Diversity petitioned to list 42 springsnails as endangered species, including the duckwater pyrg, Big Warm Spring pyrg and Moapa pebblesnail. None are on the candidate list. Under the agreement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will issue initial listing decisions on all 42 species in 2011.

Scarlet Hawaiian honeycreeper (‘I‘iwi): This bright-red bird hovers like a hummingbird and has long been featured in the folklore and songs of native Hawaiians. It is threatened by climate change, which is causing mosquitoes that carry introduced diseases — including avian pox and malaria — to move into the honeycreeper’s higher-elevations refuges. It has been eliminated from low elevations on all islands by these diseases.

The Center for Biological Diversity petitioned to list it as an endangered species in 2010. It is not on the candidate list. Under the agreement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will propose it for protection (or determine it does not qualify) in 2016 and finalize the decision in 2017 if warranted.

Ashy storm petrel: A small, soot-colored seabird that lives off coastal waters from California to Baja, Mexico, the ashy storm petrel looks like it’s walking on the ocean surface when it feeds. It is threatened by warming oceans, sea-level rise and ocean acidification.

The Center for Biological Diversity petitioned to list it as an endangered species in 2007. It is not on the candidate list. Under the agreement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will propose it for protection (or determine it does not qualify) in 2013 and finalize the decision in 2014 if warranted.

Greater and Mono Basin sage grouse: Sage grouse are showy, ground-dwelling birds that perform elaborate mating dances, with males puffing up giant air sacks on their chests. The Mono Basin sage grouse lives in Nevada and California. The greater sage grouse lives throughout much of the Interior West. Both are threatened by oil and gas drilling, livestock grazing, development and off-road vehicles.

The Center for Biological Diversity and allies petitioned to list the Mono Basin sage grouse as an endangered species in 2005. It was placed on the candidate list in 2010. Under the agreement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will propose it for protection (or determine it does not qualify) in 2013 and finalize the decision in 2014 if warranted.

The greater sage grouse was petitioned for listing in 2002 and placed on the candidate list in 2010. Under the agreement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will propose it for protection (or determine it does not qualify) in 2015 and finalize the decision in 2016 if warranted.

Miami blue butterfly: An ethereal beauty native to South Florida and possibly the most endangered insect in the United States, the Miami blue was thought extinct after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 but rediscovered in 1999. It is threatened by habitat loss and pesticide spraying.

It was petitioned for listing as an endangered species in 2000 and placed on the candidate list in 2005. The Center for Biological Diversity petitioned to list it on an emergency basis in 2011. Under the agreement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was required to propose it for protection (or determine it does not qualify) in 2012 and finalize the decision in 2013 if warranted. In August, the agency protected the butterfly on an emergency basis.

Oregon spotted frog : The Oregon spotted frog lives in wetlands from southernmost British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to northernmost California. It is threatened by habitat destruction and exotic species.

Key Words: Center for Biological Diversity, Federal Law, threatened, endangered, agreement

http://www.biologicaldiversity.org

China hosts International Conference for Social Equity and Justice

2011-09-09T20:25:00.000+05:30

With the increasing awareness about the conditions of environment and development, concepts of peace, equity and harmony are being thought to be essential. These can be achieved through proper conservation of resources and equal distribution of benefits among masses.

Through the long process of economic development it is experienced that only the powerful and strong people exploited most of the environmental resources even at the cost of migration of poor people already using these resources.

In the modern model of economic development, maximum stress is being put on natural resources and on the poor and inefficient. This condition has caused many disputes and agitations from time to time. In fact, the model of economic development should be based on the principles of peace, harmony and equity. Such type of development is called as sustainable development. Thus sustainable development incorporates both the social development (based on peace and equity) and economic development.

A conference of Asian Political Parties was inaugurated in Nanning (China) on September 4, 2011. It was an International Conference on the Theme Focus on Economic and Social Development.

Zhen Yongkang, a member of the Central Committee of the Political Bureau of Communist Party of China reportedly told in his keynote address that striking a balance between economic and social development and ensuring that the fruits of development went to all the people was essential for sustainable development. In his opinion economic reforms must take into account the stability of society. In case stability of society is not taken into account during steps of economic reforms, the development achieved is feared to be lost.. In the conference delegates from the governments and political parties across Asia took part.

Mr. Zhou Yongkang noted that Asia occupied an important position in the global political and economic landscape. Hence, it was essential for the region to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor and to establish social equity and justice.

The chairman of the organising committee and Minister of the International Development of the CPCCC (Communist Party of China Central Committee) Wang Jiarui read the speech Xi Jinping, Vice President of China. The speech said that sharing the fruits of development was “not only the common aspiration of the people of Asian Countries, but also a historical responsibility of Asian Political Parties”. The speech stressed that “development must be for the people and by the people and its fruits shared among the people.

The Hindu (Kolkata) in its issue of September 5, 2011 reports – Asian, had become a life Jacket of the global economy, growing at 7 to 10 per cent for sustained periods. Asia can and should, lead the world, but to do so it must inspire. It would have to form partnership with Brazil, South Africa, and also the U.S., and the European Union.

It is reported that the conference was also attended by Ban Ki Moon, the Secretary General of United Nations who said investing in people and social protection programmes were the mainstay of national development. The International Development of the CPCCC had also invited the journalists from different parts of Asia.

Key Words: conference, China, Communist Party, CPCCC, Asian Countries, Ban Ki Moon, Brazil, United Nations, International Development

Phylanthus virgatus

2011-08-08T22:31:00.001+05:30

Phylanthus virgatus in the wild : A rare occurrence in Jharkhand

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Medicinal/EthnoherbologicalApplications of Pansit-pansitan or the Peperomia pellucida

2011-07-29T10:36:00.007+05:30

Peperomia pellucida in a wild habitat

Pansit-pansitan (family: Piperaceae) is an herbal medicine also known as Ulasiman-bato, olasiman-ihalas & tangon-tangon in the Philippines. English name: peperomia.Peperomia pellucida is an annual herb. It is shallow rooted and may reach 40 cm high. It has succulent and angular stems. Leaves are alternate, heart-shaped and turgid, as transparent and smooth as candle wax.Inflorescense is spike with tiny dot like flowers scattered along solitary stalik.Fruits are naked; they mature gradually from the base to the tip and turn brown when ripe. Propagation of the plant is brought about by seeds. Numerous tiny seeds drop off when mature and grow easily in clumps and groups in damp areas. They don’t have any dispersal mechanism and this is the reason behind their rare occurrence. One can see these plants growing in every rainy season again and again on the same place.

Peperomia grows on damp and often loose soil. It is found growing along the wet margins of drains, and in nooks in the gardens and yards. It is seen growing most often in the rocky parts of canals.

Nutritional value

Leaves and stems of the plant are commonly used by human beings who use it for salads, vegetables, and for medicinal purposes. Taken as a salad, Pansit-pansitan helps relive rheumatic pains and gout. An infusion or decoction (boil 1 cup of leaves/stem in 2 cups of water) can also be made and taken orally- 1 cup in the morning and another cup in the evening.

Medicinal/EthnoherbologicalApplications
Infusion and decoction of leaves and stems are used for gout and arthritis. It is used externally, as a facial rinse for complexion problems. Pounded whole plant used as warm poultice for boils, pustules and pimples. Peperomia pellucida belongs to the “preferred list” of Philippine medicinal plants, being studied for its use in the treatment of arthritis and gout. For arthritis: Leaves and stems of the fresh plant may be eaten as salad. Or, as an infusion, put a 20-cm plant in 2 glasses of boiling water; and 1/2 cup of this infusion is taken morning and evening.

Peperomia pellucida has been reported to be used traditionally as an Anti-hyperuricemic Agent ie. it can be administered for lowering uric acid level in blood. Besides this, its applications have been reported for the treatment for abscess and boils, arthritis, edema, headache, kidney troubles, migraine, neuralgia, and rheumatism.
For the herbal treatment of skin disorders like abscesses, pimples and boils, pound the leaves and/or the stalks and make a poultice (boil in water for a minute or two then pounded) then applied directly to the afflicted area. Likewise a decoction can be used as a rinse to treat skin disorders. For headaches, heat a couple of leaves in hot water, bruise the surface and apply on the forehead. The decoction of leaves and stalks is also good for abdominal pains and kidney problems. Like any herbal medicine it is not advisable to take any other medication in combination with any herbs. Consult with a medical practitioner knowledgeable in herbal medicine before any treatment.

Key Words: Pansit-pansitan, Piperaceae, Ulasiman-bato, annual herb, Ethnoherbological,anti-hyperuricemic Agent More Reading...

A National Environmental Appraisal and Monitoring Authority is to be set up ...

2011-07-28T00:07:00.000+05:30

A National Environmental Appraisal and Monitoring Authority to revamp the process of granting Environmental Clearance, is to be set up in India shortly.

The Environmental Appraisal Authority would help protect the ecology without supporting the system of license permit prevailing so far. This opinion was expressed by Dr. Manmohan Singh while he was speaking in an International Seminar on “Global Environmental and Disaster Management: Law and Society”.

Mr. Singh reportedly added that the authority after its formation could lead to a complete change in the process of granting environmental clearances. This authority will be equipped with dedicated staff and will work on full time basis to evolve better and more objective standards of scrutiny report news papers.

Speaking in the conference Dr. Singh added that the current technological developments would play important roles in addressing environmental concerns of the time. As per reports Mr. Singh said, “The task ahead is to design a system of intellectual property rights which provide adequate incentives to invest in the development of new environment friendly technologies and, at the same time, ensuring that these technologies become available to poor countries at affordable costs.

Mr. H.S. Kapadia, the Chief Justice of India who has also been reported to address the conference, called for a regulatory mechanism for appraisal and pricing of minerals. As per his suggestions – besides a monitoring mechanism in charge of appraisal of mining projects, there should also be a proper pricing mechanism. The mining sector is facing a big problem to pricing of exportable minerals. The excavated minerals should have a price- discovery mechanism. Chief Justice was of the opinion that it was due to differences between the royalty paid to the government and the amount they realize abroad, that illegal mining was continued under the nose in many states of the country.

Key Words : Appraisal, mining authority, Dr. Manmohan Singh, India, minerals, royalty

Government Plans to set up vulcher-care units at Muta

2011-07-26T22:43:00.002+05:30

With only 260 vulchers left in the Jharkhand state of India, the State’s Forest (Wildlife) Department is serious towards their healthcare and Protection.

In view of protecting vulchers of the state the State Department of Forest (Wildlife Division) is planning to set up a vulture care unit at Muta near Muta Crocodile Breeding Centre, about 23 Km from Ranchi Town.

The Vulcher Healthcare Unit which is to be set up in view of saving vulchers in the state from extinction is aimed to provide safe spaces for their health examination on regular basis. This unit is to be the part of the ‘Vulcher Breeding Project” which is a Central Project to come up at Muta in association with the Central Zoo Authority with the aim of increasing the number of species in Jharkhand. The project is to be started with an initial input of Rupees 40 lakh.

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The falling number of vulchers in Jharkhand has been a matter of concern for experts who are regularly studying all possible causes of their reducing population, Setting up of Vulcher Healthcare Units at Muta would encourage them reaching to some conclusion and devising latest method of their population. Under the project, two quarantine units are to be set up at some distance from the Healthcare Units.

As per the planning, the first quarantine unit is to be set up on an area of 10/10 feet at the bank of the Bhera rivulet located at a distance of 4-5 Km from the Vulcher Breeding Centre. The second quarantine unit is to be set up at an area of 40/10 feet. It has been planned to import baby birds from other areas. These birds are to be tested against carrying any contagious disease. When these birds would be found fit, these would be released from the second quarantine.

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As per the strategy, the baby birds are to be reared at the first quarantine where as the sub-adult birds are to be kept and reared at the second.

The main aviary is being constructed at an area of 100x400feet. The roof of the aviary is to be covered with a huge net. The adult birds are to be kept in this area. Near the breeding centre a small hospital is to be set up. The overall project is to be taken care of and monitored by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and the Central Zoo Authority of India. These centres will be responsible for directing the State Department for the conservation of birds and implementation of norms what ever is decided from time to time.

The Crocodile Breeding Centre at Muta is situated at a distance of 23 km from Ranchi on Ranchi Ramgarh Road near Ormanjhi. It covers an area of 0.02 sq km. It was commissioned in 1987 under the IUCN programme for conservation of endangered species. Crocodile breeding was started here with 5 Crocodiles, 3from Madras Crocodile Band and 2 from Bhera River. Marsh crocodile was first spotted in Bhera River in late 1960s, which flows nearby. There are around 50 crocodiles. A small forest rest house maintained by the Forest Department and a Rest-shed cater provided here to the need of visitors.

Key Words: Muta, quarantine, healthcare, aviary, vulcher,

Picture credit: 1. World Press, 2 and 3 Stephen Daly

Changes in the composition of free amino acids during the decay of Cynodon dactylon Pers.

2011-07-22T15:20:00.009+05:30

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More about Cynodon dactylon