Category Archives: Green Initiatives / Environment

This farmer waters his plants by a phone call to the pump

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Science & Technology

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Last year, when 56-year-old Ronald Mark D’Souza decided to set up a pineapple farm in Shirva about 18 kilometres from Udupi, the biggest challenge before him was the water supply  – a farming essential that suffered because of electricity fluctuation, as well as labour .

D’Souza, though, was determined to find a solution to the problem. After reading up a lot on the GSM-based irrigation system, he decided that that was what suited his farm the best. Speaking to Bangalore Mirror, he said, “I have implemented a very simple mechanism. One need not be in the farm while waiting for the supply of electricity in order to switch on the pump. We have in place a system that provides the farmer the flexibility to regulate and control the operations of their irrigation systems. The GSM sim-based control system has a registered sim inserted in it. The system can control the pump set operations (on and off) from a mobile number with which it has been tuned. The user just needs to make a call to start the pump. It has been programmed to receive commands from only one mobile number. It also sends an SMS whenever there is an interruption in the power supply. I just need to recharge it with an SMS pack.”

D’Souza has developed a pineapple farm called Ronjus garden. “Even when I am not in station, I can control the sprinklers in our farm,” he said. After working in Abu Dhabi for 10 years, he returned to India to work as a financial consultant. In about 3.5 acres of land that he owns, he has grown about 40,000 pineapple plants. He plans to develop a papaya farm as well as a full-fledged organic vegetable farm. His wife Jacintha, a beautician, assists him in the farming. “My dream is to develop a model organic garden. In the west, the support for farming is excellent. Labour is one of the biggest problems haunting the farming community,” he added.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City News> Bangalore / Bangalore Mirror Bureau / October 10th, 2016

Government to conserve Malnad Gidda cow

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Science & Technology

Project will be implemented at livestock breeding and training centre at Koila, says Manju

The government has taken up a project to conserve and promote the Malnad Gidda cow breed, according to A. Manju, Minister for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services.

Addressing a gathering at a function organised to lay the foundation stone for a veterinary college at Koila, he said that the project would be implemented at the livestock breeding and training centres at Koila in Dakshina Kannada and at Koodige in Kodgadu district.

“The government has sanctioned Rs. 5 crore for the project,” he said adding that 50 cows had been selected now for breeding.

Maland Gidda is an indigenous breed of cow whose numbers are on the decline.

The veterinary college at Koila would be opened in 2018. The Minister said that the State’s milk production had touched 75 lakh litres a day now. He said that the government would recruit 650 veterinary doctors within a month.

Mr. Manju said that the government had constituted Karnataka Sheep Federation with 260 cooperative societies attached to it.

U.T. Khader, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, urged the Minister to open a dairy unit of Dakshina Kannada Cooperative Milk Union Ltd. at Koila.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Mangaluru / Special Correspondent / Koila (Puttur Taluk) / October 10th, 2016

Film on Bannerghatta National Park released

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Travel

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A 20-minute short film titled ‘Bannerghatta Breathing for Bengaluru,’ throws light on man-animal conflict, the rich biodiversity of the forest patch spread across 270 square kilometres and challenges due to increasing urbanisation around the forest.

It shows the wildlife and biodiversity of the fragmented forest patch in full valour.

The lone wild tiger roaming in Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) has also been captured in the film.

It also covers the problems which the department has been facing because of shrinking land due increasing denotification and mining. The movie also dwells on the history on how the forest patch was notified, how the zoo was carved out of it and how land was added to the patch to strengthen elephant corridors.

The film has been commissioned by Sunil Panwar, Deputy Conservator of Forest, BNP and has been filmed by conservationists and film makers duo Ashok Hallur and Padma Ashok of Ideas for Change. The film was released on Friday by Governor Vajubhai Vala.

Butterfly Walk
The Karnataka Forest Department will organise a Butterfly Walk in Hennur Park on Sunday, October 9, for Bengalureans. The park spread across 34 acres has over 34 species of butterflies. During the walk, people will be shown different species, the host plants, the larvae and the nectar plants. Apart from Forest department officials, experts are also being roped in to create more awareness among people.

The Forest department has created three artificial ponds in the park and improved the biodiversity to increase the number of species to the park. The open storm water drain passing through the park, has little impact on the butterflies. This park along with parks in Jarakabandekaval and Doreswamypalya. The green environs of Doraisanipalya Jallary Reserve Forest off Bannerghatta Road is home varied species of butterfly.

BBP open on Vijayadashami
The Bannerghatta Biological Park will remain open on October 11, on the occasion of Vijayadashami. Tuesday is normally a holiday. The management this time has decided to keep it open, said an press release.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> City / Bosky Khanna / Bengaluru – DHNS, October 08th, 2016

Mysuru is N0. 1 ‘ Open Defection-Free City ’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Resources of Free Materials, Travel

Mysuru :

Adding to its Clean City fame, Mysuru has bagged the Number 1 position as the ‘Open Defecation-Free City’. It has been recognised as the first city with a million-plus population to achieve this distinction.

For two years in a row, Mysuru has topped the list of the cleanest cities in the country. It was named the cleanest in the country by a nationwide survey Swachh Survekshan 2016, which was carried out under the Swachh Bharat Mission that was launched on October 2, 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

It may be mentioned here that about a couple of months back, representatives from the Quality Council of India visited Mysuru for an inspection and had submitted a report to the Union Urban Development Ministry that the city qualifies the parameters of an open defecation-free city.

The report also mentioned about the city’s cleanliness, waste disposal and drainage systems.

The MCC will be presented with the award by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sept. 30 in New Delhi which will be received by Mayor B.L. Bhyrappa, Deputy Mayor Vanitha Prasanna and MCC Commissioner G. Jagadeesha, according to MCC Health Officer Dr. Ramachandra.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / September 24th, 2016

Bengaluru researchers discover rat-like mammal species in Sikkim Himalayas

Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Nature, Records, All, Science & Technology

Bengaluru :

When PhD student Nishma Dahal  embarked on her first trip to east Sikkim, little did she know it would lead to a stunning discovery in the eastern Himalayas . The efforts of Nishma and other researchers from National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) have led to the identification of a new species of pika, a mammal which resembles a tailless rat.

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The new species, Ochotona sikimaria, is an important part of the ecosystem and is vulnerable to climate change. Members of the rabbit family, pikas have been in the news in North America for their sensitivity to increasing temperature, which has caused several populations to go extinct. Pikas live on high altitudes in mountianeous regions, which makes them more susceptible to habitat loss due to the increasing global temperature.

The discovery was a great challenge for Nishma as most pika species closely resemble one another. She started her work by collecting pika pellets to extract the DNA and identify the species.

Though the pellets are puny, Nishma was successful in amplifying the mammal’s DNA from them. When Nishma compared these DNA sequences to those of other pika species in the world, she found them to be quite different. But this was only the beginning of her mission.

To prove it was indeed a new species, Nishma had to compare the Sikkim pika to its close relatives, which are found in China. It took Nishma and Uma Ramakrishnan, whose laboratory at NCBS led the study, two years to build collaborations with researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zoological Museum of Moscow and Stanford University  to get detailed data on the sister species.

The NCBS research reveals while Ochotona sikimaria appears similar to the Moupin pika (found in China), they are quite distinct from a genetic and ecological perspective. So far, the new species seems to be limited to Sikkim. The NCBS team searched for the Sikkim pika in other Himalayan regions, including  Arunachal Pradesh, central Nepal (Annapurna and Langtang), Ladakh and Spiti but to no avail.
All is not well for this tiny mammal, says Nishma. “Unlike other mammalian species inhabiting such harsh environments, Pikas do not hibernate. They prepare for winter by collecting and storing hay piles. We must investigate their vulnerability to increasing global temperatures, and to do so we must better understand their ecology and population dynamics. Such information is lacking in the case of Asian Pikas,” she said.
“The opportunity to work on Himalayan biodiversity has been amazing, and I have learned how little we know about our own species. Pikas are ecosystem engineers, and we must understand more about them to protect them,” said Uma. The study has been published in the journal Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City News> Bangalore / TNN / September 27th, 2016

Healing farm goes by ancient knowledge

Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature
Cretan Labyrinth
Cretan Labyrinth

Moodbidri :

Imagine gorging on mulberries, durian and rambutans for lunch sitting amid trees and in the company of peacocks. Or sipping the juice of homegrown pineapples in the thick shade of giant Burmese bamboos. It may sound like the exotic tourist locales immortalised by Harry Belafonte’s foot-tapping numbers. But you need not go as far as the Caribbean for such a tropical paradise. Closer home in Moodbidri is a 200-acre farm owned by Dr Livingston C Soans.

Explore the farmhouse and you’ll find not just a variety of flora but also some esoteric patterns and pyramid-like structures. These are tools for healing techniques popularised by Dr Soans, 82, a much-feted botanist, water diviner and ancient healing expert.

These healing techniques or energy zones have been inspired by ancient civilizations like the Mayan, Sumerian, Aztec, Egyptian and even Indian. Some of the ancient structures like the Egyptian pyramid, native American energy wheel or Cretan Labyrinth are replicated here for energy rejuvenation.

Dr Soans, who began researching ancient healing techniques a few decades ago, says this is part of alternative drugless therapy. He has constructed two labyrinths — one based on a design in a French cathedral and the other based on one used by Greeks on the island of Crete.

“Modern options are highly commercial or difficult to follow in totality, but the ancient healing devices like the Medicine Wheel, Pyramid and Cretan Labyrinth and its French version offer healing techniques from within,” he says. Elaborating on how animals pick up special spots on the ground to curl up or how ancient temples are built in specified places where energies can be identified by the dowsing techniques, he says, “These devices help medicines hasten the healing process.”

The Moodbidri facility gives people access to these tools at a price, he says, adding that the Cretan Labyrinth has been set up in hospitals in the US and Europe.

The  Cretan Labyrinth, something like a Mandala, is a circular layout of intricate pathways, that roughly take up a kilometre to reach the centre of the labyrinth, all of which is laid on 150 sq ft. “In Europe I found that patients, after regular treatment in hospitals, were advised to use the Cretan Labyrinth for better healing process,” he says.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by M Raghuram / September 25th, 2016

CSIR-CFTRI enters into MOU with Karnataka State Mango Development Corporation

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Science & Technology
Prof. Ram Rajasekharan (right), Director, CSIR-CFTRI and Kadrigowda, MD, KSMD&MCL, seen exchanging the MoU.
Prof. Ram Rajasekharan (right), Director, CSIR-CFTRI and Kadrigowda, MD, KSMD&MCL, seen exchanging the MoU.

Mysuru :

CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation Ltd. (KSMD&MCL) under Department of Horticulture, Government of Karnataka recently for establishing a Mango Development Centre (MDC) at ChintamaniTaluk, Kolar.

As per the agreement, CFTRI will function as a technical consultant for creating infrastructure for post-harvest handling of mangoes. The plant with unit operations such as washing, sorting, pre-cooling, cold storage, pulp extraction and processing will be commissioned by CFTRI under the agreement.

The Institute has developed number of technologies on mangoes which include, Technology protocols for shelf-life extension that enable export of mango var. Alphonso by ship, Fortified mango bar, osmo-air dried mango slices, Ready-To-Serve fruit beverages, fruit syrups and squashes, pickles & chutneys, Jam and jellies. A few of these technologies will be transferred to MDC.

MDC personnel will be trained on processing and quality analysis of products. In turn, the MDC will also impart training to farmers and entrepreneurs.

It may be noted that CSIR-CFTRI has been working with various State government departments for catalysing the growth in the nascent sector such as Nutraceuticals with Karnataka Biotechnology & Information Technology Services (KBITS), skill development in association with Karnataka Council for Technological upgradation (KCTU), Department of Industries and Commerce, ensuring nutritious meal to Hostelmates with Department of Social Justice and providing nutritional supplements to Anganwadis with Department of Women and Child Development.

The MoU documents were exchanged between Prof. Ram Rajasekharan, Director, CFTRI and Kadrigowda, Managing Director, KSMD& MCL, at a simple function held at CFTRI.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / August 12th, 2016

Raichur boy’s idea of tree transplantation wins award

Education, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Nature, Records, All

Udupi:

A boy from Raichur was declared young scientist of the district for 2015-16 by the Karnataka Rajya Vijnana Parishat. Pampana Gowda, 17, bagged the title for his idea of a machine for shifting trees and also devising fuel-saving technology.

Pampana studies at the SVST High School, Kidiyoor, and represented Udupi district in the contest. Pamoana said people are aware of damage to the environment while cutting a tree for development. They also want to protect trees, but they don’t have the means to shift them.

“This inspired me to come up with a model of a tree-shifting machine,” Pampana said. The teenager is sure his model will be an asset to protect the environment. “The project needs a crane and a blade. Depending on the size of the tree, a suitable blade will be used. The machine will lift not only the tree roots but also the mud surrounding the tree. The project cost will be around Rs 2 lakh,” he said.

He also devised fuel-saving technology using two metal cylinders, one filled with petrol and the other with water. It’s a better option than a gas cylinder and environmentally-friendly too. “I’m working on an improved model. I want to be an engineer,” he added.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Mangalore / August 06th, 2016

DRDO finds way to keep meat fresh sans fridge for one week

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Science & Technology

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A Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratory has a pleasant surprise for meat-eaters and the meat industry to reduce storage costs. It has developed a simple technology to extend the shelf-life of mutton to up to a week without cold storage facilities.

Normally, mutton after being cut remains fresh for only six hours without refrigeration, and up to two days with refrigeration. According to meat stall owners and cold storage managers at supermarkets, after that period unsold meat is wasted.

But scientists from the animal products division at the Mysuru-based Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL) of DRDO have developed a special extract from pomegranate peels that can be injected or applied to the meat and kept out without bothering about the meat rotting due to harmful bacterial action. And it can remain fresh for a week without affecting the meat’s natural taste or flavour.

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HIGHLIGHTS

  • A Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratory has developed a simple technology to extend the shelf-life of mutton to up to a week without cold storage facilities.
  • DFRL addressed the problem by identifying and applying a natural edible preservative – the pomegranate peel extract – and carried out sustained experiments
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DFRL scientists said while the research was mainly focussed on mutton, the beneficial effects of the pomegranate peel extract could similarly protect chicken meat and pork too.

At present no technology is available for the preservation of fresh mutton without any chemical preservatives that can improve the shelf life beyond 20 hours, claimed DFRL scientists.

DFRL addressed the problem by identifying and applying a natural edible preservative – the pomegranate peel extract – and carried out sustained experiments. They discovered that it significantly enhanced the shelf life of fresh mutton to seven days at ambient conditions.

PE Patki, head, food preservation, DFRL, informed Bangalore Mirror that pomegranate peels are powerful antioxidants (substances that inhibit oxidation that supports bacterial action and are used to counteract the deterioration of stored food products) with antimicrobial properties.

This prevented bacterial action on the meat even when kept out at room temperature.

Generally, meat kept out of cold storage for long periods are attacked by one or few of a whole range of harmful bacteria – Escherichia coli, salmonella, campylobacter jenuni, Clostri-dium botulinum, Clostridium perfringens, to name a few. Ingesting meat affected by these bacteria can cause severe symptoms like abdominal cramps, headache, fever, diarrhoea (sometimes with blood), and even death (if untreated).

Patki said to prevent these bacteria the meat industry generally used artificial chemicals-based additives for preservation. “These are toxic and not consumer-friendly, which necessitated finding plant extracts to raise the shelf life of meat at room temperature,” he said.

Primarily, the research aimed at finding a way to use natural preservatives to extend the shelf life of meat supplied to Indian Army jawans posted at the forward posts. “It takes a long time for the meat supply to reach them from the base camps; which is why we conducted this research and came out with this new technique, which we found was the best suited to extend the shelf life of mutton,” he said.

Senior DFRL scientists said the technology was ready to be transferred to the industry so the common people could avail of it.

The DFRL’s pomegranate peel extract is awaiting technology transfer and has been listed with the DRDO-Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Initiative on Accelerated Technology Assessment & Commercialisation, of which the centre’s Technology Develop-ment Board is a part.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bangalore / by Nirad Mudur / Bangalore Mirror Bureau / July 25th, 2016

Revival of Bhutanal tank to be completed by October

Green Initiatives / Environment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Nature, Records, All
Dredging of Bhutanal tank under way near Vijayapura.—Photo: Rajendra Singh Hajeri
Dredging of Bhutanal tank under way near Vijayapura.—Photo: Rajendra Singh Hajeri

The century-old Bhutanal tank here is all set to get revived by October as the work to fill the tank is nearing completion.

Lorries and earthmovers have been engaged in dredging the tank and a pipeline is being laid to draw water from the Krishna. “The dredging work is expected to be completed by August 15 and the pipeline laying work by October. The tank, constructed in 1911, is being revived for the first time,” Rajendra Rudagi, Assistant Engineer, who is monitoring the project, said.

He told presspersons during a visit here on Friday that of the 3.94 lakh cubic metres of silt, 2.75 lakh cubic metres had been removed. Mr. Rudagi said that the tank was spread over 322 acres while the catchment area covered around 87 km. He said that the tank had four rivulets from which water flew to it during the monsoon. “One rivulet comes from Torvi village, two from Ittangihal village and one from Kardendoddi village,” Mr. Rudagi said. The official said that as these water sources were closed for decades, the rivulets were being cleaned for easy flow of water to the tank. Mr. Rudagi said that filling the tank would not only help supply drinking water to the city but also recharge the ground water in the catchment areas.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Staff Correspondent / Vijayapura – July 16th, 2016