Category Archives: Nature

Uni-, multi-, it’s your choice honey

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

HoneyBF25mar2013

An interested visitor at the Honey Festival in Bangalore on Saturday. /  Photo: V. Sreenivasa  Murthy / The Hindu

If you are looking for the rare unifloral honey, head to Lalbagh Botanical Gardens where the two-day Honey Festival is under way. Unifloral honey in lychee, cajanus, clover, acacia and ajwain are among those that are on display, along with multilforal honey that is commonly available in the market.

Unifloral honey, sourced from different parts of the country and processed here, has a distinct flavour that the multifloral honey lacks. Though expensive (some cost double that of normal honey which costs between Rs. 200 and Rs. 250 a kg), these uniflorals are in demand.

Drawing interest

Not only is the festival one of its kind in the city, it will provide you with a glimpse of honey production and processing. The body suit, face mask, hive tools, box stand and migration kit have been displayed to help the public understand all aspects of apiculture.

Also on offer is a combo of honey with bun, fruits, ice-cream, dry fruits, gulkand and tea. “We have tried out various combinations of honey that is tasty and healthy. Those who have tasted them are giving us good feedback,” said J.D. Shivakumar of Prakruthi, which is planning to open an outlet in Kalyan Nagar here to promote the combo brand.

The festival, at M.H. Marigowda Memorial Hall in Lalbagh, has attracted a number of honey producers, processors, traders, co-operative societies, research institutes and universities. Apart from the direct sales of honey and honey-based products, the festival also has an interactive workshop on promotion of apiculture in the State.

Principal Secretary, Department of Horticulture, M.K. Shankarlinge Gowda, said though there is an annual demand for 8,000 tonnes of honey, the State is able to produce just about 4,000 tonnes. “Karnataka has the potential to produce 10,000 tonnes of honey annually and apiculture needs to be promoted among farmers,” he added.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Staff Reporter / Bangalore, March 24th, 2013

‘Grow mushrooms and enjoy protein-rich food

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

Mushroom seed packets to be produced for the first time in city

Mysore, Mar. 11

MushroomBF16mar2013Mushroom seed packets are being prepared in Mysore for the first time in the State, said Dr. M.S. Raju, Senior Assistant Director of the Horticulture Department, State Zone.

He was delivering the presidential address at the day-long training programme on mushroom cultivation held under the aegis of Laboratory Development Scheme of the Horticulture Department at Kukkarahalli lake here recently.

“A total of 15,000 packets weighing 250 grams and costing Rs. 10 each will be distributed among unemployed youth, women and farmers,” he said and added that the protein-rich mushrooms have great demand within the country and in foreign markets, fetching good revenue for the farmers.

“A week-long training in mushroom cultivation will be provided in Mysore city itself,” he said and added that along with the Watermelon Mela and Mango Mela, Mushroom Mela too will be held in the next month.

“Nutrition can be increased by consuming mushroom as a regular diet. Apart from being protein-rich, it helps in curing anemia, reduces body fat and controls diabetes,” said Dr. Raju.

Prof. Janardhan of the Department of Botany, Mysore University, speaking on the occasion, said that mushroom can be easily cultivated as a commercial crop using moist paddy straw. Mushrooms are the fruit-bearing parts of fungus whose extracts are used for manufacturing anti-biotic drugs, tonics, etc.

“In the future days of climate change and scarcity of agricultural land, growing food crops using less land and less manure with less effort is a challenge,” he said and urged farmers to take up mushroom cultivation.

Information Dept. Asst. Director G. Chandrakantha launched the training programme.

Asst. Horticulture Officer Narayan welcomed, Assistant Horticulture Officer (Technical) Pooja and others were present.

More than 100 participants of the training programme were given a demonstration of mushroom cultivation.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Home> General News / March 11th, 2013

Green signal for spiritual university evokes sharp criticism

Education, Nature, Science & Technology

HarshaBF13mar2013

Harsha Kriya Foundation brochure. /  Photo: K. Murali Kumar / The Hindu

It is a blatant attempt to saffronise higher education’

From a tiny room on the first floor of a small building in a quiet area of Basaveshwaranagar, the Harsha Kriya Foundation runs its affairs. The Foundation has recently got the green signal for setting up the Amrutha Sinchana Spiritual University, the first of its kind in Karnataka.

Speaking to The Hindu in an office filled with such arcane objects as gems, shells, floating stones, and photographs of spiritual healers at work, Harish M., trustee of the Foundation and the university, said: “The university will offer degrees and diplomas in courses such as human energy field, feng shui, rudraksha, numerology, gems and crystals. Academic courses are likely to start from 2014-15. We want to offer specialised courses to promote Indian traditions.”

Mr. Harish’s printed bio-data states he is a “healer, counsellor and trainer,” who has “counselled and healed more than 1.5 lakh cases, ranging from cardiovascular and endocrinal disorder to medically rejected cases.”

The Amrutha Sinchana Spiritual University Bill was one of the 17 passed recently by the Assembly to set up private universities in the State.

The Governor has signed eight of these bills into law. This clears the decks for the universities to start functioning as soon as they set up their infrastructure.

The Amrutha Sinchana Spiritual University Act, 2012, states that the university will impart “value-added education, life and life-skills, [and] minimise [the] suffering of fellow human beings to promote and popularise drugless energy.”

Alongside, it has the mandate of “advancement of the spiritual in the form of adyathma or spiritualshakti given by ancient yogis established in the healing process through systematic instruction, teaching, training, healing process.[sic]”

Its 40-acre campus will be located at Ghati Subramanya in Doddaballapur on the outskirts of Bangalore.

The university has drawn criticism from educationists, student bodies, scientists and political parties alike. “The basic criteria for forming a university have not been met,” said Ananth Naik, State president of the Students’ Federation of India. In a memorandum to the Governor, the SFI called the Act a “blatant attempt to saffronise higher education.”

Academic and writer G.K. Govinda Rao said academics should oppose this “most unscientific varsity.” “We can’t sleep over this, we must oppose it. The State appears to have forgotten its responsibilities.”

Sabyasachi Chatterjee, professor at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, pointed to the constitutional provisions such an Act violated. “Article 51A (h) of the Constitution has highlighted the need to develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform. Instead, here the State is promoting irrationality.”

Prabhu Nott, a professor of the Indian Institute of Science, said that while he was not opposed to research in spirituality, he was “uncomfortable” as “this government holds a record of promoting Hindu religion over other religions.”

Minister defends Act

But Minister for Higher Education C.T. Ravi defended the Act. “Research can be conducted to revive ancient Indian traditional methods,” he said.

Asked whether this fulfilled the stated objective for opening private universities, namely, the increase of Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education, he said that while universities were focussing on job-oriented courses, there was a huge need for in-depth research into traditional methods too.

source:  http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Tanu Kulkarni / Bangalore, March 11th, 2013

This 73-year-old man is a green warrior

Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Nature

Mallikarjun Shetty , a 73-year-old retired superintendent  engineer , is known as Anna Hazare  of Belgaum for his activism in protecting the environment. He was instrumental in getting the construction of Suvarna Vidhana Soudha shifted from Vaccine Depot to the present location at Halaga Bastwad.

Shetty, who worked with Maharashtra Electricity Supply Board, threatened to go on a hunger strike if Suvarna Vidhana Soudha was constructed at Vaccine Depot. The 200-acre land is full of trees and houses lot of animals and birds. He wrote many letters to the chief minister urging that Vaccine Depot be protected and came down heavily on the government for the proposed indoor stadium at the spot. He has also planted thousands of trees in Belgaum and also in Maharashtra. Shetty also creates awareness among people, especially the student community, about the importance of ecological balance. He has distributed nearly 200 eco-friendly bags to students and public. He is also credited with introducing door-to-door garbage collection in his area, which was the first in Belgaum city. The system was later followed across the city.

He also creates awareness on the judicious use of water and rainwater harvesting.

Every morning, armed with a broom, Shetty sweeps his locality and bus stand in Hanumanagar. Incidentally, Shetty joined hands with a philanthropist and helped construct the bus stand in Hanumanagar in 2003.

Sunil Basavaraj Nimbal, a businessperson, who was inspired by Shetty’s work, says: “He is a role model. Even at this age, he is very active. Inspired by his concern for the environment, I started using the bicycle instead of my bike or car.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Hubli / by R. Uday Kumar, TNN / February 24th, 2013

Bamboo markets proposed at Sankeshwar, Shimoga

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

‘Intention is to provide market linkage for bamboo growers’

As part of an initiative to promote bamboo cultivation and create a marketing network for bamboo, it has been proposed to set up bamboo markets at Sankeshwar and Shimoga in Karnataka.

Speaking to presspersons on the sidelines of the Bamboo Mela here on Tuesday, Chief Conservator of Forests of National Forestry Action Programme (NFAP) and Liaison Officer for Karnataka for National Bamboo Mission A.C. Keshavamurthy said that the proposals were aimed at providing market linkage for bamboo growers.

Mr. Keshavmurthy said that the structure of the bamboo markets was being worked out. “We are contemplating whether to have an APMC yard type set-up for the bamboo market. We will plan and send a proposal to the bamboo mission for approval and release of funds,” he said.

Market at Kushalnagar?

To a query, Mr. Keshavmurthy said that initially, a bamboo market was to be set up at Bangalore, but the idea was dropped in view of huge transportation costs.

“However, we are considering setting up a bamboo market at Kushalnagar in Kodagu.

“It is still in the planning stage,” he said.

He said that market linkage and other programmes related to bamboo cultivation would be easier if growers came forward with declarations regarding cultivation of bamboo.

It would also become easy for the Forest Department to extend facilities and subsidies to them.

Subsidy given

He said that, at present, a subsidy of Rs. 8,000 an acre was being given to growers if they took up micro-irrigation to cultivate bamboo. Even bamboo saplings were being supplied at subsidised rates to SC/ST farmers as well as marginal farmers.

Mr. Keshavmurthy said that there was a need to extend subsidies to all farmers cultivating bamboo. The bamboo mission was yet to take a decision on it.

He said that though the bamboo mission had written letters to the State government and all deputy commissioners on creating awareness about schemes for the promotion of bamboo cultivation, officials at the district- and taluk-level seemed indifferent.

He said unless the officials were interested and created awareness, it would be difficult to motivate farmers.

  • ‘We will send a proposal to bamboo mission for approval, funding’
  • ‘There is a need to extend subsidies to all farmers cultivating bamboo’
  • _________________________________________________________________________
  • source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> National> Karnataka / by Staff Correspondent / Hubli, February 20th, 2013

    • State gets honey from far off places to meet demand

    Business & Economy, Nature

    Bangalore:

    Changing food habits has transformed the market for honey over the last few years. The industry has grown over five times in this period, challenging honey packers to strengthen their backward linkage to ensure product availability in the market.

    So much so that honey packers in Karnataka have been sourcing honey from far off States such as Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand since production in Kodagu and Shimoga districts, the traditional honey producing regions, is insufficient to meet the growing demand. From about 500 tonnes of honey sold in 2005 in Karnataka, the market in 2012-2013 has reached about 3,000 tonnes, regional honey packers’ estimate.

    “Honey, which was earlier used in very small quantities for medicinal purposes or in rituals, has now become a part of the monthly grocery list of many homes,” J.D. Shivashankar, Chief Executive Officer of Prakruthi, told The Hindu . “The steep rise is due to the realisation of health benefits by a large number of consumers and also due availability in stores that has increased volume sales,” he added. This increase has put pressure on the packers sourcing for good quality honey.

    Packers here source sunflower honey from Bijapur, and Latur in Maharashtra, Dhaniya and Ajwain honey from Madhya Pradesh, Jamun honey from Rajasthan, Mustard and Eucalyptus from Punjab, Mustard honey from Haryana, Karanj and Lichi from Bihar and Jharkhand and also forest honey from Sunderbans in West Bengal, all depending on seasons.

    While most of the packers offer multi-floral honey, a combination of honey; a few provide uni-floral honey depending on the season.

    “The demand increased substantially since honey was being promoted as a health product. Today, it is not about sourcing honey, but how well it is processed and packaged to maintain quality,” said Chaya Nanjappa of Nectar Fresh, a Karnataka Village and Industries Board backed unit. One of the biggest processers and packagers of honey, Mysore-based Nectar Fresh is an ISO 22,000 certified company that offers both multi-floral and uni-floral honey.

    “We collect different kinds of honey from our mobile units, depending on the season in the north and ensure quality product is received,” she said. There is a huge growth in the bulk supplies to hospitality, pharma and Ayurveda industries, she added.

    source:  http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> National> Karnataka / by Sharath S. Srivatsa / February 15th, 2013

    Shimoga to see a spurt in floriculture

    Business & Economy, Nature

    Farmers to get subsidy for setting up polyhouses, shade-nets under RKVY scheme

    The inclusion of Shimoga district under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikasa Yojana (RKVY) is expected to give a boost to floriculture here.

    Under RKVY, subsidy will be extended to farmers who opt for protected cultivation methods such as construction of polyhouse and installation of shade-nets in their farms. The farmers can avail subsidy of Rs. 4.1 lakh for constructing polyhouse measuring 1,000 square metres and an amount of Rs. 16.40 lakh for constructing polyhouse measuring 4,000 square metres. Similarly, a subsidy of Rs. 1.15 lakh can be availed for installing shade-net measuring 500 square metres and Rs. 9.45 lakh for shade-net measuring 4,000 square metres.

    Deputy Director of Horticulture M. Vishwanath told The Hindu that RKVY had been implemented in 11 districts in the State, including Shimoga. An amount of Rs 1.08 crore had been sanctioned for the district under the scheme in 2012-13 to extend subsidy to farmers.

    He said that as the climate in Malnad region was conducive for floriculture and the returns from it were also lucrative, farmers had showed interest in it. He said that 28 farmers were growing flowers and vegetables in the district in polyhouses at present.

    Old scheme

    So far, the farmers in the district used to avail subsidy under the National Horticulture Mission (NHM) to set up polyhouses. Under , Rs. 4.67 lakh is paid as subsidy to set up polyhouse measuring 1,000 square metres, and Rs. 9.34 lakh is paid as subsidy to setup polyhouse measuring 2,000 square metres.

    However, availing loan from the bank was mandatory to claim the subsidy under this scheme. It was difficult for farmers who had already taken bank loans to avail this scheme. Such farmers can now avail subsidy under RKVY as borrowing loan from banks is not mandatory in this scheme.

    Under NHM, the maximum size of the polyhouse to avail the subsidy is 2,000 square metres while under RKVY, subsidy is offered to set up polyhouse measuring up to 4,000 square metres. Mr. Vishwanath said that those who have set up polyhouse under NHM can go for expansion by availing further subsidy under RKVY.

    He said owing to the introduction of RKVY in the district, there would be a rapid expansion of the area under floriculture. The NHM will also be available, under which those interested to set up polyhouse measuring up to 2,000 square metre and those who are eligible for bank loan can avail the subsidy, he said.

  • Rs 1.08 crore allocated under Rashtriya Krishi Vikasa Yojana for Shimoga district
  • Many farmers of the region have shown interest in taking up floriculture

    • source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> National> Karnataka / by Veerandra P.M. / Shimoga, February 14th, 2013

    AMMA Award for Jallejade Madamma

    Leaders, Nature, Records, All, Science & Technology

    Caption: Naati Vaidye of BR Hills Jallejade Madamma honoured by Geetharaja Foundation in city recently.

    Mysore, Feb.3 :

    Popular native medicine practitioner (Naati Vaidye) of Biligirirangana Hills Jallejade Madamma was honoured with Amma award by Geetharaja Foundation at an event organised to mark its 10th anniversary at Nadabrahma Sangeetha Sabha on JLB Road here on Wednesday.

    Speaking on the occasion, KEA Chairman E. Maruthi Rao Pawar pointed out that Amma or mother occupied the greatest position on the earth who could be equated to God. He added that nation and earth were symbolically referred to as mother but regretted that the youth today were aping the west ignoring the nation’s culture.

    Prizes were distributed to students who had won various contests. Corporator R. Lingappa, Dist. Kannada Sahitya Parishat President M. Chandrashekar, photographer Pragathi Gopalakrishna and others were present.

    source: http://www.StarofMysore.com /Home> General News / February 03rd, 2013

    Mysore to host its first organic fair next week

    Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

    Mysore :

    This weekend,  organic farmers  and consumers of the Mysore region will converge at Curzon Park , adjoining Mysore Palace , in large numbers.

    After its success in Bangalore, the department of horticulture is organizing a two-day Organic fair  in Mysore from February 9-10.

    Such an Organic fair is being organized for the first time in Mysore, with a view to encourage organic farmers.

    The fair aims to provide a platform to producers to exhibit their unique produces and sell them directly to the consumers, to facilitate farmer groups to establish linkages with other organic market functionaries including retail outlets processors and wholesale dealers and also help consumers.

    Different types of organically grown vegetables and fruits like Nanjangud Rasabale, grapes, sapota, guava, papaya and yellaki banana, will be exhibited at the two-day event.

    Apart from this, variety of rice like Gandhasale, jeerige sanna, rajmudi, redrice and jaya rice and millets like Ragi navane, sajje, arka, same and jowar will be available in the fair besides processed organic food items like jams, jellies, chutneys, juices, cold pressed oil and cosmetics.

    Horticulture additional director K Ramakrishnappa on Sunday told reporters we are on a mission to promote organic farming in Karnataka as food safety is considered as an important issue in developing national. People are increasingly concerned over food quality these because of intensive agricultural practices and pollution.

    As organic farming aims at production of quality and safe agricultural products by following eco-friendly farming system and restores soil health, we are aiming to encourage farmers in the region. We will promote our activities under banner Jaivik Krishik society, which is a consortium of 121 organic farmers and 30 organic farming groups.

    As per our study, a farmer willing to shift from convention farming system to organic farming have to wait for atleast two years for better yield. Though the yield is less compared to other methods, the produce will be rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber besides retaining nutrient levels for longer days unlike conventional produce grown by using chemicals, the additional director claimed.

    The two-day fair will be inaugurated on February 9 at 10.30am and will be open to the public between 10.30am and 6pm. Nearly 20,000 people are expected at the fair along with a sale of over 50 tonnes of organic products.

    Horticulture deputy director H M Nagaraj said that an organic food court will be opened at the venue to popularize organic produces and products.

    source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Mysore / by Lawrence Milton, TNN / February 03rd, 2013

    Flower and fruit show in Shimoga evokes good response

    Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nature, Science & Technology

    Exotic flowers cultivated by farmers of Malnad are on display

    Hybrid vegetables and fruits of unusual size were the major attractions at the flower and fruit show in Shimoga on Sunday.— Photo: VAIDYA / The Hindu

    The three-day flower and fruit show being held under the aegis of Department of Horticulture at Mahatma Gandhi Park has evoked good response. The exhibition will conclude on Monday.

    The cultivation of decorative flowers such as gerbera, gladiolus, gypsophila, oriental lily has become popular in Malnad in recent times. The climate in Malnad region is conducive for floriculture. The exotic varieties of flower cultivated by farmers of Malnad region were displayed at the event. The replica of stag, peacock, human heart, elephant made from the flowers, crocodile designed from bitter gourd, the images of Swami Vivekananda, and Ganesh carved out of water melon fruit were appreciated by visitors. The bonsais cultivated by Chandrakala S.V. and Shobha Ravikumar were on display at the event.

    With the objective to create awareness among people on breeding ornamental fish, the Department of Fisheries had setup a stall. The charts on benefits of adopting system of rice intensification (SRI) method of cultivation of paddy that is best-suited for regions where the availability of water is less were on display at the stall of the Department of Agriculture. The diverse varieties of banana, areca cultivated in Malnad region, the minor forest produce such as chinnikai , amatekai , jaikai , andsoapnut were put on display.

    Krishna, an artiste from Nandi Hills, has showcased the artefacts he had designed from the roots of trees and plants. Sanjith V., a student of Mahaveer Vidyalaya, said the flower replica of peacock was impressive. Khalander Baig, an employee of a business process outsourcing firm, told The Hindu that the exhibition was both an entertaining and an enlightening experience. The model on rainwater harvesting made from flowers, the implements related to drip irrigation, and the charts on SRI method of paddy cultivation displayed at the stall of Department of Agriculture will help the visitors understand the significance of conserving water, he said.

    source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> National> Karnataka / by Staff Correspondent / Shimoga, January 28th, 2013