Category Archives: Nature

Lalbagh gets ready for annual Republic Day flower show

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

Floral Eiffel Tower highlight of 11-day show beginning January 18

The annual Republic Day flower show, organised by the Department of Horticulture and Mysore Horticultural Society, will open to the public on January 18 and will go on till January 28. Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar is expected to inaugurate the show.

The main attraction at this year’s show will be a 35-foot high floral replica of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Meant as a floral tribute to Gustave Eiffel, who erected the Eiffel Tower in 1889, the replica will be decorated with more than 2.5 lakh roses and more than 10,000 orchids. It will occupy pride of place at the Glass House. The flower show comprises exhibition of potted plants and cut flowers, Thai art, Jannur, Ikebana, Indian Floral Art, Bonsai and vegetable carving.

Competing teams

The gardening competition will witness teams from the Raj Bhavan, various ministers’ official residences, public sector undertakings, the Indian Institute of Management and gardens on defence properties competing with private sector entities such as Leela Palace, Taj West End, Infosys and Wipro. The organisers have so far received 772 competition entries.

Noted botanical firms such as Florens Flora, Fruit Land and Eden Lora (Bonsai Collections) are also participating.

The dates

While the main show will be inaugurated on January 18, the Ikebana, Indian Floral Art, vegetable carving and Bonsai exhibition will be inaugurated on January 19. Winners of various competitions will be felicitated by Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath on January 24. The same day has been specially earmarked for school students who have free entry to the exhibition.

Entry fee is Rs.40 for adults and Rs.10 for children.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Bangalore / by Staff Reporter / January 16th, 2013

Orange Mela in Lalbagh from today

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

Oranges on display at the 3-day Inter-State Orange Mela in Lalbagh | Nagaraja Gadekal P / Express

A wide range of oranges, kinnows, grapes and many other fruits are up for grabs.

The Horticulture Department, in association with National Horticulture Board,  is organising a three-day Inter-State Orange Mela at Lalbagh Botanical Garden from Friday.

Addressing reporters, S V Hittalmani, additional director, Department of Horticulture (Fruits), said the objective of organising the mela was to create a platform for marketing, through direct participation by farmers.

“Farmers from Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, North-eastern states, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu will participate in the mela. This event will also provide them (farmers) an opportunity to learn from one anothers’ performance and experience,” he added.

“Prices of fruits will range between Rs 45 and Rs 65 per kg. People should look at the quality of produce than comparing prices. Rare varieties of saffron and spices grown in Kashmir will also be sold at the mela,” he said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / Home> Cities> Bangalore / by Express News Service – Bangalore / January 04th, 2013

Orange fair at Lalbagh gardens

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

The Lalbagh Botanical Gardens will host an Orange Mela from January 4 to 6.
The exhibition is being organied to provide a platform for farmers producing oranges to directly interact with their potential buyers.

While farmers will have a better profit for their yield, the orange produced will be cheaply available to the customers, M Jagadeesh, Joint Director of Horticulture (Parks and Gardens), said.

About 20 tonnes of oranges from different parts of the country such as Rajasthan, Maharastra, Punjab, North East, Nagpur, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and several districts of Karnataka, including Kodagu, Chikmaglur, Hassan will be exhibited at the Mela.

The event will be hosted by the National Horticulture Board, along with the State department.

The regional variety of oranges vary in their production technique, climate, type of irrigation and so on, Dr S V Hittalmani, Additional Director of Horticulture (Fruits) said.

For example, Coorg mandarins are grown like an intercrop in Kodagu. The irrigation is not regular and as a result they are tight-jacketed (peel), whereas the Nagpur oranges, due to proper irrigation have loose jackets,” he added.

Apart from oranges, the exhibition will also have 40 stalls of processed and dehydrated orange products, saffron, capsicum, exotic vegetables, spices and dry fruits, grapes, raisins, flowers, biofertilizers and vegetation tools. The exhibition will not carry any additional fee for the visitor.

Karnataka, with over 5,000 hectares of production area, has a huge potential from such exposition and ultimately the farmers will benefits from such wider network, Jagadeesh said.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> City / Bangalore, DHNS / January 04th, 2013

Colle Farmers Market Says UAS Organic Technology is “A Step Forward”

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

On January 1, Colle Farmers Market, an online farmers market community, continues to bring awareness of the organic movement as it spreads at a global rate. Colle recognizes the developing technologies of University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) an India based organization that is developing organic production technologies for major crops.

According to The Times of India, “To encourage farmers to switch over to organic farming, Institute of Organic Farming of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad (UAS) has developed organic production technologies for major crops.” The UAS organic technology program focuses on “studying productivity, profitability, suitability, quality and input use efficiency in different crops and cropping system under organic production in comparison with conventional and integrated systems under rain-fed conditions,” reports The Times of India.

The article states that the prof. HB Babalad, Institute of Organic Farming, commented on the UAS making a “significant contribution by standardizing organic farming practices in important crops of north Karnataka region.”

The Times of India further reports that “The organic agriculture captures and store more water than soils under conventional cultivation Production in organic agriculture systems is thus less prone to extreme weather conditions, such as drought, flooding, and water logging.”

Colle Farmers Market believes that the UAS organic technology program is a step forward for a global [organic farmers market. Organic technology is improving and the more institutions that invest in this technology, the more populated our farm lands will become with organic products. Organic farming has become more than a passing phase adds Colle Farmers Market representatives. The farming communities deserve the best in organic technology and this can happen one step at a time.

source: http://www.FoodWorldNews.com  / Home / January 02nd, 2013

Scripting success story through dairy farming

Business & Economy, Nature, Science & Technology

Many educated feel that agriculture is meant only for illiterate people. However, here are two brothers who have scripted success story in dairy farming through sheer hard work and dedication.

Deserting the life in Bangalore city, the two brothers  stepped into an unknown field and has achieved success.

Venkata Narasimha and his brother Keshavamurthy in Hanumanahalli have become model for other farmers in the State.

Venkatanarasimha was working as a mechanical engineer in a private firm in Bangalore. However, now he is completely at ease feeding cattle in a cowshed.

Their father late Sooryanarayana Rao used to visit the family deity at Yagati 40 years ago. After the death of Rao, the family shifted to Bangalore. Over the years, they purchased 10 acre land in Yagati.

The family sold their house and land in Mysore and Bangalore and settled down in Hanumanahalli.

At a time when Kadur was reeling under drought situation and farmers were engaged in selling their cattle, Venkata Narasimha purchased H F breed cattle from Doddaballapura and ventured into dairy farming.

“I purchased five cows by paying Rs 40,000 each. On the guidance of Veterinary doctor Dr Kotresh, I purchased 20 more cows.”

“To ensure that there was no shortage of fodder, we started growing fodder in our estate. We were purchasing fodder when we fell short of it,” they said.

Using cow dung and organic wastes available from the estate, we have started preparing compost and has been selling 25 tonne compost once in six months and two tonne vermi compost once in three months.  At present, there are 45 cows in their cow shed. They supply 440 litres milk to Yagati Milk Procuring Centre and has been fetching Rs 1.5 lakh profit per year.

The family members with the help of two labourers clean the cow shed. “If we respond to our needs, then we will not face shortage of labourers.”
The brothers attributes their success to the support they received from their family, particularly wife and children.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District> DH News Service / Kadur, December 10th, 2012

Natl. meet on Ayurveda & Herbal drug technology at Teresian

Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Nature, Science & Technology

Mysore, Nov. 19-

Teresian College, Siddarthanagar, in commemoration of its Golden Jubilee celebrations this year, has organised a two-day National Conference on “Emerging Trends in Ayurveda and Herbal Drug Technology” under the aegis of its UG Department of Chemistry and UG & PG Departments of Biotechnology in collaboration with the Government Ayurveda Medical College on Nov. 22 and 23 at its Golden Jubilee auditorium.

Around 400 delegates from all over India are expected to attend the conference being jointly sponsored by the Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi and NHRM, Department of AYUSH.

The conference will be inaugurated by Dr. G.N. Sreekantaiah, Director, Department of AYUSH. Dr. Bhushan Patwardhan, former Vice-Chancellor, Symbiosis International University, Pune, will deliver the key note address and Prof. K.S. Rangappa, Vice-Chancellor of KSOU, will preside.

Researchers may share their research findings in the form of oral and poster presentations during the conference. Students will get an exposure to the ongoing research work.

For details, contact the Organising Secretary on email: etahdt2012@gmail.com or Mob: 99169-01194, 94480-66382.

Ayurveda and Herbal Drug Technology

The sciences of life — ancient and contemporary — are not at crossroads. Instead they are the sparkling spokes of a golden wheel — a wheel of revolution that has the potential to enable inexpensive, accessible, safe preventive and curative health care for all globally.

The Human Genome Project, longevity genes, personalised medicine, life style disorders, nanotechnology in medical care, new animal models or its alternatives in research, stem cell research, environmental hazards caused due to man-made or natural calamities, tissue culture, genetically modified food, nutraceuticals, fetus scans, etc., are just some of the innumerable buzz words from modern biology rich with technical and technological innovations on one hand. On the other hand, we have forgotten what ancient knowledge has in store.

Ayurveda and Vedic sciences have been and continue to be overshadowed by such contemporary fashions. Ayurveda’s ‘spaimage’ of oil massages or that of herbs and concoctions arrived at by trial and error and advised differently to each person continues this day to be thought of as quackery. But today, from many parts of the world revolutionary thinkers and visionary leaders are starting to recognise the wisdom within as the basis of functional medicine and medicine for the future.

It seems like this ancient Indian system of medicine which has stood the test of time is gradually being given due attention that it deserves. Can Ayurveda regain its rightful place as the parent of personalised medicine, as a system of medicine which has stood the test of time and one that can guide the future of modern functional medicine?

Biotechnology stands for life techniques so also Ayurveda — it encompasses all life sciences albeit in codified Sanskrit language which needs to be decoded with the aid of present life sciences so it becomes imperative to merge them into a beautiful blend to maintain their identity, integrity yet endorse mutually.

Scientists of allied life sciences think they aid ancient medical sciences by creating the much needed evidence while Ayurveda proponents claim that other life sciences benefit by the rich source of knowledge which is being exploited and unacknowledged often. Here is an effort to crumple egoistic walls and bridge gaps to build bridges for mutual benefit.

Here are a few examples of how all promote each other and ultimately each living being reaps rich dividend. The new and vivid concept of ‘Reverse pharmacology’ integrates documented clinical and experimental hits into leads that are further developed into drug formulations. The approach boasts the brilliant combination of traditional medicine and the latest technology to provide better and safer leads. Globally, this approach has now evoked an immense pursuit in Ayurveda and Indian pharmacology.

— Dr. Vinay B. Raghavendra (Asst. Professor, Teresian College), Dr. R.A. Vasantha (Associate Prof-essor) and Dr. Shanthala Priyadarshini (Professor, Govt. Ayurveda Medical College).

source: http://www.Starof Mysore.com / General News /  November 19th, 2012

From here & there

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Nature, Science & Technology

Mandya & the Canadian link

Canadian-born Lesli C Coleman, regarded as one of the ‘makers of modern Mandya’, worked in Mandya district of princely Mysore province from 1908 for more than 40 years. Coleman is said to have worked tirelessly, helping farmers get better yields from their crops through pest control and better farming techniques.

Coleman is known to have designed several innovative agricultural implements many of which are found to have been used by farmers even today.

But that’s not all. Lesli Coleman has mainly been remembered by the people of Mandya for his initiative and efforts in setting up the sugar factory (with a 600-tonne cane crushing capacity) which was started in Mandya in 1933. A major milestone for the region.

In Chikmagalur district

He also worked in Chikmagalur district, where a research centre named Coffee Experimental Station (present-day Central Coffee Research Institute) was founded under his guidance, in 1925.

Coleman, who was basically an agricultural scientist, carried out extensive research in the field of agricultural science.

His major contributions have been research and teaching of entomology of agricultural pests and plant pathology.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> Supplements> Spectrum / by S V Upendra Charya / October 30th, 2012

Curtains come down on Flower Show

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

Caption: Landscape In-charge of BEML Keerthinarayan and his team of gardeners receiving the overall trophy from Shashikala Nagaraj, Director of District Horticulture Society, at the valedictory of Dasara Flower Show in city on Thursday. Dean of Horticulture College Dr. Venkatesh and Dy. Director of Horticulture M.N. Nagaraj are also seen.

Mysore, Oct. 27

The 10-day flower show organised by the Dept. of Horticulture as part of Dasara festivities at Curzon Park adjacent to Kote Anjeneya Swamy Temple came to a close on Thursday.

The valedictory function was marked by distribution of prizes to winners of flower arrangement competitions in various categories. BEML won the first prize in 24 categories and bagged the attractive ‘Moodagooru Subbanna, Puttaveeramma Overall Rolling Shield.’

Prizes and certificates were also issued to institutions and individuals including industries, educational institutions, lodging houses, private houses, hotels, government, semi-government and private persons who won prizes in various competitions in which as many as 573 participants took part.

Sarada Vilas Educational Society and SDM Institute for Management Development bagged the award for gardening while Co-operative Horticulture Director, Ooty and Mysore, secured the award for arranging flower plants.

Dixit bagged most of the awards in various competitions held for children as K.Rathna, a resident of T.K.Layout, got the award for arranging pots while J.G. Basavaraju and H.N. Vasanth of Ramakrishna Nagar bagged the award for maintenance of big and small private gardens respectively.

Best Industrial Award was given to Hindustan Petroleum Corporation as Shyamala Prasanna won the award for maintenance of Best Private Garden.

Mahadev, gardener of BEML, said women can grow vegetables in pots and these organic vegetables would be sufficient for a household for three months.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Home> General News / October 27th, 2012

First tiger park declared ESZ in Karnataka

Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Travel

The decision of the Union Government to declare Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Bandipur National Park in Karnataka as eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) gives impetus to the efforts of conservation and also to help protect the tiger habitat in the wild.

Bandipur Park is located between where the Deccan Plateau meets the Western Ghats and the altitude of the park ranges from 680 meters (2,230 ft) to 1,454 meters (4,770 ft) and is one of the very sensitive eco zones in the country with highest tiger population.

This is the first tiger reserve which has been declared as ESZ in the country. The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests in its notification dated October 4, 2012, has declared it as ESZ.

As per the SC order, the delineation of the ESZ was mandated under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. As per the provision an initial draft ESZ plan was drawn through thorough analysis of wildlife corridors, ecologically important areas, and needs of people. Further, extensive public consultations were held with MLAs, MLCs of the area, village communities, and local body members before drawing up the final ESZ plan.

This assumes importance since Bandipur is in a very crucial part of the tiger conservation landscape connecting other wildlife habitats such as the Nagarahole and Mudumalai Tiger Reserves and Waynaad Wildlife Sanctuary. These continuous areas host the highest density of tigers, their prey species and Asian elephants in the world.

source: http://www.dailypioneer.com / Home> Bangalore / Sunday, October 14th, 2012

Austrian Co’s community service in N’GUD

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Nature, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Caption: AT&S Austria’s Chairman of Supervisory Board Honnes Androsch (extreme right) is seen with Mysore Unit’s Executive Secretary Roopa Rao and Managing Director Ric Rawlley.

Mysore, Oct. 7

An Austria-based company called AT&S India, having an electronic micro-chip industry in Nanjangud, has been providing community services in the areas of health and education for villages in the surroundings for the past several years.

AT&S Mysore Unit Managing Director Ric Rawlley, addressing a press meet in city yesterday, said that AT&S India has been providing regular medical services to the residents of Korehundi village located just behind the plant, in association with JSS Medical Institution.

“Physicians visit this village – which has a population of approximately 800 people — every week to attend to the patients and provide free consultation and medicines. AT&S India has constructed a medical examination centre and also a room for small children who attend the Anganwadi (special educational / health system for poor children),” said Rawlley.

AT&S has set up a new high capacity pump installed at Srikanteswara Water Works in Nanjangud, providing 100 liters of drinking water to Sujathapuram School everyday.

“The industry has been providing scholarships for employees’ children each year, along with free medical facility to nearby village people. Regular free medical checkup and distribution of medicine to Handuvinahalli villagers is being done,” he said.

Other community service works done by the industry are: Sponsoring three eye camps per year in association with Rotary Club of Nanjangud, distribution of uniforms, school bags and drinking water to Korehundi primary school and Anganawadi children, monetary rewards for toppers, computer literacy, sponsoring vocational training to villagers, etc.

AT&S unit is situated close to river Kabini. The company has a captive power generating station to meet operational requirements. The total land area is 42 acres, which is sufficient to take care of all future expansions. The present built up area is 39,300 sq mtrs.

AT&S Austria’s Chairman of Supervisory Board Honne

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Home> General News / October 07th, 2012