Category Archives: Nature

IFS officer awarded for being alligators’ saviour

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

Lucknow :

Lucknow-based Indian Forest Service officer, Sujoy Banerjee, has been conferred green warrior award by the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) for his efforts to save alligator population in the National Chambal Sanctuary and working towards the protection of wildlife.

The award was given to Banerjee in New Delhi on Monday. The award is an extension of work done by RBS through RBS Foundation India in the field of environment and wildlife conservation.

Conferring the award, RBS said it “recognizes the commendable work done in conservation of wildlife, natural resource management, environment protection, human lives and property” by Banerjee while serving as deputy conservator of forests at the National Chambal Wildlife Division.

Speaking to TOI, Banerjee said conservation of wildlife is a regular process that can’t be completed in toto. “Caring for wildlife is a sustained effort and natural habitats are at serious risks these days. Illegal activity in protected areas, lack of awareness among the villagers residing nearby the area along with degrading environmental conditions are some of the serious pointers that we need to protect and preserve wildlife,” he said. Banerjee added that illegal mining and fishing in the protected areas are the two main causes of concern for wildlife conservationists.

On the award, Brijesh Mehra, country executive India at RBS, said, “The dedication of the numerous nominees and winners of the Earth Heroes Awards is truly inspiring. They are actually making a difference to our vital environs. We believe that collective efforts of government, organisations and local communities can place a higher emphasis on environmental protection and spread awareness.”

Commending the help offered by his team at the vast wildlife habitat, Banerjee said only a few people work round the clock in shifts to protect and preserve the natural habitat of the near-extinct flora and fauna. “Alligators or their meat, skin and other parts are not directly used for any purpose. They are killed because they come in conflict with humans who try to illegally smuggle sands from the protected area. Also, many alligators get caught in the fishing nets and the illegal fishermen kill them without any motive,” he said.

During 2012-13, 55 nests of the alligator species were protected by the team of 41 conservationists which resulted in more than alligators being added to the wild. They also protected 74 nests of the critically endangered Red Crowned Roof Turtle.

Banerjee is currently posted in Noida and is working on a tree height measuring instrument ‘Sujoy’s altimeter’ which is under commercial production. Also, he is working on a new method of mitigating human-elephant conflict called the “chilly cracker technique”, which is currently under field trial.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Jayanta Deka, TNN / November 03rd, 2014

30,000 farmers attend Kisan Mela

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

The three-day Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Mela conducted by Chandra Shekhar Azad Agriculture University concluded on Friday. More than 30,000 farmers from different villages participated in the fair and gained knowledge about latest agricultural techniques.

During the closing ceremony, textile minister Shiv Kumar Beria said that organic fertilizers, seeds and other technologically advanced farming equipment should be provided at low cost to farmers for better yield. “India is an agricultural country. It is must that farmers are provided necessary equipment at a low cost. Farmers should also look towards animal husbandry,” Beria said. Kalyanpur MLA Satish Nigam was also present.

The highlight of the event was ‘Krishak Conference’ that gave a platform to farmers to discuss their farm and crop related problems with agricultural scientists and got useful tips. During the conference, the farmers also shared their beneficial experiences with others. A quiz session for farmers was also organised and the winners got prizes. As many as 92 stalls were set up that included 20 stalls by different departments of the university.

CSA vice-chancellor Munna Singh highlighted the achievements of the university in terms of education and research work. He asked farmers to adopt crop diversification and integrated farming system.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Kanpur / TNN / November 01st, 2014

G.B. Pant University honors U.S. Chief Agricultural Negotiator Ambassador Islam A. Siddiqui

Agriculture, Education, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

The G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology in Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, today honored its former student, United States Chief Agricultural Negotiator Ambassador Islam A. Siddiqui, with an honorary degree of Doctor of Science. The degree was conferred upon Ambassador Siddiqui in recognition of his contributions to agricultural research and development, as well as agricultural trade policy development and his work’s influence on world agriculture.

“I feel humbled and honored at the same time to be receiving this honorary degree of Doctor of Science. Thousands of agricultural scientists, engineers, and veterinarians graduating from Pantnagar and sister universities provided the foot soldiers to make the Green Revolution a reality. This massive technology transfer of modern agricultural practices – combining education, research, and extension — turned India from a net food importing country to a food exporting nation. As a student of the first batch of this great institution when it opened its doors 51 years ago, I had not imagined in my wildest dreams that one day I would receive this prestigious award.”

Ambassador Siddiqui was born in Haldwani, Uttar Pradesh and attended G.B. Pant University before taking a scholarship at the University of Illinois in the United States. Throughout his career, he has advocated for international cooperation, technology transfer, capacity building, and new technology development to achieve food security in the 21st century.

source: http://www.newdelhi.usembassy.gov / Embassy of the United States, New Delhi, India / Home> News & Events> Press Releases / New Delhi – May 20th, 2011

India, Japan sign MoU to develop Varanasi into ‘smart city’

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

Kyoto :

Varanasi, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi represents in the Lok Sabha, will be developed into a ‘smart city’ by using the experience of Kyoto, the ‘smart city’ of Japan, under a pact signed here on Saturday.

A partner city MoU was signed by Indian ambassador Deepa Wadhwa and Kyoto mayor Daisaka Kadokawa at a ceremony witnessed by Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe.
japanvaranasiLUCKNOW31aug2014
The MoU, which was signed soon after Modi’s arrival here on a five-day visit, provides for cooperation in heritage conservation, city modernization and cooperation in the fields of art, culture and academics, external affairs ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin told reporters.

This will serve as framework for smart heritage city programme between the two countries, he added.

Kyoto, which is a he​ritage city with Buddhist culture, provides special symbolism to the visit as the Prime Minister has the vision of “rejuvenating” Indian cities.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> India / PTI / August 30th, 2014

West UP birds like Red-headed falcon now ‘endangered’

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

Meerut :

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in its updated ‘Red list’ has featured three birds of UP West – the red-headed falcon, the woolly-necked stork and the Himalayan griffon. The last of these migrates to West UP in winter.

These birds have been added to the list of endangered species recently released on IUCN website. The list is based on the studies jointly conducted by the Bombay Natural History Society and Bird Life International, based in UK.

Rajat Bhargava, ornithologist and senior scientist, BNHS, said, “The inclusion in the list means these birds have now entered the threatened zone. Out of these three birds, the Himalayan griffon is an occasional visitor during winter.”

This year, 172 birds from India are in the endangered list, seven more than the 165 listed last year. “The main reason for the dwindling population of these birds is the shrinking grasslands and wetlands, the natural habitats of these species. Industrial activity and use of chemicals in agricultural processes also threaten these birds”, Bhargava said.

The Himalayan griffon, a species in vulture, has been hit by the use of the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac, administered to livestock, on which the vultures feed. The increased number of crows and stray dogs, that also feed on carcasses, threaten the vultures.

Birdlife International is the official agency responsible for preparing the IUCN Red List of globally threatened birds. This was earlier done once in three years. The list is now revised every year.

Caption: Woolly-necked stork is seen during winters in cultivation and marshy areas of Meerut. It feeds on lizards, frogs, crabs and large insects.

Caption: Red-headed falcon prefers open country with wide cultivated plain along with groups of trees, groves and villages, and avoids dense forest. Pairs usually hunt in concert by driving prey (small birds, rodents and lizards) out from leafy branches.

Caption: Himalayan griffon is among the largest birds, a species of vulture, and perches on rocks and makes a rattling sound when descending on a carcass. They feed on old carcasses, sometimes waiting for a couple of days near a dead animal.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Meerut / by Sandeep Rai, TNN / August 09th, 2014

UP goes wild with eco-tourism packages

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

Lucknow :

You need not look far for your next holiday. The state government is now offering eco-tourism packages in selected sanctuaries including the Nawabganj bird sanctuary.

At the start of the tourist season in October, there will be eco-tourism packages for Sandi (Hardoi), Katarniaghat, Chuka (Pilibhit) and Samaspur (Rae Bareli). Bookings of rest houses will be made online, making the allotment process fair.

“We plan to first equip a few centres will all tourist facilities,” said forest corporation MD Iqbal Singh. The forest department’s website has information on different categories of eco-tourism packages. It also has sections for nature lovers and eco-tourism sites in the state.

Uttar Pradesh has one national park, 11 wildlife and 24 bird sanctuaries but eco-tourism has been limited to Dudhwa National Park and a few locations around it. The state has never had an eco-tourism policy.

On Tuesday, the Cabinet approved an eco-tourism policy with four guiding principles: conserving environment, developing community-based tourism, developing partnership with the private sector and creating and upgrading infrastructure facilities for tourists in wildlife sanctuaries.

The forest department has tied up with an NGO to promote ?environment education’, also a part of eco-tourism. A conservator-level officer has been appointed only for promoting eco-tourism.

“It also aims at gainful employment of local people,” said the official. Locals, mostly rural folks, will be encourages to play hosts or guides to tourists and will be paid for the services.

Potential eco-tourism sites in UP

Katarniaghat on Gerua river in Bahraich; Chuka ghat in Pilibhit on Sharda dam; Chambal ravines in Agra; Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary in Unnao; Chandraprabha Rajdari waterfalls and Deodari waterfalls in Varanasi; Sarsainawar Sarus Sanctuary in Etawah; Sandi Bird Sanctuary in Hardoi; Noida Bird Sanctuary and Kalpi river cruise in Yamuna in Jalaun

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / August 09th, 2014

Brace for London-like outing in Lucknow

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

Lucknow :

From Tuesday onwards, you can enjoy evenings in the idyllic settings of Janeshwar Mishra Park in Gomtinagar extension. The sprawling park, claimed to be Asia’s largest garden, will be thrown open to the public on August 5.

Initially, only one-third (96 acres) area of 376-acre park will be opened. The park, named after late socialist and Samajwadi Party leader Janeshwar Mishra, is being developed at a cost of Rs 168 crore. Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav will inaugurate it on Mishra’s birth anniversary on Tuesday.

The grand project will have beautiful landscapes, two huge ponds spread over 38 acres, golf course, horse riding trail, lakes, sports centre, gymnasium, cycle track, jogging track, theme gardens, children’s play area, lawns etc.

In the beginning, public will have access only to a pond spread over 11 acres and the green belt around it. The entire project has to be completed by May 2015.

Among the major attractions would be the boats resembling gondolas, which have been brought from a Noida-based mall for a trial run. “We have purchased two boats which will ferry visitors across the water body,” said an official. Around 2,500 trees have also been bought from Meerut and Saharanpur for the park. Ponds will be recharged through rainwater harvesting and the entire park will be fully solar powered.

LDA has deployed a huge team of executive and junior engineers to complete the work before deadline. Many new townships are also coming up around the site. Officials claim rates of these properties, especially LDA’s Riverview Phase II apartments, would escalate once the entire park would be ready.

“Just wait for six more months, these flats will sell like hot cakes as it will become the most prime locality (in the city) considering the large green space, public recreation facilities, golf course etc,” said an official associated with Janeshwar Mishra Park.

Janeshwar Mishra

Janeshwar Mishra, also known as Chhote Lohia, was a famous socialist leader. He represented Allahabad three times in the Lok Sabha and was elected to Rajya Sabha in 1996, 2000 and 2006. Mishra was first elected to the Lok Sabha from Phulpur in 1969-70 after defeating KD Malviya, then petroleum minister in Indira Gandhi’s Cabinet. He served as Union minister in the governments of Morarji Desai, Chaudhary Charan Singh, VP Singh, Chandrashekhar, HD Deve Gowda and IK Gujral. Mishra held key portfolios like petroleum, water resources chemicals and fertilisers, energy, shipping and transport, communication and railways. He joined the Samajwadi Party in 1990s.

LDA struggles to meet deadline

As the deadline approaches, LDA is struggling to meet the expectations of chief minister who wants the park to be modelled on the lines of famous Hyde park of London.

The grand inauguration will be held at the park’s entrance plaza but about 30% of construction work is still pending. Workers are still fixing the tiles and polishing marbles. The main pond at the entrance, which will have fountains, is under-construction.

Trees that were planted a few days back have started drying. Officials say these plants are special as they dry up on plantation and before growing into a green tree. The entire land had to be ploughed in a hurry before sowing grasses. This has led to loosening of soil particles and formation of sludge due to rains.

The last minute preparations have also led to the function being planned in absence of the statue of Janeshwar Mishra. Officials said the 25 feet statue is being sculpted by a renowned Australian sculptor. But it won’t arrive in time for inauguration, confirmed LDA.

Earlier, officials had claimed that gondolas would be imported from China or Japan or Venice, but instead LDA has bought boats resembling gondolas from Noida.

Interesting bits

Inauguration to be held without the statue of Janeshwar Mishra

Park to be developed on the lines of Hyde Park of London

Once park gets ready in 2015, rates of properties around the site to shoot up

Boats resembling gondolas to be run on trail basis

Hurried ploughing has loosened soil and led to sludge in the park

Civil work at entrance plaza still on, fountains missing

Entire focus on constructing walking, jogging and cycling track

In next phase, construction of sports facilities like cricket, badminton and lawn-tennis etc., will be done

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / August 04th, 2014

Inauguration of Janeshwar Mishra Park: Kathak ballet to mark celebrations

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

Lucknow :

A Kathak ballet in Sanskrit will be staged during the inauguration of Janeshwar Mishra Park on Tuesday.Chief of Sanskrit Sansthan, Shankar Suhail, said a Delhi-based kathak dance group headed by Neelakshi Rai will present the story of Amrapali, a courtesan in ancient India.

He added that it will be a delight for the audience because very few ballets in Sanskrit have been staged. On Wednesday, Shivram Sharma and his troupe from Varanasi will stage Sanskrit play, Dootvaakyam. “Dr Sharma is known to pick people from diverse walks of life and teach them Sanskrit language. The students pass their test only when they are able to act in a Sanskrit play,” said Suhail. Vandana Mishra of Faizabad will present a kajri recital on Wednesday evening.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / August 04th, 2014

Tigers flourish in the land of Uttar Pradesh

Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

As per primary estimations for two years from 2011 to 2013, the total number of tigers found in the core area surged from 72 to 80. The final count of tigers in the Dudhwa tiger reserve is expected to be 125, according to officials.

Tigers flourish in the land of Uttar Pradesh
Tigers flourish in the land of Uttar Pradesh

In 2010-2011, the total count of tigers as per their census in the Dudhwa tiger reserve was 118.

The latest findings have been sent to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests for screening purpose, according to an official.

Once the exact number of tigers present in the Katarniaghat wildlife sanctuary, North and South kheri forest division are found, it is expected to reach 125. Primary findings for the Pilibhit forest division, which is a separate reserve now, has also come.

The Dudhwa national park and the Kishenpur wildlife sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh, which are the core area of the reserve, have overseen camera-trapping exercises.

The cameras that were fitted in the core area, (in every 1.6 sq km) were placed in a way that it could record tigers of any age, height or built.
According to sources, around 382 pictures have been downloaded from these cameras and they show the presence of around a dozen new cubs in the core area. These photographs are being studied extensively to find out the exact number of new cubs.

The official tiger census by the National Tiger Conservation Authority is in its first stage right now which was started on November 15 last year at Dudhwa.

(JPN)
source: http://www.post.jagran.com / Post Jagran / Home> States News> North India News> Uttar Pradesh / July 28th, 2014

Milk teeth stem cells help treat chronic diseases

Nature, Science & Technology

Allahabad :

Stem cells, which have the potential to protect from life threatening diseases, can be ‘locked’ within your family teeth. Now, dentists have introduced process to send milk teeth to Mumbai-based labs to harvest milk teeth for future use of stem cells.

Dentists claim that though only two samples have been collected by the Mumbai-based lab from the city but there has been a steep rise in the queries being raised by parents about the facility in the past three to four months.

With the discovery of stem cells in milk teeth, dentists claim that an accessible and available source of stem cells has been identified. A child’s stem cells can be preserved from the milk teeth and can even be collected from impacted third molars till the age of 22.

Dr Om Shankar of Institute of Medical Science, BHU, maintained that stem cells can be obtained from any bone of the body and it can also be obtained from pulp (milk teeth) as well as blood. He said that a large number of stem cells were found in bone marrow and the number of less stem cells were found in blood.

He claimed that stem cell taken from pulp of teeth has many advantages as it could be transformed in different cells.

Ortho dentist Dr Abha Vishnoi Kesarwani said that parents have become aware about the fact that stem cells can be obtained from the pulp of milk teeth. Parents of new born and children ask about the course of action and expenditure needed for the process.

Research involving stem cells in teeth has exploded during last four and five years and the laboratories that will bank the cells in a deep-freezer have since began operating. Experts say that dental stem cells have the potential to treat different diseases including heart disease and leukemia In the near future, dental stem cells could grow new teeth and jaw bone.

Professor and head of the department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, MLN Medical College, Allahabad, U S Sinha said that stem cells can be taken from milk teeth for preservation. Preserving milk teeth is highly recommended as an all-time asset that can be used for treating a person or his/her siblings anytime.”

As a Mumbai laboratory is providing special kits for preserving stem cell from milk teeth, city dentists have started harvesting milk teeth for stem cell preservation. City based dental surgeon Dr Vaibhav Shukla has collected milk teeth of two children aged about seven and nine years and sent to the Mumbai laboratory for preservation.

The deciduous tooth which has been extracted can be cut with a cryo knife to collect stem cells. This facility was not available in India till a few years back, but a medical lab at Mumbai has introduced the facility for preserving stem cell.

If experts use any other instrument instead of cryo knife, it produces heat that subsequently leads to destruction of stem cells. The stem cells contained within teeth are capable of replicating themselves and can be readily recovered at the time of a planned dental procedure.

Apart from being the most convenient stem cells to access, dental stem cells have significant medical benefits in the development of new medical therapies. Using one’s own stem cells for medical treatment means a much lower risk of rejection by the body and decreases the need for powerful drugs that weaken the immune system.

The stem cells from teeth have been observed in research studies to be among the most powerful in the human body. Stem cells from teeth replicate at a faster rate and for a longer period of time than cells harvested from other tissues of the body.

Recently, parents of a boy suffering from muscular dystrophy approached the doctors to get his stem cell preserved. After the process, his treatment was started which is showing positive results.

Dr A K Santhani said that parents may not see the benefits of dental stem cell banking immediately, but it is the best investment and gift from parents to their children. Most of the families regret when their children face some chronic disease and their stem cells are not preserved at the time of birth. But now, stem cell preservation through milk teeth is offering a new hope.

It is a costly exercise and around Rs 85,000 is required for preserving stem cell from milk teeth. Doctors said that stem cells have shown potential in treating cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, spinal cord injuries, retinal diseases, endocrinal disorders, renal disease, liver disorders, muscular dystrophy and many incurable diseases.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Allababad / TNN / July 19th, 2014