FM A collection of 52 radio talks on environmental issues broadcast over AIR. Indo Norwegian Environment Programme

Transcription

1 ENVIRONMENT a new buzz in the air FM I N E P A collection of 52 radio talks on environmental issues broadcast over AIR Indo Norwegian Environment Programme

2 Indo Norwegian Environment Programme Indo Norwegian Environment Programme (INEP) is a collaborative venture between the Government of India and the Government of Norway. The two Governments have initiated pilot projects in two Indian states, namely Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh. The pilot programmes are designed to create awareness on, and demonstrate corrective actions for serious and urgent environmental issues. Objectives Contribute towards sustainable management and utilization of natural resources Combat and reduce air, water and soil pollution Enhance technical and management knowledge including institutional capacity within the environment field Develop and promote technically as well as financially sound and sustainable solutions. In Karnataka, the INEP Secretariat identifies projects, monitors implementation and provides technical inputs to the agencies involved. The Department of Environment and Ecology, Government of Karnataka, Coordinates INEP activities. The INEP approach to all activities is participatory, working closely with various stakeholders including the community to identify, innovate and demonstrate sustainable solutions to environmental problems. While all INEP projects are pilot in nature, several projects have been extended into a second phase for concept extension. This phase helps to consolidate activities of the first phase and create structures and systems for sustainability. INEP also places importance on documenting processes with a view to disseminating information and facilitating explicability of successful models. Indo Norwegian Environment Programme Department of Forest, Ecology & Environment (E&E) No.49, II floor, Parisara Bhavan, Church Street, Bangalore Tel: Fax : ineptwo@vsnl.net Website:

3 Acknowledgement Parisara Sobagu is a collaborative effort. Recording of the weekly radio talks on pressing environmental issues and their rendition into print versions in Kannada and English were made possible with generous support from the following individuals: Subject Experts: 1. Shri Suresh Heblikar 2. Shri S.G. Neginhal 3. Dr. Vidhya Swamy 4. Dr. Devaiah 5. Dr. Radha D Kale 6. Dr. P.K. Shetty 7. Shri A.R. Shivakumar 8. Dr. P. Boregowda 9. Dr. B.R. Balagangadhar 10. Shri Umesh 11. Dr. Devkumar 12. Smt. Vanashree Vipin Singh, I.F.S 13. Shri S. Ramakrishna 14. Shri Guruprasad Baily 15. Shri B.K. Singh, I.F.S 16. Dr. Bakul Rao 17. Shri Venugopal 18. Dr. H. Paramesh 19. Shri C.D. Kumar 20. Shri Nanda Kumar 21. Shri C.M. Ramakumar 22. Smt. Madhuri Gore 23. Dr. Nagara Bhatt 24. Smt. Manvel Alur 25. Shri V. Srinivas 26. Dr. K.V. Lokesh 27. Prof. C.R. Pradeep 28. Smt. Shambhavi Kamath 29. Dr. D.S. Krishna Rao 30. Dr. T. Venkatesh 31. Shri T. Mahesh 32. Dr. H.N.Chanakya 33. Dr. Satyanarayana Bhat 34. Dr. Nagraj 35. Shri T. Venkataraju 36. Shri Gurushripad 37. Shri Giridhar Kinhal, I.F.S., 38. Dr. Pandurangaiah 39. Dr. M.G. Govindaiah Dean 40. Dr. K.N. Ganeshaiah 41. Dr. K. Chandrashekar 42. Shri Janardhan Krishna Hegde 43. DR. H.R. Krishnamurthy Programme Direction : Mr. Chakravarthi Mohan Programme structuring, questionnaire & selection of experts : Dr. Bakul Rao & Mr. G. R. Seshagiri Kashyap Interviews & recording : Smt. Manjula & Smt. Lalitha Recording co-ordination : Mr. Narasimha Murthy T.N. Transcription & translation : Mr. M.N. Chakravarthy, Prof. Basavaraj Urs Editing : Mala Kumar Layout & design : M/s Losungen Inc. Financial support for printing : ENVIS Centre, Karnataka Participation & feedback : Listeners of AIR, Bangalore Programme co-ordination : INEP Staff PARISARA SOBAGU i

4 PRALHAD B. MAHISHI IAS, Chief Secretary Government of Karnataka Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore th August 2007 Preface We are on the threshold of a new Age of Enlightenment, an era of Green awareness. People are realising the implications of global warming and water depletion in their lives. While the Green Revolution of the 1960s focused on increasing agricultural production in a short span of time, the new Green revolution is concerned with industrial and economic development in harmony with nature. As people and governments realise the importance of corrective action to thwart an environmental disaster in the not-so-distant future, new regulations are evolved in harmony with sustained media coverage of Green issues. However, no regulation can be as effective as self-regulation. Every man, woman and child should know what their environmental responsibilities are and how they can make the earth a better place for future generations. The Indo Norwegian Environmental Programme Secretariat in Karnataka, with its avowed objective of identifying and promoting innovative solutions to environmental problems, undertook the mammoth task of interviewing experts in ecological and environmental fields and sponsoring broadcast of these talks on All India Radio, Bangalore. The radio talks, broadcast every week since are now being brought out in a print version so that generations of students and other stakeholders can have access to vital environmental information. I am happy to note that the material herein will be hosted on INEP s website I hope and believe that this publication will enable and help the readers choose and implement the much-required core environmental solutions in their day-to-day lives. [P. B. MAHISHI] Chief Secretary Government of Karnataka ii PARISARA SOBAGU

5 Contents Page no 1. Introduction Agriculture A balanced approach to agriculture Pesticides and their impact on environment Water pollution due to agricultural practices Organic farming Organic pesticides Vermicomposting Biodiversity Biodiversity Animal biodiversity creates a balanced world Fisheries and biodiversity Part I Fisheries and biodiversity Part II Butterflies and birds biodiversity Concept of sustainable development Trees & plants Plants and their significance in our culture Plant biodiversity Tree planting and its benefits Plants for the urban eco-system Medicinal, aromatic and dye producing plants Forestation Western Ghats and its eco-system Lakes Inland water resources Impact of immersion of idols in tanks, ponds and lakes Lake restoration Maintenance of tanks post-restoration Water Water and its significance Safe drinking water Ground water pollution Conservation of water and wastewater treatment Rain water harvesting Rainwater conservation in rural areas and watershed programmes PARISARA SOBAGU iii

6 Contents Page no 7. Health Health and sanitation Health safety and environment Eco-friendly Living Energy Conservation of energy in day-to-day life Alternate energy sources Pollution Air pollution Indoor air pollution Soil pollution Noise pollution Importance of ozone layer Waste Waste generation in households Recycling household waste Industrial waste Recycling of industrial waste Collection, transportation and disposal of waste Biomedical waste generation Household appliances & cyber waste Others Environmental Laws Environmental Acts Parisara Sobagu inauguration: Speakers voice concern A synoptic review of 50 programmes Feedback on Parisara Sobagu iv PARISARA SOBAGU

7 Introduction Introduction PARISARA SOBAGU 1

8 Introduction An introduction to what environment actually means Environment in a nutshell This is the inaugural part of the series aimed at creating awareness among children about the environment around us. Mr. Suresh Heblikar, actor and environmentalist, explains the significance of the environment and the need to protect it. INEP: What is environment? Mr. Suresh Heblikar: Everything around us like air, water, land animals and mountains is environment. It can be divided into the physical, chemical and biological. The physical environment is air, ground and water. Acid, gases and other compounds make the chemical component of nature. The biological comprises plants, animals and bacteria. Environment can also be divided into man-made and natural. The natural environment comprises oceans, forests, deserts and air. The manmade environment consists of agricultural fields, cities, industries, markets and other facets. Environment can be called a system from which we draw resources like water, food and shelter. Naturally available resources are water, trees, minerals and hydro-electric power. We depend on the environment to live. INEP: What are the natural resources we consume daily? Mr. Suresh Heblikar: Water, minerals, oil, agricultural products and the food we consume these are the natural resources we use everyday. INEP: Is it necessary to protect our natural resources? Mr. Suresh Heblikar: Certainly, If we dont s protect our resources we will face a dangerous situation. There were 281 tanks in Bangalore. Bangalore enjoyed the sobriquet a salubrious city. People loved to come here to enjoy its climate. Not any more. Why? We did not save our resources. Instead we spent them by constructing buildings, bus stands, hotels and commercial complexes at places where once tanks existed. Why? We wanted to increase our income. The result is the depletion of a vital resource like water. INEP: Do we have different units in environment? Mr. Suresh Heblikar: Yes. Environment is full of variety. Environment is not limited to just water and forest. There is earth, mineral, desert, stratosphere, petrol, natural gas, aquatic life, salt and food all these are directly obtained from nature. Electricity is produced by using water and so belongs to the category of indirect consumption. We are in a situation where 70 lakh people in Bangalore depend on a single river for water. We read in the newspapers that the water level in Tippa Gundana Halli reservoir has dropped. Hesarghatta s reservoir was a major source of water for Bangalore. Now there is hardly any water there. Hence, 70 lakh people 2 PARISARA SOBAGU

9 Introduction have to depend on one source, the river Cauvery. Then, there is soil erosion. The factor that causes this is the excessive grazing of grass by cattle and deforestation. Soil erosion damages precious top-soil. It is this one-tofour inch layer that contains all the proteins and other nutrients. It is very difficult to make good this loss as this formation is a result of a slow and steady evolution spanning over one-thousand years or more. So these are the varieties of units which are very useful for bio-diversity, human beings, and plants, and all of them depend on the environment. It is necessary to safeguard our resources. INEP: What is environmental pollution? Mr. Suresh Heblikar: Pollution means something that was pure and clean is becoming impure and unclean. We have water pollution and air pollution. Pollution is caused by natural events and also man-made events. Any imbalance in the environment can cause pollution. Environmental pollution INEP: Was there environmental pollution before man came on the scene? Mr. Suresh Heblikar: Yes, but not to this extent. I think pollution of this level did not exist. Volcanoes are a natural phenomenon but they also cause pollution. About million years ago dinosaurs existed but were completely eliminated because of environmental pollution. About one thousand years ago pollution caused a huge sandstorm that suffocated animals like the dinosaurs. We lost the entire species. This is a natural disaster, or pollution caused by natural events. There are man-made disasters or man-made pollution. This is very dangerous. For example, the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere causes pollution. An increase of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) thins the ozone layer. This is man-made pollution. It is not a natural calamity. Other man-made pollution includes the use of coal, petrol and diesel and release of sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide and nitric oxide. All these cause air pollution. Industrial effluents, human sewage, and non-bio-degradable products can have adverse effects on the environment. Pollution due to radiation is also a factor that figures under man-made pollution. Then there is water pollution. There is soil pollution caused by chemical manure and pesticides. We cannot PARISARA SOBAGU 3

10 Introduction avoid the use of manure and fertilizer as we have to feed over 100 crore people of this country every day. Student: What is the impact of the thinning of the ozone layer? Mr. Suresh Heblikar: It is the ozone layer that is shielding us from the sun rays, including the ultraviolet rays. But for the ozone layer we, the plants and animals would have been burnt to ashes. It is the increase in quantity of CFC that is thinning the ozone layer. This is a much discussed issue. Leaders of all the countries met at Montreal to discuss the issue and decided to do away with CFC. The World Bank and the advanced countries have begun to finance industries in the developing nations that are replacing CFC with more eco-sensitive alternatives, and are encouraging manufactures to completely do away with CFC by Student: Does the use of refrigerators lead to the production of CFC gases? Mr. Suresh Heblikar: Ozone depleting substance like CFC are used in refrigeration plants for making the wheels of a plane move, in aerators, in creating foams and froths with the use of artificial plastic, in aerosols, and in polishing precious stones. We have to find an alternative for this. Appiko movement government to cut him along with the trees. The villagers who saw this realized his intention and supported him. It became a hugely successful movement and several thousand precious trees were prevented from being cut. He was popularly known as Parisara Gandhi. Sine he embraced the trees, it was called as Appiko and it means embrace or hug in kannada. Student: How did the Appiko Movement come about? Mr. Suresh Heblikar: It was Mr. Sunderlal Bahuguna who began the Chipko andolan. In kannada, we call it the appiko movement. He was protesting against the Tehri Dam coming up in Uttar Pradesh. A huge verdant forest was destroyed to build this dam. His argument was that the dam was harming the environment. He was against the cutting of trees of his childhood days. He went and embraced the trees and challenged the 4 PARISARA SOBAGU

11 Agriculture Agriculture A balanced approach towards agriculture Pesticides and their impact on environment Water pollution due to agricultural practices Organic farming Organic pesticides Vermicomposting PARISARA SOBAGU 5

12 Agriculture A balanced approach towards agriculture As you sow, so you reap Use of chemical fertilisers, to compensate food shortage, gave good dividends at one time but became a disaster later. A balance of organic and inorganic materials is necessary for sustainable agriculture, says Dr. Pandurangaiah, Co-ordinator, Department of Water Shed, University of Agriculture Sciences, Bangalore. INEP: Can you tell us how agriculture began? Dr. Pandurangaiah: The primitive man stopped eating roots and raw meat when fire was discovered. He moved out of the cave to live near river beds and fertile lands and began to grow crops. He began to tame cattle to help in agriculture and poultry animals to get nutritional supplements. INEP: Why is India known as an agro-based country? Dr. Pandurangaiah: Ninety percent of the people here depend on agriculture for livelihood. In USA and Canada the corresponding figure is hardly 3-4%. INEP: Is there a difference between ancient methods of cultivation and modern methods? Dr. Pandurangaiah: Yes. Ancient methods of agriculture were more like what we call organic farming now. The population was less, and the demand for food was also low, and the earth was fertile. When India became independent, our population was 33 crores, and food production was 50 million tonnes. Now we are 103 crores in number and even 200 million tonnes of grains is not sufficient. To increase food production, we began to use high yielding variety of seeds and chemical fertilisers. We began fisheries, use of cattle, poultry, and sheep breeding to supplement income from agriculture. Now the concern is to retain the fertility of earth which has been destroyed by over use of chemicals and earth itself. INEP: Are agricultural lands part of environment? Dr. Pandurangaiah: Yes, they are. 36% of green cover, good water and bird population are an indication of good environment. The green cover is reduced to 6 to 12%. But a good green cover like agricultural fields, trees, water and bird population is good environment. INEP: What is Green Revolution? Dr. Pandurangaiah: Green Revolution was the programme formed to increase food production and to achieve food self sufficiently developing and underdeveloped countries, by the use of modern technology in agriculture. The movement used many aspects of agriculture including the use of chemical fertilisers and high yielding varieties of seeds. The higher production meant we could stop importing food grains. There was a time when India had to depend on USA and USSR for wheat and flour, with which they would feed their cattle. But the Green Revolution changed all that. INEP: How was this achieved? 6 PARISARA SOBAGU

13 Agriculture Dr. Pandurangaiah: High yielding varieties were used. Steps were taken to make soil more fertile, with the use of green leaf manure and introducing soil microorganisms, adding soil nutrients and also using chemical fertilizers. INEP: What is a weed? Dr. Pandurangaiah: There is a saying that one year s seed is a weed after ten years. If a seed is allowed to weed it cannot be eliminated even after ten years. Weed comes without any effort, takes the nutrients and moisture of the crop, affecting its growth. Datoora and Parthenium are well known weeds. One study reveals that weeds can reduce the yield of crops by 28 percent. INEP: Is there a difference between cultivated plants and natural forest plants? Dr. Pandurangaiah: Yes, there is a difference. Plants grown in forests are stronger and can withstand the vagaries of weather. Efforts are on to take the genes of Parthenium Weed the forest plants and add it to cultivable, irrigable plants to make them stronger. INEP: Normally what are the diseases that plants get? Dr. Pandurangaiah: Many are similar to the ones that affect human beings. Bacteria, fungi and beetles cause disease to plants. As a precautionary measure, since it is difficult to treat diseased plants, even before the seeds are sown, they are given a treatment that prevents disease. INEP: Is it possible to use minimum chemical fertiliser? Dr. Pandurangaiah: When the target is 400 million tonnes of food production a judicious mix of organic and inorganic manure is necessary. Experience says that use of chemical fertiliser increases the yield in the beginning but crop production decreases rapidly even if the quantum of fertilizer is increased. The reason is that we have ignored the maintenance of earth after the use of fertiliser and assumed that manure will take care of everything. But aspects like moisture retention in soil, reduction of atmospheric pollution, reduction in the warming of the earth and increase in the number of trees have to be looked into. In addition, the use of organic manure to increase the fertility and a judicious mix of chemical fertilizers, only if necessary, is needed. A long study concluded that the yield due to the use of organic manure was only 4 to 5 quintals in the beginning but increased to 20 quintal later. The quintal yield due to the use of chemical fertiliser has reduced to four quintals. INEP: Can we use algae as food? Dr. Pandurangaiah: Yes. Nowadays some algae are grown systematically in paddy fields to make the soil more nutritious. A type of algae is given to the cattle as a tonic. Deep in the sea several varieties of algae are formed which is brought to land to make several types of PARISARA SOBAGU 7

14 Agriculture organic manure was being used. All the trouble started when we began to use chemical fertilisers and hybrid varieties. The results were very encouraging in the beginning but a disaster later. Now it is back to organic farming along with the use of a minimum necessary amount of chemical fertiliser. Rice field ready for harvesting nutritious food. Algae are used to fight fungus. We have about 25 types of mushrooms including the good and the harmful varieties. INEP: What is genetic variation? Dr. Pandurangaiah: When diseases strike or weather varies, the genetic structure sometimes gets affected. Another gene is transacted to prevent worms and beetles from affecting the crop. Mules, a combination of horse and donkey, are being used in our campus for tilling instead of oxen. INEP: Has biotechnology helped the irrigation sector? Dr. Pandurangaiah: Yes. We are creating new varieties through genetic transformation. Thanks to biotechnology. We can have the plants we want. Biotechnology is used for tissue culture, which helps the new plants to possess the best of the parent plant. New types of special seeds have been developed both by the Government and private organisations. INEP: Did our forefathers use fertilisers? Dr. Pandurangaiah: There was no need as people were less and food was adequate. Later population increased and demand on food multiplied. Use of chemical fertilisers became inevitable. I still remember farmers asking us Will these ashes affect the crop? Will it harm our children? These words, spoken in the 1970 s still ring in our ears. But then there was a severe shortage of grains. We cautioned farmers to use chemical fertilisers only as a supplement to organic manure. But farmers completely ignored organic methods of farming. Now the time has come to go back to organic fertilisers. INEP: What is the role of pesticide? Dr. Pandurangaiah: Now there are methods to prevent getting diseases like gene transformation. Some worms are used as bio-pesticides. INEP: Do modern methods of agriculture affect environment? Dr. Pandurangaiah: Yes. There was no problem when 8 PARISARA SOBAGU

15 Agriculture Pesticides and their impact on environment Pesticides worry farmers more than pests! Annually Rs. 25,000-50,000 crore worth of crops is destroyed by pests and insects in India, making the use of pesticides inevitable. But indiscriminate and senseless use of pesticides has killed 2.2 lakh people and has caused diseases in 30 lakh people. A comprehensive management of pests is called for says Mr. P. K. Shetty, Environmental Scientist, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore. INEP: What is a pesticide? Mr.Shetty: Pests and insects form 71 per cent of the animals in bio-diversity. There are both good and bad insects. Poisonous chemicals are used to keep a check on the quantity of insects. Pesticides are used to increase the yield of the crop by eliminating the disease causing bacterium and also in warehouse and godowns to keep the stored grains free of fungus and other agents of destruction. Insecticides are used in public health programmes and in our homes too to get rid of insects. Indiscriminate use of pesticides can affect our health and the environment. We have to ensure that the use of pesticide is kept to the minimum and that the best quality pesticide is used. The other commonly used insecticide is the organophosphorus. Insecticides with chlorophiriphos, dichlorophos and dimethophos are also used by our farmers. The other compounds used include a carbonate group, organochlorine compounds and synthetic parathrite. INEP: What is biological control of pests? Mr. Shetty: Using natural elements to counter insects is known as biological control of insects. Bio-pesticides are available for controlling harmful insects. The natural enemies of these insects are predators and parasites. There are also some bacteria and viruses that help in controlling pests. INEP: Which are the commonly used pesticides in India? Mr. Shetty:In our country, 181 registered pesticides are used. Different products are used for different purposes. To remove or control diseases we use fungicides. Likewise, we have acaricides, nimaticides, and rodenticides. In our country, the menace of insects is so much that 61% of the pesticides used are insecticides. INEP: Environmentalists say that the use of pesticides has adversely affected both our food and our environment. So what exactly is the role of pesticides? Mr. Shetty: It depends on where the pesticides are used and the quantum of pesticides used. Uncontrolled and unwarranted use of pesticides can adversely affect the environment and health. For instance, indiscriminate use PARISARA SOBAGU 9

16 Agriculture of pesticides can even destroy beneficial insects and bacteria resulting in the increase of harmful insects. This will have a direct impact on the ecological balance. Another worry is the entry of these pesticides into our food products. Nowadays pulses, rice, vegetables, milk, eggs, fish and meat show a considerable pesticide content in them. According to a latest reports the use of pesticides has affected more than 30 lakh people all over the world. They have fallen ill. More than 2.2 lakh people have died due to illness caused by pesticides. The chemicals in pesticides results in blindness, cancer, hepatic disorders, nervous disabilities and infertility, to name a few. Also a continuous use of pesticides or insecticides has made the insects and pests develop resistance to them. So, to get rid of these pests and insects the potency of the insecticides has to be increased. As pests become stronger, we are forced us to use stronger chemicals, which destroy our crop and also adversely affect our health. INEP: Do we have any alternatives to chemicals pesticides? Mr. Shetty: We do have organic pesticides. We now have like neem and its products, rotenone, quassia and their by-products. We have bio-pesticides like Bacillus thuringiensis, popularly known as Bt, trichogramma, persirola and NPV. It is opined that use of natural enemies of insects and pests, be they in the form of predator or parasites, as done in organic farming, would reduce the use of chemical pesticides. INEP: Is there a rule to limit the use of pesticides? Mr. Shetty: The use of chemical pesticides becomes a necessity especially in modern agricultural methods. What I am emphasising is that a balance has to be Neem an organic pesticide maintained by using some natural pesticides along with chemical pesticides. INEP: Does the use of pesticides affect other organisms? Mr. Shetty: It does. We have a target organism in mind when we use a chemical pesticide. But in the process we also destroy an organism that is not targeted. INEP: Then, how do we safeguard the untargeted organisms? Mr. Shetty: One method is to limit the use of chemical pesticides keeping in mind the untargeted organisms. We should have knowledge of the insects that are beneficial to the crops. Otherwise we destroy even the good insects with the use of chemical pesticides. INEP: What is bio-magnification? Mr. Shetty: The chemical pesticides we use have long lasting properties. The effect is that they will stay for long periods of time in small quantities in smaller organisms. The strength of the ingested pesticide increases each time the small organisms are consumed by bigger ones. By the time they enter the food chain and reach us the chemical concentration is in substantial quantities. For example, if a small quantity of chemical pesticide gets into algae and that is consumed by small fish, which are consumed by big fish, and we consume 10 PARISARA SOBAGU

17 Agriculture those fish, the chemical content of those pesticides will have magnified into huge proportions. This is known as bio-magnification. INEP: We hear a lot about comprehensive or holistic pest management. Please explain. Mr. Shetty: When we use a pesticide, we should ensure that it is not just a chemical pesticide but a judicious mix of all types of pesticides. We should also use other cultures like organic and herbal pesticides. Some pests should be eliminated mechanically. Weeds should be removed manually. We should use chemical pesticides only when it is absolutely necessary. We should take care that the crop and the environment are not affected by the use of pesticides. Such judicious management of the use of pesticides is known as comprehensive pest management. INEP: Can the use of pesticide be limited if we use a genetically modified species? Mr. Shetty: Arguments for and against whether the genetically modified crops are pest-resistant, and whether the use of pesticides can be reduced are still on. For example, the use of Bt, a bacterial gene, for pest resistance in cotton has proved that it can resist an attack from a pest called helicoverpa. It has been proved so scientifically but only in laboratory conditions. But the debate is still on about its behaviour in field conditions and whether our farmers will accept it. INEP: What is the quantum of loss due to insects and pests? Mr. Shetty: According to one estimate every year in India Rs.20, 000 to 50,000 crore worth of crop loss is reported due to insects. This figure will increase if we do not control insects with the use of pesticides, both chemical and organic. INEP: Were we using pesticides earlier? Mr. Shetty: Man has been using pesticides ever since he began to grow crops. There is documented evidence about the use of sulphur to contain the attack of pests and insects by a Sumerian tribe in Greece around 2500 B.C. We have records and documents showing the use of organic pesticides. In 900 A.D. the Chinese used red ants to control insects affecting the citrus groves. In 1763, nicotine was used as a botanical pesticide. In 1865 Paris green was successfully used to contain insects. After 1940 a variety of pesticides have become common. Now more than worrying about the insects, farmers are worried about the insecticides that destroy them. INEP: These are all records about countries abroad. What about our country? What have been their uses in India? Mr. Shetty: Right from the beginning, we have been using organic methods in agriculture. So neem and its products and other herbal pesticides have been used to withstand and avoid the onslaught of insects. After the green revolution, that is, after 1960, we have been using inorganic chemical pesticides. INEP: Can we completely do away with pesticides? Helicoverpa PARISARA SOBAGU 11

18 Agriculture Mr. Shetty: In the modern method of agriculture, especially for growing high yielding hybrid varieties, the use of chemical pesticides has become inevitable. If we want to reach a stage of saying no to pesticides, we have to be choosy about the crop we grow. We need a system where we can control the use of pesticides. We have to incorporate a holistic management of the use of pesticides. If possible, we have to adopt organic methods of farming. and using gloves. In several countries they have masks, while some use respirators and others protective clothing. In our country we have to use all these. We have to keep children away during the spraying of pesticides. Before spraying, we have to check the direction in which the wind is blowing. A week prior to harvesting no insecticide should be used, as the insecticides reach the market along with the vegetable produce and ultimately the humans. INEP: Can you please tell us the overall impact of pesticides on the environment? Mr. Shetty: The use of chemical pesticides adversely affects our health. It affects bio-diversity. It kills the nontargeted organism when we use pesticides on the target organism. An indiscriminate use of pesticides and senseless application increases the dangers of the use of pesticides. INEP: Can you name some insects and beetles that affect our crops? Mr. Shetty: Helicoverpa is one that is commonly seen affecting the cotton crop. Helicoverpa is a broad spectrum insect, which affects several crops and in larger quantities. It has the capacity to eat not just one, but several crops and in larger quantities. Paddy is affected by the brown plant hopper, a major destroyer. In vegetables we have the diamondback moth which is a major pest. INEP: What are the precautions one has to take while using pesticides? Mr. Shetty: One has to take precautions, like covering up one s face Diamondback INEP: What is the ideal time to use pesticides? Mr. Shetty: Generally the morning and evening times are the best to use pesticides. At other times one sweats more profusely than, and hence along with the sweat the pesticide may get underneath the skin. So we have to use pesticides when we sweat the least. INEP: We have to wash vegetables and fruits before we consume them. It is good, healthy habit. Mr. Shetty: People feel that pesticides can be present only on the outer skin of the vegetables. There are some chemicals that stay inside the vegetables. We cannot do without vegetables and fruits. So we have to wash them well at least to eliminate some amount of pesticides. Further, when vegetables are boiled it reduces the impact of pesticides. Some of the organochlorine compounds accumulate in fat-rich organs and it is difficult to reduce or eliminate them. But all these elements are likely to get into human bodies. If more care is taken and vegetables and fruits are washed well with clean water we can reduce the amount of pesticides that we consume. Student: What are the ill effects of the use of chemical pesticides on food? Mr. Shetty: Chemical pesticides are used to increase the yield of the crop, the size of the crop and to prevent 12 PARISARA SOBAGU

19 Agriculture insects, beetles and other pests which cause diseases to plants. It is natural that some portion of these gets into the food product and then into our body, be it vegetables, fruits, paddy, wheat or anything. Some portion gets washed away when we wash them with water but some other elements that are inside the food product reach our body or system. Once inside the body it can cause various diseases like cancer, nervous disorders, hepatic disorders etc. Student: Why do we use pesticides? Mr. Shetty: Chemical pesticides, organic pesticides or herbal pesticides are all used to protect plants from insects or pests and disease-causing organisms. These are also used to increase the yield of the crop. Student: Which are the most popular pesticides used now and what are the reasons for banning a few among them? Mr. Shetty: Most of the pesticides used nowadays are oxygano-chlorine compounds. These have devastating effects on humans and environment. This is a long lasting pesticide. Along with the food, these organochlorine compounds be it DDT, BSE get into our body and produce adverse effects. This is proved by scientific experiments. Some studies say that traces of these dangerous elements are available in breast milk too. Hence these compounds have been banned in India and several other countries because they are very dangerous to bio-diversity and also humans. Student: What is DDT? Mr. Shetty: DDT is an organo-chlorine insecticide. DDT means Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane. Reports suggest that this is harmful to the environment and humans. This is a very powerful and poisonous pesticide. It is also a long lasting one. At one time it was used to contain the spread of malaria. We can imagine how powerful a chemical it is. This is also known as a broad spectrum insecticide. It is used to control a variety of insects. Considering the ill effects that this had been causing the use of DDT has been drastically reduced. Protective gear is essential while using pesticides PARISARA SOBAGU 13

20 Agriculture Water pollution due to agricultural practices This pollution is agro-based! Unscientific cultivation and excessive agriculture can affect ground water and destroy a few types of crops. Even agriculture has to be regulated and moderate, says Mr. Venugopal, Specialist, Environmental and Natural Resources. INEP: Is our agriculture based on weather? Mr. Venugopal: Yes. Karnataka is an agro-based state. Over 70% of our population depends on agriculture for livelihood. 54% of our state s land is under irrigation. We belong to a temperate zone and the rainfall is scanty. Two thirds of our state gets less than 750 mm of rainfall. Most of our crops are rain-dependant. It rains in about 80% of its regions. The state is divided into 10 zones according to its rainfall, the depth of the soil and crops grown. sugarcane, banana and many horticultural products can be grown under such conditions. INEP: Can we grow irrigation crops with dry land cultivation? Mr. Venugopal: In recent times, it has been made possible. Paddy is grown in dry land and it is known as the Madagascar method. Paddy can be grown in dry land using drip irrigation. Normally crops that demand less water are grown in dry land. The crops are grown in three seasons during monsoon, during the period of latter rains and in summer. Most of the crops are grown in monsoon season. The least cultivation is done in summer. In the last 80 years the state has suffered drought for about 20 years. Hence rains are very important to us. The rain-based activities are known as dry land cultivation. Ragi, jowar, groundnuts, sunflower and other cereals are crops of dry land cultivation. For irrigation a constant and specific quantity of water should be available from sources like river, canal, tank or bore well. Paddy, INEP: Which method of agriculture pollutes water? Mr. Venugopal: Not one but several factors can be sources of pollution. The water washes away chemical fertilisers along with it and gets polluted. Unscientific cultivation can cause pollution. Cultivation of crops against a slope can lead to soil erosion, which in turn pollutes water. Using excessive water can lead to water logging, which can destroy several plants. This is also a type of pollution. Cultivation without constructing a bund can lead to soil erosion which reduces the oxygen content in water. This affects aqua life. INEP: What is overflow of water in agriculture? 14 PARISARA SOBAGU

21 Agriculture Mr. Venugopal: In agriculture we supply water to crops in various ways. It can be rainwater or water supplied through pipes. Due to its force it can flow out of the field. When this happens, it can wash away soil nutrients, manure nutrients. This affects the fertility of the soil. INEP: What is bio-magnification of nutrients? Mr. Venugopal: When the quantity of nitrogen, phosphorous, carbon and other nutrients increases either because they are not absorbed by plants or due to oversupply it leads to the growth of algae. This is called algae bloom. When this happens, water becomes useless; the oxygen content in water gets reduced which makes the fish die. Cattle and human beings become ill by consuming this water. INEP: Is this magnification of nutrients natural? Mr.Venugopal: Yes, but it takes years for the natural process to make algae bloom. Human activities like the use of soaps for laundering lead to quick biomagnification. INEP: What is the impact of excess irrigation? Mr. Venugopal: Excess irrigation involves an excess use of water. When it vaporises, its salt content remains in the soil. If this happens frequently, it leads to the salination of soil which reduces the fertility of the soil. The salination of the soil can also happen when chemical fertilisers are used. INEP: What causes siltation? Mr. Venugopal: Rain and wind can put a lot of pressure on the soil, resulting in an erosion of soil. The cultivation of crops on a slope can make the soil lose its grip on the plants. Excessive irrigation can also have a similar effect. If the soil is not used for a long time it can also lead to soil erosion. All these lead to the formation of silt. INEP: What is drip irrigation? Mr. Venugopal: It is a controlled release of water through perforations in the equipment. Crops can be watered only when necessary in this method. Water can be savedranging from 30% to 70%. We can save electricity too. Drip irrigation does not cause water logging. Tomato and other horticulture products like grapes can be grown with the help of drip irrigation. INEP: Can we prevent agro-based water pollution? Mr.Venugopal: We have to stop using chemical pesticides and fertilisers. We have to adopt organic farming methods. We have to adopt reformed methods that are now available like the integrated system of pesticides and the integrated system of managing nutrients and integrated soil moisture conservation systems to prevent agro- based water pollution. INEP: Can organic farming reduce agro-based water pollution? Mr. Venugopal: Yes. Organic materials do not contain poisonous elements. They do not harm the environment or the crops. In fact, vegetables, fruits and cereals grown with organic method improve one s health. Student: How can bio-magnification in water be stopped? Mr. Venugopal: Nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous, and carbon if used in limited quantities can prevent biomagnification. Student: How can the salination of the soil be avoided? Mr. Venugopal: If you regulate the use of water, chemical fertilisers and pesticides, the salination of water can be PARISARA SOBAGU 15

22 Agriculture Drip irrigation system avoided. Punjab has experienced the salination of soil due to excess irrigation, and overuse of pesticides and fertilisers. Karnataka farmers can learn from this experience. Student: How can agro-based soil erosion be reduced? Mr. Venugopal: The use of bunds, planting of trees and plants around the fields, avoiding strip cultivation to prevent siltation and adopting moisture conservation methods can reduce soil erosion. Student: What are the harmful effects of chemical fertilisers? Mr. Venugopal: Chemical fertilisers are harmful during their use and even after. They can kill even beneficial bacteria and other micro-organisms. Student: Is not drip irrigation expensive? Mr. Venugopal: The equipment may be expensive. But local methods like using a pot with several minute holes can also serve the purpose. As we save expenditure on water, electricity, and labour wages, in the long run, drip irrigation is not expensive. 16 PARISARA SOBAGU

23 Agriculture Organic farming Benefits galore with organic farming Modern methods of agriculture using chemicals and pesticides have become a necessity in order to increase the yield of a crop. However, the severe side effects of using these synthetic products has prompted farmers to revert to natural organic farming. Dr. N. Dev Kumar, Associate Professor, University of Agricultural Science, tells us about organic farming. INEP: Modern methods of cultivation are so rampant that many people aren t even aware of organic farming. Dr. Dev Kumar: Ours is an agro-based country. 70% of the people are dependent on agriculture and related activities for their livelihood. There are several methods of agriculture prevalent in our country. The most talked about method in recent times has been organic farming. Simply put, organic farming is a kind of farming where there is no use of chemicals or artificial manure. Organic farming is not just about growing crops: the people, cattle, the whole gamut of rural life are involved in it. With the intention of increasing yield, hybrid has been the word on every farmer s lips while procuring anything be it seeds, cattle or poultry. But the time has finally arrived to ban the use of inorganic substances in agricultural products and in agriculture itself. INEP: What is the difference between the two systems? Dr. Kumar: The differences can be spotted in the methods right from the initial step, beginning from the choice of the area of cultivation. Earlier, the farmer had a wooden plough with an iron handle. He would plough his land on his own. The land would be tilled at least 4 or 5 times a year. Now the tractor has replaced the plough. When it rains, the farmer has to ask the owner of the tractor to plough his land. The effect of a tractor is limited, as increased use of a tractor would only mean more expenses for the farmer. In the old days, the farmer would choose the seeds for sowing and protect them with an indigenous method of seed-treatment. The modern farmer buys hybrid seeds in the market. Earlier, seeds were dispersed or scattered on the cultivation land, but now machines sow seeds. More women were involved in the task of weed removal. Women contributed in all aspects of agriculture, since it also supported their living. Now machines have taken PARISARA SOBAGU 17

24 Agriculture their place in many areas, though it should be admitted the machines are better than humans in weed removal. Enrichment of crops with nutrition is an important aspect of organic farming. Modern agriculture uses inorganic fertilizers. To start at the beginning, modern farming started when there was an acute shortage of food grains in the days immediately after independence. Ships imported food grains. They would reach the customer directly from the dockyard. Food production in our country was low at that time. Farmers began using hybrid varieties and chemical fertilizers to increase food production. But even after food production improved, farmers continued to sow hybrid seeds rather than go back to traditional farming. Weeds grow along with crops. Women did the removal of weeds. The employment of women in agro-based activities was also an additional source of income to the farmers family. Now machines have replaced agricultural labour. Spraying 4 to 5 kilograms of weed destroyer takes care of weeds in one acre. INEP: So, there are lots of differences between organic and inorganic farming. Dr. Kumar: Differences exist at every level. Protecting the plants from diseases is the next major phase in farming. Traditional farming involved the use of indigenous methods to counter pests. Farmers used home-made concoctions that would harm only the pests and not the plants or the users of the product. Now the farmer rushes to the market to buy a bottle of pesticide the moment he notices worms or pests and immediately uses it on the plants. Pesticides are used on crops like cabbage and tomato, without thought about what they do to the produce. The practice has reached an alarming level. INEP: Are fields, farms, and plantations part of the environment? Dr. Kumar: Why not? Man, animals, insects, land, greenery, and water are all part of the environment. Fields and farms are the major part of the environment. INEP: What are the effects of modern methods on agriculture? Dr. Kumar: These methods have been in existence for 4 or 5 decades and have adversely affected land, soil, our health, environment, and the economic status of the farmer. Organic food store INEP: How have they affected the soil? Dr. Kumar: We found that the rate of yield of the crop stagnated at a particular stage and did not rise beyond that level. We saw that an imbalance in the nutrition was responsible for this stagnation. The earlier use of nitrates, sulphates and potash were good enough to get a good yield. A deficiency of these and some subnutrients is noticed. A patterned deformity in growth is also noticed. Also, the roots of the plants do not 18 PARISARA SOBAGU

25 Agriculture Custard apple leaves Papaya Leaves Karanja leaves Lantana leaves Neem tree leaves Neem powder Constituents of organic pesticides penetrate deep into the soil. This has resulted in plants not getting adequate water and nutrients. There is a reduction in the variety of crops too. A farmer, who grew ragi, would also grow cattle fodder, mustard and cereals for himself and his family s daily needs. This ensured a minimum amount of protein intake. But a desire to increase the yield destroyed all this. Concentration on one variety has resulted in the reduction of a number of crops. INEP: How do the chemicals sprinkled on soil affect us? Dr. Kumar: I have said earlier that chemicals are used even on cabbages, tomatoes and the like. The use of chemicals or pesticides is not wrong but its timing and quantum are crucial. If chemicals are used about a week before the crop is cut from the land and sold, the chemicals are bound to reach us when we consume such products. INEP: How can we protect our land? Dr. Kumar: I will quote Seatt, a Red Indian, who said, This earth is not a gift given to you by your grandparents and forefathers. The earth is borrowed from your children and grand children. What he said about a century ago is still relevant. So, one has to safeguard the soil, enrich it and hand it over in a good condition from whom it has been borrowed. The only way to do so is by returning to organic farming. INEP: Is organic farming inevitable? Dr. Kumar: I would say it is a necessity rather than inevitability. There is an element of finality in inevitability. When it is necessary, the methods adopted are natural. In the modern method of agriculture, the farmer is dependent on others. In organic farming he needs to prepare the fertiliser and nutrients himself. He is active in farming throughout the year and less dependent on others. It also keeps the women in his family well employed, busy, and earning. INEP: How does one prepare for organic farming? Dr. Kumar: Mental preparation is crucial. A farmer has to mentally plan for the type of crop he wants to grow, the effort that is needed and the quantity of fertiliser and nutrients necessary. He has to make enquiries and choose the right areas and sow quality seeds. INEP: Tell us about the benefits of organic farming. PARISARA SOBAGU 19

26 Agriculture quantity of neem seeds, cactus leaves, lukky leaves, aloevera, and vishamadhaari leaves is ground and soaked for a week and then mixed and used as a pesticide. This eliminates 70% of the pests. In rural areas people keep their courtyard free from flies and other pests with the use of cow urine and cow dung, owing to their antiseptic properties. The time has come to tell the farmers to use the same on plants also. Organic manure Dr. Kumar: There are two types of benefits. Moneywise, the profits are better when we adopt organic farming, and the environment is not adversely affected. I said earlier that a farmer has to be mentally prepared, as the yield in organic farming is less in the beginning. But the products of an organic farm will fetch a better price in the market and compensate for a lower yield. In the long run financial stability is achieved. INEP: Name some of the well-known farmers who have adopted organic farming. Dr. Kumar: The names that come to my mind right now are those of Jayaram, a lawyer from Bangalore, and Nandeesh from Shimoga. But there are many more who have successfully adopted this method. INEP: Can we adopt this method on a smaller scale in our homes? Dr. Kumar: Yes. A treatment of home-grown plants with a mixture of equal proportions of cow dung, cow urine and water can eliminate pests. In rural areas people use ash as a pesticide for crops like brinjal. Student: Can all plants be grown organically? Dr. Kumar: Any variety of crop can be grown using this method of farming. INEP: Is a good yield assured in this method? Dr. Kumar: Yes. In fact, the produce of an organic farm is known for its high quality. Student: Is organic farming suitable for urban areas? Dr. Kumar: Yes. Normally flowers are grown in large quantities in cities. Find a good quantity of red soil and mix it with organic manure. Student: Can this method be adopted even on barren land? Dr. Kumar: This is a good question. Normally we have this notion that nothing can be grown on barren land. We have to first make barren land fertile by treating it with green leaf fertiliser. Once the land becomes fertile, crops can be grown adopting the organic farming method. Farmers from Tamil Nadu have prepared a concoction and have been using it as a complete pesticide. Equal 20 PARISARA SOBAGU

27 Agriculture Organic pesticides Organic pesticides score over synthetic ones Though chemical pesticides are effective, they have a lethal impact on farming and life. On the other hand, organic pesticides used judiciously are farm-friendly and lifeenhancing, says Dr. Chandrashekhar, Professor of Entomology, Bangalore University of Agriculture. INEP: What are pesticides? Dr. Chandrashekhar: As the name suggests these are chemicals that kill or destroy pests. The first known pesticide is arsenic, which was used about 100 years ago. But the most popular chemical pesticide is DDT. Mr. Paul Muller, a scientist, discovered DDT in 1934 during World War II. This was used as a weapon to kill enemy soldiers in the war. It was used to eradicate malaria around years ago. We also used it against pests, predators, beetles and other insects that were destroying our crops. But DDT is harmful when used injudiciously. INEP: What are the pesticides generally used in India? Dr. Chandrashekhar: There are five to six types of pesticides. They are classified according to their chemical composition. There are organo-phosphates, carbonates, and nicotinoids. The most commonly used pesticides have organo-phosphate compounds. Pyrethroids and para-nicotinoids are the latest additions in the market. DDT belongs to the chlorinated hydrocarbons category. Its harmful effect is that once it is released into the atmosphere it can last for a period of years. That is one of the reasons why we are not using DDT and other such chemicals of the hydrocarbon group. We can use DDT only to control malaria. But even that had to be stopped in phases. We have about pesticides. INEP: What are organic pesticides? Dr. Chandrashekhar: Since DDT was very harmful, scientists wanted to find an alternative for it. But it was difficult as these chemical pesticides could also stop the entire biological process. They could destroy other natural or beneficial viruses, bacteria, worms and other pests. So the search was on for something natural or that could be made from natural substances. The experiment began years ago, using a natural substance. The bevina kashaya or neem concoction is an example of an organic pesticide. Organic pesticides can be made using viruses. For example, we have noticed that avare kaalu(a local variety of beans) gets infested by a worm. As we know that avare kaalu has to be eaten by us and not by the worm, we have to get rid of this worm. It is found that even the worm in the bean has a disease. A virus causes this. The virus is isolated in a laboratory, and developed as a pesticide which farmers can use as an organic pesticide. If a pesticide is created from a virus or other micro-organisms or anything similar that is made from natural elements it is an organic pesticide. PARISARA SOBAGU 21

28 Agriculture INEP: What are the pesticides generally used in India? Dr. Chandrashekhar: The avare kayee worm or helicoverp also affects tomato, cotton and 130 other crops. This is a single major pest that affects 130 crops. A virus has been discovered to control this helicoverp. The speciality of this virus is that it affects only helicoverp and nothing else. Organic pesticides are made from fungi also. There is a bacterium called bacillus thurengensis which affects the silk worm. This bacterium has been isolated, treated and then used as an organic pesticide. The point is that if the bacterium or the virus is used directly it may affect the silk worm. If it is isolated, developed in the lab, and detoxified, then it can be used as an organic pesticide. Dr. Chandrashekhar: The coat on the neem seed is removed and the pulp is taken out. If 40 gm of pulp are mixed with one litre of water, then a 4% neem concoction is ready. The method of making it is very important and a slight deviation from the procedure makes it less effective. But if made properly it is very effective. The seed has to be powdered well, mixed in water and soaked for an entire night. Then it has to be ground well. The more you grind the better will be the product. It is mixed with water and soaked for a night. While grinding only 100 or 200ml of water is used. For the final 4 per cent concoction 4 kg of neem paste is mixed with 100 litres of water. The University of Agricultural Sciences has more details about this product. A seed crushing machine is now available. There are several pesticides made out of a neem concoction by factories. Farmers are also making the neem concoction privately in their homes and are using it as an organic pesticide. The neem-based pesticides are the major pesticides used in India. INEP: How is the neem concoction prepared? In spite of these huge benefits of neem farmers hesitate to prepare this product at home. While grinding, the neem seed produces a foul smell that causes headache. Normally it is women who do the grinding work. To avoid the headache they may not grind well. If the seeds are not ground well it may not become an effective pesticide. If ground well the neem concoction is one of the best organic pesticides. The neem concoction can also be a product of the cottage industry if organized on a community basis. Organic pesticides INEP: What about the investment? Dr. Chandrashekhar: Several tonnes of neem seeds are going out of the country. Nobody is paying for this. India is incurring a huge loss. The only investment on the preparation of the neem concoction is manual labour and the cost of gathering the seeds. They have to be handpicked. The rest of the things can be managed with the help of a few people. The neem seeds are available only once a year around the months of June and July. So every year we have to collect them and store them. The seeds cannot be stored for more than one year as they 22 PARISARA SOBAGU

29 Agriculture effects. Yet the damage caused by organic pesticides is less because its impact wears out quickly. Another advantage is that whatever little damage it causes can be managed or rectified easily because it is a natural product. Neem seeds, powder & cake become old enough to get infected by worms. The infected neem seeds lose their potency. The irony is that the pesticide itself is pestered. The Farmers of North Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh store beetles, predators and other pests to breed and multiply viruses and predators. These can also be used as organic pesticides. It is better if 20 to 50 farmers make a joint effort. The Centre for Research in Dry Land Agriculture of Hyderabad (CRIDA) has more details on the use of pests and predators as organic pesticides and they also offer training in this method. INEP: Are organic pesticides too harmful? Dr. Chandrashekhar: Yes. The role of the pesticides is to stop the biological process. The reaction of the organic pesticides on crops cannot be different from the way a chemical fertiliser reacts. The purpose of a pesticide is to get rid of the pest. But organic pesticides are less harmful, much less than a chemical pesticide. In an organic pesticide the virus of one worm can not affect another type of worm. Its role is very specific. We have to be very careful while preparing and using the neem concoction. Australia has already cautioned about the neem concoction. They have discovered that an improper preparation of this concoction can have side INEP: Are animals and living creatures affected by organic pesticides? Dr. Chandrashekhar: So far organic pesticides haven t harmed humans or animals. But chemical pesticides like DDT used to get rid of pests have a long staying power. They lead to bio-magnification. That is, it got into water, and into micro-aqua food eaten by small fish, which are eaten by big fish. It had killed birds and by the time it had reached human beings the quantity of chemicals of DDT was huge. In the case of organic pesticides such possibilities have not been seen so far. Even the best organic pesticide like the neem has 150 chemicals but it does not have the staying power like the chemical pesticide, like DDT. As photosynthesis starts, the potency of neem reduces. But then one is not sure when the change occurs in nature and of the reasons for it. INEP: Does the use of organic pesticides lead to biomagnification? Dr. Chandrashekhar: I just gave the case of biomagnification in the case of the DDT, and how it goes from the invisible plankton to the big fish. Organic pesticides do not lead to bio-magnification. Because it is a natural product, the moment organic pesticides get into the body, the body starts producing a chemical to fight the invaders. PARISARA SOBAGU 23

30 Agriculture INEP: How about completely stopping the use of all pesticides? Dr. Chandrashekhar: It may not be possible. We have tried growing five grass blades in the place of one and kept a watch on them. What we did was to try and increase the resource base. If there was one insect on one blade of grass we then found one on each of the grass blades. If the resource base increases pests also increase. We need pesticides to protect our food. First, to ensure that pests do not come near food, and then to get rid of those that have already come. INEP: Do organic farming and organic pesticides mean the same? Dr. Chandrashekhar: No. Organic pesticides are made from natural substances. We need them to increase food production; and we need organic farming to have a sustainable development without affecting the environment. Organic pesticides are just one aspect of organic farming. But they are not one and the same. 24 PARISARA SOBAGU

31 Agriculture Vermicomposting Turning trash to compost The small and ordinary looking earthworm does amazing things. It tills, it ploughs, and provides nutrition to plants and soil. Dr. Radha D Kale, Department of Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, talks about how earthworms are used to make vermicompost. INEP: Will you please tell us the scientific way of making vermicompost? Dr. Radha D Kale: In nature every creature has a responsibility and carries it out. Earthworm is no exception. The earthworm looks very small and ordinary but its usefulness is extraordinary. It is known as a friend of the environment and a friend of the farmer. All earthworms look the same to an ordinary eye, but scientists have found several kinds of earthworms. Depending on the environment they live in, earthworms are of two kinds the one that work on the top layer of the soil and the other that go deep inside. The top layer earthworms do not dig deep. They remain on top of the ground, preferably where decomposed or semidecomposed matter is available. In fact, `decomposed is not the right word. We have to say biologically matured or putrefied material. The earthworms keep eating this and the excreta is the precious organic manure called vermicompost. The earthworm that stays deep inside the earth makes the soil loose, and so that the roots of plants breathe well. This helps the plants and trees to spread their roots properly. It also helps more water to seep into the ground. INEP: Please describe the role of earthworms in the environment. Dr Kale: Top layer earthworms are fewer in sultry regions. Yet our country has about 350 varieties of earthworms. About 5 per cent of them live on waste and convert them into manure. In South India there are 200 varieties of earthworms. In other words there are more kinds of earthworms in South India than in the rest of the country. It is said that sultry regions have more biodiversity. The same applies to earthworms too. The length of earthworms ranges from 2mm to 1metre in South India. Recently, in Coorg, an earthworm which was more than half a metre long and one inch thick was sighted. This is called handi haavu in Kannada, and pigs devour them. But big earthworms like handi haavu are not useful for vermicomposting. Smaller earthworms come in handy for vermicomposting. We now use four varieties of earthworms for vermicomposting. They are Eudrilus eugeniae, Eisenia foetida, Perionyx excavatus, and perveus PARISARA SOBAGU 25

32 Agriculture sansobaricas(?). We may find more varieties in the future. INEP: Does vermicompost really have so much of nutrition? Dr Kale: Yes. Vermicompost is organic manure with several nutritional and beneficial factors. It has all the nutrition our plants need. Vermicompost is a total and complete manure. It has additional properties. It can help soil to maintain good health. When I was visiting a horticulture garden in Germany, a scientist told me that we do not need huge-sized hybrid vegetables and fruits but that we need a soil that maintains its health for the future generations. Keeping this in mind we use only organic manure and what the earthworm produces is the most natural manure one can ever get. This is what the German scientist told me and I can t forget what he said. That is reason why I keep saying that there is no comparison between chemical fertilisers with the organic manure. The chemical fertilizer may have some properties but organic manure is complete manure with several properties. INEP: Can we have vermicomposting done at home? Dr Kale: We can. If we do it at home, we can reduce the solid waste that we send for land filling. We can also reduce environmental pollution to a large extent. Keep a small bucket or a drum or even an old cement bag into which you can dump all the waste that is produced in the kitchen like vegetable and fruits peels, green leaves, food particles and pieces of paper. Mix them well. Add dry Vermicomposting pit leaves and paper balls. The peels of vegetables and fruits start watering which produces a strong odour that attracts mosquitoes and flies. The pieces of paper absorb all the water and fluids. We should keep tossing it within a bucket once in 2-3 days. About a week or two later you will see a lot of waste is collected. Keep mixing it up well. Add a bit of cow dung water if available and mix again. We can also have a layer of mud over them. Introduce earthworms into this mixture. They begin to eat the waste and by doing so they keep going deep inside. By this time we should have another bucket where we can pile up the wet waste. If this process is continued we can have 75 kg of pure organic manure in our home. There are women who have done this and come to me to say proudly that the yield of compost has increased; and they say that their plants are looking good and healthy and the flowers brighter and more colourful! INEP: From where do we get earthworms? Dr Kale: At the moment our centre is handing over a small quantity of earthworms. We do not charge for small quantities like earthworms. There are many people who have made producing and selling earthworms a business and a profession. They sell vermicompost too. They derive immense satisfaction from it. I am happy to tell you that many farmers have taken this up as a business enterprise. INEP: Can you give names of a few people who have been successful in vermicomposting? Dr Kale: Shivamma from Dummhalli produces very good vermicompost. Not only does she make it but she has also trained all the women of the village to produce vermicompost. Another person is Vijayalakshmi Gowda from Matthur. This lady started this with a Rs. 500 capital; today she produces 40 tonnes of vermicompost a month and sells it. There is Shivaram near Mandya. His compost 26 PARISARA SOBAGU

33 Agriculture Local species of earthworms that are generally used in India are Perionyx excavatus and Lampito mauritii is so good that farmers from outside the state come and buy vermicompost from Shivaram. In Budanooru, a helper in the Agriculture Department makes vermicompost. He didn t have a farm of his own. He attended a workshop at a Krishi Mela in a college in Mandya, where he saw and heard how to nurture earthworms, and started doing the same in his backyard. Now he produces and sells vermicompost to farmers in Maddur and Mandya. He earns about Rs. 25,000-30,000 per year from vermicompost. We can say many people have made this a profession. INEP: Can all earthworms produce vermicompost? Dr Kale: As said earlier all varieties of earthworms are not useful in making vermicompost. At the moment we have only four varieties which are useful. It is hoped that in the future we will have more varieties that become useful to make vermicompost. But whatever we have is working very well and growing well. We have Eudrilus eugeniae a sample of which was sent to me in 1980 by a scientist from Germany. It is not that this variety was not available in our country. At that time people did not care much for and about earthworms. They didn t know that earthworms could accomplish this kind of work. I had presented a paper in a seminar abroad about a study on local earthworms, as to how they are useful in consuming wet waste and converting it to high quality manure. My hosts expressed thought our locality and atmosphere would be congenial for such an experiment. They sent forth some eggs of earthworms. This type of earthworm was available in our country as early as 1923, but we did not have any programmes or schemes to utilise them. This variety grows very well. It is one foot long. Usually we recommend farmers to use this variety. This is for digging the soil. To make vermicompost we recommend to the farmers to have the four varieties mentioned earlier. They are small in size but produce very good compost manure. INEP: What is your advice to children from rural areas who have fun torturing earthworms and sometimes killing them? Dr Kale: Poor kids. They don t know what they are doing. But if you make them aware about the use of earthworms I can assure you that children will be the first ones to come forward to make vermicompost. We have to teach them how to utilise earthworms, and then they won t kill them. INEP: Is there a limit on the quantity of vermicompost that should be used while growing plants or trees? Dr Kale: We don t have to be so strict about it. In case we use more manure on plants or trees there is no harm in it, because these organic composts settle slowly and retain their nutrients for a long time. Chemical fertilisers like urea are either easily dispersed by air or washed away with water and very little is absorbed by the plant. This organic vermicompost stays for long in the soil so that plants get regular doses of nutrients. It also helps upgrade the quality of the soil. It helps the earth or soil in improving its water retention capability. It helps with the circulation of air within the soil. I keep telling everyone that they can t see a plant as just PARISARA SOBAGU 27

34 Agriculture a plant but as a part of a system of living and non-living things. Therefore, even if you add more manure there is no harm to the plant, as it also helps the soil. INEP: What is the difference between organic and biomanure? Dr Kale: Bio-manure is made by using amoebae, insects and other living organisms. We mix them in an inert medium in a specific quantity and give it to the farmers. It has its own nutritional value which is called humus. Along with the humus there are other beneficial living organisms in this kind of manure. But organic manure like vermicompost is a complete manure, helping both the plant and the soil. Student: What do earthworms eat? Dr Kale: An earthworm doesn t have eyes or a nose. But it has the sense of smell and sight. It can make out through its pores whether it is day or night. It has a small hole which it uses as a mouth. Earthworms which live on the top soil start eating whatever is available in a putrefied state, that is, whatever soft that is available. They eat all living organisms, excreta, and dung. But we should never give chicken manure ( koli gobbara ) to earthworms, because its salt content is very high, it is heat producing and not suitable for earthworms. Moreover there is uric acid that the earthworm cannot make use of. Cow dung, all kinds of leaves and grass can be given to them. The earthworms on the top soil love to eat material that is mixed with mud or soil. They love to eat earth-mixed or soil-mixed manure and then they convert it into more minerals and make it available to the plants in the form of salt. Their functioning varies from place to place and depends on the kind of food they get. INEP: Does the use of vermicompost depend on the amount of water available in that place? Dr Kale: Your point is whether the vermicompost helps in retaining water content if this is your question I would like to say that the excreta of earthworms is found in heaps. It has an adhesive quality and that in turn improves the water retention capacity of the earth. For the same reason the use of vermicompost helps the plants to get whatever is necessary. Now even if the rainfall is delayed and vermicompost is used, the plants have the capacity to retain water till it rains. INEP: Even after using vermicompost is it necessary to use any other additional nutrition? Dr Kale: We are frequently asked such questions. Once you use vermicompost there is no need for using any other supplements. But in case there is a lack of a particular nutrient, then there is nothing wrong in using additional manure. Basically a balance has to be maintained and not disturbed. INEP: Why do we call earthworms nature s ploughs and friends of farmers? Dr Kale: This statement was first made by Charles Darwin. At a time when it is so difficult to get organic manure the availability of vermicompost is like manna from heaven. It makes use of whatever waste that is available and converts it into perfect manure. This also helps in maintaining the health of the soil. In addition to this, it also makes holes or pores in the earth through which water easily seeps in. This helps plants and ground water. It helps the soil to breathe. The roots of the plants need to breathe. The use of vermicompost is very useful in this regard. Earthworms also churn and rotate the soil inside the earth, just like a plough. The inner soil comes up and the top soil goes in. Since it breaks the soil loose, the soil becomes porous. Hence, it is perfectly understandable that earthworms are the nature s plough isn t it aptly said? 28 PARISARA SOBAGU

35 Biodiversity Biodiversity Biodiversity Animal biodiversity creates a balanced world Fisheries and biodiversity Part I Fisheries and biodiversity Part II Butterflies and birds biodiversity Concept of sustainable development PARISARA SOBAGU 29

36 Biodiversity Biodiversity Protection of biodiversity essential Nature s biodiversity is rich. Rather than keep it unused, we have to study it, understand and preserve it, says, Dr. Satynarayana Bhat, Executive Officer, Biodiversity Board, Bangalore INEP: What is an eco-system? Dr. Satynarayana Bhat: Eco means house in Greek. Ecosystem means keeping the house in order. We are trying to understand the ecology from 100 to 150 years. There is a natural ecology like earth, water and atmosphere. Manmade ecology includes agricultural fields, buildings, reservoirs and other built-structures. INEP: What is biodiversity? Dr. Bhat: Everything, which has life and is breathing, is part of bio-diversity. From amoeba to elephants, from fossils to huge trees like Cyprus and Citrus, these varieties make bio-diversity. INEP: Is man included? Dr. Bhat: Yes, along with other mammals like sheep, cattle, dogs and other animals. INEP: Is biodiversity limited to forests and rural areas? Dr. Bhat: No. There are no such barriers. It is in the eye of the beholder. One cannot go in search of biodiversity in forests. We can see it even in concrete buildings. In the corridors of Vidhana Soudha, one can see several beehives sheltering a variety of bees. These corridors of powers shelters over a crore of bees in a year. INEP: What is the significance of biodiversity? Dr. Bhat: The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, the clothes we wear are provided by plants and animals. A regular harvest is going on to get what we want. We are overdoing it. We have to do some sustained conservation and leave rich, strong bio- diversity to future generation. INEP: What is ecological niche? Dr. Bhat: It is a biological or ecological nest. There are 30 to 35 varieties of ants in forests that thrive on dead bodies of other animals. They live in search of food. Certain types of grass are available in Brahmagiri of Kodagu district. Only animals that thrive on these types of grass live in these regions. We call these biological nests or niche because they live where their food is available. INEP: Is there a threat to bio-diversity? Dr. Bhat: We all know about urbanisation leading to water and air pollution. When we destroy a tank, it is also the destruction of animals, larva, algae and fish, birds who 30 PARISARA SOBAGU

37 Biodiversity survive on these fish which in turn survive on plankton, and destruction of flies and other insects. The encroachment of forests leads to disappearance of animals, birds, eagles, which thrive on animals, which in turn depend on forests for survival. The entire natural resource is under threat. INEP: So we are losing precious natural resource? Dr. Bhat: This is not a resource one can lock up in safe custody. If you realise its value, you have to protect it and initiate steps to conserve it, and then one can say that the resources are out of danger. INEP: What is a food chain? Dr. Bhat: I mentioned the case of a dried up tank. The tadpoles, which are young fish, survive on plant plankton which is a water plant. These fish, which lay millions of eggs, depend on food available in water. Then the birds migrating from India and abroad eat these fish for their survival and lay eggs. These planktons can survive on oxygen present in the water and sunlight. They die when this is not available or reduced. When they die fish don t survive. Then the birds won t come. Pollination and other process will not happen in that region. This is the food chain, with each link in the chain being important. INEP: If one animal dies, can it be replaced in the food chain? Dr. Bhat: No, it cannot be replaced. It is lost forever. When the Australian bird called Dodo died the bio-diversity connected with it disappeared. It cannot be replaced artificially. INEP: Is deforestation a threat to bio-diversity? Dr. Bhat: The effect will be massive, because forest consists of micro to macro plants like grass to huge trees. When a cowherd cuts grass to feed his cattle, his sickle cuts more Food chain than mere grass. Unknowingly a precious sapling may also get cut. Similarly a grazing cow can destroy or trample precious species of plant, which might have become a huge tree. The flowers of that tree would have attracted millions of bees and butterflies. So a casual flourish of a sickle or the trampling of a sapling can stop future pollination process. That is the threat of deforestation on bio- diversity. INEP: What is keystone species? Dr. Bhat: There are certain species of plants and animals, which are on the verge of extinction and hence are the last link in the bio- diversity chain. It can be a type of antelope, a duck, a peacock, and the broad-eared elephants. When these species die we lose the species forever. These PARISARA SOBAGU 31

38 Biodiversity species, which are on the verge of extinction, are called keystone species. INEP: What are bio-indicators? Dr. Bhat: The presences of certain creatures indicate that things around them are doing well. It can be butterflies, tiny birds or parrots who visit a garden attracted by the hibiscus or any other ordinary flowers. The presence of these birds, bees and butterflies indicate that the environment around the place is good. Similarly presence of some animals indicates the environment around them is good. These are called bio-indicators. INEP: Which are the major bio centres of Karnataka? Dr. Bhat: The evergreen forests of Malnad region, semideciduous forests of the plains like Belgaum, Chitradurga and Davangere are the major bio centres. Sweet water fish, salt water fish of coastal regions, various types of animals in Nagarhole Sanctuary, peacocks in Haveri regions are also major bio centres of Karnataka. INEP: Are there any laws to protect biodiversity? Dr. Bhat: There are rules and laws coming under Wild life Conservation and Protection Act, which are directly and indirectly connected with biodiversity too. India, along with 180 other countries is a signatory to the international agreement at Rio de Janeiro, to safe guard biodiversity. This resulted in Biodiversity Act 2002, which protects India s biodiversity. INEP: What are the methods of conservation we are implementing? Dr. Bhat: There are two types of conservation in situ conservation and non-in situ conservation. For example, when we conserve elephants, zebras and other animals brought from Africa or other parts of the world, it is known as non-in situ conservation, because they are not local species. The tigers and elephants of Nagarahole, the lions of Gir are in situ conservation because they belong to the region where they are born and grow up there. 32 PARISARA SOBAGU

39 Biodiversity Animal biodiversity creates a balanced world Protect all species now In spite of occupying only 2.4% of the world, India has 7% of its rich animal diversity. Man s encroachment, natural disasters and inbreeding have driven many species to the verge of extinction. Only awareness about their necessity in our life can save us says, Prof. M. G. Govindaiah, Dean, Government Veterinary College, Bangalore. INEP: What is animal biodiversity? Prof. Govindaiah: India is rated as the twelfth largest biodiversity in the world. Northern India and the Western Ghats are especially important in terms of biodiversity. India is known for its variety and rare species of animals. A special department called Environment Information System Centre has been created to protect both plant and animal biodiversities. INEP: What is the role of animals in the biodiversity? Prof. Govindaiah: Each animal has a role to play in the bio-chain. Herbivorous animals eat plants and help plants to grow by fertilising the soil with their excreta. Plants and animals which include insects, birds, and butterflies are mutually dependant for survival and growth. INEP: How many varieties of animals are there in the country and in Karnataka? Prof. Govindaiah: Though India has only 2.4% of the world s area, it has 7% of total animal diversity of the world. Recent reports reveal that India has 1.27 lakh varieties of plant, animal and micro-organisms. 68.3% of animal world is insects and flies, 5.7% chordates and the rest are protozoan and plasmids. India has 89,500 types of animals, 60,000 kinds of insects and flies, 1693 types of fish and 393 types of mammals. Among wild animals there are eleven types that are carnivorous like tiger, lion, fox, panther, mongoose and wild dogs. Wild bison, wild elephants, deer, rabbits, reptiles, sambhar and raccoon are herbivorous. There are eight types of reptiles like python, cobra and Russell viper and 32 types of birds. Man has been categorised among mammals. Among domestic animals we have two varieties of cows, two types each of buffalo, camel and dog, one type each of sheep, goat, hen, horse, yak and Mithun, a herbivore found in the North East. Barring Mithun, camel and yak, all other varieties are seen in Karnataka too. INEP: What is a pyramid? Prof. Govindaiah: If one maps all the varieties of animals, their dependence on plants for food, and how men depend on plants and animals, the details constitute the Eltonian pyramid. It contains man s capacity to convert plants and animals into energy, which is known as food energy. PARISARA SOBAGU 33

40 Biodiversity cannot be stretched beyond a limit. Encroaching on forest regions and deforestation for agriculture creates severe competition among animals leading to extinction of some species. Other reasons are natural disasters like tsunami, hurricanes, forest fires and consumption of polluted water. Frequent inbreeding leads to diseases like blindness, and can wipe out several species of animals. Siberian cranes at Ranganathittu bird sanctuary INEP: Why do birds migrate? Prof. Govindaiah: They migrate singly, or in pairs or in groups from their domain to another sanctuary, temporarily, in search of food, to breed, to escape enemies or to avoid geographical and weather disorders. Thousands of people come and watch Siberian cranes that come to Ranganathittu, Kokkare Bellur and Mandagadde in Karnataka. After a few months these birds with their siblings return to their original habitat. Sometimes this causes harm. These migratory birds are attributed to have caused bird fever in our country recently. It is difficult to control the movement of migratory birds or animals. Migration happens according to the season and it is a law of nature. Even in Karnataka shepherds carry their sheep flock to Malnad regions when lack of rain depletes all the grass in the plains. They return when the rainy season is normal. INEP: Why are animal species shrinking? Prof. Govindaiah: The population explosion has made human beings encroach on animal territory. Available land INEP: What is poaching? Prof. Govindaiah: Certain people keep an eye on animals that are on the verge of extinction and capture them. Some hunt animals for pleasure. Some smuggle and kill rare animals to exploit the market for its skin, nutrition and ivory. They trap these animals illegally. This is called poaching. INEP: What is smuggling of animals? Prof. Govindaiah: Smuggling is transporting of gold or rare animals or species of plants for its value in the market, illegally, from one place to another. INEP: What is the competition between human beings and animals? Prof. Govindaiah: It is an everyday tussle and a wonder. Earlier, man lived in harmony with animals. The increase in human population has changed all that. Animals are getting less food for survival. There is a theory that such a competition is good for both animals and human beings. Availability of plenty of food makes both man and animal lethargic and that this may make them less keen on development and progress. 34 PARISARA SOBAGU

41 Biodiversity INEP: Does the loss of a species affect another? Prof. Govindaiah: Say, a species of tiger vanishes. Then the number of herbivorous animals it depended for food like deer, cattle and others may go up tremendously. They would destroy all grass and plants. Diverse varieties like wild animals, domestic animals and human beings are necessary for this world. INEP: Any census taken on animals? Prof. Govindaiah: Yes. Human census is taken once in 10 years while animal census is taken once in five years. A headcount of pet animals and mammals somehow can be managed. But the census of wild animals is difficult as they stay back in their hideouts. Wild life wardens and foresters go by the footmarks, traces of urine and excreta and in some cases by radio collaring for a count. At best it can be only an estimate, not an accurate count. INEP: What are the species that are on the verge of extinction? Prof. Govindaiah: They are classified according to their numbers. If there are more than 10,000 animals in a species, the number is considered as normal; the dangerous state is when numbers are between 5000 to 10,000; tigers and elephants are in the range of 1000 to 5000 and are considered as threatened species. Types of animals that are less than 1000 in number are considered to be in a critical stage. Even among human beings, certain tribes in Africa have less than 100 people. Such numbers are considered as extremely critical. Dangerously threatened species are tigers, bison, bear, cheetah and forest fowl. governments have jointly started a programme to save this breed of cows. INEP: Are there any laws to protect animals? Prof. Govindaiah: There are several. Article 21, Article 51(a), Article 42 of the Constitution and National Biodiversity Bill 1997 cover all aspects of plant and animal diversities, their protection and conservation and perpetuation to future generation. Forest Act 1980 prevents encroaching forest lands for agriculture. INEP: What can a citizen do to help in the conservation of animals? Prof. Govindaiah: Conservation of animals is the primary duty of each individual. He can indirectly take part through donations or directly through organisations. He can try and prevent poaching and encroachment of reserved forest areas and sanctuaries. INEP: Has man tamed animals? Prof. Govindaiah: Yes. With a lot of effort tigers, lions, deer and elephant can be tamed and trained. Domestic animals like cattle, dogs and poultry have been trained for a long time. INEP: What is selective breeding? Prof. Govindaiah: A selected species of male and female are chosen to increase its breed. The idea is to protect the best species and to increase its tribe and carry their DNA and genes to the next generation. Even among domestic animals, there is a breed of cow called pista valley, a very rare and precious cow. North Karnataka has a few of them. Both State and the Central PARISARA SOBAGU 35

42 Biodiversity Fisheries and bio-diversity Part I Need to preserve aqua variety Aqua variety is as important as other biodiversities. Our sewage and effluents are killing them. Recreational fishing is driving a few species to the verge of extinction. Juvenile fishing is drastically reducing their population says Dr. D. S. Krishna Rao, Reservoir Fisheries Division, Central Inland Fisheries Institute, Hesaraghatta, Bangalore. INEP: What is aqua diversity? Dr. Krishna Rao: Different species of trees in the forest make one feel that there is diversity and variety in forests. If you see several species of animals, you will say there is diversity and variety among wild animals. Normally when one looks at a water body, one sees only water and fish. But a scientist or an environmentalist can see a variety of things. Along with the fish there are several food products in water. They are micro-organisms, microscopic animals, creatures, shells, shrimps, crabs, bacteria and fungi. That is a co-existence of several animals and plants. That is aqua diversity. In our country there are very few lakes, all we have are rivers. In Africa there are lakes like Tanzania Lake and Victoria Lake. Several varieties of fish have evolved in such lakes. All the fish we have in India have evolved in river water. In Karnataka we have two major rivers, Cauvery and Krishna. Cauvery has several tributaries like Harangi, Hemavathi and Kabini. Likewise Krishna has Tunge, Bhadra, Vedavathi, and Bheema. It may surprise you to know that the Cauvery is older than the Ganga. The geological time period of Cauvery is more ancient than the Ganga. For this reason we have very special types of fish that have evolved in this river. For example, Puntius carnaticus, Labeo kontius, Cirrhinus cirrhosa, and Labeo ariza, all these are fishes that have evolved exclusively in the Cauvery River. INEP: These are all scientific names. What are they called in ordinary parlance? Dr. Rao: There are several names like belli-gende in ordinary parlance. Labeo kontius is known as pig mouth carp, as it looks like a pig s face. Then there are belchi fish, avalu fish, polli fish and chamari fish. The fishermen have given these names. These names vary from place to place. If you use scientific names then you can identify them all over the world. In northern India, the Ganga is a big river. If the Amazon River is the largest in the world then the Ganga ranks either 7 th or 8 th. There are several fish like catlar, humrigar in the Ganga. Because these are a fast growing variety and multiply fast they have been brought and grown in all the tanks, all over the country for commercial use. Thus the variety seen in the Ganga is also seen in Cauvery and 36 PARISARA SOBAGU

43 Biodiversity Krishna rivers. Originally they do not belong to those rivers. They have been introduced into these rivers for our benefit. Hence in an artificial manner we have increased the variety of fish. INEP: We have heard of such things in regard to paddy. Now we hear similar things about fish too. Dr. Rao: But there is a cause for concern. Some varieties are grown and developed with out the knowledge of the Government of India. Around Bangalore there is a species called Clarias gariepinus (African catfish), also known locally as aane meenu. Our farmers have been misled into thinking that this African fish can bring in more revenue. But we do not know its effect on the environment and on the local fish. It may or may not wipe out local fish. We do not know the pros and cons. If the permission from the Government of India is taken they would guide them or warn them about growing such varieties. In small rivers there are fewer varieties of fish. For example, the river Shimsha or Arkavati in the outskirts of Bangalore, is a small river and may have about varieties of fish in them. Kabini may have around varieties of fish in it. In Cauvery we may find around 100 varieties. Even as a river flows, the varieties vary. In Bagamandala where Cauvery begins there may be 20 varieties but as the river reaches Ramanathpura we are likely to find around 50 varieties and near the Hogenakall Falls there are around 100 varieties. 000 hectares, over 50 varieties of fish may be found. The variety increases as the space increases. Thus the varieties of fish vary from river to river and from region to region. INEP: There must be many varieties on the coast line. They are so long. Dr. Rao: The Karnataka coastal line is about 300 km long, from Mangalore in the South to Karwar in the North. About 200 m of the sea, around 27, 000 sq. km in all, known as the continental shelf, is also included in the coast line. There are about 2, 200 varieties of fish, including both fresh water fish and salt water fish. There are around 900 varieties among fresh water fish and 1, 200 varieties among salt water fish. In the sea, the salinity is 32parts/1000, whereas in fresh water it is very less. Hence, it is difficult for fresh water fish to live in saline conditions like sea water and vice-versa. But there are exceptions. A few fish, known as migratory fish, through a biochemical process or reaction in their body systems, grow both in sea water and fresh water. Their adaptability as they grow occurs in phases or stages. Etroplus suratensis, also known as pearl-spot, survives in estuaries, that is, the area where sea water and fresh river water meet. Bangade boothaye, a local variety of fish found in sea water, cannot adapt to fresh water conditions. On the other hand, if fish like Katla and Rohu are brought to sea water, they will not adapt at all and die as they essentially survive in fresh water. As the environment and bio-diversity change the variety also changes. It depends on the locale and the type of food that is available to the fish. Bigger the reservoir, the more will be the variety of fish. Tippagondanahalli and Manchanabele tanks are small tanks with about 330 hectares of water. There may be around varieties of fish. But in Krishna Raja Sagara, which is spread over 13, INEP: In case of fisheries, we hear a lot about zoo plankton. What are they? Dr. Rao: There are some micro- Fishing in lakes PARISARA SOBAGU 37

44 Biodiversity organisms in water that are not visible to the naked eye. There are several of them, the important ones being micro flora and micro fauna. In the food chain, at the very first level, micro flora are present. They produce food by using energy from sunlight and taking up nutrients from water. At the second level zoo plankton are found. These thrive by feeding on sensitive water plants and expand their community. They are zoo plankton of the second order. Fish and other similar creatures form the third level of the food chain. Among fish there may be two or three kinds. The one that feeds directly on plants or on zoo plankton itself is known as catla. The aavalu meenu thrives by feeding on other fish. These form the other stages of the food chain. These micro-organisms have many varieties like chlorophyceae, bacillariophyceae, and cynophyceae. Similarly, there are several varieties among zoo plankton also. Rotifera, kotifera and cladocerans, are some varieties of zoo planktons. This apart, all of these are known as plankton. Plankton in English means wanderers. Their swimming faculty is weak or absent, as a result of which they go with the flow of water or drift away when a strong wind blows. It is difficult for these organisms to find a foothold or a place in water. On the other hand, fish can swim against the current as they have definite and strong lateral fins. Plankton do not possess this advantage and hence drift along with the wind or float along the current. There are some zoo plankton that are visible to the naked eye as they are about one mm in size. For example, daphnia can be seen by the naked eye. But most zoo plankton can be seen only by using a microscope. Zoo plankton are a very important link in the food chain because most fish feed mainly on zoo plankton. Even meat eating fish, when young, feed on zoo plankton predominantly. Thus zoo plankton have gained an important place in the biological food network. We encourage farmers to grow fish that live on zoo plankton. For example catla is a variety of fish that thrives on zoo plankton. It grows very fast. So, if you have a small school of these young fish in a nursery, they will each grow to almost one kg in a year. This is highly economicallyviable for the farmer. The Central Fisheries Research Centre in Hesaragatta is the oldest research institute in the country. They have carried out a lot of research, presented papers and published many journals on fisheries. INEP: In fisheries there is this term allile that is frequently used. What does it mean? Dr. Rao: In English it translates into an estuary. This is the term used for the place where a river joins or enters the sea. Wherever the river and the sea meet and mingle it is known as an estuary. These estuaries are a very complex environment. Here the salinity is not as high as in the sea nor is it as low as in the rivers. This is a kind of a buffer zone. This forms an environment whose quality is midway between a sea and a river. But it is a fertile environment for a variety of fish to grow. From a commercial angle this is very useful in nurturing fisheries. Moreover many varieties of fish come and breed in estuaries and in such environs and increase their numbers and strengthen their species. There are possibilities of new species forming too. Estuaries play a very important role in the maintenance and development of many fish species. Estuaries are like gateways for migratory fish like the hilsa, eel, and salmons which travel from the river to the sea or from the sea to the river. These migratory fish slowly but steadily change their biochemical pattern to adapt to both fresh water and sea water conditions. INEP: How do these migratory fish adapt or adjust to the new environment? Dr. Rao: It involves a very complex biochemical change. 38 PARISARA SOBAGU

45 Biodiversity These fish have been undergoing changes constantly but in phases and in minor ways over lakhs of Hilsa years and have now reached their present stage. INEP: Has the slump in the variety of fish any adverse impact? Dr. Rao: There has been an adverse effect. The main cause for this is the change of lifestyle in urban areas. It is a question of morality. Morally we have no right to kill a plant or an animal because we cannot create a plant or an animal. We have been responsible for the extinction of some varieties. This makes a big impact on the bio-chain or a biolink. Another point is that we do not know the role of different fish in the bio-chain. We may think they are useless and kill them now but realise their value ten or fifty years later. We cannot say sorry, we did not know. The damage is done. Another aspect is the commercial angle. We need some fish that are in great demand. Such varieties have to be maintained or protected. For instance, there is a fish called ollu in the Cauvery basin. Some people call it mahseer while some call it tor khudree. Mahseer is very popular in recreational fishing. People from all over the country and abroad come to the Cauvery basin, stay for days or even two months to catch Mahseer. This may help tourism but the mahseer is in danger and on the verge of extinction. We must protect them; even from a commercial angle, this variety has to be protected. We have to retain our rich biodiversity and water diversity for the future generations. INEP: What are the dangers or difficulties faced by the salt water and fresh water varieties? Dr. Rao: Water pollution is the main problem caused either by effluents of the industries or sewage from cities. Both of them have to be purified or treated up to the tertiary level. Only then we can let it go to tanks or rivers. If this is not done and it is allowed into the river, lakes and tanks, the organic matter of this polluted water can create water pollution. Now, several sensitive fish or other microorganisms or other creatures either go far away from there or get destroyed completely. The second problem is the lack of protection of forests. Reduction of forests leads to soil erosion when it rains. This soil is washed away to the rivers and settles in places which are the breeding and nurturing areas of fish. A lot of sediment accumulates in these places and affects the progeny of the fish. The third reason is that we are building reservoirs. When reservoirs are built the migratory fish cannot swim over the reservoir level and cross over. These fish migrate or go over onto a different type of water body for breeding and nurturing their young. The emergence of reservoirs has hampered the growth of these species. The same problem is faced by fish that go from the rivers to the sea. They cannot return to the river. In many countries there are fish passes in the reservoirs, also known as fish ladders. These are used by the fish like steps to cross over the reservoir barriers. We don t have them in India yet. We are still pondering over it. Another cause for worry is too much of fishing. In places where there were 10 people fishing, there are now 50 people doing the same thing; where there were just 10 boats, there are now 50 boats waiting to catch fish. We are not allowing the fish to mature to increase their breed. This is affecting their species, and the numbers are dwindling. We are catching them young. This is known as juvenile fishing. This has to stop. PARISARA SOBAGU 39

46 Biodiversity Fisheries II and biodiversity Fishing in troubled waters The well being of aquatic life is precious to the environment, and therefore to humans. Activities like fishing during the breeding season, dumping effluents into water bodies, and overloading ships carrying oil cause immense damage to aquatic living things. We need to be more sensitive to them, says Dr. Krishna Rao. Dr. Krishna Rao: The breeding season of fish is June September. This also coincides with the rainy season. We ban fishing during this period. But our watch and ward is not perfect. Illegal fishing goes on. The catching of fish when they have eggs within them destroys the line of progeny itself. Some people use copper sulphate as poison to kill fish. Some use a dynamite to kill them. This destroys small, big, juvenile and pregnant fish in one stroke. We may lose several varieties. INEP: Does oil slick affect fish? Dr. Krishna Rao: It does affect both life in water bodies and human beings. The oil-carrying ships are always overloaded. Most of the accidents are man-made. The ship may be carrying 1.5 lakh tones of oil instead of the stipulated 1 lakh tonne and hence may capsize. Several lakhs of litres of petrol and diesel spill into the water. Their density is less than water and hence they come up and float on water. The wind plays its role and hence the oil slick can be seen near Chennai if accidents occur around Japan or Philippines; if it is near Africa, the effect is seen in the Arabian Sea. The spilt oil covers a large area of surface water and prevents the photosynthesis process. This affects micro organisms like phytoplankton which belong to the first phase of a large food chain. The oil can settle on the gills of other aquatic animals which makes their breathing hard. Some fish and other animals may die. It is difficult to travel on sea when there is an oil slick. It is difficult to sit on the beach even for a minute. The pollution due to an oil leak or slick is enormous. INEP: Does aqua-culturing on sea shores lead to pollution? Dr. Rao: It does. It is our greed that causes pollution on sea shores. People have tried high density shrimp culturing on sea shores to earn a fast buck. They have done shrimp culturing in small tanks with shrimp eggs and seedlings, feeding them and using artificial manure. The tank would be full of shrimps, unused food, and manure. When the tank is cleaned, its polluted water pollutes other water bodies. People were pumping sea water into these tanks. The discharge of this sea water after shrimp culturing made local water bodies saline which enraged the local people. They revolted against sea pollution caused by us. The Supreme Court intervened and banned high density shrimp culturing. The government also brought in Aqua Culture Bill which we have to abide by. 40 PARISARA SOBAGU

47 Biodiversity INEP: Do industrial effluents affect aqua-diversity? Dr. Rao: It is a perpetual menace. You might have heard that effluents from a factory manufacturing polyfibres have been severely damaging aqua life in the Tungabhadra River. My colleagues studied the situation where millions of fish and other aquatic creatures died due to untreated effluents directly released into the river. Most of the industries did not invest on effluent treatment units even though they are now mandatory. We neither have stringent laws nor do we enforce the existing ones. We suggest to several industries to create a common treatment facility to treat effluents. For example, most of the tannery units are always clustered in one place. They can have one combined treatment unit. rivers. We need to maintain a minimum flow in the river to support a rich variety of aquatic life. We should also save the species like the ollu (Mahseer) fish, which are on the verge of extinction. We have to nurture their seedlings and help them thrive. We should avoid overfishing and juvenile fishing. We should not use dynamites or poison to kill fish. Fishing during the fish-breeding season should be strictly prohibited. People should be made aware of the value of aquatic life. The Central Inland Fisheries Research Centre is holding a 30-day workshop at the Manchanabele Reservoir in this regard. More such workshops should be held in other reservoirs too. INEP: What should we do to leave a rich legacy of aqua variety to future generations? Dr. Rao: We should keep the environment clean. River Thames in England was once polluted because all the effluents were released into it untreated. Fish died and the stink raised a stink in British parliament. They began to treat the water in the river and treated the effluents before they reached Thames. Now Thames is so clean that even sensitive fish like salmon move up and down happily. Mahseer fish We have to keep our reservoirs and rivers free of pollution. Secondly, the construction of reservoirs affects the flow of water in the river. Aqua life demands a minimum quantity of water. More the water the merrier it is for micro- and macroaquatic creatures. While recently the irrigation department officials may be happy that they have been successful in storing every drop of Cauvery river water with the help of reservoirs and dams, the same news hurts environmentalists. Dams and reservoirs have destroyed PARISARA SOBAGU 41

48 Biodiversity Butterflies and birds Humans need butterflies, birds Plants and birds can do without us but we cannot live without them. They create harmony living by the laws of nature. We harm everyone by violating the laws, says Dr. H R Krishnamurthy, Deputy Director, Akashvani, Southern Zone. INEP: Of all the living things in our rich biodiversity, birds have fascinated both poets and scientists. Poet K.S. Narasimha Swamy said he wanted to become the flower that swayed to the tunes of birds. Bendre asked wistfully: Have you beheld the bird in flight? Engineers marvel at the dexterity with which the weaverbird weaves its nest. Many music composers have acknowledged that it is the singing of the bird that has inspired their music. INEP: Tell us about the harmony in nature. Dr. H R Krishnamurthy: When we look around we see trees, plants, animals, birds, rivers, hills, mountains, lakes, forests and plains. All these constitute nature. Man is also a part of nature. Several activities keep happening around us. The rainfalls, water seeps into the earth, plants grow, and flowers blossom and fruits ripen. Animals and birds eat these fruits and drop the seeds. When the animals die they eventually return to nature. We should notice a subtle pattern in operation. All these happen according to an invisible law and order. We can understand nature with the help of five or six laws. All living things follow these rules or live by the law, except Man. Man is the only one who does not follow the rules of nature. Most of the problems we see around us are due to the violation of the laws of nature by man. Most activities we see in nature are harmonious. Nature s law is harmony. INEP: Birds and butterflies appear to play a very significant role in nature. Dr. Krishnamurthy: We now know what constitutes nature. Let us study the significance of the role birds and butterflies have played. I spoke about the law of nature. The main law is that none of these living things are completely independent. Every living organism is interdependent or depends on others for their survival and growth. Birds and butterflies are not exempt from this rule. Likewise, there are several other living organisms or living things that are dependent on birds and butterflies. This interdependence in nature is known as food chain or food network or biomultitude. Let us take the example of water. Small organisms and creatures live and survive by eating the aquatic plants, algae and fungi. These creatures are eaten by frogs, and snakes gobble up frogs. Snakes are devoured by birds like eagles and hawks. The mongoose also kills snakes and eagles gobble up mongoose. 42 PARISARA SOBAGU

49 Biodiversity Thus animals depend on each other for food. This food chain is not a linear chain but a very complex one. But each living creature forms an important link in the chain. Birds and butterflies are also links in this chain. When we consider only birds and butterflies we may think it is not much of a link. But even if a small link is missing then the entire chain loses its strength. Thus, birds and butterflies become an important link in the food chain. INEP: How many varieties of birds and butterflies are there in India? Dr. Krishnamurthy: In the world there are about 8,500 varieties of birds. In our country there are 1200 varieties. About 300 varieties come from different countries during winter. There are more than 17, 200 varieties of butterflies in the world. In India there are 1500 varieties. As the figures reveal there is an extraordinary variety of butterflies and birds in our country. No other country has such variety. Our weather and the geographical conditions are the reasons for such a variety. From north to south and from east to west we can see the variety in geographical and climatic extremes. We have ice-covered mountains, and thick forests on one side and we also have a desert few hundred kilometres away. We have hilly regions like the Western Ghats and the coastal regions too. Agricultural lands, huge lakes and long rivers account for a rich variety in our country. This creates a rich habitat which attracts birds and butterflies. A habitat should be a place which ensures the survival of the organism and the flora and the fauna. Birds should be able to build nests, have an easy access to food and water, and have an ideal place to breed and bring forth their progeny. INEP: Shall we call it unity in diversity? Dr. Krishnamurthy: What I am saying is totally different from what you are saying. We are proceeding in opposite directions. You are talking about unity whereas I am talking about the diversity that the country possesses, and the need to identify and be aware of such vast diversities. The extraordinary character of our country lies in the fact that it has such an extraordinary diversity in its flora and fauna. Food chain INEP: How does this rich variety in birds and butterflies help in biodiversity? Dr. Krishnamurthy : Imagine a situation where all the animals, birds, and plants discuss whether human beings are useful to them. If such a meeting is held and such a question is asked, then the answer would be a big No. If by some queer accident or a freak of nature all human beings are destroyed, the rest of the animal and plant world consisting of trees, animals, birds, fish, butterflies, and others will not be harmed in anyway. In fact they can thrive and live better. But, if for some reason all this biodiversity or nature s multitude is destroyed then man will have to face a very serious situation. PARISARA SOBAGU 43

50 Biodiversity What we have to understand is that plants and animals may not appear to be directly beneficial to us. But their sheer presence and interaction are of great use for our survival and comfort. Take for example the Colorado beetle. If they mate in a particular season, they are capable of bringing forth six crore beetles. Then there is this particular variety of insect that can multiply themselves 13 times in a year. There is a variety of locust which can spread to cover several kilometres in the sky as they swarm over fields. They can even block the sunlight from reaching the land below, in the area that they swarm. The tit-bird can consume 12 crore larvae in a year. Thus it helps in reducing the numbers or population of mosquitoes and similar insects. A rat gives birth to 880 young ones in a year. If all these rats grow and reach adulthood then the world will be full of rats and rodents. Birds ensure that such a situation does not arise. The sight of an owl is believed to be a bad omen. This is far from truth. We can t imagine how lucky we are to have owls around. Each owl eats around 3-4 rats everyday. There are two kinds of birds, kaajaana, and neelakanta. Both these birds are considered to be farmer s friends, simply because they help in keeping insects, beetles and other harmful pests under control. But for these two birds the entire field would be full of insects. Birds play a vital role in controlling insects. Colorado beetle The best method to reduce these millions of beetles and locusts, which destroy our crops, is to have or rear birds, simply because birds are natural worm or insect eaters. Take sparrows for example. In our childhood days we were able to sight a lot of sparrows. Sparrows build nests, lay eggs, and nurture the young ones to grow in our homes. The mother sparrow which has a small brood to feed needs at least 200 to 250 small worms to satisfy the hungry growing young ones. There is another variety of bird known as the tit-bird which resembles the sparrow. It has black and white plumage with a large black mole or a patch on its cheek. Apart from controlling the insects, birds along with butterflies and bees play an important role in pollination. Both butterflies and birds are attracted to flowers due to the presence of honey in them. When they come near the flowers to suck the nectar the pollen grains present in the flower cling to the wings of the butterflies or any other part of the bird. When such a butterfly or bird goes to another flower, then there will be an exchange or deposition of pollen causing pollination to occur. This results in the propagation of fruits and seeds and the further growth of plants. Thus, due to this kind of cross pollination fresh breeds of plants continue to flourish. Without birds, bees and butterflies pollination cannot take place. If you take a look at the process of evolution you can see the vital role played by creatures like birds, butterflies and bees. They are interdependent, carry the right kind of pollen and transfer them from one place to another, helping in continuing and maintaining the evolutionary process. 44 PARISARA SOBAGU

51 Biodiversity Another thing to be noticed is that we have 2.5 lakh flowering plants. But for cross pollination these plants could not have borne flowers. Around 80% of the pollination is brought about by birds, flowers and honey bees. Considering the amount of food we get from 2.5 lakh plants, the amount of medicines we get, the amount of cloth and the amount of chemicals and organic matter, we can see the role played by birds, butterflies and honeybees, in the process of pollination. Another interesting example: Though we have lighters now, we still use match boxes. Birds and matchboxes have a connection. The match stick is made from the wood of a particular tree, known as booruga, also known in some places as silk cotton tree. It is a soft wood tree. The match stick has a special role to play. Firstly, it should be able to catch fire easily, then burn for a while, remain aflame for a while. Only booruga tree has all these properties. But for birds and butterflies the silk cotton tree could not have survived and proliferated. The entire plywood industry depends on this wood. The industry survives only due to the silk cotton tree. Which is just one of the m a n y creations of birds and butterflies. INEP: What are the problems faced by birds and butterflies in perpetuating their species? Dr. Krishnamurthy: We start with sparrows. Around years ago, every house had sparrows which built nests and stayed there. The main reason being the tiles we used provided a lot of safe space to build the nests. Sparrows are the only birds, which can enter and move around freely in your bed room, kitchen, veranda, living room or any such place. The space behind wall-hangings and wooden frames gave them ample space to lay eggs and raise the young ones. Nowadays most of the houses are concretised, offering no suitable space for sparrows to nest and breed. Earlier, grains like rice, wheat, jowar, and ragi would be cleaned and sorted in our front yard. In the process, some grains would be dispersed in the front yard making it possible for the birds to feed on. But now we get cleaned and packed products. So, firstly it is concretisation that offered no place to nest and then we blocked food source. Moreover we use pesticides and insecticides, which are consumed by insects. Sparrows are wary of eating such infected insects. Thus there are several reasons for losing sparrows. This is the case not just in Bangalore but in most of the cities in India. In short there is no food, no shelter, no nesting place, no protection and no security. No wonder sparrows are not seen around! The same reasons account for the loss of several other varieties of birds. Tanks were the other places where several water birds would arrive. Birds like cranes, pelicans and ducks are some of the few that arrive at such places. Tanks were the ideal place for feeding, breeding for the birds, and hence, surviving. Now all the tanks are getting urbanized they have been drained, converted into plots and used for building Booruga tree PARISARA SOBAGU 45

52 Biodiversity houses. If effluents are allowed to enter the tanks which in turn destroy aquatic life they destroy birds habitat. For instance, the tank near Bidadi looked so beautiful the last time I went there, with soft sunlight filling the place. But when I went closer, there wasn t a single bird in sight; the reason being pollution due to effluents. Effluents reduce the oxygen in water which is so vital for both birds and fish. The absence of fish deters birds. This is how we are destroying their habitat, consciously and unconsciously. INEP : Can something creative and constructive be done to prevent such destruction? Dr. Krishnamurthy: First of all to protect anything we have to love it. Where there is love, protection comes automatically. To love them we have to know a few details about them. We need to know their history, their habits and their needs. An awareness brings them respect and along with it our love for them. Pelicans in turn will attract the birds. If the feeding becomes regular the birds also realise the pattern and start arriving regularly. This will also help you to study the different patterns in bird behaviour. You can also build nests for the birds according to their size. Nests can be built using the broken shell of a coconut or any such material. We should ensure that these nests are away from the reach of cats and dogs. Birds freely come in and go if they feel secure. Among the things to be done, the first would be to plant as many trees and plants as possible. In case we don t have enough space to grow trees we can always have flowering plants in pots. We can grow some creepers. Once they start flowering birds and butterflies get attracted to them. Another source of attraction is water. In case we can channel some water, say like rain water, it automatically attracts birds and butterflies. The dew on a big leaf is enough to attract a bird called soorakki or sun bird, which uses the dew to bathe. The sun bird is among the first one to arrive attracted by the colour of the flower. Once the birds start arriving, we can plan arranging food for them. A bird table can be created. It is a hanging device which is more or less like hanging a pot and then attaching a wooden piece to it. On the wooden piece food grains like rice, ragi, bread crumbs and boiled rice can be left scattered, which There are several books to educate us on birds. We have to read them thoroughly and have a good understanding of the whole process. Children should be made members of clubs which focus on bird watching and other bird-related activities. Here they can meet people with similar interests with regard to birds and the environment. If they go trekking with such groups, they will be closer to nature. They can go to farms and such other places. They can learn several things related to nature. When we regularly involve ourselves in such activities we get attached to environment, birds, butterflies and other such things. Once we understand them it is easy to love them and then steps can be initiated for their protection. INEP: Please give us more details regarding bird watching and bird watching clubs. 46 PARISARA SOBAGU

53 Biodiversity Dr. Krishnamurthy: Around years ago very few people were involved in bird watching. Now things have improved enormously. Now there are several clubs that indulge in bird watching. The first thing is to learn to identify the birds. There is no need to go in search of birds, but it is necessary to be observant when you see them. Now, can you tell me the names of the birds you can see from your house? INEP: The first thing I can see are mynas. Dr. Krishnamurthy: Then you can see crows and eagles, along with plants and trees, and several other things. In case you have a flowering plant at home you can see the sun bird. You cannot see peacocks but can hear them. First, study about them in a book to learn about their colour, shape and size which will help you to identify them and appreciate them. These things cannot be done without the help of books. If you go out with the experts then it is very easy to understand all this. Now, we have in Bannerghatta a butterfly park which houses many varieties of butterflies. You can study their life cycles and marvel at the varieties there. INEP: I read about an American writer who shot a woodpecker because it was causing a lot of commotion. The writer s house became a zoo of insects and creatures because there was no bird to control them. He really regretted killing the bird and he has written that he had to leave the house and move away. Is it possible to create an awareness of such a level in our country? Myna Dr. Krishnamurthy: Certainly it is possible. There was a time when there was no awareness regarding birds at all. Now there are several organisations and clubs, and even Akashwani broadcasts such programmes on environment and ecology. A lot of awareness is being created through such programmes. However, the problems remain. The government takes important decisions concerning the cutting of trees in a forest to build, say, a road. People who take such decisions should be aware of the impact of deforestation on ecology and environment. The government itself has initiated several programmes and workshops about deforestation and its impact on the environment, to educate the public and even the beaurocrats. But awareness is not something that develops overnight. It has slowly developed over years and compared to what it was earlier the level of awareness is really high now. If children get accustomed to their environment and its protection and realise its importance then certainly as they grow old they will ensure that the environment will not be polluted or destroyed. INEP: Please give us more details on how to maintain the ecological balance? Dr. Krishnamurthy: I do not believe that children can be taught about ecology and environment by prescribing the topic in textbooks. The moment it is included in the syllabus they read it from the view of an examination. And once the examination is over they forget about it. Developing a garden in the school is a better way of learning about the environment. This will interest children, as they prefer to see such things outdoor. It is better to learn about the environment by watching the greenery in the fields and farms rather than through textbooks. Many organisations are doing this job and the level of awareness at the moment is very good. Even parents are encouraging their children to learn about things that are environmental. PARISARA SOBAGU 47

54 Biodiversity Concept of sustainable development in living Development without destruction Development is necessary but not at the cost of depletion of natural resources and global pollution. Mahatma Gandhi s words that there is enough in nature to satisfy man s needs but not greed says it all, says Mr. S. Ramakrishna, Senior Environmental Officer, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. INEP: What is sustainable development? Mr. Ramakrishna: It is a planned development without depleting or destroying natural resources, retaining them for future generations. It should not affect development but should also leave enough natural resource to future generation. INEP: What is its significance? Mr. Ramakrishna: There is a limit to the availability of natural resources. Future generation will curse us if they are fully exploited. We have already exploited enough resulting in global warming, ozone depletion and desertification. This year the theme of the World Environment Day was desertification of earth. The issue was discussed threadbare and programmes were suggested to lessen desertification. INEP: How can one exploit natural resources? Mr. Ramakrishna: Pleasure and greed has made us use natural resources more than necessary. This will make even normal life unaffordable in future. We want to gobble up everything in one go, without a care or thought for our children and grandchildren. INEP: What is the cause for unsustainable development? Mr. Ramakrishna: Population explosion has increased the demands of people on nature. People s demand for food is on the rise. There are two kinds of impact. The short term impact is death of fish and other aqua life which affects our food supply immediately. The long-term impact of air pollution on our health in years will be the prevalence of lung diseases and nervous disorders. INEP: How are natural resources being depleted? Mr. Ramakrishna: It is pertinent to quote a Russian environmental scientist. He said the natural resources can be classified as renewable and non-renewable. Water, solar energy, trees are renewable while metals, minerals, iron, gold, petrol, natural gas are nonrenewable. According to a study made in 1979 iron ore is available for the next 250 years. Gold has almost gone out of Kolar Gold fields, leaving behind solid waste and poisonous materials. These wastes have to be biotreated, which is expensive and tough. They did try to 48 PARISARA SOBAGU

55 Biodiversity Abandoned gold mine at Kolar get gold from these mines in Kolar but stopped after an expert team said that mining one gram of gold would cost the same as seven grams of gold. The same Russian scientist sadly noted that we take gold and leave behind slush and sludge for our children and grandchildren. The Supreme Court has stopped iron ore mining activities in Kudremukh after the first phase of mining. The problems of people working in Kudremukh still remain unresolved. Even if you stop playing around with nature, problems do not stop. Sustainable development is development without harming any of the four spheres of environment physical, social, bio and stratosphere. INEP: Is over population responsible for depletion of natural resources? Mr. Ramakrishna: It is a major factor. According to an estimate population is increasing by 30% against the expected 10%. But resources remain the same. This causes severe shortage of materials. INEP: Could you tell us about some international seminars on sustainable development? Mr. Ramakrishna: The first one was held in Stockholm and as a follow-up India brought out the Water Pollution Act. Every time such an international conference is held, it is followed by such concrete decisions in some country or the other. The argument is that pollution can be controlled at least to some extent if not completely. The Rio de Geneva meet was instrumental in taking up the issues of recycling, waste water, and related issues. This led to the development of water harvesting methods, which is now compulsory in most of the Indian states. The new pollution control act has made it mandatory for new industries to install purification and conservation units before they are issued permits and license. If the public is against the setting up of a chemical industry in particular vicinity, the pollution control board takes up the complaint and asks the industrialist to shift the industry to a more suitable area. INEP: What is the Kyoto Protocol? Mr. Ramakrishna: Thirty six developed countries met in 1987 to tell themselves and others to reduce the carbon monoxide level in the atmosphere. It is the carbon content in the atmosphere that is depleting the ozone layer, the layer that filters the sun s rays. Depletion of ozone layer has led to global warming. Reports have been published stating that glaciers have melted to increase the height of sea water by one metre. With 50% people living on the sea shores, this is a grave situation. Unless drastic steps are taken, these people will be wiped out. Since the crucial decision on reduction of carbon monoxide was PARISARA SOBAGU 49

56 Biodiversity taken in that international seminar in Kyoto, it is known as the Kyoto Protocol. INEP: Overall, what is the role of India in sustained development? Mr. Ramakrishna: Whenever development is planned, be it a highway project or an airport, the Pollution Control Board gives a study report about the impact of the project on the environment. The new rules that are coming are about sustainable development only. Along with sustainable development, issues like garbage disposal are challenging. It is said the future world war is over water. People without water will invade countries that have water. Water conservation is important initiative in this regard. INEP: So the sustainable development plays an important role in the development of the country. Mr. Ramakrishna: Yes, there is a depletion of natural resources. We need to conserve resources. Mahatma Gandhi said there is enough for man s needs but not greed. These words hold good for several generations. 50 PARISARA SOBAGU

57 Trees & Plants Trees & Plants Plants and their significance in our culture Plant biodiversity Tree planting and its benefits Plants for the urban eco-system Medicinal, aromatic and dye-producing plants Forestation Western Ghats and its eco-system PARISARA SOBAGU 51

58 Trees & Plants Plants and their significance in our culture Blessed with the best Indians have known the value of plant diversity for over 5000 years. The lack of this knowledge in recent times has driven a variety of plants to the verge of extinction. The loss is entirely ours if drastic steps are not taken to conserve them, says Mr. Giridhar Kinhal, Chief Conservator of Forests. INEP: Can you give details about your work? Mr. Giridhar Kinhal: There is an NGO called Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Tradition. It may surprise everyone that a government officer like me is working here on deputation for the past five years. I can consider my job and the work here as social service, as it involves identifying rare plants and herbs that are available in Karnataka and the nation, discover their value and take steps to conserve them. I said it is more of social service than a job because people are using and misusing these plants without being aware of its value and not conserving them because they do not know its potential and the manner in which they have to be conserved. INEP: Please tell us about the plants being a part of our culture. Mr. Giridhar Kinhal: Ours is an ancient country with a civilisation of 5000 years and more. A look at the past makes us feel that people depended on plants and herbs. There is still a practice of looking at a plant or a tree or some greenery first thing in the morning. Growing tulsi (Basilica) in the front yard is part of this tradition. There is a theory about how the tulsi plant came from temples to houses. By experience people realised that tulsi is a great quencher of thirst a tulsi leaf kept under the tongue can make one hold the thirst for another 30 minutes. While visiting temples that were some distance away from one another, people managed to ward off thirst by keeping the tulsi leaf in their mouth. Realising its beneficial properties people began to grow them at homes too. We confuse religious sentiments with blind beliefs. It is wrong. Religion is a clever way of retaining some values. INEP: We hear that the tulsi can repel mosquitoes and that breeze passing over the tulsi is good for health. Mr. Giridhar Kinhal: All plants are for the good of human beings. We should realise their potential and learn how to use them. The banyan trees, through photosynthesis, can release more oxygen during the day and carbon dioxide during the night than other trees. People were told to rest under this tree during the day and not during the night for the same reason stated above. For a similar reason the neem tree is planted next to the banyan tree and to spread the trend people are told that they are a couple and grow well together. 52 PARISARA SOBAGU

59 Trees & Plants INEP: Do our scriptures speak about plants? Mr. Giridhar Kinhal: Oh yes. The Vedas are full of details about trees, plants and their conservation. Charaka Samhitha has details about 640 plants. Rig Veda describes 67 plants, Yajur Veda 81 and Atharva Veda has details about 290 plants. The amazing thing is that there is a special plant called Embelia ribes (Vayu Vidanga) whose seeds have a hole in them. Our forefathers had the knowledge that only the seeds with tiny holes have medicinal value. Please note that they did not have microscopes in those days. While marvelling at their insight, we at this organisation are rediscovering the vast potential of this plant wealth that nature has endowed us with. INEP: What is the significance of Devara Kaadu? Mr. Giridhar Kinhal: Earlier, knowing the value of trees, people left a third of land area for forests. When man began to cut trees for his own use, it became a necessary to protect a portion of the forest. In Karnataka they called it Devara Kaadu, in other places it is known by different names. It is normally situated at places where there is a source of water to several villages. Such places with rich bio-diversity were called Devara Kaadu. Normally an idol is installed here so that people spend more time here and get benefits. Devara Kaadu is one way of conservation of biodiversity. INEP: Our forefathers were very keen on conservation. Ashoka tree Mr. Giridhar Kinhal: Yes. They knew the value of plants. Our herbal experts treated Ashoka tree people using herbs. Earning money was not their motive because they knew they could not bill people for the knowledge and material they gained from nature. Their knowledge was so thorough that they would suggest the use of vermillion only in the night. Ignoring this facet, we would use it whenever we could and dismiss it as not very effective. During Ugadi we eat jaggery and neem for a specific purpose. But commercial exploitation is such that merchants cut entire branches to sell neem leaves to public. That is not conservation. Our attitude is that conservation is not our concern and we assume that either nature takes care of itself or someone else will. Ashoka tree is a rare species which is on the verge of extinction. There are about 600 trees of this variety in Western Ghats. There is a sentiment attached to it. Sita spent her most grievous period under this tree when captured by Ravana. Therefore people believe that sitting under an Ashoka tree relieves us of grief. It is not easy to grow an Ashoka tree. Our organisation, after a detailed study, declared it as critically endangered species and has offered a way out for the department of forest to grow this tree in other areas. INEP: How do ancient texts describe our plants? Mr. Giridhar Kinhal: For every species there is a myth or a tale attached. This is one way of conservation of rare species. Rukmini and Satyabhama tease Krishna about not having even a leaf of tulsi to offer. Such stories highlight the importance of tulsi. INEP: Did the change of lifestyle lead to destruction of species? Mr. Giridhar Kinhal: Until the British arrived and showed us the commercial value of wood, Indians were innocent about it. We were happy with a cottage to live in. We never PARISARA SOBAGU 53

60 Trees & Plants thought of cutting a tree as we attached an element of divinity to it. Now we cut the whole tree to use the benefits of leaves and bark. There is no plant or tree that is not useful to man. We should know how to use them and retain the source of the material. INEP: I think children are the best conservators. Mr. Giridhar Kinhal: Very well said. We have a small scheme called Amrith Home Herbal Garden where a packet of herbal saplings is sold for Rs.50. It can be grown in pots or on land. If these herbal plants are grown and used, there is no need to go to a doctor for small ailments. We assume that nature is partial to western countries in terms of wealth. We do not know the wealth of plants and herbs that nature has endowed us with. In spite of the best efforts of man to destroy them, they have survived. Tea plants keep growing in spite of regular plucking of their leaves. In a hectare we have 200 varieties of plants in our country; western countries have seven or eight. The only thing we should do is to take steps to conserve them. Tulsi Our ten-year study reveals that about 350 species are on the verge of extinction. This includes the Ashoka tree. Unless drastic action is taken, we will lose them and thereby their intrinsic and precious properties. 54 PARISARA SOBAGU

61 Trees & Plants Plant biodiversity Losing a plant species every hour! A fifty year old tree is worth more than Rs. 15 lakh in terms of production of oxygen, prevention of soil erosion and so on. Yet we destroy them out of greed and ignorance, says Dr. Nagaraj, Working Director, Karnataka Biodiversity Board. INEP: What is biodiversity? Dr. Nagaraj: It is system that includes plants, animals, water, gaseous matter, micro organisms, their inter relationship, and the new types these inter reaction creates. INEP: How many types of plants can we see in our country? Dr. Nagaraj: There are 47,000 varieties of plants and 89,000 types of animals in our country. Karnataka has 4758 varieties of plants. INEP: Can we have more details? Dr. Nagaraj: Karnataka has about 1,000 varieties of mangoes. Only four or five varieties are tasty and grow in plenty. The rest survive in forests on their own. If they are not preserved and developed we may lose them. Agriculture contributes 32% to Gross Development Product. But we have lost 25% of forest due to population and agriculture. It is said we are losing one variety an hour. Most of the rice and wheat we grow are high yielding varieties. Thousands of types of grains and cereals are not grown because their yield is less, which is a sad thing. INEP: What is the reason for the declining biodiversity? Dr. Nagaraj: Urbanisation and the neglect of the agriculture sector are the main reasons. Horticulture gets preference because it is profitable. In 1650 the population of India was 50 crores which became 100 crores in 1800, 300 crores in 1960, 400 crores in 1975 and 700 crores in Naturally, providing food for such growing numbers demands use of hybrid varieties and chemical fertilisers. We have also viewed nature as a commercial commodity, underestimating the need for its preservation. There was a time when banyan trees would not be cut; now we do not hesitate to cut it for firewood. One person needs 11/2 to 2 kg of food and 4 litres of water, 30 kg of air, a day. INEP: How do you evaluate a tree? Western Ghats rich in plant biodiversity Dr. Nagaraj: The value of a 50 year old tree is estimated around 15.7 lakhs. It produces Rs. 2.5 lakhs of oxygen, its pollution controlling capacity is worth Rs. 5 lakh, it prevents Rs. 2.5 lakhs worth of soil erosion, and increases the fertility of the soil worth Rs. 2.5 lakh. Its value in helping soil retaining moisture and reuse of water is Rs. 3 lakh; it gives Rs. 2.5 lakhs worth of shelter, protection and food to birds and animals and PARISARA SOBAGU 55

62 Trees & Plants From 1947 to 1984 the government has given 1.05 lakh hectare of forest to non-forest purpose. In comparison England had 24,000 hectares of teak plantation, increased it to 53,000 hectares in 25 years. Japan does not cut trees but imports wood. In contrast we had 50,000 varieties of paddy, but now we have only varieties; 1000 varieties of mango have been reduced to 7 8 varieties. Western Ghats rich in plant biodiversity produces Rs. 20,000 worth of protein. One can infer how valuable a tree is! Man is just one of the million types of biodiversity and should not assume that he has the exclusive right to consume and destroy the remaining varieties. It takes million of years to form the topsoil but we lose it in a hurry. We should ensure that we do not pollute the environment in the name of development. About 724 types of plants have vanished, 3956 types are on the verge of extinction and 7240 varieties have become rare species. About 90% of food is got from 15 varieties of plant and eight animal varieties. The rest are not being developed and are being ignored. INEP: How can one conserve biodiversity? Dr. Nagaraj: I will give other examples. We have a variety of raw mango locally known as appe midi mango used for pickles. It normally grows on its own on riverbeds in North and South Canara regions. Farmers do not cultivate it, so it is on the verge of extinction. People who have tasted it are so enamored that they drive all the way to such interior places and buy it at exorbitant rates because it is a rarity. Now the government, in a move not to lose such rare varieties, wants to graft it and cultivate it systematically. In general the public and the government should also cultivate varieties that are not high-yield types. Or else we will lose our rich biodiversity, which nature has generously endowed us with. In 1866, the Maharaja of Travancore sold an acre of thick forest for one rupee to convert the place into a tea and coffee estate. He attracted investment from abroad and was keen on employment generation. The same king sold another thick forest for just Rs. 10. This is one way we lose our bio-diversity. In 1946 our government began an India Plywood Company in Dandeli, where a thick forest with 36 varieties of trees were cut and sold for a rupee a ton of wood. These incidents state people s apathy towards biodiversity. Improved biodiversity at Hebbal lake after restoration under an INEP-funded project 56 PARISARA SOBAGU

63 Trees & Plants Tree planting and its benefits Nurture a tree, enjoy its benefits One hectare of trees can absorb 3.5 tonnes of carbon di-oxide and release two tonnes of oxygen. All one has to do is to nurture a tree like a child for a year and it takes care of itself and all of us for hundred years. Dr.S.G.Neginhal, Chief Conservator of Forest (Retired), and Dr.Vidya Swami, Consultant, Environment Management Policy and Research Institute, explain the importance of planting trees. INEP: Trees are one of the most beautiful things in the environment. Tell us more about them. Dr. S. G. Neginhal: Trees can be planted in three places forests, urban areas and rural areas. We will not discuss forest tree planting here because that is a special process. prevent soil erosion. They can improve the ground water level. An improvement in the ground water level will bring us rain and a proper supply of water. If trees are cut, a regional imbalance is created some places will have more water and in some places there will be no water. The trees we plant in rural areas are bettada nelli (gooseberry), hunase (tamarind), bevu (neem), halasu ( jackfruit), maavu (mango), torematti, taale (palm), alale (ink nut), bombu (bamboo), and sisuvu. These are very useful trees and people are familiar with these. INEP: In other words, you are saying that the quality of life improves when we have more trees. Unless it is inevitable avoid cutting trees. Do not cut trees for commercial reasons or without planning. Dr.Swami: You are right. INEP: What are the targets we can achieve by planting trees? Dr. Vidya Swami: We can achieve so many targets by planting trees. Trees green the environment. Trees take in carbon di-oxide and give off oxygen. This is a very big contribution to the atmosphere. Birds and bees and other creatures thrive if there are trees. This enlivens the atmosphere. We get many varieties of fruits and flowers. Trees reduce noise pollution. If 18 trees are planted they can supply oxygen to100 people for a year. Trees can INEP: Can we grow trees in dry or barren land? Dr. Neginhal: The topsoil which is normally about 4-5 inches on the surface goes barren, exposing stones and other rocky substances. This soil does not have any water content. What we do in these regions is known as gully plugging. We prevent water (as and when it rains) from flowing out by building trenches or pits. We build a bund on sloping regions with stones and other materials so that water doesn t flow out. This is how we prevent soil erosion. We can retain beneficial, fertile topsoil. PARISARA SOBAGU 57

64 Trees & Plants INEP: In other words, we need preparation to plant trees in dry lands or similar areas. Dr. Neginhal: If you want tree planting to be successful, and if you want a better produce then we have to prepare for it. We cannot just plant a sapling and move on without tending to it. Planned and well-prepared efforts help us to nurture them. We have a department called Waste Land Development Department, the job of which is to plant trees in dry and arid lands. INEP: Where has it been implemented? Dr. Neginhal: There are several places where waste land development is taking place. The work is going on in Bangalore, Kolar, Tumkur, Chitradurga, Bijapur, Bagalkot, Belgaum, Gokak, Bidar, and Gulbarga. INEP: Do we have to take any precautions before growing trees? Tree guard Dr. Swami: We have to ensure the safety of the trees for a period of one year. We have to look after them, like we nurture a child, for one year. The forest department helps us with fences for this purpose. If we don t get those then we can have thorn fencing. This is to prevent animals from eating the sapling or human beings from cutting them. If we look after a tree for one year it will look after itself for the next Tree guard 100 years. The roots will have gone deep and strong and can draw necessary nutrition by themselves. If you want a tree to be tall then you have to prune its leaves and branches at the bottom. If you want shade, then start pruning it at the top so that it branches out and spreads. We can make the tree grow as we want it to, but it has to be looked after properly for one year. INEP: How should we take care of a tree that is growing? Dr.Swami: When a tree is grown, we have to ensure that electric wires don t come in the way. When it rains, since trees and their branches sway a lot, and a contact with the wires can cause electric sparks. The Electricity Board helps you to prune the branches. Sometimes we find trees planted very close to water pipes. The roots of the trees can put enormous pressure on water pipes and cause them to crack and leak. If you inform the BWSSB personnel, they come and divert the roots by pruning them. INEP: It is said that the roots of trees can damage the foundation of a house. Dr. Swami: Yes. As the tree grows the roots too become very strong. Then they spread out, they can exert pressure on any thing that is in its way. That is the reason trees are planted at least 10 feet way from any wall. Big trees like the banyan tree or the tamarind tree are not planted inside the compound because its roots are very strong. They have to be far away from the foundation of a house. INEP: Many people like to have a coconut tree on the premises. When the roots of the tree cause any problem, people do not cut it because of religious sentiments. What can be done in such cases? Dr. Swami: In those circumstances we have to do some lateral pruning. We cut some roots at the bottom, and build 58 PARISARA SOBAGU

65 Trees & Plants This deters the roots from growing towards the foundation. Instead they grow deeper inwards. INEP: We can get all sorts of saplings in the market. Where does one get a good sapling, a quality sapling that ensures quality growth and yield? Dr. Neginhal: In the 1980s people were keen on growing trees but were not getting saplings. In 1982 a separate department called Green Belt was started. We set up 10 nurseries at the Jnanabharathi campus, Beggars Colony Hebbal and other places. Now Belgaum, Chitradurga and Hubli and other districts too have nurseries. Mulching a bund around it. Then it grows deep inside and does not harm the foundation. INEP: Owners of new houses are often keen to plant a tree. How much open space should they have? Dr. Neginhal: One has space to plant a tree inside the compound only in rural areas. They have a large open space in front of the house. In cities we do not have much space to plant a tree. Planting a tree depends on the width of the road. Small trees are for small lanes. Only on highways one can have a tamarind tree or a banyan tree. In cities you can have plants inside the compound, and trees outside the compound. One can get saplings of trees from the forest department. It can be nurtured with water and a little manure. If you have a big coconut tree inside the compound you can prevent the damage to the foundation of the house by digging a four feet trench and building a concrete bund around it. One can get a sapling in the local forest department. We are financing the panchayats too to grow more trees through the social forestry scheme. So saplings are available at the taluk panchayat offices too. In the Bangalore office we have about 50 lakh honge saplings. You may contact any of the private nurseries if you want special species of plants or trees. It may be expensive but they are available. INEP: How does tree planting help the environment? Dr. Swami: The environment is like a family, comprising human beings, plants, insects, animals, water, and other living and non-living things. Each has a different role. Even if one person does not perform his role there is disharmony in the family. The same is the case with the environment. There would be an imbalance. Where there is a tree, there would be flowers which give us honey. The bees arrive and help in pollination. Fruits are the result of pollination. We eat fruits, so do animals. The seeds fall to the ground and more trees and plants come up. This increases soil nutrition. Even if any of them do not perform their role an imbalance is created in the environment. PARISARA SOBAGU 59

66 Trees & Plants Trees and plants help the soil to retain water. Water is a decomposer. If the decomposer does not function then decomposition does not take place. Even a dead animal begins to rot emitting a foul odour. But if it decomposes within eight days it becomes nutrition to trees and plants. INEP: Apart from providing firewood, does forest produce have any value? Dr. Neginhal: The value is mainly in firewood and dry twigs. But we have the non-timber forests which include trees like mango, allalekai, gooseberry, and jamoon (nerale), trees that produce resins, gum, and antubaallekayee. These come under NTF Non-Timber Forest. INEP: How do we prevent noise pollution with the help of trees? Dr. Swami: Normally our hearing is at zero decibels. A passing truck can create a noise of 35 decibels. Trees, branches and leaves prevent noise from travelling beyond them. If you have ten, twenty trees in a row they can reduce 35 decibels to, say, five decibels. Sound travelling at 90 degrees- at right angles - goes back to the source from where it is produced. Residents of big apartments and buildings can protect themselves from noise pollution by planting trees. A row of trees can reduce the noise level. Mango and Ashoka trees are very good for reducing noise pollution. Dr. Neginhal: Three rows of trees with a distance of three feet between them can reduce noise pollution. For example, there was too much noise pollution between Ramana Maharshi Circle and Mekhri Circle in Bangalore. About 20 years ago an IAS officer, Mr. T.P.Issar, who lived there, (now dead), asked me for a way out of the problem, I suggested the planting of trees. The more trees you plant the less is the menace of sound. It can be reduced by more than 50%. Trees grown to reduce noise pollution INEP: Tell us about the carbon secretion process of trees. Dr. Neginhal: In the process of photosynthesis leaves absorb carbon di-oxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen into the atmosphere. This is a very significant and important role. Industries, factories, human beings and vehicles, all of them, release carbon dioxide. Imagine a situation where there are no leaves to absorb carbon dioxide, which keeps piling up in the atmosphere. It can have a devastating effect on health. It is not necessary to have only trees for this purpose. Any green vegetation helps. One hectare of trees can produce 3.75 metric tons of carbon dioxide and release two metric tons of oxygen. If we don t have trees we may have to carry an oxygen pump along with us, just like people carry oxygen cylinders while climbing the Himalayan Mountains. If trees are eliminated, there will be no oxygen, and carbon dioxide will increase. You may need an oxygen booth for every kilometre like you have a telephone booth. Such a situation may arise. INEP: We hope such a situation does not arise. What are the kinds of trees that can be grown close to a house? Dr. Swami: Mango, bilpatre, bettada nelli (gooseberry), bela, karibevu (curry leaves tree), nugge, tengu (coconut), 60 PARISARA SOBAGU

67 Trees & Plants antubaale, jaayipatre, halasu (jackfruit), and sampige can be grown within the compound of the house. These trees do not grow too tall, they normally grow just as tall as the house. We still have flowers, fruits and other things. The roots do not grow too long and hence do not affect the foundation of the house. Ashwatha maraa, aalada maraa, and hunase maraa (tamarind) tree are not planted generally as they are huge and also their roots are big and branch out. Student: What is forestation and which are the institutions that help us? Dr. Neginhal: Growing trees in dry land or any place is forestation. The Forest Department is mainly involved in this process. The Departments of Social Forestry and Urban Forestry came into being in Karnataka was the first state to get an exclusive urban forestry department in the country. Student: What is Vana Mahostava? Dr. Neginhal: The government decided to grow more trees after it became independent. It decided to start the planting of trees once a year in the rainy season and it was described as Vana Mahostava. But it became a routine affair. After planting a sapling everyone forgot about it. After 1982 it was decided to take it more seriously, and to involve children too. Mr. K.M.Munshi, a statesman and a politician in the 1980s, as union minister for agriculture, began Vana Mahostava, literally celebration of forests. Independence Day. These saplings are easy to handle. The intention was to make bio-fuel out of these trees later. INEP: Children, Vanamahotsav now is a seven-day celebration starting from July 1 st every year. INEP: How can we stop desertification with forestation? Dr. Neginhal: There is soil erosion in deserts and arid places. Trees ensure that soil is not carried away by wind and rain. Secondly, tree leaves become manure when they dry up and fall to the ground. This increases the moisture content of the soil. Seeds benefit from this. INEP: How can we create awareness among the citizens about planting trees? Dr. Swami: We should start with children. There are about five to six thousand students in each school. If each of them plants two saplings a year it is sufficient. In our country, Karnataka is known for planting trees. With children s active participation more trees can be grown and we can lead a healthy life. Dr. Swami: We got independence in the month of August during which it rains. Any plant or sapling that is sown at that time would grow well. We from the IISc and other organisations began to give children saplings of bevu (neem) or honge on August 13 th so that they could plant it on PARISARA SOBAGU 61

68 Trees & Plants Plants for the urban eco-system Trees for every occasion Trees provide shade, produce oxygen, clean the air and help us in a number of. Gifting a sapling on occasions is good way to increase urban tree cover, says Mr. Janardhan Krishna Hegde, Senior IFS Officer, KPTCL. INEP: What are the types of trees that can be grown in cities? Mr. Janardhan Krishna Hegde: As a city grows the first victim of development are plants and trees. But we still have several kinds of trees. Some species of mangoes and jackfruit species grow in the Malnad regions; we have neem trees in places like Bangalore, and jaali trees in Gulbarga region. INEP: Why should trees be planted on road sides in cities? Mr. Hegde: Mainly to maintain eco-balance. Barring a few parks, there are no other places where trees can be planted. These trees can filter dust, reduce air pollution, provide shade and to a little extent, reduce noise pollution. Trees produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide released by vehicles, factories and human beings. INEP: Does urban forestation have an effect on the micro climate? Mr. Hegde: Yes. To realise the value of shade, one has to walk in the sun. The climate under a tree is totally different from the city climate. If there is a group or cluster of trees, then that area is said to have a micro-climate. Trees can have an effect on the micro-climate. It is like having an air conditioned room in a house where the temperature is totally different. saplings, especially in cities? Mr. Hegde: If a suitable sapling is planted in a suitable place during the rainy season and if there are no human and animal interference, then it grows on its own. Unlike plants like rose or areca nut, which need constant attention and nutrient supplement, these are easy to maintain. A mesh or guard can be provided to avoid cows and other animals eating them. If the sapling is planted in June, during monsoon, it grows well on its own. INEP: There is a belief that the Ashoka tree should be planted in front of the house. Is it true? Mr. Hegde: There are no good trees or bad trees, but there are trees that are unsuitable or interfering trees. The Ashoka we plant in the cities is not the same as the Ashoka tree which sheltered Sita in Ashoka vana in Ramayana. These Ashoka trees do not provide much shade and do not have many branches and hence are not suitable to be planted on the road sides. INEP: What are the precautions to be taken before we plant trees in cities? Mr. Hegde: One has to plan in advance and study the place of planting before hand. Trees which grow tall should not be planted under the electric lines. Ticoma, Cassia sayami and neem trees are suitable for urban areas. INEP: What are the steps to be taken after planting the The pit for planting the tree has to be dug well in advance at 62 PARISARA SOBAGU

69 Trees & Plants least 2-3 months before the first rainfall, so that the soil inside the pit becomes rich in nutrients. June is the ideal month for planting the saplings. Some times it is extended till August, which should not happen. We should be growing the trees and not just planting them. INEP: Is there a difference between tree planting in urban areas and rural areas? Mr. Hegde: The purpose varies. In rural areas tree planting is for commercial reasons. In urban areas it is for providing shade. INEP: Can a small tree be grown in a pot? Mr. Hegde: It is possible. To reduce the size of the tree, constant pruning is necessary. Horticultural plants and medicinal plants can be grown in pots. INEP: As the number of houses increase in an area, the number of plants should not decrease, is it not? Mr. Hegde: The balance is important. The attitude should be to live and let live. Every house can have a terrace garden, bonsai garden and plants that can grow in pots. INEP: What is a terrace garden? Mr. Hegde: Earlier we had tiled roofs. Now we have RCC roofs in urban areas. It is as good as having a free site as far as growing a garden is considered. Instead of keeping it empty and dry, one can have potted plants. There are people who grow vanilla on their terraces with a shade net and make huge profits as suddenly vanilla is in demand. More than the price, it is the satisfaction of growing plants that counts. In case the plant grows big it can be pruned. Imagine the aerial view when every terrace in the city has a garden! Terrace garden INEP: One can offer a sapling as a gift on birthdays? Mr. Hegde: Yes. We have VIPs inaugurating a function by planting a sapling. Instead of limiting it to government functions, why not give a sapling as a gift even in private parties? Giving a bouquet is useless because it dries up soon. But a sapling lasts a lifetime. We had an officer in the forest department who gave saplings to thousands of guests instead of coconuts during his daughter s marriage. This is a long-lasting gift. INEP: What is bonsai? Mr. Hegde: It is a Japanese art of growing trees in small containers. Bon means vessel or bowl; sai means to plant. It is a fine art. Like architects have miniature models of huge buildings, we have a live, dynamic miniature model of a tree. The plant is controlled by systematic pruning and feeding of manure. It is a highly specialised art. One can grow a mango tree in 3 ft X 3 ft space. Even though it originated in Japan, a lot of local people are making a name for themselves in the art of Bonsai. Bonsai Srinivas from Bangalore is quite famous in this regard. Bonsai is a creative art. INEP: Can bonsai also conserve environment? Mr. Hegde: Anything that is not destructive is meant for conservation. Even if the size is small it plays the same role in terms of photosynthesis, absorption of carbon dioxide and release of oxygen. More than its commercial value, the joy of having a tree in the house is important. INEP: Plants should be an important part of the house, is it not? Mr. Hegde: Yes. Like we plan space for chairs, tables, and television, we should be able to tell the architect and engineer that we want a mango tree in this corner, or an Ashoka there and a coconut tree here and so on. We have a concept of Navagraha trees a tree to symbolise each of the nine planets. One can grow different kinds of trees around houses. PARISARA SOBAGU 63

70 Trees & Plants Medicinal, aromatic and dye-producing plants Herbal aura and aroma enrich lives Plants not only provide food, but they also enrich our lives, by providing us colourful and aromatic substances. We should capitalise on the rich herbal resource we have, says Dr. Sathyanarayana Bhat, Executive Officer, Biodiversity Board. INEP: How do you classify plants that give more than food? Dr. Sathyanarayana Bhat: We have assumed that plants give us food and water and nothing else. The reality is that plants offer us plenty more. Plants are classified as medicinal, aromatic and dye-producing. The medicinal plants produce medicine for us, both preventive and curative. The aromatic plants enliven our life with produce that go into the making of incense sticks, fragrant soaps and perfumes. The dye-producing plants make our life colourful by offering us natural colours that we can use. INEP: Do these plants produce aroma naturally? Dr. Bhat: Yes. It is very natural. We can adopt a few methods to extract them from the plants or trees. All the parts of medicinal and aromatic plants, be it flowers, leaves, roots, barks, can enhance the quality of our life. When boiled in water, Panneer leaves can produce an aroma that is unmatched. Similarly the Jasmine Concrete is produced from Jasmine flower and can fetch a very good price. Just 5ml of jasmine concrete costs more than a thousand rupees. INEP: Are these medicinal plants helpful? Dr. Bhat: Medicinal plants give us both longevity and enrichment to a great extent. For a disease-free life the Tripala Churna, a powder made out of medicinal plants, is highly recommended by ayurvedic doctors. They feel that tripala along with taare kayee, and wild gooseberries (Bettada Nellikaayi) form the basis of ayurvedic medicines. All the three are available in plenty in nature. INEP: Can you tell us briefly the history of medicinal plants? Dr. Bhat: It is difficult to speak briefly about something that has a history of 5000 years. People of the Vedic period studied the medicinal properties of several plants and maintained a record of it. The knowledge was passed on from person to person. India and China, which has a medicinal history of more than 10,000 years, are two countries that knew the value of herbs. INEP: Tell us about aromatic plants. Dr. Bhat: We have a rare species called Red Sandal (Kempu Gandha or Kempu Chandana). This is on the verge of extinction. It is a rare plant and hence very expensive. It belongs to the category of aromatic plants. One kilogramme of sandalwood can cost Rs. 1000/- but red sandal is too precious to fix a rate. Similarly concrete of jasmine can fetch thousands of rupees. Panneer is also being exported. All the above plants bring in foreign exchange. Aromatic nilagiri (eucalyptus) is also a cash crop. An aromatic grass is used with buttermilk to make it tastier and nutritious. 64 PARISARA SOBAGU

71 Trees & Plants from plants so many years ago. Foreigners prefer saris printed with natural dye and it enjoys a premium price. Lepakshi saris Patchouli from which the patchouli oil is extracted is also an aromatic plant. This too helps us to earn foreign exchange. The proper use of these aromatic plants is a good commercial endeavour. INEP: What are the benefits of dye-producing plants? Dr. Bhat: Women are aware of Lepakshi saris. Lepakshi is a South Indian city famous for its temples. The Lepakshi saris are famous because of the natural dye and the embroidery pattern used in them. Lepakshi is famous because even 1000 years ago the dye used was a natural dye, made from trees and plants. The red, saffron, black and all other colours on the textile are natural colours. Indians knew how to extract these dyes INEP: What is the difference between the colours of a natural dye and that of an artificial dye? Dr. Bhat: I will give an example. Nowadays Gobi Manchurian is popular both for its taste and for its colour. But the colour added to it is an artificial colour which is not good for health. If a natural colour is added it will not harm us. Only the use of natural colours is preferred abroad. We have to identify the right plants, grow them, use them and export them to earn profits. INEP: Can we use natural dyes in our food products? Dr. Bhat: I just gave the example of Gobi Manchurian. The butter we use has a natural yellowish-white tinge to it. If it is made, say red, then it becomes value addition. Foreign markets do not prefer artificial colour created by chemicals. Value addition comes only when you use natural dyes. INEP: Kindly tell us about tulsi? Dr. Bhat: Tulsi is so precious that it continues to be worshipped. It is a medicinal plant. It is an herbal steroid. People worship it because they are overwhelmed by the relief it provides. Few drops of tulsi juice can relieve a congested nose and cure skin rash. It can be used as a hair dye. Few leaves of tulsi can make one s teeth strong. Unfortunately people worship it but do not use it. Tulsi INEP: What is Azadirachta indica? Dr. Bhat: Azadirachta indica in Latin means Neem. A few years ago, millions of dollars were lost when an unknown pest destroyed the watermelon crop in America. An Indian scientist tried to find a solution. He tried all the chemical pesticides and then tried using neem leaves. Azadirchta is the chemical present in the neem tree. The pesticide he prepared using neem leaves was helpful in saving several lakh hectares of watermelon crop. Just PARISARA SOBAGU 65

72 Trees & Plants one crop, this watermelon, made the Indian neem famous all over the world. INEP: We don t know much about neem. Dr. Bhat: We start our new year, that is the Ugadi festival, with bevu bella (neem and jaggery). Neem has the capacity to control a particular virus that normally affects everyone when the winter is coming to an end and the summer season begins. That is when Ugadi comes too. People knew the value of the neem and cleverly used it in the form of celebration of a festival. INEP: How did our forefathers use medicinal plants? Dr. Bhat: Our forefathers used a particular leaf or herb for each season or festival. On the whole there are about 4500 varieties of plants in our country. There is a proverb that no root of a plant is useless. During the huthri festival in Coorg region, few selected plants are cooked as part of the festival and all of them have medicinal properties. Similarly we use wild gooseberry with tulsi on the occasion of uttana dvaadashi in December. The banni tree is sacred and is worshipped during Dasara on Vijayadashami. The Banni tree was well known even during the Vedic times. They say Banni is as good as gold. People go around this tree to get their desires fulfilled. The traditions of India are always linked with the varieties of plants that we have. Student: What is the importance of having a tulsi plant in front of our house? Dr. Bhat: A few leaves of tulsi help us to develop resistance to many disease conditions. We can use tulsi for cold, cough, gastric trouble, and several other ailments. Student: What is the disadvantage of using chemical dyes in food? Dr. Bhat: Several sweets and dishes have chemical dyes. They are used to give the dishes an attractive colour. If consumed daily it may even lead to cancer of the Significance of neem intestines. We should stop using chemical dyes and instead use natural dyes. It has been in practice already abroad and it is high time we too start using natural dyes. Student: Do these aromatic plants produce aroma naturally? Dr. Bhat: This is a good question. These are known as secondary metabolites. It is not enough for a plant to have a beautiful flower. Bees are not attracted unless flowers have an aroma. Nature produces this aroma so that it can survive: the insects come and this attracts the birds which leads to pollination and the species survive by procreation. Student: What is the difference between natural dye and chemical dye? Dr. Bhat: In chemical dyes arsenic, minerals, lead and other such things are used. This gives the dye its colour. The left over paints too are a health hazard. The ink we use to write has zinc which is poisonous. It is better we produce this naturally, because sometimes students lick their fingers or hands after writing on paper. If a child somehow drinks the ink, it can be harmful. But natural dyes are very expensive. That s the main reason people why use chemical dyes. People of the future generations should focus on using only natural dyes. 66 PARISARA SOBAGU

73 Trees & Plants Forestation Forests, the great providers Forests provide us with many raw materials. We need the forest. We had better take care of it, advises Dr. Deviah, Chief Conservator of Forests, Watershed Development Department. INEP: What is the role of forests in the conservation of environment? Dr. Deviah: Forests play a vital role. We generally assume that a group of well-grown trees, few animals and birds form a forest. I would say the soil, the fungi, the bacteria, the insects, and grown animals like the tiger and elephant are all part of the forest. Importantly, they are interdependent and maintain the balance in the forest. The forest plays an important role in the environment. It is the soil that makes the forest thick and sumptuous. Unlike in the urban areas, there is no soil erosion in a forest. Everything in a forest is a preserver and a conservator. The dew on the leaves ensures that the soil is not washed away. The loss of soil leads to desertification. In the forests, next to the soil, water is important. Experts say that the next war, be it between two cities, two states or two countries, will be over water. We can say that people will fight for water. We have to conserve water. It rains in the Malnad region regularly in the month of June, but, not on the eastern side where there is no forest. The forest plays a big role in the water cycle. To produce anything, even to produce food, we need water, which is controlled by the forest. The birds, bees and animals play a role in the production of food. Without them there is no pollination. Without the forest there will be no animals, birds and other vital creatures. The forest is their home. INEP: In other words you say that forests house all kinds of living organisms? Dr. Deviah: In the sense that if food production has to be good all the living organisms have to co-operate. The rain should come on time, the supply of fertilizers should be on time, the bacteria have to play their role, pollination has to occur, and birds, bees and other animals too have to play their parts. In our homes just like we have airconditioned rooms, forests too maintain a cool atmosphere around them. INEP: What is the role of forests in creating rain? Dr. Deviah: The phenomenon of rain is a cycle. Sunrays create heat, convert water into vapor which becomes a cloud, which again drops as water. This is the water cycle. Forests ensure that this cycle is regular and on time. The trees of the forest control the wind. Sometimes we see the cloud but the wind blows it away. It means there is an imbalance in that region and hence it fails to retain the rain-bearing cloud. In the month of June it rains in Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada and Coorg districts. PARISARA SOBAGU 67

74 Trees & Plants It does not matter much if it doesn t rain in Bangalore at the same time. Because a good spell of rain in the Cauvery basin ensures a good supply of water to Bangalore. Earlier people would talk about bharani rain, aaridra rain, and punarvasu rain. This was based on the planetary positions which control the wind and hence the rain. A delayed rain is due to an imbalance in nature. Only a well grown forest can restore the balance. INEP: That means we have made a mistake by cutting the trees of the forest. We have to rectify the mistake. Dr. Deviah: The Goddess of Nature can absolve us of all the mistakes and give us a chance to rectify these mistakes. Nature is generous. It gives us several chances. But if we don t learn and redeem ourselves or waste the opportunities then we get into desperate situations. from the soil and atmosphere. This is how heat is reduced by trees. Secondly, trees absorb toxic gases and release beneficial gases. INEP: It seems if trees are cut it leads to desertification. Is it true? Dr.Deviah: Let us not have any doubt about it. It is a 100% certainty. Any greenery makes one feel that the soil around it is fertile. The roots of the trees cling to the soil with their entire might. If you cut the trees the roots wither away. When it rains the soil is washed away because it has become loose having lost its grip on the roots. If this happens frequently, all the soil is washed away. There is no life around that place. Not even bacteria, microorganisms, fossil or small plants, can survive. That is desertification. It is scientifically proved. It can be stopped by planting trees. INEP: Sir, by planting trees can we reduce pollution? Dr. Deviah: The leaves of trees and plants have a great capacity to absorb poisonous gases, convert them into food and return it to us as beneficial gases. We do not have this talent nor have the animals. The tree in front of your house shields the dust from entering your house and later your lungs. Trees can ensure the balance of gases in the atmosphere. Excess of carbon di-oxide in the atmosphere can lead to formation of CFC or chlorofluorocarbons, which affect the ozone layer. Trees can absorb carbon dioxide and convert it into food. INEP: What is social forestry? Dr. Deviah: Social forestry is the process where trees are planted by society for a social purpose. We depend on wood for everything. Figuratively speaking, right from the cradle to making a hearse for a person we need trees. The best thing is to plant a tree wherever there is a useable space or wherever it is possible. If every citizen participates in this kind of forestry we can say it is social forestry. This is a very significant and a big task. This is not possible by the Forest Department alone and that is INEP: What is the effect of the green cover on the environment? Dr.Deviah: It makes a huge impact. Fumes of industries and vehicles increase the heat. When you are inside the house, you can use electric fans. But if you are in the street you stand under a tree. We feel cool when we do so. The leaves of the tree retain moisture after drawing it Desertification 68 PARISARA SOBAGU

75 Trees & Plants They have to nurture the trees that exist. We spend a lot of money on our birthdays, anniversaries and annual ceremonies for the dead. Instead why can t we spend money on giving a sapling to others in memory of these people? Slowly it will become an indivisible part of our culture and remain so. Villagers carrying fuel for cooking why it is absolutely necessary that members of the society participate this is what we mean by social forestry. INEP: If we give you information regarding the theft of trees or the cutting of trees in forests, will you promise to protect the name of the informant? Dr. Deviah: Yes, we will take action. And we will keep the identity of those who give us such information confidential. We ensure secrecy. Because if trees are destroyed it doesn t affect just one individual, it affects everybody. We should never forget that. INEP: What is the role of the people in growing trees? Dr. Deviah: If people have to survive they need forests. If forests survive we can live. It is not just here but all over the world that the number of trees is reducing. We have to put in a lot of effort to retain whatever is left. We should keep the use of forest produce to the minimum. We should not use it unless it is absolutely necessary to do so. Nowadays people cut trees for no apparent reason. Some people use forest produce because it is available at a low cost. We use it as. Cooking is a basic necessity but we have to restrict our use of forest produce. We shouldn t cut trees wantonly. Some people set fire to a forest assuming that the grass grows well in summer and that it is good fodder for the cattle. Some people do it to keep the wild animals away. Some mischievous elements do it to distract forest officials so that the former can plunder the forest in their absence. But all these things have to be curtailed. People living in Bangalore and other cities have to plant trees wherever there is space and wherever it is possible. INEP: Are there any laws to conserve forests? Dr. Deviah: Yes. Even when the British were ruling us the Indian Forest Act was in force. After independence many states created their own laws based on the law of the Centre. In Karnataka we have the Karnataka Forest Conservation Act. There is a law to conserve wildlife in forests, as forests cannot survive without wild animals and vice-versa. Birds also have to be conserved there is a law to this effect. Before independence forest land was considered as no man s land. That is, it belonged to no one and was used by every one. This was prevented after 1980 when a new law was enacted. We have to seek the permission of the centre to use a forest. A forest cannot be used for non-forest purposes. In other words the Central Government has complete control over all the forests in the country. INEP: Yet encroachment of forests goes on. Dr. Deviah: Yes. Forestland is being encroached upon because of the increase in population. Our appeal is that it should be stopped completely. PARISARA SOBAGU 69

76 Trees & Plants Student: Do wild animals benefit from forestry? Dr. Deviah: This is a very good question. We have assumed that a forest means just trees and plants. But right from the topsoil up to the biggest tree; right from the invisible microorganisms, creatures and insects to the big animals like elephants, a combination of all these is known as a forest. Wild animals are a part of forests. Just like we have homes, forests are the homes of wild animals. Forests cannot grow and expand without pollination, and pollination cannot occur without animals and insects. Otherwise the seeds of trees cannot travel to other places and if they do not travel then a tree will not survive for long in one place. The species cannot survive. If the birds and animals do not eat fruits and drop seeds at another place, a forest cannot grow. It is a live and let live process in the forest. If the pollen is to be dispersed we need animals, for animals to live or frequent such places the forests have to thrive well and provide shelter and safety for them. Student: What is the role of a forest in the environment? Dr. Deviah: Firstly, forests produce food. To do that a tree draws water and help the soil to become fertile. We and the animals depend on this food. Forests store water and help rivers to survive. Forests control rain and rivers. Forests do not allow the water to flow out but makes it seep into the ground. They retain it like a sponge and release it slowly when needed. Student: Can forests help a nation in its economic development? Dr. Deviah: Yes, we can produce food with the help of the forest. In agriculture we need ploughs which come from forest wood. We need the forest for cooking meals. We cannot remain stagnant, and we have to grow and develop. We need industrialization, for which raw material comes from forests. Wildlife in forests Student: How can we conserve forests? Dr. Deviah: It is a very difficult task, my dear child. Forests have no walls, and any one can enter them. The main thing to do is to preserve forests. The first enemy of forests is us human beings. We are growing in numbers; we need more space, so we build houses by cutting down trees and creating plots. We also use wood. To grow more food we use forest space. All this has to be regulated. Some people cut trees for no reason. We have to advise them and prevent them from cutting trees either by requesting them not to cut trees or by taking legal action. Then wherever there is vacant space one or two trees should be planted. Starting from this year, on your birthday you could plant a tree. That is the best way to protect a forest. INEP: Children, even if you cannot plant a big tree, grow a new plant every year. By the time you reach your twenties you will have lots of plants in your house. Dr. Deviah: Yes, that will take care of your needs, and the needs of your children and grandchildren. You will get everything in your house itself. 70 PARISARA SOBAGU

77 Trees & Plants Western ghats and its eco-system Western Ghats: Heaven on earth Western Ghats is one of the 33 recognised sensitive zones of the world. In several ways it is most unique. There are several precious herbs and plants that can be developed into medicines in laboratories and can benefit the public, says Dr. K.N.Ganeshaiyya, Department of Cereals, Agricultural University, Bangalore. INEP: What is the importance of Western Ghats? Dr. K. N. Ganeshaiyya: Western Ghats is one of the 33 recognised ecologically sensitive zones in the World. India has four such sensitive zones. They are the Western Ghats, the Eastern Himalayas, the Himalayan Range between Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh and the Andaman Islands. The Andamans along with the islands of Malaysia are an important sensitive zone. One of the wonders of nature is that India has four ecologically sensitive zones. No other country has as many sensitive zones. The significance of the Western Ghats is that along with its rich biodiversity, it also supports a rich environment-dependant civilisation of several thousand years. INEP: Why is it considered as a significant or prominent sensitive zone in the world? Dr. Ganeshaiyya: There are several reasons. One of them is that the area of the Western Ghats is just 2% of the area of the entire country. It has 20% - 25% of biodiversity of the entire country. Western Ghats is the cradle of biodiversity. The animal and plant diversity that can be seen here is not available in any part of the world. Some beings are born, develop and thrive only here and nowhere else. For example, recently about 100 new varieties of frogs were identified in the Western Ghats, over a period of four, five years. The discovery meant that almost every month a new variety of frog leaped up in the air! With bushy forests ranging up to a region of about feet in height it is an evergreen forest, with water bodies and rivers, and this makes it a cradle of biodiversity. The rich knowledge of the people of this region and their awareness of the precious value of the environs make it special. If a list of the 33 sensitive zones is made according to their financial value the Western Ghats stands fifth in the world. It stands first population-wise. Retaining its rich biodiversity, with some rare genre of species of flora and fauna, it is one of the most prominent and sensitive zones. INEP: Geographically, what is the area of the Western Ghats? Dr. Ganeshaiyya: I said earlier that the region forms only 2% of the entire nation spread over five states. The northern region is in Gujarat, then there is a valley, and then the Ghats stretch up to Mahendra Gir Forest PARISARA SOBAGU 71

78 Trees & Plants parts of Sri Lanka have a few varieties or genres of biodiversity that are not available in India. Location of western ghats in India region in Tamil Nadu. It is 1600 km long, covering about lakh sq. km. A rare thing about Western Ghats is the Palghat gap a gap spread over 32 km, with no forests. It is such a plain area, that even trains are allowed to traverse this area. This means that there is a break in the Ghats. This is a strange phenomenon. One reason attributed to this is that the sea spread across between the Deccan Plateau and North India. The land developed and moved in such a manner as to push the sea away. The land constituting the Deccan plateau and the land constituting Northern India fused to form a single India. For this reason there is a gap of 32kms where there are no Ghats. But for this gap the Western Ghats is one continuous range. Western Ghats is not limited to India. It grows continuously and joins Sri Lanka. It is assumed that the Sahyadri Hills are only in India. But it has spread up to Sri Lanka. Several lakh years ago India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar and Africa were together. Some In India the Western Ghats is a long stretch ranging from Gujarat in the North to Kerala in the South. It starts in the Tapti Valley which is situated between Gujarat and Maharashtra. No one could fix a boundary to the Western Ghats as it has grown in the hearts and minds of the people. It is known as Sahyadri in Maharashtra and Malabar Malai in Kerala. Foreigners called it the Western Ghats. Three years ago our research department marked the region, and created a knowledge bank giving the details about its flora and fauna. The knowledge bank has been formed scientifically giving the details about the nature of the soil, the rainfall and other phenomenon. All the details are recorded on a CD which is called Sasya Sahyadri and is made available to public. INEP: What are the problems faced by the Western Ghats? Dr. Ganeshaiyya: All the problems that the environment encounters elsewhere are faced by the Western Ghats too. The main problem is encroachment. People cut trees and clear the ground for irrigation. Then comes the fragmentation of forests a road cuts through the forest or a dam is built. The continuity of the Ghats is affected or fragmented. People do not see the damaging effect of fragmentation on the flora and fauna. Lions, elephants and other wild animals need privacy for their survival. They would have marked their own territories for their and their progeny s growth and survival. If their marked territories vanish then they have to move out of the forest for food. They need freedom of space of several thousand 72 PARISARA SOBAGU

79 Trees & Plants kilometres for movement and other needs. If these minimum conditions are not available they find it hard to survive. The roads that cut through the forests curtail the free movement of wild animals. Then the wild animals avoid that area of the forest and are forced to move elsewhere. This is one reason why elephants have abandoned forests and come to the cities to loot. Actually they are not looting or trying to harm us; they come in desperate need for food and move to cities. This is because their place is taken away by man. INEP: What is Devara Kaadu? Dr. Ganeshaiyya: Devara Kaadu means an area in the forest exclusively preserved for Gods. Our forefathers had given more importance to forests than we have. They knew the value of having large forests. One way of retaining the forests is to reserve some areas in the name of gods. The fear or devotion aspect of the human mind ensures that some area of the forest is spared. That is one of the methods of conservation of the forest. Even in the worst of times man will hesitate to use this forest because it belongs to the gods! It is a Love thy neighbour concept that has helped us to survive and live in harmony with nature. An engineer from Kerala has a theory about god s forest. Kerala was full of forests and nothing else. People who wanted to build a house had to cut a tree. They made a treaty among themselves: If a tree is cut, a sapling has to be planted elsewhere, anywhere, as a way of compensation. That group of saplings later became the god s forest. And no one disturbs it. INEP: What should be our role in preserving the Western Ghats? Dr. Ganeshaiyya: It is very unfortunate that we have forgotten the culture of preserving our environment. For example, when I was young people in our village would go hunting, looking for deer and rabbits. But they had a principle: the first male and the female, be it a deer or a rabbit, would not be killed. They would capture it and instead of aiming an arrow at it, they would smear some paint on it so that no one else would kill it. The intention was that if the first female and the male were spared, it would help in the increase of progeny of its line and hence their species would not be destroyed, even though they were hunted. This was a part of our culture and it is an aspect that we have been forgetting. Let alone deer or rabbits, we have not taken care of plants either. One is reminded of a story prevalent in the northern parts of India, wherein 350 women, defying a king s order, died hugging as many trees to prevent their cutting. Wildlife of Western ghats There is an organisation in Bangalore, which has a brilliant new programme. It says if the public contribute Rs. 500 to it, then a tree will be planted on the birthdays of the children of the donors and will be named after them. Lakhs of children are born and assuming that PARISARA SOBAGU 73

80 Trees & Plants just 20% celebrate their birthdays and if they celebrate it in this manner, it will be a wonderful gift to nature. If the plan is implemented it will be really nice. INEP: How many different species are there in the Western Ghats? Dr. Ganeshaiyya: There are about 5000 plants and our research says We are sceptical about the classification of 500 to 1000 varieties. Their botanical names are causing some confusion and problems. Even if you discount 500 to 1000 varieties we still have around 5000 varieties. About genres are exclusive to the endemic areas of the Western Ghats. For example, Semecarpus kathalekanensis is available only in swamps or marshy areas. This was discovered by our scientists in We are keeping a watch on it. It is available only in a few zones and has about 100 plants in the entire Western Ghats. Unfortunately, among the 100 plants only 20 of them are female. When these 20 plants are ready to sprout seeds, the male plants are not ready to pollinate. A butterfly called Idea malabarica, which helps these plants to pollinate, is on the verge of extinction. If this butterfly becomes extinct so will the plant. This complex relationship should be understood to protect these species. So, both the butterfly and the plant have to be protected. The tiger is also said to be on the verge of extinction. There are still thousands of Idea malabarica tigers around but thousands of crores of rupees are flowing in from all over the world to save and protect the tiger. But no one is bothered about this plant because the plants are not glamorous. Now the elephant is liked but not the lion. Among the plants there are a few, like the lion, that are on the verge of extinction. We have to change our attitude and give more prominence to plants. The Semecarpus kathalekanensis grows in a region where areca nut is cultivated. Areca nut is a cash crop. So people remove the Semecarpus kathalekanensis and plant areca instead. It is not enough to ensure that the plant is grown; one has also got to preserve the butterfly Idea malabarica. It is not enough to just grow this plant and the butterfly. The complex relationship between them has to be understood and fostered in the environment. The immaturity of the people has to be dealt with. Merely growing trees is not conservation. What has to be conserved is the complex, intricate and delicate relationship between living organisms in the environment and protecting them. We have to leave the forest as a forest, and remain far away from it and avoid interfering with it. INEP: Does the reduction or destruction of this species have any impact on the environment? Dr. Ganeshaiyya: It affects the environment deeply and severely. The greenery absorbs chunks of carbon dioxide. An increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can lead to global warming. This leads to melting of ice peaks which results in the rise of sea levels. Places like Bangladesh get submerged. It is a chain reaction. Apart from carbon-dioxide, there are few more gases that are absorbed by plants. When trees are cut large chunks of carbon dioxide remain in 74 PARISARA SOBAGU

81 Trees & Plants the atmosphere. The plants in the Western Ghats have several such benefits. There are predators and parasites which can be brought to laboratories and developed and used in agriculture. If the trees are cut we lose these benefits for ever. 80% of the medicinal plants in the world are available in the Western Ghats. People go there, cut them, bring them, process them and then sell them. When they pluck the medicinal plants they do not care about the destruction of other plants because they do not know their properties. And finally, the destruction of the Western Ghats will severely affect the rainfall pattern in the entire region. INEP: What is Meristica marshy region? Dr. Ganeshaiyya: Meristica is a plant grown in a marshy land. As the plant cannot grow anywhere else, this marshy region is known as Meristica marsh. The speciality of this plant is that the root comes out of the earth, as if to breathe and then goes back to earth, thus resembling the shape of a hook. This is a very specific plant which has to come out of the soil just to breathe. If we destroy or eradicate marshy areas such rare species of plants also will be eradicated. Soliga community living in forests of Western Ghats INEP: What is the use of this plant? Dr. Ganesh - a i y y a : There is a genre of p a d d y called d e e p rooted paddy which grows only in anaerobic conditions. When we want to grow such kind of paddy, we have to inject genes taken from the meristica plants. These plants grow in marshy or swampy areas and there are several genes in them which can be transferred and utilised. Even plants like jajikayee belong to the meristica group. The speciality of swampy areas is that the area is small but they have the potential for large commercial crops. INEP: What are the other types of plants available in the Western Ghats? Dr. Ganeshaiyya: We thought we had very few medicinal plants. But it was our ignorance that made us think so. Recently we found a chemical called camptothecin in a plant which is helpful in curing cancer. This is a very special plant. The chemical derived is camptothecin and the plant is Nothapodytes foetida. It is available in several places other than the Western Ghats. The chemical content is a mere 0.1 to 0.3 per cent in plants available outside the Western Ghats. We found that the chemical available in the plants of the Western Ghats is 10 times the chemical available outside. This is known as Dollar Chemical instead of processing 1 kg of this plant from outside the Western Ghats, processing 100gms of this plant available inside the Western Ghats gives the same result. It reduces the pressure on the other species of plants that are growing outside the Western Ghats. The cost of processing will also be less. Then this cancerrelated chemical can be made available at a low cost to patients. Many people can utilise it. We do not reveal the exact location where these plants grow. It is still kept a secret. We take seeds from that plant and then help in the multiplication of the plant. Our intention is to give it to the general public for PARISARA SOBAGU 75

82 Trees & Plants cultivation. That will stop people from going to the Western Ghats and cutting these plants. In future, even industries can buy it directly from the farmers, thus several kinds of developmental activities are possible. This is one way of protecting the Western Ghats. Don t cut the plant in the forest, instead bring a sapling of the plant and plant it in your backyard and grow it. Such developments are happening. Dr. Umashankar and I have jointly made chairs and tables out of lantana plants. This reduces and has reduced the pressure on bamboo. People were treating lantana as a pest and a waste. Now it has become useful. This is both protection and development. In the B. R. Hills region bettada nellikai (forest gooseberry) is grown which has a large potential for making shampoos, pickles and medicine. The Soliga community was harvesting and marketing it. But the middlemen were reaping the profit and the tribals were getting a pittance. We helped the Soliga community to set up a processing unit. Now they do the processing themselves and market the products. They are getting a good profit and have now reduced the harvest to a mere 300 kg instead of the earlier 1000 kg a year. The remaining 700 kg of gooseberries go back to the forest in the form of seeds. This will help in the regeneration of the forests. This is one of the many ways of protecting precious species. 76 PARISARA SOBAGU

83 Lakes Lakes Inland water resources Impact of immersion of idols in tanks, ponds and lakes Lake restoration Maintenance of tanks post-restoration PARISARA SOBAGU 77

84 Lakes Inland water resources Planned disposal key to clean tanks Water, water everywhere, not a drop to drink goes a popular saying. Why is it so? Dr.B.R.Balagangadhar, Chief Medical Officer, Central Environmental Lab, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Bangalore, explains. INEP: Water forms 70% of the earth and yet we have water shortage, why? Dr.Balagangadhar: 70% of the earth may be water, but 97.5% of this is sea water. The salt content of sea water makes it undrinkable. Out of the remaining 2.5%, 68% of water is in the form of icebergs, 29% is in the groundwater form, 0.9% is in the form of soil moisture. Only 0.3% of drinking water is available in the form of ponds, lakes and reservoirs. As the population increases, demand on water increases. Only 0.3% of 70% of (total) water is potable. INEP: Can you please explain the water resource in India? Dr. Balagangadhar: India stands second in land water resources. We have 113 large and medium rivers, flowing across 29,000 kilometres. We also have a little more than 600 large and medium reservoirs covering an area of 2.8 million hectares. INEP: How good are Karnataka s inland water resources? Dr. Balagangadhar: 25% of the country s water resources are in Karnataka. Seven river basins, which can be considered as big, flow in the state, covering 6000 kilometres. The prominent ones are Krishna, Cauvery, Godavari, North and South Pennar River, Palar River and West-bound rivers. The state has 36,000 tanks, of which 3000 are big ones. In addition to this, we have 40 reservoirs including eight big ones. The land area covered by these water sources is 4.5 lakh hectares. INEP: How is a water tank formed? Dr. Balagangadhar: Any collection of water with earth surrounded on all sides is considered is considered as water tanks. It is classified as ponds or lakes depending upon its size. Tanks can also be classified as natural tanks and man-made tanks. Natural tanks are several thousand years old and are formed due to natural geographical events. Man-made tanks are formed to fulfil public needs. Earlier, rulers or kings built temples and constructed tanks around them and they considered it as a holy task. Tanks have three layers. The topmost layer is called Epilimium, the bottom most layer is called Hypolimium. 78 PARISARA SOBAGU

85 Lakes The middle layer is called Thermoplane. In the top layers, the sensitive, photosensitive living organisms produce oxygen using sunlight. In the bottom layer, the bacteria and insects utilize that oxygen for survival. The middle layer bifurcates these two layers. We can notice a biological food chain in tanks. Microflora, micro-fauna and fish depend on each other for survival. is polluted due to their decomposition at the bottom. Siltation, and presence of effluents, also pollutes the tanks. Even air pollution leads to water pollution. Mankind s greed and increase in human population are also responsible for destruction of tanks. Of the 260 tanks that thrived 30 years ago, only127 remain now. Of this, 46 are on the verge of extinction. INEP: Even though we have so much water in the environment, yet there is water scarcity. Dr. Balagangadhar: The main source for such varied water resources is only one: rain. We have to channelise rain water. According to a survey, 80 taluks in 12 districts are facing accuse water scarcity. Hence it becomes paramount to protect our tanks and thereby help fisheries, agriculture, and industries. INEP: What are the reasons for destruction of tanks? Dr. Balagangadhar: There are mainly two reasons. One is man made and the other is natural. In tanks, overnourishment due to formation of nitrates, phosphates, potassium, salts and other nutrients leads to over-growth of micro-flora and micro-fauna. When they die, the water There are four major reasons for this decline. Nearly fifty tanks are replaced by playgrounds, commercial complexes and parks. Tanks that survived are polluted due to industrial effluents and domestic waste. Rainwater drains are filled with slush and this in turn has reached water bodies. Pesticides which are not consumed by plants in agricultural fields reach tanks and in turn pollute them. Apart from these, hospital waste, biological effluents too are responsible for pollution of tanks. INEP: Then, how do we prevent tanks from such man made destruction? Dr. Balagangadhar: Planned disposal of effluents and wastes can reduce pollution of water. If all developmental activity be it agriculture, house construction is planned well, and scientific methods are adopted, effluents can be prevented from reaching water bodies. Care should be taken to ensure that biological products do not reach tanks. Siltation INEP: At places the weeds are so rampant that the water becomes unusable for the human beings. Dr. Balagangadhar: True. Frequent programmes on environment awareness should be held in public places, schools and colleges. To achieve this purpose Eco-clubs have been set up in schools and colleges. Awareness PARISARA SOBAGU 79

86 Lakes about survival of ponds should be created through documentary programmes on television channels. Special documentaries should be made on this issue and even street plays should be enacted. Lastly, the quality of water should be tested and analysed regularly in laboratories. INEP: Can you please explain how this can be done? Dr. Balagangadhar: Before testing water, a spot should be selected to collect water sample. Testing of water samples for pollution is done in three ways. The physical test is done by analysing the colour, taste and odour. The chemical test is done using 18 different equipments for water s ph factor, temperature, chloride level, alkalinity, and biological oxygen demand. If these factors do not measure up to a predetermined level, then the water is considered as polluted. In the biological method the levels of e.coli and faecal coli bacteria and levels of poison are tested. In the poison level test, the experiment is done on fish. Their survival or death decides the levels of pollution of tank water. Desiltation of tank at all costs. If the tank is silted, desiltation programme has to be taken up. INEP: Once the tank is restored, when should the water be tested? Dr. Balagangadhar: Water has to be tested at least once a month. If dead fish are seen in the water, it s a clear sign of pollution. Water should be treated with oxygen and other related remedial measures should be taken up. INEP: If the fish survive, is the water potable? Dr. Balagangadhar: Yes. If the fish die, then the water is considered as polluted. Fish are bio-indicators. Chances of fish surviving in unpolluted water are very high. INEP: What are the steps that have to be taken after a tank is rejuvenated? Dr. Balagangadhar: Management of tank after it is rejuvenated is a very important factor. Fencing around the tank and ponds also helps to identify the exact area of the tank. It also prevents encroachment of tank bed area. Activities that lead to pollution should be prevented INEP: Is the restored tank eligible for entertainment activities? Dr. Balagangadhar: Oh yes, activities like boating and fishing can be permitted. But care should be taken to ensure that none of the entertainment activities pollute the tank. INEP: How can a citizen help rejuvenation of the tank? Dr. Balagangadhar: A good question. The Lake Development Authority has formed a tank maintenance committee consisting of local citizens, retired officials, experts from various fields, voluntary organisations and others. If a citizen gives a good suggestion the committee will consider it and implement it if feasible. 80 PARISARA SOBAGU

87 Lakes INEP: What are the benefits of tank restoration activities? Dr. Balagangadhar: Restoration of tanks improves ground water level in surrounding areas. A good tank can help irrigation activities, fisheries and even other industries. INEP: How can a tank help, in general? Dr. Balagangadhar: Tanks help in maintaining the ground water level. It can be noticed that the water in the wells around tanks are fuller when compared to wells away from tanks. Tanks in rural areas help people to cope with their daily activities and fisheries. Hebbal lake a couple of years after restoration weeds have begun to reclaim the lake again In summer when the tanks dry, the silt is used as manure. The grass on the tank beds is nutritious food for cattle. In urban areas tanks help maintain the temperature. Tanks can become an entertainment and tourism spot. If properly organised tanks can become bird sanctuaries too. PARISARA SOBAGU 81

88 Lakes Impact of immersion of idols in tanks, ponds and lakes Leave that lake alone! We immerse idols of Ganesha in tanks thinking that it is a holy act. We throw unwanted things into water bodies because we think there is no better place to dispose them. We fail to realise that we are polluting lakes. Mr. B.K.Singh, IFS, Chief Executive Officer, Lake Development Authority, explains how we can avoid this. INEP: Mr. Singh, will you enlighten us about the factors polluting our water bodies? Please tell us about human activities that lead to water pollution. Mr. B.K.Singh: People wash clothes, clean vessels and utensils in tanks. People also wash all types of vehicles in ponds and rivers. Lorries being washed on tank beds is a common sight all along major roads. Apart from this, industrial effluents too are being let into our lakes and tanks. Then, if there is mining activity in the catchments area, all the waste gets into the lake. Siltation due to mining can choke water bodies. When this happens, desilting is necessary and it is a very expensive affair. INEP: How can one say that water body is polluted? Mr. Singh: There are parameters to decide the level of pollution. Laboratory tests of samples of water will reveal the levels of pollution. The basic test is BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand) and COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) level of water. In potable water both BOD level and COD level should be zero mg per litre. And, the dissolved oxygen level, known as DO level, should not exceed 4 mg per litre. The organic oxygen load increases because effluents from homes, garbage dumps and human waste reach tanks. INEP: So most of the pollution is man-made. Mr. Singh: While industries located upstream of water bodies are the prime culprits, even agricultural activity in the catchment area can lead to pollution as the manure, fertilizers and pesticides that are not consumed by the plant get mixed with water. One of the factors contributing to water pollution in tanks in urban areas is the practice of immersing idols in tanks during the festival season. These idols are coated with emulsion paints. The lead content in paints is highly toxic. We also know that lead is a heavy metal. We took 12 samples of water from Belandur tank and tested them in the lab. The BOD level ranged between 40 and 150! We also found that the COD level was two and a half times the BOD! As I said earlier it should have been zero if the water is to be considered as potable. The thing about COD is it does not increase due to domestic sewage. In this case the culprit is industrial effluents. Cleaning water is a big task and cleaning on a higher level is a big science. There are several processes of 82 PARISARA SOBAGU

89 Lakes Mr. Singh: I can say human beings are responsible. We generate both domestic and industrial sewage and allow it to join water bodies without treating it with chemicals. This way our water bodies, which includes ponds, tanks and lakes, are polluted, needing treatment. We do have Sewage Treatment Plants installed at various places. BWSSB is focusing on sewage treatment plants in a big way and these plants are in position in large numbers. Doddabommasandra tank of Bangalore cleaning water. Diverting the sewage and treating the sewage are the main factors. As even school children know, filtration through carbon is the elementary process of purification. But this is not sufficient when the level of pollution is as high as, say, in Belandur Tank. Biological method, which has been taken up already in Belandur Tank, comes in to play in such cases. In this process, aerators are being used so that the water can get sufficient oxygen. Though the dissolved oxygen level goes up to 4 mg per litre in this process, it is an acceptable level. At this level sludge gets dissolved. Normally, desiltation process becomes necessary to clean bigger lakes but it is an expensive affair. Biological methods can help to eliminate the sludge, thus avoiding the desiltation process. We have started using biological methods for bigger tanks too while ensuring that no further entry of sewage to the tanks takes place. Cleaning up a tank is impossible if sewage keeps coming in during the cleaning process! INEP: Sir, what can you say about the source of pollution of water? These plants should be positioned at the mouth of the water bodies, so that polluted water can be treated at the entry point itself. I would say both secondary treatment and tertiary treatment are important. Secondary treatment is basic and is a chemical process. Yet some aspects of pollution do not get removed in this process necessitating the tertiary treatment. This is a very expensive process. That is one reason we have very few tertiary treatment programmes. INEP: Sir, what is impact of water pollution on human beings? Mr. Singh: Water pollution is a health hazard. Pollution of tanks leads to groundwater contamination. That is why I insist that immersion of idols is a health hazard because it contains heavy metals. INEP: Even animals drink that water. Mr. Singh.: Yes, pollution of water affects both animals and human beings. Decomposition of organic matter of water leads to air pollution because of release of gases like Methane. Air pollution is also a health hazard. INEP: This appears to be a cycle. PARISARA SOBAGU 83

90 Lakes Mr. Singh: Yes. One action leads to another and that leads to another. INEP: Sir, idols are not the only things that find their way to water. Say we have an old unwanted pipe or even a photograph. We don t know where to throw them. There is a belief that it is alright to throw unwanted things into water bodies, because they are so large and all encompassing. Mr. Singh: Our suggestion is that we need to create a separate pond for it. People have to co-ordinate and organise immersion in such a way that the Ganesha idols of two or three colonies can be immersed in one place. This way, only a portion of a tank gets polluted. Later, it is easy to clean that part of the lake. We also suggest that idols, if small, can be immersed in a bucket of water at home itself. That water can be used for plants as manure. Lead may be a poison for h u m a n Immersion pool beings but may go well with plants. We can also have mobile immersion tanks where people can immerse their idols in the vehicle that comes near their homes. That way, main tanks will be free of contamination. INEP: You are suggesting that a balance between public interest and religious interest has to be maintained. Mr Singh.: Yes a balance has to be achieved. INEP: Sir, are there any laws to prevent pollution? Mr. Singh: There are several. There is Water Pollution & Control Act 1974 which is mainly dealt by Pollution Control Board. According to this, a case can be booked if someone pollutes a water body. Then there is Environment Protection Act According to this Act, any action resulting in pollution is liable to be punished. Section 270 of the Indian Penal Code says water bodies should not be polluted. There is also a Public Nuisance Act, which covers such offences. INEP: Laws can prevent us from going overboard. But there should be change in the minds of people. Mr. Singh: Yes our mind set should change. My appeal is that there should be consensus among the people. Builders after completing big projects should install a Sewage Treatment Plant. Domestic waste is being disposed in plastic bags. Maharashtra government has banned use of plastics bags. So we have to take a decision at the level of our house or locality on how to streamline and organise correctly the disposal of waste in plastic containers so that flimsy disposable plastic bags do not end up in lakes and tanks. The main thing is that waste should not reach ponds and lakes. Then there is the case of truckloads of construction material being dumped at the tank bed area. People s mindset should change about these aspects. Disposal should be done at the correct place. A lake is not the place where all these are dumped. 84 PARISARA SOBAGU

91 Lakes INEP: That is, ponds are sacred places for us. We treat water as Ganga and worship it. If the lakes have to remain sacred it is essential for the public not to throw unwanted things into it. We should also prevent effluents reaching lakes. Sir, in case some one notices that water is being polluted can we inform you? Mr. Singh: Yes. development of the lakes. If fencing is done and tank surroundings are developed into jogging parks, they become beautiful places. LDA has invited some organisations to develop big tanks under Expression of Interest scheme. From this we get some small revenue too. Our appeal is to preserve the water bodies without damaging the quality of water. INEP: How? Mr. Singh: One can use the phone. One can write to our office at Parisara Bhavan, 49, Church Street, Bangalore-1. All the urban tanks and lakes in the entire state come under Lake Development Authority. INEP: Here are some questions from the students. Student: We are all from Government High School, Coxtown, Bangalore, and my name is Hamsa. My question is how do we prevent pollution of water bodies from chemical and toxic effluents of industries? INEP: Earlier there was less pollution. Looking at a tank or a pond would be pleasant experience. Now we feel sad that it is so dirty and polluted. Our programme s intention is to remove that sadness and restore the earlier feeling. One of the aims of Parisara Sobagu is to help restore the beauty of nature. Mr. Singh: On behalf of Lake Development Authority (LDA) my appeal to citizens is to protect our ponds, lakes and tanks. We have to rejuvenate them. We have to tell ourselves and others that water bodies are not the place to let in sewage. Tank bed areas should not be allowed to be encroached upon. Nor should human, domestic and industrial waste be dumped here. Tank bed areas should be clean if we are to remain healthy. Mr. Singh: As I said earlier the COD content of water increases if industrial effluents are let into water bodies. The industries should take up the responsibility of installing sewage treatment plants and treat the effluents before letting them into water bodies. After secondary treatment, they should carry out tertiary treatment too. Letting untreated water into the lake is an offence. LDA also has an Adopt and Develop Policy where organizations adopt a lake and make a commitment to maintain it. The stakeholders and development associates of this project ensure Hebbal lake is a habitat for birds PARISARA SOBAGU 85

92 Lakes INEP: The point is Industries are liable for punishment if they allow their effluents to tanks untreated. Student: My name is Raju. Most of the activities in rural areas like washing clothes, washing animals and bathing take place in and around ponds. The same water is used for drinking too. How can we prevent this? Mr. Singh: There is procedure for this. In big tanks, a small portion should be demarked with a construction of a bund. The segregated portion of the tank should be used as Dhobhi Ghat and for washing animals. This action of segregation of ponds for public use is the basic criteria for getting proposals approved from Central government for all lake development projects. INEP: In other words, instead of polluting the entire tank, you can pollute only a small demarked portion of water body. INEP: As animals and birds too drink the same water it can affect them too if the water is polluted. Sir, what is your special advice to students? Mr. Singh: Students can create a movement against pollution of water bodies. They do not have to hesitate as laws like Environment Protection Act and New Water Policy Act are very powerful and are in their favour. Never allow polluted water to enter tanks and lakes or rivers. Prevent it at all cost. INEP: Students, when you notice that some waste is dumped in the lake, don t hesitate and inform officers at Parisara Bhavan or Pollution Control Board or send them a letter to. They will take action. Mr. Singh, thank you very much for helping us to learn so much. 86 PARISARA SOBAGU

93 Lakes Lake restoration Our disappearing lakes When urban development takes place the prime victim is often the tank bed region. Only a few tanks have survived over the years and even these have to be restored. Mr. Umesh, Assistant Executive Engineer, Lake Development Authority, Bangalore, explains this in detail. INEP: How is it that there are very few tanks in and around Bangalore? Mr. Umesh: There were 182 tanks in Bangalore. Only 81 of them have survived. As the city grows, the tanks disappear. A sports complex has replaced the Koramangala tank. What was once known as Chalaghatta Kere is now a golf course. The present day Kempegowda Bus Stand in Subhashnagar has replaced a huge tank. Whenever we attempt to build something, our eyes first fall on tank space. People don t prevent it because it is done for their convenience. Such demands and developments make tanks disappear. INEP: When can you call a tank a tank? Mr. Umesh: A collection of water that is useful to humans and animals can be called a tank. The nomenclature varies according to the size. A small area of water is called a pond and a slightly bigger one is called a tank. A very large area of water is called a lake. Sometimes, water that flows breadthwise is known as a tank and that which flows lengthwise is known as a lake. INEP: How does a lake get polluted? Mr. Umesh: Human activities and urbanisation pollute tank. Very rarely does nature cause pollution. INEP: Is there any distinctive difference between a tank and a lake? Mr. Umesh: The size certainly differentiates the two. The purpose and uses of these can differentiate a lake from a tank. Be it agricultural activity or other activities, the daily use of water too differentiates a tank from a lake. Normally lakes are not used for our daily needs. INEP: We only read about lakes in works of fiction. Do lakes really exist? Mr. Umesh: Lakes do exist. There are several of them in the northern parts of India. If a flowing river gets space to stand it becomes a lake. But man-made water spots are considered tanks. INEP: What is the role of a tank? Mr. Umesh: Tanks are an integral part of human life. A tank plays several roles. After air and food, water is the basic factor that helps humans to survive. From ancient times, civilizations have evolved around riverbanks. People lived either on riverbanks or in tank bed regions. That shows how important tanks are. PARISARA SOBAGU 87

94 Lakes INEP: When silt itself has nutrients, why does one hear about adding nutrients to tanks? Mr. Umesh: It happens in a different way. Effluents from agricultural fields carry some inorganic nutrition with them. This additional nutrition results in having unwanted weeds in the tank. Sometimes the entire tank is covered with weeds. This is called nutrification. Karnataka Golf Association course which was a lake once People also worship water, because they know how vital it is. Tanks improve ground water level. In some places, water is drawn from tanks for irrigation too. Tanks help aquatic life. Fish can help humans as food and as a source of income. People can use tanks for sports and entertainment. The silt found in tanks can be used as manure in horticulture and agriculture. Thus, we can see the varied roles tanks play. INEP: Is there a method for restoring the tanks? Mr. Umesh: There are several factors to be considered. Restoration depends on the problems of the tank and varies from tank to tank. If a tank bund is damaged, affecting the flow of water in canals and subways carrying water to the tank, it has to be repaired. If plastic and other wastes are the problem, they have to be removed. If effluents from industries are the issue, then the tank has to be treated and steps should be taken to prevent effluents from reaching the tank in future. If sewage is the problem, then sewage has to be diverted. Each problem has different solution. INEP: How can tanks be restored? INEP: We thought silt was harmful Mr. Umesh: Silt is rich in iron, nitrates, phosphates, and potassium. In the earlier days the silt of an old tank was the only manure a farmer would use. In olden days, farmers felt tanks belonged to them and they were proud of them. That sense of belonging is vanishing. They now feel desilting is the responsibility of someone else, or, worse, that of the government. When the farmers take silt from the tank, it helps the tank to rejuvenate itself. Its water holding capacity increases. Now desiltation is a costly process and machines are used for this work. Bangalore city bus stand, once Dharmambudhi tank 88 PARISARA SOBAGU

95 Lakes Mr. Umesh: Certainly. Tanks in rural areas are less polluted. Both sewage and effluent discharge are less. Pollution level in urban areas is very high because of indiscriminate urbanization. INEP: What are the problems of tanks? Mr. Umesh: The biggest problem is the greed of human beings. Encroachment has reduced the tanks water storing capacity. At places, people have deliberately damaged tank bunds so that the tank dries up. Once it is dry, Sewage water running into Doddabommasandra lake buildings come up. We have to Mr. Umesh: It depends on the level and cause of protect our tanks by ensuring that effluents and sewage pollution. If the pollution is due to effluents, then the do not reach the tanks. effluents have to be removed. If it is nitrification, then waterweeds have to be removed manually. If it is due to INEP: How can the public save tanks? sewage water, it has to be diverted, stored in a separate Mr. Umesh: As I said earlier, people used to feel that place, treated by the sewage treatment plant and then tanks belonged to them. They thought it was their duty arrangements have to be made to release it into canals to de-silt them so that fresh water would come and the or tanks. tank remained fresh and clean. If desiltation is not done frequently tanks lose their water storing capacity. The Desiltation is a big process. It is done after removing the water level is reduced from, say, 10 feet to 2 feet, which water from the tank. There is a method known as wetdigging, where with the help of a machine, the wet silt is become dry. is normally the level when water vaporises and tanks removed. The process is quite expensive. In places where water cannot be removed, the bio-remedial technique is People should educate others about the value of tank used. The polluted water is treated biologically, so that it maintenance. Awareness about polluted water affecting can hold more oxygen. our health should spread. It will be very useful if this is done by the public rather than the government. Only such INEP: Is there a difference between rural tanks and urban awareness can save tanks in rural areas. Preventing tanks? encroachment can make tanks survive in urban areas. PARISARA SOBAGU 89

96 Lakes INEP: What is the role of the Lake Development Authority? Mr. Umesh: We have identified lakes that need restoration, have submitted a detailed project report to Centre for approval and grants. Work on Vengayyana kere and Nagavara lake in Bangalore has been completed. Bio-remedial technique has been tried in Belandur kere in Bangalore. Work on Jaraganahalli tank is on the verge of completion. Work on Akkamahadevi kere in Haveri, Kotikere, in Belgaum has begun. The plan to restore Channapatna kere in Hassan and Sharana Basaveswara kere in Gulbarga has been sanctioned by the Central Government. INEP: Talking about encroachment, it reminds me of people who cultivate crops in the tank bed regions. They are of the opinion that the place belongs to the public and that a public property is nobody s property. Mr. Umesh: The moment it comes to our notice, and whenever we get information to this effect from the public, we inform the district offices and take action jointly. Student: Can industries use lake water? Mr. Umesh: Yes. But lakes should be purified to the level it is needed for the purpose. The purification level of lakes varies according to the purpose of the use of water. That level has to be maintained. Student: How does the pollution of ground water affect us? Mr. Umesh: Polluted groundwater affects our drinking water. Unsafe drinking water can cause serious health problems. Student: Can polluted ground water be used for irrigation? Mr. Umesh: Yes. But we must ensure that the metal content in it is within the permissible limits. Else it can harm the plants and human beings. Hebbal lake restored under INEP project 90 PARISARA SOBAGU

97 Lakes Maintenance of tanks post-restoration Restoration, a continuous task Lakes are as vital as water itself. They help in irrigation, raise the ground water level and improve the weather at the micro level. INEP spoke to Ms. Vanashri Vipin Singh, IFS, Deputy Conservator of Forest, Lake Development Authority, on why maintenance of lakes is not a one off exercise but a continuous task. INEP: Lake development has a separate department, official and exclusive. What does it do? Ms. Vanashri Vipin Singh: It is a one-of-its-kinds department and exists only in Karnataka. It was constituted in The Lake Development Authority aims at restoring, rejuvenating and protecting lakes. Lakes need to be protected from being encroached upon by developers. The general public also encroaches upon and occupies the area. Our main objective is to encourage people to participate in restoring and maintaining the lakes. This can be done by creating awareness among people. INEP: What is the role of a lake in the day-to-day activities of people? Ms. Singh: Lakes play the same role as water does in our lives. They play a prominent role in restoring the ground water level. Through experience it has been noticed that bore wells around lake areas get a good supply of water once the lake is restored or rejuvenated. Good water availability increases the value of the land and property, creates a pleasant environment around the lakes, and improves the microclimate around them. Aquatic life also improves, so does the habitat for the birds. INEP: Tell us about your schemes and projects. Ms. Singh: The Lake Development Authority comes under the Department of Forest, Environment, and Ecology. First we choose a lake for development. The chosen lake would be a badly polluted one. A detailed project report is prepared, which includes the level of pollution, sewerage diversion, quantum of afforestation, quantum of desiltation, and so on. Everything that is necessary to be undertaken is discussed and an action plan suggested. The project report includes, importantly, the cost of the project. The report is submitted to the State government, which then forwards it to the Centre. It reaches the National Lake Conservation Plan, which sanctions the project. In this manner several plans are approved. We have completed three to four projects in Bangalore. Work on the Vengayyana Kere in Krishna Raja Puram has been completed; and work on Jaraganahalli Kere in Jaya Prakash Nagar is on the verge of completion. The Bellandur Lake project deserves special mention. It is a huge lake and hence it cannot be emptied. The flow of sewage into this lake is so continuous and regular that it cannot be diverted. A novel bio-remediation process is going on. A mix of bacteria culture is being created and will be released into the lake. This is an innovative PARISARA SOBAGU 91

98 Lakes method, keeping in mind that the tank cannot be emptied nor can the sewage be diverted elsewhere. A very well known tank in Belgaum is the Kotigere tank. Bheesma Kere in Gadag has been completely rejuvenated and restored. The lake and its surroundings have become Sewage water let into the lake very popular and has become a tourism spot. Other tanks that have been marked for restoration work are Channapattna Kere in Hassan, Sharanabasaveshwara Kere in Gulbarga, and Akka Mahadevi Kere in Haveri. I am trying my best to get public participation and fund allocation from the government. We have introduced the Adopt a Lake policy. People around the lakes can form a residents association, prepare a project report and send it over to us for approval for adoption, further to which a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed with us. The residents become the stake holders of the lake on doing so. We will guide them with the restoration process. The response to this scheme has been very good. A tank on the Airport Road, Whitefield, has already been adopted by the local residents. About six such proposals have been received and the MoU s for 3 of them have been signed. INEP: People s participation becomes very crucial? Ms. Singh: Yes, considering the fact that the government does not have funds for restoration of all the 2700 tanks. Even if they are restored, the government alone cannot maintain them. Their maintenance is possible only by the people around the lakes, the residents associations and the stakeholders. People do co-operate. I can mention an event. The restoration work in some tanks had just been completed when the Ganesha festival arrived. I had mentioned in a meeting of BMP, BDA, Pollution Control Board and other similar bodies that a large amount of public money had been spent to restore the tanks. And that we could not allow the tank to be polluted by the immersion of Ganesha idols. It was a unanimous agreement that such repollution should not be allowed and definitely be prevented. We segregated a part of the lake for idol immersion. Mobile immersion tanks were also created. People co-operated well. The huge idols were immersed in segregated spots marked for the same purpose, thus saving the entire tank from being polluted. A point to be noticed is that it is easier, cost effective, and quicker to There are about 2700 tanks, ponds, and lakes in Bangalore, which includes Bangalore urban and rural districts, and a few taluks of Kolar. Building of tank bunds for protection of tanks 92 PARISARA SOBAGU

99 Lakes clean a small area of a tank that is segregated. Small idols were immersed in the mobile tanks. Smaller idols were immersed at home in buckets. INEP: People have to strike a balance between religious obligations and prevention of water pollution. Ms. Singh: Yes. Some people helped the cause by procuring unpainted idols, made of clay. It is the paint that pollutes the water. We must admit that people are aware and do really care about this, else they wouldn t have been so co-operative. INEP: How can the residents help with the restoration of tanks? Ms. Singh: They can help by discussing these issues with other residents and form an association to take up restoration. The issue can be raised at Zilla Panchayats and/ or Taluk Panchayats. Residents can write to us, mentioning the tank that is polluted or being polluted, where there is an entry of sewage into the tank, or any encroachment upon a lake. They can perform Shrama daan by offering help through physical labour. treatment of the region around the lakes. The subways of water are the lifeline for tanks. Diverting sewage, at times, diverts rain water also. We should be careful about such situations. Tanks dry up if rainwater does not reach them. Care should be taken when desiltation work is taken up that it is not done too close to the tank bunds. The soil profile should be studied frequently. Mindless digging during desiltation work can damage the soil roof. Over the years, the soil develops a clay layer, which helps the tank to retain water. If the clay layer is damaged due to indiscriminate desilting or mindless digging water is not retained as it seeps deeper. If people need technical guidance on this aspect or any aspect of tank restoration they can write to us. We have lots of tips to offer. INEP: Tanks are so important that in earlier days parents would enquire about water availability in a village before proceeding with the marriage proposals of their children. There are villages that have a special identity because they have lakes around them. One aspect of restoration and maintenance that cannot be denied is that it requires money. It is easier to raise money locally. If the tanks are huge, a detailed project report has to be prepared. INEP: How do watershed activities help in the restoration of lakes? Ms. Singh: Watershed activities are vital even after the restoration of lakes. Our experience is that, at times, we find no water after restoration. One reason is the improper Cleaning of Hebbal lake, Bangalore PARISARA SOBAGU 93

100 Lakes Ms. Singh: Yes. The quality of life of the land can be gauged on the basis of the size of a lake. INEP: Do tanks have a potential for tourism? Ms. Singh: Not all, but some do have it. We have introduced a policy called Expression of Interest. It is based on the DOT principle Develop, Operate and Transfer. We choose a tank that has the potential to be developed as a tourist spot, be it for water sport or as a garden with facilities for children to play. This policy is open to public through a tender notification. There is scope for permissible, low-impact activities. Even commercial activities are allowed unlike in, say, Adopt a Lake scheme. A limited number of shops with commercial opportunities are permitted. Such tourist facilities are available at the lake at K R Puram in Bangalore. There is a proposal to have a golf course with restaurants beside another lake. A proposal to open a tourism centre in Kotigere tank in Belgaum is also in the offing. INEP: Who will remove the silt from the lakes? Ms. Singh: Whoever takes over the project will have to maintain the tank or the lake. Desiltation and sewage diversion are part of the maintenance of the tank. Even those who adopt a lake will have to maintain the lake. Tanks, even after restoration, need to be maintained, else they will be polluted. If a tank is polluted, or effluents are getting into it, or a tank region is being encroached upon, the public can write to: The Deputy Conservator of Forests, Lake Development Authority, Parisara Bhavan, Church Street, off M.G.Road, Bangalore Student: How do lakes help the common man? Ms. Singh: In many ways. Sluice gates are opened, on request, if water is needed for irrigation. Lakes help in maintaining the ground water level, by which, water levels in bore wells improve. If the water is good, automatically the number of fish in it also increases. Birds throng the place as water attracts birds. Student: What can students do to help with lake restoration? Ms. Singh: Students can tell their parents regarding the protection of lakes. They can enlighten them on the ways of protecting lakes. Parents normally listen to their children rather than us. Students can try and prevent any kind of non-bio-degradable wastes from getting into the lakes. They can write to us if they notice any such activity. INEP: Wouldn t lakes that are restored be re-polluted, if recreational activities around them are allowed? Ms. Singh: That s a good question. This question had risen in our minds too when this policy was being formulated. We gauge the potential of the lake before permitting tourism activities. We permit only restricted activities. The quality of the water must be tested every month. The person or the association that takes up the contract also has to maintain the lake. In other words, he has to install a treatment plant, divert the sewage when necessary and carry out desiltation process when warranted. Not just secondary but even tertiary treatment is prescribed. Moreover, the commercial success of the project depends on the cleanliness of the tank or the beauty of the place. Naturally the pollution would be less! To prevent pollution, boats that run on petrol or diesel are not allowed in such lakes. Only battery-operated boats are allowed to ply. 94 PARISARA SOBAGU

101 Water Water Water and its significance Safe drinking water Ground water pollution Conservation of water and wastewater treatment Rain water harvesting Rainwater conservation in rural areas and watershed programmes PARISARA SOBAGU 95

102 Water Water and its significance Drinkable water just 0.007%: Save it! Not a single drop of water has been added to or reduced from the Earth since it was formed. But our population has increased manifold. Only per cent of water on this planet is drinkable. We had better preserve and keep it clean says, Dr. Bakul Rao, Consultant, Environment Management and Policy Research Institute. INEP: What is the significance of water? Dr. Bakul Rao: People are able to live on this planet only because water is available in the liquid form. It is a chemical made of two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen. INEP: Please explain its importance. Dr. Rao: Water is the source of all living organisms. Without water the biological process cannot happen. A person may live without food for about a month, but he cannot survive without water after a week. Seventy five percent of the human brain is water. Plants and trees also contain 75% water. Our breathing, heat dissipation, digestion and body secretions depend on water. The oxygen supply to joints and other parts of the human body is done through water. Importantly water helps push excreta out of the body. Man needs water at every stage of life, from birth to death. Water plays a vital role in photosynthesis, which is vital for plants and trees. Plants and trees use sunlight to separate hydrogen from water, combine it with carbon di-oxide and use it to produce food. Water is the source of microorganisms, which are crucial for us. Water is a stabilizer of temperature. If a city is near a sea or a river there is less temperature variation. INEP: How much of Earth is water? Dr. Rao: The hydrosphere on earth is 75%. Out of this 97.4% water is saline and is not suitable for human beings. 1.76% of the remaining water is in the form of ice, and 0.6% is ground water. So fresh water available to us is only 0.007%. Hence it is precious and scarce. Our Earth is a closed system. Nothing goes outside, and nothing extra can come in. Hence the quantity of water that was available when the Earth was born is the same as it is now. Not a drop more, not a drop less. But the human population has increased manifold. Hence the availability of water is less. INEP: How much water does a human being need in a day? Dr. Rao: A human being needs to drink three-four litres of water a day for breathing, heat dissipation, digestion, and for secretions. The Central Public Health Engineering 96 PARISARA SOBAGU

103 Water An optimum use of water is part of the culture of Karnataka. Water Cycle and Environmental Organisation, which is based in New Delhi, has stipulated 55 litres of water per day for a rural person and 135 litres of water for someone living in urban areas. INEP: Does this vary according to the season? Dr. Rao: We may use less water in winter. One reason why the urbanite needs more water is the type of toilet used; a commode needs more water. If it is an Indian type of toilet, as in rural areas, one needs less water. One needs more water for the sewage system in urban areas. But be it urban or rural, an individual needs 3 to 4 litres of water to drink in a day. INEP: How was water utilized in ancient days? Dr. Rao: Every civilization has a way of using water. We can see that the people of the Indus Valley civilization in Harappa did a lot of water harvesting. Wells are the discovery of the Harappa civilization. It is found that there were several dams, tanks, and irrigation systems during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya. INEP: It was described as the Golden Age. Dr. Rao: Yes. Tanks were used for irrigation in ancient Karnataka. There are about 40,000 tanks in Karnataka. INEP: Will crop yield increase with the use of water? Dr. Rao: Several factors are involved in the yield. It is wrong to say that the agricultural yield will be more if one uses more water. Water logging is a huge problem in Western countries. The earth is several lakh years old and over this period of time it has got accustomed to water. If you add more water it may lead to problems. The sewage may be blocked. Water logging can destroy a lot of crops. Ground water may come up, bringing saline water along with it. This makes soil less fertile. People are realizing this slowly. INEP: What is a water cycle? Dr. Rao: Water comes to us from the clouds, either in the form of rain or mist. It flows down the hills and reaches the sea via lakes and rivers. The sun through its heat vaporises water and it becomes clouds again. This hydraulic cycle goes on and on without a break. It has no end and has no beginning. INEP: How does water get polluted? Dr. Rao: Water is a universal solvent. More substances dissolve in water than in any other liquid. Water gets polluted if it is over-used. Water is a renewable resource. But increased human activity and over-use of water have made it a limited resource. INEP: When do you say water is polluted? Dr. Rao: When it changes physically, chemically and biologically one can say water is polluted. Several tests and experiments are done for this purpose. Water is never 100% pure. It provides us nutrients. But we pollute it by dumping all unwanted things into it. Water cleans itself. PARISARA SOBAGU 97

104 Water But man has spoiled that process by his arrogance and negligence. It can be by sewage, it can be by industrial effluents, and it can be due to the increase of population. Whatever the cause, we have affected its natural process of cleaning. Hence the scarcity of useable, clean water. INEP: What is acid rain? Dr. Rao: The ph value of rain water should be 6.5 to 7. If it gets reduced, oxygen content increases, making the rain water acidic. It can be due to the use of fossil fuel by vehicles, power stations or industries. The effluents from these units contain sulphur di-oxide, carbon di-oxide, nitrous oxide and other gases which cause acid rain. Acid rain can render buildings weak because it melts the calcium carbonate present in cement. INEP: What is sea pollution? Dr. Rao: Soil erosion, silt formation, and saline water infiltration are the natural causes of pollution. We have enhanced these processes by our activities. The mining activity, industries that make coir ropes and other products after decomposing coconut shells, aqua culture and such activities on the seashores leads to sea pollution. INEP: How can we reduce pollution? Dr. Rao: We should control activities that cause pollution. Sewage and effluents should be treated before they reach tanks and rivers. The use of chemical pesticides should be kept to a minimum. We should limit the use of ground water. Student: What should we do to reduce ground water pollution? Dr. Rao: All the things I said above. Added to this is the problem faced in the North Karnataka region due to overdrawing of ground water with the use of pumps. Tannery industries release effluents without treating them, especially in Kanpur and Rajasthan. They plead their inability to treat effluents. In the North Karnataka region like Raichur and Gulbarga over-drawing of ground water has brought out the saline content along with it. There are traces of arsenic too which make it hazardous. Student: How can we reduce ground water pollution? Dr. Rao: Apart from the things I said earlier, each industry should install treatment plants in the factory itself. Student: Can we drink fresh water without treating it? Dr. Rao: Till 200 years ago it was pure enough to drink without treating it. But industrialization has polluted the drinking water source. It is better to test water physically, chemically and biologically before consuming it. Student: What is the effect of sea pollution? Dr. Rao: The main impact is the death of aqua animals like fish, shrimps and crabs. And human beings will be deprived of food. 98 PARISARA SOBAGU

105 Water Safe drinking water Drink tap water, raise your immunity A city s drinking water needs are maintained by a local body. We draw water, use it, pollute it, recycle it and then allow it to go back to nature. Mr. Guruprasad Baily, Chief Engineer, (Maintenance) Bangalore Water Supply & Sewerage Board, tells us how we get clean, safe drinking water. INEP: How much water does a person need everyday? Mr. Guruprasad Baily: The need and consumption of water depends on a person s culture, background, country, habits, and weather. We found that a person needs 100 to 135 litres of water per day. World Health Organisation (WHO) wants this to be raised to 200 litr es per day. In summer we consume more water than in winter. Demand for water varies from region to region. Some people bath everyday. Some, only once a week. So, it is hard to specify one s need. Depending on the availability of water, we are allotting 100 to 135 litres per day per person. This is the national average, too. INEP: When can water be considered as safe? Mr. Baily: It should appear clean. It should not affect our health. INEP: Are there any standards set, to term water safe to drink? Mr. Baily: WHO has set standards for drinking water. Since it varies from country to country, India, too, has set its own standards. One should admit that our standards are quite high. The WHO has divided the process of purification of water into three categories: physical, chemical and biological. Physically, water should be colourless and odourless; else people don t enjoy drinking water. Chemically, the ph value of water, that is, the hydrogen ion concentration that decides the acidity and alkalinity of water, should be within the norms. Biologically, water should be free from pathogens. The standards stipulated by WHO and our own IS are almost the same. Water, during the rainy season may turn slightly reddish in colour owing to fine silt. Such water is still considered safe for drinking. Drinking water that smells of chlorine due to chlorination is acceptable, provided the chlorine content is 0.2 mg per litre. Drinking water should not be turbid. It should be free of floating particles, dust particles, and fine silt. But, a little turbidity is accepted if these physical impurities are within permitted limits. Even alkaline and acidic content of water should not be completely eliminated. We need some alkalinity to prevent acidity and vice versa. But, both alkaline and acid content should be within acceptable limits. PARISARA SOBAGU 99

106 Water A wonderful attribute of water is that it can dissolve most substances and absorb them. The limit prescribed for these dissolved solid concentrate in water is 500 mg per litre. Water cannot be considered fit for drinking if the dissolved solid concentration is more. These are all the physical aspects of purification. Coming to chemical purification, water contains a variety of salts, minerals and chemicals like nitrates, fluorides, iodines, calcium, magnesium, and sulphates. The prescribed limit for nitrate content in water is 45mg/litre, for fluoride, 1 mg/litre, calcium mg/litre, magnesium below 30 mg/litre, sulphates 200mg/litre. At this level, the dissolved salts and minerals do not harm us. Some bacteria do not harm us. The ones that we should be wary of are E.coli, which come from the sewage. This should be less than 10 for 100ml. INEP: What is the reason for water pollution? Mr. Baily: Since water is very sensitive, it gets polluted easily. Even if one dips a finger into water, the water gets contaminated. The omnipresent pathogens get into water and pollute it. Mosquitoes and other similar insects use water as a breeding ground and lay their eggs on water. It is hard to say when water is not polluted and to what extent it is polluted. In cities, water flows mainly through pipes. If a pipe breaks or has a leak, sediment gets into the pipe. Normally, sanitary pipes and drinking water pipes are laid together. If the sanitary pipe breaks or leaks, pollutants get into the water. Pipes carrying drinking water to residences are situated below the drains. The waste and polluted water of the drains can get into these pipes in case of a leak or a break. Thus, there are several ways by which water can be polluted. Water finds its own level. A break or leak in sanitary pipes pollutes underground water, which in turn gets into our bore wells. Hence, the need for chlorination arises. Water from the Cauvery River is drawn to Bangalore from 100 km away. It is purified at Thorekadanahalli which is around 85 kms from Bangalore. Cauvery water is pumped and brought to Bangalore which is 1500 ft above (from the place it is drawn). This is done in three stages. Such a three-staged project is the first in Asia. Other than the Cauvery, there are no major rivers or lakes in and around Bangalore. I attribute the tremendous growth and prosperity of Bangalore to Goddess Cauvery. If the system breaks down for even a day or two, the Garden City will transform into a Garbage city. There are many methods to purify water purification by the use of ultraviolet rays, and by the use of Potassium Permanganate in the bleaching method. But, the best method suitable for public water supply, that too on a large scale as undertaken by the BWSSB, is, chlorination. Since chlorination is done at Thorekadanahalli itself, water is physically, chemically, and biologically pure when it enters Bangalore. This consumable Cauvery water is stored at various ground level reservoirs. It is re-chlorinated as chlorine content might have diluted during the pumping and purification process. Sometimes an odour of chlorine is noticeable in tap water. As long as the chlorine content does not exceed 0.2mg/litre, water is safe for drinking. INEP: At times, more so in the rainy season, people complain that the odour of chlorine is so strong that it is hard to drink water. 100 PARISARA SOBAGU

107 Water Mosquito laying eggs in water Mr. Baily: During summer more pathogens are produced as the season is conducive for breeding. This is why infectious diseases are rampant during summer. The purification process is also intensified to remove the additional pathogens. Turbidity of drinking water increases during the monsoon as rain water brings with it silt in large quantities. This silt is so fine that it passes through the filtering plant. But, this is no cause for worry. When water is stored in vessels for drinking, silt settles at the bottom. Such water causes no health problems. INEP: Is water drawn from the bore well safe? Mr. Baily: Water from bore wells is not safe for direct consumption. In villages, water from bore wells is safer than water from bore wells in urban areas. But, it is not completely safe. I would advice that a chemical test be done before consumption of such water. Presence of additional chlorides, fluorides, and nitrates can cause health problems. Fluorides can weaken bones and teeth. Nitrates can cause what is popularly known as Blue Baby disease. INEP: What water-borne diseases one might get if infected water is consumed? Mr. Baily: The list runs long. The most common ones are dysentery, jaundice, typhoid and cholera. The bacteria and viruses in water get into the body and cause these diseases. At times the polluted water can also cause chicken pox and small pox, influenza, measles, yellow fever and mumps. These are rampant during summer as bacteria thrive during this season. Also, during the rainy season, contamination of water is more as fresh rain water brings in fresh pollutants along with it. Incidents of leaks and breaking of pipes are more during the rainy season. INEP: What are the steps being taken to prevent this kind of pollution? Mr. Baily: As part of our effort we are making water safe for use by using chlorination. We have also implemented the latest technologies to prevent breaking and leaking of pipes. Constant flow of water creates constant pressure on the pipes and their joints. It is this pressure that causes the pipes to leak and at times, even, open up into two. We are using mechanical joints and clamps to prevent this. Boiled water or even hot water is still the best option to get rid of bacteria and viruses. Tap water is safe as it is chlorinated. But water stored in sumps or overhead tanks should not be consumed directly. Boil it, cool it, and then drink it. INEP: What is the range of supply of the BWSSB? Mr. Baily: All the residences within the BDA and Mahanagara Palike were in our range. Now it has been extended to incorporate residences that come under the wing of the town municipality and municipal councils, too. PARISARA SOBAGU 101

108 Water Technical work with regard to this has begun and will be completed in 18 months. the colour may change during the rainy season, it is safe to consume. INEP: Do people in rural areas also get this high quality drinking water? Mr. Baily: No. Drinking water that is processed using very sophisticated technology is being made available to people of Bangalore. The method of purification in other areas is limited to just filtration and chlorination. Student: Is purification necessary? Mr. Baily: Yes. Our forefathers were lucky enough to consume water directly from ponds and lakes without having to worry about any disastrous after-effects. But urbanisation has made us sensitive. It has polluted the water, which, in turn necessitates purification process. Curiously, off late, people have taken to consuming bottled water. They assume that it is purer than the water supplied by the BWSSB. Addiction to bottled water can destroy one s immunity. Such people may fall ill if forced to drink tap water, while traveling or when they are away from home. My point is that, one should develop immunity by drinking available water. Moreover, bottled water is expensive. We sell 1000 litres of drinkable water for Rs. 6. Bottled water costs Rs. 10 per litre. INEP: How can one detect invisible bacteria? Mr. Baily: The BWSSB has a well equipped laboratory where tests are conducted to detect the physical, chemical, and biological impurities in water. We also have a mobile lab which makes it possible for us to test the pollution or contamination at the actual spot where water is. Each service station is equipped with a chloroscope, with which, the chlorine content in water can be tested. We have chemists and senior analysts, whose job is to test and analyse polluted water. Though it is not an additional task, it is definitely the duty of the BWSSB to supply clean and safe water. Student: Why do we allow used water to get into tanks and lakes? Mr. Baily: There is no place to retain used water. We use water, pollute it, recycle it and allow it to go back from where it came. It is a natural process. Student: What should we do when we see water leaking? Mr. Baily: This is a very relevant question. Most of us don t act when we see precious water going waste. We feel somebody else will take care of it. The BWSSB has installed a voice recorded information system, which can be contacted on telephone number We try to repair the damage within 24 hours of the complaint. INEP: Do the standards of purity of water remain constant? Mr. Baily: Potability of water remains constant. Though 102 PARISARA SOBAGU

109 Water Ground water pollution Saving ground water Even though two thirds of the earth is made up of water, only 3% of it is available to us. A substantial amount is deep below the ground and can be used in an emergency. Imagine a situation when even this water gets polluted. Dr. K. V. Lokesh, Environmental Specialist, Department of Civil Engineering, Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Technology tells us about the prevention of ground water pollution. INEP: We have heard of water pollution; what is ground water pollution? Dr. Lokesh: Unusable water can be called polluted water. If this water seeps into the ground and joins the water inside the earth and if that water becomes unusable, we can call that groundwater pollution. If the quantum of salts and minerals in underground water is more than the prescribed limits, that water is polluted. For instance, additional quantity of fluoride can pollute groundwater. The presence of salts and minerals should be within the prescribed limits. INEP: How do these salts get into water? Dr. Lokesh: They don t get into water. They are part of nature and exist under the ground like, say, gold and iron. Similarly we have calcium, magnesium, nitrates, and other minerals. When we draw water salts come along with it. If you don t draw water, salt and minerals remain underground. INEP: Can we prevent ground water pollution? Dr. Lokesh: We cannot treat polluted ground water because it is deep below the ground. Even if we try using the latest technology, it would be very expensive. It is this cost factor, which deters us from undertaking such a venture. But we can draw the polluted ground water, treat it, clean it, and then use it. We can reduce the quantum of pollution. INEP: How do we know that ground water is polluted? Dr. Lokesh: When people suddenly fall ill we can trace the reason for illness to polluted ground water. Experts from Central Ground Water Board analyse a sample of polluted ground water and inform the public about the potability of water. INEP: Can we say the water we drink or the water that is stored in our tanks is tested and certified as usable? Dr. Lokesh: No. We are not talking about water in a particular tank. Ground water is not limited to one tank. It is a huge area and several bore wells can be drilled to get water from a single source. Governments identify a few wells as monitoring wells to test water. Once water from these monitored wells is tested, necessary steps can be initiated to purify it. PARISARA SOBAGU 103

110 Water water is ground water. What we are using above the ground is only one lakh sq. kilometres of water or even less. All our struggles and fight is for this 1 lakh sq. kilometres of water. The 33 million sq. kilometres of ground water, if made available, would be more than sufficient for our use. Ground water system INEP: Can we clean polluted ground water? Dr. Lokesh: As I said earlier it cannot be done in its as is where is condition. Even if try, the cost is prohibitive. But the intensity of pollution of ground water can be reduced. If the level of pollution is very high in some bore wells or wells, they have to be abandoned. The use of water from other wells has to restricted and such wells have to be nurtured and taken care of to prevent wastes and effluents reaching them. INEP: How important is ground water as a resource? Dr. Lokesh: As a resource ground water is very important. There are 1386 million square kilometres of water on the earth. 96.5% of this area is sea water. High salinity makes it unusable. The balance is only 3.5 per cent or about 35 million sq. kilometres of water. Out of this 10.5 million sq. kilometres is ground water. This lies about feet ( metres) below the ground. This water cannot be used, as it is very deep inside the earth. We can draw water from about 250 ft (76.2 metres) below the ground. Of the remaining 24.5 million sq. kilometres of water about 2.4% is in the form of ice cubes, which cannot be used. About 6.12 million sq. kilometres of water are in the form of rivers and lakes. For instance, the Great Lakes of Canada have about 20% of water. The balance 80% of the water is that which is flowing above the ground. In other words about 33 million sq. kilometres of As you can see there is a need to plan the use of water and a need to use it judiciously. You can also see why ground water is really a precious resource. INEP: Is it possible to reduce ground water pollution? Dr. Lokesh: Yes. It is possible to reduce ground water pollution, but prevention of ground water pollution is more practical. Preventing water pollution itself is an even more practical approach. Carelessness and negligence of people is one reason for pollution of water that is above the ground. We mindlessly throw waste and release effluents into water. This should be stopped. Otherwise even ground water will be polluted. The disposal of waste has to be done in a proper manner. Water from the house or hospital waste or industrial effluents has to be treated before releasing them into water bodies. If water is treated then it can be reused in agriculture and horticulture. It can also be used for improving the level of ground water. So to prevent pollution of ground water we have to reduce the pollution of water above the ground. In other words prevention is better than cure. I repeat. The level of pollution of the water above the earth has to be reduced to prevent ground water pollution. INEP: What are the ill effects of ground water pollution? Dr. Lokesh: About 80% of the ailments in India are caused by polluted water. Some of them are due to ground water pollution. For instance, jaundice, skin diseases or illness due to fluorides, the yellowing of teeth, emaciation of teeth, wearing away of bones, weakness of bones, itchy sensation all over the body, throat ailments are some of the maladies that happen to bother us without 104 PARISARA SOBAGU

111 Water Groundwater being pumped for consumption our knowledge that they are due to ground water pollution. A presence of extra salts in ground water causes such illness. If such polluted water is consumed or food prepared with such polluted water is consumed illnesses follow. The cleaner we keep our ground water the better it is for us. sell water or industries that use ground water, we all have to inform the government about the purpose to draw groundwater. The bill covers all aspects of groundwater. Student: When were the schemes to prevent ground water pollution taken up? Dr. Lokesh: As I told you it began in The Supreme Court on December 10 th 1992 passed an order saying that the Government has to prevent water pollution and take steps for recycling the used water. It was for this purpose that the Central Ground Water Board was constituted. It is this board which is taking up programmes to prevent ground water pollution. The government has constituted a board for prevention of ground water pollution. The Karnataka Pollution Control Board has a Water Act to prevent pollution of water. It is necessary to prevent pollution because some of the resources like rivers have become dry. Some of the ponds have already dried up. Now, ground water becomes very important because the water above the ground is becoming scarce. People have to co-operate in this regard. For instance, now it is necessary that four persons share a well instead of drilling four wells. You have to think on these lines. Student: What has the government done to prevent ground water pollution? Dr. Lokesh: A bill has been placed for approval to prevent ground water pollution. As early as in 1972, the Department of Agricultural Ministry of Government of India introduced this Bill and placed a modified version of the Bill in 1992 and The Bill is yet to be approved but some aspects of the Bill are in practice in many parts of the country. Karnataka is one of them. You need permission to use ground water, you need permission to dig a bore well, you need to tell the quantum of water you need and pay a cess for that. Be it ordinary people like you and I or the water contractors or the people who Student: How do effluents affect ground water? Dr. Lokesh: Effluents affect ground water in various ways. There are two types of effluents, one that is decomposable and the other that doesn t decompose or is non-biodegradable. Biodegradable objects do not pollute water much. But in case they are mixed with plastic, which is non-biodegradable, then they have to be separated. In Bommasandra, the state government is producing compost manure from biodegradable materials. Over an acre of land has been concretised so that pollutants do not seep into the ground. People should adopt such measures to prevent ground water pollution. But in Bangalore, we see a lot of waste thrown around garbage bins. During the rains, the decomposed material and the water go underground. This has to be prevented. Student: What is the impact of fumes emitted by vehicles on the environment? Dr. Lokesh: The impact is enormous. Fumes from vehicles create air pollution. It is mainly caused by the oxides of sulphur and nitrogen. When the air is polluted and it rains, sulphuric acid and nitric acid are formed and they fall on the ground and get in to the earth. This can lead to ground water pollution. PARISARA SOBAGU 105

112 Water Conservation of water and wastewater treatment Recycling of water a must Water is not a renewable energy. But the demand for drinking water has increased, forcing us to recycle and re-use used water, says Mr. T. Venkataraju, Chief Engineer, BWSSB. INEP: What is the significance of water conservation? Mr. Venkataraju: Though two thirds of the world is covered with water, the available drinking water is only about 1% of it. Apart from this fact, water is not a renewable energy. The consumption of water per person was 6000cc in 1947 and will be reduced to 1300cc in The country where the figure is less than 1:1700cc is said to be suffering from water crisis. Experts say that 50 percent of the people would be living in urban areas by 2020, and hence the demand for drinking water would increase. Hence the need for conserving water. Bangalore, which has no source of water nearby, is dependent on the Cauvery River to meet its demand. Water from the Cauvery has to be pumped from 100 km away and to a height of 540 m, costing Rs per 1000 liters. INEP: What are the ways of conserving water? Mr. Venkataraju: Treating wastewater for reuse and recycle, rainwater harvesting, and limiting the use of water are some ways of conserving water. INEP: How many types of water pollution do we have? Mr. Venkataraju: Eighty percent of water is polluted water. There are mainly two types of water pollution; one is domestic pollution or industrial pollution. INEP: What does one mean by saying that the source of water is drying? Mr. Venkataraju: When a source of water has no water to offer, it is said to be dry. The source of water is drying mainly due to the urbanization. In cities lakes are filled up and buildings are constructed on them. There are many ways in which a source dries up. Sometimes man builds a reservoir across a river preventing water from reaching the sea. Other reasons are deforestation and air pollution. INEP: Can we reuse polluted water? Mr. Venkataraju: Polluted water can be reused after purifying it. This reduces pressure on the supply of drinking water. INEP: What are the processes of purifying or treating polluted water? Mr. Venkataraju: There are three stages of treatment; primary, secondary and tertiary treatment. 106 PARISARA SOBAGU

113 Water of using taps and use regulated toilet flush tanks. Also, leaking taps should be repaired immediately. It is calculated that if a tap leaks a drop, the water flowing through the tap will be approximately 45 litres in a day. Student: Is processed water safe to drink? Mr. Venkataraju: Yes treated and processed water is safe to drink and is not harmful to our health. Wastewater treatment process After water is treated to a secondary level it can be used in parks, for gardening, recreational sports and for flushing public toilets. For example, several industries use treated water for agriculture and landscaping. The third stage is tertiary treatment after which the water is worth drinking. Student: How can people be made aware of the need to use treated water? Mr. Venkataraju: Students are in the best position to talk about conservation of water. They can also help to spread awareness about the benefits of using treated water for non-drinking activities like washing of vehicles, or watering the plants. INEP: Tell us a little about water treatment. Mr. Venkataraju: Depending on the way we need to use it, water can treated for different purposes. If we use treated water in an appropriate manner, that much of pure drinking is conserved. We must avoid using drinkable or potable water for gardening, cleaning cars and homes and so on. INEP: How can industries save on water? Mr. Venkataraju: Except for drinking, factories can use treated water for all their purposes like cleaning machines and for production. Factories with vast open space on terraces can also store water through rainwater harvesting. Student: How can we help to reduce unused river water draining into the sea? Mr. Venkataraju: This is a law of nature. We cannot stop river water flowing into the sea. The same water will be recycled again. Hence it is not a waste. The quantity of water in the sea is the same always, not a drop more, not a drop less. For example, there is a limit to the storing of water in a sump; the extra water has to flow away. It is known as water cycle. INEP: How can housewives help in saving water? Mr. Venkataraju: They can teach others to use a mug of water for brushing teeth instead of running the tap. Use a bucket and mug instead of a shower to bathe. Vessels can be cleaned in a bucket of water instead Water cycle PARISARA SOBAGU 107

114 Water Rain water harvesting Save rain water now! Rain water harvesting can prevent water famine. Ground water is meant for an emergency but we have been drawing it for our daily use. The reckless use of ground water can deplete our water resources dangerously. Storing rain water can prevent such a calamity, says Mr. A. R. Shivakumar, Senior Fellow, KSCST, Bangalore INEP: What is rain water harvesting? Mr. Shivakumar: The source of water to wells, tanks and rivers is rain water. Rain water conservation has been happening from thousands of years and there is nothing new in what we are doing now. As civilizations grow we have more buildings, bigger villages and cities. When such changes take place, the availability of water decreases. There is a need to conserve rain water apart from having water in tanks, rivers and other places. There is a need to conserve water in our own homes. We have a system called roof top rain water harvesting for this purpose. The water collected on the terrace can be filtered, stored and used. We have a lot of rainfall in our country. In Karnataka there is 1200 mm of rain a year. We cannot store all the water that falls on the ground, but whatever we can is a lot of water. Rain water can be stored in tanks and sumps at home. If there is more water we have to redeposit it in to the ground. For the last years we have been drawing ground water for our daily use. We have to reverse the trend. If we do not redeposit what we have drawn from underground we will be in deep trouble. There are some very simple technologies that will enable us to store and use rain water. This is known as rain water harvesting. INEP: What is the need for storing rain water? Mr. Shivakumar: We are forced to conserve rain water as there is a severe shortage of pure drinking water, be it in cities or villages. Moreover, whatever little that is available is polluted. Therefore we have to depend on rain water. If we don t do this now, then the bottled water which you buy for Rs.12 - Rs.15 per litre will be the water that will be seen only in a museum! We have to really struggle for water. Before such a situation develops it is better we store rain water. INEP: What can be done to spread awareness about the need to store rain water? Mr. Shivakumar: We were aware of the value of water all along. We were also self-sufficient in water resources. 108 PARISARA SOBAGU

115 Water The first thing a housewife did in the morning was to carry a few copper vessels, clean them well with tamarind, make it shine, and collect water and worship it. The water was worshipped first and then the oven. All other activities would follow later. In other words water was treated like the Goddess Ganga. They knew the value of water. They could see divinity in water. Water was respected earlier. Nowadays, we do not take water seriously. When we want it, we turn on the tap and use it and forget about it. Another factor is that we seem to assume that water is exclusively for human use. Even for a moment we do not think that the bio-diversity around us is also part of nature and needs water. If you stand atop your building and look around, you can t see a single patch of open water. We store water and lock it safely in sumps and tanks. We don t let dogs, foxes or birds or sparrows or even insects to gain access to it. We have assumed that it is ours. One of the reasons for such an attitude is that there is a shortage of water. Less water is available now than in earlier days. Earlier we used to have a tank or a well or a lake around our house, from which we would draw water. Now the demand for water has increased 100%. As the demand increases the use of water also increases. As utilisation increases the demand also increases. We use to have a lot of space around wells or tanks. There used to be paddy fields, farms and gardens. In other words water had enough space to seep back into the earth. The water that would get into the earth would get back into our wells and it was pure too. Now, tanks and lakes are surrounded closely by buildings. Roads are tarred. Pavements are covered with concrete slabs. There is absolutely no space for water to get underground. We have closed all channels. And whatever little water that was there underground we have used it either through bore wells or wells. Now if you don t return the borrowed water to its original source there won t be any water left underground. Water is like money.if you keep withdrawing money from the bank and do not repay then one day there will be no money to draw. Similarly, one day water will cease to come up. INEP: So we will not have money when we really need it. Mr. Shivakumar: Underground water should be used only in case of an emergency. But we have been using it everyday for 24 hours, 365 days for our daily needs. We shouldn t do this. When it rains, the water that falls on the terrace comes out through the pipes. That water has to be stored in a bucket or a tank. This is sufficient for all purposes for a day or two. This is a simple method. Storage of water and groundwater recharge If there is excess water that is collected in the drain or in any other place, it can be channelled underground through the help of a sink pit or a dried up well. This in a way is as good as replenishing the fixed deposit of water. This will also help the future generations and in the renewal of tanks. PARISARA SOBAGU 109

116 Water INEP: There is this notion that rain water can be stored only during the rainy season and that it is not possible throughout the year. Mr. Shivakumar: It never rains throughout the year. In Bangalore we see a rainfall of 1000mm per year. The rain fall is Barrel method for recharging spread over days. groundwater It does not rain continuously for days but spread over a year. It is spread in such a way that rain water is available all through the year off and on. If there is a big gap between two rainfalls, then we cannot use rain water. We have to use the stored rain water. We may have to use what has been deposited underground. Thus rain water is available throughout the year. stored before our time, we will be in deep trouble. Mr. Shivakumar: There is a proverb that says if you sit and eat, even a pot of money is not enough. INEP: For what purposes can the stored rain water be used? Mr. Shivakumar: The stored rain water is pure water. You cannot dream of better or purer water than rain water. This can be used for all purposes. It can be used for drinking. However, the terraces of our houses have dust, dry leaves, and droppings of birds and insects, which can pollute water. But if you filter this, you have pure drinking water. One can collect two to two and a half lakh litres of water on a 40ft x 60ft site at places where the rain-fall is 1000 mm. But you cannot store all the water that falls on the ground. Most of the water goes underground. The stored water can be used for all purposes like drinking, bathing, cleaning vessels, washing, mopping and watering trees and plants. In other words it can be used for various domestic and industrial purposes. Rain water can be stored in tanks or sumps. When it is exhausted, we can use ground water. We should use ground water only if we have returned the borrowed water. Otherwise, we should not. The water has been stored under the ground over a period of 100 or 1000 years. We do not have the right to extract this water. If you want 10 litres of water then you have to give back 15 litres of water to earth. Only then will you have the right to draw. Only then can our children and grandchildren see water, otherwise we will have water famine. INEP: If we want to use the legacy left behind by our forefathers we have to work hard, return about 20%, and then use about 10%. If one spends whatever that is INEP: How much rain water can a person store? Mr. Shivakumar: It depends on how much water you need. According to the World Health Organisation, a person needs an average of 135 litres of water per day. A family may need 500litres per day or 1.5 lakh to 1.8 lakh litres a year. The stored rain water will be sufficient for an entire family for a year. Sometimes you get more. So you don t have to go in search of water. One can become self-sufficient. Where do you think we get our water from? The water that falls on our terrace reaches the drain, flows into a pit or a tank or a river, from where it is pumped and sent back to the city through water pipes. Instead of this cycle 110 PARISARA SOBAGU

117 Water of water supply, we can store rain water and rely on it. INEP: What are the other benefits of rain water harvesting? Pop up filter for filtering rainwater Mr. Shivakumar: Rain water harvesting is one way of getting very high quality of water. People think that it is the responsibility of the government to supply water. If you store rain water that falls on the terrace we can be self-sufficient and do not have to depend on anybody. Secondly, we get pure water. Thirdly, we get fewer diseases. We can also reduce soil erosion because water that falls on the terrace or on the road is stored and not allowed to flow away. The water that is supplied to residences has to be pumped and purified. If rain water is stored, one can save on purification and electricity used for pumping. It can also help ground water level to improve. So rain water harvesting offers us multiple benefits. INEP: What are the methods adopted to store rain water? Mr. Shivakumar: There are several methods. One is storing rain water that falls on the terrace of individual houses. When rain water falls on vacant sites, roads, playgrounds, drains and paddy fields, the water can be collected for community use. Thirdly, wells and tanks can be used to store rain water. These three can complete a rain water chain. Having just one of the three is not effective. The rain water that falls on the terrace flows down through a pipe. We need to have a filter at the end of the pipe, and this filtered water can be safely stored in a sump or a tank. One can use a sand-bed filter or in some cases even a cloth filter can be used. For channelling rain water underground a plastic barrel system designed by me can be used. A plastic drum, cut off at the bottom, is placed at about two to five feet in the ground. Rain water gets into these drums and reaches underground. In the same way, a dysfunctional bore well or a bore well with insufficient water can be revived if rain water is allowed to enter it. INEP: How can stored rain water be used in industries? Mr. Shivakumar: In our factories we use more water than in our residence. It is also expensive because it is not subsidised as in the case of water supplied to residences. Factories do not need pure water like drinking water. But they are using pure drinking water or Cauvery river water. Instead, harvested rain water can be used for industries. Factories already have a system to get rid of water collected on their terraces which are quite large. The same system can be used to store rain water which can be used for recycling purposes. It can be used for gardening. This way, industries can become self-sufficient in water. They can save money on water which is expensive. Thus they can increase their profit on their product. INEP: How can stored rain water increase ground water level? Mr. Shivakumar: I said earlier that about 80% of the rain water drains away. Around 20% of water seeps into the ground. This quantity is getting reduced because we have blocked the channels of water to get underground. Now, we have started using artificial methods to recharge PARISARA SOBAGU 111

118 Water ground water. This plastic barrel technology has to be used both in rural and urban areas. We have to recharge our underground water so that water level in our wells and bore wells will improve. It will stabilise for a while and then sink underground. So with very small and simple techniques we can recharge ground water in an economic manner. INEP: Instead we use old and dried-up wells as dust bins for old clothes, tyres, plastic and other wastes. If we clean and use dried-up wells for storing rain water it will replenish ground water. People say that there is nothing new in rain water harvesting and that it has been practised in some form or the other for several centuries. Comment. Mr. Shivakumar: That is very true. Some form of rain water saving or storing has been going on since the dawn of civilization. Man always lived around water spots or water bodies. He took steps to ensure water supply did not dry up in summer. That was also a form of rain water harvesting. Hundred-year old buildings in Rajasthan tell us that this system was in practice centuries ago. One can see a system of collecting whatever little rain that fell on the terrace of those buildings in small tanks or troughs. There was enough drinking water for a year or two. A good thing about storing rain water is that it can be used for several months and even years, if it is filtered and stored. But technology varied as towns and cities developed. Earlier there was no need for much filtering. Now it is necessary to do so. We have to ensure that pipes do not have cracks. Some measures have to be taken while building tanks and sumps. Steps should be taken to ensure that sun rays do not fall on water. If they fall, water gets contaminated. It is necessary to learn about such small details. Then rain water harvesting becomes very easy too. INEP: Can you name some places where rain water harvesting is a success? Mr. Shivakumar: When our organisation, the Karnataka State Science & Technology Corporation, with RWH at KSCST the help of the government of Norway began the rain water harvesting programme in Bangalore, it adopted the methods that I have been using in my house as a model. I am using only rain water in my house. We used only stored rain water to build my home. I have not taken the water connection from the BWSSB or the Cauvery Water Scheme! Every drop of water used at my home for ten years has been the rain water harvesting method. We are using that source for drinking too! Our parent body, the National Institute of Advanced Studies, has successfully adopted this method in the Vidhana Soudha, the General Post Office, the Fire Station at Rajajinagar, the Kengeri Beedi Workers Housing Colony and Kidwai Hospital and a few other major buildings in Bangalore. Apart from this we have conducted hundreds of training workshops and awareness programmes all over the state. People have to accept that storing rain water is a necessity. Along with the assistance of the Department of Panchayat Raj and Rural Development we have taken up a programme to popularise this scheme in all districts and taluks. 112 PARISARA SOBAGU

119 Water It has been made mandatory by the government to have rain water storing kit in all new buildings. The bamboo has to be split open and the nodes have to be cleared for a smooth flow of water. Student: Is it safe to drink stored rain water? Mr. Shivakumar: Rain water is like nectar. It will not harm us. But rain water fallen on the terrace, road and other such places is polluted with dust, droppings of insects, birds and animals. It has to be filtered before use. But if you can manage to drink rain water directly, it is safe and does not harm you. The first rule of rain water harvesting is to avoid storing the water for ten minutes. Allow it to flow for ten minutes so that it washes the dust and other pollutants settled on the terrace. The water that is collected and stored afterwards is clean and drinkable. If you are still apprehensive, then you filter the water with a well folded dhotis or a cotton sari by placing it at the edge of the water pipe. The water you get then is fit for drinking. It does not harm you. Student: Can rain water be used for agriculture? Mr. Shivakumar: It is rain water that is used for agriculture all over India. The source of water for wells, bore wells, tanks, lakes, reservoirs and rivers is rain water. The use of rain water does not adversely affect agriculture. Student: Can rain water be stored in all types of houses? Mr. Shivakumar: I can see that the moment the terms, Solar water heaters or rain water harvesting are mentioned, people assume that these are not for them. They presume that it is suitable for upper class people with large open spaces on terraces. It does not matter whether the terrace is big or small, sloping or flat. If the terrace has a slope, the water can be stored with the help of a pipe or a gutter made of bamboo or bronze. Student: People use wood of areca nut trees as gutters to store water. Mr. Shivakumar: That can be done too. If it is a flat roof terrace, the water that needs to be collected can be stored with the help of pipes. On open sites, people can filter the rain water with the help of dhotis or saris whose four ends are tied to pillars or branches of a tree. This can be done at a height of three feet above the ground. The water stored after this process is clean drinking water. Thus we can see that water can be stored in many ways. Student: Where can we get more information regarding rain water storing? Mr. Shivakumar: People are becoming aware about rain water harvesting. Our institution, The Karnataka State Science and Technology Corporation, is situated in Bangalore. We provide information for all who want to know more by fax or by or by telephone. Rain water harvesting models are kept in all the zilla panchayat offices. All the ZP officers have been trained in this method. Builders and contractors have been trained and are familiar with this scheme. People can contact any of them for more details. There are several organisations that are familiar with this programme. In Bangalore there is a Rainwater Harvesting Club. There is an organisation called Caught at the National Institute of Engineering in Mysore. In Mangalore and Udupi regions people can contact Sri Padre, a well known journalist. There are several other organisations that can be contacted for more details on rain water harvesting. PARISARA SOBAGU 113

120 Water Rainwater conservation in rural areas and watershed programmes Farmers make rain water last longer Folk songs glorify the rains. Without the rains there are no celebrations, no festivals, says one popular song. But what can people do when it does rain? How can water be saved for a non-rainy day? Mr. P. Boregowda, expert on rainwater conservation, and Executive Director, Water Conservation Association, Bangalore, explains how. INEP: We have heard about water conservation and rainwater harvesting in urban areas. Can we do the same in rural areas? Mr. Boregowda: Rainwater conservation in rural areas is an old phenomenon. Now-a-days we hear about it in urban areas. It is carried out for two purposes: to provide drinking water for humans and animals, and secondly, for irrigation. The investment for the former is more. INEP: Please explain the process of rainwater conservation in rural areas. Mr. Boregowda: There are many methods, depending on the purpose for which water is consumed. Bunds can be formed on scientific guidelines. Through such bunds 20% of rainwater can be stored. Another method to store water is through construction of structures like check-dams. Cattle ponds and farm ponds have been in existence in rural areas for many years, to meet the demands of drinking water for animals and agriculture. It is our trees and plants that can be termed as reservoirs of rainwater conservation. Through their strong and deep roots, trees conserve water very effectively. Tanks, ponds, and lakes are genuine watersheds as all flowing rainwater ends up there. Apart from these, we have open wells and bore wells. They are helpful in maintaining the ground water level. Our primary duty is to divert rainwater to reach tanks, lakes and ponds to ensure that rainwater is not wasted. INEP: So, rainwater conservation happens naturally in rural areas rather than in urban areas? Mr. Boregowda: True. Familiarity breeds indifference, if not contempt. We always ignore or take for granted things that we have in plenty. We realise the value of a substance only when there is a shortage. Water conservation has been in practice for several decades, but recent droughts in successive years have made this programme gain publicity. You might have 114 PARISARA SOBAGU

121 Water Kodagu, the Kannambadi Reservoir overflows. Check Dam noticed that in earlier days even hollows in rocks of the hills had water. Water must have found its way to weaker spots and stayed. This is a natural process. INEP: What is the rain pattern in Karnataka? Mr. Boregowda: There are two rainy seasons, one beginning in June and the other in October. The southwest monsoon covers a larger area than the northeast monsoon. The average rainfall in Karnataka is around 800mm. The highest rainfall in the country was recorded in Assam s Chirapunjee. The highest rainfall in Karnataka, around 8,500 mm, is in Agumbe in the Malnad region. The lowest, around mm, is in Bellary district. A major portion of the rainfall occurs over coastal regions. It weakens as it travels over Uttara Kannada and Kolar districts. It is the quantum of rainfall that divides regions as Malnad and the plains. The quantum of rainwater is measured in this manner. If 1mm of rainwater falls on one sq. metre of land, it is considered that one litre of rainwater has been stored. When it rains heavily in INEP: What exactly is a watershed programme? Mr. Boregowda: It was only around 1972 that people began to hear about the watershed programme. An area to which excess rainfall flows and drains to a common point is called a watershed. In other words it flows from a ridge towards a plain surface and gets collected. There are micro watersheds known as subways. The purpose of a watershed is to check the speed of running water. Then it is made to walk, and then to stand. The standing water is made to drain into the ground. INEP: What are the other activities of the watershed programme? Mr. Boregowda: A watershed is normally a river region. Lands that are rainwater based can also be considered as a watershed region. The purpose of watershed programmes is to help the farmer to take up dry land horticulture, to plant trees even on private lands, to help animals get fodder easily, and importantly, to help the public involve in such activities by providing them the facilities. This is also known as Capacity Building activity. Watershed programmes also aim at the public to carry out these programmes on their own. The construction of check dams reduces the speed of flowing rainwater. There are other checks like boulder checks and vegetable checks. Bunds also act as checks PARISARA SOBAGU 115

122 Water improving drinking water availability these are all the basic functions of the watershed programme. That is, to help people with water even when there is no rain. on the speed of flowing water and make it stand in a place. Planting a few types of cacti is done to prevent soil erosion. All these come under watershed programmes. INEP: Can you tell us more about dry land horticulture? Mr. Boregowda: Many fruits are grown only on dry lands. The grapes of Bijapur and Bagalkot, essentially a dry region, are very tasty. Pomegranates from these areas are known all over the world. They have a distinct taste, which is absent in fruits grown in areas that have abundant water. Availability of abundant water supply can increase the yield but not necessarily its taste. INEP: The taste must have improved due to less moisture? Mr. Boregowda: I would put it this way. Instead of saying less moisture, I would say adequate water. Horticulture demands less water than other crops. Hence growing fruits is not only easy, but more meaningful, as it improves the economy of the farmers. INEP: Rainwater conservation and a watershed. Are they related? Mr. Boregowda: Definitely, they are connected. Direct and full utilisation of rainwater, development of agriculture, INEP: Can the watershed programme help irrigation too? Mr. Boregowda: Minor irrigation, known as hand irrigation in rural parlance, can be helped but not major irrigation. Two years ago Kolar suffered a drought continuously. There was talk about closing the sluice gates of tanks so that water was preserved exclusively for drinking. Drinking water first, irrigation next, was the tenor of the argument. And that water from the watershed region should be used only for drinking and for nothing else. We decided to provide water for hand irrigations where the water was drawn by buckets and pots. We allowed even the drip system and sprinkler system of irrigation. We did not allow water to be drawn through motorised pumps as they suck away a large quantity of water. INEP: At home we use sweet water for drinking and bore well water for washing and other purposes. Mr. Boregowda: Yes, different water is used for different purposes. In urban areas the recycled water is used in industries, hostels and in government offices for gardens and in toilets. It has now become a necessity to use a specific type of water for a specific purpose. INEP: Farmers too have learnt to live with extremes - drought and flood. Mr. Borego-wda: We have taken a bold step in this regard. It began like this. We tried to dissuade farmers from growing crops like paddy, sugarcane, and banana, as they required large quantities of water. They assume that paddy is the only crop to grow when there is enough 116 PARISARA SOBAGU

123 Water water. We told them there are crops that can be grown with less water but can give better yield and profits. But it is difficult to change farmers mindset and so we tried to change ourselves. We began to probe whether paddy could be grown with less water. We found that farmers had achieved this fifty years ago. It was more or less dry land cultivation. The method followed now is almost the same method but with slight modification. There was a priest in Madagascar, who also noticed that local farmers produced good harvest of paddy even when the rainfall was inadequate. His research method became famous as Madagascar method. Our farmers in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka obtained a rich yield of paddy adopting the Madagascar method with suitable modification. This became known as the SRI - System of Rice Intensification. Whether it was wetland irrigation or dryland irrigation, a few basic methods were common like water hoisting, construction of bunds, and preparation of nurseries of paddy seeds. The water shed project works along with the University of Agriculture. We probed further whether paddy was really an aquatic plant. Investigation proved that it was not. We told farmers that paddy could be grown like jowar and ragi by dry-land cultivation methods. It was successfully adopted in districts like Kolar, Tumkur, and Chitradurga. This method is known as Jalashri. In the Jalashri method only 2 kg of seeds per acre are required for sowing instead of 25 kg of grains in the earlier methods. Water consumption is also reduced by 60 per cent. The yield increases by 30 to 40 per cent. INEP: Do we still have to prepare a nursery before sowing? Mr. Boregowda: No, and that is the beauty of the whole Terrace cultivation thing. Paddy is soaked in water for 24 hours. When it sprouts it is sowed with a distance of one foot between each sapling Certainly, necessity is the mother of invention. We began to probe an alternate method only because of acute water shortage. It is deeply ingrained in farmers psyche that cultivation can be taken up only if the tank or lake is full. We showed them that sunflower crop could be grown even if the tank was not full. We also proved to them that paddy could be grown with less water. In this manner farmers survive and water is fully utilised. In the Jalashri method even 40 per cent of water is enough to grow paddy. The trick is to water the crop only during critical moments: when the crop sprouts, when it gestates, and when it blooms and such moments. In this method PARISARA SOBAGU 117

124 Water one waters the crop only when it becomes inevitable. INEP: We normally save gold and silver for rainy days. We now realise that we have to save the rain water itself for non-rainy days. Student: What should students know about the watershed programmes? Mr. Boregowda: Mere information about the project is not enough. The Watershed Programme is just the beginning. And there is no end to it. Young students like you should take it up seriously and spread awareness about how precious water is. The next generation may need more programmes than those that are available now. Water conservation becomes meaningful if more people realise the value of water. Student: Can water be conserved in places other than the watershed areas? Mr. Boregowda: Now water is being conserved only in watershed areas. In future water will have to be conserved wherever it is possible. There is another form of rain, which happens mostly around the equatorial regions, where it rains continuously most of the year. This has resulted in the presence of evergreen forest in this region. This type of rain is known as convectional rains. Here the earth gets heated up, raising the temperature enough to convert water into vapour. These vapours being light in nature travel high to a lower temperature region, get condensed and drop down as rain again. This process goes on only around the equatorial regions. In our country it rains only when the wind meets an obstruction. There are times the wind meets an obstruction and yet it does not rain. In these cases, the wind does not carry any moisture. Student: Why is there a greater bias towards water conservation in urban areas rather than in rural? Mr. Boregowda: There is no bias and there should not be. Water conservation in urban areas is getting more publicity because it is a new phenomenon. Even the City Corporation insists on installing water-harvesting plants in private buildings before giving an approval for the construction of buildings. Student: How is it that some areas get more rain than other places? Mr. Boregowda: Wind carries moisture along with it. It rains whenever the wind is obstructed. As the Malnad region is on a higher level, that area gets very heavy rainfall. Especially in Agumbe, ensconced between Chickmagalur and Sringeri, the area records the highest rainfall in Karnataka. As the wind blows over plain areas the intensity of rain reduces. The wind, after reaching Andhra Pradesh, takes a turn as it enters the Bay of Bengal. The next obstruction it runs into is at Chirapunjee in Assam, which the records highest rainfall in the country. This results in rain due to the wind being blocked on its way. INEP: Why should rainwater be conserved? Mr. Boregowda: Because rain falls only for a few days in a year. It is mainly seasonal. But we need water throughout the year. If it is not conserved, it goes waste. We have to conserve water because we cannot afford precious water going waste. 118 PARISARA SOBAGU

125 Health Health Health and sanitation Health safety and environment Eco-friendly living PARISARA SOBAGU 119

126 Health Health and sanitation Dispose it right Each person in Bangalore produces half a kilogram of waste everyday. City Corporation disposes of 2500 tonnes of waste everyday. Dr. Nagarabhat, Chief Health Officer (retired), Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, discusses the pros and cons of improper waste disposal. INEP: What is sanitation? Dr. Nagarabhat: Sanitation is being clean in all aspects. There are two types of sanitation: one is individual sanitation and the other is environmental sanitation. Keeping the environment pure and clean is the basic responsibility of all citizens. INEP: How can this be achieved? Dr. Nagarabhat: Individual sanitation includes bathing daily, wearing clean, washed clothes, having a balanced diet and drinking pure water. Environmental sanitation is keeping our house and surroundings clean, maintaining a clean atmosphere around us, keeping our roads clean, keeping stray sites clean, and keeping drains clean. INEP: Every morning we do sweep the house, then mop the floor, and keep the front yard clean by sprinkling water. Is that all everyone has to do to take care of sanitation? Dr. Nagarabhat: Yes, this is individual sanitation or house sanitation. Now care has to be ensured about the manner in which we collect and dispose of waste. Waste or garbage cannot be thrown anywhere or everywhere. The staff of Bangalore Mahanagara Palike come to collect waste from each house. INEP: How much waste does an individual produce? Dr. Nagarabhat: One study reveals that one person produces on an average 500gms or half a kilogram of waste every day. INEP: In other words, we keep producing waste without being aware of it. We eat a fruit and throw its seed or peel casually all over. We throw vegetable peels or half cut vegetables everywhere. Dr. Nagarabhat: Yes. The moment humans begin to live they begin to produce waste. It could be household waste like fruit peels and vegetable peels. When we go shopping we bring in plastic. Plastic, glass and metal pieces, and dust constitute waste or garbage. It is our duty to learn to dispose of waste in a proper and prescribed manner. INEP: How much waste is produced everyday in Bangalore? Dr. Nagarabhat: Citizens of Bangalore produce 2500 tonnes of waste everyday. This includes household waste, waste from markets and commercial complexes. INEP: This must be an average on normal days. On 120 PARISARA SOBAGU

127 Health the day of festivals like Mahanavami, Vijayadashami, Dusshera and Ganesha Chaturthi one sees a lot of vegetable waste like broken banana trunks and mango leaves. One wonders often how one manages to dispose them of. Dr. Nagarabhat: You are right. What I mentioned was the average on a normal day. During festivals waste increases by about 25%. This includes banana trunks, pumpkins and mango leaves. Special arrangements are made to clear this additional waste. INEP: What about the Deepavali festivals? One finds so many pieces of paper strewn all over. Dr. Nagarabhat: It is true. But it is manageable as the volume is more but weight is less after Deepavali. But, after other festivals banana trunks and pumpkins and other things make the waste heavier. INEP: How is this waste disposed of? Dr. Nagarabhat: Earlier there used to be a garbage bin. Now the City Corporation has removed it. Now trucks come to collect garbage from each house. It is taken to dumping yards on the outskirts of the City. A portion of the waste is sent to the Karnataka Compost Development Corporation, which produces 400 tonnes of compost manure or fertilizer everyday. The remaining waste, known as dry waste, is used to fill up the land. INEP: What constitutes waste? Dr. Nagarabhat: Waste can be classified into two categories. One is dry waste and the other is wet waste. Wet waste contains peels of fruits and vegetables and food objects. Dry waste contains paper, plastic, glass pieces, and metals, which do not degenerate like wet waste. Wet waste can be used as organic compost manure. INEP: Normally we just throw both wet and dry waste together. We don t segregate. Dr. Nagarabhat: That s true. It is better if the waste is segregated at the source of the waste. One can keep separate dustbins for wet and dry waste. Vegetable peels, rice, food leftovers and fruit pieces can be kept in one, which will be very useful to make compost manure. This is useful to farmers. Dry waste like paper and plastic can be recycled. Rag pickers collect dry waste and give it to the factories that have a recycling unit. This generates employment opportunities for rag pickers and others. Everyone knows that paper is made out of trees or bamboos. If paper is recycled we can reduce the cutting of trees. In other words recycling provides employment, prevents pollution and saves bio-diversity. Garbage being loaded to the truck INEP: What is effective disposal of waste? Dr. Nagarabhat: In earlier days we had dust bins at street corners. This system of disposal had its own problems. It has been effectively replaced by trucks. The top of the truck is covered with a tarpaulin and its sides with wire mesh to prevent scattering of waste while the truck PARISARA SOBAGU 121

128 Health moves. The waste is taken to the dumping yard. Dry waste is used as landfill while wet waste is used in making compost A common sight in cities like Bangalore manure. INEP: What happens if the waste is not disposed of properly? Dr. Nagarabhat: It can harm us in many ways. Suppose we dump the waste in vacant sites, the wet waste begins to degenerate right there. It can produce bacteria and attract flies. These flies carrying bacteria can infect our food. Infected food can cause cholera, typhoid, jaundice, dysentery, vomiting and other diseases. Secondly, the decomposed waste is always an ugly sight. It also produces foul odour. Thirdly, if waste is dumped in drains, it can choke the drain, especially when it rains. Stagnant water becomes a place for breeding mosquitoes that cause malaria, dengue, brain fever and other harmful infectious diseases. Decomposed waste attracts stray dogs that are in search of food. These dogs may bite old people or children who pass by and infect them with rabies. Open garbage can attract pigs that can cause brain fever as pigs are carriers of a virus called Japanese Encephalitis virus. Stray cattle coming in search of food can pollute the place with their dung and urine. Cows can block traffic and cause accidents on the roads. Wind can blow improperly thrown waste all over the place which can cause air pollution. This can cause air-borne diseases like allergic bronchitis, pharyngitis and conjunctivitis. INEP: Is it possible to recycle waste? Dr. Nagarabhat: Certainly, if we segregate wet waste and dry waste, it makes it easy for rag pickers to pick up dry waste for recycling by selling waste material to industries, where it is made into recycled paper, cardboard, plastic products and other things. Metals and glass pieces can also be recycled. This can create employment and livelihood for some. From the wet waste compost manure can be produced. Vermiculture can also be taken up which can provide good manure for agriculture and horticulture. Organic manure can increase the yield of the crop and improve the quality of the produce. INEP: In rural areas people defecate in open fields. Does that affect the atmosphere? Dr. Nagarabhat: This nuisance of defecation is not limited to rural areas. It is not uncommon in urban areas, especially in and around slums. It can harm us in many ways. Firstly, it is an ugly sight. It produces foul odour. Excreta produce harmful and disease-causing bacteria. Flies, insects and mosquitoes can infect our food. Intake of such food can produce round worms and ring worms. Moreover, excreta after decomposition can cause air and water pollution which in turn causes many diseases. INEP: What are the steps taken by the government to prevent this? Dr. Nagarabhat: The Karnataka State Government has taken up a project. The pilot project has begun in several villages. People in rural areas traditionally do not build a toilet even if they can afford to build one. Part of this project is to have a free toilet in each village. Local residents have to maintain it. Construction of a toilet in their homes is made mandatory for those who are economically well off (those who have a car or a scooter 122 PARISARA SOBAGU

129 Health or a telephone). Otherwise they are made ineligible to contest elections. The restrictions have been imposed to create awareness about sanity. Similarly, steps have been taken to create awareness about sanitation. In slums, people have been reminded that they cannot afford to fall sick. Illness causes them to lose a day s wage and they incur additional expenses on medication. Mere creation of awareness is not enough. Basic infrastructure has to be provided for them. They have to be provided with public toilets. Water supply has to be ensured. It has to be maintained well. The scheme will be a success if all these steps are implemented. INEP: As a senior officer of Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, how many villages have you visited and in how many villages have such schemes been implemented? Dr. Nagarabhat: No, Bangalore Mahanagara Palike s jurisdiction is within the 100 wards of Bangalore Urban District. All these 100 wards have a toilet each under the Nirmala Bangalore Scheme. These schemes have payand-use toilets. Nirmala Bangalore toilets have been constructed for people who cannot pay, especially those who live in slums. The maintenance of these toilets is the responsibility of the City Corporation. INEP: Have any steps been taken to create awareness about sanitation among children? Dr. Nagarabhat: Many schemes and programmes have been implemented to educate students and children about the implication of the improper Garbage dumped in lake disposal of waste, about throwing garbage into the drain, how it can lead to diseases. Such plans are on. If children are taught these things they make better citizens in the future and it is likely that they will also educate others about sanitation. Such programmes are very necessary. Making a start is very important. Student: What are the steps taken to create an awareness regarding the disposal of waste? Dr. Nagarabhat: As mentioned earlier people have been told to segregate dry waste and wet waste. Wet waste can be recycled. Pamphlets have been distributed to each house and sometimes each house has been visited personally to create awareness about waste disposal. Student: What are the disadvantages of not having good sanitation? Dr. Nagarabhat: There are two types of sanitation one is individual and the other environmental. Irregular bathing can lead to skin diseases; imbalanced diet can lead to weakness and illness. Drinking unclean water can lead to ailments that can be dangerous. Coming to environmental sanitation it has been explained earlier how sanitation can keep the environment clean. Student: Which is the ideal place to dispose of waste? Dr. Nagarabhat: I mentioned earlier that the Karnataka Compost Development Corporation, situated at Mavallipura on the outskirts of Bangalore, creates 400 tonnes of compost manure from the waste that is collected everyday. Also the dumping yard of the City Corporation carries the dry waste and uses it to fill up the earth. It is covered with soil so that flies and mosquitoes do not bother us. These are the two places where waste disposal is done. PARISARA SOBAGU 123

130 Health Health safety and environment Control pollution to enjoy good health The profit that an industry makes is as important as the welfare of its workers. Laws cannot be implemented by force. Success lies in the way we advise and the way we convince others, says Dr. H. Paramesh, Chairman, Technical Advisory Committee, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. INEP: How important is health? Dr. H. Paramesh: Health is paramount. If people are healthy, they can be happy and help the society to be happy too. If they are not healthy, they cannot make others happy. In fact, they can make others unhappy. It is rightly said health is wealth. INEP: Can health ensure social security? Dr. Paramesh: Social security and health are always related and interdependent for obvious reasons. Air, water, and noise pollution can cause illness. Even if you don t eat, you can still fall sick. Even a small change in food habits can cause illness. We can fall sick if we consume food that doesn t suit us. INEP: What is your role as the head of the Technical Advisory Committee of the Pollution Control Board? Dr. Paramesh: All industries and factories come under the aegis of the Board. Each type of industry emits different types of pollutants. Our Committee studies them and their impact on the environment and our health. We have several experts on the Committee. As doctors, we make known the hazards of industrial and other types of pollution on an individual s health. Other experts advise on other aspects. We find that pollution cannot be prevented, it can only be controlled. Each expert suggests a way out by adopting certain measures, methods and techniques. As a doctor I advise the workers in a factory to have a check up of their lungs. The level of oxygen in industries has to be checked. If it is less, it has to be increased. Audiometers should be used around mining industries in rural areas to measure noise pollution. The health of the people around a mining industry should be checked. Earlier annual X-ray certificates were produced. It takes over five years to find out through X-rays the impact of various pollutions. With the above methods the health of the factory workers can be gauged much earlier. Having doctors on the Committee has helped to provide regular check-ups and medical advice to people in high-risk pollution areas. We have convinced the proprietors of industries about the need for annual check-ups of their employees. Enforcing laws will not help. We have to convince industry leaders about the health of their employees. 124 PARISARA SOBAGU

131 Health Entrepreneurs investing several crores of rupees in an industry will not say no to an additional expenditure Rs. 50,000/- on the medical treatment of their employees. Many earmark 2% of their profit for the welfare of their workers. Our traffic constables are the worst hit due to pollution. Chances of their suffering from asthma, headache, bronchitis, and eye irritation are twice that of the police personnel working in other departments. They have to be checked medically and if they are suffering due to pollution they have to be shifted to other places. INEP: Has any company taken your services? Dr. Paramesh: Oh yes. An asbestos manufacturing company in Karur, Jindal Vijayanagar Steel Plant in Bellary, Biocon Company and a coke manufacturing unit in Mangalore are some examples. They adopt most of the suggestions made by us regarding the welfare of the employees and the reduction of pollution. INEP: What are the factors you look for when they come to you to get a clearance? Dr. Paramesh: We suggest safety measures be installed or adopted. The government issues a license after confirming that these have been adopted. Sometimes some types of industries have to seek the permission of the public too. Sometimes factory owners come to us with people s suggestions and complaints. We offer solutions. We are only a recommending body. We have no other authority. Sometimes we receive complaints even after an industry is established. We go for inspections to find out whether the factory has adopted the measures suggested by us. I repeat that we have to convince them about the need for safety. Industries are very important. They help so many families. Industries should make a profit and a percentage of the profit has to be ploughed back for medical and other forms of safety of the workers. I am confident that if we suggest to the industrialists to reduce pollution, or dispose of effluents properly they will agree. You have to provide all the data about pollution that is coming out of their factory. Entrepreneurs will not go against your advice if they are convinced. Much depends on what you tell them and the manner in which you tell them. In Bangalore 25 lakh vehicles ply on roads that can handle only five lakh vehicles. What is the point of blaming the government? These are times when a family of four has four cars. Having many cars has become a status symbol. We have to be aware of our responsibilities. The government cannot solve all the problems. INEP: How can we contact you to file complaints? Dr. Paramesh: You can contact the Pollution Control Board. They will inspect, investigate, and penalise if warranted. Traffic police using safety mask to avoid pollution PARISARA SOBAGU 125

132 Health INEP: What can you say about risk management in industries? Dr. Paramesh: There are guidelines to control pollution, which have to be adopted. People should wear masks and wear earmuffs if there is too much sound. Workers in the Atomic Research Stations have to be X-rayed every month. If they are exposed to radiation, they should be allowed to work in different departments. INEP: How can the problem of dust be handled? Dr. Paramesh: Water has to be sprayed. Sprinklers have to be installed at places where trucks dump materials that raise dust. But we have to really worry about people dying at home due to smoke. Women and children are the worst affected from smoke emanating from burning wet firewood and dried cow-dung. It can cause bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, headache, and sinusitis. There is an interesting study. In London, 3000 skulls were exhumed and studied with a CT scanner for sinusitis in different millennia like the Iron Age and the Bronze Age. People suffering from sinusitis were less than 1% when people did not cook but consumed raw meat and raw vegetables. When people discovered fire and did open air cooking the percentage go up to 3. When people began to cook inside the house the percentage shot up to 7. No wonder the greatest invention of those days was the chimney. It brought down the percentage of people suffering from sinusitis back to 3%. Talking of air conditioning, I am reminded of a tragedy that happened in Philadelphia in Pennsylvania in delegates attended a 3-day conference in an airconditioned 5-star hotel. On the second day they reported they had body ache, slight temperature and eye irritation. On the third day it was diagnosed that they were suffering from pneumonia. Unfortunately 75 persons died. Two years later the germ that caused pneumonia was discovered and named after the conference. It was found in the duct of the central air-conditioner, which was not cleaned. This waste had generated that germ which proved fatal for 75 persons. Science is nothing but observing a trend, organising a response and using common sense while adopting it. Our forefathers had a lot of common sense while constructing houses. They utilised sunlight well, they knew something about cross-ventilation. There is a 20% reduction of air in present day houses, which are copied from houses built abroad. Our weather does not suit houses modelled on houses in other countries where weather and other conditions are different. Dust mites cause asthma and bronchitis. Earlier, our elders would dust off beds in sunlight with the help of a stick. That would destroy the mites. In countries like the USA they suggest you wash the bed at 140 o C to get rid of dust mites. We can t afford such measures. So it makes a lot of sense to use sunlight and a stick. There was a campaign against the use of coconut oil. It had a high level of cholesterol. But a study revealed that the average lifespan of Keralites was 79 years when the national average was 67 years! It was found that they were frying fish in coconut oil and the low calorie fish would neutralize the high calorie of coconut oil. When we were in college it was said that only meat had all the proteins and amino acids. We did not realise then that the vegetarian food had both variety and had sufficient nutrients. Moreover elephants are vegetarians. The point is that conventional food is most suitable. We 126 PARISARA SOBAGU

133 Health should build houses that suit us; and we should have food that suits us. INEP: What kind of precaution should we take when industrial accidents occur? Dr. Paramesh: The Bhopal Gas Tragedy was the biggest industrial accident, killing so many people and injuring more. In any other country people would have revolted in protest. All the three safety measures had been switched off to save money the freezer, the power, and the fire tower. It was a human error. The only way to avoid such accidents is to keep training the staff about safety measures, and educate people about what to do when such accidents occur. It was again a human error in case of the Chernobyl Atomic Reactor in the USSR. An over enthusiastic scientist had tried to increase the temperature of the reactor. INEP: Will you advise people if they write to you? Dr. Paramesh: You have to write to the Pollution Control Board. The secretary will give all the details. The Pollution Control Board is doing well within its limits. The Pollution Control Board can only give technical advice. There is also a limit to what the Government can do. There is a limit on the implementation of our suggestions. Industries cannot be closed down. People need jobs. But the Pollution Control Board is making sure that no complaint goes unattended. Chernobyl nuclear disaster at Ukraine PARISARA SOBAGU 127

134 Health Eco-friendly living Greedy lifestyle destroys eco-system Eco-friendly living was a way of life in earlier days. Consumerism has affected our lifestyles and hurt the environment. Going back to the earlier style of living is not a choice but the only way, says Prof. C.K. Pradeep, Department of Mathematics, The Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. INEP: What is eco-friendly living? Prof.C.K. Pradeep: Being eco-friendly means living in a manner that does not disturb our surroundings or cause pollution to the environment. Our style of living should not hurt or harm anyone around us. For example, we say environment around our house should be clean and pure. Certainly we don t throw dirt and waste of our house in front of our own house, do we? Be it in and around our house or school or office our behaviour or action should not harm others. INEP: How did our elders live with nature? Prof. Pradeep: The concern for environment and ecofriendly living were not two separate things to our forefathers. They were the same. They saw purity in everything. That attitude is missing now. Our forefathers did not know the chemical combination of water but they knew water was a precious natural resource, worshipped it and used it sparingly. They had respect for water. They did not view a tree in terms of cellulose or chlorophyll. We see it nowadays from a materialistic point of view. Oh! There is cellulose, we say, and we can make paper out of it; oh! There are chemicals, and the tree gives us fruits. Earlier the attitude was different. People thought that there was life in that tree, there was divinity. That would make them hesitate to cut it. Our attitude and lifestyle are different nowadays. INEP: What should a person do to lead an eco-friendly life? Prof. Pradeep: As I told you earlier, the purity in our outlook is missing. We have become consumerist, our consumption level has increased. When we see a tree we think about the fruits, the trunk, and the leaves it can offer us. If we could see divinity in the tree, then we would limit our consumption. We would be scared to consume more. If we start seeing divinity in natural resources then our consumption level would be reduced. The increase in the consumption level has lead to so many problems. A mango tree gives 300 to 400 fruits annually. Now a medicine or a chemical is available which can make the mango tree yield fruits two months before the season. It may be profitable but this process may reduce the life span of the tree by ten years. This is a disastrous development. INEP: What is the need for an eco-friendly life? Prof. Pradeep: We have to be being eco- friendly. Several thousand years ago there was a thick forest 128 PARISARA SOBAGU

135 Health between the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. It was impossible to enter it and live there. Much later people went there, cut the trees, and lived on agriculture there. There was no forest around the river Nile or Sindhu. It was easy for people to start their living there. A thick forest does not suit civilisation. We need plains to live. It was okay then to cut a forest to live. There were plenty of forests. But now we cannot afford to cut forests. Leading an ecofriendly life is not a choice. It is the only way out for us. INEP: Can we retain some practices of the earlier days that can help the environment? Prof. Pradeep: The sacredness of trees, water, and animals is paramount. Ours is a land of Buddha, Mahaveer and Gandhi. They all advocated non-violence. When you want to cut a tree, and if you think that it is not merely a tree but there is someone living inside it, you may not cut the tree. Eco-friendly living thus happens automatically. We turn on the tap and get water. We do not see the source of water. We do not realise the effort and money spent on bringing water to the tap. Earlier water was drawn from the well. One could see the source. If one sees the source one may consume less. We feel like conserving it. INEP: Is there a difference in attitude between rural and urban people towards ecofriendliness? Prof. Pradeep: There is no difference in attitude but demands for basic things vary. In cities a little water is enough for washing and drinking purposes. Roof water Rooftop rainwater harvesting harvesting is enough to meet this demand. In villages one has to go for rain water harvesting on a large scale because of the need to do agriculture. INEP: What kind of pollution are we causing? Prof. Pradeep: Basically, the greed to have more than what is necessary is causing pollution. The use of vehicles should be kept to a minimum. One should use a vehicle only when it is absolutely necessary. It is also crucial to see whether one person is travelling in a car or five. It is not a question of saving money on petrol but that of saving petrol itself, which is a natural resource. There is a limit to the availability of petrol. You have to drill and dig in other places to find petrol after one source is exhausted. This causes pollution. If you curtail your demands you can curtail pollution. We also buy things which we don t need. We go by the ads on television. We have to see how much natural resource was spent or used to make that product. That will reduce our needs. INEP: What is the role of public awareness in promoting an eco-friendly life? Prof. Pradeep: Both are the same according to me. One can not lead an eco-friendly life without being aware of the environment or without having any concern for it. In the seventies, the government proposed the construction of a dam in a place called Silent Valley in Kerala. It was a dense forest and the government had decided to clear the place for the project. People with concern for environment and people who were aware of the problem they would have to face in the future if trees were cut, protested, and brought in enormous pressure on the government and stopped the project. People who protested knew that if the forest was cut down, so many trees would be lost; then those animals and birds which depended on the forest would also vanish. That is why I said awareness about the environment and eco- PARISARA SOBAGU 129

136 Health friendliness is one and the same. INEP: Can eco-friendliness help development? Prof. Pradeep: Development is a dicey concept. The question arises as to who would benefit from the development and who is paying the price for this development and so on. Dams do help development and may improve the quality of life around the dam. If the dam is used for power generation some more development may take place. If it is sustainable development, it is a different issue. But the question is if every one aims at development can this world survive? Now, a simple example is that of a car. If everybody buys a car then everybody needs petrol, then do we have that much petrol? Everybody knows that the answer is No. Sustainable development is needed to save our environment. Utilisation of more resources will lead to development but at the cost of the depletion of natural resources. Coal is a natural resource. We have scraped the bottom of the barrel and its use is now drastically reduced. Sustainable development means the use natural resources and the one we can keep using is solar energy. It is not something that is going to be depleted or exhausted. It is inexhaustible. I want it, I want it, I want it is a line in DVG s poem Manku timmana kagga. The word want has become the mantra of modern life. Time has come to change our attitude. Instead we should say we will live with the available resources. Because, we have to leave behind natural resources for future generations. Student: How can eco-friendly living help us to be healthy? Prof. Pradeep: It can help. Consumption of fruits and vegetables grown with the use of organic manure is good for our health. It does not hurt us or the environment because we do not cause pollution. Student: How was eco-friendly living practised in ancient India? Prof. Pradeep: We were an intense civilisation. We were not consumers. The idea of considering nature as sacred was not limited to India. This attitude prevailed in China, Australia and Africa. Be it a tree or water or a rock or stone, they were treated as sacred. This feeling had come naturally. Consumerism is a recent trend, which has come from the West. Student: Will eco-friendly life affect backwardness? Prof. Pradeep: If you are talking about development you have to specify whose development. Environment protection does not lead to backwardness. In fact, protecting the environment is development. Conservation is development. One can retain the environment and still develop. For example, organic farming and rain water harvesting are elements of eco-friendly living. Eco-friendly life does not affect development. It is complementary to development. Student: Overi n t e n s i v e industrialisation - what has been its impact on environment? Prof. Pradeep: The destruction of the environment began with industrialisation. Big industries need huge resources. It doesn t mean that we do not need industries but what we need is small industries. Lalbagh, a lung space of Bangalore 130 PARISARA SOBAGU

137 Energy Energy Conservation of energy in day-to-day life Alternate energy sources PARISARA SOBAGU 131

138 Energy Conservation of energy in day-to-day life Planned production of electricity needed Generated electricity cannot be saved. It has to be used the moment it is produced or it goes waste. If we plan our needs, we can produce power accordingly, says Mr. Gurusripad, Deputy General Manager, BESCOM INEP: What are the types of energy we can use in daily life? Mr. Gurusripad: Anything that has the capacity to energise is known as energy. Water can quench the thirst of human beings and animals and can also energise them. Fire, with its capacity to burn anything, can help us in cooking, heating up water and so on. Wind, unlike water and fire is invisible, and has tremendous power to help and harm us. Electricity too is invisible, cannot be smelt or heard. It is an abstract energy. INEP: How is electricity produced? Mr. Gurusripad: It can be produced in many ways. For example a dynamo, attached to a bicycle tyre can produce electricity when the tyre moves. Electricity can be produced by water. The river Cauvery and its tributary Shimsha become a huge waterfall of 500 feet near Shivanasamudra near Malavalli taluk in Mandya District. The then Dewan of Mysore province immediately felt that electricity could be produced from this huge waterfall. He implemented it in 1902 and electricity was supplied to the Kolar Gold Mines. It is the oldest power station in Asia. Because of this experiment, Bangalore got electricity as early as in Recently the centenary celebrations were observed. INEP: How can we produce electricity from water? Mr. Gurusripad: First, a reservoir is created. Water is made to fall from a great height and at a high speed on turbines, which are connected, to a generator, which produces electricity. Electricity can also be generated by burning fuel like coal. INEP: Does burning of coal affect environment? Mr. Gurusripad: Coal is a mineral, which has to be extracted from earth. When the coal is burnt it produces gases like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and other gases. Though the use of coal should be limited, we are still using it as it has become inevitable. INEP: Do thermal power units affect environment? Mr. Gurusripad: They affect the surroundings, which are normally forest regions. When the reservoir is created, forests and villages are submerged. Furthermore, deforestation takes place while installing poles, which are necessary to carry electricity through wires. INEP: How does atomic power affect the environment? Mr. Gurusripad: Atomic power is produced when an atom is divided and bombarded against another atom. The process is called fusion. This produces enormous heat, which is converted into electricity. Fusion also 132 PARISARA SOBAGU

139 Energy creates radioactive materials, which are harmful to human beings. INEP: Apart from electricity what are the other forms of energy we use in daily life? Hydro power station Mr. Gurusripad: Water, wind and fire are the natural forms of energies we use daily. INEP: What are the problems in using natural source of energy? Mr. Gurusripad: Use of natural power does not affect environment directly. But carrying the power from the place of production to each village and home does affect the environment indirectly. Erecting poles, which carry wires across km, and erecting pole supporters and towers, involves clearing a lot of forestland. We do plant equal number of trees elsewhere. But our dependency on electricity has increased. For smooth functioning of a house, a 24-hour power supply has become necessary. INEP: How much does it cost to produce one mega watt of power? Mr. Gurusripad: It is a question of converting one source of power to another. Power generation requires a large quantity of water to be stored. It costs a lot of money to take water to machines, and to use generators and transformers. One mega watt is equivalent to 10 lakh units. What we use at our homes is 220 volts. If a 100- watt bulb burns for 10 hours it will record one unit. Ten lakh units make one mega watt. Considering all this, it costs Rs.4-6 crores to produce one mega watt of power. Mr. Gurusripad: Electricity is not available everywhere. It is produced in one place and has to be used elsewhere immediately. Power cannot be stored. Electricity almost travels at the same speed as that of light. If electricity is produced at Sharavathi, it has to be used immediately at Bangalore. If electricity is produced by coal in Orissa, it is immediately used in Kolar. If it is switched on at Orissa, it comes immediately to Kolar. If it is not used it goes waste. We have to plan our need of power and produce it. Use of coal is possible as long as it is available. When it is over we have to stop production of electricity from coal and search for an alternative source. When the rainfall is good, power production is smooth. There are efforts to produce electricity from other sources, which is being opposed by environmentalists. We have to find a balance between production and environmental safety. We should use limited quantity of power. INEP: What are there methods to conserve electricity? Mr. Gurusripad: We should plan our needs and produce electricity accordingly. If we keep using power, even the source of power gets exhausted. Whatever we save is beneficial to us. INEP: Nothing much can be done to conserve electricity because electricity once generated cannot be stored and if under utilised it goes waste. The least we can do is to switch off the lights, fans and television sets when not in use. Use of TV for six hours can consume one unit of power. We can do without hot water for bath in summer so that water heaters are used less. INEP: How important is conservation of power? Raichur thermal power station PARISARA SOBAGU 133

140 Energy Alternate energy sources Is an alternate source of energy inevitable? Earth has a limited amount of available energy. Since constant use of energy increases pollution, use of alternate source of energy appears to be inevitable. Alternative energy is the energy source, which is not based on the burning of fossil fuels or the splitting of atoms. Fortunately there are many means of harnessing energy, which have less damaging impacts on our environment. INEP spoke to Ms. Manavel Aloor of Environmental Synergies & Development. INEP: What is the role of your organization? Ms. Manavel Aloor: We are consultants. We offer professional consultative services on issues like climate change, environmental management, energy efficiency, and related subjects. INEP: What are the traditional sources of power? Ms. Aloor: Petrol, diesel and coal have been the most common sources of power. Nowadays energy from water, known as hydro-energy, is becoming very popular. INEP: What is the impact of the use of fossil fuels on environment? Ms. Aloor: Use of fossil fuels causes pollution, which affects our health. Locally it causes smog, and dust, and increases the amount of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide in the air. Globally, pollution raises temperature, which affects bio diversity and reduces resource availability. INEP: Which source of energy can we call alternate source of energy? Ms. Aloor: Any power source that does not affect the environment can be called an alternate source of energy. Sources that burn cleanly, sources that are renewable, like bio-diesel, and all sources that are naturally available and that burn cleanly can be called alternative sources of energy. INEP: In other words anything that does not increase carbon dioxide can be called an alternate source. Why is it getting such prominence nowadays? Ms. Aloor: The concern about the increase of pollution due to the use of fossil fuels and shortage of power source has made the country a bit insecure about the power situation. This has made us look for alternatives that are available everywhere. INEP: What are alternate sources of energy? Ms. Aloor: Solar, Hydro, micro-hydro, bio-mass energy, 134 PARISARA SOBAGU

141 Energy the future? Ms. Aloor: Presently, hydro-energy is getting a lot of attention. Research is being carried out on hydro-energy more than on any other source. This is very popular in the transport sector. Bio-fuel, that is, bio-mass collected and converted into energy, is very popular too. Vegetable oil seed is converted into diesel and is being used for buses and cars. Roof-top solar panels and natural gas are becoming very popular alternate sources of energy. INEP: What are non-conventional sources of energy? Ms. Aloor: An energy source that is not a fossil fuel can be called an unconventional source of energy. Solar, hydro, and wind energy are unconventional sources of energy. Renewable energy and non-conventional energy are the same. INEP: Are you referring to honge seed oil which is being used as petrol? Ms. Aloor: Yes. And Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) has gained popularity of late in the transport sector. Solar energy or the photovoltaic energy from the Sun is being used everywhere. It is yet to pick up in India. INEP: Do you charge for your services? Ms. Aloor: Sometimes we do charge. It depends on who the client is. We do go to schools and colleges as judges for educational programmes. We do offer other free services on request. INEP: So a renewable source of energy means the energy we have used once can be used again. Ms. Aloor: Yes. For instance, solar, hydro, and bio-mass are all very popular. These are also the renewable sources of energy. INEP: What are the benefits of renewable sources of energy? Ms. Aloor: They are clean and easily available locally. Bio-mass is now available in both villages and cities. For instance, solar energy is both unconventional and renewable. It is pure and locally available. If used regularly it is economically viable in the long run. INEP: Which source of energy will have prominence in INEP: On the whole what can you say about the alternative sources of energy? Ms. Aloor: Every house and every establishment can have an alternative source of energy. Solar energy can be used even for heating water. On a community basis, that is when people are in a group, motor pumps can be run on solar energy. Bio-mass energy, where you collect bio mass and use it for generating electricity, can be easily used for water heating. INEP: I feel solar energy is more suitable for community use than individual use. It is more suitable for, say, hospitals, hostels, community halls and so on. Ms. Aloor: Yes. Wherever water and electricity are consumed heavily, an alternative source of energy is PARISARA SOBAGU 135

142 Energy suitable. INEP: It is viable and feasible from the economic point of view and also in protecting the environment. School Children Ask INEP: Is a conventional source of energy a perennial source of energy, or can it be used any number of times without it being exhausted? Ms. Aloor: No. It gets exhausted, definitely. There is only a limited amount of fossil fuel and if it is used regularly and constantly, it gets exhausted. Oil and coal are available only in limited quantities. There is no guarantee that they will last forever. INEP: If we use a source of energy more than necessary what will be the impact? Ms. Aloor: Locally and globally environmental pollution will increase and the source of energy gets reduced. If you want to search for an alternative source of energy first we have to find where the energy is located. But the hazard is environmental pollution both on a local and global level. INEP: In Delhi the CNG source of energy is being used instead of diesel and petrol. To what extent has this helped in the reduction of pollution? Ms. Aloor: Because petrol and diesel are not used pollution has been reduced drastically. The CNG is a clean fuel. Local pollution has been reduced enormously. About 10 years ago if you moved around in Delhi in an auto, your eyes would burn and your body would be covered with black soot. There was so much pollution. Now it is clean. 136 PARISARA SOBAGU

143 Pollution Pollution Air pollution Indoor air pollution Soil pollution Noise pollution Importance of ozone layer PARISARA SOBAGU 137

144 Pollution Air pollution Check pollution, breathe easy Polluted air can affect health severely. Clear air can elevate our moods and save our lives. Is it not good enough reason to keep it clean, asks Dr. Balgangadhar, Chief Scientific Officer, Environment Laboratory, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. INEP: How is air structured? Dr. Balgangadhar: In the geosphere, water, air and earth have been measured. Air occupies more space. Nitrogen forms 78% of air, oxygen 20%, carbon di-oxide 0.3% and argon gas 0.9%. Apart from these, sulphur dioxides, helium, hydrogen, ozone, nitrous oxide, ammonia and carbon monoxide exist in small quantities. To all living organisms including human beings, oxygen is important. Oxygen and carbon dioxide help in photosynthesis. Nitrogen helps plants and trees grow. INEP: What are the constituents of air pollution? Dr. Balgangadhar: When solids, liquids and gases jointly affect human beings, organisms and plants through air, then it is called as air pollution. The main pollutants are flying particles, nitrous dioxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, lead and hydrocarbons. Among the flying particles there are two types the living particles and the floating particles. INEP: What is the source of the pollutants? Dr. Balgangadhar: There are natural sources and manmade sources. Natural pollutants are pollen dust and volcano and forest fires. Man-made pollutants can be static and moving sources. The static sources of pollution are chemical factories, oil refineries, mechanised mills, lead industries, cement and other factories. Moving source of pollutants are aeroplanes, ships, trams and automobiles. INEP: What are SPM and RSPM? Dr. Balgangadhar: They are suspended particulate matter (SPM) and respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM). Among the floating particles, particles that range in size between 0.1 to 100 microns are SPMs. Those that range between 0.1 to 10 microns are RSPMs. These can get into our lungs and cause breathing problems. INEP: Are there specific Indian Standards fixed for these? Dr. Balgangadhar: The government has fixed five main categories. They are categorised according to zones as nitrous oxide, floating particles, RSPMs, lead and carbon monoxide. The places that are sensitive to air pollution have to be monitored 24 hours continuously and 104 times a year to fix standards. The standards for sulphur dioxide are 80 micrograms/ metre cube in industrial areas and 60 microgram/ metre cube in other regions and 15 micrograms/cubic meter in sensitive zones and so on. INEP: What are the available laws to control air pollution? Dr. Balgangadhar: There are three major acts: the Air 138 PARISARA SOBAGU

145 Pollution Pollution Protection and Control Act 1981, Environmental Protection Act 1986 and Motor Vehicle Act INEP: What about the State? Dr. Balgangadhar: Karnataka too has formulated laws based on Central Acts. The Pollution Control Board, the Department of Transport, the Department of Food and Civil Supplies, and the Police Department are jointly working in controlling pollution. INEP: What is the purpose of Emission Tests done in petrol bunks? Dr. Balgangadhar: These are centres approved by the Department of Transport to find out whether the emission from vehicles is within the prescribed limits. The certificate given by Emission Test centres should be kept in the vehicle all the time and has to be produced when officials from transport and police departments demand to see. electrostatic precipitators, construction of tall chimneys, use of filtering cloth bags and sieving bags, growing plants and trees around industries are some measures taken to control air pollution. We have to keep the vehicles in a good condition. We should not use adulterated petrol or diesel. We have to maintain the quantum and quality of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere. Use of LPG and CNG as fuel can reduce pollution. Use of unleaded petrol also can reduce pollution. INEP: Can people who are keen on reducing pollution contact you? Dr. Balgangadhar: Sure. Public participation in controlling pollution is vital. We want people s participation in our awareness programmes. We now have eco-clubs in schools and colleges. INEP: Do you take action on vehicles which emanate emissions? Dr. Balgangadhar: If the emission from the vehicles is more than the prescribed limits a fine of up to Rs can be levied. INEP: How do you monitor air pollution? Dr. Balgangadhar: We have to first collect air samples, like we do to analyse water pollution. Collecting a sample of air is difficult. We have to install machines to collect air samples for 24 hours, twice a week for a period of 52 weeks. INEP: Are there any methods to control air pollution? Dr. Balgangadhar: Zoning of industries is necessary so that we can make out the type of air pollution these industries are causing. It is easy to detect and prevent air pollution at the source of air pollution. Use of INEP: What is the impact of air pollution on our health? Dr. Balgangadhar: Each of the five types of air pollutants mentioned earlier can affect our health. Inhalation of excess of sulphur dioxide can cause breathing problems and cancer. Excess nitrous oxide can cause bronchitis and other lung-related diseases. Lead can reduce oxygen and iron content in our blood. Other pollutants can cause heart problems, affect kidney and liver. INEP: What precaution do we have to take against air pollution? Dr. Balgangadhar: Preventing air pollution from a point source is easy but not emanating from non-point source. Indoor air pollution is causing concern. Women in rural areas should limit their presence in the kitchen as smoke from firewood is a major hazard. Every citizen has to be made aware of air pollution and its impact. PARISARA SOBAGU 139

146 Pollution Indoor air pollution Beware of indoor pollution Indoor air pollution is a silent menace that can hurt us, says Dr. T. Venkatesh, Director, National Referral Centre for Lead poisoning in India. INEP: Can you tell us about your work? Dr. Venkatesh: I am working in the biochemistry department of St. Johns Medical College and Hospital for the last 35 years, now as the Head of the Department. I also head the organisation of the college that has national programmes on lead poisoning and its prevention. INEP: What is air pollution? Dr. Venkatesh: Any physical, chemical and biological pollution, if it gets into the air we breathe, the dust and the smoke, any foreign body that affects us through air is called air pollution. respiratory diseases. In urban houses the dried up distemper and paint can cause indoor pollution. INEP: Is indoor air pollution different in urban and rural areas? Dr. Venkatesh: Yes it is different. In rural areas, the air circulation is good in tiled roof houses, compared to RCC roofed houses in urban areas. In cities the windows are at lower levels and hence air circulation is not good. Use of heater, gas stove and refrigerator can cause a kind of indoor pollution. In rural areas air outside the house will be more pure while in urban areas the air both outside and inside are impure. INEP: What are indoor and outdoor pollution? Dr. Venkatesh: We normally spend 18 hours inside, be it place of work or residence. The air inside a building does not circulate much more so in air-conditioned buildings. Any pollution inside the house is indoor pollution. Use of wet firewood or coal in rural areas can cause indoor pollution, which can cause cataract, and INEP: Can living in apartments make a difference? Dr. Venkatesh: Yes. The activities in the adjacent houses can affect you because of proximity sound, dust, smoke and smell from other houses can affect the air quality in your apartment. INEP: Can indoor pollutants be identified? Dr. Venkatesh: Yes. Substances like formaldehyde and carbon monoxide are the volatile pollutants; the smell 140 PARISARA SOBAGU

147 Pollution them to rush out, which is known as Tobacco Syndrome. Sources of indoor air pollution and the dust from carpets, fleas, flies and bacteria from dogs and cast, are other identifiable pollutants. INEP: What is Sick Building Syndrome? Dr. Venkatesh: Heavy rains can expose the leaky roofs and also lead to formation of fungus on walls of most apartments. Some people feel like rushing out of the house as they feel suffocated in such places. Throat irritation or respiratory problems also affect people inside the house. When you feel like going outside from the building where you live, it is known as Sick Building Syndrome. Closing the windows to prevent cockroaches, lizards, flies can create such a feeling. In a small room if there are 8 10 people and one-person smokes, it can make some of INEP: Can indoor air pollution be prevented? Dr. Venkatesh: Yes, totally. Cobwebs have to be cleaned regularly. Dust above the fan and below the table has to be wiped off regularly. Mere cleaning the floor will not help; occasionally the walls have to be cleaned too. INEP: Can air conditioning cause air pollution? Dr. Venkatesh: Yes. In air coolers, air is made to pass over water to cool it. When it is not functioning, the stagnant water helps breed mosquitoes and its larvae. The recent dengue fever was caused by these kinds of mosquitoes. In air-conditioning the same air is re-circulated not allowing fresh air from outside and can cause respiratory problems and irritations. INEP: What are the diseases that are caused by indoor air pollution? Dr. Venkatesh: Respiratory problems, eye irritation and skin diseases due to allergy are a few conditions caused by indoor pollution. INEP: Some people keep half-used pesticides in houses in rural areas. Is it dangerous? PARISARA SOBAGU 141

148 Pollution should not be permitted to live close to some factories. People should stay away from leaking ammonia tankers, from places where tar is burnt, and from places where the roof is an asbestos one. Centrally air-conditioned buildings can cause respiratory problems due to indoor air pollution INEP: Tell us about lead poisoning? Dr. Venkatesh: Now we have reached a stage where we cannot live without lead. In a radio set, the electronic joints are soldered with lead; I could not have arrived here from my hospital without lead as my car batteries are lead batteries. Newspapers contain lead as printing ink is made of lead. Dr. Venkatesh: Yes, half used pesticides, insecticides, their dispensers, should be sealed in plastic bags and kept in a corner. Children should be prevented from touching them. INEP: The government has banned cigarette smoking in some places, will this help? Dr. Venkatesh: Cigarette smoking causes major indoor pollution. Not just smoking but even selling and manufacturing cigarettes should be banned because passive smoking is equally injurious to health. INEP: What are the precautions taken in factories about indoor air pollution? Dr. Venkatesh: There are occupational safety health standards which should be strictly followed. The area should be clear of dust and smoke. Use of face mask should be made compulsory wherever necessary. People If the particles are less than 10 microns, they can get into our lungs. Our hair dyes, cosmetics and nail polish all contain lead. Unfortunately even turmeric contains lead related salt lead chromate, which is yellow in colour and is heavy and hence added to turmeric powder. In a sample testing we did recently, six of the ten packets of turmeric powder contained lead chromate. Lead enters our homes, as water pipes are soldered with lead when they leak. This inorganic chemical is all pervasive. And once it gets into our intestines it can reach any part of the body. In case of young children, it can affect their brain. 142 PARISARA SOBAGU

149 Pollution Soil pollution Great need to avoid soil pollution Soil pollution like the pollution of air and water, can be dangerous. Dr. Bakul Rao and Mr. V Srinivas, Environment Policy Research Institute, explain the phenomenon and suggest remedies. INEP: We now hear that even soil can get polluted. What is the scientific definition of soil? Mr. Srinivas: The top portion of the earth is called soil. It is a product of disintegration of rocks. Over several thousand years, the rocks get emaciated, then break and over a long period time reduce to a powder state which can be called soil. It is as important as water and air. INEP: What does it contain? Dr. Bakul Rao: It contains sand, pieces of rocks and whatever nutrients the parent rock contained. INEP: So, over a period of years rocks have become soil due to climatic and chemical reaction. How come it has different colours? Mr. Srinivas: Broadly it can be classified as red soil, red sand soil, clay and black soil. The last one, available in North Karnataka region, is conducive to grow cotton. Clay soil is mostly available in Dakshina Kannada and coastal regions and is used to make idols. Red soil is available in Bangalore, Kolar, Tumkur and Mysore districts and in parts of Hassan, Chikmagalur and Chitradurga. These regions get a rainfall of mm and this aspect largely decides the colour of the soil. Red sand soil is available in Mandya district, especially in the Visvesvarayya canal region, portions of Bangalore, Kolar, Tumkur, Chitradurga, and Bellary and in the border regions of Karnataka- Andhra Pradesh. Clay soil is visible in Malnad regions like Kodagu, Chikmagalur and a part of Hassan where the annual rainfall is around 2000 to 8000 mm. Black soil is available in North Karnataka regions like Bidar, Bijapura, Belgaum, Dharwad, Raichur, Bellary, northern portions of Chitradurga, portions of Mysore and Chamarajnagar, where the rainfall varies between 300 to 500mm. INEP: Thank you very much for the vital information. Now tell us, how does soil get polluted? Dr. Bakul Rao: There are two types of soil pollution. One is the natural process- the degradation of soil over millions of years. Seawater infiltration in coastal region, acidification of soil, siltation and soil erosion are the natural process of degradation of soil. PARISARA SOBAGU 143

150 Pollution The second one is the man-made pollution. Deforestation is a major factor of man-made pollution of soil. Sewage can pollute the soil. Use of inorganic manure and pesticides can pollute the soil. Quarrying and transport of sand can pollute the soil. Soil layers INEP: We know the factors that pollute the soil. How exactly does pollution occur? Mr. Srinivas: Soil erosion and siltation are interlinked. Wind can cause erosion and so also the rain. Soil loses its top layer and it reaches ponds, tanks and lakes. The fine soil is called silt. This is a natural process of degradation. Coming to man-made pollution, indiscriminate deforestation makes soil lose its protection from sun, wind and water. When the topsoil is lost the area loses its precious nutrition that is developed over centuries. Trees and plants would have absorbed these nutrients. When trees are cut, nutrients are washed away to water bodies. This results in unwanted weeds, which if unchecked, can cover the entire tank and suffocate it. Constant infiltration of salt water from sea can make coastal regions infertile. The ground water in these regions becomes unpotable due to salinity. Effluents and sewage can pollute the inner layers of soil. The topsoil acts like a sponge. It absorbs and retains water. When it cannot hold the water any longer, the water sinks deeper into the soil, leaving only the toxins in the top layer of soil. The solids in sewage have the same effect on soil as effluents. Effluents have cancer-causing properties. When it reaches subsoil it is difficult to eliminate such toxins. The sewage waste can carry harmful bacteria that may pollute both water and soil. Then there are products like plastics and unwanted solid wastes. Plastic is non-bio-degradable and survives in soil for years. Plastic prevents a suitable aeration of soil. This kills useful bacteria and the soil around that region becomes useless. INEP: So, soil erosion and soil pollution are interlinked. Dr. Bakul Rao: The purpose of soil is to provide nutrients like calcium, magnesium and micro-nutrients to plants and trees. If the topsoil is blown away by wind or washed away by water, we lose nutrients where we need them but it goes to tank beds where it is not desired. This leads to acute shortage of precious top soil. INEP: Do you differentiate between the pollution in rural and urban regions? Mr. Srinivas: This is a very relevant question. There is this feeling that pollution is less in rural areas. In urban areas the sewage from City Corporation and effluents from industries can be traced to one region, which can be called as a One Point Source. If the point source is identified it is easy to treat it. In rural regions everyone uses fertilisers and pesticides and they are all over the place. It is spread over a large area. The source of pollution is not at one point. Hence, 144 PARISARA SOBAGU

151 Pollution it is difficult to treat pollution in rural regions. But we cannot differentiate between urban and rural regions pollution. We have to consider it as a major problem and tackle it. INEP: What sort of activities in rural regions cause soil pollution? Dr. Bakul Rao: Agricultural activities in rural regions are the main cause for pollution. Use of inorganic manures and pesticides destroys the fertility of soil and makes it useless. Plants retain the toxins in fertilisers and pesticides. When plants die and decompose the toxic contents remain in the soil making it unusable for agriculture. Pesticides are found mostly in three formats: herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. Fungicides can destroy big weeds. Herbicides destroy bigger weeds. Insecticides are used to destroy unwanted insects, flies and other creatures. Plants absorb only 5% of the pesticides and sprays. The rest is absorbed by the soil. The toxic contents of these pesticides remain in soil for years because they are not biodegradable. They can affect human beings also. INEP: How do mining activities pollute soil? Mr. Srinivas: Even before mining activities begin, the topsoil is removed. This topsoil, which is a very important layer of the earth, is not preserved in one place but dumped all over. Thus the soil nutrients are wasted. INEP: Can t we use that dumped topsoil? Dr. Bakul Rao: Afforestation can help. Trees can be grown on this displaced topsoil. Otherwise, the topsoil is just wasted during the rains and other natural calamities. INEP: It is said that road accidents too pollute soil. Is it true? Mr. Srinivas: There are two types of accidents. The first one is when petrol- or diesel-run vehicles are involved in an accident. The petrol or diesel falls on soil and damages the soil. Even the leak of the tank can damage the soil. The second category is tankers carrying chemicals and other inflammable substances. In case of an accident, the chemicals can burn the soil, as they are highly concentrated. Once the soil is burnt it is useless for any purpose. Not even grass can grow on such places. Once, a tanker turned turtle on the high way near Mumbai. Residents rushed to the spot assuming that it carried petrol which they could salvage. But the tanker carried concentrated sulphuric acid and many persons were charred to death when the tanker burst. In such cases also soil gets charred. This is a very high level of pollution. INEP: How strange! We always worry about human beings dying or getting injured during accidents. We do not worry about damage to the environment. Dr. Bakul Rao: You can notice that the soil in and around petrol bunks are black due to splash of oil, petrol and diesel. You do not notice even a blade of grass in those regions. Moreover the surroundings of petrol bunks are concretised. This is also one of the reasons why we cannot see any greenery near petrol bunks. INEP: It is heartening that the owner of a petrol bunk in Dharwad town has created a separate Green House near the bunk. People can contribute their mite to protect environment even if it is a small gesture. Can this polluted soil be treated and used again? Mr. Srinivas: Construction of check dams or earth dams is one way of preventing soil erosion. Trenches can be dug on sloppy regions and afforestation programme can PARISARA SOBAGU 145

152 Pollution be taken up in these regions. Water and the top soil can be retained with the help of such programmes. Another way is to adopt organic farming method where natural manure is used. We have a tradition of not using chemicals and fertilisers, but in the last 50 years we have lost the indigenous knowledge. This has caused immense pollution of the soil and suffering to humans. We have to return to our traditional way of farming. We can control pests by methods like crop rotation and intercropping. We are using inorganic materials in such large proportions that farmers in Punjab feel that they cannot grow anything without the use of fertilisers. Crops grown with the use of chemicals and fertilisers are sold to the market. For personal consumption farmers use the grains that are grown the organic way! Student: How can we prevent soil erosion? Dr. Bakul Rao: Largely by agricultural activities and by constructing check dams. Mining and quarrying should be a pre-planned activity and should be carried out within the permissible limits. Soil erosion In urban areas we can adopt waste management method. Segregation of waste in the primary level itself is a very good method. The biodegradable waste can be separated from paper, plastic, glass and metals by keeping them in two dustbins. The organic waste can be turned into compost manure that is highly useful for the plants. The inorganic wastes can be recycled and used. This segregation helps the Mahanagara Palike too. We can also prevent choking of sewage pipes, especially during rainy season if we segregate wastes. The inorganic material can be used for filling up the pits and other uneven surfaces. This becomes our contribution and duty towards saving the environment. Student: What happens to soil when we throw plastic materials? Mr. Srinivas: Plastics are non-biodegradable objects that do not decompose and merge with the soil. They prevent aeration of soil that kills useful bacteria. Some of them are cancer-causing chemicals, which severely affect the soil. Student: How does change takes place in soil? Dr. Bakul Rao: It takes centuries and largely depends on rainfall. As rainfall varies from place to place, the change also varies from place to place. But the general public cannot prevent industrial effluents reaching tanks. The process is highly technical and needs guidance. 146 PARISARA SOBAGU

153 Pollution Noise pollution Din and bear it! Noise can irritate and can make the blood pressure shoot up. A basic sense that ones action is harming others can reduce a lot of noise pollution says, Ms. Madhuri Gore, Reader, Department of Audiology, S.R. Chandrashekar Institute of Speech and Hearing. INEP: What is noise? Ms. Madhuri Gore: Unwanted sound is noise. The vehicle sounding a horn is noise because it is unwanted and irritating. Sound is an indicator of what is happening outside. A child stops crying when it hears the voice of its mother. A vehicle s sound can tell us who has arrived. What we need is sound, not noise. INEP: Are sound and noise are different? Ms. Gore: If sound is high pitched or heavy, it becomes noise. hearing? Ms. Gore: Yes. Collection of wax in the outer ear can make us hear less. Tip of pin or pencil can damage the middle ear, which can be treated with medicine or set right through surgery. But damage to the inner ear cannot be repaired. The micro cells die due to injury or loud blast and cannot be refilled. Normally mammals like elephant, dog, and cat lose hearing due to the blast or a loud noise. It is only in the case of some species of birds that these micro hairy cells grow even if they are destroyed. INEP: How do we hear sound? Ms. Gore: We hear it through our ears. There are three parts outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. The sound goes form outer ear to middle ear where the ear drum and the body s three smallest bones are situated. The inner ear is called cochlea. The cochlea has fluid and microorganisms in it. The sound vibrations pass through the fluid and hairy cells. These hairy cells send information to the nervous system, which conveys it to the brain. It is then we can comprehend what we hear. INEP: Does damage to any of the three parts affect INEP: Where is the eardrum situated? Ms. Gore: It is in the middle part of the ear. If you stretch the ear cover, one can see it. It is not easily visible but with effort one can see it. It is because the ear canal is not straight. With the help of equipment one can see it. INEP: What is noise pollution? Ms. Gore: Loud and constant sound can cause fatigue to ear and this can be described as noise pollution. INEP: What is the source of noise pollution? Ms. Gore: Vehicles, flourmills, carpentry work and loud PARISARA SOBAGU 147

154 Pollution INEP: What is the effect of noise pollution? Mrs. Gore: Noise pollution can increase blood pressure, cholesterol, and affects sleep. If sleep is affected, it has an impact on our memory. Students sleeping late in the night find it difficult to remember what they read in the night. speakers among other things are the source of noise pollution. INEP: How do workers cope with noise pollution? Mrs. Gore: It is an occupational hazard for police personnel (traffic), carpenters, soldiers and factory workers to endure the noise pollution day in and day out. They have to protect their ears with earmuffs. INEP: What is a decibel? Ms. Gore: It is a unit, an indicator, of sound just like the degree is an indicator of temperature. The sound of breathing is 10 decibels. When I speak it will be around 60 decibels on the sound-o-metre. The smallest cracker, the kudre pataki produces 90 decibels, the big one like the atom bomb crackers, when exploded 15 feet away will be 125 decibels; the sound of the airplane from a distance will be 140 decibels, trucks produce 80 to 100 decibels. INEP: Children spend a lot of time watching TV. Is it good? Ms. Gore: No. The sound of television is noise pollution because the sound is loud and continuous. Even using walkman can harm our ears. The ear is fully developed when the foetus is 5 months old. The baby can recognise its mother s voice the moment it is born. Pregnant women working in textile factories where they work on looms actually are harming the ears of their off spring. INEP: Do mobile phones harm the ears? Mrs. Gore: It might harm the ears but we are not sure because we are not very familiar with that kind of noise pollution. INEP: What are long term and short-term effects of noise pollution? Ms. Gore: If you stay in a factory for a long time, you can feel the effect even after you return home. You will be alright only after 16 to 20 hours. But those who work there may not recover even after that period as the sound will be perpetual day in and day out. Noise acts as slow poison. The frequencies of sounds we hear are varied. 148 PARISARA SOBAGU

155 Pollution Some sounds have a low pitch, some are high-pitched. INEP: Are the earmuffs expensive? Ms. Gore: They are. Many people cannot afford them. An ear mask costs about Rs.300/- and an ear plug costs about Rs.60/- but it does not lost long. The solution is to reduce the sound at the source. The machines have to be greased and maintained well. The machine can be kept in a room to curtail the sound. Or even a wall in the direction the sound is travelling can reduce the sound. If these methods don t work, then the ear protective devices can be used. INEP: What kind of sound do mines produce? Ms. Gore: The sound will be that of a blast, depending on the type of mines. Whatever the type, the workers have to go deep into the mines, where it is stuffy and difficult to breath. They have to use ear protection devices. Normally they do not, because it makes them more stuffy and hot. Use of earplugs makes them uncomfortable. But they should use them and also they should not work more than eight hours at a stretch. INEP: What is the Indian Standard of noise pollution? Ms. Gore: Pollution Control Board stipulates that the noise should not be more than 90 decibels. If it is more, people should not be made to work in such places. INEP: Are there any laws regarding noise pollution? Ms. Gore: There is one, which is in operation only in cities. That is, no one should produce loud noise between 10 pm and 6 am. The sound in residential regions should not cross 55 decibels. It should not be more than 75 decibels in industrial areas. INEP: How can we reduce noise pollution? Ms. Gore: There should be a sense of virtue that one s Earmuffs action is disturbing others. If this is sense prevails the loudness of noise automatically is reduced. Vehicles should be maintained well. One should not use the horn unnecessarily. One should not use the music stereo system for long. One should light crackers at a safe distance, and should never do it when children or pregnant women are around. Student: What is the effect of music? Ms. Gore: It has a positive effect on our system. Soft and slow music helps us to focus better. Student: What is the effect of constant noise pollution? Ms. Gore: Irritation is the first reaction. If one is forced to work under such conditions, stress patterns begin. School teachers are of the opinion that small children concentrate less if the surrounding is noisy, but say that grown up children can endure the sound and can concentrate on studies. Student: What is the effect of burning crackers? Ms. Gore: The loud sound can sometimes affect the eardrum. Any sudden, loud sound can cause a humming sound. At such times, one cannot endure the pain or irritation. One should go to a doctor when it becomes unbearable. PARISARA SOBAGU 149

156 Pollution Importance of ozone layer Call to protect ozone layer The ozone layer that surrounds the Earth is like a giant umbrella that shields us partially from sunrays. It is most important to protect this layer, says Mr. Ramakrishna, Senior Environment Officer, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. INEP: Please tell us about ozone layer and where it is? Mr. Ramakrishna: Ozone resembles oxygen atoms. When an additional oxygen atom interacts with oxygen it becomes Ozone. The fact that the chemical formula for oxygen is O 2 and for ozone is O 3 shows how closely it is connected. As it is a lighter chemical it flies and stays high, about 10 to 15 km above the earth in the stratosphere. us. Sun, a middle level star, is a storehouse of nuclear reaction. The constant nuclear fusion and fission is the reason we get light and heat constantly. But, this is a nuclear radiation consisting of Ultraviolet, Alpha, and Gamma rays which are dangerous for us. An alternative method to purify water, apart from chlorination, is, by use of ultraviolet rays. One can gauge its power and severity from its capacity to destroy germs in water. Photochemical reaction divides oxygen and due to molecular reaction an oxygen atom remains alone. It does not remain alone for long and reacting with other oxygen molecules it becomes ozone. This constant chemical action and reaction going on forever at the stratosphere creates an ozone layer above the earth. INEP: How does an ozone layer really form and do we really need it? Mr. Ramakrishna: The constant molecular and photochemical reaction keeps producing ozone and forms a thick layer around the Earth. Ozone, by its nature, is a reactive chemical. It can lead to severe problems if it comes near earth. It is better off 10 to 15 km above earth. Protection from ozone. The protection of the ozone layer is very necessary for Ozone layer acts like a giant umbrella and shields us from the dangerous rays of the Sun. If there is no life on other planets like Jupiter and Saturn and resembles a vast desert, it is because there is no ozone layer to protect them. Similarly if there is life plants, animals and humans it is because ozone has not allowed dangerous rays from the sun to reach us. But for the ozone layer, the ultraviolet and other rays from the sun would have reached us. It could have resulted in cases of skin cancer and breathing problems. Ozone layer has prevented this by filtering and diverting the dangerous rays. In 1973, for the first time, two scie-ntists from America, Henry Roland and Mario Melino, discovered the depletion of ozone at the stratosphere and the Ozone Hole. Until 150 PARISARA SOBAGU

157 Pollution then the intrinsic value of ozone layer was not known. Soon the reason for depletion of ozone also Different kinds of UV rays became clear. It was Chlorofluorocarbons, now famous as CFC, emanating from refrigeration plants that were depleting the ozone level at the stratosphere, 10 to 15 km above the earth. International meetings were held to discuss ozone depletion. But it was the meeting in 1987 that the historically famous Montreal Protocol was born. It was in this meet that steps were laid out to prevent use of CFC, emanating from refrigeration plants. The depletion of the ozone layer was clearly a man-made disaster. Before industrialisation at a rapid level, this menace was not present. But for these two scientists from America, the menace would have gone unnoticed. INEP: How does ozone layer protect us? Mr. Ramakrishna: It is protecting us by filtering dangerous rays from the sun and by diverting it. INEP: What is the role of ozone in maintaining the biological balance on Earth? Mr. Ramakrishna: The entire bio-diversity on earth would have been burnt away, but for the presence of ozone at the stratosphere. Human beings would have got respiratory problems because of ultraviolet rays. We would have been bleached by those life-harming rays. We would have suffered from skin cancer. In our atmosphere 0.02 ppm (particles per million) of ozone is tolerable. More contact of ozone in our atmosphere would have burnt our lungs. Ozone is a powerful oxidant and is acidic in nature. It has a pungent odour. It is better to have ozone 10 km away and above us instead of near us. But it is our responsibility to preserve it in right quantities at a safe distance. INEP: How does an ozone hole form? Mr. Ramakrishna: Chlorine atoms, travelling from South Pole to North Pole split ozone into oxygen through a chemical reaction. This process results in depletion of ozone. Ozone hole is not exactly a hole like one that is made on paper. Thinning of ozone layer due to depletion of ozone in stratosphere is known as ozone hole. Some vital decisions to restore the ozone layer, as it existed, in early part of 20 th century, were taken in the Montreal meet. The treaty was signed by both developed and developing countries. Developed countries agreed to develop and use hydrocarbon and Helium based chemicals in their refrigeration plants to eliminate CFC. Government of India, in 2000, through a new rule, coming u n d e r Environment Protection Act 1986, decided to phase out the use of CFC by World Bank agreed to finance the use of Helium and Hydrocarbon Ozone hole based chemicals, PARISARA SOBAGU 151

158 Pollution as an alternative to CFC, in refrigeration plants. INEP: Which are the chemicals that deplete the Ozone layer? Mr. Ramakrishna: Mainly Chlorofluorocarbons, Carbon tetrachloride, Methyl Bromide deplete the ozone layer. It is the chloride content of these chemicals that splits O 3 into O 2 and O. The United Nations, has declared September 16 th of every year as Ozone Layer Protection Day, to spread awareness about the invisible gas, Rich countries can afford alternate materials at their refrigeration plants. But in countries like ours, which cannot immediately replace CFC with alternatives, people should simplify their life style. Dependency on airconditioning, use of aerosols, make up materials and electronic equipments which need air-conditioning should be reduced. INEP: Why is the Montreal Protocol so famous? Mr. Ramakrishna: It was a world meet on environmental issues, but became famous because of the treaty signed on steps to be taken to restore the ozone layer in its original form. Significantly the decision to do away with CFC that was damaging the ozone layer and finding an alternative to these chemicals was taken at the Montreal meet on World Environment. in developed countries have to carry a statutory statement that they do not use CFC chemicals. INEP: Is ozone considered as a pollutant? Mr. Ramakrishna: Yes, because it is a strong oxidant and highly reactive. It leads to respiratory problems. Interestingly, O 2 is so essential for us but O 3, with an addition of oxygen atom, becomes a health hazard. INEP: Would humans have survived without ozone protection? Mr. Ramakrishna: Not just humans, even a bacterium would not have survived if ozone had not shielded us from ultraviolet rays. The power of ultraviolet rays can be imagined by the fact that it is used to kill germs in water purifiers. INEP: What is the impact on plants and animals if ozone hole becomes bigger? Mr. Ramakrishna: Forget animals, even an insect will not survive if ultraviolet rays reach earth directly. See, there is no life on Jupiter and Saturn because there is no oxygen and hence no ozone. Thus, we need to help protect the ozone layer, and try to avoid using chemicals that widen the ozone hole. It is worthwhile to get familiar with changes in the environment, and other global issues by studying the annual book brought out around June by an American organisation, Wordsworth. Our farmers can get solutions for their agro problems by knowing how their counterparts in other countries handled a similar situation. Our scientists can learn about the latest trends, discoveries and changes. INEP: Which are ozone friendly chemicals? Mr. Ramakrishna: Basically they are Helium, Hydrocarbons and Halogens which are also known as Cooling Chemicals. Now refrigerators that are being sold Ozone depleting substances 152 PARISARA SOBAGU

159 Waste Waste Waste generation in households Recycling household waste Industrial waste Recycling of industrial waste Collection, transportation and disposal of waste Biomedical waste generation Household appliances & cyber waste PARISARA SOBAGU 153

160 Waste Waste generation in households Segregate waste at source If the waste is segregated at the source, it is easy to dispose waste. It saves time, energy and money, say Mr. Ramkumar, Divisional Manager, and Ms. Shambhavi Kamat, Senior Officer, Karnataka Urban Infra Structure Development Corporation and, Bangalore INEP: What is a waste? Mr. Ramkumar: The things we discard after using it to the optimum level can be called as waste. Waste is as old as mankind. When we produce a product, the waste comes along. As facilities increase, the quantity of waste also increases. Nowadays the quantity of waste depends on the status of living. Disposal of waste has become a major responsibility. INEP: What are household wastes? Ms. Shambhavi Kamat: Wastes produced in the house are called household wastes. It is classified as dry waste, wet waste and hazardous wastes. Plastic, packing materials, and pieces of glass are not bio-degradable, that is, they do not decay or decompose. They are called dry waste. INEP: Which one among these are major ones? Mr. Ramkumar: The bio degradable waste varies from 30 to 60% of total waste. The more a city is developed the more is the quantity of waste. The dry waste constitutes about 30 to 40%. The recyclable waste will be around 5 to 10%. An NGO called National Environmental Engineering Research Institute based in Nagpur has done an extensive research on this aspect to come out with facts and figures. INEP: How much waste is produced by a person per day? Ms. Kamat: Depending on the place a person lives, an individual produces a maximum of 300 to 500 grams waste per day. It is around 150 gm to 300 gm per person per day in rural areas. The left over vegetables, unconsumed food, fruits, flowers, meat, and bones are bio- degradable and are known as wet wastes. Used battery cells, paint boxes, chemicals, pesticides, used syringes, unused and outdated medicines and so on are called hazardous wastes. INEP: Is hazardous waste generated at home? Mr. Ramkumar: The leftover acrylic paint, battery cells and outdated medicines are all hazardous wastes. These are usually being disposed in dust bins or drains. During rainy season, these are carried away by rainwater which in turn pollutes tanks and ground water. These wastes should be disposed along with the biomedical wastes. 154 PARISARA SOBAGU

161 Waste Ms. Kamat: The used syringes with needle can injure and infect rag pickers and street children. These wastes should be segregated and should be disposed properly. INEP: What are the 3 R s? Mr. Ramkumar: The three R s are associated with solid wastes. They are Reduce, Re-use and recycle. We have to be moderate in our purchases, consumption and production of waste. If we buy six to seven items in the market we carry them in as many plastic carry bags. All the carry bags will end up as wastes. We should try to carry a cloth bag from home so that use of plastic bag is reduced. Re-use is using a material again and again. The reuse of paper in any form prevents cutting of more trees. We have to remember that 17 trees are cut to produce one ton of paper. is very difficult to separate them later. It is also a waste of energy, time and money. For example, there are three compost making units in Bangalore where only organic materials are treated. If the wastes are not separated, even the inorganic materials, which are normally inert, are treated as organic materials. We keep telling in our programmes that waste should never be mixed. Keep separate bins for dry, wet and hazardous wastes at homes. Ms. Kamath: Even from the health point of view it is better to segregate waste at source. INEP: What about sanitary pads? Mr. Ramkumar: It can be treated as organic waste and can be disposed. INEP: What is organic process? Mr. Ramkumar: Preparing organic manure is an organic process. If the wet waste is stored separately it will help us to prepare good quality organic manure both in small scale and large scale. Use of organic manure is good for soil which is already ravaged by the use of inorganic chemical manure. Normally old paper is taken to paper industry and gets recycled. Good quality plastic materials are also usually recycled. In western countries, disposal of wastes is done in a planned manner. In their landfill sites, we cannot find any material which is reusable or recyclable. We are trying to adopt similar methods. INEP: What are the benefits of segregating waste at the source? Mr. Ramkumar: We have begun a programme in 43 towns and cities to create awareness about the value of segregating the waste at the source. If this is not done it Segregate the household waste at source in 3 groups PARISARA SOBAGU 155

162 Waste INEP: Are there any laws related to handling solid waste? Mr. Ramkumar: The municipal solid waste and handling rules 2000 is a comprehensive one covering all aspects of waste management. It was Supreme Court which directed the Government of India to make proper arrangement to collect, transport and dispose all solid waste. During the hearing of a public interest litigation petition filed by an NGO in Bangalore, the Supreme Court said that the polluter shall pay. In other words all of us have to pay for the disposal of waste. The City Corporation is collecting Rs. 20 to Rs.25 per house per month for the disposal of waste. People who refuse to pay are liable for prosecution. INEP: How is solid waste disposed? Ms. Kamath: While performing marriages there is a procedure called Sapthapadi (seven steps), symbolically seven steps taken by the newly weds that they stay together during the thick and thin of times, till death. Similarly we have a sapthapadi of waste disposal. They are the segregation of waste at the source, storage of waste at the source, primary collection (of wastes), secondary collection, secondary transportation, composting and land fill. These are the steps taken for disposal of wastes in cities like Bangalore. Two projects like waste energy projects and solid waste management are implemented in all cities by 226 organisations. INEP: What is e-waste? Ms. Kamath: This is electronic waste, limited at the moment to Bangalore, but noticed in small scale in cities like Mysore, Hubli and Mangalore. This is hazardous waste and has to be disposed properly. Pollution control board has come out with guidelines about disposal of e- waste. 156 PARISARA SOBAGU

163 Waste Recycling household waste Why waste it? Recycling and re-use are important ways to reduce garbage. While these may seem to be small measures, they definitely contribute positively to the management of waste and its disposal. Such efforts help reduce pollution and save the environment, says Dr. H. N. Chanakya, ASTRA, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. INEP: We always thought waste was waste. And, once thrown out of the house, it couldn t be reused. But we now hear about its recycling and reuse. Sir, what kind of waste is produced inside the house? Dr. Chanakya: About seven to eight types of wastes are produced in our homes. The first is kitchen waste. Even before the food is ready there are wastes like the peels of vegetables and fruits. Next comes paper. Notebooks with several unused pages are thrown out. Then comes plastic. These days everything from milk, oil to clothes is packed in plastic covers. Electronic waste is the latest problem. Television parts, computer discs and cassettes also find their way to the dust bin. Then we have old clothes, footwear, rubber material, unused medicines, pesticides, and paints which have lead and copper content. Rechargeable battery cells, rich in nickel and cadmium, are quite dangerous. Finding a solution to dispose all these kinds of waste is one of our biggest challenges. INEP: What is recycling? Dr. Chanakya: Environmental experts talk about 3 R s - reduce, reuse, recycle. The word recycling is a bit confusing. Reuse and recreate are more apt. Using any material which has been used once can be called reuse. Let us take paper as an example. If the unused pages and unused portions like margin space are used for some rough work it is useful. If you use it to pack sugar and lend it to your neighbour, the paper is already used twice. If the young boy uses that paper as a toy aeroplane and spends at least half an hour with it, then the paper is already put to use three times. Factories can use it in bulk quantities, soak it in water, convert it into pulp and can recreate paper out of it. We are living in times where we have to use recycled paper too. INEP: Can you quantify the reusable or recyclable waste from home? Dr. Chanakya: If you are conscious and alert 60 to 100 per cent of waste can be reused. For instance we throw away a 200-page note book that has 190 unused pages. This can be used as a rough book. As I said earlier each material can be reused several times. Newspapers are read in the morning and thrown away in the evening. But they can be reused as paper covers and they can replace plastic. Daddy s dhoti is always white and clean but it is thrown away even if there is a small hole in it. It can be PARISARA SOBAGU 157

164 Waste Paper bag made from old newspapers used as a kerchief or can be used to wipe glass and other objects. Some materials can be reused six to eight times. If we are conscious and alert we can reuse 60% of the material we throw away. Of course, electronic equipments cannot be reused at homes. Likewise plastic material cannot be melted and converted into other objects at home. This has to be done in factories. But soft drink bottles can be cut and the bottom halves can be used as flower vases and the top halves can be reversed and used as funnels. INEP: Before we throw away any material thinking it is useless, we need to pause and think of ways to reuse it. Dr. Chanakya: If we use any material three times then we are alert. If we leave it to the children they use it several times. dangerous. Normally we store kerosene, petrol and nail polishremoving material. If misused, even by mistake, it is dangerous. INEP: So we do have chemicals and poisonous substances in our houses and we have to be very careful about them. Dr. Chanakya: Yes. And also we should ensure that these poisonous materials are stored in a place where they are safe. For instance, these materials should not reach the soil, water or air. Likewise they should not be accessible to children. INEP: How can these materials be recycled? Dr. Chanakya: We can reuse some of them. I gave the example of paper and clothes. After using up beverage that comes in bottles, we can use the bottles to store other ingredients like sugar and spices. Containers made of glass can be reused several times. In the past we had the right attitude towards conserving things and reusing them. Nowadays we don t use glass containers claiming INEP: Are we using poisonous materials in our houses? Dr. Chanakya: Yes, we are using poisonous materials in our daily life. For instance, if a used bandage is thrown carelessly and if by chance some material of this bandage reaches the blood of another person, it can be very harmful. Now take the case of unused medicines. If children consume the unused medicine they may become ill. Now consider paints. They have lead and copper content which prevent formation of fungus on the walls. If this material somehow reaches our food and if we consume it, then it becomes quite Bricks made out of iron-ore waste tailings 158 PARISARA SOBAGU

165 Waste they break. This is one reason for the increase of the use of plastic which affects the environment. INEP: Can we get any by-products through recycling? Dr. Chanakya: Recycling cannot be done at home. It can be done only in factories where one can get several byproducts. We can do some recycling at home. If old newspapers are soaked for three days and ground you get a soft paste. This can be made into toys, lamp shades and other artefacts. Waste has a low status. The words reuse and recycle can heighten its status and earn it some respect. It also creates awareness among people. People can save money by reusing and recycling. We also get a good feeling that we are reducing pollution. Such a feeling itself can trigger an awareness among people. We have forgotten the habit of carrying drinking water from our house. Instead we buy bottles of water whenever we board a bus, train or plane. Every time a train leaves a station it carries a minimum of 1000 bottles. All of them are considered as waste at the end of the journey. quite substantial. Dr. Chanakya: People think the production of compost manure is accompanied by foul odour. But it does not produce foul odour if it is loosely packed, leaving enough air to circulate. If it is tightly packed with no space for it to breathe, the acidic portion produces a strong odour. You will be surprised to learn that a small family produces gm of compost material everyday. 80% of the household waste is vegetable and fruit portions and peels. INEP: That is true. Everyday we do not throw out nickelcadmium batteries but what we throw out everyday is unused food. Dr. Chanakya: We serve more food to the children than they need. The unused food goes to the garbage bin. 80% of the waste is wet waste. It decomposes and is biodegradable. The wet waste is more in Bangalore city and reduces as you go towards the rural areas. People in rural areas know how to manage wet waste. They give it to cattle. But people in cities cannot afford to have a cow to consume their wet waste! The peels and wastes of fruits and vegetables can be made into compost manure. We assume wrongly that only farmers have to worry about it. INEP: I used to think on similar lines. I thought a small family didn t have e n o u g h decomposable material to make compost manure. But, say, over a period of month or two, it becomes Pavers made out of fly-ash Also, getting good manure in cities is not easy. If you are a farmer you can buy and store it. But you need hardly three to four kg of manure a month. There are several advantages if you produce compost manure at home. No material goes out of the house as waste or, in other words, every object is used to its optimum capacity. Secondly, if the city garbage attenders fail to arrive at your doorstep even for a week, dry waste can be managed without it causing any harm. And the wet waste can be converted into compost manure which can be used to grow flowers at home. INEP: Yes, it is such a pleasure to watch a flower bloom, PARISARA SOBAGU 159

166 Waste considering that it is the result of your individual effort. Dr. Chanakya: Yes. We can talk to our plants as much as possible. They do notturn around and hit us or abuse us! INEP: What is the percentage of household waste that can be reused? Dr. Chanakya: If you are keen and alert you can reuse about % of the material. For instance, clothes, paper, vegetable peels can be reused. The aluminum foils that come with the pills can be used to scrape the unclean utensils. They are very effective. INEP: Why doesn t plastic degenerate? Dr. Chanakya: Because it is not a bio-product. If it is bio-degradable it can be consumed as food by another living organism. Plastic is man-made. It doesn t have an enzyme that makes it biodegradable. INEP: How can you make compost manure from household waste? Dr. Chanakya: The peels and half-cut fruits and vegetables and unconsumed food may be stored in an airy place or in an open tank. Add a little water mixed Composted manure from household waste with cow dung. It becomes compost manure in about 45 days. INEP: What is the necessity of recycling or reusing household waste? Dr. Chanakya: As I said earlier, recycling now has become a necessity. For example, if you reuse three blank pages instead of throwing them away, then you avoid buying three pages. In other words you have saved the money, wood, water and have prevented pollution to a certain extent. As we all know five kgs of wood pulp and 150 litres of water are required to produce a kg of paper. 160 PARISARA SOBAGU

167 Waste Industrial waste Purify or perish Production and pollution go together. We cannot forego development because it affects pollution. By utilising modern methods of waste treatment and disposal we can have sustained development, says Mr. Nanda Kumar, Environmental Officer, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Bangalore. INEP: Can you tell us about industrial wastes? Mr.Nanda Kumar: Let us have a brief background about the industrialisation in our country. Industrialisation is not a new phenomenon for us. We had cottage industries like carpentry and handloom weaving even before Independence. We produced whatever we needed for our daily requirements. Then the British, who ruled us, began to take away our rich raw materials to England and sold goods made from our raw materials back to us. This development affected our cottage industries. Mahatma Gandhi began a nonco-operation movement protesting this, and boycotting the use of foreign goods. As a result the emphasis on agriculture increased. After the country gained Independence, the emphasis was equally shifted on agriculture and industrialisation. Even in the 19 th century, India had iron and steel industries. Gujarat was the prime centre of textile manufacturing and trade. With the advent of Five Year Plans, industrialisation became a planned effort and a success. Now we are one of the ten major industrial countries in the world. But creating infrastructure for industrialisation to build roads, laying telephone wires, building houses for factory workers and other developments affected the environment. These developments involved the cutting down of trees. But we cannot forego development on the grounds that it hurts the environment. What we need is sustained development without causing much damage to the environment. INEP: What type of pollution is expected from industrialisation? Mr. Kumar: Pollution and production go together. But polluted materials, be it solid waste, liquid effluents or gaseous emissions can be treated physically, chemically and biologically. INEP: How does water get polluted? Mr. Kumar: Boilers and other supporting systems produce polluted water. Dairy industries produce organic waste. Electroplating and other chemical industries produce hazardous waste. But all of them are treatable and some of them are reusable, some can be recycled and other inert waste can be used for landfills. Oil waste can be removed using oil skimmers and sediments can be removed physically. Chemical treatment involves use of acid to neutralise alkali content in the effluent and alkali to neutralise acid content. Hazardous wastes have to be treated chemically because they have chromium, zinc and cyanide which can harm PARISARA SOBAGU 161

168 Waste the environment and human beings. In the biological method of treatment micro-organisms are used to remove pollution. In the anaerobic treatment, micro-organisms that can survive with very less oxygen are used while in the aerobic treatment dissolved oxygen is used. Treated water can be used for gardening and in some cases, even for agriculture. With these methods even river and seawater pollution can be treated. INEP: How can we treat solid and hazardous waste? Mr. Kumar: There are wastes that are hazardous and non-hazardous. Packaging materials can be nonhazardous while lead, waste oil and battery parts can be hazardous. The non-hazardous waste does not decompose and hence can be used as landfill. This is a scientific process where huge areas are identified for landfill, deep trenches are dug, and the inert waste is dumped and is covered with fresh soil. On this landfill site garden or Public Park can be created. Mr. Kumar: Air pollution began ever since fire was discovered. You burn anything and an emission comes along with it. Industrial pollution increases the content of oxides and Nitrogen and Sulphur in the environment. Oxygen and other gases have to be released to reduce these air pollutants. Back filters, cyclone separators and electro static precipitators have to be used to control air pollution. INEP: What are the laws that pertain to air pollution? Mr. Kumar: Article 51(a) (g) of the constitution deals with environment protection. There are seven Acts and 16 sub sections that deal with pollution and its control. Later the Constitution was amended to have one umbrella Act that can cover all the laws related to environment and pollution. No other law is so adaptable as these Acts because new developments like e-waste have come up and have to be adapted under the umbrella Act. A private entrepreneur from Bangalore has begun e-parisara to deal with e-waste. We welcome such enterprise. This method of waste disposal is adopted in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat. Karnataka has identified a place in Dabaspet to use as landfill. The utilisable parts are recovered from hazardous waste and the rest are chemically treated. If the waste quantity is large, incinerators are used where the wastes are burnt in a temperature ranging from 1200 to 1300 degree Centigrade. Tall chimneys must be used to ensure the emissions do not affect us. Student: How can industrial wastes harm us? Mr. Kumar: If we consume untreated polluted water it can cause disease to us and can destroy the aqua life in water. Air pollution can cause breathing problems and cancer. Dust settled on plants can prevent photosynthesis, which can affect the growth of plant in those regions. INEP: Who can be contacted to report industrial pollution? Mr. Kumar: State Pollution Board in Bangalore and its district branches can be contacted to get information and to complain about any violation of environment protection laws. Minor complaints can be made at local municipal and city corporation offices. Newly constituted district environment protection authorities can also be contacted for information and complaints. INEP: How can air pollution affect us? 162 PARISARA SOBAGU

169 Waste Recycling of industrial waste Industrial waste management essential Industries are a major cause for environmental pollution. Reduce, reuse and recycle is the mantra for modern day waste disposal. Methods to reduce industrial pollution at source are available, says Mr. Nandakumar, Environmental Officer, Karnataka Pollution Control Board, Bangalore. INEP: What are the types of industries we have and the kind of waste they generate? Mr.Nandakumar: Industries are classified as small, medium and large-scale. According to the types of waste it generates, it can be classified as industries causing air and water pollution, and industries producing solid wastes. Cement industries and thermal power units cause air pollution. Sugar factories, distilleries and refineries cause water pollution with their effluents. INEP: What is the composition of the waste? Mr. Nandakumar: Sugar factories produce more biodegradable wastes and they are easily treatable. But wastes from refineries and distilleries are difficult to treat because of their saline and alkaline contents. INEP: Are industrial waste reusable? Mr. Nandakumar: It is very rare that we find an industrial effluent which can be reused. It is one of the reasons why these industrial wastes have to be controlled at the source itself. It should not be allowed to merge with other effluents or emissions. If this is controlled at the source, then treatments of other effluents at the end point become easy. INEP: What are the types of wastes in large industries? Mr. Nandakumar: They contain air pollutants, water pollutants and both hazardous and non-hazardous wastes. If the effluents of the water-polluting industries are segregated properly at the source, the treated water can be reused. Thus the pressure on water supply reduces. The BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) content of effluents from distilleries is high and hence it can be used to produce bio gas, which can be used in boiler plants. Some solid wastes from sugar factories can be used to produce organic manure. INEP: Can industries make a profit out of reuse of wastes? Mr.Nandakumar: Earlier no one thought about waste, let alone reusing it. Then they were too keen on getting rid of wastes. Now times have changed. The Clean Technology and Wealth from wastes concepts is in vogue. The technology is not allowing the waste water to go to the end of the pipeline but treating it at the source itself, thereby saving time, energy and money. INEP: Can the be used for irrigation? Mr.Nandakumar: Yes, provided the water is treated PARISARA SOBAGU 163

170 Waste according to the prescribed methods. In the treated water the presence of salt, ph factor, and acidity should be only in the quantity fixed by the experts. Only then can it be used. Recycled water, especially from sugar factories, are already in use in agriculture. Some industries have created a green belt area and garden in and around their industries using only recycled waster. Some farmers are of the opinion that recycled water has helped to gain better yields of crops. INEP: Do you think industries can make money out of recycling? Mr.Nandakumar: Yes, provided they change the technology, methods to control the waste and effluents, treat the waste water at the source instead of allowing it to reach the end of the pipeline stage. For example, coal, used in thermal power units, creates a lot of ash and sulphur. This immediately is converted into sulphur dioxide which is dangerous to human beings. But if it is mixed with another chemical, it can produce Gypsum, which can be used in Cement factory or in the production of chemical fertilizers. The ash can be made to go through electrostatic precipitator and reused to make bricks. Fly ash being loaded for transportation to cement factories INEP: Does your Board offer any guidelines to young entrepreneurs? Mr.Nandakumar: Earlier when new industries approached us for clearance, we would look at only at the effluents that come out of the unit and equipments installed to treat it. Now we look at the technology they use to produce a product, so that it can be modified to reduce pollutions at the source. Earlier distilleries were using Batch Process. Now continuous fermentation process is used which reduces pollution of water. 164 PARISARA SOBAGU

171 Waste Collection, transportation and disposal of waste Wealth from waste With the use of modern techniques, waste management has become more sophisticated. Governments and other organisations are taking care to ensure that waste disposal does not lead to any kind of pollution. Ms. Shambhavi Kamath of Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation, Bangalore, explains how this is done. INEP: What are the kinds of waste that are produced at home? Ms.Shambhavi Kamath: Household waste can be classified into three parts: wet waste like peels and parts of vegetables, fruits, leftover rice, and unconsumed food. All these are biodegradable. The second category is dry waste paper, glass pieces, metals, and so on. The third one is the dangerous one bottles, paint boxes, outdated and unused medicines. INEP: What are the methods of collecting waste from home? Ms. Kamath: In modern methods of disposal, waste is collected from every house. The city corporation personnel come to every house sounding a bell at a fixed time in a three-wheeler. This form of collection is part of the self-help garbage scheme. In recent times, the autotipper has also been used for waste disposal. The method adopted for the collection of waste is the same as collecting waste from commercial complexes, markets and big institutions. INEP: How is it transported to other places? Ms. Kamath: The collection of waste is done in two ways. Wet waste is collected in the morning. The segregation of wet and dry waste is a vital necessity. Wet waste is taken in secondary containers for transportation. Dry waste is collected once or twice a week, depending on its quantity of production and is collected in the afternoon. Dry waste is also segregated into recyclable, reusable and resalable. The remaining waste that has no salvageable value is taken directly to land filling sites. The wet waste is taken to processing centres for treatment. The secondary containers do not carry dry waste. INEP: How is waste disposed in our country? Ms. Kamath: In our country waste is converted into manure. There are two ways: aerobic composting and vermi-composting. The unusable waste goes into incinerators where it is burnt to ashes. Reusable waste is pelletised, meaning, they are made into pellets. Waste pellets are used as fuel to produce energy. The units where this is done are known as waste energy plants. Thus we have many varieties of disposal. Vermiculture is the process that uses earthworms to convert waste into manure. INEP: Can we dispose of these types of waste scientifically? PARISARA SOBAGU 165

172 Waste Ms. Kamath: Scientific disposal of waste means that the disposal should not affect the environment. Door to door collection of waste It should not cause water and air pollution. It should in no way affect bio-diversity. An impermeable base is created (with the use of concrete material) to make compost manure. All the waste that can be treated or processed is deposited on it. This is done to prevent ground water pollution. This is a scientific way of treating waste. Some totally inert portions remain as residue which does not react with any other things. These portions are used for land filling. This is known as the final disposal. INEP: What is landfill? Ms. Kamath: A landfill is a place, isolated from habitation, preferably outside the city, where waste is stored and compacted. This waste is inert waste. This waste is the residue of processed and treated waste. It doesn t react with any object in any way. This material is used to fill up land. It is covered so that there is no threat of pollution to the atmosphere or groundwater. One has to take a lot of precaution in this process. First, the base liners have to be created to prevent ground water pollution. An impermeable base line is created. The side walls are also made impermeable. Then the waste is dumped here over which 30cm of soil is added, and compressed. Again the inert waste is dumped; soil is put over it and compacted again. The life-span of a landfill is about years. The land used for a landfill should be suitable for such use. INEP: What is biodegradable waste? Ms. Kamath: Anything that decays is biodegradable dishes, food particles, non-vegetarian food leftovers and dead animals. INEP: How are these dispensed with? Ms. Kamath: These are sent in secondary containers to treatment process units. Only biodegradable waste is sent into these units. As I said earlier, 90% of the waste collected in the morning hours is biodegradable. If we take proper care while processing we can be sure that it does not harm the atmosphere or environment. This is what we call solid waste management. INEP: What is an incinerator? Ms. Kamath: The rules of solid waste management have banned open burning. So incinerators are used in which the process of burning is a controlled one. An incinerator is like a furnace. Waste is burnt at a temperature of degrees in the incinerator and is reduced to ashes. This is one way of disposing waste. INEP: What is pelletisation? Ms. Kamath: The water content of waste is reduced, converting it into a solid state and then into a form of pellets using adhesives and binders. The pellets are used as fuel to produce or generate energy. INEP: What can you say about recyclable waste? Ms. Kamath: Recyclable waste is dry waste waste paper, plastic, and milk covers. They have a salvage value. They can be reused. Glass, bottles, and metal pieces which are considered as scrap material are used as raw materials in industries. These materials that are used again are known as recyclable waste. INEP: Are there any rules governing the municipal solid waste (MSW)? Ms. Kamath: The Supreme Court advised the state governments to form a committee to study waste disposal in different parts of the country. A non-governmental organization (NGO) had filed public interest litigation in 1996 in this regard. The apex court gave its verdict and 166 PARISARA SOBAGU

173 Waste the quantity of waste is less. But in big cities the disposal of waste involves a huge expenditure. Ms. Kamath: Yes. The standard of living is very high in cities and citizens can afford to pay. In small towns both the quantity and the quality of the waste will not be much. Transportation of waste to landfill accordingly a committee was formed. It came up with solid waste handling rules in It is a very useful rule book covering various phases of collection and disposal of waste. The rules are also very stringent. INEP: What do the rules say about municipal solid waste management? Ms. Kamath: Waste collected from individual houses, commercial complexes, and markets comes under MSW rules. Biomedical waste from hospitals and hazardous effluents from industries are kept out of the purview of MSW. INEP: Where do you get funds for such programmes? Ms. Kamath: A lot of funds are needed for disposing methods and treatments of waste. The primary collection of waste, which is crucial, is being organized through NGOs. The Supreme Court says that the polluter pays. We are all polluters or waste generators. So we have to pay. An order of the state government says each house has to pay a minimum of Rs.20. All of us spend thousands of rupees on milk, paper, and groceries which produce 35% of waste. Paying Rs.20 for its disposal is not much. It is good for our health and keeps the environment clean. People have to co-operate in this regard. INEP: In villages this money need not be collected as INEP: In villages wet waste is utilized by the villagers themselves whereas in cities it is difficult to do so. Ms. Kamath: In cities we have to have a decentralized system of treatment. We can t collect all the waste from one place. So we should lay emphasis on communitybased composting. People should co-operate in this matter. An institution or a department must have its own composting or vermi-composting unit. This is easy and not very expensive. You need a platform of two feet above the ground level on which pits are constructed to accommodate the decomposed or semi-decomposed waste. Earthworms eat all this waste and digest it. Their excreta or droppings are the manure we use. This is very good for plants as it has high nutrient value. INEP: On the whole the collection and disposal of waste is not a small task but a huge endeavour. But transportation of waste is a tough job as it has it has to be taken beyond the city. But your office is doing a good job of it. Ms. Kamath: Yes. We are just about managing. Regarding the transporting of waste, the Supreme Court suggests that multiple handling should be avoided. In other words avoid manual handling of waste at the point of collection while transferring it to a vehicle, again while transferring it to another vehicle. In the modern system of disposal, the residents hand over waste directly to the vehicle. From one vehicle to secondary containers the transfer is done by auto-tippers. This can also be done using machines called dumpers. Manual handling is avoided as much as possible. The MSW rules rightly express concern over the health of the corporation personnel who handle waste. PARISARA SOBAGU 167

174 Waste Biomedical waste generation Hospitals can cause disease! Hospital waste can be drastically reduced if the municipal waste is not mixed with it. But it is the flourishing racket of reuse of disposable syringes that is worrying the authorities says Mr. C.D.Kumar, Environmental Officer, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. INEP: You have been specially trained abroad regarding this subject. Tell us about this. Mr. C.D. Kumar: Four years after I joined the Pollution Control Board, I was sent to Germany under UNESCO s fellowship to study how to manage natural resources and eco-friendliness. It was a one-year post-graduate diploma course. Then I went to Calcutta University to do a postgraduate course on public health. Then the Pollution Control Board along with Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) began to implement the rules related to the environment in We realised a mere implementation of law and regulations cannot control pollution or protect the environment. We realised we needed to train people, be it individuals or stakeholders of lake development or entrepreneurs, to manage the environment. It was important to develop the skills among them, change their attitude and harness the available talent. The DANIDA came forward to help us open a training centre at the Pollution Control Board. INEP: What is biomedical waste? Mr. Kumar: The moment we say medical waste we assume that it is waste coming from hospitals and nursing homes. That is not what it is. The law is specific about medical waste. That is waste generated while a patient is being examined, treated or during the immunisation programmes or during other times and it has a diseaseproducing quality, which is known as medical waste. Hospitals and nursing homes also produce ordinary waste. Only if they have a disease-spreading quality about it, can be called medical waste. INEP: How important is medical waste? Mr. Kumar: It is very important. We had not paid much attention to it. People go to hospitals to get cured. But people are more street smart and good thinkers now. They realise they can also contract diseases from hospitals while they are getting cured. When we checked the manner in which the hospitals are functioning we realised that it was true. We were scared in the beginning. We thought people might stop going to hospitals. Because our investigation confirmed with evidence that hospitals were spreading diseases. Then we checked in detail. We found that the culprit was the mismanagement of hospital waste disposal. It was not disposed properly or in a scientific manner. This was the reason for the spread of diseases. 168 PARISARA SOBAGU

175 Waste concentration of the acid used, the duration of treatment, and the procedures to be adopted. Scientific handling of bio-medical waste INEP: What is the danger of throwing hospital waste in open fields? Mr. Kumar: The impact is disastrous. If this waste mixes with rainwater, it can cause water and air pollution. If the polluted,water reaches a tank or a river, it can reach human beings too and cause diseases. A carelessly thrown cigarette or beedi can cause a fire in hospital waste or some mischievous elements can wantonly set fire to it and this causes air pollution. Sometimes these dangerous fumes, if inhaled, can cause cancer because waste contains dangerous materials. Medical waste has gained significance and importance recently. We realised that medical waste was not only spoiling our health, it was also destroying the environment. INEP: Is it possible to process or treat medical waste? Mr. Kumar: It is certainly possible. There are several ways and means for doing it. There are specific laws, formed in There are specifications regarding the method to be used to dispose off medical waste. Some types of medical waste have to be burnt. Some of them should be treated with chemicals before disposal. The third type has to be buried in the earth. There are used syringes with needles in hospital waste. Not all our people wear footwear. If a syringe pierces a barefoot walker it can cause infection. These are good enough reasons that we should not throw hospital waste in an open field. It should be disposed of in the prescribed scientific manner. INEP: Is it possible to reduce the quantum of hospital waste? Mr. Kumar: It can be reduced but only a little of it. I don t say it is possible to reduce it on a large scale. For example, high-tech hospitals create huge hospital waste. The alternative is its proper disposal. Burning means not just making a heap of all the hospital waste and setting it on fire. Scientific burning involves the use of the incinerator. The law is specific about the size of the incinerator and the temperature at which waste has to be burned. The law is also specific about burying: the depth of the pit, the procedure to be followed after dumping the waste, the place of the burial of waste and so on. In case of disposal through chemical process, the law and the guidelines are specific about the Not all bio-medical waste is dangerous. Only 10-15% of it can cause problems. We should not allow this waste to get mixed with municipal waste. For example, there is this habit of people carrying fruits and tender coconuts and water when they visit a patient in hospital. We forget that doctors may have advised the patient against eating fruits. Some people come with so much food that they give an impression that they are on a picnic. Even a piece of idli or unused bread or a rotten fruit mix with the medical PARISARA SOBAGU 169

176 Waste waste can cause diseases. If these are separated, then 90 per cent of hospital waste can be eliminated. If the segregation of ordinary waste and hospital waste is done before it reaches the garbage collection point, the Needle shredder quantity of medical waste can be reduced. INEP: What are the methods adopted for the disposal of wastes? Are they different in different hospitals? Mr. Kumar: The basic methods are not different but the quantum of waste differs. Hi-tech hospitals produce more than a kg of waste per patient, whereas a taluk hospital or nursing home produces only half a kg of waste per person or less. Waste from big hospitals should be burnt in an incinerator. There is no space for the burial of hospital waste in cities. This can only be done in rural areas. The procedures for disposal are the same. INEP: At the moment what are the methods adopted for the disposal of medical waste? Is it safe from the view of public health? Mr. Kumar: The law is very clear from the health point of view. Disease-spreading waste should be treated chemically. It is used syringes that are playing a major role in causing AIDS and Hepatitis. In our country we use 420 crore syringes in a year. Syringes used while treating a patient are used again on another patient. This causes infection immediately. Chemical treatment of syringes is suggested in these cases, as it is not very expensive. If an incinerator is used then hospital waste can be burnt without treating it chemically. But it is difficult to have incinerators in all the hospitals because they are very expensive. Moreover, our Government does not encourage frequent use of incinerators because of the foul smell emanating from them and their potential to cause air pollution. It will be a true irony if we create pollution while trying to avoid one. That is why it is not being encouraged. That leaves us to opt for the burial method of disposal. Of the 420 crore syringes used a year, 300 crore syringes are being manufactured in India. The rest are imported. So, in the interest of our health and the nation s economy we feel that the earlier method of reusing the syringe (after proper sterilisation) is a way out. But the trend of going for a disposable syringe has become deep- rooted. The concept of reusable syringe has also been accepted. Unfortunately, the use of disposable syringe has become a huge racket. What is happening now is that people pick up the used disposable syringe repack it without properly treating it chemically or even without a simple sterilisation. This used disposable syringe has flooded the market. A study reveals that 40 per cent of disposable syringes are unsafe. The law says that the disposable syringe should be treated chemically immediately after use and should be broken so that it cannot be used again. But the irony is that people assume that a disposable syringe is very safe. They are not aware that they may get infected with HIV from these syringes. It is unfortunate that what people think is safe, is actually unsafe. A few government hospitals in some states have banned the use of disposable syringes. They are back to the use of glass or plastic syringes because these can be disinfected, chemically treated and used again. But the present position is such that if a patient is lying in 170 PARISARA SOBAGU

177 Waste bed and if you heat water to disinfect the syringe, the patient himself says he is ready to pay the price for a disposable syringe or rushes out to buy one. He forces the doctor to use a disposal syringe. Now the Government of India is thinking of buying auto-disabled syringes. These are already in use in immunisation programmes of children. These syringes once used cannot be loaded again as the piston doesn t come back after injecting, making it impossible to reuse it. This kind of auto-disabled syringes has to be used all over the country. This law has already been implemented. INEP: How is hospital waste disposed of in Bangalore? Mr. Kumar: In Bangalore there are a variety of hospitals, so they produce a variety of waste. There are hospitals, big and small, healthcare establishments, nursing homes, small clinics and diagnostic centres. The kind of waste from these also varies. It is not advisable to expect each hospital to dispose of waste individually. So we suggest a common treatment facility. About 100 hospitals can join together and dispose of waste scientifically in one place. We encourage such an endeavour. But in a place like Bangalore the government is not the only agency that is removing waste. It is done by private agencies too. So The common treatment facility is suitable for cities like Bangalore. entire medical waste of Gulbarga and the neighbouring Bidar district can be disposed of in one place. It is doing well. Such facilities help people and organisations who find it financially hard to remove hospital waste individually. INEP: What is the negative impact of illegal disposal of medical waste? Mr. Kumar: Instead of saying illegal disposal one can say no disposal. That would be an apt description. There is no illegal disposal because there is no profitable material in hospital waste. The only illegality is in the reuse of disposable syringes, IV sets and catheters without disinfecting them. With reference to waste we keep repeating the three R s -recycle, reuse, and reduce. With medical waste one is not sure of the expression `re-use, because one is sure of infection that will be caused from reuse. INEP: If we inform you about illegal use and transactions of medical waste will you take action? Mr. Kumar: Yes. Because it is our responsibility to scientifically treat it and dispose it. It is also the responsibility of the people who produce waste. If there is a specific complaint we will certainly take action. INEP has opened such a centre in Gulbarga so that the Segregated medical waste INEP: In instances where you have caught such people have you slapped a fine on them? Mr. Kumar: Yes, there are times when we levy a fine. That is because biomedical waste comes under the Environment Protection Act. If a person is violating this law he can be imprisoned for five years or he can be fined a lakh of rupees. These are very stringent laws. Violation of this rule is a criminal offence. If we find a hospital is not disposing of its waste properly we take action. We give a closure notice to the hospital that does not dispose waste properly. We have issued several such notices. PARISARA SOBAGU 171

178 Waste Household appliances & cyber waste Cyberspace too getting cluttered! In a country where we are just about managing to dispose of solid waste properly, this new waste is a burden. But proper disposal can yield profits, says Dr. Bakul Rao, Consultant, Environment Management Policy Research Centre. INEP: What is cyber waste? Dr. Bakula Rao: Any electronic gadget or equipment with electric connection is cyber equipment. Discarding it as garbage after we stop utilizing it is cyber waste. Ever since man discovered electricity about 100 years ago, we have been depending on it to use most of our equipment or gadgets. Cyber waste is not just discarded computers. Television, radio, tape recorder and any electronic equipment used with electricity will turn into cyber waste. Different countries have different names for it. Some say e-waste and others call it WEE waste, or waste from electric and electronic equipment. We call it cyber waste. INEP: What is its role? Dr. Rao: To the naked eye cyber waste appears to be causing no harm. Other types of waste through their chemical reaction hint at the pollution they cause through odour, change of colour, or fumes. Electronic and electric equipments do not harm the environment when they are in use. But when discarded they become more dangerous and hazardous than other solid wastes. It is not clear what the exact impact of cyber waste is on the environment. INEP: People say even a used or broken bulb can be hazardous? Dr. Rao: The mercury vapours or phosphorous used in a broken fluorescent tube can cause cancer. INEP: Why is there a delayed attention to cyber waste? Dr. Rao: We were not aware of the dangers of cyber waste. It was presumed that it was harmless because it was not apparently dangerous. Earlier there were hardly any brands of television. Now, there are several models of television sets. The tendency is to change the TV model every year or two. Our elders would retain a radio, or a fridge through their life. Now we may discard them after 10 years. The future generation may think of discarding them in two years. It is this attitude of ours that increases cyber waste. These are the days of mobile phones and computers. These become outdated after three months. The question of spare parts or repair does not arise as it is more expensive to get these repaired than buying a new model. People now have more money. This creates a tendency 172 PARISARA SOBAGU

179 Waste E-waste to possess the latest models as and when they arrive in the market. In a country where people are struggling to cope with solid waste they do not know what to do with this new waste. So far no action has been taken because there are no specific laws about cyber waste. But several teams are working on it. INEP: What are the components of e waste? Dr. Rao: There are two varieties. Metals and alloys form one category. Plastic, glass, and rubber form the other. The outer covers of TV sets, computers, fridges, mobile phones are mostly made of plastic. Wires and cables are protected by rubber. The printed circuit board is mostly made of epoxy. Electronic equipments have in them precious metals like gold, silver, platinum and copper. It is difficult to isolate them from the rest of the material. INEP: How to we reduce cyber waste? Dr. Rao: We have to go back to the old attitude of discarding electronic equipment only when it is totally useless. We should give the old equipment to others for use instead of discarding it as junk. INEP: Can e waste be recycled? Dr. Rao: Different countries dispose off e waste differently. Some do it in a scientific manner. Some illegally. I mentioned about precious metals in cyber waste. If the gold deposit in Kolar Gold Mines is five parts per million in a ton of soil, then we have more gold in one computer. People who are aware of this crudely remove gold, silver, copper, platinum, and extract them and discard the other parts. Since it is not done scientifically, this is considered an illegal operation. Nowadays metal extraction can be done without using acid. If gold extraction is done scientifically we do not have to dig more mines for it. Glass and plastic components can be recycled. Epoxy materials cannot be reused or recycled. They have to be chemically treated and disposed of as land filling material. At the moment there are no guidelines about their disposal. In some countries waste is directly disposed as landfill. Some extract precious metals and adopt methods to retrieve plastic and glass material. Following the above methods suits a country like ours. Instead of mining new places, we can recycle the available materials. INEP: How does cyber waste affect the environment? Dr. Rao: A direct discard of electronic appliances may not affect the environment. If people try to retrieve copper with the use of acid then the acid fumes may be a hazard. Mercury and arsenic are highly volatile substances. Their fumes can cause cancer when directly inhaled. Selenium and silicon may lay inert now but has a potential to harm in the long run. But a scientific disposal of cyber waste can prevent all damages. The IT industry produces cyber waste in large quantities. They can send it to authorised recycling agents or centres. The quantity of cyber waste at home is small so we discard it along with other dry PARISARA SOBAGU 173

180 Waste waste. We do not know how the ruddiwala disposes it off. Finding an authorised recycle agent is an ideal solution. We should not mix cyber waste with other solid waste. It harms workers who handle it at various stages. Until laws and guidelines are available it is better to hoard them in the house. INEP: Can you summarise the impact of cyber waste? Dr. Rao: The lead content in cyber waste can harm us. The lead can affect our nervous system by damaging the kidney. Mercury can affect our brain. If chromium gets into our food system it can damage our liver. INEP: How does the IT industry cope? Dr. Rao: The IT industry should repair and reuse its computers. If it is changing a computer every six months or a year, we call it the Point Source for cyber waste. They have to tackle the problem at the source. Some are doing it. They are donating old computers to schools for reuse. There is no follow-up of computers after they break down. The companies do not know where or how the schools dispose of old computers. They have to request the schools to return them to the IT companies who donated them. We have two authorised dealers of cyber waste. It is better to hand over cyber waste to them instead of disposing them unscientifically. 174 PARISARA SOBAGU

181 Others Others Environmental Laws Environmental Acts Parisara Sobagu inauguration: Speakers voice concern A Synoptic review of 50 programmes Feedback on Parisara Sobagu PARISARA SOBAGU 175

182 Others Environmental Laws Follow laws to protect your environment We have only one environment and we have to protect them if we want to survive. Laws became necessary as public has ignored the safety of environment, says Mr. C.D. Kumar, Senior Officer, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Bangalore. INEP: What is the responsibility of an individual in the protection of environment? Mr. C.D.Kumar: The Constitution says that it is the duty and responsibility of every individual to protect the environment. Beyond this, for a long time, there were no specific guidelines because pollution was not an issue then. There was pollution but it was manageable. Industrialisation and urbanisation have caused various types of pollution. Then people began to show concern about its harmful impact. The Centre thrust the responsibility of handling the pollution on the state governments. The state governments brought out a law saying everyone is responsible for pollution and share the responsibility to conserve and protect environment. the environment and it taught us a lesson. Then enforcement of law became a necessity. When the British ruled us, we had as early as 1860, the Indian Penal Code popularly known as IPC, which was considered the best set of laws on the land. IPC had fixed a fine of Rs.500/- and an imprisonment of six months for causing air pollution. Our constitution did not reject the IPC but retained the best portion of it. In 1986 an umbrella Act came with all the laws about pollution covered under it. It was very progressive with freedom to change and adopt new rules as and when necessary. As new pollutants occur in future, the Act has provision to include it under its umbrella. INEP: What does the law say about waste disposal? Mr. Kumar: There is no shortage of laws in our country! There are 3000 laws and about 300 of them are directly or indirectly connected with pollution and environment. About seven Acts and 16 to 18 subsections are directly related with environmental issues. Pollution has become a global menace. It was our selfish attitude of not caring about the impact of our actions on others, on plants and animals that brought about this problem. We neglected INEP: What does the law say about hospital waste? Mr. Kumar: It was a new discovery that hospitals were causing diseases and that this was through infection while treating patients. Enquiries revealed that hospitals were not disposing off waste properly. Reuse of syringes was causing serious damage to the health of people. Hospitals and nursing homes were not covered under any Act till 1996 as they were considered as social service. The law insists on proper disposal of hospital 176 PARISARA SOBAGU

183 Others waste: burial, burning through inclinators, or treating waste chemically. INEP: How do the government hospitals dispose off waste? Mr. Kumar: The law does not differentiate between private and government hospitals. Several government hospitals, like private ones, have to pool together and use Common Waste Facility to dispose hospital waste. INEP: Do private nursing homes need your permission to function? Mr. Kumar: Yes. Hospitals and nursing homes need a clearance certificate from us to operate. They should convince us about the steps they take to dispose waste and prevent pollution. The rules say hospital should be in silent zones. This is not possible in cities. Most of the hospitals are situated in main roads in cities like Bangalore due to shortage of space and for the sake of the convenience of patients. Mr. Kumar: Violation of any section of the Environmental Protection Act is punishable. Some violations are criminal offences. Any violation of these laws can attract a fine of a maximum of Rs. 2 lakh or an imprisonment of 5 years or both. INEP: Is there any book where we can get information about these laws? Mr. Kumar: Karnataka Pollution Control Board has a website giving all the information about the laws. There are also books available on this. Parisara Bhavana has a help desk in their office where all the information is available. INEP: Is Environment Protection Act is as important as other Acts? Mr. Kumar: It is very important because without environment we do not survive. If wastes are not disposed properly, the world will become one huge dust bin and we cannot survive in such conditions. INEP: What are the features of municipal solid waste? Mr. Kumar: According to the Municipal Act 1924, all the waste generated in the house was called as the municipal waste and it is the responsibility of the municipality to dispose of this waste. In earlier days a family of five was producing a maximum of ¾ kg of waste per day. Now this has increased to 3-4 kg per day. In America each individual produces 5kg waste per day. Fortunately we are still in the range of ½ to ¾ kg per individual per day. The law says that these wastes should be segregated as wet waste, dry waste and hazardous waste at the source, that is, at the home itself. Areas are fixed for landfill and composting. INEP: Is there anything worth mentioning about the Environmental Laws? Mr. Kumar: As science advances, the law also changes. Now, the mobile phones have come into existence. We have to learn how to dispose of unusable cell phones. We did not know how to handle e-waste or cyber waste. They come under hazardous waste category as this waste contains cadmium, nickel and other matter. So, a new law has been made for this purpose. Some laws in our country do not change for 100 years. The law on environment protection is a dynamic legislation with new amendments added once in six months. The law keeps changing to protect the interests of individuals and society. INEP: Has anyone been punished for violating these laws? PARISARA SOBAGU 177

184 Others Environmental Acts Act now to preserve environment There are enough laws to help people to safeguard the environment. Mr. T Mahesh, Environmental Management and Policy Research Institute (EMPRI), provides answers to some often-asked questions. INEP: Where was the need for laws to protect environment? Mr. Mahesh: The demands of people on natural resources increased all over the world. This brought pressure on the resources. We may have succeeded in getting what we wanted but in the process we have caused huge pollution. Pollution, in turn, caused diseases and controlling pollution became a necessity. Hence, the need for laws. INEP: What does the Constitution say? Mr. Mahesh: Section 51(a) (g) of the Constitution says that environmental protection is the fundamental duty of every citizen. Section 48(a) tells us how to go about it. and purify the water coming out of industries, sewage, and other places before letting it out to tanks. INEP: What does the Forest Protection Act say? Mr. Mahesh: It prevents using forests for non-forest purposes. INEP: What does the Environment Protection Act of 1986 say? Mr. Mahesh: It is a comprehensive Act covering all aspects of pollution, and the steps to be taken to prevent the pollution. This Act has the provision to adopt new laws that become necessary in future to treat new pollutants. INEP: Does the law cover all aspects? Mr. Mahesh: The Law covers water, air, and soil pollution. INEP: What does it say about air pollution? Mr. Mahesh: The law came in The emphasis is on preventing air pollution caused by industries. INEP: What about water pollution? Mr. Mahesh: The Water Protection and Prevention Act came in It stipulates guidelines about how to treat INEP: What about mining? Mr. Mahesh: The Government of India brought the Ore Protection and Development Act 1988 to regulate mining. It has been implemented by the Indian Bureau of Mines. It will also take care of mining in forests as it comes under the use of forest area for non-forest purposes. It also looks after the solid wastes that are produced. INEP: What is the penalty if the law is violated? Mr. Mahesh: It depends upon the law that is violated and 178 PARISARA SOBAGU

185 Others the department it comes under. It is the responsibility of the department to fix the penalty. INEP: Is there a body to regulate all the laws? Mr. Mahesh: Each law mentions the name of the agency or the organisation, which is responsible to implement them, because there are several laws coming under several departments. But the Pollution Control Board has more responsibility to implement more laws as it covers most kinds of pollution. It is also the implementing agency to guide all departments to enforce the laws. INEP: Say there is hospital waste. Is it the responsibility of the health department or the Pollution Control Board? Mr. Mahesh: It comes under the Pollution Control Board to ensure whether the waste is disposed properly and take action if not properly disposed. INEP: Is there a law to prevent air pollution? Mr. Mahesh: There is Motor Vehicles Act 1986 dealing with pollution from motor vehicles. It gives guidelines about noise and air pollution. INEP: Which body regulates industrial pollution? Mr. Mahesh: It is the State Pollution Control Board which oversees various laws related to pollution from industries. This covers air, water, and soil pollution. INEP: Is there a law about pollution in coastal regions? Mr. Mahesh: There is a Coastal Zone Protection Act of 1991 related to conservation and management of coastal environment. This prohibits certain activities in coastal regions. People should be aware of environmental laws, its range, the parent body it comes under and the department that handles it, because the Constitution has made environment protection and pollution control the basic duty and responsibility of every citizen. PARISARA SOBAGU 179

186 Others Parisara Sobagu inauguration: Speakers voice concern Protect or perish, say leaders At the function held to inaugurate Parisara Sobagu, the radio programmes organized by Indo-Norwegian Environment Programme, speakers emphasized the need to create awareness among students about our environment. There is a need to learn about how to live in this environment and let others live. There is a need to get familiar with the basic infrastructure and schemes initiated by the government to protect the environment. Voluntary organisations and public should join hands and help the government to implement its programmes, said Mr.Amaregowda Patil Byapur, Minister for Sugar, Government of Karnataka, while inaugurating INEP s radio talk show programme, Parisara Sobagu. children should be made aware of rainwater harvesting methods, he said. People do not respond adequately to many vital schemes initiated by the government. It is necessary that children from rural areas are trained to respond to these schemes. Only then can we tide over the present day crisis caused by the destruction of the environment, said Mr. Byapur. It is significant that INEP is educating school children about the environment. Children are the pillars of the future and through them schemes and projects about environment protection can be made successful. I congratulate INEP for this approach because children who are familiar with our environment are likely to become better citizens, he added. Speaking about the role of trees in releasing oxygen and nitrogen into the atmosphere, Mr. Byapur cautioned rural citizens that removing trees from fields would lead to disaster. Urbanites get drinking water from the rivers. There is a shortage of drinking water in rural areas. There is a need to conserve rainwater in rural areas too. School Mr. Sadashivaiah, Secretary (Ecology & Environment), the Department of Forest Environment and Ecology, released the programme list of the National Green Corps (NGC) and also the list of the INEP programmes that would be broadcast over Akashwani, Vividh Bharathi. Speaking about the damage caused by effluents, Mr. Byapur said, The days when we sat back and let the crisis grow, assuming that somehow nature itself would sort out its crisis, are long over. Drastic remedial actions are necessary. Karnataka Power Corporation used to dump fly ash around its thermal plant in Raichur, where coal is used to generate power. It is heartening that Mr. Sadashivaiah held a 3-day programme, enlightening the 180 PARISARA SOBAGU

187 Others public about recycling fly ash. Similarly the department has shown that bricks and tiles can be made out of iron ore waste. It proves that in nature there is nothing that can be called waste. While informing the audience that eco clubs had been formed in 4500 schools in Karnataka, Mr. Sadashivaiah said, We are witnessing the destruction caused by pollution and its impact on our health and on nature s resources like water and air. A stroll in the urban areas indicates the level of pollution. Nature s resources are being depleted. So far, we have not been caring for and protecting our environment. Thus, it feels good that the authorities concerned our government, the central government, governments of all countries all over the world -- are taking measures to protect the environment. An important development this year is the inclusion of college students in the National Green Brigade. Hitherto, the Green Brigade was limited to the students of primary and secondary schools. Now the government has approved the inclusion of the college students and released the funds for it, informed Mr.Sadashivaiah. At the inaugural function, Mr. N Bhumananda Maane, Chairman, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, released Jaiveeka Indhana, a newsletter of the Environment Information System (ENVIS). We felt it apt that INEP worked on the same premises as ours, the Parisara Bhavan, because we have the same motive: Environment and its protection. now explained even through cartoons. I am glad that each episode of Parisara Sobagu has a quiz on the issues discussed in that episode. I sincerely hope that this will encourage the audience to participate with more involvement and passion. Mr. K.M. Shivakumar, Principal Secretary, the Department of Forest, Environment and Ecology, said, Karnataka has for long been actively involved, directly and indirectly, in environmental issues. This radio programme will surely inspire and goad students from every nook and corner of the state to participate. Prof. Surappa, Hon. Secretary, Karnataka State Council for Science and Technical Education, said, As professor at the Indian Institute of Science, I have to say that environmental science has really grown over the years. There was hardly anything to tell students on environment, say, about 2 3 decades ago. Environmental pollution has affected our water, air and food. It is our negligence that has caused all this. We have to begin in a small way by making school children take an oath that they will use less plastic bags and limit the use of paper to the minimum. Environmental consciousness should be developed right at the school level. It was announced at he function that each episode of Parisara Sobagu would last 55 minutes and would be broadcast over Akashwani s FM channel Vividh Bharathi, every Saturday at 4 pm. Speaking about the many avenues of communication available to present-day students, Mr. Abhay Prakash, Development Commissioner, said, Children today are more concerned about the environment because they are better informed than us. Environmental issues are School children, environmentalists, Mr. Mohan Chakravarthy, Programme Co-ordinator, INEP, Mr. Seshagiri Kashyap, Programme Manager, INEP, Ms. Bakul Rao, and the other staff of INEP were present at the inauguration. PARISARA SOBAGU 181

188 Others A Synoptic review of 50 programmes 50 radio talks, 50-plus solutions Parisara Sobagu brought to light a variety of topics in 50 weekly programmes. The amount of information that came out during the radio shows was mindboggling. With the passionate involvement of experts, the content was made simple and practical, say Dr. Bakul Rao and Mr. Seshagiri Kashyap. INEP: You have heard the 50 programmes on environment organised by INEP. How do you feel about them? Mr. Seshagiri: I would first like to comment on the selection of topics for discussion. School text-books carry most of these topics. But we wanted the discussions in the programmes to be topics that formed the non-textual course material. We designed the programme in the form of questions asked by school children, so that the answers could be given by experts in the field. It is to the credit of experts that they shared their vast knowledge in a simple yet lucid manner. The thrust was on water, air, and soil, and their importance, their previous status and the present one due to pollution. INEP: Could you give us a background about Parisara Sobagu? Dr. Bakul Rao: We studied the text books of various schools and prepared questions in the manner a student would ask. We sent the questions to the experts. They prepared the answers. They were so knowledgeable that they gave more information than was asked for. Apart from students, other listeners too found the programmes interesting and informative. We believe it was the simple words, style and lucid manner that contributed to the popularity of the programme. Actor and environmentalist Suresh Heblikar introduced the theme of environment on Parisara Sobagu. He did it well in his inimitable style. Then we discussed water, its chemical composition, how we depend on it and whether we can do without water. Then we discussed the source of water, what the rain water harvesting was all about, and how it could be done in cities and rural areas. Dr. Shivakumar explained how to store and use rain water at residences in urban areas while Dr. Boregowda explained how to conserve water and talked about rain harvesting in rural areas. We discussed the amount of water that is available in the world, the quantity of water that is drinkable, the quantity of sea water, and the quantity that is frozen in ice glaciers. This information is available in text books but they do not give many details about the conservation of water, the distance from which we have to bring water, 182 PARISARA SOBAGU

189 Others the expenditure, and the expenses the consumer has to bear. People in urban areas use pure, drinking water to wash vehicles and for gardening. Hence we emphasised the importance of conserving water, be it rain water or water in watershed regions. We gave a detailed report on the treatment and purification of water right from the beginning of the journey, from the source of water to its journey s end, the tap in the house. Mr. Guruprasad gave a detailed account of water borne diseases. The danger of unsafe practices in agriculture that affect ground water was discussed by our expert Dr. Lokesh. Mr. Singh gave details about pollution through sewage water, how to process this polluted water and how to prevent pollution from it. He also pointed out that it was easy to treat the pollution caused by chemical fertilisers if it was in one place. Mr. Venugopal and Ms. Sujala told us how to treat the pollution caused by pesticides sprayed in the air. Mr. Seshagiri: We know that civilizations began on river banks. Bangalore has grown enormously but it doesn t have a river in or around it. We have to draw water from the river Cauvery, about 100 km away. But the founders of Bangalore had great vision. Realising that the city was blessed with natural valleys they utilised them well by creating a large number of tanks and lakes in the city. The rain water flowing in the valley was stored in these tanks. They managed to have even drinking water in these tanks. As population and its activities increased, these tanks disappeared and the ground water level reduced alarmingly. The restoration of the tanks became crucial. We realised that only tanks could help in the preservation of bio-diversity. Mr. Umesh, Ms. Vanashree Vipin Singh, and Mr. Balgangadhar talked about lakes, their restoration, their maintenance, and related topics. Mr. Venkataraju explained the need for maintenance of lakes after restoration. Western Ghats Dr. Bakul Rao: The methods of treatment of effluents depend upon the types of effluents that come out of industries. We had ten programmes on the different types of treatment of sewage and effluents. After water, we discussed earth and then the soil, the latter s purity, erosion and importance in the environment. PARISARA SOBAGU 183

190 Others Our office is flooded with letters about the quality of the programme, the style of presentation, the selection of topics and other things. Mr. Seshagiri: We are indebted to a government-sponsored programme called Jala samvardhane, a programme on lakes and their development, water resources, and the role of people in the maintenance of lakes. We used a lot of details from this programme and adopted them to our programme. Jog Falls: The radio talks were meant to educate the listeners on Karnataka s natural resources Mr. Seshagiri: It takes several thousand years for the formation of the top layer of the soil which has the nutrition to make the top soil fertile. We had several programmes on the importance of this top four to five inches of soil. We took up the topic of bio-diversity. Dr. Sathyanarayana Bhat gave a very detailed programme which was well received. Dr. Kirnaul described the role of plants. The variety in plants was described by Dr. Nagaraj. Dr. Deviah gave details about forestry, the role of firewood, the medicinal value of forest produce and the role of forests in ecology. Dr. Chandrashekar and Dr. Dev Kumar, respectively, gave all the details about the importance of organic pesticides and organic farming. The earthworm may look small and ordinary but it is the most natural tiller of the soil and the producer of purest manure. Dr. Radha Kaalle gave all the details that were needed about vermicompost. An important aspect of this programme was that it was heard by the general public even though the target audience was school children. Even elders enjoyed the programme. But they did not have any one to turn to to get clarification about their doubts on the topics or the methods to be adopted. They told us through telephone and letters that Parisara Sobagu gave them all the information they always wanted to know. That was very heartening. Like bio-diversity, we have aqua-diversity. Dr. Krishna Rao provided all the details about fish and aquatic plants. Dr. M.G.Govindiah gave an account of the fascinating life of aquatic animals and plants that thrive on sweet water and salt water. Dr. Bakul Rao: The Western Ghats in Karnataka are considered as the 18 th most bio-diverse hot spot in the world. This reason apart, the fact that we get all the water from these regions inspired us to have an exclusive programme on Western Ghats and their bio-diversity. We had fascinating details about the birds and bees and their vital role in pollination from Dr. Krishnamurthy. We had assumed that merely planting a tree was good enough to increase bio-diversity. But our experts enlightened us about how each plant, creature, earth, 184 PARISARA SOBAGU

191 Others and water are interlinked and that one can not survive without the other. Several programmes emphasised this aspect of the inter linking. We did not leave out any aspect of pollution including wastes from hospitals and cyber waste. Mr. Seshagiri: As the comfort levels in urban life increased, our production of waste has also increased. Mr. Ram Kumar and Mrs. Shambhavi Kamath gave a detailed account of what to throw, and what not to throw in public places and the role of re-using and recycling and our responsibility in conservation. The menace of cyber waste was discussed by Dr. Bakula Rao herself. Dr.Bakul Rao: Dr. Bhat discussed in detail the importance of our health and its impact on the environment. Mr. Seshagiri: Hydroelectricity is produced from water. If the quantity of water reduces, then the production of power also reduces. Dr. Manamel Aloor explained the use of unconventional sources of energy like solar and wind. Mr. Gurushreepad provided us the details about the need for conserving energy. Dr. Bakul Rao: Mr. Ramakrishna and Prof. C.R.Pradeep did a beautiful job of discussing sustainable development, its nature and its role. Dr. Bakul Rao: Dr. Chanakya gave a beautiful description of how waste could be converted into biogas and its importance in these days of power shortage. Mr. Seshagiri: He also gave a lucid description of waste produced inside the house and how it could be reused and recycled. Mr. Nandakumar gave us details about industrial effluents, how to treat them, and the rules and regulations to be followed regarding industrial pollution. Dr. Bakul Rao: We have to thank Mr. C.D. Kumar for giving us the details about the hazards of hospital waste. Air pollution, about which we hear so much these days, was discussed by Mr. Balgangadhar. Noise pollution followed air pollution. Dr. Madhuri Gore gave us the details about noise pollution and its impact and prevention. Mr.Seshagiri: Noise pollution inside the house is not a topic discussed often. Dr. T. Venkatesh told us more of how severe this problem is and explained how we could reduce this menace. Mr. Seshagiri: Mr. Ramkrishna also gave breathtaking details about the ozone layer and the harm it can cause if it is depleted. We had two programmes on the legal aspects of all types of pollution with Mr.Mahesh and Mr. C T Kumar. The response to the fifty programmes broadcast every Saturday was so good that the programme was rebroadcast on Tuesdays and Fridays. INEP is converting the programme into textual form and is making it available on its website. INEP: INEP thanks the experts sincerely for their concern and involvement. (The INEP team consisted of Dr. Bakul Rao, Mr. Seshagiri Kashyap, Mr. Mohan Chakravarthy, Ms. Lalitha, Ms. Manjula and Mr. Narasimha Murthy). PARISARA SOBAGU 185

192 Others Feedback on Parisara Sobagu Students spread awareness INEP s series of radio talks on ecology was aimed at students. This student-centric programme concerning ecology evoked an overwhelming response from students. They have demonstrated that awareness and implementation must go hand in hand for best results. Comperes Lalitha Sathyamurthy and Manjula spoke to students of several schools. The following are the remarks made by some students of Aadi Girls High School We liked the manner in which Dr. Neginhal and Dr. Vidya Swami conducted the programme on forestry. Their style and language were simple and effective. Farmers, children and other citizens learnt to plant saplings and to take care of them. A significant fact that emerged from the talks was that trees could stop or reduce sound pollution. After listening to this programme we planted mango and Ashoka trees in our schools. We heard this programme Parisara Sobagu on the Vividh Bharathi after a friend informed us about it. I have been listening to that programme regularly since then. Now, I ve planted trees around my house and seeing me do so my neighbours too planted some. I went to a fair and talked to my relatives about Parisara Sobagu programme. They were very excited. My relatives, parents and I went to Magadi taluk branch of the Department of Forests and brought home a few saplings which we planted in our backyard. It was not Vanamahotsava Day but we imagined it to be so and enjoyed planting the saplings! Vanamahotsava starts from July 1. We keep reminding our friends about it. Now everyone is waiting for it to arrive so that we can plant trees and other saplings. Feedback from students of Bangalore Higher Secondary School, Indian Institute of Science: When I heard that chlorofluorocarbons, which cause the depletion of the Ozone layer in the atmosphere, are used in body sprays and other spray cans, I stopped using these sprays. In one of the programmes Mr. Ramakrishna spoke about the importance of Ozone layer. It was clear that in the pursuit of pleasure we humans are causing the depletion of Ozone. We felt sad about it. We heard that it was the chemicals that were depleting Ozone. Then we decided to use more organic manure for farming. We have been using repellent sprays to get rid of mosquitoes. After hearing about the harm such sprays cause, and that CFCs are used in them, we have stopped using mosquito sprays in our house. Feedback from students of Government Girls High School, Malleswaram, Bangalore: Now I realise that it is possible to live without food for 186 PARISARA SOBAGU

193 Others harvesting system in school. Since then there has been no shortage of water in our school. After seeing this, other children also began adopting this method in their homes. Shalini K Kumar (Teacher): I had assumed that bore well water was pure and safe. After listening to the programme on safe drinking water, I learnt that even this water had to be sent to a lab for testing. I also learnt that we may get water-borne diseases if polluted water was not properly treated. I am grateful to Mr. Guruprasad for having given this information. Students of Government Girls High School, Malleswaram, at the AIR recording studio one or two days but not without water for one or two days. We know how difficult it is to get water nowadays. Rain water harvesting or any other method of conservation of water has become a necessity. Six months ago the BWSSB did not supply water to our house. It was a very tough week for us. It was then that we realised the value of water. My friend heard this programme and taught us to conserve water. It was of great help and our effort was very satisfying. My family felt happy too. Many problems have now been reduced. Our electricity bill has become less. Water bill has been reduced. Water in our house was never so pure. Rainwater is the purest water, I now realise it. Drinking rainwater does not cause any diseases. After listening to the programme on rainwater harvesting, I allowed the rain water on the roof of my house to flow for sometime, so that it washed away all the dust and other impurities along with it. Then we stored the water in our tank and used it for a long time. I felt an immense satisfaction. First I adopted this method of rain water harvesting in our home. We faced water shortage in our school toilet. With the permission of our Principal we set up a rainwater Dr. T. Chanakya gave a beautiful description as to how we could reuse and recycle our household wastes. Until then we used to throw household plastics, medicine wrappers, paper and other wastes wherever we felt like. After hearing this programme on Parisara Sobagu we have been separating wet waste from dry waste in a plastic bag. Wet waste is being used as manure for our plants at home. I didn t have much information about the environment. After listening to this programme I am much betterinformed. Especially after Dr. P. K. Shetty s programme, I realized how harmful pesticides were for the soil. I felt sad because the earth which provides us food, shelter, and so much more is being tortured with chemical pesticides. My family is an agricultural family, so I wanted information about pesticides. Then I heard on Parisara Sobagu that pesticides should be used in small proportions and in a controlled manner. We have to use more of organic manure. Only then can we reduce pollution in the environment. Ms. Vijayalakshmi (Teacher): This programme has had a profound impact on me. Now I realize there are topics beyond the text books that are very useful to our children. PARISARA SOBAGU 187

194 Others Ms. Lalitha (Compere): It is so heartening that children are implementing what they heard on the radio and putting it to such good use! Ms. Manjula (Compere): Yes. Now we realize how important it is to save the environment. And they have learnt it at such a young age, which is a very good development. Mr. Ashley Mendonza, Mr. Kaushik N Kanajur, Mr. Narasimha Murthy and others were involved in INEP s Parisian Sobagu programme. It was Mr. Narasimha Murthy who brought the experts to our office for this programme. Mr. Narasimha Murthy, how have you managed to bring in these experts? Mr. Narasimha Murthy: The INEP secretariat had selected the topics and the experts. Some experts are scholars, scientists and professors. At times it was difficult to arrive at a convenient time that was suitable to all. But all the effort was worth it as the programme went off well and was well received. Ms.Manjula: Mr. Kaushik, you have been teaching children in eco clubs programmes. What is the difference between that and Parisara Sobagu? Mr. Kaushik: There is a lot of difference. We have around 4800 eco-clubs and it was difficult going to each ecoclub school to create environment awareness. This radio programme is an effective means to sensitize students on environmental issues. We gave information to all the schools regarding this programme and the response was very good. The radio station and our office received several letters and very good response. Vividh Bharathi had done a good job in giving information about environment. On behalf of the INEP, eco-clubs, the students, we thank the Vividh Bharathi for this programme. Ms.Manjula: Mr. Ashley, what is your experience? Mr. Ashley: Children are usually very receptive and absorb information given to them. They were curious and wanted to learn more. It is easy to guide students from the urban areas. We can ask them to go to the library or to the Internet for more information. But most of the children from the villages have not heard about the Internet and have not seen a computer. For them this radio programme was of immense help. One important point is that this programme is not only for students but also for farmers, urban people, teachers and other people and many of them have benefited from this programme. Akashwani too co-operated with us, and we offer our sincere thanks to them. Ms.Manjula: Several thousand people have heard this programme and have written to us. Some letters have been received at the INEP office. Ms. Manjula and Ms. Lalitha: Akashwani and INEP thank all the experts who participated in 52 programmes, sharing their knowledge, and putting it across so simply so that students and people could understand them. Comperes Ms. Lalitha and Ms. Manjula 188 PARISARA SOBAGU