What if 10%

What if 10%......

This Sunday, I got up so early to prepare myself for a presentation on scope and opportunities in agriculture in one of the leading colleges in Mangalore. While brushing random thoughts flowing in my mind and some of the numbers have blown my mind. According to worldometers, the present world population is about 7.7 billion and currently growing at a rate of 1.08% per year. The current average population increase is estimated at 82 million people per year. One percent of India is about 1.36 crores. By the time I finish my writing 1600 people will be added. About 5.2 billion people use cell phones and 4.1 people use tooth brushes. Every year 3.5 billion tooth brushes are sold. On an average, in our lifetime we use 156 brushes, 656 bars of soap, 500-600 shaving blades the count goes on. Think of plastic bags, sanitary napkins, latex rubbers, balloons, straws, ear buds, chocolate covers, plastic cups, pens, shampoo covers, pouches of areca based chewing items, aluminium foils, food covers, water bottles..and so on

Without doing much research on this data, even the rough estimates horrify me. Even if you say 10% of world population disposes on a single day it is 77 crores of above said units that gets into the environment. Some countries have strict policies in place and recycle 30-40% of them. Can rest be recycled by the nature? It is not that we do not have solutions for all the above said problems. We have plentiful options. We need to adopt them gracefully..just to save the nature for future generations.

Globally there are about 10000+ universities. There are 789 universities with 37443 colleges in India (UGC 2017). About 11443 stand alone institutions are there. Around 10345 engineering colleges and 69 agriculture universities imparting research based teaching at the university level. Lot of science is already known. Enough knowledge is already available which are enough for the mankind. There must be mismatch in the purpose of research and the requirement. Either we are doing research for livelihood or re-inventing the wheels. I have seen in many conferences, everyone will give a call; but in the absence of takers. Okay...no blame game. Here are my suggestions that we can start doing research and come out with technically and economically feasible solutions.

•   Wooden/paper made
• o   Ear buds,
• o   Tooth brush,
• o   Shaving blade (of course the handle)
• Bio-degradable
• o   Straws
• o   Sachets (for areca, chocolates, soaps, shampoo etc)
• o   Bottles
• o   Biscuit covers
•  RFID tags for animals for knowing its movement
• Emission reducing technologies for vehicles (Apart from electric cars, can we develop some mechanism to reduce emission)
• Aerosol coagulants
• Black box for boats: In the lines of flights, so that we can precisely identify the location of the boat beyond 12 nautical miles. Satellite phones are available. I am referring to cost-effective and improved models.
• Plastic shredders: It can be employed in all offices, apartments etc.
• Magnetic bars under all LMV to collect nails and other metal pieces on the roads
• Solar water purifying pouches
• Scientific processing of night soil
• App for hiring agriculture tools and implements
• Car start button linked with seat belt
• Bike start button linked with helmet
• Coffee and tea tablets (It will save lot of energy and reduce the demand on production)
• Customised fertilizer dispensers: (Like in the lines of computerized colour making machines, based on the requirements after soil analysis, we should be able to receive the composition)

And many more.... issues that are bothering our daily life. Researchers must able to identify the gaps and come out with tangible solutions. Definitely, there is huge money in it. Make profit-by giving profit. Interested can revert back to me with some more homework.

Best of luck.

Food for thought after a flood

Food for thought after a FLOOD

Flood affected area near Polali, Mangalore, India

We need to learn from the history; otherwise we will become part of it. I used to read about hurricanes and floods. Now, I am experiencing them. The time gap between floods is decreasing and the intensity of flood is increasing. Floods are not new to the earth; but the recent floods are clearly man-made floods. Earlier, there used to be waterways and small rivulets that use to drain the water to valley or river. Catchments, hill slopes and other grass lands used to hold the water which used to seep into the ground and recharge the groundwater. Increasing human habitation in all possible areas, loss of trees and grass, unscientific developmental activities, failing to understand the nature, increased production of green house gases making the oceans warm and creates new currents and depression at different parts of the world. This relocates the precipitation and creates floods and drought in newer places. People start looking at the governments to help. Good hearted people are in large numbers. They come and give compensations, foods and other essential materials. Few days later, people will go back to their places from rehabilitation centres start building new life...people will become busy in serials, cinema..politics...till the other calamity come to their door step.

Flood affected family at Honnavar (Photo cutesy: Dr M T Laksmipathi )

Though Governments have roles in mitigating the flood by constructing good roads, proper infrastructure, strong policy framework, effective enforcement of law etc. Government is also one of the stakeholders. The responsibility lies on every citizen on the earth and each one of us can play a role in mitigating natural calamities. In spite of warning of bad weather conditions, people refuse relocate from coastal areas and hilly areas. They don’t insure their crops and livestock’s. Poor working capital, small land holding makes them to take risk and live with vulnerable situations.

It is not just number...

According to surveys, India ranked the third highest in the world regarding the number of significant disasters with 18 such events in one year. In Karnataka, India due to recent floods about 103 blocks of 22 districts are affected. The total human death toll is 76, around 10 people are missing; livestock loss is about 996, 6.9 lakh hectares of crop loss and 75317 houses are damaged due to rains. For some, it might just look like number and economics. They compare with 2004 floods and say, the losses are less. But there is a huge message for everyone. If we ignore it, nature also ignores us.

Next year there will be severe drought

            The marine fish production may go up in India during next year because of the excess nutrient deposition that drained into the sea due heavy flooding. But it may not be true for freshwater aquatic resources. Huge gush of water with heavy silt disrupted the ecosystem of many ponds and reservoirs. It takes 4-5 years to regain their normal productivity status. But food grain production will go down by 30-40%. Apart from 6.9 lakh agriculture land in thousands of hectares the top productive soil is eroded and it might take 3-4 decades to develop the required organic carbon (OC) in the soil. There is no soil and green to hold the moisture. It might delay the pollination which will affect the productivity, new pests and disease for both plants and humans may arise. Thousands of people in the flood affected area have to recover from mental agony and build their new life. Because of this shortage of production, the prices of essential goods may go up. This will cause severe social disparity and leads to further more complexes. Many youngsters will migrate to cities and make the cities some more vulnerable.  

Here are the suggestions

•   Research institutes, industries and other academic institutions must come out with cottage industries with complete buy-back system to promote employment and resource use efficiency. Money should circulate among the community.
•        Better micro-financing programs
•        Cancel all schemes on agriculture and buy back their produce by giving 15% profit on cost of production
•      Promote alternative livelihood activities. Needless to say with buy back policy
•      Re-greening programs
•     The people who refused to vacate the location even after warning signals, they have to give an affidavit that they are responsible for their lives.
•      Don’t waste food, no luxury programs..simple living for next 700 days
•     Under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), private and public companies must adopt villages
•      Clean the waterways
•      Vote for the right people
•      Use energy efficient gadgets
•      Speak up with community
•      Keep yourself informed about government schemes, initiatives, laws
•      Respect the law of the nature and the Governments
•      Pray god to make you responsible

Gems of Indian Fisheries: Dr PSBR James

Dr PSBR James in the centre in one of conferences organized by Dr Y Basavaraju in 2001. Dr Grahm C Miar, Dr Lakra, Dr Jayaraj, Dr Poojary, Mr Thippeswamy, Mr Yaragal, Dr Vasudevappa and many are seen

It is unfortunate for me to write again in the same lines of junior James. When I was attending the classes of Dr Mohan Joseph, Dr Shantha Joseph, Dr Radhakrishna, Dr Jayabalan, Dr Chandra Mohan and Dr S M Shivaprakash...many times they used to refer Dr PSBR James. I just remembered this name only for long initials. In the first year of degree program only, I became very close to his son Dr Vijay Anand. He taught us painting, mime, collage, dumb charades etc. I was a great follower of Dr Vijay Anand. Later, destiny of life separated us physically but we were in touch. In 2001, Dr Y Basvaraju organized international conference at Bangalore. I started interacting with sir. In the year 2005 Dr C Vasudevappa and team was organizing 7^th Indian Fisheries Forum at Bangalore. To assist them I was called on to Bangalore from Mandya. This is the time I started meeting Dr PSBR James very often. Since I was young, I was asked to escort him. During a long journey in Bangalore traffic 99% of the journey he used to speak. I just used to nod and say yes to all. Initially, I thought he was a Keralite. But I came to know that they were from Andhra Pradesh. At times, I used to speak to him in Telugu. Many a times, I used to gather my strength and argue on some of the issues. But he used to asked me refer his own books, papers published 20 years back. In any conference, sir was the first person to ask question...they used to be lengthy..but no one had guts to stop in the middle. Twice, I interrupted him and asked the microphone. He was furious about my act. Seniors intervened and calmed the situation.

               In the year 2009, sir called me over phone and asked me to see him at his residence. I went there. Sir gave me all his books which were enough to make a small library. All were his personal collections. They were transported to Main Research Station, Hebbal. They are nicely arranged along with the books donated by Dr KV Deveraj.

               Once, Dr Vijay Anand tried to introduce me to his dad and said that Shivakumar is very active naana. Sir said, I know this boy...quite active.. that’s why he is with you. I have written many times that “Genes never cheat”. Dr Vijay Anand also intelligent like his dad made his indelible mark wherever he has worked. I cannot complete this story logically. I loved both the Gems. Dr PSBR Gems worth keeping on the fisheries crown.  

Dreams Seller Dr James David in my eyes...

Dr Shivakumar Magada

Dr James David, M.F.Sc., Ph.D. (       -2019) one of the bright alumnus of the College of Fisheries, Mangalore.

He completed his degree in the year 1982 and Masters in the year 1987 and worked on “Effect of Fertilizing Fish Ponds with Poultry Manure in Split Doses” under the guidance of Dr T J Verghese. He was pursuing PhD at UAS, Bangalore under the guidance of my friend Dr Mahadevaiah in the Department of Agriculture Economics. During this time, he used to meet me very often at UAS, Bangalore and discussed many things, anything but science.

He was Graduate Assistant and an Instructor in the late 1980s. Later he moved to private sector worked all over the country. He was very passionate about science, research, trekking, reading, travelling and anything and everything. He was the person who had pets like python and crocodiles at college. He used to like my drawings in the taxonomy classes but charge me for wrong doings. The strongest words that he used to scold was “A Joker..”. His class on “Rampani-a shore net” operation at Shashihitlu beach was one of the events that I remember like a cinema. In a field, he was psychologist, sociologist, an engineer, curator, scientist, an artiste and ultimately a dream seller.

Dr A E Eknath and family with Dr James: See the Joyfullness

Thirty years before the release of a movie “Life of Pie”..he explained us about the emotions of animals. He said, we only see our emotions in the animal’s eyes. When I was watching this movie, I recalled his statements three decades ago. The pond in front of the college, there used to be an adult crocodile. He used to get inside a pond to feed it. He used to play with it. On one Sunday myself, sanju and vinay informed the James that the crocodile was making lot of noise. He said smilingly...it is its breeding season man..let’s find him a partner. But next day, it was escaped and went to the valley along the rail track in the campus. We all went and brought it back. But Dr James suggested us to leave it in the Kadri Park where the zoo was at that time (Now shifted to Pilikula)

He was the first one to come to college and last to go. Most of the time, he used to be in the library. Suppose, he gets some doubt in the night, he used to get up and go to lab. Of course, most of the fishcos were nocturnal those days. I was fortunate enough to listen to his lectures, go trekking and walking with him. At first no one used like him...but once you know about him, you cannot forget him for a lifetime. That was the magnetism of his personality where one used to be impressed with his knowledge on anything he speaks. He used to keeps the things at little low profile when it comes to family details. Three years back, I met him at Bangalore and asked him to take care of his health. He said so convincingly that he was not afraid of death. Yes, of course..he delayed it by his strong optimism. Consciously, I have chosen his optimism in my life. Yes..James continues to live in our hearts..and actions.

My classmate Mr M R Ramesh with Dr James David

Boban Verghese and Dinesh K N with James 

Global Warming-the ignored truth

"Global warming will not burn you; but it will drown you in waters-Magada"

“You can escape the responsibilities; but you can’t escape the consequences for escaping the responsibility”

Life on earth appeared as early as 4.28 billion years ago, soon after formation of the ocean, about 4.41 billion years ago, and not long after the earth's formation 4.54 billion years ago. Presently the estimated total number of species on earth is about 8.7 million, the most precise calculation ever offered with 6.5 million species on land and 2.2 million in oceans. But a single species Homo sepian is busy in exhausting all resources and can alter the entire process on the earth. All life forms on the earth need sun’s energy to continue their life. When the earth receives the sun’s radiation and some of the radiation reflected back to the atmosphere in the form of infra red radiation. Some of the IR radiation is trapped which keeps the atmosphere relatively constant range of temperature.

Why it is warming now?

Earth’s ecological system that is atmosphere is so thin that people are capable of changing its composition. Though there is a progressive improvement in science and technology in last two centuries, its growth is phenomenal and faster during last three decades. Population explosion coupled with technological advancements changing the composition of earth’s atmosphere. Among all the gases that are responsible for global warming, the single most major threat is carbon dioxide. There is direct correlation between temperature and CO₂. Roger Ravelle was the first person to propose the issue of CO₂ in the atmosphere. He took the core of ice that formed many years ago. By studying the isotope of oxygen that was trapped in the ice, he precisely estimate the temperature of that particular season. In all 650000 years CO₂ never gone up beyond 300 ppm. In next 50 years it might cross 1000 ppm.  Ten hottest year ever recorded were in last 15 years. The hottest of all was in 2005. Andhra Pradesh witnessed 52 Degree Celsius, 200 cities around the world recorded all time high temperature.

When ocean warms, it causes hurricanes. Water temperature increases wind velocity increases. How we react to the established facts of science. Hurrcane Katrina (August 29, 2005), Hurricane Dennis, and the hurricanes that hit the India were Vayu, Megh, Jal and Fani are all because of ocean warming and depression.  

And now everyone agree that CO₂ is the main issue that is bothering the world but does little to combat it but Norway is the first country to impose carbon tax in the year 1991.

“What gets us into trouble is not just what we don’t know, It is what we know for sure that just aren’t so- Mark Twain”

No ice in Khilimanjaro, South Africa, Columbia Glacier, Alaska. 50% of the people get the drinking water from melting glaciers. Lake Chad of Niger almost dried up. GW sucks moisture from the soil. Promafrost is melting. Winter in Alaska taundra reduced from 225 to 75 days in a year in just last 40 years. Sea ice cap is reduced by 1.5 m km² since 1970. Sun rays reflect back when they hit ice, but it is absorbed by ocean. The impacts of climate change in the Himalayas are real. Melting glaciers, erratic and unpredictable weather conditions, changing rainfall patterns, and increasing temperatures are impacting on the people and wildlife of the region.

 “The era of procrastinations, of half measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays is coming to its close. In its place, we are entering a period of consequences”-Sir Winston Churchill Nov 12, 1936

Rain rain go away…

More draught and flooding is the indication of global warming. Global warming increases precipitation and also relocates its distribution. In July 26, 2005, about 37 inches of rain fall within 24 h in Mumbai. Northern Karnataka received 20-40% of excess rains. What we are experiencing now with heavy floods in many states of India is also directly correlates with global warming. The total rain fall might remain the same but uneven distribution will have its significant effect on the agriculture production, alter the breeding season of many fishes and new diseases would affect the human.  

After effects of heavy rains:

            It was so surprising in Kerala. Even after heavy rains last year there was acute shortage of water. This was experienced even in Kodagu, Karnataka. This is due to change in maximum and minimum temperature of that region. Because of the global warming the gradient is increasing. This will affect the soil moisture which is detrimental in crop production.

In spite of deadly consequences of global warming, we have no other choice except accepting the development that need for the humanity but already enough knowledge is available to the mankind so that we can reduce its pace and the magnitude.

What you can do?

§  Use of public transport, car pooling, cycling, walking

§  Reduce, Recycle, Reuse, Refuse plastics

§  Segregation of wastes and safe disposal

§  Use of energy efficient gadgets, vehicles and other tools

§  Plant trees..lots of trees..

§  Use of renewable energy sources

§  Follow the rules and regulations given by the competent authorities

§  Support the right politicians and law makers

§  Speak-up in your community

§  If you believe in prayer, pray the people will find the strength to change

§  Put your knowledge into action

Reference:

Excerpts from the film “An Inconvenient Truth”- a 2006 American concert film/documentary film directed by Davis Guggenheim about former United States Vice President Al Gore's campaign to educate people about global warming.

Dodd, Matthew S.; Papineau, Dominic; Grenne, Tor; Slack, John F.; Rittner, Martin; Pirajno, Franco; O'Neil, Jonathan; Little, Crispin T. S. (1 March 2017). "Evidence for early life in Earth's oldest hydrothermal vent precipitates". Nature. 543 (7643): 60–64. Bibcode:2017 Natur.543. 60D. doi:10.1038/nature 21377. PMID 28252057. 

Zimmer, Carl (1 March 2017). "Scientists Say Canadian Bacteria Fossils May Be Earth's Oldest". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2 March 2017.

Ghosh, Pallab (1 March 2017). "Earliest evidence of life on Earth 'found". BBC News. Archived from the original on 2 March 2017.

Dunham, Will (1 March 2017). "Canadian bacteria-like fossils called oldest evidence of life". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2 March 2017.