Planning of FEW, Problems for generations by Pankaj Oudhia
| |||||
Planning of FEW, Problems for generations by
| |||||
| Contributor:Dr. Pankaj Oudhia QA and TEM | eResDocs Formal report Free form Table of Contents Display Full eArticle | ID: 843 |
 |
|---|
| Abstract |
|---|
| Jatropha is under promotion as Bio-diesel crop. In one Indian state Chhattisgarh the authorities are planning to plant Jatropha in over 10 lakh hectares. There is no objection regarding bio-diesel project. It is good project and need of the day as our natural source of fossil fuel is decreasing. There are several plants having potential to be used as bio-diesel plant. Most of these are indigenous plants. These plants are present in our ecosystem since generations. The promotion of Jatropha is leading to large-scale plantation. Thismonoculture will cause what type of damage to our ecosystem? The planners have no answer. Possibly they have never considered this important aspect before planting this exotic plant There are hundreds of unanswered questions. |
| Table of Contents |
|---|
| Related Ecoport Articles |
| Return To Table of Contents |
| A farmer of Pondsari village Shri Deen Dayal Verma still remembers those days when the state Agricultural department introduced Ipomoea plant in Chhattisgarh as useful plant. It was brought from foreign country and promoted as green manure crop. Shri Verma informed that there was a big celebration at Raipur when the authorities brought it in special truck from Bhopal. It was the time of mid sixties. Every one was eager to touch this plant. The farmers purchased it and started using it as green manure crop. Very soon they realized that they were cheated and they threw away the so-called precious Ipomoea plants. Today Ipomoea is present with us as problematic weed .Its omnipresence has given it a name Beshram (Shameless). This introduced species is causing great damage to our environment especially to the ecosystem of waterlogged regions. Our farmers are investing much to manage it as problematic weed. The big question is that whether our planners were aware of its weedy status in other countries before its introduction in our country or not? Whether studies were conducted to assess its impact on our ecosystem or not? Unfortunately no one is with us to answer these questions. But the literatures of that time clearly indicate that sufficient information was available at that time about the weedy status of Ipomoea. Centuries back Water Hyacinth was introduced in India as ornamental aquatic plant. Today this herb, locally known as Jal Kumbhi, is present everywhere and we are investing crores for the eradication of this problematic weed. There are several examples of such mistakes we have done earlier. The introduction of Lantana, Eupatorium, Eucalyptus etc. are some well known examples. Although we claim that we are progressive and not willing to repeat the mistakes again. Is this true or a big lie? We are in process of introducing another Foreign plant Jatropha in our motherland. We mean not all the Indians but very FEW technocrats. They are going to decide the future of our coming generations. Jatropha is under promotion as Bio-diesel crop .In one Indian state Chhattisgarh the authorities are planning to plant Jatropha in over 10 lakh hectares. I have no objection regarding bio-diesel project. It is good project and need of the day as our natural source of fossil fuel is decreasing. There are several plants having potential to be used as bio-diesel plant. Most of these are indigenous plants. These plants are present in our ecosystem since generations. I would like to quote Dr.A.D.Karve; a botanist from Pune .He has developed bio-diesel from sugarcane waste. The bio-diesel project from waste can be more useful as we will get the raw material at cheaper cost. The promotion of Jatropha is leading to large-scale plantation. This monoculture will cause what type of damage to our ecosystem? The planners have no answer. Possibly they have never considered this important aspect before planting this exotic plant. Jatropha is a native to tropical America. In developed countries Jatropha is known as problematic weed. The references literatures are full of information regarding its weedy status. They have reasons to declare it as obnoxious weed. While preparing a plant fact sheet on Jatropha with the leading scientists of thirteen countries, for the UK based research organization I got these facts. We have prepared crop weed compendium in which Jatropha is present as prominent weed. Jatropha is harmful to human beings, animals and also to other plants. The research conducted in Thailand has revealed that Jatropha oil is having chemical contents that can cause skin cancer. Later the researchers of other countries have proved it. In Chhattisgarh the large scale handling of this oil by the villagers will cause great health problem because the state authorities are claiming that the villagers will have to establish processing plants by their own in order to get real profits. The natives of Chhattisgarh are aware that Jatropha is very poisonous plant. They plant it as fence and keep it away from the access of little children. They use it as folk medicine but with much care especially under the supervision of the traditional healers. Its seeds are most poisonous and few seeds can take a life of small child. Unfortunately the seeds are sweet in taste and children like it very much. The incidences of Jatropha poisoning are very common in region. You can imagine the chances of accidental feeding when we will have the plantation in ten lakh hectares. Some experts say that its seeds are bitter in taste .I feel there is a need to serve these seeds to such researchers for real confirmation. Jatropha plants are known as Raja Van (King Plant) among the traditional healers as it dominates in forests and are having negative impact on growth of small herbs. These small herbs are used traditionally as medicine in Chhattisgarh. Now this King plant is in promotion is all types of land. Be ready for mass scale destruction of native flora. The cattle do not feed on Jatropha but there are many incidences worldwide stating that during drought period the cattle accidentally feed on Jatropha like plants and this feeding results in death of the cattle. In Chhattisgarh the years of drought are very frquent. The natural pastures are decreasing and the trend of open grazing ‘Charai’ is becoming popular. Large scale of Jatropha plantation will pose serious threat on our cattle. The technocrats claim that the arid conditions of Chhattisgarh are suitable for Jatropha cultivation. It seems that they are lacking practical experiences. Due to heavy monsoon rains the process of seed setting is very poor in Chhattisgarh. You will find vegetatively rich Jatropha plants in Chhattisgarh but it is very hard to get seeds. Most of the pods remain empty. Jatropha may be good crop for Rajasthan. Jatropha is having many drawbacks. We are having many indigenous alternatives like Karanj. Then the questions come why it is under promotion in Chhattisgarh. Who has taken this decision? Why this issue was not kept among the common people for open discussion before such big planning. The technocrats involved in this mission are not elected by the common people. Many species of Jatropha are present in our forests, although it has introduced in recent past-as the traditional healers claim. An important question is that if the authorities are having full confidence then why they donot use this natural population for making bio-diesel. This use will reduce the pressure on natural herbs. The cost of seeds will be reduced and our tribal youth will get employment. The interest of authorities is to purchase the plants from FEW suppliers for large-scale plantations. In this article the word FEW is coming very frequently. The government is not elected by FEW. Also it should not work for FEW. The authorities are under influence of FEW. The project is for FEW. The advantages for natives are also very FEW. Although the persons opposing this destructive plantation are also FEW but I feel that the support of common people in this mission will end this chapter in (FEW) days. |
| Related Ecoport Articles | Return To Table of Contents |
|---|
| Jatropha Fever. Bare facts about poisonous Jatropha curcas. Who will protect our children from Jatropha poisoning? Why Karanj is better than Jatropha? |
Comments