New ginger species in Western Ghats

Thrissur: A new species of wild ginger has been discovered in the Western Ghats.

Scientists P. Sujanapal of the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation and N.Sasidharan of the Kerala Forest Research Institute discovered the new species, named Zingiber Anamalayanum (Zingiberaceae), in the Nelliyampathy and Anamalai hills in the Western Ghats.

The species, found in grasslands that are 1,400-1,650 metres above sea level, has been termed rare. It flowers between May and August. Fruits mature between July and November.

The Nordic Journal of Botany (Volume 28, Issue 3), an international journal that publishes studies of relevance to the botanical biodiversity on earth, has reported the discovery.

“Research needs to be carried out about the edible and medicinal values of the new species,” says Dr. Sujanapal.

The Western Ghats is home to different species of gingers (Zingiber), turmeric (Curcuma) and pepper (Piper). As many as 156 species of the genus Zingiber are found in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Burma, China, Japan, Malaysia and Queensland. Most of the species occur in the Indo-Chinese Peninsula and southern China. In the Indian subcontinent, the North-East and the Western Ghats report Zingiber diversity.

“During our study of the flora of the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, a few specimens of Zingiber were collected from the grasslands. We compared them with all the recorded Zingiber species of the Indo-Malaysian region. The specimen did not match any of the already reported species,” adds Mr. Sujanapal.

He points out the need for preserving the new species. “Human activity causes destruction of its habitat,” he says.

Source :The Hindu, 5-11-2010

‘Blue tigers' light up Thenmala butterfly park

KOLLAM: The Thenmala Butterfly Safari Park is hosting hundreds of blue tiger ( Tirumala septentrionis) butterflies these days, in the process attracting a surge of tourists too.

Though blue tigers are common in Kerala, they are generally seen as solitary fliers. A huge cluster, swarming around host trees, as seen in the park, is a rarity. They seem least perturbed by visitors and are quite at home in the park. Though not in huge numbers, the common crow butterflies are keeping the visitors company.

According to the park authorities, the migratory blue tigers arrive here during this time of the year. Where it is not raining, they hover around crotalaria plants, whose leaves provide them with nourishment.

The 3.5-hectare park shelters around 40 species of butterflies. Even the rare autumn leaf butterfly was sighted there.

Natural habitat

A project of the Tourist Department, the park was set up by the Kerala Forest Research Institute.

The park is in fact a simulation of the butterflies' natural habitat. Nectar and host plants, suiting the needs of various species of butterflies, have been planted in the park. Here, the visitor can also learn about the lifecycle and other aspects of the butterflies.

Source :The Hindu, 5-11-2010

Crackers raise pollution 200 times over WHO limits: study

A study carried out by Chest Research Foundation (CRF) has revealed that the burning of firecrackers increases the level of sulphur dioxide 200-fold above the safety limits prescribed by World Health Organisation (WHO). The study highlighted the burning of crackers can worsen the condition of patients with respiratory ailments. Pulmonary specialists in Mumbai are now advising patients to be cautious.

“We had installed an equipment to measure the level of the toxic gases before and after Diwali in Kothrud in Pune last year. It was found that the level of sulphur dioxide increased from a little over zero to five parts per million. This year, we are trying to meaure it in Mumbai,” said Dr Monika Barne, project in-charge of the study.

Dr Sujeet Rajan, consultant chest physician at Bombay Hospital, said, “Over the last few years, we have seen increasing cases of asthma and COPD requiring emergency hospitalisation. I am sure that the levels of sulphur dioxide will be compounded multiple times in Mumbai as compared to Pune.”

He said a lot of fresh patients, without any prior history of respiratory ailments, may also have wheezing and breathlessness problems post Diwali. Such a trend, says Dr Rajan, is especially prevalent in pediatric cases. He advises moderate use of firecrackers and preventive medication. Opthalmologists in the city are also cautioning children in particular. “Every year, we see 10-12 chidlren losing their eyesight post Diwali beacuse of firecrackers,” said Dr TP Lahane, ophthalmologist and dean of JJ Hospital, Byculla.

Source: Indian Express, 4-11-2010

More funding for Ganga clean-up

NEW DELHI: States through which the Ganga flows will soon be given additional funding to operate and maintain projects to clean the river and restore its environmental health. However, States lobbied for more aid and free power to those affected by scrapping of hydel projects.

At a meeting of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, held on Monday, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal demanded that his State be granted 2,000 MW of free power in compensation for scrapped projects.

The NGRBA ratified the decision of the three-man Ministerial committee — comprising Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh — to abandon three major hydel projects along the Bhagirathi which runs through the State. The Loharinag Pala, Bhaironghati and Pala Maneri projects were shelved following protests by local communities, environmental activists and religious leaders.

The NGRBA also gave in principle approval to declare the 135-km stretch between Gaumukh and Uttarkashi an eco-sensitive zone. This means no hydel project will be allowed there, according to Mr. Ramesh. Much industrial and developmental activity will also be banned, while the rest will be governed by strictly monitored eco-management plans.

The NGRBA said the Central government would bear 70 per cent of the cost of operating and maintaining projects set up to prevent pollution, clean the river and improve its environmental status, for up to five years. The Centre already funds the cost of setting up these projects.

However, the affected States lobbied for a burden-sharing formula of 90 per cent by the Centre and 10 per cent by States. The Centre said it would consider this request, as well as Uttarakhand's demand for compensatory free power.

By April 2011, the government also expects to finalise a $ 1 billion line of credit from the World Bank for NGRBA projects. Last year the NGRBA approved Rs. 1,400 crore worth of projects.

The meeting also approved a Conservation Action Plan for the Gangetic dolphin, recently declared the national aquatic animal.

“There are less than 2,000 Gangetic dolphins left,” said Mr. Ramesh.

Source: The Hindu, 3 -11-2010