Climate Change and Environmental Sustainable ...

RNI No. 67691/97

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NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ACADEMY Vol. 16 Issue - 7 (MONTHLY)

July 2013

Price Rs. 6-00 Only

3rd ANNOUNCEMENT National Seminar on

Climate Change and Environmental Sustainable Development on 9th and 10th December 2013 at NEW DELHI, INDIA 1. Papers are invited for the above mentioned National Seminar which 2.

CALL FOR PAPERS

will be held in New Delhi. Please send your abstract (s) in the abstract form FORM B (which can be had on request). The main aim of the event is to provide an opportunity to the world's environmentalists, scientists, Academicians, Engineers, Industrialists and Planners, to share their skills and Scientific knowledge for suggesting amicable solutions for the environment related problems presently facing the people living in different parts of the world. The conference will also provide a platform for detailed discussions on advanced researches, made during recent years in Environmental sciences in relation to Biology, Agriculture, Forests, Industries, Water Ecosystems, Marine Biology, Atmosphere, Chemical and Earth Sciences, Nuclear and Geophysics etc. Problems prevailing in the world. Interested people are invited to register and submit their papers/abstracts to [email protected]; [email protected] by 31st of October, 2013. During Conference various Awards like Fellowships of the Year 2013; Best Scientist awards, Eminent Scientist of the year 2013: Environmentalist of the Year 2013: Junior Scientists of the year 2013 will also be conferred. The Conference will deliberate on the following areas of Research:

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECHNOLOGY SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH; AQUACULTURE, AGRICULTURE, INDUSTRY AND URBANIZATION WASTE MANAGEMENT, INDUSTRIAL HAZARDS AND POLLUTION EMISSION AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING ANALYTICAL TOOLS IN HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT FOOD SAFETY, NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY CLIMATE CHANGE COMMUNITY HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT POLAR AND MARINE SCIENCE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND BIOREMEDIATION TRADITIONAL SYSTEMS OF MEDICINE WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO MEDICINAL PLANTS GEOLOGY AND GEOGRAPHICAL SCIENCE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ON MEDICINAL PLANTS

The exact place of venue and dates will be published in this newsletter as soon it is finalised.

For more details related to the Conference please contact to [email protected]; [email protected] or [email protected]

APPLICATIONS ARE INVITED FROM

ENVIRONMENTALIST OF THE YEAR AWARDS

THE LIFE-MEMBERS OF THE ACADEMY FOR THE AWARDS OF 2013 FROM ALL OVER THE GLOBE

The ACADEMY awards ENVIRONMENTALIST OF THE YEAR AWARDS . The recipients shall get Citation, Certificate, Memento and a Gold plated medal.

LAST DATE : 31-8-2013

JR. SCIENTISTS OF THE YEAR AWARDS

FELLOWSHIP AWARDS

The ACADEMY awards Jr. SCIENTISTS OF THE YEAR AWARDS to the Junior Scientists who are below the age of 35. The recipients shall get Citation, Certificate, Memento and a Gold plated medal. Applicants should not be more than 35 years on 31-12-2013.

FELLOWSHIP is the highest award given by this Academy. It confers FELLOWSHIP AWARDS every year. The recipients shall get Citation, Certificate, Memento and a Gold plated medal. Awardees can suffix F.N.E.S.A. after their names.

BEST SCIENTISTS AWARDS The Academy confers BEST SCIENTIST AWARD every year. The recipient shall get Citation, Certificate, Memento and a Gold plated medal.

EMINENT SCIENTISTS OF THE YEAR The Academy confers EMINENT SCIENTISTS AWARDS every year, The recipient shall get Citation, Certificate, Memento and a Gold plated medal.

SCIENTISTS OF THE YEAR AWARDS The Academy awards SCIENTISTS OF THE YEAR AWARDS. The recipients shall get Citation, Certificate, Memento and a Gold plated medal.

NESA Newsletter July 2013

PRESCRIBED APPLICATION FORMS Separate application form should be used for separate awards. The forms are non transferable and it can be had by sending a bank draft of Rs. 100000/$40 only (per form), drawn in favour of NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ACADEMY payable at NEW DELHI and send it to : The General Secretary-NESA 206, Raj Tower-1, Alaknanda Comm. Centre, NEW DELHI-110019 (INDIA) Tel.: 011-2602 3614 E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

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NanopollutionA Growing Issue Pragati Pramanik 1* and Aniruddha Maity2 Centre for Environment Science and Climate Resilient Agriculture, Indian Agricultural Mr. Aniruddha Maity Research Institute, New Delhi-12 2 Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi, U.P. *E-mail: [email protected] 1

Burgeoning human population has put immense pressure on the consumer products. In order to meet the ever growing needs of the society, nanotechnology has touched many spheres of utility services, including consumer products, health care, transportation, energy and agriculture. Nanotechnologies allow the production and manipulation of minute objects that measure as little as one billionth of a meter (the nanometer). Major benefits of nanotechnology include improved manufacturing methods, water purification systems, energy systems, physical enhancement, nanomedicine, electronics, better food production methods and nutrition and large scale infrastructure autofabrication. Nanotechnology is implanted in day to day life from connection in a chip, fibres in a tennis racket, to particles absorbing UV light in suntan lotion. Product differentiation from those of other competitors, in case of food products may be achieved through some foods having specific nanoencapsulated nutrients or flavours, or by being wrapped in catchy nanopackaging filled with nanoparticles that can kill bacteria and thus extend the shelf life. Other nanospecialties include foods that taste 'fatty”, but are not, for the treatment of obesity; and sports foods and drinks containing nanoscale supplements that speed absorption into the blood stream. Nanocarrier mediated drug delivery system has raised a new hope for cancer and other deadly disease treatment.

intentionally/unintentionally into the waste streams, viz. wastewater treatment facilities. The nanomaterials possess large surface area per unit of volume which lends novel electronic and photochemical properties relative to conventional chemicals. These special properties that make nanomaterials more useful may also cause some nanomaterials to pose hazards to humans and the environment, under certain conditions. The major toxicological concern is the fact that some of the manufactured or engineered nanomaterials are redox active, and others are transported across cell membranes and especially into mitochondria. Hence, toxicity of nanoparticles that is coming to the fore is posing questions on the sustainability and future of nano-products. Nanopollution is a generic name for all waste generated by nanodevices or during the nanomaterials manufacturing process. This kind of waste may be very dangerous because of its size. It can float in the air and might easily penetrate animal and plant cells, even through skin causing unknown effects. Most human-made nanoparticles do not appear in nature, so living organisms may not have appropriate means to deal with nanowaste. Nano pollution is the introduction of nanosized contaminants in the natural environment. Nanopollution causes instability, several disorders, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem. The ecosystem is the same, whether we are addressing pollution or nanopollution. The ecosystem comprises of physical systems and living organisms (including humans). Nanopollutants are the components of nanopollution. Nanopollutants may be coming either from naturally occurring nanoparticles or nanoengineered nanoparticles (NENPs) . Regarding naturally occurring nanoparticles, nature produces and always produced nanoparticles. Follow some examples of naturally occurring nanoparticles: l Nanoparticles expelled by volcanoes, along with ash and other natural materials; l Nanoparticles naturally occurring on the ocean spray; formed by the violent burst of waves; l Nanoparticles naturally occurring in mineral composites.

Nanomaterials with greater strength have revolutionized the vehicle-tire and alloy industry. Japan is planning to replace cement and rods with hollow nanotube to build multistoried buildings. Electronic industry has adopted this technology much ago and they are far ahead compared to other sectors of science How easily it can be concluded, naturally occurring nanoparticles and technology. have never constituted an obstacle to that life came up our planet. In recent past, the “Nanomission” under Department of Science These naturally occurring nanoparticles also have never been an and Technology has introduced this promising technology in all obstacle to biological evolution of species until today. aspects of science. The latest move in this regard is inception of this technology by Indian Council of Agricultural Research. In Potential risks of nanopollutants every sectors of agriculture like nanofertilizers, nanosensors, Potential risks conferred by nanopollutants can broadly be nanocarrier based chemical delivery system; seed invigoration grouped into four areas: Health issues - the effects of nanomaterials on human with nanoparticles, nanofilm coating on agriproducts etc. have l biology opened the door wide enough for better crop productivity. In 2004, NASA researchers showed that when carbon nanotubes reach the lungs, they are more toxic than black But we can't ignore the dark side of this technology. Eric Drexler, carbon and even quartz on an equal-weight basis. The cell an American engineer sketched the scenario whereby toxicity effect of carbon-nanotubes was essential identical to nanomachines no bigger than molecules run amok, consuming that of chrysotile asbestos. At a Society of Toxicology the resources of planet and leaving nothing but grey goo, in his meeting, researchers from Tottori University showed the book “Engines of Creation” (year 1986 ). Old view is now first series of images that showed carbon nanotubes entering dismissed, but more practical concerns remain. Nanoparticles the blood within a minute of contact with the lung. Once in behave unlike bumps of the same material - stronger, more toxic, the blood, the negatively charged carbon nanotubes attached and with drastically different electrical properties. What makes to red blood cells, potentially leading to future them so useful also makes their safety so uncertain. The increased complications. The smallest particles from vehicle emissions use of nanomaterials introduces the nanoparticles

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Problems and Challenges of Afforestation and Forest Management Practices in India Dr. Saikat Basu S. K Basu1* and P. Mukhopadhyay 2 University of Lethbridge, AB, Canada; 2WB State University, WB, India; *email; [email protected] 1

Afforestation and Forest Management are absolutely essential to conserve moisture, prevent global warming and soil erosion. The forests have significant role in the improvement of both ecological as well as economic conditions of a nation. Afforestation is essential for protection of mountains, slopes and catchment areas, protection against wind, air and soil erosion, ravine formation, conservation of pastures and wildlife areas and for aesthetic reasons. The National Commission for Agriculture has recommended plantation through social forestry and other programmes. Plantation is one of the best methods for conservation of the forests. The National Forestry Policy of 1952 recommended that at least 33% of the land area should be covered by forest. Unfortunately the forest cover in various Indian states is much lower less than 33%. The Ministry of Environment and Forest has set up National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board. The state governments have also adapted several projects to implement afforestation and regeneration of degraded forests.

in forested areas in absence of regulated monitoring and grazing of cattle unlike developing countries has been an important factor of rapid deterioration of vegetation and soil erosion in forested areas in addition to transmission of diseases of cattle to the local wildlife populations. India need to adapt to practices like developed countries such as practice of sustainable farming, conservation of forest lands adjoining agricultural areas and development of highly organized forage crops for sustenance of the livestock and cattle population. Land degradation due to cultivation of industrial crops in denuded hill slopes has been one of the important factors contributing towards extensive landslides in the hilly and mountainous terrain and needs to be changed. Multiple cropping and sustainable agro-practices need to be encouraged among Indian farmers due to lack of opportunity now to increase acreages under agriculture. Rural afforestation programs need to be followed with great zeal and enthusiasm to preserve the remnant forest areas. India does have some significant success with respect to rural afforestation program at the block and panchayat level. However, the success needs to be multiplied in the remote as well as heavily populated rural belts to see the success of increased forest cover in the long term. Agri-sustainability models applicable in North America cannot be directly implemented in India with success due to several short comings and limitations. But there is ample opportunity to learn from their experience and apply the model with suitable modifications to suit India conditions and efforts. Afforestation in denuded hill slopes is an important aspect of successful forestry management. In drier parts of denuded hill slopes the afforestation; assumes special importance not only for productive reasons but also for conservation of soil and water. Soil preparation for afforestation is done either in the form of (a) contour trenches or (b) patches and pits. Examples of few plant species suitable for denuded hill slopes are as follows: for moist subtropical area: Chir or Pine, for dry subtropical area-Acacia modesta, Acacia catechu, Olia dedonia, Prosopis julifloro, Robinia sp., for temperate area-Pinus wallichiana, Cedrus sp. are superior species for rapid afforestation. Deforestation in ravine areas like the ravines of Yamuna and Chambal has not only rendered vast areas of land barren but are causing serious danger to the cultivated lands. Uncontrolled cutting of trees, grazing and fire responsible for the formation of the ravines continue to pose a serious threat to afforestation. In sandy soils-Acacia catechu, Prosopis juliflora, Dalbergia sissoo, Azadirachta indica; and for clayey soils- A. arabica, Albizzia sp., Pongamia sp., Prosopis spicigera are recommended.

There is an urgent need to restore the ecological loss through afforestation in all areas including arid and semi-arid zones. This is essential for conservation of biological diversity, catchment for water conservation, reducing the sediment load of rivers thus preventing flood. The first step the existing forests should be protected and the forest area should be expanded. Vigorous afforestation and social forestry programmes have been launched to increase the tree cover. One of the important aspects of these programmes is the selection of suitable land for afforestation. The best location for afforestation programme would be degraded and waste lands which are not suitable for agriculture. This would increase the productivity of the wastelands and lead to qualitative improvement of such degraded lands. Under afforestation programme indigenous and exotic fast growing tree species are being planted on selected land. Every year plenty of seedlings are distributed for plantation. Besides this, many plans and programmes for conserving forests are being implemented by government and voluntary organizations. Now Government of India has brought legislation to preserve forests, wild life and biosphere reserves. Afforestation in shifting sands such as coastal sand keeps on shifting under the pressure of strong wind. It is not capable of retaining One of the biggest challenges for failures regarding the conservation moisture, water layer is found a few meters below the surface. For the of forest efforts in an emerging global economy such as India is lack of most of the sea coast, Casuarina equisetifolia has been found to be the the opportunity of developing sustainability approach and best species. Other species which have been successfully raised are systematic and scientific management of agriculture and livestock. Eucalyptus sp., Pongamia pinnata, Casuarina sp. In case of inland While in developed nations like Canada and the US, sustainability has riverine sandy localities the plant species which have been been made into the developing approach for agricultural management, India is still lagging behind due to a number of social successfully grown are Dalbergia sissoo, A. catechu, A. arabica, Pongamia and environmental causal factors. The huge population of India and pinnata etc. In order to reduce the velocity of wind and prevent the its dependence on forest resources for daily sustenance such as need movement of shifting sand dunes Crotolana bruhia, Aerua tomentosa, for food, fodder, fuel and fertilizer have unfortunately brought Leptadenia pyrotechnica plants are now being explored. Before the human and domestic animals in close proximity of the forested areas. onset of rain seeds of Prosopis spicigera, P. juliflora, A. arabica; Ziziphus Due to heavy encroachment of human inwards into the forested areas sp., Cassia auriculata and grasses like Panicum antidotate, Lasiurnum sp. the depletion of forest resources has been significantly huge in India have demonstrated great promises for reducing soil erosion when compared to developed countries. Indiscriminate grazing of the cattle sown along the windward side of the mulch lines. *****


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Publication on dated : 10.07.2013

RNI No. 67691/97 Postal Reg. No. DL (S)-01/3005/2012-14

... contd. from page 3 col. 2

may be the most damaging components of air pollution in triggering plaque buildup in the arteries by affecting fats in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol to activate genes, which can lead to heart attack and stroke. Sports clothing firms have introduced odour-free garments containing nanosilver particles that are twice as toxic to bacteria as bleach. These could cause problems at sewage treatment works, which rely on beds of bacteria to purify water."Buckyballs" - microscopic footballshaped cages of carbon - can be absorbed by simple organisms, according to a report, raising concerns that they could contaminate the food chain. Developed countries have planned for new exposure assessment and epidemiological study. Environmental issues - the effects of nanomaterials on the l environment Several plant species can take up different nanoparticles in variable quantity, if present abundantly. Nanosilver is concerning since this silver has the potential to be transferred to animals that feed on or are fed these plants. In some studies, scientists have also documented a large decrease in biomass in several species of plant in response to different nanoparticle suggesting that it has the potential to alter community composition. In few studies, soil microbes show a decrease in microbial biomass and activity in surface soil which can slow decomposition role of microbes, but an increase in the production of nitrous oxide, which is both an important greenhouse gas, and currently the most important stratospheric ozone depleting substance. l Societal issues - the effects that the availability of nanotechnological devices will have on politics and human interaction l Speculative issues - the specific risks associated with the speculative vision of molecular nanotechnology, such as "Grey goo" Nanotechnology has several, better to say uncountable advantages over conventional materials. But the non- judicial and uncontrolled use of nanoparticles can render the humankind in an alarming point. Nanopollution is still lacking necessary data to conclude overall impact this kind of technology will have on our environment. Much more money is being spent on novel nanoproduct development than on ecological fate investigation.The issue is whether the worry should be mainly for workers in the industry who are continuously exposed to the nanoparticles, or if the propagation of nanoparticles in the environment will make it a concern for everyone. No one can answer right now. The noble hope is that the industry and some developed and developing countries are taking a close look at the problems.*****

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Vol. 16 Issue - 7 (Monthly)

July 2013

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NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ACADEMY 206 Raj Tower -1, Alaknanda Community Centre, New Delhi -110019. Ph.: 011-2602 3614, E-mails: [email protected]; [email protected]

Invitation of Research Articles for the Publication in NESA Journals 2013 INT. JOUR. ON ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES- ISSN NO. 0976-4534 INT. JOUR. ON BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES - ISSN NO. 0976-4518 INT. JOUR. ON CHEMICAL SCIENCES - ISSN NO. 0976-4526 INT. JOUR. ON AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES - ISSN NO. 0976-450X INT. JOUR. ON GEOGRAPHICAL SCIENCES - ISSN NO. 0976-4542 BULLETIN ON GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES) - ISSN NO. 0973-8142 INT. JOUR. ON PHYSICAL SCIENCE - ISSN NO. 2230-9683 INDIAN JOURNAL OF UNANI MEDICINE - ISSN NO. 0974-6056 INDIAN JOURNAL ON POLAR SCIENCES - ISSN NO. 0973-8649

These JOURNALS ON DIFFERENT SUBJECTS are being published by this Academy once / twice in a year subject to the availability of articles. In case if you want to get your article(s) published in any of these JOURNALS, you are requested to send your manuscript by e-mail, and in a hard copy along with CD etc. immediately. THE AUTHORS MUST MENTION PHONE Nos., MOBILE Nos. and E-MAIL ID in their forwarding letter. The manuscript must be ready for press as the proof copy may not be sent for correction. The manuscript should be sent along with a bank draft of Rs. 1000.00/US$ 35.00 only which will be adjusted against the cost of processing fee. The five set of re-prints will be dispatched under Registered cover within 30 days after the receipt of the PROCESSING FEE and OK report from the concerned authors. If you wish, a PDF file of your article can also be sent. All remittances are to be sent by a crossed Bank Draft in favour of NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ACADEMY payable at NEW DELHI.

1746 Dr. Priya Kivadasannawar, D/o Mr. B.S. Kivadasannawar, Mata-Pita Nivas, Basavnagar, The ABSTRACT should not be more than 300 words and there should Bailhongal, Dist:Belgaun-591102, Karnataka. E-mail: [email protected] be at least FIVE KEY WORDS. 1747 Dr. Nidhi Gauba Dhawan, H.No.51, Sector-18, Housing Board Colony, Faridabad-121 002, For further details and NOTES FOR AUTHORS, please contact to:Haryana. E-mail: [email protected] 1748 Dr. R. Ramjegathesh, Dept. of Plant Pathology, TNAU, Coimbatore - 641 003, Tamil Nadu. NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ACADEMY Prof. Javed Ahmad, General Secretary E-mail: [email protected] 1749 Dr. Rita Sinha, C/o Dr. V.K. Sahay, 11, Reader's Qr. BRA Bihar University Campus, 206, Raj Tower -1, Alaknanda Comm. Centre, New Delhi -110019. Tel.: 011-26023614 Muzaffarpur-842001, Bihar. E-mail: [email protected] 1750 Mrs. Tejal M. Suthar, T-8, Madhavbag Society, Near Nirnaynagar, Chandlodia, E-mails : [email protected]; [email protected] Website: www.nesaindia.in Ahmedabad-382481, Gujarat. E-mail: [email protected]

Editor-in-Chief: Prof. T R C Sinha, Printed & Published by Prof. T R C Sinha, on and behalf of National Environmental Science Academy, 206 Raj Tower -1, Alaknanda Community Centre, New Delhi -110019, and Printed by M/s Viba Press C-66/3, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase-II, New Delhi-110 020 & Published at National E n v i r o n m e n t S c i e n c e A c a d e m y, 2 0 6 R a j To w e r - 1 , A l a k n a n d a C o m m u n i t y C e n t r e , New Delhi -110019 and processed by M/s Computype Media, 208-209, I J S Place, X-320, Delhi Gate Bazar, DELHI - 110002. RNI No.67691/1997. 4
