DREAMVIGYAN PRASAR
September 2019 l Vol. 21 l No. 12 l Rs. 5.00 Mission Chandrayaan-2
INSIDE STORIES
l Editorial: Come September
l Mission Chandrayaan-2
l The Buzz About Transgenic Plants
l Mining for Rural People: An Oxymoron
l Lessons from the Wilderness
l Recent Developments in Science and Technology
36 Editorial Come September
Interestingly, many of us have events that had successfully happened grown up hearing and dancing to a tune simultaneously. Being an international Nakul Parashar that came from the 1961-movie Come event, it had a noteworthy event called GIST September starring Rock Hudson, Gina or the Global Indian Science & Technology Lollobrigida. This year come September has Stakeholders’ Meet. An eminent group Science & Technology. There was a Science a much more interesting moment for all of of scientists and technocrats belonging Village too which had more than five us to rejoice and remember. 7 September to the Indian diaspora was invited for hundred school students. 2019 is when Chandrayaan-2 is expected to brainstorming sessions where best practices It was indeed a mega event in the land on Moon. We’ve brought information were discussed and shared to assist the Indian series of past four IISFs. Well, what about about it in this issue and will be bringing S&T community. the IISF’s edition this year? Stay tuned, and more about this prestigious mission in our We all know that India is a young we’ll bring the details about it shortly. forthcoming issues as well. A matter of country with a huge population of young Back to Come September and some national pride, isn’t it? scientists below the age of forty. A young interesting facts again. September provides us Mission Shakti, Chandrayaan- 2, and scientists’ conference was also organised at a list of some famous scientists and inventors many more, much more – it’s is indeed IISF. Popularly known as YSC, this was an who were born this month. John Dalton, heartening to see the pace of science & opportunity for young scientists and scholars the famous British physicist who developed technology-related developments in almost to showcase their innovations and scientific the theory of atomic matter was born on 6 every sphere of life. To showcase our scientific contributions for the benefit of masses. September 1776. Carl Zeiss, founder of the and technological prowess, every year, for Our country has witnessed a huge leap famous optical lens making company from the past four years we have been witnessing in terms of agricultural research and extension Germany was also born in September (11 the famous India International Science activities. The agricultural conclave at IISF September 1816). James Dewar, inventor Festival. Popularly known as IISF, this event was quite a popular one which was attended of the thermos flask, and Seymour Cray, attracts a huge number of visitors from the by a big group of agricultural scientists, inventor of Cray 1 Supercomputer, were also scientific and non-scientific community farmers, and representatives of NGOs, and born in September. Interestingly it was on – scientists, technocrats, researchers, the industry associated with it. 8 September 1994 when Microsoft planned students, and people from every walk of Besides this, a science film festival, to rename its operating system project life, who are interested to know, meet, a women’s S&T conclave, and National from ‘Chicago’ to ‘Windows 95’. We’ve all hear, and interact with famous scientists Science Teachers’ Congress were also held at witnessed the journey of Windows since about their achievements, and viewpoint. IISF. A special event on students from the then and thereafter; rest is all history, an The last edition of IISF had happened North-East was also organised. Healthcare interesting one. in Lucknow last year and must say, it was and researches made in the area of healthcare a mini-kumbha of science & technology were also highlighted at the IISF. Face-to- practitioners and lovers. face with scientists and entrepreneurs also Email: nakul.parashar@ The event had more than two dozen happened at this mini-Kumbha of Indian vigyanprasar.gov.in n
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35 Dream 2047, September 2019, Vol. 21 No. 12 InDIA IN SPACE Mission Chandrayaan-2
Susheela Srinivas
We are off to the Moon again! This Miles to go Chandrayaan-2, time around, on a bold mission to explore unchartered territories. Chandrayaan-2, Astronomically, the Moon at 3,84,000 km India’s second mission India’s second mission to the Moon will, away from Earth. When a spacecraft is sent for the first time, unravel secrets around directly, (such as the Apollo 11 that took to the Moon, for the the Moon’s South Pole. Chandrayaan-2 is a men to the Moon), it takes a little more three-part spacecraft – an orbiter, a lander than three days to reach it. However, such first time, will unravel and a rover. The lander is named Vikram an operation calls for a very powerful rocket after Vikram Sarabhai, the founder of the and enormous consumption of fuel to escape secrets around the Indian space programme. The rover is from Earth’s gravity and go into lunar orbit. Moon’s South Pole. This named Pragyan, meaning ‘wisdom’. Compared to NASA’s massive Saturn-V This mission will not just capture rocket, which was the most powerful rocket mission will not just information of the Moon and record data ever flown, the GSLV Mk-III is a much from orbit but will land on its surface and smaller and less powerful rocket. So, ISRO capture information sample the Moon’s terrain in detail. The lander carrying of the Moon and the rover will descend from the orbiter and soft land on record data from orbit Moon. After landing, the rover will roll out and explore but will land on its the Moon surface. surface and sample Chandrayaan-2 was launched on 22 July atop the Moon’s terrain in ISRO’s GSLV Mk-III at 2:43 p.m. from the Satish detail. Chandrayaan-2 Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota. Performing as was launched on 22 expected, the rocket released Chandrayaan-2 in a highly July 2019 atop ISRO’s elliptic orbit around Earth about 17 minutes later. In GSLV Mk-III from the fact, it was released 6,000 Satish Dhawan Space km higher than planned. The solar arrays on Chandrayaan-2 Centre at Sriharikota deployed smoothly as the probe began its journey. Chandrayaan-2 was launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, on 22 July 2019 onboard GSLV Mk-III.
Susheela Srinivas is a popular science writer and columnist. She writes for publications in India and abroad. Address: #189, I F Cross, 3rd stage, 4th block, Basaveshwara nagar, Bengaluru 560079. Email: [email protected]
Dream 2047, September 2019, Vol. 21 No. 12 34 has chosen an indirect path for The many firsts IIRS will give a detailed picture of Chandrayaan-2 which will take a the suspected water ice source on the few weeks to reach Moon. l Chandrayaan-2 is the first spacecraft to be attempting Moon. After launch on 22 July, a soft landing in the South Polar Region. The safety of the lander Vikram Chandrayaan-2 was placed in a l It is the first mission to be developed indigenously with is in the hands of the Orbiter High- highly elongated Earth Parking home-grown technology. Resolution Camera (OHRC). OHRC Orbit; then, as it circled the Earth, l This is the first time ISRO is sending a Moon probe will peer at the landing site, leaving a series of space manoeuvres and that will deploy the lander and rover. no stone unturned to ensure that Earth’s gravity assist propelled the l With the success of Chandrayaan-2, India will be the Vikram will touch base safely. After craft farther and farther away from fourth nation to join the elite club to have soft-landed Vikram is deployed, OHRC will serve Earth. Finally, when the farthest probes on the Moon. The other three nations to do so the purpose of scanning the region for point from the Earth and closest to are the USA, Russia and China. scientific measurements. The camera the Moon was reached, the on-board will scout an area of 12 km by 3 km propulsion system fired its engines with a resolution of 0.32 m. and inject the craft into the lunar sphere of Dual Frequency Synthetic Aperture influence. The spacecraft was then placed in Radar (DFSAR) is another water mapping a 100-km high orbit around Moon. device. This instrument – an enhanced version of its counterpart from the first The eight pillars Chandrayaan mission – will quantitatively estimate the water ice in the polar craters The orbiter will carry eight instruments all along with mapping the polar regions. tuned to glean the minutest of data of the Also, it will measure the thickness of lunar Moon. Here is what they will do once they regolith – the soft, powdery sand covering reach the Moon. the Moon’s surface. Terrain Mapping Camera (TMC2): Chandrayaan-2 Atmospheric this high resolution, high signal to noise Compositional Explorer (CHACE 2) is an ratio output camera is designed to give in-situ monitor to study the composition spatial black and white images. The camera and distribution of lunar neutral exosphere is highly sensitive to radiation and can pick and its distribution. The neutral exosphere up minor details of the moonscape. The is a barely detectable thin layer of a balanced pictures will help to develop a 3D map of flux vented out to space and partly recycled the Moon. to the surface, resulting out of the interaction Chandrayaan-2 Large Area Soft of the solar radiation, the decay of radioactive X-ray Spectrometer (CLASS): A high- elements and meteorite bombardments. resolution instrument designed to detect the Dual Frequency Radio Science mineral wealth of the Moon. Moon is rich Experiments (DFRSE) will focus on in minerals like aluminium, magnesium, radiation and ionic experiments when on silicon, titanium, iron and more, which when Artist’s impression of Chandrayaan-2 in orbit. the Moon. mined could yield abundant space commerce revenues. The The three beauties materials emit specific X rays when excited by the Sun’s rays, The lander, Vikram, will carry and as they do that, CLASS will three payloads on to the surface of capture the data and classify the Moon: RAMBHA, CHaSTE them. and ILSA. Supporting CLASS is Radio Anatomy of Moon another instrument XSM – Solar Bound Hypersensitive ionosphere X-ray Monitor that will measure and Atmosphere (RAMBHA) is the intensity of solar radiation. a plasma diagnostic tool called The spectral data from this a Langmuir probe. RAMBHA instrument will be the input for will record the transient electron analysing the readings of CLASS. temperature variations, plasma Imaging IR Spectrometer density and other measurements (IIRS): Another high-resolution at the surface of the Moon. These instrument for mineralogical first-time measurements at the mapping and measuring the polar regions will be recorded solar reflections from the surface. First image of Earth sent by Chandrayaan-2. under solar variations.
33 Dream 2047, September 2019, Vol. 21 No. 12 Chandra’s Surface with the availability of water. Thermophysical Experiments In 2008, ISRO’s first (CHaSTE) will be involved Moon mission Chandrayaan-1 in recording the thermal brought back exciting data conductivity and vertical about our cosmic neighbour. temperature gradients on the Chandrayaan-1 data showed Moon surface. Consisting evidence for water in the of sensors and heaters, the exosphere of Moon, on the instrument will be inserted into surface of Moon and also sub- the regolith to about 10 cm surface (tens of metres deep). depth to make the recordings. For the first time, traces of Instrument for Lunar frozen water-ice were detected Solar Activity (ILSA) is devoted in the craters that abound to measuring the moonquakes. in the south polar region by ILSA will be on high alert and its instruments. This crucial not miss out even the minor discovery called for another tremors in the landing site area. The trajectory of Chandrayaan-2 after launch. exhaustive exploration. Chandrayaan-2 is designed to Two to tango Why are we going again? investigate further about these frozen ice in lunar craters. rover will carry with it two Pragyan ISRO began plans for the second mission to To size up the mineral wealth: instruments which will scout the region the Moon, with a four-point agenda, soon Chandrayaan-2 will be the first probe to go along with the moving vehicle. after the success of Chandryaan-1. Steadily far down south from the lunar equator, as Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer improvising and backed by indigenous all the other probes have scouted only the (APXS) will make an elemental determination technology, Chandrayaan-2 was crafted over equatorial regions. The mission will conduct at the landing site. The instrument will use a decade. extensive mineralogical studies to ascertain X-rays to detect the composition of the rock- To follow the water trail: Water is the mineral composition of the Moon. The forming surface and look for elements such an essential commodity for our survival, collected data will open new vistas in space as sodium, aluminium, silica, magnesium, whether on Earth or in space and is commerce in future missions. yttrium and others that have potential use. the primary pursuit of space missions To untangle Moon’s mysteries: Detailed Laser-Induced Breakdown to planetary objects – survivability and topographical explorations of the unexplored Spectroscopy (LIBS) will fire high-power habitability on the space object scores high part of the Moon could unravel evolutionary laser at different points on the surface and secrets about it. The South Pole is like a deep determine how abundant each element is. freezer that can hold fossil mysteries from the past when the solar system was formed. Piggyback payload Chandrayaan-2 will investigate these secrets, which will help us understand our cosmic Going along is NASA’s passive experiment companion better and provide insights into in the background which will be conducted our origins as well. by Laser Retroreflector Array (LRA). This To perform ionic studies: The lunar instrument will decipher the dynamics of probe will conduct a host of other scientific the Earth-Moon system. experiments and observations related to the effects of solar winds and ionisation on the The landing site surface of the Moon. The south pole of the Moon is a permanently shadowed area. Freezing temperatures Nail-biting moments ahead and unknown terrains await and Vikram From the lift-off to the landing of the rover, . Before landing, the orbiter will take Pragyan the mission is fraught with several challenges. several high-resolution images of the terrain. The Earth-Moon duo has a non-uniform This will provide a recheck of the designated gravitational system which calls for advanced landing site and ensure the lander-rover have planning and calculations. The trajectories a safe tenure on the Moon. must be planned to take the orbital motion will land on a high plain Vikram of the Moon into consideration. between two craters Manzinus C and Simpelius N, at a latitude of about 70° south. Artist’s impression of Chandrayaan-2 lander Vikram. Continued on page 26
Dream 2047, September 2019, Vol. 21 No. 12 32 Biotechnology The Buzz About Transgenic Plants
Dr Anu Priya Minhas
Genetically modified crops Genetically modified organismsWhy do we want to make (GMOs) refer to organisms including plants transgenic plants? are plants used in agriculture, developed through genetic engineering where plant breeders select technique, allowing plant breeders to select Addressing the challenge of all forms of and transfer a desirable trait from one plant to hunger, malnutrition and food insecurity is and transfer a desirable trait the plant they want to improve. The inserted the second major goal of the 2030 Agenda from one plant to the plant sequence is known as transgene, which may for Sustainable Development and the be isolated from an unrelated plant or from SDGs. The attainment of this goal could they want to improve. The an entirely different species. The transformed largely contribute to the achievement of the gene/s may have altered genetic code in other goals such as ending poverty, gender inserted sequence is known order to modify their function. In addition, equality, improved health, clean water as a transgene. Transgenics different regulatory sequences can be spliced access, education and sanitation, and peace on to switch on or off gene expression in and justice. By 2050, the world population may provide valuable the host plant. Stable transgenes from a is expected to reach 9 billion and we need advantages such as improved successful transgenic plant can be inherited to satisfy the food-related needs of this large by further generations through pollination, population from same area of agricultural shelf-life, higher crop yields, resulting in transgenic progeny. Plant land under adversely changing climatic improved food quality, breeders can also use a transgenic plant for conventional breeding and many more. Although to develop transgenic varieties more research is required (new trait provided by the introduced genes) of the crop that to determine the true safety are well-adapted for specific uses. of these plants, most would Transgenic plants are also referred to as genetically engineered (GE), agree that the potential or genetically modified (GM), or advantage of producing bioengineered plants. For some, GM crops are the crop plants crops, which provide the developed by genetic modification from their original wild state human population with by domestication, selection and more and cheaper food, controlled breeding over long periods of time. Thus, according makes transgenic technology to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, conditions. Already, there are examples of a useful invention. the term bioengineered is more preferred to drought, storms, and hot days already taking describe transgenic crops. a toll on crop yields.
Dr. Minhas is with the University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Panjab University, Chandigarh. Email: [email protected]
31 Dream 2047, September 2019, Vol. 21 No. 12 The “Agrobacterium” method involves the use of soil-borne bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens. This bacterium can infect plant cells using tumour-inducing plasmid (Ti plasmid) and integrate later into plant DNA. The Ti plasmid is a large circular DNA containing regions of transfer DNA (tDNA). Transgene inserted in-between tDNA can be transferred to a plant cell through “floral dip” method, followed by harvesting transgenic seeds from the transformed plant. This process being natural might be more acceptable method of transformation. Further, Agrobacterium can be used to transfer large DNA fragments efficiently. However, limited host range is the biggest limitation of Agrobacterium.
Unfortunately, the number of free of human diseases and can reduce the undernourished or chronic food-deprived cost of screening viruses and bacterial toxins Major advantages of people has grown over the past three years, from the produced products. transgenic plants (nearly 2 billion in 2016). Therefore, to cater In addition to the ability to produce 1. Stronger crops: With GM technology, to their needs, one obvious way is to use crops with novel traits, genetic engineering crops are engineered to withstand genetic techniques to improve agricultural also offers the promise of making plant weather extremes and fluctuations, crop productivity by introducing desirable breeding more efficient by reducing the resulting in enough crop yields even traits for better plant survival under harsh time required to make new varieties. The under a poor or severe weather and soil environmental conditions. Limited genetic ability to insert just one or a few specific conditions. As populations across the diversity is available within the closely related genes into varieties without also affecting world grow and more lands are utilised species of each crop. For improved traits, the other genes is the major benefit of using for housing instead of food production, traditional breeding is solely dependent on technology to produce transgenic plants. farmers are prompted to grow crops in randomly generated mutations. The process The knowledge gained from this kind of areas that were originally not considered of developing transgenic plants increases the research can be applied in many areas of suitable for plant cultivation such as level of genetic variability, which is of prime plant science, not just in the creation of new soils with high salt content and drought- importance to plant breeders. Sometime, crop varieties with novel traits. prone soils. genes responsible for useful traits might be 2 Environmental protection: GM crops absent in a particular plant species and have often requires less chemicals and field to be transferred from other species through Techniques used for developing management, therefore help reducing genetic engineering methods. Exploiting transgenic plants greenhouse gas emissions, soil erosion genes from a wide range of species and For developing transgenics, the nucleus of a and environmental pollution. This genera beyond the crop species itself will plant-cell is targeted for transgene insertion means improvement in the general allow plant breeders to produce more useful using either biolistic or Agrobacterium health and beauty of the environment and productive crop varieties. Transgenics tumefaciens-mediated transformation that surrounds farms, contributing may provide valuable advantages such as methods. The “biolistic” method (also to better preservation of water and air improved shelf-life of perishable plant known as “gene gun”, “micro-projectile quality, which can also indirectly benefit products, higher crop yields, improved food bombardment”, or “particle gun” method) every person’s well-being. quality, resistance to various biotic stresses can efficiently transform almost all cell 3. Longer shelf-life of the food products: and tolerance to abiotic stresses and eliminate types and has been used successfully to Genetic manipulation method used in the use of harmful and environmental- transform corn, rice, wheat and maize GM crops allows farmers and merchants unfriendly insecticides, fungicides, genomes. Briefly, DNA is bound to gold or to preserve the good quality of foods for herbicides and pesticides. Transgenic plants tungsten particles and shot into plant tissue longer time interval. may also be able to express foreign proteins or plant cells using a high-pressure gun. The 4. More nutritious foods: According to the of industrial and pharmaceutical value. accelerated particles penetrate the cell wall Food and Agricultural Organisation The nutritional content of a crop can also and membranes. The coated DNA separates (FAO) of the United Nations, GM be enhanced through genetic engineering. from the metal particles and integrates into foods have also been biofortified for Developing edible vaccines or antibodies the plant genome. Although the process vitamins. This not only helps people produced by plants using the genetic is clean and safe, it may result in serious get the nutrients they need, but also engineering is especially distinct as plants are damage to cellular tissue. plays a significant role in fighting
Dream 2047, September 2019, Vol. 21 No. 12 30 against malnutrition in third-world genetically modified crop populations Should we use transgenic crops? countries. In fact, the United Nations could affect the wild varieties around recommends that rice that is enhanced them through insects and winds and The perceived advantages and disadvantages with vitamin A (golden rice) can help in could have dramatic effects on the of transgenic crops must be married reducing deficiencies of such nutrients ecosystem. Though there is need for to each other, to provide a crop that is around the world. long-term research to gauge such environmentally sound and non-hazardous. 5. Less deforestation: To sufficiently feed impact. Producers of transgenic crops and the the growing population of the world, agencies that study their effects are aware more plants are required to be grown of this point. However, to date, there has in larger areas including those that were What genetically engineered been little evidence to support either case. previously considered unsuitable for crops are being grown now? More research is required in this field to farming. Therefore, deforestation can be determine the true safety of these plants and The United States is the country with the discouraged for acquiring more arable to decide, whether they are safe for both highest cultivated area under transgenic land. the environment and for humans. At the crops (75 million hectares). According to least, most would agree that, the potential Time magazine (US), the time first GM advantage of producing crops, which provide was planted into U.S. soil in 1996, they Concerns about GMOs the human population with more and have observed a dramatic increase in crop The main opposition to GMOs arises from cheaper food, makes transgenic technology production. Currently, ten transgenic crops the intuitive notion “natural is inherently a useful invention. are grown regularly. The most common good”. It also combines the general belief genetically engineered crops now being about humans as hostile and selfish to rob nature of its worth. These notions make grown are transgenic varieties of soybean, How does Government of consumers more susceptible to claims related canola, cotton, and corn. Varieties of each India regulate genetically to health and safety as described below, of these crops have been engineered to engineered crops? despite little evidence to support such. have either herbicide tolerance or insect 1. Allergic reactions: As genetic resistance (or in a few cases, both). All the The Ministry of Environment, Forest & modification in transgenic plants often genetically engineered insect-resistant crop Climate Change (MoEFCC) has framed adds or mixes proteins that were not varieties produced so far use specific genes The Rules for the Manufacture, Use/ indigenous to the original plant, they taken from Bacillus thuringiensis, to produce Import/Export and Storage of Hazardous might cause allergic reactions in our proteins that are toxic to certain groups of Micro-Organisms/ Genetically Engineered body. Concern is that proteins from insects feeding on them. India is presently Organisms or Cells in 1989 with a view to organisms that you are allergic to ranking fifth largest in cultivated area under protect environment, nature and health as might be added to those food plants GM crops (11.4 million hectares in 2017). a result of application of gene technology that you were not originally allergic to. However, unlike other countries, the entire and micro-organisms. India is among the However, normal diets for humans and GM crop area in India is under a single earliest countries to institute a biosafety other animals contain large amounts crop, namely Bt-cotton, which is exhibiting system for regulation of GMOs. The of DNA from the cells of the various resistance against bollworm insect pests. ‘Rules 1989’ cover research and large-scale kinds of plants or animals constituting applications of GMOs and their products the food and from any contaminating Transgenic trait Crops including experimental field trials and microorganisms (if present). Most of seed production in support with the bio- Insect resistance Corn, Cotton, the DNA we eat is degraded in the safety following guidelines and following Potato, Tomato digestive system, but even if left intact, the international norms prescribed by the it is unlikely that this DNA would be Herbicide tolerance Corn, Soybean, Organisation for Economic Cooperation incorporated into the DNA of our cells. Cotton, Canola, and Development (OECD), CODEX Therefore, there is negligible chance Sugar beet, Alimentarius Commission and International of any undesirable effect on the whole Rice, Flax Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), etc. organism. Virus resistance Papaya, Squash, 1. Recombinant DNA Safety Guidelines, 2. Reduction in biodiversity: When we are Potato 1990 & 1994. selectively targeting a certain pest, we 2. Revised Guidelines for Research in Altered oil Canola, Soybean might be removing a food source from Transgenic Plants and Guidelines for composition a food chain. This might be expected to Toxicity and Allergenicity Evaluation, lower the level of biodiversity. Delayed fruit Tomato 1998. 3. Cross-pollination: Cross-pollination can ripening 3. Guidelines for Generating Pre-clinical introduce new genes into distant but Male sterility and Chicory, Corn and Clinical Data for rDNA Vaccines, compatible crop plants resulting in restorer system Diagnostics and other Biologicals, transfer of transgene into non-target (used to facilitate 1989. crop plants. Genetic pollution resulting plant breeding) from inadequate sequestering of Continued on page 22
29 Dream 2047, September 2019, Vol. 21 No. 12 Mining Mining for Rural People: An Oxymoron
Ankit and Kuldeep Bauddh
India is endowed with numerous Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs in 2014, more mineral deposits including fossil fuels and than 75% of rural tribal population in Odisha An intriguing fact is ranks as one of the top nations in key mineral resides below poverty line. In other states like that, states like Odisha, production. However, metallic minerals Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and fossil fuels in India are very uneven in and Chhattisgarh, the figure is above 50%. Chhattisgarh, and their geographical distribution. The states of Mineral-dependent states are indeed in a sorry Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, state, as these states also suffer from lower Jharkhand, which are Odisha and some areas of Telangana, Andhra growth rates, malnutrition, morbidity and dependent on mineral Pradesh and Maharashtra are rich centres higher mortality rates. of metallic minerals and coal in central and resources, have low per eastern India. Huge deposits of iron ore can Current status of mining in India be found in Jharkhand, Odisha, Karnataka, capita incomes. Negative Chhattisgarh and Goa. Deposits of zinc, lead, India is endowed with large reserves of externalities associated and copper are primarily found in Rajasthan, various minerals across the country. The whereas, bauxite is found in Andhra Pradesh, strategic location of India is such that it with mining need to Chhattisgarh and Odisha. Chhattisgarh, assists the mining sector in multiple ways, Jharkhand and Odisha are among top mineral- namely convenience in exporting minerals change through regulated bearing states in India. as well as fast developing markets of Asia. At Minerals are found not only under present, India is known to produce around 88 and responsible mining. unfertile wastelands, but also below large minerals which include 24 minor, 50 non- There is a serious need forests inhabited by tribal populations. Tribal metallic, 10 metallic, 3 atomic and 4 fuel people are an integral part of the forest; they minerals. Growing infrastructure and rapidly to fix the issue of faulty derive their products of livelihood from forest expanding industrial and domestic sector and in many ways are dependent on it, so are the key drivers of the sector. In addition mining practices and much so, that their economy and livelihood to this, cement and power industries are also the need to address a are intertwined with water resources and fate responsible for the growth of mining sector. of the forest. Mining brings a lot of vagaries in vital question whether terms of degradation of forest, which affects Need for regulated and the ecosystem and makes the tribal population responsible mining the acts and rules and economically and socially vulnerable. An intriguing fact is that, states like Odisha, Sustainable mining is the need of the hour, but regulations legislated in Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand, which are the prudent question is whether it is possible. this regard are helping dependent on mineral resources, have low Mining companies, internal agencies and the per capita incomes in comparison with those World Bank promote ‘sustainable mining’, the rural people or not. states which have sources of income other than but the bitter truth is that, mining carried mining. According to an estimate done by the out on a large scale is always destructive
Ankit is a research scholar of Department of Environmental Sciences, Central University of Jharkhand, Ranchi-835205. Kuldeep Bauddh is Assistant Professor in the same Department. E-mail: [email protected] Dream 2047, September 2019, Vol. 21 No. 12 28 and the quantity of minerals pollution, displacement and that can be safely mined is Status of India's minerals at a glance relocation. limited. Mining is called a Minerals India's rank Production Mining attracts ‘boom and bust’ industry, (million tonnes) another set of socioeconomic which means that at the Coal 3 554.13 problems as well; they are beginning, huge wealth can be Iron ore 4 192 responsible for pollution generated when a new deposit of water bodies, shrinking is discovered, but when the Steel 3 83.01 croplands, increasing mineral is exhausted, it leaves Bauxite 5 2908.15 number of landless the area in the state of poverty. farmers, etc. Expanding ‘Sustainable mining’ is an Status of some major minerals of India (Source: ibef.org) mining activities is not ambiguous term. Mining can only displacing the farmers never be sustainable because the ore bodies ‘Mineral Paradox’. The way forward is away from their fields but also converting are non-renewable and finite. Even those reframing of rules for mine closure. them into landless farmers. This situation mines that are managed ideally also have an Every open mine is a source of coerces them to deviate from their unique impact on the environment; they disturb the pollution. Mineral Concession Rule of cultural inheritance as they have cultural ecological balance, reduce the biodiversity, 1960 and Mineral Conservation and and emotional affinity with their native devastate land and forest and render it unfit Development Rules of 1988 were amended farmlands. Farmers are affected the most as for cultivation. Mass displacement of people in 1993 and 2003 respectively. According they lose their lands to mining, rendering and depletion in the livelihood of locals are to these amendments, mining companies them economically vulnerable. At times they some of the inevitable consequences brought are required to submit a ‘progressive mine express their anger through road blocks, through mining. closure plan’. It is prudent to open a mine strikes and destroying mining company’s The fact is that modern economy for mineral extraction, followed by quick assets. Though mining companies justify cannot survive without mineral resources. removal of minerals and closing the mine. their activities citing Corporate Social If mineral is at the centre then all the Responsibility (CSR) activities, without industries be it jewellery industry, energy Socioeconomic impacts of mining building a healthy relationship with the sector, automobiles, telecom industry or communities residing there, profits are any other industry, are at the periphery. Apart from macro-level changes, mining meaningless. Apart from this, ever-increasing The question is not whether mining should also brings changes at micro-level that technological advancements is also a reason be undertaken or not, rather it is regarding are of equal credence. Although, mining behind growing unrest among the masses. how it should be carried out. It is regarding plays a substantial role in development of the norms, policies, procedures that must be infrastructure and increasing financial capital, mining also brings about socioeconomic Impact of mining on health established to ensure that it is conducted in a of women and children socially acceptable and eco-friendly manner. changes in the society. Mining plays an It is also regarding exploring greener ways to important role in development of a region. Mining has a heavy cost on the environment undertake mining. Currently, the picture is not encouraging as which in turn has an effect on the health In the name of national development, it fails to bring parity among the project- of people, but the most vulnerable sections local communities have been shoved deeper affected community. Mining has cost on the are women and children. As children are into poverty. They have been dispossessed, environment too. In other words, we can say dependent on their mother for their basic displaced, persecuted and marginalised. that, mining activities have an effect on the necessities including food and upbringing, a The main reason behind this includes health of the people and the environment child’s health is intertwined with the health inadequate policies, incompetent laws and we inhabit. Mining requires acquisition of of mother. Here, woman’s health must be weak institutions. All of these must be very large areas which puts a check on the seen from a larger perspective of direct as changed. There is an urgent need to reframe accessibility and availability of economic well as indirect impacts. It must be noted the contract between mining establishment housing options. At the same time, another that the impact of mining is diverse and and communities so that they get a share spill-over effect of mining comes in the form is based upon the type of mineral that is in the wealth generated. Mining must of mining affected communities getting extracted. not be carried out without the consent of involved in various criminal and anti-social Despite the fact that due to mining, the community. Community consent is activities. While the present generation people suffer from physical and mental the bedrock of mining policies, but these is battling with social problems like deformities and ill health, there is a very large safeguards are being diluted. Relationship inequality in terms of social, economic and gap in the scientific study and data on the between communities and companies has a political opportunities, unfair competition, ill effects due to mining in India, especially legacy of distrust and abuse. This is reflected lackadaisical approach of the government as women in the areas affected by mining. in the fact that India’s most mineral-rich well as administration, mining companies In one way or the other, such a gap in the states are also the poorest, as communities divert the attention of the local communities knowledge helps the mining companies receive the least from the immense wealth on the short-term benefits leaving aside to run away from their responsibilities. generated through mining; this is called the long-term negative impacts like Moreover, in a country like India where
27 Dream 2047, September 2019, Vol. 21 No. 12 health of a woman is already a marginalised equitable sharing of benefits, protecting the Extraction of ore from these pits produces a issue, such type of data is all the more environment and protecting biodiversity large amount of metallic dust. The problem important. Benefit arising from mining and above it, protecting the rights of the with underground mining is that they diminishes the importance of women and rural communities affected by mining. But, require large-scale movement of vegetation child’s health. It must also be noted that even the effect of these laws and amendments do and rocks and contaminate water and air. those women and children who don’t work not produce a bright picture. Rural people There is an urgent need for greener mining in the mines are also constantly exposed affected by mining are in a state of misery. as well as refining techniques and reduce to diseases like skin problems, respiratory Despite these rights, these people are used environmental damage by strengthening the problems, etc., and it also has long-term and abused at the mining site by mining existing rules and regulations. effect on the reproductive health of women. companies. Also, there has been a constant It is imperative that effect of mines dilution in the commitments of companies Conclusion on women’s health is studied. Some of and government in sharing the profit; the recommendations for addressing the government’s recent efforts for bringing This article was an attempt to emphasise problem of a woman worker in the mining reform in the sector are not well thought of. upon the fact that mining is largely an anti- are as follows: Institutional reform is the single largest poor activity. There are several negative 1. Educating woman vis-à-vis safety issues, problem that has gripped mining industry. externalities associated with mining and health and nutrition. Weak law enforcement, irregularities and there is urgent need to change this perception 2. Promoting opportunities for women to improper monitoring have largely been through regulated and responsible mining. work together responsible for such a systemic failure. The The windfall gains of the mining companies 3. Regular screening and health check-ups result of such approach is reflected through are at the cost of the health of rural mine for women and children. several mining scams surfacing frequently, workers and on the health of their women 4. Providing regular counselling and also there have been irregularities in iron ore and children. Also, there is a serious need to support for mental health services, mining in Bellary, Goa and Odisha to name fix the issue of faulty mining practices and addictions, prevention of violence and a few. It is clear from the observations that, the need to address a vital question whether access to health services. rather being helpful to poor these laws have the acts and rules and regulations legislated 5. Outreach programs for identifying proved to be anti-poor to a great extent. in this regard are helping the rural people solution to problems related to Need of the hour is to look for or not. Their rights must be safeguarded. community health. environment-friendly ways to undertake Unless we bring about a sea change, mining mining. We are still mining using archaic will never be a pro-poor activity. It may be Mining Rules: Are they really techniques. The problem with open-pit concluded that although mining has helped helping rural people? mining is that minerals extracted through poor people in their financial uplift, it has this process are very limited, that increases also attracted multiple problems that should Mining rules were legislated keeping the amount of ore needed to be mined. Every also be addressed with some sustainable multiple objectives in mind vis-à-vis the open-pit mine is a huge source of pollution. mining approaches.
Mission Chandrayaan-2 (Contined from page 32)
When the probe reaches the inching closer metre by metre. Moon, Chandrayaan-2 has to perform The procedure spanning about 15 a gymnastic flip and fire its retro minutes will be the toughest. If the thrusters. The manoeuvre will slow landing succeeds, Pragyan rover will down the craft sufficiently to remain roll down from the belly of the lander in the lunar capture zone and place it and go exploring the moonscape. in a 100 x 100 km radius orbit. This mission comes with bold After being in lunar orbit for ambitions and huge responsibilities, some time, the Vikram lander with which, when fulfilled successfully, Pragyan rover will separate from the will play a crucial role in the way orbiter and descend to a lower, 30- we perceive future Moon missions. km orbit. Then on 7 September, the “Through this mission, we aim lander-rover combine will soft land to expand India’s footprints in on the surface of the Moon. There space, inspire a future generation of will be no parachutes to help Vikram Artist’s impression of Chandrayaan-2 rover Pragyan. scientists, engineers and explorers, as the Moon lacks an atmosphere. and surpass international aspirations,” This is the trickiest part of the mission when descend to the surface. By working against says ISRO on its website. the lander has to fire its retro-thrusters and free-fall, the lander will gently glide down,
Dream 2047, September 2019, Vol. 21 No. 12 26 Environment Lessons from the Wilderness
Dr Felix Bast
With all the amenities of modern environmental impact. We need to water Turf grasses are narrow- lifestyles and urban dwellings that come in it year-round amidst rapidly diminishing various brands and standards like flats, studio freshwater resources of the world. They leaved grass species that form apartments, mansions and condominiums also demand copious amounts of synthetic a uniform, long-lived ground reflects postmodern human civilisations; chemicals, including pesticides, weedicides function over forms sans purpose. However, and fertilisers. Modern research is revealing cover that can tolerate traffic industry-grade design elements of post- how synthetic chemicals irrevocably change modernism often overlook the humble the soil microbial community structures. and low mowing heights. simplicity and relaxing atmosphere of Plant growth promoting activities of a These grasses are referred green surroundings− hallmarks of rustic number of symbiotic and free-living soil countryside dwellings. Consider an urban bacteria and fungi are now being unfolded to as the cool-season turf apartment; chances are high that it is sparsely and detrimental effects of synthetic grasses. Cool season turf decorated with greenery. Modern research insecticides and fertilisers on them are has repeatedly revealed that green ‘living’ coming to the fore. Many of the synthetic grass lawns are notorious for surroundings relieve our psychological stress chemicals ultimately find their way to water and make us happier and more productive. bodies through nutrient run-off. Synthetic their direct environmental No wonder many modern habitations chemicals, especially the older ones, also impact. We need to water it feature prominent well-landscaped and get into our (and other organisms’) body manicured lawns all around. through the process of bio-magnification, as year-round amidst rapidly However, there is a catch that almost exquisitely illustrated by Rachel Carson in diminishing freshwater all of us are oblivious of. The question is her 1962 classic The Silent Spring. Despite how natural are they. Suppose I gave you two all these negative impacts, an often-cited resources of the world.On the options to pick the one that is more natural argument for lawns is that they sequester and environmentally friendly: a lush green (remove) CO from the atmosphere and help other hand, plastic lawns are 2 lawn vs. a fake artificial ‘plastic’ lawn. Many in mitigating global warming to a certain far more environmentally would pick the former; after all, it is a living extent. However, note that lawns demand entity rather than the non-living one. The frequent (indeed weekly) ‘manicuring’ by friendly compared with issue is as philosophical as empirical; how mechanical lawnmowers; an hour usage of manicured lawns, as they would we objectively define the term natural a typical lawnmower is estimated to release or environmentally friendly. 11 times more CO2 compared with an hour demand no water, synthetic Turf grasses are narrow-leaved grass use of new cars, and that alone would offset species that form a uniform, long-lived whatever CO that the lawns remove from chemicals or lawnmowers 2 ground cover that can tolerate traffic and low the atmosphere. during their lifetime that mowing heights. These grasses are referred to For me, lawns and golf courses are like as the cool-season turf grasses. Cool season treadmills in a gym. Often I wonder why lasts for a decade or so. turf grass lawns are notorious for their direct anyone should walk or run in the cloistral,
Dr Felix Bast is a teacher, science enthusiast and science writer based in Punjab. Department of Plant Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Mansa Road, Bathinda, 151001, Punjab.His new book Voyage to Antarctica will be released in 2018.Email:[email protected]
25 Dream 2047, September 2019, Vol. 21 No. 12 monotonous and stressful gym be adopted by good-hearted treadmill, expending substantial people? How ‘natural’ are loads of electricity and money while those pedigrees anyway, the free-to-access outdoor spaces sculptured by generations of are everywhere stretching out all the intentional, human-mediated way to horizons in all directions. ‘artificial’ breeding? Perhaps Irony is that most people drive in you might have seen bonsai big cars to work, and to gyms. I trees or cubical fruits when had been bicycling to work for a fruits are grown inside cubical long time now, merging two chores jars. The consensus among in one (commute and exercise) ethically conscious people thereby saving three of my precious is that all these practices resources (time, money and health). construe under the broad Even the latest research that have Figure 1. Swath of a hillside crop monoculture framework of inhumane and surmised the job with highest life field at Nottinghamshire, UK. Image: Dave unethical pursuits. While expectancy in India is that of postal Massey via www.natures-desktop.com the term ‘pain’ is often delivery people owing to their defined within the context cycling culture won’t motivate car owners style; Europeans introduced it in 18th of consciousness and is controversial to say to switch to cycling, as today’s egocentric century. Traditional Japanese gardens too that plants do feel pain, modern research social systems seek status and validity over never had any lawns; the difference is that the has revealed that plants do elicit a series of education and unpretentious reality. Like imperialists had never colonised Japan and stress responses when harmed. The typical− cars and gym treadmills, lawns were born that their traditions remained more or less often nostalgic− smell of a freshly mowed nine centuries ago in England and Northern same in the last millennium. The carpeting lawn is caused by nothing but aromatic France, originally as a status symbol. Well- is achieved in Japanese gardens by mosses volatile organic chemicals produced by the maintained lawns had been a hallmark of wherever available (Fig. 2). A prominent plants in response to being wounded. By Victorian mansions and continue to be so design element of Japanese Zen gardens is providing great nourishment in the form everywhere in the West (Fig. 1). strategically placed, out of symmetry rocks of excessive and year-round supply of water Even in India, our affluent exemplifying the Japanese concept of wabi- and fertilisers and cutting the blades before neighbourhoods and parks had been sabi− the wild beauty in things that are the plants reach sexual maturity is analogous imitating their western counterparts for imperfect and impermanent. Embracing to a heartless sadist flaying (excruciatingly at least a century. Ironically, our parks had Nature as it is, with all its imperfections, is painful method of execution by removing never been like this in the past; traditional the highest form of nature connectedness the skin from the live body) and castrating Indian landscapes were more or less centred and environmentalism, in deed. a group of well-fed children to ensure on large fruit trees like mango, banyan and Concept and ethics of the term perpetual sexual immaturity! Bodhi (Ficusreligiosa). Landscapes oftentimes “natural” are surprisingly complex. Have Now consider I gave you two options featured muddy ponds with wild aquatic you ever pondered why anyone should crave to choose which is more environmentally plants (like the lotus and water lily, Nymphaea for pure breeds of cats and dogs paying friendly; a genetically modified Bt-cotton nouchali),natural meadows and pastures exorbitant amounts while millions of stray and normal cotton. While the case of with ample of wildflowers (frangipani, animals are freely available and ‘waiting’ to GMOs is contested among the world’s moral white bauhinia, jungle geranium, and ethical philosophers, hibiscus, rhododendron, golden the environmental and shower tree, Ashoka, and so on) philanthropic impacts and fragrant vines like jasmine. are more objectively Mughuls introduced the symmetry measurable. While normal and strategically intersecting water cotton plants are disease channels. They also introduced susceptible and demand an a number of non-native plants inordinate use of synthetic from Persia and elsewhere that are chemicals to ward off widely believed by Indians to be pests, the Bt-cotton is far native to India, including the imli more disease resistant. The (tamarind) and cashew nuts. Even environmental impact of today, one can see quintessential disease-resistant GM plants Mughul gardens inside Rashtrapati like Bt-cotton is indeed far Bhawan, Taj Mahal, and Lodi less than the susceptible Gardens−all devoid of lawns. Figure 2. Prominent turfgrass lawns are integral counterparts. The Carpeting with turf grass lawns component of Victorian mansions like the pictured Eden widespread introduction of had never been part of the Indian Mansion, England. Image: Deadline News, UK GM crops in the late 1990s
Dream 2047, September 2019, Vol. 21 No. 12 24 paved a way to drastically reduce lawnmowers during their lifetime world’s food crisis. Contrary to that lasts for a decade or so. popular perception, myths and Turf grass lawns are an example hoaxes, the scientific consensus of monoculture, a vastly common is that GM plants are as safe as agronomical trend in modern wild variants and its use have times with huge environmental not lead to a single case of the repercussions. In monoculture, human disease. Prior to the just one species is cultivated in a advent of molecular cloning large area. This leads to population techniques for the development fragmentation of pollinators, of GM plants, the route that especially bee population. Fields of agrarian civilisations of the crop plants are indeed examples of world followed over the last monoculture. Biodiversity of such thousands of years was that monoculture fields is minimal. of crop breeding−an example Figure 3. The moss garden at Saijouji Temple, Many studies have revealed that of artificial breeding. Genetic Kyoto, Japan. Image: Wikimedia bee populations around the world engineering and crop breeding are on a decline, perhaps owing to programmes are very similar, both are landscaped moss garden in a glass jar. The the excessive crop monoculture around the human-mediated and both are for the wild alternatives to the turf grass demand world. In nature, no single species is living development of high-yielding and disease- far less maintenance; need no synthetic on its own; species occupy its own unique resistant varieties. fertilisers or weedicides for growth, and position in a complex and interwoven Perils of turf grass lawns were known water consumption is also very minimal. web of ecological niche. Consider any in the early 1900s; however, the practice A major advantage of turf grass lawns forest; you will find a vast number of continues till date. After all, we are a is their resilience to physical stress−like when plant, animal and microbial species living social animal; like owning a car and a big used as a playground with a high level of together. Several studies have revealed house are status symbols, so are lush green physical stress. A good alternative to such that a mixed community involving multi- carpeted turf grass lawns− an obvious case areas that are subjected to high-intense trophic level ecological niche is far superior of conformity towards social identity, also physical stress is artificial lawns. Of course, and stable compared with monoculture. called ‘groupthink’. Despite social stigma, these fake, plastic lawns are artificial; but This phenomenon is sometimes referred many non-conformist counterculture they are far more environmentally friendly as ‘portfolio effect’; analogy here is a stock groups in the west have fought against lawns compared with manicured lawns, as they portfolio containing a diversified admix by looking for alternatives. Native low-lying demand no water, synthetic chemicals or of stocks from various sectors and various perennial grass varieties are an excellent risk levels that have far stable and superior alternative to the introduced British turf returns than a portfolio consisting of just grass. Left untouched, fertile grounds often a single stock. The diversified portfolio is revert to the wilderness attracting its natural more resilient as well (it can recover from pollinators. While in the west, meadows sudden market collapse). Similarly, a multi- with chamomile, self-heal, thyme, daisies, trophic community is far more stable and etc., are often planted to create a natural resilient (able to recover from natural meadow-like habitat, in India we could calamities faster). As mixed communities use the locally abundant and endemic turf- are the norm in nature, poly culture is forming groundcover species like spider a healthier alternative to monoculture. grass, clover, Brahmi (Bacopa), ivy, mint and Modern agricultural practices especially that so on. Ten sacred wild ivies and flowers of of the cereal crops, has started a marked shift Kerala, known as the ‘dasapushpa’, are all from crop monoculture to a polyculture or traditional low-maintenance alternatives ‘multi-trophic’ agriculture (Fig.3). (Mountain knotgrass, golden eye-grass, false For example, one can cultivate daisy, little ironweed, morning glory, slender- carrots and onions together−the so-called dwarf morning glory, lilac tassel flower, little companion planting; the onion smell wards tree plant, Indian doab, and balloon plant). off pests infesting carrots like carrot root For shaded and humid regions, moss is an fly, and carrot smell keeps onion flies away. excellent alternative. Moss was at one time a Ferns like Azolla is grown in rice fields as the highly admired plant even in Great Britain− ferns have algal symbionts like cyanobacteria the birthplace of turf grass lawns. A prized Anabaena that fix atmospheric nitrogen to possession and ornamental souvenir during ammonia and nitrates making these readily the Victorian times was the so-called moss Figure 4 Polyculture at The Eden Project, available for the rice plant. Many modern terrariums; a miniature low-maintenance Cornwall, England. Image: The Eden Project farming practices encourage polyculture.
23 Dream 2047, September 2019, Vol. 21 No. 12 Examples include permaculture (permanent the organic nutrient load such as the fish and uncertainties. Of course, there are risks agriculture), devised by Australian researcher excrements. As excess nutrients are effectively associated with foraging; there might be Bill Mollison, which is the conscious design used by other trophic levels and sequestered, snakes and other venomous creatures in the and maintenance of agriculturally productive problems such as eutrophication can be wilderness, and we will never know whether ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, prevented. A number of filter feeders, such those colourful berries are poisonous or and resilience of natural ecosystems; no-till, as coprophagous organisms (organisms not. However, there is an innate desire and no-herbicide grain cultivation and natural assimilating excreta such as echinoderms like wild joy in the pursuit of foraging that only farming and re-vegetation of desertified sea urchins), decomposers, detritivores (such those who deeply love nature could feel. lands developed by Japanese farmer and as fungi) can also be introduced as part of To differentiate between what is edible and philosopher Masanobu Fukuoka; and forest this system. Such a system is more balanced, what is not, we need to identify commonly farming, or the cultivation of high-value resilient, stable, and is more economical (as occurring wild plant species− a skill almost specialty crops under a forest canopy that the fisherman can as well harvest abalones non-existent in the modern times. is intentionally modified or maintained to and seaweeds in addition to the fish/ Foraging is increasingly getting provide shade levels and habitat, propagated shrimps). popular in the west, especially in by Japanese missionary Toyohiko Kagawa. Like polyculture, yet another ‘back to Scandinavian countries where I had the Similarly, instead of culturing a single species wilderness’ trend of postmodern counter- first-hand experience a year ago. Creative of marine animal (for example, a species culturists is foraging. Before the advent of counter-culturists advocating back to of fish), modern aquaculture has adopted agriculture, human societies were primarily wilderness campaign, culinary experts and Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture hunter-gatherers. They had been gathering computer programmers around the world (IMTA) wherein several species of animals our plants and fruits from wild nature have been joining their hands together to and plants occupying its own unique niche for a long time like other animals do in create a number of foraging guidebooks and in the mixed community is being fostered. nature at present. I remember in my own apps that guide the users towards various For example, a number of seaweed species childhood days in Kerala we used to forage locally abundant edible botanicals (including are deliberately introduced into shrimp or in the uncultivated lands and valleys for seaweeds). One such a notable mobile app is fish aquaculture systems that can assimilate edible wild berries and tree nuts. Foraging VILD MAD developed by the Danish team excess inorganic nutrient, while a number virtually disappeared in modern lifestyle, that included the famous chef René Redzepi. of shellfish species (like abalone) can extract perhaps owing to our aversion towards risks
The Buzz About Transgenic Plants (Contined from page 29)
4. Guidelines and Safe Operating Practices and appropriate safety regulations for industrial production from the (SOPs) for Confined Field Trials of India in recombinant research, use and environmental angle. The Committee Regulated Genetically Engineered applications from time to time. also looks in proposals related to release Plants (GE). 2. The Review Committee on Genetic of genetically engineered organisms 5. Guidelines for the Safety Assessment Manipulation (RCGM) was founded and products into the environment of Foods derive from Genetically under the Department of Biotechnology, including experimental field trials Engineered Plants, 2008 (Updated Ministry of Science and Technology (Biosafety Research Level trial-I and II 2012). to monitor the safety-related aspects known as BRL-I and BRL-II). 6. Protocols for Food and Feed Safety of on-going research projects and 4. State Biotechnology Coordination Assessment of GE crops, 2008. activities. The Committee brings Committees (SBCCs) are monitoring 7. Guidelines and Handbooks for out manuals and guidelines stating committees with powers to inspect, Institutional Biosafety Committee procedure for regulatory process with investigate and take punitive action in 20011. respect to activities involving genetically case or violations of statutory provisions. 8. Guidelines on Similar Biologics: engineered organisms in research, use 5. District Level Committees (DLCs) Regulatory Requirements for Marketing and applications including industry with are involved in monitoring the safety Authorization in India, 2012. a view to ensuring environmental safety. regulations in installations engaged in the Currently, there are six committees for 3. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal use of genetically modified organisms/ handling of various aspects of “The Rules Committee (GEAC) established under hazardous microorganisms and their 1989”. The mandate of the six Committees the Ministry of Environment, Forest & applications in the environment. notified under Rules 1989 is as follows: Climate Change (MoEFCC) is the apex 6. The Institutional Biosafety Committee 1. The Recombinant DNA Advisory body to agree to the notifications under (IBSC) is an institution-level committee Committee (RDAC) advises and Rules 1989. Committee reviews and to oversee ongoing GMO research in reviews developments in biotechnology approves the activities involving large- the institute and to interface with the at national and international levels. scale use of hazardous microorganisms RCGM in regulating it. The Committee recommend suitable and recombinants in research and
Dream 2047, September 2019, Vol. 21 No. 12 22 new horizons Recent Developments in Science and Technology
Biman Basu
New light on Earth’s magnetic field interior. Differences in temperature, pressure Our planet’s magnetic and composition within the outer core cause The magnetic compass point north because convection currents in the molten metal field arises from the the Earth behaves like a giant magnet. The as cool, dense matter sinks whilst warm, Earth’s magnetic field is an invisible shield less dense matter rises. The Coriolis force, circulation of molten that protects our planet from energetic rays resulting from the Earth’s spin, also causes iron and nickel in such as cosmic rays, charged particles and swirling whirlpools. This flow of liquid iron other harmful radiations coming from space generates electric currents, which in turn the Earth’s outer by deflecting them away from the surface. produce magnetic fields. Charged metals It serves to deflect most of the solar wind, passing through these fields go on to create core, deep within our whose charged particles would otherwise electric currents of their own, and so the planet’s interior. In strip away the ozone layer that protects the cycle continues. This self-sustaining loop is Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. known as the geodynamo. the outermost crust of Through seismic studies, it has been In the outermost crust of the Earth, the Earth, rocks also known that at the heart of the Earth is a rocks also produce magnetic signal, but their solid inner core, two-thirds of the size of contribution to the overall magnetism of the produce magnetic field, the Moon and composed primarily of iron. Earth is not significant. In the deeper regions At a temperature of 5,700°C, this iron is as of the Earth’s interior, however, it was but their contribution hot as the Sun’s surface, but the tremendous believed that the rocks lose their magnetic to the overall magnetism pressure caused by gravity prevents it from properties due to the very high temperatures becoming liquid and it remains solid. and pressures. The mantle – the mostly-solid of the Earth is not Surrounding this is the outer core, a 2,270-km significant. However, thick layer of iron, nickel, a new finding not only and small quantities of other metals. Here, the suggests that Earth’s pressure being lower than mantle might not be as at the inner core, keeps the metal in fluid state, magnetically inactive as which circulates due to the Earth’s rotation. previously considered. For a long time, The research could have it was believed that our planet’s magnetic implications for other field arises from the circulation of molten branches of science, such iron and nickel in the Earth’s outer core deep as palaeomagnetism. Earth’s inner structure within our planet’s
The author is a former editor of the popular science monthly Science Reporter, published by CSIR, He is a winner of the 1994 ‘NCSTC National Award for Science Popularisation’. He is the author of more than 45 popular science books. Email: [email protected]
21 Dream 2047, September 2019, Vol. 21 No. 12 to probe the magnetic state able to uncover a cluster of genes encoding of the samples. They were transcription factors linked to kernel taste surprised to find that the (Science, 14 June 2019 | DOI: 10.1126/ haematite remained magnetic science.aav8197). up to a temperature of around The team’s work involved sequencing 925°C, the temperature the genome of the almond and then studying prevailing in the subducted differences between varieties to determine slabs beneath the western part which part of the genome was responsible of Pacific Ocean at the Earth’s for producing amygdalin. After comparing transition zone, located the different varieties over the course of between the lower mantle and two years, the researchers found what they the upper mantle, between a were looking for – a protein called bHLH2. depth of 410 and 660 km. They found that in wild almond trees, According to the bHLH2 binds to two genes, instigating researchers, the new finding the production of amygdalin. In sweet, not only suggests that the domesticated varieties, a mutation in the An image showing the Coriolis effect in the core Earth’s mantle might not be bHLH2 protein – caused by swapped amino creating “rolls” of material that create Earth’s as magnetically inactive as acids that make up proteins – prevents it magnetic field. (Credit: http://www.abc.net.au) previously considered, but from binding to these genes, stopping them the research could also have from making amygdalin. bulk of Earth’s interior – stretching from implications for other branches of science, “It made me laugh that, in the end, a 35 to 2,900 kilometres below the Earth’s such as palaeomagnetism. very simple thing made such a difference,” surface, was believed to be non-magnetic says plant biochemist Raquel Sánchez Pérez and play no role in Earth’s magnetism. But The truth behind bitter almonds of the University of Copenhagen and the recent research has thrown new light on the University Campus of Espinardo in Murcia, contribution of Earth’s mantle to our planet’s Almonds have had a place in the human diet Spain who was a member of the research overall magnetism. for thousands of years, even before they were team. An international team of researchers cultivated and sweetened. Almond (Prunus The new finding may be significant from Germany, France, Denmark and the dulcis) is the seed of the fruit of the almond commercially. Growing and selling almonds USA has now demonstrated that a form tree. Almonds are tasty and nutritious, but is big business – recent statistics show of iron oxide called haematite, can retain some almonds taste bitter and are dangerous that California in the US alone exported its magnetic properties even deep down in to eat because they contain amygdalin – a approximately 10,700 tonnes of the nuts the Earth’s mantle. The researchers used substance containing cyanide. Amygdalin last year, earning more than $21 billion a technique known as ‘ID18 beamline’ to reacts with enzymes in the intestines and in revenue. The researchers believe their study the iron oxide hematite (Fe2O3), a consuming enough of it can be deadly. findings will help almond growers become strongly magnetic mineral, at temperatures Cultivated almond is mostly sweet, more efficient. Currently, nature sometimes and pressures found down to the Earth’s but wild almonds are bitter. Almond interferes with human cultivation efforts, lower mantle. Their study provides evidence breeders have long endeavoured to cultivate allowing some almond trees to grow with that haematite retains magnetic properties varieties that lack the potent poison, but the wild version of bHLH2 – but farmers at the depth of the transition zone between without success. Now, an international are not able to identify them because they the upper and lower mantle at certain team of researchers from Spain, Switzerland, must wait three or four years for a tree to temperatures and could therefore be a source Denmark and Italy of the overall magnetism of Earth (Nature, has found the genetic 6 June 2019 | DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019- difference between 1254-8). bitter wild almonds and For the study, the scientists used the sweet domesticated samples of synthetic haematite in single variety by sequencing crystal and powdered form and combined the complete almond two methods. Using a so-called ‘diamond genome for the first anvil cell’, they squeezed micrometric-sized time. Nearly 28,000 samples of haematite between two diamonds genes and roughly 246 and heated them with lasers to reach pressures million sets of DNA of up to 90 gigapascal (about 900,000 times letters, or base pairs – atmospheric pressure) and temperatures of almost 95 per cent of the over 1,000°C. The researchers combined genes – are represented this method with a technique known as in the genomic sequence. Almonds are tasty but some are bitter. Scientists have Synchrotron Mössbauer Source spectroscopy The researchers were discovered the genetic cause of bitterness in almonds.
Dream 2047, September 2019, Vol. 21 No. 12 20 fruit before they find out. But now there were clear differences between that this “sweetness gene” has been the cells in normal and asthmatic identified, scientists can pluck a leaf lungs. One symptom of asthma is an off of a months-old sapling, analyse overproduction of mucus. However, its genetic makeup and discard not all the cells responsible for this were undesirable varieties. known. The researchers discovered a According to the researchers, new mucus-creating cell state – the the genetic information can also muco-ciliated state – in asthmatic provide clues to other traits such as lungs, that had not been seen before. resistance to pests or when a tree will In normal people, all kinds bloom during the flowering season. of cells in the lungs communicate This is particularly helpful for regions with each other in order to keep the heavily impacted by climate change, airways functioning well. But in including Spain – where breeders asthma patients, almost all of those are already beginning to see shifts in interactions are lost. Instead of a the growth cycle, with many almond network of interactions, in asthma the varieties flowering later and later in inflammatory cells seem to completely the year. dominate the communication in the airways. The anatomical map, published in Nature Medicine, shows the differences between healthy airways First lung map provides and asthmatic airways and identifies new insights into asthma Asthma is characterised by swollen airways and release how cells in the lung communicate Asthma is a common lung condition of excessive mucus that makes breathing difficult. with each other. Knowing the types of that makes breathing difficult and cells in asthmatic lungs and how they triggers coughing, wheezing and shortness of and to be hereditary in some cases. Now, communicate, could help researchers seek breath. It is caused by swelling of the tubes for the first time, researchers have mapped new drug targets that could prevent the cells that carry air in and out of the lungs making the building blocks of the human lungs from responding to the inflammatory signals it difficult to get enough oxygen. According and airways, in both asthma patients and and help restore normal lung function, the to the Global Asthma Report 2018, asthma normal people. The research was conducted researchers say. kills around 1,000 people every day and jointly by the Wellcome Sanger Institute, affects as many as 339 million people UK; University Medical Centre Groningen, globally and its prevalence is rising. Low- and The Netherlands; Open Targets, a public- middle-income countries disproportionally private initiative to generate evidence on VP website suffer the most severe cases. the validity of therapeutic targets based on Asthma is characterised by variable genome-scale experiments and analysis; and and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow GlaxoSmithKline, a British multinational obstruction caused by excessive production pharmaceutical company. The research mucus in the lungs and easily triggered revealed the identity of each cell type, bronchospasms. Symptoms include episodes creating the first draft Human Cell Atlas of of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and the lung. The researchers also discovered an shortness of breath. It can last for years or be entirely new cell state that produces mucus lifelong. Although the disease is not always in asthma patients (Nature Medicine, 17 June fatal, asthma can be severely debilitating 2019 | doi: 10.1038/s41591-019-0468-5). and leads to significant loss of human For their study, the researchers used productivity. single cell technology to study samples While it is often manageable with from 17 people without asthma to explore Join Vigyan Prasar digital library to medication, over long time, asthma can cell types within normal lungs and upper read online publications. You may also cause ongoing problems and there is the risk airways. They analysed more than 36,000 join the discussion forum to ask science of severe, life-threatening asthma attacks. individual cells from the nasal area and from and technology related questions and A better understanding of healthy lung three different areas of the lung. This allowed also answer fellow participants’ queries. We also have streaming science videos, cells and the differences with asthmatic them to see exactly which genes were active science radio serials, online science quiz, lungs is required to develop new effective in each cell and identify the specific cell type. hand-on activities, and many more medications. The researchers then detected the features and programmes related to Till now, it was not known that asthma different cell types and activities in lung science and technology. Log-on to www. was caused by different cell types although samples from six asthma patients, comparing vigyanprasar.gov.in it was known to be triggered by allergy them to normal lungs. They discovered
19 Dream 2047, September 2019, Vol. 21 No. 12