THE CHALLENGING MONSOON EDITOR in CHIEF: Nakul Parashar

VIPNET NEWS—VIGYAN PRASAR NETWORK OF SCIENCE CLUBS MARCH 2021 VOL 1 NO 13 5

THE CHALLENGING MONSOON EDITOR IN CHIEF: Nakul Parashar

EDITOR: Arvind C. Ranade EDITORIAL PRODUCTION: Arvind C. Ranade Bipro Kumar Sen

EDITORIAL: Sumita Mukherjee

ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE: Vigyan Prasar, A-50, Festival of Science and Institutional Area, Sector-62, Noida-201 309, U.P, India festival of colour Tel: +91-0120 2404430 he month of February is programme, wherein India launched one Fax No: +91-0120-2404437 remembered for the National Brazilian satellite and 18 co-passenger E-MAIL: Science Day that is celebrated satellites through PSLV-C51 rocket. What [email protected] on February 28. The Noble is important to note is that Indian Space Prize by Sir C. V. Raman is most inspiring Research Organization (ISRO) has also WEBSITE: on many counts. His ingenious research opened the scope for private players. Out http://www.vigyanprasar.gov.in as well as the indigenous spectroscope of 18 satellites, 14 are from New Space In- designed by him showed the world that dia Limited (NSIN) and 4 are from Indian with limited facility a nation can be National Space Promotion and Authoriza- ‘Self-Reliant’ in science and technology. tion Center (IN-SPACe). 28 February 1928 was the day on which Likewise, the month of March is also Sir C V Raman announced his work to going to be full of celebration in science. Vigyan Prasar is not the public and to commemorate that, the We will be celebrating 3 March as World responsible for the day is celebrated as National Science Day Wildlife Day, 8 March as International statements/opinions expressed since 1987. Women Day, 21 March as World Forest and photographs used by Many of our clubs also celebrated the Day, 22 March as World Water Day, 23 the authors in their day with great enthusiasm. They organ- March as World Meteorology Day and 24 articles/write-ups ized lectures, seminars, competitions and March as World Tuberculosis Day. We all published in “Curiosity” events based on interviews of eminent should make use of these days to commu- scientists. These activities and events nicate the message of science to the peo- Articles, excerpts from articles will be highlighted in our April issue of ple around us. This month, we have a spe- published in “Curiosity” may VIPNET Curiosity. cial article on the World Meteorology Day be freely reproduced with February 2021 was also special, where- emphasizing the importance of weather, due acknowledgement/ in two space missions attracted the atten- climate and water and its significance for credit, provided periodicals tion of the science enthusiasts. One was humans. The regular columns of VIPNET the successful landing of NASA’s Persever- Curiosity are continuously attracting the in which they are reproduced ance Rover on the planet Mars. Persever- imagination of our club members and are distributed free. ance started its journey on 30 July 2020 especially the children. In addition to the and reached Mars on 18 February 2021 celebration of science, we are also going Published and Printed by after its six-month-long space travel. The to celebrate the festival of colours on 29 Dr Nakul Parashar on behalf few released photographs promise very March 2021. We wish you a very happy, encouraging results and it is expected to secure and eco-friendly Holi! of Vigyan Prasar, be a successful mission with fulfilling its A-50, Institutional Area, objectives like finding habitability, tracing Sector-62, biosignatures, testing certain samples and Dr. Arvind C Ranade is Scientist ‘F’ and Noida-201 309, U.P, India finding useful information on the scope National Co-ordinator of Vigyan Prasar for human expedition to Mars. Febru- Network of Science Clubs. ary was also important for India’s space Email: [email protected] Cover Design & Illustrations By: Bipro Kumar Sen 2 March 2021 THE CHALLENGING MONSOON

Ashwini Ranade

very year we celebrate ‘World my is heavily dependent on monsoon delineate the difference in weather dur- Water day’ and ‘World Mete- rains. Even after many decades of devel- ing cool dry winter to hot wet summer. orological Day’ consecutively opment, monsoon has a great impact on The notion of periodic changes in the on 22nd and 23rd March, agriculture, food security, and economy wind directions used for monsoon is for celebrating weather, climate and of the country. Even though southwest not indigenous and was taught by Arab water. Since 1961 ‘World Meteorological monsoon (during June-September) is navigators. Each year during boreal Organization’ (WMO) chooses a special the major contributors (nearly 70-90%) (northern hemispheric, NH) summer, theme to focus the attention of the of annual rainfall over most parts of the the initial monsoon rains occur over the world on crucial global issues related to country, due to insufficient irrigation Andaman Sea in May and then advanc- weather and climate. ‘The Ocean, our facilities, about 64% of Indian farmers es in north and north-west direction climate and weather’ is the theme cho- still rely upon monsoon for agriculture across the Bay of Bengal and over the sen for World Meteorological Day-2021 and in turn their livelihood. Good mon- south and southeastern parts of the to support efforts to boost ocean health soon is important to restock 81 major Indian subcontinent. There is a season- for sustainable development of ocean reservoirs in the country necessary al reversal of wind direction over the and to make aware of linkages between for irrigation, power generation, and northern Arabian Sea during summer the ocean, climate and weather. The drinking. The start, end, and duration from winter. During July, north-west- theme for the World water day-2021 is of the rainy season over each part of the erlies over the Red Sea, the northern ‘Valuing water’ to pay attention to the country are vital and any deviation in Arabian Sea and along Indian West protection of this essential life resource. these factors in any region would have Coast make forward journey, and dur- Owing to our tropical monsoon a significant impact on the agricultural ing November, northeasterly over the climate, Indian hydro-meteorological production and economy of that region. northern Arabian Sea and southeasterly planning and management services are wind over the Red Sea make backward highly dependent on the performance of Understanding the Monsoon journey favouring the sailors. Subse- summer monsoon. In the colonial era, it ‘The Monsoon’ is one of the oldest quently, the term ‘seasonal reversal of was considered that the Indian econo- observed weather phenomena that the wind’ has been extended to a similar pattern of winds in other parts of the world delineating monsoonal regime and monsoonal rains across many con- tinents and oceans across the globe (e.g. Asia-pacific, African, Australian, and American Monsoon etc.). Asia-Pacific monsoon is the most energetic, distinct and largest monsoon system of the globe, covering Indian subcontinent, In- do-china peninsula, China, South China Sea, Korea, Japan and the Northwest Pacific Ocean. It is the amalgamation of six sub-regional interlinked monsoons (Indo-China Peninsula monsoon, South China Sea monsoon, South Asian monsoon, East Tibet Plateau monsoon, East Asian monsoon and Northeast Asian

March 2021 3 Fig. 1. Locations of different highs and lows in active Asia-Pacific Monsoon circulation system (1000 hPa, 500 hPa and 150 hPa represent 2 m, 5.5 km and 13.5 km height above ground, respectively) monsoon). Each sub-regional monsoon March as well September when both essential condition for the occurrence shows significant differences in its hemispheres are in a thermally bal- of summer monsoon circulation. Due to regional characteristics despite sharing anced condition. The modification and the availability of modern scientific data some common signals. Broadly, the redistribution of the general circulation analysis and visualization techniques, basic nature of the monsoon is tropical; take place during four months of the it is easier to elaborate in details on the however, characteristics of its secondary monsoon season. Monsoon circulation 3-D structure of monsoon circulation disturbances are wide-ranging, equato- is highly dependent on the tempera- (Fig. 1). Two surface heat low pressure rial through subpolar. The Indian mon- ture contrast between the equator and areas (the Middle East and China Mon- soon is the core component and other respective latitudinal belts and is driven golia) converge airs from all other sides. sub-regional and local monsoons are by the apparent movement of the Sun. The rising air diverges through upper within the ambit of Asia-Pacific mon- Thermal gradients establish pressure tropospheric anticyclonic circulation soon circulation. Although the world- gradients and thereafter generate over the Tibetan plateau to all subtrop- wide acceptable definition of monsoon atmospheric motions. The combined ical and polar highs across the globe. regime continues to be debatable, it effect of thermal contrast between two During fully mature phase (July-Au- has been well accepted that the strong- hemispheres, land and sea, the low- gust), the deflected Indo-Pacific trade est, energetic, distinct and dominating er and upper troposphere (surface to winds after crossing the equator pass sub-monsoon is encompassed within ~10-12 km) and between elevated Asian through a wide range of thermal, mois- the Indian sector. landmass (Tibetan plateau) to the entire ture and wind regimes (e.g. tropical, Monsoon is the largest thermally globe is the main cause for the occur- subtropical, temperate and subpolar) direct tropical circulation that produces rence of monsoon. During NH summer, before converging over the heat lows summer seasonal rainfall across the the tropospheric temperature over the over Asian landmasses. A variety Asia-Pacific region. The classical image Tibetan plateau is ~10° C higher than of secondary perturbations finally of the global large-scale wind circu- that over the entire globe which acts produce the rainfall. Effects of Coriolis lation can be seen in the last week of as an elevated heat source and is the force (a fictitious force due to Earth’s

4 March 2021 rotation), orography and diabatic convergence of two large-scale air flows of these rainstorms vary drastically heating contribute considerably to the of different characteristics; ii) Circular from one year to another. According to monsoon circulation, cloud formation convergence systems (e.g., cyclones, the National Commission on Floods, and rainfall mechanism. Besides, local depressions etc.) that occurs due to more than 40 million hectare land of factors also alter the monsoon system rotation meyondering of one or more air the country is prone to floods. Every in a complex way. masses; iii) wave systems (e.g., western year, about 7.5 million hectares of land disturbances) due to arrival of troughs is affected and on average 1600 lives The rain-producing weather systems and ridges of moving westerly waves; are lost. According to IPCC reports, and extremes and iv) Mesoscale convective systems ‘in a warmer climate, the intensity of Each part of the country experiences a (e.g., thunderstorms, eddies etc.) that extremes would increase due to inten- unique weather condition, due to the are very localized and of short duration. sification of the hydrological cycle re- weather system that is forming or mov- Extreme monsoon rains cause severe sulting from warming at the surface and ing over the particular region. An air flooding and disasters across India long-wave cooling higher in the atmos- mass has the typical property of retain- every year in several parts, surprising- phere. Location, orientation, shape, size, ing the thermal and moisture charac- ly even during large-scale droughts. and intensity of monsoon circulation teristics of the source regions for weeks The location and time of occurrence associated with different extreme events after moving away from those regions. A could be different. It has been seen that typical rain-producing weather system local-scale, short-duration extremes are is formed due to the interaction between embedded in large-scale, long-period in- two or more air masses of opposite char- tense rain activities. For example, in the acteristics (e.g. cool-dry, warm-moist year 2005, during 26-27 July, Mumbai etc.). Local thermal, moisture and pres- experienced more than 940 mm rainfall sure field drives these weather systems in a single day. Observations revels that and modified by earth rotation or orog- not only Mumbai but the whole penin- raphy. On a broader scale, four types of sula was under very heavy rainfall con- weather systems can be observed across dition that led to highest rainwater (98 the globe: i) Line convergence systems bcm) received by the country in a single (e.g., fronts, squall lines) mainly formed day. Various studies have reported the due to channelization and confluence/ rising frequency of summer monsoon extremes due to a significant increase in REAL-TIME WEATHER MONITORING ACTIVITY: synoptic scale, mesoscale and micros- cale weather activities. To cope with the variability of 1. Visit https://earth.nullschool.net/ and zoom at your desired location. monsoon and extremes associated 2. Note down different meteorological parameters like mean sea level pressure, with changes in the global climate, it surface temperature, relative humidity, totsl precipitable water, precipitation is required to develop scientific and technological skills for efficient disaster and wind speed at your place at 6-hourly interval on any day. management that reduce flood-related 3. Monitor wind speed and direction at different atmopsheric levels and iddentify damages to life, economy, and environ- locations of cyclonic and anticylonic circulations. ment. On the other hand, we also need to be self -reliant and technologically 4. Check mean sea level pressure (mslp) chart and iddentify high and low advanced to capture and distributed pressure areas. ample annually available rainwater so that water-related sectors could be 5. Monitor the weather parameters on each day and maintain a logbook. less dependent on long-term climate prediction. Send your observations to us and win exiting prizes at [email protected] to win exciting prizes. Dr Ashwini Ranade is Scientist at National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee. Email: [email protected]

March 2021 5 JAMMU AND KASHMIR: The Paradise on Earth

Ashaq Hussain

Himalayas. This valley has an average height of 1,850 metres (6,070 ft) above sea-level, but the surrounding Pir Panjal range has an average elevation of 3,000 m (10,000 ft). The Jhelum River is the major Himalayan River which flows through the Kashmir valley. The Tawi, Ravi, and Chenab are the other important rivers of the region. These give way to a broad band of western Himalayan broadleaf forests running from north- west-southeast across the Kashmir Valley. Rising into the mountains, the broadleaf forests grade into western Himalayan subalpine conifer forests. ammu and Kashmir, the of Kashmir by the Pir Panjal range of northernmost state and one of mountains on one side and mountains Climate the Union territories of India, of Doda and Kishtwar on the other. It Although area wise Jammu & Kashmir is regarded as the heaven on has successfully registered itself as the is small, its climate varies from one Earth and Switzerland of the trade and commerce hub of the state. region to another. The climate is tropi- East. The state is known for its culture, According to the seasons, the State cal in Jammu region and temperate in heritage, history, and natural resources. capital shifts to Srinagar as the sum- Srinagar region. Climate of Jammu and The Union Territory is broadly divided mer capital and Jammu as the winter Kashmir can be divided roughly into six into two regions Jammu region and capital. The official language of the state seasons. The summers start from the Kashmir Region. Both areas have a good is Urdu, Kashmiri, and Dogri. The state mid-May to the mid- July. Just before number of locations that attract hordes has an excellent physical infrastructure summer is the spring, which lasts from of domestic and international tourists. and it has 66.7% literacy level. mid-March to mid-May. There is heavy A valley between the Great Himala- rainfall during spring, and landslides yan range and the Pir Panjal mountain Topography often occur during this season. The range is the Kashmir region, which is Jammu and Kashmir is home to several Monsoons have a humidity of around known for its pristine natural beauty valleys such as the Kashmir Valley, Tawi 70% and stretch from the middle of and unique cultural heritage. Jammu Valley, Chenab Valley, Poonch Valley, July to the mid of September. The region is separated from the Valley Sind Valley and Lidder Valley. The autumn starts from mid-September to Kashmir valley is 100 km (62 mi) wide the middle of November. Winter starts and 15,520.3 km2 (5,992.4 sq mi) in from mid-November to mid-January, area. The Himalayas divide the Kashmir and it is ice-cold from mid-January to valley from the Tibetan plateau while mid-march. the Pir Panjal range, which encloses the valley from the west and the south, Biodiversity separates it from northern India's Great The state of Jammu and Kashmir has Plains. Along the north-eastern flank of a fairly rich diversity of plant life, and the Valley runs the main range of the people depend on it for their daily needs

6 March 2021 of food, medicine, fuel, fibre, etc. The in the temperate and alpine habitats. Kashmiri language, Chinar (platanus varied plant life also contributes to Some native medicinal plants have been orientalis) tree holds a special place the food and habitat needs of the wild taken up for cultivation, e.g., Dioscorea in Kashmiri civilization. Almost every and domesticated animals in the state. deltoidea is now cultivated for its tubers village in the valley has a Chinar tree. Plants are also an integral part of the which are rich in diosgenin and yield You can experience a cool breeze under social fabric of the state. The environ- cortisone, a steroid hormone. Kashmir, the shadow of this majestic tree which mental, social and economic values along with the hilly regions of Doda, is very conducive to health. A decid- of plants are very well known. The Udhampur, Poonch and Rajouri, is also uous tree, Chinar traces its origin to faunal component of the bio-diversity blessed with the most magnificent trees Greece. The tree is at its most elegance of the state is rich, with interesting and such as the chinar, dense deodar, pine and exuberance during autumn. Chinar unique forms both in the forest zones and fir found throughout the valleys and grows up to a height of 25 m and a girth and above the forest-line. The variety of the mountain ranges. Walnut, willow, exceeding 50 feet in certain cases. This animal ranges from higher groups like almond, and cider are also a part of the tree with the largest circumference of 60 vertebrates, including mammals, birds, rich flora of Jammu and Kashmir. feet is located at a village named Chat- reptiles, amphibians, and lower groups tergam in central Kashmir. like invertebrates including insects and Fauna even unicellular micro-organisms. The fauna of Jammu and Kashmir National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries is diverse due to its unique location The National Parks of Jammu & The flora and climatic condition. About 16% of Kashmir are Kishtwar National Park, In Jammu, the flora ranges from the the Indian mammals, birds, reptiles, Salim Ali National Park, and Dachigam thorn bush type of the arid plain to amphibians and butterflies are present National Park the temperate and alpine flora of the in the state. The state is home to about Kishtwar National Park is located higher altitudes. In the category of 75 species of mammals, besides several in the district of Kishtwar District of the broad-leaf trees, there are maple, sub-species, belonging to 54 genera, 21 Jammu region. Brown Bear, Leopard, silver fir, horse chestnuts, etc., and at families and 8 orders. Of the 19 species Snow Leopard, Himalayan Musk Deer, the higher altitudes, there are birch, of the ungulates reported from the state, Hangul Cervus and Ibex Capra are the rhododendron, and a large number of 13 have been listed as globally threat- wildlife’s living in this park. herbal plants. The flora of Himalayan ened. The avian diversity of the state Salim Ali National Park is located Kashmir comprises about 2,054 species varies seasonally and available data at Srinagar. Snow cock, Hangul, Serow, while that of the Jammu region com- suggests the existence of as many as 358 Chakar and Monal are the wild life prises of about 1206 species. These species of birds belonging to 179 genera, living in this park. figures include only the angiosperms, 51 families under 16 orders. gymnosperms, and pteridophytes. The There is a large and varied fauna plants of the western Himalayas are well such as leopard, cheetah, deer, wild known for their medicinal properties. sheep, bear, brown musk shrew, and This area is a storehouse of medicinal muskrat. Varieties of snakes, bats, and aromatic plants, which are used in lizards and frogs are also found in the pharmaceutical and perfume industries. region. The birds in Jammu include The list includes 55 species of important pheasants, peacock, chakor (Alectoris medicinal and aromatic plants. There graeca) and snow partridge. Jammu and are 11 medicinal plants in the temperate, Kashmir is home to number of species cold, arid regions of Jammu and Kash- that are listed as endangered like the Dachigam National Park is located mir. Several medicinal plants grow wild Kashmiri stag called 'Hangul' and snow at Srinagar. Nature walks and Trekking leopard that has survived here from are the adventurous activities of this times unknown. You can see many more park. Musk Deer, Kashmir Stag, Hangul, fascinating and exquisite forms of life in Leopards, Himalayan Brown Bear, Jack- the many national parks and sanctuaries als, etc. are the wildlife living in that are here in the state. the park. The Wildlife sanctuaries present Chinar in this state are Ramnagar Wildlife Locally called ‘The Booune’ in the Sanctuary, Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary,

March 2021 7 Surinsar Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary, Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary, and Overa Wildlife Sanctuary. Kashmir, Student Welfare Society The Shawls and Carpets that are made Anantnag, and Educational, Environ- in Kashmir are rich in colour and are Educational Institute/ Academic Bodies: mental, Social, Sports and Cultural most attractive. Colleges and universities of J&K have Society (EESSCS) Bhalessa help in in- The Jammu and Kashmir has been historical importance and also have culcating scientific temperament in the fabled down the ages for its natural been recognized as excellent centres of very grass root level. Dozens of VIPNET beauty and tourism. It has best been learning from time immemorial. Thir- Clubs affiliated with Vigyan Prasar described as an emerald set-in pearls, teen Universities/deemed universities also strengthen the effort and mobilise with the emerald representing the lush, in J & K and a renowned research Insti- people on thinking scientifically and fertile Kashmir Valley and pearls for the tute IIIM (Indian institute of Integrated rationally. lofty snow-clad Himalayan peaks that Medicines) cater to the need of higher encircle it. education and research in science and Handicraft References: technology in the region. Ten Medical Some of the most popular craft works A hand book of Jammu and Kash- Colleges and six engineering Colleges in of Jammu & Kashmir are Carpets, Nam- mir, 3rd Edition, Compiled by Publicity addition to four Autonomous techni- das, Papier Mache, Chain Stitch and Department Govt. of Jammu & Kash- cal Colleges and two Unani Colleges Crewel Furnishings, Silks and Tweeks, mir, Published by Ranbir Press Jammu. train the students for different pro- Pherans, Shawls, Basketry, Walnut Geography of Jammu & Kashmir fessional/vocational Courses. Various Wood, Copper and Silverware, Weav- State by Dr. A. N. Raina, Published Non-Governmental Organizations and ing and Embroidery, Wood work and by Radha Krishan Anand & Co. Pacca Science clubs like National Council for Carving, and Papier-mache craft. The Danga, Jammu, 2002 Urban and Rural Development Society Embroidery work of Jammu & Kashmir N.P. Singh and D.K Singh,Flora of (NCURDS) Jammu, SPEAK Society is called Kasida and is world famous. Jammu and Kashmir, Vol. 1 published by Botanical Survey of India, Ministry JAMMU AND KASHMIR QUIZ TIME of Environment and Forests, Govern- ment of India , December, 2002. 1. What is the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir? Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, Riyaz Ahmad 2. Who built the Shalimar Bagh? etal, Threatened Fauna of Jammu and Kashmir State, In book: Biodiversity 3. What is the State Bird of J & K? of the Himalaya: Jammu and Kashmir 4. What is the State tree of J & K? State (pp.997-1009), 2020. 5. Dachigam National Park is famous for which animal? Biodiversity of the Himalya: Jammu 6. What is the official language of J& K? and Kashmir State, Topics in Biodiver- 7. What is the name of the river on the bank of which Srinagar is situated? sity and Conservation vol. 18, 2020, 8. Which town of Kashmir is called as Apple Town? 1096 pp., ISBN 978-981-32-9173-7. 9. Who was the last ruling Maharaja of J & K? Pictures from: J&K Tourism Pamphlets 10. Kashmir valley is located between which Mountain ranges? and Google images.

Send us the correct answers of the quiz at Dr Ashaq Hussain is coordinator of Himalayan Education VIPNET Club (VP- [email protected] to win exciting prizes. JK0016) at Govt. Degree College, Chatroo. Email: [email protected]

8 March 2021 Astronomical Sky Map Events of FOR MARCH 2021 MARCH 2021

Vipin Singh Rawat MARCH 6 MERCURY AT GREATEST WESTERN ELONGATIO The sky map is prepared as per the coordinates of Nagpur (21.09°N, 79.09°E). It includes Mercury will be at the great- constellations and the brighter stars. For viewers south of Nagpur, constellations of the southern est western elongation of 27.3 sky will appear higher up in the sky and those of the northern sky will appear nearer the northern degrees from the Sun. This is the horizon. Similarly, for viewers north of Nagpur, constellations of northern sky will appear higher best time to view Mercury in the up in the sky and those of the southern sky will appear nearer the southern horizon. eastern sky just before Sunrise.

THE MAP CAN BE USED AT 10 PM ON 1ST MARCH, AT 9 PM ON MARCH 13 15TH MARCH AND AT 8 PM ON 31ST MARCH. NEW MOON This phase occurs at 15:51 IST. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clus- ters because there is no moon- light to interfere.

MARCH 20 MARCH EQUINOX The March equinox occurs at 15:07 IST. The Sun will shine directly on the equator and there will be nearly equal amounts of day and night throughout the world. This is also the first day of spring (vernal equinox) in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of fall (autumnal equinox) in the Southern Hemi- sphere.

MARCH 29 FULL MOON This phase occurs at 00:18 IST. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Worm Moon because this was the time of year when the ground would begin to soften and the earthworms would reap- pear. This moon has also been known as the Crow Moon, the Crust Moon, the Sap Moon, and the Lenten Moon.

The author is Technical Assistant FebruaryMarch 2020 2021 9 7 at Vigyan Prasar. Email: [email protected] Cancer: Let us not wait, watch, and suffer

Manisha Yadav

pproximately 9.6 million certain viruses can also be carcinogenic, gain. Plenty of food options are availa- people die from cancer every e.g., herpes, hepatitis B/C. EBV etc. ble that can be incorporated in the diet, year, making it the second The global survey’s results illustrate some of which are listed here: leading cause of death that tobacco use (63%), exposure to worldwide. Up to 3.7 million lives could harmful UV rays (54%), and exposure Signs and symptoms be saved each year by putting into prac- to tobacco smoke from others (50%) For early detection and treatment, one tice suitable strategies for cancer pre- appear to be the most recognized cancer must look out for symptoms that may vention, early detection, treatment, and risk factors. Meanwhile, a lack of exer- vary depending upon the type of cancer awareness. Cancer is a cise (28%), exposure and its location. Some of the key symp- disease caused due to to certain viruses or toms are: uncontrolled, abnormal bacteria (28%), and 1. Unusual lumps or swelling; growth of normal cells being overweight (29%) 2. Coughing, breathlessness or difficulty leading into a tumour. If appear to be the least swallowing, fever; left untreated, tumours recognized cancer 3. Changes in bowel habit, unexpected bleeding in stools, in urine or when can grow and spread risk factors. Current coughing; into the surround- treatment available for 4. Unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, ing normal tissue or cancer includes surgery, fatigue, pain or ache; other body parts via the chemotherapy, radia- 5. Unusual breast changes, skin changes, a bloodstream and lym- tion therapy. Despite sore or ulcer that won’t heal, excessive phatic systems affecting the treatment, hardly hair growth; various body functions. 60% of the patients 6. Persistent/painful heartburn or indigestion, heavy night sweats; Cancer is caused by survive for another ten 7. Pain during urination, change in bladder agents called carcinogens. Carcinogens years with complications like hair loss, function/frequency of urination (for may increase cancer risk by altering fatigue, anxiety, and depression that bladder or prostate cancer); and cellular metabolism or damaging DNA make their lives challenging. So it is 8. White patches inside the mouth or directly in cells and by inducing un- time that we wake up to follow strate- tongue may be often caused by smoking controlled malignant division, leading gies that help prevent cancer. or other tobacco use, which may lead to to tumour formation. It is important mouth cancer. to remember that while some factors Strategies to prevent cancer Myths cannot be modified, around one-third Following a healthy lifestyle is the key Certain cancer-related myths can lead of cancer cases can be prevented by to keep cancer at bay. To achieve this, to needless worry and even hamper reducing behavioural and dietary risks one must stay active by doing physical good prevention and treatment deci- categorized as modifiable factors. exercise or yoga. Physical activity regu- sions of cancer patients. Multiple fac- Modifiable carcinogens present in our lates hormonal levels, reduces oxidative tors decide the extent of cancer-related surroundings include pesticides, aero- stress and cellular damage, and reduces complications and death, e.g., speed of sols, UV-rays/radon exposure, vehicular anxiety. At the same time, yoga helps cancer growth, the area of spread in the emissions, chemicals present in food build physical, mental, and emotional body, treatments available, the person's (preservatives), sweetened juice, dietary endurance and reduces radiation-in- overall health, and response to treat- fat, highly spicy and fermented food, duced DNA damage. ment. But with increasing research and etc. Lifestyle-related agents like tobacco Another way to adopt a healthy understanding of cancer, the likelihood chewing, tar from smoking, etc., can lifestyle is to eat healthy food with high of dying from cancer has dropped also serve as carcinogens. Infection with nutritional value and minimize weight steadily since the 1990s, suggesting that

10 March 2021 products (e.g., tobacco, alcohol, and Category Food beverages) should be restricted. Some Anti-oxidants Pomegranate juice, avocado, Green tea of the schemes available in India are: Omega 3 Fatty-Acid Chia seeds, flax seeds, walnuts, berries 1. Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund - Probiotics Yogurt, soft cheese, buttermilk Lycopene and carotene-rich food Tomatoes, guava, watermelon, mangoes, peaches https://main.mohfw.gov.in Calcium Cheese, milk 2. The Health Minister’s Discretionary Phenols, indols, flavones, cumin, Raw vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, sprouts, mustard Grants - https://main.mohfw.gov.in and isothiocyanates greens, and cauliflower 3. The Central Government Health Vitamins, selenium Fruits and vegetables Scheme - https://cghs.gov.in Sulphur-rich food Garlic 4. National Health Protection Scheme - Fibre-rich food Oatmeal, beans, avocado, guava, kiwi https://www.india.gov.in/spotlight/ Here is the list of foods that, if consumed in excess, might act as a carcinogen. ayushman-bharat-national-health-protection-mission Category Type of food and cause 5. The Prime Minister’s National Relief Sugar Contribute to excess weight gain, which is associated Fund - https://www.pmrf.gov.in with an increased risk of developing several types of cancer Bottled water Unfiltered and plastic stored water that leaches BPA ACTIVITY: Protein Pancreatic enzymes destroy cancer cells; high protein a) Which Indian cricketer survived lung diets force pancreatic enzymes to focus on protein cancer? digestion rather than killing cancer cells 1. Yuvraj Singh Fat from animals Butter and cheese 2. Gautam Gambhir Dairy products Dairy products contain high levels of estrogen and pesticides in 3. Saurav Ganguly cows feed grains that mimic natural estrogen play a role in 4. Virat Kohli breast cancer b) In which city is ACTREC situated? Gluten and wheat Wheat turns into sugar 1. New Delhi Food with preservatives Pickles, smoked/salted food, nitrate/nitrite containing food, 2. Mumbai processed meat 3. Hyderabad Smoky food Smoky food absorbs a large amount of tar 4. Chennai Fancy food Ice cream, chocolate products, cakes, cookies, sugar drinks c) Which is the term used for blood cancer? 1. Anaemia cancer is not a death sentence. Few other myths regarding cancer are 2. Leukaemia Some people think that cancer cell phones, hair dye, deodorants can 3. Leukopenia is contagious, but actually it is not. cause cancer. But presently there is 4. Leukoplakia The only situation where cancer can no such evidence that using these can d) Name the most common cancer in the spread from one person to another is cause cancer. world, due to which women died? after organ or tissue transplantation, 1. Breast Cancer 2. Ovarian Cancer which increases the risk of developing Cancer awareness 3. Rectal Cancer transplant-related cancer in the future. According to surveys conducted world- 4. Vaginal Cancer Therefore, doctors avoid the use of wide, people with limited educational e) Which of the following symbols is organs or tissue from donors who have exposure and lower incomes appeared concerned with Breast cancer? a history of cancer. less aware of the cancer risk factors. Cancer is not a hereditary disease, As a result, they were less proactive in i.e., if someone in the family has cancer, taking measures to reduce their cancer it does not necessarily mean that the risk than those from high-income f) MD Anderson Cancer Center is located in which American city? other family members will get it since households or with higher education. 1. California cancer results from harmful changes Therefore, delivery of up-to-date infor- 2. Houston in genes by exposure to carcinogens. mation on cancer risks and cancer pre- 3. New York Chances of inheritance of cancer from vention to the public must be ensured. 4. Florida parents are only about 5 to 10 per cent. Consumption of known cancer-causing Send us the correct answers of the quiz at Dr Manisha Yadav is Post doctoral fellow at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. [email protected] to win exciting prizes. Email: [email protected]

March 2021 11 Use of Drones in Rapid Assessment of Sand Mining and Its Impact on the Ganga River

Peeyush Gupta

and mining has emerged as a major global issue and the indiscriminate extraction of river sand and gravel is manifold higher than natural replenishments in several river basins across the world which can impart serious offsite and onsite impacts. This ultimately leads to changes in channel form, physical habitats, food webs and engineering structures associated with river channels and its watershed. As these adverse effects become increasingly recognized and understood, in-stream sand mining/ aggregate extraction has invited increasing scientific scrutiny. Although more focused research leading to restoration of river environments Map: Sand Mining Sites in Ganga Basin are needed, but it is amply clear that large-scale mining of sand, gravel and processes. It is critical to understand by sand mining and unsustainable stones from riverbeds and banks alters these issues before drafting a long-term sand mining has been rampant the natural flow of a river and may policy for sand mining in the Ganga despite the 2016 guidelines issued severely affect the entire river system. basin. by the Ministry of Environment and At the same time, the Himalayan Several rivers draining the Forests. To strengthen the existing rivers are known for exceptionally high Ganga basin are severely impacted system and to curb the illegal and sediment flux, and several reaches are also anthropogenically modified due to several interventions such as barrages and bridges which influence the natural flow regime and hence sediment transport. Therefore, the identification of reaches of excessive sedimentation is equally important because this can lead to serious problems of river management including river-related hazards. It is important to maintain a balance among sediment supply, effective transport, and sedimentation. Any deviation from this may lead to major changes in river morphology and

12 March 2021 lcls lqUnj /kjk gekjh

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March 2021 13 also be computed. In another small not have to be the pristine state of However, precaution should be taken window upstream of Bhogpur, which the river but should be based on the not to change the form and slope of the was identified as a degradational zone, dynamic behaviour of the river and river in a major way. eroded/excavated volume of sediments understanding of river processes. 5. Limited mining of the filled was computed from the drone images 2. One of the first criteria to identify paleochannels away from the making some assumptions but ideally the stretches for river bed mining is to active channels is a good option but this should be done using repetitive mark the zones of aggradation or again some caution is required as images. In summary, the drone degradation along the river using they also serve as important areas for surveys offers a very powerful and historical analysis of satellite images groundwater recharge, and therefore, accurate technique for identifying the and available maps. All mining should a minimum of 3-4 m sand layer areas affected by sand mining and for be located around the aggradational (undisturbed unsaturated zone) should computing the volumes of sediments stretches. be left for the protection of the aquifer. excavated through sand mining. 3. Depth of mining should be 6. Riverbed mining in selected areas This pilot project helped in determined based on the rates of should always be taken up in patches to suggesting some important guidelines accumulations (sand budget) at these maintain the riffle-pool structure for sand mining in addition to those locations and it should not alter the of the river longitudinally. This is an prescribed by MOEF 2020 document: general slope of the stretch in a major important ecological criterion and must 1. The decision about sand mining in way. Therefore, bar skimming or be followed. a river should not be governed by its scraping are considered as the most 7. Cutting of river banks and widening present-state or morphology but by sustainable ways of sand mining. of river channel must be avoided defining a ‘reference state’, i.e., a 4. It may be extremely beneficial to during sand mining. This will disturb minimum acceptable or agreed upon integrate river training works with sand the hydrologic regime of the river morphological and ecological state mining activities and the concerned significantly and will also harm the of the river. The reference state does departments should work in tandem. riparian vegetation and soil. 8. In areas where mining has been DO YOU KNOW THE RIVER TERMS done before or being carried out, continuous monitoring of the river Alluvial: When something is alluvial, such as fresh water from the river meets salt water form and position, both upstream and a river, it is deposited by running water. from the ocean. downstream of the sand mining areas Banks: The sides of a river or the stream that Headwaters: Streams or rivers which are the must be carried out regularly to avoid the water normally flows between. source of other streams or rivers. any undesirable impacts. Bed: The very bottom of a river or other type Hydrologic Cycle: Also called the Water 9. All ecological hotspots along the of water is called the bed. Cycle, this term refers to water’s journey as it river should be avoided for sand mining Brackish: When water is brackish, it is saltier goes from the land to the sky and back again. irrespective of their regime. than river water, yet not as salty as seawater. Meander: If something meanders, it follows a Channel: This is an area with flowing water winding path. 10. The most fundamental point about and which is confined by banks. Mouth: The very end of a river; the point at sand mining is that if undertaken at all, Channelled: When something is channelled, it which a river spills into a large body of water. the extraction of river bed sand should is grooved or cut deeply. Oxbow Lake: This term refers to a stagnant be conducted at rates that are less than Delta: A large silty area at the mouth of a lake developed alongside a winding river. It the rate at which sand is redeposited river and which then splits into two or more occurs when a river changes its path due from either bedload or suspended load different slow-flowing channels with muddy to the erosion of soil because it leaves an transported from upstream. Therefore, banks. They are often triangular in shape, abandoned stream channel that is cut off from enough time should be provided to and they are the basis for new land to be the rest of the river. the river to replenish its sediments in developed. Rill: A very small channel of water. A rill is a stretch, and therefore, mining areas Effluent: Effluent is wastewater flowing from caused by runoff water that resulted in the should shift regularly along the river. a commercial or industrial facility, such as a erosion of soil. sewage plant or a factory of some type. Riparian: This is a term used to describe Estuary: The spot where a river meets an an area right next to a body of water; for The author is Asst. Real Time Information ocean or a sea; for example, the spot where example, a river, stream, or lake. Specialist, National Mission for Clean Ganga, Ministry of Jal Shakti. Email: [email protected]

14 March 2021 MARC 2021 CLUB SPEAK

Online colloquium on Pendulum Scientia Enim Hominis (Science for Mankind, Jamnagar (VP-GJ0178) conducted an online seminar on the story of pendulum. The activity was organised to demonstrate the periodic motion to the students. The students performed the activity from their home.

Water Testing Workshop Ronald Ross Science Club, Khargone (VP- ANSWERS OF CURIOSITY FEBRUARY ISSUE MP0147) and CV Raman Science Club, New Indian Astronomy Quiz: 1) A; 2) C; 3) A; 4) D; 5) C; 6) B; 7) B; 8) D; 9) A; 10) B Ganganagar, Khargone (VP-MP0255) conducted a water testing workshop in January 2021 for the students of Govt. Middle School Mothapura. The testing of water hardness, pH, turbidity, and mineral content was demonstrated to the student using water field testing kit.

Science Hands-on Activity Activity- Water- Harvest it, Save it, Sustain It Barahamihir VIPNET Science Club, Janivilly A water conservation awareness programme was organised by B.C.M (VP-OD0219) visited a nearby village. The Vipnet Club, Ludhiana (VP-PB0150) from 18 to 30 January 2021. club coordinator arranged a session for village Poster making competition was organized to communicate the ways children to demonstrate the basic science to conserve water to the society. hands-on activity.

March 2021 15 FEBRUARY 2021 CLUB SPEAK

Demonstration of grid and quadrants technique in Field Rayat Science Club (VP-MH0203) organized demonstration session on the techniques of grid and quadrants to the students for K.B. Patil Vidyalaya & Jr. College, Dhebewadi in the month of January 2021. The analytical ability of the students was enhanced by introducing with methods of surveying and observing nature using mathematical tools.

Activity to Measure water Hardness MIT Science Club (VP-UP0272) organised an activity session on 22 January 2021 for the chemistry students of Meerut Institute of Tech- nology. The session was organised to perform the experiment to measure the water hardness.

TEAM VIPNET 1 Dr. Nidhi Shrivastava

Vigyan Prasar, Noida 2 4 4 Mail id: [email protected] Mr. Pavan Bhati 2 Vigyan Prasar, Noida Mr. Vipin Singh Rawat Mail id: [email protected] Vigyan Prasar, Noida Mail id: [email protected] 5 Mr. Sachin C Narwadiya 3 Vigyan Prasar, Noida Dr. Arvind C. Ranade Mail id: [email protected] VIPNET National Coordinator, Vigyan Prasar, Noida.

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16 March 2021