WELCOME

Editor’s musings Firstly, I welcome you all to the first issue of Puthumazha replaced by the modern techniques. We started disrespecting (The first rain), a quarterly magazine published by the the nature. The erratic rainfall and destabilized climate nature club of Central University of Kerala that is function- might have warned most of us that we should not take ing from the Department of Animal Science. everything on the earth granted for misuse or abuse. This The first rain is always special to most of us. It is monsoon brought cheers to many of us. But, we also read indeed special to almost all the creatures on the earth. To that many cash crops have been damaged and agriculturists name few, orchids are waiting for the first rain to initiate are trying to get the compensation. One example is the flowering, many insects and other terrestrial invertebrates ginger and banana cultivation. They are now growing in our are waiting for it to conclude their "seasonal sleep" or old rain-fed rice fields. Our ginger and banana farmer dormancy, migratory birds wait for it to prepare for a return friends would have thought that the normal rain would not flight to their winter home. These days it is not infrequent in come back! our nation that the communities of different castes and Through this magazine, it is aimed to publish a religion worship the lord of rain in one way or other for a variety of the write-ups related to nature and its processes timely normal rain! The Indian Meteorological Department contributed by our students and staff members that include forecasted a normal rainfall for India in 2013 with a the alumni. Due to the time constraints and some practical significant deficit rainfall in Kerala. But, against the difficulties to reach all of you, this issue is prepared with prediction, we have got a more than normal rainfall this some solicited articles only. But, a proper system is now in year! place that allows all of you to submit your write-ups and At certain point of time, I was thinking who is photographs. A call for articles is included in this issue of really waiting for the first rain. Being an agriculturally- Puthumazha that gives you an outline and scope of this oriented country, certainly, the farming sector and the magazine. Since, it is being published from the Department farmers of India are in need of rain. But, now we learnt to of Animal Science, the magazine will also function as an cultivate crops without rain or irrigated water with drought interface to highlight the achievements of the present and tolerant cultivars. We developed seeds and cultivars that can past members of the community of the department. In this grow in silt and flood water! Behind every modern technol- very first issue of the Puthumazha, two traditional cultural ogy there is a good mission, which is always to overcome forest types of the southern Western Ghats are highlighted, biotic an abiotic stress that we experience today or that we the soppinabetta forests and the sacred groves. Dr. Tatjana foresee in recent future. But, unfortunately, we started Good, one of our former guest faculty from Australia writes applying these technologies upon our whims and fancies. in the guest column. Like the recent superb monsoon that we Imagine if tea is growing in the outskirts of Ernakulam city have experienced and enjoyed, I hope you all would be at an altitude of 20 m above sea level! What is wrong in it? longing for every upcoming issues of Puthumazha. We on We have cultivars of tea that can grow in low elevations, this side of fence would try our level best to publish the provided the soil is acidic! But, we have to replace the subsequent issues of Puthumazha in time. I hope the centuries old lowland rain-fed rice fields in that region. diversity of write-ups in this edition will keep you enter- Where will all those creatures that depended the wetlands go tained and informed. I look forward to your comments and if rice is not cultivated there? They may either get extinct or suggestions that can improve the magazine. I also take this flourish to become pests of other existing crops or for the opportunity to thank the Hon. Vice Chancellor, the Registrar, substitute crops! I think we have challenged almost all the the Finance Officer and the Deputy Registrar (Acad/Admin) natural processes and functions through our modern for their support. Happy reading! technology. We thought all our traditional knowledge can be Palatty Allesh Sinu/ Editor

...... Puthumazha (The First Rain) 1 GUEST COLUMN

involvement and engagement. or around Earth Day) and is an Research overwhelmingly activity that could easily be demonstrates that students learn organized by a few motivated more effectively when they’re individuals in Nileshwar. doing activities than when they’re Of course, a lot of the waste being lectured to. Therefore, I gets washed up on the beach comes organized several field trips to from elsewhere, so what we find illustrate the practical application on the beach in Nileshwar may not of the information and skills be an exact representation of items learned in class. One such trip took used by the residents of Nileshwar. us to Kavayi Lake, south of However, we ALL use the items Nileswar, where we visited a we have found and are thus wetland and talked to a fisherman contributing to the problem. The Greetings all about mussel farming. It is a great pleasure to be After talking invited to write the guest column about the for CUK’s Nature Club magazine. overexploitation It is always a daunting task to get a of the oceans, we new project off the ground and my took a trip to heartiest congratulations to Dr. Mangalore port Sinu and his colleagues for doing where the students so. conducted I had the opportunity of interviews with spending a semester at CUK, fishermen, ship Riverside Campus in Nileshwar in owners and 2012 through a Fulbright Nehru restaurant owners Visiting Lecturer Fellowship. to understand the During this time I gained some socio-economics valuable insight into the enormous of the situation. potential faculty and students of Similar outings CUK have to promote biodiversity can be organized conservation regionally and by the Nature locally. There are so many projects Club. just waiting to be tackled by Towards the motivated, young and talented end of the students as yourself! semester we I was particularly encouraged to organized a beach see the amount of effort Mr. Sunil clean-up. After gaining some Nileshwar municipality needs to and colleagues from the local NGO understanding of the devastating take the problem of waste more (Neythal) was putting into beach effects of garbage on marine seriously and find ways to reduce patrol, egg collection, maintenance wildlife, especially plastic, we the amount produced, find of a turtle hatchery and picked up everything that was not alternative to plastics and consider environmental education. Many natural on a beach in Nileshwar, adding waste bins on the beach that more projects of this kind are documenting each item as we went are emptied regularly. But for needed, targeting the various along. There was A LOT of stuff: government officials to be sectors of society: local We collected 1441 items over the motivated into action, we need to government officials, regional course of 60min on a 300m stretch help them understand the NGOs, schools and the community of beach. Of those 1441 items, 272 problem(s) and to point them in the at large. (19%) were sandals/shoes!!! Beach right direction. University & My teaching philosophy clean-ups are conducted around the regional municipality partnerships focuses on active student world on a yearly basis (usually on should be pursued and memoranda ...... Puthumazha (The First Rain) 2 of understanding established. One of my students (Pooja Ashok) was interested in understanding the level of environmental literacy in Northern Kerala. Environmental literacy can be defined as a process that creates awareness and understanding of the relationship between humans and their natural environments which then leads to environmentally responsible behaviour. She interviewed people to gage their knowledge of environmental knowledge with questions predominantly targeting local or regional environmental issues. Overall, it was found that environmental knowledge was poor, despite relatively high levels of education. She concluded that a literate individual does not necessarily mean an environmentally literate individual. Environmental knowledge is strongly dependent on how a person is affected or interacts with his/her environment. With more and more people today being disconnected from nature, less of them are affected by the environment directly. This may be the reason why people do not retain environmentally important information despite reading the newspapers and watching TV. Getting people interested and involved in nature is key here; leading nature walks, going bird watching, having a movie night at the university to watch documentaries on the environment, starting a local environmental radio or TV show… the opportunities are endless.

Good luck!

With my very best wishes Tatjana C Good, PhD

...... Puthumazha (The First Rain) 3 FIELD TRAVELOGUE bhagyasree WHISPERS OF THE BLUE VALLEY....

Bhagyasree all these became memories... I had lost sounds of a “kaavu” from where I start (MSc Plant Science) all these wonder full experiences and I my all journey. Previous day I went uprooted myself from these beautiful there and sought blessings from god When I was a kid I long to hear stories images and planted in to a heap of and all my ancestors. All my journeys every day. My father was working in books which needs for my survival. start from that sacred grove where I wayanad as a surveyor found in Sitting in the air conditioned class wondered in my childhood seeing difficult to quench my thirst for rooms, many times I long to hear the thousands of bats habiting on a big stories. Whenever returned to home, wind brushing the dry leaves and the banyan tree. My innocence believed me and my sister kept disturbing him drumming of the rain on the lush that is the tree of bats. Ignorant mind for stories. Finally when exhausted of leaves, the occasional hoot of that owl create stories about it... but now I am stories my father started creating his hiding on a mysterious tree top in front of that tree with a prayer... to own stories. Most often I became the somewhere. I thought all that became know and became knowledge. I take main character in all these stories. In a dream... I dived in to those paste on the roll of a quiet observer as I all stories there would be a monkey memories many times. In many classes watch life in its various hues unfold resembling my character and stories I wake up from dream and sadly before my eyes in the narrow would end like this “thus I felt realize that still I am in the helical compartments of a train. sympathy for the little monkey and ladder of DNA.... But still there was a The roar of the Palghat mountains that brought her home and gave to my wife rain tree in my mind shedding rain every passer –by is blessed to hear. for her company” in short he was drops after a heavy rain.... Yes, finally The summer is horrible..... The trying to tell that I was a monkey from I got a chance to back to my dreams, whistling wind in palghat pass wayanadan forest and he gifted to my back to my home; back to nature... it whispered in my ears. That Echo mother..... I am coming to my point. came in front of me as a summer resonates in the mountains..... I waited That was the first moment when my project. How can I resist the call of to reach my destination by enjoying father left an indelible imprint on my the wild? My mind is opened with the dancing of palm trees.... mind. Thus forest picture were happiness like thunder and lightning emanated remained in my heart even that could have opened up the skies.... NILGIRIS today. Now I know, that was his gift of at first it seems only small ecological Evening 6’o clock I reached at telling stories which lit my childhood study in pollination, the great Johnson’s square at kotagiri town. My imagination. ecosystem service. But later on I felt young charming guide Manju I grew up unknowingly soaked myself that was a great opportunity to Vasudevan Sharma welcomes me with in the monsoon in Kerala, listening to understand nature and our own a mesmerizing smile. the croaking of frogs, rain droplets existence and also help me to know It is not easy to sum up in a few falling on the dry leaves, the gush of myself. That was a journey to the words, the sights of nilgiri. It’s not the the streams, and the dancing rain drop perfection.... touristy images I am talking about; but in the collocasia leaf, paper boats in In the train , Sitting near to the the several others that lie beneath. the muddy rain water.... I grew up and window I fondly recall the ambient Images that can’t perhaps be captured ...... Puthumazha (The First Rain) 4 by the camera’s eye, but which leave Keystone Foundation is a non-profit bamboo. These bundles of reeds strap an imprint on the mind... the blue organization based in Kotagiri and together and placed in a sheltered valley invites me... come express works on issues of conservation, location horizontal to the ground. yourself.... culture, environmental governance, Thus we successfully set three traps in Nilgiris, a juncture where the Eastern livelihoods and enterprise three different sites. and Western Ghats converge is an development with indigenous people ecosystem which brings together in the mountainous and adjoining Kothimukku biodiversity in all its richness – regions of the Nilgiri Biosphere I stayed in a trust which is funded by indigenous communities, flora & Reserve. I start my first day as an a foundation based on London. They fauna and unique livelihood options intern in keystone. There I engaged in are working in tribal villages to giving which have all co-existed for the past many statistical works based on wild awareness about the climate change honey collection. And and global warming. One day I went also I interact with with them to visit a tribal village, tribal peoples in kothimukku as a part of an different communities environmental awareness program. in nilgiris and try to That was an amazing trip. Just before understand their life reaching the village we were forced to style and socio- get down from the bus because of economical problems break problem. But that was a boon to which they face. I got us. More than five kilometers we many chances to covered by walk. The sights were participate in the unbelievable. We walk through the ecological gorge and the evergreen forest to conservational reach the village. That was an oasis in awareness programs the desert of tea and silver oak. conducted by Sometimes the fear covered us as the keystone foundation. smell of elephants and sometimes the The fact is, dense forest is bound to hear a heavy conserving whooshing sound up from somewhere sinu biodiversity is in the waste black canopy of trees. centuries. The nilgiri biosphere especially crucial in countries where Under our feet, the fungus, lichens, reserve declared in 1986 by UNESCO people’s livelihoods are directly mosses and the Ferns, ancient under its man and biosphere program dependent on natural resources such inhabitants of the planet we live on. was the first biosphere in India and is as forests, fisheries and wildlife. And They grow below these dense named after the pristine nilgiris. The India is a country where 80% of the canopies, nearby the clear streams, on reserve spans an area of over total population depends upon the rocks and on tree barks and on the 5000sq.km and is home to many natural resources directly. black fertile leaf litter.... Yes these are unique species of plants, animals and Alternate days we went to many the incredible biodiversity that the culture. The diverse landscape from estates for setting the trap nest. As a blue hill hosts. The water streams mountain grass lands to dry thorny part of our project we need to set trap glows like silver anklets when the forest has an altitudinal range from nests in the agricultural sites. Three beam of light touches its surface. I 2600msl to 20msl. The ancient trap nest we set in three different sites. wondered and recollect the words mountains of the nilgiri have special Two of them in coffee and rest in once I read in a book. “Our liquid geological features and a range of beans field in hasanoor. Trap nests planet glows like a soft blue sapphire climatic conditions. Rain shadow have the potential to increase in the hard - edged darkness of space. areas of the eastern slopes to monsoon recognized biodiversity through the There is nothing else like it in the magic areas of the western slopes. discovery of new species and to be solar system. It is because of water - The hill stations, village hide ways, used in conservation and restoration. John Tod”. Yes... It is only because of rhythm of the tribal girls, dense forest Trap nests have recently been water our earth became earth. I and beautiful animals. These waste suggested as a valuable tool in wondered and stand still in front of canvas of experiences is what made environmental assessment of various that great truth...... nilgiri in to a stand- alone destination. ecosystems. Artificial nests can be constructed with bundles of reeds or ...... Puthumazha (The First Rain) 5 TRIBALS ecological studies. My eyes ready to place and site accordingly. Also we Nilgiri is home range for 6 primitive be absorbed by the kaleidoscope of collect the pollinated stigmas and it tribal groups. They are Todas, Kotas, colors and sights. Our jeep whirls kept in FAA solution for estimating Kurumbas, Irulas, Paniyas and around the hair-pin curves in the hills the pollination efficiency by aniline Kattunayakas. Most of them are either scented with spices. We spend three blue fluorescence method. pastoral or have been hunter gatherers. days there in thadisilatti village near to Conclusion The Kurumbas, one of the main hasanoor, sathyamangalam forest. It was an amazing experience with the indigenous communities, possess Within three days we completed rest tribal people. I can’t help wondering tremendous skills to collect honey of our works. by seeing them... Never have they from the Giant Indian Rock Bees, Apis We start our observation at morning entered in to their fields with footwear. dorsata. This practice of honey 6’oclock.The day was cloudy and They consider their agro lands sacred hunting has continued over centuries windy. We select 6 flowers each in and they worshiped that black fertile but with a symbiosis which has each hour and recorded the visitations. soil. They made food for us, bring allowed the honey hunters and the I was surprised by pollinators while water from the streams, they gave bees to co-exist. This honey was used taking observations. Sometimes shelter to sleep, helped us whenever as an item of barter with other unexpected guests would come to visit we need, and sometimes they enquired communities for grains, milk, her. Sometimes she is disturbed by with curiosity “amma... poochi implements and other needs.... pollen and nectar robbers. She hosts vanthirukka?” We enjoyed a lot with The thodas are not only the earliest everybody by giving her reward. Bees, them by harvesting beans. Rajamma inhabitants of the upper nilgiri plateau flies, ants and beetles came to visit akka, shivakami, uma, rajeswary but are also the most ancient and her. ,guna, and my favorite dog friend unusual communities of the nilgirihills There are four major honey bee govind ... how to thank them ? The of Tamilnadu. They are pastoral species found there as the pollinators last moment with them was heart people and to a certain extent, of brasicca plant. They are Apis breaking...... My thoughts were nomadic. Most thodas possess large florea,Apis cerana Apis dorsata (rock disrupted by someone pulling at my herds of buffaloes and milk products bee) and Trigona spp.(stingless bees). jacket. It was a young child with a are their main source of living. Much “If the bee disappeared off the surface curious face. The innocent voice of their ceremonial life is centered on of the globe, then man would only almost drowned in the roar of the the dairies and of the buffalo they have four years of the life left” Albert wind...... his voice was not very sure. traditionally herd. The thoda women Einstein once remarked. Pollinators But his innocent eyes demanded a hug embroider with factory made needles. provide an essential ecosystem service from me... I hugged him and kissed... The threads used by them are that results in the out-crossing and and a few more children gathered traditionally black and red only. sexual reproduction of many plants. around me each and every eye However, instead of black, sometimes They benefit society by increasing demanded my presence.... I promised dark blue thread is used. The threads food security and improving I will be back soon. First time in my so used are in wool. The fabric is a livelihoods and by the role they play life I feel that I am worth..... coarsely woven white cloth. The in conserving biological diversity in I came to nilgiri when my kerala pattern/design/motif is inspired by agricultural and natural ecosystems. facing the ever hottest summer in the nature, and those elements existing in But at present all these pollinators are millennium with fears of the green daily life. Thoda embroidery has now under threat of population decline, trees in Palghat catching fire and been granted the GI status. It has been primarily due to loss of habitat, which drinking water crisis. But nilgiris a long process as it started in 2008. may have an “impact” on species made me cool and peaceful. Nilgiris is And I got a golden opportunity to survival and associated flora of the the place where the sky meats earth attend the GI status awarding region. with immense love and care. It is the ceremony conducted in ooty. That was In between these observations we set place where we can see the union of an unforgettable moment in which I pan traps in the fields. Blue and “panchabhootha” .the blue sky, the am wearing the traditional red, black yellow pans filled with soap solution. Water, the air, the soil or prudvi ,the and white “puthukuli” and behaving We placed the pan traps in different fire or energy,all blended together to like a thoda tribal girl... places in a site. Till evening we kept it create a land of wonder, the nilgiris. there and after completing the All the sights I absorbed from this Thadisilatty, Hasanoor observation of pollinators we carefully journey will always remain forever We started our journey to Hasanoor , transferred the insects in the pan trap green and truly I am dying to go back where we plan to do our rest of to alcohol. Marked the bottles with to those days...... Puthumazha (The First Rain) 6 My colleagues said...... “You have a poetic mind” Am so proud...... I looked around for inspiration.... First from nature as “wordsworth” I climbed up avalanches mountains They lost its grace by the inhuman attitude of men. Then, I approach to hills But, they get into the lorry and Drop down to the field and being silent. Next I went in search of flowery valley I shocked to see that... They changed into beautiful scenery, a painting of a master painter. I looked for rivers and lakes with terrible thirst-They are wave less... Dry banks told me all about them. They are trapped in the plastic bottles... I wandered.... No inspiration to write. Much tired and get in to a five star hotel A blue swimming pool was there It murmured something I went near

Its shivering voice tries to say in my ears sinu The pathetic condition of the glorious ocean in a feeble voice.... A charming foreign lady in her swimming suit jumped into the pool... Its voice shattered and disappeared. I look moody and melancholic Think to become a “ rishi” But where is a solitary place? Forest? Where is a “bodhi” tree to give enlightenment? Much disappointed and went to a planetarium Where I saw a “Magical mirror forest” I sat before it with closed eyes and an aching heart Bhagyasree To write a poem with a piece of paper and a pen......

...... Puthumazha (The First Rain) 7 NOTES AND NEWS

World Environment day some thoughts

When I was thinking about a belongs to us, but to all the creatures matching celebrated day for the World that are created on it. When we create Environment Day (WED) the first one our own dwell, let us not forget giving came to my mind is World Aids Day space for all our wild and remote (WAD). I do not know why that has relatives to thrive! What struck me come to my mind! WED these days recently is the first speech of Pope gets equal attention that WAD gets Francis 1 amidst of his inaugural holy Let us give up at least from all parts of our society. The mass. He focused only on two things in similarity of these days is that we the speech: work to protect God’s one of our bad habits remember the aggrieved people and creation and the world’s poor. He that can harm the the nature only on those celebrated called on the crowd to take up the nature and days! The dissimilarity is WED has no vocation of being a protector. It means environment every green ribbon brooch like the red respecting each of God’s creatures and World Environment ribbon brooch of WAD! I do not know respecting the environment in which Day to secure why no one has proposed a green we live. resources for our own brooch for the volunteers of WED. We I was going through some major and coming generations see almost all our leading celebrities, minor initiatives that the Keralites and for other politicians, diplomats, media, social were doing for the WED-2012. The network sites, religious leaders and Thiruvanthapuram Division of the creatures communities, what else, almost all the Railway board of India initiated a entities and the individuals announce program to plant saplings along the their solidarity in protecting the nature railway lines of Kerala. The students of and its environment. Kochi planted 4 lakh seedlings of 15 International agencies, United plant species in the city with the help Nations Environment Program of Social forestry program of the State. (UNEP) and the World Health Rubber board of India announced that Organization (WHO) realized that the rubber plantations are helping in critical gap in the proper awareness in conserving biodiversity and to

our society is the major reason why sequester global CO2 to defend the nature damages and AIDS plagues popular belief that plantations are bane almost all parts of the world in equal for biodiversity. What happened to pace. So, I think WED is not a day to 2013 WED celebrations? Not much celebrate but to mourn on the fate of response! Why? We have got a good our Mother Nature and our planet. It is rain this time? Mere planting of the day to pronounce our solidarity to seedlings is not ensuring our mission respect the Mother Nature, to admire to protect our nature. That solves only on its processes, services and functions a part of the rehabilitation program. to human kind, and to act upon to Let us give up at least one of our bad protect it. Deforestation, habits that can harm the nature and

fragmentation, CO2 emission, land use environment to secure resources for change are the major viruses of our our own coming generations and for Mother Nature and environment that other creatures. Think-Eat-Save was devastate our forests and pollute our the slogan of UNEP for WED-2013. It planet. We should not shy away from has a strong message for all of us to the truth that our planet is not only take home and act upon...... sinu ...... -Editor Puthumazha (The First Rain) 8 NOTES AND NEWS fao

World Food day One in every eight people in the world starves!

World Food day is being celebrated 16 communities on harvesting non-timber forest October every year to commemorate the products (NTFPs). Amla and honey are the institution of Food and Agricultural major components of the NTFPs of India. Organization of the United Nations in 1945. Recent booming industry of Ayurveda has “Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security demanded multiple times more quantity of and Nutrition” is the slogan of World Food amla that forced the forest dwellers to cut Day in 2013. It seems that it is the logical branches and sometimes the whole tree itself continuation of the slogan of World to harvest more amla. This unsustainable Environment Day 2013, “Think, Eat and harvesting practice has affected the natural Save”. It is therefore, very clear that the world propagation of amla in forests. Honey harvest is under the threat of malnutrition and food usually depends on the rock bee hives. Since, scarcity. When we give due attention in the harvesting pressure is more and in an producing quality food, it is surprising that we unsustainable way, their population has also are also wasting food that is good enough to been dwindled. The loss of honey bees cater the demand of poverty-affected part of translates into less productivity of many of our the world! The statistics says that one in every cash crops, including coffee, cardamom and eight people in the world starves! How can we many ecologically important wild plants. Let safeguard the sustainable food systems? It is us say yes to all environmentally-safe ventures possible only through sustainable production that aim to produce enough quantity of food and sustainable exploitation. See an example grains, but before that pledge, I do not waste of the change in the attitude of our tribal food anymore! Can you?

...... Puthumazha (The First Rain) 9 NOTES AND NEWS

National Science day celebrations 2013 India lacks in self-confidence that the Western Hemisphere has lot on India. The 300 year old British rule has destroyed India’s self confidence! science On 28 February 2013, the University has a lot on India! According to him, the modified it would make sure that the has celebrated National Science Day in 300 year old British rule has destroyed process will neither harm the organism a befitting manner. Dr. L. Divya was the India’s self confidence. per se nor the other organisms in the convener of the National Science day Dr. Vijayakumaran Nair from environment. The agenda of modern celebrations in the University. The day VSSR delivered a talk on Space science agricultural biotechnology is to address in India is being celebrated to in India: Opportunities and Challenges. the issues our crops face today from commemorate the breakthrough He said that the beauty of Dr.s Vikram abiotic and biotic stresses eventually to discovery of Raman effect by Sir C.V. Sarabhai and Homi Bhaba is that they attain the food security. Raman. The event was inaugurated by work with the indigenous instruments. The inaugural function in the Dr. George V. Thomas, Director, CPCRI- He shared his own research on climate transit campus of CU-Kerala was Kasaragod. In his address he said that change in the talk. He said that when presided by Prof. (Dr.) Jacob Chacko, the innovations are also coming from carbon dioxide warms earth’s Dean SMPS, CU-Kerala. Dr. G.M. Nair farmers. CPCRI celebrates the day as atmosphere, the aerosols cool it. He said welcomed the gathering. Dr.s T.P. Abbas, farm innovator’s day, he said. that geo-engineering is a promising Sr. Germina, Santhosh Kanade, Ranjith Prof. (Dr.) George K. Thomas, branch of engineering to tackle the issue Kumavath and Swapna Nair gave IISER-Trivandrum delivered the first of global rise of temperature. It works felicitation addresses. Dr. L. Divya, lecture in the event. He gave a beautiful on a concept that the particles can scatter convener of the program proposed vote narration about the personal and the radiation. of thanks. In the valedictory function, Dr. professional life of Sir. C.V. Raman in Prof. (Dr.) G.M. Nair, CU- Rajendran Pilankatta welcomed the his lecture. Citing a Science (2012) Kerala gave a talk on problems and gathering. Dr. P.A. Sinu summed up the article (India rising Science 335: 904- prospects of GM crops and food security. program. Dr. Vincent Mathew gave a 910), he said that India is lacking in self- The ethical side of genetic engineering valedictory address and Dr. Tony Grace confidence that the Western hemisphere is that when an organism is genetically proposed vote of thanks.

...... Puthumazha (The First Rain) 10 NOTES AND NEWS

Symposium on

rajesh insect taxonomy Can we imagine a barcode as a replacement to our beautiful name, Homo sapiens? The department of Animal Science from practicing classical taxonomy our birth as we recognize our parents has organized a series of lectures on when he switched to molecular and we distinguish the species that are taxonomy in March-April 2013. Dr. P. taxonomy. But, he admits that he finds beneficial or harmful. Taxonomy is A. Sinu was the convener of the another kind of enthusiasm when he something beyond science. It is an art, program. Five eminent taxonomists unfolds the mystery of species an art of discovering new species. Sinu shared their views on the classical and evolution through his phylogeny while summing up the symposium molecular taxonomy in the symposium. studies. Dr. Prathapan told that asked the audience “can we imagine a Prof. (Dr.) T.C. Narendran (ZSI- molecular tools are at help to solve label similar to barcode as a Kozhikode) said that there are ten junctures where two species are replacement to our beautiful name, “pests” for the taxonomists. The closely-looking but, having only some Homo sapiens? Taxonomists are truly commonest among them is the one minor variation in a taxonomic blessed by god as they are giving a who teases taxonomy and taxonomists character. He looked at the taxonomy name to a new species created by god in public, but seeks a taxonomist’s help by finding relationships between the (or evolved as per Charles Darwin) for his own research! A minor pest is flea beetle (chrysomelidae) diversity and finding its relationship with the the one who dumps specimens to and its plant hosts. Dr. Priyadarshanan other fellow species. taxonomists to get a list of species told that we are all folk-taxonomists by names for his own use, but “forgets” to acknowledge the taxonomist in the publication. Prof (Dr.). C.A. Viraktamath (GKVK-Bangalore), Dr. K.D. Prathapan (KAU-Trivandrum), Dr. Priyadarshanan Dharmarajan (ATREE-Bangalore) and Dr. Vikas Kumar (ZSI-Kolkata) were the other speakers. Dr. Viraktamath was concerned about the dearth of professional taxonomists who can instill the seed of taxonomy in the young minds. In most colleges and Universities faculty not trained in taxonomy are forced to deal the subject that can simply kill the taxonomy flavor in the young minds. Dr. Vikas Kumar, a molecular systematist of ZSI Kolkata said that he

misses the thrill that he used to get sinu

...... Puthumazha (The First Rain) 11 Research Highlights

...... Puthumazha (The First Rain) 12 India is home for many traditional managed cultural landscapes. Sacred forest and Soppinabetta are the two popular examples of cultural forests of South India. Sacred forest (=kavu, devarukadu) is popular among south Indians. But, the soppinabetta forest is popular among south Canara and Malnad region of Karnataka. The research highlights of this issue of Puthumazha unravel the traditional forest management by the local people and the rich biodiversity harbors in these sinu two forest types...... Puthumazha (The First Rain) 13 Research Highlights

Soppinabetta forest: sinusinu a natural heritage site It was simply an accident that I on 5 February 2001. At my help, Dr. soppinabetta forest. This is the 14th reached Sringeri way back in 2000 as Priyan brought a field assistant late year I am having a live research a Research Associate of ATREE- Mr. Ketha Gowda, a soliga tribal from project based at Sringeri. I owe a lot Bangalore to study the insect diversity BRT Wildlife Sancturay. In fact Ketha to the people, landscape and of soppinabetta forests! When I was was my first research guide in field. administrators of the Municipality and teaching in Maharaja’s College, He knew better than I what an edge the temple for facilitating my research. Ernakulam, my MSc teacher inquired effect is, what a buffer zone means, I am so happy that my 2 PhD students am I interested in joining in a what is the difference between are continuing the research that I have research project that will be based at tunneller, roller and burrower dung initiated with my first National Sringeri? I did not have that luxury beetles! He taught me how to sort the Geographic grant in 2006. I am going that time to googleit to find out where dung beetles from a dung pat by to narrate my research that is based on Sringeri locates. But, one thing I knew soaking that in bucket full of water. He Soppinabetta forest through this that it is a place where Saint was also my first plant taxonomy article. Shankaracharya has instituted one of teacher. He helped me in identifying his four mats (=monastery). I might plants with their vernacular names. I What is have mistaken Sringeri as Bhadrinath owe Ketha a lot for my Kannada Soppinabetta forest? that is the temple instituted by the proficiency that I have picked up in a Success of conservation strategies saint in North in Himalayas. My month time. I have completed my pre- relies on the inclusion of local traveler mind elated like anything and doctoral, doctoral and post-doctoral citizens, farmers, and institutions, without a second thought I informed research on different aspect of a prompting biodiversity specialists to my interest to join the project. Only community-managed forest system, develop strategies for an inclusive when Dr. Priyan asked me to book a conservation approach, balancing the ticket in an overnight Sugama bus to needs of citizens with the conservation Sringeri from Bangalore, I realized of biodiversity and ecosystems. This is that it is a place somewhere in South the current thought about conservation India. The ridiculed boy then started program worldwide. Soppinabetta his research journey in field biology in forest fits in this definition of Western Ghats. conservation paradigm. Soppinabetta I was not at all disappointed forests (SBF) are minor forests that with the landscape of Sringeri when I are provisionally leased to betel nut saw that through the bus window. I (Areca catechu) farmers of central reached there in a cool misty morning Western Ghats more than a century ...... Puthumazha (The First Rain) 14 jallu (baskets made out of Bamboo) After few days of rain the ground that can hold approximately 25 kg of along with the leached compost is field collected leaf litter. Green foliage ploughed to mix the compost in the (=soppu) is collected in bundles that is soil. I think this is one fine example of locally referred to as hore; one hore organic farming. Unfortunately, issues green foliage weighs approximately 40 like the land use change have plagued kg. To transport the compost (=gobru) the agricultural systems in Sringeri as sinu another locally made basket (=butti) is well. Land transformations are now back for the sustainable harvest of used that carries approximately 30 kg widespread. Food grain producing forest products. In the colonial period, of compost. My socio-economic study lands are replaced by the cash crops. in order to reduce pressure on all showed that each farmer collects an Most of my research therefore is to reserve forests, farmers were given average of 31.09 (range=0–125) find out the impact of these land part of these forests for their daily use. metric tons of leaf litter, and 19.11 transformations on biodiversity at The two major agricultural land uses metric tons (range=0–120) of green multiple taxa level (insects, that require organic resources for foliage per year. A farmer produces an amphibians, birds, small mammals, sustainable crop yield are multistoried average of 103.04 metric tons plants), the biotic interactions and the plantations of cardamom-coffee-betel (range=0–480) of green compost in a socioeconomic condition of the nut and small rain-fed rice paddy year. In rice fields a butti full of people. fields. To fertilize local farms, the compost is spread in equal distance property right allows farmers to just before the onset of monsoon. collect leaf litter and green foliages for compost preparation. This forest use is greatly respected by the local farmers. They realized that farming will be impossible and no more cost- effective, once the forest right is lifted from them. Farmers have translated the forest products in terms of its values and found that they owe these forests a lot for the profit that they are making these many years.

What is the management? Farmers were provisionally allotted a proportional area of secondary wet semi-evergreen forests that is calculated on the basis of the amount of cultivated land. Most farmers have managed these forests without large- scale logging and felling. Farmers use soppinabetta forest in two major ways. Traditionally, farmers collect leaf litter during the dry season (December– May) and green foliages during the rainy season (June–November). The traditional practice of green foliage collection was cutting down small trees and branches of large trees, but today, green foliage is collected by cutting the understorey shrubs and saplings of SBFs and degraded lands.

Leaf litter (=dargu) is collected in sinu ...... Puthumazha (The First Rain) 15 Research Highlights sinu Top: Aphyllorchis Montana– a saprophytic data-deficient orchid seen abundantly in Soppinabetta forests

Suggested Further Reading: 1. Sinu, P.A., Kent, S., Chandrashekara, K. (2012). Forest resource use and perception of farmers on conservation of a usufruct forest (Soppinabetta) of Western Ghats, India. Land Use Policy 29: 702-709. 2. Sinu, P.A., Kuriakose, G., Chandrashekara, K. (2012). Epiphytic orchid diversity in farmer-managed Soppinabetta forests of Western Ghats: Implications for conservation. Current Science 101: 1337-1346. 3. Sinu, P.A., Sinu, N., Chandrashekara, K. (2012) Ecology and population structure of a

sinu terrestrial mycoheterotrophic orchid, Aphyllorchis montana Rchb. Orchids of soppinabetta forests f.(Orchidaceae) in Soppinabetta forests of the Western Ghats, India. In my study 55 species of orchids are Top: Some spectacular wild epiphytic Journal of Threatened Taxa 4: 2915- identified that includes epiphytic (41 orchids recorded in Soppinabetta 2919. species) and ground (14 species) forests of Sringeri. Legend: a) 4. Sinu, P.A., Shivanna, K.R., orchids. This is about 30% of orchids Aerides crispum Lindl., b) Kuriakose, G. (2012) Frugivorous bird reported from the Western Ghats Aerides ringens (Lindl.) C.E.C.Fisch, diversity and their post-feeding biodiversity hotspot. Nearly 25% of c) Trias stocksii Benth. exHook.f., d) behaviour in fruiting Syzygium cumini the trees and lianas sampled have Porpax reticulate Lindl., e) (Myrtaceae) in fragmented forests of orchids associated to it. Sarcanthus Eria exilis Hook.f., f) Oberonia tenuis central Western Ghats, India. Current pauciflorus was the most dominant Lindl., g) Cleisostoma tenuifolium (L.) Science 103: 1146-1148. epiphytic orchid species of Gareay, h) Dendrobium ovatum(L.) 5. Sinu, P.A. (2012). Seed predators of soppinabetta forests. The study also Kraenzl., i) Luisia macrantha Blatt.& an old-world tropical deciduous tree unravels several new populations of a McCann., j) Cottonia peduncularis (Terminalia bellirica: Combretaceae) data deficient mycoheterotrophic (Lindl.) Reichb.f., k) Cymbidium in wet habitats of the Western Ghats, (=saprophytic) orchid, Aphyllorchis aloifolium (L.) Sw., l) Robiquetia India. Current Science 103: 309-315. montana. josephiana Manilal & Sathish ...... Puthumazha (The First Rain) 16 Research Highlights

Sacred forest a community conserved site of India Sacred froests, popularly known as kavu, devaru kadu etc. are the traditional repositories of natural forests protected by the local people as the abode of local deities and gods. Conservation biologists and practitioners feel that they should be protected scientifically as the value of traditional believes among present young generation is getting reduced. The forests are now being abused by a part of our society. It is considered that more than 100,000 sacred forests exist in India; most of them seen in South Inida. Asha and Parvathy write about the biodiversity value and traditional believes of sacred forests of Kerala in the following pages.

...... Puthumazha (The First Rain) 17 Research Highlights

Why only few dung beetles in sacred forests? Dung beetles are exceptionally good indicators of many ecosystem processes and changes

By G. Asha* (MSc Animal Science; *presently Integrated MPhil/PhD student)

I have taken up dung beetles as probe taxa to check how they respond to the changes in land use. But, when I was seena@atree progressing my sampling, I found a rather poor population and community of dung beetles in the sacred forest patches when compared to nearby home gardens. First, I thought, it is locality-specific problem. But, after Heliocopris dominus sampling a dozen pairs of sacred forest-home gardens, I confirmed that it is the pattern that pertains to all the sacred forests of village and urban areas. When I want to discuss my findings, I found that dung beetles are excellent indicators of habitat quality, entering in the sacred forests in their beetles are low in sacred forests that forest fragmentation, grazing pressure, vicinity just for the belief that it is indicate that they have still not poaching, wildlife loss etc. Then I was taboo entering in a sacred forest! become a public open toilet or a happy with my findings. Because, Dung beetles need resource that is grazing land of villagers! I am happy when I checked the grazing status only dung, which is their home and that the sacred forests of my vicinity is within sacred forests, it is bare food. If they are absent in a village not exploited like many others in other minimum in all sacred forests. People forest it means that dung is absent in parts of the state! do not allow any of their livestock those forests. It is OK that dung

...... Puthumazha (The First Rain) 18 IRINGOLE KAVU parvathy a Pilgrimage, Amusement and also Knowledge…

By Parvathy Surendran (MSc Animal among is that Kamsan imprisoned farmers live around the forest. Science student) Devaki and Vasudevan due to the fear Traditional history also says that Sage that their eighth son Sreekrishna who Thrinab maharshi made a parnashala Love and respect towards nature is to be born soon would be his in this forest for teaching veda. It is terminator from the earth. In fear and believed that the ancient well in the has been an ancient Indian tradition fury Kamsan decided to kill their all grove is a relic of the old parnashala. .Sacred groves are one of the finest sons. Vasudevan planned to save his The thick luxuriant forest examples of this traditional in situ eighth son from the danger at any cost. contributes rich flora including many conservation practices. In this article I The parents shifted baby Sreekrishna important medicinal plants. Recent would like to introduce one of the to Dhwaraka soon after he was born reports say that there are about more famous sacred grove of my native and placed another girl baby (an than 200 species of rare medicinal place namely Iringol Kavu. It is one of incarnation of the goddess Yoga-Nidra plants existing there. Authorities of the the famous Kavu in Kerala, or Maya) in the cradle. Kamsan groves don’t allow cutting the trees or particularly in Ernakulam District. decided to kill the girl baby too; yet even they don’t take the fallen trees. People like to spend a long time inside realizing she was not the eight son of They all enriches in to the soil. Faunal this kavu for its extra ordinary feel Vasudevan. He lifted the baby population mainly comprises of birds. that one gets from visiting the kavu. furiously above his head, but There are about 64 species of birds For this reason it has now become an miraculously the baby became a living here. But there are no dangerous important tourist and pilgrimage supernatural power and remained in animals and no snake reported from place. the atmosphere as ‘IRRINNOLE’. here and the grove is also known as a Iringole Kavu., of Ernakulam Later this area was named as snake-less forest. Grove is also well district is one among the largest sacred IRINGOLE. It is believed that the known for spiders and ants.ant groves of kerala. It is a miniature gods and goddesses live in the forest mimicking spiders also reported from forest located between Kuruppampady in the forms of trees and other plants. here. Millipedes such as pill millipede and Perumbavoor on Aluva-Munnar And later it is developed into a is also plenty in the forest. Road. It contains more than 20 acres beautiful thick forest. There also exists one ancient of the forest and the temple is located It is also believed that Lord ‘Mana’ just near to the grove with in the centre of the grove. The temple Hanuman has performed “thapasya” in many archeologically important administrators have given maximum this place and it is believed that the ancient sculptures. This thick luxuriant care to protect the sacred grove from existence of many monkeys in Iringole grove is one among the tourist encroachers and other developmental kavu is due to it. But the grove has attractive place of Ernakulam district. activities. lost them in the last few years due to The peoples visiting the groves say Like every sacred forest there are the high human disturbances. that they visit this place frequently to several myths and beliefs pertain to Reportedly, the monkeys are lost pump their energy up and to get fresh Iringole kavu too. One important because they became a menace for the air!

...... Puthumazha (The First Rain) 19 NOTES AND NEWS

A journey through the diversity of life

The department of Animal Science has arranged a one day study tour to the Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghats regional station at Kozhikode. Both integrated MPhil/PhD and MSc students were participated in the study tour. The students were welcomed by the station Joint director-in-charge, Dr. P.M. Sureshan. The scientists, Dr.s. Rajmohana, Jaffer Palot and Mr. Kishore interacted with the students and gave a thorough class on insect taxonomy, diversity of insects in tropical forest and fresh water systems. The relevance of natural history museums in the taxonomic expedition is also narrated to the students. The ongoing research and the experts in different groups of animals available in the station are also introduced to the students.

...... Puthumazha (The First Rain) 20 Dr. M. Rajmohana (Scientist, Zoological Survey of India) is interacting with the students of CU-Kerala at Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghats Regional Station, Kozhikode

...... Puthumazha (The First Rain) 21 Obituary

Prof. (Dr.) T.C. Narendran: a doyen of insect taxonomy speaks in the Symposium of Insect taxonomy organized by the Department of Animal Science, CU-Kerala in April 2013.

Prof. (Dr.) T.C. Narendran FASc passed away on 31 December 2013 due to heart attack at his age of 69. After retiring from University of Calicut as a Professor, he moved to Zoological Survey of India at Kozhikode to pursue his research. He is an author of about 200 research publications. Ignoring his health issues, he kindly accepted our invitation to deliver a lecture in the Symposium of insect taxonomy at Central University of Kerala in April 2013 and interacted with the students energetically. I would say that Narendran sir was a rare species that got extinct on 31 December 2013 by producing 100s of new species! He will be remembered forever.

...... Puthumazha (The First Rain) 22 LAURELS

Achievement of the student and faculty community of Department of Animal Science PhD fellowship/ Research Fellowship Meetings attended Beyline Maxwell & Asha G (Integrated MPhil/PhD) attended the refresh course on Animal taxonomy at University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore (October 2013)

Shibil V K & Prabitha Mohan (PhD) attended the refresher course Vineesh Sebastian on Chemical Ecology at NCBS- Sruthi M V Deepthi M (CU-Kerala DET PhD Bangalore (Feb 2014) (M.Sc.) received (M.Sc. 2010-2012 batch) student) cleared CSIR KSCSTE doctoral received KSCSTE NET exam P A Sinu attended INTECOL 2013 fellowship; she is doctoral fellowship; she at Excel, London planning to do PhD with has joined Dr. Tony Dr. L Divya Grace (Department of H P Gurushankara gave lectures in Genomics, CU-Kerala) IISc Chikballapur campus, for her PhD University of Mysore Hassan campus

P A Sinu gave lectures in the refresher course conducted by the ASC-Calicut University (December Prashanth Bhallulaya 2013), INSPIRE camp for higher (M.Sc.) received secondary students (SH College, KSCSTE doctoral Shibil V K Thevara, Ernakulam; January fellowship; he is planning (PhD student) received 2014), National Seminars to do PhD with Dr. P A Thushara V V Rajiv Gandhi Doctoral conducted by Nehru Arts and Sinu. He is presently with (MSc and current fellowship; he joined Dr. Science College (March 2013), Sir Kerala State Biodiversity Integrated MPhil/PhD P A Sinu for his PhD Syed College (January 2014), and Board as field officer student) cleared CSIR- Kerala University (July 2013) NET exam L Divya gave lecture in Kerala Science Congress (February 2013)

Grants and funds received P A Sinu received 1) DST Young Scientist grant, 2) UGC Start-up Rajesh T P and grant and 3) National Geographic Society grants Rabina Raj and Hima Manoj K (M.Sc.) received (MSc) joined as L Divya received DST Women KSCSTE doctoral V S Arunkumar project fellows in Scientist Grant fellowship; they are yet (MSc) received KSCSTE DST-sponsored to decide on their place doctoral fellowship; he is research project to Dr. H P Gurushankara received 1) DST of research yet to decide on his place P A Sinu Young Scientist grant, and 2) UGC of research Start-up research grant ...... Puthumazha (The First Rain) 23 Support is sincerely acknowledge to: Organizations

Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi University Grants Commission, New Delhi National Geographic Society, Washington DC Kerala State Council for Science Technology and Environment, Trivandrum Keystone Foundation, Kotagiri Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment, Bengaluru Krushikoota, Sringeri Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghats Regional Station, Kozhikode Kerala Forest Department, Trivandrum Central University of Kerala

Persons Prof. (Dr.) Jancy James, Founder Vice-chancellor, CU- Kerala Prof. (Dr.) Oommen V. Oommen, Chairman, Kerala State Biodiversity Board, Trivandrum sinusinu Prof. (Dr.) G.M. Nair Dr. Tatjana C. Good (Late) Dr. T.C. Narendran Dr. C.A. Viraktamath Dr. Renee M. Borges Dr. K.D. Prathapan Dr. Priyadarsanan Dharmarajan Dr. Vikas Kumar Dr. Manju Vasudevan Sharma Dr. K.P. Mohanakumar Dr. M.K. Thakur Dr. T.K. Rajendra Dr. B. Jayaraj Dr. Thamilmani. S. Dr. Sheeja Sekhar

Printed at Kasaragod Printing & Multi Industrial Co-operative Society Ltd. Design by: Viju Kanhangad ...... Puthumazha (The First Rain) 24