Eco News, Vol

1 Eco News, Vol. 21, No. 2 July - September 2016 C.P.R. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTRE

Established in 1989 ✯ Karnataka ✯ Kerala ✯ 1980 - The C.P. Ramaswami Aiyar ✯ Maharashtra Foundation starts nature education for ✯ Orissa teachers and students. ✯ Tamilnadu ✯ 1989 - C.P.R. Environmental ✯ Puducherry Education Centre (CPREEC) established jointly by the Ministry of Environment NGO Network and Forests and the C.P. Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation as a Centre of CPREEC has an extensive network of about Excellence of the Ministry of 600 NGOs. All educational programmes are Environment and Forests. Government carried out in partnership with select of India. NGOs, Universities, Colleges and Schools.

Our Mission Publications ✯ To increase knowledge, awareness and ✯ Activity and information books and interest among the public about the pamphlets for children environment in all its aspects ✯ Environmental training guides and kits ✯ To develop resource materials for for teachers environmental education and ✯ Researched Publications awareness raising ✯ Colourful and informative posters ✯ To conduct training programmes for a ✯ ECONEWS - A quarterly magazine wide cross-section of people ✯ Indian Journal of Environmental ✯ To take up environmental projects for demonstration and research Education, a peer-reviewed journal

Our Activities Exhibitions

✯ Training and awareness raising CPREEC designs three new exhibitions ✯ Awareness to and through action every year and has a bank of mobile ✯ Awareness programmes in ecologically exhibitions that travel all over India. fragile areas ✯ Conservation of the ecological heritage Environmental Education ✯ Research and surveys ✯ Generation of resource materials ✯ Green Schools of India (GSI) ✯ Exhibitions ✯ Training programmes for Teachers ✯ Courses, seminars and symposia ✯ Training programmes for School and College Students Facilities ✯ Environmental Law Education

✯ Environmental Laboratory Special Projects ✯ Library ✯ Computer Division ✯ National Green Corps (NGC) ✯ Publications Division ✯ Biomedical Waste ✯ Biodiversity Conservation Geographical Spread Research and Surveys CPREEC’s activities extend to ✯ Sustainable Technologies ✯ Andaman & Nicobar Islands ✯ Surveys of Natural Resources ✯ Andhra Pradesh ✯ Socio-Economic Surveys ✯ Goa ✯ Lab to Field Technology Transfer

2 Eco News, Vol. 21, No. 2 July - September 2016 Contents

Artificial Food Colours and Ingredients ------5

Bird Sancturies of Tamilnadu ------7

Vultures ------11

Sustainability Education ------13

Sacred groves in the hot plains of Tamil Nadu ------14 Eco-friendly refrigerants -An efficient alternative to halogenated refrigerants ------17

Nanotechnological process that are inherently carried out by animals ------19 Tackling Urban Drought through use of Treated water for Housing Constructions ------21

Indoor Pollution ------24

3 Eco News, Vol. 21, No. 2 July - September 2016 4 Eco News, Vol. 21, No. 2 July - September 2016 Artificial Food Colours and Ingredients Dr. P. Sudhakar

Colours were added to food to make food The first synthetic colour mauvine was more attractive and to create a market. accidently discovered by Sir William Natural colours obtained from vegetables Henry Perkin in the year 1856 while and minerals were used by the Egyptians trying to form an anti malaria drug. After as early as 1500 BCE for colouring this a range of colours like magenta, candies. Few laws were there to restrict fuchsia, violet, blue and green followed. or ban the use of colours in food for The new artificial dyes were cheaper and centuries. In 1396 a French Act was were a more stable method of colouring introduced against the colouring of food, used indiscriminately without butter; in 1531 German Law permitted looking into the safety for life. Several anyone using saffron as colour to be countries brought their own regulations burnt; In 1574 French Law made adding and legislations on using artificial dyes. colours illegal for pastries. Till the middle For example, German Food Regulation of the nineteenth century colours used released in1882 set the elimination of in cosmetics, textiles, drugs and foods dangerous minerals such as arsenic, were of natural origin from plants, copper, chromium, lead, mercury and animals and minerals. zinc which are frequently used as colouring agents. The Pure Food and Drug Act 1906 of the USA reduced the The beginning of the Industrial list of permitted colours from 700 to just Revolution made way for artificial food 7. Colours are classified into two colouring. People from different areas categories, namely certified colours that moved to work in the industries that were are synthetically produced and colours newly set up. These workers were that are exempt from certification which depending on the food prepared and sold includes pigments derived from natural by others. Artificial food colouring and sources. adulteration began to flourish as there was more competition among food producers and traders. Heavy metals and Types of Artificial Food Ingredients other inorganic chemical compounds were used. For example, to colour The following table lists the types of cheese and confectionery, Red Lead common food ingredients, why they are (Pb O ) and vermilion (HgS) were used. 3 4 used, what for they are used and some Used tea leaves were recolured by examples of the names that can be found adding cupric hydrogen arsenite on product labels. Some of these additives (CuHAsO ) and resold. 3 are used for more than one purpose.

5 Eco News, Vol. 21, No. 2 July - September 2016 Types of What they do Examplesof uses Names Foundon Ingredients Product Labels

Color Additives Offset color loss Many processed FD&C Blue Nos. 1 due to exposure to foods, (candies, and 2, FD&C light, air, temper- snack foods, Green No. 3, -ature extremes, margarine, cheese, FD&C Red Nos. 3 moisture and soft drinks, jams/ and 40, FD&C storage conditions; jellies, gelatins, Yellow No. 5 correct natural pudding and pie (tartrazine) and variations in color; fillings) No. 6, Orange B, enhance colors Citrus Red No. 2 that occur naturally; provide color to colorless and “fun” foods

Flavors and Add specific flavors Pudding and Artificial flavor and Spices (natural and pie fillings, gelatin spices synthetic) dessert mixes, cake mixes, salad dressings, candies, soft drinks, ice cream, barbeque sauce

Nutrients Replace vitamins Flour, breads, Thiamine and minerals lost cereals, rice, hydrochloride, in processing macaroni, riboflavin (Vitamin

(enrichment), add margarine, salt, B2), niacin, nutrients that milk, fruit niacinamide, folate may be lacking in beverages, energy or folic acid, beta the diet bars, instant carotene, (fortification) breakfast drinks potassium iodide, iron or ferrous sulfate, alpha tocopherols, ascorbic acid, Vitamin D, amino acids (L-tryptophan, L-lysine, L-leucine, L-methionine)

Humectants Retain moisture Shredded Glycerin, coconut, sorbitol soft candies, confectionaries

Firming Agents Maintain Processed fruits Calcium chloride, crispness and and vegetables calcium lactate firmness

6 Eco News, Vol. 21, No. 2 July - September 2016 Types of What they do Examplesof uses Names Foundon Ingredients Product Labels

Enzyme Modify proteins, Cheese, dairy Enzymes, lactase, Preparations polysaccharides products, meat papain, rennet, and fats chymosin

Gases Serve as propellant, Oil cooking spray, Carbon dioxide, aerate, or create whipped cream, nitrous oxide carbonation carbonated beverages

* Source: http://www.foodinsight.org/Food_Ingredients_Colors, retrieved on 31 May 2016

Reference 4. http://www.fda.gov/ForIndustry/ ColorAdditives/ColorCertification/ 1. U. S. Food and Drug Administration ColorCertificationReports/default.htm FDA/IFIC* Brochure: January 1993 5. Pure Food and Drug Act (1906). United 2. http://www.britannica.com/topic/ States Statutes at Large (59th Cong., food-coloring Sess. I, Chp. 3915, p. 768-772; cited 3. http://www.natcol.org/node/19 as 34 Stat. 768)

Bird Sancturies of Tamilnadu Dr. T. Sundaramoorthy

The State of Tamil Nadu is very rich in 1059 animal species 454 are birds. Out biodiversity. The richness of biodiversity of 454 bird species 32 comes under red is due to the occurrence of different listed species and 17 species are ecoregions. The total geographical area endemic to Tamil Nadu state. The of Tamil Nadu is 1,30,058 sq.km., out of richness of birds is due to the presence which 22,877 sq.km., is forest area. An of 15 bird sanctuaries in different parts of Tamil Nadu. The total area of the area of 6,708 sq.km(29.32%) of forest 15 bird sanctuaries is 17,666 ha. These land has been declared as national 15 bird sanctuaries are located in parks, sanctuaries and conservation 9 districts of Tamil Nadu. In this article reserves. This includes 14 sanctuaries, the salient features of the 15 bird 5 national parks, 15 bird sanctuaries sanctuaries are elaborated. and one conservation reserve. All these protected areas maintain a rich Vedanthangal Birds Sanctuary biodiversity. So far 5828 plants and 1059 animal species were recorded from One of India’s oldest sanctuaries, it was Tamil Nadu by various agencies. Of the officially notified only in the year 1996,

7 Eco News, Vol. 21, No. 2 July - September 2016 although long-conserved by traditional Karikili Bird Sanctuary customs of the resident villagers there, dating back to 1798. The water enriched by bird droppings results in increased This small sanctuary is ecologically yield. This a rather small place, with a similar to Vedanthangal and thus has the total area of the wetland being only same bird fauna. Situated about 86 km 30 ha, where the water body i.e., the from Chennai in Madurantakam Taluk main tank is managed by Public Works of Kanchipuram District. Spread over Department (PWD) of Tamil Nadu 61.21 ha, this region comprises of two Government. An array of birds including rain fed tanks managed by the PWD residents ones like cormorants, coots, Dept. Most of the bird species occurring moore-hens, jacanas, water-hens, egrets, in Vedanthangal, are also visitors to this herons, storks, ibis and pelicans and sanctuary. migratory ones like ducks species such as garganerey teals, shovallers and pintails. Majority of bird diversity here Karaivetti Bird Santuary is found during the winter months, between November and February. On This rather compact reserve, sprawling an average, around 40000 birds would to about 454 ha, the sanctuary is home visit per season. to nearly 90 species of water birds. This sanctuary was started in 1999 and the wetland bodies are maninatned by PWD Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary personnel. A total of 188 species of birds have been so far documented in the Pulicat lake, situated in the Coromandal sanctuary. This sanctuary is located in Coast abutting the Bay of Bengal, is a Ariyalur district of Tamil Nadu. natural brakish water lagoon spanning a Noteworthy water birds species visiting large area of about 15367 ha. This area the sanctuary are barheaded geese, long-known for its water-bird diversity white stork and white necked stork, was officially declared as a sanctuary in Grey Pelican, Ibis, spoonbills etc. Over 1980. Part of the sanctuary borders the 15 species of ducks and twenty species Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, along of Waders have been recorded in the its northern boundary, while the majority sanctuary. Birds arrive here in November of its lies in the Thiruvallur district of and stay on till May, far beyond the winter Tamil Nadu. Rivers Arni and the season, although the maximum is in the Buckingham canal passes through the month of January. Over 50000 birds have sanctuary. A part of the region is closed been recorded within the sanctuary off as it belongs to the Sriharikota island during peak season. Important land birds aeronautics centre. Major bird species of of the sanctuary such as Rosy Pastor, this region include flamingoes, pelicans, Sand Grouse, Stone Curlew and raptors ducks, marine forms like sea gulls and such as the Peregrine Falcon, Osprey, terns, and many waterside birds like Marsh Harrier, Tawny Eagle, etc. could curlews, stilts, plovers, sand pipers, be regularly sighted here. lapwings, redshank, egrets, herons, bitterns and even raptors like kites, osprey, white-bellied sea eagle etc. Winter Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary visitors are numerous and around November to February is the best time to Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary visit. was declared in 1998. This is situated in

8 Eco News, Vol. 21, No. 2 July - September 2016 Thiruvarur District and has a very small is very unique in that is actively protected area of just 45 ha. The Sanctuary is home and managed by the Koonthakulam to variety of migratory water birds like village community. As was the case with Coot, Grey Heron, White Ibis, Open bill Vedanthangal, local people participation Storks, Night Heron and Purple Heron. in active wildlife conservation makes it Birds arrive to the sanctuary from unique. This is the largest breeding water September and remain till nearly March, bird reserve in south India and attracts and peaks during November-December. over a lakh birds every year. It is located During these times upto 10000 birds 35 kms away from Tirunelveli, covering could be seen congregating in the park. an extent of 129 ha and was declared as a protected area in 1994. Many large water birds like the Painted stork, Vaduvoor Bird Sanctuary Pelicans and even Flamingos have been nesting every year around the Located in Thiruvarur district, Vaduvoor Koonthankulam village. Bird Sanctuary is rather close to Thanjavur city, located 25 kms from the sanctuary. It spans about 128 ha. Vellode Bird Sanctuary Created in July 1999, the Sanctuary attracts more than 50 species of water Vellode Bird Sanctuary situated in Erode birds like coots, cormorants, geese, District is a moderately-sized reserve moorehens, pintails, teals, ibis, with an area of 77 ha. With a large water spoonbills, storks, pelicans, bitterns and body with nearly perennial water source, herons etc. The large irrigation tank there this sanctuary attracts several species of receives water from the distant Mettur waders, ducks, geese, stilts, avocets and dam’s Stanley Reservoir. Peak winter other shore-line birds. The good fish months, around November-December is population in such permanent water the best time to visit. bodies means a good hunting ground for the birds. Even raptors like kites, falcons, Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary eagles and many species of owls have been recorded in the sanctuary. Chitrangudi bird sanctuary with a small area of 48 ha was declared as a sanctuary Melselvanur-Keelselvanur Bird Sanctuary in 1989. Community tank embankments abound within the sanctuary and these are maintained by PWD staff. Vast Located near the town of Sayalkudi in the heronries with multiple species of Ramanathapuram district, the Mela- egrets, herons, storks and bitterns Keela Selvanoor Bird Sanctuary is a fine abound in the sanctuary and offer vivid spot for wetland birds. Declared in the arenas for ornithological studies. Much year 1998, the sanctuary has a rather of the wintering migrant birds flock to large area of nearly 593 ha, making it the the sanctuary during October-February. largest bird sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. Special mention has to be made of the numerous migrant birds such as storks, Koonthankulam-Kadangulkam Bird pelicans, ibis, spoonbills, godwits, Sanctuary avocets, plovers, stilts and several more species of waders of both deep waters Koonthankulam-Kadangulkam bird and shallow pools. Many of these bird sanctuary situated in Tirunelveli district, species breed here in mass heronries

9 Eco News, Vol. 21, No. 2 July - September 2016 atop several artificially planted trees, Ramanathapuram district adds further mainly for this express purpose. on the already long list of bird sanctuaries there. Birds such as egrets, cormorants, coots, moorehens, waterhens, herons, Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary pelicans, storks and other birds such as kingfishers and raptors including kites Declared in 1989, this bird sanctuary are recorded in the sanctuary. situated in Ramanathapuram district, has a total area of 104 ha is divided into 66 ha situated in Keela Kanjirankulam Sakkarakottai Tank Bird Sanctuary and 37 more ha. in Mela Kanjirankulam. As with other similar sanctuaries this This recently declared bird sanctuary area has several artificial community was opened up only in 2012. Located in tanks and embankments to provide Ramanathapuram district, this sanctuary nesting and breeding ground for birds. adorns the existing ones and adds on to Annually during October – February, the scores of the sanctuaries there. With scores of migrant and resident water an area of 230 ha, this one is also fairly birds throng to the lake. The wetland is large with a water tank. Large colonies of deep but yet also houses smaller waders. heronries consisting of various species of The bird sanctuaries houses over 170 egrets, herons, ibises, spoonbills and species of birds, including breeding plovers are to be seen, mainly during the populations of Painted stork, White Ibis, winter months (November-January). As Black ibis, Little egret, Large egret, Grey with other bird sanctuaries in the Heron. vicinity, PWD-managed water bodies are to be seen in this reserve. Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary

Oussudu Lake Bird Sanctuary Situated in Sivagangai district, Vettangudi bird sanctuary, this small, 38 ha sanctuary hosts an array of Oussudu lake (also called as the wetland birds such as egrets, herons, Oustheri lake) bird sanctuary is situated cormorants, teals, coots, moorehens, in Villupuram district. Having an area jacanas, water hens, shellducks, 332 ha, this is the newest bird sanctuary shovellers and pintails. Larger local and in the state that was declared only in winter migratory birds such as open-bill 2015. Due to its close proximity to storks, painted storks, grey herons, night Vedanthangal and Karikili sanctuaries, herons, white ibis are to be seen as this one is ecologically similar to them nesting colonies frequently in this and has more or less the same bird sanctuary. PWD-managed artificial tanks species as them. Water tanks maintained maintain most of the water here. Peak by PWD staff are also to be seen in this winter months (November-December) is sanctuary. the ideal time of visit.

Conclusion Theerthangal Bird Sanctuary

Among the about 450 species of birds, an A rather small sanctuary with just easy 40% of them amounting to nearly 29 ha, this sanctuary, also from the 200 species are wetland birds. More

10 Eco News, Vol. 21, No. 2 July - September 2016 importantly, it is these large and squat conservation importance of the wetland wetland birds that are persecuted and birds should be initiated and furthered hunted by people, compared to small and in these sanctuaries. tree-dwelling obscure forest birds. Large- scale awareness programmes targeting Source: Anonymous. 2008. Wild and even involving the local people, Biodiversity of Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu especially school children about the Forest Dept. 88 pp.

Vultures M. Kumaravelu

In sanctuaries and reserve forests, avian nesting behaviour of vultures is also species like kites, vultures and owls have mostly upon the Terminalia arjuna, become vulnerable. Recent studies show Dalbergia lanceolaria, etc. that the vultures and kites are on the verge of extinction. As per the IUCN Various reasons have been identified by report among the nine species of vultures the researchers for declining the vulture found in India, White backed vulture population in India. Decline of vultures (Gyps bengalensis), Indian vulture (Gyps began by late 1990s. It is identified that indicus) and Red headed vulture 95 percent of vulture population were (Sarcogyps calvs) are notified as critically affected due to external factors and got endangered. killed and these factors made the vulture species endangered. Disappearance of In the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the habitat, nesting trees, human activities with the vulture habitat, increase of feral Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), dogs and cattle population that carry Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR), rabies are known to be the reasons Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) impacting the vulture survival ability. and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary are the major habitation for vultures. Long billed Besides, vultures feeding on the carcass vulture or Indian vulture, White backed of cattle that had been administered with vulture and scavenger vulture (Neophron veterinary analegesic diclofenac were percnopterus) are found in the above found to have died often developing mentioned reserves. The most supportive nephrological disorders. Realizing the vegetation for vulture has found in the harmful effect of the veterinary diclofenac, reserves are tropical dry thorn forest, dry the Government of India has banned to and moist deciduous forests, semi use. However, the illegal and stealthy evergreen forest and bamboo and use of veterinary diclofenac has played riparian forest (Champion & Seth 1968). havoc with the vulture population over the years. Vulture are commonly sighted around the carcass of large mammals where the Moreover, some virulent virus is also said above said forest types are intact. The to be a reason for the decline in the

11 Eco News, Vol. 21, No. 2 July - September 2016 vulture population and other birds. A diseases fatal to man. In addition, the detailed research is needed on this virus birds are effective in pollination and which is said to be fatal to the vulture cross fertilization. Simultaneously, this and other birds. Andrew Cunningham of helps largely in increasing the yield of the Zoological Society of London also cash crops like silk cotton, sugar cane, revealed a few other reasons for the coffee, etc. On the other hand a bird declining vulture population, such as contributes widely to the production of pesticide poisoning, industrial pollution, fertile seeds and healthy generation of etc. many wild tree species. The seed passing through a bird’s intestine produces It is estimated that there are 500 million seedlings with vigour that are stronger head of cattle in India, particularly along and grow well. the villages located at the fringes of forests. Most of the dead cattle carcasses To understand the role of birds in the food pose a threat to vultures and other chain and the environment, awareness scavenging birds if the dead animal had should be created. To popularize the been treated previously with the importance of bird watching among veterinary diclofenac. villagers on the fringes of forests, students and youth, effective programmes should be established to Cultural and Social linkage of vultures make them love the birds and to conserve them for their ecological role. The Hindu community worships all birds Further, strict laws must be enacted and in general, as birds are believed to be the enforced to protect the birds and their vehicles of some deities. The Parsis in habitat. Vigil, watch and action should India depend on vultures for disposal of be taken on the illegal sale and use of dead bodies. toxic drugs like diclofenac. The tree species that feed birds and facilitate Ecological role: Innumerable insects nesting are to be protected and planted are seen in the natural environment. in urban and rural areas to help the avian Many have an amazing character of wonders to live in peace and co-exist with multiplication of their number. A human kind. Canadian entomologist has estimated that a single pair of Colorado Beetles or Potato Bugs increases in a season to Reference sixty million. This is harmful to grasses and cereals. Similarly the Caterpillars are major destroyers that eat twice their 1. Ali, Salim and Laeeq, Futhehally, own weight in a day. Scientists strongly 1967. Common Birds, New Delhi: believe that the birds have effective National Book Trust, India, checks upon insect numbers. 2. Ali, Salim, 1979. The Book of Indian Birds, Bombay: Bombay Natural Owls, hawks and other birds of prey History Society. generally have the capacity to control 3. Field study conducted during and check rats, mice and destructive December 2015 at Segur Reserve pests that damage crops and carry the Forest.

12 Eco News, Vol. 21, No. 2 July - September 2016 Sustainability Education U. Thirunavukkarasu

Sustainability Education is more than “Our vision is a world in which our work environmental education; it includes and lifestyles contribute to the both natural and built environment and wellbeing of all life on Earth. We believe encompasses social, economical and that through education, human lifestyles environmental spheres. It inquires in a can be achieved that support ecological holistic way about ways in which the integrity, economic and social justice, quality of life is ensured for the future sustainable livelihoods and respect for through practices, strategies and skills. life”. In a broader way, it draws its basic principle from the ‘Our Common Future”- widely known as Brundtland Report. -The Ahmedabad Declaration 2007, United Nations Conference on Sustainability Education brings the Environmental Education thought process to the fore with teaching and learning practices as a tool to achieve required change. It Education for Sustainable Development entails envisioning sustainable futures, reflective thinking, critical analysis of thought process and learning by Sustainability Education differs from experience in an inter connected way Education for Sustainable Development to hone the skills and behavior in by not stressing too much on the establishing sustainability. Sustain- economic aspect and does not contain -ability education establishes system development paradigm as a parallel thinking and in perceiving a bigger theme. Sustainability Education integrated social, economical and promotes systemic thinking and environmental picture. prepares young ones with necessary skills for achieving sustainability “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of Sustainability Education in Schools future generations to meet their own needs” School as a miniature society, is a - Brundtland Commisssion potential ground to breed systemic sustainability thinking and build “Education for Sustainable Development sustainability skills. The existing formal (ESD) is about enabling us to constructively school curriculum can be used effectively and creatively address present and to integrate principles and practice of future global challenges and create more sustainability. It also provides ample sustainable and resilient societies” opportunity to brush up the principles of democratic relationships, learning -UNESCO

13 Eco News, Vol. 21, No. 2 July - September 2016 through cooperation, issue based critical novel project submissions for national analysis and skill building by hands on awards. experience. CPR.Environmental Education Centre, Chennai is partnering with WIPRO in Sustainability Education in Schools – organizing and promoting sustainability WIPRO Earthian education in the schools of south India. Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, The WIPRO’s sustainability outreach Odisha, Karnataka, Kerala, Pondichery, programme – Earthian, promotes Goa and the union territory of Andaman sustainability education in the schools and Nicobar Islands are reached through of India by working with them in the the sustainability education programmes. thematic areas of Water and Biodiversity. The participating schools are invited to form project groups of 2-5 students Reference guided by a teacher. The project groups have to work on the thematic areas of 1. www.educationforsustainability.com. Water or Biodiversity and submit a au project report. The project submissions received from the participating schools 2. www.iisd.org will be evaluated by a competent jury to 3. www.en.unesco.org adjudge most creative, innovative and 4. www.sustainableschools.sa.edu.au

Sacred groves in the hot plains of Tamil Nadu

M. Amirthalingam

In the Hot Plains and home to myriad birds, reptiles and other animal species. Sacred groves probably represent the single most It appears that the ancient deities of important ecological tradition of ancient Tamil Nadu are the present deities Indian culture. worshipped in villages under different names, most found in intimate Each grove is dedicated to the local folk association with at least a small grove of deities and spirits (vanadevatai) and has plants. These are the sacred groves, a legend associated with either the deity dedicated to local deities and/or or the grove. The commonly found deities ancestral spirits. Thousands of these are Aiyanar (the guardian deity), Sastha, groves have been documented as Muniyappa, Karuppuswami, Veeran storehouses of remarkable biodiversity, (Kaaval Teivam or p rotective deity), repositories of unique and rare plants Andavar (a powerful wish-fulfilling deity)

14 Eco News, Vol. 21, No. 2 July - September 2016 and goddesses Selliyamman, Kali, and Cycas circinalis. Sacred groves in Ellaikali, Ellaipidari, Sapta Kannis, remote areas do not usually shelter major Pechiyamman, Rakkachiyamman and mammalian wildlife species. However, Nagadevadhai (fertility and good health). sacred groves that form part of a Among these, Aiyanar is the most continuous stretch of reserved forest, as worshipped deity. He is worshipped in the hills, are home to several wild every Friday and also offered special species. Apart from primates and minor pooja on special occasions. mammals, sacred groves also have numerous bird, butterfly and bat species. The sacred groves are apparently For example, the groves are home for distributed around almost all the myriads of birds and animals by providing villages, and about 1270 such groves food and shelter for them, Peacock in dedicated to various male and female Kandanur and Snakes in Anthills of deities have been identified. Of these, sacred groves. However, there are as yet 343 are dedicated to 308 male deities no detailed accounts or inventories of and the rest to 184 female deities and biodiversity in the sacred groves. 5 herostones. Taboos, rituals and beliefs: The taboos, For biodiversity conservation: Sacred rituals and beliefs associated with the groves protect several valuable plant and groves, supported by mystic folklore, have animal species that may have vanished been the prime motivating factors for elsewhere in the surrounding preserving them in pristine condition. environment, often including wild crop People believe that any damage to the relatives and endemic and endangered sacred grove, harm to the fauna residing species. In 1986, Meher-Homji first in it or felling of any tree may invite the reported a grove in Puthupet near fury of the local deity, causing diseases Pondicherry, a lush grove spread over and failure of agricultural crops. Even 20 hectares that is a relic of a forest, taking a dry twig is forbidden in some. housing 104 plant species belonging to Therefore, many people will not even take 44 families; it is also a refuge of dead wood out of sacred groves. rare species like a cucurbit Stychnos lentiecellata, the insectivorous plant Folklore plays an important role in Drosera burmanii and a rare bone-setting conservation of sacred groves. Not only plant Ormocarpum cochinchinensis. The tribal people, the rural people also sacred groves in the Kanchipuram district preserved the sacred groves by their protect rare species like Amorphophallus traditional customs, rituals, ceremonies sylvaticus, Kedrostis foetidissima and and folk-beliefs. Several stories depict an enormous banyan tree, while those in various facets of life and culture of the other parts of Tamilnadu are home to people. The annual festival is celebrated many other vanishing and uncommon in all the groves of all districts species of flora and fauna. Kanyakumari accompanied by community offerings of district harbour many of the rare pongal and animal sacrifice. As against endemic plants of the Western Ghats and the animal sacrifice, Aiyanar who lives in they are Sacred groves in the a temple is happy with the offering of a Kanyakumari district harbour rare coconut and pongal. In all districts, endemic plants of the Western Ghats offering pongal to the associated deity is such as Antiaris toxicaria, Diospyros either by individuals or by the malabarica, Diospyros ebenum, Feronia community. Sacrifice of fowl, goat and elephantum, Butea frondosa, Garcinia sheep is offered to all the deities cambogia, Sterculia foetida, Gnetum ula except Aiyanar. Pig is sacrificed to

15 Eco News, Vol. 21, No. 2 July - September 2016 Karuppuswami in certain groves. In carries heavy consequences, and the certain sacred groves, people fulfill their sacred groves are becoming degraded. vows by tonsuring (shaving the head to make a ceremonial offering of hair to the Human activities such as dead wood god) or offerings of terracotta horses of collection, biomass gathering, lopping of various sizes are lined up in front of the tender branches and green leaves for deity within the sacred grove in the hope goats, creation of footpaths, cattle of a good harvest. During the festival, the grazing, mining of sand and clay, brick- villagers organise a form street theatre making and collection of wild fruits, called terukoothu at night. vegetables and collection of plant parts for medicine are affecting the ecology of Management of sacred groves: In the many of our sacred groves. In addition, Western and Eastern Ghats, most of invasion of exotic weeds become a serious the groves are preserved by local problem in the ecology of some sacred communities or tribes, managed either groves; the domination of alien species by an individual family or trustees or such as Eupatorium odoratum, Lantana community or a village head. The camara and Prosopis juliflora often management decisions are taken threatens and depletes the local species. collectively at a gathering of the entire Conflicts among the sacred grove village during the annual festivals in the managers have also resulted in the loss sacred grove. The majority of them are of biodiversity in certain sacred grove. maintained by the village communities under hereditary trustees. Local people have conserved sacred groves out of religious sentiment. Present threats to sacred groves: Our Humans and nature have co-existed ancestors were well aware of the role without disturbing the environment in played by sacred groves in the the past. Such traditional practices have maintenance of the nutrient and water to be strengthened with appropriate table. Today, the fundamental concept scientific inputs for conservation. of sacred groves is the traditional belief systems which were mere superstitions. Very few people of the older generations Reference may be familiar with the rituals and taboos related to sacred groves. 1. Brandis, D. 1897. ‘Indigenous Indian Recent observations show that Forestry: Sacred Groves’, In: Indian traditional rituals are still performed in Forestry. pp.12-13, Woking: Oriental accordance with the customary beliefs in Institute. the larger groves, but in smaller groves 2. Fergusson, J.A., 1971. Tree and the traditional rituals are no longer Serpent Worship, Delhi: Indological performed or followed. Due to Book House. modernization, urbanization and 3. Gadgil, M. and Vartak, V.D. 1981. people’s changing aspirations, the Sacred groves in Maharashtra - An, traditional values appear to be inventory, In: S.K. Jam (ed.) Glimpses disappearing. As a result, the violation of Indian Ethnobotany, pp. 279-294, of cultural norms and taboos no longer New Delhi: Oxford & IBH Publishers.

16 Eco News, Vol. 21, No. 2 July - September 2016 Eco-friendly refrigerants - An efficient alternative to halogenated refrigerants

T. R. Gowthama

The Montreal protocol has highlighted dynamic properties. CFC, with its the rising trend in per capita convincing properties, has gained consumption of ozone depleting popularity during the 20th century and substances like chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) has been accepted as a refrigerant. and all other hydro chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) in the developing countries. R-11 and R-12 (Freon), a CFC compound, Consequently, the developing countries was the most widely used refrigerant. were asked to trim down their usage of Later on the CFCs were replaced by CFCs by 2010 and HCFCs by 2040. HCFCs and that is when R-22 (Chlorodifluoromethane) came into the The Kyoto protocol of United Nations picture. Even though it is better than Framework Convention on Climate CFC, yet it is harmful to the environment Change (UNFCCC) in 1997 affirmed that due to the presence of chlorine. R-22 has hydroflourocarbon (HFC) refrigerants both ozone depletion potential and global are among the six targeted green house warming potential. Despite its potential gases and an important factor for global harm to the environment, R22 is widely warming. accepted as a refrigerant and is still available in the Indian market with HFC contribute to ozone layer depletion almost all the brands. and global warming ultimately resulting in adverse climatic changes being noticed Replacing chlorine, manufacturers came recently. Hence, it is necessary to look up with an alternative set of refrigerants for the alternative refrigerants not only known as hydroflourocarbon (HFC). to fulfill the international protocols R-134a, R-404A and R-410A are some of (Montreal and Kyoto) but also to save our the HFCs available in the market to be own nation from growing environmental used as refrigerants. R-134a is called problems. Tetrafluoroethane and the other two R-404A & R-410A are an azeotrophic Refrigerant is a liquefied solution that mixture of HFC refrigerants. They are absorbs heat from the room and releases non-toxic, non-flammable, energy it into the atmosphere. It undergoes a efficient and have absolutely zero series of phase changes during the contribution towards ozone layer process of cooling. While in the depletion but have the potential for global absorption process it becomes gas and warming. The usage of these refrigerants during the compression process it in the Indian market is on the rise. The becomes liquid. The ideal refrigerant is products capable of handling R-22 cannot the one that is non-corrosive, non- go with these HFCs. Therefore, flammable, and non-toxic in nature and manufacturers developed the product also possesses favourable thermo exclusively to employ HFC refrigerants.

17 Eco News, Vol. 21, No. 2 July - September 2016 Refrigerants ODP GWP (Time Horizons of 100 years)

HCFC R-22 0.055 1700 HFC R-134A 0 1300 R-404 (R125/143a/134a) 0 3800 R-410A ( R32/125 ) 0 2000 Natural Refrigerant Ammonia (R-717) 0 Less than 1 Propane (R-290) 0 20 Isobutene (R-600a) 0 20

Source: Environmental effects of refrigerants, UNEP 2002

There are certain natural refrigerants as References well apart from CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs, such as R-717 (Ammonia), R-290 1. Prashant P Pandav, Shivprakash B (Propane) and R-600a (Isobutene). These Barve, N. R. Anekar, S. S. Hatwalane., natural refrigerants are halogen-free and are high in energy efficiency. They 2014. Eco-friendly Refrigerants. also have zero contribution towards International Conference on ozone layer depletion as well as global Renewable Energy and Sustainable warming but are highly flammable, Development. which is not considered safe. Considering 2. Green Insights – Newsletter on eco- its eco-friendly nature, these natural labeling and eco-friendly products. refrigerants can serve as an effective Vol. 09, No. 01, April-June 2014 alternative to the conventional 3. Chinnaraj, C., Vijayan, R., hydrocarbon-based refrigerants, provided Govindarajan, P., 2011. Analysis of some significant measures are carried Eco friendly refrigerants usage in out on its safety aspects. air-conditioners. American Journal of Environmental Sciences 7 (6): 510-514, As of now, HFC based refrigerants are 2011 preferable considering its zero ozone 4. Mohanraj, M., Jayaraj, S., depleting potential and safety. A better Muraleedharan, C., 2009. refrigerant which is both eco-friendly Environment friendly alternatives to as well as safe is possible only with halogenated refrigerants—A review. technological advancement and International Journal of greenhouse standards. gas control Vol. 3. pp. 108-119.

18 Eco News, Vol. 21, No. 2 July - September 2016 Nanotechnological process that are inherently carried out by animals

N. Sudha

Introduction When the chitin nanostructures are hit with heat, they tend to expand changing their shape and therefore display their Nanotechnology is the study of colours. nanoparticle, the research for the design, synthesis and manipulation of the Parallel nanofibers - Penguin blue colour structure of particles with dimensions lesser than 100nm. A branch of Penguins produce a blue colour with nanotechnology is nanobiotechnology. parallel nanofibers wrapped up together, Nanobiotechnology merges biological made of beta-keratin and 180-nanometer principles with chemical and physical -wide. Similar fibers had been previously procedures to generate nano-sized found in some bird’s blue skin, where particles with specific functions. they are made of collagen.

The animal kingdom comprises many impressive forms. On nano level also the Microfibrils -Snakes- Slippery evolution process has been carried, producing nanostructures - that help Snakes such as the ball python animals in their motility process such as movement are actually a complex climb, slither, camouflage etc. interaction of muscle movement but seem to effortlessly move. Micro fibrils Compound eye of an insect’s has are not more than 400 nanometers wide individual facets around 50 to 10,000, and micro fibrils cover the scales on a each with its own set of optical snake’s belly. Towards the tail end of organization. the snake they all point in the same direction and their ends are raised about 200 nanometers above the skin, allowing Wings of butterflies with nanostructures for a smooth glide forward but cease backward motion. The shines with soft colours in a butterfly’s wings are produced with Nanogrooves - Solar powered bug nanostructures. Butterfly’s wings are produced not with pigments like the When the sun’s heat is at zenith, most melanin; melanin is the primary wasps slow down and are most active in determinant of our skin colour. the morning. Hornets are the largest of the eusocial wasps. In the hornet’s Light is scattered by nanostructures in abdomen, exoskeletons are made up of different directions. That scattering can the layers of cuticle and are carved with also make the wing scales iridescent. grooves, about 160 nanometers high. The

19 Eco News, Vol. 21, No. 2 July - September 2016 groove helps to trap the lights that strike of nano particle are determined by their the hornet and bounces it around within size, shape and chemical surroundings. the cuticle. The above examples provide evidence that The yellow section, has about 50 there is the existence of inherent nanometers high protrusions that nanotechnology methods within them. absorbs light, the researchers showed Thus nanotechnology concepts are not that the xanthopterin pigment that gives new but available inherently within living it yellow color, xanthopterin can be used organisms from the time of evolution. to convert light into electricity. The insect carries out same mechanism; this makes Biological systems such as animals are them busiest when it is sunniest, when already equipped with advanced oriental hornets are hit with UV light they technologies. Above all, animals are wake up faster. beautiful and technologically sound creatures which should not be subjected to any cruelty such as factory farming, Crystal proteins of nanometers wide - research studies or animal entertainment Spiders with tough silk purpose.

Spider’s webs without falling to pieces Reference can withstand sudden strong rush of wind and catch hurtling insects that move at high speed. The silks get their 1. Adlakha-Hutcheon G, Khaydarov R, toughness from thin crystal proteins Korenstein R, Varma R, Vaseashta A, that are only nanometers wide, which Stamm H, Abdel-Mottaleb M (2009). are arranged together. The layers are Nanomaterials, nanotechnology. joined together by hydrogen bonds on doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-9491-0_14 the atomic level. Under pressure those 2. Aruthers S D, Wickline S A, Lanza G bonds turns out to be an advantage, M. Nanotechnological applications in allowing the silk to flex and stretch. medicine. Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2007 3. Salta O V. Applications of nanoparticles in biology and Conclusion medicine. J Nanobiotech. 2004 4. www.wikipedia.org Nanoparticle synthesis and the study of 5. Anju Manuja, Balvinder Kumar, Raj their size and properties are of prime Kumar Singh . Nanotechnology importance in the advancement of recent developments. doi: http://dx.doi.org/ research. It is found that the properties 10.4081/nd.2012.e4

20 Eco News, Vol. 21, No. 2 July - September 2016 Tackling Urban Drought through use of Treated water for Housing Constructions

B. Tirumala

Water is essential for life and plays a and recharging of ground water has major role in creating earth’s climate. By diminished due to over development modifying land use, the proportion of the which has depleted the aquifers. different pathways, evaporation, Surface water is inadequate to meet our percolation and run off change. A change demand and we have to depend on in evaporation from a region has impacts ground water.(2) upon climate. Changes in percolation change ground water availability, both With traditional small scale Indian for humans and natural springs and storage practices, from temple tanks to streams (2). Climate change has resulted elaborate stepwells fallen into despair, the in drastic seasonal fluctuations leading country faces a water storage crunch. to erratic rainfalls and prolonged Shortage of water for industrial and droughts in India. domestic use and even for drinking purpose is a cause of concern throughout India has 7,935 cities and towns India. Unless preventive measures are according to the 2011 Census, 70 per taken on a large scale, the problem will cent of the urban population lives in 468 become more acute with dangerous Class I Urban Agglomerations (UAs) that consequences. Only a handful of city and is with a population of 100 thousand and state governments have lately begun to above. The number of Class I UAs mandate rainwater harvesting to slowly increased from 384 in 2001 to 468 in recharge ground water.(4) 2011. Furthermore, there are 53 million- plus UAs which comprise 43 per cent of The National Water Policy of India’s urban population.(3) Government of India recognizes the need of planning the economic This alarming growth of population has activities like agriculture, industries further strained the already shrinking and urban development in conformity natural resources such as land, water with availability of this life-sustaining and energy in these urban areas. With resource and has recommended increase in population the need for a water-zoning [1]. From the point of view decent shelter for all economic classes of urban development, building has lead to massive growth in real estate industry is known to be a major sector. There is an increasing trend consumer of water resource, which in towards construction of buildings for many cases, is the ground water residential as well as non residential extracted through bore-wells. purposes in urban areas and making the open areas as pucca for parking etc. This Building construction is a highly resource trend has decreased drastically the intensive process, concerning use of infiltration of rain water into the sub soil materials, land, energy and water. Since

21 Eco News, Vol. 21, No. 2 July - September 2016 buildings are required to fulfill our to construction sites, the use of water primary need for shelter, consumption of required for construction and operation these resources is simply unavoidable. should be taken into consideration However, with shrinking stock of natural separately and at the same time use of resources and degrading eco-system treated water should be mandated for big services, the consumption process has to housing projects.(6) be wise, judicious and non-wasteful.(5) India has shifted the thrust of the policies Since water is everybody’s business and from water development to sustainable any water disaster will affect population water development. A vital element of this cutting across socio-economic classes, shift in strategy is the increasing water mapping in building industry is not importance of water harvesting and only significant to understand the artificial recharge of ground water (2). But dynamics of water resource consumption this is not enough to reduce the water in one of the key sectors of urbanization, stress until and unless strict rules are but also to select and decide on the most made and implemented for reckless use appropriate strategy to monitor and of ground water for purposes like optimize this quantity for global Construction of buildings where treated sustainability and water management water can be used without any issues.(2) undesirable effects.

“It has been established that construction There is a greater need for propagating activity requires about 1 kilolitre of water and promoting the use of treated water per square metre. Going by that standard, for construction purposes so that the one lakh square feet of construction will groundwater is not exploited and can be consume more than 9,000 million litres saved for other purposes including saving of water.” the lives of millions of people who don’t have access to drinking water. “This is a quantity that can cater to the water requirement of 50 households for A mass awareness campaigns just like an entire year.(6) Polio campaign wherein all forms of media were used to drive the message of Currently, water used for construction is protecting children from polio through arranged from private sources using vaccination must be carried out. Since water tankers, which draw surface water, the general public is unaware about water from shallow wells or also ponds treated water and its usage, a proper during scarcity periods. As the demand methodology must be developed to create for water grows, more water is extracted awareness. Information technology tools and transported sometimes over great can play a major role in disseminating distances which can require a lot of the information regarding treated water. energy. If the local source of water is ground water, the level of ground water Both centre and state governments with becomes lower as more water is removed the help of experts must develop policies and this increases the energy required concerning the criteria for setting up of to pump the water to the surface.(7) water treatment plants in every city and development of buffer zones which act as Recently, the National Green Tribunal in natural sieves and help in cutting down Bengaluru has ordered that while the pollutants entering into the water granting environmental clearances (EC) from construction run-off.

22 Eco News, Vol. 21, No. 2 July - September 2016 Water resource management in building linkimages/nwp20025617515534 construction and operation, however, .pdf has still a long way to go, especially 2. http://cpwd.gov.in/Publication/ because the amount of water used per rain_wh.pdf unit area of construction largely remains 3. http://www.solutionexchange-un- undocumented(5). Urban governing bodies gen-gym.net/wp-content/uploads/ must be given more powers to come up 2016/01/WMR-2015-Background- suitable solution and deal with the Paper-RBhagat.pdf reckless use of groundwater by the 4. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/ builders and by individual householders. 01/world/asia/01ihtwater3.2994407 A systematic approach will definitely lead .html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 to awareness and promote the sense of 5. http://www.witpress.com/elibrary/ conservation and judicious use of very wit-transactions-on-ecology-and-the- valuable groundwater. environment/144/21933 6. http://www.bangaloremirror.com/ bangalore/others/Dearth-of-treated- References water-for-use-in-construction-can- aggravate-crisis/articleshow/ 1. National Water Policy-India, Govt. of 52299848.cms India, Ministry of Water Resources. 7. https://www3.epa.gov/region9/ http://mowr.gov.in/writereaddata/ water/recycling/

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23 Eco News, Vol. 21, No. 2 July - September 2016 Indoor Pollution M. Lakshmi Sree

We have all come across the term pollution in urban areas especially pollution of air, noise, water, etc. The air metros have increased manifold in the pollution is high at traffic intersections recent years. This can be attributed to due to emissions from vehicles. The increase in high raised buildings flames and fumes from road side without proper ventilation. As people eateries and small food joints also add to tend to shut their windows for dust the air pollution. In industrial areas, and remain in air conditioned rooms, fumes from factories add to the air the level of pollutants get multiplied. pollution. Cross ventilation is needed in houses to prevent indoor pollution. Many Have we ever thought about indoor Chennaites face respiratory problems, pollution? Indoor pollution is the asthma, bronchitis, sore throat, etc. due degradation of air in our living rooms to indoor pollution. The quality of indoor filled with harmful chemicals and other air in Chennai has deteriorated due to materials. It is estimated that indoor the fungal content in air during the recent floods. pollution is worse than outdoor pollution by ten times as closed areas enable People should give more thought to pollutants to multiply than in open indoor pollution. Due to increase in spaces. population, proper and spacious housing is not possible and has always remained According to a study by Indian Council a distant dream. In order to have easy for Medical Research, the World Health access to work place and educational Organization (WHO) has prescribed institutions, many high rise buildings 20 micro grams in cubic meter (ug/m3) have come into the heart of the city. of air for particulate matter as a norm Outside pollution will also add fuel to the for indoor air pollution. In India, the existing indoor pollution. In order to average indoor air pollution is prevent excess dust, vehicular emissions, 375ug/m3 and the prime contributor one might not open the windows and for this is the burning of solid fuels. It welcome fresh air. People should give is estimated that about a million people more importance to proper ventilation in die in India every year due to indoor houses, especially in the kitchen, which pollution, highest in the world. will be helpful in preventing indoor pollution. During 2015-16, our Chennai, which has an average air quality index of around We are also reading in the dailies that 150, has been among the ‘moderate’ cities people are prepared to spend more money in terms of air pollution. Indoor air on installing ‘air purifiers’. The sale of air

24 Eco News, Vol. 21, No. 2 July - September 2016 purifiers for cars, bedrooms, living rooms References and larger areas such as boardrooms has increased uniformly with orders 1. NAQI Status of Indian Cities in 2015- coming in from corporates and residents 16, CPCB, New Delhi. in the last one year or so. 2. Increasing pollution levels propel sale of air purifiers in Chennai, Times of Alternatively, people can keep a tulsi India, Chennai, May 8, 2016. plant in their balconies, which will 3. Indoor air pollution kills a million prevent indoor pollution to a considerable people every year in India, Hindustan degree. Times, New Delhi, February 22, 2013.

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26 Eco News, Vol. 21, No. 2 July - September 2016 27 Eco News, Vol. 21, No. 2 July - September 2016 CPR Convention Centre (Fully Air-conditioned) C.P ART CENTRE – 2nd Floor 1 Eldams Road, Chennai 600 018. Phone : 24346526 / 2433 7023 Fax: 91-44-2432 0756 E-mail : [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]

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CPR Convention Centre is an excellent multipurpose center, the perfect place to host seminars, meetings and conferences. It has a fully air-conditioned hall with modern interiors and comprehensive meeting and banquet facilities designed to accommodate up to 200 guests (theatre style).

Situated on the second floor, above C.P. Art Centre, Chennai’s happening place, there are levitator (lift) facilities, state of the art sound and presentation systems, excellent acoustics, projection facilities and – wonder of wonders - ample car parking.

CPR Convention Centre provides the best facilities and services par excellence for all your convention needs. For more details contact Public Relations Officer, Mr.N.Srinivasan - 9444580641

28 Eco News, Vol. 21, No. 2 July - September 2016