Category: Nature / Environment

** Susanta Kumar Dash: Geneticist on a mission to register Odisha’s native livestock breeds

A professor of OUAT and animal geneticist, Susanta Kumar Dash has helped govt in registering 4 native breeds of cattle, 3 breeds of buffalo and one breed of sheep, writes Sudarsan Maharana.

In the last two decades, animal geneticist Susanta Kumar Dash has helped Odisha register eight of its native livestock breeds and secure their Intellectual Property (IP) rights. Working in the field of native livestock breed conservation since 2004, Dash – a professor in the department of animal breeding and genetics in OUAT, Bhubaneswar – has registered four breeds of cattle, three breeds of buffalo and one breed of sheep, all having their own unique features, from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources. 

** New species found in Sikkim’s Dzongu, the ‘land of butterflies’

When Sonam Wangchuk Lepcha, from Dzongu in north Sikkim, started watching butterflies and taking pictures of them, he was not taken very seriously by the people around him. But now his hobby has led to the discovery of a new butterfly species, whose closest relatives are in southeastern China, close to Hong Kong.

** Udupi: Bantakal Engineering students win prizes in National Level Event ‘IEEE- EUREKA 2021’

The students of Shri Madhwa Vadiraja Institute of Technology and Management Bantakal have won first, second and third prize in ‘IEEE-EUREKA 2021’, a national level event organized by the IEEE Pune section.

Stream 1: ‘Technologies for Environment, Climate Change and Natural disasters’ Team: Aniketh Shenoy, Anjali Shet, M Sowmitha Pai, Vikram G Thunga. (First Prize)

Stream 2: ‘Technologies for Rural Development and Woman Welfare’ Team: S Sinchana, Shreya Nayak, Vaishak Prabhu, Vivek Shenoy. (First Prize)

Stream 3: ‘Technologies for Agriculture and Food Processing’ Team: Shriraksha, Ramya Deshpande, Shreya M Thantry, Rahamathunnisa. (Second Prize)

Stream 1: ‘Technologies for Environment, Climate Change and Natural disasters’ Team: Sarvesh S P, Varalakshmi, Varshini Acharya, Yashaswini R Amin.

** Girl from UP wins award for developing app for soil identification

Nandini Kushwaha has been awarded for devising a smart data-based AI tool that identifies the most suitable crop for soil by analysing the various nutritional components present in it.

** New tree species named after Muthuvar tribe

Cryptocarya muthuvariana’ spotted in Edamalakkudy

A new tree species of the genus Cryptocarya spotted in Edamalakkudy in Idukki district has been named after a tribe from the locality.

‘Cryptocarya muthuvariana’ has been named so to honour the Muthuvar tribe and as it was discovered in their neighbourhood, researchers responsible for the identification said.

Kerala

** And now, a GI tag adds more vibrancy to Rajasthan’s Sojat Mehndi

Known for its entrancing, deep burnt-red stain, the world famous Sojat Mehndi of Rajasthan got its due on September 14. We explore its harvesting, manufacturing and various art and medicinal forms — as well as the issue of adulteration

“Our women apply it on their hands and even our men put it on their fingertips,” says Mukesh Heerani, whose family has been in the mehndi business since it began in 1969. “Mehndi has been our lifeline for generations and the new GI (Geographical Indication) status for Sojat Mehndi will only increase its brand value and the customer’s faith in us.”

** CFTRI Scientist Develops New Beverage From Coffee Leaves

However, some producers have decided to diversify the crops that they grow and sell. As coffee leaves are constantly being produced, growers can harvest them in the off-season if there is demand, according to Pushpa S. Murthy, Principal Scientist (Spice and Flavour Science Department) of CFTRI.