T1_T4-28DEc2017_Ecosensititve Western ghats

Lake 2016: Conference on Conservation and Sustainable Management of Ecologically
Sensitive Regions in Western Ghats [THE 10TH BIENNIAL LAKE CONFERENCE]

Date: 28-30th December 2016, http://ces.iisc.ernet.in/energy
Venue: V.S. Acharya Auditorium, Alva's Education Foundation, Sundari Ananda Alva Campus, Vidyagiri, Moodbidri, D.K. Dist., Karnataka, India – 574227
Conservation and Sustainable Management of

Ecologically Sensitive Regions in Western Ghats
Dr. T. V. Ramachandra
Energy & Wetlands Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences [CES]
Centre for Sustainable Technologies [astra]
Centre for infrastructure, Sustainable Transportation and Urban Planning [CiSTUP]
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore – 560 012, INDIA
Tel : 91-80-22933099/22933503 extn 107/101
Fax : 91-80-23601428/23600085/23600683[CES-TVR]
E-mail: cestvr@ces.iisc.ernet.in; energy@ces.iisc.ernet.in
URL: http://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in/energy, http://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in/biodiversity
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/T_V_Ramachandra/publications
Abstract— The Western Ghats is one among the 35 global conjunction with geospatial technologies in demarcating
hotspots of biodiversity and it lies in the western part of peninsular ecologically sensitive regions at gram-panchayat levels in Central
India in a series of hills stretching over a distance of 1,600 km from western Ghats for successful implementation of Biodiversity Act,
north to south and covering an area of about 1,60,000 sq.km. It 2002 at local levels.
harbours very rich flora and fauna and there are records of over
4,000 species of flowering plants with 38% endemics, 330 Keywords— Multi resolution remote sensing data, geospatial
butterflies with 11% endemics, 156 reptiles with 62% endemics, analysis, landscape dynamics, habitat fragmentation, ecology,
508 birds with 4% endemics, 120 mammals with 12% endemics, biodiversity, Eco sensitive regions
289 fishes with 41% endemics (http://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in/energy/
water/ paper/researchpaper2.html#f) and 135 amphibians with 75% I. INTRODUCTION
endemics. The rich biodiversity coupled with higher endemism is The conservation and sustainable management of
due to the humid tropical climate, topographical and geological ecosystems are the vital components in the pursuit of
characteristics, and geographical isolation (Arabian Sea to the development goals that are ecologically, economically and
west and the semiarid Deccan Plateau to the east). The Western socially sustainable [1,2]. A great diversity of species, including
Ghats forms an important watershed for the entire peninsular
the humans, has been associated with each other for long periods
India, being the source of 37 west flowing rivers and three major
east flowing rivers and their numerous tributaries. The stretch of
of time and co-evolution is at the Centre of all ecosystems. The
Central Western Ghats of Karnataka, from 12°N to 14°N, from individual cannot live independently of the living environment
Coorg district to the south of Uttara Kannada district, and and actions of individuals have an impact on the environment.
covering the Western portions of Hassan, Chikmagalur and Ecologically sound planning requires an understanding of the
Shimoga districts, is exceptionally rich in flora and fauna. complex functioning of ecosystems, and recognition of the full
Sustainable management of these ecologically fragile systems range and diversity of resources, values and ecological services
requires a synoptic ecosystem approach that relates to the that they represent [1,3]. In this regard, the current research
dynamics of natural variability and the effects of human envisions the beginning of an on-going process to integrate
interventions on key indicators of biodiversity and productivity. ecological and environmental considerations into administration
As a result of the development programme based on ad-hoc in the biodiversity rich district of Karnataka. This is a major step
decisions, considerable changes in the structure and composition towards an ecological audit that eventually should result in the
of the landscape in the region have been very obvious during the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. This process in
last four decades. These changes have adversely affected the due course will create an integrated database on biodiversity for
ecology, biodiversity and hydrological regime of river basins the district and also furnish analyzed data, advice and
resulting in diminished river / stream flows. In this context, management prescriptions to beneficiaries at every level from
understanding landscape dynamics has become an important the village communities to the Government. Integrated
component of ecosystem management as it quantifies the Ecological carrying capacity study provides the regional planner
relationship of structural and functional components at various
in evolving appropriate conservation strategies for sustainable
scales. Temporal geospatial data along with collateral data and
metrics aid in assessing the status of the landscape. Geo-
management particularly on a defined geographical area.
visualization of landscape dynamics enables the regional planner Decision making on developmental activities, entail planning
in evolving appropriate conservation strategies for sustainable that depends upon the availability of reliable and accurate data.
management. The talk would demonstrate the potential of multi- Data required for natural resource planning include spatial data
resolution (temporal, spatial and spectral) remote sensing data in such as, information of physiography of the area, land use,
Proceedings – Lake 2016: Ramachandra T V, Subash Chandran M D, Mohan Alva, et al., 2018. Conservation and Sustainable Management of Ecologically Sensitive Regions in 53
Western Ghats, , Sahyadri Conservation Series 65, , ENVIS Technical Report 120, Environmental Information System, CES, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012
assets, etc. Geographic information system (GIS) with a

capability of handling spatial data helps in the analysis and
visualization of results effectively, and aids decision making
process. Objective of the current research is to understand the
landscape dynamics through temporal remote sensing data and
develop conservation strategies through geo-visualization of
ecological, land cover dynamics, flora and fauna status,
hydrology and social aspects.
II. STUDY AREA
Uttara Kannada district is one of the richest biodiversity
district of Western Ghats. The traditional agro disturbance
regime based on clearing and burning has been abandoned in
many places in the district during the last few decades due to
socio-economic and political changes. Uttara Kannada (Central
Western Ghats) has 3 agro climatic zones (fig. 1) and has 11
taluks and has the unique distinction of having highest forest
cover in Karnataka. The coastal region, which has hot and humid
climate (rainfall varies between 3000-4500 mm) and comprises
the taluks of Karwar, Ankola, Kumta, Honnavar and Bhatkal.
The Sahyadri interior region of the Western Ghats (500-1000 m
high), which is very humid to the south (rainfall varies from Fig. 2. Schematic representation of method adopted for the analysis
4000-5500 mm) and comprises the taluks of Sirsi, Siddapur, Where n is the number of data sets, Vi is the value associated
Supa and Yellapur. The plains are regions of transition, which with criterion i, and Wi is the weight associated to that criterion.
are drier (rainfall varies between 1500-2000 mm), and Each criterion is described by an indicator mapped to a value
comprises the taluks of Mundgod and Haliyal [4]. normalized between 10 to 1. The value 10 corresponds to very
higher priority for conservation whereas 1 is converse to above.
The value 7, 5 and 3 corresponds to high, moderate, low levels
of conservation.
B. Landscape dynamics
Temporal remote sensing data have been classified through
Gaussian Maximum Likelihood Classifier [GMLC]. Landsat
data available in the public domain corresponding to the study
area were classified into eleven land use categories: Evergreen
forest to semi evergreen forest, moist deciduous forest, Shrub
lands/grass lands, Dry deciduous forest, Acacia/Eucalyptus/
other hardwood plantations, Teak/Bamboo/ other softwood
plantations, Coconut/Areca nut plantations, Built-up, Water,
Crop lands, Open fields. Table 2 lists land use details during
1973 to 2013. Figure 3 depicts land uses during 1973 and 2013.
Fig. 1. Uttara Kannada district with agro climatic zones
Comparative assessment of land use categories reveals the
decline of vegetation cover in the district during 1973 to 2013.
III. METHOD The reduction of area under evergreen forests from 67.73%
(1973) to 32.09% (2013) due to anthropogenic activities
A. Prioritisation of regions rich in ecology and diversity: involving the conversion of forest land to agricultural and
Study region was divided [4] into 5’x5’ grids (9 x 9km). horticultural activities [5, 6], monoculture plantations and land
Grids were assigned the weightages based on the variables releases for developmental projects. Transition of evergreen-
listed in Table 1 and equation1. A weightage metric score based semi evergreen forests to moist deciduous forests, and some
have been converted into plantations (such as Teak, Areca nut,
on multiple data sets (fig. 2 and table 1) were considered to
Acacia spp., etc.). Enhanced agricultural activities is evident
priritise the regions at panchayath levels for conservation and
from the increase of agricultural land use from 7.00 (1973) to
management planning. The weightage is deﬁned by: 14.13 % (2013) and the area under human habitations have
increased during the last four decades, evident from the increase
ℎ = of built-up area from 0.38% (1973) to 3.07% (2013). Unplanned
developmental activities coupled with the enhanced agriculture
and horticultural activities have aided as prime drivers of IV. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
deforestation, leading to the irreversible loss of forest cover with The study reveals that there is only a thin line difference
the reduction of ecosystem goods and services. The increase in between rain forests and deserts. Whereas the heavy rainfall of
plantation of exotic species has led to the removal of forest cover coast and malnadu taluks can potentially promote loftiest
and also extinctions of species. Acacia auriculiformis, Casuarina evergreen forests of Western Ghats many locations are
equisetifolia, Eucalyptus spp., and Tectona grandis have been characterized by poorer vegetation- poorer in biomass and in
planted widely in the district. Acacia and Teak plantations conservation ranking. The poorest savanna site exists on a hill
constitute 12.04% and 6.60% respectively in the district. The dry top ironically in the Kathalekan forests of highest conservation
deciduous forest cover is very less (0.96%) and is found mainly value, dotted with Myristica swamps, by presence of lofty
in the north eastern part of the district in Mundgod taluk and Dipterocarpus threatened and endemic plant and animal species
partly Haliyal taluk. The collected field data is separated with (especially amphibians and LTM) [7,8].
respect to each category, 60% used as a training set and 40%
used for verification. Accuracy of the classification ranges from
87 to 93% with more consistent results [5,6].
Fig. 3. Land use dynamics (1973 and 2013)

Fig. 4. Prioritisation of the district based on flora and fauna
Village level biodiversity hotspots are to be identified and REFERENCES

protected through the involvement VFCs/local Biodiversity [1] T.V. Ramachandra, M.D. Subash Chandran, K.V. Gururaja, and
Management Committees. Eventually these, through succession Sreekantha, “Cumulative Environmental Impact Assessment,” Nova
and vegetation enrichment will turn out to be local hotspots of Science Publishers, New York. 2007.
biodiversity. Realizing the fact that depletion of forests of food [2] Ali, Sameer, G. R. Rao, K. Divakar Mesta, Sreekantha, Mukri Vishnu,
resources and human induced vegetation changes in forests have M. D. Subash Chandran, K. V. Gururaja, N. V. Joshi, and T. V.
adverse consequences on wildlife while increasing crop raids by Ramachandra. “Ecological Status of Sharavathi Valley Wildlife
animals’ enrichment of secondary forests and poor grade tree Sanctuary”. Prism Books Pvt Ltd., Bangalore, 2007.
plantations with food resources for forest herbivores is highly [3] Vijay Kulkarni and T.V. Ramachandra, “Environmental Management,”
desirable. NTFP collection, that yields only minor revenue to the Commonwealth Of Learning, Canada and India Institute of Science,
state, is being carried out in many forests with gay abandon Bangalore, Printed by Capital Publishing Company, New Delhi
causing destruction of the resource itself [7, 9]. VFCs and other [Reprinted in 2009 by TERI Press, New Delhi], 2006.
forest dwellers in respective villages be organized and trained in [4] T.V. Ramachandra, M.D. Subash Chandran, N.V. Joshi, G.R. Rao,
scientific harvesting of NTFP which also serves as medicinal Mukri Vishnu, N. Sumesh Dudani, C. Balachandran, N. Prakash Mesta,
plants. Rampant collection of poles, cane, fuel wood etc., has Naik Sreekanth, “Floristic diversity in Uttara Kannada district,
been taking a heavy toll on forest resources particularly in the Karnataka State, Central Western Ghats,” Sahyadri Conservation series
village vicinities. Most of the easily accessible areas with many 32, ENVIS Technical Report 62, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian
medicinal plants are more prone to exploitation and get Institute of Science, Bangalore, India, 2013.
converted into scrub and thickets. Even the semi-evergreen and [5] T.V. Ramachandra, M.D. Subash Chandran, N.V. Joshi, S. Bharath,
evergreen forests higher up in more inaccessible areas are also “Land Use Land Cover (LULC) dynamics in Uttara Kannada Central
being exploited for fuel wood, timber etc., due to which many of Western Ghats,” Sahyadri Conservation Series 28, ENVIS Technical
these forests have thorny thickets as under-growths. We Report 56, ENVIS, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of
recommend conduct of sustained programs on biodiversity Science, Bangalore, India, 2013.
awareness. [6] T.V. Ramachandra, M.D. Subash Chandran, N.V. Joshi, S. Bharath,
“Fragmentation of Uttara Kannada forests,” Sahyadri Conservation
ACKNOWLEDGMENT Series 29, ENVIS Technical Report 57, ENVIS, Centre for Ecological
Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India, 2013.
We are grateful to NRDMS division, the Ministry of Science and [7] T.V. Ramachandra, M.D. Subash Chandran, N.V. Joshi and
Technology (DST), Government of India and Indian Institute of Balachandran C, “Beekeeping: Sustainable Livelihood Option in Uttara
Science for the financial and infrastructure support. Kannada, Central Western Ghats,” ENVIS Technical Report: 49,
Sahyadri Conservation Series 19, ENVIS- Environmental Information
System, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science,
Bangalore, India, 2012.
[8] T.V. Ramachandra, M.D. Subash Chandran, N.V. Joshi, Divya Soman,
D N Aswath, and N Prakash Mesta, “Valuation of goods and services
from forests ecosystem of Uttara Kannada, Central Western Ghats,”
Sahyadri Conservation Series 25, ENVIS Technical Report 44, ENVIS,
Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore,
India, 2013.
[9] T.V. Ramachandra, M.D. Subash Chandran, N.V. Joshi, B. Karthick,
Sameer Ali, and Mukri Vishnu, “Ecohydrology of Lotic Ecosystems of
Uttara Kannada, Central Western Ghats,” ENVIS Technical Report: 40,
Sahyadri Conservation Series 14, ENVIS- Environmental Information
System, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science,
Bangalore, India, 2012.
Table 1: Various attributes considered and their weightages

Weightages
S.NO. Themes
1 3 5 7 10
LAND
1. Land use FC<20% 20<FC<40% 40<FC<60% 60<FC <80% FC > 80%
Interior forest IF<20% 20<IF<40% 40<IF<60% 60<IF<80% IF> 80%
ECOLOGY
Flora NEND END<30% 30<END<50% 50<END<70% END>70%
Tree diversity SHD<2 2<SHD<2.5 2.5 <SHD<2.7 2.7<SHD<3 SHD>3
Fauna - NEND - - END
2.
National parks, Wild life
Conservation reserves
- - - - reserves, Myristica
(CR)
swamps, Sanctuaries
Biomass (Gg) BM<250 250<BM<500 500<BM<750 750<BM<1000 BM>1000
ENERGY
Solar - - <5 KWh/m2 /day 5-6 KWh/m2 /day 6-6.5 KWh/m2 /day
3.
Wind - - 2.4 to 2.55 m/s 2.5 to 2.6 m/s 2.6 to 2.7 m/s
Bio - - SD<1 1<SD<2 SD>2
GEO-CLIMATIC
Altitude
5
Slope - - - Slope > 20% Slope > 30%
Precipitation
HYDROLOGY
4.
Stream flow WA<4 4<WA<6 6<WA<9 9<WA<12 WA=12
SOCIAL
5.
Population density (PD) PD>200 100<PD<200 100<PD<150 50<PD<100 PD<50
Forest dwelling Tribes are present then assigned 10; if no tribal population
-
communities (Tribes) exists, then assigned as 0
ESTUARINE DIVERSITY
6.
Estuarine regions - low moderate high very high
FC-forest cover; IF-interior forest cover; END-endemic; NEND-non-endemic; BM-biomass; SD-supply to demand ratio; WA-Water availability
Table 2: land use variation from 1973 to 2013

Loss / Gain in
Year 1973 1979 1989 1999 2010 2013
area (1973-2013)
(Ha)
Category Ha % Ha % Ha % Ha % Ha % Ha %
Built-up 3886 0.38 9738 0.95 12,982 1.26 21,635 2.10 28,491 2.77 31589 3.07 27703
Water 7,681 0.75 18527 1.80 16,604 1.61 32,983 3.21 26,119 2.54 28113 2.73 20432
Crop land 71,990 7.00 103163 10.02 121,167 11.77 138,458 13.45 148,187 14.40 145395 14.13 73405
Open fields 14071 1.37 15988 1.55 34,783 3.38 21,945 2.13 30,812 2.99 37660 3.66 23589
Moist deciduous forest 95,357 9.27 102967 10.01 143,849 13.98 179,075 17.40 166,266 16.15 161,996 15.74 66639
Evergreen to semi evergreen 696,978 67.73 589762 57.31 531,872 51.68 423,062 41.11 367,064 35.66 330,204 32.08 -366774
Scrub/grass 38,109 3.70 58936 5.73 44,123 4.29 47,366 4.60 35,158 3.42 40402 3.93 2293
Acacia/Eucalyptus/ hardwood
40,905 3.97 50321 4.89 55,694 5.41 73,977 7.19 119,717 11.63 122927 11.94 82022
plantations
Teak/ Bamboo/ softwood
13997 1.36 20896 2.03 21,937 2.13 38,588 3.75 44,794 4.35 67111 6.52 53114
plantations
Coconut/ Areca nut / Cashew

20,702 2.01 29675 2.88 32,227 3.13 43,623 4.24 53,646 5.21 53,993 5.25 33291
nut plantations
Dry deciduous forest 25,410 2.47 29113 2.83 13,848 1.35 8374 0.81 9008 0.88 9873 0.96 -15537
Total 1029086
Lake 2016: Conference on Conservation and Sustainable Management of
Ecologically Sensitive Regions in Western Ghats [THE 10TH BIENNIAL LAKE CONFERENCE]
Studies on Zingiberaceae of Karnataka with Special Reference to

the Western Ghats
K. Gopalakrishna Bhat
‘Madhuca’, Srinivasa Nagara
Chitpady, Udupi 576 101, Karnataka.
The Family Zingiberaceae includes about 53 The Western Ghats, one of the “hottest hot spots”
genera and about 1200 species. They are distributed of biological diversity in the world, is rich in
mainly in tropics and subtropics but majority of them Zingiberaceae members. A section of Western Ghats,
are restricted to Indo-Malayan region, tropical Africa about 400 km long, passes through the state of
and Central and South America. In India there are Karnataka and about 60% of the Ghats lie in
about 21 genera and 135 species, mainly confined to Karnataka. The present comprehensive work on the
the Western Ghats, the North Eastern India, the family Zingiberaceae has revealed the occurrence of
Eastern Himalayas and Andaman and Nicobar 38 species, belonging to 10 genera. In addition to
Islands. this, some species are cultivated in gardens and as
indoor plants for their beautiful flowers. The study
The Family Zingiberaceae is considered to be also aims at to discuss the distribution and ethno-
neglected group mainly because many of them are botanical importance of the members of this family.
found in inaccessible regions of dense tropical forests
and are difficult to collect especially during monsoon.
Herbarium specimens are of little use in this family as
most of them lack underground parts and their
delicate flower parts are rarely well preserved. In this
context, the study of living specimens or materials
preserved in spirit is essential. The Zingiberaceae,
however, form an important group with considerable
economic potentiality such ginger, turmeric,
cardamom, mango-ginger and arrowroot. Many
members of this group have been used in Ayurvedic
and other native systems of medicine from time
immemorial.
Western Ghats, , Sahyadri Conservation Series 65, , ENVIS Technical Report 120 Environmental Information System, CES, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012
Pelagic Bird’s study along the Arabian sea of

Udupi and Mangalore Coast
Harish R. Bhat1, M. Shivshankar2, Vineeth Kumar K.3, Karthik Bhat P.4
1.
EWRG, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012
2.
Sarasvath nagar, Karkala 576117, Karnataka
3.
D/No: 24-57, Honnamma Nilaya, Kulshekar, Chowki, Mangalore 575005
4.
H.No. 27/1, Jayadeep Nivas, Kudvas Compound, Kuntalpady, Karkala 574104
Abstract__ The coastline of Karnataka has been along the their pattern of presence from the shore to certain
eastern shore of Arabian Sea. Any water in a sea or lake distances. From the study it is clear that the bird diversity
that is neither close to the bottom nor near the shore can decreases as we move from the coast into the pelagic zone.
be said to be in the pelagic zone. Pelagic birds, also called The presence of the pelagic birds at various nautical miles
oceanic birds, live on the open sea, rather than around and depths indicates that these are specific to the
waters adjacent to land or around inland waters. Pelagic availability of food and safety as there are quite less
life decreases with increasing depth. It is affected by light human activities except few fishermen with less
intensity, pressure, temperature, salinity, the supply of disturbances. These birds migrant from far distance
dissolved oxygen and nutrients, and the submarine during winter from temperate to tropics to escape the
topography. The present work deals with a daylong harsh weather. Their arrival also indicates the change in
survey to document the pelagic birds all along the Arabian climatic condition at the temperate countries. Their
Coast of Udupi to Mangalore. About 8 pelagic bird presence supports the favourable environment with less
species were spotted during the study. The objective was disturbances.
to document the existing Pelagic Birds and to understand
depth of 3.68 km and maximum depth of 11 km. Fish
INTRODUCTION that live in the pelagic zone are called pelagic fish.
Karnataka's coastline called Karavali stretches 300 km Pelagic life decreases with increasing depth. It is
between Mangalore in Dakshina Kannada district affected by light intensity, pressure, temperature,
and Karwar in Uttara Kannada district. The coastline of salinity, the supply of dissolved oxygen and nutrients,
Karnataka has been along the eastern shore of Arabian and the submarine topography. Scua, Brown-headed
Sea. Any water in a sea or lake that is neither close to Gull, Great Crested Tern, are some of the pelagic birds
the bottom nor near the shore can be said to be in the spotted in the Karnataka Coast. Unfortunately, the
pelagic zone. The word "pelagic" is derived from Greek pelagic bird distribution off the coast of Karnataka is
(pélagos), meaning "open sea”. Pelagic birds, also still sketchy (M. Shivashankar et al, 2011). A day long
called oceanic birds, live on the open sea, rather than survey was conducted on 3rd January 2016 from 8.30
around waters adjacent to land or around inland waters. am to 6.30 pm. to document the pelagic birds all along
Pelagic birds feed on planktonic crustaceans, squid and the Arabian Coast of Udupi to Mangalore (Figure 1.).
forage fish. Examples are the Atlantic puffin, macaroni About 8 pelagic bird species were spotted during the
penguins, sooty terns, shearwaters, and procellariiforms study. The objective was to document the existing
such as the albatross, procellariids and petrels. The Pelagic Birds and to understand their pattern of
pelagic zone occupies 1,330 million km3 with a mean presence from the shore to certain distances.
STUDY AREA of Udupi, Karnataka, India. Close to the mainland of

The study area is between Malpe shore of Udupi district Malpe are four rocky islands. Maple is also an
and Mangalore port of Dakshina Kannada district with important port and fishing harbor on the Karnataka
Latitude-Longitude: 120 55.812’N and 0740 28.811’E. coast. It is a suburb in Udupi city. A considerable
Malpe is a natural port about six kilometers to the west number of the population is engaged in fishing and in
Proceedings – Lake 2016: Ramachandra T V, Subash Chandran M D, Mohan Alva, et al., 2018. Conservation and Sustainable Management of Ecologically Sensitive Regions in Western 59
Ghats, , Sahyadri Conservation Series 65, , ENVIS Technical Report 120 Environmental Information System, CES, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012
fish industries. New Mangalore Port is a deep-water,

all-weather port at Panambur, Mangalore in Karnataka
state in India, which is also the deepest inner harbour
on the west coast.[3] It is the only major port of
Karnataka and is currently the seventh largest port in
India. The port is situated at Panambur, Mangalore on
the west coast of India. It is situated to north of
confluence of Gurupura (Phalguni) river to Arabian
Sea.
Figure1: The map of the pelagic survey direction as

plotted on the screen of the boat device
The survey was from Maple shore towards the deep sea between Maple and Mangalore at the deep sea of 15.7
in the western direction up to 15.7 Nautical Miles and Nautical mile. There were point reading noted at every
then turned towards southern direction up to 62 2 nautical miles and birds sighted were documented
Nautical Miles, then moved towards eastern direction to (Figure 2).
reach Mangalore Port. The total study area was in
MATERIALS AND METHOD:

Materials: Binoculars, Spotting Scope, Field Guides,
Digital Cameras. Pelagic bird species spotted on 3rd January
Method: The sail was set at 8.30 am from Malpe Coast 2016 at West coast of India, from Malpe off 29 nautical
of Udupi District towards the sea up to 29 Nautical miles to the Arabian Sea were documented. Total of 11
Miles (A nautical mile equals to 1.852 meters) and species of Birds were recorded during the pelagic
turned towards Mangalore approximately parallel to the survey of which 8 were pelagic birds like Brown
coastal line and reached by 6.30 pm. At every 2 nautical headed gulls (BrHG), Black headed gulls (BlHG), HG(
miles, reading was noted and birds sighted were Heuglins’s Gull), Whiskered tern (WT), GCT (Greater
documented along with number of individuals and their crested tern), SwSP(Swinhoe’s storm petrels), GbT
activities. (Gul- billed tern), ASK (Arctic skua) and non-pelagic
birds like Black kite (BlK), Brahminy kite (BrK),
WRE(Western reef egret) (Annexure 1.). The survey
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:
was carried between latitudes of 13°20.972 N to
100% 13°10.699 N and longitudes of 74°41.450 E to
ASK
80% 74°24.172 E. Total of 7 species (28 individuals) were
60% GbT observed at zero nautical mile of which 4 (14.3 %) were
SwSP BrHG and BlK, 5 (17.9 %) BrK, 9 (32.1%) WRE,2 (
40%
7.1 %) HgG, 1 ( 3.6 % ) WT, GCT were about 3( 10.7
20% BlHG %). There were no birds seen between 0 to 2 Naut
0% GCT miles. At 2 Nautical miles one BlHG was seen. At 3
0 3 6 9 121518212427 nautical miles 5 bird species (8 individuals) were
Figure 2: Represents the each bird species in different color recorded which included 3 BlHG (37.5 %), 2 (25%)
codes. X-axis represents the Nautical miles and Y- axis HG, 1 individual (12.5 %) of GCT, SwSP and GbT
represents the % abundance of each species at given Nautical each. At 4 nautical miles only 2 bird species (7
mile. individuals) were seen, of which GCT were 4 (57.1%)
in number and HgG were 3(42.9 %) in number. There
were no birds seen between 5 and 6 nautical miles. At disturbances. During the study, awareness and interest
6 nautical miles about 3 BrHG were seen. No birds regarding pelagic birds could be created among other
were seen between 7 to 11 nautical miles. 1 Arctic skua staff which made them keenly observe throughout. Few
was spotted at 11 nautical miles. At 12 nautical miles 2 interaction with the neighboring boat fishermen during
individuals of BrHG were seen. At 13 nautical miles the sail revealed that, these birds often scout for great
one individual of BrHG and BlHG was seen. Only one fish catch and few dominate the rest for snatching the
individual of BlHG was seen at 14 nautical miles. good catch. Fishermen also shared that, these birds
About 8 BlHG and 1 ASK were sighted at 15 nautical indicate presence of fish in the vicinity and ease their
miles. No bird sightings between 16 to 19 nautical fishing. As the study conducted was for a day, it might
miles. At 19 nautical miles 6 BrHG and 4 ASK were be difficult to assess their population dynamics and
seen. No pelagic bird activity between 20 to 25 nautical reasoning on the impacts. More samples through
miles. At 25 nautical miles 3 ASKs were seen. No birds surveys might reveal interesting findings that might
were seen upto 29 nautical miles. At 29 nautical miles throw more light on their behavior, distribution pattern,
about 10 individuals of BlHG and 4 individuals of disturbance impacts, etc.
ASKs were sighted. From these observations it is clear
that the bird diversity decreases as we move from the CONCLUSION:
coast into the pelagic zone. Bird species like BlK, BrK,
Pelagic birds are quite an interesting subject and is a
WRE, and WT are seen close to the shoreline and they
hectic exercise as it requires travel on the sea offshore
are not seen in pelagic zones. Whereas ASKs are purely
for long duration, need constant observation and most
pelagic birds which are seen at distances of 10 nautical
importantly appropriate weather condition for sailing
miles and above. Other pelagic bird which is present at
the boat. These birds migrant from far distance during
all zones of pelagic are BlHG and BrHG.
winter from temperate to tropics to escape the harsh
Of the total number of birds seen during the pelagic weather. Their arrival also indicates the change in
survey 27 % of them were BlHG followed by BrHG climatic condition at the temperate countries. Their
which formed about 18 % of the sightings, ASKs were presence supports the favourable environment with less
about 14.6 %, WRE formed about 10.1 % total disturbances. Most importantly, they also can indicate
sightings followed by GCT which were 9 %, then HgG the presence of planktons, fish etc and less disturbed
which were about 7.9 %, BrK were about 5.6 %, BlK areas. The authors feel that, more such expeditions are
were about 4.5 %, least were WT, GbT and SwSP each required to assess the pelagic bird population and also
of which formed 1.1 % of the total sightings (Figure 2). other interesting possible findings that might throw
The presence of the pelagic birds at various nautical more light on their behavior and migration pattern
miles and depths indicates that these are specific to the which helps to understand in depth. There is also a need
availability of food and safety as there are quite less to protect these birds and maintain the sea ecosystem
human activities except few fishermen with less clean and pure from pollution.
Annexure 1: Bird Checklist:
Common Name Abbreviation Scientific Name Pelagic (P)

/NonPelagic (NP)
Brown headed gull (BrHG) Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus P
Black headed gull (BlHG Chroicocephalus ridibundus P
Heuglins’s Gull (HG) Larus heuglini P
Whiskered tern (WT) Chlidonias hybrida P
Greater crested tern (GCT) Thalasseus bergii P

Swinhoe’s storm petrels (SwSP) Hydrobates monorhis P
Gul- billed tern (GbT) Gelochelidon nilotica P
Arctic skua (ASK) Stercorarius parasiticus P
Black Kite (BlK) Milvus migrans NP
Brahminy Kite (BrK) Haliastur indus NP
Western Reef Egret (WRE) Egretta gularis NP
Photographs:
Black headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) Arctic skua (Stercorarius parasiticus)
Greater crested tern (Thalasseus bergii) Swinhoe’s storm petrels (Hydrobates monorhis)
Black headed and Brown headed gulls Arctic chasing the Greater crested tern
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT REFERENCES
The authors acknowledge the assistance rendered by the 1. Ali, S. & Ripley, S. D. 1969. Handbook of the birds
staff of Coastal Security Police Department, Udupi of India and Pakistan together with those of
during the study with all logistic support including the Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. New
boat. Shri Chennabasavanna IPS, SP, Coastal Security Delhi: Oxford University Press.
Police, took special interest and supported the study. The 2. M. Shivashankar, S. Subramanya, D. Karuthedathu,
authors also thank T.V. Ramachandra, and members of & A. Shivaprakash (2011), A note on pelagic bird
EWRG, CES, IISc for encouraging and supporting the sightings off the Mulki coast of southern India,
study. Indian Birds Vol. No. 3 (Publ. 21 October 2011).
Lake 2016: Conference on Conservation and Sustainable Management
of Ecologically Sensitive Regions in Western Ghats
[THE 10TH BIENNIAL LAKE CONFERENCE]
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Date: 28-30 December 2016, http://ces.iisc.ernet.in/energy
THE PULSES OF LIFE

M D Subash Chandran
Energy & Wetlands Research Group
Centre for Ecological Sciences
Indian Institute of Science
Bangalore-560012
mds@ces.iisc.ernet.in; mdschandr@yahoo.com
The background: The United Nations declared 2016 as included chickpea, pigeon pea (red gram), green gram,
the International Year of Pulses (IYP). India welcomed black gram, horse gram, rice bean, moth bean, cowpea
IYP-2016 when, paradoxically, the prices of pulses were etc.
raging as never before in history, affecting the very
foodbowl of the country which shelters the largest
What are pulses?
numbers of vegetarians and semi-vegetarians in the world,
FAO, (2016) applies the term pulses to those seeds of
for whom pulses are integral to nutrition. On this
occasion, I should compliment Dr. T.V. Ramachandra, the legumes which are dry, edible and with low fat content.
main architect behind the series of biennially conducted "Legume" refers to the plants whose fruit is enclosed in
Lake Conferences, for providing me with the opportunity a pod. Pulses are second only to the cereals as human
to adreess this august audience on the subject of pulses in food. FAO does not consider pulses legume fruits or
India, despite the fact that I have hardly any expertise in seeds used as green (e.g., green peas, green beans,
this field. This unique opportunity enabled me to prepare cowpea), those seeds used for oil extraction (e.g.,
these lecture notes on pulses scenario and come out with soybean, groundnut) and for green fodder (e.g., clover,
certain recommendations. The momentum gained during
alfalfa). They are superfoods that are incredibly
IYP-2016 should not be lost but lead to renewed interest
healthy, affordable and tasty. Storable for long pulses
in pulses, their diversity, nutritional importance,
ecological and agricultural significance, specially in this are they are most important sources of vegetable
country, the largest holder of genetic diversity pulses as proteins, also rich in fibre, iron, potassium, folate (folic
also the largest producer, consumer and importer of acid- one of the B vitamins) etc. in addition to
pulses in the world. antioxidants; they are free of cholesterol and gluten.
From time immemorial pulses occupy a unique place in
the nutritional security of India, which despite being the
INTRODUCTION second most populous in the world, is a special country
Because of its exuberant biodiversity, the Conservation in the world teeming with full time and part-time
International, in 1998 declared India as one among the vegetarians, irrespective of richness or poverty.
17 megadiveristy countries of the world. Decades Paradoxically, the International Year of Pulses-2016,
before this recognition came, a Russian geneticist and which should have been of highest significance to our
plant breeder Nikolai Vavilov in his work The country, is ending, leaving a legacy of risen prices, but
Phytogeographical Basis for Plant Breeding (1935) also hopes of slackening market trends. Let the year
identified the entire ‘Hindustan’ (the entire Indian depart leaving a glow behind, kindling renewed interest
subcontinent) as one of the eight global centres for the in pulses so that, hereafter, a festival of pulses is
origin of cultivated plants. This has been on the celebrated year after year!
premises that the major crops of the world which were
developed over millennia, must have originated from a Why the Year of Pulses? The IYP 2016 aims to
central point from where they dispersed (Hummer and heighten public awareness of the nutritional benefits of
Hancock, 2015). Several pulses of Indian origin pulses as part of sustainable food production aimed
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towards food security and nutrition. The Year will and vegetables. These centres also harbor bulk of the
create a unique opportunity to encourage connections wild relatives of these cultivated pulses.
throughout the food chain that would better utilize The Fertile Crescent yielded archaeological evidences
pulse-based proteins, further global production of for cultivation of pea dating back to 11,000-10,000
pulses, better utilize crop rotations and address the years BP in Syria and Turkey. Lentils figure in Syrian
challenges in the trade of pulses. The specific sites by 10,200-8,700 years BP. Peas developed
objectives of the IYP 2016 are: beginning circa 10,500 cal BP. The earliest chickpea
 Raise awareness about the important role of pulses seeds were from northwest Syria. The wild chickpea
in sustainable food production and healthy diets (Cicer reticulatum) was domesticated in parts of
and their contribution to food security and Turkey and Syria 11,000 years ago. The currently
nutrition; grown chickpeas are of two major types namely Desi
 Promote the value and utilization of pulses and Kabuli, the former more angular and darker and the
throughout the food system, their benefits for soil latter more rounded and lighter in colour. Desi is
fertility and climate change and for combating considered to be the oldest variety. There is some
malnutrition; evidence from the Shanidar Cave of Iraq that 46,000
 Encourage connections throughout the food chain years ago, Neanderthals ate chickpeas (Hirst, 2016).
to further global production of pulses, foster Between 10,500 and 7,500 years ago domestication of
enhanced research, better utilize crop rotations and animals, especially goats, pigs, sheep and cattle in
address the challenges in the trade of pulses. South-west Asia was getting integrated into growing of
(source: http://www.fao.org/pulses-2016) cereals and pulses. This system of livestock cum
Domestication history of pulses: Pulses were among cereals-pulses spread into Europe, North Africa, and
the earliest domesticated plants by humans and have into Central and South Asia (Harris, 2005). Evidences
played critical part of food, especially during the exist on the uses of pulses in the Neolithic and Bronze
transition from hunting-gathering times to livestock Age of the Old World. Lentil, pea and grasspea were
rearing and agriculture. The Fertile Crescent, a cultivated by the first farmers of South-east Europe.
crescent-shaped region composed of the relatively Several pulses of these times were retrieved from
moist and fertile land of otherwise arid and semi- Greece (Valamoti et.al., 2011). Lentil, chickpea, pea
arid regions to the east of the Mediterranean, etc. were obtained from 9th millennium BC
encompassing the Eupratis and Tigris drainage basins archaeological findings of Syria and Israel (Medovic
and the drainage basin of the River Nile, the meeting and Mikic, 2014). Lentil and pea were cultivated in the
place of Asia, Africa and Europe, which witnessed the Caucuses part of Armenia by Neolithic farmers of late
rise and fall of important civilizations, was among the 7th to 5th millennium BC (Hovsepyan, 2011). By 7th
earliest and richest global centres of pulses cultivation. millennium BP soybean cultivation probably began in
Four of four Vavilovian centres of the origin of Chinese Neolithic sites. Cowpea was cultivated in Sub-
cultivated plants, come in close proximity here Saharan Sudan (Harris, 2005). Between 4800 and 3200
connected through mountain passes, plains and river years ago greengram and horsegram were cultivated in
valleys. These centres China, Hindustan, Central Asia South Indian Neolithic sites (Fuller et al., 2001). Late
and Persia, together were the homes to bulk of the Harappan sites, during 2nd millennium BC, had
pulses that mankind have been using, namely common greengram and blackgram; these along with horsegram
bean (China), pigeonpea, chickpea, mothbean, ricebean, had figured in the South Indian and Late Harappan sites
horsegram (Hindustan), pea, lentil, chickpea (Central of Gujarat. African origin pulses hyacinth bean and
Asia), chickpea, lentil, pea (Persia), witnessed between cowpea were grown in Gujarat and South India after
active movements humans, traders, farmers and herders 1800 B.C. (Ahmed, 2014). Tehuacan Valley of Mexico
between them facilitating the spread of pulses, cereals witnessed cultivation of common bean 2300 years ago
(Kaplan and Lynch, 1999).
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PULSES IN INDIA followed by chickpea (17%), cowpea (14%) and peas

India is the largest produce, consumer and importer of (14%). Madhya Pradesh accounts for 39% of total
pulses in the world. Pulse crops are cultivated in Kharif, production followed by Maharashtra and Rajasthan
Rabi and Zaid seasons of the Agricultural year. Rabi (14% each). Karnataka’s production is 6% of the Indian
crops require mild cold climate during sowing period, production (source: ICAR; Ministry of Agriculture,
cold climate during vegetative to pod development and GOI).
warm climate during maturity / harvesting. Similarly,
Kharif pulse crops require warm climate throughout RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION
their life from sowing to harvesting. The pulses mainly Directorate of Pulses Development, was established in
grown in India are Chickpea or Chana (Turkey-Syria the year 1971 at Lucknow. It is responsible for
origin), Pigeon pea or Tur originated in India, Lentil is performing a number of functions including monitoring
native of Southwest Asia. Blackgram, Greengram, of Centrally Sponsored Schemes in respect of Nodal
Lablab bean, Mothbean, and Horsegram originated in crop - pulses and major crops of Madhya Pradesh and
Indian subcontinent. Pea and Grasspea had origin in Chhattisgarh, besides administration. It w (Uttar
Southern Europe; cowpea is from West Africa and Faba Pradesh) Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR),
bean is of West Asia. Kanpur, established in 1983, is the prime institute
carrying out basic strategic and applied research on
Whereas global cereal production increased three time major pulse crops. Pulses research is also carried out in
during last 50 years, pulses production which was 411 various agricultural universities of India.
million tons in 1961 increased by 70 million tons in
2012. In India area under pulses over the last few years IMPORTANT PULSES OF INDIA
has been stagnating; It was 23.46 m ha in 2003-04, Chickpea (Cicer arietinum; Bengal gram; chana, Kan:
reached a peak of 26.4 m ha in 2010-11 and dipped to kadale): Tropical to sub-tropical; cultivated from pre-
23.82 m ha in 2015-16. Production of pulses, which historical times in the ‘Fertile Crescent’. The genus
was at 14.91 million tons in 2003-04 reached peak of Cicer comprises 43 species of which 8 are annuals and
18.24 million tons in 2010-11 and declined to 17.33 the rest perennials, most of them found in West Asia
million tons in 2015-16. (Directorate of Economics and and North Africa (Singh et al., 2008). Currently India is
Statistics). The main pulse growing states are Madhya the world leader in chickpeas, followed by Pakistan and
Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Uttar Turkey. This is a very important cool season pulse in
Pradesh. Average yield of pulses increased from 600 the world after dry beans and peas (FAOSTAT, 2004).
kg/ha in 2009-10 to about 700 kg/ha in 2013-14. It was It has been cultivated mainly in the Indian subcontinent,
below the world average of 910 kg/ha. Because of West Asia, and North Africa, but recently large
domestic shortage pulses are imported so that currently acreages have been introduced in the Americas and
the total consumption stands at 22.5 m tons. Australia. The Kabuli types are generally grown in the
(source:www.indiastat.com). Madhya Pradesh has the Mediterranean region including Southern Europe,
highest area under cultivation (3.1 m ha) and largest Western Asia and Northern Africa and the Desi types
production (3.3 million tons). Productivity is highest in are grown mainly in Ethiopia and Indian subcontinent.
Gujarat (1138 kg/ha) followed by Bihar (1134 kg/ha). The Desi is smaller seeded, angular and darker brown
Maharashtra is the largest producer of pigeon pea (0.9 whereas Kabuli is plump seeded with biscuit colour.
million tons);it has also largest area under it (1.21 The genus Cicer has 9 annual and 34 perennial wild
million ha); but Bihar has the highest productivity species, Today chickpeas are found in 21 different
(1897 kg/ha) (source: oar.icris@org). India’s colors and shapes (Hirst, 2016).
contribution to global pulse production is 25% followed Chickpea is very good source of nutrition and widely
by China (2.97%), Brazil (2.76%) and Canada (2.49%). consumed in India. In the Indian subcontinent,
In Indian production contribution of dry beans is 34%, chickpea is used as entire seed or split into dal and
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ground, which may be used to prepare flour (besan) that elements and minerals (Sharma et al., 2009). Green
is used to prepare different snacks. Seeds can be seeds make delicious dishes and can be canned. Its skin
consumed roasted or boiled. The starch content varies and broken seeds are fed to cattle.
from 41 to 50%; its carbohydrate has a lower
digestibility in comparison with other pulses. The Greengram (Vigna radiata, mung; Kan: hesaru, Mal:
protein content varies from 12.4% to 31.5%; fat content cheru-payaru ): Origin and first domestication in the
is 6%; it is rich in various amino acids except sulfur Indian sub-continent, because of several wild species
containing ones. hickpea is rich in nutritionally (Poehlman, 1991; Pratap et al., 2015). Western Ghats
important unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic harbor considerable genetic variations (Pratap et al.,
and oleic acids. Chickpea is a good source of important 2014). Archaeological records suggest that green gram
vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, folate and was probably domesticated in two separate centres
the vitamin A precursor β-carotene. It is good source namely towards northwest Himalayan foothills and in
of iron and Ca. Fermentation improves chickpea protein South of India. The South Indian domestication was in
quality, in products like dhokla (Hirdyani, 2014). dry zones, along with horsegram in the savanna
Numerous kinds of dishes and snacks are prepared in environments and small millets. The wild stocks are
India using chickpea, which plays very important role still found in these areas. India, Myanmar and Thailand
in Indian food industry. are major producers. It is consumed in the form of split
pulse as well as whole pulse. The preparations are
Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan; Redgram; Kan: Togare, easily digestible and considered as complete diet. It is
Mal, Tam. Tuvara,): Major pulse crop of tropics and particularly rich in Leucine, Phenylalanine, Lysine,
subtropics worldwide. Shrubby plant lasting few years, Valine, Isoleucine etc. It is ideal for dryland farming
it is a rainfed crop. Most probably originated in India, and as an intercrop. The dried seeds have 24% protein,
because of high genetic diversity in the eastern part of 56.7% carbohydrates, 4% fibre and is rich in minerals,
the Indian peninsula and spread or introduced into especially calcium and phosphorus. Cooked dal of
other places. Archaeological finds of its cultivation green gram is a very digestive food for invalid and sick
dating back to 3400 years were discovered in persons (www.aksharakriti.org/magazines/doc.)
Sanganakallu in Ballari, Tuljapur in Maharashtra and
Gopalpur in Orissa (Shirsath et al., 2014). It was Blackgram (Vigna mungo; urad; Kan: uddu; Mal:
introduced into Africa and from there spread to uzhunnu): Cultivated black gram Vigna
America with slave trade. It is presently grown in all mungo var. mungo (L.) Hepper) is believed to have
tropical and semi-tropical regions of the world and can been domesticated in India from its wild
be grown either as an annual or as a perennial crop. It is progenitor, Vigna mungo var. silvestris (Chandel et al.,
cultivated in 46 million ha worldwide; 82% of the 1984). Based on archeological evidence found in India
world’s production takes place in India (grown in 3.58 domestication of black gram may have occurred about
M ha), followed by Myanmar (560,000 ha), Kenya 4,500 years ago. Early finds of black gram were from
(196,261 ha) etc. Once considered of little significance, Gujarat and the Northern Peninsula in India, where wild
pigeonpea is rapidly gaining reputation as a food black gram populations persist (Fuller and Harvey,
security crop, income generator and commercial export 2006). Plant is in abundance in cultivation, as weeds
commodity, in the face of drought and climate change and in the wild its relatives are found (Pratap et al.,
(ICRISAT; Saxena et al., 2010). It can be grown as an 2015; et al., 2015). Black gram is mainly grown in
intercrop with groundnut, cotton or blackgram. It is a South and Southeast Asian countries, including
major source of protein for the people of India, most Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal,
favoured in the split form as dal (18.8% protein in Myanmar, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
mature seed, 24.6% in dal, 57.6% starch in dal). It is Black gram seeds (whole grain) contain about 21%
rich in calcium, manganese, crude fiber, fat, trace protein and 65% carbohydrate, 3% fibre. It is easy to
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digest (Shaheen et al., 2012). It has relatively good and Maharashtra and many other northern Indian States
drought tolerance, short life cycle (75–90 days).Being a in. The Government of India had banned sale of khesari
good nitrogen fixer it can be grown in various cropping dal in 1961 following reports from Madhya Pradesh of
systems, especially after rice and wheat. India is the a neurological disorder called lathyrism, which causes
largest producer (about 3 Mha), followed by Myanmar paralysis of the legs, blamed on presence of a
(about 1 Mha) and Pakistan (0.5 Mha). Black gram neurotoxin ODAP in this pulse. Despite the ban
production in Myanmar and Thailand are mainly for cultivation continued in the country, the area under it
exporting seeds to India and Japan (Kaewwongwal et currently stands at 6.5 lakh ha. Exploiting this situation
al., 2015). many traders adulterated the much costlier besan
Lentil (Lens culinaris): It has lens shaped seeds, one or (chickpea flour) with the much cheaper flour of khesari,
two inside a pod. It is well known as a nutritious food. making a neat profit, denying the share to the growers
It was a celebrated pulse in West Asia as per the (Fernandes, 2016). Khesari is very tolerant of drought
accounts in the Bible and the Koran. It was in the conditions and is being sold at half the price of tur dal
delicious dishes of Romans. Split lentil or lentil dal is (redgram dal) or chickpea, and continued to be
popular in South Asia. India and Turkey are the largest favoured by millions of poor in the country. A meeting
producers of lentil the cultivation of which is of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
widespread in all parts of the world. It is a crop suited (FSSAI) conducted on 6th November 2015
for marginal lands. Lentil is a rich source of protein recommended lifting the ban on khesari dal, following
(about 17%) and fibre (7.5%). It is excellent source of which the cultivation of newly developed varieties like
molybdenum and folate and very good for phosphorus, Ratan, Prateek and Mahateara, low in ODAP and
copper and manganese and good for several other drought tolerant are likely to revive in a big way this
minerals (whfoods.org). Because of escalating cost of pulse in India. We have to wait and watch for more
inorganic nitrogen fertilizer, depleting water resources, confirmation on the khesari dal’s safety, before its
climate change and an increasingly health conscious wider introduction as a promising pulse of future. The
society the prospects for lentil cultivation along with Indian council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has
cereals is foreseen as brighter (Erskine et al., 2009). recently released three new varieties of khesari dal,
The common bean: (Phaseolus vulgaris) has its oirign namely Ratan, Prateek and Mahateara, reported as low
in central and south America (Gepts, 1998). It is a in the toxin ODAP, linked to lathyrism in humans. The
mystery that how this crop species was associated with ICAR is trying to popularise these new varieties against
second millennium BC archaeological sites of Gujarat, the traditional ones with higher amount of this
Maharashtra, Karnataka etc. (Pearce and Pearce, 2010). neurotoxin content (The Economic Times Jan 21, 2016).
The common bean pod is consumed widely world over
as vegetable and seeds as pulse. India is the largest PULSES FOR SUSTAINABLE FOOD
producers of dry beans, while China leads in production PRODUCTION AND HUMAN HEALTH
of green beans
(http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QC). The dry bean Threats from modern agricultural practices: The
consumed as Rajmah is low fat food with 22.9% protein impact of modern agriculture on natural resources has
and various minerals which constitute 3.2%, and has become a major global concern because of high
several vitamins and amino acids. After harvesting external inputs while the resource use efficiency is low,
beans the plants can be fed to livestock (Duke, 1983). especially for nitrogen. This ultimately results in
About 28 accessions of the crop have been reported environmental problems such as soil degradation,
from parts of Jammu and Kashmir alone by Dar et al eutrophication, pollution of groundwater, and emission
(2016). of ammonia and greenhouse gases. We have to aim at
Grasspea (Lathyrus sativus, khesari): This pulse is improving resource-use efficiencies. A range of
grown mainly grown in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh technologies are available for low input agriculture.
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Nitrogen plays very important role in critical role in wheat, in spite of removing the shoot residues from the
crop productivity. Traditionally manures were mostly field (Aslam et al., 2003).
the sources of nitrogen. From 1960’s there has been
steady application chemical nitrogen fertilizers, which Soil nutrient management for pulses: A status paper
have telling effects on the environment. Irrigation water on pulses, compiled by R.P. Singh (undated
is also being used in increasing scale causing serious publication- Minstry of Agriculture, Government of
decline of water table in most areas (Evans, 1999; India), provides crop-wise and season-wise nutrient
Eickhout et al., 2006). Since the early 1960s, the use of management advisories for the pulse-growing
nitrogen fertilizers has grown approximately sevenfold states/regions. The soil management practices soil
and nowadays 30–80% of nitrogen applied to farmland management strategies are recommended. Seed-
is lost to surface and ground-waters, and to the treatment strategies with Rhizobium culture and crop
atmosphere (Goulding et al., 2008). The release of the rotations with legumes can reduce nitrogen dependence,
powerful greenhouse gas nitrous oxide, from while increasing productivity. Rhzobium application is
agricultural fields is looming threat on the earth. It a necessity especially while growing pulses after rice
destroys stratospheric ozone, which protects the planet crop, because flooding and soil compaction of paddy
from harmful ultraviolet rays. Soil nitrogen is being field soils destroy most of the N-fixing bacteria which
converted into N₂O at rates faster than normal. Since is aerobic. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) is
the year 1750, N₂O levels have risen 20% – from below recommended for chickpea growing soil. In a three
270 parts per billion (ppb) to more than 320 ppb. A crop-rotation involving, maize-wheat-greengram, if the
steep increase began in atmospheric N₂O coinciding previous two crops viz. maize and wheat are given N
with the green revolution from 1960s, due to enormous and P, these need not be added for greengram. Use of
input of factory made nitrogenous fertilizers (Sanders, Rhizobium’ and ‘PSB’ takes care of ‘N’ as well as
2012). reduces 25-30% of phosphorus requirement by making
available the initial fixed soil ‘P’ to the plants. Similarly
Pulses for soil health: Pulses, which already cover in-situ management of rice straw/residues takes care of
over 57 million ha of the Earth, because of their ability Zinc and other micronutrients.
to fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil and themselves
using least requirement of external inputs of Pulses cultivation to stop straw burning: Each year,
nitrogenous fertilizers and manures, pulses are crop burning in the region is the start of the annual
promising crops for our sustainable future. Less nitrous escalation of pollutant concentrations in the air, leading to
oxide is emitted when pulses are used as fertilizer as massive winter pollution in the region of Punjab,
opposed to chemical fertilizers. While pulses can Haryana, Delhi region. Punjab alone burns every year 12
contribute to increased food security, human health and million tonnes of paddy straw, emitting carbon dioxide,
wealth they can also help mitigate the effects of climate methane, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, sulphur oxide
change (Busch, 2016). The legumes, sources of pulses, and large amount of particulate matters, which adversely
have nitrogen bacteria associated with their roots; affect human health as well as the environment.
therefore while growing they enrich the soil with Integration of straw and crop residues in the soil, using
nitrates and thereby reduce the need for chemical Rotavator machines can increase soil fertility, which
nitrogenous fertilizers and therefore play key role in according to O P Rupela, soil microbiologist, could
improving the environment sustainably. Pigeonpea has prevent nutrient loss from the soil which is equivalent to
strong tap roots piercing even hard soil and therefore US $18 million worth of urea. Composting this residue
referred to as “biological plough”. Good nitrogen fixer can convert huge piles of wasted straw into manure.
it can be grown in degraded soils also (Saxena et al., When applied as mulch it helps maintain soil fertility.
2010). Chickpea in rotation with wheat increased soil Crops like pigeonpea and soybean can easily be grown
organic C by 30% and soil N by 38%, benefiting with mulch on surface (Down to Earth, Jan 23, 2013 &
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12 October, 2016). Reduction of rice cultivation with by 2050. Today the largest share of GHG emissions is
much needed pulses, where the country has deficit, can not from CO₂ but from two other gases: methane CH₄
save soils, supply more nourishing food to humans and and N₂O, mainly of livestock origin. Whereas China’s
livestock while enhance soil fertility status substantially meat consumption has shot up to about 80 million
and reduce pollution. tonnes in 2009 (161% since 1990) in 2009, India’s
hardly exceed 5 million tonnes per annum ((UNEP,
More pulses and less meat for future of the world: 2012)). Globally, about 9 per cent of emissions in the
Industrial agriculture refers to the system of chemically entire agricultural sector consist of CO₂, 35-45 per cent
intensive food production developed in the decades of methane and 45-55 per cent of nitrous oxide (WRI
after World War II, featuring enormous monocropping 2005, IPCC 2007)
farms and animal production facilities. Many scientists Pulses and fish from natural sources are the only
view industrial agriculture, as mistaken application of credible alternative for higher animal meat
technology to living systems, because of its growing consumption, which is rising to alarming proportions in
impact on environment, public health, and rural the world, unlike the slower increase in India. However,
communities. Monoculture farming relies heavily on in India, urbanization has been causing a rise in demand
chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Industrial agriculture for meat products. Despite the fact that per capita meat
is associated with livestock production, where the consumption is least in India (less than 5 kg/head/year,
animals, mainly grown for meat, are fed mostly on high recent years witnessed India’s growth as a great
calorie food grains. Industrial agriculture is exporter of meat, reported as the world’s second largest
causing damages to the soil, water, and even the climate exporter of beef. There has been a great rise in the
on an unprecedented scale, depleting soil and leaving it production of livestock products and this is expected to
vulnerable to erosion, leaving more global warming continue in the future. Strong demand for dairy
emissions and depleting water bodies of oxygen. As products causes continued expansion of cattle numbers
weeds and bacteria proliferate, humans use chemical (Devi et al., 2014). India has contributed in the global
means of controlling them thereby paving the way for Livestock Revolution through extraordinary growth in
rapid evolution of resistant ones. Antibiotic resistant the consumption of milk, eggs, and poultry meat (ibid).
pathogens and super-weeds, resistant to herbicides are The total annual GHG emissions from Indian livestock,
on the increase (Union of Concerned Scientists - in the form of N₂O and CO₄ increased in 2007
undated). compared to the year 2003 with an annual growth rate
Both industrial and traditional non-intensive forms of of 1.52% over this period (Patak, 2012). Curbing the
meat production result in the release of greenhouse worlds’ huge and increasing appetite for meat is
gases (GHGs). Meat production increased and became essential to avoid devastating climate change. The
more affordable leading to its increased consumption. global livestock industry produces more GHG
The true costs of industrial agriculture, especially the emissions than all cars, planes, trains and ships
livestock sector and “cheap meat” is emerging as one of combined. Eating more of pulses along with fruits and
the top two or three most significant contributors posing vegetables can reduce GHG (The Guardian, 3 Dec.
graver threat to global climate. The raising of livestock 2014).
results in the emission of methane (CH₄) from enteric
fermentation and N₂O from excreted nitrogen, as well PLEA FOR MORE PULSES IN SCHOOL MID-
as from chemical nitrogenous (N) fertilizers used to DAY MEAL PROGRAMMES
produce the feed for the livestock. The total amount of Multiple micronutrient deficiencies due to poor diets
meat produced climbed from 70 million tonnes in 1961 have been a major problem in children. In 2006,
to to 278 million tonnes in 2009, an increase of 300% in Department of Primary Education of Delhi Municipal
50 years. With a further increase of 65% the global Corporation revised the Midday Meal programme
meat consumption is likely to reach 450 million tonnes (MDMP) guidelines so that 20 grams of pulses and
th
about 50 grams of vegetables are included in MDMP. everywhere. The items include pulses on regular basis,
However a study carried out in the same year showed eggs 4 times a month and with protein component
that, among other things, the protein content was too ranging from 12 gms to 20 gms, higher amounts for
low at 6 to 8 grams only, around one third of the classes VIII to VIII. The State allotment of pulses per
recommended (Nutrition Foundation of India, 2006). student in Odisha was 30 gms, 15 in Tamil Nadu, 40 in
Andhra Pradhesh and 10 in Puducherry. On an average
The Ministry of Human Resources Development of 20% protein content it works out to 6 gms in Orissa,
MHRD, from 1 April 2008 required for MDM 3 gms in TN, 8 gm in AP and 2 gms in Puducherry
programme 20 gms of proteins to be included [MHRD, (MSSRF); Puducherry has, however, made up for the
2011]. Samples of studies carried out in Ahmadabad deficit by including a more planned menu of different
shows that the protein content of the MDM provided by items including milk in the morning and evening. TN
Ellis Bridge School was only 2.56 gms and that by tries to make up the deficit providing 3 eggs a week
Stree Shakti Kitchen mere 1.75 gms. (Stree Shakti, an (bananas as substitute for vegetarians). By 2010-11
NGO was serving 473 schools of Ahamadabad). The each child was receiving 15.34 gms of protein per day
study found no standardization in the MDM nutrient (MSSRF, 2011). TN anyway has a separate stand in this
content. Dal served as a pulse was in “watered down” regard, as the ‘Amma Kitchens’ functioning in the
state (Deodhar et al., 2010). State, make great contribution to alleviate hunger and
provide essential nutrients at lowest cost, within the
An evaluation report on mid-day meal programmes in reach of most poor. Thanks to this major step by Late
the schools of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Puducherry and CM, Smt. Jayalalitha, pulses rich idli is available at the
Tamil Nadu, prepared by M S Swaminathan Research cost of Rs.1/- each, with its normal accompaniments. At
Foudation, Chennai (MSSRF, 2011) is a good model the minimum of 2 gms protein per idli, for any normal
for any State Government, to review the prevailing person, child or adult, it should be possible to meet
situation and adopt corrective steps for betterment of major nutritional deficits in their home food. Further,
MDM schemes. The MDM profile sounds well in as regards TN, the MSSRF evaluation report states: “all
Puducherry, targeting 19-25 gm protein per MDM schools serve hot cooked meals with significant variety.
(more allotment for the high school section) which was Besides the mandated rice and lentils-based gravy dish
in addition to 100 ml of milk given along with (known as sambhar), schools serve vegetables and
breakfast. An evening milk scheme was also in greens such as carrots, beet root, brinjal, okra, spinach
operation since 2005. It is not clear what amount of and so on in cooked form. They also serve potatoes
pulses was served. In Andhra Pradesh the “standard form from time to time. Nearly all schools serve three
meal being served was that of rice and watery dal or eggs a week or equivalent quantities of fruits.”
sambar” with rarely an egg! In many schools serviced
by Akshayapatra Foundation, an NGO, rice and sambar As regards Karnataka comparison of nutritional status
were served, hardly and pulses mentioned in the report of boys before and after the introduction of the MDM
(MSSRF, 2011). Nevertheless, the NGO’s commitment program reveled of improved nutritional status.
to help the schools, with only partial assistance from the Percentage of stunting and grade 3 malnutrition had
State is spontaneous and commendable. reduced in all age groups except among 6 years. The
inter gender comparison of the heights before and after
In Odisha, Naandi Foundation in partnership with the the MDM programme showed, a greater proportion of
Government provides notable items for MDM, meals girls were stunted before the MDM programme. Post
fortified with Iron, Zinc and Folic Acid along with MDM there was reduction in the proportion of stunting
supplements such as boiled egg/seasonal and in addition was a reduction in the proportion of
fruit/biscuits/berry (amla) candy/fortified candy once a children with under-nutrition (Minj et al., 2014). There
week. The State is not lucky to have such partnerships are also several voluntary organizations providing
th
nutritious foods. No reliable statistics are available on weakness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability,
the utilization of pulses. The MDM scheme was headache, heart palpitations and shortness of breath.
launched by the Government of India in 1995. It is the Child-bearing women need more folate the deficiency
world’s largest school feeding programme reaching out of which can cause birth defects in infants. Folates have
to about 12 crore children in over 12.65 schools in the preventive role in Alzheimer’s disease (National
country. It is mammoth task to run such a scheme in Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and
this vast country with high population. As millions of Human Services (https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/
tonnes of food-grains, especially cereals are required it Folate-Health Profession; Group, 2011). A study of
involves enormous responsibilities on the part of the adolescents from high, medium and lower income
State governments. It is advisable that cereal rich food groups conducted in India revealed that 22.5, 40.4, and
should be given in combination with pulses in good 52.2%, respectively from these groups had folate
proportion, so that it would confer good advantages to deficiency (Kapil and Bhadoria, 2014). Another study
not only to the children but also will be less taxing on revealed that vegetarians were at higher risk of folate
water resources, increases soil fertility, reduce import deficiency (Mahajan and Aundhakar, 2015). Pulses,
cost of pulses etc. especially dried beans, lentils, split peas and soya
products are some of the richest vegetarian sources of
Pulses and human health: The IYP 2016, highlights folate. Inclusion of moderate quantities of various
the nutritional benefits of pulses, and recommends a pulses in the diet can supply folates to meet 25-90% of
paradigm shift towards including more of this daily needs. Pigeonpea seeds are attributed with various
nutritional powerhouse in diets all over the world. medicinal properties such as diuretic, relieving
Malnutrition pertains to eating too little, or eating an headache and vertigo, for hepatitis, as laxative, to arrest
unbalanced diet without right quantity and quality of bleeding, inhibits sickling of RBC. Leaves also used in
nutrients. Pulses typically contain at least twice the various medicines (Saxena et al., 2010).
amount of proteins found in whole grain cereals. They
are excellent complementary food for infants and young Pulse-rich diet for combating diabetes: Diabetes is
children. Pulses have good levels of methionine and projected to become one of the world's main disablers
cysteine and provide high lysine, which most cereals and killers within the next twenty-five years. India
are low in (Fisher, 2016). Because of their richness in ranks second in the world in the number of diabetics,
essential amino acids consumption of pulses with wheat next only to China, and followed by US. Diabetes is
or rice provides a balance in such amino acids for growing alarmingly in India, with more than 65.1
humans (Erskine et al., 2009). FAO (2016), therefore, million afflicted, compared to 50.8 million in 2010; the
recommends incorporation of pulses in diets of children sufferers were just 11.9 million in 1980. Among other
through family diets as well as through school meal measures to combat such situation the doctors stress the
programmes. Pulses are ideal for supply of proteins, need for changing the dietary patterns with more fibre
minerals and vitamins for vegetarians and being high in and protein and less of sugar and starches. An adult
iron are ideal for women of reproductive age prone to suffering from diabetes in a low income Indian family,
anemia. Pulses have definite role in the prevention and will cost as much as 20% of the family income for his
management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, care. In China, a diagnosis of diabetes results in an
coronary conditions, and cancer. Health organizations annual 16.3 percent loss of income for those with the
focused on diabetes, heart disease and cancer promote disease (Liu and Zhu 2014). For families with a diabetic
pulse consumption as part of healthy diets for reducing child, the expenses for medical care would be up to
these chronic diseases (Curran, 2012). 35% (Times of India, Nov 19, 2015; Indian Express,
April 7, 2016). Nation will have to pay a heavy price
Pulses are rich sources of folates. folate deficiency with such alarming rise in the number of diabetics if we
causes megaloblastic anemia; notable symptoms are
th
fail to reduce consumption of starch-rich food for higher ratio of slow digestible starch, favoring lower GI
protein rich, mainly the pulses. (Bouchenak and Lamri-Senhadji, 2013). Fenugreek
(Trigonella foenum-graecum), a pulse of minor nature
Polished rice or white rice, primarily consists of starch, (more used as a condiment) is hypoglyacemic agent in
main contributor to dietary glycaemic load for animal and human studies. Unique dietary fibres and
populations that consume rice as a staple food. high saponin content may be the reasons for this
Glycemic Index –GI- is a relative ranking of property (Zecharia and Alisa, 2002).
carbohydrate in foods according to how they affect
blood glucose levels. Carbohydrates with a low GI Legumes contain a considerable amount of resistant
value (55 or less) are more slowly digested, absorbed starch, which is any starch that resists to digestion by
and metabolised and cause a lower and slower rise in amylase in the small intestine and progresses to the
blood glucose and, therefore in insulin levels. Low GI large intestine for fermentation by the gut bacteria.
diets favour weight management by controlling Resistant starch is associated with reduced glycemic
appetite, delaying hunger and regulate insulin response, which can be beneﬁcial to insulin-resistant
production. Faster production of insulin is related to individuals and those with diabete
faster aging process (Shaheen et al., 2012). In a
comparative rating of GI, if white bread is rated 100 Obesity: The prevalence of obesity has reached
chickpea is only 39 and lentils 42 epidemic proportions. Finding effective solutions to
(http://medicinalfoodnews.com/vol12/pulses), reduce obesity is a public health priority. One part of
highlighting how dieting patterns in India have to make the solution could be to increase consumption of
drastic change towards less cereal to more pulses. Pulse nonoilseed pulses (dry beans, peas, chickpeas, and
consumption gains significance considering the fact that lentils), because they have nutritional attributes thought
at least 29% of the population is estimated as to benefit weight control, including slowly digestible
vegetarians (Times of India, June 11, 2016) and major carbohydrates, high fiber and protein contents, and
share of the rest are infrequent non-vegetarians. In the moderate energy density, although more dietetic studies
case of rice eaters of South India brown rice are desired in this direction (McCrory et al., 2010).
(marginally lower GI than white rice and with more
protein, fibre and vitamins; protein content and Cardio-vasular diseases: Abnormal blood
vitamins are lost in very polished rice) and pulses concentrations of lipids are one of the most important
would be a better combination. If GI of white rice is 70 modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
to 100 (high GI food) whole wheat products and sweet Dietary fibre richness reduces LDL cholesterol, a risk
potato are of medium GI (56-69) and legumes and factor in coronary heart disease. Major health
pulses low GI food 55 or less (Global Nutrition Report, organizations have maintained that the initial and
2016). essential approach to the prevention and management
Pulses help in stabilize blood sugar and insulin levels of cardiovascular disease is to modify dietary and
and are ideal for weight management. Consumption of lifestyle patterns. Dietary pulse intake may have
horse gram seeds can reduce insulin resistance by beneficial effects on other cardio-metabolic risk factors,
inhibiting protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1β. including body weight, blood pressure and glucose
Consumption of food items prepared with unprocessed control (Vanessa Ha et al., 2014). Legume isoflavonids
raw horse gram seeds may have more health benefits and soy based products are effective in lowering
than their sprouts for hyperglycaemic individuals cholesterol and LDL-C and raise HDL-C, lowering risk
(Tiwari et al., 2013). Legumes contain considerable of cardiovascular diseases. Altogether, regular
amount of starch that resists digestion by amylase. consumption of pulse based foods is considered
Resistant starch is associated with reduced glycemic essential for healthy population with low heart disease
response beneficial to diabetic persons. They also have (Bouchenak and Lamri-Senhadji, 2013). World Health
th
Organization recommends that “all individuals should fix hefty quantities of nitrogen in the soil, boosting
be encouraged to eat at least 400 g a day of range of fertility and reducing – by millions of tons globally –
fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains and the need to apply the key nutrient for food crops.
pulses” for prevention of cardiovascular disease (WHO, rotating legumes with grain crops could save up to 88
2007). kilograms of nitrogen per hectare in Europe, where
 Neural tube defects in newborn: Vitamins like fertilizer use is high by international standards.
folates reduces the risks Whereas the Green Revolution increased phenomenally
 Iron deficiency anemia: Pulses when combined the production of cereals, pulses have not kept pace;
with vitamin C improves iron absorption although critically needed, production has stagnated
 Growth and development: Pulses with cereals and even showing trends towards reduction as the case
beneficial is in India, which has one of the highest malnourished
 Anticancer properties: Presence of phytochemicals people in the world. In 2013-14, India produced 19.25
and antioxidants may contain anticancer properties million tonnes of pulses, which a year later came down
 Bone health: Promotes bone health. to 17.3 million tonnes, necessitating more imports. For
 (Ref: FAO, 2016; Hinterthuer, 2016). several decades after Independence, more or less until
2008, our production of pulses remained almost static—
Arthritis: Ayurvedic practitioners prescribe that horse in the range of 14 million tonnes (Khadka, The
gram is to be included in the diet of rheumatic arthritis. Financial Express May 23, 2016).
Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of horse
gram has been described by Rajagopal et al (2016). The International Year of Pulses opens the door for
celebration of the virtues of pulses not only for the
Micronutrient deficiencies: Pulses are much denser in current year but also for ages to come, much needed for
micronutrients (vitamins and essential trace elements) humanity and for the health and well-being of the Earth
than rice or wheat, the latter, after milling or polishing, itself and its biodiversity. Being a protein-rich, nearly
contain very low levels of micronutrients compared to fat-free super food, high in fiber, iron, calcium, folate
whole legume seeds. The rise in micronutrient and other B vitamins, incorporation of more of pulses in
deficiencies in human populations could have been the the regular diet can show instant results in terms of
result of this replacement of a traditional pulse-rice- healthier humans with minimized risks from diseases
based or pulse-wheat-based diet with rice or wheat including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer.
alone (Welsch and Graham, 1999). According to The IYP 2016 carries the strong message that every
‘USDA nutrient base’ (http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/), family should increase pulse consumption, on daily
blackgram, for instance, is 7 times richer in iron and basis, reduce meat and help to make the planet Earth
2.5 times richer in zinc, compared to brown rice, more livable. The governments should seriously revise
considered most nutritious of rice; greengram is nearly agricultural strategies to give greater importance to
4.5 times richer in iron and 3 times richer in zinc in production of pulses, more so in India, which has the
comparison to brown rice. The pulses are richer in largest vegetarian and semi-vegetarian population in the
manganese, copper, nickel etc. compared to rice or world, but unfortunately, racing fast in the world in an
wheat. unhealthy competition, to gain the second position as
the land of diabetics and sufferers of various
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS degenerative diseases, especially cardiovascular and
Pulses offer exceptional nutritional inputs to human kidney related. The day when humanity embarks on a
diets, are economically affordable, use relatively little course of fibre rich pulses, in combination with
water compared to other protein sources, and also unpolished cereals, say like the red or brown rice to
reduce the need for industrial fertilizers. Pulses can also satiate hunger for longer durations, regulating insulin
th
release in the body, a new foundation will be laid for a millions of children are struck with malnutrition,
healthier world. especially protein deficiency. Folic acid deficiency
between 21 and 28 days after conception (when the
Modern cereal cropping systems in many developing neural tube closes) predisposes the foetus to a
nations has been paralleled by a decreased per capita congenital malformation, called a neural tube defect, a
production of traditional edible legume crops which preventable, but irreversible damage. Malnourished
contain much higher levels of most micronutrients children have less energy and interest for learning that
(Welch et al., 1997). From the environmental angle negatively influences cognitive development
planting of pulses is least demanding than other crops, (Engle, 2010). The International Year of Pulses should
more nourishing and protective for the soil, freeing it hopefully make the Government to adopt steps to
from pesticides, promoting healthy micro-flora, saving strengthen pulse cultivation in the country at any coast,
the waters from pollutants and eutrophication and which in due course will high rewards from the point of
leaving behind less of carbon footprints, contributing food supply, tackling malnutrition, more provision of
towards a more secure climate for the planet. Moreover, pulses for MDM programmes in schools and for
pulses rich diet is less demanding on the water running community kitchen to supply pulse rich food at
resources than cereal and meat rich and this revision in low cost to the poor.
human diet can halt the rapidly receding water table
widely happening in the world. Some recommendations RECOMMENDATIONS
favoring policies favouring pulses cultivation and Nutritional and medical benefits of pulses are
incorporation in food are given here: recognized globally. Pulses hold key to India’s well
being and the country is the largest producer, consumer
INDIA SHOULD AWAKEN TO TACKLE and importer of pulses. Stagnation in pulse over the last
MALNUTRITION AT THE GRASSROOTS few years, frequently experienced decline in production
Malnutrition and diet are now the largest risk factors and escalating prices making the Government to import
responsible for the global burden of disease by far the commodity from outside, coupled with climatic
(Forouzanfar et al. 2015). The burden of malnutrition or uncertainties have ultimately caused decline in pulse
improper nutrition in the country has to be borne by the consumption. Less of pulses are being used to prepare
entire country. It has been estimated that The traditional food items using pulses as important
Government should resolve on a political consensus to ingredients (eg. idli, dosa etc. for which blackgram),
have healthy citizens as the prime main target to realize affecting weakening the very nutritional base of the
the loftier goals of smart cities or villages. people. The more abundantly produced, sold and
India’s Ministry of Finance, in its Economic Survey consumed cereals like rice or wheat, which are also
2015–16, the chapter on malnutrition, opens with this widely distributed through PDS are no compensation
statement: “Imagine the government were an investor for the neglect suffered by pulses, especially in this
trying to maximise India’s long-run economic growth. country with the unique distinction of having tens of
Given fiscal and capacity constraints, where would it crores of vegetarians and semi-vegetarians in the world,
invest? This chapter shows that relatively low-cost for whom pulses should be at the core of nutrition.
maternal and early-life health and nutrition programs Shifting to more cereal based food habits, ever since the
offer very high returns on investment” (India, Ministry beginnings of the Green Revolution, the number of
of Finance 2016). India was, synonymous with people suffering from degenerative diseases like
malnutrition, having more than one third of the world’s diabetes and of cardiovascular nature have increased
stunted children, doubled the rate of stunting reduction phenomenally. If we cannot feed the children with
in the past ten years (IFPRI 2015a). It is unfortunate adequate proteins the country will have millions more
that when proper nourishment is much needed during of slow minded children in the population adding to the
the development of brain and its cognitive powers inglorious distinction of having one third population of
th
physically retarded children in the world. To restore countrywide, using the services of NGOs and self-
and maintain soil health, to strengthen the resilience of help-groups
diversity-rich agriculture, to equip the Nation with 7. Awareness programmes on health benefits of
strength to face the onslaughts of climatic change, our pulses should be conducted repeatedly for every
pulses base has to be strengthened. Unlike most other segment of society, from forest tribes to urbanites
crops pulses instead of depleting agricultural soils so that pulses cultivation and consumption greater
increase soil health, and therefore should have a more importance.
important role to play in the future of Indian 8. The doctors, nutritionists and other healthcare
agriculture, until we realize the dream of recreating professionals have to address in a big way the
living soils where pulses and soils are in a symbiotic major problem of undernourishment and hidden
equilibrium. Wherever pulses grow they leave behind a hunger, where stomach is full, but body lacks
healthier soil for the next crop. The few nutrients. Medical prescriptions should also specify
recommendations made for consideration are given proper balanced diets with use of appropriate
here: pulses in required quantities. The health
1. Promote changes in food habits to favour growing professionals should have awareness on the
and consumption of pulses which are more superfood value of pulses and how best they can be
nourishing than cereals, yet taxing less on the water used for management of degenerative diseases of
resources unlike rice or wheat or sugarcane cardiovascular system, diabetes etc. Also how best
2. Monoculturing of crops should give way to anemia and malnutrition could be tackled using
promotion of pulses as intercrops. Pulses are to be pulses rich diet.
grown as cover crops in more areas and as rotation 9. Agriculture must be closely linked to human
crops for soil health, farmland diversity, pollination nutrition and health. Cereal dominated agricultural
services and as insurance against uncertainties in system may be termed dysfunctional food system.
climate, and to minimize external inputs, as pulses Agriculture should not be merely for increasing
leave behind healthier soils where they grow. bulk output. Micronutrient based malnutrition have
3. As chemical inputs are lesser pulses are more affected both poor and the rich- the poor despite
environment friendly and are with least of carbon feeding the population with liberal amounts of PDS
footprints rice and wheat, and school children with starch-
4. Pulses increase farmland diversity and are cereal dominated mid-day meals. Deficiencies like
insurance against crashing prices due to glut in anemia are raging in the country.
production which drive farmers to desperation, 10. Subsidies and concessions should be given more
financial hardships and even suicides (eg: due to for farmers growing pulses than cereals or
frequent glut in production of tomato, sugarcane, sugarcane, which also deplete the water resources
onion etc.). The seeds are storable for long periods in an extreme way.
and much in demand all over the country 11. Nutritional education should be part of curriculum
5. Farmers should be made to strengthen the in the formal and informal educational systems.
traditional methods of crop rotation involving Simple scientific findings on nutrition, especially
pulses as one element. FAO states that, on an on the role of pulses, should be part of education.
average, cereals grown after pulses yield 1.5 tonnes 12. At a time when retail market prices are more than
more per hectare than those not preceded by pulses, double the farmers’ price, we have to provide
which is equal to the effect of 100 kilograms of farmers with minimum support price that makes
nitrogen fertilizer. pulses production attractive vis-a-vis crops like
6. Training programmes on sustainable soil wheat and rice.
management using pulses should be conducted 13. Pulses should be promoted as low carbon foot print
crops. Nitrogen fertilizers and manures added to
th
crops and crop residues are acted upon by soil Aslam, M., Mahmood, I.A., Peoples, M.B., Schwenke,
micro-organisms which convert some of these G.D. and Herridge, D.F. 2003. Contribution of chickpea
nitrogen sources into nitrous oxide, a greenhouse nitrogen fixation to increased wheat production and soil
gas 300 times more powerful than CO2, which organic fertility in rain-fed cropping. Biology and
constitutes about 46% of the greenhouse gas Fertility of Soils. 38(1): 59-64.
emissions from global agriculture
14. Drought tolerant varieties have to be popularised in Balani, S. 2013. Functioning of the Public Distribution
arid and semi-arid regions System: An analytical Report. PRS Legislative
15. Stopping export of common marine fishes will help Research. http://www.prsindia.org
the country thrive over the shortage of pulses,
which we are required to import, as marine fish Bouchenak, M.and Lamri-Senhadji, M. 2013.
otherwise would have catered to the protein and Nutritional Quality of Legumes, and Their Role in
other nutrient needs large number of especially Cardiometabolic Risk Prevention: A Review
coastal population, who are required to consume
more pulses compounding to their shortage. Export Chandel, K.P.S., Lester, R.N. and Starling, R.J.
promotion of marine fishes, is a step without 1984. The wild ancestors of urd and mung beans (Vigna
paying much attention to meet the huge domestic mungo (L.) Hepper and V. radiata (L.) Wilczek). Bot. J.
demand for fish. Linn. Soc. 89: 85–96
16. India has the world’s largest public distribution
system (PDS) in the world, mainly benefiting the Curran, J. 2012. The nutritional value and health
poor. Under this scheme mainly cereals, namely benefits of pulses in relation to obesity, diabetes, heart
rice and wheat are provided to the beneficiaries. disease and cancer. British Journal of Nutrition,
Over-emphasis on these water-intensive crops have 108(S1), Nutrition, S1-S2.
brought down the water table substantially.
Groundwater depletion along with soil Deodhar, S.Y., Mahandiratta, S., Ramani, K.V.,
impoverishment are glaring phenomenon in the Mavalankar,D., Ghosh, S., and Braganza, V. 2010. An
procuring states of Punjab and Haryana. Due to evaluation of mid-day meal scheme. Journal of Indian
cultivation of rice in north-west India, the water school of Political Economy 22(1-4): 33-48.
table went down by 33 cm per year during 2002-08
(Balani, 2013). While both these dominant cereals Dar, F.A., Verma, S. and Rehman, R.U. 2016. Genetic
in the PDS are starch rich, India has one of the diversity assessment of Phaseolus vulgaris L. in two
most protein deficient population in the world. Of Himalayan Districts of India. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.,
the Indian States exceptions are only Chattisgarh India, Sect. B Biol. Sci. Online.
supplies 2 kg of blackgram and 2 kg other pulses
per family under PDS system and Punjab supplies Devi, S.M., Balachander, V., Lee, S.I., and Kim, I.H.
2.5 kgs of pulses per card (-ibid-). It is strongly 2014. An outline of meat consumption in the Indian
population - a pilot review. Korean Journal of Food
recommended that pulses should be given to the
deserving through the PDS to tackle malnutrition at Science Animal Resources. 34(4): 507-515.
the roots.
Down to Earth, Jan 23, 2013 & 12 October, 2016.
Articles related to straw burning in Punjab and
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Lake 2016: Conference on Conservation and Sustainable Management of Ecologically

Sensitive Regions in Western Ghats [THE 10TH BIENNIAL LAKE CONFERENCE]

Conservation and Sustainable Management of

assets, etc. Geographic information system (GIS) with a

Fig. 3. Land use dynamics (1973 and 2013)

Village level biodiversity hotspots are to be identified and REFERENCES

Table 1: Various attributes considered and their weightages

Table 2: land use variation from 1973 to 2013

Coconut/ Areca nut / Cashew

Studies on Zingiberaceae of Karnataka with Special Reference to

Pelagic Bird’s study along the Arabian sea of

STUDY AREA of Udupi, Karnataka, India. Close to the mainland of

fish industries. New Mangalore Port is a deep-water,

Figure1: The map of the pelagic survey direction as

MATERIALS AND METHOD:

Annexure 1: Bird Checklist:

Common Name Abbreviation Scientific Name Pelagic (P)

Greater crested tern (GCT) Thalasseus bergii P

Black headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) Arctic skua (Stercorarius parasiticus)

THE PULSES OF LIFE

PULSES IN INDIA followed by chickpea (17%), cowpea (14%) and peas

(https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Phaseolu Global Nutrition Report 2016. From Promise to Impact:

FAOSTAT-AGRICULTURE (2004). Database. Goulding, K., Jarvis, S. and Whitmore, A. 2008.

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