Herd on the rampage

• The Statesman
• 30 Dec 2013

Tourists click photos; farmers watch helplessly
Biswabrata Goswami
biswabrata@thestatesman.net
Midnapore, 29 December
While tourists brought out their cameras to take pictures of a herd of about 100 elephants, farmers stood helplessly as the animals devoured their standing crops at the Salboni forest area in Junglemahal.
Some people from nearby places even hired vehicles to reach the spot. Several people carried coconuts and bananas to feed the elephants while others took pictures with their cameras.
A forest official said: “Crowd control has become a major problem. We keep telling people the elephants can get violent. It is always safer to watch them in silence from a safe distance without disturbing them.”
The herd that included about 10 calves had come from Dalma range in Jharkhand and was now settled near Deulkunda village under Salboni police station. The animals damaged 18 houses, destroyed standing crops on over 25 acres of land and killed two buffaloes and seven goats, sources said. The entire village stayed away out of fear, they said, adding the herd continued to stay near the village.
Since the late 1980's, elephants from Bihar (now Jharkhand) have been entering Bengal during the monsoon. The number of elephants and the duration of their stay in south Bengal has gone up over the years, worsening man-animal conflict in the densely populated districts of Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia. On an average, five people and an elephant die and hundreds of hectares of crops are destroyed each year.
Forest officials said several night patrolling teams had been organised in the area, each team armed with crackers, torch, siren, fireball and a vehicle to drive away the elephants in case they attacked villages close to the forests.
“We asked people not to prepare handia (a local brew using mahul flower) during the period, because its smell attracts elephants the most,” the official said.

HDA holds out hope for Mayachar

• The Statesman
• 27 Dec 2013

As the mighty Rupnarayan continues to gobble up homes
Biswabrata Goswami
biswabrata@thestatesman.net
Tamluk, 26 December
Thousands of villagers living in Mayachar, an erosion-prone island in East Midnapore, are now relieved after the Haldia Development Authority (HDA) announced a slew of development projects.
For the past two decades, thousands of islanders have been spending sleepless nights as the mighty Rupnarayan continues to gobble up homes. But after taking charge as the chairman of HDA, Mr Subhendu Adhikari had formulated plans to undertake an overall development plan at Mayachar and he announced the projects at a function in Mayachar in the presence of villagers yesterday. According to the plans, the HDA will undertake to develop roads, a concrete bridge across the Rupnarayan, school buildings, a flood shelter and erosion checking work.
For setting up a concrete bridge over the Rupnarayan, the HDA has already allotted around Rs 3 crore and the work will begin by the end of February.
The village, spread over 2 sq km, is on the district's border with Howrah. The river flow is a little rough in this part. Both banks are bereft of houses and have a thick screen of trees. Only the chimneys of brick kilns indicate the presence of human beings. In the first part of the twentieth century, a large portion of Mayachar was under the Rupnarayan.
The river gradually shifted to the northwest, though, and large tracts emerged from under the water. Villagers still talk about a flood half a century ago that had put the entire area under water. Maybe that’s the reason why the people of Mayachar, in Amritberia gram panchayat, Mahisadal, want to forget that it is among the most threatened inhabited islands in the district.
Just before the last panchayat election, about 2,000 voters were all supporters of the CPI-M. They later switched to the TMC, though, hoping that if it came to power, their problems would at least be recognised.
While addressing a rally, Mr Adhikari said: “For additional classrooms of Mayachar High School, I have already given Rs 10 lakh. This apart, I have plans to set up buildings of primary schools which were demolished in the erosion. The HDA has taken an elaborate plan to check erosion here with the help of the state irrigation department.” A senior teacher of the Mayachar high school, said: “A 90-foot stretch of land at Palpara and a 10-foot stretch near the Kheya ghat have already eroded.
About a 1.5-kilometre stretch along the Mayachar land is also under threat of severe erosion and this land will submerge in the coming monsoon if work is not taken up immediately. 

Chance of a lifetime, still unrecognised

• The Statesman
• 26 Dec 2013

kalyani doctor selected for master’s study in netherlands
Biswabrata Goswami
biswabratagoswami@gmail.com
Krishnagar, 25 December
At a time when vitality and growing old for the elderly are being seen as a new way of integral treatment strategy across the world, including India, a young doctor of Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Kalyani, who has received several international awards, has been selected to study the Masters programme on this field from Leiden University, the oldest university of the Netherlands in greater Europe and the twin university of Oxford.
Dr Ashok Kumar Biswas, a Junior Resident (Cardiology & Chest Medicine) of Gandhi Memorial Hospital, who graduated from Midnapore Medical College and Hospital, was recently selected as the first Indian student to study the Masters programme on vitality and ageing from Leiden University.But, neither the state government nor the Central government has recommended his name yet.
Masters programme in vitality and ageing is a very unique course offered by Leiden University and Leiden Academy only for 20 students around the globe each year. They usually select the creme-de-la-creme from a country and this is the first time that any Indian student got such an offer.
Dr Biswas had received the international undergraduate research best prize in 2009 but that was also not recognised by the governments or the health university. “Every country takes honour in this course. Usually, the selected student gets money from the government for the course. Leiden university  expects respective governments to come forward and provide the scholarship. The Centre may help me if the same is forwarded by the Chief Minister,” Dr Biswas said.
While responding to questions, Dr Biswas said care for the elderly differs from that of children and adults, as it often involves the treatment of multiple, concurrent diseases. Therefore, the elderly require a different, integral treatment strategy. This essential new way of thinking and operating is not sufficiently incorporated in current academic and clinical practice yet. To address this specific gaps, Leiden University and Leyden Academy developed the Vitality and Ageing master programme, he said.
“We are now experiencing an unprecedented senior population growth, which means that older people and related ageing issues are more prominent than ever. So, the ageing process can be (partially) avoided and extended if sufficient energy is invested into maintenance and repair. We can anticipate ongoing improvements in the length and quality of our lives and expect a future with more years lived in good health.”
But despite best efforts, life often ends with a period of poor health and disabilities. Care for the elderly differs from that of children and adults, as it often involves the treatment of multiple, concurrent diseases (multi-morbidity) which leads to under-and over-treatment. Above all, not only purely biomedical aspects need to be considered but other influencing factors such as the impact of healthcare structures and the social position of the elderly need to be taken into account.

UGC sanctions funds to VU for study on coastal plant

15 May 2013

biswabrata goswami
MIDNAPORE, 15 MAY: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has sanctioned about Rs 15 lakh to Vidyasagar University to conduct a study on how ipomoea pes-caprae, a coastal plant that protects coastal shores from erosion, are striving for survival through mutualism with various types of ants which directly or indirectly protect the plant.
It is for the first time in the country a self-styled unique adaptive capability through mutualism has been detected on this plant which is common in the coastal areas of West Bengal and Odisha.
While ipomoea pes-caprae, which plays an immense role in dune stabilisation and restoration, is on the verge of extinction due to rampant construction of hotels, roads, human establishments and vegetation in areas like Mandarmoni, Tajpur and New Digha in West Bengal and adjacent sea-beaches in Odisha.
Dr Amal Kumar Mondol, associate professor of Botany and Forestry department, VU, said: “Amidst rampant destruction, ipomoea pes-caprae is trying to survive through self-developed mutualism with different types of ants. It has its own defence mechanism against herbivore predators feeding on it. This is due to the presence of extrafloral nectary glands.”
“The extrafloral nectar attracts organisms that remove, attack or prey upon, or parasitise plant herbivores. This protective role of extrafloral nectar has long been a matter of discussion, but many studies have now proven that it can play an important role in plant’s indirect defence against herbivores. Many ants have been found to forage preferentially on plants with extrafloral nectarines (EFNs) and the presence of these ants have been found to reduce the number of herbivorous insects on these plants, thus lessening the damage by herbivores,” Dr Mondol said.
A research study headed by Dr Mondol and his team has revealed that secretion from EFNs contains protein, carbohydrate, amino acid and fats which attract different types of ants, but the chemical compositions of the EFNs secretion is yet unknown.
The UGC, on its letter (No 42-917/2013-SR), has sanctioned funds to conduct study on the protective efficacy in species with extrafloral nectarines in the flora in Midnapore on hopes to conserve this type of plants in future, said Dr Mondol.
At the International Botanical Congress held at Melbourne in Australia from 23 to 30 July in 2011 Dr Mondal had discussed this in the plenary session which was later adopted by the Australian government in the sea coasts to protect the species.
“This year, UGC has geared up to conduct a study on this particular plant in collaboration with the Zoological Survey of India and Lady Brabourne College on hopes to protect and conserve the species living in coastal areas of West Bengal and Odisha. If the government takes proper plan to protect this plant, a huge amount of money that is spent every year to protect sea coasts from erosion will also be saved,” said Dr Mondol.
He also said: “These types of coastal flora which are under tremendous anthropogenic pressure due to rapid elimination of sand dunes and associated vegetation are gradually diminishing. Such sensitive and useful ecosystems need immediate restoration, conservation and sustainable use of the phyto-resources.”

Critical plant species lose ground along Bengal’s coasts

12 May 2013

biswabrata goswami
MIDNAPORE, 12 MAY:   Coastal plants, which play an immense role in dune stabilisation and restoration, are on the verge of extinct due to rampant construction of hotels, roads, human establishments and vegetation in areas like Mandarmoni, Tajpur and New Digha in West Bengal and adjacent sea-beaches in Odisha.
A research survey conducted by a group of teachers of Vidysagar University and Lady Brabourne College reveals that these coastal flora which are under tremendous anthropogenic pressure due to rapid elimination of sand dunes and associated vegetation are gradually diminishing. Such sensitive and useful ecosystems need immediate restoration, conservation and sustainable use of the phyto-resources, the survey reported.
Dr Amal Kumar Mondol, reader of Botany and Forestry department, VU who led the research survey along with other teachers like Tamal Chakraborty and Sanjukta Parui said: “The survey reveals that the diversity of flora is increasing gradually from seaward to inner strand zone. The pioneer species like Launaea sermentosa, Ipomoea pes-caprae, Spinifex littoreus and Hydrophylax maritime are excellent sand binders and protect the costal dune system from erosion (wind and water). Some sand dune species are having medicinal properties.”
He said people use these plants for treating several diseases. The stem and leaves of Sesuvium portulacastrum are eaten after boiling to remove excess salt from the body. Leaf and twig decoction of Tamarix troupii is used for sloughing ulcers and its infusion as a gargle for sore throat. Juice of whole plant of Ageratum conyzoides, Casuarina equisetifolia bark, Thespesia populnea root and Hemidesmus indicus root are useful in curing dysentery and diarrhoea. Flowers of Pandanus fascicularis are used for making perfumes. Curry of Alternanthera sessilis and salads of Salvadora persica leaves are also used.
“All the 60 species of sand dune vegetation of traditional and ethno-botanical interest are recorded after critical screening with the available literature. These are recommended for the further phytochemical investigations, which might result in the discovery of new dunes for human welfare”, Dr Mondol notes in the report which has already been submitted before the CSIR, New Delhi.
The report also revealed that rapid expansion of invasive species like Calotropis gigantean and Lantana camara is leading to the loss of native species like Ipomoea pes-caprae and others. “The most severe damaging cause of dune vegetation in these areas is the anthropogenic activities. In Mandarmoni and adjoining areas of West Bengal the large scale urban development carried out on the fore dunes during the tourist boom causing the destruction of many dune ecosystems,” the report highlighted. Dr Mondol said: “Among the methods to stabilize the population of dune vegetation the method of re-vegetation is the best alternative as it is cheap and self sustaining. The plantation of some tree species is effective in trapping sand and decreases the wind velocity but the plantation of the exotic species Casuarina in this area throughout the coastal line has yet not been too effective from our point of view. Legal protection of the plant species along the coastal line is very necessary. Development of tourism is also required to fulfil the need of civilization but the constructions must be planned apart from the dune vegetation keeping distance sufficiently from the sea shore. Raising public awareness and provision of economic support to the local communities for the restoration and protection of the flora and the fauna of the coastal line is necessary.”

E Midnapore chit funds asked to repay investors

23 April 2013

biswabrata goswami
TAMLUK, 23 APRIL: The Trinamul Congress ruled East Midnapore zilla-parishad has asked chit fund companies in the district to immediately refund to investors the money they mopped up in the course of their operations. The amount such companies have collected is believed to be in the range of Rs 2,000 crore in the district alone.
The zilla-parishad's step comes in the wake of the collapse of the Saradha group, and protests by investors and agents of the group across the state.
“We have asked authorities of all chit fund entities operating in the district to refund money to investors as early as possible, failing which the district administration will take necessary action against them”, said Mr Mamud Hossain, saha-sabhadhipati of East Midnapore zilla-parishad.
The district body has identified 283 organisations functional under various
alibis, but actually engaged in mopping
up small and medium savings from investors.
"These companies or groups are registered under the Society Registration Act, and have raised funds from the public under the guise of varied businesses spanning real estate and tourism. They have collected more than Rs 2,000 crores from East Midnapore district alone," said Mr Hossain, adding that the zilla-parishad has sent the list of these companies to the state government for necessary action.
According to RBI norms, chit fund entities, classified as miscellaneous non-banking companies, can accept deposits from shareholders. But they are prohibited from accepting deposits from the public.
Many chit funds have started showing investors as shareholders of the company to bypass the rule, a zilla-parishad member said.
The chit fund business in the district drew the attention of the administration after Mr Subhabrata Das lodged a complaint with the Khejuri police station in East Midnapore on 27 July last year, alleging that Mr Swadesh Maity and Mr Sutanu Maity, residents of Adampur village in Khejuri, had approached him as employees of Travel Ventures International (TVI) Express, an international networking company, and advised him to invest in their firm. They had assured the complainant high returns on his investment.
“Accordingly, I invested Rs 15,500 and became a sponsor of the company. As per instructions, I roped in many others, who also invested the same amount, expecting high returns. But, after a few months, when I didn’t get subsidiary returns, I learnt that no money was deposited in our name in the company’s account,” Mr Das alleged.
In his complaint, he also stated that 27,648 persons from East Midnapore had invested money in the scheme, but none of them had received returns. According to some estimates, TVI Express collected Rs 45 crore from the district alone.
Meanwhile, hundreds of agents and investors gheraoed offices of Saradha, Rose Valley and Alchemist Groups for the third day today, demanding the refund their investments.
A 27-year-old youth, identified as Dipu Das of Benapur of Contai-III block and an agent of Saradha group, attempted to commit suicide by consuming poison today. People spotted him lying unconscious along the railway tracks of Contai station and admitted him to the Contai sub-divisional hospital.
His condition was said to be serious. His relatives said that he had been demoralised since the fracas over the Saradha group came to the fore; he had reportedly collected Rs 1 crore from small investors.

VU installs electronic surveillance system

15 April 2013

initiative to enhance security for girl students
biswabrata goswami
MIDNAPORE, 15 APRIL: Vidyasagar University has introduced electronic surveillance through closed-circuit cameras to strengthen security in its campus areas with an additional focus on better security for girl students.
During the first phase of the initiative, cameras have been installed in the visitors’ waiting lounges in front of the office chambers of the Vice-Chancellor and registrar a few days ago.
An “office circular” (now in possession of The Statesman) without bearing any memo number was issued earlier on 9 April by the secretary to the Vice-Chancellor to all academic and administrative heads of the departments. According to the circular “...as per an advice from the West Bengal State Council of Higher Education an Electronic Surveillance System is being installed in the lounge in front of the office of the Vice-Chancellor and in the office of the Registrar initially, as a pilot project”.
Gradually, all strategic areas of the university will come under the said electronic surveillance system in due course, the order reads.
Explaining that the security systems will be upgraded in phases, an official said: “In the first phase, the cameras will be installed in places identified as 'strategic areas', like the entrance of the departmental areas and the science laboratories where students often work late hours.”
“The varsity also plans to go for e-surveillance where, in the next phase of upgrade of security systems, cameras will be placed on top of some key buildings on the campus. These will provide a wider view of the university's premises,” the official said.
Interestingly, neither the Trinamul Congress-controlled West Bengal College and University Professors’ Association (WBCUPA) nor the Left-affiliated West Bengal College and University Teachers’ Association (WBCUTA) protested the installation of electronic surveillance system in the varsity. No student or non-teaching staff association affiliated to the Trinamul Congress or the Left parties protested the move either.
A lone voice of protest, however, was heard only from the department of anthropology in which the teachers unanimously condemned the installation of surveillance system at the varsity and expressed their “worries” about the installation of CCTVs in the academic departments in a meeting of the departmental committee held two days ago.
Mr Kaushik Bose, a PhD from Cambridge University and a post-doctoral fellow at London University, and the head of department of anthropology at VU said: “The installation of electronic surveillance systems which are used to detect criminals is unthinkable in any university.”
Mr Bose has already sent a resolution adopted at the meeting to the Vice-Chancellor requesting him to revoke this move by the university authorities.