Biodiversity Day: "Acting locally for global impact"

 

The theme for the 2026 International Day for Biological Diversity (celebrated on May 22) is "Acting locally for global impact". This theme highlights the crucial role of community-level actions, local initiatives, and individual contributions in achieving the global goals and targets.

In the quiet coastal stretch of Karaikal, a revolution is brewing—not in factories, but in the marshy lands and sandy shores. Karaikal is demonstrating how localized conservation efforts for mangroves and marine life serve as critical lungs and nurseries for the planet. Mangroves are salt-tolerant forests thriving in tropical/subtropical intertidal zones, particularly within estuaries where rivers meet the sea. These ecosystems, characterized by dense, rooted trees, act as vital coastal buffers against storm surges, filter sediments, and act as rich nurseries for marine species.

1. The Green Lung: Mangroves in Estuaries:

Estuaries act as a mixing bowl of fresh and tidal saltwater, providing a calm, nutrient-rich environment for mangrove growth. Mangroves are vital for protecting coastlines from erosion, reducing wave energy, and trapping sediments for land stability. Estuaries being Biodiversity Hotspots, they provide a habitat for over 1,533 species, acting as vital nurseries for migratory birds, fish, and shellfish. Common types include red mangroves, which use prop roots to anchor in mud, and black mangroves, which utilize pneumatophores (snorkel-like roots) to breathe. Over 60% of the world's population lives along estuaries, where mangroves help improve water quality and provide sustainable resources like wood and food.

Karaikal’s Man-Made Mangroves in Karaikal is a testament to successful human intervention. Covering approximately 32.3 hectares, established in areas like the Arasalaru and Mullaiyar estuaries, are more than just trees; they are biological fortresses. By integrating mangrove growth with local infrastructure, the region has created a "halophyte haven" - Halophytes are specialized plants that thrive in high-salinity environments like salt marshes and coastal deserts. They act as a "haven" for saline ecosystems by preventing erosion, sequestering carbon, and providing sustainable agricultural options (food, fodder, biofuel) using seawater irrigation, protecting biodiversity while offering solutions for saline soils. Mangrove root systems slow the flow of water, which causes the trapping of suspended sediment and enhances coastline protection.

The ecosystem harbors seven true mangrove species (such as Avicennia marina and Rhizophora mucronata) and over 120 associated plant species. The intricate network of stilt and breathing roots (pneumatophores) serves a dual purpose: they trap sediments to prevent shoreline erosion and provide a protected "nursery" for juvenile marine life.

It acts as carbon sinks that sequester carbon at rates far higher than terrestrial forests. It also prevents erosion and shielding inland communities from the increasing frequency of Bay of Bengal cyclones. And serves as a sheltered nursery for diverse flora and fauna, including crustaceans* and mollusks** that form the base of the marine food web.

* Crustaceans are mainly aquatic, including decapods (shrimps, prawns, crabs, lobsters, and crayfish), seed shrimps, branchiopods, fish lice, isopods, barnacles, copepods, opossum shrimps, amphipods and mantis shrimp.

** Mollusks (Mollusca) is a phylum of protostomic invertebrate animals include many familiar animals, including clams, snails, slugs, and squid, as well as some less familiar animals, like tusk shells and chitons.

While mangroves protect the estuaries, Casuarina plantations guard the sandy coastal stretches.

2. The Casuarina Biowall: A Local Shield with Global Resonance

The Green Bastion: A critical extension of Karaikal’s "Acting Locally" strategy is the establishment of a living biowalls. Stretching along the vulnerable shoreline of the Bay of Bengal, the systematic planting of Casuarina trees serves as a frontline defense for both the environment and the human spirit.

These tall, salt-tolerant trees are planted in dense belts to create a multi-layered shield. It acts as a Wind and Storm Surge Breaking mechanism during monsoons and cyclonic events, Hence, these biowalls significantly reduce the velocity of onshore winds and the impact of storm surges. The dense foliage acts as a natural filter, reducing salt spray that can corrode local infrastructure and damage inland agricultural crops acts as Salt Spray Mitigation. The biowalls creates a cooler micro-climate the coastal ecosystem. It also acts like a Bio-Shield for Fishermen by stabilizing the dunes, Casuarina groves protect the fishing hamlets from being engulfed by shifting sands or sea-level rise, ensuring that the traditional livelihoods of the coastal community remain intact. The biowalls does not exist in isolation; it works in tandem with the mangroves and turtle nesting sites to create a holistic coastal corridor.

Nesting Sanctuaries: The shaded areas behind the Casuarina belts provide quiet, dark zones that reduce light pollution on the beaches, making them more attractive for Olive Ridley Turtles to nest.

Avian Corridors: These trees offer perching and nesting sites for local raptors and transit points for migratory birds, effectively extending the biodiversity corridor from the water's edge to the inland habitats.

Biowalls are instrumental in the conservation of Biodiversity of both Migrating Turtles and Migratory Birds.

3. The Great Migration: Turtles and Birds

Turtles:

The most iconic local-to-global connection is the Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea).

• Nesting Rituals: Every year, these marine travelers return to Karaikal’s sandy beaches to lay their eggs. Between January and March, these turtles arrive from the deep ocean to nest. "Turtle Friends" group of volunteers and the Forest Department manage hatcheries to protect the nests from feral dogs and high tides.
• Conservation Hatcheries: Local forest departments and community volunteers manage artificial hatcheries to protect eggs from predators and high tides. The release of hatchlings into the Bay of Bengal is a high-impact event, ensuring that the local sands of Karaikal contribute to the global health of marine turtle populations.
• The Release: The release of thousands of hatchlings into the sea is a poignant reminder of local stewardship. Each hatchling that survives contributes to the global population of this vulnerable species.

Birds:

Karaikal’s biodiversity success is best reflected in its seasonal visitors. The restoration of wetlands and mangroves has turned the region into a vital stopover for migratory birds traveling the Central Asian Flyway. Karaikal’s unique position at the confluence of several rivers and the Bay of Bengal makes it a vital "refueling station" on the Central Asian Flyway (CAF). The restored mangroves and the healthy estuaries provide the exact mudflat and wetland habitats these long-distance travelers need.

            While bird populations vary seasonally, the following species are frequently recorded during the winter migratory window (November to March). Sanderling, Little Stint, Shorebirds, Waders, Black-tailed Godwit are small, energetic waders which feed along the tide line are often seen in the mudflats of the Arasalaru and Mullaiyar estuaries alongside common residents like the Pond Heron and Kingfisher. Whimbrels are identifiable by its long, decurved bill, frequently spotted in the mangrove fringes. Painted Stork, the large, colorful bird that often uses the shallow estuarine waters for fishing. Northern Pintail and Garganey are migratory ducks that settle in the calmer wetland pockets. Greater Flamingo, the occasional visitors to the larger brackish water areas when conditions are optimal. Raptors found here are Osprey, a specialist fish-hunter often seen diving into the estuaries, Western Marsh Harrier, frequently spotted gliding over the reed beds and mangrove edges.

Why migratory Birds prefer Karaikal?

The health of these bird populations serves as a "real-time" bio-indicator of the estuary's water quality and ecological balance.

·         The success of bird migration here is directly linked to the local conservation efforts. Mangrove Connectivity - The seven true mangrove species provide a complex ecosystem of insects, crustaceans, and small fish that serve as a high-protein diet for tired migrants.

·         The Biowall Effect: The Casuarina belts act as a buffer against human disturbance and high winds, creating a "quiet zone" for the birds to rest.

·         Estuarine Health: The mixing of fresh and salt water creates a nutrient-rich environment that supports a massive biomass of prey species.

·         The best vantage points include: Arasalaru Estuary: The tri-junction area near the lighthouse, Mullaiyar River Mouth: Excellent for spotting waders and kingfishers, Nallathur Lake: A nearby inland wetland that attracts different species than the coastal estuaries.

4. Eco-Tourism & Global Connectivity

ü           The Casuarina groves have been transformed into eco-walks and coastal education centers. Visitors from across the globe come to Karaikal to see how a "Green Wall" can coexist with a vibrant fishing culture. This exchange of knowledge fosters a global community of practice, where the lessons learned on the shores of Karaikal.

ü                By maintaining these habitats, Karaikal contributes to a global network of "steppingstones." A bird tagged in Siberia or Australia may rely entirely on a few days of feeding in a Karaikal mangrove to survive its journey across the Indian Ocean—a perfect example of acting locally for global impact.

ü      Eco-tourism hubs to bridge the gap between local action and global awareness by coastal walks with education on carbon sequestration, Birds Watch programs to locate various migratory birds, Coastal organisms (crustaceans and mollusks), Witnessing the turtle hatchling etc.

ü      Collecting Propagules: Mangrove seeds are specialized (propagules) to survive falling into water, where they float until establishing in mud.

5. Eco-Tourism: Connecting the Local to the Global

  Once overlooked, these estuarine ecosystems are now the centerpiece of a local movement with global implications for biodiversity and climate resilience.

Ø             To sustain these efforts, Karaikal is pivoting toward Eco-tourism as a bridge for global connect. By inviting the world to witness these natural spectacles, the region transforms "conservation" into a viable "livelihood."

Ø                  Over 60% of the world's population lives along estuaries, where mangroves help improve water quality and provide sustainable resources like wood and food.

Global biodiversity isn't saved by grand declarations alone, but by the hands of local communities who protect a single mangrove sapling or guide a three-inch turtle to the surf. By acting locally, Karaikal ensures that the ripples of its conservation reach the farthest corners of the world’s oceans.

World Wildlife Day 2026

 World Wildlife Day 2026 is on 3^rd March. The theme for World Wildlife Day 2026 is “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods”. It is celebrated worldwide to join hands to protect the wildlife and its biodiversity. When we conserve the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, we also contribute to highlight the various perspectives of the uses of various species used in healthcare, especially Ayurveda, Siddha and traditional home remedies. By documenting the cultivation of such medicinal plants or use of such species collected from forest areas, it would turn out to be a treasure of time tested, unique location specific Indigenous traditional knowledge (ITK). Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) are essential for both human health and ecological balance. MAPs help in economic development by means of increasing the rate of pollination with active participation of pollinators like Bees and hummingbirds, pests and disease control due to the aroma / scent secreted by the MAPs and acts like a protection Bio Shield.

In Indian perspective, it would be a Dream Come True of J. C. Kumarappa - Nature-Centric Economics, supporting human economic activities which is natural, renewable and specific to the environment. Such rural centric economic developments would lead our nation (Country of Villages), a sustainable one.

Extending these to global perspective, various species are in the verge of Extinction, and in the list of endangered species. It's high time to create awareness about Biodiversity, need to conserve it and protect the natural resources and the ecosystems. I remember the song of Michael Jackson “Heal the World. Make it a Better Place for You and for Me and the Entire Human Race.…If you care enough for the Living, Make A Better Place”.

            Forest is rejuvenated with the help of birds and animals. The winged friends generously contribute to the seed dispersal. Equal is the contribution of animals to strengthen Forest cover. Yes, birds and animals are the real "architects" of forests. Forest restoration efforts continue to focus on increasing tree cover rather than reestablishing the animal-plant interactions that underpin ecosystem function.

            Hornbills play a crucial role as Forest Farmers in Tropical Ecosystems, especially seed dispersal and forest rejuvenation. Similar is the contribution of Elephants who are considered to be the Gardeners of the Forests. Apart from Seed Dispersal, Elephants play a great role in fertilizing soil nutrient-rich, germinating-friendly dung. Yes, a single elephant is potentially dispersing thousands of seeds daily.

            The World Economic Forum says, an approximately 86% of all land species and 91% of marine species on Earth are estimated to be undiscovered, meaning roughly 80% to 90% of all life forms have not yet been identified or described. Scientists estimate that out of roughly 8.7 million total species, only about 1.2 million have been cataloged. Yet they are multiplied with the help of chirping feathered friends and many other animals. 

World Sparrow Day

 

World Sparrow Day is celebrated every year on March 20. Many Early Raiser’s Waking Alarm is The Chirping Birds. One of such a Chirping Feathered Friend is Sparrow. Due to the superfast lifestyle and technological advancement, the living environment around us have grown to be a Concrete Jungle affecting the habitats of many species especially birds and Sparrows in Specific due to the mobile towers and signals passed on.

Sparrows are beautiful birds with smooth, round heads and rounded wings. Sparrows love to take "dust baths," where they throw dry soil over their feathers to keep them clean and free of parasites. They have beautiful voices, their chirping and singing sound heard all over. Sparrows live in colonies known as flocks. Sparrows can fly at speeds of 38–50 km/h when necessary. If they sense danger, they can swim at a faster pace Sparrows are more than just birds—they are indicators of a healthy environment. Their decline are ecological indicators depicting issues that affect all lives, including humans. Because they are one of the few bird species that have evolved specifically to live in close proximity to human settlements.

World Sparrow Day was established to raise awareness about the alarming decline of these small birds and to emphasize the importance of conserving urban biodiversity. Once a ubiquitous presence in both city squares and rural courtyards, the sparrow’s fading song has become a silent warning about the health of our shared environment.

The theme for World Sparrow Day 2026 (March 20) is "Creating Bird-Friendly Cities & Communities". This year's focus emphasizes urban planning, increasing green spaces, and community action to reverse the decline of sparrow populations in modern, concrete-dominated environments. Nature Forever Society (NFS) in India, founded by conservationist Mohammed Dilawar. The Nature Forever Society (NFS) in India started an international initiative to celebrate World Sparrow Day in collaboration with the Eco-Sys Action Foundation from France. For his efforts, he was named "Heroes of the Environment" for 2008 by TIME Magazine.

The Bihar Government declared Sparrow as State Bird of Bihar in 2013 to draw attention to the bird's rapidly declining population in both rural and urban areas.

The House Sparrow was declared the State Bird of Delhi on August 14, 2012, The declaration was part of the "Rise for the Sparrows" campaign. The "State Bird" status was intended to serve as a wake-up call for urban planners and residents to create bird-friendly spaces, such as hanging nesting boxes and planting native shrubs, to bring the "chirp" back to the city's balconies. 

 

Bird-friendly cities & Communities are a great way to support local avifauna. To make cities more bird-friendly, some of the initiatives we can adapt are

ü  Planting native trees and flowers: Species like Tulsi, lemongrass, marigold, and periwinkle attract insects, providing food for birds.

ü  Providing water sources by installing bird baths or shallow plates with water for drinking and bathing.

ü  Creating nesting sites by setting birdhouses or nest boxes and preserve natural habitats like mangrove forests.

ü  Minimize chemical use in public gardens to ensure a safe food supply.

ü  Involvement of public, especially the local communities to create an environment, would increase the number of population of sparrows and other lives in the Web of Life.

ü  Sharing awareness on social media and encourage local people to participate in local World Sparrow Day events, especially to children.

White Plumage Friends in Organic Farming

Organic Farming is a method of crop production which involves an integration of different farming systems like crop, cattle, fish, poultry etc.  The bio-network forms a cycle of effective utilization of resources which often results in sustainability through the enhancement of soil fertility and biological diversity.

I happen to observe one such organic field loaded with well decomposed cattle waste (Farm Yard manure). The field was very thirsty, thanks to the vagaries of monsoon. On receipt of a good rainfall after a very long time, the dumped farmyard manure became slurry and the nutrient rich solution penetrated in the soil. During land preparation, the puddling (tillage of field in flooded condition) is the first farm operation of Paddy cultivation I could see hundreds of visitors – White Plumage friends.

Being a nature lover, I admired seeing the White Plumage Friends. Yes, they are here for the first time. I had seen Mynahs, King Crow, sparrows, Kingfishers. Fleets of Egrets – Little Egrets, Giant Egrets, Snowy Egrets and Cattle Egrets were busy picking the insects and grubs. Egrets are new to this area.

Puddling the paddy field with tractor accompanied with a fleet of White Plumage Friends was an evidence of biodiversity. The fleets comprising of Egrets and Herons with a large number of Cattle Egrets were literally cleaning the field. I saw similar situation of white Plumage friends voraciously feeding on grubs and insects during summer ploughing of the fields too. Summer Ploughing (Ploughing the field during summer to recharge soil profile) helps to kill weeds, hibernating insects and disease-causing organisms by exposing them to the summer. Activity of White Plumage friends were seen during summer ploughing of organic Farm too. They were actively feeding on the grubs and insects which were hidden in the field brought up due to the tillage. This activity of Plumage Friends would reduce the cost of Plant Protection to the farmer. When the grubs and insects are controlled at the initial stage of crop cultivation the crops grow with low pest load. Hence the need for pesticide usage is greatly reduced. The presence of Plumage Friends for the entire crop duration would keep the insect population in control. This condition favors the biodiversity and ensures food security for the people.

It is obvious that role of plumage friends are vital and pave a way to healthy living. They are present right from the land preparation activity in the field. They are active in action to keep the pests in control throughout the cropping period. They also save the crop from rodent damage at the final stage (Pre - harvesting) of the crop. Organic Farming is the way of cultivating crops including many organisms in a network. All interlinked in such a way the ecological balance is maintained. On contrary, if pesticides are sprayed to protect the crop, the Plumage friends’ lose their feed. On feeding the insects with pesticide load result in thin shelled eggs hence the population reduction results in INCREASED PEST LOAD due to absence of Plumage friends to keep it in control. Then it is a vicious cycle to use even more pesticides. Ultimately the entire biodiversity is disturbed. Let us encourage and educate of farmers to turn to Organic farming and feed the world naturally. 

ORGANIC FARMING – STEP TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

For a mankind to survive, FOOD is pre-requisite. Indians are proud about our good proportion of Intelligence at forefront. Even if we fly high, do a space walk and make an expedition to Antarctica, we should not forget about the fact of sitting down to EAT. Hunger is the most serious problem than corruption and poverty. When people are fed properly, the ethics and morale of the society increases and standard of living is in good trend. The policy makers are more concern on the industries and IT sectors for its economic development, forgetting that ignoring farming and development of agricultural livelihood would end up in dependence on the FOOD PRODUCING countries. If agrarian community is least bothered, the day of dependence on alien land for all its inputs will force INDIA to days of SLAVERY. The solution for the situation is encouraging farmers in an Organic Way, a low cost, eco-friendly, easy and convenient practices, in a long run helps more than 70 percent of the population to live with DIGNITY and in tune with NATURE.  

Organic Farming: First Profession of Mankind

Organic Farming is a method of cultivation done in line with nature. Food, fodder and livestock are raised in an integrated way. Natural balance remains undisturbed even after many years of Organic Farming. In other words, the web of life is integrated which results in conservation of Biodiversity. Indian farmers were cultivating and “Farm Husbanding” using natural way of cultivation for generations, which are evident from the remains of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa. A typical Indian farmer had a minimum of 50 pairs of livestock. Some of them used to help with the farm activities like ploughing, pulling carts, water lifting and so on. Some of them supplied milk and meat. The farm wastes were converted to farmyard manure. The goats and sheep were their mobile banks (could sell whenever they need instant money). The value of a farmer was estimated with the herd they possessed. The hens gave egg and meat. Vegetable were grown in their backyard. People ate farm-fresh food so remained hale and healthy. There was a network of LIVES.

Technological Advancement and its Adversity:

In the post World War era, the use of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals were introduced. With modernization and mechanization we lost our treasure. With the entry of tractors, the farmers preferred to lose cattle. The microbial load of beneficial microorganisms was not fed to the fields. The minimum microbial load present in the Indian soil was killed with the fresh supply of chemical fertilizers which was introduced in the name of Green revolution. Chemical fertilizers and plant protection chemicals first pollute the environment (air, soil and water) then it enters the human system and creates health hazards, yielding to ailments, prolonged sickness and even death. Presence of elemental residues causes various diseases ranging from nausea to neurological toxicity, Alzheimer to cancer. Over years of advanced agriculture, we lost our traditional varieties which were pest resistant, disease resistant, salinity resistant and which could withstand water stagnation and all possible natural vagaries. Yes, OUR rich and varied collection of gene pool was lost as farmers are forced to cultivate short duration varieties and high yielding varieties.

Overcoming the Adversity – Organic Way:

Microbial load can be brought back by Organic Farming techniques (Below ground changes) like Crop Rotation, Organic Fertilizers, Seed Treatment / Bio Priming (Treating with Pseudomonas and Trichoderma), Biofertilizers including VAM & AM – Biofertilizers (induces Phosphatic utilization – Fungus & root symbiosis) encourages the multiplication of beneficial organism and they naturally control the growth of harmful organisms. Multi Crop Concept (Above ground changes) involves many corps to grow in and around the field to get maximum biological activity. Growing right Border Crops according to the selected farm activity acts like an army to save the crop. Example is growing Bhendi (Okra / Lady’s Finger) in the border of Paddy fields acts as yellow sticky trap. As the bright yellow flowers attract harmful insects provided them food (pollen and nectar) and shelter and protect the food crops from the harmful pests. Some of the attractant flowering plants are Marigold, Gingelly (Sesame), and Sunflower. Some trap crops are Mustard and Castor. Occimum spp plants are repellent crops including Tulsi (Hence it is known as mosquito repellent plant).

When habitat manipulation is done so as to encourage naturally farm friendly organisms, the beneficial organisms live in the flowers and protect the main crop from intensive sunshine and cold winds as it acts as barriers. When such crop situation prevails, it is found that the populations of farm friendly organisms like Bracon and Trichogramma (Parasitoids), Spiders and Reduviid Bug (Predators), Pseudomons spp and Trichoderma spp (Bio pesticides). Entomopathogenic fungicontacts the cuticle, forms appresoria, penetrates into the insect, proliferates, produces toxins and ultimately kills the insect. The proper selection of strains kills specific host range without disturbing non-target insects.  Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are lethal pathogens of wide variety of insects. Biological control with the help of EPN is a very efficient organic insect control method. EPN are viable alternative to chemical pesticides. EPNs have a single free‐living stage, the infective juvenile (IJ), carries bacteria in its gut. EPN and bacteria are harmless to humans and other organisms. EPN are also used as a foliar spray to control sucking pests and other foliar insects.

Such organic farming practices when done is a systemic manner we are ensuring the uninterrupted WEB of LIFE (Food Web). Inter-dependency of one organism feeding on the other and the balance results in conserving the BIODIVERSITY. As a result of the lives conserved at micro level (from microbes, insects) and macro level (rodents, birds, trees) the mankind get the economic benefits. The same principle may be applied to the forest ecosystems. When the small animals and birds are provided opportunity to live and multiply, the wild life will be conserves. Mere killing of rodents may result in the fall of the hawk population (which fed on rodents). Spraying of pesticides reflect in the fertility of men and immunity of mankind (as mother’s mild is found to have pesticide residue). A typical field has a good number of insects. There is a mix of beneficial and harmful insects. Beneficial insects include natural enemies, which kills harmful insects. A natural enemy is organisms which kill, harm and cause disease in other living organisms. There are three types - predators, parasites and pathogens. Predators kill other organisms. Parasites enter or attach to the bodies of their victims and feed on their tissues and fluids ultimately kill them. Pathogens are microorganisms which cause diseases. On application of pesticides to the field the farmers’ friend “beneficial insects” are the first where as the harmful insects get resistance to the pesticide and gains resurgence which require higher dose of insecticides to kill them. The pest management was wisely done by encouraging the natural enemies. Cow’s urine was used to manage various crop diseases. Herbal extracts like neem oil and neem based products were used to control pests and diseases. The use of Panchakavya dates back to Vedic era. These methods also helped in multiplication of the microbial load of the soil and made them fertile.

In an organic field, the role of earthworms is obvious. They are small tube like organisms who tirelessly work to turn the earth from lowest strata of earth to top. Worms tunnel deeply in the soil and bring subsoil closer to the surface mixing it with the topsoil. This makes the formation of multitude of linear tunnels minute in diameter but deeper below the subsurface. These tunnels lasts long even after the worms are dead. These tunnels facilitates infiltration of water into subsurface, reduces runoff, helps in harvesting rainwater. Such stored moisture is slowly released to crop at summer season. In this process of tunneling it also maintains the soil structure and enables the processes of aeration. Earthworm, the Farmers’ friend toils day long tillage in the fields. In the fields of organic cultivation we could see the reserve moisture throughout the year. The latent hard work of a large number of worms helps the crop survive when the other areas are parched.

Earthworms live on what we call WASTE. Yes, the feed on the vegetable wastes we throw leaves shed from trees and any form of organic matter available in soil, and living organisms such as nematodes, protozoans, rotifers, bacteria, fungi which are harmful to plant growth. Their intake per day is one third of their body weight. The organic matter it consumes gets digested in its body and it excretes in the form of casts, a type of soil aggregate rich in nutrition. Thus Earthworm facilitates improving soil fertility and deposits on the surface. Their role gains significance because they convert larger organic matter into simple accessible form. This is also Nutrition cycle. Slime, a secretion of earthworms, contains nitrogen. Nitrogen is an important nutrient for plants. The sticky slime helps to hold clusters of soil particles together in formations called aggregates. These have greater role in porosity which helps in aeration and physical property of soil. The micro-tunnels provide good root growth as they are lined with readily available nutrients and make it easier for roots to penetrate deep into the soil.

Due to fertilizer scarcity farmers were ready to pay twice or thrice to purchase a bag of UREA and DAP which increased the cost of cultivation and toxicity to both soil and environment. They were running between pillars in search of the availability of fertilizers. Some innovative organic growers were in peace, not worrying about the fertilizer scarcity. They just scooped the vermicompost produced in their backyard and just spread (broadcasted) in the fields. Compared to the fields with chemical fertilizers organic fields were outstanding and the yield was comparatively higher. Vermicompost supplied many minerals need for the complete crop growth. The pest load was very less due to available farmers’ friends (natural predators and parasites) which took care of the pest control. The farmer had no need to go for any pesticide spray as the pests were below Economic Threshold Level. These were the visible advantages. Beyond this there were more advantages like the vegetables had longer shelf life, tasted better, and many more…In an organic field, earthworm multiplication becomes natural and nutrition cycle is in full swing and the field is not limited with any nutrition. The web of life is perfect in Organic Farming and Earthworm has a great role to play in. It recycles nutrients and supports micro-flora and fauna population. It also becomes a prey to birds and it goes on. The load of earthworm in a field is directly proportionate to the nature friendly living (ORGANIC).

Due to the chemical farming methods, the earth worm population is greatly reduced. As a trend to turn back to nature and regain the earthworm population farmers are rearing the valuable worms in Vermicompost pits, either with permanent structures or temporary structures made of Silpauline sheets. When vermicompost (the casts collected from the pit), a rich source of nutrition is applied to fields, the crop stand is very good due to supply of multiple nutrients. Often the field itself becomes a vermicompost units and the applied vermicompost contains inoculums of cocoons, from which earthworms’ population increases. Sometimes segments of earthworm reach the field with vermicompost as earthworms have the ability to regenerate lost segments, the population increases. After prolonged use of vermicompost the lost microbial load in regained and so the quality of food we get from fields.

Sustainable Development:

India is proud of its astronomical feat of launching 104 satellites is a single go. On the other side, many millions die of hunger, live in poverty and fight to meet their minimal basic needs. The gap between haves and have-nots are getting wider. Hence the livelihood of farming community is least bothered. White collared jobs are considered superior but the irony is the mean attitude people have towards the one who puddles with mud to feed the world. Ignoring the pain and cost of production of FOOD, the farmer could not fix price for his farming produced. The cost of all inputs, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides are alarming whereas the cost of farming produce is highly seasonal and not economical.

Organic Farming paves a way towards a sustainable development. When a farmer decides to turn down all the chemicals and mechanization the input cost gets drastically reduced. The net return is reduced harvest but of superior quality without polluting nature and harming the biodiversity. Hence it is time to seek old wine in new bottle - The traditional agriculture in the name of Organic Farming. Organic farming uses crop rotations and cover crops which help in balance of nutrient supply. Cover crops and composted manure are used to maintain soil organic matter and fertility. Balanced host/predator relationships were encouraged for pest and disease management without any external factor. Organic residues and nutrients produced on the farm are recycled back to the soil with the active participation of Earthworms and soil microbes. Organic farming protects the environment, minimize soil degradation and erosion, decrease pollution, and optimize biological productivity.

Organic Farming is gaining importance to gain back what we lost - A healthy life, a sustainable economy and integrated development. In this age of globalization, an organic certification helps to reach the global market. The developed countries consume organic foods but sells to developing countries like India, genetically modified seeds, fertilizers and pesticides which they produce. It is time to get up and make use of this marketing game.

This article is also published in http://indianwildlifeclub.com/ezine/view/details.aspx?aid=1159

AGRO ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING

Agro Ecological Engineering is also Bio Intensive Integrated Pest Management. It is emerging new pest management strategy. It is an improved version of Agro – Eco System Analysis (AESA). It involves habitat manipulation of both below and above ground level.

Below Ground Operations – Rhyzosphere Engineering – Living Soil concept

Organic Farming techniques like Crop Rotation, Organic Fertilizers, Seed Treatment / Bio Priming (Treating with Pseudomonas and Trichoderma), Biofertilizers including VAM & AM – Biofertilizers (induces Phosphatic utilization – Fungus & root symbiosis) encourages the multiplication of beneficial organism and they naturally control the growth of harmful organisms.

Above Ground Operations – Multi Crop Concept

It involves many corps to grow in and around the field to get maximum biological activity. Growing right Border Crops according to the selected farm activity acts like an army to save the crop. Example is growing Bhendi (Okra / Lady’s Finger) in the border of Paddy fields acts as yellow sticky trap. As the bright yellow flowers attract harmful insects provided them food (pollen and nectar) and shelter and protect the food crops from the harmful pests. Some of the attractant flowering plants are Marigold, Gingelly (Sesame), and Sunflower. Some trap crops are Mustard and Castor. Occimum spp plants are repellent crops including Tulsi (Hence it is known as mosquito repellent plant).

When habitat manipulation is done so as to encourage naturally farm friendly organisms, the beneficial organisms live in the flowers and protect the main crop from intensive sunshine and cold winds as it acts as barriers. When such crop situation prevails, it is found that the populations of farm friendly organisms like Bracon and Trichogramma (Parasitoids), Spiders and Reduviid Bug (Predators), Pseudomons spp and Trichoderma spp (Bio pesticides). Entomopathogenic fungicontacts the cuticle, forms appresoria, penetrates into the insect, proliferates, produces toxins and ultimately kills the insect. The proper selection of strains kills specific host range without disturbing non-target insects.  Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are lethal pathogens of wide variety of insects. Biological control with the help of EPN is a very efficient organic insect control method. EPN are viable alternative to chemical pesticides. EPNs have a single free‐living stage, the infective juvenile (IJ), carries bacteria in its gut. EPN and bacteria are harmless to humans and other organisms. EPN are also used as a foliar spray to control sucking pests and other foliar insects.

Such organic farming practices when done is a systemic manner we are ensuring the uninterrupted WEB of LIFE (Food Web). Interdependency of one organism feeding on the other and the balance results in conserving the BIODIVERSITY. As a result of the lives conserved at micro level (from microbes, insects) and macro level (rodents, birds, trees) the mankind get the economic benefits. The same principle may be applied to the forest ecosystems. When the small animals and birds are provided opportunity to live and multiply, the wild life will be conserves. Mere killing of rodents may result in the fall of the hawk population (which fed on rodents). Spraying of pesticides reflect in the fertility of men and immunity of mankind (as mother’s mild is found to have pesticide residue)

Fish Culture in Paddy Field

Karaikal is a small coastal enclave which was formerly part of French India. Together with the other former French territories of Pondicherry, Yanam, and Mahé, it forms the Union Territory of Puducherry. Karaikal is bounded on the North and South by Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu state, on the west by Tiruvarur district (also belonging to Tamil Nadu), and on the East by the Bay of Bengal. The enclave is located 140 km south of the city of Pondicherry, 158 km east of Trichy and is known for its rich cultural heritage. Forming part of the fertile Cauveri delta, the region is completely covered by the distributaries of Cauveri. Covered completely by a thick mantle of alluvium of variable thickness, the lie of the region is flat having a gentle slope towards the Bay of Bengal in the east. (Source: Wikipedia)

Mr. Chandra Kumar, aged 38 is an engineer, resigned his highly paid job to do Organic Agriculture in Andoor Village of Karaikal District, Puducherry Union Territory. He wanted to take up SOMETHING DIFFERENT in Organic Farming. A social media video on Fish Culture in Paddy field of Philippines made him sleepless and made him search more on this. After exploration on this he decided to venture his own model. He dug trench of two feet around his field and filled with canal water. He introduced fish fingerlings from the canal; it was a mixture of traditional breed. Also he preferred to plant tradition paddy variety, Mappillai Samba, a red rice variety which can withstand standing water and do not demand chemical fertilizers. It responds well to organic inputs and gives good yield.

“Coastal saline soil extends from the main sea coast to a few or even 50 km at places interior to the main land. The ground water table under these soils is generally present at a shallow depth and contains high amount of soluble salts. These salts accumulate on the surface of the soil due to capillary rise of saline groundwater during dry periods of the year rendering the soil highly saline. Almost the entire area of the rain fed coastal saline soil is mono cropped in nature. The major agricultural crop of kharif is rice, grown during monsoon period when soil salinity is low. During the rest of the year, the land usually remains fallow due to high salt content of the soil.” This is how Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore details about the coastal ecosystem. 

Chandra Kumar’s trenches have helped to leach out salts from the field and get accumulate in the trenches and the salt level is not harmful to fishes. Advantageously, the fish fed on the organic inputs like farm yard manures, vermicompost, green leaf manures have turned the water into nutrient rich solution for the paddy to grow up on par with chemicals fed agriculture. The fishes grow into half to one kg in 150 days (duration of Mappillai Samba). He harvests the fish a week before paddy harvest and it is a bonus of double income.

Fish culture along with Paddy gives an emotional satisfaction of producing food (paddy and fish) organically. Due to this reason both paddy and fish fetch better price than others in that area. Being fully Organic, the cost of inputs are drastically reduced for the entire cropping season, except the trench making done at the time of land preparation. Economical utilization of land is done with which he gets dual income in an agricultural season. At the cost of sincere and personal attention every day as it is an innovation and have no other bench marks to look upon. 

Mr. Chandra Kumar can be contacted through his mobile 98420 83083