Daily Archives: April 19, 2016

Diagnostic kit for fish virus released

Agriculture, Green Initiatives & Environment, Nature, Science & Technology

The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute has released a virus diagnostic kit specific to betanoda virus that infects marine fish.

The kit was released during a function held at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute by Trilochan Mohapatra, secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education and director general of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

Betanoda virus causes Viral Nervous Necrosis (VNN), also known as viral encephalopathy and retinopathy in larvae and juveniles of marine fin fish for which no effective treatments are available and those fish surviving the infection remain carriers of the virus, facilitating vertical and horizontal transmission.

Preventive steps

Hence, only preventive measures such as vaccination, regular screening of broodstock, eggs, larvae and fingerlings, besides effective disposal of positively diagnosed specimens, are options available to prevent disease outbreaks associated with betanodavirus in hatcheries and aquaculture farms, said a press release here.

Cost-effective

The kit is highly specific and cost-effective. Positive reaction is diagnosed by a green fluorescence that can be perceived by the naked eye under visible or UV light and there is no need for sophisticated equipment like a thermal cycler or trans-UV illuminator as in the case of other molecular diagnostic approaches.

The kit released on Monday is meant mainly to screen marine brood stock fish to ensure certified specific pathogen-free eggs and larvae in a sensitive and rapid way. It will also help timely identification of betanoda viral infections in fish hatcheries and aquaculture systems during routine screening of eggs, larvae, fingerlings as well as trash fish used as feed during culture operations.

Hatchery production of marine fish seeds is economically important in the context of enhanced marine fish seed requirements arising out of the increasing popularity of marine cage culture along the Indian coast, the press release issued here said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / Special Correpondent / Kochi – April 19th, 2016

Percussion drums up high energy

Arts,Culture & Entertainment
Right note:The Ilanjithara Melam in progress.
Right note:The Ilanjithara Melam in progress.

As maestros performed with abandon, the lay listeners celebrated in unison

When the percussion was in full flow, its high voltage rhythm sent the crowd into raptures. Panchavadyam and Pandi Melam artistes delighted thousands of people who assembled at the Madathil Varavu and Ilanjithara Melam ceremonies in connection with the Thrissur Pooram on Sunday.

The Pooram presents the best of the percussion ensembles in the State. People from across the country come to Thrissur just to soak up the energy.

The Madathil Varavu ceremony, in which the ‘thidambu’ (idol) of the Thiruvambadi Bhagavathy is taken out in a procession from the Thiruvambadi temple to Naduvil Madom at Pazhaya Nadakkavu, began at 7:30 a.m. With master thimila player Annamanada Parameswara Marar at the helm, Panchavadyam began at Naduvil Madom at 11.30 a.m., drumming up ample excitement. At the Pooram, percussionists try many innovations, but by keeping the basics intact.

Performing at the Pooram stimulates a pleasurable tension, Mr. Parameswara Marar says. Percussionists consider it a privilege to perform here. Not a single musician goes off-rhythm. Thimila, maddalam, kombu, kuzhal, and ilathalam are the instruments in Panchavadyam, which begins with the ‘Thimila Pramani’ striking the first beat.

Pandi Melam ensemble, led by maestro Kizhakoottu Aniyan Marar, replaced Panchavadyam as the procession bearing the idol (thidambu) of the Thiruvambady Bhagavathy reached the ‘Sreemoola Sthanam’ of the Vadakkunatha temple.

Thousands witnessed the Ilanjithara Melam, the well-known Pandimelam performance.

Hordes of people, from lay listeners to connoisseurs, relished the treat as 250 instrumentalists led by Peruvanam Kuttan Marar performed the Pandi Melam. Ilanjithara Melam derives its name from the Ilanji tree on the Sree Vadakkunnathan temple premises under which the melam is performed.

In technical 0perfection and instrumental discipline, Ilanjithara Melam known as ‘Great Symphony,’ is the best example of Pandi Melam. As the orchestrated sequence of chenda and elathalam beats reached a crescendo, the excitement was palpable.

The heat, though unbearable, failed to dissuade the die-hard fans.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Kerala / Staff Reporter / Thrissur – April 18th, 2016

On a mission to conserve sacred groves

Agriculture, Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives & Environment, Nature, Records, All

SacredGrovesKERALA18apr2016

The Rs.1.34-crore project involves bio-fencing, inventorisation of plant wealth and cleaning up of water bodies

In an attempt to arrest the depletion of the rich gene pool and protect the hotspots of local biodiversity, the State Medicinal Plants Board (SMPB) is embarking on a project for conservation of sacred groves in Kerala.

Funded by the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), the Rs.1.34-crore project involves conservation and resource augmentation of sacred groves with medicinal plants in over 100 hectares.

The proposed activities include bio-fencing, inventorisation of plant wealth and cleaning up of water bodies.

The NMPB has released the first instalment of Rs.53.75 lakh for the three-year project. “The idea is to conserve the remaining patches of rich biodiversity and prevent further encroachments,” said SMPB Chief Executive Officer K.G. Sreekumar.

Healthy environment

The project seeks to conserve the diversity of indigenous medicinal plants, maintain ecological balance and enhance ground water resources. The other objectives are to ensure a healthy environment, besides creating awareness about conservation and tracing the history of vegetation in the locality.

Distinct and unique in biological diversity, sacred groves are valuable gene pools of immense ecological significance.

They are rich repositories of valuable medicinal plants including rare, endangered, and threatened species.

Most sacred groves also harbour a perennial water source. “Conserving sacred groves will help preserve these assets for future generations,” Mr. Sreekumar added.

Applications invited

The SMPB has invited applications from individuals and trusts with ownership rights to sacred groves. Physical verification of the groves to be included in the project is expected to begin shortly.

“Saplings of native species will be planted to augment the floral diversity, and name boards will be installed to identify each species,” he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / T. Nandakumar / Thiruvananthapuram – April 18th, 2016