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Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Reports confirm deer deaths due to foot and mouth disease
PUNE: The Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park in Katraj lost approximately 16.33% of its deer population in just six days this July due to a highly contagious viral outbreak. Laboratory reports from the ICAR-National Institute on Foot and Mouth Disease (Bhubaneswar) and the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (Bhopal) have confirmed that 16 spotted deer died between July 6 and 12 due to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). New Delhi, India - April 4, 2017: A group of spotted deer at Delhi Zoo in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday, April 4, 2017. (Photo by Ravi Choudhary/ Hindustan Times) (Ravi Choudhary/HT PHOTO) Health experts noted that FMD is especially prevalent during the monsoon season and primarily affects grazing animals such as deer and cattle. The increased moisture during this period enables rapid transmission of the virus in the environment. Zoo authorities said they had initiated preventive measures, such as biosecurity protocols and vaccinations, as soon as a viral infection was suspected. Encouragingly, no further deer deaths have been reported since July 15, suggesting that the outbreak may now be contained. Over the six days, a total of 16 deer — including at least 14 females and 2 males — were reported dead. Dr Ghanshyam Pawar, veterinary officer at Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, confirmed that FMD was the cause of the deaths. 'Foot-and-mouth disease is highly contagious and typically spreads through airborne particles. It can also be transmitted through contaminated feed, water, or even by human movement between infected and healthy animals,' he said. While the disease has been confirmed, the source of the outbreak remains unknown, something not uncommon in viral infections, Pawar added. Dr Satish Pande, a conservationist and researcher involved in zoonotic disease awareness, emphasised that FMD is common among herbivores during the rainy season. 'In the wild, such cases often go undetected. However, because these deer were in captivity, the outbreak was identified and confirmed early,' he said. Dr Pande stressed the importance of preventive care, including vaccination and enclosure hygiene, to minimise the risk of such outbreaks. He added that while FMD is serious, it does not pose the same level of threat as bird flu. 'Bird flu is far more dangerous. It affects both domestic and wild species and can cause major economic losses, especially in the poultry and dairy sectors,' he explained. 'Laboratory tests conducted by national institutes have confirmed Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) as the cause of the deer deaths. On Friday, we held a meeting with the zoo's health advisory committee to review the findings and assess the ongoing precautionary measures. Experts noted that FMD severely weakens the immune system in deer, who are already highly sensitive to stress and environmental changes, making them more vulnerable. Thanks to the swift response of our team and the support of national and state-level institutes and health experts, we have been able to significantly reduce the mortality rate. The situation is now under control, and the remaining animals are showing signs of recovery,'said Rajkumar Jadhav, director, Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park. Spotted deer (Axis deer), protected under Schedule III of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, are a keystone species in Indian forests. Recognised by their reddish-brown coats and white spots, they play a vital ecological role as grazers and are a key part of the prey base for predators like tigers and leopards. In zoos, they are among the most admired animals—especially by children—due to their calm nature and graceful appearance. Their herd behaviour and constant activity also make them ideal for public viewing and wildlife education. The deaths underscore the vulnerability of captive animals and the importance of rapid response and transparency in such crises. Zoo officials have assured that updates will be shared once lab reports clarify the cause of death.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Indian Express
Data breach at ICAR hits key recruitment, agri research projects
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the country's apex research organisation in the sector, suffered a security breach earlier this year that led to the loss of 'crucial data' related to a range of areas, from recruitment to research projects, The Indian Express has learnt. Documents reviewed by this newspaper show that ICAR constituted a six-member committee this month to submit 'recommendations' regarding the 'non-functionality of the DC (Data Centre) and DRC (Disaster Recovery Centre)'. The panel was also asked to suggest 'suitable measures' to ensure data security and 'prevent recurrence of such incidents in future'. The committee, which was directed to submit its report by July 31, is yet to meet, one of its members told this newspaper. According to sources, the breach occurred in April and affected the ICAR's website, its server in Delhi and its replication server at the National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM) in Hyderabad. 'Data related to recruitment, from Technical Officers to Deputy Directors General (DDG) and job applications sought last year, is missing. The missing data also covers a large number of projects and related information submitted by scientists online and preserved in repositories. It includes email communications,' sources said. The Indian Express spoke to several ICAR scientists, from Lucknow, Karnal, Hyderabad, Pune and Delhi, and all of them said there were 'problems on the portal' and that they have raised the issue several times. 'It is not only our email communication system that is not working. The problem is that crucial data of recruitment, finances, scientists, research projects and administrative work has vanished from the server and replication server,' said a senior scientist. When contacted, M L Jat, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education, and Director General of ICAR, told The Indian Express: 'A few months back, there was some hacking of our website. Presently, everything is normal. The Ministry has constituted a committee in a follow-up of our data policy. That is a continuous process.' A senior member of the Council's Knowledge Management division said: 'Our website was restored in mid-May this year but another website is still not working.' The ICAR, which marked its 97th Foundation Day in New Delhi on July 16, describes itself as an organisation that 'has been spearheading agricultural research, education and extension activities for productivity enhancement and diversification of Indian agriculture'. Sources said the affected data was mainly related to Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB), Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute (IASRI) and National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM), all of which function under ICAR. R C Agrawal, the then DDG of ICAR who was also acting director at NAARM, said, 'I am superannuated now. I cannot comment.' IASRI director Rajendra Prasad declined to comment. An official in NAARM said, 'We are aware of this data disruption and are facing problems. But I can't tell you anything else.' According to sources, the security breach was raised during the Annual General Meeting of the ICAR Society, chaired by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, in Delhi on July 7. Chouhan subsequently directed the formation of the six-member committee to be headed by Dr D K Yadava, DDG (Crop Sciences), ICAR. Yadava did not respond to requests from The Indian Express for comment. A member of the committee said, 'We are yet to hold a meeting as we are busy with several things. But we are planning to have one soon.' Shyamlal Yadav is one of the pioneers of the effective use of RTI for investigative reporting. He is a member of the Investigative Team. His reporting on polluted rivers, foreign travel of public servants, MPs appointing relatives as assistants, fake journals, LIC's lapsed policies, Honorary doctorates conferred to politicians and officials, Bank officials putting their own money into Jan Dhan accounts and more has made a huge impact. He is member of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). He has been part of global investigations like Paradise Papers, Fincen Files, Pandora Papers, Uber Files and Hidden Treasures. After his investigation in March 2023 the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York returned 16 antiquities to India. Besides investigative work, he keeps writing on social and political issues. ... Read More
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: ICAR hosts workshop to boost maize yields in push for bioethanol
With the Indian government pushing for a significant increase in ethanol blending with petrol, a three-day training-cum-workshop on the theme 'Empowering Field Implementation for Maize-Based Bioethanol and Catchment Development' kicked off at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)–Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR) at Ladhowal here on Wednesday. A total of 27 field personnel from the project took part. (HT Photo) A total of 27 field personnel associated with the project, working across 78 districts in 15 states, participated in the programme. The participants shared progress from their respective regions, including successful field interventions, increasing farmer participation, and dissemination of advanced maize production technologies. Director, ICAR-IIMR, HS Jat emphasised the need to enhance maize productivity through scientific and cost-effective methods. He highlighted that the Government of India aims to achieve 30 per cent ethanol blending (E30) in petrol by the year 2030, for which maize is emerging as a key feedstock. He stressed the importance of field-based innovations and greater farmer participation in achieving this goal. To accomplish the E30 mission by 2030, India needs to produce 65–70 million tonnes of maize annually, with an annual growth rate of 8–9 per cent. This will require the deployment of high-yielding hybrids and mechanisation. The event is being held under the project titled 'Enhancing Maize Production in the Catchment Areas of Ethanol Industries.' The workshop was inaugurated under the chairmanship of HS Jat. On this occasion, SL Jat , Ph Romen Sharma (co-principal investigator), and other scientists of the institute were present. Principal investigator, SL Jat, while highlighting the objectives of the workshop, stated that the main aim of the project is to ensure a stable supply of raw material for ethanol production through enhanced maize productivity. He underscored the need for greater coordination and experience-sharing among regional scientists and field staff. Status of Maize in India In the year 2024–25, the total maize area in India stood at approximately 12 million hectares, with an average productivity reaching 3.5 tonnes per hectare. Maize is no longer limited to animal feed and industrial uses; it is now emerging as a promising alternative crop for ethanol production. From one tonne of maize, around 380 litres of ethanol can be produced, making it a viable option alongside sugarcane for ethanol production. This workshop will serve as an effective platform for knowledge and experience exchange, and will play a crucial role in strengthening the national mission of sustainable maize production with a focus on ethanol. ICAR–Indian Institute of Maize Research (ICAR-IIMR) is actively promoting Kharif maize cultivation in Punjab as a strategic intervention to address the challenges of crop diversification, regional maize deficit, and environmental conservation. As part of its ongoing efforts, the institute successfully demonstrated improved maize varieties and production technologies across more than 450 acres during the Kharif season 2025 in key maize potential districts including Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Pathankot, Moga, Hoshiarpur, Patiala, SBS Nagar, Sangrur, Fazlika, Bathinda and Sri Muktsar Sahib. To strengthen farmer engagement and adoption, capacity-building programmes and awareness campaigns are being conducted regularly. These initiatives aim to promote sustainable maize-based cropping systems that can help reduce dependence on water-intensive paddy, bridge the maize supply gap for feed and ethanol industries, and contribute to ecological balance through reduced groundwater extraction and improved soil health.
