Latest news with #BirbalSahniInstituteofPalaeosciences
News18
16 hours ago
- Science
- News18
When Uttarakhand Was Underwater: Fossils Reveal 500-Million-Year-Old Secret
Last Updated: BSIP scientists are looking for 520-million-year-old marine fossils in Uttarakhand's Tethys Himalayas to uncover secrets of early life and ancient ocean ecosystems In a major scientific endeavour, Dr Hukam Singh and Dr Ranveer Singh Negi, distinguished researchers from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow, are carrying out a groundbreaking geological study in the Niti–Malari–Sumna region of Uttarakhand. Their mission: to uncover marine fossils embedded in the rock formations of the Garhwal Himalayas, dating back approximately 520 to 510 million years, from the Cambrian period—a key phase in Earth's early biological evolution when many major animal groups first appeared in the fossil record. These fossil-rich formations lie within the Tethys Himalayas, a region that was once part of the long-vanished Tethys Ocean. Though this ancient ocean disappeared millions of years ago due to tectonic plate collisions that uplifted the Himalayas, its secrets remain locked in the sedimentary rocks of this remote region. Through stratigraphic and paleontological analysis, the scientists aim to reconstruct early marine ecosystems that once thrived here, contributing to a better understanding of biodiversity patterns, plate tectonics, and climate shifts that have shaped Earth's past. The study also holds implications for broader research on continental drift and the formation of the Indian subcontinent. Fossils from this period can offer clues about the biogeographic links between ancient landmasses and provide a clearer picture of India's evolutionary journey as it separated from Gondwana and collided with Asia. Inspiring Young Minds On World Environment Day (June 5), Dr Singh and Dr Negi visited PM Shri Rajkiya Adarsh Balika Inter College in Jyotirmath, where they held an interactive session with Principal-in-charge Mrs Tara Rana, teachers, and students. The event focused on the importance of geological history and environmental preservation, linking scientific curiosity with the urgent need to protect our natural world. One of the highlights of the event was a live fossil exhibition, where students viewed ancient specimens, including fossilised wood of the Sindora tree from the Pliocene-Pleistocene period (3 to 1 million years ago), brought from Jharkhand. These were juxtaposed with modern Eucalyptus wood to demonstrate how flora has evolved over millions of years. Students were encouraged to ask questions and even handle some of the samples under supervision, sparking a hands-on interest in earth sciences. This rare scientific initiative not only contributes to our collective knowledge of Earth's geological timeline but also serves as a powerful tool to encourage scientific inquiry and environmental consciousness among school students. It aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and public engagement, especially in underserved and remote areas where exposure to such academic opportunities is limited. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
BSIP set to provide expertise for upcoming museum in Haridwar
Lucknow: The Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, in collaboration with the Patanjali Research Foundation Trust (PRFT) and the University of Patanjali (UOP), recently held a brainstorming session to conceptualise a project — 'Museum of Origins and Continuum: A Journey of India's Land, Life, and Legacy' — to be established in Haridwar. BSIP, which has a state-of-the-art museum with a rich fossil collection, will provide its expertise for the establishment of the upcoming museum. Eminent scholars, scientists, historians, and technocrats deliberated on a comprehensive museum blueprint covering the evolution of earth, life, civilisation, and India's cultural renaissance. The session commenced with an inaugural address by Acharya Balkrishna, who addressed the gathering by highlighting a pressing issue: the weakening of our roots. Acharya emphasised that India cannot be fully comprehended through conventional historical narratives alone and must instead be understood from a global civilisational perspective. Meanwhile, Swami Ramdev discussed the "marginalisation of India's illustrious past" and asserted the pivotal role of Patanjali in reviving and safeguarding the nation's ancient cultural heritage. BSIP director Prof Mahesh G Thakkar introduced the concept of the proposed state-of-the-art museum during the session. The museum will encompass a vast thematic scope — from the origin of the earth, solar systems, and planetary formation to the emergence of life as a progression from primordial life forms to complex organisms, the development of flora and fauna, culminating in human civilisation, culture, and the Indian Renaissance. He highlighted its potential to provide a comprehensive and integrated perspective on India's scientific, cultural, and traditional legacy, thereby bridging significant gaps in existing historical accounts.
Hindustan Times
21-04-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Lessons from arid Kutch: Global warming a threat to evergreen forests
Tropical rainforests, considered the lungs of the Earth for their capacity to work as major carbon cleansers, are under threat. A recent study by scientists at Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) has indicated the possibilities of ecological changes due to global warming. They have studied around 40-million-year old sedimentary rock layers of the Kutch Basin to find how the warming during Middle Eocene Climate Optimum (MECO) led to disturbances in tropical/evergreen rainforests which they say once existed in the region. Poonam Verma, a scientist involved in the research, said that the Kutch Basin resembles a book, with layers revealing information about different biota from various time periods. 'Approximately 40 million years ago, during the MECO era, the Earth underwent a warming phase where global temperatures were projected to be three to six degrees Celsius higher than they are today and carbon concentration 2.5 times higher. During this period of extreme warming, the tropical rainforest was impacted due to probable fluctuations in rainfall seasonality. We found an increase of evergreen-deciduous taxa during the peak warming period in the pre-existing tropical evergreen forest. However, due to rapid regeneration capacity, the tropical evergreen forest recovered gradually with the return of previous conditions,' said Verma. 'We also found that the mangroves present in the region were also disrupted during the warming. This indicates that if global warming continues at the existing rate, it can disrupt mangroves in other parts of the world and be a threat to the coastal ecosystems and communities. At the same time, warming can disrupt the hydrological cycle, which may change the composition of tropical rainforests, diminishing the green canopy which significantly reduces carbon from the atmosphere,' Verma added. She said that the depletion of rainforests can also lead to an increase in temperatures further. 'We have already entered the global warming period where temperatures have risen approximately one degree Celsius above the global mean temperatures. Hence, there is a need for intervention at all levels to reduce the effects of global warming. Gaining insight into past climate responses enables us to better predict and plan the mitigation strategies for the impacts of modern-day global warming,' she added. Director BSIP, MG Thakkar, who was also part of the research, said that there have been certain episodes in the past like the Paleocene–Eocene thermal maximum (PETM) about 56 million years back and MECO about 40 million years back that can give lessons for the current warming period. 'During the PETM episode, the carbon dioxide had increased to such an extent that sea water turned highly acidic in nature. It was also the case during MECO but to a much-reduced extent. Anthropologic activities are adding carbon dioxide emissions and degrading a rich source of oxygen, like tropical rainforests. The research is an analogue and alarm for the future doom, and it is a red signal for reducing carbon emissions,' Thakkar said.
News18
21-04-2025
- Science
- News18
How Scientists Plan To Bring Back Indian Cheetahs With Gene Technology
Last Updated: The scientists at Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences in Lucknow will use gene editing to modify the DNA of the African cheetah, giving it traits of the Indian cheetah India, which had declared cheetah extinct in 1962 due to over-hunting and habitat loss, is planning to revive the species after successfully bringing back dire wolves using ancient DNA. The Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) in Lucknow is working with the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) to 'revive' the Indian cheetah. At present, India has only those cheetahs, which were brought from Namibia and South Africa during 2022 and 2023. Of the 20 that were shifted to Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park, eight have died so far, along with five cubs born here. How India Plans To Revive Cheetahs? Scientists from US-based Colossal Biosciences recently revealed they had brought the dire wolf back from extinction after over 10,000 years. They announced the birth of three dire wolf pups — Romulus, Remus and Khaleesi. The two males are six months old, while the female is two months old. BSIP has also outlined plans to conduct gene editing of the extinct predator with the aim of introducing it into the womb of an African cheetah, using surrogacy, as per a report by The Times of India. The whole genome sequencing (WGS) project for the Indian cheetah is nearing its end. Niraj Rai, a senior scientist at BSIP leading the research, told The Times of India: 'We have samples of all extinct Indian cheetahs and are in the final phase of its whole genome sequencing (WGS) that will offer a comprehensive analysis of the cheetah's entire DNA, enabling the identification of genetic variations that may have led to disease or increased disease risk, eventually leading to its extinction." This scientific project aims to revive cheetahs that closely match the original Indian species. It will also help researchers understand the animal's history and the factors that led to its disappearance. Earlier studies had already isolated mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from both Indian and African cheetahs, allowing researchers to compare and study their genetic differences. History Of Cheetah's Extinction In India Cheetahs were once widely found across India. Cave paintings dating back to the Neolithic age in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh make it evident that cheetahs were once found across the country, particularly in central India, where they roamed semi-desert areas, scrub jungles, and grasslands. Throughout history, cheetahs had a special place in the hearts of kings and nobles. The first cheetah to be bred in captivity anywhere in the world was in India, during the time of Mughal emperor Jahangir in the 16th century. His father, Akbar, wrote that there were 10,000 cheetahs during his reign, including 1,000 in his court. The charm of the cheetah extended beyond the hunt, as they were tamed and domesticated. They were known as loyal companions to their royal masters. The fortune of Cheetahs nosedived during the colonial rule. The British viewed cheetahs as a threat to their livestock and game species and placed bounties on their heads. The administration actively hunted cheetahs and gave rewards to people who captured or killed them. In the 19th century, the population of cheetahs experienced a steep decline. The population went down from around 10,000 to just a few hundred. The British colonial administration's practice of rewarding people for killing cheetahs between 1870 and 1925 was a major contributor. On average, 1.2 cheetahs were killed each year. By the middle of the 20th century, cheetahs were on the verge of extinction, as per the Outlook report. Unfortunately, the cheetah population met a tragic end in 1947 when Maharaja Ramanuj Pratap Singh Deo of Koriya, Surguja, in Chhattisgarh, hunted and shot the last three known Asiatic cheetahs in the country. With the death of the last cheetah, the once-thriving population was reduced to zero. The Indian government officially declared the species extinct in 1952. No legal consequences were taken for the one responsible for their extinction. 'The environment is very unfit for the survival of cheetahs in today's time. Not only did India kill the native cheetahs, but now they are also bringing cheetahs from other countries but are unable to protect them. Disturbing animals and displacing them from their natural habitat cannot bring back the cheetah population. If we couldn't save our native cheetahs, then at least we must not try to make cheetahs from other countries on the verge of extinction," Nagarjun, who works at the Wildlife and Rescue Centre, told Outlook. First Published: News explainers How Scientists Plan To Bring Back Indian Cheetahs With Gene Technology | Explained
