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Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
India-US trade deal and farm produce import
As the India–US trade deal is under discussion and there are expectations that the US is trying to push their farm produce to India, the social media is very busy with misleading forwards on GM Corn. There is a need for clarity. One misconception is that the US is trying to push imports of GM Corn seeds. If the US wants India to import GM Corn or GM Soy, or GM animal feed, it does not mean that they are pushing GM seeds into India. The discussion is about the import of grain and not seed. So, the imaginary fears of high seed prices, royalties, seed system dependence, patents, monopoly and export brand image are irrelevant. Safety of GM food and feed items to human and animal health is the only subject that needs to be considered. Regulator for GM crops, GEAC under the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MOEF), is perfectly capable of assessing the safety of GM Corn, Soy and Animal feeds. The Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is capable of formulating suitable guidelines for trade. GM Corn and GM Soy, introduced in 1996, are being cultivated in 68 m ha (30% of total Corn area) and 105 m ha (50% of total Soy area), respectively, around the world. In the US itself, nearly 330 m tons of GM Corn is produced for domestic consumption and export purposes. GM Corn and GM Soy are being consumed in a large number of countries, including Europe. India's annual consumption of GM cotton oil is 1.1 m tons and the consumption of GM Cotton meal by animals has been 8 m tons for more than 20 years. We consume about 55 thousand tons of imported GM Canola oil annually. There is no reported incidence of health issues linked to the consumption of GM foods in the world in the last 29 years since their introduction. Multiple agencies like ISAAA and Biofortified have shown in extensive studies and diverse analyses that in all these years of GM cultivation, there have been no reports of adverse health effects on humans or animals, reiterating the substantial equivalence of GM with conventional crops. 1785 studies on GMO safety are available on the informalhealthcase website. The European Union report, based on 130 research projects conducted over 25 years and involving more than 500 independent research groups, concluded that GM crops were as safe as the conventionally bred ones. In its affidavit filed with the Supreme Court in the GM Mustard case, MOEF stated, 'India is already importing and consuming oil derived from GM crops. Opposition to such technology based on unfounded fears of adverse impact is only hurting farmers, consumers and industry'. So, the safety of GM foods should not be a concern for consumers. The only aspect the Government has to monitor is if there is any negative impact of such imports on the domestic prices of corn and soybeans. We all agree that there should be no adverse impact on the prices realised by our corn and soy farmers. Demand for corn is going up rapidly due to increasing consumption of poultry feed and for the production of bioethanol. According to the Union Agriculture Minister, India produces about 42.28 million tons of Corn now, and it is planned to take this to 86 million tons by 2047. Our corn yields at 3.5 tons/ha are lower than the world average of 5.75 tons/ha. The demand is growing by 8% per annum, outstripping production and is expected to reach more than 86 m tons by 2047. We have to increase yields to be competitive. If we have to accept the demand to import GM Corn from the US, then we should negotiate for something in return that India wants to export to the US. We can import GM Corn from the US and channelise it exclusively for ethanol production, thereby minimising the impact on local prices of Corn. We don't have to accept the US demand for the import of Corn. If we have to reject it, let us reject it for the right economic reasons. Not because it is GM. However, importing GM Corn and benefiting the US farmers would be a great disservice to our own farmers. Ideally, the Government should approve GM Corn and GM Soy cultivation in India through a well-thought-out strategy and regulatory process. If we do not equip our farmers with the latest and best technologies available in the world, we are putting them at a disadvantage compared to other farmers. Unfounded fears propagated by vested interests have already delayed the introduction of modern GM traits in crops for 20 years, causing irreparable damage to the interests of our farmers. It is time to use scientific facts and counter the malicious social media forwards being propagated by vested interests. Technology deployment policies of the Nation should be decided by progressive governments based on scientific assessment by the regulatory bodies. They can not be decided based on campaigns being run on social media by those whose sworn objective is GM-free India. Governments have to decide what is good for the farmer, the consumer and the environment. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Hans India
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Govt puts Kumurambheem Conservation Reserve proposal on hold
Hyderabad: The Govt puts Kumurambheem Conservation Reserve proposal on hold Government of Telangana has temporarily suspended the proposed Kumurambheem Conservation Reserve, pending further orders. This decision was communicated through a memo issued by the Environment, Forests, Science & Technology (EFS&T) Department on Monday. The conservation reserve was established to create a vital tiger corridor connecting the Kawal Tiger Reserve in Telangana with the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. This initiative aims to enhance tiger conservation and improve habitat connectivity. It was officially notified through Government Order Ms. No. 49 on May 30, 2025. However, based on recommendations from the District Collector of Kumuram Bheem Asifabad, the EFS&T Department has decided to put this notification on hold. Ahmad Nadeem, Principal Secretary to the Government, issued the directive in response to concerns raised from the district, indicating that the state is reevaluating some operational and administrative implications of the corridor designation. It followed a letter from the Collector dated July 11, 2025, which likely outlined potential challenges related to land use, tribal rights, or ecological balance. However, on the other hand, conservation experts emphasised that while connectivity between protected areas is vital for maintaining healthy tiger populations, such proposals must also consider local socio-economic factors and encourage community engagement.
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
GO 49 to create new tiger conservation reserve kept in abeyance over Adivasi concerns
The State government on Monday (July 21) declared that the proposal to create Kumurambheem Conservation Reserve — tiger corridor area connecting Kawal Tiger Reserve in Telangana and Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra — is being kept in abeyance. The State government's decision comes in the wake of concerns raised by tribals and public representatives across tribal areas and detailed discussions held with various stakeholders. The GO.49 dated May 30, 2025, issued by Environment, Forests, Science & Technology department, potentially displaces tribal residents in more than 330 villages from their traditional habitat and restricts their forest rights and livelihoods. It aims at converting 1.49 lakh hectares across multiple forest ranges in Kumurambheem-Asifabad district, including Asifabad, Kerameri, Rebbena, Tiryani, Kagaznagar, Sirpur, Karjelli, Bejjur, and Penchikalpet into the 'Kumurambheem Conservation Reserve' as an extension to Kawal Tiger Reserve. Adivasi organisations who led sustained protests had maintained that the order was violative of their rights as per Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act, 1996, that aims at empowering tribal communities in the country's Scheduled Areas. The government, sensing widespread protests, called for a report from the District Collector to address the situation comprehensively. Later, the situation was also studied and reviewed by Minister for Forests Konda Surekha, Adilabad District In-charge Minister Jupally Krishna Rao and Minister for Panchayat Raj Dansari Anasuya. According to officials, the findings and recommendations were submitted to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy by the District Collector on July 11, and the decision to withhold the order until further notice followed on Monday. Ms. Surekha stated: 'Congress government is people's government. We will never take any decision that harms the rights or livelihoods of Adivasis and tribal communities. The concerns of the local people have been heard, and action has been taken accordingly. The welfare of every citizen, especially our tribal brothers and sisters, remains our top priority.'
Indian Express
15-07-2025
- Indian Express
Tigress, 4 cubs poisoned with carbofuran pesticide in Karnataka: Probe
Traces of toxic pesticide were found in the samples of a tigress and her four cubs, Chief Conservator of Forests T Heeralal has said. The samples and viscera from the deceased tigers were analysed at the Forensic Science Laboratory and Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals Laboratory to determine the exact cause of death, Heeralal said Monday. The state government on Monday also suspended Y Chakrapani, Deputy Conservator of Forests, MM Hills wildlife division. Earlier, the Karnataka government had suspended Assistant Conservator of Forests Gajanana Hegde of M M Hills Wildlife Division, and Range Forest Officer-cum-Surveyor Madesh. The government order said the salaries for outsourced employees were not disbursed for March, April and May, 2025, leading to a protest by watchers in front of the DCF office on 23 June. The order said that the officers have failed to perform their basic duty of ensuring timely payment of wages to watchers, even though the funds were made available at the end of April, 2025. According to the investigation, the tigress had hunted a cow and dragged it into the forest. Miscreants deliberately sprayed carbofuran, an odorless and highly toxic pesticide, on the carcass and after the tiger family consumed it, they succumbed to the lethal substance, Heeralal said. Three persons identified as Konappa, Madaraju, and Nagaraj, all residents of Koppa village within the MM Hills sanctuary, were arrested on June 29 and charged under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and the Karnataka Forest Act 1963. The breakthrough came after Shivanna, the father of the Madaraju, during questioning revealed the involvement of three persons, including his son. Madaraju initially fled after his father's arrest but was later arrested through Shivanna's cooperation. According to a police officer, the tigress and her cubs were killed in retaliation following tiger attacks on cattle. The accused deliberately sprayed pesticide on a cattle carcass, said the officer. The Karnataka forest department had formed a high-level inquiry committee led by B P Ravi, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, and gave it 14 days to submit a comprehensive report. The Union Environment Ministry had also formed an SIT to probe into the incident.
Hindustan Times
12-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Leopard found dead in Karnataka's BRT reserve, suspected poisoning triggers probe
A male leopard was found dead at a stone quarry near Kothalavadi village in Karnataka's Biligiri Ranganatha (BRT) Tiger Reserve, forest officials said on Saturday. The incident has raised serious concerns over potential wildlife poisoning in the protected area. (Representational Image) According to news agency PTI, the incident has raised serious concerns over potential wildlife poisoning in the protected area. The leopard, estimated to be around five to six years old, was discovered on Thursday alongside the carcasses of a dog and a calf, prompting officials to suspect that the animal may have died after consuming poisoned bait. Also read: 'I'd speak English in Bengaluru, not Kannada': Viral post says no point learning languages of poor economies 'Preliminary evidence suggests poisoning. A post-mortem has been conducted, and we've collected samples for forensic analysis,' said a senior forest department official. The samples have been sent to a laboratory in Mysuru for examination, and authorities have registered a case and launched an investigation. Forest officials are awaiting the lab results to confirm the cause of death and identify those responsible, if foul play is established. This incident comes shortly after another wildlife tragedy in the region, the death of a tigress and her four cubs in the Hugyam range of the Male Mahadeshwara Hills (MM Hills) on June 26. That case also raised concerns about the safety of big cats in Karnataka's forest reserves. Following this, Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre suspended two officials for negligence and dereliction of duty in connection with the 'unnatural death' of five tigers. The minister has also recommended the suspension of Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Y Chakrapani in connection with the issue, they said. Following the incident, authorities arrested three individuals, including the cow's owner, who allegedly poisoned the cow's carcass, suspected of causing the tigers' deaths. Khandre's decision came after reviewing the preliminary report submitted by a high-level inquiry committee headed by Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF) Kumar Pushkar, which was set up to probe the incident. Also Read: 'Difficult to find a chair': DK Shivakumar's remark sparks buzz in Karnataka amid Siddaramaiah's full-term pledge
