Latest news with #KFRI
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
Game-changer virus developed by Kerala Forest Research Institute can help save teak plantations
A revolutionary technology developed by the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) can transform the way teak plantations are protected from their most notorious pest – the teak defoliator moth (Hyblaea puera). The institute has successfully identified, mass-produced and patented a naturally occurring virus, Hyblaea puera Nucleopolyhedrosis Virus (HpNPV), which causes lethal infection in the pest larvae and prevents widespread defoliation of teak trees. For decades, the teak defoliator has wreaked havoc in plantations, stripping entire forests of their foliage up to six times a year, weakening trees and causing significant loss in timber yield. 'When the larvae attack, the tree spends its energy regenerating leaves instead of growing. It's a huge invisible loss,' explains T.V. Sajeev, Principal Scientist at KFRI. Conventional control methods such as aerial spraying of chemical pesticides were tried — at Konni in Kerala and Barnavappara in Madhya Pradesh — inviting protests due to environmental concerns. The KFRI even presented a paper at the 1980 Forestry Conference at Dehradun titled 'The problem of teak defoliator: to spray or not to spray?' Economic loss KFRI's sustained research showed that the economic loss due to teak defoliators is staggering: an estimated 3 cubic metres of wood per hectare annually, translating to ₹562.5 crore loss in Kerala and ₹12,525 crore in India. The institute screened the pest's natural enemies and zeroed in on HpNPV, a virus that is entirely host-specific, targeting only the teak defoliator larvae, and thus completely safe for the forest ecosystem. 'The beauty of the virus is in how it works,' said Mr. Sajeev. 'It multiplies at least a trillion times inside a single larva. When the body breaks open, it releases huge quantities of inoculum. Even if the infection is sub-lethal, the virus stays in the insect, gets passed on to the next generation, and proves lethal then.' With a clear understanding of the pest's life cycle, HpNPV can be applied during early-stage outbreaks to prevent larger infestations. Field trials at Nilambur in Malappuram, seen as India's cradle of teak, were a success. KFRI has already transferred the know-how for outbreak monitoring and virus application to the Forest department. 'Now it's up to the department to formally adopt the technology,' said Mr. Sajeev. Export potential What makes this innovation more significant is that many of the 64 countries now cultivating teak — from its native range of just four (India, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand) — have banned chemical pesticide use. This opens up a massive export potential for the eco-friendly HpNPV technology. KFRI will showcase the HpNPV solution at the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) R&D Summit 2025, to be held on August 7 in Thiruvananthapuram, positioning it as a scalable, sustainable model for forestry management across the globe.
The Hindu
01-08-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Bamboo on your plate: KFRI brings a nutritious forest treasure to everyday diet
A crunchy, nutrient-rich revolution is under way, and it is rooted deep in Kerala's forests. The Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) has developed bamboo shoot-based flakes and powder, a step that could bring one of nature's most overlooked superfoods to kitchen shelves across the country. Bamboo shoots, long cherished in the cuisines of Northeast India and Southeast Asia, are now being given a new form for South Indian palates, thanks to the efforts of a team led by R. Jayaraj, Principal Scientist at KFRI. 'The goal is not just nutritional innovation, but also creating value-added products that are sustainable and farmer-friendly,' according to Dr. Jayaraj. The products are made from tender bamboo shoots (locally called mulan koombu), which are harvested, processed to remove moisture, and then converted into flakes and powder without losing their natural nutritional profile. Rich in vitamins, proteins, minerals, and low in fat, these bamboo products support digestion and help regulate body weight, according to the scientists. High fibre content With their mild flavour and texture, bamboo flakes and powder can be blended into bakery items like biscuits, breads, and healthy snacks. What's more, the high fibre content and nutritional properties make it an excellent dietary addition for health-conscious consumers. But despite their promise, these products are still in their early stages of market penetration. Lack of awareness among public about the nutritional properties of the product is a challenge. The scientists also face the hurdles in raw material sourcing and lack of commercial-scale partners to take this forward. However, the potential for rural impact is enormous. Commercialising bamboo-based food products could open new income streams for bamboo cultivators, particularly in tribal and forest-adjacent communities. The KFRI believes this innovation could also boost bamboo cultivation in Kerala. At conclave As part of its push to scale the initiative, the KFRI will present these bamboo-based products at an upcoming Research and Development conclave hosted by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment on August 7 in Thiruvananthapuram. In a world turning toward nature for answers to modern health problems, bamboo may soon go from forest floor to dining table, ushering in a greener, healthier tomorrow.
The Hindu
12-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Otter threat lurks on Kottayam's riverbanks
The threat from large reptiles like crocodiles is well known, but as residents across Kottayam are now discovering, danger in the water isn't always measured by size. The number of otters in the Meenachil river and its tributaries has reached alarming proportions, instilling fear among those living along the banks. With an increasing number of otter bite incidents being reported, residents are now urging the government to take immediate steps to control their population. Most affected areas The situation is especially dire in regions such as Vijayapuram, Kumarakom, Aymanam, Arpookkara, Thiruvathukkal, Kottayam town, and Thazhathangadi. A recent incident in Velur near Kottayam has brought the issue into stark focus. Nisani, 53, wife of Ibrahimkutty from Kalayamkary, Panampady in Velur, died after being bitten by a large otter while washing clothes near her home. Although her death is suspected to have been caused by a heart attack following an anti-rabies injection, the incident has left riverside residents terrified. Since then, routine activities like washing clothes or utensils in the river have become fraught with fear. Beyond posing a danger to human safety, the ballooning otter population has wreaked havoc on local fish farmers. Despite installing protective nets around their ponds, farmers report significant losses as otters, often attacking in groups, breach defences and consume large quantities of fish. Once a rare sight, otters are now commonly seen navigating the waterways, particularly in stretches between Poovathumood and Vattamood bridges and around Parampuzha. Forest officials have also confirmed an increase in otter activity along the Meenachil river and nearby streams, especially during the animals' breeding season when they become more aggressive. Why population surge The otter is classified as a 'vulnerable' species on the IUCN Red List, making poaching a punishable offense. According to experts, the rise in otter populations across riverine systems can largely be attributed to the absence of natural predators. 'Until around 2000, hunting groups from Andhra Pradesh would visit Kerala's waterbodies in search of otters. But with the tightening of wildlife conservation laws, that practice came to an abrupt end,' noted A. Jaison, former head of Wildlife Biology at the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI). 'Most practical solution' Otters inhabit rivers with dense bankside vegetation, marshes, and rocky areas. While manipulation of habitats could serve as a temporary deterrent, Dr. Jaison recommends trapping as the only currently viable option for population control. 'Capturing and relocating the animals might be the most practical solution,' he said. Aby Iype, district general secretary of the Karshaka Congress, has urged the government to officially classify otters as vermin. 'The otter menace is a serious threat not just to human life, but also to the livelihoods of those involved in aquaculture,' he pointed out.
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
‘Third-party impact assessment needed for NH projects'
A public convention organised by the Kerala Samsthana Janakeeya Prathirodha Samithi on the condition of the newly constructed national highway across the State called for a third-party impact assessment of major projects such as national highways. T.V. Sajeev, a scientist associated with the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), who inaugurated the convention, pointed out that an impact assessment study is often carried out by agencies appointed by the contractors in their favour, thereby defeating the purpose of such studies. The convention, held at the Sports Council Hall in Kozhikode on Saturday (July 5), brought together several experts in the fields of environment, construction, and geology to brainstorm solutions to the problems at hand. 'The topography of Kerala cannot support the kind of construction typically carried out in other States, where there is enough vacant space. This State is narrow, densely populated, and extremely sensitive,' said Mr. Sajeev. He alleged that land acquisition and the destruction of large trees had contributed to the recurring outbreaks of Nipah infection in the State. 'Around 75,000 large trees were cut down for the widening of National Highway 66. The bats that lived on these trees had to migrate to the nearest available habitat, often trees in house compounds. The overpopulation of bats in a single tree weakens some of them, making it easier for parasites in them to perform a 'species jump,'' Mr. Sajeev said. He also pointed out that the huge wall constructed in the North-South direction in the form of the National Highway, prevented the free flow of rainwater from the mountains to the sea, though the distance is very short. 'We faced a flood in 2018 before the NH widening. The situation would be worse if we had rain of that intensity once again', he added. Geologist Radhakrishnan Kinattinkara highlighted the characteristics of laterite soil, which absorbs rainwater like a sponge. However, only the upper layer is structurally strong, while the underlying layer is mushy. 'When laterite hills are cut perpendicularly, the mushy layer is exposed. It oozes water and cannot hold on its own, ultimately leading to collapse,' he said. Mr. Radhakrishnan said that the rock formation in Kerala is over 35 million years old and should be treated as geological monuments worthy of preservation. He added that the damage caused by the highway project could have been minimised if it had been constructed on viaducts rather than on embankments. Noted environmentalists and activists, including Sreedhar Radhakrishnan, Joseph C. Mathew, Hashim Chendambilli, N. Subramanian, S. Rajeevan, and N.V. Balakrishnan, participated in the discussions. The convention demanded that the State government appoint an expert committee to conduct a comprehensive study on the condition of the National Highway.
New Indian Express
05-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Man-animal strife: Seeking answers in the bountiful repository of tribal wisdom in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Did you know that stones pelted by women don't scare away monkeys or that bears that return to a spot three-four times suggest that they are feeling threatened and are likely to attack? That one can read elephant behaviour from the manner in which it folds its trunk or sways its ears? That rotten sardines can keep animals away? Such seemingly obscure nuggets of information have long been part of tribal wisdom. Cashing in on this, a rich repository of traditional tribal wisdom is being documented in the state as part of the collaborative effort of the state forest department and the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI). The project has assumed greater importance at a time when Kerala has been witnessing an increase in human-wildlife conflict; and its widespread ramifications — both social and political — are being felt across the state. Pushed to the wall, the forest department came up with the novel initiative to tap into the traditional wisdom of forest-dwelling communities that have long lived in peaceful co-existence with wildlife. The fact that a few indigenous people also lost their lives in recent attacks has made it all the more pertinent to cash in on such indigenous knowledge that is part and parcel of tribal lives. Thus took shape Gothrabheri, one of ten missions proposed to address human-wildlife conflict in the state. Envisaged as a learning initiative, it's being undertaken by KFRI with funding from the forest department. Senior forest officer Raju Francis who coordinated the conceptualisation of Gothrabheri had, in his own words, a truly enriching experience in the course of having spent hours with hamlet chiefs in this regard.
