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To: IPRNG@...
From: pankajoudhia@...
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 14:07:53 +0000
Subject: [IPRNG] FW: Jatropha harmful for kids

'Jatropha harmful for kids'

Indo-Asian News Service
Raipur, May 08, 2008
First Published: 12:31 IST(8/5/2008)
Last Updated: 12:59 IST(8/5/2008)



The jatropha plant, a rich source of bio-fuel that is being grown on a
large scale in Chhattisgarh, can harm the soil and aquatic life, cause
skin cancer and even affect the brain of children if accidentally
consumed, claims a scientist.

"Researchers found in 1987 itself that jatropha oil contains
tumour-promoting substances," Pankaj Oudhia, a Raipur-based
agricultural scientist, told IANS.

"People across the world know that jatropha oil is harmful for the
skin. This is the reason why it is also known as 'Hell oil'," said
Oudhia, who has done extensive research on jatropha. "Many Indian
states are planting jatropha in school compounds and near human
population. An increasing number of accidental feeding cases indicate
that planners have failed to make people aware about its toxicity" -
Pankaj Oudhia, scientist.

"Unfortunately, jatropha seeds are liked by children and cases of
accidental feeding have been reported from several countries. In the
past few months, hundreds of cases have been reported from different
parts of India. In Meerut (in Uttar Pradesh), over 50 children were
recently hospitalised due to jatropha poisoning," the scientist said.

"The ongoing large-scale jatropha plantation is becoming a curse for
rural children. Two of its seeds are like a strong purgative. Four to
five seeds can cause death," warned Oudhia, who is also affiliated to
the Medicinal Plant Working Group, North America.

Jatropha is considered a wonder plant that produces seeds with an oil
content of 37 percent. The oil can be combusted as fuel without being
refined. Experts say jatropha is a hardy plant, which can also be
grown in wastelands.

Several Indian states have been cultivating jatropha on a mass-scale
to extract bio-diesel to replace high cost fossil fuel. Chhattisgarh
has planted about 400 million saplings in wastelands over the last
couple of years, said S.K. Shukla, executive director of Chhattisgarh
Bio-fuel Development Authority.

According to Oudhia, the plant has negative effects on the soil, flora
and fauna as well.

"Jatropha is a poisonous weed and is harmful for soil, especially in
the case of monoculture. Research has shown that jatropha has harmful
effects on Indian crops like pigeon pea. Large-scale plantation may
also have a negative impact on soil," he cautioned.

"Jatropha monoculture has been termed as a future natural disaster by
environmentalists."

Oudhia added that the wastelands where jatropha plantation is in
progress in several Indian states supports billions of micro-flora and
fauna. And if they were harmed, it would have a negative impact on the
ecosystem.

"Many Indian states are planting jatropha in school compounds and near
human population. An increasing number of accidental feeding cases
indicate that planners have failed to make people aware about its
toxicity," he pointed out.

The scientist said that planting jatropha near water sources was
hazardous for indigenous fish species too.

Oudhia said that the fumes of jatropha seed oil could also be unsafe
for inhaling. "Chhattisgarh villagers use jatropha oil fumes as insect
repellent and always cover their nose to avoid inhalation," he said.

"Jatropha planners claim that the fumes are safe but there is no
scientific study available on this aspect. There is a need for
long-term studies on its impact on human beings, livestock and plants
before giving the green signal for its large scale plantation and use
as bio-diesel," he stressed.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=0f029e0d-89ef-4dd7-b1ed-70f3ea888a7c&&Headline='Jatropha+harmful+for+kids'