Why Karanj is better than Jatropha?
Article By Pankaj Oudhia
(Originally published in Krishi Amtrit ,Kota in Hindi).


Continuous increase in demand of petroleum products has encouraged
the experts to search new alternatives of petroleum products. It is
the result of their search that today we are having many alternatives
of petroleum products. There are many alternatives in the name of Bio-
diesel. India has also taken initiative in this field and today the
whole world is looking to the Indian's bio-diesel plans. The Indian
experts have identified many plants that can be used as source to Bio-
diesel. For different agro-climatic situations they have suggested
different types of plants. But ignoring these recommendations every
where the promotion of single species Jatropha is in progress. No one
is thinking about other alternatives. Although in media the name of
Jatropha is in top but in fact its nearer relative Karanj (Pogamia
pinnata) is having immense potential as bio-diesel plant. And for
real development the promotion of Karanj is must. From scientific
point of view Karanj is far better than Jatropha.

Very few people know that Jatropha is exotic plant .It is native to
Tropical America. Karanj is native plant and it is present in our
homeland since generations. The modern research have proved it that
the introduction of new component in any ecosystem affects the life
of each and every component from top to bottom i.e. from other plants
to microorganisms. Jatropha is known as plant having dominating
nature. This plant is rich in allelochemicals. This is the reason the
traditional healers of Chhattisgarh have named it as Raja Van (King
Plant) .It suppresses the growth of other plants. Due to its
aggressive nature and harmful impact on flora it is declared as
problematic weed in many countries. There is no such problem from
Karanj. Karanj is an integral part of our ecosystem and it supports
the growth of many plants as well as microorganisms in nature.

Jatropha is poisonous plant. This is the reason that there is a
recommendation of its plantation in places far from human population.
Jatropha is a big danger for small children. They like its tasty
seeds very much. Four seeds are enough to take the life. Not only in
India but also in African countries where Jatropha was planted
decades back the scientific literatures are full of information
regarding Jatropha poisoning specially poisoning in small children.
Today the authorities are planning for Jatropha plantation in
millions of hectares. Please think how we will be able to protect our
children from this toxic plant? On the other side all plant parts of
Karanj possess valuable medicinal properties. The reference
literatures related to different systems of medicine in India
specially related to Ayurveda are full of miraculous therapeutic
properties of Karanj. Then why we are ignoring this useful tree?

The research in Thailand initially and later around the world have
now proved that Jatropha oil can cause skin cancer. Its chemicals are
having tumor promoting properties. Prestigious cancer journal of
Japan has published many research papers on this aspect. The planners
are encouraging Indian farmers to cultivate Jatropha and extract the
seed oil for use at their farm. It will increase the chance of
contact with seed oil and more and more farmers will get affected by
this oil. On the other side the seed oil of Karanj is used in
treatment of skin troubles. In many parts of India the traditional
healers use Karanj oil in treatment of cancer. It is really
surprising that why the planners are hiding the bare fact about
Jatropha oil?

Are you aware that what will be the effects of Jatropha seed oil
fumes when our vehicles will run from this oil? No body knows. Even
our planners are not aware of it. Without conducting systematic
trials on its impact on humanbeings, animals and environment health
the planners have decided to promote its plantation in thousands of
acres. The initial research works conducted in many parts of the
world have revealed that biodiesl like Jatropha can cause lung
related troubles if fumes are inhaled. On the other side the fumes of
Kanaj seed oil are used in treatment of many diseases. Please think
seriously why our planners want to pollute our environment with
Jatropha fumes?

In general Jatropha starts giving commercial production three years
after the planting. In case of Karanj there is no need to wait for
three long years. Millions of Karanj trees are already present in
India. We have not to invest millions of rupees for its plantation.
The seed collection procedure will generate much employment
opportunities. The planners are claiming that Jatropha plantation
will generate much employment but seeing its harms to public health
it is not advisable from any angle to promote its plantation.

Neither Jatropha nor Karanj seed oil will be used as pure diesel. It
will be added in small amount in conventional diesel. The
international experts have accepted that Jatropha biodiesel is very
costly than the conventional diesel and to reduce the cost they are
asking for subsidy. Karanj biodiesl is far cheap, ecofriendly and
safe.

Most of the Jatropha promoters are talking about ten years plan for
Jatropha biodiesel project. Their primary aim is to plant Jatropha in
commercial scale. They are not much interested in Karanj because
there is no chances of purchase the plants. In many states where
Jatropha is under promotion the corruption in purchasing of Jatropha
is in peak. Most of the planners have to earn from Jatropha planting
material business. Very few are thinking of using the oil as
biodiesel. They have no worry about the environment. After earning
from this business they will forget the Jatropha like other exotic
herbs like Lantana, Water Hyacinth, Ipomoea carnea ,Eucalyptus etc..