Bare Facts about Death Carrying Seeds of Ratanjot (Jatropha curcas).
By Pankaj Oudhia

(Originally published in Ahimsak Kheti,March,2005 in Hindi.)


The researchers of Thailand were much worried about the increasing
number of patients having skin cancer. They were trying to list out
the root causes. After much effort and research they listed out many
causes. Jatropha was one of these causes. Jatropha was under
promotion in Thailand. The seed oil of Jatropha possesses tumor-
promoting substances. When this oil comes in contact with human skin
there are chances of skin cancer. The researchers of Thailand
conducted detailed research on this aspect and published the research
paper titled "Presence of Tumor promoter in the seed oil of Jatropha
curcas from Thailand "in prestigious Japanese Journal of Cancer
Research. The research finding have alerted the countries having
natural population of Jatropha. The Agricultural experts of these
countries were already declared Jatropha as obnoxious weed. They were
aware of Allelopathic potential of Jatropha on native herbs specially
medicinal herbs. The research finding from Thailand motivated them to
keep Jatropha far from human and cattle population. Today most of the
countries around the world are adopting these rules strictly but in
the world there is a country where Jatropha is under promotion. The
authorities are promoting its plantation not only in wastelands but
also in school compounds and near ponds. Jatropha has been planted in
hundreds of acres and the future plan is to plant it in millions of
acres. Unfortunately this country is India and few planners are
causing great harm to the future of millions of native people.

Jatropha, also known as Ratanjot, is under promotion as biodiesel
crop. The environment experts and agricultural researchers are not
unanimous in its large-scale plantation. Most of them are in favor of
small-scale trial before the large-scale plantation. They are also in
favor of taking opinions from the people about this large-scale
plantation. But ignoring these suggestions the Jatropha plantation is
in progress. The farmers are advised by planners to plant Jatropha,
extract the oil in their farm, use it and sell it to others. Other
countries are warning their farmers to keep distance from Jatropha
and in India the authorities are suggesting the farmers to extract
the oil and use it. This extraction and using will increase the
chance of contact with seed oil with skin. Whether our planners are
not aware of this fact? Thousands of articles have been written on
Jatropha but you will never find the bare facts about Jatropha oil
and its details in these articles. Why the planners are hiding this
fact? The environment experts are seeing this large-scale plantation
as potential curse for coming generation. There are much chances that
the cancer patients will increase in future, as the Jatropha
promotion will increase. The planners are not bothering it? They have
yet not got the punishment for their mistakes committed earlier. This
is the reason that they are implementing the plan without any
hesitation. When our countrymen will face the curse of skin cancer
these planners would be engaged in planning of new hazardous projects
like Jatropha promotion.

When I tried to ask the planners about the effect of Jatropha oil
fumes on human health many of them replied that they have never
considered this objection. Never considered??. Without any systematic
field trials especially in India how authorities have given
permission for this large-scale promotion of Jatropha?


For the first time Jatropha was introduced in country many decades
back. The rural natives aware of its harmful effects threw away from
fields and this is the reason you will find wasteland population of
Jatropha in many parts of India. This wasteland population has
extended to dense forests in many regions and posing threat to native
flora. If you visit to these areas and try to touch the Jatropha
plants the local people will warn you "Jhun Chhube, Mar Jabe" (Don't
touch, It will kill you). The rural people as well as the modern
researchers of other countries are aware of its harmful effects on
health but our planners are ignoring this bitter as well as bare
fact. They are asking of proof. Without seeing thousands deaths they
will not change their plan. These planners have typical answer for
such objections that it is a business of some people to oppose
everything. We want to eliminate the poverty.

Well Said !!! It seems that they want to eliminate the poverty by
eliminating (killing) the poor. Jab Garib Hi Nahi Rahenge to Garibi
Kaha Rahegi.