Should Chhattisgarh grow jatropha?
http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/113032/1/#top

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.

Makkar, H.P.S.; Becker, K.:
Jatropha curcas toxicity: Identification of toxic principle(s).
In: Toxic Plants and Other Natural Toxicants. Hrsg.: Garland, T.;
Barr, A.C.. New York: CAB International, 1998, S. 554-558


http://www.uni-hohenheim.de/i3ve/00068900/20405041.htm

Some hot discussions on Jatropha

http://forums.biodieselnow.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6144

regards
Pankaj Oudhia

--- In jatropha@..., ffda india <ffdaindia@y...> wrote:
> Dear friends
>
> I want to learnt some basic things on Jatropha. Please reply with
very simple way by which a lay man can understand. Presently I am
studying as I am complete ignorant about the issue.
>
> What is Jatropha?
>
> Its existence....and where it is avialble now?
>
> How it affects bio-diversity? Please also define bio-diversity and
ecological democracy?
>
> In Chhattisgarh Context, What is the situation of Jatropha and its
effect< both positive and negative.
>
> Subash Mohapatra
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Forum for Fact-finding Documentation and Advocay
> A-3, Shahni Vihar, Telibandha Ring Road No.1
> P.O.:Ravigram, Raipur Chhattisgarh 492 006
> India
> Tel: 91 771 622587
> Fax: 91 771 622587
> E-mail: ffdaindia@y...
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
> http://mail.yahoo.com

More links posted by our members

http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/jatropha/files/


regards
Pankaj Oudhia

--- In jatropha@..., ffda india <ffdaindia@y...> wrote:
> Dear friends
>

Here are some useful links

Jatropha Cultivation and Promotion in India: Some Observations.
http://botanical.com/site/column_poudhia/publish/journal.cgi?
folder=journal&next=11317

Plannings of few problems for generations.
http://www.humanscape.org/Contribute/plan.php

'Jatropha Fever' in Chhattisgarh, India. : My observations.
http://botanical.com/site/column_poudhia/publish/journal.cgi?
folder=journal&next=232


http://www.bbc.co.uk/hindi/regionalnews/story/2005/02/050220_ratanjot_
biofuel.sh\
tml

Jatropha takes root, worries flower

http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=60060

State Pulse Chhattisgarh: On a mission to promote Jatropha

http://www.centralchronicle.com/20041117/1711306.htm


http://www.humanscape.org/Contribute/karanj.php


Pankaj Oudhia


--- In jatropha@..., ffda india <ffdaindia@y...> wrote:
> Dear friends
>
> I want to learnt some basic things on Jatropha. Please reply with
very simple way by which a lay man can understand. Presently I am
studying as I am complete ignorant about the issue.
>
> What is Jatropha?
>
> Its existence....and where it is avialble now?
>
> How it affects bio-diversity? Please also define bio-diversity and
ecological democracy?
>
> In Chhattisgarh Context, What is the situation of Jatropha and its
effect< both positive and negative.
>
> Subash Mohapatra
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Forum for Fact-finding Documentation and Advocay
> A-3, Shahni Vihar, Telibandha Ring Road No.1
> P.O.:Ravigram, Raipur Chhattisgarh 492 006
> India
> Tel: 91 771 622587
> Fax: 91 771 622587
> E-mail: ffdaindia@y...
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
> http://mail.yahoo.com

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

Behad jaankariparak article.
Badhai aur dhanyavad!

Alok

Why Karanj is better than Jatropha? by Pankaj Oudhia

http://www.humanscape.org/Contribute/karanj.php

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..

Karanj Banam Jatropha : Desi Banam Videshi.
Pankaj Oudhia

Krishi Amrit,Kota, May,15,2005.

Jatropha curcas L. seeds: chemical analysis and toxicity

AA Amaral Liberalino, EA Bambirra, T Moraes-Santos - Arquivos de
Biologia e Tecnologia, 1988



Another evidence of Jatropha toxicity.

Jatropha curcas extract causes anaemia in rat
FS Oluwole, AF Bolarinwa - Phytotherapy Research, 1997


Evidence of Jatropha toxicity.

Thanks for your message.I will contact him.

regards
Pankaj Oudhia

--- In jatropha@..., "s.choudhary" <smitashu@g...>
wrote:
> Dear Pankaj,
>

Dear Pankaj,

re Tamilnadu, pls write to my friend and ex- BBC colleague Ram Subramanian
at ram181@.... He is quite high up in Jaya TV run by Chief
Minister Jayalalithaa and may be able to help.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------
Shubhranshu Choudhary                Freelance Journalist
Ph : + 91 98110 66749                   e mail : smitashu@...
http://36garh.notlong.com              http://smitashu.8m.net
----- Original Message -----
From: <jatropha@...>
To: <jatropha@...>
Sent: Saturday, May 21, 2005 2:28 PM
Subject: [jatropha] Digest Number 14


> There is 1 message in this issue.
>
> Topics in this digest:
>
>       1. Re: 'Say No To Jatropha ' campaign at Tamil Nadu
>            From: rina mukherji <rina_mukherji@...>
>
>
> ________________________________________________________________________
> ________________________________________________________________________
>
> Message: 1
>    Date: Fri, 20 May 2005 18:06:09 -0700 (PDT)
>    From: rina mukherji <rina_mukherji@...>
> Subject: Re: 'Say No To Jatropha ' campaign at Tamil Nadu
>
> Yes, many NGOs have started cultivating this as an alternative means of
enhancing the livelihood of tribal populations. The Palni Hills Conservation
Council working in Ooty has been doing so, and is proudly showing it as an
achievement. If any of ur people r there, do enlighten them abt what
Jatropha can do 2 their beautiful countryside.
>
> Rina Mukherji
>
> Pankaj Oudhia <pankajoudhia@...> wrote:
> Dear Group Members,
> In order to aware the politicians and media persons about the harmful
> aspects of Jatropha promotion in Indian state Tamil Nadu we are
> starting a special drive through all modern communication systems.
> The virgin red soil of this state is in danger as few greedy Jatropha
> promoters are planning for commercial cultivation of poisonous type
> of Jatropha. In fact the politicians and planners are not aware of
> bare facts about Jatropha. Our aim is to convince the authorites
> about the fact. We request you to give support and save Tamil Nadu
> from this poisonous exotic plant.
> The drive at other states are gaining momentum.
>
> Pankaj Oudhia
> 'Say No TO Jatropha' campaign
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>    To visit your group on the web, go to:
> http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/jatropha/
>
>    To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> jatropha-unsubscribe@...
>
>    Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Do you Yahoo!?
>  Read only the mail you want - Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard.
>
> [This message contained attachments]
>
>
>
> ________________________________________________________________________
> ________________________________________________________________________
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>

Dear Group Members,
In order to aware the politicians and media persons about the harmful
aspects of Jatropha promotion in Indian state Tamil Nadu we are
starting a special drive through all modern communication systems.
The virgin red soil of this state is in danger as few greedy Jatropha
promoters are planning for commercial cultivation of poisonous type
of Jatropha. In fact the politicians and planners are not aware of
bare facts about Jatropha. Our aim is to convince the authorites
about the fact. We request you to give support and save Tamil Nadu
from this poisonous exotic plant.
The drive at other states are gaining momentum.

Pankaj Oudhia
'Say No TO Jatropha' campaign

Very true Putul ji. This fight is very long.

regards
Pankaj Oudhia

--- In jatropha@..., "alok putul" <alokputul@r...>
wrote:
> Dear Pankaj jee,
>
> Satta aur paisa ke mad main choor raajnetaon se aur kya apeksha
rakhi jaa sakti hai! Ye aise log hain jo poori ki poori pidhiyon ko
nast kar dena chhahte hain.
> Haan, enke khilaf ladai zaari rahni chhahiye.
>
> Saadar
> alok
>
>
> ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
> Alok Prakash Putul
> DESHBANDHU COMPLEX, JARHABHATA
> BILASPUR 495 001
> CHHATTISGARH INDIA
>
> Cel-+91-94252 20625
> PH-+91-7752-509555(0)
> FAX-515173
> alokputul@r...

The first question.

Jatropha is exotic plant .It is mentioned clearly in reference
literautres and the researchers have also accepted it. If we are
having indigenous substitutes like Karanj than why we are going
for the large scale plantation of Jatropha? No study has been done
to know the impact of this plantation on our ecosystem. No one
knows up to what extent it will damage our ecosystem. Before
eating any thing you enquire much about it and only after getting
all information and getting satisfaction you eat it. In our
country Jatropha is under promotion without any
experimentation.Let first do the experiments, study the impact and
after that plant it in selected areas.

No one is ready to put the scientifc report .Every Jatropha
promoter is blindly supporting the Jatropha without any scientific
evidences. It is not fair.




  The second question.

Are Jatropha oil fumes are safe for human health? Whether the
Jatropha promoters have any scientifc report in support. If yes
please put it to the forum. The native bio-diesel plants like
Karnaj oil is beneficial for human health. In Ayurveda it is
mentioned that the fumes cure many health troubles. If we have
such useful plant why we are going for exotic plant like
Jatropha?

Third Question.


New Jatropha plant start giving real production three years after
the plantation. Although it gives seeds in one year but it is
avoided in order to get the higher production. For Jatropha the
authorites have to plant it in large scale, as they are
planning.On the other side we have native plants like Karanj that
is already present in our forest in millions number. We have to
just collect the seeds and use it to prepare the bio-diesel. The
collection of seed will generate much employment oppurtunities
specially among unemployed rural youth. Jatropha is having well
established harmful effects .On the other hand Karanj is Ayurvedic
plant . The Jatropha promotion will give benefit to some
politicians and Jatropha promoters (few of them are already in
discussion) .For the benefit of fistful people the fortune of all
Indians is in great danger.


Some BARE facts.

1.Jatropha is not an Indian plant.
2.Seed oil is having cancer promoting substances. Lot of scientifc
evidences are available.
3.Seeds are liked by children and as the Jatropha promotion is
increasing the incidences of poisoning are also increasing.
4. Jatropha is well known negative effects on native flora.The
studies done in Chhattisgarh confirmed it.
5. We have Karanj and Mahua as desi alternatives then why Jatropha
is underpromotion.
6. In over 30 countires including Austalia and USA Jatropha is
kept under the category of obnoxious weed.

Pankaj Oudhia
'Say No To Jatropha'campaign

Dear Pankaj jee,

Satta aur paisa ke mad main choor raajnetaon se aur kya apeksha rakhi jaa sakti hai! Ye aise log hain jo poori ki poori pidhiyon ko nast kar dena chhahte hain.
Haan, enke khilaf ladai zaari rahni chhahiye.

Saadar
alok

Dear Group Members,
In order to aware the politicians and media persons about the harmful
aspects of Jatropha promotion in Indian state Tamil Nadu we are
starting a special drive through all modern communication systems.
The virgin red soil of this state is in danger as few greedy Jatropha
promoters are planning for commercial cultivation of poisonous type
of Jatropha. In fact the politicians and planners are not aware of
bare facts about Jatropha. Our aim is to convince the authorites
about the fact. We request you to give support and save Tamil Nadu
from this poisonous exotic plant.
The drive at other states are gaining momentum.

Pankaj Oudhia
'Say No TO Jatropha' campaign

Gandhi, V. M., K. M. Cherian, et al. (1995). Toxicological studies on
Ratanjyot oil. Food and Chemical Toxicology 33(1): 39-42. {a}
Environmental Safety Lab., Hindustan Lever Ltd, Chakala, Andheri,
Bombay-400099, India

Another evidence showing relationship between Jatropha and cancer.

Hirota, M., M. Suttajit, et al. (1988). A new tumor promoter from the
seed oil of Jatropha curcas L., an intramolecular diester of 12-deoxy-
16-hydroxyphorbol. Cancer Research 48(20): 5800-5804.

Goonasekera, M. M., V. K. Gunawardana, et al. (1995). Pregnancy
terminating effect of Jatropha curcas in rats. Journal of
Ethnopharmacology 47(3): 117-123. {a} Dep. Preclin. Stud., Fac. Vet.
Med. Anim. Sci., Univ. Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Technical aspect of Press Release.

Few days back we read the news that in Chhattisgarh the honourable
CM's vehicle will run by Jatropha oil.From this release one can
understand that Jatropha oil is in use as complete substitute to
conventional diesel. But the reality is different.
Jatropha(Ratanjot) oil is blended in conventional diesel and
scientifc recommendation is 4-5 percent maximum (please note
maximum). In Chhattisgarh when I talked to the officials I got the
information that in CM's car Jatropha is added 8-9 percent of
total diesel. As it is not his own car one can dare to add more
Jatropha oil but the car companies know that higher addition means
higher risk of damage to the engine.

As researcher I feel that the truth of Jatropha must go to the
common person specially to media persons. That is why I am sending
this informatin.

regards
Pankaj Oudhia
'Say No To Jatropha' campaign

Technical aspect of Press Release.

Few days back we read the news that in Chhattisgarh the honourable
CM's vehicle will run by Jatropha oil.From this release one can
understand that Jatropha oil is in use as complete substitute to
conventional diesel. But the reality is different.
Jatropha(Ratanjot) oil is blended in conventional diesel and
scientifc recommendation is 4-5 percent maximum (please note
maximum). In Chhattisgarh when I talked to the officials I got the
information that in CM's car Jatropha is added 8-9 percent of
total diesel. As it is not his own car one can dare to add more
Jatropha oil but the car companies know that higher addition means
higher risk of damage to the engine.

As researcher I feel that the truth of Jatropha must go to the
common person specially to media persons. That is why I am sending
this informatin.

regards
Pankaj Oudhia
'Say No To Jatropha' campaign

Ratanjot Ke Beejo Ke Bhitar Ka Ghatak Sach.
by Pankaj Oudhia
23rd April,2005 Kheti Duniya ,Patiala.

Checkout this article describing bitter facts of Jatropha poisoning
in India.


Pankaj Oudhia
'Say No To Jatropha' campaign

Tree Provides Biodiesel For India
    By Keya Acharya


BANGALORE, India, April 8, 1998 (ENS) - Since February 1998, the oil
    from the seed of the Pongamia pinnata tree is being used as a
    substitute for diesel in electricity generation in rural Karnataka
    state. The tree is native to the Western Ghats of India, and
    distributed eastwards to Fiji and Australia.

    This form of fuel is being used in a project called SUTRA
(Sustainable
    Transformation of Rural Areas) run by scientists from Asia's
premier
    scientific research institution, the Indian Institute of Science.

    Professor Udupi Shrinivasa, Head of the Department of Mechanical
    Engineering, at the Indian Institute of Science, based at
Bangalore,
    is also head of SUTRA. He is optimistic that pongamia oil will
prove
    to be a practical and inexpensive substitute for diesel to serve
power
    needs in rural areas. Shrinivasa has filed for a patent on the
    commercial use of pongamia oil as an alternative fuel.

    SUTRA is currently being funded by India's Ministry of
    Non-Conventional Energy and the state government of Karnataka. In
the
    year 2000, SUTRA will be granted US$10 million from the Global
    Environment Facility, a body set up to help conserve the world's
    biodiversity, and funded by the World Bank, United Nations
Environment
    Programme and United Nations Development Programme. Then plans are
to
    replicate the project in other states of India. Pongamia tree

       Characteristics of the pongamia tree.

    The pongamia tree yields anywhere between nine to ninety kilos (20
to
    200 pounds) of seeds per year. One kilo (2.2 pounds) of seeds
produces
    one-quarter of a kilo of oil. The residual crushed seed, known as
oil
    cake, is a good source of manure.

    One kilo of oil generates three units of electricity, and the
    economics of all this works out to much lower than the current
price
    of diesel.

    The villages in Karnataka are already familiar with pongamia oil
and
    seed. They use the oil for lighting lamps and the seed for soil
    fertiliser.

    Biodiesel or fuel from renewable products is not a new concept -
    Rudolf Diesel himself experimented with vegetable oils in his
engine
    in 1900. Before World War II, the multi-fuel ability of the diesel
    engine was recognised, but inexpensive and readily available
petroleum
    fuels overtook vegetable oils.



    The OPEC embargo and subesequent price increases in the 1970s
renewed
    research in using vegetable oils as fuels. More recently, concern
over
    the environmental impacts of fossil fuels has increased impetus for
    research in biodiesels. The most common subjects of alternative
fuel
    experiments are sunflower, rapeseed, castor, flax, palm, and
coconut
    oils as well as animal fats.

    Biodiesel has been extensively tested by government agencies,
    university researchers and private industry in the United States,
    Canada and Europe. More than one hundred biodiesel tests, including
    three one-million-mile tests have been completed. Performance, fuel
    mileage and driveability were found to be similar to petrodiesel
fuel.
    The most notable difference is that vegetable based fuels emit less
    exhaust fumes.

    In Europe, Austria has led the way in standardising biodiesel.
Austria
    has made it mandatory to use biodiesel in areas of high risk to the
    environment, which immediately created a domestic market for
    production of vegetable oil fuel. A recent proposal to the European
    Council to allow use of biodiesel in diesel engines borrows heavily
    from Austrian standards.

    The most significant deterrent to biodiesel use in Europe and
America
    is its high price in these areas. Even with improved technologies,
it
    still costs more to produce a litre of biodiesel than a litre of
    petrodiesel. Special tax treatments would be needed to promote
    commercial use of this fuel.

    Another drawback to biodiesel is the high viscosity or thickness of

    vegetable oils which results in early engine damage. More research
is
    currently being conducted for improvement in this area.

    The situation in developing countries, on the other hand, is the
    opposite. Most developing countries cannot afford to import
petroleum
    based fuels to generate industry. But most also have access to
sources
    of vegetable fuels like the pongamia which is distributed in
tropical
    regions. So in developing countries, vegetable oils could become
    cheaper than petrodiesel, even if the diesel is heavily
subsidised, as
    in India.

    In developing countries, there is no shortage of manpower for
    technical maintenance of the engines. Frequent cleaning of fuel
    injectors and filters are less of a problem. In the case of
pongamia
    oil, Shrinivasa says a simple filtering in rural areas is
sufficient.
    In colder parts of India and other developing countries, the
problem
    of freezing of waxes and gums in the oil could be solved by simple
    heating.

    It may be possible to encourage the sustainable growth of the
pongamia
    tree on India's over 90 million hectares (roughly 2 billion acres)
of
    degraded lands. Since the tree is not grazed upon by cattle, rural
    areas could well be serviced in energy, economic and environmental
    benefits by the pongamia pinnata.

    The Environment News Service is exclusively hosted by
    the [8]EnviroLink Network. Copyright =A9 1998 ENS, Inc.

Pongamia pinnata - a nitrogen fixing tree for oilseed.

http://www.winrock.org/forestry/factpub/FACTSH/P_pinnata.html

Some less common uses of medicinal herbs : The results of recent
Ethnobotanical surveys conducted in Southern Chhattisgarh, India

http://botanical.com/site/column_poudhia/231_recentsurveys.html

regards
Pankaj Oudhia

Honge Oil proves to be a good biodiesel.

http://www.goodnewsindia.com/Pages/content/discovery/honge.html


Honge is Karanj.