Other than research activities, time to time covered by Media (NewsPapers).



2017

Excessive Tourist Rush Disturbing Natural Existence of Caves across Chhattisgarh (Hitavada news)

BEARING capacity of caves in the state is being ignored in the rush for tourist's attraction. Water pollution inside some caves has also come to fore but safety measures are not being taken for the visitors. The State Government has been urged to take steps for conservation of these caves. Any given landscape in the world has a carrying capacity, which means the burden or number of people it can bear. Caves have silence and the place inside is sterile and if there is much disturbance naturally or artificially, then there is danger to the very existence of the caves. 


The tourists influx is large in Kotumsar Cave in Bastar region which is 150-200 metre long limestone cave, informed Dr Jayant Biswas, a notable cave researcher, from National Cave Research and Protection Organisation. It has become necessity to develop the near-by caves to distribute the load of tourists, he added. After doing a survey of the caves in the state, the National Cave Research and Protection Organisation has now suggested the State Government about its conservation and steps to be initiated. Chhattisgarh Science and Technology Council had allotted a project to the organization for studying animal biodiversity and its conservation status. Under the study, the organisation has done the survey. In 2014, an accident happened at the Bildwar Cave that is located in the Tamor Pingla Wild Life Sanctuary in Surajpur district. This cave was not only a religious site but also a picnic spot. Due to sudden collapse (caving-in), eight visitors died. Now, the organization has found that the walls and roof of this cave exist just on coal, sedimentary rock and kaolinite clay. In order to beautify this place, construction work has been done outside and concrete steps have been constructed inside. Suggestions from experts should have been taken before doing such construction works. Mandhip Khol Cave is located at Gandai block in Rajnandgaon district. In a religious programme and also a fair organised on every first Monday afterAkshayTritiya, there is too much rush of people. Way back in 2006, it was revealed that a huge python lives inside this cave. The local villagers knew about it, but they believe that the python will not harm them. Awareness is needed to keep the place pollution free. In all the caves there is huge rush of visitors and devotees at least once in a year during festivals and this results in pollution and natural disturbance. The water (Jal Kund) in Sondai cave in Bhanupratappur in Kanker district gets polluted. In Lailunga block of Raigarh, there is Kurra Cave and this cave is dwelling place for nearly 10,000 Microchiropteran bats. The small stream of water in this cave always remains polluted. If this cave is converted into a religious place then the existence of bats will be in danger and environment will be harmed. The study concluded that tourists and religious-minded people are coming to the caves even knowing about the persist-ing danger to life and to a great extent polluting the environment there. At least helmets should be made compulsory for entry because nobody knows when a rock will fall. No inflammable substances should be permitted inside and outside the caves. Along with Dr Biswas, Jitendra Nakka, Amit Banafar and Siddharth Biswas formed part of the study team. 

■ By Sandeep Sengupta RAIPUR, July 31 

 


2017

Hanging rocks make Green Cave unique (Times of India & Bhaskar News)

Standing at the tip of a hill near Jagdalpur, in Bastar region, is an exquisite cave. Discovered by a group of local tribals, the Green Cave has forced many geologists to ponder upon its 30-feet-long hanging stalagmites. According to the handful of people who have peeped into the cave, is a green cover that gives its inner wall a different shade. Among the various exquisite caves of the Kanger Valley, this cave is fenced by massive chunks of limestones. The road that takes you to the cave starts from Jagdalpur National Highway 30. From the mouth of the road, you will have to drive around 26 kilometers to reach the Kanger Valley National Park, well known for its biodiversity.

The explorer group of Green Cave called the Dandak Dal, comprises local youngsters and tribals of surrounding villages. The group is working in the region since 2002 to explore its new sites. Speaking to TOI about the specialty of Green Cave, scientist Jayant Vishwas said, "The entrance of the magnificent cave is a slant route of 35 metre. One can see the 30-feet-long hanging green rocks from ceiling. These rocks are called stalagmites. The stalagmites receive the direct sunlight in the afternoon only and just for an hour. This has formed a layer of algae on its wall. This gives a texture of a fine oil-Paint. Out of our explored around  27 caves of Kanger Valley, this is the only cave which receives sunlight and consists of unique green colour stalag-mites." The right side of the cave consists of a tunnel of approximately 70-metre. It is dark and consists of white stalagmites and on the left side." The caves are formed by the flow of the rivers through the depths of the earth. These stalagmites have been formed over thousands of years. The temperature inside the caves remains the same throughout the year The cave is inhabited by frogs, grasshoppers, crabs and other reptiles. The district administration and Kanger Valley Na-tioan1Farkhasrestrictedthe entrance of tourists. However, accepting the challenges, filmmaker Avinash Prasad will approach the chief minister to receive permission. 


2017

Searched 4 New Caves, no more terror in Bastar (Bhaskar & Dandakaranay News)

A satellite team for cave exploration is formed with the help of tribal youngsters. The team is working on the last few years to fetch new caves in the deep forests of Bastar region. It is the initiation of a good sign that the youngsters of Bastar have been involved in some creative work, which will definitely give them earning in the near future. Mr. Avinash Prasad of Jagdalpur named this team as Dandak Dal. Besides Jhumar & Hari gufa, recently this team explored Dev Gufa, Dumkaran gufa etc. This group is working under the technical guidance of Dr. Jayant Biswas and Mr. Jeetendra Nakka of “National Cave Research and Protection Organization, India”.  

 


2016

Short Course over Reconstruction of Asian Monsoon System held (Hitavada News)

INDIAN Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur's Department of Earth Sciences has conducted a short course on `Reconstruction of the Asian Monsoon System: New Approaches and Techniques. It was supported under the Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) scheme of the Ministry of Human Resources, Government of India. Dr Jayant Biswas, Director of National Cave Research and Protection Organization, India, who has long experience in cave research, was invited for helping with the field workshop at Chitrakoot and for interactingwith the participants. The course has been conducted from October 17 to 30 at IIT, Kanpur, and it consisted ofa series of lectures and a field workshop at Chitrakoot, informed DrBiswas. 

There were total of forty selected participants either from different IITs and/or IISER (Indian Institute of Science, Education, Research) institutions of India. Dr. Biswas explained about the tools and techniques used in cave study and the ethics that have to be maintained during cave study. From India, there were only three experts and two others were A K Gupta, Director of Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology and Prof. AC Narayana, Central University of Hyderabad. The foreign experts were Prof. Ashish Sinha, from California State University (US) and Prof. Hai Cheng, from Xi'an Jiaotong University, China. 


2015

नेचर जर्नल में छत्तीसगढ़ राज्य की दस्तक (news covered by almost all the leading News paper of Raipur)

A Collaborative Research work of National Cave Research and Protection Organization published in Nature (communication): Nature and Science are the two worldwide recognized journals that publish the top level of science articles. Recently a collaborative work done by Dr. Jayant Biswas of the National Cave Research and Protection Organization with  Prof. Ashish Sinha of California university, US and Prof. Hi Cheng of Xi'an Jiotang University, China published in Nature. It is the first publication in NATURE from Central India. 


The work was on Paleoclimatology based on the caves of Uttarakhand. The work stated about the 20-20 years of high rain and low rain cycles in India. 


2015

वन विभाग ने गुफाओं के अध्यन व संरक्षण को जाना (covered by almost all leading papers of Raipur, CG & Anand, Gujrat)

Dr. Jayant Biswas, director of National Cave Research and Protection Organization was invited as a resource person on a workshop on wildlife at Rangers' college, raj Pipla, Gujrat. It was the first time when any government organization took the subject of cave protection seriously. India has a wide array of caves scattered across the country, some of which are renowned worldwide. Dr. Biswas shed light on the types of animal species that abide inside the cave and how to protect them from anthropogenic pressures. 
The workshop was attended by officials of the Forest department of Gujrat and upcoming research scholars engaged in wildlife research. The workshop was conducted by Dr. Nishith Dharaiya of Patan University, Gujrat and Vice president of National Cave Research and Protection Organization). 


2014

One Day Workshop on Cave Conservation in Bastar University (covered by all the leading News Paper of Jagdalpur)

One day workshop is cave conservational issues with special emphasis on microchiropteran bat issue was organized by the National Cave Research and Protection Organization with the collaboration of Bombay Natural History Society in Bastar University, Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh. The workshop was attended by the post graduation students of the University and PG students of science College, Jagdalpur. As a resource person, Dr. Jayant Biswas of Cave Org. and Dr. Rahul Khot and Dr. Bandana Aul of BNHS delivered their views. The workshop was also attended by Dr. Sushil Dutta of Science College Jagdalpur, Dr. Sharad Nema and Dr. S. Kole of Bastar University alongwith the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Chandra of the University. Dr. PRS Nagi (Veterinary Surgeon), Rajendra Gupta (Entomologist) and some research scholars from Hissar University specially attended the workshop.


2014

Subject Matter: Speleology (News in The tribune)

Speleology is the scientific study of caves and other karst features, their make-up, structure, physical properties, history, life forms, and the processes by which they are form ed (speleogenesis) and change over time (speleomorphology). Originally a part of the wider field of geology, speleology is coming of age now. The term is also sometimes applied to the recreational activity of exploring caves, but this is more properly known as caving, spelunking or potholing. Speleology and caving are often connected, as the physical skills required for in situ study are the same.

Where to study

The study of caves or speleology is in its infancy in India. There is no university department or chair dedicated to the topic including at the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU). In the absence of a separate department this subject remains associated with geology and some of the universities offering a degree in geology have this subject as a constituent of the curriculum. However, a few dedicated and seemingly networked scientists scattered nationwide maintain an interest. The only institutional names in the field are the Raipur based-NGO, National Cave Research and Protection Organisation headed by Dr Jayant Biswas and the Shillong based-MAA. Every year during Meghalaya’s dry months, expert cavers from overseas reach the state to explore its caves in league with the MAA. That’s how the underground map of the region evolved. Both the Indian Army and the Indian Navy had links with the MAA to partake in the adventure.

Geology can be taken up after Class XII (PCM). Admission to university courses is merit based.

Opportunities in cave research may be few at present, but with the development of new techniques, a whole new world is opening for future exploration.


2014

CM Releases Ambient Science (News covered by all the leading News Papers of Chhattisgarh)

Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Dr. Raman Singh inaugurated science journal Ambient Science in his office. The Journal is published by the National Cave Research and Protection Organization, India. CM congratulated the Office bearers to bring forth a journal on a lesser-known but interesting subject. Dr. Jayant Biswas is the chief editor of the journal. CM appreciated the work done by the organization ensured full support from the government. Ambient science is the only sole journal working towards the protection and conservation of the caves.  It is also a house of publication for national and international research work conducted on various aspects of the environment too. On this occasion secretary Dr. KK Harris, treasurer Dr. Ramesh Rahangdale, Social activist Mr. Vishwajeet Mitra, Dr. Shobha Gawri, Dr. Deepa Biswas, Dr. Rakesh Soni and Mr. Siddharth Biswas also present during the occasion. 


2013

Kotumsar Cave is Biologically Best Known Cave of India (Hitavads News)

Caves are like time machines, they enclose within the natural and cultural history of a particular region. The caves of Chhattisgarh also abound in peculiar life forms and mystifying pillars of stalactites and stalagmites formed by limestone dripping down with the water, said Dr Jayant Biswas, Director of National Cave Research and Protection Organisation, India. Talking to ‘The Hitavada,’ Dr Jayant Biswas said perpetual darkness, high humidity with almost constant geophysical factors are some of the abiotic factors, which make the cave ecosystem unique. The evolutionary adaptations of the organisms, which inhabit the usual and fragile ecosystems within caves, are of inherent interest to biologists and laymen. Cave organisms generally develop a high degree of physiological and behavioural adaptation for survival in the subterranean environment. Giving elaborated account of his research conducted in the caves of Chhattisgarh, Dr Jayant Biswas said the Kotumsar Cave is biologically the best known cave in India and has attracted interest from researchers from all over the world. His research paper assesses the ecological community and overall habitat of the cave. This is based on long-term field observation and the review of the extensive literature on Kotumsar. ........................................