BioDevelop

Biomass based lifestyles and development1 Research and Action in Natural Wealth Administration (RANWA) under Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) project (www.ranwa.org/mea.htm) Summary
Development can be sustainable only if it is biomass based, which would (a) minimise carbon emission, (b) sequester emitted carbon, (c) use less water and eneryg, (d) lessen the wastage and pollution, (e) promote rural livelihoods through small scale industries. With available 0.3 ha per head land, India can generate 2 t of biomass per head, sufficient to provide for food, clothing, housing and fule, by promoting grassroots biotechnology, by pooling strengths of the International Conventions on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Climate Change (Kyoto).

Evergreen Revolution? Change is the only constant feature in life goes a saying, which is evident in the recent slump in Information revolution, paralleling the earlier green revolution, which stagnated under its own perils- impoverished soil, exhausted water sources and ever-declining diversity and yields. Sustainable growth would now require and evergreen revolution, suggests father of the green revolution, Prof. M. S. Swaminathan. This needs change in the inputs- hybrid crop varieties, fertilisers, pesticides and irrigation etc., Current overall development fatigue aslo needs relooking at excess use of non-renewable resources- fossil fuels and synthetics, which is is causing carbon emissions and consequent climate change. Key to sustainable development is undoubtedly wise carbon management, as life begins from and disintegrates into carbon molecules. Ran out of water? Drink Cola! Wisdom comes not with sheer knowledge but by experience, which promotes precautionary aptitude. Recently Kerala panchayats prohibited Coca Cola company from over-using the ground water, while college students boycotted the cold drink; resorting to traditional eco-friendly water from the Kalpa vriksh (wish-tree) i.e. Coco nut! This wise precaution offers suggests 2 tips for the latest Indian dream- national river network: (1) progress must be based on optimal use of local resources than unsustainable heavy external inputs, (2) life becomes peaceful by saying no more while at peak. Quenching thirst has priority over pampering tongue! Though unending scientific quest began with James Watts engine and always promised to save time, many innovations and gadgets have made time more scares today! Indias per capita fresh water availability has reduced by 40%, but bulging cities fetch water from dams built 100-400 km away by displacing upland villagers, submerging forests and farmlands. Urban sewage spoils village life across several districts downstream. Average urbanites usurp over 200 litres water daily while desert inhabitants hardly get daily 2 litres. Yet, mineral water export companies have mushroomed such as near Silent Valley, which was once saved from hydro-electricity development project! No wonder, nations like Singapore drink only imported water. The 1997 ground water policy planned annual conservation of 36 cu. m per head i.e. 100 litre water per head per day, with Rs. 24,000/- crores of investment, through 3 million soil bunds, check dams etc. nationwide, providing business to numerous small entrepreneurs. Resultant irrigation would cost just Rs. 20,000/- per ha and commence in 1-2 years. This water recharge scheme is ignored by the industry promoted river-linking project that would require 22 times the investment and 16 years gestation, as evident in Narmada dam. Small entrepreneurs and water users havent argued with or courted their politicians that small development makes better and quicker business for more number of voters.
1 Anonymous, for free copy and use, even money making. Because that will help to sustain humanity.

BioDevelop

Ecosystem wrongs Environmentally and socially unsustainable mega projects arise from demands of mushrooming culture of suit-boot-car-refrigerator-electronics and junk food. This entails 40% of resource and energy consumption from non-renewable resources, either directly as metals and minerals or indirectly- synthetics, transport etc., Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI) studies show. Rather than population growth, increasing per capita resource use/ wastage, is fast depleting earth resources. Urban elites consume resources and emit carbon 10-15 times more than the rural poor, as shown by Indira Gandhi Development Research Institute (IGDRI), Mumbai. Resultant climate change implies unpredictable rainfall pattern, food production and diseases. Developed countries accused last year that Asian brown cloud largely resulted form Indian carbon emissions, about 2 kg per day per head i.e. annually 0.7 t per capita. Indian Institute of Science (IISc) researchers argued it to be part of natural climatic fluctuations, but future carbon emissions may enhance it. Humans have exceeded the limits of earths biological productivity and waste assimilation capacity by 2.5 times, as revealed by the Ecological Footprint index, cautioned the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF, http://www.panda.org/news_facts/publications/general/livingplanet/lpr02.cfm). We are thus thriving on resources of the future generation, which reduces their development capacity and defies sustainable development as defined by the Bruntland commission on our common future, 2 decade ago. World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) last year thus asked- how to provide water and energy to growing urbanisation, after 2010? Back to Bio-Traditions The development dilemma- how to produce more and pollute less- can be addressed by reviving Indian traditions of biomass based civilisation. Even today, South and Eastern India enjoy tree covered home gardens, farms, avenues, banana leaf plates, coconut leaf thatching, wooden houses, bamboo furniture, wooden buses, naturally organic food, herbal soap, shampoos and cosmetics, natural dyes, plant fibre clothing etc. causing strong village handicraft industry, along side vibrant folk culture. Traditional Indian agro-village ecosystem used leaf manure, human and cattle waste as farm fertilisers, besides rainwater inputs; facilitating recycling of carbon, nutrients and water between grasslands, forests and agriculture. Key to sustainable development would undoubtedly be reuse, recycle and refuse. Overexploitation of biomass resources under industrial pressure eroded the Indian forests, cusing the blanket ban of forest felling, as all timber was exhausted. But this triggered growth of metal and cement industry, which is environmentally unsound. Thus, ban on forest felling needs revision so as to permit selective felling, with community participation. For, it has facilitated prevalence of matured forests everywhere, which hardly absorb any carbon, but may emit carbon. It is better to store such carbon at homes as furniture and eventually dump deep in to soil; rather than emitting through litter rotting, or burning crop residues. Biological Diversity Act, 2002, facilitates such socio-ecologically sustainable bioresource utilisation, through establishment of Biodiversity Management Committees (BMC) in all local government bodies i.e. Panchayats or village councils. BMC is expected to register its biodiversity, its trade and regulate it sustainably, even by charging fees to traders. However, if this is found to threaten certain species, the government can ban harvest of such species. This balanced legislation may enhance forest use and in turn, regeneration and growth of trees; which may sequester up to 5% of national carbon emissions; while providing fuel, fodder, manure, timber, furniture,

BioDevelop

handicrafts etc. and rural livelihoods. IGDRI data indicate that biomass based lifestyles even in urban areas could also reduce carbon emissions up to 30% of the present. Cities can also recycle vegetable waste etc. as rural agricultural input, as successfully done in Phosphorus based farming in per-urban areas in Kenya. Peoples Biodiversity Register (PBR) at all BMCs can include village-urban symbiosis plans. Table 1- Per Head Ecosystem Resource Flows In India
Ecosystem resource/ service INPUTS Land ha Water per day litre (direct use) Agriculture ha Forest ha Tree Plantations Fodder t (20% of per cattle head) Dams, Industry, Roads, Pipes/ Wires t Non renewables (Metals, plastics) kg/day Fertiliser kg per yr Insecticides g per day Fossil fuel kg per day OUTPUTS/ GOODS/ SERVICES Food kg per day Timber, Bamboo kg per year Fuelwood kg per day Electricity kw h per day Clothing sq.m per year Transport km per day Carbon kg per day Waste biodegradable kg per day Waste nonbiodegradable kg per month# 1950 1.2 300 0.2 0.15 0.9 0.1 0.1 5 25 0.5 0.6 250 10 5 2 2 1 2000 0.3 100 0.15 0.06 0.02 0.6 1 0.5 20 150 1.5 0.6 200 0.5 300 10 5 2 2 5 2025 BAU 0.2 75 0.1 0.5 0.03 0.5 1.5 0.7 25 1 2.0 0.6 150 0.4 400 15 8 3 3 7 2025 Green 0.25 90 0.12 0.5 0.03* 0.6 1* 0.4 10* 100 * 1.0* 0.7* 300 0.5 300 15* 6 1.5* 1.5 4

*--Improved qualit/ efficientcy; BAU- Buisness As Usual; Green- Eco-friendly #- housing, gadgets included

Note: Per capita changes in resource use are a combined results of result (a) human & livestock population changes from 400 & 200 million in 1950 to 1000 and 300 million in 2000; 1250 and 250 million in 2025 (b) Exstensive development of infrastructure (Dams, Mining, Industry, Roads, Power and Telecom Grids.

Future green technology would marry modern with the traditions, as in Biofuel policy developed through Government of India by Sustainable Transformation of Rural Areas (SuTRA) unit, IISc, that demonstrate- Pongamia, Neem and Mahua tree seed oil, used traditionally for domestic lighting are better than diesel, for transport and electricity production. Growing trees for oil production can sequester resultant carbon emissions near earths surface itself; as annual carbon absorption by trees- 1 % of their weight- exceeds their annual seed weight. Studies by Research and Action for Natural Wealth Administration (RANWA) show that tree plantations needed to absorb carbon emitted by the city measure 800 sq. km i.e. 10 times its area. However, only 130 sq. km of oil tree plantation i.e. 20% of city area would suffice to run 400 municipal buses on biofuel annually; consuming 50 litre diesel per day for 250 km running. Thus and 1 sq. km tree plantation would suffice to run 3 buses annually, at average of diesel, but lower net cost, as Rs. 15/- earned from seed cake is profits, after extracting oil costing Rs. 26/per litre. Eco-technology and bio business Application for Science and Technology for Rural Areas (ASTRA) unit in IISc has suggested biogas wider options of using biomass-based energy in more efficient

BioDevelop

fashion than as fuel wood. National biomass production is 1600 million t i.e. 3-4 kg per head biomass per day though only 200 million t i.e. 0.5 kg of it (12%) is used per head as fuelwood, at just 13% efficiency. Biomass thus provides 25% of national energy needs; necessitating import of 1.5 kg of fossil fuels per day. Instead, using annual production of leafy biomass trees in farmlands, avenues, besides forest; as well as weeds, excess crop production etc. can propel wood gasifiers, methanol and ethanol based energy; to substitute up to 80% of fossil fuel imports and its impacts. Biomass residue after energy extraction is excellent farm manure, saving inputs of 20 kg per head i.e. 60 kg per ha fertiliser inputs annually. Together, biogas, biofuel and biofertiliser could avoid half of the 500 million t annual imports (i.e. 2 kg per head per day) of fossil fuels, while solar, wind and hydro electricity could substitute quarter. Centre for Environmental Educations (CEE) book on biomass energy provides a clear charter for such evergreen revolution. Despite some overestimates, it indicates better use of biomass in all walks of life, even as structural material in road construction! Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) books on rural technology would constitute bible for rural development, with proper planning, investment and training. Developed countries can finance such greener, rural technologies and small-scale industries, under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), as Kyoto convention on Climate Change implementation may begin soon, with Russian and East European support, even without the USA. Khadi and Village Industry Coproration (KVIC) products may seem costlier than synthetics, but must be subsidised as being eco friendly, implying less water, energy inputs and pollution. Their lower durability implies quick replenishment, is only fashionable, which necessitates muchdesired higher biomass and carbon turnover. This will also help in implementing the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) about sustainable use. National Innovations Foundation (NIF) can further support scouting and commercialising such bioresource innovations.

BOX 1 Thumb Rule Or Wise Practices For Sustainable Lifestyles DOS (Maximise)

Organic foods Earthern pots Homely food anddrinks Cotton/ Jute Cloth BioDevelop Timber, Bamboo, Leather CD, electronics Do Ecology Public transport, bicycle As Drama, dance, paintings charity begins at home, it is important for we all use village bio products, reduce our water and electricity by half, use public transport whenever possible, install DONTS (Minimise) rainwater harvesting, solar energy, waste segregation systems. NGO sector itself Meat constitutes 1 crore strong market. Prestige to such eco-friendly behaviour is necessary Hybrid-Chemical food through media, cultural programmes, and education. Differential pricing is needed, Refridgetor Packed Food andwhereDrinks and the heavy consumers and polluters pay more. Growing market for Soft the rich eco-friendly & ethnic products would not only make urban lifestyles and the globe Synthetic Cloth Plastics, Metals, sustainable; but also provide livelihood opportunities to rural producers, especially Glass women running the handicrafts micro enterprises. We need such rural biotechnology Paper based on Private car/ two whelers Local Resources and Traditional Skills (LRTS), more than IT based BT, to usher the new age ethic of Ecology, Economy and Equity. While promoting such ecoMovies revolution, we must also avoid mistakes of the earlier green, white and cyber revolutions viz. exporting food, milk and brainpower by keeping children at home starved and uneducated. This is attempted by Oxfam sponsored medicinal plants community enterprise study, through nationwide NGO network coordinated by Covenant Centre for Development (CCD), Madurai; to estimate village needs for herbal healthcare; besides trade potential of excess production. Curtailing unhealthy imports, rather than eyeing exports first, would promote self-sufficient rural-urban symbiosis and revitalise productive Gandhian ideas. Sustainable development concept must abandon 2 myths- (1) Higher energy consumption promotes economic growth. For, per capita energy consumption has grown 4 fold since independence, but 40% people continue to be poor and victims or refugees of development, surviving as urban coolie or beggars. (2) Curtailing carbon emissions would prevent development. This populist politico-speech is redudant in the biomass production-consumption recycling ecosystem scenario sketched above. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Brutland, Gro Harlem, 1986 Our Common Future, Orford University Press, Cambridge. Datye K. R. 1995 Banking on Biomass: A New Strategy for sustainable Prosperity Based on Renewable Energy and Dispersed Industrialisation, Centre for Environment Education, Ahmedabad. Gadgil M. 2003 Peoples Biodiversity Register Methodology Manual, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Sciences, Bangalore. ftp://ces.iisc.ernet.in/pub/mg/method.doc Gadgil M. & Guha, R. 1995 Ecology and Equity: Use and Abuse of Nature in Contemporary India. Penguin Books, New Delhi and Routledge, London Jagadish K. S. 2003 Bioenergy for India: prospects, problems and tasks, Energy for Sustainable Development , Vol. VII No. 1, pp. 28-34. Pandey, D. N. 2002Global climate change and carbon management in multifunctional forests. Current Science. Vol. 83 No. 5. pp. 593-601. Reidhead, W., Gupta, S. Joshi, D. 1996 State of Indias Environment Report Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI) Report 95EE52, New Delhi. Seneviratne, Gemini. 2002. Litter contorls on Carbon Sequestration. Current Science. Vol. 82 No. 2 pp 130-131. Srinivas U. 2003 Biofuels for Inida, Sustainable Rural Transformation of Rural Areas (SuTRA), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Sciences, Banaglore, http://agni.csa.iisc.ernet.in/sutra/conf/ Swaminathan M. S. 2002. From Rio de Janeiro to Johannesburg: Action today and not just promises for tomorrow. East West Books (Madras) Pvt. Ltd., Chennai. Warren Archana and Patwardhan, Ankur, 2002 Carbon Emission-Sequstration Balance of Pune City, www.ranwa.org/cseq.htm.

FARM FARM FARM MINES Metals 0.3 t, coal 0.1 t DAMS Water 1 t MINESEXPORTS 0.2 t MINES Timber 0.5 TOWN DAMS Water 1 tt EXPORTS 0.2 LIVESTOCK t; t;Fuel2 2t t Timber0.5 t;Fuel 1t Timber 0.5 Fuel ST Industry PLANTproduce 0.7 t LIVESTOCKManure 1 t PLANT produce 1 ATIONS ATIONS Metals 0.2 Metals 2 odder 0.2 0.3t t,Nont0.1 t Fodder 0.2 t; coal timber Fodder Power,CITY Fodder 1 t Manure Fodder 0.5 Dung 0.5 r 1.5 t; Fuelt; Non timber 0.5 t, Fuel 0.1 t Draught 0.5 1 t;t;Industry t0.6 t Dung 0.4 t; Manure 1 t Timber 1 Timber 1t BioDevelop r 0.5 t; Manure 1 t, Non timber produce 1 t

PASTURE PASTURE IMPORTS IMPORTS BUNDS POLLUTION (air, water) FodderWatertt0.5VILLAGE Fodder 0.2 Dung t0.5 Oil Thatch 1 Oil VILLAGE 1t,t,Waste 0.50.1 tt t t Carbon 0.5 0.1 tCoal 0.05 0.4 0.5 Coal t 0.4

Figure 1- Per head/ ha/ year ecosystem goods/ (dis) services flow in India

Village Nation 1950 Forests (standing)- 60 M ha Farms- 100 M ha Population 40 M Livestock 20 M

Industrial-Information Nation 2000

Forests- 50 M ha Plantations 20 M ha Farms- 100 M ha Population 40 M Livestock 30 M

Eco-friendly Nation 2025?

Forests- 50 M ha ha Plantations 20 M ha Farms- 100 M ha Population 40 M Livestock 30 M