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..
(More research articles by Pankaj Oudhia are available on-line at http://botanical.com/site/column_poudhia/poudhia_index.html )