“A NEW CONCEPT CALLED ECOLOGICAL

ENGINEERING TO REDUCE PEST”

THE HINDUDate : may 7 2015

Page no : 15

Group : B5Group members : Ranjith kumar Sarath . V Priyanka.K Nithu . K.S Vishnu das

“A NEW CONCEPT CALLED ECOLOGICAL

ENGINEERING TO REDUCE PEST”

About topicPlace- Singiriipalayam village in Erode districtProblem: Due to unfavorable climatic

condition pest infestation such as rice stem borer, leaf folder, ear head bug, gall midge, rice thrips all common in paddy cultivation.

Therefore it creates 30% yield loss.Hence for recovering from the pest they

introduce new technology called ecological engineering.

ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERINGThe design of sustainable ecosystems intends to integrate

human society with its natural environment for the benefit of both.

Environmental manipulation by man using small amounts of supplementary energy to control systems in which the main energy drives are still coming from natural sources.

It was introduced by the National Institute for Plant Health and Management(NIPHM).

It is the use of quantitative approaches and ecological theory as well as the view of humans as part of, rather than apart from, nature.

Ecological engineering is a conscious human activity and should not be confused with the more recently developed term ‘Ecosystem Engineering’.

Goals of Ecological Engineering

The restoration of ecosystems that have been substantially disturbed by human activities such as environmental pollution or land disturbances

The development of new sustainable ecosystems that have both human and ecological values.

It will protect the biodiversity of nature.The practices close to nature.Provide sustainability to ecosystems and

lower resource cost

Pest managementThis cultural technique involves:• Relatively low inputs of energy or materials;• Rely on natural processes (e.g. natural enemies

or the response of herbivores to vegetational diversity);

Have developed to be consistent with ecological principles;

Are refined by applied ecological experimentation

Contribute to knowledge of theoretical and applied ecology

Ecological engineering in farming…

Different methods to controlling the pest.

BIODIVERSITY It is a measure of the variety of organisms

present in different ecosystems.This can refer to genetic variation, ecosystem

variation, or species variation (number of species) within an area, biome, or planet.

Farmers maintain the biodiversity and keep pests under control while at the same time maintaining the paddy eco-system.

In Tamil Nadu, season of paddy cultivation effort are currently in progress for promoting the concept bio-intensive integrated pest management method.

Integrated pest management takes place by the conservation of biological control.

CBC- it is the modification of the environment or existing practices to protect and enhance specific natural enemies of other organisms to reduce the effect of pests.

NATURAL PREDATORS

•By adopting this technique no chemical spray is required.

• “Natural enemies which prey on the pests are allowed to flourish in the fields.”

•Biological control is the beneficial action of parasites, pathogens, and predators in managing pest and their damages.

• Bio control provided by these living organisms, collectively called “natural enemies”, is especially important for reducing the number of pest insects and mites.

Some natural predators…

COMMUNITY APPROACH

A collective approach by the farming community on adoption of this technology will not only suppress the pest population but also enhances the soil health through organic bio-fertilizer utility. About 25 farmers from Andhipalayam village near Gobichettipalayam and 30 farmers from kallipatti in T.N. Palayam block have been initiated into this concept.

PESTICIDE FREE

• The community approach on this ecological engineering is expected to bring the region as pesticide free zone .

• Enhance the soil microbial activity in the paddy eco system.

• Plans are on to introduce this method in other crops like cabbage, cotton and groundnut in the coming season

• In both the villages , farmers are collectively involved in the production of bio-inputs, predators, and parasites for managing the pest population..

Ecological engineering will it be in future? Three grand challenges need to be met and

integrated into practice to accomplish this ambitious goal

1. The ethical2. The relational3. The intellectual

CONCLUSION

Ecological engineering is a human activity that modifies the environment according to ecological principles. Accordingly, it is a useful conceptual framework for considering the practice of habitat manipulation for arthropod pest management. This form of ecological engineering presents an attractive option for the design of sustainable ecosystems.

By this method we can reduce. 1. Health hazards 2. Soil infertility 3. Can control, un necessary use of pesticides… etc

THANK YOU…