Journal of Bioresources

Editorial

Volume:7 | Number: 1

Half yearly Journal of the Center with potential for Excellence Biodiversity

January-June, 2020

Editorial
Emergence of New Threat of Life and Research for Sustainable Development

Hirendra Nath Sarma

Editor-in-Chief

Email: hirendra.sarma@rgu.ac.in

The emergence of CORONA viruses has appeared as life threatening to the civilization in the world today. Where from the new viral agent came as a life-threatening on this earth? Today, the humanity is facing the first ever worst challenge for saving life against a new living agent, when the biological science achieved the power of determining the genetic sequence of any organism within hours. A number of questions arise in the sensitive mind. Does it for human only or for other life forms? The viral agents have been reported in other animals too. It could be either as existed dormant one or mutated microbes which can threaten life. Appearance of the mutated forms may be different in varied climatic zone of the world. If yes, what is its mechanism of existence in different immune system? Scientists already have done the sequencing of certain forms of this live organism. If it is only for human, what is its specificity of adaptation, multiplication and cellular affects in human physiology. Could it be defined the molecular differentiation of organism specificity ? The corona virus (COVID-19), reported by the scientist during early years of this century appears as headache not only for the richest societies but for laboratories equipped with sophisticated instruments and intelligent manpower. Scientists have identified the sequences of certain forms of this organism originated in animal and capable of human transmission. It is a pandemic across the world today in the society of modern science of 21st century taking life indiscriminately.

The human civilization must have to identify, the origin of such new agent, its nature, creature and mode of existence. It is not unfair to make a statement, “Civilization will face similar biological challenges more and more in coming days in this Universe”. Civilization shall have to fight against such devastating situation and agents for existence of life on earth.

Tremendous development of medical science and life science, its supportive engineering technologies give the civilization new tools to fight against killer diseases. Human life span has been increased with improved quality of life. New discoveries in laboratories, technology to define biological problems has defeated dreaded causative agents of human health hazards, increases life span. However, civilization cannot escape from finding out a chemical and or medicinal solution against the killer life forms against human and other animals too. We need a concrete pathway to find out the solutions against every possible new killer forms.

Against all odds, the world today has fought against the new creature and gradually come out from the peril of this agent. Billions of dollars have already been spent for life from the killer microbes. Most important question on the desk to be addressed is how to eliminate the microbe from society? Does another new will come as a killer agent very soon? Whatever, it appears, the civilization shall have to handle it not only to save life but for wellbeing of the society. A robust research approach to handle the adverse appearance in coming days is must for existence of life. If studies and research keep restricted among a selected few, it could be difficult to win over such a killer microbial enemy. More and more researchers need to be involved to find out the research path, thought and innovativeness. A robust “biomedical approach” is the need of the hour now to address unforeseen health hazards in coming days. A chance of research should be offered to everyone, those who are interested to pursue it. It should not be carrier oriented, rather a professional hobby with outcome. Governmental institutional support to the scientists in a right way is required to do a productive research. It should be monitored, streamlined and help the researchers to achieve

the goal. Scientists should be given liberty to think, not under pressure, rather to help in the road of achievement. Institutional support should not be restricted to a selected few working only in a few research institutions. Mindset, process of thought may not be sufficient to find out the effective results even if strong financial grants and modern instrumental facilities. A fruitful research is possible only in a strong positive mind set of dedication, achievements and self satisfaction is being supported by the society.

India, is one of the most populous countries of the world has come up as a successful warrior against this minute creature. It is due to timely taken concrete decision among the masses. Measures like maintaining social distance, avoid physical contact had been the best indirect method of prevention, against spreading and attack of the microbes on organism.

The studies on human physiology in India are thousands of years old with its written evidences. India’s ancient medicinal system can answer many of the medical questions faced by the civilization today. Explanation pattern could be different, but true that can give a solution not only on human, but on animal physiology too. The Mount Himalaya has been described as epicentre of earth and treasure of lifesaving divine drugs. The civilization’s duty is to decode the language and find it out for existence of life on earth. In recent years, Himalayan region has been described as repository of Indian herbal medicines. However, similar to Himalayan Biodiversity Hot spot, India possess number of resources in north, south, east and west, land or water, where there is possibility of getting information on health friendly materials for society. A drastic change in research methodologies may be required. An acceptable definition of sustainable development for mankind is yet to be drawn by the scientists, governmental and non-Governmental organizations across the world. To provide a disease free society is one of the “Sustainable Developmental Goals“ targeted by UNDP. To achieve, research on health, hygiene, medicine, vaccine, in vitro and in vivo research is inevitable. In Indian context with a population of 1.30 billion, a major boost in expansion of research with more involvement of scientists and trained manpower within the country shall be a must required process. It should not be restricted to selected few either institute or persons, rather to through the ball among varied groups for correct solutions. It will need strict governmental policy with unbiased approach for human resources development.

Reference:
1. Jie Cui, Fang Li and Zheng-Li Shi. (2019). Origin and evolution of Corona viruses. Nature Reviews. Microbiology. Vol. 17 (March), 181-192.

Hirendra Nath Sarma

Professor of Zoology, Rajiv Gandhi University

Arunachal Pradesh - 791 112, India

Phone : +91 94360 59038

Editorial

Volume:6 | Number: 2

January-June 2017

Journal of Bioresources

Half yearly Journal of the Center with potential for Excellence Biodiversity

The Great Mount Himalayas is known as the epicenter of thought and philosophy of Indian civilization written in many Indian ancient epics and scriptures with vibrant descriptions. It is described as divine land (Devabhumi) of Lord "Shiva" with mother "Gouri". The deep sense of scientific base and thought illustrated years of yore in ancient Indian scriptures has been endorsed in many scientific literatures of the 21st century including the biological science. In many of such Indian epics and scriptures, the Himalayas is described as holy with its various natural resources, beginning with the origin of holy river, lakes and caves in the high altitude snow covered zone, invaluable gems and crystals in crevices of rocks and stones to life saving herbal medicines for humanity. The Glory of this great mountain is mentioned in many of the great Indian literatures in different forms of thoughts. These descriptions are evidenced by the existences of snow covered white mountain peaks, the sources of holy rivers and pure water, lakes, shrines and associated folklore of native people. This great mountain stretches from western Karakoram to the eastern Patkai of Indo-Myanmar southeast Asian zone. The entire Himalayan zone is inhabited by groups of civilization since ancient time as their native place. They are using the natural resources available in their locality for livelihood; thus becoming the "sons of soil" and stakeholders as well as part of the Himalayan ecosystem. However, increasing demands on the natural resources bring the need of framing rules, anywhere on the earth. The International Organizations thus, have come up with plans of "Sustainable Development Goals" for the benefit of mankind across the globe from deep ocean bed to Mount Everest of Himalaya for the conservation and sustainable use of the natural resources.

The Himalayan region has been described as one of the "World's Biodiversity Hot Spots" with its unique ecosystems, environments, floral, faunal and microbial existence. In the recent decades many of these biotic and abiotic resources have been described as new to science. The endemic species, which are native of the Himalayan zone and not available in any other part of world have been describe. Though many are reported in scientific literature, monumental challenges of harnessing science in biology, geology, meteorology, hydrology and other unknown areas of the Himalayan zones still remain. Over the past years, pattern of the society and life with people's livelihood have changed in the region of the Mount Himalayas and its environment and natural resources should be protected for posterity. However, with the changing needs and quality of life, exploration of natural resources for more and more human uses has been increased. To meet the increasing demands for natural resources, a planned road map for resource utilization is a must required process now. Looking at the human benefit, eradication of poverty, hunger and diseases, the Government and various leading International Organizations have adopted policies for the Sustainable Development of society as well as management of natural resources. The United Nations has come up with 17 goals of sustainable development of the society, aiming at resource management, mitigation of climate change and creating educated disease free society with quality of life. Hence, our research and planning must address these goals. Due to the existence of Himalayas, the south Asian region including the Indian subcontinent experiences wet, humid climatic conditions, world's heaviest rainfall in the world, biggest river island of north east India as well as rich fertile basin as agricultural zone. The Government of India has eloped the plan for sustainable development, especially in the Eastern Himalayan region. Development of agricultural sector has been given priority. However, many other areas of the Mount Himalayas need exploration, documentation and plan of development. Establishment of more educational and research institutions for Himalayan studies and research should be given priority and the outcomes of the education and research on the Himalayas should reach the people, benefit them and achieve the sustainable Development Goals by 2030 of the United Nations. Reference: United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Report, 2019.

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Editorial Emergence of New Threat of Life and Research for Sustainable Development

Editorial
Emergence of New Threat of Life and Research for Sustainable Development