A national level seminar on Green Economics and Desi Cow is being organized as part of the coveted Kapila Fest 2016 to discuss in detail the emerging concern on conservation and propagation of indigenous cattle breeds for sustainable, environment friendly agriculture and healthy living. People f high reputation in this field would be part of the seminar and the budding young scientists and philosophers will find this place a platform apart from conventional and customary jargons to express freely their concerns, thoughts and emotions. We cordially invite active participation of all of you into this scientific endeavour. Abstracts are invited for oral and poster presentations.
Session I. Green Economics
Green Economy may be defined as an economy that aims at reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. The 2011 UNEP Green Economy Report argues “that to be green, an economy must not only be efficient, but also fair recognising global and country level equity dimensions assuring an economy that is low-carbon, resource efficient, and socially inclusive. It aims for sustainable development without degrading the environment and has a more politically applied focus. In green economy natural capital and ecological services have direct economic value with focus on sustainability, nature, justice and care values. It is also believed by many that using price mechanisms to protect nature will extend corporate control into new areas from forestry to water. The green economy may need government subsidies and immense political support.This session will also have invited papers.Desi Cow’s role in sustainable agriculture , health care, environment protection , and livelihood options gives it a key role in green economy and will be discussed in depth in this session.
Session II. Genetic and Phenotypic Diversity of Indigenous Cows
There are many approved and non approved breeds of cattle in India. At the time of independence, India had 111 varieties of indigenous cows and today only 37 are left. A lot of them may be phenotypic variants of the same breed. Several studies had been done and are progressing in the genome aspects of these breeds. The breed status, conservation concerns, breeding strategies, distribution and related matters are detailed and explored in this session
Session III. Conservation and Management of Indigenous Cows
The predominant work on livestock keeping is on management of high yielding pure breed and cross red exotic cattle of Bos Taurus group. They are primarily reared for milk and meat. The indigenous cows Bos Indicus are different from the above in many respects and are to be viewed as a holistic system that not only provide food but also help in environmental protection, assisting natural farming and safe food production through their highly dynamic rumen system with a high conversion ratio and producing dung with enormous useful microbes required for soil health and plant growth. These cows there for require, a different management regime which ought to be discussed in this session
Session IV. A2 milk and its implications
Cow milk has the protein beta-casein. It accounts for about a third of the total milk protein. A1 and A2 are the two kinds of beta-casein found in cow’s milk. A mutation occurred nearly 10,000 years ago in Europe among dairy cows had resulted in the production of A1 beta-casein in their breeds. Studies have revealed that people consuming A1 milk regularly are more prone to type 1- diabetes, heart isease, autism, and other serious non-communicable diseases. The results and interpretations of such studies are expected to be debated in depth in this session.
Session V. Gau-products for human health and livelihood options
Desi cow have a vital place in Health, Environment, Agriculture and Lifestyle management. Healthier people, cleaner environment, sustainable agricultural practices and a chemical-free lifestyle need the support of the Desi Cow. They are indispensable for “One Health practices”. The Panch Gavya a combination of Desi Cow’s milk, curd, ghee, Gaumutra, Gaumaya and the Gau Arka produced through distillation of Gau Muthra (Cow Urine) are considered to be of importance in health care. It is proved in many studies that these have miraculous disease curing properties. This session is intended for presentation of such aspects that eventually help humans to live healthier and happier.
Session VI.Gau-products for plant protection, plant health and sustainable agriculture
Several initiatives are there to use in new ways cow based products for plant protection, plant health management and fertilization. Many Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) systems also have wonderful many such concoctions. This session will focus on The Desi Cow urine combinations, Pancha Gavya and similar several formulations that help to protect the plant health and promote their cultivation for a chemical free sustainable farming to produce safe food in required quantities in a green way.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
The first and second best oral and poster presentations in each of the technical sessions of the seminar will be awarded a citation and a memento as a token of encouragement towards quality research and practice in this field.
