Kodo Millets  (Prelims & Mains- Geography)

Why in news?

Elephant deaths in Bandhavgarh: when a fungus attack turns millets into poison.

Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculate)

• Kodo millet originated in India. 
• Kodo millet is primarily grown in damp habitats across the tropics and subtropics of the world. 
• Kodo millet is commonly harvested from wild forms in Western Africa, but cultivated forms of this “ditch millet” are only found in Asia. 
• In India, It is cultivated in states such as Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and parts of Tamil Nadu.
• Kodo millet is high in magnesium and selenium and is a source of thiamin, riboflavin, copper and zinc. 
• Kodo Millet is gluten-free with a low glycaemic index and rich in antioxidants. 

How does Kodo millet become Poisonous?

The Fungal infection in Kodo millet crops can occur due to rainfall during their “ Maturing and harvesting” stages.

Cyclopiazonic acid is one of the major mycotoxins – toxic substances produced by certain fungi or moulds that can lead to disease and death in Humans and Animals – associated with Kodo millet. Upon the consumption of the infected grain, the mycotoxin can cause Kodo poisoning, which was first recognised in the mid-1980s.

How does toxic kodo millet affect animals?

Kodo poisoning mainly affects the nervous and cardiovascular systems, and the symptoms include vomiting, giddiness, unconsciousness, small and rapid pulse, cold extremities, and tremors.

Cyclopiazonic acid causes cell degeneration and necrosis, liver dysfunction, and lesions in the myocardium (heart muscle), leading to cardiomyocyte (cells that make up the cardiac muscle) damaged and impaired heart function.

Kodo poisoning led deaths in recent years.

On October 29 to October 31, 2024, 10 elephants had died in the Bandhavgarh tiger Reserve due to suspected toxicity from eating large quantities of kodo millet crop infected with fungus on the night of October 28. 

Traces of Cyclopiazonic acid – a toxic produced by fungi known to affect kodo millets were found in the samples taken from the dead tuskers.

In 2022, one elephant died after ingesting infected kodo millet crops in Madhya Pradesh.There have been no reported deaths of Human beings due to kodo poisoning as patients can recover once their stomach is flushed by giving them stimulants like hot tea or milk.

Wind Energy (Prelims & Mains- Economy & Environment)

Why in News?

The Tamil Nadu government released the “Tamil Nadu Repowering, Refurbishment and Life Extension Policy for Wind Power Projects – 2024”. 

India’s short-term and long-term targets to become an environmentally sustainable nation:

• To reach a non-fossil fuel energy capacity of 500 GW
• Reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 1 billion tonnes
• Reduction in carbon intensity to below 45%

India’s long-term target is to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.

India stands as the fourth-largest nation in the global wind power market. India has an advantage of 7,600 km (mainland) surrounded by water on three sides, thereby boosting the offshore wind energy generation. The significant potential within the identified zones has been estimated to be 70 GW off the coast of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.

The  Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has announced the National Electricity Plan (NEP) for 2022-32. The NEP aims at the achievement of a non-fossil based installed capacity size of up to 500 GW by 2029-30. For that to be achieved, the NEP envisages the share of non-fossil-based capacity to be increased in 2026-27 to 57.4% and potentially 68.4% by 2031-32. 

Wind Energy Potential in India

• India ranks fourth in the world for installed wind energy capacity.
• According to the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), India has wind power potential for 1,163.86 GW at 150 metres above ground level. At 120 metres above ground level, which is the normal height of wind turbines now, the potential is 695.51 GW 
• Leading States: Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh are the leading States for installed wind energy capacity, collectively contributing 93.37% of the country’s wind power capacity installation.

Government’s Initiatives

The Government is promoting wind power projects in the entire country through private sector investment by providing various fiscal and financial incentives such as Accelerated Depreciation benefit; concessional custom duty exemption on certain components of wind electric generators. Besides, Generation Based Incentive (GBI) Scheme was available for the wind projects commissioned before 31 March 2017.

In addition to fiscal and other incentives as stated above, following steps also have been taken to promote installation of wind capacity in the country:

• Declaration of trajectory for Wind Renewable Purchase Obligation (Wind RPO)  up to the year 2030,
• Waiver of Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) charges for inter-state sale of solar and wind power for projects to be commissioned by 30th June 2025,
• Issued Guidelines for Tariff Based Competitive Bidding Process for Procurement of Power from Grid Connected Wind Power Projects with an objective to provide a framework for procurement of wind power through a transparent process of bidding including standardisation of the process and defining of roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders. These Guidelines aim to enable the Distribution Licensees to procure wind power at competitive rates in a cost-effective manner.
• Technical support including wind resource assessment and identification of potential sites through the National Institute of Wind Energy, Chennai.

Innovations in wind turbine technology and manufacturing- For Achieving the Targets  

• Larger Turbine Sizes: Wind turbines have been steadily made bigger in size, with the latest models reaching a height of over 200 meters and rotor diameters exceeding 150 meters. This scaling up improves energy conversion and efficiency.
• Advanced Gearboxes and Generators: Innovations in gearboxes and generator technologies have increased the reliability and efficiency of wind turbines. This includes the development of direct-drive generators that eliminate the need for a gearbox.
• Modular Design: Modular design approach to wind turbine design and manufacturing allows for easier transportation, assembly and maintenance of turbine components.
• Digitalisation and Industry 4.0: The integration of digital technologies, such as data analytics, simulation and additive manufacturing, has streamlined the design, production and supply chain processes.

Sustainable Materials: The use of recycled and sustainable materials in wind turbine manufacturing, including blade production, is becoming more prevalent to reduce the environmental impact.