RC Morris Report & Kodo Millet

Source: TOI

Context: The deaths of 10 elephants in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve have brought renewed attention to a 1934 report by zoologist RC Morris on similar fatalities of elephants in Tamil Nadu.

About RC Morris Report:

• Origin: Written by RC Morris, Fellow of the Zoological Society, in 1934, documenting 14 elephant deaths due to kodo millet poisoning in Tamil Nadu’s Vannathiparai Reserve Forest.

• Antidotes: The report proposed tamarind water and buttermilk as effective remedies for kodo millet poisoning, which are now being reconsidered in the recent Bandhavgarh case.

• Significance: This historical document offers insights into early knowledge of millet toxicity and practical antidotes, drawing connections to recent elephant fatalities from possible mycotoxins associated with kodo millet.

About Varagu (Kodo Millet):

• Definition: A drought-resistant millet known as kodo or varagu in India, primarily cultivated in dry regions for food and fodder.

• Geographic spread: Grown across India, particularly in states like Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Chhattisgarh, as well as in Pakistan, Thailand, and parts of Africa.

• Nutritional value: Known for high fiber, antioxidant properties, and as a gluten-free option beneficial to health, especially among economically weaker sections.

• Toxicity risks: Vulnerable to fungal contamination under specific environmental conditions, leading to cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) toxin production, which causes “kodo poisoning” with serious symptoms in humans and animals.

About Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve:

• Location: Situated between the Vindhyan and Satpura ranges in Umaria district, Madhya Pradesh.

• Status: Designated a national park in 1968, it gained Tiger Reserve status in 1993.

• Topography: Known for valleys, hills, and plains with the historic Bandhavgarh Fort, associated with Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana, prominently located.

• Vegetation: Features tropical moist deciduous forests, including sal, mixed forests, and grasslands, with bamboo on the lower slopes.

• Flora: Includes notable species like Saj (Terminalia tomentosa), Dhaora (Anogeissus latifolia), Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), and Amla (Emblica officinalis).

• Fauna: Hosts the Royal Bengal Tiger noted for the highest density of tiger population in India and globally.

NOTE: This topic is very important from a preliminary point of view. Make a note of the RC Morris report (year, state, anecdote suggested) and note down about Kodo Millet too.

Insta Links:

• International-year-of-millets-IYM-2023