GEOLOGY AND HUMEN WELL-BEING

Dr. Mrinal Banerjee

We are proud of our globe- the planet earth because of several marks of distinction it possesses among the members of the solar system. Most remarkable is the hosts LIFE Besides its dynamism is explicit though unceasing interplay of atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere. It is the lithosphere that we live on and herein are found rocks, minerals and fossils. They are the building blocks Geology used in popular sense. Not only do they carefully preserve the records of the processes within the earth since its juvenile stage and unravel many mysteries behind the appearance and development of the living and non-living by supplying wonderful information, the surprisingly increasing role of geology in human well being also attest to its greatness. Magnificent application of geological knowledge help to fight disease, protect the socio cultural environment surrounding the eradicate global poverty subsequent to any major natural disaster and provide useful hints at regaining the lost glory of our country. The following essay briefly addresses to these issues. Geological profession has made considerable progress in studies on the distribution of elements even in traces in rocks and minerals. Some of these trace elements are beneficial while other harmful to human race. Element such as selenium, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, radon, asbestos, chromium, uranium when enters in the human body cause long lasting harm. On the other hand many indigenously available plant and mineral products contain trace elements of copper, lead, zinc, nickel, which in mixture of their sulphides, are known to have medical value incurring diseases. There is a belief that cures of diseases which crop up in a particular country can best achieved by these indigenous medicines. To make it convincing there is emerging currently, novel field of geological research in fighting diseases. This has been aptly designated as Medical Geology which embraces all aspect of human health related to earth processes. It here that geological science can play important role directly related to human well being. Surrounding the industrial towns particularly the mining industries, the environment is ought to be badly affected. Mining of any kind-open cast or underground leads to land degradation and the dust produced during mining operation causes air and water pollution as much as noise pollution. Then there is risk of land subsidence as a consequence of underground voids created due to ignorance (e.g. over pumping of ground water) and mischievous motive of certain class of people ( e.g. improper sand filling after mining operations). Recently incidence of land subsidence of alarming magnitude in Asansol-Raniganj highway is a glaring instance to this, when our surrounding thus fall a prey to environment destruction. Then do we utterly sense the hazards of mining. Than do we become panic stricken and extremely so licitous for remedy. Earth scientist play a leading role in bringing down the worsening impact of mining on environment. They prescribe a minimum area targeted for mining and implementation of improved techniques in drilling to minimise pollution. Similar friendly mitigation between mining authority and the local people will reduce socio cultural deterioration. There are quite a few natural monuments in our country remind us of the great architect who fashioned this world worth living in. thus near Ramnagaram, between Bangalore and Mysore the grandeur of cluster of the bell shaped granite hills with a pleasing pink colour and steep precipitous slopes is at once eye catching. It is also excellent training ground for rock climbers. The valleys adjacent to these low lying hills store water in the form of aesthetically pleasing lakes. Such precious heritage of ours needs to be guarded with all possible vigilance to see that wanton acts of disfigurement do not take place. But most distressing fact is that this has been the target for an ambitious project of carving a statue of Buddha-712 feet high the evil eye of the developers seem to have fallen on the rock due the spectacular scene portrayed in popular film Sholay shot among the picturesque mountains here. Are we to remain silent spectators

of such vandalism in the name of religion? Certainly not. It is one more opportunity of the earth scientist to do something of societal relevance and public good by registering their unequivocal protest. Such impious activities will surely be sealed with indignities upon them. Nature not only creates, it destroys as well. The major natural disasters are brought in the interior processes within the earth. Such global phenomena, in many cases happen quite suddenly so that predictions fall flat. Scientist observed that such behavioral changes of the earth preferentially affect the poorest class of people since they are the worst sufferer. The tragic Tsunami of the 26th December 2004 testifies to this. Not only do they have least capacity to compensate for the productivity loss. The disruption of lives following major disaster may even destabilize government. Vulnerability of natural disaster is both an outcome as well as cause of global poverty. Event related to and generated by earthquake seem most alarming. Here is the need for reawaking the scientific interest in earthquake prediction research. Hopefully as a result of emerging new technologies such prediction has attained a high degree of precision. In case of major events prediction can be made 6-8 month before the occurrence. This would prevent life loss as much as the ruin of natural and government resources. And thus it brings a check to global poverty consequent to natural disaster. India had a glorious past in being the pioneer diamond producing country with highest annual production of one lakh carret. The world famous diamond Kohinoor Great Moghal Regent were all India deposits. Yet a striking downfall status has become evident at present. Why did it happen so, is still unclear. It might have been due to lack of zeal to the trace the diamond to highly developed technology. In ancient practice diamond was recovered from alluvial gravels lying beside the flowing rivers along the vast stretch of tract from Kashmir to Varanasi. This was revealed by Kautilyas Arthasastra and Barahmirs Brihat Sanhita. It therefore seems worthwhile to readopt the simple process of recovery of alluvial diamonds, employing a large number of currently jobless youth- both men and women. On the other hand searching for the diamondiferous pipe rocks Kimberlite may be renewed. The recently amazing discovery of Japanese marine voyage CHIKYU seem highly encouraging in this connection because, it is capable of reaching crust mantle boundary at around 7 km depth in certain parts of ocean floor. So we can regain some of lost glory of India by assimilation of advances in exploration and exploitation by exposing the younger generation of exploration geologist of the country to global developments. Having said these I pray to almightily that such great contribution of earth science would direct our next generation earth scientist to dedicate their research motivation to the service of human well being.