Ten wild elephants from a herd of 13 died over the last three days in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. In a statement, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Vijay N Ambade said the deaths could have been caused by “mycotoxins associated with kodo millet”.
Kodo Millet Led To Death Of 10 Elephants
Why In News
- Ten wild elephants from a herd of 13 died over the last three days in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. In a statement, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Vijay N Ambade said the deaths could have been caused by “mycotoxins associated with kodo millet”.
What Is Kodo Millet
- Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum) is also known as Kodra and Varagu in India. The crop is grown in India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and West Africa.
- Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum) is considered a nutri-cereal and staple food for several sections of the country. It grows mostly in the Deccan region, while its cultivation extends to the foothills of the Himalayas, as per the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Authority (APEDA).
- They are rich in dietary fibre as well as minerals like iron, and antioxidants. The phosphorus content in kodo millet is comparatively lower than other millet, while its antioxidant potential is higher. It can help in managing a variety of ailments, including, asthma, migraine, blood pressure, heart attack and atherosclerosis among others.
- In 2017, a report by the Indian Institute of Millets Research stated that kodo millet grew in 1.96 lakh hectares of land in India, especially in states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
- Besides India, it is also cultivated in Africa and is eaten at times of famines as it is a drought-resistant crop, reports said.
What Is Kodo Poisoning
- Despite its nutritional value, the crop is prone to an ‘ergot-like’ fungal disease, particularly when it is harvested during monsoons. The damp conditions during the season allow toxic fungi to infest the crop.
- As per multiple studies, this happens due to the contamination of seeds with mycotoxin that produces fungi belonging to the Aspergillus and Penicillium genus.
- This fungus-infested Kodo millet includes mycotoxins (fungal toxins) that can lead to allergic reactions, liver diseases, immune problems, and cancer. These mycotoxins go on to generate cyclopiazonic acid which poisons the kodo millets.
- Also, there have been researches that have recorded kodo poisoning in animals like rats, dogs, and chickens, resulting in liver damage, kidney issues, and gastrointestinal problems.
- One of the earliest known documentation of kodo millet poisoning was in the Indian Medical Gazette in 1922. There were about four cases of acute poisoning brought in by the police on March 4, 1922, and its details were written by Anand Swarup, an Assistant Surgeon from Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh.
