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Pankaj
Oudhia
Updated
versions of old research documents
For
basic details about this series please visit this
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Can any insect eat
polythene? : New comments. [Updated document, year
2009]
Pankaj
Oudhia
Abstract
Table of Contents
Progress Report. The
vague future of Plastic Eating Organisms (PEO)
project: Two years after the discovery of Plastic
bug
New
Comments
Can
any insect eat polythene? Can it digest it also?
When this information reached people through
Newspapers, they were surprised. Many appreciated
this finding but many refused to believe it. Few
could accept that an ordinary looking insect could
eat and digest polythene.
Unfortunately, news
about this finding was associated with me as
nature had decided me to be the medium to bring
this truth before the people. I used the word
“UNFORTUNATELY”, because this polythene eating bug
has brought turmoil in my simple life. However, it
was bit fortunate too. This bug made me alert
about so called intellectuals around. It made me
realize that for research and important findings
there of; one has to be highly educated, learned
and elderly – for acceptance of findings by the
elite. Youth is not accepted, doing such research
and bringing important findings to the notice of
the people. Since this finding in July 1999, till
date, I have known this incomparable gift of
nature. As I am unable to hold this gift in my
thoughts and mind further, I am putting before
common man, my struggle and pain due this finding
in this article.
This article will make
aware the young scientists, who dare to dream to
achieve success in field of original research. It
will enlighten them about hurdles they may face in
their endeavor. After completion of my post
graduation in agriculture science, when I stepped
into the world of reality, I found myself
helpless, seeing my dreams shattered. Some how , I
had developed flair for research during my studies
, and had conveyed my desire to the Dean of
Agriculture -College Raipur during my early days
of college education. Though, I was not fully
aware of process and procedures for undertaking
research work, I was keen to get into it. As
generally happens here, I was discouraged.
When as a part of
curriculum of B. Sc. (Agriculture), I was sent to
Ambikapur, I came to know about Medicinal plants
and weeds. I became very inductive about these
plants and weeds. Here only I got inspiration from
my teacher to know more about the wonderful world
of insects and bugs. Scientists who got fame world
over , in studies of insects and bugs , had
developed love for the knowledge in the field in
early ages, in some cases , even before they
attained age of 5 years. As far as it goes with
me, I used to fear a lot these insects in my
childhood. I never thought that I will indulge in
research on insects and findings will be known
worldwide. In the closing years at Ambikapur, I
noticed an insect on a weed. I felt that I must
keep an eye on the activity of this insect over a
period. After studying the complete life cycle of
this insect, I went through the available
literature on insects and found that there is
hardly any information available on it. Specially,
on conducting studies on this Blumea leaf beetle,
I became, perhaps, the first person worldwide. In
spite of limited knowledge on conducting
systematic research, one of my teachers
appreciated my work. We wrote a joint research
paper on the topic and submitted it for publishing
in a renowned Research-Journal. I realize at this
stage; no one helps others, be it a teacher,
without fulfilling his self-interest. The credit
for research should have gone to individual, but
it had to be shared by two. Further in the field
of science, it is generally accepted that a senior
has conducted a research, using juniors.
After B.Sc.
Agriculture, I joined M.Sc. (Agronomy). In this
program of studies, I had studied about crops.
There is no provision for studies on insects, in
the program. To become Entomologist, one has to
study science of insects. However, my keen
interest on weeds prompted me to undertake studies
on Agronomy. Unfortunately, I had no options to
study simultaneously weeds as well as insects, as
a part of M.Sc. program. However, it is a fact
that knowledge of science is a great ocean. We
only segmented knowledge of science for our own
convenience, and thereby compartmentalize the
knowledge. Thus we have become prisoner of this
segmentation of knowledge & got ourselves
detached from other disciplines. It is an irony
that in our country there is more fragmentation
and negligible independence for working. Admission
to Agronomy closed the door of studies of insects
for me. However I could not give up my lust for
knowledge of insects. As such, I decided to have a
modest laboratory on the subject at my home. This
approach also insured confidentiality of my work.
In 1998 January, my personal laboratory was in my
bedroom and I had a collection of 13 colorful
varieties of insects. In this laboratory I used
plastic jars, commonly use for display of toffees,
sweets, biscuits etc. I filled these jars with
soil and tied perforated cloth at the opening, to
ensure free access to fresh air. The thirteen
varieties of insects used to eat different
varieties of vegetation and generally most of time
they kept busy eating only. Some insects used to
eat at night also. Due to large volume eating by
insects, there used to be heavy collection of
stool of insects in the jars. To clean it, lot of
time was consumed. To share this burden of work; I
employed assistant. In the laboratory I also
studied effect of solar eclipse on these
creatures.
World is worried with
the fact that polythene is not a biodegradable
material. A lot has been written and published on
the problem of polythene, in this respect. It
struck in my mind, to see effect on insects, if
offers to eat polythene. Cows and buffalos eat
polythene, and the same get entangled in their
food pipe, killing the animal. In some cases
polythene gets deposited in the stomach of the
animal and continues remaining there indefinitely
without degradation. Once the idea of making
insects eat polythene, I started collecting large
varieties of insects. In a brief period, my
laboratory was congested with number of jars. No.
of varieties of insects increased from thirteen to
thirty. Every morning I used to go out in hunt of
new varieties of insects. I collected different
varieties of insects, some even very poisonous.
Polythene was cut into small square pieces and
placed in the jars containing different varieties
of insects. Insects were starved of their normal
foods. I wished due to starvation, some insects
might start eating polythene. Months passed
without any noticeable success. Every morning I
used to come across hungry insects only. I tried,
from cockroaches to Blister beetles. It was blind
bidding only. Sometimes I used to feel like
abandoning the efforts. I tried more than hundred
insects but there was no sign of bite on polythene
piece. After long patience and wait, the success
was encountered.
Out
of 135 insects, there were 5 varieties of insects
that ate polythene, under duress. These five
insects were kept in continuous observation round
the clock. The efforts resulted in success. There
was unique insect in the lot who preferred eating
some quantity of polythene, even when provided
with its normal food. It was an amazing finding.
At the time of this experiment, I had one hundred
such insects. They were increased to three
thousand and were given full attention. This
insect of "Beetle" family was christianed by me to
be " PLASTIC-BUG" . I started studying about the
normal/common food habit of these insects. Over
250 varieties of leaves were offered to these
insects, of which 10 varieties of leaves were
consumed by these insects with zest and interest.
Thereafter I identified the most favored feed of
these insects. When leaves of the favored plant
and polythene, both were offered to Plastic-bug,
it preferred eating leaf to polythene. I felt
that, if polythene were soaked in the slurry of
the leaves, perhaps Plastic-bug would readily eat
the same. This approach proved to be correct. The
bug started eating polythene soaked in the juice
of its preferred leaf. Its speed of eating
polythene increased many folds. Now concerned was
about the Plastic-bug fate, who had eaten
polythene. It was satisfying to note after weeks
observation that the bugs were not dying and were
smoothly discharging digested stuff as excreta.
The excreta was sticky by feel of touch. It was
sent to a laboratory at Bangalore, for
investigation. The mistake I did was, that
informed them about my finding of Plastic-bug.
They were of the opinion that there were fine
pieces of polythene present in the excreta.
However without knowing the identification of
Plastic-bug, they declined to send me the analysis
of excreta sample.
During the sample
period, I happen to meet a friend of mine Shri.
Kamlesh Gogia of local newspaper, "DAINIK
BHASKAR". I narrated him about my finding of
Plastic-bug. He said that this is a revolutionary
finding. It should be published immediately so
that no one else could steal the research. As I
had to do further experiments, and believe that
half-done-work need not be made public; I asked
Mr. Gogia to wait and assured him that whenever I
will make my finding public; it will be through
his newspaper "DAINIK BHASKAR" only.
While working on
Plastic-bug, I thought that, if bug exists
naturally around in large number, it must have
been eating polythene of its own. To confirm this,
I contacted boys who have been collecting plastic
bags. I showed them bug and asked them if any such
BUG are seen by them anywhere else. They responded
negative. To identify the holes in plastic bags in
dumps and ascertain, if they are created by the
bug, is a near impossible task. Later on when I
studied the pattern of life of so called
“Plastic-bug" I noticed that these insects come
out in the night and during the daytime , remains
under the earth surface, near the plant of their
liking. Perhaps, this may be the reason, that the
guys collecting polythene bags did not see the
Plastic-bug anywhere.
Till now I had used
white and transparent plastic only. I decided to
use pieces from colored plastic bags. After
prolonged observation it was noticed that
Plastic-bug is a fond of eating black colored
plastic. I am yet to understand, as to why
Plastic-bug gives priority to eating black plastic
bags. One night I observed that the plastic bugs
had been eating their own excreta. In animal world
many animals do so. On close observation it was
noticed that Plastic-bug eats its excreta once
only not in the second cycle. To avoid need for
chemical analysis of excreta of Plastic-bug, I
collected it after 1st as well as 2nd cycle and
some polythene film pieces; on petri plates and
put those pits on earth. They were covered by soil
and for one month humidity was maintained. After
one month, when checked; there were pieces of
polythene in 1st cycle excreta but were absent
from that of 2nd cycle. It means, 2nd cycle
excreta had completely assimilated into the soil.
I felt it to be a great success.
In
the nature, the so-called Plastic-bug remains
active from October to April. In summer it goes
into soil and remains in sleepy condition
indefinitely. When in October, plants of his
choice grow, it comes out again. This lull in the
activity of the insect caused a lot of disruption
in my study. All the Plastic-bugs, young and old,
eat polythene with interest. There is no
difference in this respect between male and
female.
Does all generation of
the Plastic-bug eat polythene? To find the answer
of this question, I started feeding 150 insects,
with polythene. I observe behavior of 2nd and 3rd
generation of insects. During study, the lot
remained in sleepy condition for a long duration;
also I noticed that all generations of insects
were eating polythene.
On
March 1, 2001, due to
insistence of my journalist friend, I decided to
publicize my finding before the world. I believe,
some genes must be responsible for these
Plastic-bugs behavior of eating polythene. Shall
such a gene be identified and transplanted into
elephant like animal, which can eat and digest
large volume of polythene. This is only
hypothesis, but as we know hypothesis has a great
place in scientific studies. May be, people at
large may call, propagator of such hypothesis as
insane mind.
How
to use these insects? I have given thought to this
question. On unusable land, a big tank to be built
where people dump these polythene bags.
Plastic-bugs are released in these tanks and
polythene bags be sprayed with the juice of plants
liked by Plastic-bugs. Degraded polythene bags can
be retrieved to be uses as manure.
Since news published
in general news papers are not accepted by
scientific community, before publishing in
newspaper, I tried to get my paper published in
international scientific magazine. I kept the
identification of the insect, a closely guard
secret. When I submitted the paper to one of the
leading international magazine, the publisher
insisted that I reveal the identification of the
insect. In question I asked them for a written
guarantee that information will be preserved as
guarded secret and my work will not be hijacked by
others. I got no response.
Perhaps, in hurry,
they gave the information to a reputed
international news agency and e-mailed me
accordingly about the same. Since I had committed
to "DAINIK BHASKAR" about release of first
information about my work through them, I had to
pass on the complete details to my journalist
friend. In the 1st week of April I gave
identification of ' Plastic-bug' and total
information to journalist. I released even colored
photograph of insect to journalist. Unlike common
man, my journalist friend kept this secret. In the
meantime, through the Internet surfing, I tried to
find out details about similar work, if done,
elsewhere. I communicated to over sixteen thousand
scientists world over about my work in detail.
They appreciated my work heartily. I felt elevated
by the findings myself to be the pioneer in this
work in our country and decided to reveal the
exact identification and the name of insect to
some one from our country only , if some
scientific organization come forward. I even
thought of dedicating my work to such an
institution.
Finally on April
15th, 2002 DAINIK BHASKAR published
prominently my work through 18 editions of their
daily publication, through out the country. For
next one week I continued to get word of
appreciation and congratulation from all over.
Various television channels approached me for
permission to get photographs of plastic-bug to be
shown on their newscast. One TV channel even
picked up other insects from my laboratory and put
a polythene piece in front of it, but the insect
did not respond. They pierced a hole in polythene
and took a snap of that insect and polythene piece
with hole and created report to suit their
requirement. However generally common men and near
ones appreciated my work.
The
moment this news about insect spread out, the
scientist in the field become alert. They felt
that how, an unknown scientist has found out such
an amazing insect, although they have been in the
field since long and never come across such a
creature. They published their opinion in the
press, negating this finding.
What were the reasons
for their objection? First they claim that I am
not a scientist of Entomology and therefore I
cannot do such research. The objection was
obviously meaningless. The second objection was on
the name of insect "Plastic-bug". This insect is
from Beetle family who eat by tearing off their
feed where as bug eats by sucking their feed
------ but I had called the insect a BUG. I have
been aware of this difference; however, I had
given this simple name to insect for ease of
remembering by common man. What is great in name?
Name could be anything. When a computer virus can
have name like "LOVE-BUG" without having a mouth,
what's specific on this objection? Even in insect
world anomalies exist. 'Spanish-fly' is not a fly
but a Beetle, but all entomologists call it a fly.
Newspaper themselves replied these objections.
Thereafter, such objection continued on personal
level. Interestingly, those scientists who called
me "FRAUD”; themselves started research on similar
lines in their laboratories. We don't know as to
if and when they will be able to identify
polythene-eating insect.
After the publication
of information in the daily newspaper, within few
weeks there were two interesting developments. A
scientist having affiliation with politics used
pressure to know from me the name and
identification of insect the Plastic-bug.
Influenced by him, I showed the insect to him and
another four to five interesting persons at his
residence. They were simply wonder struck.
Incidentally none of them were knowledgeable to
recognize the insect. They used all tactics to
know the technical identification of the insect.
With great difficulty I could avoid the same.
Sometimes later, I
happened to meet a specialist in the field of
polymers; engaged in research over a long period.
He appreciated and highly praised my work. I had
become alert after the so-called political
pressure; and had become very cautious. However
this expert gave statement in the press
appreciating my work and favoring my approach.
However, on third meeting with this personality,
he first asked me to reveal the identity of this
insect. On my denial, he wanted me to declare that
the insect is given name 'PLASTIC-BUG' on his
suggestion only. In return, he assured that he
would propagate this research world over. His
approach deeply hurt me.
It
was nearly a month since the news publication but
no Government Research Institution got in touch
with me. Some post card communications asking for
supply of bugs were received, as certain people
wanted to tackle the problem of polythene in their
area. Without my working being recognized by any
reputed scientific research institution, I was not
of opinion to reveal the details. In the mean time
the insect was shown to some knowledge seekers and
particularly children, while I was all the time
worried about theft/hijack of my research. In the
mean time some well-off people kept pursuing me,
and one of them made me a member of their
institution and offered me a handsome fee. He
believed that sooner or later I would part with
details of my research with him. With such
happenings, I was sad. The news was published
countrywide but no scientific research institute
came forward for interaction. I was very
disheartened, more so, when I had offered to
dedicate and revealed details to any national
reputed research institute.
I
send paper cuttings to a number of research
institutes but received no response. My scientist
friends suggested that I submit the project.
However, the major hurdle was that without
revealing identification of the insect, this could
not be done. Opposition as well as indifference of
the people had been great discouragement to me.
After some week an e-mail received from
USA
surprised me. The writer of the mail had
appreciated my work and had expressed his desire
to meet me. I, hesitantly, decided to meet the
guy. I was invited to meet him at Delhi. On
reaching Delhi, I was very
warmly received with high level of hospitality.
These people meet me at five-star hotel. One of
the official appeared to be scientist, he asked me
about the future of Plastic-bug. I informed that I
have not decided at the moment. The scientist
member told me that Plastic-bug is a research not
an Invention so it can't be patented. He opined
that Indians may not give importance to my work
and declare it is a fraud, he suggested that I
reveal the detailed identification of insect to
them and commit to them that for coming ten years
I will refrain from research in the field. It was
a strange condition put by them. They were willing
to pay for this favor. They were of the view that
they will study the plastic-bug and create man
made insect by Genetic engineering, which can be
patented. They opined that India
couldn't do it. They said that they would create a
research team, which will study all aspects of
this insect and finally put in the market. I
suggested that if they support my research, I
could do much better work in my laboratory. They
declined to accept my suggestion. They even
declined to make me work on the project even if I
agree to work with them in USA,
since I will keep secret the identification of
insect. I wanted them to supply redeveloped
plastic-bug to India
on favored term but they declined. They also said
there will be no formal deal. I took 15 days time
from them. Whereas my friends considered this as a
lifetime golden opportunity, the knowledgeable
authorities of the country cautioned, stating that
no natural resource can be sent abroad without
consent of Govt. this will amount to antinational
act.
If
the foreigners want to take the insects abroad,
Govt. will enter into deal at a suitable
compensation. I expressed that Govt. is not giving
any attention to this research. To this he
dissiduaded me from doing the work. The issue died
down here. However I continue receiving e-mails on
this issue. Sometimes I feel that the national
resource if not put to use for the benefit of the
nation is in fact useless. These events caused a
lot of turmoil in my mind. Today scientists from
the world over ask me as to what happened to my
research. To ensure confidentiality of my
findings, I have released the insects in the
nature and decided not to continue my work this
season. When October comes, these insects will
come out in open. I thought, it is the time to
convey information about my partially completed
work to fellow human beings. There are millions of
insects to be studied. I have studied only 135 of
them. The study of these insects in detail may
bring forth many such useful insects like
"PLASTIC-BUG". Delay in the efforts in this
direction does not seem justified. Apparently, the
nature selected me to bring forth the world, the
Plastic-bug. That's why I was enthralled get
engaged into this research on my own initiative
and at my own cost. Prosperity from research is a
dream, still remain unfulfilled. Encouragement
from all in authority to enterprising young
generation only, will bring prosperity to the
nation and world at large; I believe.
Thank you for sparing
time for going through the lines written
above.
Progress Report. The
vague future of Plastic Eating Organisms (PEO)
project: Two years after the discovery of Plastic
bug
Today is 26th
August, 2003. Now two years have passed
after the discovery of Plastic bug. The Plastic
eating insects are now engaged in preparation to
come out from the ground after long hibernation.
They will remain active from September to hot
summer month April. Yesterday during evening walk,
I saw many Plastic bugs (in fact it is beetle)
along roadside. Possibly due to good rainfall
after many years, they have emerged out little
earlier. The host plant on which they feed is also
emerging from soil.
Two
years back, when I disclosed the secret of Plastic
bugs to the world community through media, I
expected that my whole life will be passed in
research of these miracle creatures. The common
people appreciated this discovery but the
scientific community not showed much interest in
this important research. I am saying this research
as important research because the problem of
plastic disposal is world wide and the discovery
and further research on this aspect can help us a
lot to solve this problem.
From last two years, I
am not working on this insect in my home
laboratory, but continued my research and survey
in different parts of Chhattisgarh. Through this
article, I would like to describe the progress in
this project in last two years. For new readers,
who want to know more about this Plastic bug, I
suggest them to read my article titled 'Can any
insect eat the polythene?' At Botanical.com.
This article is a next
step of that previous article. With the help of my
friends and readers, I surveyed 16 districts of
Chhattisgarh in order to know the extent of
natural occurrence of Plastic bug in these
districts. The results are encouraging. We have
observed this Plastic bug in all 16 districts in
nature with its host plant. Its host plant occurs
as wasteland weed in Chhattisgarh and both occurs
in same season. In Kondagaon region, the Plastic
bugs are relatively large in numbers. We are
searching the reason for this population. In Durg
region, we have noted the less population. In this
region, the natives utilize the host plant for
various purposes. Possibly due to absence of host
plant, the population has decreased drastically.
Last year, the Plastic bugs collected from five
districts were tested to evaluate its Plastic
eating capacity.
The
Plastic bugs readily consumed the specific amount
of polythene carry bags. The Plastic bugs
collected from forest areas refused to consume the
plastic. In these forest areas, plastic is not
dumped. Possibly due to this reason, the insects
refused to eat this new material. In Ambikapur
city, the volunteer observed the natural feeding
of Plastic bug on polythene carry bags at night.
We are in process of confirming this observation.
I have mentioned in previous article on Plastic
bug, that the application of the leaf extract of
host plant on polythene carry bags, enhances the
feeding rate of Plastic bugs. The volunteers
suggested me to prepare different combinations and
preparations of plant parts of host plant and
identify the best material that can increase the
feed rate up to the maximum.
This is positive sign
that the Plastic bug is present in all parts of
Chhattisgarh. Due to the new assignment related to
documentation of traditional medicinal knowledge
about common herbs found in Chhattisgarh, now it
is nearly impossible for me to continue further
work on Plastic bugs and also to run the Plastic
Eating Organisms project. Now, I am planning to
donate this discovery as gift to any research
institution committed for the real development of
world community. I have yet not disclosed its
identity to the scientific community. My family
members, friends, the traditional healers and
volunteers have seen its feeding on polythene
sheets several times. As I do not disclose the
secrets of the healers, they are also not willing
to tell the secrets of Plastic bugs to anybody.
Both myself and the Plastic bug, are the parts of
the world. I personally feel that through this
donation to reputed organization, the research on
this important aspect will proceed in right
direction and this discovery can be used for the
world community.
Through Botanical.com
I am announcing this proposal and expecting the
responses from the enthusiastic researchers and
the organizations; around the world.
Thank you very much
for reading the article.
New
Comments
New
comments added on November 07,
2006
I
have started further studies this year in my home
laboratory. In Chhattisgarh Plastic bugs are
active now. Without taking services of my field
workers I am doing it secretly.
After reading my
articles on this organism I am getting mails
frequently and also phone calls. As expected at
first they appreciate my discovery and at second
moment without any delay ask the name of insect.
They try to assure me that they are well-wisher
and will promote it in foreign countries. They
also talk about millions. Few years back a
researcher from Australia
visited to meet me in my absence. He was having
precious gifts. He forced my parents to show the
lab. Instead of all these bad incidences I have
decided to continue my work and research without
any break.
New Comments
added on December 30,
2009
Due
to on-going Ethnobotanical surveys the important
work on Plastic Bug is in the list of pending
projects. I am keeping close view on activities of
this insect in Nature. Many young researchers have
shown interest in this project. I have given them
ideas and informed about the methodology. They are
evaluating other species. My wish is to start work
on this insect again as soon as possible. But it
seems possible after completion of work on over
35,000 cancer formulations.
Original
Research Document
http://ecoport.org/ep?SearchType=earticleView&earticleId=1019&page=-2
How to Cite
this Research Document
Oudhia, P. (2009). Can
any insect eat polythene? : New comments. [Updated
document, year 2009] http://www.pankajoudhia.com
© Pankaj
Oudhia
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