Dear Pandit Dear Pandit ji, I saw your extractions on geology and paleontology. It created a lot of interest in me about these topics. But, I have a doubt that how could the paleontologists come to know about the sites of presence of fossils in the Earth? Will you please clarify my doubts? Anonymous reader Via e-mail Dear reader, Fossils are found in fossiliferous (fossil-containing) rock formations and sedimentary layers (strata). Paleontologists do a lot of research to decide where to dig. Part of knowing where to hunt for fossils lies in being familiar with landforms and their development over time. There are some areas, which are rich in fossils. However, many fossils are “accident­ally” discovered during excavation for building sites and roads. Sedimentary rocks are often the best place to look for fossils. During the formation of these rocks, sediments pile up, and become cemented together. In the process, bones, shells, and dead or decaying organisms may be trapped and preserved over the course of time. Fossils are not found in areas of igneous rock (except in some beds between lava flows) or metamorphic rocks. In these rocks, fossils are usually so distorted that they are difficult to recognise or they are destroyed completely. Generally, a fossil will differ from the surrounding rocks in appearance. It will be either of a different colour defined by its mineral content, or it will have a distinct shape or texture or a combination of both. Places to look are cliffs, rock outcroppings, canyons, badlands, the banks of rivers, and in excavations, such as rock quarries and road cuts. Dried up natural lakebeds and caves may also have fossils. Dear Pandit ji, My name is VS Jyoti. I am studying M.Sc Environmental Sciences in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. I have been a regular reader of Down To Earth and the wonderful Gobar Times since the last two years. Hence, i felt it best to share myself with you rather than with anyone else. I have been entrusted with an endeavour of putting up a working model in my college, which should highlight the best ever of any topic – the environment. It should be a live model and a working one. It should not be too complicated and should be simple and explicable to a layman. It would be placed in a science exhibition. I would be obliged if you could give me some idea regard­ing this. It would help me a lot. V S Jyoti Via e-mail Dear VS Jyoti ji, Thank you for appreciating the magazine. You may find some ideas for this live project in the 15 May 2008 issue of Gobar Times. It was the 10th Birthday Special issue of the magazine, and filled with activities, games, competitions, and so on. Here is the link to the issue: http://www.gobartimes.org/20080515/20080515.asp Dear Pandit ji, I am Anantharaj, pursuing B.Sc (III year) Agriculture in TNAU. Gobar Times is very fascinating and makes me take interest in environmental concerns. I have two questions – What is the role of termites in the soil? What nutrients are available in termite mound? What are the hazards of Asbestos on human health? Anantharaj Via e-mail Dear Anantharaj ji, Termites are detrivores, which mostly feed on dead plant material, generally in the form of wood, leaf litter, soil, and animal dung. Ecologically, they are important in nutrient recycling, habitat creation, soil formation and quality, and as food for countless predators. The role of termites in hollowing timbers, and thus, providing shelter and increased wood surface areas for other creatures is critical for the survival of a large number of timber-inhabiting species. Termites also build a vast network of galleries in the soil. These tunnels allow rainwater to soak in deeply. In other words, termites increase soil porosity and water infiltration. This helps to reduce runoff and thus, soil erosion. Even their nests are very useful for the soil. They are used as a soil amendment. They collect particles from different soil depths and deposit them in mounds. The mounds are rich in contents of organic Carbon, clay and nutrients like Potassium, Phosphorous, Calcium, Magnesium, pH (a measure of the acidity or basicity) and microbial population. The accumulated material is later redistributed by erosion or by people to improve soil fertility. But not to forget, termites can be major agricultural pests, particularly in Africa and Asia, where crop losses can be severe. Now let’s look at your question about asbestos. Asbestos is known to have toxicity. The inhalation of its toxic fibers can cause serious illnesses, including malignant mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis (also called pneumoconio­sis). It may cause tumors in animals. Thus, several countries have banned the use of asbestos since the mid-1980s. But, India it is still not banned in India. Dear Pandit ji, This is the most interesting site I have ever seen, and very informative. Palak Via e-mail Dear Pandit ji, I like the articles of Gobar Times. They are very informative. Ikshula Via e-mail Dear Pandit ji, The slogan ‘go green’ is the buzzword in any organisation or institution, and people are really concerned for the sustainable environment. Literally, they are striving hard to see lush green surroundings! The government’s often-repeated slogan ‘clean and green’ seems to be more on paper and less on ground. The green murder is on rampant in the name of development. The fact is that many schools have understood the theme of the slogan and come forward to save their environment for the future generations. Being a regular reader of Down To Earth and Gobar Times I have understood that small schools are pronounced as green school for their overwhelming and audacious act for the green cause! Indeed the small schools located at the periphery of any state are the precursors for the elite and privileged schools of the metro cities. It is high time that all the schools of the urban areas should take a cue from these schools and go for a green mission earnestly. On this note, I would like to bring to your notice that certain schools like Kendriya Vidyalays have already taken the cudgel in their hands for green environment. One school, which has taken the initiative, is Kendriya Vidyalaya ONGC Rajahmundry, Hyderabad, which is already a green school. It has a herbal garden with medicinal plants and solar panels. It recently conducted a workshop ‘Operation Greendrive’ on 8 and 9 January 2009. One green teacher along with three students from all KVS of Hyderabad region participated in the workshop. The principal of KV Rajahmundry conceived the workshop. The two-day workshop had brainstorming and interactive sessions. Many officials from paper mills and groundwater department had mind-boggling discussions with the teachers and students. Following resolutions were made, which will be implemented by every KV of Hyderabad region with full enthusiasm: Rainwater harvesting Waste water management Water audit Management of waste paper Herbal garden with endangered plants Such type of green workshop in the first month of the year is a good omen for all the green lovers. Pandit ji, my earnest request to you is that please start a mission for curbing the use of plastics. This was not in the agenda of our workshop. I really feel frustrated to see the big shopping malls using it mercilessly without any vision! And the irony is that the mall owners are declaring these plastics as biodegradable, which is not the truth but gimmicks of commerce! Sailaja Nayak, Teacher, Kendriya Vidayalaya 1 Uppal, Hyderabad, AP