Extinction or evolution

He rocked the world,shook the religious masters and created a theory that most people of his time thought to be highly bizarre.

While the birth bicentenary of Charles Darwin is being celebrated lavishly all round the globe,a lesson in extinction needs to be learnt by humans,as a mark of reverence to the great biologist

He rocked the world,shook the religious masters and created a theory that most people of his time thought to be highly bizarre. Celebrated scientist Charles Darwins scientific prowess both intrigued and awed many. The year 2009 marks the Darwin Double Anniversary (bicentenary of his birth and 150 years since the first publication of On the Origin of Specie),which not surprisingly has been received with much admiration and revered remeberance. The British Council Library,Pune too dressed itself immaculately for the celebration,and orgainsed an exhibition called Darwin Now starting November 10. The event was inaugurated by actor Sonali Kulkarni and scientist Milind Watve,professor Biology,Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER). Professor Watve left everybody pondering when he said,Darwins theory is young,in fact,if all the scientsits in the world start studying only biology even then it would take 300 more years to understand it completely. But sadly,before we can even start to understand the complex proces of evolution a lot of species are in fact vanshing. We are discussing evlution and extinction on the same platform.

One look at the facts shows that over 20 per cent of mammal species are endangered by habitat loss and poaching,new highways,urban sprawl,and other man-made barriers. Since the year 2000 some notable species have become extinct.

While city celebrates it with exhibition,Darwins bicentenary has in fact unleashed a wave of world-wide dedication and reverence the Royal Mail issued commemorative stamps; Damien Hirst designed the dust jacket for a special edition of Darwins masterpiece,and Bristol Zoo offered free admission to men with beards.

While on one hand the world is celebrating the bicentenary of the greatest scientist on evolution ever born,a few looming questions are – Have we already hit the road off to extinction? What are we actually doing to protect animals and plants? With so many species vanishing already,unfortunately before we understand Darwins theory fully,there will be notable links missing from our ecosystems.

EXTINCT SPECIES
The Baiji dolphin
The West African black rhino
The golden toad
The Hawaiian crow
The Pyrenean ibex
The Barbary lion from Morocco
The Bali tiger
The Japanese sea lion
The Caribbean monk seal
The Javan tiger

The week-long programme includes talk on evolutionary progress (Nov 12) at 6 pm on by Madhav Gadgil. A session on making science toys (Nov 21) by Arvind Gupta. Pure sceince quiz (Nov 22). An origami workshop by Mandar Lele on November 29.

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