EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, June 16: With the incidences of fungal diseases growing amidst Covid-19 pandemic, an online talk on ‘The art of taking advantage: Fungal and Human Opportunism’ was delivered by Prof Yash Pal Sharma, Coordinator UGC-SAP & former Head, Department of Botany, University of Jammu, in the National Webinar organized by Mahatma Hansraj Faculty Development Centre (MHRDFC) (A Centre of Ministry of Education (MoE), Govt. of India under PMMMNMTT Scheme) of Hans Raj College, University of Delhi.
Addressing a gathering of more than 150 registered participants through virtual mode, Prof Sharma began his presentation by introducing the Fungal Kingdom as one of the components of biodiversity ranking second only to insects with respect to the species diversity. “Humans, through wisdom, innovations, and technology have availed opportunities in exploiting fungi for feeding themselves since time immemorial in various ways. Who doesn’t know the indispensable role of yeasts and other fungi in bread making, fermentation, source of life-saving drugs, bio-fertilizers, bio-control agents, bio-fuels, nano-biotechnology, etc., he reminded the participants. In addition, the “wood wide web” (www) formed by the underground fungal mycelium mostly in a symbiotic mode sustains much of the forest flora and crop plants, he added. However, when the equilibrium in the ecosystem is imbalanced predominantly due to anthropogenic interferences, the microbes including fungi become opportunistic and that exactly has been one of the underlying predisposing factors for plants and human diseases including the Covid-19 and mucormycosis, said the learned mycologist from Jammu. Earlier, Dr Monika Koul, the webinar coordinator introduced the speaker while Prof (Dr) Rama, Principal, Hansraj College & Chairperson, MHRFDC expressed his gratitude to the speaker for speaking on the topic for creating much-needed awareness amongst the masses. |
