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Waste crop
In Pakistan, efforts are focused on enhancing digestibility and growth performance to address the critical need for optimal growth and development of ruminants. Fermentative digestion, crucial for animal’s production and performance, contributes to approximately 80% of their energy needs through the production of volatile fatty acids (VFAs). However, this process also generates carbon dioxide and hydrogen which is utilized by methanogens to produce methane, a major contributor to environmental damage and energy loss in animal production.
To mitigate methane emissions, various strategies have been employed, including the use of plants and their active compounds as feed supplements. While the positive impact of garlic and papaya supplementation in ruminants is established, the effectiveness of garlic and papaya leaves is not extensively researched. Thus, this study aimed to assess the individual and combined effects of garlic and papaya leaves on anthropometric parameters, serum biomarkers, ruminal fermentation, and tissue histomorphometry in goats.
Twenty adult beetle goats were divided into: C (Control; with no supplement), BCM (basic diet with Bromocholoromethane), G (basic diet with 30% garlic leaves powdered), P (basic diet with 26% papaya leaves powdered), GP (basic diet with 30% garlic and 26% papaya leaves powdered). Results indicated higher dry matter intake and weight gain in supplemented groups compared to control. Blood biomarkers and tissue histomorphometry showed no significant differences among the treatment groups, while electrophysiological and bacterial counts varied in supplemented animals.
In conclusion, this study suggests that garlic and papaya leaf supplementation improves animal health and production by reducing energy loss, offering a potential strategy for sustainable ruminant development amidst growing food demand.
QURRATULAIN
Lahore
Calling genocide by name
It is important to call genocide a genocide, UN experts told the UN Palestinian Rights Committee during a briefing titled “International Legal Responsibilities for Preventing Genocide, Holding Perpetrators of War Crimes Accountable, and Ending the Unlawful Occupation of Palestine” on 31 October 2024. They called on all states to examine their relationships and avoid being complicit in the crime Israel is committing against the Palestinian people in Gaza. “If you go to a doctor because you have cancer and you are diagnosed with fever, you have a big problem — it’s the same with the people who are being genocided,” said Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Palestinian Territory Occupied Since 1967, during a briefing on the international legal responsibilities for preventing genocide, holding perpetrators of war crimes accountable and for ending the unlawful occupation of Palestine.
Describing herself as “a reluctant chronicler of genocide,” Ms. Albanese said the international community must recognize what is happening in Gaza as genocide and “understand the bigger design behind what’s happening in Palestine today.” It is not simply war crimes and crimes against humanity that the Palestinians are experiencing — “they have experienced those throughout their entire lives,” she said, but the current situation is different.
At the beginning of the meeting, Cheikh Niang (Senegal), Committee Chair, commended the work of UN experts in investigating and documenting what has been happening. They have sifted through vast amounts of documents and testimonies, gathered evidence and separated facts from misinformation. Their “efforts are vital, not only for telling the story of Gaza but, more importantly, for ensuring accountability,” he said.
ALI KHAN
Via email
Int’l Day
of Tolerance
In order to generate public awareness, the United Nations solemnly proclaimed 16 November the annual International Day for Tolerance. Intolerance is a worldwide phenomenon and political intolerance is regarded as the core of all political crisis.
Developed states of the world have given utmost importance to political tolerance, and therefore, these states are progressing day in and day out. On the contrary, underdeveloped states being ignorant of importance of political tolerance are lagging behind in all fields of life.
As far as Pakistan is concerned, the country, since its inception has been facing sever political challenges due to political intolerance. A bird’s eye view of political history of the country reveals that there are multiple factors responsible for this dilemma. Abuse of political norms, vested interests of politicians and their political parties, institutional clashes and irresponsible role of social media are major culprits behind political intolerance in the country.
KAMRAN BABAR
Lahore
