SUSTAINANCE – LESSONS FROM NATURE

Mohan Bharadwaj
Process Control and Automation Consultant
Mobile: +919822833088; e-mail: mbaindia@yahoo.co.uk

Abstract

Botanical Plants and Industrial plants – Sugar Plants included – have

many factors of similarity; and botanical plants have in-built natural
tendencies for survival which sustain them in adverse conditions.

It should therefore, be interesting to study the survival mechanisms of

botanical plants and consider trying to apply them to industrial plants
in general and sugar plants in particular!

Besides, there are some peculiarities of sugar plants which bring them
closer to botanical plants; e. g. both the plants are seasonal!

These concepts, points of similarities and how the survival

mechanisms of botanical plants can be applied to industrial plants for
sustenance are discussed in details.

Keywords: Botanical Plants, Industrial Plants, Survival Mechanisms

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 Introduction

“Survival of the Fittest”! That is one of the very basic Laws of Nature!! And every
naturally living thing tries to survive abiding by the Laws of Nature. But we human
beings have also created many things – various Industries being prominent among
those things. Miraculously, the Laws of Nature are so basic that they apply equally
well to the so-called ‘man-made’ things!

We thus have an interesting comparison between the ‘Botanical Plants’ and the
‘Industrial Plants’! Apart from the comparison between the two, we are also going to
see if the mechanisms which the Botanical Plants use for survival can be applied to
Industrial Plants in general and to Sugar Industry in particular.

Sugar Industry being one such Industrial Plant, and as we all are an integral part of the
Sugar Industry, we will mainly concern ourselves and discuss about the Sugar
Industry. However, the comparisons and survival mechanisms may apply equally to
any Industrial Plant.

Broadly speaking, there are two types of conditions for plants, both, Botanical and
Industrial! When the conditions are favourable and the resources are plentiful, the
plants not only just sustain but also there is growth and prosperity in general. On the
other hand, when the conditions turn adverse and / or there is scarcity of resources, the
growth stops, the prosperity disappears and the question of sustenance arises!

Our Sugar Industry, these days, is going through such a bad phase; the conditions are
adverse, so to say. And the question of sustenance is a very hot topic in the Industry
and the various Conferences. This writing should therefore, prove to be a stimulating
dose for the experts in finding solutions to this sustainability problem!

The Comparison: The Various Parts

The Roots

Mostly unseen, roots are what keep the plant alive. Deep-rooted plants survive adverse
conditions.

Similarly, the Basic Company and the Core Management act as roots for an Industrial
Plant.

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The Trunk and Network of Branches

The most visible part of the plant is the trunk and the branches.

Various departments, buildings, machinery etc. and the site in general is the visible
part of an Industrial Plant.

The Leaves

Howsoever big the tree, its trunk and a great network of branches may be; but it does
not look ‘live’ and does not function properly without leaves!

People working for a company in an Industrial Plant are the ‘leaves’ which bring the
plant to life!

There is an interesting point to be noted about the leaves. Leaves are the parts which
give out moisture and contribute to loss of water.

The Fruits / Flowers

A plant has some specific purpose of existence in the whole environment. The fruits
or flowers that the plant generates are.

An Industrial Plant also has some specific purpose. The product/s are for use by
mankind.

The Comparison: The External Factors

The Soil

The location, availability of water and the type of soil are the important points for the
survival of a plant.

The location as regards availability of raw material, transport and vicinity of market
etc. are very important for the Industrial Plant.

Water

This is the basic material running throughout the plant and the most essential for
survival.

The Basic Raw Material, Sugar Cane for a sugar factory, and Finance are very
essential for the survival of an Industrial Plant.
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Air

Carbon-di-Oxide from air is one of the Processing Materials. There is great

‘manufacturing’ activity by the leaves using these materials and the sunlight in
presence of catalyst like chlorophyll.

Some processing materials are required for the plant to carry out the manufacturing
activity. For sugar industry, lime and sulphur are such examples. The quality of these
materials affects the quality of the final product, sugar.

Fertilisers / Growth Supplements

Fertilisers and growth supplements make up deficiencies and help to enhance the
product quality and quantity of the final products, fruits and / or flowers.

Good quality raw materials and financial subsidies, tax exemptions etc. Enhance the
working of an Industrial Plant.

The Sun

The sun is supreme! There are ‘sunny’ days and there are ‘rainy’ days!! The activities
likewise are vigorous or below-normal.

Both, over and under sunshine are detrimental for the plant.

And so are the Marketplace and the Government; they have their own whims and
styles. You do not control them; they control you!

Peculiarities of Sugar Plant

There are certain peculiarities which bring the Sugar Factory nearer to a Botanical
Plant!

Both plants are seasonal, in some way or other.

Botanical Plants shed leaves in the ‘Fall’ season; Sugar Factories ‘shed’ seasonal
workers in the ‘Off’ season.

Botanical Plants are fully at the mercy of the Nature. Sugar Cane being the Raw
Material, the performance of a Sugar Factory is largely at the mercy of Nature.

You may like to add your points to these observations.

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 Survival

When the conditions are favourable, the plant grows and prospers; it gives good
quality flowers / fruits in abundant quantities. In adverse conditions, the plant tries
survival. It cuts down the use of resources like water, arrests losses by shading some
leaves etc. The products are less in quantity and inferior in quality.

Let us have a look at the Figures. These are photographs of actual plants from my own
garden!

Figure 1

There are no visible signs of ‘life’ for this plant. It is as good (bad?!) as dead!

Figure 2

The plant has shed many of its leaves. The lesson here is that the ‘basic structure’
should be in-tact.

Figure 3

With good soil and a little but ‘timely’ water, life starts again in the basic structure!
Note that the first signs are ‘leaves’!! Very few but very, very essential to start new
life of the plant!!!

With good basics in place, the first signs of revival are the presence of some key
people!!

Figure 4

To start with, the number of leaves is less even if the plant structure is big; this is
because the losses (water loss through the leaves) are to be kept under control.

Figure 5

Slowly normalcy starts to set in. More and more leaves appear.

More people appear and the activity starts getting vigorous.

Figure 6

Soon normalcy is achieved.

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Figure 7

As time goes by, old leaves make way for new ones and the plant grows!

Figure 8

Some plants are basically so strong that they even survive the so-called ‘total
abolition’!

Conclusion

Deep-rooted and very strong basic structure, very good healthy leaves and proper use
of the external factors will definitely ensure the survival of any plant – Botanical or
Industrial!
So friends, take heart; we are going to survive and come out strong again from this
bad phase!
These observations are a part of an on-going research project on the subject of
understanding and finding out the ‘Natural Laws’ of co-existence, evolution and
advancement of flora and fauna together. The observations as submitted here are by
no means final (they cannot be!) and so are definitely open to additions, deletions,
refinements and modifications. You can expect more and more interesting
observations as the project advances!

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