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ID: 64400
Title: Can India become solar superpower?
Author: Supriya A Oundhakar
Editor: Mahadevan Iyer
Year: 2018
Publisher: Mahadevan Iyer
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Electrical India, Vol 58 (8) 68-72 (2018)
Subject: Can India become solar superpower?
Keywords: Solar superpower, India
Abstract: The Indian solar sector has witnessed remarkable strides with the country's international commitment for reducing its carbon footprint, the urge for energy security, limiting its dependence on fossil fuels and the most important dwindling tariffs of solar energy. As a result, the sector has enhanced its capacity from about 2.5 GW in FY14 to more than 20GW at the end of FY18.The first quarter of calendar year 2018 has registered the installation of 3 GW of solar. According to Mercom India Research that tracks Indi's renewable energy markets, this is the first time India has ever installed over 3 GW in one quarter.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
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ID: 64399
Title: Cooling the solar cells
Author: Dr. S.K. Bhat
Editor: Mahadevan Iyer
Year: 2018
Publisher: Mahadevan Iyer
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Electrical India, Vol 58 (8) 64-67 (2018)
Subject: Cooling the solar cells
Keywords: Solar cells, Solar energy
Abstract: In the present scenario the focus is on harnessing the environmentally friendly energy sources particularly on solar energy. Solar energy can be harnessed either directly or indirectly. Photon energy is harnesed by using solar cells. Basic photovoltaics cells or solar cells (SC) were bulky, breakable and costly. Semiconductor technology SC is in the form of wafers resulting in reduction in cost, size and higher safety in transportation, installation and maintenance.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
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ID: 64398
Title: Enabling technologies for smarter grid
Author: Jayant Sinha
Editor: Mahadevan Iyer
Year: 2018
Publisher: Mahadevan Iyer
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Electrical India, Vol 58 (8) 52-58 (2018)
Subject: Enabling technologies for smarter grid
Keywords: Technologies for smarter grid, renewable energy
Abstract: The smart grid market is undergoing rapid transition. The power distribution utilities, technology providers and system integrators are exploring smarter ways to exercise choices in the use of distributed energy resources and take control of the electricity distribution systems. The reduction in the cost of sensors and telemetry combined with secure Cloud computing has given rise to the emergence of IoT (Internet of things) as a platform of choice for the industry. The prevent regulatory norms, social obligations and environmental compliances are catapulting innovations in cleaner technologies, consonant with interoperable standards and protocols.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
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ID: 64397
Title: Distribution losses: How to reduce
Author: Subhajit Roy
Editor: Mahadevan Iyer
Year: 2018
Publisher: Mahadevan Iyer
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Electrical India, Vol 58 (8) 48-50 (2018)
Subject: Distribution losses: How to reduce
Keywords: Electricity distribution, Microgrids
Abstract: The Indian power sector has witnessed remarkable growth over the last few decades; however, power loses remains a major roadblock. It is estimated that power losses in transmission and distribution (T&D) across India average around 25 percent and in some areas, they can reach up to 50 percent. That means that half of eh electricity being generated either never reaches an end-user or is used but never paid for, Distribution is the weakest link in the entire power sector value chain. Therefore, being the revenue generating link, it is threatening to derail the entire process of power sector reforms as the sector has been reeling under losses.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
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ID: 64396
Title: Smart distribution
Author: Ashok Upadhyay
Editor: Mahadevan Iyer
Year: 2018
Publisher: Mahadevan Iyer
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference:
Subject: Smart distribution
Keywords: Power distribution, automation,
Abstract: The growth of a country depends upon the certain basic pillar of infrastructure and one of such basic infrastructure is availability of quality and reliable power in country. The country needs day and night uninterrupted power supply to all the consumers along with transparency in the operation of the sector and consumer participation. Since the enactment of the electricity act 2003, Indian power distribution utilities have come a long way but still distribution is the weakest link in the entire value chain of the electricity sector.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
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ID: 64395
Title: Power sector automation
Author: Subhajit Roy
Editor: Mahadevan Iyer
Year: 2018
Publisher: Mahadevan Iyer
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Electrical India, Vol 58 (8) 26-30 (2018)
Subject: Power sector automation
Keywords: Power sector
Abstract: Automation has become an integral part in power sector thanks to the growing concern about enhancing plant performance through dependable and predictable operations. Power plant automation solutions help in automating turbine control, boiler control, boiler protection, the balance of the plant, and integration of third-party systems with the help of predictive maintenance and connectivity through the internet.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
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ID: 64394
Title: Mapping Human and Natural Systems.
Author: Pete Bettinger, Krista Merry and Kevin Boston
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 124 (7) 864-865 (2023)
Subject: Mapping Human and Natural Systems.
Keywords: Mapping Human and Natural Systems
Abstract: Three distinguished forestry researchers have come together to bring out this excellent book as a practical guide to modern cartographers and map users in general. Two of them are experts in forestry and one in geography, an essential combination to publish a book of this kind, which does not require a review but an introduction for the benefit of map developers and users in the digital age. This pool of expertise has produced a book useful for students and researchers in environmental science, forestry, ecology, wildlife and natural resource management
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
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ID: 64393
Title: Ordinary Chondrites from North East India – A Raman and Infrared Spectroscopic Approach
Author: Bhaskar J. Saikia. reviewed by G.Parthasarathy
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 124 (7) 863-864 (2023)
Subject: Ordinary Chondrites from North East India – A Raman and Infrared Spectroscopic Approach
Keywords: Ordinary chondrites, North-east India, Infrared Spectroscopic
Abstract: As all the meteorites come from inside our solar system, they are the most important sources of information for improving our understanding of the origin and evolution of the solar system and various processes that occurred in the early solar system. Most of them are fragments of asteroids that broke apart along ago in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
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ID: 64392
Title: Food, nutrition and energy security of small and marginal farmers through integrated agriculture
Author: Bhargavi Bussa and Umakanta Behera
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 124 (7) 858-862 (2023)
Subject: Food, nutrition and energy security of small and marginal farmers through integrated agriculture
Keywords: Biodiversity, food security, integrated agriculture, nutrition and energy security, resource recycling, sustainable intensification.
Abstract: Food security and environmental sustainability are threatened by the degradation of natural resources in India’s rice-based agricultural systems. On-farm and on-station experiments on the integrated farming system (IFS) were carried out at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, to develop a productive, profitable and long-term resource-conserving alternative agricultural system that secures the food, nutrition and energy requirements of small farmers. IFS helped in making the farming system sustainable through different cropping, biodiversity and ecosystem services. It provided food and nutrition security to the farmer family through the production of diversified food commodities such as cereal, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits, eggs, milk, fish, meat, etc. Dairy–biogas integration offered a promising win–win opportunity to improve crop production while, at the same time, meeting the fuel needs of the farmer families. Field application of slurry reduced fertilizer burden on the farmers, besides improving the sustainability of their fields. Ecosystem services such as pollination of crops, run-off water harvesting, prevention of soil erosion, carbon sequestration by plants and soil, cultural services, etc. are vital for the sustainable supply of food and fibre. The experiment was conducted for three consecutive years (2015–18), and was observed that the IFS model generated net returns of INR 378,784 and employment of 628 mandays which are more than the conventional rice–wheat system. In the Indo-Gangetic Plains, IFS leads to sustainable intensification besides food security and poverty alleviation.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Anon., Agriculture census. Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers’ Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India, 2016, p. 10. Muzari, W., Gatsi, W. and Muvhunzi, S., The impacts of technology adoption on smallholder agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa: a review. J. Sustain. Dev., 2012, 5(8), 69.
Literature cited 2: Singh, V. K., Dwivedi, B. S., Shukla, A. K., Chauhan, Y. S. and Yadav, R. L., Diversification of rice with pigeonpea in a rice–wheat cropping system on a Typic Ustochrept: effect on soil fertility, yield and nutrient use efficiency. Field Crops Res., 2005, 92, 85–105. Das, T. K., Bhattacharyya, R., Sudhishri, S., Sharma, A. R., Saharawat, Y. S., Bandyopadhyay, K. K. and Jat, M. L., Conservation agriculture in an irrigated cotton–wheat system of the western Indo-Gangetic Plains: crop and water productivity and economic profitability. Field Crops Res., 2014, 158, 24–33.

ID: 64391
Title: Identifying ticks of genus Hyalomma using the COI gene from preserved old specimens – a significant approach for controlling zoonotic diseases
Author: Ankita Rajpoot , Shelley Acharya and Archana Bahuguna
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 124 (7) 851-857 (2023)
Subject: Identifying ticks of genus Hyalomma using the COI gene from preserved old specimens – a significant approach for controlling zoonotic diseases
Keywords: Accurate species identification, evolutionary divergence, genetic analysis, Hyalomma, phylogenetic tree, zoonotic diseases.
Abstract: Ticks are vectors for a range of human and animal diseases. Accurate species identification is a crucial step for effective pest management, as each species plays host to specific parasites. Species identification based on morphological characteristics is prone to error in cryptic species. Molecular techniques have been used in recent times for accurate species identification; however, few studies are available on Indian tick species. The present study aims to bridge this gap in species identification of Hyalomma ticks from India using conventional morphological and recent molecular methods. We also studied the evolutionary relationships between species using a phylogenetic approach. The study included historical samples (N = 14) representing four species obtained from the National Zoological Collection of the Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata. Genetic analysis was done using universal barcoding with COI primers. The results indicate a 99–100% match between the genetic and morphological analyses for the four samples of Hyalomma species collected, i.e. Hyalomma hussaini, Hyalomma aegyptium, Hyalomma kumari and Hyalomma anatolicum. The findings were also supported by phylogenetic and evolutionary tree analyses. The present study is helpful in identifying tick species using integrated approach, interpreting evolutionary relationships between different species and solving taxonomic problems.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: WHO, Vector control – methods for use by individuals and communities, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland, 1997. Eskezia, B. G. and Desta, A. H., Review on the impact of ticks on livestock health and productivity. J. Biol. Agric. Healthcare, 2016, 6, 1–7.
Literature cited 2: Matthysse, J. G. and Colbo, M. H., The Ixodid Ticks of Uganda, Ecological Society of America, College Park, Maryland, USA, 1987, p. 426. Camicas, J. L., Hervy, J. P., Adam, F. and Morel, P. C., The ticks of the world (Acarida, Ixodida): Nomenclature, Described Stages, Hosts, Distribution (including New Species Described Before 1/01/96). Orstom, Paris, 1998, p. 233; ISBN 2-7099-1418-2.

ID: 64390
Title: Assessment of bryophyte diversity in selected localities of Assam, North East India: a quantitative approach
Author: Priyanshu Srivastava, Vinay Sahu and Ashish K. Asthana
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 124 (7) 848-851 (2023)
Subject: Assessment of bryophyte diversity in selected localities of Assam, North East India: a quantitative approach
Keywords: Bryophytes, diversity assessment, evenness, quantitative estimation, species richness
Abstract: A study on the quantitative estimation of diversity in 32 selected grids in the bryophyte-rich localities of Assam, North East India has been carried out. Assessment was done in 160 macroplots of 10 m  10 m, randomly established in the forest and within each macroplot, five microquadrats (10 cm  10 cm) were placed at different habitats, viz. saxicolous, terricolous and epiphytic. A total of 80 taxa belonging to 29 species of liverworts under 18 genera and 10 families, and about 51 species of mosses belonging to 27 genera and 13 families were assessed. In the study area, Lejeuneaceae and Fissidentaceae as well as Cololejeunea latilobula (Herzog.) Tixier and Entodontopsis tavoyensis (Hook ex Harv.) W. R. Buck & R. R. Ireland were the dominant families and taxa respectively. Four species were new additions to NE India, and seven taxa were reported for the Assam region. The present study elucidates the bryophyte species diversity and the species richness, and evenness of the region, which can further define their importance in the community
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
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ID: 64389
Title: Bamboo in the socio-cultural context of the Meitei ethnic group from the Indo-Burma hotspot region of India
Author: Nongthombam Dayapati Devi, Lamyanbi Naorem, Heliza Khaidem, Yumnam Bidyaluxmi Devi and Maibam Dhanaraj Meitei
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 124 (7) 845-847 (2023)
Subject: Bamboo in the socio-cultural context of the Meitei ethnic group from the Indo-Burma hotspot region of India
Keywords: Bamboo, documentation and preservation, ethnic groups, socio-cultural association, traditional knowledge
Abstract: The present study documents the socio-cultural association of bamboo products with the Meitei ethnic group in India. From birth to death, the Meiteis have incorporated bamboo products in every socio-cultural context, where the plant is used in the events of ipaan thaba (birth rituals), luhongba (marriage rituals) and potloiba (cremation of departed souls). Further, the techniques used by locals of Andro, Bishnupur and Kakching to process and preserve bamboo shoots in the form of soibum and soidon were also documented. Such traditional knowledge is orally transmitted, it needs proper documentation and preservation.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Census of India, Census data. Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, 2011; https://censusindia.gov.in/2011-common/censusdata2011.html (assessed on 17 January 2021). Chongtham, N. and Bisht, M. D., Bamboo Shoot: Super Food for Nutrition, Health and Medicine, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, 2020, 1st edn.
Literature cited 2: Pampuinath, B. and Meitei, M. D., Traditional knowledge of medicinal plants among the Thangal–Naga ethnic group of Manipur, India. Curr. Sci., 2021, 120(5), 945. Murugesan, A. G. and Rajakumari, C., Environmental Science and Biotechnology: Theory and Techniques, MJP Publishers, 2009.

ID: 64388
Title: Impact of WHO-FCTC on the performance of Indian tobacco sector
Author: K. Viswanatha Reddy, D. Damodar Reddy , M. Sheshu Madhav , P. Prakash , B. Hema and A. Srinivas
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 124 (7) 840-844 (2023)
Subject: Impact of WHO-FCTC on the performance of Indian tobacco sector
Keywords: Commercial crop, control policies, production and export, public awareness, tobacco sector
Abstract: Tobacco, a commercial crop, plays a vital role in contributing significantly to the national exchequer besides providing livelihood security to a sizeable population in India. The present study assessed the impact of WHOFCTC on the performance of the Indian tobacco sector. The growth rate, instability and competitive indices were estimated using the secondary data by dividing the study period into pre-FCTC (1998–2005), transitional-FCTC (2006–13), and post-FCTC (2013–20) regimes. The analysis revealed that tobacco production and export witnessed a high growth rate, high export instability and enhanced export competitiveness during pre- and trans-FCTC regimes, and a low growth rate in production and export with low instability and declining global competitiveness in the post-FCTC regime. This implies the growing public awareness of the adverse effects of tobacco and the practical implementation of tobacco control policies in India and across the globe. Nevertheless, policy interventions need to be further accelerated. Also, it is inevitable to identify economically viable alternative crops and other enterprises to avert possible adverse environmental and socio-economic impacts from the multiple cultivators and other stakeholders in India.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: FAOSTAT, Statistics Division Data of Food and Agriculture Organization, 2022; http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/ Tobacco Board, Annual Report, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, 2020–21
Literature cited 2: GoI, Agriculture Export Policy, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, 2018. Reddy, K. V., Reddy, D. D. and Sendhil, R., An assessment of agricultural export competitiveness of commercial crops: pathways to augment Indian agricultural exports. Indian. J. Econ. Dev., 2022, 18(2), 436–444.

ID: 64387
Title: Geological, geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of the Bamhantara bauxite over Deccan Basalt Province of Kabirdham district, Chhattisgarh, India
Author: Debjani Sarkar, Pradipta Sur and Dinesh Kumar Thawait
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 124 (7) 827-839 (2023)
Subject: Geological, geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of the Bamhantara bauxite over Deccan Basalt Province of Kabirdham district, Chhattisgarh, India
Keywords: Bauxite, basalt, laterite, precursor rock, weathering
Abstract: This study presents the probable environment from petrographical, mineralogical and geochemical analyses of representative samples from Bamhantara block, Kabirdham district, Chhattisgarh, India using EPMA and SEMEDS for petrological study, and XRF and ICP-MS for geochemical inference. Microscopic study revealed the dominance of boehmite minerals that specify the synenvironmental depositional condition, while circular/ well-rounded pisolitic texture indicated autochthonous deposits. The geochemical study determined the progressive changes in major, trace and REE concentrations from precursor rock to bauxite during weathering. Bamhantara bauxite has been formed under oxidizing (positive Ce anomalies; Ce/Ce*, 0.92–2.15) and near alkaline to alkaline ((La/Yb)N and La/Y ratio > 1) conditions. The analogous trend of REE for bauxite/laterite and precursor rock indicates that lateritic bauxite had an autochthonous origin and is a chemical disintegration product of Deccan Trap basalt under tropical to subtropical climates. The geochemical behaviour of REE revealed that bauxite/laterite was generated from type-2 basalt characterized by positive Ce, Eu and Dy anomaly. The low concentration of kaolinite indicates desilication under a hot tropical climate
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Retallack, G. J., Lateritization and bauxitization events. Econ. Geol., 2010, 105, 655–667. Ouyang, Y., Liu, H., Wang, X., Liu, S., Zhang, J. and Gao, H., Spatial distribution prediction of laterite–bauxite in Bolaven Plateau using GIS. J. Earth Sci., 2019, 30, 1010–1019.
Literature cited 2: Freyssinet, P. H., Butt, C. R. M., Morris, R. C. and Piantone, P., Ore-forming processes related to lateritic weathering. Econ. Geol., 2005, 31A(6), 547–558. Roy Chowdhury, M. K., Venkatesh, V., Anandalwar, M. A. and Paul, D. K., Recent concepts on the origin of Indian laterite. Geological Survey of India, Calcutta, 1965; http://www.new.dli.ernet. in/rawdataupload/upload/insa/INSA1/20005ab9547.pdf (accessed on 12 September 2011).

ID: 64386
Title: Dynamics of soil organic carbon reservoir and microbial biomass carbon under controlled fire in the northwestern Himalaya
Author: Sakshi Vishvamitera, Uday Sharma and Abhinav Guleria
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2023
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 124 (7) 820-826 (2023)
Subject: Dynamics of soil organic carbon reservoir and microbial biomass carbon under controlled fire in the northwestern Himalaya
Keywords: Controlled fire, land-use systems, microbial biomass carbon, soil organic carbon, wildfires.
Abstract: Fluctuations in soil organic carbon (SOC) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) following controlled fire were examined for one year under four land-use systems, viz. chir pine forest (Pinus roxburghii), grassland, scrubland and non-fire site in chir pine (control) in Solan district, Himachal Pradesh, India. The experiment consisted of five replications in a factorial randomized block design. A controlled fire was set in March 2018, and soil samples were taken before and after burning at three soil depths, viz. 0–5, 5–10 and 10– 15 cm. Fire impact was rated in terms of SOC and MBC, which were found to be the lowest in the month immediately following the fire (April 2018) but started increasing in subsequent months and reached the highest at the end of the experiment, i.e. 12 months after fire; however, the remained slightly below pre-fire levels. Post-fire, SOC content was found to be the highest under unburnt chir pine site (11.9 g kg–1 ) and the lowest (11.0 g kg–1 ) under burnt chir pine forest. The highest per cent reduction in SOC content (1.63) post-fire was found in the surface layer (0–5 cm depth) compared to the other two depths. The unburnt chir pine forest recorded the highest MBC (181.04 µg g–1 soil), while the lowest (138.83 µg g–1 soil) was recorded in the scrubland. The highest MBC (167.77 µg g–1 soil) was recorded at 5–10 cm and the lowest (162.18 µg g–1 soil) at 10–15 cm soil depth. Unlike wildfires, post-fire negative effects of controlled burning on SOC and MBC were for a shorter period and thus, the soil recovered rapidly. Despite corresponding to a short monitoring time, these findings may add to a better understanding of the potential of controlled fire as a management tool for preventing wildfires
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Taylor, S. W. and Alexander, M. E., Field Guide to the Canadian Forest Fire Behavior Prediction (FBP) System, Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Pacific Forestry Centre, Victoria, British Columbia, 1996. Vachula, R. S., Sae-Lim, J. and Russell, J. M., Sedimentary charcoal proxy records of fire in Alaskan tundra ecosystems. Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclimatol. Palaeoecol., 2020, 541, 109564
Literature cited 2: Spinage, C. A., Fire part I: introduction and history. In African Ecology, Springer Geography, Springer, Berlin, Germany, 2012; https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-22872-8_6. Chandra, K. K. and Bhardwaj, A. K., Incidence of forest fire in India and its effect on terrestrial ecosystem dynamics, nutrient and microbial status of soil. Int. J. Agric. For., 2015, 5(2), 69–78; 10.5923/j. ijaf.20150502.01.