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ID: 65955
Title: Land-surface temperature dynamics in the fringes of north Bhubaneswar, India: an empirical analysis
Author: Priyanka Mishra , Damodar Jena, Nimay Chandra Giri , R. R. Thakur and Debendra Nath Dash
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (2) 222-231 25 July (2024)
Subject: Land-surface temperature dynamics in the fringes of north Bhubaneswar, India: an empirical analysis
Keywords: Geo-spatial technology, land-surface temperature, remote sensing, urban fringe, urban heat is
Abstract: The urban fringes are experiencing a significant surge in surface temperature during the transition from rural to urban, inducing imperceptible disturbances. The present study analyses the temperature modulations from 2000 to 2022 in Kalarahanga and Raghunathpurjali fringes in North Bhubaneswar to understand the relationship between spatiotemporal changes and land-surface temperature in the fringes. The investigations reveal a consistent decrease in the area under water bodies and crops, with an increase in the built-up area. Besides, there exists an inverse correlation between the area under high and medium temperature with the area under cropland (–0.820) and the area under water bodies (–0.799), and a positive correlation coefficient (0.813) with the built-up area/impervious surfaces. This insists on eco-sensitive planning of the urban fringes with consistent monitoring of land use and thermal dynamics for apt control of the changes in the urban microclimate.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: McDonald, R. I., Güneralp, B., Huang, C. W., Seto, K. C. and You, M., Conservation priorities to protect vertebrate endemics from global urban expansion. Biol. Conserv., 2018, 224, 290–299. 2. Rehman, S., Ullah, S., Azim, F. and Khan, H. U. R., Impact of financial development, energy consumption and urbanization on CO2 emissions from buildings using quantile ARDL model. J. Infrast., Policy Dev., 2023, 7(3), 2166.
Literature cited 2: McGrane, S. J., Impacts of urbanisation on hydrological and water quality dynamics, and urban water management: a review. Hydrol. Sci. J., 2016, 61, 2295–2311. Pal, S. and Ziaul, S., Detection of land use and land cover change and land surface temperature in English Bazar urban centre. Egyptian J. Remote Sensing Space Sci., 2017, 20, 125–

ID: 65954
Title: Nutrient intake disparities among public distribution system beneficiaries in the Bundelkhand region
Author: Surjya Kanta Roy , Satyapriya, Venu Lenin , Sitaram Bishnoi , Girish Kumar Jha , Pramod Kumar , Sujay B. Kademani , P. N. Fatheen Abrar and Amandeep Ranjan
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (2) 214-221 25 July (2024)
Subject: Nutrient intake disparities among public distribution system beneficiaries in the Bundelkhand region
Keywords: Calorie intake, household dietary diversity, nutrient gap, public distribution system, under-nutrition.
Abstract: There is a consistent association between dietary diversity, both in terms of quantity and pattern of food consumption, and inadequate growth, development and long-term health outcomes. A total of 16 villages in the Bundelkhand region were chosen to evaluate calorie and nutrition intake using a 24-hour recall time. Caloric and nutrient intake in Chitrakoot district deviated from the recommended dietary allowance, with insufficient dietary diversity. This deficiency, excluding protein and phosphorus consumption, adversely affected the under-nutrition status among beneficiaries of the public distribution system.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Vitamin and mineral requirements in human nutrition, 2004, vol. 2, pp. 17–299. Ruel, M. T., Is dietary diversity an indicator of food security or dietary quality? A review of measurement issues and research needs. Food Nutr. Bull., 2003, 24(2), 231–232.
Literature cited 2: Gupta, S., Sunder, N. and Pingali, P. L., Market access, production diversity, and diet diversity: evidence from India. Food Nutr. Bull., 2020, 41(2), 167–185. Pinstrup‐Andersen, P., Agricultural research and policy for better health and nutrition in developing countries: a food systems approach. Agric. Econ

ID: 65953
Title: Water quality monitoring and water quality index of the Tuikual River in the vicinity of Aizawl city, Mizoram
Author: Lalnunthari Ngente and B. P. Mishra
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (2) 208-213 25 July (2024)
Subject: Water quality monitoring and water quality index of the Tuikual River in the vicinity of Aizawl city, Mizoram
Keywords: Biomedical effluents, contaminants, parameters, statistical analysis, water quality in
Abstract: The Tuikual River is a major source of potable water for the people of Aizawl city in the state of Mizoram. Domestic and municipal waste from Aizawl’s western suburbs and biomedical effluents from the Civil and Ebenezer Hospitals are getting discharged into it. Agricultural run-off adds to the river’s pollution. Here we examine the water quality of the Tuikual River over two years (October 2019 to September 2021) at four sampling stations selected along the river course both upstream and downstream of the city. The water quality index was computed as 287, 310, 162 and 135 at sites 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. The findings depict that the river water at all the sites is unfit for drinking because the weighted arithmetic water quality index exceeds 100 at all the stations
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Prasanna, M. B. and Ranjan, P. C., Physico chemical properties of water collected from Dhamra estuary. Int. J. Environ. Sci., 2010, 1(3), 334–342. Tahera, A. et al., Water quality index for measuring drinking water quality in rural Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study. J. Health Popul. Nutr., 2016, 35(4), 1–12.
Literature cited 2: Singh, P. K. and Singh, A. K., Water quality assessment of river Gomati at Jaunpur (UP) India. Int. J. Pharma. Biol. Sci., 2014, 5(4), B520–B526. APHA, Standards methods for the examination of water and wastewater, American Public Health Association, Washington, DC, USA, 2012, 22nd edn

ID: 65952
Title: Estimating the urban expansion and heterogeneity of a metropolitan region: a case of Kolkata metropolitan area
Author: Tanmay Mondal and Preeti Onkar
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (2) 202-207 25 July (2024)
Subject: Estimating the urban expansion and heterogeneity of a metropolitan region: a case of Kolkata metropolitan area
Keywords: Built-up index, impervious surface area, spatial metrics, urban expansion, urban sprawl.
Abstract: Urban planners study development patterns along with the rate and type of urban expansion to formulate policies and schemes for planned and integrated future development of the cities. This study aimed to explore the dynamics of urban sprawl in the metropolitan region of Kolkata by using Gini–Simpson’s diversity index. It was used on the generated decadal maps to understand the degree of spatial concentration or dispersion of the built areas. It revealed that the urban sprawl was increasing in the outskirts of the Kolkata metropolitan area (KMA) with gradual dispersion and increased heterogeneity. A better understanding of the spatial and temporal dynamics of the city’s growth, provided by this study, forms the basis for better planning and effective spatial organization of urban activities for the future development of KMA.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: . Hersperger, A. M., Grădinaru, S. R. and Siedentop, S., Towards a better understanding of land conversion at the urban–rural interface: planning intentions and the effectiveness of growth management. J. Land Use Sci., 2020, 15, 644–651. Sarif, M. O. and Gupta, R. D., Comparative evaluation between Shannon’s entropy and spatial metrics in exploring the spatiotemporal dynamics of urban morphology: a case study of Prayagraj City, India (1988–2018). Spat. Inf. Res., 2021, 29, 961–979.
Literature cited 2: Kumar, P., Kumar, P. and Garg, R. K., A study on farmers’ satisfaction and happiness after the land sale for urban expansion in India. Land Use Policy, 2021, 109, 105603. Kukkonen, M. O., Muhammad, M. J., Käyhkö, N. and Luoto, M., Urban expansion in Zanzibar City, Tanzania: analyzing quantity, spatial patterns and effects of alternative planning approaches. Land Use Policy, 2018, 71, 554–565.

ID: 65951
Title: Comparison of phytochemical composition and anti-hyperglycemic activity of Liubao tea from different fermentation years
Author: Huiqin Wang, Beibei Li, Yizheng Sun and Shixiang Li
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (2) 194-201 25 July (2024)
Subject: Comparison of phytochemical composition and anti-hyperglycemic activity of Liubao tea from different fermentation years
Keywords: Anti-hyperglycemic activity, enzyme inhibition, Liubao tea, phytochemical composition, PI3K-Akt pathway
Abstract: Using response surface methodologies, two Liubao tea (LBT) extracts, LBT-5 and LBT-7, were optimized for different fermentation durations. Phytochemical composition analysis assessed the chemical composition and distribution of tea pigments. Their inhibitory effects on glucose-metabolic enzymes were analysed. Furthermore, an insulin-resistant (IR) cell model was constructed to study their regulation of glucose metabolism and underlying mechanism. LBT-7, aged longer, exhibited higher polyphenols and pigments. Assessments on glucose-metabolic enzymes and IR regulation confirmed LBT’s capability to enhance glucose consumption, modulate cytokines and activate the IRS-PI3KAkt-GLUT4 pathway. Notably, LBT-7 demonstrated a stronger effect due to its higher tea pigment.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Samanta, S., Potential bioactive components and health promotional benefits of tea (Camellia sinensis). J. Am. Nutr. Assoc., 2022, 41, 65–93. Pan, H., Le, M., He, C., Yang, C. S. and Ling, T., Dark tea: a popular beverage with possible medicinal application. Chin. Herb. Med., 2023, 15, 33–36.
Literature cited 2: Zhu, J., Yu, C., Zhou, H., Wei, X. and Wang, Y., Comparative evaluation for phytochemical composition and regulation of blood glucose, hepatic oxidative stress and insulin resistance in mice and HepG2 models of four typical chinese dark teas. J. Sci. Food Agric., 2021, 101, 6563–6577. Pan, Y., Long, X., Yi, R. and Zhao, X., Polyphenols in Liubao tea can prevent CCl₄-induced hepatic damage in mice through its antioxidant capacities. Nutrients, 2

ID: 65950
Title: Formal banks, semi-formal SHGs or informal moneylenders, who is better? a study of borrower credit preference in India
Author: Padmavathi Koride and L. Ganesh
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (2) 182-193 25 July (2024)
Subject: Formal banks, semi-formal SHGs or informal moneylenders, who is better? a study of borrower credit preference in India
Keywords: Agency theory, banks, moneylenders, preference, self-help groups
Abstract: The present study explores the factors driving borrowers’ preference for formal banks, self-help groups (SHGs) and moneylenders. The study is based on a systematic survey of 839 rural borrowers from southern India, sampled from four districts with varied levels of credit access (surplus, constrained and moderate credit). The data was analysed using multinomial logistic regression in SPSS. Results show how banks and moneylenders exclude borrowers based on relative wealth and gender. SHGs service women borrowers but are preferred more by wealthier borrowers, highlighting intragroup inequalities. Yet, the three lenders service a variety of purposes, justifying their demand in the market. The study enhances understanding of rural borrowers’ constraints concerning various credit sources. The implications of this study are as follows: one is identifying the lacunae in the formal banking system, which policy amendments could address. Two, the study recommends an investigation of intragroup inequalities within SHGs. Third, the study underscores the demand for multiple players in the rural credit markets and their contribution to the borrower’s credit needs
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Kumar, S. M. and Venkatachalam, R., Caste and credit: a woeful tale? J. Develop. Stud., 2019, 55(8), 1816–1833. Singh, R., Credit constraints and rural migration: evidence from six villages in Uttar Pradesh. Migration Lett., 2018, 15(3), 389–399.
Literature cited 2: Lal, T., Impact of financial inclusion on poverty alleviation through cooperative banks. Int. J. Soc. Econ., 2018, 45(5), 808–828. Charron‐Chénier, R., Predatory inclusion in consumer credit: explaining black and white disparities in payday loan use. In Sociological Forum, 2020, vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 370–392

ID: 65949
Title: Virtual reality, augmented reality and its potential use case in space engineering
Author: Jai G. Singla, and Kshitija Suresh Shirke
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (2) 175-181 25 July (2024)
Subject: Virtual reality, augmented reality and its potential use case in space engineering
Keywords: Augmented reality, engineering 3D models, mixed reality toolkit, virtual reality.
Abstract: The present article explores the potential and usefulness of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies in space engineering. VR is a realistic, interactive 3D computer-created world that you can explore as if you really are there. In this work, we explored VR technology usage in space borne systems and engineering. Usually, designers use native mechanical design software like CATIA and CREO to design and analyse various systems and subsystems. System designers must also analyse system interfaces, intricacies, and alignments from all angles in an interactive and immersive fashion to foresee and avoid potential issues. Therefore, an in-house virtual reality solution is developed to understand a complex engineering sub-system/system; its assembly, dis-assembly; sectional views and perform 360-degree analysis of system/sub-systems by direct interaction in a virtual environment. This technical paper also explores the use of AR technology for various users to understand intricate engineering models and assist the crew members remotely, even in case of unavailability of proper communication. The AR application is equipped with interactive simulations and demonstrations, enabling engineers to manipulate and investigate 3D models in a mixed-reality environment. Application is designed in a generalized way to take any complex engineering model as an input. The contribution of this work to the field of space technology lies in its innovative approach and in-house developments to visualize and interact with complex models through VR and AR-based solutions.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: https://www.vive.com https://www.oculus.com
Literature cited 2: https://microsoft.com/ Wan, W., Yang, Z., Du, X. and Zhao, X., Space make the virtual a reality: a web-based platform for visualization and analysis with earth observation satellite data. In IEEE 7th International Conference on Virtual Reality (ICVR), Foshan, China, 2021, pp. 279–285; doi:10.1109/ICVR51878.2021.9483848

ID: 65948
Title: Sensory perception of humidity in the built environment for wellness: a scoping review
Author: Suchi Priyadarshani and Monto Mani
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (2) 160-174 25 July (2024)
Subject: Sensory perception of humidity in the built environment for wellness: a scoping review
Keywords: Comfort, health, humidity, indoor environmental quality, sensory perceptions, welln
Abstract: Water vapour in the air is an essential element that directly affects all animate and inanimate constituents of the planet. It is a fundamental constituent in all interactions that characterize life and planetary systems. Water vapour in the air is distinctly associated with the functioning of the human sense organs. All five senses, i.e. smell, touch, sight, sound and taste respond to water vapour in the air. The sensory mechanisms determine a human being’s physiological and psychological balance, which is the foundation of wellness, relevant on a planetary scale. However, the sensory mechanisms associated with water vapour in the built environment have not been discerned holistically, particularly its role in human wellness. The present article reviews sensory perceptions and responses attributed to humidity/water vapour in the built environment and examines its role in promoting human wellness, drawing insights from diverse interdisciplinary disciplines.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: . Song, G., Improving Comfort in Clothing, Elsevier, 2011, 1st edn; doi:10.1533/9780857090645. Climate Application and User Interface. Indian Meteorological Department, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India; https:// imdpune.gov.in/caui/smartcities.html (accessed on 11 January 2022).
Literature cited 2: Cavazzana, A., Larsson, M., Hoffmann, E., Hummel, T. and Haehner, A., The vessel’s shape influences the smell and taste of cola. Food Qual. Prefer., 2017, 59, 8–13; doi:10.1016/j.foodqual. 2017.01.014. Dietrich, A. M., The sense of smell : contributions of orthonasal and retronasal perception applied to metallic flavor of drinking water. J. Water Supply: Res. Technol.-Aqua, 2009, 58(8), 562–570; doi:10.2166/aqua.2009.122.

ID: 65947
Title: Promoting sustainable livelihoods: evidence from the tribal regions of Marayoor, Kerala
Author: N. D. Yogendra
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (2) 153-159 25 July (2024)
Subject: Promoting sustainable livelihoods: evidence from the tribal regions of Marayoor, Kerala
Keywords: Income, lemongrass, livelihood and sustainability, tribal cluster.
Abstract: The success of tribal farmers and rural youths in adopting advanced cultivation and processing techniques for lemongrass in Marayoor, Idukki district, Kerala, as part of the United Nations Development Programme and Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants collaboration is discussed in the present study. The project, implemented across four tribal clusters from 2020 to 2022, focused on re-evaluating and enhancing lemongrass essential oil production technology. Results showed a three to four-fold increase in tribal farmer’s income and year-round job opportunities for rural youths in the aromatic industry. Improved cultivation and processing methods led to self-sufficiency among tribal farmers and rural youths, reducing reliance on forest resources.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: . Thekkan, S. and Paulsamy, Lemongrass oil a major source of income for the tribals of Wayanad district of Kerala. Kongunadu Res. J., 2016, 3(2), 67–69. Alfassam, H. A., Aleanizy, F. S., Alqahtani, F. Y., Altalal, A. M. and Fitaihi, R. A., Household essential oils as antimicrobial agents for health and skincare. Oriental J. Chem., 2017, 33(4), 2123–2126.
Literature cited 2: Kulkarni, R. N., Bhaskaran, K., Ramesh, S. and Rajeswara Rao, B. R., Improved clonal variety Krishna of lemongrass. CIMAP, News Letter, 1997, 24(1&2), 2–3. Yogendra, N. D., Keerthi, P. E., Nazeer, M., Jnanesha, A. C., Verma, R. S. and Sundaresan, V., Livelihood enhancement and resource use efficiency under lemongrass intercropping with food crops. Acta Ecol. Sinica, 2023, 1–10.

ID: 65946
Title: National Geospatial Policy: present status and a way forward towards unambiguous and consistent geodetic positioning in India
Author: Ropesh Goyal, Ratnesh Kushwaha and Onkar Dikshit
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (2) 147-152 25 July (2024)
Subject: National Geospatial Policy: present status and a way forward towards unambiguous and consistent geodetic positioning in India
Keywords: Continuously operating reference station, geodetic position, horizontal datum, National Geospatial Policy
Abstract: Geodetic positioning in India began with the Great Trigonometric Survey. The Survey of India (SoI) has since undertaken significant initiatives, such as the National Mapping Policy 2005, National Ground Control Points Library, and establishing Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS). The National Geospatial Policy 2022 emphasizes the importance of precise coordinates and advocates for the liberalization of geodetic data collection and dissemination. It also aims to develop a new geodetic reference frame. Unambiguous positioning requires also specifying the reference frame, ellipsoid, epoch and datum. This article provides an overview of the current status of the geodetic positioning in India and a way forward towards consistent geodetic positioning in India through CORS-based Indian Geodetic Datum.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: DST, Guidelines for acquiring and producing geospatial data and geospatial data services including maps, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India (GoI), 2021, p. 5; https://dst.gov.in/sites/default/files/Final%20Approved%20Guidelines%20on- %20Geospatial%20Data.pdf (accessed on 12 September 2022). Goyal, R. and Dikshit, O., National geospatial policy: perspectives on height systems, vertical datums, and gravimetric geoid modelling in India. Curr. Sci., 2024, 126(3), 309–319
Literature cited 2: DST, Draft National Geospatial Policy, Department of Science and Technology, GoI, 2021, p. 24; https://dst.gov.in/sites/default/files/ Draft%20NGP%2C%202021.pdf (accessed on 12 September 2022). SoI, National Mapping Policy-2005, Survey of India, GoI, 2005, p. 4; https://surveyofindia.gov.in/documents/national-map-policy.pdf (accessed on 30

ID: 65945
Title: Seabed videography using indigenously built low-cost deep sea underwater camera
Author: Aditya Peketi, Subhashree Mishra, Aninda Mazumdar, Pawan Dewangan, Harish kumar m. Kallathian Velip Shashikant A. Zatale, K. Sivan, V. Rajurkar
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (2) 142-145 25 July (2024)
Subject: Seabed videography using indigenously built low-cost deep sea underwater camera
Keywords: None
Abstract: Ocean covers ~71% (361 × 106 km2 ) of the Earth’s surface, whereas the deep sea (below 200 m water depth1 ) covering ~66% of the planet’s surface is the largest biome on Earth. Seabed hosts thousands of marine species ranging from microscopic algae to the largest creatures on Earth. Apart from the individual species, the seabed consists of large ecological units like cold seep, hydrothermal ecosystems and many more mysteries unearthed. Over the past decades, India has been at the forefront of deepwater studies (like underwater autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and remotely operated vehicle (ROVs)) for diverse scientific missions, which were economically expensive2 .
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Levin, L. A. et al., Front. Mar. Sci., 2019, 6, 241. Ramadass, G. A. et al., Curr. Sci., 2010, 99, 809–815
Literature cited 2: Henry, P. et al., Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 1992, 109, 355–371. Shaling, H., Rickert, D., Lee, R. W., Linke, P. and Suess, E., Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., 2002, 231, 121–138.

ID: 65944
Title: Amended Biodiversity Act: implications for intellectual property protection and technology transfer
Author: Akriti Sharma
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (2) 139-141 25 July (2024)
Subject: Amended Biodiversity Act: implications for intellectual property protection and technology transfer
Keywords: None
Abstract: In accordance with international conventions and protocols, countries are modifying their biodiversity regulations. India’s 2023 amendment to the Biological Diversity Act focuses on access and benefit sharing (fairly dividing benefits from using biological resources) concerning biodiversity. The amendment introduces new rules to simplify managing intellectual property rights and technology transfer while encouraging researchers to participate in these areas. This article compares the original and amended acts, explaining how the changes affect research institutions working with biological resource
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: The Biological Diversity Act, 2002; https://lddashboard.legislative.gov.in/actsofp arliamentfromtheyear/biological-diversityact-2002 (accessed on 12 September 2023). The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023; https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/ 2023/247815.pdf (accessed on 12 September 2023).
Literature cited 2: The Companies Act, 2013; https://www. mca.gov.in/Ministry/pdf/CompaniesAct2013. pdf (accessed on 12 September 2023). The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940; https:// www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/ 15278/1/drug_cosmeticsa1940-23.pdf (accessed on 12 September 2023)

ID: 65943
Title: Blending procedure is crucial for BG-II cotton hybrids to adhere to the prescribed ‘Refugia in Bag’ standards
Author: Debashis Paul, Rishi Kumar and Y. G. Prasad
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (1) 101-104 10 July (2024)
Subject: Blending procedure is crucial for BG-II cotton hybrids to adhere to the prescribed ‘Refugia in Bag’ standards
Keywords: Bollworms, BG-II hybrid, Cry toxin, ELISA, refugia in bag.
Abstract: In India, after its introduction in 2002, Bt cotton showed a steep increment in terms of area coverage and presently occupies more than 95% of the total cotton cultivated area; recommended with the planting of structured refuge of the same non-Bt cotton hybrid iso-line at the periphery of the Bt cotton field. Structured refuge compliance is lacking due to farmers’ lack of understanding of its significance, along with other challenges like non-isogenic ‘refugia’ seeds and asynchronous agronomy between main and refuge crops. Though the refugia in Bag concept was studied in 2012, the government introduced ‘Refugia in Bag’, which mandates 5–10% non-Bt seeds blended with 90–95% Bt seeds in every BG-II hybrid seed packet being sold in the market from June 2020. However, complaints about improper seed proportions led to qualitative ELISA testing, revealing that a substantial number of evaluated hybrids did not adhere to recommended ‘refugia’ proportions in 2022 and 2023, which may be due to improper dispensing and blending methods during seed packaging. The study emphasizes the need for standardizing blending procedures to ensure adherence to ‘Refugia in Bag’ standards for all stakeholders.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Kumar, R. et al., Assessment of bollworm damage and yield loss in seed blends of Bollgard-II with corresponding non-Bt hybrid as ‘built in refuge’ in cotton. Phytoparasitica, 2020, 49, 253–263. Heuberger, S., Ellers-Kirk, C., Tabashnik, B. E. and Carrière, Y., Pollen- and seed-mediated transgene flow in commercial cotton seed production fields. PLoS One, 2010, 5(11), e14128.
Literature cited 2: Thomson, J. (ed.), GM Crops: The Impact and the Potential, CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood VIC 3066, Australia, 2006, p. 7. Balasubramani, G. et al., Critical evaluation of GM cotton. In Cotton Precision Breeding, Springer, Cham, 2021, pp. 351–410.

ID: 65942
Title: Significance of radiocarbon AMS chronology of Bandhavgarh National Park and Tiger Reserve from an archaeological perspective
Author: Nayanjot Lahiri, Binita Phartiyal and Karthick Balasubramanian
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (1) 98-101 10 July (2024)
Subject: Significance of radiocarbon AMS chronology of Bandhavgarh National Park and Tiger Reserve from an archaeological perspective
Keywords: Archaeology, AMS dates, Bandhavgarh, forests
Abstract: The present communication indicates the timeline-based on accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dates – that has emerged from a sediment core originating in the Bandhavgarh National Park and Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh, India) and attempts to see if those dates broadly coincide with the changing historical signature as recorded in archaeological evidence in this tract. A comprehensive overview of vegetational and climatic changes in the forested tract of Bandhavgarh across time is under preparation, and the present study aims to report on the first scientific dates from the Bandhavgarh National Park and Tiger Reserve and the rich possibilities that open up when they are juxtaposed with its archaeology.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Lahiri, N., Rajani, M. B., Sanyal, D. and Banerjee, S., Exploring the forest and mapping its archaeology: Bandhavgarh National Park and Tiger Reserve, India. Curr. Sci., 2022, 23(4), 772–780. Lahiri, N., Rajani, M. B., Sanyal, D., Banerjee, S. and Tiwari, S., Tracing Ancient Itinerants and Early Medieval Rulers in the Forests of Bandhagarh, South Asian Studies, 2023; https://www.tandfonline. com/doi/full/10.1080/02666030.2022.2163067
Literature cited 2: Srinivas, A. and Lahiri, N., Peering into the Prehistoric Past of Bandhavgarh National Park, Central India. J. Lithic Stud., 2024, 11, 1–14. Reimer, P. J. et al., The IntCal20 Northern Hemisphere radiocarbon age calibration curve (0–55 calk BP). Radiocarbon, 2020, 62, 725– 757.

ID: 65941
Title: Bumble bee visitation of Brahma Kamal (Saussurea obvallata, Asteraceae) in the Tawang District of Arunachal Pradesh, India
Author: Jaya Narah, Jharna Chakravorty , Axel Brockmann and Karsing Megu
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (1) 96-97 10 July (2024)
Subject: Bumble bee visitation of Brahma Kamal (Saussurea obvallata, Asteraceae) in the Tawang District of Arunachal Pradesh, India
Keywords: Bee visitation, Brahma Kamal, bumble bee, East Himalaya.
Abstract: Brahma Kamal are rare flowers found in high-altitude regions of the Himalaya, where bumble bees are the primary pollinators. Bumble bees are cold-adapted bees, and in India their distribution is in Himalayan Mountain ranges. We study this plant and bumble bees in the Bumla pass at about 4300 m above mean sea level (amsl) in the Eastern Himalayan Ranges in the Tawang District, Arunachal Pradesh, India. The present study systematically reported the occurrence of Brahma Kamal, which was rarely recorded in Arunachal along with a report of six species of bumble bee (Bombus abnormis, Bombus lemniscatus, Bombus mirus, Bombus pressus, Bombus prshewalskyi and Bombus sikkimi) visitors from high altitude region of state of Arunachal Pradesh, India. The flowering time of the Brahma Kamal is in the month of August, and the optimal period to record bumble bees is from June to August. This new report focuses on the extreme east of India, in the Eastern Himalaya, and adds to the data on Brahma Kamal distribution and bumble bee occurrence for future research on pollination, species distribution, threat and conservation.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
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