ID: 56406
Title: Wetlands of India: inventory and assessment at 1:50,000 scale using geospatial techniques
Author: Sushma Panigraphy, T V R Murthy, J G Patel and T S Singh
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 6, 25 March 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Inventory and assessment, remote sensing, spectral indices, wetlands
Abstract: Conservation and wise use of wetlands has been given priority world over. India harbours diverse types of wetlands. This study highlights the findings of the national-level inventory and assessment of wetlands carried out using RESOURCESAT-1 LISS-III data of 2006-07 at 1: 50,000 scale. A hierarchial system comprising 19 classes based on Ramsar definition has been used to classify the wetlands of India. The extent of wetlands has been estimated to be 15.26 m ha. Inland wetlands account for 69.22% (10.564 m ha), whereas the coastal wetlands account for 27.13% (4.14 m ha). The high-altitude wetlands (situated > 3000 m asl) in the Himalayan states were also mapped, comprising 126, 249 ha of areal extent. The status of wetlands in terms of water spread, turbidity of open water and aquatic vegetation has shown significant variation during pre-and post-monsoon seasons. This article highlights the detailed resutls at state level and the status of wetlands in terms of water spread, aquatic vegetation and turbidity of open water in the wetlands in the pre-and post-monsoon seasons.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56405
Title: Performance of a megawatt-scale grid-connected solar photovoltaic power plant in Kolar District in Karnataka
Author: H Mitavachan, Anandhi Gokhale, B R Nagarju, A V V Reddy, D C Krishnamurthy and J Srinivasan
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 6, 25 March 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Power plants, Photovoltaic power plant
Abstract: A megawatt scale grid-connected photovoltaic power plant was commissioned on 27 December 2009 in Yalesandra in Kolar district in Karnataka. The Yalesandra plant is one among more than 20 such Megawatt size solar power plants in India during the past few years. The performance of this plant during its first year of operation has been discussed. The total electrical energy generated by the Yelasandra plant during 2010 was 3.34 million kWh. Although the performance of photovoltaic modules was good, there were problems associated with the inverters which led to reduction in energy generation. The impact of temperature variation of modules on their performance has been highlighted.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56404
Title: Western Ghats ' fish fauna in peril: are pseudo conservationist attitudes to be blamed?
Author: Rajeev Raghavan, Neelesh Dahanukar, K Krishnakumar, Anvar Ali, Simmy Solomon, M R Ramprasanth, Fibin Baby, Benno Pereira, Josin Tharian and Siby Philip
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 6, 25 March 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56403
Title: Strategoes for augmenting and conserving water-options for India
Author: Rishi Narain Singh
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 6, 25 March 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56402
Title: Biopesticide formulation to control tomato lepidopteran pest menace
Author: Sumitra Arora, Ashok K Kanojia, Ashok Kumar, Navin Mogha and Vikrant Sahu
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 7, 10 April 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Biopesticide, cow urine, pest control, tomato
Abstract: In the present study an indigenous biopesticide formulation (BPF) comprising easily accessible botanicals along with cow urine, was evaluated for its efficacy against insect pests of tomato crop under field. BPF gave promising results in controlling tomato fruit borers and afforded substantial yield of the produce. The BPF treatment could control 70 -80% of fruit borers compared to check plots, resulting in enhanced fruit yield of 35 tonnes/ha as compared to 15 tonnes/ha in the check plots. The main aim of this study was to reduce the load of synthetic chemical pesticides and evaluate indigenous knowledge as an alternate component of pest management to have pesticide residue free tomato.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56401
Title: Impact of vehicular traffic on the use of highway edges by large mammals in a South Indian Wildlife reserve
Author: Sanjay Gubbi, H C Poornesha and M D Madhusudan
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 7, 10 April 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Highway edges, impact assessment, large mammals, vehicular traffic, wildlife reserve
Abstract: India ' s phenomenal economic growth over the last decade has been accompanied by a much-needed expansion and improvement in transport and other infrastructure networks. While there are legally mandated assessments of the potential ecological impacts of such infrastructure projects prior to implementation, rarely are there post-implementation assessments of their real ecological impacts. In this communication, we present results of a preliminary study examining the impact of vehicular traffic on the usage of road edges by large mammals along a highway passing through Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, Southern India. We estimated large mammal encounter rates at remotely triggered camera traps on two consecutive sections of the same highway- one closed to vehicular traffic and the other open to vehicles only during day - time. We observed lower encounter rates of chital, gaur and elephants at camera traps in the highway segment with higher vehicular traffic density, suggesting that these species avoided busy highways. Based on our findings, we emphasize the importance of continued ecological impact assessments of development projects to identify and mitigate unforeseen impacts. Further, an approach to development planning that integrates conservation concerns, especially where development projects coincide with ecologically critical areas, is urgently needed in India.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56400
Title: Compositional and morphological analysis of high resolution remote sensing data over central peak of Tycho crater on the Moon: implications for understanding lunar interior
Author: Prakash Chauhan, Prabhjot Kaur, Neeraj Srivastava, Satadru Bhattachary, Ajai, A S Kiran Kumar and J N Goswami
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 7, 10 April 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Central peak, Chandrayaan-1, lunar interior, remote sensing, Tycho crater
Abstract: Tycho is a young impact crater of Copernican age (~110 Ma) in the southern highlands of the Moon. The crater has a well - developed central peak with an altitude of ~2km. Central peaks of large lunar craters are ideal to study the deep-seated crustal material. In this study we report the results of an integrated morphological and compositional analysis for the central peak of the Tycho crater by using high-resolution data from Terrain Mapping Camera (TMC) and Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) on-board Chandrayaan-1 along with data from Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) of Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Our analysis shows various morphological features associated with volcanism in the form of volcanic vents, domes, clasts, impact melt larva ponds showing distinct cooling cracks, and flow patterns on and around this central peak. Compositionally, M3 data suggest that the central peak is highly heterogeneous and dominated by high-Ca pyroxene-rich rocks. The base of the central peak is anorthositic in nature. These new morphological and mineralogical evidences suggest that the central peak of Tycho crater has diverse morphology and mineralogical variability, suggesting multiphase modifications subsequent to the crater formation. The presence of diverse mafic lithologies on the central peak situated, in a predominantly anorthositic geological setting, suggests exposure of the subsurface pluton during the impact and thus provides insight into the composition of the lunar inner crust.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56399
Title: Low-cost facility for assessing impact of carbon dioxide on crops
Author: B Chakrabarti, S D Singh, S Naresh Kumar, P K Aggarwal, H Pathak and S Nagarajan
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 7, 10 April 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Carbon dioxide, climate change, crop productivity, free air carbon dioxide enrichment
Abstract: A low-cost free-air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) system has been developed at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, for assessing the climate change impacts on crops. In the FACE system, the supply and monitoring of CO2 is regulated by the computer-based SCADA system. Carbon dioxide concentration recorded at 5 min intervals varied from 507 to 559 ppm in an hourly period. Monthly mean values of CO2 concentration inside the ring ranged from 525 to 553 ppm from July to April. Crops grown inside the FACE ring showed increased yield over ambient CO2 condition. The operating cost of the system is US$ 100 m-2 yr-1, which is much less compared to similar set-ups in other countries.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56398
Title: Occurrence, distribution and troglomorphisms of subterranean fishes of peninsular India
Author: Moncey Vincent
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 7, 10 April 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Autapomorphy, laterite, subterranean fishes, troglomorphisms
Abstract: During the period 2007-2011, two species of an enigmatic genus of siluriform fish, two species of another siluriform fish of the family Clariidae and a blind eel of the synbranchiform fish of the family Synbranchidae, were collected from nine different artificial wells located at the south-eastern part of Thrissur District, Kerala. These include three of the only six species reported from subterranean freshwaters of peninsular India and two undescribed species. Here we examine their morphological and behavioural peculiarities and report on their geography. We also discuss their troglomorphisms in relation with their observed habitat.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56397
Title: Assessment of enteric methane emission of Indian livestock in different agro-ecological regions
Author: Sultan Singh, B P Kushwaha, S K Nag, S Bhattacharya, P K Gupta, A K Mishra and A Singh
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 7, 10 April 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Agro-ecological region, feeding system, livestock enteric fermentation, methane emission factors
Abstract: In the present study an estimation of livestock enteric CH4 emission has been made from feeding systems (diets) for different animal functions (maintenance, production and growth) prevailing in different agro-ecological regions (AERs) of India using livestock population 2003. Estimations comprised of dietary intake, digestibility and CH4 emissions factors for ruminant species of different age groups determined from feeding systems/diets. Methane production (ml g -1) from production diets in animal species tended to be more than growth and maintenance diets. Methane production (g kg digestible dry matter (DDM-1) and percentage energy loss as CH4 varied significantly amongst diets, animals species and AER. Indian livestock emitted 9.10 T CH4 from enteric fermentation. Contricution of female animal stock was more than males, except indigenous cattle, where males contributed more (53.60%) than females (46.40%). Wide variability recorded in the study for intake, digestibility, CH4 production and CH4 emission factors in the animal species for prevailing feeding systems/diets presents ample scope to abate the livestock resource CH4 production through appropriate nutritional interventions.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56396
Title: The Thar Desert and its antiquity
Author: R P Dhir and A K Singhvi
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 7, 10 April 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Calcretes, desert, dunes, electron spin resonance, palaeoclimates
Abstract: For long, widely divergent views (based on isolated pieces of historical evidence or broad geological evolution of the subcontinent, notably the rise of the Himalayas in mid-late Miocene), had prevailed regarding origin and antiquity of the Thar Desert. Studies of the past few decades have since provided a wealth of new information on landform styles, evolutionary processes and palaeoclimate history with chronometric and isotopic constraints. Salt lakes, dunes and calcrete- bearing alluvial aggradations have been the focus of interest. This review synthesizes the multi disciplinary work to present the state of Thar during the Quaternary period.
Studies on salt lakes have provided high-resolution palaeoclimate records, but of the past ~ 15 ka BP only. Strong aeolian activity is a characteristic of the latest 200-300 ka period and is marked by several episodes of greater artidity, strong wind regime and sand dynamism followed by periods of stability implying climate amelioration and some pedogenesis. However, the preceding mid and early Quaternary periods are marked by alluvio-colluvial and sheetwash aggradations with pronounced, well-evolved calcretes therein. These findings strongly suggest that for much of the Quaternary period, the Thar region enjoyed a semi-arid climate and the desertic conditions came to dominate much later.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56395
Title: IWRM and IRBM concepts envisioned in Indian water policies
Author: J Harsha
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 7, 10 April 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: IWRM, IRBM, left wing extremism, National Water Policy, State Water Policy
Abstract: Indian water policies have adopted the current water management paradigms like Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) as early as 1987 and in 2002 mainly to cope with growing challenges of water sector as a result of economic growth, burgeoning population and limited water resources.
This article examines the ground realities that are acting as hurdles in successful implementation since IWRM and IRBM concepts were adopted about 25 years ago. This article also examines the challenges very fundamental and pre-requisite at river basin level for successful implementation of the principles of IWRM or IRBM. The principles of IWRM are vast, however, a few of the water issues pertaining to IWRM or IRBM have been considered to highlight the existing realities in river basins.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56394
Title: Nuclear India - to be or not to be
Author: Geethanjali Monto
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 7, 10 April 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Atomic energy establishments, electricity production, India, nuclear power, reactors
Abstract: Nuclear India was conceived before independent India, and has undergone similar ups and downs in its development. Multiple conflicting opinions, controversies and secrecy have been its constant companions. The end result is that the common citizens of the country are not sure if nuclear power is good or bad for them. This article is an effort to collate different opinions and facts on the nuclear issue from the point of view of electrical energy production.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56393
Title: India ' s water balance and evapotranspiration
Author: Sharad K Jain
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 7, 10 April 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Evapotranspiration, Water balance
Abstract: Water balance is a useful hydrologic tool. Recent literature has seen some studies on India ' s water budget, which show that evapotraspiration estimate for India is much lower than what may be expected given the India ' s climate and land use. This note attempts to find an answer to this puzzle and suggests how it can be resolved.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56392
Title: Study of heat affected zone for choosing suitable shielding and nozzle gas in plasma arc welding
Author: Ali Moarrefzadeh
Editor: Prof Natarajan Gajendran
Year: 2012
Publisher: Indian Society for Education and Environment, Vol 5, Issue 4, April 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Journal of Science and Technology
Keywords: Plasma arc welding, Shielding gas, ANSYS
Abstract: In this paper, the plasma arc welding (PAW) is studied and stainless steel temperature field is gained in this process. The thermal effect of plasma arc that specially depends on the plasma and shielding gases type and temperature field of it in work picies, which is the main key of analysis and optimization. Simulation of this process begins precisely and the separated fields for work piece, plasma arc, shielding gas and field for environment as well considered. These field equations are derived and process optimization is done by SIMPELC method and by ANSYS software coding. This simulation for gaining the temperature field of stainless steel, the effect of parameter variation on temperature field and process optimization for different cases of plasma and shielding gases (Argon, Helium and mixture of them), are done. Finally, the results of experimental tests are used to compare. The results that are derived from thermal fields show the affected process parameters which can be used for PAW process optimization. The numerical results show the time dependent distributions of arc pressure and current density, and heat transfer at the work piece surface are different from presumed Gaussian distributions in previous models.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None