ID: 62917
Title: Set cover model-based optimum location of electric vehicle charging stations
Author: Binal Vansola, Minal and Rena N. Shukla
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 123 (12) 1448-1454 (2022)
Subject: Set cover model-based optimum location of electric vehicle charging stations
Keywords: Charging station, coverage range, electric vehicles, optimum location, set cover method
Abstract: The adoption rate of electric vehicles (EVs) is affected by the availability of charging stations (CS). The optimum location of CS in a city is a major part of the charging
infrastructure for EVs. Factors like charging demand, charging time, investment cost, etc. affect the location decision of CS. This study presents a set cover problem-based methodology to optimally locate fast-charging stations for mixed traffic flow in NCT-Delhi, India, by maximizing the coverage range of CS. The study area
was divided into grid-like zones and geographical information system (GIS) was used to analyse the distance matrix of the study-area grid map. For mixed traffic
flow, different EV penetration rates were assumed to calculate the charging demands. We used origin and destination data, distance matrix and mixed traffic flow data of NCT-Delhi. The different vehicle categories considered from the mixed traffic flow in this study were two-wheelers, three-wheelers, four-wheelers and commercial vehicles (CVs). The results show that when each CS has a coverage range of 3 km, a total of 62 CS are required.
Further, a decrease in the coverage range by 1 km leads to an increase in the number of required CS by 72%. This study shows the exact location of these CS on the GIS map of the study region.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Bräunl, T., Harries, D., McHenry, M. and Wager, G., Determining the optimal electric vehicle DC-charging infrastructure for Western
Australia. Transp. Res. Part D, 2020, 84, 102250.
Routley, N., Visualizing EV sales around the world. Visula Capital.,2019, 1–12; visualcapitalist.com
Literature cited 2: Taumar, D. and Priya, S., Only 10–15% penetration of electric cars is expected by 2030 in India. Economic Times, February 2020.
Chandra, S. and Minal, S., Challenges of electric vehicle adoption in India. Indian Highway, 2019.
ID: 62916
Title: Digital transformation for sustainable agriculture: a progressive method for smallholder farmers
Author: Bineeta Satpathy
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 123 (12) 1436-1440 (2022)
Subject: Digital transformation for sustainable agriculture: a progressive method for smallholder farmersDigital transformation for sustainable agriculture: a progressive method for smallholder farmers
Keywords: Climate change, digital transformation, rural population, smallholder farmers, sustainable agriculture
Abstract: Farming and agri-production system is in danger. The agriculture sector is continuously posing threats to life and living. Challenges have become a common phenomenon for sustainable agriculture. According to the SDG 2030 goals, to achieve ‘Zero Hunger’ status, the system demands a holistic and adaptive food ecosystem. Digitization will revolutionize the current food system, provided the farmers can adopt and apply it in their routine farming operations. In rural areas, digital literacy is crucial for using digital technology. Establishing and strengthening a ‘digital agriculture ecosystem’ requires suitable environment from grassroots innovations from the farmers’ perspective.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Finger, R., Swinton, S. M., El Benni, N. and Walter, A., Precision farming at the nexus of agricultural production and the environment. Annu. Rev. Resour. Econ., 2019, 11(1), 313–335; https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-resource-100518-093929.
Bacco, P., Alexander, P., Moran, D., Rounsevell, M. D. A. and Smith, P., OECD, 2019 Modelling the perennial energy crop market: the role of spatial diffusion. J. R. Soc. Interf., 2013, 10, 20130656;
https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2013.0656
Literature cited 2: Walter, A., Finger, R., Huber, R. and Buchmann, N., Opinion: smart farming is key to developing sustainable agriculture. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 2017, 114(24), 6148–6150; https://doi.org/10.
1073/pnas.1707462114.
Torky, M. and Hassanein, A. E., Integrating blockchain and the internet of things in precision agriculture: analysis, opportunities, and challenges. Comput. Electron. Agric., 2020, 178, 105476; https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2020.105476
ID: 62915
Title: Possible linkage between eco-industrial parks and nature-based solutions from an Indian perspective
Author: Mainak Mukherjee
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 123 (12) 1426-1427 (2022)
Subject: Possible linkage between eco-industrial parks and nature-based solutions from an Indian perspective
Keywords: Eco-industrial parks, nature-based solutions
Abstract: In an incessant effort globally to tackle climate change, nature-based solution (NBS) is presumably the most undermined adaptation practice. Furthermore, with the proliferation of making a ‘greener’ transition for Indian industries, the facets of eco-industrial parks (EIPs) have caught meaningful attention as a prospective solution for this transition. In this note, strategy advocacy is deliberated upon by linking NBS with EIPs, in a renewed sense
of perspective. The acceptance of such pre-defined conventions will benefit EIPs and provide a superior judgment by considering the factors of NBS and relating to EIPs, for developing frameworks.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: World Bank. Biodiversity, Climate Change,
and Adaptation: Nature-Based Solutions
from the World Bank Portfolio, Washington,
DC, © World Bank, 2008; https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/7785 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO (accessed on 15 May 2022).
Barbara, S. and Joan, G., Nat.-Based Solut.,
2022, 2, 100009; https://doi.org/10.1016/
j.nbsj.2022.100009 (accessed on 20 May
2022).
Literature cited 2: Kabisch, N. et al., Ecol. Soc., 2016, 21(2), 39.
http://dx.doi.org/10.5751/ES-08373-210239
(accessed on 15 June 2022).
Kumar, P. et al., Sci. Total Environ., 2021,
784, 147058; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147058 (accessed on 17 June 2022).
ID: 62914
Title: Animal deterrent spray to prevent wildlife attacks
Author: Abhishek K. Singh,Ritesh Joshi,Kanchanpuri, Vaibhav K.Singh
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 123 (12) 1425-1425 (2022)
Subject: Animal deterrent spray to prevent wildlife attacks
Keywords: Animal deterrent spray, prevent, wildlife attacks
Abstract: Human–wildlife conflicts have caused serious injuries to both animals and human beings. Killing of animals is not a solution and under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, killing is a punishable offense. It is likely that some of fatalities can be avoided by non-lethal deterrents. It has been reported that capsicum-based repellents alter behavior of bears, ungulates, dogs and humans. The resin contains capsaicin found in the fruits of Capsicum spp., which is the agent that gives them the spicy taste by stimulating nociceptors of the trigeminal system.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Hunt, C. L., US Fish and Wildlife Service
Report 3, Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator,
Missoula, Montana, USA, 1985.
Andelt, W. F., Baker, D. L. and Burnham. K.
P., J. Wildl. Manage., 1992, 56, 164–173.
Literature cited 2: Bullard, R. W., In Semiochemistry Flavors
and Pheromones (eds Acree, T. E. and Soderlund, M.), Walter de Gruyter, New York,
USA, 1985, pp. 64–94.
Mason, J. R., Bean, N. J., Shah, P. S. and
Clark. L., J. Chem. Ecol., 1991, 17, 2539–
2552.
ID: 62913
Title: Mapping academic recognition to research area performance
Author: Gangan Prathap
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 123 (12) 1422-1422 (2022)
Subject: Mapping academic recognition to research area performance
Keywords: Mapping, academic recognition, Research area performance
Abstract: The Shanti Swarup Shanti Bhatnagar (SSB)
Prize for Science and Technology and
election to the various learned societies or
academies of science are among the highest academic recognitions accorded to a scholar in India. Since its inception in 1958, the SSB Prize has been awarded annually for outstanding research in seven broad areas, viz. biology, chemistry, geosciences and environmental sciences, engineering, mathematics, medicine and physics. The Indian National Science Academy (INSA), New Delhi, elects Fellows every year under ten areas of classification: agricultural sciences, general biology, chemistry, earth and environmental sciences, engineering and technology,
mathematical sciences, physics, molecular
and cellular biology, biomolecular, structural biology and drug discovery, and health
sciences.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Prathap, G., Curr. Sci., 2014, 106(6), 790–
792.
Prathap, G., Curr. Sci., 2019, 117(12), 1934–
1935.
Literature cited 2: Prathap, G., Curr. Sci., 2021, 121(4), 467–
468.
Prathap, G., Curr. Sci., 2016, 111(3), 470–
474.
ID: 62912
Title: Disappearance of fishing cats
Author: S. K. Satheesh
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 123 (12) 1419-1420 (2022)
Subject: Disappearance of fishing cats
Keywords: Disappearance, Fish-cats
Abstract: Climate change is one of the major challenges of this century and India will be among the countries that will be greatly
affected. The global mean temperature is rising and is attributed to increased CO2 concentration in the atmosphere.
According to the most recent projections, global mean temperature could rise by around 2–4°C (compared to 1850
baseline) by 2100. Extreme temperatures, an increase in the number of extreme/severe weather events, rising sea levels, increased ocean acidification, and other consequences are projected as a result of higher CO2 levels in the atmosphere and shifting climatic conditions. With the increasing awareness, climate change is no more a mere science problem, but involves international policy, health, food,
water, energy security, insurance, economics and law.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1:
Literature cited 2:
ID: 62911
Title: Successful separation and detection of gold sulphide in ore samples from the banded iron formation of Goa, India
Author: Sujata Dabolkar and Nandkumar Kamat
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 123 (11) 1390-1393 (2022)
Subject: Successful separation and detection of gold sulphide in ore samples from the banded iron formation of Goa, India
Keywords: Banded iron formation, detection, gold sulphides, ore samples, separation
Abstract: Gold (I) sulphide (Au2S) is an inorganic compound and the principal sulphide of gold. This study aimed to separate gold sulphide from ore samples such as banded
hematite quartzite mined from the banded iron formation of Goa, India. The samples were dried, powdered and then concentrated by the panning method. The coarse ferromagnetic material was separated and sieved into different fractions of varying sieve sizes, i.e., 250, 150,
106 and 53 µm. Next, they were subjected to serial washing, and after drying, were tested for the presence of gold by ICP-AES, optical microscopy, phase contrast
microscopy, SEM-EDS and total content of the sulphur was analysed by CHNS/O elemental analyzer.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Dessai, A. G., The geology of Goa Group: revisited. J. Geol. Soc. India, 2011, 78, 233–242.
Dessai, A. G., Geology and Mineral Resources of Goa, New Delhi Publishers, New Delhi, 2018, pp. 234–240, ISBN: 978-93-86453-
105.
Literature cited 2: Umathay, R. M., Occurrence of gold in the iron ores of Konkan area, Maharashtra. J. Geol. Soc. India, 1993, 41, 277–279.
Dabolkar, S. and Kamat, N. M., Gold from auriferous iron ore of Goa, India. J. Geosci. Res., 2022, 7, 81–85.
ID: 62910
Title: Limb regeneration modulates reproductive attributes in ladybirds in Propylea dissecta and Coccinella septempunctata
Author: Swati Saxena, Geetanjali Mishra and Omkar
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 123 (11) 1387-1390 (2022)
Subject: Limb regeneration modulates reproductive attributes in ladybirds in Propylea dissecta and Coccinella septempunctata
Keywords: Body size, fecundity, ladybirds, limb regeneration, reproductive attributes.
Abstract: In holometabolous insects, adult develops through larval and pupal stages. Limb regeneration has an impact on different life traits of organisms. In the present study,
we found that limb regeneration of two ladybird species of different body size affected their life attributes. The fourth instar of Propylea dissecta and ladybird Cucinella septempunctata were taken from laboratory stock and ablated. Larvae were observed until adult emergence. Emerged adults were kept in different mating
treatments. Unregenerated adults of ladybirds took more time to commence mating with shorter copulation and reduced fecundity and per cent viability. Thus, it
can be concluded that regeneration ability modulates life attributes of ladybirds, irrespective of body size.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Wedell, N., Gage, M. J. and Parker, G. A., Sperm competition, male prudence and sperm limited females. Trends Ecol. Evol., 2002, 17(7), 313–320.
Ortigosa, A. and Rowe, L., The effect of hunger on mating behaviour and sexual selection for male body size in Gerris buenoi. Anim. Behav., 2002, 64(3), 369–375.
Literature cited 2: Wilder, S. M. and Rypstra, L., Prior encounters with the opposite sex affect male and female mating behaviour in a wolf spider. Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol., 2007, 62(11), 1814–1820.
Juanes, F. and Smith, L. D., The ecological consequences of limb damage and loss in decapod crustaceans: a review and prospectus. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol., 1995, 193(1–2), 197–223.
ID: 62909
Title: Mechanized urea spraying system for balers to enhance the nutritional quality of straw: a step to prevent straw burning
Author: Satya Prakash Kumar, Dilip Jat, S. B. N. Rao, M. Chandrasekharaiah , K. P. Singh and P. C. Jena
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 123 (11) 1381-1386 (2022)
Subject: Mechanized urea spraying system for balers to enhance the nutritional quality of straw: a step to prevent straw burning
Keywords: Combine harvest, crop residues, mechanized straw baler, nutritional value, urea treatment.
Abstract: A large portion of unused crop residues is burnt in the fields primarily to clear the left-over straw and stubbles after the combine harvest. Studies have reported several ill effects of crop-residue burning on soil organic carbon and fertility, including reduction in productivity in the long term, environmental pollution and human health. It also produces greenhouse gases causing
global warming. Rice and wheat produce large amounts of residue in India. Non-availability of labour, the high cost of residue removal from the field and the increasing use of combines in harvesting the crops are the main reasons for burning crop residues in the fields. Rice straw is unsuitable animal feed due to its high silica content and wheat straw for due to its hard stem and difficulty chewing in unchopped form. Using supplements like urea and is feeding straw sprayed with urea improves its nutritive value and intake. We have developed a mechanized baler equipped with a urea spraying system for spraying urea during baling operations on crop residues (paddy or wheat straw) to enhance their nutritional value. The developed system was evaluated in combine a harvested wheat residue field and nutritional analysis was performed. The crude protein in untreated wheat
straw increased from 3.68% to 10.10% after urea treatment. The metabolizable energy was also found to improve by 3% compared to untreated straw. Thus, urea-treated bales have potential use in dairy farming.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Anon., Pocket Book of Agricultural Statistics, Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’
Welfare, Government of India, 2019; https://eands.dacnet.nic.in/PDF/Pocket%20Book%202019.pdf (accessed on 19 May 2020)
Kumar, N. et al., Challenges and opportunities in productivity and
sustainability of rice cultivation system: a critical review in Indian perspective. Cereal Res. Commun., 2021, 1–29
Literature cited 2: Anon., Fourth advance estimates of production of foodgrains for 2020–21, Press InformationBureau;https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2021/aug/doc202181121.pdf (accessed on 20 September 2021).
Jain, N., Sehgal, V. K., Singh, S. and Kaushik, N., Estimation of surplus crop residue in India for biofuel production. Technology
Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council, New Delhi, 2018.
ID: 62908
Title: Bycatch in Indian trawl fisheries and some suggestions for trawl bycatch mitigation
Author: A. P. Dineshbabu, Sujitha Thomas, Josileen Jose, P. T. Sarada, Lakshmi Pillai, Rekha Devi Chakraborty, Gyanranjan Dash, Anulekshmi Chellappan, Shubhadeep Ghosh, G. B. Purushottama, Rajan Kumar, M. Rajkumar, Indira Divipala, D. Nakhava Ajay, R. Rathe
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 123 (11) 1372-1380 (2022)
Subject: Bycatch in Indian trawl fisheries and some suggestions for trawl bycatch mitigation
Keywords: Ecological impacts, fishery economics, lowvalue bycach, minimum legal size, trawl.
Abstract: Globally, trawl is the major fishing gear used in marine fisheries and in India, it contributes to more than one-third of the marine fish production. Trawl fishing has
been critically evaluated from a sustainability perspective, especially analysing its bycatch composition. Most
of the bycatch from trawlers contains valuable edible species with high market demand. However, a portion of the bycatch which does not have such demand in the edible fish market, known as low-value bycatch (LVB), continues to be a matter of concern from an ecological and economic perspective. During 2017–19, 30–60% of trawl
landing in India was constituted by LVB, which was mainly used for fishmeal preparation. To enhance the
value and utility of LVB, this study explores the possibility of converting waste from LVB into edible resources using pufferfish and triggerfish. It also highlights the positive impact of efforts by different Government agencies for
bycatch mitigation like the implementation of minimum legal size in reducing the juvenile component in bycatch, with a social survey-based account of fisher’s perceptions and suggestions on successful bycatch mitigation.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Jennings, S. and Kaiser, M. J., The effects of fishing on marine ecosystems. Adv. Mar. Biol., 1998, 34, 201–352.
Freese, L., Auster, P. J., Heifetz, J. and Wing, B. L., Effects of trawling on seafloor habitat and associated invertebrate taxa in the
Gulf of Alaska. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., 1999, 189, 119–126.
Literature cited 2: Jennings, S., Nicholson, M. D., Dinmore, T. A. and Lancaster, J., The effect of chronic trawling disturbance on the production of infaunal communities. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., 2002, 243, 251–260.
Collie, J., Hiddink, J. G., van Kooten, T., Rijnsdorp, A. D., Kaiser,M. J., Jennings, S. and Hilborn, R., Indirect effects of bottom fishing on the productivity of marine fish. Fish Fish., 2017, 18, 619–637.
ID: 62907
Title: Bacterial and fungal diversity in the rhizosphere of buckwheat under different mulching techniques
Author: Dongsheng Wang, Pengyan Han , Haike Ren , Wen Lin and Jie Chen
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 123 (11) 1365-1371 (2022)
Subject: Bacterial and fungal diversity in the rhizosphere of buckwheat under different mulching techniques
Keywords: Buckwheat, microbial diversity, mulching, relative abundance, rhizosphere
Abstract: The present research aimed to assess the effects of plastic film mulch on microbial diversity and community in the Tartary buckwheat rhizosphere. Treatments included regular cultivation, polyethylene film mulch on the whole ground and furrow-ridge plastic film mulch (FR). We found that FR prominently reduced the relative abundance (RA) of the members of phylum Morierellomycota while increasing the RA of the members of phylum Ascomycota, especially Fusarium and Dokmaia.FR also reduced the predicted sequences related to mannan degradation and the biosynthesis of phospholipases,
phosphatidylglycerol and ubiquinol. This study suggests that it is necessary to evaluate the effect of mulch techniques on pathogenic and mycotoxin-producing species before application.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Zhu, F., Chemical composition and health effects of Tartary buckwheat. Food Chem., 2016, 203, 231–245.
Zhong, L., Niu, B., Tang, L., Chen, F., Zhao, G. and Zhao, J., Effects of polysaccharide elicitors from endophytic Fusarium oxysporum Fat9 on the growth, flavonoid accumulation and antioxidant
property of Fagopyrum tataricum sprout cultures. Molecules, 2016, 21, 1590.
Literature cited 2: Bonafaccia, G., Marocchini, M. and Kreft, I., Composition and technological properties of the flour and bran from common and
Tartary buckwheat. Food Chem., 2003, 80, 9–15
Osman, J. R., Fernandes, G. and DuBow, M. S., Bacterial diversity of the rhizosphere and nearby surface soil of rice (Oryza sativa)
growing in the Camargue (France). Rhizosphere, 2017, 3, 112–122.
ID: 62906
Title: Sāncipāt: a popular manuscript writing base of early Assam, Northeast India
Author: Asadulla A. Ali, Barsha R. Goswami, Niranjan Ligira and Robin K. Dutta
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 123 (11) 1359-1364 (2022)
Subject: Sāncipāt: a popular manuscript writing base of early Assam, Northeast India
Keywords: Antifungal activity, degumming, gloss index, medieval writing base, Sāncipāt manuscripts.
Abstract: Sāncipāt was a popular manuscript writing base of early and medieval Assam, Northeast India. Tens of thousands of Sāncipāt manuscripts still exist in the state,
some of them centuries old, without fading ink and miniature painting despite its harsh hot and humid climate. Traditionally, Sāncipāt was made from the bark of the
Sānci tree using an arduous procedure. In this study, we analysed the physico-chemical properties of the traditionally prepared model and old Sāncipāt folios at different stages of preparation using FT-IR, XRD and SEM-EDX spectra, weight loss during degumming, tensile strength, gloss index and antifungal properties. A
comparison of data with freshly prepared Sāncipāt folios showed intact internal structure and strength in the old ones. The antifungal property observed in Sāncipāt
is attributed to Tutia used during degumming of the bark, and two pigments, viz., Hengul and Hāitāl applied as thin coating and border respectively. Partial degumming, coating with fatty pulse, application of Hāitāl and Hengul, and repeated pressing, smoothening and drying
together impart strength and glossiness to Sāncipāt manuscripts.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Gaur, R. C. and Chakraborty, M., Preservation and access to Indian manuscripts: a knowledge base of Indian cultural heritage resources for academic libraries. In International Conference on Academic Libraries, New Delhi, 2009, pp. 5–8.
Quenzer, J., Bondarev, D. and Sobisch, J.-U., Manuscript Cultures: Mapping the Field, De Gruyter, Berlin, 2014.
Literature cited 2: Fleming, B. J., The materiality of South Asian manuscripts from the University of Pennsylvania ms coll. 390 and the Rāmamālā library in Bangladesh. Manuscr. Stud., 2016, 1, 28–51.
Goswami, H., A note on Assamese manuscripts. In Descriptive Catalogue of Assamese Manuscripts, Calcutta University, Kolkata, 1930.
ID: 62905
Title: Assessment of watershed management ecosystem services in India: a meta-analysis
Author: Dinesh Chand Meena, Suresh Pal and Prem Chand
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 123 (11) 1352-1358 (2022)
Subject: Assessment of watershed management ecosystem services in India: a meta-analysis
Keywords: Carbon sequestration, ecosystem services, groundwater management, meta-analysis, participatory watershed, soil conservation.
Abstract: Besides increasing agricultural productivity, well-developed watersheds have immense potential to minimize land degradation, mitigating the adverse impact of climate
change and generating several other ecosystem services (ES). Quantifying these services is quintessential in perationalizing the concept of management and decision-making relating to watershed management. The present study estimates the value of regulating (soil conservation and carbon sequestration) and supporting ES (groundwater recharge) generated by watersheds in India, and examines the factors that influence the flow of ES from
watersheds. The study followed a meta-analysis approach using information from 221 watersheds in 5 major agroclimatic zones of the country. We found that the watershed generates ES to the tune of Rs 34,113 per ha, with water recharging alone accounting for 60% of it. It shows that people’s participation in the planning, implementation and management of watersheds significantly enhances ES. Macro-watersheds (≥ 1000 ha) are more effective in generating ES, underscoring the need for investment in watersheds management in the semi-arid tropical regions, where problems of degradation of natural resources are more pronounced. This study suggests policies for land restoration and payment for ES to increase their flow.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Wang, G., Mang, S., Cai, H., Liu, S., Zhang, Z., Wang, L. and Innes, J. L., Integrated watershed management: evolution, development and emerging trends. J. For. Res., 2016, 27, 967–994.
Joshi, P. K., Jha, A. K., Wani, S. P., Sreedevi, T. K. and Shaheen, F. A., Impact of watershed program and conditions for success: a meta-analysis approach. In Global theme on agroecosystems (Report no. 46), international Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAI), Hyderabad, and National Centre for Agricultural Economics and Policy Research, New Delhi, 2008.
Literature cited 2: Wani, S. P., Anantha, K. H., Sreedevi, T, K., Sudi, R., Singh, S. N. and D’Souza, M., Assessing the environmental benefits of watershed development: evidence from the Indian semi-arid tropics. J. Sustain.
Watershed Sci. Manage., 2011, 1(1), 10–20.
IPBES, Preliminary guide regarding diverse conceptualization of multiple values of nature and its benefits, including biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services. Intergovernmental Platform
on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, Bonn, Germany, 2015.
ID: 62904
Title: Mineralogical characterization of raw materials from Dholavira, Gujarat, India and its geological and archaeological significance
Author: Ravi Kant Prasad and V. N. Prabhakar
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 123 (11) 1341-1351 (2022)
Subject: Mineralogical characterization of raw materials from Dholavira, Gujarat, India and its geological and archaeological significance
Keywords: Archaeological site, artefacts, geological framework, mineralogical characterization, raw materials.
Abstract: Dholavira was one among the five largest settlements (probably six) of the Harappan civilization during the third millennium BCE. The location of this site in a desolate corner of Khadir Island in Kachchh, Gujarat,
India, speaks well of the planning and ingenuity showed by the Harappans for making it an urban and administrative centre. Excavations at this site between 1989 and 2005 brought to light a long and continuous occupation of nearly 1500 years (c. 3000–1500 BCE), which records the rise, culmination and fall of the Harappan
Civilization. Evidences for various craft activities are found from the earliest levels onwards and the Harrapans exploited various lithic raw materials for both
utilitarian purposes and making ornaments. Kachchh and the Gujarat mainland are rich in raw material resources in general and agate–carnelian, limestone, various types of clay, copper–lead–silver and steatite, in
particular. Dholavira contains both raw materials and finished artefacts, thus presents an ideal scenario to
study. In the present study, we interpret the mineralogical characterization and probable provenance of the raw materials from different spatio-temporal contexts
at the Dholavira site using techniques like XRD and SEM-EDS analysis. Samples of clay, stone raw materials and a few artefacts were selected from among the innumerable resources available at the site.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Bisht, R. S., A new model of the Harappan town planning as revealed at Dholavira in Kutch: a surface study of its plan and architecture. In History and Archaeology, Prof. H. D. Sankalia Felicitation Volume (ed. Chatterjee, B.), Ramanand Vidhya Bhawan, Delhi, 1989, pp. 397–408.
Bisht, R. S., Dholavira: new horizons of the Indus civilization. Puratattva, 1991, 20, 71–82
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ID: 62903
Title: Metamorphic evolution of mafic granulites from Tiyara area, Makrohar granulite belt, Singrauli district, Madhya Pradesh, India
Author: Vikas Pandey and S. B. Dwivedi
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2022
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 123 (11) 1334-1340 (2022)
Subject: Metamorphic evolution of mafic granulites from Tiyara area, Makrohar granulite belt, Singrauli district, Madhya Pradesh, India
Keywords: Mafic granulites, metamorphic rocks, mineral assemblage, pressure, temperature
Abstract: The mafic granulite rocks from the Makrohar Granulite Belt of the Chotanagpur Granite Gneissic complex (CGGC) have been studied with reference to their petrography, mineral chemistry and pressure–temperature (P–T) conditions of metamorphism. The common mineral assemblage observed within different thin sections is orthopyroxene–clinopyroxene–hornblende–plagioclase–biotite–quartz. The average P–T condition of the mafic granulites in the study area suggests a peak of metamorphism at 799° ± 40°C/6.3 ± 0.9 kbar. However, the peak P–T estimate obtained from the conventional two pyroxene thermobarometer is 5.83–6.47 kbar and 887° ±62°C at a fixed pressure of 6 kbar, followed by post peak P–T conditions of metamorphism at 590°–693°C/
2.1–2.4 kbar.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
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