ID: 66325
Title: Antioxidant activities and biochemical analysis of Capsicum annuum L. varieties at different ripening stages
Author: Pooja Oli , Purnima Rawat , Shailaja Punetha and Shivani Shukla
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2025
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 128 (10) 999-1005 25 May (2025)
Subject: Antioxidant activities and biochemical analysis of Capsicum annuum L. varieties at different ripening stages
Keywords: Antioxidant, bell pepper, nutritional, phenol, protein, sweet pepper, tannin.
Abstract: Capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.) is a high-demand
crop due to its versatility, which adds flavour, colour
and nutritional value to various culinary products. Besides this, capsicum contains a significant number of
biochemicals, including carotenoids, phenols, ascorbic acid, capsaicinoids and anthocyanins that impart
various medicinal properties like antimicrobial, anticancer, pain reliever, and also help in the prevention
of obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes and
atherosclerosis. This crop demonstrates an array of vibrant colours reflecting different ripening stages that
correspond to various biochemicals and nutritional activity. Hence, the objective of the present study was
to examine the effect of ripening stages, i.e., green and
red (mature stage), on the secondary metabolites and
protein content of ten different varieties of Capsicum
annuum. Across the study, all green and red capsicum
varieties were studied and the highest total phenol content (TPC) (97.23 ± 0.14 mg GAE/g fw) was observed in
Sita variety at red mature stage, total flavonoid content
(TFC) from JF-3 variety at red stage (47.47 ± 0.24 mg
QE/g fw), tannin content in NS-82 at red stage (34.32
± 0.18 mg TAE/g fw). Similarly, the highest DPPH
activity was observed in the Queen variety at green
(132.42 ± 0.35 mg AAE/g fw) and red stage (158.30
± 0.30 mg AAE/g fw). The maximum protein content was recorded in the Dolly variety at the green
stage (20.5 ± 0.34%). The TPC, TFC, tannin, and
protein contents of the Queen, Dolly, Rosy-400, and
Durga varieties at red stages and Durga, KSP-1070,
JF-3, and KSP-160 varieties at green stages are at par,
which makes them ideal as alternatives for each other.
Therefore, the findings of the study offer a basis for
encouraging the utilisation of capsicum at both stages,
as they contribute to a well-rounded nutritional profile and play a significant role in disease prevention.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Hernández-Pérez, T., Gómez-García, M. del R., Valverde, M. E. and
Paredes-López, O., Capsicum annuum (hot pepper): An ancient Latin American crop with outstanding bioactive compounds and nutraceutical potential. A review. Compr. Rev. Food Sci. Food Saf., 2020, 19,
2972–2993.
Pandey, V., Pandey, H. K., Guglani, A. and Balakrishna, G., Screening of colored and green capsicum cultivars for economic traits and
antioxidant potential grown at mid-hill climatic conditions of Uttarakhand. Veg. Sci., 2021, 48(2), 228–233.
Literature cited 2: Sun, F., Xiong, S. and Zhu, Z., Dietary capsaicin protects cardiometabolic organs from dysfunction. Nutrients, 2016, 8(5), 174.
Durucasu, I. and Tokusoglu, O., Effects of grilling on Luteolin
(3‘,4‘,5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone) content in sweet green bell pepper
(Capsicum annuum). Pak. J. Biol. Sci., 2007, 10(19), 3410–3414
ID: 66324
Title: Soil moisture estimation from Landsat-8 imagery using triangle method in Imphal–Iril river catchment, Manipur, India
Author: Ngangom Robertson and Oinam Bakimchandra
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2025
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 128 (10) 987-998 25 May (2025)
Subject: Soil moisture estimation from Landsat-8 imagery using triangle method in Imphal–Iril river catchment, Manipur, India
Keywords: Land surface temperature, normalised difference vegetation index, soil moisture, temperature vegetation dryness index, triangle meth
Abstract: Soil moisture is an essential indicator for long-term
sustainable agriculture. Crop growth and production
are highly dependent on cropland soil moisture conditions. The primary goal of this study is to assess
surface soil moisture indirectly using satellite-derived
temperature vegetation dryness index (TVDI) based
on the triangle approach within the Imphal-Iril river
catchment. TVDI was derived from the Landsat-8 imagery dataset for three different periods based on normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) and land
surface temperature (LST). Maximum and minimum
LST values were calculated to compute TVDI using
LST and NDVI. According to the results, NDVI and
minimum LST showed a positive correlation, whereas
NDVI and maximum LST showed a negative correlation. The TVDI was correlated with in situ soil moisture measurements using a regression analysis. Fifty
in situ soil moisture measurement data were collected
for three different periods over the catchment using
time domain reflectometry (TDR-300). These ground
observation data were used to compute regression parameters and validate the study. The computed soil
moisture values were validated against in situ volumetric soil moisture measurements. The results were
statistically significant, with R
2 values of 0.83, 0.85
and 0.86 for 22 November 2018, 8 December 2018
and 9 January 2019, respectively. The results of this
study revealed that TVDI can depict soil moisture
variation under various land uses in a region. The
study found that settlement areas and higher-elevated
hilly regions have lower soil moisture content, whereas
agricultural zones in the valley and densely vegetated
areas show significantly higher soil moisture levels.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Ochsner, T. E. et al., State of the art in large-scale soil moisture monitoring. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.. 2013, 7(6), 1888–1919; doi.org/10.2136/
sssaj2013.03.0093.
Cheng, Y., Li, P., Xu, G., Wang, X., Li, Z. and Cheng, S., Effects of dynamic factors of erosion on soil nitrogen and phosphorus
loss under freeze-thaw conditions. Geoderma, 2021, 390, 114972;
doi:10.1016/j.geoderma.2021.114972
Literature cited 2: Xu, M., et al., Soil moisture estimation and its influencing factors
based on temporal stability on a semiarid sloped forestland. Front.
Earth Sci., 2021, 9, 629826; doi: 10.3389/feart.2021.629826.
Green, J. K., Seneviratne, S. I., Berg, A. M., Findell, K. L., Hagemann,
S., Lawrence, D. M. and Gentine, P., Large influence of soil moisture
on long-term terrestrial carbon uptake, Nature, 2019, 565, 476–479.
ID: 66323
Title: Climate resilient development for sustainable water security for India
Author: Sharad K. Jain , Manabendra Saharia, S. Murty Bhallamudi and Ligy Philip
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2025
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 128 (10) 969-986 25 May (2025)
Subject: Climate resilient development for sustainable water security for India
Keywords: Climate change, climate-resilient development, clean water and sanitation, India, sustainable development goals.
Abstract: Much of the impact of climate change on humanity will be through changes in the quality and quantity of water. Impacts
will be exacerbated due to increasing population, land-use and land-cover changes, high economic growth and the inherent nexus between water, food, and energy security. Current water development pathways in India are not resilient
since, at times, hydro-projects are unable to provide reliable services and water security in extreme events. In the event
of a failure, the system may take a long time to recover. Further, the reliabilities of the systems are likely to degrade in
the future when the magnitude, intensity and variability of hydro-climatic processes will be higher. The present article
describes current and future challenges in water resources management in India. Considering the current scenario and
threats to water security, the present study suggests climate-resilient development (CRD) to create water infrastructure
and sustainable management. A resilient system rapidly recovers after failure and tends to be more sustainable. The
study also emphasises that CRD requires enabling laws, policies, and plans; good water governance at different scales,
proper pricing, better data collection and analysis, institutional strengthening, resilient infrastructure, recycling and
reuse, environmental protection, and integrated water resources management. Since the current state of the environment
is unhealthy, due care is needed to rejuvenate the environment and biodiversity. CRD pathways can be evaluated using
sustainable development goals and their indicators for India.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: GFDRR. Background paper on Kerala floods. 2019;
https://www.gfdrr.org/sites/default/files
/events/WRC4/kerala%20floods%20-%20background%20paper.pdf.
(accessed on 14 May 2025)
Saharia, M., et al., India flood inventory: creation of a multi-source
national geospatial database to facilitate comprehensive flood research.
Nat. Hazards, 2021, 108, 619–633.
Literature cited 2: Chuphal, D. S., Kushwaha, A. P., Aadhar, S. and Mishra, V., Drought
atlas of India, 1901–2020. Sci. Data, 2024, 11, 7.
The Energy and Resources Institute, Economics of Desertification,
Land Degradation and Drought in India - Vol I: Macroeconomic assessment of the costs of degradation in India. Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change, New Delhi, 2018.
ID: 66322
Title: High-value farming for periurban areas: sweetcorn a viable option
Author: Preeti Sharma, Kiran, Narender Singh, Kuldeep, Ramesh Kumar and M. C. Kamboj
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2025
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 128 (10) 966-968 25 May (2025)
Subject: High-value farming for periurban areas: sweetcorn a viable option
Keywords: None
Abstract: Maize, commonly referred to as corn,
ranks among the most significant
and extensively cultivated cereal crops
globally. Its versatility and adaptability make it a staple food in many
countries and an important part of the
global agriculture.
Depending on the grain’s composition, various types of maize, including dent, flint, pop, waxy and floury,
are suited for specific applications1
.
Specialty corn varieties, such as
sweetcorn, popcorn, baby corn and
high oil corn, hold significant market
Its production has increased significantly in recent years, making itpotential both in the international
arena and within India. It has significant potential in Indian agriculture due to changing food patterns
and cropping systems. Among them
sweetcorn is an important crop, prized
for its sweet and tender kernels, which
set it apart from other types of maize.
a crucial crop for fresh consumption and the food industry. It has
been observed a growing demand for
maize, including sweetcorn, in developing countries, primarily driven
by its use in animal feed and human
consumption2
. This vegetable crop
is widely cultivated and has gained
significant popularity across North
America, Europe and Asia. Approximately 40 per cent of the corn utilised
in production is frozen, with the remainder being processed into canned
products. The United States leads the
world in sweetcorn production, followed by Japan, Canada, France and
Taiwan. In recent times, India has also
seen a substantial increase in the consumption of corn, primarily in frozen
or canned forms.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: . Sain Dass, Kumar, A., Jat, S. L., Parihar, C. M., Singh, A. K., Chikkappa K. and Jat, M. L., Maize holds potential
for diversification and livelihood security. Indian J. Agron., 2012, 57, 86–91.
Food and Agriculture Organization.
2023; https://www.fao.org
Literature cited 2: The State of Food and Agriculture
2023; https://doi.org/10.4060/cc7724en.
The State of Food and Agriculture
2024; https://doi.org/10.4060/cd2616en.
ID: 66321
Title: Ecological Insights of Sharavathi river basin, Central Western Ghats, Uttara Kannada and Shivamogga districts, Karnataka (Pumped Storage Project @Gerusoppa)
Author: T V Ramachandra M D Subash Chandran Tulika Mondal Bharath Setturu Vinay S Bharath Aithal
Editor: T.V. Ramachandra
Year: 2025
Publisher: Energy &Wetlands Research Group
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Ecological Insights of Sharavathi river basin, Central Western
Ghats, Uttara Kannada and Shivamogga districts, Karnataka
(Pumped Storage Project @Gerusoppa), ETR-213, SCR-141, 2025
Subject: Ecological Insights of Sharavathi river basin, Central Western Ghats, Uttara Kannada and Shivamogga districts, Karnataka (Pumped Storage Project @Gerusoppa)
Keywords: None
Abstract: Eco-Sensitive Zones as per the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Govt of
India (MoEFCC 2011)
The National Environment Policy (2006) defined the Eco-Sensitive Zones “as areas/zones with identified
environmental resources having incomparable values which require special attention for their conservation”
because of its landscape, wildlife, biodiversity, historical and natural values.
The National Wildlife Action Plan (NWAP) (2002-2016) indicated that ‘Areas outside the protected area network
are often vital ecological corridor links and must be protected to prevent isolation of fragments of bio-diversity
which will not survive in the long run. Land and water use policies will need to accept the imperative of strictly
protecting ecologically fragile habitat and regulating use elsewhere’. The action plan also indicated that ‘all
identified areas around protected areas and wildlife corridors to be declared as ecologically fragile under the
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Eco-Sensitive Zones (MoEFCC) 9 Feb 2011
https://cpc.parivesh.nic.in/writereaddata/Guidelines_for_EcoSensitive_Zones_around_Protected_Areas.pdf
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Govt of India https://moef.gov.in/items-ofwork-handled-11
Ramachandra, T. V., Bharath Setturu, Vinay S, Subash Chandran, M. D., Aithal, Bharath H., & Abhishek Baghel
(2023), Western Ghats Spatial Decision Support System (WGSDSS). https://wgbis.ces.iisc.ac.in/sdss/wgsdss/
Literature cited 2: Ramachandra, T. V., Bharath Setturu, V. S., Chandran, M. S., Baghel, A., & Aithal, Bharath H. (2024). Ecologically
sensitive regions in the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot. Indian Forester, 149, 1105-1121. DOI:
10.36808/if/2023/v149i11/169382
Ramachandra, T. V., Vinay, S., Bharath, Setturu, Subash Chandran, M. D., & Aithal, Bharath H. (2020). Insights
into riverscape dynamics with the hydrological, ecological and social dimensions for water sustenance. Current
Science, 118(9), 1379-1393. DOI: 10.18520/cs/v118/i9/1379-1393
ID: 66320
Title: Lake 2024: Wetlands for Human well-being
Author: T V Ramachandra Vinay S M D Subash Chandran Abhishek Baghel Asulabha K S Sincy V Bharath Settur Paras Negi Tulika Mondal Gagana H M Vinay M Divyashree T K Aparna Haridas Bhuwan Chandra Arya Gayatri Naik Srikanth Naik,Darshan Hegde, Niyam Dave
Editor: T.V. Ramachandra
Year: 2024
Publisher: Energy &Wetlands Research Group
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Lake 2024: Wetlands for Human well-being (Abstract) ,ETR-212,SCR-140, 2024
Subject: Lake 2024: Wetlands for Human well-being
Keywords: None
Abstract: Lake 2024: Wetlands for Human well-being (Abstract)
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1:
Literature cited 2:
ID: 66319
Title: Lake 2024: Wetlands for Human Well-being 14 th Biennial Conference, 17 th - 20 th October 2024
Author: T V Ramachandra, Tulika Mondal,Vinay S, Bharath Aithal
Editor: T.V. Ramachandra
Year: 2024
Publisher: Energy &Wetlands Research Group
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Lake 2024: Wetlands for Human Well-being
14
th
Biennial Conference, 17
th
- 20
th
October 2024 , ETR-211,SCR-139, 2024
Subject: Lake 2024: Wetlands for Human Well-being 14 th Biennial Conference, 17 th - 20 th October 2024
Keywords: None
Abstract: Lake 2024: Wetlands for Human Well-being 14 th Biennial Conference, 17 th - 20 th October 2024 (Posters)
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1:
Literature cited 2:
ID: 66318
Title: Environmentally Sensitive Regions Delineation through Grid-based Geospatial Techniques in Bangalore Urban District, Karnataka
Author: TV Ramachandra Tulika Mondal Bharath Setturu Bharath Aithal
Editor: T.V. Ramachandra
Year: 2024
Publisher: Energy &Wetlands Research Group
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Environmentally Sensitive Regions Delineation through Grid-based
Geospatial Techniques in Bangalore Urban District, Karnataka, ETR-208, SCR-136, 2024
Subject: Environmentally Sensitive Regions Delineation through Grid-based Geospatial Techniques in Bangalore Urban District, Karnataka
Keywords: Urbanization, Land use and land cover (LULC), Machine Learning, Landscape Modelling, Fragmentation analysis, Environmentally Sensitive Regions (ESRs)
Abstract: Rapid urbanization and industrial growth have led to the degradation of natural resources, necessitating
a quantitative analysis of landscape dynamics for sustainable planning. Urban green ecosystems and
wetlands, crucial for ecological balance, are being fragmented due to haphazard development activities,
impacting biodiversity and ecological services. The availability of spatiotemporal remote sensing data
with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms has aided in
assessing the ecological status in urban environments, markedly revealing complex patterns and
interactions. The current study presents landscape dynamics in the Bengaluru Urban district from 1973
to 2022 using a supervised machine learning technique based on the Random Forest algorithm with
temporal Landsat data, which showed a 51.86% increase in the built-up area and a 26.28% decrease in
the green cover. Computation of fragmentation indices showed a decline of the native green cover by
177.2 sq. km. in the southern part of the district. In urban landscapes, this results in the loss of green
spaces and increased urban heat island effects. Modelling and geo-visualization tools are essential for
anticipating changes in land use and aiding decision-making. Likely land use changes are predicted
using the Cellular Automata Markov model considering the base case scenario. The analyses revealed
a further possible increase in built-up to 1536.08 sq. km, with a decrease in green cover by 14.32 sq.
km by 2038, and the disappearance of water bodies, which highlights the need to mitigate the adverse
impacts of land use changes through planned urbanization considering the environment and livelihood
of local communities. Insights into land use dynamics helped to delineate Environmentally Sensitive
Regions (ESRs) at disaggregated levels and the design of Decision support systems for implementing
conservation strategies and mitigation of ecological impacts. Based on bio, geo, climatic, ecological,
and social parameters there are 6.79 sq km and 1.75 sq km under ESR1 and ESR2 respectively, showing
highly sensitive regions in Bangalore Urban district.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Adam, E.; Mutanga, O.; Rugege, D. Multispectral and hyperspectral remote sensing for
identification and mapping of wetland vegetation: A review. Wetl. Ecol. Manag. 2010, 18, 281–296.
Ali U, Esau TJ, Farooque AA, Zaman QU, Abbas F, Bilodeau MF. Limiting the Collection of
Ground Truth Data for Land Use and Land Cover Maps with Machine Learning Algorithms. ISPRS
International Journal of Geo-Information. 2022. 11(6), 333. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi11060333
Literature cited 2: Anandhi A, Douglas-Mankin KR, Srivastava P, Aiken RM, Senay G, Leung LR et al. DPSIR-ESA
vulnerability assessment (DEVA) framework: synthesis, foundational overview, and expert case
studies. Transactions of the ASABE. 2020. 63(3), 741-752. https://doi.org/10.13031/trans.13516
Andersson, E.; Nykvist, B.; Malinga, R.; Jaramillo, F.; Lindborg, R. A social-ecological analysis of
ecosystem services in two different farming systems. AMBIO 2015, 44 (Suppl. S1), 102–112
ID: 66317
Title: Geospatial Approaches of Sustainable Natural Resource Management in Yadgir district, Karnataka
Author: TV Ramachandra Paras Negi Bharath Setturu
Editor: T.V. Ramachandra
Year: 2025
Publisher: Energy &Wetlands Research Group
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Geospatial Approaches of Sustainable Natural Resource
Management in Yadgir district, Karnataka ,ETR-207, SCR-135, 2025
Subject: Geospatial Approaches of Sustainable Natural Resource Management in Yadgir district, Karnataka
Keywords: Climate change, Natural resources-rich regions, CA-Markov, Random Forest, Forest fragmentation, Semi-arid.
Abstract: Changes in the climate have been posing a critical environmental and developmental challenges
threatening the livelihood of people. Natural resource-rich regions are a foundation for human societies,
shaping economic development, social organization, and cultural expression. Yadgir district
consistently ranks last in the state for socio-economic development. This disparity is further exacerbated
by declining agricultural productivity due to drought events. Assessment of landscape dynamics reveals
that the spatial extent of the agricultural land had increased from 77.27 km
2
(1973) to 89.41 km
2
(2022),
but the productivity has come down due to erratic rainfall patterns and pest attacks. Due to the
population growth during the last five decades, the need for housing and industrial infrastructure has
increased the built-up area from 12.89 km
2
(0.24%) in 1973 to 31.33 km
2
(0.60%) in 2022. With the
increase in the agricultural area and built-up area, the forest and scrubland area has declined from 87.66
km
2
to 60.51 km
2
, and 632.21 km
2
to 276.98 km
2
respectively. The study has utilized the machine
learning approach for the classification of land uses. Random forest is an ensemble learning algorithm
that possesses the unique ability to handle high-dimensional datasets with thousands of input variables
and estimate the relative importance of each variable in the classification process, aiding in
understanding the model's decision-making. The study has predicted the likely land use using the CAMarkov
method
to
understand
the
dynamics
of
semi-arid
landscapes.
The
current
study
investigates
the
challenges
faced
in
Yadgir
district
with
land
use
changes
and
develops
a
framework
for
prioritizing
the
natural
resource-rich regions based on bio-geo-climatic, hydrological, ecological, and social factors.
The study identified that 8% of the district are NRRR 1 (6 grids), 7% are NRRR 2 (5 grids), 29% are
NRRR 3 (27 grids), and the remaining 57% of geographical area are NRRR 4 (57 grids). The analysis
emphasizes a multi-pronged approach that balances resource utilization with availability to ensure
environmental sustainability. Strategies include adopting climate -resistant crops, lakes and tanks
rejuvenation to enhance rainwater harvesting, sustainable water management practices, investments in education, women's empowerment, cluster-based development with the skill development of local
youth.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Abbass, K., Qasim, M. Z., Song, H., Murshed, M., Mahmood, H., & Younis, I. (2022). A review
of the global climate change impacts, adaptation, and sustainable mitigation measures.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(28), 42539-42559.
Abdi, A. M. (2020). Land cover and land use classification performance of machine learning
algorithms in a boreal landscape using Sentinel-2 data. GIScience & Remote Sensing, 57(1), 120.
Literature cited 2: Adam, E., Mutanga, O., Odindi, J., & Abdel-Rahman, E. M. (2014). Land-use/cover
classification in a heterogeneous coastal landscape using RapidEye imagery: evaluating the
performance of random forest and support vector machines classifiers. International Journal of
Remote Sensing, 35(10), 3440-3458.
Ali, M. Z., Qazi, W., & Aslam, N. (2018). A comparative study of ALOS-2 PALSAR and
landsat-8 imagery for land cover classification using maximum likelihood classifier. The
Egyptian Journal of Remote Sensing and Space Science, 21, S29-S35.
ID: 66316
Title: Delineating Natural Resource-Rich Regions through Grid-based Geospatial Techniques in Kalaburagi District, Karnataka
Author: T V Ramachandra Paras Negi Bharath Setturu
Editor: T.V. Ramachandra
Year: 2024
Publisher: Energy &Wetlands Research Group
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Delineating Natural Resource-Rich Regions through Grid-based Geospatial
Techniques in Kalaburagi District, Karnataka ETR-206, SCR-134, 2024
Subject: Delineating Natural Resource-Rich Regions through Grid-based Geospatial Techniques in Kalaburagi District, Karnataka
Keywords: Land use dynamics, Machine learning, Random Forest, Modeling, Natural Resource-Rich Regions (NRRRs)
Abstract: Natural Resource-Rich Regions (NRRRs) are characterized at disaggregated levels by considering distinct
bio-geo-climatic, ecological, hydrological, energy, and social factors. The current study examines the
multifaceted concept of sustainable economic development within natural resource-rich regions. It extends
beyond solely focusing on economic growth, recognizing the crucial role of ecological resilience
(environmental protection) and human well-being. To achieve this, the study adopts an interdisciplinary
approach, investigating the interplay of key factors. Anthropogenic activities have adversely affected the
regime of ecology, biology, and hydrology resulting in the degradation of natural resources. Kalaburagi is
located in the northern Karnataka state dominated by agricultural land and known as the “toor bowl” of
Karnataka contributing 40% of the production of the state. The district showing immense growth in dal
mills, cement, sugar industries, etc to promote industrial development under Industrial Policy 2014-19
announced by the state government. Supervised machine learning technique - Random Forest (RF) has been
used to assess land use dynamics on a temporal scale. Spatio-temporal analysis of land use dynamic reveals
that built-up had increased from 0.26% in 1973 to 1.22% in 2022 due to the greater emphasis on setting up
of MSME units and cement industries in the district, the water body has increased from 0.12% in 1973 to
1.09% in 2022. Forest cover declined from 4.02% in 1973 to 1.52% in 2022. The NRRRs analysis reveals
that 8 grids (5% area) of the Kalaburagi district fell under NRRR1 (highly sensitive), 15 grids (9% area)
under NRRR2 (high sensitive), 52 grids (32%) under NRRR3 (moderately sensitive), and the rest under
103 grids (54%) representing NRRR4 (low sensitive). There is a decisive need to frame a systematic
structure that would aid in the sustainability of natural resources and prevent the over-exploitation of natural
resources.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Adam, E., Mutanga, O., Odindi, J., & Abdel-Rahman, E. M. (2014). Land-use/cover classification
in a heterogeneous coastal landscape using RapidEye imagery: evaluating the performance of
random forest and support vector machines classifiers. International Journal of Remote Sensing,
35(10), 3440-3458.
Ali, A., Audi, M., & Roussel, Y. (2021). Natural resources depletion, renewable energy
consumption and environmental degradation: A comparative analysis of developed and developing
world.
4. Bajracharya, B., Shrestha, B. B., & Rajbhandari, L. (2016). Ecologically sensitive areas in the
Hindu Kush Himalayan region: an overview. Journal of Mountain Science, 13(8), 1443-1456.Agarwal, C., & Reddy, V. R. (2016). Ecologically sensitive areas: a comprehensive review.
International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, 7(10), 787-791.
Literature cited 2: Ali, A., Audi, M., & Roussel, Y. (2021). Natural resources depletion, renewable energy
consumption and environmental degradation: A comparative analysis of developed and developing
world.
Bajracharya, B., Shrestha, B. B., & Rajbhandari, L. (2016). Ecologically sensitive areas in the
Hindu Kush Himalayan region: an overview. Journal of Mountain Science, 13(8), 1443-1456.
ID: 66315
Title: Ecological Fragile Regions delineation at the disaggregated level through Grid-based monitoring of natural resources in Hassan district, Karnataka
Author: T V Ramachandra Tulika Mondal Bharath Setturu
Editor: T.V. Ramachandra
Year: 2024
Publisher: Energy &Wetlands Research Group
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Ecological Fragile Regions delineation at the disaggregated level through Grid-based monitoring of natural resources in Hassan district, Karnataka, ETR-205, SCR-133, 2024
Subject: Ecological Fragile Regions delineation at the disaggregated level through Grid-based monitoring of natural resources in Hassan district, Karnataka
Keywords: landscape dynamics, LULC, forest fragmentation, CA-Markov, Random Forest, Machine Learning, Ecological Fragile Regions (EFRs)
Abstract: The landscape is a complex mosaic of environmental elements, each with its unique characteristics.
However, the degradation of landscapes, often induced by changes in land use due to unplanned
developmental activities, poses significant challenges, including exacerbating global warming,
escalating greenhouse gas emissions, and compromising carbon sequestration capabilities through
erosion. Hence, it is imperative to understand landscape dynamics for adopting sustainable measures
through the prudent management of natural resources. The utilization of spatial data from spaceborne
sensors, coupled with advancements in machine learning algorithms, presents a promising avenue for
comprehensively analysing and monitoring landscapes. The current study highlights the application of
machine learning techniques based on Random Forest (RF) algorithm, for mapping spatiotemporal
changes in this region using temporal remote sensing data (Landsat) from 1973 to 2021 in Hassan
district, Karnataka, a region characterized by diverse agroclimatic zones ranging from hot moist subhumid
areas to hot, dry semi-arid plains. The study provides valuable insights that can contribute
significantly for quantifying, monitoring, and understanding landscape dynamics, which are pivotal for
framing stringent policy measures aimed at fostering sustainable development.
The findings highlight that the eastern part of the district is predominantly covered by agriculture
(34.24%) and horticulture (50.92%) in 2021. Urban expansion (0.53% to 2.11%) and agricultural
activities have encroached upon forested areas (14.79% to 6.44%) over the past five decades. The
Cellular Automata-Markov model, to forecast future land use patterns indicated a concerning decrease
in forest cover (3.77%) coupled with an expansion of paved surfaces (5.49%) with agricultural (27.54%)
and horticultural (55.15%) lands, driven primarily by increasing agricultural practices and the
cultivation of cash crops like coffee and coconut. The study offers critical insights into of Ecological
Fragile Regions (EFRs) based on a comprehensive assessment of bio-geo-climatic-social characteristics
identifying 19% as EFR1 (most fragile), 38% EFR2 (fragile), 36% EFR3 (moderately fragile) and 7%
EFR4 (less fragile). This enables policymakers to prioritize conservation efforts and implement targeted
measures for ecological restoration and sustainable management of natural resources.
The study emphasizes the importance of adopting sustainable development measures to mitigate the
adverse impacts of land use changes and ensure the long-term ecological resilience of the landscape.
By integrating spatial information of EFRs with policy interventions, stakeholders can collectively work
towards conserving biodiversity, preserving ecosystem services, and promoting sustainable
development in the Hassan district.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Aithal, B. H., & Ramachandra, T. V. (2016). Visualization of urban growth pattern in Chennai using
geoinformatics and spatial metrics. Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing, 44, 617-633.
Aithal, B. H., Vinay, S., Durgappa, S., & Ramachandra, T. V. (2013, November). Modeling and
simulation of urbanisation in greater Bangalore, India. In Proc. of National Spatial Data
Infrastructure 2013 conference, IIT Bombay (pp. 34-50).
Literature cited 2: Alam, A., Bhat, M. S., & Maheen, M. (2020). Using Landsat satellite data for assessing the land use
and land cover change in Kashmir valley. GeoJournal, 85, 1529-1543.
Ali, U., Esau, T. J., Farooque, A. A., Zaman, Q. U., Abbas, F., & Bilodeau, M. F. (2022). Limiting
the Collection of Ground Truth Data for Land Use and Land Cover Maps with Machine Learning
Algorithms. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 11(6), 333.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi11060333.
ID: 66314
Title: Ecological Sensitive Regions delineation at the disaggregated level through Grid-based monitoring of natural resources in Haveri district, Karnataka
Author: T V Ramachandra , Bharath Setturu
Editor: T.V. Ramachandra
Year: 2024
Publisher: Energy &Wetlands Research Group
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Ecological Sensitive Regions delineation at the disaggregated level through Grid-based monitoring of natural resources in Haveri district, Karnataka ,ETR 204, SCR-132 ,2024
Subject: Ecological Sensitive Regions delineation at the disaggregated level through Grid-based monitoring of natural resources in Haveri district, Karnataka
Keywords: Landscape dynamics, Land use, land cover, forest fragmentation, land use modeling, CA Markov model
Abstract: Eco-sensitive regions (ESR) are the Livelihood Support Regions (LSR) with high sensitivity
and environmental fragility, where unplanned developmental activities would cause large-scale
disturbances in the natural structure of the biological communities and natural habitats,
affecting the ecosystem processes. Integrated landscape assessment including biological,
geological, climatic, ecological, environmental, and social characteristics is required to
delineate ESRs which will aid in the conservation of ecological balance in the environment for
planning interventions to ensure sustainable development.
Landscape consists of interacting diverse ecosystem elements, governed by the natural
processes, and the heterogeneity depends on the land use land cover (LULC) dynamics.
Alterations in the LULC due to unplanned anthropogenic activities have induced changes in
the landscape structure leading to ecological imbalance evident from alterations in the
hydrologic regime, the decline in ecosystem services, etc.
Accelerated unplanned developmental activities in recent times, have resulted in enhanced
levels of pollutants, barren hilltops, loss of agriculture productivity, and conversion of
perennial streams to intermittent or seasonal, etc. Impacts such as loss of life and property,
reduction in the crop yield, the prevalence of vector borne diseases, acute water scarcity,
recurring floods, and droughts, global mean surface temperatures, alteration in spatial patterns
of rainfall and intensity, etc., due to changes in the climate with global warming has drawn the
attention of decision-makers and researchers, which necessitated delineation of ecologically
fragile regions at disaggregated levels for implementing location specific conservation
measures.
Land use and land cover (LULC) assessment using temporal remote sensing data provides
insights into landscape status, which is crucial for the prudent management of natural resources.
Integrated spatial analyses with LULC information with social, ecological, hydrological, biogeo-climatic,
and environmental variables would aid in the prioritization of ecologically
sensitive regions (ESRs). The current study investigates the spatial extent of ESRs with the
help of landscape dynamics from 1989 to 2019 in Haveri district, Karnataka, India. Haveri
district is known for its famous Blackbuck sanctuary, Bankapura Fort. Agriculture dominates the region with 85% land use. The district has shown an increase of built-up by 2%. Dairy and
poultry activities are major activities. With the loss of forest cover by a value of 1.6%, the
region has majorly dry deciduous species. The fragmentation analysis showed a decrease in
interior forest by 1.3%, indicating the stress due to anthropogenic pressure on native forest
cover. Modeling of LU in the Haveri district showed a reduction in agriculture class by 3.52%,
an increase in built-up increase of 3.27 %, and a forest reduction of 0.13%. Ecologically
sensitive region analysis showed the ESR1 region (8 grids) in the Ranebennur taluk of
Blackbuck Sanctuary and the Shiggaonv taluk of the Bankapura fort. The conservation of these
regions is the prime concern for protecting the diversity. ESR 2 (18 grids) covers the region of
moderate sensitivity with extensive productive agriculture lands, producing Maize, paddy,
jowar, and ragi, where large-scale development activity should be restricted with no
encroachments and land conversion. Still, small-scale industries like agro-based and IT
investments can be encouraged. ESR 3 & 4 (31 & 2 grids) cover a large portion of agricultural
lands with scope for sustainable development.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: the region with 85% land use. The district has shown an increase of built-up by 2%. Dairy and
poultry activities are major activities. With the loss of forest cover by a value of 1.6%, the
region has majorly dry deciduous species. The fragmentation analysis showed a decrease in
interior forest by 1.3%, indicating the stress due to anthropogenic pressure on native forest
cover. Modeling of LU in the Haveri district showed a reduction in agriculture class by 3.52%,
an increase in built-up increase of 3.27 %, and a forest reduction of 0.13%. Ecologically
sensitive region analysis showed the ESR1 region (8 grids) in the Ranebennur taluk of
Blackbuck Sanctuary and the Shiggaonv taluk of the Bankapura fort. The conservation of these
regions is the prime concern for protecting the diversity. ESR 2 (18 grids) covers the region of
moderate sensitivity with extensive productive agriculture lands, producing Maize, paddy,
jowar, and ragi, where large-scale development activity should be restricted with no
encroachments and land conversion. Still, small-scale industries like agro-based and IT
investments can be encouraged. ESR 3 & 4 (31 & 2 grids) cover a large portion of agricultural
lands with scope for sustainable development.
Literature cited 2: Bharath, S. and Ramachandra, T.V., 2021. Modeling landscape dynamics of policy
interventions in Karnataka State, India. Journal of Geovisualization and Spatial Analysis, 5(2),
p.22.
Chalise, D., Kumar, L. and Kristiansen, P., 2019. Land degradation by soil erosion in Nepal:
A review. Soil systems, 3(1), p.12.
ID: 66313
Title: Ecological And Economic Worth Of Bangalore Wetlands
Author: Sincy V. , Asulabha K.S.Jaishanker R. and Ramachandra T.V
Editor: T.V. Ramachandra
Year: 2024
Publisher: EM International
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Poll Res. 43 (1–2) : 164-170 (2024)
Subject: Ecological And Economic Worth Of Bangalore Wetlands
Keywords: TESV, NPV, Ecosystem valuation, Wetland resources, Ecosystem benefits
Abstract: Wetland ecosystems provide diverse services to sustain livelihoods, which include the provision
of food, fish, water, etc. (provisioning services), moderation of microclimate, carbon sequestration,
groundwater recharge, remediation (regulating services), and aesthetic, spiritual, recreational, and
information (cultural services). Despite being one of the most productive ecosystems, wetlands are
being mismanaged due to a lack of knowledge of ecosystem services and economic worth. This
necessitates the valuation of ecosystem services for valuable insights into their economic and
ecological worth, which would help evolve appropriate policy initiatives for sustainable
management and conservation of fragile lifeline ecosystems at decentralised levels. In this context,
an attempt has been made to value the ecological and economic worth of four wetlands in
Bangalore City through standard protocol by computing the total ecosystem supply value
(aggregation of provisioning, regulating, and cultural services: TESV) and the net present value
(NPV). The Hebbal wetland has the highest amounts of TESV (INR 51.20 million/year) and NPV
(INR 1317.48 million) compared to Nagavara, Sankey, and Mathikere. The major contribution is
from the regulating services, and the economic worth assessment highlights the vital role played
by wetlands in sustaining the livelihood of the local people and the urgent need for prudent
management of wetland ecosystems, involving all stakeholders to ensure cooperation and active
participation in the conservation endeavour.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Akhtar, N., Syakir Ishak, M.I., Bhawani, S.A. and Umar, K.
2021. Various natural and anthropogenic factors
responsible for water quality degradation: A review.
Water. 13(19): 2660. https://doi.org/10.3390/
w13192660
Aryal, K., Ojha, B.R. and Maraseni, T. 2021. Perceived
importance and economic valuation of ecosystem
services in Ghodaghodi wetland of Nepal.
Land
Use Policy.
106: 105450.
Literature cited 2: Asselen, S.V., Verburg, P.H., Vermaat, J.E. and Janse,
J.H. 2013. Drivers of wetland conversion: a global
meta-analysis.
PloS One. 8(11): e81292. https://
doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0081292
Asulabha, K.S., Jaishanker, R., Sincy, V. and
Ramachandra, T.V. 2022. Diversity of
phytoplankton in lakes of Bangalore, Karnataka,
India. p. 147-178. 10
Chapter, In: Shashikanth
Majige (Edited),
Biodiversity Challenges: A Way
th
Forward
, Daya Publishing House, New Delhi.
ID: 66312
Title: Wetlands for human well-being
Author: T.V. Ramachandra, K.S. Asulabha, V. Sincy, R. Jaishanker
Editor: Dr. Sumati Gaumat
Year: 2024
Publisher: Triveni Enterprises
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Journal of Environmental Biology Volume 45 Issue 2 March 2024 pp. i-iv
Subject: Wetlands for human well-being
Keywords: None
Abstract: Wetlands, transitional lands bridging the gap between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, are among the most diverse and
productive ecosystems, with biophysical interactions that provide numerous ecological, economic, and social benefits for human wellbeing. These
vital
ecosystems sustain ecological processes to provide services such as nutrient cycling, water purification, reducing
pollution, carbon sequestration, groundwater recharge, flood reduction, erosion control, habitats for aquatic biota (Fig. 1), education
opportunities, aesthetics, and recreation (Ramachandra et al., 2021; Ramachandra, 2022). In this context, World Wetlands Day is
celebrated every year on 2 February to raise global awareness about the vital role of wetlands for human well-being and commemorate
nd
the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar. The Convention underscored sustainable
and wise use of wetlands while advocating ecosystem approaches for the preservation of fragile ecosystems. Currently, 172 Ramsar
Convention Contracting Parties and 2,500 Ramsar Sites totalling 2.5 million square kilometers are designated Ramsar Wetlands of
International Importance. There are 80 wetlands of international significance in India (https://www.ramsar.org/) spanning 1,332,200 ha
st
nd
2 February 2024 – World Wetlands Day
nd
Wetlands for human well-being
(which includes recently (on 31 January 2024) designated five wetlands - Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve, Aghanashini
Estuary (Ramachandra et al., 2018; Fig. 2) and Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve in Karnataka, and Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary and
Longwood Shola Reserve Forest in Tamil Nadu). Pledged contracting parties advocate wise use of wetlands and water resources in the
respective regions through national conservation plans, policies, legislation, management actions, and public education as per the tenets
of 'seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations to ensure sustainable water and land resource use, food and
water security, biodiversity conservation,
poverty alleviation, and climate change
mitigation (https://sdgs.un.org/goals).
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Clarkson, B. R., A. G. E. Ausseil and P. Gerbeaux: Wetland ecosystem services. Ecosystem services in New Zealand: conditions and trends. Manaaki
Whenua Press, Lincoln. 1, 192-202 (2013).
Costanza, R., R. d'Arge, R. De Groot, S. Farber, M. Grasso, B. Hannon, K. Limburg, S. Naeem, R.V. O'neill, J. Paruelo and R.G. Raskin: The value of the
world's ecosystem services and natural capital. Nature, 387, 253-260 (1997).
Literature cited 2: De Groot, R., L. Brander, S. Van Der Ploeg, R. Costanza, F. Bernard, L. Braat, M. Christie, N. Crossman, A. Ghermandi, L. Hein and S. Hussain: Global
estimates of the value of ecosystems and their services in monetary units. Ecosyst. Serv.,1, 50-61 (2012).
MEA: Ecosystems and human well-being: A framework for assessment. Island Press: Washington, USA. pp. 1–266 (2005).
ID: 66311
Title: Geoinformatics‑based prioritisation of natural resources rich regions at disaggregated levels for sustainable management
Author: T. V. Ramachandra, Paras Negi
Editor: T.V. Ramachandra
Year: 2025
Publisher: Discover
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Discover Sustainability (2025) 6:195 Pg No. 1-27
Subject: Geoinformatics‑based prioritisation of natural resources rich regions at disaggregated levels for sustainable management
Keywords: LULC change · Supervised learning · Machine learning · Random Forest · CA-Markov · Natural Resource Rich Regions (NRRRs)
Abstract: Natural Resource Rich Regions (NRRRs) are ecologically and economically vital regions that support the livelihood of
people through the sustained ecosystem process involving interaction among biotic and abiotic elements. Identifying
NRRRs, considering spatially ecological, geo-climatic, biological, and social dimensions, would help in conservation
planning and prudent management of natural resources as per the Biodiversity Act 2002, Government of India. Changes
in the landscape structure would lead to alterations in the composition and health of these regions with irreversible
changes in the ecosystem process, impacting the sustenance of natural resources. Landscape dynamics is assessed by
classifying temporal remote sensing data using the supervised machine learning (ML) technique based on the Random
Forest (RF) algorithm. Additionally, predicting likely land use changes in ecologically fragile areas would help formulate
appropriate location-speciic mitigation measures. Modeling likely land uses through the simulation of long-term spatial
variations of complex patterns has been done through the CA–Markov model. Prioritization of NRRRs at disaggregated
levels highlights that 12% of the total geographical area of the district is under NRRR 1 and NRRR 2, 54% of the total
geographical area under NRRR 3, and the rest of the region under NRRR 4. The current study emphasizes the need for
robust decision support systems to aid in efective policy formulation for conserving and restoring natural resources.
Clinical trial number: Not applicable
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Forman RT. Some general principles of landscape and regional ecology. Landsc Ecol. 1995;10(3):133–42. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF001
33027.
Ramachandra TV, Setturu B, Bhatta V. Landscape ecological modeling to identify ecologically significant regions in Tumkur district,
Karnataka. Phys Sci Rev. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1515/psr-2022-0154.
Literature cited 2: Matlhodi B, Kenabatho PK, Parida BP, Maphanyane JG. Evaluating land use and land cover change in the Gaborone dam catchment,
Botswana, from 1984–2015 using GIS and remote sensing. Sustainability. 2019;11(19):5174. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11195174.
Spruce J, Bolten J, Mohammed IN, Srinivasan R, Lakshmi V. Mapping land use land cover change in the Lower Mekong Basin from 1997
to 2010. Front Environ Sci. 2020;8:21. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs10121910.