Kachchh (India) earthquake 2001--causes,severity and impact on groundwater resources

Earthquake 2001 in Bhuj region of Kachchh district of Gujarat(India) was one of the most devastating earthquakes in the Indian history. This earthquake has caused severe damage to human life and properties. The impact of earthquake on groundwater resources at many locations was significant. Steep rise in static water level due to earthquake was observed at Bhachau and Chandarani. At other location groundwater followed the declining trend.     

Antioxidant and modulatory role of Chlorophytum borivilianum against arsenic induced testicular impairment

Arsenic has a suppressive influence on spermatogenesis and induces impairment in male reproductive system due to oxidative stress. The present study was aimed to test the arsenic induced toxicity and protection by Chlorophytum borivilianum. The effect of sodium arsenite (4 mg/(kg body weight (bw). day)) via double distilled water without or with C. borivilianum (800 mg/(kg bw. day)) was evaluated in Swiss albino mice for 30 days. The radical scavenging activity of the aqueous C. borivilianum root extract was measured using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrayzyl) radical. Qualitative assessment of various cell types in the testis, sperm count and motility, testicular activity of lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH), acid and alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol and serum testosterone were monitored. Arsenic treatment showed a significant increase in LPO, acid and alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol and decrease in sperm count, sperm motility, GSH and serum testosterone. Combined treatment showed significant decrease in LPO, acid and alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol and elevation in sperm count, sperm motility, GSH and serum testosterone. Testicular histopathology showed that C. borivilianum had reduced degeneration of germ cell in the seminiferous tubules and loss of sperms induced by arsenic intoxication. The results thus led us to conclude that administration of C. borivilianum root extract is found to be protective against arsenic induced toxicity.     

Assessment of bio-medical waste management in three apex government hospitals of Agra

Waste management practices in three apex government hospitals of Agra viz., Sarojini Naidu Medical College, Lady Lyall Maternity Hospital and District Hospital were studied during January 2004-January 2005. Data were collected with the help of (i) personal observations of the waste treatment and disposal practices and (ii) assessment of knowledge, attitude and practices of working personnel with the help of questionnaires. The results obtained indicated lack of knowledge and awareness regarding legislations on bio-medical waste management even among qualified hospital personnel. None of these hospitals were equipped with higher technological options e.g. incinerator autoclave, microwave and had no facilities to treat the liquid waste generated inside the hospital. It is concluded that generation and implementation of a waste management policy institutiona/organizational set up, training and motivation must be given paramount importance to meet the current needs and standards of bio-medical waste management in these hospitals.     

Impact of copper on haematological profile of freshwater fish, Channa punctatus

The present study was to evaluate heavy metal toxicity stress symptoms in fish blood during long-term exposure of sublethal concentration of copper sulphate (CuSO4). The effects of copper on various heamatological parameters were evaluated exposing Indian fresh water fish, Channa punctatus to a sub-lethal concentration of copper sulphate (0.36 mg l(-1)) for different periods. Exposure of fish to copper showed a significant decrease in the haemoglobin (Hb) content from 10.73 to 6.60%, red blood cells (RBC) from 2.86 to 1.84 x 10(6)/mm3 and packed cell volume (PCV) from 31.00 to 23.33% at the end of 45th day as compared to control. Whereas the white blood cells (WBC) increased from 60.00 to 92.48 x10(3)/mm3, clotting time (CT) from 27.66 to 43.00 second, erythrocyte sedimentation rate from 5.0 to 13.66 mm/hr and mean corpuscular volume from 108.11 to 126.85 cmu, significantly, with increase in exposure periods. Although mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) values showed significant increase during 15 and 30 days exposures, both the values were found significantly increased at the end of the experimental period. The differential leucocytes count (DLC) showed a significant increase in the populations of lymphocytes and eosinophils, whereas neutrophils, monocytes and basophiles were found decreased after exposure to copper.     

Combinatorial effects of distillery and sugar factory effluents in crop plants

Under the reutilization and recycling strategy of industrial effluents, treated distillery and sugar factory mixed effluent was used in petridish culture experiments to investigate its effect on seed germination and seedling growth in wheat, garden pea, black gram and mustard. The seed germination and seedling growth were significantly reduced with increase in concentration of the effluent. The fresh matter was found significantly increased in barley (1.16 g per seedling in 25% dilution level of effluents in comparison to 0.93 in control), while other higher dilution levels reduce it. Wheat, garden pea, black gram, mustard invariably showed inhibition in fresh weight. Dry weight was found consistently reduced or unchanged in different treatments. Total chlorophyll contents in barley were significantly increased in different treatments (2.351 and 2.721 mg/g fresh weight of tissue at 25, 50% dilution levels in comparison to 1.781 of control) while in other crop it was reduced alloverthe treatments. Amylase activity in wheat, garden pea, black gram and mustard was reduced in all the treatments. Only in barley its level was enhanced from 0.76 to 0.85, 0.96, 0.81 in 25, 50, 75% dilution levels of the effluent mixture respectively Based on the data of different crops barley was found to be highly tolerant as the 25 and 50% dilution levels of combined effluents. It showed no change in germination %, while seedling growth was increased in lower dilution levels of combined effluent as compared to control Barley>garden pea>wheat>black gram>mustard gradually showed increased level of sensitivity respectively Most detrimental effects were seen in mustard. This toxicity might be due to excess of nutrients, beyond the limits of tolerance. Therefore, the higher concentration of mixed effluent was not advisable for irrigation purpose, however it could be used for irrigation purpose after proper treatment and dilution (one part treated effluent and five parts of available irrigation water), as this dilution level was found growth and yield promotory     

Forest fragmentation in the Himalaya: A Central Himalayan case study

Administrative divisions in the Great Southern Watershed of the Himalaya are diverse in terms of population density and forest cover. This study analyzed the spatial patterns of different attributes in the different Indian states and Himalayan kingdoms, and explored the extent and patterns of forest fragmentation in a Himalayan landscape as a case study. Of the total landscape in the case study area (3167 km²), 41% was fragmented. Homogenous landscape (59%) includes either continuous natural vegetation or a village landscape. Presence of two forest patches (38% of the total fragmented area) at a unit scale of about 0.5 km² (525 × 525 m) was the most commonly occurring pattern but, in some parts, up to 13 patches were observed. Fragmentation of vegetation was visible even at smaller scales of landscape analysis. At a scale of 75 × 75 m, land division into three patches was observed. With an increase in the unit area of landscape analysis the number of patches per unit land area and the total fragmented area also increased. The forests that escaped fragmentation were either inaccessible to humans or had rigorous legal protection. Anthropogenic activities appeared to be one of the factors responsible for fragmentation but, natural factors also contributed.     

Conflict resilience among community forestry user groups: experiences in Nepal

This paper explores the impact of violent conflict in Nepal on the functioning of community forestry user groups (CFUGs), particularly those supported by the Livelihoods and Forestry Programme, funded by the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID). The key questions are: (i) what explains the resilience of CFUGs operating at the time of conflict?; (ii) what institutional arrangements and strategies allowed them to continue working under conflict conditions?; and (iii) what lessons can be drawn for donor‐supported development around the world? The study contributes to other research on the everyday experiences of residents of Nepal living in a period of conflict. It suggests that CFUG resilience was the result of the institutional set up of community forestry and the employment of various tactics by the CFUGs. While the institutional design of community forestry (structure) was very important for resilience, it was the ability of the CFUGs to support and use it effectively that was the determining factor in this regard.     

High seasonal variation of atmospheric C and particle concentrations in Delhi,India

The highly populated Indian regions are currently in a phase of rapid economic growth resulting in high emissions of carbonaceous aerosols. This leads to poor air quality and impact on climate. The chemical composition of carbonaceous aerosols has rarely been studied in industrial areas of India. Here, we investigated carbonaceous aerosols in particulate matter (PM) monthly in the industrial area of Delhi in 2011. The concentrations of organic C and elemental C in PM₁₀ fraction were analyzed. Results show a clear seasonal variability of organic and elemental C. PM₁₀ ranged 95.9–453.5 μg m^?3, organic C ranged 28.8–159.4 μg m^?3, and elemental C ranged 7.5–44.0 μg m^?3; those values were higher than reported values. Organic and elemental C were correlated with each other in pre-monsoon and winter seasons, implying the existence of similar emission sources such as coal combustion, biomass burning and vehicular exhaust. The annual average contribution of total carbonaceous aerosols in PM₁₀ was estimated as 62 %.