eChapters

Abstract

A huge technical improvement in Information Technology (IT) has made new instruments (e.g. WEB-GIS, Open Source platforms, DBMS with geometric data) available. Distributing geospatial information on the Internet is an enforcing factor for information providers. For dissemination of spatial data, Web-GIS technology can be used, which is amalgamation of several information technologies. Open Source is a philosophy of providing software with better quality, more flexibility, and lower cost. This paper explains the use of Open Source Web-GIS which provides a fast and globally reachable way not only to represent the information about natural resources through maps and statistics but also possibility of processing the information interactively on web.

Keywords : Web-GIS, Open Source, PostgreSQL, PostGIS, GeoServer, Wetlands

1.0 Introduction

India is blessed with diverse and abundant resources. India has been witnessing tremendous growth which has impacted practically every aspect of environment and the common man. Natural resource has been tremendously in use due to increase in population growth, thus generation, dissemination and sharing of information regarding natural resources and data amongst all stake holders have become a necessity. The utilization of modern technologies such as remote sensing, GIS which are effective in management of natural resources as user can store, retrieve and model the spatial information. Web media is playing a vital role in making people aware about the importance and conservation of natural resources. We are presenting such efforts with use of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) tools.

Abstract

The social and economic development of any state is interlaced with the manner of its natural resource management. The unplanned use and overexploitation of resources are results in various kinds of land degradation, biomass deterioration and siltation of tanks. In addition, the low per capita availability of land, erratic and uneven distribution of rains, undulating topography, improper management, traditional cropping programmes and recurrence of droughts having cumulative effect leading to low productivity and high risk particularly in dryland farming. Further, developing dry land agriculture through sectoral approach did not bring in the desired results, as the efforts were not integrated. However, in nature all the resources are inter-linked and thus, the integrated developmental approach is the best solution for optimal development of any area. Further, development based on administrative units such as district, taluk, block and village have resulted in imbalance and sometimes, no overall development in some areas. Considering this, natural resources management through Geo- informatics tools like, remote sensing, GIS, GPS and other sensor based techniques are the possible ways for making agriculture sustainable. The paper mainly highlights theimportance of application of latest technologies in agriculture along with some field level case studies.

Keywords: Remote sensing, GIS, Watershed, CAPE, Precision agriculture

Abstract

The objective of the study is to build a framework of Geo-spatial Information System for effective decision making by empowering all the stake holders with spatial and non-spatial data. The Interface of this information system is developed as a deployable windows application using Map Objects in Visual Basic programming language with MS Access database. The practical utility of the proposed information system was explained with a case study in Aquaculture. This geo-spatial information system provides required information through maps based on spatial and attribute quarries. These dynamic maps help in taking effective decisions.

1.0 Introduction

Computer based information systems proved to be very efficient and effective tools for managing data and information to aid in decision making . FAO (2000) proposed agricultural knowledge and information system for rural development (AKIS/RD) to link rural people and institutions to promote mutual learning and generate , share and utilize agricultural technology , knowledge and information. This serves as vehicle for sharing ideas and principles with various stake holders addressing the problems and seeking solutions to rural development. Although the rural development planning is top-down prescriptive approach , in reality the decisions are made by the stake holders based on their perspectives, knowledge and priorities. Problems particularly related to environmental impacts are location specific and contextual. Geo-spatial technologies may serve as better vehicle to store and share all kinds of location specific data and information. The state of mapping and management of geospatial data changed during the recent years with the diffusion of modern geospatial information technologies such as GIS(Geographic information system), GPS(Global positioning system) and image analytical system for remote sensing(RS) data. Adinarayana et al., (2008) proposed a geographical information and communication technology (Geo-ICT) based information system called Grama Vikas( rural development) to assist the user in analyzing the rural information for rural development, planning . During the recent years there is a paradigm shift in GIS applications for rural development particularly in developing countries, by way of integrating top-down approach with bottom-up approach by the stake holders who stand to be affected by the decisions based on these technologies. Emerging concepts include “ community - integrated GIS”, “GIS in participatory research” and ‘participatory GIS”. (Abbot et al., 1998)

Abstract

GIS in marine fisheries has taken off much later than its application in land. But the strides made in this field since 1990’s has been quite significant, as many serious mapping studies and modeling initiatives have been recorded. With the third dimension added to the 2D spatial data, the marine GIS have all the ingredients of making it a fertile domain for research for decades to come. Most of the studies and products pertaining to GIS in fishery management had been revolving around mapping of habitats, geo-referencing of catch and effort data and modeling linking oceanographic and biogeochemical factors with living resources. Satellite remotely sensed information like ocean colour can act as a surrogate to fish biomass. Further remotely sensed SST, wind and other parameters can be effectively modeled to predict fish abundance, their habitat and related aspects. This manuscript pours into the various products and outputs based on GIS in marine fisheries around the world and the Indian initiatives.

Key words: GIS, marine resources, oceanography, primary productivity and climate change

1.0 Introduction

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have been one of the most prolific scientific enhancements in recent past, which by virtue of out of box expansion of traditional database concept have opened up an entirely new vista of knowledge and opportunities. It’s probably one such unique application where information collation and analysis happen hand in hand resulting in palpable mining of data in perspective. A formal introduction to GIS would define it as a collection of computer hardware, software, data and personnel designed to collect, store, update, manipulate, analyze and display geographically referenced information. By virtue of its conceptualizations, there are no single GIS; systems can be assembled in an infinite number of ways. This is one such field, which probably always seeks the frontiers of innovations in the fields of ICT and modeling.

Abstract

Any naturally occurring phenomena varies both in space and time. This variability is a result of various natural process and hence deterministic. Geostatistics is a tool to help us to characterize spatial variability and uncertainty resulting from imperfect characterization of the variability. Geostatistics involves the theory of regionalized variables, which dates back to the early fifties and includes concepts of random function and stationarity. Geostatistical mapping can be defined as analytical production of maps by using field observations, explanatory information, and a computer program that calculates values at locations of interest. There area number of spatial prediction models depending on the amount of statisticsinvolved in the analysis. Kriging is a generic name adopted by the geostatisticians for a family of generalized least- squares regression algorithms and various kriging algorithms viz., punctual kriging, block kriging, co-kriging and universal kriging are explained in this paper. Applications of geostatistics can be found in many varied disciplines ranging from the geology to soil science, hydrology, meteorology, environmental sciences, agriculture and even structural engineering and some of its applications are summarized in this paper.

Keywords :Geostatistics, spatial variability, kriging, model

Abstract

GIS has several products that can be protected in India as copyright. The paper describes major provisions of copyright Act, 1957 that has been amended five times. GIS products qualify to be registered within various sections of the copyright Act. Patenting of software is permitted in some countries but not in India, a comparative account of these two forms of protection has been discussed with practical examples. General public licensing of open source software, translation, exclusive licensing and data sharing & accessibility policy are other areas covered in the present study and analytical learning.

Key words : copyright, patent, GIS, software, data sharing

1.0 Introduction

The copyright Act 1957 was mainly amended in 1994 and1999 to bring into complete harmony with Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs), further major amendment has been done in 2012, that include wide range changes in ownership, term of protection, copyright security, cinematography and broadcasting provisions. In the same year government of India has initiated ‘National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy (NDSAP)’ which came into operation from February 2012. At present the copyright Act and data sharing policy are the two legal and administrative instruments which facilitate the intellectual property protection and appropriate sharing among stakeholders in the country.

1.1. Soil Resource Evaluation

Soil is the essence of life on the planet Earth. It has sustained humanity and human civilizations through five functions (Karlen et al. 1997) viz., i) sustaining biological activity, diversity and productivity; ii) regulating and partitioning water and solute flow; iii) filtering, buffering, degrading, immobilizing and detoxifying organic and inorganic materials, including industrial and municipal byproducts and atmospheric decomposition; iv) storing and cycling nutrients and other elements within the earth’s biosphere; and v) providing support to socioeconomic structures and protection for archaeological treasures associated with human habitation. Reeling under the pressure of increasing food, fodder, feed, fibre and fuel production, soil has been used as a medium of plant growth with considerable reliance on external supply of major nutrients, irrigation water, plant protection chemicals, etc. Although soil, a product of millions of years of weathering, has supported various forms of terrestrial life, its sustainable management holds the key for meeting the basic requirements of burgeoning population and development commitments. So intense has been the pressure of increasing food, fodder, feed, fibre and fuel production that the soil has been exploited often exceeding its carrying capacity. The soils are increasingly used for agricultural and non-agricultural uses, such as disposal of farm, urban and industrial wastes, ensuring environmental safety etc. This is possible by the judicious use of this resource.

A clear and intimate knowledge of the kinds of soils and their extent of distribution are essential prerequisites in developing rational land use plans for agriculture, forestry, irrigation, drainage, etc. soil resource inventory or mapping provides an insight about their potentials and limitations. It is therefore imperative to prepare an inventory of this resource for developing optimum land use plan and conservation plans.

Soil survey is essentially a study and mapping of soils in their natural environment. It is the systematic examination, description, classification and mapping of soils of an area.

2.1. History of Soil Survey in India

The original investigations on Indian soils were carried out by Voelcker dates back to 1893 and by Leather to 1898.They classified the soils of the country into four major groups, namely the Indo-Gangetic alluvium, the black cotton soil or regur, red soil and laterite soil. Schokalskaya (1932) has published a soil map of India based on the Russian concept which describes 16 soil groups such as climate,vegetation, soil-forming materials, salinity, alkalinity, swamps and peats (Bhattacharyya et al. 2013). In 1935,Wadia and his co-workers collected a soil map of India with significance on geological formations and classified the soils as red, black (regur), laterite and lateritic soils of Peninsular India and also Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) which includes delta, desert, bhabar, terai and alkali soils. Vishwanath and Ukil (1943) published a soil map of India by placing the soils in different climatic zones for the first time. This was prepared by Imperial Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, and published in the year 1943. There were 17 kinds of soils identified, viz., deep black soils, black clay soils, black loamy soils, black sandy soils, red sandy soils, brown sandy soils, red and yellow soils, dark reddish brown soils, mixed soils (white and yellow), alluvium (Indus, Gangetic, Brahmaputra), coarse alluvium, soils of swamp lands, calcareous soils, usar soils, kallar soils, coastal alluvium soils and soils of Great Himalayan Ranges.

Soil survey works were started in 1954, in most of the states as a part of their agricultural development programme, and Bihar (Soil Survey and Land use Planning Scheme, Sabour) was pioneer. In 1954, the soil survey work was started under the leadership of Dr. P. P. Jha following the conventional procedures in Bihar (including Jharkhand) to delineate the soil associations based on geology, relief, physical and chemical characteristics of soils for the first time in India by the then Soil Survey Scheme at Sabour (Mishra et al. 2001; Mishra 2015, 2016). Meanwhile, the National Atlas Organization, Kolkata, prepared a soil map of India in 1957 classifying Indian soils into six major groups and 11 broad types. Murthy and Pandey (1983) applied the working principles of the USDA 7^th Approximation in classifying the Indian soils with available data on soil classes and thus used the US system for the first time at great soil group level, which was transformed into a soil map of India on 1:6.3 million scale. Mishra et al. (1994) attempted to propose “Fluvisols” as the 13th Order in USDA Soil Taxonomy for active floodplain soils frequently occurring in different parts of India and elsewhere. Mishra (2015, 2016) proposed a framework of Indian system of soil classification mainly based on land use options.

Soil Classification

Soil classification deals with the systematic categorization of soils based on distinguishing characteristics as well as criteria that dictate choices in use.

Soil classification is grouping of objects in orderly and logical manner into classes based on the properties of soils (differentiating characters) for the purpose of studying and identifying them. The soil individuals are grouped into classes of the lower category (soil series) which are grouped into classes of higher categories (soil orders). The lower categories are defined by large number of differentiating characters and higher category by a few differentiating characteristics.

For soil resources, experience has shown that a natural system approach to classification, i.e. grouping soils by their intrinsic property (soil morphology), behaviour, or genesis, results in classes that can be interpreted for many diverse uses. Differing concepts of pedogenesis and differences in the significance of morphological features to various land uses can affect the classification approach. Despite these differences, in a well-constructed system, classification criteria group similar concepts so that interpretations do not vary widely. This is in contrast to a technical system approach to soil classification, where soils are grouped according to their fitness for a specific use and their edaphic characteristics.

In recent times, the interpretations cover a wide spectrum of soil uses, both for agricultural and non agricultural (sewage and human waste disposal, high way construction, water and gas supply, recreation, wild life, urban and industrial structures) and many specialized uses. Soil survey if correctly carried out according to scientific principles, can provide the data base for various interpretations. This is because the same soil properties determine the behaviour of a soil for a variety of different uses. For instance, the content of clay, silt and sand, the shrink and swell behaviour, the permeability of soil to water and air, content of calcium carbonate, salts, organic matter, gypsum, soil depth, depth of ground water, hard pan formation, co-efficient of linear extensibility, water holding capacity etc. are examples of such properties that are important to plant growth and these properties also strongly influence non farm uses. Some examples in support are

A hard or petrocalcic horizon or other slowly permeable layer (clay-pan) in a soil restricts the movement of air and water, thus adversely affecting the plant root growth. Such a layer limits the soils suitability for septic tanks and other onsite waste disposal. It also makes a poor sub grade for high way construction.

A soil high in soluble salts is a poor medium for plant growth; it is also corrosive to iron and steel structures, such as pipelines and fences, causing high maintenance and repair costs.

High organic matter content is generally favourable to plant growth, but it is a limitation for road construction.

The strongly gypsiferous soils (gypsum content >10%) are considered unsuitable for arable crop cultivation because of its dissolution under irrigated or even moderate rainfall and making the surfaces uneven through the developments of sink holes. Such soils are unsuitable for irrigation and drainage canal networks and also for construction of roads, bridges etc.

The shrink- swell soils of India (vertisols) because of summer monsoon rains are suitable for growing a “kharif” crop but are very dangerous for construction of roads, air strips, buildings, laying gas, water pipelines which get distorted, develop cracks and lead to sunken floors etc.

Land is merely an area of the earth’s surface comprising all physical, chemical and biological environments that influence the land use (FAO ,1976). Land refers not only to soil but also to climate, landforms, hydrology, geology, natural vegetation including fauna and flora. The land use simply means management of a land for specific uses to meet the human needs in all rural, urban and industrial context, whereas the land use plan refers to a coherent set of decisions about the ways to achieve the desired level preferably on economic background. Thus, the land use planning is the systematic evaluation and assessment of a land and associated attributes for the purpose of identifying the best land use options beneficial to landowners or users without degrading the land resources or environment. It includes not only the landowner or users, but also the policy or decision makers as well as economic experts for financial measures from planning stage or logistic planning to execution.

Land cover

Relates to the type of feature present on the surface of the earth e.g., Fields, trees, concrete high ways.

Land use

Relates to the human activity associated with a specific piece of land. The same land would have a land cover consisting of roofs, pavements, grass and trees. The land use in an area is really an intervention by the people over the existing natural eco-environment for satisfying their needs.

Land cover is distinct from land use despite the two terms often being used interchangeably. Land use is a description of how people utilize the land and socio-economic activity - urban and agricultural land uses are two of the most commonly recognised high-level classes of use. At any one point or place, there may be multiple and alternate land uses, the specification of which may have a political dimension.

1.1 Historical background of the Embryology

Embryology is a branch of Anatomy. It is the study of growth and differentiation undergone by an organism in the course of its development from a single fertilized egg cell into a highly complex and independent living being like its parents. It explains how one develops before he is born. Important changes also take place after birth and continue to occur even to adult stage. eg: Replacement of RbC and WbC is a continuous developmental process and reverting to activities seen in prenatal condition is seen in healing of wounds. So the term ‘Developmental Anatomy’ which includes prenatal and postnatal development is preferred over term embryology as Developmental Anatomy, includes prenatal and postnatal development and as the term embryology refers truly prenatal (Intra uterine) development.

Aristotle (384-332/322 BC) proposed two theories regarding origin of life

Development of the face includes the development of orbital, nasal and oral regions. Development of face involves five facial primordia during the embryonic period of development. These primordia include the single frontonasal prominence and the paired maxillary and mandibular prominences.

The frontonasal prominence forms two sets of bilateral ectodermal thickenings, the nasal and lens placodes. Frontonasal prominence shows nasal component (of ridges) and a frontal component. A thickned area of ectoderm olfactory/ nasal placode appears at the medial tips of frontonasal prominence.

Alimentary canal : The endoderm is formed by delamination in mammals and birds. This endoderm surrounded by splanchnic mesoderm forms the gut. The endoderm underlying the embryonic disc and serving as a flat roof to the early yolk sac becomes gut endoderm. At 20^th day a rapidly expanding embryonic disc begins to fold into a cylindrical embryo. The gut endoderm also participates as a component layer. Folding first into the head end and then into the hind end of elongating embryo this endoderm necessarily takes the form of the two internal blind tubes. The open end of the each tube where it becomes continuous with the yolk sac is called an intestinal portal while the tubes are named the foregut and hindgut. The caudal end of the hindgut is cloaca. An intermediate region opening ventrally into the yolk sac through the narrower yolk stalk is midgut.

The development of the upper respiratory system composed of nasal cavities, naso pharynx and larynx is directly related to the development of the face. The nasal cavities are derived from ectoderm while nasopharynx and larynx are endodermal in origin. The lower respiratory system (trachea and lungs) is a derivative of the embryonic pharynx.

The epithelial lining of the lower respiratory system is endodermal in origin, while the surrounding connective tissue and cartilage are mesodermal in origin. The endoderm and underlying mesoderm from the floor of foregut i.e caudal part of pharynx grow caudally in midline and form the laryngo-tracheal groove at about the level of the branchial arches IV -VI from which the larynx and trachea arise. The laryngotracheal tube consists of an inner endodermal lining and an outer layer of splanchnic mesoderm. It grows into underlying mesenchyme. Ingrowths from the sides of the groove at about the level of the branchial arches IV - VI form a pair of ridges that grow towards each other and fuse forming a septum changing the groove into a tube with a blind end caudally. The rostral end opens into the floor of the pharynx. The blind caudal end expands in a bilobed manner into mesenchyme forming bronchial buds the primordia of right and left lungs while the groove is closing.

larynx : A pair of elevations, aryteniod swellings appears on the floor of the pharynx along midline at the level of branchial arch IV. The hypobranchial eminence is just infront of the arytenoid swellings. The depression between the hypobranchial eminence and the arytenoid swellings becomes the lumen of the larynx. The caudal part of the hypobranchial eminence forms the epiglottis. The arytenoid swellings and adjacent branchial arch mesenchyme form the other laryngeal cartilages and musculature. The thyroid cartilage arises from branchial arches III and IV. The other cartilages are derived from mesenchyme of branchial arches IV, V & VI. The intrinsic musculature of larynx is derived mostly from the branchial arch V and VI. With the exeption of the epiglottic cartilage the cartilages and muscles of the larynx are formed by the end of embryonic period.

The kidneys develop from the nephrotome (intermediate mesoderm). The series of nephrotomes forms urino-genital ridge which splits up into an lateral nephric and a medial genital ridge, which project into the coelom from the dorsal wall. This is the short segment of mesoderm that connects somite with lateral mesoderm. Three sets of kidneys are formed during embryologic development in vertebrates viz., pronephros, mesonephros, and metanephros. First two sets are temporary structures and third set becomes the kidneys found in the adult.

Indifferent stage: Primordia are present for both sexes (gonads and mesonephric and paramesonephric ducts), although genetic sex is determined at fertilization.

Gonads : are structuarally indistinguishable prospective testis and ovaries. The first sign of gonadal development is a swelling called the gonadal ridge on the medial side of the middle part of the mesonephros. It enlarges due to arrival of primary germ cells. Cells of mesonephric tubules invade the ridge to form clusters and besides surround germ cells resulting in gonadal cords.

The primordial germ cells of these gonads arise from the endodermal cells of the yolk sac. These migrate to the gonadal ridge through the dorsal mesentry. Migration of primordial germ cells from the yolk sac endoderm into the gonadal ridges initiates testicular (if SRY gene is present) or ovarian development. The primordial germ cells form the sex cells, called gonadal blastema. The somatic blastema (non-germ cell) forms the other parenchymal elements of the gonads. The germ cells are capable of amoeboid-like movement.

Cardiovascular system consists of heart and blood vessels which include both arteries and veins. Blood vessels formation occurs in two stages i.e vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. Splanchnic mesodermal cells lining the yolk sac form clusters, referred to as blood islands. Vasculogenesis, the formation of blood vessels from blood islands of of Pander, commences during the third week of gestation in domestic animals first in yolk sac and later in the allantois.Development of blood vessels involves a complex series of events during which endothelial cells differentiate, proliferate, migrate and become organized into vascular network. Angiogenesis describes budding and sprouting of new vessels from existing vessels. This process a fundamental requirement for embryological development, continues postnatally.

Lymph vessels arise from mesoderm by vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in common with the arteries and veins. Initially six primary lymph sacs develop in the late embryonic period. They are paired jugular sacs lateral to the internal jugular veins, a single retroperitoneal sac developing close to the root of the mesentry, the cisterna chyli dorsal to the retroperitoneal sac and a pair of iliac sacs at the junction of the iliac veins.

Lymphatic vessels draining the head, neck and fore limbs arise from jugular sacs. Drainage of lymph from the pelvic region and hind limbs is through the iliac sacs, while the retroperitoneal sac and cisterna chyli drain the viscera. At a later stage of lymphatic development, the lymph sacs become interconnected by a series of lymphatic vessels.The plexus between the jugular sacs and the cisterna chyli gives rise to the thoracic duct which opens into the jugular veins.

lymphatic organs : The lymphatic organs are fully developed and functional before birth. Immunocompetent cells can be detected in most lymphatic organs by the end of the second trimester of gestation.

lymphnodes : The lymphnodes are formed by the partitioning of small lymph vessels or sacs. Therefore, lymphnodes are usually found in related groups or in chains along the course of a lymph vessel. The partitioning is initiated by the ingrowth of mesenchymal processes into the lymph vessel. The mesenchyme forms a network of lymph sinusoids that communicate with the lumen of the lymph vessel. The mesenchyme also forms a reticular fiber frame work that outlines and supports the sinusoidal network. At this time a blood vessel enters the developing lymphnode. The point of entrance establishes the location of the hilus. At the periphery of the node the mesenchyme condenses to form a capsule. The mammalian lymphnodes consists of cortical and medullary regions. The cortical parenchyma contains lymphnodules, while the central medullary region contains anastomosing cords of lymphoid tissue. The structure of the porcine lymphnode differs from other domestic animals in that the lymphnodules are centrally located with the cords at the periphery. The flow of lymph in the porcine lymphnode is in the opposite direction to that in other domestic animals, with lymph entering at the hilus and leaving from the cortex.

Somites are derived from paraxial mesoderm and they are located lateral to the developing notochord and neural tube. During the third week of gestation in domestic animals, the outlines of somites first become visible and in the fifth week of gestation the somite formation is completed. Somites differentiate into sclerotome, myotome and dermatome. They form skeletal, muscular and dermal elements i.e, vertebral column, muscles and dermis respectively.

The connective tissue, cartilage and bone all differentiate from mesenchyme which arises chiefly from mesodermal somites and lateral layer of somatic mesoderm while connective tissue of alimentary canal and lower respiratory tract is derived from splanchnic mesoderm. Mesenchyme is a spongy meshwork composed of branching cells spaces between which are filled by ground substance. The supporting tissues, connective tissue, cartilage and bone are derivatives of mesenchyme in which ground substance is gelly like, stiff and firm respectively.

The integumentary system comprises the skin its hair and glands and modified cutaneous structures hooves, claws, horns, beak and feathers. Although the mammary gland is a skin derived organ, because of its close association with the female genital system it is included in respective chapter. The skin consists of two layers: a superficial layer, the epidermis, which is derived from ectoderm and a deeper layer, the dermis, which develops from mesoderm.

Epidermis : The epidermal layer covering the entire embryo initially consists of a single layer of cuboidal cells resting on a basal lamina. Shortly after neurulation, these ectodermally derived cells divide and give rise to a superficial layer of flattened cells, the periderm and underlying layer of cuboidal cells, the basal layer. Further, proliferation of the cells gives rise to an intermediate layer resulting in a multi-layered covering of epidermis. Cells of neural crest and mesodermal origin also contribute to the population of cells found in the skin.

Towards the end of the third week of embryological development, the notochord induces the overlying columnar ectodermal cells of the embryonic disc to become pseudostratified neuroepithelial cells and form a spoon shaped thickening of dorsal ectoderm called the neural plate. The cranially expanded region of the neural plate forms the primordium of the brain, while the narrower region caudal to the brain gives rise to spinal cord.

The raised lateral edges of the neural plate form the neural folds while the depressed midline region of the plate forms the neural groove. Cellular proliferation at the medial aspects of the neural folds causes these structures to gradually approach each other in the midline, meet and fuse, forming the neural tube which encloses a central neural canal.

Each optic vesicle grows outwardly until it comes into contact with the surface ectoderm. At this point, the optic vesicle induces the overlying ectoderm to thicken and to invaginate against the optic vesicle. The optic vesicle becomes concave and convert into double walled optic cup. The attachment of optic cup to the brain is called optic stalk. The space between inner and outer walls disappears as they come opposed. Since invagination of optic cup occurs at the ventral margin of the vesicle a groove is formed in ventral rim of the cup which extends along the ventral surface of the optic stalk (choroid fissure) which closes at the end of embryonic period. The groove and the notch in the optic cup are referred to collectively as the optic fissure. The optic fissure begins to close by fusion of its edges soon after the optic cup is completely formed. While it is open, the fissure allows a branch of the choroid artery (Hyaloid artery) into the cavity of the optic cup.

With the development of the optic cup the lens placode invaginates into rim of the optic vesicle and forms lens vesicle. The lens vesicle loses contact with the surface ectoderm and positioned at the opening of the optic cup and forms lens.

The defined endocrine glands include the pituitary gland, the pineal gland, the adrenal glands, the thyroid gland and the parathyroid glands. The organs which contain groups of endocrine cells include the pancreas, the testis, ovary and placenta. The Hassall's corpuscles of thymus secrete hormone which contributes to the maturation of T-lymphocytes. Hence the thymus can be considered as having an endocrine function.

Pituitary : Refer to Part II, Chapter 2

Thyroid gland : Refer to Part II, Chapter 2

Pineal gland (Epiphysis cerebri) : Develops as a dorsal neuro epithelial diverticulum of the caudal part of the roof of the diencephalon. After its formation the gland remains attached to the diencephalon by a stalk. The neuroepithelial cells differentiate into pinealocytes and glial cells. The developing gland is surrounded by a thin layer of piamater.

Teratology : is the study of abnormal development. If the malformation involves an organ or only a portion of the body, it is called an anomaly. If it is so extensive great deformity of the individual occurs when the animal is designated a monster.

etiological basis of teratology : All teratogenic agents directly or indirectly ar;ect the process of cell differentiation. These agents are divided into two broad categories i.e genetic or Intrinsic factors and environmental or extrinsic factors.

Genetic or Intrinsic factors : There are several types of genetic factors that result in abnormal development.

THEORETICAL ORIENTATION

The word “democracy” is derived from the Greek roots - ‘cracy’ meaning ‘rule of and ‘demos’ meaning ‘the people’. It is governance of the people, by the people, for the people. Rule by majority is, no doubt, an important feature of this system of governance; but the more important ingredient is rule by consultation - consultation between the people’s representatives on one hand and consultation with the officers on the other. ‘Decentralization’ means devolution of central authority among local units close to the areas served. Where authority is devolved by this process on people’s institution, it is ‘democratic decentralization’.

At the instance of the Prime Minister it was decided to give the process of the three-tier administration the strictly Indian name, “Panchayati Raj” which means a system of government. Panchayati Raj was conceived system of democratic local self-Government. Earlier, Mahatma Gandhi also advocated panchayati raj as the foundation of India’s political system, as a decentralized form of government in which each village would be responsible for its own affairs. The term for such a vision was Gram Swaraj (“village self-governance”). The institution of Panchayat represented not only the collective will, but also the collective wisdom of the entire rural community.

The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee, headed by M P Balwant Rai Mehta, was a committee appointed by the Government of India in January 1957 to examine the work of the Community Development Programme (1952) and the National Extension Service (1953) and to suggest measures for their better work. The committee recommended the establishment of the scheme of ‘democratic decentralisation’ which finally came to be known as 'Panchayati Raj' which would be a 3-tier system - 'Gram Panchayat' at the village level, Panchayat Samiti at the block level, and Zilla Parishad at the district level.

This practical assignment is designed in a way that students will acquire knowledge on various development departments in the district, especially on organizational structure, functioning and activities of any agency like District Rural Development Agency (DRDA).

PURPOSE

To get the students acquainted with the organization and functioning of DRDA.

To give the students a brief idea about the organizational structure and functions of other development departments at district level.

This practical assignment is conceptualized and designed to acquire practical learning experience through various activities implemented by NGOs in improving the livelihood of the targeted group. The assignment also projects a clear picture about the objectives, structure, functioning and activities of NGOs.

PURPOSE

To make the students acquainted with the NGOs and their learning experience in rural development.

THEORETICAL ORIENTATION

A non-governmental organization (NGO) is a not-for-profit organization that is independent from states and international governmental organizations. They are usually funded by donations but some avoid formal funding altogether and are run primarily by volunteers. NGOs are highly diverse groups of organizations engaged in a wide range of activities, and take different forms in different parts of the world.

This practical assignment is conceptualized and operationalized to understand various tools and techniques in conducting a PRA at the village level and help students in understanding their application in village development planning.

PURPOSE

To get students acquainted with the PRA tools and techniques and their application in village development programme

This visit gives students an exposure to mass media like radio, television studio and helps them in understanding elements, equipment and overall process of programme production used for disseminating information on agriculture and rural technologies.

PURPOSE

To get acquainted the students about the mass media by visiting the community radio and television studio

To know the operating system how a programme is delivered in the radio and television

This practical assignment is conceptualized and operationalized to study the settlement pattern, social stratification system, family resource base, ongoing development programmes and SHG of SGSY.

PURPOSE

To acquaint students with the first-hand knowledge about the village pattern and the on-going developmental programmes.
 To study about the extension programmes like SHG of SGSY and their structure and function.

This practical assignment is dealt with the appropriate extension strategies and methodologies adopted by KVK and ATIC in disseminating proven agriculture information and technologies to farmers through delivery mechanisms.

PURPOSE

To acquaint the first-hand knowledge of the KVK- Farm Science Centre and ATIC

To study the structure, function of the centre and the role of the centre in transfer of technology.

This practical assignment is associated with the evaluation of communication fidelity with in a communication process where in all the communication elements are responsible to contribute the same.

PURPOSE

To understand the communication gap which arises due to emergence of noise in the channel

To understand the importance of communicator’s ability to organize and treat the message for making communication effective

To understand the distortion (addition or deletion or alterations in the original message) in communication.

This practical assignment is dealt with the appropriate extension strategies and methodologies adopted by various extension institutes in disseminating proven agricultural technologies to various stakeholders under university extension system.

PURPOSE

To get acquainted with the university extension system.

This assignment focuses on various methods in identifying the rural or local leaders in the social system and helps the students in case of identifying the specialized roles of extension workers at grassroot level.

PURPOSE

To identify rural leaders for collecting information about the village.

To assess the role of rural leaders in transferring new technology to the villagers through rural leader.

This practical assignment deals with preparation of village improvement plan by analyzing the facts such as farming system, infrastructure, communication etc., facilities available at that particular village through participatory extension tools and methods. This assignment also helps students in designing a blueprint for developing the village into a model village.

PURPOSE

To develop the village in every aspect like agriculture, education, infrastructure, communication.

To prepare a comprehensive, realistic and practical blueprint for development of the village into a model village.

To improve the socio-economic condition of the farmer

This practical assignment is dealt with the appropriate writing of script for farm broadcast and telecast. Script writing is an art for disseminating the information to the users in an effective and interesting way. In agricultural journalism, script writing plays an important and crucial role to communicate the agricultural information to the farming community with its proper content and intent.

PURPOSE

To acquaint the students with the first-hand knowledge about the principles and technique of writing scripts for farm broadcast and telecast.

To provide the students an opportunity for developing and improving their skill in writing an effective radio/television script.

THEORETICAL ORIENTATION

One of the training methods used in management training and technical training is workshop method. The word workshop is borrowed from the area of industry. As the word says, in the workshop of industries, practical work is done by the workers. Similarly, through workshop method, some works are done by the participants who are actively involved in the same. One component which is common for all the methods is the person who conducts the proceedings of the method. We may call him a trainer or more appropriately for this method the director of the workshop. In using workshop method, the trainer needs a few experts who may be called as consultants or co-trainers. The trainer cannot handle the workshop situation single-handed.

A workshop schedule is very much important for planning an effective workshop method. It will help arrange all the necessary materials and the people well in advance to organise the workshop programme successfully and achieve the objectives of the workshop for which it is organised.

This practical assignment is conceptualized and designed to improve skill of the students on micro teaching for managing teaching situation.

Purpose

To get students acquainted with the micro teaching exercise.

To allow the students for progressive training for the management of teaching situation.

To improve specific micro-teaching skills involved in teaching.

This practical assignment is dealt with background and nature of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme MGNREGP works and students will gain first-hand information and will evaluate this programme in this assignment.

PURPOSE

To acquaint students with the first-hand knowledge about the work carried out in MGNREGP and how it progress.

To know the socio-economic background of the MGNREGP workers and nature of economic activities available in the villages under MGNREGP.

This practical assignment is focused on various methodologies and techniques in organizing group discussion and method demonstration. After completion of this assignment, student will be competent enough to organize group discussions and conduct method demonstration in the village.

PURPOSE

To acquaint students to solve the problem through discussion.

To evaluate information, ideas to solve the problem and understand the problem towards development of a programme of action relative to the problem.

This practical assignment is conceptualized in a way that students will gain a deeper understanding of the rural situation and can prioritize the rural needs which will eventually help in achieving overall development of the rural people.

PURPOSE

To gain a deeper understanding of the rural situation.

To encourage students to analyze the needs of the rural people on priority basis and thereby helping in planning effectively for rural development.

To acquaint the students with the areas that needs to be more strengthened in case of achieving overall development of the rural people.

This practical assignment is conceptualized and operationalized to plan for preparation and use of non-projected visual aids. In traditional and modern extension communication, the communication aids are helping the communicator to communicate the message in a better way. The examples of non-projected communication aids are poster, charts, flash cards, leaflets, folders etc.

PURPOSE

To provide precise and reliable scientific information told in simple language about a single practice or item of interest in the form of (Non-Projected Visual Aids) NPVA

To serve immediate needs of the farmer.

To catch the attention of the farmer and they can easily understand it.

This practical assignment is dealing with planning and preparation of agricultural information materials- leaflet, pamphlet and news stories, in this assignment required guidelines are provided for the students for preparing these agricultural extension material more effectively.

PURPOSE

To equip students in preparing Agricultural Information Materials like leaflets, pamphlets and news stories.

This practical assignment is associated with the planning, preparation and presentation of Microsoft PowerPoint slide. This assignment not only helps students in gaining first-hand knowledge on preparation of PowerPoint slide, but also improves their presentation skills while presenting a presentation before the audience.

PURPOSE

To acquaint students with first-hand knowledge about the power point slides and how to prepare it.

To get an idea about the presentation of power point slide in front of the audience.

This practical assignment deals with operational principles and functions of the Overhead Project which governs the appropriate handling and application of OHP in real situation and also guides students in preparing different types of Overhead Projector slides for presentation.

This practical assignment is designed for the students to give first-hand information on components, working procedure and handling of public address system (PAS) and liquid crystal display (LCD) projector.

PURPOSE

 To acquaint students with how to operate and handle the public address system.

 To acquaint the students handle LCD projector.

This practical assignment is related with listening, note taking, writing and oral presentation skill, after completion of these assignment students will improve their listening, notes taking, writing skills and will also acquires good presentation skills.

PURPOSE

 To get acquainted the students about the listening, note taking, writing skills and oral presentation skills. After completion of this assignment student will improve their listening skill.

This practical assignment is related to write the technical matters in simplest form to be digested by the common readers. It also helps in summarizing the entire matter related to new technology or innovation in a nutshell.

PURPOSE

 To acquaint the students how to write summary of a topic

 To improve technical writing skills

This practical assignment is related with indexing, footnote and bibliographic procedures for writing research articles, this assignment provides hands on experiences for the students on working with indexing, footnote and bibliographic procedures which eventually helps them during writing research articles.

PURPOSE

To make the students acquainted how to write indexing, footnote and bibliographic procedures.

1. Footnotes

Footnotes have a pronounced effect on style, general tone and clarity. Every footnote is a disgression from the main stream of thought. It interrupts the reader. If he reads it, his eyes must make an excursion to the bottom of the page; and when he is through, he must find the place where he departed from it. Lengthy footnotes can cause the reader to lose the thread of your message, to miss what you are trying to tell him.

It is of two types.