eBook Chapters

A scientific evaluation of the physical characteristics of the land, the properties of the soil, and the management techniques is called land capacity categorization. Understanding potentiality, capacity, and appropriateness for the best possible use of land is the primary goal of land capability categorization. Measuring land capacity provides an objective assessment for land preservation in certain ecological scenarios.

On the one hand, land capacity aids in determining if a piece of land is efficient for a certain use, and on the other, it aids in preventing inappropriate use of the land, which poses a risk of erosion and degrades the quality of the land. Therefore, in order to maximise production, each piece of land’s potential should be assessed taking into account both its pedo-geomorphic characteristics and any constraints resulting from environmental threats. Additionally, under the necessary management practices, capacity categorization allows farmers to use the land appropriately for sustainable output.

ABSTRACT

The lower Shivaliks of Jammu and Kashmir comprise 12% of the total area of Jammu region. The productivity of the soils is not only low but highly unstable. High intensity monsoonal rains coupled with rolling topography, low organic matter and coarse nature of the soils are primarily responsible for soil erosion in the region. Soil loss due to erosion depletes the soil nutrients and, is primarily responsible for land degradation, low productivity and poor economic status of the farmers in the region. Further, the adoption level of the farmers regarding modern conservation techniques is also low. Though soil erosion can be controlled or minimized through agronomical and/or mechanical techniques but agroforestry intervention is one such option which can be used for managing the land in the problematic conditions. Agroforestry systems have proven potential of conserving soil and water besides enrichment of soil through biomass additions. Agroforestry systems, therefore, help curtail soil erosion both by intercepting the rain and minimising its erosivity as well as by reducing the erodibility of the soil. Tree based cropping systems enhance the organic content in soils and therefore, create more stable aggregates, which provide more resistance to erosive forces. The chapter discusses the importance of agroforestry in the fragile Shivaliks of Jammu and Kashmir and suggest how to conserve and restore degraded lands in the region.

Abstract

Land degradation is defined as human induced or natural process that negatively affects the lands to function effectively. It is temporary or permanent lowering of the productive capacity of land (UNEP, 1992). Several definitions of land degradation have been suggested by different authorities to express the degree of deterioration in potential of land in terms of physical, chemical and biological aspects. It has both environmental and economic consequences. The information on land degradation is needed for a variety of purposes such as to improve productivity levels in degraded lands through reclamation programmes, rational land use planning and also to bring more areas under cultivation.

Soil : Soil is a complex and vital natural resource that plays a crucial role in supporting plant life and providing the basis for agriculture. There are many different types of soil, each with its unique characteristics and properties.

Types of Soil: Sandy soil has large particles and does not retain water well

Loamy Soil: A balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay, considered ideal for plant growth.

Clay soil has tiny particles and holds water tightly, which can lead to poor drainage.

Silt Soil: Silt soil has intermediate-sized particles and retains water well.

Peat Soil: Peat soil is composed of partially decomposed organic matter and can hold a lot of water.

Chalky or Calcareous Soil: Chalky soil contains high levels of calcium carbonate, which can make it alkaline.

Introduction

The work on field drains and farm ditches are essential for providing proper irrigation to the crop. Leveling of field is equally important for smooth operation of various field activities including irrigation. Land grading in irrigated agriculture helps in uniform application of water, better water regulation and saving in irrigation time. Land grading helps in conservation of soil and moisture under rainfed conditions. It provides desired surface drainage under irrigated and rainfed conditions. Land leveling helps in the smooth operation of sowing/planting and harvesting equipment.

10.1 Application Efficiency and Irrigation Uniformity

All irrigation systems have some non-uniformity. This non-uniformity influences yields and irrigation efficiency especially application efficiency. If the net amount of water applied during irrigation is the same as that required to fill the soil water deficit, then because the distribution of water is never perfect, half of the field will receive too much water while the other half will receive too less water. In such a context, a farmer will try to apply more irrigation water to his field so that a larger fraction of the field has an adequate amount. This will tend to have higher percolation and runoff and thereby declining the application efficiency. An alternative to adding extra water is to improve the uniformity of water application. A major advantage when the uniformity is improved is that the amount of deficit in the area under irrigation is reduced and the potential for water logging and salinization is also reduced.

Declining water table and degrading soil health are the major concerns for the current growth rate and sustainability of Indian Agriculture. Thus proper emphasis is being given on the management of irrigation water usage for adequate growth of agriculture. Keeping in view, the need for judicious use of our natural resources, concerted efforts are being made to enlighten the farmers for efficient use of irrigation water at farm level. Generally, in rice-wheat rotation farmers believed that their fields are levelled and needed no further levelling, but this is not true. Most of the fields are not adequately levelled and requires further precision land levelling. The enhancement of water use efficiency and farm productivity at field level is one of the best options to redress the problem of declining water level.

Levelling, smoothing and shaping the field surface is as important to the surface irrigation system and as the design of laterals, manifolds, risers and outlets for sprinkler drip irrigation systems. It is a process for ensuring that the depths and discharge variations over the field are relatively uniform and, as a result, that water distributions in the root zone are also uniform. These field operations are required nearly every cropping season, particularly where substantial cultivation following harvest disrupts the field surface. There are basically two types of land levelling viz. (i) to provide a slope which fits a water supply; and (ii) to level the field to its best possible condition with minimal earth movement. The second one is generally the most feasible one, because land levelling is expensive and large earth movements may leave significant areas of the field without fertile topsoil, and is the most economic approach also.

Soil conservation in hilly areas

Soil erosion is a major problem on hills because of steep slopes. It has been estimated that about 6 million ha of land requires intensive conservation measures in Himalayan and sub-Himalayan regions of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. Anthropogenic activities like shifting cultivation, deforestation, over grazing accelerate soil erosion in hilly ecosystem.

17.1. What?

The soil is prepared to a fine tilth, which is referred to as land preparation or preparatory cultivation. This enables proper sowing of seeds, planting of seedlings and precise application of fertilizers to the crop. Various implements are used to prepare the land. The basic ones are ploughs, harrows, cultivators or tillers, and land levellers. These implements are manually operated or by animals or tractors. Various improvements have been made to increase the efficiency of each one of the implements by research workers. Many products are also available to suit the local regions and soil condition.

17.2. Plough

It has been the basic implement used for decades in agriculture to open up and invert the soil for initial cultivation. While inverting the soil, it also buries the weeds and the remains of the previous crops and allows them to decay. In the process of inverting, it also aerates the soil. Ploughs were initially used with animal power. Later on, many improved implements with heavy weights have been developed. These are drawn by tractors.

In recent years poverty elimination has become the most important development objective. Introduce the land reforms and laws for the hill areas as per the needs of the tribal people in keeping with the changing times. It is concerned on the social inequality between the advance majority sections of the society and the backward hill people, negligence relating to the roads and transport, health service, electricity, water supply, education, agriculture and sports. It shall strive to protect, safeguard and ensure proper management of the lands, forests and mineral resources of the hill people. As inequality in the distribution of production inputs, especially agricultural land seems to be the main cause of rural poverty and income disparity. A successful redistributive land reform may increase small household production and contribute directly and immediately to reduce poverty and economic inequality. Redistributive land reform has been an increasingly important strategy for both poverty alleviation and socio-economic development. The impetus for land reform is then the possibility of improved social justice and equity. An effective land reform program must boost efficiency and promote equity and so land ownership should be targeted towards those who use it most productively.

The significant marginal value of land of both consumption and income implies that an effective land reform policy could well be the most effective approach to alleviate hills poverty. The study investigates the effect of other complementary factors along with land on consumption and income. These all suggest that programmes of access to land must be packaged as elements of more comprehensive programmes in order to secure the poverty reduction potential of land. This study also analyses the economic relationship between access to land and poverty in hills area by establishing the link between land and consumption as well as land and income. The significant marginal value of land of both consumption and income implies that an effective land reform policy could well be the most effective approach to alleviate rural poverty. So in this paper we would like to trace the problems related with Land reforms in hills area, agriculture development and poverty alleviation. What are the major problems in Land reforms in Hills are and how to cope up with those problem.

The Resource of Land
One limited natural resource is land. The resource-generating regions found in terrain forms such as hills, valleys, plains, river basins, and wetlands are essential to the livelihood of the inhabitants. An ordered combination of minerals, organic matter, living things, air, and water is called soil. The soil is bound together by grass and tree roots. Land becomes unproductive and turns into wasteland when trees are reduced in size or grasslands are overgrazed.
Land is a valuable resource because it supplies the necessary substrate for the growth of vegetation, forestry, agriculture, and other industries. Approximately 54% of India’s land is used for agriculture. Land is necessary for man to construct dwellings, cultivate food, maintain pastures for domesticated animals, create towns and cities to support industries, and develop industries to produce things.
Degradation of Land
It can be characterized as any alteration to the land that lowers its quality or condition and, consequently, its capacity for yield. It happens anytime human activity alters the natural equilibrium of the environment through abuse or overuse. The main issues with land degradation are:
• Erosion by wind
• Water erosion including large-scale hillside movement
• Salinity of dry terrain
• The salinity caused by irrigation
• Surface scorching of soil
• Logging using water

On the basis of a proposal I had made three years ago, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO) launched a Global Soil Partnership for Food Security and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation at a Multi-stakeholder Conference held in Rome in September 2011. Even with all the advances made in capture and culture fisheries, nearly 90 per cent of human food requirements will have to come from the soil. Land is becoming a diminishing resource for agriculture, inspite of the growing understanding that the future of food security will depend upon the sustainable management of land resources as well as the conservation of prime farm land for agriculture. The National Commission on Farmers emphasised in its report submitted in 2006 the urgent need for replacing the 1894 Land Acquisition Law with a twenty-first century legislation that safeguards the interests of farmers and farming.  Jairam Ramesh is to be complemented for introducing in Parliament a National Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill which pays attention not only to acquisition, but also to the rehabilitation and resettlement of the affected families.

The land is one of the basic natural resources for agricultural growth and development of a country. Investment on agricultural land improvement by way of land leveling, contour bunding, sinking of well for irrigation and resorting to other measures like treating the soil to reduce acidity etc. have been continuous effort of agriculturists for increasing productivity.In addition, new variety of seeds which are high yielding and pest resistant are sought after by farmers for increasing production. Efficient land management encompassing soil and water conservation is the building block for sustainable agricultural development.

Land tenure rules define the ways in which property rights to land are allocated, transferred, used, or managed in a particular society. Ownership of land plays a significant role for improvement of land and its management. If the land is tenanted,the tiller of the land has less stake on long term measures on land.For centuries, the land tenure system in India was based on intermediaries known as Zamindary system.In Odisha, the tenurial system has based on the Bengal Rents Act, the Bengal Tenancy Act, the Bihar & Orissa Tenancy Act and finally, the Orissa Tenancy Act.In addition, theCentral Province Tenancy Act and the Central Province Land Revenue Act were in vogue in the Sambalpur district when the Orissa province was formed. Further, theGanjam district was under the Madras Estates Land Act(MELA). All these laws defined and classified the tenurial system.If one examines the OT Act one would find series of intermediaries between the proprietor and actual tiller of land.Tenure-holders had under-tenure holders. Raiyats had under-Raiyats. Tenants also inducted sub-tenants.

9.1 Planning land use

Modern techniques such as mechanization, better crop varieties, and the scientific use of fertilizers can transform agriculture, but before they can be effective the use of the land has to be right. No techniques will make it possible to grow a good crop if the soil conditions are unsuitable for that crop, and no conservation works can prevent erosion when the basic cause is trying to grow crops on land which is really unsuitable for arable farming (plate 9.1). The object of land use planning is to determine the characteristics of land, its possibilities, and its problems, and try to match these to a form of land use which will be sustainable and economically productive.

9.7.1 Some planning principles

An often quoted definition is that ‘planning is the conscious process of selecting and developing the best course of action to accomplish an objective’. In the case of Land Use Planning the objective is the efficient intensive use of land resources.

It is difficult to imagine any field of human activity where some form of planning is not essential to achieve the objective. Consider going on holiday. Certainly it is possible to come home from work one evening, throw some clothes into a suitcase, go to the railway station or airport and buy a ticket to the first holiday resort which comes to mind. Some fortunate people may indeed enjoy so unplanned a holiday but for most of us it would be disappointing to find oneself in a mountain holiday resort without climbing boots, or on a sunny beach with only winter clothing in the suit case. No, one is more likely to achieve the objective of a happy holiday by a planned approach and this means going through a logical sequence of steps, i.e.

Land capability classification

Introduction: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) land classification system is interpretative, using the USDA soil survey map as a basis and classifying the individual soil map units in groups that have similar management requirements. At the highest of categorization, eight soil classes are distinguished, namely, arable lands (I to IV) and non arable lands (V to VIII).

Origin of land capability classification (1933) : The Georgia Piedmont Land Capability Classification (LCC): First U.S. effort to systematically determine the best use of lands by classifying and mapping erosion rates and potential in relation to both physical characteristics and agricultural capacity.

Definition: Land capability classification is a system of grouping soils primarily on the basis of their capability to produce common cultivated crops and pasture plants without deteriorating environment over a long period of time.

Classes: Land capability classification is subdivided into capability class and capability subclass nationally. Some states also use a capability unit.

The capability classification provides three major categories of soil groupings: (1) Capability unit, (2) capability subclass, and (3) capability class.

Technical Term              Definition

Land Use Capability     Capability is the inherent capacity of land to perform given at a level for a general use

Abstract

Continental erosion and fluvial transport play an important role enhancing mobilization of organic carbon from soils and transferring this pool to the ocean through downstream rivers and streams. The Ganges-Brahmaputra river system represents one of the largest transporters of terrestrial carbon to ocean. Intensive agriculture in the Ganges basin coupled with atmospheric deposition (AD) of nitrogen may render the soil more prone to erosion loss of carbon and nutrients. The aims of this study were to quantify atmospheric deposition of nitrogen (AD-N) in the watershed and to assess the influence of land use and AD-N on carbon and nitrogen transport in Ganga River. We collected samples in summer low flow along a 1595 km long transect of the river to assess the status of DOC under variable land use and AD-N input and, at monthly intervals along a 35 km long transect to understand seasonal patterns and the influence of local control. Our study shows average deposition of reactive-N (NO₃^- + NH₄⁺) range from 19.7 kg ha^-1yr-1 in upper stretch to 38.6 kg ha-1yr-1 in the middle stretch. The AD-N in lower stretch was almost similar to the values recorded in the middle stretch of the watershed. The average concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) in the river range from 0.62 to 5.3 mg L-1 and 52.0 to 385.6 µg L-1 respectively. The land-derived carbon and nitrogen emerging in surface runoff showed positive correlation with AD-N and the river DOC showed synchrony with land use, AD-N and autochthonous carbon pool. Our data indicate that DOC in Ganga River is rising and the land use together with AD-N is an important driver of rising DOC. We suggest that future climate model should consider large scale regional time series data on changing state of atmosphere-land-water coupling and associated shifts in carbon and nutrient transport of major rivers. This has relevance predicting region specific climate change drivers and preparing action plan for integrated river basin management (IRBM).

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.

Sustainable management of soil and water resources is essential for food, nutritional and environmental security of the country. The total and partial factor productivity of agricultures in India declined over years because of continued degradation of natural resources. The process leading to land degradation are generally triggered by excessive use of land and water resources to meet the growing demand of population for food, fibre and fodder. Various anthropogenic activities leading to accelerated land degradation through salinization, flooding, water logging, erosion of water and nutrients, drought reduced agricultural productivity and nutritional security in the country. These problems can be overcome by optimum utilization of land adopting suitable management practices. For effective land management practices, the soils should be interpreted in forms of their land capability, suitability for irrigation and crop growth. This will not only help the farming community and extension specialists, but also to the administrators and policy makers for using soils for sustainable agricultural production.

3.1. Land use classification

3.1.1. Classes

Capability class is the broadest category in the land capability classification system.

Class codes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 are used to represent both irrigated and non-irrigated land capability classes.

Class 1: Soils have slight limitations that restrict their use.

Class 2: Soils have moderate limitations that reduce the choice of plants or require moderate conservation practices.

Class 3: Soils have severe limitations that reduce the choice of plants or require special conservation practices or both.

Year    Contributor    Description
1756    Duharmel du Monceau H.L.    Discovered callus formation in decorticated elm tree. 
1839    Schwann, T.H.    Proposed the view that each living cell of a multicellular organism would be capable of developing independently if provided with proper external conditions.
1853    Trecul, A.    Performed experiment on callus formation by decorticated trees such as Robinia, Pawlonia and Ulmus.

Introduction

Increasing concern about climate change and global warming has created immense awareness among society about green house gas and its reduction. Irrespective of the geographical location, population density and economic development of any region, there is a huge scope for addressing the green house gas emission. Cities have a key role to play in the global agenda for addressing the challenge of climate change. Today, approximately half of the world’s population lives in cities; by 2050, that proportion will probably have increased to two-thirds. India has the highest rate of change of the urban population and will remain above 2% annually for the next three decades. At this rate, an estimated 854 million people will live in Indian cities by 2050.

Introduction

Landscape gardening is a very fascinating and interesting subject. It is a money spinner business and people who are involved in designing and preparing landscape gardens are earning handsome money. It is an aesthetic branch of horticulture which deals with application of garden forms, different styles, methods and materials with a view to improve the landscape. Frescos of flowers of old times reveal the association of human with flowering plants which they used in making gardens and planting on road side. In India, the landscape gardening is a developing subject and as such offers much scope for improvement. A beautiful landscape is a vital part of your home and community. A well-planned landscape can save your money by reducing energy consumption.

1. Banks of rivers and canals

The banks of river and canal passing through town and villages are well suited for landscaping. Landscaping is one of the important processes for beautification and preventing the soil erosion near the bank of river and canal. With the help of landscaping, people can take advantage of pleasant scenery and natural environment. The plants themselves will objects of beauty and their reflection on the water surface is an additional attraction.

Abstract

The softer rock types belonging to Tertiary period, intense deformation and the related more frequent tectonic weak planes, high degree of weathering and extensive road cutting are the inherent systems in provoking Landslides in Noney-Nungba segment of NH-53 in the state of Manipur. So Landslide Hazard Zonation mapping was carried out in this segment using BIS method and also geotechnical investigations were carried out in Awang Khull part-II slide and Raungdai slide and on the basis of type of failure and the morphotectonic conditions mitigation strategies were suggested.

Abstract

Landslides are the most common hazards in hilly regions. Rapid development and the resultant uncontrolled interactions with ecosystems are the major reasons for the landslides, besides the rainfall. So, the assessment of landslides hazard vulnerability is a prerequisite before making any developments related to settlements, hill resorts, hydropower projects and the related network of Ghat roads. The present study deals with the assessment of landslides in two different sites; Site-1 located in the Ghat section of Yercaud hills between 10/4 and 29/6 km stones in the southwestern slopes of Shevroy hills, Salem, and the Site-2 located in the Ghat road between Lower camp and Kumuli in Theni districts, Tamil Nadu. The Theni ghat road in the National Highway-220 is connecting Tamil Nadu with Kerala and is the lifeline for Sabarimala, Tekkadi and Munnar. Besides, a series of pan stacks conveying water from Periyar reservoir in Kerala to the power house located at Lower camp in Tamil Nadu also lie in this stretch of hills. Landslide vulnerability mapping was carried out in an area of 130sq.km in Site-1 and 6.7 sq.km in Site-2 by assigning numerical values to the causative factors of slope instability such as lithology, structure, slope morphometery, relative relief, land use and land cover, and ground water conditions following the BIS code No. 14496 (1998) for preparing landslide hazard zonation maps. The study in Yercaud hills revealed that out of 12 slope facets, facet 1 to 6, 9 and 12 fall under moderate landslide hazard zone whereas facets 7, 8, 10, and 11 fall under high hazard zone. The area falling in facets 3, 4 and 5 of Kumuli ghat section fall under high landslide hazard zone, the slope facets 1, 2, 9 and 10 fall in the moderate hazardous zone and other facets in low hazardous zone.

Abstract

Since the landslides have started spreading over to the most of the mountain provinces of all over the world, having developed expertise in Landslide vulnerability mapping, Factor of safety, Rock mechanic studies etc. the scientists and the technocrats have started focusing towards developing landslide early warning systems using instruments. As the instrumentation in such vast areas is not feasible satellite based monitoring of landslide movements is fast emerging. In this connection the paper discusses InSAR interferometry based landslide movements carried out in Nainital and Mansadevi areas, Uttrakhand Himalayas, India.

Keywords: SAR interferometry, Monitoring movements, Nainital & Mansadevi Landslides.

INTRODUCTION

Landslides pose greater threats to the population of India also, especially those living in mountainous regions, the top being the Himalayas. Many villages and vital transport routes are endangered by landslides and losses of lives and important infrastructure now become a routine phenomenon. Therefore, studies on surface displacements and landslide movements have become very important. However, due to the large aerial extent of the landslide prone provinces, this task may not be effectively carried out by ground based methods. In the recent years, the availability of interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) data from a variety of satellite and airborne remote sensing sensors has emerged, as a potential tool that can yield accurate data on surface displacements. Although, monitoring of such low velocity deformations, as we observe in landslides, is only possible if considerably long time series images are available. InSAR derived displacement measurements are not only feasible but also moderate in their costs compared to many ground-based methods. This paper discusses Small Baseline Subset (SBAS) algorithm used to monitor landslide movements.

Abstract

The landslide is a disaster which causes rampant loss to life, property and ecosystems. With increased awareness and technological development, the number of monitoring stations near hazardous regions have increased. To give warning prior to the occurrence of a landslide, the soil/rock mechanics of the underlying bed needs to be studied and understood. This paper examines the current literature and elucidates some features of state-of- the-art landslide monitoring systems.

Keywords: Field based sensors, Wireless sensor network, Landslide monitoring

INTRODUCTION

Advancements in technology have helped us to understand nature better than before, yet the geotechnical parameters causing landslides could not be quantified accurately. The efforts taken in predicting landslides are clearly moving towards this objective and this can be seen by the number of monitoring stations that have been setup in landslide prone areas around the world. The data that is obtained at each location is important in understanding landslides. Each location is unique in terms of soil properties, groundwater, inclination of the slope and weather conditions and consequently, each deployment is unique.

The paper narrates the instrumentation based forewarning systems functioning around the world. The paper discusses these aspects hierarchically viz; Landslide prone areas in India, geotechnical instrumentations and their merits, influence of rainfall on landslides, correlation between rainfall and pore pressure, the relevance of different systems for different scenarios etc.

Abstract

The article briefly narrates the initiatives taken by the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, New Delhi in providing solutions to rapidly growing Landslide Disasters in India. Duly considering the importance of the issue, the DST has embarked on a National Landslide Programme more than two decades ago and brought voluminous information on Landslide Vulnerability Mapping, Site Specific Landslide Investigations, Landslide Kinematics, Instrument Based Forewarning etc. by funding large number of research projects to various Academic/Research institutions in the country. In addition, the bilateral collaborative programme launched on Geohazards between India & Norway, resulted in bilateral flow of knowledge and capacity building amongst various tiers of the Academic, Research and the Planning Hierarchy, yielding tangible benefits.

Keywords: Landslides in India, DST’s Initiatives.

INTRODUCTION

Landslides cause extensive damages to roads, bridges, human dwellings, agricultural lands, forests and other establishments year after year resulting in immense losses of life and properties. The entire Himalayan region has been the target of intense development activities for the last few decades. Hence the instabilities along the natural slopes are accentuated by the human activities since the development schemes are often not properly planned and implemented (Valdiya 1980; Thakur 2001). This has become the case in most of the mountains in India. Keeping in view of the stability of the slopes, the need of the hour is to achieve sustainable development of the hilly regions while implementing various developmental schemes. So there has to be a major S&T role to play to minimize the landslide problems. This should include all possible corrective and preventive measures to minimize the losses due to this disaster.

Abstract

The state of Nagaland located in the northeastern part of the Indian subcontinent is also prone to landslides similar to the other north eastern states due to the softer lithologies, intense deformation and extensive anthropogenic activities. So in order to understand the landslide vulnerability and to evolve remedial measures, a 12 km stretch of the NH-2 from Kohima town in the south to Zhadima junction in the north was studied. The study comprises the preparation of landslide hazard zonation map using BIS method and detailed studies in six major landslides involving RMR, SMR and Kinematic analysis and also the suitable remedial measures for such landslide phenomenon.

Abstract

Due to fragile lithology belonging to Disang and Barail groups of the Cretaceous-Tertiary period, intensive structural deformation related to collision tectonics, extensive weathering and the anthropogenic activities in the form of slope cutting for the development and widening of roads lead to frequent landslides in the state of Manipur, India. In this connection, the road section between Tengnoupal and Sita has been studied to understand the landslides vulnerability and to evolve mitigation strategies. The study involved the Petrochemical analysis to elucidate the weathering potential of the rocks, kinematic analysis to understand the network of joints and the strain, slope stability analysis to prepare Land Hazard Zonation mapping and estimation of factors of safety in selected locations. On the basis of these studies, long & short term remedial measures were suggested to mitigate the landslide hazards.

Abstract

Similar to other north eastern states of India, the state of Manipur is also prone to recurring landslides. The National Highway 150 and the state Highway in Ukhrul, Nunghar and Paorei sectors often witness landslides due to geological complexities, rainfall and anthropogenic activities. So a study was conducted to prepare the landslide hazard zonation map for the region using the method developed by Bureau of Indian Standards, which indicates that 67.32 km² (nearly 56%) fall under high hazard zone. The RMR and SMR studies carried out in five test sites in such high hazard zone show that four sites fall under highly unstable category (class IV) and one under partially unstable category (class III). The kinematic analysis indicates dominant wedge failure. The improper landuse, lack of adequate drainage and toe removal for road widening are the major causative factors for the recurring landslides.

Abstract

The landslides of the hill ecosystems are either due to the natural morphotectonic and morphodynamics processes of the planet earth or due to the anthropogenic effects or due to the combinations of the both. In the Indian subcontinent, the landslides are reported from three major provinces viz: Himalayas, Westernghats and The Nilgiris. While the landslides of the Himalayas are demonstrated to be predominantly due to active tectonics, the landslides of the Westernghats are attributed to excessive weathering and rock fall. On the contrary the landslides of the Nilgiris have been thought to be due to extensive deforestation and the related increase in the pore pressure during rainy seasons. But the studies carried out in the recent years show that not only in the Nilgiris but also in other hill systems of Tamil Nadu, the landslides seem to be related to the recent earth movements. This is very significant in the context of fastly recurring seismicities in South India and hence this aspect warrants detailed studies for landslide mitigation.

Abstract

Subsequent to December 26^th 2004 historical Tsunami, The Government of India has conceived a master plan for setting up Tsunami Warning System (TWS) similar to Pacific Ocean Tsunami Warning System. Concurrently, the union Govt has also initiated scientific studies through Department of Science and Technology and the significant amongst these are the

• All India Co-ordinated Programme on Tsunami disaster and risk assessment using GIS technology and
• Bilateral programme with Norway to know the know – how and capacity building in the fields of Landslides and Tsunami

As a part of this bilateral mission, the authors visited institutions connected to Geohazards and Tsunami affected areas of Norway. The article briefly narrates the salient inferences on the Tsunami scenario and the related studies in Norway.

Keywords: Landslides triggered tsunamis, Norway

? Lantana camara (lantana, wild sage, bunch berry) one of the ten most toxic weeds in the world. Brought to India in early part of the 19th century as an ornamental plant.

? Very hardy shrub grows very luxuriantly, capable of prospering in adverse soil.

? It has no. of adverse interactions with the biosphere.

? Causes hepatotoxicity, photosensitization in grazing livestock and growth inhibition of the neighboring vegetation due to allelopathic action which is rapidly changing the ecological balance.

? Reports of poisoning have been received form India, Australia, Cuba, Mexico, Kenya, Brazil and New Zealand.

? Very pungent plant. Cattle eat only in scarcity of other feed/fodder.

? Bos taurus more susceptible than Bos indicus.

The most common indication for laparoscopy is to examine and biopsy the abdominal organs or masses. Additional diagnostic procedures that can be performed using laparoscopic guidance include gall bladder puncture to collect bile, contrast radiographic techniques for the diagnosis of bile duct obstructions, overdistension of gall bladder, portography and splenic pulp pressure measurement.

Laparoscopy is not only used in the examination of the abdominal cavity organs, surgical treatment but also in the diagnosis of the different disease conditioned by biopsy examination (removal of a sample of tissue from the living body for histopathological examination). Biopsy is indicated to ascertain a correct diagnosis, specific therapy and accurate prognosis. Laparoscopy is becoming an alternative method of monitoring biopsies of internal organs. It permits precise localization and accurate site on the various abdominal organs surface such as kidney, liver, spleen etc. Since, it is relatively noninvasive so it ranks highest amongst biopsy techniques. The technique allows visual control over the biopsy procedure, which considerably limits post biopsy complications and increases the likelihood of obtaining diagnostically useful biopsy specimens.

Positioning of the patient/anesthesia

The patient is transported to the operating room and after general anesthesia the patient is placed in a desirable position. Some operating tables can be repositioned intraoperatively, allowing the surgeon to change the angle of the patient during the procedure. Special care should be taken to avoid nerve injury by malpositioning the patient, particularly along the popliteal fossa and brachial plexus. If any part of the patient is in contact with a metal object, patient may be at risk of electro surgical burns. General anesthesia is preferred for laparoscopy as it provides adequate muscle relaxation and assisted respiration particularly as the patient is in Trendelenburg position.

Among the various modern surgical methods, laparoscopy is now held as one of the most potent and promising aids for both diagnostic (laparoscopy) and therapeutic (laparoscopic surgery) use. Laparoscopy is an endoscopic procedure that bridges the gap between clinical evaluation and surgical exploration. The laparoscopic surgical techniques in both and human and veterinary medicine have grown tremendously. Laparoscopy requires a minor surgical intervention and it provides the only available practical means of making repeated direct observation of abdominal viscera. The advantage of surgical laparoscopy over the conventional open surgical laparotomy include faster patient recovery because of smaller surgical sites, decreased hospitalization, improved cosmetic, improved visualization of abdominal organs, lower postoperative morbidity with lower infection rates, and less postoperative pain and stress. Surgeons are commonly looking for more progressive and stressful surgical methods of sterilization in dogs, particularly in canine birth control programs in urban industrial areas. Demographically dense urban and industrial areas require effective animal birth control programs that can overcome the problems of hospitalization, postoperative complications and reduction in the overall cost of operation. In a large scale animal birth control program, the conventional methods of sterilization require a long period between capture of dogs and their release, due to the time taken for the surgical wounds to heal. In this aspect, keyhole surgery (laparoscopic surgery) can revolutionize the entire program, as it needs only a very small surgical wound, which usually needs no postoperative care or regular dressings.

Many surgeons have made attempts to develop minimally invasive surgical techniques with minimum blood loss and fewer traumas, to treat the disease process and minimize patient morbidity. Laparoscopic surgery may provide a wide field of its extensive application particularly in surgical sterilization of different animal species. Furthermore, high demographic urban and industrial area requires an effective animal birth control programme, which can overcome the problem of hospitalization, postoperative complications, and the overall cost reduction of operation. The sterilization of (both male and female) is effective measure in controlling the stray dog’s problem. Because the sterilization of either male or female alone is not effective and also sterilization of female consume more time when compared to male sterilization. To combat stray dogs in Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme, it is effective to sterilize the male also. Castration of male dogs by conventional open method has many disadvantages and postoperative complications such as hemorrhage, wound dehiscence, infections, maggot infestations and scrotal swellings etc. In a large scale Animal Birth Control programme, the conventional methods of sterilization requires a long period between capture of dogs and their release due to the time taken for the surgical wounds to heal. In this aspect, Keyhole surgery (Laparoscopic surgery) can revolutionize the entire programme, as it needs only very small surgical wound, which usually needs no postoperative care or regular dressings. It also avoids postoperative complications such as wound dehiscence, herniation, etc. and reduces the surgical stress to animal as well as recurring cost of each surgery.

Introduction

Laparoscopy is an operative procedure, performed through a keyhole opening with a rigid telescope that allows visual inspections and biopsy of the peritoneal cavity and its organs. Laparoscopy was first introduced in 1901 in human medicine. It has only been in the last 15 years that laparoscopy has been widely used in various animal species for research, clinical diagnosis and therapeutic purposes. Veterinary laparoscopy was widely used initially in the reproductive physiology in equine, nonhuman primate and various zoo and exotic species. The first clinical application of laparoscopy in dog involved ovarian physiology in the early 1960s, and Lettow reported the first laparoscopic liver biopsy procedure in a dog in 1972. The utility of laparoscopy in animal physiology particularly in reproductive physiology is wide and it has been used in almost all the species with encouraging results.

Introduction

The most common indication for laparoscopy in zoo animal clinical medicine includes evaluation of liver disorders (e.g. cirrhosis, hepatitis, hepatomegaly), staging for cancer treatment (liver and peritoneal metastases), diagnosis of various peritoneal diseases (e.g. ascites), diagnosis of pelvic soft tissue diseases (e.g. ovarian problem, endometritis, pyometra,) and diseases of spleen and pancreas. The utility of laparoscopy in zoo animal practice is wide and it has been used in almost all the species with encouraging results. Laparoscopy is now most commonly used in zoo animal medicine to examine and biopsy of liver, gall bladder, kidney, spleen, pancreas, ovaries and prostrate. It provides an excellent means for visualizing the surfaces and colour. Even subtle color and texture changes can be readily detected. The liver is generally evaluated through a right lateral mid abdominal approach in canine and feline species of zoo animals. Abnormal gross liver changes that can be readily appreciated include hepatic lipidosis, glycogen leaden liver, metastasis or multifocal neoplasm, nodular hyperplasia, cirrhosis, cholangihepatitis, extra hepatic biliary tract obstruction etc. Using grasping forceps advanced through the second puncture cannula, the biopsy can be obtained quickly and safely in zoo animals. The pancreas can usually be visualized thorough a right abdominal approach and biopsy samples can be safely obtained.

Inverse Laplace Transform of 1/(s - 2)2 is
(A) exp(2t)            (B) t exp(2t)
(C) 2t exp(2t)         (D) t2 exp(2t)

Grasshoppers: Mecopoda elongata :Tettigonidae; Oxya velox: Acrididae

These pests occur both in nurseries and plantations. Both adults and nymphs feed on leaves by scrapping and eating outer tissues and margins. The emerging leaves are nibbled and the spot holes appear when the leaf unfurls. In severe conditions the entire leaf is eaten leaving behind only the midrib.

Samples having size, n - 30 are known as large sample. For large values of n (i.e., for n - 30), almost all the distributions are very closely approximated by normal distribution. Thus in this case we apply the normal test, which is based upon the area property of the normal probability curve. Large Sample Test is also known as Z-test or SND (Standard Normal Deviate) test.

Dioscorea alata is commonly called greater yam or larger yam or water yam.  This is the most widely distributed species of yam. This species originated in South East Asia, probably in Burma. From there, it first spread to India, Malaysia, Indonesia and the eastern portion of South East Asia.  Later it served as food for voyagers and thereby spread to other parts of the tropics.  Immigrants from India and Malaysia introduced it to Madagascar, from where it was partially introduced into East Africa and Portuguese and Spanish voyager traders of the 16th century probably introduced it into West Africa and later to West Indies.

Aquaculture is currently the fastest-expanding food production industry worldwide, and its continued growth depends greatly on the successful rearing of larvae and juvenile stages. The larval and nursery phases act as a crucial link between the breeding process and the grow-out phase. These early developmental stages are highly sensitive and demand strict environmental regulation, tailored nutrition, and close management.
This article explores the core principles and infrastructure necessary for effective larval rearing and nursery operations in aquaculture. It covers essential techniques, feeding protocols, water quality control, health management practices, and the key challenges encountered in raising both finfish and shellfish.
SIGNIFICANCE OF LARVAL REARING AND NURSERY PRACTICES
• Promotes high survival rates and optimal growth during the most delicate stages of life.
• Produces robust juveniles ready for transfer to grow-out systems such as ponds, cages, or raceways.
• Lowers overall production expenses by reducing early-stage mortality.
• Aids in selective breeding efforts and the production of disease-free stock.
LARVAL REARING
The eggs are elliptical in shape, typically ranging from 1 to 2 mm in diameter, and are attached at one end to a substrate using a short stalk. Initially, the eggs are yellow, but as embryonic development progresses, they turn brownish, and pigmentation appears on the yolk sac. The incubation period generally spans 82 to 100 hours. Hatching begins when the egg membrane ruptures at the head end of the larva, which is the unattached portion, and continues along the dorsal side as the tail begins to move actively.