Research Papers

How sustainable are forestry clean development mechanism projects? - A review of the selected projects from India

Aggarwal Ashish
| 2014

This paper analyses social, economic and ecological issues affecting sustainability of the four selected forestry clean development mechanism (CDM) projects from India. Data from the group discussions and stakeholder interviews suggest that three out of the four projects are economically unsustainable for local people because of high opportunity cost of land and labour, and delayed and low benefits.

High density polyethylene and silane treated silicon nitride nanocomposites using high-density polyethylene functionalized with maleate ester: Mechanical, tribological and thermal properties

Deepthi M V, Sailaja R R N, Sampathkumaran P, Seetharamu S, Vynatheya S
| 2014

In this study, attempt has been made to improve the overall performance of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites by blending with silane treated silicon nitride (SN) using HDPE grafted dibutyl maleate as compatibilizer. A small quantity of surface modified nanoclay has also been added in order to improve the mechanical properties. The mechanical properties show that both silane modification of silicon nitride accompanied by nanoclay addition has led to the substantial enhancement in mechanical properties.

Green Economy in South Asia: Challenges and Opportunities.

Mishra Arabinda, Shailly Kedia, Madhumita Mishra
| 2014

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) defines a “green economy” as one “that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while signifi cantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities”. It makes a tantalizing claim that “a green economy grows faster than a brown economy over time, while maintaining and restoring natural capital”. Rising oil prices, the financial crisis of 2008, and the ever growing debate around global ecological crises, including climate change, can be seen as key triggers for the pursuit of green growth worldwide.

Going beyond incomes: Dimensions of cooking energy transitions in rural India

Sehjpal Ritika , Ramji Aditya , Soni Anmol , Kumar Atul
| 2014

Most studies on household energy choices have considered income and education as suitable proxies for socio-cultural contexts, primarily because the available data on household energy is from census surveys which are mainly household consumption surveys, not focused energy surveys. Acknowledging the existing data constraints, a more focussed household energy survey was designed for rural India with the aim of better understanding determinants of current energy use patterns, energy choices, to measure the impacts of these factors, and importantly, arrive at key policy insights.

Geochemical characterization and heavy metal contamination of groundwater in Satluj River Basin

Singh Chander Kumar, Kumari Rina, Singh Ravi Prakash, Mukherjee Saumitra
| 2014

Groundwater, a renewable and finite natural resource, vital for man's life, social and economic development and a valuable component of the ecosystem, is vulnerable to natural and human impacts. The aim of present study is to evaluate hydrogeochemical parameters and heavy metals in groundwater and to study their spatial distribution in the Rupnagar District of Punjab. The spatial distribution of physico-chemical parameters were studied using Arc GIS 9.2.

Genesis of World Digital Libraries: An International Journal

Alam Nihal, Bhattacharya P K
| 2014

During the International Conferences on Digital Libraries, several experts felt the need for a primary research journal in the field of digital libraries which will not only cover the knowledge network of global digital library experts, but also project Indian research on digital libraries, technologies and case studies. Thus, the journal World Digital Libraries (WDL) started in 2008. This paper describes the genesis of the WDL, coverage in terms of themes, contribution of authors, subscription and future projections of WDL.

Forest cover change prediction using hybrid methodology of geoinformatics and Markov chain model: A case study on sub-Himalayan town Gangtok, India

Mukhopadhyay Anirban, Mondal Arun, Mukherjee Sandip , Khatua Dipam, Ghosh Subhajit , Mitra Debasish , Ghosh Tuhin
| 2014

In the Himalayan states of India, with increasing population and activities, large areas of forested land are being converted into other land-use features. There is a definite cause and effect relationship between changing practice for development and changes in land use. So, an estimation of land use dynamics and a futuristic trend pattern is essential. A combination of geospatial and statistical techniques were applied to assess the present and future land use/land cover scenario of Gangtok, the subHimalayan capital of Sikkim.

Environment and human exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in India: A systematic review of recent and historical data

Sharma Brij Mohan, Bharat Girija K, Tayal Shresth , Nizzettoc Luca, Cupr Pavel, Larssen Thorjørn
| 2014

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been used in a wide range of agricultural and industrial commodities,resulting in vigorous deterioration of environment and human health. A number of studies on the occurrence of POPs confirmtheir presence in various environmental compartments and human body. In order to dealwith this global concern, India has recently prepared the National Implementation Plan (NIP) of the Stockholm Convention.

Enrichment and optimization of anaerobic bacterial mixed culture for conversion of syngas to ethanol

Singla Ashish, Verma Dipti, Lal Banwari, Sarma Priyangshu M
| 2014

The main aim of the present study was to enrich anaerobic mixed bacterial culture capable of producing ethanol from synthesis gas fermentation. Screening of thirteen anaerobic strains together with enrichment protocol helped to develop an efficient mixed culture capable of utilizing syngas for ethanol production. Physiological and operational parameters were optimized for enhanced ethanol production. The optimized value of operational parameters i.e. initial media pH, incubation temperature, initial syngas pressure, and agitation speed were 6.0±0.1, 37°C, 2kgcm-2 and 100rpm respectively.