Publications

Trend analysis and ARIMA modelling of pre-monsoon rainfall data for western India

Research Paper

| January 11, 2018

Spatial and temporal variability of rainfall over different seasons influence physical, social and economic parameters. Pre-monsoon (March, April and May - MAM) rainfall over the country is highly variable. Since heat lows and convective rainfall in MAM have an impact on the intensity of the ensuing monsoons, hence the pre-monsoon period was chosen for the study. The pre-whitened Mann Kendall test was used to explore presence of rainfall trend during MAM. The results indicate presence of significant (at 10% level) increasing trend in two stations (Ajmer, Bikaner).

Use of renewable energy to enhance sustainability of the mid-day meal program in schools

Research Paper

| January 11, 2018

Children in government schools in Karnataka, India are provided cooked mid-day meals under the 'Akshara Dasoha' scheme. The aim of this initiative is to provide a nutritious meal to school children (who mostly hail from the lower economic strata) to enhance their nutritional status and as an incentive to minimize dropouts. However, cooking these meals have numerous bottlenecks including irregular supply of cooking fuel i.e.

Persistent organic pollutants in Indian environment: a wake-up call for concerted action

Policy brief

| January 11, 2018

India has a comprehensive apparatus of environmental laws. However, the lack of an integrated approach to the regulation of chemicals, poor management of pollution, and the fundamentally retrospective vision have resulted in ineffective implementation of the laws as demonstrated by the example of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in the environment.

Heat Island Effect in an Industrial Cluster - Identification, Mitigation and Adaptation

Policy brief

| November 24, 2017

The Ib-Valley region of Odisha is a rapidly growing industrial hub with a range of large industries as well as coal mining. The study seeks to assess the heat island effect in this region, which could be attributable to anthropogenic activities. This briefing paper outlines the Heat Island mitigation and adaptation strategies based on the study conducted in this region. Thermal hotspots have been identified using approaches such as remote sensing based Land Surface Temperature (LST) modelling and field survey based ambient temperature and humidity monitoring.

SDGs: An imperative for climate change

Policy brief

| November 13, 2017

This paper examines the historical progression of the important global developments and climate change agendas as well as throws light on the interface between climate change and sustainable development. The paper

Zero Draft Policy on Regulation of Nanoproducts in Agriculture

Policy brief

| November 10, 2017

The use of nanotechnology in agriculture may help India meet challenges such as depleting soil health, rise in food grain demand and the need to make agriculture sustainable.

Discussion Paper: Restructuring the Environmental Governance Architecture for India

Policy brief

| October 30, 2017

The Discussion Paper examines the current architecture of the main environment related legislations, namely the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980; The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972; The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; and The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, in the context of the Constitutional provisions and the evolution of approaches to better environmental management, including those emanating from international conventions.

Special Commentary - Sustainable Development Goals: An India Perspective

Article

| August 9, 2017

(In the context of the convening of the UN's High Level Political Forum on SDGs from 10th to 19th July)

Discussion Paper: Why we need a New Mineral Exploration Policy for National Mineral Security

Policy brief

| June 15, 2017

Novel Targets and Advancements 18 in Drug Discovery: The Case of HIV-AIDS

Research Paper

| May 9, 2017

Since the very first report of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the early 1980s in the United States, a number of advancements have taken place both in the structural and functional aspects of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) life cycle as well as anti-HIV drug design. While new drugs have come to the market and combination therapies have increased life expectancy, resistance and viral mutations have mandated introduction of new drugs in the market. Apart from two main classes of HIV inhibitors (reverse transcriptase and