Publications
The Evaluation of Two-stage Chemical Fractionation for the Enhanced Enzymatic Saccharification of Cellulose in Rice Straw
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
Rice straw, an agro-residue, can be utilized as a renewable resource for the production of fuel and chemicals. This study evaluates a two-stage chemical pretreatment (dilute acid hydrolysis followed by alkaline-peroxide delignification) for fractionation and enhancing the enzymatic saccharification of the rice straw cellulose to produce fermentable sugars. The process led to 100% hemicellulose dissolution and resulted in a solid residue with ~95% pure cellulose. Enzymatic saccharification of this cellulose liberates 70% more reducing sugars compared to other single-step pretreatment methods.
The trials and tribulations of the Village Energy Security Programme (VESP) in India
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
The Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) launched the Village Energy Security Programme (VESP) in 2004 but discontinued it during the 12th Five Year Plan, starting in 2012, after a series of unexpected challenges. Planners structured the program so that a village energy committee (VEC) ran a decentralized village program involving biomass gasifiers, straight vegetable oil (SVO) systems, biogas plants, and improved cookstoves. This suite of technologies was intended to produce electricity and thermal energy to meet the total energy requirements of rural communities.
Transition of Digital library in a web enabled environment: from Semantic to Social Semantic Digital library
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
Library is a primary source of information throughout the history of mankind and is present in our societies in different forms. Notably, the traditional digital libraries have taken the shape of semantic digital libraries, which gives a more meaningful search and can be accessible anywhere at any point of time. Now it is time to re-examine the role of digital libraries within a new paradigm of library service. This paper will identify how it influences professional’s information needs and use of resources to meet those needs by different forms of Digital libraries in a web environment.
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.