eChapters

1. Introduction
Early childhood (0-6 years) is the most important period in a child’s life; it is during this period that the foundations for the child’s cognitive, social, emotional, physical and mental development are laid. As a result, the Ministry of Women and Child Development implemented several programs aimed at the welfare, development and protection of children and pregnant women. One such program is The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program, which began on October 2, 1975. In India, ICDS is the most important government intervention for reducing maternal and child malnutrition and it has grown to become the world’s largest program of its kind. The ICDS aims to provide an integrated package of early childhood services in order to lay a solid foundation for the development of the nation’s human resources. The ICDS scheme is intended to be both preventive and developmental in nature. ICDS gives hope to millions of vulnerable women and children by assisting and supporting them during times of food insecurity and rapid growth. Because of its nationwide coverage, this program has all of the necessary structures in place and provides nutritional safety for the most vulnerable and poorest of the poor. This is a one-of-a-kind program with no counterpart anywhere in the world, in terms of scope and coverage.
Objectives of the ICDS Program
The following are the objectives of the ICDS scheme:
1. To improve the nutritional and health status of children in the age group of 0-6 years
2. To lay the foundations for the proper psychological physical and social development of the child
3. To reduce mortality morbidity, malnutrition and school dropout
4. To achieve an effective coordination of policy and implementation among the various departments working for the promotion of child development
5. To enhance the capability of the mother and the nutritional needs of the child through proper nutrition and health education.

Introduction 
Sustainable development is one of the most important concepts in a business organization. In order to satisfy all the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own requirements, sustainable development is a comprehensive strategy to growth. In order to build a stable and equitable future, it incorporates social inclusion, economic progress, and environmental conservation. The “three pillars” or “three dimensions” of sustainability—economic, social, and environmental—are frequently used to frame the idea of sustainable development. The North East Indian state of Assam’s cultural and economical legacy has an intricate connection to the long and prosperous past of the Assam Silk Industry. From the very ancient times, the production of silk from silkworm and weaving into beautiful garments can be seen in this part of the region.Evidence indicates that the cultivation of silk and weaving were well established in the region by the first millennium BCE, incorporating thousands of years to the cultural heritage of silk weaving in Assam.The indigenous communities of Assam, particularly the Bodo-Kacharis, have been identified for spreading sericulture to the area. Assam produces three types of silk, namely Muga Silk which is also termed as Golden Muga, Pat Silk and Eri or Endi Silk. Also known as the “Golden Silk”, Muga Silk is unique only to Assam and hugely popular because of its natural sheen which increases with each wash. The silk is produced by a special silkworm Antheraea assamensiswhich is endemic to Assam. The town of Sualkuchi, in the Kamrup district of Assam, India, is home to the well-known traditional silk-weaving industry. Sualkuchi, dubbed the “Manchester of Assam,” is well-known for its superior silk goods, especially those crafted from Assamese-only Muga, Eri, and Pat silk(Ghosh, 2021; (Rajesh et al., 2020) The Assam Silk is considered as one of the finest in regional, national and international market because of its superior quality, bright colors and attractive designs. It has a good amount of potential to boost the economic development of Assam. Despite having such importance, it has been observed that the silk industry is facing a lot of problems which is causing a major setback in its growth. The Silk Industry of Assam is highly unorganized because there are less or no educated laborers which results in shortage of agricultural laborers ultimately leading to production shortage. The Assam silk industry, known for producing exquisite silk varieties like Muga, Eri, and Pat silk, faces several marketing challenges that hinder its growth and global competitiveness. Despite being geographically unique particularly Muga Silk, its brand identity is not widely recognized in outside the market. Its reach is restricted to premium and high-end fashion markets due to this lack of worldwide awareness. The majority of Assam’s silk output is limited to local and regional markets. The industry’s minimal web presence and inadequate marketing infrastructure make it difficult for it to penetrate larger domestic and international markets. Silk from Assam is not sufficiently promoted in international forums. There are government initiatives; however, there is a lack of consistency and broad audience reach in marketing activities. In marketplaces where there is competition, this causes the silk to be less visible.Producing Assam silk, particularly Muga silk, requires a lot of work and money. The final product’s high cost of manufacture restricts its customer base to a premium market niche. This lowers total sales and narrows the target market.

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

Assessment of groundwater potential has wide importance in the exploration, management and development of groundwater resource. The fact that geologic and topographic factors, such as, geomorphology, lithology, structure, soil and slope control the occurrence and movement of groundwater in a region has been made use of in satellite remote sensing to aid groundwater exploration. In hard rock terrains, due to lack of primary porosity, lineaments have greater importance as those can be zones of secondary porosity trapping groundwater in its pore spaces.

In the present study, an attempt has been made to delineate groundwater potential zones in the hard rock terrain in the Gayatri River basin in Kerala, India, using satellite data. The study area which lies between 10o 26’N and 10o 45’N latitudes and 76o 21’E and 76o 54’E longitudes covering an area of about 1000 square kilometers is a drought-prone area. Landsat 7 ETM image of Gayatri River basin has been interpreted visually in a digital environment using ERDAS Imagine software to create geomorphology and lineament maps. Further, with the help of ancillary data, various thematic layers like, lithology, soil, drainage density, etc. have been created and subsequently updated using information obtained from the satellite data. Slope map of the basin has been created using Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) data. Integration of the thematic layers has been done in Arc/Info GRID GIS environment by giving weights to various thematic layers according to their importance in terms of groundwater occurrence. Finally, groundwater potential map of the basin has been prepared by classifying groundwater potential zones as good, moderate and poor.

Abstract

The East Coast of Tamil Nadu exhibits a spectacular network of deltas formed by the easterly flowing river systems. The study of raw and digitally enhanced Landsat TM and IRS data shows, that these deltas were formed due to multivariate dynamic processes of fluvial, marine and aeolian actions. The wide fan shaped delta observed northwest and north of Madras city spanning out over an area of 700 sq.km is a feature, standing testimony to the PaleoCauvery river systems.

The regional slope and the overall arcuate arrangement of the crescent shaped lakes in the area and the tentacles of paleochannels show, that it is overall a fan shaped delta and its successive growth towards the sea might have been due to the constant progradation of lobes by continuous reworking of preceding lobes. The depressions in between successive concentric lobes have become the lakes. The absence of any beach ridges in such palaeo deltaic regime suggests that, it would be a sub aerial delta only. The overall arcuate shape of the shoreline in between Madras city in the south and Pulicat lake in the north is due to this fan delta. This feature once again symbolises the active river dominated delta. The Palar delta is a ‘cuspate’ one. The Ponnaiyar river has developed a linear delta, along a narrow depression found in between Tertiary uplands. While the avulsion phenomenon indicates the ancient shoreline near Villupuram, the east-west trending micro sandy uplands within the delta suggest, that it is a tide dominated delta.

2.1 Overview of the CDM Project Cycle

The ultimate governing body of the CDM is the Conference of the Parties/Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP/MOP). The COP/MOP is the annual meeting of the signatories to the Kyoto Protocol and is responsible for managing the CDM Executive Board and for overseeing its work. The Executive Board supervises the CDM process under the authority and guidance of the COP/MOP; it is fully accountable to the COP/MOP. The Board decides on rules for the implementation of the CDM, as well as making the final decisions about acceptance of methodologies, registration of projects and issuance of CERs. The Board is composed of 10 members and 10 alternates. The CDM Executive Board created an A/R Working Group to specifically oversee LULUCF under the CDM. The A/R Working Group provides guidance to LULUCF project developers and, using expert reviewers, makes recommendations on acceptance or rejection of LULUCF methodologies.

Introduction

The Himalayan Moutains that is relatively a younger formation and geologically a very complex occupies most of the Arunachal Pradesh. The mountain terrain covers an area of about 86000 sq. km with elevation ranging from 400 to 6000 m above mean sea level (Satapathy and Dutta 1999). The wet tropical and sub-tropical climate which prevails in most part of the Arunachal Pradesh, there is usual phenomenon of erosion and land degradation by the action of water. It is estimated by the application of USLE for Arunachal Pradesh that the total amount of about 669.35 million tones of soil is eroded annually with an average rate of 90.7 tonnes /ha/year (Singh, 1999).

Arunachal Pradesh falls under upper Brahamaputra river system constituted by 10 major river basins. They are Tawang, Kameng, Dikrong, Subansiri, Siang, Sesseri, Dibang-Tellu, and Tirap-Tiso. In Arunachal Pradesh, Dikrong river is named after joining of two main rivers Pachin and Para . In the catchments of Dikrong river light textured unstable soils with the prevalent practice of Jhum Cultivation makes the entire catchments susceptible to erosion. In every monsoon the river Dilrong carries tremendous amount of silt, gravel, small boulder and causes flood in some parts of the catchments susceptible to erosion. Singh (1999) observed that loss rate through Dikrong River was 100.98 tones/ha/year. This indicates serious threat to soil resources and there is need for urgent treatment for sediment control in Dikrong river bash.

Abstract

Amongst all types of major land-use change, extending irrigated agriculture using a surface-water source has the greatest influence on groundwater – both significantly increasing recharge and changing water quality as excess irrigation water infiltrates into shallow aquifers. Hence, in order to understand the impact of the landuse on the groundwater system the study has been aimed to understand the process by adopting geophysical, geochemical and microbial analysis of groundwater samples. The study has been conducted in Chidambaram taluk, with a total area of 92.51Sq.km. A total of 39 groundwater samples were collected for the analysis of major cation and anion along with the microbial analysis, like Total Coliform, Total Viable Counts, Fecal coliforms, Vibrio cholera and Total Streptococci. The geochemical studies reveal that there is no correlation between these parameters and the microbial population. The migration of the water from the elevated regions (urban region) is witnessed and the concentration of the microbial population is higher in these regions except in the southern region which has impermeable clay and this arrest the movement of water.

Abstract

Radon being the radioactive daughter product of Uranium; the interrelationship between U and Rn has been established in the present study. It is found that Radon coexist with Uranium in the region. A total of 61 samples were collected spatially from hand pumps and bore wells of the study area. Major ions such as Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, F^-, Cl^-, HCO^3-, NO^3-, H₄SiO₄,PO₄- and SO₄^2- and U, Rn were analysed. The lithological influence of U and Radon occurrence is also highlighted. Hard rocks especially Granites are the source for both U and Rn in the study area whereas the lack of correlation exist between U and Rn in sedimentary terrain can be attributed to difference in flow conditions and chemical properties of these elements. 

Key words: Radon, Uranium, Granite, Ground water, Source.
 

Abstract

Groundwater is most favored as a source of drinking water in all over world. It is often thought to be cleaner and easier to treat when compared with surface water and as a result, many wells have been sunk. Uranium and other radionuclides in water can lead to health problems if present in higher concentrations. In order to study the behavior and to understand the influence of lithology in groundwater of Madurai district, a study was conducted by collecting a total of 216 samples of different seasons (Premonsoon, South west monsoon, Northeast monsoon and Post monsoon) with respect to lithology and the number of samples was depending upon their spatial coverage in the study area. The groundwater samples were analysed for U, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, HCO₃^-, Cl^-, SO₄^2-, PO₄^3-, NO₃^-, F^-, H₄SiO₄, pH, EC, TDS. It was identified that the higher concentration of Uranium (156 ppb) were noted in the northern part of the study area. They are chiefly restricted to the Granitic terrain and nearby Charnockitic regions. The weathering process induces the release of higher U ions from the granitic terrain and the evaporated recharge water from the tank /reservoir  also induces the release of U ions from the rock matrix, it may also be due to fertilizer enriched agricultural return flows. The key source for all these processes and hydrogeochemical processes is identified to be lithology which inturn controls all the other processes in the study area.

Abstract

Deduction of overindulgence fluoride (F)  from the water has been endeavor by numerous investigators by using different materials both natural and artificial. The objective of this paper was to attempt the fluoride removal by using the locally available natural materials such as red soil, untreated charcoal, local powdered brick, fly-ash from Neyveli (thermal power plant) and mineral serpentine were used, adopting column method. Maximum defluoridation occurs immediately after the experiment has started. The morality of fluoride removed per gram is more in red soil when compared to the other materials. Variation of fluoride removal with time was studied after the erection of the column /unit, the defluoridation setup was then connected to the public water supply from the overhead tank of 50,000L capacity. Higher F removal was noted when flow rate was lesser. An attempt on the regeneration of the fluoride adsorbed soil was also made.

ABSTRACT

Hydrogeochemistry of a region is a reflection of hydrodynamic process, composition of lithology and physical constraints. The water chemistry is the resultant of all biogeochemical processes and reactions, which have acted on water from the moment it has condensed in atmosphere till the time it is discharged. A case study has been carried out in a varied lithological terrain with Archean, Alluvium and Tertiary rocks to unravel the hydrogeochemical process. A geochemical model relays the distribution of mineral species in the groundwater. Geochemical modeling WATEQ4F has been carried out for pre-monsoon and monsoon period of various litho units in Gadilam river basin, Tamilnadu to find out the disequilibrium indices of carbonate (calcite, dolomite, magnesite and aragonite) and sulfate minerals (anhydrite and gypsum). The result of the model reveals that carbonate minerals show the over saturation state in monsoon period and the Sulfate minerals exhibit under saturation state in both the seasons.

Abstract

Soil quality assessment has been recognized as an important step towards understanding the long term effects of land management practices within agricultural watersheds. Potential soil quality issues include continued high rates of erosion, losses of organic matter, reductions in soil fertility and productivity, as well as chemical and heavy metal contamination. This case study addressed the spatial variability of soil properties and its quality at the watershed level using geostatistical methods. Soil samples from the 0- to 20-cm depth were collected on a 100- by 100-m grid across an 88-ha watershed at Sakaliseripalli village in the Nalgonda District in Andhra Pradesh State, India. Geostatistical analysis showed that most of the soil parameters were moderately spatially dependent. An assessment framework, that included a minimum data set, linear scoring technique, and additive indices, was used to evaluate the soil quality index (SQI). Through principal component analysis, cation exchange capacity, exchangeable Na percentage, DTPA-extractable Zn, available P, available water, and dehydrogenase activity have been emerged as the most important indicators for evaluating soil quality. A kriged map of SQI was prepared for the watershed. The SQI was found to be higher in irrigated systems than under rainfed conditions. In the study, potential soil loss calculated using the Universal Soil Loss Equation and crop yield were identified as the quantifiable management goals; the results indicated that soils having higher soil quality indices were more productive and less erosion prone.

Keyword : Principal Component analysis, SQI, Watershed, Geostatistics, Potential soil loss

Abstarct

The Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) measure of radiant power is important in evaluating the effect of light on plant growth. The photosynthetic response correlates better with the number of photons than with energy. This is expected because photosynthesis is a photochemical conversion where each molecule is activated by the absorption of one photon in the primary photochemical process. PAR is defined in terms of photon (quantum) flux, specifically, the number of moles of photons in the radiant energy between 400 nm and 700nm. One mole of photons is 6.0222 x 1023 photons ( 6.0222 x 1023 is Avagadro’s Number). The Phtotssynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD), i.e. the photon irridiance, is expressed in moles per squre meter and per second (formerly, Einsteins per squre meter and per second). The absorption of PAR by wheat varieties increased from 7.30 h to 11.30 h followed by a decline at 13.30 h at CRI, tillering and milking stages.

4.1 Introduction

Precipitation is a major component of hydrological cycle. It occurs because of condensation of water vapour molecules in the atmosphere. When the precipitation falls on the grounds, it undergoes several phases before it appears as runoff in the streams. Certain amount of precipitations is intercepted by the foliage of plants and roofs and other parts of the building and other hydraulic structures. This intercepted water is called as interception loss which is evaporated to the atmosphere. Sometimes the dried surface of the buildings and other structures soak certain amount of precipitation while falling on them which also adds to interception loss. After striking the land masses, certain amount of the precipitated water gets infiltrated into the soil surface which then moves both in lateral as well as in vertical direction. This loss is called as infiltration loss. For the study of groundwater, infiltration loss is not a loss but rather it is a gain in terms of groundwater recharge. However for a surface water hydrologist, it is a loss since it decreases the amount of runoff contributing to the stream or any other water bodies.

Introduction

Accuracy and uncertainty analysis is an important step in preparation of surface map through geostatistical techniques or digital soil mapping approach. It is because that we rely on a map based on how much accurate it is and the degree of uncertainty associated with the estimates while the map was prepared. Any stakeholder for a soil map especially policy makers is interested in accuracy and uncertainty of the map before taking suitable land management decisions involving soil map as an input. Again the level of accuracy and uncertainty depends on the properties for which the map has been developed. If the property of interest is sensitive to environment or human consumption, then the accuracy level should be very high while the uncertainty level should be very low e.g. heavy metal concentration in soil, quality parameters of water etc.

    1.    Acid soil
    2.    Causes of soil acidity   
    3.    Problem of soil acidity 
    4.    Management or Amelioration of soil acidity 
        a.    Lime requirement (LR): 
        b.    Liming reaction in soils      
        c.    Benefits of liming on acidic soils 
    5.    Calcareous soil  
    6.    Formation, characteristics & management of calcareous soil 

Abstract

Northeastern part of the Indian subcontinent is seismically an active region, and is further prone to excessive rainfall and frequent landslides, which cause disruption of the road networks during the monsoonic months every year. The region owns a typical morphotectonic setup where many active thrusts and faults have carved out the landforms and physiography of the major part of the region. The creeping phenomenon of the N-S trending prominent strike-slip fault, namely the Churachandpur - Mao Fault (CMF), is one of the triggering factors for the frequent landslides and low magnitude earthquakes. The life line of Manipur, the national high way NH39, traverses along and in close proximity to this fault in Manipur, and hence the life is paralysed in the area during the monsoonic months. From the GPS campaign mode studies on the western and eastern sides of the CMF, it is observed that there is a change in the crustal velocities from 16 - 22 mm/yr in the east to 33 - 42 mm/yr in the west. Micro-deformations are also observed in the form of displacements respectively with the vertical, N-S and E-W components of–0.111 mm/yr (downward), 0.03 mm/yr (northward) and –0.011 mm/yr (westward). The net displacement is 0.126 mm/yr with an azimuth of N 85° and dipping of 13° towards west. Neotectonic movements along the CMF, as per the GPS measurements, suggest an aseismic nature of the fault with dextral component. Fault plane solutions of the earthquakes show northerly directed principal P-axis indicating the extension (T-axis) along east-west. The resultant creeping of micro-deformation towards the western slopes of the terrain is aligned with the principal T-axis. The creeping triggers the micro seismicity as well as the landslides along the CMF.

The acts for Environment Protection are :

        The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act
        The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act
        The Wildlife Protection Act
        Forest Conservation Act
        Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)
        Citizens Actions and Action Groups
        Public Awareness and Awakening

The Environment (Protection) Act
In 1986, the Environment (Protection) Act was introduced. Concern over the environment’s declining condition grew, leading to the passage of this act to safeguard it. The goal is to plan, organize, and carry out the long-term requirements for environmental safety as well as to oversee and coordinate the development of an effective system for responding to environmental emergencies.
If we want to protect our environment, we must move far more quickly to execute this legislation. Food cycles are disrupted and species are lost when dangerous substancesare present in the atmosphere and aquatic environments in excess.
The Environment Act of 1986 has a Global Context in Addition to Aignificant Constitutional Ramifications.
• This act put into practice the spirit of declaration approved by the United Nations Conference on Human Environment, held in Stockholm in June 1972.
• In the 1970s, environmental protection gained national priority because to the significant growth in damages.
• Food chains are disrupted and species are lost when there are excessive quantities of dangerous substances in the atmosphere and aquatic habitats.
• Goals
• Clearly defining what environmental conservation is.
• Determining the generally acknowledged regions that pose a threat to the life support system.