University of Sri Jayewardenepura: Journals & Proceedings
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Holcim Lanka Limited's Contribution to Environment Conservation Management
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Prospecting for Green Gold –Is it a Realistic Goal for Sri Lanka to Pursue or a Mirage?
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Carbon mitigation potential of different landuse systems in Northwest Himalayas of India
No full textThe alarming increase of CO2 from pre-industrial time has made scientists of every corner to evolve technology to harness this anthropogenic gas and balance the system. A landuse can be a source or sink for carbon depending on the process experienced by the system. The proportion of carbon stored in landuse varies widely depending on their components and climate conditions. More accurate estimates of global or continental CO2 emission from landuse/cover change can only be obtained from extrapolation of reliable local estimates. Northwest Himalayan region has variety of land management practices and landuse systems. In the present research at Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, India, all possible land use systems of Northwestern Himalayas (India) viz. Agri-silvi-horticulture (ASH), Agri-horti-silviculture (AHS), Agri-silviculture (AS), Agri-horticulture (AH), Silvi-pasture (SP), Pure agriculture (PA), Pure grassland (PG) and Abandoned land (AL) / undisturbed lands were taken to assess the relative carbon mitigation (RCM) potential by calculating carbon mitigation in plant biomass as well as in soil component of the system. The carbon inventory in plants were estimated by calculating the above and below ground biomass using non-destructive method for different plant parts while in the soil the carbon expressed as mega grams per hectare (Mg/ha) for soil depths (0-20 cm and 0-40 cm) was computed by multiplying the soil organic carbon (g kg-1) with bulk density (g cm-3) and depth (cm). The results showed that all land use systems had higher relative carbon mitigation potential than agriculture system. For the soil layer 0-20 cm, the relative carbon mitigation potential ranged from 1.33-2.32 (taking value for agriculture LU system as 1). The lowest value was obtained for AH whereas, the maximum for abandoned land. Further, the study shows that the relative carbon mitigation potential of AL was obtained 2.32 times higher than agriculture followed by SP, ASH, AS, PG=AHS and AH. Considering the RCM values for cumulative soil layer 0-40 cm over 0-20 cm only, different land use systems showed slightly higher carbon mitigation potential values except PG. The different land use systems in terms of RCM potential were ranked as: AL > SP > ASH > AS > AH > AHS > PG and ranging from 1.16-2.40
Screening the potential of plant species to be used for dendro energy generation
No full textAccording to the reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), CO2 concentration of the atmosphere at present isn360 ppm as against 280 ppm in the 1750. It has been predicted that by the year 2100, projected CO2 concentration will be in the range 540 – 970 ppm. As a consequence global average temperature is projected to increase by 1.4 to 5.80 C over the period 1990 to 2100. Energy generation contributes very significantly to the climate change as emissions of green house gases occur from the raw material used therein ie petrol, diesel, coal, fuel oil, LPG, kerosene etc.In the National Energy Policy of Sri Lanka 2008, under the clause fuel diversity and security, development of non conventional energies have been given much emphasis. It spells out a target of satisfying 10% of the grid connected energy demand from non conventional sources by 2015 which include biomass, mini hydropower, wind, solar etc. Despite being a carbon neutral fuel, the development of biomass for electricity has experienced a slow progress for which several factors had contributed such as not having a diverse feed stock (at the moment the major emphasis is on Gliricidia), dearth of readily available land for energy plantations, tariff etc. Therefore, the main objective of this research was to screen several tree species for their suitability of being used as feedstock for dendro power. Ten tree species were screened for a selected number of attributes for use in dendro energy such as wood density, specific gravity, calorific value, moisture content, biomass in two climatic zones (wet zone and dry zone) and during two specific seasons ie dry season and wet season. Samples were taken from three age categories ie. less than one year old, between 1-5 years old and more than 5 years old. Gliricidia sepium, Calliandra calothyrsus, Erythrina variegate, Grevillea robusta, Acacia mangium were selected for the wet zone while Prosopis juliflora, Leucaena leucocephala, Acacia auriculiformis, Sesbania grandiflora, Eucalyptus camaldulensis were selected for the dry zone.The results indicates that for the dendro plants in the wet zone, Gliricidia sepium, Calliandra calothyrsus shows the best performance while for the dendro plants in the dry zone, Leucaena leucocephala, Prosopis juliflora were the best
A Search for an Acceptable Margin of Valuation Error: A Case Study of Valuers and Their Clients in Nigeria
Full text linkA Search for an Acceptable Margin of Valuation Error A Case Study of Valuers and Their Clients in Nigeria Ogunba Olusegun Adebayo, Iroham Chukwuemeka Osmon
Sharing the Pie: Trade Unionism and Industrial Relations in Multinationals in Bangladesh
Full text linkUsing the ‘convergence-divergence’ thesis as the baseline for the study of industrial relations and trade union activities in multinational subsidiaries, the present study tried to investigate extent of the trade union activities and IR practices of MNCs in a developing country context, i.e. Bangladesh, as well as influence of the MNCs on trade unions and IR activities within the existing social and economic contexts. The study revealed that comparative power dominance of multinationals over the host country industrial relations actors emerge as the vital factor in employer-union bargaining process, as well as their capacity to manipulate the existing bargaining process also helped them to implement their desired practices in Bangladesh. However, multinationals were not in confronting mode at all the circumstances, but their potential lobbying power created difficulties for the employees and the trade unions to develop countervailing power in the collective bargaining process and IR activities. Keywords: Convergence-Divergence, Bangladesh, Multinationals, Trade Union
The Competency Requirements for Quantity Surveyors: Enhancing Continuous Professional Development
Full text linkQuantity surveyors are construction economists who fulfill varied and comprehensive duties to support cost-effective construction and property development projects. The core competencies of quantity surveyors include determining project budgets, measuring project quantities, preparing contract documentation (such as Bills of Quantities and Cost Control Documents), administering contracts, and preparing final accounts. Despite being recognised as a professional discipline distinct from architecture and civil engineering since 1836, quantity surveyors are not immune to the threats and changes in their operating environment. Some parties in the construction industry have been critical about the quality of works and services provided by quantity surveyors. Some even question the importance of appointing quantity surveyors as project consultants. Because of these challenges, the profession needs to regroup and take stock of the whole situation so that they will not become extinct in the future. All parties who have vested interest in the development of the profession, be it the students, educators, registered as well as unregistered quantity surveyors must find an answer to arguably, the declining roles of quantity surveyors and the lack of recognition they receive in construction projects. Two pertinent issues that had been discussed by these people are: the competency level of practicing quantity surveyors who offer their services to the clients; and the amalgamation of a set of competency standards into professional quantity surveyors’ training, formally named as ‘continuous professional development’ (CPD) by the profession. Competence, in any sphere of work, can be a difficult concept to pin down. It is particularly difficult when it relates to professional occupations where roles can be complex and the knowledge and skills involved many and varied. Recognising the importance of professional competence, a research looking into issues relating to quantity surveyors’ competency had been conducted by the Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia. The on-going research looks into the national competency standards, industry needs, job profile charts, and delivery of learning materials to quantity surveying students. The research findings reveal that, quantity surveying educators and practices alike, are still deeply entrenched in the ‘traditional’ core competencies rather than the newer and more novel services and skills. The research respondents however, recognised that university educators in the field of quantity surveying need to develop a comprehensive course syllabuses that cover the whole spectrum of knowledge/cognitive, functional, and behavioural competencies in order to produce competent and employable quantity surveyors for the nation. Lastly, the respondents are generally supportive of having a Malaysian version of competency standards for the quantity surveyors. They are also confident that these standards can become the lynchpin for a comprehensive continuous professional development programme. Keywords: Competency, Continuous Professional Development, Occupational Skills, Quantity Surveying, Trainin
Anopheles culicifacies complex: Geographical distribution of sibling species and existing methods for their identification
No full textMeaningful epidemiological studies and effective vector control programmes depend on efficientmethods for differentiating among major vector, poor vector and non-vector of anophelinespecies complexes. Anopheles culicifacies, has a wide distribution in India, extending toEthiopia, Yemen, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan in the West and Bangladesh, Myanmar,Thailand, Laos and Vietnam in the East. It is also found in Nepal and Southern China to theNorth and extends to Sri Lanka in the South. This species exist as a complex of five siblingspecies provisionally designated as A, B, C, D and E. Species A and B are predominantin Northern and Southern part of India whereas species B is recorded all over the Indiansubcontinent. Species B and E are found in Sri Lanka to date. Various methods and techniqueshave been used for identifying sibling species ranging from crossing experiments cytogenetics,isoenzymes, hydrocarbon profile, DNA probes, rDNA-PCR, mt DNA-PC'R and RAPD-PCR.Studies of the suitability among different methods delineating the complex of An. culicifacies,the major malaria vector, mainly in the Indian subcontinent and in Sri Lanka have been discussedhere.Key words : Anopheles culicifacies, mosquito contro
Utilization of earthworms in organic waste management
Full text linkVermicomposting is an ecofriendly, socially sound and economically viable technology to manage the organic waste resources. It is popular particularly in India, because it is the cheapest solution to overcome the dangerous effects of modernized agriculture. Vermicomposting is the application of earthworm in producing vermifertilizer which helps in maintenance of better environment and results in sustainable agriculture. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency and the nutritional status of vermicompost processed by two earthworm species, Eisenia fetida and Eudrilus eugeniae from leaf litter and sugarcane trash.Chemical analysis of the vermicompost obtained from leaf litter wastes showed that the quantity of organic carbon was reduced from 38.65 to 28.89 and 28.0% by E. fetida and E. eugeniae respectively. The level of nitrogen (1.30%), phosphorus (0.38%), potassium (0.57%) and calcium ((0.70%) was maximum in leaf litter vermicompost processed by E. eugeniae than E. fetida. At the end of 45 days of composting, E. eugeniae has tremendously decreased the C/N ratio from 45.47, 60.19 to 22.40 and 29.19 in the composts of leaf litter and sugarcane trash respectively. Similarly, E. eugeniae processed leaf litter compost treated with plant, Abelmoschus esculentus showed maximum height (61.4cm), number of leaves (16 per plant), leaf area (365 cm²), fruit length (15.8cm), fruit weight (17.9gm) and total chlorophyll content (3.76 mg/g.fresh wt) than those treated with sugarcane trash