2835 research outputs found
Sort by
Elephants in a teacup: Ranging and Habitat-use of Asian elephants Elephas maximus in a Plantation Dominated Landscape in Southern Western Ghats, India
No full textRanging patterns of four focal herds using a plantation-forest matrix of the Valparai plateau was studied by following the individuals on a regular basis, recording all possible sightings, for five years. Although surrounded by a network of protected areas, the focal herds were found to use the plateau extensively. There was minimal spatial overlap observed between the four herds, except between two, PTH and MON, which showed a fairly large overlap of 130 sq.km. The observed ranges of elephants were smaller (119.71 ± 24.11 sq.km) compared to previous studies on the species in India, but were comparable with those from Sri Lanka. Possible risk avoidance strategy is observed in their use of the landscape, as evidenced by the use of high intensity human activity areas mostly during night than day. Compared to previous studies from the same landscape, there is also an observed increase in the use of natural vegetation (in the form of rainforest fragments) than the plantation and monoculture habitats, indicating the importance of forest remnants for elephants on the plateau. The observations indicate importance of anthropogenic areas outside protected areas as potential habitats and, not just as movement pathways or as temporary refugia. Conservation planning should therefore consider such areas while initiating landscape-level management strategies for the species. The study also highlights the importance of longitudinal observation-based studies in ascertaining ranging, in the absence of logistically challenging techniques such as radio telemetry
Inequality and Intervention: The conceptual framework. Vol.1 (NIAS/SSc/IHD/U/RR/05/2024)
No full textThe Secret of the word and the theatrics of faith-healing: tracing the language-consciousness nexus through mantravada narratives from Kerala
No full textFrom ocean science to sustainable blue economy
Get PDFBlue economy is defined as the ocean dependent economic development to improve the quality of life of people
while ensuring inclusive social development as well as
environmental and ecological security. India has committed to advancing the blue economy. The knowledge
about fishery resources, sea bed, marine minerals and
energy resources and vulnerability to natural hazards
is a pre-requisite for the growth and development of
the blue economy. The marine fish catch has been a
major source of income for one million fishers in India.
The technological development for product development
to be addressed for commercialization of deep-sea fishery. Geophysical surveys have provided information
about coastal placer minerals, gas hydrates on continental shelf and manganese nodules, hydrothermal
systems and cobalt crusts in high seas. The investment
in developing technologies and human resources for
harnessing these resources is being made. The coastal
and marine area spatial planning to be employed to
understand risks involved and accordingly, developmental activities to be planned. The economic growth prospects beyond 2030 will be limited without large
investments in ocean environments. An accounting system to be developed to bring together disparate data
sources, both economic and environmental. An institutional framework for implementing activities related to
blue economy to be set up. Investments in sustainable
development of oceans will pay rich dividends for future
generations and benefit humanity
Making Sense of Nepal’s Nationalism: Implications for the India–Nepal Relationship
No full textThe assertion of (territorial) nationalism by Nepal has serious implications on its bilateral relationship with India. Once dominant, the singular narrative of the upper-caste Hindu Parbatiya nationalism is increasingly encountering competing narratives emerging from the marginalised Janajatis and the Madhesis of Nepal. Accordingly, several nationality sentiments that were sidelined earlier have now become salient. While the India factor in these competing perspectives of nationalism discourses in Nepal appears to be subtle (but important), the growing territorial dimensions to it invariably locates India in a prominent position. This article investigates the implications of the changing dynamics of Nepal’s nationalism on its bilateral relationship with India. Reasoning through the internal dynamics of nationalism discourses in Nepal, the article offers a critical analysis of the territorial disputes between India and Nepal, and its implications on nationalism in Nepal and on the bilateral relationships between India and Nepal
Comparison of Stratification Performance in Oil-based Thermal Storage Tank for Different Immersed Discharging Coil Configurations
Get PDFThis study investigates the thermal stratification characteristics of a single-medium sensible heat storage tank. The thermal energy storage (TES) system under investigation comprises a vertical cylindrical tank fitted with an immersed discharging coil. The study considers three different discharging coil configurations (helical, conical, and inverted conical). A commercial silicone oil (Hytherm 600) is used as the heat storage medium in the tank, and water serves as the discharging fluid. The thermal characteristics during the simultaneous charging and discharging operation are investigated considering a fixed charging temperature of 90 ℃, an oil flow rate of 1.25 L/min, and two different discharging flow rates (water), 0.5 and 2 L/min, respectively. Results indicate enhanced thermal performance for the helical discharging coil at the discharging flow rate of 2 L/min, with a total discharged energy of 3536.8 kJ, and a discharging efficiency of 54.1%. The highest energy discharged (3546.5 kJ) is realized in the case of the inverted conical coil. However, the losses are higher for this storage configuration, leading to a slightly reduced discharging efficiency (53.6%). The thermocline thickness broadens with increasing water flow rates through the discharging coil side. Eventually, the initial thermocline splits to form a stabilized thermocline thickness of 100 mm in the upper section of the tank for a 2 L/min coil flow rate
