In 2023, the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT) recorded a total of 399 disasters related to natural hazards. These events resulted in 86,473 fatalities and affected 93.1 million people. The economic losses amounted to US$202.7 billion. The 2023 earthquake in Türkiye and the Syrian Arab Republic was the most catastrophic event …
Karnataka is bestowed with good wind energy potential in the country. An assessment by the Centre for Wind Energy Technology (C-WET), Chennai shows that Karnataka has encouraging wind profile for harnessing of wind power. Further, C-WET had established 49 wind monitoring stations in Karnataka.
This paper presents a methodology for estimating the burden of diseases in monetary terms instead of a demographic indicator. The purpose was to ascertain the financial burden arising out of various categories of morbidity in the community. The disease-wise burden would act as a pointer for the policy maker to …
The Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) is a pioneer among the State Electricity Boards in India in promoting renewable energy programmes. Tamil Nadu is blessed with conductive natural meteological and topographical settings for wind power generation. There are three passes namely 'Palghat Pass', 'Shengottah Pass' and 'Aralvoimozhi Pass' that are …
Electricity generation from wind energy is characterised by significant daily and seasonal fluctuations, which is presently being forecasted with a limited certainty only. This gives rise to challenges for interconnection of wind energy system with the grid in regard to system safety security and reliability of electricity supply.
A World Bank-aided project on sodic land reclamation in Uttar Pradesh is being executed by U.P. Bhumi Sudhar Nigam, Lucknow, and Remote Sensing Applications Centre, U.P., Lucknow has the responsibility of sodic land mapping for the execution of land reclamation programme at the cadastral level. Sodic lands are mainly concentrated …
Parking is an essential component of the transportation system. Parking management can significantly reduce the number of parking spaces required in a particular situation, providing a variety of economic, social and environmental benefits. In this paper, an attempt has been made to maximize parking revenue by introducing parking in potential …
The paper traces the status of quality of life in India with particular reference to north-eastern states. It proposes a methodology to combine different dimensions of quality of life, such as income, education, health, employment and infrastructure, into Quality of Life Index (QLI) by applying Totally Fuzzy Analysis (TFA). The …
This report details global progress towards the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target for drinking water and sanitation, and what these trends suggest for the remainder of the Water for Life Decade 2005-2015. In recognition of the large sanitation deficit, and the declaration of 2008 as the International Year of Sanitation, …
Economic infrastructure and agricultural development in Himachal Pradesh brings out an assessment of the progress made during 1981-2001 in Himachal Pradesh. In this paper, two major components of development, viz. the agriculture and economic infrastructure sector have been analysed at district level in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is …
Exposure to fine particulate air pollution is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The researchers conducted a study to determine whether exposure to ambient particulate matter causes vascular dysfunction.
Biofuels are held up as a relatively easy solution to the twin problems of petroleum dependence and carbon emissions. But new research suggests that fuels such as corn-based ethanol may cause as many problems as they solve. Clearing new land and converting existing cropland to certain fuel feedstocks can actually …
Energy policies are in transition worldwide based on a convergence of factors including static oil production coupled with increased demand, a desire for energy independence, and growing awareness of climate change. Making energy choices that improve human health, the environment, and economic development is possible if we understand the complex …
With the growing potentialities and respect of traditional knowledge for sustainable forest management, community-based forest management (CBFM) has been advocated in the mainstream discussion of forest management and sustaining livelihood of local communities. Forest certification has emerged as an experimental system for new for-est governance beyond the state and mechanisms …
Embracing the opportunities provided by democratization and decentralization, the Wonosobo district of Central Java, Indonesia, enacted a local regulation for participa-tory forestry. The regulation emphasized rights-based political participation and as such entailed significant participation by civil society groups. However, this regulation faced a backlash from the remaining representatives of the …
This report provides data on the logistics, scope, and economics of the illegal trade in wildlife in Vietnam. It analyses the main reasons for the rapid growth in this trade and highlights key failures in the country's attempts to control it. This report recommends that the government should strengthen the …
The defining feature of global energy markets remains high and volatile prices, reflecting a tight balance of supply and demand. This has put issues such as energy security, energy trade and fossil alternative energies at the forefront of the political agenda worldwide. The BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2008 …
This paper looks at how Nike's soccer ball suppliers (previous and current) in Sialkot (Pakistan) fare in relation to the company's code of ethics. While minimum required working conditions are implemented, the criteria for social and environmental compliance are not met with. The multinational's decision to withdraw orders from the …
THERE may be good news for the UPA government which is struggling to maintain growth momentum and check the rising inflation. Secretary of the ministry of statistics and programme implementation (Mospi) Pronab Sen on Thursday said that agriculture sector is expected to grow at 3.5% during the previous fiscal against …
An unseen measurement bias has been identified in global records of sea surface temperature. The discrepancy will need correction, but will not affect conclusions about an overall warming trend.
Based on fieldwork, this paper examines the problems and prospects of the handloom sector in Andhra Pradesh. One major finding is that the growth performance of cooperatives determines the growth of other institutions
