Bio Diversity

In the present study, the mosquito density of three selected sites of Dindigul district viz., Sempatti, Chinnalapatti and J.K.Patti was surveyed. The results of the study indicate the presence of 10 species of mosquitoes which are grouped under four genera namely Aedes, Anopheles, Armigeres and Culex. The numbers of mosquitoes collected belonging to various species were low with an exception of Culex quinquefasciatus. The diversity measures (Shannon’s and Simpson’s) shows slight variation among the three selected sites studied. The Shannon’s index for Chinnalapatti is slightly higher (1.883) when compared to Sempatti and J.K.Patti (1.804 and 1.804). The Simpson’s index for Chinnalapatti is slightly higher (0.7994) when compared to Sempatti and J.K.Patti (0.7677 and 0.7579). In the study period, the maximum density of the mosquito population noted in the month of July and October. The minimum density of mosquito population obtained in the month of September.

The Western Ghats is one of the 34th Mega Biodiversity hot spots at the global level due to its high number of endemic plant and animal species. That plant species, especially the endemics, have been reported and published in Red Data Book. Heterostemma dalzellii Hook. belongs to the family Apocynaceae is a twining undershrubs species, it is endemic to Western Ghats of India. The present distribution of H. dalzellii is only in India and it is restricted to the Diu, Daman, Dadar- Nagarhaveli, Maharashtra, and Goa. Recently discovered in the southeast Gujarat region. IUCN provided the status of many plants which are present in the Western Ghats. But due to the unavailability of the data, these plant is not appearing in IUCN data. There is an urgent need to evaluate their status as per IUCN categories as well as to undertake conservation measures to protect the habitat of the species. The major goal of the species recovery programme will be to re-establish the populations within their historical range. Their taxonomy will be reinvestigated to confirm their taxonomic distinctness. Population parameters will be collected for each population. H. dalzellii is one of the species that need to evaluate as per the IUCN category because of lacking primary and secondary data. In the present study, I am generating primary and secondary data for the purpose of standing a species in the IUCN category.

In this paper, one will treat the increase in the rate in silting and his impact on the reduction in the total capacity in the dam during these twenty last years. In a first approach, the grounds eroded by the streamings will increase the content of sediment in the wadis, and consequently one will assist with the formation more and more currents of density in reserves in arid and semi arid areas. The results showed that the dam Djorf Torba (Bechar), SMBA (Tiaret) and Ksob (Msila) which were classified like dam has weak rate of silting during the years four twenties, today are threatened by the silting; their rates of sedimentation increased considerably. Dam like that of Fodda wadi saw its sluices of drainings blocked following an acceleration of the muddy deposits.

The diversity of Noctuid moths of the Nilgiri, an important International Biosphere in the Western Ghats of South India, was studied in four different places namely Coonoor, Doddabedda, Kothagiri and Ooty in the Nilgiri Biosphere and Kodaikanal. The data obtained between January 2009 (140 species) and December 2010 revealed the presence of 154 species of Noctuid moths classified under 85 genera and 23 subfamilies. Total number of taxa and individuals of Noctuid moths were found maximum in the year 2010.

This study, entitled "Influence of Breed and Feeding on the Zoo technical Performance of Piglets (Sus domesticus erxleben, 1777) and Their Commercial Profitability," was conducted in the city of Kindu and its surrounding areas, Maniema Province, DRC. This research aimed to analyze pig farming practices in Kindu, focusing on the effects of feeding practices, piglet breed management, and their commercial profitability. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that piglets, when fed balanced rations adapted to their nutritional needs, achieve significant weight gains and growth. Those types of feed (local, balanced local, and balanced) containing 6.6% CP, 17.01% CP, and 17.09% CP, respectively, were formulated and rationed to the three pig breeds used as study material. The 46-day-old piglets were divided into three sub-groups: local breed piglets, crossbred piglets, and Large White piglets. These three groups of piglets were each rationed with the three types of feed for 9 weeks. After a week of pre-rationing followed by the actual rationing, the results show that the piglets benefit from balanced rations and gave better zoo technical performances in general except at the 2nd and 8th week (p < 0.05). The difference between the weight averages was not significant. However, feed consumption was (0.63%) and the average weekly weight gain was (0.222 g/week). In second place, the balanced local diet provided average performance. The piglets performed better on the balanced diet, with (p < 0.05) significant differences in live weight gain at weeks 5 and 8 (the difference was not significant in other weeks), feed consumption (0.71%), and average weekly weight gain (0.216 g/week).The study found that the utilization rate of balanced ration distribution was significant (p < 0.05) for different breeds of piglets that allowed for normal growth rates and rapid weight gain, followed by the balanced local ration. This study demonstrated the need to distribute feed in farms practicing late weaning at 45 days. Indeed, their judicious use in pig production can represent a significant economic benefit. However, data analysis reveals that, despite this income, financial profitability is negative for all the sires monitored during this period, indicating that the expenses incurred for the maintenance of the sires exceed the income generated. Expenses related to piglet rearing over a nine-week period. This profit is equivalent to approximately $ 21.53 per piglet. In contrast to the negative profitability of the sires, the financial profitability observed for the three piglet breeds is positive, indicating more efficient management of production costs for this category of animals. Finally, this practice supports the prospects for improving zoo technical performance in pig farming in the City of Kindu and its surrounding areas.

Regular environmental monitoring has being going on ever since the operation of the Ghana Research Reactor-1 (GHARR-1) to ensure both the safety of the workers in that they are not exposed to any harmful radiations and that equipment’s that are used are in good condition. The objective of this work is to know if the right procedures are being followed to ensure that the minimum radiation dose is not being exceeded as well as not exposing the public to any controlled sources. Moreover over the years there have been encroachers on the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) land and this work therefore seek to know the possible effects these radiations have on those people. From the results obtained 2008 had a range of (0.03-3.10)µSv/h, (0.04-2.71)µSv/h for 2009, (0.07-2.81)µSv/h for 2010 and 2011 also had a range of (0.05-5.64)µSv/h. Comparing to the recommend value (For the public the limit is 1 mSv in a year, or in special circumstances up to 5 mSv in a single year provided that the average dose over five consecutive years does not exceed 1 mSv per year), this shows that the radiations recorded are within the recommended value indicating that the right procedures are being followed. Suffice to say this more work has to be done to ensure that there is a sustainability in following procedures and that the encroachers too must be warned off to avoid any consequences in case there is unavoidable accidents in the near future

Pteropus giganteus is a largest fruit bat in India, belongs to the order suborder Megachiroptera and it is widely distributed in Indian subcontinent. Four different day roost sites of P. giganteus were surveyed in Madurai district. One single tree roost camp and three multiple trees roost camps were observed in the surveyed roost sites. Among the four roost sites, totally 21 species of plant saplings were identified under the day roost camps. Seed dispersal by this fruit bat shows that they disperse variety of seeds of different plants species in the vicinity of the roosting trees apart from the foraging trees. Borassus flabellifer, Anacardium occidentale, Nerium indicum, Phoenix dactylifera, Prosopis juliflora and Madhuca indica were dominated in the surveyed roost sites and that species saplings were recorded as maximum in the roosting vicinity confirming that P. giganteus indeed helps in seed dispersal to maintain the heterogeneity in the Madurai region.

In the last twelve months, petrol prices have been hiked 19 times, making the life of common man miserable. It seems certain that, this crisis will sooner or later put a spoke in a riding Indian’s Life Wheel. The use of Ethanol blended fuel in automobiles is the only ‘spark of hope’ for minimizing vehicular emissions as well as to reduce the exponentially increasing oil import bills.

Alpha track detectors has been used for soil radon gas measurements at some faulted areas in Accra, Ghana aiming to advice the public on indoor radon gas. This was performed on forty two (42) sample pits within a 70 m X 100 m spaced grid at Dome-Kwabenya, District and fifteen (15) sample pits within a 300 m X 200 m spaced grid at Dunkonah, Weija district. Comparison method for determining uranium concentration with track-etch detectors was used for uranium levels at study areas. Soil radon gas which gets to the surfaces was estimated by monitoring radon gas 1 meter above sample pits. In the Districts, soil radon concentrations varied from 10.21 ± 0.46 kBq/m3 to 22.67 ± 0.68 kBq/m3 and 6.46 ± 0.36 kBq/m3 to 27.54 ± 0.75 kBq/m3 respectively. The estimated ambient radon gas concentration also varied from 575.97 to 1256.40 Bq/m3 and from 376.47 to 1470.80 Bq/m3. The ambient levels yielded an estimated annual absorbed dose varying from 10.90 to 23.77 mSv/y and from 7.12 to 28.34 mSv/y. The estimated effective dose was from 26.16 to 57.06 mSv/y and from 17.10 to 68.02 mSv/y.

Lifestyle of Kaani tribes encompasses a variety of aspects. The scope of the present study was to find out the socioeconomic status of the community living within the forest and those who have moved out to the surrounding villages and towns. Kaani women are involved in selling of herbs and plants that are available near forest boundaries. Organic compost is used for the agriculture. The forest serves as valuable sources for the economic activity. Collection of minor forest produce is a daily routine for them. Although agriculture was seen to be the most major employment, very few adult women were occupied in agriculture for their source of income. The present study was confined to adults’ age range 25 – 45 as it would reflect the influence of their food culture and environmental factors. Special attention is required to know their current situation to focus on development of the tribal areas and tribal peoples.