Environment and Forestry

Fuel wood is a major forest product that serves as vital source of livelihood for large proportion of the poor and middle- class people living in or close to the forest in most tropical countries. This study carried out the economic profitability of marketing fuel wood in Ibadan town of Oyo State, Nigeria. It specifically examines the market structure and conduct for fuel wood, the profitability and type of fuel wood sellers in the study areas. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 50 fuel wood marketers in the study area and structured questionnaires were administered on them. Descriptive statistical tools such as frequency, percentage and table; profitability analysis, gross margin and Gini coefficient were used to analyze the data collected. The study revealed that fuel wood market is dominated by the retailers which accounted for 46% of the sellers though there were other categories of sellers such as wood fellers/ producers (16%), wholesalers (32%) and wholesalers/ retailers (6%). The profitability analysis showed that an average marketer incurred a total variable cost of ?31, 731.82 per week but earned average revenue of ?38,290.00 per week which implies that an average marketer earned ? 6,558.18 as gross margin per week. In the analysis, the marketing margin and efficiency of fuel wood were estimated to be 58.69% and 120.67% respectively. A Gini-Coefficient of 0.393 obtained in this study indicates a high level of concentration and inefficiency in the fuel wood market. It is therefore recommended that the marketers should be equipped with incentives such as means of transportation, forest subsidies inform of reduce tax, reduced forest-charges, credits and loans that will reduce the marketing cost and bring about equal distribution of sales and income.

The effects of growth hormones and cutting positions on stem cuttings of Griffonia simplicifolia were investigated. The stem cuttings were treated with IBA and NAA at 0mg/L, 100mg/L and 200mg/L with different cutting positions (top, middle and bottom). Cuttings were assessed for root length, roots number, shoot number and sprout percent weeks after planting. Highest root length (16.69cm) at upper cutting position and highest root number (4.05) at middle nodal position were observed in cuttings with no auxin. For shoot number (2.94) and sprout percentage weeks after planting (15.18), cuttings with no hormone also had the highest mean value.

Wood properties of plantation grown (Mangifera indica L.) were evaluated in this study to determine the utilization potentials of this species in Nigeria. Five standing trees of Mangifera indica, were sampled at the butt, 50% merchantable length ML and 75% ML, and were radially partitioned into corewood, middlewood and outerwood, on the basis of distance from pith. Result obtained was analyzed using ANOVA at 5% level. MOR, MOE and MCS// decreased generally from base to top for all the sampled and variation in MOE was inconsistent. All properties studied increased from corewood to outerwood. The mean modulus of rupture (MOR) was 25.88N/mm2 which ranged 18.73 to 31.88 N/mm2 radially and the axial values ranged from 23.30 to 25.29 from 32.89 N/mm2.The mean modulus of elasticity (MOE) was 4628.20 N/mm2 and ranged from 7135.20 to 3665.60 N/mm2 radially and axially ranged from 4077.90 to 7334.20 N/mm. The mean maximum compressive test (MCS//) parallel to the grain was 13.00 N/mm2, it ranged from 11.50 to 18.0 N/mm2 radially while axially ranged from 11.30 to 14.60N/mm2. In particular, it was observed that Mangifera indica compared favourably with some economic tree species such as Chrysophyllum albidum, Hevea brasiliensis, Antaris africana and Hildergedia barteri but lower than those of economic tree species such as Milicia excelsa, khaya species, e.t.c. Woods of Mangifera indica varied significantly along and across the bole, and should be treated as such in their conversion and utilization. The wood is good in the production of low-to-medium items such as cabinet, chair frames and plywood production.

Land suitability is the fitness of a given type of land for a defined use. The process of land suitability classification is the appraisal and grouping of specific areas of land in terms of their suitability for defined uses. The development and creation of appropriate points for this land use without considering environmental capability will result in the appearance of several ecological, economic, and social problems This research was conducted to investigate land suitability classification for better use of lands using geographic information system in Mohsenab region, Ilam province, Iran. Soil units were delineated bases on aerial photo interpretation, using topographic maps as auxiliary materials. Land suitability classification was done based on information extracted from soil map, using guidelines given in FAO. The land suitability as ability of land ability for forests, rangeland, dry and irrigated cultivation was determined. Finally, the appropriateness of land units components were prioritized in the current situation and the future for different applications. The results showed that some restrictions including low and irregular rainfall, the lack of surface water suitable, shallow soil, imbalance of nutrients such as phosphorus and organic matter heterogeneous are the main problems in the study

This study investigates the different montages used in mounting silkworm before spinning of cocoon. In this investigation, palm fronts, basket, woven montages were used along with the plastic ones to study their efficacy. The silkworms were brushed into the rearing tray from disease-free egg card. After feeding on mulberry leaves for several days, silkworms of the 5th instars stop feeding and begin to spin cocoon. The result showed that 78% cocoon was formed from the palm front montage. This was followed by plastic montages 58%; woven montages 54%; but basket montage does not support the formation of cocoon 0%. The quality parameter that were measured include, cocoon weight, filament weight, filament length and pupa weight. Palmfront montages have the highest cocoon weight1.684gm, filament weight 0.125gm and pupa weight 1.235. The results obtained were summarized in table and graph. The palm fronts, from oil palm tree, are readily available to the rural and urban farmers in the community, exhibit the best cocoon formation. Palmfront montages, plastic montages and woven montages support the formation of cocoon. However the use of palmfront could be encourage having shown a better quantity and quality parameters.

Environmental Impact Assessment process is vital in preventing adverse environmental impacts thus ensuring sustainable development. However, while EIA has been embedded within the development planning processes in many countries, quality EIA reports have not been produced in developing countries. Despite EIA being carried out on most development projects there still remains the challenge on the quality of EIA reports that are being written by environmental experts. It’s for this reason that the study evaluates the effectiveness of mitigation in Kenya’s EIA process for selected urban projects in Kisumu City to investigate the quality of EIA reports in terms of impact identification and proposed mitigation measures, the level of implementation of mitigation measures for the selected projects and the utility of EIA mitigation conceptual model in enhancing the effectiveness of mitigation in EIA. A cross-sectional design was adopted to collect and analyse data. Data from thirty (30) EIA reports conducted between 1999 and 2016 were purposively sampled to provide information about the quality of EIA reports in terms of environmental impact identification and proposed mitigation measures. The modified EIS quality review package and mitigation guidelines were used to gather and grade the quality of EIA reports in terms of the impacts and mitigation measures. Regarding the practical implementation of mitigation measures proposed in the reviewed EIA reports, three purposively selected EIA projects, environmental managers, local communities surrounding them and field observations provided the required data. The key findings of this study reveal that the deficiency in the EIA reports quality is attributed to a number of factors. These factors include, Inadequate baseline data and access to data, inadequate time given for EIA study, attitude of consultants and proponents, the commercial interest of consultants and proponents, a lack of EIA experts, lack of adequate funds, weak TORs, and lack of adequate EIA stakeholders. The results also reveal that time and financial resources are among the main driving forces of EIA Quality. The study concludes that lack of adequate funds is the main factor affecting the quality of EIA reports in Kisumu City. The study recommends that improvements to impact identification in EIA reports will enhance the mitigation measures proposed. It’s also clear from the findings that when the impacts are poorly identified, subsequent mitigation measures proposed are also poor. In cases where the EIA reports were graded unsatisfactory in terms of identified impacts, the proposed mitigation measures were equally unsatisfactory as they addressed wrong impacts.

The state of Jammu and Kashmir has been a tourist paradise from times because of its pleasant climate, typical flora and fauna and the beauty of its natural landscape. Gulmarg – a majestic hill station in the district Baramulla of Jammu and Kashmir nestled with stunning peaks in the Himalayan ranges offers tremendous opportunities for research. Keeping in view the importance and usefulness of Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary, it was thought necessary to conduct preliminary studies on the spider community of the Gulmarg wildlife sanctuary in order to assess the diversity and distribution of spiders at four sites during the months of May, June, July, October & December 2012. The spider community was found to be represented by 18 taxa. Araneidae was dominant family followed by Lycosidae, Linyphiidae, Pholcidae, Salticidae, Sparassidae and Clubionidae. Differences in vegetation cover or human use showed variation in diversity and composition of spiders between different sites. Forest sites showed relatively higher diversity as compared to meadow sites.

The effectiveness of mitigation in EIA is vital in preventing adverse environmental impacts thus ensuring sustainable development. However, while EIA has been embedded within the development planning processes in many countries, successful implementation has not been evident in developing countries. Despite EIA being carried out on most development projects there still remains the challenge of implementation of EIA mitigation measures. It’s for this reason that the study evaluates level of implementation of mitigation measures for the selected projects and the utility of EIA mitigation conceptual model in enhancing the effectiveness of mitigation in EIA. A cross-sectional design was adopted to collect and analyse data. Data from thirty (30) EIA reports conducted between 1999 and 2016 were purposively sampled to provide information about the quality of EIA reports in terms implementation proposed mitigation measures. The modified EIS quality review package and mitigation guidelines were used to gather and grade the quality of EIA reports in terms of the impacts and mitigation measures. Regarding the practical implementation of mitigation measures proposed in the reviewed EIA reports, three purposively selected EIA projects, environmental managers, local communities surrounding them and field observations provided the required data. The key findings reveal that the level of mitigation implementation in EIA was partly implemented. Among the six mitigation measures projected, the proponent implemented fully two mitigation measures only relating to impact on land use and impact on soils. The other four mitigation measures relating to air quality and noise pollution control, health and safety, solid waste management and social and economic impacts were implemented partly. The findings of the three projects reveal that mitigation measures are inadequately implemented. The study concluded that EIA reports had shortcomings in impact identification and implementation of mitigation measures. The study recommended that active public participation of local communities can make the implementation of mitigation measures effective.

Each culture has an environmental code to maintain a harmonious relationship between man and nature ensuring the well-being, and material and cultural enrichment of the society. With the entry of industrialism and consumerism, man has become a factor of production and nature a resource only to be exploited for meeting man’s never ending greed. Also, Science and technology has placed an enormous power in the hands of man and this in turn is posing a threat to the different moral codes of conduct of human beings which directly or indirectly are responsible for the environmental degradation. Kohima district of Nagaland which is located in the north eastern most part of India is the home of the Angami tribe, and has a sub-tropical climatic condition. The Angami tribe lies between the border of Manipur state in the south towards the north of Rengma tribe and also spreads along the west towards Dimapur District National Highway 39 passing through Kohima and going towards Imphal in Manipur, cuts across the higher slopes of Japfii range and transverses the entire area under study roughly in north-south direction whereas National Highway 61 passes along the north direction connecting the northern Angami region with the town and also with the rest of the district making the region an easy prey to any cultural and socio-economic changes. Consequently, sustainable environmental ethics which the different communities of the region were equipped with for protecting the environment in the past are now losing ground in this rapid changing world. Sensing the danger ahead, the present study is an attempt to evaluate the precious environmental ethics which protect the region environment and the reasons responsible for the loosening of the grip of environmental ethics in the region.

This paper discusses the effectiveness of strategies used by rural municipalities in recovering service consumer debts. The choice of Thulamela municipality was informed by increases in municipal service consumer debts as a result of inadequate collection of rates and taxes. Unemployment, lack of enforcement of debt and credit policy issues was among the challenges for the municipality. A municipal service consumer debt recovery survey approach was used to unpack the challenges. The municipality uses an ad hoc debt recovery process instead of a holistic approach. The study outlines lessons to be learnt from the Thulamela experience for decision makers at local municipal level.