Introduction Urban and rural areas are two systems interacting in the regional development process (Liu & et al, 2013; Chen et al, 2010). Almost half of the world's urban population and about a quarter of the world's population live in village-cities (Satterthwaite & Tacoli, 2003). However, most researchers and policy makers have almost all been fascinated by the challenges and problems of large cities and metropolitan. rural planners and researchers have tradi...

Introduction Biodiversity or wildlife-related conflicts are situations when wildlife comes into conflict with humans over common resources (Conover, 2002; Graham et al., 2005). According to Woodroffe et al. (2005), human-wildlife conflict is the phenomenon where conflicting situations arise between humans and wildlife in the form of crop raiding, livestock depredation, predation on managed wild animal species or killing of people. It is a serious issue that requires to be addressed urgently w...

Introduction Rainfall is the single most important factor in crop production programme particularly under dry lands areas. Of all the climatic factors, rainfall is of greatest concern to population in rainfed agriculture. The variation of monsoonal and annual rainfall in space and time are well known and this inter-annual variability of monsoonal rainfall has considerable impact on agricultural production, water management and energy generation. Analysis of annual, seasonal and monthly rainfa...

Introduction Forests are deemed to be the green lung of the nation and act as important natural resource for rural livelihood in India, providing variety of products and services. The rural population in most of the developing countries depends mostly on forests mainly for fuel wood and fodder. The energy use pattern in rural India is changing with introduction of clean energy but traditional fuels including fuel wood, crop residue and cow dung still constitute the main source of household co...

Introduction Anuran tadpoles are gregarious in nature (Saidapur, 2001). Knowledge of food and feeding behavior of the tadpoles is very essential for their successful breeding, as the early part of life history of amphibians is dependent on the availability of food items in the natural habitat (Sinha et.al., 2001) Dramatic declines in amphibian populations have been noted since 1980 from all over the world and is thus perceived to be one of the most critical threats to global biodiversity. A n...

Introduction The development of industrialization and anthropogenic activities led to an increased accumulation of heavy metals, which results in contamination of soil.1 Generally, heavy metals are not biodegradable and therefore can sustain for longer time in environmental segments. Due to this bioaccumulative nature heavy metals may alter the food chain and cause various toxic effects on plants, humans and animals. In environment, the most common toxic metals are cadium, lead, mercury, arse...

Introduction According to Akaninwor et al. (2007), pollution of freshwater bodies such as drinking waters, streams, lakes and ponds is mostly experienced as a result of industrial discharge, municipal waste disposal and surface runoff. These pollutants may be point source (those that reach water or the environment from a single pipeline or channel, such as sewage discharge) or non-point source (those pollutants coming from diverse sources, entering the environment from multiple venues). Indis...

Introduction With respect to global issues of sustainable energy and reduction in greenhouse gases, biomass energy as one of the key sources of renewable energy is boon as a potential source of energy in the future. In India generally agricultural residue such as rice husk, cotton stalks, soybean stalks, pigeon pea stalk, groundnut shell, safflower residue etc. are available in abundant quantity. It was reported that 15-50 per cent of the worlds primary energy used could come from biomass by ...

Introduction For both power and electricity energy levels, electricity is a market which exchanges and deals electricity in regional, national, and international levels. Power price is regarded as the main economic indicator in the market for detecting the required investments made in various sectors. To gain higher revenue profits, the investors of this sector assigning higher prices to electricity. However, by entering the investors to sectors with higher prices, the restrictions and price ...

Introduction Economic growth basically refers to the real growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP). GDP is computed as a sum of all final goods and services that produced within a period of time at market prices. It is measured by adding together a nation’s personal consumption expenditure, government spending, net exports, and net capital formation1. From sustainability perspective, GDP ignores externalities, specially the environmental externalities. In fact, it just measures what i...

Introduction Horticultural cultivation is becoming a widespread in the south-east region of Bangladesh. Soils in this region have high levels of sand that cause P, Zn, and Mn deficiency. Increased use of chemical fertilizers to improve these deficiencies can adversely affect food chain, human health and the environment. A reduction of the fertilizers input together with selecting cultivars and species better adapted to these constrains is necessary to increase the sustainability of crop produ...

Introduction Coastal shrimp aquaculture in a traditional form existed in Indian sub-continent for many centuries. During eighties the shrimp farming enterprise picked momentum and became a popular farming practice among coastal farmers. It was in the 1990 s, the economic liberalization process widened the scope of the commercial shrimp farming since it was arose an export oriented  activity. The government schemes and programmes fueled the growth in subsequent years and the shrimp fa...

Introduction Wetlands are directly or indirectly support life of millions of living beings. Human civilization has started on the bank of major rivers. But due to increased population and anthropogenic pressures, the conditions of the most of the wetlands have already deteriorated and will dilapidate further. In India the freshwater constitutes rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands, ponds and reservoirs. These freshwater bodies directly help in the growth of human civilization. The freshwater reso...

Introduction The quality of water is a sensitive issue and it is affected by natural as well as anthropogenic processes. Increasing consumption and natural processes such as changes in precipitation inputs, erosion and weathering of crustal materials degrade surface water and impair their uses for drinking, industrial, agricultural and other purposes.1 The river water is contributed directly or indirectly for human welfare and aquatic ecosystem2 it is highly vulnerable to pollution ...

Introduction Jammu and Kashmir is known as a tourist destination due to its munificence of blossoms and magnanimity of resorts, the state is holding huge water spread area of 57000 hectares approximately out of which about 24000 hectares are in the shape of lakes, marshy areas and reservoirs and 23000 hectares in the shape of river systems (Anayat and Arjamand 2013). These water bodies are home to various freshwater organisms of plant and animal origin serving congenial habitats for their wel...

Introduction Aquatic macrophyte  are aquatic plants growing in or near shores; extremely important components of biotic communities; essential for oxygen production, nutrient cycling, water quality control, and sediment stabilization. They provide favourable habitats and shelters for aquatic life; considered as efficient accumulators of heavy metals and minerals (Vardanyan and Ingole, 2006). Due to these characteristics, such plants can be used successfully as biological monitors and...

Introduction Surface water is undoubtedly not safe for drinking purposes when compared to ground water and therefore ground water is the main source of drinking water in rural areas and many urban areas as well. Even though surface water bodies are not direct sources of drinking water for humans, they have indirect impact on the quality and availability of ground water. Tanks are the sources for domestic and agricultural use in addition to recharging the ground water. Therefore, if the qualit...

Introduction Since last 5 decades, environmental pollution due to rapid industrialization has created more modern problems. Industries have a large prospective to cause streams, river, lake and sea pollution, thereby causing increased addition of heavy metals into the environment (Sahu et al. 2009). Environment pollution by toxic heavy metals occurs through industrial, military and agricultural processes (Ajmal, Ali Khan Rao, and Siddiqui 1996).A serious threat that posed to the environment d...

Introduction The world today is seized with the problem of energy supply, shortage of cheap and efficient fuel resources, shortage of many other usable commodities and growing environmental problem. Fast depletion of fuels particularly oil, mass-scale of deforestation leading to a fuel wood crisis and the population explosion, all combine to emphasize the need for exploiting the unconventional sources of energy which could meet the way to improve the rural economy of the world growing numbers...

Introduction Plankton occupies the first link in the food chain and hence forms an important source of food for large aquatic animals. The primary producers are known to contribute significantly to the biological productivity of a water body besides mitigating the carbon cycle by photosynthesis and help to regulate temperature of the area of their prevalence. These are very sensitive to environment they live in and any alteration in the water system leads to the change in their communities in...

Introduction Groundwater is the sole resource of drinking water in arid areas, which is also used in domestic consumption and irrigation1, 2. Information about groundwater occurrence and recovery is critical in the arid and semi-arid areas because of the poor yearly precipitations rate and over use of groundwater resources in these areas3,4. On the other hand, groundwater quality is dominant to use it as drinking water or in domestic uses and irrigations; its quality depends on different fact...

Introduction Water is an essential and vital component for our life-support system. Rapidly deleting of groundwater supplies as a consequence of continued population growth and industrialization threaten the quality of many aquifers in India. For evaluating the suitability of groundwater for different purpose, understanding the chemical composition of groundwater is necessary. Further, it is possible to understand the change in quality due to rock-water interaction (weathering) or any type of...

Introduction Access to adequate water for irrigation is a matter of increasing concern all over the globe especially in arid and semiarid areas.1-4 People are using sewage for irrigation of agricultural land due to scarcity of fresh and underground water. The growing problem of water shortage has significant negative influence on economic development, human livelihoods, and improving the environment nature throughout the world4. To face the growing demand for irrigation water, non...

Introduction Growth of human population, increasing economic activities and raising standards of living generates more municipal solid waste which has become a serious environmental problem in the recent years. Increased urbanization and rapid industrialization along with changing lifestyles have created accumulation of huge amount of waste and garbage in the urban areas and the absence of proper disposal and recycling has led to severe environmental hazards. The problem is severed in urban a...

Introduction The herbaceous species varies greatly along with the different micro climate [DS1] of the region.1,2,3 Herb layer contributes substantial role and responds quickly to changes in the environmental conditions. In landscapes with significant topographic heterogeneity, herb layer composition and diversity vary with gradients of microclimate, soil moisture, soil fertility4 and different kind of anthropogenic pressures.5,6,7 Herbaceous community also alters [...

Introduction The rainfall and temperatures are the most important fundamental physical parameters among the climate as these parameters determine the environmental condition of the particular region which affects the agricultural productivity. Global warming/climate change is one of the most important worldwide issue talked among the scientists and researchers. One of the consequences of climate change is the alteration of rainfall patterns and increase in temperature. According to Intergover...

Introduction “Spice” can be identified as the dry part of a plant such as roots, leaves and seeds which give a share of food a certain flavor and pungent stimuli.1 The culinary herbs and spices that are used to enhance the flavor of vegetables, soups, stir-fry, and pasta dishes can be derived from the bark, buds, flowers, leaves, fruit, seeds, rhizome, or roots of a plant. By clubbing spices and condiments into one group the International  Origination For...

Introduction Most of the plant species in India are exploited for their commercial values with least or no consideration for their sustainable exploitation. Willow is one such species on which several local level livelihoods are dependent. As a plant, willow is used for in the manufacture of boxes, broom, cricket bats, cradle broads, chairs and other furniture, dolls, flutes, poles, sweat lodges, toys, turnery, tool handles, veneer, wands and whistles. In addition, tannin,&a...

Introduction In the modern world, environmental pollution has been recognized as one of the major problems. The activities of human society via industry influences biogeochemical cycles and this have led to various irreversible changes in our environment.1,2 As a result, undesirable effects of poor environmental circumstances on human health are mostly manifested in environment, predominantly in developing countries where urbanization, industrialization and rapid population growth ar...

Introduction Biogas technology is well known in the world for waste utilization. Wastes are being converted in biogas digester anaerobically by different groups of bacteria into valuable manure and gas is generated. The gas is used for a number of purposes. Factors affecting microbial activity governs the amount of biogas generated. Rate of microbial activity fluctuates with change in pH, temperature, nutrients supply, mineral contents etc. In India since the population of cattle is very larg...

Introduction Rapid bioassessment survey is the quick and easy method of analyzing water quality of any water bodies by using benthic macroinvertebrates community. Benthic macroinvertebrates are common inhabitants of freshwater systems and are also sensitive elements of aquatic biota (Alves et al., 2008). Therefore, changes in its taxonomic richness and composition are considered sensitive tools for perceiving alterations in aquatic ecosystems (Mance, 1987). Therefore, rapid procedures for ass...

Introduction The common indicator of economic progress is growth in gross domestic product (GDP) which is computed as a sum of all final goods and services that produced within a period of time at market prices. Hence, a country could increase its GDP by depleting its natural capital. However, this growth would not be sustainable. In recent years, Malaysia has experienced rapid economic growth which key drivers of such growth are private consumption and investment, especially in the servic...

Introduction Metals are elements that form cations when compounds of it are in solution and oxides of the elements form hydroxides rather than acids in water. The contamination of metals like Lead, Mercury and Arsenic has been found to be detrimental to all the organisms. Metals are released through various sources leading to the contamination of air, water and soil. Metals are non-biodegradable and non-thermo degradable; they enter the human body system through the food chain and accumulate ...

Introduction Iron ore mining is a major economic activity of Goa and it has evolved the economy of the State. Mining and quarrying contributed about 20.4 % of the GDP (gross domestic product) to the state’s economy.1 Mining activities, whether small or large, are inherently disruptive to the environment. The environmental deterioration caused by mining activities occurs mainly as a result of inappropriate and wasteful working practices. The magnitude of impact on a...

Introduction Cotton, popularly referred as “White Gold”, is an important fibre crop of global importance, cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical regions of more than seventy countries. Its importance in our economy is reflected in terms of generating employment, and foreign exchange earnings. Cotton is the lifeline for about 60 million people, which includes farmers and workers involved in the cotton industry from processing to trading (Khadi, 2007). Global production of ...

Introduction The present studies were undertaken in some important areas for reptiles in Sindh viz. Khirthar Protected Area Complex (KPAC) and in Jhimpir area (Thatta District). The Khirthar Protected Areas Complex (KPAC) stretches over 4,350 km2, encompassing the Protected Areas (PAs) that lie in Kohistan area in the southwest of Sindh and it comprises of Khirthar National Park (KNP), the Mahal Kohistan (MKWS) and Hub Dam Wildlife Sanctuaries (HDWS), and the Surjan, Sumbak, Eri, and Hothiano...

Introduction In recent decades, water scarcity is a global problem. To protect fresh water  resources and supplies, a great deal of work has been done by humans(Goh, Ismail et al. 2013). If the current population growth trends continue, many populations over the coming decades will face water shortages. Currently, about 1 billion people in the worldwide do not have adequate access to drinking water. Also, about a third of the world's population lives in areas where water supp...

Introduction Phenolic compounds are ubiquitous in environment. Many of them are found in nature and found to be responsible for colour of many flowers and fruits.1 They are undegradable organic materials and pollute the natural ecosystem. They can arise from natural substance degradation, industrial activity and agricultural practices. They are found in wastes of synthetic resin, plastics, rubber-proofing, dye manufacturing and many chemicals.2 They are found to be toxic and...

Introduction Background Study Review of Sustainable Development Indicator Initiatives Several International and National agencies across the World have been working towards formulating indicators of sustainable development at various levels since the concept of ‘Sustainable Development’ got a major impetus after the ‘Brundtland Commissions’ Report in 1987. A review of the indicator initiatives across the world gives an insight into their conceptual ...

Introduction This problem worries the scientific community, as it could have a major impact on natural and social systems at local, regional and national scales. Numerous climatologists1 2; Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC),3-5 agree that there has been a large-scale warming of the Earth’s surface over the last hundred years or so. This warming up of the Earth during the 20th century brought with it a decrease in the area of the world affected by exceptionally cool t...