Rural communities in developing countries often struggle with resource dependency,economic challenges,and poor infrastructure,and villages in Uttarakhand,India,are no exception.This study aims to examine the socioecon...Rural communities in developing countries often struggle with resource dependency,economic challenges,and poor infrastructure,and villages in Uttarakhand,India,are no exception.This study aims to examine the socioeconomic factors influencing forest conservation,assess livelihood dependency on forest resources,and evaluate how socioeconomic status shapes sustainable forest management in Shishambara and Buddhi villages in Dehradun.The study employed purposive and random sampling covering 10%of households,using structured surveys,interviews,field observations,market surveys,and focus group discussions.The survey reveals an agriculture-dominated livelihood,engaging 60%in Buddhi and 65%in Shishambara,alongside private-sector jobs and daily wage labour.Literacy rates differ significantly,with Buddhi at 72%and Shishambara at 58%.Despite accessibility to LPG connections,traditional cooking fuels like fuelwood and cow dung remain predominant,utilized by 70%of households in Buddhi and 75%in Shishambara.Most homes are Pakka,yet only 18.8%in Buddhi and 22%in Shishambara have toilets.Public transport is scarce,leaving villagers reliant on private vehicles.These findings underscore the need for policies that address resource management,improve basic services,and support sustainable development,offering a road map for uplifting rural livelihoods and bridging infrastructure gaps.展开更多
The economic viability and social value of traditional aquaculture in rural Sierra Leone were evaluated. The hypothesis tested was that traditional methods of farming fish in ponds were not economically viable, so far...The economic viability and social value of traditional aquaculture in rural Sierra Leone were evaluated. The hypothesis tested was that traditional methods of farming fish in ponds were not economically viable, so farmers were investing their time/labour in less risky and more profitable livelihoods activities. The assumption in this assessment was that fish farming is an economic activity, and that for farmers to adopt or choose it over other livelihoods, the benefit-cost ratio of fish farming must be higher than that of alternative livelihoods. The main objective of the study was to assess why local farmers failed to adopt modem market oriented aquaculture production systems introduced by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in rural Sierra Leone. Two hundred farmers owning fishponds on family lands were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires and farmers＇ responses were analyzed using statistical tools （SPSS 16.0）. The mean contributions of different livelihoods to total annual incomes of farmers and the social values they attached to these livelihoods were compared. Results of the study suggested that traditional fish fanning was economically viable across the range of pond sizes sampled; but the medium-sized ponds were more profitable than the smallest and largest ponds, and labour accounted for 70% of total annual production costs in the systems assessed. The average benefit-cost ratio of 2.3 for fish fanning was favorable compared with that of 0.83 for rice farming, which was ranked as most popular livelihood activity by farmers. The payback period for traditional aquaculture investments was less than five years using informal investment loans （without interest）, and was favorably compared with that for tree crops fanning, which was also popular among farmers. Additional benefits of fish fanning included social capital and maintenance of kinship relationships.展开更多
Goat husbandry plays a crucial role in the agrarian economy of Aligarh district,Uttar Pradesh,offering a sustainable source of income and livelihood for marginalized communities,landless farmers,and smallholders.This ...Goat husbandry plays a crucial role in the agrarian economy of Aligarh district,Uttar Pradesh,offering a sustainable source of income and livelihood for marginalized communities,landless farmers,and smallholders.This study explores the socio-economic dimensions of goat farming in the district,analyzing its impact on income generation,employment,and rural development.The present study is based on both primary and secondary data.The primary data is obtained from 12 sampled villages,and the secondary data is obtained from Statistical Bulletins of Aligarh District.The study examines the demographic composition of goat rearers,landholding patterns,and the role of gender and caste in traditional goat rearing.The findings highlight that goat farming serves as a financial safety net,often referred to as the“poor farmer’s ATM”due to its low input costs and quick returns.The study further assesses the trends,market dynamics,and future prospects of modern scientific goat farming in the region.The results indicate that despite regional variations in herd size and market accessibility,goat husbandry remains a viable strategy for poverty alleviation and economic resilience.The study concludes by emphasizing the need for improved veterinary support,financial assistance,and market linkages to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of goat farming in the district.展开更多
Environmentally unfriendly Oil exploration activities have been ongoing in the Soku area of the Niger Delta of Nigeria since 1956. This study evaluated the concentration of hydrocarbons and heavy metals in Shellfish a...Environmentally unfriendly Oil exploration activities have been ongoing in the Soku area of the Niger Delta of Nigeria since 1956. This study evaluated the concentration of hydrocarbons and heavy metals in Shellfish and drinking water sources in the study area. It revealed the absence (<0.001 mg/l) of most heavy metals (Ni, Ch, Cd, Pb mg/l) in the water column;a high concentration of the major ion composition of seawater (sulphates 5 - 1018;calcium 0.502 - 53.502;sodium 1.247 - 63.337;potassium 0.508 - 102.745;magnesium 0.354 - 42.574 mg/l);and high PAHs (<0.001 - 0.032 mg/l) levels occurring above WHO limits (0.007 mg/l) with some risk of exposure to cancer. Results from the analysis of shellfish showed that concentrations of chromium and zinc were below permissible limits while cadmium concentrations were slightly above permissible limits of the European Community. Nickel and lead were above permissible limits in the fish samples in all standards while PAHs occurred at the cancer risk levels of 10?6. A review of the public health situation in the Soku area with a view to understanding current trends, sources of perturbations and preferable solutions to the potential public health challenges raised in this study is hereby recommended. Also, this study recommends that relevant agencies and developmental partners should launch a national drive to create awareness among people/environmental/public health professionals’/health workers/administrators on this regional concern.展开更多
Waterlogged soils and submerged sediments in wetlands and agricultural lands used for rice paddies and aquaculture have anaerobic conditions that slow and prevent the photo and microbial degradation of dioxin TCDD (2,...Waterlogged soils and submerged sediments in wetlands and agricultural lands used for rice paddies and aquaculture have anaerobic conditions that slow and prevent the photo and microbial degradation of dioxin TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetracholorodibenzo-p-dioxin), enabling it to persist in environments for long periods. Over 1.6 million ha of land in southern Vietnam were sprayed with 2,4,5-T herbicides (e.g. Agent Orange) contaminated with dioxin TCDD during the Vietnam War (1961-1971);45% of these ha received four or more spray flight missions. Dioxins are endocrine disrupters and may induce cardiovascular disease, growth, and developmental defects, diabetes, hormonal dysfunctions and disruptions, certain cancers, and chloracne. Outpatient screening clinic 2020 data on Vietnamese children suspected of congenital heart disease (CHD) showed the childhood CHD prevalence rate in Vietnam of 13.356/1000, significantly elevated compared to the Asian CHD prevalence rate of 3.531/1000. CHD prevalence rate differences between North Vietnam (2.541/1000) and south of the 17<sup>th</sup> parallel (10.809/1000) were significant. Vietnamese farmers, especially pregnant women whose occupations involve daily contact with soil and sediments where dioxin TCDD persists in the environment may be at risk of dioxin accumulation from dermal exposure and bioaccumulation via diet. There is an urgent need for funded longitudinal genetic and clinical studies to assess CHD and other organ system childhood malformations due to in utero TCDD exposure. We recommend an integrated research design involving 1) site-specific locations that received high volumes and multiple spray loads of herbicides during the Vietnam War;2) soil sampling of submerged and waterlogged soils and sediments where TCDD may not have degraded;3) production areas of agriculture, fisheries, and other aquatic products;4) risk assessment dioxin levels in foods where TCDD is likely to bioaccumulate;5) child-bearing age and pregnant women with potentially high sensitivity to long-term low dose exposure, and 6) men and women in occupations that are in daily contact with contaminated soil and sediments as part of their job routines.展开更多
文摘Rural communities in developing countries often struggle with resource dependency,economic challenges,and poor infrastructure,and villages in Uttarakhand,India,are no exception.This study aims to examine the socioeconomic factors influencing forest conservation,assess livelihood dependency on forest resources,and evaluate how socioeconomic status shapes sustainable forest management in Shishambara and Buddhi villages in Dehradun.The study employed purposive and random sampling covering 10%of households,using structured surveys,interviews,field observations,market surveys,and focus group discussions.The survey reveals an agriculture-dominated livelihood,engaging 60%in Buddhi and 65%in Shishambara,alongside private-sector jobs and daily wage labour.Literacy rates differ significantly,with Buddhi at 72%and Shishambara at 58%.Despite accessibility to LPG connections,traditional cooking fuels like fuelwood and cow dung remain predominant,utilized by 70%of households in Buddhi and 75%in Shishambara.Most homes are Pakka,yet only 18.8%in Buddhi and 22%in Shishambara have toilets.Public transport is scarce,leaving villagers reliant on private vehicles.These findings underscore the need for policies that address resource management,improve basic services,and support sustainable development,offering a road map for uplifting rural livelihoods and bridging infrastructure gaps.
文摘The economic viability and social value of traditional aquaculture in rural Sierra Leone were evaluated. The hypothesis tested was that traditional methods of farming fish in ponds were not economically viable, so farmers were investing their time/labour in less risky and more profitable livelihoods activities. The assumption in this assessment was that fish farming is an economic activity, and that for farmers to adopt or choose it over other livelihoods, the benefit-cost ratio of fish farming must be higher than that of alternative livelihoods. The main objective of the study was to assess why local farmers failed to adopt modem market oriented aquaculture production systems introduced by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in rural Sierra Leone. Two hundred farmers owning fishponds on family lands were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires and farmers＇ responses were analyzed using statistical tools （SPSS 16.0）. The mean contributions of different livelihoods to total annual incomes of farmers and the social values they attached to these livelihoods were compared. Results of the study suggested that traditional fish fanning was economically viable across the range of pond sizes sampled; but the medium-sized ponds were more profitable than the smallest and largest ponds, and labour accounted for 70% of total annual production costs in the systems assessed. The average benefit-cost ratio of 2.3 for fish fanning was favorable compared with that of 0.83 for rice farming, which was ranked as most popular livelihood activity by farmers. The payback period for traditional aquaculture investments was less than five years using informal investment loans （without interest）, and was favorably compared with that for tree crops fanning, which was also popular among farmers. Additional benefits of fish fanning included social capital and maintenance of kinship relationships.
基金project entitled“Impact Assessment of Potential of goat farming and its Allied Activities on Socio-Economic Development of Rural Population in Aligarh District,U.P”(F.N0.02/159/2022-23/ICSSR/RP/MJ/GEN)sanctioned to Professor Nizamuddin Khan,Department of Geography,A.M.U,Aligarh.
文摘Goat husbandry plays a crucial role in the agrarian economy of Aligarh district,Uttar Pradesh,offering a sustainable source of income and livelihood for marginalized communities,landless farmers,and smallholders.This study explores the socio-economic dimensions of goat farming in the district,analyzing its impact on income generation,employment,and rural development.The present study is based on both primary and secondary data.The primary data is obtained from 12 sampled villages,and the secondary data is obtained from Statistical Bulletins of Aligarh District.The study examines the demographic composition of goat rearers,landholding patterns,and the role of gender and caste in traditional goat rearing.The findings highlight that goat farming serves as a financial safety net,often referred to as the“poor farmer’s ATM”due to its low input costs and quick returns.The study further assesses the trends,market dynamics,and future prospects of modern scientific goat farming in the region.The results indicate that despite regional variations in herd size and market accessibility,goat husbandry remains a viable strategy for poverty alleviation and economic resilience.The study concludes by emphasizing the need for improved veterinary support,financial assistance,and market linkages to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of goat farming in the district.
文摘Environmentally unfriendly Oil exploration activities have been ongoing in the Soku area of the Niger Delta of Nigeria since 1956. This study evaluated the concentration of hydrocarbons and heavy metals in Shellfish and drinking water sources in the study area. It revealed the absence (<0.001 mg/l) of most heavy metals (Ni, Ch, Cd, Pb mg/l) in the water column;a high concentration of the major ion composition of seawater (sulphates 5 - 1018;calcium 0.502 - 53.502;sodium 1.247 - 63.337;potassium 0.508 - 102.745;magnesium 0.354 - 42.574 mg/l);and high PAHs (<0.001 - 0.032 mg/l) levels occurring above WHO limits (0.007 mg/l) with some risk of exposure to cancer. Results from the analysis of shellfish showed that concentrations of chromium and zinc were below permissible limits while cadmium concentrations were slightly above permissible limits of the European Community. Nickel and lead were above permissible limits in the fish samples in all standards while PAHs occurred at the cancer risk levels of 10?6. A review of the public health situation in the Soku area with a view to understanding current trends, sources of perturbations and preferable solutions to the potential public health challenges raised in this study is hereby recommended. Also, this study recommends that relevant agencies and developmental partners should launch a national drive to create awareness among people/environmental/public health professionals’/health workers/administrators on this regional concern.
文摘Waterlogged soils and submerged sediments in wetlands and agricultural lands used for rice paddies and aquaculture have anaerobic conditions that slow and prevent the photo and microbial degradation of dioxin TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetracholorodibenzo-p-dioxin), enabling it to persist in environments for long periods. Over 1.6 million ha of land in southern Vietnam were sprayed with 2,4,5-T herbicides (e.g. Agent Orange) contaminated with dioxin TCDD during the Vietnam War (1961-1971);45% of these ha received four or more spray flight missions. Dioxins are endocrine disrupters and may induce cardiovascular disease, growth, and developmental defects, diabetes, hormonal dysfunctions and disruptions, certain cancers, and chloracne. Outpatient screening clinic 2020 data on Vietnamese children suspected of congenital heart disease (CHD) showed the childhood CHD prevalence rate in Vietnam of 13.356/1000, significantly elevated compared to the Asian CHD prevalence rate of 3.531/1000. CHD prevalence rate differences between North Vietnam (2.541/1000) and south of the 17<sup>th</sup> parallel (10.809/1000) were significant. Vietnamese farmers, especially pregnant women whose occupations involve daily contact with soil and sediments where dioxin TCDD persists in the environment may be at risk of dioxin accumulation from dermal exposure and bioaccumulation via diet. There is an urgent need for funded longitudinal genetic and clinical studies to assess CHD and other organ system childhood malformations due to in utero TCDD exposure. We recommend an integrated research design involving 1) site-specific locations that received high volumes and multiple spray loads of herbicides during the Vietnam War;2) soil sampling of submerged and waterlogged soils and sediments where TCDD may not have degraded;3) production areas of agriculture, fisheries, and other aquatic products;4) risk assessment dioxin levels in foods where TCDD is likely to bioaccumulate;5) child-bearing age and pregnant women with potentially high sensitivity to long-term low dose exposure, and 6) men and women in occupations that are in daily contact with contaminated soil and sediments as part of their job routines.
