Abstract: India’s only marine park recognised by International Union for Conservation of Nature, is inhabited by varieties of water species and is an enthralling experience. Unfortunately, industrial activities and oil spill have affected the ecosystem and initiatives are needed to stop further degradation.
The author is photographer and freelance writer from Kolkata. goodfriend19@gmail.com
Monitoring from space, aerial and in situ platforms in coastal regions will help develop models for interactions between ecological and anthropogenic processes, helping sustainable management of coast...
The Indian coasts hold diverse geomorphological features—mudflats, rocky shores, cliffs, sandy beaches and deltaic reaches that shelter unique ecosystems. However, significant sections of the coastlin...
Integrated Flood Warning System (IFLOWS) is an integrated GIS-based decision support system developed for Chennai and Mumbai that provides flood inundation scenarios and helps state governments to put...
The Indian coastline sustains unique habitats that are subjected to increasing anthropogenic stressors. The National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), engaged in addressing coastal concerns over thr...
A mixture of decayed or decaying organic matter used to fertilise soil. Compost is usually made by gathering plant material, such as leaves, grass clippings, and vegetable peels, into a pile or bin and letting it rot.
A dark-brown or black organic substance made up of decayed plant or animal matter. Humus provides nutrients for plants and increases the ability of soil to retain water. Partially decomposed plant matter in the soil is an example of humus.
Natural process by which water soluble substances (such as calcium, fertilisers, pesticides) are washed out from soil or wastes. These leached out chemicals (called leachites) causing pollution of surface and sub-surface water.
pH is a measure of how acidic/basic water is. The range goes from 0-14, with 7 being neutral. pHs of less than 7 indicate acidity, whereas a pH of greater than 7 indicates a base. pH is really a measure of the relative amount of free hydrogen and hydroxyl ions in the water.
Crop rotation is one of the oldest and most effective cultural control strategies. It means the planned order of specific crops planted on the same field. It also means that the succeeding crop belongs to a different family than the previous one. The planned rotation may vary from 2 or 3 years or for a longer period.
The definition of fallow is inactive. A piece of land that is normally used for farming but is left with no crops on it for a season in order to let it recover its fertility is an example of land that would be described as fallow.
Intercropping is a multiple cropping practice involving growing two or more crops in proximity. The most common goal of intercropping is to produce a greater yield on a given piece of land by making use of resources that would otherwise not be utilised by a single crop.
A crop planted primarily to manage soil erosion, soil fertility, soil quality, water, weeds, pests, diseases, biodiversity and wildlife may be termed as a cover crop. It is a plant that is used to slow erosion, improve soil health, enhance water availability, smother weeds, help control pests and diseases, increase biodiversity and bring a host of other benefits.
Relay cropping is the growing of two or more crops on the same field with the planting of the second crop after the first one has completed its development. The main utility of this model are continuous flow of vegetables to the market from the same piece of land.
A colony or colonies where bees are kept and bred. A stand, shed or boxes may be constructed for beehives or a bee house containing a number of beehives. They are usually mined for honey.