Inside this issue
Initiative Environment
Wetlands are important for flood control and are a natural filter for pollutants, discover a group of admirable young researchers. Home to myriad organisms and pretty birds, systematic exploration of the Asan Wetland was a rewarding experience for these enthusiasts.
Concept Counter
A gene pool is the complete set of unique alleles in a species or a population. A large gene pool indicates extensive genetic diversity, which is associated with robust populations.
A culture of disaster safety is yet to be inculcated in our country. Disaster risk reduction however can become a reality if introduced in institutions like schools and colleges.
Disaster management
A brief outline of a plan of action for combating natural disasters has been presented for young readers.
Traveller's diary
Also known as the French Rivera of the east, Puducherry, sports pretty homes with long compounds and stately walls. Even the road that leads to it offers spectacular visions of ancient to modern India.
Disaster
The threat for oil spill demands preparedness to protect sensitive habitats. Modelling is a useful aid for appropriate decisions to minimise damage.
Cover story
Shared among brothers, a Jaunsari woman suffers multiple masters. With gender relations biased against women, single marriage norms need to be encouraged to mitigate the problem.
Renewable News
Solar lights for NPA: The Sardar Vallabhai Patel National Police Academy installed 90 solar streetlights along its five kilometre boundary to make the job easier for CISF personnel on patrol. Placed at a distance of 50 metres from each other, the Tata BP lamps will glow automatically once the sunlight fades as they are fixed with sensors to measure natural light. At its optimal level, the battery can provide for two continuous nights even if it isn’t charged during the day. With a luminosity of 10 lumens per square foot, the lamps can attend to the Academy’s security requirement. This will provide an example to the many city based institutes and corporate organisations characterised by sprawling landscape, to use solar power to illuminate its campus.
Conserving Forests
Given West Midnapur's general backwardness, it was surprising that women signed up in hordes to join the Forest Protection Committee. But, the women explained, they had a good reason.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research, in collaboration with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), Mexico has taken steps to identify varieties possessing resistance against the new race of the stem rust fungus.
Biodiversity
The resistance of a healthy mangrove wall is known to even stand the fury of cyclones and tsunamis.
Mapping Miracle
To develop and maintain standard digital collection of data, National Spatial Data Infrastructure Secretariat envisages the development of common solutions for discovery, access and use in response to the needs of diverse user groups.
Safe Disposal
CFLs are long glass tube filled with mercury vapour and argon or xenon. As CFLs contain toxic mercury, suppliers and manufacturers need to play a pivotal role in setting in place a safe disposal system.
Weather Watch
Nargis was a true blue superstar of Indian cinema. A name that evokes melodies of a luminous bygone era is today shared by a devastating cyclone that ripped Myanmar bringing death and destruction.
In brief
Dear Readers, During my college days I had chanced upon the subject of polyandry among the Jaunsari. Visiting the Jaunsar Bawar tract between Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, I however, was not prepared for the skewed gender roles that are perpetrated generation after generation, justified and up
