Areas Of Assam Research Articles

Sustain Productivity of Jhum Crops in North East India - A Holistic Approach

To make a comparative study on the impact of green manure (legume, non legume and weed species) and inorganic fertilizer on crop yield and fertility status in soil an experiment was conducted for two successive years in shifting cultivation areas of Assam. Among the different green manure studied maximum yield of rice was recorded in legume green manure (1687.6 kg kgh-1) followed by inorganic fertilizer (1566.6 kgh-1) applied plot in initial year. However during successive year productivity was recorded low in fertilizer applied plot compared legume, non legume and weed green manure. Same trend was noticed in productivity of Maize also. Significant increase of nutrient uptake was observed in green manure treated plot. Fertilizer applied plot showed low value during successive year. Acidity of the soil increased due to release of organic acid during decomposition of green manure. Input of biomass to the soil contributed in increment of organic carbon, nitrogen and other mineral nutrients and thus maintaining productivity as well as fertility status in soil.

Return of the Frontier

The colony in British India had at one time designed an inner line to distinguish two separate systems of administration for the frontier areas and the nonfrontier areas of colonial Northeast India. Constructing the frontiers as areas of strife and conflict and from which the nonfrontiers always needed to be secured, the British in creating the line made an instrument of policing the frontiers that has not only persisted but transgressed the colonial administrative structure into the postcolonial era. Although it was designed really for the protection of the nonfrontier areas of Assam from the raiding of the hill tribes of the frontier, in implementation the line prohibited non-natives of the frontiers from adopting interest in land or products of land located behind it. Contemporary movements demanding an inner line in three states of Northeast India have gone back to the idea of a line that divides the territory into two nonhomogenous areas, disallowing non-natives within the inner line from an extended involvement in the areas outside of the line, thus, refrontierizing themselves and giving them the peculiar characteristics of the frontier, wanting to lend themselves an exterior identity that is distinct from the identity of the regular nonfrontier territory in India.

Field investigation of carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes and organic carbon from a conserved paddy field of North–East India

This study investigates the effects of conserved tills on the fluxes of carbon dioxide (CO2) and soil organic carbon (SOC) from a rain–fed–paddy plot in Assam (North–eastern state of India). Two paddy plots identical in soil properties, developed to cultivate rice (Sali, grown in low–lying areas of Assam), were adjacent to each other to follow a conventional agricultural practice in one and conservation in the other. Two chambers (1m×0.6m×0.4m) were placed in both the plots to collect runoff for analyzing CO2 concentrations. The results of the both practices have been inter–compared. For conservation plot, the SOC was high in the range from 3.17+0.01kgm−2 to 20.42+0.56kgm−2 and the CO2 emission was less, i.e. 97.30+7.11mgm−2h--1 as compared to 189.65+4.37mgm−2 h--1 of the conventional plot. Low tillage practiced for the conservation plot facilitated higher porosity (50.11+8.40% to 88.87+3.59%) and greater water retention (47.47+1.15% to 101.37+1.63%) in the soil. The results indicate that more tillage exposed the soil to atmospheric oxygen more, which leads to excess mineralization of organic carbon and emissions of CO2 as in the conventional plot.

Weeds as Emerging Threat to Biodiversity:A Consequence of Spread of <i>Ludwigia peruviana</i> in Dhansiri and Kopili Catchment Areas of Assam, North East India

Wetlands seem to be more vulnerable to invasions compared to terrestrial ecosystems. The alien invasive weed, Ludwigia peruviana , invading the wetlands of the Dhansiri catchment and eastern part of Kopili in Assam has threatened the resident biodiversity and has also posed possibilities of spreading to other wetlands of North East India. The present study was conducted to measure the impact of the weed on the biodiversity of this region, to find out the causes for increasing invasiveness and to suggest a suitable management strategy. The weed has already damaged the marshland plant community and offered severe competition to the plants of peatland ecosystems in nearly 700 sq. km in the affected areas. Pre-monsoon temperature and monsoon rainfall had strong positive correlation with the frequency of occurrence of the weed. L. peruviana showed the highest (nearly 52%) frequency of occurrence in the wetlands of the area in comparison to other troublesome weeds. It has already formed its pure-stand in the ecotone zone replacing resident vegetation and is severely hampering normal food webs. Birds and animals either nest or graze in L. peruviana -dominant areas, and the abundant waterways exhibit high probability of spreading the weed from the gullies and furrows and settlement areas in the near future. The seriousness of the problem calls for effective and timely management strategy.

Social determinants of morbidity during infancy: Results from a cross-sectional study in rural areas of Assam, India

Background: Assam, one of the seven North Eastern states of India has achieved the highest decline in maternal and child mortality compared to other states, still neonatal mortality and infant mortality rates are very high. Apart from other causes, certain social factors unique to Indian subcontinent are also responsible for high mortality and morbidity among children here. Objectives: To know the prevailing morbidity conditions among the infants and to assess the social determinants of morbidity of infants in rural areas of Assam. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted among 250 rural families having an infant in each family. The primary caregiver was interviewed using pre-tested semi-structured interview schedules and investigators also clinically evaluate the index child for any morbidity. Data collected regarding various sociodemographic variables of the family, morbidity status of the infant and also the environmental variables relevant to the study were analyzed tabulated and percentages, and proportions were calculated. Chi-square test was done to see the relationship between the factors. Results: The study observed that prevalence of teenage mothers was high (32.4%). Most of the mothers were primipara (41.2%), and were belonging to nuclear families of lower socioeconomic strata (57%). In our study, acute respiratory infections (33.3%), fever (24.6%), and diarrhea (21.7%) were found to be the most common morbidities among infants. Statistically significant association was also found between morbidity of infants and male gender (p=0.003) and numbers of siblings (p=0.005), use of sanitary water source (p=0.001), and excreta disposal (p=0.001). Conclusion: This study observed that social factors which influence infant morbidity included male gender and numbers of siblings, use of sanitary water source and excreta disposal, less education of mothers, less family income, and lower social class of the family.

Biochemical changes in the selected tissues of Channa punctatus exposed to Arsenic and its possible revival with turmeric.

Arsenic (As) is a pollutant widely distributed in nature and released into the environment through both geogenic process and anthropogenic disturbances. High concentration of arsenic has been found in many areas of Assam. Fishes are ideal organism for studying the toxicological effects and since they respond to toxicants in a similar way as higher vertebrates including human, hence Channa punctatus was taken as a laboratory animal model. In fishes, arsenic (As) is absorbed via the gills and through contaminated food which is capable of causing disturbance to the antioxidant system. Fish liver is the target organ of arsenic toxicity as it can uptake accumulate and excrete the arsenic. Enzymes are biochemical macromolecule which control metabolic processes of organisms. Since a slight variation in enzyme activities would affect the organism, hence by estimating the enzyme activities in an organism, metabolic disturbances in its body can be easily found. Significant alterations in the total protein and in the marker enzymes AST and ALT were observed in arsenic treated fishes. But when the arsenic treated fishes were exposed to phytochemical products of turmeric extract, a well marked revival from arsenicosis has been observed.

An outbreak of contagious ecthyma in goat in Brahmaputra riverine bed in South Kamrup area of Assam

An outbreak of contagious ecthyma in goat in Brahmaputra riverine bed in South Kamrup area of Assam

Dynamic Life Table for Guwahati City: An Urban Set Up of North Eastern India

The period life table is based on the assumption that the mortality experienced by the population in a given period will remain substantially the same throughout their lives. However, the past records shows continuous decline in mortality, leading to the possibility of a case where the mortality rates does not remained the same. Although, India has experienced continuous decline in mortality rates since more than two decades, Assam is one of the underdeveloped state where mortality rates including infant mortality rate is found to be higher in comparison to other developing states of India. However, during recent years mortality declines have appeared to be more rapid in an urban area of Assam, Guwahati, which is also a premier city of North-Eastern India. This paper attempts to study the pattern of mortality along with life expectancy under dynamic scenario in Guwahati. Further, an attempt has also been made to formulate temporary life expectancy under dynamic consideration and thereby measures the differences between period and dynamic temporary life expectancies.

Educational and Occupational Aspiration In Relation To School Environment of the Secondary School Students of South Kamrup Area of Assam- A Study

Aspiration means the goal that individual set for him in a task which has intense personal significance for him and in which his ego is involved. School is one of the major agencies of socialization which has great influence and bearing on the development of aspirations of the child. It is the School which sets the pattern for the child’s attitude towards people and society, aids intellectual growth in the child and supports his aspirations and achievements. A positive affective School environment increases the livelihood that a child can initiate and persist in challenging and intellectual tasks. Thus the present study is envisaged to assess the Educational and Occupational aspiration of the Secondary School students in relation to their School Environment. The main purpose of the study was to find out the level of Educational and Occupational aspiration in relation to the School environment of the Secondary School students. For the study, 12 Provincialized Co-Educational Secondary schools were selected as sampled Schools by using simple random sampling technique and 490 Class-X students from the sampled schools were selected. Educational aspiration scale (EAS), Occupational aspiration Scale (OAS) and School Environment Inventory were used as tool of the study.

Modeling the spatial dynamics of deforestation and fragmentation using Multi-Layer Perceptron neural network and landscape fragmentation tool

This study has assessed forest cover changes, rate of deforestation, levels of fragmentation and modeled the spatial dynamics of deforestation and forest fragmentation in Assam, India. The analysis of the forest change shows that between 1975 and 2015, the area coverage of forest has reduced from 23749km2 (30.3% of the state geographical area) to 21145km2 (27% of the state geographical area). The total predicted forest area of Assam is 20189km2 (25.7%) for 2030. Forest and non-forest classes were evaluated in order to assess changes and to study influence of five physical factors—distance from road and settlement areas, elevation, slope and distance from the water bodies on the deforestation. The Multi-Layer Perceptron neural network modeling was used for predicting the spatial distribution of deforestation. According to the Cramer coefficients, the elevation was strongly associated with deforestation in Assam followed by the slope, distance to water bodies and the distance to roads. The forest areas undergoing high concentration of negative changes have been modelled in the form of deforestation hotspots by using optimised hotspot tool. The results of fragmentation analysis have indicated the reduction of core forests throughout the study period. The spatial database generated in the study is a useful input for understanding of the impact of deforestation and fragmentation on biodiversity and land use change.

A Neotectonic based Geomorphic Analysis using Remote Sensing Data to Delineate Potential Areas of Hydrocarbon Exploration: Cachar Area, Assam

Abstract: The Assam Arakan fold thrust belt has highly deformed folded units of Tertiary sediments bounded by eastward dipping thrust slices with a convexity towards west. In the Tripura-Cachar region, this folded belt is characterized by the occurrence of wide synclines and narrow anticlines that hosts a number of hydrocarbon producing fields. In the Cachar area of Assam, most of these fields occur in the culmination of anticlinal structures. Other wells drilled in analogous structural settings are found to be dry. In this paper a neotectonic based geomorphic analysis is carried out to delineate a fault network and geomorphic highs in Cachar area as expressions of sub-surface structures which had subsequently been validated by available geophysical data. Of these geomorphic highs, those that are in the synclinal areas are believed to represent subtle sub-surface structural highs. Synclinal structures associated with NNE-SSW faults might be considered interesting for hydrocarbon exploration and are subsequently categorized following their degree of confidence for exploration of hydrocarbon. Additionally, a genetic model of the structures in the region is also proposed.

Complementary feeding practices and its determinants in rural areas of Kamrup district, Assam, India

Complementary feeding practices are often far from optimal, involving food with poor quality and limited variety that are not hygienically prepared and that are given in too small amount or not frequently enough. These are mainly responsible for aggravating malnutrition. The present study is designed to assess the prevalence of optimal complementary feeding practices and its determinants in rural area of Kamrup, Assam. A cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 st February 2014 to 31 st July 2014. Considering the prevalence of complementary feeding amongst 7-12 months infants in rural areas of Assam as 67% (DLHS-3), relative precision of 10% of P and design effect of 1.5, sample size was calculated as 250. A total of 250 infants were studied for complementary feeding practices (CF). CF was initiated by the 54.4% of mothers at the age of 6 months, 19.2% were initiated before 6 months and 26.4% were initiated after 6 months. Most of the mothers (33.3%) reason behind the early initiation of CF was insufficient breast milk and 50% of mothers replied reason behind the delayed initiation of CF was infant could not digest. The infants born at Govt. institution (61.5%) received CF at 6 months as compared to private institution (32.1%) or home (31.2%) (P<0.0001). 60.8% of normally delivered infants started CF at 6 months to as compared to 50% of infants born by caesarean section (P<0.0005). Most of the mothers (56.8%) have given semi-solid food followed by Animal milk (35.2%) as CF.

A Comparative Study on the Female Domestic Workers and Their Children in Kamrup Districts of Assam

This paper has been prepared to visualize relationships between the overall condition of the workers in Kamrup Metro and Kamrup rural areas of Assam. It throws light on how the female domestic workers engaged in part time work function differently in both the areas. The increase in the number of domestic workers has led to the growth of the urban middle class, especially the increase in the number of women working outside their homes and availability of cheap domestic labour. Kamrup Districts has witnessed large scale migration over the past few years of women from the interior areas of Assam, while in Kamrup metro, most of the migrants are from areas in lower Assam .The poor women who engage in domestic work are often unable to care for their own families, leaving their own children alone for the whole day. The study was conducted on adults ranging from 27 to 40 yrs of age. There were various reasons for which these female workers engaged in such kind of work, v.i.z, illiteracy, uncertain income of other family members and preference for part time domestic work, higher number of children with low income in the family. The children of such workers are sent to schools in Kamrup metro, while a handful of children were provided with education via various means in Kamrup rural. The wages of the workers in rural areas were not sufficient to send their children to proper schools. In this paper, some implications are provided to assist such workers in helping their children for education. The paper also deals with the educational status and the challenges faced by such workers in the daily affairs.

Evaluation of Insecticides Susceptibility and Malaria Vector Potential of Anopheles annularis s.l. and Anopheles vagus in Assam, India.

During the recent past, development of DDT resistance and reduction to pyrethroid susceptibility among the malaria vectors has posed a serious challenge in many Southeast Asian countries including India. Current study presents the insecticide susceptibility and knock-down data of field collected Anopheles annularis sensu lato and An. vagus mosquito species from endemic areas of Assam in northeast India. Anopheles annularis s.l. and An. vagus adult females were collected from four randomly selected sentinel sites in Orang primary health centre (OPHC) and Balipara primary health centre (BPHC) areas, and used for testing susceptibility to DDT, malathion, deltamethrin and lambda-cyhalothrin. After insecticide susceptibility tests, mosquitoes were subjected to VectorTest™ assay kits to detect the presence of malaria sporozoite in the mosquitoes. An. annularis s.l. was completely susceptible to deltamethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin and malathion in both the study areas. An. vagus was highly susceptible to deltamethrin in both the areas, but exhibited reduced susceptibility to lambda-cyhalothrin in BPHC. Both the species were resistant to DDT and showed very high KDT50 and KDT99 values for DDT. Probit model used to calculate the KDT50 and KDT99 values did not display normal distribution of percent knock-down with time for malathion in both the mosquito species in OPHC (p<0.05) and An. vagus in BPHC (χ2 = 25.3; p = 0.0), and also for deltamethrin to An. vagus in BPHC area (χ2 = 15.4; p = 0.004). Minimum infection rate (MIR) of Plasmodium sporozoite for An. vagus was 0.56 in OPHC and 0.13 in BPHC, while for An. annularis MIR was found to be 0.22 in OPHC. Resistance management strategies should be identified to delay the expansion of resistance. Testing of field caught Anopheles vectors from different endemic areas for the presence of malaria sporozoite may be useful to ensure their role in malaria transmission.

Aqueous extracts of Duranta repens (Verbenaceae) as an alternative to control tea red spider mite, Oligonychus coffeae (Acari: Tetranychidae)

AbstractWe evaluated an aqueous extract ofDuranta repensL. in the laboratory against the tea red spider mite,Oligonychus coffeaeNietner, to determine its effect on adult mortality, viability of eggs, oviposition deterrence and repellent properties. We also evaluated the same extract in the field to determine its effect on mite populations. The direct spray method was used in the laboratory at concentrations of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 g/l. Mortality ofO. coffeaewas dependent on both concentration and time after application. Deposition of eggs by adult mites on treated leaf surfaces decreased and the viability of eggs was also reduced. Its bioefficacy was comparable to that of the commonly used commercial neem oil formulation (azadirachtin 0.03EC). In addition, different concentrations of the aqueous extract ofD. repensalso exhibited repellent properties against adult mites. In the field, the application of the aqueous extract ofD. repensreduced the mite population and its bioefficacy was comparable to that of the synthetic pesticide Propargite 57 EC. No phytotoxic effect was observed when tea bushes were sprayed with different concentrations ofD. repens. Tea samples were taint free. Treatment of plants with the extract did not affect the quality (appearance of liquor, flavour, taint and taste) of made tea. Availability and distribution of this plant in and around tea growing areas of Assam, along with its processing, and the possibility of includingD. repensextracts in the current IPM programme are discussed.

A comparative palynological study on butterfly mud puddling localities and surface forest samples: a case study from northeast India

This paper presents a palynological examination of surface soil samples procured from butterfly mud puddling locations in northeast India and its comparison with forest surface samples from the immediate vicinity. The modern palynodata from different sites reflect a close similarity in the types and frequency of the pollen grains. However, the diversity of pollen taxa in butterfly mud puddle samples was comparatively higher than the forest surface samples. The pollen recovered in both the butterfly mud puddle location and forest surface samples reflects an evergreen forest composed of Dillenia, Elaeocarpus, Litsea, and Syzygium which exactly displays the current vegetation. The presence of cerealia, along with Brassicaceae, and Hibiscus in the butterfly mud puddle samples is suggestive of the human activity in the vicinity. However, the abundance of Lantana and Melastoma pollen in the mud puddle sediments is a strong indication of the conversion of forest vegetation in to open habitat, because these plants are correlated with human occupation. The extra-regional taxa, especially Rhododendron, in the mud puddle sediments are significant and strongly suggestive of butterfly migration from higher altitudes. Evergreen elements, along with ferns and fungal remains, in the palynoassemblage are strongly indicative of high rainfall under warm and humid climatic conditions. Thus, the main aim of this observation was to identify the potential of butterfly mud puddle samples and its comparison with other surface pollen traps in order to strengthen the relationship between modern pollen and vegetation in floristically rich areas of Assam, northeast India. The palynodata from the butterfly mud puddle locations is a useful source of palynological observation which should be considered in future palynological research.

Morphometric Analysis of Diyung Watershed in Northeast India using GIS Technique for Flood Management

Abstract: The North eastern region is characterized by undulating terrain and high rainfall. Such condition creates a situation of floods in the downstream plain areas of Assam. Difficulties in monitoring the data collection of hydrological events (runoff and sediment yield) in the rugged terrain hinders the planning of suitable control measures. To overcome such constraints alternate measures need to be explored and the study of terrain is one such approach. The study of terrain (morphometry) can help in diagnosing the hydrological behavior of any watershed. In the present study morphometric analysis was done to determine the drainage characteristics of Diyung watershed in Kopili river basin using topographic maps and GIS tools. The morphometric analysis indicates high values of stream density (15464), stream length ratio (1.81); Bifurcation ratio (3.66), RHO coefficient (0.49), Stream frequency (5.26 km−2), Drainage density (3.24), indicative of high runoff generation capabilities of the watershed. This high runoff from the watershed is the main reason for floods in the downstream areas. Based on the results, structural and non-structural measures are proposed to mitigate the impacts of flood events.

North east India: Questions of regional ethnicity and AFSPA, 1958

Creation of Telengana from Andhra Pradesh in 2014 has proved to be a trigger for different politically motivated agitations in other parts of the country. This has had an especially cascading effect for the already fragmented and fissured North east part of our country. Demands for the separate states, especially along regional, ethnic and linguistic lines have been renewed especially in the states of Assam, Mizoram and Nagaland. After Telangana, there is a renewed and forceful demand by various groups like the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, All Boro Students Union (ABSU) and the Songbijit faction of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) in the Autonomous Boroland Tribal Districts (BTAD) area in Assam, to force the creation of Gorkhaland and Boroland states. This has to be understood in the context of a long standing ‘crisis management approach’ adopted by the Centre towards this ethnically diverse and politically volatile region of the country. This approach has not borne any positive fruit of development and integration, assimilation for the region. In addition, the proclamation of one of the most draconian laws ever passed by the Indian Parliament, The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act of 1958 (AFSPA) and its continuance since then doesn't bode well for the much required democratic structure in the area. Long use of this Act has not helped end insurgencies in the area. Fulfillment of a demand for a separate state in another part of the country, its denial in the north east and continuance of AFSPA in the region is an uncomfortable dichotomy, Indian polity will need to resolve for development of this frontier region of our country. This paper attempts to understand the provisions of AFSPA, 1958 in the context of various International declarations of human rights and argue the need to repeal the Act as in spite of its long presence it has not been able to answer the questions of assimilation and development.

Zinc Fractions and their Availability to Wetland Rice in Acidic Soils of Assam

Distribution of various fractions of soil zinc (Zn) and their relationships with soil properties in rice growing soils of Assam were studied with twenty five geo-referenced soil samples (0-30 cm) with variable Zn status from rice growing areas of Assam, representing 3 major soil orders viz., Entisol, Inceptisol and Alfisol. The distribution of different forms of Zn in rice soils revealed that water soluble and exchangeable Zn (WSEx-Zn) fraction in soils ranged from 0.32 to 1.92, complexed Zn (COMP-Zn) from 1.46 to 4.5, amorphous sesquioxide bound Zn from 1.30 to 6.21, crystalline sesquioxide bound Zn (CBD-Zn) from 0.45 to 2.25 and residual Zn (Res-Zn) from 101.7 to 285.2 mg kg-1 with mean values of 0.87, 2.71, 2.92, 1.12 and 186.98 mg kg-1, respectively. Residual Zn was the dominant fraction among all Zn fractions studied, which ranged from 101.7 to 285.2 mg kg-1 and the mean value was 186.9 mg kg-1. The WSEx-Zn, COMP-Zn, amorphous sesquioxide bound Zn, CBD-Zn and Res-Zn constituted 0.45, 1.57, 1.62, 0.63 and 95.7 per cent of total Zn. Multiple regression of physicochemical properties of soil with different Zn-fractions showed the highest R2 value (0.616) with COMP-Zn. Multiple regression of different Zn fractions with plant parameters showed the highest contribution of WSEx-Zn to plant Zn concentration (76.7%), Zn-uptake (63.0%) and dry matter yield (36.1%) of rice. Path coefficient analysis of different Zn-fractions with Zn-concentration in rice plant showed the highest direct effect (0.5610) of WSEx-Zn on Zn concentration and indirect effect of COMP-Zn (0.3731) and amorphous sesquioxide bound Zn (0.2508) via WSEx-Zn. Significant positive correlation was also observed between WSEx-Zn and plant Zn uptake (r=0.668**), plant Zn concentration (r=0.647**) and drymatter yield (r=0.401*), suggesting that water soluble plus exchangeable Zn fraction is of great importance in Zn nutrition of lowland rice. Major portion of Zn was in the residual fraction which contributed very little to plant uptake. Significant positive correlation among WSEx, organic complex and amorphous sesquioxide bound Zn indicated that they are possibly in dynamic equilibrium with each other.

Factors associated with the utilization of antenatal care services in rural areas of Assam, India

Background: Utilization of antenatal care services is very essential for reducing maternal mortality in a country like India which is experiencing high maternal mortality especially in the state of Assam being at the top position. Almost 90% of the maternal deaths can be prevented by timely medical interventions. However, adequate utilization of antenatal care (ANC) services is far away from WHO recommendations. The objective is to assess the utilization of antenatal care services and also to determine the underlying factors influencing the utilization of antenatal care services in rural areas of Assam. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted from September-December 2015. Eight villages were selected randomly and sample size was calculated as 300.All currently married women having children of less than one year of age comprised of study population. Results: Out of 300 women all were registered during antenatal period and among them 53% were registered during first trimester. Among them 68.7% women had more than three antenatal visits, 90% were immunized with TT and 71.6% had consumed 100 or more IFA tablets. The utilization of antenatal care services were found to be significantly associated with the age of the women , religion, caste, socioeconomic class, place of delivery, mode of delivery, parity (P<0.05). Conclusions: The present study revealed that factors like age, religion, caste, socioeconomic status, place of delivery, parity were associated with utilization of antenatal care services. Government should make effort to increase the level of awareness and knowledge among the women about the adequate utilization of antenatal care services.