Central Indian Region Research Articles

Addressing Urban–Rural Water Conflicts in Nagpur through Benefit Sharing

Urban and rural areas often meet their water demands from a shared stock of finite water resources. Against the changing climate, the rising water demands in fast-growing urban areas are leading to increasing water-use conflicts with the co-dependent rural areas. Although poor water governance is frequently cited as the key reason for such urban–rural conflicts, it is also recognized as a potential pathway to resolve them. In the case of Nagpur Region in Central India, water stress has today become a subject of serious concern. The water demands in Nagpur City are primarily met through the multipurpose Pench Dam on priority, but the recently declining water availability has raised undue concerns for irrigation in the Pench command areas. To substantiate the limited understanding of ongoing water conflicts in the wider Nagpur Metropolitan Area, this study analyzes a specific set of secondary data related to the history of the Pench Project and its water utilization trends. By uncovering the periodic decline in irrigated area and the increasing groundwater use for irrigation, the cross-sectoral and transboundary implications of increasing water transfer to Nagpur City are revealed. To address these concerns, this study then suggests feasible governance strategies based on benefit sharing and multi-stakeholder engagement.

Current Taxonomy of the Lichen Family Teloschistaceae from India with Descriptions of New Species

The present study recorded 36 genera and 115 species of the lichen family Teloschistaceae in India. Three species, i.e. Caloplaca rajasthanica S. Y. Kondr., Upreti et G. P. Sinha, Huriella upre- tiana S. Y. Kondr., G. K. Mishra, Nayaka et A. Thell, and Squamulea uttarkashiana S. Y. Kondr., Upreti, Nayaka et A. Thell, are described as new species. Seven new combinations, i.e. Fulgo- gasparrea awasthii (Y. Joshi et Upreti) S. Y. Kondr., Upreti et A. Thell, Neobrownliella cinnabarina (Ach.) S. Y. Kondr., Upreti et A. Thell, Neobrownliella holochracea (Nyl.) S. Y. Kondr., Upreti et A. Thell, Opeltia flavorubescens (Huds.) S. Y. Kondr. et J.-S. Hur, Oxneriopsis bassiae (Willd. ex Ach.) S. Y. Kondr., Upreti et J.-S. Hur, Upretia hueana (B. de Lesd.) S. Y. Kondr. et Upreti and Megaspora subpoliotera (Y. Joshi et Upreti) S. Y. Kondr., Upreti et A. Thell, are proposed based on nrITS phylogeny in the Teloschistaceae and Megasporaceae consequently. Validation of combination Olegblumia demissa is provided. Molecular data on Fulgogasparrea awasthii andMegaspora subpoliotera are recorded from India for the first time. Four new genera including one species each, i.e. Lazarenkoiopsis ussuriensis (Oxner, S. Y. Kondr. et Elix) S. Y. Kondr., L. őkö et J.-S. Hur, Mikhtomia gordejevii (Tomin) S. Y. Kondr., Kärnefelt, Elix, A. Thell, J. Kim, A. S. Kondratiuk et J.-S. Hur, Olegblumia demissa (Flot.) S. Y. Kondr., L. őkö, J. Kim, A. S. Kond- ratiuk, S.-O. Oh et J.-S. Hur and Pachypeltis intrudens (H. Magn.) Sochting Froden et Arup, as well as the genus Megaspora are reported as new for the Indian lichen biota.Out of the eight lichenogeographical regions of India, the Western Himalayas show the maximum diversity of Teloschistaceae members represented with 110 species followed by the Central Indian region with 38 species. The lichen genus Caloplaca is represented with 50 species in the country followed by Athallia and Rusavskia with 6 species each. The saxi- colous taxa exhibit dominance with 65 species whereas the corticolous and terricolous taxa are represented by 48 and 9 species, respectively. Among the different states of India, Ut- tarakhand showed the maximum diversity represented by 54 species followed by the state of Jammu & Kashmir with 37 species, whereas the Jharkhand and Meghalaya states are represented only by the occurrence of a single species each. A key to the genera and species together with the description, basionyms and synonyms of each species are provided.

Basalt–sediment configuration in the Tapti rift of central Indian region as derived from magnetotelluric (MT) studies and hydrocarbon prospects

Geochemical studies in Deccan syneclise have identified anomalous concentration of light hydrocarbon gases in the surface soil from the Tapti rift region in Narmada–Son Lineament, India. We have reanalysed and modelled broadband MT data from this region to delineate basalts and underlying sediment configuration, which is favourable for hydrocarbon accumulation. We carried out 1D and 3D modelling of the MT data for this purpose. Modelling studies brought regions of thick sub-basaltic sediments towards NW and SW of Nepanagar. But very less anomalous light hydrocarbon gas concentration is observed along NW of Nepanagar. This may be due to the presence of thick basalt cover in that area, which prevents the leakage of gaseous hydrocarbons on to the surface soil. We observed a comparatively thin basalt layer and high sediment thickness with a high concentration of light hydrocarbon gases near to Burhanpur area, which strongly suggests better hydrocarbon prospects in the area. It is inferred that the relatively thin and fractured/vesicular nature of basalt in this region facilitates the upward migration of light hydrocarbon components to the surface soil.

A comparative morphological study of human hyoid bone in Malwa Region of Central India

There are many tools and a technique for identification of sex in unknown human skeletons one of them is morph metric study of the human hyoid bone is a useful tool. Work for hyoid bone with respect weight and different measurement of identification of sex. In our study 32 male and 18 female bones of age group range 15 to 60 years were received from the human deceased body during post-mortem. In greater part dimension there is a obvious dissimilarity between male & female hyoid bone. The Mean, Range, SD & all parameter of the hyoid bone were calculated by the typical technique.The material include 50 specimens of hyoid bones received from deceased human body during dissection, museum at Index medical college institute and research centre at Indore and autopsy at M.G.M Medical College, Indore from 2013-2016. Out of 200 medico legal cases in the age range from 15 years to 60 years, measurements carried out with the help of vernier caliper & electronic weighing machine.The consequences of these boundary female qualities are not exactly the in male. The mean vertical length between center of the foremost surface of the body & cross over line drawn between the tubercles of more cornua in the midline in males is 36.812±3.16 mm & in females is 32.31 ± 2.44 mm, the distinction being significant (p value < 0.001).The investigations of the male human hyoid bone for the principal of the estimations were more when contrasted with the estimations of female human hyoid bones. In a large portion of the boundaries there was a clear differentiation between the estimations of both male female. For recognition of sex in these bones, single figuring may not be adequate to choose the sex of the bones and it gets required to see all the estimation before choosing the sex of a unidentified hyoid bone.

The Study of Profile of Autopsy Cases of Hanging with Respect to Educational Status, Family Status and Place of Hanging of Victims in a Rural Region of Central India

The increase crime rates with stress in the day to day life is responsible for vide range of medico legalautopsies in the society. The violent asphyxial deaths are responsible for the large number of medicolegalautopsies out of which hanging is a very common in society. Hanging is the cheapest and painless formof self-destruction. It has been employed as the method of suicide since time immortal. The study underconsideration is a cross sectional study which was carried on the dead bodies of either sex. The deceasedwere brought for medico legal autopsy with the history probably revealing the cause of death due to hangingin the autopsy room at a medical college in Central India from 1st August 2011 to 31st July 2017. Thenumber of hanging cases during the study period were 101,the majority of victims 66 (65.34%) belong to thenuclear family while the 31 (30.69%) cases belong to the joint family. The family status of 4 (3.96%) casescannot be ascertained as the bodies were unidentified. The majority of victims 70 (69.30%) cases, preferredindoor place for hanging while about 31 (30.69%) cases preferred outdoor place for hanging. Consideringtheir educational status about 24.75% cases had educated upto primary school, 10.89% had upto secondaryschool, 24.75% upto higher secondary, 22.77% upto graduate or more and 11.88% were uneducated. Also in4.95% cases, the educational status was unknown.

A review of plants used in ethnoveterinary medicine in Central India

The Central Indian region consists mainly with Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh states of India and occupied the core zone of the country. The various tribal communities comprise about 24% population of Central India. The scrutiny of literature on ethnoveterinary medicines of Central India indicates that there are about 270 plant species under 218 genera and 84 families are used by tribal and rural communities of Central India for the treatment of 139 types of different ailments, diseases and disorders of their pet/domestic animals. This indigenous knowledge and practice of tribal and rural people is based primarily on locally available medicinal plants found in their surroundings. Therefore, all these medicinal plants should be scientifically screened in order to find out newer sources of ethnoveterinary drugs of herbal origin.

Role of CD4- and CD8-Positive T Cells in Breast Cancer Progression and Outcome: A Pilot Study of 47 Cases in Central India Region

Immune response plays an important role in cancer progression. In humans, the study of the inflammatory infiltrate in malignancies, mainly T lymphocytes, has been a subject of great interest. The study was conducted to correlate CD4- and CD8-positive lymphocyte expression with other prognostic factors in invasive breast cancer, such as clinical stage, histological grade, tumour size and clinical course. It was a retrospective cross-sectional study. In this study, 47 cases of breast carcinoma which were diagnosed at least 12 months back from the initiating point of study were included. The immunohistochemical expression of CD4 and CD8 in lymphocytes infiltrating the intratumoural, adjacent or distant stroma sites was studied and correlated with other prognostic factors. Less occurrence of adverse outcome was found with the presence of CD8+ T cells anywhere in the vicinity of tumour (only 27%, 7 out of 26 cases) as compared to the group in which both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were absent where adverse outcome occurred in 78% (7 of 9 cases, p = 0.007). High histological grade was found to be associated with negative CD8+ T cells staining in 21 out of 30 cases with grade III tumours at distant stroma site (p = 0.026). Presence of CD8 cells at intratumoural site had reduced disease-free survival (DFS) (8 months) as compared to their absence at the same site (DFS = 31 months, log rank p = 0.001). CD4 and CD8 staining did not correlate with clinical staging (p > 0.05). Infiltration around the primary tumour by CD8+ T cells in carcinoma breast is a sign of good prognosis, while their absence indicates more adverse outcomes. On the other hand, intratumoural infiltration is associated with rapid advancement of disease. CD4+ cells did not correlate well with prognosis.

Impact of Forest Fire Frequency on Tree Diversity and Species Regeneration in Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest of Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India

ABSTRACT The current study analyzes the tree diversity and regeneration status of species between repeated forest fires and unburned areas of the tropical dry deciduous forest of Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR), Madhya Pradesh, Central India. Fire frequency maps were prepared with the help of Landsat 5, 7, and 8 satellite images, and the study area was classified into seven fire frequency classes (B1 to B7) and one control class (B0). Five plots were laid in every fire class including the control. A total of 45 tree species belonging to 33 genera and 20 families were recorded during the study period and of these, 44, 26, and 25 species were recorded in the three-growth stages: trees, saplings, and seedlings, respectively. Of the 7873 individuals recorded, 2667, 1243, and 3963 were seedlings, saplings, and trees, respectively. Our results showed that tree species diversity was higher at moderate fire frequencies than controls, but decreased with increasing fire frequency classes. Regeneration of species was significantly different among all fire frequency classes. Certain fire-tolerant species were increasingly dominant with increasing fire frequency classes. With fires left to continue unabated, the dry deciduous forest of the Central Indian region could have lower tree diversity in the future.

An Investigation of the Elevated Aerosol Layer Using a Polarization Lidar Over a Tropical Rural Site in India

Polarization lidar observations were made to study the transport of an elevated aerosol layer over Gadanki, India (13.45° N, 79.17° E) during the pre-monsoon period of the year 2009. Observations show significant aerosol layering within and above the boundary layer. Coordinated observations with radiosondes were carried out from 2 to 10 April 2009. Temporal and spatial variations of the parameters are studied for the boundary layer (≈ 2.5 km) and up to 5 km. The backscattering coefficient and the depolarization ratio are observed to increase and decrease with an increase in humidity, respectively. Clouds are not formed, indicating less efficiency of the aerosol in acting as condensation nuclei. The transport of the elevated aerosol layer is investigated using a back-trajectory analysis, revealing that the transported layer originating from the central Indian region has a depolarization ratio of at least 0.05. From model analysis and satellite fire-count data, it is inferred that the source of the aerosol layer is wildfire events over the central Indian region. The elevated smoke-aerosol layer (not mixing with the boundary layer) has implications for the altering of the temperature profile of the atmosphere and the suppression of cloud formation.

Building climate resilience in degraded agricultural landscapes through water management: A case study of Bundelkhand region, Central India

Rainfall variability and water scarcity continue to hamper the food and income security of smallholder farming systems in poverty-affected regions. Innovations in soil and water management, especially in the drylands, are critical for meeting food security and water productivity targets of Agenda 2030. This study analyzes how rainfed agriculture can be intensified with marginal impact on the landscape water balance. The impact of rainwater harvesting structures on landscape hydrology and associated agricultural services was analyzed in the semi-arid Jhansi district of Bundelkhand region in central India. The Parasai-Sindh pilot watershed was subjected to a 5-year (2012–2016) monitoring of rainfed system improvements in water availability and crop intensification due to surface water storage (haveli system), check dams, and field infiltration structures. Hydrological processes were monitored intensively to analyze the landscape’s water balance components. Rainwater harvesting (RWH) structures altered the landscape’s hydrology, limiting average surface runoff from 250 mm/year to 150 mm/year over the study period. Groundwater levels increased by 2–5 m (m), alleviating water scarcity issues of the communities in recurring dry years. Nearly 20% of fallow lands were brought under cultivation. Crop yields increased by 10–70% and average household income increased from US$ 960/year to US$ 2700/year compared to that in the non-intervention landscape. The combined soil–water–vegetation efforts strengthened water resilience and environmental systems in agricultural landscape.

Do tribal children experience elevated risk of poor nutritional status in India? A multilevel analysis

Economic progress in India over the past three decades has not been accompanied by a commensurate improvement in the nutritional status of children, and a disproportionate burden of undernutrition is still focused on socioeconomically disadvantaged populations in the poorest regions. This study examined the nutritional status of children under 3 years of age using data from the fourth round of Indian National Family Health Survey conducted in 2015-2016. Child undernutrition was assessed in a sample of 126,431 under-3 children using the anthropometric indices of stunting, underweight and wasting ('anthropometric failure') across 640 districts, 5489 primary sampling units and 35 states/UTs of India. Descriptive statistics were used to examine the regional pattern of childhood undernutrition. Multilevel logistic regression models were fitted to examine the adjusted effect of social group (tribal vs non-tribal) and economic, demographic and contextual factors on the risks of stunting, underweight and wasting accounting for the hierarchical nature of the data. Interaction effects were estimated to model the joint effects of socioeconomic position (household wealth, maternal education, urban/rural residence and geographical region) and social group (tribal vs non-tribal) with the likelihood of anthropometric failure among children. The burden of childhood undernutrition was found to vary starkly across social, economic, demographic and contextual factors. Interaction effects demonstrated that tribal children from economically poorer households, with less-educated mothers, residing in rural areas and living in the Central region of India had elevated odds of anthropometric deprivation than other tribal children. The one-size-fits-all approach to tackling undernutrition in tribal children may not be efficient and could be counterproductive.

Evaluation of CORDEX- South Asia regional climate models for heat wave simulations over India

The episodes of heat wave events have strengthened in recent decades causing great concern for human health, agriculture and natural ecosystem. In the present study, Regional Climate Models (RCMs) namely, CCAM and RegCM, from Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiments (CORDEX) for South Asia (SA) are evaluated for simulating heat waves (March–June) for a long-term period (1971 to 2005) over India in comparison with observations from India Meteorological Department (IMD). The statistical analysis (correlation, RMSE, MAE, ECDF) results reveal differences in RCMs in simulating spatial pattern and trends of maximum temperature before bias correction. Variance scaling bias correction is found to remove bias and improve model simulations in capturing temperature variability. An increase in correlation in daily observations from 0.24 to 0.70 and reduction in RMSE from 8.08 °C to 2.02 °C and MAE from 3.87 °C to 2.43 °C after bias correction is observed between model and observation.LMDZ4 and GFDL-ESM2M are found to perform best in simulating interannual variability of seasonal mean maximum temperature with an underestimation of −7.74% and −15.41% which improved significantly to around −1.51% and − 0.78%, respectively after bias correction over India. LMDZ4 and GFDL-ESM2M are also best-performing models in significantly reproducing the heat wave frequency and spatial variability in closer proximity with observations over India amongst all models after bias correction. Over NW and western regions, the LMDZ4 and GFDL-ESM2M ensemble models successfully capture the increasing trend of 0.2 events/year and 0.4 events/year accordance to IMD and IITM criteria, respectively. However, the ACCESS1.0, CNRM-CM5 and CCSM4 ensemble experiments overestimated heat waves by ±40 events in most sub-divisions in India. Over the central Indian regions, the ACCESS 1.0 and CNRM-CM5 model output show a negative trend of −0.2 events/year and large spatial variability possibly due to model associated uncertainties. Overall the results show an improvement in capturing maximum temperature and heat waves across the regions of Indian sub-continent in the bias-corrected downscaled CORDEX-SA ensemble RCMs than without bias-corrected output. The study suggests a way forward to assess RCMs performance and uncertainty in extreme weather analysis in future projections.

Multi-satellite precipitation products for meteorological drought assessment and forecasting in Central India

In this study, a comparative analysis of three satellite precipitation products including the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM-3B43 V7), the Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks-Climate Data Record (PERSIANN-CDR), and the Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station (CHIRPS V2) with ground-measured Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) precipitation data were performed to estimate the meteorological drought in the Bundelkhand region of Central India. The high-resolution CHIRPS data showed the closest agreement with the IMD precipitation and well captured the drought characteristics. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) identified seven major droughts events during the period of 1981 to 2016. Appropriate calibration and validation were performed for drought forecasting using the Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model. The forecasting result showed a reasonably good agreement with the observed datasets with the one-month lead time. The outcomes of this study have policy level implications for drought monitoring and preparedness in this region.

Standing up for forest: A case study on Baiga women's mobilization in community governed forests in Central India

The forest history in India is fraught with struggles between the forest dwelling communities and the state. While the state usurped power over forests, excluding the communities and privileging commercial interests; the alienation of communities from their own land and homes resulted in mobilization across different sites. The movement for protection of forest commons assumed significance through the decade of 1970s that saw the famous Chipko movement in Uttarakhand and other forms of resistance across the country. The demand upon the forests that had intensified with subsistence, commercial and urbanization pressures, further enhanced with pressures of globalization. The consequent environmental degradation and dispossession of the communities of their resources resulted in varieties of environmentalism. In the arena of environmental conflict, Central India has been a hotbed of contest with forcible evictions, increasing base of extractive industries and steady militarization. The tribal communities in Central India faced serious threat from a monolithic state as it prioritized ‘national development’ goals over social equity and environmental justice. Rooted in this inequity was widespread discontent and social mobilization across the forested landscape. The local mobilization in Baiga Chak area of Central India clearly marked recognition of their socio-cultural embeddedness in their natural setting, particularly forest. What was unique in this movement was the uprising of Baiga women to assert their rights over the forest contrary to their traditionally defined role. It gradually led to collectivization of demand for recognition of Baiga communities’ historical relationship and claims over forest resource. Using the framework of Feminist Political Ecology, this paper examines Baiga women’s movement against Forest Department’s unlawful practices in Baiga Chak region of Central India. Using a case-based approach, the paper addresses the following questions: What factors led to the feminized grassroots environmental movement? How have women’s bargaining power and gender relations evolved at the local level consequently? What effect does women’s resistance have on community governed forest systems? In response to state usurpation that threatened the livelihood and household well-being, Baiga women collectively struggled to regain control over local forest resources. The analysis of this gendered environmental movement establishes an intersection between local structural, economic and ecological concerns and signals possibility of several gendered social movements in contested resource geographies.

Assessment of precipitation extremes in India during the 21st century under SSP1-1.9 mitigation scenarios of CMIP6 GCMs

This study used a 30-year observed (1985–2014) precipitation, and the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Phase 6 (CMIP6) Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) based precipitation scenarios to assess the impact of precipitation extremes in near future (2020–2049) and far future (2070–2099) periods over India. For the assessment of precipitation extremes, standard extreme precipitation indices (EPIs) such as mean precipitation, cumulative wet days (CWD), cumulative dry days (CDD), number of rainy days (NR), precipitation events between 10 and 20 mm (P1020), precipitation events between 20 and 40 mm (P2040), precipitation events > 40 mm (PG40), annual maximum 1-day precipitation (Rx1day), and annual maximum 5-day precipitation (Rx5day) have been utilized. The percentage of change (or magnitude of change) has been calculated between CMIP6 scenarios and observed precipitation for all EPIs in the near future (NF-2020-2049) and far future (FF-2070-2099) times. The CMIP6 global climate models (GCMs) contain a significant amount of uncertainty. Thus, the quantile mapping approach has been applied to correct the bias in CMIP6 scenarios with reference to observed precipitation. This study also compares the results of precipitation extremes obtained in this study with previously published CMIP5 GCMs based precipitation extreme scenarios. This study’s observations clarified that a significant seasonal diversity and individuality existed among all the selected CMIP6 GCMs based precipitation scenarios (2020–2099) across India. As per EPIs, such as CDD based plots showed an increase (25–75%) in CDD over significant portions of India, while CWD plots showed an increase of CWD over a few areas of northwest, central, and northeastern India regions. In the case of event-based indices, all four CMIP6 GCMs showed some distinctive behavior, but the overall extremely high precipitation events such as PG40 showed a significant increase (25–80%) in both NF and FF times across India, except for a few grids.

Characterization of the Soil Properties of Citrus Orchards in Central India using Remote Sensing and GIS

Nagpur mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco), considered as one of the major commercial fruit crops, is grown in hot, dry and sub-humid bioclimatic region of Central India. Area under this cash crop is highest in the state Maharashtra, but low productivity as compared to other citrus-growing states of India is of a major concern. Information regarding the productive suitable areas for this crop cultivation in the state is lacking in order to address the problem. Hence, a study was conducted in Wardha district of Maharashtra to find out the most suitable soil-site characteristics for citrus orchards to enhance the productivity. In the present investigation, inductive modeling approach is used to derive the required properties. The objective was to compare the soil properties with the established suitability criteria for citrus to minimize soil-related constraints and thus to enhance the quantity as well as quality of the produce. The citrus-grown areas were visually interpreted from merged product of IRS LISS-IV and Cartosat-1 image of the study area. The healthy citrus orchard areas were identified based on normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values derived from LISS-IV image. The layer which contained the information of higher NDVI values with citrus orchards was overlaid on the soil and slope map of the study area to obtain desired soil and slope information. Results revealed that heavy textured clay soils dominated the healthy citrus orchards. Soil reaction was alkaline (11.49 thousand ha) in majority of the areas followed by neutral (1.75 thousand ha) pH. Orchards were mostly located at very gently sloping condition, and in most of the cases, soils were very deep in nature. The study thus revealed the most suitable physical, fertility and chemical properties of soil and other properties like slope for better management of citrus-growing orchards in Maharashtra.

Calvatia Species: Wild Edible Puff Balls from Amravati Region (M.S.)

India has a rich treasure of natural resources and macromycetes is one of them. Studies on wild mushrooms with special reference to their edibility, utility and medicinal value with the early references on larger fungi may be beneficial for humanity. Traditional aborigines knew the medicinal importance of edible and wild mushrooms and these are now being screened for their bioactivity in various ailments. From several bio-geographical regions of India, at least 2000 edible species of larger fungi were reported. But, the Central India region has not been investigated extensively for mushroom flora. Therefore, mycofloristic surveys were undertaken. During mycofloristic study two Calvatia species (puff-balls) viz. Calvatia cyathiformis and Calvatia fragilis were investigated from Amravati region. Reviewed literature on Calvatia species predicts that these species are new for Vidarbha (M.S.) and are edible in nature with good therapeutic potential. Edibility was confirmed by the interaction with tribal people of Korku and Pardhi community. Taxonomic identification, edibility, nutritional status and therapeutic potential of Calvatia-complex were noted by referring the standard literature. In developing countries like India, mushrooms like Calvatia are boon for progress in the fields of food, medicine and unemployment.

Changes in the relationship between Indian Ocean dipole and Indian summer monsoon rainfall in early and recent multidecadal epochs during different phases of monsoon

AbstractIn this study, we explored the changes in the Indian Ocean Dipole‐Indian summer monsoon rainfall (IOD‐ISMR) relationship from early (1951–1980) to recent (1986–2015) multidecades during onset (June), peak (July–August) and withdrawal (September) phases of Indian summer monsoon. The analyses indicate that the IOD‐ISMR relationship is strengthening (weakening) during withdrawal (onset) phases over most of the Indian regions in the recent decades. During the peak phase, the relationship changes from out‐of‐phase (negative correlation) to in‐phase (positive correlation) in most of the Indian subcontinent. During positive IOD (pIOD) events, an increase in rainfall during all the phases is observed over the Indian region in the recent decades. Conversely, a general decrease in rainfall is observed over the Indian subcontinent during negative IOD (nIOD) events, except for the onset phase. The changes in sea surface temperature (SST), low level circulation and moisture transport over the equatorial Indian Ocean are linked to the changes in rainfall during both the positive and negative IOD events in the recent decades. However, most noticeable changes are observed during the peak and withdrawal phases. In the recent decades, during all the phases, a relatively strengthened low level jet (LLJ) with respect to the early decades is observed over the equatorial Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea associated with pIOD events. It causes a zone of moisture convergence over the northeast regions of India, which is conducive for above normal rainfall conditions in the monsoon trough zone and central Indian regions. In the case of nIOD events, the relatively weakened (strengthened) LLJ with respect to the early decades suppresses (enhances) the transport of moisture to the Indian region during the peak and withdrawal (onset) phases and cause reduced (enhanced) rainfall conditions. The observed results are more robust during the peak and withdrawal phases than that during the onset phase.

Regional Analysis of Associations between Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices and Diarrhoea in Indian Children.

Studies on the association between infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices and diarrhoea across regional India are limited. Hence, we examined the association between IYCF practices and diarrhoea in regional India. A weighted sample of 90,596 (North = 11,200, South = 16,469, East = 23,317, West = 11,512, Central = 24,870 and North-East = 3228) from the 2015–2016 National Family Health Survey in India was examined, using multivariate logistic regressions that adjust for clustering and sampling weights. The IYCF indicators included early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF), exclusive breastfeeding (ExcBF), predominant breastfeeding (PBF), bottle feeding (BotF), continued breastfeeding (BF) at one-year, continued BF at two years, children ever breastfed and the introduction of solid, semi-solid or soft foods (ISSSF). Diarrhoea prevalence was lower among infants who were BF within one-hour of birth and those who were exclusively breastfed. Multivariate analyses revealed that continued BF at one and two years, and infants who were introduced to complementary foods had a higher prevalence of diarrhoea. EIBF and ExcBF were protective against diarrhoea in the regions of North, East and Central India. PBF, BotF and ISSSF were risk factors for diarrhoea in Central India. Continued BF at two years was a risk factor for diarrhoea in Western India. Findings suggested that EIBF and ExcBF were protective against diarrhoea in Northern, Eastern and Central India, while PBF, BotF, continued BF at two years and ISSSF were risk factors for diarrhoea in various regions in India. Improvements in IYCF practices are likely to reduce the burden of diarrhoea-related morbidity and mortality across regions in India.

Factors explaining regional variation in under-five mortality in India: An evidence from NFHS-4.

Although child mortality has declined in India, pronounced regional and socioeconomic inequality exists. The study examines the effects of individual- and community-level characteristics on under-five mortality and investigates the extent to which they affect regional variation. The study is based on Indian National Family and Health Survey 4, 2015-16 data. A two-level logistic regression model was performed to examine the effects of the socio-economic characteristics, and multivariate decomposition analysis was done to assess the contribution of factors in the inter-regional under-five mortality differentials. Regional variation in the selected variables is observed. For instance, the percentage of children with small childbirth size varied from 9.7% in the southern to 21.6% in the northeastern region. The percentage of poor households, low educated mothers, and childbirths delivered at home facility were higher in the central and eastern region compared to the southern region. The multilevel analysis shows that the region of residence explained 15.8% variance, and community-level characteristics alone could explain 25.3% variation in the risk of under-five deaths. The decomposition analysis indicates that the average number of excess deaths in the central and eastern regions is higher compared to the other regions. The compositional differences account for 50.9% of the under-five mortality gaps between the south and north region, 80.9% of the gap between the south and east, and 42.9% of the gap between the south and central region of India. Special attention and targeted action are needed to address the underlying causes of low birth weight of children in all the regions of India. Region-specific interventions might be priorities; for example, north, and central regions, need an economic and educational uplift, while infrastructural and economic policies should be prioritized for the northeastern region. Also, region-specific community-level interventions are needed to improve child survival in India.