Nagar District Research Articles

Assessment of Groundwater Quality in S.A.S Nagar District, Punjab, India, using the Water Quality Index and GIS

Assessment of Groundwater Quality in S.A.S Nagar District, Punjab, India, using the Water Quality Index and GIS

Constraints Faced by Agripreneurs of U. S. Nagar District of Uttarakhand

Agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy. In this changing World scenario, agriculture is taking a new shape and expanding its scope beyond the limits of mere crop cultivation and animal husbandry for livelihood of rural population. Activities like diversification, value addition, precision farming, high tech agriculture, agripreneurship, global marketing, organic farming, etc. are gradually getting due attention of people involved in redefining agriculture. Agripreneurship is a strategy that can lead to economic self-sufficiency of rural people. Agripreneurship can generate employment opportunities in the primary sector, reduce migration to urban areas and can help in making villages self sufficient. Despite of several efforts to promote entrepreneurship in rural areas, rural agripreneurs are very few in number because even though agripreneurs start entrepreneurial venture assuming high risk, they soon give up due to various constraints. So, a study was conducted on agripreneurs of Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand using case study method to identify various constraints faced by rural agripreneurs. It was found that majority of agripreneurs faced technical constraints while establishing or running the enterprise followed by marketing constraints. Other than these constraints, there were psychological constraints, socio- cultural constraints, information related constraints, financial constraints, administrative constraints and managerial constraints which were faced by the agripreneurs in running the enterprise smoothly. The agripreneurs should be provided with the trainings to overcome these constraints being faced by them.

Comparative analysis of different vegetation indices with respect to atmospheric particulate pollution using sentinel data

Several remote sensing based indices have been developed for studying vegetation using varied combinations of spectral bands. However, for regions like Gautam Buddha Nagar (GBN) district where the atmospheric condition is highly influenced by particulate matter loading and human-induced pollution, such indices produce faulty results because of the effects of scattering and absorption in the atmosphere. To reduce these impacts on vegetation indices, atmospheric correction becomes essential. The general objective of this study is to evaluate two non-atmospherically corrected vegetation indices viz. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI); Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) and two atmospherically corrected vegetation indices viz. Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI); Atmospherically Resistant Vegetation Index (ARVI) with particular reference to GBN district which has high atmospheric aerosol presence. The spatio-temporal distribution of Aerosol Optical Density (AOD) and four vegetation indices for three months March (winter), June (summer) and October (post-monsoon) of year 2018 are analysed statistically. The mean AOD in all three seasons was observed to be above 0.05 and near to 1 indicating hazy conditions in the study area. Nine statistical image quality measures were employed such as Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR), entropy, Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Relative Average Spectral Error (RASE), Standard Deviation (SD), Correlation Coefficient (CC), ERGAS, Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), respectively to determine the best suitable index to study vegetation in highly polluted areas. The results indicated that the ARVI represents more enhanced vegetation information with respect to quantifying temporal variation of vegetation in all three seasons, especially in areas with high atmospheric particulate pollution.

Access and Use of Mobile Phone in Daily Life Activities by Rural Women of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

This study aims to investigate the access to a mobile phone, usage pattern, and its impact on mountainous rural women of two districts, i.e., Hunza and Nagar districts of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. To attain the objective of the research, the researchers have employed various statistic methods, and data were collected through a questionnaire from 190 respondents in the study area (200 respondents were selected). Initially, Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) and Bartlett’s tests were used for sampling adequacy, and factor analysis technique was used to explain correlations among multiple outcomes. The results revealed that 80% of women in the Hunza and Nagar districts own mobile phones (access) and 63% have good skills of mobile phone usage for a variety of purposes. Moreover, 56.4% of women use mobile phones in their daily life activities; however, 23.6% disagreed with the statements. On the contrary, the results show that 71.8% women use mobile phones for security purposes. Therefore, the study recommends that effective use of the mobile phone in daily activities of mountainous rural women can be one of the effective strategies to boost their confidence level and feeling of security. Finally, socioeconomic development of the area is possible by providing technical skills related to mobile phone business to the unskilled women of the two districts.

Unveiling Spatial Variation in Salt Affected Soil of Gautam Buddha Nagar District Based on Remote Sensing Indicators

Abstract Salt accumulation within the soil is one of the subtle ecological issues around the world. An integrated of remote sensing with different statistical techniques has indicated accomplishment for creating soil quality forecasting models. The objective of this research was to unveil the degree and location of the salt affected soils as it has a severe effect on the agricultural crop yield of the Gautam Buddha Nagar (GBN) district. To assess spatial variation of the salt-affected soil a simulation model integrating satellite observation data, artificial neural network (ANN) and multiple linear regression (MLR) was used. The statistical correlation amongst ground-truth data and Landsat original bands and band ratios showed that all the bands and ratios showed a non-significant correlation with SAR. While four optical bands and eleven band ratios showed high correlation with all the soil quality parameters. Combining all the remotely sensed variables into models resulted in the finest fit with the R2 value equal to 0.84, 0.69, 0.59 and 0.85 for EC, pH, ESP and TSS, respectively. The soil quality parameter maps generated using selected models revealed that most of the part of the agricultural land of the study area lies in the range of moderately saline and moderately sodic soil. Further Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was applied to generate overall soil degradation probability map of the district, with respect to salt accumulation. The result revealed that the major portion of the entire agricultural field of the study area lie between low (32.74 %) to moderate (29.53 %) probability zones of salt susceptibility.

Prioritization of Soil Erosion Vulnerable Areas of Upper Patiala-Ki-Rao Catchment Located on Shivalik Hills

Abstract In this research paper, morphometric analysis and prioritization were carried out for upper Patiala-Ki-Rao catchment lying on Shivalik hills of SAS Nagar district of Punjab and Panchkula district of Haryana state, India. Morphometric parameters were classified into three categories such as linear, areal and relief aspects. Remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) was used to quantify these morphometric parameters along with hypsometric and erosion integrals to understand watershed characteristics. Soil, slope, and land use thematic layers were prepared and with the help of GIS overlay technique, erosion vulnerable areas were identified based on priority by using analytical hierarchical process (AHP) proposed by Saaty (1980). These thematic layers were assigned weightage and ranks were assigned to the categories within it on the basis of relative susceptibility to soil erosion. Based on the present study, the selected watershed was finally classified into high, medium and low priority areas susceptible to erosion. The results of the present study are useful to decision-maker for planning relevant soil conservation techniques according to the severity of erosion.

Anaemia Prevalence and Contributory Factors among Children in Uttarakhand, India

Background: In India, Anaemia among children is still one of the major nutritional problems of public health concern.
 Aim of the Study: The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of anaemia among Anganwadi children (3-6 years of age) and to determine the important risk factors associated with anaemia.
 Study Design: Cross-sectional study.
 Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted among 390 Anganwadi children of Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand, during April, 2019- August, 2019.
 Methodology: In this cross sectional study, data on socio-demographic, socioeconomic, hygiene and dietary practices were collected using a self-structured questionnaire. Hemoglobin (Hb) and anthropometric measurements were carried out. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (AOR).
 Results: A majority, 70.54% of the Anganwadi children were found to be anaemic, with higher prevalence among male children (51.30%) as compared to female children (48.70%). The mean hemoglobin concentration of children was 9.91 (±1.9 g/dl). Stunting was higher among males (54.83%) as compared to females (45.17%).Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that anaemia was significantly associated with monthly income of family AOR (95% CI) 3.25(2.49, 4.00), mother's illiteracy AOR (95% CI) 1.98 (1.49, 2.46), history of anaemia in mother AOR (95% CI) 1.60(0.67, 2.52 ), history of worms in child's stool AOR (95% CI) 3.17(2.26,4.03), barefoot walking AOR (95% CI) 3.08(2.11,4.04) and lack of habit of hand washing AOR (95% CI) 1.55(0.98, 2.11).
 Conclusion: The prevalence of anaemia among children was high. Iron supplementation, nutrition education among mothers and overall personal hygiene are important to ameliorate their iron status.

Assessment of long-term climatic variability of Uttarakhand

A trend analysis was performed for historic (1901-2002) climatic variables (Rainfall, Maximum Temperature and Minimum Temperature) of Uttarakhand State located in Northern India. In the serially independent climatic variables, Mann-Kendall test (MK test) was applied to the original sample data. However, in the serially correlated series, prewhitening is utilized before employing the MK test. The results of this study indicated a declining trend of rainfall in monsoon season for seven out of thirteen districts of Uttarakhand state. However, an increasing trend was observed in Haridwar and Udhamsingh Nagar districts for summer season rainfall. For maximum and minimum temperature, a few districts exhibited a declining trend in monsoon season whereas many districts exhibited an increasing trend in winter and summer season. Mountain dominated areas (as Uttarakhand state) are specific ecosystems, distinguished by their diversity, sensitivity and intricacy. Thus the variability of rainfall and temperature has a severe and rapid impact on mountainous ecosystems. Nevertheless, mountains have significant impacts on hydrology, which may further threaten populations living in the mountain areas as well as in adjacent, lowland regions.

Evaluation of Groundwater Quality for Suitability of Irrigation Purposes: A Case Study in the Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand

In the present study, the groundwater quality for suitability in agriculture from Udham Singh Nagar district, Uttarakhand, has been evaluated. A total of 50 groundwater samples have been collected and analysed for pH, EC, TH, HCO3−, CO32−, Cl−, SO42−, NO3–, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+. To assess the groundwater quality for irrigation purpose, parameters like sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), soluble sodium percentage (SSP), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), magnesium hazards (MHs), permeability index (PI), and chloroalkaline index (CAI) values have been calculated. In USSL diagram, most of the groundwater samples fall in the C2S1 category and were safe for irrigation purpose. Only seven groundwater samples fall in the C3S1 category, indicating medium to high salinity which is safe for irrigation purpose for all types of soils but with limited care of exchangeable sodium. On the basis of RSC, all groundwater samples were observed to be suitable for irrigation purpose. Piper diagram indicated that 50% of the groundwater samples belonged to the Mg2+-Ca2+-HCO3− type and 48% was classified as the Ca2+-Mg2+-Cl− type. Durov diagram suggested possibilities of ion mixing and simple dissolution of ions from polluted soil.

Attitudes of senior secondary school students towards computer applications in relation to their study habits

The present study aimed to analyze the attitude of senior secondary school students towards computer application in relation to their study habits. A sample of 150 student of senior secondary school in Yamuna Nagar District in India was taken through stratified sampling technique. In the present study for assessment of attitudes of senior secondary school students towards computer application in relation to their study habits Computer Attitude Scale developed and standardized Study Habit and Attitudes scale developed and standardized was used. In order to accomplish the objectives of the present study, the descriptive survey method was considered appropriate for gathering data. T-test was used by the researcher for making the comparison. The result revealed that the attitude towards computer application and study habits are not interrelated, both are independent. Residential background and Gender of students does not affect the attitude and study habits.

Hydrochemical monitoring of groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation use in Rapti Basin

In the present study, groundwater of Siddhartha Nagar district was investigated to ascertain its quality for drinking and irrigation purposes based on Groundwater Quality Index (GWQI) and irrigation indices. Inverse Distance-Weighted (IDW) application was also used to prepare the spatial distribution maps of each groundwater quality parameter. It is observed that Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) in 41.6% of samples and Total Hardness (TH) concentrations in 75% (BIS)/100% (WHO) of samples were much higher than the permissible limit. GWQI values reveal that none of the samples has an excellent quality of water and 16.7% samples having good water quality. Similarly, 33.3%, 41.7% and 8.3% of samples has a fair, poor and very poor water quality respectively. Results from the Piper plot showed that Ca–HCO3 is the dominant hydrochemical facies. All samples were found in the rock dominance zone in Gibbs plots. Based on residual sodium carbonate (RSC) and soluble sodium percentage (SSP), 8.33% and 33.33% of the samples were found to be in the poor category and according to Kelly’s ratio (KR) 8.33% of the samples were found in unsuitable category. Permeability Index (PI) indicates that 50% of the groundwater samples were found in Class I (suitable) and 50% in Class II (marginally suitable) category for irrigation purpose.

Studies on morbidity pattern in Pantja goat under range conditions in Tarairegion of Uttarakhand

A study was conducted to collect the base line information on various factors affecting morbidity pattern in goats with special reference to Pantja breed under village conditions of Udham Singh Nagar and Nainital districts of Tarai region of the Uttarakhand during a period of two years (April, 2015 to March, 2017) under All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Goats (Pantja field Unit), Department of livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar. The results of present study revealed that the overall morbidity among (9023 goats) surveyed population was 27.96 per cent. The results also indicated that Coccidiosis (29.69%), infectious-enteritis (16.43%), miscellaneous (16.47%), pneumonia (13.58%), toxaemia/ acidosis (10.53%), general weakness (7.88%), predation (3.60%) and putrefied (1.82%) were the common causes of morbidity. Among the total morbidity of goat flock faced heavy morbidity was found to be in kids (69.24%) followed by young age (13.66%) and adult (17.10 %). The Chi-square analysis of overall morbidity rate in goats with respect to district showed that the district had significant (p<0.01) effect on morbidity rates in goats.

Vitamin D Deficiency in Rural Area of Gautam Buddh Nagar:An Observational Study

Background: In addition to bone formation, mineralization,calcium and phosphorus metabolism, vitamin D is also involved in maintaining normal neuromuscular function. Vitamin D deficiency is a public health problem in our country. Its deficiency is widely prevalent in urban population. However, rural Indian population is perceived to be at low risk of vitamin D deficiency due to their lifestyle exposing them to more sunlight. Aim: To study the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in rural population of Gautam Buddh Nagar district of national capital region. Methodology: Consequent 80 apparently healthy subjects of either sex from both rural and urban background, with nonspecific symptoms were studied for their demographic profile and 25(OH) vitamin D levels. Results: 25(OH) vitamin D level was 14.96 ng/ml in rural group and 16.25 ng/ml in urban group. A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was observed in both rural and urban population of Gautam Buddh Nagar. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is widely prevalent in our society including rural India. Apparently healthy subjects of rural population particularly women with nonspecific symptoms should be evaluated for vitamin D deficiency.

Estimation of physiological responses using two growth forms of lichens around coal-based Tanda Thermal Power Plant, Ambedkar Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh, India

Estimation of physiological responses using two growth forms of lichens around coal-based Tanda Thermal Power Plant, Ambedkar Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh, India

Comparative evaluation of the predictive value of cariogram and informal caries risk assessment among school-going children in the age group of 8-9 years of Yamuna Nagar District, Haryana.

This longitudinal, observational study was conducted in the schools of Yamunanagar, Haryana, to evaluate and compare the predictive value of formal type of caries risk assessment using reduced Cariogram software, including only seven factors and informal type among 8-9 years' school-going children. A. The precoded data were transferred to the computer and analyzed using the SPSS software (version 17.0). Data were analyzed for the identification of children with lesion progression and numbers of lesions progressing using the Transition Scoring System. Cariogram being a multifactorial model gives significant individual weightage to each etiological factor causing dental caries as compared to informal caries risk assessment which though easy to implement yet unstructured unlike cariogram and thus does not guarantee consistent implementation. Cariogram is a perfect option for patient motivation and supports the clinician in decision making for planning preventive strategies for the patients. Along with this, a combination of the factors for informal caries risk assessment can help in making a simple yet multifactorial model which can be applied in daily practice.

Evaluation of Groundwater Quality for Drinking Purpose using Different Water Quality Indices in Parts of Gautam Budh Nagar District, India

Water Quality Index (WQI) is a mathematical value for quality of water, which includes the concentration of a number of constituents present in it. Chemical and biological measures of water quality are used to represent water quality index. Measured value of the selected parameters, ideal concentration of that parameter in pure water and standard value given by different quality control organizations are used to determine this number. In the present study, three indexing methods; Weighted Arithmetic Water Quality Index (WAWQI), Groundwater Quality Index (GWQI) and Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCME WQI) were used to calculate water quality index of groundwater. A hydrochemical analysis of 22 groundwater samples was conducted to evaluate the quality of groundwater for drinking purpose. Ten hydrochemical parameters were selected for computing WQIs of groundwater samples and BIS standards were used for standardization. Analytical results show that 100 % of samples have magnesium and total hardness above the acceptable limit of BIS (10500, 2012). The mean concentration of nitrate was found 196.96 ± 9.3.18 mg/L. Spatial distribution of various parameters shows that south-east part of study area has contaminated groundwater. The results of water quality index shows that drinking water quality of 82 % (WAWQI), 95 % (GWQI) and 77 % (CCME WQI) of groundwater samples were poor to unsuitable type. Water quality index map also reveals that groundwater of village Badhpura, Dhoom Manikpur, Dairy Maccha, Khera Dharampura, Bisrakh road, Duryai and Dujana of district Gautam Budh Nagar of India, was not fit for human consumption.

Glomus fasciculatum, a dominant arbuscular mycorrhizal species in the rhizosphere soils of Setaria italica in Mahabubnagar district of Telangana state, India

The arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal association in the rhizosphere soils of Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv. from 8 Mandals of Mahabubnagar district, Telangana state, India, were studied. A significant number of AM fungi were identified in the present study, i.e., 53. Among the 53 AM fungi, Glomus was represented by 23 species, Acaulospora with 11, Sclerocystis with 6, Scutellospora with 5, Gigaspora with 4, and Funneliformis with 2, Ambispora and Archaeospora with 1 species. Glomus fasciculatum was the dominant species among the Glomus genera isolated from the rhizosphere soil samples of 34 villages in Mahabub Nagar district of Telangana State. The AM fungi spore density ranged from 74 to 270 per 100 gm soil (average 145), while the root colonization ranged from 50.67% to 93.33% (average 75.71%). This study provides valuable information on AM fungal association in Setaria italica.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome among Students in Pantnagar Area of Northern India

The cross sectional community based study was conducted to assess the prevalence of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and its associated factors among college going girls (20-30 years) residing in hostels of U.S. Nagar district of Northern India. The data on 250 subjects was obtained using self-designed pre-tested questionnaires during March to June 2018. Information was collected on menstrual and clinical history, dietary history, physical activity parameters and general information of subjects. The data was presented in percentages; chi square analysis, correlation analysis and rate ratio was also used to analyze the association between dependent and independent variables. The results showed that the prevalence of PCOS was 6% as evaluated by clinical diagnostic tool used in the questionnaire. A total of 18.4% subjects reported variable or long menstrual cycles, 6% subjects reported less than 9 menses annually and 7.2% subjects reported irregular menses with weight gain. A significant association was found between PCOS and high body mass index values and sedentary physical activity level. It was found that overweight and obese subjects have seven times higher risk of developing PCOS as compared to underweight and normal individuals. Also subjects with sedentary physical activity level have eight times higher risk of developing PCOS as compared to their counterparts with moderate physical activity. No strong association was found between PCOS and fast food consumption. The study concluded that body mass index and physical activity level of subjects were associated with poly cystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) using rate ratio as a tool. The study results indicate the need to conduct large study on PCOS in India.

Selenium Contamination of Groundwater of Malwa Belt of Punjab (India)

Punjab is facing a crisis situation due to high levels of uranium, arsenic and selenium in underground water table of Punjab. Malwa belt of Punjab, namely, Ludhiana, Ferozepur, Roop Nagar and Fatehgarh sahib districts have high selenium contents in groundwater. Selenium Acceptable Limit (AL) for groundwater is fixed at 0.01 mg/l (ppm) by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). In this report, groundwater quality data pertaining to selenium in the Malwa belt is reported. The highest value of selenium content of 0.14 mg/l (ppm) was reported in the water drawn from a handpump in the village Urna of Ludhiana district. Out of 80 villages of Ludhiana district with selenium content above AL value, 38 have selenium contamination levels higher than 0.015 mg/l (ppm). Roop Nagar, Ferozepur and Fatehgarh Sahib districts have 29, 9 and 17 villages with selenium content above the AL value, respectively. The possible health hazard effects of selenium are reported on the basis of studies carried out in the USA, China and Italy. Keywords: Selenium, acceptable limit, Malwa belt of Punjab, health hazards of Selenium Cite this Article Virk HS. Selenium Contamination of Groundwater of Malwa Belt of Punjab, India. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Toxicology . 2019; 9(1): 13–20p.

A process-based insight to the recent disappearance of streams in the central part of Tarai region, Uttarakhand, India.

The integrated study of geomorphology and hydrogeology could be significant in predicting and assessing the groundwater environment of ecologically sensitive terrains such as the Tarai region in North India. In this article, we integrate topographic elevation, stream network, water level data, and input and output stresses acting on the aquifer to understand the hydrological processes and linkages between groundwater dynamics and geomorphic elements in Rudrapur sub-division of Udham Singh Nagar district, Uttarakhand in the central part of Tarai region. The study area was selected on account of the fact that the Rudrapur area of late has witnessed rapid agricultural growth, urbanization, and industrialization. It has been observed that primarily, water table elevations are controlled by the topography of the region. Further, the groundwater abstraction has increased with time; however, except in urbanized sectors, the water level does not show any significant decline. This has been attributed to increased recharge. Prima facie, it appears to be ecologically balanced. However, in a temporal framework, it was observed that over the years, a few streams have disappeared to compensate for enhanced groundwater abstraction. The article explains the underlying hydrological processes behind the disappearance of streams with help of schematic diagrams. It also put forward reasons for the persistence of shallow water level in parts of the study area. It suggests for preservation of the waterways of disappeared streams as possible sites for remedial measures like check dams etc. if required in future on account of over-exploitation of groundwater resources.