Nasik District Research Articles

Studies on the Vegetation of Surgana-Harsul Ranges of the Sahyadries, Nasik District, Maharashtra

This paper gives a preliminary account of the flora of the deciduous forests of Surgana, Peint, Bahre and Harsul ranges of the Sahyadries, Western ghats, Maharashtra State. The general composition of the vegetation which varies considerably from the valleys to the high hill tops has been briefly indicated. 403 species belonging to 83 families of Angiosperms and 5 species of Pteridophytes are enumerated. Families like Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Rubiaceae and Poaceae are well represented.

Impact of Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme on Grape Beneficiary Farmers

Agriculture in India is extremely vulnerable to incidence of extreme weather events which leads to agrarian distress. Farmers are sensitive to agricultural risks and, as a result require insurance. Climate variability and extreme weather events have become a great threat to agricultural production in India. The projected increase in droughts, floods, heat and cold waves, cyclones, extreme precipitation events will result in greater instability in food production. Grape fruit crop is extremely sensitive to climate change; year by year many farmers are indebted due to very meager yields. Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) is one such scheme which was recent crop insurance launch by Government of India to mitigate the hardship of the insured farmers against the likelihood of financial loss on account of crop loss resulting from adverse weather conditions. Grape fruit crop was taken into consideration to assess the impact of the ‘RWBCIS’ on beneficiaries. The study was conducted in the year 2021-2022 in Nasik district of Maharashtra state. The sample consists of total 150 farmers, 75 beneficiary farmers and 75 non-beneficiary farmers of RWBCIS. With the help of tools like Crop diversification, Cropping intensity and Incremental cost benefit ratio an attempt is made to find out the impact of the RBWCIS on beneficiary farmers in comparison to non-beneficiary farmers. The results showed that there is no significant difference in crop diversification and cropping intensity between the two groups. Also, there is no noticeable difference between the creditworthiness of beneficiary and non-beneficiary farmers of RWBCIS. Incremental Cost Benefit Ratio for beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries was more or less unity. There is no noticeable impact of RWBCIS on Grape beneficiary farmers.

Legumes (Fabaceae) from Satmala hills, Maharashtra, India

A floristic survey was carried out in Satmala hill range of Nasik district. The study area is dry throughout the year except monsoon period. During this survey, the authors recorded 74 taxa of the family Fabaceae or Leguminosae, belonging to three subfamilies and 38 genera. The majority of the legumes are herbs & shrubs, while few are climbers & trees. Updated nomenclature, habit, habitat, life forms, GPS coordinates, phenology, voucher specimens & images of legumes found in the study area are provided.

Occurrence and Conservation Status of Ceropegia anjanerica Malpure et al., in Nasik District

The present review article deals with the distribution, morphology, habitat, ecology, threat, and conservation status of Ceropegia anjanerica Malpure et al., in and around Nasik district. The genus Ceropegia L. belongs to the subfamily Asclepiadoideae (milk weeds) within thefamily Apocynaceae. A total of 6 species and 2 varieties of this genus have been recorded in Nasik district viz., C. anjanerica Malpure; Kamble and Yadav, C. bulbosa Roxb. var. bulbosa, C. bulbosa Roxb. var. lushii (Graham) Hook.f., C. hirsuta Wight and Arn., C. lawii Hook.f.,C. mahabalei Hemadri and Ansari, C. media (H. Huber) Ansari and C. vincifolia Hook. Of these species, C. anjanerica is the ‘endangered’ plant species endemic to Anjaneri hills of Nasik district part of the northern western Ghats. The plant body is erect herbaceous withtuberous rootstock, tubers are generally 2-5 cm in diameter, globose or discoid with fibrous roots. Recent investigations show that this species has been recorded from hill tops, plateaus, and adjacent village areas.

Diversity of butterflies (Order: Lepidoptera) in Peth Tehsil, Nasik district, Maharashtra, India

Diversity of butterflies (Order: Lepidoptera) in Peth Tehsil, Nasik district, Maharashtra, India

A Preliminary Checklist of Butterflies of Trimbakeshwar Tehsil of Nasik district (M.S) India

A Preliminary Checklist of Butterflies of Trimbakeshwar Tehsil of Nasik district (M.S) India

Contribution of Herbaceous plants diversity in the Ethnomedicine of Surgana and Kalwan tehsils of Nasik district (MS) Ind

Contribution of Herbaceous plants diversity in the Ethnomedicine of Surgana and Kalwan tehsils of Nasik district (MS) Ind

Impact of COVID-19 on Agri Supply Chain in Nashik District

India has faced many pandemic diseases like plague, swine flu, cholera, pneumonia, bird flu, etc., affecting the Indian economy. But COVID-19 is adversely affecting the country. To be specific Agriculture sector is most vulnerable to losses everywhere. Indian agriculture has not been very progressive as compared to other industries. Farmers don’t get a reasonable price for their produce. Farmers here are illiterate and trick by money lenders, middle-man, traders, etc. Most of the margin of farmers taken by middle-men results in loss of farmers and customers getting the product at a high price. Also, there are fewer storage facilities, so they have to sell their produce immediately after harvesting. Considering the research region, i.e., Nasik District, where most of the farm produce like grapes, cereals and vegetables have harvesting season in this period. Due to lockdown in the country, as COVID hit here, there have been more significant losses to grapes and other farms produce like cereals and vegetables. Nasik, which is the region of my research, has around 6 lakh farmers, wherein I have taken a sample survey of 100 farmers, which comprise small, marginal, medium, and large farmers. There is a need for change in agricultural practices wherein farmers should adopt concepts like proper supply chain management, cold storage, processing in a farm of whichever produce is possible, Direct marketing, Private wholesale market, organized retailing. Cold storage and cooperative storage facilities can play a significant role in such a critical situation. The need for change in agricultural marketing and coping with such issues as COVID is of utmost importance. New innovative ideas can help to sustain farmers in such severe problems.

Prevalence of preconception risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcome among women from tribal and non-tribal blocks in Nashik district, India: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundAlthough critical, the preconception phase in women’s lives is comparatively ignored. The presence of some risk factors during this phase adversely affects the wellbeing of the woman and the pregnancy outcome. The study objectives were to measure the prevalence of various known risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcome in the preconception period of women and their comparison between blocks.MethodsThis was a community-based cross-sectional study in two tribal and two non-tribal blocks each in Nasik district, Maharashtra, India. The study included married women desiring to conceive within 1 year. Trained Accredited Social Health Activists (field level health worker) collected information from women using a validated interview schedule through house-to-house visits and obtained women’s anthropometric measurements in a standard manner. The study assessed the presence of 12 documented risk factors.ResultsThe study enlisted 7875 women desiring pregnancy soon. The mean age of women was 23.19 (± 3.71) years, and 16% of them were adolescents. Women’s illiteracy was higher in tribal areas than non-tribal (p < 0.001). About two-thirds of women have at least one risk factor, and 40.0% have a single risk factor. The most common risk factor observed was no formal education (44.35%). The prevalence of selected risk factors was significantly higher among women from tribal areas. The mean BMI of women was 19.73 (± 3.51), and a higher proportion (40.5%) of women from tribal areas had BMI < 18.5. Despite being of high parity status (≥ 4), about 7.7% of women from the tribal area and 3% from non-tribal desired pregnancy. Tobacco and alcohol consumption was higher among tribal women. The majority of women consumed meals with family members or husbands. Protein and calorie intake of about 1.4% of women was less than 50% of the recommended daily allowance; however, most of them perceived to have abundant food.ConclusionsHealth risks, namely younger age, illiteracy, high parity, consumption of tobacco, low protein, and calorie intake, were quite prevalent, and the risks were significantly more among women from tribal areas. “Continuum of care” must comprise preconception care inclusive of Behavioral Change Communication, particularly for easily modifiable risk factors and specially for tribal women.

An Exploratory Study on Wine Tourism in India with Special Reference to Nashik, Maharashtra

Wine tourism in Maharashtra is steadily growing as a result of many initiatives by wine tourism service providers. Wine tourism in India is growing as a sort of special interest tourism, although being in its infancy compared to its overseas equivalents. Wine tourism began in Maharashtra as a niche form of tourism, with various wineries in Nashik and Pune giving wine tours within their vineyards and wineries. The article includes a brief review of wine tourism as well as an overview of the Indian wine industry, with a focus on the Nashik region of Maharashtra. The study concludes with recommendations for how to create and grow wine tourism circuits in Maharashtra's wine regions. This report also aims to serve as a foundation for future research on wine tourism management in Maharashtra. The goal of this research is to improve the social and economic conditions in the Nasik district. Wine tourists are discreetly more important than other tourists in the Nasik area. This tourism activity grew substantially day by day. This will result in the Nasik district's economic development. Keywords: Wine Tourism in Nashik, Wine Making Process, India’s Napa Valley, Vineyards and Wineries.

Epidemiological Characteristics of COVID-19 among the Individuals from Nasik District, Maharashtra

Background: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID 19) pandemic has created havoc around the world. All states of India, including Maharashtra, are severely affected by this viral infection. In Maharashtra, various regions including Mumbai, Pune and Nasik are largely affected due to this pandemic. Objectives: To study the epidemiological characteristic of COVID-19 Individuals from the Nasik district. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional e-survey was conducted to study the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 individuals from and around Nasik. A random sampling method was adopted. Information from the individuals was collected in the form of a questionnaire, which was shared among 300 individuals, out of these 253 responses were received. Data analysis was done using Chi-square method. Results: Of 253 individuals, 90 (35.57%) were found to be COVID positive. Majority (50%) of them belonged to the age group 40–60 years. Among those tested positive, 83 (92.2%) individuals were symptomatic while, 7 (7.8%) were asymptomatic. Of 90 COVID positive individuals, 39 (43.3%) individuals with pre-COVID comorbidities showed severe symptoms and were hospitalized, while those without any comorbidity showed mild symptoms and were home quarantined, (Odds ratio = 15.88,95% confidence interval = 5.6–44.95, P &lt; 0.0001). Post COVID symptoms, particularly diabetes and Mucormycosis, were developed among 8.8% and 1.1% individuals, respectively. Conclusion: Severity of illness was associated with comorbidity, among majority of the patients.

Ethnomedicinal Plants Used for Cure of Sexual Dysfunctions in Humans by Traditional Hakeem’s of Malegaon Region from Nasik District.

Hakeem is an Arabic word meaning “Physician” or “Practitioner of herbal medicine”. Hakeems are practice Unani medicinal system i.e. the Greco Arabian system of medicine or Islamic medicine. Most of the Hakeems are practice on sexual disorders like Decrease in sperm count, decrease of viscosity of semen, erectile dysfunction, pre mature ejaculation and fluidity of sperms are common sexual dysfunctions of males and Leucorrhoea, Amenorrhea and Lactational amenorrhea (Postpartum infertility) are the common sexual dysfunctions of females of human being. The present study on these diseases is based on the collection of data from Hakeems of Malegaon region who practicing on these diseases from generations about 90 to 150 years.

Traditional Utilities of Plants for Cough, Cold, Fever and Phlegmatic Diseases by Muslims Community of Malegaon Region of Nasik District

The present study of Traditional Utilities of Plants for cough, Cold, Fever and Phlegmatic disease by Muslim Community of Malegaon region contains 26 species belongs to 26 Genera and 20 families. Seventy five percent(75 %) Peoples of Malegaon city is literate in languages Urdu, Arabic and Persian because knowing of these languages they have great knowledge of the Geeko-Arabic medicine and locally called Unani Medicine. These remedies are effective and currently in practice, root stem, leaves, flowers, fruit, seeds and bark of the stem is used to make syrup, pills and powder form. These medicines are totally natural, herbal and cost effective with no any major side effects.

Studies on floristic diversity of some endangered plant species from Western Ghats of Nasik district, Maharashtra

The present study deals with floristic diversity and taxonomy along with the observations with respect to precise locations, flowering, fruiting period and potential threats of some endangered plant species of Western Ghats in Nasik district of Maharashtra. Total 30 endangered plant species belonging to 14 families; were recorded during an extensive field surveys and botanical excursions; conducted from 2018 to 2020 at several places mainly forest pockets and hilly regions from Nasik tehsils like Sinnar, Trymbakeshwar, Igatpuri, Chandwad, Kalwan etc. The occurrence of endangered plant species focusing their floristic and taxonomical aspects were monitored continuously so as know the current status of these species in the study area. It was observed that the probable reasons for consistent decrease in number of endangered plant species in the study area; are destruction of natural habitats due to increasing illegal acquisition of forest land, massive deforestation and urbanization. The present study thus highlights an effective monitoring and conservation strategy to be adopted for the sustainable use of endangered plants.

Assessment of oral health status of tribal students in Nashik district of Maharashtra state

Background: Oral health is a state of well being and is essential to an individual's general health and quality of life. “Tribal” are the indigenous native people living in isolation in natural and unpolluted surroundings with their traditional values, customs and beliefs. The tribal constitute a substantial indigenous minority of the population in India, comprising of 9.01% of the nation's total population. The data on the Oral health status of students residing in tribal Dindori Taluka of Nashik District of Maharashtra State is still unrevealed. Hence, the present study was undertaken with the objective to provide baseline data about oral health status of students from the school and colleges of tribal Talukas from Nashik District of Maharashtra State in India. Aim: To provide baseline data about oral health status of students from the school and colleges of tribal Talukas form Nasik District of Maharashtra State in India. Methodology: The survey was carried out mostly on Second and Fourth Saturday by visiting the schools and Colleges from March 2018 to August 2019. The data was collected by personal examination of each student by using oral diagnostic instruments such as mouth mirror and probe. After visual examination, record of systematic observation and oral hygiene status was noted in participant's observation note. Consent from the principal/headmaster of the concerned college/school was taken, and the survey was done with their prior permission. Results: Out of total 1530 participants, oral hygiene status of 1263 (82.54 %) students was found to be affected while only 267 (17.46%) were found to be healthy. Affected participants were characterised by symptoms of ulcers, sores or tender areas in the mouth, bleeding or swollen gums, pain or toothache, bad breathing, calculus, pain with chewing or biting cracked or broken teeth and loss of attachment. Affected participants were characterised by symptoms of ulcers, sores or tender areas in the mouth, bleeding or swollen gums, pain or toothache due to dental caries, bad breathing, calculus, stain, pain with chewing or biting, cracked or broken teeth, loss of attachment and dental caries and facets. Affected participants required dental treatment like restoration of cavities in deciduous and/or permanent teeth, root canal treatment of permanent teeth, pulpotomy or pulpectomy of deciduous teeth, scaling, extraction of non restorable teeth and extraction of over retained deciduous teeth. Conclusion: Tribal students of dindori taluka in nashik district of maharashtra state were characterized by the lack of awareness about oral health, periodontal disease, dental caries and lack of dental care, high treatment needs and limited access to oral health services. Hence it is recommended to focus on improving the oral health status and treatment needs of this tribal students.

Estimation of pesticide residues in table grapes by using gas and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry

The grapes are being exported in increasing quantities from Maharashtra to European countries and a lot of pesticide inputs are being used by the growers. A total number of 578 grape samples collected from Nasik district during December, 2013 to April, 2014 and analyzed for 167 numbers of multi-class pesticide (Organophosphate, Triazine, Pyrimidine, Triazole, Imidazole, Benzimidazole, Nicotinoid, Substituted thiourea, Strobiluron, Dinitroaniline, Morpholine) residue levels using Liquid Chromatography-Mass spectrometry/Mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and Gas Chromatography-Mass spectrometry/Mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) by using validated methods. Only four samples were free from pesticide residues and rest were contaminated with 1-13 numbers of pesticides residue. During the study different classes of total 41 number of agro-chemicals had been detected and 116 number of samples were failed with residues of 4-Bromo-2-Chlorophenol, Abamectin,Carbendazim, Chlormequat Chloride , Chloropyriphos,Dinocap,Forchlorfenuron, Hexaconazole, Flusilazole, Profenophos, Spinosad, Thiacloprid, Triazophos, Fipronil and Acephate by exceeding their European Union MRLs.

A Geographical Study of Crop Diversification in Drought Prone Area of Nasik District (M.S.)

A Geographical Study of Crop Diversification in Drought Prone Area of Nasik District (M.S.)

A new distributional record Solanum erianthum D. Don from family Solanaceae to the flora of Nasik District (Maharashtra), India.

Nasik is one of the districts in Maharashtra endowed with enormous diversity of cryptogamic and phanerogamic flora. The present paper deals with the addition of 1 new plant species of angiospermic taxa to the flora of this district. During the field survey of Nasik District, the authors collected the plant from the different locations of the study region, which were not reported so far in the florists documentation of the district. This plant species has very small population range and occupancy. The plant specimens were collected, identified with the reference of different floras and recent literature for their authentication. The study provides a detailed taxonomic description, photographs and relevant information based on fresh collections of specimen.

Optimization of groundwater resource for balanced cropping pattern

Abstract In this paper, an optimization model is formulated and optimal cropping pattern is suggested. Conjunctive use of water is not feasible for the study area as groundwater is the only source to fulfil irrigation demand. Water resources for the study area are limited. Best utilization of available water resources for increased net benefits is always advisable. Sinnar Taluka of Nasik district of Maharashtra state in India is considered as a study area. An existing cropping pattern is studied extensively and a new cropping pattern is suggested. Teaching–learning-based algorithm (TLBO) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm are applied to solve the optimization model. TLBO algorithm provides higher net returns as compared to PSO algorithm. TLBO and PSO saves up to 16.52% of water and benefits are increased by 35.81%. The study area is overexploited, this is fact. The new cropping pattern is suggested by considering minimum rainfall, i.e., 400 mm, so that in years when rainfall is above minimum rainfall the groundwater levels will be raised. In the proposed cropping pattern a few crop areas are majorly increased and a few crop areas are majorly reduced. The remaining crop areas are minorly increased or reduced and net benefits are increased and water demand decreased.

Record of the Non-indigenous Seminole Rams-Horn, Planorbella duryi (Wetherby, 1879) from South Karo River, India (Mollusca: Heterobranchia: Planorbidae)

During the malacological survey in the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary and different regions of Saranda forests of Deccan peninsula in Jharkhand, an unusual Florida’s native freshwater mollusc Seminole Rams-Horn, Planorbella duryi from South Karo River was encountered. Earlier, this non-indigenous species was reported from the Godavari River in the Nasik district of Maharashtra state of India although there was confusion on the presence of Planorbella scalaries and Planorbella duryi. Occurrence of P. duryi, has been confirmed along with distribution, ecology, and probable dispersal hypothesis has been discussed.