North Bank Research Articles

Behavioral Insights into Farmers Adoption of Improved Rapeseed-mustard Cultivation Practices in North Bank Plain Zone of Assam, India

The study examines the adoption behavior of farmers regarding improved rapeseed-mustard cultivation practices in the North Bank Plain Zone of Assam. The primary objective was to analyze the socio-economic factors and adoption levels associated with technological interventions in rapeseed-mustard farming. A purposive simple random sampling method was employed, selecting 240 respondents from four districts. Data were collected using pre-tested interview schedule and analyzed using statistical tools such as frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and correlation coefficient. Results revealed that 67.50 per cent of farmers demonstrated a medium level of adoption, while 21.67 per cent had a high adoption level. Socio-economic factors such as age, education, landholding, annual income, mass media exposure, and risk-bearing ability significantly influenced adoption behavior. Farmers with higher risk-bearing ability (42.92%) and medium to high achievement motivation (70.83%) adopted practices more effectively. Key barriers included inadequate awareness of advanced techniques and limited resources. The findings suggest that targeted extension services like delivering personalized advice, training, and resources that address the specific challenges faced by farmers in adopting improved practices of this crop, knowledge dissemination, and access to resources can enhance adoption levels. Encouraging risk-taking and achievement motivation through capacity-building programs can further improve the adoption of improved cultivation practices.

Groundwater hydrogeochemistry and potential health risk assessment through exposure to elevated arsenic in Darrang district of north bank plain of the Brahmaputra

The current study investigates groundwater contamination in Darrang district, situated in the flood-prone Brahmaputra Valley. This research evaluates the concentrations and geospatial distributions of iron, fluoride, and arsenic in groundwater samples (n = 347) and assesses their potential ecotoxicological risks to human health. Multivariate statistical techniques were used to investigate the sources and the mobilization mechanism of the contaminants in the aquifer system. The Piper and Gibbs plots reveal that silicate weathering, ion exchange, and mineral dissolution are the dominant processes influencing groundwater chemistry. Notably, higher pH levels (max = 8.5, mean = 7.4) are associated with alkaline desorption of arsenic from minerals. Cluster analysis also indicates the occurrence of pH induced carbonate weathering process implying weathering and active dissolution as a governing mechanism for arsenic release. The health risk assessments indicate significant non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks from prolonged exposure to arsenic, particularly for children. Spatial distribution maps identify areas most at risk of contamination and related health hazards. This is the first comprehensive analysis of groundwater contaminants in Darrang, providing valuable insights into the region’s water quality issues and supporting future groundwater management efforts in Brahmaputra floodplain region.

Avian assemblages pattern along forest-tea plantation gradients in the north bank landscape of Eastern Himalaya, Assam, India

Abstract The study explores the patterns of avian communities along forest-tea plantation gradients in the north bank landscape of Eastern Himalayas, India, focusing on the Udalguri district of Assam. The present study aims to identify the impact of transitioning from undisturbed forest to tea plantations on bird diversity and composition. Bird surveys were conducted from August 2022 to June 2023 using point count methods at 16 sampling stations. The results revealed that forests exhibited higher species diversity and functional richness than tea plantations, which showed higher functional evenness and divergence. Additionally, forest edges supported greater species richness and abundance, emphasising their conservation significance. The study also observed significant differences in species composition at varying distances from the forest edge. Key species influencing these differences included the Yellow-footed Green Pigeon (Treron phoenicopterus) and various bulbul species (Pycnonotus spp.), indicating habitat sensitivity and edge effects. These findings suggest that while tea plantations can accommodate certain adaptable species, forests play a crucial role in providing habitats for a wider range of avian species. In addition, the study highlights the importance of conserving forest edges and comprehending avian responses to habitat mosaics for effective biodiversity conservation.

Divergent Ecological Restoration Driven by Afforestation Along the North and South Banks of the Yarlung Zangbo Middle Reach

ABSTRACTOver the past four decades, continuous afforestation in the river valley of the Yarlung Zangbo Middle Reach has effectively migrated the land degradation and enhanced the local eco‐environment. Different orientations of north and south banks (i.e., sun‐facing and shade‐facing) generate microclimates, but the diverse growth patterns of the planted forests along different banks remain unknown. In this study, long‐term Landsat observations were introduced to investigate the microclimatic effects on the growth patterns of planted forests and their subsequent effects on the land restoration during 1988–2020. Results showed that the south bank experienced a higher afforestation‐induced greening trend than the north bank, as indicated by normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) rates of 0.0117 and 0.0081 year−1, respectively. The growth of planted forests on the north bank was more sensitive to the distance from riverway than that on the south bank, with the NDVI gradients of −0.0708 and −0.0540 km−1, highlighting a server drought stress on the north bank. Benefited from the continuous afforestation, 79% and 95% of sandy lands on the north and south banks had been restored by 2020. In summary, the microclimatic difference between banks, attributed to different solar illuminations and drought stresses, induce the diverse ecological restoration conditions. These findings offer important insights that future afforestation strategies should consider the microclimatic effect to maximize ecological benefits.

Water Transformation Relationship in Inner Mongolia Section of the Yellow River Basin Based on Stable Hydrogen and Oxygen Isotopes

By collecting the atmospheric precipitation, surface water, and groundwater in the Inner Mongolia section of the Yellow River Basin in July 2021 （wet season）, October （normal season）, and April 2022 （dry season）, stable isotope technology was used to analyze the temporal and spatial changes in hydrogen and oxygen stable isotopes in the "three rivers" of the basin, and the MixSIAR mixing model was used to reveal the water body transformation relationship. The results showed that the mean difference in the groundwater isotope was small in the abundance period, flat period, and dry period in the Mongolia section of the Yellow River Basin. The groundwater regeneration was slow, the retention time was long, the seasonal variation was not obvious, and the δD value of surface water was higher in the abundance period than in the normal period and dry period. According to the δ18O and δD diagrams, the slope and intercept of surface water lines in the three periods were smaller than those of local precipitation lines, and surface water was affected by evaporative fractionation after receiving precipitation recharge. The δD values of surface water on the north bank of the Yellow River showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing from upstream to downstream, while the δD values of surface water on the south bank of the Yellow River showed a trend of gradually decreasing from upstream to downstream. The recharge contribution of groundwater in surface water in the high-water period accounted for 2.9%, precipitation accounted for 97.1%, surface water accounted for 5.0%, atmospheric precipitation accounted for 95.0%, surface water accounted for 56.6%, and precipitation accounted for 43.4%, and the recharge contributions of precipitation and surface water to groundwater in the high water period were 47.6% and 52.4%, respectively. Those in the normal period were 30.7% and 69.3%, and those in the dry period were 37.8% and 62.2%, respectively. Atmospheric precipitation was the main replenishment source of surface water, showing that the replenishment ratio in the wet season was larger than that in the normal season and dry season, which was closely related to the total precipitation and its distribution in each period. Surface water was the main replenishment source of groundwater, showing that dry season > normal season > wet season.

Numerical Simulation of the External Water Pressure in Seepage Anisotropy Under Heterogeneous Conditions

The external water pressure and seepage quantity are crucial factors in tunnel construction design, especially under complex geological conditions. Both analytical solutions and numerical simulations can be used to calculate the external water pressure in a shallow circular cross-section tunnel. Analytical formulas are usually derived based on homogeneous surrounding rock, which seems somehow unrealistic. In reality, the engineering geological conditions are complex and the surrounding rock is heterogeneous. Therefore, the results of analytical formulas may deviate from the actual results. This study takes the No. 1 shallow-buried tunnel in the north bank of the Xiaolangdi irrigation area as its research background. Based on heterogeneous and anisotropic analyses, the horizontal permeability, the vertical permeability, the parameters of the lining and grouting circle, and the position head are the main factors affecting the stability of the external water pressure. The result shows that the external water pressure increases as the ratio of the horizontal permeability coefficient to the vertical permeability coefficient increases. Moreover, when a grouting ring is used to block the water, the lining is guaranteed to have a certain degree of permeability, which helps to better achieve the purpose of reducing the external water pressure.

Impact of green financial funding on improving the financial efficiency of a sample of companies listed on the Iraq stock exchange

The aim of this research is to identify the impact of green financing on financial efficiency by highlighting the importance of financing green activities in supporting the financial efficiency of banks. In this research, the authors adopted the descriptive analytical method and the statistical method, where (75) questionnaires were distributed to a research sample consisting of three banks: Al-Ahli Bank of Iraq, Middle East Bank, and North Bank. The questionnaires were transcribed and analyzed using Microsoft Excel. The research concluded that green financing contributes to financing sustainable activities and protecting the environment. The research also found that the interest in green financing enhances the efficiency of bank management in facing risks, while green financing has a weak impact on the performance and financial efficiency of banks. The research recommends that banks focus on sustainability and renewable energy sectors, increase investors' and customers' awareness of green activities, and emphasize the importance of green financing in achieving sustainable development.

Conservation imperatives for swallowtail butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae): a case study in the north bank landscape of river Brahmaputra, Bodoland Territorial Region, India

The decline of swallowtail butterflies in forest habitats, which was not a significant concern about two decades ago, has now garnered attention worldwide, leading to their designation as globally endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. A recent study conducted in the north bank landscape (NBL) of river Brahmaputra, specifically under the Bodoland Territorial Region in India, has shed light on the remarkable diversity of swallowtail butterfly species in the area. The study documented a total of 35 species representing eight different genera. Notably, three species are endemic to northeastern India, and 12 enjoy federal protection. The findings suggest that the studied landscape plays a crucial role in supporting larval host plants and adult resources of swallowtail butterflies along with the other abiotic factors. These butterflies depend on 25 plant species from six families as essential food sources. Unfortunately, these host plants, valued for their traditional medicinal properties, are being overexploited. Urgent conservation measures are imperative to safeguard the habitats of swallowtail butterflies and other wildlife in the NBL under Bodoland Territorial Region, as they face significant threats from practices such as agriculture, illegal tree felling, forest fires, and cattle farming.

FISHING EXPERIENCE AND INFORMATION AMONG ARTISANAL FISHERS IN LOWER RIVER BENUE, MAKURDI, BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Information preference plays a major role as it determines the success that can be achieved in any chosen profession in life. It is on this basis that the study investigated fishing experience and information preference among artisanal fishers in lower river Benue, Makurdi, Benue State. The list of 269 registered artisanal fishers in two landing sites - Wadata and North Bank in Makurdi was obtained from Benue State Agricultural Development Programme (BESADP). Simple random sampling technique was used to select 80% (215) of the artisanal fishers from the list. A structured questionnaire and interview scheduled were used to obtain information from the artisanal fishers. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics (frequency and percentages) while inferential analysis was done through the use of ANOVA. The results showed that majority of the artisanal fishers had more than twenty years fishing experience (41.9%), while information on endangered species (54%), fishing regulation (35.8%) and fishing license (35.3%) were mostly preferred by the artisanal fishers. Also, years of fishing experience was not significantly related to information preference. (F (4,210)= 1.015. P>0.05) among the artisanal fishers in the study area. The study therefore recommends that information on artisanal fishing should be disseminated to all the artisanal fishers without considering number of years spent in the profession.

Prediction of Soil Quality Index (SQI) and Its Minimum Dataset Indicators for Rice-Based Cropping Systems in the North Bank Plain Zone of Assam

Prediction of Soil Quality Index (SQI) and Its Minimum Dataset Indicators for Rice-Based Cropping Systems in the North Bank Plain Zone of Assam

Social Behaviour Change Communication – Its Impact on Malaria Program - North Bank Regions as a Case Study in The Gambia

Social Behaviour Change Communication – Its Impact on Malaria Program - North Bank Regions as a Case Study in The Gambia

Evaluation of Charcoal Usage and Its Influence on Deforestation in Makurdi Metropolis Benue State, Nigeria

Charcoal is the dark grey residue consisting of impure carbon obtained from vegetation substance and produced by pyrolysis, the heating of wood in the absence of oxygen. Charcoal is considered the major source of energy for the inhabitants of Makurdi metropolis. The study was conducted to assess the consumption of charcoal in Makurdi metropolis. Five council wards were selected purposively for data collection. The selected wards are noted for having large quantities of charcoal and consumers almost all year round. The wards selected are Agan, Fiidi, Wadata, Modern Market, and North Bank. From each council ward, 20 respondents were drawn using a random sampling technique. 100 respondents were selected and interviewed using a pre-tested checklist (questionnaire) to collect primary data. From the result, Prosopis africana was the highest used tree species for charcoal with 83.5% then Vitellaria paradoxa with 7.9%. Also, 88% of the respondents preferred charcoal for cooking in providing food for the family because of its affordability compared to other cooking energy sources. Therefore, it is inferred that charcoal has a positive impact on the lives of consumers since affordability is considered the main reason why the majority of households use charcoal. However, the continuous use of forest trees threatens the future of our forest estate and biodiversity leading to land degradation, endangering of species and enhancement of global warming. Therefore, Alternative energy sources should be encouraged for household fuel to ease the pressure on charcoal.

Shifting Trends of Estate Sand Dunes and Effects on Population Activities in The Cua Dai Area, Quang Nam Province Vietnam

The movement of estuarine dunes is a complex process, attracting a lot of attention from scientists. Since its second visible appearance in 2018, many scientists with specialized methods have sought to understand the causes and mechanisms of dune formation in front of Cua Dai. Some studies have shown that the dunes in front of Cua Dai tend to move north and are associated with the dunes on the north bank of Cua Dai. However, these studies only evaluate based on natural laws and ignore the impact of people's development activities. Using general research methods of geographical science, the article has shown the current and future movement trends of dunes in front of Cua Dai: expanding to the west, moving inside Cua Dai, down south, and tending to connect with the sand bar on the southern shore of Cua Dai.

Erosion - accretion study in Cua Lo area, Nui Thanh district, Quang Nam province

Cua Lo, Nui Thanh district, Quang Nam province is an estuary that plays an important role in the province’s socio-economic development. This area is often greatly influenced by natural processes, which have changed the topography of the beach, the shoreline and seabed topography. The seabed topography in Cua Lo areas is being gradually accreted and filled, but the erosion process is strongly occurring in the southern coastal. These processes have happened every year and are getting more and more serious, causing great damage to property and people. By using remote sensing images and combining them with survey data, it is possible to evaluate the changes of the Cua Lo area on a large scale and for a long period. The north bank of Cua Lo has strong sedimentation to the south, with the area being accreted being approximately 19.86 hectares (2010-2014) and 13.64 hectares (2018-2023). The southern of Cua Lo, the shoreline that has been seriously eroded at a rate of 45-50m/year. From the research results, the preliminary determination of the main law of change is the southward movement of the seabed topography.

Phytochemical Constituents of Sap, Root and Leaf Extracts of Calotropis Procera from Select Regions in the Gambia

Medicinal plants serve as potential cure for animal and human diseases as they contain phytochemicals for therapeutic values. Most of the modern drugs produced are isolated from herbal plants. This research reports on the phytochemical constituents of the methanolic and dichloromethane (DCM) extracts of the sap, root and leaf of Calotropis procera in three select regions in The Gambia namely the West Coast Region, North Bank Region, and Lower River Region. The sap was collected in an air-tight test tube; the root and leaf were dried at room temperature for three weeks and one month, respectively and further ground into powder. Soxhlet extraction of the sap was done using both DCM for 30 minutes at 40oC to 50oC and methanol for 3 h at 60oC to 70oC. The root and leaf were extracted using cold maceration for 72 h. The methanolic extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, quinones, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, and carbohydrates in the sap and leaf. Quinones were present in the DCM extract of the sap and root, but absent in the leaf. While flavonoids and terpenoids were present in the sap and leaf extracts, they were absent in the root. Alkaloids, saponins, and steroids were absent in the sap and root extracts, but found in the leaf. Tannins and phenols were absent in both the methanolic and DCM extracts. The results of each of the samples collected at the three different regions were similar in their phytochemical constituents for the extracting solvents; but varied with the different solvent. The findings of this research allude to the fact that the sap, root and leaf of C. procera are good sources of therapeutic compounds that are responsible for the use of this plant in herbal medicine in The Gambia.

Investigating Role of Intangible Cultural Heritage in constructing the phenomenon of Narmada River Parikrama

The traces of earliest human settlements are found on the bank of rivers which are one the natural forms of drinking water which are considered as a lifeline of the settlements. Since ancient time, Indian Culture assigned motherly values to rivers because of their significance in respective regional settings. Through-out the Indian Subcontinent, traditions and rituals evolved from ages around the rivers have shaped up some commonly followed cultural aspects along with some specific rituals to the rivers. Circumambulation of River Narmada, Shri Krishna Poojan on Yamuna River Banks at Vrindavan are examples of some of these specific cultural aspects. Out of the most sacred seven rivers (Ganga, Yamuna, Godawari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu, and Kaweri); River Narmada has special cultural significance with its strategic geographical location dividing Indian subcontinent in Northern and Southern parts. This research is aimed to investigate the role of intangible Heritage in constructing the phenomenon of Narmada River Parikrama based on the parameters like historical importance, poetic references, mentions in Puraans, folk culture, religious importance, TapoBhumi Narmada (रेवा तीरे तप: कुर्यात!) with the very unique cultural aspect of Parikrama (Circumambulation) of a river as a deity. Parameters to understand cultural footprints were delineated to these aspects with the focus of completing one stage of research in stipulated time schedule. The religious aspect includes Tirthsthana (Sacredscapes) on the Parikrama Path on North and South banks, rituals, and activities followed by the devotees, and the connectivity of Lord Shiva with River Narmada. A famous verse says नर्मदा का हर कंकर है शंकर! (Means, each gravel of River Narmada depicts Lord Shiva.) Hence the religious thread in cultural heritage studies is very strong and needs to be established with the Parikrama perspective. The analytical methodology for conducting research included study of various literature references about River Narmada written by historians, poets, Saints, and ancient scriptures like Puraan, Mahatmya etc. available in the form of books, doctoral research thesis, research papers and scholarly articles. These literature sources refer River Narmada focusing on various perspectives. They are critically analysed and inferences regarding role of intangible cultural footprints around Narmada River banks in forming the Phenomenon of Parikrama are summarized in this paper. Next stage of the research or a way-forwards of this research study can be continued further to establish manifestation of Parikrama Concept in the tangible cultural heritage with respect to spatial planning and built forms.

An Observational Study on Clinical Profile and Outcome of Japanese Encephalitis Patients Admitted in the Department of Medicine of a Tertiary Care Hospital of North Bank of Assam, India

Background: A significant public health issue in India is Japanese encephalitis (JE), which has a high fatality rate and causes residual neurological damage in survivors. The goal of the current study was to examine JE positive among patients who had been admitted with acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) and to analyse the differences in clinical profile, disease severity, neurological consequences, and mortality rate in Tezpur Medical College and Hospital. Methods: This study is a retrospective observational study in a patients who were diagnosed as Japanese encephalitis on the basis of JEV-specific IgM antibodies in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. The study included 32 Japanese Encephalitis positive patients admitted in Tezpur Medical College and Hospital (who met the clinical case definition of AES) and thus, their clinical profile and outcome were analysed. Result: A total 32 JE cases were enrolled in the study diagnosed with CSF and Serum IgM ELISA antibody test. All of them were Serum IgM ELISA antibody positive, 9(28%) cases were both Serum and CSF IgM antibody positive. Most common age group affected was 12-20 years(31%). 59.37% cases recovered completely, 21.87% had neurological sequelae at the time of discharge and 18.75% died at ward. Conclusion: Japanese Encephalitis is one of the leading cause of AES in India. In our study it has been seen that GCS score on presentation and CSF cell counts has positive association with mortality and disease sequale. Adequate care and treatment should be provided in order to avoid subsequent complications/sequale. Proper vaccination and vector control can prevent or mitigate this disease.

Effects of Palm Oil Processing Waste on Soil Microorganisms

This work was carried out to perform the comparative analysis on the effects of palm oil processing waste (POPW) on soil Microorganisms. Three soil samples were collected from three different locations, North bank, Wurukum, and High-level where palm oil processing waste are being discharged. The samples were analyzed, Soil samples unimpacted with POPW served as control. The physicochemical parameters of the soil samples that are pH, moisture, Temperature and particulate nature were analysized using standard methods. The total coliform count, total viable count and total fungal counts were evaluated using the pour plate method. Result showed that the Total Coliform, Total viable count and Total fungal counts (200.77 ±16.525 mean of the three samples, 22.55 ±2.041 mean of three samples and 28.88 ±2.590 mean of the three samples) of the impacted soils were lower compared to the values (291.00 ±13.00 in control soil, 118.33 ±18.717 control soil and 44.33 ±1.527 control soil respectively) of the un-impacted soils which served as control. The bacterial genera isolated from these soil samples include; Bacillus spp, Klebsiella, Staphylococcus spp, Salmonella spp and Proteus spp. The fungal genera isolated from soils with POPW includes; Aspergillus spp, Rhizopus spp, and Mucor spp, the results obtained indicates that POPW have immediate negative impact on soil microbiota as their application could lead to changes which affects soil microbial communities. Therefore, it would be advised that proper guidelines be set up for possible pre-treatment and safe discharge of POPW, in other to avoid its effect on soil micro biota and soil fertility

Exploring Climate Change Adaptation Practices and Agricultural Livelihoods among Rice Farmers of the Brahmaputra Valley in Northeast India.

Global climate change has seriously threatened agriculture and connected sectors, especially in developing countries like India. The Brahmaputra Valley in Assam, Northeast India, is vulnerable to climate change due to its agrarian economy, fragile geo-ecological setting, recurrent floods and droughts, and poor socioeconomic conditions of the farmers. The climate-induced hindrances faced by the rice farming community of this region and the local adaptation practices they employ have not been adequately studied. Therefore, we carried out a survey among 635 rice farmers across four agro-climatic zones of Assam, namely the Upper Brahmaputra Valley Zone, North Bank Plain Zone, Central Brahmaputra Valley Zone, and Lower Brahmaputra Valley Zone, to understand how they perceive and respond to climatic changes. The survey revealed that all the respondents have perceived an increase in ambient temperature, and 65% of the respondents have perceived a slight change in rainfall characteristics over the years. Most farmers reported adjusting the existing farming practices and livelihood choices to adapt to the changing climate. Farming adjustments were made mainly in terms of field preparation and management of water, rice variety, nutrients, and pests. Environmental variables like rainfall, flood, drought, and pest level, and socioeconomic variables like family size, education, farming experience, training, digital media exposure, and land area were found to influence farmers' adaptation choices. The findings imply that policies to strengthen flood, drought, pest management, education, land-use planning, agricultural training, and digital media applications in agriculture are needed for effective climate change adaptation in this region.

Morbidity pattern based on clinico-biochemical profile of neonates admitted in NICU of a tertiary care hospital in the mid north bank region of Assam

The neonatal period carries the highest risk of death per day compared to any other period during childhood. Of all newborn deaths three fourths result from three preventable and treatable conditions– complications due to prematurity, intrapartum related deaths (including birth asphyxia) and neonatal infections. The study was to describe the morbidity pattern with outcome, based on clinical diagnosis and relevant biochemical parameters amongst neonates admitted in NICU in the tertiary care hospital. A retrospective case record analysis of all the NICU admissions between January 2021 to March 2021 was done based on both electronic and hard data. The neonates with complete records of clinical presentation, relevant biochemical investigations were included in the study. Out of 624 neonates admitted in NICU during the study period, 622 were included in the final analysis. The proportion of fullterm and preterm among inborns (77.6% &18.8%) and outborns (76.2% & 21.8%) were similar, but the proportion of low-birth-weight babies in outborns was higher than in the inborns. The overall discharge rate was 85.5%. It was higher for inborn neonates as compared to outborn neonates (88.7% vs 79%). The death rate was higher in outborns than in inborns. The highest no of NICU admission was due to asphyxia related conditions followed by neonatal jaundice in both genders and in all inborn and outborn neonates. Out of total admissions in NICU, 72(11.6%) was due to infections causing neonatal sepsis, meningitis and acquired pneumonia. While neonatal jaundice has a lower mortality rate, preventable conditions like birth asphyxia and infections remain major concerns for neonatal morbidity and mortality in this region. The study emphasizes the need for strengthened antenatal care, improved infection control, and increased access to trained neonatologists to ensure better outcomes for newborns.