North Lakhimpur Research Articles

Weed Flora of Small Tea Gardens of North Lakhimpur District, Assam and its Traditional Medicinal Demands

Weed Flora of Small Tea Gardens of North Lakhimpur District, Assam and its Traditional Medicinal Demands

Contributions to the Botany of North Lakhimpur Subdivision, Assam

An account of the vegetation with an enumeration of 604 species of vascular plants from North Lakhimpur subdivision in Upper Assam, based on a fortnight’s collection of the junior author in May, 1966, and 3 previous collections by others. The account emphasises the aquatic vegetation of the area.

Characterization of rice (Oryza sativa L.) landraces from Majuli and surrounding riverine ecologies in Assam: Assessment of morphogenetic variability and submergence tolerance

AbstractRice landraces from the fragile riverine ecosystems surrounding Majuli islands in Assam are pivotal for local livelihoods, as well as for their potential in developing flood tolerant varieties. We characterized 87 landraces from Majuli, Dhemaji, and North Lakhimpur districts in Assam by assessing 36 agro‐morphological traits, submergence tolerance, and microsatellite diversity. Multivariate analyses revealed that grain and leaf characteristics, plant height, and tillering are important traits differentiating the cultivar types. Sixty‐six SSR markers generated 271 alleles with an average of 4.1 alleles per marker with population structuring in two clusters having an allele frequency divergence of 0.124. The Bao or deep‐water landraces displayed the highest phenotypic and genetic diversity, with potential genetic links to the aus and wild species. Sali (winter rice) and bora (sticky rice) landraces were predominantly indica type. Nearly 47% of the germplasm exhibited tolerance to two‐week submergence at seedling stage. Surveying SUB1A and SNORKEL genes revealed the presence of SUB1A‐1 and SNORKEL genes in 64% and 57% of the tolerant accessions, respectively. This study highlights the untapped potential of rice landraces in a fragile ecological region, providing insights into their agronomical traits, submergence tolerance, and genetic diversity. The findings lay the foundation for improved germplasm management and developing flood‐resilient rice varieties, crucial for sustainable agriculture in riverine ecosystems.

A study on climate‐driven vulnerabilities in the Ranganadi river basin: Sand‐Casting impacts on rural households

AbstractThe Ranganadi river basin, spanning a catchment area of 2335 km2 in the North Lakhimpur region of Assam is one of the worst flood‐affected areas in the North Eastern region of India. The basin is densely populated and the land around this river is extensively used for cultivation. Progressive migration of the banklines leads to the loss of cultivable land. Breach in embankments protecting agricultural fields during the monsoon, as well as the presence of infertile sand in agriculture fields are some of the most dominant facets of riverine hazards directly connected with the loss of livelihood in the study area The objective of this research is to assess the vulnerability of the population residing in these flood plains to the impacts of sand casting, utilizing Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) approach. The research included 377 households, and a comprehensive analysis was carried out. The analysis revealed varying degrees of vulnerability for 0.306 (socio‐demographic profile), 0.489 (livelihood strategies), and 0.413 (social networks). Sensitivity values were 0.495 (health), 0.487 (food security), 0.368 (water availability), and 0.391 (psychological factors). Exposure was rated high at 0.494, indicating vulnerability to natural disasters and climate variability. These values highlighted the most vulnerable components of the population due to the disaster and helped to suggest vulnerability reduction measures. The novelty of the study based on the result is that the LVI was meticulously formulated and adapted specifically for the study area. This localized approach allowed the unique socio‐economic and environmental dynamics of the affected population to be captured very well.

A Study on Career Awareness among Senior Secondary School Students in North Lakhimpur Area of Lakhimpur District

Career awareness plays a crucial role in helping individuals make informed decisions about their professional paths. It involves understanding one's skills, interests, and values, as well as exploring the various career options available. By fostering career awareness, individuals can align their ambitions with their personal strengths and find fulfilling and rewarding career paths. It plays a significant role in helping individuals make informed decisions about their future careers. This study find out the career awareness level among the secondary school students. The total 200 sample was drawn for the study, and the analysis and interpretation was done by computing Mean, Standard Deviation and also t-test.

ОПРЕДЕЛЕНИЕ ТРЕНДОВ КОЛИЧЕСТВА ОСАДКОВ ДЛЯ ЧЕТЫРЕХ ГОРОДОВ ШТАТА АССАМ (ИНДИЯ)

In time-series analysis, several non-parametric and parametric techniques are available to identify a trend. However, due to the lesser sensitivity of the non-parametric methods towards the outliers, they are often given priority over parametric methods for analysing the trend. In this study, the significance of the trend in the rainfall data of the four cities; Guwahati, Tezpur, North Lakhimpur, and Dibrugarh in Assam is examined using the non-parametric Mann-Kendall method. The non-parametric Sen’s estimator method is used to estimate the magnitude of the significant trends for the four cities. The rainfall trend has been studied based on monthly, yearly and seasonal observations. The results clearly show that there is no trend in the cities except for Dibrugarh, where an increasing rainfall trend is observed within 5% significance level. Based on the seasonal rainfall analysis, it is noted that the pre- and post-monsoon precipitation has a significant increasing trend, while no trend is seen during the monsoon period, which indicates an absence of significant change in the rainfall magnitude during the monsoon for the study period. The analysis of the monthly rainfall data has reveal a significant trend for July in the cities of Guwahati and Tezpur, which are closely located, while the significant trend May is seen in the city of North Lakhimpur. However, for Dibrugarh, all months have shown significant trends at 5% except for September, November, and December. The analysis has shown that there is a significant change in the rainfall trend for the non-monsoon period, indicating the change in the rainfall pattern, while the overall trend for the monsoon period remains the same. This change of rainfall pattern during the non-monsoon period may be an impact of the climate change, which requires detailed studies. The overall analysis for the four sites over the period under review has shown a significant trend in rainfall only for Dibrugarh.

Analysis of Rainfall Trends over Assam, North East India

The spatio-temporal variations of long-term rainfall over Assam in the North Eastern part of India were analyzed using data from twenty-six locations during the period 1981-2017. The annual, monthly, and seasonal rainfall trends are assessed by using Mann-Kendall and Sen slope tests over different sub regions. September, December, January, and February months recorded decreasing trends, while May, June, and August exhibited statistically substantial increasing trends. Similarly, annual, pre monsoon season and monsoon seasons exhibited increasing trends, but post monsoon and winter seasons recorded statistically non-significant decreasing rainfall trends. The locations of Demaji, Dibrugarh, Karimganj, and North Lakhimpur were recorded with above 2000 mm annual rainfall. On seasonal time scales, pre monsoon and monsoon rainfall over Assam witnessed increasing trends with statistically notable trends. The post monsoon and winter rainfall recorded decreasing trends, but the trends were statistically non-significant. In the monsoon season, a declining trend was recorded during the first decade (2001-2010). The southern and northeastern portion of the state received the maximum average annual rainfall when compared to the central portion of the Brahmaputra valley of Assam state. The maximum variations in rainfall have been recorded in the Karimganj (36.8%), Hailakandi (31.9%), Silchar (31.9%), and Dhuburi (26.5%) regions. Any slight variations in the rainfall trend could certainly be vulnerable as the state of Assam which comprises valley flood plains and sub-Himalayan boundaries, also supports a large chunk of human as well as ecosystem populations. In the present scenario, extreme and unprecedented rainfall events can affect agricultural activities, stream flow, the availability of food, etc., which may lead to disparities in the socio-economic conditions of the area. The results would be beneficial to policymakers in understanding the impact of changing climates and assessing the climatic vulnerability of natural and human resources.

Genetic polymorphism of Plasmodium falciparum msp-1, msp-2 and glurp vaccine candidate genes in pre-artemisinin era clinical isolates from Lakhimpur district in Assam, Northeast India.

BackgroundNortheast India shares its international border with Southeast Asia and has a number of malaria endemic zones. Monitoring genetic diversity of malaria parasites is important in this area as drug resistance and increasing genetic diversity form a vicious cycle in which one favours the development of the other. This retrospective study was done to evaluate the genetic diversity patterns in Plasmodium falciparum strains circulating in North Lakhimpur area of Assam in the pre-artemisinin era and compare the findings with current diversity patterns.MethodsGenomic DNA extraction was done from archived blood spot samples collected in 2006 from malaria-positive cases in Lakhimpur district of Assam, Northeast India. Three antigenic markers of genetic diversity were studied – msp-1 (block-2), msp-2 (block-3) and the glurp RII region of P. falciparum using nested PCR.ResultsAllelic diversity was examined in 71 isolates and high polymorphism was observed. In msp-1, eight genotypes were detected; K1 (single allele), MAD20 (six different alleles) and RO33 (single allele) allelic families were noted. Among msp-2 genotypes, 22 distinct alleles were observed out of which FC27 had six alleles and IC/3D7 had 16 alleles. In RII region of glurp, nine genotypes were obtained. Expected heterozygosity (H E) values of the three antigenic markers were 0.72, 0.81 and 0.88, respectively. Multiplicity of infection (MOI) values noted were 1.28, 1.84 and 1.04 for msp-1, msp-2 and glurp, respectively.ConclusionResults suggest a high level of genetic diversity in P. falciparum msp (block-2 of msp-1 and block-3 of msp-2) and the glurp RII region in Northeast India in the pre-artemisinin era when chloroqunine was the primary drug used for uncomplicated falciparum malaria. Comparison with current studies have revealed that the genetic diversity in these genes is still high in this region, complicating malaria vaccine research.

ESTIMATION OF DRINKING WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS IN DIFFERENT WATER SOURCES OF NORTH LAKHIMPUR TOWN, ASSAM, INDIA

Water is supreme crucial part of human and animal life. Contaminated water is biggest problem in the world. In this study 42 numbers of drinking water samples were collected from 14 wards of North Lakhimpur town and have been analyzed for some drinking water quality parameters like pH, fluoride (F-). iron (Fe), arsenic (As), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg). The result showed that pH, FFe, As, Pb and Hg ranged from 6.4 to 7.5, 0.02 to 0.64 mg/l, 0.033 to 1.17 mg/l, BDL to 0.0018 mg/l, 0.015 to 0.146 mg/l, and 0.0001 to 0.00559 mg/l respectively. All the measured parameters were within the standard drinking water quality values of WHO except Fe and Hg content. The concentration of Fe was found higher than the standard limit value of WHO (0.3 mg/l) in 33.33% of the analysed sampling stations and the concentration of Hg was found higher than the standard limit value of WHO (0.001 mg/l) in 21.43% of the analysed sampling stations. In general the present investigation found that the maximum parameters were not at a level of pollution.

Indigenous technical knowledge based sustainable production of horticulture enterprise in North Lakhimpur district of Assam

Integrated crop management strategy is inadequate without involvement of indigenous knowledge. Indigenous Technical Knowledge based on local knowledge of environment, natural resources and peoples' experience accumulated over many years. Further, the traditional technologies are eco-friendly because of being free from use of chemicals. North Eastern states are the sleeping giants and considered as store house of indigenous knowledge base due to presence of many different tribes which may be helpful in utilizing their practices for sustainable development of the rural areas without hampering the ecological pursuits of the region. The horticulture is one of the important enterprises of the north eastern hill region people and their management practices are ancient, indigenous and traditional in nature. Therefore, it is important to explore the indigenous knowledge base associated with the horticultural enterprise in the north eastern region for sustainable development. Keeping the above consideration in view, the present study is conducted to document the utilization of Indigenous knowledge system by farmers in the production of horticultural enterprise in North Lakhimpur district of Assam. The participatory methodology was followed to construct and conduct the whole research study. The key informant methods and focus group discussion methods were followed to collect the information.

Exploring Student Academic Performance Using Data Mining Tools

Most of the educational institutes nowadays benefited from the hidden knowledge extracted from the datasets of their students, instructors and educational settings. The education system has gone through a paradigm shift from a traditional system to smart learning environments and from a teacher-centric system to context-aware any time anywhere student-centric approach. In this changing scenario, we have undertaken a study to investigate the results, grades and patterns of the students of North Lakhimpur College. The paper aims to evaluate the quality of learning on the basis of 19249 grades received from 758 students in 511 courses, included in the curriculum of 3 study programmes.

The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations in Protection and Promotion of Child Rights in the North Lakhimpur Sub-Division of Lakhimpur District of Assam

‘Child Rights’ refers to those human rights which are very essential for all-round development of a child. These rights are fundamental rights which make their life meaningful. However, in today’s world all children do not enjoy their rights equally. Among all sections of people children are the most neglected, exploited and vulnerable to almost all forms of social evils. In the developing countries of the world problems relating to children like infanticide, child marriage, child trafficking, child labour, child prostitution, drug addicted children etc. are very severe. As a developing country India has also been struggling with similar problems. In the North Eastern state of Assam also problems relating to children is seen almost in all parts of the state. Efforts are being made by the government and several other agencies to protect and promote the rights of children. The present study is an attempt to evaluate the role of Non-Governmental Organizations in protection and promotion of child rights. The study was carried out in North Lakhimpur Sub-Division of Lakhimpur District of Assam State. The study is based on both theoretical and empirical data. The methodology used for the study was in-depth interview through both Qualitative and Quantitative Research techniques. The study assumes significance as it intends to highlight the ground reality of the functioning of Non-Governmental Organizations in the study area.

Long-term Rainfall Data Analysis of the Major Stations of Brahmaputra Plain in Northeast Region of India

Objectives: This study explores the rainfall variability and long-term trend in the Brahmaputra plain of northeast region of India. The data analysis is mainly focused on estimating the amount, frequency, and trend of rainfall, using daily recorded data between the year 1950 and 2013. Methods: Linear Regression analysis was utilized to check the correlation relation between elevation and rainfall. The Mann Kendall test was used to detect a significant trend in rainfall series. Sen’s slope method was used to measure the magnitude of trends in rainfall series. The correlation between time and rainfall was estimated by utilizing Kendall’s tau. Findings: Data analysis reveals a heaviest-rainfall pockets zone at North Lakhimpur region, wherein annual average rainfall occurs about 3249.57 mm. Another rain shadow zone has detected at Guwahati, wherein annual average rainfall occurs is about 1706.27 mm. A high-low-high gradient in the spatial distribution of seasonal and yearly rainfall has observed from west to east. A similar spatial trend has also observed from south to north along latitudes. The Linear regression analysis reveals a positive relationship between elevation and annual average rainfall. The Mann Kendall test detected a significant rainfall trend on a monthly and seasonal scale whereas, on an annual scale, no significant trend was detected. Rainfall intensity over each station was observed uniform for most of the years. The frequency of light, heavy and very heavy rainfall over the entire Brahmaputra plain region shows a non-significant decreasing trend. Whereas, Dibrugarh and North Lakhimpur experience decreasing trends in the frequency of rainy day and light rainfall and heavy rainfall respectively with a 5% significance level. Application: The result that comes out from this study shall be useful for the study of soil erosion, water resources management, and agricultural activity and may be useful for adopting flood disaster management policies. Keywords: Brahmaputra Plain Region, Rainy Day, Mann Kendall Test, Sen’s Slope Method.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT): Opportunities or Threats for Women Entrepreneurs – An Emperical Survey

Women while accomplishing their entrepreneurial activities face numerous challenges as they have to perform dual task at a time i.e. both household work and business. They are now considered important aspects of country’s economic appreciation process. Therefore empowering women has become a major concern for Government of India. After the adoption of LPG (Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization) in the year 1991, the impact of ICT can be seen at every sector. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is an important aspect in this modern world where everything is moving towards the process of Digitalization. Through this present study an attempt has been made to find out the impact of ICT on Women Entrepreneur of Dhemaji and North Lakhimpur district of Assam. For the purpose of the study, 32 women entrepreneur as respondents has been selected randomly. The study considered both primary data and some secondary information in order to fulfill the objectives.

Social Traditions and the Violation of Women’s Right in the Tagin Society of Arunachal Pradesh

There are 26 major tribes and 110 sub tribes in Arunachal Pradesh. Out of these tribes and sub tribes, Tagin is one of the major tribes in Arunachal Pradesh. The Tagin are descendants of Abo Tani<sup>.</sup> They are settled in Upper Subansiri District of Arunachal Pradesh, bordering east with Galo, west south with Nyishi and North with the Tibet (China). The Tagins are recognized as a separate tribal group very lately. Macknise had noted thatDafla living on the border of North Lakhimpur was known as Tagin Dafla.<sup> </sup> “Till very recently the Bagins, a Western branch of the Dafla tribe, occupying wild terrain in the east of Kameng and west of the Subansiri call the Daflas across the frontier of the Kameng district Tagins. Here, the term Tagin implies the sense of being an eastern people”.

Assessment of bio-energy potential in tea industries of India

Tea production is an energy intensive agro-processing trade. Since high demand of energy and increased in fuel prices, tea waste can be utilized to supplement part of energy required in tea processing. This study was conducted in tea estates of Assam (North Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, and Silchar), India. The total energy consumption in tea manufacturing was found to be 4.2-8.5 kWh/kg of made tea. Thus, total energy consumption (5 kWh/kg of tea) for manufacturing of 1197 million kg of tea from 564 thousand hectare tea plantation in India (during 2014-2015) was 5.985?109 kWh. The total obtainable energy from tea waste was estimated and the conversion efficiency of calorific value to electrical energy was assumed to be 10%, which is the least value of conversion efficiency. Energy potential in processing and garden waste was found to be 11.999?107 kWh and 3.492?1010kWh, respectively, and corresponding electrical energy was estimated to be 1.1999?107 kWh and 3.492?109 kWh, respectively. Thus, comparing the energy that could be generated from wastes in tea estate and that required in tea manufacturing, it can be concluded that the huge amount of energy could be saved with the utilization of tea waste.?

Institutions and Governance in Fisheries of Indian Brahmaputra River Basin

Riverine fisheries are of great importance in the tropical regions of the earth as they provide food and nutrition to millions of people and support their livelihood. Brahmaputra is one of the largest rivers of the world having a drainage area of 580,000 square kilometers. Institutional arrangements have been compared in two river stretches and wetlands under different management regimes, namely: (i) open access (North Lakhimpur district); (ii) Fishermen cooperative (Kamrup district); and 15 floodplain wetlands (in three districts) under Individual, cooperative and open access. The open access regime has no institutional arrangements, while for cooperative and individual regime, the river and wetlands were leased out for 7 years.The ownership of riverine stretches of Brahmaputra lies with department of revenue, while the ownership of floodplain wetlands under various government departments.The study concluded that involvement of actual fisher institutions fisheries may be encouraged for better fisheries management. A need was also felt for periodic evaluation of these institutional arrangements towards their performance and natural resources use. The inclusion of the entire actor group and the presence of active linkages within and among them will strengthen governability.

Bankline change and the facets of riverine hazards in the floodplain of Subansiri–Ranganadi Doab, Brahmaputra Valley, India

Subansiri–Ranganadi Doab (confluence country), located in Lakhimpur district, Assam, is one of the worst flood-affected areas in Brahmaputra valley. The Doab is well populated, and land around these rivers is extensively used for cultivation. As means of flood protection, embankments were constructed in the 1950s along the banks of both the rivers. On the other hand, these rivers are dynamic in terms of banklines and other forms of channel changes. Progressive migration of bankline, due to erosion, results in loss of cultivable land. Moreover, it causes breaches in the embankments increasing the severity of flood in the Doab. This paper attempts to study the changes in the banklines of two major rivers in the floodplains of the Subansiri–Ranganadi Doab during 1997–2009 in the context of the riverine hazards it brings to the floodplain dwellers. The shift of the banklines in Subansiri–Ranganadi Doab, downstream of North Lakhimpur, has been estimated using IRS LISS imageries of 1997 and 2009 in GIS environment. The river Subansiri during the study period has migrated westward and has widened substantially resulting in erosion of an area of ~19.137 km2. For Ranganadi, the total area that has been eroded due to channel changes is ~0.897 km2. The channel changes are mainly due to concave bank erosion associated with high stages of flow. Channel widening in Subansiri and Ranganadi in the study area during the decades of 1990s and 2000 has led to frequent breaches in the embankments. Lateral erosion and inundation due to embankment failure are the most dominant facets of riverine hazards in the study area as these lead to loss of livelihood. Therefore, it is necessary to incorporate geomorphic changes in formulating flood management programmes.

Genotype x environment interaction and stability analysis of lowland rice genotypes

Twenty-one lowland rice genotypes were evaluated for their stability parameters with respect to grain yield in a multi-locational trial at five different sites of Eastern India viz. Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack (Orissa); OUAT, Bhubaneswar (Orissa); CRS, Masodha (UP); RAU, Pusa (Bihar) and RARS, North Lakhimpur (Assam). Pooled analysis of variance reflects existence of genotype x environment interactions and contribution of both linear and non-linear components to genotype x environment interactions. Through stability parameter analysis, it was found that Rayda B3, CR 778-95 and CR 661- 236 were suitable for all environments. The genotypes Sabita and OR 1358-RGA-4 were suitable for better environments. PSR 1209-2-3-2, CR 780-1937, Ambika, OR 877-ST-4-2, NDR 40055-2-1 and CR 662-2211 were identified for poor environments.

A deterministic approach for preparation of seismic hazard maps in North East India

A method of seismic zonation based on deterministic modeling of rupture plane is presented in this work. This method is based on the modeling of finite rupture plane along identified lineaments in the region using the semi-empirical technique, of Midorikawa [(1993) Tectonophysics 218:287–295]. The modeling procedure follows ω2 scaling law, directivity effects, and other strong motion parameters. The technique of zonation is applied for technoeconomically important NE part of Brahmaputra valley that falls in the seismic gap region of Himalaya. Zonation map prepared for Brahmaputra valley for earthquakes of magnitude M > 6.0 show that approximately 90,000 km2 area fall in the highly hazardous zone IV, which covers region that can have peak ground accelerations of order more than 250 cm/s2. The zone IV covers the Tezu, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Ziro, North Lakhimpur, Itanagar, Sibsagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Wokha, Senapati, Imphal, and Kohima regions. The Pasighat, Daring, Basar, and Seppa region belong to zone III with peak ground accelerations of the order 200–250 cm/s2. The seismic zonation map obtained from deterministic modeling of the rupture is consistent with the historical seismicity map and it has been found that the epicenter of many moderate and major earthquakes fall in the identified zones.