Satara District Research Articles

Season-ahead forecasting of water storage and irrigation requirements – an application to the southwest monsoon in India

Abstract. Water risk management is a ubiquitous challenge faced by stakeholders in the water or agricultural sector. We present a methodological framework for forecasting water storage requirements and present an application of this methodology to risk assessment in India. The application focused on forecasting crop water stress for potatoes grown during the monsoon season in the Satara district of Maharashtra. Pre-season large-scale climate predictors used to forecast water stress were selected based on an exhaustive search method that evaluates for highest ranked probability skill score and lowest root-mean-squared error in a leave-one-out cross-validation mode. Adaptive forecasts were made in the years 2001 to 2013 using the identified predictors and a non-parametric k-nearest neighbors approach. The accuracy of the adaptive forecasts (2001–2013) was judged based on directional concordance and contingency metrics such as hit/miss rate and false alarms. Based on these criteria, our forecasts were correct 9 out of 13 times, with two misses and two false alarms. The results of these drought forecasts were compared with precipitation forecasts from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). We assert that it is necessary to couple informative water stress indices with an effective forecasting methodology to maximize the utility of such indices, thereby optimizing water management decisions.

Non-Conventional Energy Sources: A Geo-Spatial Study of Site, Situation, Production and Economy of Wind Farms in Satara District

Abstract Wind energy is a popular from the non-conventional energy sources in the World. In India states like Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Orissa, and Maharashtra are as regarded as superior areas with respect to this type energy. The installed capacity of wind in India till December 2010 was 13,056.37 MW, principally distributed throughout the Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, etc. In Maharashtra, there are 38 wind farms and the 3655 wind machines are installed with the 3431.86MW capacity of power generation up to September 2013. In Satara district, 17 wind sites and also other some sites are discovered. At present there are 1636 wind turbines are installed with its capacity of power generation is 1122.61MW and the production of wind energy of 2183745.15KWh average per annum in Satara district. The main objectives of the present paper are to assess the scope of non-conventional energy resources especially the power generation from wind and to analyze the trend and distribution of the wind mills and wind farms in Satara district. It is find out the amount of recovered from the power generation comes around 12 years without subsidy and around 8 years with subsidy. The total life span of wind turbines is 25 years. It is very much clean and does not cause any problem to the environment as well as to the survival on the surface of the earth. Therefore, it is inferred that the generation of power from wind is not only cheaper and permanent energy source but also a non-polluting, freely available source. It is helpful for the development of economically and socially in a region especially in rural development. With these consequences the income level will increase and it will further help in minimising the social disparities.

<b>First report of rust fungi <I>Puccinia duthiae</I> on <I>Dichanthium foveolatum</I> from India</b>

Uredinial and telial stages of rust pathogen Puccinia duthiae are described on a new host grass species, Dichanthium foveolatum, for the first time from a range of the Western Ghats in Satara District, Maharashtra, India.

Technical Issues in E-Governance Initiatives in Satara District in Maharashtra State (India)

Technical Issues in E-Governance Initiatives in Satara District in Maharashtra State (India)

Physical growth pattern among adolescents from Satara District: Using sitting height, leg length, and other anthropometric measurements

Background: Adolescent is a transitional phase between childhood and adulthood. Apart from height and weight other anthropometric measurements such as sitting height and leg length are also useful in assessment of physical growth pattern. Aims and Objectives: The objectives of this study is to develop mean and standard deviation (SD) for sitting height, leg length, biacromial diameter, bicristal diameter etc., and to compare them with the national Indian council of medical research standard and other study reference values. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional school-based study was carried out in Satara district. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20 for windows. Results: During 10–15 years of age, sitting height increased by 12.10 and 8.44 cm for boys and girls, respectively. The peak sitting height velocity was observed at 13–14 years in boys and 12–13 years in girls. During 10–15 years of age leg length was increased by 14.86 and 10.58 cm for boys and girls, respectively. Thus, both boys and girls have more increase in leg length as compared to sitting height. There is proportionately more increase in shoulder width than the hip width in case of boys whereas girls showed a more increase in hip width. Conclusions: As there are very less studies regarding other anthropometric measurements such as sitting height, leg length, and biacromial diameter it is necessary to carry out regional and national studies to develop standard/reference values for these anthropometric measurements.

Oral health-related quality of life of institutionalized elderly in Satara District, India

Context: Almost in every country, the proportion of people aged over 60 years is growing rapidly than any other age group as a result of both longer life expectancy and declining fertility rates. Aims: The aim of this study is to assess the oral health status, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), and the dental care utilization of institutionalized and homebound elderly in Satara district, India. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the 150 institutionalized elderly participants of Satara district. Type 3 clinical examination was done to detect dental caries, missing tooth, periodontal diseases, and any other oral findings followed by interview with elderly patients. A questionnaire was administered to assess OHRQoL according to the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI), dental visiting pattern, and sociodemographic and self-perceived oral health status of elderly. The descriptive and analytic statistics were used to analyze the data; Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was performed to determine the prevalence of poor OHRQoL by independent variables. Results: Poor OHRQoL according to GOHAI was observed among 64.7% of the men and 67.1% of the women, and there was no statistically significant difference observed. In community periodontal index, 42.6% of men and 36.6% of women had all sextants excluded, and of those remaining, 95.6% of men and 96.3% of women needed one or other periodontal treatment. Regarding decayed, missing, and filled teeth index, mean was 22.5 in men and 24.2 in women. Conclusion: Institutionalized elderly with 65 years and older showed higher prevalence of poor oral health status and unmet needs for dental care that were associated with poor OHRQoL. Therefore, it is necessary to improve health and social importance of oral health care for elderly.

Dalit Participation in Total Sanitation Campaign with Special Reference to Satara District in Maharashtra

Development cannot be achieved without the participation of people from all segments of society. It is a process that requires collective action for social transformation or social change in the socio-economic and political lives of the people. The Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) is one of the major programmes in India to promote sanitation and hygiene. The article is an attempt made to understanding the Dalit population’s participation in the total sanitation programme. The field visits in six villages reveal that illiterate 20 per cent respondents did not participate in the decision-making process. Gram panchayat has not given equal opportunity for participation to Dalit women in the planning process of the campaign activities. Educated people are more likely to get the opportunity for participation in planning and implementation of the scheme. Villages, even gram panchayats, have not conducted any awareness campaign to disseminate the information of the Campaign among Dalit and rural masses.

Performance Assessment of Medium Water Storage Infrastructures using Geo-Spatial Techniques; Satara District, Maharashtra A Case Study

Performance Assessment of Medium Water Storage Infrastructures using Geo-Spatial Techniques; Satara District, Maharashtra A Case Study

Effective Waste Water System for Kondave Village in Satara District

Effective Waste Water System for Kondave Village in Satara District

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Erysiphe quercicola on Acacia auriculiformis in India

Earleaf acacia, also known as Australian acacia (Acacia auriculiformis) is planted as a source of firewood and as an ornamental tree. In India, it was introduced as a plantation tree to cover barren lands and hill slopes. During October 2014 to February 2015, severe infection of powdery mildew on earleaf acacia was observed in various localities of Satara District, Maharashtra State, India. Disease symptoms included grayish white circular to irregular patches consisting of epiphytic mycelium and conidia on both surfaces of leaves. As disease progressed, leaves were covered by a gray powdery fungal mass, and older leaves became yellow to brown and dropped prematurely. Infections on pods were not observed. Disease incidence was estimated to be 100%. An examination of diseased tissues using light microscopy revealed amphigenous mycelium, effuse or forming dense patches, persistent, and often causing brownish discoloration of leaves; hyphae were hyaline and smooth, 2 to 6 µm wide with hyphal appressoria solit...

FIRST REPORT OF PODOSPHAERA XANTHII CAUSING POWDERY MILDEW ON AGERATUM CONYZOIDES IN INDIA

During March and April 2015, powdery mildew symptoms were observed on A. conyzoides, a very common weed, along roadsides and in some agricultural fields of Satara District (M.S., India). Symptoms appeared as thin white patches on the stem and both leaf surfaces. Infected leaves were deformed and showed curled margins. Disease incidence was estimated to be 100%. Microscopical observations revealed nipple-shaped, solitary hyphal appressoria, erect conidiophores with cylindrical foot cells, 30-65×10-13 µm in size, sometimes slightly constricted at the basal septum or slightly swollen at the very base, followed by 1–4 shorter cells, forming long chains of ellipsoid-ovoid to doliiform conidia, 35-55 × 14-22 µm in size, bearing distinct fibrosin bodies. Germ tubes were short, lateral, simple to forked. Chasmothecia were absent. Based on these morphological characters, the pathogen was tentatively identified as Podosphaera xanthii (Braun and Cook 2012). A reference specimen (HAL-2924F) was deposited in the Geobotany Herbarium of Martin Luther University, Halle, Germany. To confirm the identity of the fungus, genomic DNA was extracted and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was amplified by PCR and sequenced using the primers ITS5 and ITS4 (White et al., 1990). The resulting 257 bp sequence was deposited in GenBank (accession No. KX369237). BLAST analysis showed 99% identity with comparable sequences of P. xanthii from Verbena brasiliensis from Korea (KJ472787) and Xanthium strumarium from India (KX369236). To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. xanthii on A. conyzoides in India. This weed may be acting as a source of inoculum for powdery mildew disease on different crops and plants of ornamental and horticultural importance.

‘Unwanted’ is My Name: Culture, Patriarchy and Gender Bias Surrounding the Nakusa Girls of Maharashtra

This study tries to explore the shocking ‘Nakusa’ phenomenon in the Satara district of Maharashtra by analysing the factors responsible for discrimination against girl children. Many parents have named their daughters as ‘Nakusa/Nakoshi’ means ‘unwanted’ in local Marathi language, in the hope and under the superstition that the next child will be a boy. A survey of ‘Nakusa’ households was carried out in 2013 in the selected villages besides case studies of parents and their ‘unwanted’ daughters. Most ‘Nakusas’ were either third or fourth daughter of their parents. ‘Nakusa’ girls are experiencing discrimination and socio-psychological problems, and are the silent victims of the most visible and crudest form of gender bias still persisting. Women called ‘Nakusa’, who have suffered on account of their name all through their lives, will they ever want to have a daughter?

A Comparative Study of Quality of Under Ground Water of Man Tahishil and Phaltan Tahashil Which are Located at aDifferent Height in Satara District From Maharashtra (India)

A Comparative Study of Quality of Under Ground Water of Man Tahishil and Phaltan Tahashil Which are Located at aDifferent Height in Satara District From Maharashtra (India)

A Cross Sectional Study of Socio – Demographic and Morbidity Profile of Brick Kiln Workers in Rural Area of Karad, in Satara District

A Cross Sectional Study of Socio – Demographic and Morbidity Profile of Brick Kiln Workers in Rural Area of Karad, in Satara District

Incidence of microfilaraemia in horses from Panchagani, Satara district of western Maharashtra

Incidence of microfilaraemia in horses from Panchagani, Satara district of western Maharashtra

Oral health status and dental treatment needs of sensory-impaired children of Satara District, India

Background: The physiological deficit can often lead to disability and one of the major population groups of disabled children includes the children with hearing impairment. In India, people with disability may be with one or more of its kind which is equal to 2.1% of the population of the country. Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the oral hygiene status, dental caries levels, and periodontal status among the sensory-impaired children. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 150 disabled children aged 5–22 years attending a school for the sensory impaired children of Satara district, India. The subjects were examined using Type III clinical examination. Oral hygiene status by oral hygiene index-simplified (OHI-S), decayed, missing, and filled teeth/surface (DMFT/S) index, periodontal status by community periodontal index, and dentition status and treatment needs were assessed. ANOVA and Chi-square test were used and P

Can conditional cash transfers promote delayed childbearing? Evidence from the ‘Second Honeymoon Package’ in rural Maharashtra, India

ABSTRACTIn 2007 the District Health Services in Satara District, Maharashtra, India, undertook an innovative programme, ‘the Second Honeymoon Package’ (SHP), which aimed to reduce the rate of population growth by offering conditional cash transfers (CCTs) to newly married couples who agreed to postpone their first birth by two or three years. The approach differed from India's traditional family planning programme, based mainly on female sterilisation, by promoting ‘non-terminal’ contraceptive methods, such as condoms and pills. The SHP ended prematurely in 2010 without being fully evaluated, leaving unanswered the question of its impact and potential for scale-up.This paper addresses this question by investigating the perceptions and experiences women and couples who participated in the programme, as well as the views of local health staff. We use quantitative data from a 2010 survey of 1355 SHP participants, in which the third author was involved, and new qualitative data from a total of 26 programme staff and participants, collected by the first two authors in 2015. Participants’ perceptions of the programme indicate that the SHP had many positive attributes, despite some major challenges. We conclude with recommendations for improving and scaling up programmes of this kind in India and elsewhere.

Faunal diversity of Satara District, Maharashtra, India

Satara District of Maharashtra State is a part of northern Western Ghats and Deccan Plateau biogeographic zones. The data on various faunal groups was collected from the extensive study carried out during the period between 2007 and 2010, covering different parts of the district. The present study reports faunal diversity of the district with 677 species under 150 families belonging to 11 different groups. Overall, the district has substantial faunal diversity. Out of the total species, 94 are recorded as endemic species, 35 species are listed as threatened under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and 38 species are listed in the different schedules of Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 (as amended up to 2013). The information on geographical distribution pattern of mammalian species in the district is also provided.

Additional records of the highly threatened Ceropegia mahabalei Hemadri & Ansari (Asclepiadoideae: Apocynaceae) from Nashik District, Maharashtra, India

Ceropegia mahabalei Hemadri & Ansari is a herbaceous plant known from three locations in Pune, Satara and Thane District of Maharashtra. This communication records a new location of this species from Nashik District which is the northeastern most record for this species. The small existing population in this new location is threatened by cattle grazing, and trampling by tourists.

Diversity and distribution of Pteridophytes from Satara District, Maharashtra (India)

The diversity and distribution along different ecological gradients of eighty six species of pteridophytes from the Satara district were studied. Amongst these species most common species were viz., Adiantum philippense, Aleuritopteris bicolor, Azolla pinnata subdp. asiatica, Marsilea minuta, Pityrogramma calomelanos, Pteridum revolutum, Pteris vittata, Selaginella ciliris and Tectaria coadunata.