South Assam Research Articles

A Multivariate Investigation of Groundwater Chemistry Data in Barak River Valley, South Assam, India

ABSTRACTThe present study investigated seven physico‐chemical parameters (depth, pH, chloride, and hardness) and trace elements (arsenic [As], copper [Cu], and iron [Fe]) in the shallow aquifers of Barak River valley in Assam, India. All the physico‐chemical parameters were within the guideline value except pH; approximately 37.5% of the samples were below the guideline value (6.5–8.5). As ranged from 0 to 270 µg/L, Fe ranged from 1.43 to 61.03 mg/L, and Cu concentration ranged from 0 to 0.25 mg/L. All the samples for Fe, 83.33% for Cu and 70.84% for As were above the guideline value as prescribed by WHO or BIS. Further, the data were subjected to multivariate statistical analysis (MSA), including principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA), to investigate pollution sources. PCA identified three components, accounting for 72.42% of the total variance. The R‐mode CA identified two clusters, while the Q‐mode identified six clusters. The MSA results signified that human activities were more responsible than natural or geogenic processes for the deterioration of groundwater quality in the study area.

Trends in Climatic Variables and Pattern of Diseases: A study in South Assam of the Eastern Himalayan region

Trends in Climatic Variables and Pattern of Diseases: A study in South Assam of the Eastern Himalayan region

Palynological response deduced through spatially distinct surface samples to reconstruct palaeoecology and palaeoclimate of the Barak Valley, Assam (Indo-Burma region), northeast India

Establishing modern pollen analogues under various vegetation types in a location is necessary without which it is difficult to accurately interpret fossil pollen assemblages in any region in terms of the past environment and palaeoclimate. We have analysed the modern pollen dataset of 30 surface soil and sediment samples from the forested, cropland, wetland and river sites of the Karimganj District in south Assam, to comprehend the connection between the recent pollen assemblage and the vegetation patterns in the Barak Valley. The overall pollen data reflect the tropical moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forest comprising Syzygium, Schleichera, Terminalia, Lagerstroemia, Duabanga, Sapotaceae, Ilex, Mesua and Schima under a warm and humid climate in response to rainfall variations in the region. The presence of Euphorbiaceae and Convolvulaceae inferred high monsoonal activity in and around the region. A robust relationship between local herbaceous vegetation and pollen was observed. The steady occurrence of cereal pollen (average 18.67%) along with other cultural pollen taxa like Brassicaceae, Coriandrum and Solanaceae illustrate intense agricultural activity around the valley areas. Multivariate principal component analysis (PCA) and box plot were applied to the quantified data obtained from pollen frequency analyses of the surface samples which clearly revealed a significant variation and similarity in vegetation types. Thus, an attempt has been commenced to precisely observe the behavioural pattern of modern pollen deposition in a varied depositional setting, which could, in turn, help in assessing the expanse of agricultural practices and the depth of deterioration of pristine forests and surrounding areas. This modern training dataset could also help in the precise reconstruction of past climate and vegetation shifts in the Barak Valley region. A correlation of regional palynodata with other regions of the Indian subcontinent and Indo-Burma will also be assessed for better interpretation.

Evaluation of soil arsenic pollution and phytoaccumulation capabilities of 24 indigenous plant species in Barak Valley, South Assam, India

AbstractThis study investigated the concentrations of arsenic (As) in soil and plant biomass from the Barak Valley in South Assam, India. Soil samples showed concentrations ranging from 6.06 ± 0.84 mg/kg to 18.61 ± 1.52 mg/kg, with an average of 10.60 ± 3.15 mg/kg, 41.67% of the sample exceeding uncontaminated ranges (0.1–10 mg/kg). Ecological risk assessments such as contamination factors, pollutant load index, geo‐accumulation index, and anthropogenicity identified varying contamination levels across sampling points. A total of 24 plant species were collected, ferns (two species), shrubs (five species), grass (six species), and herb (11 species). The concentration of As in different plants types decreased in the order of fern (393.45 ± 159.63 mg/kg) > shrub (20.48 ± 7.25 mg/kg) > herb (17.92 ± 13.75 mg/kg) > grass (14.98 ± 13.80 mg/kg). Plant species, namely Pityrogramma calomelanos, Christella dentata, Mimosa pudica, Chromolaena odorata, Leucas aspera, Persicaria decipiens, Melastoma malabathricum, and Clerodendrum infortunatum, accumulated higher concentrations of As in their above‐ground parts compared to roots and were categorized as tolerant accumulators (TF > 1). By incorporating these plant species into phytoextraction strategies, the region can benefit from their unique properties and abilities to effectively remediate arsenic‐contaminated sites, ultimately improving the affected areas' environmental and human health conditions.

Influence of Different Chemoedaphic Factors on Soil Inhabiting Microarthropods in a Forest Ecosystem of South Assam

Influence of Different Chemoedaphic Factors on Soil Inhabiting Microarthropods in a Forest Ecosystem of South Assam

Spatio-temporal distribution of aquatic insects and functional feeding groups in different stretches of River Jatinga, south Assam, India

The present study investigated aquatic insect community of River Jatinga, one of the major north bank tributaries of Barak River, North east India. The objectives of this study were to find out spatial and seasonal distribution of aquatic insects and their functional feeding groups (FFG). Aquatic insects were collected seasonally in five different stretches of the river. Parameters like taxa richness, insect density, diversity indices, FFG%, riverbed sediment texture and particles sizes were determined. Total 37 and 38 numbers of aquatic insect families belonging to eight orders were recorded in the first and second year, respectively. In both years, the upstream sites with rocky substratum showed higher taxa richness (15) in pre monsoon and density (47.33 ± 8.5) in winter season than that of downstream sites with sandy substratum. The size of particles gradually decreased from upstream sites to downstream sites. Boulders, cobbles, pebbles and granules mostly dominated the upstream sites (US1 and US2) while boulders and cobbles were totally absent in both downstream sites. Trichoptera, Hemiptera, Ephemeroptera and Diptera were the major orders and the major families were Psephenidae, Elmidae, Baetidae, Hydropsychidae, Leptophlebiidae, Gerridae and Simuliidae. The number of FFG types was higher in upstream sites than that of midstream and downstream sites in both years indicating preference for heterogenous habitat. The predators being mostly tolerant occurred across sites and seasons while sensitive groups like scrapers, shredders were found only in the upstream sites. Predators showed highest percentage (97.56) followed by piercers-herbivores, predators/scrapers (83.33). Canonical correspondence analysis revealed distinctive association between the insect community and particle sizes.

Demographic and Clinical Profile of Patients with COVID-19 Infection during First and Second Wave in a Tertiary Care Hospital of South Assam

BACKGROUND
 Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), was first detected in Wuhan, China in 2019 and since then has engulfed the entire globe at an unprecedented pace. The virus has infected all age groups, both males and females with or without symptoms and with significant variations. In this study, we wanted to analyse the data related to demographic features of COVID-19-infected patients mainly focusing on their age, gender and symptoms.
 METHODS
 This was a hospital-based retrospective study that included all laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases which were declared SARS-COV-2 real-time RT-PCR positive by VRDL, SMCH, Silchar from March 2020 to August 2021. Data related to the demographic characteristics of patients with COVID-19 infection was retrieved from the ICMR-COVID-19 portal of the laboratory and analysed.
 RESULTS
 The study included 8065 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases which involved 5605 cases during the first wave and 2460 cases during the second wave of COVID-19, diagnosed from different districts of South Assam. The majority of infected patients were of the younger age group of 20-30 years. The mean age of the patients was almost similar in both waves i.e. 35.9 and 38.4 years. Of the total enrolled patients, 91.7% were reported asymptomatic while 8.3 % were symptomatic with fever and cough being the commonest ones.
 CONCLUSIONS
 The COVID-19 pandemic is a huge burden on healthcare facilities. The majority of the infected patients presenting to our hospital were young and asymptomatic, thus posing risk to the community. Hence, it is crucial to practice proper hygiene, wearing of masks and complete the vaccination schedule to achieve better vigilance to combat the COVID-19 pandemic more efficiently and effectively.

Evaluation of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Methanolic Extract of Rhus chinensis Seed: In-vitro Studies

Rhus chinensis is a dioecious shrub, found in warm temperate zone across Asia. In India it is found in Northeastern part like South Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. [16] The roots, stem, leaves and seed have various therapeutic effects on ailments like hemoptysis, jaundice, snakebites, diabetes. Phytochemical analysis of Rhus chinensis extracts revealed the presence of various biochemical compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, triterpenoids, amino acids, proteins and carbohydrates. These compounds have well proven remarkable anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.
 The adverse effect of oxidative stress results in many disorders such as aging, cardiovascular disorders and so on. Inflammation is yet again another problem which causes many disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and Crohn’s disease etc. This research was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of Rhus chinensis seed (Methanolic Extract). The in-vitro antioxidant activity was carried out by testing 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and ferric chloride reducing activity. Further, effect on protein denaturation, inhibition of proteinase and Human Red Blood Cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization was carried out to screen for anti-inflammatory activity.The total phenolic content was found to be 5 mg/mL of Gallic acid equivalent (GAE) and flavonoid content was found to be 335 µg/mL of Quercetin equivalent (QE). Aspirin and Diclofenac sodium were used as standard drug. All the assays showed positive results and it was concentration dependent. Thus, Rhus chinensis seed is a promising anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent with significant activity. Moreover, the use of natural products like Rhus chinensis can be highly efficient, beneficial, cost effective, safer alternative with lesser side effects. Altogether, studies on Rhus chinensis seeds have huge scope as an alternative ethno-pharmaceutical compound for inflammations.

Internal Remittances, Household Welfare, Spending Patterns and Labour Supply: A Study from Rural Areas of Hailakhandi District of South Assam

Internal Remittances, Household Welfare, Spending Patterns and Labour Supply: A Study from Rural Areas of Hailakhandi District of South Assam

Assessment of water quality of a hilly river of south Assam, north east India using water quality index and multivariate statistical analysis

The River Jatinga, Assam, north east India is the only river that caters to the needs of the people of the Dima Hasao district of Assam but lacks information about its water quality. For ascertaining its quality, water samples were collected seasonally from five sites of the river during 2018–2019. Analyses of 13 environmental variables of water following standard methods found most of the variables well within the acceptable limit of drinking water quality standards prescribed by Bureau of Indian Standards/World Health Organization. Water Quality Status (WQS) of the river considering nine parameters (potential of hydrogen, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solid, biological oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, total alkalinity, total hardness, nitrate, phosphate) was evaluated using Water Quality Index by weighted arithmetic index method. WQS across the sites and seasons were either good or excellent and suitable for domestic, irrigation and industrial purposes. Principal component analysis (PCA) classified the three PCs as I: electrical conductivity, total dissolved solid, total alkalinity, biological oxygen demand (anthropogenic, organic); II: transparency, flow rate, dissolved oxygen (natural); III: nitrate, phosphate (agricultural runoff). For improvement and maintenance of water quality of the river a co-operative participation of the authorities and local bodies is imperative.

Level of awareness regarding equity investment of retail investors: evidence from India

In this research, we assess the awareness level of investors towards equity market and equity investment, the influence of investment behavior, and their demographic profile on their possessing of information. Using stratified random sampling method in collecting raw data from South Assam, India we find that retail equity share investors are moderately informed about various aspects of investment in equity shares and there is no significant association between the demographic variables other than gender and awareness about equity investment. Considering the findings of the study, we anticipate a need from policy makers to engage in investors’ awarenessprogram to increase their awareness about equity market and its investing benefits. A special consideration should be given to the female group while designing the awarenessprogram as they are observed to be less aware compared to the male retail investors.

Monitoring of river health using aquatic insects: A study on Jatinga River, North East India

A biomonitoring study of River Jatinga located in south Assam, north east In-dia was conducted for the first time. The study aimed to evaluate water quality of the river in different stretches using aquatic in-sect as bioindicators. Insect samples were collected from selected sites of mid-stream and downstream of the river during monsoon- post monsoon, 2018 and winter- pre monsoon, 2019. A total of 25 families of aquatic insects recorded from 8 orders; Gerridae was eudominant in midstream across all the seasons with highest percentage in win-ter. Hemiptera, the most di-verse group was represented by six families with highest relative abundance. The study found that although both the sites were repre-sented by same functional feeding groups, there were seasonal and spatial varia-tions in the families of in-sects and their percentage occurrences. All the biotic indices, BMWPTHAI, SIG-NAL2 scores, EPT % and HFBI have shown relatively better quality of water of the River Jatinga in the mid-stream than that in the downstream during mon-soon and post monsoon sea-sons. Presence/absence and abundance of certain insect groups can provide infor-mation about health of the river.

Assets, Rural Livelihood Strategies and Welfare Outcomes: A Case Study from South Assam, India

This article uses income and asset data from a sample of 394 rural households from the remote and agriculturally backward region of the Barak Valley, located in the southern part of the north-eastern state of Assam in India, to construct a poverty profile for the area based on the asset structure of households. In doing so, the study goes beyond the traditional income-centric approach which treats the poor as a homogeneous group and takes a deeper look into the character of poverty in the region by segregating households on the basis of various poverty configurations. Further, using a combination of cluster analysis and propensity score matching methods, the study explores the relation between asset ownership and the choice of livelihood strategies and subsequently evaluates the impact of such choices on the income poverty status of rural households. The study finds that vulnerability is very high in the study area, with two-thirds of the rural households being afflicted with one type of deprivation or the other. However, the nature of deprivation being diverse, the study underscores the need for profiling poverty in terms of its structural and stochastic components and designing policy interventions suited to specific situations, for maximisation of welfare gains.

A Study on Rongmei Syllable Structure

A syllable is a sound or succession of a sounds uttered within a single breath-impulse. Syllable is a unit of pronunciation consisting of a vowel alone or of a vowel with one or more consonants. Phonologically, the syllable is “a unit containing one and only one vowel either alone or surrounded by consonants in certain arrangements”. (O’Connor 1973). It is generally accepted that nucleus is obligatory in all languages, thus, the same is true in case of Rongmei. Rongmei is one of the schedule tribe of Northeast India, mainly concentrated in Assam (Barak Valley), Manipur and Nagaland. Ethnically, Rongmeis are Mongloids and their language belongs to Kuki-Naga section of the Kamarupan group of the Baric sub-division of Tibeto-Burman family of languages (Matisoff, 2001). The analysis indicates that Rongmei treats both onset and coda as optional. Besides, the clustering phenomenon is absent at both onset position coda position. This paper is an effort to look into the possible syllable structure in Rongmei Naga language spoken in Barak Valley of South Assam. Keywords : Syllable, Syllable Tree, Heavy Syllable, Light Syllable, Syllable Structure, DOI : 10.7176/JLLL/56-07 Publication date :May 31 st 2019

Municipal Solid Waste Management in South Assam: Current trend, Scope and challenges for growing Mini City Silchar, Assam, India.


 
 
 Municipal solid waste management is a humongous problem for majority of developing countries across the world. Spontaneous commercial, residential and infrastructural development due to population explosion has caused negative impacts on the inhabiting environment. Unplanned townscapes and lack of proper scientific and technical expertise in MSW management has complicated the problems further. In the current paper, we tried to investigate the root cause of such common urban problems considering Silchar Mini City as one of the fastest growing population hubs in south Assam. The population of the city is nearly two lakhs according to the census of 2011, thus generating around 85 MT (metric ton) of Municipal waste every day which consists of house hold waste (50%), market waste (39%), street waste (6%), and other commercial wastes including the E-waste in total (5%). The per capita rate of waste generation is 240-250 gram per day on average. The current study assesses the present trends, scopes and the way forward in sustainable municipal solid waste management in coming times in Silchar City. Such studies should also be undertaken for rapidly developing cities across India to generate a database of city wise waste generation across the country. This would also provide a roadmap for the techniques adopted in sustainable management of the waste.
 
 

A study on obstetric care in a primary health center of South Assam district, India

Background: Maternal and child health are critically important in a country that is experiencing high infant mortality and maternal mortality. Research all over the world has suggested that one of the major solutions to this problem is availability of Emergency Obstetric Care services within the reach of people. Objectives of the study were to examine profile of mothers who have delivered in health facility during a year and the interplay of various factors in child birth and newborn outcome.Methods: Retrospective cross sectional study conducted by collecting information in predesigned format from medical records. Appropriate statistical methods and test of significance performed for qualitative and quantitative variables.Results: Out of 539 women, the majority of 42.9% were in the age group 20-25 years, the mean age (SD) of mother was 24.1 years (±4.09). Out of total 539 vaginal deliveries, 56.6% cases episiotomy was performed. 41.6% deliveries occurred from 8 AM to 4 PM. The mean birth weight was 2.830 kg SD 0.439 and low birth prevalence 16.0%. Parity with time to delivery after admission in different age groups revealed significant association (X2=66.456, p=0.000). Women aged less than 20 years are 12 times more at risk of episiotomy performed. The multivariate logistic regression analysis shows 60.67% specificity and 85.59% sensitivity in predicting episiotomy.Conclusions: From study it is evident that women report to hospital late in labor hence there is urgent need to provide quality antenatal care services at village and PHC level and augment awareness among the community for promotion of safe motherhood.

Arsenic–Iron Relationships in Aquifers of North East India: Implications for Public Health and the Environment

Arsenic (As) contamination of groundwater in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna basin of India and Bangladesh poses severe risk to human health and the environment. Arsenic in the groundwater of this area is largely geogenic, derived from the microbial reductive dissolution of iron (Fe) oxyhydroxide and subsequent release of the sorbed As. The present study examined the correlation between As and Fe in groundwater sources in four districts of Manipur state, and in Cachar, Hailakandi, and Karimganj districts in the Barak Valley region of south Assam. Both the study areas are located in the northeastern region of India. The results reveal that As-Fe correlations in Manipur were more significant and positive, when compared to those in Barak Valley. The significance of these findings in the mobilization and transport of arsenic in the fluvial environment of these two areas of North East India, and in the prediction of arsenic-safe aquifers, are discussed and compared with existing literature. These findings, therefore, have implications in the sustainable management of groundwater resources in the study areas.

Uterine rupture - the current scenario in the south Assam

Uterine rupture - the current scenario in the south Assam

Traditional honey harvesting by the Pnar community of South Assam, India

Honey obtained from the bee hives is a sweet food and has a great medicinal value. Honey collected from nature by the ethnic communities is an important source of nutrition and also contribute to their income generation. Honey collection from the wild is especially done by the indigenous tribe and forest dwellers. The Pnar community living in Barak Valley, South Assam is also engaged in the collection of honey from the forest, especially during the spring season. The process starts with the gathering of information, followed by the preparation for the activity and subsequently extraction of honey from the bee hive. The technique used by the Pnar community is a challenging one as it involves harvesting of honey from lofty trees in forest with traditionally made gears like bamboo basket, smoke torch and a one bamboo ladder. The indigenous ways involves lining the bamboo basket with leaves for the collection of honey, using smoke to frighten the bee and storage of honey in the bamboo pipes. The present study exhibits the rich traditional knowledge that has paved the way for a sustainable livelihood since long and at the same time provides income generation opportunity for the community. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Isolation and Characterization of Two Cyanobacterial Strains Calothrix Sp. and Microchaete Sp. from Rice Fields of Karimganj District, Assam, North East India

Studies on various nitrogen fixing microalgal strains found in the rice paddy field soils are carried out in different parts of the world. In the present study two cyanobacterial strains belonging to the order nostocales, Calothrix sp. and Microchaete sp. were isolated from the rice fields of Karimganj district, South Assam, India and characterized based on their morphological, biochemical and molecular analysis. For the phenotypic characterization - growth, pigments (chlorophyll a, total carotenoid content, phycobiliproteins) and biochemical properties (total carbohydrate and soluble proteins) were studied. The study showed that both strains contain lower phycoerythrin content as compared to the other pigments. The Microchaete strain contain a higher total carotenoid content while chlorophyll a accumulation was higher in the Calothrix strain. Phylogenetic compairision was made using 16S rRNA gene sequences including other sequences of Calothrix, Microchaete and Tolypothrix species from GenBank. The results showed that polyphasic approach provides necessary information for the identification of cyanobacterial species using morphological analysis in combination with molecular techniques.