West Bengal Research Articles

Yields, nutrient-use efficiencies and production economics of wheat (Triticum aestivum) as influenced by foliar nano urea

The nano fertilizers are becoming popular in crop production sector due to their higher nutrient use efficiency and also enhance the productivity and quality while requiring less input and being environmentally safe. In order to assess the effect of foliar application of nano urea on growth and yield performances of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and to evaluate nitrogen-use efficiency under integrated use of nano urea, this study was undertaken during the rabi seasons of 2021–22 and 2022–23 at the Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, West Bengal. The experiment was laid-out in a randomized block design (RBD) having 13 treatments consisting of foliar application of water, nano urea (once at tillering and twice at tillering and jointing) and 5% urea in combination with each of 50,75 and 100% of recommended nitrogen doses (RDN) along with a control (without N), and each treatment was replicated thrice. It was observed that foliar application of nano urea (0.4%) twice at tillering and jointing stages with 100% (RDN 5,759 kg/ha) was statistically at par with 100% RDN + 5% foliar spray of urea twice at tillering and jointing stage (5,985 kg/ha) in terms of grain yield, the latter being the highest yielder. Foliar application of either urea or nano urea by curtailing 25-50% RDN did not brought about superior growth and yield performances. Under each level of RDN (100%, 75% and 50%), foliar application of 5% urea was a bit superior to nano urea, though the difference was not statistically significant. However, nano urea reflected higher nitrogen-use efficiency under all levels RDN; partial factor productivity of nitrogen (PFPN) and agronomic nitrogen-use efficiency (ANUE) values be- ing the highest under 50% RDN along with two spraying of nano urea (56.76 and 24.50 kg grain/kg N). The treat- ment comprising 100% RDN+ 5% spray of urea at tillering and jointing stages resulted in the highest net return (69608 `/ha) and B: C ratio (2.58), closely followed by the treatment comprising nano urea application twice (gross return, net return and B: C ratio of 109,426 `/ha, 63,748 `/ha and 2.40, respectively) with 100% RDN, being statis- tically at par with each other. It can be concluded from this two-year trial that only foliar application of nano urea by curtailing soil nitrogen application to 25-50% resulted in reduced yield performances of wheat; nano urea had pro- motive effects on yields when it was applied along with 100% RDN.

Optimizing rice (Oryza sativa) growth, productivity, profitability and nutrient uptake with coated urea and organic manure in the new alluvial zone of West Bengal

A two-year field experiment was carried out at experimental farm of BCKV, Nadia, West Bengal during kharif seasons of 2019–20 and 2020–21 to study the effect of combined application of coated urea and organic manure on performance of rice. The experiment was laid-out in a randomized complete block design with four replications and treatment comprised 5 treatment combinations, such as T1 , control plot (without N); T2 , 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through neem-coated urea (NCU); T3 , 75% RDN through NCU + 25% RDN through FYM (farm yard manure); T4, 100% RDN through polymer sulphur coated urea (PSCU); T5, 75% RDN through PSCU+25% RDN through FYM. The results showed that 75% RDN through PSCU+25% RDN through FYM re- sulted in maximum growth attributes, viz. plant height (110.8 cm), maximum number of effective tillers per square meter (416/m2 ), highest dry-matter accumulation (DMA) (740 g/m2 ), leaf area index (LAI) (4.47) and crop growth rate (CGR) (6.56 g/m2 /day), highest yield components like panicle length (23.5 cm), panicle weight (9.95 g), num- ber of filled grains/panicle (113), test-weight (21.3 g) and maximum grain yield (4.79 t/ha) and straw yield (5.53 t/ ha). Similarly, maximum amount of total nutrient uptake by crop (99.7, 40.1 and 208 kg/ha NPK), protein yield (418 kg/ha), gross returns (` 71.8 × 103 /ha), net return (` 52 × 103 /ha) and B: C ratio (2.73) were noticed under T5 treat- ment. Therefore, it is advisable to implement a comprehensive nutrient management strategy T5 (75% RDN through PSCU + 25% RDN through FYM) in rice cultivation. This approach enhances growth, yield, nutrient absorption, and quality, ultimately boosting agricultural productivity, profitability, and sustainability.

Pathogenomic profiling: Decoding the pathogenic potential of virulent Bacillus cereus associated with mortality of farmed Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822), in India

Bacillus cereus is widely used as probiotics in aquaculture. However, present research work identified B. cereus from diseased fish (Labeo rohita) associated with mass mortality in Hooghly, West Bengal, India. The bacterium was identified based on morphological, biochemical characterization and molecular identification, which comprise 16S rRNA gene and housekeeping gene sequencing analysis. Furthermore, the pathogenic potential of the isolates was confirmed by the presence of different toxin-encoding genes viz. hemolytic enterotoxin (hblA, hblC, hblD), non-hemolytic enterotoxin (nheA, nheB, nheC), cytotoxin K (cytK) and enterotoxin FM (entFM), Diarrheal enterotoxin (bceT) and Cereolysin AB. All these toxin-encoding genes were regulated by a master virulence regulating transcription factor plcr, which is also present in this isolate. Additionally, this bacterium also secretes caseinase and lecithinase, which helps the bacteria to invade the host tissue. The intraperitoneal injection of B. cereus at a dose of 3.6× 106 CFU ml−1 resulted in 100 % mortality of L. rohita. The histopathological changes revealed that the bacterium induces severe damage and necrosis in the liver and kidney of the infected fish. To understand the innate immune response once bacteria invade the host, a quantitative gene expression study was carried out using different immune-related genes and stress-related genes viz. Complement factor 3a (C3a), Toll-like receptor (TLR), Myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (Mydd88), Interleukin 6 (IL6), Nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor, Catalase (CAT), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the hepatic and renal tissue. The over-expression of TLR, NOD and Mydd88 shared a common downstream inflammatory signaling pathway and the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT and GPx was evident for combating strategies as well as safeguarding the host's cells from oxidative damage. Overall, this study showed that an isolated strain of B. cereus exhibits high pathogenicity, which may be attributed to climate change, urbanization or horizontal gene transfer. This presents a potential threat to the aquaculture industry and raises concerns about the possibility of cross-contamination within the human population.

Estimation of Cost and Profit in Farming Some Major Crops During Last Two Decades in West Bengal: A Case Study in Birbhum District

The growth of agriculture in West Bengal significantly contributes the food supply through nationwide since last few decades. The cost of farming specially seed cost, irrigation cost increases rapidly. Though modern mechanization has been introduced for few crops to reduce the animal and human labor cost yet an unregulated market structure overall cost of farming increased during last two decades. The present paper emphasises the growth of cost and profit in cultivation for last twenty years in West Bengal. With the help of secondary data it has been tried to measure the cost and profit structure for seven major crops in West Bengal since 2001. The impact of various cost components on profit has also been derived with the help of a primary survey in the district of Birbhum.

Nectar and pollen source of natural honey produced by Apis cerana skorikovi Engel (= himalaya): Palynological analysis from tropical to sub-tropical forests of eastern Himalaya

This study deals with the palynological analysis of natural “Himalayan cerana” honey collected from the tropical to sub-tropical forests of the eastern Himalaya (West Sikkim, Ziro valley of Arunachal Pradesh and sub-Himalayan region of West Bengal). A total of 12 honey samples were analysed. Among the six samples from Sikkim, one is found unifloral and remaining five samples are found to be multifloral. Similarly, the Kolakham (West Bengal) sample is found multifloral, whereas both the honey samples of Alipurduar (West Bengal) are found to be unifloral. All the three Arunachal Pradesh samples are found multifloral. Absolute pollen count (APC) reveals that the unifloral winter honeys are poor in APC compared to the multifloral ones. Significant occurrence of anemophilous pollen grains in honey samples points towards there entrapment either during long distance flight of the bees or on the sticky hive surfaces. The nectar calendars show that winter season is the honey dearth period in the study areas of the eastern Himalaya. Finally, the diversity and richness of the pollen grains in the honey samples also reflect the bee plant diversity of the surroundings. The study may further be useful to assess the potential for establishing a moderate to large-scale bee-keeping industry which may provide an alternate source of livelihood to improve the socio-economic set up of the local economically backward ethnic communities.

Mutated Adenovirus Attacks in West Bengal, India: Risk Evaluation of Multi-Country Outbreaks and Mitigation Strategies.

The human adenovirus (HAdV) is beginning to spread rapidly in children through human, surface and animal vectors. Around 12,000 cases were recognised in 2022 in West Bengal and a shocking number of cases arose throughout India and in other under-developed areas. This is going to be a big threat to public health since no vaccine, awareness or protocol policies were introduced. Early detection, immediate isolation and proper policy developments are the key factors in overcoming the situation. Therefore, we performed this rapid review and discussed probable mitigation strategies, updated research on vaccine development, and treatment strategies to control the outbreaks of mutated HAdV. This is a narrative review of publicly available information. Here, we extracted updated information and data using the terms HAdV outbreaks, mutations, species, risks and prevention from Google Scholar and PubMed. We considered relevant articles that have discussed prevention strategies, ongoing research, and antiviral drugs for managing HAdV outbreaks. Early detection from throat swabs, isolation and symptomatic treatments are required to minimise viral infections. A massive test needs to be performed to find the affected people. The cases should be immediately isolated. It is recommended to treat high-touch surfaces with heat- or bleach-containing cleaners to prevent the spread of infection. Oxygen support and many broad-spectrum antivirals have been used to treat HAdV. Several studies showed antibody neutralisation and interactions between the natural killer cell receptor KIR3DS1 and HLA-F in infected cells, indicating possible therapeutic options in the future. HAdV-4 and HAdV-7 vaccines have been limitedly approved for administration to military personnel. Isolation, certain safety measures, broad-spectrum antiviral drugs and further research on new vaccines could be useful to prevent this virus from producing a worldwide pandemic. Also, the authorities should ensure the proper therapeutic interventions and nursing care facilities for the infected children. Patient or public contribution was not relevant to our work.

Reconstituting the ‘good woman’: Gendered visual politics on social media during 2021 state election in West Bengal, India

This paper explores the visual politics of gender in electoral politics in West Bengal (WB). We examine how women political candidates visually construct their non-verbal political performance on social media, and how such visuals relate to social mores and societal expectations surrounding femininity. Drawing on theories of the social construction of gender and visual political communication, we conducted a content analysis of 1,033 visual artefacts from eight individual women candidates and 205 from the Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) pages of the four main political parties taking part in the January-April 2021 electoral campaign for state-level elections in WB. We analysed how these candidates construct gendered relationships with the electorate through different cues on the platforms, such as sartorial choices (traditional or Western attire), use of culture-specific religious symbols (sindoor or vermillion, bindi – forehead marking worn by married Hindu women), and gendered/non-gendered political actions like cooking or serving food, giving speeches or meeting constituents in political processions. Our findings about the visually performed politics show a combination of cultural, political, and gender signifiers, which are mediated and remain connected to societal expectations, and historical narratives. The candidates’ negotiation of these aspects, in turn, underscores a reproduction of colonial legacies and, in the present day, an ongoing production of societal differences. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on visual politics of gender, particularly in Asian contexts. It sheds light on the nuanced ways women politicians use social media to construct their visual identities, and how the deployment of body politics into the relatively ‘new’ online sphere reifies ‘old’ social, political, cultural symbolisms, and norms regarding gender. In this way, this article highlights the importance of considering pre-digital forms of gendered identity construction and visual representation when analysing the contested terrain of digital visibilities.

Depression and its Association with Insomnia among Geriatric Population of Selected Slums of Bankura Municipality, West Bengal

Background: While depression is a major health concern among older people, sleep disorders are also very common among them and often persist simultaneously. The study was conducted to assess the prevalence of depression and insomnia, and any correlation of association between them, in the geriatric people living in study area. Methodology: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 186 older people living in three selected slums of Bankura Municipality, West Bengal, India. A pre-tested, structured interviewer-administered-questionnaire including Geriatric Depression Scale-Short form and Insomnia Severity Index were used for data collection. Results: The prevalence of geriatric depression and insomnia in the study setting were 54.3% and 37.6% respectively. While illiteracy, complete financial dependency and taking sedative were associated with geriatric depression, history of smoking was associated with insomnia among participants. Geriatric depression was significantly associated with insomnia. There was statistically significant positive correlation between GDS-S score and ISI score. Conclusions: A significant proportion of elderly population suffers from depressive disorders and sleep disorders. Early detection and management of these conditions will provide the society with healthy ‘senior citizens.

National Mission on Libraries and the Status of Public Library Network in West Bengal

National Mission on Libraries and the Status of Public Library Network in West Bengal

Changing paradigm of scrub typhus infection in children: A study from a tertiary care center of Eastern India

Background: Scrub typhus, a zoonotic disease, is transmitted to humans by the bite of larval trombiculid mite. Keeping in view the morbidity and mortality associated with undiagnosed cases (due to both lack of specific diagnostic tests and ignorance about the disease), the disease deserves a special mention. Aims and Objectives: The aims and objectives of the study were to assess complications and atypical manifestations of scrub typhus fever in this subpopulation and to assess the prognosis of patients presenting with atypical manifestations/complications. Materials and Methods: This is a longitudinal observational study on the basis of clinical and laboratory evidence at Department of Pediatrics, Calcutta-National-Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, from March 2021 to February 2022. Children between >28 days and <12 years with atypical manifestations of scrub typhus who were scrub immunoglobulin (Ig)M positive (Serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid) were included in the study. Results: Of the 120 scrub typhus IgM-positive patients admitted in 1 year, complications present in 35%. These patients developed encephalitis, encephalomyelitis, neurological deficits, myocarditis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, acute kidney injury, atypical pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute encephalitis syndrome (23.8%), myocarditis with/without heart failure (14.3%), and multi-inflammatory syndrome in children with/without severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 IgG (14.2%). There is a statistically significant association between the duration of fever at admission and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission, the longer the fever duration at admission, the higher the rate of complications and thus PICU admission. Conclusion: Scrub typhus infection has expanded its various forms, presenting in various atypical manifestations alongside the common clinical features. Multiple cases of multiorgan involvement in the form of multi-inflammatory syndrome and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis have been reported in the background of COVID-19 infection, alongside a significant percentage of scrub typhus infection reported in infancy. Thus, early detection is important to start intervention.

Enhancing indoor thermal comfort prediction in tropical regions: A transfer learning strategy in West Bengal

Ensuring energy-efficient building management and sustainability necessitates precise thermal comfort prediction, a task particularly critical in tropical regions with significant energy-saving potential. This study confronts the complexities introduced by humid air conditions and escalating internal and external heat levels. The objective is to devise a sophisticated strategy for predicting indoor personal thermal comfort that enhances prediction accuracy. The proposed method extends beyond previous techniques by incorporating a comprehensive array of thermal comfort factors and their potential interdependencies, while also leveraging a transductive transfer learning strategy to circumvent data sparsity in the target domain. The experimental results indicate the presence of localized feature coupling within thermal comfort datasets, which the proposed CNN-ConvTrans model effectively processes, thereby enhancing predictive efficacy. The primary innovation of this work lies in the development of a novel transfer learning strategy that considers localized feature coupling, integrated with a deep learning model, effectively addressing issues such as class imbalance and data scarcity. This study furnishes an innovative and valuable framework for thermal comfort prediction across diverse environmental settings.

DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITION IN INDIA SINCE 1951: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The Indian state has no official religion. No religion is granted any particular position under our Constitution. The rights to profess, practise, and promote any religion—or to practise none at all—are guaranteed to all persons and groups under the Constitution. The goal is to examine the demographic shift of Hindus and Muslims in India since 1951. Method and Materials: The data used in this descriptive analysis come from secondary sources. Basic numerical calculations have been carried out here in addition to graphical representations. Result and Discussion: The Muslim community in India made up around 14.23% of the total population as per the 2011 Census. This percentage was far higher than the national average in a number of states, with the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, West Bengal, and undivided Jammu & Kashmir having the greatest concentration. Mathematical calculation proves on the basis of census data that after 237 years or before that, the population of Hindu will be equal to the population of Muslim and Bharat will approach towards Muslim country if it is going as it is and migration of Muslim is not stopped. Findings: In India, Islam is the religion that is expanding quickest. The census-wise percentage curve for Muslims is growing and upward sloping, whereas the curve for Hindus slopes downward. At a specific census, the two curves will intersect, signifying that the number of Hindus and that of Muslims will be equal. Suggestions: Immediately establish a Population Control Bill to limit the number of children per couple to one. Migration of Muslims for permanent settlement in Bharat should be stopped immediately. Conclusion: Encouraging sustainable development necessitates for stabilization of population growth. India's population is still a complicated subject that has to be carefully considered and effectively addressed by policy.

Carcinoplaxmistio Ng & Mitra, 2019 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Goneplacidae): additional records and genetic differentiation of allied taxa.

The goneplacid crab, Carcinoplaxmistio Ng & Mitra, 2019, was originally described from West Bengal, India, in the northern Indian Ocean. Additional material of C.mistio from off Tamil Nadu in the southeast of India revealed a high degree of size-associated variation in the structures of the anterolateral tooth of the carapace, chelipeds, and male and female pleons. In addition to an in-depth morphological examination of C.mistio, this study also records the natural coloration of the species and conducts a genetic comparison (with mitochondrial COI and 16S rRNA genes) with its close relatives, C.haswelli (Miers, 1884) and C.purpurea Rathbun, 1914. Molecular comparison of C.mistio with its morphologically closest congener, C.haswelli from northern Australia and the western Pacific, corroborates their status as separate species. The genetic sequence of C.mistio, however, is similar to that of C.purpurea from the West Pacific, although these two species can easily be distinguished by distinct carapace and ambulatory leg characters. The present study provides some possible explanations for the genetic and morphological incongruence observed between C.mistio and C.purpurea and highlights the need for a detailed molecular study for Carcinoplax H. Milne Edwards, 1852, to appreciate the evolution of various morphological characters in the genus.

Rapid Screening of Traditional Rice Cultivars against Drought Using Tolerance Indices of Seedlings

Aim: To screen the traditional cultivars of rice based on the tolerance indices of seedling characteristics. Study Design: The experimental plan used was Complete Randomized Design with 59 treatments (genotypes) and two replications. Place of Study: P.G. Laboratory, Department of Seed Science and Technology, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Cooch Behar district, West Bengal, India. Methodology: Seedling was raised in glass in two sets- PEG-mediated drought and normal conditions. Results: All the seedling characters showed highly significant differences among the varieties, different culture conditions as well as interaction between varieties and environment. Most of the cultivars exhibited reduction in number of primary roots per plant, root length, root fresh weight, root dry weight, shoot length, shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight. Finally the cultivars were grouped under three categories- tolerant, semi-tolerant and susceptible based on mean tolerance index (MTI). The cultivars having ≥ 90.00, MTI Kashiya binni, Jhagri kartik and Garu Chakua were considered as tolerant. Among those three cultivars, Kashiya binni was found to be highly tolerant to drought as its MTI was ≥ 100.00 (114.96). Subsequently 22 cultivars were classified as semi-tolerant. In conclusion, the tolerance indices of seedling traits and subsequently the MTI can be used for rapid screening of rice genotypes for water stress.

An Analytical Approach for Sustainable Greenhouse Heating in Lebanon: A Focus on Air Source Heat Pumps

Abstract In Lebanon, where economic challenges and Mediterranean climate dominate, protected cultivation methods, such as greenhouses, are widely used for sustainable agriculture. Tomatoes, with an annual production of around 250,000 tons in Lebanon, are the focus of this study. Tomato leaves require a temperature range of (18-25ºC) for optimal growth. The present study explores the potential of air-source heat pumps as a sustainable heating method. It includes a comprehensive literature review and discusses alternative heating methods. A dynamic energy model was developed after using statistical models to plot the temperature and solar radiation profiles for the worst-case scenario for heating. This energy model sizes the heat pump to maintain 18 ºC in a standard 332 m2 Quonset greenhouse with thermal polyethylene covering. The model’s validity was demonstrated by comparing its temperature profiles with a study conducted in West Bengal, India. The results indicate the adequate size for the studied case is 16 kW. Sensitivity analysis showed the required power for different temperature settings (12-18ºC) and the effect of wind speed by analyzing the heat transfer coefficient of the cover, which doubled the power when the heat transfer coefficient increased from 4 to 10 W/m2.K.

COVID-19 Pandemic Increases the Risk of Anxiety and Depression among Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study in Rural West Bengal, India.

About 14% of adolescents experience mental illnesses globally. The rate increased after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of COVID-related major mental illnesses (depression and anxiety) and their predictors among adolescents. This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 350 adolescents aged 10-19 years, recruited from rural communities in West Bengal, India. The study areas included 27 subcenters in the Budge Budge II Block, which comprised 191,709 population and 45,333 households. Data were collected from randomly selected households by trained research assistants through house-to-house interviews. Pretested standardized questionnaires, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) for depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) for anxiety, and a demographic questionnaire were used for data collection. The prevalence of anxiety was 35.7% (125 out of 350), and the prevalence of depression was 30.0% (105 out of 350). Females had significantly higher scores of anxiety (6.67 ± 4.76 vs. 3.42 ± 3.17, respectively, p < 0.001) and depression (5.51 ± 4.99 vs. 3.26 ± 3.86, respectively, p < 0.001) compared to males. Adolescents who had COVID-19 cases or deaths in the family had significantly higher scores of anxiety and depression compared to those who did not have these events. In multivariate analysis, the statistically significant predictors of anxiety were COVID-19 death in the family, COVID-19 cases in the family, female gender, and a lower income group (p < 0.001 for all). For depression, the significant predictors included COVID-19 death in the family, COVID-19 cases in the family, female gender, a lower income group, and a higher age group in adolescents (p < 0.001 for all). Based on the study results, we recommend that immediate attention is needed for adolescents' mental health support and coping with stresses following COVID-19.

Dietary practices of children and adolescents residing in an area of Chakdaha Block, Nadia district, West Bengal

ABSTRACT Background: Childhood and adolescence are crucial developmental stages during the life course. They develop and establish lifelong dietary and lifestyle habits. Unhealthy food environments that influence the risk of obesity and other nutrition-related NCDs by affecting the dietary patterns. Assessment of dietary patterns and factors affecting them will help to provide targeted interventions to improve the same. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among children aged more than 6 months and adolescents by interviewing their mothers regarding the dietary patterns. A two-stage sampling method was followed for selection of the participants. Results: A total of 325 participants were interviewed. Dietary diversity (DD) was present in 55.4% of the participants. Children of mothers who were educated beyond middle school (aOR = 3.81 (1.87-7.73), P = 0.000) and children who stayed in a joint family (aOR = 1.73 (1.11-2.72) P &lt; 0.05) had higher odds of having dietary diversity in their diet, after adjusting for age and sex. Fast food shop location (aOR = 0.14 (0.05-0.38), P value = 0.000) was found to have a significant association with fast food intake among participants. Conclusion: Children and adolescents residing in the study area have a distinct dietary pattern compared to prevalent dietary practices in India. To improve dietary diversity of children and adolescents, maternal education, family dynamics, and community food environment, which include fast food and market locations, can be points of targeted interventions

Cat out of the bag: Coastal and Gangetic plains outside protected areas require focus for fishing cat conservation in southern West Bengal, India

State of West Bengal is the last stronghold for fishing cats in the country. Although Fishing cats has been mentioned as a vulnerable wetland species, few works have been conducted on their distribution pattern, habitat or ecology. Our study uses camera traps in various urban and rural wetland areas of South Bengal spanning more than 60,000 km2 to identify their presence. Out of 38 potential habitats, 24 regions came up with evidence of these cats spanning through the eight districts of southern West Bengal. We used presence absence data to fit an ensemble model to delineate suitable habitat for the species in the state. Results indicated areas less than 30 m of elevation and enough annual precipitation that functions healthy hydrological cycle in the areas of lower Gangetic plains to be most suitable for Fishing cats. High mortality of the species due to retaliation and roadkill is a known fact for the species in the state. Hence, we also demarcated conservation priority zones for the species in the state which suggested agricultural lands (51.02 %), wetlands (21.22 %), vegetation cover (18.6 %) with populistic tourism spots in urban patches of southern Bengal need to have focus from the concerned authority to save the remaining habitats. Accordingly, we further identified potential roadkill zones over state and national highways within the suitable habitat of the state.

Geochemical Constraints on Arsenic and Rare Earth Elements in Groundwater of Ganges Delta, Nadia District, West Bengal

ABSTRACT Geochemical studies of groundwater from 302 tubewells and aquifer sediments of the Ganges delta plain of Quaternary age are conducted. The geochemical behaviour of Fe, Mn, SO42-, arsenic (As), REEs, and Eu parameters in groundwater indicates two contrasting environments: (i) a more oxic condition in the fluvial environment of the Jalangi River in the northern part, and (ii) a less oxidizing/reducing environment in the palaeo-lacustrine environment towards south of the study area. Arsenic concentration in groundwater is more in palaeo-lacustrine environment due to (i) reductive desorption from Fe-oxyhydroxide in the high pH reducing environment and (ii) mobilization by ion exchange with the help of fertilizer used in agricultural activities. Both these phenomena are attributed to the strong spatial correlation of arsenic (As) with pH, PO4, and SO4. However, the dissimilar nature of REE pattern in groundwater and aquifer sediment indicates that REE geochemistry of groundwater is being modified by the “reductive dissolution of Fe-oxyhydroxides” in sediment which releases REE into the groundwater. We conclude that desorption and “reductive dissolution of Fe-oxyhydroxide” controls release of As and REE into the groundwater in both oxic and reducing aquifer conditions in the Ganges delta.

Contract farming in northern district of West Bengal: A socio-economic profile study

Contract farming in northern district of West Bengal: A socio-economic profile study