Monday, January 2, 2012
Environmental Management to Prevention Malaria
After scorching summer of May and June at start of monsoon Malaria is common water born disease. The reason of malaria spread is due to lack of attention on water accumulation around habitations. Accumulated water is the breeding ground of mosquitoes which cause spread of malaria. Mosquito breeding can easily managed and handle if proper action and control taken in time.
Malaria is an acute illness, which manifests itself with the onset of fever and has an acute incubation period of 7 days or longer. An illness developing less than one week after first possible exposure is not likely to be Malaria. Malaria is transmitted by the female anopheles mosquito which is characterised by length of the palps which is equal to that of the proboscis. Anopheles mosquitoes are active between sunset and sunrise. The most severe form is Plasmodium falciparum. The initial symptoms, which may be mild, may not be easy to recognise as being due to Malaria.
It is important that the possibility of P. falciparum is considered in all cases of unexplained fever starting at any time between the 7th day of possible first exposure to Malaria and 3 months after the last possible exposure. Malaria exists throughout the year in the majority of India below 2000 m with 40-50% of cases due to P. falciparum. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of the infection are crucial in treating malaria Typical symptoms include fever and flu like illness such as headaches, tiredness and muscle aches. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may also occur. P. falciparum if not promptly treated, may cause kidney failure, seizures, mental confusion, coma and death.
Mosquitoes biting could prevent with help of physical barriers like bed nets mosquito repellent, clothing but environmental management is the most effective way of controlling mosquito breeding and malaria spread. First step is to remove all standing water sources or covered and discard items that collect water in old tyres, pots and cooler. Fogging should be carried out to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne disease. It should be conducted within a two week period and carried out in the early evening or early morning when the air is cool and the wind is not greater than 6km/h. Fogging should be directed under buildings, roofs, in surrounding foliage and vegetation, rubbish collections and shaded waterways around facilities. In case of fever symptoms seek diagnosis and treatment to ensure that any unexpected fevers or flu like symptoms are reported and diagnosed as quickly as possible after onset.
Economic Analysis for Beneficial Tree Plantation
Tree planting is being a long gestation venture, where heavy costs are incurred in initial years and benefits are realized after many years. In this situation one cannot go for comparing benefits and costs until they are discounted and brought to a common year say at the beginning of the plantation project. For this purpose benefit-cost ratio analysis and net present worth analysis was done assuming a guiding rate of return equal to banks rates.
Benefit-Cost Ratio (B-C ratio) of plantation was calculated by dividing the net present benefits by the net present costs of plantation of a particular site. The Net Present Worth (NPW) of plantation on the other hand, was calculated by subtracting net present costs out of net present benefits. However, the environmental and social benefits of trees were not incorporated in the Benefit-Cost analysis. The net present benefits and net present costs are calculated. Any plantation project is beneficial or worth establishment if the corresponding net present value comes to be positive or benefit cost ratio more than one.
The monetary value of various benefits both in terms of lopping as well as final harvest were procured from the local villagers, resource persons, timber merchants etc. Since fuel wood is collected from the plants by yearly lopping by the villagers, so its valuation was done on the basis market price. Fuel wood, fodder was also collected from the plants by yearly lopping. The tree leaf fodder was valued on the basis of prevalent market price of fodder. Timber of different species was valued on the basis of average sale price of a tree of given age and species minus value of fuel wood, pole, fencing material etc. obtained from that tree. Species have not been included in the valuation of timber if it is not harvested for wood supply.
People for their own use may collect some of seeds, fruits, grasses, without making any monetary payment. The market value of the products, which are collected without any monetary payment, needs to be assessed. For economic analysis purpose, the prices prevailing in the nearby markets can be used after adjusting them for other costs.
Plantation will also improve fertility of soil. The quality of soil that has been put under tree cultivation improve due to control on open grazing, fixation or uptake of nutrients by trees, decay of grass and fallen tree leaves, adoption of various soil conservation and water harvesting measures, etc. In order to assess the impact of tree plantation on soil quality a ‘with or without’ approach is very good. The quality of soil in the protected plantation area can be compared with the adjoining outside area, which is used for open grazing and other needs of the villagers. Improved in soil fertility could calculated on the basis of cost of manure required to achieve the existing fertility.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Easy Ways of Protection from Wasps and Bees
Wasps and bees can deliver potentially fatal stings if attack on person. Wasps are generally yellow, brown or black with or without stripes. These are more aggressive than bees. Wasps can sting more than once on the other hand bees sting only once. Bees are generally brown and black colour. These insects are typically more aggressive when in swarms. The main danger is that if the sting is affected near the face or throat, the severe swelling which can arise from more than one sting can block the airways and impede breathing. Some individuals are allergic to stings and even one sting can prove life-threatening. The insects leave a sting after attack which is essentially a hollow tube through which the venom stored within the abdomen is squirted once it attaches to the skin of the victim. Bee venom is ~1.5 - 15 times stronger toxically than hornet venom. The poison component that leads to 50% of cases of death in rats, amounts to 6mg poison per kg body weight whereas the same for hornets range from 12mg/kg to 85mg/kg
Precaution is the best to protect from wasps and bees stings. Where possible avoids the wasps and bees. Recognize common habitats such as shady bushes, moist humid surroundings, and thick forest canals in wet seasons. Bees and wasps get aggressive during wet season mating and this is the most common time in the year when maximum numbers of stings reported. Bees and wasps have routine flight paths so it is easily avoided after careful watching the forest. Stay away from the nests and hives of wasps and bees. They would attack in self-defence or for the defence of the nest and hive. Stay away from fires in forest which can disturb the bees and wasps and make them aggressive as they feel people come for honey collection.
Personal protection is important to protect from wasp and bees stings. Long sleeved, collared shirts of thick clothing are the best clothes. Gloves, shoes, glasses are personal protection wears which are suggested to use in areas where number of wasps and bees are high in tropical forest. The flora patterned and bright colour clothing attract the insects so it is better to avoid such type of clothes while out in the forest. Perfumes, after-shave, deodorants also attract insects because bees and wasp feel of flowers and attract towards peoples. In the event of a stinging insect coming near you or landing on you, do not panic. Move slowly away in the opposite direction. Sometimes flapping of arms, hands make the insects aggressive and they attack in protection.
If the wasps or bees attack on person the initial management of sting victim is to remove bee stinger from sting site by gently scraping with a fingernail, blunt blade to prevent further venom injection from attached venom sac and do not squeeze with fingers. Second step is to wash site with mild soap and water. Apply ice packs with 8-10% ammonia solution to reduce pain. Weak baking soda solution also helps in reducing the pain and give respite to victim. Other important thing to remember keeps the affected part of the body above the level of heart while transferring to doctor. To adopt suggested ways one could save life of bees and wasps attacked victim.
Precaution is the best to protect from wasps and bees stings. Where possible avoids the wasps and bees. Recognize common habitats such as shady bushes, moist humid surroundings, and thick forest canals in wet seasons. Bees and wasps get aggressive during wet season mating and this is the most common time in the year when maximum numbers of stings reported. Bees and wasps have routine flight paths so it is easily avoided after careful watching the forest. Stay away from the nests and hives of wasps and bees. They would attack in self-defence or for the defence of the nest and hive. Stay away from fires in forest which can disturb the bees and wasps and make them aggressive as they feel people come for honey collection.
Personal protection is important to protect from wasp and bees stings. Long sleeved, collared shirts of thick clothing are the best clothes. Gloves, shoes, glasses are personal protection wears which are suggested to use in areas where number of wasps and bees are high in tropical forest. The flora patterned and bright colour clothing attract the insects so it is better to avoid such type of clothes while out in the forest. Perfumes, after-shave, deodorants also attract insects because bees and wasp feel of flowers and attract towards peoples. In the event of a stinging insect coming near you or landing on you, do not panic. Move slowly away in the opposite direction. Sometimes flapping of arms, hands make the insects aggressive and they attack in protection.
If the wasps or bees attack on person the initial management of sting victim is to remove bee stinger from sting site by gently scraping with a fingernail, blunt blade to prevent further venom injection from attached venom sac and do not squeeze with fingers. Second step is to wash site with mild soap and water. Apply ice packs with 8-10% ammonia solution to reduce pain. Weak baking soda solution also helps in reducing the pain and give respite to victim. Other important thing to remember keeps the affected part of the body above the level of heart while transferring to doctor. To adopt suggested ways one could save life of bees and wasps attacked victim.
Environment and Governance to Promote Environment Conservation
Sustainable development is widely used term that encompasses three areas in policy viz., economic, environmental and social aspect. Planning and management is essential requirement of development and for protection of environment i.e. conservation and when we talk in context of environment sustainability and conservation a need for participation and collaboration in planning arises. It all starts with problem and then need as there is serious dilemma particularly how to reconcile the extensive land and financial resources required by protected areas with the acute social and economic development needs of poor rural people with very limited access to any kind of resources because of which experts are hired that go for lengthy process of management which people, community don’t understand and become impatient so it is important to engage them and there is requirement of the shift from the traditional expert –driven conservation practice to a more holistic community centered management of natural and cultural heritage resources where it is important that participation be included in every aspect and at all stages because if it is incorporated in initial stages people are aware about the project and feel as a part of it.
Participatory Environmental Management Committee (PEMC) consisted of every stakeholder from governments including both central and local to citizens commerce, NGOs, low income households, junior high schools, colleges, and media) and participation can be defined as a process that facilitates dialogue among all, mobilize knowledge and skill, support communities and institutions to manage and control resources and seek to obtain environment sustainability, economic equity and social justice. For knowledge it is important to understand that conservation cannot be achieved without development if even if we ponder about it we indirectly alleviate the poverty and misery of hundreds of millions of people so that means conservation and development can go together which indicates that there is wrong mythology that they are opposite but actually they are not although conservation includes both protection and the rational use of natural resources.
It is just that we have to train people, educate them but for education media is not enough as most of people living in settlements are illiterate and cannot understand English. We have to make them understand intricate relationship between environment and sustainable development and about the concept of living sustainably which can never be applied if hundreds of millions live even without basic essentials of life after educating people supporting them is equally essential so designing programs that link social and economic empowerment activities with conservation objectives so that it should be of mutual benefit to communities and environment.
Participatory Environmental Management Committee (PEMC) consisted of every stakeholder from governments including both central and local to citizens commerce, NGOs, low income households, junior high schools, colleges, and media) and participation can be defined as a process that facilitates dialogue among all, mobilize knowledge and skill, support communities and institutions to manage and control resources and seek to obtain environment sustainability, economic equity and social justice. For knowledge it is important to understand that conservation cannot be achieved without development if even if we ponder about it we indirectly alleviate the poverty and misery of hundreds of millions of people so that means conservation and development can go together which indicates that there is wrong mythology that they are opposite but actually they are not although conservation includes both protection and the rational use of natural resources.
It is just that we have to train people, educate them but for education media is not enough as most of people living in settlements are illiterate and cannot understand English. We have to make them understand intricate relationship between environment and sustainable development and about the concept of living sustainably which can never be applied if hundreds of millions live even without basic essentials of life after educating people supporting them is equally essential so designing programs that link social and economic empowerment activities with conservation objectives so that it should be of mutual benefit to communities and environment.
Dengue: Life Threat Can Avoid by Timely Action
Dengue is the most widespread mosquito-borne viral disease in the world, infecting over 50 million people each year. It is usually prevalent in tropical regions similar to malaria. Dengue is viral fever which could be fatal. Dengue virus does not spread directly from human contact but transmitted by the female mosquito of the Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus varieties. Microorganism which causes dengue having 65 days lifecycle and could infect and spread by mosquito to humans. When the virus enters the human body, it multiplies gradually within blood cells. The symptoms are not immediately appeared it takes between two to seven days for the virus to incubate. Symptoms vary according to the age and health of the patient. Generally the sickness starts with a high fever, agonizing headache, backache, and muscle and joint pain. Nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite are common and rash usually appears four days after the fever starts. High fever upto 104 oC to 105oC lasting upto seven days that causes loss of appetite, bleeding from the skin nose and gums. The worst symptoms can last up to ten days, and complete recovery can take a month or the patients’ condition may suddenly deteriorate after few days of fever, and they may die within one day.
In dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) variant of the infection, calls release chemicals that trigger leakage of plasma from blood vessels. Massive bleeding from the brain, intestines and other organs results in low blood pressure and this along with the accumulation of fluids in body cavities can lead to shock. Once the dengue patient is shock, the chances of multi-organ failure and death are result. Diagnosis of dengue is based on blood tests, typically decreased platelet count. The common error in diagnosis of DHF as flu, malaria or typhoid due to common symptoms. Distinguish symptom is rash in dengue whereas that never happens with flu or malaria. The common symptom of flu that the fever disappears within five days but in dengue it continues for week. Malarial fever is very different: it is accompanied by shivering and the fever is irregular often shelling up on alternate days. If there is doubt in correct diagnosis then it is suggested for specifically dengue test.
Patients who recover from dengue develop antibodies that provide immunity for type of infection but there are four dengue viruses viz., Den-1, Den-2, Den-3 and Den-4 so there is chance of maximum four infections dengue in lifetime. Often infection with subsequent strain results in more serious illness, though experts are unsure why this happens. Epidemiologists pointed that the spread of dengue largely on rapid urbanization. No specific treatment can “cure” dengue. The symptoms are treated with paracetamol and fluids, patient should drink water and fruit juices.
If it is suspecting one may be infected to visit his doctor or nearest hospital immediately so that blood pressure and potentially fatal complications like internal bleeding can be monitored, and blood or plasma quickly replaced. Outbreaks are cyclical and infection rates can accelerate with frightening speed. India is currently experiencing an upswing in dengue cases. The vast majority of cases go undetected and unreported. Up to 5% of DHF cases are fatal; without proper treatment, the rate rises to 15%. Dengue can be prevented by adopting simple precautions against dengue.
Elimination of mosquito breeding places is effective and easy way to protect from dengue. Water collection tanks should need to cover and if these are not in use keep them dry and overturned. During rains discard items that collects rain or run-off water. Change the water in outdoor birdbaths and pet and animal water containers regularly. Avoid hanging clothes in dark corners as these serve as hiding places for mosquitoes. Control mosquito larvae in ponds by keeping larvae-eating fish like goldfish. Insist that public-health officials safeguard your community by eliminating stagnant water sites in construction and wastewater treatment areas.
Protect yourself from mosquito bites, when outdoors; wear long-sleeved shirts, trousers and shoes. Screens and door closures for stoping entry of mosquitoes are very important as this also protect from Malaria. Mosquito repellent creams, mosquito coils, electric vapour mats effective use protect from mosquito bites. In case of any illness symptom seek treatment and see a doctor.
In dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) variant of the infection, calls release chemicals that trigger leakage of plasma from blood vessels. Massive bleeding from the brain, intestines and other organs results in low blood pressure and this along with the accumulation of fluids in body cavities can lead to shock. Once the dengue patient is shock, the chances of multi-organ failure and death are result. Diagnosis of dengue is based on blood tests, typically decreased platelet count. The common error in diagnosis of DHF as flu, malaria or typhoid due to common symptoms. Distinguish symptom is rash in dengue whereas that never happens with flu or malaria. The common symptom of flu that the fever disappears within five days but in dengue it continues for week. Malarial fever is very different: it is accompanied by shivering and the fever is irregular often shelling up on alternate days. If there is doubt in correct diagnosis then it is suggested for specifically dengue test.
Patients who recover from dengue develop antibodies that provide immunity for type of infection but there are four dengue viruses viz., Den-1, Den-2, Den-3 and Den-4 so there is chance of maximum four infections dengue in lifetime. Often infection with subsequent strain results in more serious illness, though experts are unsure why this happens. Epidemiologists pointed that the spread of dengue largely on rapid urbanization. No specific treatment can “cure” dengue. The symptoms are treated with paracetamol and fluids, patient should drink water and fruit juices.
If it is suspecting one may be infected to visit his doctor or nearest hospital immediately so that blood pressure and potentially fatal complications like internal bleeding can be monitored, and blood or plasma quickly replaced. Outbreaks are cyclical and infection rates can accelerate with frightening speed. India is currently experiencing an upswing in dengue cases. The vast majority of cases go undetected and unreported. Up to 5% of DHF cases are fatal; without proper treatment, the rate rises to 15%. Dengue can be prevented by adopting simple precautions against dengue.
Elimination of mosquito breeding places is effective and easy way to protect from dengue. Water collection tanks should need to cover and if these are not in use keep them dry and overturned. During rains discard items that collects rain or run-off water. Change the water in outdoor birdbaths and pet and animal water containers regularly. Avoid hanging clothes in dark corners as these serve as hiding places for mosquitoes. Control mosquito larvae in ponds by keeping larvae-eating fish like goldfish. Insist that public-health officials safeguard your community by eliminating stagnant water sites in construction and wastewater treatment areas.
Protect yourself from mosquito bites, when outdoors; wear long-sleeved shirts, trousers and shoes. Screens and door closures for stoping entry of mosquitoes are very important as this also protect from Malaria. Mosquito repellent creams, mosquito coils, electric vapour mats effective use protect from mosquito bites. In case of any illness symptom seek treatment and see a doctor.
Tendu Leaves: Source of Livelihoods
Non timber forest produces (NTFP) are important source of livelihood throughout India. Tendu Leaves plays important role in generating livelihood by making bidi. Tendu leaves also known as bidi patta in Hindi. Central India is main producer of Bidi patta and Madhya Pradesh lead first position in tendu leaves production. The average annual production of tendu leaves in Madhya Pradesh is around 30 lakh standard bags, which is nearly 27% of the total tendu leaves production of the country.
Tendu leaves are obtained from tendu tree (Diospyros melonoxylon) and leaf of tendu is considered the most suitable covering on account of the simplicity with which it can be rolled and its wide availability. Leaves of many other plants like Plash, Sal are also find use as Bidi wrappers in different parts of the country but the texture, flavour and workability of tendu leaves are unique. The major use of tendu leaves in Bidi industry is due to their enormous production, agreeable flavour, flexibility, resistance to decay and capacity to retain fires. The broad morphological characters on which leaves, are selected and catagorised for Bidi making are size, thickness of leaves, texture, relative thickness of midrib and lateral veins.
For collection and processing of tendu leaves standardized same procedure is used throughout India. Tendu leaves are collected from the trees in the month of April after 45 days cutting the upper branches.The leaves are collected in bundles of 100 leaves, which are dried in sunlight for about a week. The dried leaves are sprinkled with water to soften them and then filled tightly in jute bags and exposed to direct sunlight for 3 days.
Thousands of families are associated in making bidi. One person earn Rs 40-80/- per day by making bidi from tendu leaves. Bidi rolling is the primary job which looks very simple but need practice and consistency in work. It is a source of subsidiary occupation and supplementary income to lakhs of people. Bidi industry provides employment to the rural people during off season for collection of bidi leaves. Bidi industry has a vital role in rural welfare and in promoting rural economy.
Tendu leaves are obtained from tendu tree (Diospyros melonoxylon) and leaf of tendu is considered the most suitable covering on account of the simplicity with which it can be rolled and its wide availability. Leaves of many other plants like Plash, Sal are also find use as Bidi wrappers in different parts of the country but the texture, flavour and workability of tendu leaves are unique. The major use of tendu leaves in Bidi industry is due to their enormous production, agreeable flavour, flexibility, resistance to decay and capacity to retain fires. The broad morphological characters on which leaves, are selected and catagorised for Bidi making are size, thickness of leaves, texture, relative thickness of midrib and lateral veins.
For collection and processing of tendu leaves standardized same procedure is used throughout India. Tendu leaves are collected from the trees in the month of April after 45 days cutting the upper branches.The leaves are collected in bundles of 100 leaves, which are dried in sunlight for about a week. The dried leaves are sprinkled with water to soften them and then filled tightly in jute bags and exposed to direct sunlight for 3 days.
Thousands of families are associated in making bidi. One person earn Rs 40-80/- per day by making bidi from tendu leaves. Bidi rolling is the primary job which looks very simple but need practice and consistency in work. It is a source of subsidiary occupation and supplementary income to lakhs of people. Bidi industry provides employment to the rural people during off season for collection of bidi leaves. Bidi industry has a vital role in rural welfare and in promoting rural economy.
Mahua: Cash Crop with high Medicinal Value
The botanical name of Mahua is Maduca Indicia. Mahua is important tree of deciduous forests of Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, states. Mahua is also known as butter tree. Bark, heartwood, flowers, fruits, seeds of Mahua having high medicinal and industrial uses which make Mahua a cash crop.
In the month of March and April people collected Mahua flowers. One person collects about 10-20kg flowers per day in good season and earn about Rs 100/- per day. Mahua flowers are famous for liquor making and other medicinal uses so it is sold in local market through well established market channel. Due to good percentage of sucrose Mahua flowers used as vitality drink among tribal people. Mahua flower juice is also used in the treatment of enlargement of auxiliary gland, neurotic disorder and taken with milk in cough, bronchitis and as an aphrodisiac. Dry Mahua flowers are sweet in taste.
Oil is extracted from Mahua seeds and byproduct cake used as cheap organic manure and possesses insecticide property. Mahua cake contains 3.5% nitrogen, 50.51% proteins and can also be used as cattle feed when freed from bitters and saponins, since it contains 20% crude protein. To be used as feed it must be supplemented with essential amino acids.
Mahua used with shikaki for hair wash. The flowers are used as vegetable for making vinegar. Seed paste of Mahua used to reduce muscle fatigue and relieve pain in the muscle and joints to improve the texture and vigor of skin. The bark decoction is used in curing bleeding gums and ulcers. Due to laxative nature seeds use to cure piles by relieving chronic constipation. The leaves of Mahua are effective in the treatment of eczema. Seed Oil is also used as ointment, in rheumatism and to prevent cracks in the skin in winter. It is used for edible purposes culinary, hair oil, illumination, lighting, keeps body glossy and warm. Mahua wood is used by craftsmen in making different tools. It can thus be used in bee sting, bilious conditions, blood disorders, blister, breast ailments, bronchitis, cachexia, cholera, colds, consumption, cough, diabetes, dysuria, ear ailments, eye ailments, fever, fistula, gingivitis, headaches, heart problems, intestinal ailments, itch, leprosy, orchitis phthysis, piles, pimples, rheumatism, skin ailments, small pox, snake bites, small pox, suppuration, tonsillitis, tuberculosis, tumours of abdomen and wounds.
In the month of March and April people collected Mahua flowers. One person collects about 10-20kg flowers per day in good season and earn about Rs 100/- per day. Mahua flowers are famous for liquor making and other medicinal uses so it is sold in local market through well established market channel. Due to good percentage of sucrose Mahua flowers used as vitality drink among tribal people. Mahua flower juice is also used in the treatment of enlargement of auxiliary gland, neurotic disorder and taken with milk in cough, bronchitis and as an aphrodisiac. Dry Mahua flowers are sweet in taste.
Oil is extracted from Mahua seeds and byproduct cake used as cheap organic manure and possesses insecticide property. Mahua cake contains 3.5% nitrogen, 50.51% proteins and can also be used as cattle feed when freed from bitters and saponins, since it contains 20% crude protein. To be used as feed it must be supplemented with essential amino acids.
Mahua used with shikaki for hair wash. The flowers are used as vegetable for making vinegar. Seed paste of Mahua used to reduce muscle fatigue and relieve pain in the muscle and joints to improve the texture and vigor of skin. The bark decoction is used in curing bleeding gums and ulcers. Due to laxative nature seeds use to cure piles by relieving chronic constipation. The leaves of Mahua are effective in the treatment of eczema. Seed Oil is also used as ointment, in rheumatism and to prevent cracks in the skin in winter. It is used for edible purposes culinary, hair oil, illumination, lighting, keeps body glossy and warm. Mahua wood is used by craftsmen in making different tools. It can thus be used in bee sting, bilious conditions, blood disorders, blister, breast ailments, bronchitis, cachexia, cholera, colds, consumption, cough, diabetes, dysuria, ear ailments, eye ailments, fever, fistula, gingivitis, headaches, heart problems, intestinal ailments, itch, leprosy, orchitis phthysis, piles, pimples, rheumatism, skin ailments, small pox, snake bites, small pox, suppuration, tonsillitis, tuberculosis, tumours of abdomen and wounds.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
