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Despite being one of the most conflict-prone species in India, the Nilgai antelope Boselaphus tragocamelus has received little scientific attention. In this study, we address this knowledge gap by conducting an analysis of secondary data extracted from print media reports on Human-Nilgai negative interactions at the regional scale (tehsils and districts) across different states of India. Our findings revealed notable variations in conflict levels among different states, with Bihar emerging as the most affected (86 tehsils and 22 districts), followed by Madhya Pradesh (34 tehsils; 21 districts) and Uttar Pradesh (33 tehsils; 20 districts). Within Bihar, Muzaffarpur and East Champaran districts stand out for their high conflict levels. Crop raiding by different populations of Nilgai is identified as the primary cause of the negative interaction, with a relative frequency of occurrence of 98%. Attacks on humans by nilgai, although rare, accounted for a relative frequency of occurrence of only 1.2%. Additionally, newspapers reported retaliatory killings, with a relative frequency of occurrence of 0.84%. Between 2018 and 2022, nilgai populations were documented raiding 45 distinct crop types. Analysis of these raids revealed varying frequencies across different crop categories, with vegetables being the most heavily targeted (31%), followed by pulses (22%) and cereals (20%). Our study identifies priority tehsils and districts across different states in the country where studies aiming at nilgai-crop interactions, population dynamics, and movement ecology can be carried out to devise effective mitigation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The untreated effluents from paper mills discharged into water bodies, damages the water quality and living organisms. Due to several limitations in the physicochemical treatment methods for treating industrial wastewaters the biological methods are more favourable alternative for the removal of pollutants. In the present study, phenol degrading activity by bacterial isolates collected from industrial effluent has been investigated. The isolated strains were further characterized by morphological, physiological, biochemical and 16S rRNA gene analysis. Isolates as Staphylococcus sp. (MH935803) and Staphylococcus sciuri (MH938044), has been identified in the present study. These two isolates have been identified as novel and potential aerobic bacterial strains that showed maximum survival in the phenol concentration up to 1600 mg/L and 1800 mg/L respectively. Further these strains may be used for biodegradation of phenol containing pulp and paper mill effluent. The study focuses on the characterization of efficient phenol degrading bacteria found in pulp and paper mill effluent which can be considered for use in large scale biorefining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the prevailing microbial communities during the composting of vegetable waste, cattle manure and saw dust, in a household (250 l) batch scale Rotary Drum composter and Windrow Pile. Physico-chemical parameters were analyzed to study the organic matter transformations. Total organic matter reduced from 63.8% to 36.2% in rotary drum and 39.6% in windrow pile composting. The C/N ratio decreased from 26.52 to 8.89 and 14.33 in rotary drum and windrow pile composting. The indigenous population of total heterotrophic bacteria decreased in rotary drum and windrow pile composting after 20 days. However, total fungal load initially increased within initial 4 days, then subsequently reduced in final composts. The average number of fecal coliforms and fecal Streptococci showed decrement with time, in both composting systems. Escherichia coli and Salmonella species number deduced during the study. Composting cycle started with Gram positive rods but ended up with the dominance of Gram negative bacilli shaped bacteria. Transformation of organic compounds during the biodegradation of organic waste, difference in the utilization of nutrients (organic matter) by the different group of microbes and high temperature could be cited as a possible reason of the above changes. Scanning electron microscopy has been used to obtain the surface structures of the cultured mycoflora. Results of the study revealed that higher diversity of microbes prevailed in rotary drum as compared to windrow pile, yielding more stable and pathogenic free compost in lesser period of composting. (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to assess the effect of different concentrations (control, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) of paper mill effluent on some morphological characters of Cicer arietinum. Result showed maximum growth promotion i.e., root length (3.8 cm), shoot length (10.0 cm) and increase in chlorophyll content (1.004 mg gm(-1)) at 50% effluent concentration after 21 days. However, at higher effluent concentration growth parameters started decreasing. The study suggests that the effluent can be used safely for Cicer arietinum cultivation only after proper dilution up to a certain extent.