Search

This article offers a global overview of the burgeoning field of micro-credentials and their relationship to lifelong learning, employability and new models of digital education. Although there is no globally accepted definition of micro-credentials, the term indicates smaller units of study, which are usually shorter than traditional forms of accredited learning and courses leading to conventional qualifications such as degrees. The paper aims to provide educators with a helicopter view of the rapidly evolving global micro-credential landscape, with particular relevance to higher education leaders, industry stakeholders and government policy-makers. It addresses five questions: (i) What are micro-credentials? (ii) Why micro-credentials? (iii) Who are the key stakeholders? (iv) What is happening globally? and (v) What are some of the key takeaways? Drawing on a European-wide perspective and recent developments in The Republic of Ireland, the paper concludes that micro-credentials are likely to become a more established and mature feature of the 21st-century credential ecology over the next five years. While the global micro-credential landscape is currently disconnected across national boundaries, more clarity and coherence will emerge as governments around the world increasingly align new credentialing developments with existing national qualification frameworks. The micro-credentialing movement also provides opportunities for governments and higher education institutions in partnership with industry to harness new digital learning models beyond the pandemic.

Higher education is the refinement of teaching--learning and research acumen. It is the epitome of a learning system before entering the job market or venturing into new start-ups. Various studies indicate that the growth of an economy is positively associated with development in the higher education ecosystem. The state-run institutions have their inherent stereotypical challenges for propelling the essence of excellence. Barring a few, the mushrooming of private institutions has diluted its holistic objectives at par with the national standards. The quality outcome of higher education research brings momentum to all the development vectors across society, nation and the global community. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in developing countries have failed to secure top positions in various global rankings, causing concern for all stakeholders. This paper attempts to develop a comprehensive strategic model best suited to developing nations like India that can transform the higher education ecosystem par excellence to the apex institutions across the globe. The paper strongly suggests establishing a unitary institution that would pool the best talents from the existing HEIs through a stringent and unbiased scoring instrument that would augment the quality of life, resurgence of the economy, superior Human Development Index and sustainable development.

The concept of low carbon education is one solution to provide knowledge to students related to low carbon behavior. The purpose of this paper is providing an extensive bibliometric literature review on 'low carbon education'. Articles found by Publishing or Perish (PoP) software with the Google Scholar database. There were 55 out of 97 articles found from Google Scholar data base ranging from 2014 to 2019 analyzed in this study. The chosen references were then managed using a referencing manager software namely Zotero. After managing the database, this study classified and visualized it using VOSviewer software. Overall, this review provides an appropriate reference point for further research on 'low carbon education'.

Work-based Learning (WBL) models being implemented across the globe highlight the importance of the role of industry in making the work-environment conducive to learning. This paper discusses various parameters that contribute to build a favorable ecosystem for successful implementation of WBL pedagogy. The findings are based on practices followed by critical observation of an integrated Work-based Learning model based on M.K.Gandhi's Nai Talim principle of 'Learning through Working' (M.K.Gandhi 1968) implemented in the state of Maharashtra, India. (MKCL 2001) In this system, the open universities in collaboration with industries offer work-based degree courses to suit the nature and needs of the businesses (Sawant 2017) and admit the youth especially from the economically weaker sections of the society at affordable fees. The businesses/industries offer paid internships to the students for performing at the workplace. The interns build the theory based on the work performed. The seniors in the industry assist the interns in synthesizing knowledge through daily reflection sessions by accessing eLearning study materials. The interns record their reflections through blogs and undertake evidence-based comprehensive assessment sessions on the eLearning platform on the work content and related course modules. The interns thus obtain two types of credits viz. work credits given by the industry appraisers and knowledge credits earned on the eLearning platform leading to the award of a degree at the end of three years. It is in this context and in view of the crucial role of the industries offering real life work-environments, the key aspects of the WBL ecosystem desirable at the workplace are discussed and analyzed.

This paper is a reflective account of a travel that shifted the site of initial elementary teacher education from a metropolitan milieu of New Delhi; to the contrasting locale of a remote mountain region in the central Himalayas. This shift of site aimed to re-locate the concerns of quality schooling, diversity and ecological living to this new context. The possibilities of an emancipatory education for the marginalised children of these remote mountain regions may not emerge from mainstream schooling but are derived from an alternative educational imagination. This alternative educational trajectory is rooted in the children's locale specific bio-physical reality, social ecology and recovery of traditional local knowledge systems. The field experiences at a new site are among the critical dimensions of teacher education for diversity. In comparison to the learning that takes place at an urban location of the initial teacher education programme the insights gained from experiences at this educationally 'non-developed' locale at the margins are central to teacher education for diversity. The visit deepened the understanding that a distinct locale specific alternative vision of educational development is not the same as mainstream notions of school education, economic growth and ecological living.

The present paper attempts to interrogate the existing approach to understand academic achievement in the mainstream educational psychology. The paper explores the persistent question of "why academic achievement gap" in the modern society from the cultural ecological and postformalist framework of John Ogbu and Joe Kincheloe respectively. As mainstream educational psychology limits its scope in the narrowed individualistic lens, paper suggests that dominant identity based curriculum, pedagogy and knowledge may concretize the psychological categories unless revolutionary efforts are made to transcend the boundaries. Thus, paper adopts critical interdisciplinary framework, rejecting positivistic metatheory as an only relevant approach in educational psychology.

Purpose: In today's competitive environment, sustainability is talked out in every sphere of life. Sustainability is a key to stability and for that roots are being focused by incorporating sustainability in higher education. The basic purpose of this paper is to prioritize the sustainability drivers in the higher education system. This research will provide fruitful insight into the sustainability drivers in the higher education system to the education industry and policymakers. Design/methodology/approach: The present research is conducted on the 400 students studying in four major universities in the state of Punjab. Fuzzy analytical hierarchy process was applied to prioritize the sustainability drivers in the higher education system. The primary factors considered for the present study include social-people (social responsibility), environmental-planet (sustainable environmental practices) and financial-profit (economic value created). Findings: The most influential criteria were environmental-planet (sustainable environmental practices) and social-people (social responsibility). The five most influential subcriteria were "Student engagement in eco co-curricular activities (C21)", Energy efficiency measures (C23)", "The HEI as a job driver in the city (C11)", "Total direct energy consumption (C31)" and "Support from the HEI for local initiatives and help in growing the sustainability of the community or region (C12)". Research limitations/implications: Although the sample survey conducted in this study was focused on a small sample selected from the state of Punjab which genuinely represented the total population, it is still considered as a limitation for the present study. Practical implications: The outcome of this research provides policymakers with a better understanding of the sustainability drivers in higher education. This will further help them toward achieving the aim of sustainability. Originality/value: The present research is based on the available literature on sustainability and the results of the study would add value to the existing knowledge base.

This article provides an interview transcript between David Kahn and Mario Montessori (1898-1982), son of Dr. Maria Montessori. Mario Montessori dedicated his life to the preservation, dissemination and application of Montessori's works. Herein Kahn asks Montessori about his time living in the hills of Kodaikanal, India. Montessori touches upon the elementary class he taught there, the influence of Cosmic Education on his lessons, and his exploration of the sciences with the children. [This article was reprinted from "The NAMTA Quarterly" 5,1 (1979, Fall): 56-59. For "Chapter I," see EJ1078126.]

Modeling the factors determining ecological and economic value gives rise to conceptual and methodological problems. Economic valuation typically focuses on use value in the short run, whether within or outside the market. Ecologists, however, are more concerned with ecological values, which provide an underlying long-run notion of value interpreted in a more general sense. This paper investigates the nature of the link between these two aspects of value in the context of a wetland in Northern India, which is also designated as a Ramsar site and a national park. A dynamic simulation model in a ‘STELLA’ environment is set up to understand the linkages between underlying ecological relationships and economic value emerging from them. The simulations point towards a critical dependence of economic value (direct and indirect income derived from the park) on ecological health indices. A non-linearity is to be seen in the impact of an increase in ecological health indices on tourist traffic. This responsive or elasticity with respect to ecological health is more at higher values of the indices, indicating thereby that once efforts at conservation increase the attractiveness of the park above a certain level, the impact may be cumulative and returns in terms of income may rise more than proportionately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The "Go Green" concept has become significant in every facet of business in today?s environmentally conscious culture. With all company activities, there is a need to focus on people and the environment rather than just on profits as businesses can no longer operate only for profits. The concern towards environment results a shift toward green economy, and businesses must be environmentally conscious in all aspects of their operations. Green banking is one of the initiatives in this direction. Green banking entails ensuring environmentally friendly practices in the banking sector and, as a result, lowering internal and external carbon footprints. A broader perspective is that green criteria should be used as a lending principle. The banking industry isn?t often thought of as a polluter. However, it has a negative influence on the environment because it increases energy use lighting, air conditioning and paper consumption. The paper reviews the green banking practices among select banks in India & to identify the challenges associated with implementing this eco friendly phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper is an inquiry into the inclination of the two principal characters in Shubhangi Swarup's debut novel Latitudes of Longing to relate their own lives with the components of their respective ecological environment(s) that they come into contact with in the narrative. The plight of immigrants from India and Burma in the colonial Andaman Islands that the novelist implicitly and explicitly touches upon has prompted this research to be carried out through the perspective of postcolonial ecocriticism. Given that the Karen1 are a relatively recent population to be recognized as a separate community, another aim of this paper is to bring to light the sort of representation found by the Karen in contemporary novels, with respect to their treatment and perception of nature through the years of resettlement, rebellion and seeking an identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India is a country of unparalleled diversity within both the cultural and ecological spheres of life. This paper examines the author's experience exploring and inquiring into the mental health implications of mining and mining induced displacement within several Adivasi (tribal) communities in Andhra Pradesh, India. Through collaboration with Samata, a local Non-Government Organization (NGO), a qualitative pilot study was conducted to explore potential effects of mining on three communities that have been threatened by mining for a number of years. A particular focus is paid to women and the unique challenges they currently face.

This paper aims to apply a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework to evaluate the environmental performance of the medical service supply chain using a case study in India. An application of MCDM method, the fuzzy TOPSIS (Technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution) model, is used for Medical Support Service Provide firms (MSSPF) environmental performance evaluation. We require multiple and conflicting criteria to fix real-life decision-making challenges, which in turn led to the inception of (MCDM). However, MCDM is contracted with various contradictory requirements in which the knowledge of decision-makers is generally vague and thereby more challenging. In this situation, inclusions of fuzzy set theory in MCDM Methods would be good to solve the MCDM problem. In this study, the authors used a fuzzy TOPSIS MCDM model to solve the evaluation framework. Data were collected from the experts from the MSSPF about the more perfect criteria to assess environmental performance using a questionnaire. Case assesses the environmental performance, based on defined criteria, of three MSSPF by the experts. Fuzzy TOPSIS Method ranks three MSSPF according to environmental performance in the following order: Firm B, Firm A and Firm C. The result suggested that 'Firm B' performed superior environmental performance followed by 'Firm A' and 'Firm C'. This evaluation framework will help MSSPF to identify potential areas of further improvement in Environmental performance, and thereby creates strategies to overcome and formulate new innovations. Notably, this is one of the few studies to have used this method to gauge the environmental performance of the medical service supply chain in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to investigate the dynamic nexus between economic complexity index (ECI), technological development (TIN), human capital (HC) and environmental quality in India for transition towards a sustainable environment. This study is based on secondary data covering the period from 1985 to 2018. For empirical analysis, this study applied "Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence, and Technology" (STIRPAT) model framework under the estimation of autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model and vector error correction model (VECM) model. The empirical findings of model 1 show ECI, TIN, HC and urbanization (URB) as the helping hands to mitigate the problem of environmental degradation by shrinking the level of EF, whereas for model 2, ECI and TIN failed to influence the CO2 emissions, but HC served as a stimulant for environmental quality enhancement by declining the level of CO2 emissions. In contrast, GDP growth and URB strengthen the CO2 emissions levels. Moreover, in VECM framework, estimated findings reveal that the covariables Granger-cause EF and CO2 emissions, inferring that causality flows asynchronously from its covariables to EF and CO2. Impulse response function (IRF) revealed that the responses in EF and CO2 emissions ascribed to changes in its covariables. The outcome of the study has some implications for environmental policy strategists to prepare sustainable environment policies and other responsible authorities for sustainable development goal (SDGs), academician and scholars. All the stakeholders involved in environmental economics and policymakers can evaluate this study to design proper policy framework with respect to the environment. There are few studies that explore the dynamic nexus between ECI, TIN and HC with environmental quality in the control environment of URB and GDP growth using the STIRPAT model for India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) are highly threatened by fisheries, there are few studies that examine gear and fishery effects on catch composition and abundance across India, one of the top elasmobranch fishing nations globally. We assessed elasmobranch diversity, abundance, catch rates and fishery characteristics using landing surveys in Malvan on the central‐western coast of India, a major multi‐gear, multi‐species fishing centre, over three sampling periods from February 2018 to March 2020. We sampled 3145 fishing trips and recorded 27 elasmobranch species, of which nearly half are categorised as "Threatened" by the IUCN. In addition, we documented historical records by compiling information from identification guides, research papers, articles and reports. During the study period, the catch was dominated by small‐sized coastal species like the spadenose shark (Scoliodon laticaudus) and the scaly whipray (Brevitrygon walga). Trawlers accounted for 64.9% of the catch, highest by number, and captured smaller‐sized individuals. Nonetheless, artisanal and gillnet fisheries had higher catch per unit effort (CPUE) for rays (5.1 ± 1.0) and sharks (10 ± 1.0), respectively, and captured significantly larger‐sized individuals. Through generalised linear models, we found seasonal, gear and fishery effects on the abundance and size of commonly caught species. The presence of neonates and gravid females of multiple species also suggests nursery grounds in this region. Historically, 141 species have been recorded in this region, and a comparison with current catch suggests a shift in elasmobranch community structure and potential mesopredator release. This study emphasises the importance of gear and species‐specific research for conservation planning at the local level and suggests the need for management strategies with fisher cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Green history" in general refers to environmental history that traces the development of human-nature relationships and patterns of natural resource extraction and mobilization in our past. Needless to say, a concern for the "green" is becoming a fast-developing field of enquiry given the growing incidence of environmental hazards across the world. However, comparatively, in India, environmental history is yet to make much headway. That is why David Arnold and Ramchandra Guha, the pioneers of environmental history in India, have remarked that environmental history in India, and South Asia in general, is under-developed as a discipline. Assam, situated in the north-eastern part of India, has always been known for its rich flora and fauna and diverse biodiversity hot spots. This region shows a great diversity of climate, topography, and geology, which explains the rich biological diversity of this part of the country. But, interestingly enough, very few studies have been undertaken to examine the environmental history of Assam, and most of them are on the colonial period. This paper aims to review particular references to the ecology and environment of pre-colonial Assam that are embedded in the available historical literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on art productions by children participating in an art-based wellbeing intervention project in Kashmir. Drawing on feminist security studies, we conducted narrative analysis to explore how children represent in/security. The locations of in/security were the environment, the body, and the socio-political realm. Children articulated nuanced and complex representations of the natural and social world, influenced by local and global forces, and created their own meanings and practices of in/security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper documents the traditional agricultural practices of Chuktia Bhunjia tribe of Odisha, India, and attempts to comprehend as to how they negotiate with their ecosystem in order to ensure sustainable agricultural production and livelihood. Data, collected using interview and observation, reveal that agricultural practices of the Chuktia Bhunjia are revolved around local ecology, beliefs, rituals and knowledge. The knowledge-based intercropping, agroforestry, crop rotation, crop diversity, rain-water harvesting and management of soil fertility are important domains involved in their agricultural practices that are found to as a function of long-term observation and experiments, and are reported to have been culturally reproduced through self-engagement and ritualistic practices associated with agriculture. Their agriculture is assumed to have significance in maintaining the soil fertility and moisture, and reducing greenhouse gases and enhancing carbon sequestration whereby to balance the landscape. The agroforestry-based agricultural practices, coupled with belief, ritual and technology, is also found to make their agriculture cost-effective and ensure conservation of ecological system. Climate change–driven agricultural decision-making among them is found to as a tool not only to arrest their crop failure but also to ensure sustainable food production and livelihood. Yet, the expected evacuation of inhabitant including Chuktia Bhunjia due to 'tiger-project' is assumed to be a threat to their agricultural knowledge and other cultural domains. Therefore, owing to the livelihood implication of traditional agriculture, any attempt to integrate their agricultural knowledge base with scientific knowledge would ensure sustainability of both ecology and livelihood together. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Major problems faced in India's development are discussed, including rapid industrialization and urbanization and needs for ecological protection as well as food and industry, literacy, and rapid social change in a multilingual and multireligious society. The roles of higher education and international cooperation are also examined. (MSE)

Describes India's National Action Plan for wildlife conservation, itemizing and explaining the main components and strategies of this action program. Also presents a historical perspective of conservation practices, policies, and programs. A table of India's national parks and sanctuaries with data from 1970 to 1983 is included. (ML)

This paper traces the nature of resistance in movements against land acquisition in Jagatsinghpur and Niyamgiri in the state of Odisha in India. At both sites, the movements were united in their opposition to the respective industrial projects, and to the state's notion of ‘development’ premised on resource extraction and large industry. At certain key junctures, the Niyamgiri resistance placed stress on the ‘sacred’ and the spiritual, while the resistance in Jagatsinghpur emphasised ‘traditional’ land- and water-based economic livelihoods. This paper uses these case studies to understand the role of overt and covert ‘performances’ of indigeneity in shaping environmental discourse as well as the state's response to resistance movements. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The enduring fluctuations in market demand, exemplified by exceedingly unpredictable customer requirements, have given rise to mass customization (MC), which is acquiring increasing prominence in production and operations management. Fostering on the foundation laid by erstwhile researcher Hart in Int J Serv Ind Manag 6:36–45 [1], who developed an analytical framework of four pillars of mass customization for organizations, the objective of this research is to obtain additional discernments on the nature of the linkage between the four pillars and MC. The current work is to explain ability of manufacturing organization for MC. Further, the paper proposes the impact of MC on organization performance with a view to develop an assessment and decision-making model to achieve competitiveness. The analysis of 276 valid responses from Indian professional experts was done using structural equation modeling (Amos Graphics). The results showed that process amenability, competitive environment, and organizational readiness all have a major impact on mass customization. The study, on the other hand, did not support customer sensitivity, which could be because mass customization is a new manufacturing paradigm in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Financial necessity and desperation is the primary reason for females to enter into sex work. The health and well-being of female sex workers (FSWs) depend on the balance between their earnings and the cost of living in their local environment. Therefore it would be of value to examine the comparative cost of living adjusted earnings of FSWs in different countries to gauge equity or its absence in their financial state. Data about per client per encounter earnings for FSWs in Pune, India was taken from primary research conducted by the first author. Equivalent secondary data was acquired for the US and Thailand from an online literature review. Earnings after converting to US dollar values were adjusted against the cost of living in the respective environments of the FSWs and then compared. An FSW in India, (Pune) earned on the average US $4.40 after adjusting for the cost of living locally, while in Thailand (Bangkok) the equivalent earning was US $18.77 and in the US (Washington DC region) it was $101.79. These results suggest that an FSW in the US earns 23 times more, and a Thai FSW earns 4 times more than an FSW in India. There are numerous variables that affect the earnings of an FSW and the limited defined scope of this paper based on available data does not permit detailed analyses of causal or intermediate influencing factors. Nonetheless, it can be said with reasonable confidence that much needs to be done and can be done to mitigate the earning disparity, particularly in an emerging economy like India as shown in this small study, and that can perhaps be done best under the umbrella domain of a "harm reduction approach." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to employ a unified data base to map the basics of the global environmental predicament today, namely the living Planer Report. Design/methodology/approach - The paper provides review and critique of the measurement rod in the Ecological Footprint Framework consisting of the hectares, or area of land, air or sea, used by mankind in production and consumption (demand) as well as the hectares that a country has inherited from its past (supply). Biocapacity tends to be country specific. Findings - When total ecological imprint is estimated, taking population size into account, then it is not tenable to argue that pollution goes with affluence. On the contrary, poor or medium income countries with a large population may have more ecological impact than super affluent countries, especially after biocapacity has been taken into account. Research limitations/implications - To be effective, a policy aiming at reducing the ecological footprint of social systems must take population numbers into account. The per capita figures present only half of the truth, as population size has a huge impact upon pollution and emissions. Practical implications - Global ecological pressure is the largest in the Asia-Pacific region. A future global environmental policy - Kyoto II or Copenhagen I - must include the huge Asian countries - China and India - on an equal footing with other countries. Originality/value - The distinction between per capita emissions and total emissions. Any global ecology policy that confuses these two measures will be flawed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The current world of knowledge has a demand for intellectual capital to position or prosper any business. Organizations are constantly looking for developing a pool of talent to gain a competitive advantage. The purpose of this study is to find out the contribution of knowledge sharing that enhances the performance of the employees. This study also exhibits a model for measuring the performance of the employee. Design/methodology/approach: This study is based on the primary and secondary sources of data. This paper has collected 354 samples from the different information technology (IT) firms located in India. The data were analyzed through statistical package for the social sciences-23 and analysis of moment structures. Path analysis has been conducted to examine the independent and mediating effects on the dependent factor. Findings: This study confirms the conceptual model with the data. The key contributors are organizational intelligence (OI), organizational learning and knowledge sharing and organizational culture. The performance of the employee is primarily based on organizational learning. OI, knowledge sharing and organizational culture are the major factors that create an environment for organizational learning. Practical implications: The findings suggest that organizational learning stimulates the effect of knowledge management practices on employee performance. Apart from this OI affirms the learning culture for IT firms. Originality/value: Drawing from the different theories, this is the first study where the role of OI, organizational culture and knowledge sharing simultaneously aligned and shows the effect on employee performance with the mediation role of organizational learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is an attempt to look at the worldview ofinterconnectedness lived by Mavilan community as expressed in their oral songs. Mavilan tribe inhabits Kannur and Kasaragod district of north Kerala. The songs under consideration were documented from the elders during the fieldwork carried out in their hamlets. The songs dealt with in the paper provide a glance at the rich cultural tradition of the tribe. These songs are replete withecological references. It is evident from the songs that in their understanding the universe is an oikos comprising the interrelation among the humans, the society and the sacred. The paper tries to delve into the interdependence lived and experienced by the tribe by applying the tinai criticism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic growth and development with least harm to the environment is one of the biggest challenges for the human. Mining which is considered to be the most inherently unsustainable industry, is at the same time, plays key role in the development process in India and across Globe. It occupy primary position in the supply chain, contributing to the foreign direct investment, exports, government taxes, GDP (National Income) and provide huge labour employment. This paper studies industrial elimination of women, prolong industrial patriarchy, impetuous production, rising demand pressure has added to the quadrupling problems of land degradation, disposal of over burden/waste discharge, deforestation, pollution(air, water, and noise), and damage to forest flora and fauna, occupational health hazards and extreme global environmental damage in a rapid, continuous manner. These continuous and multilayered problems are giving us reason to re-visioning steps, where we went wrong. Theoretical foundation of eco-feminism traces that negligence and suppression of women in general and in the mining industry, is one of the probable cause that hit environment fiercely. With this in mind, this paper suggests theory of eco-feminism into male centric mining industry as a perspective which is more likely to lead to industrial sustainability, making it more responsible and may provide pro-environmental solutions to the industry. This feminist concept extending it from individualistic level into mining organisations proposes as one of the alternative to combine ecology and commerce to envision sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India has a long coastal line, measuring over seven thousand kilometers, along eight States and some Union Territories. In addition to marine ecosystems along this coast line large variety of freshwater wetlands are also found. Porifers, commonly called as sponges, harbor many such waters. Out of 30 species belonging to 10 genera of freshwater sponges noted from India, 29 are found to inhabit coastal wetlands including 10 species endemic to India. Paper deals with the diversity and distribution of these species in such wetlands and adds some ecological notes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of eco-tourism on the socio-economic characteristics of the native inhabitants and natural resources in Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR), India. The paper estimates the recreational value and measures the willingness to pay (WTP) of the stakeholders and tourists to conserve the forest eco-system. Design/methodology/approach - The paper draws upon theories and issues of eco-tourism to examine the economic value of forest ecosystem, including direct and indirect use values of the ecological regulatory services. The 60 sample stakeholders of the study were agricultural and forest dependents and tourist dependents in addition to 60 visitors of ATR spot. Findings - The travel cost had a significant negative influence on frequency of visits, while education had a positive impact. The agriculture and forest dependents, tourist dependents and tourists were WTP an average amount of Rs 202 (US$4.03), Rs 449 (US$9.55) and Rs 656 (US$14.00)/annum, respectively, towards internalizing eco-tourism-related externalities. The option value of conserving the ATR was estimated by contingent valuation method using bidding game technique. Education and number of animal species sighted have positively related to WTP and was highly significant. Social implications - The paper addresses the attitude of people towards conservation of the forest biodiversity, as well as increasing the income of the people via eco-tourism. Originality/value - The outcome implies that eco-tourism will reduce the dependency of forest and also create more employment and other tourism-related income augmenting activities and thus enhancing additional income through tourism related occupations. The paper suggests the establishment of several other eco-parks in Tamil Nadu for protecting the biodiversity as well as generating additional income and improving the livelihood security of the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Orchidaceae is one of the largest families of flowering plants comprising about 40 per cent of the Monocotyledons. India, due to its tropical location, physiological variation associated with favourable climatic conditions, has a moderately rich orchid flora of about 1350 species in 186 genera. The structure of leaf and leaf basis are taken primary importance in this paper. On this investigation, the anatomy of leaf of Bulbophyllum species is taken for the detailed study, to find out the ecological and taxonomic significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Northeast India, the land of original inhabitants, follows a unique and fascinating culture and tradition as its inhabitants are closely attached to nature. Northeast India is one of those few places in the world, where matrilineal culture is still practiced. In Meghalaya, one of the northeastern states, the practice of matrilineality has been in existence for almost 2000 years among a few tribes. Khasi, Jaintia and Garo, the earliest ethnic communities of Meghalaya appear to be homogenous ones, as the youngest daughter becomes the custodian of the ancestral prospects. This practice where the womenfolk become the custodians of the cultural and natural artifacts has strong parallels in the theory of ecofeminism. By employing ecofeministic perspective to read the matrilineal culture of the tribes, the paper aims to make a parallel study on the ethnic women’s affinity towards nature. Ecofeminism celebrates the robust connect between women and nature and asserts that women serve as the advocates for nature rather than men. The paper, therefore, aims to investigate ecofeministic elements among the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo tribes of Meghalaya and tries to express an ecofeministic view concerning family, marriage, religion, and food culture of the Meghalaya tribes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within public health, investigations into the rise of metabolic syndrome disorders, such as obesity and type II diabetes, following on the heels of globalisation have tended to focus on the twin axes of diet and physical exercise. However, such a limited focus obscures wider transformations in bodily and health-related practices that emerge in response to globalisation. This paper is an exploration of public discourses about PCOS—a hormonal disorder that affects menstruation, is associated with obesity, heart disease, and type II diabetes, and has been on the rise in India since the liberalisation of its economy in 1991— and it examines the concerns regarding sociocultural, environmental, and political–economic changes brought by liberalisation that these discourses index. Attention to medical semantics, as revealed through public discourses about PCOS, can help counter the limited focus of diet and physical activity-centred models through an emphasis on the political ecology of health. Such engagement can reveal how an emerging relationship between the body and its environment, which is seen as characteristically modern, is implicated in the rise of metabolic disorders. It can also offer critical insights for biomedical and public health research into such disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of commentators have suggested various cautions and caveats about assuming a positive relationship between Hinduism and the environment. The main points of contention are the limitations of textual exegesis; the environmentally damaging consequences of some Hindu beliefs and practices; and questions over whether any religion provides an adequate or appropriate basis from which to address contemporary environmental challenges. This paper explores a rather different and very problematic relationship that is being drawn, by some, between Hinduism and the environment. It focuses on the recent involvement of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) in protests against Tehri Dam. Neglecting the social and environmental problems that motivate other protestors, the VHP has sought to frame the dam as a communal issue—a threat by "outsiders"/Muslims to the holy river Ganges, and "therefore" to the Hindu religion, and "thus" the nation. The paper argues that, in the context of an increasingly aggressive Hindu nationalism, environmental issues and movements are by no means immune from the dangerous and divisive religious politics that are being played out in contemporary India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The small site archaeology has a remarkable potential to contribute on many greater issues in archaeological studies. Similarly, micro dimensional data of any category should prove to be of great importance if studied judiciously. The present paper intends to point out this very fact with a special reference to skeletal remains of micromammals in the category of rodents as a special case. This topic has been specifically undertaken because it is largely observed that such skeletal material tends to be overlooked and sometimes even totally discarded as of no archaeological significance. Rats and mice (muroids, Order: Rodentia) are one of the world's ubiquitous small rodents whose antiquity in India goes back to the Tertiary period. Its skeletal remains have been reported from several archaeological sites in India with temporal range of about 20 ka. Rodents have the potential to provide palaeoenvironmental information not attainable from other animal groups. The fact is well appreciated in palaeoentology but unfortunately remains to be confronted in archaeological context so far. The present paper ventures to ponder upon the possibilities of palaeoenvironmental interpretations of rodent fauna in archaeological record. A sizable assemblage of microvertebrates excavated from an Early Historic site of Kopia, Dist. Sant Kabirnagar (Uttar Pradesh state of India) offers a case study of microfaunal interpretations. Evidence of muroid's contribution to the diet of ancient human population is discussed with reference to several existing hunting gathering communities practicing small game and the Musehars, aborigines living in the interiors of Gangetic plains. It provides a ready database for the dietary inferences with regard to the rodent fauna that are interpreted from archaeological perspective. The paper demonstrates multifold implications of evidence of rats and mice in archaeololgical record that have significant bearing on the ecology, subsistence and behavioural archaeology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to identify the motives that enforce consumers to find out the major determinants that frame healthscape in private healthcare service that leads to their satisfaction in a developing country like India. Design/methodology/approach - The generic motive dimensions are identified using an exploratory factor analysis. Next the reliability and validity of the factors are established followed by regression analysis using SPSS 20.0 s/w. Findings - This paper identifies six healthscape motives in the private healthcare sector named as service personnel conduct and cleanliness, service delivery and facilities, ambience, location and look, appealing decoration, and upgraded safety service, out of which only service delivery, ambience, location, and decorations contribute the most to build customer satisfaction as per their significance value. Research limitations/implications - The various dimensions of healthcare motives should be viewed as the levers of improving hospitals' service quality in the minds of its present and future customers. This finding can offer valuable insight to the forthcoming as well as existing developer who are planning to have their healthcare service presence in India. Practical implications - This study suggests some important strategic guidelines for service positioning and market segmentation of healthcare services as per customer requirements. In the recent past, availing services from hospitals were purely utilitarian in nature. Customers were more inclined to get proper and timely services and cared more about the service quality of the healthcare service provider. Originality/value - This paper is among the few works done on understanding private healthcare service delivery process in India and customer satisfaction level from those Hospitals. This study addresses the gap by identifying a set of dimensions that are relevant to customers for a unique healthcare experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature's diversity has fascinated humans from the ancient times. Plant and Animal diversity constitutes the foundation for sustainable livelihoods and happiness. Among plants, it is the flower that is the most attractive part which bewitches with its beautiful harmony, colors and fragrance, and thus symbolizing the blossoming of Universal Consciousness and the smile of spirit hidden in Nature. Poets of ancient India have described the glory and beauty of these flowers in their works. As the six seasons constitute the year, different flowers display their beauty by blooming at different times. Importance of flowers was recognized since ancient times and was classified based on many factors. These modes of classification have been discussed from Vedic period to the Post-Vedic texts and are presented in this paper. Flowers have therapeutic uses, religious uses and other general uses. Several texts are devoted only to them in the epics, Ayurvedic texts as well as those dealing with flowers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Habrobathynella Schminke, 1973 contains 16 species, 2 from Madagascar and 14 from the peninsular India. This is a remarkably species-rich genus when compared to the three other genera of the family Parabathynellidae known from India: Atopobathynella Schminke, 1973 (5 spp.), Chilibathynella Noodt, 1964 (1 sp.), and Parvulobathynella Schminke, 1973 (3 spp.). This paper provides a monographic treatment of Habrobathynella together with a detailed illustrated account of three new cavernicolous species, viz. Habrobathynella bose n. sp., Habrobathynella ernstmayr n. sp. and Habrobathynella raman n. sp., from the States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, India. For each of the already described species, the following details are provided: reference to original description, diagnosis, type data, type locality, distribution, ecology, co-occurrence with other species and remarks on taxonomic affinity. Distribution maps and a dichotomous key for identification of all species in Habrobathynella are provided. We also include a brief note on the biogeography and conservation status of the Indian bathynellaceans.

In all the nations of the world nature and literature have constantly shared intimacy and it is represented by the writers in their works. Now, literary critics are trying to understand how the relationship is incorporated in literature by the writers. Even though India is blessed with diverse ecosystem from the north to the south and from the east to the west, it is under threat due to the growing population and greed of human beings. Ecology is another part of fiction that portrays the relationship of individuals and climate. The bond is perplexing to such an extent that any deviation in one can influence the other. Subsequently, concern for environmentalism is extraordinary compared to other discussed subjects these days and has become set up idea around the world. But Ecocriticism has gone through shifts in its methodology and course since its development. This paper attempts to analyse Ruskin Bond's short stories from the Pastoral Approach of Ecocriticism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence from climate-smart village (CSV) approach to mainstream climate-smart agriculture (CSA) demonstrates improved productivity, income, and reduced climatic risks. However, its contribution to gender empowerment in diverse farming households is not documented. This study creates a Gender Empowerment Index for climate-smart villages (GEI-CSV) based on four major measurable indicators—political, economic, agricultural, and social. The gender gap was derived by mapping difference in empowerment levels across selected CSVs and non-CSVs. These indicators can be used as a vital tool to understand the process of gender empowerment that can trigger the entry points to achieve gender equality, which is also an important aspect in the adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices (CSAPs). The study measures empowerment at the inter-household and intra-household level across CSVs and non-CSVs from the individual household survey with both female and male members of the same household. This paper provides evidence demonstrating how gender empowerment differs in CSVs and non-CSVs from selected climate-smart villages (community-based approach) in two contrasting ecologies and socio-economic settings of India. The study documents the existing gender gap in CSVs and non-CSVs across India's western (Haryana) and eastern (Bihar) Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP). Irrespective of CSVs and non-CSVs, considerable differences in outlook and gender gap were observed between Bihar and Haryana. Both women and men in Bihar are less empowered than they are in Haryana. High empowerment level in CSVs than non-CSVs shows that the concept of CSVs has brought a change towards knowledge and capacity enhancement of both women and men farmers promoting gender equality in farming households with a varying scope of interventions made and required for scaling CSAPs across the diversity of farming households. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gut microbial community structure of adult Thrips tabaci collected from 10 different agro-climatically diverse locations of India was characterized by using the Illumina MiSeq platform to amplify the V3 region of the 16S rRNA gene of bacteria present in the sampled insects. Analyses were performed to study the bacterial communities associated with Thrips tabaci in India. The complete bacterial metagenome of T. tabaci was comprised of 1662 OTUs of which 62.25% belong to known and 37.7% of unidentified/unknown bacteria. These OTUs constituted 21 bacterial phyla of 276 identified genera. Phylum Proteobacteria was predominant, followed by Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Cyanobacteria. Additionally, the occurrence of the reproductive endosymbiont, Wolbachia was detected at two locations (0.56%) of the total known OTUs. There is high variation in diversity and species richness among the different locations. Alpha-diversity metrics indicated the higher gut bacterial diversity at Bangalore and lowest at Rahuri whereas higher bacterial species richness at T. tabaci samples from Imphal and lowest at Jhalawar. Beta diversity analyses comparing bacterial communities between the samples showed distinct differences in bacterial community composition of T. tabaci samples from different locations. This paper also constitutes the first record of detailed bacterial communities associated with T. tabaci. The location-wise variation in microbial metagenome profile of T. tabaci suggests that bacterial diversity might be governed by its population genetic structure, environment and habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mahonia imbricata was reported for the first time from Manipur, India. This paper describes taxonomy, morphology, phenology, habitat requirements, ecology and world distribution of the species. On the basis of the examined specimens, notes and photographs for easy identification are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Indian sub-continent Lantana has invaded vast tracts of dry-moist forests and other culturable wastelands, and has potentially altered biodiversity, landscape ecology and ecosystem services. It has invaded most Indian pasture lands (13.2 million ha) besides forest and fallow areas, and the cost of its control is estimated at US$ 70 per ha. This invasive weed stands out because of its rapid spread, intensity of infestation, allelopathy, opportunistic growth behaviour, reproductive biology traits and tenacious resistance to cutting and burning. This paper reviews the current knowledge on L. camara with particular focus on its ecological attributes such as biomass productivity, reproductive biology, invasiveness, allelopathy, eradication measures and economic uses reported from India. Based on the literature review it can be pointed out that the positive impacts and economic uses of Lantana outweigh its negative impacts and require further studies on cost-benefit considerations for decision making for its eradication and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]