Socio-Ecological Integrity of Community-Based Conservation of the Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica) in the Koshi River System, Nepal Background: The Ganges River dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica), an endangered freshwater cetacean, is recognized as a sentinel species for evaluating the ecological integrity of South Asian River systems. Its persistence reflects the condition of aquatic habitats, positioning it as a vital bioindicator for conservation planning. In Nepal, the Koshi River is one of six major river systems having particular importance as it supports the traditional Malaha community, whose livelihoods depend on fishing. The Malaha’s cultural identity, oral traditions, and social practices remain closely linked to riverine resources, with dolphins symbolizing prosperity, ecological balance, and harmony between nature and society.

Methods: Between June 2022 and April 2024, dolphin abundance, socio‑ecological linkages, and anthropogenic stressors were examined using systematic sighting surveys, stakeholder interviews, field observations, participatory threat mapping, and key informant interview.

Results: A localized population of 19–20 dolphins were recorded in 2024 near the Koshi Barrage, displaying cooperative foraging behavior that indirectly benefits local fishers. However, fish biomass has declined by nearly 75% over two decades due to overfishing, toxic catch practices, and cross-border barriers restricting migratory pathways. Additional pressures include agricultural runoff, domestic effluents, barrage operations, vehicular vibrations, and seasonal low flows that fragment habitats. Despite these threats, cultural reverence for dolphins and the Malaha community’s traditional ecological knowledge provides crucial opportunities for inclusive stewardship.

Conclusion: Inclusive stewardship combining scientific monitoring, traditional knowledge, and regional cooperation is essential to safeguard Koshi River dolphins, restore fish biomass, and sustain Malaha livelihoods while preserving cultural and ecological integrity.

]]> Ganges river dolphin, Koshi River, community-based conservation, ethno-ecological knowledge, freshwater biodiversity, threats assessment Research Article Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 IST Element concentration in fine roots of woody species in Gelawdios Forest, Amhara Region, Ethiopia Background: Classifying vegetation into functional types is important to improve understanding of ecosystem functioning and to predict the influence of future climate change broadly and specifically. Identifying traits that differ between species and functional types is key to understand species’ functioning. Among traits, fine root traits, including chemical traits or concentrations of elements, are fundamental for plant functioning and environmental change response.

Methods: Samples from fine roots of fourteen species repeated six times each, were collected at Gelawdios church forest, Amhara region, Ethiopia. The six sites were separated by 200 meters (180 -200 meters). Chemical composition (concentration of elements) was analysed for the absorptive root of orders 1-3. Eleven elements (N, C, P, K, Ca, Mg, Al, Mn, Na, Fe and S) were analysed using different methods for CN (carbon and nitrogen) and the rest of nine elements.

Results: The studied chemical traits showed significant differences between many species and some functional groups. Carbon and nitrogen showed significant differences between species, but regarding functional groups, only the nitrogen difference was significant (concentrations ranged from 0.65% to 3.21% across species). Significance and non-significance were observed in the other nine elements (P, K, Ca, Mg, Al, Mn, Na, Fe and S) between species and at the same time between functional groups. The concentration values of elements are also highly variable between species.

Conclusion: The results indicated some higher, some similar and some lower values in comparison to global values and other research results. These differences and variations between species could be due to climatic and environmental resource differences at both in micro and macro levels. The study of biochemical root traits was very recommendable to see the extent of its effects on the determination of species’ functioning. Although the correlations of these traits were not as strong as the correlations of morphological traits, the difference was wide, indicating that these traits are crucial in functioning and hence in the life strategy of plants. This study has a profound contribution for the understanding of tropical regions’ root traits and hence for the improvement of global biogeochemical models.

]]> concentration of elements, root traits, biochemical traits, dry afromontane forest, ecological processes, functional types Research Article Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 IST Community, conflict, and conservation - a review on socio-ecological impacts of community forest management in India India was once considered ‘too poor to be green’, but the strong historicity and prevalence of community forest management (CFM) suggest otherwise – that ‘environmental consciousness’ was always, and still to this day, present among Indians. At present, CFM is practiced all over Asia but is even more prevalent in India. This review synthesises case studies to assess the socio-ecological success and challenges faced within community forest management in the backdrop of India. CFM has improved forest regeneration, biomass, and carbon stock, but despite these gains, challenges persist. Climate change threatens the forest, while benefit-sharing mechanisms often favour state authorities, reducing community participation. Limited knowledge dissemination and bureaucratic constraints weaken local governance. Social disparities, especially gender-based exclusion, further hinder equitable resource distribution. By linking community, their forest conservation and the conflicts that arise from it, we recommend enhancing transparency, promoting justice and inclusive participation, and integrating technology to strengthen community forest management in India.

]]> forest policy, carbon sequestration, climate change, environmental justice, socio-ecological benefits Review Article Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 IST Inventory and conservation of threatened trees in the Sree Narayanapuram Grama Panchayath, Kerala, India Background: This study investigates the occurrence and distribution of six threatened tree species within the Coastal Grama Panchayath of Sree Narayana Puram, spanning an area of 19.4 km². The study underscores the ecological importance of these species, particularly in sacred groves, as well as the threats posed by urbanization, tree removal, and climate change-induced degradation.

Methods: A systematic sampling method was employed for the study. The study area is divided into 42 subunits corresponding to the 21 administrative units, the wards. Surveys were conducted covering 1 km at a time and the completed surveys were in every 21 wards. Data was collected using Google Forms with GPS geotagging in a collaborative effort involving local community members, ward members, the Biodiversity Management Committee, and environmentalists.

Results: Among these species, the White Dammar tree (Vateria indica) exhibited a notable frequency of 52.3%, with a density of 1.72 trees per km. Other threatened species, including Saraca asoca and Hydnocarpus pentandrus, demonstrated densities of 0.50 and 0.45 trees per km, respectively, each showing approximately 25% frequency. Syzygium caryophyllatum had a frequency of 21.4% with a density of 0.5 trees per km. The findings highlight the clustered distribution of Hopea ponga and Aporosa cardiosperma, which, despite their lower density, indicate significant local abundance. The coastal region, excluding saline intrusion areas, is deemed suitable for the preservation of these threatened species.

Conclusion: To enhance conservation efforts, the study advocates for the integration of these findings into the Local Level Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (LBSAP), alongside initiatives aimed at safeguarding the identified species and their habitats.

]]> western ghats, kerala, diversity, red list, coastal Research Article Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 IST Urban flood risk under climate change: modeling and LID-based solutions Urban flooding is an escalating threat driven by climate change, rapid urbanization, and altered land use patterns, resulting in increased impervious surfaces and disrupted hydrological cycles. Globally, flood risks have intensified due to rising temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns. Urban populations continue to grow, increasing the vulnerability and exposure of cities to flood hazards. In India, urban centers face frequent flood disasters with significant economic and social impacts. This study reviews recent advances in urban flood modeling, focusing on climatic and land-use influences, with applications of models such as PCSWMM, HEC-HMS, and coupled 1D-2D hydrodynamic approaches. Climate scenarios from IPCC’s latest reports and urban growth projections are integrated to assess future flood risks. Additionally, flood mitigation strategies, including Low Impact Development (LID) practices like detention ponds, permeable pavements, and green roofs, are evaluated for their effectiveness in reducing flood peaks and volumes. Case studies from Indian cities demonstrate the critical need for sustainable urban water management and adaptive infrastructure to enhance resilience against the increasing threat of urban floods induced by climatic and anthropogenic factors.

]]> Urban Flooding, Climate Change Modeling, Hydrological Modeling, Flood Risk Assessment, Low Impact Development (LID) Review Article Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 IST Light pollution causes and effects in the Anthropocene: impacts on ecosystems and human health - a narrative review Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a poorly studied but ubiquitous type of environmental pollution that has profound ecological, physiological, and societal consequences. This mini-review is a synthesis of existing knowledge about the causes and effects of ALAN. It highlights the variety of effects it has on both ecosystems and human health. Excessive or improperly directed outdoor lighting is defined as ALAN. It causes various effects, including disturbances to astronomical observations, wildlife behavior, and human circadian rhythms. The environmental effects consist of disrupted migration, breeding, and nesting behaviors of animals, insects, and birds, and reduced hatching rates of sea turtles and coral reefs around the coast. In humans, ALAN has been linked to cancer, especially breast cancer, metabolic disorders, and mood disturbances as a result of disruption to the circadian rhythm. Although there is an increasing level of awareness of the problem, both through digital distribution and grassroots movements, successful mitigation has yet to be achieved. Urban lighting is expanding at a rate of more than 2 percent per year. This review classifies the types of lights that contribute to ALAN, explores its oncogenic processes, and considers citizen-led efforts to curb light pollution. We emphasize that interdisciplinary research and policy intervention are urgently required to tackle the environmental and health aspects of ALAN and suggest a range of measures, including less nighttime lighting, implementing blue-light-blocking devices, and increasing environmental surveillance. The lack of funds and research priorities is an additional reason to create global activities aimed at saving natural darkness and reducing the overall impact of ALAN.

]]> Artificial light at night, light pollution, circadian rhythms, ecological impacts, cancer, citizen action Review Article Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 IST Rigid transformation of Indian agriculture in changing climate India is one of the most population countries of the world. Indian agriculture under the climate change conditions is continuously support to feed the 1.42 billion populations because of largest agri-regions (20), different climates (15) and soil types (46 out of 60) of the world. The climate change is great challenge all over the world but in these situations, India is largest producer of many agricultural commodities as milk, tea, pulses, spices, jute, cashew and second major grower of cereals as rice, wheat and oilseeds, sugarcane, cotton furthermore, second in horticultural crops like fruits and vegetables and major producer of banana and mango. But the population is increasing at fast rate so counter it, there is need the rigid transformation of Indian agriculture in the era of climate change. In this article discussed the strategies or approaches for the transformation in Indian agriculture as suggested by different experts at scientific basis.

]]> climate change, challenges, Indian agriculture, population, transformation Review Article Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 IST Non-thermal plasma applications on fruits and fruit juices Cold plasma (CP) is an advanced, non-thermal plasma processing technology with significant potential for preserving fruits and fruit juices. Recent research shows that CP processing has attracted attention in fruit processing and storage. The inactivation of microorganisms and extended shelf life of fruits by CP treatment is influenced by several factors, including the type of plasma reactor, discharge power, treatment time, and the inert gas used.  This review highlights how CP can effectively extend the shelf life of fruits, eliminate harmful bacteria and maintain the nutrients, flavour, and colour of the fruits and fruit juices. Unlike conventional high-temperature treatments, CP uses low temperatures to keep fruits fresh and safe without causing damage to quality. Additionally, the study describes various plasma systems, their principles of operation, and their applications in the fruit processing industry. Overall, non-thermal plasma demonstrates significant potential in ensuring the safety and freshness of fruits and fruit juices while meeting consumer demands for high-quality products.

]]> cold plasma, plasma reactor, self life, quality, preservation, fruit juices Review Article Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 IST Sustainable soil remediation through green technology Since soil is a non-renewable resource, it is necessary to conserve the soil quality and health. The increased activities on urbanization, industrialization and intensive agricultural practices are the main factors polluting the soil with a wide range of harmful pollutants. Remediation of soil and maintaining soil health are the prerequisites to ensure food security. This review discusses green technology approaches, their cleaning mechanism and strategies in green technologies since green technologies are advantageous when compared with other conventional technologies.

]]> soil, remediation, green technology, environment, crops, food security Review Article Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 IST Reproductive bioecology of the giant African land snail - a tool for breeding or control The Giant African Land Snail (GALS), which belongs to the Achatinidae family, comprises of over 200 species, of which the three commonest are Achatina fulica (recently renamed as Lissaachatina fulica), Achatina achatina and Archachatina marginata. A. fulica originated from East African coast, while A. achatina and A. marginata originated from the West African coast. About 200 years ago, A. fulica was introduced into other countries in the tropics and neotropics, where it appears to have evolved into a pest. The outcome of control efforts in those countries has been uncertain. Whereas in West Africa, the population of the snail has reduced significantly in the wild and unable to meet domestic demand. Hence, scientists in Africa are focusing their research on breeding the snail, while their counterparts outside the continent are focusing on developing more control measures. This study reviewed the reproductive cycle of the snail and highlighted areas that could be explored for either the control or breeding. We found out that environmental conditions particularly temperature and humidity play a key role in the reproductive cycle of the snail especially during copulation, egg laying, incubation and hatching, and growth of juveniles to maturity, which could be modulated for either control or breeding of the snail.

]]> Achatinidae, fecundity, hermaphrodites, invasive species, pestiferous snail Review Article Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 IST Impact of short-term air pollution exposure on cognitive performance Short-term exposure to air pollution has become a growing public health concern due to its potential impact on cognitive performance. This review article explores recent findings on how exposure to common air pollutants such as PM2.5, NOx, and O3 affects cognitive function in both children and adults. The review synthesizes evidence from epidemiological and experimental studies, discusses plausible biological mechanisms, and highlights critical research gaps. A better understanding of this association is crucial for developing strategies to mitigate cognitive impairments due to environmental pollution. The review was conducted using a non-systematic narrative approach. Literature searches were performed across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for studies published in English. Relevant empirical and review studies were selected based on their focus on short-term air pollution exposure and cognitive outcomes.

]]> air pollution, cognitive performance, short-term exposure, PM2.5, neuroinflammation, environmental health Review Article Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 IST