Nagi and Nakti wetlands in Bihar get recognition under the Ramsar convention
The Nagi and Nakti Bird sanctuaries situated in Jamui district in Bihar are human-made wetlands and provide a natural habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna, especially birds. The sanctuaries are spread across 791 and 333 hectares and were developed primarily for irrigation through the construction of Nakti Dam.
The wetland and its surrounding area provides a habitat for over 150 species of birds, mammals, fish, aquatic plants, and reptiles and amphibians. Apart from supporting the agricultural and domestic water demands of local communities, the sanctuaries are popular as a recreational bird watching site. The wetland also supports globally threatened species, including the endangered Indian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus) and a vulnerable native catfish (Wallago attu). The catchment area of the wetlands is the largely dry deciduous forest which is surrounded by hills.
As per Asiatic Waterbird Census (AWC) 2023, the Nakti bird sanctuary has the highest number of birds reported with a count of 7,844 birds, followed by Nagi bird sanctuary with 6,938 birds. Both these wetlands have been classified as protected areas . With their inclusion in the Ramsar Convention, the total number of such wetlands in India has risen to 82 (Down To Earth).
Kendu leaves aid Odisha villages to become economically independent
Kendu leaves are used to wrap tobacco and make beedis and have been the first NTFP to be brought under state control. Madhya Pradesh was the first state to nationalise the Kendu leaf in 1964, followed by Maharashtra (1969), Andhra Pradesh (1971), Bihar (1973) and then Odisha (1973).
The various nationalisation policies mandated that only the state governments or officers/departments appointed by it were authorised to appoint an agent or trader to procure, sell or transport the kendu leaf. The enactment of the Scheduled Tribes And Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition Of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA) conferred these rights to the forest dwellers under section 3 (1)(C) of the Act.
Odisha is the third largest producer of Kendu next to Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and Kendu leaf is available in 50 sub-divisions across all 30 districts. There are about 7,300 temporary collection centres across the state, and about 800,000 pluckers collect and offer Kendu leaves to these centres. However, these collection centres are distant from many villages and registered official collectors are small in number and collectors have to transport the leaves across long distances at their own cost. In 2023, a financial assistance package of Rs 56 crore was allocated to support the pluckers, providing a 25 percent bonus and a 5 percent incentive to 40,000 binders and temporary workers.
This year 103 villages in the Koraput block have come together to form the Bopariguda Mahasangh, and facilitated the collection and sale of Kendu leaves from the villages. The Mahasangh has entered an agreement with the trader to sell the produce at Rs 5.50 per bundle. Of this, Rs 4 will go to the pluckers while Rs 1.50 per bundle will come to the Mahasangh which will pay for allied costs, including transportation if any, salaries to those managing the collection centres, etc. The collection centre is hoping to generate an income of Rs 6,39,342 per annum.
The 103 Gram Sabhas combined have collected 619,609 bundles of kendu leaves this season. The collection usually spans two months in summer. The collected leaves are packed into bundles or kerries which are sun-dried for a week and are then packaged and sold.
The collective efforts of the Boipariguda Mahasangh and the empowerment of local gram sabhas, have revitalised the Kendu leaf trade and created new opportunities for sustainable income and community development (Indiaspend).
Terra water filters provide hope for flood prone Assam
Perennial floods are a regular event in Barak valley in southern Assam where villagers do not have a single drop of clean water to drink despite being surrounded by flood waters. However, hope has arrived in the form of a unique water filter, the terra filter in the region.
SEEDS India, an NGO working towards disaster resilience and climate change adaptation, has set up 10 terra filters in flood-prone locations across Cachar, benefiting approximately 2,000 people. The filters are made from a mix of red clay, river sand and sawdust and are half-baked to develop perforations that remove nearly 99 percent of turbidity, 95-100 percent of microorganisms, and 90-95 percent of soluble iron, colour and bad odour, improving the taste of water.
Each filter can process 1,000 litres a day and draws water fom underground aquifers through a motorised suction pipe system. Elevated platforms ensure that these filters remain functional even during floods, thus preventing water-borne diseases.
However, there are some challenges that need to be still overcome. For example, residents in Cachar have reported issues with the rectangular membranous covers of the filters, which have not been securely fastened. This can lead to contamination by insects, worms and dead leaves, especially during storms. The filters thus need to be cleaned at least twice a week to avoid contamination of water.
The filters are connected to pre-existing borewell hand pumps without considering the aquifers’ depths, leading to water shortages. When there is electricity, the motor pulls in water from the aquifer very fast leading to the emptying of the aquifer that takes time to get refilled from gravity-fed wells. One needs to switch off the electricity and turn it on again for the next batch of water (Village Square).
A new method to examine landslide movements identified
Scientists from the University of Padova’s Machine Intelligence and Slope Stability Laboratory, along with a team of researchers, have created an algorithm that can identify landslide movements with 80-94 percent accuracy.
This study introduces a new method of examining slides, flows, and fails of the landslides as well as distinct patterns of landslides that were previously unidentifiable. The algorithm does not predict landslides, but it gives necessary information, such as causes and mechanisms of landslides that can help in early prediction and judging the strength or intensity of the landslide. This makes it way easier to understand the type of landslides that can occur and plan mitigation measures.
This is because different types of landslides display unique properties and each landslide type requires a unique solution and current predictive models combine these different types into one group thus increasing uncertainty and bias when scaling up from a local level to regional and global levels (Mongabay, India).
Azolla emerges as a promising fodder alternative for livestock
India has witnessed a significant surge in livestock numbers in recent decades and the availability of quality fodder is a challenge for effective livestock management in the context of challenges posed by climate change.
Azolla, an aquatic floating fern, has emerged as a promising fodder alternative for livestock nutrition and the Tamil Nadu government has pushed for its adoption in the state. Farmers who have embraced Azolla cultivation report various benefits, including reduced feed costs and increased milk production.
Azolla forms a dense mat over water and has various applications. Initially used for inhibiting mosquito breeding, or as a bio-fertiliser and fish feed, it is now being promoted as a feedstock for cattle. Small scale farmers who have been struggling with accessing fodder have found Azolla easy to grow near their homes as it needs less water.
Azolla contains essential proteins, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, copper, and magnesium and serves as an ideal protein source for cattle and can be grown on minimal land even under tropical and temperate conditions. It is easily digestible due to its low lignin content and contains essential ether extract for ruminant diets. Its biomass doubles in three to five days under optimal conditions, and it provides high nutritional value with 20-35 percent protein, 0-15 percent minerals, 7-10 percent amino acids, bioactive substances, and biopolymers. Both fresh and dry biomass are used as cow and poultry feed (Mongabay, India).
This is a roundup of news updates from the 1st to 15th of May 2024. Read our policy roundups here.
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