Humans are dominant agent of landscape change. Off lately, anthropogenic induced changes have visibly degraded environment around the world putting a serious question over the sustainability of both natural and man-made ecosystems. The sustainability of the ecosystems has found to be directly linked to changes in LULC. The present study aims to analyse long-term land use change in the Tirthan Valley of Himachal Pradesh; the region is a part of protected area collectively known as GHNPCA. With the help of multi-temporal satellite images of LANDSAT, this study reconstructs the trajectory of land changes over a period of five decades. The data shows an increase in forest cover (7.29%), rocky/barren land (45.35%), agriculture/horticulture land (28.94%) and settlement/ built-up (190.48%) while decrease in pasture/open land (29.97%), snow cover (56.14%) and river/water body (54.52%). The results have shown significant land changes in post protected area status.
The school’s academic atmosphere reflects its physical and psychological features that are more dynamic in nature and that generate the necessary preconditions for teaching and learning. Students, teachers, nonteaching staff, parents, and other community members can all contribute to improving a school’s academic culture by expressing their ideas and opinions about it.The study’s key goal is to find out how parents feel about function of government rural schools at the upper primary level using survey method of research. The Parent Perception Scale on School Functioning was administered to 140 randomly selected rural parents,whose children were pursuing studies at rural upper primary schools, in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu, India, to obtain the necessary data. The study’s main finding shows that majority of parent opined that the functional status of government rural upper primary schools was at moderate level.
This paper investigates the views of teachers and learners on how teacher and learner absenteeism affects the academic performance of learners in rural secondary schools in the Eastern Cape. The researchers were prompted by observation that it is not uncommon for teachers and learners to be absent from school. Authors argue that teacher and learner absenteeism can have a negative effect on the academic performance of learners. A qualitative research approach with a case study research design was used. Face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Interviews were guided through an interview schedule. 16 participants from four schools were conveniently selected. The following participants were purposefully selected and interviewed per school, that is, principal, a head of department, a post level 1 teacher and a learner per school. The main findings revealed that there are no effective strategies to curb teacher and learner absenteeism. To regulate learner absenteeism, the South African Schools Act should be clearer on the responsibilities of learners regarding their absence from school.
In their old age, senior citizens require adequate housing that promotes their wellbeing, and this study seeks to examine the impact of housing location on older adults’ safety, security and psychosocial wellbeing. This qualitative study utilised semi-structured interviews to collect data from nine older persons residing in Alexander, North of Johannesburg in South Africa. Data were transcribed and analysed based on emergent themes. Among other factors, the study found out that housing quality and the level of crime in their neighbourhood determine the wellbeing of older persons. While participants who lived with their grandchildren felt safer, some expressed a lower sense of privacy due to overcrowding. One participant who lived alone but in formal housing expressed a higher sense of safety and security. As most older persons were direct victims of colonial and apartheid exclusion, thoughtful integrated social policies are imperative in leveraging their housing needs and overall wellbeing.
This study explored the psychosocial dynamics of transactional sex relationships and HIV vulnerability among female university students. Using non-probability sampling methods, ten female university students aged 18 to 25 years, who were involved in transactional sex relationships, were recruited from a local medical university. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted, audio recorded, and transcribed data was analysed using thematic analysis. The findings suggest that complex psychosocial and economic factors drive transactional sex relationships among university female students. Importantly, the female students’ inability to negotiate safe sex practices increases their risk of sexually transmitted illnesses, especially HIV, but this is overshadowed by their desire to have their ‘wants and needs’ satisfied. This study emphasises the importance of recognising that transactional sex relationships are frequent among university students, with serious psychosocial and health consequences. HIV prevention programmes at higher education institutions should directly address the underlying drivers of transactional sex relationships amongst university students.
This paper examined factors that affect smallholder maize farmers’ coping and adaptation strategies to climate change in Thota-Moli communal area in Maseru District in Lesotho. The study surveyed 70 respondents who were selected randomly from five villages using a structured questionnaire. The adaptation strategy index, descriptive statistics and the binary logistic regression model were utilised to analyse the data. The farmers ranked crop diversification and use of drought resistant varieties as the most useful adaptation strategies. The binary logit model results revealed that access to weather information, distance to input market, access to extension services, level of education and financing on-farm activities affect farmers’ decision to cope with or adapt to effects of climate change. Hence, this study recommends that policy reforms should be guided by these socio-economic factors when developing strategies to expand the opportunities available for increased use of coping and adaptation strategies within rural farming communities.
Every culture irrespective of its simplicity and complexity has its own concept of religious belief and practices. The Karbis are the early settlers of Karbi Anglong district, Assam. Most of them are animistic regarding their religious belief and practices in daily livelihood. The present study examined the use of minor forest products in religious practices of the Karbis. It discussed the significance of NTFPs, with a special reference to the banana plant, as used in a number of their rituals. The data were collected through empirical fieldwork by applying appropriate anthropological research methods. It has been found that different forest resources are immensely important in the cultural and religious practices of the studied people. In this regard, different NTFPs and banana plants are inseparable in such rituals and cultural traditions.
To investigate and compare the prevalence of different types of obesity, the researchers recruited the Reddy, Golla, and Madiga caste populations of Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh. Three hundred participants were included from each caste in this cross-sectional study. The researchers found a significantly higher prevalence of obesity (general, abdominal, and combined obesity) in women than in men (p<0.05). Golla showed a significantly higher prevalence of overweight than the Reddy population (p<0.01). Both Reddy and Golla caste populations showed significantly higher percentages of general, abdominal, combined, and isolated abdominal obesity than the Madiga caste population (p<0.01). Reddy showed higher odds of developing general, combined, and isolated general obesity than Golla whereas Golla had higher odds of developing abdominal and isolated abdominal obesity and overweight than the Reddy population (p<0.01). Predictors of different measures of obesity were found to vary in caste populations.
Rural transformation (RT) has been a relatively new approach to rural development. It talks about the multidimensional development of the rural population in the desired direction. Being a welfare state, the Government of India has strategised the transformation of rural societies as a new development strategy. However, studies reveal that tribal societies exhibit reluctance and incompetency in accepting and coping with the change process. Pieces of evidence also reveal that the development projects and industrialisation, in most cases, do not result in the desired change in tribal societies. The paper examines the positive and negative impact of the Petrochemical Complex on the tribal people in the Dibrugarh district of Assam, India. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and observation among the project affected tribes. The findings indicate that the tribal people have not benefited as expected from industrialisation. Rather, many have lost their means of survival, and substantial aspects of their traditional culture have been affected. No planned effort is visible toward rural transformation in the study area.
ABSTRACT Mental health as a concept is used widely without attempts to specify its idiosyncratic meaning. The objective of the review was to systematically examine existing research to answer the question: What is mental health? The data and method included academic databases, websites, and archives. A search was conducted for strings describing “mental health OR “mental illness” OR “mental disorder” OR “psychosocial wellbeing” OR “psychosocial functioning” and the resulting literature reviewed for the definition, description or explanation of the concept mental health. The review found that the definition of mental health in the relevant literature varies from theoretical prescriptions to descriptive and simple phrases that viewed mental health through the lens of the medical and psychosocial models of health and disease. The lack of consensus on the definition of mental health in the extant literature, makes understanding the concept of mental health very challenging. Recommendations for a standardised definition of mental health that would inform policy and legislation are proposed.
Teacher job-related stress, high turnover, poor educational quality, and a lack of interest in work have all resulted from the rising prevalence of low teacher motivation for work. The goal of this research is to look at incentive reinforcement tactics for teachers to increase their performance. This study took a qualitative approach and used a case study research methodology. Focus group and one-on-one interviews were used to collect data from participants, while purposive and convenient sampling techniques were employed to select ten participants. These entailed eight teachers from two schools and two district education officials. Data were analysed through thematic and comparative analyses. Many strategies to improve motivation and teacher performance emerged from data, were analysed, and presented. The study recommended school leaders to address factors leading to demotivation of teachers. A further recommendation was making use of content knowledge and professional development to deal with teacher content gap.
This study assesses smallholder farmers’ perceptions on climate change using a sample of 400 farmers in the uMkhanyakude district of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Using descriptive statistics, farmers perceived that rainfall had decreased during the study period while temperatures had increased. Principal component analysis (PCA) further revealed that farmers’ perceptions could be grouped into: a) natural disasters; b) institutional support; c) decrease in crop yields and loss of assets; d) changes in temperature and rainfall and e) extension on climate change and poor livestock production. In light of these findings, the study recommends that agricultural support for groupings of farmer’s perceptions be provided to help farmers cope with the negative effects of climate change.
ABSTRACT Rainfall and temperature are the most important physical parameters that influence climate. This paper examines the trend and variability of rainfall and temperature of Ilorin township in Nigeria between2010- 2018, using standard statistical descriptors. Rainfall had an increasing trend (positive slope value of 5.30), moderate precipitation concentration index of 12.15 percent and extremely high degree of variability with a coefficient of variation ranging between 33.54 percent and 155.73 percent. Temperature also had a slight warming or increasing trend (positive slope value of 0.012) with minimal degree of variability of coefficient of variation between 5.49 percent and 7.31 percent. The oscillating structure of both rainfall and temperature anomalies further confirm yearly fluctuations as well as change in the distribution and characteristics. It is recommended that government and non-government agencies should formulate plans and policies that will accommodate changes in rainfall and temperature patterns to successfully manage the environment.
Pastoral societies use animals as providers of food, fuel, fiber, draught power and transportation. However, nomadic, semi- nomadic and transhumant pastoralist societies have lifestyles that revolve mainly around their livestock. The transhumant pastoral societies inhabiting the high Himalayan areas exploit the seasonal abundance of grazing areas. As social and ecological conditions change, pastoralists adjust accordingly. Contrary to their reputation, pastoralists have traditional practices for conserving vegetation by rotational grazing. Pastoralists make a significant contribution to India’s economy in terms of food security (milk), provision of draft animal power, as well as foreign exchange earnings (meat, fiber for example, pashmina wool). Since pastoralists do not own land, their produce is generated by dependence on communally and state owned grazing land. Currently, the trend towards globalization of the market, with pastoral lands increasingly being commercialised and/or turned in to national parks, has created problems for the pastoralists. Since Independence of India, the pastoralists of the Himalayas have faced a series of significant changes from external, political and economic changes. These structural alterations have brought adjustments in many aspects of the traditional pastoral system, including migratory cycle, local economy and social organisation. Many of them left their traditional transhumant way of life and settled along valleys. Some have settled in urban areas, others stick to the pastoral activities by changing the composition of livestock by increasing number of goats and decreasing number of yaks. All pastoral groups in Himalaya face the similar constraints and stimuli. Natural exigencies, extreme weather conditions, drought, epidemics and predators, result in reduction of animals. Likewise, social crisis, such as phases in domestic developmental cycle and work force shortage in herding groups cause concern in the community. An attempt has been made to study the change and problems faced by the area- Changthang and people- Changpas due to the development programs of the government agencies of the state.
Worldwide there is increasing incidence of obesity. Obesity and hypertension are interrelated and result from changes in body composition and lifestyle factors concomitant to age. The present study examines the prevalence and relation of obesity and hypertension among elderly Karbis following a traditional way of life in the hill district of Karbi Anglong, Assam.The sample of the study consists of 335 male and female elderly (60 years and above) Karbis. Whole body obesity and abdominal obesity are assessed from anthropometric variables, indices and fat percentage. Hypertension is categorised according to the WHO classification of systolic and diastolic blood pressure used in estimating risk for metabolic syndrome.Prevalence of obesity by fat percentage is higher. Abdominal obesity and hypertension prevalence is higher in elderly female in comparison to elderly male. Hypertension prevalence is influenced significantly by fat percentage in both male and female elderly and by Waist Circumference in male elderly.
Municipal solid waste is a growing concern in the urban localities across the nations. In recent years, urban local bodies have shown considerable importance to address the issue of solid waste management. The paper attempts to understand the role of Gangtok Municipal Corporation (GMC) in collection, transportation and disposal of solid waste, the nature of its collaboration with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), people’s participation in handling waste and its consequent effect on the environment. The study was carried out by using qualitative research design, employing interviews, focus group discussion and in-depth observation methods with all the important stakeholders such as GMC officials, workers, NGOs, and households. The study finds that the primary focus of the corporation remains on collecting and transporting largely unsegregated mixed waste from the main roads, markets, and other visible places. Although the corporation is working in partnership with the NGOs, it is struggling to implement the SWM rules and failed to collect the user fees efficiently. Findings suggest that even though majority of the people are aware of the ills of burning and dumping garbage, yet people’s participation in SWM related activities is still limited.
ABSTRACT Sustainable land utilisation is very important prerequisite for the survival of humanity. Land conservation and sustainable utilisation is the current issue as the result of ecological factors such as population pressure resulted in higher need for additional natural resources, global warming, climate change, and the threat of environmental contamination, biodiversity loss, changes in landscape, monetary globalisation, power safety, water delivery, and escalating conûict among socio-cultural, political-monetary, and ecological goals. The present paper is qualitative in nature and both primary and secondary source data were used to elicit the information on the sustainable utilisation of land among the Guji community in Oromia region of southern Ethiopia. The study reveals that Guji Gadaa system is the time proven indigenous institution responsible for making customary rules and regulations, management, regulating and controlling mechanisms to ensuring the sustainability of natural resources in general and land in particular
ABSTRACT Crop diversification can reduce the extent of losses from climate change and climate risks. This paper explains the state of crop diversification in the study area and identify significant exploitable benefits from the practise. The study employed survey data from farmers in major agro-ecological zones of the Eastern Cape Province, namely Grassland, Savannah and Karoo. Data on crop enterprises, input and output variables were processed in monetary terms and subjected to gross margin analysis. A correlation analysis was applied to examine the sensitivity of farm inputs, outputs and profitability/loss to different crop mixes and agro-climatic variation. Study findings revealed that crop-based enterprise combinations of farmers vary across agro-ecological zones. Farmers choose crops that reduces the risk of emerging climate related losses, input costs and increase output and/or revenue. The study recommends experimental research that details yield benefits and losses in responses to both biotic, abiotic factors and specific crop combinations.
ABSTRACT The paper compares data on subsistence grain producers’ socio-economic, farm characteristics, and their use of public extension support for farm management across time and in various municipalities of Limpopo province, South Africa. A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect the data in eight selected local municipalities by means of multi-stage sampling. Data were analysed by means of descriptive statistics. Findings across time periods (2014 and 2017) and aggregated for all the different local municipalities investigated were similar regarding respondents’ socio-economic and farm characteristics as well as use of public extension support for farm management. These evidence-based findings augur well for the development of uniform and appropriate strategies for the local municipalities to improve public extension support so that producers can receive more extension farm visits and, therefore, more farm management information. Such support will help producers to improve their farming operations and invariably, their productivity and household food security.
The study aims to explore different types of agricultural practices including the shifting and the settled cultivation practices of the Kondhs in Kandhamal district in Odisha. The author attempts to understand their traditional beliefs, perception, rationality and knowledge in agricultural practices. Besides, the author briefly focuses on the issue of transformation in traditional agriculture, opportunities and challenges. The nature of the research is purposive and exploratory and is based on grounded theory. Field observation, household schedule and focus group discussions were employed for primary data collection. For information about indigenous knowledge, mainly elderly people were interviewed. The Kondhs’ traditional agriculture has a strong cultural and ecological foundation. The community is not short of innovation. With the blend of both perception and rationality the traditional agricultural practice of the community continued for generations, but now in transition. Therefore, this practice needs to be protected from its potential threat of extinction.
