Strategy for mitigating fuel wood induced forest degradation in tribal land- scape of Jharkhand, India

The study was conducted to examine the extent of fuel wood dependence in the forests and mitigate the pressure by evolving an eco-friendly strategy in Bundu block of Ranchi District in Jharkhand, India. Multi-stage random sampling technique was employed to select 164 tribal households from 9 villages. Well -structured pre-tested interview schedule and non-participant observations were used for data collection, which were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Results revealed that the total extraction of fuel wood from different sources was 598.60 tons annum-1 @ of 0.68 tons capita-1 annum-1, of which, 308.16 tons annum-1 was secured from forests, 133.31 tons annum-1 from agriculture field, 90.45 tons annum-1 from community land and 66.68 tons annum-1 from homesteads. The fuel wood use breakup recorded 486.24 tons annum-1 for cooking, 45.79 tons annum-1 by cottage industries, 41.07 tons annum-1 for heating, 18.80 tons annum-1 for community function and 6.70 tons annum-1 for others. The forests were exposed to fuel wood pressure of 308.16 tons annum-1 (51.48%) posing ample deforestation and degradation. A strategy consisted of energy interventions viz., biogas production (85351.60 m 3 annum-1), agroforestry (36.84 tons annum-1) and energy plantation (92.10 tons annum-1) is proposed, the implementation of which can mitigate the fuel wood induced forest degradation besides fuel wood security of 846.14 tons annum-1 against the present fuel wood procurement of 598.60 tons annum-1. The strategy designed needs to be implemented to substitute the current unsustainable extraction of fuel wood, safeguard the future fuel wood predicament and eliminate the fuel wood pressure on forests

Wasteland reclamation strategy for household timber security of tribes in Jharkhand, India

The study sought to examine the timber dependency on forests and evolve wasteland reclamation strategy to eliminate the forest dependency in Bundu block of Ranchi District in Jharkhand, India. Multi-stage random sampling technique was applied to select 164 tribal households from 9 sample villages. Data were collected using structured interviews and non-participant observations which were analyzed using descriptive statistics viz., frequency, percentage, mean and range. Results revealed that forests contributed maximum timber (136.36 m3 annum-1) followed by traditional agroforestry (69.09 m3 annum-1), community forestry (41.33 m3 annum-1) and homestead forestry (35.71 m3 annum-1). Timber extracted is mostly consumed in housing (124.66 m3 annum-1) followed by agricultural implements (82.71 m3 annum-1), furniture (35.25 m3 annum-1), carts/ carriages (17.60 m3 annum-1), fencing (10.23 m3 annum-1), cattle shed/ store house (9.10 m3 annum-1) and others (2.94 m3 annum-1). Forests were exposed to timber pressure of 136.36 m3 annum-1 (48.27%) posing ample deforestation and degradation. The strategy consisted of timber and bamboo plantations is designed which would secure 1065.60 m3 annum-1 of timber, 0.455 lakh annum-1 of bamboo culms, 568.26 tons annum-1 of bamboo leaf and agricultural products. The strategy would yield income of Rs. 34210.78 household-1 annum-1 and employment of 67.15 person-days household-1 annum-1. Financial viability of proposed interventions has been worked out by meticulous economic calculations of Net Present Value, Benefit Cost Ratio and Internal Rate of Return. The execution of strategy would eliminate the current unsustainable timber extraction, safeguard the future timber predicament and ensure environmental security

Livelihood promotion through value addition to household traditional Sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn.) leaf plate making in Jharkhand, India

The study sought to investigate the status of traditional Sal leaf plate making, its present livelihood contributions and future prospects through value addition by mechanized moulding among ethnic households engaged in the profession in Bundu block of Ranchi district in Jharkhand, India. The sample villages were selected using random sampling technique and all the households owning cottage industries of Sal leaf plate making were selected as representative respondents for household survey employing purposive sampling technique. The data on production, seasonality, employment generation, income earning and marketing were collected through personal structured interviews and direct observations. Value addition by mechanized pressing of raw Sal leaf plates may increase income by  24,100/ household/ yr (96.40 %) and employment by 50 mandays/ household/ yr (12.50 %). Hence, it may be a crucial intervention to accelerate forest resources based livelihood diversifications, promotion and development

<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language: HI" lang="EN-GB">Livelihood promotion through value addition to household <span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic">traditional <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Sal</i> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Shorea robusta</i> Gaertn.) leaf plate making in Jharkhand, India </span></span>

320-325The study sought to investigate the status of traditional Sal leaf plate making, its present livelihood contributions and future prospects through value addition by mechanized moulding among ethnic households engaged in the profession in Bundu block of Ranchi district in Jharkhand, India. The sample villages were selected using random sampling <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">technique and all the households owning cottage industries of Sal leaf plate making were selected as representative respondents for household survey employing purposive sampling technique. The data on production, seasonality, employment generation, income earning and marketing were collected through personal structured interviews and direct observations. Value addition by mechanized pressing of raw Sal leaf plates may increase income by 24100/ household/ yr (96.40 %) and employment by 50 mandays/ household/ yr (12.50 %). Hence, it may be a crucial intervention to accelerate forest resources based livelihood diversifications, promotion and development. </span

Comparison of enzyme immunoassays detecting Helicobacter pylori specific IgG in serum and saliva with endoscopic and biopsy findings in patients with dyspepsia

Purpose: To compare the performance of two indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) detecting Helicobacter pylori (HP)-specific IgG antibodies in serum and saliva with endoscopic observations and histologic findings of biopsies from dyspeptic patients, in an area of high HP prevalence. Materials and Methods : Sera, saliva and antral biopsies were obtained from 55 dyspeptic patients. IgG antibodies against HP were assayed in sera and saliva utilizing two indirect ELISAs. Biopsies were processed according to standard procedures in order to detect histological changes and the presence or absence of Helicobacter pylori. Laboratory data thus obtained were compared and statistically analyzed. Results: Forty-two (76.36%) biopsies were positive for HP. The organisms were detected in 4 of 16 (25%) cases with normal endoscopic findings, in all 16 cases of gastritis and in 22 of the 23 (95.6%) cases of duodenal ulcers (DU). Serum and saliva HP-specific IgG antibodies were detected in 4 normal cases with positive biopsies, in 12 and 14 cases of gastritis, respectively, and in all 22 (100%) biopsy positive cases of DU. The sensitivities of the serum and saliva tests were 90.5% and 95%, respectively, while the specificities were 84.5% and 70%, respectively. Conclusion: Due to their high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing HP-associated DU and gastritis, serum and saliva antibody testing seems to offer a valuable alternative to invasive procedures especially in areas of high HP prevalence such as ours; saliva antibody testing is simple and practical especially in children and in difficult patients who resent venipuncture

Comparison of enzyme immunoassays detecting Helicobacter pylori specific IgG in serum and saliva with endoscopic and biopsy findings in patients with dyspepsia

Purpose: To compare the performance of two indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) detecting Helicobacter pylori (HP)-specific IgG antibodies in serum and saliva with endoscopic observations and histologic findings of biopsies from dyspeptic patients, in an area of high HP prevalence. Materials and Methods : Sera, saliva and antral biopsies were obtained from 55 dyspeptic patients. IgG antibodies against HP were assayed in sera and saliva utilizing two indirect ELISAs. Biopsies were processed according to standard procedures in order to detect histological changes and the presence or absence of Helicobacter pylori. Laboratory data thus obtained were compared and statistically analyzed. Results: Forty-two (76.36%) biopsies were positive for HP. The organisms were detected in 4 of 16 (25%) cases with normal endoscopic findings, in all 16 cases of gastritis and in 22 of the 23 (95.6%) cases of duodenal ulcers (DU). Serum and saliva HP-specific IgG antibodies were detected in 4 normal cases with positive biopsies, in 12 and 14 cases of gastritis, respectively, and in all 22 (100%) biopsy positive cases of DU. The sensitivities of the serum and saliva tests were 90.5% and 95%, respectively, while the specificities were 84.5% and 70%, respectively. Conclusion: Due to their high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing HP-associated DU and gastritis, serum and saliva antibody testing seems to offer a valuable alternative to invasive procedures especially in areas of high HP prevalence such as ours; saliva antibody testing is simple and practical especially in children and in difficult patients who resent venipuncture