Bioprospecting and Characterization of poly-β- hydroxyalkanoate (PHAs) producing Pseudomonas Spp. isolated from edible oil contaminated soil

Plastics have battle to biological breakdown that result in its accumulation in the environment. This accentuates the need to search for biodegradable polymer, which is readily disposable and degradable. Bacteria synthesize and accumulate polyhydroxy alkanote (PHA) as carbon source under limiting conditions of nutrients. Bioprospecting for poly-β-hydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-accumulating micro-organisms was carried out in edible oil contaminated soil of north Gujarat region. They were isolated in unbalanced culture medium (high carbon/nitrogen ratio) with various edible oil used as carbon source. PHAs producing bacteria were identified by staining with Sudan black and solubilising cellular components in sodium hypochlorite. Two bacterial strains isolated, screened and characterized from edible oil contaminated soil samples were selected due to their capacity of growing in the presence of edible oil and at the same time producing PHA. The isolates were identified by PCR of the 16S rDNA gene using universal primers. The isolates were Psudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas fluorescence

A study on geospatial technology for detecting and mapping of Solenopsis mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in cotton crop

Detection of crop stress is one of the major applications of remote sensing in agriculture. Many researchers have confirmed the ability of remote sensing techniques for detection of pest/disease on cotton. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the relation between the mealybug severity and remote sensing indices and development of a model for mapping of mealybug damage using remote sensing indices. The mealybug-infested cotton crop had a significantly lower reflectance (33%) in the near infrared region and higher (14%) in the visible range of the spectrum when compared with the non-infested cotton crop having near infrared and visible region reflectance of 48 % and 9% respectively. Multiple Linear regression analysis showed that there were varying relationships between mealybug severity and spectral vegetation indices, with coefficients of determination (r2) ranging from 0.63 to0.31. Model developed in this study for the mealybug damage assessment in cotton crop yielded significant relationship (r2=0.863) and was applied on satellite data of 21st September 2009 which revealed high severity of mealybug and it was low on 24th September 2010 which confirmed the significance of the model and can be used in the identification of mealybug infested cotton zones. These results indicate that remote sensing data have the potential to distinguish damage by mealybug and quantify its abundance in cotton

Sloth Bear Attacks on Humans in Central India: Implications for Species Conservation

Conflicts with wild animals are increasing as human populations grow and related anthropogenic activities encroach into wildlife habitats. A good example of this situation is the increase in conflicts between humans and sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) in India. Sloth bears are known for their aggressive and unpredictable behavior. More human fatalities and injuries have been attributed to sloth bear attacks than all recorded incidences of wildlife attacks in Buldhana Forest Division of Maharashtra, India. We interviewed 51 victims that were attacked by sloth bears between 2009-2017 to better understand the reasons for the attacks. Thirty-four of the attacks (66.7%) resulted in serious injuries, and there were 7 human mortalities (13.7%) reported. Most attacks occurred close to agricultural fields (66.7%) and during midday (1100–1400 hours). More attacks (64.7%) occurred when a person was working or resting in the field, or retrieving water for the field followed by attacks while watching over grazing livestock (13.7%). Individuals aged 31 to 40 years (35.3%) were the most common victims of sloth bear attacks. Half of the attacks were during monsoon season (July to October, 51%) followed by summer (March to June, 35%) and winter (November to February, 14%). In 39% of cases, a single bear was involved while females with 2 cubs were found to be involved in 37% of attacks. This research was incorporated into a comprehensive conflict mitigation plan, which included field staff training for monitoring sloth bear population, formulation of a Rapid Rescue Unit to manage conflict situations, and sloth bear education programs in the high conflict villages. People were made aware of the behavior and activity pattern of sloth bears and preventive measures to mitigate potential conflicts

Livestock Depredation by Leopards, Associated Economic Losses, and Financial Compensation to Communities in Chhota Udepur District of Central Gujarat, India

Livestock depredation by large carnivores has been documented across the entire Indian subcontinent. The failure of managers to mitigate livestock losses in landscapes dependent on subsistence agriculture poses a threat to the conservation of carnivores. For much of Gujarat, a western Indian state characterized by extensive semi-arid habitats, the Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) is considered an apex predator. Increasing regional leopard populations in response to protection efforts has led to more attacks on humans, along with an increase in rates of livestock depredation. In many cases, the regional forest department financially compensates livestock owners for depredation caused by leopards. Herein, we report on data we collected on leopard-caused livestock depredations in the Chhota Udepur district of Gujarat for 2019–2020. Between November 2020 and March 2021, we recorded 104 distinct cases of leopard depredations that resulted in 134 livestock mortalities. Most attacks occurred in the middle of the night, with the greatest frequency occurring between 2100 and 0400 hours (n = 53). Interestingly, livestock depredations by leopards appeared to occur more in the monsoon season (66%) than during the drier seasons (Fisher’s least significant difference [LSD], P \u3c 0.05). We also found that not everyone enduring losses to leopards received full compensation for the value of their animals. Livestock kept in corrals at night were more vulnerable to leopard attack (R2 = 38.6, P = 0.01) compared to free-ranging livestock foraging by day in farms and forests. We recommend that livestock compensation claims filed by communities be investigated and processed quickly and that compensation be based on fair value for domestic animals lost. To better understand the drivers of human–leopard conflict, we also encourage rigorous surveys of potential leopard prey species in forested areas adjacent to conflict hotspots as well as research to identify the most effective methods communities might use to safeguard their livestock