Optimum Design of a Watershed-Based Tank System for the Semiarid and Subhumid Tropics

This article was published in the serial, Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering [© American Society of Civil Engineers ]. The definitive version is available at: http://ascelibrary.org/iro/resource/1/jidedh/v137/i10/p651_s1?isAuthorized=noSmall reservoirs known as tanks are constructed in the watersheds of arid, semiarid, and subhumid regions of India to provide supplementary or protective irrigation to crops during dry spells of the monsoon season or full irrigation during the postmonsoon season. The stored water in tanks or recharged groundwater is used for this irrigation. Several models have previously been developed to design the capacity of individual tanks. However, for optimum utilization of water generated in a watershed to meet the demands for irrigation and for downstream release, it is necessary to design the tanks together in terms of their number, locations, and capacities. A comprehensive methodology for this is presented using stream points, i.e., possible tank locations on the main stream(s) in the watershed. Tank strategies (combinations of numbers of tanks, their locations at stream points, and tank types) are then generated for the identified stream points. Subsequently, fields in the watershed are assigned to the catchment and the command of different tanks of a specified tank strategy. Simulation of field, tank, and groundwater balance is then carried out on a daily basis, from which optimum tank dimensions are obtained for a specified tank strategy. The optimum tank strategy and corresponding optimum tank dimensions are obtained by investigating all the possible tank strategies

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Not AvailableTHE SURFACE SOILS AND ERODED MATERIAL OBTAINED FROM TWO FIELD EXPERIMENTAL PLOTS DURING RABI SEASON OF 1971-72 WERE SUBJECTED TO NUTRIENT ANALYSIS. THE RUNOFF SAMPLES FROM EACH RUNOFF OCCURRING STORM WERE ALSO COLLECTED AND ANALYSED FOR AMMONICAL AND NITRATE NITROGEN CONTENTS. RESULTS OBTAINED HAVE SHOWN THAT ERODED MATERIAL WAS RICHER IN ALL PLANT FOOD INGREDIENTS THAN IN ORIGINAL SOIL. THE LOSS OF NUTRIENT DEPENDS NOT ONLY ON THE INTENSITY OF RAINS, BUT ALSO ON THE TIME DURING WHICH THEY OCCUR. IN TERMS OF ENRICHMENT RATIOS, NUTRIENT LOSSES INDICATE THAT THE AVAILABLE PHOSPHOROUS SUFFERS MAXIMUM AMONGST THE NUTRIENTS STUDIED. HOWEVER , WHEN THE LOSSES ARE QUANTIFIED , PHOSPHOROUS SUFFERS MINIMUM. THE LOSSES OF Ex-Ca , ORGANIC MATTER AND NITROGEN ARE COMPARATIVELY CONSIDERABLE IN THE ERODED MATERIAL.Not Availabl

Interrelationship of serum TSH with BMI in patients with thyroid disorders

Introduction: The endocrine system is evaluated primarily by measuring hormone concentrations, thereby arming the clinician with valuable diagnostic information. Thyroid Hormones which increase the basal metabolic rate and thermogenesis have been reported to be one of leptins regulating factors because alterations of thyroid status might lead to compensatory changes in circulatory leptin. Aim: The aim of this study was to find the correlation of Serum TSH with BMI in patients with thyroid disorder (hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism). Material & Methods: 30 diagnosed cases of thyroid disorders out of which 20 were of hypothyroidism and 10 were of hyperthyroidism and 30 healthy controls were recruited in our study. Serum TSH levels were estimated in both cases and controls using ELISA method. BMI was calculated using QUETLET’S index as body weight (kg) divided by height squared (m2). Results: In our study we found a significant (p=<0.001) positive correlation(r=0.514) of TSH with BMI in hypothyroid patients whereas a non significant (p=.551) positive correlation(r=.215) was found in hyperthyroid patients. Conclusion: Even small changes in the TSH levels can have an effect on BMI profile. In hypothyroid patients there is increase in weight so increase in BMI and also increase in TSH. On the other hand in hyperthyroid individuals there is loss of weight so decrease in BMI and also decrease in TSH. But further large scale data is required to confirm our findings

Living with Lions: The Economics of Coexistence in the Gir Forests, India

<div><p>Rarely human communities coexist in harmony with large predators. Most often communities suffer due to predation on their stock while large carnivores suffer losses and at times extirpation due to retaliation. We examine the mechanisms permitting the coexistence of Asiatic lions (<i>Panthera leo persica</i>) and pastoral communities (<i>Maldhari</i>s) in the Gir forests, India. We monitored six <i>Maldhari</i> settlements between 2005 and 2007 to quantify seasonal livestock holding, density and losses due to predation and other causes. Lion density, estimated by mark recapture, was 15±0.1 SE/100 km². Livestock density, estimated by total counts, ranged between 25/km²–31/km² with buffaloes being most abundant. Average livestock holding of <i>Maldhari</i> families was 33±3 SE. Lions predated mostly on unproductive cattle (30%). Scat analysis (n = 165), predation events (n = 180) and seven continuous monitoring sessions of 1,798 hours on four radio-collared lions estimated livestock to contribute between 25 to 42% of lions’ biomass consumptions, of which only 16% was predated; rest scavenged. With free grazing rights within Gir forests, <i>Maldhari</i>s offset 58±0.2 SE% of annual livestock rearing cost in comparison to non-forest dwelling pastoralists. With government compensation scheme for livestock predation, this profit margin augmented to 76±0.05 SE%. Lion density was higher in areas with <i>Maldhari</i> livestock in comparison to areas without livestock. Thus, the current lifestyles and livestock holdings of <i>Maldhari</i>s seem to be beneficial to both lions and local pastoralists. We conclude that a combination of strict protection regime for lions, <i>Maldhari</i>s’ traditional reverence towards lions and the livelihood economics permit the delicate balance of lion-<i>Maldhari</i> coexistence. Indefinite increase in human and livestock population within Gir might upset this equilibrium undermining the conservation objectives. We see no end to compensation programs worldwide as they constitute a crucial element needed for human-carnivore coexistence.</p></div

Food preference of lions in the Gir forests, India based on Jacob’s index [59].

<p>Program SCATMAN <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0049457#pone.0049457-Hines1" target="_blank">[55]</a> suggests that at 10% CV * Chital (P<0.001), sambar (P<0.001), nilgai (P<0.05) and wild pig (P<0.001) were found to be positively selected while **buffaloes (P<0.001) were underused in proportion to their availabilities. Cattle (P = 0.33) were utilized in proportion to their availabilities.</p

Parameter values (95% CI) used for the deterministic model of <i>Maldhari</i> pastoral economics.

<p>Final estimates are in Indian Rupees (1 US$ ∼ 50).</p

Prey species composition in Asiatic lion <i>Panthera leo persica</i> scats (n<i> = </i>165) and their relative biomass contribution to lion diet in eastern part of the Gir forests, India.

<p>x and y are related through the equation <i>y</i> = 1.98+0.035×<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0049457#pone.0049457-Ackerman1" target="_blank">[52]</a>.</p>*<p>95% CIs obtained by 1,000 bootstrapped replicates.</p

Average seasonal livestock holding of <i>Maldhari</i> family within the Gir forests.

<p>(Error bars are standard errors).</p