Published Papers by Prashant Mehta
Rapidly changing technology and short product lifecycle make electronic products obsolete in quic... more Rapidly changing technology and short product lifecycle make electronic products obsolete in quick time and ending up as e-waste that is either internally generated or is imported from other countries. Worldwide there is a growing debate on electronic waste (e-waste) which is a burgeoning problem in developed and developing countries and it is posing a new challenge to the environment regulators and policy makers to combat. E-waste comprises of a multitude of components with valuable materials, some containing toxic substances that can have adverse impact ecology, directly or indirectly on living beings, and pollute the environment if not handled properly. In India, e-waste management assumes greater significance due to lack of implementation of rules for effective processing of e-waste, inadequate infrastructure and procedures for its disposal and recycling, besides dumping of e-waste from developed countries. Most of the users are unaware of the potential negative impact of e-wastes which is ending up in dumping yards and recycling centers. This study provides a comprehensive overview of India's current e-waste scenario, environmental impact and health hazards, disposal and recycling methods, existing legal framework, and recommendations for immediate action to steer clear of its impact on all concerned.
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The reduction of Zn(II) has been investigated in presence of different potassium salts as support... more The reduction of Zn(II) has been investigated in presence of different potassium salts as supporting electrolytes at a Hanging Mercury Drop Electrode (HMDE). The correlation of cathodic peak current and anodic peak current, and the difference in cathodic peak potentials and anodic peak potentials with varying voltage scan rates indicates that the reduction of Zn(II) is reversible.
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Luxury branding and marketing is a new ball-game altogether, both from the perspective of the
mar... more Luxury branding and marketing is a new ball-game altogether, both from the perspective of the
marketer as well as the consumer. Luxury brands have always been seen as a fascinating space
and luxury brand marketing as one of the most complicated areas to develop strategies and
marketing mix. Consumer‟s perception of value is changing and their concept of luxury is
metamorphosing. It therefore becomes imperative to view it form both angles that is in relation
to and isolation from the „regular‟ goods and their marketing strategies. Over time LUXURY
meant different things to people in different cultures. It is a conceptual and symbolic dimension
mainly irrational and engages strong and intense multi-sensory emotions of consumers. It is also
a culture and a philosophy and therefore requires deep understanding of the brand and its
profile, before the adoption of business practices because its particulars and marketing mix
strategies are fundamentally different from other types (regular) of goods and services. As
quoted by Philip Kotler “Luxury is above all a world of brands”. The luxury brands go beyond
the object, they are built from the reputation of its creations. It is crucial to listen to the client
although consumer‟s attitudes and behaviors towards luxury are ambivalent and for them the
most important characteristics are: quality of goods, self indulgence, and ancestral heritage.
This paper identifies several key factors for luxury brand success by analyzing its marketing mix
and how luxury goods are different from regular goods and then go on to explore some facets
and trends of the luxury goods as well as their market and consumers, impact of internet
technologies, and Intellectual Property violations. Considering that the luxury concept has
shifted to the „new‟ meaning, we look into that aspect to understand the key drivers for luxury
brands in today‟s context, as well as in the future.
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Over contamination of water-bodies due to ever growing religious activities is a major concern in... more Over contamination of water-bodies due to ever growing religious activities is a major concern in today’s
era. The biological wealth of a water body is mainly dependent on its water quality and qualitative
degradation is of major issue of concern to mankind today. Decrease in water quality (unfit for human
consumption) is also attributed to the fact that today most water bodies are been loaded with toxic
material and chemicals, human and industrial waste, organic matter, and religious rituals of Idol
immersions which is growing year on year basis. The under mentioned research work is mainly concerned
about the water quality assessment to evaluate the qualitative nature and quantitative extent of pollution in
water body during Pre-immersion, immersion, and post-immersion of idols in festivals season this year
and its comparison with results of last year. Water samples were collected from three sites in Jodhpur city
and were analyzed for various water quality parameters such as pH, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total
Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Solids (TS), Turbidity, Conductivity, Hardness, Dissolved Oxygen (DO),
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) following standard methods
(APHA, AWWA and WPCP, 1985). It was observed that the values of these parameters significantly
increased during the immersion period and then declined slowly in the post immersion period due to self
purification mechanism of water body. With growing magnitude of these religious activities, pollution
load is bound to increase manifold. Generating awareness among the people and society about reducing
pollution due to festival waste will help in conserving ecosystem of these water bodies as well as culture
and environment can be preserved in a cohesive manner.
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Medical care is vital for our life, health and well being. But the waste generated from medical a... more Medical care is vital for our life, health and well being. But the waste generated from medical activities can be hazardous, toxic and even lethal because of their high potential for diseases transmission. The hazardous and toxic parts of waste from healthcare establishments comprising infectious, medical, and radioactive material as well as sharps constitute a grave risks to mankind and the environment, if these are not properly treated /disposed or are allowed to be mixed with other municipal waste. In India, practical information on this aspect is slowly developing and research on the public health implications because of poor management of medical wastes (both Hospital and Bio-medical) is hardly any and limited in scope. Findings drawn from literature particularly from the developing economies and more so India, highlights range of issues like lack of adequate finance, lack of awareness of the risks involved in handling medical wastes (both Hospital and Bio-medical), lack of appropriate legislation or in other words poorly enforced legislation, and lack of specialized staff to handle and dispose medical wastes (both Hospital and Bio-medical). The paper recommends how medical wastes (both Hospital and Bio-medical) practices can be improved in medical facilities all across the country and how legislation will be helpful in handling this problem of great magnitude.
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The literature was reviewed with respect to understand the dynamic composition of municipal solid... more The literature was reviewed with respect to understand the dynamic composition of municipal solid wastes, there collection and disposal methods (as there is no one single method of MSW disposal can deal with all materials in an environmentally sustainable way), work on a suitable
approach to manage MSW, and its integration with various wastes disposal methods. This increase in generation of solid waste is only the result of the rapidly growing human population which is projected to rise to 7.2 billion by 2015 and their adopted modern life style. India is now among the top 10 countries generating the highest amount of MSW due to growing urbanization and high consumption. With this exponential increase in population there is substantial increase in the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) generation (commonly known as trash or garbage) which in turn is resulting into the contamination of air, water, and land
resources all across Indian landscape due to improper waste collection and disposal. This uncontrolled and unscientific dumping of MSWs has resulted in contamination of sub soil
surface, surface and ground water bringing about a rising number of incidents of diseases, hazards to human health. With increasing environmental concerns, the integrated MSW
management system has a potential to maximize the reuse of waste materials, as well as produce energy as a by-product. It is an intricate and complex problem while emphasizing the
durability of waste, we have to think about running the waste cycle efficiently too. This will deliver both environmental and economic sustainability in long term. The possible reasons
identified for poor implementation could be a combination of social, technical, institutional, and financial issues of municipalities.
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India’s cultural legacy is one of the world’s most distinct and diverse and it is an inspiration ... more India’s cultural legacy is one of the world’s most distinct and diverse and it is an inspiration that draws ever growing number of tourists every year to our world famed heritage monuments, colossal forts, royal palaces, museums, libraries, as well as to geographically diverse scenic landscapes. Various cultural heritage sites, performing arts, crafts, and natural resources have all been used in attracting the tourists. This approach, however, may reduce the significance of cultural heritage and the environmental assets to an economic commodity minimizing or sometime completely ignoring their socio-cultural values. Moreover converging of a large number of tourists of different background on a historic monument or site and location of tourists facilities on the cultural heritage sites have often resulted not only in
altering of the original features but also in all kind of pollution damaging or even destroying the fabric of the monuments and works of art. The combined impact of attack due atmospheric pollution, urbanization, excessive tourism, solid waste generation, negligence, and inappropriate restoration measures often results in irremediable
changes and, in some cases, even the complete disappearance of immovable and movable heritage. The objectives of this paper is to understand and investigate the nexus between environmental degradation and tourism development, its impact on the tourism areas, besides the protection / conservation of heritage structures when these
environmental and cultural threats continue to multiply with each passing day.
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India is now among the top ten countries generating the highest amount of Municipal Solid Waste
(... more India is now among the top ten countries generating the highest amount of Municipal Solid Waste
(MSW) due to growing urbanisation and high consumption. As per report published by UN Habitat,
on collection of Municipal wastes in developing countries and working paper by UNDP/UNCHS
(Habitat)/World Bank/SDC Collaborative Program on Municipal Solid Waste management, In
developing countries, because of the size of their urban populations, in part because their city
dwellers are prospering, adopting high-consumption lifestyles, rapid urbanization and accelerated
economic development within the rapidly growing advanced technological societies, the municipal
co-operations are unable to handle the increasing amount of municipal solid waste, and this
uncollected waste being left unattended, spreads on roads and in other public areas leading to
tremendous air pollution, contamination of water bodies, destruction of land, and enormous
negative impact on human health. The nature of municipal solid waste is a term usually applied to a
heterogeneous collection group of waste produced in urban areas, the nature of which varies from
region to region. The common problem faced by all fast developing countries, is the disposal of
municipal solid waste and availability of land fill site area besides need of strong laws which help
in regulating and control of municipal waste generation. It is an intricate and complex problem
because land is part of ecosphere and land pollution cannot be isolated, so it primarily involves the
policy perspective question. This study analyzes problem of MSW in India and highlights the legal
paradigm to handle this growing problem. This study analyses the changing trend in the MSW
quantities and characteristics in major urban agglomerations in India and emerging legal angle to
handle this intricate issue of 21st century.
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The Experiment, Nov 30, 2013
Contamination of water-bodies is a major concern in today’s era. The biological wealth of a water... more Contamination of water-bodies is a major concern in today’s era. The biological wealth of a water body is mainly dependent on its water quality and it is of major issue of concern to mankind toady. Decrease in water quality (unfit for human consumption) is also attributed to the fact that today most water bodies are been loaded with toxic material and chemicals, human and industrial waste, organic matter, and religious rituals of Idol immersions. The under mentioned research work is mainly concerned about the water quality assessment to evaluate the qualitative nature and quantitative extent of pollution in water body during Pre-immersion, immersion, and post-immersion of idols in festivals season. Water samples were collected from three sites in Jodhpur city and were analyzed for various water quality parameters such as pH, total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolve solids (TDS), total solids (TS), turbidity, conductivity, hardness, dissolved oxygen (OD), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) following standard methodsi. It was
observed that the values of these parameters significantly increased during the immersion period and then declined slowly in the postimmersion period due to self purification mechanism of water body. With growing magnitude of these religious activities, pollution load is bound to increase manifold. Generating awareness among the people and society about reducing pollution due to festival waste will help in conserving ecosystem of these water bodies.
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International Journal of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IJPAC), 2012
The reduction of Pb(II) has been investigated in presence of different potassium salts as support... more The reduction of Pb(II) has been investigated in presence of different potassium salts as supporting electrolytes at a Hanging Mercury Drop Electrode (HMDE). The correlation of cathodic peak current and anodic peak current, and the difference in cathodic peak potentials and anodic peak potentials with varying voltage scan rates indicates that the reduction of Pb(II) is reversible.
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Pelagia Research Library, Advances in Applied Science Research, 2012, 3 (4):2514-2517, 2012
This paper discusses fast yet simple method of treating effluents of textile industry by simple c... more This paper discusses fast yet simple method of treating effluents of textile industry by simple chemicals. Textiles industry produces substantial toxic, often loaded with color (from residues of reactive dyes and chemicals), acidic and alkaline contaminants having high pH, high concentration of organic materials etc, which requires proper treatment before being released into the environment. Removal of such toxic materials from waste water is more important because the presence of small amounts of dyes in effluent disposed into the land and river water reduces the depth of penetration of sunlight into the water environment, which in turn decreases photosynthetic activity and dissolved oxygen (DO). The adverse effects can spell disaster for aquatic life, soil, and detrimentally affects the water quality. In this research work different coagulants like Alum, Lime, Ferrous Sulphate, Ferric Chloride, and poly-electrolytes for flocculation were employed to select the most suitable composition which has optimal removal
efficiency. Settling characteristics of the flocs formed in the coagulation process were studied at laboratory scale.
Parameters such as colour, COD, Hardness, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), and Total Suspended Solids (TSS), and settled sludge volume have been studied. The optimal coagulant dose volume and pH were determined by comparing the effectiveness of these coagulants [Amirtharajah, A. M., et. al]. Results showed that coagulant like lime eliminated colour and COD effectively. However ferrous sulphate was chosen as effective coagulant for colour removal as it required lowest coagulant dose, minimum settled sludge volume and maximum decolourization. It was
also observed that higher percentage of suspended solids was removed by using a combination of iron salts with lime at pH 10 to 11 as compared to alum in a very short time period.
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Scholars Research Library (Arch. Appl. Sci. Res., 2012, 4 (1):497-507), 2012
“Water usage across fast developing sub continental economies is growing at unprecedented rate wh... more “Water usage across fast developing sub continental economies is growing at unprecedented rate which is more than twice the rate of the population growth for the past century. Although there is not yet a global water shortage, about 2.8 billion people, representing more than 40% of the world’s population, live with some form of water scarcity[1] off which almost 1.2 billion live
under conditions of physical water scarcity, which occurs when more than 75% of the river flows are withdrawn in countries like India and China. Remaining 1.6 billion people live in areas of
economic water scarcity, where human, institutional, and financial capital limits access to water, even though water is available locally to meet human demands. These conditions are prevalent
in much of Southern Asia and Sub Saharan Africa. Symptoms include lack of or underdeveloped water infrastructure, high vulnerability to short and long term drought, and difficult access to
reliable water supplies especially for rural people. On the other hand there is surprising connection between the quality of fresh water and healthful longevity and health benefits. All over the world and throughout time, wherever you find clean and contaminant free water, you find the healthiest, most vibrant civilizations. Water can often emerge as an issue in the relations
between nation-states. Water treaties and agreements often come about because of the existing political environment. But the politics of water is not limited to the international sphere; domestic politics often plays a major role in water security. “Water because it's cheap we take it for granted on the contrary because it's priceless we shouldn't.” This paper is an overview of the issues surrounding India’s water scarcity, and also comparison of clean water standards between developing and developed nations.
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Research Journal of Pharmaceutical, Biological and Chemical Sciences, Oct 2011
Management of urban solid waste is one of the most neglected areas of urban development in India.... more Management of urban solid waste is one of the most neglected areas of urban development in India. Landfill sites and garbage dumps are overflowing in most cities attracting rodents and flies which then spread disease”. Among various related events to highlight the MSW issue in the intervening period, there was a seminar on Urban Waste Management – Options For Future, which expressed concern over the environmental challenges
posed by the rising waste generation due to expanding population and economic growth and the need “to have the effective-waste management solutions for a cleaner sustainable environment. With migration of population, urban India (Indian Cities) is facing a colossal waste disposal problem today, as well as i n the coming years. Till now, the problem of managing solid waste has been seen as one of cleaning and disposing as rubbish. But a closer
look at the current and future scenario reveals that waste needs to be treated holistically, recognizing its origin, natural resource, type and well as long term health impacts. Waste can be both wealth; which has tremendous potential not only for generating livelihoods for the urban poor but can also enrich the earth through composting and recycling rather than spreading pollution as has been the case. Increasing urban migration and a high density of population will make waste management a difficult issue to handle in the near future, if a new paradigm for
approaching it is not created. Rapid and widespread industrial development, unplanned urbanization, regular flow of persons from rural to urban areas and improper and inadequate action of the authorities entrusted with the work of pollution control and environmental protection have largely contributed to unhealthy and degraded environment. This all, in turn, affected the quality of life of the large number of persons. Unplanned and alarming
rate of urbanization has given rise to many environment related problems, such as problem of health and hygiene, sewage, disposal of solid waste, air, water and land pollution, slums, housing, basic amenities and others.
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Sadguru Publication, Udaipur, 2010
The reduction of Pb (II) has been investigated in presence of different sodium salts as supportin... more The reduction of Pb (II) has been investigated in presence of different sodium salts as supporting electrolytes at a Hanging Mercury Drop Electrode (HMDE) using cyclic voltammetry. The correlation of cathodic peak current and anodic peak current, and the difference in cathodic peak potentials and anodic peak potentials with varying voltage scan rates indicates that the reduction of Pb (II) is reversible.
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Journal of Chemical, Biological and Physical Sciences , Oct 16, 2011
The fast growing economies in the World, and continued urbanization in countries, have increased ... more The fast growing economies in the World, and continued urbanization in countries, have increased the demand for mobility and energy in the region, resulting in high levels of air pollution in cities from both point and non point sources. The World Health Organization estimates that about 500,000 premature deaths per year are caused by air pollution, leaving the urban poor particularly vulnerable since they live in air pollution hotspots having wider exposure to variety of pollutants, which have resulted in pollution related diseases besides low respiratory resistance due to bad nutrition, and lack access to quality health care. However, by initiating air quality management measures, reducing the pollutants at source at various stages of economic development, communities and countries can avoid the severity of air pollution impacts and related costs and attain better air quality.
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Sadguru Publications, Udaipur , 2010
The reduction of Zn (II) has been investigated in presence of different sodium salts as supportin... more The reduction of Zn (II) has been investigated in presence of different sodium salts as supporting electrolytes at a Hanging Mercury Drop Electrode (HMDE) using cyclic voltammetry. The correlation of cathodic peak current and anodic peak current, and the difference in cathodic peak potentials and anodic peak potentials with varying voltage scan rates indicates that the reduction of Zn (II) is reversible.
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Sadguru Publications, Udaipur, Oct 18, 2011
A drug is any biological substance, synthetic or non-synthetic, that is taken primarily for non-d... more A drug is any biological substance, synthetic or non-synthetic, that is taken primarily for non-dietary needs. It is usually synthesized outside an organism, but introduced into an organism to produce its action. Drug addiction is a growing problem in India. This paper highlights the statistics and trends of abuse of most common illicit drugs in children in India and laws both in India and Internationally for prohibition of drugs of abuse.
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South Asian Journal of Tourism and Heritage, Jul 2010
Acid rain is a major problem facing the environment today. It is formed through both natural and ... more Acid rain is a major problem facing the environment today. It is formed through both natural and anthropogenic sources. Industrial emissions are anthropogenic sources, and a volcano eruption is an example of a natural source. One of the most direct effects of acid rain is on aquatic ecosystems. Acid rain is the term given to increased acidity of rain due to the effects of gases (from industrial and natural processes) which dissolve in rainwater to form various acids. Acid rain forms when certain atmospheric gases (primarily carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides) come in contact with water in the atmosphere or on
the ground and are chemically converted to acidic substances.
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Uploads
Published Papers by Prashant Mehta
marketer as well as the consumer. Luxury brands have always been seen as a fascinating space
and luxury brand marketing as one of the most complicated areas to develop strategies and
marketing mix. Consumer‟s perception of value is changing and their concept of luxury is
metamorphosing. It therefore becomes imperative to view it form both angles that is in relation
to and isolation from the „regular‟ goods and their marketing strategies. Over time LUXURY
meant different things to people in different cultures. It is a conceptual and symbolic dimension
mainly irrational and engages strong and intense multi-sensory emotions of consumers. It is also
a culture and a philosophy and therefore requires deep understanding of the brand and its
profile, before the adoption of business practices because its particulars and marketing mix
strategies are fundamentally different from other types (regular) of goods and services. As
quoted by Philip Kotler “Luxury is above all a world of brands”. The luxury brands go beyond
the object, they are built from the reputation of its creations. It is crucial to listen to the client
although consumer‟s attitudes and behaviors towards luxury are ambivalent and for them the
most important characteristics are: quality of goods, self indulgence, and ancestral heritage.
This paper identifies several key factors for luxury brand success by analyzing its marketing mix
and how luxury goods are different from regular goods and then go on to explore some facets
and trends of the luxury goods as well as their market and consumers, impact of internet
technologies, and Intellectual Property violations. Considering that the luxury concept has
shifted to the „new‟ meaning, we look into that aspect to understand the key drivers for luxury
brands in today‟s context, as well as in the future.
era. The biological wealth of a water body is mainly dependent on its water quality and qualitative
degradation is of major issue of concern to mankind today. Decrease in water quality (unfit for human
consumption) is also attributed to the fact that today most water bodies are been loaded with toxic
material and chemicals, human and industrial waste, organic matter, and religious rituals of Idol
immersions which is growing year on year basis. The under mentioned research work is mainly concerned
about the water quality assessment to evaluate the qualitative nature and quantitative extent of pollution in
water body during Pre-immersion, immersion, and post-immersion of idols in festivals season this year
and its comparison with results of last year. Water samples were collected from three sites in Jodhpur city
and were analyzed for various water quality parameters such as pH, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total
Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Solids (TS), Turbidity, Conductivity, Hardness, Dissolved Oxygen (DO),
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) following standard methods
(APHA, AWWA and WPCP, 1985). It was observed that the values of these parameters significantly
increased during the immersion period and then declined slowly in the post immersion period due to self
purification mechanism of water body. With growing magnitude of these religious activities, pollution
load is bound to increase manifold. Generating awareness among the people and society about reducing
pollution due to festival waste will help in conserving ecosystem of these water bodies as well as culture
and environment can be preserved in a cohesive manner.
approach to manage MSW, and its integration with various wastes disposal methods. This increase in generation of solid waste is only the result of the rapidly growing human population which is projected to rise to 7.2 billion by 2015 and their adopted modern life style. India is now among the top 10 countries generating the highest amount of MSW due to growing urbanization and high consumption. With this exponential increase in population there is substantial increase in the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) generation (commonly known as trash or garbage) which in turn is resulting into the contamination of air, water, and land
resources all across Indian landscape due to improper waste collection and disposal. This uncontrolled and unscientific dumping of MSWs has resulted in contamination of sub soil
surface, surface and ground water bringing about a rising number of incidents of diseases, hazards to human health. With increasing environmental concerns, the integrated MSW
management system has a potential to maximize the reuse of waste materials, as well as produce energy as a by-product. It is an intricate and complex problem while emphasizing the
durability of waste, we have to think about running the waste cycle efficiently too. This will deliver both environmental and economic sustainability in long term. The possible reasons
identified for poor implementation could be a combination of social, technical, institutional, and financial issues of municipalities.
altering of the original features but also in all kind of pollution damaging or even destroying the fabric of the monuments and works of art. The combined impact of attack due atmospheric pollution, urbanization, excessive tourism, solid waste generation, negligence, and inappropriate restoration measures often results in irremediable
changes and, in some cases, even the complete disappearance of immovable and movable heritage. The objectives of this paper is to understand and investigate the nexus between environmental degradation and tourism development, its impact on the tourism areas, besides the protection / conservation of heritage structures when these
environmental and cultural threats continue to multiply with each passing day.
(MSW) due to growing urbanisation and high consumption. As per report published by UN Habitat,
on collection of Municipal wastes in developing countries and working paper by UNDP/UNCHS
(Habitat)/World Bank/SDC Collaborative Program on Municipal Solid Waste management, In
developing countries, because of the size of their urban populations, in part because their city
dwellers are prospering, adopting high-consumption lifestyles, rapid urbanization and accelerated
economic development within the rapidly growing advanced technological societies, the municipal
co-operations are unable to handle the increasing amount of municipal solid waste, and this
uncollected waste being left unattended, spreads on roads and in other public areas leading to
tremendous air pollution, contamination of water bodies, destruction of land, and enormous
negative impact on human health. The nature of municipal solid waste is a term usually applied to a
heterogeneous collection group of waste produced in urban areas, the nature of which varies from
region to region. The common problem faced by all fast developing countries, is the disposal of
municipal solid waste and availability of land fill site area besides need of strong laws which help
in regulating and control of municipal waste generation. It is an intricate and complex problem
because land is part of ecosphere and land pollution cannot be isolated, so it primarily involves the
policy perspective question. This study analyzes problem of MSW in India and highlights the legal
paradigm to handle this growing problem. This study analyses the changing trend in the MSW
quantities and characteristics in major urban agglomerations in India and emerging legal angle to
handle this intricate issue of 21st century.
observed that the values of these parameters significantly increased during the immersion period and then declined slowly in the postimmersion period due to self purification mechanism of water body. With growing magnitude of these religious activities, pollution load is bound to increase manifold. Generating awareness among the people and society about reducing pollution due to festival waste will help in conserving ecosystem of these water bodies.
efficiency. Settling characteristics of the flocs formed in the coagulation process were studied at laboratory scale.
Parameters such as colour, COD, Hardness, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), and Total Suspended Solids (TSS), and settled sludge volume have been studied. The optimal coagulant dose volume and pH were determined by comparing the effectiveness of these coagulants [Amirtharajah, A. M., et. al]. Results showed that coagulant like lime eliminated colour and COD effectively. However ferrous sulphate was chosen as effective coagulant for colour removal as it required lowest coagulant dose, minimum settled sludge volume and maximum decolourization. It was
also observed that higher percentage of suspended solids was removed by using a combination of iron salts with lime at pH 10 to 11 as compared to alum in a very short time period.
under conditions of physical water scarcity, which occurs when more than 75% of the river flows are withdrawn in countries like India and China. Remaining 1.6 billion people live in areas of
economic water scarcity, where human, institutional, and financial capital limits access to water, even though water is available locally to meet human demands. These conditions are prevalent
in much of Southern Asia and Sub Saharan Africa. Symptoms include lack of or underdeveloped water infrastructure, high vulnerability to short and long term drought, and difficult access to
reliable water supplies especially for rural people. On the other hand there is surprising connection between the quality of fresh water and healthful longevity and health benefits. All over the world and throughout time, wherever you find clean and contaminant free water, you find the healthiest, most vibrant civilizations. Water can often emerge as an issue in the relations
between nation-states. Water treaties and agreements often come about because of the existing political environment. But the politics of water is not limited to the international sphere; domestic politics often plays a major role in water security. “Water because it's cheap we take it for granted on the contrary because it's priceless we shouldn't.” This paper is an overview of the issues surrounding India’s water scarcity, and also comparison of clean water standards between developing and developed nations.
posed by the rising waste generation due to expanding population and economic growth and the need “to have the effective-waste management solutions for a cleaner sustainable environment. With migration of population, urban India (Indian Cities) is facing a colossal waste disposal problem today, as well as i n the coming years. Till now, the problem of managing solid waste has been seen as one of cleaning and disposing as rubbish. But a closer
look at the current and future scenario reveals that waste needs to be treated holistically, recognizing its origin, natural resource, type and well as long term health impacts. Waste can be both wealth; which has tremendous potential not only for generating livelihoods for the urban poor but can also enrich the earth through composting and recycling rather than spreading pollution as has been the case. Increasing urban migration and a high density of population will make waste management a difficult issue to handle in the near future, if a new paradigm for
approaching it is not created. Rapid and widespread industrial development, unplanned urbanization, regular flow of persons from rural to urban areas and improper and inadequate action of the authorities entrusted with the work of pollution control and environmental protection have largely contributed to unhealthy and degraded environment. This all, in turn, affected the quality of life of the large number of persons. Unplanned and alarming
rate of urbanization has given rise to many environment related problems, such as problem of health and hygiene, sewage, disposal of solid waste, air, water and land pollution, slums, housing, basic amenities and others.
the ground and are chemically converted to acidic substances.
marketer as well as the consumer. Luxury brands have always been seen as a fascinating space
and luxury brand marketing as one of the most complicated areas to develop strategies and
marketing mix. Consumer‟s perception of value is changing and their concept of luxury is
metamorphosing. It therefore becomes imperative to view it form both angles that is in relation
to and isolation from the „regular‟ goods and their marketing strategies. Over time LUXURY
meant different things to people in different cultures. It is a conceptual and symbolic dimension
mainly irrational and engages strong and intense multi-sensory emotions of consumers. It is also
a culture and a philosophy and therefore requires deep understanding of the brand and its
profile, before the adoption of business practices because its particulars and marketing mix
strategies are fundamentally different from other types (regular) of goods and services. As
quoted by Philip Kotler “Luxury is above all a world of brands”. The luxury brands go beyond
the object, they are built from the reputation of its creations. It is crucial to listen to the client
although consumer‟s attitudes and behaviors towards luxury are ambivalent and for them the
most important characteristics are: quality of goods, self indulgence, and ancestral heritage.
This paper identifies several key factors for luxury brand success by analyzing its marketing mix
and how luxury goods are different from regular goods and then go on to explore some facets
and trends of the luxury goods as well as their market and consumers, impact of internet
technologies, and Intellectual Property violations. Considering that the luxury concept has
shifted to the „new‟ meaning, we look into that aspect to understand the key drivers for luxury
brands in today‟s context, as well as in the future.
era. The biological wealth of a water body is mainly dependent on its water quality and qualitative
degradation is of major issue of concern to mankind today. Decrease in water quality (unfit for human
consumption) is also attributed to the fact that today most water bodies are been loaded with toxic
material and chemicals, human and industrial waste, organic matter, and religious rituals of Idol
immersions which is growing year on year basis. The under mentioned research work is mainly concerned
about the water quality assessment to evaluate the qualitative nature and quantitative extent of pollution in
water body during Pre-immersion, immersion, and post-immersion of idols in festivals season this year
and its comparison with results of last year. Water samples were collected from three sites in Jodhpur city
and were analyzed for various water quality parameters such as pH, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total
Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Solids (TS), Turbidity, Conductivity, Hardness, Dissolved Oxygen (DO),
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) following standard methods
(APHA, AWWA and WPCP, 1985). It was observed that the values of these parameters significantly
increased during the immersion period and then declined slowly in the post immersion period due to self
purification mechanism of water body. With growing magnitude of these religious activities, pollution
load is bound to increase manifold. Generating awareness among the people and society about reducing
pollution due to festival waste will help in conserving ecosystem of these water bodies as well as culture
and environment can be preserved in a cohesive manner.
approach to manage MSW, and its integration with various wastes disposal methods. This increase in generation of solid waste is only the result of the rapidly growing human population which is projected to rise to 7.2 billion by 2015 and their adopted modern life style. India is now among the top 10 countries generating the highest amount of MSW due to growing urbanization and high consumption. With this exponential increase in population there is substantial increase in the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) generation (commonly known as trash or garbage) which in turn is resulting into the contamination of air, water, and land
resources all across Indian landscape due to improper waste collection and disposal. This uncontrolled and unscientific dumping of MSWs has resulted in contamination of sub soil
surface, surface and ground water bringing about a rising number of incidents of diseases, hazards to human health. With increasing environmental concerns, the integrated MSW
management system has a potential to maximize the reuse of waste materials, as well as produce energy as a by-product. It is an intricate and complex problem while emphasizing the
durability of waste, we have to think about running the waste cycle efficiently too. This will deliver both environmental and economic sustainability in long term. The possible reasons
identified for poor implementation could be a combination of social, technical, institutional, and financial issues of municipalities.
altering of the original features but also in all kind of pollution damaging or even destroying the fabric of the monuments and works of art. The combined impact of attack due atmospheric pollution, urbanization, excessive tourism, solid waste generation, negligence, and inappropriate restoration measures often results in irremediable
changes and, in some cases, even the complete disappearance of immovable and movable heritage. The objectives of this paper is to understand and investigate the nexus between environmental degradation and tourism development, its impact on the tourism areas, besides the protection / conservation of heritage structures when these
environmental and cultural threats continue to multiply with each passing day.
(MSW) due to growing urbanisation and high consumption. As per report published by UN Habitat,
on collection of Municipal wastes in developing countries and working paper by UNDP/UNCHS
(Habitat)/World Bank/SDC Collaborative Program on Municipal Solid Waste management, In
developing countries, because of the size of their urban populations, in part because their city
dwellers are prospering, adopting high-consumption lifestyles, rapid urbanization and accelerated
economic development within the rapidly growing advanced technological societies, the municipal
co-operations are unable to handle the increasing amount of municipal solid waste, and this
uncollected waste being left unattended, spreads on roads and in other public areas leading to
tremendous air pollution, contamination of water bodies, destruction of land, and enormous
negative impact on human health. The nature of municipal solid waste is a term usually applied to a
heterogeneous collection group of waste produced in urban areas, the nature of which varies from
region to region. The common problem faced by all fast developing countries, is the disposal of
municipal solid waste and availability of land fill site area besides need of strong laws which help
in regulating and control of municipal waste generation. It is an intricate and complex problem
because land is part of ecosphere and land pollution cannot be isolated, so it primarily involves the
policy perspective question. This study analyzes problem of MSW in India and highlights the legal
paradigm to handle this growing problem. This study analyses the changing trend in the MSW
quantities and characteristics in major urban agglomerations in India and emerging legal angle to
handle this intricate issue of 21st century.
observed that the values of these parameters significantly increased during the immersion period and then declined slowly in the postimmersion period due to self purification mechanism of water body. With growing magnitude of these religious activities, pollution load is bound to increase manifold. Generating awareness among the people and society about reducing pollution due to festival waste will help in conserving ecosystem of these water bodies.
efficiency. Settling characteristics of the flocs formed in the coagulation process were studied at laboratory scale.
Parameters such as colour, COD, Hardness, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), and Total Suspended Solids (TSS), and settled sludge volume have been studied. The optimal coagulant dose volume and pH were determined by comparing the effectiveness of these coagulants [Amirtharajah, A. M., et. al]. Results showed that coagulant like lime eliminated colour and COD effectively. However ferrous sulphate was chosen as effective coagulant for colour removal as it required lowest coagulant dose, minimum settled sludge volume and maximum decolourization. It was
also observed that higher percentage of suspended solids was removed by using a combination of iron salts with lime at pH 10 to 11 as compared to alum in a very short time period.
under conditions of physical water scarcity, which occurs when more than 75% of the river flows are withdrawn in countries like India and China. Remaining 1.6 billion people live in areas of
economic water scarcity, where human, institutional, and financial capital limits access to water, even though water is available locally to meet human demands. These conditions are prevalent
in much of Southern Asia and Sub Saharan Africa. Symptoms include lack of or underdeveloped water infrastructure, high vulnerability to short and long term drought, and difficult access to
reliable water supplies especially for rural people. On the other hand there is surprising connection between the quality of fresh water and healthful longevity and health benefits. All over the world and throughout time, wherever you find clean and contaminant free water, you find the healthiest, most vibrant civilizations. Water can often emerge as an issue in the relations
between nation-states. Water treaties and agreements often come about because of the existing political environment. But the politics of water is not limited to the international sphere; domestic politics often plays a major role in water security. “Water because it's cheap we take it for granted on the contrary because it's priceless we shouldn't.” This paper is an overview of the issues surrounding India’s water scarcity, and also comparison of clean water standards between developing and developed nations.
posed by the rising waste generation due to expanding population and economic growth and the need “to have the effective-waste management solutions for a cleaner sustainable environment. With migration of population, urban India (Indian Cities) is facing a colossal waste disposal problem today, as well as i n the coming years. Till now, the problem of managing solid waste has been seen as one of cleaning and disposing as rubbish. But a closer
look at the current and future scenario reveals that waste needs to be treated holistically, recognizing its origin, natural resource, type and well as long term health impacts. Waste can be both wealth; which has tremendous potential not only for generating livelihoods for the urban poor but can also enrich the earth through composting and recycling rather than spreading pollution as has been the case. Increasing urban migration and a high density of population will make waste management a difficult issue to handle in the near future, if a new paradigm for
approaching it is not created. Rapid and widespread industrial development, unplanned urbanization, regular flow of persons from rural to urban areas and improper and inadequate action of the authorities entrusted with the work of pollution control and environmental protection have largely contributed to unhealthy and degraded environment. This all, in turn, affected the quality of life of the large number of persons. Unplanned and alarming
rate of urbanization has given rise to many environment related problems, such as problem of health and hygiene, sewage, disposal of solid waste, air, water and land pollution, slums, housing, basic amenities and others.
the ground and are chemically converted to acidic substances.
how after independence the government made efforts to streamline the science education and initiated
policy measures. The developments are categorized into four sections- evolution in the Ancient period;
pre independence colonial period; post-independence till the era of liberalization; and post liberalization
phase. The thinking does not only narrate the evolution and development of science education but
also diagnoses the inherent issues and seeks to provide policy measures for the state and civil society to
radically change the approaches in the existing system. The science policy studies can help in integrating
various branches of science along with social sciences for a proper perspective of science. In developing
science policy when social scientists are cooperating with scientist it helps develop a common language.
Social scientist can also be an important link between the policy planners and scientist by persuading
them to take the science and technology with a developmental perspective. A scientist having a policy
oriented approach could create public awareness of the role of science and technology in society.
Awareness could also involve consequences of such major decisions and their impact on man, society
and environment. They could also be useful in pointing major gaps that exist in the area of research
and development. Science and technology must not alienate tradition and culture. Science policy must
integrate traditional values and culture with technology. This is possible through incorporating aspects
of the traditional scientific and technological culture into current innovations for social development.
system, which suffers from insufficient funding, poor management. Poor health intertwined with
poverty, affordability, accessibility, burden of infectious and non-communicable affecting lives of most
Indians. Healthcare ecosystems are complex and still evolving, investments in service delivery system,
infrastructure, and technology, are still being experimented and explored. India’s booming population;
increasing purchasing power; rising awareness of personal health and hygiene; and significant growth
in infectious, chronic degenerative, and lifestyle diseases are driving the growing market. In this chapter
we will explore accessible and affordable healthcare system, state of public healthcare, healthcare reforms,
governance (Constitutional Provisions, Law, and Policy framework) in healthcare delivery, and
Opportunity offered by market drivers.
Addressing an issue which directly affects each one of us we are yet to unite. Since the 1980s, a growing body of multidisciplinary research has dealt with the relationship between environmental stress (environmental degradation and resource scarcity), impact on nations and resulting conflicts. Bad news continues to emerge form scientific models and empirical observations. Latest research evidence suggests that unprecedented levels green house gases build up; its mounting adverse effects can pose an irreversible threat to mankind is none other than rising global temperatures and its fatal consequences.
More specifically, the world's biggest carbon polluters (developed and fast developing countries) the issue of global warming is assuming a level of breaching threshold of sustainability, where number of other integrated socio-economic factors, regional interest factors, driver of hunger, social unrest etc will contribute to increased chances of conflicts across the globe which in turn will hinder business development and jeopardize corporate governance. The world is facing these new developments as catastrophic to human civilization and its existence.
The scenario may become more threatening in few years from now when countries like India and China which today are aspiring to become of great economic powers of tomorrow. Doing so these countries will have to maintain a fine balance between fast economic growth and their responsibilities toward climate change. Fairness demands that all nations participate in the common effort to contain build up of green house gases, even if the developed countries must accept more stringent constraints than the developing countries. Taking these specific global and national conditions into account, the environmental stress may lead to several disturbing outcomes like wide spread international tensions and regional instability impacting business and its governance at global stage. In order to take appropriate policy measures, comprehensive assessment procedures are needed. Today is the best time to look into this problem from multidimensional perspectives otherwise tomorrow will be too late.
This paper also analyzes the issue of environmental jurisprudence in India and its correlation with the ‘right to health’ and ‘right to safe environment’ under Article 21 of Constitution of India. It gives specific emphasis upon the need of the mechanism for safe handling and management of bio-medical waste which is utmost important as we have constitutional sanctity to the right to enjoy clean and healthy environment. It further stresses the need of development of comprehensive national policy, transformation of existing systems, renewed vigour towards the existing framework, and to renovate objectives into reality i.e. right to health and safe environment for citizens. If properly designed and enforced, healthcare waste management can become relatively effective and an efficient compliance related practice by overcoming the identified potential challenges that hinders the overall greening effort and also to find possible solutions to the ever growing problem of disposal of such waste.
The problem of healthcare waste disposal has become an issue of increasing concern in India taking into account the rate of growth of population and growing burden of lifestyle related diseases. As such management of healthcare waste by way of proper handling, treatment, and disposal will play a vital role in hospitals infection control programme thereby preventing transmission of disease from patient to patient, from patient to health worker, and vice versa, to prevent injury to the healthcare worker(s), worker(s) delivering support services, while handling healthcare waste.
Off the few studies carried out in India, pertaining to healthcare waste, it have established that majority of hospitals did not manage healthcare waste properly. In this paper an attempt is made to understand healthcare waste especially with reference to cytotoxic and antineoplastic class of drugs that has the capability to ensure cure of patients as well as the capability to take lives if not treated properly before final disposal.
Yet, India has critical “Country Development” issues that can only be addressed through the immediate and creative application of technology, which in turn combined with suggested innovative healthcare model will not only reflect opportunities but also the gaps that exist in the present healthcare system, will address the challenges faced by end users (patients), understanding of the present healthcare market including public and private facilities, practices, changing customer attitudes, behaviour, enabling technologies, new standardized procedures, protocols etc. which will lead to the development of alternative trend in providing benchmarked healthcare services delivery in India. Solutions developed by India will be uniquely Indian, but potentially applicable to the huge swath of global population mired in poverty and living limited lives, with little or no hope.
In conclusion, as a formidable global economic power, accessible quality healthcare though the proposed model of healthcare delivery can be a key competitive strength for India. It is imperative for the nation to relook at the current budget outlays, policies, besides current and future entrepreneurs in the field for sustainable model of operations and their commitment to deliver on this comprehensively.
The new dimensions of the threats India faces require very agile security governance which is able to use advances in forensic science technology to mitigate these threats. Forensic investigations involve intelligence and information gathering, crime scene investigation, laboratory analysis, interpretation of tests and results, and reporting and communication with members of law enforcement and the judicial system.
It may include identification of explosive materials, narcotics identification and drug trafficking, DNA profiling of criminals, detecting fake and counterfeit currency, fire arms identification, ballistics, use of biometrics etc. The paper attempts to briefly analyze different methods of forensic analysis and how forensic science can be effectively used to handle issues to strengthen India’s internal security environment in future.
Industry estimates and research reports the success rate at less than 20% whereas some researchers argue at length about the definition of success and the timescale over which it should be measured. But the bottom line remains indisputable; far too few mergers and acquisitions deliver the sought-after profitability, market share, and increased company momentum in a sustainable, long-term way. Mergers or Acquisitions can greatly increase the odds of creating an organization capable of synergistic growth if we examine the human and cultural aspect of the organizations. Research indicates reasons for such low success rate may be attributed in part because organizations have neglected the human resource aspects of the change and thus many mergers have not resulted in the expected benefits.
After all, organizations are basically collections of people sharing a common purpose, at one or more locations, along with other resources such as money, equipment, and common processes. Still, many business managers keep on believing that the latter assets are the real organization, while the people are only the soft side of the equation. But how soft are the people issues if they can bring an otherwise perfect merger-integration effort to its knees. This paper describes the typical effects of the merger process on the people involved and identifies the crucial role that human resource professionals (Highly Respected or Hopelessly Reactive) must play in ensuring merger and acquisition success.
• The companies should provide a realistic pre merger preview and communicate openly and regularly with employees. All employees must be aware of what the merger is meant to achieve, why it is important, and how they will be affected. When employees are fully aware of what to expect, they are less likely to suffer from stress and resist change. But if the companies fail to communicate openly, they will probably experience reduced employee morale, declining productivity, increased turnover, and absenteeism.
• Managers should be familiar with and prepared to deal with the ‘merger syndrome,’ in which employees initially react to the merger announcement with denial, fear, anxiety, and anger, but if the transition is properly managed employees recognize new opportunities in the newly created entity and become committed towards its success in long term.
• Included senior HR personnel in the pre merger strategic decision making, organizations gain a better understanding of implications of the merger on human resources. HR staff should determine to what extent the organizational cultures are compatible and provide recommendations for overcoming differences.
• Employee assistance programs should be used to reduce stress and help employees cope with the change. Counseling will help employees distinguish the real from the imagined effects of the merger and clarify their own career choices.
• HR should help develop a new organizational structure and establish clear, well-defined reporting relationships. Most unsuccessful mergers have suffered from unclear relationships and a tendency to change poorly defined relationships several times during the first year. Specific short term organizational goals should be defined to provide employees with a clear direction.
• HR personnel should conduct a talent audit to identify employees who will be critical to the success of the new organization and who would be difficult to replace. Long-term incentive grants could be provided to critical employees to entice them to stay with the new organization and enhance motivation.
The release of large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere is causing changes in our climate that are altering global patterns of temperature, rainfall, and runoff, which is ultimately affecting potable water availability. These changes are occurring along with an increasing demand for energy and water globally. Conventional aerobic biological water treatment processes like activated sludge method, requires high energy input for the microorganisms to metabolize organic wastes into carbon dioxide and biomass.
Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) and its modifications represents a completely new approach towards treatment of waste water with production of sustainable clean energy by anaerobic respiration in which the microorganisms anaerobically metabolize or break down the organic wastes with much less energy input compared to aeration and yield electrons, which could be later converted to electricity in microbial fuel cell. Thus we can have dual processes where electrical generation and wastewater treatment could occur simultaneously in an appropriate microbial fuel cell based waste water treatment plant. The advantage of using microbial fuel cells based technology for wastewater treatment would provide clean, safe, quiet performance, low emissions, high efficiency, and direct electricity recovery. With rapid development in technology, it is also possible to modify microbial fuel cell (MFC) into microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) to produce gaseous fuel like hydrogen and methane or into Microbial Desalination Cell (MDC) for water desalination.
Microbial Fuel Cell designs need further improvements before a marketable product can be developed. While full-scale, highly effective Microbial Fuel Cells technology holds considerable promise, and major hurdles will undoubtedly be overcome by engineers and scientists. The growing pressure on our environment and the need for clean renewable energy sources will further encourage development of this innovative technology, leading soon to its successful commercial implementation in future.
There are numerous effects on the human environment due to this manifold increase in noise pollution. A humble effort is being made in this paper, wherein the cause and consequential effects of noise pollution will be presented in some detail along with a distinctly analyzed legal perspective in the Indian scenario. Slowly but insensibly, we seem to be accepting this noise pollution and the physiological and psychological deterioration that accompanies it as an inevitable part of our lives. Although there have been attempts legislatively and judicially to set standards for some of the most major sources of noise, there has been a gross failure in being able to monitor their strict implementation. Major sources of noise in this respect could be explained as airplanes at takeoff and landing, a truck just off the assembly line, construction work, loud speakers, road traffic etc.
So as a solution, Dr. David Criswell proposes a Lunar Solar Power System (LSP), using lunar materials to build bases on the moon to collect solar energy and convert it to microwaves, which would be beamed to a several thousand receivers around Earth. The microwaves would then be converted into electricity to be fed into local power grids.
This LSP is a source of safe, efficient, and cost effective energy for future generations. By implementing this we will be able to say bye to pollution causing energy production from fossil fuels. The key to a prosperous world is clean, safe, low-cost electrical energy.
LSP is practical with 1980s technology and a low overall efficiency of conversion of sunlight to Earth power of ~0.15%. Higher system efficiencies, = 35%, are possible by 2020, and greater production efficiencies sharply reduce the scale of production processes and up-front costs. An LSP System with 35% overall efficiency will occupy only 0.15% of the lunar surface and supply 20,000 GWe to Earth.
Approximately once a year the Earth will eclipse all the lunar power bases for up to 3 hours. This predictable outage can be accommodated by power storage of defined capacity or reserve generators on Earth. Alternatively, a fleet of solar mirrors in orbit about the Moon can reflect solar power to selected bases during eclipses and during sunrise and sunset.
"
Whilst computer models can be used to calculate the probable movement and spreading of spilled oil, experience shows that it is unwise to place total reliance on such predictions. Inadequate knowledge of surface currents in the area of the spill, local wind variations and the unpredictable behaviour of some oils (e.g. submergence of heavy oils in rough seas or low salinity waters due to neutral buoyancy) are among the factors that can cause spilled oil to move in surprising directions. This is why aerial surveillance by experienced observers, possibly supplemented by remote sensing equipment if available, is an essential element of an effective response. Surveillance flights should be undertaken at the outset of an incident and then on a regular basis thereafter to confirm the location and extent of the pollution and to verify and update predictions on the oil’s probable movement and the threat it poses to sensitive resources. It is important to co-ordinate flights and flight plans to avoid duplication, and to prevent unnecessary disturbance of colonies of seabirds and marine mammals, which might otherwise be frightened into diving into nearby floating oil.
Regrettably, experience shows that aerial surveillance following spills is often inadequate, with common problems including the use of inappropriate aircraft (e.g. jet fighters) and inexperienced observers who are unable to distinguish between thin sheens, thick oil, “mousse” and a variety of other phenomena that can look like oil from the air (e.g. underwater sea grass beds). A further very common problem is a failure to transmit clear reports on oil location and reliable estimates of amount to the control centre in a timely manner.
Thus we in the present era of increased oil consumption the natural environment is at greater risk because of the lack of facilities as well as legal mechanisms to combat the occurring of oil spills. This paper is a humble effort to bring some of these issues to light and to discuss further steps that may be taken to improve on this front.
"
Because of the complexity of isolating carbon dioxide from the alkaline electrolyte in fuel cells for terrestrial applications, most fuel cell developers have focused their attention on developing new types using electrolytes which are non-alkaline. These fuel cells include: Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC), Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells (PAFC), Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFC) and Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cells.
The applications of the fuel cell technology are plenty. The prime and foremost application of fuel cell technology is in automobiles. The explicit advantages of the fuel cells viz., their efficient, clean, quiet functioning, their modular capacities, and their environmental compatibility, point towards a future hydrogen-based economy. But there remain certain inherent disadvantages also. These include the extensive use of platinum in these cells, and also the scarcity of mass-market availability of hydrogen. But both these major disadvantages can be easily overcome by appropriate world-wide action by both environmentalists as well as various Governments.
The extensive use of hydrogen in this technology provides for an essentially pollution-free mechanism of the fuel cells. These operations are in furtherance to and also in conformity to the guidelines prescribed by various International Agencies for the protection of the environment, as well as the municipal laws of India.
"
This Article mainly deals with the Illegal mining operations taking place on the Aravali ranges and the devastating environmental effects of these mines. These mines are usually located in the clusters in remote mineral rich districts/areas where living standards is tower and understanding of people towards environmental impact is also poor. The attitude of mining community is to ignore the environmental concerns.
The main question arises here is that whether the mining activity in area upto 5 kilometers from the Delhi-Haryana border on the Haryana side of the ridge and also in the Aravalli hills causes environment degradation, and what directions are required to be issued? Studies and observations has shown that explosives are being used for rock blasting for the purpose of mining; unscientific mining operation was resulting in lying of overburden materials (topsoil and murum remain) haphazardly; and deep mining for extracting silica sand lumps is causing ecological disaster as these mines lie unreclaimed and abandoned. The mining brings extensive alteration in the natural tend profile of the area. Mined pits and unattended dumps of overburdened left behind during the mining operations are the irreversible consequences of the mining operations and rock blasting, movement of heavy vehicles, movements and operations of mining equipment and machinery cause considerable pollution in the shape of noise and vibration. The ambient air in the mining area gets highly polluted by the dust generated by the blasting operations, vehicular movement, loading/unloading/transportation and the exhaust gases from equipment and machinery used in the mining operations.
The issue of Illegal Mining had also reached to the Apex Court, who had taken a great concern over this issue and directed National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and Environmental Pollution Central Authority (EPCA) to give a report with regard to environment in the areas where mining activities are taking place.
Moreover looking on to the impact on the groundwater reserves due to mining, it has been found that wells have shown an increase in groundwater levels in Anangpur, Mangar, after the mining has been stopped. Therefore in spite of monsoon failure and continued abstraction of water, the observation wells have noted increased water levels within just 2 months of the mining being closed. The groundwater levels in a tube well had also risen to a surprising level. Moreover, the mined water is not being pumped into abandoned pits to recharge the groundwater. Instead the groundwater pumped, is discharged into the surrounding nalas, leading to ‘wastage’ of groundwater.
This Article also tends to divert the attention towards the Law and Legislations available to protect our environment from these hazardous practices. The development and the protection of environments are not enemies, if without degrading the environment or minimizing adverse effects thereupon by applying stringent safeguards, it is possible to carry on development activity applying the principles of sustainable development, in that eventuality, the development has to go on because one cannot lose sight of the need for development of industries, irrigation resources and power projects etc. including the need to improve employment opportunities and the generation of revenue. A balance has to be struck. But, the existing crusher units are not functioning on the environmental sound systems. The situation warrants closer look on various components of the systems affecting the environmental attributes in the area, devising pragmatic approaches to facilitate eco-restoration of the Aravalli hills and offering broad framework to the industrial units to function under environmentally sustainable framework.
The environmental framework shall include the framework for environmental clearance such as depth of cutting, area of plantation and the type of plantation, which are attributes related to closure planning as also framework for monitoring and for forestry besides air quality, land use pattern etc. in nutshell, it has been suggested that it is imperative on the part of the mine operators to carry out the mine operations in such a fashion that it has least impact on the ecology of the area.
"
Thinking and practice on sustainable development are advancing rapidly. The original definition of sustainable development was that given by the World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987: “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".
'Sustainable Development' usually refers to some form of modern technological society, with business taking responsibility for its impact on society and the environment. It is a process that can be maintained in its current state of productivity over long period of time. Alternatively Sustainable development is about growth and Sustainability is about costs and benefits of Today’s actions against costs and benefits of Tomorrow’s actions.
Since energy is at the hub of modern society more so in developing countries, it is also an essential component of sustainable development. In real sense sustainable development is about more than the energy and environment. It is based on four components:
Identification and sensible or prudent use of resources
Protecting the environment globally
Environment friendly inclusive Economic Growth
Social Engineering Progress
The main target of sustainable development and sustainability is a better quality of life for everyone now and for generations to come. "
are dying at a very alarming rate. In addition to innocent organisms dying off, our drinking water has become greatly affected as is our ability to use water for recreational purposes.
Now the question arises as to what is water pollution? Water pollution is any chemical, physical or biological change in the quality of water that has a harmful effect on any living thing that drinks or uses or lives in it. When humans drink polluted water it often has serious effects on their health. Water pollution can also make water unsuited for the desired use.
Second only to availability of drinking water, access to food supply is the greatest priority. Hence, agriculture is a dominant component of the global economy. While mechanization of farming in many countries has resulted in a dramatic fall in the proportion of population working in agriculture, the pressure to produce enough food has had a worldwide impact on agricultural practices.
"
If the present state of affairs continue with growing menace of regional parties and the subsequent breed of Indian politicians who propagate hatred the degenerative policy of ‘divide and win elections’ the day is not far when questions asked above would become a reality. It goes to the negative mindset and ideology of Indian politicians, political parties, and political system during last 62 years that none of them have ever taken an initiative to present bill on the floor of the parliament which will treat all Indians as equals. At the same time political parties are eager and ready to take credit for the preambles to divide Indians on the basis of region (issue of telengana or division of Uttar Pradesh), religion, and even castes (like recent Gujjar agitation in Rajasthan).
Not only this, the very concepts of minorities and secularism adopted from western democratic systems are creating havoc on the social fabric of the society and Indian as single nation is challenged as never before. The largest democracy in the world growing at rate of 08% GDP is at crossroads because of such divisive interdependent opportunist political framework like UPA or NDA. The political parties and breed of secular politicians in India love to talk about ideology with each political party having its own ideology. But political parties today have became more opportunist, have even dumped there ideology, and made compulsive compromise in era of multiparty rule which in today scenario is only limited in most of the cases is to win elections and stay in power. The present breed of politicians who would go any length to win the elections be it MNS in Maharashtra, Trinumool Congress in West Bengal, BSP and SP in UP or DMK in Tamil Nadu and so on.
Once elected, these so called ‘secular’ politicians of forget the plight of common man and vie with one another to get maximum benefit for their religion, family, caste, and region.
Supreme Court, during upholding of OBC reservation in higher educational institutes has lamented that caste had divided this country for ages. Justice R.V. Raveendran reasoning in the main judgment, said: “Caste has divided this country for ages. It has hampered its growth. To have a casteless society will be realisation of a noble dream. To start with, the effect of reservation may appear to perpetuate caste. The immediate effect of caste-based reservation has been rather unfortunate.”
“In the pre-reservation era people wanted to get rid of the backward tag either social or economical. But post reservation, there is a tendency even among those who are considered ‘forward,’ to seek the ‘backward’ tag, in the hope of enjoying the benefits of reservation. When more and more people aspire for ‘backwardness’ instead of ‘forwardness’ the country itself stagnates.
“Reservation as an affirmative action is required only for a limited period to bring forward the socially and educationally backward classes by giving them a gentle supportive push. But if there is no review after a reasonable period and if reservation is continued, the country will become a caste divided society permanently. Instead of developing a united society with diversity, we will end up as a fractured society for ever suspicious of each other. While affirmative discrimination is a road to equality, care should be taken that the road does not become a rut in which the vehicle of progress gets entrenched and stuck.”
The current politics of divide in India can be overcome only by high degree of electoral reforms by which the populist politics of divide can be eradicated once for all from our country. There are certain basic facts about successful nationhood that many ‘learned’ Indians do not want to accept. One of them is the pride factor about our own past. In psychology we have established that no human being or nation without self-respect can become a successful one. Unless and until all Indians, irrespective of their present status, feel proud about the positive elements of our 5000 or more years old history, India cannot regain its rightful leadership among world nations and within the country.
A new ideology and a new political party, which will be the torchbearer of the new ideology, is the need of the hour. As the new ideology and party take shape, we can either curse our luck for living in this hour of crisis of ideology or we can work for heralding the new sunrise.
On the onset pollution itself is a small word but its impact is very broad and specific. It can be described as change or alteration in physical, chemical and biological characteristics of air, water and land (soil) that will be harmful to human beings and other forms of life. This will also alter our living conditions in long run and affect our heritage assets just like Taj Mahal, forts, palaces etc.
Thinking and practice on sustainable development are advancing rapidly. The original definition of sustainable development was that given by the World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987: “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".
'Sustainable Development' usually refers to some form of modern technological society, with business taking responsibility for its impact on society and the environment. It is a process that can be maintained in its current state of productivity over long period of time. Alternatively Sustainable development is about growth and Sustainability is about costs and benefits of Today’s actions against costs and benefits of Tomorrow’s actions.
Since energy is at the hub of modern society more so in developing countries, it is also an essential component of sustainable development. In real sense sustainable development is about more than the energy and environment.
Addressing an issue which directly affects each one of us we are yet to unite. Since the 1980s, a growing body of multidisciplinary research has dealt with the relationship between environmental stress (environmental degradation and resource scarcity), impact on nations and resulting conflicts. Bad news continues to emerge form scientific models and empirical observations. Latest research evidence suggests that unprecedented levels green house gases build up; its mounting adverse effects can pose an irreversible threat to mankind is none other than rising global temperatures and its fatal consequences.
More specifically, the world's biggest carbon polluters (developed and fast developing countries) the issue of global warming is assuming a level of breaching threshold of sustainability, where number of other integrated socio-economic factors, regional interest factors, driver of hunger, social unrest etc will contribute to increased chances of conflicts across the globe. The world is facing these new developments as catastrophic to human civilization and its existence.
The scenario may become more threatening in few years from now when countries like India and China which today are aspiring to become of great economic powers of tomorrow. Doing so these countries will have to maintain a fine balance between fast economic growth and their responsibilities toward climate change. Fairness demands that all nations participate in the common effort to contain build up of green house gases, even if the developed countries must accept more stringent constraints than the developing countries.
As such answering two critical questions have become imperative for each of us individually or collectively. They are: Whether climate change impacts are likely to increase conflict potentials across the globe? Secondly in what way these findings affect the international progress on the processes, international negotiations, and finding linkages between climate change and chances of conflict.
Climate change as of today is already having a considerable impact and emerging as major challenges on food security, water scarcity, rivalry for farmland and fishing resources. The available scientific evidence on the linkages between climate change, high degree of environmental stress, and conflict focuses on many issues that contribute to both long term environmental degradation (e.g. of soil and water) and scarcity (e.g. of fresh potable water and food).
Taking these specific global and national conditions into account, the environmental stress may lead to several disturbing outcomes like wide spread international tensions and regional instability besides highlighting issues like a) distress and mass scale migration like African example of Darfur, were we see this explosive mixture from the impact of climate change, which prompts immigration by increasingly impoverished people, which then has consequences in war., b) impending natural hazards, calamities, and disaster, c) domestic instability and resulting crises, and d) internal security or wide scale international conflicts.
Among these structural factors of Global Environmental Change, we can make a clear distinction between primarily nature-induced factors that are reinforced by anthropogenic consumption patterns (climate change, water scarcity and soil erosion) and human activity-induced factors (unprecedented population growth, rapid urbanization, food scarcity and security). If we keep going down this path, and disturb the delicate balance of Mother Nature, than the resulting consequences of climate change will encourage the migration of people from areas of scarcity towards areas where the population do have something for sustainability, the Darfur crisis will be only one crisis among dozens of others scattered all across the globe.
The global climate change and its conflict dimension will result in loss of life, social divisions, and reduction of economic activity, economic instability and reduced international trade. Special emphasis should be put on how climate change might exacerbate environmental stresses. Climate change may also have security consequences in areas where there is large influx of refugee, health, disaster relief, food, water, sanitation and resettlement.
Large scale mitigation and adaptation measures on environmental stress can act as effective tools for conflict prevention or conflict reduction. In order to implement both above mentioned measures for effective results the objective of stabilizing atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system and natural climate cycles has to be strictly adhered to in lines with Kyoto protocol and subsequent discussions thereafter.
Climate change impacts will not be the single or main causes of future conflicts or crises, nevertheless, in combination with other factors climate change impacts are likely to contribute to magnified environmental stress and thus could become a potential cause of future conflicts. In order to take appropriate policy measures, comprehensive assessment procedures are needed. Today is the best time to look into this problem from multidimensional perspectives otherwise tomorrow will be too late.
Conclusion: Today is the right time to look into this problem or tomorrow will be too late for the sustenance of civilized society.
In past the method of operation for most terrorists groups were guns and conventional weapons which causing limited destruction and created threat perception in mind of people. However today, evidence suggests that some of the “new” terrorist groups may be willing to inflict mass casualties by using sophisticated technologies. This use of advanced technology was quite evident from series of serial bomb blasts had identical footprints of well planned, well managed, and well executed operations that rocked major Indian cities.
Each operation was either followed or preceded by emails to several newspapers, TV channels using hacked email accounts or sent from public WiFi zones. The high-tech bombs, which were Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), contained the latest generation of explosives (ammonium nitrate) that are difficult to detect and has today become a object of terror.
Ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) is not a high-quality explosive like RDX (it is difficult to procure and use RDX as it is banned substance) but intelligent use in combination with engine oil, gelatin sticks, concrete shrapnel, pebbles, nuts, bolts, packing, and proper fuel mix like diesel converts it into a low cost high impact explosive. The explosion becomes more lethal when the bomb composition is packed in tight containers, concrete blocks, tiffin boxes, and pipes etc. Packing bombs in tight containers increases the impact.
In this reaction ammonium nitrate acts as an accelerant (producing oxygen gas at a very fast rate) which in turn speeds up the rate at which the fuel burns, producing a huge explosion. The basic difference between the RDX and ammonium nitrate is that the former can be used alone for causing blasts whereas the latter has to be laced with some fuel or oil for causing the explosion.
This chemical mixture was then connected to an embedded chip which acted as an electronic timer device planted at busy locations and detonated remotely by cell phones using hacked or untraceable SIM cards, at peak hours to cause maximum harm to innocent people. Each time security forces and intelligence agencies thought they had some clues, they ended up finding they had been outfoxed by tech savvy well trained, well planned and educated terrorist.
Today threat comes from Terrorist’s familiarity and their in-depth knowledge of using electronic communication technology. Terrorist had knowledge to hack into servers, clone the IP addresses to erase their trails of origin by resorting to cyber attacks on information systems. Not only this, the terrorists use cell phones freely to communicate between themselves but such calls are rarely traced since the terrorists use a combination of foreign SIM cards and computer hacking to trespass into Indian communication networks making detection of the origin of the calls almost impossible. Besides encrypted emails and SMS services, the encryption keys of which are not available to the government, were also used extensively. All blasts used high-technology where conventional timers were replaced by integrated circuits (ICs) to trigger the blasts at equal intervals and to even leave some of the bombs unexploded to convey the message that they can strike anywhere and at will.
The third and future dimensions will come from new fast emerging technologies, how the world might change in the years ahead and how it will counter challenge the possible future developments of the terrorist threat. The emergence of a new breed of terrorists less constrained by traditional or present methods of destruction, coupled with the diffusion of know-how about nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons, may increase the probability of terrorist incident with Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD).
The unregulated growth and diffusion of the new biotechnologies and genetic engineering could open up a wide array of new potential threats like enhancement of bacterial and viral virulence, heterologous gene expression and protein engineering of toxins, agro-terrorism (create biological pathogens to destroy agricultural livestock), nanotech bombs and genetic weapons (targeted towards special genomic race) etc may become a reality in future. At the moment, the production of such weapons and their use by terrorists is only a theoretical possibility but recent developments indicate that in a not-too-distant future and the gap between possibility and reality may close. Thus changing nature and means of operations is making it dangerous and difficult to combat terrorism. Countering this threat requires deterring laws, preventing as much as preparing public and private capabilities to respond to actual attacks.
Those who revel in precisely defining the word may dispute this point of view, but terrorism is no more a semantic exercise. It has become a life threatening feature of ordinary people’s lives in more nations than ever before in human history. Terrorism over the years has changed in ways and methods that makes it more dangerous, lethal, and even more difficult to combat. If we analyse present scenario of terrorism activity we will find that terrorist have not only adapted technology and its latest developments but have also outsmart the intelligence set-up in both planning, tactics, and technology.
Pure water is colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid. But it's not at all simple and plain. It is vital for all life on Earth. Where there is water there is life, and where water is scarce, life has to struggle. Therefore without the seemingly invaluable compound comprising of hydrogen and oxygen, life on Earth would be non-existent: water is essential for everything on our planet to grow, prosper, and survive. Besides this water plays an important role as a perfect chemical substance. Its many important functions include being a good solvent for dissolving many solids, serving as an excellent coolant both mechanically and biologically, and acting as a reactant in many chemical reactions within the body. For example: Blood, Sweat and Tears are all solutions of water.
Chemistry will undoubtedly remain the central core of science in the present century. After bringing mankind to the fundamental discoveries, which have changed our daily life for the last couple of centuries, it will now be at the threshold of a new scientific era, where myriad spectrum of many sciences will merge and cross-fertilize for the benefit of scientific innovation.
Thus in nutshell, chemical creativity and knowledge will be needed everywhere. Chemical knowledge will empower the people to meet the challenges of present millennium. The main objective of this article is to understand and explore some chemistry, which we use in every day life and take advantage of it - often without realizing it. Chemistry is all around us.
Alternatively we can define pollution as change or alteration in physical, chemical and biological characteristics of air, water and land (soil) that will be harmful to human beings and other forms of life on the surface of earth.