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This book is a path breaking documentation of traditional technologies in agriculture and water management in the arid region of the Thar desert. The technologies have been profusely illustrated.
Thar Desert in India is one of the most well-investigated and densely populated regions amongst the world arid zones. A blend of crop and animal husbandries, conservative land use practices, coping mechanisms to minimize adverse effect of drought and a frugal lifestyle have been the characteristic features of its dwellers. Recent increase in biotic pressure has interacted with the fragile environment to create fearsome environmental problems. Governmental responses were prompt in form creating a strong research infrastructure for multi-disciplinary and multi-location research and demonstration on the one hand and in huge investment in irrigation from internally and externally sourced water, desertification control program and an accelerated socio-economic and infrastructure development, softening content of drought and strengthening of livelihoods on the other. Unlike several publications on the Thar, the current effort attempts a comprehensive, pragmatic and off-beat analysis of various developments and goes further to show how the situation today is a blend of both resource degradation and economic development. Recent studies have helped rebuild the past climate history that shows that the climate has been fluctuating during the geological history but reports suggest also that current anthropogenic global warming makes the desert more vulnerable in near future. An attempt has been made also to peep into the future of the Thar.
This book highlights various challenges and opportunities for water management and cooperation in South Asia. In light of increasing urbanization and development in the region and related pressure on water resources, the contributions investigate water conflictual and cooperative attitudes and gestures between countries and regions; analyse management trade-offs between nature, agriculture and urban uses; and examine water sustainable management and related policies. By studying major river basins in the region, such as Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra, Narmada, Godavari and Krishna, the chapters highlight socio-economic, infrastructural, environmental and institutional aspects of water scarcity in South Asia and present best practices for improved sustainable water management and security in the region.
This contributed volume is about water resources, their variability with prevalent environmental conditions and its sustainable management in India. Water has always been the life line for survival. An adequate supply of safe drinking water is one of the major pre-requisites for a healthy life. Time and again water has been a means of consolidating power in the human society. In the beginning of the new millennium, water has become a major issue in India. India is known to have the gift of its unique river systems have abundant water resources but ironically India faces severe water crises and other water management issues on a vast scale. The water related issues in India varies with both time and space. From crises of potable water, lack of sanitation, water borne diseases, to pesticide and heavy metal contamination, water related predicaments are highly prevalent in India and are more grave in rural set up.
This book presents up-to-date information on the status of water resources in India. It presents an assessment of the surface water and groundwater condition to help stakeholders take the necessary actions to control pollution and make the country’s water resources sustainable. The book addresses various topics, including forest-water interactions for governing water quality at catchment scales, water quality status, rainwater harvesting methods, acid-mine drainage, water pollution, management strategies, drinking water quality, and treatment of industrial wastewater. Given its scope, the book offers a valuable tool for policy planners who wish to improve the current situation and move toward sustainable water resources in India.
The proceedings of the second meeting of the International Network of Salt-Affected Soils (INSAS) contain the abstracts of the papers presented during the workshop in Tashkent (22–26 May, 2023). The papers provide the up-to-date scientific knowledge and practical solutions for four topics: (1) mapping, assessing and monitoring of salt-affected soils; (2) sustainable management of salt-affected soils: practices and policy; (3) halophyte and saline agriculture and its effect on soil health; (4) integrated soil and water management under saline/sodic conditions. Under the first topic, modern techniques (geophysics, remote sensing, NIR spectroscopy) for mapping and monitroing of salt-affected soils as wel as mapping of environmental susceptibility to soil salinization in dry regions were presented. Under the second topic, different approaches to reclaim saline and sodic soils and improve seed germination including the use of different organic and inorganic amendments, organic biostimulants, biochar and phytoremediation were discussed. Moreover, biodiversity of salt-affected soils and its change along salinity gradient as well as the impact of soil enzymes on the structure and function of soil microbial communities and how soil degradation is associated with specific soil microbiota were reported. Policy gaps on addressing soil salinity were analyzed and further steps how to integrate agenda on SAS into existing agricultural policies were proposed. The results of Participatory Rural Appraisal approach to survey among farmers were provided. Under the third topic, the results on testing different conventional and non-conventional crops in field trials on salt-affected soils irrigated by fresh and saline water were reported. The influence of soil properties on growing halophytes was considered. Under the fourth topic, the ways to optimize the use of poor-quality irrigation water in agriculture were discussed. Some studies reported about the results of modeling of salt and water transport in soils for estimation of leaching requirement or root zone soil salinity. Several studies reported about the negative aspects of using brackish water leading to secondary soil salinization and sodification. For salt-affected areas with groundwater use for irrigation, the approach combining the Food Systems Approach and integrated water resources management was proposed to address the interdependent challenges of food and water security.
The Alchemy of Technological Transcendence In the boundless tapestry of human ingenuity, where innovation intertwines with the raw elements of nature, emerges a chronicle that transcends the ordinary—a narrative of metamorphosis, from the humble grains of Thar's sands to the pinnacle of technological sophistication. This odyssey, etched in silicon dreams and forged in the crucible of progress, unveils the alchemy that transforms arid landscapes into the very foundation of our technological future. As we embark upon the pages that follow, envision a realm where the golden sands of Thar, once whispered secrets of ancient seas, now yield the treasures of silicon, iron, arsenic, and rare earth elements. Each grain, a repository of geological history, becomes a testament to the inexhaustible wellspring of possibilities that lie within. In the crucible of innovation, silicon emerges as the maestro, orchestrating a symphony of microprocessors that transcend the limits of computation. Satellites, once beholden to the constraints of technology, now navigate the cosmos with unparalleled efficiency, their silicon hearts pulsating with the rhythm of exploration. Across the expanse of industries, from the intricate circuits of robots to the pulsating veins of instruments on spacecraft, Thar's silicon becomes the catalyst for a technological renaissance. But the narrative extends beyond the silicon horizon, weaving in the rich hues of iron-infused sands. From the crucible of metallurgy arises a structural metamorphosis that defines our skylines, bridges our worlds, and propels the wheels of progress. Iron, once a mere component of Thar's red grains, now forges infrastructures that stand as testament to the synergy between the terrestrial and the technological. Arsenic, often deemed a harbinger of toxicity, unfolds as a paradoxical pioneer in the realm of sustainable electronics. Thar's sands, laden with arsenic, become the crucible for innovations that balance the scales between technological advancement and environmental stewardship. Gallium arsenide, an offspring of this alchemical process, finds its place in the solar cells that harness the energy of the sun and semiconductor devices that propel us into an era of green technologies. The pink sands, adorned with rare earth elements, unfold a chapter of technological marvels that span the realms of magnets, electronics, and renewable energy. Neodymium, dysprosium, europium, and their kin become the unsung heroes of a silent revolution, propelling us into a future where sustainability intertwines with innovation. But this narrative is not confined to the cold precision of circuits and structural frameworks; it extends its tendrils into the very heart of our homes—the kitchen. Thar's sands, infused with silicon, become the unseen chefs in our culinary endeavour. Smart appliances, guided by silicon's intelligence, elevate the act of cooking to an art form, where precision meets creativity, and tradition dances with innovation. On the wrist, the sands of Thar find expression in the elegance of smart watches. Beyond their temporal duty, these wearables become the companions of our daily lives, seamlessly integrating with the rhythm of our existence. Thar's sands, with their unique composition, inspire designs that transcend mere functionality, becoming statements of personal style in the ever-evolving tapestry of fashion and technology. Projectors, infused with the magic of Thar's silicon, redefine visual experiences. The once passive act of projection becomes an interactive symphony, where the virtual and the physical converge in a dance of light and shadow. High-resolution displays transform home theatres into cinematic realms, and professional settings into arenas of immersive engagement. Yet, this journey doesn't conclude with the marvels on the surface. It delves into the ethical and sustainable, where responsible resource management and fair labor practices become the guiding stars of technological progress. The sands of Thar, once perceived as an arid expanse, become the stage for a harmonious coexistence between human advancement and environmental preservation. As the pages unfold, envisage a future where the sands of Thar become the catalyst for a global collaboration that transcends geographical boundaries. A future where technological literacy, ethical considerations, and sustainable practices become the pillars of innovation. The alchemy of sands to silicon, to iron, to arsenic, to rare earth elements, and their subsequent metamorphosis into instruments, gadgets, and marvels, is a testament to the indomitable spirit of human curiosity and resilience. This book is an exploration, an invitation to traverse the sands of Thar not merely as arid landscapes but as repositories of untold potential. It is a celebration of the synergy between the elemental and the ethereal, where the mundane is transformed into the extraordinary. Join us on this odyssey—a journey from grains to grandeur, from sands to silicon dreams, and may the alchemy within these pages inspire the architect of tomorrow's technological marvels.
The water policy issues are well- documented in a large set of reports and studies, completed over time showing that the policy prescription and its implementation has been weak in the past as this book reveals. The key reforms initiated were lost due to a lack of government’s will and commitment and more so by pervasive political economy of water. Given this background, each chapter in the book follows a balanced approach in seeking and evaluating alternate solutions to water management issues, especially improvements in water governance and tackling new challenges emerging from the climate change in the short and long term. This approach underpins the importance of moving from the culture of piloting projects to actual implementation on an impact-oriented scale. The book would also highlight that most of the water solutions lie outside the water sector such as agriculture, population, economy, etc. Post COVID-19 policies are exploring new food-health nexus that calls for nature based solutions for our future agriculture growth. The book would show case pioneer work underway in Pakistan on how new policy discourse can reduce water use in agriculture without investing in expensive water technology and infrastructure, thus saving enough water for other competing purposes.
This book covers an array of issues on emerging agricultural engineering and technology, featuring new research and studies. The volume is broken into three parts: emerging technologies, energy management in agriculture, and management of natural resources, in which particular attention is paid to water management, a necessary consideration for successful crop production, especially in water-scarce regions. Topics include: alleviating drainage congestion solar energy for agriculture anaerobic digestion by inoculation with compost self-propelled inter-cultivators agrobiodiversity watershed development and management This volume offers academia, engineers, technologists, students, and others from different disciplines information to gain knowledge on the breadth and depth of this multifaceted field of agricultural engineering. There is an urgent need to explore and investigate the current shortcomings and challenges of the current innovations and challenges.