Feature Article

The National Forum for Forest People and Forest Workers (NFFPFW) organised a two-day national conference on February 24 and 25 to discuss ambiguities in the new Scheduled Tribes and other Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act and how such hurdles could be overcome. (April 2008)

The fluoride contamination study has been carried out in ground waters of Khanapur, Bailhongal and Saundatti taluks of Malaprabha sub basin, Belgaum district, Karnataka. 21 samples were collected during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon season of 1999.

Human activities have significantly intensified natural phosphorus cycles, which has resulted in some serious environmental problems that modern societies face today. This article attempts to quantify the global phosphorus flows associated with present day mining, farming, animal feeding, and household consumption. Various physical characteristics of the related phosphorus fluxes as well as their environmental impacts
in different economies, including the United States, European
countries, and China, are examined.

The present study of Bichlari Nala, flowing through Banihal and Ramban (J&K State) has been selected for the potential of surface water resource and its quality has been evaluated thoroughly to generate baseline information.

The quality of water in four streams of Cauvery River in Mandya
District, where many small scale sugar and brewery distilleries are located, was analysed. Sampling was carried out from four streams designated as station 1 (upstream of effluent discharge point), station 2 (effluent discharge point) and station 3 (downstream of effluent discharge) station 4 (fresh water

Research findings are presented on the chemical environment and nutrient dynamics in Hokersar wetland ecosystem of Kashmir Himalayas (J&K). The water body is characterised by calcium-rich water and dominance of bicarbonate anion. The estimation of nutrient pools in principal components (water, sediments and macrophytes) indicates sediments as long-term major sink (>99%); the sequence being sediment>water>macrophytes.

This article explores the potential of RFID (radio frequency identification device) for improving the current waste and resource management system in Switzerland. It presents the following three possible options for utilizing RFID tags to support waste management processes:

The battles lines in the power struggle over seeds are shifting in Europe. Authorities are dropping plans to push US-led "first generation' genetically modified organisms (GMOs), so that European companies can develop "covert' GMOs and new "double-locked' seeds instead. In 2008, the Sarkozy regime will use the French presidency of the European Union to promote its own corporate-led agenda on these issues. It is becoming more important than ever that farmers assert their collective rights over seeds. Guy Kastler of the Peasant Seed Network in France explains. April 2008

At the heart of the original vision for extended producer responsibility (EPR) was the desire for a policy strategy that could provide ongoing incentives for the incorporation of environmental concerns into the design of products. If producers were made responsible for end-of-life management (i.e., reuse, recycling, energy recovery, treatment, and/or final disposal) of products, they would find it in their self-interest to anticipate end-of-life costs and obligations and design their products to minimize those costs.

Multiplicity of imagining cities is the core concern of this paper. Multiple images and arenas have shaped Indian cities. It is argued that the present city is being influenced by the global styles of architecture, urban design and technologies.