Feature Article

Bamboo sector in Kerala is labour intensive in nature and its employment potential is very high. Value added production, skilled labour and scientific method of production will ensure profit and employment opportunities in the sector. The livelihood security of the MBDs (Marginalised Bamboo Dependents) can be enhanced and improved through increased accessibility to raw material and market, skill development and adequate sustainable institutional support.

Bioremediation seems to be a good alternative to conventional clean-up technologies. Bioremediation has advantage over conventional physical and chemical methods such as precipitation, adsorption, electrodialysis and reverse osmosis. The aim of this work was to remove ammonia, nickel and hexavalent chromium from synthetic solutions by bioremediation technique.

Laboratory studies were conducted to assess the influence of media related factors such as particle size, porosity, pore size and specific surface area on performance of upflow anaerobic biofilters (AnBFs). Three simple models of 8 litres capacity upflow anaerobic biofilters packed with support media granite of size 40 mm, 20 mm and 10 mm respectively were installed.

This paper is set in the context of a larger development policy debate pertaining to regional inequalities in India. Historically some regions had experienced agricultural prosperity due to their resource endowments especially water. The complementarity between modern inputs and water has boosted the public investments in these regions in order to achieve food self-sufficiency.

The Sulabh toilets are located in five of the most congested areas of Kabul. They are an important contribution to Kabul's non-existent sanitary facilities.

Human beings are known to suffer from major allergens such as pollen grains, fungal spores, house dust mites, animal dander and food stuff present in the atmosphere. In India about 20% of population suffers from major allergic diseases such as bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, hay fever etc. Pollinosis is caused by the pollen of grasses and other flowering plants.

The Taj West End hotel in Bangalore implements practices which have won it the prestigious National Tourism Award for being the best eco-friendly hotel in India. The award recognises the hotel's efforts to promote eco-friendly initiatives and its commitment to protect, conserve, and restore the natural environment.

Effects of industrial effluents on germination, growth, protein content and metal accumulation patterns in Hibiscus esculentus L. were studied. Effluent from two factories in the industrial belt of Cochin, Kerala were used to soak the seeds for germination and to irrigate the seedlings in the field after physico-chemical analysis.

Some of the most striking examples of rapid changes in lifehistory traits due to climate change are found in migratory birds, especially in the timing of migration and breeding.

Biologists can now create organisms that have never before existed