Feature Article

In the recently concluded summer session of the state legislative assembly at Srinagar, a new controversy on the "road to Amarnath' has divided the Jammu and Kashmir government. Gurcharan Singh

a group of Australian scientists has started the complete genome sequencing of bollworm, world's worst agricultural pest. It inflicts an annual damage of us $5 billion on farmers worldwide.

The intensive agricultural production by the over use of agro-chemicals in the state of Punjab has resulted in higher NO3-N concentration in ground water, which leads to ground water pollution. The LEACHM model developed by Wagenet & Hutson is used to predict nitrogen transport in multi layered soil profile under irrigated rice crop in northern India.

A raging debate continues between social and wildlife scientists in India on the relocation of people from parks to decrease conflicting interests of wildlife conservation and the local people. The goal of such relocations is to enhance the conservation of threatened species like the tiger.

The present Union Government designates its programme as economic reforms with a human face. Harnessing technology and investing huge resources to meet the needs of the vulnerable segment represent this sentiment. The honourable judges of the Supreme Court had directed the Government of India that inter-linking of the major rivers in the country may be expedited by the year 2020.

The present paper reviews recent developments in methodology for valuing the role of wetlands in supporting economic activity. The study brings out several issues related to conservation and management of the Pong Dam wetland. For the protection of aquatic biodiversity of the wetland, integrated management plans are required.

The present paper is an analysis of the scheme for the interlinking of rivers on a National Water Grid that would transfer water from one basin to another, from a water source having surplus water to areas with scarce water resources.

The issue of displacement and rehabilitation of people from wildlife areas is a recurrent and central theme in the context of crises in nature conservation in India. India is one of the countries where the issue of relocation has lately acquired centre-stage in debates on biodiversity conservation.