Age patterns of fertility in Madhya Pradesh

"The purpose of this paper is to analyse age-patterns of fertility in Madhya Pradesh [in India] based on district level estimates of aggregate measures of fertility data collected in 1981.... Four clusters of districts have emerged which reveal a clear zonal pattern in age-specific fertility rates in the state. These groups bring out high fertility rates in the north and north-western parts of the state, gradually declining toward the south-eastern zone. The author suggests that separate policies and programmes be evolved for each of the clusters of districts for the purpose of bringing about reduction in fertility and promoting family welfare in the state of Madhya Pradesh."     

Literacy differentials in tribal and non-tribal population of India, 1981

The author investigates literacy differentials between tribal and non-tribal populations in India, using 1981 census data. "Spatially, the index is high in tradition gripped and economically backward areas of Western Rajasthan, of central highlands and of Western Arunachal Pradesh. It is low in [the] Christian tribal belt of [the] northeast; the early exposed areas of [the] southern peninsula, parts of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka, and numerically insignificant areas of northern Rajasthan and Western Himalayas."     

Palaeomagnetism and ages of dolerite dykes in Karimnagar District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Summary. Results of palaeomagnetic investigations of three dolerite dykes in Karimnagar District, Andhra Pradesh, India are reported. The remanent magnetic directions of specimens from one dyke, called A, fall into two groups, one with a positive inclination and the other with a negative inclination, indicating two intrusions. For dykes B and C, the remanent magnetic directions show a negative inclination. The pole positions for all these dykes are close to those for the Gwalior Traps, whose age is 1830±200 Myr. It is inferred that these dykes were emplaced over a short span of time around the Gwalior Trap period, which may represent a phase of multiple igneous activity.     

'Science', representation and resistance: the Bt cotton debate in Andhra Pradesh, India

Transgenic cotton is promoted in India on the basis that it will improve rural livelihoods, but such claims are contested on the basis that they are 'unscientific'. In this study, discourse analysis is utilized to deconstruct the environmental and scientific narratives employed by two key actors (Monsanto-Mahyco and the Deccan Development Society) in the debate in India. Whilst strong differences in the ideology of the two actors are found to account for their approaches to managing the environment, significant similarities in their approach to science and their recourse to Foucauldian governmentality are also evident. The conclusion considers how the use of discourse analysis could empower the rural poor to take part in the debate in India.     

Urban development policy in India with special reference to Himachal Pradesh

This paper addresses the following questions: 1) What have been the government policies, programs, and perceptions dominating the urban development scenario in India? 2) What has been the outcome of these policies and programs of urban development? 3) What should be the strategy of future urban development with reference to the Indian hill state of Himachal Pradesh? The paper critically evaluates the Indian ethos pertaining to the urbanization process, urban development policies pursued in the Five Year Plans, the current thinking on urbanization, and the main issues in urban development. It has been observed that not only is the urbanization level in Himachal Pradesh quite low, but also that the urban development here suffers from a number of serious problems. Acute shortage of building space, limited capacity to mobilize resources from their own sources, overcrowding, and slum dwelling are some such problems. Unfortunately, urbanization has not been visualized as generative of economic growth and employment opportunities both at the state and national government levels. Therefore, the major thrust of Plan policies has been to arrest rural-urban migration. However, recently there has been a desire to manage urban affairs through a new policy seeking production efficiency and cost effectiveness.     

The Role of Decorative Features in the Endurance of Vernacular Architecture in Kinnaur,Himachal Pradesh,India

The remote Himalayan region of Kinnaur in northwestern India is known for its carved wooden homes with decorative features. Relatively recent environmental policies have prompted limitations on wood collection. This, coupled with an increase in access to modern building materials, has resulted in dramatic changes in vernacular housing styles. Landscape analysis and interviews reveal that house form, building methods, and construction materials are all changing. However, decorative features are among the last remaining characteristics of the traditional house. This paper argues that small‐scale architectural features are a significant part of an enduring vernacular landscape and allow a region to preserve traditional styles and identity, while also moving forward as a modernizing society.     

Hurricane 07B in the Godavari Delta, Andhra Pradesh, India: vulnerability, mitigation and the spatial impact

Few hurricane impact studies provide robust spatial parameters of damage or relate geographical patterns of destruction accurately to storm trajectories or agencies. A detailed spatial analysis is, therefore, presented of the destruction caused by tropical hurricane 07B which made landfall on 6/7 November 1996 over the Godavari Delta region, Andhra Pradesh, eastern India. Patterns of destruction by storm surge, wind and flood water are quantitatively mapped for death tolls, house destruction and agricultural damage using local administrative ( mandal ) data bases. Results show that most impact occurred near the coast, but a well-defined path of destruction across the central part of the delta can be identified. Such mapping studies fail to indicate the types of individuals and social groups most affected by the storm hazard and their response to it. An investigation of landowning farmers, female migrant rural labourers and fishing communities in the delta shows that poverty and social ordering in Indian society puts differential limits on the risk reduction abilities of individuals and social groups in the face of the cyclone hazard. The paper also demonstrates that 'top down' institutional measures to reduce the effects of storm damage such as those introduced in the aftermath of hurricane 07B, including early storm warning and evacuation procedures and rehabilitation programmes, remain largely ineffective. It is suggested that the introduction of more 'bottom up' community-based programmes which seek to improve the risk awareness and risk avoiding abilities of affected individuals and groups would be much more beneficial. The case material on hurricane 07B and its effects are placed in context by reviewing and updating long and medium-term time series records of storm frequencies and impacts in the Bay of Bengal and particularly along the eastern coastline of India.     

Geomorphic appraisals of active tectonics associated with uplift of the Gohpur–Ganga section in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, India

The Gohpur–Ganga section is located southwest of Itanagar, India. The study area and its adjacent regions lie between the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) and the Himalayan Front Fault (HFF) within the Sub-Himalaya of the Eastern Himalaya. The Senkhi stream, draining from the north, passes through the MBT and exhibits local meandering as it approaches the study area. Here, five levels of terraces are observed on the eastern part, whereas only four levels of terraces are observed on the western part. The Senkhi and Dokhoso streams show unpaired terraces consisting of very poorly sorted riverbed materials lacking stratification, indicating tectonic activity during deposition. Crude imbrications are also observed on the terrace deposits. A wind gap from an earlier active channel is observed at latitude 27°04′42.4″ N and longitude 93°35′22.4″ E at the height of about 35 m from the present active channel of Senkhi stream. Linear arrangements of ponds trending northeast–southwest on the western side of the study section may represent the paleochannel of Dokhoso stream meeting the Senkhi stream abruptly through this gap earlier. Major lineament trends are observed along NNE–SSW, NE–SW and ENE–WSW direction. The Gohpur–Ganga section is on Quaternary deposits, resting over the Siwaliks with angular contact. Climatic changes of Pleistocene–Holocene times seem to have affected the sedimentation pattern of this part of the Sub-Himalaya, in association with proximal tectonism associated with active tectonic activities, which uplifted the Quaternary deposits. Older and younger terrace deposits seem to mark the Pleistocene–Holocene boundary in the study area with the older terraces showing a well-oxidized and semi-consolidated nature compared to the unoxidized nature of the younger terraces.     

Weathering regime in the Eastern Himalaya since the mid‐Miocene: indications from detrital geochemistry and clay mineralogy of the Kameng River Section,Arunachal Pradesh,India

It is crucial to understand lateral differences in paleoclimate and weathering in order to fully understand the evolution of the Himalayan mountain belt. While many studies have focused on the western and central Himalaya, the eastern Himalaya remains poorly studied with regard to paleoclimate and past weathering history. Here, we present a multi‐proxy study on the Mio‐Pliocene sedimentary foreland‐basin section along the Kameng River in Arunachal Pradesh, northeast India, in order to obtain better insight in the weathering history of the eastern Himalaya. We analysed a continuous sedimentary record over the last 13 Ma. Heavy‐mineral and petrography data give insight into diagenesis and provenance, showing that the older part of the section is influenced by diagenesis and that sediments were not only deposited by a large Trans‐Himalayan river and the palaeo‐Kameng river, but also by smaller local tributaries. By taking into account changes in diagenesis and provenance, results of clay mineralogy and major element analysis show an overall increase in weathering intensity over time, with a remarkable change between ca. 10 and ca. 8 Ma.     

Poverty,development and patterns of rural male outmigration in Uttar Pradesh

This paper indexes rural male out-migration and explains changing intensity patterns in Uttar Pradesh, India, since 1961. The sex ratio among non-migrants serves as an indicator of regional variations in rural out-migration. The paper highlights 2 population divergence zones in the underdeveloped Northern hilly and Eastern plain regions. The process of infrastructural development combined with cultural factors and inadequate employment opportunities seem to stimulate rural outmigration. Regional imbalance in economic development seems to be working as a suction economic system. The developed regions in India are utilizing the labor force of backward areas. The number of districts of high and moderately high rural male outmigration has increased, reflecting a wider gap between individual income and regional inequality. Unless the process is reversed in favor of rural areas, strategies for development will only work in capitalistic frameworks which serve the interests of developed regions.     

Religion and fertility: a study in differentials

Fertility differentials among religious groups in India are examined, with a focus on minority status and on demographic, socioeconomic, and cultural factors. The impact of these factors on acceptance of family planning programs is discussed.     

Population growth in Uttar Pradesh since 1872

"The present paper aims to analyse district-wise decadal growth of population in Uttar Pradesh [India] since 1872. It also attempts to identify population growth regions based on a suitable statistical technique. The spatio-temporal differentials are explained by the three interacting processes of birth, death and migration."     

Urbanisation in Himachal Pradesh during the present century

"The paper examines urbanisation in Himachal Pradesh [India] in terms of size, growth, evolution, site and functional characteristics of urban centres for [the] 1901-91 period. In addition, the role played by the changing political and administrative geography has also been considered."     

Mixing Methods in Fertility Research

Fertility research in population geography is rooted in a spatial demography tradition which places emphasis on the use of quantitative methodologies to analyse, model and project fertility. As data sources have become more sophisticated and abundant some have questioned whether research within the discipline is now too data-oriented resulting in a reluctance to embrace new methods and concepts. Alternative conceptualisations of fertility and reproduction are outlined which represent a shift away from general explanation to more differentiated understandings of reproductive behaviour and favour the use of qualitative methodologies in combination or in a multi-level framework. The paper illustrates, with reference to a research project in the Kalahari of Botswana, the potential for methodological pluralism in the study of fertility.     

Mixing Methods in Fertility Research

Fertility research in population geography is rooted in a spatial demography tradition which places emphasis on the use of quantitative methodologies to analyse, model and project fertility. As data sources have become more sophisticated and abundant some have questioned whether research within the discipline is now too data-oriented resulting in a reluctance to embrace new methods and concepts. Alternative conceptualisations of fertility and reproduction are outlined which represent a shift away from general explanation to more differentiated understandings of reproductive behaviour and favour the use of qualitative methodologies in combination or in a multi-level framework. The paper illustrates, with reference to a research project in the Kalahari of Botswana, the potential for methodological pluralism in the study of fertility.     

Environmental Flow Requirements in Tungabhadra River,Karnataka, India

Environmental flow (EF) determination requires decisions on total volume of flow to be allocated for the environment and delivery (timing) of that flow. In general, it is beneficial to maintain the natural variation and timing in flows, as many ecological processes are dependent on flow variations and also on implicit links to other triggers such as temperature and rainfall. These linkages are not always understood and are best preserved by maintaining a natural flow pattern. Increased water drawn from the Tungabhadra (TB) dam for the agricultural, domestic and industrial uses have gradually altered the natural flow. This has an impact on the socio-economic condition of the downstream-dependent population of the river. In this research study, an attempt has been made to understand the existing river flow in the TB River and the significance of the ecosystem services for the local livelihood. Different methods like Tennant method, Indicators for Hydrological Alteration (IHA) and Global Environmental Flow Calculator (GEFC) were employed to understand the EF status in the TB River. Comparative analysis helped us to statistically describe how these patterns have changed for TB River, due to abrupt impacts such as dam construction, or more gradual trends associated with land- and water-use changes. The downstream of the river bed for about a 100 km has shrunken in its size. The study also identified that the livelihood support has gradually declined during the last decade resulting in shifting of the occupation and migration of the community.     

临泽绿洲农田土壤肥力质量时空变化特征

干旱区荒漠绿洲农田土壤肥力质量的研究是绿洲功能和生产力评价的一个重要方面。通过1982年和2008年临泽绿洲农田287个样点耕层土壤（0~20 cm）有机质、全氮、碱解氮、速效磷和速效钾数据,利用地理信息系统和地统计学分析手段,研究了26 a来土壤肥力质量的变化特征。结果表明,研究区土壤有机质、全氮、碱解氮、速效磷和速效钾的含量为13.8 g·kg-1、0.81 g·kg-1、64.4 mg·kg-1、32.3 mg·kg-1、199 mg·kg-1,较1982年分别提高了13.5%、7.8％、9.3%、225.6％和26.8％;土壤肥力指标的变异性较大,变异系数均大于25%;模糊数学综合评价方法适合研究区土壤肥力质量评价,土壤肥力质量综合值由1982年的强度空间变异发展为中等空间变异;根据全国农业地力等级划分标准,研究区土壤属于4、5、6、7级,较1982年的土壤肥力呈上升趋势。土壤肥力综合值分布图可以为该区域土壤资源的合理利用提供理论依据。