Fertility differentials in Madhya Pradesh,India

"The present paper explains the fertility differentials among socio-cultural groups and regions in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and examines the role of such factors as general and female literacy, age at marriage and infant mortality in determining the fertility levels. The study indicates that no single factor is of overwhelming importance. These factors in combination, as revealed by multivariate analysis, account for about 29 percent inter-district variation in fertility in the state."     

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.     

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."     

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.     

Demographic development in a developing economy: a case study of Uttar Pradesh

"Patterns of and trends in demographic development in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh have been analysed in this paper. Indices of urbanisation, literacy and occupational structure were used for this purpose. Their aggregate index represented the level of demographic development." The data are for 242 subdivisions of Uttar Pradesh for the census years 1971 and 1981. Particular attention is given to regional differentials in demographic indicators. The relationships among economic development and the measurements of literacy, urbanization, and occupational status are explored     

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.     

中国东部地区耕地土壤肥力变化趋势研究

随着人口、资源和环境之间的矛盾日趋尖锐,中国耕地土壤肥力及其变化日益为世人所关注。本文利用最近20年东北地区的吉林和黑龙江省,华北地区的北京市和河北省以及长江下游地区的江苏和浙江省的15个县市180个样本点的土壤数据资料,分析了20世纪80年代以来东部地区农业土壤肥力的演变趋势。结果表明,从总体上看,东部地区除土壤速效钾下降和酸碱性有所退化外,农业土壤的有机质、全氮和速效磷平均含量都增加了。在空间分布上,土壤肥力的变化趋势存在明显差异。长江下游和华北地区的平均肥力提高,东北地区下降。另外,除华北地区的土壤酸碱性有改善外,长江下游和东北地区土壤都存在酸化倾向。     

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.     

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.     

'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.     

Migration patterns in India

"The chief objective of the present paper is to comprehend the broad spatial patterns of internal migrations in India." Aspects considered include data constraints, the magnitude of internal migration, interstate migration, migration to rural and to urban destinations, spatial patterns, and areas of origin and destination.     

Trends and ethnic variation in the fertility of the population of Singapore

This paper examines factors associated with Singapore's substantial decline in birth rate during the 1970 to 80 decade among Chinese, Malay and Indian ethnic groups. Through the use of graphs, tables and charts demographic tabulations in the areas of crude birth rates, female age distribution, nuptiality, marital fertility and family planning patterns are indicated. Data analyzed suggests that female proportion at given ages in the reproductive span is less responsive to child bearing opportunities. Evidence of the wider adoption of contraception within each of the major ethnic groups with differences in regard to the educational and age level of the users further emphasizes the behavioral and societal attitudes towards fertility. Urgency about the far reaching economic and social implications of a sustained decline of birth rate is based on a fear of a shortage of manpower coupled with the need to import workers to sustain industry.     

The relationship between poverty and fertility in some less developed countries

The author investigates the extent to which both absolute and relative poverty affect population growth in developing countries. Aggregate data from U.N. sources for 26 countries at various stages of the fertility transition are used. The results indicate that the most significant steps in reducing fertility would be more effective provision of basic human needs and reforms in land tenure. The need to distinguish between absolute and relative poverty in formulating population policies is noted.     

小冰期气候的研究进展

小冰期是近2ka来的一个重要气候事件,又是目前全球变暖的背景事件,已成为古气候和古环境研究的热点。对此,科学工作者已经做了大量的研究。本文广泛综合前人研究的成果,介绍了小冰期的概况,认为1450-1890年是小冰期的时限,在此期间有三次冷期和两次暖期。冷期发生在1450-1510年、1560-1690年和1790-1890年,其中第二次冷期表现最甚;暖期发生在1510-1560年和1690-1790年。太阳活动和火山活动是小冰期气候变化的主要因素。并重点从冰芯、树轮、湖泊沉积、历史文献和沙漠地层等方面综述了近年来国内外对小冰期气候变化的研究现状。