International Letters of Natural Sciences Vol. 27

Abstract: The field study involved 4 sites and 15 samples according to the wind directions: North, East, South and West. The analysis was conducted through the use of Atomic Absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Ten types of heavy metals were identified as indicators for pollution namely Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, Cr, and Cd. The results indicated that the concentration of Fe was the most dominant per specific distances and depths and exceeded the minimum standard in North, East and West directions. While Cu was the second most dominant with concentration exceeding minimum standard per specific distance and depth, mainly in the West direction. The results have shown presence of bacterial species including Pseudomonas, Mirococcus, Actinomyces, Neisseria, Bacillus and Klebsiella. These pathogens can infect wounds and cause sepsis and mortality and can even occur with such organisms to cause secondary infection. These groups of organisms are almost impossible to control since they are ubitiquous

Abstract: An experiment was carried out with endophytic fixing bacteria Azospirillum brasilense and Pseudomonas fluorescens isolated from brinjal, in different combinations with inorganic fertilizers by seed inoculation of brinjal to observe preliminary vegetative growth at 15^th and 30^th day and pigment contents in vegetable nursery bed (proplates). A total number of 28 endophytic bacteria isolated from brinjal from three localities (Annamalai University, Karaikal and Putthur). Further the isolates were subjected to various biochemical tests for their species level identification and nitrogen fixing ability was estimated. Based upon their N-fixing ability and IAA production, two strains, one Azospirillum sp. and one Pseudomonas sp. isolate was selected and tested for its performance in brinjal. The seeds treated with 75% Chemical fertilizer + Azospirillum brasilense + Pseudomonas fluorescens (T₆) showed maximum plant vegetative characters, followed by others compared with control.

Abstract: The trees support many bird and animal species while the survival of urban-dwelling species e.g. bird species dominate over others. This particular Nature park in Kolkata is the habitat of birds and fish species suggesting a better environment for food chain maintenance. The Asian open bill stork, Anastomus oscitans among other bird species is a common and provides ecosystem health indicator. The present study aims to understand the occurrence and population nos. of Asian open bill stork on particular tree species surrounding wetlands at Nature Park, Kolkata, India. Our results clearly indicate that a total population of this bird species having 671 nos. on the particular trees but not in all other available trees in the study area. In conclusion, present research emphasizes a novel occurrence and higher population of the A. oscitans being observed on the basis of the presence of particular tree species, though no attempt has been made on physico-chemical properties of present water and microclimate within the park. Therefore, further research planning should be oriented considering the physico-chemical impacts as well as local microenvironment along with human interaction as visitors in such a way so that these barriers cannot affect nesting and breeding of those species as eco-indicator. Also further relevant research is needed to emphasize on the conservation of these specific tree species to increase population of Asian open bill stork, A. oscitans in Nature park.

Abstract: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a plastic ingredient produced in large quantities for use primarily in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. The present review focused on different mechanisms of BPA on human health in enzymatic, androgenic, neurological, liver and reproductive systems. The review explained the influence of BPA on different stages of human life likely in foetal stage, children and adults stages. The review also concentrated on how to handle BPA, treatment, preventive measures against BPA exposure

Abstract: Green belt land is an open space around bigger cities. The main purpose of the green belt is to protect the land from urban sprawl, and maintain the designated area for forestry, agriculture as well as to provide habitat to wildlife. Green belt offers a number of benefits for population. Areas that are designated as green belt must not be built upon, however, that does not mean that no buildings can be erected in green belt. GREENBELT is a policy and land use designation used in land use/land cover planning. Green belt policy may not work well in all areas and has been a subject of criticism; however, its advantages by far outweigh its disadvantages. The Green belt land covers about 2% of total geographical area in Gulbarga city of Karnataka state. They do not solve the problem related to low forest cover in the Gulbarga District but they significantly improve air quality and help combat a number of environmental problems. During the data collection (43%) of respondents both knew that Green Belts surround city, and valued Green Belts as places to enjoy quiet recreation It is confirmed that Green Belt policy has been highly effective in eco-friendship relation. Green Belts have a role to play in achieving positive land use objectives. The concept of Green Belt also has strong support amongst the general public, even if they do not always understand the full details of the planning policy. These areas could take on an even greater significance in the face of climate.

Abstract: A preliminary survey on earthworm species from north Karnataka region, Gulbarga district, Karnataka state, India, has been conducted from January 2012 to December 2013. Survey was conducted in three regions of Gulbarga district i.e. Afzalpur, Chittapur, and Sedam taluk. Six species of earthworms were identified belonging to four families namely lumbricidae, Octochaetidae, Megascolecidae and Eudrilidae. Eisenia fetida belonging to family lumbricidae, Dichogaster bolaui belong to family Octochaetidae, Polypheretima elongate, Perionyx sansibaricus and Perionyx excavates belong to family Megascolecidae and Eudrilus eugeniae belonging to family Eudrilidae. Among the species, Eudrilus eugeniae does not occur naturally and are produced from external sources for vermicomposting units.

Abstract: Avocado is one of the most commonly preferred shades grown tree crop under Coffee ecosystem. In view of that, Peninsula of Nicoya and Cost Rica farmer was rated avocado (Persea americana L. Mill) is a primary shade tree crop under coffee plantation at the level of 66.3 per cent and it ranked as a fourth position after the Inga spp., Guazumala ulmiflora and Cardia alliodoara. Hence, the avocado is a commercially important shade cum fruit yielding tree under coffee ecosystem which has cultivating both in humid tropic as well as subtropical climates of throughout the world. The tree is basically grown as the forest species but later on as a shade growing tree under coffee cultivation because of high nutritional and medicinal values of fruit and it makes for wider diversity. Thereafter it was entered into the other parts of the world from Central America and Mexico. The tree is of multipurpose in nature and also helps to avoid the soil and water erosion by way of its wider spread canopy. Generally, Avocado leafs reduce the beating action of rain drops which in-turn minimize the soil erosion. The soil enrichment by adding the leaf litter continuously is an advantage in the coffee plantations. It yields in the additional economic returns after three to five years of establishment. Hence, the establishment of shade tree under coffee ecosystem will give additional income to the coffee growers, which mainly helps on lean period of coffee cultivation.

Abstract: The study involves survey of amphibian and reptile in and around Gulbarga University Campus. Survey was conducted from Jan 2012 to March 2013. The survey methods involved careful visual estimation of amphibians and reptilian in all the possible habitats present in the study area. The objective of the study included evaluate of species composition, relative abundance and distribution of amphibian and reptile of the chosen area. During survey a total of 16 species of herpetofauna identified belonging to 12 families, which includes 9 species of snakes, 4 species amphibians, 3 species of lizards

Abstract: In this paper tourist sight and ecotouristic values of Podlaskie area and brand tourist product “The Podlaskie White Stork Trail”, was presented. This bicycling touristic route including the regions four National Parks (The Białowieża, Biebrza, Narew and Wigry NPs) and the Suwałki Landscape Park. The pristine of nature, rich culture and history of this land are ecotouristic attractions. Ecoturism is a form of active tourism involving visiting relatively undisturbed, often protected natural areas as: national or landscape parks and sanctuaries. This is tourism to areas of highly cultural and historical values, too.