Assessing Climate Change Impact on Future Reference Evapotranspiration Pattern of West Bengal, India

Considering the importance of reference evapotranspiration (RET) in agriculture, hydrology and meteorology, the research problem was taken to assess the RET during winter season under projected climatic situation of West Bengal, India. The Penman-Monteith method was used in the study as it is the most accurate method of estimating RET. However, validation of the output of the equation was done with the help of observed data set. The data analysis was carried out using NCAR Command Language (NCL). The result clearly shows that the reference ET of the study area will be increased in the tune of 13% to 32% in the year 2050 compared to present RET level. Analysis of actual rainfall data shows a decreasing trend of winter rainfall in the study region. The projected rainfall data also follows the same pattern. Thus, the combination of low rainfall and higher ET value will demand more irrigation requirement for winter crops in West Bengal. The temporal changes of RET on decadal basis and spatial variation of RET for each decade have been observed and discussed in the paper.

A Hydrometeorological Analysis of the Severe Rainstorm of 20-22 September 1900 over the Gangetic West Bengal

A hydrometeorological study is made of the September, 1900 severe rainstorm which led up to the record rainfalls over Gangetic West Bengal with subsequent disastrous flooding in the Damodar and the Hooghly rivers. The spatial extent of the rainstorm for different durations has been examined by constructing the isohyetal patterns based on rainfall records of stations affected by the storm. Areal rainfalls for 1,2 and 3-day periods are calculated and the values have been compared with similar values from other major rainstorms of the region. The comparison revealed that the September, 1900 rainstorm was the heaviest for 1,2 and 3-day durations for all the areas. The storm contributed rainfalls of 33.0 cm, 52.0 cm and 62.0 cm over an area of 10,000 km2 in 1,2 and 3 days respectively. This rainstorm could, therefore, be considered as an important input in flood and design storm studies in the Gangetic West Bengal region. A relationship between point to areal rainfall has also been developed with a view to evaluate areal PMP estimates.

Screening for Aphid Incidence on Some Potato Germplasm in Plains of West Bengal

A field trial was conducted to study the impact of various potato germplasm against aphids, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and Aphis gossypii Glover (Aphididae: Hemiptera) during rabi season from November to March in 2012-2013 and 2013-2014, respectively at Adisaptagram Block Seed Farm, Hooghly, West Bengal. The population of aphids was started on potato crop in between third week of December and first week of January irrespective of various germplasms, except K. Chipsona-2, where its infestation was initiated during second and third week of January. Then, their population was gradually increased to reach its critical level (ETL) during first and second week of January in most of the potato germplasm, except in K. Anand, K. Chipsona-1, K. Chipsona-2 and Sailaja, where it was crossed in between fourth week of January and first week of February. The peak population of aphids was observed during third and fourth week of February in most of the potato germplasm. It was observed that K. Ashoka, K. Badshah, K. Chandramukhi, K. Jawahar, K. Jyoti and K. Pukhraj were highly susceptible to the pests, while K. Anand and K. Sutlez were moderately susceptible but K. Chipsona-1 , K. Chipsona-2 and K. Sailaja were less susceptible or tolerant to the pests. Maximum tuber yield (t/ha) of potato was recorded in K. Badshah (36.58 - 43.92) while it was lowest in K. Chandramukhi (22.08 - 22.12).

Sero diagnosis of dengue activity in an unknown febrile outbreak at the Siliguri Town,District Darjeeling,West Bengal

Objective:To investigate the outbreak of unknown fever at Siliguri town,Darjeeling District on request from the State Health Department,Government of West Bengal.Methods: Investigations were made to the affected wards,Sub Divisional Hospital and the nursing homes of Siliguri Town.Duration of illness was 3-5 days.Interesting observations were made in some cases which had gastrointestinal disorders with high serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase(SGPT) and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase(SCOT) levels.A total of 69 blood samples and 7 throat swabs(in Minimum Essential Media) were collected and brought to the ICMR Virus Unit, Kolkata for analysis.Mosquitoes from different affected areas were collected for the identification of the definite vector.Results:Amongst the 69 blood samples,42(60.86%) were positive to IgM antibody against dengue virus by Mac enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) test.No IgM antibody to Japanese encephalitis virus was detected among the collected blood samples.Based on the clinical symptoms,presence of IgM antibody to dengue virus and identification of Aedes mosquito,it amply proves that,the illness of those cases were due to dengue virus infection. Conclusions:Based on clinical-epidemiological observations of the investigations the possibility of a communicable disease of viral origin,the detection of IgM antibody and the identification of Aedes egypti,and the potential circulation of denge virus in Siliguri town for the first time were all suggested.

Influence of socio-economic status and environmental factors on serologically diagnosed Japanese encephalitis cases in the state of West Bengal, India during 2005-2010

Objectives: The main aim of the current study is to examine the influence of socio-economic status and environmental factors on serologically diagnosed Japanese encephalitis cases in the state of West Bengal, India during 2005-2010. Materials and methods: A total of 648 blood/CSF specimens were collected and/or referred from the suspected AES cases, admitted in the different medical colleges and hospitals of the state during the year of 2005-2010. These specimens were subjected to JE Mac ELISA to determine the actual JE case amongst these AES. The association of the socio-economic status and environmental factors with the serologically diagnosed JE positive cases was studied by a statistical analysis through Normal Deviate test or Z test. Result: Out of 648 specimens, only 175 (27.0%) specimens were reactive to JE IgM antibody, of which 60.0% were from the male individuals and 40.0% from the female population. Major cases were observed in the age group of 0 - 10 years;followed by 11 - 20 years. Regarding literacy, only 58.3% cases had no education and 41.7% were from the literate with varying level of education, i.e., from primary level to post gra- duate level. A total of 65.7% cases were from low income group where as only 34.3% cases were from high income group. Regarding house type, 62.3% cases lived in mud house and 37.7% cases lived in the brick house. In most of the cases (74.3%), persons were living in close proximity to rice fields/lakes/ponds. 69.7% cases were found to occur in the monsoon and post-monsoon period whereas 30.3% cases were reported in the pre-monsoon period. Conclusion: Our study concludes that socio-economic status and environmental conditions were statistically significant contextual risk factors for serologically diagnosed JE incidences in West Bengal where JE is proved to be endemic in nature and such study constitutes a new report of this kind in the region.

Socio-economic determinants of underweight children in West Bengal,India

Objective:To study the extent of undernutrition at district level and the socio-economic determinants of underweight children aged 0-71 months in West Bengal.Methods:The data were accessed from the Reproductive and Child Health Survey(RCHS-II),which contained information of 7 SSO children and their parents.Information of socio-economic variables about the associated families of these children had also been taken for our study.This study computed weight-for-age z-scores to assess the nutritional status of the children using WHO(2006) reference.Results:The prevalence of underweight varied over the districts.Districts with very high prevalence of underweight children were Murshidabad,Burdwan,Purulia,Medinipur, Howrah and South 24 Parganas.High prevalent districts for both boys and girls were Jalpaiguri and Coochbihar.Low prevalent districts for both boys and girls were South Dinajpur,Nadia and Kolkata.The percentage of underweight children were more in rural areas among Muslim families with illiterate parents and low standard of living.In Murshidabad,Bankura,Nadia, Medinipur and South 24 Parganas districts,i.e.,where prevalence of underweight children were higher,the rural and urban differences were less.The characteristics like religion,parents’ educational status and standard of living index showed significant effect on the children’s weights.Conclusions:Public intervention programs on the parent’s education and the standard of living of the households at district level should be given high priority to combat the children’s undernutrition problems so far as weight for age is concerned.

Plant Remains from an Archaeological Site as Indicators of Vegetation and Agricultural Practice Between(3 320±400) and(2 080±80) yr BP in Gangetic West Bengal,India

Diverse plant remains recovered from an archaeological site of Chslcollthlc-Early Historic age in the Bhalrabdanga area of Pakhanna （latitude 23°25′N, longitude 87°23′E）, situated on the west bank of the Damodar river, Bankura district, West Bengal, India, include food grains, wood charcoals, and palynomorphs. Radiocarbon dating of the recovered biological remains reveal the age of the site as （3 320 ± 400） to （2 080± 80） yr BP. The food grains were Identified as Oryza sativa L. and Vigna mungo L, and seeds of Brassica cf. campestris L. were also found; these indicate the agricultural practice and food habits of the ancient people living at Pakhanna from the Chalcolithlc to the Early Historic period. Sediments Including plant remains have been broadly divided into two zones, considering archaeological findings and radiocarbon dating. Analysis of the plant remains （I.e, wood charcoals and palynomorphs） in addition to cultivated food grains has revealed that a rich vegetation cover existed in this area, with a prevailing tropical and humid climate, comprising the timber-yielding plants Shores sp., Terminalia sp., and Tamarindus sp., with undergrowths of diverse shrubs and herbs during the Chalcolithic period （zone I） dated （3 320 ± 400） yr BP. Comparatively poorer representation and frequency of plant remains Indicate a drier climate during the Early Historic period （zone Ⅱ） dated as （2 110 ± 340） to （2 080 ± 80） yr BP. Comparisons of the archaeobotanical data recovered from the Chalcollthic and Early Historic period and also a principle components analysis Indicate a change In the climate of the area from tropical and humid at （3 320 ± 400） yr BP to tropical and drier conditions at （2 110 ± 340） to （2 080 ± 80） yr BP. The present-day tropical, dry deciduous vegetation of the area suggests that climate change has occurred in the area since the contemporaneous past. The plant remains database has been utilized to reconstruct the settlement pattern of the community living in the site between （3 320 ± 400） and （2 080 ± 80） yr BP. The community settled near the riverbank, practicing cultivation.

A preliminary survey on parasitic occurrence in indigenous climbing perch,Anabas testudineus(Bloch,1972)from West Bengal state of India

Objective:To describe the parasitic infestations of Anabas testudineus(A.testudineus)collected from three different fish producing districts of West Bengal state in India.Methods:A total number of 75 specimens of A.testudineus were collected from different floodplain areas of West Bengal,India.These specimens were examined for parasites using established techniques after measuring basic morphometric parameters.Results:A total 165 individual of 20 parasites(13 ectoparasites and 7 endoparasites)belonging to 7 phyla were recorded from 64 infected A.testudineus.Among the observed parasites,8 were protozoan including 3 ciliates;2 monogenic trematodes,2 strigeidid trematodes,1 nematode,3 crustaceans,3 myxozoans and 1 echinorhynchus acanthocephalan parasites.The quantitative abundance of parasites were highest in gill(37%)followed by body outer layer(35%)and intestine(28%).District wise quantitative count of parasites in different investigated organ from A.testudineus revealed that North 24 Parganas is highly infected followed by West Midnapore and East Midnapore.The highest prevalence(%)and mean abundance of parasitic occurrence was observed in North 24 Parganas followed by West Midnapore and East Midnapore.The highest mean intensity was found at West Midnapore followed by North 24 Parganas and East Midnapore.Conclusions:Especially West Bengal state of India,inland culture and capture fishery mainly rural based and operated by poor farmers.Developing right kind of interventions and management practice can prevent adverse impact of diseases and assist poor farmers for sustainable production.

Man-environment interaction and its impact since ca. 3600 years BP in West Bengal, India: A multiproxy approach

Climatic variability during the Holocene and corresponding anthropogenic response have gained considerable attention in different parts of India, but surprisingly very little is known on climate-human interrelationship from eastern India especially from the Gangetic plains of West Bengal. As climate has played significant role behind the collapse of many of the ancient human civilizations hence, to explore the reason behind the abandonment of any archaeological site, understanding of the climate of the contemporaneous past is a prerequisite. Agricultural development, subsistence strategies and dynamic behavior of climate in the Lower Gangetic plains of West Bengal since ca. 3600 cal a BP(Chalcolithic period) and post-Chalcolithic period(ca. 2350–2120 cal a BP to recent) were explored using multiproxy approach including plant-animal macro remains, wood charcoals and pollen and non-pollen palynomorphs from an archaeological site at Pakhanna, district Bankura in West Bengal, India. Evidences from palynological and phytolith data suggest that a warm-moist tropical climate during ca. 3600 cal a BP supported the spread of a village farming community in this part of lower Gangetic plains of West Bengal who practiced double-cropping as evidenced by the recovery of cereals(rice) and pulses(black gram) from the cultural deposits of Chalcolithic and Early Historic periods. In addition, a plenty of animal remains(opercula of carp fishes, fragments of plastron of Indian Soft Shelled Turtle, Indian Flap Shelled Turtle, ramus of mandible with teeth of Indian Boar) from similar cultural deposits indicate their probable inclusion in dietary list. The climate started changing during the onset of Early Historic period ca. 2350 cal a BP as revealed by pollen and phytolith proxies and became warmer and drier than that in earlier phase which is continuing till recent. The observations of palynological and phytolith data were also corroborated by the results of correspondence analysis(CA) and canonical correspondence analysis(CCA) respectively. Recovery of rice and mustard from Early Historic deposits suggests their continued cultivation at a later phase. Rich assemblages of animal macro remains from the post-Chalcolithic deposits(ca. 2350–2120 cal a BP) indicate their use as food resources in later phase too. Considering the database obtained from all the proxies it can be concluded that a moist-tropical climatic condition was prevailing during Chalcolithic period(ca. 3600 cal a BP) and later gradually shifted to a slight drier condition in lower Gangetic West Bengal.

印共(马)执政理念研究:以西孟加拉邦为例

印共(马)长期活跃在印度政坛,多次赢得邦级选举的胜利,并在西孟加拉、特里普拉、喀拉拉等邦单独或与印共(马列)等联合执政,尤其在西孟加拉邦执政长达30年之久。印共(马)成为印度执政时间最长的政党,充分实践了该党的执政理念,也在国际共运史上创造了一个奇迹。研究印共(马)的执政理念,对于深入了解国外无产阶级政党、推进我国的党建工作、提高党的执政能力有着非常重要的参考价值。

推进云南与印度西孟加拉邦IT产业合作的对策探讨

云南与印度西孟加拉邦的IT产业发展正处于吸引外资和先进技术的"引进来"阶段。西孟加拉邦在IT人才培养、软件研发等方面有优势,而云南省的IT产业面临着人才技术短缺,国际化程度低等问题。未来云南与西孟加拉邦IT产业合作的现实在于加强IT技术、教育、人才方面的合作,而并非IT产品的市场拓展。

西孟加拉地区地下水砷污染(英文)

目前,西孟加拉地区地下水砷污染问题日益严重并且已经波及到食物链中。由于吸收了砷污染地下水,谷物和蔬菜中砷含量日渐累积,超出了健康规定范围。尽管提出了若干补救方案,但是考虑到农业人口的社会经济状况,建议使用地表水灌溉方案。然而,实际中该方案仍然较难施行,且并无其他更经济有效的措施。若干年后,含水层可以减缓严酷的健康环境现状并为人们提供安全的饮用水。

以西孟加拉邦为例析印度针灸发展现状

针灸于20世纪中期传入印度,现已在西孟加拉邦和马哈拉施特拉邦立法,这两个省实施注册针灸师制度。中央政府认定针灸为治疗方法,允许注册医生使用。由于针灸在印度发展基础薄弱,中央政府又大力扶持和保护本国传统医学,针灸在印度的发展主要还在民间和争取省政府立法层面。本文以针灸最为发达的西孟加拉邦省为例,介绍针灸在该省的立法、临床、教育和科研等情况,探讨针灸进一步在印度发展的途径。