Thar Desert in India is one of the most well-investigated and densely populated regions amongst the world arid zones. A blend of crop and animal husbandries, conservative land use practices, coping mechanisms to minimize adverse effect of drought and a frugal lifestyle have been the characteristic features of its dwellers. Recent increase in biotic pressure has interacted with the fragile environment to create fearsome environmental problems. Governmental responses were prompt in form creating a strong research infrastructure for multi-disciplinary and multi-location research and demonstration on the one hand and in huge investment in irrigation from internally and externally sourced water, desertification control program and an accelerated socio-economic and infrastructure development, softening content of drought and strengthening of livelihoods on the other. Unlike several publications on the Thar, the current effort attempts a comprehensive, pragmatic and off-beat analysis of various developments and goes further to show how the situation today is a blend of both resource degradation and economic development. Recent studies have helped rebuild the past climate history that shows that the climate has been fluctuating during the geological history but reports suggest also that current anthropogenic global warming makes the desert more vulnerable in near future. An attempt has been made also to peep into the future of the Thar.
Desertification is land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various factors, including climatic variations and human activities. This process has already affected one sixth of the world's population, 70% of all dry lands of 3.6 billion hectares, and one quarter of the total land area of the world. The most obvious impact of desertification, in addition to widespread poverty, is the degradation of 3.3 billion hectares of the total area of rangeland, constituting 73% of the rangeland with a low potential for human and animal carrying capacity; decline in soil fertility and soil structure on about 47% of the dryland areas constituting marginal rainfed cropland; and the degradation of irrigated cropland, amounting to 30% of the dry land areas with a high population density and agricultural potential. Keeping the above in view, the NAM S&T Centre in partnership with the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad organised an International Workshop on 'Drought Management and Desertification Control' during 22-24 May 2017 at Ferdowsi University, Mashhad, Iran which brought various stake holders, viz. scientists, experts and professionals engaged in R&D, policy making and implementation, to a common platform for up gradation of their skills and sharing views and experiences in the drought management and desertification control. As a follow up of the above workshop, the present book - 'Drought Management and Desertification Control- Still Miles to Go' - has been edited by Dr. R.P. Dhir and Dr. Kisamba Mugerwa. There are 14 scientific technical papers contributed by the experts from 10 countries. The book is expected to be of great value to all those associated in combating desertification and drought for sustainable food production including the researchers, local communities, rural agencies, national governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and regional and international organisations.
Thar Desert in India is one of the most well-investigated and densely populated regions amongst the world arid zones. A blend of crop and animal husbandries, conservative land use practices, coping mechanisms to minimize adverse effect of drought and a frugal lifestyle have been the characteristic features of its dwellers. Recent increase in biotic pressure has interacted with the fragile environment to create fearsome environmental problems. Governmental responses were prompt in form creating a strong research infrastructure for multi-disciplinary and multi-location research and demonstration on the one hand and in huge investment in irrigation from internally and externally sourced water, desertification control program and an accelerated socio-economic and infrastructure development, softening content of drought and strengthening of livelihoods on the other. Unlike several publications on the Thar, the current effort attempts a comprehensive, pragmatic and off-beat analysis of various developments and goes further to show how the situation today is a blend of both resource degradation and economic development. Recent studies have helped rebuild the past climate history that shows that the climate has been fluctuating during the geological history but reports suggest also that current anthropogenic global warming makes the desert more vulnerable in near future. An attempt has been made also to peep into the future of the Thar.
There are chapters on varied topics covering the major gamut of dryland agriculture. The topics covered by eminent-scientists are : Dryland agricultural research in India - a historical perspective. The eminence of authors and the institutions they represent gives credence to the contents of the book. Research and development workers, all would like to possess this book for ready reference and use.
Since it was first recognized as a mineral admixture for concrete in the 1930's, fly ash has been the subject of worldwide study as researchers work to maximize its economical and environmental benefits. In recent years, investigations have focused on the physical, chemical and mineralogical characteristics of fly ash and their specific correlation to the performance of concrete. This book collects the latest results from these various studies and offers a complete review of the advantages of fly ash as an admixture in concrete, including strength development and improved chemical resistance and durability. A review of the current international standards on fly ash usage is provided, in addition to an extensive reference list and a complete survey of various other fly ash products, such as bricks, mineral wool and gypsum wall boards, as well as the use of fly ash in waste management.
A book on Recent Developments in Civil engineering would likely focus on the latest advancements and innovations in the field of Civil Engineering. The book would cover a wide range of topics related to Civil engineering, such as sustainable infrastructure design, construction materials and construction techniques, transportation systems and infrastructure, geotechnical engineering, water resources and management, environmental engineering and sustainability of structures and its design.
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