Research Papers

A Template for Long-range Energy Planning with Environmental Considerations for Developing Countries: A Case Study

Goswami Anandajit, Kedia Shailly, Gurtu Amulya
| 2020

Existing studies using energy accounting models do not undertake analyses at the subnational level due to data deficiencies. In a Lakatosian sense, by applying the long-range energy alternatives planning framework at the sub-national level for a developing country, this paper contributes by providing an empirical study to the body of knowledge on energy planning. This study addresses this gap by developing scenarios for energy demand and supply management for green growth in the state of Punjab in India.

Global Climate Change: Challenges for India

Rashmi Rajani Ranjan
| 2020

The global climate change is a huge existential threat to the world which requires urgent and immediate actions by the entire international community. India as a signatory to the Paris Agreement has an opportunity of influencing the global efforts when it assumes the presidency of G20 in 2022. India will need to respond to global expectations for enhanced actions while building consensus within G20 for low carbon transitions.

Examining Temporal Change and Prediction of Future Land Use Using Geospatial Approach: A Case Study of Talpona River Watershed in Goa, India

Panandiker Ashwini Pai, Gude Shubham , Venkatesh B , Kotha Mahender and Chachadi AG
| 2019

Land-use change leads to environmental change on spatial and temporal scales. For better water resource management, understanding the interaction between landuse changes and local hydrology is crucial. This study analyzed the land-use change over past years and predicted the future one in Talpona river watershed in Goa. Land Change Modeler was used for change analysis between satellite images of 1993, 2014 and 2019 map for validation. The Kappa co-efficient of 0.73 indicated acceptable accuracy. Multi-Layer Perceptron neural network was used for prediction of land-use for 2030 and 2040.

Exploring optimal strategies for aquatic macrophyte pre-treatment: Sustainable feedstock for biohydrogen production.

Karthikeya K, Sarma Mrinal Kumar, Ramkumar N., Subudhi Sanjukta
| 2020

Aquatic macrophytes; Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and Azolla, biomass have certain advantages over terrestrial plant biomass to use as non-edible feed for 2nd generation bioenergy production. This is mainly due to the lower lignin content and higher productivity of aquatic macrophytes. These macrophytes do not require arable land. Present study explored on development of factorial approach based optimal pretreatment process for mild acid hydrolysis of Eichhornia crassipes and Azolla microphylla biomass for conversion to fermentable sugars.

Assessment of groundwater quality of CKDu affected uddanam region in Srikakulam district and across Andhra Pradesh, India

Lal Kanhaiya, Sehgal Meena, Gupta Vidhu, Sharma Aastha
| 2020

Uddanam region in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, India, is a CKD hotspot with high prevalence of CKD of unknown etiology (CKDu). A number of investigators have suggested that groundwater contamination could be one of the factors contributing to the high prevalence of CKDu in this region. This study was focused on the monitoring and assessment of groundwater quality of Uddanam region and also in identifying potential etiological factors of CKDu from drinking water.

Human Gut Microbiota and Mental Health: Advancements and Challenges in Microbe-Based Therapeutic Interventions

Verma Helianthous, Phian Sonika, Lakra Priya, Kaur Jasleen, Subudhi Sanjukta , Lal Rup & Rawat Charu Dogra
| 2020

Gut microbes play prime role in human health and have shown to exert their influence on various physiological responses including neurological functions. Growing evidences in recent years have indicated a key role of gut microbiota in contributing to mental health. The connection between gut and brain is modulated by microbes via neural, neuroendocrinal and metabolic pathways that are mediated through various neurotransmitters and their precursors, hormones, cytokines and bioactive metabolites. Impaired functioning of this connection can lead to manifestation of mental disorders.

Securitization of Climate Change- Issues for Global and National Security

Kedia Shailly, Ganeshan Swati, Sehbag Pooja
| 2020

The Energy and Resources Institute and the India Office of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung aim to bring together a diverse set of perspectives on aspects of global security by involving experts through research and dialogue; the experts range from scientists to practitioners drawn from the domains of climate change, governance and security. The objective of this policy study is to discuss various aspects of ‘securitization of climate change’, which include non-traditional security, external security, internal security and political dynamics.

Addressing Air Quality Spurts due to Crop Stubble Burning during COVID19 Pandemic: A case of Punjab

Pandey Rita, Kedia Shailly, Malhotra Anuja
| 2020

World over the headlines are centred on COVID-19. The World Health Organisation (WHO), various subject experts, and governments across the world see this pandemic sticking around in some measure until a cure or a vaccine has been found. In view of this, there is an urgent need that all stakeholders – governments, industry, people, and civil society – shift their strategy from largely reactive, so far, to proactive.

Assessing Management of Plastic Straws Attached with used Beverage Cartons – A Case Study of 3 Metropolitan Cities of India

Manuja Sourabh, Pandey Suneel
| 2020

The global plastic production has increased from 1.5 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) in 1950 to 359 MMT in 2018 and overall around 8.3 Billion Metric Tonnes of virgin plastics have been produced worldwide. Globally, only 9% produced plastic was recycled and 12% went into thermal recovery routes.

Indian plastic consumption is estimated to be 20 MMT by end of 2020with about 39% of total plastics being consumed for packaging. India’s growth rate of plastic consumption is one of the highest in the world, due to rising middle class income group.