Publications

A two-track CDM: improved incentives for sustainable development and offset production

Research Paper
| January 11, 2018

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) has been criticized in the literature for encouraging a focus on offset production (OP) at the expense of achieving or encouraging sustainable development (SD). It is argued that one explanation for this is that there is no commonly agreed definition of SD and, moreover, the priority of CDM project developers is often to produce cost-effective OP. Many of the proposals to address these drawbacks are not politically feasible.

An assessment of health sector in the "state action plans on climate change" for India

Research Paper
| January 11, 2018

This article attempts to assess the state action plans on climate change (SAPCC) of 11 Indian states in terms of reviewing the challenges and opportunities in the health sector. The review indicates that inadequate literature on the projected impacts of climate change on human health is a major issue that requires immediate attention. The absence of any national mission on health has affected the level of prioritization given to the health sector in SAPCCs.

An evaluative model for city competitiveness: Application to UK cities

Research Paper
| January 11, 2018

Progressive cities have competitive advantages in capturing opportunities for development and attracting leading edge business. Regeneration and business strategies are amongst the tools that cities may employ in order to overcome the challenges that influence their competitiveness. However, there has been little research that links these themes. This paper integrates regeneration and property-led business strategies through the development of a hierarchical model for city competitiveness.

An integrated statistical approach for evaluating the exceedence of criteria pollutants in the ambient air of megacity Delhi

Research Paper
| January 11, 2018

Like many countries, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi, in India evaluates exceedences of air pollution levels against the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). One of the mandatory requirements for NAAQS compliance is that the probability of non-exceedence should be at least 0.98, meaning that the formulated framework of NAAQS is essentially statistical.

Application of appropriate technologies in TERI Library and Information Centre: an exploratory study

Research Paper
| January 11, 2018

National Science and Technology Management Information System (NSTMIS) of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) makes available the information and data on resources devoted to R&D activities in the country through its regular and occasional publications for evidence based S&T planning. Digitization of all the publications brought out under NSTMIS scheme since its inception in 1973 and developing web-based digital repository for quick access and retrieval purposes was the mission.

Assessing biome boundary shifts under climate change scenarios in India

Research Paper
| January 11, 2018

Climate change and its cascading impacts are being increasingly recognized as a major challenge across the globe. Climate is one of the most critical factors affecting biomes and their distribution. The present study assessed shifts in biome types of India using the conceptual framework of Holdridge life zone (HLZ) model, minimum distance classifier and climatic datasets to assess the distribution pattern of potential biomes under climate change scenarios in India.

Assessment of Volume Change in East Rathong Glacier, Eastern Himalaya

Research Paper
| January 11, 2018

An estimate of change in volume of East Rathong glacier in Eastern Himalayas has been made, vis-a-vis changes in its surface area over the period 1962-2011. The change in the area and volume of the glacier has been estimated using remote sensing (CORONA and Landsat images) and GIS techniques, field methods and certain empirical relationships and scaling laws. Bruckl's thickness-area relationship and volume-area scaling methods are used to estimate the volume and change in the volume of the glacier from 1962 to 2011.

Bacterial Biosynthesis of Indole-3-Acetic Acid: Signal Bacterial Biosynthesis of Indole-3-Acetic Acid: Signal Messenger Service

Research Paper
| January 11, 2018

Plant health and soil quality are continuously challenged by increasing environmental stresses and phytopathogen attack. They are often, however, provided a helping hand by unseen microbial inhabitants in the rhizosphere. In this context bacterial biosynthesis of the auxin phytohormone, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is well established, as it can positively regulate developmental processes of plant roots.

Can a "Blue Sky" Return to Indian Megacities

Research Paper
| January 11, 2018

Deterioration of air quality in Indian megacities (Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata) is much more significant than that observed in the megacities of developed countries. Densely packed high-rise buildings restrict the self-cleaning capabilities of Indian megacities. Also, the ever growing number of on-road vehicles, resuspension of the dust, and anthropogenic activities exacerbate the levels of ambient air pollution, which is in turn breathed by urban dwellers. Pollution levels exceeding the standards on a regular basis often result in a notable increase in morbidity and mortality.

Carbon stock estimation for tree species of Sem Mukhem sacred forest in Garhwal Himalaya, India

Research Paper
| January 11, 2018

Carbon stock estimation was conducted in tree species of Sem Mukhem sacred forest in district Tehri of Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India. This forest is dedicated to Nagraj Devta and is dominated by tree species, including Quercus floribunda, Quercus semecarpifolia and Rhododendron arboreum. The highest values of below ground biomass density, total biomass density and total carbon density were (34.81+-1.68) Mg.ha-1, (168.26+-9.04) Mg.ha-1 and (84.13+-4.18) Mg.ha-1 for Pinus wallichiana.