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• Five major carnivore species conflict with humans in Pakistan. • A total of N = 7214 livestock heads were lost during past two decades to these five carnivores. • Maximum predator's attacks were documented in the buffer zones of different protected areas. • Maximum livestock were depredated by common leopard, followed by grey wolf and black bear. • Majority of livestock were attacked during summer season at nighttime. Human-carnivore conflict is a noteworthy rural livelihood issue as livestock of local communities living around protected areas are depredated by wild carnivores, which are the persecuted by local communities, in response. The current study aimed at investigating the patterns, perception, economic losses, and mitigation of human wildlife conflict in Pakistan through meta-analysis of published literature and using the questionnaire survey method. We retrieved data from the published and unpublished sources, and from records of provincial wildlife departments. In addition, we also collected empirical data from different households falling in the range of targeted carnivore species and filled 331 semi-structured questionaries. Based on the activities and home range of the predator species, conflict density maps for each predator species were developed. Our analysis revealed that five major carnivore species are involved in the human-wildlife conflict, namely Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus), Himalayan brown bear (Ursus arctos), common leopard (Panthera pardus), grey wolf (Canis lupus) and snow leopard (Panthera uncia). About 7214 livestock heads were reportedly lost during past two decades because of these five carnivore species. The domestic goat depredation was maximum (51.08 %, n = 3685), followed by sheep (27.09 %, n = 1954), cow (11.37 %, n = 820), buffalo (2.34 %, n = 169), dogs (2.05 %, n = 148), poultry (0.87 %, n = 63), donkey (4.28 %, n = 348), and horse (0.37 %, n = 27), causing a total financial loss of USD 1.87 million. Maximum livestock depredation occurred in summer season (50.79 %), at night (59.92 %) time and outside the village (51.22 %). Majority of the people showed negative attitude towards the predators, and they did not know about the conservation status and the authorities to report for conservation of the predator species. Most of the respondents were unaware about the possible management of the predator species for the co-existence of human and wildlife in the same landscape. However, majority of respondents (38.3 %) thought that livestock depredation by carnivore species can be controlled through payment of insurance compensation to the person who lost its livestock during carnivore attacks, followed by restoration of natural habitat (20.1 %), translocation of predator (16 %), and improved husbandry practices like predator proof corals (8 %). The study concludes that buffer zones of the protected areas are the hotspots for human- wildlife conflict and to avoid such conflict in future, special mitigation measures should be adapted, and regulations should be developed to minimize the niche overlap of the livestock and wildlife prey species, thereby to avoid any competition for food resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early age marriage is associated with a range of poor social, economic, physical, and health outcomes for adolescent girls and their descendants. Early age marriage is a crime and violation of human rights. Female early age marriage is a serious issue in Pakistan. The objective of the current study has been to find the key determinants of early age marriages of females in Pakistan. The respondents of the study have been married females in the age group of 15–49 years. The nationally representative household survey data "Pakistan Demographic Health Survey (PDHS) 2017-18" has been used for the analysis. The analysis has been done using descriptive statistics, association tests, and logistic regression. The results indicate that the variables included in the analysis are statistically significant. As compared to poorest, the odds ratios associated with poorer, middle, richer, richest have been 0.795, 0.722, 0.579, and 0.532 respectively. As compared to illiterate, the odds ratios associated with a primary, secondary, and a higher level of education have been: 0.954, 0.531, and 0.141 respectively. As compared to working females the odds ratio associated with not working has been 1.169. The odds ratios associated with Balochi, Saraiki, Pushto, Sindhi, Punjabi, and other ethnic groups have been 1.694, 1.499, 1.447, 1.195, 0.906, and 1.31 respectively. Being an urban resident has an odds ratio of 0.897 against the rural resident. It is concluded that higher education level of female, better household wealth status, working female job status and media exposure reduces the likelihood of girls' early age marriages in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of ultrasonic (US) treatment on chemical characteristics and antioxidant potential of pulps obtained from eight mango varieties indigenous to Pakistan. There was a significant (p < 0.05) effect of varieties and US treatment on chemical characteristics i.e. pH, acidity, TSS, vitamin C contents, total sugars (%), reducing sugars (%) and non-reducing sugars (%). Microstructure evaluation of pulp from all mango varieties showed deshaped middle lamella and cell wall of cells after 8 min of US treatment. At 4 min of US treatment as per shaped cell wall and middle lamella, the chemical characteristics and antioxidant potential were higher. The total phenolics (TP), flavonoids (TF) and total antioxidant activity (TAA) of pulp from most varieties increased significantly (p < 0.05) after US treatment for 4 min but decreased successively after each treatment i.e. 8 and 12 min. The maximum value (314.17 μg AAE/mL pulp) of DPPH was shown by pulp from Dosehri and the minimum (158.67 μg AAE/mL pulp) was found in pulp from Langra before US treatment. The DPPH values of pulp from most of the varieties increased significantly (p < 0.05) after US treatment for 4 min but decreased successively after each treatment but pulp from Langra showed increasing trend after 8 min of US treatment which decreased after 12 min of treatment. The total anthocyanin (TA) values of pulp from Chaunsa, Dosehri, Sindhri, Gulab Khas and Langra increased abruptly after US treatment for 4 min but decreased successively after subsequent treatment. The pulp from Desi, Anwar Ratol, Gulab Khas and Langra showed an abrupt decrease in TA after 8 min of US treatment. An increasing trend of values of total carotenoids (TC) was shown by pulp from all mango varieties after 4 min of US treatment but decreasing trend was observed with subsequent increase in time of US treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perceived norms attached to public transport travel significantly reinforce mobility inequalities. Such mobility inequalities contribute to social exclusion, particularly among vulnerable groups such as older adults. Thus, understanding the antecedents of older adults' social exclusion behaviour is vital in advancing knowledge and promoting social sustainability. We proposed an integrated model and included 384 older adults from diverse socio-demographic backgrounds in Pakistan, examining the impact of social and personal norms of public transport use on social exclusion. Results revealed that social norms of public transport use played an essential role in shaping older adults' social exclusion directly and indirectly via personal norms. Perceived accessibility further moderated the effect of social and personal norms on social exclusion. The antecedents of personal norms (i.e., awareness of consequences and ascription of responsibility) were analyzed based on the Norm Activation Model. This study suggests that the prevalent norms supporting public transport use can act as a complementary policy for promoting independent mobility and, thus, social inclusion among older adults. Transport policymakers and social researchers can consider the findings to develop healthy ageing societies. • Impact of perceived norms of public transport use on social exclusion is analyzed. • Problem awareness, ascription of responsibility & social norm shape personal norm. • Social norms of public transport use could help reduce social exclusion • Perceived accessibility increases the negative effect of norms on social exclusion • We propose suggestions to promote public transport use and social inclusion [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various field trials were performed at different locations of Punjab, Pakistan to study the effect of trace metals on uptake of iron (Fe) and wheat productivity as well as the health risk assessment by ingestion of wheat grains grown with application of different irrigation sources. The experimental design was laid out in RCBD having four replications. Soil samples were taken before sowing of crop from 0 to 15 cm depth and Triticum astivum samples were taken after irrigation through different water treatments examined for pollution load index (PLI), bioaccumulation factor (BAF), translocation factor (TF), bioconcentration factor (BCF), daily intake of metal (DIM) and health risk index (HRI) parameters. Fe concentrations in soil from five districts where wheat types watered with 3 different supplies ranged from 30.28 to 41.03 mg/kg and in grain sample ranged between 1.36 and 6.74 mg/kg. All the samples had DIM values of Fe were observed lower than standard tolerable limits and values of HRI less than 1 which indicates that there is no Fe toxicity due to utilization of wheat grains. • Due to water scarcity, farmers use wastewater for irrigation resulting heavy metal accumulation in the crops. • Wheat is a broadly cultivated cereal crop used as staple food in Pakistan that calls for focus of attention. • Studies were conducted at various districts of Punjab, Pakistan to check the uptake of iron (Fe) and yield of wheat. • Bioaccumulation, Translocation and bio concentration factors, DIM, and health risk index parameters were investigated. • Daily intake of Fe less than standard tolerable limits and HRI less than 1 indicated no Fe toxicity due to wheat consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many countries, where wastewater irrigation has become a common practice, the accumulation of heavy metals by crops has been regarded as a severe environmental hazard. The evaluation of the toxic element lead (Pb) in water, agricultural soils and food crops, and their potential damage to human health, is the focus of the present study. Samples of eleven food crops, soil, with three treatments, waste, canal, and tube well waters, were collected from three feeding sites, Sargodha city, Sahiwal, Shahpur, and evaluated for Pb concentration. The results indicates that the range of Pb in the water, soil and crop samples were from 0.023 to 0.039 mg/L, 2.932–13.687 mg/kg and 1.241–4.825 mg/kg, respectively. The metal concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in wastewater treated soil and crop samples that exceed the permissible limit of the World Health Organization (WHO). There is a positive correlation between the Pb concentration in the soil and crop samples. The pollution load index and enrichment factor are greater than 1, indicating a high level of soil contamination and the influence of natural and anthropogenic sources of Pb metal accumulation in soils. The bioconcentration factor (BCF), daily intake of metal (DIM), health risk index (HRI) and metal values are less than 1, indicating that toxic Pb are present in lower quantities in food crops and had no health risks to consumers. In wastewater treated soils, there is a significant accumulation of Pb toxicity. Therefore, it is vitally important to address Pb contamination and its potential entrance route into the human food chain. • This study collected 27 water and 99 soil and food crop samples from 3 sites in Sargodha. • The relationships of lead (Pb) contents in irrigated water soil and crops were explored. • The pollution load index and enrichment factor were greater than 1, indicating a high level of soil contamination. • Pb toxicity accumulated in wastewater treated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depending on the use and management, wastewater generation can be a severe environmental dilemma or a potential source. Proper application and management of municipal water (MW) in agriculture could be its sustainable use. Until now, there is rare data about the combined application of wastewater and freshwater in agriculture that could be considered as sustainable water management strategy. Also, plant (oxidative) stress responses to wastewater application have been rarely investigated. Here, we elucidated the influence of MW irrigation, diluted with canal water (CW) and groundwater (tap water; TW), on Vigna radiata to evaluate (i) the accumulation of potentially toxic metal(loid)s (PTMs; arsenic, copper, cadmium, iron, manganese, lead, nickel, zinc) in different plant tissues, (ii) biochemical modifications in plants, (iii) relative compartmentation of PTMs inside plant, and (iv) PTMs-induced health risk. Results revealed that the soil-plant transfer of PTMs and physiological changes in V. radiata varied depending on the irrigation water type. Noticeably, plants sequestered most of the PTM contents in roots (average 64%) and less were translocated to plant shoots. All the irrigation treatments provoked oxidative stress in V. radiata with high production of hydrogen peroxide, followed by an oxidation of membrane lipids and a decrease in chlorophyll content. The estimated cancer risk and hazard quotients values revealed a potential risk to human health (HQ: 2.2–108.8, CR: 0.0002–0.664), especially for arsenic, cadmium and lead. The integrated risk estimated from PTMs highlighted the unsuitability of all the treatments for crop irrigation. Therefore, in areas with high PTM levels in MW and freshwaters their mixed use is not an ideal management practice. Conclusively, this study helps to strictly monitor the quality of irrigation water before applying to crops and develop a suitable management and remediation strategy. Image 1 • Crop irrigation using municipal water is a common practice in Vehari-Pakistan. • Most of the potentially toxic metals (PTMs) were sequestered in V. radiata roots. • Plants exhibited oxidative stress and showed a linear trend in physiological parameters. • Risk models showed potential health risks for As, Cd and Pb acquisition in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The present study has been carried out to evaluate KAP of inhabitants of North Waziristan Agency, KPK province of Pakistan regarding CL. • A cross-sectional study based on community was piloted in new emerging district North Waziristan Agency KPK province of Pakistan from August 2019- February, 2020 to examine the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) of the community regarding CL. • The study's findings indicate the participants of study areas have limited knowledge related to aetiology, risk factors and treatment facilities of CL. • It is recommended to initiate health education and awareness campaigns to reduce the disease risk and burden in this highly endemic area in near future. Recent outbreaks of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) in Waziristan make the disease a public health concern in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province, Pakistan. The awareness and behavior of local community towards the disease is an important factor towards effective control and management of CL in endemic areas of Pakistan. A cross-sectional community based survey was piloted in new emerging district of North Waziristan Agency (KPK province), Pakistan from August 2019- February 2020. The study aimed to examine the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) of the local community members regarding CL. The results revealed that majority of the participants were male. Only 48.2% participants have knowledge about CL and the respondents had a moderate knowledge of CL vector and the disease. Few of the respondents were aware that CL is caused by sand flies, their breeding place, biting time, transmission of CL and control measures. Skin infection and sand-flies were the main disease symptoms and disease vector were known to some of the respondents. Most of the respondents showed positive attitude towards disease seriousness and believed that the disease could be cured and can be treated through modern medicines. Admission to hospitals, cleanliness and use of bed nets were the treatment measures for the disease in suspected patients, whereas some believed that the use of bed nets could be helpful in preventing the leishmaniasis. Moderate knowledge of the CL and its transmission in the study area emphasize the need to initiate health education and awareness campaigns to reduce the disease risk and burden in this highly endemic area in near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]