Search

The study analysed the changes in the rainfall, extreme indices and their future projections over Rajasthan state based on observed gridded datasets (1976-2005) and simulated climate models. The climate projections from two global circulation models (HadCM3 and GFCM21) are used in statistical downscaling tool LARS-WG5 (Long Ashton Research Station-Weather Generator) to generate future precipitation. Further, the changes in precipitation pattern are investigated for the baseline period and the future periods based on seven extreme precipitation indices. Three future periods are used for the analysis i.e., early century period 2011-2040 (2025s), a mid-century period of 2041-2070 (2055s) and a late-century period of 2071-2100 (2085s). The study area is classified in three regions based on elevation range i.e., region 1 (< 250 m), region 2 (251-350 m) and region 3 (350-1700 m). Based on results, it is observed that there is a possible decrease in monsoon precipitation at many grid points for all the three future periods. The maximum decrease in rainfall (−142 mm) is observed in Banswara for the period 2041-2070, while the maximum increase (37 mm) is found in Alwar along with Churu 1 and Ganganagar during the period 2071-2100. Consecutive dry days (CDD) is predicted to increase in the west and south-west direction, while it shows decrease values in eastern and central part of the study area with the maximum value in Ajmer district. The pattern in PRCPTOT revealed maximum negative change (− 90 mm) in southern parts, and maximum positive change in the northern regions (62.2 mm) in Churu 1. Further, R20 and RX5day are projected to decrease in all three regions in future with several magnitudes. For RX1day, a maximum positive change is observed in eastern parts (Jhalawar, Sawai Madhopur) and negative changes in the southern part of the study area. In case of R95p index, both positive and negative changes are observed. Similarly, the SDII indicates a positive change in 2011-2040 and negative changes for the remaining two future periods. Finally, SDII shows maximum positive changes in the south and southeastern regions (Jhalawar, Chittaurgarh) and positive changes in various parts with spatial and temporal changes. The results will help water resources planner to understand the change pattern in various precipitation indices in water scarce state of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapeseed-mustard (Brassica spp.) is the major rabi oilseed crop of India. India is fourth largest contributor of oilseeds and Rapeseed-mustard contributing to around 11% of world's total production and about 28.6% in total oilseeds production of the country. More than 85% Rapeseed-mustard production comes from 5 States viz. Rajasthan [48%], Haryana [12%], MP [10%], UP [9%] and West Bengal [7%]. In the previous few years, remote sensing technique has been progressively more considered for evolving as an alternative, standardized, possibly cheaper and faster technology for crop acreage estimation. Furthermore, satellite remote sensing data have strong advantages in comparison with other monitoring techniques because it provides timely, synoptic and latest information of crop at various stages over large scales. Therefore, under FASAL project, cloud free crop season's images of different satellites (Sentinel-2, Resourcesat-2 and Landsat-8) were used and mustard crop was discriminated using Maximum Likelihood Classifier (MLC). Yield was estimated using different methods such as remote sensing derived NDVI, Agrometeorological yield model and Semi-Physical Model. The RMSE values for state level were found to be 4–17%, 8–19% and 13–23% for area, yield and production, respectively. The correlation coefficient (r) between DES and FASAL estimates were close to 0.9 in all the cases. The results of t-test at 5% level of significance inferred that FASAL and DES results were not significantly different. These results show that RS and weather-based techniques can be effectively used for pre-harvest acreage, yield and production estimation of mustard crop at district, state and national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of active epilepsy, assess the sociodemographic profile, and psychological aspects of epilepsy in the Jaipur district of Rajasthan, India. Methods: We conducted a community-based, cross-sectional observational study covering both rural (n = 165,660) and urban (n = 179,142) populations of Jaipur district using a house-to-house survey. An adapted, pre-designed World Health Organization screening questionnaire was used to identify the cases. Those confirmed by neurologists as true seizures were included in the study. Cases were classified as per the International League against Epilepsy recommendation. Global Mental Health Assessment Tool electronic questionnaire was used to analyze psychological aspects of cases. The caregivers of the patients participated in the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) survey. Results: A total of 380 patients (258 men, 122 women) were identified with active epilepsy. The estimated prevalence of active epilepsy was 1.1/1,000 population and 71% of cases belonged to low socioeconomic classes. Primary treatment gap was documented in 18.8% of cases in our study, 38% of cases were non-compliant to treatment with poorer compliance in those on pol-therapy, 76% had some psychiatric disorder, anxiety and depression being the commonest, and positive family history of epilepsy was found in 4.7%. KAP survey revealed that only 15% of the respondents believed that epilepsy is non-curable, 74% denied its infectious nature, 26% believed that epilepsy occurs due to past sins, and 81% said that they would not marry persons with epilepsy. Conclusion: A relatively low prevalence (1.1/1,000) of active epilepsy and a smaller primary treatment gap (18.8%) was found in our study population. Almost three-fourth of cases had an associated psychological problem, Though caregivers were aware of the nature of disease, majority would not prefer to marry a person suffering from epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Swaroop Rani Dubey and Bhagwant Rao Dubey present the findings of a study conducted in a village and an urban slum in Rajasthan, India, on the impact of child marriage on women's empowerment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyses the impacts of climate change on water resources in the Banas River Basin, which is located in a semi-arid part of the state of Rajasthan in India. A bias-corrected ensemble mean of three CORDEX-SA driving GCM experiments (CNRM-CM5, CCSM4, and MPI-ESM-LR) was used with the Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to predict water yield and evapotranspiration for three future periods (2011–2040, 2041–2070, and 2071–2099) under two representative concentration pathway scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5), and the results were compared with the data of a historical period (1979–2008). The SUFI-2 method was used for the calibration and validation of the SWAT model. The model was calibrated for the period of five years (1982–1986) and validated for the next five years (1987–1991). The values of R2, NSE, bR2, PBIAS, and RSR were, respectively, 0.78, 0.77, 0.61, 47.4 and 0.48 during the calibration period, and 0.71, 0.65, 0.60, 72.1 and 0.59 during the validation period. Trend analysis was also performed for annual future predicted flows using the Sen Slope method. From the results, it can be predicted that precipitation, evapotranspiration, and water yield will increase in all the three future periods under both RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. Water availability in the future in the basin (zone wise) was identified using appropriate indicators. Per-capita water availability and meteorological variation were used to calculate future water availability and, considering these indicators, it can be concluded that zone 3 will better than the other zones. Zone 3 exhibits high values of per capita water availability and meteorological variation. This study will be useful in understanding the impacts of climate change on the water availability of the river basin and may help in overall water management in the present and the future. Unlabelled Image • SWAT model was applied to study the water security using Ensemble CORDEX-SA climatic model at the basin level • Calibration and validation of model were satisfactory, the R2 is 0.78 and 0.71 • Water security analysis on the basis of per capita water availability and meteorological variation in the future periods [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]