Browsing by Subject "Ecology"
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Item Eco- cultural Imagination in Ernest Callenbach's Ecotopia(Department of English, 2022) Ghimire, Durga PrasadThis paper is a critical discussion over ecological exploitation of human beings into the nature and need of awareness through literary and cultural practice to overcome the ecological crisis in the age of environmental destruction, in Callenbach's Ecotopia by using the theoretical concept of Chery Glotfelty and Harold Fromm's ecocriticism, eco-awareness and Gary Synder's idea of deep ecology. Callenbach urges for ecological awareness through his literary text to heal environmental exploitation. Based on textual analysis, ideas of different critics and library-based materials the researcher finds out that Callenbach's Ecotopia evokes for necessary of cultural action and common human responsibilities in the everyday fashion of socio-cultural and political life of the human world to replace human exploitation over the environment. It is the story of a newly modeled country Ecotopia, where Callenbach's protagonist Weston provides the reader with detailed insights into the Ecotopian’s lifestyle, production, economy, eco-technology, politics, education and gender relations. Hence, the ultimate goal of this research is to give a message of ecological awareness in the age of environmental destruction.Item Ecological Consciousness in K.N.Panikkar’s Aramba Chekkan(Central Department of English Kirtipur, Kathmandu., 2010) Wagle, Dilli PrasadThis research work attempts to show how K.N. Panikkar's Aramba Chekkan arouses ecological consciousness. Anthropocentrism is a tendency of keeping man at the centre and exploiting other living beings and non-living things on earth for human profit or use. Such activities invite apocalypse as Aramba has to face his fate in the play-he is torn up by wild animals. Ecological awareness is an impetus that moves people away from centre, and compels to think of the consequences of human activities in the world. It is a vision that one day humankind's existence will be in danger. Therefore, as a solution or in other words, for smooth running of this natural world/ universe, biocentric vision is essential. Biocentrism means taking each and every organism of this universe with equal eyes and sense of respect. To ensure human existence, first man should learn to respect and preserve the nature.Item ECOLOGY AND FEEDING BEHAVIOR OF ASSAMESE MONKEYS (Macaca assamensis) in MID-HILLS OF NEPAL(2023-05-31) GHIMIRE, SUVAS CHANDRAA study on Assamese monkeys (Macaca assamensis) was performed in the Kaligandaki river basin (KRB) of western Nepal and in the Budhigandaki river basin (BRB) of central Nepal. The field study was conducted from February 2015 to January 2016 spending 1804 hours to explore the ecology and feeding behavior of Assamese monkeys. During the study period, a total of 42 individuals of Assamese monkeys with two troops (Palpa troop n=24 and Syangja troop n=18) with mean group size 21 in KRB and that of 43 individuals with three troops (Rigdikhola troop n=16, Rockybhir troop n=13 and Siurenitar troop n=14) with mean group size 14.33 in BRB were recorded. Pearson’s Chi-squared test (χ2 = 20.5511, p = 0.665) and Fisher’s exact test (p = 0.861) show that there is no significant difference in distribution pattern of Assamese monkeys among blocks (Block A, Block B, Block C, Block D and Block E). Two troops of Assamese monkeys, one from KRB named as Kaligandaki focal Assamese Syangja troop (KFAST) and other from BRB named as Budhigandaki focal Assamese Siurenitar troop (BFAST) were monitored using scan sampling and focal animal sampling methods to understand the ecology and feeding behavior of the monkeys in two different topographical river system of Nepal. Botanical quadrate sampling (20 m 20 m) plotted in different altitudinal areas of KRB forest revealed that Trichilia connaroides was the dominant plant species with relative density 35.68% and relative frequency 8.38% while Shorea robusta was the dominant plant species with relative density 29.75% and relative frequency 8.87% in BRB forest. Different quadrate plots and vegetation analysis revealed that the Assamese monkeys of KRB and BRB were found inhabited in sub-tropical deciduous riverine forest with rocky cliffs habitat. Kaligandaki Assamese monkeys frequently used leaf of Albizzia chinensis and that of Budhigandaki used leaf of Lagerstroemia parviflora as major food throughout the year. Most of the botanical quadrate plots also included Albizzia chinensis species in Kaligandaki area and that of Lagerstroemia parviflora species in Budhigandaki area although dominated by Trichilia connaroides in Kaligandaki and Shorea robusta in Budhigandaki. Further, the sleeping sites of the Assamese monkeys during night time were found on rocky cliffs and rocky outcrops of both the river basin rocks. These rocky cliffs and rocky outcrops were very close with specific food plants of the monkeys in both the sites that might help them to prefer this type of habitat. Four major behaviors namely feeding, resting, moving and grooming were recorded. During 716 hours of observation period in Kaligandaki, the total feeding time spent by Assamese monkeys was 294.7 hours (41.16%) and in Budhigandaki during 691 hours observation period, the total feeding time spent by the monkeys was 306.5 hours (44.36%), as highest in both sites followed by resting, moving and grooming. Special emphasis was given to time investment and food intake by the monkeys. They preferred fruits (27.19% in Kaligandaki and 29.54% in Budhigandaki) as the highest intake per year in gram percentage followed by mature leaf and others, however the feeding time spent per year was higher on mature leaf (30.02% in Kaligandaki and 29.04% in Budhigandaki) followed by fruits and others. This shows from the results that food intake amount and time investment on feeding of different plant parts may differ depending on the nutritive value of food availability. Data from systematic behavioral observations were analyzed with reference to that of the vegetation surveys. Assamese macaques invested more than two-fifths (>40%) of the diurnal time on feeding. The two study troops inhabiting highly similar habitats of food plants (Sorensen’s Similarity Index = 0.93) didn’t have a significant difference in the selection of food-plant parts. This concludes that food choice and time investment on the feeding of different plant parts differ depending on the availability of food in the area. Macaques living in comparable habitats with similar food plants have analogous food choices and time investments. Crop raiding by Assamese monkeys is one of the serious problems in both KRB and BRB villages. Maize crop was highly preferred (47.14% in Kaligandaki and 58.43% in Budhigandaki) by the Assamese monkeys as a major crop raid followed by others. Monkeys raid the crops mainly due to the scarcity of natural foods and degradation of their habitats. Therefore, conservation attempts should be focused on this nationally endangered and protected primate species in Nepal in order to provide a practical guide to future conservation.Item Ecology in William Carlos Williams's Poems(Department of English, 2018) Regmi, DeeptiThis thesis entitled "Nature Centered Notion: Ecocritical Reading of Williams's Poems" is a ecocritical analysis of William Carlos Williams selected poems: “Queen Anne’s Lace," “Red Wheelbarrow,” “Landscape with the Fall of Icarus,’’ "Paterson" and “Peace on Earth”. From the perspective of ecocritical studies with reference to the text, I have come up with a finding that Williams explores the relationship between nature and human life in his writings. It adopts the theory of ecocriticism and ecocriticism is the study of the relationship between literature and environment. It includes everything related to the human and non human elements i.e. hills, plants, trees, seas, animals, rock, soil etc. which are considered as a part of human world. Thus, the relationship between man and the environment are the most important concepts on the study of ecocriticism. Williams is a nature poet. His poems are based on beauty of nature and environment as well. Through his poems he suggests about the world wars that are worthless. For him nature is powerful and it gives solace to the human sufferings at the time of war. This paper presents that the preserving and conserving nature in the age of rapid progression on science and technology is important to get comfort in life, which is also the thematic perspective of Williams.Item Ecology of Some Weeds of Winter Crop Fields in Kathmandu Valley(Department of Botany, 2021) Das Mallik, Baby BabitaIn Nepal, weeds cause yield loss up to 45% in the mustard (Brassica campestris L.) field and 50% in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), sometimes even more losses when the weed population and density are higher. Usually, weeds are harmful but some may have economic importance as organic compost, food or fodder, medicine, and industrial uses. The use of invasive plants (like Ageratina adenophora (Spreng) King & Rob. and Parthenium hysterophorus L.) and a native weed (Artemisia dubia Wall. Ex. Besser), for preparing biofertilizer and their effect on weed and winter crops have been investigated in the present study. The main objectives of the present study were to understand the weed ecology in winter crop fields. Other important objectives were to investigate the allelopathic effect of Artemesia dubia, Ageratina adenophora and Parthenium hysterophorus to control selected weeds of winter crops by using aqueous extract, compost extract, and their compost. The study was carried out at the wheat and mustard fields of selected sites (Kirtipur, Bhaktapur, Godawari, Chapagaon, Dharamsthali, and Shivapuri) during winter (Oct-March) in the year 2012-2014. Based on the highest IVI value only four common weed species (Ageratum conyzoides L., Bidens pilosa L., Cyperus rotundus L., and Galinsoga parviflora Cav.) were selected for a further ecological studies like phenology, soil seed bank, seed morphology, seed germination, and allelopathic effect. Altogether 40 plants of each weed (Ageratum conyzoides, Bidens pilosa, Cyperus rotundus, and Galinsoga parviflora) were randomly selected and their phenophase was carefully examined from the germination stage to seed dispersal stage of plants using the phenological index technique. The shape, color, and size (length and breadth) of the four common weed seeds were measured under a compound microscope for weed seed morphology study. Seed germination experiment was conducted on environmental conditions like moisture (content 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 ml), temperature (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25˚C), pH (value 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) and light (normal, red, yellow, blue, green and dark color). For the crops, optimum moisture content (9 ml) was required. The experiments on seed germination of moisture indicated that Cyperus rotundus and Galinsoga parviflora do not require more moisture to germinate and grow. Seed germination of both crops enhanced significantly at 15 to 20˚C treatments but all weed seeds were significantly high at 10 to 15˚C. The percentage of seed germination of both crops Brassica campestris and Triticum aestivum increased significantly in normal and green light. Seed germination of Ageratum conyzoides, Cyperus rotundus, and Galinsoga parviflora was significantly different in normal, red, yellow, and green light. Germination of all weed seeds was completely inhibited in blue and dark light. Seed germination and seedling growth were higher in pH 5-7 in most cases. Seed germination was also conducted with different concentrations (control, 1, 2.5, 5, 10%) of chemical fertilizer solutions and different doses of fertilizer amended in soil (control, 10, 20, 40, 50 g/kg soil). Seed germination of both crops and all the weeds were mostly high in control and 1% of both urea and potash solution. The germination of selected weed seeds reduced significantly with increasing concentrations of both urea and potash in soil. The aqueous extracts vegetative parts of Ageratina adenophora, Parthenium hysterophorus, and Artemisia dubia, their compost extract (of the whole plant) of different concentration (control, 1, 2.5, 5, and 10%) and soil amended with composts (of different doses 0, 10, 20, 40, and 50 g compost/kg soil) were used to understand their effects on seed germination, seedling growth of crops (Triticum aestivum, Brassica campestris) and the common weed. The aqueous and compost extracts of Ageratina adenophora and Parthenium hysterophorus significantly reduced seed germination and seedling length (shoot and root) with increasing concentrations. The stem and leaf extracts of Ageratina adenophora showed a more inhibitory effect on the seed germination of both winter crops and all weeds as compared to root extract. In the soil amended with different amounts of Ageratina adenophora and Parthenium hysterophorus compost showed more reduction in seed germination among the weeds in comparison to both crop plants. Seed germination of Cyperus rotundus was completely inhibited even at 1% Parthenium compost extract and soil amended with 10 g/kg Parthenium compost. The aqueous extract and compost extracts and compost of the native plant Artemisia also significantly reduced seed germination, seedling length of both selected crops and weeds, with increasing concentrations, but were less detrimental than the compost of the other two invasive weeds. From this study, it was found that compost of Ageratina adenophora and Parthenium hystrophorus at the rate of 20-40 g/kg soil was effective to control the winter weeds. Hence the use of Ageratina adenophora and Parthenium hysterophorus compost are suggested to use at low concentrations (20-40 g/kg soil) in wheat or mustard fields, especially to control most of the common weeds. This information suggests preparing compost from the invasive weeds which can act as environmentally safe and cost-effective bio-herbicides along with an important strategy for weed management.Item Ethnobiology of The Pahari (A case study of Badikhel VDC of Lalitpur district)(Department of Zoology, 2010) Dhami, Ganesh SinghThe Pahari are one of the marginalized indigenous groups, spread out in different parts of Nepal but this particular study is on the people inhabiting Badikhel VDC of Lalitpur district. Historically, they make extensive use of locally available plants and animals for fulfilling their basic needs. The study is carried out to document the plants and animals being used in various ways by the Pahari. To meet the intended objectives, field visits were carried out and the ethnobiological data were collected through observation, participation and interviews with the local people and other knowledgeable people. The study reveals that the Pahari make use of 38 species of animals-both wild and domestic. They use different 284 plants species both wild and cultivated as food, medicines, timber, fuel, wood, fibre and for different rituals. They use 8 different animal species to treat 7 ailments/diseases and 80 different plant species to treat 31 ailments and diseases. Despite their knowledge about local biodiversity, they tend to overexploit the natural resources because of their ignorance and poverty. As such, the local Pahari peoples’ activities are responsible for the depletion of the surrounding biodiversity. Finally some recommendations regarding the conservation of the cultural and biological diversity have been made for relevant individuals and agencies for wise and proper use of resources to encourage sustainable use to meet the national mandate of sustainable development. Key words: Pahari, indigenous knowledge, EthnobiologyItem Feeding Ecology of Red Panda Ailurus Fuulgens F. G. Cuvier(Central Department of Zoology, 2019) Rai, KamalaNot AvailableItem Population Status, Distribution and Behavioural Ecology of Hanuman Langur (Semnopithecus entellus Dufresne, 1797) at Devghat, Chitwan, Nepal.(Department of Zoology, 2007) Subedi, Krishna PrasadA study on “Population Status, Distribution and Behavioural Ecology of Hanuman Langur (Semnopithecus entellus Dufresne, 1797) at Devghat, Chitwan” was made by direct observation, field survey and behavioral sampling methods. Field research was mainly conducted from June 2007 to September 2007 to explore the age-sex composition and distribution pattern of Langur population, food plants of Langur monkey and daily activity pattern of the Langur population in Devghat area of Chitwan. The total population of the Hanuman Langur in the study area was 43, out of which 26 (60.46%) were adults, 6 (13.95%) were sub-adults, 1 (2.32%) was juvenile and 10 (23.25%) were infants. The male to female sex ratio from the sex identified age groups of adult and sub-adult was 1:1.13. From the four different troops of Hanuman Langur observed in Devghat, the average troop size was computed to be of 10.75 individuals per troop. The distribution of Langur population inside the study area was found regular or random type of distribution. A total of 87 plant species were recorded from the study area among which Sal (Shorea robusta), Sissoo (Dalbergia sissoo), Jamuno (Syzygium cumini), Kyamuno (Cleistocalyx opperculatus) etc. were dominant species. Among the recorded species, 13 (14.94%) were found to be used by the Langur monkey as food plant. The leaves, fruits, flowers and buds of the plants were used as food. Feeding, grooming, resting, playing, fighting (agonistic) and monitoring were the major behaviour observed in Langur monkeys from Devghat. Resting (inactive) was the major activity of the Langur monkey in summer and rainy seasons followed by feeding, locomotion playing and grooming. Deforestation, human encroachment, pressure of pilgrimage and competition with domestic livestock (cattle, goats) were major threats to Langur of Devghat. The conservation awareness raising programs and further researches on ecology and behaviour of the Hanuman Langur can be recommended from this study.