The Unsustainability of Human Activity

by Deep Narayan Shah

 

Rivers, lakes, wetlands, and forests are increasingly beleaguered by human activities. However, unsustainability is not a condition of having too little of something, and therefore it becomes unsustainable the more we use it. Rather, unsustainability is an inherent characteristic of human beings' lacks of care or concern for life itself.
Today’s indulgent generation has chosen a pattern of mechanization, technology, and development that overtaxes our planet’s resources in an effort to maintain a modern way of living. Thus, we have unwittingly planted the seeds of unsustainable development..........................

Published in The Epoch Times, a multi-language international newspaper spanning 33 countries in 17 languages.  Read more..

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Ecological and water quality status of rivers and irrigation channels

Water is essential for sustenance of life and is one of the principal elements which influence economic, industrial and agricultural growth of mankind. It is used by human directly for various purposes and indirectly through the use of goods and services provided by the ecosystem that depends on water. Over time, requirements for water for these purposes have increased tremendously and the encroachment of human activities has modified their sources. Additionally, today the rivers are also the main repository for the untreated sewage, solid waste, and industrial effluents. Therefore the monitoring of qualitative and quantitative parameters of aquatic ecosystems is necessary for the approximation and estimation of their environmental situation and trends. This book summarizes the investigations done in the Lower Gangetic Plains moist deciduous forests of Nepal. Based on this study, metrics of indicator organisms has been proposed for effective monitoring which could be ultimate tool for integrated water management.

ISBN 978-3-8443-1366-6

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First records of Rhicnoda natatrix and Rhicnoda rugosa (Blattodea: Blaberidae) from Nepal and India (Maharashtra) with notes on habitat quality

Abstract: Two species of cockroaches were collected from aquatic habitats of undisturbed natural forest streams in Nepal and India (Maharashtra): Rhicnoda natatrix and Rhicnoda rugosa. Nymphs and adults are depicted and field observations of microhabitat and behavior described. Taxa lists of accompanying macroinvertebrate fauna are given, and water quality class is calculated using three biotic scoring systems.  R. natatrix is a true aquatic species with amphibious lifestyle in the eulittoral of springs (Crenon) and streams (Rhithron) of excellent and good water quality classes I and II. R. rugosa is a predominantly terrestrial species that also colonizes the banks of water bodies and appears in between aquatic fauna.  These species cannot be classified using the traditional habitat system.

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Post-flood status of the Endangered Ganges River Dolphin (Cetartiodactyla: Platanistidae) in the Koshi River, Nepal

Abstract: The breach of the eastern embankment of the Koshi Barrage at Paschim Kusaha Village of Sunsari District on 18 August 2008, created havoc for wildlife and their habitats, as well as people’s livelihood and welfare.  The Koshi River flowed through the breach for five months.  Following the breach, a population assessment survey of the Endangered Ganges River Dolphin Platanista gangetica gangetica was made between March and November 2009 in the Koshi River main channel starting from Chatara to 2km south of Koshi Barrage to ascertain their status.  A direct count survey was conducted by two teams of researchers simultaneously searching for animals by boat from Chatara to the Koshi Barrage including the Triyuga River and on foot along the river banks downstream of Koshi Barrage and along the Mariya River.  Standard protocols were followed to record the number of sighted dolphins.  A total of 11 dolphins were recorded in the entire 49-km river stretch with an encounter rate of 0.23 dolphins per km.  The current result showed an encouraging population of dolphins in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and its buffer zone but the threats for conservation still remain challenging.  Close monitoring of dolphins and their habitats involving local communities are required for long term conservation of the river dolphins in Nepal.

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