In order to ensure water sustainability, alarming levels of water scarcity across the globe is a critical issue warranting urgent address. The present study aims to bring to light the perception of farmers regarding water conservation and management practices from the selected five districts of the Haryana region of India. By analyzing the responses of 125 farmers, collected through a self-administered questionnaire, the impact of socio-demographic factors, current irrigation system, and cost-benefit perception of the farmers was studied on water conservation and management practices. Using ordinal regression analysis, the study revealed that the cost-benefit perception of the farmers, viz. willingness to pay an additional price for canal water and an increase in the availability of water due to canal lining, are the major factors responsible for undertaking conservation and sustainability measures. Further, socio-demographic variables such as age and education also influence water conservation behavior. The study recommends vital policy reforms and initiatives for efficient water use and management to resolve the grave concern of scarcity of usable water. The present study is unique in its suggestion of a comprehensive water conservation and management framework.

Dual concerns involving the rise in airborne pollutant levels and bulging need to protect-preserve human health have propelled the search for innovative means for air quality monitoring to aid in evidence-based decision-making (pollution prevention-mitigation). In this regard, moss bags have gathered a great deal of attention as active biomonitors. In this reflective discourse, we systematically review the world literature to present a bird’s eye view of moss bag applications and advances while highlighting potential concerns. We begin with a brief note on mosses as biomonitors, highlighting the advantages of moss bags over the passive technique (native moss), other living organisms (lichens, vascular plants), and instrument-based measurements. A major strand of moss bag research involves urban ecosystem sustainability studies (e.g., street tunnels and canyons, parks), while others include event-specific monitoring and change detection (e.g., SARS-CoV-2 Lockdown), indoor-outdoor air quality assessment, and change detection in land use patterns. Recent advances include biomagnetic studies, radioisotopic investigations, and mobile applications. Efforts are currently underway to couple moss bag results with a suite of indicators [e.g., relative accumulation factor (RAF), contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), enrichment factor (EF)] and spatially map the results for holistic appraisal of environmental quality (hot spot detection). However, while moss bag innovations and applications continue to grow over time, we point to fundamental concerns/uncertainties (e.g., lack of concordance in operational procedures and parameterization, ideal species selection, moss vitality) that still need to be addressed by targeted case studies, before the moss results could be considered in regulatory interventions.

The existence of a coal mining company in the vicinity of the community is something to be feared related to environmental damage due to coal mining. On the other hand, coal mining can have a positive impact on the economy of communities around the mine through corporate social responsibility programs. The problem in this research is that MSMEs need help to improve their performance. Therefore, this research aims to examine how the role of mining companies through corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs can contribute to the development of MSMEs in communities around mining areas. The company provides promotional assistance, funding, and capacity building. This research conducted surveys and interviews with respondents, namely MSMEs, around mining locations. The findings show that corporate social responsibility programs in coal mining companies have a positive impact on empowering MSMEs in communities around the mine. By providing training and promotion facilities to MSMEs, mining companies can also improve MSME performance compared to providing access to financial assistance programs. The company not only takes advantage of mining and focuses on its environmental impact but also the company’s role in empowering MSMEs.

Sawdust, a product of the forest industry is mostly left untreated as solid waste. This phenomenon is well observed along the Lagos Lagoon in Nigeria where hundreds of trees are cut daily by sawmills to deliver wood for mainly the furniture industry. Different types of trees are utilized in this manner and the massive amounts of sawdust produced as a result of these activities are polluting the environment causing health risks for humans and animals. Cellulose, a glucose bio-polymer is a major structural component of sawdust and could be developed as a renewable energy resource should the cellulose be degraded into glucose, a fermentable sugar. This saccharification was done with Aspergillus niger cellulase and to make the cellulose more susceptible for cellulase action the sawdust was delignified with hydrogen peroxide. Both delignified and non-delignified sawdust were treated with the cellulase enzyme at incubation temperatures of 30°C, 40°C, 50°C, and 60°C. Delignification proved to be effective as an increased amount of sugar was released from all delignified sawdust materials relative to the non-delignified materials when saccharified with A. niger cellulase. Most of the materials were degraded at an incubation temperature of 40°C and 50°C and the highest percentage saccharification of 58% was obtained during the degradation of delignifed cellulose from the tree, Ricindendron heudelotti

Global warming is one of the primary causes contributing to melting glaciers and shrinking of glaciers moth. Because of the glacier retreat, more lakes increase the risk of flooding in people’s homes and lives. Several studies on the surging glaciers have been conducted by researchers using various techniques, as well as with the aid of multiple models like the Normalized Differential Water Index (NDWI). The Number of glacial lakes is increasing in the Himalayan region due to climate change (rise of the temperature). Some glacial lakes are potentially dangerous so monitoring is very necessary. It is necessary to evaluate such vulnerable lakes. Therefore, current work is carried out to identify such glacial lakes present in the Teesta River Basin (Eastern Himalaya). Spatiotemporal Landsat data for the last four decades at intervals of ten years from 1990 to 2020 has been considered which was cloud-free and spatial resolution of 30 meters. The dataset mentioned above was used for lake identification and delineation. The findings indicate the presence of lakes with respective areas of 275 (18.90 km2), 337 (24.92 km2), 295 (22.96 km2), and 419 (31.44 km2). It has also been observed that the growth rate is increasing with approximate water spread from 1990 to 2000 (+129%), 2000 to 2010 (+106%), and 2010 to 2020 (+136%). The present study aimed to identify such glacial lakes based on their water spreading area, which is an essential step followed in the study of GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Flood) as it will be helpful in the identification of hazardous lakes. In that study, we found that eleven glacial lakes are in the potentially dangerous category situated in the upper Teesta Basin due to the presence of glaciers, which gives a clear reason for the time-to-time assessment of such lakes. By the conducted study it has been observed that the number of glacial lakes has increased, due to which water spread has also increased in the area. It can also be demonstrated that GIS (Geographical Information System), along with remote sensing, is one of the best tools for assessing and monitoring such change detection and differentiation of hazardous glacial lakes in the cryosphere, along with the supporting data.

This study evaluated the seasonal variability of water quality in the Tilacancha River, the water source that supplies Chachapoyas, and the rural communities of Levanto and San Isidro del Maino of Perú. Eighteen physical, chemical, and microbiological water parameters were evaluated at five sampling points in two seasons (rainy and dry). To determine water quality, the results obtained for the parameters evaluated were compared with the Maximum Permissible Limits (MPL) established in the Regulation on Water Quality for Human Consumption (DS Nº 031-2010-SA), approved by the Environmental Health Directorate of the Ministry of Health. In addition, a Pearson correlation was performed to estimate the correlation between the variables evaluated. The results showed that microbiological parameters exceeded the MPLs in both periods evaluated, such as the case of total coliforms (44 MPN.100 mL-1), fecal coliforms (25 MPN.100 mL-1), and E. coli (5.45 MPN.100 mL-1), these microbiological parameters reported a positive correlation with turbidity, temperature, total dissolved solids, and flow rate. In addition, aluminum (Al) and manganese (Mn) exceeded the MPL in the rainy (0.26 mg Al.L-1) and dry (1.41 mg.Mn-1.L-1) seasons, respectively. The results indicated that the water of the Tilacancha River is not suitable for human consumption. Therefore, it must be treated in drinking water treatment plants to be used as drinking water.

Research on the impact of alkali contamination on the swelling behavior of red earth in the Visakhapatnam region has been notably limited. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of alkali (NaOH) contamination on the swelling characteristics of the region’s red earth. The red earth of this region was found to be a well-graded sandy soil with 81% sand and 18% fines. X-ray diffraction studies showed that this region’s red earth mainly consists of quartz, kaolinite, and hematite. The soil is inherently non-swelling. However, the free swell tests showed considerable swell under contamination of NaOH solutions of various normalities (0.05, 0.1, 1, 2, and 4N). One-dimensional consolidation tests have shown that the swell increased with the concentration of the NaOH solution and with the duration of the interaction. Red earth exhibited 'an equilibrium swelling' of 5.6, 10, 15, 17, and 20% when contaminated with 0.05, 0.1, 1, 2, and 4N NaOH solutions, respectively. XRD studies revealed that the red earth sample contaminated with even 0.05N NaOH solution and cured for 56 days exhibited the formation of zeolites analcime and natrolite. Silicate minerals like paragonite and ussingite were also formed along with the zeolites. N-A-S-H compounds, hydrosodalites, and zeolites like super hydrated natrolite, zeolite SSZ16, and zeolite ZK-14 were formed at higher normalities of NaOH after a curing period of 56 days, which caused increased swell. The research demonstrated that the formation of zeolites resulting from the alkali contamination led to swelling in the red earth.

This study focuses on converting fruit waste into usable clean energy by an innovative, cost-effective anaerobic biodigester. The biodigester is designed to anaerobically digest various fruit wastes and starter inoculums of cow dung that are locally obtained. A batch vertical digester of 1000 liters capacity built of fiber with a phonematic agitator positioned in the center is used to improve mixing. The retention time is 30 days with a substrate of banana peels co-digested with mango and papaya peels individually in the ratio of 50:50. The combined wastes generated the biogas and the total quantity of biogas generated for all combined wastes over 21 days varies between 530L/day and 480L/day respectively. In this work, banana and mango peel (waste/water) split 50:50 gives a peak yield of 530L/day. The average ambient temperatures are kept in the range of 25°C to 35°C (i.e., mesophilic range). The pH range of 6.4 to 7.8 is consistently maintained and seems to be stable. Therefore, this proposed anaerobic digester would reduce the disposal of solid waste, and it is cost-effective. After cleaning, it is observed that the combined peels of bananas and papaya contained 91.95% of the estimated biogas and methane, which can be used to solve energy issues such as electricity production and cooking purposes.

This article examines the potential for artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to advance sustainability. Through a literature review and critical analysis, the study evaluates the possible advantages, difficulties, and opportunities of utilizing these technologies to support a sustainable future. The research study emphasizes how effective AI is at streamlining resource management, increasing system efficiency, and optimizing energy use. It focuses on the potential of blockchain to improve supply chain accountability and transparency, and it also discusses the game-changing potential of IoT to improve resource management. However, some issues must be resolved, including excessive costs, technological difficulties, data privacy concerns, and social repercussions. The essay advocates creating multidisciplinary research programs, funding R&D, and supporting collaborative relationships. It also suggests creating sustainable implementation plans, prioritizing ethical issues and data governance, and encouraging information exchange and awareness. By accepting these proposals, stakeholders may leverage the promise of green technology and innovation to build a sustainable future. It is also clear that the Internet of Things (IoT) can potentially optimize resource management. Real-time data on a variety of topics, including traffic conditions, air and water quality, and water management, can be provided through IoT-enabled sensors. Cities may reduce traffic, increase energy efficiency, enhance environmental conditions, and encourage sustainable water management techniques by utilizing this data to inform their decisions. However, serious consideration must be given to data privacy, security, scalability, and interoperability issues to ensure IoT solutions’ ethical and efficient adoption. Despite their enormous potential, the paper acknowledges the difficulties and constraints in implementing these technologies. Significant obstacles include high implementation costs, complex technical requirements, and the requirement for adequate data privacy and security safeguards. A sustainable and inclusive future also requires resolving ethical issues, including algorithmic prejudice, social fairness, and equitable access to technology. The report recommends encouraging cooperative relationships between academia, business, government, and communities to address these issues. Research and development investments are required to evaluate these technologies’ practical use, scalability, and economic viability. In addition, multidisciplinary research initiatives can comprehensively comprehend green technology and innovation’s social, economic, and environmental effects. It has been concluded that there is great potential for future technologies, such as AI, blockchain, and IoT, to advance sustainability. Stakeholders can use these technologies’ revolutionary potential to build a sustainable future by resolving obstacles, promoting collaboration, and doing additional research. To ensure the ethical and successful application of green technology and innovation for the benefit of the environment and future generations, it is essential to prioritize ethical considerations, establish sustainable implementation strategies, and foster information exchange and awareness.

This study aimed to investigate the underlying anthropogenic driving factors of forest landscape degradation in the Kilimanjaro World Heritage Sites (WHS), Tanzania using survey-based data. The essence is to support strategic policies for forest landscape protection and natural heritage sustainability. The research employed empirical data using mixed questionnaires of experts and residents to identify various indirect anthropogenic driving factors of forest degradation, analyze rural poverty and causal mechanisms as indirect anthropogenic drivers of forest degradation, and evaluate the level of awareness and community involvement in forest protection. ArcGIS was used to generate the Maps. About 140 sample sizes were utilized for this study. Using purposive and simple random techniques, about 46 and 100 mixed questionnaires were distributed to experts in forest guard and residents, respectively. Data were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative techniques. Findings showed that indirect factors of forest degradation include high tourism demand, poverty, culture and tradition of local communities, lack of forest protection and conservation education, and insufficient land availability. Also, findings showed that rural poverty as an indirect anthropogenic driving factor of forest degradation is attributed to unemployment in rural areas, inadequate land for agriculture, and insufficient productive forestry availability. Additionally, this study revealed that residents are aware that the forest is under the government’s protection, and most people in local communities are not involved in activities for forest protection. Therefore, the study suggests that the locals should be involved in the activities that promote forest protection for effective control and management. Alternative heating methods should also be explored to reduce much pressure on the available forest to improve the natural heritage sustainability of natural WHS found in Sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the Global South.