India’s fast industrialization and population expansion have resulted in heavy metal accumulation from many operations, which has caused massive waste generation and poisoning of soils. Therefore, it is necessary to design reclamation to improve th T.Ne soil. Phytoremediation presents itself as a viable, economical, and environmentally sustainable solution to this problem. This study was carried out by using plants namely, aloe-vera (Aloe-Barbadensis), tulsi (Ocimum Tenuiflorium), and vetiver (Chrysopogon Zizanoides) plants which were planted in a simulated soil of Cd, Zn and Pb, for 4 weeks. The sample of plant and soil were taken in 9 different pots, (15 cm diameter and 25 cm height) among 9 potted soils one will be tested as a controlled sample. An aqueous solution of lead, cadmium and zinc were added separately to the dry soil samples. The moisture level of the soil was maintained to near field water capacity (35.6%) and equilibrated for two weeks. The saplings of vetiver grass, aloe vera and tulsi were selected and pruned (the shoots were originally 20 cm high and the roots 8 cm long), and then transplanted into the pots. The AAS test was conducted after 4 weeks of growing in simulated soil. Tulsi demonstrated the highest efficacy in reducing Zn concentrations from 300 mg/kg to 188.3 mg/kg, followed by vetiver (179.3 mg/kg) and Aloe vera (158.3 mg/kg). Similarly, for Pb, tulsi exhibited the most substantial reduction (from 600 mg/kg to 188.3 mg/kg), followed by vetiver (164.3 mg/kg) and Aloe vera (179.6 mg/kg). Regarding Cd, tulsi reduced concentrations from 80 mg/kg to 18.62 mg/kg, while vetiver achieved a 17.62 mg/kg reduction. The result highlights Tulsi’s superior remediation potential, attributed to its efficient heavy metal uptake and translocation mechanisms. Thus, using these plants in the phytoremediation process, the heavy metals are extracted more economically than other plants. This technique highlights the innate ability of hyper-accumulator plant species, which flourish in situations high in heavy metals, to extract contaminants from contaminated soil.

Allelopathy can be a viable approach to address the issues of environmental degradation by reducing the use of herbicides and herbicide-resistant weeds. Allelopathic crop residues have a lot of potential for improving soil quality and suppressing weed growth. A field experiment at an agronomic research farm, Lovely Professional University in Phagwara, Punjab, examined the effects of water extracts and crop residues from sorghum on the population of weeds, indices of weed management, and the productivity of field peas. The experiment during the year 2022-2023 comprised in randomized block design with 2 levels of Sorghum water extract (1:10, 1:20 w/v), 3 levels of Sorghum stalk soil incorporation @ 2, 4, 6 Mg.ha-1, Sorghum surface mulching at 10tonnes ha-1, Field pea and rabi sorghum intercropping at 2:1, Weedy check and hand weeding. The findings showed that the sorghum surface mulching, addition of sorghum water extract, and sorghum stalk incorporation significantly altered the dynamics of weeds which was comparable with hand weeding. In the case of weed density (9.17 no.m-2), weed fresh (7.66g), and dry weight (3.0g) hand weeding gave the best result which was followed by sorghum surface mulching with 10.77 weeds no.m-2, 10.11 g weed fresh weight and 4.26gm weed dry weight. The highest weed control efficiency (80.9%) was recorded in hand weeding which was followed by sorghum water extract (1:10) and sorghum stalk incorporation (4 Mg.ha-1). The weed management index, weed persistence index, and agronomic management index showed an inverse relationship with weed control efficiency. Hand weeding (20, 40, 60 DAS) gave the highest grain yield (2897 kg.ha-1) of field pea followed by Sorghum surface mulching. Yield attributes were calculated which prescribed that all the treatments significantly reduced the weed infestation and increased the yield attributes over a weedy check. Hand weeding gave the best result, but it is not economical due to the intensive labor requirement. Initiating sustainable weed control and significantly improving the nutrient content of field peas can be achieved through sorghum surface mulching, sorghum stalk incorporation at 4 Mg.ha-1, and sorghum water extract (1:10). These practices can contribute to environmentally friendly and sustainable agriculture.

Tourism is a vital economic sector globally, but its growth has raised concerns about its environmental impact. The study utilized the Contingent Valuation Method and Willingness to Pay to estimate additional costs tourists would pay for sustainable tourism in Petra. A survey of 446 international tourists examined their willingness to pay higher fees for improved services, providing insights into sustainable tourism management and pricing policies. Results reveal a positive inclination towards sustainable practices, with a majority expressing willingness to pay additional fees for entry, accommodation in eco-lodges, and electric transportation services within Petra. Cultural preservation also emerged as a priority, with tourists willing to pay for cultural events and donate towards site maintenance. However, interest in culinary experiences and professional photography services was comparatively lower. Regression analyses indicate age and marital status as significant predictors of WTP, emphasizing the importance of tailored marketing strategies. Recommendations include diversifying revenue streams, integrating cultural experiences, and fostering collaborations between stakeholders to promote sustainable tourism practices. This study contributes to understanding tourists’ preferences and behaviors regarding sustainable tourism, offering insights for the management and marketing of heritage sites like Petra while balancing economic growth with environmental conservation.

This study employs Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to delineate groundwater potential zones. Various thematic layers, including geomorphology, land use and land cover, geology, rainfall, slope, soil composition, drainage density, and the Topographic Wetness Index (TWI), were integrated using a weighted linear combination in the GIS platform’s spatial analyst tool. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to assign different ranks to these layers and their sublayers. Groundwater potential zones were categorized as poor (16.54%, 96.25 km²), moderate (67.20%, 391.13 km²), and good (16.26%, 94.62 km²). Validation involved observing water levels in various wells within the study area, with the results’ reliability assessed using a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, demonstrating an accuracy of 88%. The study area faces rapid urbanization and industrialization, stressing the aquifer’s groundwater availability. Identifying groundwater potential zones is thus crucial for effective groundwater development and management.

The utilization of plastic waste and dry leaves in bricks is a sustainable approach to reducing environmental pollution and managing waste. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of incorporating plastic wastes and dry leaves into the manufacturing of bricks, as well as the potential benefits of using such bricks. The study involves the collection of plastic wastes and dry leaves, sorting and cleaning them before mixing them with clay, sand, and cement in varying proportions. The mixtures are then compressed and molded into bricks, which are allowed to dry and cure before being tested for their physical and mechanical properties. To create plastic soil blocks, the soil was added to the molten plastic paste along with dry leaves in the following ratios: 1.5:1.5:0.5 (plastic, soil, and dry leaves, respectively). Results of the study showed that the inclusion of plastic wastes and dry leaves in brick production can lead to significant improvements in properties such as compressive strength, water absorption, and durability. Furthermore, the use of such bricks can help to reduce the amount of plastic waste and dry leaves in the environment, and also provide a sustainable alternative to traditional bricks that use finite natural resources. In conclusion, the utilization of plastic wastes and dry leaves in bricks is a promising approach toward sustainable construction. Further research is needed to optimize the proportions of the materials used and to investigate the long-term durability of the bricks under different environmental conditions.

The environmental impacts of mining, quarrying, and the stone processing industry are significant, affecting air quality, health, and the socioeconomic status of communities worldwide. Key contributors to air pollution include the waste of raw materials from quarrying, non-compliance with scientific protocols, and the extraction of natural mineral resources. The rapid increase in pollution sources, such as dust, water, and noise, has led to the release of various pollutants into the atmosphere, degrading local air quality. This study conducted sampling at twelve sites, adhering to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) monitoring guidelines. Twelve metrics, including PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NOx, CO, O3, Pb, NH3, C6H6, C2OH12, As, and Ni, were measured twice a week over a three-month period (January 2024 to March 2024) by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in the research area. The results indicated that while SO2 and NOx levels were within permissible limits at all monitored locations, Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) levels were high at every station. The average baseline levels of PM10 (37.17 μg/m³ to 70.52 μg/m³), PM2.5 (16.98 μg/m³ to 39.85 μg/m³), SO2 (5.29 μg/m³ to 13.91 μg/m³), NOx (9.8 μg/m³ to 29.71 μg/m³), CO (0.15 mg/m³ to 0.32 mg/m³), O3 (6.9 μg/m³ to 15.37 μg/m³), and NH3, Pb, Ni, As, C2OH12, and C6H6 were below the detection levels (BDL) and limits of quantification (LOQ), all within the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for commercial, industrial, and residential areas during the study period. This research highlights the urgent need for effective pollution control measures to mitigate the adverse environmental and health impacts of these industries.

The discharge of large quantities of organic dyes into the environment causes significant harm to humans and the environment. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop cost-effective adsorbents for removing these dyes. In the present study, the synthesis of activated carbon (AC) derived from mixed fish scale waste using KOH activation was investigated for Congo red (CR) dye removal. The finding shows that the obtained biocarbon has a fixed carbon of 42.9% with a crystallinity index of 15.01%. N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm was found to be type IV, signifying mesoporous structure with a surface area and total pore volume of 150.049 m2 g-1 and 0.119 cm3.g-1. Batch adsorption was carried out by various adsorbent doses, initial concentration, contact time, and pH to comprehend the effect of operating parameters on its removal efficacy. The isotherm studies fitted well for Freundlich with an R2 of 0.99%. Adsorption kinetics was best fitted by the pseudo-second-order model and thermodynamic studies revealed the adsorption process to be exothermic and spontaneous. The efficiency of AC was also studied by an amount of sorption and desorption cycles which showed its potential for reusability up to the sixth cycle. Thus, the findings suggest that activated carbon derived from mixed fish scale waste is a promising adsorbent for removing Congo red dye from aqueous solutions.

The present study is focused on the estimation of Land Surface Temperature (LST) and its relationship with three Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) indices--Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalised Difference Water Index (NDWI), and Normalised Difference Built-up Index (NDBI) in Raiganj Municipality, India. Landsat-5 TM (2001 & 2011) and Landsat-8 OLI (2021) satellite images were used, processed, and analyzed in the ArcGIS. The study observed that the values of LST and NDBI were increased by +0.9˚C and +0.71, and the values of NDVI and NDWI were decreased by -0.20 and -0.34 during 2001- 2021. The highest LST is observed over the built-up spaces and the lowest over vegetation cover and water bodies. The result indicates LST has a significant positive correlation with NDBI and a negative correlation with NDVI and NDWI. LST is increased due to dramatic changes in LULC especially in unplanned infrastructural development and losses in green and blue spaces.

The increase in the number of visitors to the tourism sector has a positive impact on the economy of the surrounding merchants. However, it also creates negative externalities through increased waste generation. The generation of unresolved waste will disrupt the function of the environment. Ecotourism Waste Management is one way to handle waste from sellers and tourists by collecting, processing, and selling processed products. The “Waste Treatment House” manages sales proceeds from and for sellers with a profit-sharing system. This effort requires the willingness to pay (WTP) sellers for waste management. This study aims to determine the amount of waste retribution and the factors that influence it. The data used in this study were primary data of 104 sellers in Telaga Ngebel Area, Ponorogo, Indonesia, and were processed using ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and descriptive analysis. WTP value is influenced by age, monthly expenses, number of dependents, operating hours, and length of business. The products produced through the program are organic waste processed into compost and fish feed, while inorganic waste is processed into handicrafts. Finally, selling processed waste products and the proceeds from these sales are used to increase merchant empowerment through revenue sharing and savings and loan products. This study has limited secondary data, namely information about the sustainability of waste management that has been carried out and the exact number of sellers in the area around Telaga Ngebel.

In tropical locations, where urban areas experience considerable temperature rises relative to rural areas, the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect is becoming more and more evident. Reflective building façades, global warming, and hardscape areas are all contributing issues. Because they reflect solar heat, materials like glass, high-pressure laminates, and metallic sheets raise outdoor temperatures, which affects both human comfort and the environment. This study looks into ways to lessen the negative impacts of reflecting façades on urban heat islands (UHIs), with a particular emphasis on how albedo affects microclimates and urban canyons. We examine the impacts of albedo on outdoor thermal comfort by analyzing research from 2003 to 2022. Thermal comfort indices can be calculated with ENVI-met software, which is useful for specialists in urban planning and architecture. To demonstrate these consequences, a case study of a low-rise housing complex located in Greater Noida, India, is provided. With a subtropical climate, this region sees wide changes in temperature, with summer highs frequently reaching 43°C and winter lows of about 7°C. The study uses ENVI-met simulations to evaluate how reflective façades affect thermal comfort in real-world conditions. This highlights the pronounced heat island effect and the localized heat buildup in urban areas during peak daytime h. The simulation revealed significant temperature variations throughout the day, with air temperatures peaking above 43.77°C by mid-afternoon between buildings, demonstrating the pronounced heat island effect. Relative humidity levels were low, around 39% to 40%, contributing to dry air discomfort. Wind velocities exceeded 1.5 meters per second at certain junctions, intensifying discomfort by amplifying the perceived heat. These findings indicate that the use of reflective materials on building façades in Greater Noida exacerbates human thermal discomfort outdoors. The study provides an opportunity to further measure and analyze these effects to develop targeted strategies for mitigating the urban heat island phenomenon and enhancing outdoor comfort in the region.