“CLIMATE CHANGE COULD THREATEN EUROPEAN COASTAL COMMUNITIES” 2017, By Nabarup Ganguly, Department of Geography.

The changes in sea level rise, tides, waves and storm surge over the 21st century find global warming could cause extreme sea levels to increase significantly along Europe’s coasts by 2100. Extreme sea levels are the maximum levels of the sea that occur during a major storm and produce massive flooding.

The increase in frequency of these events that are today considered exceptional will likely push existing coastal protection structures beyond their design limits, leaving a large part of Europe’s coastal zones exposed to flooding.

Northern Europe will see the strongest increase in extreme sea levels. Areas along the Mediterranean and the Black Sea could see these 100-year extreme sea level events several times a year. In the North Sea region, extreme sea levels could increase by nearly 1 meter (3 feet) under the worst-case scenario. The Atlantic coasts of the United Kingdom and Ireland could see similar increases in extreme sea levels, while lower but still considerable increases in extreme sea levels are projected for the Norwegian and Baltic seas.

The new research considers how all components that can influence extreme sea levels, including the mean sea level, tides, waves and storm surge, will be affected by climate change. The researchers used information about these different components to project changes in extreme sea levels by 2100 under different greenhouse gas scenarios. Using all of these components provides a more accurate projection of how extreme sea levels will change this century.

Rural Tourism of Tripura: By Nabarup Ganguly, Gold Medalist, Department of Geography Worldwide

 

Rural tourism as a component of overall tourism industry is fraught with immense potential in Tripura because of the hilly serenity and a predominantly pastoral setting in which the state is nestled. The economic development of Tripura and the process of Urbanisation that gained in momentum since the year 1998 has been continuing with a drive and vigour unmatched by any other state of the north-eastern region. For all the development and urbanization, however, Tripura continues to be dominated by its vast picturesque rural hinterland and lush hillscape. The greenery of the state’s rural landscape dotted with paddy fields, natural lakes and serpentine rivers beckon any newcomer or tourist to Tripura. The hillscape, on the other hand, is dotted with traditional tribal households made of thatch and bamboo, elevated from the land to ward off dangerous wild animals and reptiles.

For hundred of years the indigenous tribals, particularly ‘Jhumias’ (shifting cultivators) among them, have been making their typical forest habitats in this fashion which exists even today and marks a continuity in the state’s cultural tradition and socio-economic life of the tribals in all its pristine purity. Besides satisfying one’s aesthetic senses, tourists visiting the rural and hilly interiors of the state can have sight of Tripura’s rich tradition of handloom and handicraft which outsell products from other states in the national and international market. Truly a commercial bonanza is within easy reach of tourists to rural backwaters of Tripura and the hilly interiors of the state. Any tourist can stay in tourist lodges in district and sub-divisional headquarters and have a close feel of the rural life and culture. Besides, the system of having paying guests in rural households is prevalent in Tripura now. Many a paying guest stays and works in the Mizo- dominated Jampui hills of North Tripura. What adds to the attraction of the hillscape in Jampui is the serene desolation of a tri-junction comprising borders of Tripura, Chittagong hill tracts of Bangladesh and outlying areas close to Myanmar border. Even a low power binoculars enables a tourist or visitor to have a look well inside Bangladesh and Myanmar. Apart from this, villages close to the archaeological sites of Pilak in South Tripura and Unokoti hills in North Tripura provide ideal space for lodging and food as paying guests to tourists keen to enjoy the idyllic ambience of rural life in Tripura. Leaving aside these sites, eight of Tripura’s seventeen subdivisions stand on the edge of the state’s 856 km long border with Bangladesh and the quiet rural areas in the outlying areas of the sub-divisional towns close to the border coupled with steady glimpses of life within Bangladesh territory provide ideal opportunities for tourists keen to have a feel of life in rural and border areas. Tourists averse to staying in plush hotels can lodge close to the soil as paying guests in ordinary households.

Anthropocene & Ecological Footprint: Sustainable Development By Nabarup Ganguly, Department of Geography

We all leave footprints…

Some footprints disappear soon after we have left them. Remember, the footprints you made on the beaches. The sea eventually washes them away. Some footprints stay longer than others.

On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong put his left foot on the Moon. It was the first human footprint on a planetary body other than Earth. The footprints on the Moon will remain as they are for millions of years. There is no wind to blow them away; Moon has no atmosphere. On Earth we are leaving an indelible footprint; we leave footprints as individuals and as a species.

1. The Carbon Footprint and
2. The Ecological Footprint. First though, let us consider the footprint the human civilization is leaving on Geological Time Scale.

Anthropocene 

In fact scientists now call the present epoch as Anthropocene on the Geological Time Scale.

The term Anthropocene – “the recent age of man” was coined by Nobel Laureate chemist, Paul Crutzen (image) and his colleague Eugene Stoermer.

Anthropocene marks the era when human activities have had a significant worldwide impact on Earth’s ecosystems.        

Dr Jan Zalasiewicz from University of Leicester has observed; “Simply put, our planet no longer functions in the way that it once did. Atmosphere, climate, oceans, ecosystems… they’re all now operating outside Holocene norms. This strongly suggests we’ve crossed an epoch boundary.”

Scientists are still debating when the Anthropocene began. Some think it should be 1800s, others think 1900s – whatever it may be; Anthropocene belongs to us. Yes, an entire era is going to be marked for us Humans.

Humans will mark the end of the 10,000-year-old Holocene epoch. Anthropocene has begun. We are leaving an indelible footprint and we need to be careful.

In the 2008 book„ Cruisin‟ the Fossil Freeway‟, the famous Alaska-based artist, Ray Troll created a wonderful artwork depicting the geological timescale.

 Biodiversity

Humans have impacted biodiversity as well.

Biodiversity is the variation in living systems and organisms in a given habitat, ecosystem or Earth as a whole.

Change in biodiversity over time is at times used as a measure to check the health of an ecosystem. If biodiversity declines then the health and viability of an ecosystem declines. Today biodiversity is on decline; Earth is not feeling well!

Humans have caused extinctions of several species. When someone or something no longer exists, it is said to have become extinct, like the dinosaurs. Today, several species are struggling mostly because of human activities that cause habitat destruction, species introductions and hunting.

Humans share Earth with literally lakhs of other species and our survival is dependent on their survival. Our economy and environment will collapse without healthy biodiversity Biodiversity is absolutely essential for Sustainable Development. The benefits are;

1. Improves and maintains soil quality, helps agriculture
2. Keeps water pure, maintains ecosystems in good health
3. Removes organic waste, dead plants and animals
4. Provides medicinal remedies
5. Improves Pollination and Seed Dispersal
6. Ecotourism; tourism to spots of rich natural heritage
7. Benefits the economy, timber and forest produce
8. Provides food and clean air

Loss of Biodiversity = Loss of healthy environment

Loss of healthy environment = No Sustainable Development.

So, always give Thumbs Up to Biodiversity.

Future of Eco-friendly Technologies By Nabarup Ganguly, Department of geography

Man is an integral part of biosphere and therefore, is totally dependent on its resources. His future and even his survival, depends upon the rational use and conversation of the resources available to him.

If the environment is to continue to sustain life, it must be protected from the consequences for our own actions. Breathable air, clean water, fertile soil, and innumerable life forms, are all important resources that are vital to our survival. This is particularly important because physical resources are limited.

Today renewable solar energy is recognized by many populations as being in harmony with their cultural tradition because of its peaceful and environmentally friendly association. By reuniting science and culture, and by making effective use of what might be termed “ the cultural tools of solar technology”, sustainable solar energy seems poised to become the principal energy of the future. The efficient and economical use of solar energy derived from biomass, wind and ocean power, small hydroelectric facilities, from thermal, geothermal sources, and from photo voltaic and non- nuclear hydrogen energy may well enable the world to satisfy most of its energy requirements. MNES is targeting to attain 10% of raw capacity addition of renewable. India will soon set up a centre to impart training in environment governance and using market-based instruments for green choices in order to provide solution to the environmental problems in the next 50 years.

To enhance efficient use of inputs (agro-chemicals, water, fossil energy) and the development and use of resource conserving technologies certain policies concerning pricing, incentives, research, agricultural education, funding, etc. have to be made. Subsidies have to be more production oriented.

Adoption of resource conserving technologies leads to win-win situations, reduce cost of production, improve production and productivity, save on energy, water and are leading to precision agriculture in an ecofriendly manner.

WORLD’S WORST ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS OF ALL TIME By Nabarup Ganguly, Gold Medalist, Department of Geography

WORLD’S WORST ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS OF ALL TIME By Nabarup Ganguly, Gold Medalist, Department of Geography.

TOP 10 LIST OF NEW SPECIES By Nabarup Ganguly, Gold Medalist, Department of Geography

TOP 10 LIST OF NEW SPECIES By Nabarup Ganguly, Gold Medalist, Department of Geography.

MISSIONS TO MARS By Nabarup Ganguly, Gold Medalist, Department of Geography

MISSIONS TO MARS By Nabarup Ganguly, Gold Medalist, Department of Geography.

ASTEROID EXPLODES OVER RUSSIA By Nabarup Ganguly, Department of Geography

ASTEROID EXPLODES OVER RUSSIA By Nabarup Ganguly, Department of Geography.

Sustainable Development: The World is Flat, By Nabarup Ganguly, Department of Geography

Sustainable Development: The World is Flat, By Nabarup Ganguly, Department of Geography.

Sustainable Development: Here Comes The Human Civilization By Nabarup Ganguly, Department of Geography

Sustainable Development: Here Comes The Human Civilization By Nabarup Ganguly, Department of Geography.