Informatics Publishing Limited

A. K. Kandya , M. M. Kimothi , R. N. Jadhav , J. P. Agarwal

Abstract

Occurrcnce of frequent fire is one of the reasons for degradation of forests in the country/ elsewhere in the world. The forest fires affect (a) standing vegetation, (b) soil, (c) productive capacity of the forest, (d) productive value of the forest, (e) wildlife and (f) recreational. Or scenic values. An attempt has been made to map the fire-prone areas of a part of Junagadh District of Gujarat. IRSIB, LISS-II data were visually classified to ascertain the vegetation status of the study area. The roadnetwork and the huts/settlements were mapped through the Survey ofIndia (SoI) topographical map. Finally, to begin with, these three parameters out of many, which may have direct/indirect influence over the occurrence of fire, were integrated using Geographic Information System (GIS) approach resulting in a 'fire-prone' map of the area.

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M. M. Kimothi , R. N. Jadhav , A. K. Kandya , M. B. Mankare , P. B. Bhalekar , S. G. Chavan

Abstract

Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) is multistate multipurpose river valley which is expected to benefit and aid in development of four states namely Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. The catchment area of Narmada river above Sardar Sarovar Dam, is 88.000 km² of which 1676 km² area is part of Maharashtra State. The area is predominantly forested and tribal in nature and social and economic life of the people is totally dependent on forest for food, fuel, fodder, timber and medicines. This needs for up-to-date and reliable information on current status of land utilization for important planning processes such as catchment area treatment (CAT). At the instance of Maharashtra Forest Department a detailed microlevel catchment area treatment package was evolved using remotely sensed satellite data (IRS-LISS II and SPOT) and the recommendation for five categories of CAT has been made to preserve forest and biodiversity in the catchment area along with development of tribal community by way of massive afforestation programme coupled with soil and water conservation. Five years phasing of CAT plan with annual target of 20% area under various treatments have been recommended. The total cost of the CAT plan has been worked out around 2801.40 lakhs with an employment generation of 64.39 lakhs man days. Based on this CAT plan using remotely sensed data the implementation of the CAT has been started from Oct, 1993 with an opening of four new Watershed Management Division by the Maharashtra Forest Department.

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R. N. Jadhav , G. V. Sarat Babu , Kavita Dwivedi , J. K. Thesia

Abstract

Forest encroachment map of Shirpur and Sanghvi ranges of North Dhule Division of
Maharashtra was prepared using multiternporal satellite data of 1972, 1976 and 1986. It was found that by 1986 about 60% of the forest area was encroached in both the divisions. Between 1972-1976 the rate of encroachment was more in Shirpur range. However, between 1976-1986 the same was more in Sangvi range. Accuracy of the map was verified on ground and it was 90% at 95% conlldence limits.

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R. N. Jadhav ¹, A. S. Padgaonkar ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Zoology, ESA College of Science, Vasai Road 401202, Maharashtra, IN
2 E/2, Sagar Vaibhav Society, L.M. Road, Dahisar, Mumbai- 400069, IN

Abstract

The pars anterior of the pituitary gland of the estuarine snake Enhydris enhydris was studied in relation to the seasonal pattern of testicular activity, adopting histological techniques. Three types of basophils, type I, type II and type III, were distinguished in pars anterior of this snake adopting PAS-Orange G-Methyl Blue staining. Relying on the published literature the type I basophils (BI) are inferred as thyrotrophs, type II (BII) as FSH gonadotrophs and type III (BIII) as LH gonadotrophs, which are inferred to secrete TSH, FSH and LH, respectively. This inference is based on the observation that BI basophils underwent seasonal variation in abundance and structural features matching thyroid activity in relation to seasonal pattern of spermatogenesis, seasonal variation in BII basophils correlated directly with the seasonal spermatogenic cycle and seasonal pattern n in BIII basophils matched correlates of testicular interstitial cell activity. That the testicular activity is controlled by the pituitary gland in this snake was, further, substantiated by the regressive and degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules. Thus, this study establishes the existence of pituitary-gonadal axis in this lizard, and there are indications that the testicular activity in this snake is under dual control of FSH and LH, as in the mammals.

Keywords

Pituitary, Gonad, Basophils, Gonadotrophs, Hypophysectomy.

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R. N. Jadhav ¹, A. S. Padgaonkar ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Zoology, ESA College of Science, Vasai Road, Maharashtra 401202, IN
2 E/2-Sagar Vaibhav Society, Dahisar (W), Mumbai 400068, IN

Abstract

The testis of Enhydris enhydris undergoes a definite seasonal reproductive cycle. Breeding takes place during the month of October, following which the testes regress. There is definite arrest of spermatogenesis till the next breeding season. Based on the histological examination of the seminiferous epithelium, the testicular activity is divided into four phases, recrudescent, breeding, degenerate and regressed. Recrudescence begins in the month of June. The testis becomes spermatogenically functional at the beginning of October. The testicular weight and gonado-somatic index show a gradual increase during the recrudescent phase (June -Sep) reaching the peak in the month of October. At the onset of degenerative phase the testicular weight and gonado-somatic index start decreasing. A corresponding seasonal variation is reflected in the ductus epididymidis and ductus deferens as observed from the epithelial cell height and the diameter of the respective ducts. On the other hand the sexual segment of kidney never reaches peak and does not indicate any seasonal cycle.

Keywords

Snake, Male Gonad, Reproductive Cycle, Testis, Seasonal Cycle.

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R. N. Jadhav ¹, A. S. Padgaonkar ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Zoology, ESA College of Science, Vasai Road 401202, Maharashtra, IN
2 E/2,Sagar Vaibhav Society, Dahisar, Mumbai 400068, IN

Abstract

Aadministration of mammalian gonadotropins (FSH & LH during the regressed phase of testes of the snake Enhydris enhydris induced spermatogenesis, and caused hypertrophy of Leydig cells. The results indicate that the testis of Enhydris enhydris is not refractory to gonadotropin stimulation during regressed phase of the reproductive cycle. It is further suggested that all aspects of testicular function in snakes may be accounted for by a single FSH-like gonadotropin.

Keywords

Snake, Regressed Testes, Gonadotropins, Spermatogenesis.

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R. N. Jadhav ¹, A. S. Padgaonkar ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Zoology, E.S.A. College of Science, Vasai Road 401202, Maharashtra, IN
2 E/2 Sagar Vaibhav Society, Dahisar, Mumbai 400068, IN

Abstract

Administration of FSH (1IU/day) to the snake Enhydris enhydris for 14, 28 and 42 days resulted in increase in diameter of the seminiferous tubules of the regressed testes. Proliferation of spermatogonia and increase in abundance of primary spermatocytes were also observed. But the treatment failed to induce the spermatogenic cells to meiotic division. The interstitial cells in the testes between control and FSH-treated snakes did not show any difference. The failure to complete the process of spermatogenesis after FSH treatment indicates that role by a second hormone is necessary for the completion of spermatogenic process. The second hormone may be either LH or androgen.

Keywords

FSH, Snake, Testes.

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R. N. Jadhav ¹, A. S. Padgaonkar ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Zoology, E.S.A. College of Science, Vasai Road, 401 202, Maharashtra, IN
2 Sagar Vaibhav Society, Dahisar (W), Mumbai 400 068, IN

Abstract

Administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) (50 IU/Day) to the sexually quiescent snake Cerberus rhynchops for 14 and 28 days had no stimulatory effect on the seminiferous tubules of the regressed testes, but had a stimulatory effect in the epididymis. However, the testes of the animals treated for 28 days showed accumulation of lipid, without any spermatogenic activity in the seminiferous tubules.

Keywords

Snake, Testes, HCG, Gonadotropin.

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D. B. Sarode ¹, R. N. Jadhav ¹, S. D. Narkhede ¹, S. T. Ingle ¹, S. B. Attarde ¹

Affiliations
1 School of Environment and Earth Sciences, North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon (M.S.), IN

Abstract

An attempt is made to study the extractability of heavy metals from fly ash generated from Thermal Power Plant which is used as an admixture with cement, brick manufacturing, land filling and in agriculture. From the utilization point of view, it was notable that the total heavy metal concentrations (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Fe, and Mn) in fly ash from a coal-fired power plant were lower than those limit values. A six-stage sequential extraction procedure was used to evaluate the extractability of different elements in fly ash into the following fractions: (1) the water-soluble fraction, (2) the exchangeable fraction (1M MgCl₂ at pH 7), (3) Carbonate bound (1M Na-OAC at pH 5), (4) Fe- Mn bounded (0.04M NH₂OH, HCl in 25% acetic acid), (5) Organically bound (0.02 M nitric acid and 30% H₂O₂ at pH 2 and 90^oC, followed by 1.2 M ammonium acetate in 10% nitric acid) and (6) Residual metal ions (HNO₃ and HClO₄ acid digestion until dryness).

Keywords

Sequential Extraction, Fly Ash and Heavy Metals.

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