Articles

Vermicomposting in Silver Oak Plantation Areas for Sustainable Waste Management and Enhanced Livelihood: A Case Study of Kolli Hills, Tamil Nadu, India

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Silver Oak plantation on farmlands growing coffee and black pepper has gained importance in recent times in the areas surrounding the Kolli hills in the Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu, India. The Silver Oak trees shed significant quantities of dry leaves during the summer season which the local Malayali tribal community burns and/or leaves on ground. The current case study is based on an experiment of vermicomposting using local Silver Oak leaf litter, cow dung and earthworms. The results show that joint production of manure from agroforestry practices is an option in self-sufficiency for the rural communities and has the potential for a business model. Moreover, this ensures environmental sustainability by avoiding green-house gas emissions that are caused by the practice of burning leaves and/or leaving the mulch to rot. The present paper attempts to develop a sustainable model of vermicomposting in the Kolli hills region that can offer triple solutions encompassing organic manure production, environmental quality improvement and livelihood opportunity enhancement. Based on field surveys and physiochemical experiments in the Perungiraipatti village of the Kolli hills, the study presents a sustainable model of vermicomposting with specifications on nutritional quality, environmental sustainability and economic development. 

Effect of Health Education Vis Digital Media during COVID-19 Pandemic in India

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Objective: The main purpose of the study to evaluate effect of digital media education by various medical professionals to population who are frightened and misinformed during lock down.
Methods: This was an observational data collection survey study by using digital media. Any patients who are habituated to use social media or having system like android mobile or a computer to be connected digitally and also confused or misguided regarding COVID-19 pandemic and look forwards for a guidance from medical experts were included in this study. A verbal questionnaire were used to understand the need of the patients followed by a short intensive yet public friendly lectures by various medical professionals and at the end another verbal questionary used to understand the effect of the lecture.
Results: Total 1000 participants were evaluated in this study. Table 1 depicted the participants’ demographic characteristics. The average mean age of the participants were 37.8 ± 18.6 years. 43% of the participants were male and rest 57% were female. 21% patients were having smoking history. Majority of co-morbidity among the participants were diabetes (74%), followed by dyslipidemis (51%) and hypertension (48%). he mean PSS score for the 1000 participants was 18.6 ± 4.9, indicating moderate perceived stress in the month prior to the interview. Participants indicated negative impacts (either mild, moderate, or severe) of COVID-19 related mental issues like concern for health, difficulties of concentration, concern on hygienic parameters, change in living environment and as well as depressive thoughts. Before the initiation of lectures and post lectures, there was a significant statistical difference in the knowledge of COVID-19 among the study participants.
Conclusion: A combines effort by multiple consultants on distant digital platform is useful in not only helping population getting the right education during pandemic but also help them to fight against removing negative thoughts and implementing positive ones.