Keshav Bhattarai

Determinants of Deforestation in Nepal's Central Development Region

The process of deforestation in the Central Development Region (CDR) of Nepal is diverse in space and time, with rapid deforestation still occurring in areas outside the national parks and wildlife reserves. This paper identifies the spatial driving forces (SDFs) of deforestation in the CDR for 1975-2000 using satellite data of 1975 (MSS), 1990 (TM), and 2000 (ETM+) along with socio-demographic and socioeconomic variables. Radiometrically calibrated satellite images are individually classified into seven distinct classes and merged together to cover the entire CDR. Classification accuracies are also assessed. Areas of land use and cover within the areas of each Village Development Committee (VDC) and municipality represented by GIS polygons are calculated from the classified images by overlaying vector files of 1845 polygons representing sections of VDCs and municipalities in 30-1199 m, 1200-2399 m, 2400-4999 m and >5000 m elevation levels. These elevation levels were estimated from the DEM compiled from 24 ASTER scenes taken on different dates. Only the first three elevation levels are used in the analysis because area >5000 m is under permanent snow cover where human related forestry activities are almost negligible. A transition matrix is generated for 1975-1990 using classified images of 1975 and 1990 and then this product is used to further develop another transition matrix for 1990-2000 with the classified ETM+ 2000 images as the final stage. The GIS polygon layer is overlaid on the transition matrices to calculate deforestation areas for 1975-1990 and 1990-2000. Biophysical and socioeconomic information collected from various sources is then brought into a GIS platform for statistical analyses. Six linear regression models are estimated using SAS; in effect, two models for each elevation range representing the 1975-1990 and 1990-2000 periods of change to identify SDF influences on deforestation. These regression analyses reveal that deforestation in the CDR is related to multiple factors, such as farming population, genders of various ages, migration, elevation, road, distance from road to forest, meandering and erosion of river, and most importantly the conversion of forestland into farmland.

Geographic information systems (GIS) based model of dairy manure transportation and application with environmental quality consideration.

Survey information was used to develop a minimum cost spatial dairy manure transportation model where environmental quality and crop nutrient requirements were treated as constraints. The GIS model incorporated land use types, exact locations of dairy farms and farmlands, road networks, and distances from each dairy farm to receiving farmlands to identify dairy manure transportation routes that minimized costs relative to environmental and other constraints. Our analyses indicated that the characteristics of dairy manure, its bulk and relatively low primary N, P(2)O(5) and K(2)O nutrient levels limit the distribution areas or distances between the farms and the land over which the manure can be economically spread. Physical properties of the land limit the quantities of nutrients that can be applied because of excess nutrient buildup in soil and potential to harm nearby waterbodies and downstream people and places. Longer distances between dairy and farmland favor the use of commercial fertilizers due to the high cost of manure transportation. At

Urban Vulnerabilities in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal: Visualizations of Human/Hazard Interactions

0.08 per ton per km transportation cost, the optimal cut-off distances for dairy manure application is 30km for N and 15km each for P(2)O(5) and K(2)O consistent rules. An analysis of dairy manure application to different crop types suggest that, on average, 1ha of land requires 61 tons of dairy manure to meet the recommended N, P(2)O(5) and K(2)O needs.

Searching for an environmental Kuznets curve in carbon dioxide pollutant in Latin American countries.

Excessive unplanned urban growth leads to many vulnerabilities and impacts on urban environments to varying degrees. However, the majority of the extant literature focuses on the problems related to location and socioeconomic conditions, rather than vulnerability processes and related environmental degradation. This paper analyzes the scope of urban vulnerabilities for five rapidly urbanizing and highly-congested cities in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. First, the historic context of the Valley’s uncontrolled urbanization sets the scene. Second, the optic is narrowed to focus upon the geographical features of the resultant urbanized Valley landscape that includes spatial arrangements and of houses, population densities, road networks, vehicular densities, garbage problems, and available open spaces. Additionally, seismic vulnerabilities in the urban areas are also considering in this examination. Third, three-dimensional visualizations of selected urban locations are presented to differentiate between vulnerable and relatively safe locations. The intent of this research is to contribute to the methodological understanding of human/hazards interactions in rapidly urbanizing cities of the Third World, which share similar socioeconomic conditions and environmental contexts.

Biofuel: An alternative to fossil fuel for alleviating world energy and economic crises

This study utilized a semiparametric panel model to estimate environmental Kuznets curves (EKC) for carbon dioxide (CO2) in 15 Latin American countries, using hitherto unused data on forestry acreage in each country. Results showed an N-shaped curve for the region; however, the shape of the curve is sensitive to the removal of some groups of countries. Specification tests support a semiparametric panel model over a parametric quadratic specification.

A Review of “Sustainable Transportation: Problems and Solutions”

The time has come when it is desirable to look for alternative energy resources to confront the global energy crisis. Consideration of the increasing environmental problems and the possible crisis of fossil fuel availability at record high prices dictate that some changes will need to occur sooner rather than later. The recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is just another example of the environmental threats that fossil fuels pose. This paper is an attempt to explore various bio-resources such as corn, barley, oat, rice, wheat, sorghum, sugar, safflower, and coniferous and non-coniferous species for the production of biofuels (ethanol and biodiesel). In order to assess the potential production of biofuel, in this paper, countries are organized into three groups based on: (a) geographic areas; (b) economic development; and(c) lending types, as classified by the World Bank. First, the total fossil fuel energy consumption and supply and possible carbon emission from burning fossil fuel is projected for these three groups of countries. Second, the possibility of production of biofuel from grains and vegetative product is projected. Third, a comparison of fossil fuel and biofuel is done to examine energy sustainability issues.

Tourism, Terrorism And Turmoil In Nepal

research evaluates land management techniques, labor, gender and livelihoods strategies, and the decision making of private ranchers. The author has three major purposes for this book: First, he wants to explain how private ranching has evolved in northern Mexico. Second, he seeks to detail land management and why land and resources vary between regions. Third, he wants to fill a gap in the literature by discussing the human uses of natural resources and the challenges that occur because of them. He argues that ranching has survived because of its reliance on household members and its relationship with local politics. The plural political ecologies is used to suggest that each ranch has its own distinctive history, one that reflects cultural and regional decision making. Perramond examines small, medium, and large ranches and pays special attention to landscape changes and the local contexts in which they occur. The book is divided into seven chapters. In chapter 1, the author talks about the secret geographies of cattle ranching and what he means by ranching’s private revolutions. In other words, he explains how private ranchers survived the Mexican Revolution and the period of agrarian reform and how important these ranchers are to the ecology and economy of northern Mexico. In addition, he explains why he chose the state of Sonora as a study site. In chapter 2, Perramond provides a historical context for the development of cattle ranching in Sonora. He uses this chapter to discuss the roots of ranching in the New World and the contribution and the influences of Spain. He details the differences among familiar terms such as hacienda, estancia, and rancho and why these terms do not necessarily mean the same thing to all people. Chapter 3 deals with land, labor, and resources management decisions and strategies used by private ranches. Perramond discusses how private ranchers have defended their land despite land reforms. He argues that the strategies and tactics used by private ranchers reflect those pursued elsewhere in Mexico. In addition, he explains what he means by management (control of production and reproduction of the ranch unit), by resource. He finishes this chapter by talking about the conflict between land base versus resource base. In the next chapter (chapter 4), he approaches the ecological dimension of land management decisions and institutions on the landscape. He argues that biophysical diversity, the history of the region, and management decisions by private landowners integrated with and linked to the climate, ecology, and geographic settling of ranches. In other words, ecology, power, wealth, and geographic access to resources do matter significantly in shaping the Rio Sonora region. In chapter 5, the author discusses the importance of plazas and their importance for the spatial arrangement and dynamics of ranch life. Following this section, he details the importance of women, children, and the elderly in the dynamics of ranching. He highlights the importance of gendered local knowledge and how this knowledge contributes to the success, stability, or failure of cattle ranching in Sonora. In chapter 6, Perramond provides context and explanations for the contemporary landscape of ranching found in Mexico. He discusses agrarian reform, the idea of ownership and the complexities behind private ownership. In addition, he pays attention to ranch challenges and opportunities; what private, communal, and privatizing mean in neo-liberal Mexico; and the problem of economic adjustment and its consequences for Sonora residents. Chapter 7 concludes the book by focusing on findings and policy suggestions. In general, this is an excellent book that explains the various political ecologies of ranching in northern Mexico. In doing this, the author facilitates the understanding of how private ranches and ranchers have developed and adapted strategies for survival. This book is essential reading for any scholar interested in cattle ranching, not just in Mexico or even North America but also in many places in Latin America.