scholarly journals Forest Biosecurity Systems and Processes: An Indian Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kavita Gupta ◽  
K. V. Sankaran
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Plant Quarantine ◽  
Agriculture Sector ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
Plant Biosecurity

Biological invasions continue unabated across the globe despite all efforts to manage the problem by implementing biosecurity regulations and associated management methods. In this context, this paper reviews the plant biosecurity legislation applicable to agriculture and forestry sectors in India to prevent/manage invasions, with the objective of identifying limitations in the legislation or lapses in implementing it and propose corrective measures. The legislation can be improved by: (1) revising and updating the Destructive Insects and Pests Act (1914) and Plant Quarantine Order 2003 and (2) establishing a National Sanitary and Phytosanitary Database Center to promote exchange of information. Establishing more plant quarantine stations with state-of-the-art facilities and a Biosecurity and Trade Unit may support implementation of legislation. Some of main gaps in information and research in biosecurity are identified. The plant biosecurity legislation, though meant to be common, mainly addresses the agriculture sector; its application in the forestry context is currently scarce. Hence, it is suggested that India may enact forest biosecurity scrupulously especially in the context of introducing the REDD + strategy and a Forest Certification Scheme. It is proposed that an integrated pest management (IPM) system involving e-pest surveillance, establishment of pest-free areas and use of biocontrol may help tackle emerging pest threats. The use of new technologies for remote sensing and detection and mapping of vegetation may help bio-surveillance, forecasting, and monitoring of pests. However, successful implementation of all management options demands formation of an exclusive national policy to manage invasive alien species and an action plan governed by a single agency. To realize the plant biosecurity goals, India may also strengthen regional cooperation to: (1) harmonize regulations for sanitary/phytosanitary and plant quarantine/biosafety measures and (2) use a common pest risk analysis (PRA) for unknown pests in the region. Capacity-building of officials to identify risky goods and verify conformity with Import Health Standards is raised. Also, raising awareness on biosecurity among all stakeholders and involving them in implementing the legislation would be helpful. The proposed National Agricultural Biosecurity System and the Agricultural Biosecurity Bill currently considered by the Indian Parliament is expected to address the inadequacies.

scholarly journals Phony peach disease: past and present impact on the peach industry in the southeastern U.S.A

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kendall A. Johnson ◽  
Clive H. Bock ◽  
Phillip M. Brannen
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Disease Epidemiology ◽  
Pathogen Diversity ◽  
Foundational Research ◽  
Global Threat ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Phony peach disease (PPD) is caused by the plant pathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa subsp. multiplex (Xfm). Historically, the disease has caused severe yield loss in Georgia and elsewhere in the southeastern United States, with millions of PPD trees being removed from peach orchards over the last century. The disease remains a production constraint, and management options are few. Limited research has been conducted on PPD since the 1980s, but the advent of new technologies offers the opportunity for new, foundational research to form a basis for informed management of PPD in the U.S. Furthermore, considering the global threat of Xylella to many plant species, preventing import of Xfm to other regions, particularly where peach is grown, should be considered an important phytosanitary endeavor. Main topics We review PPD, its history and impact on peach production, and the eradication efforts that were conducted for 42 years. Additionally, we review the current knowledge of the pathogen, Xfm, and how that knowledge relates to our understanding of the peach—Xylella pathosystem, including the epidemiology of the disease and consideration of the vectors. Methods used to detect the pathogen in peach are discussed, and ramifications of detection in relation to management and control of PPD are considered. Control options for PPD are limited. Our current knowledge of the pathogen diversity and disease epidemiology are described, and based on this, some potential areas for future research are also considered. Conclusion There is a lack of recent foundational research on PPD and the associated strain of Xfm. More research is needed to reduce the impact of this pathogen on peach production in the southeastern U.S., and, should it spread internationally, wherever peaches are grown.

scholarly journals Diagnostics and monitoring tools for noncommunicable diseases: a missing component in the global response

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Bernabé-Ortiz ◽  
Jessica H. Zafra-Tanaka ◽  
Miguel Moscoso-Porras ◽  
Rangarajan Sampath ◽  
Beatrice Vetter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Noncommunicable Disease ◽  
World Health ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Monitoring Tools

AbstractA key component of any health system is the capacity to accurately diagnose individuals. One of the six building blocks of a health system as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) includes diagnostic tools. The WHO’s Noncommunicable Disease Global Action Plan includes addressing the lack of diagnostics for noncommunicable diseases, through multi-stakeholder collaborations to develop new technologies that are affordable, safe, effective and quality controlled, and improving laboratory and diagnostic capacity and human resources. Many challenges exist beyond price and availability for the current tools included in the Package of Essential Noncommunicable Disease Interventions (PEN) for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases. These include temperature stability, adaptability to various settings (e.g. at high altitude), need for training in order to perform and interpret the test, the need for maintenance and calibration, and for Blood Glucose Meters non-compatible meters and test strips. To date the issues surrounding access to diagnostic and monitoring tools for noncommunicable diseases have not been addressed in much detail. The aim of this Commentary is to present the current landscape and challenges with regards to guidance from the WHO on diagnostic tools using the WHO REASSURED criteria, which define a set of key characteristics for diagnostic tests and tools. These criteria have been used for communicable diseases, but so far have not been used for noncommunicable diseases. Diagnostic tools have played an important role in addressing many communicable diseases, such as HIV, TB and neglected tropical diseases. Clearly more attention with regards to diagnostics for noncommunicable diseases as a key component of the health system is needed.

scholarly journals Virtual Saviours: Digital games and anti-trafficking awareness-raising

2019 ◽  
pp. 82-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin O’Brien ◽  
Helen Berents
Keyword(s):  
Human Trafficking ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Digital Games ◽  
Online Games ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
Awareness Raising ◽  
The Creation

In recent years, digital games have emerged as a new tool in human trafficking awareness-raising. These games reflect a trend towards ‘virtual humanitarianism’, utilising digital technologies to convey narratives of suffering with the aim of raising awareness about humanitarian issues. The creation of these games raises questions about whether new technologies will depict humanitarian problems in new ways, or simply perpetuate problematic stereotypes. This article examines three online games released in the last five years for the purpose of raising awareness about human trafficking. In analysing these games, we argue that the persistent tropes of ideal victims lacking in agency continue to dominate the narrative, with a focus on individualised problems rather than structural causes of human trafficking. However, the differing approaches taken by the games demonstrate the potential for complexity and nuance in storytelling through digital games.

scholarly journals New technologies in consulting sector – the paradigm of agility

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-146
Author(s):  
Celina SOŁEK-BOROWSKA
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Knowledge Economy ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Competitive Environment ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Global Teams ◽  
Global Marketplace ◽  
Changing Knowledge

In order to keep pace with the demands of the ever-changing knowledge economy, organizations must be aware of the knowledge sharing tools that are in use today, customizing the technology to help them maintain a competitive advantage in the global marketplace. Moreover because of the competitive environment the shift is towards agile paradigm. The outcome of this study will enable further under­standing of knowledge sharing in consulting companies and will therefore contribute towards successful implementation of knowledge sharing as part of organizational knowledge sharing culture. The limita­tions identińed were the use of interview as the only form of data collection, since the company did not authorize the collection of documents, the interviews were conducted via Skype®. The ńndings are based on one case study and the ńndings are not generalizable. The results of this research may be useful for academics and organizations because they deepen the discussion on knowledge sharing in global teams.

scholarly journals The Strategies for Strengthening National Geographic Information Infrastructure in Nepal

2010 ◽  
pp. 51-58
Author(s):  
Nab Raj Subedi
Keyword(s):  
Evaluation Research ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Information Infrastructure ◽  
Geographic Information ◽  
Geospatial Data ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Lead Agency ◽  
Data Infrastructure ◽  
National Geographic ◽  
Policy Statements

Nepal has already initiated the National Geographic Information Infrastructure activities (NGII). For a successful implementation of a National Geospatial Data Infrastructure (NGDI), there is a need for a national policy that will provide the necessary guidelines, identify various committees to be responsible for the various aspects of the NGDI (such as standards, custodianship, sharing and partnership) and provide issues that are acting as the constraints against the take off of the NGDI. The issues must be discussed at a forum where all the stakeholders would meet to discuss on the various issues in the draft policy prior to the approval. There is also a need for an agency to be the lead agency in the development of a NGDI, for which the prevalent NGIIP can be given authority to act as a coordinator until the formation of the National Geographic Information Council. This paper highlights that each stakeholder organization must have certain strategies that work in resonance with broad SDI strategies that perform NGII development and proposes its mission, vision and some general policy statements for the development of SDI activities in Nepal. Some goals and corresponding strategies identified as an outcome of recently held evaluation research on NGII has been provided as an aid for its development.

scholarly journals China’s “One Belt, One Road Initiative”: challenges and requirements for its successful implementation in Central Asia

2017 ◽  
pp. 127-138
Author(s):  
Francisco Gómez Martos
Keyword(s):  
Soviet Union ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Central Asia ◽  
Former Soviet Union ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Trade Integration ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Intergovernmental Cooperation

Twenty five years after the dissolution of the former Soviet Union and the reemergence of the Central Asian Republics as independent States, this region continues to be the scene of rivalries amongst the big powers (Russia, China, the European Union, USA, India, Japan, Turkey and Iran) competing in a sort of a “new Grand Game” to increase their geopolitical and economic influence in the region. Its geography, diverse and rich natural resources, like oil and gas, explain the ongoing hidden rivalries. Despite its common historical and cultural past, Central Asia constitutes a heterogeneous region with a multiethnic and multi-linguistic composition and a low degree of physical, economic and trade integration. The lack of mutual trust, the persisting tension over borders and the use and sharing of natural resources, as well as different levels of economic performance have so far jeopardized the development of genuine regional cooperation. Against this background, the idea behind the Chinese OBOR Initiative to develop rapid transportation, if well implemented, could theoretically, by improving interregional connectivity, develop the Central Asia regional market and foster intergovernmental cooperation and people-to-people contacts within the region. In this context, could we expect that the ambitious Chinese OBOR Initiative will boost geopolitical stability and promote shared economic and trade benefits in Central Asia? What are the conditions for that need to be fulfilled?The author analyzes in depth certain crucial political, economic and institutional requirements for the successful implementation of the OBOR Strategy and concludes, however, that three years after the launching of this crucial instrument of the Chinese “globalization without democracy” model, its implementation faces major problems and thus raises more doubts than certainties.

scholarly journals Trade and Growth

2021 ◽  
pp. 249-277
Author(s):  
Jakkie Cilliers
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Regional Integration ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
Free Trade Area ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Trade Area ◽  
Growth Increase ◽  
Trading Partners ◽  
History Of

AbstractCilliers starts by exploring the modern history of international trade and the importance of trade to economic growth and global cooperation. The chapter then provides an overview of Africa’s trading partners, the need for greater regional integration in the continent and the challenges to achieving intra-regional cooperation. It examines the need to improve the quality of governance, bridge the infrastructure deficit and eventually focus on a manufacturing-led growth path. Reducing both tariff and non-tariff barriers could facilitate the successful implementation of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), induce economic growth, increase per capita incomes and reduce poverty. A penultimate section models the potential impact of the AfCFTA on growth, poverty reduction and increased average incomes.

scholarly journals REGIONAL COOPERATION ON THE BLACK SEA: ACHIEVEMENTS, PROBLEMS, PROSPECTS

2013 ◽  
pp. 42-48
Author(s):  
E. D. Eshba
Keyword(s):  
Black Sea ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
Regional Security ◽  
The Black Sea ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Black Sea Region ◽  
Black Sea Coast ◽  
World Economic ◽  
Transportation Routes

Throughout the history The Black Sea region attracted attention of both regional states and those lying far beyond its borders . One of the main reasons for increased attention to the Black Sea coast is its transit location : it is crossed by transport routes connecting the West with the states of Central Asia and Transcaucasia that are rich by hydrocarbon resources . A large-scale and fairly ambitious gas pipeline projects that are scheduled to take place on the territory of the Black Sea countries and across the Black Sea lead us to expect the increasing role of the Black Sea region in the world economic system. In this regard, the author brings to light the problem of the main stages of the development of cooperation among the Black Sea countries be means of analysis of the most successful attempts at regional cooperation. Special attention is paid to the policy of Turkey in the Black Sea and on the interactions of two major regional actors (Russia and Turkey) . In addition, the work highlights the most promising areas of transport, logistics , trade and economic development of the region , including the project of ring highway around the Black Sea, as well as prospects for the intensification of maritime transport and the development of new marine transportation routes. To summarize, the author concludes that , despite the development of cooperation in the region , there are problems in the formation of a comprehensive system of regional security and cooperation, so as major obstacles to the successful implementation of the plan of cooperation in the Black Sea region still remain .

scholarly journals Disaster management strategies and relation of good governance for the coastal Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-279
Author(s):  
Prabal Barua ◽  
◽  
Abhijit Mitra ◽  
Saeid Eslamian ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Management ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Management Policies

Although Bangladesh’s immense steps in preparing the disaster management policies following the values of good governance issue, the quantity to which these policies have productively been executing at the local level remnants mostly unknown. The objectives of this investigation were dual: firstly, to inspect the roles and efficiency of the local-level governance and disaster management organization, and lastly, to recognize the obstacles to the execution of national the policies and Disaster-Risk-Reduction guidelines at the local community level. The authors applied qualitative research and case Study approach, using techniques from the Participatory Rural Appraisal toolbox to collect data from local community members as well as government and NGO officials. From the finding of the study, it was revealed that interactive disaster governance, decentralization of disaster management, and compliance by local-level institutions with good governance principles and national policy guidelines can be extremely effective in reducing disaster-loss and damages. According to coastal community members, the local governments have generally failed to uphold good governance principles, and triangulated data confirm that the region at large suffers from rampant corruption, political favoritism, lack of transparency and accountability and minimal inclusion of local inhabitants in decision-making – all of which have severely impeded the successful implementation of national disaster-management policies. This study contributes to these research gaps, with identification of further research agenda in these areas. The paper deals with International Sendai Framework that called for enhancement of local level community resilience to disasters. Thus, it contributes to numerous policy and practice areas relating to good disaster governance. The study identified the specific manifestations of these failures in coastal communities in Bangladesh. These results underscore the vital need to address the wide gap between national DRR goals and the on-the-ground realities of policy implementation to successfully enhance the country’s resilience to climate change-induced disasters.

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