Appraisal of the management practices of goat farmers in selected districts of the KwaZulu-Natal province: can the extensionist play a role to improve?

The study was conducted to assess management practices by goat farmers in uMgungundlovu of the KwaZulu-Natal province. A total of 70 farmers were interviewed using structured questionnaires. A considerable number of respondents had low-level education (40%) n=28. Management activities performed by respondents included control of internal and external parasites, which was done by 94% and 96%, respectively. The most vaccinated for diseases were Pulpy kidney (61.54%) and Pasteurella (51.92%). Fifty-five respondents (78.57%) grazed their animals on the veld, while an insubstantial percentage of respondents had cultivated pastures (15.71%) n=11. Respondents provided winter and summer supplementary feed (46%) and supplementary lick (83%). A total of 17 farmers (24.29%) had a specific breeding season. Breeding management activities were done by farmers, and 5.71% of respondents tested bucks for fertility, while 18.57% provided flush feeding, and 11.43% performed pregnancy diagnosis. Most farmers who applied sound management practices reported elevated production levels.

Investigation of the Tubular and Cylindrical Billets Stamping by Rolling Process with the Use of Computer Simulation

Forming of blanks during stamping by rolling (RS) is possible according to technological schemes of deposition, landing, direct and reverse extrusion, distribution and compression, etc. Controlling the relative position and shape of the deformed tool allows you to control the direction of flow of the workpiece material and the nature of its formation, as well as the stress-strain state of the material. The complexity and versatility of RS processes necessitate computer modeling for sound management of basic technological parameters.Physical experimental as well as computer modeling of the RS process in the DEFORM-3D software package was performed in the work.According to the results of computer simulation, the distribution of deformation components, stresses and temperatures in the deformed workpiece area was obtained, and using the Cockroft-Latham criterion, the destruction of metals during cold deformation was also predicted.Physical modeling of the SR process on lead blanks confirmed the nature of their deformation, obtained by computer simulation. And the analysis of the stress-strain state of the material based on the results of measurements of the deformed grid confirmed the validity of the appointment of boundary conditions in computer simulation.This approach is suitable for modeling by the method of SR of any metal models, for which it is necessary to know their mechanical characteristics, including boundary deformation curves.

Qualitative and Quantitative Beach Cleanliness Assessment to Support Marine Litter Management in Tropical Destinations

In addition to its ecological and recreational relevance, beach cleanliness is also one of the five most important aspects (i.e., the “Big Five”) for beach visitors around the world. Nonetheless, few efforts have been carried out to guide the sound management of this rising issue. This paper presents a quantitative and qualitative method to assess the level of beach cleanliness, in order to allow managers to focus their attention on the environmental management of the most frequent and relevant types of litter in tropical areas. In a first step, a survey on users’ perception was applied to 361 beachgoers in eight beaches in Colombia to identify the most relevant types of beach litter and the weighting factors to obtain quantitative calculations. In a second step, the thirteen categories of litter identified were analyzed in relation to beach cleanliness, origin of litter, and environmental impact, to define its individual weighting importance. Some categories were also selected according to particularities of tropical countries, such as the presence of abundant natural vegetation debris and gross polystyrene items, largely transported by rivers in great quantities. In a third step, the method was then tested at eight beaches in the Caribbean coast of Colombia through a period of four months, during which 192 transect samplings were carried out. The qualitative module of the proposed technique, named Beach Litter Assessment Technique—Qualitative and Quantitative (BLAT-QQ), identified the main types of beach litter and the quantitative module gave an overview on the state of beach cleanliness. The method is demonstrated to be quick and effective in diagnosing beach cleanliness, providing a simple instrument to carry out sound environmental management actions in coastal destinations.

Analysis of biodiversity in the Pamotan Mudal spring area, Rembang Regency

The community’s need for clean water is increasing along with the increase in population. In fulfilling clean water, most will use surface water and underground water. Mudal spring is one of the springs located in Pamotan District, Rembang Regency, and has 80 liters/second discharge. The community uses the uses of springs to meet their needs, such as drinking water and irrigation. This study aims to determine the diversity of fauna and flora of the Mudal spring area and identify the use and conservation efforts of the springs by the community in Pamotan District, Rembang Regency. This research uses descriptive quantitative research. Data were analyzed using the Shannon-Wienner Diversity Index formula. There are ten types of fauna in the Mudal spring area with a diversity index H’=1.82 which is included in the medium category. As for flora, 17 species were found with a diversity index H’=1.83 which was included in the medium category. The conservation and utilization efforts carried out by the surrounding community for the Mudal spring are reasonable enough so that it is necessary to improve the concept of sustainable and environmentally sound management so that it remains by following with its function.

WAQF LAND DEVELOPMENT APPROACHES AND PRACTICES IN THE STATE ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS COUNCILS

Waqf land is a religious property that is provided as a charity act by a donor and placed under the jurisdiction of the State Islamic Religious Councils (SIRCs). The SIRCs are the sole trustees in charge of governing, managing, and developing these properties. SIRCs have been working to develop waqf lands through a variety of projects and ways that adhere to best practices and a sound management system. However, the waqf's potential for greater outcomes is yet to be optimised. This research has reviewed the literature of waqf land development approaches and practices in Malaysia and it has tabled the significant development approaches that can be implemented by the SIRC. These approaches and practices may overcome the issues and challenges faced by the SIRCs in developing waqf land.

The United Nations Basel Convention’s Global Plastic Waste Partnership: History, Evolution and Progress

The pollution of our marine and terrestrial environment by plastic waste is one of the most pressing global environmental challenges faced today. Developing a circular plastic economy and limiting plastic pollution requires multilevel actions from different stakeholders including oil and petrochemical producers, plastic manufacturers, consumer goods companies, retailers, consumers, waste managers, waste management authorities, plastic recyclers and others. As well as cleaning up the enormous quantities of plastic waste already in our oceans and lakes, there is an urgent need to strengthen countries’ capacities to prevent, minimize and properly manage this waste. The Basel Convention, the most comprehensive global environmental treaty dealing with hazardous and other wastes, offers an important part of the solution. In addition to its provisions aimed at controlling the exports and imports of hazardous wastes and other wastes generated from households and ensuring their environmentally sound management, the Convention also seeks to tackle the problem at its source through prevention and minimization. With the addition of an amendment to the Convention specifically tackling plastic waste, and the establishment of a Plastic Waste Partnership, the Convention is positioned at the forefront in the fight against plastic pollution.

Legitimizing Workforce Reduction: A Review on Impact of COVID-19 Outbreak to the Economy

COVID-19 outbreak continues to impact business organizations around the world financially. One major concern is the common practice of business organizations to reduce their workforce. Issues might arise from such management decisions. The purpose of this conceptual paper is to analyze the legitimacy of managerial decisions relating to workforce reduction. The methodology of legal analysis was used by referring to and reviewing literature in Malaysia, Singapore and the United Kingdom. Major findings show that management decisions on workforce reduction especially during the COVID-19 outbreak must accord with employment law and existing government measures. Apart from that, an employer's failure to resolve issues of workforce reduction according to the law and government measures would result in trade disputes and eventual court action. The findings of this study can assist employers to make sound management decisions with valid reasons in situations, not within their control.