The Concepts of Animal Architecture
Authors: Gautami Prabhakar Bura, Dr. Parag Govardhan Narkhede
Abstract
Animals survive in the nature with their instincts and sustain for better living. Their life goes with the challenge in search of food and shelter. Every animal species have its own different kind of habitat. The main purpose of animal built structures is to build a protective home against weather conditions, to keep young ones safe, trap prey and communication. Either they construct one with their capabilities or find one in the nature. The animals that construct their own habitat are Animal constructive structures. There are unique concepts that can be inspired in architecture. The question is that what is the uniqueness of animal built forms? Architect and Designers get inspiration from various places in nature, animal architecture is also one of those to inspire. These concepts of animal architecture serve and influence in design, beauty, form, function and structural and design solutions as well. Animals build many beautiful structures which are not made of any modern technology, but by using material available in the nature. If wonders can be made by simple use of natural materials (mud, sticks, twigs), we have a wide range of technology and flexibility and could create more enormous structures. This research study is for understanding the concepts of animal architecture in which animal constructive structures are focused. These concepts can be further used in buildings, thus case studies done.
Employment Opportunities in Watershed Development Programme in India – A Case Study of Pudukkottai District, Tamilnadu
Author: T. Ravisankar
Abstract
India has about 18per cent of world’s human population and 15 per cent of livestock population to be supported from only 2.45 per cent of world’s geographical area and 1.5 per cent of forest and pasture land with the present population growth rate (1.9 percent per year), the population is expected to cross the 1.5 billion mark by 2050. The ever-expanding water demand of the India’s growing population and economy, combined with the impacts of climate change, are already making water scarcity a major threat in many parts of the country and with if we are witnessing severe damage to livelihoods, human health and ecosystems. India is one of the world’s leading crop producers over the years. There has been an increase in water consumption in the agricultural sector. The volume of water used for irrigation in India is expected to increase by 68.5 million liters between 2000 and 2025. Watershed development has been conceived basically as a strategy for protecting the livelihoods of the people inhabiting the fragile eco-systems experiencing soil erosion and moisture stress. The aim has been to ensure the availability of drinking water, fuel wood and fodder and raise income and employment for farmers and landless labourers through improvements in agricultural production and productivity. The government of India has been implementing watershed development programmers through different ministries the important ongoing watershed development programme DPAP, DDP, IWDP, RVP, NWDPRA, DANIDA, NABARD. and others, State – funded watershed development programs, etc. At present watershed development programmes are embarked as IWMP with new mode of implementation. An attempt has been made in this paper to analyse the impact on employment opportunities in watershed development programme. The study also explains the impact watershed development programme on cropping pattern and productivity and find out the employment and income of watershed beneficiaries is considerably high. The productivity and cropping pattern have been also positively changed in the watershed area.