Farmer’s Management Practices Adopted Against Mustard Aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.): A Survey of Chitwan, Nepal

Insect pests are the major constraints of crop production. Mustard aphid is the major problems of rapeseed contributing mustard decline in Chitwan, Nepal. Semi-structured questionnaire survey was conducted on randomly selected farmers of Chainpir Village Development Committee (VDC), Chitwan after a pre-testing in Mangalpur VDC to study the farmers’ knowledge and management practices adopted against mustard aphid in Chitwan. Study revealed majority (60%) of the respondent suggested aphid as the major insect of rapeseed and moreover, 86% of the respondent experienced it to cause 25% loss to the crop yield. Much proportion of respondents (58%) also realized low temperature with high humidity at the time of flowering as a cause in higher aphid infestation. Farmers use 2-3 sprays of chemical insecticide to control aphid but was found to destroy natural enemies and bee population besides damaging natural environment and human health. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 8(1): 78-82

Intestinal parasites in Meche community in relation to their socio-economic status

Background and Objectives: Intestinal parasites still establishes one of the important causes of public health problem in world, especially in developing countries like Nepal. The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in Meche community of Jalthal Village Development Committee of Jhapa district in relation to their socio-economic status. Material and Methods: Study was carried out during June to July 2017 in Meche community of Jalthal Village Development Committee of Jhapa district. A total of 150 human stool samples were randomly collected and examined using direct smear and concentration methods (sedimentation and flotation technique). Results: Among total samples the prevalence of intestinal parasites in Meche community was 27.33%. Prevalence rate in females were higher 32.47% than in males 21.91%. There was no significant difference in the distribution of parasites between male and female (χ2=1.6022, df=1, p value=0.2056). The prevalence of the parasites was maximum in the age group 21- 40 years (47.22%). Altogether 5 species of the intestinal parasites were detected. Among them Ascaris lumbricoides (19.33%) topped the list followed by Taenia solium (2.67%), Hookworm (2.67%), Entamoeba coli (2.67%) and Trichuris trichiura (2%). Conclusion: The high prevalence of infection in community seems directly related to un-hygienic living condition, unsafe drinking water, unhygienic food, lack of health education, poor sanitary condition and low socio-economic status help to increase the burden of the infection in the community.

Magnitude of Family Planning Use in Gardi Village Development Committee of Chitwan district

The estimated contraceptive prevalence rate of Chitwan is based on the data of health management and information system. Therefore, this study aimed to find out the actual magnitude of family planning use among different age groups, castes, educational status, etc. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Gardi village development committee of Chitwan district from June 15, 2012 to July 5, 2012. A total of 246 married women of reproductive age were studied, who were obtained from 410 households selected from the total households of the village development committee using stratified proportionate random sampling technique. Structured interview was done and data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Percentages of the variables were calculated and cross-tabulations were done. The percentage of family planning use was 65%, increasing after the age of thirty years- 70% on average in each age group thereafter. More Dalits (76%) used family planning methods than Janajatis (58%). About three quarters of women were met with primary education and 69% of illiterates used family planning, with the least percentage (37%) among those with SLC and above education. Most common method was male sterilization (41%), followed by female sterilization (21%). The reasons for not using family planning were given as: no need of family planning (78%), feared side-effects (17%) and did not know any methods (5%). For an awareness program of family planning, couples with caste Janajati, those having education SLC and above and younger age groups should be given more priority. Key words: Family Planning, Magnitude, Chitwan

Biodiversity Resources and Livelihoods: A Case from Lamabagar Village of Middle Nepal

The biodiversity resources are integral part of the livelihoods of residents of Lamabagar Village Development Committee. Over the last three decades, the number of species has been decreasing due to infrastructure developments- roads, hydropower’s. Reportedly, 277 species of plants 24 species of mammals and 37 species of birds were recorded in 2003 has come down to 244 species of plants, 20 species of mammals and 32 species of birds only in the present study. It has led mis-balance between biodiversity conservation and livelihood strategy. The present paper tries to discuss on overview of plant and animal diversity between 2003-2012, common relationship between bio-diversity resources and their implication in the livelihood, conservation issues and their threats. The findings of the work are based on the fieldwork carried out field survey between 2003 and 2012.

Human-Rhino Conflict: Local People’s Adaptation to Impacts of Rhino

The greater one-horned rhinoceros, a protected species, significant to growing eco-tourism industry and conservation efforts in Nepal poses a number of challenges to the local people residing in the vicinity of the Chitwan National Park (CNP). The article is based on a study of local people’s perceptions on impacts of rhino and various coping and adaptation measures being adopted by them. The study also aims to explore ways to enhance adaptation by securing local people’s participation in rhino conservation. Review of secondary literature, surveys, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and Likert scale analysis were carried out for the purpose of the study. Five per cent of the households (50) in Bachauli Village Development Committee that hosts Bagmara Buffer Zone Community Forest User Group of the CNP were randomly selected. The study found that despite 80 per cent of the respondents incurred damage in some form from rhinos, 40 per cent of them exhibited a positive perception towards rhino conservation. Among several coping and adaptive measures to damages, a combination of electric/solar fencing and trench is found to be most effective. Applied research through collaborations between social scientists and ecologists can help to address the gaps in the understanding of different elements of human-wildlife conflict.

Status of crop raiding by Assamese monkeys (Macaca assamensis) along the Budhigandaki river, central Nepal

Crop depredation study was done on Assamese monkeys (Macaca assamensis) in Budhigandaki river basin lying on Dhading and Gorkha districts of central Nepal. The field study was conducted from February 2015 to January 2016 spending 1804 hours to explore the ecology and feeding behavior of Assamese monkeys. The study mainly focused at Kallerivillage of Salang village development committee of Dhading district and Baseri, Majhitar and Siurenitar villages of Ghyalchok village development committee of Gorkha district. A total of16 individuals of Assamese monkeys were counted at Rigdi khola of Sigrepakha community forest of Salang village development committee of Dhading district whereas a total of 13individuals of Assamese monkeys were counted at Sandkhola of Benigam community forestand a total of 14 individuals of Assamese monkeys counted at Siurenitar of Ghyalchok village development committee of Gorkha district. Crop raiding data were collected by questionnaire survey method to local households in the nearby villages and also by direct observation. It was found that maize (58.43%) was the highest raided, followed by rice (11.34%), lentil(8.74%), peanut (4.35%), soyabean (4.18%), wheat (3.22%), fruits (2.97%), black pulses(1.87%), potato (1.67%), sesham (0.92%), tomato (0.79%), millet (0.67%), mustard (0.36%),broad beans (0.25%), brown lentil (0.18%) and pumpkin (0.06%).

Evidences of red panda in Rachuli VDC, Kalikot district, Nepal

Presence of the red panda was assessed in Rachuli Village Development Committee (VDC)(latitude 290 1.98’ N to 2903.57’ N and longitude 81013.52’ E to 81015.87’ E, at altitudinal range between 1800 to 4400 masl), Kalikot, mid-west Nepal. The interaction and interviews with local peoples was organised to collect initial confirmation on occurrence of the red panda. For sign survey of animal, altogether 20 quadrate plots (each of 10×10 sq. meters) at the point where pellets of red panda were found, were laid between altitude of 2800 m to 3300 masl. The presence of Red panda pellets in the study area was major evidence of presence of redpanda in the area. The lowest altitude in which pellet found was 2993 m and the highest was3297 m. The highest number of pellets was observed in altitudinal range of 3100 m to 3150m. The average number of pellets per group was 10.13 ± 5.33. The typical dominant species of trees in red panda habitat were Betula utilis, Abies spectabilis and Quercus semecarpifolia observed with the highest Important Value Index (IVI) of 83.80, 75.83 and 52.80 respectively. Nigalo (Thamnocalamus sp.), the most preferable food plant of red panda, was distributed widely in the study range. The number of pellets groups in the plots and nigalo density were positively correlated (0.795, significant statistically at 0.01 levels (2-tailed)).

Hindering factors of infant feeding practices among the mothers of mid western part of Nepal

Background and Objectives: This study was aimed to provide baseline information on infant feeding knowledge, practices and hindering factors for proper feedings.Material and Methods: Among the 185 women with less than one year child coming on immunization clinic of health post of Chisapani Village Development Committee, infant feeding knowledge, practices were assessed by interviewing with semi structured questionnaire and focus group discussion.Results: Male children were more exclusively breastfed (33%) than female (27%) and exclusive breast feeding was lower in fifth and sixth month of age. All of them were aware that the baby should be fed only breast milk for 6 months, but the exclusive breastfeeding practice was found only in a very few mothers. Most of them had fed solid food after 3 months.Conclusion: Knowledge and practices on infant feeding do not go along despite the adequacy of knowledge due to the hindering factors like poverty, working mother, lack of support from family members and lack of support from the government infant. The gap between knowledge and practice can be lessened via informative activities on lactation management, endorsing policies and rights for mothers-infants relationship.

Prevalence of Gastro-Intestinal Parasites of Horse (Equus Caballus Linnaeus, 1758) In Seven Village Development Committee of Rukum District, Nepal

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites of horse in seven Village Development Committee (VDC) of Rukum district. It was carried out from March to November 2016. A total of 105 fecal samples of horses (79 males and 26 females) were collected by using opportunistic random method. The collected fecal samples were preserved in 2.5% potassium dichromate and microscopically examined using concentration techniques. The overall prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites was 84.76% (89/105). The total number of genera observed during fecal examination was 12. Among them, Strongylus sp. showed the highest prevalence (51.42%) followed by Eimeria sp. (20%), Trichostrongylus sp. (14.28%), Trichonema sp. (13.33%), Parascaris equorum (10.47%), Balantidium sp. (9.52%), Dictyocaulus sp. (8.57%), Triodontophorus sp. (7.61%), Gastrodiscus sp. (6.66%), Oxyuris equi (4.76%), Entamoeba sp. (3.80%), Shistosoma sp. (1.90%) and unidentified nematode larvae (7.61%). Three genera of parasites; Shistosoma sp., Triodontophorus sp. and Dictyocaulus sp. have been reported for the first time in horses of Nepal. Present study showed higher infection rate in females (92.30%) than in male horses (82.27%). No significant association was observed between the prevalence of parasite rate with VDC (χ2 = 5.7161; p>0.05) and sex of animals (χ2 = 0.3346; p>0.05).Journal of Institute of Science and Technology Volume 22, Issue 2, January 2018, Page: 70-75