The Environmental Problems Of Guwahati Environmental Sciences Essay

The Environmental Problems Of Guwahati Environmental Sciences Essay Guwahati, the largest city of Northeastern region of India with an area of 216 sq.km, It is the fifth fastest growing city of India in terms of urbanization. Guwahati being the only city of North eastern region, the city witnessed many changes like rapid increase of population, depletion of forest cover, spread of diseases which resulted many environmental problems akin to land, air, water and society. Most of the changes have taken place due to the effect of changing natural environment, tremendous growth of population particularly after shifting of the capital from Shillong to Dispur, hill slope destabilization due to construction of roads, dwelling houses, public institutions and also for encroachment in wetlands and low lying areas. As the city of Guwahati is bounded on three sides by hills and the other side by the mighty river Brahmaputra, the horizontal expansion is restricted for which many multistoried buildings have come up in recent years just to accommodate ever increasing population (1991- 2001 decadal growth rate is 38.6%) . On the other hand, required infrastructure and city amenities necessary for city dwellers and city us ers have not developed accordingly. As a result many problems arisen in the city, such as traffic congestion, water logging, dusty atmosphere, water borne and airborne diseases etc. In this study an attempt has been given to highlight the environmental problems arisen in Guwahati, their causes and consequences. Introduction The city of Guwahati is said to be the legendary Pragjyotispur, the city of eastern light. Guwahati is said to be the gateway of Northeast India. The city is situated between 260 1025 north latitude and 910 450 east longitude. The southern, eastern and a part of western sides of Guwahati are surrounded by hills and hillocks. The mighty river Brahmaputra in the north is flowing in north-east to south-west direction. Other important rivers in and around Guwahati are Bharalu, Mora-bharalu, Basistha-bahini etc. The city is dotted with swamps, marshes and water bodies like Dipor beel, Dighali pukhuri, Silsaku bill etc. The city falls under humid, subtropical region characterized by warm humid climate with heavy rainfall (average rainfall 1600mm) and a relatively cool winter with rather scanty rainfall. The maximum and minimum temperature recorded in the city is 38 degree and 16 degree respectively with relative humidity of more than 76.6%. As the city is the commercial nerve centre of the Northeast has developed road (National Highway No31, No37 and No 40), rail and air connectivity with rest of the country. Main problems identified in the city are different types of pollution caused due to man induced activities, increase of population, water logging, soil erosion etc. Aims This study aims at creating such an environment in Guwahati that the city could be made livable and lovable one. With this aim the objective this study has been designed Objectives To analyze the geo-ecological setup of Guwahati. To highlight the environmental problems associated with planning process of the city. To examine the cause and effect of various problems, and To throw light on the remedial measures to be taken to minimize the miseries of the city dwellers and city users. Methodology Here, in the study both primary and secondary sources of data have been used. Primary data were collected by spot visit and direct observation of the phenomena. On the other hand secondary data have been collected from various published works such as books, journals research articles, reports etc. Topographical maps (No 78N/12 16) and satellite imageries (SPOT MLA P-238, R-298 Dated 18/10/1990 and Landsat TM P-137, R -042 Dated 10/06/1988) have been used to examine the nature of the city growth, understand the environmental issues and to find out solutions for minimizing the miseries of the city dwellers. Collected data have been summarized, analyzed and presented in various forms like graphs, tables, maps etc. for easy understanding of the content of the paper. Data Analysis and Findings 1. Locational peculiarity of the city invites many environmental problems. Back in time the city was known as Pragjyotishpur, which finds mention in Mahabharata, Ramayana, Raghuvansha of Kalidas. Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang visited the city in 640 AD and described in details about the customs and manners of the people of Guwahati. Located on strategic point the city has always been a bone of contention between rival political powers. A number of bloody wars were fought between Ahom and Mughal rulers for Guwahatis possession. Deforestation Increase in surface run off HILLS Hill slope destabilization Soil erosion Land slide/ land slip Rock fall Hill land Siltation in low lying areas and storm water encroachment drains PLAINS Decrease in water Wetland retention capacity Inundation of new areas encroachment Hampers free flow of water Degeneration of water WETLANDS bodies Dwindling Flora Fauna Fig. 1 : Schematic Diagram showing impact of human activities on the environmental problems of Guwahati With the weakening of Ahom power in Assam, the city passed into the hands of British in 1826. During the British days political pre-eminence of Guwahati shifted to Shillong, which they chose as State Capital. In 1971 with the reorganization of Assam State and shifting of capital to Guwahati (Dispur) it again recovered its political pre-eminence in north east region [1]. Since then Guwahati has made a rapid progress as far as demographic, commercial and industrial activities are concerned. All these activities are responsible for many environmental problems in the city (Fig.1). . 2. Geographical and geological setups are responsible to a great extent for the problems like water-logging, landslide etc. in the city. The general shape of the city is just like a bowl surrounded by hills and hillocks in three sides and river side roads on the remaining side. The altitude in the plain areas of the city varies from 49.5m to 55.5m. . There are a number of small hillocks in the city of which Sarania (193m), Nabagraha (217m), Nilachal (193m), and Chunsali (293m) are important. The hills are composed of Granite, Quartzite, Hornblende-Biotic-Schist, Pegmatite and Quartz. On the other hand the plain areas of the city covered by old and new alluvium. Most part of the city composed of light yellowish to red soil. When the soils completely water saturated during the monsoon months accelerate the rate of landslide hazards. The granitic rocks on the hills gradually exposed due to hill soil erosion. Quite often rock fall occur during the end part of the monsoon months and take precious human lives and damage property. Since August 1987 to August 2005 as many as 22 cases of landslide and rock fall cases recorded in different locations of Guwahati. 3. Climatic condition particularly rainfall concentration in monsoon months from June to September cause many inconvenience like water-logging, dusty atmosphere, spread of water borne and airborne dieses . Usually June rainfall is always alarming but the downpour absorbed by soil. At this stage landslide, rock fall and water logging etc. do not arise. But from July onwards in each heavy shower cause water logging in the areas like Narengi, Satgaon, Saimail, Khanapara, Noonmati, Bamunimaidam, Chandmari, Silpukhuri, Guwahati Club, Uzanbazar, Panbazar, Fancy Bazar, Paltan Bazar, Athgaon, Bharalumukh, Maligaon, Adabari, Jalukbari, G.S. Road, Zoo Road Tinali, Rajgarj Road, Bhangagarh, Dispur. When hill soils become saturated landslide and rock fall occur. Again, immediately after water logging, road surface become muddy and roadside drains clogged with silt derived from the hills. Soon after, dry mud on the roads create dusty atmosphere and increase air pollution. Moreover, storm water ca use mixing of drain water and septic tank effluents with drinking water sources aggravate the health hazards in the city. 4. Almost all the problems of the city related to the population growth. The decadal growth of population in Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) clearly indicates how population may create problems in the city (Table- 1) The urban sprawl map since 1911 also indicate how city has been expanded (Fig-4). This has drastically changed the land use pattern in the city (Table-2).More particularly slums and squatters have increased manifold in last few years. As a result many inconvenience and problems have arisen in the city. 5. Defective planning and lacuna in executing the development schemes aggravate the problems in the city. In this regard, inadequate road space, lack of parking facility, undersized roadside drains, haphazardly laid utility wires and pipes are worth mentioning. Almost all the important roads, viz. GNB Road, GS Road, MG Road and most of the traffic point face acute traffic congestion. Up to 1975 the number of motorized vehicles in the city was only 27,000 which has increased to 1,29,856 in the year 1990. After that the rate of increase accelerated and by 2003 it records 3,13,387. As such around one lakh motor vehicle added to the roads of Guwahati every year [2]. On the other hand the city area has increased by only 46 sq km in last twenty years. Most of the streets in the city are only 4.8m wide. There are many lanes, which have only 3.6m or even 3.0m width. Theses should be at least 8.0m for light and medium vehicles and at least 9.0m for heavy vehicles [3]. The results of the vehic ular emission show the violation in emission limit by 53 percent and 81 percent in case of petrol and diesel vehicles respectively [4 5]. It clearly indicates the magnitude of pollution level in the city. 6. Lack of awareness and tendency of violating the norms and rules in constructing houses, disposing household wastes and abiding traffic rules cause many problems in the city. 7. Slackness in enforcing laws also responsible for the problems of traffic congestion, waste disposal, hill slope destabilization, wetland encroachment and various types of pollution in the city. Table- 1: Population Growth in Guwahati (from 1971 to 2001) Year Population 1971 2,93,219 1981 4,51,200 1991 6,93,660 2001 10,67,400 1200000 1000000 800000 600000 Population 400000 200000 0 1971 1981 1991 2001 Fig. 3: Population Growth in Guwahati (from 1971 to 2001) Land Use Category 1990 2001 Residential 8904 (71.04%) 6600 Commercial 202 (1.62%) 660 Industrial 516 (4.14%) 1375 Public Semi Public 1504 (12.08%) 2475 Transport 1053 (8.47%) 3399 Communication Parks Recreation 14 (0.11%) 1450 Special Use/Others 257 (2.06%) Table- 2: Area under Various Land Uses 1990 to 2001

Essay on The Consequences of Sin in The Scarlet Letter -- Scarlet Lett

The Scarlet Letter:   The Consequences of Sin  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It can be concluded that the consequences of sin is the theme of Nathaniel Hawthorne's, The Scarlet Letter. Hawthorne explored this theme by four distinctive levels of sin. Although each level was equally displayed throughout the novel, the communal sin of man's inhumanity to man outranked all else. The primary characters are each guilty of one or more of the following levels of sin; the sin of vengeance, the sin of hypocrisy, and the sin of adultery. In the beginning of the novel, it is revealed that Hester Prynne is guilty of adultery. One of the consequences for her sin is a prison term. Secondly, she had a child, a baby who was conceived from lust rather than love. Hester named this child Pearl, meaning of great value. Thirdly, Hester was condemned to wear the scarlet letter, upon her bosom, for all to recognize her as one who has met with the black man in the forest. Fourth, she was made to stand in public ignominy as the townsmen mocked her. Although the magistrates tried to make Hester Prynne reveal her accomplice, she kept his name unknown. As one may have guessed, from the hints given throughout the novel, Arthur Dimmesdale was also guilty of adultery. However, he did not confess his sin until it was too late. Dimmesdale continued his ministry in the church, as a hypocrite, concealing his sin. Nevertheless, his guilty conscience drove him to a manic-depressive state of mind. Dimmesdale became very ill, because the scarlet letter upon Hester's bosom seemingly burned through his chest, weakening his heart. When he realized what was happening to him, he tried to expose himself through his ... ...strates, but she was paid only a tenth of what the garments were worth. There was a tremendous difference in the town’s behavior towards Hester as compared to the way they treated Dimmesdale. The people treated Dimmesdale as a saint, even though he was guilty of hypocrisy. They also treated Chillingworth as a highly respected physician, although he was guilty of vengeance. So, when the community dwells on a person's imperfections, they too are guilty of sin, the sin of man's inhumanity to man. One may find, after having read the novel, that it's better to confess your sin rather than conceal it, although it may not be good for your reputation in the community, it's better for your soul. Throughout the novel, the characters suffered the consequences for their sins. As a result, the theme of The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, could be the consequences of sin.

Myths And Reality Of Crime Essay

a. Imagine asking 100 strangers to describe a criminal. Predict whether those descriptions would be likely to focus on street criminals, or the variety of topics covered in this video. With everything that’s going on nowadays I would say that it’s a combination of both, although it is more likely that those 100 strangers will choose the street criminals. Most people don’t know too much about the white collar or corporate crimes until it happens and maybe because it something that affects them or they think will in the future. b. Describe how society defines crime. Do not provide a definition – instead, explain how the definition is reached. Society defines crime in different ways. What that mean is some people see crime as someone who violates the law. Killing, stealing and raping someone are some of the things that people and society defines as a crime behavior that violates law. It can be defined through laws, through official police reports of crime, or through victimization surveys of persons who have been involved in crime but perhaps not involved with the police department. c. Discuss how society decides what to define as a crime. Society decides that crime is defined as an unlawful act that to the state is punishable by jail time. Society also thinks that crime modern criminal law does not have a simple or universally definition when it comes to criminals, although there have been different definitions that some people have been using for centuries that they believe is form of crime. The most popular thing that people view as a crime is if it’s declared by a relevant and applicable law. Another way that society defines crime is that a when an offence is an act that’s harmful not only to an individual person but also to a the community, society and the state as what they think is a public wrong. d. Present a clear statement about a particular crime, something we know to be absolutely true. Illustrate how we know that this is an accurate statement. The Atlanta Child Murders, known as the â€Å"missing and murdered children cases was murders that was committed in my home state of Atlanta, Georgia, beginning in the summer of 1979 and going on until the spring of 1981. Over the two-year period there were 28 African-American children, adolescents and adults that were killed. During this time many parents were keeping a close eye on their children or just keeping them indoors in order to keep them safe. I know because I was one of those children who had their parents keep them indoors during that time. We were only allowed outside to go to school, and our parents walked us to and from the bus every day to make sure that we were safe. Schools were also taking precautions too; either keeping the students in the schools or making sure that no child was left alone. It has been said that a native of Atlanta, Wayne Williams, who was 23 years old when the last child was murdered was arrested and convicted of two of the adult murders. It i s aid that the murders started on July 21, 1979 with the last being on March 12, 1981. In 1979, Edward Hope Smith and Alfred Evans were both 14 and disappeared four days apart. It was said that they were the first victims with the last victim being a 27 year old named Nathaniel Cater. e. Present an example of a widely held myth or misconception about crime and society. Determine how we know that this is a myth. Explain why this myth is so difficult to abandon. Myth 1: Mass murderers snap and kill indiscriminately. That’s not true. What I have found out is that Mass murders carefully plan out their attacks, months in advance. Myth 2: Mass shooting are on the rise With all the school shootings happing today, is it no reason why people are saying that mass shootings are on the rise and people wanting there to be some kind of solution to the mass killings. Myth 3: Violent entertainment, such as video games and movies are linked to mass murders. I believe that there are some games that can lead to mass murders. Myth 4: Restoring the federal ban on assault weapons will prevent these horrible crimes. I think that when the ban on military-style assault weapons expired in 1994 it should have been restored. Having this ban will not stop all the killings but it can slow them down. Myth 5: Increasing physical security in schools and other places will prevent mass murders. Although increasing security in schools is a good idea and it being said that it may cut down on the mass murders that’s going on in the world today, if a killer wanted to kill a large group of people he will find a way around all the protection that people are putting up these days, the security is not going to stop him. References: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3zuAbqY6Hw https://secure.films.com/OnDemandEmbed.aspx?Token=47476&aid=18596&loid=137445&Plt=FOD&w=320&h=240

Are pay for performance plans or incentives plans needed - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1308 Downloads: 9 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Management Essay Type Argumentative essay Did you like this example? First and foremost, pay-for-performance plans are different to a set of salary. It is a method of compensation where the employees are paid based on their performance. Employers normally provide incentives to workers based on the work performance. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Are pay for performance plans or incentives plans needed" essay for you Create order The efficacy of pay-for-performance plan is it is able to be use to motivate employees. Although Kevin Sandler, 2010, had argued that sometimes the virtue of incentives plans are uncertainty, it is costly for company to implementing or unexpected problems may occurs. It will be time consumed and effort for company to search or design for suitable incentives plans. However, its contribution should not be neglect. There have several advantages of pay-for-performance plans and incentives plans for both employers and employees. The foremost contribution of Pay-for-performance is it can increase the motivation of employee in their work performance. It motivates employees to put more effort because the extra compensation is given to those employees who perform above the expected standard. When an employee is compensated based on their performance, he will be more likely to work effectively in order to increase their income. In other words, the opportunity for employees to earn a desired income can stimulate employees do ones level best on their task. Other than that, pay-for-performance plans provide unlimited compensation to the workers; especially it is beneficial to those talent salespersons that are works effectively. They may be able to earn a substantial income than those workers who are paid for a set of salary since they are paid based on the volume of sales. Not only that, it also able to increase the employees productivity. Based the employer perspective, due to the desire of employees to achieve their income goal, they strive to increase their productivity. It might result in high productivity from fewer workers. This can beneficial to employers with reducing in employers labor cost. It can also lead to better retention. With the high-achieving in performance, those employees who satisfy their income as well as work environment will be more likely to maintain and stay in the company. Other than that, they can help company to attain a certain level of prestige and respect from their performance. Beside, by establishing group incentives plans can encourage team cooperation because the paid is based on the result that accomplishing by a team group. It is needed for them to work together to achieving the goals. (Mattchew, 2030) In practice, pay-for-performance helps leads to a win-win situation. In other words, it means that the employers can enjoy the benefits of improved performance of their business as well as the employees can feast on the increased compensation as a result of their hard work. (Zimbelman. K, 1997) Pay for performance creates a clear concept that enables employees to priorities their task. So, workers can keep track on their work. Before paying management beyond a base amount, bonus pay ensures a minimum level of financial performance. Besides, this pay-for-performance plans enable the employer to share the rewards to those employees which most responsible for attaining the aim of results. It also helps em ployers to setting clear standards of performance and giving the authorities to the management to handle the details. Base on the research of Rogan. P, 2009, there are three big benefits of implementing Pay for Performance System. This system helps managers to develop leadership skills by subjecting all the managers in different department to the roundtable process of objectively discussing employment performance. Secondly, Rogan had found that by using pay-for-performance system, employees are likely to drive the career pathing conversation with their managers. It helps in coincides the managers and employees of the variety of development ideas to ensure the employee reach mutually agreed upon career growth goals. Besides, this system gives a clear notion to employees that compensation will be linked to performance. It enables employees to understand that incentive is created for realistic goal setting, feedback requests and a formal performance discussion. Pay-for-performance plan also provides the opportunity to develop employees who are underperforming. Employers should not use this plans only as a measuring tool for an employees production, it can being used to take into consideration when an employee is misses out a simple attained incentives payment. It might be the employees are not qualified to perform the job or they are needed for better training. Thus, Root. G N, 2010, stated that manager should not think that the employee is not motivated, it may be involved other factors that is needed to be noticed on worker as well as company. Incentives Strategy in Application When a company want to motivate it employees by offering them compensation for excellent performance, it is called incentives plans. The course of implementing incentives system is to influence the behavior of employees as well as motivate pro-poor action in order to develop outcomes. It is critical for develop the capacity as it assisting the employees to do their best in performing their function. (UNDP, 2006) Incentives for individual motivation Salaries, intangible rewards, benefits, recognition are the common examples of incentives that being used to motivate employees to improve their performance. Normally, incentives are divided into two forms which are financial incentives or non-financial incentives. Financial incentives include salary, bonuses, pension, meal, clothes or housing is needed to make a distinction between a proper level of pay and special incentives. Whereas non-financial incentives can be comes in many different forms such as travel, gifts and some intangible incentives which also includes work flexibility, possibility of advancement and independence of work. It normally recognized as a function of psychological process. On the other hands, there is also a distinction between formal and informal incentives. Salary scales and staff entitlements are the examples of formal incentives whereas informal incentives represent channels reaping personal benefits through corrupt practices or patronage. Motivato rs may be positive and/or negative. Rather than investing new incentives, it is more important in reducing perverse incentives that favor non-conducive behavior. Incentives for organizational motivations Incentive plans are essential in organizational motivation and it is also chief in assisting in analyze the understanding of the force that drive the organization. It is useful in analyzing how an organization treat its employees in rewarding and punishing him as well as the reason for staff to join an organization. A perfect organization incentives system is able to stimulate employees to be creative and innovative in improving their performance. It is hard to deny that, incentives system can be encourage or discourage employee and the behavior of work group. Thus, organizational is needed to continually investigate the method to ensure their employees are committed to their task given. No matter it is based on perception or reality, organizational incentive systems have a real influence on the performance of employees that will directly affect organization overall performance. Incentives for societal motivation Suppose the pervasive structural incentives and motivators are located at the social level, the investment climate, and security, rule of law, civil service pay or legislation are conducive to civic engagement. The possibility to achieve its purpose is depends on the adequately resourced as well as the way it is resourced under prevailing rules. The values of many of the above are directly derivate in the prevailing Governance systems. Firstly, it includes democracy and a rights-based approach to development. It is needed to have the rule of law and accurate legal system, if not there will be no incentive mechanisms or external interventions for capacity development bear results. A vibrant civil society able to deepen democracy, bolster support for the protection of human rights and further check the misuse of incentive mechanisms. Read more: The Advantages of Pay for Performance Plans | eHow.com https://www.ehow.com/list_5921014_advantages-pay-performance-plans.html#ixzz0wr4 wmtK3 https://www.cooperativegrocer.coop/articles/index.php?id=218 R https://www.ehow.com/list_6001645_advantages-disadvantages-group-incentive-plans_.htmloot. G N,https://www.ehow.com/list_6535559_advantages-incentive-plans.html