Volume 44 (2A) 2026
Babu Lal, Vishal Mehta, K. K. Pandey, K. K. Mourya, Amit Kumar Yadav
Environment and Ecology 44 (2A) 431—435, April—June 2026
Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.60151/envec/HUOL2630
How to cite this paper:
Lal, B., Mehta, V., Pandey, K. K., Mourya, K. K., & Yadav, A. K. (2023). Principal Component Analysis in Developing Statistical Models for Rice Yield Forecasting Using Weather Variables in Varanasi District of Uttar Pradesh, India. Environment and Ecology, 44(2A), 431–435. https://doi.org/10.60151/envec/HUOL2630
In this study, the statistical models for forecasting rice yield using principal component analysis of weather variables were developed. Time series data on rice yield along with weekly meteorological variables, namely maximum temperature (°C), minimum temperature (°C), relative humidity (%), rainfall (mm), wind velocity (km h⁻¹), evaporation (mm) and sunshine hours (hours). for the period 1986–87 to 2022–23 in Varanasi in district of Eastern Uttar Pradesh were used. Four forecasting models were developed using principal component analysis (PCA) as regressors along with time trend (T) and yield as dependent variable. The performance of the models was evaluated using coefficient of determination (R²), adjusted R² and root mean square error (RMSE). The results indicated that Model-2 performed better among all the models with the lowest RMSE and satisfactory explanatory power. The study shows that PCA-based regression models are useful for rice yield forecasting and can be effectively applied for similar studies in other regions.
Adjusted R², Forecasting, Principal component analysis, Rice crop, RMSE.
ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY – Interdisciplinary International Science Journal by MKK Publication is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International 
Yogesh Kumar, N. R. Meena, R. K. Doharey, Smita Singh, Yash Pateriya, Prateek kumar
Environment and Ecology 44 (2A) : 436—442, April—June 2026
Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.60151/envec/JCZI8342
How to cite this paper:
Kumar, Y., Meena, N. R., Doharey, R. K., Singh, S., Pateriya, Y., & Kumar, P. (2026). Constraints and Farmers’ Suggestions for Natural Farming Adoption in Tarai Zone of Uttar Pradesh, India. Environment and Ecology, 44(2A), 436–442. https://doi.org/10.60151/envec/JCZI8342
Despite increasing policy support for natural farming in Uttar Pradesh, limited empirical evidence is available on the constraints affecting its adoption in the Tarai zone. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to identify and analyze the major constraints faced by the respondents and to elicit suitable suggestions to improve adoption of natural farming. This study followed an ex-post facto research design, and a total of 450 respondents were selected through proportionate random sampling from four purposively selected districts. Data were collected through personal interviews using a structured interview schedule. The constraints were analyzed using the Garrett Ranking Technique, while suggestions were prioritized using Mean Per- cent Score (MPS). The findings revealed that inadequate technical knowledge about natural farming practices, Lack of premium price for natural produce, Low yield in initial years and limited market opportunities were the major constraints hindering the adoption of natural farming. The results of the study also identified key suggestions such as the need for organized training programs and demonstrations; assured premium pricing, and establishment of dedicated markets for natural farming products. The study highlights the importance of integrated efforts involving capacity building, institutional support, and market development to enhance the adoption of natural farming. The findings provide useful insights for policymakers, extension agencies, and stakeholders for promoting sustainable agricultural practices in the region.
Natural farming, Constraints, Farmers’ suggestions, Sustainable agriculture, Garret ranking technique, Mean per cent score (MPS), Tarai zone of Uttar Pradesh.
ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY – Interdisciplinary International Science Journal by MKK Publication is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
Faunal Assemblages and Ecological Attributes of the Ushanar Cave, Bandora, Goa, India
Shalma Mascarenhas, Om Kurpaskar, Manoj Ramakant Borkar
Environment and Ecology 44 (2A) 443—452, April—June 2026
Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.60151/envec/OVHG3769
How to cite this paper:
Mascarenhas, S., Kurpaskar, O., & Borkar, M. R. (2026). Faunal Assemblages and Ecological Attributes of the Ushanar Cave, Bandora, Goa, India. Environment and Ecology, 44(2A), 443–452. https://doi.org/10.60151/envec/OVHG3769
Cave ecosystems, characterized by isolation and extreme environmental conditions, offer refuge to highly specialized fauna exhibiting distinct morphological and behavioral adaptations. Despite their ecological importance, Speleofaunal diversity in India remains inadequately documented. This study presents a preliminary assessment of the faunal assemblage of Ushanar Cave at Bandora village, in Ponda; a densely forested Taluka of Goa. A total of 12 faunal species were recorded through direct observations, with indirect evidences indicating the use of this cave by porcupine and leopard. Further examination of the bat guano deposits on the cave floor revealed lepidopteran wings, elytra of jewel beetle and bird skeletal remains; suggesting trophic inputs into the subterranean system from outside. Installation of snares at the cave entrance suggests anthropogenic disturbance and potential hunting activity. These findings contribute baseline data on the cave’s biodiversity and highlight the need for further systematic and conservation-oriented investigations.
Speleofauna, Crepuscular, Cave ecology, Cavernicoles, Sub-troglophile.
ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY – Interdisciplinary International Science Journal by MKK Publication is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
Debasmita Purkayastha, Eliza Basumatary, Sandeep Das, Jatin Sarmah, Hilloljyoti Singha
Environment and Ecology 44 (2A) : 453—461, April—June 2026
Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.60151/envec/EMUR2487
How to cite this paper:
Purkayastha, D., Basumatary, E., Das, S., Sarmah, J., & Singha, H. (2026). Population and Distribution of House Crow (Corvus splendens Vielliot, 1817) and Jungle Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos Wagler, 1827) across Urban Gradients in the Barak Valley, Assam, India. Environment and Ecology, 44(2A), 453–461. https://doi.org/10.60151/envec/EMUR2487
House Crow (Corvus splendens) and Jungle Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos) are ecologically ideal models for understanding urban adaptation and habitat use. We studied population density and seasonal dynamics of both the bird species across three district headquarters (Silchar, Karimganj and Hailakandi) in the Barak Valley, Assam, representing different levels of urbanisation. A 500 m × 500 m grid-based sampling design was employed, with one randomly selected point per grid, and population data were collected using the point count method (30 m radius, 5-minute duration) from March 2022 to March 2025. Population densities were estimated across commercial, residential and semi-urban habitats. A highly significant difference in densities between House Crow (16.23 ± 15.28 ind/ha) and Jungle Crow (2.73 ± 4.67 ind/ha) was observed (Z = 25.33, p < 0.001), indicating strong dominance of House Crow across the study area. House Crow densities were the highest in commercial zones of Silchar during the non-breeding season (36 ± 22 ind/ha) and the lowest in semi-urban areas of Hailakandi (6 ± 5 ind/ha). In contrast, Jungle Crow was more abundant in less disturbed habitats, with the highest densities recorded in residential areas of Hailakandi during the non-breeding season (9 ± 3.5 ind/ha) and the lowest in Silchar during the breeding season (0.31 ± 1.0 ind/ha). Seasonal variation revealed significantly higher House Crow densities during the non-breeding season (p < 0.001). These findings highlight the role of urbanisation and habitat complexity in shaping corvid community structure in the Barak Valley.
Urbanisation, House crow, Jungle crow, Population density, Seasonal variation.
ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY – Interdisciplinary International Science Journal by MKK Publication is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
Preetam Kumar Senapati, Pabitra Mohan Behera
Environment and Ecology 44 (2A) 462—473, April—June 2026
Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.60151/envec/JEDB4689
How to cite this paper:
Senapati, P. K., & Behera, P. M. (2026). Traditional Rice as a Source of Gene Pool for Stress Resilience and Development of Climate-Smart Genotypes for Future Food Security. Environment and Ecology, 44(2A), 462–473. https://doi.org/10.60151/envec/JEDB4689
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a major staple crop supporting global food security, particularly in Asia and Africa. However, climate change induced abiotic stresses such as drought, flooding, salinity, heat, and enhanced ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation increasingly threaten sustainable rice production. Modern high-yielding rice cultivars possess a narrow genetic base, limiting their adaptability to fluctuating environmental conditions. In contrast, traditional rice landraces represent a rich reservoir of genetic diversity developed through long-term natural and farmer-mediated selection under diverse agro-ecological environments. This review highlights the significance of traditional rice varieties as valuable genetic resources for developing stress-resilient and climate-smart rice genotypes. Traditional cultivars possess unique adaptive traits, including deep root systems for drought tolerance, sodium ion exclusion mechanisms for salinity tolerance, carbohydrate conservation during submergence, maintenance of spikelet fertility under heat stress, and enhanced antioxidant and flavonoid accumulation for UV-B protection. Important stress-tolerance genes from traditional germplasm, such as the SUB1 locus from the flood-tolerant landrace FR13A, have significantly contributed to modern rice improvement programs. The review concludes that traditional rice varieties constitute an indispensable genetic resource for broadening the genetic base of rice breeding programs and developing climate-smart rice cultivars capable of sustaining productivity and ensuring long-term food security under changing climatic conditions.
Traditional rice, Genetic diversity, Abiotic stress tolerance, Climate-smart breeding, Food security.
ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY – Interdisciplinary International Science Journal by MKK Publication is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International