Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS)

Cities, despite being responsible for the loss of habitat as they grow, are also an important refugium for biodiversity. Many urban areas in the tropical areas of the global south are rich in biodiversity and are also undergoing climate warming and heat island impacts. Eliciting support from policy and decision makers for sustaining the habitats for birds in cities may depend on how conservation of bird habitats is linked to the new emphasis on ecosystem services, including heat stress mitigation. The megacity of Bengaluru has over 350 species of birds that are found in diverse habitats that include urban forests, large institutional campuses, gardens, and parks. Based on existing literature, we a priori predicted that parts of the city with higher levels of heat will have lower bird presences and parts with higher green cover are likely to support higher presences of birds, while allowing for some birds to prefer open habitats with less greenness. We tested hypotheses on the role of green cover and heat stress on bird occurrence using an informed Bayesian regression approach. We summarized the information and uncertainty on the direction of the slope of the two covariates as hyper priors as inputs to the regression. We used satellite data on heat stress as a proxy for urban heat islands and climate warming effects, and green cover (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index [NDVI]), to test their effects on spatially explicit occurrences of urban birds. We found that all birds responded negatively to the hotter parts of the city, but the effects of green cover varied (negative, neutral and positive) with species identity (Pseudo‐R² 0.13–0.36). This could partially be due to the preference for open spaces or dependence on anthropogenic food sources for foraging by these species. We mapped heat islands, cooling potential, and the bird diversity of green spaces in Bengaluru to identify areas of conservation value that also help mitigate heat stress for citizens. Going forward, these results can help us answer nuanced species‐level responses and their vulnerability to the impacts of climate change and foster support for conservation of bird habitats in Bengaluru.

Genetic, demographic and environmental factors all play a role in the frequency of an intricate multifactorial condition known as hypertension. Approximately 30% and 50% of BP fluctuation are influenced by genetic variability. Many genetic studies have confirmed the link between genetic variability and susceptibility to essential hypertension; hence, identifying genes associated with essential hypertension susceptibility will aid in understanding the pathophysiology and their influence on how an individual responds towards the antihypertensive therapy. There are also controversial results highlighted in some reports. This review summarises genetic variants of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS), angiotensinogen (AGT) (M235T), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) (insertion/deletion), angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) (A1166C) and aldosterone synthase (C344T) that are known and might contribute towards the pathophysiology of essential hypertension. Furthermore, the review highlights the response of certain RAAS gene polymorphisms (renin, ACE and AT1R genes) to antihypertensive drugs.

Landslides pose a significant threat to infrastructure, ecosystems, and human safety, necessitating accurate and efficient susceptibility assessment methods. Traditional models often struggle to capture the complex spatial dependencies and interactions between geological and environmental factors. To address this gap, this study employs a deep learning approach, utilizing a convolutional neural network (CNN) for high-precision landslide susceptibility mapping in the Bakhtegan watershed, southwestern Iran. A comprehensive landslide inventory was compiled using 235 documented landslide locations, validated through remote sensing and field surveys. An equal number of non-landslide locations were systematically selected to ensure balanced model training. Fifteen key conditioning factors—including topographical, geological, hydrological, and climatological variables—were incorporated into the model. While traditional statistical methods often fail to extract spatial hierarchies, the CNN model effectively processes multi-dimensional geospatial data, learning intricate patterns influencing slope instability. The CNN model outperformed other classification approaches, achieving an accuracy of 95.76% and a precision of 95.11%. Additionally, error metrics confirmed its reliability, with a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.11864, mean squared error (MSE) of 0.18796, and root mean squared error (RMSE) of 0.18632. The results indicate that the northern and northeastern regions of the Bakhtegan watershed are highly susceptible to landslides, highlighting areas where proactive mitigation strategies are crucial. This study demonstrates that deep learning, particularly CNNs, offers a powerful and scalable solution for landslide susceptibility assessment. The findings provide valuable insights for urban planners, engineers, and policymakers to implement effective risk reduction strategies and enhance resilience in landslide-prone regions.

Adaptation science has grown exponentially in the past two decades and has progressed conceptually. However, these advances remain siloed from adaptation practice. In this commentary, I make three arguments: (1) adaptation theory has grown but is often unfit-for-practical-purpose; (2) disciplines and methodologies to study adaptation remain conservative, and poorly understand adaptation limits and residual risks; and (3) behaviour change as a critical lever of individual and societal adaptation remains understudied. By charting the landscape of knowledge gaps, I suggest frontiers for adaptation researchers to focus on.

Cities are exposed to and concentrate heat. Indian cities are particularly at risk with terrifying projections of extreme heat, especially for vulnerable populations. Recognising this growing heat risk, Indian cities have been frontrunners in heat action planning, experimenting with a range of actions, typically through city-level ‘Heat Action Plans’ (HAPs). These plans articulate a range of imaginations about which sectors or population groups are considered vulnerable, what actions are deemed effective and feasible, and what capacities cities are investing in. Reports of the efficacy of these HAPs from recent heatwaves in 2022 and 2023 demonstrate the uneven and inadequate nature of these plans. This study begins with the hypothesis that urban heat action planning in India has made significant strides but remains incremental in nature. This hypothesis is explored through a review of ten HAPs and 25 in-depth interviews with HAP designers, funders, and implementers. We find that current heat management governance structures, institutional capacities, and financial mechanisms, carry with them the ‘institutional thinness’ of Indian climate governance and a hangover of relief-oriented approaches in disaster management. This overlooks lessons from adaptive governance, which highlights the importance of flexible, forward-looking decision-making. Further, incremental actions such as water kiosks in public spaces and public awareness campaigns on heat impacts, while essential, often preserve the status quo, and need to be complemented with transformational, system-wide agendas such as targeted implementation of heat-resilient building codes or a better articulation of how cities can balance grey-green-blue infrastructure solutions. Currently, the highly evolving HAP governance arena is infused with new actors, technologies, and metrics of defining effective urban heat management and this dynamism is promising. However, not tasked with or equipped with a transformational agenda, heat risk governance is missing an opportunity to institutionalise proactive, decisive, and effective heat action planning in the country.

We studied freshwater gastropod fauna in a heavily urbanized region in tropical India, across a range of habitat types. A total of 16 species were found from a two-year survey, which is a decline of 27% compared to studies completed in the 1970s. Planorbidae was the most species rich family in the collection, with five species. Racesina luteola (Lamarck, 1822) was the most commonly occurring species in the collection. Three non-native species, including Pomacea diffusa (Blume, 1957), are also reported. Habitat type influenced species occurrences, although lentic and lotic habitats were largely similar in their fauna. Many species reported previously were missing from the current survey, along with an increased incidence of non-native species which were absent from earlier reports. This decline in species richness, particularly of native species, alongside an increased incidence and spread of non-native species in the region, highlights the impact of urbanization on the freshwater gastropod community.

Background Learning outcomes are essential in education, guiding both educators and learners towards desired knowledge, skills, and competencies. The backward design process offers a structured approach to curriculum planning, but its integration with actionable, SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) learning outcomes needs further exploration. Goal This guide aims to introduce the concept of "A-SMART" learning outcomes and demonstrate their integration into the backward design process, focusing on outcomes that begin with action verbs. Methods The guide outlines a three-stage curriculum planning approach: (i) define desired results, (ii) determine acceptable evidence of learning, and (iii) plan learning activities. It emphasizes the importance of starting with action verbs in formulating learning outcomes, aligning with Stage 1 of backward design and facilitating the transition to Stage 2 (assessment development). Results By following this guide, educators will acquire tools to develop effective "A-SMART" learning outcomes. This approach immediately advances to Stage 2 of backward design, improving educational practices and ensuring alignment with assessment methods. The guide provides strategies for formulating outcomes that are Action-oriented, Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based. Conclusions The integration of A-SMART learning outcomes into the backward design process offers a more cohesive and effective educational framework. This approach enhances clarity for learners, provides guidance for instructors, enables more effective assessments, and improves overall learning experiences. The guide also addresses potential challenges in formulating A-SMART outcomes and suggests solutions, including the use of AI tools for inspiration and critical review.

India’s ongoing energy transitions are a systemic response to addressing critical challenges associated with climate change. Importantly, it leverages decarbonization as a strategic pivot to simultaneously mitigate and adapt to climate risks. The decarbonization agenda is largely skewed towards mitigation, struggling with adaptation alignments. Energy justice is a core dimension of adaptation intervention and it is important to explore how energy justice is or can be conceptualized and delivered as the decarbonization agenda is underway. Existing research suggests that, in the cities of the Global South, active involvement of intermediaries becomes a pivotal anchor and pathway to access infrastructure services, especially in low-income and informal settlements. Importantly, advocacy efforts by intermediaries also tackle existing injustices that restrict these settlements from accessing essential infrastructure services. Intermediaries become especially important in cities like Mumbai, where 41% of the people live in informal settlements (slums). Using Mumbai as a case study, this paper explores two questions in the context of intermediaries, energy access, and energy justice. First, how do intermediaries engage with infrastructure and governance structures to enable access to electricity in informal settlements? Second, does this ‘intermediation’ deliver just outcomes? Empirical fieldwork reveals that intermediaries serve as a quasi-political counterbalance by engaging in ‘politics from the bottom’ to articulate justice concerns, mobilize stakeholders, and produce knowledge that feeds back into the intermediation process. We argue that this is important if we need to ensure that energy transitions do not create systemic inequities and that the benefits of the ongoing transition are widespread and just.

The present study examines the current practices for managing construction and demolition waste (CDW) in two tier-2 cities of Karnataka state: Hubli-Dharwad and Davanagere. The research highlights the quantification, characterization, and effective management strategies for CDW. CDW dumping sites were identified through field visits conducted across all wards of the cities and recorded using a mobile-based app. At each site, data were collected on the types of vehicles dumping CDW, the frequency of dumping, the volume of waste in the vehicles, and the quantity of CDW removed for reuse. The dumping sites were categorized into large, medium, and small based on the area and volume of waste. In total, 130 unauthorised dumping sites were identified in Hubli-Dharwad and 62 in Davanagere. The study estimated that Hubli-Dharwad generates approximately 607 tonnes per day (TPD) of CDW, while Davanagere produces around 287 TPD. The characterization of CDW revealed that in Hubli-Dharwad, CDW consists of 14.4% concrete, 25.5% brick and mortar, 39.1% soil and aggregates, and 20% other materials. In Davanagere, the composition includes 19% concrete, 29% brick and mortar, 38% soil, and 14% other materials. Based on these findings, the study proposes a system for the collection and transportation of CDW and recommends suitable recycling technologies. While the approach outlined in this paper is well-suited for urban local bodies to assess CDW, the data on CDW reuse and recycling is primarily based on informal practices. This makes accurate quantification challenging and subject to variation over time due to a lack of regulatory oversight. Additionally, the study provides only a snapshot of CDW generation and management at a specific point in time, potentially missing seasonal variations or long-term trends in waste handling.

Over the past four decades, global temperatures have increased more rapidly than before, potentially reducing vegetation activity if temperatures exceed the optimum temperature (Topt). However, plants have the capacity to acclimate to rising temperatures by adjusting Topt, thereby maintaining or even enhancing photosynthesis and carbon uptake. Despite this, it remains unclear how Topt of vegetation activity changes over time and to what extent global vegetation can acclimate to current temperature changes. In this study, we evaluated the temporal trends of Topt of vegetation activity and the thermal acclimation magnitudes globally using three remote‐sensed vegetation indices and eddy‐covariance observations of gross primary productivity from 1982 to 2020. We found that the global Topt of vegetation activity has increased at an average rate of 0.63°C per decade over the past four decades. The increase in Topt closely tracked the rise in annual maximum daily mean temperature (Tmax), indicating that thermal acclimation has occurred widely across the globe. Globally, we found an average thermal acclimation magnitude of 0.38°C per 1°C increase in Tmax. Notably, polar and continental regions exhibited the highest thermal acclimation magnitudes, while arid areas showed the lowest. Additionally, the thermal acclimation magnitude was positively affected by interannual temperature variability and negatively affected by soil moisture and vapor pressure deficits. Our findings indicate that terrestrial ecosystems have acclimated to current climate warming trends with varying degrees, suggesting a greater potential for land carbon uptake. Moreover, these results highlight the necessity for earth system models to integrate the thermal acclimation of Topt to better forecast the global carbon cycle.

After 4.5 billion years as an evolving and dynamic planet, the Earth continues to evolve but with human‐altered dynamics. Earth scientists have special opportunities and responsibilities to accelerate our understanding of Earth's changes that are transforming our most remarkable home.

Agricultural commodity expansion into natural and semi-natural ecosystems in Asia is a multi-dimensional sustainability challenge posing a threat to natural and human capital. At the symposium pertaining to agricultural commodity landscapes organized at the 59th meeting of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation, we aimed to identify key aspects that require further attention to address the negative impacts of commodity-driven agricultural expansion in the Asian tropics. Using a combination of insights obtained both from participants' research and those that developed organically in the symposium, we identified five key themes: (1) Robust land use suitability assessments to determine the viability of agricultural expansion or other competing demands on productive land in given landscapes; (2) the need for plot-level studies of soil biodiversity and ecological functions for commodity crops; (3) Irrigation for commodity crops with blue and green water and evaluating co-dependent drivers and outcomes; (4) an improved understanding of local producer motivations and supply chains and (5) the analysis of co-benefits, trade-offs and synergies in agro-commodity systems. These themes include the various steps involved in agricultural commodity expansion, right from land selection and crop patterns to aspects pertaining to the post-harvest value chain. These themes are interconnected and span across multiple local and regional spatial scales in tropical Asia but hold relevance to agricultural landscapes elsewhere too. Immediate and sustained attention on these themes would secure multiple goals of sustainable land use, biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and human well-being. K E Y W O R D S commodity-driven deforestation, sustainable agroecosystems, teleconnections, tropical Aisa

Addressing fluoride and nitrate contamination in groundwater is crucial for safeguarding public health. Fluoride contamination in groundwater can cause dental and skeletal fluorosis, along with potential neurotoxic effects. Nitrate contamination can lead to methemoglobinemia in infants and increase cancer risk due to the formation of nitrosamines. The major goal of this study was to examine groundwater quality in the Chickkaballapur urban (CBU) and Chikkaballapur rural (CBR) parts of the Chikkaballapur taluk (CBT), Karnataka, and to investigate the potential health hazards associated with the presence of fluoride and nitrate contaminants. Hazard quotient and total hazard index (THI) calculation methods, as suggested by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, were used in the present study to evaluate non‐carcinogenic risks for individuals of various age categories, including men, women, and children (MWC). A total of 112 samples from rural areas and 41 samples from urban areas of Chikkaballapur taluk were collected during the post‐monsoon season. According to the study's findings, groundwater samples from CBU and CBR surpassed acceptable fluoride concentration limits by 41% and 40%, respectively, while samples from CBR exceeded acceptable nitrate limits by 17%, set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (1 mg/L for fluoride and 45 mg/L for nitrate). All CBU samples remained within the acceptable nitrate limits. The total non‐carcinogenic health risks for MWC ranged from 0.34 to 2.18, 0.40 to 2.58, and 0.46 to 2.95, respectively, for CBU, and from 0.16 to 6.51, 0.19 to 7.69, and 0.21 to 8.80, respectively, for CBR. Furthermore, a significant percentage of the groundwater samples that were collected in CBU (60.98%, 68.29%, and 75.61%) and CBR (48.21%, 62.50%, and 73.21%) exceeded the THI limit for MWC (THI = 1). Hence, based on the health risk assessment, it is evident that children in the study area have greater health risks than men and women.

For this special issue of the International Migration Review, we develop and provide a comprehensive organizing framework, the Migration Intersections Grid (MIG), to inform and guide migration research in and through the remainder of the twenty-first century. We motivate our work by conducting a high-level scoping review of summaries and syntheses of different directions of travel in migration research over time. Informed by these results, we then identify and describe 12 components that constitute the MIG, which, as we later discuss, is an interactive intersectional organizing framework. Finally, we illustrate the MIG's interactive intersectional nature by applying it to several areas of migration research where a comprehensive organizing framework of this sort is needed to address existing and emerging issues and questions now and in the coming decades.

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Food systems of indigenous people across the world have developed within the confluence of forests, biodiversity, and seasonal crops. However, due to multiple socio-economic, cultural, ecological and political changes, this relationship has evolved over time. This has not only impacted traditional food systems; we hypothesize that it has also shifted communities’ social connectedness, stability and sense of purpose, thus profoundly impacting their sense of health and well-being or ‘flourishing’. Taking the case of the Solega tribe in South Indian forests as an example, this paper attempts to assess the status of the community’s flourishing in the context of the multitude of socio-ecological challenges they face. Household socio-economic survey and dietary recall were used to gather information on parameters that influence flourishing. The study reveals an interesting pattern of Solega’s sense of flourishing based on forest types and ecology, availability of diverse foods from the forest and crop choices. While traditional diets were determined by food produce collected from the forest and grown on their farms, dietary patterns today are determined by state sponsored food distribution programs and markets; and influenced by exposure to mainstream society. Data also show that flourishing scores are higher in forest types where traditional food continues to be grown or collected from forests as compared to those that have greater exposure to external exchanges. Apart from this, the data also indicate that the financial burden of having to purchase food, and the associated anxiety negatively influence perceptions of flourishing. While measures of flourishing can be complex, the study uses a parsimonious set of indicators to generate insights into the factors underlying Solega perceptions of flourishing, and their implications for food and nutrition policies and programs. We recommend that careful attention should be paid to the multiple roles that forests, and traditional farming practices play in shaping the perception of flourishing of indigenous communities, and more active support be integrated into food and nutrition policy and programs to ensure the sustainability of traditional food systems, including sources of food and dietary practices.

This reflective paper describes a relationship to mapping as a collective and southern practice. Using examples from the author's own involvement in collective map‐making practices based in New Delhi, the paper roots mapping in the context of southern urbanisms, taking examples of informal housing, work, and workplaces to debate the role of mapping vis‐à‐vis the desire for either more or less visibility. It then argues that mapping must reflect prevailing rationalities of governance and power, thinking about both why we make maps and who makes maps. Finally, it suggests that mapping as a process must extend from the making of a map to an active engagement in how it circulates and is read. The paper suggests the author's own experience with collective political formations as a possible institutional form that can hold such an approach to mapping.