Posts

Showing posts from August, 2025

Managing Wildlife Tolerance to Humans for Ecosystem Goods and Services

Image
  Meaning and Introduction Wildlife tolerance to humans refers to the ability of different animal and plant species to adjust, survive, and sometimes even thrive in landscapes dominated or influenced by humans. As human activities expand—through agriculture, forestry, infrastructure development, and urbanization—the boundaries between wild habitats and human settlements become increasingly blurred. In such shared landscapes, the future of biodiversity conservation largely depends on how wildlife species respond to human presence and how humans, in turn, manage their tolerance of wildlife. This concept is particularly important when viewed through the lens of ecosystem goods and services (EGS) . Ecosystem goods (such as food, timber, and medicinal plants) are the tangible resources people directly harvest from ecosystems, while ecosystem services (such as pollination, climate regulation, soil fertility, and ecotourism) are the indirect benefits ecosystems provide. Managing wildli...

An Operational Framework for Wildlife Health in the One Health Approach

Image
  Meaning and Introduction Wildlife health is a critical component of ecosystem stability, biodiversity conservation, and human well-being. The One Health approach recognizes the interconnectedness of human health, animal health (domestic and wild), and the environment, emphasizing that threats in one domain often spill over into others. An operational framework for wildlife health under the One Health lens provides structured mechanisms to prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from emerging diseases, zoonotic spillovers, and ecological imbalances—while safeguarding conservation, livelihoods, and public safety. 1. Governance & Coordination Establish National One Health Platforms (NOHPs) involving health , agriculture/veterinary, environment/wildlife, disaster management, academia, NGOs, and communities. Use Technical Working Groups (TWGs) for surveillance, labs, risk communication, AMR, and finance. Strengthen legal and data-sharing mechanisms (MoUs, SOPs) ac...

Innovation Trailblazer Award

Image
  The Innovation Trailblazer Award is a prestigious recognition presented to individuals or teams who demonstrate groundbreaking creativity, forward-thinking approaches, and transformative solutions in their respective fields. It honors those who not only embrace innovation but also set new benchmarks that inspire others to reimagine possibilities. Recipients of this award are acknowledged for pioneering ideas, impactful projects, and leadership that drive progress, foster collaboration, and create meaningful change in society, industry, or research. ✨ Award Highlights The Innovation Trailblazer Award stands as a symbol of excellence, celebrating visionaries who break boundaries and redefine the future through bold ideas and impactful innovations. This distinguished honor highlights individuals or teams whose pioneering contributions spark progress, inspire communities, and set new standards of achievement, making it one of the most coveted recognitions for creativity, leadersh...

Impacts of Buffer Zone Policy on Household Income: Evidence from Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Image
  1. Meaning of Buffer Zone Policy A buffer zone policy is a conservation approach that designates the area surrounding a protected park or reserve to serve as a “transition belt.” In these zones, local people are allowed limited use of natural resources and receive benefits (like training, tourism opportunities, or community funds) in exchange for helping protect the core park. The idea is to balance conservation with community livelihood needs . 2. Introduction Chitwan National Park (CNP), Nepal’s first national park (est. 1973), is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to endangered species like tigers and rhinos. However, when the park was created, many local households lost access to land, forests, and grazing areas. To address conflicts and improve relations, Nepal introduced Buffer Zone Management Policy in 1996 , requiring 30–50% of park revenues to be shared with communities in surrounding buffer zones. The central question is: Does living in or near buffer zones ac...

Estimation of Carbon Stock and Economic Value of Sanjiangyuan National Park, China

Image
  Estimation of Carbon Stock and Economic Value of Sanjiangyuan National Park, China Meaning Carbon stock refers to the total amount of carbon stored in an ecosystem’s biomass (trees, shrubs, grasslands), soils, and wetlands. In the context of Sanjiangyuan National Park, which is known as the “water tower of Asia” and source region of the Yangtze, Yellow, and Mekong Rivers, estimating carbon stock means quantifying how much carbon is retained in its alpine grasslands, wetlands, and soils. Economic valuation then translates this carbon storage into monetary terms, either by using carbon market prices or the social cost of carbon, showing the park’s ecological and financial significance. Introduction Sanjiangyuan National Park (SNP), located in Qinghai Province on the Tibetan Plateau, covers over 120,000 km² and plays a crucial role in climate regulation, water conservation, and biodiversity protection. Its unique alpine ecosystems act as a massive carbon sink, with soils and gra...

Harvesting Green Energy through Energy Recovery from Waste: Technology Review & Singapore Assessment

Image
  Harvesting Green Energy through Energy Recovery from Waste: Technology Review & Singapore Assessment Meaning Energy recovery from waste refers to the process of converting non-recyclable waste materials into usable forms of energy such as electricity, heat, or fuel. Instead of discarding waste in landfills, technologies like incineration, anaerobic digestion, and gasification extract energy while reducing waste volume. Introduction The growing demand for sustainable energy and limited landfill space has pushed many countries to explore energy recovery from waste as part of their waste management strategies. Singapore, a small island nation with scarce land resources, has been a pioneer in this field. By integrating waste-to-energy (WTE) plants with advanced resource recovery systems, Singapore not only reduces its dependence on fossil fuels but also extends the lifespan of its only landfill, Semakau. This makes energy-from-waste an essential part of both its Zero Waste Ma...

Hybrid Art Space Typologies in Singapore from Social Media Data

Image
  Meaning Hybrid art spaces are cultural venues that merge traditional art display functions with other social, commercial, or educational purposes. Unlike conventional museums or galleries that focus mainly on exhibitions, hybrid art spaces act as multi-use platforms—hosting performances, retail, dining, workshops, and interactive experiences. Their hybrid nature allows them to adapt to changing urban lifestyles and the needs of diverse audiences. Introduction In Singapore, where land scarcity and cultural innovation intersect, hybrid art spaces have emerged as a response to both spatial constraints and the evolving expectations of art-goers. These spaces do not merely display artworks; they create environments where art interacts with everyday life, commerce, and digital culture. With the rise of social media, the way these spaces are perceived, consumed, and promoted has changed significantly. Social media platforms—particularly Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook—have become es...

Burden of Voice Use and Voice Disorders in Early Childhood Educators in Singapore

Image
  Burden of Voice Use and Voice Disorders in Early Childhood Educators in Singapore Meaning and Introduction The term “burden of voice use” refers to the physical, functional, and emotional strain placed on an individual’s voice due to frequent and demanding vocal tasks. In professions where the voice is the primary tool of work—such as teaching, acting, and broadcasting—this burden can lead to voice disorders , including hoarseness, vocal fatigue, voice loss, and chronic throat discomfort. Among these professions, early childhood educators represent one of the most at-risk groups, as their daily teaching requires prolonged talking, singing, raising their voice, and managing large, noisy classrooms . In Singapore, this issue has gained increasing attention, as recent studies show that a significant proportion of preschool teachers suffer from voice strain and disorders , affecting both their health and career sustainability . The Burden of Voice Use Early childhood educato...

Most Liked Article Award

Image
 The Most Liked Article Award is a prestigious recognition that celebrates research articles that have gained remarkable attention, readership, and appreciation from the academic and professional community. It acknowledges the author’s ability to present innovative ideas and impactful insights that resonate widely with audiences. The award emphasizes both scholarly contribution and reader engagement, showcasing the article’s relevance, accessibility, and influence. By honoring such work, it encourages researchers to produce high-quality publications that inspire, inform, and connect with a broad spectrum of readers. Award Highlights The Most Liked Article Award stands out as a recognition of excellence by honoring articles that not only contribute valuable knowledge but also resonate strongly with readers. Unlike traditional awards that focus solely on technical merit, this award highlights the importance of engagement, accessibility, and the ability to inspire diverse audiences....