Showing papers on "Marginal land published in 1983"

The economics of tree crops on marginal agricultural lands with special reference to the hot arid region in rajasthan, india

Abstract: SUMMARY Falling yields of annual crops in the drought-prone hot arid region that forms 60% of the total area of Rajasthan and 64% of all land in this category in India have been compensated for by an increase in the area of cultivated land at the expense of grazing lands, forests and woodlands. Some 53% of the land in the region is now cultivated compared with the 21% which has been classified as suitable for raising annual crops. The result is a vicious circle of declining land productivity and more and more lands being cultivated, and consequent soil erosion, desertification, fuelwood shortages, and deteriorating livestock quality and productivity. Pressure on the marginal lands is further increased by scavenging for fuelwood and the rise in livestock numbers needed to compensate for the fall in productivity. This paper compares the net annual returns from the raising of annual crops and livestock, based on a survey of 70 farm households in 5 villages in 1977–78, with estimated returns from an alternati...

Building in noisy environments

Abstract: SUMMARY As land for building becomes scarce and more people desire homes in inner city areas or near public transport, environmentally marginal land becomes more attractive for housing. Much of the available land is former industrial or commercial premises located on or near major urban roads. Other land is unused railway property. In each case the predominant environmental limitation to using such land is noise. In this paper the methods available for controlling noise are reviewed and their effectiveness assessed. Some novel methods of controlling noise and annoyance are also examined.