Behind the Myth: Indigenous Knowledge and Belief Systems in Natural Resource Conservation in North East Ghana
Philip Aniah,
Arkum Thaddeus Aasoglenang,
Samuel Z. Bonye
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, May 2014
Pages:
104-112
Received:
27 April 2014
Accepted:
30 April 2014
Published:
20 May 2014
Abstract: Natural resource management issues in developing countries are increasingly mimicking western theories and the contribution of indigenous cultures and institutions are often overlooked. This research examines the role traditional belief systems and indigenous knowledge and practices have played in the management and conservation of natural environmental resources in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Some cultural practices and belief systems like sacrifices, worship, the Tindaanaship organization and the Tingaane civilization and how the Tindaanas (chief priest) communicates through the Tingaane (shrines and sacred groves) to the ancestral spirits or gods, how the people are punished if the gods are provoked were examined. The study revealed that the significant attribute of the belief systems that rest on the ascription of supernatural powers to some parts of the environment as the home of the gods has significantly helped to conserve the natural environment. The protection of these homes/areas from utilization, exploitation and use explicitly encourages conservation of environmental resources. Forbidden areas and totemic items/objects associated with worship immensely promoted conservation of resources. Over the years, traditional belief systems, practices and indigenous knowledge strategies that conserve the natural resources have been eroded or corroded by western cultural infiltration and religion. The study recommends a re-visitation of the traditional belief systems and cultural practices that promote the management, preservation and conservation of natural resources for the sustainable development of the Upper East Region and the nation at large.
Abstract: Natural resource management issues in developing countries are increasingly mimicking western theories and the contribution of indigenous cultures and institutions are often overlooked. This research examines the role traditional belief systems and indigenous knowledge and practices have played in the management and conservation of natural environm...
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Geomorphological Explanation of Karstic Drainage Sensitivity toward Anthropogenic Pollutants in Kardeh Catchment, NE Iran
Mohammad Reza Mansouri Daneshvar,
Abolfazl Behniafar,
Hadi Ghanbarzadeh
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, May 2014
Pages:
113-117
Received:
7 May 2014
Accepted:
12 May 2014
Published:
20 May 2014
Abstract: In the present study, we aimed to geomorphological explanation of karst features and their environmental sensitivity in Kardeh catchment in Kopet–Dagh mountainous zone, NE Iran. Environmental sensitivity of karst is well marked by anthropogenic pollutants and land degradation problems in regions such as Kopet–Dagh, where some tens of karstic landforms are present over the Jurassic lithology. Anthropogenic pollutants resulted in intense environmental degradation and changed the natural karstic drainage in the catchment. We faced with karstified drainage, which supplies a portion of drinking–water of Mashhad metropolitan area. In Kardeh catchment, three main sources of anthropogenic pollutants to karst drainage have been identified: agricultural impacts, waste water entrance in hydrologic system of karst and garbage burying on carbonate prone rocks. Based on the comparison of fertilizers consumption and wastes production in the catchment we observed that the sub–basins of Balghur (Bl), Kharkat (Kh) and Mareshk (Ma) sub–basins have the most anthropogenic pollutants, where the carbonate formations of Mozduran 1, 2 (>75% of surface area) have the most environmental sensitivity. As a general rule, the protection of the hydrologic system of karst and management of the carbonate catchment are geomorphological strategies in environmental planning.
Abstract: In the present study, we aimed to geomorphological explanation of karst features and their environmental sensitivity in Kardeh catchment in Kopet–Dagh mountainous zone, NE Iran. Environmental sensitivity of karst is well marked by anthropogenic pollutants and land degradation problems in regions such as Kopet–Dagh, where some tens of karstic landfo...
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Treatment of Wastewater from a Slaughterhouse by Gliding Arc Humid Air Plasma: Chlorophyll Degradation
Jourdin Gongwala,
Serge Alain Djepang,
Paltahe Abba,
Gaston Payom,
Samuel Laminsi,
Daniel Njopwouo
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, May 2014
Pages:
118-125
Received:
22 May 2014
Accepted:
6 June 2014
Published:
20 June 2014
Abstract: Wastewater samples from liquid effluents of a slaughterhouse in the city of Yaounde (Cameroon) was first analyzed and exposed to gliding arc (glidarc) electric discharge to reduce the pollution load. The analyzed results showed high levels of organic pollution parameters (BOD5 = 2000 mg/L, COD = 30544 mg/L) and the presence of a large amount of microorganisms. The UV-Visible spectrum showed an absorbance peak at 663 nm which can be attributed to chlorophyll. A hexane extract of green leaves of senna alata was thus exposed to the plasma to follow the degradation of chlorophyll. After 30 minutes of treatment, reduction rates of 96% and 73% respectively were obtained for BOD5 and COD. The absorption peak disappears and a discoloration rate of 76% was obtained. Microorganisms such as fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci present in large quantities were completely destroyed by plasma after 15 minutes of exposure to the electric discharge. In addition, the decrease in total organic carbon showed that there was mineralization of chlorophyll contained in senna alata. This study shows that the gliding arc plasma is effective in cleaning the wastewater from slaughterhouses and in degrading chlorophyll.
Abstract: Wastewater samples from liquid effluents of a slaughterhouse in the city of Yaounde (Cameroon) was first analyzed and exposed to gliding arc (glidarc) electric discharge to reduce the pollution load. The analyzed results showed high levels of organic pollution parameters (BOD5 = 2000 mg/L, COD = 30544 mg/L) and the presence of a large amount of mic...
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