@Research Paper
<#LINE#>Assessment on Artisanal Gemstone Mining in Konso and Gamo Zone, South Ethiopia Region<#LINE#>Getahun @Meseret,Solomon @Zeleke <#LINE#>1-9<#LINE#>1.ISCA-IRJES-2024-005.pdf<#LINE#>Mineral Industry Development Institute, Ministry of Mines, Addis Ababa, P.O. Box 486, Ethiopia@Mineral Industry Development Institute, Ministry of Mines, Addis Ababa, P.O. Box 486, Ethiopia<#LINE#>9/7/2024<#LINE#>8/10/2024<#LINE#>The Konso and Gamo Zone in the region is endowed with a wealth of colored gemstones that have been discovered by local people and to some extent, professional experts. However, the area requires further detailed investigation to fully understand and delineate the resources and their potential. The limited mining activity and lack of comprehensive resource mapping suggest significant untapped potential in the region. The gemstone mining industry in the Konso and Gamo Zone faces several challenges, including limited access to modern mining equipment and technology, lack of formal training and skill development programs for miners, inadequate infrastructure, difficulty in securing fair prices due to the presence of middlemen, and environmental degradation caused by improper mining practices. To unlock the full value of the colored gemstones found in this region, a strategic approach focused on comprehensive resource evaluation and stakeholder collaboration will be essential. Addressing the gaps in resource identification, mining capabilities, and community involvement can leverage the natural wealth of the Konso and Gamo Zone to drive economic development and improve the livelihoods of the local people.<#LINE#>Matlins, A. L. (2010).@Colored Gemstones: The Antoinette Matlins Buying Guide: how to Select, Buy, Care for & Enjoy Sapphires, Emeralds, Rubies, and Other Colored Gems with Confidence and Knowledge. Gemstone Press.@@Yes$Kyngdon-McKay, Y., Jorns, A., Wheat, B., Cushman, T., & Nemomissa, S. (2016).@An Analysis of the Commercial Potential of Ethiopia’s Coloured Gemstone Industry.@@Yes$Schumann, W. (2009).@Gemstones of the World.@Sterling Publishing Company, Inc..@Yes$Rop, B. K. (2014).@Economic and Job Creation Potential of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in Taita Taveta County.@@Yes$Cartier, L. E. (2019).@Gemstones and sustainable development: Perspectives and trends in mining, processing and trade of precious stones.@The extractive industries and society, 6(4), 1013-1016.@Yes$Kyngdon-McKay, Y., Jorns, A., Wheat, B., Cushman, T., & Nemomissa, S. (2016).@An Analysis of the Commercial Potential of Ethiopia’s Coloured Gemstone Industry.@@Yes$Blundi, D., da Silva Loureiro, A. C. N., de Carvalho, S. M. P., Jorge, M. F., Lopes, F. V., da Silva, G. T. P., & Orind, V. (2019).@Technology appropriation and technology transfer in the Brazilian mining sector (Vol. 53).@WIPO.@Yes$Weldon, R., Ortiz, J. G., & Ottaway, T. (2016).@In Rainier’s footsteps: Journey to the Chivor emerald mine.@Gems & Gemology, 52(2), 168-187.@Yes$Labonne, B. (1996).@Artisanal mining: an economic stepping stone for women.@In Natural Resources Forum (Vol. 20, No. 2, pp. 117-122). Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.@Yes$Chakravorty, S. L. (2001).@Artisanal and small-scale mining in India.@Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development, 78(October).@Yes$Geenen, S. (2015).@African artisanal mining from the inside out: Access, norms and power in Congo’s gold sector.@Routledge.@Yes$Girard, V., Molina-Millán, T., & Vic, G. (2022).@Artisanal mining in Africa.@In Working Paper Series. No. 2201.@Yes
@Case Study
<#LINE#>Assessment of Bio-sequestration potential of trees: A case study in sacred groves of Akhnoor and its environs, J&K, India<#LINE#>Anamika @Sharma,Sanjay @Sharma <#LINE#>10-18<#LINE#>2.ISCA-IRJES-2024-008.pdf<#LINE#>Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Jammu, Jammu 180006, J&K, India@Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Jammu, Jammu 180006, J&K, India<#LINE#>3/9/2024<#LINE#>19/11/2024<#LINE#>Sacred groves are lush, diverse virgin forests that have been safeguarded for generations by local communities due to cultural taboos and religious beliefs. These areas play a crucial role in preserving biodiversity. Many plant and animal species, which are now endangered elsewhere, continue to thrive in these sacred groves. The current study was conducted in the sacred groves of Akhnoor and its environs, J&K, to evaluate the diversity and carbon sequestration potential of the trees. In the study area, the average total growing stock, biomass, carbon, and CO2 equivalent were 549.473m³/ha, 295.39 t/ha, 140.22 t/ha, and 513.84 t/ha, respectively. Among the tree species observed, Ficus religiosa had the highest average values for growing stock, biomass, carbon, and CO2 equivalent, followed by Ficus benghalensis. In contrast, Melia azedarach had the lowest values, with Grewia tillifolia coming in just above it. The paper highlights the potential of the sacred grove tradition as a tool for biodiversity conservation through community involvement. The aim of this study is to examine the role of sacred groves in the management and preservation of diverse ecosystem services and to propose an alternative approach for ensuring the sustainability of forests in areas surrounding human settlements.<#LINE#>Pandey, A., Dar, J. A. and Raha, D. (2023).@A production function approach to estimate agricultural yield benefits of sacred groves: Evidence from sacred groves of Kachchh, Gujarat.@Proceedings of the International Academy of Ecology and Environmental Sciences,13(3), 94-110 (2023)@Yes$Ahmed, J., Sharma, S., & Kumar, D. (2018).@Quantitative Ethnobotanical Approach to Analyze Local Importance of Tree Species in North Western Himalaya: A Case Study of Ponda Watershed, J&K.@Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences, 88, 897-903.@Yes$Lee, K. W. K., Cheuk, M. L., Fischer, G. A., & Gale, S. W. (2023).@Can Disparate Shared Social Values Benefit the Conservation of Biodiversity in Hong Kong’s Sacred Groves?.@Human Ecology, 51(5), 1021-1032.@Yes$Salunkhe, O., Khare, P. K., Sahu, T. R., & Singh, S. (2016).@Estimation of tree biomass reserves in tropical deciduous forests of Central India by non-destructive approach.@Tropical Ecology, 57(2), 153-161.@Yes$Ahmed, M., Sharma, V., & Dhiman, M. (2023).@Sacred groves: the gene banks of threatened and ethnomedicinal flora, associated taboos and role in biodiversity conservation in the Peer Panchal range of North Western Himalayas, India.@Ecological Questions, 34(3), 1-20.@Yes$Sen, S. (2020).@Sacred Groves Of West Bengal: An Overview.@International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews April, 7(2).@Yes$Ormsby, A. A., & Bhagwat, S. A. (2010).@Sacred forests of India: a strong tradition of community-based natural resource management.@Environmental Conservation,  37(3), 320-326.@Yes$Bhat, A. H., Sharma, J., & Jaryan, V. (2019).@Role of Sacred groves in carbon sequestration in Jammu and Kashmir.@International Journal of Scientific Research and Review, 7(04).@Yes$Rawat, S., & Kumar, R. (2024).@The enchanting flora of Chamba: Unveiling sacred and magico-religious plants in Himachal Pradesh.@Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 28, 1-16.@Yes$Janaki, M., Pandit, R., & Sharma, R. K. (2021).@The role of traditional belief systems in conserving biological diversity in the Eastern Himalaya Eco-region of India.@Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 26(1), 13-30.@Yes$Ojha, R. (2022).@Nature Conservation as Reflected in Hindu Theology and its Deviation in the Modern Days: A Discourse.@ASEAN Journal of Religious and Cultural Research, 5(1), 1-5.@Yes$Forest Survey of India (1996).@Volume Equations for Forests of India, Nepal, and Bhutan.@@Yes$Singh, K., & Chand, P. (2012).@Above-ground tree outside forest (TOF) phytomass and carbon estimation in the semi-arid region of southern Haryana: A synthesis approach of remote sensing and field data.@Journal of Earth System Science, 121, 1469-1482.@Yes$Pandya, I. Y., Salvi, H., Chahar, O., & Vaghela, N. (2013).@Quantitative analysis on carbon storage of 25 valuable tree species of Gujarat, Incredible India.@Indian Journal of Scientific Research, 4(1), 137-141.@Yes$Sharma, S., & Devi, R. (2014).@Sacred groves: traditional way of conserving plant diversity in Block Bhalwal of Jammu District (J&K).@International Journal of Science and Research, 3(2), 239-242.@Yes$Sharma, S., & Kour, K. (2014).@Tree diversity in rural area of block Vijaypur, Samba, J&K.@International Journal of Environmental Sciences, 4(6), 1114-1120.@Yes$Priya, K. and Sharma, S. (2021).@Carbon sequestration in sacred groves of Jammu district, J&K.@International Journal of Science and Research, 10(10), 90-93 (2021)@No$Kour, K., & Sharma, S. (2017).@Biosequestration potential of trees outside forest in the plains of District Samba, J&K, India.@Environment Conservation Journal, 18(1&2), 127-135.@Yes$Waikhom, A. C., Nath, A. J., & Yadava, P. S. (2018).@Above ground biomass and carbon stock in the largest sacred grove of Manipur, Northeast India.@Journal of Forestry Research, 29, 425-428.@Yes