Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Environmental Health: Exploring the Situation of the Lower Gangetic Delta

Description

This book examines the impacts that the COVID-19 lockdown has had on environmental and ecological health, with a focus on coastal ecosystems in the Lower Gangetic Delta. The book begins with an overview of COVID-19's spread and impact before and after the lockdown in the focus region, then addresses the specific impacts that the lockdown period had and continues to have on air quality, marine and estuarine water quality, coastal biodiversity, and the livelihoods of the region's inhabitants, especially those who live below the poverty line. The decrease in human activity combined with the complete closure of various sectors, including air travel, oil and gas drilling, and construction, has had a pronounced effect on biodiversity and overall environmental health that is yet to be fully realized. The book sheds light on these changes and assesses how biodiversity, ambient air quality, and ecosystem functioning will progress as COVID-19 remains a threat and the lockdown persists. The study will be of interest to researchers, government officials and professionals dealing with disaster management, environmental science, biological science, and health. Acknowledgment About the Book Contents About the Author Chapter 1: Introduction to COVID-19 1.1 Overview of COVID-19 1.2 Symptoms of the Disease 1.3 Impact of COVID-19 on Different Sectors 1.4 Take-Home Messages 1.5 Annexure 1A: Floral-Based Sanitizer: An Avenue for Alternative Livelihood References Chapter 2: Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Air Quality 2.1 COVID-19 and Air Quality 2.2 Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Air Temperature 2.3 Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on GHGs 2.4 Take-Home Messages 2.5 Annexure 2A: Alteration of Atmospheric CO2 in Indian Sundarbans During the COVID-19 Lockdown Phase References Chapter 3: Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Marine and Estuarine Water Quality 3.1 Composition of Marine and Estuarine Water 3.2 Major Threats to Marine and Estuarine Water 3.3 Marine and Estuarine Water Quality Due to COVID-19 Lockdown 3.3.1 Surface Water pH 3.3.2 Chlorophyll a 3.3.3 Dissolved Oxygen 3.4 Take-Home Messages 3.5 Annexure 3A: Significant Decrease of Dissolved Zinc Level During COVID-19 Lockdown Phase in Coastal West Bengal References Internet Reference Chapter 4: Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Coastal Biodiversity 4.1 Coastal Biodiversity: Focus Lower Gangetic Delta 4.2 Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Plankton Community 4.3 Microbial Load in the Inshore Region of Bay of Bengal During COVID-19 Lockdown Phase 4.4 Take-Home Messages 4.5 Annexure 4A: Checklist of Phytoplankton in the Lower Gangetic Estuarine Water (Adopted from Mitra and Zaman 2015) References Chapter 5: Impact of COVID-19 on Livelihoods of Lower Gangetic Delta 5.1 Major Livelihoods in the Lower Gangetic Delta 5.1.1 Agriculture 5.1.2 Aquaculture 5.1.3 Fishing Activities 5.1.4 Wood Collection 5.1.5 Honey and Other Nontimber Forest Products (NTFPs) Collection 5.1.6 Handicrafts 5.1.7 Animal Husbandry 5.2 Effects of COVID-19 on Livelihoods of Island Dwellers 5.3 Highlights of Alternative Livelihoods in the Pandemic Situation 5.3.1 Environment Education and Awareness Generation 5.3.2 Vocational Training for Shrimp Seed Collectors 5.3.3 Canal Excavation 5.3.4 Oyster Culture 5.3.5 Crab Fattening 5.3.6 Apiculture 5.3.7 Pisciculture 5.3.8 Afforestation 5.3.9 Pickle Preparation 5.3.10 Dudheswar Rice Variety Cultivation 5.3.11 Women Empowerment Through Milk Cooperative 5.4 Take Home Messages Annexures Annexure 5A: Depression and Frustration of People Below Poverty Line Among Island Dwellers of Deltaic Sundarbans Annexure 5B: Adverse Impact of Shrimp Seed Collection Background Information Material and Methods Research Site Data Capture Result Impact on Socioeconomic Status of Shrimp Seed Collectors Sex Ratio in the Family of Shrimp Seed Collectors Age Structure Sex Ratio Religion Education Health and Diseases Impact on Biodiversity Spectrum Fish Juvenile Loss Uprooting of Mangrove Seedlings Discussion and Way Forward Annexure 5C: Preparation of Hand Wash/Sanitizer Using Common Mangrove Associate Floral Species of Indian Sundarbans Annexure 5D: Community-Based Edu-Tourism Annexure 5E: Biofloc System: A Double-Edged Benefit on Economics and Environment Step 1: Tank or Pond Set-Up Step 2: Aeration Step 3: Pre-seeding Beneficial Microbes Step 4: Species Selection and Stocking Densities Step 5: Balancing Carbon Source Input Step 6: Biofloc Growth Step 7: Monitoring and Control of Biofloc Development Step 8: Monitoring and Control of Water Parameters and Associated Farm Infrastructure Step 9: Monitoring and Scanning the Culture Species Step 10: Harvest and Clean Up Annexure 5F: Preparation of Desserts (Rasgulla) with Medicinal Potential Annexure 5G: Halophyte Farming in the Supralittoral Zone of Indian Sundarban Estuaries Step 1 Step 2 Remarks Step 3 References Index