Publications
Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 Variants by Wastewater-Based Surveillance as a Sustainable and Pragmatic Approach—A Case Study of Jaipur (India)
Wastewater-based surveillance successfully identified the emergence of the B.1.617.2 variant of SARS-CoV-2 in Jaipur, India, nearly two months earlier than clinical case reports. This study demonstrates that sewage monitoring can predict the advent of epidemiologically significant variants with high genome coverage (94.39%), providing a faster and more sustainable alternative to traditional clinical genomic surveillance. By analyzing samples from 11 wastewater treatment plants between February and June 2021, researchers detected the B.1 variant in late February and the B.1.617.2 variant in early March, correlating with later clinical data. The approach offers a pragmatic tool for public health decision-making by tracking viral mutations and strain diversity in real time.
Anthropogenic and geogenic influences on peri-urban aquifers in semi-arid regions: insights from a case study in northeast Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Groundwater in northeast Jaipur, India, faces significant quantity and quality challenges due to overabstraction and geogenic contamination. A two-year study revealed that while anthropogenic activities primarily reduce groundwater levels, natural sources—such as high nitrate (up to 550 mg/L) and total dissolved solids (TDS >500 mg/L)—dominate water quality issues, with urbanization exacerbating these problems. However, historic reservoirs play a crucial role in improving both quantity and quality by enhancing recharge. The findings suggest that artificial recharge structures could be key to sustainable water supply management, emphasizing the need for groundwater protection in peri-urban areas.
A Camera-Trap Home-Range Analysis of the Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) in Jaipur, India
A two-year camera-trap study in Jaipur, India, revealed that Indian leopards (Panthera pardus fusca) exhibit overlapping home ranges without territorial exclusivity. Analyzing 23,208 trap-hours of data from the Jhalana Reserve Forest, researchers identified 25 leopards (8 males, 17 females), finding median home-range sizes of 305.9 hectares for males and 170.3 hectares for females. While male overlap was higher at 10.33%, female overlap averaged just 3.97%. Notably, seven females displayed familial home-range overlaps, with daughters establishing territories adjacent to or within their natal areas. The study underscores camera trapping as a valuable tool for mapping leopard territories and understanding dispersal patterns influenced by familial relationships.
Dependence of the leopardPanthera pardus fuscain Jaipur, India, on domestic animals
In the Jhalana Reserve Forest of Jaipur, India, leopards exhibit near-total dependence on domestic animals as prey, with dogs, cats, goats, and cattle making up 89.5% of their diet during the dry season (November 2017–April 2018). Analysis of 132 scat samples revealed that feral dogs were the most frequently consumed species (44%), followed by domestic cats (13%), goats (16%), and cattle (15%). While wild prey, such as rodents and small mammals, were present in their diet, their frequency was significantly lower. This study highlights how leopards in human-dominated landscapes can thrive on domestic animals, potentially providing an ecosystem service by controlling feral dog populations, though this also exposes them to risks like canine distemper virus. The findings underscore the adaptability of leopards and the need for conservation strategies that account for their reliance on domestic prey.
Estimation of fuel potential of faecal sludge in a water scarce city, a case study of Jaipur Urban, India
Faecal sludge (FS) from urban Jaipur, a water-scarce city, exhibits significant fuel potential with a high heating value of 13.96 MJ/kg and total solids ranging from 7 to 9%. This study validates the feasibility of converting FS into a marketable energy product, offering a pragmatic solution for resource recovery in cities adopting non-sewer sanitation systems. The research targeted onsite sanitation systems across Jaipur to collect FS samples, analyzing their heat capacity while comparing experimental data with existing literature. The findings suggest that FS could serve as an alternative fuel source, aligning with India's faecal sludge and septage management (FSSM) policy aimed at sustainable urban sanitation solutions.
Hydrochemical Characterization for Groundwater Suitability in a Semi-Arid Area in Sanganer Block, Jaipur District, Rajasthan
Groundwater in the semi-arid Sanganer block of Jaipur, Rajasthan, is predominantly unsuitable for both drinking and irrigation due to high concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS), chloride (Cl⁻), nitrate (NO₃⁻), and fluoride (F⁻), particularly during dry periods. Hydrochemical analysis reveals a Ca-Na-HCO₃ type, with evaporation as the dominant process shaping its chemistry, while anthropogenic activities contribute to partial pollution. The study also finds that groundwater is corrosive, limiting suitable piping materials for water supply systems. Additionally, silicate weathering significantly influences sodium and potassium contributions. Researchers analyzed samples during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods using standard hydrochemical methods to assess suitability for various uses.
Spatio-temporal impact assessment of land use / land cover (LU-LC) change on land surface temperatures over Jaipur city in India
Jaipur, India, has experienced significant urban growth between 2008 and 2011, leading to substantial increases in land surface temperatures (LST) across various land use/land cover (LU-LC) categories. The study found a notable rise in LST during this period, with average temperature increases of 2.6 °C in winter and 1.47 °C in summer. This trend is attributed to the rapid expansion of built-up areas at the expense of green spaces and open lands, as evidenced by the rising percentage of impervious surface area (ISA). The research utilized Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data to analyze spatial variations in LST, providing insights into the impact of urbanization on temperature dynamics. These findings highlight the urgent need for sustainable urban planning to mitigate the effects of urban heat islands.
Waterborne pathogen monitoring in Jaipur, India reveals potential microbial risks of urban groundwater supply
A study on waterborne pathogens in Jaipur, India, reveals that conventional 100 mL grab sampling for E. coli may underestimate microbial risks in urban groundwater supplies. Despite the absence of culturable E. coli in 90% of samples (n=20) over a 10-day period, advanced methods like dead-end ultrafiltration (DEUF) and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) detected genes associated with protozoan and bacterial pathogens (Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and enterotoxigenic E. coli) in three out of nine groundwater samples (volume 59 to 122.4 liters). Two of these positive DEUF samples corresponded to grab samples that tested negative for culturable E. coli, highlighting the limitations of traditional monitoring methods. This research underscores the need for more sensitive techniques to accurately assess and manage pathogen-specific risks in drinking water supplies.
Techno-economic analysis of solar photovoltaic power plant for garment zone of Jaipur city
A techno-economic analysis reveals that off-site solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants offer significant financial advantages over on-site options for the garment zone in Jaipur, India. The study estimated a 2011 energy demand of 2.21 MW and proposed a 2.5 MW solar PV plant requiring 13.14 acres of land. Off-site plants demonstrated superior performance with an internal rate of return (IRR) of 15.10%, net present value (NPV) of 249.78 million INR, and a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of Rs. 11.40 per kWh—markedly better than on-site counterparts. The analysis also highlighted shorter payback periods for off-site plants, underscoring their economic viability in addressing Jaipur's growing energy needs while mitigating land scarcity challenges.
Spatio-temporal Urban Growth Modeling of Jaipur, India
Jaipur, India, experienced a 63% increase in urban land development from 1989 to 2005, driven by the conversion of agricultural and barren lands into urban areas. This rapid expansion, characterized by rising density and suburban growth along city peripheries, highlights significant unplanned and informal urbanization trends. The study employed a rule-based classification system, Markov modeling, GIS, and Landsat satellite data to quantify spatial-temporal urban changes over 16 years (1989–2005). Statistical analyses confirmed the Markov model's effectiveness in predicting land-use transitions, underscoring its utility for urban planning. These findings suggest that current planning policies may struggle to address future unplanned growth, posing challenges for sustainable development.
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