P K Ghosh

Indias biopesticide industry has experienced remarkable growth in recent times, including increased demand and consumption. By 2040 to 2050, the biopesticide industry is expected to either match or surpass that of chemical pesticides. This growth is attributed to the anticipated increase in global population to 9 billion by 2050 and the subsequent need to increase food production by 70% of current levels to feed this population. However, there is a pressing need to adopt Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices that involve the judicious use of inorganic inputs in combination with environmentally friendly methods such as microbial biopesticides. This approach can help enhance food production to meet the anticipated demand while minimizing the negative impact on the environment.

This book investigates the pollution of the Sheonath River in India, analyzing the impact of industrial and domestic waste over two years. The study examines the river's declining water quality through physico-chemical and biological assessments, revealing high levels of pollutants such as heavy metals, organic waste, and nutrients. These contaminants have disrupted the river's self-purification process, affecting aquatic ecosystems and making the water unsuitable for human consumption. The research identifies indicator organisms to evaluate water health and correlates pollution levels with industrial discharges. To mitigate contamination, the authors propose sustainable remediation methods, including bioreactors, aerated lagoons, and the Integrated Aquatic Macrophyte-Based System (IAMBS), which uses aquatic plants for natural filtration. The book underscores the urgency of effective waste management and ecological restoration to safeguard the Sheonath River and other freshwater resources from further degradation.