Sikkim Wildlife and Biodiversity

Chapter 2 WILDLIFE & BIODIVERSITY Biodiversity at a Glance India is recognized as one of the 12 mega diversity centres of the world. Out of the 18 Biodiversity hot-spots in the world, India owns 2, namely the Western Ghats and the Eastern Himalayas. Sikkim covering just 0. 2 % of the geographical area of the country has tremendous biodiversity and has been identified as one of the HOT-SPOT in the Eastern Himalayas. There are 10 bio-geographic zones & 25 biotic provinces— which have 16 major forests types & > 200 sub types as per (Champion & Seth 1968).Sikkim falls under Himalayan (2) Bio-geographic zone & Central Himalaya (2c) biotic province—-having about 9 types of forests types (Champion & Seth). The State is endowed with rich floral and faunal diversity. Species wise, the State harbors over 4500 flowering plants, 550 Orchids, 36 Rhododendrons, 16 Conifers, 28 Bamboos, 362 Ferns and its allies, 9 Tree Ferns, 30 Primulas, 11 Oaks, over 424 Medicinal plants, 144+ ma mmals, 550 Birds, 48 Fishes and over 600 Butterflies.While these figures are still not absolute, it may be kept in mind that this is only the mega-fauna and flora. The tremendous diversity of insects like beetles and moths as well as a host of other life forms is yet to be enumerated. Most of the high altitude medicinal plants are rare and endangered species. Sikkim also has 28 Mountains/Peaks, more than 38 Glaciers, 227 high altitude lakes/wetlands and over 104 rivers and streams. Nature has been particularly generous in her gift of sylvan treasures to the state of Sikkim.Luxuriant forest, abound in all part of state and variety of medicinal plants, herbs, shrubs, bamboos and trees growing in state is truly rich. In the forest, there are number of plants whose medicinal values have been well recognized by local people as well as by different pharmaceutical, insecticidal and perfumery sectors. Medicinal plants ought to be given the status of a â€Å"National Resources† becaus e their sustained availability is essential to sustain one of the world’s oldest medicinal traditions, a priceless legacy of the Indian people.The local inhabitants for treatment of various ailments use numerous herbal remedies. Further more, modern medicines owes to the flora of these mountains. Many inhabitants for treatment of various ailments use numerous herbal remedies. Many species of Himalayan origin have revolutionized the allopathic systems of medicine. (The Medicinal Plant found in Sikkim is listed in Annexure II) ECOREGIONS Sikkim is a land of vast variation in altitude within very short distances ranging from around 300m to 8598m. Elevation plays a prime role in fashioning the ecoregions of the state.This is evident from the presence of Sal Shorea robusta forests in the Rangit Valley in the south to the temperate fir forests in the north, beyond which lie the trans-Himalayas and cold desert of the Tibetan plateau. Broadly speaking there are five altitudinal zones of vegetation. They are not clear-cut at their boundaries but merge into one another, often showing considerable local encroachments and recessions above and below the line depending upon physical configuration and exposure of the terrain and the resulting ecological factors.Chapter 2 Wildlife & Biodiversity The Tropical ecoregion extends roughly from the foothills of the outer Himalayas to an altitude of about 1200m. It contains steep sided valleys and gorges with well-drained flanking slopes. Various species of orchids, Rhaphidophora; wild banana, Pandanus; Nettles and giant bamboo are characteristic. The Rangit Valley Sal Shorea robusta in this region shows a unique association with the Chir Pine Pinus roxburghii. In patches of protected forest it is possible to see the weak Sal being slowly dominated by the Pine.These patches are however relatively poor in bird life. Lowland forests of Sikkim are home to several endangered species of birds like the Rufous-necked Hornbill Aceros nipalensis, Great Indian Hornbill Buceros bicornis homrai locally called ‘Hongraio’, Chestnut-breasted Partridge, Black-breasted Parrotbill, Grey-crowned Prinia and Ward’s Trogon. Other lowland fauna includes the Porcupine, Assamese Macaque, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Tree Shrew, Peafowl (introduced), Python, Geckos, a host of butterflies and other invertebrates, riverine fish, frogs and toads.Several species of migratory water birds use the river systems during transit. Lantana is a major weed in this region. A small part of this ecoregion, a representative area of the Kitam Reserve Forests has recently been included in the wildlife protected area network of the state as the Kitam Wildlife Sanctuary. Forest fires are generally reported from this zone and there is an occasional problem of illegal removal of the Sal, Teak trees. New hydel projects have also been taken up in this zone.The important medicinal plants of this ecoregion are Terminalia bellerica, Termina lia chebula, Embellica officinalis, Azadirachta indica, Aegle marmelos, Ocimum sanctum, Oroxylum indicum, Holarrhena antidysenterica, Murraya sp. etc. However the wildly spreading alien invasive weed Mikania micrantha is fast manifesting as a serious threat to farmlands and young forests along with Lantana camara. The Sub Tropical eco-region extends up from about 1200 m to 3000m. The rainfall in this zone is the heaviest and conditions remain humid throughout the year.The crop in the upper storey consists of mainly Castanopsis hystrix (Katus), Machilus spp. (Kawla), Rhododendron spp. (Chimal), Symplocos spicata (Kholme), Symplocos theifolia (Kharane), Michelia excelsa (Rani Champ), Quercus lamellosa (Buk), Quercus lineata (Phalant), Leucoseptrum canum (Ghurpis), Quercus pachyphylla (Sungure Katus), etc. The other associates in the upper storey are: Betula alnoides (Saur), Nyssa javanica (Lekh Chilaune), Bucklandia populnea (Pipli), etc. In the underwood, Engelhardtia spicata (Mahuwa ), Eurya japonica (Jhingni), Rhododendron arboreum (Guransh), Vibernum spp. Asarey) etc. are the main species. In the upper reaches the upper storey consists of Quercus lamellosa (Buk), Q. lineata (Phalant), Machilus spp. (Kaula). The other associates in the upper storey are: Cinnamomum spp. (Sissi), Michelia excelsa (Rani Champ), Quercus lancaefolia (Patle Katus), Acer campbelli (Kapasi), Magnolia campbelli (Ghoge Champ), Q. pachyphylla (Sungure Katus), Castanopsis hystrix (Katus), Elaeocarpus lancaefolius (Bhadrase) etc. In the middle storey, Symplocos theifolia (Kharane) is the main species and Litsea spp. Pahenle), Rhododendron arboreum (Guransh), Bucklandia populnea (Pipli) etc are other associate species. Dense tall evergreen forests with oaks and Rhododendrons predominate. The undergrowth consists of Arundinaria maling, dwarf Rhododendron, ferns, epiphytic mosses and orchids. This area also is probably the richest in birds such as the Rusty-bellied and Lesser Shortwings, Kali j and Satyr Tragopan; reptiles like Japalura lizards, Cobra, Krait and Himalayan Pit Viper; Himalayan Bullfrog; butterflies and leeches. Eupatorium is a major weed competing out Artemesia and other secondary growth.Large Cardamom under-planted in forest patches and a tea estate at Temi are dominant features of the landscape as much as the naturalized exotic Cryptomeria japonica patches. Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary and part of Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary in East Sikkim and Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary in South Sikkim are the two wildlife protected areas in this ecoregion. Most of the human population of Sikkim resides in these two zones in an agricultural setting where terrace farmed rice, ginger, orange, cardamom are commercially grown while guava, banana, squash and marigold are common along with vegetables and herbs in homestead gardens.Forest produce like bamboo shoots, ferns and nettles are also collected during season. Soya bean, millet and cruciferous vegetables are grown an d processed into fermented foods like ‘Kinema’, a specialty of the Subba community; ‘Gundruk’ and drinks like ‘Chang’. Exotic oyster mushroom cultivation is being popularized along with trial commercial cultivation of flowers like hybrid orchids, lilies and gladioli. Hybrid stall fed livestock is seen around villages while the local breed of ‘Siri’ Cow can graze on the hill slopes.Sericulture is practiced through schemes of the forest department while apiculture is more of a hobby with the bee species Apis cerana. The government encourages pisciculture of Common and Grass Carp. The important medicinal plants of this ecoregion are Swertia chirata, Rubia cordifolia, Astilbe rivularis, Berginia spp, Acorus calamus, Kaempheria rotunda, Costus speciosus, Viscum articulatum, Rhus semialata, Phytolacca acinosa, Litsaea citrata, Drymaria cordata Artemisia vulgari,s etc. State of Environment 2007 – Sikkim 8 Chapter 2 Wildlife & Biodi versityThe Temperate ecoregion extends from 3000m to 4500m with mixed coniferous forests of Hemlock, Spruce, Pine, Fir and Junipers with shrubby undergrowth of Rhododendron and Arundinaria bamboo. Red Panda, Common Langur and Himalayan Black Bear, Lesser cats, Goral, Serow, Himalayan Monal, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Blue Magpie and few species of reptiles and amphibians are characteristic. Brown Trout Salmo trutta fario has been introduced in high altitude lake and river systems. Wild Seabuckthorn Hippophae sp. occurs some of which is collected for medicinal properties and as a dye.Potato and cabbage are grown as cash crops. Subsistence farming of wheat, barley and maize is carried out while beans, peas, some apple, peach and pear are grown on homesteads. Some amount of cattle rearing is practiced with stall fed hybrid milch cows with some trans-humance for local breeds in forest areas. Handloom cottage industry for making blankets, rugs and carpets uses some wool from sheep grazed at hi gher altitudes. The Alpine forests and scrub extend upto 4500 m with small crooked trees and large shrubs interspersed with fir and pine. The stunted forest is mainly of rhododendron of many species.Dominant wild fauna includes Musk Deer, Himalayan Tahr, Blue Sheep, Blood Pheasant, Ibisbill and a Snow toad. River systems harbour some of the (introduced) trout Salmo trutta fario. Most of the flora of this region attracts interest for medicinal purposes. Dwarf rhododendron leaves are used for burning as incense. This region has very little resident human population, mainly Bhutias and mostly pastoral, herding livestock like yak, dzo (cow-yak hybrid) and domestic cattle. Many wild edibles are collected from the forest floor like Arisaema sp. tubers, ‘Khendu’ Cardamine spp. and Agaricus spp. ushrooms. The Temperate ecoregion is protected in three wildlife sanctuaries at Shingba (North Sikkim), Kyongnosla and part of Pangolakha (East Sikkim), Barsey (West Sikkim) and one nat ional park namely Khangchendzonga National Park (North and West Sikkim). They harbour representative biodiversity of these ecoregions. The important medicinal plants of this ecoregion are Aconitum ferox, Aconitum heterophyllum, Heracleum wallichii, Nardostachys grandiflora, Orchis latifolia, Panax pseudo-ginseng, Picrorrhiza kurooa, Podophyllum hexandrum, Ephedra gerardiana, Taxus baccata, Hippophae spp. tc. The Trans-Himalayan ecoregion extends from 4500 m to 5500m with characteristic cold desert vegetation exclusively restricted to the north of Sikkim. This ecoregion has not yet been included in the protected area network of the state and is perhaps the most threatened as it contains mostly endangered species. Dominant among these are Kiang, Nayan or Argali, Tibetan Gazelle, Blue Sheep, Snow Leopard, Eurasian Lynx, Tibetan Wolf, Tibetan Snowcock, Lammergeier, Raven, Golden Eagle and Ruddy Shelduck breeding in the wetlands.The region has a short four-month growing season during whi ch grasses, sedges and medicinal herbs grow abundantly supporting a host of insect fauna as well as the wild and domestic herbivores, larks and finches. There are no permanent settlements. Human population consists of a small number of nomadic Tibetan graziers or ‘Dokpas’ (who herd yak, sheep and pasmina-type goats) and large number of Defence personnel as the area forms the international border with Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).Closure of the border to trans-humance over the last three decades has led to intense grazing pressure by both the domestic and wild herbivores on the land. The area also suffers from the presence of landmines causing casualties among Nayan, Kiang and Tibetan wolf. Existence of feral dogs is a major hazard in this region. This ecoregion needs to be urgently represented in the wildlife protected area network of the state. The important medicinal plants of this ecoregion are Aconitum spp. , Nardostachys grandiflora, Picrorhiza kurooa,Gentiana spp , Rheum spp. tc. State of Environment 2007 – Sikkim 9 Chapter 2 Wildlife & Biodiversity There is a growing concern throughout the world that the natural resources essential for human development and survival are being depleted and destroyed at an alarming and ever increasing pace. In order to protect, propagate and develop this rich wilderness, the State has realized that only by bringing in more such areas under the Protected Area Network could save this fragile eco-system from being over exploited and depleted.Keeping this in mind almost 31% of the total geographical area of the state has been brought under this network and state has recently added one more feather in its cap by declaring the Pangolakha Range as a Wildlife Sanctuary which is another rich treasure house of biodiversity. The existing status of wildlife protected areas is described as follows. Map 2. 1 Protected Area in Sikkim Source : CISMHE State of Environment 2007 – Sikkim 10 Chapter 2 Wildlife & Bi odiversity Protected Area NetworkProtected area network has been playing an important role in maintaining the natural resources of this fragile eco-system and to the economy of the State, providing a base for recreation and tourism. Existence of protected areas in the higher reaches sustains environment stability of the surrounding region and thereby reduces occurrence of landslides and droughts, protecting the soil from erosion etc. Further it helps in maintaining the productive capacity of eco-systems, thus ensuring the continuing availability of water for sustaining life down stream.Because of an extensive Protected Area Network, and with better protection and sustainable human use, habitats have recuperated and in 1999 Takin Budorcas taxicolor was reported at Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary which was once native to this eco-system and similarly Tiger Panthera tigris migration is often reported every year. Even Himalayan Tahr or ‘Shapi’ Hemitragus jemlahicus, Musk deer M oschus chrysogaster and other endangered Himalayan fauna thrive within Kahngchendzongs National Park at locations like Bikmatar, Satdharey, Kasturi Orar with healthy population.Snow leopard Uncia uncia, a highly endangered animal of Himalayan eco-system which is at the top of ecological pyramid has also shown remarkable population increase as reported although proper census has not been conducted for the last few years. People from far off places come to see this elusive animal and for research purposes. Protected area network of Sikkim has contributed a lot in respect to scientific research and monitoring of wild species with some students also having carried out PhD dissertations. The rich diversity of wild flora is also being protected and preserved in this network. Table 2. 1 Protected Area NetworkSl. No. Name of Protected Area Area in sq. km. District Biogeographic Province Altitude 1 Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary 104. 00 West 2C 2200-4100 m 2 Fambong lho Wildlife Sanctuary 51. 76 East 2C 1524-2749 m 3 Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary 31. 00 East 2C 3292-4116 m 4 Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary 35. 34 South 2C 2400-3263 m 5 Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary 128. 00 East 2C 6 Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary 43. 00 North 1B 3048-4575 m 7 Kitam Bird Sanctuary 6. 00 South 300-1000 m 8 Khangchendzonga National Park 1784. 00 North/West 1B Total Protected Area 2183. 10 Total Geographical Area 7096. 00 9 Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve 620. 00 North/West 1B & 2C 2725-5537 m 10 National Park 1784. 00 North/West 11 Buffer area 836. 00 North/West Note: 1. Protected Area Network does not include area under buffer zone of a biosphere reserve. 2. Total area under Protected Area Network of State is 2183. 10 sq. km. (i. e. 30. 77% of the total geographical area) 3. Total area under Protected Area Network including the buffer zone of biosphere reserve in State is 3019. 10 sq. km. (i. e. 42. 55 % of the total geographical area). 4. Total protected area including the biosphere reserve ar ea is 51. 68 % of the total recorded forest area of the state.Most of the Ecotourism potential is prevalent only in Protected areas and one of the most important destination is Khangchendzonga Massif itself which is considered as cultural heritage and deity of Sikkim people, which also fall within Protected area in the name of Khangchendzonga National Park, which is a nucleus center for attracting tourists off far and wide and some other important places of interest also do exist only inside the Protected areas such as Dzongri trail, Green Lake, different varieties of Rhododendron species, glaciers ,alpine flowers , grassland, high cliffs , waterfalls , caves and other small lakes which are considered sacred place for pilgrimage.In order to have glimpses of this natural landscapes, tourists from far off places used to visit Sikkim which is contributing economy at the local level as it stimulates profitable domestic industries – hotels , restaurants, transport systems , souven irs and handicrafts and guide services. Without Government strategy and interest in preserving this rich bio-diversity and cultural heritage and without active people participation this fragile environment would not have been preserved and protected so far. Hence this protected areas network has contributed much to the economy of the State as well as in preserving the wilderness and providing sustainable livelihoods to the people living in the buffer. State of Environment 2007 – Sikkim 11 Chapter 2 Wildlife & Biodiversity AVIFAUNAL DIVERSITY With in an area of 0. % of India, the Sikkim harbors around 550 bird species representing around 30% of the aggregate bird species and subspecies found in the entire Indian subcontinent. This region of the Central Himalayas lies within the Eastern Himalayas Endemic Bird Area (EBA) and for several bird species such as Chestnut-breasted Hill Partridge Arborophila mandelli, Rusty-bellied Shortwing Brachypteryx hyperythra and White-naped Yuhi na Yuhina bakeri this EBA is very important. It also has globally threatened species such as the Black-necked Crane Grus nigricollis and Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni. There are eleven IBAs recognized by the Government of Sikkim in the State. Table 2. 2 List of Threatened Birds found in Sikkim Critically Endangered Oriental White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis Slender-billed VultureGyps tenuirostris Vulnerable Baer’s Pochard Aythya baeri Pallas’s Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni Red-breasted Hill-Partridge Arborophila mandellii Blyth’s Tragopan Tragopan blythii Black –necked Crane Grus nigricollis Wood Snipe Gallinago nemoricola Rufous-necked Hornbill Aceros nipalensis Rusty-bellied Shortwing Brachypteryx hyperythra Slender-billed Babbler Turdoides longirostris Black-breasted Parrotbill Paradoxornis flavirostris Hodgson’s Prinia Prinia cinereocapilla Beautiful Nuthatch Sitta Formos a Near Threatened Satyr Tragopan Tragopan satyra Giant Babax Babax waddelliEndemic Bird Area 130 : Eastern Himalayas Rusty-bellied Shortwing Brachypteryx hyperythra Hoary-throated Barwing Actinodura nipalensis White-naped Yuhina Yuhina bakeri Red-breasted Hill-Partridge Arborophila mandellii Black-browed Leaf-Warbler Phylloscopus cantator Ward’s Trogon Harpactes wardii Rufous-throated Wren-Babbler Spelaeornis caudatus Wedge-billed Wren-Babbler Sphenocichla humei Broad-billed Flycatcher-Warbler Tickellia hodgsoni Giant Babax Babax waddelli Endemic Bird Area 133 : Tibetan Plateau Hoary-throated Barwing Actinodura nipalensis Broad-billed Flycatcher-Warbler Tickellia hodgsoni State of Environment 2007 – Sikkim 12 Chapter 2 Wildlife & Biodiversity 1.DOMBANG VALLEY-LACHUNG-LEMA-TSUNGTHANG A full checklist of this site is not available but the bird records maintained by the department show that this area could have significant populations of Vulnerable Beautiful Nuthatch Sitt a formosa and Wood Snipe Gallinago nemoricola. The site lies in Eastern Himalayas Endemic Bird Area (EBA 130) where Stattersfield et al. (1998) have identified 21 restricted range species. Only one such species, White-naped Yuhina Yuhina bakeri has been noticed till now (U. Lachungpa pers. comm. 2002), but looking at the extent of pristine habitat still available in this site, more restricted range species are likely to be found here.This complex, with wide altitudinal variation, basically lies in Biome-7 (Sino-Himalayan Temperate Forest), but avian elements of Biome-5 (Eurasian High Montane – Alpine and Tibetan) and Biome-8 (Sino-Himalayan Subtropical Forest) are also found as these biomes merge with Biome-7, and secondly, many birds show seasonal altitudinal movement. Seventeen out of the 48 species listed in Biome-5 (BirdLife International, undated) are found in this site. Similarly, 47 out of 112 species listed in Biome-7 are found here. As this site also has Montane Mixe d Broadleaf- Coniferous Forest, Broadleaf Evergreen Forest and Deciduous Forest, many species of Biome-8 are also found here. Thus, this site perhaps has the most numerous biome restricted species among all the sites of Sikkim.The important birds of the valley are Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis, Wood Snipe Gallinago nemoricola, Snow Pigeon Columba leuconota, Grandala Grandala coelicolor, Plain Mountain-Finch Leucosticte nemoricola and Hill Partridge Arborophila torqueola. A specimen of Tibetan Horned Owl (Eurasian Eagle-Owl) Bubo bubo from Lema was collected and deposited with BNHS. TSO LHAMO PLATEAU-LASHAR-SEBU LA-YUMESAMDONG COMPLEX A total of around 227 birds have been recorded from this c. 500 sq. km area, including four globally threatened species, three Restricted Range species and 93 Biome-restricted species (Ganguli-Lachungpa and Rahmani 2003). One of these, Babax waddelli, is reported only from extreme northeast Sikkim from 2,700-4,400 m in the Tibetan Plateau facies ( EBA-133) in Hippophae thickets.It is found in dense deciduous scrub above tree-line and edge of coniferous forest (Stattersfield et al. 1998). It is reported as ‘locally common’ (Ali and Ripley 1987). This site in the Eastern Himalayas Endemic Bird Area is the highest altitude eco-region in Sikkim spanning two biomes, Sino- Himalayan Temperate Forest (Biome-7) and Eurasian High Montane (Alpine and Tibetan) (Biome-5) as described by BirdLife International (undated). Of the 48 Biome-5 (Eurasian High Montane – Alpine and Tibetan) species, 35 occur here and of the 112 Biome-7 (Sino-Himalayan Temperate Forest) species, at least 12 are from here. More are likely to be found after detailed investigations.The important breeding bird species recorded here are Tibetan Snowcock Tetraogallus tibetanus, Black-necked Crane Grus nigricollis, Brahminy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea, Common Redshank Tringa totanus, Tibetan Sandgrouse Syrrhaptes tibetanus, Snow Pigeon Columba leucono ta, Robin Accentor Prunella rubeculoides, Guldenstadt’s Redstart Phoenicurus erythrogaster, Plain Mountain Finch Leucosticte nemoricola, Black-headed Mountain Finch Leucosticte brandti, Mandelli’s Snowfinch Pyrgilauda taczanowskii, Tibetan Snowfinch Montifringilla adamsi, Plain-backed Snowfinch Pyrgilauda blanfordi, Rufous-necked Snowfinch Pyrgilauda ruficollis, Hume’s Groundpecker Pseudopodoces humilis, Yellow-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax graculus, Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus, Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos and Little Owl Athene noctua. Some of the non-breeding birds are Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni, Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus and Common Hoopoe Upupa epops. State of Environment 2007 – Sikkim 13Chapter 2 Wildlife & Biodiversity Map 2. 2 Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary, West Sikkim Source: Wildlife Division, Forest Department BARSEY RHODODENDRON SANCTUARY This is an important IBA on the southeast corner of Sikkim with Nepal as its western border and contiguity with KBR and Singalila, stretching from alpine meadows down to subtropical forests. Birds from biomes 5, 7, 8 and 9 have been recorded here including at least three globally threatened species, two restricted range species, five out of 48 Biome-5 species, 38 out of 112 Biome-7 species, 21 out of 96 Biome-8 species and three out of 9 Biome-9 species. However, much more research input is needed.During a brief survey in September 1996, Biome-7 birds such as White-browed Tit- Babbler Alcippe vinipectus, Rufous Sibia Heterophasia capistrata, Grey-faced Leaf-Warbler Phylloscopus maculipennis, Orange-gorgeted Flycatcher Ficedula strophiata, Rufous-bellied Niltava Niltava sundara, Rufous-bellied Crested Tit Parus rubidiventris and Red-headed Bullfinch Pyrrhula erythrocephala were ringed with BNHS rings. State of Environment 2007 – Sikkim 14 Chapter 2 Wildlife & Biodiversity Map 2. 3 Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary, East Sikkim Source: Wildlife Division, Forest Departme nt FAMBONG LHO WLS – HIMALAYAN ZOOLOGICAL PARK – RATEY CHU RESERVE FOREST COMPLEX Over 281 species of birds have been reported from this area, opposite the bustling township of Gangtok. Of these, the Oriental White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis not seen since the slaughterhouse at Gangtok was shifted to south to Rangpo almost a decade ago. The Rufous-necked Hornbill Aceros nipalensis reported by Ali (1962) from Gangtok has not been sighted lately.The Beautiful Nuthatch Sitta formosa a globally threatened is still found, while the Rusty-bellied Shortwing Brachypteryx hyperythra was remarkably easily netted and ringed both in Fambong Lho and Himalayan Zoological Park in the 2001 BNHS Bird-Banding Programme. The Red-breasted Hill-Partridge Arborophila mandellii was reported by Ali (1962) from Gangtok but not heard or sighted recently unlike the commoner Hill Partridge Arborophila torqueola. The Hoary-throated Barwing Actinodura nipalensis and the White-naped Yuhina Yuhi na bakeri are restricted range species reported from this IBA (Anon 2002). In this Eastern Himalayas Endemic Bird Area, four out of 21 restricted range species, at least five out of 48 Biome-5 species, 49 out of 112 Biome-7 species, 38 out of 96 Biome-8 species and three out of 19 Biome-9 species are found (U. Lachungpa pers. comm. 2003).Other bird species include the biome-restricted Mountain Imperial Pigeon Ducula badia, Slaty-headed Parakeet Psittacula himalayana, Red-winged crested Cuckoo Clamator coromandus, Large Green-billed State of Environment 2007 – Sikkim 15 Chapter 2 Wildlife & Biodiversity State of Environment 2007 – Sikkim 16 Chapter 2 Wildlife & Biodiversity KHANGCHENDZON HERE RESERVE Some important birding habitats here are D tam-Uttarey-Chitrey-Chewabhanjyang, the Rathong hu Valley along the Yoksum- Dzongri-Goecha La trekking trail, Tashiding, Rabdentse, Dubdi, Khecheopalri guthang- Gre GA NATIONAL PARK AND BIOSP C en all in West Sikkim; Tholung Valley in Dzongu, Tsungthang-Menshithang-Lachen- Thangu, the Muke route including the Zemu Glacier-Zemu Chu Valley, all in North Sikkim. Due to the size and en La altitude elevations in this IBA, birds recorded are from at least four biomes.Thus this IBA has at least 127 bird species of conservation concern including seven globally threatened and restricted range species, 24 species of Biome-5, 67 of Biome-7, 26 of Biome-8 and three listed in Biome-9. Birds like Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni have been recorded from northern Trans-Himalayan part of the IBA while Baer’s Pochard Aythya baeri has been sighted in Lake Khecheopalri along with wintering Mergansers Mergus merganser and Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis (Ganguli-Lachungpa 1991), Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, Common Teal Anas crecca and Tufted Pochard Aythya fuligula. The Osprey Pandion haliaetus, protected under Schedule-I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, was killed atYoksum while fishing in the State Forest De partment’s fishpond (Ganguli-Lachungpa 1990).Black-necked Crane Grus nigricollis has been recorded from the Muguthang area of Lhonak Valley IBA contiguous to the north (Ganguli-Lachungpa 1998). A large loose flock of dark eagles (unidentified) was videographed, during a trek to Dzongri in December 1999, flying southwards along with Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis and Lammergeier or Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus (U. Lachungpa pers. comm. 2003). Local Lepcha people at Tholung report a unique phenomenon of congregations of either Ashy Wood-Pigeon Columba pulchricollis or Common Wood-Pigeon Columba palumbus near the Tholung hot-springs (a day’s trek from jeepable road) in summer (Chumden Nangpa pers. comm. 000), an annual event that has got disrupted due to development of the area for tourism (U. Lachungpa pers. comm. 2003). High altitude lakes at Kishong La are important stopover sites not only for migratory waterfowl but also for resident breeding birds like Brah miny Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea ducklings collected from here in 1986 survived for around five years at Gangtok’s Deer Park enclosure at Tashiling Secretariat (C. B. Bhujel pers comm. 2000)}. KYONGNOSLA ALPINE SANCTUARY– TSOMGO- TAMZE-CHOLA COMPLEX P sp of this site, the most prominent one would be the Wood Snipe Gallinago nemoricola, as it possiblrre (U. Lachungpa pers. comm. 2003). Satyr Tragopan Tragopan satyra at the upper limit of its b ange, and Himalayan Monal Lophophophorus impejanus, the former considered as Near Threatened (BirdLife International 2001), are also residents. The Snow Pigeon Columba leuconota come down here in winter. Other species of interest are the Fire-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga ignicauda and Gold-naped Black Finch Pyrrhoplectes epauletta, birds of temperate forest. Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos and Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga, Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus with Tufted Pochard Aythya fuligula were seen occasionally in Tsomgo Lake during the winter Asian Waterfowl Census (AWC). Pallas’s Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus was once seen in the forest patch below Tamzey during a survey for Red Panda in 1998 (U. Lachungpa pers. omm. 2003). The site is located in the Eastern Himalayas Endemic Bird Area (EBA-130) where 21 species have been listed of which only one species, the Hoary-throated Barwing Actinodura nipalensis, has been found till now but more are likely to occur. Perhaps the most important reason for selection of this site as an IBA is the presence of large number of biome restricted species of three biome types. Although, this site lies chiefly in Biome-7 (Sino- Himalayan Temperate Forest), birds of Biome -5 (Eurasian High Montane – Alpine and Tibetan) and Biome-8 (Sino-Himalayan Subtropical Forest) are also seen, mainly due to their altitudinal movement.In winter, birds of Biome-5 move down, so we see species such as Rosy Pipit Anthus roseus, Snow Pigeon Columba leuconota, Alpine Ac centor Prunella collaris and others in this site. Thirteen out of 48 species of this biome have been seen in this IBA. Expectedly, the largest number of biome restricted species is from Biome-7: 35 out of 112 species but more are likely to be present. As the boundary between Biome-7 and Biome-8 is very diffuse (like all other biomes), some species are likely to be present in both the biomes. Till now, U. Lachungpa (pers. comm. 2003) has been able to locate only two biome restricted species, Grey-winged Blackbird Turdus boulboul and Black-spottedYellow-Tit Parus spilonotus, of Biome-8 in this IBA. Lhonak Valley is the famed flyway of migratory waterfowl (Ali 1962).Many Vulnerable and Biome-5 restricted species breed here such as the Tibetan Snowcock Tetraogallus tibetanus, Black-necked Crane (unsuccessful nesting attempt at Tebleh Tso, Muguthang), the Tibetan Sandgrouse Syrrhaptes tibetanus, the Guldenstadt’s Redstart Phoenicurus erythrogaster, the Hume’s Groundpecker P seudopodoces humilis. State of Environment 2007 – Sikkim 17 Chapter 2 Wildlife & Biodiversity Map 2. 5 Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary, East Sikkim Source: Wildlife Division, Forest Department Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, South State of Environment 2007 – Sikkim 18 Chapter 2 Wildlife & Biodiversity ng the lowest altitude IBA in Sikkim, this site has records of birds restricted to biomes erhaps due to seasonal altitudinal migration as well as the telescoping effewhere in a distance of c. 100 km, habitats ranging from lowland subtropical forests ton be seen (Ali 1962).Hence, as many as 14 globally threatened and restricted range speat least four Biome-5 species, 15 Biome-7 species, 33 Biome-8 species and seven Biome- 9 sperded from this IBA. The lowland forests of Sikkim are home to several species identified ad by BirdLife International (2001): Great Pied Hornbill Buceros bicornis now restrir tea estates, Red-breasted Partridge Arborophila mandelli (not recorded recently) anr pactes wardi. The Nepal Wren-Babbler Pnoepyga immaculata could also occur here. Duconducted here in 1996, no potential habitat was found for the Rufous-necked Hornbill . Biome-5 species like Ibisbill Ibidorhyncha struthersii are regularly recorded in winter onat Rangit river; Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria recorded from Trans-Himalayan Lhonaake) and other high altitude sites is also recorded from this IBA.The Collarex caerulescens was found breeding in 1996 very close to human habitation, hawkinge Fisheries Department pond at Baguwa but cleverly avoiding the mist-nets set arounds sighted at Baguwa and Jorethang in October 1996 (Ganguli-Lachungpa 1996). All these IBA a very interesting bird watching and conservation area. MAENAM WILDLIFE SANCTUARY –TENDONG RF There are several villages fringing this IBA due to which the habitat is open in several pla es of dense forest provides ideal bird hab 1998). The site lies in the Eastern Himalayas Endemic Bird Area (EBA- 130), in which Stattersfield et al. (1998) have listed 21 restricted range species. Eight of these have been seen here (U. Lachungpa pers. comm. 2003). This mid-altitude IBA falls mainly in Sino-Himalayan Temperate Forest (Biome-7). BirdLife International (undated) has listed 112 species in this biome, of which 53 are found here.The higher reaches of this IBA, above 3,000 m show some birds of Biome-5 (Eurasian High Montane – Alpine and Tibetan) where 48 species are listed and seven are seen in this site. At lower reaches, Biome- 7 merges with Biome-8 (Sino-Himalayan Subtropical Forest) where 95 species are listed. Almost half of them (42 species) have been found here. Some areas of this IBA, especially in the valleys also show some faunal elements of Biome-9 (Indo-Chinese Tropical Moist Forest). Four species of this biome are also found here. They are Grey Peacock Pheasant Polyplectron bicalcaratum (unconfirmed), Pale-headed Woodpecker Gecinulus grantia, Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush Gar rulax pectoralis and Sultan Tit Melanochlora sultanea. State of Environment 2007 – Sikkim 19Chapter 2 Wildlife & Biodiversity Map 2. 7 Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary, East Sikkim Source: Wildlife Division, Forest Department Map 2. 8 Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, North Sikkim State of Environment 2007 – Sikkim 20 Chapter 2 Wildlife & Biodiversity PANGOLAKHA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY–ZULUKBEDANG TSO – NATU LA n passes of Natu La and Jelep La (La = Pass) form the routes for migratoover at the various wetlands in the area, especially Bedang Tso Lapejanus (locally called as Feydong) used to be found here hence the name Bedang Tso. Sometimes there is mass migrationilvus and (unidentified) eagles. The Sherathang marshes are one aTadorna ferruginea breeds.Some birds of this complex are Eu and Wood Snipe Gallinago nemoricola, a globally threateccasionally seen on the banks of the Bedang Tso. Hill Pigeons Colchimneys of local houses in snowy winters. The Snow Pigeon Colu m, Himalayan Monal and Gold-naped Black Finch Pyrrhoplectes epaes. The Pallas’s Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus was once seen iha range in 1994. Large Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo and Bar-hea sighted at Bedang Tso in 1992 (U. Lachungpa pers. comm. 2003). Then harmani, a Near Threatened species, has been reported from Kup La . This area falls under PangolakhaWildlife Sanctuary and is adjane of the two endemic birds in Southern Tibet (e of mixed Broadleaf Coniferous forest; Rhododendron, Juniper and det al. 1998). Another Near Threatened species found in.Due to great altitudinal variation from 1300 m to above 4,000 m, three bian High Montane (Alpine and Tibetan), from above 3,600 m; st, between 1,800 m and 3,600 m; and, Biome-8: Sino-Himalayan Sub c. 1,000 m to 2,000 m (BirdLife International, undatedh 11 are found a t this site. YUMTHANG The globally threatened Wood Snipe Gallinago nemoricola is occasionally seen in the Rhododendron-Fir forest of Shingba, and Ibisbill breed s on the shingle beds of the Yumthang Chu in small numbers, usually not more than two pairs. Grandala Grandala coelicolor, a local altitudinal migrant, is seen sometimes in apparently all-female flocks. Blood Pheasant Ithaginis cruentus and Himalayan Monal Lophophorus impejanus breed in the higher reaches of the Sanctuary while the Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis is a resident of the cold desert.Gould’s Shortwing Brachypteryx stellata, Rufous-bellied Crested Tit Parus rubidiventris and the restricted range Hoary-throated Barwing Actinodura nipalensis are common in forest patches. The Fire-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga ignicauda is conspicuous when Rhododendrons are in bloom. Rufous-bellied Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii was sighted in Yumthang in June 1984. Jungle Crows are now resident at this altitude of c. 4,000 m with increasing tourist pressure (U. Lachungpa pers. comm. 2003). This IBA lies at the interface of Biome-5 (Eurasian High Montane: Alpine and Tibetan) and Biome-7 (Si no-Himalayan Temperate Forest). Therefore, species of both biomes are represented.It has alpine meadows and scrubs, so we get Tibetan Partridge Perdix hodgsoniae, Tibetan Snowcock Tetraogallus tibetanus and Hume’s Short-toed Lark Calandrella acutirostris, while at slightly lower altitude where Montane Broadleaf Evergreen and Mixed Broadleaf–Coniferous Forest are found, species representing Biome-7 predominate. BirdLife International (undated) has listed 48 species in Biome-5, out of which 19 have been seen in this IBA. The Biome-7 has a long list of 112 species, of which 19 are found here. Looking at the intact habitat and the fact that no one has conducted detailed study on the avifauna of this site, more species of this biome are likely to be found here. State of Environment 2007 – Sikkim 21

Discuss the Use and Impacts of Anabolic Steroids on the Human Body

Human understanding of anabolic steroids began when Arnold Adolph Berthold (1849) demonstrated loss of male characteristics in testes-deprived cockerels. Experiments carried out in castrated dogs and later in humans demonstrated the anabolic effects of testosterone (Kochakian, 1936). Testosterone became the first ever synthetic anabolic steroid when created from cholesterol and from which all the steroids used currently are derived.Anabolic steroids exert their anabolic effects on muscle and bone, and their androgenic effects on hair follicles in the skin, the liver and kidneys, and the haematopoietic, immune and central nervous systems (Mooradian et al. , 1987). Thus their ergogenic properties promote human secondary sexual characteristics, such as muscular growth and physical strength (Evans, 2004). Steroids are relatively small molecules and they can passively diffuse into cells.In target tissues, that is, the cells that contain steroid receptors, the hormone binds to the receptor ligand-binding domain, causing the receptor to change from an inactive to active state. In target tissues where intracellular enzymes are present, the action of testosterone is mediated by metabolism. Testosterone is irreversibly converted by the enzyme 5a-reductase to 5a-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which binds with greater affinity to the androgen receptor, or by aromatase to oestradiol, which binds to the oestrogen receptor (Shahidi, 2001).Testosterone and DHT can be also converted to weaker androgens, again being dependent on whether the target tissue has the necessary enzyme activity, e. g. , 3a-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. With structural modifications to testosterone, the anabolic effects of androgens can be enhanced but, even so, these cannot be divorced entirely from their androgenic effects. Hence, a more accurate term for anabolic steroids is anabolic–androgenic steroids [AAS] (Kuhn, 2002).The widespread use of anabolic steroids started during World War II, when it was found that this artificial form of testosterone could be used to help malnourished soldiers gain weight and improve performance. After the war, athletes began to use steroids to enhance their performance in competitions. In the 1956 Olympics, Soviet athletes, especially wrestlers, performed at exceptionally high levels. After learning that those athletes were using testosterone, Dr. Zeigler, an American physician created a more selective form, of what we know as anabolic steroids.From that point until the early 1970’s, steroids became increasingly popular among not just Olympic athletes, but also professional sports players and high school athletes. In 1975, the International Olympic Committee finally banned the use of steroids in Olympic competition. Although anabolic steroids are controlled substances in several countries, their use for cosmetic purposes such as development of bulging muscles and a well-toned figure is not uncommon since, it is considered a harmless manipulation.Use of these AAS involves several risks that could cause problems in both the short and long term. Prolonged use of anabolic steroids increases one’s risk of sudden death due to serious conditions like ventricular hypertrophy, thrombo-embolism and cerebro-vascular disorders. However, the cardiovascular consequences of supra- physiological androgen levels had not been determined fully until now. A research study revealed that AAS caused the impairment of vascular reactivity.It also revealed that abstention from AAS consumption, significantly improves vascular functions (Lane et al, 2006). Anabolic steroid use may also cause muscle and tendon tears, acne, liver cirrhosis, abnormal increase in cholesterol levels, and bipolar and aggressive behavior. Females undergo a deepening of the voice, increased hair loss, facial hair growth and depletion of female hormones, like estrogen and progesterone.The most common problems for male user s are reduced testosterone production, resulting in the shrinking of their testicles; erectile dysfunction, reduced sperm production and reduced sperm count. In teenagers, the continued use of AAS stops bone development (Kicman, 2008). Conversely, AAS also corrects physical problems and are employed in treatment of cachexia associated with chronic disease states, to increase testosterone levels and their effects in males whose levels are below ‘normal’ (Lew, 2007).Only relatively recently that these agents are being revisited for clinical purposes and their efficacy still needs to be demonstrated in terms of improved physical function and quality of life. For clinical purposes, the administration of these drugs can be of therapeutic benefit and reasonably safe, with the physician making objective decisions based on the benefit/risk ratio in relation to a patient's condition.Hence it is important not to overstate the medical risks associated with anabolic steroid use (Ho ffman and Ratamess, 2006) but to emphasize that the hazards to health are dependent on the sex, the dose, the duration of administration, whether hepatoxic 17a-alkylated steroids are being administered and the susceptibility of the individuals themselves to androgen exposure which is probably dependent on genetic factors, age and lifestyle.

Business munication of Exchanging Information

It is evident that munication is a process of exchanging information accurately and is a connecting aspect for deepen the connections to others and improve teamwork (Griffin, 2013). In recent times, it is seen that Chinese people are taking interest to travel to Australia for visiting the tourist places to explore the beauty and culture of this nation. However, the difference in their culture and language results in a munication gap that needs to be reduced for effective munication (Orey, 2014). Thus, the following report will provide an illustration regarding improving munication skills within the organization. The two of the most effective areas of the training programs that will be considered are developing good interpersonal skills among the staffs and international tourists especially Chinese and developing the culture of the entire organization so that tourists can rely on the pany for getting accurate information. Furthermore, some r mendations will also be presented for the f uture progress of these programs so that more people from China can visit Australia for acquiring knowledge and beauty of the nation. International people especially Chinese often face difficulties in munication with Australian people and thus they did not get proper information and details regarding tourist’s places, hotels and routes for these destinations (Eisler & Frederiksen, 2012). Thus, it is crucial to develop a good interpersonal skill among the staffs with international tourists. This process prises of improvement of nonverbal munication, improvement of interactions with international tourists and managing people's impressions on the staffs (Robles, 2012). Thus, it can be said that not only appropriate non-verbal munication is crucial but effective listening and based on that offering effective feedback is also important that has to be developed for improved munication skills within the organization. O'Neil (2014) stated that firstly it is important to improve the non-verbal munication and understands all its activities like facial expressions, use of touch and voice for munication. It is thus, further stated by Griffin (2013) that Visual cues are more important to deliver and interpret that of the audio cues. Thus, staffs of Coit's Outback Adventures must have to attain a positive gesture and a smiling attitude while attending any international tourists. However, Cheruvelil et al. (2014) highlight that these non-verbal cues can be attained if the staffs understand the importance of nonverbal munication. The staffs have to prehend the nonverbal munications that they receive from the tourists and then clear all their queries for providing them all the necessary details on Australia’s tourist’s destination along with the hotels and route details. Furthermore, learning of fortable body language is also necessary for effective interpersonal skills. Griffin (2013) denote d that a friendly gesture makes people share their confusion and queries to other. Thus, it will be beneficial for Coit's Outback Adventures’ staffs to learn fortable body language for clearing all the queries of tourist. This program for body language prises of actively listening by nodding, relaxed and formal gesture, eye-to-eye interaction; gender differences influence nonverbal munication, less interruption while tourists are explaining their queries and regulation of emotional cues. Keyton et al. (2013) moreover portray persuasiveness regarding the suggestion the staffs are giving to their clients, learning to incorporate a we ing body language in their behavior and being strategically assertive should be goals for improving the interactions. Staffs of Coit's Outback Adventures should also learn a simple and direct language to municate with the international staffs. The contribution of information that others did not know and provide relevant and true information to clients also makes a goof munication (DuBrin, 2014). Additionally, staffs must also learn to follow social expectations about being polite and should avoid bragging or being self-centered as it will diminish the number of clients in future.   The term organization culture refers to the aspect of shared assumptions, values and beliefs that make people of the organization attain organizational goals (Alvesson, 2012). Orey (2014) furthermore depicts that munication in this context plays a crucial role in team management and their collaboratively work for attaining those goals/objectives for the organization. In this area of the training programs, the staffs of Coit's Outback Adventures can learn how to manage the tourist's impression on the staffs and the nation. The staffs can learn to find mon ground. Taken for instance, to find an efficient tourism package based on mon ground between the staff and tourist, staff can suggest the best service available n their affordable budget. In this way the conflicts can be avoided. Shahzad et al. (2012) furthermore define that the staffs should learn the culture for actively listen to the tourist and not to assume things on behalf of the client's. However, staffs have the liberty to sh are their ideas and concepts or an alternative acceptable on which the clients/tourist can agree. Moreover, the staffs should not find any faults in the client's view or the working procedure fellow workers. Instead of this, they should suggest them with alternative ideas by explaining its benefits. Nica (2013) stated that in this way the culture of the organization could be well represented by the international clients. Acceptance of challenges also drives the organizational culture as solving these challenges will provide them a petitive advantage. Staffs of Coit's Outback Adventures must learn all the tourist schemes and packages they have so that effective package can be offered as per as the flexibility of the budget. Lastly, superiors must be accessible to all the organizational functionalities and operation and offer services and suggestion to staffs and clients while they are clearing their queries (Alvesson, 2012). Moreover, in the training programs also these managing authorities should present and evaluate their performance so that best candidates can be offered with p roper recognition and challenging job responsibilities and roles for their motivation (Goetsch & Davis, 2014). This also improves the organization culture through formal munication. Allow tourists to share their queries Make staffs behave according to the culture of the tourists Make staffs to help tourists according to their preferences Allow tourists to share their queries Learning to be strategically assertive Allow tourists to share their queries Allow tourists to share their queries Allow the tourists to get appropriate information Allow tourists to share their queries Developing effective organizational culture Allow tourists to share their queries Maintain the organizational culture by retaining their employee as well as staffs Thus, it can be concluded that Coit's Outback Adventures should mainly focus on Developing good interpersonal skills and effective organizational culture for improving the munication skills among the clients and staffs. The training program majorly highlights the aspects of improvements in nonverbal munication while understanding their importance in assisting international tourists. Learning fortable body language, recognizing cultural norms and influence of gender differences in nonverbal munication and regulation of emotional cues are the chief concern of this training activity. Improvements in interactions can also be achieved by learning from being persuasive, strategically assertive and appropriate body postures so that tourist and clients can clear their queries and get effective suggestions. Lastly, with this training program, the staffs also e to learn about the conflict management that can be achieved by giving the tourist a chance to speak and behave friendly with them. Las tly, accessibility of managing authorities for helping staffs during the training programs and on-job performance along with the provision of the liberty to speak and actively listen the queries of tourists represents the organization culture of Coit's Outback Adventures. This section highlights some of the future development consequences that can be implemented to strengthen the training programs so that staffs can assist the tourist effectively and suggesting them with best possible options. In this way, both employee retention and customer retention can be ensured. Recognition in training- Managing authorities can provide recognition to the staffs, which perform extraordinary so that they can get the motivation to give their best to the organization. Providing them other job and challenging responsibility can also enhance their petencies. Thus, to achieve recognition every staff will intend to show their best and learn all the munication skill to perform extraordinary. Diversification- As Coit's Outback Adventures is providing tourism suggestions to international tourists, recruitment of people belonging from different culture and nation will be beneficial for the organization. In this way, staffs can get aware of the knowledge regarding their nation and cultural values. This will not only help them in training but understand the preferences of the tourists from their culture. In this way, effective suggestions can be provided to the tourist irrespective of their cultural and traditional differences. Incorporation of e-learning training programs- In this technological world, people spent more time with electronic gadgets. Thus, incorporation of video conferencing allows the staffs to know the experiences and business proceedings in tourism from experts and tourism professionals of leading organization. Alvesson, M. (2012).  Understanding organizational culture. Sage. Cheruvelil, K. S., Soranno, P. A., Weathers, K. C., Hanson, P. C., Goring, S. J., Filstrup, C. T., & Read, E. K. (2014). Creating and maintaining high?performing collaborative research teams: the importance of diversity and interpersonal skills.  Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment,  12(1), 31-38. DuBrin, A. J. (2014).  Human relations: Interpersonal job-oriented skills. Pearson Higher Ed. Eisler, R. M., & Frederiksen, L. W. (2012).  Perfecting social skills: A guide to interpersonal behavior development  (Vol. 56). Springer Science & Business Media. Goetsch, D. L., & Davis, S. B. (2014).  Quality management for organizational excellence. Upper Saddle River, NJ: pearson. Griffin, R. W. (2013).  Fundamentals of management. Cengage Learning. Keyton, J., Caputo, J. M., Ford, E. A., Fu, R., Leibowitz, S. A., Liu, T., ... & Wu, C. (2013). Investigating verbal workplace munication behaviors.  The Journal of Business munication (1973),  50(2), 152-169. Nica, E. (2013). Organizational culture in the public sector.  Economics, Management, and Financial Markets,  8(2), 179-184. O'Neil, H. F. (2014).  Workforce readiness: petencies and assessment. Psychology Press. Orey, M. (2014). munication skills training. American Society for Training and Development. Robles, M. M. (2012). Executive perceptions of the top 10 soft skills needed in today’s workplace.  Business munication Quarterly,  75(4), 453-465. Shahzad, F., Luqman, R. A., Khan, A. R., & Shabbir, L. (2012). Impact of organizational culture on organizational performance: an overview.  Interdisciplinary journal of contemporary research in business,  3(9), 975-985.

The Current Tools for Diplomacy and Peacekeeping Coursework

The Current Tools for Diplomacy and Peacekeeping - Coursework Example The focus has been on occasional operations involving peacemaking and humanitarian intervention instead of wars. In Africa, several peacekeeping bodies have been made such as African Union`s Peace and Security Council, working on conflict prevention and preventive diplomacy. Nearly half of the UN peacekeeping operations in Africa are in Sub-Saharan Africa, the objectives of which are to promote stability in several regions of Africa, to stop renewed violence in Congo and other such peacemaking objectives. The US presidential statement focused on dealing with the root causes of violence in Africa. It also focused on the importance of structural and operational strategies for peacemaking in the region. It has been observed that Africa has fully supported the efforts of the UN in the promotion of peace and stability in the country through these diplomatic tools. The dominant powers have co-operated by providing security in exchange for resource supplements. Several peacemaking missions have already been completed such as those in Somalia, Rwanda, Liberia etc and several others are in process. The  US has used mediation strategies such as those in Angola and Namibia agreements and other indirect mediation in Liberia etc. Equitable power balance has been promoted throughout Africa. Central state power has also been reduced to give more autonomy to political groups and parties. The Rwandan genocide was one of the most devastating massacres of the world. Nearly 800,000 people were killed without any reason. The killing of these 800,000 people went unchallenged by the global community as important decision makers ignored such a big massacre. The United Nations sent a group of peacemakers for what seemed to be a plain and straightforward mission.

Critique of Professional Lecture #1 and Lecture #2 Assignment

Critique of Professional Lecture #1 and Lecture #2 - Assignment Example Technologies are designed to effectively enhance production and decision making performances. The first lecture focuses on the importance of technology in healthcare (Lawrence Technological University, 2014). The paper shows that today’s healthcare system is far better than the healthcare system of more than twenty years ago. Dr. V. Moudgil reiterates that the average life span of individuals is more than 60 years of age. On the other hand, the average life span of the individuals 20 years ago was less than 50 years of age. Modern technology contributed to individuals living longer lives. Dr. Glen Greene spoke on the use of medical technology implant device inserted in a child’s throat allowed the child to breathe without the help of ventilators or breathing machines. Mr. Sean Bumstead focused on innovative technology enhanced medical care, resolving consequences of healthcare issues. Mr. Bumstead focused on resolving the cost of healthcare businesses, generating profits. Mr. Bumstead indicated that hackers generated $ U.S. billions from steal credit card and o ther information. The hackers increased their theft outputs by using cloud technology. Dr. John Tu focused on the government’s funding healthcare programs by allocating funds to hospitals and medical professionals. The second lecture focuses on the technology presentation of Microsoft management officer John Fikany (Lawrence Technological University, 2014). Mr. Fikany shows the different technologies developed and promoted by one of the world’s technology giants, Microsoft. Mr. Fikany shows how the future world of technology makes the life of the ordinary citizen easier. The Microsoft technology products were created in order to make the information technology device owners more productive. By letting the information technology devices do the mundane mathematical, word processing, and other data gathering and preparation, the Microsoft device owners

The history and importance of swimming Research Proposal

The history and importance of swimming - Research Proposal Example Swimming evolution throughout time reflects a spirit of creative and significant renewal from the technical and sportive points of view. Everything changes in life so it is not unusual that swimming has undergone many changes along the passage of time. Nevertheless, these changes haven’t affected the benefits that anybody can experience with the practice of swimming. To have a clearer idea of those changes it is helpful to study the history of swimming.Swimming have been practiced since prehistoric times. There are accounts of this activity in the Bible (Isaiah 25:11; Ezekiel 47:5; Acts 25:42) and the Greek poems â€Å"The Iliad† and â€Å"The Odyssey† by Homer. There have been found â€Å"Egyptian clay seals from 4000 BC showing four swimmers doing a version of the crawl (Weil, 1996-2008a). But â€Å"the most famous swimming drawings were apparently found in the Kebir desert† (Weil, 1996-2008a). They are dated around 4000 BC. These facts show that swimmi ng has been around since ancient times.Some archeological findings have discovered mosaics and drags from early Middle Easter cities and Pompeii that show men swimming with the dog stroke. Even though the ancient Olympic Games didn’t include swimming, â€Å"the Greeks practiced the sport, holding it in high regard, as they did all athletic endeavors. In fact, one of the most biting insults one Greek could unleash on another was to discuss him as a man who "neither knew how to run nor swim." Plato considered a man who didn't know how to swim uneducated. (†¦) ) There are frequent representations of swimmers in the Vatican, Borgian and Bourbon codices, and the murals of the Tepantitla House at Teotihuacan (near Mexico City) showed men splashing about the waters of "Tlalocan," paradise of Tlaloc, the god of water. () Both Julius Caesar and Charlemagne were known as great swimmers, and Louis XI frequently took swims in the Seine (USS Swim Fact Pact, n.d.). The Encyclopedia of Tradicional British Rural Sports contains books related to swimming from the Middle Ages. Some scholars believe that the first book about swimming was Colymbetes authored by Nicolas Wynman in 1538. The widely-recognized book entitled De Arte Nantandi by Everard Digby was published in Latin in 1587. That encyclopeidia records the fact that swimming was a requisite for knights and that Romans were used to building bathhouses and pools as they conquered new lands in order to use them as social clubs and exercise places (Weil, 1996-2008a). Moreover, organized swimming had its beginning in the 1800s and 1990s when swimming associations and clubs were founded. The Amateur Swimming Association was established in 1886. So these kinds of clubs spread in England, France, Germany, and the United States. Some North American Indians (Flying Gull and Tobacco) invited to participate in the Swimming Society in England had a strong impact on Londoners due to their innovative swimming technique. But their technique was not copied at that time. After 40 years the Europeans adopted it and revolutionized the world of swimming with the newly-born crawl. Indeed, the crawl was not new at all since the old inhabitants of the Ameritas, West Africa and some Pacific islands were used to swimming that way for generations (USS Swim Fact Pact, n.d.) Another cause for the growing popularity of swimming was the high-profile events that took place during that period such as the feat accomplished by Matthew Webb when he swam across the English Channel (Weil, 1996-2008). "On August 24, 1875, Captain Matthew Webb slipped into the water at Dover, England, and 21 hours and 45 minutes later touched land at Cape Gris Nez, France, becoming the first man to conquer the English Channel. Relying mainly on the breaststroke, he swam some 38 miles in covering a straightline distance of about 20 miles. It wasn't an uneventful trip. Along the way, Captain Webb sang, sipped coffee and beer, ate steaks, was stung by a jellyfish and had to fight his way through a nasty

Human Nutrition-Supersize Me Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Human Nutrition-Supersize Me - Movie Review Example This is so huge that it is only second to smoking as a leading, preventable cause of death. In 2007-2008 the estimated prevalence for the years 2007 – 2008, in US has been calculated at 33.8% meaning 33 people out of every hundred must lose weight (Flegal et al, 2010). In the movie another interesting concept had been put forward. American children know more about Ronald McDonald than the forefathers of USA which was shown in one of the scenes where Spurlock shows a couple of pictures to 1st grade children in Worcester, MA. This is due to variety of reasons. Strong media advertising campaign by the company which in 2001 amounted to 1.3 billion dollars. If Britney Spears and other celebrities campaigned for something healthy rather than for ‘Pepsi cola’, then parents would have a good chance in talking some sense into their children. Another interesting thing to note in this movie was a notion that children associated themselves with happy memories of the playhouses accompanying most of the McDonald outlets and later on in life whenever they saw the place, those thoughts are recalled and hence a perpetuation of the cycle of dining at the same place over and over again. Food programs have been shown to be deficient in most of the school s with less focus over fresh fruits and vegetables although costing the same. Physical activity needs of the children must be addressed appropriately in schools with more attention brought to the states who have the highest obesity rates like Mississippi. As part of my personal experience I remember visiting a McDonalds outlet in downtown Manhattan with my parents. I was a 1st grader at that time. I had time of my life that day and still the family album contains my photographs with Ronald McDonald and my happy meal toys. Though I remember losing some of the toys to another kid, still, it did not put me off enough to not think of this place when I am an adult. Those warm feelings come back to me

An interpretive study of the failure of SMEs in the kingdom of the Essay

An interpretive study of the failure of SMEs in the kingdom of the Saudi Arabia - Essay Example Findings indicate that that main problems impacting growth and success of SMEs in the KSA are regulatory difficulties, credit and funding options, human capital, marketing and operational factors. Human capital (resource management), regulatory constraints and credit/funding options appear to be the main factors impacting SME success and growth in the KSA. Data released by the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry reveals that approximately 96% of Saudi businesses employ below 100 workers (Hertog, 2010). According to the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 95% of commercially registered businesses in the KSA are owned by SMEs and 71% of industrial businesses are SMEs (Hertog, 2010). Moreover, Hertog (2010) reports that SMEs account for 28% of the KSA’s overall economic activities. 7 The latest figures release demonstrate that as of 2008, there were over 700,000 SMEs actively in business in the SDI primarily owned by a sole proprietor. A further breakdown demonstrated that 47% of the KSA’s SMEs were attached to commercial and hotel industries; 27% were attached to construction; 12% were engaged in social services; and 8% were involved in â€Å"sundry other sectors† (Hertog, 2010, p. 17). Be that as it may, SMEs in the KSA only contribute to about 10% of the employment rate in the KSA and only contribute 14% of the entire production in industries and 8% â€Å"of the value of industrial goods exported† (Hertog, 2010, p.19). 7 Despite the growing interests in SMEs in the KSA, all indications are that SMEs have faced significant challenges in moving forward successfully and economically. SMEs in the KSA are said to have difficulties in terms of funding and credit; the function in a business climat that is decidedly â€Å"unfriendly†; they face regulatory challenges; and they operate â€Å"without the availability of basic statistics and data needed to ensure sound business decisions† (Bundagji, 2005, p. 1). It is

Unemployment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Unemployment - Essay Example An unemployed individual does not currently have a job, has sort for a job in the prior 4 weeks and ready for work as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (1). This is usually denoted as a percentage. Unemployment is a very significant measure or indicator of the economy and serves to indicate how healthy or ailing an economy is. The unemployment rate, which by definition is the ratio of people who are unemployed to the total number of people in the labor market, is the most common measure used to define and size up employment. There are instances when unemployment is voluntary (Gay 30). This scenario occurs when persons opt not to seek employment due to a number of reasons such as low wages in the market. Unemployment generally significantly affects parameters such as inflation and stock prices. What then is the relationship that exists between unemployment and inflation? Market players, such as the Federal government and corporate world usually relate low unemployment rates are attributed to high inflation levels. Low unemployment is consequently related to an increase in the growth of the economy. These market participants also view the reverse as true, which means that an increase in unemployment and a slow economic growth are indicative of a decrease in unemployment. Theoretically, the relationship between unemployment and inflation is explained by the Phillips curve. According to this theory, unemployment and inflation work in opposite direction. Chang asserts that in a period of low unemployment as compared to a period of high unemployment, there are fewer unemployed laborers in the labor market (Chang 10).

African Masks in Pablo Picasso's Art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

African Masks in Pablo Picasso's Art - Essay Example The paper "African Masks in Pablo Picasso's Art" explores the role of African art in Pablo Picasso's art and in the culture of the whole world. The history of African masks dates back to before the Paleolithic era. A major feature used by the Africans to represent culture was through the use of masks in ceremonies, feasts and rituals. Furthermore, the traditional African masks exemplified heroes, ancestors, spirits, codes of conduct and animals. Usually, the raw materials used to make the masks include wood, pottery, textile, bronze and copper. The substitute details in the masks would be made using sea shells, egg shells, animal feathers, horns, hair and bones. Because of the belief that the masks represented the spirits, the makers were regarded as superiors in the village. Also, the art and talent of making masks was believed to be passed in the family hence was considered a part of inheritance. On the other hand, the history of African art by Pablo Picasso dates back to the 19th century during the colonization of Africa especially the North and West coasts by France. The scramble and partition of Africa prompted the expeditions and the travels of West elites in search of riches and adventures which resulted to the promotion African art. After painting Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, Picasso’s paintings were influenced by the two figures on the right side which basically were based on African art. Most of the African arts at that time were being interpreted to be signs of slavery, cannibalism, and mistreatment.

Acid- Base Titration Lab Essay Example for Free

Acid- Base Titration Lab Essay 1. When the end point is reached in an acid-base titration, the relationship between the concentrations of OH- and H3O+ are that they are equal. This doesn’t mean that the pH will be neutral, but the concentrations of both will be the same in a titration. 2. The pH of the end point is determined by what kind of indicator is used to indicate when the end point I reached. In this experiment, phenolphthalein was used. It shows a color change in the presence of a base, which means that our solution had to be slightly basic for it to turn a pink-purple color. So, the type of indicator used for the experiment will overall determine the pH of the end point because some indicators turn a different color in the presence of an acid and others in the presence of a base. 3. Regardless of the amount of water that is used to dissolve the unknown acid, the amount of moles would not change. This is because when you are diluting a solution, you are affecting the volume of the solution, but not the number of moles present in the solution. So, in this experiment when 40cm3, 35 cm3 and 45 cm3 could have been used to dissolve the unknown acid and the number of moles would not be different. 4. If the unknown acid ad been diprotic, then the mole-to-mole ratio between the acid and NaOH would have been 2:1, the molarity and normality would have been 0.180, the number of equivalents would have been two and not one, the number of moles of the unknown acid would have been 0.0090mol instead of 0.0045mol, and the molar mass of the acid would have been 220. Therefore, if the unknown acid had been diprotic everything would have been doubled. Conclusion: In this experiment, an acid-base titration was used to determine the molarity of a NaOH solution, the number of moles of NaOH that reacted with a different unknown acid, and the molar mass of this unknown acid. This was done by making the concentrations of 0.10M HCl and NaOH equal to determine the molarity of NaOH which is 0.091M. We then found that 0.0045mol of NaOH reacted with a different unknown acid by using the molarity of NaOH and the volume of NaOH that we used to titrate with the unknown acid. Since the mole-to-mole ratio of NaOH and the unknown acid were 1:1, we could use the same number of moles, 0.0045mol, for the acid to determine if molar mass. This was completed by using 0.0045mol and the mass in grams of the acid we used, which was 0.983g. By doing this we discovered that the molar mass of our acid was 220. By doing an acid-base titration

Climate Change in Nigeria Essay Example for Free

Climate Change in Nigeria Essay Climate change has always occurred in different Nigeria; however the effects have become more noticeable recently over the years. The effects have affected the daily lives of many for better or worse. A peer reviewed research done by an unknown source, which was accepted by the Journal of Geography and Regional had concluded that the average temperature of Nigeria has increased by 1. 7Â °C in the period of 1901-2005. The increase has however been higher in semi-arid areas and is lower in coastal regions. The paper has also shown that the rate of change has increased in the 1970’s. The consequences of the increase in temperature have resulted into the desertification of the north as well as the coastal erosion in the south. A combination of overgrazing, abuse of woodland for fuel as well as the unreliable rainfall, the Sahara desert is advancing at an estimated rate of 600 metres each year. This means that an estimated 55 million or more would be affected in the northern states such as Sokoto. However in the south, increasing sea levels have threatened the coastal region. A given example is Bar Beach, Victoria Island, Lagos. Bar Beach, once a family spot for relaxation is currently under reconstruction after 100m of the shoreline had been eroded over the past 20 years. Lagos State also teamed up with Chagoury Group to build a 1km sea defence to prevent further damage. Another region is the Niger Delta, which is the source of Nigeria’s oil wealth but however is vulnerable to the flooding due to its low-lying terrain with criss-crossed waterways. The protective mangroves have also been reduced by a drastic amount due to human intervention. Many people may not know but half of the 15 million people in Lagos live less than 6 feet away above sea level. Also in the rural economy, most small farms always assume stable rainfall patterns for their time of seeds and planting. Therefore the Government strategies for poverty in semi arid areas in the north as well as arable regions are at risk due to the variation in the weather pattern. Due to awareness campaigns made by organizations such as NCF, Nigerians are able to relate the disturbing issues of very high temperature as well as the uncertain implication for disease carrying pest and insects. Nigeria’s adaptation to climate change has not received much funding from external bilateral or multilateral sources. This may be due to the Nigeria’s slow moving institutional response to climate change. However locally, adaptation strategies are consistent with existing responses to that of hunger and poverty. For example trees are being planted in order to stop desertification. The use of substitute fuels such as biogas is also being used as well as the adoption of more versatile livestock. In more conventional farming regions, they have been encouraged to diversify their corps and adopt more efficient rainwater harvesting and irrigation techniques. The coastal region has also approached climate change with better management of existing resources. A short film Water Runs Deep talks about the impact of climate change in Nigeria. It gives an insight on how climate change has affected the lives of many for the worst. The movie shows how crops have been destroyed by flooding as well as schools being ruined. Various interviews give tale of their hardship and how they cope with it as well as the predicted change in weather for Nigeria and how adaptation strategies have been used to help the rural communities cope with Climate Change. According to the 2010 MDG progress report, Nigeria’s forest cover has reduced from 18. 9% to 9. 9% in the last two decades. This is one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world. The main reason for such is due to the high demand for wood fuel. In the absence of affordable alternative energy sources, charcoal is popular even in cities, which boosts its uncontrolled production

Connectivity A Consumer Trend Marketing Essay

Connectivity A Consumer Trend Marketing Essay This project is in lieu of 50% of our grade. This report is based on connectivity as a consumer trend. It throws light on the history, evolution and future of connectivity as a trend. This report has been compiled by Athina DSilva (ID-101648277) and Callahan Brown (ID-101664347), under the supervision and guidance of Professor Noela Michael. C:Program FilesMicrosoft OfficeMEDIACAGCAT10j0287005.wmf CONSUMER TREND: CONNECTIVITY WHAT IS A CONSUMER TREND? According to ANDY HINES, it is important to keep track of consumer trends as it helps in providing a primer on the evolving global trends, and how these global trends further evolve in the future (Hines. A 2008, p23). The knowledge gathered from the study of trends can be put to use in terms of detecting threats, uncovering new opportunities, crafting strategies, exploring new market products and services and most importantly understanding consumer needs. Hence as defined by the English dictionary a consumer trend may be defined as consumer habits or behaviors that prevail among customers of a particular good or service. It is helpful to keep track of these trends as it not only help forecasters determine simply how much a particular group of customers buy a product or service but also how much they spend. Data collected by a trend forecaster may include information on how much a consumer uses a particular product/service, and how they communicate with their social network about that particular brand. In the year 2012, connectivity is said to be one of the consumer trends that is evolving and has already become a necessity to millions. An article by CHRIS FOX talks about the different trends that are booming which will continue to do so, but the overall theme of all these trends is connectivity. Chris Fox explains how, in spite of the business/electronics world becoming more and more complex by the day the consumers seem to be keeping up and adapting to these changes fast. Connectivity does not only define the internet but also branches out to entertainment connectivity such as television, cable or satellite TV. Then there are smart phones, ultra books, connected appliances, card less payments etc (Fox, C 2012, p 8-9) CONNECTIVITY AS A TREND: A higher emergence of new technology seems to be spanning the media, social space, internet and telecom; hence the digital consumer came in to being .consider the fact that the TV took 13 years, radio took 38yearsand the internet took 4 years to hit 50 million users; (Infosys, 2011). This not only shows us how technology is evolving rapidly but has also accelerated these changes in the digital landscape and how fast these digitally active consumers accept and embrace these changes with ease. Consumers have changed the way consumers make purchase decisions, communicate, respond and transact. INFOSYS analyzed this trend and the participants in the digital economy; they fully realized the need to place and make sure the digital consumers were at the core of their business. (Infosys, 2011) The landscape for wireless connectivity is evolving rapidly, and with these modifications come new challenges for delivering the best quality of consumer experience. Over the last few years there has been a huge growth in volume in terms of mobile data consumption not only by laptops and computers but also smart phones. Smart phones in particular, have seen a massive expansion in numbers with the smart phone forecasts to rise to approximately 64 percent of all cell phone sales in Western Europe by 2015. Public Wi-Fi networks have grown beyond expectations as well. For example -in the UK British Telecommunication plc has now over 1.5million public hotspots. (Orlandi, et al 2011, p1) Not so long ago customers were connecting to the internet via a dial -up connection modem. The birth of the broadband initially offered the advantages of high data rates as well as an always on connection. But now this so called broadband connection is not solely for using the internet but it also supplies its customers with high definition broadcast TV and enhanced telephone services. This offer goes by the name of Triple Play , this form of connectivity has already spread from The middle east to most European countries like France and is rapidly becoming the norm everywhere. (Hows, C 2006, p73) Figure 1: AOL BOX , Source : Hows, C (2006) FIGURE 1 depicts the Triple Play technology. The AOL box (figure 1) has a high speed ADSL 2+ modem and voice over IP capability. An Ethernet port allows a connection from the set top box to the TV thus providing their customers with high speed internet, a cable TV offer as well as n enhanced telephone line. ( Hows, C 2006, p73) WHATS BEEN INVESTIGATED AND FOUND OUT BY MARKETING THEORISTS ON CONNECTIVITY AS A TREND: The alignment between end-user products and services that accompany them is a key trend in this industry. This has been proved in the case of Apple computers Incs I pod i.e. a portable digital music player, which is integrated with I tunes music store. The development between the service and handset relationship has proved to be a success. Enabling the transfer of ringtones from a mobile operator to a mobile phone that can play it clearly is a powerful yet simple example of the service-to-platform convergence service. Facilitating this link between the 2 allowed mobile operators who deployed this service to generate revenue from each subscriber for services they subscribed to other than a voice connection as depicted in figure 2. Figure 2 : U.S. Mobile Phone Revenues ARPU: 1999-2010 Source: Scherf, K (2006) The figure above shows the gradual increase in the revenue from the year 2000 to 2010. Another example would be the sales of high definition television and the upgrade to a HD television service. A high definition display provides consumers will turn to a service provider such as cable, Telco (if available) or satellite in order to provide them with a broader content. certainly the era of antennas will facilitate over -the-air high definition of local channels, but the increasing consumer base (figure 3) indicates that they are paying for such services due to the fact that they are seeking more in terms of High Definition programming, half of them initiated this service last year . These are the trends that service providers are studying in order to help them determine how much high definition content to provide their customers with .The graph below shows the increase in the sales of high definition displays in the late 2006, where service providers will have an even larger base of potential high definition customers. Figure 3 : high definition TELEVISION SERVICES :SUBSCRIPTION AND INITIATION Source : Scherf, K (2006) Broadband And Conectivity: It had been said that the number of worldwide households that have broadband is expected to increase from 184 million at the end of 2005 and will move towards the mark of 400 million at the end of 2010. Each consumer will center on how effectively broadband carriers build enticing packages of services and enter the realm of experience providers. Consumer research showed that unique service offerings and good consumer support happen to be key variables in improving consumer satisfaction and retaining customers. (Scherf, K 2006, pp 4-5) Broadband Enabled Content: Households with a home computer and broadband connection drive a share of digital home services and product trends now. Although the lure of a broadband connections are faster e-mail and categories of media active consumers-those consumers that have invested heavily in online applications such as music, videos ,movies and photography already number in millions of households. Research shows that a prominent percentage of U.S internet users are now paying for these online content experiences as shown in Figure 4. As more consumers begin to use internet content services as complements to existing broadband, television and mobile phone subscriptions there is bound to be an expected increase in the number of users paying for these services as value- added -services rather than the stand -alone-subscription. Revenues in the U.S for such entertainment like music, movies, gaming and videos via the internet all of which can be enjoyed with a broadband connection at home on a computer was sai d to increase $11 billion annually by the end of 2010 ,which is quiet an enormous change. ( Scherf, K 2006, pp7-8) The figure 4 below shows the percentage of internet users that are 18+ and paying for their online content .the highest percentage of users use the internet for online music and is followed by pc gaming , online console gaming shows a still lesser percentage and the least number of users for online videos. Figure 4 : Percentage of Internet Users Paying for Online Content Source: Scherf, K 2006, pp7 Most of the services currently are PC based and with the consumers strong familiarity with the internet multimedia content and their increasing desire to enjoy video content on the television will increase the demand to bridge the solutions like todays digital media adapter or electronic devices with direct connection to the internet and their home networks( television).a good example would be the HOMEZONE SERVICE offered by AT T ,which includes the internet video offerings of AKIMBO ,this is defiantly one model that can lead to the success of connected entertainment experience that consumers crave for. ( Scherf, K 2006, pp7) Multimedia Networks: The market for linking a home PC to a CE device is quiet small as of now. Furthermore the market for the digital media adapters has not fared as well as it was hoped to have by many manufactures due to many challenges such as the high prices and the less-than -perfect connectivity issues. That being said, there is going to be an expected increase in consumer use of digital content in terms of both downloading and streaming due to the emergence of multimedia network i.e. PC-CE,as consumers seek ways to extend the means of entertainment beyond their home computers. For example the GLOBAL DIGITAL LIVING research identified a global base of households in millions that are potential buyers of atleast a point-to-point music distribution system as shown in the FIGURE BELOW. (Scherf, K 2006, p 14) Figure 5: categorize Global Digital Music Enthusiasts Source : Scherf, K 2006, p 14 Already over 500,000 XBOX users have linked their xbox to their home computer, including media center systems that are beginning to enter a large base of households worldwide. Another category of products to be watched in this area is the network attached storage media servers (NAS).these will be use to back up any digital content but will also enable its users to stream its contents in various ways in the comfort of their own homes. (Scherf, K 2006, p 14) HOW HAS THE INDUSTRY UTILIZED AND DOCUMENTED THIS TREND? From his key note for the manufacturing innovation conference in 2012 held in Orlando, Florida. Futurist Jim Carrol spoke about how manufacturing companies can add value to their product through intelligence and connectivity. He said connectivity is one of the leading trends which will define products through the next 10 years. According to Jim Carrol, everything around us is built to be plugged into everything else, the essence of the devices we used then has changed to what they are now. Since everything around us is driven by innovation and the need to improvise and innovate in order to be on top and increase business velocity and how connectivity as a trend is now the driving force or the core foundation to everything in our lives. ATT is in the process of developing clothing with in- built body sensors that keep track and monitor blood pressure, perspiration rates and other health indicators. The core foundation here reflects on connectivity, and is based on the idea where one small cell phone App tracks everything. This basically gives us an idea of the rapid pace of innovation in terms of connectivity. (Caroll, J 2012) HOW HAS THE INDUSTRY UTILIZED THIS TREND IN CREATING AND CHANGING THE MARKETING MIX? All of the changes above have all taken place one after the other over night and its very obvious that these changes in peoples lifestyles will also lead to changes in how organizations approach potential customers and sell their products. Since each product is unique and has different functions and different types of buyers companies have to come up with customized marketing mix for each product. V.I. THE MARKETING MIX DESIGNED KEEPING CONNECTIVITY- AS A CONSUMER TREND IN MIND WOULD BE AS FOLLOWS: PRODUCT- the means by which consumers create and share commercial and personal content, enjoy a variety of entertainment and programming Apps and enhance their productivity be it at home or on the go is evolving immensely as digital technologies are become more mainstream. We have now reached a point where the digital life style comprising the consumer activities mentioned above has become more of a reality now than ever. The last decade has seen a lot in in terms of solid activity and potential among multi- players in service delivery, development of software and platform design to address the growing consumer need for solutions in terms of enhancement of their life style and productivity application from broadband to new television services to portable music. (Scherf, K 2006, pp 5-6) The digital lifestyle market growth has largely been consumer driven and products and services have been acquired in piecemeal fashion. For instance, three-fourths of data networks in U.S households were purchased directly at retail by consumers, meaning it was up to them to decide if they had a need for network as in to share a single connection for instance; if the solution for their needs were based on social parameters such as reviews, performance and opinions from trusted and known sources; lastly if they knew how to install and configure the product. QUAD-PLAY BUNDLE is an example which includes mobile communication and entertainment services in their package. This part of the marketing plan also deals with product enhancement,in earlier times the mobile phone was nothing but a bulky voice transmitting device , now the headsets are sleek ,converged devices that not only help in transmitting or enabling voice communication but can also provide diverse experiences ,from camera li ke functions to video viewing capabilities etc. Since 2004 80% of mobiles in U.S markets have been camera capable pieces. Ever since the invention of cell phones with cameras, service providers have been offering attractive prices to entice their clients to buy a cell phone with a camera. This demand has further increased with the introduction of mega -pixel camera phones that promote services like photo sharing and printing. Also, SMS(short message service) have been futher enhanced with 2 way video calling . (Scherf, K 2006, pp 5-6 ) PLACE: with regards to connectivity there isnt a particular place that organizations can be specific of when it comes to marketing their product. They have to cover all area such as offices , homes and even connectivity on the go as people opt to stay connected even when they are travelling from one place to another be it through their lap tops ,I pads or even cell phones. The advent of the 3G technology is a good example of the know fact that people find it a necessity to be connected even when theyre on the move and hence the element of place in the marketing mix cannot be confined to 1 aspect but is has to cover all aspects of connectivity in terms of different locations. PRICE: with regards to the growing needs of consumers to stay connected, consumers are willing to pay any price to be connected at all times. Now service providers are coming up with reasonable packages for their clients to keep them connected. A good example is the etisalat triple play, (e-vision), black berry and I phone packages that are available. Fulfilling the requirement for end to end wireless applications for customers at low costs have been implemented. (ICRM India, 2012) PROMOTION: this is the most important element of the marketing mix. Service providers have various promotion methods to attract a strong client base and spread awareness of their product/service. Promotion methods include advertising via the television, magazines, internet, bill boards, and social networking sites, holding press conferences, appointing a brand ambassador to promote the product or service and lastly putting up official websites for the product. VI. WHAT ARE THE CONSUMER BEHAVIOR CONCEPTS IN TERMS OF CONNECTIVITY? MOTIVATION: connectivity has become a major delivery channel for all industries. It creates easy access and convenience for consumers, it has also emerged as one of the easiest and most opted means of increasing and improving business agility throughout the business world from customers, partners, employers, employees and suppliers. The fact that even though it is in so much demand by consumers it is very cost effective as suppliers have come up with various schemes and benefits and most importantly different forms of connectivity ,be it via 3G connections on cell phones, 3 in 1 modem that links TV, landline and broadband connection etc. (ICRM India 2012) CONSUMERS ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE TREND: based on research it has been said that connectivity (data networking) is become a success story on its own. Penetration of data networking has grown from 2.5 million in U.S households at the end of 1998 and has said to exceed 20 million today and also an estimated 80 million worldwide because it solved a couple of key problems such as allowing multiple users to access shared resources such as broadband. (Scherf, K 2006, p 12). All consumers have a positive attitude towards the trend .The only negative aspect of the trend is the risk of using the internet if people arent well educated in terms of using the internet for online shopping, or banking etc. BUYING AND DISPOSING OF THE TREND: According to an article posted by the official JIM CARROLL website, he talks about how connectivity has no end and how it will only keep evolving. Consumers opt to use the trend as they are extremely dependant on it in terms of easy access, quality of experience, delivery and pricing of the trend. Since most of the services are online ranging from household to electronics, medical equipment etc it is impossible for consumers to replace or give up this trend no matter what. He says according to research firm IDC internet trafficking will grow to 32% each year starting from 2010 2015 (Caroll, J 2012). Hence, it is practically impossible to dispose of this trend. INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL INFLUENCES ON THIS TREND: Connectivity has a customer base of active, assertive and active members identified by their craving for unique, participation and independence. This craving is motivated by several internal and external factors such as: Convenience and Personalization these consumers demand customized and personalized products and services and connectivity as a trend provides then with it. Entertainment and Experience consumers value innovative experiences and hence seeks to be engaged in it whenever they can this is also something connectivity provides its customers with. Peers Impact customers rely heavily on peer reviews for anything and everything. Secure and Easy purchasing customers want to make their purchases anywhere and at any time and in this point in time (digital age) access, speed and security is paramount and connectivity provides then with this satisfaction as well . ( Infosys 2011) Accountability and Transparency customers demand for integrity, honesty and accountability. V.THE IMPACT OF CULTURE AND SUBCULTURE ON THESE TRENDS: Culture and subculture do play an important role in this trend, it is known as consumer acculturation, it is a subset of socialization and acculturation. Consumer acculturation is only in terms of consumption processes. It can also be defines as a socialization process wherein an immigrant consumer learns the behaviors values, norms and attitudes of a culture that are not the same from their culture of origin ( T Ogden, Denise, R Ogden, James 2004, p4) Also a good example of culture and its effect on this trend is the fact that now technology is trending towards the production of more female friendly goods. Another example is now almost all countries have their online shopping site; these sites have the option of changing the display language to anything including a change in currency display. Also, one of the most obvious impact culture has on this trend is the change in language display on cell phones in any country in the world. Consumers can now choose to view their phone display in their preferred language at the click of a button. VI.CONCLUSION- HISTORY, EVOLUTION AND FUTURE OF THIS TREND: Connectivity has revolutionized the world of computers and communication and entertainment. The invention of telegraph, radio, telephone and computer are the level of such unparallel development of capabilities. Connectivity represents one of the most successful examples of the benefit of investment. Soon the trend of connectivity in terms of the internet, media, and phones was used by everyone. The commercialization of connectivity involved not only competitive development, private network services but also development of such sophisticated products that help people stay connected at all times (M Leitner, et al 2011). Connectivity is in so much demand that now it is not just a trend followed by millions but is also a necessity to most people specially in the health care sector. It is no longer only a means of networking and providing customers with entertainment and other services on the move or in the comfort of their homes but is evolved into becoming something people cannot function without. The future of this trend over the next 3 years is predicted by a trend forecaster, Jim Carroll by name. He described the trend to be never ending in terms of its evolution, and looking around us with the way we consumers behave towards this trend it is hard to say this is something we would give up or replace.