ICE-WEDGE CRACKS, WESTERN ARCTIC COAST

Ice-wedge ice is one of the most abundant types of nearly pure ground ice to be found along the western Arctic coast and, indeed, in many other permafrost areas of the world. Ice wedges grow because thermal contraction cracks open in winter and become infilled with water in spring to form incremental ice veinlets. Long-term winter observations along the western Arctic coast have provided details of crack opening and closing, propagation, and cracking frequency. Ice-wedge cracking is sensitive to climatic factors, particularly the winter snowfall. Therefore, long-term monitoring of ice-wedge cracks should be of interest in the study of climatic change and the interpretation of the size-age relations of ice wedges.     

Limits to Radical Intervention: Agricultural Taxation in West Bengal

Agricultural taxation policy formulation under the Left Front government in West Bengal indicates landed interests are now powerful enough to resist enhanced taxation. As the most radical government in India abandoned proposed agricultural tax increases in the face of landowner opposition, and felt obliged to lower land taxes instead, India is not likely to increase land revenue for economic development. This effective landowner veto power over taxation policy indicates significant agrarian reform is not forthcoming in India, and the trend is towards greater subsidies for surplus-producing farmers. The research was conducted through interviews with the policy formulators in West Bengal.