Central Himalayan Region Of India Research Articles

Source apportionment and health risk assessment of PM10 bound carbonaceous and elemental species in the central Himalayas

In this extensive investigation, the sources and health risk assessment of carbonaceous aerosols, as well as the elemental compositions (Ca, Al, Fe, S, K, Mg, Pd, B, Mo, Zn, Ag, Nb, Ga, Cl, Ti, Zr, Na, Cr, Cu, Mn, Cs, P, Y, Sb, Ni, Sn, F, Sr, Br, Pm, U, Pb, Th, Br, Rb, and V) of PM10, were conducted throughout January-December 2021 in Nainital, a central Himalayan region of India. The average annual mass concentration of PM10 was determined to be 64±6 µg m-3. Carbonaceous aerosols (CAs), comprising OC, EC, WSOC, and SOC, exhibited annual averages of 9.3±0.8 µg m-3, 4.9±0.5 µg m-3, 1.5±0.2 µg m-3, 2.7±0.2 µg m-3, and 2.97±0.45 µg m-3, respectively. The elemental composition featured major contributors such as Ca, Al, Fe, S, and K, alongside trace levels of various elements (Mg, Pd, B, Mo, Zn, Ag, Nb, Ga, Cl, Ti, Zr, Na, and Cr). Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) identified six primary contributors to PM10, each with varying percentage contributions: crustal/soil/road dust, soil re-suspension, combustion, vehicular emissions, industrial emissions, and biomass burning. The health risk assessment revealed elevated Hazard Quotient (HQ) values for Cr and Mn in children, indicating a non-carcinogenic health risk. Adults exposed to high Cr levels may face potential carcinogenic risks, while elements like Al, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Ni pose no health hazards, aligning with USEPA guidelines.

Glacier retreat analysis in the context of climate change impact over the Satopanth (SPG) and Bhagirathi-Kharak (BKG) glaciers in the Mana basin of the Central Himalaya, India: A geospatial approach

• Glacier retreat footprints over the Mana Basin. • Spatio-temporal changes in the snout/glacier over the period of 50 years. • Estimation of ice velocity using the SAR technique. • Negative trend in snow cover area and increase of temperature. This study explores the dynamics of the Satopanth (SPG) and Bhagirathi-Kharak (BKG) glaciers of the Mana basin in the Central Himalayan region of India under the scenario of climate change. The spatio-temporal changes in the glacier area, volume, and shift in snout positions during the period from 1968 to 2017 were assessed based on the CORONA photograph and satellite data . The study also intended to identify the common drifts in glacier areas for observing temporal and seasonal (during the winter-spring-summer transition) changes in the glacial landscapes and ably evaluate glacier velocity and ice-marginal lake stage. The ice velocity was found to vary from 0.117 md −1 to 0.165 md −1 for January to October months. It was found to have increased during the winter-spring-summer transition periods used to estimate the ice flow intensity and its phase information regular basis. Besides this, the linear trends of the MOD11A2 land surface temperature product were obtained and temperature variability has been analyzed from 2001 to 2020. The results show significant warming over the basin along with a significant negative trend in snow cover area during different seasons. The derived information is quite useful in analyzing the climate change footprints such as snowline movement, snow volume changes, and glacier mass balance-related studies.

Landscape level ecological assessment and eco-restoration strategies for alpine and sub-alpine regions of the Central Himalaya

The United Nation decade on ecosystem restoration has been recognized in global and regional policy commitments that play a crucial role towards restoring degraded areas with the continued provision of ecosystem services. Climate-sensitive alpine meadows are vital in this regard as they are facing a continuous threat of degradation governed by both natural and anthropogenic drivers. The present work aims at the investigation of the ecological status and restoration strategies for alpine and sub-alpine areas of the Darma-Byans landscape in the Central Himalayan region of India. It is one of the important conservation landscapes identified under the SECURE Himalaya project of the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP). Under the present work, studies conducted regarding assessment strategies included: Land Use Land Cover (LULC) mapping, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) analysis, grazing capacity estimation, and final validation with secondary data collection followed by the investigation of suitable eco-system based adaptation and mitigation strategies for the area. Results showed the natural regeneration of biodiversity in the alpine meadows of the landscape. Clear indications analyzed from the results depict that grazing pressure was below its capacity (20,897 cow units per year); there was a decreasing trend in human population (in 15 villages) and livestock population (from 1987 by ~50% of the total population), tourists' influx, and an increasing trend in NDVI in the area. However, the sub-alpine areas are still facing the threat of extreme land degradation due to harsh climatic conditions, especially extreme rainfall events. Therefore, sustainable site-specific eco-restoration strategies, viz., grazing, under-grazing capacity, eco-tourism practice, soil erosion control by check dams and geo-coir matting followed by plantation, sustainable resource utilization management practices, shepherd's night staying sites, integrated agricultural practices, etc. are also recommended for the region.

Characterization of Flavobacterium columnare from farmed infected rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792) of Central Indian Himalayan region, India

Flavobacterium columnare, the causative agent in columnaris disease, leads to the mass mortality in many cultured freshwater fish species globally. Flavobacterium columnare (n = 7) was isolated from the gill lesions of farmed rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss in Central Indian Himalayan region. The bacterium was identified by colony characteristics, partial amplification of 16S rRNA gene and phylogenetic analysis. The partially amplified 16S rRNA gene (~1400 bp) was sequenced and matched with (>99%) the sequences of other F. columnare strains in the GeneBank and designated as F. columnare, BRTAGILLFC 01. From phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA sequences of F. columnare, the isolate was assigned to genetic group 2. The in-vitro assays for the virulence characteristics of the F. columnare BRTAGILLFC 01 revealed its ability for hemolysis, biofilm formation, protease production and capsule formation. In transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the negatively stained bacterial samples revealed the presence of capsular structure and large numbers of fimbriae. The experimental infection of rainbow trout fingerling with F. columnare BRTAGILLFC 01 at 1.5 × 108 CFU mL−1 reproduced the disease and led to cumulative mortality of 60% within 30 days. The post challenge observations illustrated swelling and hemorrhage in gill, abnormal behavior and pigmentation, decreased feeding and increased mortality in infected rainbow trout fingerlings. The histopathology of trout depicted severe degenerative changes in gill such as necrosis, fusion of secondary gill lamellae, hypertrophy, hyperplasia and epithelial lifting. The other organs revealed cellular hypertrophy, congestion and vacuolation in liver, renal corpuscle dilation and tubular necrosis in kidney and melanomachrophage aggregation in spleen. Among all therapeutic antibiotics, the bacterium was susceptible to oxytetracycline, erythromycin, ampicillin and florfenicol at the lower concentrations. In conclusion, the study confirms the first report of F. columnare infection in gill tissue of farmed rainbow trout in Central Himalayan region of India.

Land use decisions under REDD+ incentives when warming temperatures affect crop productivity and forest biomass growth rates

Climate change is expected to adversely impact crop productivity and forest stocks of the planet, which will pose food security challenges and complicate carbon mitigation goals. This paper asks in what ways warming temperatures may affect the ability of REDD+ programs to sequester carbon and support rural livelihoods. An example from the forest-rich central Himalayan region of India is used for modeling the implications of crop productivity decline on land use change decisions. Local communities derive their livelihoods through multiple avenues including forestry and farming. When faced with warming-led declining crop productivity, communities may find it attractive to enroll farmland into REDD+ programs. However, a reduced biomass growth rate due to increasing temperatures and declining precipitation would also lower the benefits from REDD+ participation, thereby delaying the timing of irreversible land use decisions. Results suggest that while higher carbon prices and declining crop incomes incentivize early farmland conversion into forests, a lower biomass growth rate discourages REDD+ enrolment. If communities are allowed fuelwood harvesting from forests, it could make land enrollment into REDD+ more attractive, leading to early conversion. However, the value of fuelwood to the communities plays a crucial role in determining the timing of REDD+ participation. When fuelwood is less scarce, warming will delay enrollment into REDD+ schemes. Whereas, when fuelwood is valuable to the community, early afforestation becomes an attractive option.

Characterization and pathogenicity of Aeromonas veronii associated with mortality in cage farmed grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella (Valenciennes, 1844) from the Central Himalayan region of India.

In the study, Aeromonas strains (n = 12) were isolated from moribund grass carp fry reared in the cage culture unit from the Central Himalayan region of India. They were identified as Aeromonas veronii, by biochemically and 16S rRNA analysis. The experimental bath infection of grass carp fry was performed using A. veronii GCAFBLC 228, one of the 12 isolates at cell concentrations 106 and 108CFUmL-1. The infected fry showed varied behavioural characteristics followed by tail rot, black pigmentation and hemorrhage in the body 48-96h post infection. The post bath challenged demonstrated maximum mortality (23%) at cell concentration 108CFUmL-1 during 10th and 12th day. Histopathology revealed hypertrophy, hyperplasia, fusion of gill lamellae, detachment and epithelial cell detachment in gill, swelling of hepatocytes, granular deposition in liver and tubular degeneration and yellow pigmented macrophage aggregates in the kidney. The in vitro assays for virulence traits recorded that A. veronii GCAFBLC 228 was β-haemolytic having strong cell surface hydrophobicity (CHS) characteristic (> 50%), precipitated after boiling, produced slime, non-suicidal and bound to crystal violet. The antibiogram showed that the strain was susceptible to ciprofloxacin (5μg), cefotaxime (30μg), ceftazidime (30μg), cefoxitin (30μg), ceftriaxone (30μg), chloramphenicol (30μg) and tetracycline (30μg). Negative staining transmission electron microscopy revealed presence of the lateral flagellum-like structure and cell adherence possibly could be correlated with the pathogenicity of A. veronii GCAFBLC 228. The further investigation is warranted to study the transmission, pathogenesis and epidemiology of A. veronii GCAFBLC 228 to develop the best health management practice for cage farmed fish.

Variation of carbonaceous species and trace elements in PM10 at a mountain site in the central Himalayan region of India

Observations of carbonaceous species [organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), water soluble organic carbon (WSOC), carbonaceous aerosols (CAs) and secondary organic carbon (SOC) ] and trace elements (As, Cr, Ni, Zn, Na, Mg, Al, P, K, Ca, Ti, Fe, and Mn) in PM10 are made over a high altitude site (ARIES, Nainital, 29.4° N, 79.5° E, ~1958 m amsl) in the central Himalayan region during October 2018−February 2019 to explore their possible sources. The average concentrations of PM10, OC, EC, WSOC, CA and SOC were recorded as 44±13 µg m-3, 3.66±1.26 µg m-3, 1.29±0.61 µg m-3, 2.28±0.76 µg m-3, 7.15±1.96 µg m-3 and 1.45±0.73 µg m-3, respectively during the study period. The concentrations of PM10, OC, EC, WSOC, CAs and SOC were significantly varied during autumn (October-November) and winter (December-February) seasons. During both the seasons, significant positive linear trend between OC & EC and OC & WSOC have been observed which is indicative of their common sources of carbonaceous aerosols at the study site. WSOC/OC ratio was estimated as 0.56 and 0.67 during autumn and winter, respectively suggested that the biomass burning could be one of the major sources of carbonaceous aerosols at Nainital. The significant positive correlation of PM10 with crustal elements (Al, Fe, Ca, Mg and Ti) as well as correlation of Al with other crustal elements (Fe, Ca, Mg and Ti) indicates the abundance of mineral dust at the sampling site. The observed Fe/Al ratio (1.07) also indicates mineral dust as a source at the sampling site, similarly, Ca/Al ratio (1.36) indicates that aerosols over this region is rich in Ca mineral as compared to average continental crust. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified the contribution of crustal/soil dust, biomass burning and industrial emissions to the PM10 over the central Himalayan region of India. Five days back trajectory analysis indicates that the air mass impacting the sampling site is from local surrounding area in Uttrakhand as well from Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ingo Gangetic Plain (IGP) region, Pakistan, Afghanistan region and Thar Desert.

A Comprehensive Analysis of Attenuation Characteristics Using Strong Ground Motion Records for the Central Seismic Gap Himalayan Region, India

ABSTRACT This study aims to estimate attenuation characteristics of the central Himalayan region of India concerning various strong-motion parameters such as Kappa value (κ) and site effects. We have tried to elaborate on the regional structural heterogeneities and their implications towards the seismic hazard assessment of the study region. A total of 81 earthquakes recorded at 50 stations situated in the central Himalayan region of India are used for the purpose. The particular focus is kept on Kappa value, which shows variability from 0.03 s to 0.095 s, inferring the higher values obtained in plains with deep sediment accumulations proving high-frequency energy dissipation and stiff-soil/rocky sites exhibit comparatively limited attenuation accordingly. To substantiate these results various attenuation parameters such as coda wave quality factor (Qc), intrinsic attenuation parameter (Qi), and scattering attenuation parameter (Qs), have been estimated for two regions in the central seismic gap Himalayan region of India employing the single backscattering model and Wennerberg formulation. The estimated values of Qc, Qi, and Qs are found to be highly dependent on frequency in the frequency range 1.5–24 Hz for both the regions. The average frequency-dependent relationships () estimated for both regions are and , respectively. The low value of Q0 shows that the region is highly heterogeneous while the higher value of η indicates higher seismicity in the area. It is also found that intrinsic attenuation is predominant over the scattering attenuation, envisaging the behavior of the wave attenuation through the absorption within the granitic layer at shallow depths. At lower frequencies, Qc values are found close to Qs values, which is in agreement with the theoretical measurements suggesting the presence of complex crustal heterogeneities beneath the region affecting the propagation of seismic waves experiencing considerable decay of energy through scattering. To confirm the aggregate attenuation on the stations, the site characteristics are also determined for examining the behavior of the amplification as the ground motion is comprised of the combined effect of the source, path, and site. The sites are amplified at a predominant frequency ( fpeak ) in between 1.5 to 10 Hz for the central Himalayan region. The different attenuation and amplification parameters like kappa, Q, and site effects can be utilized for detailed seismic hazard analysis (based on ground motion prediction equations) of the area as this region is of great importance from a socio-economic point of view.

Spatio-temporal trend analysis of rainfall using parametric and non-parametric tests: case study in Uttarakhand, India

This study investigates the spatial and temporal patterns of trends and magnitude of rainfall on monthly, seasonal and annual time scales of 13 districts of Uttarakhand State located in Central Himalayan region of India. The temporal trend was analyzed using Mann-Kendall (MK), Modified Mann-Kendall (MMK), and Kendall Rank Correlation (KRC) tests at 10%, 5%, and 1% significance levels. The magnitude (slope) of rainfall trend (mm/year) was determined using Theil-Sen’s Slope (TSS) and Simple Linear Regression (SLR) tests. The autocorrelation coefficient (ACC) of three different time series was calculated at one-time lag and were tested at 10%, 5%, and 1% levels of significance for the application of MMK test. The results of analysis revealed significant positive and negative trends were observed in monthly, seasonal, and annual rainfall time series in all 13 districts of Uttarakhand state. The spatial variation of the trends based on monthly, seasonal, and annual rainfall time series data was interpolated using the Thiessen polygon (TP) method in ArcGIS 10.2 environment. The maps of spatial variability of rainfall trends were developed to help local stakeholders and water resource managers to understand the risk and vulnerability related to climate change in the region.

The emergence of zoonotic Fusarium oxysporum infection in captive-reared fingerlings of golden mahseer, Tor putitora (Hamilton, 1822) from the central Himalayan region of India.

Zoonotic Fusarium oxysporum infection was identified in captive-reared fingerlings of golden mahseer, Tor putitora (Hamilton, 1822) from the central Himalayan regions, India. Initially, fingerlings of T.putitora (mean length 10.8±0.002 and weight 18.58±0.054g) were observed with cottony mass like growth completely covering the dorsal and caudal fins. The infected fingerlings were showing clinical signs such as sluggish, erratic movement, gasping, flared operculum and settling at one corner of the rearing tanks. The microscopic observation of 8-day old culture of cottony mass like growth showed the presence of septate macroconidia, randomly spread microconidia and chlamydospores in short-chain. From sequence analysis of ITS amplified fragment, the isolate was identified as Fusarium oxysporum, TPFCF 214 (MH464266.1) and clustered with F.oxysporum, strain NRRL 43504 (EF453107.1) and F. oxysporum, strain 20736 (JX 270150.1) isolated from the human in phylogenetic tree. An experimental infection of healthy golden mahseer fingerlings with 20µl of F.oxysporum spore suspension (2.5×109 spore ml-1 ) showed the development of lesion 6-dpi at the site of injection. Experimental trial on EPC-2 cell culture recorded detachment in the monolayer, clumping and shrinking of the cell line 6-8dpi with a spore suspension of F.oxysporum, TPFCF 214 (5.68×102 cell/ml). From the severity of its infection, there is a chance that F.oxysporum may emerge as pathogenically and pose a significant health risk on captive-reared golden mahseer in other Asian countries and world. As Fusarium solani and F.oxysporum are known to cause invasive fusariosis in human especially in immunocompromised patients, localized infection in immunocompetent individuals as well as osteomyelitis, arthritis, otitis, sinusitis and brain abscess, the global fish farmers, handlers and aquaculturist need to be aware of possible health hazards caused by Fusarium spp. and should adopt proper fish health management and animal husbandry practice to control the infection of Fusarium in culture environment.

What drives forest degradation in the central Himalayas? Understanding the feedback dynamics between participatory forest management institutions and the species composition of forests

Human populations and their socio-economic conditions, such as road networks and poverty, are thought to be the main drivers of deforestation. However, a high deforestation rate can also alter the species composition of forests, providing further feedback to the socio-economic drivers of deforestation as well as weakening the community forest management institutions. In this paper, we model the feedback linkages associated with the degradation of forests and the weakening of the local institutions to understand how they impact the long-term sustainability of these linked socio-economic-ecological systems. In particular, we explore the impact of excessive harvesting of forests for fuelwood and fodder on a shift in the species composition from oak to pine trees in the central Himalayan region of India. This shift provides adverse feedback to the communities' livelihoods and erodes the quality of their participatory management institutions. A change in the species composition also increases forest fire risks, which further exacerbates the ecological as well as socio-economic feedback effects. We develop and apply a dynamic optimization model of community forest management where, through optimally controlling harvesting efforts over time, a weighted sum of community and environmental objectives is maximized. Findings indicate that factors such as population size, the extent of dependence of the community on fuelwood, the strength of community institutions, and the degree of feedback effects, affect the long-term sustainability of forests. When faced with forest fire risks, there is a discounting effect present which increases deforestation and institutional entropy.

Mitochondrial DNA sequence variation in Drosophilid species (Diptera: Drosophilidae) along altitudinal gradient from Central Himalayan region of India.

Central Himalayan region of India encompasses varied ecological habitats ranging from near tropics to the mid-elevation forests dominated by cool-temperate taxa. In past, we have reported several new records and novel species from Uttarakhand state of India. Here, we assessed genetic variations in three mitochondrial genes, namely, 16S rRNA, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (COI and COII) in 26 drosophilid species collected along altitudinal transect from 550 to 2700 m above mean sea level. In the present study, overall 543 sequences were generated, 82 for 16S rRNA, 238 for COI, 223 for COII with 21, 47 and 45 mitochondrial haplotypes for 16S rRNA, COI and COII genes, respectively. Almost all species were represented by 2-3 unique mitochondrial haplotypes, depicting a significant impact of environmental heterogeneity along altitudinal gradient on genetic diversity. Also for the first time, molecular data of some rare species like Drosophila mukteshwarensis, Liodrosophila nitida, Lordiphosa parantillaria, Lordiphosa ayarpathaensis, Scaptomyza himalayana, Scaptomyza tistai, Zaprionus grandis and Stegana minuta are provided to public domains through this study.

Snow Chemistry at Mukteshwar in Central Himalayan Region of India

The present study reports snow chemistry and source apportionment at Mukteshwar in central Himalayan region of India during winter 2012-13. In this study, fresh snowfall samples were collected at Mukteshwar during winter season of 2012-13. The results showed that the pH of the snowmelt samples ranged from 5.47 to 7.95 with an average of 6.37 indicating alkaline nature of precipitation which is similar to the range reported. The concentration of ions followed the following order- Ca2+ > Cl- > Na+ > SO4 2- > HCO3 - > NH4 + > NO3 - > Mg2+ > K+ > F-. Very high concentration of Ca2+ indicated the dominance of crustal sources. Source fraction calculations revealed that crustal, marine and anthropogenic sources contributed 40%, 38% and 22% ionic components in snowmelt, respectively. Since, Mukteshwar is remote site as compared to Delhi, values of NO3 - were compared with the NO3 - reported in the precipitation (rain water) of Delhi as NO3 - is an indicator of vehicular pollution in urban areas. Such comparison of NO3 - values suggested that though Mukteshwar precipitation had 1/3 of NO3 - in precipitation as compared to Delhi, but considering it as a small town, precipitation at Mukteshwar is significantly influenced vehicular sources possibly due to Long Range Transport (LRT) of pollution.

Geomorphologic Instantaneous Unit Hydrograph Based Hydrologic Response Models for Ungauged Hilly Watersheds in India

Hydrologic response of two fourth-order hilly watersheds of the Ramganga river basin in the central Himalayan region of India has been predicted in this study. Geomorphologic Instantaneous Unit Hydrograph (GIUH) was derived using two models: (i) Horton’s stream-order ratios based model (GIUH-I); and (ii) Nash’s two-parameter gamma distribution based conceptual model (GIUH-II). The travel times for the overland-flow and the stream-flow in Horton-Strahler stream ordering system of the watersheds were determined analytically and probabilistically for GIUH-I model; while a dynamic component (mean velocity of flow) was estimated for the GIUH-II model using two approaches: (a) as a function of effective rainfall intensity (GIUH-IIa); and (b) on the basis of time of concentration concept (GIUH-IIb). Based on eight single-peaked isolated storm events for each watershed, the statistical analysis and coefficient of efficiency showed better overall correlation between predicted and observed direct runoff hydrographs, particularly in terms of the magnitude and time of occurrence of peak runoff rate, by GIUH-IIb as compared to GIUH-I and -IIa models. Moreover, the GIUH-IIb has additional advantage (compared to GIUH-IIa) for being independent of the measured velocity of flow corresponding to the peak flow rate at the watershed outlet. Since, these models require no historical data of rainfall and runoff, they can be effectively used to predict direct runoff from ungauged hilly watersheds for water resources planning and management in the region.

A Gaps Approach to Access the Efficiency and Effectiveness of IT-Initiatives In Rural Areas: case study of Samalta, a village in the central Himalayan Region of India

This paper focuses on the effectiveness and efficiency of IT initiatives in rural areas where topology creates isolation to developmental activities. A village is selected for the study and information is gathered through interviews of village dwellers. These collected responses are then analyzed and a gaps model is proposed.

Lichens reveal air PAH fractionation in the Himalaya

This paper shows that gas/particulate phase partitioning of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can be monitored using lichens. Anthropogenic sources are responsible for the release of PAHs, which are bioaccumulated in plants at various spatial scales based on their physicochemical properties. Atmospheric PAHs are distributed both in the gaseous and particulate states. Here, a lichen species, Dermatocarpon vellereum Zschacke, has been collected at different altitudes in and around the Rudraprayag valley, located in Central Himalayan region of India, in order to study the spatial distribution of PAHs in the valley. Results show that PAH concentration ranged from 0.136 to 4.96 μg g−1. Findings reveal that the bioaccumulation of 2- and 3-ringed PAHs was higher in high-altitude samples, whereas bioaccumulation of fluoranthene, a 4-ringed PAH, showed higher concentration in samples from localities away from town centre. 5- and 6-ring PAHs were then confined to the lower altitude at the base of the valley, thus justifying their particulate-bound nature. This is the first report showing the utility of lichen to biomonitor PAHs in the Himalayan ecosystem.

Morphological taxonomy and molecular divergence of four balitorid species (subfamily: Nemachelinae) from Central Himalaya, India

The fishes in this study belong to the difficult group. It is difficult to identify about more than 50 nemacheilid loach species in India, mainly due to the poor quality of the original descriptions, the lack of good reviews, and the similarity of a number of the banded species. In view of this, a morphometric and genetic study was conducted on four species that have been documented in Central Himalayan region of India. Using comparative methods, a contribution to the knowledge about the variability of four Himalayan hillstream loaches, a molted loach Acanthocobitis botia (Hamilton, 1822), Nemacheilus corica (Hamilton, 1822), a creek loach Schistura beavani (Gunther, 1868), and Schistura montana (McClelland, 1838), was accomplished. Morphometric data were analyzed by univariate (CV and analysis of variance) and multivariate analyses (discriminant function analysis and cluster analysis). Based on the results of these statistical analyses, generally all four species grouped into their own species cluster with minimal overlap between two species of genus Schistura. Mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene analysis revealed 7.7–17.6% genetic distances among the four species. Molecular phylogenetic relationship among these species and other Balitoridae species was investigated using published mitochondrial Cyt b sequences. Dendrograms obtained by the maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony method analyses exhibited the same topology. According to this topology, all the four species represented distinct species group and A. botia form the most distinct species while S. beavani and S. montana are clustered together with Nemacheilus species to form a single group. This work may build the base for the revision of taxonomic identity of fishes of the family Balitoridae. The results may further help to enhance the knowledge of the ichthyologists in understanding the fish fauna of India and assist them in planning conservation and management strategies for the propagation of these less studied small indigenous species along their natural range of distribution.

Effect of Seasonal Variation on Mycorrhizal Fungi Associated with Medicinal Plants in Central Himalayan Region of India

This research paper assesses the effect of seasonal variation on mycorrhizal fungi. Based on the richness of medicinal plants in Himalayan region, this research work considered three medicinal plants i.e. Catharanthus roseus Linn., Ocimum spp. and Asparagus racemosus Willd. The study was conducted at five districts of Uttarakhand state of India viz. Pauri Garhwal, Haridwar, Dehradun, Udham Singh Nagar and Almora. To account for seasonal variations, soil and root samples were collected in months of Jan-Feb, May-June and Sep-Oct from year 2006 to 2008. Furthermore, the study was directed to collect information about the distribution of VAM fungi in the medicinal plants in relation to spore population. This research work evaluated and analyzed the effect of temperature, altitude and seasonal conditions. The undisturbed natural vegetations revealed maximum spore numbers followed by cultivated and non-cultivated regions. Similarly, root colonization by VAM fungi was observed at higher levels in natural vegetations and cultivated sites in comparison to non-cultivated lands. The monthly and seasonal temperature varied and had considerable effect on VAM fungal population. The data obtained in the present study undoubtedly indicate that the sea-sonal variation in VAM fungi is significant with few exceptions. VAM fungi in medicinal plants differ in the manner and extent with which root colonization rate occurs and also differ in their capacity to form propagules. Most of the study reveals that host plant had much more effect on spore population. Number of spores also varied with the growing season of the host plant. During the present study most of the sites showed a general increase in spore number from Sep-Oct to Jan-Feb.

Oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) Galls, as an Intense Source of Natural Gallic Acid

Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus is widely distributed in Central Himalayan region of India. Leaf galls of Q. leucotrichophora induced by Eriophyes sp. present unique pattern of chemical perturbations, which normally do not occur in normal morphogenesis of the involved organ. Since ancient times, it is known that gallnuts from oak contain the highest naturally occurring level of gallotannins and these galls are widely used in traditional medicines. Deposition of gallotannin was observed in late stages of gall development. Gallic acid was identified in normal leaf, cecidomyiid and eriophyed leaf galls by using thin-layer chromatography Rf=0.68), high-performance liquid chromatography (Rt=6.565, 6.576 and 6.547, respectively) and infrared spectral studies. It was found that gallic acid content increased almost two to three fold in gall tissues as compared to normal leaf tissue. It is concluded that elevated quantity of condensed gallotannins recorded in gall tissues can be isolated from the galls and can play a wide role in commercial production of gallic acid and its different derivatives.

Tillage effects on physical qualities of a vertisol in the central highlands of Ethiopia

Chlorofluorocarbons are mainly responsible for the depletion of stratospheric ozone layer which results in increase of UV-B radiation on earth’s environment and causing adverse effects on flora. In the present study we have investigated the effect of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation on two cryptogamic plants (Xanthoria elegans and Bryum argenteum) growing at high altitude of central Himalayan region of India. These plants were naturally receiving UV-B radiation and were analyzed for photosynthetic pigments, UV-B absorbing compounds and phenolics. In the field experiments, both of these plants contain higher amounts of UV-B absorbing compounds and phenolics and no major changes in total chlorophyll and carotenoid under UV-B exposed conditions were recorded. B. argenteum contains higher amounts of total chlorophyll, carotenoids, UV-B absorbing compounds and phenolics than the X. elegans at the duration of 120 h. The maximum average UV-B irradiance was 4.38 Minimal Erythemal Dose per hour (MED/ h) at the experimental site while minimum average UV-B irradiance was 1.72 MED/ h. The UV-B absorbing compounds and phenolics provide protection to these plants against UV-B radiation. Key words : Total chlorophyll, high altitude, pigments, UV-B absorbing compounds, UV-B radiation.