Nainital District Research Articles

Features, reasons, and significance of radon and thoron attributable radiological dose in the indoor environment

Humans receive around 50% of natural radiation dose due to 222Rn (radon), 220Rn (thoron) and their decay products. Several field campaigns measuring these gases and the decay products in different regions of India have been conducted in the recent past. Some of these studies measured indoor activity concentration and/or dose due to these gases and the associated decay products. This work compares the fraction of 222Rn and decay products and 220Rn and decay products in inhalation dose for 10 studies conducted in Uttarakhand state. It is seen that AEDT (annual effective dose due to 220Rn and decay products) for these regions varies between 21 and 48% and it is significantly higher than the averaged worldwide reference value of 6%. Based on elaborative measurements performed in the Bageshwar district (present work), Almora and Nainital districts (our previous campaigns); the reasons for this high value have been explored. It was observed that a higher source term for mud houses could be the main reason for the high AEDT range. Interestingly, preliminary analysis revealed that the fraction is higher for the dwellings situated at higher altitudes thus indicating the role of the unavailability of modern building construction materials at remote locations. The study highlights the significant contribution of thoron in the Indian Himalayas.

Assessment of knowledge and behavioral risk factors of reproductive tract infections among married women of 15–49 years in rural areas of Haldwani block, Uttarakhand

ABSTRACT Background: One of the most serious public health issues in India is reproductive tract infections (RTIs), which have a profound effect on the lives of men and women, as well as their families and communities. Objectives: To describe the sociodemographic traits, assess women’s RTI knowledge, and determine which behavioral risk factors are involved in female RTI. Methods: Using a 30-cluster sampling approach, a cross-sectional study design was employed to examine RTIs in 30 villages located in the Haldwani block of the district Nainital. Results: It was shown that just 7.6% of women knew enough about RTIs. Among the 450 women surveyed, the percentage of RTI cases was significantly lower for those who used the barrier method during menstruation (7.7%), had more than three children (25.7%), had a trained person deliver their baby in a hospital (24.1%), used condoms as a family planning method (5.6%), used sanitary pads during menstruation (25.6%), and maintained good personal hygiene (22.4%). Conclusion: The study revealed that the participants’ understanding of RTI was lacking.

Unveiling the ecological alarm: People's perception towards exploring the impact of invasive plants on biodiversity and ecosystem services in the Western Himalaya

This paper presents the insights from both an ecological and people's perception study, aimed at understanding the ecological status of selected two common Invasive Alien Plants species (IAPs), i.e., Ageratina adenophora (Sprengel) King & Robinson and Lantana camara L., and the perspectives of local communities towards their use, status, and influence on biodiversity and ecosystem services as well as controlling measures of these species. For the examination of the distribution and spread of these invasive species in the forests, a quadrat-based phytosociological assessment was conducted in the three dominant forest types [Sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn f.), Chir-pine (Pinus roxburghii Sarg.), and Banj-oak (Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus)] of Uttarakhand State. However, to assess the perception and awareness of local communities towards these IAPs and their impacts on local biodiversity, ecosystem services, and processes, a questionnaire-based study was conducted in seven villages of the Nainital district, spanning three different vegetation zones: Sal, Chir-pine, and Banj-oak forests. Perception data were gathered from 112 households through questionnaire surveys and interviews with key informants such as teachers, elders, community leaders, and researchers. The results of the ecological assessment indicate that the mid-elevation zone, particularly the Chir-pine forest, is highly prone to species invasion. However, findings from the perception study reveal that the people are aware of these invasive species, and their negative impacts on human and animal health, native biodiversity, ecosystem services, and ecological processes. Interestingly, over the past decade, invasive alien plant species (IAPs) have interfered with forests in the study area, leading to a decline in native species. According to local perceptions, factors such as deforestation, forest fires, climate change, increased transportation, no use of species in daily life, and grazing have contributed significantly to the spread of these IAPs. However, some people use these species as fencing wood, firewood, and for composting, etc. The results of this study indicate that awareness and educational initiatives could play a crucial role in mitigating and managing invasion in the Himalayan region.

A Study of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Patients Attending Suraksha Clinic & Targeted Intervention Clinics In Nainital District: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) pose a global health threat, particularly among vulnerable populations. Aligned with the National AIDS Control Program, this study focuses on estimating the prevalence of STIs in India, targeting Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Treponema pallidum, and Trichomonas vaginalis. The aim is to identify gaps, understand factors influencing STI screening, and propose improvements. Objectives: Uncover barriers in STI screening, diagnosis, and management at Suraksha and targeted intervention clinics. Identify socio-demographic factors associated with screening barriers. Methodology: Sample unit: Patients at Suraksha and TI clinics. Sample size: 577 participants, including community-surveyed and health camp attendees. Sampling design: Complete enumeration. Cross-sectional survey in specified Haldwani and Nainital clinics. Results: Age group 20-40 exhibits higher symptomatic individuals, underscoring the need for screening in young and middle-aged adults. Only 55% of positive cases sought treatment, citing stigma, mild symptoms, and unawareness. Health workers, especially spouses, play a crucial role in testing and counseling. Delayed presentation at health facilities due to long waiting times, mild symptoms, lack of awareness, and distance. Conclusions: While the program succeeds in various aspects, infrastructure improvement, heightened awareness, and addressing stigma are crucial. Recommendations include more staff, wider service publicity, and better availability of essential resources.

Effect of Mercerization on Mechanical Properties of <i>Grewia Optiva </i>Natural Fiber Polymer Composites

The concerns towards sustainable development have triggered the need of adopting biodegradable products in different applications. The natural fibers are being widely explored in the field of composites for various applications. Sustainable architecture is also seeking the research and development of new materials to minimize the negative environmental effect of the traditional structural materials. A bast fiber obtained from Grewia Optiva (G.O.) tree is abundantly available in the sub-Himalayan terrains and is still underutilized in the field of biocomposites. The promotion of G.O. fiber in fabrication of biocomposites may give a source of income and employment to rural hilly populations. This research work utilizes the G.O. fiber collected from the Okhalkanda block of Nainital district of Uttarakhand to develop biocomposites. The effect of mercerization on the water absorption behavior and mechanical properties has been also studied. It is found that the treatment of fibers with NaOH reduces the water absorption tendency of G.O. Natural Fiber Reinforced Biocomposites (NFRB) upto 41.05% and the mechanical properties are also improved by appreciable amount. The tensile and flexural strength obtained are 141.45 MPa and 109.84 MPa respectively for mercerized fiber reinforcement. Impact strength and mode-I fracture toughness have been recorded as 11.97 KJ/m2 and 1.85 MPa√m respectively. SEM images of fractured surfaces indicate good bonding of mercerized fibers as compared to untreated fibers with epoxy matrix. Hence the Grewia Optiva biocomposites have potential to be used in different architectural applications like wall panels, false ceilings, doors, windows, etc.

Exploring forest fire susceptibility and management strategies in Western Himalaya: Integrating ensemble machine learning and explainable AI for accurate prediction and comprehensive analysis

Forest fires pose a significant threat to ecosystems and socio-economic activities, necessitating the development of accurate predictive models for effective management and mitigation. In this study, we present a novel machine learning approach combined with Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) techniques to predict forest fire susceptibility in Nainital district. Our innovative methodology integrates several robust models — AdaBoost, Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM), XGBoost and Random Forest — with a Deep Neural Network (DNN) as a meta-model in a stacking framework. This approach not only utilises the individual strengths of these models, but also improves the overall prediction performance and reliability. By using XAI techniques, in particular SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) and LIME (Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanations), we improve the interpretability of the models and provide insights into the decision-making processes. Our results show the effectiveness of the ensemble model in categorising forest fire susceptibility into different zones: very low, low, moderate, high and very high. In particular, the stacking ensemble and XGBoost models identified extensive areas of high and very high susceptibility, with precision, recall and F1 values underpinning their effectiveness. These models achieved ROC AUC values above 0.90, with XGBoost performing exceptionally well with an AUC of 0.94. The precision, recall and F1 values for these models are remarkably high. The inclusion of confidence intervals for the most important metrics in all models emphasises their robustness and reliability and supports their practical use in forest fire management. Through SHAP summary plots, we analyze the global variable importance, revealing annual rainfall and Evapotranspiration (ET) as key factors influencing susceptibility. Local analysis using LIME consistently highlights the importance of annual rainfall, ET, and distance from roads across all models. This study fills an important research gap by providing a comprehensive and interpretable modelling approach that improves our ability to predict and effectively manage forest fire risk and is consistent with environmental protection and sustainable development goals.

Working Conditions of Unorganised Construction Workers in the Kumaun Himalaya Region: Case Study on Nainital District

Working Conditions of Unorganised Construction Workers in the Kumaun Himalaya Region: Case Study on Nainital District

Analyzing and forecasting climate variability in Nainital district, India using non-parametric methods and ensemble machine learning algorithms

Analyzing and forecasting climate variability in Nainital district, India using non-parametric methods and ensemble machine learning algorithms

Human-wildlife conflicts (sudden increase in tiger attacks on humans) in adjacent areas of Corbett National Park Ramnagar Uttarakhand, India (from November 2023 to January 2024)

Human-wildlife conflicts become a common problem in Ramnagar tehsil of district Nainital in Uttarakhand state in India. The incidence of tiger attacks has suddenly increased in the villages adjoining Corbett Park, Ramnagar Forest Division and Tarai-West Forest Division during three months of winter (from November 2023 to January 2024). Tiger hunger, unavailability of adequate food (Cheetal/Sambar, etc.), man-eaters tigers, increasing population density of tigers, old age tigers with worn and broken claws, disturbance of their alertness and breeding (by noise of safari, bike and public vehicle), large herds of Cheetal in villages near the forest, foreign tiger in this area, need for tiger territory in buffer area (shrinking territory) etc. are main reasons for tiger attacks in these incidences. Both humans and tigers are affected by these conflicts. After these incidents, the Forest department cut small trees and bushes on both sides of the road from the buffer area (about 20-30 feet) and the road has become clear. With this, the tiger will not be able to hide in the bushes on the roadside and sit in ambush, and tiger attacks will be reduced.

Assessment of groundwater potential and determination of influencing factors using remote sensing and machine learning algorithms: A study of Nainital district of Uttarakhand state, India

Exponential increase in population, rapid urbanization and industrialization have increased the demand of water globally. Groundwater is an important resource in hilly and mountainous regions during dry spells. Thus, identifying prospective groundwater zones is crucial for conserving and managing groundwater. The study makes an attempt to assess groundwater potential in the Nainital district of a hill state in India. Random forest, multi-layer perceptron, M5P and REPTree algorithms were used for preparing groundwater potential maps. Sensitivity analysis was carried out to examine the influence of site-specific parameters on groundwater potential. Each model was evaluated through performance successors and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) for its effectiveness in groundwater potential assessment. Multi-layer perceptron was found best fit model for groundwater potential assessment. Largest area was found under high to very high groundwater potential zones in the plain area of the district (48 %), followed by very low to low in the hilly area (46 %) and moderate in the transition zone (7 %). Rainfall, lineament density and drainage density were found significant factors for influencing groundwater potential. The methodology adopted in this study has proved effective in groundwater potential assessment. The other geographical regions may find this methodology useful for groundwater management.

People's Perception and Awareness towards Plant Invasion, Its Impacts on Forest Ecosystem Services and Livelihood: A Tale of Central Himalayas.

Plant invasion is a leading threat to biodiversity, ecosystem services and human wellbeing worldwide. In the central Himalayas intentionally or accidentally introduced invasive alien plant species (IAPS) facilitate their own establishment and spread, which is altering forest structure, vegetation composition, species diversity and livelihood. To understand the perception and awareness amongst local communities about invasive alien and native plants and its effect on local livelihood, a questionnaire-based study was conducted in 10 villages of Nainital district, Uttarakhand, India. Household data of 179 respondents were triangulated with key informants such as community leaders, teachers and older people. A majority of the respondents were found to be more familiar with the native species (Berberis asiatica, Pyracantha crenulata and Rubus ellipticus) than IAPS (Ageratina adenophora and Lantana camara). Both the IAPS negative impacts on native biodiversity, ecosystem services and livelihood. During the last two decades IAPS have encroached on various forests and caused a decrease in native species in the study area. According to the local perception, deforestation, forest fire, climate change, increased transport, light weight seed, no use and grazing etc. have been the main factors behind the spread of IAPS. A. adenophora invaded both chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) and banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) forests while L. camara remained more prominent in low elevation open canopy chir pine forest. Uprooting is the primary method used to control IAPS in crop fields and forests. The studied villages have not reported awareness and education programs about the IAPS. Our study demonstrates the wide range of perspectives on the threat posed by IAPS to forest ecosystems and natural resources. Education could help to raise awareness about the issue and could be beneficial in managing and controlling invasion in the Himalayan region.

Ecological status and spatial extent of non-native shrubs Lantana camara L. and Ageratina adenophora Sprengel in the forest communities of western Himalaya

This research elucidates the ecological status and spatial extent of two non-native invasive species, Lantana camara L. and Ageratina adenophorum Sprengel, within dominant forest communities across an altitude gradient in the western Himalayan region. The study, conducted from 2017 to 2019 in the Nainital district of Kumaun Himalaya, focused on four forest communities; Sal, Chir-pine, Banj-oak, and Mixed-oak, spanning an altitudinal range from 300 to 2250 meters. Environmental predictors encompassing topographic, physiographic, and climatic factors, along with species occurrence records, were employed to determine spatial extent. The MaxEnt statistical model, a machine learning algorithm, facilitated the assessment of the spatial distribution of invasives. Results indicate that L. camara has invaded Sal, Chir-pine, and Banj oak forests but has not established in high-elevation mixed-oak stands. Conversely, A. adenophora has invaded Chir-pine, Banj-oak, and Mixed-oak stands but has not been observed in low-altitude Sal forests. No significant variation in species number, diversity, or distribution pattern along the elevation gradient was observed for either species. Spatial assessment using MaxEnt revealed an estimated area of 380 km² for A. adenophora and 285 km² for L. camara. The study highlights the mid-altitude zone as the most vulnerable to species invasion. This scientific inquiry contributes valuable insights for the conservation of non-native shrubs, offering guidance for effective, species-specific conservation and management strategies in the Himalayan region.

Impact of parents educational and occupational background on life skills among school going adolescents from Nainital district of Uttarakhand

Impact of parents educational and occupational background on life skills among school going adolescents from Nainital district of Uttarakhand

Assessment of life skills among secondary school students of district Nainital, Uttarakhand India

Assessment of life skills among secondary school students of district Nainital, Uttarakhand India

NORMALIZED DIFFERENCE VEGETATION INDEX (NDVI) BASED LAND USE LAND COVER CHANGE DETECTION IN PARTS OF NAINITAL DISTRICT, KUMAUN LESSER HIMALAYA, INDIA

This study examines the transformation of surface topography in Nainital district (part of Kumaun Himalaya of Uttarakhand), India, from 1972 to 2022, shedding light on the profound changes that have occurred over this half-century period. In 1972, the land area was primarily dominated by forested areas, agriculture and water bodies, constituting 71.35%, 24.79%, and 1.19% of the total land cover, respectively. However, by 2022, these percentages have dramatically shifted to 60.73%, 6.91% and 0.46%, indicating a significant reduction in forested areas, agriculture and water bodies. In stark contrast, barren lands, settlements and grasslands, which occupied a merely 0.78%, 0.91%, and 0.98% of the land in 1972, have expanded considerably to 2.42%, 1.79% and 28.13% by 2022. These substantial changes are graphically represented, further reinforcing the alarming trend of diminishing forests, dwindling agriculture and reduced water resources, juxtaposed with the ominous rise of barren lands, settlements and extensive grasslands. Notably, the NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) analysis unveils a clear downward trajectory in forested areas, agriculture and water bodies, accompanied by a conspicuous increase in barren lands, settlements and grasslands. This trend implies that human encroachment and deforestation have driven the intensification of light vegetation (grasslands) at the expense of dense vegetation (forests), exacerbating environmental concerns within the state. The results of this study highlight the significance of these critical land use changes to mitigate their potentially adverse consequences.

Analyzing Temperature and Precipitation Conditions in Hilly Terrains of Ramgarh Block, Nainital

Temperature and precipitation largely determine the weather and climatic conditions at a place. These determinants are subject to a great change following the prevailing unsustainable developmental practices. Therefore, the present study analyses the temperature and precipitations conditions in a hilly terrain of one of the fastest developing regions in the middle Himalayan Mountains. The results reveal an increasing trend of 0.23ºC per decade and 0.64º per decade respectively in Tmax and Tmin between 1973 and 2022 in Ramgarh block of Nainital district, Uttarakhand, India. However, an overall increasing trend of decadal rainfall has been observed over the past five decades in the region. The study area recorded 131 days of high-intensity rainfall over the past 5 decades. These conditions have given rise to major threats no to subsistence farming systems and food and livelihood security in the densely populated rain-fed middle Himalayan Mountains.

Assessment of environmental degradation of lakes of Nainital district: an ecohydrological perspective

Human activities have degraded lakes in Uttarakhand, endangering their vital role in urban sustainability, which includes providing essential services like water supply, flood mitigation, agriculture support, and biodiversity conservation in the Himalayan region. This study focused on Nainital district lakes, utilizing remote sensing and GIS techniques to assess their condition. Time series Landsat 8 satellite imageries acquire by USGS earth explorer from 2017 and 2022 were captured, pre-processed, and subjected to spectral-based classification algorithms in ArcGIS software to calculate Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalised Difference Water Index (NDWI), and Normalised Difference Built-up Index (NDBI) indices to assess changes in vegetation, water bodies, and build-up area in and around the lakes respectively. The results indicate a decrease in built-up areas for Nainital district lakes from 2017 to 2022: Naini Lake (1.42%), Bhimtal Lake (1.83%), Naukuchiatal Lake (1.45%), Sattal Lake (2.18%), Khurpatal Lake (2.25%), and Sariyatal Lake (1.3%). Additionally, Bhimtal, Naukuchiatal, and Khurpatal lakes exhibited reductions in shrub and grass vegetation by approximately 12%, 16%, and 0% over the five-year period. Notably, Sattal and Khurapatal lakes demonstrated significant decreases in built-up areas, likely attributed to restoration efforts or landslides. Findings emphasize the need for conservation, sustainable land-use practices, and effective management to protect lake ecosystems.

Assessment of forest fire emissions in Uttarakhand State, India, using Open Geospatial data and Google Earth Engine.

In the recent past, forest fires have increased due to the changing climate pattern. It is necessary to analyse and quantify various gaseous emissions so as to mitigate their harmful effects on air pollution. Satellite remote sensing data provides an opportunity to study the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The multispectral sensor of the Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (Sentinel-5) is capable of recording the reflectance of wavelengths vital for measuring the atmospheric concentrations of methane, formaldehyde, aerosol, carbon monoxide, etc., at a spatial resolution of 0.01°. The present study utilized the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform to study the emissions caused by forest fires in four districts of Uttarakhand State of India, which witnessed unprecedented fires in April-May 2021. All the datasets were ingested in GEE, which has the capability to analyse large datasets without the need to download them. The pre-fire period chosen was September 2020; the fire period was February-May 2021, and the post-fire period was June 2021. The variables chosen were aerosol absorbing index (AAI), carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The climate parameter temperature (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Land Surface Temperature) and precipitation (from Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation (CHIRPS) Pentad) were also studied for the period mentioned. The results indicate a different trend for emissions in each district. For AAI, maximum emissions were noted in district Nainital followed by Almora, Tehri Garhwal and Garhwal. For CO emissions, the most affected district was Almora followed by Nainital, Garhwal and Tehri Garhwal. For NO2 emissions, the most affected district was Garhwal, followed by Nainital, Tehri Garhwal and Almora. Delta Normalized Burn Ratio was computed from Sentinel data (difference of pre-fire and post-fire images) to assess the burnt area severity. The Delta Normalized Burn Ratio values observed that the district with the most burnt area is Garhwal, followed by Nainital, Almora and Tehri Garhwal. The elevated temperatures and scanty rainfall patterns regulated the intensity and duration of forest fire. Monitoring the gaseous emissions as a consequence of forest fire in the GEE platform is much easier and more convenient at a regional level. Such data is much needed for mitigation measures to be implemented in time.

ROLE OF VARIOUS FACTORS AND INTERVENTIONS IN HARNESSING AND FACILITATING THE GROWTH AND SUCCESS OF WOMENPRENEURS IN NETWORK MARKETING

This study investigates the Network Marketing factors and interventions and its mediating effects on the success of womenpreneurs working with Network Marketing companies in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. A questionnaire with ten (10) variables was used to collect data from 133 womenpreneurs working in different Network Marketing companies in Nainital. Mean, Standard Deviation and Kolmogorov- Smirnov Z Test were used to analyze the data. Significant and positive effects of working in Network Marketing companies were present in seven factors and in three factors these were absent and all these details are highlighted in the results. In the end these seven factors were very critical in terms of their contribution to the success of womenpreneurs in the field of network marketing. Keywords: Network, Marketing, Womenpreneurs, Factors, Interventions

Change of Agriculture Area Over the Last 20 Years: A Case Study of Nainital District, Uttarakhand, India

Change of Agriculture Area Over the Last 20 Years: A Case Study of Nainital District, Uttarakhand, India