Garhwal Himalaya Research Articles

Mass balance and morphological changes of Dokriani Glacier (1992–2013), Garhwal Himalaya, India

Glacier mass balance measurements is an important element in understanding the processes of accumulation and ablation over a period of time that depend on the climatic conditions and geometry of the glacier. Glacier change can be through field, ground and aerial photographic measurements and high-resolution remote sensing at local, regional and global scale. In this study we presents a long time series ground observations of the mass balance and length change of Dokriani Glacier for the period 1992–2013. A medium sized glacier (6.6 km2) characterised by large accumulation area with narrowing ablation is located in the monsoon dominated zone of Central Himalaya, India. The spatial variability in the mass balance gradient profile of the two different study periods (i.e. 1992-2000 and 2007–2013) show consistency, but has shift upwards in the recent year. The glacier has higher value of AARn (67%) which attributed to a flat and broader accumulation area. Although, having a larger accumulation area compared to the ablation area, the glacier has strong mass wasting with an average annual ablation of −1.85 m w. e. a−1 as compared to the residual average annual accumulation of 0.44 m w. e. a−1. The recession rate of 21 m a−1 during 2007–2013 slightly higher than the retreat rate of 18 m a−1 during 1992–2000 and 16 m a−1 during 2000–2007. In addition, the state of Dokriani Glacier, based on accumulation-area ratio (i.e. AARn and AAR0) suggests that glacier in disequilibrium having decrease its accumulation area. The progressive retreat rate and continuous negative mass balance of the glacier affects its extension and volume. The overall morphological changes that includes reduction ∼14% of total glacier area and enhancement of debris over the ablation zone (∼4%) during the study period is significant. The present study is a part of long ground based observations on retreat of glacier in the Himalayan region.

Impact of Rishikesh-Karanprayag railway line on the agroecosystem of Maletha village of Garhwal Himalaya

Uttarakhand is a newly incepted state, geographically and culturally distinct from the plains and is the prime destination of tourists not only from India but also from different parts of the globe. Railways in Uttarakhand will certainly play a crucial role in the development of the state. Ministry of Railways of India has launched and initiated a project to connect the Char dhams of the state which will surely prove a landmark in the developmental feat of the state but development and modernization at the cost of disturbing the ecosystem in general and agricultural ecosystem in particular will create an imbalance in the livelihood of the people who by and large depend on agriculture economy. The present study was carried out in an agriculturally rich medium sized village of Uttarakhand. The survey reveal that climatic and geographical conditions of the village are suitable for the cultivation of large number of vegetables, fruits, cereals, millets, pulses and fodder plants supporting the livelihood of the natives. Land acquisition would have a negative impact on the socio-economic condition of the farmers as well as on the traditional crop diversity of the area as the railway project covers most of the fertile land. Thus, for reducing the havoc in the lives of the villagers government should provide land as an exchange as most of the population is agriculture dependent and at the same time degradation should be viewed with long-term vision

Effect of altitude on the mechanical strength of Grewia optiva fiber in Garhwal Himalaya, India

ABSTRACT In recent decades, fiber yielding plants are getting more importance due to their eco-friendly nature of material they produce compared to other conventional materials. These plants fibers are major raw materials to the textiles and other fiber-related industries. But due to over exploitation, improper utilization, and lack of proper marketing channels, these fiber-yielding plants are not getting proper recognition in the local/regional/national and international markets. Among the fiber-yielding species in Garhwal Himalaya, Grewia optiva is an important tree that yields fiber and used by villagers for several traditional purposes. Grewia optiva is distributed in wide altitudinal range (500–2500 masl) of Garhwal Himalaya and, therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of altitude on the physical properties of Grewia optiva fiber. Three major ranges of altitudes (i.e., <1000, 1000–1500, and >1500 masl) were selected for this study and four major parameters (i.e., Fiber Denier, Breaking Strength, Tenacity and Elongation at Break) were taken to understand their properties in each altitude under study. The results show that the mechanical strength of Grewia fiber at higher altitude is maximum due to fiber denier value, breaking strength, elongation at break, and lower at lowest altitude except for tenacity value (highest in middle attitude).

Baseline maps of potentially toxic elements in the soils of Garhwal Himalayas, India: Assessment of their eco‐environmental and human health risks

AbstractGeochemical mapping is frequently used to identify the regions of the Planet with critical chemical elements and their natural or anthropogenic sources. In order to understand elements' geochemistry and to identify the area's potentially harmful associations, high‐resolution maps of chemical elements, physico‐chemical parameters, a noncarcinogenic hazard index, and a potential ecological risk index were modelled with soil samples collected in the Himalaya region. It is the first environmental and geochemical atlas for this region. It was found that natural processes are determining the distribution of the variable in this area. The granulometric features seem to be strongly influenced by land use, with coarser grain sizes in forest soils, contrasting with the finer grain sizes in agricultural soils. The map distribution of the noncarcinogenic hazard index showed that there is an expected hazard for some variables for both children and adults. Potential ecological risk is revealed to be low to moderate. Remediation of contaminated soils is necessary to reduce the associated risks, make the land resource available for agricultural production, enhance food security, and scale down land tenure problems arising from changes in the land use pattern. This study is subsequent implementation of natural‐based approaches to system stability in largely unspoilt area.

Variation in specific gravity and carbon proportion of agroforestry tree species of Himalaya

Country-specific emission factors for the Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector are important for the national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory. Carbon stocks of trees outside forests (TOF) and agroforestry is lacking due to the unavailability of wood density and carbon fraction of various tree species. The present study is an attempt to provide estimates of wood specific gravity (WSG) and carbon content (CC) in agroforestry tree species being cultivated by farmers in Garhwal Himalaya, India for precise estimation of biomass carbon of TOF and agroforestry. A total of 160 quadrats were laid randomly in agroforestry farms to represent the area of Pauri Garhwal and Rudraprayag districts of Garhwal Himalaya. A minimum of ten matured individuals for all 33 important agroforestry species including fruit trees were randomly selected from the quadrats. Minimum ten wood samples for each species were collected at 1.37 m height from ground for each individual. The samples were wood cores to the pith and were extracted from trees circumference using an increment borer for estimation of WSG and CC. The WSG of Carica papaya was minimum to the tune of 0.16 g cm−3 and maximum for Quercus leucotrichophora with 0.81 g cm−3. The carbon content varied from 36.37% for Carica papaya to 46.52% for Pinus roxburghii. The results of the present study differed from the earlier reports for other locations suggesting the importance of developing data set on WSG and CC for precise estimation of biomass carbon stock. The estimates of WSG and CC of agroforestry tree species would complement and improve the accuracy of national GHG inventory reporting in India for tree cover. Moreover, the accurate evaluation of carbon stock would be the enabling factor for the formulation of suitable policies and programmes for forest conservation, and sustainable rural livelihood through land use based adaptation and mitigation option.

Modulation of plant functional traits under essential plant nutrients during seasonal regime in natural forests of Garhwal Himalayas

AimWe estimated how seasonality in conjunction with key climatic variables affects morphological and physiological plant functional traits (PFTs) and soil essential (micro and macro) nutrients in oak, pine, and mixed forests.MethodThe different PFTs were tested using several laboratory methods and using the portable photosynthesis system Li-COR 6400 XT, Lincoln NE, USA. Likewise, some chemical traits and soil nutrients were analyzed by using CHNS analyzer.ResultsIn this study, physiological traits such as CO2 assimilation rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate were significantly higher in the rainy season followed by summer and winter seasons. Among the different forest land uses, physiological traits and resource use efficiency have been significantly higher in oak forest (OF) compared to the mixed forest (MF) and pine forest (PF). Likewise, the concentration of macro–micro nutrients was also recorded higher during the rainy season. The concentration of macro–micro nutrients was higher in OF than in MF and PF in different forest land uses.ConclusionChanges in PFTs ultimately affect the ecosystem services imparted by the different forests. Such changes lead to the local adaptation of these forests through the interaction between PFTs and soil nutrients.

Geochronology of Himalayan shear zones: unravelling the timing of thrusting from structurally complex fault rocks

Dating structurally complex fault rocks often results in internally inconsistent ages, as several mineral generations are intergrown at scales ≪ 10 µm and are almost always altered to various degrees. First, electron probe microanalysis is necessary to assess both inventory and spatial distribution of minerals and their retrogression or alteration phases. We then used 40 Ar/ 39 Ar step-heating combining two independent indicators that allow the discrimination of coexisting mica generations from each other: (1) mica stoichiometry, which is proxied by 39 Ar concentration in combination with 37 Ar/ 39 Ar and 38 Ar/ 39 Ar (Ca/K and Cl/K) ratios; (2) furnace temperature at which the degassing peak accompanying dehydration and structural collapse is observed. As dehydration rates depend on average bond strength in the crystal structure, it is predicted and observed that the temperature of the differential Ar release peak is variable among different minerals. We observe that the Ca/Cl/K signatures of pure micas coincide with the Ar release peak. The Main Central Thrust zone in the Garhwal Himalaya records a protracted history. Foliation of the Vaikrita Thrust formed at 15–8 Ma, followed by static decompression at 7 Ma; foliation of the structurally lower Munsiari Thrust formed around 5 Ma. Our elaborate and time-consuming petrochronological procedure should become routine whenever analysing polydeformed metamorphic rocks. Supplementary material: Complete data for the studied samples are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5357212 Thematic collection: This article is part of the Isotopic dating of deformation collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/isotopic-dating-of-deformation

Aerosols optical depth and Ångström exponent over different regions in Garhwal Himalaya, India.

Aerosol optical depth (AOD) and Ångström exponent (AE) are observed to be important parameters in understanding the status of ambient aerosol concentration over a particular location and depend not only upon the local but also on the large-scale dynamics of the atmosphere. The present article analyses the AOD and AE parameters retrieved with Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) and Multi-angle Imaging Spectro-Radiometer (MISR) instruments onboard satellites, for the upper (Chamoli) and foothill (Dehradun) regions of Garhwal Himalaya in Uttarakhand, India, from 2006 to 2015. Aerosol properties are investigated at monthly, seasonal, and annual scales. The monthly mean values of MODIS-derived AOD and AE were observed to be 0.18 (± 0.14) and 1.05 (± 0.43) respectively over the Dehradun region. The seasonal maximums in AOD with MODIS and MISR were observed as 0.23 ± 0.06 and 0.29 ± 0.07 respectively in the pre-monsoon season, and the minimum values (0.099 ± 0.02) were observed in the post-monsoon season, over the Dehradun region. In contrast, in the Chamoli region, the maximum AOD (MODIS) was 0.21 ± 0.06 observed in the monsoon season and the minimum was 0.036 ± 0.007 in the post-monsoon season. Over a decade, the AE for Chamoli and Dehradun was found to vary from 0.07 to 0.17 and from 0.14 to 0.20 respectively. The median AE for Chamoli and Dehradun was found to be 1.49 and 1.47 respectively, marking the dominance of fine mode particles of anthropogenic origin. Observations show the presence of dust and polluted dust resulting from the long-range transport from the west. The comparison of AOD values from the two sensors shows a significant correlation (0.73) with slightly higher values from MISR over the year. The results obtained are important in understanding the climatic implications due to the atmospheric aerosols over the abovementioned Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, India.

Effect of Mosses on physical and chemical properties of soil in temperate forests of Garhwal Himalayas

AbstractMosses are one of the most important and dominant plant communities, especially in the temperate biome, and play a significant role in ecosystem function and dynamics. They influence the water, energy and element cycle due to their unique ecology and physiology. The present study was undertaken in three different temperate forest sites in the Garhwal Himalayas, viz., Triyuginarayan (Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS)), Chakrata, and Kanasar forest range. The study was focused on understanding the influence of mosses on soil physical properties and nutrient availability. Different physico-chemical properties were analysed under two different substrata, that is, with and without moss cover in two different seasons, viz., monsoon and winter. We observed mosses to influence and alter the physical properties and nutrient status of soil in both seasons. All soil physical and chemical properties, except magnesium, showed significant difference within the substrates, among all the sites and across the two seasons. Besides the soil characteristics underneath the moss vegetation, the study also highlights the diversity of mosses found in the area. Mosses appear to create high nutrient microsites via a high rate of organic matter accumulation and retain nutrients for longer periods thus, maintaining ecosystem stability.

Seismically-Induced Soft Sediment Deformation Structures In and Around Chamoli, Garhwal Himalaya, India

Soft-sediment deformation structures were identified along Nandakini River valley near Chamoli village of Garhwal Lesser Himalaya. The deformation, in each outcrop, is restricted to a single stratigraphic layer bounded by undeformed flat-lying layers, eliminating the influence of slope failure. The structures are multiple liquefaction features like sand dikes, flame structures, pear-drop disturbance and downward warping of beds. The preferred interpretation is that the deformations resulted from earthquake-induced liquefaction and their existence adjacent to the Nandaprayag Fault can be related to episodic seismicity that occurred along this fault. However, more data and dating technique is needed to constrain the timing and distance to the causative seismic source. It is possible that more than one earthquake has effected the deformations.

Relationship of Physiological Plant Functional Traits With Soil Carbon Stock in The Temperate Forest of Garhwal Himalaya

Relationship of Physiological Plant Functional Traits With Soil Carbon Stock in The Temperate Forest of Garhwal Himalaya

Runout modelling and hazard assessment of Tangni debris flow in Garhwal Himalayas, India

Debris flows are frequently occurring natural processes in geologically complex terrains of the Indian Himalayas. Debris flow runout modelling leading to hazard assessment is essential for planning, designing, and execution of mitigation measures. In the present context, debris flow hazard assessment has been carried out for the Tangni debris flow in Garhwal Himalayas, India. Runout modelling was carried out using a Voellmy model-based 3D numerical simulation for estimation of flow intensity parameters such as runout distance, flow velocity, height and pressure along the propagation path. For calibration of the model inputs, back analysis of Tangni debris flow event that occurred in 2013, with its known runout length and deposition volume as the criteria, has been conducted. The best calibrated values of frictional parameters are obtained at μ = 0.10 and ξ = 400 m/s2. Using the best calibrated values of frictional parameters, hazard assessment was carried out for two potential release areas separately, with different initial volumes, and in combination to derive the probable runout distance along with other flow intensity parameters for different scenarios that may happen in the future. It has been observed that this debris flow scenario including the combination of two potential release areas will block the Alaknanda River, forming a landslide dam with a probable height of 6 m. Debris flow runout modelling-based hazard assessment will be helpful in determining quantitative information on flow intensity parameters, where complete data on past events are generally not available or were not possible to capture for the Indian Himalayan region.

Home Range and Distance Covered of Chukar Partridge Aectoris Chukar at Mandal Valley, Garhwal Himalaya, India

Present paper reports Home range and distance covered of Chukar partridge at mandal valley, Garhwal Himalaya from November 2018 to October 2019. During the study period, average home range (altitude M) of Chukar was 1756.75±7.75 and average distance covered from water source 69.52±6.76 (M), maximum range observed in month of June (1812±8.0) while minimum range observed in November month (1708±5.0) respectively. Maximum distance covered observed in August month (99.04±11.42) and minimum distance covered recorded in month of May (41.10±4.83). Seasonal variation was also observed, Maximum range in Summer season (1803±10.33)and minimum observed in winter season (1713.33±8.0), seasonal variation also observed in monsoon and post monsoon season (84.85± 8.77) while minimum value was observed in summer season (47.77±6.44) respectively.

A Perspective on Rishiganga-Dhauliganga Flash Flood in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Garhwal Himalaya, India

Abstract A ground-based and heliborne survey was conducted immediately after the disaster that took place on 7th February, 2021 in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Based on these observations and freely available Google Earth imagery, we have arrived at plausible causes of this catastrophe as detachment of a sizeable rock mass and overlying hanging glacier in the Raunthi catchment that dammed the Rishiganga River and led to the devastation of roads, bridges and hydropower projects in downstream.

PSYCHROPHILIC MICROBIAL DIVERSITY AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF GLACIERS IN THE GARHWAL HIMALAYA, INDIA

The main objective of the current research work was to investigate the physicochemical properties of ice samples collected from the snout of three important glaciers located in the Garhwal Himalaya along with the psychrophilic microbial diversity. This study was carried out for two years from 2015 to 2016 with two sampling attempts each year. Ice samples were collected from all the pre-identified sampling sites at a depth of 5cm to observe and record the characteristics and to isolate and identify the psychrophilic diversity of microorganisms. Overall fourteen physical and chemical properties of ice samples were recorded. The psychrophilic microbial diversity was identified through the morphological, biochemical and MALDI-TOF-MS techniques. The α–diversity of microbes in the ice of Satopanth glacier was 17 with 08 bacterial species, 04 actinomycetes species and 05 fungal species. However, the α–diversity of microbes in the ice of Bhagirathi-Kharak glacier was also 17 with 06 bacterial species, 05 actinomycetes species and 06 fungal species. The α–diversity of microbes in the ice of Gangotri glacier was 19 with 09 bacterial species, 05 actinomycetes species and 05 fungal species. The present research work can be a decent reference for additional investigations in a similar discipline. The available data will also help the researchers to study the psychrophiles, their existence in glaciers and their importance to society.

Geo‐integrated assessment of the landslide zone around Gadora along NH 58 of the Garhwal Himalayas, India

ABSTRACTThe Gadora village landslide zone situated along National Highway 58 has become very active in recent years. The landslide zone is causing a lot of damage to property along the highway and endangering the lives of people living uphill and downhill of the slopes. In the present study, a combined geological, geophysical and geotechnical investigation has been carried out to establish the subsurface layering system of the landslide. Undisturbed and disturbed samples were collected along the depth of the boreholes to determine the engineering properties of different layers. The subsurface layering and drainage patterns of the slope were inferred from electrical resistivity tomography conducted at different stretches of the slope. The present paper describes the layering system along with the engineering and physical properties obtained from the integrated geo‐investigation. The established near‐surface geometric, hydrological and material model enabled the stability study of the slope.

Comprehensive study on evaluation of Kaliasaur Landslide attributes in Garhwal Himalaya by the execution of geospatial, geotechnical and geophysical methods

The devastating Kaliasaur Landslide of Garhwal Himalaya disrupted a significant part of the National route directing to Kedarnath-Badrinath originates from Kaliasaur fault of Srinagar thrust. This landslide event comprising mainly rocks as well as debris got provoked by the monsoonal precipitation overcasting the Himalayan region. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) data evaluates this precipitation intensity. Further Rapid Mass Movement Simulation (RAMMS) modeling is employed (using ALOS PALSAR 12.5 m DEM data), that infers rockfall has 12.87 m maximum jump height, 41.52 ms−1 maximum velocities, and maximum kinetic rock energy of 1401.63 KJ just above as well as below the road. Whereas in the debris flow, the maximum height of flow is 5.3 m, the maximum velocity at its upper part is 13.04 ms−1, and maximum pressure at its upper-middle portion is 340.33 kPa. In this landslide zone, samples collected from four identified locations on which Attenberg test, as well as a direct shear test, are conducted to determine its moisture content and shear strength. Evaluation of these samples is done in terms of the grain size distribution (by sieve analysis), identification of the flaky structure of weathered minerals (by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) imaging), and measurement of reflectance (using ADS spectroscopy). All these evaluations ascertained the geology of this area is composed of weathered volcanic and metamorphic rocks. Now content with the surface investigation, the study is burrowed further into the subsurface. The concealed properties get revealed by the aid of Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) that identifies saturated, weathered as well as semi consolidated zone and inclined, horizontal bedding with discontinuity respectively. The saddles present in this landcover and impact loading of the river on the toe of the slope are the significant geomorphological findings. Finally, integrating all the methods, significant aspects of Kaliasaur landslide are sketched out, which shall help in the prevention of future fatal consequences.

Mapping tectono-metamorphic discontinuities in orogenic belts: implications for mid-crust exhumation in NW Himalaya

A newly identified high-temperature shear zone, the Badrinath shear zone (BSZ), is described within the metamorphic core of the Himalayan belt along the Alaknanda valley, Garhwal Himalaya (NW India). A multidisciplinary approach comprising fieldwork, microstructural analyses, petrology and in situ monazite geochronology was addressed to this high-strain zone to better understand its role in the Greater Himalayan Sequence (GHS) evolution along the study area. The Badrinath mylonite displays top-to-the-south thrust-sense of shear and affects sillimanite-bearing gneiss showing evidence of partial melting. The data integration allowed us to reconstruct the following model for BSZ development: the pre-mylonitic stage took place during prograde metamorphic path reaching conditions of 700–720 °C and 10 kbar during the time interval of 34 and 23 Ma, with incipient partial melting, followed by nearly-isothermal decompression triggered by the shear activity between 23 and 19 Ma, with exhumation rate of ±0.3 cm yr−1. Moreover, the rocks from the lower part of GHS, in the BSZ footwall, experienced metamorphic conditions of c. 660–700 °C and c. 10–11 kbar, the partial melting and exhumation took place ~3 Ma after the BSZ. Such findings led us to correlate the BSZ with the High Himalayan Discontinuity (HHD) of Central Himalaya. The BSZ is the first reported HHD branch in NW Himalaya (Garhwal). It corroborates the regional extent of the HHD accomplishing an important role during the GHS exhumation. In the Alaknanda valley, the BSZ activity accommodated deformation during early exhumation stages, 3 Ma before the MCTz and STDS coeval motion took place. Our observations point to a shift in time and place of the deformation responsible to trigger the GHS exhumation.

Growth performance of Ganoderma lucidum using billet method in Garhwal Himalaya, India.

Medicinal mushrooms have been used in various treatments from a very long time, among which, Ganoderma lucidum is one of the most important medicinal mushroom. It is cultivated worldwide to meet its ever-increasing demand in the market. It is generally cultivated by bed log (Sawdust) and wood log (billet) method. This study was an attempt to observe the growth performance of G. lucidum on poplar billets (Populus deltoides) in the Sherpur Village (Dehradun) and Manjgaun village (Tehri Garhwal) of Garhwal Himalaya, India. The farmers’ field with empty house/ rooms having proper growing conditions especially humidity and light were used for the cultivation of G. lucidum. The G. lucidum spawn was inoculated in poplar wood billets and these billets were installed in well prepared soil. The results demonstrated that cropping cycle of G. lucidum was shorter (132–136 days) in Sherpur Village (Dehradun) as compared to Manjgaun village (141–145 days) in Tehri Garhwal. Further the results also revealed that yield was decreased in the subsequent flushes. In Village Sherpur, the fruiting bodies of G. lucidum were harvested between 64-66 days, 100-101 days and 135-136 days during first, second and third flush after the installation of billets, respectively. However; in village Manjgaun, the fruiting bodies of G. lucidum were harvested between 69 and 71 days, 107-108 days and 144-145 days in first, second and third after the installation of billets respectively. Warmer temperature in Village Sherpur resulted in the early emergence and development of the fruiting bodies as compared to village Manjgaun where pinhead and fruiting body development was delayed due to the lower temperature during cropping cycle.

Impact of Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) on Landslide Susceptibility in Garhwal Himalaya: A Case Study

In Garhwal Himalayan region, seismicity plays a major role in inducing mass movement. Especially at places where active faulting occurs, multiple and retrogressive slope failures have been observed. The active tectonism of the Himalayan collision zone makes the whole mountain chain fragile and instable. In this context, an endeavor has been made in the present study to correlate the impact of Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) on the overall landslide susceptibility for a 74-km stretch of NH 7 in the Garhwal Himalaya, using statistical models of landslide susceptibility zonation (LSZ) mapping. The results of the study show that slope angle, road network and distance from MBT are the most crucial landslide causative parameters in the study area, with statistical contribution of 26%, 20% and 18%, respectively. The study also produces an accurate LSZ map for this stretch of NH 7, which shows that almost 30% of the area has high to very high degree of landslide susceptibility. The prepared LSZ map will be of practical significance for institutionalizing any future landslide mitigation programs in the study area.