Garhwal Himalaya Research Articles

Soil erodibility mapping using watershed prioritization and morphometric parameters in conjunction with WSA, SPR and AHP-TOPSIS models in Mandakini basin, India

ABSTRACT The Himalayan region is the most sensitive due to its fragility, especially in soil erosion; therefore, it is a growing concern for environmentalists and natural resource planners. The study river basin Mandakini is situated in the central part of the Garhwal Himalayan region (Uttarakhand, India), which is highly prone to soil erosion due to various hydro-geomorphological factors. The factors include precipitous slope, geology, rugged terrain, land use and drainage pattern. Therefore, to identify the erosion-prone areas of the study basin, employed watershed prioritization technique using geographical information system and remote sensing integrated with weighted sum analysis (WSA), sediment production rate (SPR) and Technique of Order Preference Similarity to the Ideal Solution with Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP-TOPSIS) models. It is calculated by taking different parameters indicating linear, landscape, and shape parameters. All the sub-watersheds (SW) of the basin were prioritized in different categories for all models with model performance for the Mandakini river basin in the central Himalaya. The results are showing almost similar results except for high erosion-prone regions. The results of the SPR model indicate that vary large areas (43.47%) of the basin suffering from severe erosion limited in the north-central (WS11, WS12, WS21), eastern (WS2), and southern (WS22 and WS23) parts of the basin among 23 sub-watersheds. The result of model evaluation indicates AHP-TOPSIS is the efficient model in assessing soil erodibility. The study can help to undertake the precise decisions to propose an effective framework for soil erosion control measures and encourage soil conservation priorities of the region. The findings have implications for defining sustainable land resource management and conservation, which are critical to attaining the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development's societal goals.

Land Use Dynamics and Impact on Regional Climate Post-Tehri Dam in the Bhilangana Basin, Garhwal Himalaya

Land use and land cover (LULC) changes are a dynamic process determined by natural factors as well as the degree of human interaction in spatial and temporal perspectives. The present study focuses on analysing the LULC changes in the Bhilangana basin post-Tehri dam construction in the Garhwal Himalaya. Landsat series satellite images were used for three time periods to quantify spatial and temporal changes in the LULC using unsupervised classification techniques. The calculations of the areal coverage and change detection were carried out using the ArcGIS 10.3 software. The study finds that LULC changes were observed in the area surrounding the Tehri reservoir. The area under forest cover decreased by 54.71 km2, which is −5.7% of the geographical area, followed by agricultural land by 6.06 km2 (−0.4%) and scrubland and grass cover by 4.23 km2 (−0.28%) during the decade 2000 to 2010. Gradually, due to compensatory afforestation, forest cover increased by 5.65% in the period 2010–2020. A significant relationship with climatic variability is also established with LULC change in the region. The presence of a large water surface at a high altitude modified the albedo and air temperature and increased the atmospheric humidity and precipitation pattern. This study would be vital in understanding the climatic variability in the Himalayas and its impact on the community, environment and climate.

Differential shear wave attenuation property of the Kumaon and Garhwal Himalaya, India in terms of shallow shear wave velocity profiles

Differential shear wave attenuation property of the Kumaon and Garhwal Himalaya, India in terms of shallow shear wave velocity profiles

Effect of Altitude on Seed Dispersal and Seedling Establishment of Roth. in Garhwal Himalaya

Effect of Altitude on Seed Dispersal and Seedling Establishment of Roth. in Garhwal Himalaya

<i>Gentiana capitata</i> Subsp. <i>hemkundiana</i> (Gentianaceae) - A New Subspecies from Hemkund, Uttarakhand, India

Gentiana capitata Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don subsp. hemkundiana M.Shabir & A.N. Shukla collected from Hemkund in Garhwal Himalaya of Uttarakhand, India is described and illustrated here. The subspecies is morphologically characterized by small stout herb, stem sub-sessile; margin of leaves broadly membranous, flowers few, not dense or clustered, calyx tube herbaceous (not membranous), lobes linear-lanceolate or narrowly oblong; stamens inserted near the middle of corolla tube; seeds membranous with rough surface or slightly reticulate. The new taxon is compared morphologically with sympatric taxa G. capitata subsp. capitata and G. capitata subsp. harwanensis (G.Singh) Halda. In addition, a diagnostic key to the close infra-specific taxa of G. capitata is also provided.

Evaluation of French bean germplasm from Garhwal Himalayas for resistance to angular leaf spot

AbstractAngular leaf spot (ALS) caused by Pseudocercospora griseola is a major disease of french bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) worldwide. A good diversity of French bean is present in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, India, which is unexplored. The purpose of this study was to identify ALS-resistant accessions among local landraces of French bean in this region. One hundred seventy-six local accessions were collected from different villages of Garhwal, Uttarakhand. All the accessions were screened by four SCAR primers SN02 (Phg-2), SAA19, SM02, SBA16 (Phg-3), one STS primer TGA1.1 (Phg-1) and one SSR primer Pv-at006 (Phg-5). All the accessions were also screened for ALS resistance under field condition in the years 2019 and 2020. The disease-resistant score was recorded on 1–9 scale. After field screening, 48 accessions (19 resistant, 24 moderately resistant and five susceptible) were selected for in-vitro screening under screen house condition. These 46 accessions were artificially inoculated by two different isolates of P. griseola P5 and P9, which are the most virulent pathotype characterized by microbiology lab, College of Forestry, Tehri, Uttarakhand. After in-vitro screening, seven accessions (GFB-25, GFB-26, GFB-30, GFB-32, GFB-93, GFB-97 and GFB-136) were found resistant to both the isolates P5 and P9. The P. griseola-resistant accessions may further be used in future breeding programmes to develop new and more resistant varieties of French bean against ALS.

Soil organic carbon estimation along an altitudinal gradient of chir pine forests in the Garhwal Himalaya, India: A field inventory to remote sensing approach

AbstractChir pine (Pinus roxburghii, Sarg.) forests are dominant in the Indian Himalayan region and act as a huge carbon (C) sink. However, measuring the C sink in soil is complex and time‐intensive, and therefore the present study attempts to estimate the soil organic carbon (SOC) through a remote sensing (RS) approach. We estimated SOC stock of chir pine forests along an altitudinal gradient at three soil depths (0–30, 30–60 and 60–100 cm) in the Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand. Fourteen forest stands at four altitudes, viz., <1000 m above sea level (m asl), 1001–1400 m asl, 1401–1800 m asl and >1801 m asl were surveyed and served for data collection. A model for predicting SOC was developed through stepwise regression analysis based on vegetation information and altitude as independent variables with the field data on SOC. For vegetation information, we used the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) measured through remote sensing (RS). The mean SOC stock up to 100 cm depth was increased with increasing altitude and were in the order of 69.66 ± 19.86, 85.27 ± 17.53, 95.68 ± 7.90 and 148.41 ± 71.39 million g ha−1 (million gram per hectare) for <1000, 1001–1400, 1401–1800 and >1801 m_asl, respectively. The result showed that NDVI was a good predictor for SOC estimation. The model predicted SOC stock between 57 and 152 million g ha−1 with a mean of 93 million g ha−1, which was close to the SOCs from field inventory. Therefore, RS could be used to precisely map the SOC stock in the chir pine forests of the Himalayas through NDVI and provide information to policymakers for forest management.

Glacier mass balance estimation in Garhwal Himalaya using improved accumulation area ratio method.

Water requirements of the mountain communities living in the Himalaya are supported by snow and glacier melt. The availability of water from the source depends on numerous climatic and glacier parameters. One key parameter is mass balance, which helps to assess the glacier health and future water availability. We have used the improved accumulation area ratio (IAAR) method to estimate mass balance in Alaknanda and Bhagirathi basins, constituting 1055 glaciers covering ~1609 km2. The mean Equilibrium Line Altitude (ELA) of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi basins are estimated as 6147 ± 130 and 5985 ± 130m.a.s.l, respectively. The mass balance is estimated using the accumulation area ratio (AAR)-mass balance relationship. The mean specific mass balance of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi for 2001-2013 is estimated as -1.1 ± 0.03m.w.e.a-1 and -1.01 ± 0.07m.w.e.a-1, respectively. Total mass loss from the study area is calculated as ~21.4 ± 1.1Gt during this period. The loss of glaciers in the mountain area will increase the vulnerability of communities living in the region. It suggests a need for better adaptation strategies to improve the resilience of high mountain communities.

Status, distribution and aspects of ecology of monal (Lophorus impeyanus) in Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand, India

The Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus), state bird of Uttarakhand state is also the national bird of Nepal. The bird is of conservation priority species due to the nine coloured bird is distributed throughout the higher altitude of Himalayas and due to the bright coloured feather, they have been exploited for the feather as well as for the meat purposes. This species conservation priority species in its entire range because of its declining population due to anthropogenic threats. This bird is facing greatest threat of extinction due to poaching and habitat degradation. Out of the 17 species of Pheasant that occur in India are protected from capture by national and international legislation. Due to decrease in population they have been recognised as Schedule I species of Wildlife Protection Act (1972). However, it is highly desirable that status, distribution, and threats to conservation of monal pheasant should be given due importance. To understand the status distribution and habitat preference of the monal an intensive study was carried out. Surveys were conducted at 6 high altitude sites in Garhwal Himalayas including Kedarnath Wildlife sanctuary and the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, between the altitudinal range from 2500m to 4000m a.s.l. The direct as well indirect methods were used and found that the number of faecal group was found to be maximum in Himtoli (2.64±2.2) followed by Madh Maheshwer (0.96±1.29), Saukhark (0.75±1.4). For the direct sighting the maximum number of monal were sighted in Tungnath (0.26±0.59), followed by Bansinarayan (0.14±.43), Madh Maheshwer (0.14±0.44). No direct sightings were recoded from Himtoli. Due to illegal poaching and habitat destruction the population of monal pheasant has declined and now confined to a few small fragmented patches and needs urgent attention for the conservation.

Calibration of WRF Hydro for Bhagirathi Alaknanda Basin

Complemented with the coupling of the most sensitive and challenging interaction between terrestrial hydrology and atmosphere, the Bhagirathi-Alaknanda basin of the Garhwal Himalaya requires advanced dynamic and most comprehensively coupled atmospheric-hydrological models for simulation of streamflows. WRF-Hydro model which is enhanced by integrating most advanced set of hydrologic physics parameterization accounting for lateral water flow occurring on the land surface is the most compatible for this basin. This paper illustrates the development and the calibration of WRF-Hydro model through construction of flow matrices for different seasons.

Crop Production and Carbon Sequestration Potential of Grewia oppositifolia-Based Traditional Agroforestry Systems in Indian Himalayan Region

Bhimal (Grewia oppositifolia) is the most important agroforestry tree species used for fodder, fuel and fiber in the Himalayan region. In the present study, G. oppositifolia-based traditional agroforestry systems were selected for the estimation of carbon stock and the production potential of barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea) and finger millet (Eleusine coracana), with two elevational ranges, i.e., 1000–1400 and 1400–1800 m amsl, in Garhwal Himalaya, India. The results of the investigation showed a decline in the growth and yield attributes of both the millet crops under the G. oppositifolia-based agroforestry system at both elevations as compared to their respective control sites (sole crops). Among the elevations, the total number of tillers per plant (2.70 and 2.48), the number of active tillers per plant (2.18 and 2.25), panicle length (17.63 cm and 6.95 cm), 1000-seed weight (5.49 g and 4.33 g), grain yield (10.77 q ha−1 and 11.35 q ha−1), straw yield (37.43 q ha−1 and 30.15 q ha−1), biological yield (48.21 q ha−1 and 41.51 q ha−1) and the harvest index (22.53% and 27.78%) were recorded as higher in the lower elevation in both E. frumentacea and E. coracana, respectively, while plant population per m2 (18.64 and 25.26, respectively) was recorded as higher in the upper elevation. Plant height for E. frumentacea (180.40 cm) was also observed to be higher in the upper elevation, while for E. coracana (98.04 cm), it was recorded as higher in the lower elevation. Tree carbon stock was reported negatively with an increase in altitude. The maximum amount of sequestered carbon in the tree biomass for G. oppositifolia was 23.29 Mg ha−1 at the lower elevation and 18.09 Mg ha−1 at the upper elevation. Total carbon stock in the tree biomass was reported to be the highest (15.15 Mg ha−1) in the 10–20 cm diameter class, followed by 20–30 cm (6.99 Mg ha−1), >30 cm (2.75 Mg ha−1) and the lowest (2.32 Mg ha−1) in the <10 cm diameter class. The results show that the yield of E. frumentacea and E. coracana was not reduced so severely under the G. oppositifolia system; however, keeping in mind the other benefits of this multipurpose tree, i.e., carbon sequestration and socioecological relevance, farmers can get benefit from adopting these crops under G. oppositifolia-based agroforestry systems.

Multi-Proxy analysis in the Gangotri Glacier region, Garhwal Himalaya: Glacial Stratigraphy and the overview of snout retreat, geomorphic evolution, and palaeoclimate signatures

Multi-Proxy analysis in the Gangotri Glacier region, Garhwal Himalaya: Glacial Stratigraphy and the overview of snout retreat, geomorphic evolution, and palaeoclimate signatures

Evaluation of a Preliminary Support Design of Railway Tunnel Adit in Inner Lesser Himalaya India: An Empirical Analysis

This article addresses the excavation method and support design for the adit tunnel in the Rudraprayag District, Lesser Himalayas of India, using Rock Mass Rating (RMR), Tunneling Quality Index (Q), and New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM). Based on ONORM B 2203 correlations with RMR and Q systems, the New Austrian Tunneling Method rock structure classes were developed. Because the geology was constantly changing, NATM concepts were applied. The RMR-based rock mass estimates were overestimated, but the qualitative investigation was correct. The NATM method is more appropriate for a Garhwal Himalayan rock with varying rock mass uncertainty. The present adit research reveals several outstanding questions about rock mass quality, tunnel behavior during construction, and use. The analysis results might be used to build new tunnels in comparable terrain in other parts of the world.

Biomass and lipid production potential of cyanobacteria and microalgae isolated from the diverse habitats of Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India

In the present study, a total of 52 cyanobacterial and 57 microalgal strains belonging to different genera were investigated for their potential to produce biodiesel feedstock. Ranking of different isolates was performed employing a multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) software, PROMETHEE, considering three important parameters, the specific growth rate, biomass productivity and lipid content. PROMETHEE offers a straightforward selection of potential isolates enumerating Phi scores. Among all the studied strains, Pseudobohlinia sp. (PbS–BHS), a unicellular green alga and a new record from Badrinath hot spring and Uttarakhand (India), was identified as the most potent candidate (Phi = 0,6053; specific growth rate = 0.7 per day; biomass productivity = 203.5 mg/L/d; lipid content = 33%). Of filamentous forms, Leptolyngbya foveolarum (LlF-RHS), isolated from Ringigad hot spring, secured the top position (Phi = 0,5017; specific growth rate = 0.38 per day; biomass productivity = 25 mg/L/d; lipid content = 13%). Nevertheless, several other microalgal [e.g., Oocystis quadricauda (OQ-SHS), Chlorella sorokiniana (CS–CHS), Coelastrum sphericum (CeS-KFS) and Scenedesmus dimorphus (SD-ADW)] and cyanobacterial [e.g., Leptolyngbya sp. (LlS-SHS), Lyngbya langerhemii (LL-RHS), Lyngbya aesturii (LA-RHS), Leptolyngbya laminosa (LlL-SHS) and Phormidium sp. (PS-DWS)] strains also depicted substantially high Phi scores. Hence, they also appear to be promising for algal biodiesel feedstock production.

Relationship of isotopic variations with spring density in the structurally controlled springs and related geosystem services in Alaknanda Valley, Garhwal Himalaya, India

As a traditional water source, springs are vital for Himalayan communities and it is essential to consciously focus on springs conservation. We report oxygen isotopes (δ18O) of spring water before, within, and after the tectonically active zones of the Alaknanda Valley, Uttarakhand. Higher variation of δ18O in the spring waters is found in highly tectonically disturbed zone i.e., Zone-2 with δ18O range − 4.9‰ to − 9.0‰ compared to tectonically less disturbed zones: Zone-1 and Zone-3 with δ18O value range − 7.9‰ to − 9.9‰ and − 7.4 to − 10.2‰ respectively. We hypothesize that the highly active thrust zones (Zone-2) with increased permeability compared to other Zones, manifested as greater spring density, results in higher water recharge in Zone-2. Very high to high spring density stretches are dominant in Zone-2 compared to Zone-1 and Zone-3. Stretches in Zone-2 with high spring density formed due to its highly tectonically active nature leads to the higher isotopic variation in Zone-2. The study also identifies the geosystem services provided by thrust zones as water resources to the local people and need of conservation modalities to manage the spring water resources in the thrust zones.

Sedimentation pattern of kame terraces and its implication to climatic events in the Gangotri glacier region since 25 Ka BP, Garhwal Himalaya, India

• The sedimentation in the Kame terraces has taken place under low energy stagnant water conditions in a lacustrine environment . • The Kame terraces were evolved under glacial-fluvial at the base and lacustrine environment at the top. • The study demonstrates climate change since 25 Ka BP. • The study confirms the major climatic signatures such as Last Glacial Maximum , Older Dryas , Bølling-Allerød, Younger Dryas , Indus Valley Civilization Collapse, Medieval Warm Period and Little Ice Age. Gangotri glacier, located in the Uttarkashi district, is one of the longest valley glaciers of the Garhwal Himalaya. It exhibits lateral moraines, recessional moraines, outwash plains, kame terraces, and debris cones. Kame terraces are significant landforms that preserve the climatic records and geological history in their deposits. The sedimentary and mineral magnetic analysis on 165 cm thick trenched sections sampled at 2.5 cm interval of the kame terraces together with the AMS (Accelerator Mass Spectrometer) age indicate its response to the major climatic events in this region and sedimentation history of the kame terraces. The granulometric analysis describes that the mean grain size of these sediments varies from coarse to fine sand, which are poorly sorted with an excess of finer sediments. This indicates, low to moderate energy over a longer duration with fluctuation of the depositional environment. The mineral magnetic analysis reflects unimodal detrital modes governed by the energy conditions from meltwaters that are in turn controlled by the climatic conditions from warmer to colder episodes. Therefore, the sedimentation in the kame terraces has taken place under the low energy lacustrine environment during warmer climates. The kame terraces sedimentation therefore has recorded the major climatic events, such as Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) 21–19.5 Ka BP, Older Dryas (OD) 16.5–14.5 Ka BP, Bølling-Allerød (BA) 14.5–13.5 Ka BP, Younger Dryas (YD) 13.5–12 Ka BP, Indus Valley Civilization Collapse (IVCC) 5.0–3.0 Ka BP, Medieval Warm Period (MWP) 1.25–0.7 Ka BP and Little Ice Age (LIA) 0.7–0.2 Ka BP.

Forest disturbance detection in Garhwal Himalayas using MODIS NDVI time-series and BFAST model

In this study, the BFAST model was used to decompose MODIS NDVI time-series and detect negative abrupt changes within trend during the study period (2005 to 2018). These negative abrupt changes were filtered and assigned as disturbances in the selected forest classes. The results showed that on average 15.01% of the forests were disturbed annually and 86.84% area was affected during the whole study period. The selected forests were affected the most in year 2008, 2011, and 2016. The model validation established a strong agreement between measured and estimated disturbance with 92.63% overall accuracy and kappa coefficient value of 0.86. The information about the time, extent, and impact of disturbances derived from remote sensing and GIS might be a critical tool for the degradation evaluation of forest ecosystem and also help in the development of forest management policies for sustainable development of the Himalayan region.

Pollen Morphology of Some Taxa of Rosaceae from Garhwal Himalaya - I

Palynological investigation of a particular taxonomic group helps in classification, identification and delimitation of its taxa. The present study deals with pollen morphology of 19 species of Rosaceae of Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India. The measurements and observations of grains were made through light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Pollen grains of studied species were isopolar, monad and radially symmetric with tricolporate aperture. Pollen shapes varied from prolate or sub-prolate to spheroidal. In the majority of species, amb was elliptical in equatorial view with obtuse to acute end at poles and triangular in polar view. The highest and lowest polar axis lengths were recorded for Pyrus communis (46 ± 1.6 μ m) and Potentilla indica (20.1 ± 0.7 μ m) respectively. The average polar/equatorial diameter ratio (P/E ratio) was 1.4 μm which ranged between 1.1 μ m (Fragaria nubicola) to 1.7 μ m (Chaenomeles japonica). The studied taxa were grouped into four pollen types (categories) on the basis of exine ornamentation, viz. straite, straito-perforate, straito-reticulate and straito-verrucate. The study revealed that the morphological characteristics of pollen provide significant information to categorize various taxa.

Racial Hybridization and Inbreeding Depression in Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) G. Don.

Aim of the study: This study aims to establish the inter-racial hybridization in Cedrus deodara from Garhwal Himalaya, India. Material and methods:Racial hybridization was conducted successfully in Cedrus deodara taking pollen (male gamete) from three different races/populations, i.e. Dhanoulti, Pauri and Harsil (locality-specific) at Dandachali population where female/ovulate cones were selected as mother trees. Main results:The results revealed that cone and seed set percentages in the selected races varied from 58.8 to 68.2 % and 79.0 – 86.2 %, respectively. Manual pollination resulted 0.972 and 0.953 inbreeding depression for cone and seed set, respectively. Highlights: C. deodara proclaimed high inbreeding depression at embryonic stage also manifests high compatibility for developing hybrids in its natural range of growth in Himalaya.

Occurrence of The Little Known Dubious Five-Ring Ypthima parasakra Eliot in Garhwal Himalaya

A survey carried out from Sankri village to Har-ki-Doon valley in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand revealed the occurrence of dubious five ring Ypthima parasakra Eliot (1987). The identity of the species was confirmed on examination of its male genitalia and its comparison with its congener, the Himalayan five-ring Y. sakra Moore (1958). This is the first site specific record of this little-known species from the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya, which is otherwise known from Central and Eastern Himalaya, in India. A brief account on the habitat of the species is given.