Himalayan District Research Articles

Teachers’ use of mobile devices in suburban under-resourced secondary schools in Nepal

This study examined how secondary teachers used mobile devices for teaching and learning activities in under-resourced secondary schools in Napal. Twelve secondary teachers from three schools in the suburbs of one Himalayan district in Nepal were interviewed using qualitative research methods. The information gathered through observation of their classes supplemented the information gathered through interviews. Findings show that using mobile devices is productive for developing digital content, getting access to internet resources, and delivering lessons in the classroom. The degree of teachers’ technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge was reflected in how they used their mobile devices for information access, language games, dictionaries, and specific learning applications. In the absence of desktop computers and laptops, this study demonstrated how mobile devices improved teachers’ teaching and learning activities. Teachers could exhibit a greater level of proficiency in using technology if they received training on its usage in teaching and learning, and administrative support.

Delineation of Groundwater Potential Zones Utilising Geospatial Multi Criteria Technique in Jakholi Block of a Himalayan District, Rudraprayag, India

Groundwater mapping is critical for satisfying people’s water needs. An attempt has been made to delineate the groundwater potential zone for Jakholi block in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, India. An innovation in groundwater research that aids in evaluating, observing, and sustaining groundwater resources is the coalscence of remote sensing data with the Geographical Information System (GIS) in order to groundwater resources. Several groundwater potential zones for assessing groundwater availability in Jakholi block have been identified in this article utilizing remote sensing and GIS methodologies. Throughout the study, nine thematic layers were evaluated for designating groundwater potential zones: geomorphology, geology, lineament density, drainage density, slope, soil texture, precipitation, relief and land use/land cover. Thematic layers were then transformed to raster using a GIS platform. After giving weights and score to individual layer, overlay analysis has been practised to identify five zones: very good, good, moderate, poor, and very poor. The majority of the territory is in a zone with poor groundwater prospect. The outcome illustrates groundwater potential zones in the research region and has been shown to be useful in improving ground water resource planning and management.

A Comparative Analysis of Education and Health Status of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Female Child in the Northern Himalayan District of Jammu, India

Good health is the indispensable intent of any developmental aftermath. Health status is inclined by biological, social and cultural factors that are highly inter-related. These factors affect male and female in a different way. Girl child health of Scheduled caste and scheduled tribes can be examined in terms of multiple indicators which vary in geography, socio-economic standing and culture. The qualitative study highlights the existing obstacles and enables to Scheduled castes/ Scheduled tribes adolescent girls entering into and completing education. Multiple barriers identified to disadvantaged caste adolescent girls into retention in education in this individual, family, community and school levels. The present paper attempts to find out the comparative analysis of Education and Health scenario in the three selected places of Jammu i.e. Gujjar Nagar and Bahu Fort, Chowadhi and Sehora so that an understanding about the female child among Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe population will be made so as to brought it in public domain for policy makers and planners to improve their plight in a more better way.

Effectiveness of snow harvesting and water productivity practices in combatting climate change‐induced drought in a Himalayan district of Nepal

Effectiveness of snow harvesting and water productivity practices in combatting climate change‐induced drought in a Himalayan district of Nepal

Anxiety among the General Population of Himalayan District during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent measures taken by the government to control the situation have imposed adverse impacts on the mental health and wellbeing of the general population. We conducted a study to determine the prevalence of anxiety among general population of a Himalayan district during the COVID-19 pandemic. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in rural communities of the Himalayan district during the early stage of the pandemic using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Data was collected for a period of one month from 13th April 2020 to 13th May 2020. Ethical approval was sought from the Institutional Review Committee of Karnali Academy of Health Sciences (Reference number: 2076/2077/07). All the participants of age 18 or above were included in the study excluding those with known mental illness. Convenience sampling method was used. A total of 427 participants were included in the study. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20. Point estimate at 95% confidence interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. The prevalence rate of anxiety was 196 (45.9%) (41.15-50.64 at 95% Confidence Interval). Anxiety was more prevalent among farmers, illiterate, widowed, and old aged. The study indicates a higher prevalence of anxiety amidst the COVID-19 pandemic compared to reported studies and highlights the need for a strategic intervention to promote awareness and wellbeing at mental health level.

Geospatial multi-criteria evaluation to identify groundwater potential in a Himalayan District, Rudraprayag, India

Geospatial multi-criteria evaluation to identify groundwater potential in a Himalayan District, Rudraprayag, India

WILD ROSEHIPS (ROSA MOSCHATASYN BRUNONII): SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD OPTION AMONG WOMEN IN NORTH WESTERN HIMALAYA OF KULLU VALLEY, HIMACHAL PRADESH, INDIA

The paper describes the status of wild rosehips (Rosa moschata syn brunoni) in the Northwestern Himalayan district of Kullu Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India. Research work was carried out with the Women Saving and Credit Groups in the rural parts of the district which emerged as a sustainable livelihood option in the region while conserving natural resources.

Excavation Method Implemented in Atal (Rohtang) Tunnel: Case Study

Structurally dynamic, youthful collapsed mountains; The Himalayas are loaded with full of geological surprises, involving issues, folds, shear zones and so forth that shows their quality because of progressing structural exercises in the Himalayas. In feature of Atal tunnel, these issues increments multifold due to high overburden of the material and also careful topographical and geotechnical investigations at different scales. This makes vulnerability in planning a specific emotionally supportive network and requests for "structure as you go" approach for whole passage length (8.8km). DRESS (Drainage-Reinforcement-Excavation-Support-Solution) philosophy of excavation is very powerful in water bearing issue zones of delicate Himalayan district. DRESS includes pre-seepage of ground in front of face with long waste gaps and adjustment of the crown in front of passage face by steel pipe umbrella curve, up to a foreordained length, trailed by exhuming in little strides by mechanical methods and backing thereof. Numerous troublesome issues have been experienced during construction which was unpredicted initially. One such issue is an experience of Seri Nala. Due to differing conduct of rock mass, continuous update of rock mass is constantly required. NATM is dependent on disfigurement observing information to assess amount and nature of emotionally supportive network, has end up being a fitting apparatus for tunneling in the youthful Himalayas. This paper depicts the consolidation of NATM as well as DRESS method in the unearthing of Atal Tunnel, Himachal Pradesh, India

Climate Change Impact on Socio-cultural and its Vulnerability Assessment in Himalayan District of South Sikkim, India

Climate Change Impact on Socio-cultural and its Vulnerability Assessment in Himalayan District of South Sikkim, India

Homogeneity in traditional knowledge and cultural importance of wild edible plants in Kishtwar – a Himalayan district in NorthWest Himalaya

Homogeneity in traditional knowledge and cultural importance of wild edible plants in Kishtwar – a Himalayan district in NorthWest Himalaya

Seroprevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B virus infection in tribal population of Himalayan district Lahaul and Spiti, India

ABSTRACTHepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is an important health issue across the world. With 4% to 7% prevalence of HBV, India is designated as an intermediate endemic country. However, HBV prevalence is significantly high in some pockets of the country, especially among tribal populations. HBV prevalence and associated risk factors in residents of far-flung two Himalayan valleys, Lahaul and Spiti of Himachal Pradesh (HP), were estimated. This was a community-based cross-sectional study. Blood samples were collected and tested for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) using ELISA. Data was collected in a predesigned semi-structured format. Univariate and multivariate analyses of risk factors were done using software SPSS 25. Samples from 1,327 individuals residing in 32 villages were tested, of these 141 (10.6%) were found positive for HBsAg. High prevalence (17.2%) of HBV was recorded in Spiti valley but not in Lahaul valley (3.1%). Both sexes were equally affected. Positivity was higher in adults than in children. High risk sexual behavior (OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.1–3.6), having an HBV positive person in the family (OR = 2.4; 95% CI: 1.4–4.3), being a student (OR: 11.2; 95% CI 3.9–32.1) and preacher (OR = 9.0; 95% CI: 3.6–22.4) were the most prominent risk factors associated with HBsAg positivity. Mass immunization for HBV along with information, education, communication and behavior change communication for curtailing risk behavior for avoiding risk factors is essential in the area.

Ethnomedicinal plants used for curing various gynaecological problems in North Western Himalayan district Kullu of Himachal Pradesh

The present study documents ethnomedicinal plants used by the local inhabitants of Kullu Valley to cure various gynaecological problems. Result shows total 15 plants species are being used by the women to cure these ailments.

Micro Hydropower: An Adaptive Technology in the Changing Context, a Case Study from Trans Himalayan District of Mustang, Nepal

Situated at an altitude of about 3,000 meters above sea level, Trans Himalayan district of Mustang categorized as water deficit arid desert has growing demand for electricity just like in rest of Nepal. As access to grid has become a major development agenda, National grid is penetrating remote districts like Mustang. In the face of grid expansion, the Micro Hydro systems installed 20-30 years to lighten the villages could be at risk of being nonfunctional if proper energy planning is not done. The study was conducted in the villages in phase of grid connection and having micro hydro commissioned 20-30 years ago. This study assesses the community perception on extending grid and their perception on preexisting micro hydro. The paper illustrates the role of MHP in the changing context of emerging renewable energy technologies and expansion of grid penetration across the Himalayas. Underscoring the relevance of local resource utilization and energy source diversification paper highlight the needs for proper planning of energy mix for promoting sustainable energy supply.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal and liver parasites in yaks in the cold desert area of lower Mustang, Nepal

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of gastrointestinal and liver parasites in yak in the cold desert area of the Mustang District, Nepal. MethodsFecal samples were collected over a period of three months from 96 yaks from the high Himalayan District of Mustang, Nepal. The samples were tested for the presence of parasites by direct smear, sedimentation, and floatation techniques. Yak herders were surveyed with pre-tested questionnaires by participatory appraisals to explore their knowledge and awareness of parasitic diseases and health management. ResultsExamination of fecal samples revealed that 82 were positive for one or more parasites, giving an overall prevalence of 85.42%, in which 6.25% had single and 79.17% had multiple parasitic infections. Animals with poor body condition scores and young age were more susceptible than their counterparts. Inferior body condition scores were attributed to parasitic burden. No significant difference was noted between worm burden and either the sex of the animal or the altitude. ConclusionsA high proportion of yaks in the lower Mustang Region of Nepal suffered from the mild to moderate parasitic infection, significant enough to contaminate the pasture and spread infection to healthy animals. Complementary studies are needed to establish the impact of parasitism on productive performance. Furthermore, nutrition and health management, including regular and strategic parasite monitoring programs are needed for better health and productivity.

Types of cooking stove and risk of Acute Lower Respiratory Infection among under-five children: a cross sectional study in Rasuwa, a Himalayan district of Nepal

Background: In Nepal, about 75% people rely on wood and other biomass fuels for cooking. The majority of Nepali families cook on a traditional stove, an open fire in the kitchen resulting in indoor air pollution, one of the key risk factors for Acute Lower Respiratory Infection (ALRI) among under-five children.The study aimed at exploring the association of indoor air pollution due to use of traditional cooking stoves with ALRI among under-five children in Rasuwa, a Himalayan district of Nepal.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Rasuwa district from October to November 2011. The mothers with under-five children who lived in household using biomass fuels were interviewed. The total sample size of 210, calculated on the basis of Proportion to Population Size, was selected by using cluster sampling method. Children who suffered from common cold and fast breathing/higher respiratory rate were defined as having ALRI. Logistic regression was used to find out association of types of cooking stove and other factors with ALRI among the children.Results: Only about 30% of the households used improved stoves for cooking. Nearly one-third (31.4%) of the children under five years of age who lived in household using biomass fuels suffered from ALRI. After adjusting for the factors like mother’s group status, ethnic group, age of children, mother’s group membership status and father’s occupation, use of traditional/open type of cooking stove was found to be highly associated with ALRI [aOR:2.30; 95%CI (1.03-5.10)] among children.Conclusion: Exposure to smoke from a traditional stove is one of the factors leading to ALRI among children. The ALRI could be substantially reduced if these stoves be replaced by improved ones in rural areas of Nepal.

Where Have All the Young Men Gone?: Social Fragmentation during Rapid Neoliberal Development in Nepal's Himalayas

Neoliberal development processes are increasingly pervasive across the globe, but they are incorporated unevenly into social systems at the micro-level, with varying ramifications for social institutions and individuals. This paper investigates how kinship networks relate to exposure to change processes in two villages of Humla District, Nepal. A geospatial analysis reveals that unexpected byproducts of development affected social institutions in this remote Himalayan district. Our techniques using ArcGIS software offer visual representation of information that could facilitate the application of anthropological knowledge to a variety of issues in community development. The findings we present suggest that increasing integration with a market economy and other external influences exaggerated differences in social networks. Specifically, we found that those villages with more development activity had more dispersed families and fewer social resources at home. Low kinship densities were in part the trade-of...

Success Status of Government Development Programmes: An Experience from Cooch Behar District,West Bengal, India

Based on the demographic data of 2001 census, a total number of 4,612 revenue villages have been identified by the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, Govt. of West Bengal, India as the most backward in the state. Cooch Behar (one of the sub Himalayan district of the said state) also had declared 52 (fifty two) villages as backward in two consecutive phases. Some extra developmental impetus had been given in those villages to facilitate growth and prosperity. The present investigation was undertaken in the backward villages of Cooch Behar District of West Bengal (India) to study the success status of government development programmes running in the villages. A sample of 10% families was taken randomly for the study. Besides analyzing the secondary data obtained from ICDS projects (Integrated Child Development Project) and village Panchayat, an index called Composite Success Index (CSI) was developed for assessing the present status of success of the development programmes undertaken by the government agencies. The study revealed that the success of development programmes were low to medium in most of the villages. It is also revealed that success status is more where backwardness is more i.e. more backward villages achieved more success with respect to implementation of different development programmes.

Disaster Risk Analysis (DRA): Case Studies from Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, India.

The word Disaster Risk Analysis is combination of three stipulations, having their unique entity impact, where disaster signify natural and manmade disasters, risk indicate the exposure, resistance, resilience, vulnerability, hazard concentration level of the disasters and analysis means used methodologies and techniques. They all are unified in DRA. Pithoragarh is a Himalayan district lies in MCT (Main Central Thrust) zone of Uttarakhand where climate, vegetation and community status greatly vary with elevation. Highly prone to landslides, earthquakes, forest fire, flash flood, drought etc. The main purpose of this paper is to illustrate the vulnerability and risk scenario of Pithoragarh, community participation echelon, administrative set- up and suggest a disaster management action plan. Keywords- Case studies, Disasters, Exposure, GIS, GPS, PRA tools, Resilience, Resistance, Risk analysis. Vulnerability.

Population dynamics of earthworms during crop rotation under rainfed agriculture in central Himalayas, India

The density and seasonal distribution patterns of three to five earthworm species was observed in relation to crop rotations during a period of 2 years in three localities ((a) Sun temple site; (b) Small tank site; (c) Dak bunglow site) in the rainfed upland agricultural system of central Himalayan district of Almora, India. Earthworm species composition at Sun tample site was different from the Dak bunglow site and Small tank site. Drawida sp. was dominant at the Sun tample site whereas Lennogaster yeicus and Metaphire holutii were dominant at the Dak bunglow site. Maximum earthworm density (200 m −2) was recorded in the late rainy season in the rice crop mixture and in Eleusine coracana (finger millet) crop mixture (335 m −2) sown following the harvest of winter wheat crop. Ploughing, harrowing and cult-discing the soils in the agricultural system during crop rotation had adverse effect on earthworm species populations. Ploughing back of crop byproducts along with the addition of the organic manure encouraged increase in the earthworm populations.

Lineage Structure in a Himalayan Society, Himalayan District

Lineage Structure in a Himalayan Society, Himalayan District