Himalayan Region Of Pakistan Research Articles

Coping with climate change and its impact on productivity, income, and poverty: Evidence from the Himalayan region of Pakistan

The current study explores the climate-risk mitigating strategies adopted by farmers and their impact on household income, poverty levels and wheat yield in the Himalayan region of Pakistan. This study is based on a primary dataset collected from 500 farmers through a field survey from the seven districts of the Himalayan region of northern Pakistan: Ghizer, Gilgit, Diamer, Astore, Skardu, Ghance, and Hunza-Nagar. A multivariate probit was employed to estimate the determinants of choice of adaptation strategies by farmers and a propensity score matching approach was used to estimate the impact of coping strategies on wellbeing. The most common climate-risk management strategies adopted at farm level include an adjustment in the sowing time, adoption of resistant varieties, tree plantation, non-farm participation as well as crop-livestock interaction. The impact of all these risk-management strategies was estimated individually as well as jointly. The empirical results indicated that farmers with higher levels of education and secured land rights mostly adopt more climate-risk mitigating strategies. The overall PSM results show that household income levels are high (in the range of PKR 1658–2610 per month), indicating that those households adopting climate-risk management strategies have higher income levels. The ATT results for the wheat yield are in the range of 42–65kg per hectare, indicating that farmers adopting climate-risk management strategies have higher wheat yields. The ATT results for poverty are negative and significant, indicating that households adopting climate-risk management strategies have lower poverty levels (in the range of 2–4%). Increasing public awareness and supporting households in risk-mitigating strategies in the Himalayan region could be a crucial policy measure in reducing vulnerability to climate change, thereby increasing wellbeing.

Impacts of changing weather patterns on smallholder well-being

PurposeThis paper aims to assesses impacts of perceived weather changes (i.e. temperature, wind and rainfall) at the farm household level on income, poverty, wheat yield and use of timber and non-timber forest products in Pakistan’s Himalayan region. Mountains are fragile ecosystems – particularly for farming and in the context of climate change. Yet for many such geographies, there is limited empirical understanding of the potential impacts of climate change.Design/methodology/approachIt uses a comprehensive field survey of 500 farmers from the Gilgit-Baltistan territory (comprising seven districts Ghizer, Gilgit, Diamer, Astore, Skardu, Ghance and Hunza-Nagar). A multivariate probit model first assesses the factors associated with perceived weather changes by farm households and a propensity score matching (PSM) approach then estimates the impacts of the perceived changes in temperature, wind and rainfall.FindingsThe empirical results show that an overwhelming majority of the farmers experience climate change, which primarily has adverse impacts on household income, poverty levels and wheat yields and increases dependence on both timber and non-timber forest products.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the scanty literature on the climate change in the Himalayan region of Pakistan.

Understanding the determinants of alternate energy options for cooking in the Himalayas: Empirical evidence from the Himalayan region of Pakistan

The current study is based on a comprehensive dataset collected through a primary survey of 500 farmers from the seven districts of the Himalayan region of northern Pakistan: Ghizer, Gilgit, Diamer, Astore, Skardu, Ghance, and Hunza-Nagar. The paper uses multivariate probit, Poisson regression, censored least absolute deviation and a propensity score matching (PSM) approach to understand the determinants of alternative sources of cooking energy for far-flung households in the highlands of Pakistan. The empirical results indicate that young and educated farmers with large land holdings use more than one energy source for cooking purposes. Severe weather and remoteness force the small farmers in the Himalayas to rely on one or two energy sources only. The policy should focus on improving infrastructure, and guidance regarding severe weather management can assist in providing better energy to remote villages during the severe winters.

Novel P-Solubilizers from Calcium Bound Phosphate Rich Pine Forest of Lower Himalaya

ABSTRACTPhosphorus, an essential element for life, is continuously depleting from soils and thus demands sustainable management particularly in agriculture and forestry. Inorganic P constitutes the major proportion as tricalcium phosphate in soils of lower Himalayan region of Pakistan. We sampled these soils and screened for P-solubilizing microbes. A range of culturable microbial community (bacteria and fungi) was isolated and molecularly characterized which make the P available from mineral phosphates. There was an increase in abundance of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) at a 6-inch depth of the pine rhizosphere compared to the surface soil samples. Moreover, the isolates from lower Himalaya have higher abundance and better efficiency to solubilize the inorganic P than the ones from non-Himalaya. Most likely the P-solubilization done by our P-solubilizing microbes is via acidification as we observed the decrease in pH of the medium of microbial growth. Furthermore, the majority of isolated PSB belong to gammaproteobacterial class of Gram negative bacteria. Most interestingly, 13% of our isolated PSB were psychrotolerant (physiologically active at cold environment, i.e., 4°C) and able to solubilize inorganic P as efficiently as at ambient temperature. This study is unique in reporting the P-solubilizing microbes, particularly the psychrotolerant bacterial strains, of Lower Himalaya. Therefore the isolated bacterial and fungal strains have potential and may serve as biofertilizers in the region to increase the P availability in soils.

Viola canescens: Herbal Wealth to Be Conserved

Viola canescensWall. ex Roxb., commonly known as Himalayan White Violet, belongs to Violaceae family. It is found in the Himalayan regions of Pakistan, India, Bhutan, and Nepal. It is a perennial herb which mostly prefers to grow in the shady and moist places.V. canescensis an important medicinal plant which is mostly used in the traditional medicinal system for cough, cold, flu, fever, and malaria and is also given as anticancerous drug. So far, violin (alkaloid), viola quercitrin, methyl salicylate, and saponins are the different phytochemicals which are extracted from this plant. Molecular studies onV. canescenssuggest that, in case of adulteration in the powdered form ofViolaspecies, they can be distinguishable by the lengths of their spacer regions. Because of the overexploitation ofV. canescensfor medicinal purposes, the conservational status ofV. canescensin different regions became endangered. It is the need of the hour to utilize different conservational strategies and save this precious medicinal wealth from extinction.

Ethnomedicines of highly utilized plants in the temperate Himalayan region.

Himalayan region of Pakistan has been known as a rich source for valuable medicinal plants. The present work is the documentation of indigenous knowledge of highly utilized plants as natural remedy by the local inhabitants of the northwest part of the country. Data on highly utilized medicinal plants were collected during May-September 2012 using semi-structured questionnaire from the elders, local herbalists and medicinal plants collectors. In total about 53, plants belonging to 38, families were highly utilized in the study area, of which majority of those (43), were medicinal plants. The most frequent part used in preparation of different medicinal remedies is leaves (53%). Most of the medicinal plant species (14) were used as antipyretic. The inhabitants of the study area were producing ethno-medicines mostly in crushed form (26%). Most of the remedies (74%), were taken orally within the study area. Ten species were found most valuable from the local's perspective such as Bergenia ciliata, Hedera nepalensis and Viola canescens. In conclusion, traditional healers depend largely on naturally growing medicinal plant species, which are under severe threat. This study can provide a basis for further phyto-chemical and pharmacological studies on the region's medicinal plants. Moreover, documentation of indigenous recipes would serve as preservation of the knowledge for the generations to come.

A high virulence and pathotype diversity of Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici at its centre of diversity, the Himalayan region of Pakistan

Information on the pathogen virulence profile and diversity across locations is crucial for host germplasm improvement and deployment. The rapid acquisition of virulence to host resistance by the wheat yellow/stripe rust pathogen (Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici: PST), makes it crucial to know about its virulence and pathotype diversity. Recent studies have shown the plausible centre of origin of the pathogen in the Himalayan region, with Pakistan being the most ancestral to all other worldwide populations. To assess the status of virulence and pathotype diversity in the Himalayan region of Pakistan, a set of 127 PST infected wheat samples from eight locations were collected, multiplied and pathotyped using a set of 36 differential lines from the world set, European and Chinese sets, and 9 Avocet Yr isolines. Virulence (Vr) was recorded to 18 out of 24 tested yellow rust resistance (Yr) genes, while a total of 53 pathotypes were detected out of 127 isolates tested. Virulence was found to the resistance genes rarely deployed in Pakistan (Vr8) or even worldwide level (Vr5), while virulence to Vilmorin 23 (Yr3+) was absent in Pakistan, which is common in Europe. None of the pathotypes was dominant across all locations, however, no clear spatial structuring was observed for the studied locations. Our results suggested a high virulence and pathotype diversity in line with the previously proposed potential role of sexual recombination in the temporal maintenance of PST in the Himalayan region of Pakistan. This information should be useful in host resistance gene improvement and deployment.

Inferring the contribution of sexual reproduction, migration and off‐season survival to the temporal maintenance of microbial populations: a case study on the wheat fungal pathogen Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici

Understanding the mode of temporal maintenance of plant pathogens is an important domain of microbial ecology research. Due to the inconspicuous nature of microbes, their temporal maintenance cannot be studied directly through tracking individuals and their progeny. Here, we suggest a series of population genetic analyses on molecular marker variation in temporally spaced samples to infer about the relative contribution of sexual reproduction, off-season survival and migration to the temporal maintenance of pathogen populations. We used the proposed approach to investigate the temporal maintenance of wheat yellow rust pathogen, Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici (PST), in the Himalayan region of Pakistan. Multilocus microsatellite genotyping of PST isolates revealed high genotypic diversity and recombinant population structure across all locations, confirming the existence of sexual reproduction in this region. The genotypes were assigned to four genetic groups, revealing a clear differentiation between zones with and without Berberis spp., the alternate host of PST, with an additional subdivision within the Berberis zone. The lack of any differentiation between samples across two sampling years, and the very infrequent resampling of multilocus genotypes over years at a given location was consistent with limited over-year clonal survival, and a limited genetic drift. The off-season oversummering population in the Berberis zone, likely to be maintained locally, served as a source of migrants contributing to the temporal maintenance in the non-Berberis zone. Our study hence demonstrated the contribution of both sexual recombination and off-season oversummering survival to the temporal maintenance of the pathogen. These new insights into the population biology of PST highlight the general usefulness of the analytical approach proposed.

An Insight of Ecosystem Capitals and Services of the Kaghan Valley: The Himalayan Region of Pakistan

The Kaghan Valley is in the territorial jurisdiction of Mansehera District, named after a tiny village Kaghan, at the end of the valley. The valley culminates in the tree-clad high mountains and glaciers in the North-East with varying altitudes from 1 to 5 thousand meters above sea level. The region is relatively active geophysically, hydrologically and biologically diverse by virtue of the altitude and aspect-driven variability in energy and moisture. In such region a better understanding of changes in land resources, production of agronomic and horticultural crops, use of timber and non-timber products, and livestock structure/composition have important implications and understanding these changes along with the indigenous knowledge of mountain people which, is key to sustainable development of the Himalayan region. Our results showed that the main causes of lowest agriculture production in the area are poor crop management in context of the mountains, drought spells, low soil fertility, land fragmentation and tenancy status of the agricultural land. Off season vegetables cultivation on the sloppy land leads to sever soil erosion and soil land degradation of this mountain ecosystem. Overgrazing during the summer season is another problem as the pastures are visited both by the Afghan and local nomads without relating with carrying capacity of the alpine meadows. The overgrazed soil is usually subject to rainfalls and severe soil erosion. Any use of resources of such fragile rare high mountain ecosystem requires a great sense of responsibility but in this case the forest resources are being plundered and are used roughly. We recommend adequate use of agricultural inputs, specific crop management practices for mountain agriculture. Local social welfare organizations should work to create awareness about the sustainable use of natural resources. The government should resolve the ownership problem of land as common property keeping in mind the customary laws of the region to make sure the involvement of all stakeholders.

Effects of different planting systems on yield of potato crop in Kaghan Valley: A mountainous region of Pakistan

Conversion of potato from conventional methods to wide bed planting systems may increase water and nitrogen use efficiency in commercial potato production system by reducing the amount of irrigation water and water applied nitrogen fertilizer bypassing the potato root zone. Potato (Solanum tuberosum L) cv. Desiree was tested against different planting system for yield and yield components at Kaghan, a high mountainous Himalayan region ofPakistan. The experiment was carried out at Himalayan Agricultural Research Station (HARS), Kaghan during the summer season of 2005. The results showed that maximum tuber growth (88.7%), number of stems per plant (3.5), plant expansion (45.5 cm), average number of tubers per plant (10.1) and yield per hectare (12.4 t/ha) were significantly different and higher when potatoes were planted on wide bed and covered with soil from one side. Tallest plants (53.4 cm) were observed when potatoes were sown on the ridges. Maximum number of green potatoes (12.5) and injured potatoes (5.3%) were observed when the tubers were planted following local farmers’ method. Keeping in view the soil type, land slopping, we recommend sowing potatoes on relatively plain wide beds and covering it with soil from one side, for potato cultivation in the area.

English

Elaeagnus umbellata is a deciduous shrub widely distributed in the Himalayan regions of Pakistan. The reddish berries of the plant are edible and very delicious. In the present study, the berries of the plant were investigated for proximate composition, mineral content, physicochemical characteristics, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and selected phytochemicals. The results showed that the fruit of E. umbellatacontained 71.4% moisture, 2.9% ash, 4.0% protein, 2.3% crude fat, 5.9% fiber and 13.6% nitrogen free extract. The nutritive value of the fresh berry was 90.8 kcal/100 g. The berry contained 27.8 mg/100 g of vitamin C. The plant showed striking DPPH scavenging activity and the phytochemical analysis revealed that it contained 23.3, 3.6, 19.9, 126.5, 12.6 and 21.2 mg/g of phenolic, flavonoid, carotenoid, tannin, alkaloid and saponin contents, respectively. In short, this study showed that E. umbellata is a good source of various nutrients and antioxidant compounds, and it can be beneficial to consumer’s health. Key words: Elaeagnus umbellata, phytochemical composition, proximate analysis, mineral contents, extraction yields, free radical scavenging activity.

Spatial Distribution of Trace and Major Elements in the Hilly Soils of Lesser Himalayan Muzaffarabad, Pakistan

Muzaffarabad is geologically located in the fragile ecosystem of the Lesser Himalayan region of Pakistan. The soils of the Himalayas are under constant threat because of increase in urbanization. The study was aimed to assess the fertility status of the soils and then to estimate the environmental risk associated with elevated levels of environmentally toxic trace elements. The data obtained were incorporated on soil series map using geospatial tools (GS-9, kriging, Geographic Information Systems-Remote Sensing). Twelve soil profiles representative of soil series overlain by red Murree shales, dolomitic limestone, and schists overlain by shales interbedded with sandstone were collected in triplicate and investigated for Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na (easily mobile elements), Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn (biologically and environmentally toxic trace elements) through acid digestion and aqua regia extraction techniques and analyzed using the atomic absorption spectrometer. Semivariograms showed that the best fit model for Cd, Co, Zn, and Pb was spherical, exponential, and Gaussian. The results of this study show that the Cd and Co contents in all soils irrespective of parent materials and geographical location remained greater than reported values for these elements for world soils but was found to be within the range of contamination threshold value. However, Cu, Pb, and Zn in soils derived from schists underlain by shales interbedded with sandstone that occupy most of the west-southern and central parts were less than the average value for world soils. This suggests that these elements were present at low concentrations naturally. Unlike schists soils, soils overlain by shales and limestone located near highways, landfill sites, and mining sites showed greater contents of Cu, Pb, and Zn than the reported value for world soils but were within the contamination threshold level. Data suggested significant enrichment with Cd and moderate enrichment for Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in any of the soils. This suggests that the main source of trace elements in soils is parent material, whereas increase in urbanization poses a significant impact on the distribution of some of the environmentally toxic trace elements.

A multivariate analysis of the vegetation of Cedrus deodara forests in Hindu Kush and Himalayan ranges of Pakistan: evaluating the structure and dynamics

This investigation focuses on the multivariate analysis of the vegetation of the Hindu Kush and Himalayan ranges of Pakistan, concentrating on the dynamics of Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex D.Don) G.Don. The study includes 47 stands from 23 different locations in the Himalayan region of Pakistan. The point-centred quarter method and 1.5-m radius circular plots were used for the sampling of tree and understorey vegetation, respectively. The size, age structure, and growth rates of Cedrus deodara were also examined in order to trace its dynamics, and an attempt was made to determine the relationships between environmental factors and vegetation. The quantitative distribution of understorey vegetation was also assessed as a way of evaluating the floristic association of the forests. The underlying group structure in the vegetation was exposed using Ward's clustering technique. Results of the cluster analysis showed that 6 groups of vegetation could readily be superimposed on DCA ordination. The vegetation was potentially continued. Among the environmental variables, factors such as elevation, pH, organic matter of soil, total nitrogen, and magnesium showed significant correlations with ordination axes. The size-class structure of Cedrus deodara exhibited many gaps. In most stands, Cedrus deodara exhibited ample recruitment, and relationships between diameter, age, and growth rate were significant in many stands. The study also proposes some recommendations for the maintenance and proper management of these forests.

Livestock feed resources, production and management in the agro-pastoral system of the Hindu Kush – Karakoram – Himalayan region of Pakistan: The effect of accessibility

A survey of 59 small-holder households was used to gather information about livestock production within a small-holder farming system in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. A broader survey of 130 households was used to gather information about cropping patterns, and access to off-farm employment and educational opportunities. The aim was to provide a description of the livestock production system in the Northern Areas and investigate the effect of agro-ecological zone and proximity to transport infrastructure on small-holder practices, especially those relating to livestock management. Two transects were selected for study differing in the quality of their transport infrastructure; the Karakoram Highway transect was defined by the Karakoram Highway, a major transport link through the study region, while the Gilgit–Ghizer Region transect lay along a side valley with a more limited transport infrastructure. One village from each of the three main agro-ecological zones within the region was selected in each transport infrastructure transect. Results showed that average landholding size was 1.6 ha of which around 60% was cultivated. Overall herd size did not differ significantly by zone or transect but there were more animals derived from cross-breeding with exotic breeds in the Karakoram Highway transect. The amount of fodder stored for livestock was higher in the Karakoram Highway transect than in the Gilgit–Ghizer Region transect. There was more selling of livestock in the Gilgit–Ghizer Region transect and the use of draught animals was also more prevalent in the Gilgit–Ghizer Region. The household questionnaire indicated that cash cropping, off-farm employment and degree of formal education were all higher in the Karakoram Highway transect, providing indirect evidence for a household economy less reliant on traditional livestock keeping for income. In conclusion, the survey results reveal a traditional small-holder system with heavy reliance on livestock. Householders in the lower altitude zones and those close to transport infrastructure appear to rely less heavily on livestock for income but have fodder resources which are more appropriate for their complement of livestock.

Comparison of available and required metabolisable energy (ME) resources for livestock during winter in an agro-pastoral system of the Hindu Kush – Himalayan region of Pakistan

The semi-arid Hindu-Kush-Karakoram-Himalayan region of Pakistan covers 72,000 sq km with a rainfall of 100-400 mm per year5. Limited arable land and water scarcity have made subsistence farming the dominant agro-pastoral farming system. Each household keeps a range of ruminant livestock species such as goats, cattle, sheep, donkeys and yaks their proportion in the herd are 0.53, 0.23, 0.19, 0.03 and 0.02 respectively. In winter, livestock are confined and stall-fed on stored roughages or grazed on marginal lands and fallow agricultural fields close to the villages. The aim of this study was to quantify nutritional inputs in terms of metabolisable energy resources, and to compare these with ME requirements of the animals for maintenance over winter.