Indian Himalaya Research Articles

The perils of open landfill: a study on environmental risk assessment in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India.

Improper and unscientific management of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill sites has increasingly become a pressing environmental issue especially in the mountainous regions worldwide. In view of this, an attempt was made to assess the detrimental effects of MSW landfill on the natural water sources at Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. Further, the suitability of potential landfill site and dispersion of pollutant air masses were stipulated using Arc GIS and HYSPLIT model. The findings show a discernible increase in electrical conductivity (323-858 μS/cm) and total dissolved solids (1086-1144mg/kg levels) during sampling period. The results exhibited a notable increasing trend in the mean concentrations of heavy metals viz. As (0.13mg/kg and 0.10mg/kg), Hg (0.52mg/kg and 0.65mg/kg), Pb (0.10mg/kg and 0.06mg/kg), Zn (30.40mg/kg and 0.22mg/kg), Cd (0.46mg/kg and 0.04mg/kg), Cr (0.10mg/kg and 0.05mg/kg), Ni (0.28mg/kg and 0.10mg/kg), Mn (24.40mg/kg and 0.35mg/kg) and Fe (1.81mg/kg and 0.96mg/kg) during monsoon and post monsoon. High HPI values were observed at the sampling location near to landfill drain (9060), followed by spring site (7338). However, most of sampling points consistently exceeding the critical HPI value, across all seasons, indicated a severe level of heavy metal pollution, where sampling sites near to landfill drain pose significant environmental health risks of 63%. An overwhelming 93% population in vicinity of MSW site expressed their concern that the current landfill site poses substantial threat to their health and livestock. Furthermore, the obtained forward trajectories showed the downhill dispersion of polluted air arising from solid waste burning. A continuous monitoring of landfill leachate dynamics, atmospheric pollutants due to burning of waste and their potential impact on regional climate followed by appropriate adaptation strategies will be a promising step towards a sustainable future for the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR).

In Situ Characterization of Dust Storms and Their Snow‐Darkening Effect Over Himalayas

AbstractIn this study, we used satellite observations to identify 10 typical dust‐loading events over the Indian Himalayas. Next, the aerosol microphysical and optical properties during these identified dust storms are characterized using cotemporal in situ measurements over Mukteshwar, a representative site in Indian Himalayas. Relative to the background values, the mass of coarse particles (size range between 2.5 and 10 μm) and the extinction coefficient were found to be enhanced by 400% (from 24 ± 15 to 98 ± 40 μg/m3) and 175% (from 89 ± 57 Mm−1 to 156 ± 79 Mm−1), respectively, during these premonsoonal dust‐loading events. Moreover, based on the air mass trajectory, these dust storms can be categorized into two categories: (a) mineral dust events (MDEs), which involve long‐range transported dust plumes traversing through the lower troposphere to reach the Himalayas and (b) polluted dust events (PDEs), which involve short‐range transported dust plumes originating from the arid western regions of the Indian subcontinent and traveling within the heavily polluted boundary layer of the Gangetic plains before reaching the Himalayas. Interestingly, compared to the background, the SSA and AAE decrease during PDEs but increase during MDEs. More importantly, we observe a twofold increase in black carbon concentrations and the aerosol absorption coefficient (relative to the background values) during the PDEs with negligible changes during MDEs. Consequently, the aerosol‐induced snow albedo reduction (SAR) also doubles during MDEs and PDEs relative to background conditions. Thus, our findings provide robust observational evidence of substantial dust‐induced snow and glacier melting over the Himalayas.

Estimates of Glaciers Mass Balance and Volume in Baspa Basin, Indian Himalaya

Estimates of Glaciers Mass Balance and Volume in Baspa Basin, Indian Himalaya

Molecular Taxonomy Suggests Presence of Two Distinct Lineages of Blue Sheep (Pseudois nayaur) in Indian Himalayan Region.

Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) supports a plethora of biodiversity with a unique assemblage of many charismatic and endemic species. We assessed the genetic diversity, demographic history, and habitat suitability of blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) in the IHR through the analysis of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (CR) and Cytochrome b gene, and 14 ecological predictor variables. We observed high genetic divergence and designated them into two genetic lineage groups, i.e., the Himalayan blue sheep (P. n. nayaur) in the western part, and the Chinese blue sheep (P. n. szechuanensis) in the eastern part. They exhibited poor connectivity due to landscape resistance. The genetic distance value suggested substantial genetic differentiation between them. The habitat selection by blue sheep indicated the disparity between the residence preferences in the western and eastern Himalayas. In both the regions, the habitat suitability was mostly influenced by the minimumtemperature of the coldest month. However, in the eastern Himalayas,precipitation seasonalityemerged as a significant variable influencing habitat suitability. These findings provided strong support for the presumption that the habitats preferred by blue sheep in the western Himalayas are dryer, compared with the preferred habitats in the eastern region, which were moister. The identification of two separate lineages of P. nayaur in the IHR has significant conservation implications as it underlines the necessity for a unique management approach for each lineage. In order to preserve genetic integrity, conservation efforts must make sure that each population is maintained and monitored separately, as genetic divergence across the lineages that might indicate reproductive isolation. This study has potential conservation implications as it provides insights on the crucial ecological information of a relatively lesser-known ungulates species of Himalaya essential for effective conservation planning.

Quantifying short-term backwasting rates of a supraglacial ice cliff at Machoi Glacier in the Indian Himalaya

Quantifying short-term backwasting rates of a supraglacial ice cliff at Machoi Glacier in the Indian Himalaya

Adaptive Thermal Comfort in the Different Buildings of Temperate Climates—Comparison Between High-Latitude Europe and Mountainous Himalayas in India

Thermal comfort in buildings is essential for occupant well-being and energy efficiency, particularly in naturally ventilated environments where indoor conditions are closely influenced by outdoor climates. Current studies have not fully explored how thermal comfort varies across regions with similar climatic classifications but distinct geographic and cultural contexts. Addressing this gap, we analyzed and compared the adaptive thermal comfort responses in different naturally ventilated buildings located in temperate oceanic regions arising due to the high latitude in Europe and the elevated Himalayan region of Darjeeling, India. A mixed-methods approach was used with data from classrooms, offices, and residential buildings with adaptive thermal comfort modeling. The results show that European buildings exhibit narrower thermal comfort ranges compared to Darjeeling, for example, 21.2~24.8 °C versus 16.0~21.6 °C for 80% comfortability in classroom settings, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in clothing insulation levels, with occupants in Darjeeling buildings demonstrating higher variability (mean rank 2103.31) compared to their European counterparts (mean rank 1207.30, p < 0.001). Additionally, a stronger correlation between indoor and outdoor air temperature was observed in Darjeeling (R: 0.785, p < 0.001), reflecting limited thermal buffering compared to European buildings (R: 0.372, p < 0.001). The paper advances adaptive thermal comfort models that account for regional differences and links these finding to sustainable building practices. The findings provide actionable insights for energy-efficient, climate-responsive building practices while supporting global sustainable development goals.

Treeline structure and regeneration pattern in protected and non-protected areas, Indian western Himalaya

Treeline structure and regeneration pattern in protected and non-protected areas, Indian western Himalaya

Unearthing novel and multifunctional peptides in peptidome of fermented chhurpi cheese of Indian Himalayan region.

Fermented foods of the Indian Himalaya are unexplored functional resources with high nutritional potential. Chhurpi cheese, fermented by defined native proteolytic lactic acid bacteria of Sikkim was assessed for ACE inhibitory, HOCl reducing, and MPO inhibitory, activity across varying stages of gastrointestinal (GI) digestion. The enhanced bioactivity of Lactobacillus delbrueckii WS4 chhurpi was associated with the generation of bioactive and multifunctional peptides during fermentation and GI digestion. Qualitative and quantitative in silico tools were employed for prediction of ACE inhibitory activity of novel chhurpi peptides. Selected peptides, with highest predictive ACE inhibitory potential were synthesized and in vitro validation revealed the ACE inhibitory potential of peptides HPHPHLSFM and LKPTPEGDL. LKPTPEGDL showed the most potent ACE inhibitory activity (IC50 of 25.82±0.26µmol) which slightly decreased upon GI digestion. The peptides demonstrated a non-competitive type mixed ACE inhibition modality. Furthermore, the two peptides exerted observable HOCl reducing and MPO inhibitory activity, demonstrating their antioxidative potential. HPHPHLSFM exhibited superior HOCl reduction (EC50 of 0.29±0.01mmol), while LKPTPEGDL demonstrated higher MPO (IC50of 0.29±0.01mmol) inhibition. Molecular docking of the two peptides with MPO revealed proline and aspartate near peptidyl C-terminus to bind with enzyme catalytic residues. This study presents the first peptidome analysis of chhurpi produced through controlled fermentation and identifies novel peptides with MPO and ACE inhibitory activity. Furthermore, it marks the first synthesis and in vitro bioactivity validation of bioactive peptides from chhurpi cheese, highlighting its multifunctional potential.

Determining Dhap Pokhari lake surface dynamics for restoration strategies through geoelectrical mapping

ABSTRACT Lakes in the hilly regions of the Sikkim Himalayas in India are crucial for water supply and tourism. However, this area experiences frequent earthquakes and microtremors, increasing the risk of seismic hazards and contributing to a higher density of subsurface fractures and discontinuities. This has led to water seepage in lakes across Sikkim, turning some from perennial to seasonal. To investigate these issues, geoelectrical mapping techniques, specifically Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) and profiling, were used to study Dhap Pokhari Lake in Sikkim’s Pakyong district. The findings revealed a subsurface fracture zone beginning at a depth of 20 m and extending down to 50 m. The VES data showed significant variations in sediment thickness and subsurface lithology between two measurement points only 10 m apart, with a noticeable ground settlement of about 2 m at one location. The profiling results indicated a major fracture and two minor ones, which are likely causing water seepage and ground saturation, particularly during rainy seasons, leading to compaction and ground settlement. This poses a risk to the structural stability of the surrounding areas, highlighting the need for effective lake restoration strategies. Geoelectrical mapping is a valuable tool for identifying such subsurface fractures and making evidence-based strategies to revive lakes in this seismically active region.

Climatic impacts on spring disappearance in the Indian Himalayas

Due to climate change the drop in spring-water discharge poses a serious issue in the Himalayan region, especially in the higher section of Himachal Pradesh. This study used different climatic factors along with long-term rainfall data to understand the decreasing trend in spring-water discharge. It was determined which climate parameter was most closely correlated with spring discharge volumes using a general as well as partial correlation plot. Based on 40 years (1981–2021) of daily average rainfall data, a rainfall-runoff model was utilised to predict and assess trends in spring-water discharge using the MIKE 11 NAM hydrological model. The model’s effectiveness was effectively proved by the validation results (NSE = 0.79, R2 = 0.944, RMSE = 0.23, PBIAS = 32%). Model calibration and simulation revealed that both observed and simulated spring-water runoff decreased by almost 29%, within the past 40 years. Consequently, reduced spring-water discharge is made sensitive to the hydrological (groundwater stress, base flow, and stream water flow) and environmental entities (drinking water, evaporation, soil moisture, and evapotranspiration). This study will help researchers and policymakers to think and work on the spring disappearance and water security issues in the Himalayan region.

Assessing the present and future landslide susceptibility in Indian Himalayan Region due to climate variability

Assessing the present and future landslide susceptibility in Indian Himalayan Region due to climate variability

Migration as good, bad and necessary: examining impacts of migration on staying Himalayan communities affected by climate change

Within the migration system, the seminal Foresight report highlighted that climate change can have significant implications for staying populations. Yet research on this remains limited. This study aims to fill this gap by assessing the impacts of sustained outmigration on staying farmer communities in the Indian Himalayan Region, affected by incremental climate change. Employing an empirical qualitative approach, new data is collected through semi-structured interviews (n = 72). Staying communities describe migration as good, bad, and necessary with the majority (46%) noting negative impacts such as fewer people to do agriculture, abandoned assets, more tasks for women, loss of community, disrupted household structures, mental health implications for the elderly, and disinvestment in public services. While remittances from migration have positive impacts, they are primarily used for meeting everyday needs (81%) and not invested in climate change adaptation. In addition to migration impacts, changing weather patterns, agricultural shifts, and societal transformations further exacerbate the vulnerabilities of staying populations. Without policy support to address these vulnerabilities, the benefits of migration may not effectively contribute to climate change adaptation. The findings here are likely applicable to staying populations in other mountain areas, facing similar pressures from migration and climate change, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to build long-term adaptive capacity.

Analysis of prevailing atmospheric conditions during wildfire events in the Indian Himalayan region

AbstractWildfire incidents have seen an exponential rise in the past few decades in India, particularly over the Indian Himalayan region, which has led to a huge loss of life and property. To mitigate and manage the impact of wildfires, a better understanding of key physical atmospheric processes conducive to the spread of wildfires is required. This study aims to analyze the atmospheric conditions associated with the propagation of wildfires in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand (India). For this, wildfire burned‐area data from the Uttarakhand (India) State Forest Department, in‐situ precipitation information from the India Meteorological Department, India, and atmospheric variables (temperature, relative humidity, soil moisture) from the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis v5 and Global Land Data Assimilation System datasets over the years 2000–2022 have been critically analyzed to infer the cause of the unprecedented spread of wildfires in Uttarakhand. The analysis suggests that the strength of the El Niño Southern Oscillation and Indian Ocean Dipole phases along with the precipitation pattern in the pre‐fire season due to western disturbances are dominant factors associated with the spread of fires. Further, the bimodal distribution of the vapor pressure deficit, having a peak during the fire season and post‐monsoon period, indicates increased dryness of fuels and increased susceptibility of vegetation to wildfires. These findings could be utilized to mitigate and manage the impacts of wildfire in the vulnerable Himalayan state.

Effect of Land‐Use Management on Soil Erosion Under Two Distinct Climates of Indian Himalayas

Effect of Land‐Use Management on Soil Erosion Under Two Distinct Climates of Indian Himalayas

Development of a spectral repository for the identification of western Himalayan medicinal plants using machine learning techniques

The identification of medicinal plant species is a crucial task for assessing the status of our bioresources. Conventional methods primarily rely on taxonomy and laboratory-based instruments, which are time-consuming and require the requisite expertise. Thus, there is an escalating demand for efficient techniques that can quickly identify these precious species. The advent of Hyperspectral Remote Sensing (HRS) with artificial intelligence has significantly increased the scope of HRS techniques by offering rapid and precise plant identification. This study utilised non-imaging HRS handheld sensors to build a spectral repository for 10 important medicinal plant species from diverse locations across Indian Himalayan states, representing varying altitudinal and ecological conditions. The spectral repository encompasses 1237 distinct spectral signatures obtained from the leaves and canopies of the targeted plant species. Subsequently, an identification model has been developed using Random Forest (RF) with several feature selection methods, and it has been revealed that the RF model, coupled with wrapper-based feature selection, is an effective combination for classifying the targeted plant species. The calibration and test datasets accounted for accuracies of 87.87% and 91.39%, respectively, with corresponding kappa coefficients of 0.85 and 0.89. Furthermore, the developed RF model was applied to ‘PRISMA’ satellite data to identify Saussurea costus crops in farmers' croplands, achieving a classification accuracy of 81.31% and a kappa coefficient of 0.76. Therefore, the study highlights the potential of integrating RF, in-situ HRS, and satellite HRS for the non-destructive, precise, and accurate identification of medicinal plants that can significantly contribute to biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management.

The sacred and the wild: Unpacking human-wildlife interaction in Indian part of Kailash Sacred Landscape

The negative interaction between humans and wildlife in the Indian Himalayas has increased in recent decades. Studies on human-wildlife negative interactions have primarily focused on protected areas. However, research on such interactions is limited in regions like the Indian part of Kailash Sacred Landscape (KSL), where wildlife and humans share a common space. This study examined the patterns of crop damage, livestock depredation, human fatalities, seasonal and temporal variations, location-specific factors, and critical variables contributing to negative humanwildlife interactions in KSL India. We examined 574 incidences of livestock depredation, 123 incidences of human injury/death between 1984-2016, and 560 crop damage incidences between 2002-2017. Most incidences of human injury/death and livestock depredation were by common leopards, followed by Asiatic black bears. Maize was the highest raided crop (n=202), followed by wheat (n=190) and paddy (n=168). Maximum incidences of crop loss were reported in 2017 (n=76), and the lowest was in 2002 (n=5). The hotspot maps of crop damage and livestock depredation revealed that the negative interaction between humans and wildlife was highest in the southern part of the landscape. The result predicted 195 villages as hotspots in the Indian part of KSL. Villages were identified at the forest range level. We found that 11 villages in Askot, 12 in Munshiyari, 17 in Berinag, 15 in Dharchula, 36 in Didihat, 61 in Gangolihat, and 43 in Pithoragarh forest ranges are severely affected by negative interaction with wildlife.

The Buddhist epistemic complex: refiguring Buddhist territoriality in the Himalayan borderlands

ABSTRACT In this article, I draw attention to the refigured Buddhist networks in the Indian Himalayas that commenced after the closure of the Indo-Tibetan border, which previously afforded passage for traders, monks, peasants and pilgrims. As the new border regime restricted Himalayan Buddhist monks from travelling to Tibet for religious education, new Buddhist institutes came up with the support of the Indian state to fill the educational void. I argue that these modern Buddhist universities and their networks constitute a ‘Buddhist epistemic complex’, and conceptualise it as a border effect, since it followed in the wake of the deterritorialisation faced by Buddhist minorities in the Himalayas. Based on ethnographic work, this article offers a way to understand the strategies of accommodation of borderland Buddhists toward the Indian state that followed from historical and geopolitical factors.

First Report on Novel Cellulase Producing Psilocybe ovoideocystidiata EU-FB-14 Endophytic Mushroom from Cannabis sativa Growing in Hilly Region of Indian Himalayas

First Report on Novel Cellulase Producing Psilocybe ovoideocystidiata EU-FB-14 Endophytic Mushroom from Cannabis sativa Growing in Hilly Region of Indian Himalayas

Two new species and a new record of Cortinarius subgenus Telamonia (Agaricales) from India

The genus Cortinarius (Pers.) Gray is one of the dominating mushroom-forming ectomycorrhizal genera in the Indian Himalaya. Cortinarius subgenus Telamonia (Fr.) Trog is the most species-rich group within this genus. In this subgenus, two novel species, namely C. thindii A.Bose & K.Das sp. nov. and C. dhakuricus A.Bose & K.Das sp. nov. (under C. section Hinnulei Melot), and one new record for Indian mycobiota, namely C. pseudotorvus A.Naseer, J.Khan, & A.N.Khalid (under C. section Telamonia (Fr.) Gillot & Lucand), collected from the state of Uttarakhand are presented here with morphological descriptions, illustrations and nrITS-based molecular phylogenetic inferences. Additionally, Cortinarius parvisporus Vizzini is here proposed as nom. nov., for C. brunneocarpus var. microsporus J.Khan.

Unraveling microbial landscapes: high-throughput amplicon sequencing reveals distinct bacterial communities and potential health risks in potable springs of the Indian Himalayas.

Spring water is a vital drinking resource for residents in the Eastern Himalayas' Sikkim, India. While our initial investigations into spring water quality highlighted concerning levels of fecal coliform bacteria, the bacterial community composition (BCC) of these springs remains largely unexplored. This study sought to elucidate the BCC of Himalayan spring water, exploring its effects on water quality and delving into the unique bacterial ecology of these high-altitude springs. Bacterial diversity was assessed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon (V3-V4) library sequencing. The Greengenes reference database facilitated the classification of de-novo assembled operational taxonomic units (OTUs). The findings of this study revealed Proteobacteria (39.78%), Planctomycetes (35.76%), Verrucomicrobia (32.65%), and Bacteroidetes (37.04%) as predominant phyla across the four major districts: East, West, South, and North. Additionally, distinct genera emerged as dominant in each district: Emticicia in the East, Prosthecobacter in the South, and Planctomyces in the North and West. Of potential health concern, pathogenic bacteria like Corynebacterium, Acinetobacter, Legionella, Mycobacterium, and Clostridium were detected, albeit in low abundance. Their presence, even in minor quantities, might indicate potential future health risks for the communities relying on these springs. However, a substantial portion of the bacterial sequence remained unidentified (> = 40.0%), showcasing no sequence similarity with the reference database. This intriguing "dark matter" in bacterial DNA hints at a potential treasure trove of yet-to-be-identified species. Future taxonomic profiling of these novel sequences may offer a deeper understanding of Himalayan springs' microbial makeup. Furthermore, these novel bacterial sequences will be instrumental in enhancing our global understanding of bacterial community structures and their ecological adaptations in high-altitude, low-temperature environments.