Indian Himalayan Region Research Articles

Phylogeny of Indian Himalayan population of Bombus haemorrhoidalis Smith 1852 (Hymenoptera: Apidae) inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences

Molecular variation and phylogenetic relationship of Bombus haemorrhoidalis Smith 1852 was studied using partial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and cytochrome b (cyt b) sequences of mitochondrial genome. The COI and cyt b sequences were compared with available sequences of B. haemorrhoidalis and other Bombus species belonging to different subgenera to avail divergence within and between species. The BLASTn analysis of obtained COI sequence had cent percent identity to a hymenopteran species BOLD deposit AAC6447 (MAHYM005-10.COI-5P) which is a Bombus species from Pakistan. Both these species formed a separate cluster amongst the tested B. haemorrhoidalis species in phylogeny with pair wise genetic distance of 0.003. Moreover, the minimum evolution tree between the species revealed B. haemorrhoidalis is phylogenetically close with B. funerarius and the pair wise genetic distance between these two species was 0.102. Interestingly, B. haemorrhoidalis and B. funerarius formed separate minor cluster amongst the Bombus species tested for phylogeny. Additionally, both COI and cyt b genes were A+T biased and showed single nucleotide polymorphisms between and within species. The phylogenetic relationship of COI sequences also revealed single species status of B. haemorrhoidalis in the Indian Himalayan region and was evolutionarily associated with B. funerarius which is an another species in subgenera, Orientalibombus. The phylogeny of cyt b sequences showed that the B. haemorrhoidalis is evolutionarily close to pennsylvanicus group species. The study illustrates a complex genetic variation coupled with highly structured evolutionary divergences between and within species and provides the first report of cyt b sequence of B. haemorrhoidalis.

Taxonomic Synopsis of Betula (Betulaceae) in India and Typification of Three Names

Birches (Betula) are ecologically important plants in the Indian Himalayan Region, but they are still not fully understood from the taxonomic point of view. To provide a basis for taxonomic research, we present a taxonomic synopsis of Betula in India and an account of the material on which the names are based. Lectotypes are designated for the names B. acuminata Lindl. (synonym of B. alnoides Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don), B. cylindrostachya Wall. ex Lindl. and B. jacquemontii Spach.

Landslide Hazard Zonation Mapping Techniques on Himalayan Region in India: A Survey

This review article is focused on the modern mapping techniques for creating a near-accurate landslide hazard zonation (LSZ) map focused on the different parts of the Himalayan Mountain region in India. The necessity of an LSZ map has been discussed by some given examples showing the vulnerability that comes with every landslide. As one of the youngest folded mountain ranges, The Himalayas are very much prone to landslides, with the development of modern technologies, the way of research has also transformed. In this article, the focus is identifying some recent techniques based on GIS and Remote sensing technologies which proves the accuracy and necessity of more research work. There are many areas that are vulnerable to landslides but completely untouched. The focus is to merge different techniques to create an understanding of how the technology can be a useful tool to create more accurate LHZ maps for different locations. Key Words: Landslide Hazard Zonation (LHZ), Technologies, GIS, Remote Sensing

Integrated Machine Learning and Chemoinformatics-Based Screening of Mycotic Compounds against Kinesin Spindle ProteinEg5 for Lung Cancer Therapy.

Among the various types of cancer, lung cancer is the second most-diagnosed cancer worldwide. The kinesin spindle protein, Eg5, is a vital protein behind bipolar mitotic spindle establishment and maintenance during mitosis. Eg5 has been reported to contribute to cancer cell migration and angiogenesis impairment and has no role in resting, non-dividing cells. Thus, it could be considered as a vital target against several cancers, such as renal cancer, lung cancer, urothelial carcinoma, prostate cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, etc. In recent years, fungal secondary metabolites from the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) have been identified as an important lead source in the drug development pipeline. Therefore, the present study aims to identify potential mycotic secondary metabolites against the Eg5 protein by applying integrated machine learning, chemoinformatics based in silico-screening methods and molecular dynamic simulation targeting lung cancer. Initially, a library of 1830 mycotic secondary metabolites was screened by a predictive machine-learning model developed based on the random forest algorithm with high sensitivity (1) and an ROC area of 0.99. Further, 319 out of 1830 compounds screened with active potential by the model were evaluated for their drug-likeness properties by applying four filters simultaneously, viz., Lipinski’s rule, CMC-50 like rule, Veber rule, and Ghose filter. A total of 13 compounds passed from all the above filters were considered for molecular docking, functional group analysis, and cell line cytotoxicity prediction. Finally, four hit mycotic secondary metabolites found in fungi from the IHR were screened viz., (−)-Cochlactone-A, Phelligridin C, Sterenin E, and Cyathusal A. All compounds have efficient binding potential with Eg5, containing functional groups like aromatic rings, rings, carboxylic acid esters, and carbonyl and with cell line cytotoxicity against lung cancer cell lines, namely, MCF-7, NCI-H226, NCI-H522, A549, and NCI H187. Further, the molecular dynamics simulation study confirms the docked complex rigidity and stability by exploring root mean square deviations, root mean square fluctuations, and radius of gyration analysis from 100 ns simulation trajectories. The screened compounds could be used further to develop effective drugs against lung and other types of cancer.

Ecosystem Based Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction in Indian Himalayan Region of Darjeeling

Mountain ecosystems are one of the major landforms in the world. Due to rampant industrialisation and urbanisation, mountainous ecosystem too has bore the brunt of environmental problems such as rising temperature and deglaciation. It has led to disruptions in hydrological functions, impact on forest and biodiversity and also human health implications. Ecosystem based adaptation is a nature based method which centres around environment related concerns and addresses the problem by reducing extreme weather conditions and thus enhancing sustainability and resilience. Darjeeling Himalaya is a mountainous region to the north-western side of the Indian state of West Bengal and has presence of numerous natural calamities such as Earthquakes, Landslides, Cloudbursts, etc. The local administration and the government has taken various measures and policies such as building bye laws, disaster management plan, draft development plan, limit building initiatives in order to act upon environment related hazards. With greater emphasis on EbA approaches to Eco-DRR in the regional policies of Darjeeling, mitigating the impact of climate can be drastically reduced which in turn will lead to Human and Economic Development. The EbA approach helps in (1) enhancing the community adaptive capacity or resilience, (2) improve or regenerate ecosystems to help increase value qualitatively and quantitatively of the produce for local communities and (3) integrating the current produce with market requirements,thereby increasing its economic viability. Keywords: Ecosystem, Disaster Risk, Mountain Geography, Rural Areas, Climate Change

Revisiting taxonomic disparities in the genus Naemorhedus: new insights from Indian Himalayan Region

Abstract Gorals are distributed in varied ranges of habitats in South and South–East Asia, and the existence of the number of species in the genus Naemorhedus has been greatly debated from time to time. A school of thought supports the presence of three species, while a recent genetic study recognizes five species of goral throughout their distribution range. However, the unavailability of DNA sequences of gorals from India left a gap in understanding the species occurrence in Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). We revisited goral taxonomy by sequencing mitochondrial Cytochrome b gene (∼404 bp) and control region (∼225 bp) of 75 Himalayan gorals from Western and Central Himalayas in India. Based on various species delineating methods, we suggest that Himalayan goral (N. goral) is a highly diverged species and possibly exists into two subspecies, i.e. N. g. bedfordi in Western Himalayas and N. g. goral in the Central Himalayas. We validate the presence of plausibly six species of gorals across the distribution and recognize N. griseus and N. goral are two distinct species considering the observed discrepancy in the available sequences. We also propose that goral populations distributed in Western and Central Himalayas may be considered as two evolutionary significant units (ESUs). This recognition will bring concentrated efforts in further exploring the natural populations and ecological information required for prioritizing conservation and management of Himalayan goral.

A Sustainable Model of Social Bonding for Development of Tourism Destinations – Prospecting a Case for the Indian Himalayan Region

A Sustainable Model of Social Bonding for Development of Tourism Destinations – Prospecting a Case for the Indian Himalayan Region

Seed Source Determines Germination and Survivability in Saussurea obvallata (DC.) Edgew. An Endemic Herb of Indian Himalayan Region, India

The present study aims to develop conservation protocol for an endangered alpine medicinal herb Saussurea obvallata (DC.) Edgew. (Sacred lotus) through seeds and to find out the impact of seed source, seed mass and pre-treatments on germination parameters and seedling survivability. Seeds were collected from two locations of Uttarakhand i.e., Bedni (BN) and Sundardunga (SD), seed mass for each source were recorded and seeds were pre-treated with different pre-sowing treatments, i.e. GA3 (GA), KNO3 (KN) and Thiourea (TU) and kept in seed germinator (SG) (Temperature 25.0±2.0 °C and RH 80%) and Greenhouse (Temperature 21.5±3.30 °C and RH 65-80%). Seeds from SD were found 34% longer (p<0.001), 22% wider (p = 0.01) and 56% heavier (p<0.001) followed by higher germination and survivability in comparison to VN seeds. Under Seed germinator and Greenhouse the seeds from SD germinate 2 days earlier than VN seeds followed by higher germination percentage, seedling morphology and biomass. The seedling length and biomass showed significant positive correlation with seed mass. The present study suggests that healthy seeds determine higher germination and survivability, which may beneficial for designing the conservation strategies for endangered plant species.

Assessing climate-relevant vulnerability of the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR): a district-level analysis

Assessing climate-relevant vulnerability of the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR): a district-level analysis

Assessing the impact of spatio-temporal land cover changes on land surface temperature using satellite data in Beas Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India

Here, the impact of spatio-temporal Land Use Land Cover Changes (LULC) on the variations of Land Surface Temperature (LST) has been estimated using Landsat 7 ETM+, Landsat 8 TIRS/OLI and Sentinel-2 data for Beas basin of Kullu district, Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). Also, the relationship of various remote sensing indices such as NDVI, NDSI, NDBI and NDMI with LST were established using coefficient of correlation to monitor the role of natural ecosystem alteration on LST. LST was calculated using Single Window algorithm (SW) for eight major land cover categories extracted from Landsat-7 ETM+ and Landsat-8 (Path-147 and Row-38) Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) data for October, 2000 and October, 2020 respectively. LULC change detection revealed that there was a huge increase in agricultural land including orchard expansion of 123 % during the year 2020 than that of 2000. Also there’s a sharp increase of 40.63 % in settlement areas which includes the tourism activities. These are the significant factors for the changes in LST. Further, it shows that negative correlation with the strong correlation coefficients of R2 = 0.7072 and R2 = 0.5642 between NDSI and LST in Pre-winter season of 2000 and that of 2020 respectively. Whereas, the correlation between NDVI and LST showed positive correlation with the coefficient of R2 = 0.2577 in 2000, which increased to R2 = 0.5959 in 2020. This positive relationship highlighted the fact that an increase in LST provides favourable conditions for the vegetation growth in the valley during the pre-winter season 2000 and 2020 respectively. The main outcome of the paper, we believe, will be helpful in analysing the dynamics of land cover changes and sustainable environmental planning in the Beas Valley, which is crucial for livelihood sustainability of the people residing in the already fragile IHR.

Super-resolution for mapping the debris-covered glaciers, central Himalaya, India

New techniques are being implemented to precisely monitor the changes in debris-covered glaciers for ascertaining their response to climate change. The super-resolution mapping (SRM) technique is implemented here to provide the low-cost and fine-resolution facies maps of debris-covered glaciers in the Indian Himalayan region using coarse-resolution satellite data. The implemented SRM algorithm is capable of preserving the spatial pattern of facies on the debris-covered glacier surface. Scale factor (sf) and surface heterogeneity are two possible determinants of SRM accuracy. Larger sfs decrease the SRM accuracy and its computing efficiency, and hence optimal sfs must be selected. Higher SRM accuracies are obtained for less heterogenic glacier surfaces and vice-versa. Uncertainty in the resultant maps arises due to the underlying natural factors (shadow/clouds) and seasonal differences in the image acquisition. Temporal implementation of SRM is feasible to assess the facies variations on a debris-covered glacier surface, facilitating time- and cost-effective monitoring of its response to climate change over large areas.

Ecological and ethnobotanical studies of medicinal plants in Narendranagar forest division under Indian Himalayan region

The paper deals with 45 species of ethnomedicinal plants collected from the Narendranagar forest Division, Uttarakhand.

Elevation dependent precipitation and temperature changes over Indian Himalayan region

Elevation dependent precipitation and temperature changes over Indian Himalayan region

Can Forest Fires Be an Important Factor in the Reduction in Solar Power Production in India?

The wildfires over the central Indian Himalayan region have attracted the significant attention of environmental scientists. Despite their major and disastrous effects on the environment and air quality, studies on the forest fires’ impacts from a renewable energy point of view are lacking for this region. Therefore, for the first time, we examine the impact of massive forest fires on the reduction in solar energy production over the Indian subcontinent via remote sensing techniques. For this purpose, we used data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIPSO), the Satellite Application Facility on support to Nowcasting/Very Short-Range Forecasting Meteosat Second Generation (SAFNWC/MSG) in conjunction with radiative transfer model (RTM) simulation, in addition to 1-day aerosol forecasts from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS). The energy production during the first quarter of 2021 was found to reach 650 kWh/m2 and the revenue generated was about INR (Indian rupee) 79.5 million. During the study period, the total attenuation due to aerosols and clouds was estimated to be 116 and 63 kWh/m2 for global and beam horizontal irradiance (GHI and BHI), respectively. The financial loss due to the presence of aerosols was found to be INR 8 million, with the corresponding loss due to clouds reaching INR 14 million for the total Indian solar plant’s capacity potential (40 GW). This analysis of daily energy and financial losses can help the grid operators in planning and scheduling power generation and supply during the period of fires. The findings of the present study will drastically increase the awareness among the decision makers in India about the indirect effects of forest fires on renewable energy production, and help promote the reduction in carbon emissions and greenhouse gases in the air, along with the increase in mitigation processes and policies.

Green manuring and crop residue management: Effect on soil organic carbon stock, aggregation, and system productivity in the foothills of Eastern Himalaya (India)

Improving soil quality, especially the organic carbon (C) accumulation and soil aggregation through economically and environmentally sustainable alternatives, is the need for hill agriculture. A five-year (2012–13 to 2016–17) field experiment was conducted with four green manure treatments [green gram (Vigna radiata); cowpea (Vigna unguiculata); sesbania (Sesbania aculeata) along with non-green manuring] and three cropping systems [groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) –pea (Pisum sativum); maize (Zea mays) –pea, and maize + groundnut – pea] involving two levels of residue management practices [residue removal and residue retention]. The experiment was laid out in a split–split plot design and replicated three times. After five years of experimentation, the results showed that among green manure treatments, Sesbania had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on total soil organic C, C pool, and surface (0–0.15 m) soil aggregation. The increase in C pool (p < 0.05) in Sesbania-treated soil was 43.2% in the very labile C, followed by 40.8% in the labile C relative to those without green-manure. In addition, the profile (0–0.45 m depth) weighted average organic C stocks in Sesbania-treated soils were higher in active (+29.3%), passive (+20.8%), and total (TOC: + 24.1%) forms than in non-green manure soils. Sesbania-treated soils also exhibited a higher C-Lability index, water stable macro-aggregates, and a higher aggregate ratio (AR) than non-green manure soils. Among the three cropping systems studied, inter-cropping of maize and groundnut followed by peas increased (p < 0.05) the stock of C pools, water-stable aggregates, and ARs in soil relative to the other two cropping systems. Residue retention also increased C pools, C-Lability Index, and microbial biomass C in soil compared to residue removal. Therefore, the incorporation of Sesbania into maize+groundnut-pea cropping systems with residue retention is a recommended option to improve soil quality and productivity of maize cropping systems in the Indian Himalayan region.

Potential of Consortium of Native Microbiota Against Damping-off of Cedrus deodara Seedlings in North-Western Himalayan Region of India

<b>Potential of Consortium of Native Microbiota Against Damping-off of Cedrus deodara Seedlings in North-Western Himalayan Region of India</b>

Bioresource, energy and forest sustainability: A case study from Indian Himalayan region

Biomass and bioenergy are important for energy security in the rural areas of the developing countries. The sustainability of using biomass for energy security and reducing carbon emission for climate adaptation is an area of concern. Here we assessed the forest biomass use pattern in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) and factors influencing the usage within the rural community. We did the household level survey (n = 1346) in the 77 representative villages of Beas, Bhagirathi and Teesta basin of the IHR. We found that although 80% of the surveyed household had access to Liquidified Petroleum Gas (LPG), their dependency on common pool resources for energy security still exists, depending on the altitude, size of the family, dependent members, education and occupation of the family members and adult cattle unit present with the household. The fuelwood and fodder harvest varied between the three basins and also increases along the altitudinal gradient. The biomass harvest is linked with the forest degradation and attributed to more carbon emission along with the rural health. Most of the surveyed villages of Beas and Teesta basin lacked sufficient forest cover for sustainable harvesting of fuelwood and fodder. We suggest intersectoral linkages within different stakeholders to adopt and disseminate cleaner energy to remote rural areas to meet sustainable development goals and energy security in the IHR.

Temperature and precipitation changes over the glaciated parts of Indian Himalayan Region during 1901-2016.

The existing knowledge on long-term climate trends over glaciated parts of Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is limited. The present study aims at assessing the long-term (1901-2016) as well as the recent (1990-2016) temperature and precipitation trends over the glaciated parts of western (WH), central (CH) and eastern Himalaya (EH) within the IHR using Climate Research Unit Time Series version 4.01 (CRU TS4.01) data. Mann-Kendall and Sen's slope estimator tests were employed to determine the monotonic trend direction and magnitude of change over time on annual and seasonal basis. The temperature and precipitation trends were quantitatively assessed here in terms of percent change over mean as well as in absolute terms. Results show that annual average temperature remains > 0°C in WH (2.26°C) and CH (3.24°C) but < 0°C in EH (-0.97°C). Long-term analysis (1901-2016) reveals the maximum warming in EH (74.67% or 0.93°C) followed by WH (52.56% or 0.64°C) and minimum in CH (44.31% or 0.73°C). The winter warming is notably higher (WH: 1.11°C, CH: 1.19°C and EH: 1.41°C) than the summer (WH: 0.31°C, CH: 0.26°C and EH: 0.54°C). Annual precipitation gradually increases from WH (535.57mm) to CH (749.91mm) to EH (1249.49mm), of which 68%, 76%, and 90% respectively, are summer-induced. Nevertheless, precipitation showed no clear trend in WH (slight increase of 4.53%) and EH (slight decrease of -5.30%), but a clear reduction in CH (-19.25%). Seasonally, precipitation decreased in winter (-4.53%) but increased in summer (10.65%) in WH, clearly decreased in both winter (-24.69%) and summer (-17.01%) in CH, and slightly increased in winter (2.21%) but decreased in summer (-6.80%) in EH. In recent decades (1990-2016), warming trend further accelerated in WH (0.95°C) and CH (1.01°C) but decreased in EH (0.60°C). The overall precipitation trends also changed during 1990-2016 as WH experienced an overall reduction (-5%), CH maintained a declining trend (-13.10%), and EH showed slight increase (1.01%). The study concludes that the climate of glaciated parts has changed significantly, but the trend and magnitude is highly heterogeneous over different regions which likely influenced the glaciated environment.

Total and labile pools of organic carbon in relation to soil biological properties under contrasting land-use systems in a dry mountainous region

This study evaluated the effect of contrasting land-use systems on changes in pools of total organic carbon (TOC) and its labile fractions, and identified the sensitivity of soil properties as a minimum data set (MDS) for assessing soil quality change in a dry, mountainous Himalayan region in India. The soils under mono (barley/mustard/oats)- and double (barley-buckwheat/barley-turnip)-cropping systems had significantly (p < .05) lower TOC by ∼34 and 20%, while the less labile C (Fract. 3) concentration was lower by ∼46 and 48%, respectively, compared with the agro-forestry (popular/willow). The stable C pool (Fract. 3 + Fract. 4) comprised ∼74, 77, 86, 74 and 73% of TOC in soils under mono-cropping, double-cropping, agro-forestry, orchards and vegetable crops, respectively. Land-use significantly impacts the sensitivity of labile C fractions, viz. water extractable organic C (WEOC), microbial biomass C (MBC) and organic C fractions of variable oxidizability (i.e. Fract. 1, Fract. 2, Fract. 3 and Fract. 4). The sensitivity analysis showed a change of ∼21.5–56.2% in the TOC pool, with the highest change for soils under vegetable crops and the lowest for double-cropping. Soil protein exhibited a significant relationship with TOC and its fractions, enzymatic and biochemical properties, and soils’ fine fraction (silt and clay). The stable C pool exhibited a significant linear relationship with soils’ finer fraction (silt = 0.82**; clay = 0.78**, p < .01), indicating that the mineral matrix had a profound influence on C stabilization in soils. The land-use systems with higher soil total glomalin (TG) content had higher moisture retention capacity and stable C pool. The principal component analysis (PCA) identified TG, Fract. 3 and available-K as most important soil quality indicators for discriminating change in soil health in a cold, dry Himalayan region.

Seasonal Characteristics, Sources and Pollution Pathways of PM10 at High Altitudes Himalayas of India

The present study represents the annual and seasonal concentration of PM10 over different sites (Darjeeling, Nainital, Mohal-Kullu) across the Himalayan region of India from July 2018 to December 2019. The collected PM10 samples were analyzed for carbonaceous aerosols [organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC), primary organic carbon (POC), secondary organic carbon (SOC)] and major trace elements to inspect their possible sources. The annual average concentrations of PM10 over Mohal-Kullu, Nainital, and Darjeeling were recorded as 57 ± 32 µg m-3, 65 ± 41 µg m-3 and 54 ± 17 µg m-3, respectively. The high OC/EC ratio and significant correlation of OC with EC and WSOC with OC indicated a significant effect of biomass burning aerosols over the study sites. Principal component analysis/absolute principal component score (PCA/APCS) resolved four major sources: crustal/soil dust (26.6%), biomass burning/fossil fuel combustion (28%), vehicular emissions (28%), and industrial emissions/coal combustion (17%). Identification of source region using the potential source contribution function (PSCF) and concentration weighted trajectories (CWT) showed that PM10 were mainly transported from the northwestern part of India (Haryana, Punjab), the northeastern region of Pakistan, the Thar Desert, and Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), which contributed to dust-related aerosols over the Himalayan region of India.