Indian Himalayan Region Research Articles

Genome-wide transcriptional analysis unveils the molecular basis of organ-specific expression of isosteroidal alkaloids biosynthesis in critically endangered Fritillaria roylei Hook

Fritillaria roylei Hook. is a critically endangered high altitude Himalayan medicinal plant species with rich source of pharmaceutically active structurally diverse steroidal alkaloids. Nevertheless, except few marker compounds, the chemistry of the plant remains unexplored. Therefore, in the current study, transcriptome sequencing efforts were made to elucidate isosteroidal alkaloids biosynthesis by creating first organ-specific genomic resource using bulb, stem, and leaf tissues derived from natural populations of Indian Himalayan region. Overall, 349.9 million high quality paired-end reads obtained using NovaSeq 6000 platform were assembled (de novo) into 82,848 unigenes and 31,061 isoforms. Functional annotation and organ specific differential expression (DE) analysis identified 2488 significant DE transcripts, grouped into three potential sub-clusters (sub-cluster I: 728 transcripts; sub-cluster II: 446 transcripts and Sub-cluster III: 1314 transcripts). Subsequently, pathway enrichment (GO, KEGG) and protein-protein network analysis revealed significantly higher enrichment of phenyl-propanoid and steroid backbone including terpenoid, sesquiterpenoid and triterpenoid biosynthesis in bulb. Additionally, upregulated expression of cytochrome P450, UDP-dependent Glucuronosyltransferase families and key transcription factor families (FAR1, bHLH, GRAS, C2H2, TCP and MYB) suggests ‘bulb’ as a primary site of MVA mediated isosteroidal alkaloids biosynthesis. The comprehensive elucidation of molecular insights in this study is a first step towards the understanding of isosteroidal alkaloid biosynthesis pathway in F. roylei. Furthermore, key genes and regulators identified here can facilitate metabolic engineering of potential bioactive compounds at industrial scale.

Purification and characterization of thermoactive serratiopeptidase from Serratia marcescens AD-W2

Serratiopeptidase is a proteolytic enzyme extensively used as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug. Present work reports a thermoactive serratiopeptidase from Serratia marcescens AD-W2, a soil isolate from the North-Western Himalayan region of India. The extracellular metalloprotease has been purified by a simple two-step procedure resulting in a specific activity of 20,492 Units/mg protein with 5.28-fold purification. The molecular mass of the metalloprotease, as determined by SDS-PAGE was ~ 51 kDa. The purified serratiopeptidase presented optimum activity at pH 9.0, temperature 50 °C and stability in wide pH and temperature range. Critical temperature of 50 °C confirmed the thermoactivity of the purified serratiopeptidase. The kinetic studies of the purified serratiopeptidase revealed Vmax and Km of 57,256 Units/mL and 1.57 mg/mL, respectively, for casein. The purified serratiopeptidase from S. marcescens AD-W2 was found to be 100% identical to serralysin from Serratia marcescens ATCC 21074/E-15. The catalytic domain comprising of Zn coordinated with three histidine residues (His192, His196, His202), along with glutamate (Glu193) and tyrosine (Tyr232) residues, further confirmed that the purified protein is identical to serralysin.

The draft genome sequence of Parageobacillus sp. strain SY1 gives insights into its physiological properties and protease production

Parageobacillus sp. strain SY1 was isolated from the Yumthang hot spring of the North Sikkim, Himalayan region of India. A detailed study was carried out on this strain as these strains are thermophilic and are very important due to the thermostable nature of their enzymes. In the present study we are reporting the draft genome sequence of Parageobacillus sp. strain SY1. The genome possesses the size of 3,216,693 bps, with an average G + C content of 42.5%. The genome assembly has 1407 contigs (with Protein Encoding Genes PEGs). The genome contains 4360 coding sequences with 19 tRNA and 22 rRNA predicted genes. Based on COG classification, the predicted proteins were divided into 27 functional categories. Parageobacillus sp. strain SY1 genome have genes for sulfur, nitrogen, and phosphorous metabolism. The strain possesses various nitrate and nitrite ammonification genes. Carbohydrate metabolism constitutes lactate fermentation and mixed acid fermentation. Analysis of the genome also suggested the presence of ATP-dependent proteases which help in the bacterial degradation of peptides during the damage caused at the time of its invasion. Moreover, the genome also harbors genes for various other proteases which might also be responsible for extracellular proteolysis. The genome information of Parageobacillus sp. strain SY1 might help in better understanding of its functional properties and can be used as thermostable protease producer.

Assessing the spatial variability of the soil properties in geologically complex Jawali region of north-west Himalaya, India

ABSTRACT The quantification of soil properties and their spatial distribution is imperative for increasing crop productivity and suggesting the appropriate management strategies. The present study is based upon the hypothesis that the geologically complex landscape of the Indian Himalayan Region may lead to the varied distribution of the soil properties. This study appraises the influence of complex geological environment on some of the selected soil properties, viz., soil pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and diethylene triamine penta acetic acid-extractable micronutrients, viz., zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and copper (Cu) by delineating their spatial dependency using the geostatistical approach. The surface maps were prepared using the ordinary kriging technique along with semivariogram modelling. The value of the coefficient of variation for the calculated soil properties ranged from low to high (10.99% to 62.83%), indicating the heterogeneous application of fertilisers, management practices and land-use pattern. The principal component analysis aggregates the variability into four principal components. The nugget-to-sill ratio of soil properties, ranging from 25% to 75%, indicates the moderate dependency. The surface maps represent the influence of the complex geological environment on the spatial distribution of soil physico-chemical properties. The results also reveal that the variations in the soil properties were mainly due to the combined effect of intrinsic as well as extrinsic factors. The spatial distribution maps can be used for site-specific nutrient intervention for better resource management and environmental protection.

Isolation and HPLC assisted quantification of two iridoid glycoside compounds and molecular DNA fingerprinting in critically endangered medicinal Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth: implications for conservation.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-021-00972-w.

Betula utilis D. Don: an Ecologically and Economically Important Timberline Species of Himalayan Region in Jeopardy

Betula utilis D. Don (Betulaceae), commonly known as Himalayan Birch or Bhojpatra especially in Indian Himalayan Region is socio-culturally and ecologically valued and considered a keystone species which plays a significant role in the functioning of the timberline ecosystem. It forms an integral part of day-to-day life of the Himalayan people, as it is deeply associated with the culture of the locals. The historical uses of Betula utilis and its subsequent over exploitation to meet-out day-to-day requirements, market forces coupled with global warming put pressure on its natural population and have caused loss of habitat in many of its native grooves in the entire Himalayan Region. The decline in the size of population of Betula utilis is due to its area of occupancy, extent of occurrence, potential level of exploitation, effects of introduced taxa and attack of pathogens. Further, it grows in high altitude tree line zone which is almost inaccessible and most vulnerable region due to global warming or climatic shift. In this backdrop, keeping in view the multiple uses of the species, the present study aims to review and document the ecological parameters, traditional uses, commercial aspects and conservation and management concerns of this valuable species.

Solid Waste Management in Indian Himalayan Region: Current Scenario, Resource Recovery, and Way Forward for Sustainable Development

With the growing population, solid waste management (SWM) is becoming a significant environmental challenge and an emerging issue, especially in the eco-sensitive Indian Himalayan region (IHR). Though IHR does not host high local inhabitants, growing tourist footfall in the IHR increases solid wastes significantly. The lack of appropriate SWM facilities has posed a serious threat to the mountain-dwelling communities. SWM is challenging in the highlands due to the remoteness, topographical configuration, increasing urbanization, and harsh climate compared to plain areas. Difficulty in managing SWM has led to improper disposal methods, like open dumping and open burning of waste, that are adversely affecting the fragile IHR ecosystem. Open dumping of unsegregated waste pollutes the freshwater streams, and burning releases major pollutants often linked to the glacier melt. Processes like composting, vermicomposting, and anaerobic digestion to treat biodegradable wastes are inefficient due to the regions' extreme cold conditions. IHR specific SWM rules were revised in 2016 to deal with the rising problem of SWM, providing detailed criteria for setting up solid waste treatment facilities and promoting waste-to-energy (WtE). Despite governments' effort to revise SWM; measures like proper collection, segregation, treatment, and solid waste disposal needs more attention in the IHR. Door-to-door collection, segregation at source, covered transportation, proper treatment, and disposal are the primary steps to resource recovery across the IHR. Approaches such as waste recycling, composting, anaerobic digestion, refuse-derived fuel (RDF), and gas recovery from landfills are essential for waste alteration into valuable products initiatives like 'ban on single-use plastic' and 'polluters to pay' have a potential role in proper SWM in the IHR. Research and technology, capacity building, mass awareness programs, and initiatives like ‘ban on single-use plastic’ and ‘polluters to pay’ have a potential role in proper SWM in the IHR. This review highlights the current status of waste generation, the current SWM practices, and SWM challenges in the IHR. The review also discusses the possible resource recovery from waste in the IHR, corrective measures introduced by the government specific to IHR and, the way forward for improved SWM for achieving sustainable development of the IHR.

Climate Change, Cryosphere and Impacts in the Indian Himalayan Region

Climate change and related impacts over the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) remains poorly quantified. The present study reviews observed and modelled changes in the climate, cryosphere and impacts related to hazards, agriculture and ecosystems. An increasing temperature trend over the IHR is reported, which over a few locations is found to be higher than the global average. For precipitation, a complex and inconsistent response with considerable variation in the sign and magnitude of change is observed. Future projections show significant warming. Climate-driven changes and impacts are clearly observed. Snow cover has declined since the 1960s, with an enhanced decreasing trend during the 1990s and variable trends since 2000. Glaciers are losing mass and retreating at varying rates since the early 20th century, with an exception over the Karakoram region. An observed heterogeneous response of glaciers to atmospheric warming is controlled by regional variations in topography, debris cover, circulation and precipitation. Initial assessments of permafrost extent of 1 million km2 across the IHR roughly translate into 14 times the glacier area. Extreme floods represent the most frequent natural disaster in the IHR. Studies have highlighted the significant threat from glacial lakes. Landslides occur in combination with heavy rainfall and flooding, with poor land-use practices such as road-cutting and deforestation being additional drivers. Climate change has also stressed traditional subsistence agriculture and food systems. Improving systematic and coordinated monitoring of climate and related impacts is crucial to contribute to effective climate change adaptation and response strategies.

Hydrological Process Monitoring for Springshed Management in the Indian Himalayan Region: Field Observatory and Reference Database

The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) has experienced accelerated changes in climatic seasonality and land use–land cover. Researchers envision understanding the process controls of water fluxes and their hydrogeological and ecological implications but scarce in situ data in the IHR hinders scientific research. Our work discusses an integrative technique for springshed monitoring for insights into hydrological processes and understanding integrated measurement strategies. Initial emphasis was on instrumentation and data collection from two headwater watersheds, instrumented with advanced field-based monitoring platforms in Pauri-Garhwal and Almora districts of Uttarakhand. We describe the observatory setup and discuss the pilot sites’ general characteristics followed by the monitoring concept, infrastructure and initial datasets of the pilot sites. The social dimension of the spring water use and governance is also analysed in brief. Such a springshed management approach is the way forward for water security in the IHR.

An annotated bird checklist of community-managed lands in Kailash Sacred Landscape-India, Kumaon Himalaya

In the Indian Himalayan region, community-managed lands such as community-managed forests and agriculture lands play an important role in conserving native biodiversity. Our avifaunal surveys done between 2013 and 2016 recorded 205 species belonging to 52 families. Two species were first records from Pithoragarh district. Six species are classified as Threatened and five as Near Threatened in the IUCN Red List. Six are Schedule-I species under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. In total, 63 migratory (local/altitudinal and long-range) and 81 Himalayan endemic species were observed. Overall, our observations reveal a niche providing both transient and perennial havens for resident and migrant avifauna in our study site’s landscape. Our findings suggest that despite human persistence in the landscape, diversity within avifaunal guilds is rich in the community-managed lands. We recommend further research to focus on understanding the factors governing the bird distribution and co-occurrence in the landscape. 

Plant invasion in protected areas, the Indian Himalayan region, and the North East India: progress and prospects

Global biodiversity is not uniformly distributed in terms of species richness. The global and national protected areas (PAs), the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) and the North East (NE) India, are extremely rich in plant biodiversity, contributing to the environment and the socio-economy/livelihood prospects, linked with human health or well-being. However, the anthropogenic disturbances have modified the vegetation structure of PAs, IHR, and NE India, such that the pristine landscapes are now ripe for the encroachment of invasive alien plants (IAPs). The plants invasions is now increasingly being realised as a major threat to biodiversity globally and the ecologically sensitive mountain ecosystems are no exception. The abrupt spread of IAP in these regions can significantly exacerbate the biodiversity conservation problems, as these regions are already faced with challenges of habitat fragmentation and climate change. Also, the complex interactions among the plants invasion, habitat destruction and climate change can further impose a challenge to the restoration ecologists. Interestingly, the invading plants are equipped with several species or site or habitat-specific adaptive mechanisms like the presence of allelochemicals as novel weapons that facilitate their landscape spread and ecological dynamics. This review describes the theories or hypotheses which may account for the accelerated IAPs spread in IHR, NE India and PAs. The research progress in IHR and NE India is discussed with respect to worst invaders like Lantana camara, Chromolaena odorata, Ageratum conyzoides, Parthenium hysterophorus, Mikania micrantha, etc. In this respect, the outcome of preliminary research in NE India to identify the dominant invaders through quantitative methods is also mentioned. Lastly, the management strategies are described to mitigate the IAPs hazards for sustainable biodiversity conservation.

COVID-19 (NOVEL CORONA VIRUS-2019)- TRENDS OF CORONA PANDEMIC OVER A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR IN HIMALAYAN REGION IN INDIA.

COVID-19 is a emerging disease and is of public health importance.This study was done to analyse the trends of corona pandemic over a period of one year in Himalayan region in India. Data regarding state statistics from January 2020 to January 2021,was gathered from various sources. Since objective and authentic data was released by different agencies daily and reported to WHO, so the state prole of new cases, cumulative cases, recoveries, cumulative deaths, samples tested, positive samples was taken based on availability of information from National Health Mission site, other state websites and news papers and analysed for various parameters. The current study conducted in Himachal Pradesh showed Case fatality rate as 1.7%, recovery rate 99% and positivity rate 6.1% with Shimla having highest CFR 2.5%. Population wise most affected district was Lahul & Spiti with affected population 4.0%.It may be considered as a severe public health threat of this decade. COVID-19 trends, pattern and its analysis will be very important for control and preventive measures.

Landslide Susceptibility Mapping and Assessment Using Geospatial Platforms and Weights of Evidence (WoE) Method in the Indian Himalayan Region: Recent Developments, Gaps, and Future Directions

The Himalayan region and hilly areas face severe challenges due to landslide occurrences during the rainy seasons in India, and the study area, i.e., the Rudraprayag district, is no exception. However, the landslide related database and research are still inadequate in these landslide-prone areas. The main purpose of this study is: (1) to prepare the multi-temporal landslide inventory map using geospatial platforms in the data-scarce environment; (2) to evaluate the landslide susceptibility map using weights of evidence (WoE) method in the Geographical Information System (GIS) environment at the district level; and (3) to provide a comprehensive understanding of recent developments, gaps, and future directions related to landslide inventory, susceptibility mapping, and risk assessment in the Indian context. Firstly, 293 landslides polygon were manually digitized using the BHUVAN (Indian earth observation visualization) and Google Earth® from 2011 to 2013. Secondly, a total of 14 landslide causative factors viz. geology, geomorphology, soil type, soil depth, slope angle, slope aspect, relative relief, distance to faults, distance to thrusts, distance to lineaments, distance to streams, distance to roads, land use/cover, and altitude zones were selected based on the previous study. Then, the WoE method was applied to assign the weights for each class of causative factors to obtain a landslide susceptibility map. Afterward, the final landslide susceptibility map was divided into five susceptibility classes (very high, high, medium, low, and very low classes). Later, the validation of the landslide susceptibility map was checked against randomly selected landslides using IDRISI SELVA 17.0 software. Our study results show that medium to very high landslide susceptibilities had occurred in the non-forest areas, mainly scrubland, pastureland, and barren land. The results show that medium to very high landslide susceptibilities areas are in the upper catchment areas of the Mandakini river and adjacent to the National Highways (107 and 07). The results also show that landslide susceptibility is high in high relative relief areas and shallow soil, near thrusts and faults, and on southeast, south, and west-facing steep slopes. The WoE method achieved a prediction accuracy of 85.7%, indicating good accuracy of the model. Thus, this landslide susceptibility map could help the local governments in landslide hazard mitigation, land use planning, and landscape protection.

Challenges of Solid Waste Management and Policy Implications in the Indian Himalayan Region: A Scientific Review

According to Census of India (2011), total 377 million populations were residing in urban area which is 31% of the total population. During 1961-2011, the urban population was increased from 18 to 31.2% (Census of India, 2011b). India which is an agriculture-based economy is shifting towards service-oriented country as more of the population is shifting towards urban areas. Due to diverse geographical and climatic regions the people living here have different consumption and waste generation patterns. Towards sustainable urban development efficient municipal solid waste management is a vital constituent. Municipal solid waste management includes source segregation of waste, storage, collection, relocation, carry-age, processing, and disposal of solid waste for lessening its harmful impact on environment. Unplanned and short-term developmental plans increases industrialization and urbanization in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) and have led to tons of solid waste being sent to dump-yards and remained untreated. Due to this, solid waste management is becoming challenging issue in the IHR. In this review, various challenges and issues of solid waste management and probable solutions are suggested, particularly for the IHR.

Geospatial modelling of soil erosion and risk assessment in Indian Himalayan region—A study of Uttarakhand state

Soil erosion is the major cause of land degradation, which has become a worldwide environmental problem that degrades soil productivity and water quality. Assessing soil erosion in hilly and mountainous terrain always pose a great challenge to researchers and policy makers due to the inaccessible terrain as well as the scarcity of detailed information of soil erosion factors. The study was carried out to estimate the average annual soil erosion and risk area in the Uttarakhand State of Indian Himalayan region using various high-resolution geospatial data layers such as Global rainfall erosivity database, SOILGRIDS, CartoDEM as well as LULC data by employing Revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) model in a GIS environment. These data layers provided spatially distributed reliable information of erosion factors. The average annual soil erosion rate was estimated as 27.45 t ha−1 yr−1, totaling to an amount of 119Mt yr−1 as potential soil loss from the state. Among the various physiographic regions, total soil loss amounts were estimated to be 2.94, 5.08, 5.35, 7.48, 15.55 and 82.88 Mt yr−1 from Tarai, Trans Himalaya, Bhabhar (foothills), Shivalik, Greater Himalaya and Middle Himalaya respectively. Mean erosion rates estimated for major river basins were found to be 14.64, 22.22, 31.23, 33.24, 36.86 and 38.00 t ha−1yr−1 for Ramganga, Ganga, Alaknanda, Kali, Bhagirathi and Yamuna basins respectively. Among the different slope classes, very steep slopes (>60%) showed the highest mean soil loss rates of 40.11 t ha−1yr−1 amounting to total soil loss of 50.28Mt yr−1. Study revealed that 20.34% of the area is classified as very severe erosion class (>40 t ha−1 yr−1). Vital information regarding regional assessment of soil erosion rate and risk area in the State highlighted the need for policy makers and planners in devising various strategies aimed at conservation and sustainable use of land resources.

A numerical model of groundwater flow in Karewa-Alluvium aquifers of NW Indian Himalayan Region

Process-based groundwater flow models are an important tool for gaining useful insights into the hydrogeological characteristics of a complex aquifer system. A conceptual model of a multilayer alluvial aquifer system at the base of Karewa mountain front is presented indicating the hydrogeological framework and the various flow processes affecting the groundwater flow system. Based on the conceptual model, a MODFLOW NWT-based numerical simulation model of groundwater flow was developed for the region. As interpreted from the hydrogeological framework, the simulation was carried out in the context of two aquifers, the top minor aquifer which is regarded as confined–unconfined and the lower major predominantly confined aquifer. Hydraulic heads measured in 104 wells during predevelopment period were used to calibrate hydraulic conductivity, natural recharge and evapotranspiration for the steady state model. For validation, observations from 38 wells corresponding to a recent steady state of aquifers were used. Performance statistic R2 = 0.83 and 0.79 for calibration and validation, respectively. Steady-state groundwater budgets including natural recharge were thus estimated. Calibrated horizontal hydraulic conductivity of aquifers is of the order of 0.0015–0.0031 m/s. Total natural recharge to the aquifers from precipitation and mountain subsurface flow corresponding to predevelopment and recent conditions was estimated as 96.39 and 64.21 Mm3/month, respectively. Steady-state simulations indicate an average decline of 2–5 m in groundwater heads over a period of about two decades, attributable to decreased recharge. Results of this model can help in sustainable development of groundwater in the region.

Determining the quasi monsoon front in the Indian Himalayas

Precipitation over the southern rim of the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) mainly occurs due to two dominant synoptic weather systems: Indian winter (IWM: December, January, February) and summer monsoon (ISM: June, July, August, September). The genesis and evolution of these systems are extensively researched. Additionally, geographical location, season, orography controls the strengths of these systems along and across the southern rim of the IHR. However, plausible positioning of the frontal threshold limit of precipitation during IWM and ISM over the IHR remains an elusive scientific question. Thus, with the help of water samples collected in the upper Bhilangana River Basin (BRB in the central Himalayas), an attempt has been made to assess this frontal threshold limit of precipitation and is defined as “quasi monsoon front (QMF)" in the IHR. Results show depleted (enriched) stable water isotopic values at higher (lower) altitudes suggesting an elevation control. The intercepts of local meteoric water lines (LMWLs) of glacier ice/glacier melt (2.5), snow packs/snow melt (7.7), and stream water (10.3) reflect mixing of precipitation due to IWM and ISM. The d-excess values in water samples lie between the d-excess value of a typical IWM (~20‰) and ISM (~10‰), suggesting mixing of moisture from both Atlantic ocean – Mediterranean sea and Indian ocean-Bay of Bengal-Arabian sea. The tracer based hydrographic analysis indicates dominance of snow melt contributions to the regional hydrology. Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory Model (HYSPLIT) model in the back trajectory mode estimates moisture sources of the IWM and ISM. Based on precipitation isotopic composition and associated moisture source regions, QMF oscillates in the northwest and southeast direction of the IHR depending on the strength and/or weakness of IWM and ISM. This work hypothesizes for upscale determination and description of the pulsatory extension of QMF in the central Himalayas (along BRB).

Geoecological integrity index for assessment and prioritisation of watersheds in the Indian northwestern Himalayan region using geoinformatics

Biotic, abiotic and anthropogenic factors are considered in isolation for prioritisation of watersheds. Instead, it requires a multidisciplinary geoecolocical approach. The geoecology based prioritisation provides opportunities to assess the region by evaluating these multiple factors in combination. Thus, Geoecological Integrity Index (GII) was developed for prioritisation of Baner River watersheds of Indian northwestern Himalayan region by integrating biotic, abiotic and anthropogenic factors as the region is facing geological and ecological instability. Forest cover density and net primary productivity were used as biotic factors and drainage morphometry, soil erosion, and patches were used as abiotic factors. Population density of the watershed was considered as an anthropogenic factor. Weighed overlay analysis was carried out to understand the influence of each of these factors on watershed prioritisation. These factors were integrated to arrive at cumulative weights (GII) for micro-watersheds. With the help of GII, out of 110 micro-watersheds, 11 were prioritised as very high actionable, 32 as high actionable, 52 as moderately actionable and 15 as of minimal action, requiring suitable actions in a prioritised manner to conserve and manage. The study presents an approach for geoecological assessment of watersheds that can be replicated in watersheds of other Himalayan regions or areas having similar geoecological conditions.

Identifying Potential Erosion-Prone Areas in the Indian Himalayan Region Using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE)

Soil erosion is one of the most critical environmental issues with severe consequences. Hence, it continues to be a significant limitation in the progress of many developing countries. Prediction and assessment of soil loss are, therefore, of utmost importance for soil fertility conservation, land and water management. Recent technological advances have provided useful models through which remotely-sensed data for a large scale area can be analysed and interpreted. The present study adopts a physiographically, biologically and climatically unique model for the assessment of soil erosion in the Indian Himalayan Region. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation model was applied in conjunction with Geographic Information System to estimate the average annual rate of soil erosion at both state and district levels in India. The model was deployed using coarse resolution datasets to identify specific areas vulnerable to soil erosion. In determining the spatial distribution of average annual soil erosion within the study region, all cell-based parameters of the model were multiplied in the specified 500 m × 500 m spatial resolution. The spatial pattern of annual soil erosion indicates that maximum soil loss occurs in northern and eastern states whereas low rates of erosion is observed in the eastern-most part of the study area.

Quantified landslide hazard assessment based on finite element slope stability analysis for Uttarkashi–Gangnani Highway in Indian Himalayas

In the Indian Himalayan region, landslide is one of the most recurring natural disasters intimidating human lives and is detrimental to infra-structures, especially for roads or highways. Landslides occurring along the major highways need to be studied with great attention since they often claim lives of travellers and disrupt road connectivity. This calls for hazard assessment of slopes susceptible to landslide along the highways. A study on the quantified assessment of landslide hazards has been carried out along the Uttarkashi–Gangnani National Highway (NH-108) in the Uttarakhand State of India. In the present study, the vulnerable road cut- slopes along the highway were identified and quantified stability assessment was carried out through rock mass classification and finite element analysis. Based on the obtained stability grades and factor of safety values, these road cut slopes were classified into various hazard classes. Thus, the study makes an attempt to quantify the hazard level of the existing and potential landside slopes, which will be useful for landslide risk management in the region.