Kashmir Himalaya Research Articles

Ground Deformation Pattern in Parts of Kashmir Himalaya Using Persistent Scatterer Interferometry: A case study of Srinagar City

Ground Deformation Pattern in Parts of Kashmir Himalaya Using Persistent Scatterer Interferometry: A case study of Srinagar City

Wild edible plants sustaining food security among indigenous communities in Kashmir Himalayas, India

Wild edible plants sustaining food security among indigenous communities in Kashmir Himalayas, India

Contribution of provisioning ecosystem services of homestead trees to rural livelihoods in Kashmir Himalaya, India

Aim: To quantify provisioning ecosystem services (PES) derived from homestead trees, estimate their economic value and contribution to rural livelihoods, and ascertain socio-economic determinants of household PES income from homestead trees in district Budgam of Kashmir. Methodology: In this study 106 homesteads were selected across 12 sample villages using multi-stage random sampling. Data were gathered through structured interviews, focus group discussions, homestead inventories, non-participant observations, and rapid market assessments. The data were analyzed through descriptive and analytical statistics. Results: The mean value of PES of homestead trees was ₹ 14349.27 per household per year, which was composed of fruits (45.54%), fuel wood (20.50%), tree browse (18.15%), timber (8.06%), and wicker (7.75%). PES of homestead trees constituted 4th important component of rural economy, accounting 16.23% of the average household's income. ANCOVA indicated that social membership, family size, family labour, farm size, livestock holding, main occupation, wealth status and annual income were potent predictors of household PES income from homestead trees. The R2 (0.872) of the ANCOVA model indicated that socio-economic determinants accounted for 87.20% of the variation in homestead trees' domestic PES revenue. Interpretation: Findings suggested that PES income from homestead trees is a vital intervention for socio-economic development, livelihood diversification, and forest conservation; hence, policy must be implicated towards a sustainable supply of PES from homestead trees by promoting homestead tree holdings. Key words: Homestead trees, Kashmir Himalaya, Livelihood, Provisioning ecosystem services

Assessing the impact of land use change on carbon and soil quality in Kashmir Himalayas

Assessing the impact of land use change on carbon and soil quality in Kashmir Himalayas

Application of Bivariate Statistical Method for Landslide Susceptibility Assessment along Srinagar-Bandipora Highway, North Kashmir Himalaya

The present study aims to create and evaluate a map indicating the potential of landslides along the Srinagar-Bandipora highway in the North Kashmir Himalaya region. Therefore, the study utilized the Bivariate Statistical Relative effect (RE) method to establish the correlation between casual factors (CFs) contributing to landslides and the actual landslide incidences. Additionally, fifteen different CFs were analyzed within a Geographic Information System (GIS) framework to assess the impact of these factors on landslides. Further, a comprehensive GIS-based inventory map was compiled, incorporating both primary and secondary data sources, to identify landslide locations. A landslide susceptibility zonation (LSZ) map was developed by integrating all identified landslide CFs along with their respective effect function values. Moreover, the results revealed that 21.06% of the study area was classified as having a very high to high susceptibility to landslides. To validate the accuracy of the produced map, 30% of landslide validation data was employed and the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve method was utilized, yielding an excellent result with an area under curve (AUC) value of 0.919 for the study area. Consequently, the findings of this study hold significant potential for mitigating landslide-related hazards and guiding land use planning projects.

Nutritional profiles and fertilizer responsiveness of cold-adapted rice germplasm of Kashmir Himalayan region: creating a high-value germplasm repository for smart-breeding biofortified rice

Nutritional profiles and fertilizer responsiveness of cold-adapted rice germplasm of Kashmir Himalayan region: creating a high-value germplasm repository for smart-breeding biofortified rice

From Tropical to Temperate: First Distribution Record of Amaranthus deflexus L. (Amaranthaceae) as an Alien Species to Kashmir Himalaya

From Tropical to Temperate: First Distribution Record of Amaranthus deflexus L. (Amaranthaceae) as an Alien Species to Kashmir Himalaya

Stock assessment of rosy barb, Pethia conchonius (Hamilton, 1822) in Dal Lake of Kashmir Himalayas

For management of fish stocks, assessing the various parameters of population dynamics are regarded as being extremely important. Under this backdrop the population dynamics parameters viz. growth, mortality and recruitment of Pethia conchonius, inhabiting the Dal Lake of Kashmir Himalayas were analysed using FiSAT II software. The analysed specimens were collected from five different sites within the lake and exhibited a total weight range of 0.3 to 6.4 g and a total length range of 3.1 to 7.8 cm. The relative condition factor for the fish was reported to be 1.11. The growth parameter i.e., asymptotic length, age at zero length, growth performance index and growth constant were reported to be 10.0 cm, –0.75 years, 1.48 and 0.30 year–1 respectively. The total mortality of 1.49 year–1, consisting of natural mortality of 0.88 year–1 and fishing mortality of 0.61 year–1 was reported. An exploitation rate of 0.41 is suggestive of a less exploited state of the fish. The length at first maturity was found to be higher than the length at first capture, a condition that can disturb the stock, as such the utility of a net with relatively larger mesh size is advisable. The current research on the population dynamics of P. conchonius can be used as the baseline data for its management practices.

Lithospheric rheology in West Tibet and Pamir constrained from the postseismic deformation of the 2005 Mw7.6 Kashmir (Pakistan) earthquake

We study the postseismic deformation of the 2005 Mw7.6 Kashmir earthquake in Pakistan, with a combination of the near- and far-field geodetic observations from the Kashmir Himalaya and the Tibetan Plateau, respectively. We construct a 3D finite-element model that integrates topographic relief, curved fault plane, and layered lithospheric structures to analyze stress-driven afterslip and estimate the rheological parameters of the Tibetan lithosphere. Our findings reveal that the ten-year afterslips of up to 30 cm were primarily localized at the downdip edges of co-seismic slip patches, causing near-field surface deformation of up to ∼5 cm within the first year. In contrast, viscoelastic relaxation in the lower crust of western Tibet and Pamir was required to reproduce far-field displacements of up to 1–2 cm recorded by GPS during the first 7 years. The model that best fits to the GPS displacements suggests a Maxwell viscosity exceeding 1020 Pa s for the Indian lower crust, while a much lower viscosity of ∼4–10×1018 Pa s is inferred for the lower crust beneath Pamir and western Tibet, indicating a softer Tibet and Pamir in response to the continental collision between India and Eurasia.

A Comprehensive Inventory, Characterization, and Analysis of Rock Glaciers in the Jhelum Basin, Kashmir Himalaya, Using High-Resolution Google Earth Data

Rock glaciers are crucial freshwater resources, yet detailed knowledge about their distribution, characteristics, and dynamics in the Himalayan region is scarce. This study presents a comprehensive rock glacier inventory of the Jhelum basin, Kashmir Himalaya, India, using high-resolution Google Earth data. We identified 240 rock glaciers covering an area of 41.24 ± 2.2 km2, with ~76% classified as active, ~20% inactive, and 3.7% relict. The average areas and lengths of these rock glacier types were 0.19 km2, 0.06 km2, and 0.29 km2, and 699 m, 426 m, and 952 m, respectively. Most rock glaciers (~90%) were oriented northwards (N, NE, NW), while only 5% faced southwards (S, SE, SW). The lower limit of permafrost in the Jhelum basin is about 3316 m asl. Furthermore, we estimated the ice storage of rock glaciers in the Jhelum basin at 0.80 ± 0.13 km3, equivalent to 0.72 ± 0.12 km3 of water volume. This study enhances our understanding of permafrost distribution and the characteristics and dynamics in the basin. Given their greater resilience to climate change compared to clean glaciers, the hydrological significance of rock glaciers is expected to increase under projected climate change scenarios. This study highlights their importance as a vital water resource amidst the accelerated recession of clean glaciers.

The nexus between ecology of foraging and food security: cross-cultural perceptions of wild food plants in Kashmir Himalaya

BackgroundWild food plants (WFPs) play an important role in the traditional dietary habits of various indigenous communities worldwide, particularly in mountainous regions. To understand the dynamics of food preferences, cross-cultural studies on food plants should be conducted across diverse ethnic groups in a given area. In this context, the current study investigated the use of WFPs by seven different cultural groups in the Kashmir Himalayan Region. In this area, people gather wild plants and their parts for direct consumption, traditional foods, or sale in local markets. Despite this reliance, documentation of the food system, especially concerning WFPs, is notably lacking. Hence, our research aimed to document WFPs, along with associated traditional ecological knowledge, and identify major threats to their long-term sustainability in Division Muzaffarabad.MethodsThrough a comprehensive approach involving questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, and market surveys, we gathered data from 321 respondents. PCA was performed to analyze threats and plant use using “factoextra” in R software. Origin Pro was used to create a chord diagram, while R software was used to generate a Polar heat map. Additionally, a Venn diagram was created using Bioinformatics software.ResultsThe study included 321 informants, of whom 75.38% were men and 24.61% were women. In total, 113 plant taxa from 74 genera and 41 botanical families were reported. Polygonaceae and Rosaceae accounted for the majority (17 species each), followed by Lamiaceae (7 species). Leaves were the most used part as food sources (41.04%), followed by fruits (33.33%). Most of the species are consumed as cooked (46.46%) and as raw snacks (37.80%). A total of 47 plant species were collected and cooked as wild vegetables, followed by 40 species used as fruits. This study is the first to describe the market potential and ecological distribution of WFPs in the study area. Cross-comparison showed that utilization of WFPs varies significantly across the region and communities, including their edible parts and mode of consumption. Jaccard index (JI) value ranged from 5.81 to 25. Furthermore, the current study describes 29 WFPs and 10 traditional food dishes that have rarely been documented in Pakistan's ethnobotanical literature. Climate change, invasive species, expansion of agriculture, and plant diseases are some of the most significant threats to WFPs in the study area.ConclusionsThe older age group has more knowledge about WFPs compared to the younger generation, who are not interested in learning about the utilization of WFPs. This lack of interest in information about WFPs among the younger generation can be attributed to their limited access to markets and availability of food plants in the study area. Traditional gathering of food plants has been reduced in younger generations during recent years; therefore, it is crucial to develop effective conservation strategies. These efforts not only safeguard indigenous flora, food knowledge, and cultural heritage, but they also contribute to food security and public health by utilizing local wild foods in the examined area.

Phytolith based paleoecological reconstruction from a loess-paleosol sequence in the Kashmir Himalaya, India

The temporal vegetation development provides vital information for understanding past climatic changes. In this study, we reconstruct vegetation dynamics from the last glacial period using phytoliths as a proxy from the Wanihama loess-paleosol sequence (LPS) near Srinagar in Kashmir Himalaya, India. Different phytolith assemblages and indices (Ic and Iw) revealed a series of warm and cold events documented in the LPS. The data indicate the predominance of broad-leaved and sparse conifer vegetation from ca. 42 ka to 39 ka, suggesting a comparatively warm and humid climate. After ca. 39 ka, conifers and grasses increased, indicating a transition to a cold climate. The cold climate, intervened by a short stadial, continued until ca. 31 ka with the predominance of conifers, grasses, and sedges. Subsequently, three other cold events were noted until ca. 14 ka, which resulted in vegetation disappearance and a substantial decrease in phytolith count. These cold events roughly coincide with the climatic instability in the Atlantic Ocean that caused severe cooling at high northern latitudes and likely impacted the Asian climate. Phytolith assemblages showed an overall increasing proportion of C4 grasses towards the top of the LPS, suggesting warm and dry climatic conditions. We also correlated the phytolith-based vegetation reconstruction with other paleoenvironmental proxies recorded from the same section, as well as with the last glacial climatic changes documented in different regions, to determine the reliability of phytoliths in LPSs as a proxy for past vegetation and climate reconstruction in the Kashmir Himalaya.

Essential Oil Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of the Aerial Part of Inula obtusifolia Growing in the Kashmir Himalayas

Essential Oil Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of the Aerial Part of Inula obtusifolia Growing in the Kashmir Himalayas

Diversity of Odonata in Hokersar Wetland- A Ramsar Site of Kashmir Himalaya, India

The present study was carried out from 2021 to 2023 to assess the diversity and seasonal distribution of odonates in the Hokersar wetland. A total of 18 species under 11 genera and four families were observed of which a high diversity of dragonflies were seen compared to damselflies. Libellulidae was found to be the most species-rich family followed by Aeshnidae. The most abundant species were Pantala flavescens (F) (11.98%), Crocothemis servilia (Drury) (11.35%) and Ischnura inarmata Calvert (11.09%). A change in diversity and abundance across seasons was observed with the highest being in summer followed by autumn, while absence during spring and autumn was seen, except for Sympecma paedisca (Brauer) found throughout the year.

Comparative Petiole Anatomy in Members of Polygonaceae as Medicinal Plants from District Muzaffarabad, Kashmir Himalayas

Comparative Petiole Anatomy in Members of Polygonaceae as Medicinal Plants from District Muzaffarabad, Kashmir Himalayas

Comparison of the sweeping net and bait method to access the species diversity of Calliphoridae (Insecta: Diptera) in Kashmir Himalaya, India

Calliphoridae commonly known as blowflies, bluebottles, greenbottles, or carrion flies is a family of Diptera which are of immense importance in medical, veterinary, and forensic sciences. Many sampling methods are known for collecting blowflies but sweeping net is the most dominant method used for their collection. The present study compares sweep netting with the less common bait method and quantifies differences in species richness, Shannon's diversity, and Simpson's diversity using the Hill numbers approach. The sampling procedure yielded 2000 specimens out of which 744 were collected using a sweeping net method while as bait method yielded 1256 specimens belonging to 6 genera and 15 morphospecies, Lucilia sericata (Meigen 1826Meigen 1826) was reported as the most abundant species in sweeping net method while as Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy 1830 was reported as most abundant species collected through the bait method. This study will be useful for the methodology of future field surveys.

Evaluation of ecosystem services vis-à-vis perceptions and attitudes of local communities towards Wetland conservation in Kashmir Himalaya

Valuation of ecosystem services along with the perceptions and attitudes of local communities is crucial for sustainable management of wetlands. This study assesses changes in wetland area and bathymetry, and provides insights into local community's perceptions of ecosystem services, and attitudes towards wetland conservation in Kashmir Himalaya, India. High-resolution satellite data was used to assess land use land cover (LULC) changes within the wetland. The bathymetry changes were assessed by performing depth measurements before and after dredging in 2019 and 2022, respectively. Perceptions of ecosystem services and attitudes of residents towards wetland management were examined through surveys in 182 households from the target population of 334 families. The findings reveal that Khushalsar wetland provides important provisioning (food, fodder, thatching mats, fish, vegetables), regulating (flood control, carbon sequestration, water quality improvement), supporting (habitat, biomass and oxygen production, water and nutrient cycling), and cultural services (aesthetic, education, spiritual). The economic benefits from provisioning services range from 240 USD/yr for minor vegetables to 1201–1802 USD/0.05 ha/yr for Nelumbo nucifera. The analysis of LULC changes indicates a ∼16.5% reduction in wetland area from 1980 to 2017, with a further ∼10% decrease from 2017 to 2021, resulting in an overall loss of ∼25% (27.1 ha) in wetland area from 1980 to 2021. Bathymetric assessments reveal an increase in maximum depth from 427 cm in 2019 to 547 cm in 2022 following dredging activities. Socioeconomic analysis showed the significance of Khushalsar wetland as an important source of livelihood for local communities. Survey results indicate that all the respondents have positive attitudes towards the protection and management of the Khushalsar wetland. The study demonstrates that human conservation activities have significantly contributed to positive changes in the wetland such as increase in depth and flood storage capacity. The study concludes that government protection along with active participation of local communities is indispensable for sustainable management of wetlands.

Comparative Analysis of GIS-based Quantitative Approaches for Landslide Susceptibility Assessment along National Highway-1(NH-1), North Kashmir Himalaya, India

Comparative Analysis of GIS-based Quantitative Approaches for Landslide Susceptibility Assessment along National Highway-1(NH-1), North Kashmir Himalaya, India

A suitable probability distribution for the prediction of rainfall in northern regions of Kashmir Himalaya

A suitable probability distribution for the prediction of rainfall in northern regions of Kashmir Himalaya

Ethnomedicinal survey of plants in protected areas of Kashmir Himalaya: a case study of the Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary

Ethnomedicinal survey of plants in protected areas of Kashmir Himalaya: a case study of the Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary