Kumaon Hills Research Articles

Himalayas farmer participatory evaluation of balanced application of nutrients in rice (Oryza sativa)–wheat (Triticum aestivum) system in Kumaon hills

A study was conducted by involving 24 farmers in their fields during 2011–13 in lower Kumaon hills, to study the response of rice (Oryza sativa L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) system to balanced nutrient application. The highest mean grain yields of rice (7.21 t/ha) and of wheat (5.14 t/ha) were recorded with the recommended doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (120, 60 and 40 kg/ha respectively, to both the crops) applied along with the sulphur @ 20 kg/ha followed by recommended NPK alone without micronutrients (7.01 and 5.01 t/ha, respec tively, for rice and wheat). During both the years, grain yields of rice and wheat under the farmers’ practice of nu trient application were significantly lower than the other treatments except control and N alone. In rice crop, appli cation of recommended doses of N, P and K provided additional mean grain yield of 1.50 t/ha over the farmers’ practice, whereas it was 1.04 t/ha in wheat. Application of sulphur @ 20 kg/ha over the recommended dose of NPK to both the crops resulted in additional grain yield of rice and wheat by 200 and 130 kg/ha, respectively, it also resulted in the highest production efficiency (45.4 kg/ha/day). The highest net returns were found under the treatment receiving recommended dose of NPK along with sulphur @ 20 kg/ha ( 150.15 × 103/ha) and it was 54.8% higher over the farmers’ practice of fertilizer application. The soil fertility status after harvesting of wheat in rice–wheat cropping system revealed that highest available nitrogen (298 kg/ha), phosphorus (16.9 kg/ha) and po tassium (200 kg/ha) were observed with recommended doses of N, P and K along with sulphur @ 20 kg/ha to rice and wheat crops in sequence.

A Himalayan Love Story: Navigating Love, Loss, and Fate

The Paper presents an analysis of Namita Gokhale's novel "A Himalayan Love Story" and its exploration of universal themes such as love, loss, and fate. The background of the study lies in the innovative literary expression of Indian writers, with Namita Gokhale being a prominent figure focusing on contemporary Indian society and women. The research problem centers on the portrayal of characters navigating through love, loss, and societal constraints. The aim is to analyze the journey of the protagonist, Parvati, and the implications of societal norms on her life. The methodology involves a qualitative analysis of the novel's characters and their experiences. The participants are the characters in the novel, set in the backdrop of the Kumaon Hills. The results reveal the characters' struggles with societal expectations, desires, and the inevitability of fate. The implications highlight the power of love in the face of adversity, as well as the limitations imposed by societal norms.

Detection of Meloidogyne graminicola (RRKN) in Kumaon region of the Indian Himalayas

Rice root-knot nematode (RRKN), Meloidogyne graminicola is a serious pest of rice (Oryza sativa L.) reported globally. In India, RRKN has been reported from various parts of the rice growing region and causing 17–30% yield loss. In the present study, RRKN population infesting rice growing region of Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand, Indian Himalayan region was isolated during 2019–20, characterized using integrative taxonomy by combining molecular analysis using ITS, morphology of male, juveniles, adult female and morphometry measurements of different stages. The data presented in the comparative analysis of morphometry parameters for Meloidogyne graminicola isolate from the Kumaon region of the Indian Himalayas, as compared to the original description by Golden and Birchfield (1965) from Louisiana, USA, reveals some differences in the morphological characteristics of adult females, adult males, and 2nd stage juveniles (J2) of M. graminicola. The ITS sequence from the present study appeared as a single clade between the Fujian isolate (KM111531.1) and the Brazilian M. graminicola isolate (KY962651). To our knowledge, this is the first authentic characterization and report of RRKN from the Hilly region of Uttarakhand state. The detection of M. graminicola in the mid Indian Himalayan region provides valuable information for further studies on the natural population dynamics and distribution patterns of this nematode species. The findings highlight the need for regular monitoring and surveillance of nematode populations in the region to better understand their distribution and potential impact on rice production.

Training needs of hortipreneurs in Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand, India

Training needs of hortipreneurs in Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand, India

Constraints and suggestions in adoption of recommended beekeeping practices in Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand

Constraints and suggestions in adoption of recommended beekeeping practices in Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand

Adoption of Recommended Beekeeping Practices in Kumaon Hills of Uttarakhand

Beekeeping in Uttarakhand is one of the oldest traditional practices followed both for the commercial purpose as well as the domestic use. It is an important supplementary income generating activity in the state. According to the experts, there is a need to adopt modern beekeeping practices by the traditional beekeepers in the state, especially in the areas like bee management, better extraction, honey storage and quality control. Honey bee farming is now a days becoming more popular due to its market demand in national as well as the international market. The farmers not only obtain economic benefits but beekeeping also helps the farmers increase the agricultural productivity through pollination. Uttarakhand has huge potential for beekeeping due to plenty of flora and suitability of climate but the farmers still depend on the traditional practices resulting in the low yield of honey produce both in terms of quality and quantity. Hence, there is a huge scope of adoption of advanced scientific practices in the state of Uttarakhand that can add to the farmers income in the state. ”Mountain farmers in Uttarakhand are facing extreme difficulties in meeting their basic needs because of meager opportunities to engage youth in respectable employment. The paper suggests that the Uttarakhand has tremendous scope for commercial beekeeping and use of bee for pollination of diversity agri-horticultural crops and wild flora. Also, the paper emphasizes on the constraints for beekeeping development and strategies for organic honey production in Mountain hill of Uttarakhand.

Adoption of Recommended Beekeeping Practices in Kumaon Hills of Uttarakhand

Adoption of Recommended Beekeeping Practices in Kumaon Hills of Uttarakhand

Response of anestrous heifers fed local grass or oak foliage-based diet with two different mineral mixtures.

The effect of incorporation of two different mineral mixtures and/or oak leaves was studied on nutrient utilization and reproductive performance in anestrous heifers. Twenty-one anestrous heifers (18.2 ± 1.45 months; 229 ± 14.2 kg body weight) were randomly distributed into three similar groups. Heifers in control (T1) and first treatment group (T2) were fed concentrate mixture incorporated with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specific mineral mixture and a customized mineral mixture developed specially for Kumaon hills (MMKH), respectively, along with local green grass (Pennisetum orientale). In the second treatment group (T3), concentrate mixture was the same as that of T2, while the source of roughage was local oak (Quercus leucotricophora) leaves containing 3.35% condensed tannin. A digestibility trial was conducted after 120 days of study. The feed intake was similar among the groups. Digestibility coefficient of crude protein (CP) was lower in T3 than T2 and comparable to T1. Feeding oak leaves improved absorption of calcium as compared to grass-fed animals. Bioavailability of copper and zinc was higher (P < 0.05) in oak leaves and MMKH fed group (T3) as compared to T1, but similar to T2. Conversely, absorption of iron had the reverse trend and was reflected in serum Fe concentration. Hematological, biochemical, enzyme and hormonal profiles were not influenced by any of the treatments. The relative occurrence of estrus cyclicity and conception rate was more in groups T2 and T3, respectively, than other groups. It was concluded that feeding oak foliage-based diet containing 1.87% tannin along with customized mineral mixture developed for Kumaon hills improved certain nutrient utilization and reproductive performance as compared to local green grass supplemented with BIS-specific mineral mixture or MMKH.

Soil Suitability Evaluation Using Remotely Sensed Data and GIS: A Case Study from Kumaon Himalayas

Soil resource characterization of Kumaon hills of Himalayas was carried out through soil survey and established soil–physiography relationship after identification and delineation of six physiographic units in Khulgad watershed of Almora district, Uttarakhand. The satellite image characteristics identified through the visual/digital interpretation of IRS-1D LISS-III fused with PAN data on 1:12,500 scale were utilized in the present study. Based on the characteristics of soils developed on different physiographic units, the soils were evaluated for land capability classification and suitability for major crops in the region for sustainable development of the study area. GIS technique was used to develop decision trees employing various soil–site parameters for assessing crop suitability. The results revealed that deep to moderately deep soils with high clay content on the stable terraces and valley lands mostly appearing as dark blue to blackish blue in satellite imagery grouped under land capability classes II and III were interpreted as suitable for wheat, rice, finger millet and mustard crops. Moderately deep to deep soils occurring on moderately steep hill slopes and upper terraces were suitable for potato, mustard and finger millets. Soils on degraded hills with terraced tops having forest in patches (showed mix tone of grey and pink in imagery) categorized into class IV were found to be marginally suitable for wheat, mustard and potato with constraints of soil and topography, while soils on upper hill slopes, degraded hill tops/slopes with thin forest/grazing land and rocky ridges with dark to light blue, white and greyish mixed tone and dark blue with pale pink mixed tone in the imagery placed under land capability classes VI to VII were presently not suitable for crops cultivation and moderately suitable for grassland pasture or silvipasture purposes. The extent of suitability of soils for various crops has also been highlighted using GIS software and the maps were prepared. GIS is found to be helpful in processing spatial and non-spatial remote sensing data and conventional data of highly folded and faulted chain of Kumaon Himalayas to evaluate soil–site parameters for assessing crop suitability for optimum utilization of land.

Marketing Behaviour of Fruit Growers in Kumaon Hills of Uttarakhandational Environment in Agricultural Colleges from Maharashtra

Fruit production has immense potential to boost farmer’s income in Uttarakhand hills. To increase producers’ share in consumer rupee, marketing of quality fruits is essential. A study was conducted in Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand to assess marketing behaviour of fruit growers and constraints in marketing the fruits produced. Results revealed that fruit growers in the Uttarakhand hills exhibited a medium level of overall marketing behaviour. Marketing behaviour was studied as a composite of planning, decision making based on criteria for making an action plan, execution strategy and reconsideration/ review of the action plan after marketing. Risk preference, quality orientation, training received and market information source utilization were found to be significantly related with marketing behaviour of which risk preference and quality orientation were reported as the predictors. High transportation cost, fluctuating market prices and inadequate storage facilities were reported as the major constraints in fruit marketing by the growers. Provision of cold chain, processing units, mega markets with export linkages, minimum support price for fruits, focused training for small and marginal farmers on marketing strategies and quality concerns were suggested by the fruit growers.

First report of Blister beetle, Mylabris pustulata Thunberg (Meloidae: Coleoptera) in maize fields from Sarson village of Almora District, Uttarakhand (India)

Orange banded blister beetle, Mylabris pustulata is an important species of Blister beetles and has been found to cause economic damage due to its polyphagous nature. In the present study, M. pustulata was found to be feeding on maize crop from Sarson village of Almora, Uttarakhand which is located on a ridge at the southern edge of the Kumaon Hills of the Himalaya range. This article brings into notice the damage by M. pustulata first time on maize from the specified area. The morphological features such as characteristic wing pattern, mouthparts, antennae etc. and feeding on sap or solid matter of floral or fruit in a similar manner as described in earlier texts revealed the similarity of test insect with M. pustulata.

Replacement or displacement? Periurbanisation and changing water access in the Kumaon Himalaya, India

This paper describes the impacts of urbanisation on the water sources of the residents of Mukteshwar in the Kumaon hills of North India. It uses a periurban conceptual lens to understand the changing flows of people and natural resources between Mukteshwar and connecting urban centres. Following land use change, it traces the impacts of these processes on water sources and institutions, and employs a political ecology framing to illustrate how water resources are (re) appropriated. Further demonstrating how the effects of these changes are aggravated by climatic change and variability it describes how these processes impact gender relations around natural resource collection. The paper concludes with identifying some key areas for further research on periurbanisation processes in mountain contexts, focusing on important ideas and concepts that can be relevant in capturing the processes underway.

Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory profile of scrub typhus cases detected by serology and RT-PCR in Kumaon, Uttarakhand: a hospital-based study.

We analysed the epidemiology, clinical and laboratory data of the 168 scrub typhus cases confirmed by a combination of any one of the following: real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and/or immunofluorescence assay (IFA) (IgM and/or IgG). The peak season for scrub typhus was from July to October. By multivariate binary logistic regression analysis, the risk of scrub typhus was about four times in those working in occupation related to forest work. Major clinical manifestations were fever (100%), myalgia (65%), cough (51%) and vomiting (46%); major complications were meningitis/meningoencephatilitis (12.5%) and multi-organ failure (MOF) and pneumonia (5.3% each). Laboratory investigations revealed raised aminotranferase levels and thrombocytopenia in most confirmed cases. We conclude that scrub typhus is an important cause of febrile illness in the Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand where this disease had not previously been considered to exist.

Millets, milk and maggi: contested processes of the nutrition transition in rural India

The nutrition transition—a process of dietary change that describes the shift to calorie-dense, higher fat and protein diets from cereal based ones—is happening in India. This paper argues that relatively little is known about the nature of nutrition transition in India. This is a result of both a lack of adequate and timely data and a consequence of national and state-level statistics, which render an incomplete and potentially misleading picture of how these processes are unfolding in local contexts. This may be especially true in India where very little ethnographic research has documented the dual edges of nutrition transitions. Analyzing data collected from the Kumaon Hills, Uttarakhand in 2013, this paper suggests the ways in which aspects of the nutrition transition have developed unevenly over space and time. In particular, while new types of calorie dense foods have infiltrated these rural, remote areas, the process has been uneven and fraught with contestation due to preexisting social practices. More troubling is the evidence that though incomes are rising, the predicted increases in high value, protein rich foods may actually be declining. This paper concludes by arguing that the widely influential nutrition transition literature needs look to ethnographic and in-depth qualitative methods to form better policies relevant to the contingencies of dietary and epidemiological change.

Yield and physico-chemical performance of different kiwifruit cultivars in Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the yield and physico-chemical performance of five kiwifruit cultivars viz., Monty, Hayward, Allison, Bruno and Abbott in the year 2016. The highest fruit yield (70.28 kg/tree), fruit length (71.73 mm), fruit weight (61.66 g) and fruit volume (60.41 cc) were recorded in cultivar Allison. The lowest fruit yield (25.12 kg/tree) and fruit length (52.20 mm) were recorded in Hayward, while lowest fruit weight (53.84 g) and fruit volume (52.70 cc) were estimated under Monty. The fruit firmness was found highest (7.53 lb/in2) in Hayward, while the lowest (2.37 lb/in2) in Monty. The highest T. S. S. (13.50°B) was found in Allison, while lowest (11.67°B) in Abbott, whereas highest acidity (2.39%) was recorded in Monty and lowest (1.89%) in Abbott. The highest ascorbic acid (110.47 mg/100 g), carotene content (354.33 μg/100 g) and total anti-oxidant activity (37.04 mMTE/L) was recorded in Bruno, while lowest ascorbic acid (89.52 mg/100 g) and total anti-oxidant activity (31.14 mMTE/L) were recorded in Hayward. The lowest carotene content (218.56 μg/100 g) was recorded in Monty. The highest reducing (7.04%) and total sugars (8.31%) were found in Monty, while lowest reducing (4.56%) and total sugars (5.10%) in Hayward. Therefore, Allison followed by Bruno cultivar of kiwifruit needs to be popularize in the region in view of yield and physicochemical performance.

Homestays’ contribution to community-based ecotourism in the Himalayan region of India

ABSTRACTThis article investigates how villagers’ participation in the homestay programme can influence attitudes and behaviours related to ecotourism objectives within a wildlife sanctuary. Initially, it provides a historical context of the development of the homestay programme within the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in Kumaon Hills of the Indian Himalayan region using a case-study approach. Based on interviews with each household head conducted within the Sanctuary, the paper explores the links between villagers’ homestay involvement and, attitudes and behaviours related to the Sanctuary’s ecotourism objectives. The findings suggest that contextual variable such as occupation significantly influences villagers’ attitudes towards the homestay programme while human–wildlife interactions additionally influence the villagers’ attitudes towards ecotourism development. Furthermore, positive attitudes towards homestays have been manifested as positive ecotourism-directed behaviours resulting in villagers’ engagement in public–private partnerships, their involvement in tourism-related cultural programmes and willingness to contribute towards nature interpretation activities to support ecotourism objectives in the Sanctuary. While the homestay programme has encouraged local guardianship behaviour, opportunities to improve and expand conservation efforts with the help of communities in the region could be further developed, and require greater cooperation from concerned stakeholders in both public and private sectors.

Fatal Asian Giant Hornet's Sting: First Case Series from Kumaon Hills of Uttarakhand, India

Hornet stings are medically important stings which can cause allergic manifestations and in severe cases, may lead to acute renal failure (ARF), myocarditis and hepatitis. Venom from hornet stings can also contribute to myocardial injury or liver impairment. The delay in diagnosis, treatment and unawareness of fatal complication may also be a contributory factor for fatal outcome. In the remote, backward area of hills of Uttarakhand, where the emergency medical facilities are not easily available, lead to increase mortality. Here, we report the case series of farmers who were working in their field in a village at an altitude of around 6500 feet above sea level. Out of six farmers who were bitten by hornet three died before reaching our hospital and one in our hospital. Only two farmers could survive out of six. We are describing three cases of hornet stings that reached our hospital leading to ARF, myocarditis and hepatitis. Case two complicated with ARF and myocarditis and case three with hepatitis. Both of these recovered their body physiology after a 26 days and 6 day stay in the hospital, respectively, whereas Case one died.

Distribution, ecophysiology and medicinal and nutraceutical usage ofPerilla frutescens(L.) Britton

Perilla frutescens is one of the important crops grown in Garhwal and Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand, India. Traditionally the seeds of the plant are eaten raw by people and oil extracted from seeds are used for cooking purposes. Medicinally, it is used in treating cough, bronchitis, uterine ailments and rheumatic arthritis. Most of the research on P. frutescens in India in general and Uttarakhand in particular have focused on characterization of its chemical constituents, genetic relationship between the wild and cultivated variety, its uses, and how cultivation practices have changed over the years. Here we envisaged on the R&D gaps for comprehensive understanding of its formulations as health food and nutraceuticals.

Haplomitrium Hookeri (Sm.) Nees: A Rare Species New to Kumaon Hills (Uttarakhand), Western Himalaya

Haplomitrium hookeri (Sm.) Nees, the type species of Haplomitrium (Sm.) Nees is of great significance. The taxon is reported to be of rare occurrence. During the study of bryophytes of Uttarakhand, few plants of H. hookeri were collected from Mukteshwar in Kumaon Hills which shows extended distribution of the taxon in Indian subcontinent. Earlier the taxon was known from Garhwal hills only in Uttarakhand, western Himalaya and Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and West Bengal in the eastern Himalaya. The plants from Kumaon region have been described and illustrated herewith.

Evaluation of the knowledge and perceptions with regards to pictorial health warnings on tobacco products among tobacco users diagnosed with head and neck carcinoma: a study from the Kumaon Hills of India.

Tobacco products continue to be used in large quantities in India despite the mandatory inclusion of pictorial health warnings (PHWs) on all tobacco packaging. The circumstances as to how people could continue the use of tobacco to the point of developing head and neck cancer despite enhanced awareness about the ill effects of tobacco is the main focus of this study. This study concerned patients with least 5-years history of tobacco use, having been diagnosed with histopathologically proven malignancies of the hypopharynx, larynx, oropharynx and oral cavity presenting at the Government Medical College-Haldwani, Nainital, India. A total of 183 patients were eligible for inclusion during July 1 2013- June 30 2014. Of these, 59 patients used smoked tobacco exclusively, 22 patients used smokeless tobacco exclusively, and 102 patients used both forms of tobacco. Among users of smoked forms, 75.2% (n=121) were beedi users, and 24.8% (n=40) were cigarette users. Patients were asked direct questions as to whether they had noticed the presence of PHWs upon tobacco products. The reasons as to why PHWs were not effective in stopping the patients from tobacco use were investigated. Of the 183 patients, 146 reported being aware about the presence of PHWs, and when they were asked reasons as to why they continued tobacco despite being aware of ill-effects, the commonest reason chosen (by 53.4%) was that patients had not regarded themselves as using tobacco heavy enough to cause cancer. Among the 36 patients who reported as being oblivious to the presence of PHWs on tobacco products, 63.9% reported that the products they used never displayed any PHWs, and 36.1% reported never having paid attention to the packaging. The awareness about PHWs was higher among cigarette smokers in comparison to beedi smokers (100% vs 76.1%, p=0.0002). Locally produced and marketed tobacco products such as beedis and oral tobacco often fail to display PHWs. The presence of PHWs without doubt enhances awareness about the carcinogenic risks of tobacco. However, enhanced awareness alone may not be enough, and as elucidated by this study, some persons continue to use tobacco to the point of developing malignancies. The need of the hour is the implementation of legal and economic sanctions discouraging the use of tobacco products.