Kumaun Himalayas Research Articles

Study of attenuation mechanism for Garwhal–Kumaun Himalayas from analysis of coda of local earthquakes

The relative contribution of intrinsic ( Q i − 1 ) and scattering ( Q s − 1 ) attenuation to seismic wave attenuation was estimated for the Garwhal–Kumaun Himalayas using Multiple Lapse Time Window Analysis (MLTWA) method under the assumption of isotropic scattering. Local earthquake data recorded by an array operated by Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), India was used for this purpose. It is observed that scattering attenuation primarily contributes to seismic wave attenuation in this region and its value is much higher compared to that of intrinsic attenuation at around 1 Hz frequency. As frequency increases the relative contribution of scattering attenuation to total attenuation starts decreasing. However, as seismic albedo is higher than 0.5 for all the frequencies considered, it is concluded that the medium here is highly heterogeneous in nature.

Gender Norms, Patriarchy and the Women of the Kumaun Himalayas

Gender Norms, Patriarchy and the Women of the Kumaun Himalayas

Organic geochemical record of increased productivity in Lake Naukuchiyatal, Kumaun Himalayas, India

Organic geochemical proxies have been studied in a 45-cm-long core retrieved from Lake Naukuchiyatal in Kumaun Himalayas, India. Increase in TOC, N, hydrocarbons and pigments concentration from bottom to surface sediments of the core indicates increase in the lake productivity. Stable isotopes (δ13C and δ 15 N), biomarkers (TAR, CPI and n-ΣC15,17,19) and C/N atomic (between 9 and 12) suggest dominance of algal derived organic matter in these sediments. Decrease in organic δ13C values (between −27 and −31‰) in surface sediments indicate influence of sewage and land runoff in shifting organic δ13C values, whereas low (between −0.23 and 2.2‰) δ15N values together with high pigment concentrations (zeaxanthin and echinenone) represent dominance of cyanobacteria in the lake.

Studies of natural radionuclides and dose estimation from soil samples of Kumaun Himalaya, India

In the present study, the distribution of natural radionuclides in soil samples collected from different geological units of Kumaun Himalayas are assessed using gamma ray spectrometer with Nal(Tl) detector. The naturally occurring radioactivity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were found to vary from 36.4 Bq/kg to 166.6 Bq/kg, 15.3 Bq/kg to 94.7 Bq/kg and 645.9 Bq/kg to 1378.9 Bq/kg, respectively. The total absorbed gamma dose rate was found to vary from 80 nGy/h to 179.6 nGy/h. The resulting dose due to the presence of these radionuclides was estimated from radiation protection point of view. The significance of this investigation is also discussed in details.

An environmental record of changes in sedimentary organic matter from Lake Sattal in Kumaun Himalayas, India

Sattal a small mountainous lake in the Kumaun Himalayas has been impacted by various cultural activities in recent years. We explored the effects of human-induced changes in this lake by using various geochemical proxies. Shifts in TOC and N flux, C/N ratio, stable isotopes ( δ 13C and δ 15N), n-alkane, and pigment concentrations in sediments indicate a steady increase in primary productivity over the last few decades. The trophic status of the lake has changed from mesotrophic to eutrophic condition. The C/N, CPI, and TAR based ratios in sediments indicate accumulation of algal matter derived primarily from in situ production, with limited input of terrestrial organic matter from the watershed. The low (between 0.1 and 1‰) δ 15N values imply N 2-fixation by cyanobacteria, and the decrease in δ 13C values up-core represent the effect of sewage input and land based runoff, or possible contribution from microbial biomass. The pigments change from non-N 2 fixing cyanobacterial species to the N 2-fixing community, and are consistent with the proxy-based productivity shifts inferred in the lake. The deeper sediments are affected by post-diagenetic changes causing an increase in δ 13C (and possibly δ 15N) due to mineralization of organic C and N.

Changing face of polyculture in the Darma and Johaar valleys, Pithoragarh, Kumaun Himalayas

Traditional modes of living or sustenance invariably relate to immediate and surrounding resources. Traditional people use many plant resources and have developed subtle and innovative uses for them in order to obtain maximum benefit. Traditional crop varieties and races that evolved over time through trial and error, not only provide basic nutritional requirements, but also food security. While the effects of the green revolution are conspicuous in the lower Himalayas, they are less visible in the study region, the Darma and Johaar valleys in the Kumaun Himalayas. Loss of crop biodiversity has taken place over the years, principally and inadvertently related to changing lifestyle and closure of traditional trade with Tibet after the 1962 Sino-Indian war. Added to this, is a growing demand for medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), principally Jambu (Allium stracheyii) and caraway (Carum carvi), whose acreage has increased with the concomitant decline in area under the traditional crops. In addition, the recent discovery of Yar tsa Gumba (Cordyceps sinensis) in the alpine zones of their summer homes has reduced people's interest in sowing, rearing and caring for traditional crops, viz. beans, potatoes, amaranth, whose growing season coincides with the harvesting season of Yar tsa Gumba. The present study attempts to show the causal factors behind the loss in crop biodiversity, as well as the changing lifestyle of these traditional people, vis a vis the changes in polyculture.

Radon and thoron monitoring in the environment of Kumaun Himalayas: survey and outcomes

Monitoring of radon, thoron and their daughter products was carried out in houses of Kumaun Himalaya, India using LR-115 plastic track detectors. The measurements were made in residential houses from June 1999 to May 2000 at a height of 2.5 m from ground level using a twin chamber radon dosimeter. The twin chamber radon dosimeter can record the values of radon, thoron and their decay products separately. Maximum and minimum indoor radon and thoron concentrations were evaluated and activity concentrations of radon and thoron daughters were estimated. The resulting dose rates due to radon, thoron and their decay products varied from 0.04 to 1.89 μSv/h. A detailed analysis of the distribution of radon, thoron and their decay products inside the house is also reported. The observed dose rates inside the houses of Kumaun Himalaya were found to be lower than the ICRP recommended value of 200 Bq/m 3 and thus are within safe limits.

Cist burials of the Kumaun Himalayas

In the Kumaun region of Uttar Pradesh, India, on the southern slopes of the Himalaya are cist burials, as well as megalithic monuments. Radiocarbon dates from the cists now hint at their going back to the 3rd millennium BC, and linguistic affinities would associate them with early Indo-European migrations into the western and central Himalaya regions.

Population dynamics of the earthworm Amynthas alexandri (Megascolecidae: Annelida) in cultivated soils of the Kumaun Himalayas

The population dynamics of the earthworm Amynthas alexandri was observed over 2 years in cultivated soils at Chanfi and Khurpatal near Nainital. Both hand sorting and formalin extraction were used to sample earthworms from the top 20 cm of soil. The density and biomass of earthworms fluctuated substantially during the year. Maximum density (58.4 m −2) and biomass (19.6 g m −2) were recorded in the rainy period and minimum during the dry period. Within the top 20 cm, 51–69% of the total numbers of earthworms were collected from the 0–10 cm soil layer and the proportion of biomass in the same layer was 51–83%. Most (80–90%) of the worms collected were clitellate. The C: N ratio of the soil decreased with increasing depth in both localities.

Pigment concentration of ten bryophytes from Nainital, Kumaun Himalayas

The chlorophylls, carotenoids and their ratios were determined in 6 liverworts and 4 mosses of Nainital, Kumaun Himalaya. The amount of chlorophylls and carotenoids was higher in liverworts except forStephensoniella brevipedunculata compared to mosses. Liverworts studied occurred in shady habitats, whereas the mosses occurred in open situations. The chlorophylla/b ratios were less than 1·5. This is a response of bryophytes to low light environments. The chlorophyll/carotenoid ratio did not show any remarkable difference among liverworts and mosses, as the study was carried out during the rainy season—the luxuriant growth period of bryophytes.

Geology of Dhangarhi-Dandeldhura road section and its regional significance

The present paper deals with the geological section of the Dhangarhi­ Dandeldhura Road in the far Western Nepal. The section, south to north, crosses the Gangetic plain, Siwaliks, and the Lesser Himalayan metasedimentary and crystalline rocks. Two tectonic units to the north of MBT, Budar Metasedimentary Complex and Dandeldhura Crystalline Complex, are recognized. The latter which is equivalent to the Almora Crystalline Nappe, is thrust over the Lesser Himalayan metasedimentary complex along the Goganpani Thrust and has been preserved in the synclinal structure. The Budar Complex comprising Budar quartzites and Rupaskanra Phyllites, is correlable to Nagthat quartzites (Krol Nappe?) and Ramgarh unit (Valdiya, 1980) or the Chail Nappe (Fuchs & Sinha, 1978) of the Kumaun Himalayas.

Studies in parasitic watermolds of Kumaun Himalayas: The host range of five species of olpidiopsis

The host range of five species of Olpidiopsis in some species of Achlya, Aphanomyces, Brevilegnia, Isoachlya, Saprolegnia, Thraustotheca and Pythium was studied. Species were different in their host range.

Common Property Wasteland-Use Planning for Sustainable Resource Development in Ramgad Catchment, Kumaun Himalaya

The Lesser Himalayan region is the most densely populated area of all the Himalayan ranges and deserves specific and adequate attention for the development of its scarce and precious common property wasteland resource in view of the fact that a large number of rural poor households in the region depend on common property wastelands for the fulfillment of their own basic needs, such as, fodder, fuel-wood, grazing etc. Of late, the region is experiencing extensive environmental problems like deforestation, landslides, soil erosion, owing mainly to the over-utilization of common property resources. This is consequent to the misuse and mismanagement of the common property land resources by villagers in Himalayan region. This paper attempts to evolve an optimal wasteland use framework for the Ramgad catchment situated in the Lesser Himalayan ranges of district Nainital located in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. Recognizing the drastic changes that have taken place in traditional common property wasteland use, the watershed area has been proposed to be marked for fodder development, horticultural development and medicinal plant conservation. Key words: Wasteland; Natural resource; Households; Kumaun Himalayas. DOI: 10.3126/sw.v7i7.3823 Scientific World Vol.7(7) 2009 pp.41-46

Exploration of Nanda Devi

NANDA DEVI, with an altitude of 25,645 ft., in the Kumaun Himalayas, is supposed to be the highest mountain entirely within British territory. The area in which it lies is so rugged and unapproachable that even the base of the main peak defied assault until this year, though in 1907 Dr. T. G. Longstaff made an attempt via the Rishiganga gorge. In a letter to the Times of November 2, Mr. H. Ruttledge gives a preliminary account of an expedition to Nanda Devi led by Mr. E. E. Shipton this year. In June, with Mr. Tilman and a few native carriers, Mr. Shipton forced a way up the precipices of the Rishiganga gorge to the source of the river and explored the northern flank of Nanda Devi. Before the monsoon broke, they retreated northward and during July and August explored the Arwa, Bhagat-Kharak, and Satopanth glaciers before returning to their main task. Once more they ascended the Rishiganga gorge, mapped the southern basin of Nanda Devi, climbed a considerable distance up the peak and discovered a way that in the proper season would no doubt lead to the top. Finally, in September they crossed the difficult Sonadunga col and descended to the south. Mr. Shipton is returning to Great Britain next month.