Siwalik Research Articles

Levels and effects of uranium in groundwater sources of Shivalik hills, outer Himalaya, India

Levels and effects of uranium in groundwater sources of Shivalik hills, outer Himalaya, India

Diversity, endemism, indigenous uses and threat status of medicinal plants in Shivalik Hills of Himachal Pradesh, North Western Himalaya, India

Indian Himalayan Region is known globally since the Vedic time for its rich resources. Due to less accessibility to basic facilities, communities of the Himalaya are well adopted with forests for curing various ailments. The present study has been conducted in Shivalik Hills of Himachal Pradesh. A total of 330 medicinal plants belonging to 85 families and 263 genera were recorded. 40 species were native to the Himalayan Region and 27 species were native to the Himalayan Region and other biogeographical regions, together, 01 species was endemic, 23 species were near endemic. Leaves, roots and whole plants were utilized in majority of cases. The analysis revealed that maximum species were used for fever, skin diseases, cough, dysentery and stomach problems. Acorus calamus, Berberis asiatica, Cheilocostus speciosus, Cinnamomum tamala, Gloriosa superba, Pittosporum eriocarpum, Rauvolfia serpentina, Terminalia chebula, etc. were identified as threatened species. Due to habitat degradation, biological invasion, over-exploitation and changing environmental conditions, the populations of these medicinal plants are facing high pressures. Therefore, identification of Medicinal Plants Conservation Areas (MPCAs), frequent monitoring of habitats, extraction trend of medicinal plants, education, awareness and participation of the local inhabitants have been suggested.

Socio-Economic Importance and Potential of Wild Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants of the Western Himalayas, India

India's Ayurvedic medicine system is becoming popular worldwide because these medicines are based on natural herbal products and have no side effects on health; somewhat, it improves and strengthens the body's immunity. Today people’s awareness is increasing about health, the side effects of allopathy medicines on health, and their inclination and faith toward Ayurvedic treatments are railing with time. Ayurvedic medicine system is based on traditional herbal knowledge, identification of herbs in natural habitats, and formulations. The present study involves the survey and analysis of local healers of Shivalik hill in the Western Himalayas to discover the most used herbs and their economic potential from national and international market perspectives. Therefore, a survey and analysis were conducted in randomly selected 37 villages of six development blocks. The survey interviewed 195 local healers and people based on the scientifically designed questionnaire. During the 2019-2022, the thirty-one wild medicinal plant species were identified with, highlighting ten highly valued plants. These plants have high demand from local healers, vendors, or the pharma industry. Further analysis of the importance and value of each part of the plant shows this: leaves (15%), flowers (13%), roots (21%), seeds (27%), oil (2%), wood (4%), juice (11%), tuber (4%) and whole plant (4%). Study shows that local healers can. This study also emphasizes the cultivation of these herbal plants on a large scale and can potentially raise the financial status of local people and healers. The study highlights the potential of these herbal plants found in the study area to enhance rural livelihood and community resilience and calls for the integration of medicinal plants in conservation and development strategies.

Landslide susceptibility analysis using frequency ratio and weight of evidence approaches along the Lakhandehi Khola watershed in the Sarlahi District, southern Nepal

Landslide susceptibility maps are considered as one of the most important keys to limiting and dodging potential landslide consequences worldwide. In the present study, landslide susceptibility maps are prepared using bivariate models: frequency ratio and weight of evidence approaches. At first, randomly selected 80% of landslides i.e.,one hundred eighty landslides are used as training data for the preparation of the model, and the rest 20% of landslides i.e.,forty-five landslides for its validation. Similarly,thematic layers of nine causative factors of landslides such as slope, aspect, curvature, stream density, TWI(Topographic Wetness Index), land use, geology, distance from river and distance from the road have been analyzed for the modeling in ArcGIS. Finally, prepared landslide susceptibility maps are classified into five classes from Very Low to Very High from both methods. The area of Low, Moderate, High, and Very High susceptible classes is also nearly equal. The success rate curve of FR (Frequency Ratio), and WOE (Weight of the Evidence), show accuracy of 71.09%, and 75.62% respectively. Likewise, the prediction rate curve shows 72.87% and 76.66% accuracy on FR and WOE methods respectively. Since the susceptibility maps prepared through both approaches show an accuracy of >70%, the result is deliberated as fair. These maps are useful to all the stakeholders for land use planning and developing mitigation strategies against the consequences of increasing landslides in the Siwalik Hills of Nepal.

Geoenvironmental GIS development to investigate Landslides and Slope Instability along Frontal zone of Central Himalaya

The Frontal Himalayan terrain comprises of Lesser Himalaya and Siwalik Hills; is highly susceptible to landslide disaster due to active tectonics, scrappy geology, steep slope, and reshaping geomorphology. Besides that, hydrological impacts of land use degradation and climate change enhancing the vulnerability of the terrain. Keep in view this; the Dabka watershed, falls in frontal zone of central Himalaya has been selected for case illustration. Geospatial analysis advocates that the areas of the most stressed geo-environment (comprises of very steep slopes above 30°, geology of Lower Krol and Lariakanta formation, geomorphology of moist areas and debris sites and land use of barren land) have high density (5–10 landsides km2) of landslides whereas the areas of least stressed geo-environment (comprises of gentle slopes below 10°, geology of Kailakhan and Siwalik formation, geomorphology of depositional terraces and land use of dense forest) have low density of landslides (2 landsides km2). Out of total 340 landslides in the region, 198 are active landsides whereas 51 and 91 are reactivated and old landsides respectively. Geospatial analysis of landslide areas reveals that across the region total 804.33 ​ha land has been degraded by landslides which account for 11.65% of the total area of the Dabka watershed. The wedge failure analysis suggests that there are 3–4 sets of rock joints across the region and most of the sites are unsafe as their safety factors are less than 1.

Screening of Brassica genotypes against mustard aphid under northern Indian Shivalik hill conditions

Oilseed Brassica plays the important role in Indian agriculture in relation to oil production. The major insects in Brassicas are Lipaphis erysimi, Bagrada hilaris, Athalia lugens proxima (Klug), Chromatomyia horticola Goureau, Pieris rapae, Bagrada cruciferarum Kirkaldy are of practical importance. Out of these, the Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) [mustard aphid], a part of family Aphididae with order Hemiptera leads to great yield losses in rapeseed-mustard. To overcome this problem, the easiest solution is to grow resistant and tolerant varieties. The screening is done on the basis of aphid infestation index scale for categorization of the genotypes into resistance and tolerance. Experiments were carried out at the experimental farm of Division of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu during rabi of 2017–18 and 2018–19 to evaluate mustard germplasm against Lipaphis erysimi and selecting the resistant genotypes of Brassica for its cultivation and expansion purposes. A total of fifteen cultivars were evaluated based on population buildup of mustard aphid and infestation index. The genotypes RSPN-28, CNH-11-13, RL-1359, HNS-1101, GSC-101, CNH-11-2 and HNS-1102 were found moderately resistant during the rabi 2017–2018 and during rabi 2018–2019, due to weather conditions only two genotypes CNH-13-2 and RSPN-29 were found moderately resistant and susceptible against aphid infestation.

Assessment of block-wise status of micro nutrients in some soils of Shivalik hills of Himachal Pradesh

The investigation was undertaken and micro nutrients status of the area was assessed. During February-March 2020, 50 soil sampling locations from tomato growing areas were selected at random and 100 representative surface (0-15 cm) and sub-surface (15-30 cm) soil samples were collected. Various micronutrients, i.e. DTPA-extractable Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe were examined. The soils were neutral to slightly alkaline, and the EC values of all the soil samples were within normal limits. The general state of the soil organic carbon concentration was medium to high. The DTPA- Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn in soils of the studied area were found to be in medium category. Positive correlations between the DTPA-extractable iron, copper, zinc and manganese with the organic carbon content was observed.

Thnomedicinal and conservation evaluation of the traditional medicinal plant species employed by the Van Gujjar Tribe in the Dehradun Shivalik Hills, Uttarakhand, India Authors

Background: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first quantitative and conservation ethnomedicinal evaluation of the Van Gujjar Tribe inhabited in the Delhi-Dehradun Highway Shivalik hills Belt (DHSB). The study area is situated adjacent to biodiversity hotspot Rajaji National Park, Uttarakhand, which is an important part of Himalayan systems. The area is ecologically sensitive, increasing anthropogenic disturbance and overexploitation of medicinal herbs is also major concern. So, along with conventional ethnobotanical studies, conservation analysis of the area is important. Methods: This ethnomedicinal study comprised extensive field surveys and repetitive interviews of 120 informants of the Van Gujjar tribe with different social and educational backgrounds. Procured data were analyzed using three different quantitative indices, i.e. the relative frequency of citations (RFC), informant consensus factor (ICF), and the fidelity level (FL%). Collected plant samples were identified by relevant flora literature and online plant databases. Identified species conservation status was derived from The IUCN online database. Results: A total of 71 medicinal plant species from 67 genera and 41 families were documented from the study area. The most frequently used species, Zingiber officinale Azadirachta indica A. Juss, and Ageratum conyzoides L. were employed for multiple health issues, mainly for digestive and respiratory disorders. The highest RFC values are Z. officinale (RFC = 1.0), A. indica A. Juss. (0.99) and A. conyzoides L. (0.92. FL% of these species were 96%, 90% and 83 % viz. The highest ICF value is 0.98, which shares dental & gum problems, digestive disorders and wounds categories. The IUCN status of 71 reported medicinal plant species indicated 28.1 % plant species were least concerned, 4.2 % critically endangered (Chlorophytum borivilianum,Commiphora wightii, Nardostachys jatamansi ), 1.4 % near threatened and 1.4 % endangered, 2.8 % Data Deficient, while 61.9 % species status remained unknown as currently not available in IUCN Red data list. Highly utilized species IUCN status however under ‘least concerned’ category. Conclusions: The study aids medicinal plant species data with current conservation status in the Delhi-Dehradun Highway Shivalik hills Belt. Medicinal plant species such as Chlorophytum borivilianum, Commiphora wightii, and Nardostachys jatamansi are critically endangered and others could be prone due to overexploitation. The present data could help to fill the previous conservation and quantitative ethnobotanical studies gaps in the study area. Keywords: Medicinal flora, Rajaji National Park, Himalaya, IUCN status, Critically Endangered Species, Traditional Knowledge,

Resonant column and cyclic torsional shear tests on Sutlej river sand subjected to the seismicity of Himalayan and Shivalik hill ranges: A case study

The study of site-specific dynamic properties of soil holds vital importance in many geotechnical engineering problems for the region holding high active seismicity. The Sutlej River basin, a valley and high-risk seismic zone in the north-eastern part of the Punjab state, has been considered for the study. The site-specific shear modulus reduction curves and material damping ratio curves for a range of shear strain amplitudes have been developed under varying experimental conditions of confining pressure, relative density, and loading frequency using the resonant column (RC) tests and cyclic torsional shear (CTS) tests. The study addresses the usage of two testing approaches, i.e., resonant column test (RC) and cyclic torsional shear test (CTS), for the estimation of shear modulus and damping ratio values at varying shear strain amplitudes. The regression analysis has been performed for the two testing techniques viz. RC and CTS to study the sensitivity of shear modulus values and material damping ratio values towards varying experimental conditions. The shear modulus and damping ratio values determined from cyclic torsional shear tests were observed to have great dependency on the frequency of loading. The knowledge of site-specific dynamic properties will support practical interpretation for the geotechnical engineering problems in the region.

Characterization of Forest Ecosystems in the Chure (Siwalik Hills) Landscape of Nepal Himalaya and Their Conservation Need

As a basic component of the forest ecosystem, the forest structure refers to the general distribution of plant species of different life forms and sizes. The characterization of forest structure is the key to understanding the vegetation history, present status, and future development trajectory of the forest ecosystems. The Chure region of Nepal covers about 12.78% of the country’s land area and extends east to west along the southern foothills. This biologically rich but geologically fragile region is home to many species and provides many ecosystem services to millions of people. The Chure landscape is severely suffered from anthropogenic disturbances including logging, grazing, fuelwood collection, solid waste disposal, encroachment, forest fire, and excavation of sand, gravel, and boulders. In this study, we aim to characterize the forest ecosystem types outside the protected areas in the Chure region of Nepal and analyze the threat and vulnerability of the landscape from the biodiversity point of view. We sampled 62 sites to study the dominant vegetation type, regeneration status, and major threats to the forest ecosystems. A distribution map of the forest ecosystem types in Chure was prepared. We identified 14 forest ecosystem types in Chure including seven new ones. The newly reported forest ecosystems are Hymenodictyon excelsum Forest, Syzygium cumini Forest, Terminalia anogeissiana Forest, Schima wallichii–Shorea robusta Forest, Pinus roxburghii–Shorea robusta Forest, Pinus roxburghii Forest, and Bamboo thickets. We conclude that intensified human activities including forest encroachment and deforestation are mainly responsible for the ecological imbalance in the Chure region. We emphasize an in-depth analysis of biophysical linkage and immediate conservation efforts for the restoration of the Chure landscape in Nepal.

Estimation of Uranium and Related Health Risks Due to Consumption of Groundwater in Lower Himalayas

Estimation of Uranium and Related Health Risks Due to Consumption of Groundwater in Lower Himalayas

Mobilizing rurality in peri-urban water contestation: A case from Dhulikhel, a lower Himalaya town of Nepal

While urbanization is a global phenomenon, it is now more rapid in the countries in the Global South. Municipal authorities of burgeoning peri-urban areas in the lower Himalaya region are struggling to deal with the new geographies of water demand. Rapidly growing towns primarily access water from upstream rural water sources, while upstream communities themselves are increasing their water consumption as they gradually integrate in the peri-urban area themselves. This ‘reorganization’ of water has intensified contestation between upstream rural communities and downstream urban authorities. This paper examines the different narratives mobilized in the contestation of water transfer projects to the rapidly growing town of Dhulikhel in Nepal. Our analysis deploys Follman’s three perspectives on peri-urbanity to throw light on these discourses. From a transitional perspective, it shows how peri-urbanization heightens water demands across the peri-urban zone and heightens competition between water users. A territorial perspective questions the administrative subdivision of the peri-urban region, and its effects on the way water users envision water sharing as restricted within territorial boundaries. Finally, a third, functional perspective reveals how in more rural municipalities, the traditional rural character is emphasized to claim priority in the access to water, thereby giving rise to a divisive identity politics. From this analysis, we argue that peri-urbanization is a dynamic process shaped not merely by urban expansion, but by the interactions between rural and urban communities and functions. While increasingly integrated, peri-urban territories, by intensifying competition for resources, are also a fertile ground for a re-assertion of rural identities and rural-urban binaries.

Ethnomedicinal importance of some bee floral resources of Shivalik hills of Himachal Pradesh: A review

Ethnomedicinal importance of some bee floral resources of Shivalik hills of Himachal Pradesh: A review

Adaptation Strategies for Optimum Sowing of Wheat Varieties and Validation Through Ceres-Wheat Model In Changing Climatic Conditions Under Shivalik Range of N-W Himalayas

Experiments were conducted at Research Farm of Agromet Research Centre, SKUAST-Jammu, during rabi 2015-16 and 2016-17, and comprised of 3 varieties, 3 sowing environments and 3 N-levels laid out in split-split plot design. The growth and development of wheat crop was also validated through CERES-Wheat model. Earlier sown wheat took more days for physiological maturity as compared to normal and late sown crop. WH-1105 variety took maximum days for physiological maturity and followed by HD-2967 and RSP- 561. Higher dose of nitrogen took more calendar days for physiological maturity as compared to lower doses of nitrogen. WH 1105 variety recorded significantly superior grain and biological yield as compared to HD 2967 and RSP 561. The coefficient of determination (R2) between validation of observed and simulated days to anthesis and maturity was 0.79 and 0.76, respectively. The values obtained for R2 during validation of CERES-wheat model for grain yield of wheat was 0.78. Maximum temperature during reproductive stage showed distinct effect on grain yield of crop. Bangladesh J. Bot. 51(4): 759-765, 2022 (December)

Impact of Land cover Dynamics on Ecosystem services value of Siwalik range of Madhesh Province Nepal

The Siwalik region is the area that lies between the hills in the north and Terai in the south. It provides a wide range of services and is of particular interest from a land use land cover (LULC) change perspective as it is naturally fragile and prone to degradation. The study was conducted in Madhesh Province Siwalik to assess the LULC change over three time periods and to quantify the change in ecosystem services value (ESV) due to LULC change. Remote sensing, Google Earth Engine and Arc GIS were used to prepare the land cover map. In 2000, 2010 and 2020 total area covered by the forest was 68.46%, 65.58% and 71.17%, agriculture was 16.50%, 18.21% and 16.21% and waterbodies were 4.40%, 3.89% and 3.79% respectively. From 2000-2010 forest and waterbodies decreased by 3.87%, and 0.54% respectively whereas agriculture and other land increased by 1.7% and 2.71% respectively. Similarly, from 2010 to 2020, agriculture, water bodies, and other land decreased by 1.99%, 0.10%, and 4.48% whereas forests increased by 6.58% respectively. The overall accuracy of the map is 90%, 89% and 88% for the years 2000, 2010 and 2020. The ESV was estimated using the value transfer method, which was 28 million USD/year, 26.84 million USD/year, and 28.97 million USD/year in 2000, 2010 and 2020, which showed that the total ESV has decreased by 1.16 and increased by 2.12 million USD from 2000-2020. An elasticity indicator shows 1% of land conversion in Siwalik resulted in 0.47 % and 0.21 % changes in ESVs during the two periods, respectively. Overall findings of this study, suggest that ESV has increased in the Siwalik region of Madhesh province in the last two decades, primarily due to an increase in forest cover. This increase should be taken as an opportunity to leverage policy support and programmatic implementation to increase forest cover and reduce land conversion

Moisture, Not Temperature, in the Pre-Monsoon Influences Pinus wallichiana Growth along the Altitudinal and Aspect Gradients in the Lower Himalayas of Central Nepal

Changing climate can strongly affect tree growth and forest productivity. The dendrochronological approach to assessing the impact of climate change on tree growth is possible through climate–growth correlation analysis. This study uses an individual tree-based approach to model Pinus wallichiana (P. wallichiana) radial growth response to climate across the physiographic gradients in the lower distributional range of Nepal. This study sampled six sites across the Makwanpur district of central Nepal that varied in elevation and aspect, obtaining 180 tree-ring series. Climate data series were obtained from Climate Research Unit (CRU 4.0). The pair correlation approach was used to assess P. wallichiana growth response to climate and site-level physiographic variables such as site-level environmental stress. The study also determined long-term growth trends across the elevation and aspect gradients. Trees at sites with higher elevation and northeast aspect (NEA) were more responsive to winter and spring precipitation, whereas trees with lower elevation and northwest aspect (NWA) were more responsive to winter and spring precipitation. Basal area increment (BAI) analysis showed the variation of growth at site-level environmental stress, suggesting that the sensitivity of forest ecosystems to changing climate will vary across the lower growth limit of P. wallichiana due to differences in local physiographic conditions.

Vertical distribution of soil properties and soil organic carbon in community managed forest of Siwalik Hill, Nepal

Abstract. Lamichhane U, Ghimire P. 2022. Vertical distribution of soil properties and soil organic carbon in community managed forest of Siwalik Hill, Nepal. Asian J For 6: 91-96. Nepal's Community Forestry (CF) approach is globally recognized as an innovative and successful approach to forest resource management. Shorea robusta Gaertn. is the dominant tree species of Nepal's forest which covers 19.28% of the total stem volume of the country's forest area. Soil represents a significant terrestrial Carbon (C) pool and can play a significant role in mitigating global warming. Therefore, analyzing soil physicochemical properties and Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) stock is essential because they are key parameters for evaluating land use management systems. The present study was conducted in the Durga Mai Community Forest (DMCF) of Makawanpur District, Nepal, to assess the vertical distribution of soil physicochemical properties and SOC stock. Soil samples within a 1 m profile in five depth layers (0-20 cm, 21-40 cm, 41-60 cm, 61-80cm, and 81-100 cm) were collected and analyzed for Bulk Density (BD), soil texture, soil pH, soil carbon content, Total Nitrogen (TN), Available Phosphorous (AP), Available Potassium (AK) and SOC stock. Sandy loam was the dominant soil textural class reported throughout the study area. Average BD, soil pH, TN, AP, and AK in the S. robusta forest's soil in 1 m soil profile depth were found to be 1.16 ±0.07 gmcm-3, 5.78 ±0.62, 0.14 ±0.04 %, 5.94 ±1.04 kgha-1, and 104.20 ±19.66 kgha-1, respectively. The results estimated 107.57 ±3.06 tha-1 of SOC stock in 1 m soil profile, with 0.93 ±0.21% average SOC content. Further, average TN, AP, and AK were found to be decreased with an increase in soil profile depths. Similarly, soil profile depths significantly affected SOC stock and soil properties like BD, soil pH, TN, AP, and AK.

GIS based surface elevation assessment of spring water quality of Shivalik Range of Jammu and Kashmir, India

Spring water is known as the prominent source to meet human's daily needs for water, particularly in Himalayan regions. This study is carried out in the sub-tropical, Shivalik range of the lower Himalayas of the Jammu division of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The main objectives of the study are to find out the water quality of the study area based on the Geographic Information System (GIS) and find out the most sensitive parameter in the Water Quality Index (WQI) computation. The inverse distance weighted interpolation technique is used to generate spatial variation maps of the study area with the help of the data obtained. WQI is computed by using the Provencher and Lamontagne (1977) WQI equation. The results show that the water quality of the study area is excellent for the drinking purpose with respect to 11 parameters. The results also show that pH, Ca2+, and Na+are need to be monitored regularly with high accuracy as pH and ions of Ca2+ and Na+ are the most sensitive water quality parameters in the study area. This study finds a positive correlation between WQI and Surface elevation.

Chrono-contextual issues at open-air Pleistocene vertebrate fossil sites of central and peninsular India and implications for Indian palaeoanthropology

Abstract Pleistocene vertebrate fossils are prominently known from several regions across the Indian Subcontinent including the Siwalik Hills, the numerous river valleys across India and some cave sites. Unfortunately, most of this evidence is lacking a robust chronological framework and very few fossil specimens have been subjected to absolute dating methods. All of the known fossil evidence is found in diverse sedimentary contexts and these faunal assemblages have mostly been assigned broad or relative age brackets such as Early Pleistocene (i.e. the Pinjore Formation of the Upper Siwalik Subgroup) and Late Pleistocene (almost all the remaining fossil vertebrate fauna in the rest of the Subcontinent). This paper discusses contextual and chronological perspectives and associated interpretative issues of open-air Pleistocene faunal sites south of the Siwalik Hills, such as north-central and peninsular India. For instance, the virtual lack of Early and Middle Pleistocene fauna across most of India requires consideration and explanations beyond just the lack of absolute dates. A general review of the known data demonstrates a critical need for absolute dates for the various fauna as well as more rigorous field and lab methods for Indian palaeontology in general, and to avoid erroneous implications for Indian palaeoanthropology.

Can farm mechanization enhance small farmers’ income? Lessons from Lower Shivalik Hills of the Indian Himalayan Region

Can farm mechanization enhance small farmers’ income? Lessons from Lower Shivalik Hills of the Indian Himalayan Region