Himalayan Zone Research Articles

Assessment of radon transportation and uranium content in the tectonically active zone of Himalaya, India

The study shows how geology and tectonic activity affect the soil gas 222Rn concentration. The tectonically active zone, namely the Ghuttu region, which is located within the Himalayan seismic belt, was studied to decipher its impact on soil gas 222Rn concentrations. A soil gas 222Rn study was performed in the soil at a depth of 30 cm, and it varied from 426 ± 156 Bq m−3 to 24,057 ± 1110 Bq m−3 with an average of 5356.5 ± 1634.6 Bq m-3, and at 60 cm below the soil surface, the concentration varied from 1130 ± 416 Bq m−3 to 30,236 ± 1350 Bq m−3 with an average of 8928.5 ± 2039.5 Bq m−3. These concentrations vary in soil from −3.4 % to 437.3 % as the depth moves from 30 cm to 60 cm. The variation in uranium content also shows anomalies, and higher values of uranium content in the soil affect the radon concentration in the study area. The average soil gas 222Rn concentration in the Ghuttu window was found to be higher than that in its surrounding region. This is likely due to transportation from daughter products of uranium. 222Rn mass exhalation rate measurements were also carried out, and a weak correlation with the soil gas 222Rn concentration was observed. A significant variation in the mass exhalation rate was noticed in tectonically active areas. This study is vital to understanding the behavior of radon and uranium in tectonic regions.

Landslide Susceptibility and Risk Mapping in the Tectonic Ensemble Comprising of Eastern Himalayan Zone, Northeast India and Bhutan using Logistic Regression and Random Forest Techniques

Abstract The mountainous terrain of the East-Northeast tectonic ensemble covers an approximate area of 3,11,420 km2 comprising the Eastern Himalayan zone, Northeast India and Bhutan is prone to mass movements. The increasing trend of landslide occurrences in the last few decades sets loud alarm bells for mapping the landslide hotspot zones in terms of Landslide Susceptibility and Risk. Initially, a landslide inventory of around 9751 landslides has been prepared, of which 6826 (70%) has been randomly picked as training dataset and the remaining 2925 (30%) as the testing dataset. Thereafter, Random Forest (RF) and binary Logistic Regression (LR) based Landslide Susceptibility Zonation (LSZ) have been prepared through twelve predictor layers viz. Slope Angle, Slope Aspect, Slope Curvature, Distance to Drainage, Distance to Lineament, Landform, Surface Geology, Distance to Road, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Landuse/ Landcover (LULC), Rainfall and Epicentre Proximity. Both the Landslide Susceptibility Index (LSI) maps are divided into five classes, viz. ‘low’, ‘moderate’, ‘high’, ‘very high’ and ’severe’, which are then validated statistically by drawing a comparison with the 30% testing chronological landslide inventory database. The statistical index based accuracy assessment in terms of Area Under the Curve (AUC) exhibits an LR model AUC of 0.776 and RF model AUC of 0.820. However, it has been observed that the RF model strongly correlates with the testing inventory dataset exhibiting that around 46% of the landslide-prone terrain is classified in the ‘high to severe’ zones with 41% inventory landslides occurring in these zones. Integrating the Random Forest (RF) based LSI thematic layer with the socio-economic vulnerability layers like the Number of Households and Population Density have demarcated around 20.78% of the region under ‘very high to severe’ socio-economic risk as convoluted by landslide susceptibility in the terrain. The present findings are expected to be useful in urban development and town planning with appropriate slope management and land-use planning.

Passive microwave remote-sensing-based high-resolution snow depth mapping for Western Himalayan zones using multifactor modeling approach

Abstract. Spatiotemporal snow depth (SD) mapping in the Indian Western Himalayan (WH) region is essential in many applications pertaining to hydrology, natural disaster management, climate, etc. In situ techniques for SD measurement are not sufficient to represent the high spatiotemporal variability in SD in the WH region. Currently, low-frequency passive microwave (PMW) remote-sensing-based algorithms are extensively used to monitor SD at regional and global scales. However, fewer PMW SD estimation studies have been carried out for the WH region to date, which are mainly confined to small subregions of the WH region. In addition, the majority of the available PMW SD models for WH locations are developed using limited data and fewer parameters and therefore cannot be implemented for the entire region. Further, these models have not taken the auxiliary parameters such as location, topography, and snow cover duration (SCD) into consideration and have poor accuracy (particularly in deep snow) and coarse spatial resolution. Considering the high spatiotemporal variability in snow depth characteristics across the WH region, region-wise multifactor models are developed for the first time to estimate SD at a high spatial resolution of 500 m × 500 m for three different WH zones, i.e., Lower Himalayan Zone (LHZ), Middle Himalayan Zone (MHZ), and Upper Himalayan Zone (UHZ). Multifrequency brightness temperature (TB) observations from Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2), SCD data, terrain parameters (i.e., elevation, slope, and ruggedness), and geolocation for the winter period (October to March) during 2012–2013 to 2016–2017 are used for developing the SD models for dry snow conditions. Different regression approaches (i.e., linear, logarithmic, reciprocal, and power) are used to develop snow depth models, which are evaluated further to find if any of these models can address the heterogeneous association between SD observations and PMW TB. From the results, it is observed from the analysis that the power regression SD model has improved accuracy in all WH zones with the low root mean square error (RMSE) in the MHZ (i.e., 27.21 cm) compared to the LHZ (32.87 cm) and the UHZ (42.81 cm). The spatial distribution of model-derived SD is highly affected by SCD, terrain parameters, and geolocation parameters and has better SD estimates compared to regional and global products in all zones. Overall results indicate that the proposed multifactor SD models have achieved higher accuracy in deep snowpack (i.e., SD >25 cm) of the WH region compared to previously developed SD models.

Lithological mapping of Nidar ophiolite complex, Ladakh using high-resolution data

Ophiolites represents a distinctive variety of igneous rock that comprises fragments of oceanic crust with the underlying mantle portion. Their mineral assemblages and distribution relation, both spatial and temporal are in close association with the complex mantle dynamics of the Earth. Nidar ophiolite complex located towards SE of Ladakh is one of such ophiolite assemblages exposed well in the Indus Suture Zone of Himalayas. It represents parts of Neo-Tethys ocean that existed during Mesozoic-Cenozoic period between continental plates of India and Eurasia. The earlier studies for Indian ophiolites are mostly field and analytical based with a limited work carried out using remote sensing techniques and that adds scope to apply this approach for further exploration of ophiolites. Advanced tools and techniques especially, hyperspectral remote sensing and machine learning based approach can be effective operational tools for exploration of ophiolites that provide assessable terrains for characterization of Earth’s mantle, serve analogs for planetary crustal rocks and also have economic significance. This study has utilized high-resolution multispectral (Landsat OLI and ASTER) and hyperspectral data from various missions including the recent PRISMA mission which has provided the first hyperspectral datasets for lithological mapping of Nidar ophiolite section. The multiple high-resolution datasets were used for identification and mapping of the various lithounits of the Nidar ophiolites together with the underlying and overlying associated rocks based on band ratioing, derived spectral compositional indices and spectral characterization. The differentiated lithounits of the Nidar ophiolites are interpreted based on spectral response of lithological units in different bands. In addition, classification based on machine learning techniques have been applied to the PRISMA data to generate a detailed classification map of the study area where the various lithological units of the ophiolites and associated rock exposures belonging to various geological formations are clearly discernible. The results have been validated from geological field visit to the study area and spectral analysis of the field samples.

Slope Stability Evaluation based on Empirical Methods and it’s Potential Remedy at Lesser Himalayan Zone (A Case Study of Bhalam-Hill Slope, Kaski)

The study area lies in Bhalam, Kaski district nearly 2 km from Batulechour main district road network near Gandarva community residing near Kali Khola river. The study area is comprises of several lithological factors. Field observation, sampling, lab analysis, geological survey with GPS, compass, geological hammer and tape are the main methods utilize to evaluate slope stability and possibility of failure in the study area. From the study it is found that there are few major discontinuities which play vital role in determining slope failure around the study area. The major failure due to discontinuity are planar failure, wedge failure and somewhere block failure. High ground water table approximately 0.06m, steep slope varying from 25° to 60°, improper road cutting, weathering of rock mass are major factor contributing to rock fall and landslide in the study area. The study also shows FOS<1(0.937 and 0.569) at two different places which is most critical and make slope unstable. SMR is calculated on the basis of RMRb, GSI is calculated on the basis of RQD and UCS is calculated on the basis of empirical methods which uses pulse velocity and porosity chart for determining related equation. The calculated value of RMRb, SMR and FOS shows less stability of study area along Bhalam-Batulechour road section near Kali- Khola river with possibility of impact on Bhalam road bridge and two lane road section. There need a corrective measure in slope for sustainable stability in the long run.

Numerical modelling of cut-slope stability in the Lesser Himalayan terrain of west-central Nepal

Area development without due consideration of geological factors has led to recurrent slope failures within the Lesser Himalayan Zone thereby rendering socio-economic impacts. This issue is well exemplified by cut-slopes in major highways of Nepal traversing through a diverse range of rocks and soils. The study has focused on addressing the stability challenges posed by highly vulnerable excavated cut-slopes with particular attention given to a debris cut-slope considered as a model for this study is located in the Lesser Himalayan terrain of west-central Nepal. The cut-slope model is analyzed by numerical modellings through both the limit equilibrium method (LEM) and finite element method (FEM). The study further evaluated the underlying causes of these failures to recommend the options for remedial measures. Data acquired from two-dimensional electrical resistivity tomography (2D-ERT), multi-channel analysis of surface waves (MASW), and laboratory testing were integrated into numerical modelling and simulation. The results showed that the lower slope below the natural benching is stable whereas the upper failed slope is unstable due to reduced gravitational loading. In LEM, factors of safety (FoS) range from 0.77 to 0.89 for cut-slope angles of 70° and 60° whereas the FoS in modified slopes (50° and 40°) were slightly greater than 1 which ranged from 1.01 to 1.18 and indicated marginal stability. Application of 25 mm diameter soil nails, each measuring 6 m in length and spaced at 2 m intervals with tensile and plate capacity of 125.6 kN, bond strength of 75.4 kN/m, and 80% of nail length have produced FoS of 1.30 or greater in LEM and FEM which is acceptable values specified by EM 1110-2-1902 and IS 456 2000 for end-of-construction and multistage loadings.

Bioprospecting of selected wild mushrooms from the tribal zone of North-west Himalaya, India

Bioprospecting of selected wild mushrooms from the tribal zone of North-west Himalaya, India

Imaging the crustal structure at the northeast corner of the indenting Indian Plate in the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis

SUMMARYCrustal configuration beneath the indenting northeast corner of the Indian Plate in the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis has been investigated with the help of receiver function (RF) analysis of teleseismic earthquakes recorded by 19 broad-band seismological stations. The common conversion point stacking of RFs and 1-D velocity models obtained through inversion provide new information on the intracrustal structure. The study reveals the signature of the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT) beneath the Lohit Valley at ∼22–26 km depth. The MHT is not prominent in the Siang window plausibly due to large-scale crustal deformation related to the formation of the window and antiform folding. Unlike in the western and central Himalaya, the MHT does not play a major role in seismogenesis in the Lohit Valley and Siang Window, where seismicity is active up to the crustal depth of ∼40 km. The crustal thickness increases from ∼38 km at Pasighat in the south to ∼50 km at the northernmost station (Gelling) in the Siang window. In Lohit Valley, the crustal thickness increases from ∼40 km at Mahadevpur in the west to ∼54 km in the Tidding–Tuting suture zone, which again shallows to ∼51 km in the eastern Lohit Plutonic Complex (Walong station). The thinner crust beneath the Tidding–Tuting suture compared to the Indus Tsangpo Suture Zone of northwest Himalaya is caused due to the differences in convergence rate, higher exhumation rate and mechanisms to accommodate collision and rotational tectonics.

Revised lithostratigraphic classification of the Cambrian Kunzam La Formation and its biostratigraphic correlations from Zanskar to Spiti, Tethyan Himalaya

In the northwest Himalayas, the Cambrian sequences forming part of the Tethyan Himalayan Zone are well preserved in the Zanskar and Spiti regions. In the present work, we critically examine the geologic, stratigraphic and biostratigraphic aspects of the Cambrian Kunzam La Formation exposed in the Zanskar (i.e., in the Niri-Tsarap Chu and Kurgiakh valleys) and Spiti regions (i.e., in Chandra, Parahio, Pin and Sumna valleys sections). Although the Kunzam La Formation is extensively developed, none of the sections from Zanskar to the Spiti regions preserves its complete succession. The present work reveals the presence of a fault in each studied section, which has eliminated different stratigraphic portions of the Kunzam La Formation. Therefore, based on overall lithologic characteristics, biostratigraphic parameters and local preservation state, this formation is re-classified into three formal members: the Chandra, Parahio and Purni. We also present lithostratigraphic and biostratigraphic correlations of the Kunzam La Formation from the Zanskar to Spiti regions, which validate our lithostratigraphic division.

Exploring the tectonostratigraphy of the Pakistan Himalaya with new detrital zircon geochronology and neodymium isotope data from the Kaghan Valley

In the central Himalaya, the Greater and Lesser Himalayan tectonostratigraphic zones can be distinguished from each other by combining detrital zircon U-Pb ages and whole-rock Nd isotopic data. In the Hazara-Kashmir syntaxis of northern Pakistan, rock units in the Kaghan valley have been variously assigned to the Tethyan, Greater, and Lesser Himalayan zones. To determine which tectonostratigraphic zones are represented, we sampled across the Batal thrust in the northern Kaghan valley because this structure is identified in some research as the Main Central thrust. Samples from the footwall yield Paleo- to Mesoproterozoic maximum depositional ages (∼1.8–1.1 Ga) and an average εNd(0) value of −14.3. Samples from the hanging wall yield Neoproterozoic maximum depositional ages (∼1000–600 Ma) and εNd(0) values of −17.3. The contrasting detrital zircon ages show that the Batal thrust in the Kaghan valley is a major structural division. However, these data lack the characteristic detrital zircon age spectra and εNd(0) values of Greater and Lesser Himalayan rocks north and south of the Main Central thrust in the central Himalaya, respectively. Therefore, either the Batal thrust is not the Main Central thrust, or the Main Central thrust in the Kaghan valley cuts a different structural level and carries rock units not seen outside the Hazara-Kashmir syntaxis.

Determinants of quantification of tourism waste in the hilly terrain of Himalayas: A spatial approach

The rapid economic development in environmentally sensitive zone of Himalayas resulted in the increased generation of tourism waste. However, the accounting methodology for accumulation of tourism waste in the hilly terrain was found to be missing. Accordingly, the socio-economic factors influencing the tourism waste generation were identified, and their correlation analysis was performed. The tourism waste generated within and outside an urban local body was quantified over a period of 12 years (2008–2019) using a novel methodology, considering the socioeconomic factors, such as economic significance, geographical terrain, location of tourist destinations and tourism-related activities. The spatial dependency of tourism waste accumulation in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh, India was analyzed using the geographically weighted regression. Furthermore, the air pollutants’ emission (PM2.5, PM10, CO, SO2 and NOx) from the open burning of neglected tourism waste were also quantified and compared with the existing literature.

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.

Isolation and characterization of potential P- solubilizer rhizobacteria from rhizosphere of wheat (Tritium aestivum) from lower Himalayan zone of Himachal Pradesh ​

Inorganic fertilizer is an essential component of the modern agricultural system. The overuse of fertilizer brought serious problems to the present and future generations like polluted air, water, soil, degraded lands, depleted soils and increased emissions of greenhouse gases. The excessive use of chemical fertilizers from the last decade in the agricultural system of India showed harmful effects on soil structure, soil microbial diversity, soil texture and water holding capacity of soil. Therefore, the present investigation was an attempt to isolate and identify the most potent PGPR and to check their efficacy for P- solubilization. In total,48 bacterial isolates were isolated from three different sites of Hamirpur district. The total rhizobacterial population on nutrient agar medium harboured the maximum (250x105 CFU/g soil) microbial population at Deotsidh. However, population of PGPR isolates on Pikovskaya’s agar was found highest at site Deotsidh (220x105 CFU/g soil). In case of Jensen’s medium, maximum rhizobacterial populations were found highest at site Deotsidh (200x105 CFU/g soil). In the case of King’s B agar, maximum rhizobacterial population was found at site Deotsidh (230x105 CFU/g soil). Among 48 isolates, 37 isolates were found positive for P-solubilization.

Diversity studies on insect pests of high altitudinal transitional zones of North-western Himalayas

Abstract. Kumar P, Thakur TS, Deepika, Sharma N. 2022. Diversity studies on insect pests of high altitudinal transitional zones of North-western Himalayas. Nusantara Bioscience 14: 203-210. Class Insecta constitute a major fauna and comprise many species of economic importance. Due to climate change and increase in temperature, many insect species are changing their habitat considerably and shifting their hosts, which leads to changes in the diversity of insect pests at different altitudinal gradients. High altitude forest cover is not large and massive as plains forest cover, but it supports some of the very important economical tree species like- Quercus sp., Himalayan Poplar, Betula sp., Abies pindrow (Royle ex D.Don) Royle, Juniper spp., Birdcherry, Maple, etc. The present study analyzed any change in insect pest incidences and diversity of pest species due to the change in host preferences or climatic patterns. The study was conducted at four selected sites viz. Rohtang area (Kullu Forest Division), Chanshal area (Rohru Forest Division), Sach area (Churah Forest Division), and Indrahar area (Dharamshala Forest Division) of high altitudinal transitional zones of Himachal Pradesh, India, to study insect pest diversity. A total of 32 insect species were recorded during the study period comprised of the insect orders viz., Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, Orthoptera, Dermaptera, and Lepidoptera. The present investigation led to the finding that species of Coleoptera (beetles) were the most dominant insects attacking trees of the high altitudinal transitional zone, followed by Lepidoptera (Butterflies and moths) and Hemiptera (aphids).

Lithostratigraphy and metamorphism of the Khudi-Tal area, west central Nepal

The study is mainly focused on lithostratigraphy, petrography and geological structures to decipher the metamorphic facies and metamorphic history of the Khudi-Tal area along the Marsyangdi Valley, west central Nepal. Geological mapping was carried out covering 142 sq.km, on the scale of 1:50000. The Main Central Thrust (MCT) separates lithological succession of the Lesser Himalaya and Higher Himalaya around Bahundanda, Probhi and Naiche of the Khudi-Tal area. Lithological succession is dominated by metapelitic to psammatic schist, siliceous to dolomitic marble, quartzites, graphitic to garnet schist, kyanite garnet gneiss and banded gneiss from south to north. The kyanite isograd follow the MCT separating Kyanite zone with mineral assemblages Ky+Grt+Qtz+Ms+Bt+Pl of the Higher Himalaya and Garnet zone as Grt+Bt+Ms+Chl+K-Fel+Pl+Qtz in pelitic rocks, Bt+Ms+Chl+Plag+Qtz in Psammatic rocks and Cal/ Dol+Qtz+Pl+Bt+Ms in calcareous rock of the Lesser Himalaya. Based on the mineral assemblages, the Higher Himalaya belongs to Amphibolite Facies whereas the Lesser Himalaya belongs to Epidote-Amphibolite Facies. The lithological succession of the Higher and the Lesser Himalaya has undergone poly-phase metamorphism. In the Lesser Himalayan zone rocks, the regional burial metamorphism M1 (pre-MCT/ eo-Himalayan) is followed by barrovian type garnet grade inverted metamorphism M2 and later post-MCT retrogressive metamorphism M3. In the Higher Himalaya rocks, the early phase kyanite bearing medium temperature/ high pressure regional prograde metamorphism M1 (pre-MCT/ eo-Himalayan) is followed by barrovian type inverted metamorphism M3 (syn-MCT/ neo-Himalayan) and over printed by later phase retrogressive metamorphism M3 (post-MCT).

Palaeoclimatic variability during last eight millennia from a morainal lake in Zanskar, northwest Himalaya, India

Centennial–scale palaeoenvironmental variability has been deduced during past eight millennia using multi–proxy study (textural analysis, environmental magnetic parameters, stable carbon isotopes, palynofacies and elemental concentration), from Khangok–Padam in Zanskar Valley, northwest Himalaya. The multi–proxy record from this morainal lake spanning last ~8200 cal years BP has revealed four hydroclimatic phases. The overall progressively improving hydroclimatic trend is indicated by multi proxy study: sediment size/texture (as a proxy for the energy condition and depositional environment), mineral magnetism (proxy for sediment flux or lithogenic input and lithologic variation), carbon isotope signature (δ13Corg) preserved in organic constituents of sediments (a proxy for palaeovegetation and climate change), elemental geochemistry (proxy for weathering and erosion) and selected samples for palynofacies data (a proxy for changes in biological organic matter). This improving hydroclimatic trend is however punctuated by an abrupt wet spell at ~6200–5200 cal years BP and relatively drier climate during the Little Ice Age between 1400 and 1900 CE. The main driving force implicated for the changes are seen to be the solar output variations. The area lying in a transitional climatic zone of NW Himalaya shows no emphatic record of the events like the 4200 cal. years BP, 2600 cal. years BP and Holocene Climatic Optima. Contrary to the earlier studies in the region (e.g., Tsokar and TsoMorari), our results show an improving hydroclimatic condition in this transition climatic zone between the Indian Summer Monsoon dominated Higher and westerly dominated Trans Himalaya.

Descriptions of four new species of phytoseiid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) associated with medicinal plants from Northern Himalayan Zone of West Bengal, India

ABSTRACT Four new mite species of the family Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata), namely, Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) hasnuhanae Karmakar & Molla sp. nov., Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) theae Karmakar & Molla sp. nov., Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) ramdhuraensis Karmakar & Molla sp. nov., and Phytoseius dumurae Karmakar & Molla sp. nov. are described based on specimens collected from Hasnuhana (Cestrum nocturnum L.: Solanaceae), Tea plant (Camellia sinensis L.: Theaceae), Ulatkambal plant (Abroma augustum (L.): Malvaceae), and Fig plant (Ficus carica L.: Moraceae) at the Northern Hill Zone of West Bengal located amidst the Central Himalayan Mountain range. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:AC4F778D-1620-4612-B19E-2B26A8B80375

Grain characteristics, proximate composition, phytochemical capacity, and mineral content of selected aromatic and non-aromatic rice accessions commonly cultivated in the North-East Indian plain belt

Rice is extensively used as a major food source, and thousands of rice accessions are sold throughout the world, which diverges significantly based on unique characters and nutrient and antioxidant profiles. This study evaluates six aromatic and four non-aromatic rice accessions from the Eastern Himalayan zone (North Eastern States of India) based on morphological and cooking quality, proximate compositions, different phytochemical capacity, and mineral contents. The result exhibited a significant difference in morphological traits among accessions. The proximate composition indicates that the highest moisture content was recorded in Gobindobhog (13%), protein and fiber in Jaya (9.93% and 0.74%), fat in Gopalbhog (0.99%), the ash content in Harinarayan (0.69%), carbohydrate in Setabhog (80.62%) and net food energy in Swarna (360 kcal/100 g). Phytochemical capacity was also significantly different among rice accessions; the highest total phenolic content (567.57 mg GAE/100), flavonoid content (218.24 mg QE/100 g), anthocyanin (35.90 mg cyanidin-3- glucoside Eq/100 g), and cysteine (8.41 µg/g fresh weight) was recorded with Manipuri Black Rice which is a pigmented rice variety. The mineral contents in rice accessions were also different; highest abundance of calcium was recorded in Gopalbhog (98.23 mg/kg), magnesium in Manipuri Black Rice (173.23 mg/kg), sodium in Setabhog (63.21 mg/kg), potassium in Setabhog (503.2 mg/kg), zinc in Manipuri Black Rice (17.98 mg/kg), copper in Remigeli (15.87 mg/kg) and iron in Manipuri Black Rice (37.6 mg/kg). The study concludes that the significant distinctiveness and difference in nutritional and phytochemical capacity will help make an outstanding market share for different rice accessions and help the farmer's decision-making.

Geo-Ecological GIS Development to Investigate Landslides and Slope Instability Along Frontal Zone of Central Himalaya

Geo-Ecological GIS Development to Investigate Landslides and Slope Instability Along Frontal Zone of Central Himalaya

Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Doon) Soo, an important medicinal herb of the Himalaya and urgent need for its conservation- A review

Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Doon) Soo (Family Orchidaceae) is a terrestrial orchid, native to alpine and sub-alpine zones of Himalaya, well known for medicinal uses because of its immense pharmacological properties and therapeutic potential. Leaves and tubers of the herb finds enormous uses in traditional Indian medicinal system like Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Sowa-rigpa for treatment of different ailments like dysentery, diarrhoea, chronic fever, cough, wounds, burns, fractures, stomach-ache, etc. The present review analyses the distribution, medicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and conservation status of D. hatagirea. The review is based on literature available on this orchid with an objective to compile and understand diverse medicinal uses among the indigenous Himalayan communities and phytochemical potential in pharmacology. This review also highlights the potential threats faced by this orchid and suggests future conservation prospects and strategies.