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The Himalayan ranges are well-known biological diversity hotspot. This attempt has been made to prepare the first avifaunal checklist of the Narendra Nagar Forestdivision, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, a part of the Western Himalaya, India, from October 2020 to December 2022. A total of 177 avian species belonging to 50 families were observed. Among of these, a total of 133 (75%), 28 (16%) and 16 (9%) avian species were identified as resident, winter visitor and summer visitor respectively. The family Muscicapidae was found to be the most diverse family with 17 bird species having the highest relative diversity index followed by Picidae (10), Accipitridae (8), Corvidae, Columbidae and Cuculidae (7), Leiothrichidae (6), etc. We also encountered of few species belonging to important conservation status such as Near Threatened (Alexandrine Parakeet, Great Thick-knee, River Lapwing, Himalayan Griffon), and Endangered (Egyptian Vulture and Pallas's fish eagle) categories as per IUCN Red data book. This study provides the first baseline information about the avian species of the study area. The presence of threatened species indicates that more conservation efforts are needed in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water is necessary for sustainable development, which includes safeguarding the environment and the reduction in hunger and poverty. Demand is rising quickly, which is posing issues for many countries due to population growth and economic expansion. The goal of the current study is to examine the state of spring and water resources in Kandi Village, Devprayag, Uttarakhand, India, and how they affect farmers' agricultural productivity from a socioeconomic standpoint. The key data used in the study were gathered from farmers using questionnaires. Using a stratified random sampling technique, a sample of 100 farmers was chosen for the data collection. The conclusion of the study is that there is currently very little spring, and ground water available. It has been discovered that spring is sparse to fulfil the need of annual irrigation requirements for economic purposes like farming. Lack of springs resulted in a reduction in the amount of land used for farming, a decrease in farmer revenue, livestock losses, etc. According to the findings, some ways to lessen the strain on the water resources available to farmers include building new dams, rejuvenating springs, teaching them how to use highly efficient irrigation systems, and educating them about modern production techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Uttarakhand, characterized by its diverse ecological and climatic spectrum, is experiencing significant environmental changes due to shifts in land use and land cover (LULC). These changes have critical implications for the region's ability to act as a carbon sink, which is vital for mitigating climate change. This study focused on evaluating the impact of LULC changes driven by deforestation, urban expansion, and agricultural adjustments, and snow-covered areas on the carbon sequestration capabilities of Uttarakhand from 2002 to 2032. The study used GIS and remote sensing data to identify and analyze changes in LULC over a 30-year timeframe. Predictive Cellular Automate Markov Chain models were used to estimate the consequences by 2032. The analysis's findings showed notable variations in district-level carbon sequestration. For example, over 2002–2032, the carbon sequestration in Champawat exhibited an increasing trend, predicted to reach 6.835 Mg/ha by 2032, indicating better environmental management and sustainable growth. Conversely, districts like Chamoli and Bageshwar exhibited peak carbon storage in 2012, with values of 10.580 Mg/ha and 9.524 Mg/ha respectively, followed by a sharp decline, likely due to changes in land cover pattern. These trends underscore the diverse impacts of environmental changes on different areas, with some improving and others facing challenges in maintaining their carbon sequestration capacities. The need for strong, focused initiatives to control and lessen the effects of LULC changes on carbon sequestration is underlined by this study. To balance environmental sustainability with developmental needs, it is advised that Uttarakhand implement stricter carbon management policies, integrated land use planning, community engagement, and enhanced monitoring. This will strengthen ecological resilience and aid in the state's efforts to mitigate climate change.

Understanding species richness and diversity patterns and their governing factors in less-to-unexplored regions across Himalaya provide invaluable insights into exploring drivers which shape as well as influence plant community structures. The present investigation explores plant species richness and diversity patterns across different growth forms and its association with environmental parameters along altitudinal gradient (3200 m-4800 m) in alpine regions of west Himalaya, India. A total of 265 plant taxa were documented from study area with higher proportion of herbs (212), followed by shrubs (44) and trees (9). Species richness, diversity, and density patterns were estimated for each growth form along altitude gradients using polynomial regression and an apparent monotonically decreasing trend (p

An updated checklist of faunal biodiversity of the spiders, in two norther states of India, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand is presented herewith. A total of 520 species of spiders described under 236 genera belonging to 50 families were recorded in both the states of north India. The biodiversity of spiders is more in Uttar Pradesh (284 species, 146 genera, 36 families) than Uttarakhand (373 species, 202 genera, 45 families). However, most of the areas in both the states are still virgin regarding the faunal survey programmes and need intensive and extensive survey in those areas by enthusiastic workers.

From the alpine region of India, a hitherto undocumented lichenicolous species of Didymocyrtis colonizing the thallus and soredia of Pertusaria species thriving on rocky substrates is meticulously described as a novel taxon (D. pertusariae), from the Indian subcontinent, and is compared with other lichenicolous Didymocyrtis species. A key to all known Didymocyrtis species known so far is also provided.

The presence of the exotic and potentially invasive pheretimoid earthworm Amynthas aspergillum (Perrier, 1872) of the family Megascolecidae is reported for the first time from South Asia. Specimens were collected from Dehradun of the Uttarakhand state in the Western Himalayan biodiversity hotspot of India. This work provides the detailed description of the specimens collected along with figures. Besides, certain biological aspects are also discussed.

The present study aims to provide a comprehensive bird checklist of Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun, India. The study was conducted in from April 2020–March 2022. A total of 85 bird species belonging to 43 families were observed during the study period. The most abundant families were Motacillidae with Six species, followed by Cisticolidae, Columbidae, Muscicapidae, Sturnidae with five species each. Out of total 73 residents and 10 winters migratory and 2 summer migratory species were identified. The percentage of resident, winter visitor and Summer Migratory avian species was found to be 85.58, 11.76 and 2.35% respectively. The Analysis of RDi (relative diversity) results indicated that the family Motacillidae was the most diverse family, with the highest RDi value of 7.1. Total three avian species namely Red-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) and Rock Pigeons (Columba livia) and Rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri) were dominantly spared in the University Campus. One species Alexandrine Parakeet (Psittacula eupatria) which observed during the study falls under the Near Threatened (NT) category. The results of the study reflect the importance of such areas as important bird habitats where various local and migratory birds are found to rest and feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collection specimens provide valuable and often overlooked biological material that enables addressing relevant, long‐unanswered questions in conservation biology, historical biogeography, and other research fields. Here, we use preserved specimens to analyze the historical distribution of the black francolin (Francolinus francolinus, Phasianidae), a case that has recently aroused the interest of archeozoologists and evolutionary biologists. The black francolin currently ranges from the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East to the Indian subcontinent, but, at least since the Middle Ages, it also had a circum‐Mediterranean distribution. The species could have persisted in Greece and the Maghreb until the 19th century, even though this possibility had been questioned due to the absence of museum specimens and scant literary evidence. Nevertheless, we identified four 200‐year‐old stuffed black francolins—presumably the only ones still existing—from these areas and sequenced their mitochondrial DNA control region. Based on the comparison with conspecifics (n = 396) spanning the entirety of the historic and current species range, we found that the new samples pertain to previously identified genetic groups from either the Near East or the Indian subcontinent. While disproving the former occurrence of an allegedly native westernmost subspecies, these results point toward the role of the Crown of Aragon in the circum‐Mediterranean expansion of the black francolin, including the Maghreb and Greece. Genetic evidence hints at the long‐distance transport of these birds along the Silk Road, probably to be traded in the commerce centers of the Eastern Mediterranean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural resources are used for food, medicine, fodder, dyeing, fuel, timber, rituals, and a variety of other purposes. The present study was carried out in the Chamba, Narendra Nagar, Jakhnidhar, Thauldar, Pratapnagar, Hindolakhal, Bhilangna, Kirtinagar and Jaunpur blocks of Tehri District, Uttarakhand. The study aimed to assess plant diversity, utilization patterns, and ethno medicinal uses by local residents. A total of 99 species were identified, belonging to 89 genera and 51 families. These included shrubs (22 species), trees (36 species), herbs (40 species), and climbers (1 species). The families Fabaceae (7 species), Asteraceae (10 species), Moraceae (6 species), Lamiaceae (3 species), Solanaceae (4 species), Myrtaceae (4 species), Brassicaceae (1 species), Euphorbiaceae (2 species), and Rosaceae (6 species) were species-rich. Dominant genera included Ficus (6 species), Allium (2 species), Bauhinia (2 species), Acacia (2 species), Cassia (2 species), Phyllanthus (2 species) and Rumex (2 species). The species were used for various purposes: medicine (98 species), food (25 species), fuel (30 species), fodder (48 species), ornamental (13 species), timber (6 species), and religious practices (6 species). This paper provides the scientific names of wild plants, along with their common names, local names, family, life form, ethno medicinal uses, IUCN status, and plant parts used by the area's residents. Locals utilize plant parts such as whole plants, roots (including rhizomes and tubers), leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, and stems to treat various diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphometric characteristics of fishes were observable characteristics that are set of largely statistical methods used for examining variations in body size and shape. The objectives taken for the current study were to examine the complete morpho-biology of Schizothorax richardsonii from three major snow-fed rivers of the Kumaun Himalaya in Uttarakhand, India, and to establish the statistical relationship among various morphological characteristics related to body size and fin shape. In this study 120 fish specimen including 66 male and 54 female were studied for one year. Twelve distinct morphometric and five meristic counts had been examined in percentage of their body length and head length respectively. For biostatistics, the data was analysed by using various statistical methods including summary statistics, correlation, PCA analysis, Barlett’s test of sphericity, and multiple linear regression. Fish samples studied were found within the range of 17.7 – 42.2 cm in TL and BW from 60 - 780 gm. Morphological characteristics had high coefficient of correlation (r ≥ 0.90), indicating the characters' strong relationship, with the highest correlation (r = 0.99). Additionally, the coefficient of determination (R² ) value was found within the range of 0.62 to 0.99, which shows a significant relationship between the morphometric characteristics. PCA analysis revealed the major significance found among parameters, together with regression analysis. This study will provide a baseline data and a valuable insight into the population dynamics, and may contribute to the development of more effective strategies for the management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species, Bupleurum milamense (Apiaceae) is described from the alpine forest region of the Milam Valley, Uttarakhand, India. The new species is similar to B. gracillimum Klotzsch in the nature of the plant, leaf shape, number of bracts, shorter umbel rays, number, shape and size of bracteoles, bracteoles shorter than the flowers, and number of flowers per umbellules, However, it significantly differs by having an erect stem position, in the number of umbel rays, fruit shape and size, and number of vallecular and commissural vittae. A detailed description, photographs, distribution map, and a comparison with allied species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Telemedicine, particularly through video-interviewing (VI), is vital for improving healthcare access in remote areas, especially in transfusion medicine. • The manuscript highlights its benefits in our blood centre where VI enhances consultation timeliness and serology reactive blood donor notification. Telemedicine facilitates expertise access, knowledge sharing, virtual training, and strengthening local healthcare thus improving transfusion services in remote high-altitude hilly regions. • Embracing telemedicine with technological advancements, like AI and mobile health apps, offers future enhancements and may help optimize transfusion practices in underserved regions of Uttarakhand India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measuring people's attitudes about the large carnivores involved in human-wildlife interface, also termed conflict or interaction, is an essential aspect of developing effective conservation and management planning for human-carnivore coexistence. Human-leopard (Panthera pardus) interaction is widespread and one of the most pressing conservation issues within the global range of leopards. However, there is a scarcity of information on local people's opinions and attitudes concerning carnivores in human-dominated areas. Our current study focused on understanding the human dimensions of human-leopard interactions in the multi-purpose landscape situated in the foothills of Shiwalik Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India. Between January and May 2022, we conducted a semi-structured questionnaire survey (N = 266) to understand how socio-demographic factors impact the attitudes of local people toward leopard conservation in the Rajaji Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand, India. Overall, 61.7% of respondents had positive attitudes toward leopards and supported leopard conservation, primarily attributed to the aesthetic value of leopards. Using ordinal logistic regression models, we found that male respondents and individuals with higher education had a positive attitude towards leopard conservation. The majority of respondents who conveyed positive attitudes towards leopard conservation belonged to the more educated socio-demographic groups. As a followup, specific studies need to be conducted on local people's attitude about compensation or compassionate payments, often disbursed as compassionate payments, the response of the forest department to prevailing conflict, and current awareness programs. These can be crucial factors towards shaping the attitude of local respondents and promote human-leopard coexistence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indian Himalayan Region contributes a rich biodiversity zone in the world. The wetland ecosystems also play major role to enhance the avian diversity in the Uttarakhand. However, various factors influence the distribution, abundance, and diversity of waterbird species. The current study was performed to know the current status and distribution of waterbird species in riverine and water reservoir wetlands of Uttarakhand. Total 22 species along with 1 Vulnerable, 02 near threaten and 01 Endangered waterbird species recorded from the study sites. In our study about 10-30% water migratory bird species contributes to increase the local bird diversity in the wetland area and waterbird changing their habitat due to anthropogenic activity. The maximum waterbird species with their individual reported at manmade wetland. The presence of endangered and threatened species in these wetland emphases on the conservation programme and a regular monitoring requires understanding the waterbird species distribution pattern and influencing factors for waterbird species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Descolea indoquercina sp. nov. from India is described and illustrated based on morphological and phylogenetic inference. It is characterized by medium to large basidiomata, dark olivaceous brown to dark brown, convex to plano-convex pileus with warts on surface; amygdaliform to limoniform, coarsely verrucose basidiospores, presence of pleuromacrocystidia and hymeniform type of pileipellis. In addition, D. flavoannulata (Lj. N. Vassiljeva) E. Horak is reported and described first time from India in the present communication. Both taxa are presented with detailed descriptions, field and microscopic photographs, illustrations, SEM images of basidiospores, nrITS based molecular phylogeny and comparisons with similar species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive survey was carried out to evaluate the distribution pattern and diversity of lichens in the Madhyamaheshwar valley, Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand. According to the data gathered, there are 60 species total, divided into 21 families and 33 genera. The extensive diversity of lichen growth types in the region is demonstrated by the presence of 25 species of crustose lichen, followed by 19 foliose and 16 fruticose. The data gathered from the survey indicates that the Parmeliaceae family, with 8 genera and 12 species, is the most prevalent family in the area, followed by the Cladoniaceae family, which has 1 genera and 8 species. The enumeration of lichens from Madhyamaheshwar valley survey reveals that as the altitude increases the number of lichen species also increases. More taxa will undoubtedly be added to the lichen flora of this valley by conducting a thorough study of lichen species in the surrounding areas. Future biomonitoring and bioprospecting studies in the area will be supported by the baseline data provided by the current lichen count. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The media actively participates in disseminating health information to a large audience. It has the power to educate communities to take proactive measures to enhance their health. The media plays a key role in increasing public awareness of health issues through information, advocacy, and education. Health education through Information, Education, and Communication is essential in maternal health, influencing pregnant women's access to information, decision-making, and healthcare-seeking behaviour. Effective communication between healthcare providers and pregnant women fosters informed decision-making and creates a supportive environment for discussing health concerns. Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) resources, such as pamphlets, posters, and films, are essential for spreading important health information and fostering favourable outcomes for maternal health. These materials cater to diverse literacy levels and cultural backgrounds, improving comprehension and retention of key health messages. In Uttarakhand's Bageshwar district, female literacy significantly lags behind male literacy, impacting maternal health outcomes. An observational study in Bageshwar’s villages reveals that IEC materials, though available, often fail to engage the target audience due to language barriers and cultural mismatches. Enhancing female literacy through targeted education and empowerment initiatives is pivotal. Effective IEC strategies must include clear objectives, culturally relevant messages, and diverse communication channels to overcome these obstacles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unprecedented seasonal forest fires pose a significant threat to the carbon stocks of diverse ecosystems, particularly in regions like Uttarakhand, west Himalaya. Understanding the impact of varying fire frequencies on different forest types is crucial for effective conservation and management strategies. This study aims to assess the loss of carbon stock in three distinct forest types—Sal, Pine, and Mixed across an elevation gradient in Uttarakhand, facing unprecedented seasonal forest fires. By investigating pre- and post-fire conditions, analyzing biomass dynamics, and mapping fire frequencies, the research aims to provide insights into the complex interplay of fire regimes and forest resilience. The investigation covers vegetation analysis, biomass assessment, and fire frequency mapping. Biomass and carbon stock calculations were carried out using a non-destructive sampling method. Fire frequency maps were generated using Landsat satellite imagery spanning a decade, integrating MODIS hotspot data for classification. The study reveals distinct patterns in biomass changes across Sal, Pine, and Mixed forests in response to varying fire frequencies. Sal forests exhibit resilience to low-intensity fires, while Pine forests show higher sensitivity. Carbon stock contributions of dominant species varied significantly, with Sal and Chir-Pine forests emerging as crucial contributors. High fire frequencies lead to substantial carbon stock reduction in all forest types. The findings emphasize the sensitivity of aboveground biomass to fire frequency, with significant carbon stock loss observed in higher fire frequency classes. The study underscores the importance of nuanced conservation strategies tailored to distinct forest types and species characteristics. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers, forest managers, and conservationists in formulating targeted conservation and management approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increased seismic activity observed in the Himalayas, coupled with the expanding urbanization of the surrounding areas in northern India, poses significant risks to both human lives and property. Developing an earthquake early warning system in the region could help in alleviating these risks, especially benefiting cities and towns in mountainous and foothill regions close to potential earthquake epicenters. To address this concern, the government and the science and engineering community collaborated to establish the Uttarakhand State Earthquake Early Warning System (UEEWS). The government of Uttarakhand successfully launched this full-fledged operational system to the public on 4 August 2021. The UEEWS includes an array of 170 accelerometers installed in the seismogenic areas of the Uttarakhand. Ground motion data from these sensors are transmitted to the central server through the dedicated private telecommunication network 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This system is designed to issue warnings for moderate to high-magnitude earthquakes via a mobile app freely available for smartphone users and by blowing sirens units installed in the buildings earmarked by the government. The UEEWS has successfully issued alerts for light earthquakes that have occurred in the instrumented region and warnings for moderate earthquakes that have triggered in the vicinity of the instrumented area. This paper provides an overview of the design of the UEEWS, details of instrumentation, adaptation of attributes and their relation to earthquake parameters, operational flow of the system, and information about dissemination of warnings to the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study of forest fires in the fringe villages of the sal forest in Dehradun district of Northern India assesses the local communities' awareness of forest fires and willingness to pay for fire prevention measures. We also examined the effect of fire on the regeneration of sal. Our results indicate that the number of sal recruits in frequently burnt areas was significantly lower than in unburnt areas. Community perceptions revealed that around 80% of participants believed that fires were intentionally set to collect ectomycorrhizal fungi, thinking it would enhance the production of Astraeus hygrometricus. Furthermore, approximately 70.45% attributed the cause of fires to recreational activities of young people. All respondents acknowledged the negative consequences of forest fires, including loss of fauna (100%), adverse effects on air quality, and human-wildlife conflict (81.2%). A maximum likelihood estimator based multi-normal logit method was used to estimate WTP. Communities were aware of the consequences of forest fire and expressed a willingness to contribute (₹ 63.78 per month for 10 years) towards forest fire prevention efforts. These findings emphasize the importance of raising awareness and involving local communities in effective forest fire prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kumaun Himalaya is considered as the most active part of the Central Seismic gap in the Indian Sub-continent. In this paper, we presented active surface deformation rates of the Kumaun region from February 2017 to February 2021 using the Persistent Scatterer Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PSI) technique. The cumulative displacement that occurred during the span of 4 years is ±55 mm, whereas the Line of Sight (LOS) deformation velocity rate ranges is ±7 mm/yr. Apart from PSI, we also estimated the b-value of the Kumaun region from 1803 to 2021 (399 events) and its value is 0.54 ± 0.03. A distinct NE-SW trend of b-value is observed where earthquakes with M>6 occurred towards NE of this trend. The PSIderived deformation reveals that the central part of the Inner Lesser Himalaya along with the Main Central Thrust (MCT) zone is dominated by uplift. The zone between the Munsiari Thrust (MT) and MCT in the central region shows the maximum uplift ranging 5-7 mm/yr which exactly lies above the mid-crustal ramp of the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT). Our results are well corroborated with available observations of geodetic strain and peak ground acceleration values. However, the deformation patterns and highvelocity rates in the central part of the study area between MT and MCT indicate the accumulation of high stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

State of Uttarakhand in India have gone through transitional change in the last decade. Urban population share has increased from ten percent to near about thirty percent of the total population. Due to this rapid urbanization of the state of Uttarakhand, the state is finding difficulty in attaining sustainable development. Through this study, the researchers tried to identify the major challenges and issues which are blocking the urban areas of Uttarakhand from attaining sustainable development through a systematic review framework given by Arksey and O’Malley. The framework is a six-stage methodological framework for conducting scoping studies with the sixth stage being optional. The article attempts to highlight the issues and challenges which can be evaluated by researchers, academicians and policy makers in India and the world to study, evaluate and analyze the sustainable urban development of Uttarakhand. The methodology can also be used by researchers, academicians and policy makers to identify the challenges of sustainable urban development for any hill or mountain side terrain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism and hospitality industry creates opportunities for the states to improve cultural exchange, economic growth, self-employment, and quality of living. Sustainability of tourism has become a global challenge due to several factors such as environment's encumbrance and global health emergencies. To boost this industry, policies and schemes are implemented and marketed to support all scales of tourism-related businesses and engage local communities. This research outlines and explores these policies and their role in promoting tourism-driven self-employment of local communities through homestays in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand in India. It studies the factors that enable or hinder the sustainability of these homestays. It explicates the challenges in the uptake of these policies in terms of inadequate promotion and complex requirements of registration, among others. We have used multi-method approach for the study. We deployed grounded theory to explore the factors, interpretive structural modeling to determine the relationships among the factors, and case study method to validate the findings. The results indicate that government support, environment's sustainability, region's holistic development, efficient hospitality and service, effective promotion strategies and community engagement are the driving factors for the sustainability of small-scale homestay businesses. The challenges entail region's under-development, limited technology adoption, unmet travelers' expectations, competition from the commercial properties, lower revenues, high overhead costs, and limited training opportunities for the entrepreneurs. The research has implications for the stakeholders and policy-makers as its findings suggest the areas of improvement in sustaining homestay like small-scale ventures for improving self-employment, arresting emigration and developing the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With increasing urbanization, number of urban slums is also rising. The health facilities and indicators in urban slums are poor as compared to other urban population. The present study presents an analysis of the health problems, utilization of health services and vulnerability of urban slums. Aims & Objectives: To map the slums in urban areas and assess the vulnerability of households. Methodology: The study was conducted in all urban slums of five cities of Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar districts namely Haldwani, Ramnagar, Rudrapur, Jaspur and Kashipur. Group discussions involving community members, ward surveys by ASHA workers and household level vulnerability assessment were done using standard format according to "Guidelines and Tools for Vulnerability Mapping and Assessment of Urban Health, 2017". Results: Most urban slum dwellers are daily wage laborers with major population suffering mainly from diabetes, hypertension, respiratory infection. Lack of drugs and diagnostic facilities are the major concerns. Infrastructure needs strengthening in most of the slums. Around three fourth of population belonged to vulnerable group with remaining in highly vulnerable group. Conclusion: There are social problems in urban slums like illiteracy, lack of awareness, unemployment which worsen the health problems. So, a holistic approach is needed for the solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater plays a vital role in global climate change and substantial human needs. However, the groundwater potential zone (GWPZ) delineation is essential for fulfilling livelihood needs. In recent years, studies based on geographic information systems (GIS) have acquired much attention in groundwater exploration. Thus, in order to determine the groundwater potential zone in the state of Uttarakhand, we employ a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) based analytical hierarchy process (AHP) model with overlay weighted linear combination approach in this study. For groundwater potential zone demarcation, nine thematic layers such as geology, geomorphology, LULC, drainage density, slope, rainfall, soil, TWI, and curvature were created using remote sensing (RS) images and conventional data for a geographic information system (GIS). Furthermore, the weight of the parameters has been determined using AHP technique and overlay analysis was determined using GIS tools. A thematic map was categorized as "very poor," "poor," "moderate," "good," "very good," and "excellent" in order to determine the groundwater potential zone. According to the results, the area covered by the 'very poor' categories is 187.43 km2 (0.16 %) followed by 'poor' 2109.66 km2 (3.99 %), 'moderate' 29024.06 km2 (54.78 %), 'good' 15151.13 km2 (28.67 %), 'very good' 6537.19 km2 (12.37 %), and 'excellent' 814.84 km2 (1.55 %) with the accuracy of 89.9 %. The 'very poor' and 'moderate' groundwater potential zones were observed as 0.16 % and 54.78 %, respectively, and the possibility for GPZ gradually increased from the northeast to the southwest. The findings of this study have implications for future research on sustainable groundwater use, basin management of agriculture, and the link between groundwater and climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unprecedented seasonal forest fires pose a significant threat to the carbon stocks of diverse ecosystems, particularly in regions like Uttarakhand, west Himalaya. Understanding the impact of varying fire frequencies on different forest types is crucial for effective conservation and management strategies. This study aims to assess the loss of carbon stock in three distinct forest types—Sal, Pine, and Mixed across an elevation gradient in Uttarakhand, facing unprecedented seasonal forest fires. By investigating pre- and post-fire conditions, analyzing biomass dynamics, and mapping fire frequencies, the research aims to provide insights into the complex interplay of fire regimes and forest resilience. The investigation covers vegetation analysis, biomass assessment, and fire frequency mapping. Biomass and carbon stock calculations were carried out using a non-destructive sampling method. Fire frequency maps were generated using Landsat satellite imagery spanning a decade, integrating MODIS hotspot data for classification. The study reveals distinct patterns in biomass changes across Sal, Pine, and Mixed forests in response to varying fire frequencies. Sal forests exhibit resilience to low-intensity fires, while Pine forests show higher sensitivity. Carbon stock contributions of dominant species varied significantly, with Sal and Chir-Pine forests emerging as crucial contributors. High fire frequencies lead to substantial carbon stock reduction in all forest types. The findings emphasize the sensitivity of aboveground biomass to fire frequency, with significant carbon stock loss observed in higher fire frequency classes. The study underscores the importance of nuanced conservation strategies tailored to distinct forest types and species characteristics. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers, forest managers, and conservationists in formulating targeted conservation and management approaches.

Landslides are frequent natural hazards in mountainous regions, and harshly upset people's lives and livelihoods. In the present study, we have carried out an analysis of seven GIS-based machine-learning techniques; and asses their performance for landslide susceptibility mapping (LSM) in the Bhilangana Basin, Garhwal Himalaya. A landslide inventory consisting of 423 polygons was prepared using repeated field investigations, and multi-dated satellite images for the periods between 2000 and 2022. The landslide dataset was classified into two groups: training (70%) and test dataset (30%), and 12 predictive variables were used for the LSM. The methods used to produce LSM are boosted regression tree (BRT), Fisher discriminant analysis (FDA), generalized linear model (GLM), multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), model-architect analysis (MDA), random forest (RF) and support vector machine (SVM). The sensitivity and performance of these models to predict landslide susceptible areas were carried out using the area under the curve (AUC) method. The RF model (AUC = 0.988) has given the highest precision indicating the best performance. Though MARS (0.974), SVM (0.965) and MDA (0.952) models have also performed adequately for the LSM (all have AUC values above 0.95), however, it is recommended that the RF model is highly suitable for LSM in the mountainous region.

Freshwater lakes in the Western Himalayan region play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance and providing crucial ecosystem services. However, these lakes are currently facing various challenges due to anthropogenic activities, climate change, and natural processes. This study aims to analyze the present situation of freshwater lakes in the Western Himalayan region, focusing on their water quality, biodiversity, and conservation status. The Western Himalayan Range comprises the majority of the Indian Himalayas and includes the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The Western Himalayan Range is vulnerable to both the whims of nature and human interference because it is a mountainous location. There are a total of 38 lakes present in Uttarakhand, 40 lakes in Himachal Pradesh, and 22 lakes in the Jammu and Kashmir region are present. The quantity of contaminants has elevated as the lake's water has decreased because of the growth in and around it. Agricultural runoff, untreated sewage discharge, and silt from nearby catchments have all caused the lake's water quality to decline. Due to higher nutrient levels, which lead to an abundance of algae and macrophytes, certain lakes are eutrophic. These lakes often contain low quantities of dissolved oxygen in their lowest layers and they frequently have limited transparency. Bioindicator species can be introduced to evaluate the current scenario of freshwater lakes. Because various species of Plankton rapidly respond to any environmental change,thus also known as bioindicators. Various type of mitigation measures such as plantation of trees in the catchment area, awareness among the public, solid waste managements and continuous monitoring will be helpful in lake management. The present situation of freshwater lakes in the Western Himalayan region demands immediate attention and concerted efforts for their conservation. Addressing water quality degradation, protecting biodiversity, and promoting sustainable practices are crucial for the long-term survival and ecological sustainability of these lakes. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and conservation practitioners to develop strategies and policies that can mitigate the challenges faced by these unique freshwater ecosystems.

Abstract Human activities have degraded lakes in Uttarakhand, endangering their vital role in urban sustainability, which includes providing essential services like water supply, flood mitigation, agriculture support, and biodiversity conservation in the Himalayan region. This study focused on Nainital district lakes, utilizing remote sensing and GIS techniques to assess their condition. Time series Landsat 8 satellite imageries acquire by USGS earth explorer from 2017 and 2022 were captured, pre-processed, and subjected to spectral-based classification algorithms in ArcGIS software to calculate Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalised Difference Water Index (NDWI), and Normalised Difference Built-up Index (NDBI) indices to assess changes in vegetation, water bodies, and build-up area in and around the lakes respectively. The results indicate a decrease in built-up areas for Nainital district lakes from 2017 to 2022: Naini Lake (1.42%), Bhimtal Lake (1.83%), Naukuchiatal Lake (1.45%), Sattal Lake (2.18%), Khurpatal Lake (2.25%), and Sariyatal Lake (1.3%). Additionally, Bhimtal, Naukuchiatal, and Khurpatal lakes exhibited reductions in shrub and grass vegetation by approximately 12%, 16%, and 0% over the five-year period. Notably, Sattal and Khurapatal lakes demonstrated significant decreases in built-up areas, likely attributed to restoration efforts or landslides. Findings emphasize the need for conservation, sustainable land-use practices, and effective management to protect lake ecosystems.

Background: Dengue fever, a globally significant mosquito-borne viral illness, imposes a substantial burden on tropical regions. Thrombocytopenia, characterized by reduced platelet counts, is a critical complication of dengue, often leading to bleeding complications and increased morbidity and mortality. Vitamin E and vitamin C, with their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, have garnered interest as potential interventions to address this issue. Materials and Methods: A rigorous prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted across multiple healthcare facilities. Adult dengue fever patients with thrombocytopenia were randomly assigned to receive either vitamin E, vitamin C, or a placebo in addition to standard dengue management. Platelet counts, time to recovery, duration of hospitalization, bleeding complications, adverse events, and adherence were assessed. Results: Vitamin E and vitamin C supplementation significantly increased platelet counts compared to the placebo group. Participants in the vitamin E group exhibited a mean increase of +25.6 ×10^3/μL, while the vitamin C group showed +28.3 ×10^3/μL compared to +7.2 ×10^3/μL in the placebo group. Time to platelet count recovery was shorter in supplemented groups (3.8 and 3.6 days) compared to the placebo group (4.5 days). Bleeding complications were reduced in supplemented groups (6% and 4.5%) compared to the placebo group (12%). Adverse events did not significantly differ among groups. Conclusion: Vitamin E and vitamin C supplementation, as adjunctive therapies in dengue management, improved platelet counts, expedited recovery, and reduced bleeding complications without a notable increase in adverse events. Gender-based variations in treatment response warrant further investigation. These findings emphasize the potential role of vitamin supplementation in enhancing dengue fever outcomes, underlining the significance of evidence-based interventions in resource-constrained settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uttarakhand is witnessing a heightened demand for the revision of its land laws, a pivotal issue since the state's formation. This paper delves into the call for 'bhoo kanoon' by Uttarakhand's 'natives', against the backdrop of investments by 'outsiders' in the form of hotels, resorts, and homes. It chronicles the history of land law adoption in the state and explores the impact of these laws on the local populace and environment. Utilizing a qualitative research approach, including existing literature and interviews with stakeholders, the study reveals that the push for law revision stems from the influx of urban investors, resulting in land scarcity and inflated property prices for locals. The residents firmly believe that the current laws favor investors over locals, restricting their access to resources. The paper advocates for a balanced approach to urban investment and native rights, proposing a collaborative model that allows locals to define development's nature and rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uttarakhand is recognized for its scenic beauty and rich heritage. The tourism industry is an indispensable source of income for the state. However, uncontrolled tourist influx, unplanned construction of tourism-related infrastructure in eco-sensitive zones, waste generation and improper disposal have all added to the environmental degradation of this region, leading to volatile climatic conditions. The 2013 Kedarnath floods, 2016 wildfires, and the numerous earthquakes, bear testimony to this fact. These, in turn, hurt the state's tourism. In 2016, Uttarakhand reported a sharp drop in tourist numbers after wildfires. In this paper, the authors explore the sustainability of tourism in Uttarakhand and the impact on various relevant stakeholders, using secondary data as well as primary data through a personal interview and a survey. The authors also conducted a case study on Joshimath, an evident example of a tourism-dependent town in Uttarakhand, at the brink of losing its mainstay due to environmental degradation. Opposing the idea that climate change is a problem of the future, the case study showcases the urgency of the situation by presenting the real-time impact. Finally, the last section is a brief analysis of the current policies. The authors conclude that increased community participation, usage of eco-friendly and locally sourced construction materials, promotion of traditional and sustainable tourism practices, reassessment of forest laws, proper waste management, and increased involvement of women and elderly in the industry can pave the way for a balanced and sustained future of the tourism industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farm diversification is seen as a vital strategy for fostering rapid economic growth and development in hilly regions. This includes shifting from traditional crops to more valuable ones and engaging in additional activities like dairy farming, poultry, fishery, sheep and goat rearing, horticulture, and related pursuits. The present study was undertaken in Uttarakhand in 2023 with 140 sponsored farmers at SAMETI to investigate the extent and nature of livelihood diversification among the farmers. It was found that Simpson's diversity index was 0.89 and overall farmers were involved in 14 different types of farming enterprises, with 79 per cent involved in cereal cultivation followed by vegetables (55.71%), and fruits and plantation (40%) and a very less percentage of farmers involved in fishery (13.57%), forestry (9.29%), and mushroom (5.71%). The number of training attended (β6 = 0.767) by a farmer had a major impact on the diversification of the farmers. The study suggests several less utilized farming enterprises, where more involvement of farmers should be ensured thus improving their profits. Farmer training will play a significant role in achieving the above goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chamoli district of the Himalayan state Uttarakhand experienced a glacier breakage leading to a devastating flash flood on 07 Feb 2021. The event claimed several lives and also destroyed the hydropower projects in the Rishiganga and Dhauliganga valleys. The initiation of strong wind gusts on 6th and 7th Feb 2021 and specifically 12 hours before the disaster (42, 45, and 41 km/hr) demonstrates the wind’s ongoing impact on the accumulated snow/glacier. It seems a significant contribution that might have resulted in the heat energy responsible for the breaking of the glacier leading to this disaster. Moreover, the analysis of thermal variability of land surface temperature (LST) shows the sudden change in the terrain during the disaster. It shows relatively lower temperature before the event due to snowfall over the study area on 5 Feb 2021 in comparison to that after the event. Research Highlights: The present study analyzes the hidden meteorological factor contributing to the glacier breakage which resulted in devastating flash flood in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, on 07 February 2021. The missing parameter namely wind is validated using the observed values with the model computed values through data analysis. The Land Surface Temperature is calculated as an additional information to compare the pre and post disaster characteristics of the land confirming the presence of weak layer before the disaster. The presence of continuous wind gust in the narrow valley acted as a potential factor towards the disaster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uttarakhand is one of the most seismically active states of India. In this study, the seismic hazard map of Uttarakhand has been developed through deterministic seismic hazard analysis approach. Seismotectonic map with various geological discontinuities has been prepared. A homogenous earthquake catalogue for moment magnitude has been prepared for the duration of 1953–2020 and the past seismic data have been checked for completeness with regard to time and magnitude. Maximum potential magnitude was then assessed for the seismic sources. Concept of logic tree with four different ground motion prediction models was employed for the assessment of hazards. For developing the microzonation map, the state was divided into several grid points (0.1°×0.1°), and the seismic hazard was estimated in terms of peak ground acceleration (PGA) for each of the grid points. The estimated PGA values were found to be varying from 0.12 g to as high as 0.70 g. For northern regions, Main Central Thrust, Sundernagar and Ropar faults are critical, whereas for southern regions, thrusts TT18, TT23, TT19, TT23 and faults F37, F36, and F31 are significant. It has also been observed that the current Indian standard underestimates the response spectrum values for most regions of the state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spodoptera litura populations were collected from different lowland areas and doon valley situated in Uttarakhand and insecticide resistance effect was studied for indoxacarb 14.5% SC, chlorantraniliprole 18.5%SC, fipronil 5% SC, chlorpyriphos 50%+cypermethrin 5% EC and profenofos 40%+cypermethrin 4% EC, also the specific activity of carboxylesterase, acetyl choline esterase, mono-oxygenase and glutathione-s-transferase was studied for biochemical analysis of detoxification enzymes. The scale of infestation was measured and related to temperature and humidity. High infestation has been observed in areas with optimum temperature and humidity. Highest resistance in the study was found against profenofos 40%+chlorpyriphos 4% and fipronil 5%SC with LC50 243.63 µg/ml and 214.22 µg/ml respectively. On biochemical analysis of detoxification enzymes, it was observed that the highest activity of all the enzymes was observed in Mota Haldu population. Hence, overproduction of detoxification enzymes was found to be responsible for insecticide resistance in S. litura populations studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a study conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Uttarakhand, India, to assess the prescribing practices and patterns of antibacterial agents. The study found that the prescribing practices deviated from the World Health Organization's (WHO) set standards, with polypharmacy, a smaller number of drugs prescribed with a generic name, and a majority of drugs prescribed from the Uttarakhand essential medicine list. The study also found that males were prescribed more antibiotics than females, younger patients were prescribed more antibacterials compared to older patients, and only 1.1% of prescriptions included injectables. The study suggests improving prescribing practices by adhering to local and national treatment guidelines, conducting regular prescription audits, and updating the essential medicine list. [Extracted from the article]

Man-made fires have been an integral feature of chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) - banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) zone of Uttarakhand since the time immemorial. It is highly seasonal, each year during pre-monsoon, forest fires in Uttarakhand are issue of major debate with regard scale, nature, causes and impact of fires and measures required to address the problem. Here, we have characterized the seasonality of forest fires in Uttarakhand, data discrepancies, and perceptions of the stakeholders. The forest fire regime in Uttarakhand is characterized by frequent surface fires of small sizes, ranging from 1.56 to 7.25 ha/fire incidence. The seasonality and extent of fire depend on the timing of fresh litter fall, the main source of fuel to fire, severity of pre-monsoon drought and people's felt need for fodder to feed livestock. Largely because of the pre-monsoon droughts, the years 2009, 2012 and 2016 were the most fire affected in Uttarakhand, the annual incidence of forest fires being 1608, 1328, and 2074, respectively, with average fire incidence of 1169.50±219.19 fires per year. Data pertaining to fire frequency and affected area were collated from two sources: State Forest Department (SFD) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). The differences in number of fire incidences between the two sources are large and need to be reconciled to develop a meaningful mitigation strategy to deal with forest fires. From the interviews conducted, it was found that while forest officials now realize the importance of community participation in fire control, communities are no more interested to participate, with decreasing day-to-day dependence on forest resources. The ongoing changes in the relationship of people with forests need to be analyzed and included in the policies related to forest fire management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study determined Tor putitora (Hamilton, 1822) fishery, growth, mortality, and population characteristics using length-frequency data assembled monthly from the Tehri dam reservoir in Uttarakhand from January to December 2022. The estimation data was separated into 40-mm class intervals, and population parameters were investigated and computed using the FiSAT-II software tool. W = 0.0101 L2.996, where a = 0.0101 and b = 2.99, were determined as the length-weight relationships, and the growth performance index (ϕ) was computed to be 5.40. Tor putitora commercial catches in the Tehri dam reservoir were dominated by length groups of 360–399 and 320–359 mm. Different growth parameters were estimated using length-frequency data as L∞ = 987.00 mm, K = 0.26 yr−1, and t0 = −0.0003 years. Z, M, and F mortality coefficients were estimated to be 1.01, 0.27, and 0.73, respectively. At the end of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh years, the fish measured 226, 400, 535, 638, 718, and 780, and 827, respectively. The estimated value of the exploitation rate (E) was 0.73 using the length-converted catch curve approach, which was determined to be somewhat higher than the optimum value (0.50). Tor putitora recruitment patterns from the Tehri dam reservoir reveal that the species only has one recruitment pattern every year, and that solely occurs from June to September. The current exploitation level (0.73) has already exceeded the maximum fishing pressure (Emax = 0.508), indicating that there is a decline in the catch at the current fishing pressure, and a further increase in fishing efforts may lead to a decline in the stock, which may be detrimental to the sustainable fishery of Tor putitora in the Tehri dam reservoir, Uttarakhand, India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psyllaephagus malloticolae Rawat & Kumar sp. nov. a parasitoid of Trioza malloticola (Crawford) (Hemiptera, Psylloidea, Triozidae) causing galls on leaves of the Kamala tree, Mallotus philippensis Muell, 1865 is described from India. An updated key to all the known allied species of Psyllaephagus Ashmead from India is also provided. The new species comes close to P. garuga Sudhir & Singh, 2011 but differs from it in having Funicular V the longest segment, mid-tibial spur longer than basitarsus, and the exserted ovipositor sheath.

The increased seismic activity observed in the Himalayas, coupled with the expanding urbanization of the surrounding areas in northern India, poses significant risks to both human lives and property. Developing an earthquake early warning system in the region could help in alleviating these risks, especially benefiting cities and towns in mountainous and foothill regions close to potential earthquake epicenters. To address this concern, the government and the science and engineering community collaborated to establish the Uttarakhand State Earthquake Early Warning System (UEEWS). The government of Uttarakhand successfully launched this full-fledged operational system to the public on 4 August 2021. The UEEWS includes an array of 170 accelerometers installed in the seismogenic areas of the Uttarakhand. Ground motion data from these sensors are transmitted to the central server through the dedicated private telecommunication network 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This system is designed to issue warnings for moderate to high-magnitude earthquakes via a mobile app freely available for smartphone users and by blowing sirens units installed in the buildings earmarked by the government. The UEEWS has successfully issued alerts for light earthquakes that have occurred in the instrumented region and warnings for moderate earthquakes that have triggered in the vicinity of the instrumented area. This paper provides an overview of the design of the UEEWS, details of instrumentation, adaptation of attributes and their relation to earthquake parameters, operational flow of the system, and information about dissemination of warnings to the public.

The Kumaun Himalaya is considered as the most active part of the Central Seismic gap in the Indian Sub-continent. In this paper, we presented active surface deformation rates of the Kumaun region from February 2017 to February 2021 using the Persistent Scatterer Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PSI) technique. The cumulative displacement that occurred during the span of 4 years is ±55 mm, whereas the Line of Sight (LOS) deformation velocity rate ranges is ±7 mm/yr. Apart from PSI, we also estimated the b-value of the Kumaun region from 1803 to 2021 (399 events) and its value is 0.54 ± 0.03. A distinct NE-SW trend of b-value is observed where earthquakes with M > 6 occurred towards NE of this trend. The PSI-derived deformation reveals that the central part of the Inner Lesser Himalaya along with the Main Central Thrust (MCT) zone is dominated by uplift. The zone between the Munsiari Thrust (MT) and MCT in the central region shows the maximum uplift ranging 5–7 mm/yr which exactly lies above the mid-crustal ramp of the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT). Our results are well corroborated with available observations of geodetic strain and peak ground acceleration values. However, the deformation patterns and high-velocity rates in the central part of the study area between MT and MCT indicate the accumulation of high stress.