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The Hindu Kush - Himalaya (HKH), extending about 3,500 km from east to west in Asia from Myanmar in the east to Afghanistan in the west, form the water sources for many rivers that have spiritual, cultural and economic values. The biodiversity is unique and rich yet not adequately explored and studied. Some studies have been carried out in the Kashmir Himalaya in India followed by Everest Region in Nepal. Most of the studies have dealt with physico-chemical analysis of the water samples; however complete bathymetric and limnological studies have not been performed. The high altitude Himalayan lakes are remote and difficult to access. They are characterized by the presence of glacial silt, low Sechhi values, low conductivity and neutral pH. The most dominant cation and anion in high altitude lakes are Calcium (Ca) and Bicarbonate (HCO3) respectively with few exceptions. Water chemistry of the lakes is dependent on the geolithology of the catchment area. Most of these lakes are categorized as oligotrophic or ultraoligotrophic. Biological communities are represented only by stenothermal species typical of high altitude lakes. Palaeolimnological studies could provide an insight into the environmental reconstruction which in turn may help to develop monitoring tools for these unique habitats. Key words: Himalaya; high altitude lakes; physico-chemical parameters; biological community; Palaeolimnology DOI: 10.3126/jowe.v3i0.2387 Journal of Wetlands Ecology, (2009) Vol. 3, pp 12-22

Stream flow, nutrient loading, and sediment yield closely reflect land use and management practices in relation to growing seasons in mid-hill watersheds of the central Himalaya. A preliminary study was conducted to determine approximate total water discharge and sediment yields from the Galaundi and Pokhare catchments. Mean discharge and sediment loads during the 2002 rainy season were 2.1 m3?s-1 and 0.9 kg?s-1 for Galaundi Khola and 0.45 m3 s-1 and 0.28 kg?s-1 for Pokhare Khola. Estimates of total annual discharge of water and sediment were, respectively, 27.8 million m3 and 11,400 t (Galaundi) and 6.4 million m3 and 3,500 t (Pokhare). These corresponded to about 71.6% and 60.4% of total rain volumes and soil loss rates of 5.18 t?ha-1 and 5.83 t?ha-1 for Galaundi and Pokhare sub-watersheds, respectively. Good correlations were observed for stream discharge vs. sediment concentration (R2 = 0.83 and 0.94 respectively) and rainfall amount vs. discharge (R2 = 0.94 and 0.96 respectively) for both streams. Key words: stream flow, sediment concentration, land use, pre-monsoon, sub-watershed Himalayan Journal of Sciences 2(3): 51-54, 2004

The ASSESS-HKH Field Screening Methodology was carried out to assess the ecological river water quality status of nineteen small to medium sized rivers of the Seti River basin within Pokhara sub-metropolitan city during the lean flow period in March 2007. Multi habitat qualitative samplings for forty-six sites were conducted with 100 m stretch in each study river section. Five river water quality classes; class I (high), class II (good), class III (moderate), class IV (poor) and class V (bad) have been used to describe the effect of organic degradable pollution (saprobic approach). The response of benthic macroinvertebrates varied with organic pollution, sediment extraction and river crossings. The Harpan and Orlan (inlets) and Boksira (outlet) rivers of Phewa lake have water quality class III (moderately polluted) except Phirke river (outlet) which has class V. Most of the rivers outside the municipal boundaries have been identified as Class II indicating good water quality. The whole stretches of the Phusre and the Seti Rivers are still in good ecological condition. A total of 19 stressing factors have been identified along the river stretches, which have been grouped into five broad groups i.e., solid waste, effluent factors, activities and facilities, hydro-morphological degradation and ecological disturbances, and sanitation activity. The results are visualized by a colored water quality map which indicates the present ecological status of the Seti River basin. This map serves as an easy readable tool to identify hot spots and to show where immediate action is required. It also attracts the attention of the decision makers and enables timely measures to be taken for improving the deteriorating water quality of the rivers.Key words: screening methodology; benthic macroinvertebrates; water quality; Seti River basin; river pollutionDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jhm.v6i1.5488Journal of Hydrology and Meteorology, Vol. 6, No. 1 49-57