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A study was carried out to discover trends in the rainfall and temperature pattern of the Alaknanda catchment in the Central Himalaya. Data on the annual rainfall, monsoon rainfall for the last decade, and average annual temperatures over the last few decades were analyzed. Nonparametric methods (Mann-Kendall and Sen's method) were employed to identify trends. The Mann-Kendall test shows a decline in rainfall and rise in temperature, and these trends were found to be statistically significant at the 95% confidence level for both transects. Sen's method also confirms this trend. This aspect has to be considered seriously for the simple reason that if the same trend continues in the future, more chances of drought are expected. The impact of climate change has been well perceived by the people of the catchment, and a coping mechanism has been developed at the local level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gangotri glacier is retreating like other glaciers in the Himalaya and its volume and size are shrinking as well. Reoccupying the historical snout positions using Global Positioning System (GPS) in rapid static mode indicates the varying rates of retreat during different time-spans of the last century, with the total retreat of 1519.13 m in the last 69 years. Post 1971, the rate of retreat of the glacier has declined. Monitoring of glacier terminus using GPS survey in kinematic mode reveals that the glacier has retreated at much lower rate (12.10 ± 0.041 ma-1) between 2004 and 2005. The study further shows that the southern portion of the snout is retreating at significantly lower rate in comparison to the northern part. However, maximum recession (13.76 ± 0.048 m in 2004-05) took place along the centreline of the glacier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study elucidates velocity of the Indian plate from 2013 to 2016 with the help of six continuously operating permanent Global Positioning System (GPS) stations and tracks the crustal motion and direction directly by means of space-based geodetic measurements. The GPS derived velocity estimates were computed with respect to 2008 International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF 08) and carried out almost all along the arc in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). The velocity vectors indicate that the Indian plate is moving towards the NE direction (average velocity of 46.95 ± 0.23 mm/yr) with higher movement towards the eastward direction (36.11 ± 0.17 mm/yr) compared to the northward direction (29.02 ± 0.16 mm/yr). Variations in the plate motion between IISC and permanent GPS stations suggest that presently, the convergence rate is about 8.06 ± 0.28 mm/yr and 5.71 ± 0.17 mm/yr for Higher Himalaya and Lesser Himalaya respectively. In addition, the deformation rate was also calculated on the basis of baseline shortening between IGS stations (IISC and LHAZ) and permanent GPS stations. The results suggest that the deformation is about 11.68 ± 1.32 mm/yr above the Main Central Thrust (MCT) and 6.74 ± 1.20 mm/yr above the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) with respect to the Indian plate (IISC), while it is 20.60 ± 1.76 mm/yr above the MCT and 11.42 ± 1.21 mm/yr above the MBT with respect to Eurasian plate (LHAZ). The strain rate through GPS measurement reveals that the maximum strain is accumulated in the central part of the Himalaya between the MBT and MCT, indicating vulnerability of the central Indian Himalaya for future earthquakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are two models for the surface layer in the convective boundary layer (CBL). First is the standard Monin–Obukhov similarity theory, and second is the McNaughton–Laubach model (Laubach and McNaughton 2009, Boundary-Layer Meteorology 133:219–252; hereafter MNL model) developed based on the complex dynamical system approach to address characteristics of the unstable surface layer. The fundamental difference between the Monin–Obukhov similarity theory and the MNL model is the use of local and non-local parameters for analyzing surface-layer spectra in the CBL. However, there is a need to check applicability of this new model at various flow conditions before the model could be extensively used. Subsequently, applicability of the MNL model is tested in comparison to the standard model using CBL observations from three different regions with increasing terrain complexity (i.e. over flat-terrain, onslope, and ridge-top sites). The MNL model is tested by estimating and using the non-local scaling parameters to collapse the power spectra of velocity and temperature on the frequency–amplitude scale under the generalized hypothesis that convective surface layer depends on non-local outer variables. We find that the u and v spectra for all sites indicate run-to-run similarity of each spectra with MNL scaling irrespective of the height limiting role of local buoyancy on the shape of the spectra. Similarly, w spectra from all sites indicate transitions between the surface friction layer and the outer layer are governed by flow in the entire CBL. The temperature spectra collapse using (z ϵ o) 2 / 3 H 0 - 2 as amplitude scaling and k z i 1 / 2 z 1 / 2 as wavenumber scaling, is a new observation within the surface friction layer, where the streamwise wavenumber is k, measurement height is z, CBL height is z i , the dissipation rate of turbulence energy in the outer CBL is ϵ o , and the surface heat flux is H 0 . These observations corroborate well with the MNL model conjecture that the convective temperature spectra do not depend only on local stability, and CBL parameters affect spectra when a subset of local factors remains constant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uttarakhand, one of the Himalayan foot-hill states of India, covers an area of 51,125 km2. This region is enriched with bio-diversity and is one of the highly potential regions in the Central Himalayas for agro-climate, hydro power generation, food-processing, tourism, etc. Present study investigates the spatio-temporal rainfall distribution over the state during Indian summer monsoon period. Observational and modelled (under different Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) at radiative forcing 2.6, 4.5 and 8.5 W/m2) rainfall distribution is studied to assess the present and future trends. Study uses standard observational rainfall estimates from APHRODITE, Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM 3B42) and India Meteorological Department (IMD) gridded rainfall datasets and inter-compare these products in order to find out orographic responses during the monsoon months and elevation dependent mean rainfall pattern changes. It is found that rainfall pattern breaks near 3100 m elevation. Comparative analysis reflects that with respect to IMD, TRMM 3B42 rainfall underestimates more than 3 mm/day rainfall whereas, APHRODITE overestimates rainfall below 4.5 mm/day. Future trends in modelled monsoon rainfall are examined and mixed results are found and discussed with possible explanation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about several papers discussed at the Regulating Tourism and Pilgrimage in the Himalaya meeting in New Delhi, India on December 11, 2013 is presented. Topics include guidelines related to regulated tourism and pilgrimage, interventions in isolating tourism from pilgrimage and ecotourism, and scientific zonation mapping. The meeting featured several speakers including B.M.S. Rathore, G.B. Mukherji, and S.C. Bagri.

The regular monitoring of glaciers is important to determine their retreating rate and mass balance for overall glacier health. Chaturangi glacier, a major inactive tributary of the Gangotri glacier system was selected for the present study due to its dynamic nature and also because there are no previous records of its retreating rates. In order to reconstruct past retreat- ing rates, total area loss, volume change and shift in snout position were measured through multi-temporal satellite data from 1989 to 2016 and kinematic GPS survey from 2015 to 2016. The results obtained from satellite data indicate that in the last 27 years Chaturangi glacier snout has retreated 1172.57 ± 38.3 m (average = 45.07 ± 4.31 m/year) with a total area and volume loss of 0.626 ± 0.001 sq. km and 0.139 km3 respectively. The field measurements through differential global positioning system survey revealed that the annual retreating rate was 22.84 ±0.05 m/year. The large variations in results derived from both the methods are probably because of higher difference in their accuracy. Nevertheless, the results derived from both the methods are in agreement that Chaturangi glacier is retreating at a considerable rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A response to a letter to the editor about the article regarding the position coordinates of snout in different years from 1935 and 1971 that was published in the previous issue is presented.

The dearth of drinking water has become a bitter reality and the gap between demand and supply of water has been growing year by year. By keeping the significance of spring water in mind, we have collected 175 spring samples in Doda, Kishtwar Ramban (DKR) region of Jammu and Kashmir, India, and analyzed for power of Hydrogen (pH), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Hardness (TH), Calcium (Ca2+), Magnesium (Mg2+), Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+), Bicarbonates (HCO 3 −), Sulphate (SO 4 2−), Chloride (Cl−), Nitrate (NO 3 −) and Fluoride (F−). Among the analyzed parameters, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, HCO 3 − , SO 4 2− and NO 3 − exceeded their Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) limits for drinking water, whereas all the analyzed parameters were found within the permissible limits of the World Health Organization (WHO) for drinking water. Spring water quality index results indicate that 91.43% of the spring samples show excellent to good water quality. The inferences of health risks for nitrate exhibited that their Health Quotient (HQ) mean values were found less than one, signifying no health risks in general however, the maximum value as HQnitrate for adults, children and infants were 4.01, 3.68 and 3.38 respectivley reflectioing problematic situation in certian places. The HQ mean values of fluoride were found greater than one for adults, children and infants due to excess fluoride in certain localities, reflecting health perils. Lastly, we can conclude that in addition to the parameters examined in this study, other forms of pollution (heavy metals, microbial contamination, pesticides) can significantly diminish desirable ecosystem services. [Display omitted] • To evaluate the suitability of spring water for drinking purposes • To determine the SWQI for understanding the impact of chemical parameters • Evaluation of HHRA by using the nitrate and fluoride elements in order to know the Non Carcinogenic Risk • Spatial mapping of the Spring water quality maps [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mountains are considered as the early indicators of climate change. The study aims to understand how the Himalayan communities perceive climate change, and how this change has impacted the livelihood and sustenance of local people particularly in the remote and rural areas of the region. In view of this, 994 households of 25 villages were interviewed from five basins five villages per basin) of the Indian Himalayan Region. Their perceptions mainly of climate change were validated/compared with the available climatic indices. People perceived rainfall pattern to be less predictable, greater change in land-use pattern, adverse impacts on forests and human health and overall reduction in their harvests. Seasonal increase in temperature was also reported. Capacity-building programmes for the inhabitants, including the most vulnerable communities in the wake of climate change would be significantly fruitful by way of mitigation and adaptation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the Indian Himalayan Region's (IHR) water source and security from springs and its spring-ecosystem and management as of October 2021. Topics covered include the spring dry up issue that has led to migration of people and disturbance of social and cultural relevance in the IHR, and the transformative programme to boost knowledge on biotic and abiotic interaction in the IHR spring-ecosystem. Also noted are recommendations made in the programme meeting.

Abstract No great earthquake has occurred in the Garhwal–Kumaun region of NW Himalaya in the past 500 years or more. We report results of continuous GPS measurements from 28 sites from the region to suggest that the convergence rate in this part of the Himalaya is about 18 mm/yr which is leading to strain accumulation in the region. The Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT) in the frontal part of the Himalaya under the Outer and southern Lesser Himalaya is strongly coupled for a width of about 85 km. The midcrustal ramp where earthquakes of Himalayan seismic belt occur, exhibits low coupling. Strong coupling on the MHT beneath the Outer and Lesser Himalaya is homogeneous except in the very shallow updip part of the MHT. Subduction of sediments of the Indo-Gangetic plains or the Delhi Hardwar ridge does not seem to influence coupling. A high rate of strain accumulation, which has continued for more than 500 years on a strongly coupled MHT makes this one of the most earthquake-vulnerable segments of the Himalayan arc. Graphical abstract Highlights • Locking variation on MHT beneath Garhwal Kumaun Himalaya from 28 cGPS measurements. • Long term convergence rate in the region is ∼18 mm/yr. • Strong locking on the MHT beneath the Outer and Lesser Himalaya. • Ramp is in transition from strongly coupled to aseismically slipping MHT. • Strong coupling, high strain rate for >500 yr makes it highly vulnerable segment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The terrestrial biosphere has a crucial role in controlling the rate of CO 2 accumulation in the atmosphere. The quantification of Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) is critical to determine whether the regional terrestrial ecosystem is a net sink or source of CO 2. This study uses a satellite-data derived light-use-efficiency model (the Vegetation Photosynthesis and Respiration Model, VPRM) to compute the biospheric CO 2 fluxes over India from 2011–2020. A very high-resolution Land Use-Land Cover (LULC) data from the IRS-P6 satellite and MODIS derived surface reflectance are utilised to compute the NEE over distinct vegetation types at ∼ 9 km × 9 km. The VPRM model for the Indian region captures the spatial pattern and seasonal features of NEE over the country. The magnitude of annual mean NEE over India from the VPRM model is relatively high compared to that from Carbon Tracker, FLUXCOM, and Soil Moisture Active Passive Level-4 carbon data products. However, the VPRM model simulated NEE agrees with the NEE observations from the eddy covariance estimates, which are accepted as the ground truth. The fusion of high-resolution LULC and surface reflectance data in VPRM suggests that the average NEE over the Indian region during 2011–2020 is −0.16 ± 0.02 PgC yr−1. Among this, the contribution from Gross Ecosystem Exchange is about −0.47 ± 0.02 PgC yr−1, and Respiration is 0.31 ± 0.01 PgC yr−1. The maximum biospheric CO 2 absorption is during the post-monsoon season, and the minimum is during the pre-monsoon season. The very high spatial resolution and heterogeneity resolved in the NEE data derived in this work offer the first data product of this kind for a variety of NEE analyses over India. [Display omitted] • The Vegetation Photosynthesis and Respiration Model (VPRM) is configured over India. • VPRM computes high-resolution biospheric CO 2 flux over India during 2011-20. • The mean NEE over India during 2011–20 is −0.16 ± 0.02 PgC yr−1. • CO 2 flux optimisation using inverse modelling can benefit from this biospheric flux. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both in-situ and space-borne observations reveal an extremely high loading of particulates over the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP), all year around. With a burgeoning population and combustion sources (fossil fuels (FFs) and biofuels (BFs)) in close proximity to each other, the IGP is widely regarded as a hotspot for anthropogenic aerosol emission in South Asia. The deteriorating air quality over this region, particularly during winters, is a cause of major concern, since the pollutants undergo long range transport from their source regions to the Indo-Himalayan Range (IHR), Bay of Bengal (BoB) and other remote areas, polluting their pristine atmospheric conditions. Seasonal reversal in winds over the Indian mainland leads to an outflow of continental pollutants into the BoB during winters and a net advection of desert dust aerosols into the IGP from southwest Asia (SW-Asia), northwest India (NW-India) and northern Africa (N-Africa) during summers. Through the course of this study, four observational campaigns were conducted for sampling the ambient PM 2.5 and PM 10 during winter and summer seasons of 2014–2015, at multiple locations (18 sites) in the IGP, IHR, and semi-arid/arid sites towards their south and west, in order to accurately determine the inter-seasonal and inter-annual changes in the aerosol loading at the sites. We have also utilized data from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on-board Earth Observing System (EOS) Terra satellite for estimating the columnar Aerosol Optical Depth at 550 nm (AOD 550 ) and data from EOS Terra and Aqua satellites for discovering openly burning fires in the vicinity of sampling sites. Determination of the major source regions and key transport pathways during both seasons have also been attempted, using back-trajectory cluster analyses, as well as receptor models such as PSCF and CWT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the altitudinal variation of dominant modes of summer monsoon intra-seasonal oscillation (ISO) over the Northwest (NWH) and Eastern Himalayan (EH) region using (i) spatially scattered 133 number of station rainfall observations and (ii) latitudinal transect-wise (LT) rainfall variation, obtained from an observed interpolated gridded rainfall data for the period 1995-2004. The altitudinal variation of dominant modes of monsoon ISO were investigated by exploring the strong and weak phases of the principal components of 10-90 days bandpass rainfall data of June to September with respect to location specific station height. Investigation of frequency of days for light and moderate rainfall along with the occurrence of total seasonal rainy days has revealed existence of a rainfall maximum around 2100 m height for the NWH region. Similarly, the total seasonal rainy days of EH region was found to have maxima between 1100 and 1400 m height. Analyses of the spatially scattered station rainfall observation for the NWH region showed that the strong periods of ISO modes exist around 747.9 (±131.7) m and 2227.2 (±100.2) m heights. Over the EH region, the dominant modes of the monsoon ISO were found to be centred around 1200 m. Significant alterations of strong and weak phases of monsoon ISO as a response to altitudinal variation in the mountain surface were observed when latitudinal transect-wise variation of monsoon ISO modes were investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Springs and streams are essential sources of fresh water for the Himalayan population. To global and regional extents, these resources are being severely affected by climate change as well as anthropogenic activities. However, the effects of seismicity also have considerable influence on springs but are negligibly studied in that aspect. Crustal deformation, shaking, and movement of the earth's surface due to an earthquake, can modify the stream flow and water level in wells through consolidation of surficial deposits and development of new fractures. The present study addresses the effect of an earthquake on water springs in a seismically active zone. On 18 September 2011, the Sikkim Himalaya experienced a strong earthquake of magnitude (Mw) 6.9. To assess the impact of this earthquake on hydrology, we studied the springs located in the South Sikkim district, India. Our research indicates that few springs dried up following the Mw 6.9 earthquake in 2011 while some springs discharged at a higher rate than before. The springs which were dried up due to climate change were excluded in this study. Furthermore, our study suggests that in tectonically active mountain ranges, like Himalaya, an earthquake not only causes surficial deformations but also influences the hydrological framework at a regional scale. Therefore, the seismic nature of the terrain should also be considered for spring rejuvenation policies. • Impact of an earthquake on water bodies were studied. • Himalayan springs are sensitive to both climate change as well as earthquakes also. • An earthquake having magnitude Mw ≥ 5 may affect the discharge of a spring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impacts of the changing climatic regime on the trends of Indian summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR) are explored in this study for the Indian Himalayan region (IHR). The analysis is carried out for the period of 1951-2007 using a daily high resolution gridded data from APHRODITE project. At first, the percent departures of decadal rainfall are estimated from the long-term June to September rainfall values for the western, central, and eastern Himalayan (WH, CH, and EH) regions. Next, changes in the frequency of strong and weak phases of monsoon intra-seasonal oscillation are investigated. A non-parametric statistical method (Sen's slope estimator) is applied to the seasonal (i) mean rainfall, (ii) maximum rainfall, and (iii) frequency of extreme rainfall events of WH, CH, and EH regions to identify changes in their decadal, multiple year normals (NY1; 1951-1980 and NY2; 1981-2007) and long-term (NY3; 1951-2007) trends. The inter annual to inter decadal variabilities of the frequency of extreme rainfall events are explored by analyzing statistically significant intrinsic mode functions of the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) method. Results of our analyses have revealed existence of an alternative decadal oscillation of scanty and excessive summer monsoon rainfall trends for the WH, whereas excessive rainfall is observed in the last three decades (1980-2007) over the CH region. It is also observed that the frequencies of both monsoon strong and weak phases are decreasing for the entire Himalayan region. No significant trend is observed for the WH and CH regions for the normal periods NY1, NY2, and NY3 when seasonal average rainfall is considered. However, a significant ( p value < 0.05) negative trend of −0.04 mm/day rain is observed for the EH region during NY1 period. Similarly, the seasonal maximum rainfall trends for all the normal periods are found to be negative of which trends of −0.12 and −0.43 mm/day during NY3 and NY1 are observed for WH and EH regions, respectively ( p value < 0.05). No significant enhancement in the extreme rainfall event frequencies is observed for the entire IHR during 1951-2007. However, a statistically insignificant positive trend in the extreme event frequencies is observed for the EH region. A dominant cycle of ∼ 2.7 years of high frequency of extreme rainfall events is observed for all the regions whereas, a 12.2-, 15.3-, and 5.8-year cycles are observed for the WH, CH, and EH regions, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the national consultation meeting for sustainable development in the Indian Himalayan Region. Topics of the meeting includes the objective of the meeting which aim to foster cooperation in the implementation of the program and develop strategies to address climate change. Also discussed are presentations from notable speakers including R. M. Pant, Shirish Sinha, and P. P. Dhyani.

We present new insights on the time-averaged surface velocities, convergence and extension rates along arc-normal transects in Kumaon, Garhwal and Kashmir-Himachal regions in the Indian Himalaya from 13 years of high-precision Global Positioning System (GPS) time series (1995-2008) derived from GPS data at 14 GPS permanent and 42 campaign stations between $$29.5{-}35^{\circ }\hbox {N}$$ and $$76{-}81^{\circ }\hbox {E}$$ . The GPS surface horizontal velocities vary significantly from the Higher to Lesser Himalaya and are of the order of 30 to 48 mm/year NE in ITRF 2005 reference frame, and 17 to 2 mm/year SW in an India fixed reference frame indicating that this region is accommodating less than 2 cm/year of the India-Eurasia plate motion ( $${\sim }4~\hbox {cm/year}$$ ). The total arc-normal shortening varies between $${\sim }10{-}14~\hbox {mm/year}$$ along the different transects of the northwest Himalayan wedge, between the Indo-Tsangpo suture to the north and the Indo-Gangetic foreland to the south indicating high strain accumulation in the Himalayan wedge. This convergence is being accommodated differentially along the arc-normal transects; $${\sim } 5{-}10~\hbox {mm/year}$$ in Lesser Himalaya and 3-4 mm/year in Higher Himalaya south of South Tibetan Detachment. Most of the convergence in the Lesser Himalaya of Garhwal and Kumaon is being accommodated just south of the Main Central Thrust fault trace, indicating high strain accumulation in this region which is also consistent with the high seismic activity in this region. In addition, for the first time an arc-normal extension of $${\sim }6~\hbox {mm/year}$$ has also been observed in the Tethyan Himalaya of Kumaon. Inverse modeling of GPS-derived surface deformation rates in Garhwal and Kumaon Himalaya using a single dislocation indicate that the Main Himalayan Thrust is locked from the surface to a depth of $${\sim }15{-}20~\hbox {km}$$ over a width of 110 km with associated slip rate of $${\sim }16{-}18~\hbox {mm/year}$$ . These results indicate that the arc-normal rates in the Northwest Himalaya have a complex deformation pattern involving both convergence and extension, and rigorous seismo-tectonic models in the Himalaya are necessary to account for this pattern. In addition, the results also gave an estimate of co-seismic and post-seismic motion associated with the 1999 Chamoli earthquake, which is modeled to derive the slip and geometry of the rupture plane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Himalayan mountain system to the north of the Indian land mass with arcuate strike of NW-SE for about 2400 km holds one of the largest concentration of glaciers outside the polar regions in its high-altitude regions. Perennial snow and ice-melt from these frozen reservoirs is used in catchments and alluvial plains of the three major Himalayan river systems, i.e. the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra for irrigation, hydropower generation, production of bio-resources and fulfilling the domestic water demand. Also, variations in the extent of these glaciers are understood to be a sensitive indicator of climatic variations of the earth system and might have implications on the availability of water resources in the river systems. Therefore, mapping and monitoring of these freshwater resources is required for the planning of water resources and understanding the impact of climatic variations. Thus a study has been carried out to find the change in the extent of Himalayan glaciers during the last decade using IRS LISS III images of 2000/01/ 02 and 2010/11. Two thousand and eighteen glaciers representing climatically diverse terrains in the Himalaya were mapped and monitored. It includes glaciers of Karakoram, Himachal, Zanskar, Uttarakhand, Nepal and Sikkim regions. Among these, 1752 glaciers (86.8%) were observed having stable fronts (no change in the snout position and area of ablation zone), 248 (12.3%) exhibited retreat and 18 (0.9%) of them exhibited advancement of snout. The net loss in 10,250.68 sq. km area of the 2018 glaciers put together was found to be 20.94 sq. km or 0.2% (± 2.5% of 20.94 sq. km). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deformation rates derived from GPS measurements made at two continuously operating stations at Leh (34.1°N, 77.6°E) and Hanle (32.7°N, 78.9°E), and eight campaign sites in the trans-Himalayan Ladakh spanning 11 years (1997-2008), provide a clear picture of the kinematics of this region as well as the convergence rate across northwestern Himalaya. All the Ladakh sites move 32-34 mm/year NE in the ITRF2005 reference frame, and their relative velocities are 13-16 mm/year SW in the Indian reference frame and ~19 mm/year W with reference to the Lhasa IGS station in southeastern Tibet. The results indicate that there is no statistically significant deformation in the 200-km stretch between the continuous sites Leh and Hanle as well as between Leh and Nubra valley sites along the Karakoram fault, whereas the sites in and around the splayed Karakoram fault region indicate surface deformation of 2.5 mm/year. Campaign sites along the Karakoram fault zone indicate a fault parallel surface motion of 1.4-2.5 mm/year in the Tangste and western Panamik segment of the Karakoram fault, which quantifies the best possible GPS-derived dextral slip rate of 3 mm/year along this fault during this 11-year period. Baselines of Ladakh sites show convergence rates of 15-18 mm/year with respect to south India and 12-15 mm/year with respect to Delhi in north India and Almora in the Himalaya ~400 km north-northeast of Delhi. These constitute an arc normal convergence of 12-15 mm/year across the western Himalaya, which is consistent with arc normal convergence all along the Himalayan arc from west to east. Baseline extension rates of 14-16 mm/year between Lhasa and Ladakh sites are consistent with the east-west extension rate of Tibetan Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to the article "Summer monsoon rainfall trends in the Indian Himalayan region" that was published in a previous issue is presented.

The article discusses the necessity of strengthening mountain-specific research. It states that the Himalaya holds a special position with vast, complex and highly variable in space and time, making difficult to understand and characterize with the best scientific efforts. Information on workshop which mainly targeted stock of the present state of research, and associated gaps and discrepancies, is offered.

Information about the National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) Researchers Fellowship programme' two-day Himalayan Researchers Consortium (HRC) is presented which was organized with an aim to provide a platform for Himalayan researchers in India to present and discuss their research findings for peer evaluation. Topics include lectures by subject experts for promoting biodiversity-based research in the mountains.

The article discuss the need of strategic environmental assessment of hydropower projects in India, to meet the demand and supply of energy. It mentions needs of harnessing hydropower projects in Indian Himalayan Region for maximum economic development. It discusses strategic plan for the future development of hydropower projects.