Conventional energy resources are fast depleting and therefore alternative resources are required to sustain the fast progress and development of any nation. This situation is more pertinent to India where fast growing population and developmental activities are posing major challenges to the government as the country has limited resources of …
This paper reports regeneration status of trees in two watersheds namely Phakot and Pathri Rao in Uttarakhand. Seedling, sapling and tree density were greater in Phakot watershed forest than those in Pathri Rao watershed forest. In general, both forests were regenerating, although seedling and sapling population was higher in Phakot …
Cactus-like sillu has helped Garhwalis survive lean seasons It is an unlikely plant to tickle taste buds. It is covered with spines. People in Garhwal use its poisonous sap to kill and catch fish. When mixed with other herbs it is as good as a pesticide. But in drier, rocky …
Jim Corbett is held in great esteem in India as a compassionate man who had exceptional environmental awareness. A closer look however shows that this image is misleading and that he was in fact a fully paid-up imperialist. The continuance of the Corbett myth is indicative of our failure to …
The many faces of Himalayan herb bhangjeera Traditional medicine practitioners of eastern Asia know about this spice. People of Garhwal in Uttarakhand have many uses for the leaves and seeds of this plant grown in the upper reaches of Himalaya. But gourmets are yet to discover it. The aroma of …
Glaciers and small ice caps in temperate environments are sensitive indicators of the change in climate. Mountain glaciers provide a valuable tool for reconstruction of Holocene climate changes. The present work, thus, deals mainly with climatic change and its impact on the Himalayan glaciers based on the dating of lichens, …
Comparative study of normal and quality planting stock of selected indigenous fuelwood and fodder tree species of sub-tropical region of Garhwal Himalaya was carried out for selection of suitable fuelwood and fodder tree species for higher biomass production. Based on the findings of the seed and growth characteristics, it is …
A Garhwali radish, small and round and pink, is just what the doctor ordered Many people are familiar with white radish. But it also comes in black, red, purple, rose and lavender. The round, pink variety is a traditional winter vegetable in the Garhwal region, where it is known as …
Mountain communities have been adapting to changing environment for a long time. Traditional farming methods depending on recycling of available natural resources is the key to sustainable production systems. Local marketing systems have also played a vital role in reducing the emissions and food miles.
A comparative study was conducted on plant diversity in Panchayat forests and their adjoining reserve forests of three districts, viz, Pauri, Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts of Garhwal Himalaya since April 2003 to December 2004. Total 15 sites were studied.
Pack animals help reduce carbon dioxide pack animals, including horses and mules, are known to transport pilgrims and goods. Now, these animals serve another important purpose, a study has shown. They help reduce CO2 emissions. This, researchers concluded after studying six major valleys
The present study was undertaken in the six major valleys of Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand to understand and quantify the contribution of pack animals in reducing CO2 emission in Indian Central Himalaya. The study has demonstrated that horses and mules provide direct and indirect services to the society and country. The …
This article employs multiple methods to uncover how competing conceptions of nature, manifest through discourses of nature, influence ideas of how the reserve should be managed. Much of the research concerning biosphere reserves has focused on problems of ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation rather than the preservation of an ecosystem …
The term bioprospecting has been widely used to assess the economic potential of different plant species and their value-addition. Our folklore with embedded cultural heritage has tremendous possibilities and potential for bioprospecting. Among the over 8000 species of flowering plants growing in the Himalaya, nearly 4000 are identified from the …
This communication is the first attempt at contributing to monitoring and systematic gathering of information on the heavy metal profile of the environment, i.e. retrospective study of the environmental metal data (Pb, Fe, Zn, Cd and Ni) of the past 100 years, i.e. 1895
Water is the most important natural resource which forms the core of the ecological system. The advent of remote sensing has opened up new vistas in groundwater prospect evaluation, exploration and management. The groundwater resources of the study area, Rishikesh region of Garhwal Himalayas, are under threat due to population …
MUNGLI DEVI Bhansiya Chana, Almora district The six villages of Bhansiya Chana gram sabha in Shereghat, Almora district, Uttaranchal, share the water of river Jaiganga, a tributary of river Saryu. Mungli Devi, a 52-year-old landless thekedar, toils for close to 12 hours a day so that the 3500-odd users of …
In traditional water management, innovative arrangements ensure equitable distribution of water. Such arrangements are democratically implemented: the gram sabhas or farmer committees usually approve these plans publicly. The traditional managers play the role of a tribunal authority. In Almora district, two villages share irrigation water in rotation. Upstream Ladyura and …
the Himalaya mountains are among the youngest ranges in the world - its formation having begun only around 100 million years ago and still continuing. The range was formed by the collision of the Indian and Tibetan plates which lie below the Earth's surface and are continuously moving. With the …
