m n e o n i t a at n E Newsletter o ygbpihedenvis.nic.in/ENVIS Newsletter/vol5.pdfENVIS Newsletter : Himalayan Ecology 5, 2008 3 Though the present attempt is a conce ptual one and

ENVIS NewsletterENVIS Newsletteron Himalayan Ecologyon Himalayan Ecology

IN THIS ISSUE

! Resource distribution pattern: An approach 2

to quantification

! Potential and prospects of horticultural 3

crops in the Himachal Pradesh

! Galliformes of Himalayan biosphere reserves 6

! Theses on Himalayan Ecology 7

! Annual events at GBPIHED 8

! Forthcoming events in 2009 9

! A glimpse of Indian Himalayan states 10

at ENVIS website

Editorial

P.P. Dhyani Executive Editor

ENVIS Newsletter on Himalayan Ecology is an annual non-priced publication of the ENVIS Centre, which was established at the headquarters of the G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development (GBPIHED) in the financial year 1992-93 with the fiscal support from the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, New Delhi.

The fifth volume of this Newsletter contains three articles received from the staff/researchers of this Institute. The opinions expressed in these articles of the Newsletter do not necessarily reflect the official views of the GBPIHED or the editors. The content of the Newsletter may be quoted or reproduced for non-commercial use provided the source is duly acknowledged. Contributions to the next volume of the Newsletter in the form of research/popular article(s) and news item(s), etc., related to Himalayan Ecology, are welcome. The matter supplied by the individual/organization may be edited for length and clarity. Request for subscription of the Newsletter may be sent to the Executive Editor of the Newsletter. The comments/suggestions for the improvement of the Newsletter are welcome.

Under the Aegis of MoEF

Editorial Board

P.P. Dhyani, B.P. Kothyari, P.K. Samal

R.G. Singh, V.C. Sharma

Volume 5, 2008

The ENVIS Centre on Himalayan Ecology collects,

collates, compiles and builds quantitative and

qualitative databases of information in the fields

related to Himalayan Ecology. The information is

disseminated regularly, free of cost, to various users

such as DICs, universities/institutes, other ENVIS

centres and experts/individuals working in the

areas related to Himalayan Ecology.

Patron

L.M.S. Palni, Director

Institute URL : http://gbpihed.gov.in w ENVIS URL : http://gbpihed.gov.in/envis/envis.html

E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

(An Autonomous Institute of Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India)G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development

Kosi-Katarmal, Almora - 263 643, Uttarakhand

INDIA

forn mI l aat tin oe n m Sn yo sri tev mnE

ENVIS Newsletter : Himalayan Ecology 5, 2008

2

Resource distribution pattern: An approach to quantification

The Himalayan region in India contributes about 16.2% of the total geographical area of the country and

inhabitated by above 3.96 crore people. Yet the area as a whole continues to remain backward in terms of economy and

infrastructure development, and uneven distribution of natural resources. There are several techniques to measure the

concentration of distribution and dispersal across any region. These quantitative techniques are data-driven and termed as

Locational quotient, Index of dissimilarity, Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient, etc. The absolute figures of quantitative

analyses derived from inferential statistics may not always convey meaningful information particularly in the case of

decision-making process. Instead of absolute figure, decision makers/planners often require a judgment supported by some

fact and this fact could be provided through a framework of qualitative measures of quantitative data for higher level of

understanding. In this context, Gini-coefficient is an effective tool

as a measure of inequality in the distribution pattern of various

parameters in social sciences and economics, like studies of

landholdings, economic activities, income, wealth, expenditure,

etc. In the present article an attempt has been made to map the

distribution pattern of forest resources and net sown area of the

Himalayan region, and the dependency on these resources to a

great extent in the hill region. The quantitative techniques have

been applied to study the distribution of forest cover and net sown

area among different geographical locations (districts) of the

region based on the secondary dataset. The technique deals with

the cumulative percentage distribution of the two attributes at

different points/locations. The cumulative percentages of one

variable up to certain points are plotted on a graph against the

cumulative percentage of the other variable up to the same points.

The different points thus obtained are joined by smooth curve.

The diagonal line indicates equality i.e. perfectly ideal distribution. The shaded area “B” by the Lorenz curve

measures the equality. If the curve coincides with equality line, i.e. area bounded by equality life and Lorenz curve tends to

zero, then the distribution is said to be perfectly equal. In that case the Gini-coefficient (G) will be minimum. Mathematically,

the Coefficient has been derived by the following formula:

i=n i=n

G= S x y -S x yi i+1 i+1 i i=0 i=0

or, G = [(x y -x y )+(x y -x y )+(x y -x y )+ ………….. +(x .1 1.y )]0 1 1 0 1 2 2 1 2 3 3 2 n n

'G' ranges from 0 to 1 or 0 to 100% and indicates perfectly equal to absolutely unequal distribution, respectively. The

forest cover and net sown area of individual states with respect to the total reporting area of the respective state has been

taken for measuring the distribution pattern. The forest cover of the Himalayan states has shown more or less an equal

distribution across the region than that of net sown area, which is not evenly distributed among states/regions. Similar type

of regional disparities for the other land use parameters could also be derived to depict the uneven distribution of resources

across the region. This type of analyses are more justified when there is scarcity of resources, as only about 11% of region's

total reporting area is net sown (Nandy et al., 2006) and growing population pressure, reducing per capita land holding, is in

the region.

ENVIS Centre on Himalayan Ecology

Lorenz curve and equality line [Source: Pal, 1998]


3

Though the present attempt is a conceptual one and concerned with theoretical structure, which might have some

counterpart in the real world whereas an empirical model is pro real-world system either derived or based on the conceptual

model. The present technique is an attempt to transit conceptual system to empirical counterpart and provide a sketch to

map the distribution pattern of finite resources across the region. More relevant datasets of socio-economic parameters

along with locational references could also be used to measure the distribution pattern for effective developmental planning

for the sustainability of the region. Further, the information is always time variant (a dynamic model) and all natural

resource applications are dynamic models, as most problems involve change over time. So, a long term time-series dataset of

resource use pattern may be incorporated to get significant outcome in measuring the inequality in distribution pattern.

Nandy, S.N., Dhyani, P.P. and Samal, P.K. 2006. Resource information database of the Indian Himalaya. ENVIS

Monograph No.3, GBPIHED Publication, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora, Uttarakhand, pp. 96.

Pal, S.K.1998. Statistics for geoscientists: Techniques and application. Concept Publishing Company, New Delhi.

S.N. Nandy and P.P. Dhyani

Selected readings

Distribution of agricultural and forest land across the Himalayan region [Source: Nandy et al., 2006]

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

m

K

mr

Jam

u &ash

i

Himach

al Pr

desh

a

tac

l

Utra

nha

Sikkim

. Bng

h

W

eal

ills

l

ya

Meghaa

A

i

ssam

hl ls

uTrip

ar

a

Mizo

rm

aM

nipur

Nagaladn

d

Arunach

al Pra

she

Agri. land (%) Forests (%)

G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development

Potential and prospects of horticultural crops in the Himachal Pradesh0 0 ' 0 0The State Himanchal Pradesh (30 22'40” to 33 1240” N Latitudes and 75 45'55” to 79 04'20” E Longitudes) covers

255673 km area. It has large altitudinal range (200-7109 m amsl) and, therefore, known for the diverse climatic conditions, habitats and biodiversity. Winters (October to February) are very severe and heavy snowfall is recorded during the season. April to June is delightful and comfortable at the higher altitudes, though on the lower hills, this season can have more humidity than usual. July to September is the time for rainfall and the entire region becomes green and fresh with the streams swelling and springs replenishment. The summer temperature varies from the maximum of 38ºC to minimum of 22ºC and the winter temperature varies from maximum 15ºC to minimum 0ºC. The annual rainfall is 2909-3800 mm. The vegetation mainly comprises of tropical, sub-tropical, temperate, sub-alpine and alpine types. The tropical, sub-tropical, temperate and sub-alpine vegetation is mainly dominated by broad-leaved deciduous, broad-leaved evergreen, evergreen coniferous and


4 ENVIS Centre on Himalayan Ecology

Abbreviations used: 1=Bilaspur; 2=Chamba; 3=Hamirpur; 4=Kangra; 5=Kinnaur; 6=Kullu; 7=Lahau & Spiti; 8=Mandi; 9=Shimla; 10=Sirmour; 11=Solan and 12=Una

The district Kangra supports maximum number of species (34 spp.), followed by the districts, Bilaspur (31 spp.),

Mandi and Solan (30 spp., each), Hamirpur, Sirmour and Una (29 spp., each), Shimla (27 spp.), Chamba (26 spp.) and Kullu

(24 spp.). Least horticultural species were found in the district of Lahaul & Spiti (7 spp.). In 2006-07, among the

horticultural species, maximum area was covered by Apple (91,804 ha), followed by Mango (38,370 ha), Kagzi Lime (9,528

ha), Plum (8,396 ha), Orange (8,178 ha), Pear (7,662 ha), Almond (5,784 ha), Peach (5,134 ha), Walnut (4,832 ha), Litchi

(3,759 ha), Grapes (133 ha), Banana (129 ha) and Kiwi (118 ha). Least area was covered by Ber (34 ha), followed by

Strawberry (57 ha) and Loquate (70 ha). The production was highest for Apple (2, 68,402 MT), followed by Mango (40,159

MT), Pear (12,039 MT), Plum (10,546 MT), Peach (8,173 MT), Orange (4,650 MT), Kagzi Lime (2,977 MT), Galgal (2,862

MT), Litchi (2,851 MT) and Apricot (2,768 MT). Ber (19 MT) and Loquate (49 MT) showed poor production. The present

study showed that the production of the species was dependent on the area covered by the species. For instance, Apple is the

most prominent horticultural species in the State. It has wide distribution in the State. Apple constitutes about 46% of the

total area under fruit crops and about 76% of the total fruit production. The area under Apple cultivation has increased from

3,025 hectares in 1960-61 to 86,202 hectares in 2004-05. The area covered and production of this species is high as compared

to other species. Therefore, Apple is one of the major income-generating resources of the State. The year wise production of

the Apple in the State has been presented in Figure 1.

Table 1. District-wise distribution of major horticultural species in the Himachal Pradesh

Name of Species Botanical Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Apple Malus pumila + + - + + + + + + + + -Plum Prunus domestica + + + + + + + + + + + +Peach Prunus persica + + + + + + - + + + + +Apricot Prunus armeniaca + + + + + + + + + + + +Pear Pyrus communis + + + + + + + + + + + +Cherry Prunus avium - + - + + + + + + - - -Kiwi Actinidia deliciosa + + - + - + - + + + + -Pomegranate Punica granatum + + + + + + - + + + + +Persimon Diospyros kaki + + + + - + - + + + + +Strwaberry Fragaria indica - - - + - + - + - + + +Almond Prunus amygdalus + + + + + + + + + + + +Walnut Juglans regia + + + + + + + + + + + +Pecan nut Carya illinoinensis + + + + + + - + + + + +Orange Citrus spp. + + + + - + - + + + + +Malta Citrus spp. + + + + - + - + - + + +Kagzi Lime Citrus aurantifolia + + + + - + - + + + + +Galgal Citrus medica + + + + - + - + + + + +Mango Mangifera indica + + + + - + - + + + + +Litchi Litchi chinensis + + + + - + - + + + + +Guava Psidium guajava + + + + - + - + + + + +Jack Fruit Artocarpus heterophyllus + - + + - + - + + + + +Papaya Carica papaya + + + + - - - + + + + +Grapes Vitis vinifera + + + + + + - + + + + +Laquate Eriobotrya japonica + + + + - - - + + + + +Ber Ziziphus mauritiana + - + + - - - + + + + +Banana Musa paradisiaca + - + + - - - + + + + +

miscellaneous forests. The alpine vegetation is mainly comprises of herbaceous species. However, few scattered patches of scrubs, such as Rhododendron campanulatum, Rhododendron anthopogon, Juniperus indica, Rosa macrophylla, R. sericea, etc., are also found throughout the range.

Horticulture is one of the prominent farming activities in the State due to diverse agro climatic conditions. A total of

38 horticultural species are known from different agro-climatic conditions of the State. The district-wise distribution of

these species has been presented in Table 1.


5G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development

17831.4

30360.2

38647.4

46830.4

55169.8

69381.8

83198

86303.8

95023.6

83991

141643.2

198487.8

270648

268073.6

248450.8

378524

0 50000 100000 150000 200000 250000 300000 350000 400000

1966-70

1971-75

1976-80

1981-85

1986-90

1991-95

1996-20

2001-05

Apple Production (Ton)

Apple Area (ha)

In the present study, shift of horticultural species from lower elevations to higher elevations has been observed due to

climate change. Therefore, planning for the promotion of horticultural crops has to be done according to the local climatic

conditions prevailing in the State.

Figure 1. Apple area and production (in average) for the years 1965 to 2005 in the Himanchal Pradesh

PLUM

CHERRY

STRWABERY KIWI

APPLE

PLUM

CHERRY

STRAWBERRY KIWI

APPLE

Figure 2. Some important horticultural species of the Himanchal Pradesh

S.K. Sinha, P.P. Dhyani and S.S. Samant



Galliformes of Himalayan biosphere reserves

The ENVIS Volume 10 (2007) of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) brings out detailed information on

Galliformes in India. They are referred to as ''gallinaceous birds” or 'game birds', and represent a diverse group of birds,

which comprises of 70 genera and 284 species in the world (Keane et.al. 2005). Of these, 45 species are reported in India,

which include megapode (1), partridge, quails, francolins, and snowcock (27) & pheasants (17) [Sathyakumar & Sivakumar,

2007].

Considering the information presented in the above-mentioned ENVIS Volume of the WII and the birds database of

LEAD-BR Centre at GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, the present communication attempts

to compile available information on the status, distribution and conservation of galliformes in five Himalayan biosphere

reserves, i.e. (1) Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (NDBR) in Uttarakhand; (2) Manas Biosphere Reserve (MBR) in Assam;

(3) Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve (DSBR) in Assam; (4)

Dehang-Debang Biosphere Reserve (DDBR) in Arunachal

Pradesh; (5) Kanchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (KBR) in

Sikkim, and one proposed BR in Cold Desert areas of Jammu &

Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh (CDBR).

Review of the database reveals availability/records of

total of 30 (Galliformes) species in target BRs of the Himalaya.

Reported richness of galliformes in different BRs is depicted

(Figure 1). While assessing the Galliformes reported from

different Himalayan BRs, the threat status as per IUCN

categories was as follows: Near Threatened (3), Vulnerable (7)

and the remaining 20 species fall under Least Concern category

(Table 1). Figure 1: Galliformes richness in selected HBRs

Restricted range species BRs where present IUCN status

Catreus wallichii (Cheer Pheasant) NDBR Vulnerable

Tragopan melanocephalus (Western Tragopan) KBR Vulnerable

Tragopan blythii (Blyth's Tragopan) DDBR Vulnerable

Arborophila mandellii (Chestnut breasted Partridge) DDBR Vulnerable

Francolinus gularis (Swamp Francolin) MBR, DSBR, DDBR Vulnerable

Lophophorus scalteri (Scalter's Monal) DDBR Vulnerable

Arborophila atrogularis (White-cheeked Partridge) MBR, DDBR Near Threatened

Crossopitilon harmani (Tibetan-eared Pheasant) DDBR Near Threatened

Tragopan satyra (Satyr Tragopan) DDBR, KBR, NDBR Near Threatened

Table 1: Restricted range species of the Himalayan biosphere reserves.

The funding support for Lead-BR Centre, GBPIHED (F.No. 08/12/05-CS/BR dated 30.12. 2005) from the Ministry of Environment and Forests is greatfully acknowledged.

Keane, A., Brooke, M.D. and McGowan, P.K.J. (2005). Correlates of extinction risk and hunting pressure in gamebirds

(Galliformes). Biological Conservation 126(2): 216-233

Sathyakumar, S., Sivakumar, K. eds. (2007). Galliformes of India. Envis Bulletin: Wildlife and Protected Areas 10(1) : 252.

Manju Pandey and Kishor Kumar

References



Theses on Himalayan Ecology

Research work for following doctoral (Ph. D.) theses was completed between 2003 and 2008 at the GBPIHED,

which was on various aspects of Himalayan Ecology.

S.No. Title of thesis Name of researcher

1 Viability and variability in genus Swertia with particular reference to Swertia chirayita A. Bhatt

and S. angustifolia in Gharwal and Kumaun Himalaya

2 Characterization of microorganisms from the hot springs of Uttaranchal Himalaya B. Kumar

3 Development of database and prioritization of Himalayan plant endemics G. Mahar

4 Resource dynamics in a Himalayan watershed and implication for sustainable development Hari Krishan

Baingwari

5 Studies in relation to cotyledonary senescence and tissue culture of medicinally important H. Pandey

alpine herbs

6 A comparative geohydrological study of some springs in Garhwal Himalaya Mukesh Chandra

7 Propagation of Saussurea obvallata (DC.) Clarke: A rare endemic medicinal herb of M. Joshi

the Himalaya

8 Effect of reduced tillage and Lantana mulching on soil microbial processes, soil fertility and Pramod Kumar

crop yield in the central Himalayan mountains

9 Characterization of plant growth promoting Rhizobacteria from Himalayan soils for potential P. Trivedi

biotechnological application

10 Assessment of diversity pattern in subalpine forest of west Himalaya: Recruitment strategy, S. Gairola

litter fall and nutrient return

11 Evaluation, propagation and conservation of Fritillaria roylei Hook: A high altitude S. K. Joshi

medicinal plant of Himalaya

12 Assessment of plant diversity and ethnobotany of Mornaula Reserve forest in Kumaun, S. Pant

west Himalaya

13 Propagation of Quercus semecarpefolia (Sm.) and Cedrus deodara Roxb. using conventional S. Tamta

and tissue culture techniques



!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

International Biodiversity day-2008 was celebrated on May 22, 2008.

World Environment day was celebrated on June 5, 2008.

A training program on “Statistical techniques for design and research” was organized on June 23-28, 2008.

Annual day of the Institute (GBPIHED) was celebrated ston 19 September 2008, which commemorated 121

Birth Anniversary of Bharat Ratna Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant Ji.

XIVth Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant Memorial Lecture entitled “Climate change, environment and aviation” was delivered by Prof. Roddam Narasimha on the occasion of Institute's Annual Day Celebration on 19 September 2008.

U-Probe programme monitoring and advisory committee (UMAC) meeting was convened on September 14, 2008.

Wildlife week was celebrated on October 3-4, 2008.

Biodiversity conservation orientation/refresher course was organized at GIC, Kausani on November 4-11, 2008.

Biodiversity conservation workshop was organized at GIC, Kausani on November 8-11, 2008.

Annual events at GBPIHED

Annual Day at GBPIHED (HQ), Almora (19 Sept. 2008)

UPMAC (U-Probe Programme Monitoring & Advisory Committee Meeting) (14 September 2008)

Biodiversity Conservation Orientation/Refresher Course (8-11 November 2008)

International Day for Biological Diversity (22 May 2008)

World Environment Day (5 June 2008)



?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

An International Perspective on Environmental and Water Resources. 5-7, January 2009; Bangkok, Thailand. URL: http://content/asce.org/conferences/thailand09/index.html.

International Conference on Water, Environment, Energy and Society. (WEES-2009); 12-16 January 2009; Contact: National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee-247667 (Uttarakhand), India.E-mail: [email protected]; URL: www.nih.ernet.in.

National Conference on Biofunctions, Biodiversity & Plant Resource Utilization. 30-31 January 2009; Gorakhpur, U.P., India. Contact: Dr. Malvika Srivastava, Dr. V.N. Pandey, Organizing Secretaries, BBPNRU of Botany, DDU Gorkhpur University, Gorakhpur-273009 (U.P.), India. E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected].

International Conference on Implementing Environmental Water Allocations. 23-26 February 2009; Contact: The Secretariat (Cilla Taylor Conferences), PO Box 82, IRENE, 0062, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Phone: +27 (0)126673681; fax : +27(0)126673680; E-mail: [email protected]; URL: http://wrc.org.za.

Beyond Kyoto: Addressing the Challenges of Climate Change- Science Meets Industry, Policy and Public. 5-7 March 2009; Aarhus, Denmark; URL: http://klima.au.dk.

Climate Change: Global Risks, Challenges, and Decisions. 10-12 March 2009; Copenhagan, Denmark. Contact : Jane Sogard Hansen, University of Copenhagen, Climate Office, Noerregade 10, P.O. Box 21771017, Copenhegan, Denmark, Phone:- +4535324251; E-mail: [email protected]; URL: http://climatecongress.ku.dk.

International Conference on Water, Environment and Health Sciences: The Challenges of the Climate Change (ICWEHS). 13-17 April; Puebla Cholula, Puebla Mexico. Contact: ICWEHS Organizing Committee: Phone: +52(222)2292647 of 229 2031; E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected].

HydroEco'2009 Hydrology and Ecology: Ecosystems Interfacing with Groundwater and Surface Water. 20-23 April 2009; Vienna, Austria. Contact: Karel Kovar, Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, The Netherlanads. Phone: +31 30 274 3360; E-mail: [email protected]; URL: www.natur.cuni.cz/hydroeco2009.

th5 World Environmental Education Congress. 10-14 May 2009; Congress Secretariat-JPdl 1555 Peel St. Suite 500 Montreal, Quebec, H3A3L8, CANADA. E-mail: [email protected]; URL: 5weec.uqam.ca.

International Scientific Conference on the Global Energy and Water Cycle. 24-28 August 2009; Melbourne, Australia. E-mail: [email protected]; URL: http://www.gewex.org.

nd2 International Conference on Biohydrology 2009: A Changing Climate for Biology and Soil Hydrology Interactions. 21-24 September 2009; Bratislava, Slovakia. Contact: L.Lichner, Institute of Hydrology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Racianska 75, 83102 Bratislave, Slovakia; E-mail: [email protected]; URL: http://www.ih.savba.sk/biohydrology2009.

First International Conference on Disaster Management and Human Health Risk: Reducing Risk, Improving Outcomes. 23-25 September 2009; New Forest, UK. Contact : Rachel Swinburn, Conference Manager, Environmental Health Risk 2009 Wessex Institute of Technology, Ashurst Lodge, Ashurst Southampton, SO407AA, U.K. E-mail: [email protected].

th13 World Forestry Congress. 18-25 Oct. 2009; Buenos Aires, Argentina. URL: http://www.wfc2009.org; Email: [email protected]; [email protected].

th9 International Plant Molecular Biology Congress. 25-30 October 2009; St. Louis, MO-USA. Contact: IPMB 2009 MU Conference Office 348 Heames Center, Columbia, Missouri, USA. E-mail: [email protected].

th9 World Wilderness Congress. 6-13 November 2009; Merida, Mexico. URL: http://www.wild9.org; E-Mail: [email protected]/[email protected].

Forthcoming events in 2009



PRINTED MATTER

If undelivered please return to:

ENVIS CentreG.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development,Kosi-Katarmal,Almora-263 643, Uttarakhand, INDIA

BOOK POST

To,

Des

ign

ed a

nd

Pri

nte

d at

Ven

us

Pri

nte

rs a

nd

Pu

blis

her

s, N

ew D

elh

i 25

8914

49,

9810

0890

97

A glimpse of Indian Himalayan states at ENVIS Websitehttp://gbpihed.gov.in/envis/him_states.html

http://gbpihed.gov.in/envis/nwl/vol_5/vol_5.html

[email protected] [email protected]

Visit our home page at

Electronic version of the Newsletter is available at

For further query you may contact us: w

http://gbpihed.gov.in/envis/envis.html

Documents

m n e o n i t a at n E Newsletter o ygbpihedenvis.nic.in/ENVIS Newsletter/vol5.pdfENVIS Newsletter : Himalayan Ecology 5, 2008 3 Though the present attempt is a conce ptual one and