Department-SENR

Out of four prominent forest types of Uttarakhand i.e., Subtropical Pine Forest (ii) Himalayan Moist Temperate Forest (iii) Tropical Moist Deciduous Forest (iv) Himalayan dry temperate forest, database on impact of forest fire on nutrient dynamics for subtropical pine forest and Himalayan Moist Temperate Forest has been prepared.

Sampling has been done twice and a total 360 samples has been analyzed to achieved the desired   objectives Soil physical properties pH, electrical conductivity, soil moisture, WHC has been completed. Soil chemical properties CEC, Organic carbon, Total/available N by alkaline potassium permanganate (Subbiah and Asija, 1956); NaHCO3 extractable P (Olsen et al.,1954) by spectrophotometer, Available Ca and Mg, Available potassium and sodium has been completed. Soil DTPA- extractable Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe (DTPA-Cu, -Zn, -Fe, and -Mn) were analyzed with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS iCE 3000 series –Thermo Scientific).

We have classified our sampling sites according to forest types categorized by Champion and Seth which were (i) Subtropical Pine Forest (ii) Himalayan Moist Temperate Forest (iii) Tropical Moist Deciduous Forest (iv) Himalayan dry temperate forest. We collected data of soil by categorizing forest type’s altitude wise. Due to time constraint in the project we were not able to collect data from two major forest types i.e., (a) tropical moist deciduous forest, and (b) Himalayan dry temperate forest types. The data published by forest department Uttarakhand shows that forest areas under Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary and Nanda Devi national park, Tons forest division and Upper Yamuna forest division and Champawat forest division fall in these two categories and are highly sensitive zones of forest fires. (Source: forest.uk.gov.in)

Changes in microbial biomass carbon has found when compared with fire affected and unaffected site. The results reported decreased in microbial biomass at fire-affected site in both forest type. The impact of forest fire on acid phosphatase (ACP) and dehydrogenase (DHA) enzymatic activity of soil has been estimated and the result concluded that ACP activity decreases after forest fire when compared with unburnt site of same forest type and DHA activity increases after forest fire. The soil basal respiration after forest fire has found to be decreased in both the fire affected site different forest type. The analysis of microbial properties has been to find out the changes in microbial properties. Diversity analysis will be done by adopting metagenomics methods. Decrease in percentage of Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria and increase in percentage of Proteobacteria has been observed in fire affected site at lower altitudes whereas decrease in Proteobacteria has been found at higher altitudes. Ascomycota has been found to be decrease in oak dominant fire affected forest where as in Pine forest this percentage increased. Basidiomycota percentage decrease after forest fire in pine forest and increases in Oak forest. Correlation of physical and chemical properties with microbial properties is under progress.  Next sampling will be done in the coming month of June to find out the impact of forest fire in Tropical Moist Deciduous Forest and Himalayan dry temperate forest.

The grid efficiency of 35 Electricity Distribution Divisions (EDDs) present in the 13 district of state has been analyzed. The results hilly terrain display greater inefficiencies as compared to the EDDs located in plain area.

The abundant and inexhaustible solar energy has been widely considered a viable solution to the energy-shortage problem as well as the pollution of the environment. Therefore second objective of study aims to assess the current status, availability, and future potential of solar energy options in 13 districts of Uttarakhand. The potential of solar energy using rooftop solar Photovoltaic (PV) system and ground mounted PV systems have been done.

• A GIS based method for assessing available roof and ground mounted solar energy resource are studied through the sentinel high resolution images.
• The total area under the settlement is calculated by use land cover maps developed in Erdas imagine 2014 software through unsupervised classification.
• The solar radiation analysis tools in GIS software ArcGIS 9.3 was employed calculate insolation across the districts of Uttarakhand. The analysis was based on hemispherical viewshed algorithm.
• The total amount of radiation is as direct, diffuse, and global insolation thus producing insolation maps for entire Uttarakhand state.

With the overlay function in GIS software the solar potential in the available roof area of the settlement area and annual electricity output of the Solar PV will be calculate by using following equations.

Available roof area for the installation of solar PV:

Wa= αJmβδ

(Wa is the available area for RMPV; α is the popularization percentage of PV; J m is the area of roof tops; β is the density rate of buildings; δ is the percentage of roof area).

Calculation of annual electricity output from solar PV for grid supply.

HY =W ηDT( y) ×10−3

(HY  is the annual available output electricity,(kWh/y) W is the total installed peak power, η is the overall efficiency from PV output peak power converted to AC power, ranging from 0.6 ~0.87, DT(y) is the annual or seasonal peak sun-hours (h/y)).

This method can be more reliable in using solar energy, and could be promoted in managing traditional energy risk and making energy development plans.

For this study we surveyed Van Panchayats and soyam forest area of 172 villages in 10 districts of Uttarakhand for assessing extent of anthropogenic disturbances and repeated forest fires on Van Panchayats and soyam forest. We analyzed the winter rainfall data of Uttarakhand for 114 years (1901-2015) to observe the reduction in winter precipitation. Total cumulative rainfall of winter months averages for the period 1966-2015 was 31.73 % less than the period 1901-1951. Reduction in (31-70.9 mm) rainfall category is about 85% of total rainfall where as in (>=70.9 mm till 90.9 mm) the rainfall has increased slightly or remain unchanged which is 19.23% of total cumulative rainfall of winter months averages. Maximum reduction in rainfall was observed in 51-60.9 mm range (1660 mm) followed by >121 mm range (-922 mm), 31-40.9 mm range (-749 mm) and 41-50.9 mm range (-655.4 mm) in winter months starting from November till March end. To assess anthropogenic disturbances in community forest 490 quadrate were laid, in 80.8% of sample plots there were heavy grazing/ browsing signs in 65.91% plots we observed signs of fuel wood collection. In 15.3% sample plots we found signs of forest fire and these were low altitude.

Pinus roxburgii ( Pine Tree) dominating forest.  Out of thirty two (N=32) tree species only twelve (N=12) species were having seedlings. Seedling population was only 19% of total sample size. It was found that about 99 % of the trees were having lopping of canopy and cutting of branches for fodder and fuel-wood.  Data of wood consumption rate at household level was also analyzed by categorizing village’s altitude wise. All villages were categorized in three categories based on their altitudes (I) 1000-2000 mts., (III) 2001-2300 mts., (III) 2300-3200 mts. We also collected data on present status of natural springs in 98 villages we collected one time data on 138 springs. It was found that among the observed springs about only 39.93% were perennial, 47.8% of springs only give water till nine months, and 13.7% springs provide water for six (N=6) months only. 61.5% of springs have shrieked in total discharge days by 90-150 days annually.

In order to achieve the project objectives data from both primary and secondary sources has been utilized. The main source of secondary data is Census of India 2001 and 2011, while primary data is being collected through a field methods including key person interviews and household surveys. A pre-tested questionnaire that covers all socio-economic, environmental, and developmental issues that affect the life of a rural households has been used for data collection. The main topics being addressed in the field survey include: Demographic information of the village, Availability of basic amenities (electricity, water, road access, clean cooking fuel), Proximity and quality of education facilities, Access to healthcare facilities, Availability of natural resources, Agricultural productivity and other income sources, Issues leading to out-migration and possible solutions, Data of out-migrated population (places and causes for out-migration)

The pattern of migration identified in this study closely resembles the migration pattern observed through analysis of census data, with Pauri and Almora reporting the highest outmigration in the state. It was also observed that most inter-district (or within state) migration in Kumaun region was directed towards plain region of Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar districts, including Haldwani, Ramnagar, Kashipur, Rudrapur, and Khatima. This is a heavily industrialized region and a large population of migrants from hills migrate to these cities as unskilled labour force. Inter-district migration in Garhwal region, on the other hand, was primary towards Dehradun, Kotdwar, Rishikesh, and Hardwar.On an intra-district level migration was often limited to block, sub-district, or district headquarters.

In order to check rural outmigration one of the most pressing concerns is to develop meaningful employment strategies in hill areas to ameliorate the problem of underemployment and poverty among rural households. In Uttarakhand a myriad of farm and off-farm livelihood options can be explored to ensure livelihood security and check forced rural outmigration. Two main sectors that have the maximum potential in this regard are sustainable tourism and farm based agriculture/allied activities. Some of the model initiatives for alternate livelihood options in Uttarakhand (documented in detail for the study) include: Goat Villages, Saur Heritage Homestay, Panchachuli House, SOS Organics, Sikkim model of organic farming development, Himachal model for horticultural development.

The study also identifies key policies that can be utilized in livelihood development and critical challenges and key gaps in successful implementation of such policies and alternate livelihood development projects, through interactions with local population, and review of published literature.

This study was done to provide the conclusive and comparative data on the waste generation, collection, composition and treatment methods adopted in three different socio economic groups in Haridwar district. The secondary data was obtained on a regional basis by selecting Urban Local Bodies in 7 cities of Haridwar district. The primary and secondary data was collected through the detailed questionnaire developed with an assemblage of question types such as generation, collection, transportation and disposal facilities of municipal solid waste of seven regions of Haridwar district, role of different stakeholders, waste generated in different socio economic groups, effect of family size and family income on waste generation, hazardous waste generated at the beginning/end of the year, amount of waste treated by land filling/recycling/incineration and the quantity of hazardous waste stored in the occupier’s premises to assess the current status of solid and hazardous waste management system of Haridwar district.

This study was done to develop of document on application of potential green technology in Uttarakhand through secondary data and review of literature.

Data was collected on manufacturing micro enterprises more detailed study has to be done for each major indicator like technology, training, raw material and market knowledge.

Data was also collected on service sector especially tourism in Uttarakhand is also one of the important growing industries. So, this sector needs to be explored more in terms of research work.

Database on the musk deer habitat suitability model have been completed for post monsoon and winter season in the study area (Askot Wildlife Sanctuary) , we have also collected data on habitat use patterns of the Musk deer during pre-monsoon, winter and summer season. At present data of habitat use pattern is being collected for second season of spring and summer season. Marking of the various forests types and alpine areas which are being used by Musk deer have been completed using direct and indirect evidences.  Pallet collection, hoof marks, direct sighting, data collection through herders and scan methods have been used to determine the habitat use pattern and marking the home range of Musk deer inside study area.

We have also collected data from villages situated around the Askot wildlife sanctuary for licensed weapons and there owners and data on illegal poaching activities inside the Musk deer habitat

The database of alien plant species occurring in Uttarakhand Himalaya has been upgraded. Earlier the database comprised of 265 species which was again updated and now the database lists more than 700 species as aliens. Almost 75% of the envisaged work as mentioned in Annexure has been completed however remaining 25% of work as mentioned below will be completed in the period of extension in order to achieve the objectives as envisaged in the project. Results of the study will also be published in reputed journals.

• Fractionation of bio-active methanol extracts using ethyl acetate, butanol and isolation of these fractions
• Bioassay studies of these fractions
• Determination of the active fraction
• Determination of TPC/TFC/TTC wherever applicable will be determined and correlated with their fungitoxicity using statistical tool
• Compilation, statistical analysis and interpretation of data
• Understanding the mechanism of fungitoxicity actions of the active plant extract.
• Dissemination of results through publications and scientific meetings.

A total of 90 villages from Six Tehsil have been surveyed and data have been collected. It is concluded from the study done so far that Ecotourism and Rural homestay program have the highest possibilities as alternative livelihood. The study highlight the issues concerning to the market inefficiency in the rural hilly area because of that majority of rural respondents of the hill area were not willing to adopt other alternate livelihood options. Preliminary results from primary data analysis also highlight that only 68% of the respondents were poorly linked to the market. Road connectivity was the major constraints to market linkages. We also observed that presence of middleman is also a hurdle to connect with the market directly.  NTFPs collectors from Tuini, Chakrata and Kalsi Tehsil have been linked to the local forest resource based NGO for value addition of their material and efficient market linkage. 65 households of the Tuini and Chakrata Tehsil have been linked To NGOs to grow Chullu (Prunus armeniaca. Linn.) And akhrot (Juglens regia .Linn.) on their farm land. Preliminary data and observation indicates that capacity building program will be beneficial to the rural respondents of the study area. To improve the economic condition of the area, an optional char-dham Yatra route Dehradun-Vikanagar-Kalsi-Chakrata-DevVan-Tuini-Hanol-Mori-Purola-Gangotri and Yamunotri would be beneficial. Benefit cost analysis have been done from the secondary data. Cost-benefit analysis of the alternate livelihood from primary data will be completed by July, 2019. Data entry and analysis of primary data will be done subsequently.