Geography - Research Publications

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://kr.cup.edu.in/handle/32116/93

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 67

Microfossil Assemblage from Dhok Pathan Formation (Middle Siwaliks) exposed near Polian Prohita, Una District, Himachal Pradesh, India
(The Society of Earth Scientists, 2015) Sharma, K. Milankumar; Singh, Shyam Sundar; P.V., Vipina
The Fluvial molassic sediments of Middle Siwalik which is considered to be deposited within the time range from 10.1-5.1 Ma holds a long record of the provenance and palaeoenvironmental history of Siwalik foreland basin. A mudstone bed of Dhok Pathan Formation exposed near Polian Prohita, Una district, Himachal Pradesh has yielded a diverse fossil assemblage. The present assemblage include mollusks Parreysia sp., Lamillidens sp., Melanoides sp. and Gyraulus sp. The charophytes include Chara globularis globularis, Chara globularis aspera, Chara sp. indet, Lychnothamus breviovatus and Lamprothamnium papulosum. Ostracodes Stenocypris sp. and Candona sp. have also been reported here. Fish teeth of certain morphotypes belonging to the Channidae and Cyprinidae families were also recorded. The majority of the fossil assemblage suggested that a warm tropical to subtropical humid climatic condition was prevailing during the deposition of these sediments. As this fossil assemblage is found restricted to a particular mudstone bed it can be inferred that there existed a localized swampy to overbank pond environment in within the braided river system deposits of Dhok Pathan Formation.
Phytosaurian Osteoderms From The Late Triassic Tiki Formation (Shahdol District, Madhya Pradesh), India
(The Palaeontological Society of India, 2015) Sharma, K. Milankumar; Kumar, Jitendra
The Late Triassic fossiliferous deposits of the Tiki Fomation of the South Rewa Gondwana Basin of India, is well known for its vertebrate fossil assemblages including temnospondyl tetrapods, archosauroform rhynchosaur, and several crurotarsans such as phytosaurs and rauisuchids. The present paper describes some phytosaurid osteoderm remains for the ?rst time from the Tiki Formation. These osteoderms are found together with phytosaurian teeth, jaw and vertebrae. On the basis of their texture, shape, size, morphology and association with phytosaurian remains, the present specimens have been assigned to phytosaurids
Urban green space availability in Bathinda City, India
(Springer International Publishing, 2018) Singh K.K.
This paper aims to investigate and map the spatial distribution of urban green spaces (UGSs) in Bathinda City, India. Since urban green spaces affect the quality of life and provide various ecological, socio-cultural and economic benefits to a city, the spatial distribution of UGSs and per capita availability deserve greater consideration in urban planning and research. The UGSs are extracted from freely available Sentinel 2 image with spatial resolutions of 10 m (blue, green, red, and near infrared bands). The result indicates that the planned urban setups have higher area under UGSs as compared to the rest of the city. Analysis and intra-city comparison (ward wise) of distribution of green spaces and per capita availability indicate that there is an inequitable distribution of UGSs in Bathinda City. The study also attempts to accentuate the scope of green initiatives in the various wards of the city to ensure the well-being of people.
Towards Sustainable Development goals and Environment Stewardship through Geography Education
(DTE, NCERT, 2018) Singh, K.K.
Lithostratigraphy, trace fossils and palaeoenvironment of Paleogene sequences in Parwanoo-Subathu sector of Himachal Himalaya, India
(Geological Society of India, 2018) Singh, Ram Jivan; Sharma, K. Milankumar; Kumar, Pankaj; Ghosh, T.
The Paleogene belt of the Outer Himalaya in the Shimla Hills is represented by the Paleocene to Lower Miocene ma-rine to ?uvial rocks of the Sirmur Group which is divisible into the Subathu, Dagshai and Kasauli formations in younging order in Parwanoo-Subathu area of the Himachal Pradesh, India. The shallow marine fossil bearing Subathu Formation overlies the various Proterozoic lithostratigraphic units like the Simla Group, Krol Group, Baliana Group, Shali Group/Deoban Group and others with an unconformable contact marked by a thin layer of oxidized and ferruginised laterite, indicating prevalence of warm tropical climate before deposition of these shallow transgressive marine rocks. The Subathu Formation grades upward into ?uvial deposits,compris-ing an alternate sequence of reddish-purple mudstone and ?ne to medium grained, reddish-brown sandstone of the Dagshai Formation along with multiple palaeosol horizons. The rocks of the Dagshai Formation are further gradationally overlain by the plant fossil bear-ing ?uvial sequence of medium to coarse grained, massive, multistory, greenish-grey micaceous sandstone and minor grey-orange mudstone of the Kasauli Formation. In response to southward leading deformation front of the Himalayan orogeny, due to collision tectonics of the Indian and Eurasian plates, the para-autochthonous Paleogene fold-thrust belt exposed between the northerly dipping Main Boundary Thrust (MBT)/Krol Thrust in north and the Main Boundary Fault (MBF) in the south shows repetition of some forma-tions of the Sirmur Group along Parwanoo-Darampur-Barog-Subathu section of the Himachal Himalaya. The abundance of vertical and cylindrical burrows of Skolithos linearis, S. annulatus, S. ingen, S. bulbus, Ophiomorpha esp., Thallasinoides paradoxides, etc. within the upper part of the Subathu Formation suggest lower intertidal to subtidal environment. This ichnofossil assemblage along with Skolithos-Thallasinoids-Ophiomorpha represent littoral zone, intertidal to subtidal environment of deposition
Geochemistry and provenance study of sediments from Krossfjorden and Kongsfjorden, Svalbard (Arctic Ocean)
(Elsevier B.V., 2018) Kumar, P.; Pattanaik, J.K.; Khare, N.; Balakrishnan, S.
Major, trace and rare earth element (REE) concentrations in combination with textural and mineralogical analysis of sediments have been used to understand geochemical fractionation in the sediment due to weathering and subsequent transport in the Svalbard region. Surface sediments from different water depths and a short sediment core have been collected from two fjord system Krossfjorden and Kongfjorden, located between Lat: 78? 50? to 79? 30? N and Long: 11??13? E in the west coast of Svalbard (Arctic Ocean). Bimodal distributions of grain size suggest that the finer size sediments were possibly deposited from the suspended load and coarser size from melting of sea ice and iceberg. Geochemical study reflects that the variation of chemical composition of the sediments is due to first order fractionations of elements during the grain size reduction and subsequent transport. The chemical weathering in the catchment area is incipient and the grain size reduction is dominated by mechanical weathering. REEs are mainly controlled by the presence of less weathered aluminosilicate minerals in these sediments. The source rock composition of the sediments is intermediate between granitic and granodioritic, with negligible contribution from the mafic rocks. ? 2018 Elsevier B.V. and NIPR
Assessment of Urban Sprawl in Bathinda City, India
(Elsevier, 2018) LTS Guite
Urban sprawl denotes expansion of human population away from the central urban areas into low-density areas that are mostly car dependent communities. The exact definition of urban sprawl differs among researchers as the term lacks precision and sometime have negative connotation. While urban sprawl appears to be inevitable phenomena (Buzbee, 2000), it is criticized for causing environmental degradation (Seto et al., 2011, Wilson and Chakraborty, 2013) and undermining of existing urban areas as the margin expands. Batty, Besussi, and Chin (2003) defines sprawl as, “uncoordinated growth: the expansion of community without concern for its consequences in short unplanned, incremental urban growth which is often regarded as unsustainable”. In India, the unprecedented population growth and migration results in urban sprawl where the urban fringe towns and cities cope up with changing land use along the highways and in the immediate vicinity of the city for better space. Due to which, the dispersed development takes place, outside the compact urban and village, along highways and rural countryside (Theobald, 2001) and this growth of built ups outside the urban margins are termed as urban sprawl. Bhatta et al. (2010) argues, despite the dispute over a precise definition of sprawl, the general consensus of urban sprawl is characterized by “unplanned and uneven pattern of growth, driven by multitude of processes and leading to inefficient resource utilization”. Therefore, the methods of identifying urban sprawl is important in delineating the term from sub-urbanization using indicators (Ewing, 1997) rather than characteristics, as it is more flexible and less arbitrary. Five indicators (Hasse & Lathrop, 2003) proposed to examine the per capita consumption of land associated to sprawl includes: (1) density of new urbanization; (2) loss of prime farmland; (3) loss of natural wetlands; (4) loss of core forest habitat; and (5) increase of impervious surface. As in late 20th century, strong sentiment against urban sprawl has developed in the United States (Brueckner, 2000) that includes a lot of critics, alleging that excessive urban expansion have encroached farm land and open space. In western countries, urban sprawl is the consequence of suburbanization, and urban sprawl means excessive suburbanization (Mills, 2003) resulting into argument that urban sprawl is used synonymous with suburbanization in a pejorative way.
Spatial Analysis of primary education in Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir
(Sonhira, 2018) Sharma, Renu; LTS Guite*
Study on ‘Educational backwardness’ has become an interesting study among the researchers looking into the factors behind low literacy rate. In this concern, the focus on primary education has become important as it paves the ‘foundation stone’ for all other levels of education. The present paper is an attempt to bridge the gap between physical and human entity for primary education and seeks to find out ‘how space functions with time in relation to primary education; Does the physical arrangement and social setting of Reasi district is effecting the distribution of primary educational facilities. It is an attempt to understand the changing functions of space in relation to primary education, and provides description and interpretation of educational facilities in Reasi district in the context of Jammu division by looking at ‘the pattern of distribution’ and ‘change within temporal attributes’. It also seeks to find out how physical and socio-economic features affect the primary educational facilities in the area.
SLUMS IN LUDHIANA AND BATHINDA CITIES OF PUNJAB: A SOCIO-GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS
(Central University of Punjab, 2019) Kaur, Amandeep; Singh, Kiran Kumari
Wellbeing of slum dwellers needs efficient delivery of basic amenities and facilities. Over many decades several programmes and policies have been implemented to ensure decent quality of life to the slum dwellers but parts of many cities are still in the state of deprivation from basic amenities. This study analyses the status of available basic amenities and facilities in two cities of Punjab: Ludhiana and Bathinda. The study also highlighted the effectiveness of policies and programs in slums of both the cities. Field survey was conducted in different phases to collect data on eight basic amenities and facilities in slum areas. The study did not only brought out the status of availability of basic amenities but also analysed the level of satisfaction of the slum dwellers. The study also focused on the gender wise participation of slum dwellers in urban economic activities by examining the factors influencing their participation. The desirable data for the present study was collected from secondary and primary sources. The secondary data for the study was collected from publishes and unpublished resources such as Punjab Municipal Infrastructure Development Company, Municipal Corporations and Town and Country Planning departments of Ludhiana and Bathinda cities, research papers, articles, books, newspapers and other web sources. The primary data was collected through interview schedule and check list from selected notified and non-notified slums of Ludhiana and Bathinda cities. The collected data was analysed by using various statistical methods like descriptive statistics, multiple regression, simple probit and Student’s t test (two tailed). The study revealed that the overall condition of non-notified slums is more severe in iv terms of availability of basic facilities as compare to notified slums. Finding of the study for two cities suggest that slums of Bathinda city are in poor conditions of sewerage and solid waste management and slums of Ludhiana city lack government healthcare facilities, government schools, roads and public transport facilities. The finding calls for urgent attention to ensure the basic amenities in slums of both the cities. The study also advocates to shift the focus of plans and policies towards delivery of basic amenities and services keeping in view the quality of life of slum dwellers. The study brought up suitable recommendations for the upgradation of slums and efficient delivery of basic infrastructures and services in slums.
WETLAND IN SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXTS: A STUDY OF HARIKE, ROPAR AND NANGAL WETLANDS
(Central University of Punjab, 2019) Kumar, Gaurav; Singh, Kiran Kumari
Wetland ecosystem is regarded as one of most productive system of the earth surface due to its inclusive nature to supports a variety of flora and fauna. There are a number of functions and services provided by the wetland ecosystem which includes purification of water, protection from floods, groundwater replenishment, woods for fuel and commercial uses, fish resources, recreational and social services. Therefore, the study is an attempt to evaluate the socio-economic significance of wetland area and their relation with the livelihood activities of local people in Harike, Ropar and Nangal wetlands of Punjab. The economic value of the wetland products and services have been calculated from direct use value which employed different methods. The study also focused on the threat perceptions related to impact of human developmental activities inside the wetland boundaries. The people participation for the conservation and management of the wetland area has also been studied through their willingness to pay for such actions. The data desirable for the present study are collected from both secondary and primary sources. The secondary data for the study has been collected from published and unpublished resources such as from Department of Forest and Wildlife Preservation (Punjab), Department of Forest and Wildlife preservation (Firozpur), Department of Forest and Wildlife Preservation (Ropar), Harike Sanctuary Office, Punjab State for Science and Technology (PSCST), ENVIS, articles, research papers, newspapers, books and other internet resources. The Primary data has been collected through interview schedule of the iv people of selected villages/towns falling within one kilometre buffer zone around the Harike, Ropar and Nangal wetlands. The collected data are analysed by using statistical methods like descriptive statistics, regression and probit model. The study came up with suitable recommendations for conservation of wetland.
Assessment of urban sprawl in Bathinda city, India
(Elsevier B.V., 2019) Guite L.T.S.
Interaction between space and time is well documented in the study of urban sprawl, where expansion of urban margins becomes the outcome of changing functionality of space within the given time frame. While urban sprawl becomes inevitable phenomena, the paper seeks to identify the role of population growth and sectors of working population that contributed to the sprawl in Bathinda city, Punjab. In this regards, Reilly's law of retail gravitation is analyzed for spatial expansion of built up areas. Using remote sensing and GIS (Geographical Information System) as a platform for creating land use land cover changes from Landsat images reveals the change matrix for the different land use classification. Thus, readdressing urban sprawl as an outcome of increasing retail sector is an interesting finding that perhaps would further enhances knowledge in urban research.
The hazardous 2017-2019 surge and river damming by Shispare Glacier, Karakoram
(Nature Research, 2020) Bhambri, R; Watson, C.S; Hewitt, K; Haritashya, U.K; Kargel, J.S; Pratap, Shahi A; Chand, P; Kumar, A; Verma, A; Govil, H.
In 2017-2019 a surge of Shispare Glacier, a former tributary of the once larger Hasanabad Glacier (Hunza region), dammed the proglacial river of Muchuhar Glacier, which formed an ice-dammed lake and generated a small Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF). Surge movement produced the highest recorded Karakoram glacier surface flow rate using feature tracking (~18 ± 0.5 m d−1) and resulted in a glacier frontal advance of 1495 ± 47 m. The surge speed was less than reports of earlier Hasanabad advances during 1892/93 (9.3 km) and 1903 (9.7 km). Surges also occurred in 1973 and 2000-2001. Recent surges and lake evolution are examined using feature tracking in satellite images (1990-2019), DEM differencing (1973-2019), and thermal satellite data (2000-2019). The recent active phase of Shispare surge began in April 2018, showed two surface flow maxima in June 2018 and May 2019, and terminated following a GLOF on 22-23 June 2019. The surge likely had hydrological controls influenced in winter by compromised subglacial flow and low meltwater production. It terminated during summer probably because increased meltwater restored efficient channelized flow. We also identify considerable heterogeneity of movement, including spring/summer accelerations. 2020, The Author(s).
Mapping and Monitoring the Selected Wetlands of Punjab, India, Using Geospatial Techniques
(Springer, 2020) Kumar, G; Singh, K.K.
Wetland inventories especially on their spatial extent are a prerequisite for management and conservation of any wetland. The advancement in geospatial techniques has offered a wide range of methodological applications to prepare the inventories and to understand the dynamics of wetlands. The freely available Landsat imagery has been widely used in extracting spatial and temporal information about wetlands. The literature suggests that wetland has declined all over the globe over the past few decades. This study aims to prepare land use/land cover information of three wetlands of Punjab (Harike, Ropar, and Nangal) through direct on screen digitization and through digital processing using automatic digital indices�as well. Evaluation of the performance of two band indices, normalized difference water index (NDWI) and modified normalized difference water index (MNDWI) is also taken up in the present study. Landsat data of two periods-1990/91 and of 2018 are used for the study to perform two band indices. The result indicates that the NDWI and MNDWI are less time consuming and serve the purpose of mapping and monitoring wetlands with higher accuracy. � 2020, Indian Society of Remote Sensing.
Late-Holocene climate response and glacial fluctuations revealed by the sediment record of the monsoon-dominated Chorabari Lake, Central Himalaya
(SAGE Publications Ltd, 2020) Shukla, T; Mehta, M; Dobhal, D.P; Bohra, A; Pratap, B; Kumar, A.
We studied a periglacial lake situated in the monsoon-dominated Central Himalaya where an interplay of monsoonal precipitation and glacial fluctuations during the late Holocene is well preserved. A major catastrophe occurred on 16-17 June 2013, with heavy rains causing rupturing of the moraine-dammed Chorabari Lake located in the Mandakini basin, Central Himalaya, and exposed 8-m-thick section of the lacustrine strata. We reconstructed the late-Holocene climatic variability in the region using multi-parametric approach including magnetic, mineralogical and chemical (XRF) properties of sediments, paired with grain size and optically simulated luminescence (OSL) dating. The OSL chronology suggests that the lake was formed by a lateral moraine during the deglaciation phase of Chorabari Glacier between 4.2 and 3.9 ka and thereafter the lake deposited about 8-m-thick sediment sequence in the past 2.3 ka. The climatic reconstruction of the lake broadly represents the late-Holocene glacial chronology of the Central Himalaya coupled with many short-term climatic perturbations recorded at a peri-glacial lake setting. The major climatic phases inferred from the study suggests (1) a cold period between 260 BCE and 270 CE, (2) warmer conditions between 900 and 1260 CE for glacial recession and (3) glacial conditions between ~1370 and 1720 CE when the glacier gained volume probably during the 'Little Ice Age" (LIA). We suggest a high glacial sensitivity to climatic variability in the monsoon-dominated region of the Himalaya. The Author(s) 2020.
A geospatial investigation of interlinkage between basement fault architecture and coastal aquifer hydrogeochemistry
(Elsevier B.V., 2020) Das P.P.; Mohapatra P.P.; Goswami S.; Mishra M.; Pattanaik J.K.
The Mahanadi delta, deposited on a series of horst and graben basement structures, is considered an extension of the East Lambert Rift of Antarctica. Current study is based on the hydrogeochemical assessment of this deltaic aquifer system and geospatial analysis thereof, to appreciate the basement structure influence on groundwater chemistry. Major ion chemistry of subsurface waters portrays a distinct saline contamination across the terrain and varied regimes of water types, specifically with respect to southern and northern parts of this aquifer system. Findings of the study indicate a general near surface saline horizon and significant fragmentation of the hydrostatic units. This, in turn, implies noteworthy influence of formational water to salinity regimes and basin structural changes for the escape of these waters to surroundings. A plot of recent low intensity earthquakes displays proximity of epicenters to the faults as well as striking similarity to the trend of terrestrial faults indicating multiple reactivations of the faults. To further corroborate the above findings, spatial pattern analysis of individual hydrochemical variables is carried out which reveals specific clusters of sources (groundwater mixing) and sinks (groundwater dispersion) in proximity to basement fault dispositions. While the faults can be disregarded as conduits or barriers owing to their great depth, the overlying sedimentary mass, particularly, the horizons with significant clayey content have been distorted due to post rift subsidence and fault reactivations. A proximity analysis of ionic clusters points towards a greater influence of longitudinal faults to that of the transverse ones on groundwater mixing or dispersion.
Assessment of surface water and groundwater interaction using hydrogeology, hydrochemical and isotopic constituents in the Imphal river basin, Northeast India
(Elsevier, 2020) Kshetrimayum, K.S; Laishram, P.
The surface water and groundwater interaction in the Imphal River Basin in Northeast India using hydrogeology, hydrochemical and isotopic constituents has examined to elucidate hydrochemical evolution, surface water and groundwater mixing and recharge condition. Groundwater is characterized by Ca2+Cl - HCO3 -facies while surface water exhibits Ca2+ Cl- type. Surface water prevailed the intermediate stage of chemical evolution while groundwater characterizes the late stage of chemical evolution. Analysis of flow net combined with hydrogeologic sections revealed significant relationship of surface water and groundwater in the basin. The upper and lower reaches are characterized by contour heads showing an upstream pointing curvature due to depression induced by groundwater discharge where contour lines cross a gaining stream. The middle reach is marked by contour curvature pointing downstream owing to mounding induced by groundwater recharge where it crosses a losing stream. Groundwater shows markedly depleted isotopic composition than surface water. Both surface water and groundwater fall below Global Meteoric Water Line and Local Meteoric Water Line indicating the source of water through infiltratio,n of modern precipitation. The slope of the evaporation line and the original composition of water are identified as 4.92 and 􀀀6.58‰ and 􀀀42.17‰, respectively. Isotopic d-excess values revealed isotopic composition of semi-arid climate. 2020 Elsevier B.V.
The first specimen of Deinotherium indicum (Mammalia, Proboscidea, Deinotheriidae) from the late Miocene of Kutch, India
(Cambridge University Press, 2020) Singh, N.P; Jukar, A.M; Patnaik, R; Sharma, K.M; Singh, N.A; Singh, Y.P.
Deinotheriidae Bonaparte, 1845 is a family of browsing proboscideans that were widespread in the Old World during the Neogene. From Miocene deposits in the Indian subcontinent, deinotheres are known largely from dental remains. Both large and small species have been described from the region. Previously, only small deinothere species have been identified from Kutch in western India. In the fossiliferous Tapar beds in Kutch, dental remains have been referred to the small species Deinotherium sindiense Lydekker, 1880, but the specimens are too fragmentary to be systematically diagnostic. Here, we describe a large p4 of a deinothere from the Tapar beds and demonstrate that it is morphologically most similar to Deinotherium indicum Falconer, 1845, a large species of deinothere, thereby confirming the identity of deinotheres at Tapar. Deinotherium indicum from Tapar is larger than other deinotheres identified from Kutch and is the first occurrence of the species in the region. This new specimen helps constrain the age of the Tapar beds to the Tortonian and increases the biogeographic range of this species - hitherto only known from two localities on the subcontinent. This specimen also highlights the morphological diversity of South Asian deinothere p4s and allows us to reassess dental apomorphies used to delimit Indian deinothere species. Lastly, we argue that by the late Miocene, small deinotheres in Kutch were replaced by the large Deinotherium indicum. Copyright � 2020, The Paleontological Society.
Analyzing shoreline dynamicity and the associated socioecological risk along the Southern Odisha Coast of India using remote sensing-based and statistical approaches
(Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2021-02-06T00:00:00) Mishra, Manoranjan; Acharyya, Tamoghna; Chand, Pritam; Santos, Celso Augusto Guimar�es; Kar, Dipika; Das, Prabhu Prasad; Pattnaik, Namita; Silva, Richarde Marques da; Nascimento, Thiago Victor Medeiros do
The coastal zone is an extremely volatile environment and is constantly changing. We assessed short- and long-term shoreline changes in the Ganjam district of Odisha on the eastern coast of India from 1990 to 2019 using Landsat satellite imagery and the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) tool in a geographic information system. In addition, we have also projected the likely future coastline position for the 2030�2040 period and the possible impact on the socioecology of the shoreline. In this study, we used the endpoint rate (EPR) analysis, weighted linear regression (WLR) analysis, and trigonometric functions to analyze the shoreline from 1990 to 2019 and also forecasted for year 2030 and 2040. The shoreline of the Ganjam coastal zone is one of the most biologically productive ecosystems in the world, and it is well-known due to the breeding and mass nesting grounds of olive ridley turtles and the economically connected ports, famous beaches, and cyclone-prone areas. During the study period (1990�2019), the average erosion and accretion rates in the Ganjam shoreline were ?2.58 m/year and 11.63 m/year, respectively. The rate of shoreline erosion increased during years of cyclone landfall, which was revealed during the short-term shoreline analysis of the periods from 1995 to 2000 (1999 super cyclone) and 2015 to 2019 (2019 category�IV cyclone Fani). The short- to long-term analyses of the shoreline assisted in identifying erosion (Ramyapatna, Podampetta) and accretion (southern part of Gopalpur port, spits along the Bahuda and Rushikulya Rivers) hotspots within the Ganjam coastal zone. The identified erosion hotspots could submerge a significant number of coastal villages that serve as breeding and mass nesting grounds for olive ridley turtles. The dominant erosion along the Ganjam coastline are likely to enhance socioecological risk and further threaten coastal communities in the future. The output of the undertaken research will benefit coastal planners, policymakers, and conservationists by helping them to formulate the most suitable action plan for coastal zone management with consideration of all stakeholders. � 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Perceptions and adaptation behavior of farmers to climate change in the upper Brahmaputra Valley, India
(Springer Science and Business Media B.V., 2021-03-08T00:00:00) Baruah, Ujjal Deka; Saikia, Anup; Robeson, Scott M.; Mili, Nitashree; Chand, Pritam
To better understand how farmers perceive and adapt to climate change, climate trends and a survey of farmer attitudes and behavior in the upper Brahmaputra valley zone (UBVZ) of India were analyzed. Rainfall and temperature trends were estimated in combination with the results from a detailed questionnaire of 384 farmers across 20 villages in rainfed areas of the UBVZ. From 1971 to 2007, the annual mean temperature in the UBVZ increased by 0.15��C/decade while summer rainfall decreased markedly. Logistic regression was used for modeling the perceptions and adaptation behavior of farmers. Farmers perceptions of climate change tended to closely match those estimated from the climate data, but farmers with better access to water resources, credit, and those with higher family income, higher production, and larger farm sizes had more options to adapt and were more likely to adopt techniques to cope with climate change and variability. Factors such as age, education level, and family size of respondents were less likely to impact farmers� decisions to adapt to climate change. � 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.
Decadal terminus position changes and ice thickness measurement of Menthosa Glacier in Lahaul region of North-Western Himalaya
(Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2021-06-05T00:00:00) Prakash, Satya; Sharma, Milap Chand; Sreekesh, S.; Chand, Pritam; Pandey, Vijendra Kumar; Latief, Syed Umer; Deswal, Sanjay; Manna, Ishita; Das, Suresh; Mandal, Sandip Tanu; Bahuguna, I.M.
Glacier ice-thickness measurement and distribution is one of the essential variables to assess present status of glacier-water equivalent and its volumetric reserve as well as to model the future glacier dynamics under the climate changing scenario. Yet, substantial gaps in ice thickness information exist for the Himalayan glaciers. The present study provides a long-term assessment (1965�2016) of recessional and area change patterns, as well as the detailed field-based (2016�2017) Ground Penetrating Radar(GPR), derived ice-thickness measurement of the Menthosa Glacier, Lahaul Himalaya. Additionally, the study examines whether the modelled ice thickness from remote sensing data is consistent with the field-based GPR measurement and how can it be improved. The extensive field surveys coupled with the multi-temporal high (Corona KH-4A) to medium resolution (Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper+ (ETM+)/Operational Land Imager (OLI), Sentinel 2A-Multispectral Instrument (MSI)) remote sensing data and cross-sectional GPR surveyed profile measurements have been used to examine past half a century (1965�2016) glacier fluctuation and the recent ice-thickness estimations, respectively. The results show that the Menthosa Glacier receded by 301.5 � 19.2 m during the past half a century (1965�2016) with an average annual retreat of 5.9 � 0.4 m a?1, whereas glacier lost 0.09 km2 ice in the frontal section. Field measurement over the past one decade (2006�2017) also conforms to a continuous recessional pattern and substantial glacier degeneration particularly the extensive surface lowering and significant appearance of ice-cliffs in the ablation and lateral zones over this period. The GPR measurements (2017) show the minimum glacier ice thickness of 24 meters at 4691 m a.s.l. (in the lower part of ablation area) and maximum glacier ice thickness of 55 meters measured at 4758 m a.s.l. (in the upper left-side tributary part of ablation area). Moreover, the modelled ice thickness derived from remotely sensed data is having Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) between 38 to 72 � 10 m as compared with GPR measured ice thickness. � 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.