Spatial Variability of Mass Movements in the Satluj Valley,Himachal Pradesh during 1990～2006

Satluj Valley is known to have a history of landslides and related mass movement activities since the geological times. Geological and geomorphological settings combined with anthropogenic activities constitute a propensity towards slope failure. During the last two decades,the area witnessed substantial increase in athropogenic pressure,mainly due to the exploitation of hydropower potential,changing landuse pattern and population growth. In addition,a shift of the climatic patterns in the form of larger area falling under the influence of rains was observed. These natural as well as anthropogenic changes in the area have resulted in increased spatial coverage of landslide in the area. This paper documents these changes during 1990～2006.

Sedimentological evidence of climate-tectonic interaction in the upper Satluj catchment of NW Himalaya

Quaternary valley fill deposits in the Upper Satluj Valley of NW Himalaya act as archives of changing climate-tectonic dynamics in a region.Quaternary landforms help in decoding the relationship between climate and tectonics.Kinnaur region is traversed by several active faults and thrusts such as the Kaurik-Chango Fault(KCF)and Sangla Detachment(SD),thereby making upper Satluj Valley tectonically active.Morphotectonic parameters such as width of valley floor(Vfw),Normalized Steepness Index(KSn)and geomorphological evidences such as the presence of huge strath terraces,narrowing of the river valley and palaeolake deposits point towards the tectonically active nature of the terrain.This arid,high elevation region is also climatically sensitive as it falls in a transient climatic zone which receives rainfall only during abnormal monsoon months.Excessive rainfall causes outburst floods,a common phenomenon in the area due to the blocking of headwater in the upper reaches of the Satluj valley.As a result,the Quaternary sequence is modified from time to time.The transition from hypo concentrated deposits to channel deposits and ponding events are prominent in the depositional sequence,resulting from a response to climate.The studied Quaternary sediments reveal that the Trans-Himalayan region of the upper Satluj valley is affected by tectonic-climate variability,making it vulnerable to geohazards.

Forest biomass density,utilization and production dynamics in a western Himalayan watershed

There is enough evidence to show that the forest biomass has decreased significantly in the Indian Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh. The government has responded through restrictive measures to check this decline. Using tree biomass as proxy for degradation, we assessed the current state of biomass within dominant land use types and examined its implications for sustainability. The highest above-ground mean tree biomass density of 1158 t·ha-1 was recorded for the reserved forest followed by 728, 13, 11, 8, 5 and 3 t·ha-1in the protected forest, fallow land, cultivated-unirrigated land, grassland, orchard land and cultivated-irrigated land respectively. Of the total ac- cessible biomass, only 0.31% was extracted annually by the local people for fuel, fodder and other uses. Though, the current level of ex- traction may be sustainable in the short run, insufficient regeneration is observed for long term sustainability. Forest biomass production was simulated for the next 30 years with a logistic growth model and the relative significance of input variables in influencing system be- haviour was analysed through sensitivity analysis. The model results highlighted the declining forest resources in the long run. Positive response through appropriate government policies can, however, change the scenario for the better.

First record of Capnodium berberidis from India

Capnodium berberidis,a sooty mould fungus,previously reported only from Pakistan in 1978,was recently observed on Berberis lycium in Jot Pass,district Chamba of Himachal Pradesh,India.Berberis lycium is a well-known small to medium sized spiny,woody,deciduous or evergreen medicinal and ornamental plant distributed throughout temperate and subtropical regions of the world.Disease symptoms appeared as thin,black to dark brown,easily removed superficial layer of hyphae on various parts of host plant including leaves,stem,twigs and fruits.The detailed studies on its morphology and taxonomy revealed it a sooty mould fungus Capnodium berberidis.As per literature consulted,this is the first report of Capnodium berberidis from India and probably second from world.