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Rama Pal , Uma Melkania , R. C. Dhiman

Abstract

Climate change and forests are intrinsically linked. On the one hand, changes in global climate are already stressing forests through higher mean annual temperatures, altered precipitation patterns and more frequent and extreme weather events. At the same time, forests and the wood they produce, trap and store CO₂, play a major role in mitigating climate change. During the course of this study, potential of carbon sequestration, one of the major intangible benefits, was studied for 14 Populus deltoides clones. The carbon content was determined in different parts of trees i.e., bole, bark and branches. The results showed that the carbon content was found in the order: bole>branches>bark. Clone 'WIMCO-22' was found the best in terms of carbon stock while WIMCO-42' was the poorest one in this respect.

Keywords

Populus Deltoides, Clones, Carbon Sequestration, Climate Change, Forests.

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Uma Melkania , N. S. Bisht

Abstract

Arunachal Pradesh joined the JFM stream in October, 1997 by a resolution being passed by the State Government. At present about 10 projects are being implemented under this scheme in different parts of the State. However, looking at the vast geographical area, unsettled status of land, low human population, community ownership and customary laws, the whole concept requires a review specially in North-Eastern States. In the present paper an effort has been made to analyse the problems and prospects of JFM implementation in Arunachal Pradesh.

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Shalini Chaturvedi , Uma Melkania

Abstract

In this study, soil organic carbon (SOC) stock and soil characteristics were measured in mixed oak and mixed pine forest for two years (2008-10) at different altitudes of Kumaon Himalaya. The study revealed that soil texture at selected sites varied from loam to sandy loam and soil pH ranged from slightly acidic to neutral. The SOC stock was found to be higher in mixed oak forests than mixed pine forests. The average SOC stock ranged from 110.37 to 125.03 ton/ha at nondegraded mixed oak forest site and 43.81 to 53.47 ton/ha at degraded mixed pine forest site. P₂O₅K₂0, TN and C:N ratio were also found to be higher in mixed oak forest than mixed pine forest.

Keywords

Forest, Kumaon Himalaya, Soil Organic Carbon

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Priyanka Agarwal ¹, Uma Melkania ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Environmental Science, CBSH, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, IN

Abstract

Monitoring of ambient air quality parameters (PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and NH₃) levels in the vicinity of a urea fertilizer plant located at Aonla, (U.P.) India, was carried out using the respirable dust sampler. The specific objectives were the determination of temporal variability of levels of ambient air pollutants and their relationship with the fertilizer plant emissions. Samples were collected for 3 consecutive years (2013-2015) from 5 different locations in the industrial area and the quantity of pollutants in the sample were experimentally analysed using the National Ambient Air Quality Standards recognized procedure, in an environmental management lab recognized by UP Pollution Control Board. The results showed a marked seasonal trend and temporal variability of pollutant levels in the study area that were higher in winter and lower in summer, while in rainy period levels were far less than other seasons. Annual mean PM10, PM2.5 and NH3 concentrations were found to be 30.574 μg/m³, 8.109 μg/m³, 22.024 μg/m³ for year 2013, 30.046 μg/m³, 8.129 μg/m³, 22.220 μg/m³ for year 2014 and 30.324 μg/m³, 8.361 μg/m³, 23.254 μg/m³ for year 2015 respectively. The concentration in the study region was jointly influenced by anthropogenic emission and regional natural processes, especially dust events and precipitation. The 24-hr values for PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and NH₃ in all the years from 2013 to 2015 were found to be lower than the prescribed limits of National Ambient Air Quality Standards, which prove the efficiency of the existing pollution control systems being implemented in the plant premises and the scope for new technology which could help in further lowering the emissions.

Keywords

Air Pollutants, Urea Fertilizer Plant, Anthropogenic Emission, PM₁₀, PM_2.5, NH₃.

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