ID: 59227
Title: Transforming to hydrological modelling approach for long-term water resources assessment under climate change scenario - a case study of the Godavari Basin, India.
Author: K H V Durga Rao, V Venkateshwar Rao, V K Dhadwal, J R Sharma, R Jyothsna.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 106(no. 2), pp. 293-300. 2014
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Climate change, hydrological modelling, remote sensing, water resources availability.
Abstract: This communication discusses quantifying basin-scale water wealth by transformation from the presently adapted basin terminal gauge site run-off aggregation to distributed hydrological modelling approach. In this study, an attempt was made to propose modifications to simple monthly water balance model using time-series land use grids derived from the temporal remote sensing satellite data to compute run-off at basin scale. This approach will help in studying run-off and water resources availability with limited meterological parameters. The study was aimed at computing mean annual water resources in the Godavari Basin, India during the last 18 years (1990-91 to 2007-08) using the proposed approach and to compute availability of water resources during extreme wet and dry rainfall conditions in the basin. The land-use grids were integrated with soil textural, digital elevation and command area grids to compute hydrological response unit grids. Groundwater, reservoir flux, domestic and livestock water consumption and industrial water consumptive use were computed using the spatial data and integrated in the model environment to compute run-off. The model was calibrated and validated using observed discharge data at various prominent gauge stations in the basin. Long-term water resources availability in the basin was computed using the developed methodology.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59226
Title: Plant species diversity in unmanaged moist deciduous forest of Northern India.
Author: Mukesh K Gautam, Rajesh K Manhas, Ashutosh K Tripathi.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 106(no. 2), pp. 277-287. 2014
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Diversity, overstorey, protected forest, regeneration, Shorea robusta.
Abstract: The present study examines species recovery and change in community composition four decades after the management plan completely constrained all silvi-cultural activities in Doon Valley (India) moist deciduous sal forests (Shorea robusta). These forests experienced intensive commercial logging for an extended period (> 100 years). To discontinue disintegration and improve the diversity and regeneration, these were declared protective and consequently all silvicultural activities were abandoned. For this, species richness and regeneration were studied in the context of overstorey structure, employing nested quadrat method. Out of 130 species reported in the earliest-most study from these forests, only 68 species were recorded here. Change in community composition has taken place with Mallotus philippensis becoming dominant in one community; this association is new for these forests. Effect of overstorey structure was noticeable, highest species richness and diversity were increasing with a decrease in the tree density and basal area. These forests showed impaired regeneration progression; for all the groups there was a wide gap between the seedlings and saplings conversion to advance stages. Prospects of recovery are fair as several tree species were reported in juvenile stages with adequate density. Results demonstrated that conversion of forests having a long history of exploitation to protected forest is initially good, but for successful recovery, after a restitution time, it is desirable to emulate intermediate disturbance by selective harvesting of old and malformed trees. This will initiate gap-phase regeneration and channelize resources to lower diameter class tree to develop.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59225
Title: Climate footprints in the Late Quaternary - Holocene landforms of Dun Valley, N W Himalaya, India.
Author: Anand K Pandey, Prabha Pandey, Guru Dayal Singh, Navin Juyal.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 106(no. 2), pp. 245-253. 2014
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Climate change, geomorphic landforms and deposits, gradational processes.
Abstract: The Himalayan mountain front is characterized by front parallel longitudinal valleys. The perennial glacial-fed rivers Ganga and Yamuna experience first major gradient loss along the valley floor of Dehra Dun and produce characteristic landforms and deposits by the gradational processes of streams that are often controlled by climat fluctuation. In Dun valley, barring an isolated patch of ~26 and 20-ka-old terrace, no strath terrace older than the Holocene is observed along the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. A large stretch of Dun valley is being filled by piedmont deposits that started aggradation since > 40 ka until the begining of the Holocene and have since been undergoing incision. A similar trend is observed in upper Ganga valley, where multiple Late Quaternary aggradational terraces are observed. We analyse these landforms and associated deposits in the Dun valley to understand the role of Late Quatenary-Holocene climate fluctuations and their effect on associated gradational processes.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59224
Title: Active fault study along foothill zone of Kuman Sub-Himalaya: influence on landscape shaping and drainage evolution.
Author: Javed N Malik, Afroz. A. Shah, Sambit P Naik, Santiswarup Sahoo, Koji Okumura, Nihar R Patra.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 106(no. 2), pp. 229-236. 2014
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Active fault, fold and thrust belt, lateral propogation, river diversion.
Abstract: The Kumaun Sub-Himalaya region is one of the most active regions falling into Seismic Zone V along the Himalaya. The geomorphology and drainage patterns in the area of active faulting and related growing fold provide significant information on the ongoing tectonic activity. The Kaladungi Fault (KF), an imbricated thrust fault of the Himalayan Frontal Thrust system provides an excellent example of forward and lateral propogation of fault and related folding in both directions along the strike of the fault. The KF has displaced the distal part of the Kaladungi fan surface resulting into formation of south-facing active fault scarp with variable heights along the front. In the east, the uplifted fan surface is ~60 m, is comparatively higher in the central part with height of ~200 m and ~80 m high in the west. The variation in heights along the fault is attributed to lateral propagation of fault and associated fold in both direction (i.e. east and west) from the centre. These clearly starting at nucleation in the centre and propagating laterally in an elliptical manner. The northwest and southeast propogation of KF has resulted into diversion of the Dabka and Baur rivers respectively. A marked diversion of the modern Dabka river along its present course from east to west can be traced between Shivlalpur and Karampur towns, covering a distance of about 10-12 km. Similarly, the Baur river is shifted from west to east by about 5-6 km between Kamola and Kaladungi towns. The diversion of Dabka and Baur rivers can well be justified by the existence of the palaeo-wind gaps through which these rivers flowed earlier during the recent past. The gaps are characterized by about 0.5-1.0 km wide incisesd valley extending in NE-SW direction between Kaladungi and Karampur along the frontal zone.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59223
Title: Palaeogeographic significance of ' Yasin-type ' rudist and orbitolinid fauna of the Shyok Suture Zone, Saltoro Hills, northern Ladakh, India.
Author: Rajeev Updhyay.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 106(no. 2), pp. 223-228. 2014
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Carbonate platform, limestone succession, orbitolind assemblage, rudists, volcanic ridge.
Abstract: Along the Shyok Suture Zone in northern India, a -200 m thick limestone succession within the larger Saltoro Formation has been identified as a carbonate platform margin with build-ups. This limestone succession is overlying volcanic ridge. The partly recrystallized reefal limestone contains abundant rudists, echinoid spines, gastropods, algae and a rich orbitolinid assemblage. This faunal assemblage reflects a shallow-water tropical environment and also shows a close affinity with that recorded from the Yasin Group sediments exposed along the Northern Suture Zone in Kohistan, northwestern Pakistan. The rudist fauna from both sites resembles the Horiopleura haydenil Eordiolites gilgitensis association from the Yasin Group, and even the very distant classic latest Aptian-Early Albian rudist fauna of the Santander area in NW Spain. The presence of Late Aptian Horiopleura, Radiolitidae and different forms of Orbitolina and other microfaunal assemblages in the Saltoro reefal limestone dates the underlying volcanic edifice as middle Cretaceous or older. Rudists, nerineids, corals and foraminifers of Early-Middle Cretaceous age are widely distributed as reefal frameworks all along the tropical and subtropical Euro-African-Asiatic regions of the northern and southern margin of the Tethys. However, rudist build-ups may also occur far from the continental margins, associated with volcanic edifices like in the Caribbean, Sicily, and seamounts in the central Pacific region or, in the central Pacific region or, in our cases, volcanic arcs within the Tethys.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59222
Title: Active tectonics in the norhtwestern outer Himalaya: evidence of large-magnitude palaeoearthquakes in Pinjaur Dun and the Frontal Himalalya.
Author: G Philip, N Suresh, S S Bhakuni.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 106(no. 2), pp. 211-222. 2014
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Active tectonics, NW Himalaya, palaeo-earthquakes, tectonic landforms.
Abstract: The Himalayan region has experienced a number of M8 and M5-7.8 magnitude earthquakes in the present century. Apart from the release of strain builtup due to convergence of the Indian and Tibetan plates by seismic activity and aseismic slip, the tectonic activity in the current tectonic regime has also effected morphotectonic changes due to uplift, tilting of drainage basins, shifting or diversion of rivers and their tributary channels. Seismicity is mainly due to activity along numerous active faults, which trend parallel or transverse to the Himalayan mountain belt. In the outer Himalaya or the foothills, lying between the Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT) and the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT), some active faults have generated major earthquakes. The present article illustrates two such faults in the Pinjaur Dun and in the HFT zone at Kala Amb, Himachal Pradesh. Palaeo-seismological study carried out at Nalagarh in Pinjaur Dun has revealed Late Pleistocene earthquakes along the Nalagarh Thrust (NT) that separates the Palaeo-seismological study carried out at Nalagarh in Pinjaur Dun has revealed Late Pleistocene earthquakes along the Nalagarh Thrust (NT) that separates the Palaeogene rocks from the Neogene Siwaliks. The study shows evidence of at least two large magnitude earthquakes that rocked this region. The repeated reactivation of NT and HFT substantiates high seismic potential of the northwestern outer Himalaya and calls for more extensive study of palaeoearthquakes in this vastly populous mountainous region.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59221
Title: Seismotectonic implications of strike-slip earthquakes in the Darjiling-Sikkim Himalaya.
Author: Malay Mukul, Sridevi Jade, Kutubuddin Ansari, Abdul Matin.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 106(no. 2), pp. 198-210. 2014
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Darjiling-Sikkim Himalaya, dislocation modelling, Global Positioning System, Gish Transverse Fault, recess, salient, seismicity.
Abstract: The Darjiling-Sikkim Himalaya (DSH) is located over the Dharan-Gorubathan salient-recess pair and moderate thrust and strike-slip earthquake occur here. The hypocentres cluster not only near the location of the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT) or the basal decollement of the Himalayan wedge, but also well above and below it. The epicentres cluster over the mapped location of the Lesser Himalayan Duplex (LHD), suggesting that both MHT and LHD are active structures in DSH. The earthquakes below MHT can be related to transverse strike-slip faulting in DSH associated with salient-recent transition on both flanks of the Dharan salient. The 18 September 2011 (Mw 6.9) strike-slip event suggests that the western flank of the Dharan salient is also likely to contain an active transverse strike-slip fault like Gish Transverse Fault (GTF) on its eastern flank. High-precision Global Positioning System measurements (1997-2006) indicate that a maximum of ~4 mm/year convergence is being accomodated in the Tista Half-Window or LHD west of the surface trace of the GTF and DSH is locked south of 27 N both east and west of GTF about 10 km north of the Himalayan mountain front. About 3-4 mm/year sinistral strike-slip is postulated on GTF north of 27 N. Dislocation based forward modelling using two thrust dislocations with oblique slip and a sinistral strike-slip dislocation generated velocities that were closest to the measured back-slip velocity field in DSH.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59220
Title: Seismotectonics of the great and large earthquake in Himalaya.
Author: J R Kayal
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 106(no. 2), pp. 188-197. 2014
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Fault plane solutions, plane of detachment, seismotectronics, thrusts, lineaments.
Abstract: The best known seismotectonic model of the Himalayan Seismic Belt (HSB) suggests that the great and large earthquakes in the Himalaya occur at a shallow depth (10-20 km) by thrust faulting on the Main Himalayan Thrust, i.e. on the plane of detachment. The plane of detachment is the interface between the Indian sheild and the Himalayan sedimentary wedge. The recent earthquake data of the permanent and temporary local networks in the Himalaya, however, indicate bimodal seismicity at shallow (0-20 km) as well as greater depths (30-50 km). The source processes of the great and large earthquakes are re-examined in this article (the observations do not support a uniform seismotectonic model for the entire HSB). The four known great earthquakes (Ms ~8.0-8.7) in the Himalayan region, from west to east are the 1905 Kangra, 1934 Bihar, 1897 Shillong and the 1950 Assam earthquakes that occurred by different tectonic processes; each occurred in its own unique complex tectonic environment. Most recently, the 1988 strong earthquake (Ms 6.6) in the Bihar/Nepal foothill Himalaya and the 2011 strong earthquake (Mw 6.9) in the Sikkim Himalaya show that these are not the plane of detachment events; these occurred by strike-slip faulting ar mantle depth (~ 50 km). A review of all these significant earthquakes in HSB is presented in this article.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59219
Title: Intricacies of the Himalayan seismotectonics and seismogenesis: need for integrated research.
Author: O P Mishra.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 106(no. 2), pp. 176-187. 2014
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Geo-scientific tools, integrated research, seismogenesis, seismotectonics.
Abstract: The ' Science of Himalaya ' is a record of the most dramatic and visible creations of modern plate tectonic forces with hidden mystery of mantle dynamics, showing present-day convergence across different segments of the Himalaya. The Himalaya is standing as the water tower of Asia with high rate of uplift, hotspots of moderate to great damaging earthquakes, and the highest concentration of glaciers outside of the polar region, which need to be studied comprehensively using integrated tools of multi-disciplilnary science to resolve several intricate issues, including tectonics and seismogenesis beneath the Himalayan region under climate change scenario. The integrated geoscientific research using different tools of geology, geophysics, seismology and geodetic science help to achieve common cosensus among geoscientists on debatable issues related with the complex seismotectonic settings and seismogenesis. Here, several debatable issues related to the evolution of the Himalaya, its intricate seismotectonics and seismogenesis are discussed to demonstrate the need of integrated research for generating authenticate inputs for comprehensive developmental planning for the Himalayan region. It is inferred that results derived from integrated research by involving Indian and international institutions can provide a great opportunity to policy makers and planners to evolve a holistic strategy for natural disaster risk mitigation to make the Himalaya, the third pole, safer and prosperous.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59218
Title: Occurrence of rare earth elements in parts of Nongpoh granite, Ri-Bhoi district, Meghalaya.
Author: Mohd. Sadiq, Ravi Kumar Umrao, J C Dutta.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 106(no. 2), pp. 162-165. 2014
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: rare earth elements, Nongpoh granite, Ri-Bhoi district, Meghalaya.
Abstract: Rare earth element (REE) minerals occur in a diverse range of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks in various geological environments such as in beach placers, peralkaline granites, syenites, pegmatites, hematitic granite brecia and ion adsorption clays. There are many favourable geological environments in north eastern India where REE mineralization can be searched. Different ultramafic-alkaline-carbonatite complexes intruded in the Shillong plateau in North East India, e.g. the Sung Valley (Jaintia Hills), Jasra (Karbi- Anglong), Samchampi and Barpung (Mikir Hills, Assam) are favourable geological provinces for REE mineralization.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59217
Title: Anomalus silver concentration in volcano-plutonic rocks of Siwana Ring Complex, Barmer district, Western Rajastan.
Author: Rajeev Bidwal, S Srinivasan, L K Nanda, Atanu Banerjee, P N Bangroo, A K Rai, P S Parihar.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 106(no. 2), pp. 159-162. 2014
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Anomalus silver, volcanic-plutonic rocks, Siwana Ring Complex, Barmer district, Westesrn Rajasthan.
Abstract: Acid plutonic-volcanic caldera-related environments provide an ideal setting for uranium, thorium and rare metal concentrations. Siwana Ring Complex (SRC) is a well preserved, ENE-WSW trending elliptical-shaped collapsed caldera structure measuring 30 km 25 m, comprising basalt-rhyolite-pyroclastic seqequence intruded by peralkaline-aegirine-reibec-kite-rich granites along the sub-circular fractures. These rock units are traversed by agpaitic, rare earth element (REE)- rich, felsite, microgranite and aplite dykes of varied dimension all along the periphery of SRC and also within the central caldera sequences. The rocks in SRC are exposed along Ramaniya-Mokalsar-Deora-Kitnod-Indrana-Siner-Kundal area in the Survey of India toposheet numbers 45 C/2, 6, and 10.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59216
Title: Piezometric water-level conditions in Bangalore city, Karnataka, India.
Author: G V Hegde, K C Subhash Chandra.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 106(no. 2), pp. 156-159. 2014
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Piezometric water-level, Bangalore city, Karnataka, India.
Abstract: Earlier works have revealed that Bangalore city predominated by migmatites, granodiorites and intrusive granites, in general does not carry protential fractures beyond 280m depth. However, borewells are being drilled in the peripheral parts beyond 300 m. The unconfined and part of the semi-confined aquifers having gone dry, bore wells are now being competitively drilled at greater depths. Mehta et al. have presented a thought experiment to clarify what a socio-ecological water balance of Bangalore could look like, one that can be refined in the future as data and knowledge accumulate. Echoing recent independent estimates of groundwater by Hegde and Subhash Chandra, Mehta et al. have brought out a conceptual model which demonstrates what the water balance looks like in different parts of Bangalore city.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59215
Title: Food colourants and health issues: are we aware?
Author: R Siva.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 106(no. 2), pp. 143-144. 2014
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Food colourants, health issues.
Abstract: Colour is an imprative component of food or any edible stuff as it can enhance its appearance. Food colours are being used in beverages, desserts, jams, jellies, sauces, pickles, cosmetics, toothpaste, etc. In addition, medicines, including tablets, capsules and syrups are dyed with food colours. Many of the food industries and other related companies as well as restaurants have relied on colourants have relied on colourants in order to sell their products. However, there is a question on the safety and nature of colourants which have been used for these purposes?
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59214
Title: Tourism, tribes and tribulations in Andaman Islands.
Author: Govindasamy Agoramoorthy, Chandrakasan Sivaperuman.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 106(no. 2), pp. 141-141. 2014
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Tourism, tribes, tribulations, Andaman Islands, biodiversity hotspot, marine and terrestrial biota.
Abstract: India ' s offshore islands, the Andaman and Nicobar constitute an important biodiversity hotspot supported by a range of marine and terrestrial biota. These islands harbour the last remaining tribes, namely the Great Andamanese, Sentinelese, Onge, Jarawa and Shom Pen, who struggle to maintain their hunter-gatherer lifestyle in the midst of globalization. According to recent census records, the overall population in Andaman has increased by 6.86%. In contrast, the population of native tribes has declined by 3.19% from 29, 469 in 2001 to 28, 530 in 2011 (ref. 2). The Government has attributed the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami, as a reason for the decline.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 59213
Title: Large capacity reaction floor-wall assembly for pseudo-dynamic testing at IIT Kanpur and its load rating.
Author: Durgesh C Rai, Sudhir K Jain, C V R Murty, Dipanshu Bansal.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 106(no. 1), pp. 93-100. 2014
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Pseudo-dynamic testing facility, reaction wall, seismic behaviour, load rating.
Abstract: The earthquake simulation on full-scale civil engineering structures in a pseudo-dynamic testing facility provides an affordable and practical means to understand the seismic behaviour of structures as it provides accurate information about their real time response of inelastic behaviour up to failure. One such pseudo dynamic testing facility is nearing completion at IIT Kanpur, which has 15m ? 10m L-shaped and 10.5 m high reaction wall and 1.2 m thick top slab of the box girder for the strong floor. The anchor points are located in the wall and floor in a square grid of 0.6m with each point has load capacity of 1.7 MN in tension and 1.0 MN in shear. The 2 m thick postensioned wall using Freyssinet 12K15 cable system in a novel configuration can resist an overturning moment of 12.7 MNm per metre of the wall. The capacity of the reaction assembly depends upon number of loads applied, combination of loads and interaction between different components of the reaction assembly structure. A methodology based on ' influence coefficients ' was developed to estimate the worst load combination for describing load rating of the reaction structure. Finite element analyses in ABAQUS environment were conducted to compute the influence coefficients matrix whose elements can be used to determine the limiting load for a particular case of load application.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None