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Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Solan
Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, was established on 1st December, 1985 with the objective to promote education, research and extension education in the fields of Horticulture, Forestry and allied disciplines. Late Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar, the first Chief Minister and the architect of Himachal Pradesh perceived the importance of Horticulture and Forestry to develop and improve the State economy which led to the establishment of this University. Its history lies in erstwhile Himachal Agricultural College, Solan, established in 1962 and affiliated to the Panjab University. It became one of the campuses of Agriculture Complex of Himachal Pradesh University on its formation in 1970. Consequent upon the establishment of Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya in 1978, this campus became its Horticulture Complex and finally in 1985, assumed the status of a State University, being the only University in the country engaged exclusively in teaching, research and extension in Horticulture and Forestry.
The University is located at Nauni in Solan District of Himachal Pradesh, 13 km from Solan on Solan-Rajgarh Road, at an elevation of 1300 metres above mean sea level. Solan town is situated on national highway (NH-22) and is well connected by train and bus services.
The University has four constituent colleges, out of which, two are located at the main campus Nauni, one for horticulture and the other for forestry, having 9 and 7 departments, respectively. The third College i.e., College of Horticulture & Forestry is located at Neri in Hamirpur District on Nadaun-Hamirpur state highway, about 6 Km from Hamirpur town and is well connected with bus service. The college offers three Undergraduate Degree Programmes i.e. BSc (Hons.) Horticulture, BSc (Hons.) Forestry and B. Tech. Biotechnology and MSc degree programme in a few subjects. The fourth college i.e. College of Horticulture and Forestry, Thunag (Mandi) is located at Thunag District Mandi. This college offer BSc (Hons.) Horticulture and BSc (Hons.) Forestry degree programme. In addition, there are five Regional Research Stations, 12 Satellite Stations and five Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) situated in different zones of the State.
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ThesisItem Open Access IMPACT OF LAND USES ON WATER QUALITY IN BILASPUR DISTRICT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH(NAUNI,UHF, 2020-12) SHARMA, DEEKSHA; M K BRAHMIABSTRACT The present investigation entitled “Impact of Land Uses on Water Quality in Bilaspur District of Himachal Pradesh” was conducted in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh by taking three dominant land uses namely urban/peri-urban, agriculture and forest, two water sources i.e. surface and ground water and two seasons i.e. winter and monsoon season. Samples were analyzed for physico-chemical parameters viz. temperature, colour, odour, turbidity, pH, EC, TDS, BOD, COD, cations and anions (Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, and NO3-) and heavy metals. Under all the land uses, the colour of water sources varied from clear to light brown and all the samples were odour free. Higher turbidity (4.33 NTU) was recorded under urban/peri-urban land use in monsoon season. The pH of water sources ranged from 6.96 to 8.59. The highest value of EC (723.67 µS cm-1) was recorded under urban/peri-urban land use in monsoon season. TDS was found between 101.23 - 480.67 mg l-1. Higher TDS (480.67 mg l-1) was recorded under urban/peri-urban land use in monsoon season. Higher BOD value (3.65 mg l-1) was recorded in monsoon season under urban/peri-urban land use. Higher COD value (215.67 mg l-1) was recorded under urban/peri-urban land use in monsoon season. Calcium content in water sources ranged from 35.33 to 129.67 mg l-1. Highest Ca2+ content (129.67 mg l-1) was recorded under agriculture land use in winter season. Higher Mg2+ content (55.33 mg l-1) was recorded under agriculture land use in winter season. Chloride concentration in water sources was found between 25 – 137.67 mg l-1. Higher chloride content (137.67 mg l-1) was recorded under urban/peri-urban land use in monsoon season. NO3- content in both the water sources varied from 3.67 to 27.73 mg l-1. Higher NO3-content (27.73 mg l-1) was recorded under agriculture land use in monsoon season. Cadmium content was found between 0-0.024 mg l-1. Highest Cadmium content (0.024 mg l-1) was recorded under urban/peri-urban land use in winter season. The iron content of water sources ranged from 0.01 to 0.29 mg l-1. Higher Fe content (0.29 mg l-1) was observed under urban/peri-urban land use in monsoon season. Lead concentration ranged from 0 to 0.038 mg l-1. Higher Zn content (0.120 mg l-1) was recorded under agriculture land use in winter season. Higher Ni content (0.360 mg l-1) was observed under agriculture land use in monsoon season. Highest WQI (61.65) was recorded under urban/peri-urban land use which was rated as poor quality. In monsoon season highest WQI (52.54) was recorded and water quality rated as poor. The study indicated that the land uses viz. urban/peri-urban and agriculture have started impacting the quality of surface and ground water sources. In the district, urbanization and agricultural practices have resulted poor surface water quality as compared to forest, wherein it was good. The urbanization has also impacted ground water quality in the region. Surface water quality has also negatively influenced during monsoon season. Therefore, there is urgent need to regulate urbanization and agricultural practices in the district by promoting environmental friendly development and practices for healthy ecosystem.ThesisItem Open Access WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES IN HAMIRPUR DISTRICT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH(NAUNI,UHF, 2020-11) SHARMA, APURVA; JANGRA, MOHAN SINGHThe study on Water Quality Assessment of Educational Institutes in Hamirpur District of Himachal Pradesh was conducted during 2019-2020 in the Department of Environmental Science, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni (Solan) Himachal Pradesh. The temperature of drinking water at various educational institutes on annual basis varied from 19.5 to 28.6oC, pH from 7.88 to 6.79, EC from 0.47 dS m-1 to 0.19 dS m-1, TDS from 234.17 mgl-1 to 62.93 mgl-1, BOD from 3.05 mgl-1 to 0.58 mgl-1, COD from 144.33 to 62.17mgl-1. These parameters were found within the permissible limits as prescribed by BIS and varied with location. The physicochemical parameters were found higher during the summer season as compared to the winter season. In drinking water of different educational institutes, the concentration of Cd on annual basis varied from zero to 0.002, Zn from zero to 0.001, Pb from zero to 0.001, Cu from zero to 0.007, Fe from 0.163 to 0.742, Mn from 0.03 to 0.05 and Ni from zero to 0.015 mg per liter (mg l-1). The interaction effect of locations and seasons was found significant for all these heavy metal except Cd for which it was non-significant. The concentration of all the heavy metal was observed higher during the summer season compared to winter at all the location but was within the permissible limits as prescribed by BIS. Therefore, more care is required towards the supply of drinking water of these institutes during the summer season to avoid the spread of any water borne diseases and illness in the study area in particular and in whole state in general.ThesisItem Open Access ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS OF INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY IN UNA DISTRICT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH(NAUNI,UHF, 2020-11) DADWAL, KANCHAN; BRAHMI, M KABSTRACT The study entitled “Environmental Implications of Industrial Activity in Una district of Himachal Pradesh” was carried out in Una district of Himachal Pradesh and analysis of physical and chemical parameters of soil and water was carried out in Department of Environmental Science, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan- 173230 (HP), India. Soil samples near the industries and at a distance of 500 m and samples of ground and surface water were collected randomly from seven different sites of district Una with three replications to analyse physical and chemical parameters of soil and water. The soil bulk density, particle density varied from 1.36 to1.67 g cm-3and 2.62 to 2.75 g cm-3 respectively. The higher soil bulk and particle density found at Jeetpur Behri while lower at Control. On the other hand higher porosity was recorded in control and lower in Mehatpur industrial area. Soil pH (6.79-8.50), EC (0.33-0.95 dS m-1) recorded more in Mehatpur and less in control i.e. Sacred grove whereas, maximum (0.94 %) SOC at control and minimum (0.26 % ) at Basal industrial site. The parameters viz. Bulk density, particle density, porosity, pH, EC and SOC showed increasing trend near the industries while decreasing with increases in distance . The change in odour and colour of water was observed only in surface water and temperature of water varied from 21.78-23.73•C and maximum temperature was recorded in surface water. Other parameters pH, EC, BOD and COD of water was observed in range of 7.25-7.52, 0.33-0.95 dSm-1, 4.76-12.75 mgl-1and 251-388 mg l-1 respectively. The pH and EC value found higher in surface water as compared to ground water however they were within prescribed limit whereas BOD and COD were recorded above permissible limits at all sites except control. The heavy metals concentration in soil namely Fe, Cu and Mn varied from 0.22-28.36, 2.39- 19.48, 2.19- 7.22 mg kg-1. The Cu and Mn were found within the prescribed limit while the Fe concentration in all samples except control site observed to be above the limit. The heavy metals of water viz. Cu, Fe, Mn, Cd, Pb, Zn , Ni varied from 0.03-5.39, 5.07-12.36, 5.57-16.22, 0.11-0.54, 4.93-10.46, 0.12-0.41 and 0.02- 0.30 µ l-1respectively. Although, the heavy metal content was within permissible limits, as given by BIS but building up of metals was more in surface water as compared to ground water. Therefore, proper waste disposal and its management must be ensured. In addition to this, strict vigil on illegal dumping and draining of effluent into local water bodies, agriculture fields and surrounding areas are required in the region in order to maintain the quality of soil, water natural resources as well as good health life to local inhabitants.ThesisItem Open Access ASSESSMENT OF AIR POLLUTION TOLERANCE INDEX OF PLANTS GROWING ALONGSIDE STATE HIGHWAY-9 IN HIMACHAL PRADESH(NAUNI,UHF, 2020-11) SINHA, PRASHANT; BAWEJA, PARMINDER KAURABSTRACT The present investigation titled “Assessment of air pollution tolerance index of plants growing alongside State Highway-9 in Himachal Pradesh”, was conducted during 2019-2020, under the Department of Environmental Science, College of Forestry, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry. In order to conduct the present studies a preliminary survey of the State Highway-9 (Shalaghat to Barotiwala) was done during the year 2019-2020. Based on the survey a stretch of Shalaghat to Barotiwala was selected. In the selected stretch of the Highway, vegetation distribution was studied by using quadrate method. The commonly occurring plant species namely Toona ciliata, Murraya koenigii, Bauhinia variegata and Broussonetia papyrifera were selected for the study. To meet the objective of the study the 80.4 km stretch of the State highway was divided into three equal parts of twenty six kilometers each which constitute the replications. In order to study the impact of vehicular activities on the plants, plants were selected from 0-10 m, 10-20 m and beyond 20 m horizontal distances from both sides of the road. Accordingly twenty four treatment combinations were considered for the study. To study the effect of seasons on plant response to air pollution two seasons viz winter (December-February) and summer (April-June) were considered. The experiment was laid down with Randomized Block Design (Factorial) having 24 treatment combinations which were replicated three times. Under each replication four samples of each species were collected randomly from both sides of the road. The leaf dust accumulation of the selected plant species ranged from 4.273 to 27.665 mg m-2 and was in order of Broussonetia papyrifera (27.665 mg m-2) > Bauhinia variegata (23.748 mg m-2) > Toona ciliata (13.943 mg m-2) > Murraya koenigii (4.329mg m-2). The leaf dust accumulation decreased with increasing distance from the State Highway with its content ranging from 16.595 mg m-2 to 21.503 mg m-2. Seasons of the year influenced the leaf dust accumulation on plant species with the lowest leaf dust accumulation (14.271 mg m-2) in summer season and the highest (20.544 mg m-2) in winter season. In the selected plant species leaf chlorophyll content and leaf extract pH varied from 2.054-3.023 mg g-1 and 5.644 to 6.527 which increased with increasing horizontal distance from highway. Whereas, relative water content and ascorbic acid ranged from 34.178% to 76.083% and 0.903-3.267 mg g-1 respectively which decreased with increasing horizontal distance from road. The air pollution tolerance index of selected plant species varied from 5.541 to 9.921 and species wise order was Murraya koenigii (9.921) > Toona ciliata (9.261) > Bauhinia variegata (8.431) > Broussonetia papyrifera (5.541). It decreased with increase in horizontal distance from State Highway and ranged from 7.707 to 8.870. Season wise APTI was in the order of winter season (8.861) > summer season (7.716). The anticipated performance index of the selected plant species ranged from very poor to good category. Among the selected plant species the order of API was Toona ciliata = Bauhinia variegata > Murraya koenigii > Broussonetia papyrifera. The commonly growing plant species alongside the State Highway varied in their air pollution tolerance index and anticipated performance index. Murraya koenigii had a low API grade but was recorded with highest APTI. Toona ciliata and Bauhinia variegata emerged as tolerant species with good API. Thus, Murraya koenigi, Toona ciliata and Bauhinia variegata can be suggested for plantations alongside State Highway-9 to control air pollution.ThesisItem Open Access GROUNDWATER STATUS IN INDUSTRIAL REGION OF SOLAN DISTRICT IN HIMACHAL PRADESH(NAUNI,UHF, 2020-11) SHARMA, PRAVIDHI; AGGARWAL, R KABSTRACT The present study entitled “Groundwater Status in Industrial Region of Solan District in Himachal Pradesh” was carried out in Baddi, Barotiwala and Nalagarh region of Himachal Pradesh during the year 2019. The present study emphasizes on the integrated remote sensing and GIS approach for delineation of the groundwater potential zone in study area situated between Northern latitudes of 30°52’ to 31°04’ and Eastern longitudes of 76°40’ to 76°55’ falling in the Survey of India Toposheets no. 53A/12, 53A/16, 53B/9 and 53B/13. The multiple thematic layers of influencing parameters viz. land use and land cover, slope, geology, drainage, soil, aspect and lineament were prepared in Arc GIS tool 10.1. By integrating the information derived from the maps five zones having high, high to moderate, moderate, moderate to low and low to poor were distinguished. Maximum area accounting to about 34.2 per cent of the total area was occupied by moderate potential zone (zone III) and 30.77 per cent by high potential zone. High to moderate potential zone occupied 10.02 per cent of total predicted potential zones, while low to poor potential zone accounted to 17.25 per cent of the area. A small portion of 7.78 per cent of the study area came under moderate to low potential zone. The overall results showed that maximum of the region came under high and moderate groundwater potential zone. Potential zones have been further validated by conducting the field survey in which 15 (hand pump and borewell) locations were randomly selected in the study area and their latitude longitude were recorded through GPS. Plotting of these points on groundwater potential zone map revealed that maximum of the points fell in high groundwater potential zone and one point was found in moderate groundwater potential zone thereby verifying that, zone I identified by remote sensing analysis was the zone holding maximum groundwater potential. The average depth to groundwater level dropped from 22.03 meter below ground level in the year 2012 to 29.56 meter below ground level in 2018 which showed that exploitation of this resource in the past few years has increased as a result of rapid industrialization and urbanization in the study area. The groundwater samples collected from 15 locations along the valley during the pre and post-monsoon seasons (2019) were analyzed for various physico-chemical parameters (pH, EC, Turbidity, TDS, Ca2+, Cl-, NO3-, COD, BOD, Fe, Pb, Mn, Cu, Cr). The results revealed that all the parameters were well within the permissible limit as prescribed by BIS (2012) and WHO (2011) except few heavy metals (Fe, Cr, Mn) which were above the prescribed permissible limit at certain locations.ThesisItem Open Access ASSESSMENT OF ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES IN SIRMAUR DISTRICT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH(NAUNI,UHF, 2020-11) SHARMA, AMITA; M K BRAHMIABSTRACT The study entitled “Assessment of ecological footprint of educational institutes in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh” was carried out during 2019-2020 in selected Government Senior Secondary Schools in order to assess the ecological footprint which appraised the load of different components namely electricity, water, material, solid waste and transportation, imposed by the schools on the natural environment. The average ecological footprint of schools of different blocks of Sirmaur district viz., Paonta, Nahan, Sarahan, Rajgarh, Sangrah and Shillai was observed as 304.59, 139.68, 161.76, 302.77, 221.55, 507.70 gha, respectively. Highest EF (507.70 gha) was noticed for Shillai block having schools with large population i.e. 675 and lower (139.68 gha) for Nahan block having schools with small population i.e. 185. The schools of Nahan block registered the highest sustainability as compared to other blocks. Material and transportation components registered the highest contribution towards the EF of the schools. School wise, Shillai school occupied the highest ecological footprint (599.23 gha) and Kanger, the lowest (59.86 gha). The maximum per capita ecological footprint (0.8447 gha) was exhibited by Rampur Bharapur and minimum (0.7120 gha) by Korag. Component wise, the highest ecological footprint (1.24 gha) for electricity component was observed for school Rajgarh and lowest (0.50 gha) for Kanger. For water component, the maximum EF i.e. 1.31 gha was observed for Majra and minimum i.e. 0.44 gha for Kanger school. Accordingly, for material component, school Shillai registered highest (159.06 gha) EF and Chakli, the lowest (14.80 gha). In solid waste component, school Rajgarh exhibited maximum (0.07 gha) EF, whereas the schools namely Chakli, Sarahan (Girls), Kanger and Shawga showed minimum value 0.01 gha. For transportation component, Shillai school showed the maximum ecological footprint (438.08 gha) and Kanger, the minimum (42.31 gha). For all the components, the calculated ecological footprint was found far above the International Standards, except for solid waste component, hence indicated towards unsustainable resource use. Kanger school showed highest sustainability as compared to other schools under study and Shillai, the least. Strategies must be adopted to reduce ecological footprint so as to achieve sustainable resource use. To reduce the EF in schools, staff and students should be encouraged to adopt: (i) public transport (ii) indigenous and local products (iii) energy efficient devices (iv) waste recycling (v) water conservation. In addition, more and more awareness and understanding regarding this concept must be generated so that staff and students understand the relation between ecological footprint and biocapacity and know how their actions influence their ecological footprint.ThesisItem Open Access RADIATION AND THERMAL USE EFFICIENCY OF CHRYSANTHEMUM UNDER DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS(NAUNI,UHF, 2020-11) SHARMA, MUNISHA; JANGRA, MOHAN SINGHABSTRACT A field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2019 to quantify theradiation use and radiation use efficiencies along with performance of crop biometric parameters of Chrysanthemum under different environmental conditions. The experiment consist of three dates of transplanting viz 25th May (D1), 9th June(D2) and 24th June (D3) with two spacing S1(20x30cm), S2(20x45cm) and two row orientations O1 (N-S) & O2 (E-W) in the Experimental Farm under the Department of Environmental Science, College of Forestry, Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh. During the crop duration maximum temperature was ranged from 19.2 to 36.3oC minimum from 6.1 to 20.8 o C, RH mornings from 87 to 90 percent evening from 27 to 78 percent, rainfall from zero to 19.1 mm and evaporation from 8.7 to 37.7 mm. Fresh and dry weight, number of leaves, shoots & flowers, plant height and yield & yield attributes was continuously decreasing with delayed planting, narrowing spacing and E-W row orientation under various treatments. The LAI significantly decreased with delayed planting which explained 82 percent variation in fresh weight, 71 percent in dry weight, 73 percent in IPAR, 69 percent in HUE and 67 percent in radiation use efficiency. The results indicated that ‘Solan Shringar’ cultivar of Chrysanthemum on an average took 183, 170 and 158 days and 2285, 2060, and 1827 °C days of GDD for maturity. The descending order of observed five phenophases in days & GDD to attain them was as P3 > P5 > P2 > P4 which showed at after flowering among the different treatments. The PTI was deceased with delayed planting, wider spacing and under E-W orientation. The HUE was found higher for first date of planting narrower row spacing and N-S orientation. Similar trend was observed in RUE which was 4.31 for fresh flower, 5.1 for fresh total weight, 1.07 for dry flower and 1.43 for total dry weight. Thermal indices based linear prediction models highest prediction reliability for flower’s dry weight followed by total dry weight, total fresh weight and lowest for fresh flower’s weight.ThesisItem Open Access IMPACT OF DOMINANT LAND USES ON SOIL QUALITY IN MANDI DISTRICT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH(NAUNI,UHF, 2020-11) SHARMA, SHUBHAM; BHARDWAJ, S KABSTRACT The field investigation entitled “Impact of Dominant Land Uses on Soil Quality of Mandi District of Himachal Pradesh” was carried out in the Department of Environmental Science, College of Forestry, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni Solan H.P. during the year 2019-2020. In order to assess the impact of land use, a survey was conducted in the region and secondary data was procured and analysed. The dominant land uses systems i.e. Forest, Cultivated land, Pasture and Scrubland were selected at two elevations viz. 651-1800 (mid hills) and 1801-2200 (high hills). Accordingly there were eight treatments which were replicated thrice under randomized block design (factorial). Representative soil samples from each selected land use of both the elevations were collected during October month. Soil samples were analysed for different physical, chemical and biological properties. In order to compare soils under different land uses of both elevations, SQI was worked out by considering 23 soil parameters into account. The dominant land uses at both the elevations exhibited significant variations in soil physical, chemical and biological characteristics. Soil physical parameters like BD, porosity and MWHC under dominant land uses of both the mid and high hill zone ranged from 1.22 to 1.55 g cm-3, 41.16 to 47.71% and 37.77 to 46.34%, respectively. Land use wise the order of these parameters was forest (46.88%, 45.86%) > pasture (45.68%, 44.06%) > cultivated land (44.36%, 42.96%) > scrubland (41.71%, 38.95%) except bulk density where the order was forest (1.25 g cm-3) < pasture (1.30 g cm-3) < cultivated land (1.42 g cm-3) < scrubland (1.53 g cm-3). With increase in elevation all these physical parameters increased except BD which followed reverse trend. Similarly, the soil chemical parameters like pH and EC under dominant land uses of both the mid and high hill zone ranged from 5.98 to 6.94 and 0.11 to 0.20 dS m-1, respectively. With increase in elevation both the parameters followed decreasing trend. SOC under dominant land uses of both the mid and high hill zones ranged from 7.98 to 18.05 g kg-1. Land use wise the order of this parameter was forest (15.10 g kg-1) > pasture (12.17 g kg-1) > cultivated land (10.06 g kg-1) > scrubland (8.65 g kg-1). The SOC increased with increase in elevation. Alike, the soil available N P K & S content ranged from 195.08 to 353.57 kg ha-1, 40.37 to 61.79 kg ha-1, 197.93 to 289.37 kg ha-1 and 38.54 to 52.77 kg ha-1, respectively under selected land uses of both the elevations. Land use wise the order of N P K & S distribution was forest (345.12, 276.20, & 51.88 kg ha-1) > pasture (339.94, 260.13 & 48.61 kg ha-1) > cultivated land (287.83, 246.90 & 45.42 kg ha-1) > scrubland (195.31, 201.31 & 39.31 kg ha-1) except available P where the order was cultivated land (61.15 kg ha-1) > forest (47.40 kg ha-1) > pasture (44.67 kg ha-1) > scrubland (42.16 kg ha-1). With increase in elevation all these parameters followed increasing trend. Exchangeable Ca and Mg under selected land uses of both the zones ranged from 3.06 to 4.84 cmol(p+)kg-1 and 1.09 to 1.79 cmol(p+)kg-1. Land use wise they followed the order: forest (4.67 & 1.76 cmol(p+)kg-1) > pasture (3.80 & 1.47 cmol(p+)kg-1) > cultivated land (3.63 & 1.40 cmol(p+)kg-1) > scrubland (3.12 & 1.10 cmol(p+)kg-1). Both of these parameters increased with elevation. Heavy metals like Cu, Fe, Mn & Zn concentrations in soil under dominant land uses of both the elevations ranged from 0.32 to 0.86 mg kg-1, 4.79 to 16.97 mg kg-1, 1.14 to 5.08 mg kg-1 and 2.09 to 4.38, respectively. Land use wise these trace elements followed the order: forest (0.82, 16.69, 4.85 & 4.28 mg kg-1) > pasture (0.75, 14.23, 4.07 & 3.79 mg kg-1) > cultivated land (0.66, 11.06, 3.37& 2.85 mg kg-1) > scrubland (0.33, 5.61, 1.20 & 2.24 mg kg-1). With increase in elevation all these parameters increases. Heavy metals like Cd, Cr & Pb concentration in soil under dominant land uses of both the elevations ranged from 0.002 to 0.011 mg kg-1, 0.005 to 0.033 mg kg-1 and 0.02 to 0.09 mg kg-1, respectively. The effect of elevation on Cd, Cr and Pb concentration was not significant. Soil biological parameters like viable bacterial, fungal and actinomycetes counts under dominant land uses of both the elevations ranged from 139.32 to 310.30×106cfu g1 , 2.98 to 6.07×103cfu g-1 and 4.29 to 13.80×103cfu g-1, respectively. Land use wise they followed the order: forest (302.77×106cfu g-1, 5.81 & 12.80×103cfu g-1) > pasture (291.52×106cfu g-1, 4.77 & 10.69×103cfu g-1) > cultivated land (252.39×106cfu g-1, 4.18 & 8.50×103cfu g-1) > scrubland (129.07×106cfu g-1, 3.07 & 4.64×103cfu g-1). With increase in elevation fungal and actinomycetes counts increased; whereas, bacterial counts decreased. Land use wise SQI ranged from 0.39 to 0.65 i.e. low to medium category. In both mid hills and high hills SQI followed the order forest (0.57 & 0.65) > pasture (0.52 & 0.56) > cultivated land (0.45 & 0.48) > scrubland (0.39-0.40). The study inferred that dominant land uses in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh has impacted soil quality at both mid and high hills as indicated by SQI which varied from low to medium category. Hence, there is urgent need to manage the dominant land uses by enhancing their capacity, so that they can perform their functions within natural or managed ecosystem boundaries on sustainable basis.ThesisItem Open Access ASSESSMENT OF CLIMATIC WATER BALANCE IN MID HILLS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH(NAUNI,UHF, 2020-10) THAKUR, LALITA; BAWEJA, PARMINDER KAURABSTRACT The present investigation titled, “Assessment of climatic water balance in mid hills of Himachal Pradesh” aimed at estimation of Climatic Water Balance (CWB) in mid hills of Himachal Pradesh using five locations at Nauni (Solan), Sundernagar (Mandi), Bhunter/Seobagh (Kullu) and Dharamshala (Kangra) under the Department of Environmental Science, College of Forestry, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan. CWB was computed using various weather parameters and their datasets for different time intervals viz., monthly, seasonal and annual, over the period of twelve years (2007-2018). Potential or reference evapotranspiration were estimated using different ET models viz., FAO-56 Penman-Monteith model (PM), Pan Evaporation method (Pan-E), Thornthwaite model (TW), Blaney-Criddle model (BC), Papadakis model (PK), Priestley-Taylor model (PT), Hargreaves Samani model (HS) and Hargreeves model (H). FAO-56 Penman-Monteith model was used to evaluate and rank the performance of the rest of the ET models. Trend analysis of ET and CWB was performed using non- parametric time series trend of Mann-Kendall test and Sen's slope estimator. Results pertaining to averaged annual CWB (mm/year) in Nauni showed water deficits (BC=668.7; PK=-386.7; H=-218.1; HS=-446.5; PT=-49.7 PM=-155.8) as well as water surplus (TW=256.5; PanE=76.6). Likewise, Sundernagar station some models (BC=-367.8; PK=-246.7; H=-43.3; HS=-210.9) reported with low averaged annual CWB (mm/year), while other models demonstrated higher CWB (TW=528.8). In Bhunter/Seobagh station BC (-688.4 mm/year), PK (-500.5 mm/year), H (-107.6 mm/year), HS (-549.3 mm/year), PT (-19.1 mm/year), PM (-43.1 mm/year) and Pan-E (-213.1 mm/year) showed negative averaged annual CWB, while only TW (213.9) showed positive CWB. For Dharamshala station all model showed surplus in averaged annual CWB (mm/year) (TW=2475.7, BC=1539.1; PK=2044.3; H=1761.7; HS=1879.6). Evaluation of ET models for temperature based models for Bhunter/Seobagh station revealed that TW model produced the best estimate for all time scale followed by PK model and BC model, respectively, while for Nauni the PK model performed better for all time scale followed by TW model and BC model, respectively. Evaluation of ET models for radiation based models for Bhunter/Seobagh station demonstrated that the H model made the best approximation for monthly time scale and PT model for seasonal and annual time scale, while for Nauni district the H model made the best approximation for all time scale. The key findings of the present study can be utilized for water resource management, forest management and climate change impact assessment.