Wetland flora of Betkot lake, far western Nepal

The tropical wetland flora from western Nepal is less explored in comparison to the temperate and alpine region. This study was therefore undertaken to document the vascular plants found on the foot trail of surrounding Betkot Lake, in Chure (Siwalik) hills of Kanchanpur in far western Nepal. The study documented a total of 63 plant species of 40 families belonging to 4 life forms: herbs (31 species), shrubs (14 species), trees (15 species) and climbers (3species). This present study could be a baseline for further research.

Landslide susceptibility assessment of the Chure Khola Catchment area of the Siwalik region, Central Nepal

Landslide susceptibility analysis is carried out in the Chure Khola Catchment, between Amlekhganj and the Churia Mai Range of the Bara District, covering area of 20 sq. km. The catchment lies in the Siwalik Hills composing the Siwalik Group of rocks of Middle Miocene to Early Pleistocene age. Owing to the week and fragile geology, the Siwalik Hills are prone to the gully erosion, shallow landslide and debris flow, during the heavy rain storms in monsoon seasons. In the present study, landslide susceptibility assessment was carried out using two methods, rapid field-based assessment and statistical index methods. For the susceptibility mapping of the river bank slopes, field- based method was used. The seven parameters such as slope angle, slope material, reduction to groundwater, effect of drainage, effect of past failure, effect of vegetation cover and effect of land use were used to calculate the factor of safety in the field. The slope areas were classified as highly susceptible (FS<0.7), susceptible (0.7<FS<1), marginally stable (1<FS<1.2) and stable (FS>1.2) categories, and finally, a susceptibility map was prepared. For the total 4.179 sq. km area where rapid field-based assessment was carried out, the areas covered by highly susceptible, susceptible, marginally stable and stable zones are respectively, 21.56%, 22.11%, 17.37% and 38.95%. Among the highly susceptible and susceptible zones identified, 71% sites have experienced recent slope failures. Landslide susceptibility mapping of the whole catchment area was prepared using statistical index method, and considering seven causative parameters such as elevation, slope, slope aspect, curvature, river proximity, stream density and lithology, which were determined and prepared from DEM using Arc GIS. Eighty percent landslides were used as the training sample for the spatial analysis, whereas 20% landslides were used for the validation of the study. The landslide susceptibility map exhibits the areas covered by very high, high, moderate, low and very low susceptibility zones are 47.18%, 25.28%, 19.77%, 3.60% and 4.16%, respectively. Validity of the study was determined using Riemann Sums method. Success Rate Curve shows that 78.04 % of the areas lie under the curve. Evaluating susceptibility in small watershed is important to mitigate shallow landslide related problems and in rehabilitating forest areas in the Churiya Hills of Nepal.

Wild Ecology of Spotted Deer (Axis axis)

Chital occur in Nepal throughout the Terai lowland and adjoining Siwalik hills up to an altitude of 1200 meters. It is widely distributed and abundant in Terai protected areas of Nepal. Chital is generally found in densest and dry deciduous forest. The species display a number of preferences which influence its distribution. Four factors are limited for Chital: nee for water, need for shelter, avoidance of high rugged terrain, and the preference for grass as forage. Chital drink water at least once a day and usually twice a day during summer, which under dry conditions would tend to localize the animals around the waterhole.Academic Voices Vol.6 2016: 21-23

Timber yielding plants of district Haridwar and adjacent Siwalik Hills

Timber yielding plant of district Haridwar are valuable and have great importance in forestry of Uttranchal state, Raja Ji National Park of Shiwalik Hills have a great varieties in the flora. About 93 families of the tree plants are found in the part and pathri forest of district Haridwar in which more Timer belongs to dicotyledons and some belong to group monocotyledons. Timber commonly used in plywood, Railway sleepers, building construction material and in furnitures. Total 100 plant species belonging to 93 families have been identified and specimen twig of some trees collected and preserved in the Herbarium of M.S.College, Saharanpur.