Shalini Dhyani - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Shalini Dhyani

Sustainability, 2021

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Heritage monuments across the world are affected by a variety of physical and biological stresses... more Heritage monuments across the world are affected by a variety of physical and biological stresses. Damage to heritage monuments due to insects and pests is growing with increasing anthropogenic pressure and changing climatic conditions. Cave monuments are habitats to microbes, algae, fungi, and insects, and are unique biodiversity sites due to their low temperature, little to no sunlight, and high moisture conditions. This study takes stock of available information on important factors that facilitate the growth of insect pests and degrade heritage monuments. Ajanta Caves, a UNESCO world heritage site in India, is a human marvel, important archaeological and heritage site of immense cultural and historic values. The present paper is an attempt to understand a variety of stresses and factors with a focus on insect pests that have substantially affected Ajanta cave paintings in the last few decades. The study also provides information on available approaches for damage control including the need for an integrated insect pest management for protecting cave monuments against rapid degradation across the country in general and Ajanta caves in particular. A light-based approach is the key highlight of the study that can be used as an effective and efficient approach to protect archaeological sites especially cave paintings from insect pests without disturbing the pollinator diversity and surrounding environment.

This article provides evidence and a rationale based on adaptive governance studies for why creat... more This article provides evidence and a rationale based on adaptive governance studies for why creating meaningful youth engagement should be understood in terms of intergenerational dialogue, collaboration, learning, and substantive decision-making in global environmental governance. We have centered our discussion on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), as the largest global conservation organization. Through an organizational ethnography approach, we have demonstrated how generational concerns within the IUCN have been framed in terms of participation, and then present the IUCN Intergenerational Partnership for Sustainability (IPS) as a case study of a grassroots movement that is focused on transforming the IUCN towards being a fully intergenerational global governance system for nature conservation. We have described the development of intergenerational thinking and action within the IUCN, and discussed intergenerational governance as being essential for addressing nature conservation challenges faced by local communities in times of increasing global uncertainty. We conclude by providing recommendations for enhancing intergenerational dialogue and building intergenerational governance structures within global conservation organizations.

Mountain forest ecosystems are vital for maintaining nature's contribution to people and human we... more Mountain forest ecosystems are vital for maintaining nature's contribution to people and human well-being. Over the last few decades' threat to biodiversity due to human induced degradation have had a major impact on moist temperate mixed broad leaved forests of Central Himalaya. Study was carried out and compared to understand the forest structure and regeneration in a protected forest (Alnus nepalensis stand), community forest (Lyonia-Rhododendron stand) and reserve forest (Quercus floribunda stand) in Upper Kedarnath valley of Uttarakhand. A total of 34 species of trees, 28 shrub species, and 45 species of herbs were reported from these forest stands. Total tree density was higher at Q. floribunda stand and lower in A. nepalensis stand. Total tree basal area varied from 59.12 (in A. nepalensis) to 101.28 m 2 ha −1 (Q. floribunda stand). The sapling, seedling, shrubs and herbs density was higher in Lyonia-Rhododendron stand than other two stands. Quercus leucotrichophora, Rhododendron arboreum, Lyonia ovalifolia, Neolitsea pallens were dominant tree species in lower girth classes in Lyonia-Rhododendron stand and A. nepalensis stand whereas, Cinnamomum tamala, Ilex dipyrena in higher girth classes were dominant in Q. floribunda stand. Cumulative Disturbance Index and Ramakrishnan Index of Stand Quality was analyzed to understand the forest stand quality. Our study provides insights to changing regeneration patterns and also stand quality of forest stands in Central Himalaya. The dominance of seral species and pioneers than climatic climax species is indication that forests are struggling from continuous encroachment that might jeopardize flow of ecosystem services from forests. There is vital need to take stock of scattered but vital scientific findings to develop scientific and appropriate planning and management of broad leaved forests in Central Himalaya.

Broad leaved forests continuously have some asynchronous and localized disturbance events.Tree fa... more Broad leaved forests continuously have some asynchronous and localized disturbance events.Tree fall gaps are the dominant form of such disturbances in these forests. Moist temperate forests dominated by Quercus leucotricophora in Garhwal were investigated for study. Ten random transect belts were established in a mixed broadleaved forest patch. The forest comprised of gaps, created by various natural processes. Gaps varied in size ranging from 48 to 589 m2. Microclimatic and edaphic variables of canopy gap and understorey areas were recorded to assess the parameters that influence gap phase regeneration. Forests of the studyarea comprised of gaps that varied in size and shape. Light intensity, soil moisture and soil temperature were prime micro-climatic variables influencing species recruitment in gaps.Species assemblage was recorded higher from gaps than forest understorey (20 and 17 tree species, respectively). Overall recruitment of tree species in understorey and canopy gaps was 3054 seedling ha-1 and 2277 saplings ha-1, respectively. The results obtained during our study show that gap formation process in moist temperate forests of Garhwal promotes a strong but temporary variations in microclimatic environment. This heterogeneity factor determines the biological diversity but needs more long term systematic research in Garhwal for better understanding.

African Journal of Biotechnology, Nov 8, 2012

Hippophae salicifolia (Seabuckthorn) is one of the potential multipurpose underutilised plant spe... more Hippophae salicifolia (Seabuckthorn) is one of the potential multipurpose underutilised plant species having huge multipurpose benefits including economic and ecological. Effect of different concentrated doses of auxins, on rooting percentage, number of root per rooted cuttings and root length of male and female stem cuttings was examined under open field condition. Results show that the cuttings pretreated with 50 mg L -1 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) had best rooting traits (respectively for male and female rooting percentage was 50.00 and 76.67%, root number was 2.3 and 3.0 and root length per rooted cuttings was 2.5 and 3.5 cm). Therefore, cuttings pre-treated with 50 mg L -1 IBA is recommended for vegetative propagation through cuttings in H. salicifolia. Moreover, this study provides a significant lead towards the development of a simple cost-effective propagation technique for large scale cultivation and future domestication of the elite genotype for better nutritional security along with socio-economic upliftment and sustainable rural development in Indian Himalayan Region.

Energy, Ecology and Environment, 2016

Journal of Mountain Science, 2013

National Academy Science Letters, 2013

ABSTRACT Forests in India and other developing countries of South East Asia meet most of the ener... more ABSTRACT Forests in India and other developing countries of South East Asia meet most of the energy demands. Collection of fodder is the first step that mainly contributes to the agricultural economy in states across Indian Himalayan Region. Local women are mainly involved in collection of fodder by lopping the trees, shrubs and grasses available in forests and agroforests. Present study was carried out to understand the fodder consumption pattern, fodder biomass removal in villages located at various elevations. Pattern of fodder removal was studied to identify preferred species, distance and time involved. Heavy backloads of fodder were affecting women health, causing accidents, resource extraction conflicts, malnutrition of children and decreased education opportunities. Paper discusses the efficacy of fodder banks and improved feeding systems to be introduced. One successful fodder bank model developed by using fast growing, high biomass yielding and nutritious fodder species by active participation of women folk has been discussed. The study aims to help forest department of Uttarakhand in general and other Himalayan states at large for developing fodder supply zones by developing fodder banks and introducing fast growing and high biomass yielding plants also in cropland bunds.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2010

Aim of the study: Based on research findings this study is aimed to generate database on ethnobot... more Aim of the study: Based on research findings this study is aimed to generate database on ethnobotanical aspects, sustainable utilization by value addition and awareness generation through outreach programme related to Hippophae salicifolia D. Don. (Elaeagnaceae) in the higher Himalayan zone of Uttarakhand in Central Himalaya, India. Materials and methods: An in-depth survey from June 2004 to July 2006 followed by 480 interviews with the help of semi-structured questionnaires was carried out in 24 Hippophae growing locations in 12 different valleys of Uttarakhand. Results: Plant has immense multipurpose properties and is traditionally utilized for food (20 Min -90% Max ), medicine (10 Min -60% Max ), veterinary (20 Min -100% Max ), fuel (10 Min -80% Max ), fencing (20 Min -80% Max ), agricultural tools (20 Min -50% Max ) and dye mordant (60%). Besides, awareness programmes and value added product demonstration resulted in economical upliftment of local inhabitants of Central Himalaya. Conclusion: The present manuscript will certainly provide an ethnobotanical statistics' impact on the modern scientific societies regarding conservation, cultivation and popularization of this underutilized wild edible species at mass scale. Simultaneously, these findings have important connotations in light of upcoming organic food and nutraceutical industries in the country.

Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 2008

Consumption of greens is a major source of vitamins and micro-nutrients for people using only veg... more Consumption of greens is a major source of vitamins and micro-nutrients for people using only vegetarian diets rich in carbohydrates. In remote rural settlements where vegetable cultivation is not practiced and market supplies are not organized, local inhabitants depend on indigenous vegetables, both cultivated in kitchen gardens and wild, for enriching the diversity of food. Knowledge of such foods is part of traditional knowledge which is largely transmitted through participation of individuals of households. A total of 123 households in six villages of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve buffer zone was surveyed using a schedule to assess the knowledge, availability and consumption pattern of wild leafy vegetables. Quantity estimations were done using regular visits with informants from 30 sample households of the six study villages during the collections. Monetization was used to see the value of wild leafy vegetables harvested during a year. The diversity of wild leafy vegetables being use by the local inhabitants is 21 species belonging to 14 genera and 11 families. This is far less than that being reported to be used by the communities from Western Ghats in India and some parts of Africa. Irrespective of social or economic status all households in the study villages had the knowledge and used wild leafy vegetables. The number of households reported to consume these wild leafy vegetables is greater than the number of households reporting to harvest them for all species except for Diplazium esculentum and Phytolacca acinosa. The availability and use period varied for the species are listed by the users. The study indicated that the knowledge is eroding due to changing social values and non participation of younger generation in collection and processing of such wild leafy vegetables.

International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology, 2009

Ecology of Food and Nutrition, 2011

Seabuckthorn (Hippophae salicifolia) is one of the potential underutilized plant species having h... more Seabuckthorn (Hippophae salicifolia) is one of the potential underutilized plant species having huge multipurpose benefits including economic and ecological. Comparative study of fruit morphology, architecture, and juice yield productivity revealed that fruit berries of Seabuckthorn in Mana valley was found superior and can provide higher economic return than the berries of other plant species. Moreover, awareness programmes related to nutritional worth and development and demonstration of value added product resulted in economy generation for local inhabitants. Several countries are commercially and ecologically harnessing the potential of Seabuckthorn for livelihood enhancement and environmental conservation. Correspondingly, in Indian Himalayan region, Seabuckthorn plant can also offer benefits of nutrition, food, medicine, cosmetic, etc., to the rural people for their socioeconomic development. Findings presented here have important connotations in light of upcoming organic food and nutraceutical industries in the country. The current study will also help in developing value chain of Seabuckthorn in Uttarakhand.

Biomass and Bioenergy, 2011

Women drudgery a b s t r a c t Fodder plays a major role in cropelivestockemanureesoil nutrient c... more Women drudgery a b s t r a c t Fodder plays a major role in cropelivestockemanureesoil nutrient cycle of farms in middle mountains of the Himalaya. In Garhwal part of Indian Himalayan Region fodder is mainly collected by lopping the vegetative biomass of trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses. The present study was carried out to understand the fodder utilization pattern, energy budget and problems related to fodder biomass removal in existing traditional hill agro-ecosystems prevalent at different altitudes of Garhwal Himalaya. The total fodder collection at different altitudes varied for green and dry fodder. The total green fodder collection ranged from 64.4 AE 3.60 to 84.0 AE 6.23 kg household À1 day À1 whereas, total dry fodder collection ranged from 62.4 AE 1.66 to 80.4 AE 5.11 kg household À1 day À1 . Fodder collection was varied in summer (MarcheOctober) and winter months (NovembereFebruary) of the year. The labor energy expended for fodder collection varied from 832.78 AE 61.05 to 1192.44 AE 45.66 MJ household À1

tsbfsarnet.org

The Indian Himalayan highlands are bestowed with many protected areas, including Kedarnath Wildli... more The Indian Himalayan highlands are bestowed with many protected areas, including Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS), where rising pressure on forests is a largely discussed issue. An assessment of anthropogenic pressure in KWLS shows huge dependence of local communities inhabited on forest fringes. This WLS is significant to study as it is under the active consideration to be upgraded as National Park because of unique floral and faunal diversity of great importance. Studies have evidenced of habitat destruction and successional changes in the area because of anthropogenic pressure.