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My ethnographic research focuses on the Nāgs, which are cobra-shaped deities and guardians of water sources, to exemplify how religion and ecology relate to each other in the Indian Western Himalayas. Ethnography has much to contribute to environmental research: Hydrological degradation of the Ganges (alias mother Gangā), erosion of mountains (alias goddess Nandā or the Nāg deity Vāsuki), and deforestation are not merely physical phenomena. They also belong to the ritually and mythically constructed environments of Hindus, in which religion, ownership, irrigation techniques, and microeconomics are interconnected. My project examines not only how theories and mythologies about water, rain, and the Nāgs shape the imaginative world of deities and place them in 'nature', but also how this nature is reciprocally set up and conceptualized by its connection to deities. How do people distribute their water supply and what role do the Nāgs play in this instance? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study examined the groundwater quality of different water sources for drinking and irrigation purposes in Hangu District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Groundwater samples (n = 71) were collected from various sources, including spring, bore well, dug well, and tube well, and analyzed for physicochemical parameters. Results showed that most of the physicochemical parameters were found within the world health organization (WHO) guidelines set for drinking water, except turbidity, magnesium (Mg+2), sodium (Na+), fluoride (F־), chloride (Cl־), nitrate (NO 3 ־), and sulfate (SO 4 2-). The drinking water quality index (WQI) was evaluated and categorized as good to poor. Irrigation indices such as sodium hazards, including sodium percentage (Na+%) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) were calculated. According to SAR and Wilcox diagrams, the water was suitable for irrigation, except for 5% of sampling sites. Piper's and Gibb's plot models described that water quality mainly exhibited calcium-bicarbonate (Ca-HCO 3) types and showed rock weathering dominance, respectively. According to statistical assessments, geogenic causes of rock weathering are the most crucial source of regulating the water quality in the area. • Turbidity, magnesium, and sodium levels exceeded the WHO drinking water guidelines. • Nitrate, fluoride, sulfate, and chloride levels exceeded WHO drinking water limits. • Drinking water quality index of the study area was noted from good to poor quality. • Sodium hazards showed that water is suitable for irrigation except for 5% samples. • Water of the study area is characterized by rock weathering dominance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]