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Background: This study aimed to understand the regional variation in the socio-demographic and clinical profile of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients at antiretroviral therapy plus centre of Sawai Man Singh (SMS) hospital, Jaipur, India. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on HIV patients from January to December 2019. The HIV-positive patients of all age groups and all categories were included in the study. The socio-economic status was assessed by BG Prasad classification-based consumer price index. However, the clinical staging was done according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of HIV/AIDS. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Results: Among 525 HIV patients 59.16% were males, 40.26% females and 0.57% intersex. About half (51.0%) in the reproductive age group with mean age 36 ±13 years. The commonest mode of HIV transmission was heterosexual (89.77%). Maximum belonged to social class I (57.84%) and class II (26.05 %) of BG Prasad's socioeconomic status. Each of the non-agricultural laborers and semi-skilled workers constitutes 18.0%, and the housewives were 23.6%. At the time of presentation, baseline CD4+Tcell count was

Background: It has been seen that the effects of dynamic stretching and cryotherapy has good effects in the performance of the football players. There are enough evidences and literature on both individually but the comparison between the two was not found. So, with the same concept comparison has been taken out with some interventions in the recreational football players. Purpose of Study: The purpose of this study was to check the comparative effects of both the interventions upon different variables like vertical jump height, agility and 20 meter sprint. Methodology: 30 subjects were taken, who were divided into 2 groups. The first group received dynamic stretching first and then cryotherapy and the second group vice-versa. Further, after a period of 48 hours of flush out time the interventions were reversed to both the groups. Pre and post readings of variables were taken: vertical jump height, agility and 20 meter sprint. Result: Vertical jump height test was significant for both the groups, after dynamic stretching. Vertical Jump height test had a significant p-value of 0.01 in group A and non-significant value for group B, after cryotherapy that is 0.531. T-test was significant for group A with a p value of 0.01 and non-significant for group B with a P value of 0.481. Significant for group B after cryotherapy with a p-value of 0.061. Conclusion: It can be inferred from the result of the study that each Variable: vertical jump height increased significantly in Group A and B after stretching but there was no significance in group B in the vertical jump height test in which cryotherapy was given first. Cryotherapy significantly increased the 20 meter sprint. Agility increased with dynamic stretching. On comparing the two groups-A and B, it was found that the sequence of altered interventions given (dynamic stretching/ cryotherapy) do not give any significant difference in the results as a whole. How to cite this article:Naz F, Zutshi K, Dhingra M, Kumar M. Comparative Effects of Dynamic Stretching and Cryotherapy on the Physical Performance in Recreational Football Players: A Randomised Crossover Study. Ind J Youth Adol Health 2020; 7(3): 10-15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2349.2880.202012

Chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) is the most important tree species used for afforestation programs in the Himalayan regions. In the present study, fourteen forest stands were selected in four different altitudes, i.e., 1801 masl in Garhwal Himalayan of Uttarakhand, India, to assess carbon stock potential of the forest. The study was conducted during 2013–2015. Among the study sites, the maximum tree density (575 ± 90.14 ind. ha−1) was reported in New Tehri (altitude: > 1801 masl) and minimum (135 ± 5.00 ind. ha−1) in Daddi (altitude: 1001–1400 masl). The highest (96 ± 18.36 t ha−1) above-ground carbon stock was estimated in Kandikhal where bole, branch, and foliage contribute 89.93 ± 19.47, 5.17 ± 1.04 and 0.90 ± 0.14 t ha−1, respectively, while lowest (26.68 ± 9.48 t ha−1) was in Gumkhal, and contribution from the same component was found as 20.72 ± 7.84, 4.50 ± 1.58, and 1.47 ± 0.11 t ha−1, respectively. Further, highest value of below-ground carbon was in Kandikhal (28.58 ± 4.81 t ha−1) with an altitude range between 1001 and 1400 masl and the lowest in Gumkhal (9.19 ± 2.87 t ha−1) between 1401 and 1800 masl. Besides, litter production was found higher in the summer season followed by winter and rainy seasons. The study concluded that the density, height, basal area, and volume of Pinus roxburgii varied with altitude, but it was not directional. However, growth patterns and tree density were the key factors in estimating total carbon stocks and further to know the behavior of carbon dynamics (source/sink). Litter production had an inverse relation with altitude; however, increase in litter biomass at > 1801 masl was observed due to new plantations of pine. This study will be highly helpful to the forester and policy-makers in planning carbon mitigation strategies (e.g., catchment area treatment, afforestation activities) at regional and global scales.

Introduction Fluconazole resistance in Candida tropicalis health care–associated infections is increasing. We investigated the role of efflux pump and mutations in ERG11p conferring fluconazole resistance in C. tropicalis. Materials and methods A total of 17 C. tropicalis clinical isolates, including fluconazole-resistant and fluconazole-susceptible/fluconazole-susceptible dose-dependent isolates, were collected from a tertiary care centre in a North India region between 2015 and 2018. Antifungal susceptibility, reversal of fluconazole resistance by tacrolimus, ERG11 amplification and its sequencing and a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for expression analysis of ERG11, MDR1 and CDR1 genes were performed. Results and discussion Synergism between fluconazole and tacrolimus was observed in all resistant C. tropicalis isolates. Overexpression of all the three genes, MDR1, ERG11 and CDR1, was observed in resistant isolates (P = 0.05). Among resistant isolates, mutations leading to amino acid substitution were seen in two, Ct10 (glysine464serine) and Ct16 (tyrosine132phenylalanine; serine154phenylalanine). Conclusion Overexpression in efflux pump transporter genes, together with mutations in ERG11, lead to fluconazole resistance among C. tropicalis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the C. tropicalis fluconazole resistance mechanism from the North India region.

A few decades ago, hydroelectric projects were considered a clean source of energy. The present study aims to assess the biomass and soil carbon (C) stock in the hydroelectric catchment in India an...

Background: Bloodstream Candida infection is a life-threatening event among ICU admitted patients. This infection is caused by a diverse range of Candida species having varied minimum inhibitory concentrations. Objectives: To identify Candida species causing bloodstream infections with their antifungal susceptibility determination. Methods: Candida species isolated from the blood of ICU admitted patients were identified by phenotypic as well as by molecular methods including PCR-RFLP using MspI restriction enzyme and MALDI TOF MS. The minimum inhibitory concentration of fluconazole, voriconazole, amphotericin B and caspofungin was determined against isolated Candida species by CLSI M27A3 guidelines. Results: A total of 119 Candida species were isolated. Among them, C. tropicalis(n = 29) was the predominant isolate followed by C. parapsilosis(n = 18), C. glabrata (n = 12), C. krusei (n = 11) and C. albicans(n = 11). Uncommon Candida species isolated were; Wickerhamomyces anomalus(n = 15), Kodaemia ohmeri(n = 8), C. lusitaniae (n = 5) and C. auris (n = 2). A varied antifungal MIC values were observed. Caspofungin had the lowest MIC among the tested antifungals. Increased fluconazole MIC was observed against the isolated Candida species including C. tropicalis. All the isolated C. lusitaniae and C. auris strains have ≥1mcg/ml amphotericin B MIC. In comparison to fluconazole, voriconazole was more effective when tested in vitro. Conclusion: Emergence of uncommon Candida species having varied antifungal MIC warns the physicians to have a prompt, accurate identification with antifungal MIC determination in each case of bloodstream Candida infections. Keywords: Caspofungin, Fluconazole, Amphotericin B, C.tropicalis, C. auris, W. anomalus

Nowadays obesity is the major health problem due to food habit and life style of people. Nature and natural compounds possess lots of health benefits. To explore the therapeutic benefit of Cyperus rotundus in this work, we have evaluated the anti-obesity potential on Monosodium glutamate (MSG) induced obese rats. Methanolic extract of tubers of Cyperus rotundus was administered at the dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg/oral after 45 d of treatment and a significant improvement in body weight, organs and lipid profile was observed as compared with MSG induced obese rats. Nowadays obesity is a common metabolic disorder in developed and developing countries. It was observed that Cyperus rotundus tuber possesses anti-obesity potential and protective action on heart and liver.

Introduction Distribution pattern and diversity of flora was compared along an altitudinal gradient using the stratified random sampling design for identifying major plant communities of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary of Garhwal Himalaya, India. The reconnaissance of flora is presented, along with the analysis of the distribution of species, genera, and families within five (5) altitudinal zones. Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary which is situated in the Indian Himalayas harbours a rich variety of flora and fauna. The Himalayas are recognized for diverse vegetation distributed over a wide range of topographical conditions. Results The analysis of diversity within five (5) altitudinal zones was carried out and a total of 324 plant species, representing 219 genera belonging to 92 families, were found. The dominant family was Asteraceae; the co-dominant family was Rosaceae, followed by Lamiaceae and Ranunculaceae. Eight (8) families were observed in all the altitudinal zones, while forty (40) families were observed in a single altitudinal zone, and the remaining forty-four (44) families were found in more than one (1) altitudinal zone. Most of the tree species were contagiously distributed, but a few of them were randomly distributed in all the altitudinal zones. The shrubs and herbs were contagiously distributed in all the altitudinal zones. The correlation analysis (P Conclusions Although species composition varies with altitude, but there is a complex relationship between species richness and altitudinal gradient. A decreasing pattern in both species richness and family richness for trees, shrubs and herbs, was recorded with increasing altitude. The predominant factors underlying this variability in plant species and biogeography appear to be climatic and specific to each taxonomic group.

Background: Diabetes metabolic dysregulation directly or indirectly affects almost all the organs of the body, including renal system, bone mass, and its metabolism. Bone composition and metabolism related to minerals start to change with the onset of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Osteoporosis oftenly coexists with CKD mineral and bone disorder, which is the most common metabolic bone disease resulting in fragility fractures. To design a treatment plan and prevent complications in patients of CKD with low bone mineral density (BMD), understanding the pathophysiology of these two bone disorders is necessary. Aims and Objectives: The aim is to study the BMD and vitamin D in diabetic patients suffering from CKD and to compare the BMDs among patients with the chronicity of disease. Materials and Methods: A case–control study was conducted to study the BMD and vitamin D levels among diabetic patients with CKD attending the Medicine and Nephrology Outdoor at M.D.M. Hospital, Jodhpur India. Vitamin D estimation was done by chemiluminescence immunoassay and BMD measured by DEXA scan at lumbar spine L4–L5 for both case and control groups. Results: Incidence of low BMD and low vitamin D levels is very high in patients suffering from CKD, but it is more profound in patients suffering from diabetes. Majority of them were male and more from rural area. Mean age of patients was 50 ± 8.75 years. Overall 63.34% of CKD patients had low vitamin D level, 36.67% had osteopenia, and 36.67% had osteoporosis. Similarly, 51.62% diabetic patients had osteoporosis, 38.7% had osteopenia, and 83.86% had low vitamin D. Conclusion: Correlation of vitamin D deficiency with low BMD was statistically highly significant in patients of diabetes with CKD. Early intervention in diabetes patients to prevent low BMD and vitamin D supplements can decrease the complications of low BMD and low vitamin D.

In the recent decades, regeneration patterns of forest species have played an important role in mitigating future climate impacts. This study analysed impact of disturbances due to grazing on the regeneration status of temperate reserve forest species in Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh, located in Western Himalaya of India spanning a wide range of altitudes. For analysis of vegetation, quadrat method was used to assess regeneration status and level of disturbance (grazing intensity). We found that seedling and sapling density and species richness decreased with increasing altitude. Overall, a fairly good regeneration potential was observed for tree species, and few of them reported poor regeneration exclusively due to grazing disturbances at higher altitudes. The forest growing at lower altitudes showed better regeneration than the forests growing at higher altitudes. Majority of dominant and co-dominant tree species showed a reverse j-shaped curve, but Quercus semecarpifolia and Rhododendron arboreum showed an inverse j-shaped curve. The study concluded that poor regeneration of species at higher altitude could be attributed to grazing and harsh environmental factors and, therefore, recommends adoption of suitable management measures at different phases of forest reproduction for successful forest establishment.

Country-specific emission factors for the Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector are important for the national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory. Carbon stocks of trees outside forests (TOF) and agroforestry is lacking due to the unavailability of wood density and carbon fraction of various tree species. The present study is an attempt to provide estimates of wood specific gravity (WSG) and carbon content (CC) in agroforestry tree species being cultivated by farmers in Garhwal Himalaya, India for precise estimation of biomass carbon of TOF and agroforestry. A total of 160 quadrats were laid randomly in agroforestry farms to represent the area of Pauri Garhwal and Rudraprayag districts of Garhwal Himalaya. A minimum of ten matured individuals for all 33 important agroforestry species including fruit trees were randomly selected from the quadrats. Minimum ten wood samples for each species were collected at 1.37 m height from ground for each individual. The samples were wood cores to the pith and were extracted from trees circumference using an increment borer for estimation of WSG and CC. The WSG of Carica papaya was minimum to the tune of 0.16 g cm−3 and maximum for Quercus leucotrichophora with 0.81 g cm−3. The carbon content varied from 36.37% for Carica papaya to 46.52% for Pinus roxburghii. The results of the present study differed from the earlier reports for other locations suggesting the importance of developing data set on WSG and CC for precise estimation of biomass carbon stock. The estimates of WSG and CC of agroforestry tree species would complement and improve the accuracy of national GHG inventory reporting in India for tree cover. Moreover, the accurate evaluation of carbon stock would be the enabling factor for the formulation of suitable policies and programmes for forest conservation, and sustainable rural livelihood through land use based adaptation and mitigation option.

Extra pulmonary TB is present in 15% of all TB cases. This incidence is higher about 50% in HIV affected patients. Tuberculous pleural effusion accounts for 4% of all TB cases. Though we have lot of diagnostic methods to diagnose pulmonary TB, we are lacking of a good diagnostic method to identify tubercular pleural effusion. In this issue we have studied the utility of Nested PCR (MTP40) in diagnosis of tubercular pleural effusion. We have included 200 pleural effusion patients. The sensitivity of Nested PCR test is 19% and specificity 100%, Diagnostic Accuracy 59.5%. This study conducted from May 2017 to June 2019. This is a cross sectional study done in a tertiary care center in Varanasi included 200 patients of pleural effusion. Keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Tubercular pleural effusion.

Over the last few decades, anticancer peptides (ACPs) have turned into potential warheads against cancer. Apart from small molecules and monoclonal antibodies, ACPs have been proven to be effective against cancer cells. ACPs are small cationic peptides that selectively bind to the negatively charged cancer cell membrane and kill them by various mechanisms. In the present study, we prepared a random scrambled library of 1200 peptides from the 100 known ACPs and virtually screened them for their anticancer properties. From in silico-predicted ACPs, 27 peptides were prioritized based on their support vector machine (SVM) score. Based on the SVM score and properties such as hydrophobicity, size, overall net charge, secondary structure, and synthetic feasibility, finally, four peptides were synthesized and screened for their biological activities. Cancer cell membrane-deforming potential of two most active peptides, peptide1 and peptide2 was assessed with molecular dynamics simulation. We found that peptide1 remains adsorbed to the membrane surface, while peptide2 has membrane penetration capability. The present study will be helpful in the computational design of ACPs and understanding their interaction with the cancerous cell's membrane.

Syzygium cumini is well known for its medicinal values in the indigenous Indian system of medicine. This study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of methanolic (SCM), ethanolic (SCE) and aqueous (SCA) extracts of Syzygium cumini seeds on arsenic-induced blood cell genotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in Wistar albino rats. Rats were divided into five groups: (1) control, (2) arsenic, (3) SCM, (4) SCE and (5) SCA. After completion of 60 days treatment period, comet assays were performed on isolated blood lymphocytes and serum marker assays indicative of hepatic toxicity were carried out. Arsenic exposed rats expressed significantly higher DNA damage in their lymphocytes than the unexposed rats. Increased activities of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and decreased levels of total proteins were observed in arsenic exposed rats. Simultaneous administration of Syzygium cumini seed extracts significantly decreased the arsenic-induced DNA damage and hepatotoxicity. The amelioration of arsenic toxicity was more pronounced with methanolic extract compared to ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Syzygium cumini seeds.

Superficial fungal infections are the common health seeking problem. These fungal infections are caused by three genera of Dermatophytes, naming Trichophyton, Microsporum, Epidermophyton. Among these three, Trichophyton spp. causes most of these lesions. Trichophyton spp. primarily infect the moist areas of human bodies. Different groups of antifungal agents are used in the treatment of these fungal infections. Despite availability of antifungal treatment, an increasing number of recurrent superficial fungal infections have been reported. We assessed the antidermatophytic activity of superoxidised water; a newer disinfectant, against Trichophyton spp. isolated from the cutaneous fungal infections. A total of 79 isolates of Trichophyton species including mentagrophytes (n=43) and rubrum (n=32) were exposed to freshly generated superoxidised water. A 50µl of 0.1 OD of the Trichophyton conidia were exposed to 500 µl of undiluted, 5 & 10 times diluted superoxidised water for one minute. A 10µl of these exposed conidia were inoculated on SDA. A 10µl of conidia (no exposure to superoxidised water) was also inoculated on SDA tube. Tubes were incubated at 28°C in BOD incubator. No growth was observed in tubes having exposed conidia only to undiluted Superoxidised water, even after the 28 days of continuous incubation at 28°C. Growth within 7days was observed in the tubes having unexposed conidia and exposed to dilute Superoxidised water. Undiluted superoxidised water showed the In vitro inhibition on Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum which might be useful in future in the treatment of these infections.

This study aimed to investigate the diversity and distribution pattern of tree in different altitudes in a protected area of Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS), situated in Himachal Pradesh, Western Himalaya, India. CWS is one of the famous sanctuaries and rich in biodiversity. The tree species analysis was done with the stratified sampling technique by performing a random sampling using the quadrats method. The study area was divided into four different altitudes: (i) Chhogtali (CT; 1900–2200 masl), (ii) Churas (CH; 1900–2200 masl), (iii) Nohra 1 (NH1; 2800–3200 masl), and (iv) Nohra 2 (NH2; 2800–3200 masl). Among the studied sites, results revealed that tree species richness decreases with an increase in altitude. Quercus leucotrichophora was dominant in CT and CH sites, whereas Q. semecarpifolia was dominant in NH1 and Abies spectabilis in NH2 sites. Picea smithiana reported to be dominant species in the studied sites. Compared to CT and CH sites, the dominance-diversity (d-d) curve showed a decrease in species richness on HN1 and NH2 at higher altitudes, whereas tree total basal cover (TBC) increases with altitude. The maximum similarity was between CT and CH sites and reduced between CT and NH2 sites with higher altitudes. Almost all tree species exhibited contagious distribution patterns which are common in natural forests; however, a few species showed random distribution, and no species were found distributed regularly. This study provides fruitful information to the policy-makers, environmentalists, and foresters to understand species diversity and distribution with species composition and structure with altitude. Thus, conservation and sustainable management strategies of the forest could be design in better ways to conserve diversity on a regional and/or global scale.

A technology for systemic and repeated administration of osteogenic factors for orthopedic use is an unmet medical need. Lactoferrin (∼80 kDa), present in milk, is known to support bone growth. We discovered a lactoferrin-mimetic peptide, LP2 (an 18-residue fragment from the N-terminus of the N-lobe of human lactoferrin), which self-assembles into a nano-globular assembly with a β-sheet structure in an aqueous environment. LP2 is non-hemolytic and non-cytotoxic against human red blood cells and 3T3 fibroblasts, respectively, and appreciably stable in the human serum. LP2 through the bone morphogenetic protein-dependent mechanism stimulates osteoblast differentiation more potently than the full-length protein as well as the osteoblastic production of osteoprotegerin (an anti-osteoclastogenic factor). Consequently, daily subcutaneous administration of LP2 to rats and rabbits with osteotomy resulted in faster bone healing and stimulated bone formation in rats with a low bone mass more potently than that with teriparatide, the standard-of-care osteogenic peptide for osteoporosis. LP2 has skeletal bioavailability and is safe at the 15× osteogenic dose. Thus, LP2 is a novel peptide that can be administered systemically for the medical management of hard-to-heal fractures.

The present study reports the potential of carbon (C) storage in traditional agroforestry systems (i.e., a set of age-old agroforestry systems) under waterlogged environmental conditions from north-eastern India. An experiment was conducted in a farmer’s field and further used CO2FIX model, allometric equations, and destructive sampling methods to know the potential of C sequestration. In this study area, agroforestry system is dominated by woody perennials like Areca catechu, Cocos nucifera, Mangifera indica, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Melocanna baccifera, and Colocasia esculenta as annual crop component. Need-based management of the drainage system has been built-up by making broad/narrow bunds for maintaining water levels at different stages of plant growth. The total annual carbon storage potential of this traditional agroforestry system was estimated as 103.760±8.630 t ha−1year−1. The highest annual carbon storage potential (97.900±8.090 t ha−1year−1) was recorded in annual crop components (i.e., Colocasia) followed by trees and its underlaid soil (4.250±0.340 t ha−1year−1) and lowest for bamboos (1.610± 0. 200 t ha−1 year−1). However, the estimated carbon stored, annually, was 24.992±1.502 t ha−1 year−1 in which Colocasia share maximum contribution (19.600±1.080 t ha−1 year−1) followed by trees + soil (3.798±0.229 t ha−1 year−1) and the minimum contribution from bamboos (1.594±0.193 t ha−1 year−1). Moreover, total carbon loss from harvesting of this system was 78.768±7.128 t ha−1 year−1. The study, therefore, recommends this agroforestry system for other waterlogged ecosystems at regional and/or global scale under a warm per-humid climate for both livelihood opportunities and environmental sustainability.

Background: Outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 is Janapadoddhwamsa Vikara (epidemic disease) in Ayurveda, where Rasayana drugs (immunomodulators or rejuvenating therapy) have been advocated for controlling the diseases. Therefore, Guduchi Ghan Vati, containing a drug Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), a plant is selected for prevention of COVID-19. Objectives: To know the efficacy and safety of Ayurvedic intervention i.e. Guduchi Ghan Vati in prevention of COVID-19 infection among the community of containment areas. Methods: It is an open label, prospective, non-randomized, community based interventional study, carried out from 06 May to 23 June, 2020, in a containment zone Bijhari area of District Hamirpur of Himachal Pradesh, India. Guduchi Ghan Vati was provided to the community in dose of 500 mg twice a day with luke warm water on empty stomach for 30 days. Their demographic and health related data and Follow up of the same subjects was done on the 30th day through telephonic interviews using the E-format (google forms). Results: Total 1165 participants’ data were analysed to assess the efficacy and safety of Guduchi Ghan Vati. In the sample 85.2 % participants had no systemic disorders whereas 13.8 % participants were taking concomitant medicines for other morbidities. Incidence of COVID-19 positive cases was only 0.1% (n=01). Conclusion: Ayurvedic intervention (Guduchi Ghan Vati) was found to be safe and effective as a prophylactic measure for COVID-19 infection. This intervention was helpful in improving physical and psychological well-being with minimal adverse drug Reaction/Adverse Effect.

Trees are important as a source of fuelwood and fodder for rural populations in the Himalayas. This paper analysed the fuelwood and fodder consumption patterns of rural households in 16 villages in Alaknanda Valley, Uttarakhand, northern India. The results showed that consumption of biomass from agroforestry and other sources varied significantly in different seasons. The fuelwood consumption requirement from agroforestry was an estimated 2.05, 0.63 and 1.24 kg/capita/day in winter, summer and rainy season, respectively, while the corresponding values for fuelwood from other sources were 1.16, 0.34 and 0.65 kg/capita/day, respectively. The fodder from agroforestry also contributed an estimated value of 12.96, 10.35 and 7.65 kg/adult cattle unit/day in winter, summer and the rainy season, respectively, while other sources contributed 3.53, 4.76 and 11.58 kg/ACU/day, respectively. These findings highlight the importance of agroforestry comprising suitable tree species for fuelwood and fodder in mountainous regions. Agroforestry can be a potential strategy to enhance resilience to climate change among smallholders who are fully dependent on natural resources, by reducing the risk of total crop yield losses, providing a more stable source of fuelwood and fodder, and reducing the time and energy spent on collecting resources from outside the smallholding or farm. This research did not receive any grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. The author has got fellowship for the study from the UGC, Government of India.

The climatic and non-climatic stresses impacted adversely to the functioning and productivity of the forests, resulting in disturbing the existing carbon flow in the atmosphere. Cedrus deodara occurs in pure forest stands throughout the Western Himalayas and has high biomass and soil carbon sequestration potential. The present study aims to provide the contribution of the Cedrus deodara forests under the current stresses for climate mitigation by analysing the three elevation ranges of the Dhanaulti forest division of Garhwal Himalaya, India. The results report that soil organic carbon (SOC) was adversely and bulk density favourably related with elevation. Moreover, SOC as CO2eq also decreased significantly with an increase in soil depths. Biomass carbon for various parts of the plant was also estimated for the three elevations of the Cedrus deodara forests. The trend in total carbon stock (bole, branch, twig, foliage and soil) decreased significantly with an increase in altitude. The carbon stock of Cedrus deodara forests was maximum (545 t ha−1) at upper altitude (2350 m.a.s.l) and minimum (330 t ha−1) at a lower altitude (2050 m.a.s.l). The difference in litter production between the seasons is significant with maximum production in summer followed by rainy and winter seasons. This study provides inputs for greenhouse gas (GHG) estimation for national communication to various platforms. The information on the soil is crucial for understanding about the ecology of the forests assisting prediction of functioning and productivity of forests.

The phytosociological attributes of woody species were investigated along an altitudinal gradient in Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. Detailed sampling was carried out in five altitudinal zones (from 1550 to 3550 m asl). A total of 81 woody species, including 33 trees (28 genera and 22 families) and 48 shrub species (39 genera and 24 families) were reported. Density ranged from 150 ± 19 trees/ha (Zone V, 3350–3550 m asl) to 530 ± 36 trees ha−1 (Zone I, 1550–1750 m asl) and 3.83 ± 0.31 shrubs 25 m-2 (Zone-I 1550–1750 m) to 12.3 ± 0.45 shrubs 25 m-2 (Zone-III 2900–3100 m). Total Basal Cover (TBC) fluctuated between 2.91 ± 0.74 m2 ha−1 (Zone-V) to 37.96 ± 2.95 m2 ha−1 (Zone-I). The diversity index (H) of trees varied from 2.097 (Zone-V) to 3.373 (Zone-I) and of shrubs ranged from 2.624 (Zone-V) to 4.209 (Zone-I). The correlation (Carl Pearson) test indicated that species richness, Shannon-Wiener diversity index, β-diversity, and TBC declined sharply with increase in altitude. The average maturity index for trees varied from 16.36 to 33.57 and 11.59 to 32.67 for shrubs. The diversity of woody plants declined as altitude increased, indicating that environmental filtering acts as a key factor in shaping the woody vegetation at high altitudes. In lower altitudinal zones, most of the species exhibited a lognormal curve while species of higher altitudes followed geometric curves. The present study could prove beneficial for the foresters, policy-makers to understand the altitudinal behavior of species diversity and its degeneration patterns so that strategic conservation plan could be implemented in the coming future. Thus, the study is expected to provide information to understand the current status, ecology as well as conservational efforts required for this protected area.

Climate change is major challenge in modern era and requires key attention to the researcher, globally. Carbon (‘C’) sequestering through agroforestry is one of the ways to mitigate the carbon reduction and provide safeguards to the environment for livelihood. The present study was conducted on Grewia optiva tree which is dominated in agroforestry systems of Tehri Garhwal Himalaya (Uttarakhand) in different villages at three altitudes, i.e., upper altitudes (UA), middle altitude (MA), and lower altitude (LA) ranged from 500 to 1500 m amsl. Soil moisture, water holding capacity (WHC), bulk density (BD), and soil organic carbon (SOC) reported highest in LA compared to MA and UA, which might be because of all eroded material deposited in LA . Further, nitrogen storage in UA is higher due to comparatively low temperature significantly lower the microbial activities for N2O emission than MA and LA. The low nitogen in LA might be due to higher nitrification and/or denitrification rate. The same also supported by low carbon content (energy sources to microbial activity) in LA. The density of Grewia optiva in agroforestry was high in LA; however, total tree carbon was highest in MA (20.8 t/ha) followed by UA (20.4 t/ha) and LA (19.1 t/ha) while annual shoot carbon was highest in LA (2.43 t/ha) followed by MA (1.08 t/ha) and UA (0.77 t/ha). Further, carbon credit likely to be earned from the agroforestry under G. optiva is estimated as 553,702 Euro. Therefore, Grewia optiva is strongly recommending for agroforestry which will further help in socioeconomic development and carbon-reducing strategies in mitigating future climate.

The carbon stored as soil organic carbon (SOC) and tree biomass is typically the highest carbon pool of the forest and is impacted by degradation and deforestation. The impact of “C” stocks on climate change at different altitudes can have vital implications for the conservation and management of “C” sinks. This study was undertaken in subtropical belt of Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India, to understand the carbon-storing potential of Anogeissus latifolia tree and its soil properties in three altitudes, i.e., lower (LA: 790–824 m), middle (MA: 825–960 m), and upper (UA: 1168–1212 m), which provide fuel, fodder, and small timber for life support purposes. Results of the study suggested that soil moisture and pH increase with increasing depth and altitude, whereas SOC and soil nitrogen show reverse patterns. Moreover, bulk density (BD) does not follow any trend (i.e., BD increases with soil depth and altitude until 960 m and further decreases with an increase in altitude). Tree density, biomass, and carbon stock reported highest in MA compared with UA and LA because of dense forest and greater tree diameter. Looking into the soil carbon stock, nitrogen, C/N ratio (C/N