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Two species of Tricholoma , T. bonii and T. triste , are reported as new records for Pakistan. Phylogenetic analysis based on the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) region clustered the Pakistani collections with T. bonii and T. triste sequences from previous worldwide collections. Detailed descriptions of macro- and microcharacters, habitat, general distribution, and diagnostic features are presented.

We investigate the pastoral practices of Afghan Kochi refugees in Mansehra, Northwest Pakistan, and discuss them through the analytical lenses of pastoral niche and interstitial pastoralism. We argue that Kochi refugees, in recovering livestock husbandry in exile and doing so in a context of increasing impoverishment, have largely engaged in ram fattening and sale – occupying a niche that requires less financial capital and less labour than ewe husbandry – and that they have done so moving their livestock in the green interstices of a crowded and fenced landscape, relying on networks of (sometimes hostile) relations with local pastoralists and farmers. Fattening systems, interstitial feeding practices, and occupation of dependent economic niches are all features of contemporary and impoverished pastoral livelihoods. The study contributes to the theoretical articulation of these concepts, which might help to capture the complexity of pastoral transitions across the world's rangelands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cultural activities of the Hazara region can be traced back to the early Stone Age in Pakistan, although systematic and planned archaeological investigations throughout the region in the pre- and postindependence period were scantily available. During the colonial period, there were certain efforts, largely targeted at removing treasures from Buddhist monuments and other archaeological sites. For paying attention to the culturally rich and fertile land of the Hazara Division, the Hazara University (Mansehra) got the credit to establish the Department of Cultural Heritage and Tourism Management in 2006, which later (in 2008) grew into the School of Cultural Heritage and Creative Technologies comprising of five teaching departments (i.e., Archaeology, Architecture, Art & Design, Tourism & Hospitality, and Conservation. The Department of Archaeology made serious efforts to map up the cultural relics of the Hazara region with the help of many national and international funding agencies. The current research focusses on the GIS mapping of the rich Buddhist heritage of the present eight districts of Hazara division namely, Haripur, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Batagram, Torghar, Kohistan Lower, Kohistan Upper, and Kolai Palas. The GIS technology allows for the spatial analysis of Buddhist relics' distribution. This analysis revealed patterns of religious activities, trade routes, and cultural diffusion. By overlaying GIS data with historical records, researchers can develop new theories and insights into the dynamics of ancient civilizations in the region. GIS mapping of these relics will help develop the tourism industry by making it easier for travellers and tourists to locate and study these assets of archaeological and historical interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two species of Tricholoma, T. bonii and T. triste, are reported as new records for Pakistan. Phylogenetic analysis based on the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) region clustered the Pakistani collections with T. bonii and T. triste sequences from previous worldwide collections. Detailed descriptions of macro- and microcharacters, habitat, general distribution, and diagnostic features are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Two new species found in Northwestern Pakistan in the mushroom genus Amanita are described and illustrated. Phylogenetic data derived from nuclear ribosomal ITS and LSU regions along with morphological characterizations indicate that these species are novel. Amanita cinis is a member of section Roanokenses, while A. olivovaginata is representative of the section Vaginatae. Amanita emodotrygon, recently described from the state of Uttarakhand, India, is new to Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study was conducted at University of Agriculture Faisalabad during 2013, to identify and assess the needs of the poultry farmers in terms of training regarding identification of diseases and their prevention in northwestern highlands of Pakistan. A cross sectional survey was carried out in district Mansehra. Tehsil Mansehra was selected out of three tehsils namely Balakot, Mansehra and Oghi. Three union councils Datta, Mansehra Deh and Tanda from the selected tehsil and one village from each union council randomly selected. The data were collected with the combination of quantitative and qualitative methods and simple random sampling technique was used for sample collection of thirty (30) commercial poultry farmers. It was revealed that the most threatening diseases in the research area as perceived by the respondents (poultry farmers) were new-castles, hydropericardium, coryza and gumboro. The poultry farmers were cognizant with the treatment and control measures of new castles, hydropericardium and Gomboro at around average level. As far as, the specific disease situation was concerned awareness regarding identification and control among prevalent diseases was the lowest in case of coryza whereas its prevalence rate over poultry farms was of high levels. It is recommended that the local farmers should be provided with the trainings for identification and treatment of poultry diseases to avoid the losses incurred due to the lack of awareness in dealing with these threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment was conducted at National Tea Research Institute, Shinkiari, Mansehra-Pakistan during 2010-11 with the objectives to find out the most suitable time for pruning of tea to get high production of fresh tea leaves. Mature tea bushes of Qi-men variety were top pruned manually with shears on 10th November, 10th December, 2010, 10th January, 10th February, and 10th March, 2011 with one month interval. November, December and January pruning recorded the 1st plucking on 3rd May, 2011 while the first plucking in the tea bushes pruned during March, 2011 was obtained on 13th May 2011 with ten days delay as compared to early pruning. Pruning in December gave 3403 and 3292 kg more fresh tea leaves production ha-1 as compared to March and February pruning, respectively. A gradual decline was observed in plucking density points, shoot growth, fresh tea leaves yield and black tea production in plots pruned after December. It was found that the tea bushes pruned on 10th December, 2010 recorded significantly the highest number of plucking points m-2 (305.26), shoot growth (95.8 cm), fresh tea leaves yield (17888 kg ha-1) and black tea (3563 kg ha-1) followed by 10th January, 2011 pruning regarding these parameters, while the pruning on 10th March, 2011 produced the minimum number of plucking points m-2 (246.82), shoot growth (76.7 cm), fresh tea leaves yield ( 14486 kg ha-1) and black tea (2912 kg ha-1). Higher shoot density and shoot growth were associated with higher fresh tea leaves and made tea production. On the basis of these findings, it can be concluded that top pruning of tea during December and January gave the highest production of fresh leaves and black tea under the climatic conditions of Mansehra-Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the nest architectural patterns, elemental analysis and their behavior were carried out in three wasp species: Vespa velutina (Lepeletier), Polistes lavus (Cresson) and Sceliphron formosum (Smith) from the different localities of the Mansehra, Pakistan. The V. velutina nest was completely closed except for one opening for entry or exit with 1-10 layers of hexagonal cells inside the nest. The nests of P. lavus were found among bunches of leaves of trees with 1-5 layers and hexagonal cells same as in V. velutina. Nests of the S. formosum were pitcher-shaped, found in muddy places, and consisted of 1-10 cells. Social behavior of wasps showed strong foraging, defensive behaviors, pseudo-attack, subsequent erratic light, wing buzzing, mandibular pecking, abdominal pumping and abdominal twisting with highly developed parental care. It was concluded that the behaviors of these 3 wasp species was highly developed as compared with other insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Present study was conducted to study seasonal abundance and distribution of dragonflies in upper Siran valley district Mansehra Pakistan. To collect data, eleven localities were visited for three consecutive years (2016-2018). Results come up with a sum of 300 specimens identified under three families, eight genera and twenty species. Highest seasonal abundance recorded during summer and spring were 80.67% and 13.33% respectively while minimum 6.00% was recorded during early autumn. Dominant species observed were, Orthetrum chrysis (14.00%), followed by O. gluacum (12.00%), Palpoleura sexmaculata sexmaculata (11.33%) and O. cancellatum cancellatum (8.00%). However the highest population of dragonflies was found in Munda Gucha with a percentage of 11.33 followed by Jabbar (11.00%) and Sachan (9.67%). The lowest populations were recorded in Suham (6.00%), Dadar (7.67%) and Jabori (7.67%). The surveyed valley showed diverse Anisopterous fauna and thus further extensive surveys are recommended that can come up with more important species from the area.