Geochemical study of a 3.55 m long lake sediment core from the Badanital Lake (Garhwal Himalaya) reveals Late Holocene centennial-scale climatic changes. The ecosystem of the tectonically formed lake seems to be controlled by natural and anthropogenic factors.

The present study was carried out in parts of a protected area of Garhwal Himalaya, namely, Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS). The main aim of the study was to gather and analyze information from the sanctuary dwellers on conservation of natural resources and its value focusing on the needs of local inhabitants.

A detailed analytical study of major cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+) and anions (SO2− 4 , HCO−3 , Cl−, NO−3 ) of meltwater draining from Gangotri Glacier was carried out to understand major ion chemistry and to get an insight into geochemical weathering processes controlling hydrochemistry of the glacier. In the meltwater, the abundance order of cations and anions varied as follows: Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ >Na+ and SO2− 4 > HCO−3 > Cl− > NO−3 , respectively. Calcium and magnesium are dominant cations while sulphate and bicarbonate are dominant anions.

The complex interaction of environmental stress, poor natural regeneration and insect pests have lead to forest decline in Himalayan sub-region. Amongst the insects, stem and wood boring beetles are capable of causing significant oak mortality. The paper reports the outcome of surveys on wood boring beetles carried out in moist temperate oak forests, mainly with Ban oak, Quercus leucotrichophora Camus, Moru oak, Q. dilatata Lindl and Q. semicarpifolia Smith in six sites in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India.

In an extensive survey to Garhwal Himalaya and arid soil of western Rajasthan, twenty four leguminous nitrogen fixing species were identified including seven herbs, nine shrubs, four climbers and four tree species which were screened for nodulation and nitrogen fixation activity between 400-2100m altitudes.

During the last two decades much has been written about the biodiversity richness of country. Avoiding all the numerical details about the documented species an attempt has been made to provide information about the relative forest systems of India. For classifying the vegetation the altitude has been adopted as vital factor in detailing the vegetation.