ECO SENSITIVE ZONE: A COMMUNITYS PERSPECTIVE ON CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN GANGOTRI REGION OF UTTARAKHAND

The unique ecosystem of the Himalayas with its pristine natural beauty has long been home to endless charms and fascinations attracting tourist from across the world. With resources to support sprawling tourism industry the Himalayas have become one of the most visited tourist regions both in terms of Leisure as well as spiritual tourism. Over the years the booming tourism industry has its share in degrading the fragile mountain ecosystem. Recognizing the potential of tourism to foster socio economic growth and to maintain the local environment, the concept of sustainable tourism has come into place. Being ecologically rich and vulnerable at the same time the development of tourism industry in the Himalayan region must thrive within the ambit of natures limitations. Declaring several ecological rich and vulnerable areas in Uttarakhand to be Eco sensitive zones has redefined not only the type, intensity, exclusivity and inclusivity of tourism activities but also redefined the overall role of tourism in ensuring long term sustainability and viability in such areas. A compendium of communitys perspective on challenges and opportunities in Gangotri Eco sensitive zone in Himalayan state of Uttarakhand India has been presented in the paper. The potential impact on local people, economy and tourism industry itself, post designating popular tourist destination Bhagirathi Valley in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand as Eco sensitive zone has been highlighted. Perception of people on various dimensions of sustainable tourism which can potentially thrive within the Eco sensitive zone balancing both the mountain ecosystem as well as local economy have also be assessed highlighting the need of sustainable tourism practices in such fragile mountainous regions.

Effect of land-use change along altitudinal gradients on soil micronutrients in the mountain ecosystem of Indian (Eastern) Himalaya

Management of soil micronutrients for better crop production needs a sound understanding of their status and causes of variability. This is more relevant for acid soils of the mountain ecosystem of Eastern Himalaya (Northeast India). We assessed the status, and the effect of land uses along altitudinal gradients (14 to 4090 masl) on soil properties and micronutrient concentrations (DTPA extractable Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn) across the region. Soils varied widely in micronutrient concentrations: Fe from 0.665 to 257.1 mg kg−1 while Mn, Cu, and Zn from traces to 93.4, 17.1, and 34.2 mg kg−1, respectively. On conversion of evergreen forests (EF) to upland agriculture (Shifting—SC and Settled—SA) and plantation (PH), Mn, Cu, and Zn concentrations decreased significantly from 30.5, 1.74, and 2.13 mg kg−1 to 6.44–17.8, 0.68–0.81, and 1.06–1.42 mg kg−1, respectively. Grassland (GL) and lowland paddy (LP) had comparable Fe, Mn, and Cu concentrations (except Zn). Degradation of EF to scrubland (SL) recorded the lowest Mn (5.91 mg kg−1), Cu (0.59 mg kg−1), and Zn (0.68 mg kg−1) concentrations. Fe concentration was however increased in degraded SL (+ 73%) over EF (48.7 mg kg−1). The distribution of micronutrients among the land uses was inconsistent and followed the order: (i) Fe: SL > PH > LP > EF > GL > SC > SA, (ii) Mn: EF > GL > LP > PH > SC > SA > SL; (iii) Cu: EF > GL > LP > SC > SA = PH > SL; and (iv) Zn: GL > EF > LP > SC > SA > PH > SL. Four micronutrients responded differently and followed a non-linear, 6th—order polynomial trend along the altitudinal gradients (< 500 to 4100 masl). Peak concentrations of Fe, Mn, and Cu were recorded at 1001–2000 m while Zn was recorded at > 4000 masl. The variability (54–64%) in soil micronutrients was mainly controlled by three key soil properties: acidity, clay, and organic carbon contents. Thus, altitude-specific land-use management holds significance in the distribution of available soil micronutrients in hilly ecosystems.

PENGARUH WEB MODUL IPA TERINTEGRASI POTENSI LOKAL “EKOSISTEM PEGUNUNGAN DIENG” TERHADAP THINKING SKILL

THE EFFECT OF SCIENCE WEB MODUL INTEGRATED LOCAL POTENTIAL OF DIENG MOUNTAIN ECOSYSTEM TOWARD THINGKING SKILL Abstract21st-century learning requires learning media that can improve thinking skills, including understanding information, formulating alternative solutions and solving problems in the environment around students by utilizing the available information sources. This study aimed to identify the influence of the science web module integrated local potential "Dieng Mountain Ecosystem" to thinking skills. The method used in this study was quasi-experimental with a post control group design. The researcher used random cluster sampling to get two sample groups were 7C and 7E SMP N 1 Wonosobo. The data collection instruments used were essay tests based on the indicators of thinking skills. Data were processed using the Kruskal Wallis test and effect size. The study results showed that there were differences in thinking skills measurement results between the experimental and control classes. The science web science module has a high influence on thinking skills with an effect size of 0.9. AbstrakPembelajaran pada abad ini membutuhkan media pembelajaran yang dapat meningkatkan thinking skills meliputi kemampuan untuk memahami informasi, merumuskan alternatif pemecahan masalah dan menyelesaikan masalah yang ada di sekitar siswa dengan memanfaatkan sumber informasi yang tersedia. Tujuan penelitian adalah mengetahui pengaruh dari modul web IPA terintegrasi potensi lokal “Ekosistem Gunung Dieng” terhadap thinking skills. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah penelitian quasi-experimental dengan post control group design. Peneliti menggunakan metode pengambilan sampel cluster random sampling untuk mendapatkan dua kelompok sampel yaitu kelas 7C dan 7E di SMP N 1 Wonosobo. Pengumpulan data thinking skills menggunakan tes uraian berdasarkan indikatornya. Data yang didapatkan diolah menggunakan uji Kruskal Wallis untuk menganalisis perbedaan hasil thinking skills pada kelas eksperimen dan kontrol. Pengaruh web modul IPA yang dikembangkan terhadap thingking skills diketahui melalui perhitungan effect size. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat perbedaan thinking skills antara kelas kontrol dan kelas eksperiman yang dipengaruhi oleh penggunaan web modul sains yang ditunjukkan dengan effect size sebesar 0,9.

STATE OF AGRO-DIVERSITY IN A MOUNTAIN ECOSYSTEM: CASE OF THE OLIVE TREE (OLEA EUROPEA L.) IN THE MOUNTAINS OF BENI-SNOUS: (TLEMCEN-ALGERIA)

Fruit growing in the Tlemcen region is carried out in a more or less traditional way, and this is largely the result of a lack of knowledge of areas favorable to a particular fruit species, but also of a lack of training and initiatives. Many fruit species are considered as a local product because they occupy mountainous areas with rugged relief. The latter have organoleptic qualities specific to the ecosystem in which they live. Hence the name of niche product. The most significant example is the Sigoise olive or Olive of the Tlemcen mountains. Thus the present study aims to enhance and preserve some experiences of upkeep and preservation of olive trees in mountainous ecological sites with very difficult relief. This aspect has made it possible to generate varieties of olives with by-products of highly appreciated qualitative value.

Applying Agronomic Principles of Rhizobial Inoculation to the Conservation of a Keystone Legume Species in a High Mountain Ecosystem on an Oceanic Island

The Teide broom, Spartocytisus supranubius, is an endemism of the Canary Islands (Spain) and the dominant legume of the Tenerife high-mountain ecosystem in Teide National Park (N.P.). Biotic and abiotic stresses are causing a progressive deterioration and decline of the population of this keystone legume. Since its symbiosis with rhizobia is the main nitrogen (N) input into these soils, diminishing the biological nitrogen fixation could compromise the maintenance of this alpine ecosystem. Symbiotically efficient nitrogen-fixing rhizobia have been widely and successfully used as inoculants for agronomic purposes. However, only rarely has rhizobial inoculation been used for legume species conservation in natural ecosystems. In this study, we assessed three Bradyrhizobium sp. strains as inoculants for S. supranubius on seedlings grown in a greenhouse experiment and on juvenile individuals (2-years-old) transplanted on a field trial in the N.P. Plant growth as well as symbiotic and plant physiological parameters were measured to evaluate the effect of rhizobia inoculation. Our results show that broom plants responded positively to the inoculation both in the greenhouse and field trials. The SSUT18 inoculated plants had significantly higher number and weight of nodules, greater sizes (biovolume) and biomass and also showed the highest N which, being not significant in our experimental conditions, it still contributed to more N per planted hectare than control plants, which could be important for the ecosystem maintenance in these N-poor soils. Positive effects of inoculation were also detected on the plant survival rate and water content. The bradyrhizobial inoculation, by accelerating the plant growth can shorten the greenhouse period and by producing more robust juvenile plants, they could help them to cope better with stresses in its natural habitat. Therefore, inoculation with selected rhizobia is a successful strategy to be integrated into conservation campaigns for this threatened legume species.