Artificial neural network model for precipitation forecast over Western Himalaya using satellite images

Kalpana satellite images in real time available by India meteorological department (IMD), contain relevant inputs about the cloud in infra-red (IR), water vapor (WV), and visible (VIS) bands. In the present study an attempt has been made to forecast precipitation at six stations in western Himalaya by using extracted grey scale values of IR and WV images. The extracted pixel values at a location are trained for the corresponding precipitation at that location. The precipitation state at 0300 UTC is considered to train the model for precipitation forecast with 24 hour lead time. The satellite images acquired in IR (10.5 - 12.5 µm) and WV (5.7 - 7.1 µm) bands have been used for developing Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model for qualitative as well as quantitative precipitation forecast. The model results are validated with ground observations and skill scores are computed to check the potential of the model for operational purpose. The probability of detection at the six stations varies from 0.78 for Gulmarg in Pir-Panjal range to 0.95 for Dras in Greater Himalayan range. Overall performance for qualitative forecast is in the range from 61% to 84%. Root mean square error for different locations under study is in the range 5.81 to 8.7.

Space Use by Woolly Wolf Canis lupus chanco in Gangotri National Park, Western Himalaya, India

The woolly wolf Canis lupus chanco is increasingly being accepted as a unique taxon that needs immediate protection and management; however, information on its ecology remains limited across its range. We used camera trapping data set of 4 years (2015–2019) to investigate seasonal activity patterns and space use and assessed woolly wolf food habits in the Gangotri National Park, western Himalaya, India. We used generalized linear mixed models to assess the distribution of the wolf about prey, seasonal livestock grazing, human presence, habitat, and seasons. We observed a positive association with elevation and a negative response to an increase in ruggedness. The capture of wolves increased in winters, indicating a possible effect of snow on the ranging pattern. Spatial avoidance to anthropogenic pressure was not evident in our study; however, temporal avoidance was observed. The activity pattern of the wolf varied among seasons. Wolves were mostly active in the morning and late evening hours in summer and showed a diurnal activity pattern in winter. A less diverse diet was observed where the mean percentage frequency of occurrence and relative biomass was highest for bharal, followed by livestock. Himalayan marmot Marmota himalayana, birds, and rodents also form minor constituents to the diet. Synthesizing all three factors (space, diet, and activity), it may be stated that the wolf presence in the region is influenced by both wild prey availability and seasonality. Therefore, conservation of woolly wolves would require securing a vast landscape with optimal wild prey.

Anemone pindariensis (Ranunculaceae), most recently described from the western Himalaya in India, is a teratological form of A. rivularis

Based on literature survey and observations on herbarium specimens and living plants in the wild, we demonstrate that Anemone pindariensis (Ranunculaceae), most recently described from the western Himalaya in India, is a teratological form of A. rivularis. We therefore place the former in synonymy with the latter herein.