Distribution Pattern of Genus Taraxacum in the Nepalese Himalayas

The flowering plant diversity in Nepal is very rich with wide range of distribution due to overlap of different phytogeographical regions. In this study, we accounted the distribution pattern of genus Taraxacum belonging to the family Asteraceae. We included 14 species of Nepalese species which have wide range of altitudinal distribution i.e. from tropical region of Terai (720 m asl) to high Himalayas (4850 m asl) and east to west horizontal distribution with most of the species dominant in the central region of Nepal. Most of the species disappear or die during the dry winter season and their flowering starts by the starting of the Monsoon. These species within the genus have extended flowering period which is not strictly constrained by the monsoon. Taraxacum species richness increases along the elevation gradient from west to east across Nepal, in relation to the increased intensity of the monsoon.

Reproductive Biology of a Medicinal Orchid Satyarium Nepalense (Orchidaceae) in the Nepalese Himalayas

Satyrium nepalense is a terrestrial medicinal orchid of the Himalayas. Although, the ecology and medicinal uses of this orchid is well known, little is known about its reproductive mechanism. In this study, we explored the natural history and reproductive biology of S. nepalense and tested their potential spatial variation. We observed the floral visitors and natural fruit set of S. nepalense at its two populations. We found that, despite the presence of outcrossing features, this orchid did not receive any diurnal floral visitors. The natural fruit set was very high (>90.0%) at both the sites, suggesting the possibility of autonomous selfing. This finding may have important implication for the further study to explore how autonomous selfing evolves in a member of the predominately outcrossing genus. Moreover, the finding of this study provides important insight to develop efficient protocol for its conservation.

Disaster Management and Role of Academic Institutions in Nepal: Current Status and Way Forward

The intense natural disasters have been causing the great loss of life and properties in Nepal. This study attempts to figure out the status and role of Nepalese academia for the contribution of disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM). The methodology adopted for the study is reviewing the literature, policies, and academic documents including university curricula. The study highlighted that the constitution of Nepal 2015 and DRRM Act 2017 have provided ample opportunities via several legal provisions for federal, provincial, and local government to make their own modalities for making a disaster-resilient society. The universities and higher academic institutions are responsible for sound knowledge-based research activities to address the issues of DRRM which could be directly adopted by different levels of governments in terms of their plans, policies, and programs. In this connection, attempts are being made by governments and academic institutions to develop disaster resilient communities by shifting the traditional way of just responding during disaster focusing on the disaster cycle. Precisely, ten major universities of Nepal have incorporated disaster components including preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation-related academic curricula in their undergraduate and graduate levels academic programs. Introducing the Environmental Health in Disaster, and Public Health and Disaster Engineering in Tribhuvan University and Pokhara University, respectively is one of the good initiatives taken by the academia. However, there is still room for improvement in terms of the integration of DRRM courses in the curricula of higher academic institutions for making disaster-resilient communities.

Diversity and Seasonal Distribution of Plankton in Khaste Lake, Lekhnath, Kaski, Nepal

Planktons are the important components of aquatic ecosystem. In this study, we assessed the diversity and seasonal distribution of planktons in Khaste Lake, Lekhnath, Kaski. Samples were collected from three stations from April to September using plankton net of mesh size 60μm.The collection period included three different seasons: summer, early monsoon and late monsoon. Altogether 35 genera of plankton, 24 belonging to phytoplanktonic group and 11 to zooplankton, were recorded from April to September 2012. The recorded phytoplankton belonged to four classes namely chlorophyceae, bacillariophyceae, xanthophyceae, and cyanophyceae with fourteen, seven, two and one genera respectively, while zooplanktons belonged to three groups namely rotifera, cladocera and copepoda with three, six and two genera respectively. The dominant class in phytoplankton was chlorophyceae with fourteen genera and in zooplankton was cladocera with six genera. Eleven genera of phytoplankton and five genera of zooplankton were recorded throughout the three seasons of the study period. The rich in diversity of phytoplankton shows high level of nutrient status and the lake changing into Eutrophication Lake resulting from the surface run-off water with fertilizers from agricultural lands and sewage from densely populated area of the surrounding.

A Study on Toxic Effect of Chemicals and Control Strategies

Poisons are substances that can cause death, injury or harm to organs, tissues, cells and DNA usually by chemical reactions or other activity on the molecular scales, when an organism is exposed to a sufficient quantity. The objective of the study was to identify the toxic chemicals, to study their poisoning effect and present poisoning reduction strategies and then precautions. Analytical research method was used for conducting this research. This study is focused on the toxicity of major harmful chemicals such as hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, chloroform, Sulphur dioxide, ammonia, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, mercury, arsenic, cadmium and their compounds, catalyst, inert gases, insecticides, antidote which have been used in chemistry laboratories and in other different fields. Students from higher education to research levels are suffering from toxic laboratory chemicals. Workers in chemical industries are being intoxicated from poisonous reactants, intermediates and final products. Farmers are directly exposed to chemical fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Different types of toxic irritant, sensitizer, asphyxiates, anesthetics, narcotics, systemic poisons, respiratory fibrogens, and carcinogens are mainly responsible for animal poisoning and environmental pollution. Poisoning from toxic chemicals can be controlled by the strategies like substitution, mechanical handling, process changing, suppression, segregation, ventilation, personal protection, medical supervision and biological monitoring. Immediate accidental poisoning can be managed by using respective antidotes and obeying specific precautions.

Species Diversity, Distribution and Abundance of Fishes of Seti Gandaki River Basin, Pokhara, Nepal

Species diversity with indices, distribution and abundance of fishes of Seti Gandaki River Basin, Pokhara, Nepal are described from five study sites, three along the main channel and two in major tributaries. Fishes were sampled using a cast-net following pass-removal method. Environmental variables were determined following the standard methods. In total, 30 species belonging to five orders, nine families and 24 genera with absolute abundance of 10,659 were recorded. A longitudinal pattern of distribution and species richness from upstream to downstream sites (17 to 21 species) was observed. Cyprinids were dominant followed by silurids, balitorids, channids, mastacembelids, belonids and cobitids. Distribution pattern and abundance data showed that the species Tor tor, Tor putitora, Chaguninus chagunio, Barilius barila, Opsarius barna, Danio rerio, Lepidocephalichthys guntea, Parachiloglanis hodgarti and Amblyceps mangois were not common in the study area. The environmental variables such as depth, width, discharge and temperature showed effect upon species richness, abundance, distribution and diversity indices, which had lower values at upstream pre-urban sites than at downstream post-urban sites. A sharp decline in species richness, abundance and diversity indices at urban site (10 species) indicated urban influence.

Non-Edible Seeds for the Production of Biodiesel

The global energy demand is increasing day by day. The consumption of the fuel, as well as the demand, is expected to grow rapidly and use of fossil energy is causing harmful impacts on the environment. Biofuels are attractive alternative to petroleum diesel derived from a variety of feedstocks, vegetable oils, animal fats, and waste cooking oil. They are renewable, non-toxic and biodegradable. At present, biodiesel is mainly produced from many edible oils seed. The extensive use of edible oils for production of biodiesel may lead to food crisis. Therefore, production of biodiesel from non-edible oils is a successful method to overcome all the related problems with edible oils.

Lichens as Bio-Indicator for Air Pollution and Their Relevancy in Pokhara, Nepal

The use of naturally occuring lichens as a bioindicator to assess the health of environment is a well proved potential strategy to monitor any habitat without device/ instruments. The article clearly revealed that the quality of air pollution has been a major problems in city area and suburban areas. In this case, the lichens could be used as reliable indicators to trace the air polluted sites and It could be useful to combat the decreasing anthropogenic disturbances such as vehicular emission, constrution of civil works, etc. The essence of these studies provide an understanding of environmental impacts and can follow the policy makers to protect the Lichen flora and air pollution related problems.

The Medicinal Uses of Tinospora Cordifolia (Gurjo)

Tinospora cordifolia is a perennial, climbing deciduous shrub. This plant belongs to the family Menispermaceae. A variety of phytochemical constituents have been isolated from different parts of T. cordifolia. These compounds belong to different groups such as alkaloids, steroids, diterpenoid lactones, aliphatic compounds, glycosides and polysaccharides. It is a widely used plant in Ayurvedic systems of medicine. Stem, roots and leaves are the most important parts of the plant, which are used in traditional systems of medicines. It possesses anti-neoplastic, antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic and hepatoprotective properties. It is the important medicinal plant used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of fever, cold, diabetes, respiratory tract infections etc. This paper presents an appraisal of medicinal properties and pharmaceutical importance of Tinospora cordifolia.

Study of Traditional Uses of Medicinal Shrubs in Begnas-Rupa Lake Area

The present paper is based on the work done about traditional uses of medicinal shrubs in Begnas-Rupa lake area from Oct 2018 to Apr 2019. This result was based on survey carried out consulting participatory techniques to collect information about collection and utilization of such plants on that area. Important information and other details about the respective plants were collected by discussion with native inhalers and traditional medicine practitioners. The result revealed that 20 Species of medicinal shrubs belonging to 17 families have been locally used Included families are Acanthaceae, Apocynaceae, Asclepidaceae, Asteraceae, Berberidaceae, Capparidaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Leguminosae, Loganiaceae, Lythraceae, Malvaceae, Melastomataceae, Oleaceae, Polygonaceae, Primulaceae, Rhamnaceae and Rutaceae.