Reviews of the latest books from and on Southasia

ON THE RELATIONSHIP OF ALTITUDE AND FISH COMMUNITIES IN GARHWAL HILLS, UTTAR PRADESH (INDIA)
Tilak, Raj and S. P. Baloni.
Indian JForestry. 8(3): 208-213.1985

Altitude plays an important part in the distribution of fish. The various factors which limit the distribution of fish communities in Garhwal hills are the hydroclimate, the size and the gradient of the stream, and changes in biotic conditions. The reduction of the number of species at higher altitude could be connected with the geomorphological changes brought about in the Himalaya in different geological eras. The absence of fish communities above an altitude of 1311 m in Garhwal hills could be due to the recent uplift of the Himalaya in this region.

(Zoological Survey of India, Dehra Dun 248 001, India).

EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION PROCESSES IN THE NEPALESE HIMALYA.
ICIMOD

Carson, Brian 
Occasional Paper No. 1,39. pages. August 1985. 17 photos, 4 tables, 6 figs.

Erosion may be due to "natural" tectonic activity or "accelerated" (man-induced) causes. Over the last century, an increasing proportion of the soil loss in Nepal is attributed to "accelerated" (man-induced) causes due to population pressure on land and has profoundly affected the economy of Nepal. Factors contributing to surface erosion, eg. rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, slope length and steepness, cropping factor, erosion control factors, wind erosion, and factors contributing to massive wasting, such as engineering activities, vegetation, roads, irrigation and dam and reservoir construction, are discussed. Flooding and sedimentation problems in India and Bangladesh are a result of the geomorphic character of the rivers and man´s attempts to contain the rivers. Deforestation probably plays only a minor, if any role in the major monsoon flood events on the lower Ganges. Better management of existing forest lands and marginal agricultural lands is essential, however, to ensure the continued livelihood of the Himalayan hill farmer.

(ICIMOD, GPO Box 3226, Kathmandu, Nepal)

CARBON    DIOXIDE ENHANCEMENT OF. TREE GROWTH AT THE HIGH ELEVATIONS.
Cooper, Charles F. and Joseph Gale
Science. 231 (4740): 859-860. 1986

The apparent acceleration of tree growth by increased atmospheric CO observed by LA MARCHE et al (Science. 225:1019.1984) and the relation of rate of photosynthesis to altitude, radiation, and the level of CO 2 in the atmosphere, are discussed. The theories advanced are relevant because of increasing world CO2 levels,

(1986 American Association for the Advancement of Science.

T. N. STRATEGY FOR PRODUCTION AND UTILISATION OF FIREWOOD IN THE HIMALAYAS.
Khoshoo
Energy Environment Monitor. 2 (1): 20-25. March 1986

Different types of forests in the Himalaya, and the various factors degrading them and the extent of degradation, are reviewed. Firewood is still the staple energy resource (subsistence fuel) for 75% of the population in the developing world, for cooking and heating purposes. Against an anticipated requirement of 300-330 million tonnes (Mt) by 2000 AD, the recordable production in India is 30-40 Mt. Firewood has never been a major goal of forestry operations; it is collected free in rural areas. For successful augmentation of resources, villagers should be encouraged to plant multi-purpose trees (Agro-Si lvi-Pastoral) under Social Forestry. Conversion to charcoal can save transport and storage charges, but present production methods are wasteful. Less valuable species thinned from mixed forests could be used. Improved wood stoves and pressure cookers at subsidised rates are suggested for improving fuel efficiency. Biogas, solar energy, micro/mini hydel projects are   alternatives,   but   present   biogas systems are not workable above 1,000 metres, for which suitable microbes and reactor designs need to be evolved.

(Distinguished Scientist CSIR, Tata Energy Research Institute, 7 Jor Bagh, New Delhi 110003, India).

UNEP. CARRYING CAPACITY FOR TOURISM ACTIVITIES.
Industry and Environment. 9(1): 1-26. Jan/Feb/March 1986.

VIR SINGH and JAGDISH KAUR review the growth and present position of mountain tourism in the Himalaya. Tourism was expected to bridge the economic and social disparities between the highland lowland regions, but has actually widened the gap. Construction of border roads increased tourists, and provided alternative employment to Sherpas and Bhotias whose trade in crafts (and salt) was lost with the closure of the Tibet (China) border. Ladakh attracted tourists, but except for entrance fees to monuments, other earnings from tourists flows back into the Kashmir Valley and lowlands. In the Nepal Himalaya, tourism is well controlled by HMG. Garhwal has suffered from haphazard development resulting in ecological losses (Valley of Flowers, Nanda Devi, etc). Following the direction of Alpine tourism is not satisfactory. "Holistic" tourism should be developed.

ON EXPORTS OF FROG LEGS FROM INDIA.
86-6-0916. Abdulali, Humayum.
J. BNHS. 82:347.1986.

It appears to be established that the frog plays an important part in the ecological cycle around the rice field and this is confirmed by an inquiry among villagers. The 15 tables covering its restricted breeding season, its growth, its readiness to breed in the year after hatching and its food at different ages and seasons etc., add new information to what is known. The small frog feeds largely on insects which have gathered together in numbers. Crabs which are harmful to rice in different ways form a large part of its diet when it grows

(Bombay Natural History Society, Hornbill House, Shahed Bhagat Singh Road, Bombay 400 023, India.)

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