Omvir Singh

On rising temperature trends at Dehradun in Doon valley of Uttarakhand, India

Climate change is one of the most important issues among researchers, scientists, planners and politicians in the present times. Of all the climatic elements, temperature plays a major role in detecting climatic change brought about by urbanization and industrialization. This paper, therefore, attempts to study the temperature changes at Dehradun city by analyzing the time series data of annual maximum, minimum and mean temperature from 1967 to 2007. Data for the study has been analyzed in three parts by running linear regression and by taking anomalies for the whole period from 1967 to 2007, phase one 1967–1987 and phase two 1988–2007. The study of linear trend indicated increasing trends in annual maximum, annual minimum and annual mean temperatures. During 1967–2007 annual maximum, annual minimum and annual mean temperatures increased about 0.43°C, 0.38°C and 0.49°C, respectively. The analysis of temperature data in two phases also revealed an increase in annual maximum, annual minimum and annual mean temperature. However, temperature increase in second phase was more pronounced in relation to first phase. During second phase (1988–2007) annual maximum, annual minimum and annual mean temperatures increased about 0.42°C, 0.59°C and 0.54°C, respectively. The perceptible increase in temperature during second phase is mainly attributed to urbanization and industrialization process initiated at Dehradun particularly after becoming the state capital of newly carved out state of Uttarakhand since the year 2000. The analysis also highlight significantly the role of extreme vulnerability of rising temperatures at Dehradun and urban population will constantly be affected by the change in the temperature which controls the comfort level of the inhabitants. Also, the rising temperatures in Doon valley are not a healthy signature for crop production and water resources in the region.

Soil erosion susceptibility assessment through geo-statistical multivariate approach in Panchkula district of Haryana, India

The aim of the present study is to map and evaluate the soil erosion susceptibility in Panchkula district of Haryana. Based on field survey and information analysis, 12 factors such as rainfall, vegetation cover, soil type, geomorphology, slope angle, stream power, slope length, topographical curvature, drainage density, topographical wetness, land use/land cover, and slope aspect have been identified as soil erosion stimulating factors. Different thematic layers of these parameters using remote sensing data and geographical information system (GIS) have been generated and subsequently integrated with the weighted index overlay (WIO) method for the identification and delineation of soil erosion prone areas. The weight of each thematic layer corresponding to the susceptibility level has been determined through the rank sum method technique. The obtained results reveal that about 32% area of the district is prone to high and very high erosion which spreads in north-western parts. In order to test the reliability of the adopted model for soil erosion susceptibility, validation procedures have been executed. Soil erosion susceptibility assessment commenced by means of geo-statistical multivariate approach may be very useful for planning erosion control measures, which is a prerequisite for integrated soil and water resources management in the district.

GIS-based spatial and temporal investigation of groundwater level fluctuations under rice-wheat ecosystem over Haryana

Groundwater irrigation is the most predominant method used across India and about 50% of the total irrigated area is dependent on it. The state of Haryana has witnessed a spectacular increase in agricultural production in the last few decades, and is largely dependent on groundwater for irrigation. Groundwater mining for irrigation has become a reality in the state over the years as the number of tube wells has increased from 0.02 million in 1966 to 0.73 million in 2012, showing alarming signs of over-exploitation. The impact of increased groundwater irrigation on groundwater levels has not been studied both spatially and temporally. Therefore, this study has been undertaken to investigate the groundwater level fluctuations in the state using geographical information system (GIS) from the groundwater level data of 893 observation wells obtained from Groundwater Cell, Department of Agriculture, Government of Haryana, Panchkula, for the period 2004-12. Many researchers have applied GIS to reveal the spatial and temporal structure of groundwater level fluctuation and as a management and decision tool. The analysis of results indicated a mix of negative and positive trends in the groundwater levels. However, the negative trends were much more pronounced than positive ones. Groundwater level in the state ranged between 0.16 to 65.97 m from the ground surface and per cent area with groundwater level depth more than 10 meter (critical category) was about 56% in 2004 and has increased to 64% by 2012. The average annual decline in groundwater level was observed to be above 32 cm/year, with the strongest decline (108.9 cm/year) in Kurukshetra district.

Raising agricultural productivity with reduced use of energy and groundwater: Role of market instruments and technology

1. Water-Food-Energy Nexus: Global and Local Perspectives M. Dinesh Kumar, Nitin Bassi, A. Narayanamoorthy and M.V.K. Sivamohan 2. Unraveling Gujarats Agricultural Growth Story M. Dinesh Kumar, A. Narayanamoorthy, O.P. Singh, M.V.K. Sivamohan and Nitin Bassi 3. Ghost Workers and Invisible Dams: Checking the Validity of Claims about Impacts of NREGA Nitin Bassi, M. Dinesh Kumar and A. Narayanamoorthy 4. Benefit Sharing Mechanism for Hydropower Projects-Pointers for North East India Neena Rao 5. Is Irrigation Development Still Relevant in Reducing Rural Poverty in India?: An Analysis of Macro Level Data A. Narayanamoorthy and Susanto Kumar Beero 6. Raising Agricultural Productivity with Reduced Use of Energy and Groundwater: Role of Market Instruments and Technology M. Dinesh Kumar, Christopher A. Scott and O.P. Singh 7. Diesel Price Hikes and Farm Distress in the Fossil Fuel Dependent Agricultural Economy Myth and Reality M. Dinesh Kumar, O.P. Singh and M.V.K. Sivamohan 8. Breaking the Agrarian Impasse in Eastern India M. Dinesh Kumar, Nitin Bassi, M.V.K. Sivamohan and L. Venkatachalam 9. Developing a Household Level MUWS Vulnerability Index for Rural Areas V. Niranjan, M. Dinesh Kumar and Yusuf Kabir 10. The Decade of Sector Reforms of Rural Water Supply in Maharashtra Nitin Bassi, M. Dinesh Kumar, V. Niranjan and K. Siva Rama Kishan 11. Future Impacts of Agri-business Corporations on Global Food and Water Security M. Dinesh Kumar 12. Of Statecraft: Managing Water, Energy and Food for Long-term National Security M. Dinesh Kumar

Soil Erosion Susceptibility Assessment of the Lower Himachal Himalayan Watershed

Assessment of erosion status of a watershed is an essential prerequisite for integrated watershed management. It not only assists in chalking out suitable soil and water conservation measures to arrest erosion and conserve water but also helps in devising best management practices to enhance biomass production in watersheds. Keeping this in view, the present study has been undertaken by involving geospatial-statistical techniques to determine the critical and priority areas for soil and water conservation in Suketi watershed of the lower Himachal Himalayan region. A novel weighted sum analysis technique was used for ranking each of hydrological unit by obtaining the weightages from various morphometric parameters. This technique offers dynamic, effective and sustainable approach over traditional prioritization methods in which significance of each parameter were considered equally. Considering this approach, sub-watersheds were delineated into low, medium and high priority zones. The results illustrate that about 52 % of sub-watersheds of Suketi watershed are in moderate to high erosion and runoff susceptible zones. Therefore, these potential areas can be considered for preferential soil and water conservation planning. The results obtained from the study will be useful for various stakeholders such as agriculturists, water resource managers, conservation measures planners and decision policy makers for better management practices and decision making. The geospatial-statistical technique can be used for effective estimation of erosion status of watersheds leading to watershed prioritization for taking up soil and water conservation measures in watershed systems. Finally, this technique can be very useful in remote, rugged and inaccessible watersheds with absence of soil erosion and runoff monitoring.

Sand and gravel extraction from piedmont and floodplain zones of Yamunanagar district in Haryana, India: Environmental tragedy or economic gain?

Abstract This study examines the environmental and economic consequences of sand and gravel extraction from piedmont and floodplain zones of Yamunanagar district in Haryana state of India. The study establishes that there have been significant changes in area under different crops, soil fertility, groundwater depth and its quality, employment and economy of the region. Estimates suggest that in a year nearly Rs 1.1 million (

Spatial and temporal analysis of thunderstorm and rainfall activity over India

16,213) worth of nitrogen, Rs 2.1 million (

Flood occurrences, damages, and management challenges in India: a geographical perspective

30,953) worth of phosphorus and Rs 3.5 million (

Ionospheric response to the total solar eclipse in India on 22 July, 2009

51,588) worth of potassium are lost. A change in policy on sand and gravel extraction in the district appears to be necessary.

chasing a Mirage: Water Harvesting and artificial recharge in Naturally Water-Scarce regions

Thunderstorms are one of the most devastating mesoscale severe weather phenomena, which play an important role in the occurrence of rainfall activity over a region. Therefore, in the present study an attempt has been made to identify the relationship between thunderstorm days (Thn), rainy days (Thr) and rainfall amounts (Trr) for 294 meteorological stations spreading over India, by means of published data (climatological normals) from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for four periods, 1951-1980, 1961-1990, 1971-2000, and 1981-2010. The analysis has revealed a sharp decrease in the frequency of Thn, while Thr and Trr showed a slight decline. A significant correlation between Thn, Thr and Trr has been observed. Monthly analysis has exhibited a dual peak in the occurrence of Thn and single peak in rainfall activity; however, a time lag of one month in their peak occurrence was detected. These results show that the Indian summer monsoon affects significantly the thunderstorm activity over India. Seasonal analysis suggests that Thn, Thr and Trr are maximum during the monsoon season, while minimum during winters. Apart from this, Thn and Thr, and Thn and Trr have demonstrated a negative relationship during the monsoon, which may be anomalously due to decreasing temperature in India during that season. In addition, the spatial annual and seasonal pattern of the occurrence of Thn, Thr and Trr shows almost a similar pattern during 1951-1980. However, a sharp decline in the frequency of Thn has been observed during subsequent periods over all parts of the country. Likewise, a slight decline in the frequency of Thr and Trr has been observed over India, except in the northeast, where an increasing trend in rainfall activity has been observed. The computed ratio between Thn and Thr (R) has been found maximum during the pre-monsoon, whereas the ratio between Trr and Thn (RTR) during the monsoon season. Regional analysis of Thn, Thr and Trr revealed a wide range of variations in the occurrence of these parameters month after month. It is believed that the results presented in this study will be useful for weather forecasters, aircraft pilots, agriculturists and planners.