Shahid Saleem

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the spatial patterns and temporal dynamics of land use and land cover changes in South Kashmir from 2000 to 2022 leveraging remote sensing technologies revealing significant transformations in various land cover classes. The study used maximum likelihood classification, a supervised classification method, to analyze Landsat satellite imagery and identify ten major land use categories. The findings demonstrate notable increases in, barren land by 18.78 km 2 (0.35%), built-up areas by 72.28 km 2 (1.33%), forests by 274.76 km 2 (5.05%), grasslands by 68.06 km 2 (1.25%), scrubland by 307.82 km 2 (5.66%). horticulture experienced a significant rise of 419.17 km 2 (7.70%), Conversely, several land use classes reported decline, agriculture by 757.21 km 2 (13.91%), exposed rockmass by 258.58 km 2 (4.75%), glaciers and snow by 136.83 km 2 (2.51%), and water bodies contracted by 8.23 km 2 (0.15%). The primary drivers of land use change in the region are identified as climate change, population growth, and economic factors. Climate change has altered precipitation patterns affecting agricultural productivity and leading to the retreat of glaciers. Population growth and economic reasons, including the rise of horticulture and changes in land use policies, have also played a significant role in shaping the landscape dynamics of South Kashmir. These changes underscore the dynamic nature of land use in South Kashmir, with significant implications for regional planning and environmental management. The study underscores the cost-effectiveness and efficacy of geospatial technologies in conducting spatiotemporal analyses and formulating evidence-based policies for the sustainable management of natural resources.

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of Alpine pastures in the Kashmir Himalayas through a multidisciplinary approach, combining remote sensing and field-based assessments for biomass estimation and time series analysis of the (NDVI) Index for the growing season from May to October 2022. The Alpine and Subalpine region of Kashmir was delineated using ALOS PALSAR Digital Elevation Model, and Landsat 8 imagery was classified using a maximum likelihood algorithm, revealing a total grassland area of 160,974 hectares. After grassland delineation Biomass estimation was carried out based on data collected from 18 pastures, each of which was subjected to a stratified sampling approach to establish four 1 m ² quadrats, with two designated for grazed areas and two for ungrazed areas, this yielded average biomass yields of 20.87 t/ha and an average dry weight biomass of 5.16 t/ha. Pastures like Daksum (28.36 t/ha), Tragbal (28.22 t/ha), Krush (27.83 t/ha), Lung Marg (27.03 t/ha), observed high biomass availability, while moderate levels were found in locations like Gangbal (22.75 t/ha), Hangel Marg (22.68 t/ha), Dagwan (21.76 t/ha), Gumri (20.82 t/ha), Bangus (20.66 t/ha), Pir Galli (18.52t/ha), Maalish (18.21 t/ha), In contrast, lower biomass values were recorded in Mohand Marg (11.47 t/ha), and Thajwas (9.81 t/ha). These findings were complemented by (NDVI) metrics, which varied across sites. For example, high NDVI values were observed for sites such as Pir Gilli, Bangus, and Kud Marg, indicating a healthier vegetative profile with less impact of grazing during the grazing season. In contrast, pastures like Mohand Marg, Thajwas, Razdan, and Tragbal recorded moderate NDVI values, suggesting a moderate level of grazing impact. Pasture sites with lower NDVI values and high standard deviation, such as Hangel Marg and Gumari, witnessed high seasonal variability, suggesting a high grazing impact, besides other natural factors responsible, like early snowfall. The study emphasizes the need for ongoing, multifaceted ecological assessments for the sustainable management and conservation of these critical Alpine ecosystems.

Gender inequality is common phenomenon rural India & tribal’s are no exception to it, this issue is of paramount significance for understanding the tribal society because women are the integral part of their development. Gender development Index finds out the average achievement to reflect the inequalities or disparities between men and women in terms of life expectancy, education, economy. In all the three parameters of GDI, it is found that women lag much behind the men in study area. The root causes of these problems are gender ever increasing gender contrast in terms of development in the tribal society, there are multiple causes for this variation i.e lack of land ownership, backwardness in educational facilities and being isolated from the outer world. So proper planning will help to solve the problem related to low Gender development of the Gujjars tribe in Gohallan village.

The study conducted in Jammu District, India, investigates land use and land cover (LULC) transformations over the past three decades using satellite data and remote sensing techniques. Analyzing data from 1990 to 2020, significant changes were observed. Agricultural land expanded by 157.76 km 2 (6.71%), barren land by 151.69 km 2 (6.45%), and settlements by 96.97 km 2 (4.12%). However, vegetation decreased by 389.77 km 2 (16.57%), while water bodies experienced minimal changes. Land Surface Temperature (LST) analysis, utilizing MODIS data (2000-2020), revealed warming trends, with temperatures ranging from 15.92°C to 42.77°C in 2010 and 14.04°C to 37.01°C in 2020. Notably, NDVI values peaked in 2020 (0.759) and were lowest in 1990 (−0.243), indicating healthier vegetation and lower surface temperatures. This inverse correlation highlights NDVI's potential as an indicator for assessing vegetation health and its impact on local temperature conditions. Man-Kendall Z statistics indicated negative trends for Tmax and Tmin, while rainfall data showed significant positive trend. Population growth, urbanization, climate change and agricultural intensification emerged as principal drivers of the LULC changes in the region. This study underscores the importance of geospatial tools in monitoring LULC changes, providing valuable insights for policymakers and planners to formulate sustainable land use planning and management strategies.

Introduction Radon, a known carcinogen, is the second largest cause of lung carcinoma as per the World Health Organisation. The primary purpose of the present research is to examine and compare the concentrations of radon gas (222 Rn) in different sources of water in the Lar and Ganderbal tehsils of the district of Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir. Higher groundwater 222 Rn concentrations indicate higher indoor radon concentrations and long-term radon exposure is extremely harmful to human health as it increases the risk of developing lung cancer. Method A scintillation-based radon monitor called the smart RnDuo was used to quantify the amount of radon activity present in water samples collected from different locations of Lar and Ganderbal regions of district Ganderbal. Results Average radon (222 Rn) concentration of 1.84 BqL −1 was found in tap waters, 3.73 BqL −1 in surface waters, 16.56 BqL −1 in borewells, and 20.82 BqL −1 in springs. The higher radon concentration in groundwater is because of the direct and prolonged interaction of uranium-rich rocks and soil with the water. Hence, monitoring and regulating radon levels in these water sources is crucial to ensure public health and safety.

Analysis of land use and land cover dynamics in the Sind watershed of Kashmir provides valuable insights into the changes that have occurred in the region over the past three decades. The use of satellite images from Landsat 5 TM in 1995, 2005, and Landsat 8 TM in 2015 and 2019 with a spatial resolution of 30m allows for a comprehensive and detailed analysis of the changes in the study area. The images were processed using ArcGIS 10.2.2 and ERDAS Imagine 14, and land use classes identified. The results of the study showed that there has been a significant increase in farmland and settlement areas in the past 25 years. This increase can be attributed to the growing population and the increasing demand for agricultural production and urbanization. These changes have important implications for the ecosystem and the environment, as well as for the livelihoods of the local people. The conversion of natural lands, such as forests and grasslands, into agricultural or urban areas can lead to habitat loss and degradation, soil erosion, and increased runoff and pollution. The retrospective analysis of land use and land cover dynamics in the Sind watershed of Kashmir provides important information for decision-makers and highlights the need for sustainable land use practices to ensure the protection of the ecosystem and the livelihoods of the local people. The findings of this study can inform policies aimed at promoting sustainable land use and environmental management in the region.