Aseesh Pandey

• MSc., PhD
• Researcher at GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (NIHE)

An efficient micropropagation protocol has been developed for tasar oak. Nodal segments from In Vitro grown seedling were used for shoot multiplication. Best shoot multiplication response, in terms of number of shoots per explant as well as shoot length, was obtained in woody plant (WP) medium supplemented with 6-benzyladenine and indole-3-acetic a...

Cold desert regions harbor a unique habitat for a number of high-value medicinal plants (HMPs) and due to inaccessibility of medical facility, inhabitants of this region are highly dependent on medicinal plants. Over the years, with increasing demand for trade, extraction pressure on natural populations of these HMPs has grown substantially. This c...

With main purpose of developing a coherent baseline information of timberline forests of Sikkim, Eastern Himalaya, we investigated, (i) forest structure and composition, (ii) regeneration status of dominant timberline tree species between timberline and treeline, (iii) influence of environmental variables in species composition, and (iv) relationsh...

Efficient micropropagation procedure was developed for Origanum vulgare, a high-value culinary herb, and the phytochemicals, phenolic content, antioxidant and antimutagenic activity of leaf and stem, derived from different growing stages were analyzed. The agar solidified Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with a combination of 6-benzylam...

In this study heat-assisted extraction conditions were optimized to enhance extraction yield of antioxidant polyphenols from leaves of Himalayan Quercus species. In initial experiments, a five-factor Plackett-Burman design including 12 experimental runs was tested against the total polyphenolic content (TP). Amongst, XA: extraction temperature, XC:...

Diversity of endemic plants is a prime criterion for determining the global biodiversity hotspot. Endemic species are distributed in a restricted range which often vulnerable to climate and anthropogenic disturbances, and thus require immediate effective conservation action. Considering the importance, we investigated the diversity and distribution...

The present study aimed to develop conventional propagation protocols for Paeonia emodi, a threatened and high-value medicinal herb of the Himalayan region. Different experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of various concentrations of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on seed germination and vegetative propagation (root cuttings) in nurser...

As the global climate scenario is leading towards warmer and dryer conditions, mountain ecosystems and their biota are among the most vulnerable because they are determined by low-temperature conditions. Owing to this, these ecosystems can be used as indicators for climate warming impacts. The present study uses a standardized multi-summit approach...

Orchidaceae is ecologically sensitive and morphologically diverse angiospermic family of the plant kingdom. The present study investigates the diversity and distribution patterns of endemic orchids of Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). Total 115 endemic orchid taxa (114 species; 1 variety) were recorded from IHR. Endemic orchid richness was found maxim...

Himalayan Cedar (Cedrus deodara), a member of the family Pinaceae is well-known for its ecological, economic, and cultural significance. It is native to the Western Himalayan region and listed as Least Concern in the IUCN list of threatened species. In the present study, a bibliometric analysis of more than a hundred years of research on C. deodara...

Unprecedented seasonal forest fires pose a significant threat to the carbon stocks of diverse ecosystems, particularly in regions like Uttarakhand, west Himalaya. Understanding the impact of varying fire frequencies on different forest types is crucial for effective conservation and management strategies. This study aims to assess the loss of carbo...

The Himalaya is known for its unique and rich endemic plants. Diversity of endemic plants is considered for prioritizing areas including delineating the Biodiversity Hotspots and conservation implications. In view of limited authentic dataset on endemic plants, the study investigated the diversity and distribution patterns of endemic vascular plant...

The tiny Himalayan state Sikkim is the leading producer of large cardamom in India, contributing nearly 84% of country’s production which is cultivated in agroforestry system. Realizing the potentiality of the crop in improving the rural livelihood and economy, this is our gentle attempt to highlight the current developments in large cardamom culti...

The Lepchas are one of the most primeval indigenous tribal communities dwelling in the foothills of the Mt. Kangchenjunga since time immemorial. They have own distinctive culture, religion, and language and hence have their unique ethnic identity in the region. Originally, they were nomads and lived in herding, hunting, fishing, as well as slash an...

The present study describes how vegetation (the tree layer) is shaped along the elevation gradients in the eastern part of the Indian Himalayan Region. Various vegetation attributes, distribution, population structure, and regeneration patterns of 75 tree species belonging to 31 families were studied. Tree species richness shows a low plateau (peak...

We indexed 8,970 scientific publications on forest fires in order to bridge the gap between research and policy discussions on forest fires. Journal articles and conference papers dominated the literature, with an emphasis on environmental science, agricultural and biological sciences, earth and planetary sciences, engineering, and computer science...

Large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) is an economically important cash crop that provides a livelihood option for the rural communities in Sikkim Himalaya. However, its production has declined drastically over the past few decades due to climate change and other factors affecting the livelihood of marginal cardamom-dependent farmers in the regio...

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of forest fires on tree diversity and their regeneration in three fire-prone forests of Uttarakhand, India. We used Landsat 5, 7, and 8 satellite imagery to prepare fire frequency maps and the study area was divided into four fire frequency classes. Ten plots were marked in each fire frequen...

Mahonia jaunsarensis Ahrendt (Family Berberidaceae) an endemic species was successfully propagated in vitro. An efficient propagation protocol has been developed first time. The callus cultures were established from leaf explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D; 1 µM) and resulted 70% callu...

Medicinally important alkaloids (i.e., berberine, palmatine) and polyphenolic compounds in vitro callus cultures of Berberis lycium Royle were quantified. The maximum callus biomass and phytochemical concentrations were observed after five weeks of culture in the medium containing methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA). The cell cultures e...

The Himalayan region supports a rich diversity of edible fruit species that can cope with global food and nutritional security by providing dietary diversity, genetic backup for commercial species and economic sustainability. Among these, Mahonia nepalensis DC. (Family Berberidaceae) is a medicinally important plant species of Himalaya with delicio...

This chapter presents an extensive vegetation analysis for Yuksam-Dzongri transect in Sikkim (in the eastern Himalaya). The investigation was conducted along an elevation gradient between 1700 m and 4000 m at 100 m elevation steps and considered its physiognomy life form, species-area relationships and species compositional changes. The plant speci...

Understanding species richness and diversity patterns and their governing factors in less-to-unexplored regions across Himalaya provide invaluable insights into exploring drivers which shape as well as influence plant community structures. The present investigation explores plant species richness and diversity patterns across different growth forms...

Medicinally important alkaloids (i.e., berberine, palmatine) and polyphenolic compounds in vitro callus cultures of Berberis lycium Royle were quantified. The maximum callus biomass and phytochemical concentrations were observed after five weeks of culture in the medium containing methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA). The cell cultures e...

Large cardamom ( Amomum subulatum Roxb.) is an economically important cash crop that provides a livelihood option for the rural communities in the Khangchendzonga Landscape (KL), including Sikkim and supports a large value-chain of diverse stakeholders across the globe. This study explores the influence of elevation on yield-related traits of the l...

The Khangchendzonga Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative (KLCDI) is an excellent example of transboundary cooperation to address these shared concerns and threats. It brings together a diverse set of stakeholders – from government agencies to research institutions, NGOs, and community institutions – to address a range of issues from hu...

The protocol for the propagation of Mahonia jaunsarensis, an endemic plant of the Western Himalaya, was developed using stem cuttings. Our results indicated the best regeneration response during the rainy season using a mist chamber. After one year, >95% survival rate was recorded. These results will be useful for the propagation of M. jaunsarensis...

The Khangchendzonga Landscape (KL), a part of ‘Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot’, is known for its unique biodiversity assemblage. In recent years, the KL is experiencing threats to biodiversity due to the biological overdominance of native Maling bamboo (Yushania maling). In the present study, we investigated the impacts of the overdominance of Y. m...

Cold desert regions of Uttarakhand are one of the least explored remote ecosystems in the Himalaya with fragmented database. To address the issue, the task of documenting the floristic diversity of cold deserts of Uttarakhand was taken up in the present study. A total of 932 taxa (908 species, 05 subspecies and 19 varieties) belonging to 371 genera...

Introduction of yacon (ground apple) from Peru for income in village

SANGJU-the newsletter is so named as the term in local dialect in Uttarakhand signifies the holy association or friendship. This is an attempt to make all concerned aware about activities and efforts contributed by various partners of Transboundary Landscape Conservation and Development Initiatives within Indian Part of the Himalayan Landscape.

The Siri (Bos indicus) is an indigenous cattle breed of the Khangchendzonga Landscape. It is well-adapted to climatic conditions at 1200–3000 metres above sea level. It can graze on steep slopes, survive on poor quality fodder and has high resistance to diseases. The total estimated Siri population in India (2013 census) is 17,749 (11,254 in Sikkim...

Yak husbandry is an age-old practice across the Indian Himalayan highlands (Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, the West Bengal hills, and Sikkim) with several indigenous communities dependent on it. It is an important part of the tradition, religion, and social life of the highland communities. However, in recent years, due t...

The Khangchendzonga Landscape (KL), a part of ‘Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot’, is known for its unique biodiversity. In recent years the KL experiencing threats to biodiversity due to biological overdominance of native species such as Maling bamboo ( Yushania maling ). In the present study, we investigated the impacts of the overdominance of Y. ma...

Understanding the species richness and β-diversity patterns along elevation gradients can aid in formulating effective conservation strategies particularly in areas where local anthropogenic stresses and climate change are quite significant as in the Himalaya. Thus, we studied macrolichen richness and β-diversity along elevational gradients at thre...

This study aimed to investigate four wild edible fruits of Sikkim Himalaya viz., Baccaurea sapida, Diploknema butyracea, Machilus edulis and Spondias axillaris for their mineral content, phytochemicals (ascorbic acid, β-carotene, flavonoids, lycopene and total phenolic contents) and antioxidant property. The total phenolic and lycopene contents wer...

The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region has a great diversity of flora and fauna that supports the livelihood and well-being of one fourth of humanity. The HKH hosts four of the 36 ‘biodiversity hotspots’ of the world and is a storehouse of rich agrobiodiversity. The Kangchenjunga Landscape (KL) is a transboundary complex with an area of 25,086...

Himalaya, the highest mountain system in the world and house of important biodiversity hotspot, is sensitive to projected warming by climate change. Rhizocarpon geographicum (map lichen), a crustose lichen, grows in high mountain ranges, is a potential indicator species of climate change. In the present study, MaxEnt species distribution modeling a...

BACKGROUND Genus Fragaria (family - Rosaceae), popular edible berry fruits with delicious flavor and considerable health benefits has many wild relatives in the Himalayan region. OBJECTIVES The objective of the study was to characterize variability in morphology, physicochemical properties, phytochemicals, and antioxidant activity in wild Himalaya...

This article enumerates the findings of a team research on the Indian Himalayan timberline ecotone, with focus on three sites (located in Kashmir, Utta-rakhand and Sikkim). Timberline elevation increased from west to east, was higher in the warmer south aspect than the cooler north aspect, and was generally depressed. Betula, Abies, Rhododendron an...

This article enumerates the findings of a team research on the Indian Himalayan timberline ecotone, with focus on three sites (located in Kashmir, Utta-rakhand and Sikkim). Timberline elevation increased from west to east, was higher in the warmer south aspect than the cooler north aspect, and was generally depressed. Betula, Abies, Rhododendron an...

Forests in the Barsey-Singalila transboundary area under Khangchendzonga landscape (KL) are facing pressures of resource uses. Despite continuous utilizations, complete data are lacking from the ground level. Socioeconomic, demographic, and forest use data were obtained by interviewing 233 households across two study locations. Forest product marke...

An in vitro propagation protocol has been developed for Berberis asiatica, an important Himalayan medicinal shrub. Significantly higher in vitro seed germination (50%) was obtained in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 1.0 µM 6-benzyladenine (BA). MS medium containing 1.0 µM BA and 0.1 µM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) yielded maximum cal...

Organic farming ensures economic viability and environmental sustainability offering healthy ecosystems, including biodiversity, biogeochemical cycles, and soil biological activity. Integrating organic farming in ecotourism development is an important component that offers livelihood diversification and economic development of the community viz-a-v...

The Neora Valley National Park (NVNP) is one of the key protected areas in the KL-India and transboundary in nature. Considered as one of the most pristine ecosystems, the NVNP is an important National Park due to wide altitudinal variations, intact primary forests and also being part of the ecological tri-junction with Sikkim and Western Bhutan. T...

Gorkhey-Samanden is one of the famous tourist destinations of Darjeeling hills. Located at an altitude of 7545 feet, it is the remotest village present in close proximity to the Singalila National Park in the North and Barsey Wildlife Sanctuary in the East. Gorkhey-Samanden is bestowed with rich biodiversity and provides a wide range of ecosystem s...

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an untreatable neurodegenerative health problem that was first diagnosed by Dr. Alois Alzheimer in 1906. AD is known to be the main cause of dementia and decreases the quality of life of individuals by hindering their social, physiological and psychological functioning. The three early warning symptoms of this disease ar...

The Kangchenjunga Landscape has huge potential for increased tourism, mainly due to its pristine nature, aesthetic value and rich biodiversity. A transboundary initiative conceived in 2012 is investing in redefining the opportunities that tourism can provide for marginalized rural communities. Measures include jointly developing unique products tha...

Anthocyanins, the color compounds of plants, are known for their wide applications in food, nutraceuticals and cosmetic industry. The biosynthetic pathway of anthocyanins is well established with the identification of potential key regulatory genes, which make it possible to modulated its production by biotechnological means. Various biotechnologic...

Reducing Green House Gases (GHG) emission from agriculture fields and adapting to climate change will depend on organic production systems for: i) the overall emission reductions possibly using organic production methods; ii) the increased ability of organic production systems to sequester carbon; and iii) the demonstrated ability of organic produc...

The Kangchenjunga Landscape, an important repository of biodiversity, faces several challenges owing to various drivers of change. Human‒wildlife conflict (HWC) is one of such issue that transcends social, economic, environmental, as well as national and international borders among the three participating countries – Bhutan, India, and Nepal – maki...

Khangchendzonga landscape (KL), with the third highest mountain peak (8586 m asl) of the world, spread over 25,000 km2 and extended across three neighboring nations namely Bhutan, India and Nepal. This eastern part of the Himalaya Biodiversity Hotspot harbors rich biodiversity and culture (Mittermeir et al., 2011, Gurung et al., 2019). The local co...

सिस्नु (Girardinia diversifolia) सुत कात्तने र धागो बनाउन विधि को नेपाली संस्करण

The incidences of diabetic mellitus and other metabolic diseases such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia are increasing worldwide; however, the current treatment is not able to control the rapidly increasing trend in diabetes mortality and morbidity. Studies related to the effectiveness of extracts and pure compounds obtained from plants have shown...

Berberis, one of the major sources of berberine and polyphenols, is widely accepted genus for its medicinal properties. The inclusion of these phytochemicals in different health formulations has widened its scope in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. In the present study, multi-component analysis (MCA) has been used to extract these nutraceutical...

Seventeen species of Artemisia L. growing in the Indian Himalayan region were investigated for artemisinin content, morphological and genetic characters. During the investigation, artemisinin content was found to be in the range of trace to 0.12%. The highest was in A. dracunculus (0.12%) and A. roxburghiana (0.12%). The essential oil content was f...

Yak herding plays a critical role in livelihood development in highland areas, which is not acknowledged in current policies. Transboundary cooperation can help encourage technological innovation and counter the genetic degradation arising from restricted movement of yak between countries. Supporting and connecting local yak networks to each other,...

The Khangchendzonga Landscape (KL) shared by Bhutan, India, and Nepal is a unique transnational ecotourism destination with rich natural and cultural diversity. ƒƒ Within landscapes, limited economic opportunities and poor connectivity due to inaccessibility present multiple issues and challenges. Among them are high unemployment and poverty, espec...

Bergenia ciliata is an important ornamental medicinal plant of Sikkim Himalaya with wide range of pharmaceutical applications. In the present study, an efficient in vitro propagation protocol has been developed for B. ciliata using leaf disc explants. The highest number of regenerated shoots per explant was obtained on solid Murashige and Skoog (MS...

The present study was aimed to develop a rapid in vitro propagation procedure for Quercus serrata. Seeds, (1) without seed coat (scarified); (2) scarified seeds cut at different lengths from distal ends; and (3) with seed coat (un-scarified), were subjected to various treatments. The scarified and half cut seeds, inoculated on woody plant medium su...

Pollinators can play an important role in producton improvement in organic farming. It is, therefore, essental to ensure their year-round availability, partcularly in winter season in Sikkim Himalaya. Thus, atempts were made to explore resources which could support and provide switching over platorms to pollinators during the winter season. Am...

This is the first report on in vitro propagation and phytochemical assessment of Aconitum ferox (Ranunculaceae), a threatened medicinal plant of Sikkim Himalaya. A simple and efficient in vitro propagation protocol through indirect shoot organogenesis has been established for A. ferox using root tip explants. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplem...

Wild fruits are important food resources that provide health promoting nutraceutical components, which vary with ripening stages. In present study, five wild edible fruits of Indian Himalayan Region i.e., Myrica esculenta, Berberis asiatica, Rubus ellipticus, Pyracantha crenulata and Morus alba were examined for their nutraceutical potential at dif...

The initiatives taken by G. B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development, Sikkim Regional Centre (GBPNIHESD-SRC) under Khangchendzonga Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative (KLCDI), India programme with the support from Mutanchi Lom Aal Shezum (MLAS), a local organization of Dzongu for the documentatio...

The study attempts quantitative assessment of the use value of traditionally used woody species in a representative mid-Himalayan watershed of west Himalaya. Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in the fringe villages of altitudinally diverse forested area of the watershed covering different age group respondents. A total of 34 woody species (27 t...

Essence of Article: Globally, climate warming-linked, upward forest expansion is expected to shrink the extent of the alpine ecosystems and possibly result in species loss and ecosystem degradation. This expansion of forest limits further up into the mountains is unlikely for Sikkim however, given the present stress on green and organic policies in...

Tree density (individual ha-1) across different Dzongri timberline sites of Khangchendzonga National Park. Total tree density values within a column and average tree density value within a row followed by the same letters are not significantly (p<0.05) different from each other. (DOCX)

Important value index (IVI) of tree species across different Dzongri timberline sites of Khangchendzonga National Park. Tree IVI values followed by the same letters with in a row are not significantly (p<0.05) different from each other among the sites. (DOCX)

Estimation of sampling efforts for the timberline of Khangchendzonga National Park. (TIF)

Forest types/sub-types of Khangchendzonga National Park according to the revised classification of Champion and Seth [43]. (DOCX)

Ecological attributes of timberline vegetation of Khangchendzonga National Park. Values in parenthesis indicate importance value index; values followed by the same letters within a column are not significantly (p<0.05) differ to each other; C: Simpson’s index of dominance; H: Shannon-Weiner diversity Index; I: Margalef’s Index of species richness;...

Shrub density (individualha-1) across different Dzongri timberline sites of Khangchendzonga National Park. Total shrub density values with in a column and average shrub density value within a row followed by the same letters are not significantly (p<0.05) different from each other. (DOCX)

A representation of Abies densa (fir) treeline (broken line) and timberline (solid line) in Sikkim. Plots (P1 to P25) were sampled (each of 50x20 m) across 9 sites (mostly 3 plots a site) over about 20 km. In timberline, tree crown cover is at least 30%, treeline connects the highest trees of each transect, distances between timberline and tree ran...

Glimpses of timberline in Dzongri region of Khangchendzonga National Park. a. Orographic,; b. mechanical timberline boundaries. (TIF)

Important value index (IVI) of shrub species across different Dzongri timberline sites of Khangchendzonga National Park. Shrub IVI values followed by the same letters with in a row are not significantly (p<0.05) different from each other among the sites. (DOCX)

Composition of woody taxa across the timberline of Khangchendzonga National Park. (DOCX)

Relationship between environmental and ecological attributes of timberline across Khangchendzonga National Park. (DOCX)

Size class wise distribution of three dominant timberline tree species across different sites of Khangchendzonga National Park. Rhododendron lanatum and Sorbus microphylla are showing good regeneration at studied sites, however Abies densa has shown poor conversion rate of seedlings in to the sapling or higher size class. Presence of individuals at...

Clustering of study sites based on species occurrence in Khangchendzonga National Park. (TIF)

Globally it is recognized that the productive capacity, energy potential and capability to sequester carbon of forests can be conveniently indicated by the forest biomass and its carbon stocks. For the first time, present study explored the timberlines of Khangchendzonga National Park, Eastern Himalaya, India, with an aim to assess the status of bi...

In this preliminary elevation gradient (3000–4000 m) study of high ranges forest of Sikkim (eastern Himalayas), we have analyzed the (i) species composition, (ii) tree species richness, density, basal area and distribution range, and (iii) forest structure by diameter at breast height (DBH) classes. The main purpose was to identify the role of elev...