
Kailash S. GairaGB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment · Sikkim Regional Centre
Kailash S. Gaira
PhD
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83
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Introduction
Working at G. B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment since 2004 and having keen research interest in climate change modelling, biodiversity conservation and management, ecosystem services, and integrated livelihood.
Basic methods and techniques are used in biodiversity assessment and phenological monitoring, ecosystem service evaluation, and socio-ecological monitoring with sound statistical applications.
Currently associated in KLCDI-India program as Investigator
Additional affiliations
June 2014 - March 2016
March 2010 - present
December 2003 - February 2010
Publications
Publications (83)
Herbarium records provide a valuable historical database for assessing plant phenology shifts in the context of global climate change. The herbarium specimens, collected from diverse locations and periods, offer comprehensive data illustrating how many plants are altering their blooming times in response to global climate change. The appropriate us...
Oxidative stress, driven by reactive oxygen, nitrogen, and sulphur species (ROS, RNS, RSS), poses a significant threat to cellular integrity and human health. Generated during mitochondrial respiration, inflammation, UV exposure and pollution, these species damage cells and contribute to pathologies like cardiovascular issues, neurodegeneration, ca...
This study provides information about the wild species take as food and species that are used in making tisane (compared to tea) by the Lepchas, the indigenous community of Sikkim, Eastern Himalaya. These food and beverages were used exclusively in the past. The species mentioned in the traditional procedure of removing the toxicity, bitterness or...
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...
Apple is an important fruit crop that is always in demand due to its commercial and nutraceutical value. Also, the requirement for quality planting material for this fruit crop for new plantations is increasing continuously. In-vitro propagation is an alternative approach, which may help to produce genetically identical high grade planting material...
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...
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...
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...
Abstract The present study uses a systematic approach to explore the phytochemical composition of medicinal plants from Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya. The phytochemical composition of medicinal plants was analyzed based on (i) the presence of different chemical groups and (ii) bioactive compounds. The Generalized Additive Model (GAM) analysis was u...
The Himalaya represents the most fragile ecosystem in the world, signifying its sensitivity towards global climate change. In the current scenario, the Himalaya needs to assess the climatic change trends at the regional level. To investigate climatic trends, we analysed the long-term (1980–2020) climatic data (maximum temperature—TMax and minimum t...
Studies from different parts of the world have generated pieces of evidence of climate change’s effects on plant phenology as indicators of global climate change. However, datasets or pieces of evidence are lacking for the majority of regions and species, including for the climate-sensitive Himalayan biodiversity hotspot. Realizing this gap in info...
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...
Dzongu has been a designated reserve for the
Lepchas, the indigenous people of the area,
since the rule of the Chogyals in the 1960s. It
was treated as a separate estate, administrated
by a regional head (kazi) and comprised 12
villages (administrative divisions) each with
a mandal as the head. The combination of
ethnic culture, the rural se...
. The farmers of the region are
also largely dependent on potato farming, along
with maize, peas, cabbage, beans, carrot, and
radish, among other crops. However, growing
human–wildlife conflict and crop depredation have
resulted in profound crop losses and stressors for
livelihoods and food security
Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius, Poepp. & Endl.,
Asteraceae) is a perennial plant native to the
Andean region of South America. In folk medicine,
yacon’s tuberous roots and infusions from dried
leaves are used to treat diabetes and various
digestive and renal disorders. Its tuberous roots,
consumed fresh or cooked, are considered a
functiona...
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 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...
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 spatial distributions of plant species are results of variable environmental gradients, including climatic and edaphic factors, biotic factors, different eco-physiological processes, species-specific characteristics, and resource requirements, thus producing spatial heterogeneity. The species distribution and their rate of change across elevati...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Regarding the effects of warming on phenology, essentially that climate warming is advancing vegetation phenology around the globe, and case studies of specific species/regions work to gauge this impact. Thus, we attempted to demonstrate phenological patterns of selected 4 alpine/sub-alpine and 4 temperate medicinal herbs based on higher medicinal...
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...
The institution of Sacred Groves (SGs) in Sikkim is long been in practice as community based nature conservation model which is deeply rooted with the existence of the communities of this region. The sacred groves in Sikkim are broadly categorized as,
Gumpa forests and Devithan. The Gumpa forests' sacred groves are mainly worshipped and protected b...
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
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,...
Human population growth leads to expanded human settlements, increasing chances of human–wildlife interactions.
The Khangchendzonga Landscape (KL) shared by Bhutan, India, and Nepal is a unique transnational ecotourism
destination with rich natural and cultural diversity.
Within landscapes, limited economic opportunities and poor connectivity due to inaccessibility present multiple
issues and challenges. Among them are high unemployment and poverty, espec...
The Kangchenjunga Landscape (KL) in the Eastern Himalayas is a transboundary complex shared by Bhutan, India, and Nepal. It forms a part of the 'Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot' and is one of the biologically richest landscapes in the Eastern Himalayas. In this paper, we use secondary information to review and consolidate the knowledge on the flora...
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 transboundary landscape approach builds on principles of integrated social-ecological systems with conservation and development perspectives at a transboundary level. The evolution of one such transboundary landscape in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) from the 1990’s to the present is discussed through a phase-wise process. Both global and region...
Medicinal Plants (MPs) have been recognized as an important bioresource, are embodied with the tribal communities worldwide. A thorough understanding of the traditional use practices and appropriate field-based documentation requires conserving their bio-cultural values. Amongst three major tribes in Sikkim the Lepcha, Bhutia and Limboo, the Bhutia...
Ecotourism has become a significant part of the tourism industry globally. Increasingly tourists are seeking opportunities to experience undisturbed natural areas where they can observe and enjoy unusual scenery, unique flora and fauna, and cultural and historical features. The key to the globally acclaimed definition of ecotourism, i.e., "Environm...
Initiatives are being taken to make Gorkhey, the cleanest village of Khangchendzonga Landscape- India under KLCDI-India.
Reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography was used to estimate the berberine content of Berberis jaeschkeana. The root and bark samples were harvested from different habitats (i.e., rocky and grassy), along an altitudinal gradient. The results revealed the presence of significantly (p < 0.05) higher berberine content in the samples of ro...
Himalayas provide high altitudinal gradients and extreme slopes which may rapid changes in climatic zones over a small distance which reflects noticeable changes in the forest community structures. We identified and analyzed various aspects of forest community composition with the effect of climatic variables and altitudes in the Singalila National...
Large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) is the main cash crop and an important livelihood option for farming communities in the eastern Himalayas – especially Sikkim, parts of West Bengal, eastern Nepal, and southern Bhutan. The crop is self-fertile but requires cross-pollination for the production of capsules. Scientific information on the eco-bio...
This book, “Socio Economic and Bioresource Assessment: Participatory and household
survey methods, tools and techniques” (A training manual based on the experiences from the Khangchendzonga Landscape, India), not only includes the socio-economic and bioresource evaluation tools but also emphasizes their application especially in the context of tran...
Large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.), a perennial cash crop, cultivated under agro-forestry system in the eastern Himalaya of India, is well recognized as a pollination dependent crop. Observations on pollinators' abundance from Mamlay watershed of Sikkim Himalaya were collected during blooming season to premise the pollinators' abundance across...
Dzongu in north district of Sikkim state, a Lepcha community reserve falls within the transition zone of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, has been considered as one of the potential transboundary sites under Khangchendzonga Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative, India for long term conservation and development initiatives. The ancient...
Sikkim Himalaya, being part of Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot, is
extremely rich in respect of biodiversity elements. Besides biological wealth, the
region exhibits diversity in landscape features and geological settings. This
diversity has resulted in multitude of microhabitats supporting myriad forms
of life. The state of Sikkim is al...
Studies from different parts of the world have generated
evidences of the effects of climate change on phenology
and persistence of species. However, datasets or
evidences are lacking for majority of the regions and
species, including the climate-sensitive Himalayan
biodiversity hotspot. Recognizing this gap in the
information and realizing wide-ra...
Considering that the assessment of antioxidant activity and phytochemical in wild and planted medicinal
plants would help in identification of possibilities for promoting cultivation, this study focused on
comparison of plant material drawn from wild and planted sources of Valeriana jatamansi in Indian
west Himalaya. GC–MS analysis of root samples...