Long-term observational datasets are essential for understanding the magnitude and frequency of past extreme events over extended timescales. In mountain regions where instrumental records are limited, tree rings provide a valuable natural archive of environmental and geomorphic changes. Tree rings are formed by the vascular cambium, a thin layer of dividing cells between the wood (xylem) and bark (phloem). At Continue Reading »

Authors: R.P. Singh, Abhishek Danodia and Kamal Pandey The Narmada Valley, extending across the states of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, is one of India’s key agricultural zones, distinguished by its fertile soils and well-developed irrigation infrastructure. Agriculture is the predominant land use in the region, occupying approximately 56.9% of the total area, while forests account for about 32.88%. Geographically, the Continue Reading »

Authors- Manu Mehta and Raghavendra Pratap Singh An exoplanet, short for extrasolar planet, is a planet that orbits a star outside our solar system. These planets follow the same physical laws - orbiting stars and varying widely in size and composition. When you look up at the night sky and see countless stars, it's amazing to think that many of Continue Reading »

Uttarakhand experienced a noticeable escalation in forest fire activity during the first four months of 2026. Fire occurrence remained relatively moderate in January, with 200 MODIS active-fire detections recorded across the state. Activity then declined to 113 detections in February, representing a 43.5% decrease, likely due to the influence of residual winter moisture and comparatively lower fuel flammability. As temperatures Continue Reading »

Sal forests cover 11 million hectares in the Indian subcontinent. They are important for the environment and the economy because they support biodiversity and provide a range ecological services including livelihoods of indigenous people. These forests face a major threat from an insect called the Sal Heartwood Borer, or "Hoplo". When these beetles multiply quickly, they kill thousands of trees. Continue Reading »