A detailed analytical study of major cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+) and anions (SO2− 4 , HCO−3 , Cl−, NO−3 ) of meltwater draining from Gangotri Glacier was carried out to understand major ion chemistry and to get an insight into geochemical weathering processes controlling hydrochemistry of the glacier. In the meltwater, the abundance order of cations and anions varied as follows: Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ >Na+ and SO2− 4 > HCO−3 > Cl− > NO−3 , respectively. Calcium and magnesium are dominant cations while sulphate and bicarbonate are dominant anions.

The complex interaction of environmental stress, poor natural regeneration and insect pests have lead to forest decline in Himalayan sub-region. Amongst the insects, stem and wood boring beetles are capable of causing significant oak mortality. The paper reports the outcome of surveys on wood boring beetles carried out in moist temperate oak forests, mainly with Ban oak, Quercus leucotrichophora Camus, Moru oak, Q. dilatata Lindl and Q. semicarpifolia Smith in six sites in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India.