Climate vulnerability and adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers in Jaintia Hills Region of Meghalaya, Northeast India Keshav Kumar Upadhyay, Augustine Bareh, Khoisnam Vramari Devi, Lamginsang Thomte, Rajdeep Chanda, Salam Suresh Singh, Ramtharmawi, Mamta Joshi, David C. Vanlalfakawma, Shri Kant Tripathi Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, 2026 Smallholder farmers in the Northeast India are vulnerable to climate risks due to subsistence based rainfed farming, fragmented landholdings, fragile ecosystems, and limited institutional support. This study aimed to assess climate vulnerability among smallholder farmers in Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, by examining adaptive capacity, identifying key socio economic and environmental drivers, and proposing resilience enhancing measures. The long term temperature and rainfall data from the Indian Meteorological Department and survey data from 300 farmers across twelve villages were used. Climate trends were examined over seven decades. Vulnerability was measured using an index that combines exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity indicators. The results showed a clear warming trend, with significant increases in both maximum (0.0094°C/year) and minimum (0.0081°C/year) temperatures during the monsoon and post monsoon seasons. Rainfall trends were not statistically significant but showed high variability. Farmers reported rising temperatures, frequent droughts, and declining crop yields, which closely matched observed climate patterns. The mean vulnerability index value was 0.667, indicating high overall vulnerability. About 44% of farmers were classified as highly vulnerable and 20.3% as very highly vulnerable. Adaptive capacity was the weakest component, reflecting limited access to credit, irrigation, training, and insurance. Rising temperatures were found to affect rice, maize, and key horticultural and spice crops through heat and soil moisture stress. Small land size, low literacy levels, and gender related inequalities further increased vulnerability. Strengthening education, water management, climate resilient farming practices, and institutional support can help in improving long term resilience in hill based farming systems. • Farmers face high climate vulnerability with warming and erratic rainfall. • Heat and moisture stress reduce yields of rice, maize, and key cash crops. • Limited land, irrigation, credit, and training weaken adaptive capacity. • Climate resilience needs better education, water management, and support. • Linking farmer perceptions with data improves climate vulnerability assessment.
Elevation and management-induced vegetation and soil carbon shift in Eastern Himalayan forests: Advancing nature-based sustainability solutions (NbS) Shri Kant Tripathi, Rajdeep Chanda, Aosanen Ao, Basanta Moirangthem, Santosh Chauhan, Lianhmingthanga Mizo, Salam Suresh Singh, Ngangbam Somen Singh, Keshav Kumar Upadhyay, David C. Vanlalfakawma, Lalnunmawia Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, 2026 Tropical montane forests are essential carbon sinks that significantly contribute to climate regulation; however, their biomass and carbon dynamics remain underexplored in Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot of the Eastern Himalaya. With this motive, we quantified tree diversity, above- and below-ground biomass, and soil organic carbon across five forest sites in Mizoram, Northeast India, encompassing three protected areas and two community-managed forests distributed along an elevational gradient (70–1900 m amsl). A total of 192 tree species, belonging to 132 genera and 65 families, were recorded, with higher tree richness and density in community forests. Total tree carbon stock ranged from 182.9 to 297.4 Mg C ha −1 and increased as a function of elevation, explaining 57 % of the variability in above-ground biomass. Sentinel-2–derived vegetation indices demonstrated strong correlations with field-measured biomass, particularly modified soil-adjusted indices such as MSAVI (R 2 = 0.71) and SAVI (R 2 = 0.70). A multivariate regression model integrating multiple indices achieved high predictive accuracy (R 2 = 0.87). High-elevation forests, such as Phawngpui National Park (PNP) and Hmuifang Community Forest (HCF), exhibited greater carbon storage, reflecting lower disturbance and favourable microclimatic conditions. Community-managed forests stored carbon amounts comparable to or exceeding those of protected areas, highlighting the effectiveness of participatory governance in the region. Integrating remote sensing with field-based data provides robust, scalable framework for monitoring carbon dynamics in mountainous regions. These findings emphasise that community forestry represents effective Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for enhancing carbon sequestration, strengthening ecosystem resilience, and advancing India's climate commitments under NDCs and REDD + frameworks. • Community forests store soil carbon comparable to protected forests. • Elevation strongly influences biomass and soil organic carbon stocks. • MSAVI and SAVI best predict aboveground biomass from Sentinel-2 data. • Integrated field–satellite model explains 87 % of carbon variability. • Community forestry enhances Nature-based climate mitigation potential.
Microplastic pollution: exploring trophic transfer pathways and ecological impacts Salam Suresh Singh, Rajdeep Chanda, Ngangbam Somen Singh, Ramtharmawi, Ningthoujam Ranjana Devi, Khoisnam Vramari Devi, Keshav Kumar Upadhyay, S. K. Tripathi Discover Environment, 2024 In the last century, human activities were the primary cause of air, water, and soil contamination. However, in the twenty-first century, while pollutants like sulfur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) remain significant, microplastics (MPs) have emerged as a new global environmental concern. Microplastics are plastic fragments that are less than 5 mm in diameter. Their widespread distribution in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems has adverse impacts on various ecological systems. The presence of MPs has been well documented in diverse matrices, such as table salt, drinking water, indoor and outdoor air, beer, cold drinks, aquatic organisms, plants, and earthworms. The potential adverse effects of MPs consumption have been reported in various organisms, including earthworms and aquatic fishes; however, their potential effects on human health through respiratory, dietary, and other exposures are still being elucidated. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge on potential sources, quantities present in water, table salt, air, and possible routes in the human body through different trophic levels. Furthermore, this paper reviews insights into the movement and accumulation of MPs at different trophic levels (i.e., aquatic, and terrestrial organisms) and their impacts on the cycling of soil carbon and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus). Additionally, this review paper addresses the current trends in MPs research and proposes strategic management techniques to mitigate MPs pollution.
Ecological analysis of shifting cultivation ( jhum ) in Northeast India: Challenges and opportunities SK Tripathi, R Chanda, SS Singh, NR Devi, Ramtharmawi, KV Devi, ... Regional Environmental Change 26 (2), 107 , 2026 2026.0
Elevation-driven climatic variation shapes detrital pathways and nutrient dynamics in forests of Eastern Himalaya: implications for ecosystem resilience B Moirangthem, R Chanda, SK Tripathi Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 198 (6), 575 , 2026 2026.0
Multivariate water stress-vegetation health index (MWS-VHI): Novel drought monitoring framework for forests of the Eastern Himalayan landscape R Chanda, SR Luwang, SS Singh, SK Tripathi Journal of Environmental Management 404, 129438 , 2026 2026.0 Citations: 2
Climate Vulnerability and Adaptive Capacity of Smallholder Farmers in Jaintia Hills Region of Meghalaya, Northeast India KK Upadhyay, A Bareh, KV Devi, L Thomte, R Chanda, SS Singh, M Joshi, ... Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, 101249 , 2026 2026.0
Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot and Climate Change KV Devi, KK Upadhyay, R Chanda, S Kumar, NS Singh, ... Biodiversity Hotspot of the Indo-Burma Region, 323-347 , 2026 2026.0
Elevation and Management-Induced Vegetation and Soil Carbon Shift in Eastern Himalayan Forests: Advancing Nature-Based Sustainability Solutions (NbS) SK Tripathi, R Chanda, A Ao, B Moirangthem, S Chauhan, L Mizo, ... Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, 101082 , 2025 2025.0 Citations: 10
The Hidden Players: Soil Microbes in Ecosystems Sustainability SS Singh, E Lamare, BA Chopade, R Chanda, NR Devi, KK Upadhyay, ... Climate Change and Soil Microorganisms for Environmental Sustainability, 295-320 , 2025 2025.0 Citations: 6
Interplay of Biotic and Abiotic Components for Forest Functioning and Productivity KV Devi, SS Singh, KK Upadhyay, R Chanda, NR Devi, NS Singh, ... Eco-Resilience Biology, 34-66 , 2025 2025.0
Bioremediation of toxic metals using aquatic macrophytes: Challenges and opportunities SS Singh, MD Meitei, KK Upadhyay, R Chanda, R Mawi, NS Singh, ... CLEAN–Soil, Air, Water 52 (11), e202400273 , 2024 2024.0 Citations: 7
Volumetric tree growth models for aboveground biomass estimation of Pinus kesiya and Toona ciliata in Northeast India NP Monsang, KK Upadhyay, R Chanda, R Pandey, SK Tripathi Ecological Frontiers 44 (5), 958-965 , 2024 2024.0 Citations: 2
Microplastic pollution: exploring trophic transfer pathways and ecological impacts SS Singh, R Chanda, NS Singh, Ramtharmawi, NR Devi, KV Devi, ... Discover Environment 2 (1), 103 , 2024 2024.0 Citations: 12
Two-decadal climate impacts on growth of major forest types of Eastern Himalaya R Chanda, SS Singh, NS Singh, KK Upadhyay, SK Tripathi Trees, Forests and People 15, 100491 , 2024 2024.0 Citations: 34
Atmospheric boundary layer and the vertical distribution of black carbon over plain and hilly terrain of north east India using In situ measurements M Gogoi, A Borgohain, A Kundu, SS Kundu, PK Bhuyan, B Pathak, ... EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts, EGU-350 , 2023 2023.0 Citations: 2
Two-decadal climate impacts on growth of major forest types of Eastern Himalaya. Trees, Forests and People 15, 100491 R Chanda, SS Singh, NS Singh, KK Upadhyay, SK Tripathi 2023.0 Citations: 6
Reply to Deora et al. Multiplexing for Plasmodium spp.? Think Again! Comment on “Bhowmick et al. Dry Post Wintertime Mass Surveillance Unearths a Huge Burden of P. vivax, and … I Pal-Bhowmick, T Nirmolia, A Pandey, SK Subbarao, A Nath, S Senapati, ... Pathogens 11 (8), 832 , 2022 2022.0 Citations: 1
Diagnosis of indigenous non-malarial vector-borne infections from malaria negative samples from community and rural hospital surveillance in Dhalai District, Tripura, North … IP Bhowmick, A Pandey, SK Subbarao, R Pebam, T Majumder, A Nath, ... Diagnostics 12 (2), 362 , 2022 2022.0 Citations: 8
Diagnosis of Indigenous Non-Malarial Vector-Borne Infections from Malaria Negative Samples from Community and Rural Hospital Surveillance in Dhalai District, Tripura, North … IP Bhowmick, A Pandey, SK Subbarao, R Pebam, T Majumder, A Nath, ... DOI: https://doi. org/10.3390/diagnostics12020362. PMID: https://www. ncbi … , 2022 2022.0 Citations: 2
Dry Post Wintertime Mass Surveillance Unearths a Huge Burden of P. vivax, and Mixed Infection with P. vivax P. falciparum , a Threat to Malaria Elimination, in … IP Bhowmick, T Nirmolia, A Pandey, SK Subbarao, A Nath, S Senapati, ... Pathogens 10 (10), 1259 , 2021 2021.0 Citations: 21
Hydrogeochemical assessment and evaluation of groundwater quality in selected areas of Bishnupur district, Manipur W Alam, Y Gyanendra, R Chanda, RJ Laishram, N Nesa Journal of the Geological Society of India 96 (3), 272-278 , 2020 2020.0 Citations: 17
Interplay of Biotic and Abiotic Components for Forest Functioning and Productivity KV Devi, SS Singh, KK Upadhyay, R Chanda, NR Devi, NS Singh, ... Eco-Resilience Biology, 34-66 , 0 Citations: 2
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Two-decadal climate impacts on growth of major forest types of Eastern Himalaya R Chanda, SS Singh, NS Singh, KK Upadhyay, SK Tripathi Trees, Forests and People 15, 100491 , 2024 2024.0 Citations: 34
Dry Post Wintertime Mass Surveillance Unearths a Huge Burden of P. vivax, and Mixed Infection with P. vivax P. falciparum , a Threat to Malaria Elimination, in … IP Bhowmick, T Nirmolia, A Pandey, SK Subbarao, A Nath, S Senapati, ... Pathogens 10 (10), 1259 , 2021 2021.0 Citations: 21
Hydrogeochemical assessment and evaluation of groundwater quality in selected areas of Bishnupur district, Manipur W Alam, Y Gyanendra, R Chanda, RJ Laishram, N Nesa Journal of the Geological Society of India 96 (3), 272-278 , 2020 2020.0 Citations: 17
Microplastic pollution: exploring trophic transfer pathways and ecological impacts SS Singh, R Chanda, NS Singh, Ramtharmawi, NR Devi, KV Devi, ... Discover Environment 2 (1), 103 , 2024 2024.0 Citations: 12
Elevation and Management-Induced Vegetation and Soil Carbon Shift in Eastern Himalayan Forests: Advancing Nature-Based Sustainability Solutions (NbS) SK Tripathi, R Chanda, A Ao, B Moirangthem, S Chauhan, L Mizo, ... Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, 101082 , 2025 2025.0 Citations: 10
Diagnosis of indigenous non-malarial vector-borne infections from malaria negative samples from community and rural hospital surveillance in Dhalai District, Tripura, North … IP Bhowmick, A Pandey, SK Subbarao, R Pebam, T Majumder, A Nath, ... Diagnostics 12 (2), 362 , 2022 2022.0 Citations: 8
Bioremediation of toxic metals using aquatic macrophytes: Challenges and opportunities SS Singh, MD Meitei, KK Upadhyay, R Chanda, R Mawi, NS Singh, ... CLEAN–Soil, Air, Water 52 (11), e202400273 , 2024 2024.0 Citations: 7
The Hidden Players: Soil Microbes in Ecosystems Sustainability SS Singh, E Lamare, BA Chopade, R Chanda, NR Devi, KK Upadhyay, ... Climate Change and Soil Microorganisms for Environmental Sustainability, 295-320 , 2025 2025.0 Citations: 6
Two-decadal climate impacts on growth of major forest types of Eastern Himalaya. Trees, Forests and People 15, 100491 R Chanda, SS Singh, NS Singh, KK Upadhyay, SK Tripathi 2023.0 Citations: 6
Multivariate water stress-vegetation health index (MWS-VHI): Novel drought monitoring framework for forests of the Eastern Himalayan landscape R Chanda, SR Luwang, SS Singh, SK Tripathi Journal of Environmental Management 404, 129438 , 2026 2026.0 Citations: 2
Volumetric tree growth models for aboveground biomass estimation of Pinus kesiya and Toona ciliata in Northeast India NP Monsang, KK Upadhyay, R Chanda, R Pandey, SK Tripathi Ecological Frontiers 44 (5), 958-965 , 2024 2024.0 Citations: 2
Atmospheric boundary layer and the vertical distribution of black carbon over plain and hilly terrain of north east India using In situ measurements M Gogoi, A Borgohain, A Kundu, SS Kundu, PK Bhuyan, B Pathak, ... EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts, EGU-350 , 2023 2023.0 Citations: 2
Diagnosis of Indigenous Non-Malarial Vector-Borne Infections from Malaria Negative Samples from Community and Rural Hospital Surveillance in Dhalai District, Tripura, North … IP Bhowmick, A Pandey, SK Subbarao, R Pebam, T Majumder, A Nath, ... DOI: https://doi. org/10.3390/diagnostics12020362. PMID: https://www. ncbi … , 2022 2022.0 Citations: 2
Interplay of Biotic and Abiotic Components for Forest Functioning and Productivity KV Devi, SS Singh, KK Upadhyay, R Chanda, NR Devi, NS Singh, ... Eco-Resilience Biology, 34-66 , 0 Citations: 2
Reply to Deora et al. Multiplexing for Plasmodium spp.? Think Again! Comment on “Bhowmick et al. Dry Post Wintertime Mass Surveillance Unearths a Huge Burden of P. vivax, and … I Pal-Bhowmick, T Nirmolia, A Pandey, SK Subbarao, A Nath, S Senapati, ... Pathogens 11 (8), 832 , 2022 2022.0 Citations: 1
Ecological analysis of shifting cultivation ( jhum ) in Northeast India: Challenges and opportunities SK Tripathi, R Chanda, SS Singh, NR Devi, Ramtharmawi, KV Devi, ... Regional Environmental Change 26 (2), 107 , 2026 2026.0
Elevation-driven climatic variation shapes detrital pathways and nutrient dynamics in forests of Eastern Himalaya: implications for ecosystem resilience B Moirangthem, R Chanda, SK Tripathi Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 198 (6), 575 , 2026 2026.0
Climate Vulnerability and Adaptive Capacity of Smallholder Farmers in Jaintia Hills Region of Meghalaya, Northeast India KK Upadhyay, A Bareh, KV Devi, L Thomte, R Chanda, SS Singh, M Joshi, ... Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, 101249 , 2026 2026.0
Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot and Climate Change KV Devi, KK Upadhyay, R Chanda, S Kumar, NS Singh, ... Biodiversity Hotspot of the Indo-Burma Region, 323-347 , 2026 2026.0
Interplay of Biotic and Abiotic Components for Forest Functioning and Productivity KV Devi, SS Singh, KK Upadhyay, R Chanda, NR Devi, NS Singh, ... Eco-Resilience Biology, 34-66 , 2025 2025.0
