The Government of Himachal Pradesh also known as the State Government of Himachal Pradesh, or locally as State Government, is the supreme governing authority of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It consists of an executive branch, led by the Governor of Himachal Pradesh, a judiciary and a legislative branch.Like other states in India, the head of state of Himachal Pradesh is the Governor, appointed by the President of India on the advice of the Central government. His or her post is largely ceremonial. The Chief Minister is the head of government and council of ministers.There exists parliamentary system of government in state with council of ministers responsible to legislative assembly. Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh, and houses the Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) and the secretariat (Ellersile). Dharamshala is the winter capital of the state. The Himachal Pradesh High Court is located in Shimla, which has jurisdiction over the whole of Himachal Pradesh.State legislature is unicameral having legislative assembly composed of MLAs elected directly by the people of the state..
Male fertility assessment is crucial to reproductive management in livestock and companion animals. Traditional breeding soundness evaluations (BSE), which include semen analysis and reproductive tract examination, sometimes fail to detect reproductive dysfunction in its early stages. Advancements in Infrared Thermography (IRT) and Color Doppler Ultrasonography (CDU) have provided non-invasive, real-time, and objective tools to evaluate testicular function, thermoregulation, and blood flow dynamics. CDU enables the quantification of testicular blood perfusion (TBP) through Doppler indices such as Resistive Index (RI) and Pulsatility Index (PI), which are sensitive indicators of testicular function. Meanwhile, IRT assesses scrotal temperature gradients, which are critical for spermatogenesis and semen quality. The standardization of diagnostic thresholds and their cross-species applicability continue to be unsolved issues despite their increasing clinical significance. Additionally, male fertility is seriously threatened by climate change and heat stress, which calls for additional research on IRT and CDU in thermoregulatory responses. The widespread use of these technologies can increase reproductive success in companion and agricultural animals, decrease financial costs associated with subfertility, and improve breeding efficiency. This review comprehensively analyses these imaging modalities, compares their advantages and limitations, and explores their integration into routine andrological assessments.
Early and risky sexual behaviours among adolescents contribute to adverse health outcomes, yet evidence from school-based settings in India, particularly from methodologically robust samples, remains limited. Previous research in India has documented sexual attitudes and behaviours in specific contexts; however, to our knowledge, no study has examined both risk and protective factors using a large, systematically sampled cohort at the state level. This study investigated sexual activity among school-going adolescents and examined associated risk and protective factors to inform targeted interventions. A school-based cross-sectional survey was conducted during December 2023 in 204 government schools across Himachal Pradesh, India among 7,563 adolescents aged 13–17 years using a self-administered questionnaire adapted from the Global School-based Student Health Survey in India. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression were performed to assess predictors of ever having sex, early sexual debut, and non-use of contraception. Overall, 6
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMFs) are well known to establish symbiotic associations with plant roots, and assist to enhance nutrient uptake and contribute to improve soil structure and fertility. This study investigated the AMF diversity and physiochemical properties of rhizosphere soil associated with three ethno-medicinal plants—Inula racemosa, Saussurea costus (cultivated), and Hyoscyamus niger (wild) from cold desert areas of Himachal Pradesh, India. Results showed that soil samples were moderately alkaline (pH 7.17–8.23), with low to medium levels of organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium. Cultivated soils showed higher macronutrient levels than noncultivated lands. Principal component analysis indicated a positive correlation between root colonization and pH, organic carbon, and phosphorus, while a negative correlation was found with electric conductivity, nitrogen, and potassium. Root colonization varied across medicinal plants, with Glomus and Acaulospora being the dominant AMF genera. A total of 14 arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal species from 6 genera were identified. The study indicates a potentially rich diversity of AMFs in cold desert ecosystems, particularly within the Glomeraceae family. Utilizing these AMFs in off site cultivation and conservation efforts, through single spore cultures or AMF consortia, could be beneficial for promoting sustainable growth of these valuable plants.
Heat stress during summer poses a major challenge to reproductive efficiency in Murrah buffalo bulls by disrupting testicular thermoregulation and vascular perfusion, ultimately impairing semen quality. This study aimed to evaluate the relationships among testicular temperature gradient (TG), testicular blood flow, and semen parameters in twelve adult Murrah bulls maintained under summer stress (average THI 80.6). Infrared thermography (IRT) was performed fortnightly to measure scrotal surface temperatures at proximal and distal poles, and TG was calculated as the difference. Colour Doppler ultrasonography was used monthly to assess blood perfusion at the testicular vascular cone subjectively (vascularity score, 1-5) and objectively (percentage area of Doppler signal). Semen was collected using artificial vagina fortnightly and analyzed for volume, concentration, mass motility, progressive motility, viability, acrosome integrity, hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) response, and abnormality rate Bulls were stratified into two TG-based groups (>3 °C and <3 °C), with six animals in each group. Bulls with TG > 3 °C exhibited significantly higher testicular blood flow (52.7 ± 1.6% vs. 40.6 ± 2.1%) and vascularity scores (3.3 ± 0.1 vs. 2.5 ± 0.1). They also showed significant improvements in progressive motility (79.3 ± 1.6% vs. 71.1 ± 1.2%), viability (82.9 ± 0.9% vs. 76.4 ± 1.7%), acrosome integrity (86.6 ± 0.2% vs. 84.0 ± 0.3%), and HOST response (68.0 ± 0.7% vs. 63.0 ± 0.5%), along with significantly lower abnormal spermatozoa (10.8 ± 0.2% vs. 13.3 ± 0.3%). Correlation and regression analyses confirmed strong associations between TG, perfusion metrics, and semen traits, while elevated THI negatively influenced testicular function. IRT and Doppler assessments were a reliable and non-invasive biomarkers for detection of sperm quality impairment in heat-stressed Murrah bulls, with potential applications for efficient reproductive management to reduce the adverse effect of heat stress.
India’s horticulture sector is vital for boosting farm incomes, securing livelihoods, and supporting foreign exchange earnings. The study analyses the growth of India’s horticulture sector (fruits, vegetables, and other horticultural crops) from 1991–92 to 2023–24, a period chosen for its significant policy changes and technological advancements. (Department of Agriculture Farmers Welfare, Government of India, Area and Production of Horticulture Crops, Government of India, 2025). Key objectives include examining historical trends, identifying production drivers, applying ARIMA models for forecasting, and recommending strategies for sustainable growth. Data from national and international sources were analyzed using descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and ARIMA modeling. The study shows a remarkable increase in fruit (291.43
