The present study was carried out to determine the physico-chemical characteristics and heavy metal contents in roadside soil samples collected during 2 sampling periods (September 2018 and April 2019) from 8 different roadside sites lying parallel to the Buddha Nullah, an old rivulet, flowing through Ludhiana, (Punjab) India. The contents (mg/kg) of seven metals (cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, nickel and zinc) were estimated using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Among the metals analyzed, the contents of Cd, Co, Cu, Pb and Zn were found above the permissible limits. The results of the index of geoaccumulation (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), contamination degree (Cdeg), modified contamination degree (mCdeg), the Nemerow pollution index (PI) and pollution load index (PLI) indicate a moderate to high heavy metal contamination of the analyzed soil samples. The results of the potential ecological risk factor (ERi) and potential ecological risk index (RI) indicate a low to moderate risk of heavy metals in the studied soil samples. The Pearson correlation analysis revealed that most of the variables exhibited a statistically significant correlation with one or more variables during the two samplings. Multivariate analysis demonstrates that contents of heavy metals in the study area are influenced by anthropogenic and geogenic factors.

The current study aimed to measure the status of water quality of Chenab River, Neeru Stream and Bischleri Stream. Samples of water were collected from twenty different locations in the month of June, 2022. The focus of the study was to check pollution load and heavy metal contamination using various water quality indices. As per BIS and WHO standards, it was found that maximum parameters were within the permissible limit except pH, turbidity, Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg) at some sampling points. The results reveal that the quality of water in the studied area was good as seen from Water Quality Index (WQI) values which were found between 34.8 to 44.8. The Comprehensive Pollution Index (CPI) value ranges from medium to heavy pollution in maximum sampling points due to increased concentration of Chromium (Cr) in water samples. HPI index value found above the critical limit (>100) showed pollution load in the water. The river water was found to deteriorate due to the influence of wastewater discharge into the river directly or other anthropogenic activities.

Shifts in land use and climate directly impact floral availability, which determines honeybee foraging success and overall colony health. Anthropogenic climatic variation often creates phenological mismatches, impairing foraging, reducing floral resources, and elevating overwintering colony mortality. This study evaluates the seasonal foraging flora, honey production, and population dynamics of Apis mellifera and Apis cerana in relation to local climatic parameters in the Kashmir Himalayas. Bee density on flowering plants was monitored to categorize floral preferences into three distinct strata: highly preferred, moderately favoured and significant based on foraging behaviour and resource quality. Spring conditions provided favourable microclimates and floral abundance, resulting in increased food procurement, enhanced colony growth, and greater variation in honey flavour compared to summer and autumn. Waggle dance activity confirmed elevated forager activity during period. Conversely, forage gaps in summer and autumn necessitated targeted resource management. The behavioural responses and floral selectivity of honeybees highlight their utility as seasonal climate bio-monitors. By identifying critical forage gaps and high-value floral resources, this study provides actionable guidance for colony management under variable climatic conditions. Ultimately, these findings support pollinator-friendly landscape management strategies designed to stabilize pollination services and sustain smallholder apicultural incomes.