The physical and ecological health of streams is both influenced by riparian vegetation. It helps to maintain the balance of oxygen, nutrients, and sediments in the environment, as well as providing habitat and food for micro and macrofauna. The purpose of this study was to add to our understanding of the riparian vegetation of the Sahastradhara stream in Doon Valley. The studied riparian zone of the Sahastradhara stream in Dehradun comprises a total of 69 plant species belonging to 41 different families. The Asteraceae family, with 13 species, dominated the riparian vegetation, followed by Euphorbiaceae (04 species), and Solanaceae (04 Species).

Fireflies are magnificent beetles, under the family Lampyridae (order Coleoptera). They form an exceptional part of a natural landscape. However, natural firefly populations are threatened by several stressors, predominantly driven by anthropogenic development. Evaluation of firefly abundance through counts of their flashes provides an insight into the good health of the ecosystem, which could be easily observed and recorded by citizen scientists. On the occasion of World Firefly Day (3–4 July 2021), a firefly counting survey was conducted to record their occurrence, by engaging people from all over India, using the online platform. A datasheet with appropriate questions was prepared; barcodes and links were generated for the people. Through the survey, we received suitable participation and fitting data from 14 states of India—Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, West Bengal, Assam, and Ladakh. The total number of fireflies that were observed from all these states together was more than 26,000. Through the present study, significant data on fireflies occurrence have been recorded from various parts of the country. In addition to this, we get an understanding of using this citizen science approach on a bigger spectrum for varieties of projects and an effortless system of educating people.

This study is on the first record of a lampyrid Abscondita chinensis (Linnaeus) from Doon Valley, Uttarakhand, India. Sample collection was done during May to September 2021 (7:30- 9:30 p.m.), through sweeping net and hand-picking methods. Morphology including genitalia are described with confirmation based on genitalia. Abscondita chinensis is differentiated from Abscondita terminalis with which it is frequently confused with.

The objective of the present investigation aimed to determine the sexual maturity of a commercially important ornamental foothill fish Barilius barna from the Tamsa stream of Doon Valley, Uttarakhand, India. To comprehend its maturation biology, the study was carried out for a period of one year by applying the Dobriyal index and Gonado-somatic index. The values of D.I. and G.S.I. for both the sexes were observed maximum in the month of May and June respectively and minimum in August, indicating its absolute spawning period during the month of June to August.

The vegetation pattern in riparian zones of the aquatic ecosystem performs numerous ecological functions, including serving as a wildlife habitat and ecological corridor, an interface between aquatic and terrestrial environments, and providing organic matter to the aquatic systems, as well as nutrition to their biota. The present study has been carried out to prepare an inventory of the plant species as well as the vegetation pattern in the riparian zone of the Tamsa River near Tapkeshwar Temple, Dehradun. The Tamsa River is a tributary of the river Tons situated in the parts of the Shivalik Himalayas. It is an important source of water in the Northeast region of the Doon Valley. It supports a wide array of plants and animals in its surroundings. During the course of study, a total of 42 plant species belonging to 39 different genera and 26 families were recorded. The plant species along the Tamsa riverbank have various life habits, including 15 trees, 20 shrubs, 6 herbs, and 1 weed species. The diversity indices (H'=3.16 and D=0.9535) indicate a high level of diversity and evenness at the family level, reflecting a balanced community structure with substantial ecological stability. Such diversity supports multiple ecosystem functions and serves as a crucial baseline for developing effective conservation and management strategies in the Doon Valley region.

The periphyton diversity of the spring-fed foothill stream Tamsa Nadi from Doon Valley, Uttarakhand, India was studied during March 2020 to February 2021. The outcome of the present study was that 29 different genera of periphyton, of which 49% belonged to Bacillariophyceae, 37% to Chlorophyceae, 9% to Myxophyceae and 5% to Copepoda class. It was found that the periphyton diversity in Tamsa River, 29 genera were observed in Upper stretch, 23 in middle stretch and 16 in lower stretch. Bacillariophyceae was the most dominant group of periphyton observed in all the seasons and from all upper, middle and lower stretch from Tamsa stream