The current study is carried out to determine the potential trend of rainfall and assess its significance in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Rainfall is a key characteristic of any watershed which plays a significant role in flood frequency, flood control studies and water planning and management. In this case study,mean monthly rainfall has been analysed to determine the variability in magnitude over the period 1950-2005. Trend in mean monthly precipitation data and mean seasonal trends are analysed using Mann-Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimation for the data period 1950-2005. Analysis of monthly trend in precipitation shows negative trend for the months of July, August, September and October in all the rain gauge stations. However, the falling trend is significant for the month of August for Dharamshala(0.05 level of significance). Interestingly the month of June shows rising trend of rainfall in all the stations, however, at Dharamshala the trend is significant (0.01 level of significance). The winter rainfall in the month of January and February record decreasing trend, with DeraGobipur and Kangra recording significant decreasing trend for the month of January at 0.01 level of significance and 0.05 level of significance respectively. Trend analysis for annual rainfall data shows significant negative trend for Dharamshala.

Air pollution has become a scourge to contend with in India. The recorded concentrations of particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere, the unabated emission of pollutants from vehicular exhausts, and recurring episodes of extremely poor condition (AQI>300) in the winter months, have rightfully and necessarily, spurred efforts in the industrial, governmental and research spheres to alleviate its detrimental impacts. Various point sources like biomass burning, coal combustion for power generation, and traditional agricultural practices such as stubble burning, collectively contribute to a steady rise in ambient particulate matter (PM) pollution. This study focuses on the utilization of rice straw – an abundant agricultural residue in a country like India – motivated by promoting and contributing to the soil-to-soil circularity paradigm. It encompasses the characterisation of straw ash from the rice, by delineating its physical properties, thermal characteristics, and chemical composition with the help of Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). The results indicate that rice straw ash (RSA) possesses high silica content and favorable thermal stability. The RSA exhibited a porous structure, which enhances nutrient adsorption and microbial activity. Its incorporation into soil significantly improved soil nutrition and health, promoting a more sustainable agricultural practice. Entrenching this soil-to-soil thinking will contribute directly and indirectly to a host of sustainable development goals in a future Indian circular bioeconomy.