Areas of Interest/Specialization: Plant ecology, conservation biology

Experience: 12 years 8 months

Phd Awarded/Supervised :

1. DST-SERB Young Scientist Award, 2006

Research Projects

• B.K. Tiwari (PI) and K. Upadhaya (Co-PI) 2014. Plant diversity characterization in Sacred groves of Meghalaya. Sponsored by Department of Environment and Forest, Government of Meghalaya.
• K. Upadhaya (PI) 2014. Fragmentation of humid subtropical broad-leaved forest and its impact on plant diversity and ecosystem function in Meghalaya, northeast India. Sponsored by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.
• N. K. Chrungoo (PI), Pushakumari (Co-PI), K. Upadhaya (Co-PI) and S. Kumaria (Co-PI). 2012. Preventing extinction and improving conservation status of threatened plants through application of biotechnological tools. Sponsored by Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.
• S.K. Barik (PI) and K. Upadhaya (Co-PI). 2008. Ecological studies on Mawhu, Dibbin, Kameng and Tawang river catchments in Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh. Sponsored by WAPCOS, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India.
• K. Upadhaya (PI). 2008. Formulation of Volume Tables for Important Tree Species of Meghalaya. Sponsored by Department of Environment and Forest, Government of Meghalaya.

Publications

1. Viheno Iralu, Humayun Samir Ahmed Barbhuyan, K. Upadhaya. 2019. Ecology of seed germination in threatened trees: a review. Energy, Ecology and Environment 4 (4): 189–210.
2. Dibyendu Adhikari, Raghuvar Tiwary, Prem Prakash Singh, K. Upadhaya, Bikarma Singh, K.nkutty Ezhuthachan Haridasan, Bharat Bhushan Bhatt, Arun Chettri, Saroj Kanta Barik. 2019. Ecological niche modeling as a cumulative environmental impact assessment tool for biodiversity assessment and conservation planning: A case study of critically endangered plant Lagerstroemia minuticarpa in the Indian Eastern Himalaya. Journal of Environmental Management 243: 299-307.
3. Ngakhainii Trune Pao and K. Upadhaya. 2019. Seasonal dynamics of soil microbial biomass in fragmented patches of subtropical humid forest of Jaintia hills in Meghalaya, Northeast India. Forest Systems 28 (1), e002. https://doi.org/10.5424/fs/2019281-13972
4. Viheno Iralu, Ngakhainii Trune Pao and K. Upadhaya. 2019. An assessment of population structure and regeneration status of Magnolia punduana Hk. f. & Th. (Magnoliaceae) in fragmented forests of northeast India. Journal of Forestry Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-019-00930-z
5. D. Adhikari, Zafar Reshi, B.K. Datta, S.S. Samant, A. Chettri, K. Upadhaya, M.A. Shah, P.P. Singh, R. Tiwary, K. Majumdar, A. Pradhan, M.L. Thakur, N. Salam, Z. Zahoor, S.H. Mir, Z.A .Kaloo, S.K. Barik. 2018. Inventory and characterization of new populations through ecological niche modelling improve threat assessment. Current Science 114 (3): 519-531.
6. K. Upadhaya, Aabid Hussain Mir, Viheno Iralu. 2018. Reproductive Phenology and Germination Behavior of Some Important Tree Species of Northeast India. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences 88 (3): 1033–1041
7. Viheno Iralu and K. Upadhaya. 2018. Seed dormancy, germination and seedling characteristics of Elaeocarpus prunifolius Wall. ex Müll. Berol.: a threatened tree species of north-eastern India. New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science 48:16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40490-018-0121-y
8. Dibyendu Adhikari, Aabid Hussain Mir, K. Upadhaya, Viheno Iralu, Dilip Kumar Roy. 2018. Abundance and habitat-suitability relationship deteriorate in fragmented forest landscapes: a case of Adinandra griffithii Dyer, a threatened endemic tree from Meghalaya in northeast India. Ecological Processes 2018, 7:3
9. Viheno Iralu and K. Upadhaya. 2018. Relative growth rate, biomass partitioning and nutrient allocation in seedlings of two threatened trees grown under different light conditions. Acta Ecologica Sinica 38 (6): 450-459.
10. A.H. Mir, D.K. Roy, K Upadhaya. 2017. Taxonomy, Recollection and Conservation Implications of Aquilaria khasiana (Thymelaeaceae): An endemic and threatened species of India. Rheedea 27 (2): 85-89
11. A.H. Mir, K Upadhaya, D.K. Roy. 2017. Rediscovery, distribution and conservation implications of Cleyera grandiflora Wall. ex Choisy (Pentaphylacaceae): an endangered and endemic tree species of Meghalaya, Northeast India. National Academy Science Letters, 40 (3): 205-209.
12. Ngakhainii Trune Pao and K. Upadhaya. 2017. Effect of fragmentation and anthropogenic disturbances on floristic composition and structure of subtropical broad leaved humid forest in Meghalaya, Northeast India. Applied Ecology and Environmental Research 15(4):385-407.
13. Chaya Deori, Satya RanjanTalukdar, Aabid Hussain Mir and K. Upadhaya. 2017. Liparis sootenzanensis Fukuy. (ORCHIDACEAE): A new addition to the Orchid Flora of India The MIOS Journal 18(8): 9-12.
14. K. Upadhaya, Aabid Hussain Mir, Dilip Kumar Roy, Nripemo Odyuo. 2017. A new species of Pyrenaria (Theaceae-Theoideae) from Northeast India. Telopea 20: 35-40
15. Aabid Hussain Mir and K. Upadhaya. 2017. Effect of traditional management practices on woody species composition and structure in montane subtropical forests of Meghalaya, Northeast India. Journal of Mountain Science 14 (8): 1500-1512.
16. Aabid Hussain Mir, K. Upadhaya, Nripemo Odyuo, Brajesh Kumar Tiwari. 2017. Rediscovery of Magnolia rabaniana (Magnoliaceae): A threatened tree species of Meghalaya, northeast India. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity 10 (1): 127-131
17. Gunjana Chaudhury and K. Upadhaya. 2016. Biomass and Carbon stock in Subtropical broad-leaved forest ecosystem of Meghalaya, Northeast India. International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences 42 (2): 125-133.
18. Aabid Hussain Mir, Viheno Iralu, Ngakhainii Trune Pao, Gunjana Chaudhury, Clarence G Khonglah, Kanhaiya Lal Chaudhary, Brijesh Kumar Tiwari, K. Upadhaya. 2016. Magnolia lanuginosa (Wall.) Figlar & Noot. in West Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, northeastern India: re-collection and implications for conservation. Journal of Threatened Taxa 8 (1): 8398-8402.
19. Aabid Hussain Mir, K. Upadhaya, Clarence G. Khonglah. 2016. Note on Mitrastemon yamamotoi (Mitrastemonaceae): a root parasite of rare occurrence in North East India. The Journal of Japanese Botany 91(3), 179-183.
20. Viheno Iralu and  K. Upadhaya. 2016. Dormancy, storability, and germination of seeds in Magnolia punduana (Magnoliaceae). Botany 94 (10): 967-973.
21. Viheno Iralu and K. Upadhaya. 2015. Magnolia punduana: a threatened Magnolia of northeast India. Journal of Magnolia Society 98: 6-11.
22. Viheno Iralu and K. Upadhaya. 2015. Notes on Magnolia punduana Hk. F. and Th. (Magnoliopsida: Magnoliales: Magnoliaceae): an endemic and threatened tree species of northeastern India. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 7(9): 7573-7576.
23. K. Upadhaya, Namita Thapa and S.K. Barik 2015. Tree diversity and biomass of tropical forests under two management regimes in Garo hills of north-eastern India. Tropical Ecology, 56(2): 257-268.
24. K. Upadhaya 2015. Structure and floristic composition of subtropical broad leaved humid forest of Cherapunjee in Meghalaya, Northeast India. Journal of Biodiversity Management and Forestry 4:4. http://dx.doi.org/2327-4417.1000149.
25. Shairi Nongbri, K. Upadhaya and H.N. Pandey 2014. Seed germination, seedling survival and growth of Rhododendron arboreum-a high altitude tree species of Meghalaya, northeast India. International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 40 (4):
26. Shairi Nongbri, K. Upadhaya and H.N Pandey. 2014. Seed germination and seedling fitness of economically important tree species of Meghalaya, Northeast India. Ecology, Environment and Conservation, 20(3): 117-124.
27. Aabid Hussain Mir, K. Upadhaya and H. Choudhury. 2014. Diversity of endemic and threatened ethnobotanical plant species in Meghalaya, northeast India. International Research Journal of Environmental Sciences, 3(12): 64-78.
28. K. Upadhaya, Namita Thapa, N.J. Lakadong, S.K. Barik and K. Sarma 2013. Priority Areas for Conservation in Northeast India: a Case Study in Meghalaya based on plant species diversity and endemism. International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 39 (2): 125-136.
29. D. Adhakari, S.K. Barik and K. Upadhaya. 2012. Habitat distribution modeling for reintroduction of Ilex khasiana Purk., a critically endangered tree species of northeastern India. Ecological Engineering, 40: 37–43
30. Namita Thapa, K. Upadhaya, R. Baishya and S.K. Barik. 2011. Effect of plantation on plant diversity and soil status of tropical forest ecosystems in Meghalaya, northeast India.  International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 37 (1): 61-73.
31. O.P. Tripathi, K. Upadhaya, R.S. Tripathi and H.N. Pandey. 2010. Diversity, dominance and population structure of tree species along fragment-size gradient of a subtropical humid forest of northeast India. Journal of Environmental and Earth Science 2(2):97-105.
32. K. Upadhaya, S.K. Barik, D. Adhakari, R. Baishya and N.J. Lakadong. 2009. Regeneration ecology and population status of a critically endangered and endemic tree species (Ilex khasiana Purk.) in north-eastern India. Journal of Forestry Research, 20(3): 223-228.
33. R. Baishya, S.K. Barik and K. Upadhaya. 2009. Distribution of aboveground biomass in natural and plantation forests of humid tropics in northeast India. Tropical Ecology, 50 (2): 295-304. 
34. K. Upadhaya, H.N. Pandey, S.K. Barik and R.S. Tripathi. 2008. Organic matter, N and P dynamics of fine and coarse roots in humid subtropical forest ecosystem exposed to disturbance in Meghalaya, northeast India. Malaysian Journal of Soil Science, 12: 45-60.
35. K. Upadhaya, S.K. Barik, H.N. Pandey and O.P. Tripathi. 2008. Response of woody species to anthropogenic disturbances in sacred forests of northeast India. International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 34 (3): 245-257.
36. K. Upadhaya, H.N. Pandey  and P.S. Law. 2007. The effect of seed mass on germination, seedling survival and growth in Prunus jenkensii Hook.f. &Thoms. Turkish Journal of Botany, 31: 31-36.
37. K. Upadhaya, H.N. Pandey and R.S. Tripathi. 2006. Effect of anthropogenic disturbance on soil microbial biomass carbon in sacred groves of Jaintia hills in Meghalaya. Indian Journal of Soil Conservation, 34(3): 221-225.
38. S.A. Jamir, K. Upadhaya and H.N. Pandey. 2006. Life form composition and stratification of montane humid forests in Meghalaya, northeast India. Tropical Ecology, 47 (2): 183-190
39. K. Upadhaya, H.N. Pandey and R.S. Tripathi. 2006. Understorey plant diversity in sacred groves of Meghalaya. International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 32: 207-219.
40. K. Upadhaya, H.N. Pandey, P.S. Law and R.S. Tripathi. 2005. Dynamics of fine and coarse roots and N-mineralization in humid subtropical forest ecosystem of northeast India. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 41: 144-152.
41. K. Upadhaya, H.N. Pandey, P.S. Law and R.S. Tripathi. 2004. Plants of ethnobotanical importance in the sacred groves of Jaintia hills of Meghalaya. Indian Forester, 131: 819-828.
42. K. Upadhaya, H.N. Pandey, P.S. Law and R.S. Tripathi. 2004. Diversity and population characteristics of woody species in subtropical humid forest exposed to cultural disturbance in Meghalaya, northeast India. Tropical Ecology. 45 (2): 303-314
43. K. Upadhaya, H.N.Pandey, P.S.Law and R.S. Tripathi. 2003. Tree diversity in sacred groves of Jaintia hills of Meghalaya in northeast India. Biodiversity and Conservation 12: 583-597.

Books/Chapters

1. Aabid Hussain Mir, Licha Jeri, K. Upadhaya, Nazir Ahmed Bhatt, Rajib Bora, Hiranjit Choudhury and Y. Kumar. Diversity, Bioprospection and Commercial Importance of Indian Magnolias. 2019. In: Plants for Human Survival and Medicine (Ed. Singh B). pp 195-217, New India Publishing Agency, New Delhi, India. ISBN: 978-93-87973-51-0.
2. K. Upadhaya. 2016. Ecological analysis of sacred groves and its conservation.  In:  K. Upadhaya (ed). Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Discovery publishing house, New Delhi, India, pp. 38-58. ISBN No. 978-93-5056-775-3
3. Aabid Hussain Mir, K. Upadhaya 2016. Community Based Forest Management in India. In: K. Upadhaya (ed). Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Discovery publishing house, New Delhi, India, pp. 167-184 ISBN No. 978-93-5056-775-3
4. K. Upadhaya. 2016 (Ed.). Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation. Discovery Publishing House, New Delhi, pages 324. ISBN No. 978-93-5056-775-3
5. K. Upadhaya and B.K. Tiwari. 2015. Community Reserves: Challenges and its Significance. In Naveen Kumar (ed), Forest and Environment in India: Law, History, Culture and Modern Approaches. Pp., 213-223, EBH Publisher (India) Guwahati, ISBN No. 987-93-83252
6. N. Odyuo, K. Upadhaya and S.A. Jamir. 2012. Mount Saramati: Ideal site for biodiversity conservation and ecotourism in Nagaland, northeast India. In: R.K. Mandal (ed) International Environmental Economics: Biodiversity and Ecology. Discovery Publishing House Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi pp.72-81.
7. K. Upadhaya, H. Choudhury and N. Odyuo. 2012. Floristic diversity of Northeast India and its conservation. In: R.K. Mandal (ed) International Environmental Economics: Biodiversity and Ecology. Discovery Publishing House Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi pp.61-71.
8. K. Sarma, O.P. Tripathi and K. Upadhaya. 2010. Landuse /land cover and community structure of major forest type in Garo Hill district. In: Rahul Kaul, Sandeep Kumar Tiwari, Sunil Kyarong, Ritwick and Vevek Menon (Eds.) Canopies and Corridors-Conserving the Forests of Garo Hills with Elephants and Gibbons as Flagships. Wildlife Trust of India, pp. 52-68.
9. J.M.S. Tomar, K. Upadhaya, O.P. Tripathi and H.N. Pandey. 2007. Agroforestry systems and practices prevailing in Meghalaya. In: Puri, S and Panwar, P. (Eds.), Agroforestry Systems and Practices. New India Publishing Agency, Pitan Pura, New Delhi, pp. 357-366.
10. K. Upadhaya, H.N. Pandey, P.S. Law and R.S. Tripathi. 2006. Impact of anthropogenic disturbance on population structure and regeneration status of trees in subtropical humid forest of Meghalaya, northeast India. In: Pandey, H.N and Barik, S.K. ‘Ecology, Diversity and Conservation of Plants and Ecosystems in India’. Regency Publications, New Delhi. pp. 1-19.
11. H. N. Pandey, K. Upadhaya, A.S. Jamir, P.S. Law and R.S. Tripathi. 2005. Floristic diversity in the sacred groves of Meghalaya. In: Pandey, A.K., Jun Wen and Dogra J. V.V. (Eds.) ‘Plant Taxonomy: Advances and Relevance’ CBS Publishers & Distributors, New Delhi, pp. 83-99.
12. K. Upadhaya, P.S.Law and H.N.Pandey. 2003. Biodiversity in the sacred groves of Meghalaya: Floristic Composition and Traditional Conservation Practices. In: Baruah P.P (Ed.): Biodiversity of Eastern Himalayan Protected Areas. Handique Girl’s College, Guwahati, pp. 14-24.

Papers presented in Conferences/Seminars :

• Seminar on ‘Ecological Traditions of Meghalaya’ organized by CPR Environmental Education Centre, Chennai in coordination with Lady Keane College Shillong held on March 27th, 2019 at Shillong. Topic: An overview of the sacred groves of Meghalaya.
• National Seminar on ‘Environment and Society: The Context of North-East India. Organized by Department of Sociology, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, 14th -15th March, 2016. Topic: Plant diversity in community managed forests of Meghalaya.
• Workshop on ‘Evolving Strategies for Enhancing Conservation and Management of private and Community Forests: Analysis of Policies and Programmes’ Organized by Regional Centre, National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, 26-28th March, 2014. Topic: Traditional Management Practices and Biodiversity conservation in Meghalaya.
• Brain Storming session on ‘Forest people interface in Meghalaya’ Organized by Regional Centre, National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, 26th March, 2012. Topic: Sacred grove and biodiversity conservation in Meghalaya.
• Workshop on ‘Mainstreaming climate change adaptation in afforestation programme of North East India’ Organized by Regional Centre, National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, 18-20th August, 2011. Topic: Selection of tree species for afforestation suitable for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
• Seminar on ‘Biodiversity of North-East India –Issues and Concerns’ Organized by Regional Centre, National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, 22nd May, 2010. Topic: Identifying and prioritization of conservation areas in Meghalaya, northeast India.
• Workshop on ‘Community Forests of North-East India: Status and Strategies for Conservation” Organized by Regional Centre, National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, 3rd December, 2009. Topic: Sacred Groves of Meghalaya.
• National Seminar on ‘Socio-cultural Dimension of Ecology: The Context of North-East India.Organized by Department of Sociology, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, 14th-15th October, 2009. Topic: Sacred Forests of Meghalaya: An Overview.
• Seminar on ‘Nature, Culture and the Tribes of North East India’ Organized by Department of Sociology, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, 2nd September, 2008. Topic: Role of Traditional Practices in Biodiversity Conservation.
• Regional Workshop on ‘Traditional Knowledge based Biodiversity conservation practices in North East India’ Organized by USEFI, CES- North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 23-24 March, 2006. Topic: Indigenous knowledge and biodiversity conservation in Meghalaya.
• National Seminar on ‘Botanical Researches in Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks of Assam’ held at Handique Girl’s College, Guwahati 27-28 July, 2002. Topic: Biodiversity in the Sacred Groves of Meghalaya: Floristic Composition and Traditional Conservation Practices.

Invited lectures (University/College/School)

• Special Summer School in Basic Sciences & Technology, 8-21 July, 2019. Organized by HRDC, NEHU. Topic: Plant diversity inventory and use of moderning tools  for conservation.
• Summer School in Basic Sciences, 4 -24 July, 2018. Organized by HRDC, NEHU. Topic:  Traditional Management Practices and Biodiversity Conservation in Meghalaya.
• Seminar on Contemporary Environmental Issues and Concerns 2018 organized by NSS, NEHU and ENVIS RP Centre, NEHU, held on 12th March, 2018 at Shillong. Topic: Environmental Issues and Concern with special reference to North-east India.
• National Conference on Renewable Energy Technology Utilization for Rural Development and Trade Show 2017 held during 27th February to 1st March, 2017 in NEHU, Shillong. Topic: Role of forests in mitigating climate change.
• Van Mahotsav Week Celebration 2016. Organized by NSS, Sohra Government College, Sohra.  July, 2016. Topic: Community reserved forest/ sacred groves as instruments for preservation of forest cover.
• World Environment Day 2011. Organized by Sankardev College, Shillong on 7th June 2011. Topic: Environmental problems and Issues with reference to Northeast India.

Any other

• Interviewed on sacred groves: Down to Earth Magazine, December Issue, 2003.
• Contributed to the State of Environment Report, Meghalaya, 2005. 
• Featured in the documentary “Sacred groves of Meghalaya untouched through centuries” by NDTV 24x7.