Conservation of soil microbial diversity associated with two hot spring sites in Uttaranchal Himalaya

Hot springs are manifestations of geological activity, representing extreme 'hot' environment, which emerge spontaneously in the Himalayan region with the outlet temperature starting from 45 degrees C and above. Soil samples collected from two hot springs, Soldhar and Ringigad, both located in the Garhwal region of Uttaranchal Himalaya were analysed for their physical, chemical and microbial components. Morphologically distinct microbial isolates dominated by filamentous organisms and bacteria were isolated are being maintained for further investigations of biotechnological importance. Both the sites at present are disturbed either due to human activities or natural disturbances such as road construction, deposition of soil debris, domestic activities, landslides, etc. Isolation, characterization and preservation of the microbial isolates obtained from these two hot springs is an effort towards the conservation of the microbial diversity associated with these hot springs which seem to be in grave danger.