Necessity of Biodiversity Conservation

The State of HP, falling within Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot, is bestowed with a repository of flora and fauna. Out of total flora and fauna found in India, 7.3% of flora and 7.4% of fauna, including endangered species listed in Red List of IUCN, have been reported in HP. HP is also well-known as one of important stopovers for migratory birds. In order to protect and conserve this important biodiversity, which is one of important ecosystem services, there are five national parks, 26 wildlife sanctuaries and three conservation reserves recognized and declared by Government of Himachal Pradesh (GoHP) as of 2017 and total area under these Protected Area Network is 8,358.48 km2 , which is around 15% of the total forest area of the state. In addition, in HP, there are 27 key biodiversity areas (KBAs), which are regarded as sites that contribute significantly to the global persistence of biodiversity. Recently GoHP has decided to implement Biodiversity Act 2002 in HP and strengthen biodiversity management through promotion of community-based approach.

However, there are many threats to rich biodiversity, such as loss or degradation of habitat caused by migratory graziers, over-exploitation for firewood and fodder, forest fire, poaching, infestation by alien species, diverting the land for developmental activities etc., and these would contribute to the degradation of habitat and conservation areas, then subsequently a loss in the overall biodiversity of the region. Additionally, biodiversity conservation has not yet been undertaken in a focused way due to lack of awareness on value and importance of biodiversity among local residents and field level forest officers as well as lack of scientific database. Also increasing human interferences into the ecosystems and negative impacts from them is also serious issue in HP. Incidences of human-wildlife conflict are prevalent in some pockets, especially outside of the protected area, mainly due to the disruption in the habitat caused by the developmental activities and other human interferences. Therefore, there is urgent need to enhance biodiversity conservation activities in HP.

Scientific Biodiversity Management

• Preparatory Works
• Protected area management improvement in core zone or buffer zone
• Human-wildlife conflict mitigation/management
• Wildlife habitat improvement
• Recovery programmes for endangered wildlife

Training of Project related Staff of HPFD

• TOT for DMU Subject matter Specialist/FTU coordinator for field facilitation
• Training for GP Mobilizer and facilitators

Research

• Pilot Project on Biodiversity Corridor (Baseline survey for biodiversity corridor)
• Basic study for designing Biodiversity Census

Community Based Biodiversity Management

• Preparatory Works
• Community Based Biodiversity Management

Training of BMC and sub-committee

• Training for DMU/FTU
• Training for BMC and Sub Committee
• Exposure Visit by the Community institutions
• Joint Workshops for Community level institution (VFDSs/BMCs and sub-committees)