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.