Project Brief Description: |
Invasive species are today a serious threat not only to biodiversity but also to the livelihood
of communities. Their far reaching impacts are visible on ecology, economy and health of the
region they invade. Today even the pristine mountain areas such as the Himalaya are bearing
the brunt of invasive species. Recent estimates from Himachal Pradesh, one of the Himalayan
states, reveal presence of 500 alien plant species in the state. Of these, 34% have naturalized
while 29% are invasive (Jaryan et al. 2013). Lantana camara, Eupatorium adenophorum and
Parthenium hysterophous are the most common invasive species in the state. They have the
potential to spread fast with detrimental consequences on native ecosystems. Their spread
has not only degraded ecosystems but has also affected forage availability, increased
incidences of forest fires, and an overall decline in services of the nature.
Bohl, Mandai, and Odi villages of the Palampur forest division of Himachal Pradesh are well
known as the base for the Palampur Water Governance Initiative (PWGI) (Banyal 2010-11
to 2024-25). These villages lie in the catchment area (ca. 286 ha) of Bohl spring water
recharge zone and come under Bandla Gram panchayat of tehsil Palampur (Census 2011).
Local people depend on surrounding forests known as Bheerni forest for grazing, fuel wood
and fodder needs. These forests form the recharge zone of Bohl spring (altitude: 1875m,
32o
08' 26.3'' N lat and 76o
33' 16.5'' E long). Bohl spring is the oldest and purest source of drinking water for Palampur municipal council. It lies in a Protected forest formally under
the ownership & control of the Forest department. Recently, community forest protection
strengthened with the formation of Village Forest Development Society (VFDS) as a part
of Palampur Water Governance Initiative (PWGI). However, in the recent years, spread of
Eupatorium adenophorum and Lantana camara is a major concern among the villagers in the
area. These species are making inroads into the forests very near to the recharge zone of
Bohl spring and threatening the regeneration of native species. Some of the ecologically
important areas (1738m, 32o
08' 29.4'' N lat., 76o
33' 02.1'' E long.) are already under severe
infestation of Eupatorium. Common pastureland and fallow land has also been ruined by
these invasive species. The proposal therefore targets eradication of invasive species from
the area and restoration of degraded ecosystem using multipurpose native species by
involving local communities. This will involve field surveys, interaction with villagers for profile
documentation and need assessment. Ecological characteristics of vegetation and soil would
be sampled, and analyzed. The extent of area cleared and restored, number of eradication
and plantations drives, number of awareness programme, and number of species planted will
be the performance indicators. The project will ultimately lead to restoration of degraded
ecosystem and continued flow of ecosystem services. The Village communities, State Forest
Department, Irrigation and Public Health Department, Municipal Council Palampur will be the
key beneficiaries. In general, the project will benefit scientific, research, and academic
organizations interested in the field of Himalayan ecology.
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Beneficiaries/ Stakeholders: |
resident village communities, Himachal Pradesh Forest
Department, Municipal Council Palampur, State Agriculture Department, State Irrigation and
Public Health Department, State Council of Science and Technology, State Biodiversity Board.
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