Wetlands, also called as kidneys of the environment, are known to play pivotal roles in safeguarding water and food security, and offer multifarious ecosystem services. Indian Himalaya is bestowed with a large number of High-Altitude Wetlands (HAWs) located above 3000 m above mean sea level. These lakes provide innumerable benefits to humans residing in the area as well as downstream communities. Despite their immense ecological, geological, biological and cultural significance, wetlands of the Himalayan region are experiencing numerous threats induced by climate change and unsustainable anthropogenic activities. The conservation and management of these wetlands are limited due to poor scientific intervention in understanding the multifunctional nature of these important ecosystems. In IHR, several HAWs often serve as popular destinations for nature-based tourism, recreation and human well-being. However, high and unlimited tourist influx to such wetlands during recent years poses a threat to the ecological bases of these ecosystems. Though the conservation of HAW is of primary concern, Visitor Carrying Capacity (VCC), which is a very important criterion for sustainability of HAWs is rarely estimated and hence visitor limits are not implemented. Realizing the importance of HAWs and the various threats to these ecosystems, this project aims to generate scientific knowledge and undertake research, conservation and extension activities on select HAWs of the Indian Himalayan region (TsoMoriri Lake in Union Territory of Ladakh, and Tsomgo and Hanspokahri Lake, Sikkim) using an interdisciplinary approach. The proposed project proposal has five major objectives which covers research on environmental, hydrological, biological, and socio-economic aspects of the high-altitude wetlands through an integrated scientific approach involving a range of stakeholders. The main aim of this project is to understand the physical, biological and social dynamics of the select high altitude wetlands located in the Indian Himalaya, and assess the impact of climate change and other anthropogenic activities on the wetlands and associated landscapes, build capacity of the stakeholders, support livelihood generation to local communities, and provide recommendations to the government/ policy makers/ civil societies for formulation of guidelines for the conservation and wise use of the wetlands. Further, the study also aims to assess recreational values of the identified high-altitude wetlands, physical carrying capacity assessment and determine the health of the wetlands for their effective conservation and management. Strengthening local institutions, promotion of livelihoods of local communities and development of human resources through training, capacity building workshops and awareness programs remains one of the significant goals of the proposed project.

• To map and monitor the High altitude wetlands (HAWs) using integrated remote sensing and field based observations (spatio-temporal) on various water and sediment characteristics.
• To understand the wetland community structure and dynamics using field and eDNA based approaches and functional traits of key biodiversity elements.
• To assess the Carbon dynamics, rate of well mixed greenhouse gas emissions and environmental parameters of high-altitude wetlands.
• To assess economical valuation and ecosystem health of high altitude wetlands for sustainable management.
• To augment nature-based livelihood and strengthen local institution for conservation of wetland in Sikkim.