| Sanction Date: | 31-03-2016 | ||||
| Project Category | LG | ||||
| Year | 2015-2016 | ||||
| Project Duration | 3 Years + 1 Year Extension | ||||
| BTA : | Biodiversity Conservation and Management | ||||
| Project Site/ State/ Districts/ Villages Covered: |
Site I: Areas in the North of the Himalayas (NMHR) Site II: Areas in the South of MHR (SMHR) Site III: The third one is monsoonal with moist pre-monsoon, generally above 2000mm, eastern Himalayas, and for this project a Sikkim site is its representative. |
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| Organization/ Implementation Agency: | Central Himalayan Environment Association (CHEA), Nainital, Uttarakhand | ||||
| Project Partners: | S.No. | Name | Roles & Responsibilities | ||
1. |
Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J&K | Plant diversity along the three principal elevation transects; Community structure/ regeneration and seedling age structure/endemism; tree diameter changes; Anthropogenic/Natural disturbance on trees due to Storm/snow/fire; Invasive & alien species | |||
2. |
Department of Forestry & Environmental Science, Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand | Soil & tree water potential, Leaf conductance and photosynthesis rate; seed maturity indices and seedling dynamics in timberline | |||
3. |
Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand | Influence of micro-climatic variations on herbaceous plant communities through snow removal experiment; grazing; selected structural and functional characteristics of Alpine meadows | |||
| 4. | GBPNIHESD, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora, Uttarakhand | Collection & analysis of data on temperature lapse rate, precipitation and its components along elevational transects in IHR Plant diversity along two altitudinal transects-Uttarakhand & Sikkim Phenology of important timberline trees N-resorption & nutrient conservation strategy Mapping and a larger picture of Himalayan timberline based on ground truthing; trends of changes. |
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| 5. | Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany | Tree ring studies of selected timberline species (Abies pindrow , Birch, Oak and Krummholz sp. Rhododendron sp.) across IHR to relate past climate variability and tree ring growth; Palyonological studies of surface soil | |||
| Lead Proponent: | Prof. S.P. Singh
Central Himalayan Environment Association (CHEA) |
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| Project Brief Description: | Understanding environmental changes associated with the high-altitude limit of forests called as timberline has become critical importance because of its high sensitivity to temperature changes and human uses. It is often used as an indicator of climate change. This project therefore involves multidisciplinary activities such as research work (i.e. multi-site study, cross-learning of indigenous practices of timberline use, management by the local communities, etc.) as well as other interventions(i.e.timberline ecotone, measurements of climate and environmental parameters at the three principal sites (J&K, Uttarakhand, Sikkim), field experiments, training to local people, etc.). Furthermore, long-term vision of the project is (i) developing an ecological understanding of Himalayan timberline, its societal implications and management in a warming climate, (ii) building a natural /human capital and culture of research team of young scientists for continuing work on the multi-disciplinary aspects on Himalayan ecosystems.The outcomes of the project will include (i) advancement in interdisciplinary team research, (ii) contribution to vegetation science and tree-soil water relations of timberline, (iii) improved understanding of timberline ecosystem as a special conservation entity and implication to sustainable management and livelihood enhancement, (iv) improved understanding of future changes in timberline vis-a-vis climate change and human uses, (v) awareness and training material/ knowledge products for sustainable use of resources for improved livelihood and (vi) promotion of 'Citizen Science' through engagement of community groups. The project falls under the broad thematic group- Conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity of the National Mission on Himalayan Studies(NMHS). | ||||
| Beneficiaries/ Stakeholders: | Researchers, Planners/ policy makers/Forest dept./Wildlife Dept./ /National and global environment agencies, Climatologists/ state & central government at regional/ national scale/local people. | ||||
| Activity Chart (For 3years) | Click Here | ||||
| Total Grants (in Rs.) | Rs. 6,41,25,200/- (Rupees Six crore forty one lakh twenty five thousand two hundred only) | |||
| Project Objectives | Quantifiable Deliverables | Monitoring Indicators |
| To characterize and map timberline zone in the IHR using satellite and ground based observations including smart phone applications | Creation of database and knowledge products on vegetation science and tree-soil water relations of timberline in 3 principal sites (J&K, Sikkim and Uttarakhand). | No of long term monitoring sites/ plots established in 3 states (Nos.) |
| To determine the temperature lapse rate (TLR) and pattern of precipitation along altitudinal gradients in different precipitation regimes across the IHR | Improved understanding depicted from thematic maps and database of timberline ecosystem as a special conservation entity and implication to sustainable management and livelihood enhancement. | |
| To study plant diversity, community structure, tree diameter changes and natural recruitment pattern along the three principal sites in the IHR | Improved understanding of future changes in timberline vis-a-vis climate change and human uses | Datasets generated (data on taxonomic diversity quantified by species richness, as well as by richness, evenness, diversity, dominance, and rarity at generic and family levels No./ sites). |
| To understand tree phenological responses, nutrient conservation strategies and tree-water relations in response to warming climate | Attempt creation of climate-smart conservation models at the selected sites. | Publications of knowledge products (No.) |
| To study relationship between tree ring growth and past climatic changes in different climate regime across IHR | Awareness and Training material/ knowledge products for sustainable use of resources for improved livelihood. | High resolution digital maps depicting changes in timberline ( Nos. with time series) |
| To understand the impact of depletion of snow-melt water on growth of tree seedlings, grasslands species composition and selected functional processes | Promotion of Citizen Science through engagement of community groups | Climate smart conservation models developed (Nos.) |
| Community groups trained (Nos) | ||
| To promote participatory action research (Citizen Science) on innovative interventions to improve livelihoods, women participation in conservation and management of timberline resources. | Awareness camps/ programs organized (Nos.) | |
| Human use of timberline ecosystems and its contribution to livelihoods (Nos./ Area) |
| S.No. | Name | Qualification | Designation | Salary | |
| 1. | Priyanka Sah | M.Sc Remote Sensing & GIS | JPF | 16000+HRA | |
| 2. | Avantika Latwal | M.Sc Remote Sensing & GIS | JPF | 16000+HRA | |
| 3. | Mr. Kumar Sambhav | M.Sc. Mathematics | JPF | 16,000 pm (+10% HRA) | |
| 4. | Mr. Balam Singh Bisht | B.A | F.A | 8,000 | |
| 5. | Mr.Mohit Fulara | M.Sc. Geology | JPF | 16,000 pm (+10% HRA) | |
| 6. | Sabzar Nanda | M.Sc (NET) | JPF | Rs. 16000/- + HRA | |
| 7. | Sunil Chandra Joshi | M.Sc - Botany | JPF | 16000 + 10% HRA/PM | |
| 8. | Renu Rawal | M.Sc - Botany | JPF | 16000 + 10% HRA/PM | |
| 9. | Aseesh Pandey | Ph. D. Botany | Research Associate | 38,000.00+ 10% HRA | |
| 10. | Sandhya Rai | MSc. Forestry UGC Net Qualified | JPF | 14,000.00+ 10% HRA | |
| 11. | Pradeep Singh | M.Sc - Forestry | SPF | 18000 + 10% HRA | |
| 12. | Dr. Shruti Shah | Ph.D. (Forestry) | Research Associate | 36000+ HRA | |
| 13. | Mr. Krishna K. Tamata | M.Sc. (Forestry) | JPF | 16,000 10% HRA | |
| 14. | Ms. Utsa Singh | M.Sc in Geology | JPF | Rs. 19200 per month per month | |
| 15. | Bency David | M.Sc. in Ecology and Environmental Science | JPF | Rs. 19200 per month per month | |
| 16. | Mr. Ripu Daman Singh | M.Sc. (Forestry) | JPF | 16000 + 10%HRA | |
| 17. | Mr. Amit Mittal | M.Sc. (Forestry) | JPF | 16000 + 10%HRA | |
| 18. | Mr. Nandan Singh Mehra | M.Sc. (Forestry) | Project Assistant | 8,000 | |
| 19. | Dr. Pratap Dhaila | Ph.D (Forestry) | SPF | 19000 + 10%HRA |
| S.No. | Name of Equipment | Use of Equipment | Cost (in INR) |
| 1. | Work station | 2,56,305 | |
| 2. | Server | 4,63,095 | |
| 3. | GPS | 9,42,920 | |
| 4. | GPS embedded Telecommunicator | 32,340 | |
| 5. | Temperature sensor | 2,35,000 | |
| 6. | Relative Humidity Sensor (10) | 2,35,000/- | |
| 7. | Radiation shield and mounting (10) | 1,70,000/- | |
| 8. | Tipping bucket Raingauge with 5data logger (10) | 10,30,000/- | |
| 9. | AWS with other standard accessories (1) | 11,96,293/- | |
| 10. | Workstation | 3,36,577/- | |
| 11. | GPS | 52,000/- | |
| 12. | Optic USB base station with coupler | 49,500/- | |
| 13. | Leaf Area Meter with conveyer belt | 9,86,713/- | |
| 14. | Digital Balance | 1,84,090/- | |
| 15. | Oven | 2,00,786/- | |
| 16. | Soil Data Logger | 3,49,156 /- | |
| 17. | Equipment 2 | 27,000/- | |
| 18. | GPS | 44,426/- | |
| 19. | GPS | 33,205/- | |
| 20. | Digital Balance | 19,425/- | |
| 21. | Laptop | 92,500/- | |
| 22. | TemperatureHumidity Data Logger (2 nos) | 23,100/- | |
| 23. | Luxmeter | 8,925/- | |
| 24. | Pressure Chamber | 4,32,000/- | |
| 25. | PSYPRO 8 CHANNEL | 9,36,911/- | |
| 26. | Diffusion Porometer | 8,82,000/- | |
| 27. | Digital electronic Balance | 49,031/- | |
| 28. | Tree ring measuring Machine | 10,080 Euro/- | |
| 29. | Centrifuge machine | 40,000/- | |
| 30. | 4 Tree ring corers | 2 Lakhs/- | |
| 31. | Ten (10) TIMELAPSE CAMERA | 3,21,560/- | |
| 32. | Two (2) Cellular transmission of photos WIRELESS CAMERA TRAP | 88000/- | |
| 33. | Sixteen (16) Temperature/Relative Humidity Data Logger | 3,31,200/- | |
| 34. | Eight (8) Soil Thermometers | 1,65,600/- | |
| 35. | Field gears (Sleeping bag, Rack sack, Field bags, Carry mat, Jacket, Rain suits) | 17,577/- | |
| 36. | Tree ring measuring Machine | 10080 Euro/- | |
| 37. | Digital Vernier Calliper | 7,140/- | |
| 38. | Digital Balance | 49,030/- | |
| 39. | GPS | 1,02,694/- | |
| 40. | Soil pH meter | 33,601/- | |
| 41. | SPSS software | 1,64,756/- | |
| 42. | Camera/CANON EOS 700 D with two lens kit | 44,200/- | |
| 43. | Sony Cyber nat W830/Sony Cyber nat W830 | 8,200/- | |
| 44. | Osaksa U.V.Filter 58 mm/Osaksa U.V.Filter 58 mm | 1,238/- | |
| 45. | Altimeter & Swedish Bark Gauge | 21,735/- | |
| 46. | HDD | 7,140/- |
