The proposed project's rationale lies in the urgent need to address the severe threats facing the mammals of the IHR. The combination of climate change, anthropogenic activities, and habitat degradation has created a critical situation where the survival of numerous faunal species is at stake. Ramped development led to habitat fragmentation and loss, pushes species towards extirpation and extinction risk. The unique topographical features and diverse ecosystems of the Himalayas further amplify the need for targeted conservation efforts. The region is an ecological hotspot, hosting a wealth of endemic and vulnerable species that exhibit limited adaptability to rapid changes. These species are at high risk of population decline and local extinction without immediate intervention. The proposed project's multi-pronged approach, encompassing ecological research, genetic analysis, community engagement, and policy integration, is designed to comprehensively address these challenges. The project's with further the long term monitoring efforts by revisiting the previously established permanent plots and will also upscale by establishing new such plots and creation of comprehensive data which is of conservation and management importance. It offers a comprehensive and innovative framework that has the potential to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change and human activities on the region's faunal species.

• Local Bodies:
Farmers, Gram Panchayats, Other local administrative bodies, Schools and colleges Grass root level local institutes
• State
• Forest and Environment departments
• State Biodiversity boards and State
• Medicinal Plant Board
• Climate change monitoring centres
• Universities, research organizations
• Health, Agriculture, fisheries and animal husbandry departments.

• Creation of 5 # state-level geospatial databases on mammals generated in PA and Non-PA.
• Comprehensive Understanding of Threatened Mammals Distribution: Revisiting of 45 permanent posts after 5 years & establish 60-80 new plots of 4-km2 size.
• Fine-scale mapping of 20 mammals, their habitat ecology and spatial distribution under climate change of IHR (HP, UK, SK, AP, ML).
• Establishment of biodiversity corridors/ networks for long-term conservation in IHR (5 states- JK, HP, UK, SK, AP).
• Development of data-driven comprehensive human-bear conflict mitigation plan (HP, UK, SK). Attemp to study other keystone and flagship species also.
• Protected Area (PA) Effectiveness Evaluation and Connectivity: Evaluate 20 species' representation in IHR's Protected Area network across 5 states.
• Assessment of Protected Areas Representativeness Indices (PARI) under EPI for the entire IHR region (JK, HP, UK, SK, AP) using primary & secondary data.
• At least 750 trained sate forest staff in wildlife monitoring and conflict mitigation through 15 training programmes in 5 states (HP, UK, SK, AP, ML).
• A total of 5 # state-level workshops for developing partnerships for long-term conservation.

• No. of Geo-spatial Database (Nos.)
• No. of IHR State-wise permanent monitoring plots established (Nos.)
• No. of fine-scale mapping of Mammals (Nos.)
• No. of Biodiversity Corridors (Nos.)
• No. of IHR State-wise Conservation Models developed (Nos.)
• No. of Monitoring and Mitigation Plans and Protocols along with management strategies developed (Nos.)
• Database for PRAI estimated for all the states of the IHR (No).
• No. of trainings/capacity building programs conducted (Nos.)
• Skilled Human Resources (Nos.)
• Knowledge Products (Nos.)