CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT) Palampur, Himachal Pradesh

Dr. Sanjay Kumar Uniyal

Principal Scientist, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT), Palampur, Himachal Pradesh

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, 32^o 08' 26.3'' N lat and 76^o 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, 32^o 08' 29.4'' N lat., 76^o 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.

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.