Identification of bio-indicators for documenting environmental health

• Environmental health indicators for western Himalaya

• Monitoring protocol for these indicators

• Twenty-nine sites identified and marked along a vehicular pollution gradient (NH-21).

• Twenty-six dominant plant species sampled and their Air pollution tolerance and anticipated performance index have been worked out.

• Compilation of heavy metal assessment in dust samples.

• Distribution of metal(loid)s in soils of three habitation land uses (Urban, peri-urban and rural) completed.

• Carried out repeat sampling for result validation.

• A manuscript has been published and another is under review.

Number of LTEM sites established/investigated/ robust data-sets generated.

Extent of scientific evidences generated across key sectors.

• Identification of sites for long-term environmental monitoring.

• Mainstreaming of long-term monitoring and building scientific evidence base across key sectors achieved.

• Twenty-one permanent plots established.

• Vegetation sampled using 1323 quadrats.

• Plant species richness across altitude analyzed.

• Floral traits variations in 53 plant species recorded.

• 315 soil samples analyzed for physico-chemical properties.

• One manuscript published.

Extent of IKP ( Indigenous Knowledge and Practices) documentation and strengthened through scientific evidence base.

• Indigenous Knowledge and Practices (IKP) systematically documented and linked to scientific evidence base.

• Intensive study villages of the selected tribes surveyed and respondents identified.

• In-depth interviews with 240 respondents completed.

• Relevant literature collected and compiled.

• Use of plants for household products completed for Bhangalis.

• Manuscript on folk utilization of plants prepared and communicated.

• A popular article on weaving accepted in Science Reporter.

Study the Invasive Alien Species (IAS): Effectiveness of approaches developed for reduction of IAS/ innovative use of biomass/ extent of areas/ landscapes restored.

• Threat of proliferation of invasive alien species reduced and adversely impacted areas/ landscapes restored.

• Study sites identified and marked.

• Vegetation in two timberline sites recorded.

• Annual cycle of phenological documentation of Betula utilis completed.

• Temporal recording of soil temperature for a complete year.

Assessment of level and diversity of engagement of traditional institutions facilitated.

Analyze the extent of capacity built of the traditional institutions.

• Key traditional institutions of IHR states identified.

• Their role, norms and practices concerning environment protection & socio-economic development documented.

• Identify their capacity building needs in present day context.

• Personal interviews and focus group discussion carried out in Lug valley of Kullu.

• Traditional conservation practices identified and documented.

• Sacred groves (deobans) and community protected forests identified in the area.

• Presence of sacred ponds (deotaals) and traditional baudies recorded.

• Terraces and stone bunds commonly followed for soil conservation.

• A manuscript published

Capacity building on biodiversity conservation through field based trainings/ awareness programs

• Scientific evidences and databases developed/ augmented/disseminated.

• All traditional Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) and innovative methods effectively used, etc.

• Community surveys conducted in villages

• Awareness programme carried out in two schools

• Initiation of plantation drives

• Nature relatedness analysis