Gangotri-Govind and Darma-Byans (Uttarakhand)

In Uttarakhand, the project is being implemented in two landscapes Gangotri – Govind and Darma – Byans. There are very sharp undulations owing to high mountains, narrow valleys and deep gorges. The climate of the landscape ranges from subtropical to temperate and alpine. The northern and eastern parts are covered with snow throughout the year. Forest formation ranging from Euphorbia scrub to dry alpine scrub makes it a unique habitat for different forest types.
In the Gangotri region a small number of Jadhs, an ethnic group of the Bhotiyas, have settled down over the years. They speak a language closely resembling Tibetan. There is also a sizable Tibetan settlement, with their beautifully carved wooden houses. The Darma-Byans landscape lies in the Kumaon region of the state, where the local communities rear and trade livestock and cultivate the land in the valley with common buckwheat and potatoes.

Sites of high conservation value in this region are :

  • Kyarki Bugyal (alpine meadows)
  • Kedarkantha (alpine meadows)
  • Hanuman Ganga (alpine meadows)
  • Chipla Kedar (sacred groves and forests)
  • Bhojwasa (sacred groves and forests)
  • Gangotri National Park (protected area)
  • Govind National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary (protected area)
  • Askot Wildlife Sanctuary (protected area)

Project Progress : Uttarakhand

1. CONSERVING BIODIVERSITY

23 HCVAs covering 120,744 Hectare (60,994 ha outside the PAs in Govind-Gangotri and Darma-Byans landscape have been identified and implementation strategies and plans developed for the same
Restoration strategies and plans have been developed covering a total of 6,146 Ha across 27 pastures
Implementation strategies and plans developed for Biodiversity Heritage Sites, Wetlands, Community Reserves, Medicinal Plant Conservation Areas and areas prone to Habitat Degradation
Baseline score established for tracking Management Effectiveness of Govind Pashu Vihar & Gangotri National Park.
29 Biodiversity Management Committees constituted to strengthen community level institutions

2. DIVERSIFYING LIVELIHOODS

For diversification of livelihoods and enhanced incomes of communities, livelihood strategy and micro plans developed including facilitation of Geographical Indication for six products, viz. Bagori wool, Bhotia dan, Purola rice, Harsil apple and rajma, Jhoola.
Handloom based enterprise development facilitated for 158 beneficiaries of the Budera community
Field training of 21 para-taxonomists (including 5 females) completed on the Participatory Snow Leopard Monitoring Protocol, out of which 9 Para-taxonomists were trained on the Snow Leopard Population Assessment of India (SPAI). They are involved in the snow leopard census conducted by the Forest Department.
Youth trained as nature guides including bird watching. They have been engaged in multiple bird counts in the landscape.

2. DIVERSIFYING LIVELIHOODS

For diversification of livelihoods and enhanced incomes of communities, livelihood strategy and micro plans developed including facilitation of Geographical Indication for six products, viz. Bagori wool, Bhotia dan, Purola rice, Harsil apple and rajma, Jhoola.
Handloom based enterprise development facilitated for 158 beneficiaries of the Budera community
Field training of 21 para-taxonomists (including 5 females) completed on the Participatory Snow Leopard Monitoring Protocol, out of which 9 Para-taxonomists were trained on the Snow Leopard Population Assessment of India (SPAI). They are involved in the snow leopard census conducted by the Forest Department.
Youth trained as nature guides including bird watching. They have been engaged in multiple bird counts in the landscape.

3. PREVENTING WILDLIFE CRIME

To combat illegal trade in wildlife, species, major hotspots and trade routes identified and trainings conducted with frontline staff and enforcement agencies, led by WCCB.
60 community youth including 10 women trained in combating human wildlife conflict and controlling forest fires, and supported through providing patrolling kits.
Technology interventions undertaken by establishing Wildlife Crime Database Centre, Management Information System, Infra-red based animal detection devices installed and Anti-poaching cells strengthened with security equipment.

4. Building knowledge

Training and capacity building imparted to local communities and youth on Snow leopard Population Estimation and Monitoring, Para-Taxonomy, legal literacy, community radio and video documentation and mountaineering for enhanced participation in conservation action.

4. Building knowledge

Training and capacity building imparted to local communities and youth on Snow leopard Population Estimation and Monitoring, Para-Taxonomy, legal literacy, community radio and video documentation and mountaineering for enhanced participation in conservation action.

Stories From the Region

Uttarakhand

The picturesque land of Gangotri and Govind is the source of many important rivers, and abounds in awe-inspiring waterfalls.The landscape is home to a variety of rare endemic and migratory birds as well as remarkable animals, including the majestic snow leopards…

Gallery

Snapshots that bring you up close with the natural and
human life of the Trans and Greater Himalayas
The Wildlife Wing, Uttarakhand Forest Department, is the nodal agency for implementation of the project in the state focusing on Gangotri-Govind and Darma-Byans landscapes [Suggestion: Please replace the logo of Himachal Pradesh with that of Uttarakhand]

Key Findings from the landscape

Baseline study on existing activities

At the outset, TERI would like to thank Mr. Rajiv Bhartari, Chief Wildlife Warden, Uttarakhand Forest Department and Mr. Ranjan Mishra, CCF-Wildlife & Nodal OfficerSECURE Himalaya project for providing invaluable guidance and illuminating discussions during the preparation of this report.

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Legal literacy manual - final

This manual is intended to clarify and create greater awareness around the legal rights, responsibilities, prohibitions and other provisions for local communities, which directly affect the environment and forest-based livelihoods for the communities of Uttarakhand.

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Reneweable Energy and Energy Efficient Options Suggested for Interventions

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India along with United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is implementing the project ‘SECURE Himalaya1’- funded by Global Environment Facility (GCF)- in the Himalayan states of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim.

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