flora and faunaflora and fauna himachal is said to be the fruit bowl of the country, with orchards...

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FLORA AND FAUNA Himachal is said to be the fruit bowl of the country, with orchards being widespread. Meadows and

pastures are also seen clinging to steep slopes.

The southern part of the state, at lower elevations than the north, has both tropical and subtropical dry

broadleaf forests and tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests. These are represented by north

western thorn scrub forests along the border with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh and by Upper Gangetic

Plains moist deciduous forests in the far southeast. Sal and shisham are found here.

The hills contain western Himalayan broadleaf forests and Himalayan subtropical pine forests. Various

deciduous and evergreen oaks live in the broadleaf forests, while chir pine dominates the pine forests.

Western Himalayan subalpine conifer forests grow near treeline, with species that include East Himalayan

fir, West Himalayan spruce, deodar (the state tree), and blue pine.

The uppermost elevations have western Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows in the northeast and

north western Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows in the northwest. Trees are sturdy with a vast

network of roots. Alders, birches, rhododendrons and moist alpine shrubs are there as the regional

vegetation. The rhododendrons can be seen along the hillsides around Shimla from March to May. The

shrub lands and meadows give way to rock and ice around the highest peaks.

Himachal Pradesh has around 463 bird and 359 animal species, including the leopard, snow leopard (the

state animal), ghoral, musk deer and western tragopan. It has 2 major national parks and sanctuaries —

the largest number in the Himalayan region. The Great Himalayan National Park in Kullu district

was created to conserve the flora and fauna of the main Himalayan range, while the Pin Valley National

Park to conserve the flora and fauna of the cold desert.

TYPE OF FLORA

Type of flora Numbers

Flowering Plants 3,120 species

Conifers 13 species

Pteriophytes 124 species

Orchids 38 species

FLORA IN DIFFERENT ZONES (ALTITUDE) OF HP

Classification based on latitudinal

Zones

Flora of Himachal Pradesh

1. Lower Motane Zone (up to

1,000metres above m. s. l)

A. Trees

B. Shrubs

C. Grasses

Khair, Siris, Kachnar, Semal, Tun, Mango,

Behul, Shisham, Ritha, Tut, Behera &

Chil. Vitex, Munj, Ber, Ipomea, Dodonea,

Bamboo. Vetiver, Sanchrus, Munjh.


2. Middle Motane Zone (From

1,000metres to 2,000metres above

m. s. l.)

A. Trees

B. Shrubs

C. Grasses

Kunish, Poplar, Willow, Ohi, robinia, Drek,

Kail, Chil Toon, Behmi, Chulli, walnut,

Khirik. Vitex, Berberis,

Carrisa. Lolium, Dactylis,

Phleum, Phylaris.

3. Temperate Zone (From

2,000metres to 3,000metres above

m. s. l.)

A. Trees

B. Shrubs

C. Grasses

Deodar, Fir Spruce, Maple, Ash, BhojPatra,

Horse Chestnut, Alder, Robinia, poplar,

Walnut. Berberis.

Festuca, Dactylis, Bromus, Lucerne, white

Clover, Red Clover, dioscorea.

4. Alpine Zone (Above 3,000metres

above m. s. l.)

A. Trees

B. Shrubs

C. Grasses

Birch, Juniper, Cypress,

Willow. Saussurea lappa,

Cotoneaster microphylla, Artemesia.

Festuca arundinacea, Dectylis glomerata.

ECOLOGICALLYPROTECTED AREA IN THE STATE With a view to conserve the total range of wildlife available in the state, the Government of Himachal

Pradesh has declared several areas, covering all the agro-climatic zones in the state and having

significant ecological, geomorphologic and biodiversity value, as Conservation Reserves, Wildlife

Sanctuaries and National Parks.

LIST OF PROTECTED AREAS IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

Sl.

No.

Protected Areas

Area

(sqkm)

District (s)

Fauna

1 Great HimalayanNational

Park

755.00 Kullu Blue sheep, snow leopard, Himalayan brown

bear, Himalayan tahr, and Musk deer

2 Pin ValleyNational Park 675.00 Lahul &Spiti Red Indian Fox, Tibetan Gazelle, Wooley

Hare, Snow Leopard, Himalayan Marmot,

Himalayan Mouse-hare, Indian Hodgsoris

Porcupine, Blue

Sheep and Wolf

Wildlife Sanctuaries

1 Bandli WLS 41.00 Mandi Himalayan Black Bear, common Palm

Civet, Barking Deer, Goral, Indian hare,

Rhesus

Macaque.

2 Chail WLS 109.00 Solan Sambar, Goral, Himalayan Black Bear, Red

Deer, Silver-White Oak, Barking Deer,

Common Langur, Leopard, Rhesus Macaque,

Himalayan Yellow Throated Marten, Indian

Porcupine, Giant and Kashmiri Flying Squirrel.

3 Chandratal WLS 38.56 Lahul &Spiti Ibex and Snow leopard


4 Churdhar WLS 66.00 Sirmaur Himalayan Black Bear, Barking Deer,

Musk Deer, Common Langur and

Leopards

5 Daranghati WLS 167.00 Shimla Himalayan Black Bear, Brown Bear,

Himalayan Palm Civet, Barking Deer, Musk

Deer, Flying Fox, Goral, Indian Hare, Stripped

Hyena, Himalayan Ibex, Leopard, Himalayan

yellow throated Marten, Serow, Blue Sheep,

Common giant flying Squirrel and Himalayan

Weasel

6 Darlaghat WLS 6.00 Solan Black bears, Sambhals, wild boars, red jungle

fowls, barking deer

7 Dhauladhar WLS 944.00 Kangra Nilgai, Sambar, Barking Deer, Wild Buar,

Clawless Otter, and Leapord

8 Gamgul Siahbehi WLS 109.00 Chamba Ibex, bear, langur, leopard, musk deer,

Himalayan tahr, Himalayan fox, Himalayan

shrew, rhesus macaque, common giant flying

squirrel, Indian bush rate, jackal, barking deer

9 Gobind Sagar WLS 100.00 Bilaspur Singhara, Catla, Jhalli, Grass Crap, Kuni Rohu,

Guj, Ticto, Sarina

10 Kais WLS 14.00 Kullu Serow, blue Sheep, red Fox, musk deer, Goral,

ibex, Leopard, snow Leopard, brown Bear,

Himalayan black Bear

11 Kalatop-KhajjiarWLS 69.00 Chamba Ibex, deer, black bears and leopards

12 KanawarWLS 61.00 Kullu Serow, blue Sheep, red Fox, musk deer, Goral,



Sl.

No.

Protected Areas

Area (sqkm)

District (s)

Fauna

13 KhokhanWLS 14.00 Kullu Serow, blue Sheep, red Fox, musk deer, Goral,



14 Kibber WLS 1400.00 Lahul &Spiti Ibex and Snow leopard

15 Kugti WLS 379.00 Chamba Brown bear, Asiatic black bear, Leopard,

Himalayan Tahr, Himalayan ibex, Goral,

Common Langur, Porcupine

16 Lippa Asrang WLS 349.00 Kinnaur Yak, Ibex, Leopard, Goral, Blue Sheep, Brown

Bear, Musk Deer, Himalayan black Beer

17 Majathal WLS 57.55 Solan Deer, Bear, Cheer pheasant


18 Manali WLS 32.00 Kullu Himalayan Black Bear, Himalayan Palm

Civet, Barking Deer, Flying Fox, Goral,

Indian Hare, Stripped Hyena, Leopard,

Himalayan yellow throated Marten, Serow,

Kashmir flying Squirrel and Himalayan Tahr.

19 Nargu WLS 278.00 Mandi Black Bear, Brown Bear, Himalayan Palm

Civent, barking Deer, Indian Hare, common

Langur, Leopard, Rhesus Macaque, Himalayan

yellow throated stone Marten, Indian

Porcupine, common giant flying Squirrel,

Himalayan Weasel

20 Pong Dam LakeWLS 307.00 Kangra Nilgai, Sambar, Barking Deer, Wild Buar,

Clawless Otter, and Leapord

21 RenukaWLS 4.00 Sirmaur Asiatic lions, spotted deer, lion tailed macaques,

peacocks, nilgai or large grey Indian antelope,

barking deer and Himalayan black bears.

22 Rupi BhabaWLS 738.00 Kinnaur Serow, blue Sheep, red Fox, musk deer, Goral,



23 SainjWLS 90.00 Kullu Blue sheep, snow leopard, Himalayan brown

bear, Himalayan tahr, and Musk deer

24 Sangla Valley

(RakshamChitk

ul)

304.00 Kinnaur Leopard, blue Sheep, Himalayan black Bear,

brown Bear, musk Deer and Gora

25 Sechu Tuan NalaWLS 103.00 Chamba Ibex, bear, langur, leopard, musk deer,

Himalayan tahr, Himalayan fox, Himalayan

shrew, Rhesus macaque, common giant flying

squirrel, Indian bush rate, Jackal, barking deer


At present, there are 2 National Parks, 30 Wildlife Santuaries and 3 Conservation

Reserves. The details are as under:

PROTECTED AREA IN THE STATE OF HP

S.No. Category of Protected Area Area in Sq.Km

1 National Parks 1440

2 Wildlife Sanctuaries 6226.83

3 Conservation Reserves 19.17

Sl.

No.

Protected Areas

Area

(sqkm)

District (s)

Fauna

26 Shikari DeviWLS 72.00 Mandi Himalayan palm civet, barking deer, marten,

Indian porcupine, Kashmiri flying squirrel,

musk deer, common langur, leopard, the

common Squirrel,

27 Shilli WLS 2.00 Solan Himalayan Black Bear. Except Black Bear, other

wild species like Leopards, Musk Deer, Barking

Deer, Jackals, Brown Bear and Hyena

28 Shimla Water Catchment

WLS

10.00 Shimla Flying Squirrel, common langur, Serow,

Porcupine, Sambar

29 Shri Nainadevi WLS 123.00 Bilaspur Jackals, Leopards, Rhesus, Himalayan Yellow

Throated Marten, Serow, Porcupine, Sambar and

Common Giant Flying Squirrel. Wide variety of

reptiles namely Indian Cobra, common Indian

Krait, North House Gecko and Common Rattle

Snake

30 Simbalbara WLS 19.00 Sirmaur Goral, Sambhar and Chittal

31 Talra WLS 40.00 Shimla Flying Squirrel, common langur, Serow,

Porcupine, Sambar

32 Tirthan WLS 61.00 Kullu Serow, blue Sheep, red Fox, musk deer, Goral,



33 Tundah WLS 64.00 Chamba Ibex, bear, langur, leopard, musk deer, Himalayan

tahr, Himalayan fox, Himalayan shrew, rhesus

macaque, common giant flying squirrel, Indian

bush rate, jackal, barking deer

http://hpforest.nic.in/pages/view/70-national-parks

http://hpforest.nic.in/pages/view/25-wildlife-sanctuaries

http://hpforest.nic.in/pages/view/113-conservation-reserves-


50,000 MIGRATORY BIRDS Over 50,000 migratory birds have arrived at the Maharana Pratap Sagar Lake, also known as

the Pong Reservoir, in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district.

The general counting of the birds was done every fortnight. The annual counting was done on

January 29 and January 30.

The lake was created in 1975 by building the highest earthfill dam — Pong Dam — in India on

the Beas River in the wetland zone of the Siwalik Hills in the district.

The lake is a well-known wildlife sanctuary and one of the 27 international wetland sites

declared in India by the Ramsar Convention.

"The birds start arriving here in October and start their return journey in April. Most of the birds

are from Siberia, Central Asia and Russia. There are hundreds of avian species but the Bar

Headed geese are in abundance here.

There are an adequate number of staffers for the protection of these migratory birds. The anti-

poachers team is assisting forest guards.According to Supreme Court guidelines, special staff has

been appointed to check illegal cultivation around the lake. CCTV cameras have been installed in

the main Sukhnada campus.

The lake covers an area of 24,529 hectares and the wetlands portion is 15,662 hectares.

The number of birds at the lake last year was 1.10 lakh compared to 1.27 lakh in 2017 -18.

REDUCING HUMAN – WILDLIFE CONFLICT A band of field staff of the wildlife wing armed with cameras and logbooks will set out for a

unique race — to count and identify marauding monkeys across Himachal Pradesh.

This dawn-to-dusk estimation of three days involves 8,000 to 12,000 employees, comprising

wildlife officials.

As per the last census conducted in 2015, the state has a population of 2.07 lakh monkeys.

The census would be carried out by the wildlife wing of the state Forest Department by involving

the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) for the first time.

WII's scientist will provide equipment and researchers for conducting the census. Also they will

hold training of the forest guards ahead of the census.

The census will be carried in state's 11 out of 12 districts. Barring Lahaul-Spiti district and

some pockets in Kinnaur district, the State is in the grip of monkey menace as they have caused

crop losses worth hundreds of crores of rupees in recent years.

As the religious sentiments prevent the people from killing the monkeys, their population is

multiplying and their menace has increased in cities and villages.

Controlling the monkey population by way of mass sterilization is one of the viable and

successful options.

Himachal Pradesh is the only state in world where such a large exercise of sterilization of

simians has been undertaken.

Almost 4.6 lakh new births have been prevented after the inception of the mass sterilization

programme almost 13 years ago.

Also, many other activities have been undertaken to mitigate the monkey-menace like

awareness on not to feed the monkeys, getting the monkeys declared as vermin, deploying eco-

task force at hotspots and enriching the forests by planting fruit-bearing tree species to prevent

their exodus to human habitations.


To identify the sterilised monkeys permanent tattooing is being done in middle of the forehead

for past three years.

As per studies by the wildlife wing, 39 out of the 75 tehsils in 10 of the 12 districts have been

identified as monkey hotspots.

A hotspot means a place of maximum conflict with humans.

The maximum of seven monkey-affected tehsils are in Kangra district, followed by Una,

Bilaspur and Sirmaur districts (five each) and Shimla (four).

The monkey census says there are about 2,452 monkeys within the Shimla municipal limits,

which is higher than their number registered in 2013.

Marauding monkeys, prowling in gangs on Shimla's streets have created panic among residents

and tourists. They have been causing havoc by biting passersby and snatching food.

Over a decade ago monkeys were trapped from streets of Shimla and banished to the jungles — a

technique to reduce their population.

Translocations have not resolved the conflict rate, conversely such translocations shifted the

problem to new areas instead of resolving the issue.

Lifting the ban on the export of monkeys for bio-medical research is the humane alternative to

check their rising numbers.

The Central Government had banned the export of wild animals in 1978.

A large number of macaques were captured regularly for export to be used as subject for

biological research. After the ban of its export, its population rebounded and achieved a positive

exponential growth rate.

Along came the drastic shift in feeding and social behaviour of the macaque.They started seeking

food from humans.

To check the population of monkeys in Himachal Pradesh

Training would be provided to local people by the forest department to capture monkeys and the

incentive to capture monkeys has been increased to Rs. one thousand.

548 panchayats of the state are vulnerable to monkey menace. Training workshops should be

organized in vulnerable panchayats to provide training to the locals.

Plantation of fruit bearing saplings in forests should be emphasized so that monkeys don't enter

human settlements in search of food.

Forest department is committed to reduce human-wildlife conflict and. 1100 monkey hotspots

have been identified in the state.

91 Tehsils and Sub-Tehsils and Municipal Corporation Shimla area have been declared

vermin for a period of one year.

Many local people and tourists started provisioning them more out of religious beliefs. The

abundance of human food and adaption of macaques to human habitat saw shift of human-

macaque interface, turning from positive to negative, and the shrinking habitat made them spread

out to more human settlements.

HP FOREST DEPARTMENT’S SCHEMES Himachal Pradesh Forest Department’s schemes are proving beneficial in terms of increasing forest cover

and environment protection. Besides, the new schemes launched by the State Forest Department are also

helping in providing livelihood opportunities to the local people of the State.

Increasing Green Corner


Special plantation campaigns are being carried out to increase the state’s green cover. As many

88,53,532 saplings were planted on 9785 hectares of forest land during the 2018, while 65,34,217

saplings were planted on about 7499 hectares of forest land under the special plantation campaign

in 2019.

Reducing Forest fires

For the first time in the State, an extensive publicity campaign is being conducted in areas

sensitive to forest fire and people are being made aware to save forests from fire by various

means. A new manual has been created for forest fire prevention and immunization.

Apart from this, a Rapid Forest Fire Force has been formed by connecting the citizens of the

state with the fire alert SMS service based on the satellite of Forest Survey of India so that the

information about forest fire can be immediately reported and appropriate action could be taken.

Pine leaves are the main cause of fire. A new policy has been formulated to collect these

leaves and remove them from forest land. Under this, a provision has been made to provide 50

percent grant (maximum Rs 25 lakh) on capital investment for setting up industry based on pine

leaves.

Van –Mintra Scheme

The Van Mitra scheme has been started with a view to inculcate the spirit of conservation of

forest and environment among school students. Under this, a fixed forest area is being allocated

to plus two schools for plantation and looking after the saplings by the students. In 2018, 228

schools and 164.30 hectares of land were selected and 1,66,830 saplings were planted under this

scheme. During 2019 financial year, 146 schools and 131.5 hectares of land have been identified

with a target of planting 1,30,100 saplings.

Promoting Eco-Tourism

Also playing an important role in promoting eco-tourism, the Forest Department has allocated

Rs 18.18 crore for Janjehli area of Mandi district which will be spent on the improvement of

trekking routes, forest rest houses, public facilities and forest checks.

The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has provided Rs three crores each for Manali

and Nachan for the development of natural parks and walking paths. Apart from this,

camping sites have been started at 25 places to promote eco-tourism in the State.

Environment Conservation

The Himachal Pradesh Forest Ecology Management and Livelihood Improvement Project

of Rs 800 crore, funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is being

implemented in 18 forest divisions of state’s six districts. In 2018, Rs 11.58 crore was spent

under the scheme aimed at increasing the forest area and providing local people with forest-based

livelihood opportunities. A provision of about Rs 29.71 crore has been made for the project in

2019.

The State Government has also launched another scheme named Van Samriddhi-Jan Samridhi

aimed to create employment opportunities by selling wild herbs and promoting their production

from private land.

Another new scheme, ‘Ek Buta Beti Ke Naam’, has been launched by the Government aimed to

make people aware of the importance of forests and the rights of girls by planting saplings in the

name of a newborn girl.


FOREST COVER IN HIMACHAL Even as 960 hectares of forest land was diverted for the non-forestry purposes between January 1, 2015

and February 5, 2019, the forest cover in Himachal Pradesh increased by 333.52 sq km as compared

to the previous assessment reported in 2017, the data released as part of Indian State of Forest Report-

2019 has revealed.

According to the report, the top five states in terms of forest cover are Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh,

Kerala, Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.

The main reasons for the increase in forest cover in Himachal Pradesh were plantation and

conservation activities.

The recorded forest area (RFA) in the state is 37,033 sq km, out of which 1,898 sq km is

reserved forests, 33,130 sq km is protected forests and 2,005 sq km is unclassed forests.

The protected area network in the State has five national parks, 32 wildlife sanctuaries and three

conservation reserves, covering 15.10% of geographical area of the state.

Based on the interpretation of IRS resources at-2 LISS III satellite data for a period between

October and December 2017, the forest cover in the state is 15,433.52 sq km which is 27.72% of

the state’s geographical area.

In terms of forest canopy density classes, the state has 3,112.71 sq km under very dense forest

(VDF), 7,125.93 sq km under moderately dense forest (MDF) and 5,194.88 sq km under open

forest (OF).

The state has reported an extent of recorded forest area (RFA) 37,033 sq km which is 66.52% of

its geographical area.

The reserved, protected and unclassed forests are 5.13%, 89.46% and 5.41% of the recorded

forest area in the state, respectively.

Himachal Pradesh has 116 number of tree species, 99 number of shrub species and 109

number of herb species.

The total carbon stock of forests in the state, including the free outside forests (TOF) patches

which are more than 1 hectare in size, is 252.36 million tones (925.32 million tonnes of CO

equivalent) which is 3.54% of total forest carbon 2 of the country.


“SECURE HIMALAYAS” PROJECT

With an appreciable increase in the population of highly endangered snow leopard in the Himalayan

region, efforts will be stepped up to provide the majestic animal, secure and congenial habitats with the

help of a Rs 130 crore “Secure Himalayas” project across Ladakh, Himachal, Uttarakhand and

Sikkim.

Efforts would be made to conserve snow leopard and its habitat while ensuring sustainable

livelihoods for communities inhabiting harsh geographical areas.

These eco-systems are threatened due to unplanned development, unsustainable land use

practices and growing man-animal conflict. This necessitates the need to conserve the habitats of

the snow leopard, which will automatically take care of the rich bio-diversity and unique

ecosystem.

The number of snow leopards in India is anywhere between 400 and 500, while in Himachal its

number is between 85 and 100.

A sum of Rs 130 crore will be spent over a span of six years under Secure Himalayas project

being implemented by Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change with the

support of Global Environment Facility in the select areas in Ladakh, HP, Uttrakhand and

Sikkim.

Efforts would be made to get adequate funding through multinational corporate houses as many

of them provide funds for such initiatives under their corporate social responsibility.

The snow leopard is one of the rarest members of the cat family and a top predator of the

Himalayas. About 500 snow leopards survive at very low densities across 75,000 sq km of

potential habitat in India. Their number is on the rise but more efforts need to be made to

conserve them.

The estimated population of snow leopards in Himachal is over 85. The high altitude belts where

they are found include Upper Kinnaur, Pin Valley, Tabo, Tharot-Miyar, Bhaga, Chandra

and Upper Spiti and some other areas in Chamba, Kinnaur and Great Himalayan National

Park (GHNP) in Kullu.

The state wildlife wing of the Forest Department is executing “Snow Leopard Project” in

association with Mysore-based Nature Conservation Foundation for conservation of the

animal found at great heights in the entire Himalayan region.

More than 30 cameras have been installed at various locations on the left bank of Spiti river to be

able to arrive at a rough estimate of their population.

The most frequent sighting of snow leopards has been in Kibber Plateau, slopes between Kee,

Gete and Tashigang, Shilla Nalla area, plateau around Langza, Hikkim, Komic and slopes around

Demul, Salung, Rama and Lalung.

Past studies in 2016, though not very scientific had put the number of snow leopards in Himachal

at 67, which was far higher than the earlier figure of less than 20.

INCREMENT IN AREA UNDER SEASONAL SNOW COVER

Assessment of spatial distribution of seasonal snow cover during 2018-19 in Himachal Pradesh

using space data has revealed that there is considerably increased snowfall in the Himalayas in


Himachal. The analysis, based on The Advanced Wide Field Sensor (AWiFS) satellite data

for 2018-19, was done for assessing the total area under snow cover during October-March

period and its temporal analysis with that of the monthly averaged values of the total area under

snow in 2017-18.

As a whole, total increase of 25.16% in the area under snow cover has been observed in

Himachal Pradesh in 2018-19 in comparison to the total area in the preceding year.

Himachal Pradesh receives winter precipitation in the form of snow at the higher altitudes. About

one-third of the total geographical area of the state remains under thick snow cover during the

winter season.

Most of the major rivers like Chenab, Beas, Parvati, Baspa, Spiti, Ravi, Satluj and their

perennial tributaries originating from the Himalayas depend on the seasonal snow cover for their

discharge dependability. Besides, the snow cover also helps in controlling the accumulation and

ablation patterns of the glaciated regions in the state.

Considering the importance of seasonal snow cover as a major input in controlling the

hydrology of the river basins, its assessment in spatial distribution is carried out in different

river basins in Himachal Pradesh during the winter season from October to March.

During the last winter in 2018-19, it was a general perception that the winter precipitation was of

higher magnitude in comparison to the preceding year. Keeping this into consideration, the total

area under snow cover was estimated using satellite data during 2018-19 and was compared with

that of the values estimated during the period 2017-18 in the state.

The study was conducted by the Himachal Pradesh State Centre on Climate Change under

the aegis of Council for Science, Technology and Environment, and Space Application Centre,

ISRO, Ahmedabad.

Based on the satellite data, it was observed that by and large all the river basins of Himachal

Pradesh show an increased percentage change in their area under snow, reflecting that 2018-19 is

the year of exceptionally heavy snowfall in all the basins of state.

Basin-wise analysis from October to March in 2018-19 and its comparative analysis with that of

2017-18 reveals that, in Chenab basin, maximum increase is of the order of about 183.2% in the

month of October, whereas November shows an increase of about 45.1% and December and

January an increase of about 17.4% and 4.2% respectively, and February and March show about

7.2% and 5.3% increase in comparison to 2017-18.

Ravi basin shows overall increase of about 411.2% in October, while in November it shows an

increase of about 93% in 2018-19, whereas January, February and March show 38.3%, 96.1%

and 51.2% respectively, and in December, the total snow cover decreased by 11.4% (2018-19) in

comparison to the corresponding period in previous year.

Beas basin also shows a more or less similar trend of increase in October of about 106.45%,

whereas November, February and March show increase of 52.66%, 31.46%, 30.69%,

respectively, in 2018-19, and there is reduction of 16.18 % in the month of December (2018-19).

In Satluj basin, it is concluded that during 2018-19, there is considerably increased snowfall in

October (185.2%) and November (75.2%), whereas December and January months show

reduction of 0.95% and 0.05%, and an increase of the order of 14.9% and 18.1%, respectively, is

in February and March.


BUYBACK POLICY FOR NON-RECYCLABLE PLASTIC

The Himachal Government will now purchase non-recyclable plastic and single use plastic waste and

bags at Rs 75 per kg at its collection centres to be run by the urban local bodies across the state.

The State Environment, Science and Technology Department notified the buyback policy for

purchase of non-recyclable plastic aimed at arresting environmental degradation.

Rag pickers will not only benefit from this policy but they will play an important role in

collecting and selling it to urban local bodies.

As per estimates, the total plastic likely to be collected would be about 75,000 kg and the budget

required for it would be about Rs 2.81 crores.

The plastic waste thus generated would be put to use in road construction, which will result in the

Public Works Department saving up to Rs 35,000 to Rs 50,000 per km.

Besides, the plastic would be used to generate energy in cement plants.

The cost of transportation of the plastic would be borne by the urban local bodies and

collection centres have already been notified at 14 places.

The Departments of Urban Development, Public Works, Rural Development, State

Pollution Control Board and cement companies will be involved in the initiative to rid the

fragile hill ecology of the adverse impact of plastic waste.

Interestingly, the buy-back policy provides for a minimum support price to the rag pickers or any

other individual from households.

The policy is part of plastic waste management initiative.

Prior to this, the government had fixed Rs 3 to Rs 4 per kg for purchase of plastic under

Polythene Hatao Paryavaran Bachao Abhiyaan but it failed to yield the desired results as it

was not remunerative compared to the effort that went into collection the plastic waste.

The minimum support price of Rs 75 per kg would be applicable to non-recyclable and single use

plastic waste like packaging of chips, milk, oil pouches, toffees, biscuits, chocolates,

confectionary items, wrappers and readymade cloth packaging.

CHEER PHEASANT Himachal Chief Minister has released into the wild, Cheer Pheasant, an endangered Himalayan

Pheasant into the wild.

A ceremony was organised by Wild Life Wing of Forest Department of Himachal Pradesh at Seri

Village District Shimla.


This will be a reintroduction of Cheer Pheasant in Himachal Pradesh, as captive-bred birds and

animals have high mortality rate upon release into the wild.

Cheer Pheasant is an endangered Himalayan pheasant red-listed by International Union for

Conservation for Nature (IUCN).

The Central Zoo Authority identified the Cheer Pheasant as a candidate species for Conservation

Breeding with an objective to establish viable and self sustainable population.

Khadiyun Pheasantry in Chail was identified as a ‘coordinating zoo’ for carrying out the

Conservation Breeding of Cheer Pheasant to which the next step is to release this species into the

wild.

EARTHQUAKE EARLY WARNING SYSTEM (EEWS)

Seismic hazard in Himachal Pradesh is very high as the maximum area of the state lies in the Himalayas,

which is one of the most seismically active regions in the world.

A developed Earthquake Early Warning System could be an effort in the direction to mitigate the seismic

hazards in the state.

Therefore, IIT Roorkee has sent a proposal to the State Government to establish an Earthquake Early

Warning System (EEW).

IIT Roorkee has already installed such Earthquake Early Earning System in Uttarakhand with

the help of State Government, which is running very effectively by generating a database of

earthquake events, generating public awareness and detailed research on seismic activities.

According to IIT Roorkee’s proposal, Himachal Pradesh may put earthquake sensors in different

parts of the State which will detect earthquake activities in real-time. The warning may be

communicated to the general public by a network of sirens. If the earthquake has its epicentre in

Kangra or Mandi regions, the people in the State Capital may get lead time to take action say by

30 to 35 seconds.

Similarly, the expected lead time to the major cities if 1905 Kangra earthquake repeats in the

region would be Solan 42 seconds, Mandi 20 seconds, Dalhousie 8 seconds, Dehradun 77

seconds, Chandigarh 43 seconds, Ludhiana 37 seconds, Amritsar 38 seconds, Panipat 93 seconds

and Delhi 123 seconds.

Timely action may save many lives if there is an earthquake in the State in future and such an

early warning system is in place and institutionalized and such EEWS will help generating a

database of earthquakes in the state and generating mass awareness on earthquake safety.

GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS (GI) TAGS FOR HIMACHALI

KALAJIRA, CHULI OIL

A decision that could benefit thousands of kalajira and chuli oil producers from Himachal Pradesh,

they have been registered under Geographical Indications (GIs) of Goods Act, 1999.


SIGNIFICANCE OF GI TAGS:

This decision will not only benefit thousands of kalajira and chuli oil producers of state but will

also be helpful in preserving the traditional products but will increase the market potential

resulting in a boost for the economy of the region.

With the registration of these products under the GI Act, it will prevent unauthorized production

and misuse in the name of these products.

PROCEDURE :

The GI applications of kalajira and chuli oil was filed jointly by HP patent information centre

(HPPIC), HIMCOSTE and Kinnaur chulli and Bhemi Oil Producers and processor society on

behalf of manufacturers and producers of chulli oil.

The GI registry office of the Government of India has recommended registration of both these

traditional products (Chuli Oil, Kala Zeera).

PENALTY:

Under the GI Act, any infringement of the registered GI by producers other than those from the region of

origin of these products can result in maximum of 3 years imprisonment and a fine of maximum of Rs 2

lakh.

AWARENESS CAMPAIGN :

Now to generate awareness about the GIs tag awareness workshops will be organized by the state

council for science technology and environment soon at Kalpa and Rekong-Peo for the stakeholders of

Himachali kalajira and Himachali chulli oil for formulating an action plan for future strategy.

Himachal state will be the first state in the country to formulate a policy for the

registration of GI.

NODAL AGENCY :

Himachal Pradesh Patent Information Centre (HPPIC) has been declared as the nodal agency for

identifying GIs of Himachal Pradesh and getting these registered under the GI act so as to protect the

interests of manufacturers and producers and artisans.

HIMACHAL ENERGY CONSERVATION BUILDING CODE Himachal has become the first state to notify Energy Conservation Building Code which will result

in reduction in energy consumption demand by commercial buildings by 30 per cent.

The Himachal Pradesh Energy Conservation Building Code 2018 has been notified in the

state to reduce energy consumption demand in commercial buildings. Himachal Pradesh is the

first state in the country to achieve this milestone. The policy will be implemented in its true

sense after the successful incorporation of its provisions in the Town and Country Planning Rules

by Town and Country Planning Department.

This code has been formed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Union Ministry of Power

under Energy Conservation Act, 2001 and every state needs to amend and notify the code

based on local climatic conditions for effective implementation on ground.

With the mandatory implementation of the HPECBC and Rules, 2018, every commercial building

such as educational institutes, shopping complex, hotels, hospitals, and multiplexes etc having

built-up area of 750 m or more shall be granted planning permission by approval/development

authority only after the compliance of the provisions of this code.

Based on the provisions mentioned in the code, the climate zones in Himachal Pradesh have been

divided into two categories i.e., areas above altitude of 1,600m from sea level shall follow


requirement of cold climate conditions and areas below 1,600m from sea level shall follow

requirement of composite climate conditions.

The Directorate of Energy under the department of MPP and Power, HP and Bureau of Energy

Efficiency has been working diligently on this code for last two years with support of M/s Global

Evolutionary Energy Design, New Delhi functioning as ECBC cell HP.

The HPECBC and Rules 2018 has been prepared after having vide consultation with all

stakeholder departments such as Town and Country Planning Department, HPPWD, HIMUDA,

Urban Development Department, HIMURJA, HPSEBL, Rural Development Department.

The Directorate of Energy has also organised about 25 Awareness Workshops and training

programmes for capacity building of relevant stakeholders in every district of the state as well.

Energy Conservation Act, 2001

The code has been formed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Union Ministry of Power under Energy

Conservation Act, 2001 and every state needs to amend and notify the code based on local climatic

conditions for effective implementation on ground.

HIMALAYAN GRAY LANGUR SPECIES The endangered Himalayan gray langur (Semnopithecus ajax), also known as Chamba sacred

langur and Kashmir gray langur, is fighting for survival.

The langur has a dwindling population of less than 250 mature individuals, according to a study

conducted by Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society after a gap of 84 years.

This species of leaf-eating primates found between Kashmir and Chamba region of Himachal

Pradesh was in 2008 classified as endangered in the IUCN red list of threatened species.

The study found less than 250 mature individuals and their occupancy range was 500 square km

in Chamba region.

The last study of Chamba langur was conducted in 1928 and there was no specific data available

about them.

First described in 1928 from a skin specimen by Reginald Innes Pocock from Chamba, this

species has since remained virtually unknown to primatologists in the subcontinent.

Detailed and well-informed distribution assessments have confined the species to the Chamba

Valley, implying endemism.

The interesting and distinguishing feature of the Himalayan Grey Langur is the adult male’s

shoulder mane. The males and females have long fur giving them a puffy, bushy appearance.


THREATS

The langur occupies the sub-alpine moist deciduous forests of the western Himalayas of

Chamba, with an estimated occupancy range 500 sq km and a population of about 250 mature

individuals.

Chamba sacred langur’s endemism to Chamba has in effect earned Chamba Valley the

Alliance for Zero Extinction Site status.

The Himalayan langur faces its own survival threats and population pressures ranging from

fragmentation, deforestation, forest fires, retaliatory killing due to crop raiding, expanding

horticulture, and the growing antagonism towards the langurs due to their cropraiding

behaviour.

The langur distribution, its dietary preference, behaviour, and their role in the ecosystem services of the

western Himalayan ecology is yet to be understood and appreciated thereby justifying detailed research

on the langurs.

HIMALAYAN GREY LANGUR PROJECT

Himalayan Grey Langur Project is an initiative to understand biology and ecological role of the langur

through thorough scientific field research. One of its main objectives is to understand the real time

conservation threats confronting these langurs, including humanlangur relationship and to establish a

holistic stakeholder-run participatory conservation initiative in the region.

NATIONAL DISASTER RESPONSE FORCE (NDRF) According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) will have

four new battalions that will be based in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh,

Uttarakhand and the National Capital Region.

The new battalions of the NDRF will be drawn from Assam Rifles (location in J&K), Indo-Tibetan

Border Police (Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand) and the Border Security Force (Delhi-NCR

region).

The Assam Rifles draws its strength of officers from the Army and functions under the command of

the MHA. The paramilitary force has a strength of 47,000 personnel.

The process of acquiring land and operationalising the new NDRF battalions is now on.

The government had approved raising of the four new NDRF battalions in August 2018 in order to

strengthen India’s disaster response set-up at an estimated cost of Rs 637 crore.

An NDRF battalion comprises a little over 1,000 personnel. Its battalions are raised from Central

Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and the parent force is responsible for feeding the ranks and personnel,

who are sent on deputation to the NDRF.

The NDRF, that was raised in 2006, has 12 operational battalions at present.

STATE DISASTER RESPONSE FORCE (SDRF) Himachal state will set up a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) on the pattern of the National

Disaster Response Force to generate a prompt and efficient response at the time of disasters.


Himachal was one of the most multi-hazard-prone states as it faced earthquakes, landslides, floods,

flash floods, glacial outbursts, besides hailstorms, droughts and cloudbursts.

It is essential to constitute an SDRF in the state, consisting of three companies from the police to deal

with disasters and emergencies.

Each company would have 100 personnel each and, for effective response at the time of disaster,

SDRF stations will be set up in Mandi, Arki and Mubarakpur.

It was also approved to constitute a State Disaster Mitigation Fund to take preventive measures for

reduction of disasters.

The SDRF would be under the supervision of the Department of Revenue - Disaster Management.

Local people were the first responder during such situations. SDRF can also be used for events such

as Manimahesh Yatra, Srikhand Yatra, Kinnar Kailash Yatra where preventive measures are

required.

To create awareness at the school-level, a new project to prepare schools for disasters was

implemented in 200 schools each in Kangra and Kullu districts. Experts provided trainings to

teachers, students and staff in schools.

SNOW GALLERIES The construction of one of the world's most challenging motorways - the Rohtang Pass highway tunnel -

in the Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh is likely to be completed by 2020.

However, a daunting task ahead is to make the snow avalanche-prone roads, located at altitudes ranging

above 3,000 metres and leading to the tunnel, safe for the motorists as well as accessible round the year.

For this, Chandigarh-based Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) has designed

mechanical structures to ensure the safety of motorists by countering avalanches on both ends of the

tunnel that remain under snow even during peak summer.

The 8.8-km long horseshoe shaped tunnel - the world's longest motorable tunnel 3,000 metres

above sea level, under the 3,978-metre Rohtang Pass in the Pir Panjal range - has 45 avalanche-

prone spots and aims to provide all-season connectivity to the landlocked Lahaul Valley from the

picturesque resort town of Manali.

Self-escape snow galleries have been designed for the safety of motorists after studying the local

dynamics of avalanches like force and velocity.

It is for the first time that SASE has designed snow galleries. Three snow galleries are

under construction at the tunnel's south portal from the Dhundi side.

The length of a gallery varies from 40 metres to 130 metres and would be constructed before the

tunnel completion.


The other mechanical structures on the 12-km stretch towards the south portal are five deflector

steel walls and a bridge to withhold an avalanche.

Likewise, a 250-m long catch dam is under construction towards tunnel's north portal to check

erosion of falling debris along the road.

Sensors would be installed along both roads to monitor the behaviour of the snow and flashfloods

round the year. The most ambitious and expensive undertaking of its kind, the excavation of the

tunnel was completed in October 2017. Now the civil engineering work is on.

The project is being undertaken by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), a wing of the Defence

Ministry, in collaboration with Afcons, a joint venture with Strabag AG.

Situated in the Pir Panjal ranges, the Rohtang Pass highway tunnel will provide ample room for

two-way traffic and is designed to cater to a maximum vehicular speed of 80 km per hour.

Upon completion, it will also be a boon for the cold deserts of Lahaul Valley, where over 20,000

people remain cut off from the rest of the country in winter owing to the closure of the Rohtang

Pass.

Besides reducing road distance by approximately 46 km and saving travel time of five hours

between Manali and Keylong, headquarters of Lahaul-Spiti, 3,000 vehicles can ply per day in the

tunnel under any weather condition.

The completion of the Rohtang tunnel is a key element in the Defence Ministry's attempts to

make the entire 475 km-long Manali-Keylong-Leh highway. Used by the armed forces to reach

forward areas in Ladakh bordering China and Pakistan, motorable round the year.

The strategic importance of the Manali-Leh link was realised by the Indian government almost

two decades ago when, during the Kargil conflict, Pakistan tried to cut off the Srinagar-Leh road

in a bid to restrict road access to Ladakh.

Currently, the movement of armed forces to the forward areas in Ladakh from the Manali side,

which doesn't fall within the firing range of Pakistani forces, is feasible only from June to mid-

December.

SNOW HARVESTING PROJECT To deal with water crisis in cold desert, the state government is planning snow harvesting in the tribal

district Lahaul-Spiti.

Under the plan, water will be conserved for agriculture use. The district witnesses scarcity of

water during summer season. The residents find it difficult to meet the demand of water for

irrigation purpose because Lahaul-Spiti receives less rain as compared to other parts of the state.


Known as cold desert, Lahaul-Spiti remains under cover of snow for five months during winter

season and people get limited time to do cultivation of crops. A majority of farmers in the district

are engaged in vegetable cultivation, which requires sufficient water supply for irrigation purpose

for better crop. In case of short of rainfall, they face severe difficulty in meeting water demand

for agriculture use.

The people of the district had been demanding this project since long, which, they believe, will go

a long way in boosting agriculture produce in the district.

Agriculture Ministry has directed Irrigation and Public Health Department to conduct a survey

for this project with the help of SASE (Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment Authority)

to identify those places in the district, where snow harvesting project could be set up for water

storage.

There is a proposal to set up snow harvesting project at Lapshak and Trilokinath villages.

However, the cost of project and final decision to set up the project will be taken after survey

report. Thereafter, the DPR of snow harvesting project will be prepared.

This project will give big boost to agriculture in the near future.

Snow harvesting precipitation involves collection, concentration and storage of both rain and

snow from various sources.

The harvesting of rainwater and snow can provide water for regions where other sources are far

away or too costly, or where other methods of water collection are impractical because of

unfavourable geology. According to experts, rain water and snow harvesting are possible in areas

which receive as little as 50-80 mm of rainfall.

SNOW LEOPARD POPULATION IN HIMACHAL STATE

The efforts of the wildlife wing of the Forest Department seems to have yielded positive results as there

has been an appreciable increase in the number of the highly endangered snow leopards in the high

mountain areas of the state.

Even though the process of population estimation is still underway, the staff of the wildlife wing has

already recorded 49 snow leopards in upper Kinnaur, Pin Valley, Tabo, Tharot-Miyar, Bhaga,

Chandra and upper Spiti landsacape.

The number of snow leopards that have been estimated in seven major areas so far is already 49

whereas the estimation is yet to be done in some other areas like Chamba, Kinnaur and Great

Himalayan Park (GHNP) having a sizeable presence of the majestic animal.

Past studies in 2016, though not very scientific, had put the number of snow leopards in Himachal

at 67 which was far higher than the earlier figure of less than 20.

With the launch of the Snow Leopard Conservation Project, the number seems to have shot up

and could even touch 100.


The state wildlife wing of the Forest Department is executing the “Snow Leopard Project” in

association with Mysore based Nature Conservation Foundation for conservation of the

animal found at great heights in the entire Himalayan region.

More than 30 cameras have been installed at various locations on the left bank of Spiti river to be

able to arrive at a rough estimate of their population.

With the snow leopard found in limited high altitude areas, efforts are being made worldwide to

conserve the animal which is highly endangered.

Himachal is the only state in the country to have undertaken population estimation of snow

leopards which are also found in alpine regions of other states like Jammu and Kashmir

and Uttarakhand.

The most frequent sighting has been in Kibber Plateau, slopes between Kee, Gete and Tashigang,

Shilla Nalla area, plateau around Langza, Hikkim, Komic and slopes around Demul, Salung,

Rama and Lalung.

Though the snow leopard frequents an area of almost 20,000 sq km in the Himalayan region its

density is higher in specific areas in Spiti and Kinnaur.

To help in conservation of this animal, the Forest Department has roped in the migratory

shepherds who spot the snow leopards quite often and keep giving valuable inputs to forest

officials.

WATER PURIFICATION INVIGORATIVE SCHEME (WaPIS ) On World Environment Day, 5

th JUNE, Himachal Pradesh launched the WaPIS (Water

Purification Invigorative Scheme) under which 38 types of plant species have been identified to

treat waste water of various river streams.

Initially, this project will be implemented in and around Sukhna rivulet in Parwanoo, the

Markanda in Kala Amb and the Sirsa in Baddi — all located in the state’s industrial hub in Solan

district.

The concept of WaPIS is phytoremediation, wherein plants are used to treat and absorb pollutants

from waste water and soil.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has declared seven river stretches of Himachal Pradesh

as polluted, based on pollution load while the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has subsequently

directed the state government to prepare a time-bound action plan to clean the polluted stretch.

Pollution in these rivers has crossed all permissible limits, making these biologically “dead” as

industrial muck, sewage and junk end up in these rivers. The pollution regulator planted 10,000 trees


in 2018 and now it will plant over 1.60 lakh saplings of 38 varieties of pollution-absorbing trees to

increase the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) level in these rivers.

In Himachal Pradesh, seven river stretches — Sukhana, Markanda, Sirsa, Ashwani, parts of

Beas, Giri and Pabbar — are found to be polluted and identified as “critically polluted” (where the

‘biological oxygen demand’ levels are above permissible limits and in worst condition).

To check river pollution, the NGT has already constituted a Central Monitoring Committee to

undertake a national initiative by way of preparation and enforcement of a national plan to make river

stretches pollution free.

The committee has a senior representative of NITI Aayog, secretaries of ministries of water

resources, urban development, environment, forest and climate change, director general of National

Mission for Clean Ganga and CPCB chairman on board.

The CPCB chairman has been designated as the nodal authority for coordination, while the senior

most member would preside over the deliberations.

UNA DISTRICT’S FIRST ECO-VILLAGE Changer village in Bangana sub-division is set to be developed as the first eco-village of Una

district. A sum of Rs 1.5 crore has been sanctioned by the state government for the purpose. The

move is part of the government’s initiative to develop 10 villages of the state as eco-tourism

destinations.

The project would be implemented by the Una District Rural Development Agency (DRDA)

and funds had already been transferred for it.

The idea of the project was to promote the serene beauty of the rural areas, besides exposing

visitors to the local art, culture, traditions and cuisine, thereby enhancing livelihood

opportunities for the locals.

The village provides ample scope for tourists interested in nature. Changar is located on the

banks of the Sutlej River and has good forest cover. Besides, the revered Brahmahuti temple of

Lord Brahma is located here, which is the only temple dedicated to the deity in north India,

besides another one at Pushkar in Rajasthan.

The DRDA had planned to develop a park in the village at a cost of Rs 20 lakh, from where the

natural beauty of the river, the hills, green cover and village habitation could be seen. Visitors can

also enjoy a walk over the suspension bridge in the village and cross over to the other bank of the

Sutlej.

The village paths would be paved and 215 solar lights would be installed to provide illumination.

Also, multi-purpose conveniences and living accommodation would be set up for tourists at a cost

of Rs 50 lakh.

SAFE FUEL Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi, have developed new materials that can use

sunlight for the production of hydrogen from water.

The project has been taken up in collaboration with researchers from Yogi Vemana University,

Andhra Pradesh.


With concerns of dwindling fossil fuel reserves and environmental issues associated with their

use, there has been an impetus to develop alternative and safe fuels. Hydrogen gas with its high

energy yield and eco-friendliness has been identified as a potential energy vector that can herald a

new hydrogen-based economy.”

The catch with hydrogen economy is that the gas is now largely obtained from fossil fuels by

petroleum and natural gas steam reforming processes, which does not help with the problem.

Solving-finding alternatives to fossil fuels were set out.

Water, the simplest chemical compound known to man, was made of two hydrogen atoms and

one oxygen atom and was logically a good source of hydrogen. However, splitting water into

hydrogen and oxygen was energy intensive and not easy. It has been known for decades that light

can assist in the splitting of water into its constituent hydrogen and oxygen atoms.

flora and faunaflora and fauna himachal is said to be the fruit bowl of the country, with orchards...

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